Corruption: Over 400 cases in courts

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62652

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

Lagos budgets N665.588bn for 2016

N1.04 TRN FINE: MTN refuses to pay, threatens court action

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode (right), presenting the 2016 Budget to the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, yesterday.

See story Page 10

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Corruption: Over 400 cases in courts — ICPC

•As EFCC boss seeks time-frame to dispense with cases •Senate backs Buhari on anti-graft war •Flag honour for Buhari during budget presentation next week

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North & Henry Umoru

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BUJA — The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) disclosed, yesterday, it was prosecuting over 400 corruption-related cases in various courts across the country even as it blamed the judiciary for the drawbacks it suffered in the course of Continues on Page 5

Nigeria can no longer fund oil industry — FG 8 GOWON GETS ECOWAS AWARD—ECOWAS Distinguished Awardee and former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon

(L); being congratulated by Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, while others watch at the 40th Anniversary of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.i

Panicky policy measures intensifies on Forex market

See inside C M Y K

COLUMNISTS:

SOUTH WEST IN 2015: The issues, personalities (1)

P.17

P.19

SOUTH WEST VOICE

SWEET & SOUR

OWEI

LAKEMFA

Lizard brain, fish brain

DONU

KOGBARA

Our local govt problem: Responses

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Biafra: 5 killed, 7 injured as IPOB, MASSOB clash with JTF in Onitsha ....As court orders Kanu's release

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Mr & Mrs

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POCKET CARTOON

From left: Kayode Lawal, Executive Director, Sterling Bank; Yemi Adeola, MD/CEO, and Yemi Odubiyi, Executive Director/COO, at the Sterling Bank’s MD/CEO annual press conference in Lagos. PHOTO: AKEEM SALAU

Over 400 cases in courts — ICPC Continues from Page 1 prosecuting the cases.

ICPC Chairman, Mr. Ekpo NTA, who disclosed this when he appeared before the Senator Chukwuka Utazi-led Senate committee on Anti Corruption and Financial Crimes, however, pleaded with the National Assembly to look into its funding, adding that if corruption was the main headache in the country, the government must invest to curb it.

According to the ICPC boss, 90 per cent of the agency ’s budget was spent annually on prosecution, while only 10 per cent was expended on prevention, even as he stressed that the existing structure was unproductive and was not in consonance with the recommendations of the United Nations (UN).

Ekpo, who noted that 60 per cent ought to have been spent on prevention, as against the current practice, blamed the inability of anti-corruption agencies in the country to successfully carryout their functions on non-

availability of adequate budgetary provisions by previous governments.

The ICPC Chairman, who acknowledged some of the modest reforms that have been initiated by the ICPC in recent times, said: “Most of the time, we talk about corruption. No one spends time to talk about anti-corruption.

There is a clear distinction between corruption and other financial crimes.

When we were sworn in, I was being abused on a daily basis on the pages of national newspapers because of my approach to fighting corruption.

“Our budgetary provisions every year have always been on fighting corruption. Only 10 per cent is budgeted for prevention. Corruption is a transnational issue. It goes beyond Nigeria.

People did not know that we had about 400 cases going on at the beginning of the year. We had to place an advertisement for Nigerians to know what is happening.

EFCC boss seeks time frame for

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO OU have not lived until some persons can say that if not for you their life would have been worthless. It’s up to you.

Y

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

A problem is a chance for you to do your best —Duke Ellington

T

HE hardships you face are not things to run from. It isn’t that we are looking for a hard life, but when difficulties come despite our best efforts, it could be an indication that life is telling us to look on the other end of the scale. You may find that the degree to which you are having outer hardships matches the degree to which you’re unfolding in a much higher level in life. Remember, doing the best at the moment puts you in the best place for the next uplifting experience.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE There is no how a bird can fly without people seeing its belly.

cases In a related development, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has suggested a legislation that would fix a timeframe within which corruption cases should be heard and determined by the judiciary.

Magu, who spoke while receiving the chairman and members of the Senate Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial crimes in his office, said that such legislation, like the one guiding electoral matters, would go a long way to assist the commission in tackling rising corruption in Nigeria.

The chairman said that Nigeria was in a better position now to end corruption given the political will that now exists and the determination by the legislature and the judiciary to back the EFCC against corrupt practices.

Magu said: “Some of our cases have dragged on for so long due to no fault of ours. It may not be out of place if the Committee looks at the possibility of adapting the provision of the Electoral Act which specifies time frame for determination of election petitions, to corruption matters.

“I believe that, if there is a time frame for the determination of corruption cases, it will speed up adjudication in court.

“There is not a better time than now to fight the war on corruption as we have the support from all angles: The political will of Mr. President is there; the judiciary is solidly behind us and the National Assembly is 100% in support of EFCC.” He also drew the attention of the National Assembly Committee to the problem of

accommodation facing the agency as a result of the delay in the completion of its national headquarters in Abuja, and pleaded with them to interven to get it done before long.

“I am sure that some of you are aware of the challenges which the commission face in the discharge of its mandate.

One of the challenges is accommodation constraints. We operate from rented apartments scattered across Abuja.

“Without belabouring this fact, I wish to call on the committee to use its good offices to ensure speedy completion of our head office. I am delighted that you will be visiting the site to see for yourselves, the progress of work.

“The commission is rapidly expanding its operations with the opening of more offices.

This will exact more pressure on available resources as provisions would have to be made for the effective running of these offices.

“We will need more vehicles for operation, furniture and other office equipment. I will also want the committee to assist in fast-tracking the Commission’s cases in court,” Magu pleaded.

Senate backs Buhari's anti-corruption war

*All senators to hold flag on Tuesday to honour Buhari during budget presentation Meanwhile, the Senate said, yesterday, that it would support President Muhammadu Buhari in his present anticorruption war as part of moves to place Nigeria among one of the top nations in the world, just as it said that the crusade would help free Nigeria of all acts of indiscipline.

According to the Senate, given the economic recession confronting the country due to the fall of oil price in the international market, it has become imperative to give legislative support to the efforts of President Buhari in his drive towards nipping corruption in the bud and possibly to a zero level as part of moves to boost the economic profile of Nigeria.

As part of its support for the anti-graft war of President Buhari, the Senate agreed, yesterday, that all federal lawmakers should attend next Tuesday’s joint session with national flags in their hands during the 2016 budget presentation by the President.

These were sequel to resolutions of a motion titled, “The need for

legislative support to government’s anticorruption drive”, by the Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (PDP Taraba South).

In his presentation, Senator Bwacha who called for Senate’s total support for the war in view of enormous damage corruption has done to the development of the nation, said: “Corruption has brought untold hardship to millions of Nigerians who are living below poverty level some of whom have been rushed to their early graves aside putting us as a people and as a nation, permanently at the backward position in terms of development in the comity of nations”.

The Senate also directed its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to review all laws relating to economic/financial crimes and corruption towards achieving speedy dispensation of justice as it relates to corruption cases, even as it directed its Committee on Information and National Orientation as well as Education, to embark on a deliberate civic education programme for the citizenry, the youths in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.

In his remarks on the motion, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who noted that the Senate was fully in support of the war against corruption by President Buhari, described corruption as one of the major challenges facing the nation and stressed the need for government to make anti-corruption agencies truly independent and equipped to carry out their functions effectively.

He charged his colleagues on effective oversight functions which he said “is key to the fight against corruption.

Also yesterday, the senate summoned the Director General, Nigerian Law School

over what it termed, excessive tuition fee charged by the school, just as it also urged the federal government to increase funding of the school and asked the committee on judiciary, human rights and legal matters to ensure that it carries out its oversight functions to work towards reducing the charges.

The Senate took these decisions following a motion by Senator Shehu Sani, APC, Kaduna Central and titled “the excessive tuition fee charged by the Nigerian Law School.”

Sani who complained that the school was becoming unaffordable, said that the central registration is put at N295,250 and N20,000 for other charges, leading to a cumulative amount of 315,000 Naira, adding, “The cumulative fees of 350,000 naira is excessively high including the cost of living for the period of the studies.

“In 2014, a 30 year-old prospective student of the Nigerian Law school committed suicide because he could not afford the tuition fees.”

Also, yesterday, the Senate urged the federal government to urgently take steps to check the trend of increasing population growth of Nigeria, just as it urged the federal government to sensitise Nigerians on the need for family planning to curtail the population explosion in the country.

It also mandated its Committee on National Identity and National Population to liaise with the National Population Commission, with a view to articulating a clear policy on population to check the increasing growth rate in the country.

These resolutions were sequel to a motion titled, “Global population increase and need to integrate the national policy on population with overall development planning in the country ”and sponsored by Senator Isa Hamma Misau, APC Bauchi Central.

6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 , 2015

Beheaded man found at base of praying mountain in Ondo A

By Dayo Johnson

KURE—DETECTIVES in Ondo State Police Command are investigating the death of an unidentified man who was reportedly beheaded beside a mountain where people pray and worship at Amese Community in Akure, the state capital.

Severed head

His severed head could not be foundand the body was left in a pool of its blood.

Worshippers who trooped to the mountain for their weekly special service reportedly met the headless body of the victim at the base of the mountain.

Those who came early according to investigations fled following the discovery of the headless body at the base of the mountain for fear of Police harassment.

Vanguard gathered that the morning service was suspended as leaders of those who usually organize the weekly worship programme went to the Ijapo police station to lodge a formal complaint.

Reports had it that those who went to police station to lodge complaint were detained by officers on duty, before detectives were sent to the scene of the crime to remove the headless body.

An eyewitness who spoke with newsmen said: “After the matter had been reported at Ijapo Police Station, the policemen that combed the entire area started arresting residents indiscriminately. Those that went to report the incident at police station were also detained.

“When we complained the police said the arrest of the people was part of their investigation though we don’t know how the corpse got there.“ Also, some residents in nearby communities accused the Police of leaving the community where the incident happened to their

areas to make incriminate arrests, demanding money for bail.

Meanwhile, many residents in the community where the incident happened had fled for fear of harassment and arrest by the Police.

Incident turned into money making venture

They alleged that the Police instead of investigating the incident had turned it into a money making venture.

Police detectives informed the

Vanguard that the deceased might have been killed somewhere far from the area and the corpse dumped at the base of the mountain.

When contacted, the Police spokesman, Femi Joseph, confirmed the ugly incident, saying that police detectives have started investigations into the murder of the man.

Joseph, however, denied police harassment and extortion as alleged by residents of the communities.

No arrest

According to him, “The police did not arrest anybody, when we got information about the incident, we sent our men there to evacuate the body. We were just inviting some of the residents and asking one or two questions from them. We did not arrest or demand anything.“ Meanwhile, the headless corpse has been deposited at the Specialist hospital in Akure.

AT THE MERCY OF HARMAT TAN: People war ming beside an open fire at Gwagwalada in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

themselves

2 elderly sureties arraigned as suspect jumps bail

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—A septuagenarian and sexagenarian, who stood surety for their neighbour, were yesterday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate's Court, Lagos, for allegedly failing to produce the person they stood surety for.

The defendants, Elijah Bamidele, 76, and Gideon Ajayi, 60, are facing a two count charge bordering on interfering with the administration of justice.

The Prosecutor, ASP Charles Odii, told the court that the duo committed the alleged offences on November 22, 2013, at the magistrate court 4 Igbosere, Lagos, when they stood surety.

He said that the defendants entered into recognisance in the sum of N2 million, in a case involving conspiracy and stealing.

The prosecutor also claimed that they were supposed to produce one Ngozi Eric, whom they stood surety for whenever needed by the court

but that they failed to do so.

According to the prosecutor, Bamidele and Ajayi, never produced the said Eric when she was needed on December 16, 2013 and other subsequent dates.

Odii, however, said that the two elderly men should be made to forfeit the two million Naira bail bond or show cause why they should not forfeit it to government.

He said that the alleged offence is punishable under Section 118 of the Administration of Criminal

Justice Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge against them.

The Magistrate, Mr B. A. Sonuga, however, admitted them to bail on self recognisance.

He cautioned them to ensure that they produce the said Eric before the next adjourned date, otherwise face the law. He adjourned the case till January. 26, 2016 for mention.

Police recover 3 vehicles, AK-47 rifle, ammunition from hoodlums in Aba

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By Ugochukwu Alaribe

BA—THE Police in Aba, Abia State, has recovered three vehicles and an AK 47 rifle with 59 rounds of live ammunition stolen by hoodlums.

Policemen, while on patrol, recovered an AK-47 rifle with 59 rounds of live ammunition in a green coloured Toyota Camry with number plate MUS 963 DT along Ngwa Road in Aba. A police source said the four male occupants of the Toyota car abandoned it when they sighted the patrol team. On searching the car, an AK 47 riffle marked; RP 0279 with two magazines containing 59 rounds of live ammunition was recovered.

The recovered vehicles include a Toyota Camry car with registration number; EHM 742 AA, Suzuki Grand Vitara with registration number, LSD 723 DF and a Toyota Avalon car with registration number, KWL 400 BC, respectively.

Vanguard gathered that policemen on patrol duty at Pepple Street, Ogbor-Hills, Aba, suspected the occupants of the Toyota Camry car, but the latter abandoned the vehicle and escaped into the bush.

When a search was conducted on the car, a Nokia phone, bunch of keys, a Bible, Diamond Bank ATM card, ignition keys of the car and other documents were found.

It was also gathered that a Suzuki Grand Vitara belonging to C & I Leasing Company and its driver, Augustine Nwanna were reported missing in Rivers State, but the Police tracked the car to a mechanic's workshop in Aba and arrested one Ihechin Nathaniel Wilson of No 4 Agolawa street, off Ngwa road, Aba and Samson Baba, of Oloha in Dekina council area of Kogi State.

The driver, it was gathered , was sent on errand with the vehicle by his employers in PortHarcourt on December 7, 2015, but never returned.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015 — 7

Panicky policy measures intensify on foreign exchange market As CBN blames high rate on speculators

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor & Babajide Komolafe

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AGOS — There appears to be increasing tension and instability in the Nigeria’s foreign exchange market with depreciation of Naira accelerating as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the banks push for more restrictions on the market.

Yesterday, the local currency crashed further to N280/$1 at the parallel market, pushing the market premium to all time high of over 41 per cent against the official exchange rate range of N196-N198/ $1.0.

The parallel market has been on daily depreciation of the Naira in the past two weeks worsening this week with market operators indicating the crash has not bottomed out.

At the backdrop of the development, commercial banks sent out letters to their customers informing them that henceforth maximum spending limit on offshore credit/debit card spendings have been further reduced to $12,000.00 per annum.

According to the banks, the letters were sequel to a similar communication from the apex bank directing a downward review of domiciliary account spendings abroad.

The latest downward adjustment will be the second this year, having crashed the limit to $50,000 from $100,000 mid this year.

As the foreign exchange market tension persists, market operators said the apex bank will cancel the weekly sale of foreign exchange to Bureau de Change dealers anytime from now.

An official of the apex bank said the bank would formally give a “forward guidance” on the new policy that is expected to frustrate the booming black market trading of foreign currencies nationwide.

CBN has been battling unwholesome practices and lack of rendition of weekly reports by BDCs. Vanguard learnt that some authorized BDCs usually buy foreign exchange from the CBN at the official rate of about N197-$1 and resell at the parallel market (black market) to end users at rates ranging far above the stipulated margins.

There are about 2578 authorised BDCs that participate at the CBN’s weekly sale auction but less than half have been regular at the CBN’s official foreign exchange window as the apex bank regularly ban most of them for infringements on the rules.

CBN had in a circular this week outlawed the hawking of foreign exchange on the streets, a multi-decade practice in Nigeria’s main cities. The law is effective from January 1, 2016.

The circular stated: “It shall be a ground for the revocation of licences should any street trader in foreign currencies be found to have any business relationship with a licenced BDC.”

CBN blames high rate on speculators

At the backdrop of the foreign exchange crisis, CBN’s Director, Monetary Policy Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Moses Tule, said the Naira is under pressure because of the actions of speculators, who he faulted for taking positions against the Naira, with a view to making excess gain from currency trading.

Tule, who stated this in a television programme monitored in Abuja yesterday, said the currency speculators were determined to put severe pressure on the monetary authorities expecting the apex bank to buckle and further devalue the naira.

According to him, the CBN had a responsibility for the economy and would not fold its arms while economic predators feast on the nation’s commonwealth through arbitrage.

While maintaining that the only rate in the currency market was N196.47/$1, he wondered why indigenous operators in the Bureau de Change (BDC) segment of the market chose to make huge profit at the expense of customers in genuine need of the currency.

He lamented that while international operators such as Travelex traded at not more than N7 above the rate, indigenous operators preferred to make profits as high as N50.

“We know what the fundamentals of this (Nigerian) economy are

and we (CBN) will continue to take the right economic decisions on what to do and not when people sitting out there speculating on the currency think the naira should be devalued, so that they could make profit out of it.

“No country quotes its exchange rate with reference to the BDCs rates. The currency has a reference rate and that is the interbank exchange rate,” he declared.

Mr. Tule, therefore, urged Nigerians to be more patriotic in their dealings rather than engage in activities capable of undermining the integrity and value of the naira, adding that the media had a role to play in assisting the CBN to curb speculation on the naira.

Also speaking on the programme, a former Deputy Governor of the CBN, Mr. Tunde Lemo, urged Nigerians to change their lifestyles to support the drive towards conserving the nation’s foreign reserve, stressing that no developing economy leaves the exchange rate determination free to market forces.

CBN should allow Naira devalue to true level —Sterling Bank CEO

Meanwhile, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Yemi Adeola has called on the CBN to allow the naira to devalue to its true level.

He made this call while addressing a press conference on the 10th anniversary of the bank, saying that the capital controls introduced by the CBN in recent times to defend the naira cannot be sustained for too long.

Adeola noted that neither the official exchange rate of N197 per dollar nor the parallel market exchange rate of N280 per dollar reflects the true value of the nation’s currency.

He said: “The true value of the Naira is in between the parallel market and CBN exchange rates, and we should devalue the naira to that true value.

“The issue of foreign exchange is a tough one because you can only spend what you have. If our reserves are at $29.4 billion as at December 15, it would barely fund four to five months of import."

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

MEETING: From left, Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, and Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Abdul-Aziz Yari; former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State during the NGF meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

Nigeria no longer has resources to fund oil industry — FG To unbundle NNPC into four companies Plans disengaging 1,100 headquarters staff Final decision on refineries to be made in January To introduce ceiling for fuel price NPDC to get marginal fields, targets 2.4mbpd in 2016

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By Michael Eboh & Grace Udofia

BUJA — THE Federal Government stated, yesterday, that the country no longer has the resources to fund the oil and gas industry, and is therefore, considering and developing new models of financing the industry in the days ahead.

Speaking at a town hall meeting in Abuja, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said in January 2016, the final decision on the fate of the country’s refineries would likely be made, while it had also concluded arrangement to adopt a price modulation mechanism that would see it setting a price ceiling of between N87 and N97 per litre for Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol.

Kachikwu, who doubles as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, also disclosed that he had received the Presidency’s approval to commence the final phase of the restructuring of the NNPC, which would see the corporation unbundled into four components, while about 1,100 of NNPC headquarters’ staff would be disengaged.

On the issue of paucity of funds, Kachikwu said: “Financing is going to be a key component of our goal, because new models of financing would have to emerge.

The country does not have the sort of resources to continue to fund the oil industry. As we go upstream, we are going to begin to see a lot of innovative financing mechanism to provide funding for the oil industry.

“My dream, if I achieve it, is that by the end of 2016, we would completely exit cash calls and be able to find ways to help support our business and get a lot more autonomy in terms of running the industry and report, basically, profit to the Federal Government.”

Unbundling of NNPC into four companies

He added that the unbundling process would see the NNPC broken down into four key components, namely: the upstream company, downstream company, the midstream company, which is gas and power marketing, and the

refining group holding company.

He further stated that one of the major restructuring efforts would be in making the headquarters operations cost effective, hence, about more than half of its 2,200 core headquarters staff would be whittled down, with a lot of the affected staff assigned to the subsidiaries to help make the units more efficient and profitable.

“This is because we have very strong subsidiaries; some of them have not even taken off.

We want to put a lot of energy around units that can generate profit for us and hopefully,

collectively, we are going to take the entire industry along that line,” he said.

In addition, Kachikwu stated that come January 2016, strategic decisions would be made in terms of what areas of the country’s refineries would be closed to allow for full rekitting before reopening them for operations, while it would also be considering the best operating model for the refineries.

He said: “Ultimately, technical support, technical services, and technical joint venturing would also be models. We would be looking at and reviewing in terms of the refineries. The whole idea is find the funds, find the right skills that you need, support the skills that you have and try to give out, real-time, above 90 per cent consistent performance in refining.”

On fuel subsidy removal

On the issue of fuel subsidy removal and subsequent hike in the price of PMS, also called petrol, Kachikwu stressed that at no point did he say subsidy would be removed, adding that instead, a flexible management of the pricing system would be introduced to ensure that we are as close to what the prices of petrol are today, but also to ensure they are reflective of what the price of crude is.

“One thing we are very committed to next year, is to reduce the level of Federal Government subsidy, if any, to the industry, so that the industry can grow on its own strength.

We can do that without the mechanism of saying subsidy is being removed or whatever, but have a benchmark approach to setting prices. We are going to see a lot more quarterly type analysis of what prices would go for the downstream industry, relative to the price of crude oil.

“The report that fuel is going to sell for N97 was not correct.

I did not say refined products will sell for N97. I said between a band of N87 and N97 per

litre, we are going to be looking at prices. Today, the prices are largely close to N87, so there might be no need to change prices.

“By January 23 it may go up slightly; March it may go up slightly too; by April it may come down. It is all a dynamics of what the price of crude is. I have not put an exact figure. I and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, will sit down and do those calculations to be able to announce what price PMS will sell for in January. We do not anticipate any major shift because of the price of crude today.”

NPDC to get marginal fields, targets 2.4mbpd in 2016

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources also disclosed that the Federal Government was considering allocating a number of marginal oil fields to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, if it performs creditably, so as to help it increase its crude oil reserves base.

He also disclosed that a much more focused audit would be conducted on the operations and activities of the NPDC, to ascertain its asset base and also determine whether it is increasing or depleting its reserves.

On the part of the NNPC financials, he said, “Most of the management accounts up to 2014 are fairly finished; we are now looking at external audits. Audits were last done in 2010. We have brought the management accounts up to current; the external audits are ongoing; the 2012 to 2014 audits we expect would be done

by March next year, which would bring us likely current.

“And, hopefully, next year, we will also finish the 2015 audit which will bring us right where we should be. So by June or July, we should have, quite frankly, all the results that NNPC needs.”

Kachikwu further maintained that the focus of the Federal Government was to get the NNPC back to profitability to ensure the sustenance of the company, while it is also targeting an increase of Nigeria crude oil production to 2.4 million per day in 2016.

NEITI backs FG on subsidy removal

By Michael Eboh

A

BUJA — THE Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, has said the possible policy shift by the Federal Government towards removal of fuel subsidy is a welcome development and a step in the right direction.

Acting Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, said the proposal to remove fuel subsidy was consistent with the recommendations contained in NEITI’s independent audit reports conducted in the last six years, adding that the policy has served as a tool by the rich to exploit the poor.

Addressing a Policy Roundtable on Subsidy Removal Debate organized by the Shehu

Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, Orji said: “From NEITI’s independent audit report, over N4 trillion has been paid as subsidy to marketers from 20062012. The breakdown of the subsidy shows that N2.197 billion was paid as subsidy in 2006. This rose to N236.64 billion in 2007 and N360.1 billion in 2008.

"In 2009, the country paid N198.1 billion as subsidy for petroleum products and in 2010 the subsidy payment rose to N416.45 billion. The payments skyrocketed to N1.9 trillion in 2011. Payments of oil subsidy declined to N690 billion in 2012 following the subsidy protests across the country in January of that year.”

Orji argued that Nigeria’s

current challenges with the crash in the global oil price make it more difficult to sustain the subsidy arrangements which appear to fund the lifestyle of the rich, while majority of the citizens wallow in poverty.

Orji is of the view that removal of the subsidy will free over N700 billion annually which can be channelled to provision of infrastructure like roads, education, health service, power, security, creation of jobs and basic benefits for the poor in the society.

The Acting Executive Secretary of NEITI regretted that the management of the oil subsidy over the years has been trailed by allegations of

fraud, corruption and arm twisting.

According to him, NEITI aligns with the move by the government to remove subsidy and free Nigerians from this bondage once and for all, describing the decision if allowed to stay as a courageous one. He expressed delight that many of the individuals and groups that were opposed to the policy before now have changed their position.

In her welcome remarks, Director General of the Shehu Musa Yar Adua Centre, Jacqueline Farris, explained that the policy dialogue was convened to seek the views of industry experts, development partners, the media and the civil society as well as the academia on the subsidy removal debates and the way forward.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015—9

Dwindling oil price: Explore alternative sources of revenue, FG tells states Says Abacha loot in treasury stands at $26,389, 000

By Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA —AS the price of oil in the international market continues to dwindle, the Federal Government insisted that state governments must begin to explore alternative sources of generating revenues in their respective states to augment what they were getting from the centre as monthly allocations.

Addressing newsmen, yesterday, after the National Economic Council, NEC, meeting in Abuja, where Vice President Yemi Osinbajo represented President Muhammadu Buhari; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, said the advice became imperative in the face of the country’s present daunting economic challenges.

Udoma said the government, at the meeting, resolved that state governments should not only begin to do away with wastes but also exhibit prudence in the management of their resources, Udoma said: “At the council

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today, the Ministry of Budget and National Planning made a presentation on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF and the Fiscal Strategic Paper, FSP. The reports highlighted the government’s fiscal policy strategy and direction for the next three years.

“We also briefed council about government revenue and expenditure projections for the next three years. We briefed council about our view in terms of the global outlook and microeconomic frame work and the key assumptions underlining our projections .

“The presentation urged the states to adopt the MTEF and FSP which has now been approved by the National Assembly, which is the only body that can approve it.

“But we urged them to adopt it as a basis for the developing of their annual budgets. We also emphasised the need for states to be guided by the assumptions of the MTEF and also the need

for states to be conservative in their expenditure and their expenditure projections for 20162018, in view of the declining oil price.

“We also urged states to look towards enhancing their Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) and blocking financial leakages in the system and generally we emphasised the need in planning for the economy for the federal and state governments to work very closely with government because we are dealing with one economy.”

ECA hits $2.257bn

Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State said the council was also briefed by the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr Ahmed Idris, on the reports of the Excess Crude Proceeds.

He said: “The Accountant General of the Federation reported to council that the Excess Crude Account (ECA) stood at $2.257 billion as at the

end of November, 2015.

“He also reported a slight change against the previous balance with an interest which is due, of $599, 137, 467 into the account as accrued interest.

“We were also briefed on the report of the Federal Government agencies that are collecting revenue in foreign currencies and were remitting the monies in Naira equivalent into the federation account , which is not allowed.

“So the Ministry of Finance is working on the details to pass it to the council with a comprehensive report on the agencies that are involved, which will be later be made known to the public.”

Abacha loot in treasury stands at $26,389, 000

Also speaking, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, said the council was given updates on recoveries from monies stolen by late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, popularly known as Abacha loots.

He said: “We were also briefed on updates on Abacha loots in council. The Accountant General of the Federation reported that the dollar account as at November 2015 ending has a balance of $26,389,000 while the pounds sterling has a balance of £19, 000, 033. That is where we are today.”

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State said the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, briefed the council on monetary policy of the Federal Government.

He said: “The CBN governor gave an update on monetary policy measures on foreign exchange strategy and he told the council the challenges being faced by many countries as a result of the global economy recession.

“He also reported that the drop in the oil prices has caused serious pressure on Nigeria’s reserve which currently stands at $29 billion.

“He also briefed the council on monetary policy among others as follows: “The deduction of cash reserve ratio from 25 per cent to 20 per cent.

The measure on forex market and Bank Verification Number (BVN) considering the introduction of debit card for travellers instead of cash exchange demands to reduce cash for illicit businesses, and also looking at option to diversify the economy away from oil.”

10 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 , 2015

Pulse Ady Ads endorses Efritin family

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IGERIA’S leading o n l i n e m a r k e t p l a c e , Efritin.com, yesterday welcomed existing Ady users to the Efritin family to continue to enjoy their classified experience.

This comes on the back of Pulse Ady Ads’ partnership with and endorsement of Efritin.com as the go-to market place for existing Ady users who wished to continue enjoying great online market place experience from Tuesday December 1st, 2015, following Ringier Nigeria’s announcement of its decision to discontinue the services of its horizontal classified platform, Ady and launch of its new offering, Pulse Ady Ads. With Efritin.com as its exclusive launch partner, Pulse Ady Ads is expected to provide a 360 degree touch point for endorsed online business partners, as well as an easy access point to online services for Pulse’s readers. This will be done through the Pulse Ady Ads category on Pulse, with various online services provided in this category, as well as a close media coverage partnership.

Speaking about the partnership, Christopher Bjergmose, Head of Ady.ng and Digitial Classifieds at Ringier Nigeria stated that “partnering with Efritin is a great choice for Pulse Ady Ads in providing our readers with a top-notch marketplace where they will be able to find great deals, job opportunities and much more. I also feel that Efritin is the right choice for carrying on the Ady Classifieds legacy and the best place for our loyal users to continue buying and selling used good”.

On his part, ZakariaHersi, Managing Director, Efritin.com, said “we are excited to partner with Pulse and also be the go-to classifieds for Ady users.

Our determination to provide trust and convenience in the Nigerian online market space made it a natural choice to partner up.”

C M Y K

Lagos budgets N665.588bn for 2016 •Commences a-meal-a-day in public schools; seeks special status for state

By Olasunkanmi Akoni, Ebun Sessou & Monsur Olowoopejo

•Recurrent expenditure - 44%; Capital - 56%

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday presented the state’s 2016 budget proposal of N662.588 billion to the House of Assembly, with a pledge that his administration will not only implement the budget faithfully, but also ensure that it works in the best interest of Lagosians.

‘The Peoples Budget'

The gover nor, who christened the 2016 budget “The Peoples Budget” said it is an improvement of 26 percent over the budgets of 2014 and 2015 respectively which stood at N489.6 billion individually.

“The increase will enable our government to focus on the present challenges of security, traffic gridlock resolution including physical and social infrastructural development which has thrown up new challenges quite different from what we used to experience and have always known”, he said.

He said the 2016 budget', which is the first full budget of the present administration will promote massive investment in security, transport and traffic management, physical and social infrastructural development and enhance job creation.

He said the intention of his government is to use the 2016 budget to strategically build new infrastructure, as well as maintain existing ones, adding that wealth and employment creation will also receive adequate attention in the course of the year.

Sectoral allocations

Giving a breakdown of the budget figures, Governor Ambode put the Recurrent Expenditure at N278,909bn while Capital Expenditure stands at N383,678bn, explaining that the Capital to Recurrent ratio is 58:42 as against 51:49 in 2014 and 2015.

The governor also put the total revenue estimate for 2016 fiscal year at N542.873 billion saying the balance of N119.714 billion will be funded through deficit financing constituting 0.41 percent of the state GDP based on 2016 budget alone and a cumulative debt to GDP ratio of about 3 percent.

On the size of the budget, Ambode earmarked N120,508,571,598 for

AMBODE PRESENTS 2016 BUDGET: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), delivering his speech at the Lagos State House of Assembly, during the presentation of 2016 Budget to the House, at the Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday. With him are the Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (behind) and the Clerk of the House, Mr. Ganiyu Abiru.

General Public Services representing 18.19 percent, N28,559,021,841 to Public Order and Safety, representing 4.31 percent while Economic Affairs received a lion share of N211,043,408,183 representing 31.85 percent.

In other sectors, Environment got 8.1 percent of the budget totalling N53,043,599,505, Housing and Community Amenities, got N62,713,091,867 representing 9.46 percent, Health got N64,677,679,096 representing 9.76 percent while Recreation, Culture and Religion has N4,636,917,054 which is 0.70 percent of the budget.

Education sector also received N113,379,337,664 representing 17.11 percent of the budget while Social Protection got N4,025,980,116, which is 0.61 of the budget.

Governor Ambode said that due to the falling oil prices, the budget is pegged on $38 dollar per barrel saying it was in line to maintain a conservative approach in estimating the Federal allocation for 2016.

Special status for Lagos

“Fiscal Federalism and according Lagos a Special Status will benefit the State as we implore the Federal Government to look into this as soon as possible. As you are aware, the Federal Government still owes Lagos State over N50billion expended on federal roads in

L agos state. We look forward to an early refund to enable us utilize the fund on other infrastructure that require attention”, the Governor said.

Some highlights

Explaining some of the highlights of the Budget, Governor Ambode said the state government will commence the A-Meal- aDay Programme in the state Public Primary Schools from next year, adding that it will be done in collaboration with the Federal Government who will provide 60 percent of the funding, while the State Government will match it with 40 percent.

A-meal-a day

“This programme promises not only to improve the daily nutrition of our children, it will also create an economy of its own, with opportunities for job creation, income generation, poverty alleviation, and so on”.

“I am happy to inform you that in 2016 we will develop our e-Curriculum, leading to the distribution of Ibile Tablets to students in our public schools. This revolution, at the Secondary School level, will set a new standard in our educational system, and further enhance the knowledge of our children to enable them compete effectively with their peers in developed countries”, the governor said.

On security On security, Gover nor Ambode while acknowledging that it was a major challenge that confronted the state within the first few months of his administration said the government adopted a multifaceted approach at tackling this challenge, just as he pledged to continue to support the security agencies in 2016.

On road infrastructure

On road infrastructure, the Governor said one of the assignments that his administration had embarked upon is to regularly inspect the state of the roads to ascertain their conditions and ensure that they are motorable, assuring that while ongoing projects will be given priority in the course of the year, new roads will be constructed across the length and breadth of the state.

Receiving the budget, Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Mudashiru Obasa commended the governor for procuring security equipment to combat insecurity in the state, just as he assured that the budget proposal would be meticulously looked into by the House.

Roll call

Dignitaries present at the event include former speakers of the House of Assembly including Rt Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Jokotola Pelumi, National Assembly members, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, religious leaders, among others.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015 — 11

Appeal court affirms Ajimobi, Amosun’s elections Alao-Akala congratulates Ajimobi, says he's on the way to APC

By Ola Ajayi

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BADAN—THE Court of Appeal in Ibadan has dismissed the appeal filed by former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja against the victory of the incumbent governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi in the April poll and upheld a unanimous judgment delivered by the threeman election petition tribunal, which had earlier confirmed declaration of the governor as winner of the election.

The court also dismissed the appeal of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State against the election of the state governor, Mr. Ibikunle Amosun.

Ladoja, who contested on the platform of Accord Party had alleged that the election of Governor Ajimobi was in contravention of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended noting that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress was not validly elected by lawful votes cast in the election.

The tTribunal had on October 27 confirmed Governor Ajimobi as the winner of the election, but Ladoja and Accord were not pleased with the decision and headed to the Appellate Court for redress.

At the sitting of the court yesterday, the five-man panel was unanimous in its decisions confirming the earlier decision of the Tribunal that the evidence given by the principal witness of Ladoja and his party was not admissible in law.

On the election of Governor Amosun, the panel led by Justice H.M Ogunjimiju unanimously upheld the judgment of the lower tribunal which was delivered on October 23 and dismissed the appeal filed by Mr Adegboyega Isiaka of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the April poll election.

The court held that the evidence given by one of the witnesses in the petition, Benjamin Ibikunle, PW9 for the PDP candidate was not reliable.

The five-man panel also held that the appeal lacked merit and was hereby dismissed.

The lower tribunal led by Justice Henry Olusiyi, had said earlier that the petitioner Prince Gboyega Isiaka lacked evidence to prove his allegations of massive

rigging and non-compliance with Electoral Act.

I am on my way to APC – ALAO-AKALA

Meantime, there were surprises at the residence of Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday as one of his arch political rivals at the April 11 poll, Otunba Adebayo Alao-

Akala appeared and congratulated him on his victory at the Appeal Court.

Akala came third in the election and has distanced himself from any petition against the winner, Governor Ajimobi.

On his congratulatory visit to Governor Ajimobi at his residence, Akala who was beaming an inviting smile said;

“I am here to rejoice with my brother for the judgment of today. We already knew what the outcome would be; we had expected what we got today. So we are rejoicing.

On his possible defection to APC, Alao-Akala said “It has been on; we are still crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s. I am on my way to APC.”

BELL RINGING: From left; Chief Anthony Idegbe (SAN) Director, Royal Exchange PLC Nigeria; Oscar Onyema, CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Chike Mokwunye.

GMD , Royal Exchange Plc Nigeria; Miss Sheila Ezeuko, Group Company Secretary and Alhaji Auwalu Mukhtari, Group Executive Director during the Royal Exchange Assurance Bell Ringing at the floor of Nigerian Stock Exchange, Lagos.

No king on earth is above God — OONI

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has berated those criticising him for kneeling in church to worship God, saying that; “No King on earth is above God” A picture showing the monarch kneeling down during the installation thanksgiving held at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Ile Ife, on Sunday, December 13th, had gone viral on internet, attracting diverse comments.

While many that commented on the picture saw no wrong in the action of the newly installed monarch, many were of the view that the act desecrated the

revered stool of Ooni.

The week-long coronation activities for the Ooni was climaxed by a thanksgiving service on Sunday 13th December 2015, at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Ile-Ife. But in a statement signed by the Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Ile-Ife, Moses Olafare, the Ooni said it is an unacceptable sacrilege to equate Ooni’risa or any other king to the almighty God. His words: “God is the creator of mankind and it is God that made it possible for the enthronement of any king.

“The Ile Oodua has been drawn to a publication released Wednesday 16th 2015 by an

online medium in which His Imperial Majesty, Ooni’risa & Arole Oodua Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, OjajaII, was criticised for bowing to God. “God remains the highest King of Kings who has kept all Kings alive and had made it possible for me to be crowned as the a King of the source of Yoruba civilisation.

“I have no regret whatsoever for kneeling down to exalt the almighty God who did not only create me, but also kept me alive, saw me through all the storms in my. life-journey and eventually crowned me as the custodian of Oodua race.''

WAEC releases Nov/Dec results, withholds 28,768 over exam malpractice of the council for consideration.

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HE West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says it has withheld 28,768 results of candidates who sat for the 2015 November/ December West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) over examination malpractice.

The Head of National Office of WAEC, Mr Olutise Adenipekun, made the disclosure at a news conference in Lagos on

Thursday where he announced the release of the results for private candidates. According to him, the figure represents 12.13 per cent of 237,154 candidates that sat for the examination.

Adenipekun said that the results were being withheld for further investigations.

He said that reports of the investigations would be presented to the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC)

Adenipekun, who recently assumed office following the retirement of his predecessor, said that the committee’s decisions would be communicated to the affected candidates in due course.

He said that 235,542 candidates, representing 99.23 per cent, had their results fully processed and released.

“However, 1,612 others, representing 0.68 per cent, have few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors traceable mainly to the candidates in the course of registration or writing the examination.

NERC issues 8 companies licence to generate 1,648.25MW

By Chris Ochayi

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BUJA—THE N i g e r i a n Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, yesterday, issued licence to eight companies with a combined capacity to generate 1,648.25 megawatts of electricity.

The Commission also licenced a distribution company during the event that took place at its headquarter in Abuja.

The licences according a statement issued by the Commission, were a mixture of on-grid, off-grid, embedded generation and distribution of electricity.

It explained further that one of the licensees, Ossiomo Offistes and Utilities/ Ossiomo Power &Infrastructure, based in Edo state will engage in electricity distribution and in embedded generation of 55 Megawatts gas power electricity.

Meanwhile, Anambra state Independent Power Generation Company Limited, located in Onitsha, an on-grid gasfired plant has the capacity for 528mw capacity. There is Cummins Power Generation, Nigeria Limited (NBC) Ikeja with a capacity for a 3.5mw capacity, off- grid. The company also has licence for a 1.7mw to serve A&P Foods, in Agege, Lagos.

“NERC licence to Sinosun Investment Limited, based in Jibiya, Kastina state is for an ongrid, solar power generation of 100mw capacity. In the same vein, LR-Aaron Power Limited, located in Gwagalada has licence for 100mw solar powered electricity generation.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

Rivers: We'll resist military, police harassment of voters in re-run poll —Wike

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has warned that the state would resist any move by the Federal Government to manipulate the coming National Assembly rerun election in the state with soldiers and policemen.

The governor gave the warning, yesterday, when his supporters received him at the Port Harcourt International Airport.

The governor who said that his prolonged silence should not be mistaken for weakness, assured that all members of the party in the National Assembly whose elections were nullified would be returned in the re-run election.

Describing the nullification of his election by the Appeal Court as a temporary set back, Wike enjoined his supporters to remain peaceful, directing that campaigns should commence at the various units and wards of the party.

He said that he was confident of emerging victorious at the end of the day, adding that he had instructed his lawyers to challenge the verdict of the Appeal Court at the Supreme Court.

He also promised to abide by the judgment that will come from the apex court.

“I want to warn, let nobody attempt to do what happened

in Bayelsa State here. Since they said they have annulled the election, let them come and conduct fresh election.

Let nobody think that they can use soldiers and

policemen to intimidate us.

We will resist any such attempt. We have maintained our cool for a long time. Our calmness should not be mistaken for weakness.

“We shall return all our National Assembly members as a way of disgracing those who think they will snatch the mandate of the people,” he said.

TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE: The couple, Mr & Mrs Ibrahim Clark; parents, Dr. (Mrs) Marinatu Clark, mother of the groom; Chief Edwin Clark, father of the groom, with friends, during the traditional marriage ceremony of Nnei Evelyn Opia and Ibrahim Clark, in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe.

Bayelsa Poll: I've not withdrawn from race —Sylva

By Samuel Oyadongha

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governorship election and try to control his outbursts of fear and deceit, which cannot sway any Bayelsan, as the people already know better.

“The falsehood about Sylva’s withdrawal from the governorship race that Dickson had tried to mar with his

ENAGOA—THE governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, yesterday, dismissed as false, claims by some politicians in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that he had withdrawn from the suspended governorship election in the state.

He described the claim as an act of desperation by

By Stephen the PDP in their fear of Mmadukwem imminent defeat.

O V E R N O R According to him, those A d a m s members of the PDP who Oshiomhole of Edo State are spreading fabrications has assured the state’s civil about his withdrawal from servants and pensioners the suspended that their salaries and governorship contest were pensions would be paid engaging in a failed effort before December 25, to save their principal, Mr. notwithstanding the Seriake Dickson, from sure shortfall in monthly federal and imminent defeat. allocation and uncertainties Sylva, who spoke through in the global oil price that his media adviser, Mr. have negatively affected Doifie Buokoribo, the nation’s revenue yesterday, advised Dickson profile. to stop dissipating energy Senior Special Assistant on falsehood, hypocrisy, on Media to Governor and deceit.

Oshiomhole, Mr. John “Dickson should wait for Mayaki, in a statement, the outcome of the explained that the

uncivilised vituperations and open call for violence is part of the same strategy of deceit and violence, which he and the PDP had employed since the beginning of the election process.

“In lie after lie, which we have roundly exposed, Dickson has

shown that he has nothing other than deception to offer the people of Bayelsa State in the on-going election. This latest chicanery about Sylva’s withdrawal, like the others before it, will not give Dickson any reprieve from the sure and imminent defeat awaiting him."

Edo workers to receive Dec salaries before Xmas, Oshiomhole assures

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governor's assurance was not based on assumptions or probability as in economic slogan of

“everything being equal,” because the governor was certain that he will pay salaries as stipulated.

Ijaws salute new Olu of Warri

By Tony Nwankwo

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HE Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, has described the coronation of Prince Godfrey Emiko, as the new Olu of Warri without crisis as a thing of joy to all Niger Deltans.

In a congratulatory message by Mr Joseph Evah, IMG said, “The Itsekiri have made Niger Delta proud before the eyes of the entire world that all the culture and customs that

bring dignity and honour to our people will never die.”

Bayelsa rescheduled poll to hold January 9

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—THE rescheduled governorship election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and in some units in the seven other local government areas of the state will now hold on January 9.

Vanguard gathered that the new date was agreed upon at a stakeholders meeting held in Abuja, yesterday.

The meeting, it was learned, resolved that police should play a leading role in the rescheduled poll as against the military dominance during the botched December 6 election in the area.

Also, the distribution of electoral materials is to be decentralized as against the previous practice that provided windows for electoral fraud and violence, which resulted in the alleged death of some persons.

The meeting, which had in attendance, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the National Security Adviser, NSA, Major-General Babagana Monguno (retd), the governorship candidates of all the contending political parties and other stakeholders, according to a source privy to it, deliberated extensively on the incident that led to the cancellation of the election in the affected areas and proffered solutions.

Vanguard,FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015—13

N1.04 trn fine: MTN refuses to pay, threatens court action

By Prince Osuagwu

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TN Nigeria has finally concluded it would not pay the N1.04 trn fine, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC imposed on it, for its failure to disengage about 5.1 million improperly registered subscribers on its network in August and September 2015 and has decided to challenge the NCC in court. Not even the reduction of the fine to N780 billion last week by the commission, could sway the telecommunications company.

Addressing its shareholders, yesterday, MTN said that “all factors having a bearing on the matter have been thoroughly and carefully considered including a review of the circumstances leading to the fine and the subsequent letters received from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

“MTN Nigeria acting on legal advice has resolved that the manner of the imposition of the fine and the quantum thereof is not in accordance with the NCC’s powers under the Nigerian Communications Act. Accordingly MTN has followed due process and has instructed its lawyers to proceed with an action in the Federal High Court in Lagos seeking the appropriate reliefs.

MTN reserved the right to seek court interpretation to the issue, others warned of the consequences taking the matter to court might bring to both the company, the sector and the country at large particularly with the level of impact the sector has on foreign direct investment and the country’s GDP. Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators in Nigeria, ALTON, Engr Gbenga Adebayo, said that although MTN has the right to seek court action as a company, over matters that were not clear to it, the implication of taking the matter to court is that investors who would have ordinarily strolled into the country to do business would have to wait to see the outcome of the case before doing so. “I hope this matter would be resolved amicably for the interest of all and the sector. No foreign investor would want to come to the sector now if the matter is in

court until they see the direction of the resolution. That is an implication that may also tell on the contribution of the sector to the GDP” he added.

Also president of Teledom Group, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, added that taking the matter to court may be a business decision following the nature of Nigeria’s judicial system.

“Anything is possible. It may be a business decision, considering that before the case would go through all the levels to Supreme Court, it may have taken five years, of which they may have recouped a lot of gains to pay the fine. But if the court finds out there was an infraction and that the fine by NCC was in the right direction, MTN should know that it would not only pay the fine but also compensations. All these would also impact the sector in one way or the other. So amicable resolution would have served better option”.

In his reaction, President of Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, Engr Lanre Ajayi, said that going to court to seek clarification, was a right no one should fault MTN on, if all other options have been exhausted.

He, however, said that he did not believe that it would impact the sector negatively in any way.

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, last week reduced the N1.04 trillion fine it imposed on MTN Nigeria to N780 billion.

However, the commission also mandated the telecom operator to pay the fine on or before December 31, 2015. The fine imposed on the telecom operator followed what NCC described as MTN’s inability to disconnect about 5.1 million Nigerian subscribers improperly registered on its network, after several warnings in August and September 2015.

Appropriate reliefs MTN is advised that in the current circumstances in line with the lis pendens rule (pending legal action) the parties are enjoined to restrain from taking further action until the matter is finally determined. This is consistent with previous judicial decisions in Nigeria”.

The telecommunications company said that notwithstanding this action, the company will continue to engage with the Nigerian authorities to try and ensure an amicable resolution in the best interests of the company, its stakeholders and the Nigerian authorities. The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, last week reduced the N1.04 trillion fine it imposed on MTN Nigeria to N780 billion. However, the commission also mandated the telecom operator to pay the fine on or before December 31, 2015.

Meanwhile, the MTN’s latest decision has attracted several reactions from stakeholders in the industry. While some agreed that

Call DSS boss to order, group tells Buhari

By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, SouthSouth ARRI—THE Delta Ijaw Youth Assembly, DIYA, yesterday, urged President Muhammdu Buhari to call the Director General of Department of State Services, DSS, Musa Lawal Daura, to order, saying that he has succeeded in infusing a culture of lawlessness on other law enforcement agencies with his purported impunity.

The group, which condemned the recent alleged manhandling and dehumanization of former Director General of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, said, “Mr President should know that there is a zero survival chance for an elected government outside the ambit of the rule of law. Rule of law and rule of man are not interchangeable.

“For every act of maladministration, it is President Buhari’s government that is discredited. Hard as he tries, Daura and his co-travelers are just hirelings.

“I implore President Buhari to run the affairs of this country with the fear of God. The final vote tally was hardly in when then President Goodluck Jonathan made the historic concessional phone call.

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Emerhor/Ogboru vs Okowa: Appeal Court reserves judgment

By Gabriel Enogholase

INSPECTION: From left: Engr Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria; Sabiu Zakari, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transport; Sen. Hadi Sirika, Minister of State, Aviation, and Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transport, during the inspection tour of Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Suspended lawmaker disowns suit against DTHA

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By Festus Ahon

S A B A — T H E suspended member representing Isoko South II constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Johnson Erijo, has dissociated himself from the litigation by a group of persons against the state legislature over his suspension from the House.

Erijo, in a statement, said he knew nothing about Mr Ernest Osima and three others who dragged the House and its leadership to court over his suspension, adding that as a law abiding citizen of Nigeria and an experienced legislator, he always abides by the rules, including rules and regulations guiding the state House of Assembly.

T h e l a w m a k e r,

who was suspended from sitting alongside the member representing Oshimili North, Mrs Pat Ajudua, for two months, said, “Despite the group’s notice of discontinuation of the litigation, I completely dissociate myself from the said litigation.”

Erijo assured that he will always accord due respect to the government of the day, led by Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Garden of Life holds song fiesta

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HE Garden of Life Assembly, aka Garden of no Lack, will tomorrow host other men of God and musicians at the church auditorium, 7, All Saint Lane, off Ighofose Street, Ugborokoko, Effurun, Delta State. Chief host Bishop Edward Orovwuje will also be ministering.

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ENIN—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, Edo State, yesterday, reserved judgment in the appeal by Olorgun O’tega Emerhor and the All Progressives Congress, APC, against the judgment of the Delta State Election Petition Tribunal which declared Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the winner of the election.

Similarly, the appellate court also deferred judgment in the appeal by Chief Great Ogboru and the Labour Party against the declaration of Dr. Okowa as governor by the lower tribunal in Asaba.

It will be recalled that Emerhor, dissatisfied with the judgment of the lower court, filed 11 grounds of appeal through his counsel, Chief T. J. Okpoko, SAN, asking the appellate court to upturn the judgment.

He is contending that “the justices erred in law in resolving against the appellants that the petition was incompetent on the ground of non-compliance with the procedural rule in paragraph 4 (3) (b) of the 1st schedule to the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

14 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

Book presentation in honour of Sam Amuka at NIIA, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. Photos by Joe Akintola, Kehinde Gbadamosi & Bunmi Azeez.

Mr Remi Desalu (left) and Mr Biodun Disu, Executive Chairman, Philips.

From left; Mr Fola Adeola, Chairman of the occasion; Pastor Kunle Hamilton, book reviewer (behind0; Mr Sam Amuka, Publisher of Vanguard Newspaper; Mr Muyiwa Majekodunmi (behind); Mr Jimi Disu, author of the book and Angela Ajetunmobi during the presentation of the book title: ''For Sam, A collection of Contemporary Thoughts.''

BELOW: From left; Mrs Janet Disu, wife of author of the book, Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard newspaper, and popular artiste, Lagbaja.

From left; Mr Fola Adeola, Senator Bode Olajumoke, Mr Sam Amuka, Prof J.P Clark and Prof Pat Utomi.

Eminent Nigerians honour Sam Amuka

By Japhet Alakam

L

AGOS—IT was indeed another intellectual gathering and honour well deserved as notable Nigerians, captains of industry, scholars, writers and friends converged on the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, to celebrate the Vanguard Publisher, Mr Sam Amuka, fondly known as Uncle Sam in the media industry.

Regarded as the oldest practising media practitioner in Nigeria, Mr Amuka has been described as a hardworking and perfect gentleman, who will always stand by you at any time, whether good or bad. This was the submission of Mr Kunle Hamilton and a host of others at the presentation of a book written by Jimi Disu and dedicated to Uncle Sam. Held at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Lagos, the well attended event was graced by Prof.

Pat Utomi, Prof. J.P Clark, Senator Bode Olajumoke, Prof. John Amuda, Prof. Egerton Uvieghara, Supo Shasore, Amb. Marcus Bello, Dr Olumide Adedeji, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, GM/Editor in Chief, Vanguard Media Ltd, Mideno Bayagbon, Editor Vanguard, Abdul Imoyo, Mask master, Lagbaja, Bunmi Sofola, Remi Desalu, Biodun Disu, Yomi Onashile, Taiwo Obe, John Onobote and a host of others.

Hamilton described Uncle Sam as one of those who believe in doing things the right way and asked Nigerians to emulate his style.

The event, which was chaired by Mr Fola Adeola,

former Managing Director of GTBank and founder of Hope Foundation, was the public presentation of a book, For Sam: A Collection of Contemporary Thoughts written by Jimi Disu, a former staff of Mr Sam Amuka. The book published by Quramo Publishing Limited is a cumulation of all the works the author had done.

In his opening remarks, Fola Adeola described the author as good narrator in every respect. From left; Muyiwa Adetiba, former Editor of Vanguard “He is ever smiling and releases his thoughts newspaper, Mr. Fola Ajidagba and Prince Jide Adeniyi. slowly; his laughter is infectious and makes people happy at all times. He should be a role model for others.”

In his remarks, an elated Uncle Sam, who thanked all for honouring the invitation, described the title of the book as one of the many battles he had lost. “I was quite amused the first time he showed me the title. I said, ‘if you publish a book for Uncle Sam with this title how would it sell?’ But he was adamant. I am a very lucky person to have people who expressed interest and followed me to write a book so refreshing and dedicated it to Sam. For me this is something that money cannot buy. Jimi, I appreciate you.”

The book reviewers, Angela Ajetunmobi, Kunle Hamilton and Muyiwa Majekodunmi, who also served as the panellists, described the book as a brilliant and educative work that From left; Chief Bengy 'Apollo' Oseragbaje, Mr Peter Arigbe, and Mr Ken Oboh. covers many areas of life.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015—15

Gov Okowa's daughter, Marilyn weds in Agbor, Delta State

Mr. Gbolahan Daramola, groom, and his bride, former Miss Marilyn Okowa, daughter of Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, during their traditional marriage cerenony, in Owa-Oyibo, Agbor, Delta State, yesterday. Photos: Nath Onojake

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and wife, Edith, bride's parents.

The groom's parents, Engr.

David Daramola, and wife, Titilola.

From right, Brigadier-General Dominic Oneya (ret'd), Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and Dr. Steve Oru, former Minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs.

From left, Mr. Festus Ovie-Agas, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Delta State; Mr. Tam Brisibe, Chief of Staff, and Hon. Chris Oghenechowe.

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16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 , 2015

IPOB, MASSOB clash with JTF in Onitsha, 5 killed, 7 injured •Court orders Kanu’s release from detention •Jubilation as Nnamdi Kanu regains freedom

•Kanu’s release, a triumph over injustice —MASSOB •Implement Confab report now—Ohanaeze

By Chidi Nkwopara, Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Chimaobi Nwaiwu, Francis Igata & Ugochukwu Alaribe

F

IVE PERSONS were, yesterday, shot dead at the Niger Bridge Head, while seven others sustained varying degrees of injuries when members of the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, and Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, clashed with Joint Task Force, JTF, comprising the Army and the Police, which mounted road block at the Niger Head Bridge.

Four of the victims shot dead were members of both IPOB and MASSOB, while one person is said to be a soldier, who was grabbed by the mob, angry with the way soldiers opened fire on the jubilating crowd that included non pro-Biafra agitators, and fell four of them before they ran for their lives, leaving the victims behind.

All the markets around the Niger Bridge Head, including the Bridge Head Market, Onitsha Patent and Propitiatory Medicine Dealers Market (Ogbo Ogwu Market) and other markets located around the bridge, including Abada Market were quickly shut down, following sporadic shooting by the military to scare the jubilant crowd away.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, ordered the Department of State Service, DSS, to immediately release the detained leader of IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

The court directed that Kanu, who had been in detention since October 17, should be released “unconditionally.”

Ruling on the fundamental rights suit by Kanu, the trial judge, Justice Ademola Adeniyi, said there was no basis for the applicant to remain in custody since there was currently no charge pending against him.

The court order came barely 24 hours after an Abuja Chief Magistrate's Court sitting at Wuse Zone 2, struck out a one-count charge the Federal Government preferred against the IPOB leader.

Meanwhile, according to an eye-witness at the Onitsha Head Bridge, who was coming from Asaba end of the bridge, the Biafra agitators were said to be marching on the road near the River Niger Bridge, chanting solidarity songs in jubilation for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, and were accosted by the soldiers, who ordered them to go back, and disagreements ensued before the soldiers allegedly opened fire on them.

Another version of the story had it that, the pro-Biafra agitators and those sympathetic to their cause, were jubilating, singing and dancing near the bridge and in annoyance, the soldiers, who had been guiding the bridge since the last shooting, during which

PROGRAMME: From left, Regional Director, Greater Ikeja Region, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Ndubuisi Osakwe; Head, Small Business Group, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs. Ayodele Olojede; Miss Oluwafunke Yerokun of Pasture Travels and Tours Limited, and Managing Director/CEO Karen-Happucle Nigeria Ltd, Mrs. Chioma Ejikeme, at the Skye Pearl capacity building programme for female entrepreneurs, organised by Skye Bank, Tuesday. unarmed nine protesters were killed and 18 others injured, opened fire on them, gunning down four.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ali Okechukwu confirmed the clash and accused the pro-Biafra agitators of mobilizing over I00 of their members to launch attack on the soldiers at the Niger Bridge Head and even tried to dispossess them of their guns.

The PPRO, who was silent on the number of people killed, said: “I learnt that there was a disagreement between the Army, IPOB and MASSOB members, who mobilized over I00 of their members to attack soldiers at the Niger Bridge Head.”

He said that he was trying to get the Army authorities to ascertain the true position of the incident, but unfortunately they were not picking their calls. He was also not forth-coming on the number of casualties at press time, and requested that he be given enough time to make calls to ascertain the true position of things.

Speaking on the incident, leader of MASSOB, Mr. Uchenna Madu said the news of the release of Mr. Kanu elicited singing, dancing and jubilation in Onitsha and other 'Biafran' lands and those in Onitsha took their dance to Chukwemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu plaque at the Niger Bridge Head and out of envy, and because of the singing and dancing, and banters they were throwing with one another, the soldiers, who mounted a road-block there, opened fire on the dancing protesters and killed four.

He said that no amount of intimidation, harassment and killing of their members will make them resort to violence, adding that “the military is doing all sorts of things to push us into violence, but we will never do that because that is what has been setting us free in all the harassment and intimidation we have been going through.”

Vanguard gathered that immediately the four people were killed, the Police, Army, Navy and Civil Defencee, that had been harassing and intimidating the

residents and subjecting them to all sorts of dehumanizing treatment at their check-points, including raising up their hands before crossing their check-points, abandoned the roads.

The busy Onitsha Owerri Road, Asaba Onitsha Enugu expressway, were a shadow of themselves as people deserted the roads for fear of being shot by the military and the Police, who were said to be regrouping to confront the IPOB and MASSOB members.

Seven people, who sustained bullet wounds, were transferred to Multi Care Hospital, Onitsha and the bodies of the dead were said to have been taken to a yet to be identified hospital in Onitsha.

Kanu entitled to right to liberty Meanwhile, the Federal High Court ruling by Justice Adeniyi, came barely 24 hours after an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Wuse Zone 2, struck out a one-count charge the Federal Government preferred against the IPOB leader.

Justice Adeniyi, yesterday, held that Kanu was entitled to his right to liberty as enshrined in section 35(1) (4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

He maintained that the continued detention of Kanu after two months without trial, was in violation of section 158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution.

Justice Ademola said there was no law permitting the DSS or any other security agency to detain any Nigerian beyond two months without any concrete move to try such person before a competent court.

The judge said available facts before him showed that the DSS was not ready to release Kanu on bail.

He, therefore, ordered the DSS to immediately grant unconditional bail to the applicant.

Okorocha commends soldiers for handling IPOB, MASSOB protests Meanwhile, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, has

violent struggle. We salute our comrades in IPOB both at home and in the Diaspora for their unrelenting, courageous efforts, spirit of oneness in pursuing the vision and mission of IPOB. “Nnamdi Kanu has become the hero of genuine Biafra agitation.

Those, who earlier opposed Kanu will cover their faces in shame.

MASSOB hails the committed, eloquent, dedicated Igbo leaders, who fearlessly assisted in the release of our brother, Kanu.

MASSOB knows them, because we met and appealed to them and they responded. Kanu shall be received in Biafraland as the greatest hero.”

Ohanaeze Ndigbo tasks FG on 2014 confab resolutions Also, drawng from Nnamdi commended the Nigerian Army Kanu’s release, the apex Igbo for peacefully and tactically socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze handling the recent protest Ndigbo, yesterday, urged the staged in Owerri by thousands of Federal Government to quickly loyalists of IPOB, and MASSOB. implement the resolutions of 2014 The governor, who spoke while National conference report as a on a visit to the 34 Field Artillery credible panacea that will address Brigade, Obinze, yesterday, also the grave injustices, neglect, expressed happiness that no life marginalization meted to the was lost during the protest in people of South-East zone.

Owerri.

General Secretary, Ohanaeze “This administration is very Ndigbo, Joe Nworgu told pleased with the way the officers Vanguard on phone that, the and men of the Nigerian Army "Federal Government took the handled thousands of MASSOB right action by releasing Nnamdi members, who staged a protest Kanu. His arrest heightened in Owerri recently, as well as tension. Now that he had been ensured that there was no freed, tension will reduce. bloodshed,” Okorocha said.

Looking out of my office, in Ogui He regretted the poor state of facilities at the Obinze barrack Road, Enugu, thousands of and assured that he was going to people are jubilating." draw the attention of the Federal Government to the situation in the Jubilation in Aba Members of IPOB, in Aba, Abia barrack.

In Enugu, wild jubilation State went into wild celebrations erupted in major streets of Enugu over the release of their detained metropolis, yesterday, as the leader, Nnnamdi Kanu. news of the release of detained The IPOB members, who had Director, Radio Biafra, Nnamdi gone round the city, Wednesday, Kanu filtered in. over the judgment of Abuja When Vanguard moved round Magistrate's Court to that Ogui Road, New Haven streets acquitted Kanu as early as 7a.m., in Enugu, people especially converged at National High youths, were in a frenzy mood, School, on Port Harcourt Raod, just as most relaxation spots were from where they took off to filled to the brim occasioned by Cemetery Market, Faulks Road his release. and ended their march at Osusu Triumph over forces of injustice Primary School.

Vanguard gathered that the Leader of MASSOB, Uchenna group had, yesterday, warned that Madu, who had been the arrowhead of the struggle for Kanu’s markets and business centres in release said: “The discharge, the city would be shut in support dropping of the charge against for their detained leader, but the Kanu by the Nigerian news of Kanu’s release, changed government is a triumph over the situation as traders later forces of injustice, suppression, opened for business.

Some of the IPOB members, oppression and subugation against the oppressed IPOB. who spoke to Vanguard, said that “MASSOB’s consistency and the release of Kanu has been long uncompromised spirit under me awaited, adding that the agitation has been vindicated. MASSOB for a sovereign state of Biafra shall continue with IPOB for would never die. genuine, committed Biafran non-

Book presentation

A

TWIN book, entitled, LOOMING DANGER – STOP AN IMPENDING WAR & AT THE DROP OF A HAT,’ by Oge Nwabueze, will be publicly presented tomorrow, at SNUG,

30, Commercial Area, beside First Bank Plc, Sabo Bus-Stop, Yaba, Lagos.

The occasion will be chaired by Mrs. Shirley Onyeoguzoro, Director, Rex Roberts Consult Ltd.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015 —17

Our local govt problem: Responses

T

WO weeks ago, I a) praised the accessible, conscientious elected councillors and civil servants who run the well-organised and enlightened British local government area I stay in when I’m in London…and b) complained about the many shortcomings of their Nigerian counterparts. I received a number of lengthy and interesting responses from Vanguard readers and have summarised two of the best below:-

From Ajoke Aarinola A f o l a b i (ritalorijoke@yahoo.com) Dear Donu, I was in the Local Government (LG) Service for 22 years. I joined the Service as a junior accountant and retired as a Director on Grade Level 16.

I have often opined that the LG is an orpha n. Unlike the Federal and States Services that have a Head of Service who acts as a rallying point, LGs only have Directors or Heads of Personnel Management and Heads of Local Government Affairs. And more often than not these people work at cross purposes….and are not effectively coordinated, either administratively or politically.

The Chairman and councillors are hand-picked by the Governor as compensation for being good boys or girls; a lot of the time, they are barely literate and almost all of them are more interested in lining their pockets than in offering a good service. Sometimes, they even openly ask how they can “chop”.

The hammer that nails the coffin of the LG are the Governors, most of whom regard the LG as a means of taking their own pound of flesh. Most Governors see the LG as an extension of or department in the Ministry of Local Government. And most of the few contracts that are done by the LG are awarded via the Ministry.

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Most Chairmen don’t have a say. They will approve substandard and ill-conceived projects that are not in consonance with the needs of their communities for as long as they will gain some personal returns at the end of the day.

The last but not the least conspiracy against effective service delivery by the LG comes from the communities themselves; they accept anything as long as a few community leaders receive small favours. No one really cares about the LG.

So how can we make LGs more functional?

1) Communities should be less passive and should not allow LGs to be hijacked by a few individuals. Communities must take an active interest in securing quality representation . Tested individuals who have done very well in their careers must be encouraged to serve and the Council should be accountable to the Community.

2) Governors must hands off and allow communities to choose their local representatives. The Ministry of Local Government - or whichever arm of the State Government is supervising the LG – should only be involved in policy formulation and should stop meddling in LGs’ finances. In

other words, the Local Government must be allowed to operate autonomously.

3) State House of Assembly members who are responsible for legislating and overseeing the activities of the Councils should wake up to their duties and serve the communities they represent, not Governors.

4) Governors should not use LGs as dumping grounds for political thugs. Some of these miscreants, who have nothing to offer, find their way into top administrative positions and compound leadership problems by distorting policy vision/direction.

Meanwhile, many socalled “ghost workers” are real people who hold down other jobs while collecting salaries from the LG, for which they do absolutely nothing. I have heard of a worker who travelled abroad, stayed there for many years and continued to be on the Council’s payroll throughout this long absence.

LG recruitment should be based on well-defined manpower needs and on vacancies arising from retirements, etc, as is the case in other tiers of Government.

From: A Reader who did not want to be identified I read your column titled “Lousy Naija LGAs” with

much sadness and disbelief because you have so little understanding of the real problems LGAs face.

I must point out that the premise of your argument is worrisome and wrong and that your conclusions are narrowed by your prejudiced belief that the LGAS are overseen by “idiotic and corrupt cronies” of Governors.

This belief prevented you from taking a holistic view of LGA administration in Nigeria. If you had done so, you would have seen that it is the System and the States that stifle LGAs and make their officials look inept and impotent.

LGAs are the most abused and misunderstood tier of government because the public has been fed half-truths and deceived. Let me highlight three factors which, hamper the relevance of the LGAs and prevent (as you put it) “the average Nigerian LGA official” from being “able to look his or her constituents in the eye to confidently justify the funds that have been collected in their name”.

The Joint Account System - whereby the monthly allocations of all the LGAs in a State from the Federation Account are first pooled into a single account managed by the State Government. A very small percentage of these sums are then disbursed to

LGAs according to the whims of the Governor.

The Unified Local Government System whereby the LGAs in a State are, for administrative convenience, regarded as a single unit and workers are often transferred to LGAs they don’t come from.

This erodes their sense of belonging and commitment.

Most non-indigenous workers see themselves as hired hands and adopt a mercenary attitude.

Ministries for Local Government Matters are unnecessary and have no real functions and exist only to confuse and overload the LG system.

But the greatest impediment to the running of efficient and people-oriented LGAs are Governors. The relationship between most Governors and LG officials is that of vassalage and political servitude. In the SouthEast, for example, Governors are like lords of the manor, subjugate the LGAs to the point of incapacitation and only give them enough money to cover overheads.

Yes, there are bad LGA officials, but a blanket condemnation is not fair. People who accuse LG officials of corruption and incompetence don’t realise that they are sometimes laying the blame at the wrong door steps.

A strong LG system is the ideal foundation for the type of society we all yearn for. And we all share in the blame for the rot. Our collective silence, ignorance and nonchalance over the years has emboldened the main culprits (Governors) to continue to exploit LGAs, knowing that hardly anyone will query them.

The media, as the fourth estate of the realm and a supposed watch-dog, is perhaps largely to blame for the impunity that Governors enjoy. The day journalists wake up and decide to do an expose on the management of LGAs in Nigeria, I suggest that they start with Anambra. The revelations will knock us over but reawaken us.

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only).

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

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015 The recent call by Honourable Sanni Zorro, the member of the House of Representatives for the Gumel/Maigatari, Sule Tankar/ Gagarawa Federal Constituency of Jigawa State for the domestication of the Kampala Convention on Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) is a worthy idea.

Zorro, who chairs the House Committee on Internally Displaced Persons, Refugees and Initiatives on the North East, believes this will lead to a permanent, holistic approach to the care of citizens displaced from their homes and communities as a result of wars, insurgencies, violence, natural disasters and other factors.

The Kampala Convention on IDP’s was established in 2012 by the African Union with 40 out of 54 countries (including Nigeria) as signatories, taking into account the large number of displaced persons all over Africa and the need to evolve a framework for

Framework for the care of IDP’s their welfare and rehabilitation.

Africa has the largest number of displaced persons in the world numbering more than 12 million people. Nigeria alone, in the past three years, contributed three million people to this number, mainly as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency and the rage of armed hoodlums referred to as “Fulani herdsmen”.

The Convention emphasises the need for governments to see themselves as primarily responsible for the care, protection and wellbeing of their countries’ IDP’s and commit to responding adequate-

ly to their needs.

Apart from man-made factors of armed violence, many Nigerians are routinely displaced from their roots as a result of natural disasters linked to climate change, such as flooding, desertification, dwindling natural water resources (such as the case with the Lake Chad region), coastal and gully erosion.

For now, there is no standard framework for tackling the needs of IDPs. Federal, state and local governments as well as public spirited individuals and groups respond haphazardly to emergen-

cy situations. This will no longer do, as the incidence of IDPs is likely to remain high due to the fact that Nigeria is a hotbed of disenchantment. Yet the country is not ready to sit down and realistically address the root causes of discord. Rather, it responds to these challenges with force, which is a mere fire brigade approach.

The framework we expect should, as Honourable Zorro rightly put it, come in the form of a legal instrument to domesticate the Kampala Convention and provide the roadmap to guide the nation in responding the needs of IDPs in all parts of the country. It will provide the institutional support required to cope with the needs of refugees and also pave the way for their rehabilitation and resettlement.

The care of the IDP’s must be taken with all seriousness because these are the most vulnerable of citizens, and their right to be catered for is inalienable.

OPINION

Fate of Housing under Fashola

By Paul Ojenagbon

I

F many people were surprised at the merger of Power, Works and Housing into a consolidated super ministry, very few if at all would dispute the choice of Babatunde Raji Fashola as the right man to head the new ministry. Fashola has a high pedigree and his legacy of excellent performance as governor of the ‘‘State of excellence’’ for good eight years stands him tall among his peers while the good works are there for all to see.

For example, my visit to Ikorodu recently was revealing in terms of infrastructural transformation .

However, my fears are thatFashola would not be able to give housing the required attention it deserves in order to solve the myriad of issues that hinder the nation’s housing delivery. There is probably no other ministry that has more ex and current sectoral siblings as Housing. At various times; housing has been hooked with various other sectors. At a time, it was with Environment to have a ministry of Housing & Environment. Some other time, it was Housing, Urban Development & Environment. For long, Housing was famously merged with Works & Urban Development in various dispensations. At some other time it was Land &Housing. One can go on and on. Now, it appears Housing’s siblings are Power and Works. The strange one in the new equation is probably Power

because it would be the first time Housing would be hooked up with Power in the same ministry. The writer stands to be corrected.

Fundamentally, all the sectors in the new super ministry are the critical sectors the performance of which would determine how far the country would go in its developmental strides and what progress it can make in the comity of developing nations. The sectors are all so important that they require equal attention and commitments if the nation must move forward in these areas. In fact, many would adduce the country’s general failure in the development index to the dismal failure in these sectors.

Every ministry is important but even George Orwell would let you know that all animals are equal but some are more equal than others. In this context, the emergent ministry of Power, Works and Housing can be likened to the elixir needed to grease the nation’s wheels to move forward. Take a quick look: a nation with a failed power sector is a nation gropping in darkness where dreams are cut short; can anyone imagine a country without good roads and infrastructure for the movement of goods and persons and to stimulate economic activities in all frontiers? It is to imagine the worst of a truly failed country with failed economy, failed everything cast in the mould of a banana republic. And a failed housing sector is to imagine a modern man drawnback to the early era where man lived

on the tree top. Thus, the new ministry holds the key to Nigeria’s future.

Fashola has credible credentials to assume the headship of these key sectors as President Muhammadu Buhari had found it expedient to merge them into one ministry.

As a young man, he has great drive, dynamism, rare Intellects, energy and everything it takes to record immense success in the newministry. It is a measure of the trust and confidence the president has in him to appoint him minister over all these key, troublesome sectors. The issues and challenges injust one of the sectors is intimidating enough to make a minister grow grey hairs overnight talkless of three!

Fashola is in for a very tough time but he is equal to the task and certainly needs no pity.

But I have this fear for housing that just won’t go away. My fears are that he would be so dissipated deploying his time, energies and resources to Power and Works that little would be left for Housing. This is also founded on Fashola’s record of not too impressive performance in housing as governor of Lagos.

Whilst he recorded spectacular performance in several other sectors of Lagos especially in infrastructural development, the same could not be said of housing in the nation’s state of excellence. His housing efforts were few and all of them were built and tailored to meet elitist demand and not for the ‘‘common man’’ that ace Television star, Frank Olize went searching for some years back. Perhaps, one would not blame the ex-governor now minister because he was acting th etypicals script of his own dispensation and times.

Infact, not since the 80s has the country

witnessed the conscious and deliberate development of mass housing for the poor.

Even though widely criticised, ex-president Shehu Shagari and former Lagos governor,Lateef Jakande did very well in this regard.

Other governments’ efforts at state and federal levels channeled in this direction are just as profit driven as the private operator and have not benefited the mass majority.

With national housing deficit estimated at 17 million units by the World Bank and the Bureau of Statistics and increasing on daily basis, many would wish for the declaration of a state emergency in the housing sector.

This is not likely to happen because Fashola does not have the same passion for housing as he does for infrastructure. One would give in to the other. Unfortunately, housing is likely to get the short end of the stick. Not even the recent pronouncement of the minister that thousands of flats would be built all over the country would douse my pessimism on housing expectations in the Fashola era.

It would make sense to tell Fashola not to build any houses at all because even if he does, they will be hijacked by politicians as it happened severally before, the poor would never benefit. Ironically, this is a dispensation when we need mass housing programmers at both federal and state levelstosettle millions ofpeople who have been displacedby crises and natural disasters.

Mr. Ojenagbon, an estate surveyor & Valuer, wrote from Lagos.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015— —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Lizard brain, fish brain

I

N my crawls at the back of British taxis in London a fortnight ago, the radio stations never seemed tired wailing about United States (US) Republican presidential front runner, Donald Trump.

In his latest verbal diarrhea, he had advocated a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US. This was his reaction to a couple in California, Tashfeen Malik and Syed Rizwan Farook killing 14 persons and injuring 21 at a holiday party.

For his thoughtlessness, the British were livid. They stripped Trump of his robe as business ambassador and collated over 450,000 signatures to bar him from entering Britain. One hundred thousand signatories is the minimum required to force a debate on the issue in the British Parliament. It also raised the possibility of electing an American president who is a persona non grata in Britain.

Also, the Robert Gordon University (RGU) Scotland revoked a honorary doctorate it had bestowed on Trump in 2010.

A mouthy Trump responded by chiding the British for

allegedly masking a Muslim problem and being ungrateful for his investments in that country especially in Scotland where his mother came from.

Trump did not seem to bother that his suggested ban will apply to some 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide nor did he say what should be done to the over 5million Muslims in the US; ask them to wear leg brace?

It does not appear that Trump can be more comical.

But Dr. Ben Carson, the famous neurosurgeon and fellow Republican presidential aspirant, in an article on Page 26 of the December 11, 2015 edition of THE DAILY TELEGRAPH diagnosed Trump as having a lizard brain. He wrote that the Limbic cortex, or lizard brain “controls the instinct to fight or flee in the face of threats” and that such a brain “tends to make snap judgments that produce autonomic responses to environmental threats” Carson argued that since human beings are not beasts, “we have to sit back with our deliberative brains and sort out the real risk and opportunities before us”

I respectfully disagree with Dr. Carson; what Trump has is not lizard, but fish brain, the man with the lizard brain is actually Carson himself. A fish brain is somebody who is really smart but lacks wisdom; a fish that thinks it knows it all. Trump with his harebrained ideas is obviously a smart but unwise man, which puts him squarely amongst fish brains. Being a fish brain, how do we characterise Trump’s followers in the US? Carson, author of GIFTED HANDS, is famous for successfully carrying out difficult surgeries such as the separation of Siamese twins. He also impacts on communities with his Carson Scholars scheme. But his foray into politics has exposed a different side of him. A scientist who does not think much of climate change and a man who sits pretty well in the midst of racial injustice and pretends it does not exist.

A supposed non-violent man, who for political correctness, is against gun control. He

I respectfully disagree with Dr. Carson; what Trump has is not lizard, but fish brain, the man with the lizard brain is actually Carson himself

The real change Ndigbo and Biafra need (3)

By Clement Udegbe

I

F the continued fall in global crude oil prices means that governments will depend more on IGR to meet some of their obligations, and Igbos are the ones trading all over the states of Nigeria, making relatively more contributions than others in States’ income in Nigeria, why should the Igbo man be denied things he deserves in Nigeria ?

If giving Igbo people a common seaport will enhance their empowerment, and therefore drive their desire to secede, as many in the north reason, why should billions of the common wealth of Nigeria mostly from oil from the south east and south south be budgeted and spent to explore for oil in the Chad Basin area?

Will that not empower the north to desire to go from Nigeria ?

If since after the civil war over 40 years ago, Igbos keep running home now and then from the north, whenever they find reasons to kill and destroy Igbo property over there, and government does nothing, why should Igbo people not also plan to find reasons to chase them from Igbo land from henceforth whenever the reasons arise as a response ?

But Igbos will not fight back and kill others like they do in the north quite often since 1966, till date, because Igbos are essentially a peace loving tribe in Nigeria, and being mostly Christians, their religion is of peace and love. The central theme of Christianity is the love of God the father and creator, Jesus Christ His only begotten son, and the love of the Holy Spirit, the executive arm of God's government on this earth,

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and every preacher drives that message home in Igbo land. Shall the Igbo man then abandon the good messages of the gospel, and descend to pay back an eye for an eye, spilling blood like they do and be like them seeking their own vengeance? God Forbid! Vengeance belongs to God, so Ndigbo would rather walk away peacefully from them, and that is why the peaceful agitations for Biafra is germane! Those who really love Nigeria should add their support to this peaceful move by Igbo Youths. Ndigbo should fear not and stop the run for their lives, but instead settle where ever they find themselves in Nigeria, plan and fight for the One Nigeria while it lasts.

Many Igbos and Nigerians exhibit genuine fears over the demand for Biafra, asking what will happen to Igbo investments in other parts of Nigeria should Igbos go into a separate nation ?

Businesses will continue as usual, just like Igbos and other nationalities do businesses in other nations of the world, provided the agitations and demands are peaceful, and lawful. This is why the

To move forward, Ndigbo should begin to take a few serious steps to look inwards and re-start the Igbo thinking beyond survival

argues: "I think the likelihood of Hitler being able to accomplish his goals would have been greatly diminished if the people had been armed. There's a reason these dictatorial people take the guns first." This is illogical, who told Brother Carson, that an armed German populace would have stopped Hitler when in fact they massively voted and supported him.

Slavery is one or the worse things that can happen to a human being; to be owned like a cow by another human being. It is one of the greatest crimes ever perpetuated in human history. But for him to be accepted by the conservative American society, Carson is willing to make ridiculous allusions to this human tragedy. In his attempts to denigrate President Barack Obama, especially on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise called Obamacare, Carson said: "You know Obamacare is really I think the worst thing that has happened in this nation since slavery. And it is in a way, it is slavery in a way, because it is making all of us subservient to the government, and it was never about health care. It was about control." Apart from the illogicality of comparing Obamacare with the 400 years enslavement of the Black people, it is known that Obamacare enhances and expands access to care in the United States. It is therefore baffling for a medical doctor to claim that slavery and Obamacare are one and the same.

In his article, Carson wrote

agitations must not be allowed to turn violent whatsoever, and all Igbo lovers must bend over backwards to resist any attempts by their detractors to drag them into violence, or spit violence into their struggle. Non-violence will protect and keep Igbo investments in other states of Nigeria, and within Igbo land.

A man who is rejected by others, will not reject himself, more so if God has not rejected him. I think God is with the Igbo man, and the signs of His mercies and favours upon them abound. Their successes in Nigeria in spite of all the provocations, oppressions, blockages, terrible government policies, speak as their testimonies. These agitations by their youth is being used by the God they love, to cause them to do a deep rethink and reflection, about their ways in this Nigeria. They must begin to undo all that various Nigerian Federal Governments have done to keep them as backward second class citizens, bearing in mind, the likely distractions that will come from their erstwhile compromised selfish and greedy leaders, who profit from Igbo oppression. Such persons in and out of government, including incumbent Governors should be understood, set apart, and dealt with as saboteurs.

To move forward, Ndigbo should begin to take a few serious steps to look inwards and re-start the Igbo thinking beyond survival. Nothing stops them from reestablishing a complete and functional data base , to cover every section of their economies, from security, skills acquisition and development, agriculture , to industrial development, replicated in all South East states.

Ndigbo needs every tract of land in Igbo land, thus, any Governor or leader that toys with erosion control should be rebuked, reprimanded and rejected outright.

People reason and argue that Ndigbo

further on lizard brain as being a state “in which the fear of loss overwhelms any rational analysis of the potential for gain. Overfearing cuts us off from opportunities which may lead to immense personal and societal benefits”. Yet, he exhibits all the symptoms of a lizard brain. For example in September, 2015 when he appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press, on the possibility of a Muslim running for the White House, Carson said categorically “I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that” Yet, some of the greatest and most famous Americans like Malcolm X and Mohammed Ali were or are Muslims. Rejecting the constitutional right of an American to be voted for just because he is a Muslim, would be typical of a lizard brain snap reaction. A reaction that masks the morbid fear that a person from a different religion would call the shots in the White House. A person like Carson who claims that his “Judeo-Christian values” is the best culture on earth and gives the impression that his religion is superior to all other religions, cannot but be a lizard brain who is prone to making “snap judgments”.

Using the analytical tools of Malcolm X, Brother Carson has all the characteristics of a House Negro; a black man who thinks, sees, speaks, dresses, eats and worships exactly like the conservative American establishment would want him to. Neither the fish brain, nor the lizard brain is good for America or the world.

can only trade and do nothing else, fine, Ndigbo should take the challenge and plan to diversify and industrialise, while the oil money lasts.

As business people, they need a deep seaport, and that is why they must deploy all they can muster to workout a lasting relationship with the South South who also are regarded as Ndigbo by their masters, to have more deep sea ports.

The result of the 2015 elections is a blessing in disguise to Ndigbo, as it opened up the agitation for Biafra, and the eyes of the South Southerners who want to see. While we remain grateful to Buhari for making the known obvious with the choice of his kitchen cabinet without Ndigbo , it is time for Ndigbo to sieze the opportunity and form a bond with their neighbours in the South South, working to galvanize the eleven states of the two regions.

If the north says that the National Confab Reports will not see the light of day, let the report remain with them, but let Ndigbo begin to plan their lives along the relevant portions of that report, including as it affects States Police. The South Eastern States should integrate their local security networks to kill the twin evils of kidnapping, and the Fulani Herds men.

Ndigbo should work to restore the age long political mandate they shared with the South West of Nigeria, before the 1966 coup that changed the equations against them in favour of the north.

Awo and Zik have played their good roles, this generation should take the lead and repair the damages done by the prevalent politics of divide and rule.

Concluded

*Mr Udegbe, a lawyer, wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

Using human rights to promote corruption and impunity (2) This is the second part of the paper presented by Femi Falana, SAN, to mark the official opening ceremony of the Amnesty International office in Nigeria at Abuja. In the first part which was published yesterday, Falana argued that human rights are not and should not be the preserve of the rich and wealthy

By Femi Falana

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PEECH of His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, Special Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony of the 55th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association holding at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Sunday, August 23, 2015.

The twin problems of corruption and money laundering, and their ‘offspring’ - poverty - have more in common than one might expect at the outset. This link is best captured by the second and third preambular paragraphs of the United Nations Convention against Corruption: Concerned also about the links between corruption and other forms of crime, in particular organized crime and economic crime, including money laundering . . .

Concerned further about cases of corruption that involve vast quantities of assets, which may constitute a substantial proportion of the resources of States, and that threaten the political stability and sustainable development of those States. (See Corruption and Human Rights Law in Africa, Oxford: Hart, 2014, p 92) Thus, ‘corruption is a crime which relies significantly on the laundering process, which is essential for the corrupt to be able to enjoy the proceeds of crime’.

developed countries’ industries and social services [through the] exodus of human capital [and] the illicit export of financial capital from African countries – or capital flight. This is not a new phenomenon, and it shows no signs of abating. Over the past four decades, sub-Saharan Africa has lost a staggering $700 billion due to capital flight. In addition to trade mis-invoicing, smuggling, and embezzlement of revenues from natural resource exports, a substantial part of the capital flight was financed by external borrowing.

External borrowing We estimate that every year 40 to 60 cents of each borrowed dollar spins out of the revolving door as capital flight, often returning to the same banks that issued the loans. On net basis, Africa is transferring more money to the rest of the world than it is receiving in terms of borrowing and aid . . . Capital flight, and the burden of servicing the debts that financed it, are partly to blame for the conditions that create the other economic problems faced by the continent ... Illicit financial flows drain scarce public resources that could have been used to finance public services including education and health.

It partly explains why there are not enough schools, clinics, and medical equipment; it also explains the poor working conditions for doctors, teachers, and other professionals that force them to seek greener pastures abroad . . . Obviously African countries have the primary responsibility to devise and implement strategies to keep capital onshore. But the international community also has

FEMI FALANA, SAN It is estimated that Nigeria has lost over $400bn to large-scale corruption since independence in 1960. According to Ndikumana and Boyce, more than half of the money borrowed by African states, including Nigeria, in recent decades was misdirected within a year, transferred in many cases to private accounts in offshore tax secrecy jurisdictions.

Given the important issues that they raise and their sensible and important recommendations, the following passage deserves to be quoted in extenso: Resource-starved African nations are subsidizing

The twin problems of corruption and money laundering, and their ‘offspring’ poverty - have more in common than one might expect at the outset

an equally important responsibility to root out the perverse incentives and opacity in the financial system that enable and perpetuate the financial haemorrhage faced by the continent.

(Léonce Ndikumana and James K Boyce, Africa’s Odious Debts: How Foreign Loans and Capital Flight Bled a Continent (London: Zed Books, 2011).

A particularly useful ‘multidimensional meaning of poverty’ has been suggested by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. According to the Committee, poverty is ‘a human condition characterised by sustained or chronic deprivation of the resources, capabilities, choices, security and power necessary for the enjoyment of an adequate standard of living, and we can add, indispensable to achieving the dignity and wellbeing of the human person a n d enjoyment of all human rights, insofar as human rights are universal, indivisible a n d interrelated. ( S e e General Comment No 8 ‘Substantive Issues Arising in the Implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural R i g h t s : Poverty and t h e International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights’, statement adopted by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on 4 May 2001, UN Doc E/C 12/ 2001/10, para 12)Corruption, especially large-scale, is

destroys critical institutions of governance, erodes the operation of democracy, the rule of law and moral fabric of society, obstructs justice, and retards social and economic development.

From a President Buhari government standpoint, it promotes impunity both a cause and arbitrariness, and a n d encourages both money consequence laundering and illicit money of poverty. transfers (‘dirty money’). On this The basis for this proposition may not be too account, corruption violates far-fetched. On the one hand, human and people’s rights – civil, corruption enriches a select few, political, economic, social, and while invariably subjecting many cultural – disproportionately to poverty, especially the affecting the economically and economically and socially socially vulnerable.

Accordingly, the idea of vulnerable groups of society.

Clearly, the enrichment of the corruption as a human right issue few at the expense of the many, is intrinsically linked with the especially in a continent of limited relationship between poverty, resources, can hardly help the under-development and lack of cause of those who live in poverty. respect for human rights. (See And, as noted, the theft and Corruption and Human Rights stashing abroad of public funds, Law in Africa, Oxford: Hart, where such funds are then 2014, p 122-124).

Human rights as ‘trump invested to improve the cards’: Section 35 of the economies of developed Constitution of Nigeria 1999 and countries, is unfair as it article 6 of the African Charter undermines developing countries’ foreign investment, on Human and Peoples’ Rights long-term growth, development guarantee the right to personal liberty of every person living in and prosperity.

Thus, from a societal Nigeria. standpoint, corruption ultimately breeds poverty, weakens or To be continued

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

Viability, Value-for-money now drive PPPs—Diko

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

T

HE Public Private Partner ship, PPP, projects of the federal government are now being driven by viability and value-formoney, the Director-General, DG, of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, Mr. Aminu Diko, has said.

Speaking at a breakfast session with journalists, in Abuja, yesterday, he explained that in the new era, all transactions must be undertaken transparently and that only investors with the highest value addition offers would be considered for PPP projects.

Several PPP projects such as the Tafawa Balewa Square Complex, Lagos; Domestic Terminal at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos; the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and several sea ports ran into problems, with some leading to law suits.

However, Mr. Diko said those concession transactions were concluded before the current dispensation and that his team was being very meticulous in its responsibility by making sure that PPPs no longer run into similar problems in the future.

“These concerns that you have expressed are now ably captured in our operations. Apart from determining the viability of the project, we also ensure value for money for the country in every PPP transaction”, he said while responding to a journalists question about the integrity of past concessions that had to be terminated.

Mr. Diko explained further, “Before any project is given out to anyone on concession, you must advertise it . What does advertisement do? It allows any-

R-L: Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, former GMD/CEO, Skye Bank Plc; Marie-Therese Phido, clients & industries leader, Deloitte West Africa; Ibukun Awosika, chairman designate, First Bank; Emmanuel Ikazoboh, chairman, EcoBank, and Fatai Folarin, deputy CEO, Deloitte Nigeria, at the Deloitte distinguished alumni cocktail & awards in Lagos. body from any part of the world to come to Nigeria and seek the prospect of being considered for the project. The advert will have the details of the analysis of the project so that all interested would-be investors would see and go and quote, as appropriate.

“Besides, we have a Transaction Adviser who will be maintained by the MDAs and consist of a group of experts , accoun-

“We discovered that in the past MDAs went to concession negotiating table without the requisite capacity. The private sector investors would come with 10 Senior Advocates and five engineers, while the public sector team will come with two or three people some who don’t even have adequate knowledge of the subject matter and that is how the agreement would be skewed un-

duly in favour of the private sector partner.

“That is why we have decided to place a lot of emphasis on capacity building. You can’t blame a ministry staff who has never seen a PPP transaction if he fails to negotiate properly while dealing with a private sector operators who has been doing the same thing in the last 20 years, and expect to get results.”

The D-G also revealed that the federal government was exploring the possibility of building new, modern prisons through PPPs to make life more meaningful to inmates while in prison and to enable them re-integrate into the society upon serving out their terms.

According to him, rather than maintaining prisons in the middle of cities, as currently witnessed in across the nation, new ones could be built in places farremoved from the cities where there would be enough land for inmates to engage agricultural and other activities that could be useful for them later in life.

The current spaces being occupied by such prisons could be converted to other uses that could serve better public interests, the D-G said.

He also disclosed that the new concession process of the National Arts Theatre Complex, Lagos, has reached advanced stage.

The project, he said, would involve, “A multi-story car park, a five-star hotel and a total renovation of the National Arts Theatre.

The National Theatre will be renovated and returned to its former state”.

IES commences disbursement of $6.5bn to MSMEs

By Grace Udofia

T

HE Institute of Empowerment and Strategy (IES), has commenced the disbursement of the $6.5 billion, about N1.3 trillion, empowerment funds for Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, 3.55 $119.20 MSMEs, in Nigeria with the initial payout of $3,270.00 -21.00 N100 million to 685 beneficiariesdrawnfrom $14.68 0.09 33 states of the country including the Federal Capital Territory in the first phase. $37.45 0.06 To this end, Secretary to the Government of $35.30 -0.22 the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, commended IES and its CURRENCY BUYING SELLING partners, for their 195.97 196.47 197.97 US DOLLAR contribution towards 294.5233 295.2748 296.0262 POUNDS assisting the Federal 214.058 214.6042 215.1503 EURO Government in tackling 197.8296 198.3343 198.8391 FRANC unemployment through 1.6074 1.6115 1.6156 YEN empowerment.

0.3092 0.3192 0.3292 CFA Lawal, who was 272.4555 273.1507 273.8458 WAUA represented by Mr. 30.268 30.3457 30.4234 RENMINBI 52.2252 52.3585 52.4917 WilliamsAlo,Permanent RIYAL 28.6841 28.7573 28.8305 Secretary, Economic KRONA 272.0456 272.7397 273.4338 SDR Affairs, in the Office of the SGF, at the National CBN Exchange rate as at 17/12/2015 Empowerment Summit

C M Y K

tants, lawyers, engineers and others that will x-ray the Business Case right from the conception of the project.

“They will also help the MDAs and the commission in negotiating the transactions. Additionally , the federal government has established the PPP Unit in the Federal Ministry of Finance to assist the MDAs in negotiating these concessions.

— 21

2015 in Abuja, organized by IES, added that empowerment and entrepreneurial training is one of the strategies which can help to bring about sustainable development among the youth, positioning them to fix themselves up in the society.

Lawal said, “This will help the youths to be able to explore the world and manipulate the environment for survival.”

This will help the youths to be able to explore the world and manipulate the environment for survival

He expressed determination, willingness and readiness of the Federal Government to continue to support the Institute towards achieving its empowerment programme.

Also speaking, Mr. Husaini Moriki, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Industry, noted that there is need to pursue a logical approach to empowerment planning, development and its entrenchment into our developmental agenda which becomes more imperative now more than ever before. ‘’It is obvious that IES is well fortified to take the bull by the horn to provide the necessary empowerment needs to jump start and activate our non-performing non-oil revenue sector and our moribundmanufacturingindustry” he said.

Speaking further, he said that a well coordinated empowerment strategy is what is required to move this nation forward in its developmental drive and creating wealth through effective income redistribution strategy, noting that he has seen possibilities of effective and sustainable collaboration between the institute and some MDAs in Nigeria.

Speaking in the same vein,

Director General of IES, Mr. Boniface Afifia-Oru, stated that the full implementation of the programmeincollaborationwiththe Federal and State Governments would help create over two million direct jobs and empower three million Nigerians in their various economic activities.

This, according to him, would have significant impact on the growth of the Nigerian economy, adding that the National Empowermentlaunchingwouldbe preceded by State-to-State Empowerment to be carried out in 2016.

He further stated that the repayment method is attached in the offer letter, while it is different from one another, adding that the payment plan for agriculture is different from that of small business, retail business and others.

He said, “Some of the funds are interest-free while some are not, but in all, no interest is above five per cent.We started without the support of the government, what we needed was the government’s political will to get investors so we would not suffer setback and deceptions from the public. We have a structure on ground to sustain this for about a decade because we have our sponsors in New York.

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

highlighting opportunities that would help investors derive optimal value from their investment.

In his opening remarks at the launch in Lagos, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Yinka Sanni, said as a member of a global banking group, Stanbic IBTC has a responsibility to help grow the capital market through products and initiatives that could help investors harness investment opportunities that exist in Nigeria.

Investment opportunities

*From left: General Manager, Lucky Fibres, Mr. Jitesh Pamnani; 2nd place winner, Miss Hanna Dennis; 1st place winner, Miss Ayobami Odekunle and Assistant Sales Manager, Lucky Fibres, Mrs. Bunmi Odunoye at the award and prize presentation to winners of creativity contest organized by Lucky Fibres in Lagos.

Stanbic IBTC boosts capital market with security lending product Stories by Nkiruka Nnorom

T

HE drive to deepen the Nigerian capital market through introduction of more asset classes has received a boost with the launch of Securities Lending product by Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc.

Securities lending involves temporary transfer of securities from one party (the lender) to another (the borrower) for a fee. These transactions are facilitated through an intermediary acting as an agent or principal intermediary between the

lender and borrower. The borrower is obliged to return the securities, either on demand or at the end of a term.

The launch, according to the bank, is in line with its tradition of

Sanni stated that investors need to spread their investment options into different financial derivatives, and in doing this, minimize risks associated with tying investments in particular stocks and securities.

Diversification into different asset classes, he added, reduces risk levels, while offering higher returns.

In driving success for the product, Stanbic IBTC will be relying on its extensive product knowledge and expertise, rich technology capability, access to lenders and borrowers to drive utilisation, sound risk management fundamentals and extensive reporting capability, Sanni added.

“We are delighted to be introducing the Stanbic IBTC Securities Lending product into the Nigerian market. The product launch is a

Stan Chart highlights importance of renminbi inclusion in IMF’s SDR

T

HE official recognition of the renminbi as a global reserve currency is more than just an important milestone for the Chinese currency; it has significant, gamechanging effects on the rest of the world’s markets, Standard Chartered Bank has said.

Within slightly over a decade, China’s extensive reforms have propelled the renminbi from being non-existent on the world stage to becoming a currency in the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Special Drawing Rights (SDR) basket.

According to Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive, Standard Chartered, “The inclusion of renminbi into the SDR speaks volumes about how much China hasaccomplishedsinceitembarked on its reforms in 2004. The speed of development has been striking and today marks the beginning of another new chapter.”

Cross border investments Benjamin Hung, Standard Chartered’s Greater China and North Asia Chief Executive Officer, also noted: “We are expecting further steps to include flexible cross-border investments and remittance, expansion of free trade zones and greater opening up of capital account.WeareconfidentthatChina willremaincommittedinpromoting its currency in a steadfast and wellpaced manner, on track to meet our forecast of becoming a G3 currency by 2020.”

Benjamin Hung added: “In the C M Y K

interim, there will inevitably be uncertainties and volatilities across fi-

The inclusion of renminbi into the SDR speaks volumes about how much China has accomplished since it embarked on its reforms in 2004

nancial markets, be it greater twoway USD-CNY variability or financial flows as international investors and reserve managers adjust their portfolio over time. It is important to brace ourselves for these developments as it takes time for market participants to rebalance against a new reserve currency, which will eventually bring positive changes to global financial markets across foreign exchange (FX), rates, fixedincome and other asset classes.”

After the SDR review, Standard Chartered expects a gradual pick-

up of diversification inflows into renminbi assets from international investors and reserves managers, of which the latter would be a critical underlying support for the CNY in the coming years.

Global central banks may reallocate one per cent of their reserve investments into renminbi assets annually. Standard Chartered expects inflows of US$85 billionUS$125 billion from global central banks in 2016, with at least five per cent of global reserves being denominated in renminbi in 2020.

Continental Re bolsters pan-African expansion in southern Africa

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O N T I N E N TA L REINSURANCE Plc, a pan-African reinsurance company with a listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), has strengthened its footprint across the African continent with the establishment of its subsidiary in Gaborone, Botswana as part of its growth plan.

According to Mr. Lawrence Nazare, executive director, Continental Reinsurance, in a statement to Vanguard, the establishment of the subsidiary in Gaborone, Botswana is part of the company’s strategy to have a physical presence in all key regions on the African continent.

“Gaborone is our springboard into the SADC (Southern African Development Community) region,” he said. “It is the platform from which we will enhance service delivery to our existing customers and grow revenues through better access to a

regional insurance market with huge potential.

“We are excited about Gaborone because it is the last milestone in the execution of the strategic goal we set for ourselves four years ago, to have a geographic presence in all key geo-political and economic regions on the African continent.

“Botswana is a fast-growing economy,boastingaGDPpercapita of $18,825 per year as of 2015, one of the highest in Africa. It is also the highest international rated country in Africa at A- by A.M. Best.”

Political stability Mr. Samuel Rimai, General Manager, Continental Reinsurance’s subsidiaryinBotswana,affirmedthe importance of having an on-theground presence.

“Botswana’s political stability, robust economic and corporate gov-

ernance culture, favourable macroeconomic environment and auspicious relations with neighbouring countries make it a choice location for our southern African regional office.

“Proximity to our clients allows us to improve our insight into local markets, better understand their needs and local risk requirements anddeliverlocallyrelevantofferings.

“A key component of Continental Reinsurance’s strategy is to build core competences that are geared to providing relevant solutions to Africa’s insurance and reinsurance needs.

In April 2015, Continental Reinsurance established a specialist subsidiary CPERS (Continental PropertyEngineeringRiskServices) to target opportunities in construction and engineering insurance.

further demonstration of our commitment to facilitating stability and growth of the Nigerian capital market, via confidence-building initiatives and leveraging investment opportunities in the market.

Other derivatives will be introduced in the future,” Sanni stated.

Also speaking, Mr. Oscar Onyema, CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), noted that various initiatives have been introduced to strengthen the capital market, including the derivatives market. He described the investment opportunities in the capital market and Nigeria’s economy as huge.

Despite the prevailing challenging operating environment and the attendant apathetic performance of the capital market, characterized by low level investor confidence, there still exists enormous investment opportunities for Nigerians to leverage, Onyema stated, while reiterating the Exchange’s goal of becoming the leading bourse and gateway to Africa when it comes to capital formation and investment.

Guinness acquires Diageo Brands assets, competes across total alcohol segment

By Nkiruka Nnorom & Princewill Ekwujuru

G

UINNESS Nigeria has concluded the transaction of approximately N2.35 billion for acquisitions of the distribution rights of Diageo Plc’s international Premium spirit, IPS, brands in Nigeria.

As part of the transaction, Guinness Nigeria will also take over various assets including the current inventory of Diageo Brands Nigeria Limited, the whollyowned Diageo business which currently distributes and markets the IPS brands in Nigeria. The transaction is expected to be concluded by 31 December 2015 and the new distribution agreement for the IPS brands will become effective on 1 January 2016 subject to receiving all regulatory approvals.

Peter Ndegwa, Managing Director/CEO, Guinness Nigeria Plc, said: “The transaction we are announcing today will facilitate the achievement of our ambition to create the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products company in Nigeria by leveraging the strength of our unparalleled portfolio of beer, adult premium non-alcoholic drinks (APNADs), ready to drink (RTDs) as well as spirits. Continuing, he said: “The integration of the Diageo IPS brands with the Guinness Nigeria brand portfolio best fits our strategy of filling the gap in our total beverage alcohol portfolio, and allows us to compete across segments within the market.”

VOL. 1: NO. 17

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 , 2015 bill occasioned by the implementation of the minimum wage for all junior workers since 2012.

SOUTH WEST IN 2015

The issues, personalities (1)

By Dapo Akinrefon

The South West geo-political zone was notably in the news for so many notworthy reasons this year.

ORUBA leaders divided The zone had its high and low moments.

Y

over Jonathan In March, 2015, the reelection bid of former President Goodluck Jonathan welcomed the year in the South West as leaders and elders from the region were pitted against each other over Jonathan’s reelection.

Separate meetings were held in Lagos and Ibadan in March 2015 where both camps expressed different opinions on the topic and the agelong emotive issue of national conference for the ethnic nationality.

Those who gathered in Ibadan, Oyo State, under the auspices of the Yoruba Assembly, accused President Jonathan of marginalising the region and argued that the 2014 National Conference failed to address issues germane to the establishment of true federalism.

Their counterparts in Lagos lauded the President for the conference and its resolutions just as they expressed support for Jonathan’s re-election.

Instructively, the former President was defeated by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and now president, Muhammadu Buhari.

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Osun wage crisis In July, 2015, civil servants in Osun State were engaged in a face-off with the Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who was unable to pay workers’ salary for seven months.

In July, 2015, civil servants in Osun State were engaged in a face-off with the Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who was unable to pay workers’ salary for seven months

The crisis degenerated to the extent that a High Court judge in Osun State Justice Oloyede Folahanmi, called on the state House of Assembly to investigate the alleged mismanagement of the economy by the governor and his deputy in accordance with Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 constitution.

While Justice Folahanmi maintained that there was no moral justification for their continued stay in office, she accused Aregbesola of acting in defiance of some sections of the constitution which border on the welfare of Osun people.

In a 30-page petition, Judge Folahanmi said it was imperative for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Amnesty International, the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime and Transparency

International to investigate any other person or persons found to be responsible for the mismanagement of the economy of Osun State.

In his defense, Governor Aregbesola, blamed the financial challenges facing his government on the huge wage

Also in July, 2015, the foremost traditional ruler in Yorubaland and 50th Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade died in London, United Kingdom at the age 85

IN THIS EDITION

2015: Major events in Ondo •Page 24

Osun in 2015 •Page 26

Ooni Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II dies in London Also in July, 2015, a foremost traditional ruler in Yorubaland and 50 th Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade died in London, United Kingdom at the age of 85. The late monarch was born on January 1, 1930.

He reportedly fell critically sick before he was flown to London. Oba Sijuwade, who ascended the Ooni stool in 1980, was regarded as a successful and wealthy businessman before he mounted the throne in 1980.

Ekiti Airport: Land owners/ Fayose face-off Similarly in December, controversy surrounded the proposed airport by the Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose. The face-off led owners of the land acquired by the Ekiti State Government to sue the state demanding N650 million as damages.

The plantation farmers dragged the state government and Governor Fayose to court for what they described as “unlawful and forcible acquisition” of their land.

Farmers and land owners In a suit number HAD/71/2015 filed before an Ado Ekiti High Court , the claimants – Faluyi Ayeni, Tunde Ademiluyi, Faturoti Simeon, Awe Ojo, Oladimeji Ojo, Oloniyi Agbadaola, Moses Ojo, Fabiyi Oso, and Julius Oso, – sued for themselves and on behalf of farmers and land owners of four communities affected by the proposed airport project.

The communities affected are Igbogun farm settlement, Igbemo farm settlement, Iwajo farm settlement and Aso Ayegunle spanning three local government areas of the state.

The aggrieved farmers claimed that the agents of the 1st defendant, Mr. Fayose, forcibly entered their land on October 2 without any prior notice and on subsequent occasions to clear and remove economic trees, crops and buildings.

They said the action was illegal and was a violation of their fundamental human rights and provisions of the Land Use Act 1978.

Continues next week

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

OYO STATE

By Dayo Johnson

2015:

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AJOR events in Ondo state in 2015 include kidnapping of high profile indigenes, workers locking horns with government over salary arrears, defection of prominent party leaders, impeachment of the state Deputy governor and appointment of a new one, resignation of the leader of the Pan Yoruba Socio- Political group, Afenifere and installation of a new Deji of Akureland amongst other happenings.

The most celebrated kidnap in 2015 was that of the former Finance Minister and Secretary to the Government of the Federation Chief Olu Falae who was abducted by Fulani herdsmen who invaded his farm located at Ilado, Akure North area of the state.

He later regained freedom after spending four days in the kidnappers den.

Public outcry led to his rescue by the Police after his family paid N5m ransom to the kidnappers of which seven apprehended and have been charged to Court.

Notable Yoruba leaders and leaders from other ethnic groups rose in unison to criticize the kidnap of the elder-statesman.

What many people see as an abomination also took place during the year when the regent of Akungba Akoko, Princess Oluwatoyin Omosowon was kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

Major events in Ondo

Traditional ruler

•Mimiko: Ondo State governor

Ransom to secure release Barely 48 hours after her abduction the kidnappers demanded for the sum of N20m as ransom to secure her release.

Princes Omosowon was kidnapped with three others by unknown gunmen along Akure/ Akungba-Akoko road while traveling to Akure to honour an invitation from the authorities of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko.(AAUA).

Interdenominational prayer session were held in churches and mosques within the community.

The combined team of security operatives later rescued the regent but not after she was tortured and wounded on the head by her abductors. She said she refused to eat for the one week she was kept in captivity.

Many other personalities fell into the trap of the kidnappers and were let off the hook after their families paid through their noses although security operatives claimed ignorance of the payment of ransom by victims' families.

Also, during the year, the state deputy governor Alhaji Olanusi who defected to the opposition APC in the state barely 48hours to the last general election was impeached by the House of Assembly.

Alhaji Olanusi's case was like C M Y K

the sudden resignation of the leader of the Yoruba Socio political group, chief Reuben Fasoranti.

His decision jolted the Yoruba nation but to avoid further crack in the wall, prominent leaders including Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae, Ajayi Olanihun and others waded in and were able to persuade the octogenarian politician to withdraw his resignation letter.

An emergency meeting was called and the leaders pointedly said that they rejected the resignation or better still the decision of their leader to step aside.

Pa Fasoranti decision to resign was as a result of findings that showed that some members of the Afenifere group emerging have started hobnobbing with some leaders of the ruling APC who do not subscribe to his leadership of the Yoruba nation.

To avoid a parallel group emerging, Pa Fasoranti was said to have opted for the resignation but he was later convinced by other leaders including the governor, Dr Mimiko, who said that the people of the state rejected his resignation letter.

•Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi: Deji of Akure

•Olusola Oke: Defected to APC

•Olanusi: Fell out with Mimiko

that of the hunter which ended up being hunted.

The political calculation was that the opposition APC would win the majority of seats in the last House of Assembly election which will pave the way for the impeachment of the governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, and he would automatically become the governor.

But, the plan was scuttled when the party failed woefully to secure the majority of the seats in the House of Assembly.

The table was turned against him as he was sent packing by members of the Assembly.

The impeached Octogenarian deputy governor is still battling to take back his seat in court.

However, a new deputy governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, has been appointed and has since been sworn in by the governor.

Still on politics, some prominent

politicians led by the former PDP governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke and the brother of

the late former governor Dr Olusegun Agagu, Femi also defected to the APC few days to the National Assembly election.

They jumped ship after the opposition APC had won the Presidential election, a situation which put them at a disadvantage.

Oke, Femi Agagu and Victor Olabimtan who was a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly and former member of the Civil Service Commission were part of the coup against the impeachment of Mimiko hence their defection to the APC few days to the National Assembly election.

The APC also won the presidential election in Ondo State contrary to the governors assurance to the former President Goodluck Jonathan that he would deliver one million votes to him from the state.

Another event in the year was

Many other personalities fell into the trap of the kidnappers and were let off the hook after their families paid through their noses

Of interest in the year was the installation of a new traditional ruler for Akure, the state capital.

Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi was installed as the new Deji of Akureland following his selection by the Akure kingmakers.

The same year, a deposed and banished Oba of the town, Prince Adesina Adepoju @ "resurrected” and made a surprise street walk along the state capital.

His sudden appearance heightened tension in the state capital as his supporters sold a dummy to the public that the court had ordered his return to the throne.

To show that the action of the deposed Deji jolted the entire Community, notable sons and daughters of the town and the Council of Chiefs rose to condemn it describing it as “ a show of shame."

However, an appeal court sitting in Ondo state had last week struck out a suit filed by the deposed Deji challenging his dethronement by the state government.

Workers in the state also locked horns with the state government over non-payment of their outstanding salary arrears . They later relaxed after government settled the arrears. But as at today two months salaries are still outstanding.

The international event centre named the “Dome” and Shoprite shopping mall were commissioned in the state during the year.

This year’s best of Nollywood award was hosted by the state government at the Dome.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015 —25

OGUN STATE

Major events in Ogun in 2015

•Amosun: Ogun State governor NUMEROUS events occurred in the year that shook Ogun State. A few of them are:

By Daud Olatunji

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ANKS shut for fear of robbery Between, commercial banks in Ijebu Ode and Ago-Iwoye, were shut for several days for fear of robbery attacks. The banks refused to open when the armoured personnel carrier used by the Police to give them protection from bandits was not deployed shutting down commercial activities in the area.

Before the advent of the present administration in the State in May 2011, all banks within the Ijebu axis were not operating due to security concerns. Findings ,however, revealed that the APC donated

by Governor Ibikunle Amosun to the Nigerian police was not functional.

Obasanjo snubs Jonathan in Abeokuta Another event that shook Ogun State was when former President Olusegun Obasanjo allegedly dodged the immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan during the latter ’s visit on January 2 Obasanjo was reportedly driven out in his black SUV and one security Hilux van. He shunned his main entrance and made use of his private gate of the palatial Hilltop C M Y K

building immediately Jonathan arrived the state capital.

It was observed that some security personnel detailed at the former President’s house suddenly disappeared but a source close to Obasanjo’s Hilltop mansion in Abeokuta had earlier disclosed to Vanguard that President Jonathan was not in Obasanjo’s itinerary for the day.

Ijebu monarchs snub Jonathan in Ijebu-Ode Facts have emerged on February 21 that Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona and other Ijebu monarchs failed to take group photograph with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan when he paid a courtesy visit prior to the 2015 presidential election. One of the highly respected monarchs in Ijebuland, who was part of the meeting, confided in anguard that they are not hungry monarchs who could easily be bought over with the President’s dollar.

The Ijebu monarchs were said to have been angered by former PDP National chairman’s comments describing the Ijebu people as stingy people. He was angrily corrected by Awujale, who said’”We are not stingy, but prudent in our spending.”

Jonathan was also said to have

•Obasanjo

•Adetona

tactically ignored the requests of the Ijebu people at the meeting. 11 students killed in road accident

some dead bodies were still lying in the morgue's of various hospitals.

Students die in road crash Eleven students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, were crushed to death along Sagamu/Benin expressway in Ilishan Remo North Local Government area of the state on Friday, June 26 when a Lagos-bound Toyota Haiace passenger bus with registration number XV 311 MUS (LAGOS) collided with a truck marked BDG 779 XE (LAGOS), resulting in the death of all the occupants except Ibukun Akinbo who survived with degrees of injuries.

Few days later, students of the school stormed the premises of the company which they believed owned the truck that killed their colleagues, pouncing on the workers and destroying property when they observed that the company’s workers were still working and loading products even when

Another event that shook Ogun State was when former President Olusegun Obasanjo allegedly dodged the immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan during the latter’s visit on January 12

Akarigbo celebrates 25th coronation anniversary Week-long activities were lined up to commemorate the 25th coronation anniversary of the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo took the state to a standstill. The ceremony with an interdenominational Christian thanksgiving service on Sunday, July 19 and ended on July 26 with performances from ace musicians, King Sunny Ade and Dapo Oyebanjo.

Dignitaries that grace the grand finale of the anniversary include Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, former governor Gbenga Daniel, Oba Sikiru Adetona among others.

Robbers rape patients, nurses in Ogun hospital Patients and nurses in a private hospital, in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area, Ogun State, had a taste of horror when a deadly gang of armed robbers numbering more than 10, stormed the health facility in the night of Saturday, September 5, robbing them of their property before going ahead to rape the females among them.

But luck however ran out on eight of the suspected robbers as they were later arrested by policemen attached to the Igbeba Division of the state Police Command after they allegedly robbed and shot dead a man identified as Alayande Oladipo at Olisa Street, in the town.

Ijebuland agog for 2015 Ojude Oba Festival The town of Ijebu Ode was agog on September 26, 2015 as dignitaries from all walks of life trooped into the town in their numbers to celebrate the annual Ojude Oba Festival which is fast becoming

Nigeria’s most attended festival, and annually hosted by the paramount ruler of Ijebu land, His Royal Majesty, the Awujale of the Ijebu Kingdom, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

The event which took place at the Dipo Dina International Stadium opposite the Oba’s palace, was filled with traditional dance, cultural displays and colourful attires of the participants and as usual, all the groups and families go round the venue acknowledging cheers from the people before mounting the podium to pay homage to Oba Adetona.

The event was graced by prominent Nigerians which included the Ogun state governor, Ibikunle Amosu, Bayelsa state governor, Seriake Dickson, former Defense minister, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), Ogun State deputy governor, Mrs. Yetunde Abosede Onanuga, former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, former Bayelsa State governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, elder states man, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, former senators, Gbenga Kaka, Olurunimbe Mamora, Olabyi Durojaiye (Ijebu indigene) and Daisy Danjuma, Musician, Queen Slawa Abeni, billionaires Oskar Ibru and Olorogun Dr. Sunny Kuku, who is an indigene of Ijebu land and Otunba Subomi Balogun.

Cop, pregnant woman killed as robbers raid six banks in Agbara A policeman and a pregnant woman were confirmed dead when armed robbers numbering about 20 visited about six banks at the Agbara Industrial Estate area of Ogun State, on Thursday, November 19, 2015. At each bank, the gang, despite not meeting any resistance, they blew open the doors and the vaults with dynamite and packed the loot in their millions, after holding the staff of the bank hostage.

Operatives of the Inspector General of Police, Special Intelligence Response Team (SIRT) has arrested one of the suspected leaders of the gang identified as Kelly Rotor at a wedding ceremony after a heavy shootout between detectives and members of his gang at Sapele, Delta State.

Death and burial of HID Awolowo Matriarch of the Awolowo clan, Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, died on Saturday, September 19, two months short of her 100th birthday. She was buried in a gold casket on November 25.

The remains of the late matriarch were laid to rest beside her late husband inside the Awolowo Mausoleum. The funeral service was well attended by men from all walks of life.

26— Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

OSUN STATE

By Gbenga Olarinoye

The Osun State House of Assembly on 5th August, 2015 dismissed the petition by Justice Folahanmi Oloyede seeking for the impeachment of the State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, following the recommendation of the 7-man ad-hoc committee set up to investigate the petition

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REGBESOLA’s Victory at Election Petition Tribunal The Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal headed by Justice Elizabeth Ipejime on 6th of February, 2015 declared, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the winner of the August 2014 governorship election in the state.

Aregbesola defeated Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Iyiola Omisore in a keenly contested election.

Aregbesola defeated Omisore with a margin of about 100,000 votes. Aregbesola scored 392, 284 votes to the 292, 742 ballots that Omisore got.

Omisore however decided to contest the results at the tribunal.

When Justice Elizabeth Ipejime read out her verdict both candidates were absent in court. The matter went through Appeal Court and Supreme Court where Aregbesola’s election was upheld.

Judge petition against Aregbesola The Osun State House of Assembly on 5th August, 2015 dismissed the petition by Justice Folahanmi Oloyede seeking for the impeachment of the State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, following the recommendation of the 7-man ad-hoc committee set up to investigate the petition.

The lawmakers said that the petition should be dismissed because the petitioner abandoned her claims by refusing to appear before the adhoc committee to substantiate the various allegations levelled against the Governor and the Deputy Governor of Osun State in her petition.

On June 23, 2015, the Osun State House of Assembly received a petition from Justice Folahanmi Oloyede, urging the House to investigate Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy, Titi Laoye Tomori for misappropriation of state funds.

Thereafter, the House constituted a 7-man ad-hoc committee with a mandate of two weeks to investigate the allegations levelled against the Governor.

Death of 50th Ooni Okunade Sijuwade The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubose II, is dead. He was 85 years old.

The foremost Oba died in London at about 7:30pm on Sunday July 28th.

The Ooni was rushed to London on Friday July 24, and was taken from Heathrow Airport in an Ambulance to the clinic where he passed on four days later.

New Ooni of Ife During the year, the Osun State Government unveiled a C M Y K

Osun in 2015

New Oluwo appointed The joy of indigenes and residents of Iwo land knew no bounds on Monday, 9th of November following the approval of the appointment of Prince Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi of the Gbaase ruling house of Iwo as the new Oluwo of Iwoland by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

The letter of appointment of the new monarch for Iwoland dated 9th of November, 2015 was signed by the Secretary to the state government, Alhaji Moshood Olalekan Adeoti.

•Aregbesola: Osun state governor new Ooni of Ife. He is Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, a 41-year old real estate magnate and prince from the Giesi Ruling House in the town. He became the 51st Ooni of Ife. The Secretary to the Osun State Government said the selection of the new Ooni followed the completion of all processes for the filling of the exalted stool.

Then Prince Ogunwusi was selected from 21 candidates presented by the Giesi ruling house for the exalted stool.

The statement, made available to newsmen on October 26, 2015 said, “The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has approved the appointment of a new Ooni of

•Soyinka

Osun State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola on 23rd November, 2015 inaugurated the N750 million Wole Soyinka Government High School in Ejigbo, Osun State

Ife. “He is Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi of Giesi Ruling House of Ile-Ife, State of Osun.

This choice follows the completion of the due process by the kingmakers and the communication of their decision to Government.”

The announcement of a new traditional ruler for the ancient town came 89 days after the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade at a London clinic.

Ogunwusi receives crown Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II on November, 24, 2015 was crowned with the traditional Ade-Are as the 51st Ooni to preside over the affairs of Ife Kingdom.

The crowning confirmed him as substantive Ooni as against an Ooni-elect which he had been until his seclusion in Ilofi.

Oba Ogunwusi was presented with the crown by the custodians at a place called Oke-Ora located between IleIfe and Osu on Ilesa Road, Osun State.

The monarch, who appeared in public for the first time after spending about 21 days in seclusion, was accompanied by indigenes of the town and members of Isoro cult.

Osun Names School After Soyinka Osun State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola on 23rd November, 2015 inaugurated the N750 million Wole Soyinka Government High School in Ejigbo, Osun State.

The school is a 3,000-capacity complex with 72 classrooms of 49 square-metres, each capable of sitting 49 pupils. It has six offices for study groups.

It is equipped with six laboratories, 18 toilets for girls and 18 for boys, one science library, one arts library, facility manager’s office, a bookshop and a sick bay.

Soyinka praised Aregbesola, saying he was elated that such honour was bestowed on him.

He pledged to visit the school often to see how it was faring.

THE TEAM EDITOR: Adeleke Adeseri 08054682557 (sms only) CORRESPONDENTS: Ola Ajayi Gbenga Olarinoye Dayo Johnson Dapo Akinrefon Daud Olatunji Olasunkanmi Akoni Rotimi Ojomoyela Monsuru Olowoepejo

Ibadan Osogbo Akure Lagos Abeokuta Lagos Ekiti

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015 — 27

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28— Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015—29

21 things you don’t know about Don Jazzy M

AVINS Records big boss, Don Jazzy, born Michael Collins Ajereh is an enigma, whom very little is known about. He once boasted that he hates talking onstage and rarely ever grants press interviews. Apart from his activities on social media very little is known about the multi-award winning music maker. But recently Don Jazzy let down his guard and granted some interviews, from which we were able to unmask the real man behind the Dorobucci brand. Here are some facts you probably don’t know about the Nigeria’s foremost music maker.

1. He prefers bringing up new artistes than hooking up the the big boys 2. He hasn’t slept in his house in over one year. He lives in the studio at Lekki 3. He smokes cigarettes, not marijuana or any other drugs 4. He likes only slim girls, he calls them ‘Lepa toh bad’ 5. He believes there are four major artistes in Nigeria, 2Face, D’Banj, Psquare and the rest 6. He likes to think Italian and it is where he got Dorobucci, at Tiwa Savage’s wedding in Dubai 7. He thinks he is an ugly man 8. He has investment in oil, owning a large number of fuel tankers 9. He got the name ‘MAVIN’ from Google 10. His father is his number one fan

11. He is a very shy person and that’s why he wears sunglasses 12. He cannot rap 13. 2Face is his favourite artiste 14. He is not inspired by anyone 15. He only respects Timbaland and Jay Z 16. No one has ever written a line of song for him in his life; he writes all his songs by himself 17. His beats are inspired by highlife 18. His music comes first, his family second 19. He is not a fashion label freak 20. Once he releases a song he doesn’t listen to it again.

21. He has never charged for a collabo

•Don Jazzy

Why they call me Sunshine – Seyi Shay A

SK lovers of Nigerian music today to mention the top five female singers ruling the music scene right now and see if Seyi Shay’s name doesn’t pop up. At least, this must be one of the reasons Pepsi thought it befitting to make her their newest ambassador alongside Tiwa Savage and Wizkid Born Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua in London to Nigerian parents, Seyi started her professional career in 2005 by producing three songs for the soundtrack

•Seyi Shay

to the Konami’s video game Crime Life: Gang Wars and recently took the Nigerian music scene by storm with her smash hits “Irawo”, “Ragga Ragga”, and “Chairman”.

Concerning her pet names, Seyi told Potpourri she has several names she goes by for different reasons. “The first one is Sunshine. The person that calls me that says it’s because I’m always happy and I am warm to others. There is ‘Irawo’ after my hit single ‘Irawo’ but my very first pet name is Sey-Seyi.

My sister still calls my name twice like that till today” she says.

Buzz Media unveils ‘night and day’ series for ‘Christmas in Lagos’

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Why I like to show off what I have got

—Princess Nkechi Blessing

By Kehinde Ajose ULTRY actress, Princess Nkechi Blessing is a rising screen diva who isn’t just all about her acting talent, but also combines a sex appeal that makes others go green with envy. The actress of Igbo origin has featured in movies like Okunkun, Eja nla, and Aruga. She recently told Potpourri why she flaunts her sex appeal and if it has gotten her more roles.

“It’s interesting, I like to show off what I have got.

•Nkechi It’s not always intentional though. Whenever I flaunt Blessing my sex appeal it is my way of appreciating the work of God, the way he created me. My being able to act has gotten me more roles than my sex appeal. Though I was featured in Ikatobase because of my sex appeal. In the movie, I had to seduce a lecturer because of my sex appeal.”

S

UZZ Media would be 6gchanging the Christmas experience we are used to in a fiveday fun filled, Lagos-themed Christmas festival from Wednesday 23rd to Sunday 27th of December, 2015, at Muri Okunola Park ,Victoria Island as Christmas in Lagos debuts with night and day series.

According to Akin Eso, the organiser of Wed Expo, who is also the brain behind this •Akin Eso of innovative idea, the Christmas in primary aim is to Lago accommodate young and old alike and that is why there will be two sessions daily-daytime

and night time.

According to Eso, “Our target market is pretty broad; we had to break it into sessions. So the daytime series is called the Christmas Family Fun Fair featuring a Santa Village; this is for the general family with more focus on the kids. The night time series is called The Lagos NightLife Series and its 18+ so expect real entertainment.”

“During the day we will have an adult section for adults to relax eat and have drinks but at night, the Lagos Nightlife series starts and this is going to be a lot of fun from the best DJs, live band, special entertainers, artist performances etc. Trust me it’s not a regular show it is different. For the daytime series its target is the family, which is why we called it the Christmas Family FunFair.

STOP PIRACY NOW! STOP BUYING PIRATED MOVIE AND MUSIC CDs, DVDs. IT IS KILLING THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. STOP! C M Y K

30—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

capacity and skills, especially for adult women, there will be increase in women’s negotiating skills and this will help them to build their savings and improve their lives.

According to sociologist, Jaye Gaskia, the socio cultural inequality in Nigeria determines a lot of factors that affect everyone including the women.

He noted that there is a total violation of Section 16.2 of the 1999 Nigerian constitution by several factors including the state which is meant to promote a planned and balanced economic development for everyone and remove concentration of wealth or the means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group.

Gaskia noted that every government in the country have seriously breached the constitution because when economic power is removed, other factors of livelihood is limited and the women will be greatly affected.

Vegetable farmers at work

Material resources

Inequality against women:

Oxfam, stakeholders clamour a change

By Dotun Ibiwoye

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ENDER inequality has been identified as a major problem confronting Nigeria, despite its abundant human capital and economic potential as the largest economy in Africa.

Women and girls are still vulnerable and do not have equal opportunities as their male counterparts in many segments of the society which requires better policies and stronger institutions for women.

Stakeholders in the society made this assertion at a seminar on inequality in Nigeria for journalists organised by Oxfam in Abuja, noting that contrary to the provision of 1999 Constitution (Section 16), the commonwealth of the country is concentrated in the hands of few thereby leaving poor majority, especially women, in abject poverty.

Women and girls frequently do not have control over resources and the norms.

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Restricting the kind of jobs considered appropriate for women restricts their earning potential in the labour market and business enterprise.

In several rural areas in Nigeria women go to farms but do not have a control over their products and the profit of the proceeds after sales.

Also, the lack of proper policies promoting the participation of women emerged as a key impediment to women’s effective participation in the Nigerian labour market.

Inequitable region According to a 2012 publication of the African Development Bank, Africa is the second-most inequitable region in the world, after Latin America. “inequalities have not diminished over time.

Women’s voices remain limited, with rates of genderbased violence reaching alarming levels. Poor access to legal rights, sexual and

reproductive health services, freedom of movement, and political voice pose additional constraints for women.

The freedom of movement

By educating, building capacity and skills, especially for adult women, there will be increase in women’s negotiating skills and this will help them to build their savings and improve their lives

and participation in Nigerian labour market is explained by an anthropologist, Dr. Rebeca Uzezi who expressed great concern about the issue that has now been on the increase.

“Before we examine the extent of inequality with women it is important that we need to ask ourselves how to improve women’s employment and economic opportunities? What is the policy infrastructure like, and what policy reforms are needed to support and encourage more women to compete in the labour market?” she said “In several parts of this country women’s movement is really restricted and this affects them negatively. Apart from the religious beliefs which is an area where we do not question, other cultural aspects does not give women the room to move freely and the men will always have an edge. These same women are the ones that train the children when the father is no longer there.

“By educating, building

“Inequality is a major issue affecting this country. There is a violation of all the principles of Section 16.2 of the 1999 Constitution. The part that states ‘that the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good’, has never been applied. Why will inequality not continue in an alarming scale? He said “Wealth is not sustainable in Nigeria because of the link to the state and link to corruption. When all these are summed together, women will be at the receiving end.

Oxfam’s Celestine Okwudli Odo noted that the paramount thing about the advocacy on inequality is giving the voice and speaking against it.

“Different policies we are having on gender, taxation, and livelihood; all these we have policy interventions driven by our local partners but the most important thing is giving the voicesupporting the voice to speak, to talk about issues that affect us. He said “For us to be able to identify, to know what inequality is and how it could be tackled.

For us before engaging government, we should be able to proffer alternatives to them. What the government should do to reduce inequality that is exactly what Oxfam is doing”.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015—31

Rape is about power O

NE of the biggest myths about rape and sexual violence is that it happens as a result of uncontrollable sexual desire.

B e i n g uncontrollable, the perpetrator cannot be held responsible for his actions. Therefore the survivor must have done something to be raped.

Responsibility and blame are then shifted from the perpetrator to the survivor.

Rape is not about sexual desire as all humans have such desires but not all commit rape or sexual assault. It is not a crime of passion, where the perpetrator loses control.

Many rapists are in a relationship where their sexual urges are satisfied.

Sexual assault or rape is a choice that they make.

Sexual assault Rapists often plan their crimes, and in the case of children, groom them to gain their confidence and trust while waiting for an opportunity to strike.

It is premeditated and over 70% cases of rape are planned in advance.

When this happens, the rapist takes away any control the survivor has in that situation.

Rape happens in every society but it flourishes in an environment where there is violence, where women’s voices are not heard and where perpetrators walk away free because the law is not effective and law enforcement officers are unable to differentiate between their professional obligations and their personal biases.

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This is even more difficult in a country like Nigeria where police officers are not equipped to tackle the menace of rape and sexual assault. Many police stations do not bother to document incidents of rape.

Some policemen even take the bizarre route of mediating between the alleged perpetrator and the survivor.

Rape flourishes in many so called traditional societies where women are considered less than men. In these societies conscious efforts are made to control women’s bodies and men are raised with a feeling of entitlement that women are there to do their bidding.

That explains why we excuse and condone rape saying the rapist was desiring sex and just “took it too far”. In this way, we make the crime more acceptable and less severe.

Rape is also abetted by misogyny, which manifests in laws that discriminate against women, support cultural believes that women tempt men with their bodies, and believe that women do not have equal rights with men.

Rape is about power and control. It is about violence.

And rapists use their sex organs as weapons of violence. Rape is about making someone submit to your will. It is about power, anger and control.

Sex is the weapon not the objective.

Mrs Mavi Isibor(2nd left), Group Chief Executive Office, Poise Nigeria; Mrs Ukinebo Dare(2nd right), CEO, Poise Graduate Finishing Academy, PGFA; Nonye Cally-Bechi(1st right), Head of Programmes, Poise Nigeria, at the conference in Lagos.

Poise Nigeria tackles youth unemployment …as CEO PGFA bags Future Awards, Ford Foundation prize for Youth Employment

By Josephine Agbonkhese

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HERE is an enormous disequilibrium between graduates churned out by most Nigerian tertiary institutions and skills required by employers, and this margin accounts for why half of the nation’s graduates cannot be employed.

This was the assertion of the CEO of Poise Graduate Finishing Academy, PGFA, Mrs Ukinebo Dare, who further argued that the current curriculum used in Nigerian higher institutions of learning does not reflect the realities of time.

This gap is ever widening, according to Ukinebo, who has just clinched the Future Awards and the Ford Foundation prize for ‘Youth Employment’. “While the curriculum has remained static, the needs of organisations remain everchanging”.

Ukinebo who spoke at conference organised by Poise in Lagos to solicit private/public sector partnership towards reengineering the nation’s workforce and reducing unemployment, said the quest to shrink this widening gap gave birth in 2012 to the PSENSE Employability Skills Certification by PGFA designed with the input of Nigeria-based

corporate firms and US-based Briddle Consulting firm.

The certification which was endorsed by the Nigerian University Commission in 2013 is already being entrenched in the curriculum of some higher institutions of learning in the country.

“Soft skills such as creative thinking, emotional intelligence, problem solving, business writing, communication, how to sell themselves as well as promote their organisation, writing business plans and much more, are lacking in most graduates.

These are, therefore, what we teach at our graduate academy

to shrink the ever-widening gap, because we believe that for Nigeria to be truly great, the gap should not be this wide.

We’ve since 2012 impacted the lives of over 10,000 graduates and attained an employment rate of over 87%,” Ukinebo said.

Imploring stakeholders as well as governing councils of tertiary institutions to take a decisive stand against graduate unemployability, Mrs Mavi Isibor, Group Chief Executive Office, Poise Nigeria, said: “The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics puts Nigeria’s unemployment rate at an alarming increase of 7.5% in the first quarter of the year.

Graduate unemployability

This menace could be brought to the barest minimum if young people are thoroughly trained to take ownership of themselves

In addition to this, our country is riddled with economic shortfalls and youth restiveness.

“This menace could be brought to the barest minimum if young people are thoroughly trained to take ownership of themselves to be gainfully engaged in one venture or the other.

“Our Ukinebo is a role model of the ownership initiative. She took PGFA from concept papers five years ago, to the pedestal of winning the prestigious award for youth employment, not just in Nigeria but the whole of Africa.”

32— Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015—33

Youths protest oil firms' operations, barricade Delta Assembly

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—INDIGENES of Ika and Aniocha nations numbering over 500, barricaded the entrance to the Delta State House of Assembly complex in protest against the alleged oil exploration in their area by Pan Ocean Oil Corporation and Chorus/Swift Energy Limited without signing a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the communities.

The placard-carrying protesters who stormed the Assembly complex at 11a.m., are seeking among others, the intervention of the state and Federal Governments in ensuring that the companies do the needful or have their licences revoked.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mr. Julius Aziken, alleged that the companies had been operating in the areas without signing an MoU with the host communities and an Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, of the affected communities.

He said, “On January 4, 2014, we caught Pan Ocean Oil Company trucking our crude oil in two tankers and the case was incidented at the police station the next day. They said that it

was a sample they wanted to use for analysis. The question I put before them then was that, if one is sick, does he need a litre of blood to run a test? Why would you take 33,000 litres of crude oil?

They could not answer us.

“Last time, we were here to

register our grievances that Ika and Aniocha should be integrated into the national grid, they said we didn’t have oil, that there was no quantum of oil in our place. If there is no quantum of oil in our place, where did Pan Ocean get the over 120 tankers they took from

Ika and Aniocha?

“In the past nine months, they abandoned the project saying they didn’t have money. If they don’t have money then the Federal Government should revoke their licences and another company should be given license to come there.”

PROMO: L-R: Divisional Head, Retail Bank, Fidelity Bank Plc., Richard Madiebo; Executive Director, Shared Services, Fidelity Bank Plc, Chijioke Ugochukwu; 1st Grand Prize Winner of four Bedroom Duplex in the Fidelity Save4 Shelter Savings promo, Mrs. Hadiza Suleiman and Regional Bank Head, Abuja 1, Hassan Imam, at the handover ceremony, in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Ijaw groups condemn alleged manhandling of ex-NIMASA boss

By Perez Brisibe & Tare Youdeowei

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ATANI—THE Ijaw Women Connect, IWC, worldwide, yesterday, added its voice to those of other Nigerians in condemning the manhandling of the former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, at the premises of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Similarly, Otunba Patrick Keku, United Nations, UN, Peace Advocate and Chairman, Ijaw National Congress, INC, has condemned the uncivil way the Police manhandled Akpobolokemi.

Also, Ijaw Youth Council, Lagos Chapter, has warned the EFCC, over what he termed the maltreatment of Akpobolokemi.

The women, in a statement by their spokesman, Rosie AwekeEre, accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration of plotting to destabilize and crumble the economic strength of the Ijaw people.

Promising to hold the EFCC and the Nigeria Police

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responsible for their alleged acts of lawlessness, abuse of citizens' rights and outright victimization of one of their own, the women said that the conduct of the security operatives was reminiscent of the military era and was the height of impunity.

Meanwhile, Otunba Keku speaking with Vanguard, said: “Security agents should not be overzealous. I am not against investigation but against the uncivil manner Akpobolokemi was handled. It is barbaric. The Police should be more civil.”

On its part, Lagos IYC, in a statement by its Chairman, Mr Boma Johnbull, said: “We are keenly following the trial of Akpobolokemi and any action that negates due process and the principle of fair and transparent trial, harassment and intimidation, against him will be resisted.”

Alleged embezzlement: I was cleared by Edo Assembly —Akoko Edo Council boss

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HE Chairman of AkokoEdo Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr Folorunsho Akerejola, yesterday debunked insinuations in some quarters that the lifting of the suspension slammed on him by the state House of Assembly was trailed with controversy.

The council boss who described as mischievous the alleged inclusion of his name as one of the chairmen that will be probed for alleged embezzlement of council funds, said that after his suspension by the state House of Assembly and the subsequent investigation into the accounts of the council by the lawmakers, he was found not guilty of any embezzlement of funds.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Orilade Ovbalie, the inclusion of Akerejola's name in a published

list of suspended chairmen "may have been erroneously or mischievously included.

“The committee which submitted its report on December 2, 2015 on the floor of the House exculpated the Chairman from all the allegations leveled against

him by the petitioner. As put, the allegations were unfounded, frivolous and politically motivated. The chamber of Edo State House of Assembly asked Akerejola to go back to his office. What controversy is here?"

Leadership crisis brews in Delta NURTW

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SABA—CRISIS is brewing in the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, branch C, Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, over alleged introduction of non-members of the union as executives of the branch by the leadership of the union in the state.

The branch, in a statement by its Chairman, Chief K. Edoja, described the action of the leadership of the state council as a calculated attempt to bring

disunity among members.

The statement said: “As a trade union, there is a constitution that regulates the activities of the body,” adding the letter of introduction of the said executives was in complete disregard to the union’s constitution.

Saying that Article 5 of the Constitution of the union provides for the procedures for branch elections, the statement said that the action exhibited in the letter was a clear departure from the tenets of the union.

Edo 2016: Group calls for debates among aspirants

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—AHEAD of the 2016 governorship election in Edo State, a group, Peter Esele Solidarity Committee, PESOC 2016, has called for issue-based debates among all those aspiring to succeed Mr Adams Oshiomhole to enable the people elect the best candidate that will fly the flag of the All Progressives Congress, APC. A statement in Benin, yesterday, by Mr. Efosa Nehikhare, acting Director General, PESOC, said, “As the race to find Oshiomhole’s successor begins in 2016, we want to appeal to our APC compatriots to stimulate issuebased debates.

“Yes, our party has done well in all fronts, but Edo people will agree or disagree on the degree of wellness in the various departments and agencies, within the context of our campaign mantra in 2007 and 2012 respectively. For us, our vision bearer, Peter Esele, is equipped with the germane responses to these tasks."

ASTAP confers award on patrons

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SSOCIATION of Tyre Dealers and Allied Products, ASTAP, has conferred awards of excellence on its patrons.

One of the recipients, Mr. Augustine Oghor, was the chairman of Tyre Dealers Association, Benin City, before the merger of the unions.

President of ASTAP, Chief Emma Nnaji, thanked the patrons for their fatherly role in bringing the Association to its present height.

He said that the office of patron was a dignified one that commands respect, adding that the office of the president can be changed but that of the patron remains unchanged.

He implored the patrons to maintain their usual moral and financial support to move the union higher.

Mr. Augustine Oghor (left) receiving his award.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015— 34

Abia political stakeholders urge Buhari to reappoint Adighije at RMFAC

By Anayo Okoli

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MUAHIA—MAJOR political stakeholders from the three senatorial zones of Abia State, have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to approve the reappointment of Senator Chris Adighije as the state’s representative at the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Allocation Committee, RMFAC, noting that he brought positive changes to the state in his first tenure.

According to them, “Senator Adighije really worked hard for the interest of Abia State and deserves to continue for the greater good of the state.”

Rising from an emergency meeting in Umuahia, the stakeholders which cut across political divides, urged President Buhari to “hearken to the voice of Abia people and reappoint Senator Adighije,” who they said was a good ambassador of the state at RMFAC. Among Adighije’s achievements, according to them, were refund of N12.7 billion said to have accrued to the state from the 22 oil wells formerly ceded to Rivers State, as well as a recovery of N266 million wrongly debited to Abia.

They also said that Adighije “started and completed the process that led the Federal Government to refund another N7.6 billion from Isimiri Oil Field from Rivers State, and upgrading Abia State in the national revenue chart from third position to 26th position.”

Dictatorship fast creeping back in Nigeria's politics — ex-OMATA boss

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI —FORMER President General, Onitsha Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, OMATA, Chief Pius Anaekwe has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, government in the country of bringing back dictatorship to Nigeria's politics, urging Nigerians to be at alert.

Addressing newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday, Chief Anaekwe accused the APC government of thriving on controversy and crisis and doing everything possible to perpetuate controversy and crisis situations in the country.

“The APC government loves controversy and crisis, and they thrive on it. Since the swearingin of the present government, Nigerians have never rested or known peace.

"It is one crisis or the other and they are enjoying it, they cannot

allow people granted bail to go home or allow people to air their grievances through peaceful protest and demonstration.

“Why must somebody be granted bail by the court and you want him to go to jail even when he has not been convicted. Nnamdi Kanu of

Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, is already serving in prison sentence in the hands and cell of the Department of State Services, DSS. “Is APC trying to confirm what the Bible said, that when bad people are in leadership, the country and people will

Aba residents task govt over deplorable roads

By Eric Ugbor

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BA —RESIDENTS of Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, have appealed to the state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu to utilize the current dry season to rehabilitate the major dilapidated roads in the city, which have continued to cause untold hardship on the people.

While the state government is currently addressing some minor

roads in the city, most of the residents have challenged the state government to make more efforts in tackling the infrastructure decay in the commercial hub of the state.

The people of the city were of the opinion that if the present administration was able to repair many of the roads and other infrastructure defects, that the town was capable of providing sufficient internal revenue to augment the dwindling allocation from the Federal

Naval engineering college graduates 2015 set

A

T A military ceremony chaired by the Flag Officer Commanding Nigeria Naval Logistics Command, Oghara, Delta State, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik, the Nigeria Naval Engineering College, Ogorode-Sapele has graduated its 2015 set of 166 students.

According to the

never know peace. If you promise to rule through the rule of law, you should allow somebody who has been granted bail by a competent court to go home and be attending to court from his house, it's only the court that can sentence somebody not the Police, or DSS."

Commandant of the College, Rear Admiral D. Ajatoye, those, who graduated comprised of 27 Marine Engineering Artificers, 31 Weapon Engineering Artificers, 20 Basic Mechanics, 20 Automobile Mechanics, 23 Pioneer second rate Firemen and 22 third rate Firemen.

Presenting certificates to the

graduands, Admiral Ofik charged them not to take their allegiance to the country for granted, even in the face of socio-economic challenges, adding that they must remember that the command spent enormous resources and time to train them to become experts so that they can sustain naval platforms at sea.

Government.

One of the residents, said: “Until major roads like Port Harcourt, Obohia, Ohanku, Ngwa and many others are tackled, the current efforts of the government will continue to make marginal and negligible impact in the economy of the city.”

Vanguard investigations show that in the past 16 years of the present democratic process, that the aforementioned roads which are densely populated have remained deplorable.

These roads are always flooded with unimaginable potholes and stagnant water have remained a permanent sight to visitors to the city.

For Mrs. Onyedinma Nwangwa, a resident on Port Harcourt Road of Aba: “We have said that this is a continuation of the past governments, but we are still watching them, their promises and propaganda because what they have done so far is just a scratch, which has no effect."

Access Bank empowers widows of slain policemen, children, others

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IDOWS AND children of policemen, who were gunned down by armed men while on guard at branches of Access Bank in Lagos State, were, yesterday, given monetary grants by the bank with a view to empowering them.

The gesture was also

extended to some policewomen, attached to Bar Beach division.

Speaking at the bank’s 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility activities organised by the bank’s Conduct and Compliance Group, the group’s head, Mr. Pattison Boleigha, explained

that the gesture was in conformity with the bank’s Employee Volunteering Scheme .

He explained that the theme of the event was borne out of the bank’s commitment to deepen its relationship with law enforcement agencies and regulators through social

initiatives that would support their services at workplaces, families and the society at large.

The widows numbering seven, were handed a cheque of N50,000 each while the children, four in number were also given cheques of N50,000 each.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On arms deal money laundering trial

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ell done Buhari, my vote to you has not been in vain and I am absolutely getting value for it. Let Dasuki and others defend themselves and prove their innocence. The prosecution should as well prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. -Miss Anasithesia Ezeka, Worker C M Y K

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hat I knew for certain is that with this trial and very many others to come, a new page has been opened in Nigeria. Never again would those entrusted with leadership positions divert our money to their private accounts. Miss Juliet Nkiruka Ekwunife, Student

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hich prosecution will present this kind of evidence to court, that money was diverted to someone’s account and the same money was shared to PDP delegates?

APC administration should be smarter than this. -Mr. Emmanuel Iyoke, Worker

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hey do not care about the suffering of the masses. These big men that receive big salaries monthly, still do not get satisfied, and they now take to stealing public money too.

-Mrs. Aghahowa Mabel, Businesswoman

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ome people are extremely wicked in the society. They do not help even though they see their fellow citizens in a poor and dying state. Do you know how many soldiers died due to no ammunition to tackle Boko Haram? -Miss Constance Anwulika, Model

N

igeria needs a drastic law to punish looters.

This is a monumental shame. The option of bail should be discarded. This is an act of treason, allowing terrorists take over territories while some men were looting the treasury.

-Miss Anne Kelechi, Fashion Designer

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015 — 35

Thugs attack Kogi factional speaker, majority leaders, others

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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OKOJA—THE Factional Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Godwin Osiyi was yesterday attacked by suspected thugs who smashed his official vehicle and vehicles belonging to three other members in his group.

Vanguard gathered that the thugs armed with machetes and other weapons invaded Reverton Hotels, Lokoja, where the factional Speaker and some members of his group were having a meeting.

The vehicles belonging to the

Majority Leader, Prince Matthew Kolawole; the factional Deputy Speaker, John Abah and the member representing Ofu were badly damaged by the thugs.

Addressing journalists after the incident, Osiyi, alleged that loyalists of the allegedly impeached Speaker, Momoh Jimoh Lawal, orchestrated the attack on him and his members.

But, the embattled Speaker, Momoh Jimoh Lawal denied having any hand in the said

attacks, saying he is a peaceful and humble person who does not believe in violence.

Osiyi disclosed that the thugs came into the hotels in an official hilux van belonging to the ‘impeached’ Speaker, Momoh Jimoh, adding that the thugs were led by a younger brother of the embattled speaker.

“There have been series of threats of attack us after the impeachment saga at the assembly last Thursday, a situation that made me write a

Bauchi 1st Lady donates N8m gifts to Christian women, widows

By Suzan Edeh

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HE First Lady of Bauchi State, Hajia Hadiza Abubakar has donated food items and textile material worth N8 million to Christian women and Widows in the state.

Flagging off the distribution of the items at ECWA Church Sabon Kaura in Bauchi yesterday, Hajia Abubakar said the gesture was part of the present administration efforts at showing love to women and to enable them enjoy the Christmas celebration.

Items distributed include 200 bags of race, 120bags of Sugar, 160 bags of Maize, 1,100 wrappers/ textile materials, 150 vegetable oil among others.

The First Lady said Sabon Kaura was selected for the flag off of the distribution because of the large population of Internally Displaced Persons that settled in the area.

HE Akwa Ibom Christmas Concert and the Calabar Grand Carnival which takes place on the streets of the Cross River State will be part of the Nigeria festivals pop-up channel on DStv and GOtv platforms that will be launched by Multichoice Nigeria.

From December 4 to January 2, 2016, all DStv and GOtv subscribers will be treated to the Nigerian Festivals pop-up channel, a channel dedicated to showcasing four Nigerian music festivals this season.

This will be the second holiday pop-up channel coming on the heels of, Hoolee, a fun children’s holiday channel that went live on 01 December on DStv Premium, Compact Plus and Compact packages.

The festival extravaganza will kick off with an exciting coverage of The Experience Music and C M Y K

CSR: From left; Wife of Bauchi State Dep gov, Hajia Fatima Gidado; wife of Bauchi State Gov, Hajia H a d i z a Abubakar; Bauchi State Dep Gov, Engr Nuhu Gidado; Head of Service, Bauchi, Mr. Abdon Gin and Perm Sec, Min of Social Welfare, Alhaji B a s h i r Mashema with beneficiaries of the MTN Foundation Disability S u p p o r t Programme in Bauchi.

Benue trains 1,000 unemployed graduates in ICT

By Peter Duru

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AKURDI—BENUE State government in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology and Rockefeller Foundatiion, yesterday engaged 1,000 unemployed graduates in the state in a two-day Information

and Communication Technology, ICT training.

Addressing participants in Makurdi, representative of the Director of e-government at the ministry, Mr. Macdonald Ekworo said the initiative was to deploy the ICT platform to provide jobs to the unemployed graduates with ICT skills.

Multichoice brings Nigerian Festivals to DStv, GOtv

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petition to the Police and Department of State Services (DSS) in the state.

Osiyi said they have been sleeping in different hotels to avoid the attacks, “We were in the hotel when we started hearing gunshots and when we came out, we saw our vehicles vandalized.”

But in a swift reaction, the embattled Speaker, Momoh Lawal denied having any hand in the said attacks, saying he is a peaceful and humble person who does not believe in violence.

Worship gospel concert from 04 - 05 December. Billed as ‘the most awaited gospel music concert in the whole of Africa’, The tenth edition of The Experience is anticipated to be a grand one with some big name ministers like Sonnie Badu, Don Moen, Sammie Okposo,

Micah Stampley, Chioma Jesus, Midnight Crew and LMGC due to bring their ministries to the crowd.

DStv and GOtv subscribers will get an opportunity to enjoy the gospel music concert alongside the 600 000 worshippers expected to attend the concert in Lagos.

He said the workshop was meant to expose the graduates to on-line job opportunities which they could exploit to become gainfully employed.

According to him, the partnership between the state and the Federal Government with the Rockefeller Foundation underscored the need for public private partnership which had become an imperative best international standard practice.

Also speaking, representative of the Rockefeller Foundation, Mr. Femi Kayode inspired participants with a motivational address and encouraged them to explore online opportunities in advertising, marketing, administrative support, web designing and programming as well as writing in various fields.

DESOPADEC boss offers Delta community youths 5 job slots

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HAIRMAN of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, has offered to give five permanent job slots to any Obitugbo community youth that is prepared to reside in the desolate and long abandoned Itsekiri ancient town following the seven years Ijaw/Itsekiri sanguinary war.

Ebosa, who is also the Chief

Executive Officer of Awaritse Nig. Ltd, made gave the pledge at Obitugbo community in Warri North Government Area of Delta State, at the grand reception organized by the leadership of the community to honour and adopt him as an indigene of Obitugbo in recognition of his immense contribution to the infrastructural development of the community.

Chairman of the community, Mr. Lawrence Ukubeyinje, in his welcome address said Hon. Godwin Ebosa has made them proud and happy, saying that he is somebody with a capacity for venturing into areas where even the devil dread to tread which has helped in exposing the long dormant potentials of Obitugbo as an international investment destination.

Bauchi, UNICEF train 1,847 female teachers

By Suzan Edeh

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AUCHI—THE Bauchi State government in collaboration with UNICEF is training 1,847 female teachers under a project known as Female Teachers Trainee Scholarship Scheme (FTTSS) as part of efforts at boosting girl child education.

The UNICEF D Field Office Education Specialist, Mariam Dikwa, disclosed this yesterday during a one day meeting on the dissemination of FTTSS guidelines for improving value for money organized by the College of Education Azare in collaboration with UNICEF in Bauchi.

The aim of the meeting was to educate stakeholders to understand their roles in the activities of FTTSS in order to ensure effectiveness of the programme.

Mariam noted that the project was necessary because of dearth of qualified teachers in rural schools which contributed to low enrolment of girls in schools and gender imbalance in the current teacher work force.

Cleric tasks Nigerian leaders on godly leadership

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HE Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos Chapter, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola has urged leaders in the country to carry out their responsibilities with the fear of God, bearing in mind that service to humanity is service to God. Bamgbola gave the advice during a Leadership Summit tagged; “Top Leaders Summit” organised by The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in collaboration with the University of Leadership and Sound Doctrine (ULS) in Sheraton Hotel Lagos.

He however expressed optimism that leadership in Nigeria is evolving and that

by God’s help the nation is getting there in terms of good leadership.

In his words: “We have being crying unto God for years since we had independence, God hears prayers so things are changing. One day with God is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day.''

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

REBRANDING: From left: John Jenkins, MD, Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited; Markus Brinkmann, MD, Sifax Shipping; Afolashade Afolabi, Chairman, Sifax Offdock, and Rizwan Kadri, Chief Operating Officer, SAHCOL, at the Sifax Group rebranding media launch in Lagos.

DONATION: From left: Divisional Police Officer in charge of Bar Beach, Mr Olusegun Ajamolaya, Head, Conduct and Compliance Group, Access Bank Plc, Mr Pattison Boleigha, widow of slain policeman, Mrs Rose Amuze and son, receiving cheques of N50,000 each, to mark the bank's 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility activities in Lagos. Photo: Evelyn Usman.

PROMO: Second winner in the ongoing Mamador Cook and Cruise promo, Martha Agboniro (middle), Mamador Brand Manager, Mrs. Popoola-Danial Tonyi (3rd right)with Mamador key distributor Manager, Benin and others, during the presentation of N1 million cash prize to the winner in Benin City, yesterday.

ANNIVERSARY: From left: Shaf Syed, Managing Director, Atlantic Aviation; Chris Amenechi, Vice President, Revenue Management, Porter Airlines, Canada; Captain Dapo Olumide, CEO, Ropeways Transport Ltd; Simon Tumba, Publisher/CEO, Nigeriatravelsmart.com and Christophe Penninck, MD, MMA2, at the NigeriaTravelsMart.com, NTM, first anniversary colloquium in Lagos.

FACILITY TOUR: From left: Chief Operating Officer, GE Nigeria, Mr Ahmad Zakari, President and CEO, GE Nigeria, Dr Lazarus Angbazo,US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador James Entwistle and General Manager, Supply Chain, GE Africa, Mr Jeffery Sommer, during a tour of the GE Manufacturing and Assembly facility in Calabar.

DONATION: From left: Ubong Nseobot, Sales/PR Manager, Southern Sun, Ikoyi, Cornelius Onwah, Human Resource Manager, and other staff of Southern Sun with some children and caregivers, at the Arrows of God Orphanage in Ajah, Lagos.

GRADUATION: FOC, Naval Logistics Command, Oghara, Delta State, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik (5th right), his wife and state Director of Naval Officers Wives Association, Mrs Pat Ofik (5th left), Commandant of the College, Rear Admiral D.O. Ajatoye (4th right), and other officers and graduands, at the 2015 graduation ceremony of the Nigeria Naval Engineering College, Ogorode-Sapele, Delta State.

THANKSGIVING: President, Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo, Lagos Choir, Sir Fola Awobo Pearce(right), Rev. Tunde Oniyide (left) and Rev.d Bola Oyeledun at the thanksgiving service of the 2015 annual choir festival of the church in Lagos.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015—37

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38—VANGUARD, FRIDAY,

DECEMBER 18, 2015

Those who chanted change're complaining — Ameh, PPA chair THE National Chairman of Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, Chief Peter Ojonugwa Ameh in this interview with Vanguard, bared his mind on burning national issues, especially as they affect the present administration. Ameh, who is also the Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, in this interview calls on President Buhari to turn Nigeria into a huge construction site saying that in putting people to work the government would in part be solving the economic problems of all.

Excerpts:

A

By Chris Ochayi

FTER a very long wait, we now have a new Federal Executive Council, FEC in place. What are your expectations?

We are waiting for when they will take off and start to actually deliver to Nigerians the promises made because a lot of promises were made from N5,000 monthly allowance. A lot of unnecessary promises that are not attainable with the current economic challenges facing the world globally and most especially our system of operations. So these are the facts. Even not being in government as a political party, I know this.

So that is why we want to advice politicians when you make promises when you want to get to power, do it at the moderate level , so that the expectations on you will not be too high when you get into power. So that is the current crisis that APC is facing. There is serious pressure on them to deliver on the promises made.

But how did they go about it being that there was no blue print to deliver these things that have been issued. So we will wait and see. But for us for now, nothing is happening.

You mean they made bogus promises?

Very bogus! Nigerians were too hungry for so many things, so they felt with the kind of bogus nature of the promises that this is achievable within the tenure of four years.

These are not achievable things within four years.

So, the APC deceived Nigerians?

N i g e r i a n s If the APC were deceived by can make the promises of change, it is not Nigeria a lie. Yes you good today, could have my character, a good character, you generation could be and the one purposeful, you could be ready to unborn will help Nigerians benefit. But but when deceit comes into play if they make you would lose it bad it will some level of c r e d i b i l i t y, also affect because the kind us, so we of things on ground now, I must speak C M Y K

•Ameh: Nigerians were deceived by the promises of change don’t think Nigerians bargained for it.

Nigerians didn’t bargain to stay for six months without ministers, Nigerians didn’t bargain by now there won’t be an economic blueprint and policy direction for the government, Nigerians didn’t bargain for all these.

There are agitations, they have started agitations. Even those who voted for APC, they are already agitated, sincerely. It is just that because we always have government that doesn’t do surveys.

But those of us not in power, we are more objective, we can see, we are more objective to see that government has not taken off. So we will say it without fear or favour. If the APC can make Nigeria good today, my generation and the one unborn will benefit.

Project Nigeria But if they make it bad it will also affect us, so we must speak. So whichever way it goes, we are in-between the line so there is no way we can just shut up and say, no we are not going to talk because we want to be in good books. It is not about being in good books, it is about this country, project Nigeria, how does it affect me, how does it affect Nigeria, how does it affect my family, how does it affect my friend, how does it affect my relatives and even my party members most especially.

So we must continue to speak that President Buhari must put things together, gather resources and turn Nigeria into a huge construction site so that the artisans and the people on the street can have work and be gainfully employed because all these agitations you are seeing is as a result of no jobs, nothing to do.

What is your assessment of the administration’s twin battle against insecurity and corruption?

Corruption is one of the major problems in our country. It is one of the major things that are keeping us behind. So everybody wants corruption to be tackled. But in the case of insecurity the matter is high. If you go to the south-east, they have their Continues on page 39

•Mudiaga-Odje: Sad Urhobo can't have a minister

action prevailed on OBJ to do the needful.

On the President Buhari scenario, he has appointed a Minister for Petroleum, be it a Minister of State or not, because he is recognised under the Petroleum Act and Section 147 of the 1999 Constitution of the FRN (as amended).

Under Section 5 of the Constitution, General Buhari has a right and duty to supervise his Ministries and by extension control and manage the Ministry, provided however, that he has a Minister duly appointed at all material times relating thereto.

Looking at the crop of Ministers he has appointed, do you see any good prospect for Nigeria under Buhari’s government?

Relatively speaking, I do believe that from the background of some of the ministers, its very apparent and real that they will impact positively in the administration of the Nation. It has a blend of old hands and new technocrats which is good for us. However, it may be too early to give an informed assessment of them since, they just started work.

Again, the Urhobos have no minister in the Federal Government?

It’s very sad if not frightening that the Urhobo Nation which produces economic wealth no matter how small to the Federation Account, cannot have a Minister to partake in the Federal Executive Council as to how the commonwealth of the Nation is shared.

In terms of population, we are the fifth largest in Nigeria, we host oil and gas flow stations including the Otorogun Gas Plant.

We have a reservoir of eminent, cerebral and proficient professionals, politicians and scholars per excellence both here and in the Diaspora. Accordingly, I urge Mr. President to do the needful timeously by appointing a Minister from any of our eminent sons and daugthers of Urhobo Nation.

It is in the light of the above, that I commend the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, for his wisdom and magnanimity in appointing many qualified persons of Urhobo extraction into his Administration. It is very commendable and encouraging.

Don’t you see it as a ploy to undermine the Urhobo Nation which is the 6th if not 5th largest ethnic group in Even though, the country?

Yes indeed if an it may be too ethnic Nationality early for a that is qualified to have a slot as a holistic Minister in appraisal, Nigeria and its not nevertheless given that slot, surely it will it points undermine that ethnic group. A towards a of reference government point is Section 55 of the that would be 1999 Constitution (as amended) responsible which provides to the that: “The business of people’s the National yearnings Assembly shall be conducted in and Continues on aspirations page 39

It's too early to judge Buhari — Mudiaga-Odje WARRI based constitutional lawyer, Dr Akpo Mudiaga-Odje in this interview bares his mind on the APC led government insisting that it may be too early to assess the Buhari administration. Excerpts:

By Festus Ahon

W

HAT is your assessment of the President Buhari’s led administration?

Even though, it may be too early for a holistic appraisal, nevertheless it points towards a government that would be responsible to the people’s yearnings and aspirations.

Indeed, we are passing through very difficult times in terms of insecurity, economic challenges, including scarcity of petroleum products. It will surely take time to heal these wounds inflicted on our dear nation by previous administrations.

What is your take on Buhari’s appointment of himself as petroleum minister?

In retrospect, we challenged the erstwhile President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR when he appointed himself as the Minister of Petroleum. We challenged it up to the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

Interestingly, whilst we were at the Court of Appeal, and due to the pressure brought upon him by the case and the people, Chief Obasanjo promptly appointed Prof.

Edmund Daukoru now a Royal Majesty in Bayelsa State, as a Minister of State for Petroleum. That case has now been reported as Austin Ayowe & Ors. Vs. The President & Ors. (2006) All FWLR (PT. 334) 1967 Though we lost on grounds of locus standi, the pressure arising from the legal

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015—39

This victory is of God and no man can set it aside. Our detractors have been going about looking for who to bribe. We have confidence in God and the judiciary

EBONYI GOV:

How Umahi knocked out Edon FOR Governor David Umahi it has been three contests and three victories against his opponents in the battle for the Ebonyi State Government House.

Widespread irregularities

•Umahi: Smilling

By Peter Okutu T began with the election proper, then the election tribunal and last Friday, it was the Court of Appeal.

The Appeal Court sitting in Enugu State had on Friday, reaffirmed the electoral victory of Governor Umahi as the winner of the election in the state.

Earlier, the Ebonyi Election Petition tribunal sitting in Abakaliki, had in a judgment that lasted for eight hours and 10 minutes ruled that Umahi won the last governorship election.

I

This is the second time Umahi’s victory is being affirmed after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC declared him winner of the polls.

The petitioner and governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Sir Edward Nkwegu had asked the court to cancel the governorship election, so that a fresh one could be conducted. But despite the arguments of his counsels, none of his pleas or submissions caught the sympathy of the judges.

Those who chanted change're complaining — Ameh PPA chair Continues from page 38 agitation there; if you to the south-south they are kidnapping people there, the kidnapping is going on everywhere.

So these things we shouldn’t say because we want to score political points; let’s have a new architectural design for our security operations, let’s have a new architectural design for how we manage layout of our security procedures so that at every point in time people can be intercepted for committing one crime or the other.

What advice do you offer this government in handling treasurer looters, given that taking them to court would require spending more money?

Let’s do something that would be beneficial to the future of our generation, let’s encourage people to come back with the C M Y K

Governor Umahi was validly elected in the election conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act. Addressing newsmen at the Appeal Court premises after the judgment, Umahi stated that “Our learned judges said the appeal was functionally useless.

We should continue thanking God as the Bible tells us that whatever is born of God overcomes the world.

“This victory is of God and no man can set it aside. Our detractors have been going about looking for who to bribe. We have confidence in God and the judiciary.

money that they have stolen and then stop the process of people stealing money.

So if you lay this foundation we would go far, Nigeria will be out of the corruption index at no time.

Do you see that December deadline to eradicate Boko Haram as feasible?

In any part of the world, no deadline has worked, it takes time because this people can want to disgrace you, they will go and hide and maybe by January they will throw one bomb and say the deadline has not been met. Let’s not give ourselves stress by giving ourselves artificial deadlines, let us work towards eradicating them no matter how long it takes because I know this deadline is almost impossible.

At the tribunal, the petition of Nkwegu was thrown away for lacking in merit while at the Appeal Court, it was dismissed for being functionally useless.

Delivering the judgment at the Appeal Court on behalf of four other Judges, Justice JOK Oyewole explained that the five reliefs sought by the applicant lacked merit.

The governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abakaliki had in October this year dismissed Nkwegu's petition challenging the declaration of

Engr. Umahi by INEC as the winner of the election for lacking in merit. It also noted the inability of the petitioner to prove allegations of corrupt practices and criminalities as contained in his petition.

In the appeal filed by his counsel, Chief U.N Udechukwu (SAN), Nkwegu prayed the Appeal Court to set aside the judgment of the tribunal, which he described as a grave error of law.

He urged the court to annul the election of Umahi and order a fresh poll since, according to him, the governorship election was marred by widespread irregularities.

But counsel to Engr. Umahi, Arthur Obi Okafor (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit. He said that

“Anywhere they take us to, victory will still be ours. They are so ashamed of what we are doing in Ebonyi State and they will continue to live in shame. I am impressed by the judges; they were wonderful. I thank all our lawyers who defended us.”

Reacting to the victory, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Afikpo South local government area, Barr Eni Uduma Chima described the Appeal Court ruling as victory for democracy.

According to him, now Governor Umahi would fully focus on his mandate and ensure that democracy dividends get to the people without being distracted. We are happy with this victory. He is the people's governor and we thank God for the verdict of the court”.

With the victory of Governor Umahi, he is now expected to meet the expectations of Ebonyi people on account of his campaign promises during the last election.

It's too early to judge Buhari — Mudiaga-Odje Continues from page 38 English, Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba…” This section does not recongise my Urhobo language, yet my village, Evwrein in Ughelli North hosts a flow Station which produces over eleven thousand barrels of crude oil to the Nigeria State.

My oil and gas resources are a blessing to Nigeria, whilst my language is an abomination in the National Assembly.

The National Assembly was built from our resources. The Constitution was also printed with our resources. Yet my language cannot be spoken in the National Assembly.

Be that as it may, we the Urhobo people must now come together in our collective history to unite and speak with one voice! A house divided against itself cannot stand!

As long as we remain disunited, our fighting and staying power becomes weaker and weaker by the day.

So in as much as we are

justifiably agitating for representation at the federal level, we must close ranks because when Mr. President decides to give us a ministerial slot, we must be prepared to speak and choose one person with one voice!

Agitating for representation It is on this note, that I advise the Urhobo Nation to start to reach out to our brothers from other minority ethnic groups, such as the Itsekiris, Ijaws, Ibibios, Aniomas, Isokos, and others, to forge a common front with us as we agitate for both political and economic relevance.

What is your reaction to the emergence of a new Olu of Warri?

Firstly, we share in the mourning with the Itsekiri nation of the departed Ogiame Atuwatse II; whilst at the same time we congratulate them on the nomination through

overwhelming proclamation and acclamation of the entire Itsekiri nation of the new Olu of Warri.

The unity, swiftness and reverence with which the Itsekiri people selected their new king is worthy of commendation and it is shining example to all other tribes, especially the ethnic minorities, that once a tribe speaks with one voice, nothing, I say nothing can ever stop their progress and development.

Do you have faith in Buhari’s corruption crusade?

Faith in Mr. President’s corruption crusade? I think faith is too strong for me at this point in time, I think whether I have confidence in President Buhari’s corruption crusade? Yes! For now, his body language is encouraging towards the fight against corruption, however let it not be selective.

We must commend him for his patriotic stand before and now on the fight against corruption and urge all Nigerians to support this fight for a better Nigeria.

40 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015—41

Vanguard CLASSIFIED NWOSU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Gold Nwanyinma Nwosu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gold Nwanyinma Ogueri. All documents remain valid. General public please note.

IGEWEH—I, formerly known and addressed as Judith Oluetse Igeweh, now wish to be known and addressed as Judith Oluetse Bernard Rotimi-Umoru. All documents remain valid. General public please note.

U WA N D U — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Uwandu Ndidiamaka Beatrice, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Madu Ndidiamaka Beatrice.

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Confirmation of name

N K W O PA R A H — I , formerly known and addressed as N k w o p a r a h Chikaodinaka Henry, now wish to be known and addressed as O k e c h u k w u Chikaodinaka Henry.

All documents remain valid. NPA, UNILAG, Zenith Bank, Skye Bank and general public please note.

UWUGBUSUN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss U w u g b u s u n Omomwemkhiwu Ikponmwosa Mabel, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Alasa Ikponmwosa Mabel. All documents remain valid. General public please note.

OBAZEH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Victoria Ifeoma Obazeh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Victoria Ifeoma Nwoko.

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please note.

OSUAGWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Osuagwu Obi, now wish to be known and addressed as Golden Obi. All documents remain valid. UBA Nig. Plc Ijora, All Crown Registrars Nig. Plc Yaba, Trust Fund Branch Office Apapa and general public please note.

Confirmation of name This is to inform the general public that Wilson Otomere and Wilson Jonah Otomere is one and the same person. All documents remain valid. United Bank for Africa (UBA) and general public please note.

OYELADE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyelade Odunola Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eso Odunola Esther. All documents remain valid. General public please note.

OJELABI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Temitope Mary Ojelabi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Temitope Mary Owoseje.

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Confirmation of name This is to inform the general public that the names Jacob Kehinde Oguntade and Jacob Ajayi Oguntade belong to me. Any documents that has any of the above names refer to the same me. All documents remain valid. General public please note.

LUCKY—I, formerly known and addressed as Emmanuel Lucky Amadi, now wish to be known and addressed as Dashen Emmanuel Amadi.

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ACTOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Actor Ebikabowie Akeboa, now wish to be known and addressed as Arthur Ebikabowie Akeboa.

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ADEAGA— I , formerly known and addressed as Adeaga Anuoluwapo David, now wish to be known and addressed as O l a n i t o r i Anuoluwapo David.

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Correction of name This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly written as Olayefa Olayinka Memunatu, instead of Olaifa Olayinka Memunatu.

My correct name is Olaifa Olayinka Memunatu. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank and general public please note.

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OGUNDANA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogundana Comfort Olusola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Boyejo Comfort Olusola.

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NDUBUISI—I,

please note.

ABDULLAHI—I, formerly known and addressed as Fredrick Saleh Andoya, now wish to be known and addressed as Abdullahi Saleh Fredrick Andoya. All documents remain valid. General public please note.

Confirmation of name This is to inform the general public that the names Gbenga Oladimeji Peters, Olugbenga Olufioye Koyejo and Olugbenga Julius Koyejo is one and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Gbenga Oladimeji Peters.

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Correction of name My name was wrongly written as Ezenwachukwu Okorie Kenneth, instead of Ezenwajiaku Kenneth Friday. I now wish to be known and addressed as Ezenwajiaku Kenneth Friday. All documents remain valid. General public please note.

ONWUCHURUBA—I, formerly known and addressed as Emmanuel Onwuchuruba, now wish to be known and addressed as Emmanuel Chukwunoyerem Nwahiri.

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OLUSOLA—I, formerly known and addressed as Adefowora Margaret Olusola, now wish to be known and addressed as Adefowora Margaret Oludare.

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IMOKO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Imoko Yetunde Comfort, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omobhude Yetunde Comfort.

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Reconciliation of Name These names, Okonji Nonso Kenneth and Uzor Kennedy belong to the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as Okonji Nonso Kenneth. All former documents remain valid, First Bank, any authority it may concern and the general public to take note.

Confirmation of Names The names, Tochukwu Blessing,Miss Aghamelu Blessing Ngozi Francisca, and Mrs Soronnadi Blessing Ngozi belong to the same person but now wish to be know and addressed as Mrs. Soronnadi Blessing .

N. Aghamelu. All former documents remain valid, NYSC, Zenith bank, any authority and the general public to take note.

This is to confirm that Joseph Ifeoma Duke Ajunam and Duke Ifeoma Ajunam is one and the same person.

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formerly known and addressed as Ndubuisi Alozie, now wish to be known and addressed as Alozie Nwabuisi. All documents remain valid. General public

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

Vanguard CLASSIFIED ERUEGBUKPE—I, formerly known and addressed as Eruegbukpe Margaret, now wish to be known and addressed as Margaret Thomas. All documents remain valid. General public please note.

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Confirmation of Names

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OKI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oki Enajite, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Enajite Odafe Ofuoma. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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CHAMPION—I, formerly known and addressed as Champion Orodje Kelly, now wish to be known and addressed as Idegbe Kelly. All documents remain valid. General public please note.

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Confirmation of name I, Tiemo Evans Owei hereby confirm that the name Kilete Evans as it appears on some of my documents refer to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DADA—I, formerly

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UMOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Seno Otobong Umoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Seno Camille Obinna Agwunobi.

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OCHUKO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ochuko Ese Gift, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ese White Okemu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Correction of name My full and correct name is Imhanfiabor Douglas Aghadolekoyi but was wrongly written as Imhanfiaeor Douglas on my IBTC account and also written as Imhanfiabor Douglas A. on some of my documents. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Reconciliation of Name This is to certify that the names Nwachukwu Donatus Chijindu, N w a c h u k w u Onyedikachukwu and Nwachukwu Chijindu Junior refers to one and the same person my son, that I now wish him to be known and addressed as Nwachukwu Donatus Chijindu as all former documents remain valid.

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OGBODOGBO—I, formerly known and addressed as Dr. (Mrs.) Ogbodogbo Oghenetega Lilian, now wish to be known and addressed as Dr. (Miss) Ambrose-Igho Oghenetega Lilian.

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ONWEMENEM—I, formerly known and addressed as O n w e m e n e m Blessing, now wish to be known and addressed as Umeh Blessing Eweneiwe.

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Reconciliation of Names The names Miss Okafor Maureen Irozorochi, Mrs. Samson Maureen Nnenna and Mrs. Samson Maureen Irozorochi refer to one and the same person.

I now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Samson Maureen Irozorochi.

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Reconciliation of Names The names Okocha Sylvester Ijebunem Okei, Sylvester Ijegbunem Okei and Okocha Sylvester Okei Ijegbunem refer to one and the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Okocha Sylvester Okei Ijegbunem. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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CHIJIOKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Nwokolo Chijioke Chris, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Godwin Chijioke Chris. All former documents remain valid.

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Correction/Change Of Names: That my name Akren was wrongly spelt has Akpen while Ziakede was also wrongly spelt as Zik. I now wish to be known as addressed as Akren Ziakede. All former document remains valid.

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N WA K A L O R — I , formerly known and addressed as Nwakalor Innocent Chibuzor, now wish to be known and addresses as Anidebe Chibuzor Innocent.

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I D E H E N — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Abiemwense Idehen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abiemwense Chika Oshilim. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ABACHA—I, formerly known and addressed as Abacha Ogbudu, now wish to be known and addressed as Bafegha Ogbudu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

This is to inform the general public that I, Mr. Ojo Orighomisan Ayo is the same person as Mr. Ojo Lucky. All documents remain valid. General public please note.

known and addressed as Olateru Joseph Dada, now wish to be known and addressed as Akinseye Joseph Dare. All documents remain valid. General

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015—43

Vanguard CLASSIFIED

public please take note.

PAMOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Pamor Grace, now wish to be known and addressed as Esinotu Grace Kanyariye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UGBEH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugbeh Ifeoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Elike Ifeoma.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EROVWO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Erovwo Aghogho, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ekakiti Aghogho. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

N N A M D I — I , formerly known and addressed as Nnamdi Stanley Iyasere, now wish to be known and addressed as Iyasere Justice Stanley. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

This is to confirm that the name Akpan Precious Bassey and Akpan Patience Bassey refer to one and the same person, due to marriage, now wish to be known and addressed as Benard Precious Peter. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKPE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Celestina Nonye Okpe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Celestina Nonye IkeAgbo. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, Zenith Bank and general public please take note.

BALOGUN—I, formerly known and addressed as Godwin Ighedose Balogun, now wish to be known and addressed as Jeff Ighedose. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UMARU—I, formerly known and addressed as Umaru Daniel Akuh, now wish to be known and addressed as Umoru Daniel Akuh. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O K A F O R — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Amarachi Clementina P. Okafor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amarachi Clementina P. Ndife. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKONKWOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okonkwor Nneka Jacinta, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ibegbu Nneka Jacinta. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGWEDU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Agwedu Anthonia Ugochukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kalu Anthonia Ugochukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKWUMMUO—I, formerly known and addressed as Okwummuo Angela Chioma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Agwuncha Angela Chioma. All former documents remain valid.

Teachers Establishment and Pensions Office (TEPO) and Education District (1V) and general public please take note.

IKERI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ikeri Ifeoma Cynthia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anakor Ifeoma Cynthia. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name This is to inform the general public that the names Chukwumara Chigbo Kelvin and Okeke Chigbo Kelvin is one and the same me. I now wish to be known and addressed as Chukwumara Chigbo Kelvin. All documents remain valid. General public please note.

Confirmation of name This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly written as Fasasi Fatimoh Ibukun, instead of Fasasi Fatimoh Omolara. My correct name is Fasasi Fatimoh Omolara. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank and general public please note.

SKATTAY-JINGY—I, formerly known and addressed as Ikechukwu Nduka Skattay-Jingy, now wish to be known and addressed as Ikechukwu Nduka Jingy. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGUMA —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oguma Rose Tare, now wishes to be known called and addressed as Mrs Tulu Rose Tare.

All document bearing my former name remain valid. The general public should please take note.

ETSEMOGBO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Etsemogbo Beauty, now wishes to be known called and addressed as Mrs Amarhavwie Beauty.

All document bearing my former name remain valid. General public please take note.

EDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ede Omasanjuwa Tokunbo, now wishes to be known called and addressed as Mrs. Eruwayo Omasanjuwa Tokunbo. All document bearing my former name remain valid.

General public please take note.

IGBINIGIE—I, formerly known, called and addressed as Miss Osasere Sonia Igbinigie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Osasere Sonia Aghama.

All my documents bearing Miss Osasere Sonia Igbinigie remain valid. Nursing And Midwifery Council Of Nigeria, other authorities concerned and general public should please take note henceforth for record and official purposes.

OGUNSHAKIN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olawumi Yomi Cecilia Ogunshakin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olawumi Yomi Cecilia Badejo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name

Confirmation of Name I, Akuna Boukeme Tarebide do hereby confirm that the name Akuna Tare and Boukeme Tarebide refers to one and same me.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGORODI—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Emmanuel Agorodi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Agorom Emmanuel.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EYEBOKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Police Eyeboke, now wish to be known and addressed as Police Douyefa. All former documents remain valid. UBA PLC and general public please take note.

DAWA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Evelyn Dawa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Evelyn Andrew. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EBIZOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Ebolo Ebizor Trustgod now wish to be known and addressed as Ibolo Lazarus Trustgod. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SEA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Doutimiareye Sea, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Doutimiareye Oyarede. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that the name Emmanuel Iheanyichukwu O k e c h u k w u , Ifeanyichukwu Emman Bishop Iheanyichukwu, EmmaBishop Iheanyichukwu, refer to one and the same person.

I now wish to be known and addressed as Mr EmmaBishop Iheanyichukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

JOSHUA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyeyemi Elizabeth Oyetunde, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oyeyemi Elizabeth Joshua. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IJERE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Grace Uchechi Ijere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Grace Uchechi Benyeogor Omezi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

JASMINE—I, formerly known and addressed as Obiora Jasmine Emmanuella, now wish to be known and addressed as Obiora Chinemerem Emmanuella. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

N WA N K PA— I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwankpa Nkechi Ayoola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nkechi Ayoola Adaa.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EZELIBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezelibe Blessing Okwukweka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anyaehie Blessing Okwukweka.

All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

EKEZIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Judith Chinyere Nneoma Ekezie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Judith Chinyere Nneoma Chikwendu.

All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

ENEH—I, formerly known and addressed as Eneh Tina Elohor, now wish to be known and addressed as Itimi Tina Elohor. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

ONUGHA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onugha Christina A, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Christina Vitalis Ezenwa Njoku. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

Correction of Name My name was mistakenly written on my BVN as Nwankwo Damian Deribe instead of Nwankwo Damian Daniel. My correct name is Nwankwo Damian Daniel. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank, Diamond Bank and general public please take note.

OJIH—I, formerly known and addressed as Amina Ojih, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Amina Okewu. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public please take note.

GEBRIEL—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs Amina Gebriel, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Amina Daniel. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ODUBENU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Florence Odubenu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Florence Briggor Ighedo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OJOMA—I, formerly

Confirmation of name

known and addressed as Miss Hope Ojoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Hope Felix Iken. All former

documents

remain valid. General

I, Iwusun Kuro Mykel do hereby confirm that the name Iwusun Kuro refers to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

44— VANGUARD,

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

CLASSIFIED AKHETUAMHEN— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akhetuamehn Mabel, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ebhoera Mabel.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

O K E C H I — I , formerly known and addressed as Okechi Ebelechukwu Somtochukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Okechi, Ebele Somto. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IJEYI—I, formerly known and addressed as Ochoche Adakole Ijeyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Edache Adakole Ochoche. All former documents remain valid. United Bank For Africa Plc (UBA), Vita Construction Company and general public please take note.

YOHANNA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Victoria Blessing Yohanna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Victoria Blessing Nimchang. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PELEMO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwaseun Ajibola Pelemo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oluwaseun Ajibola Haastrup. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKOLO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Thelma Tochukwu Okolo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Thelma Tochukwu Nzekwe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name I, Alex Tamaraumiene Samuel do hereby confirm that the name Alex Tamaraumiene refers to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Correction of Name I, Igoniwari Daniel do hereby state that my name was wrongly written as Daniel Igunuware in my UBA Account instead of Igoniwari Daniel.

All former documents remain valid. UBA PLC and general public please take note.

NUHU—I, formerly

EPE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Epe Ebikaboere Regina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omole Ebikaboere Regina. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

known and addressed as Nuhu Hauwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Bukar Hauwa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ANINGO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Clara Nnenna Aningo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Clara Nnenna Chikelu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Rabiul-Awaal 7, 1437 A.H.

Ahmadiyya holds Educ confab in Warri

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H M A D I Y YA Muslim Jamaat, Nigeria, will today begin a three-day Jalsa Tarbiyya/ Islamic education and moral training conference in Warri, Delta State.

The programme, organised by the Eastern Region of the organisation is themed: “Religious Tolerance and Cooperation: a Catalyst for Peace, Unity and S u s t a i n a b l e Development.”

According to a statement by the Naib Amir, Deputy President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Eastern Region, Dr Abdul Ganiy Enahoro, the event will hold at at Federal Government College, Warri, Delta State just as different lectures and good will messages from leaders of various faiths have been lined up for the three day event Dr Enahoro noted that the conference was an important opportunity to decontaminate the real essence of religion, which is to worship the Almighty Creator, who abhors disorderliness. Quran Chapter 5 Vs 65 States clearly that: “Allah loves not

those who create disorder”.

“So long as misinformation exist in the public arena that terrorists and insurgents are propelled in their evil ways by the teachings of their religion, then as Muslims, we owe it as a sacred

responsibility to debunk such fallacies and convey the true peaceful message of Islam to the world.”

“I firmly believe that those who fan the embers of destruction exist all around in all the religions as fake adherents or

extremists. They are our enemies and we must unite all the times to weaken their resolve. If we do anything otherwise, then they would have achieved their objectives”.

The Amir (National Head) of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Nigeria, Dr Mash’hud Adenrele Fashola would lead a high-powered delegation of leaders, elders, Head of auxiliary bodies and National Jalsa Planning Committee members to the event. The delegation would also pay a courtesy call on the newly installed Olu Of Warri, HRM Ikenwodi Godfrey Abiloye Emiko.

Ambode tasks religious organisations on CSR

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has charged religious organizations to encourag excellence by awarding excellence in schools around their locality as a way of rendering corporate social responsibility, CSR. Ambode made the remarks recently, at the yearly Award of Excellence ceremony for public secondary schools, Kosofe Zone, Education District 1, headquarters, Lagos, being sponsored by the Upper Room Baptist Church Kosofe.

The governor, represented by the Tutor General/ Permanent Secretary Lagos State Education District 11, Mrs.

Solarin Margaret Titilayo, commended the pastor and the entire congregation of the church for their foresight, even with the meagre resources of the church to lend a helping hand to schools in the locality.

Ambode therefore, appealed to the general public to ensure they pay

their taxes to ease execution of various amenities in the society even as he advised other religious organizations to emulate the gesture of the Upper Room Baptist Church in reaching out to their immediate environment as a way of making their host feel their presence.

Re-CIO seeks participation in governance

As salam alaikum warahmatlahi wabarakuhu LL Praise and adoration are for Allaah (SAW) and I invoke His benediction upon the Prophet (SAW), his household, companions and all Muslims. Amin.

I kindly refer you to your publication of 11th December, 2015 titled ‘CIO s e e k s participation in L a g o s governance’, in specific, the statement of Coordination, CIO, Lagos State (11th line of the 2nd column). “..The group also appealed to government to pay Imams Chairman of Murhi International Television, MITV, Alhaji honorarium so Murithada Gbadeyankan, Abdul Majid T. and Dr AbdulGaniy that they will feel Enahoro, Naibul-Amir Eastern Zone, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, that they are part Nigeria at the UK Jalsa Salana and parcel of government....”

As I commend your presence in the media space and pray Allaah (SAW) to strengthen you, I also want to do a brotherly duty of criticizing the idea, of ‘paying Imams’ as espoused by the Sadr Majlis Khudam-ul-Ahmadiyya Nigeria (MKAN), Youth Wing, Bro.Abdul Qudri Abdur Rafiu; Principal, Jamia CIO group and Ahmadiyya, Maulvi Nadeem - Ahmad Wasim; Sadr Majlis published in Ansarullah Nigeria, Alhaji Mikail Odukoya and Coordinator, your column.

This is not Hafiz Class, Hafiz Musliudeen Opayemi, during the Hafiz only antithetical graduation at Ilaro Ogun State.

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to the sensibility of the Muslim clergy but a lazy way of addressing societies’ problem. I could be wrong but it is not unlikely that the Imams would want the Honorable Commissioner to address other issues.

I am surprised that the faces attributed to the caption are brothers who are supposed to be ‘knowledgeable’ in both Islamic and secular sciences. More so, the idea of ‘getting hand outs’, is fast becoming alien going by current awakening the world over (in Muslim and non-Muslim circles).

Sadly, CIO would express an out-dated idea of government paying Imams.

For too many reasons which this space would not afford me, I will mention a few points that counter this idea.

1. Apart from the fact that patronage of government has never ended well for the Muslim clergy according to history, and as revealed during the last regime of government in Nigerian, the creation of a virtuous space of earning a meaningful living is more important at this point of our live as a Nation.

2. In a state where the Muslims are in millions, with Masaajid probably numbering tens of thousands, what would other groups (Christians, Pagans) come to if this precedence is set?

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015 — 45

Mourinho sacked!

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OSE Mourinho has been sacked as Chelsea manager - and will be replaced by Guus Hiddink.

The Special One was axed by Roman Abramovich with the club slumped one point out of the relegation zone — just seven months after being crowned Premier League champions.

Mourinho lost the support of the dressing room after accusing them of betraying him following the 2-1 defeat at Leicester, Chelsea’s NINTH loss in the league this season.

And he finally lost the support of Abramovich, who has watched his club fall apart in front of his eyes this season.

Chelsea will now bring in a short-term appointment until the end of the season, with former boss manager Guus Hiddink returning on a short term deal.

He was hauled in to see club officials this afternoon, and after lengthy talks both he and the club agreed the time was right to part company.

Mourinho had only signed a new four-year deal during the summer worth £36m, but under the terms of that contract he is only due to be paid up for two years — around £18m.

A Chelsea club statement said: “Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have today parted company by mutual consent.

“All at Chelsea thank Jose for his immense contribution since he returned as manager in the summer of 2013.

“His three league titles, FA Cup, Community Shield and three League Cup wins over two spells make him the most successful manager in our 110-year history. But both Jose and the board agreed results have not been good enough this season and believe it is in the best interests of both parties to go our separate ways.

“The club wishes to make clear Jose leaves us on good terms and will always remain a much-loved, respected and significant figure at Chelsea. His legacy at Stamford Bridge and in England has long been

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guaranteed and he will always be warmly welcomed back to Stamford Bridge.

“The club’s focus is now on ensuring our talented squad reaches its potential.

“There will be no further comment until a new appointment is made.”

His dismissal came on the day former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp claimed Mourinho had

proved he was not the Special One after all.

The former Real Madrid boss won the Premier League and Capital One Cup last season.

But after giving his players an extended break over the summer and failing to make waves in the transfer market, this campaign saw an alarming slump in form for the Blues.

Mourinho’s departure

is the second time he has departed the club seemingly at odds with the players. He suffered a similar fate back in 2007.

This season has been blighted by one problem after another – beginning on the very opening day with a 2-2 draw at home to Swansea.

The manner of the performance was worrying enough, but Mourinho lit the blue touchpaper with his post-match criticism of Eva Carneiro.

Mourinho to receive £10m in compensation

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O M A N Abramovich could be forced to pay Mourinho up to £10million after the Portuguese manager signed a four-year deal this summer.

With that deal only a few months old, and no clause in Mourinho’s contract, Sportsmail understands that the sacked manager will be paid by Chelsea until he

lands another job.

As part of the settlement to leave by ‘mutual consent’, he is being paid £250,000 a week up to a maximum of £10m.

If he were to take a job next week they would only pay him nominal compensation, but an extended break from football would see him earn the full £10m.

5 contenders for Guardiola, Bayern to part ways Mourinho’s job

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EP Guardiola has confirmed he will make a decision over his future at Bayern Munich in the next week although it appears to have already been decided, with the German magazine Kicker saying he is definitely on his way amid increasing speculation that he may be set to replace Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City.

The Catalan, who is in the final year of his contract with Germany’s champions, has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium next season, though his availability next season would also appeal to Manchester United and possibly Chelsea.

After Bayern’s 1-0 win over Darmstadt on Tuesday, Guardiola refused to comment on questions about his future. “Tonight I have no answer,” he said. “Next week there will be clarity.” However, reports in Germany have stated that Guardiola has already informed Bayern that he will not sign a new contract, with Bild also claiming the Bundesliga champions are now braced for his departure.

Last month the Bayern chairman, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, revealed that they had yet to begin negotiations over extending Guardiola’s stay but admitted talks were scheduled to take place after Bayern’s match against Hannover on Saturday.

“It is not planned to push back that date,” said Rummenigge. “We have always said there will be a decision in 2015. I know that it’s late, just days before Christmas.

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GOODBYE••• Bayern Munichs coach, Pep Guardiola waves bye as he part ways with the club

Mourinho's management career Benfica (2000) Uniao de Leiria (2001-02) Porto (2002-04) 2 League titles, 1 Cup, 1 Champions League Chelsea (2004-07) 2 Premier League titles, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cups Inter (2008-10) 2 Serie A titles, 1 Coppa Italia, 1 Champions League Real Madrid (2010-13) 1 La Liga title, 1 Copa del Rey Chelsea (2013-15) 1 Premier League title, 1 League Cup

I E G O SIMEONE Diego Simeone took Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title in 2013-14 ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid, but perhaps could be tempted by a new challenge in England after four years at the Vicente Calderon.

Simeone is already familiar with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and striker Diego Costa, having managed the pair at Atletico.

It is understood a £15m release clause would have to be met by Chelsea for the 45year-old Argentinian.

PEP GUARDIOLA Pep Guardiola is heading for the Premier League after deciding to reject a new £280,000-a-week contract and leave Bayern Munich next summer.

The 44-year-old Spaniard is expected to take over at Manchester City, but Chelsea could now well make their move.

However, City ’ s dealmakers are ahead of the game and Guardiola would earn around £15m a year, which is around £2m more than what Mourinho was making at Chelsea.

JUANDE RAMOS German and Ukrainian sources have linked Juande Ramos with the job at Chelsea with the Spaniard out of work since leaving Ukrainian club Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk at the end of the 2013-14 season.

The 61-year-old Spaniard has already had one spell in the English Premier

League, spending 12 months at Tottenham Hotspur from 2007 to 2008. He left the club at the bottom of the Premier League.

Ramos took up the Real Madrid job in December 2008 but lasted barely six months as the La Liga club ended the season nine points behind rivals Barcelona.

B R E N D A N RODGERS Brendan Rodgers has already spent time at Chelsea as a coach from 2004 to 2008 before leaving to become the manager of Championship club Watford.

Rogers almost took Liverpool to their first ever Premier League title in the 2013-14 season, falling just short to Manchester City.

The 42-year-old was sacked by Liverpool in October this year and, despite links with a club job in Qatar, is still looking for work.

FABIO CAPELLO Fabio Capello threw his hat into the ring as a potential replacement for Mourinho last month. He said: ‘I am now in Russia, in Moscow. I do not miss the bench. For now I have not received anything but if something interesting comes up, why not?’

The 69-year-old Italian is out of work after being sacked by Russia in July. If he was to take up the role at Chelsea, it would be his first job at club-level since leaving Real Madrid in 2007.

Capello is familiar with all in England as the boss of the Three Lions from 2008 to 2012.

46 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

Siasia hints on Ighalo, Musa for Rio Olympics C

Siasia’s happy moments

Osimhen heads to Wolfsburg

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OLDEN Eaglets star, Victor Osimhen may have settled for Wolfsburg of Germany in his pursuit for professional football in Europe.

Osimhen, won the golden boot award with his record nine goals at the 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup held in Chile. He became the subject of transfer speculation with various European clubs said to be interested. They include Sporting Lisbon, Anderlecht and Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg.

But allnigeriasoccer.com reported that Osimhen was Germany bound on Wednesday night in company of his of coach at Ultimate Strikers,Chinedu Ogbenna, Shira Yussuf and his partner, Ariyo Igbayilola, his eldest brother Andrew Osimhen and 36 Lion CEO Liameed Olawale Gafar.

Wolfsburg invited Osimhen and his representatives to Lower Saxony to be shown around the club’s facilities before penning a preliminary contract that will be activated when he clocks 18 in a year’s time.

Osimhen is blessed with pace and technique with a little brush up and hard work, he has potential to succeed in Europe.

Osimhen

ID boxers took centre stage in sports this week as trainees of the Jerry Okorodudu Boxing Academy displayed promising performances in the 3rd edition of the children boxing competition sponsored by

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KILLER MOOD ... Ahmed Musa on duty

Enyimba fortify team ahead of Champions League

By Jude Opara, Abuja

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PPARENTLY, in the quest to excel in the 2015/16 CAF Champions League, former champions Enyimba International have started the fortification of the team with the recruitment of experienced players both from within and outside the country.

Chairman of the club, Chief Felix Ayansi-Agwu told Sports Vanguard that the signing of some players which he said is inevitable has already started adding that the team is poised once again to give Felix Anyansi Enyimba boss the country a quality repthe continent including de- in harmony with other resentation like it did in the fending champions, TP leagues around the world, 2003 and 2004 when it won Mazembe in the tourna- adding that such will althe coveted CAF Champiways make players of conment. ons League.

He also called on the tinental bound teams to be According to him, the League Management in shape for the competiengagement of some fresh Company (LMC) to find a tion. legs is important especial“We already have a team way of harmonizing the ly with the involvement of Nigerian league so as to be on ground, but what we some other strong teams in

Kid boxers show promise

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OACH Samson Sia sia has hinted he is looking at the possibility of getting Eagles skipper Ahmed Musa and striker Odion Ighalo to feature at next year ’s Rio Olympics as overage players.

The Olympics allow for three players outside the eligible age of 23 years to star at the tournament proper.

Chelsea star Mikel Obi has already declared his interest to play in Rio. Siasia said he hopes to draft players who are playing regularly for their European clubs for the Olympics.

“I’m still undecided on the areas that the overage players would be needed, but I’m happy that the likes of Ighalo (Odion), (Ahmed) Musa, are in top form now and I hope they will sustain it until the Olympics,” the Nigeria U23 coach said on a television programme.

The Olympics will be staged in August 2016.

the Child Dignity F o u n d a t i o n , Wednesday, at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Gym. The 20 participants aged between 9 and 18 years competed in 10 weight categories of three rounds bouts.

FIFA CWC: Suarez fires Barca to final

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UIS Suarez fired a hat-trick as Barcelona overcame the loss of Lionel Messi to kidney problems by beating China’s Guangzhou Evergrande 3-0 to reach the Club World Cup final on Thursday.

The Spanish giants will

face Argentine side River Plate in Yokohama on Sunday as they look to become the first team to win the tournament three times.

“Luis Suarez is deadly inside the box, he will always score for you,” Barca coach Luis Enrique told reporters.

are trying to do is how to fortify the team to make it more result oriented than what we have already, so we are on the process and we are working hard towards it because there is nothing anybody can do because the league just ended and so the players must have some rest also because they are not machine.

“How we wish things were different because as we speak the team we are going to play this weekend

they will be going into the second stanza of their league but our own league has just ended, there is a great difference but it is not the fault of anybody, it is the structure of what we are doing here, so if it is possible for us to restructure our league to catch up with other leagues, then we should do it.”

Enyimba International will take on Vipers of Uganda in the preliminary round of the championship.

NFF to spend N5b in 2016

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IGERIA Football Federation (NFF) has revealed plans to spend over N5 billion (about $25 million) for the country’s participation in seven major championships in the new year.

This expenditure was contained in a budget summary of the NFF at their Annual General Assembly.

A further breakdown showed that Nigeria will feature at the 2016 CHAN in Rwanda, the U20 Women’s World Cup, the Rio Olympics, 2016 beach soccer competitions, U20 AFCON, U17 Women’s World Cup and the African Women’s

Championship in Cameroon.

Next month’s CHAN will gulp the most money, which is put at about 1.5 billion Naira, while about 920 million Naira will be spent at the AWC. Over 672 million will be spent on the female U20s,651 million on the female U17s,369 million on the Olympic team, 621 million on the U20 men’s team and 471 million on beach soccer team/ These expenditures will include overseas training tours, international friendly matches as well as the qualifiers and the championships proper.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015—47

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015

Mourinho to receive £10m in compensation Siasia hints on Ighalo, Ahmed Musa for Rio

Mourinho sacked!

NFF to spend N5b in 2016

Guardiola, Bayern to part ways

5 contenders for Mourinho’s job

Osimhen heads to Wolfsburg Details inside

•Guadiola

•Simeone

•Capello

•Rodgers

•Ramos

QUICK CR OSS WORD CROSS OSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

FRI DAY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Choose (6) 5 Empty (4) 8 Harmonium (5) 9 Steal (3) 10 Naked (4) 11 Family (4) 12 Composition (5) 13 Overseas (6) 16 Symbol (4) 18 Stuff (4) 20 Consumed (3) 22 Fate (3) 23 Longing (3) 24 Jetty (4) 25 Detail (4) 28 Deflect (6) 30 Twist (5) 32 Foundation (4) 33 Close (4) 34 Vehicle (3) 35 Barrier (5) 36 Burden (4) 37 Card-game (6)

DOWN 1 Scatter (6) 2 Free (8) 3 Sailcloth (6) 4 Offered (9) 6 Sole (4) 7 Sand-hill (4) 8 Poem (3) 14 Industry (9) 15 Male (3) 17 Obtained (3) 19 Reticent (8) 20 Objective (3) 21 Built (7) 26 Reflect (6) 27 Posture (6) 29 Spoken (4) 30 Settee (4) 31 Tiny (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Keep 4, Cup 6, Late 9, Air 10, Children 11, Glee 14, Rub 16, Gross 19, Espoused 21, Merit 23, Demanded 24, Wrath 27, Tin 31, Edit 33, Initiate 34, Ill 35, Poke 36, Ash 37, Dupe.

DOWN: 2, Echo 3, Pull 4, Caroused 5, Pant 6, Larger 7, Ail 8, Tress 12, Renew 13, Opera 14, Rum 15, Beret 17, Outdo 18, Shade 20, Diminish 22, Tan 25, Radio 26, Title 28, Diva 29, Mind 30, Stop 32, Ilk.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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