I'm hale and hearty, still in Nigeria — Buhari

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62322

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

Jonathan crashes price of petrol to N87/ltr >15

Lagos on red alert over bird flu >9

I'm hale and hearty, still in Nigeria — Buhari

By Levinus •Clears air on health, certificate, PTF, foreign trip Nwabughiogu •Accuses PDP of playing politics of desperation >P.9 •PDP bent on inciting hatred against Buhari—Campaign Organisation A

BUJA—All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, dismissed doubts about his medical and Continues on Page 5

COLUMNISTS:

ECONOMY: Let's do it right •P.44

Jonathan in Maiduguri •P.20

Mr & Mrs

PAPAL DEVOTION—Pope Francis (R) waves as he arrives at the University of Santo Tomas during his visit to Manila, yesterday. Pope Francis celebrated mass with millions of singing and cheering Catholics in The Philippine'scapital, yesterday, in one of the world's biggest outpourings of papal devotion. Photo: AFP.

Egbin power plant APAPA TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK: >21 rehabilitated to >11 Rents crash by 50% as businesses, residents relocate produce 220MW C M Y K

2 —Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

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4 —Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

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POCKET CARTOON

PROTEST—A man holds a placard reading "I Am Nigerian, Stop Boko Haram", during a gathering at the Trocadero Place in Paris, France, yesterday, to protest against Boko Haram Islamists after a large-scale attack in Baga. Inset: Another placard-carrying woman during the protest. Photos AFP.

I'm hale and hearty, still in Nigeria — BUHARI Continues from Page 1 educational fitness for the presidency describing such allegations as distractions by the r uling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to deviate from the core campaign issues of corruption and incompetent leadership.

Accusing the PDP of desperation having run out of ideas, Buhari at a press conference in Abuja, further challenged the ruling party to address the fallout from the poor management of the economy which he claimed made many

WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS: 131. A person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if *(a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth; *(b) he has attained the age of forty years; *(c) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party; and *(d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.

Nigerian workers to spend the last Christmas hungry.

The press conference

by Buhari, the first by any of the major presidential candidates followed wild allegations of his alleged ill-health and

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

Fernando Pessoa expressed the idea of moving ahead in life gracefully with these words, that “to be great, be whole; exclude nothing, exaggerate nothing that is not you. Be whole in everything. Put all you are into the smallest thing you do. The whole moon gleams in every pool.” And I buttress this concept with these lines from Brene Brown “Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.

Remember the sayings that “Your life is not a problem to be solved but a gift to be opened.”

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lack of the educational qualification for the election.

The speculations around Buhari followed newspaper reports at the weekend which alleged that the former head of state was about to travel abroad on account of his alleged ill-health.

Debunking the reports, Buhari described the medical report widely circulated online at the weekend as forged as he said that the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital which reportedly issued the report has disclaimed it as a forgery.

My health — Buhari According to him: “I

was at Nasarawa and Benue states yesterday (Saturday). Tomorrow I am going to be in two states. The day after tomorrow in two more states. I am doing two states per day. How they got the impression that I was sick I do not know although I got cold and that did not stop me from going through my schedule.

“I don’t know of this desperation. The issue we are telling Nigerians is that of corruption in this country for the last 16 years PDP has literally destroyed this country. This is the issue and what has my health got to do with that one?

“Documents have been put in the papers, on twitter that I am sick but the ABU said they are forged documents.

This desperation is beyond my understanding.”

When asked by a

reporter to make a categorical statement on his state of health, Buhari jokingly asked the reporter: “How old are you? 50 years? I am telling you if we go to the field, you would not last the time I will last in the field.”

The alleged trip Campaign officials further disclosed to Vanguard, yesterday, that the proposed trip

by Buhari was upon a request by the United States Department of State which was desirous of sounding him out on his views.

The trip according to a campaign official scheduled by the State Department towards January ending had not been agreed to by the Buhari campaign team.

“Yes Buhari was invited by the State Department for an interaction but he has not been able to fix a date for it because of the hectic campaign schedule and it is our view that he may not have the time for the trip,” the campaign official said.

Academic Certificates On the issue of his certificates, Buhari expressed surprise that all hell has been let loose on the issue, wondering where his accusers were when the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, cleared him to contest the previous elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011.

“I have contested three times under the same rules set by the INEC. I was allowed to contest all these elections because my certificate was in order and there were individuals that wrote

to the United States War College and the college answered them and it was published by some of your papers. So really this desperation of misinformation that is being passed around will do nobody any good because our minds are being taken away from the serious issues of corruption and incompetence by the PDP”, he said.

Petroleum Trust Fund Buhari, who was chairman of the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF, also responded to renewed accusations of corruption against him in the management of the PTF. “That one has been cleared. There was no fraud in PTF. There was an investigation and General Obasanjo has answered that question.

He confirmed that there was an investigation and the report was brought to him and there was nothing on the ground as far as my management and chairmanship of the PTF was concerned. So what else can I say when the person who did the investigation because he was the Head of State cleared me? So what else can I say?”

On the current state of the economy, Buhari slammed the PDP, saying they should concentrate on paying workers’ salaries than playing politics with his health.

“Well, the country is broke now. How many states could not pay their workers’ salaries?

Even in December most families were hungry during Christmas because they could not pay their salaries, yet they are talking about an individual's health instead of paying the people”, he said.

6—Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

Man, 43, kills friend over N30 dry gin in Lagos zAs Police raid community, arrest over 30

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS — THE Lagos State Police are currently investigating the death of a 57-year-old man allegedly stabbed to death by his friend during a disagreement over sachet of dry gin worth N30, in Otto community, an outskirts of Lagos.

Meanwhile, Police officers have gone on a raiding spree in the community. They were said to have roused some people from sleep and taken them away. The officers, it was gathered, came twice to raid the community and allegedly whisked away about 30 suspects.

It was gathered that the victim, identified as Mr. Abudu (aka Baba Timo), who had moved from Bariga to Otto some months ago, was cooling down with local gin at a joint with his friend (names yet unknown) when trouble began.

Vanguard gathered that the disagreement, which started as a joke at 8p.m., last Friday took a new dimension at 10 p.m., after the duo engaged in a fight, using dangerous weapons such as broken bottle and cutlass on each other.

It was learned that because of the harmattan cold, most residents had gone to bed while others could not intervene because of the use of dangerous weapons by the two parties.

Baba Timo reportedly inflicted machete cuts on his friend's head and hand, while his friend used a broken bottle on his (Baba Timo) neck.

Unfortunately, Baba Timo died on the spot while his friend who sustained injuries on his head and neck is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in

Lagos.

Narrating how Police officers raided houses in the community, Mrs Titi Balogun, whose husband and son were arrested, told Vanguard: “At few minutes past 11p.m., I woke one of my sons to put off the generator, immediately he

did that and locked the back door, I noticed movement outside through my window and later someone began to hit on the back door very hard.

"I came out of my room and went to open the door and behold, they were police officers. One of them asked

IDPS: District Head of Yola, Alhaji Sa'ad Bawuro (3rd right), presenting relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, from Mubi, Madam Zainab Umaru (left), in Yola yesterday. With them is National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Coordinator, Alhaji Sa'ad Bello (right) and others. Photo: NAN.

Man in EFCC’s net over $100,000 love scam

By Ifeanyi Okolie

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AGOS — THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, said a suspected internet fraudster, Emeofa, has been arrested for allegedly defrauding a Swedish national of $100,000 in an internet

romance scam.

Vanguard gathered that the suspect, who is based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was apprehended following a petition written by the victim, Hengameh Misepasi, through the Nigerian Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.

FG condemns execution of two Nigerians in Indonesia

By Victoria Ojeme

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BUJA — THE Federal Government has expressed disappointment over the execution by firing squad of two Nigerians, Solomon Okafor and Daniels Enemuo, by the Government of Indonesia despite its pleas.

The Nigerians were executed for drug related offences at the Island of Nusakambangu in Cilacap, Central Java Province. Also executed with them were two women, one each from

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me why we put off our generator, and I said because it was late. They then went into one of the rooms and woke my husband, who was sleeping. They entered the other room, woke one of my sons and his friend and then arrested them.”

Indonesia and Vietnam, two Brazilians, and one Dutch national (The Netherlands).

The executions were carried out despite persistent pleas for clemency by the Federal Government, including the National Assembly. The executions had taken place despite excellent relations that subsists between Nigeria and Indonesia.

Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Ogbole Amedu Ode in a statement, yesterday, reiterated its appeal to Nigerians to desist from drug trafficking which attracts capital punishment in

Indonesia and in many other countries around the world.

“The government will continue to engage the Indonesian authorities to negotiate and conclude a Prisoner Transfer Agreement that may enable other convicted Nigerians to return home to serve their prison terms. Thus, the Foreign Minister has summoned the Indonesian Ambassador to register Nigeria’s protest.”

Meantime, it appealed to the Indonesian authorities to exercise clemency for other 12 Nigerians on death row in that country.

Spokesman for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspect allegedly met the victim online in February 2013 and falsely represented himself as Michael Briggs, an American business executive on business visit to Nigeria.

He explained that in the course of their affairs, Emeofa promised to marry the victim and later began to make monetary demands from her, using various excuses.

Uwujaren said: “Once, he told her that he had problems with government officials and requested for a loan. He later cajoled her into partnering him on a phantom timber business.

The last request he made before he was arrested was a demand for $10,000 to enable him travel to Denmark to meet her. It was while he was attempting to draw the $100 sent by the victim (instead of the $10,000 requested) through Western Union that he was arrested.

“The suspect will be arranged in court as soon as investigation is completed.”

Husband arrested for allegedly defrauding wife of N830,000

By Tina Akannam

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UTSE — JIGAWA Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has apprehended one Adamu Abdullahi, an indigene of Bauchi State for allegedly defrauding his wife of N830,000 while she was away.

The state commandant of the corps, Dr. Muhammad Gidado, who paraded the suspect before newsmen in his office, said he was arrested at the famous Shiwarin market in Kiyawa Local Government Area of the state.

Gidado explained that until his arrest, the suspect had been on the wanted list of the corps as he left his house for 14 months after committing the offence.

The commandant said the suspect defrauded his exwife of a total cash of N560,000 and property worth over N270,000 which according to investigations, he sold and squandered proceed while the former wife was away on a condolence visit.

DPR seals 60 petrol stations in A-Ibom

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KET — THE Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, said it sealed 60 petrol stations in the state between January and December last year.

DPR Controller of Operations in Eket, Asuquo Antai, disclosed this in an interview, yesterday.

Antia said the stations were sealed for selling petroleum products above the government-approved pump price of N97 per litre, under dispensing and operating without license.

He said that the sealed stations were among the 215 visited by the department’s monitoring team during the period, and that it also sealed 18 stations in Cross River.

Antai said that the department will continue to monitor the quality and quantity of products lifted from the depots and received at the stations, to ensure that they met specifications.

“The depot owners were selling petroleum products above the approved price and the department intervened."

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 7

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8—Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

Lagos on red alert over bird flu

By Sola Ogundipe & Gabriel Olawale

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AGOS — ALL chicken markets in Lagos State and environs have been placed on red alert even as veterinary institutions have stepped up surveillance to contain the avian influenza (bird flu) outbreak reported last week in two poultries in Lagos and Kano states.

Nigeria was the first country in Africa to report H5N1 in poultry in 2006, according to the World Health Organisation, WHO. Disclosing this to Vanguard in a telephone interview, Chairman, Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association, NVMA, Lagos State chapter, Dr Alao Mobolaji, however allayed growing fears over the incidence, saying it was safe to consume chicken and other poultry as long as it was properly handled and well cooked.

He said: “I can assure you that we have been able to contain it since it was reported.

The farm that this broke out from has been quarantined and they have destroyed the chickens in that particular farm.

“Basically, all the veterinary institutions within the state have stepped up to contain the disease and when I say stepped up, I mean proper security has been set up in all chicken markets in the state as much as possible.

“Our members have been put on alert and the farmers place on advisory alert as well to prevent the spread of the disease so that it does not escalate.”

Noting that last week’s incidence in the two states was not unusual, he explained that the rate at which the disease had been emerging and re-emerging is something to talk about.

He noted: “The last time such case occurred was around 2006 and it took us a while to contain it. The alertness of Ebola has help us to quickly attend to this one too as much as possible.

“This is also expected in the state of globalisation, urbanisation which is on the rise. Increasing the proximity of animal and human being is on the rise and need to be taken serious because human and animal are sharing quarters. Stressing that chicken is safe, Mobolaji urged people not to panic, adding: “People should not panic; people should consume chicken like they consume it normally."

FALLING CRUDE PRICE:

Nigeria risks grave economic consequences, oil firms bosses warn zCall for scrapping of NNPC zLow fiscal buffers responsible for Nigeria’s woes — Ajumogobia, Avuru zOil coys facing aggravated risks — Obembe

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By Michael Eboh

AGOS — CHIEF executive officers, senior executives of oil and gas companies and former executives of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, weekend, said the Nigerian economy will degenerate into a serious crisis unless something urgent was done to safeguard the country from the shock of the falling crude oil price.

The executives also called for the scrapping of the NNPC, stating that the corporation is no longer making any meaningful contribution to the oil and gas sector.

They disclosed these at a symposium to mark the 80th birthday of Chief Festus Marinho, a former Group Managing Director of the NNPC in Lagos.

Economic forecasts gloomy “Economic forecasts are gloomy, interest rates will go up, oil investments will go away, international and indigenous oil companies will have problems, workers will be laid off and unemployment will sky-rocket, among others,” said Mr. Bunmi Obembe, Executive Director, Oil and Gas Commercial, Total Exploration and Production, Nigeria.

Obembe said the woes of the oil companies started since the beginning of 2014, stating that despite the fact that oil prices were high then, the oil companies had to adopt belttightening measures, because the prices were not rising at par with extractive cost.

According to him, "oil companies were not in very good shape in the beginning of 2014, extractive cost was rising at 10 per annum, and oil prices were not rising at par with the costs, causing us to adopt belttightening measures."

He further stated the risks and vulnerability of the oil companies as well as the Nigerian economy had been aggravated by the continuous decline in the prices of crude oil and could throw the economy into turmoil.

He attributed the price slump to consumer absorptive capacity, outcome of the 2008 global economic meltdown, which led to the United States putting in place a quantitative easing programme and China’s

MEETING: From left: Chief Rasheed Williams, Alhaji F. Grillot, President, Eko Club; Mr Jimi Agbaje, Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Governorship candidate, Lagos State and Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe when Eko Club, Surulere members held a meeting with Mr Agbaje at Eko Club Place, Surulere, Lagos, weekend. Photo: Shola Oyelese. intrinsic control of the infrastructure sector.

He warned: “The oil price might possibly stay low for a very long time. In this case, only innovation will help reposition the Nigerian oil sector and also grow the economy.”

Rising unemployment Speaking in the same vein, Mr. Austin Avuru, Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Petroleum, warned that Nigeria was at risk of rising unemployment unless something drastic is done.

He blamed Nigeria’s woes on government control of the sector, low refining capacity and a virtually non-existent buffer, like the Sovereign Wealth Fund, SWF, to serve as a cushion during international economic and price fluctuations.

He said: “Some members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, and other non-OPEC oilproducing countries, have played their game very well.

They have been able to save for the rainy day through their Sovereign Wealth Fund and other financial buffers.

“Today, these countries, such as the Saudi Arabia, can afford to sell their crude oil with zero profit for the next three years because they have cushions, while Nigeria is looking, doing nothing and feeling the brunt,

because it has only about $500 million in its Sovereign Wealth Fund.”

He further stated that for the Nigerian economy to be safeguarded from the next cycle of crude oil price decline, the country must be able to refine half of its total crude oil production among other measures.

Membership of OPEC irrelevant Also speaking, Mr. Ibrahim Waziri, Chairman, Transmission Company of Nigeria and former Executive Director, Corporate Services, NNPC, said the role of government in the oil and gas sector needs to be changed, adding that government’s role has reached a diminishing return.

He said: “Our continued membership of OPEC is irrelevant. It is more of emotional sentiment than common sense.

Our membership of OPEC is more of an ego trip, it is completely distracting.”

In his submission, Mr. Lawrence Amu, former Group Managing Director of the NNPC, lamented the fact that Nigeria’s revenue is not been used for development but for consumption, adding: “What we consume do not reproduce.”

Privatisation of refineries Another former Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Funsho Kupolokun, calls for the privatisation of the countries refineries.

He, however, disagreed with calls for Nigeria to pull out of OPEC, saying: “If Nigeria pulls out, others might pull out also and this might bring crude oil price to around $9 per barrel.

Also speaking, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, former Minister of State, Petroleum, said the already dwindling fortunes of the Nigerian oil and gas industry had been worsened by the declining crude oil prices.

He said: “But the fall in the price is really no surprise. During the past 57 years of crude oil exports, Nigeria has always been exposed to and risked the prospect that oil prices could change rapidly, unpredictably and substantially.

“No mitigation measures other than our membership of OPEC have ever been in place despite our mono economy for most of that period and with the potential calamitous consequences for the national budget, mitigated only be reduced expenditure, debt or both.

“The constitutionally questionable excess crude account established during the Obasanjo administration and the Sovereign Wealth Fund more recently created, with a stabilisation component have been the first real efforts at mitigation.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 —9

PDP bent on inciting hatred against Buhari — Campaign Organisation

By Charles Kumolu

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AGOS — THE Buhari Campaign Organisation has called on Nigerians to disregard what its described as ongoing misinformation about the personality and record of the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, noting that the PDP is bent on arousing hatred against Buhari.

It also regretted that rather than focusing on issues of national significance, the PDP spokesmen have stuck to the tactics of demonising Buhari.

A statement by Mr. Dele Alake, Director, Strategic Communications of the organisation, called on the PDP to avoid dishonouring the Abuja non-violence accord through inflammatory statements.

The statement reads: "It is shocking that rather than explain itself over the multiple crises it has engendered or has failed to respond to or offer panaceas to these challenging troubles, desperate Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidates and spokesmen have stuck to the tactics of demonising the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in the presidential election, Muhammadu Buhari, using all sorts of red herrings, abuses, foul temper to whip up hatred against the person of the APC candidate.

"We hereby alert the general public that, that desperation will intensify as the PDP senses the increasing possibility of losing the elections by a wide margin and once again, urge the PDP to honour the violence-free pact it recently signed by halting the violence in its statements.

PTF

"One of the red herrings being projected by the PDP and its many hatchet writers in the media is the allegation of corruption and favouritism in the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) run by Gen Buhari under the Sani Abacha regime and a little after.

"The critics suggest the existence of dossiers and investigative reports supposedly indicting the APC candidate of unwholesome activities when he presided over the affairs of the agency.

But a few days ago, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was supposed to have commissioned the investigation, disclosed that he was in possession of the

report and nothing untoward was established against the APC candidate.

"To the astonishment of all right-thinking persons, the PDP has chosen not to believe in the authority of Obasanjo who ordered the investigation and has final say on it but prefers to allege that the man who has the fact is dead. Can there be a worse tragicomedy than this? Who really is fooling who?

"The fact is that President

Jonathan’s mismanagement of inter-ethnic relations, a critical issue in a federal system like ours, is the source of the tension that pervades the nation. We wish to draw the attention of Nigerians to the list of President Jonathan’s 109member Presidential Campaign Council published yesterday and ask if any Yoruba person of substance is on the list. It says a lot about the anti-

Yoruba sentiments of President Jonathan.

"The fact is that the PDP has consistently avoided the main issues of this campaign.

Apparently, it has no answers to them. The party prefers to focus on personal attacks, dreg up unsubstantiated records of the general during his military rule, make wild imputations of his motives, and label him atrociously in order to hang him."

WORKSHOP: From left: Chairman, Savannah Centre, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; President, Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin; Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba and Director, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Jennifer Cooke during Savannah Centre and CSIS partnership on Nigeria’s national elections with stakeholders' workshop, in Abuja, weekend.

FEB POLLS: We're headed for victory — PDP

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA — AHEAD of next month’s presidential and general elections, national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, concluded yesterday that with its campaigns across the country, it was already headed for victory.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP noted that in the course of the campaigns, it discovered that Nigerians from all walks of life identify with President Goodluck Jonathan as a leader with what it termed a strong bond with the people and their well-being, irrespective of religious, ethnic and political affiliations.

According to Metuh, the people of Nigeria will vote massively for President Jonathan to victory.

Metuh said: “As you are aware, in the last two weeks, the PDP presidential campaign train has visited states in the SouthWest and South-East geopolitical zones of our great country.

“The PDP deeply appreciates

Nigerians for their support, goodwill and prayers for our dear President and standardbearer, President Goodluck Jonathan. In the same vein, we wish to thank our supporters in states so far visited for their solidarity and resounding resolution to vote for him and all PDP candidates in the general elections “In keeping with our avowed commitment to a peaceful electoral process, our campaigns have been orderly and on issues devoid of unnecessary political mudslinging and acts of desperations, especially seeing the fact that a majority of the Nigerian voting population is with us.

“As we move along, one thing is clear, Nigerians from all walks of life identify with President Jonathan as a leader with very strong bond with the people and their well-being, irrespective of religious, ethnic and political affiliations.

“Our campaigns have been greeted by the turnout of millions of Nigerians who are

eager to return our dear President to power come February 14.

“I can assure you that with the support of Nigerians, we will not only win convincingly in the entire five states of the South-East but also deal the APC a crushing defeat in South-West states including Lagos State where the popularity and acceptability of our presidential and governorship candidates have earned us tremendous support at the grassroots.

“As our campaign train moves to the north tomorrow, we leverage on the goodwill we enjoy from our citizens in that region. The north remains a stronghold of the PDP where in the last 16 years, we have enjoyed massive support and have continued to win majority votes as a result of our unprecedented performance in all sectors.

“Our strength lies in the fact that of the 19 states of the north, the PDP controls 12 with solid structures oiled over the years in all the wards and local government areas."

FEB POLLS: 360,000 security personnel to be deployed —IGP

By Joseph Erunke

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BUJA — OVER 360,000 security personnel are expected to be deployed to provide security across the country during this year’s general elections, it was disclosed yesterday.

Meanwhile, it also emerged yesterday that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has concluded arrangements to import 25 sniffer dogs from the United States to detect likely explosive components during the elections.

Inspector General of Police, IGP, Suleiman Abba disclosed this at a sensitisation workshop on election management organised by the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, SCDDD, in collaboration with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, CSIS. The theme of the workshop is "Nigeria 2015 Elections and Beyond: “Stakeholders Conference on the Roles of the State and Non-State Actors in Mitigating Violence in Elections.

Abba said the police alone would deploy about 300,000 officers during the elections, adding: “Policing the society has always been a challenge. All the police officers will be deployed, over 300,000 officers will be used.

“The Commonwealth has also offered to help us in that respect of training by 21st of this month. Some of the trainings are even train the trainers until it gets to the last person on their roles during the election.”

He added that the Federal Government had provided non leather weapons and about 2,000 patrol vehicles to ensure the police perform their duties during the election period.

Reacting to prosecution of electoral offenders, the IG said the Police had the mandate to perform the duty only on authorisation of INEC.

10 —

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

Council boss charges residents over clean environment

Jonathan’ll defeat Buhari in Feb polls — GROUP

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By Fredrick Okopie

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AGOS—THE E x e c u t i v e Secretary of Apapa Local Government, Hon. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, management and staff of the council yesterday, embarked on sensitisation tour, tagged: Operation Keep Apapa Clean. The programme aims to educate residents and corporate bodies of the danger of dirty environment.

Hon. Dada, at the occasion, accused street traders of dumping refuge indiscriminately at night in street corners and inside drainage.

She said the new government is now soliciting help from the corporate bodies to clear all the dump sites in Apapa.

According to her, “If the corporate bodies see us working tirelessly, they will join us in returning Apapa to its glorious days.”

Explaining why refuge is taking over the streets, the Executive Secretary said; ''The residents prefer patronising cart pushers rather than the government assigned refuse disposed truck.

These cart pushers in turn dump the garbage in various places around.''

SWEARING-IN: Mr. Zubby Ejere, Chairman Ellectoral Committee, Newspapers and Magazines Distributors Association of Nigeria, NDAN (right) swearing in; from 2nd right, Mr Folorunsho Bolanle, Chairman, Mr Kenneth Ikediuba, Vice Chairman; Prince Anthony Udeozor,Gen Secretary and Mr Kenneth Akubuenyi, Treasurer, all new excecutives of the Lagos Island Zone of NDAN, weekend. Photo by Biodun Ogunleye.

I'll retain 37 LCDAs in Lagos APC blasts Agbaje’s plan — AGBAJE to...Lagos cancel Lekki Epe toll plaza

By Olasunkanmi Akoni, with Agency Reports

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AGOS—THE PDP governorship candidate for Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje, yesterday said he would retain the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) created by the Bola Tinubu administration, if elected.

Agbaje told newsmen at an interactive session in Lagos that he would grant greater autonomy to the LCDAs and the original 20 local government areas.

The 37 LCDAs created in 2003

JUDICIARY STRIKE: Lagos appeals judgment relied upon by JUSUN

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

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AGOS—AS the strike embarked upon by the judiciary workers, under the aegis of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) lingers, Lagos State government has said it has filed an appeal against the judgment necessitating the strike.

This was made known at the weekend by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye, while the four branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos State met him to discuss the way out of the twoweek old strike.

Judiciary workers across the country began an indefinite strike on January 5 to press home their demand for financial autonomy for the judiciary.

According to the workers, they are calling for the execution of a judgment of a Federal High Court

granting financial autonomy for the judiciary in the country.

At the meeting, Ipaye disclosed that as one of the respondents in the suit filed against the government, they have decided to challenge the court judgment.

However, he noted that the state government was not against the independence of the judiciary, but the situation cannot warrant the workers decision to put the courts under lock and key.

At the end of their meeting, the members of the Bar called for an urgent resolution of the strike.

The plea by the lawyers from the private and official Bar (government lawyers) was contained in a communique issued at the end of their meeting.

The communique was signed by Ipaye, Mr Alex Mouka, Chairman, Lagos branch and Mr Yinka Farounbi, the Chairman of the Ikeja branch and others.

by the Alliance for Democracy (AD) Government of Tinubu, had yet to be recognised by the Federal Government.

The Federal Government still deals with Lagos State on the basis of the original 20 local government areas but Lagos State has been running the grassroots through the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs. Agbaje said if elected, his administration would move on from the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs, adding that the LCDAs had been recognised by political parties.

On reconciliation with Chief Musiliu Obanikoro, who went to court after losing the governorship ticket to him, Agbaje said the party had a unity of purpose in the state to take over power from the APC. He said the APC administration in the state had good policies, made achievements in some areas, but recorded poor implementation of many policies due to 'vested interest.'

“Vested interest is negatively affecting the socio-economic and political life of the state.

“Vested interest will prefer building commercial houses to constructing low cost houses.

Agbaje's plan to cancel Lekki Epe toll plaza irks APC

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos State chapter has described the statement credited to the state governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Jimi Agbaje that he will cancel the Public Private Participation arrangement of the Lekki-Épé Expressway as “irrational election promise.”

The party stated that the plans could discourage foreign investors, and ultimately, cripple the economy of Lagos and affect

the wobbling Nigerian economy.

The State Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, in a statement, expressed surprise that at this age and time when the drive for foreign investment is needed to break the shackles of economic doom, an aspiring candidate to the Lagos State governorship stool should issue such naked threat to investors to boost his electoral chances.

AGOS—A group, Goodluck Lagos Grassroot Project Mobilisers, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan will defeat the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), in the February general election based on record of performance.

The group said this at a press conference it addressed in Lagos, saying that Jonathan, from its findings and efforts it had put together, would secure 75 per cent of votes in the state, even as it declared that those backing Buhari in the Lagos APC were only doing so in order to take over control of the nation’s resources as they had done in the state.

According to the vice chairman of the group, Mr Taiwo Akinfolami, “We know the godfathers of Buhari whose Lagos resources are in their hands. They want the resources of Nigeria to be in their hands and they would fail.”

The publicity secretary of the group, Mr Sunday Olaifa, who also spoke at the news conference, said the group had decided to work for the re-election of President Jonathan based on his numerous achievements, disclosing that his group would do anything humanly possible towards re-electing the president in February poll.

SERAP asks Presidential candidates to endorse anti-corruption programme

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AGOS—THE SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked all presidential candidates to commit themselves to implementing a seven-point anti-corruption and human rights programme.

The civil society group made the request in an open letter to the parties signed by its Executive Director, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni.

A copy of the letter was obtained yesterday in Lagos.

It said that such a commitment would help to end corruption.

It said: “We urge you to clearly and unequivocally commit to concrete human rights reforms to end the increasing level of corruption and the impunity of perpetrators.

“Evasive commitments by politicians undermine transparency and accountability of elected public officials and contribute to bad governance.

“By making a clear and unequivocal commitment to implement the proposed seven-

point programme, Nigerians will be able to make an informed and unbiased decision to vote for issues and not personalities.

“They will also be able to compare what you are promising to do and what you actually do while in the office.”

The group said that the candidates must realise that massive high-level corruption had caused millions of Nigerians to suffer.

According to SERAP, as part of the seven-point programme, the successful presidential candidate must publicly declare his assets.

It also demanded that he or she should ensure recovery of all stolen public funds since the return of democracy in 1999 and should spend the funds on projects that would ensure respect for basic socio-economic rights of all Nigerians.

The group further requested said that the successful presidential candidate must avoid wasteful expenses and improve the conditions of Nigerians living in poverty.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 11

Ladoja, Ajimobi bicker over alleged N67bn state debt

Egbin power plant rehabilitated, to produce 220MW

By Ola Ajayi

I

BADAN—THE Director General, Ladoja Campaign Organisation, Mr. Adeolu Adeleke, has accused the Oyo State government of plunging the state into a N67 billion debt.

Adeleke, a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly alleged the debt was incurred by the banks on account of a deal that prompted the financial institutions to finance the road expansion projects embarked upon by state government but which are now abandoned.

He said this during an interaction with newsmen in Ibadan, at the weekend.

But, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, said he was proud to say that the state had not borrowed a dime from any bank since it came on board in 2011.

According to Adeleke, one of the banks is being owed N50 billion, while the Ajimobi-led government is indebted to the other by N17 billion.

The N67 billion debt, according to Adeleke, excluded the billions of naira bond already secured by the government and more of which he claimed was currently being sought from financial regulators.

The DG said the figure was part of a preliminary investigation by his party, Accord Party, on the debt profile of the state under the government of Senator Abiola Ajimobi as of June 2014.

Also defending its governorship candidate in the February 28 poll, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyo State said the ancient propaganda style employed by the Accord Party would not work in the elections.

Speaking through its Director of Publicity, Mr. Olawale Shadare,

By Michael Eboh

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OBSEQUIES: From left,Oyo State Labour Party governorship candidate, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, AIG Boladuro (retd) and one of the children of the deceased, CP Abayomi Onasile (retd) during the burial ceremony of Madam Hanah Aduke Onasile at Jogor Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State over the weekend. the party argued that “Ladoja and his party use the traditional hunger for news of journalists to pass across his childish propaganda and ill-digested lies.

The question journalists should ask him is the name of the socalled banks the state government is owing. It is only journalists whom the profession gives the license to hide the names of sources and important institutions, not desperate politicians. Let him quote the names of the banks and the amounts being owed them so that journalists can go to the banks and cross-check. Even political propaganda has left such infantile level”.

Restating that Ladoja was

merely pursuing shadows, the APC said the Accord Party and its leader could not fathom how government could have such huge infrastructural achievements without borrowing a penny from anywhere.

“To underscore the penchant for untruth of the Accord Party, the Oyo State government, in spite of dwindling allocations from the federal government, as at today, has paid the December salaries of workers in the state and is one of the few states of the federation that has done so. Only contractors who have not completed their works are yet to collect full payment,” the party said.

Adeleke also said that nothing

other than the profligacy and cronyism embraced by the ruling APC as an article of faith could be responsible for the “yawning abyss of debt” into which the state had been plunged.

He tasked the APC government, which he described as an outgoing administration, to ensure that all its debts were settled so that the “incoming government of Accord Party” would not be battling “avoidable and questionable debt.”

The DG enjoined the civil servants to continue to endure the hardship faced due to the irregularity of their salaries, particularly the December 2014 salaries, stressing that AP would comfort them when elected.

Ogun teachers, Amosun disagree over strike, allowance

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U T A — GOVERNOR Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and teachers in public primary and secondary schools in the state, weekend, traded words over the commencement of strike action embarked upon by the teachers.

While the teachers under the auspices of National Union of Teachers and Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) accused the governor of engaging in failed promises and embarked on strike, Amosun said only irresponsible teachers will go on strike.

The teachers had embarked on an indefinite strike to press home their demand for the payment of the whole salary, saying, the government has

only paid part of their salaries contrary to its promise.

Addressing a joint press conference in Abeokuta, the NUT and ASSUS leaders said they embarked on an indefinite strike because the governor has refused to pay 27.5 per cent salary he had promised to pay them last year October.

The teachers vowed to continue with the strike they had started last week, saying it would not be called off until the governor fulfills the promises he made over their allowance and deduction from their salaries.

Chairman of ASUSS in the state, Akeem Lasisi, said the governor was scheduled to meet with the leaders of the unions on Saturday, January 17, but sent some government officials instead.

IGERIA’S power generating capacity rose by 220 megawatts (MW) as Egbin Power Plc, yesterday, said it has completed the rehabilitation of its ST-06 220MW Steam Turbine generator which has been grounded for more than eight years.

According to a statement signed by Engr. Mike Uzoigwe, Chief Executive Officer, Egbin Power Plc, the rehabilitation has brought back the plant to its installed capacity of 1,320MW and will bring about increased power supply to Lagos State.

Uzoigwe said ST-06, which was first commissioned in November 1987, suffered a boiler explosion during operation in 2006 due to some water tube phenomenon.

According to him, with the unit now generating at full stream, Egbin is currently in the final stages of a bilateral agreement to supply the 220MW to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Plc (Ikeja Electric) and Eko Distribution Company, a development that is set to yield about 16 per cent additional power supply to Lagos.

He explained that the company considers the rehabilitation of ST Unit 6 to be a major breakthrough, noting that huge resources were deployed into achieving a complete tear down overhaul of the unit.

Uzoigwe further stated that in spite of the fact that the electricity market in Nigeria is not yet bankable, Egbin has in collaboration with the Korea Electric Corporation, KEPCO, continued to achieve laudable feats for the benefit of this country.

He added that KEPCO had begun the overhaul of unit ST-04 as Egbin continues its quest to ensure it operates in compliance with globally acclaimed standards.

He maintained that the transformation at the nation’s largest generation plant commenced following its acquisition by Sahara Power, working through a number of Special Purpose Vehicles in collaboration with Its technical partners, KEPCO.

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

UNIBEN: PDP perfects plan to destabilise Edo —OSHIOMHOLE ....Gov raising false alarm, says PDP

By Simon Ebegbulem & Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, weekend, alleged that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state had perfected plans to use a section of students of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, to foment trouble in the state and create chaos which may lead to loss of lives of innocent persons.

Reacting, Edo State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, denied the allegation, stressing that the governor was raising false alarm, adding: “This man (Oshiomhole) will never cease to amaze Edo citizens by turning logic on its head. It is unfortunate that a governor will use the auspicious moment of a state broadcast to dwell on accusations.

“All over the world, leaders use broadcasts to update their people on how they are using the mandate given to them and their development plans.

Oshiomhole has desecrated the office of Edo State Governor by gathering Edo people to listen to his allegations.”

In a broadcast to the people of the state on Saturday, the governor alleged that the leadership of the PDP in the state held a meeting in the house of one of the candidates of the party, where they planned to recruit students and thugs to set ablaze petrol tankers in strategic parts of the state capital.

He urged parents to prevail on their children at the

University of Benin and other tertiary institutions in the state not to be used by politicians.

He said that the state government was still open to dialogue with authorities of the University of Benin over the 18 property of the state reclaimed from the university.

He said: “They have held series of meetings including the one they held in the house of a candidate of the opposition party in the state.

At that meeting, which was held with a section of the students’ union government, the students were induced to mobilise other students as they resume on January 17. The idea is that by Monday (today), they will mobilize

enough students with funds provided by the leadership of the opposition party in this state to cause mayhem in Benin City.

“Part of the plan is that these students working and providing cover for party thugs will hijack petrol tankers, block roads with them and they anticipate, rightly, that the security agencies would resist them. They plan to set these tankers ablaze and in the process create confusion and in their estimation, this could easily lead to loss of lives. And of course, they believe, rightly, that once there is loss of lives the situation will escalate and they believe they could profit

from such violence."

Orbih, in his reaction, continued: “After conquering the judiciary and legislative arms of government, it appears Oshiomhole is now interested in the responsibilities of police and the secret services. The good thing is that Edo people know Oshiomhole’s history when it comes to raising false alarms.

“Edo PDP has nothing to do with the satanic allegations.

Oshiomhole’s action was motivated by the victory he claimed was secured in a court. The process for execution of judgment is clear as court judgments are supposed to be carried out by court bailiffs."

ARRIVAL OF G22 MEMBERS: Former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governorship Aspirants Forum (G22), Mr. Nsima Ekere (middle), with All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Mr. Umana Umana (left) and G22 member, Mr. Anietie Ufot, at the Akwa Ibom International Airport, Uyo, after the arrival of G22 Members from Abuja, weekend.

Okowa assures on all-inclusive govt if elected

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—DELTA State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, flag bearer, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, weekend, promised to run an all-inclusive government where all stakeholders would have equal opportunity, if elected.

Speaking at Akwukwu-Igbo, Issele-Uku, Aboh and Kwale, he said that the PDP believed in the peace and unity of all Deltans and assured that his administration will build bridges of peace and unity across the state if elected.

He commended the large turnout of supporters at the rallies, saying that a 100 percent votes for PDP was sure in Oshimili North, Aniocha North, Ndokwa East and Ndokwa West Local Government Areas.

Flanked by party leaders, including, Chief David Edevbie, who came second in the party’s governorship primaries, Okowa

said a five- point development programme had been mapped out to consolidate on the achievements of the current PDPled administration in the state.

He said a better future for Deltans was uppermost in his mind, hence the desire to serve the people. He urged the people to vote for him and all the PDP

candidates in next month's elections.

Appealing to the youths to shun violence, he promised to create job opportunities for the youths and women in the state.

Also addressing the crowd, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan said by 12 minutes past 12 noon on May 29 this year, he would

have concluded all handing over formalities to the next administration in state.

He expressed optimism that he would handover to Senator Okowa, saying that “Okowa remains the best man for thejob.

He has all it takes to move the state to the next level of development."

Delta APC, DPP, LP stalwarts decamp to PDP

By Daniel Gumm

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A R R I — T H E C o m m i s s i o n e r, Special Duties, in charge of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, and Secretary of Okowa Campaign Council, Warri South Local Government Area, Mr. Matthew Opuoru, weekend, received former House of Assembly candidate for Warri South constituency II, on the platform of Democratic

Peoples’ Party, PDP, Prince Odjuwu Okumagba and some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as well as Labour Party, to the PDP. Opuoru, who received the decampees, when he played host to a large gathering of PDP faithful from Okumagba wards 1 and 2, Okere, Otowodo and other wards in Warri South council, noted that the major aim of the meeting was to bring everybody together to have a

sense of belonging.

Describing himself as a key political figure in Warri, particularly in the Urhobo axis, Opuoru enjoined party faithful in Okumagba and other wards in Warri South constituency II to ensure that Delta State PDP governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and other PDP flag bearers win in their areas in the forthcoming elections, so that “We can have a voice in the next government.”

Ochei drums support for Jonathan, Okowa

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By Oboh Agbonkhese

HE Accord Party, AP, candidate for Delta North senatorial district, Mr. Victor Ochei, has urged Anioma people to vote for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan and to ensure Senator Ifeanyi Okowa emerges governor of the state in the forthcoming general elections.

Ochei, former Speaker of Delta Sate House of Assembly, at Obiaruku and Ashaka, during his consultation visits to Ukwuani and Ndokwa East Local Government Areas, said President Jonathan had acquitted himself creditably and that Okowa’s achievements, as a senator, provide justification for his emergence as the next governor of the state.

According to Ochei, who promised to bring dividends of democracy to Delta North if elected senator, “I was inundated with overtures of support from several groups to run for the governorship on another party against Dr. Okowa. But I realised that such a venture would backfire as Anioma votes would be split.”

Satu backs Mayuku for DTHA

A

N ex-militant leader in Delta State, Mr. Emma Satu, yesterday called on the Ijaw of Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state to vote massively for Mr. Daniel Mayuku in order to continue enjoying the dividends of democracy.

He said: “Considering his performance since his emergence in the Delta State House of Assembly, there has been so much development in Warri South-West. A lot of amenities have been attracted to the various wards and communities. ‘’This is the evidence of his track record and e m p o w e r m e n t programmes witnessed by all indigenes and residents of Warri SouthWest Local Government Area. ‘’As Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Mayuku has touched the lives of the people," he added.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015—13

Rivers PDP, APC poised for showdown over use of stadium

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— THERE are fears that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State may clash in Port Harcourt over the use of Adokiye Amiesemaka stadium for their campaign, if the situation was not well managed. The PDP, it was gathered, has been angered by the alleged refusal by the state government to grant its request to use the stadium for its presidential rally slated for January 28.

Meanwhile, the state government has said that work has resumed at the stadium, so the place cannot be available for use by the party.

It will be recalled that at a forum between the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Dan Bature and political parties in the state last week, the PDP had appealed to the state government to release the stadium for it use, describing the refusal as provocative.

State Chairman of the party, Mr. Felix Obuah said the denial was unfair, insisting that it was a public property.

On its part, the APC reechoed the position of the state government on the issue. State Chairman of the party, Mr Davies Ikanya, who spoke at the meeting said the place was still under construction.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, said the government was firm on its resolve to complete ongoing projects in the state, including the stadium, before Governor Rotimi Amaechi bows out on May 29.

She explained that the APC had access to the stadium for its presidential rally recently because at the time, the contractors had not been mobilised to site, adding that the government was ready to release the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt to the PDP for its presidential rally.

She said in a statement: “The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to the statement credited to PDP that it will force its way into the Rivers State Governmentowned Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports Complex to hold its Rivers State presidential rally.

“It is pertinent that the Rivers State Government sounds a note

of warning to the PDP that the Rivers State Government will not trifle with its responsibility to guarantee the safety of lives and property irrespective of who is affected. The matter of the Adokiye Amiesimaka sports complex is a simple one. The complex is still under

construction. As a work site, it is an unsafe environment for use at this time.

“With less than five months to the end of its tenure, the Amaechi administration is working on ensuring the completion of all its projects before the handover date of

VISIT: From right: Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State PDP governorship candidate; Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, Olorogun John Oguma and other dignitaries when Okowa, paid courtesy visit to Gbagi at Oginibo, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, yesterday.

Photo: Akpokona Omafuaire.

PDP's reduced Nigeria to laughing stock —OSHIOMHOLE

By Simon Ebegbulem

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E N I N — GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the federal level of reducing Nigeria to a laughing stock in the comity of nations with its

alleged ineptitude in the provision of basic amenities and fight against insurgency.

Speaking at two rallies of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo North and Irrua in Edo Central, weekend, the governor said when the PDP took the reins of governance in 1999, the country had 774 local government areas, “but

as we speak, close to 30 of those local government areas are being controlled by insurgents.”

According to him, “It is time to ask yourselves, in 16 years of PDP leadership, what has PDP government produced? For 16 years, they gave us darkness, no light, yet they keep bringing electricity bills.

We're still intact, G-22 tells A-Ibom people

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By Chioma Onuegbu

YO—THE 22 a g g r i e v e d governorship aspirants of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa Ibom State, on the platform of G-22, have called on Akwa Ibom people and supporters to disregard widespread lies and insinuations in some quarters in the state that they were disbanded.

Addressing their supporters upon arrival from Abuja, weekend, in Uyo through their Chairman, Obong Nsima Ekere, the group said that the 40 days they spent in Abuja brought them closer and more united than before.

The group assured Akwa Ibom people and members of the PDP that they would never give up on their struggle to liberate the state from the emerging political challenge in the party.

Ekere said: “Let me assure Akwa Ibom people that the 22 members of G22 are intact and are united in the struggle. The need to give our people a new political direction is imperative. In the next few days, we will strategise with our supporters and community leaders to ensure that the group produces a responsible and responsive Pan- Akwa Ibom government sensitive to the needs and aspirations of the people.

May. With that being the case, the River State Government cannot move its contractors out of site at this time.

“Rivers State Government has magnanimously offered the PDP the use of the Liberation Stadium Elekahia, which is also a state facility.”

“On December 9, 2014 we arrived Abuja in search of justice and preservation of the sanctity of democratic processes and after 40 days in the wilderness of injustice, it is time to move on to the next stage of restoring the dignity of Akwa Ibom State."

They produced unemployment; our companies have all closed down. If the Federal Government does not have good industrial policy, unemployment will continue to be here.

So, PDP brought unemployment and kidnapping to our country. There was no single case of kidnapping before 1999, PDP brought kidnapping."

14—Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015—15

Federal Government reduces petrol price to N87 per litre

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor & Ben Agande

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HE Federal Government last night announced a reduction in the price of premium motor spirit (petrol)from N97 to N87 per litre.

The reduction follows the crash in the price of crude oil in the international market.

The Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani AllisonMadueke, made the announcement on the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, last night. She spoke from the presidential villa apparently after consultations with President Goodluck Jonathan.

She said: “I will like to announce the reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit

by N10. Therefore, the reduction would be from N97 per litre to N87 per litre and this would be effective from midnight Sunday, January 18, 2015. In line with this I have directed the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, and the Directorate of Petroleum Resources to ensure that there is strict adherence of this

regime as it takes effect from midnight Sunday, January 18.

I do hope that the entire country will benefit immensely from this reduction of the pump price.”

The price of petrol was fixed at N97 in January 2012 after the administration made an abortive move for the full deregulation of the downstream

sector which initially saw petrol price rocket to more than N140 per litre. The move was challenged by a general uprising across the country led by the Occupy Nigeria movement which organised city shutdowns across some of the major cities in the country.

The move by the civil right activists was coupled by a

general strike by organised labour.

The strike was called off on January 16 after the administration drew back from full deregulation and agreed to a reduction of the price to a fixed N97 that would be varied according to a template based on the price of crude in the international market.

MEETING: From left, AIG Zone 6, Mark Idakwo; INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ebonyi State,Dr.Lawrence Azubuike, and Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Maigari Dikko, after the meeting of INEC with political parties, at INEC Abakaliki office.

Shake-up in Army as new GOC’s are appointed for Maiduguri, Ibadan

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BUJA — THE Military High Command has effected a shake up in its hierarchy with the appointment of two new General Officers Commanding, GOCs for its divisions in Maiduguri in North East and Ibadan in South West.

The shake up which took place on the orders of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General KTJ Minimah, resulted in the appointment of Major General L.O. Adeosun, as the new General Officer Commanding the 7 Division Headquarters, Maiduguri.

This came as a suicide bomber in Yobe State, yesterday, killed four persons and injured others

at a bus station, witnesses told the BBC. Adeosun takes over from Major General Mohammed Ibrahim who was removed following a deluge of petitions against him by soldiers over their welfare. Ibahim took over from Major General Mohammed, following the attack on by soldiers at Maimalari Barracks during a mutiny. Vanguard gathered that one of the reasons for the appointment of the new GOC is to reinvigorate the tempo of operations in the North East and checkmate the trend of sabotage by certain persons who have become familiar with the operations of the division in the battle to dislodge Boko Haram terrorists.

Before his appointment, Ma-

jor General Adeosun served as the Chief of Logistics at Army headquarters and was before the development, the Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade, Abakiliki.

Also, Major General Sanusi Muazu who is the new GOC, 2 Division, Ibadan is taking over from Major General Abejirin, who has proceeded on retirement.

Muazu was the Commandant, Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji before the new appointment. Also, General Abubakar is the new Chief of Administration at Army Headquarters. He takes over from Major General Garba Wahab who has proceeded on retirement on age grounds. General Abubakar was until the new appointment, Direc-

tor of Administration at the same department. Major General Chukwu, the former Chief of Civil Military Affairs at Army Headquarters, has also proceeded on retirement after reaching the mandatory retirement age.

Former Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Olajide Laleye, has been redeployed to Benin as the Commander 4 Brigade, Benin.

He is replaced by Colonel SK Usman as Acting Director.

Usman, formerly served as spokesman of the 7th Division in Maiduguri and was also, onetime Chief of Staff at headquarters, Army Public Relations, Abuja.

Obi of Onitsha, Jonathan reconcile Gov Obiano, ex-Gov Obi

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI — THE Obi of Onitsha Igwe Alfred Achebe, weekend, during a visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to his palace, reconciled incumbent governor of the state Willie Obiano, and the immediate past governor of the state Mr. Peter Obi. Responding to President Jonathan’s speech when he visited his palace as part of his campaign rally to the state, the Obi after extolling the achievements of President Jonathan, exGovernor Obi and all the things incumbent governor Obiano had been doing since assumption of office, told President Jonathan that he would not leave the state without reconciling Obiano and Obi. President Jonathan who was with the Vice President Namadi Sambo, his wife Dame Patience and that of his Vice Hajia Amina Sambo, was surprised by the monarch’s demand and immediately asked the two prominent citizens of the state to act in response to the traditional rulers appeal.

They were reluctant to shake each other, but Igwe Achebe insisted that they must hug and when the President stood up to supervise the reconc iliation, they hugged and patted each other's back. \ Former governor Obi who was laughing all through the process, brought his hand for Obiano to shake and when the governor obliged, there was an ovation.

CBN sold dollars to stem naira's fall, says Emefiele

By Peter Egwuatu, with agency report

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HE GOVERNOR of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has said it sold dollars to stem the Naira’s drop to a record low after JPMorgan Chase & Co. said the debt of Nigeria may be cut from its localcurrency emerging-market indexes.

This came as the Nigerian Stock Exchange,NSE said it was seeking to attract companies from outside Nigeria to sell shares as slumping oil prices weighed on local businesses.

“We want to reposition ourselves as an exchange that takes care of entrepreneurial growth,” Chief Executive Officer Oscar Onyema said in Lagos, The NSE planned to “widen our geography so that we increase listings and support companies looking to raise capital in other countries,” he said.

"The equities gauge in Nigeria, which relies on the commodity for almost all of its exports, fell 32 percent since the end of June, with crude prices tumbling more than 50 percent in the period. The goal of reaching a $1 trillion market capitalization by 2016 is no longer possible because of the

sell-off," Onyema said.

Nigeria was placed on Index Watch Negative for JPMorgan’s GBI-EM indexes after central bank measures announced in December reduced foreign exchange and bond trading, making it difficult for foreign investors to replicate the gauge, the New-York based lender said on Friday. The CBN intervened after the announcement, according to Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. “You have got a bunch of global investors who are benchmarked to the GBI and Nigeria is 1.8 percent of the index,” Kevin Daly,

who has cut his holdings in naira debt to zero among the $13 billion in assets he manages at Aberdeen Asset Management Plc in London, said. “I doubt some of those investors would want to own it if it’s not in the index.”

Reacting to JOPMorgan’s claim Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele disputed JPMorgan Chase & Co’s assertion that there was a lack of liquidity in the foreign exchange market and said the naira was correctly valued. “There is no truth in the assertion by the index team that they do not see the liquidity,” Emefiele said on Friday in Abuja. “There’s no

reason to begin to take a look at” the naira’s value after the central bank devalued the currency in November, he said.

Nigeria was placed on Index Watch Negative for JPMorgan’s local currency emerging market indexes on Friday after central bank measures in December reduced foreign exchange and bond trading, making it difficult for foreign investors to replicate the gauge, the New-York based lender said in an e-mailed statement. The regulator intervened after the naira fell to a record low soon after the announcement, according to Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.

16—Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

Adefuye hosts 24th annual Martin Luther King Jr Awards

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HE NIGERIAN Ambassador and Honorary Chair, Martin Luther King Jr. 2015 Annual Award Committee, yesterday, hosted the 24th Annual Awards Ceremony to honour six eminent Africans and African-Americans alike who have contributed to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., through their efforts of economic empowerment, national and international service, civil engagement, advocacy and justice and philanthropy.

The event also featured a special greeting and message from Nigeria, delivered by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke.

The annual awards started in 1991, to honour the extra-ordinary legacy of Dr. Luther King Jr. and the legendary, Dr. Dorothy I. Height.

Honourees and categories are: - John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Legacy Award for National Service- King Peggy (Peggieliene Bartel), Dr. Dorothy I. Height.

Leadership Award: William R. ‘Billy’ Martin, Dr. Martin Luther Kings Jr. Legacy Award for Advocacy And Justice: Igho Charles Sanomi II; Dr. Martin Luther Kings Jr.

Keyamo says Jonathan can't fight corruption, insurgency

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

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AGOS LAWYER Festus Keyamo has spurned his fellow Niger Deltan, President Goodluck Jonathan and endorsed All Progressives Congress, APC candidate for the presidential election, General Muhammadu Buhari, saying the President has proved his incapacity to fight corruption.

Keyamo in a statement made available to Vanguard, yesterday, said the President’s decision to appoint a money-laundering suspect who he, Keyamo is prosecuting on behalf of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was a great act of indiscretion.

Keyamo also dismissed assertions of Buhari’s lack of a certificate as a non-issue just as he flayed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for focussing its campaign on the personality of the APC candidate instead of on issues.

While enjoining Nigerian elite to move from the fence, he said: “We have a President who has no single appetite to fight corruption – yes, none.''

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Legacy Award for International Service- Frank. F. Islam.

Dr. Martin Luther Kings Jr. Legacy Award for International Service and Civil Engagement: Benedict Peters.

In his address at the 24th Annual International Salute to the Life and Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. awards ceremony entitled ''Why We are here'', Adefuye said, ''Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy extends far beyond America’s shores. I remember in October 1960 when Nigeria newly got her independence from Britain.

Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, our first ever President invited Dr. King to attend his inauguration. Dr. Azikiwe happily wrote as follows: 'I wish to inform you that I have included your name in the list of invitees to

attend my inauguration...., because it will be the first time in our national history when a person of African descent will be assuming the high office of the Head of State of Nigeria.'

Dr. King’s preaching and principle of non-violent approach to overcome oppression and injustice inspired a generation of African nationalists who led the struggle against colonialism across Africa in the 1960s. His contribution to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa is well documented, with a steady stream of letters to the United Nations. His appeal for action against apartheid in 1962 led to the establishment of the UN Special Committee against Apartheid in 1963.

Remembering this man of peace,

as we do today, provides a perfect opportunity for all of us, Americans and non- Americans alike, to honour Dr. King’s legacy of service. As part of activities to celebrate the life of this great American, the Institute for the Advancement of Multicultural and Minority Medicine has chosen today to honor few individuals who have made immense contributions to uplift their communities in various spheres of human endeavour. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life was a life of service and sacrifice. Indeed, he paid the supreme prize fighting for equality and respect for African Americans, the economically disadvantaged and victims of injustice.''

CAMPAIGN: Kwara State PDP Chieftain/ Director General of President Goodluck Jonathan Re-election bid in Kwara, Mohammed Dele Belgore (middle), being welcomed by crowd of party supporters as he flags off the campaign for National Assembly and House of Assembly elections, in Ilorin, Kwara State.

BOKO HARAM:

Bomber ‘attacks bus station’

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SUICIDE bomber in north-eastern Nigeria has killed four people and injured other commuters at a bus station, witnesses have told the BBC. He drove a car into the station on the outskirts of Potiskum in Yobe State, called over a girl selling water and then triggered the explosion, one said.

Potiskum has come under attack several times in the past from Islamist Boko Haram militants.

Last Sunday, two female suicide bombers targeted a market in the town.

That attack, in which four people died and more than 40 were injured, was blamed on Boko Haram - it has not commented.

Yobe is one of three states in North-eastern Nigeria which has been under a state of emergency for the last 20 months in a bid to end the Islamists’ six-year insurgency.

But in that time militant Islamist group had managed to seize control of a number of towns and villages in the area as part of its campaign to impose an Islamic state.

HAND-OVER TO MILITARY: APC’s claims malicious, mischievous — OKUPE

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA — THE Presidency, yesterday, described as mischievous and malicious, claims by the Presidential Campaign Organisation of the All Progressives Congress, APC that the government had concluded plans to hand over to the Military rather than its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari(retd) It said that the APC should use its energy to clear the name of its candidate from what it termed the mess of not having prerequisite academic qualification to govern the country, rather than resorting to diversionary tactics.

In a statement yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, the Presidency said: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Mallam Garba Shehu, where he alleged that an official of the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President posted some comments on the social

media suggesting that “government will rather hand over power to the military rather than to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the event that the APC candidate wins the elections.

“We categorically deny that this statement was ever made by anyone in this office. The APC claim is absolutely false, mischievous and malicious.

“The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs

personally handles his Twitter, @doyinokupe and other social media platforms and continues to use such as a legitimate medium of advancing the cause of democratic good governance and institutional integrity which President Goodluck Jonathan represents.

“Dr. Okupe has never and will never associate himself with thoughts or actions which run contrary to the tenets of democracy,

rule of law and the right of Nigerians to freely elect those who govern them.

“We urge the APC to concentrate on clearing the name of its presidential candidate from the mess of not having prerequisite academic certificate and incapacity to govern Nigeria rather than seek a cheap diversion from a phantom post by some persons on the social media."

Group urges APC leaders to replace Buhari with Kwankwaso

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ONCERNED MEMBERS of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has expressed worries over the health condition of the Presidential Candidate of the party, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) and advised the leadership of the party to replace him with governor of Kano State, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso who came second in the primaries of the party.

Besides, the group expressed concern over the educational qualification of Gen. Buhari, stating that the noise being made

about it was a distraction from the resolve to take over the government of the nation by the party, pointing out that these were some of the reasons Buhari should be replaced.

According to a statement by the coordinator of the group, Alhaji Ahmed Garba and Secretary, Olugbenga Kayode: “We wish to call on the leadership of the party to immediately replace General Buhari with Dr. Kwankwaso, who came second in the party presidential primary as the presidential flag-bearer because

General Buhari is not qualified as he could not submit the minimum requirement of school certificate to the Independent National Electoral commission, INEC. “We see this as the beginning of the failure of the party in the February 14 election. For a man that so pride himself as the father of anti-corruption crusade not to have submitted the minimum academic requirement for this all important election speaks volume of the character of the man.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 17

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18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 HUNGER can do things to an individual.

He could get angry, go for anything to quash the hunger, without minding the conditions, or hold on to his convictions, no matter what. Many of our politicians are hungry for power, just like ordinary Nigerians need food, water, health services, jobs.

Nothing would have been wrong if the hunger for power has some space to address the problems that generality of Nigerians face. Politicians want power for themselves, their immediate families. For them, being in office is the opportunity to oppress others. Power is so important to politicians that they are willing to compromise to get power.

Once they smelt the juicy trappings of appointments, the possibilities of access to national coffers under the guise of serving the people, politicians are ready to jump ship, denounce everything they once claimed to be, if such change of position will get them into office. Their campaigns on the evils of other parties are basic efforts at creating relevance for themselves in their desperate search for political positions.

Just Stomach Democracy In real terms, the differences among the parties are facades meant to maintain the options available to politicians if they fail at the polls. The politicians’ mentality is more about their own welfare (democracy of the stomach, as the late Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe called it) than any improvement in the condition of Nigerians.

More recently, “stomach infrastructure” has been used to describe the aspiration of Nigerians for basics, especially food, which wily politicians exploit in canvassing for votes. While it may seem that ordinary Nigerians are the only ones for “stomach infrastructure”, the frequent flip of

politicians from one party to the other, is a higher version of the search for basic needs. The hunger for political office overshadows minimal standards of rule of law in elections. Politicians would do anything to be in office.

Beyond the jostling for office, the political parties should be clearer on their positions on salient issues like the economy, security, and job creation. None of them has informed positions on these issues. Their campaign promises are not discussing how they would mobilise resources to run the country in the midst of collapsed oil prices.

How would they re-direct the country from the near total dependence on oil? What is their magic wand for rapid improvements in electricity supply?

Democracy of the stomach is crucial to the survival of democracy. Without addressing the basic needs of the people, particularly excruciating poverty, that limits the capacities of people to appreciate issues, politicians are creating crisis that can drown democracy. People are hungry; people are angry.

Nigerians, in their, anger should consider future hunger in casting their votes.

OPINION

By Bobson Gbinije “If you shut up truth and bury it under the ground, It will but grow, and gather to itself such explosive power That the day it burst through, it will blow up everything in its way.”

- EMILE ZOLA (1840 - 1924) HE Okpes, by way of the demographic statistics recorded in the 1962, 1963, 1973 and 1991 census show that they constitute the single largest ethnic group not only as Urhobos, but as a unique dialectical amalgam in the present Delta state. The Okpe kingdom in terms of geographical spread covers a total area of about 550 square miles with its boundaries coterminating with the Uvwie kingdom, Ughelli kingdom, Benin kingdom, etc. It’s longitudinal and latitudinal extremes are delineated axially.

The Okpe kingdom is rich in mineral resources, cash crops and commercial wares.

It’s most viable endowment is in oil and gas, fertile and arable land, rivers, timber and rubber. Some of its major towns are Sapele, Orerokpe, Okobia, Adeje, Elume, Ughoton, Amukpe, Aghalokpe, Evwriyen and Jeddo. The Okpes have four ruling house (Adane Okpe), namely Esezi, Ebvreke, Orhoro and Orhue. Okpes have two local government councils – Sapele and Okpe Local Government Areas.

Politically, the Okpes have always been instrumental in the victory of the ruling parties. In 1954 – 1959, Okpes voted and pitched their political tents with the National Congress of Nigeria Citizens, in 1979 – 83 they voted for the National Party of Nigeria, in the Babangida and Abacha

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20 15: That Okpes labour no ain 2015: nott in vvain phantom transition programme they voted for the Social Democratic Party and in the 1991 Abdusalam Abubakar-conducted elections they voted for the Peoples Democratic Party, in the Olusegun Obasanjo, Musa Yar ’Adua and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan era they also pitched their political tent with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

At Delta State level, the Okpes have always voted for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But, in all of these the Okpes have nothing to show. They have been voting for nothing. This is why the Okpes are still gyrating in the crypts and concentric cycle of gross under-development, poverty, crass marginalization, oppression and horrendous neglect etc.

In the present political dispensation Okpes are totally cocooned and barricaded from the realms of governance. The Governor, the Deputy Governor, the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Special Legislative, Special Judicial, Board Membership and Commissionership positions are completely out of their reach. We had one commissioner for special slavery that has now been changed to Commissioner for Powerlessness

There must be a call to order by the Okpe people, otherwise this wanton steeple chasing will attain an Armageddon-like proportion

and De-energization. What an administrative circuitous peripatetic escapades by political troubadours. This buffoonery and political circus must be extirpated not only from grassroots level, but from root hair base to tree top heights.

In the light of the aforesaid, the question arises, where do we go from here? With all our demographic numerical superiority, our oil producing area status, our human resources and our large spans of arable land the Okpe nation still stew in the labyrinth of monumental neglect. The late Esezi II the Orodje of Okpe kingdom used to say that “the pot which is prepared to lick the soup must be prepared to endure the heat of the fire”. It is high time we started perfecting strategies, fine-tuning logistics and orchestrating actions towards facing the future, mastering the present and managing the unpredictable as it relates to the growth and development of the Okpe Nation.

One must however mention that the dynamics of development in a heterogeneous society entails the survivalist credo, because of the multi-dimensional interest competing for the limited available resources. This is peculiarly so in a country like Nigeria whose political economy has been chequered in the past 54 years of independence. And every new government initiates a new economic, social and political programme. This state of discontinuity, policy tergiversation and developmental Babel has precipitated centrifugal proclivities reflected in a latent

desire of the individual, Nigerian communities, tribal groups and various interest to develop themselves through diplomatic influencing of government policies and community efforts. A state of survival of the fittest becomes renascent. But what are the Okpes doing about this?

When he was being awarded the Noble prize for peace in 1986, Elie Weisel, a Jewish holocaust survivor of Hungarian descent, drew from the store of history and wisdom to pass a very salient message to human kind. He said “The opposite of love is not hate, its indifference, the opposite of art is not ugliness, its indifference, the opposite of faith is not heresy, its indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, its indifference.

There are times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor never the tormented.” The Okpe leadership, especially our politicians are completely lugubrious and indifferent to the development of Okpe land and its people.

The Okpes need total political liberation in the year 2015. Now, that the near 2015 election is around the corner, individuals and communities are locked in constructive dialogue on the way forward for their various communities and interest. Wither goeth the Okpes? There must be a call to order by the Okpe people, otherwise this wanton steeple chasing down the precipitous abyss of the political epicenter will attain an Armageddon-like proportion. *Mr. Gbinije, a social critic, wrote from Warri, Delta State.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 19

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20—Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

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ANUARY 14 every year is set aside as the day when activities to remember and honour members of the nation’s armed forces come to an end.

This year was not different. What was different was that it was a day the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, finally came out of his shell.

Let me not say he came out of hiding.

You will recall that after the bomb blasts near Eagle Square on October 1, 2010, which were later blamed on the outlawed Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Boko Haram activities picked up the following year around Abuja, and the president resorted to inspecting the ceremonial change of guards on independence days in the courtyards of Aso Villa. When the armed forces flushed the terrorists from Maiduguri and other towns in the North east into Sambisa and other “forests”, Boko Haram defied series of emergency rules and started attacking villages, hamlets, schools and markets in the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

Last year alone, Boko Haram not only killed boys in a Yobe boarding school but also abducted 276 girls from the Day Secondary School in Chibok, thus sparking worldwide outrage. The Islamist militants became emboldened and abandoned asymmetrical warfare.

They acquired conventional weapons and started acquiring territories, overrunning towns such as Bama, Baga, Gwoza, Madagalli, Michika, Mubi and others, bringing at least sixteen local government councils under its control.

The Nigerian Armed Forces suffered humiliating media image, as mutinies and sabotages became the order of the day. This forced the army to conduct series of Court Martials.

Many Nigerians were frustrated that their president did not see it fit to visit the North east and show he cared. On January 14th this year, we saw a different President Jonathan. Wearing a simple grey with a black “boat hat” to match (without bullet-proof vest) GEJ went to the Abuja military cemetery to participate in the solemn ceremonies of paying tributes to fallen members of the armed forces. The papers reported a rumpus during the parades, in which one of the soldiers firing the gun salute got his rifle hooked to the belt of his tunic. The president’s dare-devil guards immediately shielded him with their own bodies because it seemed the soldier intended some foul play. When it was later established that it was an

Jonathan in Maiduguri innocuous mix-up, the ceremonies went on. Through it all, GEJ, as The PUNCH put it, “remained unruffled”.

A couple of hours later, news had it that the president had made a surprise landing in Maiduguri, the epicenter of the war against terror. Daily Trust, the northern newspaper known for its barefaced anti-Jonathan slants, came out with a headline: “Jonathan Sneaks Into Maiduguri”. I wondered if other presidents usually send town-criers to announce their impending visits to theatres of military operation. Well, even if the president “sneaked” into Maiduguri, he did not exactly sneak around while there. When he landed, he was met by a full company of officials of the Borno State Government, led by the Governor, Kashim Shettima. He toured Maimalari Barracks, headquarters of the 7th Division of the Army, visited injured soldiers receiving treatment in hospitals and best of all, went to the camp of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). He consoled, pep-talked and made heart-lifting promises to the

I join the people of Borno who were jubilating on seeing their president and governor come to interact with them. I pat Governor Shettima on the back for joining hands with the nation’s leader in that visit, abandoning the old tactics of badmouthing him on CNN and other western media forums

people he leads. It was a very successful trip and also every well received.

The questions remained though. Was the president’s visit “too late” as some have said? Certainly, for me, the visit was late, but not too late. It would have been wonderful if the president had been to Chibok shortly after the abductions to meet the families of the girls rather than suffer the indignity of having Pakistani teenager, Malali Yousafzai, come to Aso Villa to advise him what to do. He should have visited the troops sooner to lift their spirits. The army’s spirits needed to be bolstered after that spate of internal sabotages and betrayals that led to avoidable losses of their members and seizures of their weapons by Boko Haram that was being aided from inside. They needed to be shielded from rabid opposition commentators, such as Nasir el Rufai, the Northern Elders Forum, Borno Elders Forum and other northern leaders who called them dirty names and accused them of crimes against humanity. The military needed to know that we as a nation, still appreciate their sacrifices and display of heroism, and

we did not need to wait for the Remembrance Day to do so.

But we also have to bear it in mind that no president would go to a theatre of conflict on a surprise visit to troops until the situation reasonably guarantees his safety. Much as I would have liked him to have gone earlier, I also realise that I am not the one to dictate for him when to go. He can’t even go just because he wants to. The security professionals around him have the final say on that. People are free to speculate that the president went to Maiduguri at this juncture to make things easier for him and his party when they alight there this week for the presidential campaigns. It is a legitimate speculation.

But it also stands to reason if one pins it on the fact that the army, having recently received a large consignment of arms and ammunition to conclude the military campaigns in the nearest future, decided it is time for the president to visit.

What would the president have said to the IDPs if he went after the abductions in April 2014, only for Boko Haram to sweep through southern Borno into Adamawa?

At least, he was in a position to tell the displaced persons that the army was now ready to finish the job to enable them return to their communities as soon as possible. I join the people of Borno who were jubilating on seeing their president and governor come to interact with them. I pat Governor Shettima on the back for joining hands with the nation’s leader in that visit, abandoning the old tactics of badmouthing him on CNN and other western media forums.

The task of defeating Boko Haram is for all of us. We are going to do it, even if it means some people losing their instruments to blackmail the president.

Lagos Metroline: Fashola absolves Buhari!

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N Tuesday last week, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos invited senior media practitioners to formally unveil Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, its gubernatorial flagbearer at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island. Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) led the team. It was question time, and I put the following question to him: “What does General Muhammadu Buhari tell you (leaders of APC in Lagos State) when you ask him why he cancelled the Lagos Metroline project?” It was not the last question of the night but Fashola chose to answer it last. And it was a terse answer. Hear him: “I think it was a decision made by the governor here”. This was the first time I heard it was not Buhari who cancelled a project that would have eliminated Lagos number one monster – traffic snarl – which Fashola, almost 30 years later, is grappling with by building the Lagos – Okokomaiko integrated road and rail project. Which “governor here” made that controversial decision? Why did Fashola, a man with the knack for detailed explanations, choose to be terse and dismissive on this all-important issue? I found that answer deceptive, dismissive, diversionary and unsatisfactory.

The question remains, and it must be answered – one day.

OPINION ByEgheomhanre Eyienyien

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HERE are two kinds of Buharists: The Classic Buharists and the Neo-Buharists. The Classic Buharists genuinely love Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. To them, he is the epitome of a true leader. They truly believe he is all they say he is.

They think he is not corrupt and that he is even incorruptible. Their devotion to the man they like to call the "People's General" is total; bordering on worship. No contrary argument can burst their bubble. In fact, you dare to persuade them that Gen. Buhari is not the man they think him to be at your peril. Violence, verbal and/ or physical, comes natural to them when they think you denigrate GMB. The Neo-Buharists are recent converts to Buharism who fed too long on the well-orchestrated narrative that President Goodluck Jonathan is "clue-less" and is incapable of leading Nigeria. They have been led to believe that our country's state is dire and that things are at their worst possible state. They believe "$20Billion is missing"! To them, "nothing is working". It is futile pointing out to them the achievements of the Jonathan administration. They see none whatsoever. They want "change".

Ordinarily, the Neo-Buharists would never even have considered Gen. Buhari as presidential material. They know him too well. They are not impressed about Buhari's antecedents. But they would rather not discuss it. Since they are convinced that President Jonathan has not performed well enough they believe they have no option but to settle for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

The dilemma of neoneo-Buharists Buharists To reassure themselves about the rationality of supporting Buhari, they are quick to point out the difference between a military despot and a democratic President. They are forgiving of Buhari's inglorious past. They hope he has changed. They are not unaware of his many short-comings.

They know he is a religious fundamentalist who is an avowed proponent of the implementation of Sharia across Nigeria. They point out the impossibility of instituting Sharia nationwide in a democracy and remind you that their man did not even do so when he could as a military Head of State. To them, it matters not that the brand of Sharia Law he advocates is a contravention of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which he would be sworn to uphold should he be President. They equally ignore the fact that he once called on Muslim voters to vote only for Muslims even as he is now tranversing the country soliciting the votes of Nigerians of all religions.

Neo-Buharists are mindful of Gen. Buhari's lack of administrative acumen and management capacity. But they are ready to excuse his incompetence and make a virtue of his notoriety to transfer responsibility to his immediate subordinate. So they highlight the qualities of Prof. Pastor Yemi Osinbajo, his running mate. They see the Professor of Law as a would-be proxy-President and even push the idea of an outsourced Presidency as a great idea.

On the issue of combating corruption, the Neo-Buharists do not like to be reminded that the General's financiers and close political associates cannot explain how they became

so wealthy as public officials. They pretend that they have not noticed the sudden change in the General's anticorruption mantra. He will now only prosecute (and "send to Kirikiri") those who remain corrupt after he becomes President!

But Neo-Buharists have lingering doubts; serious doubts. Their own idealism will not allow their conscience to rest. They have nagging questions about Gen. Buhari.

Questions about his past; questions about his future. Does he have what it takes to lead Nigeria at this stage of his life? Is he the change they seek? What is his vision for Nigeria? Does he even have a vision? How will he accomplish all that those who speak for him say he will do? Is he in poor health as is being rumoured in some quarters?

And the Neo-Buharists Doubts are fed the more as they hear him speak on the campaign trail. They know he is uninspiring; but, with the new trendy garb he adorns, they hoped for more. They do not expect soul-stirring speeches but, at the least, not the usual dull and incoherent drivel. Haba!

As the doubts grow, sadly, some Neo-Buharists would simply settle for apathy. Those of them who actually have the Permanent Voters Card may very well decided that they will not violate their consciences....and stay home on 14th February, 2015: the Fail Buhari Day. *Mr. Eyienyien, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Abuja.

JANUARY 19, 2015

APAPA TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK:

Rents crash by 50% as businesses, individuals relocate

BY EDIRI EJOH, HOPE OFOBIKE, OLAITAN AYOOLA & AGNES OBIABO

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he persistent traffic gridlock along the Apapa – Oshodi Expressway has forced mass relocation of businesses and individuals out of Apapa, causing property rents to crash by 50 percent.

The Apapa-Oshodi Expressway links the nation’s biggest seaport, Apapa port, to other parts of the country. Hence most of the goods imported or exported are transported through this major road. The road in recent times has been rendered impassable due to traffic gridlock caused by several factors, chiefly tankers carrying petroleum products, which converge on the road in their hundreds to load products from the various petroleum tank farms located within and around Apapa city.

Vanguard gathered from visits to some residential areas in Apapa that a three bedroom flat along Warehouse Road now goes for N250, 000 per annum instead of N500, 000; a four unit of three bedroom flats along Liverpool Road goes for N2.5 million instead of N5 million per annum; while a four bedroom flat with three toilets at Alhaji Kareem Street costs N400, 000 as annual rent. Also, a two bedroom flat at Apapa Ajegunle goes for N120, 000 as rent per annum.

Speaking on the sharp reduction in rent, a real estate agent who operates from Warehouse Road, Oni Seun told Vanguard that landlords in the area decided to reduce their rent as a way of attracting new residents to the area.

He said: “Tenants are packing out, no one is ready to relocate to this area, and the traffic has thoroughly affected our business. Prior to this time, we rent out a three bedroom flat for N500, 000 to N600,000, but right now, it goes for N250, 000 and yet people are not ready to settle here. Most houses in

Lagos - Oshodi Apapa Exressway traffic gridlock. PHOTO: AKEEM SALAU

this area are vacant; we have a lot of office spaces to rent out. I am using this opportunity to call on the federal government to come to our aid because we are going through hell.”

Residents allege neglect Residents and business owners have continued to lament the unwillingness of the federal government to re-invest the money made into expanding and modernizing the Apapa port, despite millions of naira being realized daily from the port.

They blame the government,

petroleum tanker drivers and Julius Berger Construction Company for the persistent traffic. A resident of No 5, Point Road, Emeka Mbah, who spoke to Vanguard said: “Since reconstruction work started at Berger Yard- Mile 2, we have been through agony, I have to trek a long distance or use Okada (commercial motorcycle) from here to Coconut bus stop where my business is located.

Hoodlums have also seized the opportunity to attack innocent people at gun point. The presence of these tanker drivers has also led to the rise of refuse and human waste that

ravage the road and the drainage system, resulting to a disruption in the free flow of water.

“We seldom have good diet without it being contaminated from the unwholesome activities of these tanker drivers who defecate, drop refuse on the streets and drains in the areas.

There is no public toilet made available by the tank farms to help arrest these issues that is dangerous to the human health and the environment.”

Continues on page 22 C M Y K

22 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

Cover Story

VOCATION AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION – A KEY TO IMPROVING NIGERIA’S DEVELOPMENT. PART 4

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DIALOGUE - From left: Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings Plc; Alhaji Aliko Dangote,President Dangote Group; Jim Ovia, Chairman Zenith Bank Plc; Dr.Ngozi OkonjoIweala,Minister of Finance and Folusho Philips,Chairman,Nigeria Economic Summit Group(NESG),at the Breakfast Dialogue with Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr.Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala,tagged’ 'State of the Nigerian Economy in 2014 and the Outlook for 2015’’, held in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele

Rents crash by 50% as businesses, individuals relocate Continues from page 21 Traffic threatens business Business owners have continually groaned over losses they incur by the gridlock. Those who spoke to Vanguard allege that the situation has radically reduced patronage in business, leading to drastic reduction in their profit.

Michael Banama, Administration Manager, Makson Maritime Ltd, lamented losses incurred so far by importers who pay demurrage on trucks which are not removed. He said: “As a result of this gridlock, our importers have had to part with accumulated billings of demurrage. To the officers at the port, it doesn’t matter what stalls your truck from leaving the port, as long as it passes the required exit charge paid, you would have to pay another charge and so it continues.

Despite the benefit we get from the proximity to the port in Apapa, our clients loose more than they gain in the freight forwarding business.”

On his part, Electrical Engineering Officer, Solar House, Ernest Okwegwa, said: “The gridlock is a terrible one and has increased the cost of doing business. Before now we never had to worry about customers coming to pick up their product on time, but now there is additional cost of receiving the products.

The process now involves the company going over to supply customers who purchase product because of the difficulties encountered when coming to get these products already paid for.”

C M Y K

Vanguard also gathered that a number of banks and industries recently shut down most of their businesses and have them relocated to a more traffic-friendly area.

N1bn generated daily Meanwhile, a senior Customs officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Nigeria Customs Service generates over N1 billion daily, which is channelled into the Federal Government’s account.

According to him, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) along with other federal government agencies, concessionaires, the Lagos State government and Apapa Local Government rake in over N100 billion monthly.

“There are multi-million naira businesses located in Apapa, which include 56 petroleum tank farms, three major ship berthing port complexes, dry ports, scores of filling stations, among others that are all

As a result of this gridlock, our importers have had to part with accumulated billings of demurrage

situated in Apapa. Apart from the Lilypond, which is a dry port, Apapa Port complex, Tin Can Island Port and Kirikiri lighter terminal are multibillion dollar investments that generates billions of naira in revenue daily for government and private investors. Apapa Port complex houses various agencies like the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Standard organization of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), freight forwarders, Port Police, Naval jetties, among others,” he said.

Way forward In his reaction, Maritime Consultant and Head Consultant of C.A. Borha Management and Economic Services, Chris Abiodun Borha, said the short-term solution to the chaotic traffic situation along the ApapaOshodi Expressway is to deploy barges to lift products from the tank farms along the route.

Borha explained that government should order owners of the products and tank farms to commence evacuation of 30 percent of their stock through the waterways by the end of the first quarter of 2015. He said government should further give directives to these operators to prepare to increase the quantity to 60 percent by the end of the second quarter. He said: Continues on page 23

he focus is on the roles of technology and vocational education in enhancing entrepreneurial skills that will equip students for entrepreneurship education in Information and Communication Technology (ICT.) driven technological environment. The world has become globalized and the future prosperity depends on comparative advantage. This comparative advantage hinges on people and their technical or technological sophistication. Towards this, some crucial entrepreneurial and technical skills needed by the students in colleges of education (technical), polytechnics and universities to meet the trends in a global economy is analyzed.

Technology education is to be considered as the key agent of technology development, either as a way of developing human capacity, increasing the shield work force for modernization, industrialization, environmental development or as a matter of personnel freedom, developing capability and empowerment.

Technology education is increasingly recognized to be central to both the origins of technological development and challenges and to the prospects for successfully dealing with them (Alam, 2009). Decision makers at all levels, need timely, reliable access to knowledge generated by technology and technical education to introduce rational policies that reflect a better global understanding of complex technical, economic, social, cultural and article issues concerning the society, and our environment. Technical decision making and priority setting is an integral part of overall development planning and formation of technology development strategies. Above all, technology education is a human right and, as such, should receive priority in the allocation of national resources. It has become very necessary not to only keep technology education bound to the role of manufacturing skilled manpower but also to economic development and global economy. In Nigeria,

technology education was previously not seen as fundamental for national development, or for the economic development, but for the school dropouts, and other social and political development within the nation and for individuals.

Hallak (1990) argues that technology education is also linked to human resources development and that this has an impact on more than just economic growth, but also an impact on the wider development of individuals and societies. According to him, it contributes to: (a). Individual creativity, improved participation in the economic, social and cultural roles in society. (b).

Improved understanding of an individual and heir respect for others, thus promoting

Individual creativity, improved participation in the economic, social and cultural roles in societ social cohesion and material understanding (c) Improvement in health and nutrition. (d). Improved chances of economic development. (e). Improved technological development. (f). Socio-cultural change. (g). Democracy and equality (h).

Ecological development/quality of life (increasing people’s awareness of their environments).

From our analysis so far, it is clear that modernization and economic development, depends on investment and appreciation of modern trends in technology education. According to Woodhall (1997) investment in technological education and training produces benefits for the individual and for society as whole.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 23

Business & Economy BALOGUN INFERNO:

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

S

ona Agro Allied Foods Limited has called on the federal government to ban importation of biscuits and other snack products.

Mr. Subramanian Murugesan, Managing Director of the company, made this call at a press briefing on the company ’s strategic business plans for 2015, saying the importation of snack foods into the country is threatening the local food manufacturing sector.

He said that sustaining local snacks food production in Nigeria requires that the federal government curtail importation of snacks food p r o d u c t s .

He said manufacturers expect lots of support from government both at the federal and state levels, particularly as the manufacturing sector experiences more of the problem of supply of goods, high priced energy input and infrastructure development, unreliable supply chain management alongside other logistics.

He stated that his company alongside other manufacturers expect availability and correctly priced raw materials of sufficient quality and quantity locally.

Murugesan also called on the government to make

Lagos traders blame insurance companies for loss

BY HOPE OFOBIKE

T

BRIEFING - From left Dr Yakubu Bashorun, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Lagos State; Prince Gholahan Lawal, Commissioner and Dr Jide Idris, Commissioner for Health Lagos State during a press briefing on the resurgence of Bird Flu in Lagos State organised by Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Lagos.

Sona Agro calls for ban on importation of biscuits, others provision for a cheaper mode of transportation like railway.

Also speaking, Managing Director of Sona Industrial Gases Limited, Venkata Katikala, said that the gas industry is faced with several challenges including high rate of Customs duty and cumbersome procedure for

clearance of imported materials.

He said: “We have lots of difficulties clearing consignments at the ports; there are lots of delays and difficulties. It takes hardly three to four days to clear consignments in other parts of the world, in Singapore, it

Delta needs sustainable economic blueprint —Okonta

A

Chartered Accountant and former Chairman Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, lCAN, Abuja District Chairman, Chief Fred Okonta, has urged relevant stakeholders and leadership in Delta State to pursue a strategic programme that could lead to the development of sustainable economic blueprint for Delta State.

The seasoned Accountant lamented that despite the strategic location and potentials of the state, its huge potentials are yet to be realised. He stated that Delta State has all it takes to develop like Dubai if necessary political will and good leadership are put to play to harness its vast resources.

The fall in oil prices, he posited, should be a wake-up call for relevant stakeholders to diversify the State’s huge

resources and look beyond oil which high volatility has now become a threat to relevant countries all over the world. According to him, the crash in oil prices is a challenge for the leadership of Delta State, one of the largest oil producing states in the country to re-strategise for a future in which the states can depend less on oil proceeds.

takes 24 hours.

“We are faced with lots of difficulties clearing our goods. In Nigeria it takes four to six weeks to clear our consignments from the port, in addition to that, the recent strike at the port also placed lots of strain on the industry as we even have to pay demurrage for the delay even though the fault is not ours.”

In Nigeria it takes four to six weeks to clear our consignments from the port

he Coalition of Markets and Traders Association in Lagos (CMTAL) has said that unwillingness of insurance firms to insure small businesses have contributed to huge losses incurred by members of the association during the fire incident.

The group was reacting to the fire incident that gutted the popular Balogun market last Monday and destroyed goods worth billions of naira.

The group consists of four different market associations namely: Association of Igbo in Commerce (AIC), Traders Rights Protection Initiative (TRIP), Amalgamated Traders Association, Lagos (ATAL) and The Market Leaders Association of Nigeria (TMLAN) and over 120 markets in Lagos.

While answering questions from Pressmen at the end of its extra-ordinary meeting held in Lagos, Chairman of the Association of Igbo in Commerce (AIC) Mr Nnamdi Nwigwe alleged that no insurance company is ready to come to the aid of market men and women.

“Right now, no insurance firm is ready to insure our wares, they go to mega plazas and big businesses to get their wares insured, that is why we suffer more. If we had our goods insured, traders won’t lament when incidents like this occur” Nwigwe also blamed the Lagos State Fire Service, and the Local Government officials for the damages incurred by the traders who lost their goods in Balogun

Cover Continues from page 22 “The short-term solution is that the traffic for the evacuation of products must be diversified from land to water. It can be specifically directed that by the end of June or the first quarter of the New Year, 30 or 40 percent of the petroleum products from Apapa must be loaded on barges.

“You do not need deep dredging for that and it is going to generate coastal trade. But for the roads, it has

Rents crash by 50% as businesses, individuals relocate been there before and nobody is re-inventing the wheel, everybody should have a functional trailer park where you can call in those you need when you need them. So, it is when you need them that they leave their park and go to the port. Thirdly, there was a World Bank study that was pin-

pointing this off-dock terminal close to Ijora (Lilypond) as the best location for the trailer park, the one being operated

by Mearsk Line and Mearsk has said that they want to give up Lilypond. So, what needs to be done is to take a critical look at Lilypond for it to be converted to this modern day

trailer park, so that these oil tankers can leave the road. If we can evacuate 70 percent of them off the road, then tarring of the roads, traffic management will become visible but if you have not actually taken the big reasons out, you cannot eliminate them completely or be able to

contain them.”

He noted that the long term solution is to fix the pipeline between Lagos and Mosimi where the storage facility for petroleum products used to be.

The former chieftain of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, explained that if this is done, by the end of the year the problem of traffic congestion in and around the port town of Apapa will be a thing of the past.

24 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

Business & Economy

Nigeria may lose cargo to neighbouring ports — MAN

BY OLAITAN AYOOLA

M

anufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, has said that Nigerian ports may loose more to neighbouring ports in 2015 if terminal and shipping charges are not reviewed.

The Chairman Corporate Affairs and Strategic Committee of MAN, John Aluya,who stated this in Lagos, explained that the Nigeria ports may lose more to neigbouring ports and that unless terminal operators and shipping companies are checked properly, their exorbitant charges will cause a lot of havoc to the nation’s economy.

According to him, “Except the terminal operators and shipping companies are properly checked through strong political will of the government, they will do a lot of havoc to the nation’s economy.”

He noted that apart from the efforts of the port regulatory body to ensure that the cost of shipping service were checked, the federal government must demonstrate enough political will to get the shipping service providers to comply with international standards of shipping business.

Aluya, who also noted that

P&G introduces Fairy dishwashing liquid

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ishwashing liquid, Fairy is now available in Nigeria, courtesy Procter & Gamble, P&G the leading consumer goods company behind other household name such as Ariel. P&G has also revealed Iretiola Doyle, a TV personality, as the face of the brand.

The Fairy brand was first launched in the UK over 50 years ago, and today it is the number one dish care brand globally.

“Nigerian consumers will be the first in sub-Saharan Africa to experience the Fairy quality – the same top performing product that is trusted by consumers in the UK and in over 80 other countries worldwide,” said George Nassar, General Manager of P&G Nigeria.

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We've not withdrawn MTEF – FG

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

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he Minister of F i n a n c e and the Coordinating Minister of the economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, has denied a report in the media which stated that the Ministry had withdrawn the medium term expenditure framework, MTEF from the National Assembly.

The Minister debunked the report at the launch programme of a global movement for eradication of extreme poverty, Action/ 2015.

She described the report as baseless and as a figment of peoples’ imagination and urged Nigerians to ignore such rumour.

Dr. Iweala said both the MTEF and the 2015 budget were still with the National Assembly waiting for consideration and that the

COMMISSIONING - From left: Olusola Oworu, Hon. Commissioner, Commerce & Industry, Lagos State; Fola Adeola, Chairman, MainOne; Omobola Johnson, Hon. Minister of Communications Technology and Funke Opeke, CEO, MainOne at the launch of MainOne’s new Tier III Data Center, MDX-i Ministry is ready to work with the law makers collaboratively when they are through with the documents to enable them come up with sound and sustainable budget.

“There were reports that the MTEF was withdrawn from the National Assembly but the MTEF was never withdrawn.

The National Assembly is still

Turkish firms seek investments in Nigeria

By FRANKLIN ALLI

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urkish companies are seeking to expand their investments in Nigeria and other African countries through franchising.

Accordingly, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Soysal, to link business interest in Nigeria and other West Africa countries interested in doing business in Turkey or Turkish businessmen who are interested in establishing business presence in Nigeria, and other Africa countries.

Soysal is a Turkish training and consultancy company and convener of Retail days (Conferences) while Bervidson International Limited is a member of Bervidson Group, one of the training and consultancy group in West Africa.

Mr. Joseph Ebata, CEO, Bervidson, signed on behalf of his company while Mr. Suat Soysat, CEO Soysal Ltd, signed on behalf of his organization.

According to the agreement, Bervidson will facilitate the process of engagement of Nigerian companies and senior individuals with Turkish companies seeking to

establish their presence in retail and retail related industries in Nigeria and other African countries through partnership or franchising, as well as facilitate the process of direct investment of Turkish companies in retail and retail related industries in Nigeria and other African countries.

On the other hand, Soysal will facilitate introductions of companies and senior individuals within the retail sector, through its long established network of retail

more

and retail related industries, fast moving consumer goods, FMCG producers and clothes manufacturers’ contacts in Turkey to Bervidson.

The MoU further stated that where possible or whenever potential relationships or projects are identified, so that Bervidson can be introduced and promoted as finding/ being master franchisee/ partner and/or consultancy for Nigeria and other African Countries where Bervidson can give these services.

with the budget and they are considering it. “When they are ready we will work very collaboratively together and I am sure we will work together with them to have a sound and sustainable budget. “ We all need to wait, to see what the oil prices are going to be but be rest assured that we are preparing defense scenario for the falling oil price to be able to manage the economy at whatever level the oil price falls to,” the CME said.

On the falling price, she said, measures were being put in place to enable federal government manage the economy in a most prudent and judicious manner.

“Even though, the price of oil is still going down, the budget is still with the National Assembly.

LCCI flays budgetary provision for petroleum products subsidy

BY NAOMI UZOR

L

agos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, said weekend, there’s no justification for budgetary provision by the Federal Government for petroleum products subsidy.

In a parley with pressmen on the 2015 appropriation bill of the Federal Government and the current economic situation, the President of LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello, said, the biggest burden on

government treasury in the country is the appropriation for petroleum subsidy.

“In 2015 budget, N200 billion was proposed as subsidy for PMS (petrol); in 2014 it was N971 billion. This is a decrease of about 80 per cent. We welcome this development. However, we note the provision of N91 billion for kerosene subsidy in 2015. We submit that provision of this sum is difficult to justify. Besides the global oil price dropping to below $50 per barrel, there’s no

justification for budgetary provision for petroleum products subsidy,” he said.

He urged the National Assembly to take this into account in its deliberations on the 2015 Appropriation Bill as times like these call for utmost prudence and curbing of leakages.

On the appropriation of debt service, Bello said, the chamber is deeply concerned over the growing budgetary appropriation for debt service as the amount has grown from N712 billion in 2014 to N943 billion in 2015.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 25

Banking & Finance

Crude oil price fall will force economic restructuring —Agbaje

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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he sharp decline in the price of crude oil will force policy makers in Nigeria to restructure the economy.

Senior Consultant/Chief Executive Officer, RTC Advisory Services Limited, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje said this, while speaking at a forum titled: “Review of 2014 and Projections for 2015,” organised by the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN), in Lagos.

He said, “This is the type of restructuring whereby you don’t have any choice, but to do it. Analysts and columnists have over the years been advising on most of these things, but now we don’t need to advise anybody.

“Whether government likes it or not, we will have to deal with the issue of the Nigerian economy. We would have to diversify the economy, reduce the size of government and increase investment in alternative sectors whether we like it or not. “The oil price is still falling and we don’t know where the exchange rate is heading to.

“But the reality is that whoever wins the election by February 14, 2015; and whoever comes into office by May, will have to deal with serious economic issues.

“The implication of higher exchange rate, higher interest rate, lower GDP growth, is lower consumption and lower purchases of goods and services.

For the private sector, this is the era in which managers will actually earn their pay because they are going to now have to do their job “So, there are also possibilities of labour issues because both in private and public sector, there may be an inclination towards job losses.

So, the outlook is going to be difficult. It is going to be a challenging outlook for

managers both in the private sector and in government.

“For the private sector, this is the era in which managers will actually earn their pay because they are going to now have to do their job. There is significant uncertainty across

variables.

“Now, there is nothing that can be taken for granted.

People have to plan for interest rate, sales volume, exchange rate, political scenario and every other thing. There is a high level of uncertainty.

“My description of where Nigeria is in 2015 is multiple crossroads. So, we are at a junction in which there different roads. It is a potential explosive combination of political risk, economic uncertainty and a seeming social crisis. It is not the place a country want to be in 2015.

Essentially, this is an era that would challenge the acumen of managers in the private sector and in the government.”

PROMO - From left: Mr. Kehinde Ogundipe, Regional Head, FCT/North Central; Ecobank Nigeria; Mrs. Osinuga Mofoluwaso, Product Manager, Liability Product, Ecobank Nigeria; Mr. Kayode Ojoogun, Senior Manager, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC); Mr. Shehu Jafiya, Executive Director, FCT/North, Ecobank Nigeria and Engr. Shamm T. Kolo, Deputy Director, Surveillance and Enforcement, Consumer Protection Council (CPC) at the Ecobank Giant Prize Giveaway promo regional draws held in Abuja on Tuesday

AfDB, CSOs partner to enhance development in Africa

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he African Development Bank has initiated a partnership with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) aimed at enhancing development in Africa.

To this committee comprising the African Development Bank and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has been re-launched to discuss a work plan, modalities of its implementation as well as an accountability structure, for engagement between the Bank and CSOs. The Committee was relaunched after a two day meeting where both partners agreed to identify implementable actions necessary to fulfill the mandate and prepare a charter that will provide details of the nature of the

collaboration, including responsibilities.

“CSOs are our integral partners especially in the promotion of accountability, transparency and good governance. Accountability is key in terms of achieving our objective, and we could certainly do with an external reporting tool especially from CSOs,” Rakesh Nangia, Chair of the committee, said as he opened the meeting on January 14 at the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Addressing the participants, who included regional civil society heads and representatives of key sectors within the Bank, he reiterated the importance of strengthening engagement with CSOs. “The Bank recognizes and values the

expertise and contributions of CSOs, which are essential in achieving sustainable development in Africa,” said Nangia, who is also the Evaluator General of the Bank’s Independent Development Evaluation department (IDEV).

His remarks were echoed by Mamadou Goita, Chair of the Civil Society Coalition, who described the role of civil society as crucial in helping the Bank to frame projects that would be more relevant to communities. “We need to be involved from the first stage of designing a project because we know the context of our various communities. We can then help follow through to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation stages,” Goita said.

He cited the recent Ebola

response saying civil society organizations would have been approached to help in framing the nature of the Bank’s assistance. “We are the ones on the ground and we know the specific needs on the ground; if it is support in getting skilled care, drugs, or even building new hospitals, among others.” In August last year, the Bank approved a US $60-million grant to help strengthen West Africa’s public health systems in a bid to address the Ebola crisis.

The issue of engaging with CSOs from fragile states came into focus with recommendations of sustainable funding and longterm institutional development of the organizations, including capacity building.

Ecobank promo produces more winners E

cobank Nigeria’s Giant Prize Giveaway promo has produced another set of winners, who smiled home with various prizes including inverters, IPAD Air, Samsung smart Phones; air-conditioners, generating sets, LED Televisions, mobile phones and washing machines being their winning gift during the second draw of the promo held in Abuja last week.

The lucky winners when contacted on telephone were full of excitement and commendation for the bank, promising to be ambassadors of the bank’s desire to reward customers’ loyalty.

One of the winners, Okoroafor Benjamin who was presented with an LED TV at the event expressed appreciation to the bank, stating that he was attracted to do business with the bank because of its excellent customer relations.

Abdullahi Abubakar, a winner of an Inverter, who operates an account in Gusau Branch, Zamfara State, when contacted on telephone said Ecobank has shown overtime that it is customer-centric bank, He prayed for the continuous progress of the bank.

In his address, Executive Director, FCT/ North, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Shehu Jafiya, said the promo is part of the bank’s tradition of rewarding its customers for their patronage.

He emphasized that Ecobank’s will continue to surpass customers’ expectations in service delivery.

In his words: “It is part of our DNA to reward and celebrate our customers because they are the reason why we are in business. Apart from our excellent service delivery, we also deemed it necessary and important to always appreciate them through various initiatives such as this promo,”

26 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

Banking & Finance

Banks earn N27.76bn from deposits placed with CBN •Naira depreciates further as reserve etches up

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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anks earned N27.26 billion as net interest earned from placing their excess liquidity as deposit with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Meanwhile the nation’s currency depreciated in the interbank and parallel markets last week, losing an average of N2.25 kobo in both segments of the foreign exchange market. In the interbank market, the naira depreciated by N2 as the interbank exchange rate closed the week at N185.1 per dollar, up from N183.1 in the previous week. At the parallel market, the naira depreciated

by N2.5 as the parallel market exchange rate closed the week at N192.5 per dollar, up from N190 per dollar the previous week. The official exchange rate however remained stable at N168 per dollar, while the CBN sold $499.25 million last week through the bi-weekly dollar sales, known as Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS).

On the other hand, the nation’s external reserve rose marginally by $16 million last week as it rose to $34.505 billion as at Thursday last week from $34.489 billion, the previous week.

Banks earn N27.76bn interest : The CBN has two facilities namely the Standing Lending Facility (SLF) and the Standing Deposit Facility.

Banks access the SLF to borrow from the CBN while they access the SDF to place deposit with the CBN. Presently the CBN charges 15 percent as interest rate on loans to banks through the SLF while it pays 11 percent as interest on deposit placement through the SDF. Vanguard investigations reveal from October 2013 and September last year, banks placed N81.85 trillion as deposit with the CBN through the SDF and borrowed N5.14 trillion through the SLF. Further, the CBN paid interest of N32.9 billion on the deposit through the SDF, while it earned interest of N3.68 billion on loans to banks through the SLF. While, the N81.85 trillion placed as deposits with the apex bank within this period revealed the severity of the problem of excess liquidity in

the banking system, while the net interest of N27.76 billion earned by banks reveals why banks prefer to place deposit with the apex bank rather lend to the economy. On the average, banks placed more than N300 billion with the CBN on a daily basis with the apex bank during this period.

To check this trend, the CBN in November last year, limited banks daily placement through the SDF to N75 billion with interest payment of 10 percent. The apex bank said that it would not pay interest on deposits above this limit.

The CBN in a circular issued on November 6th said, “It has been observed that banks and discount houses have preferences for keeping their idle balances at the Central Bank in the standing Deposit Facility (SDF) thereby constraining the process of financial intermediation.

“In order to encourage the banks to increase lending to the productive sector of the economy, the guidelines for the operations of SDF is hereby reviewed as follows: The remunerable daily placements by banks and discount houses shall not exceed N7.5billion. This shall be remunerated at the SDF rate of 10 percent per annum.”

Quarterly Analysis : A quarterly analysis of

lending and deposit place cements through the SLF and SDF reveal that in the last quarter of 2013, “The total Standing Lending Facility

Banks placed N81.85 trillion as deposit with CBN through SDF and borrowed N5.14 trillion through SLF (SLF) granted during the review period was N1,445.54 billion with a daily average of N24.09 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with N5,757.88 billion in the preceding quarter, indicating a decline of 74.9 per cent. Interest paid on SLF in the fourth quarter of 2013 stood at N 0.87 billion.

“Total standing deposit

facilities (SDF) granted during the review period was N18,088.37 billion with daily average of N301.42 billion, compared with N14,368.61 billion granted in the third quarter. The cost incurred on SDF rose by 26.5 per cent to N7.12 billion, compared with N5.63 billion in the preceding quarter.”

In the first quarter of 2014, “The total Standing Lending Facility (SLF) granted during the review period was N3,169.26 billion with a daily average of N51.12 billion in the first quarter of 2014, compared with N1,445.54 billion in the preceding quarter, indicating an increase of 119.2 per cent.

Interest paid on SLF in the first quarter of 2014 stood at N1.70 billion, compared with N0.87 billion in the preceding quarter.

“Total standing deposit facilities (SDF) granted during the review period was N24,037.26 billion with daily average of N387.7 billion, compared with N18,088.37 billion granted in the fourth quarter of 2013.

The cost incurred on SDF rose by 32.3 per cent to N9.42 billion, compared with N7.12 billion in the preceding quarter.”

In the second quarter of 2014, “ Total request for the standing lending facility (SLF) was N197.81 billion with a daily average of N3.35 billion for the 59 working days in the second quarter of

2014, compared with N3,169.26 billion in the preceding quarter. The SLF request in the review period was N2,971.45 billion lower than the value in the preceding quarter. The total interest earned on SLF in the quarter stood at N93.46 million, compared with N1.70 billion in the preceding quarter.

“Total standing deposit facility (SDF) granted during the review period was N21,756.73 billion with daily average of N368.76 billion in the review quarter, compared with N24,037.26 billion granted in the preceding quarter. The cost incurred on SDF in the quarter stood at N9.01 billion, compared with N9.42 billion in the preceding quarter.”

In the third quarter of last year, “Total request for the standing lending facility (SLF) granted during the review period was N327.38 billion with total interest earned amounting to N175.31 million, compared with the total request of N198.19 billion and total interest of N93.89 million in the preceding quarter.

Total standing deposit facility (SDF) granted during the review period was N17, 960.61billion, while the cost incurred stood at N7.35 billion compared with the request of N22,293.91 billion and total interest of N9.32 billion in the preceding quarter.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 27

Corporate Finance

SEC redeploys staff

T

COMMISSIONING - From left: Mr. Mezuo Nwuneli, Chairman, AACE Foods; Prof. Olugbenga Ogunmoyela, Board Member; Ms. Nnenna Onyewuchi, Board Member; Mrs. Ndidi Nwuneli, Board Member; Mr. Temi Jebutu, Board Member and Rtd. General Tunde Reis, Board Member at the Commissioning of the AACE Foods Factory at Sango Ota, Ogun State.

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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he Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, has said that the securities lending and market making activities introduced to boost stock market activity and inject liquidity into the market performed beyond expectation in 2014.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, expressed the regret while reviewing the performance of the capital market in 2014 and making prognosis into the New Year.

Securities lending is the market practice of temporarily transferring securities, for a fee, from the holder (the lender) to another party (the borrower), with the borrower agreeing to return the securities to the lender either on demand or at the end of the agreed loan term.

This practice usually requires the borrower to collateralize the transaction with cash or other securities of a value equal to or greater than that of the lent securities, in order to protect the lender against counterpart credit risk.

Securities lending plays an important role in capital markets by providing liquidity, which in turn reduces the cost of trading and promotes price discovery.

Market Making on the other hand, is the act of entering bid and offer prices in the automated trading system for a specified security.

The primary role of a market maker is to maintain a fair and orderly market in its particular securities of responsibility and, in

Securities lending, market making performance disappointing – NSE general, to contribute positively to the operation of the overall market.

In 2012, the NSE commenced marketing making activity with appointment of 10 market makers with the sole aim of stabilizing and boosting liquidity in the market and later appointed another 13 supplementary market maker as supplementary liquidity providers. A year

after in 2013, three agents – Stanbic IBTC , UBA, Capital

Primary role of a market maker is to maintain fair and orderly market in its particular securities of responsibility

Bancorp and First Bank were appointed as securities lending agents with the hope that securities lending would make the market making more active vibrant.

However, Onyema told journalists during the review that both products have not performed optimally due to low level of interest by operators and investors, which had resulted in minimal uptake.

Seplat secures $1bn debt re-financing

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eplat Petroleum Development Company Plc has announced the successfully refinancing its existing debt facilities with a new US$700 million seven year secured term facility and US$300 million three year secured revolving credit f a c i l i t y .

The seven year facility, according to a statement from the company, also includes an option for it to upsize the facility by up to an additional US$700 million for qualifying acquisition opportunities. The company noted that the US$700 million seven year secured term facility has been closed with a consortium of banks in Nigeria comprising First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and Zenith Bank Plc, and is repayable quarterly from end June 2015 and has a margin of LIBOR +8.75 percent per annum.

It added that the US$300 million three year revolving credit facility has been closed

with a consortium of eight international banks comprising Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Citibank, JP Morgan Limited, Natixis, Nedbank Limited, Rand Merchant Bank, Standard Bank and Standard Chartered Bank. the US$300 million three year revolving credit facility also has a quarterly reduction schedule from end December 2015 and has a margin of LIBOR +6.00 percent per annum.

“Proceeds from draw down on these new facilities has been used to repay the company’s existing debt facilities (totaling US$552 million), and will also be used to fund new business and development opportunities and for general corporate purposes,” Seplat said.

At the company’s operations, net working interest production for full year 2014 as measured at the LACT unit (subject to final reconciliation) has averaged approximately 24,248 bopd and 39.4 MMscfd (approximately 30,819 boepd), in line with full year 2014 guidance of 29,000–33,000 boepd.

he Securities and E x c h a n g e Commission, SEC, has embarked on redeployment and transfer of its workforce in order to strengthen the commission for better performance.

In a statement to Vanguard, the commission said that the redeployment, which affected key divisions such as, Investigation, Enforcement, Investor Education and Financial Literacy, was strategically done to strengthen the regulatory mechanism of the commission through efficient handling of complaints from the investing public, timely use of enforcement machinery where necessary on erring capital market operators and improvement on investor education.

It added that undertaking the exercise, especially at the beginning of a new was not aimed at punishing or victimizing any staff due to his or her loyalty to some individuals as being insinuated in some quarters; instead it is for the overall interest of the market .

Citi profit plunges on legal settlements, fall in bond revenue

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itigroup Inc said its quarterly profit dropped 86 percent, hurt by legal settlements and falling bond trading revenue, sending the bank’s shares down more than four percent.

The bank took $3.5 billion of charges for legal settlements, matching the figures foreshadowed by Chief Executive, Michael Corbat, in December. But a 16 percent drop in fixedincome trading revenue was steeper than many analysts had expected, and earnings fell short of analysts’ estimates.

Citi suffered on a number of fronts during the quarter.

The bank, which gets about half of its revenue from overseas, took a hit from the strong dollar, for example.

The bank also posted a loss from assets it took on before the financial crisis.

The profit setback comes as the Federal Reserve considers the bank’s plan to return capital to shareholders, through some combination of share buybacks and dividends.

28 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

Corporate Finance

Goldman hit by weak fixedincome, investment banking revenue

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oldman Sachs Group Inc reported a 7 percent drop in quarterly profit as investment banking revenue slid and an unexpected bout of market volatility in December hit revenue in its business that trades bonds, currencies and commodities.

Goldman’s net income fell to $2.17 billion, or $4.38 per share, in the fourth quarter from $2.33 billion, or 4.60 per share, a year earlier.

Analysts had expected earnings of $4.32 per share, according to Thomson Reuters.

Investment banking revenue fell 16 percent to $1.44 billion, while revenue in the bank’s division that trades bonds, currencies and commodities - a traditional strength for Goldman - fell 29 percent to $1.22 billion. Excluding gains related to repayment of debt and the sale of a majority stake in the firm’s European insurance business in 2013, revenue in that division fell 19 percent.

“Looking ahead, we see evidence of a continued pick up in momentum for the global economy that will improve the opportunity set for 2015,” Chief Executive Lloyd Blankfein said in a statement. Goldman Sachs shares were down 1.5 percent in premarket trading on Friday.

Euro bonds rally, shares sink in Swiss after-shock

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he shockwaves of Switzerland’s move to ditch its currency cap were still being felt on Friday, as investors made a fresh grab for top-rated government bonds, and world shares and commodities headed for another week of losses.

The Swiss franc dipped after Thursday’s surge, but Swiss shares were again Europe’s worst performers as stocks worldwide limped to their third week in the red. The fragile risk appetite meant more record low yields for German and other core euro zone government bonds, while there were falls in Greek markets as it emerged two of its banks had requested emergency ECB funding aid.

TRAINING - Group photograph of participants at an In-House training programme on Effective Budgeting & Cost Control , for Hercules Offshore Limited, facilitated by BusinessDay Training, held in Warri, Delta State.

FG, market operators open dialogue on 2015 budget

BY PETER EGWUATU

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apital

market operators under the aegis of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, CIS , Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria,(ASHON) and Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria (AIHN) have initiated a special dialogue with the Federal Government and key stakeholders in the economy to ensure proper alignment of the capital market to Nigeria Fiscal and Monetary policy implementation.

The first in the series is the One-Day Dialogue with the theme: “The Capital Market and the 2015 federal budget.

Commenting on the dialogue, the President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers’ (CIS) Mr. Albert Okumagba said it would strengthen the connection between the capital market and the economy, re-establish the capital market as the key driver for the Nigerian economic growth and development, open-up opportunities that could increase the market size from its current eleven trillion capitalization to one hundred trillion within the next three years and effectively reinforce the Federal Government’s plan to explore various sectors of the economy for economic development.

The critical areas of concentration shall include diversification and dualisation of the commodity exchange in such a way that serious investors can drive commodity exchange while the Federal Government can be allowed to hold on to the existing Commodity Exchange.

“This diversification will help the

The dialogue is to discuss how the capital market can partner with FG in raising funds to finance the 2015 national budget

operators in the private sector to own their commodity exchange. Over-the-Counter market would also be given adequate attention as the dialogue shall provide a platform to appreciate it’s

benefits to the Nigeria economic development”, Okumagba said.

Corroborating Okumagba, the President, ASHON, Mr Emeka Madubuike said the rationale for the dialogue was to discuss how the capital market can partner with the Federal Government in raising funds to finance the 2015 national budget.

According to Madubuike, the forum would articulate why the capital market should be central to all economic development activities in Nigeria.

ASHON’s General Secretary, Mr Akin Akeredolu-Ale explained that Nigeria runs a mono-income economy; hence, the dialogue is intended to discuss measures for effective diversifications of the entire

economy. Akeredolu-Ale noted that the dialogue would sensitize the government on the need to galvanize the private sector into financing the diversified economy and provides alternative means of funding the budget. According to him, the critical areas of concentration would include Agriculture, Oil and Gas, Infrastructure financing such as power assets and telecommunication.

On the role of the Issuing houses in the scheme of things, Okumagba said they would begin to identify the problems and take the solutions to the investors. He stated that the market would become bigger and accommodate more investment opportunities.

“The Capital Market is the

Rencap forsees merger, acquisition & indigenisation policy in Africa wave of consolidation in the

BY PETER EGWUATU

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enaissance Capita, Rencap has disclosed that it forsee mergers and acquisition, major funding, and indigenization policy taking place in African in 2015. In its report tagged African oil & gas, key themes in 2015" Rencap said “We provide our outlook for key themes in the African oil & gas sector and our top picks in 2015, and revise our Trading Prices, TPs for the stocks under our coverage on the back of our updated outlook. We focus on defensive qualities and view Seplat as best positioned in the volatile oil market environment. We expect Merger and Acquisition, M&A , funding, and indigenisation to be the three key themes in 2015. We upgrade Eland Oil & Gas and Mart Resources to BUY (from Hold) and

downgrade Africa Oil to HOLD (from Buy). We have lowered our TPs by an average of 36%.”

Defensive positioning: In the more volatile and weaker oil price environment, we focus on defensive qualities in our stock selection process.

Balance sheet strength, robust funding and cash flows should be the key qualities of future beneficiaries in the sector, in our view. We also view the ability to execute successful M&A deals and companies’ indigenous status as two additional important drivers.

Key themes in 2015 : Funding, M&A and indigenisation will likely be the key themes defining sector performance in 2015. We think companies that do not rely on external markets to fund their work programmes should be relative outperformers. At the same time, a rising cost of capital and growing market discounts to NAV could fuel a

sector. We view all companies under our coverage as potential parties to various deals, which we think should help remove valuation discounts, expand asset portfolios and improve some companies’ funding position.

Top picks: According t o the report “Our top pick remains Seplat (BUY, TP GBp260), given its fully funded status and improved opportunities to expand its asset base through M&A deals. For us, the market seems to be ignoring the company’s $299mn net cash position and is giving Seplat no credit for its pioneer status. Seplat is trading on FY15E 2.8x P/E and offers over a 10% dividend yield, on our estimates. We view Mart Resources, Eland Oil & Gas and Lekoil as attractive due to their strong near-term production growth and generally solid funding positions.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 29

E-Commerce Stories by JONAH NWOKPOKU

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igerians have e x p r e s s e d concerns over the lack of enabling laws for the protection of personal information provided for online businesses. They say there is cause for concern as there is no legislation for the protection of millions of personal information provided for online businesses on a daily basis.

They fear that without such legislation, it is not certain that the online businesses will use the information for the sole purpose of business transactions and without interfering with their privacy.

Privacy fears creeping in “Online privacy is a serious issue but no one is paying attention yet,” said Emmanuel Offie who said he uses e-commerce sites regularly.“ In fact, it is already affecting us because right now, personally I get lots of unsolicited emails and you wonder how these people get your email address. And this is not to talk of countless spam mails one receives on a daily basis,” he added.

Speaking further, he said: “If one considers the level of personal data at the disposal of these online businesses; abuse is inevitable unless there are appropriate legislations that forestall their use of these data in a certain way. But you see Nigeria likes fire brigade approach, until some very bad things begin to happen, nobody will pay attention to that sector. For now, enacting a law is the only hope because all businesses are moving online and no one may be able to escape giving vital personal information out in the future.”

Also speaking, Kelvin Osamehon who also patronises e-commerce sites said: “Of course I do worry about the implication of those data falling into wrong hands especially in a space like the internet where regulation is almost impossible. As a matter of fact I have had to retract some of my online transactions in the past after I became concerned that leaving my personal information in their hands was risky. So I think the bottom line is for these online business operators to do more by making sure that they remain credible and that their customers’ confidence grow in their ability to protect them even without the enabling laws.”

On his part, a Computer Scientist, Charles Edosomwan said online

NigerianFoods.com offers US-based Nigerians local dishes

A MEETING - From left: Executive Director, CardinalStone Partners, Mr Michael Nzewi, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Dr Fidelis Ayebae and Chairman, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr Felix Ohiwerei during the completion meeting for Fidson Healthcare Plc N2 Billion Bond issue in Lagos.

E-commerce: Nigerians decry dearth of legislations companies always make provision that guarantees people’s privacy and how their personal information are going to be used. He recommends that users of ecommerce sites always go through these policies before opting in.

“You know when you opt into an e-commerce company; there are always terms and conditions including their privacy policies in fine print.

So, I would recommend that all those who feel concerned about their privacy and security go through the privacy policy before deciding to supply their personal information.

However it is also glaring that Nigeria has not been able to come up with any cyber laws and this is because there are no regulations for the internet space. And for you to even have a cyber law there has to be a strong government body that regulates that space and play key roles in that space. This is because it is difficult to regulate the use of these data without regulating the internet in itself. So, for the online companies, without the necessary law, it now boils down to ethics. They have to subject themselves to ethical regulations to strengthen their users’ confidence in their ability to protect them.”

However, when asked if Nigerians should have any concern for their privacy or could at any point have any reason to worry about their personal information in the hands of online businesses, an online business operator,

who preferred anonymity, said privacy challenge for ecommerce is certain but that it belongs to the future.

Privacy, a challenge for the future He said: “The issue of privacy may not seem to be an issue in our context now as a developing country but it will certainly be in the future.

This is because, as the society

Nigeria has not been able to come up with any cyber laws and this is because there are no regulations for the internet space gets more sophisticated technology wise and more people get education and escape the trap of poverty, there will increase the need for not only businesses to compete for these data not just for marketing purposes but also for profit. The amount of data you have as a business will definitely determine your bottom line.

This in turn makes these businesses very powerful.

Imagine what it means to have access to names, contact address and mobile phone numbers of millions of people?

“So if you ask me, whether Nigerians should be

concerned? The answer is both yes and no. Yes because at some point, giving the level of hacking these days, businesses cannot be careful enough. A server breach for instance can result to massive and injurious loss of vital personal data. But then this means that businesses have to take extra precaution to make sure this does not happen since their reputation depends on it.

“On the other hand, the answer is no because in an organised society, there is always a supreme authority that sees to everyone’s protection. And that is where the law comes in. It is important and urgent that Nigeria develops legislation to guard against any form of breach to privacy or security that may result from electronic business transactions and that these companies stick to the use of personal information for business purposes only.”

The complex issues of privacy in e-commerce Privacy in e-commerce is a complex issue for most ecommerce ventures all over the world today. While these ventures may not be interested in profiling personal data, it is indeed impossible for them to operate without such amount of personal data that may sometimes trigger liability risks. In the developed countries where e-commerce has endured for sometimes, privacy issues resulting from gathering personal data for business purposes have

Continues on page 38

n online food vendor, NigerianFoods.com has launched in the United States of America to provide native dishes to USbased Nigerians.

The online platform offers US-based Nigerians the opportunity to shop for variety of local delicacies on its website.

Their offers ranges from flour and grains; herbs and spices; vegetables and soups; cans and oils; sweets and snacks; as well as drinks. Others include: Garri, Egusi, Chocomilo and tens of other local foods.

Speaking on the initiative with journalists, Founder, NigerianFoods.com, Mr Tosin Osibodu, said that products ordered are delivered to customers quickly and conveniently.

Mr Osibodu said he was inspired to venture into the local food business when he struggled to get Nigerian groceries while a graduate student in the US. He said NigerianFoods.com will solve the problem of having access to Nigerian dishes for millions of Nigerians in the US. “Some friends and I missed the taste of home, but ran out of the ingredients that we had lugged from Lagos. The closest African shop was hours from my university. We went on a long 3-hour drive and in the end, made the jollof rice and efo I was craving. It was so good! But it took so long! I thought, there must be an easier way to get Nigerian groceries in the US. I asked around and others had the same frustrations. So I started NigerianFoods.com,” Osibodu told journalists at the launch in the US. He said that, in only a few months since launch, thousands of people had already visited his webite to shop for all sorts of Nigerian foods, saying that, “NigerianFoods.com now delivers Nigerian foods everyday across America.”

When asked what has made the site successful, he said, “Besides the large selection, delivery convenience and low prices have been instrumental to our success.

We also care about preserving and advancing Nigerian culture.”

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30 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

Homes & Housing Falling rates spur mortgage revival

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he moribund mortgage market suddenly sprang back to life in the US last week after a drop in interest rates to a two year low sent borrowers rushing to lock in cheaper loans.

Mortgage applications rose a seasonally adjusted 49 percent in the week ended Jan. 9 from the previous week and 30 percent from a year ago, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. Application volume touched its highest level since August 2013, with most of the increase driven by borrowers seeking to refinance.

The real test for the market will come in the coming few weeks. If mortgage rates continue to fall, refinancing could pick up, breathing more life into the mortgage market. It is unclear, however, whether the uptick will prove the beginning of a lasting trend. Mortgage application estimates can be volatile around holiday weeks, making them less reliable as an indicator of an underlying trend. On Wednesday, the yield of the 30-year Treasury bond fell to a record, while 10-year Treasury yields declined to their lowest level since May 2013, as weak U.S. consumer spending added to global economic worries.

Homeowners Charter: Ogun issues more C of O

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gun State government has issued more Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) to property owners under its Homeowners Charter programme.

Under the scheme, owners of properties without the required building approvals, or houses built on land belonging to the state government are given a window of opportunity to obtain building plan approvals, Certificates of Occupancy and other documents that will establish their ownership to the properties. The scheme ensures that all penalties and fines that are normally levied against those who build houses without approvals and Certificates of Occupancy are waived.

During the exercise which was the fifth in the series of the programme, held in Abeokuta, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, represented by the Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, presented the documents to the beneficiaries.

Abuja among Africa’s top 6 property investment hotspots

By YINKA KOLAWOLE, with agency report

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buja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, has been listed as one of the top six emerging real estate investment destinations in Africa. Others are Naivasha, Kenya; Casablanca, Morocco; Jardins de Carthage, Tunisia; Ndola, Zambia and; Algiers, Algeria.

Global property portal, Lamudi, compiled the list of emerging investment hotspots across the continent, based on market trends, infrastructure developments and attractive commercial, residential and industrial real estate opportunities.

The report noted that the FCT is one of the worlds emerging cities. “The Federal Capital Territory continues to attract real estate investors, interested in benefiting from its array of well-developed architecture and strong infrastructure.

Abuja boasts good security and a favourable climate for business. The city’s Business Zone is home to an array of multinational companies expanding their offices into the emerging market. As Nigeria emerges as an attractive investment hotspot, the outskirts of Lagos are also increasing in popularity. Areas including Epe, Ota, Agbara, and Ajah have witnessed a growth in industrial parks, and boast affordable rates whilst in close proximity to the city of Lagos,” it stated According to the report, Naivasha, which is located 90 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, has attracted a number of developers into the region. It stated that tourist attractions in and around Naivasha, such as the Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate, Aberdare Hills and Longonot National Park have led to the town’s development as a preferred getaway location, increasing demand for holiday homes in the area.

On the other cities, the report stated: “Casablanca, Morocco’s industrial and business center is home to numerous Moroccan and international companies, taking advantage of its close proximity to Europe and international trade routes.

The dynamic city is increasingly attractive to

Mass housing development

Abuja boasts good security and a favourable climate for business

Morocco’s young population, looking to settle down in a modern area with an abundance of employment opportunities.

“Jardins de Carthage is an attractive option for luxury

real estate developers, and house-hunters, looking to invest in upscale property.

With Tunisia’s largest airport, Tunis-Carthage located nearby, this modern, residential neighborhood has all of the necessary structures to attract foreign investors.

“The booming manufacturing sector in Ndola, situated approximately 320 kilometers north of Lusaka,presents an abundance of opportunities for industrial real estate, with no signs that the demand for local manufacturing will slow. The city is the industrial and commercial center of

Zambia’s copper-mining region and with one of the country’s three international airports located here, its strong transportation connections facilitate industrial development.

“Algiers, the capital of Algeria is emerging as an appealing location for investors. A suburb of Algiers, in northern Algeria, Bab Ezzouar, is one of the fastest growing areas of the city. Home to the most prominent technological university in the country, the University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene, the suburb has a vibrant, youthful community.”

FMBN promises to ease homeownership

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anaging Director of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr. Gimba Ya’u Kumo, has assured Nigerians that the bank would work to continue to provide quality and affordable houses to Nigeria and strive to improve its balance sheet.

He spoke in Abuja at the inauguration of a new board for the bank by Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, Minister of Lands Housing and Urban Development.

Ya’u Kumo, whose appointment was recently renewed, promised that the team would recapitalise the bank and improve the balance sheet structure to modify its standing as a financial institution.

According to him: “Our strategy will involve developing pro-active and

effective strategies to attract offshore funding for affordable housing to Nigerians as well as improving service delivery to NHF contributors across the country. We also plan to look at improvement of members of staff welfare across board to ensure a well motivated workforce and profitable operations.”

The FMBN boss said that the completion of ongoing housing estate projects under the Ministerial Pilot Housing Scheme nationwide and the completion of the Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Estate in Kaba District in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, will be vigorously pursued.

He assured the Federal Government and other stakeholders in the sector, of their determination to

sustain the cordial relationship they enjoyed in the previous years. “I use this opportunity to request that the same support and cooperation enjoyed by the previous executive management team be equally extended to the present team. As a returning member of the team, I have had the privilege of experiencing the various challenges facing the FMBN as well as the housing sector in general,” he said.

Earlier, Eyakenyi had noted that the essence of reconstituting the team of FMBN was to reinvigorate the bank and effectively reposition it to meet the present and future challenges and gave a fresh mandate to the management to make house ownership easier for most Nigerians.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 31

Interview

TECNO’s plant in Nigeria‘ll be ready this year —Okonkwo A

lthough many Original Equipment Manufacturers, (OEMs) in mobile phone segment and other devices operating in the Nigerian ecosystem have been struggling with infrastructural challenges, TECNO Mobile has summoned the courage to be the first to set up a manufacturing plant in the country.

In this interview with Jonah Nwokpoku , the Deputy General Manager, TECNO Mobile, Nigeria, Mr. Chidi Okonkwo while highlighting what their growing consumers should expect in 2015 and beyond said that the first phase of the factory will be completed by the end of the year.

Excerpt What should we expect from TECNO this year?

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his year, we expect to improve on what we did last year. We want to see that we have more marketing activities this year. Of course we expect more competition and even new entrants into the Nigerian market and we will definitely provide more interesting and innovative products into the Nigerian market. Of course we have been taking all sorts of survey in the Nigerian market to see how we can bring products that will reflect the Nigerian lifestyle.

We want to bring products that will contain what Nigerians need. So we will be launching a number of devices and there will be innovative marketing campaigns to back up these products that will be launched in the Nigerian market. We as a brand are also thinking seriously about Nigeria. This is because Nigeria is one of our biggest markets. And we have a huge investment plan in Nigeria.

Right now we are setting up a manufacturing plant in the country and we hope that the first phase of that factory will be completed by the end

of the third or fourth quarter of this year. And when this is achieved, it is going to provide a lot more employment opportunities for Nigerians and we hope that this will be done this year.

How much investment have you made in the manufacturing plant project?

There is a budget which I may not be able to disclose in public at this moment but the final investment figure will still be known by the end of the day. This project is something that our management is very keen and they are pushing very hard to ensure that it is achieved.

Doing business in Nigeria is very difficult given the infrastructure challenge, what are the challenges you expect and how you expect the authorities to come in?

One of the biggest challenges we are facing in

has always been supportive to us. We hope that we will get more government support in the future since we are fully committed to Nigerian market.

Is it a manufacturing or an assembling plant and

We have already secured the land and have started preparing the site at Epe in Lagos

Nigeria is fake or counterfeit TECNO products. We will appreciate if the authorities can continue to support us in fighting the influx of fake products into Nigerian market.

What kind of support exactly do you expect from government?

The Nigerian government

what is going to happen within the first phase of the project?

We are building both manufacturing and assembling plant. By the time we complete the first phase we should be able to start manufacturing and assembling TECNO phones in Nigeria. Don’t forget that

we are still at the preinvestment stage right now and we are collating all sorts of information to help us accomplish this. We have been working on this since last year. We have already secured the land and have started preparing the site at Epe in Lagos here where it is located and we have to go through to get the necessary approvals. We are making sure that we get everything ready to make sure that this project comes to fruition.

When exactly should Nigerians expect the first made in Nigeria TECNO phones?

It is expected that once the first phase of the plant is completed in the third or fourth quarter, we will have the first batch of made in Nigeria TECNO phones.

TECNO has been recording success in the Nigerian and other African markets where they operate, what can you say are those success factors? What has TECNO been doing differently?

At TECNO we have been working very hard to make sure that we bring in products that are needed by Nigerians. We as a brand, having been focusing on the African markets and we also have been focusing a lot on

the Nigerian market. We have our research and development team always around taking feedback about from our users and we try to produce phones that are tailored towards what the Nigerian consumer needs.

You will realise that our product is African/Nigeria centric, so that when you use our products, you will realise that they are truly made for the African market. Also things like our after sales support centres make it possible for our customers to get all the help they need since contact information are also loaded on our devices.

We make products that are truly relevant and needed by the Nigerian consumers.

Also we have tried to get close to the market and the consumers that we serve. We pay attention to what are needed in trying to ensure that these products are useful in the hands of the consumers. We have also built a very strong team in Nigeria that are supporting that are supporting our business all over the country. Again, don’t forget that our products, both our feature and smart phones come with whole lots of features that are comparable to our global competitors and yet people don’t have to rip their pockets to purchase these products. They are very affordable devices. This has made it possible for Nigerians to have access to products that are able to help them to do whatever they want to do on their mobile phones. These are the factors that have brought us to the level we are in today.

Does the affordability of TECNO devices resonate with high quality?

TECNO products are undoubtedly made with quality materials. And there is a proof of originality and authenticity of the products that you put out to sell and of course these products also undergo all sorts of approval processes through the regulatory bodies and government agencies in the country before they are sold in the Nigerian market. So before these phones are sold, we carry a lot of quality assurance tests on the products, to make sure that we are not bringing substandard products into the Nigerian market while keeping our products affordable. We want to see that more Nigerians use quality and affordable mobile devices to enhance their lifestyle wherever they are and in whatever they do.

32 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

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Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 33

34 —Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

Insurance

Diamond Bank appoints Ogbechie Chairman as Igwe Achebe retires

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iamond Bank Plc, last week announced the appointment of Dr. Chris Ogbechie as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors following the retirement of Igwe Ugochukwu Nnaemeka Achebe who has led the Board since January 1, 2007.

The Bank in a notice dated January 13, 2015, to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), titled: Change in Directorate – Resignation and Appointment of Chairman, Board of Directors, signed by NkechiNwosu, the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, disclosed that the Board of Directors of the Bank in a recent Board meeting, approved Igwe Achebe’s retirement and the appointment of Ogbechie as the new Chairman.

“We wish to inform you that the Board of Directors of Diamond Bank Plc at its meeting held on November 29, 2014, approved the retirement of IgweUgochukwuNnaemeka Achebe, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank effective December 31, 2014. In his stead, the Board unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Chris Ogbechie, a non-executive director, as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Diamond Bank, with effect from January 1, 2015.”

Igwe Achebe’s tenure as the Chairman of the Board was characterized with tremendous growth of the Bank in the quality of asset base and the entrenchment of the Bank as a leader in Retail Banking in Nigeria.

He successfully saw Diamond Bank through the entry of Actis -an institutional investor -in 2007, the Global Depositary Receipts (GDR) listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2009, the 2008 Global Economic Meltdown, and more recently, the Bank’s Rights Issue of 2014.

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Disciplined underwriting key in overcapitalised global reinsurance sector - A.M. Best Stories by ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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urrent conditions in the global reinsurance sector, which remains overcapitalised, demand that disciplined underwriting, be the focus of reinsurers, suggests a new report by A.M. Best.

The report stated that despite the reinsurance market’s ability to prove resilient, “Most companies continue to indicate that intense competition is leading to lower underwriting margins for certain lines of business, the need for disciplined underwriting now more than ever should remain the focus.”

The outlook for 2015 is clearly challenging, “With rates continuing to decline for some lines of business, terms and conditions becoming even broader, and ceding commissions increasing further,” the report stated.

“The orderly approach to risk selection appears to be working for global companies, and most are expected to remain cautious on the business they write as capacity remains high and the market becomes increasingly competitive “Companies that write predominantly reinsurance and focus on underwriting are in danger of reducing their books of businesses to levels that may render them less relevant in the market, which could lead to more merger and acquisition activity,” A.M. Best cautions.

Citing a number of acquisitions over the past year – including the January 2015 announcement that XL has entered a definite merger agreement to acquire Catlin – these are all examples “of the need for greater global scale and diversified product lines and distribution, replacing the days of specialty-focused reinsurance companies.

Companies with welldiversified businesses and a global reach likely will only get larger as smaller players put themselves up for sale or seek strategic partnerships to survive,” the report continues.

With regard to pricing, there was double-digit declines in certain lines of business in 2014. “Reinsurance pricing overall is expected to remain under pressure in 2015, given the lack of any price-changing event over the past few years.”

The report notes that January renewal pricing for property

AWARD - The Austin Epadi-Igbuku Lights on Foundation held its annual awards ceremony recently to promote academic excellence among secondary schools in Isoko, Delta state. Here is Mrs. Erezi Igbuku presenting award trophy to Miss Edhere Priscilla Oromena, for overall best student contracts was once again down 10 percent to 15 percent for both United States and European risk.

Other findings in the report include: with new capital and reduced reinsurance purchasing by some large cedents, market conditions are expected to remain challenging for the reinsurance business in 2015 and lead to further pressure on pricing,

The need for disciplined underwriting now more than ever should remain the focus

particularly in property and cat lines; favourable reserve releases and the lack of any major Cats over the past few years continue to aid combined ratios for the entire industry; given the strong capital positions of many companies, share buybacks are expected to remain a strategy for companies looking to improve returns for shareholders, and that will slightly offset some of the challenges companies face on the income side.

Lagos State partners UK Cambridge Hitachi to promote virtual learning

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s part of efforts to host the United Kingdom Cambridge-Hitachi, (C/H), centre in the state, the Lagos State Government has partnered C/H to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for the commencement of the Centre.

The state, through its team of three high level delegates, will meet with the Cambridge-Hitachi team at the University of Cambridge in UK in due course to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for the commencement of the Centre.

This was according to the Director, Local Organising Committee, Cambridge-Hitachi Virtual Teaching / Learning, Princess Adebukola Abike Oluderu.

Oluderu said that Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fasola, has taken the bold step to acquire 2, 000 multimedia interactive solution for the

tertiary and the secondary schools in the State.

Held last year in Lagos, the CambridgeHitachi round table meeting on education in Africa had yielded result with the Lagos State Government taking the lead as the first Cambridge-Hitachi virtual Teaching/ Learning Centre in Africa with Nigeria taking the lead.

Lagos State, through the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s readiness to host the centre. In the previous correspondences and the bid forwarded by the State, a special centre is approved for Lagos State based on her outstanding performances and availability of infrastructure already put in place for improving the educational sector.

Furthermore, Lagos State has given assurance to exceed the provision of interactive multimedia solution from the target of 1,500 to 2,000 classrooms.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 35

Micro-Finance

Commmodity Index Jan 09 - Jan 15, 2015

AMfB disbursed N10bn loan in 2014 Stories by PROVIDENCE OBUH

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c c i o n

Microfinance Bank (MfB) disbursed about N10 billion as loan in 2014 even as it celebrates loyal customers.

The loans were disbursed to 49,443 clients bringing the total loan disbursement from inception to date to N32.8 billion and the number of customers that joined the bank in 2014 from 64,845 to 86,665.

Speaking at the occasion of the bank’s Annual Customers’ Forum in Lagos, Managing Director/ CEO AMfB, Ms. Bunmi Lawson, revealed the figure, saying that Inspite of the challenging Nigerian economic environment in 2014, the bank has continued to do well, growing from strength to strength in the industry.

Some of the products lined up for customers in 2015 include: repackaging of the Group Loan product to address concerns; deploying more ATM machines for easy access to funds; spreading to other states.

Other products to help in addressing customers need include: SME, Agric, Education, PayGo, Housing, product for people with

disability and an additional insurance products and benefits in cases of flood, fire, burglary, permanent disability, death/burial, special product for the

The number of customers that joined the bank in 2014 increased from 64,845 in 2013 to 86,665

African MIV portfolio grew at 36% in 7yrs tool for economies with

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH with agency report

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eport has shown that the African M i c r o f i n a n c e Investment Vehicle (MIV) portfolio grew at 36 per cent between 2006 and 2013.

Meanwhile, from the year 2000 to 2014, the gross loan portfolio of African Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) expanded over tenfold to $6 billion, between 2003 and 2009, the number of borrowers served by MFIs in the continent also increased from 1.6 million to 8.5 million.

These numbers represent the development of an economic development

ARSO seeks to revolutionize Africa’s agro sector

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he African Organisation for Standardization (ARSO) has reiterated its commitment to revolutionizing Africa’s agricultural sector, saying that all hands must be on deck to adopt new technologies to help the continent move from reliance on food imports and secure food supplies through rapid sustainable increase in food production.

In a statement, ARSO explained that under ARSO THC 02, Agriculture and Food Products, chaired

by Tanzania with membership and experts from across the continent, it will help African countries revolutionise agriculture by addressing issues of handling, packaging, labelling, storage, processing and fulfill many of the broader requirements for producers to participate in global supply chains.

In the statement, DG, SON, Dr Joseph Odumodu, said that programmes are under way to help Africa produce high-value products; codify sustainable agricultural practices in order to address sustainability issues required to tackle environmental degradation, soil infertility, soil erosion, declining yields, increased pests and C M Y K

women folk, among others.

Accordingly, she said, “We will also continue to deliver and provide efficient, quality and seamless services through our numerous delivery channels and products. Access to loans, savings, collections and other services will be made simpler in the New Year.

Our staff will from this year capture data in the field, POS for collection will continue. We are also repackaging the Referral programme.

Lawson said that the

very small financial sectors and it is impressive progress for an undeveloped industry beset by sparse human capital, difficult governance and minimal external commercial interest.

According the report, “The African MIV portfolio grew at an average annual rate of 36 percent between 2006 and 2013. This compares with an average growth of 38 percent for investments in the Latin America and Caribbean region since 2006, and eight percent in both the Middle East and North Africa and South East Asia regions.

“African MFIs are attracting palpable interest from investors with a double bottom line. At the most recent meeting of the Financial Inclusion Equity Council (FIEC) in Zurich, social equity financiers, many of whom represent the expanded cohort of Africa investors, noted that there is strong interest to invest in Africa, which is seen as ripe for social impact investment, with potentially “eye watering” multiples.

AfriCap, which was the first private equity fund to invest exclusively in African microfinance institutions, and other m i c r o f i n a n c e investment vehicles (MIVs) funded by social investors have been a key growth factor through capitalizing MFIs and offering technical assistance and training.”

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36 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

Aviation

Discovery Air suspension: Passengers to get 25% rebate

By LAWANI MIKAIRU

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iscoveryAir Airline has said that the affected passengers on cancelled December 24th and 25th flights will be given a refund and 25 percent rebate on subsequent trips with the airline. This is coming as the management of the airline also said their suspension

from flight operations by Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, is not due to any technical problems in the operation of the airline, but due to flight delays and cancellation during last Christmas festive period.

This position was made known by Mr Babatunde Babalola, Chairman of Discovery Airline, while

addressing aviation reporters in Lagos. According to him, “ the airline’s Air Operators Certificate, AOC, was suspended due to flight delays and cancellations it experienced during last festive period.”

It will be recalled that Discovery Airways was last Tuesday suspended from operating any flight as its Air

Operator’s Certificate, AOC, was suspended by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA. This suspension would be in force pending the outcome of a comprehensive review of the Airlines operations to be carried out by NCAA. According to Babalola “We are addressing issues raised

by NCAA. We have got in touch with the passengers based on what the regulation says. Principally, we have to

deal with the customers who were not satisfied with our operations during the Christmas period.

“There are some passengers that complained to NCAA directly; some complained to us while some complained to their lawyers. We have engaged the ones who complained to us directly and gave them form to fill and put their account details; and we are going to refund their money and pay them 25 per cent rebate for subsequent trip as stipulated by the regulation” He added that passengers would still patronize the airline when it re-commences operations. “For those passengers that recognize our brand, they know the brand they fly.

I can tell you some people have been loyal to us and they still want to patronize us. I don’t see any reason people will not fly Discovery Air again. They know what we are made of. They know who we are.

Discovery Air is a growing airline and we will get to where we want,” he said.

Mr Sam Adurogboye ,

Arik Air resumes flights to Cotonou, Doula

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rik Air, will resume flight services to Cotonou, Benin Republic and Douala, Cameroon from today. Flight services between Lagos, Nigeria and Cotonou/Douala were suspended last year in the wake of the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in some parts of West Africa.

According to Arik Air’s Managing Director, Mr Chris Ndulue , “We are pleased to return to Cotonou and Douala after the brief period of suspension of flights. We thank our guests for their loyalty and promise that we shall not renege on our pledge to provide world-class experiences and services which are safe, reliable and continually contribute towards the quality of life in the region.”

Arik Air will be operating four weekly flights from Lagos to Cotonou and Douala on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 37

Tax Matters

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he operation of the a x law is universally administered. Every person (corporate or individual) is a taxable entity no matter how, when and what method is used to conduct the business.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has adequate mechanisms to assess and bring all taxable entities into the tax net.

Among these methods is cordial dialogues with stakeholders during enlightenment drives to achieve mutual understanding and promote voluntary compliance.

Registration by Taxable Persons Section 8(q) of the Federal Inland Revenue Service Establishment Act, 2007, directs the Service to issue a taxpayer identification number to every taxable person in Nigeria in collaboration with State Boards of Internal Revenue and the Local Government Revenue Boards. Section 8(1) of the Value Added Tax Act (VATA) Cap V1 LFN, 2004 as amended in 2007 also requires taxpayers (individuals, enterprises or corporates) to register for VAT. However, when the tax identification number (TIN) is generated, it suffices and covers all the tax types as no other registration number for any tax type will be required.

Reference to Section 8(1) of the VATA as amended, it is specifically stated that “A taxable person shall, within six months of the commencement of the Act or within six months of the commencement of business, whichever is earlier, register with the Board for the purpose of the tax (VAT).”

The phrase whichever is earlier, that specifies the time for registration, has caused a lot of pain for taxpayers in VAT administration. It is not practical to expect that a business just recently incorporated (say in 2011) to have registered in 1994 for the purpose of the tax. Hence, a business incorporated after 1994 is expected to register within six months of the commencement of business.

Therefore, penalties (and other sanctions) for late registration for VAT would start counting immediately after the six months of commencement of business if the taxpayer fails to register for VAT and not six months from the commencement of the VAT Act when the business was probably not in existence.

Historical Antecedents of VAT *VAT was first introduced t

Enhancing VAT voluntary compliance

as consumption tax in 1919 in Germany, France (1954), UK 1973 etc. *Introduction was occasioned by the impacts of 1st and 2nd World Wars. *The adverse effects of direct taxation on the economy, individuals and businesses. *The introduction of consumption tax was later modernized into VAT. *The high point of VAT is that it has no noticeable impact on the taxpayer because of its indirect nature.

VATable Income In arriving at what constitutes a VATable income, all income from sales, rentals, charges and fees relating to activities enjoyed by customers are VATable and should be charged with VAT. The law did not make provision for any activities or services that is non-VATable in the industry.

First Schedule of the Act stated Goods and Services Exempt from VAT in Nigeria.

The implication of the schedule is that any other business activity in the form of buying and selling or rendering of services or enjoying any rights which are not stated in the schedule are liable to VAT. Duration of Remittance All VAT charges should be remitted to an FIRS office within 21 days in arrears on a prescribed form 002. This is supported by Section 15 of the Act. Meanwhile, a taxable person who does not remit the tax within the time specified above, will be liable to 5% penalty and interest at commercial rate, added to the tax and the provision relating to collection and recovery of the unremitted tax, penalty and interest shall be

FIRS encourages voluntary compliance instead of the use of coercion

employed.

Similarly, a taxable person who fails to collect tax is to pay 150% of the amount not collected plus 5% interest above the Central Bank of Nigeria rediscount rate.

Concept of Voluntary Compliance FIRS encourages voluntary compliance instead of the use of coercion. Tax compliance relates to the degree to which a taxpayer complies (or fails to comply) with the tax rules of a country, for instance, by declaring income, filing returns and paying the tax due on or before the due date.

Voluntary tax compliance is a situation where a taxable person or entity files returns without the tax authority resorting to using the instruments of the law and force to ensure compliance.

It is voluntary when a taxable person discharges the statutory obligation of tax payment on self-conviction and as a call to duty without notice or reminder within

the time line allowed by law.

FIRS’ Means of Enhancing Voluntary Compliance *Through education and sensitization of operators. *Business owners should have open an mind and seek clearance from FIRS when in doubt and seek further legal advice when not satisfied. *Regular monitoring/audit visitations to check compliance and enlighten taxable entities on their roles and responsibilities. *FIRS ensures that the principle of know your tax payer (KYTP) is adhered to, so that it would be easy for taxpayers to reach schedule officers for information and guidance/assistance. *Regular provision of VAT forms 002 for monthly rendition of returns. *Encourage voluntary compliance to avoid infraction of the law. *Consistency and civil enforcement of the provisions of the tax law *Imposition of interest and penalties and enforce compliance where default occurs. *Improvement in the work process of the tax office to make compliance easier. *Compliance with the Taxpayer Identification Number requirements by business owners. *Monthly rendition of returns and payments on or st before 21 of each month in arrears, to the nearest FIRS office. *Proper documentation and record keeping of VAT charges taken at source, returns and payments vi-a-vis correct profiling of income sources. *Businesses should note that they are not the party suffering the VAT, but a mere

agent of collection and remittance. *It is better to charge wrongly and remit to FIRS, than not to charge at all, because when the actual liability is established, it is owner of the business that would bear the entire burden.

Consequences of NonCompliance *Out of the entire VAT Act, of 47 sections, about one third of the provisions are on offences and penalties. *Statute based consequences are highlighted from section 25 to 37 of VAT Act Cap VI, 2004 as amended in 2007. Some examples of offences and penalties are: failure to submit returns attract a fine of N5,000 for each month the failure continues. *Failure to collect tax attracts penalties of 150% of the amount not collected plus 5% interest above CBN rate. *VAT evasion attracts N30,000 or twice the amount of tax evaded whichever is greater or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years. *Failure to keep proper records of accounts would attract N2,000 fine for every month the failure continues. *Failure to issue tax invoice attracts fine of 50% of the cost of goods and services for which an invoice was not issued. *Offences by body corporate: Every officer, manager, secretary and other similar officer including partner in partnership shall be severely guilty of an offence under the act, etc.

Reputational Implication *Second categories of consequences of noncompliance are reputational and reporting risks. Apart from reputational damage arising from actions by FIRS to enforce compliance via distrain, search and seizure, and litigation, amongst others. *Reporting risk involves the imposition of interest and penalties. *All the interest and penalties imposed on any of the aforementioned offences would be enforced.

FIRS tries to avoid enforcing compliance because of the Service’s slogan, “Taxpayers are King” except on recalcitrant taxpayers. It is necessary to once again emphasize that nightclub and event center activities are not exempted from VAT. Consequently, taxpayers are encouraged to embrace voluntary compliance since the consequences of noncompliance are enormous; ranging from statute based sanctions to reputational damage/reporting risk.

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38 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

“History does not repeat itself; man does”. Barbara Tuchmann.

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igerian leaders in government, military or civilian, simply never seem to learn some lessons permanently.

They make the same mistakes over and over again – leaving observers wondering if there is not some truth to the assertion that black people are mentally inferior. After all, some of those we elected, or were imposed, as governors are among the “brightest and best” we have ever produced.

Yet, each change of baton from one Head of State, or one governor to another inevitably results in several abandoned projects. By definition, these are projects started by a previous administration, which was unable to complete it before departing, and which its successors then leave unfinished.

For frequent travelers through Okene from Lagos, Oyo and Ondo states, the classic example of an abandoned project stares them in the face as they turn from the road leading from Ibilo to enter Okene. There stands a project which was started during the Second Republic, 1979-1983, by the NPN Governor of then Kwara State (Kogi did not exist at the time). Whatever purpose it was supposed to serve is now shrouded in mystery. The former governor served only one term and was replaced by a UPN Governor in 1983 – whose tenure lasted only three months. That change of governors brought to an end

Return of abandoned projects a project on which mobilization fees had been paid and on which close to 70% of the contract sum had been collected. It remains today a monument to our collective irresponsibility.

Oyo State provides another example. Governor Alao Akala started a dualised road which would link the end of the Lagos-Ibadan Express Road with the Ibadan-Abeokuta Road at Apata and reduce the hold-

The alarm about abandoned projects is timely because apart from the change of governments nationwide, the revenue base is certain to shrink

up around Challenge. It was uncompleted when it was hastily commissioned by President Jonathan; and remains uncompleted till today. It may never be completed.

The really inexplicable and potentially abandoned project is situated in Akwa Ibom State – right in Uyo; that is the state capital. It is remarkable that all those not too familiar with developments in the state and who only visited AKS once or twice have failed to notice the imposing structure along Ikot Ekpene Road. It is supposed to be world class Specialist Hospital. Unless rescued by Governor Akpabio’s successor, it might turn out to be a world class abandoned project.

Started very early in 2007, the people were promised it would be completed before the end of the governor ’s first term. That first tern ended almost four years ago.

Meanwhile, several white elephant projects – Ibom Cinema, Stadium, Banquet Hall – had been completed and they now stand empty.

There are several reasons why the Specialist Hospital might go the way of the Okene and Ibadan structures. First, successors don’t want to pay for a contract when the benefits have long been collected by someone else.

Second, they instinctively

know that the contracts have most probably been inflated and they don’t want to pay the balance of the contract out of the funds entrusted to them.

More to the point, what makes the failure to complete the Uyo Specialist Hospital, in eight years, is the fact that Akwa Ibom State government became the first state to collect over N1 trillion from the Federation Account in four years in the history of Nigeria and it is on course to repeat the same feat from 2011 to 2015. So, why has a very critical service to the people of the state been neglected while billions were thrown into a cesspool called Tropicana Hotel? Lack of funds can certainly not be the excuse.

Meanwhile, the Federal government of Nigeria seems poised to add its own to the list of thousands of abandoned projects. The Lagos-Ibadan Express Road, which was belatedly started two years ago, might again be abandoned by contractors – if the Federal government fails to pay any time soon. The road had suffered many reversals in the past and the problems might not be over yet.

The alarm about abandoned projects is timely because apart from the change of governments, which will soon occur nationwide, the revenue base is certain to shrink with the price of crude

oil going down every day and an economic recession looming. Most out-going governors, if not all, will leave unfinished projects all over their states. Even if the party in power, at the moment retains the seat, it is not certain that the successors will continue with the projects inherited. If a new political party takes over, it is certain that the projects will be abandoned. Contractors owed by state governments and who have not been paid

by May 2015, will find it almost impossible to collect their debts.

That was the experience in 1983, when the military replaced civilians; it was again the experience in 1994 when Abacha sacked the governors after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections. History is about to repeat itself because Nigerians never learn from the lessons of history. The problem with an abandoned project is easily explained by referring to building half a bridge. It is not good for crossing and it ties down capital. Yet, this is what our leaders do all the time. For someone who has been an observer of the national economy since Gowon’s Udoji awards in the 1970s, the frustrating thing is that the same things are done by us, over and over, with terrible predictability and consequences. Invariably, “For every folly of their [leaders] the [Nigerian people] feel the lash”, Horace, 65-8BC, slightly amended.

E-commerce E-commerce: Nigerians decry dearth of legislations Continued from page 29 resulted to unpleasant experiences like identify theft and privacy invasion for consumers thereby throwing up bitter litigations for businesses and its resultant loss of income. These and other concerns have formed the basis for which most of these countries enacted laws to guard against unforeseen circumstances from ecommerce related activities.

E-commerce related privacy laws Such laws include The Data Protection Directive, a European Union directive which regulates the processing of personal information within the European Union and the

personal Data Privacy and Security Act US (2005 updated 2009) which provides criminal penalties for identity theft involving electronic personal data by: increasing penalties for computer fraud when such fraud involves personal data.

No e-commerce legislation in Nigeria However, despite the growing trend of electronic commerce in Nigeria, investigation has revealed that at the moment, there is no legislation targeted at e-commerce both for consumer rights protection, personal data protection and privacy invasion resulting from unauthorised use of personal information. Over the past four years, attempts at introducing such laws have

yielded little results. For instance in 2011, the electronic commerce bill was introduced at the National Assembly to cater to the exigencies of electronic transactions. Although the bill was intended to be modelled after the United Nations model law on ecommerce, the proposed legislation had limited scope and made no specific provisions for privacy and security concerns.

Investigation has revealed that at the moment, there is no legislation targeted at ecommerce

Instead, it made to clear the intricacies surrounding electronic contracts and signatures.

The cybercrime bill Other legislation included the Cybercrime bill which up until 2013 was still being considered at the National Assembly. The bill sought among other things to provide an effective and unified legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the prohibition, prevention, detection, prosecution and punishment of cybercrimes in Nigeria; ensure the protection of critical national information infrastructure; and promote cyber security and the protection of computer systems and networks, electronic communications; data and computer programs, intellectual property and

privacy rights.

Although it made provisions along these lines, experts say, it still leaves certain loopholes that did not make for effective data protection and privacy guarantees. For instance, they argue that the bill contained no definition of what constitutes personal data, no identification of the right to privacy, no definition of what constitutes data subjects rights, and no identification of the fact that organisations can also breach data protection rules. Others include that there was no provision for circumstances where the personal data needs to be utilised without the consent of the data subject, and no definition, or mandatory requirement of technical measures to mitigate data protection breaches.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 39

Business & Economy

Minimum capital: Fresh dialogue underway over implementation

By P eter Egwuatu Peter Nkiruka Nnorom

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here are indications that the Securities and E x c h a n g e Commission, SEC may softpedal on the implementation of new minimum capital base for capital market operators following the change of leadership in the commission.

Also, the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, has said that implementation of minimum operating standard for stock broking firms operating in the Nigerian capital market will commence by the December 31, 2015.

It will be recalled that the commission had extended the deadline for the recapitalisation of capital market operators from December 30. 2014 to September 30, 2015 under the leadership of the immediate past Director General, Ms. Arunma Oteh.

Vanguard gathered that some major capital market operators have concluded arrangement to meet with the new leadership of the commission led by Mr. Mounir Gwarzo and other government functionaries to discuss on the capitalisation issue as well as other incentives needed to attract investors and boost market activities.

It was gathered that some of the market operators will dialogue with key officials in government agencies to ensure proper alignment of the capital market to Nigeria Fiscal and Monetary policy implementation.

A source said “ It is not unlikely that the issue of recapilisation would be discussed again with the new leadership of SEC to see how the implementation can be soft-pedal or even the entire recapilisation requirement be restructured in a way that all operators would meet the minimum level without stress.

You know that the Acting Director General of SEC , Mr. Gwarzo has been an operator and a regulator , so he knows where the shoe pinches and would likely consider the views of operators when confronted.”

Speaking further, the source said “ Though, I believe that over 50 per cent of the operators have met the new capitalisation requirement, but we still believe that capitalisation should not be a major issue in the market

•Oscar Onyema especially for stock broking firms. We don’t need much of that capital to carry out our business. This is because we buy and sell based on clients’ order. This is part of the things that will be tailoured to the new leadership of SEC.” It will be noted that the apex capital market regulator increased minimum capital base for broker/dealer by 329 per cent from the existing N70 million to N300 million.

A Broking firm, which currently operates with capital base of N40 million, will now be required to have N200 million, representing an increase of 400 per cent.

Minimum capital base for dealer was increased by 233 per cent from N30 million to N100 million.

Also, issuing houses, which facilitate new issues in the primary market, will now be required to have minimum capital base of N200 million, as against the current capital base of N150 million. The capital requirement for underwriter also doubled from N100 million to N200 million.

A Registrar will now have a minimum capital base of N150 million, as against the current requirement of N50 million.

While the minimum capital base for corporate investment adviser remained unchanged at N5 million, individual investment advisers will have to increase their capital base by 300 per cent, from N500,000 to N2 million.

Meanwhile, on the issue of minimum operating standard by the NSE, the Chief Executive Officer of the exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema said that only

•Albert Okumagba, CIS president

We still believe that capitalisation should not be a major issue in the market especially for stock broking firms

stockbroking firms that meet the minimum operating standard would be allowed to continue operating in the market at the expiration of the deadline.

The guidelines on the Minimum Standard requirements for Operations of Broker Dealers address the following five broad areas and provide the minimum standards expected in the operations of all Broker Dealers in the Nigerian capital market: manpower and equipment; organizational structure and governance; effective processes; global competitiveness; and technology.

According to the guideline obtained by Vangaurd, a broker/dealer firm is expected to have efficient human resource to see to the daily

operations of the firm in order to ensure effective service delivery and risk control, adding that it is essential that it employs high quality staff that should be adequately supervised where required.

This, according to the Exchange, will prevent exposure of the business to avoidable actions and unscrupulous practices which in turn threaten the integrity of the market. Furthermore, it stated that building capacity also requires continuous training of staff, while stipulating the standard academic qualification to be attained by different officers in a stockbroking firm.

On the minimum equipment required a dealing member firm, the NSE stated that sufficient office space and other materials regularly used in offices by businesses and other organizations for smooth operations should be in place.

Such include small, expendable items in daily use to furniture, machines and other higher-cost equipment.

The following minimum equipment items are recommended: an accessible office with decent ambience, space and meeting rooms; photocopying machine/ scanner, adequate power supply with adequate backup; decent ambience, including table and chairs for staff and clients; fire proof cabinets and safe; desk telephone and/ or dedicated GSM line, help desk and operational vehicle.

The operational structure, the NSE stated in the guideline, should determine how the roles, power and responsibilities are assigned, controlled, and coordinated, and how information flows between the different levels of management.

The organizational structure is influenced by the objectives and strategies of the firm and is manifested in the operations and performance of the firm, among other stipulated guidelines.

The interpretation guidelines released by the NSE prior to this time explained that broker dealers are high risk operators by the nature of their business. The guideline has it that although market activity has risen significantly for a number of dealing member firms, their operating standards have remained the same.

The NSE said in the guidelines, “Many have not established structures commensurate with the growth of their businesses, the capital market’s challenges and the associated risks.

BP oil spill smaller than feared

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P faces a fine of up to $13.7 billion after a US judge ruled that the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill was smaller than initially feared.

His ruling put the spill at 3.2 million barrels - the US government had estimated it at 4.09 million barrels. It shields the oil giant from what could have been a $17.6 billion fine. A final figure is expected later this month. The case relating to the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion was heard in New Orleans.

In his ruling the judge said BP’s response to the disaster had not been grossly negligent. However, he stuck to his earlier decision that it had been grossly negligent leading up to the explosion, in which 11 men aboard the drilling rig were killed. BP is appealing against that decision.

These latest penalties under the US Clean Water Act would be in addition to more than $42 billion BP has set aside or spent already on clean-up, compensation and fines. The company has sold at least $39bn in assets since the spill.

US consumer prices post biggest drop in 6 years

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.S. consumer prices recorded their biggest decline in six years in December and a gauge of underlying inflation failed to rise, which could make the Federal Reserve more cautious about raising interest rates.

Other data on Friday, however, suggested the economy was still poised for solid growth despite the soft inflation readings, with factory output rising last month and consumer sentiment hitting its highest level in 11 years in January.

The Labor Department said on Friday its Consumer Price Index fell 0.4 percent last month, the largest drop since December 2008, after sliding 0.3 percent in November. In the 12 months through December, CPI increased just 0.8 percent, the weakest reading since October 2009, and a sharp deceleration from November’s 1.3 percent rise.

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40 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

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Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 43

Advertising

Telecom glitches: Consumers lose heavily despite tariff crash Stories By PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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elecommunications consumers in the last few months to the end of 2014 experienced deluge of poor service which trickled down to the early part of 2015.

For example, many subscribers in the last quarter of 2014 had complained of increased re-vibrated calls, call clashes, SMS charges without delivery, failed data charges, calls from encoder without the decoder hearing from the encoder which has been the stock in trade of service providers overtime.

These situation was attributed to the recent promotion embarked upon by the providers. The Airtel red hot promo, MTN’s cash quest and Glo overload and Glo Allawee, which gives subscribers N18,000 free airtime was said to have compounded glitches in networks, which has led to many subscribers dropping recharges for a while, particularly for a network that has major glitch at the recharging time.

Recently, a mild drama occurred in a family in Lagos where a family was thrown into confusion , when a husband could not be reached owing to network challenges, the husband’s phone had replied the wife that it was switched off, which the wife misinterpreted.

Another was a situation the wife’s phone was believed to be busy when actually her phone was on, while the husband misconstrued it to mean she was not sincere with their relationship.

In 2003, it was reported that the attack on communications facilities by the Boko Haram sect in Borno state was responsible for the lull in network performance, today the situation is different, which has kept subscribers wondering what the challenges are, but that providers are not sincere with their social contract with subscribers.

A glimpse into the telecommunications market show that service providers are not making efforts to right their wrong even in the face of serious network challenges which has also led to abortion of some contractual agreements.

Meanwhile, it appears that the ban laced by the Nigeria C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Commission, NCC when

On the part of Glo consumers it was no different story from what other subscribers have complained about same problem persisted as a result of barrage of promotions by the providers some years back, may have to be revisited by the commission.

These challenges moved Vanguard to town to test the pulse of consumers. In the 125, 000 subscribers spoken to

across the networks, they said despite the crashed tariff, poor services still persist.

A subscriber, Martin Orhii, an Airtel subscriber attributed the congestion to the promotions embarked upon by the service providers, where customers want to participate at the same time, which invariably has led to the challenges on the networks.

Andrew Owei is of the same view with the above subscriber who called for withdrawal of the promotions to enable consumers enjoy services paid for.

Of the 125,000 respondents interviewed across Nigeria, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Imo, Enugu, Rivers states, during September to December 2014 and part of January 2015

revealed that 55 respondents who are Airtel subscribers were bitter with the network’s service of which they say the network customer service is wonderful at relating with what they call premium subscribers whom they monitor to find out how the network is performing, neglecting other of their subscribers to wallow in congestion occasioned by poor service.

The other 45 respondents said MTN has the same problem associated with other service providers, during the period under review of which they complained of the voice call service, re-vibrated calls and data services.

On the part of Glo consumers it was no different story from what other subscribers have complained about, 35 of the respondents said Glo data services needs improvement, of which eight of the respondents said they had to opt out of their service to switch to another provider where they got a little respite which was also short lived.

Some dealers in major network cards, noted that patronage to telecommunication services in Lagos dropped by over 30 percent particularly at Christmas period when business was expected to flourish.

The distributors blamed the slow nature of business on

How par tnership, ef fective communication drive brand loyalty T he success of many global brands that are household names today is possible because they mastered the art of creating highly attractive partner and customer value propositions. Brands, through effective communication have endeared themselves to consumers and increased their market share.

The publicity and goodwill generated around the recent partnership between Chivita 100% and Manchester United football club is a testament to how effective communication strategies have not only endeared consumers to the fruit juice, but also helped increase sales. The partnership has created massive exposure and visibility for the Chivita 100% brand through an effective online, television, print and

outdoor campaign in recent times.

From positive reviews of the partnership in major television sports programmes, newspapers and digital platforms to visible outdoor presence on prominent billboards and Rapid transport buses, the publicity strategy has been effective in creating affinity and sustaining loyalty for the brand. Already, publicity around the partnership is generating tangible results through increased traffic to the very popular Chivita 100% Page on Facebook.

Communication of the partnership has ensured that the number of likes on the page crossed the 200, 000 threshold and is currently approaching 250,000.

According to Chi Limited’s Head of Marketing, Probal Bhattacharya, the company developed a communication strategy for publicizing the partnership which has been effective. “For us at Chi Limited, our style of placing premium on our consumers cannot be compromised and it drives the way we engage with them through advertising strategies that are informative, exciting and rewarding.”

“We embarked on the journey to adopt a 360 degree marketing philosophy and engagement platforms that are veritable and accessible to our consumers. We are happy that through the communication mix deployed for the campaign, the consumer response has been very encouraging.”

Airtel TV show, ‘Touching Lives’ premieres

T

he newly launched Airtel Reality TV show; “Touching Lives” has premiered on Africa Magic Channel 154.

The show according to report does much more in putting a human face to the struggles and challenges of everyday Nigerian. The reality of our lives is that it is always hard to judge the actual depth of the daily lives of others who are not within our range, so Touching Lives has, by just one episode, magnified this without coming across as being cliché or judgmental.

There is a lot to like and learn from Touching Lives, particularly the ambitious scope of the project that its creator Airtel Nigeria and the show host Wana Udobang have mapped out.

The opening montage music, which is absolutely essential to the series and might have been its makeor-break element, is expertly overseen by Olawale Olapetan, who acts as both musical director and songwriter.

Cussons Baby Competition: Search for winner begins

F

ollowing the submission of entries for the Cussons Baby Moments Competition 2, which commenced a few months ago, the search has begun for the baby who will emerge the winner. This edition saw a total of 298 entries as opposed to the maiden edition of 202.

According to the Brand Manager, Miss Oluwaseun Ayeni, the selection criteria for Season 2 will be in 4 stages comprising a combination of public votes and selection by an independent panel of judges. st She said “the 1 stage was the determination of the top 50 with the highest number of likes on Facebook while the 2nd stage will see the judges prune down the top 50 to the best 20 based on the personalities, appeal and fit to brand essence. Stage 3 is expected to take the shortlisted top 20 back to Facebook where the public will have the opportunity to decide who the best 10 will be. Stage 4 is the grand finale where the eventual winner will be decided by the judges”.

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44— Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 Email:lesleba@lesleba.com, lesleba@gmail.com Blog page:www.lesleba.com/blog2 Website: www.lesleba.com Tel:0805 220 1997

“In the medium to longterm, addressing truly economic transformation becomes imperative.

Alignment between annual budget, medium –term framework and long-term national plan needs to be put in place; there should be a legal provision to issue dollar coupons to state governments as often advocated by economist Henry Boyo, to reduce or eliminate liquidity problems and bank’s dubious profits,” Sherriffdeen A. Tella.

The above is an excerpt from the concluding part of a recently published article titled “Addressing Nigeria’s Bleak Economic Outlook in 2015"; the author Sherifdeen Tella, is a Professor of Economics at the Olabisi Onabanjo University. Tella’s endorsement of our advocacy for a reformed payments system provides a refreshing reassurance that the totality of our minds has not become ensnared in a lethargic spell that restrains us from rational judgement, even when it pertains to the choices of the critical processes that determine the success of our economy and our chances of halting deepening poverty nationwide.

Sadly, the proposal for the adoption of dollar warrants coupons for the allocation of dollar derived revenue has been in the public domain since 2002. Indeed in August of that year, my colleague, Adiagofua Ojomaikre and I made a formal presentation on the beneficent economic multiplier impact of abolishing the “traditional” process in which the CBN unilaterally fixes a Naira exchange rate, before creating fresh Naira values as allocations in replacement of distributable dollars.

In our presentation to the National Economic Intelligence Committee (NEIC), we explained how

possibly over 50 million unemployed citizens, with youths constituting a high proportion of the jobless, but regrettably, the EMT appears unwilling to stand on the side of the people by also affirming that the adoption of dollar warrants will rapidly realign the forces for inclusive economic growth in our favour.

Although both Prof. Tella and NISER raised an issue on the legality of the use of dollar certificates, I do not however see that such a payment process contradicts the provision in section 162 of the 1999 Constitution (amended).

That section reads as follows: “The Federation shall maintain a special account to be called “THE FEDERATION ACCOUNT” into which shall be paid ALL REVENUES COLLECTED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION, except the proceeds from the personal income tax of the personnel of the armed forces of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry or department of government charged with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

It is clear from the foregoing that CBN is vested with the responsibility for paying allocations according to ratios which are constitutionally enshrined but the Constitution certainly does not preclude States and other government agencies from operating a domiciliary bank account for the custody of their forex earnings.

Indeed, if the laws currently permit every Nigerian citizen to operate a domiciliary account, it would be unconscionable for Sates and other agencies of government to be excluded from such liberty or privilege.

ECONOMY: LET’S DO IT RIGHT this unfortunate payments strategy poisons the system and makes inclusive economic growth unattainable.

Not surprisingly, NEIC Council members to whom we made the presentation did not fault our observations and conclusions on the distortional impact of the surplus cash syndrome instigated by CBN’s monthly injections of hundreds of billions of additional Naira values into the money market. They recognised such a payments process ‘inadvertently’ also engenders a systemic Naira surfeit which instigates disturbingly high rates of inflation as well as oppressive interest rates to the real sector, particularly the Small and Medium Enterprises which are the critical drivers of job creation and increasing productivity.

Over six months after the presentation, however, NEIC’s answer to our request, , for a feedback on the proposed further consultation with President Obasanjo and critical members of the Economic Management Team, was promptly given the following bewildering response in the their letter of 25th March, 2003, which read as follows: “The National Economic Intelligence Committee acknowledges receipt of your letter dated 8th March, 2003, on the above subject matter. Also the two attached papers: Economists as Soothsayers and Nigeria’s Unlimited Supplies of Capital were received. The NEIC notes that you have already contacted Mr. President and the Governor of the Central Bank on the same subject matter. This development forecloses further consideration of your proposal by the Committee until Mr. President concludes his

consultation on the matter.”

Subsequently, my colleague and I sent copies of the paper titled “A LIBERALIZED FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET: “A Proposal for a Liberalized Foreign Exchange Market in Nigeria and its Economic Benefits” to the Heads of Department of at least 12 Nigeria Universities for evaluation and feedback; sadly, there was no response or acknowledgment from our Ivory Towers, even though the

It would be unconscionable for states and other agencies of government to be excluded from such liberty or privilege

mails were all delivered by DHL courier.

Indeed, the Head of Economics in a prime Nigerian University hurriedly shooed us out of his office, after we introduced the object of our mission. Similarly, NISER’s (Nigerian Institute for Economic & Social Research) concluding response to our paper in their letter of December 2, 2002 is as follows: “The study does not recognise the constitutional provision for the collection and maintenance of the Federation Account”. Also, “The study suggests that

earners of dollars (public and private) should be able to sell when necessary through their bankers. I think this may further compound the existing information asymmetry in the foreign exchange market especially, if for example, the three levels of government – federal, state and local governments – are allowed to trade with their revenue allocations (in dollars) at the foreign exchange markets through their bankers.”

Over 12 years have rolled by since our engagement with NEIC and NISER, and despite the unceasing advocacy in weekly Newspaper columns and countless interviews on Radio and Television, surprisingly, the Academia has remained totally mute despite of the clear reality that existing monetary strategies were taking us nowhere.

The foregoing may explain why I consider Prof. Tella’s recent public endorsement of the proposal for adoption of dollar warrants as a very courageous decision which probably distinguishes him as a true scholar with the pursuit of TRUTH as his Northern Star!

Hopefully, Tella’s intervention will bring forward other lovers of truth to support the adoption of a reform that has the potential of positively changing our lives, by throwing overboard the oppressive burden of ever surplus Naira so that low inflation and interest rates will become achievable to drive consumer demand and spur rapid industrial expansion with more job opportunities.

The Economic Management Team certainly recognises that high inflation and interest rates are the wrong medicines for an economy that has

Save the Naira, Save Nigeria!!

Business & Economy FG must give greater incentives for local production — Agbakoba

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

S

enior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba has said that the federal government must give greater incentives to local industries to ensure growth in the production.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos, Agbakoba said that government policies in the past has not been favourable to local productive sector, stressing the greater intent in terms of tax holiday, conducive environment and the right C M Y K

policies to protect them.

He also blamed government hike on duties and taxes on certain goods as a disservice to the economy rather than the discouragement of Nigerians from the importation of such goods.

He charged government to make duties, charges and taxes on such selected cargoes competitive with what is obtainable in the sub-region to discourage the shipment of Nigerian bound goods to neighbouring ports.

He explained that it is the same principle of cheap goods that the government of China

is using to dominate the world’s trade today.

Government should work at achieving the same principle in the nation’s international trade, especially with the falling oil price that is threatening the 2015 budget.

He further said that the nation’s policy framework is outdated as it has not been reviewed in the last 28 years, resulting in ports in the country becoming uncompetitive and shippers been dominated by foreign interest.

Omoh Gabriel Babajide Komolafe Clara Nwachukwu Peter Egwuatu Yinka Kolawole Favour Nnabugwu Godwin Oritse Godfrey Bivbere Michael Eboh Franklin Alli Ifeyinwa Obi Rosemary Onuoha Nkiruka Nnorom CONTRIBUTORS Princewill Ekwujuru Jonah Nwokpoku Naomi Uzor Providence Obuh LAYOUT

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Group Business Editor Deputy Business Editor Energy Editor Asst. Business Editor Snr Bus. Correspondent Insurance Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Energy Reporter Industry/Agric. Reporter Maritime Reporter Insurance Reporter Capital Market Reporter

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Media/Marketing E-Commerce Industry Micro Finance Graphics Department

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Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 45

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46—Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014 VISIT: L-r.

Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State presenting a plaque to the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Stanley Ogoigbe during a courtesy visit on the governor at Government House in Yenagoa.

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel (middle) with the state party chairman, Paul Ekpo, at the dedication of the candidate's project at the Qua Iboe Church, Uyo, yesterday

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Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 47

48—Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

FOLLOWING an interactive session with the management of Vanguard Media Limited in his office in Calabar, Cross River State last Wednesday, Governor Liyel Imoke, winner of Vanguard’s Best Tourism Development Award, 2014, fielded questions on the ongoing national political campaigns, his perspective on the power situation in the country among other issues. Excerpts:

I don’t play God — Gov Imoke people who are leading campaigns who were arrested by the EFCC. So, you will remember some of those facts. Were they corrupt? Are they corrupt now?

Do you have that feeling that the PDP for the first time since 1999 may actually lose the presidential election?

No I don’t. Why? Elections are won in states and the PDP is still the dominant political party in the country. All politics is local and if you look at the number of states that the PDP controls; and those are numbers that count. Yes, you have two or three states in APC hands that have huge population and that is where you may consider as an advantage or disadvantage. But fortunately for us as a party, those states are largely cosmopolitan and those populations do not necessarily represent an ethnic group inclined towards a particular political party.

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

W

HAT is your perspective of the issues being raised by the president and his challenger in the presidential contest?

I think I will appreciate it if the campaigns are more issue based.

Unfortunately, they are not really issue based. We have limited the problems of Nigeria to basically security and corruption.

Unfortunately for us, the campaign is not addressing key issues like unemployment, education, healthcare, social services and welfare. If you compare this to a campaign anywhere else...campaign is about the people. Obama would win or lose an election on Obamacare, healthcare. A governor should win or lose an election for example on the falling standard of education.

For us in Nigeria we have just limited it to Boko Haram and corruption.

So, you don’t think that security and corruption are major issues?

They are major issues but how do you solve them and how did they come about? Is there any relationship between insecurity and poverty?

Insecurity and poverty Or we should insulate security and think that that is the beginning and end of the challenge? Those are some of the things that we see in 2015 that unfortunately for us should not be the content of discourse. If you look at the issue of corruption, we have tried to define corruption as the greatest challenge to our development.

Corruption exists, no doubt about it, it must be tackled. But look at corruption historically and see what exactly we have done in the past to tackle corruption and how much success we had with those approaches. It is time we look at a different approach to tackling corruption. Or are we just happy to see people arrested, detained

Incumbent government

•Imoke:

and maybe, six months later we forget about those people.

Unfortunately, the reality is not being addressed.

How do you score your party, PDP in tackling these three issues, corruption, insecurity and the economy? Has the PDP done well?

Yes. I think so. Look at insecurity. It was a PDP government that resolved the crisis in the Niger Delta. Why? Because there was room for discourse. When you say insecurity now, you have extreme fundamentalism which is a global phenomenon. Why do we want to isolate Nigeria and say that what we have is a security challenge that we can overcome overnight? We have a security challenge in a particular part of the country that is obviously completely different from our previous experience.

So, in tackling that problem you deploy resources that are not exactly designed to deal with the former challenges. America had a challenge of 9/11 and a new department of Homeland Security comes into existence because of the nature of the challenge. So, it was not the American army or the US navy that tackled some of those challenges.

They said ‘we have a new challenge so we have to get a

new approach to solving it.’

That is the reality. Deploying soldiers to deal with the terrorist challenge has not been done anywhere in the world. I know that this administration is training special forces in a completely different way to deal with the challenge.

Building of institutions

in the world.

In fact, it allows the EFCC to do what they do, exhibit you publicly without even an indictment not to talk of a conviction and you now have the challenge of proving the corruption.

Today, we celebrate a lot of people who had been arrested.

If you go to 2007, I don’t want to mention names but think of

Unfortunately for us we play up politics at the risk of the society.

If you look at corruption for example, even the so called references to Transparency International and our corruption perception have improved under the Jonathan administration and that is because they are building institutions that can make it more difficult for you to steal.

It is not about catching a man with a billion naira and celebrating that, meanwhile, you are losing ten billion through inefficiencies in your system and people are getting away with that ten billion, but they have celebrated the politician who you alleged stole a billion. In Nigeria we celebrate alleged corruption.

A man gets invited and is detained for allegations, the man has no right and he dare not sue.

Indeed, the EFCC law is the most draconian law in Africa and indeed one of the most draconian

Another thing you mentioned is performance. In all honesty, I would not underrate the first term of the Jonathan administration in terms of achievements

So, I think that those people are still reasonable. So, a lot of people who may have supported the PDP do not see the APC as the alternative. What you will see is that our strength is what will take us to the election.

Of course as an incumbent government we do have certain advantages and any incumbent government in the world always has such. We still have the numbers that we require both in the National Assembly and in the states. So anybody doing a proper analysis should take these into consideration.

But a number of PDP governors are also disgruntled?

That affects both parties. That governors are there and he must be very short-sighted. I don’t think we will lose the general election.

You were once a close associate of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Yes. What is your feeling on his comments on President Jonathan’s suitability for a second term?

What are his comments?

He has said that the president reach an agreement not to go for a second term he has flayed the president for poor performance, not tackling insecurity and accused the president of fondling corrupt persons I think one of the things is the corruption issue. We have these institutions set up by President Obasanjo, currently manned by appointees of President Obasanjo. Lamorde only became chief executive of EFCC under

Continues on page 49

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015—49

Why Jonathan 'll win Feb poll — Imoke Continues from page 48 President Jonathan, but he was an appointee of President Obasanjo and worked with Ribadu.

I am not aware where the EFCC prosecuted anybody where the PDP government of President Jonathan intervened. One thing I must give to President Jonathan is that he does not use those institutions for political witch hunting.

Another thing you mentioned is performance. In all honesty, I would not underrate the first term of the Jonathan administration in terms of achievements.

Yes, 1999 we were coming out of military rule and it was difficult to make a headway. It was in 2003 that a lot of what we celebrate today came to being. But under the Jonathan administration, they came in running, they didn’t come in writing a new blueprint.

So, if you go and look at accomplishments as an administration, I dare to say they have done very, very well.

Management of propaganda The challenge for the PDP is managing the propaganda, the perception and off course the focus on intangibles, he is corrupt and I can call everyone here now, corrupt..

Who is saying that?

Everybody is saying that. That we are dealing with corruption.

It is not a tangible thing that you can measure.

Let’s move to tangibles. As chairman of the Technical Board of NEPA, you raised the country’s power generation to 4,000 MW and you left in 2007.

What is the current output?

Tell me.

I don’t know, you should have an interest.

I have an interest in being governor of Cross River! I cannot know the current power generation, but I will tell you something and this is something that I warned about. I said that on no account should we expect to define power supply in terms of megawatts. When NIPP started I said this is replacement capacity and people said what did you mean by that?

My response was that we are talking of Kainji, Shiroro, Afam and all that and they are all 30, 40 years old and you haven’t put in any new capacity and that as these new stations come on, that they would be replacing the old plants that are taking themselves out because of age.

It is like you having a generator in your house which you have used for ten years and it is now suffering and not able to

generate at maximum capacity and you didn’t buy another one until the older one packs up.

So, what you thought was the output from the new generator that would add to the family energy needs because the family has grown, now becomes simply a replacement and that is what we have been doing.

We are actually replacing old capacities that had taken themselves out, you cannot repair them any more. You have repaired and maintained and cannot do any more!

So, we are going to go through that phase and unfortunately for us, though it was a PDP government, we now queried the power projects, shouted corruption, and all the power projects died for two years and we came back. The whole idea was that in between the time that you privatise which would take several years, while the economy is growing, you needed to bring in the NIPP plants to keep the system stable until private sector is confident to start investing.

That was the whole idea.

So, it is very easy to say that you haven’t improved, meanwhile, you have added tremendous capacity into the system. Also, you have accomplished something that has never been done in the world, you actually privatised your power system within one year. It has never happened anywhere on earth. Go to

No! I never even wanted to be governor. That is how far from the truth this whole thing was

•Imoke: The challenge for the PDP is managing the propaganda

England, Venezuela, India, there is nowhere in the world where we have privatised within one year. That is a great accomplishment.

One thing that has crossed my mind but God forbid, in two years time there will be a lot of power because of the privatisation. But God forbid that President Jonathan is not in office. Guess what they will say? That PDP was in government and somebody else will come and take the glory and you cannot convince anybody that it wasn’t the new government.

Addition of real capacity In two years time I reckon we are going to see new capacities because we have now past the stage of replacements and we will now be adding real capacity especially with what is happening in the oil and gas industry with crude oil prices coming down, I see an opportunity for that sector. It will happen but we pray that it will happen under the administration of the man who has made it possible.

There used to be this famed closed power group consisting of Senator Imoke, Donald Duke, Victor Ndoma-Egba and Gershom Bassey. What happened to it?

Perception! Perception of a closed power group in Cross River.

Was there actually an agreement that Duke, Imoke and Gershom Bassey would govern the state in turns?

No! I never even wanted to be governor. That is how far from the truth this whole thing was.

When we started, I would be honest with you. We started in Lagos, I invited all the young people in Lagos to look at Cross River and that was where I

reacquainted with Donald. He came to those meetings just as Gershom came to those meetings. The difference probably was that I knew Gershom in England long before I met Donald.

We started this in 1996 but it wasn’t a three man affair. Three of us didn’t sit down and plan it.

I planned it and invited everybody. Our relationships with all these people have remained strong. My own idea was that I wanted to confront the traditional establishment in Cross River.

The traditional establishment in those days used to say that nobody from Efik could become governor, the traditional establishment used to say things like only those from a particular group could become governor and they had some powerful big men.

Powerful big men Inviting all those people to be part of the process, we had to identify someone to be governor and because I wanted to challenge the system and because Donald had been commissioner for finance, I urged him to run.

Everybody said it was impossible at the time. At that time, I even wanted a deputy governor to come from the North and I identified one of us to run for deputy, but in the course of this, the person I had identified believed we couldn’t win and I needed to find a strong person to run and so, I went to the central, and the person I identified was someone I thought would succeed Donald, but unfortunately, he had disagreements with Donald and subsequently, he passed on. So, for me, I really had no

plans to be governor. It was following from all of these and I came under tremendous pressure.

There was no arrangement with Gershom whose general preference was that not all of us friends must run for governor.

There was never, ever an agreement.

Given this scenario, how did you feel when Governor Duke alleged about only two monkeys chopping in Cross River?

For me, I have my own rules, my own standards in politics and I stand by them. I don’t think you would hear me publicly run down even my opponents. It is not something that I would discuss or respond to. As an individual, I would never go to such lengths of anyone whether the person is close to me, has worked with me, is a member of my party or even my opponent. I think there must be decorum and minimum standards.

I watched it and I was surprised, but that is what life is all about.

Have you spoken to him since then?

What will he tell me?

About the monkeys?

What will he tell me? We saw it live on TV. It is alleged that the president begged you to return Senator Ndoma-Egba to the Senate but that you stamped your feet against the suggestion. Is it true?

I don’t know where people get these powers? This is the thing about our polity that I am very concerned about, where people on their own allegedly beg you and say this person can go back and another person no. I don’t play God, it is about the people.

50—Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

During Buhari’s time, how many Nigerian’s had telephone lines?

— Jonathan

Jonathan and Buhari in Enugu:

Different strokes

IT was different strokes for President Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, respectively the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and All Progressives Congress, APC when they visited the Coal City State on two successive days

Buhari, during his ten minutes speech, did not once mention President Jonathan

penultimate weekend.

The PDP presidential flag bearer came on Friday, January 9 while Buhari came the following day. Their messages were mixed.

•President Goodluck Jonathan; Vice President Namadi Sambo and Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu during a rally in Enugu

•APC Presidential Candidate, Maj-Gen Muhammudu Buhari (retd) and his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo at a rally in Enugu

By Francis Igata HE president was escorted to the rally at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu by a large entourage that included his wife, Patience, Vice President Namadi Sambo, national chairman of the party, Adamu Mu‘azu, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives Rep. Emeka Ihedioha, director-general of the PDP Presidential campaign, Senator Ahmadu Ali. Also present were Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, former Governor Peter Obi, former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, Senator Gil Nnaji, national officers of the party, Enugu state executive council members, Local Government Chairmen.

The president’s focus at the rally was on the personality of his challenger firing from all cylinders at Buhari’s actions and inactions as head of state between 1984 and 1985. He remarkably did not line up any new initiative for the people of Enugu.

Chiding Buhari, he said, “Ask him, when he was Head of State, did he buy one single rifle for the Nigerian military, Navy and Airforce?

Buhari’s promise on infrastructure, wealth creation

T

“Today under my administration, the Navy now has additional three frigates compared to one they had since Independence.”

“When Buhari was Head of State, he never appointed any woman into his cabinet. Our women had all the experience and qualifications at that time but he never gave them a chance. If you vote for Buhari, you will die in the kitchen.

“During Buhari’s time, how many Nigerian’s had telephone lines? But today, over 90 million Nigerians have phone lines in a digital age. What would Nigerians want in a man who is over 70 years and may not be able to remember his phone number?

“Buhari was more interested in throwing people to jail than revamping the economy. Go and ask Jim Nwobodo, former Governor of old Imo and Anambra State. He was jailed 301 years before successive administration released him.

Former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme and Sam Mbakwe got their fair share too.

You cannot run a country like a medieval King.” Not done decimating his opponent, Jonathan read portions of Babangida’s coup speech with the concentration of a student just about to get into an examination hall.

Agbaje’s townhall meetings

By Dapo Akinrefon

T

HE two major candidates in Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode of the APC and Jimi Agbaje of the PDP have adopted different strategies to reach the electorate in Nigeria’s most populated state.

While Ambode kicked off his quest with a mammoth rally at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral open field in Ikeja, Lagos last Wednesday, Agbaje has for now resorted to town hall meetings with the electorate.

Last Friday, Agbaje was in the IbejuLekki axis of the state where he met with community leaders, market women,

artisans, motorcyclists (Okada riders), religious leaders and traditional rulers among others. Aside, Ibeju-Lekki, the governorship candidate has visited Ikeja, Surulere, Badagry, Mushin and Lagos Island council areas.

Explaining why he decided to embark on the town hall meetings in Badagry, Agbaje said “at rallies, there is no time to talk much, we only dance and say one or two things. But at town hall meetings, we invite artisans, market women, religious leaders, community leaders and the youths so that we can sit down with them and get their views on how to move this state forward.”

B

UHARI was escorted to the APC presidential rally at Okpara Square by a large routine of national officers and chieftains of the party including his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the party’s national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, campaign director general, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Governor Rochas Okorocha from neighbouring Imo State, former Governor Timipire Sylva of Bayelsa State, national leader of the party, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, national organising secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso among others.

In his message to the audience, Buhari said he would reactivate the moribund coal industry in Enugu for the purpose of boosting electricity generation, and boost job creation using agriculture as a spring-

board. He said: “Dams for continuous farming will be constructed to provide irrigation for farmers. Grants and loans will be provided to the teeming unemployed youths to channels their youthful energies into agriculture.

“Small and Medium Enterprises,SME, will be encouraged by provision of soft loans to create wealth and self reliance. The issue of corruption which breeds poverty will be tackled in such a manner that corruption will be a thing of the past. My administration will focus on service delivery through efficiency in running of government business.”

Remarkably, Buhari, during his ten minutes speech, did not once mention President Jonathan.

Ohakim, Ararume, Chris Anyanwu snub PDP rally in Owerri

T

By Chidi Nkwopara

HE presidential campaign train of the People’s Democratic Party, which berthed in Owerri, Imo State capital at the weekend, was largely shunned by some notable chieftains of the party.

Some critical political watchers in the state described the development as “a manifestation of the growing internal crisis bedevilling the PDP in the state”.

Those, who distanced themselves from the event included the immediate past Governor of the state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Chris Anyanwu, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, Prince Ken Njemanze, SAN. Of all the gubernatorial aspirants, who contested the slot with the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, it was only Chief Charles Onyeagbako that graced the event. Vanguard recalls that supporters of Senator Araraume stormed the Dan

Anyiam Stadium Complex with varying shapes of placards and inscriptions.

Although no reason was advanced by the chieftains or their supporters for their absence, tongues are already wagging that they may have decided to look elsewhere.

Ken Ojiri, who vied for the gubernatorial seat during the last party primary, is now governorship candidate of Accord, while the former speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Kelechi Kennedy Nwagwu who contested for the Owerri senatorial seat has bagged the senatorial ticket of Accord for Owerri zone.

News making the rounds in Imo State is that Chief Ohakim was concluding arrangements to switch over to the Progressive People’s Alliance, PPA, but he has since debunked the rumour, adding that he has not left the PDP and would not leave the party.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 51

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52 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

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54—Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

THE SUN MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD @ EKO HOTEL, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS.

Kuku to Northern leaders: Tell your sons, daughters to stop insurgency

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

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From left: Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Representatives; Governor Aliyu Wammako of Sokoto State, receiving the Man of the Year award from Chief Ernest Shonekan, former head of interim National Government and Chairman of the occasion and Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru, Galadima of Sokoto. Photos by Bunmi Azeez.

BUJA—SPECIAL Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, has asked Northern leaders to tell their sons and daughters to stop the insurgency.

Kuku, who is the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Committee, said while receiving a letter of endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 election from the leadership of the National Associations of Nigerians Students, NANS, in Abuja at the weekend that the key to ending Boko Haram was with the leaders of the north.

According to Kuku, “We believe strongly that the northern leaders can also call their sons and daughters who are currently detonating bombs and going on suicide missions to lay down their arms and tow the path of peace.

“This is the best approach to ending the Boko Haram insurgency, which

we believe is not being carried out by ghosts but human beings from a section of the country and aided and abetted by fighters from Chad and other countries just to Islamise Nigeria.

“What the North needs to do to end Boko Haram is to rise up and put an end to insurgents. Northern leader should rise to the occasion and call Boko haram leaders to order as Jonathan did when he was Vice President. We are ready to share out Niger Delta experience with them if they seek our assistance in a bid to end the problem in the North,” Kuku said.

At the ceremony held in Abuja, the President of NANS, Comrade Tijani Usman Shehu, formally presented a letter from the students’ body endorsing President Jonathan for next month’s election, claiming that he had done enough to win their hearts.

“We want to continue in the path of genuine democratic process, building strong institutions that guarantees qualitative change in terms of addressing and meeting the basic socio-economic, political and cultural needs of our people,” Tijani said.

DELEGATES CONFERENCE: NLC under intense pressure to alter list of cleared candidates

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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Dr. Onimode Bandele (left), receiving Public Service award from Mr. Sam Amuka, Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, on behalf of Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi, DG, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.

Chief Folake Sholanke, SAN, (left) receiving, Lifetime Achievement award from Mrs. Yemisi Suswam, wife of Benue State governor.

From left: Mr. Michael Ajereh (Don Jazzy) receiving Creative Person of the Year award from Innocent (TuFace) Idibia and Chika Ike.

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HEAD of next month’s election of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, indications have emerged of mounting pressures to alter the list of cleared candidates by the Credentials Committee, CC, for National Delegates Conference, NDC, where new NLC leaders would emerge.

This among other contentious issues may have informed the reasons NLC summoned a meeting of its National Executive Council, NAC, and National Executive Council, NEC, for today and tomorrow in Abuja.

Vanguard gathered that since the list of cleared candidates was made public by the CC on Tuesday January 6, 2015, NLC has allegedly been under intense pressures from external forces to alter the list.

Though no agenda was listed in the letter of invitation for today and tomorrow ’s meetings, Vanguard gathered that one of the issues for discussions is the reports of the CC for the NDC. However, this portends a greater danger, a retired labour leader, warned.

According to him, CC could neither report to NAC nor NEC, insisting that “if candidates have been disqualified by CC, neither NAC nor NEC can revise it.

Unless it was found out that the reason for the disqualification was caused by the secretariat and not the candidate. For example, if a candidate was disqualified for not including his or her passport in the form submitted to the CC, and it was later discovered the candidate actually submitted his or her form with the passport, but was mistakenly omitted in the form by secretariat staff, there is a case.

But where candidates failed to fill their forms properly as required, or where unions outside that of the candidates nominated such candidates, there is

nothing either NAC or NEC can do because it is a constitutional matter.”

Similarly, at a briefing yesterday, Mr. Issa Aremu, a Vice President of NLC, who is unopposed as one of the Deputy Presidents of NLC in the coming election based on the list of contestants already published by the NLC, warned “any attempt to reopen the list of nomination will be unprecedented in the history of NLC’s Delegates Conferences and is deemed illegal, unconstitutional and certainly unacceptable.”

He said “it is like saying The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC should reopen nomination process after buffeting us with the menu of presidential candidates cleared. It is like setting the nation ablaze.”

Police deploy 360,000 men for general elections

By Joseph Erunke

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BUJA—OVER 360,000 security personnel are expected to be deployed to provide security across the country during this year’s general elections.

This came as Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, planned to import 25 sniffer dogs from the United States to detect likely explosives component during the elections.

Already, the affected officers have been trained by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in collaboration with the various security outfits in the country.

Inspector General of Police, IGP, Suleiman Abba, disclosed this at a sensitization workshop on election management organized by the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, SCDDD, in collaboration with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, CSIS.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 55

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56 — VANGUARD, MONDAY, JANUARY 19 , 2015

BRIEFS Germany ‘anti-Islamisation’ Pegida rally cancelled

A

Pope in Manila: Seven million attend outdoor Mass

planned rally by Germany ’s “antiIslamisation” Pegida group has been called off after police received a threat against one of the organisers.

Pegida announced the measure shortly before police said the threat was “concrete” and no demonstrations would be allowed in Dresden on Monday.

Pegida has been rallying each Monday for weeks, attracting record numbers in Dresden last week.

Rival protests have sprung up and have been condemned by German leaders.

Writing on its Facebook page, Pegida said it had no choice but to cancel the rally to ensure protesters’ safety.

Ukrainian troops retake most of Donetsk airport from rebels

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•Pope Francis waves the faithful as he arrives at Rizal Park to celebrate his final Mass in Manila.

KRAINIAN troops recaptured almost all the territory of Donetsk airport in eastern Ukraine they had lost to separatists in recent weeks, even as thousands gathered in Kiev for a state-sponsored peace march yesterday.

The offensive brought fighting close to the industrial city of Donetsk itself, center of a pro-Russian rebellion, while shelling intensified in other parts of the region, known as the “Donbass”.

With attempts to restart peace talks stalled, proRussian rebels have stepped up attacks in the past week and casualties have mounted, including 13 civilians killed in an attack on a passenger bus, which Kiev blamed on the separatists.

Israel lobbies foreign powers to cut ICC funding

I

SRAEL is lobbying member-states of the International Criminal Court to cut funding for the tribunal in response to its launch of an inquiry into possible war crimes in the Palestinian territories, officials said yesterday.

ICC prosecutors said on Friday they would examine “in full independence and impartiality” crimes that may have occurred since June 13 last year. This allows the court to delve into the war between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza in July-August 2014 that killed more than 2,100 Palestinians and 70 Israelis.

Iran, world powers make ‘limited’ progress at nuclear talks •Braving the rain, and holding statuettes of the Child Jesus, they turned out in force to attend the Mass.

P

OPE Francis drew a record seven million people as he celebrated mass in the rain-swept Philippine capital yesterday, a triumphant finale to an Asian tour in which he championed the plight of the poor.

Filipinos are famous for practising a passionate brand of Catholicism and they turned out in a celebratory mood that defied the gloomy skies, determined to see the charismatic 78-year-old pontiff.

Francis made an exhilarating entrance to a Manila bayside park for the mass aboard a “popemobile” that was styled after the nation’s iconic, flamboyant and much-loved “jeepney” C M Y K

minibus.

Dressed in a plastic yellow poncho, he waved and smiled to wildly cheering crowd, stopping repeatedly so he could lean over barriers and kiss babies, before reaching the sea of believers at Rizal Park.

The Philippines is famed as the Catholic Church’s bastion in Asia, with 80 percent of the former Spanish colony following the faith.

But even the pope was stunned at the size of the crowd which he looked out on from the stage.

“I cannot fathom the faith of the simple people,” Francis said, according to the Archbishop of Manila,

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who acted as the pontiff ’s chaperone.

Seven million turned out to see the Pope at the park and along motorcade routes, the head of Manila’s planning agency, Francis Tolentino, told AFP, adding this was based on calculations done with the police.

This surpassed the previous world record for a papal gathering of five million during a mass by John Paul II at the same venue in 1995.

Perla Ponce, 76, a retired nurse who travelled hundreds of kilometres from her home in the southern Philippines, said she felt “euphoric” to have seen the Pope and been a part

of the mass.

“You can’t describe the feeling. It’s just like you have met Jesus Christ himself,” a rain-soaked but beaming Ponce told AFP. Volunteer rescue worker Kristine Bancure had been on duty as a medic through the day but also got a glimpse of the Pope.

“It’s an overwhelming feeling. I felt the hair on my skin standing up,” she said.

In his homily, the Pope praised Filipinos for their reverence.

“The Philippines is the foremost Catholic country in Asia. This is itself a special gift of God, a blessing,” the Pontiff told the vast crowd.

I

RAN and major powers yesterday made “limited” progress in narrowing differences over its nuclear program, but agreed to step up efforts as the Obama administration lobbied to stave off fresh sanctions against the Islamic Republic, diplomats have said.

The Geneva negotiations, held at the level of political directors, are the culmination of five days of diplomacy in the Swiss city and Paris, including lengthy meetings between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Hundreds of elderly Yazidis released by ISIL

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HE Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has released about 200 mostly elderly members of northern Iraq’s Yazidi minority who had been held for months.

The Yazidis were freed on the frontline southwest of the city of Kirkuk on Saturday and met by Kurdish Peshmerga forces who brought them to a health centre in Altun Kopri, on the road to the Kurdish regional capital of Erbil.

Yazidis follow a religion that predates Islam and Christianity and originated in Mesopotamia, which encompassed modern-day Iraq and parts of neighbouring states.

VANGUARD, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 57

Hebdo: Death toll rises in Niger's anti-cartoon riots R

IOTS blamed on the publication of a cartoon in the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo depicting Prophet Muhammad have left at least 10 people dead in Niger, according to the country’s president.

Mahamadou Issoufou said on Sunday that five deaths were reported after demonstrations in the capital Niamey the previous day.

Those killed on Saturday were inside churches and bars that were set ablaze, Issoufou said.

Five other people were killed on Friday.

Police in Niger fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of opposition supporters who gathered in the capital Niamey on Sunday in defiance of a ban on a demonstration against what they see as poor governance, witnesses said.

Niamey ’s governor banned the march on Friday amid violent riots against Charlie Hebdo’s cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad that saw angry protesters attack churches, bars, and a police station and killed 10people over two days.

Sunday ’s opposition march was planned before a gun attack killed 12 people at the Paris offices of the satirical weekly earlier this month.

The decree outlawing

the demonstration did not give a reason for the decision. However, a government official speaking on condition of anonymity told Reuters authorities had feared the march could be infiltrated by antiCharlie Hebdo protesters.

“We inform all our militants and sympathizers that the march followed by a rally planned for Sunday will go ahead,” the ARDR opposition bloc announced on Saturday in a statement broadcast on private television channels defying the ban.

Tensions on the rise Political tensions have risen in Niger since 2013 when Hama Amadou, a powerful former political ally of President Mahamadou Issoufou, split from the ruling coalition.

•Anti-cartoon protest in Niger.

CAR chief arrested for killing 300 minority Muslims

A

powerful vigilante leader in the Central African Republic, accused of masterminding a massacre of some minority Muslims in December 2013, has been arrested, prosecutors said Sunday.

UN peacekeepers arrested Rodrigue Nagibona, alias General

Andjilo, who had been on the run for several months, on Saturday in the northwest of the impoverished country, the prosecutors said.

A Cameroonian contingent of the UN force known by the acronym MINUSCA arrested Andjilo in the town of

Chadian soldiers arrive in Cameroon to battle Boko Haram

A

contingent of soldiers from Chad has arrived in northern Cameroon where it will deploy to the Nigerian border as part of efforts to contain the Boko Haram insurgency, a spokesman for Cameroon’s defense ministry said on Sunday.

Boko Haram, which aims to carve out an Islamist state in northern Nigeria, has stepped up attacks in the region as Africa’s biggest economy prepares for a Feb. 14 presidential election.

The group has expanded its operational zone into northern Cameroon over the past year, prompting Yaounde to deploy thousands of additional forces, including elite troops, to its border with Nigeria.

A convoy of troops from Chad arrived in Maroua, the main town in

Bouca after a firefight with “his men”, a judicial source said.

“General Andjilo is wanted for multiple crimes including killings, rebellion, illegal possession of weapons of war, criminal association, rape and pillage,” said Maurice Dibert-Dollet, Bangui’s general prosecutor.

Violence between rival factions has plunged the deeply poor, landlocked country into an unprecedented political and security crisis.

BRIEFS Italy expels nine suspected Islamist militants

I

TALY has expelled nine suspected Islamist militants so far this year as part of a heightened security alert throughout Europe and could make further expulsions, Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said on Sunday.

Attacks in Paris, in which Islamist gunmen killed 17 people, and a foiled plot to attack Belgian police have put security services across Europe on high alert.

Italian media have speculated that two men fleeing Belgian police who

were arrested in eastern France last week may have had some connection with Italy where they were apparently preparing to travel. However no imminent specific threat against Italy has yet been reported.

“We have done everything necessary, within the limits of possibility, to guard against the threat,” Alfano said, noting that the expulsions had started before the Paris attacks which began on Jan. 7 with the Charlie Hebdo shooting.

Uganda’s LRA commander to be flown to ICC

R

•Chadian soldiers on a pickup truck in the capital of the Central African Republic Bangui on April 4, 2014 Cameroon’s Far-North Region, late on Saturday, Colonel Didier Badjeck said while declining to say how many soldiers had been dispatched by N’Djamena.

“In the coming days, they will be deployed to the war zone on the border with Nigeria so that they can join our defense forces to crush and prevent incursions of

Boko Haram into Cameroonian territory,” he said.

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, who recently appealed for international assistance against Boko Haram, announced earlier this week that he was expecting the arrival of a large Chadian force to support his country ’s efforts against the militants.

EBEL leader Dominic Ongwen, who surrendered to US soldiers in CAR, to be tried for war crimes at Hague-based court.

A commander from Uganda’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) is expected to be flown to Netherlands to face international war crimes charges after he surrendered in a remote corner of the Central African Republic (CAR), authorities said.

Dominic Ongwen, 34, is expected to be transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague on Saturday, according to Ghislain Grezengue, the chief prosecutor in CAR. The ICC’s warrant of arrest for Ongwen lists seven counts including crimes against humanity, enslavement, murder and

inhumane acts of inflicting serious bodily injury.

Ongwen was in recent days held by the Ugandan contingent of the US-backed African Union Regional Task

Force, set up to fight the LRA, a rebel group blamed for widespread atrocities in northern Uganda, CAR, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

Boko Haram in Cameroon kidnap 60

S

USPECTED militants Islamist group Boko Haram have kidnapped at least 60 people in neighbouring Cameroon, officials say.

They said many of those kidnapped in the cross border attack against villages were children.

Several people were killed, security officials said.

Boko Haram has seized control of many towns and villages in northeast Nigeria, and has

begun threatening some of the country’s neighbours.

The group has been fighting a six-year insurgency to create an Islamic state.

In Sunday ’s attack, suspected militants “burst into two villages in the Tourou area,” a police officer told the AFP news agency.

“They torched houses and left with around 60 people. Most of these people were women and children.”

58 —Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015—59

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Confirmation of Name

Dickson flags off PDP campaign in Yenagoa

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA— Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, weekend, inaugurated a 420 member committee to champion the re-election campaign of President Goodluck Jonathan in the state.

Speaking at the Peace Park’s venue of the inauguration, Dickson charged the committee to work assiduously to sell programmes of the transformation agenda of Mr. President to the people.

He thanked members of the party for standing by the President, stressing that PDP was an all inclusive party for all Nigerians.

He noted that the job was not yet done until the President’s re-`election and called for all hands to be on deck to ensure that President Jonathan was returned to office.

“The whole state is for PDP. There are few angry people who have gone to the Angry Peoples Party.

But every vote is for the President. There is no need for campaigns because this is PDP state as well as President’s state,” he said.

Dickson noted that the Bayelsa PDP was peaceful and called on the people to reject division and unnecessary rancour. ‘’The base of PDP is safe and calm. There is no time for division and unnecessary acrimony,” he said.

The governor noted that the activities of the Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, were inimical to the interest of the state, adding that he was the only one that would lead the campaign for the President’s re-election in the state.

Addressing party candidates that were presented with the PDP flag, he described them as

his candidates as well as the President’s candidates.

N/Delta exmilitants warn mischief makers

B

OMADI-Niger Delta ex-militants have warned those they called mischief makers to desist from denigrating the name of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, saying that such move by some faceless group to tarnish the image of the now inactive MEND was tantamount to plagiarism and an attempt to smear the names of Niger Delta exmilitant leaders.

Speaking with journalists, weekend, the Delta State Chairman, phase 2 of the amnesty programme, Mr. Kingsley Muturu, said that people who he called ‘alien’ to operations of MEND when the Niger Delta arms struggle was on, were bent on causing chaos in the forthcoming general elections with unfounded claims and statements in the media, noting that the exmilitant leaders never met to take any decision to back the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari.

Muturu warned intruders in the Niger Delta struggle, who are using whatever means to deceive the masses and cause chaos in the political scene to desist forthwith, because according to him, exmilitant generals have all it takes to fish out the perpetrators and expose them to face the laws of the land.

Tantalisers opens Uyo outlet

T

ANTALISERS Plc, an leading indigenous quick service restaurant chain has opened an outlet in Uyo.The outlet which is located along Abak road, opposite the Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat is remarkable and inviting because of its cool and cozy ambience. Customers to the outlet had delightful experiences and exciting time during the official opening.

The Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Gbolahan Labinjo said the outlet was opened

following clamour by consumers in this part of the country for a Tantalizersoutlet adding that with the opening, Tantalizers was now in the second city in the South-south following the two operational outlets of the company in Portharcourt.

Mr. Labinjo said the company will be expanding to other parts of the country in 2015 viafranchising and implored Nigerians to take advantage of the Tantalizers Franchise programme to buy into a profitable business.

60 —Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 61

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62 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015

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ATURDAY, January 17, 17.00hours, at the blast of referee Papa Bakary Gassama’s whistle (Best Referee in Africa 2014) football finally came to the fore, relegating to the back ground the off the field controversy that has dogged this year ’s competition.

The “Can they? “ question was finally put to rest.

Equatorial Guinea did not have to stage an opening ceremony. Time definitely was not on their side when it comes to the complex and intricate business of calisthenics and choreography, but they did, a simple but effective show of optimism, colour and music that launched the opening match.

If Equatorial Guinea had less than two months to prepare for the competition, then spare a thought for Esteber Becker, the Argentine coach of the National team who had less than one month to call the players back from holiday, train and condition them for the competition, after having been thrown out and disbanded for fielding an ineligible player during the qualifiers.

In the presence of the head of State, over 35,000 spectators, it was nerves all the way but the host acquitted themselves so well that it was “sad” they had to drop two points in the last ten minutes of the match as Congo Brazzaville, led by the record breaking (Eight Nations Cup as coach) and ageless Claude Le Roy (Le Rwa) came on strong.

In a typical football culture where the early exit of hosts ‘kills’ the competition as spectators boycott the stands, Equatorial Guinea had the sympathy and emotional support of thousands.

Unconfirmed statistics have it that despite the craze for the European league, especially the Premiership, the youths of Africa boycotted Chelsea and Man U at half time to hook on to the Opening match and they were not disappointed, only casting glances at the “livescore” facility on their phones for results from Europe.

If the second match was not as exciting as the first, it did produce some highlights and fever from the packed stands. If the Equatorial Guineans had left the stands after the first match, then they must have made way for their Gabonese neighbours who only had to “ walk across the border” Given the logistics of their showing two years ago in South Africa, runners up to the Super Eagles, Nigerians had given the match to the Burkinabe’s complete with Jonathan Pitroipa, Player of the tournament Nations Cup 2013, scorer of six goals in the qualifiers, yet it was the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Second best African footballer 2014) led Panthers that reaped invaluable three points

Por fin...enfin....at last Hints that we could beat them was at the hotel when the players carried on as if they had won the cup already.

and throne position in the Bata Group.

As you are reading this, four matches have been played, 28 to go. Today in Group C in Mongomo, great matches on the cards……Ghana versus Senegal, Algeria against South Africa……… Ah South Africa brings back memories of the absence of the Super Eagles and that dark night in Uyo. Barney Kujane is still the team Manager of the Bafana Bafana. Our meeting could not go without a mention of the Uyo match. That even if they had lost ten nil they still would have qualified, how come they came out so hard? “ No we did not come out so hard. We got to Uyo scared. We had always been humiliated by Nigeria, so we had a complex. Hints that we could beat them was at the hotel when the players carried on as if they had won the cup already. We got to Uyo

Rio2016 Olympics: Babayaro urges Siasia to recreate 1996 Eagles

BY EDDIE AKALONU

F

O R M E R international Celestine Babayar has urged Samson Siasia not to tone down standards in his selection of players in order to make Nigeria’s dream of a second medal prospect in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games a reality.

The Chelsea and Atlanta ’96 gold medalist said in an interview that “for Siasia to build an Olympic team capable of making an impression at the All Africa Games and in Rio 2016, he should have an eye for top quality players who parade outstanding skill.

In the same manner, he urged Siasia to also insist on discipline and high standards. “He must not compromise on discipline and standard,” he stated.

Besides he enjoined Siasia to shun acts that could put the country’s goal of producing another outstanding team for the up-coming Olympics in jeopardy.

Babayaro, who said it’s not an impossibility to put together another award winning team in the mould of the Atlanta’96 gold-winning side, for which he played a remarkable role, cited favouritism and bias as acts that would not impede success if put aside by

and were further threatened by the imposing stadium and thousands that had come out to support your team. Ten minutes into the match our coach discovered that your team was technically and tactically below par, your players heavy, so we struck…” He said with a glee.

That, is history. Today it is South Africa on centre stage, not awed by the view of pundits that Algeria and Ghana are favourites to get out of this group, after all the same was said about Nigeria. “…….This is football man……this is football. Remember Zambia” Kujane adds.

Nigerians may want to watch the lines of the match Ghana/Senegal, running frantically and in charge of offside calls will be Peter Elgam Edibi. Althoug he will be waving a different type of flag, the presence of Africa’s elite assistant referee guarantees that we did not lose out totally after all! (Don’t laugh).

It is not all about football though. It is also about the survival and emancipation of our dear continent.

Today, as was the case in Bata and Ebebeyin, the players and officials will unite behind the call “To beat Ebola, together” It is a message that permeates the tournament. That resolved, and in one accord, Africa can stand up to the scourge that is threatening our collective existence.

The top players have come here determined. Africa Footballer of the year Yaya Toure said in Malabo on arrival that no African player has boycotted the competition for whatever reason, not even the deadly Ebola. That they have come to spearhead the fight and he believes that sooner than later, Ebola will be history in Africa.

The Opening match is 85 minutes old, Congo is on the rampage. Francis N’ganga hits the post, Thiery Bifouma draws the match level and Hibernian Star Dominique Malong misses the victory goal from point blank range.

Miguel Owono can no more watch. He sweats profusely. “ …..For all that we have done, CAF should allow us get to at least the semi final….” it was a pronouncement that drew laughter all around him.

CAF, the African and indeed world football community acknowledge that Equatorial Guinea has indeed done great. Step out Your Excellency, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and receive CAF’s gold medal of honour from the youths of Africa on behalf of your country men, and women..

See you next week

Ogunjimi leads 60 officials to Mobil Sports in Uyo

R

First Foot Tennis competition held recently in Lagos. Captain of the victorious Edwin Collins FC receives the trophy from Chairman of the Organising Committee, Nwkeabia Ossy Edwin. the coach Sasia. “If he has the right collection of players, there in lies the key to success, he added. Babayaro played

alongside the likes of Sunday Oliseh, Garuba Lawal and Dosu Joseph in the 1996 Eagles team.

ENOWNED Athletics Scholar and coach, Professor Lucas Ogunjimi is at the head of 60 Officials who have been invited to take part in the 14th AKS/NNPC/ MPN Schools Athletics Championships billed for Uyo on Saturday, February 7 2015.

In a release made public by the National Athletics Technical Officials (NAATO) Akwa Ibom State branch, Professor Ogunjimi is listed as the Competitions Director Professor Ogunjimi is no stranger to the competition as he has been physical present in the last eight editions and counting.

Also listed is Deaconess Utitofon Nkantah (FRM) as the Technical Director, and two other Professors, Track Referee Professor Ignatius Uduk and field referee Professor Ini Jonah Deaconess Utitofon Nkantah ( Nee Uko) who is the NAATO president in the state said she is happy with the quality of the officiating crew which will be reinforced by the National body. “ ….If you go down the list you will notice that ex national track stars Eno Smart Ekpo, Dorathy Asangusung and Menyene Nkwo head the track, field and Time Keeping crew respectively.''

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 — 63

Agbim wants more Super Eagles game time S

UPER Eagles g o a l k e e p e r, Chigozie Agbim, has categorically stated that he wants to play more games for Nigeria, following the country’s two international friendlies against Cote D’ Ivoire and Yemen.

The 30-year old is first choice goalkeeper and captain of Nigeria’s B team, and also third choice of the regular Super Eagles team. But despite often coming under severe criticisms from fans, the former Golden Eaglets

Ambrose we were unlucky, I don’t

Continues from BP

ticket, Nigerians were unequivocal in their condemnation of the players’ performances, accusing them of lacking commitment.

Ambrose defended his team mates, “it will be unfair to say we never gave our best. We always want to play for Nigeria and we always give our best but sometimes you just can’t explain certain things.

“It happens in life, especially in football.

Sometimes you play very well and still lose and sometimes you play poorly and win. Maybe

know. But we gave our best but it just didn’t work out and now we have to look at the future.”

Looking ahead, the Celtic defender sounded optimistic, “ you just have to be positive in life and always hope for the best. When we failed to qualify in 2012, people thought that was the end but we went on to win it in 2013. Maybe this is a lesson for us and who says we can’t go on to win it in 2017.

We just have to keep doing our best and hopefully we will get things right.”

shot-stopper says he still wants to be between the sticks for Nigeria in subsequent games.

“All the players were unanimous in saying that playing friendly games is a way of making the team jell together and building the unity of the team, the coaching staff and the ensuring that the players are active throughout the year.

“What we want to demand is that this laudable development should not be a one off thing.''

•Agbim

Arsenal Continues from BP Arsenal goal.

Then, the home side came out with all guns blazing in the second half, but saw their multiplied efforts rebuffed by an unusually resolute Arsenal defence.

Then, the Gunners secured closure when Olivier Giroud ran onto

a pin-point Cazorla free kick to score the second with the City defence caught flat footed.

Arsene Wenger then confirmed the new Arsenal philosophy of ‘holding what you have’, by sending on Kieran Gibbs and Mathieu Flamini for the final 10 minutes, as Man City threatened.

Mashaba Continues from BP coach, Mashaba has rejuvenated a sleeping giant and will hope current form counts when the team need it most.

After topping group A of the qualification campaign and going six games without defeat, Bafana qualified for their first major tournament without the help of being the host nation for the first time in six years.

Now, Bafana’s redemption mission moves to its next big hurdle.

Standing in Mashaba’s way would undoubtedly be his biggest test of the tournament as Algeria lie in wait at Estadio de Mongomo in Monday’s second group C opener.

As the continent’s topranked team, Algeria would want to build on their strong showing at last year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where the Desert Warriors were the

only team to push eventual winners, Germany, all the way.

It took a late, extratime, goal to book Germany’s spot in the next round as the world’s football experts rang out of superlatives for Algeria.

South Africa would have to overcome pace and power from the freeflowing Algerians, who won five out of their six qualifiers, losing just once, in their final game of the tournament, when qualification had already been secured.

Bafana, however, have hardly put a foot wrong since Mashaba took over from Gordon Igesund last year.

The national team has faired well in their preparation for the continental showpiece.

A nervy 1-0 win over Zambia was followed by a 1-1 draw with Cameroon, before hammering Mali 3-0 in their final warm-up match last weekend.

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015

Arsenal stun City at Etihad A

R S E N A L leapfrogged Tottenham Hotspurs, and moved into fifth place following their shock 2-0 win over champions Manchester City at the Etihad

It’s painful we’re not in E. Guinea – Ambrose S

UPER Eagles full back, Efe Ambrose, like most of his team mates and indeed, Nigerians in general is in pains that the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournament is going on without Nigeria.

The 2013 Afcon winner was full of regret when he said, “I understand the effects of not qualifying for the competition and I feel bad about it.

“I am sure the other players feel the same way too. We would have given anything to qualify and be a part of it. And the truth is, it is more painful because we are the champions and we will not be there, it is really painful.”

After the Eagles failure to secure the Afcon Continues on Page 63

•Ambrose

Stadium yesterday.

Santi Cazorla scored the first goal for the Gunners when he put away a 24th minute penalty following a foul in the box by Vincent Kompany on Nacho Monreal.

The Champions managed to keep the score at 1-0 in a tepid first half that saw them make no attempt on

Continues on Page 63

•Giroud

Mashaba stakes unbeaten record F OR Shakes Mashaba and his team, the wait for their first appearance in this year ’s Africa Cup of Nations could not come quickly enough.

Unbeaten in his third stint as Bafana Bafana

Continues on Page 63

•Mashaba

Results EPL

West Ham Man City

3 0

Hull City Arsenal

0 2

Zambia

2015 AFCON 1 Congo DR 1 Today’s matches

BATTLE: Issampa Djos of Congo DR battles with Rainford Kalaba of Zambia in their 2015 Afcon match yesterday. The match ended 1-1

Ghana Algeria

v v

Senegal South Africa

5 pm 8 pm

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Scour (5) 5 Method (6) 8 Peer (5) 10 Nuptial (6) 11 Greedy (4) 14 Gift (6) 15 Decorate (7) 18 Beverage (3) 19 Sailor (3) 21 Cart (4) 23 Leaf (5) 24 Grasped (4) 27 Colour (3) 29 Fish (3) 31 Sickness (7) 32 Conquer (6) 34 Wise (4) 35 Astounded (6) 38 Apportion (5) 39 Wave (6) 40 Cabin (5)

DOWN 2 Vehicle (3) 3 Unfastened (6) 4 Snake (3) 5 Chair (4) 6 Dirty (6) 7 Predominantly (6) 9 Swagger (7) 12 Tank (3) 13 Expensive (4) 16 Fever (4) 17 Loathed (5) 20 Fundamental (7) 22 Unfortunately (4) 24 Restrict (6) 25 Minus (4) 26 Item (6) 28 Discussion (6) 30 Stage (3) 33 Breed (4) 36 Crowd (3) 37 Newt (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Ensure 5, Used 8, Count 9, Rue 10, Boon 11, Deep 12, Steep 13, Critic 16, Turn 18, Gain 20, Ash 22, Sad 23, Old 24, Rite 25, Twee 28, Ravage 30, Crime 32, Riot 33, Anti 34, Ire 35, Weird 36, Kiln 37, Agency.

DOWN: 1, Enrich 2, Seediest 3, Rabbit 4, Contender 5, Undergo 6, Step 7, Dupe 8, Cos 14, Customary 15, Bid 17, Raw 19, Alsatian 20, Ail 21, Hearten 26, Eating 27, Remedy 29, Trek 30, Cowl 31, End.

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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C M Y K