Buhari slams military for hiring mercenaries

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62407

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TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

BOKO HARAM:

Buhari slams military for hiring mercenaries •Says it's a shame it can't secure 14 out of 774 LGAs in the country

By Luka Binniyat

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ADUNA—THE President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, e x p r e s s e d disappointment with the way the military handled the war against insurgency in the North East. He wondered why the military could not secure 14 out of the 774 Continues on Page 5

Mr & Mrs

VISIT—From left, Chairman Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie; President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari; Deputy National Chairman of ACF, Alhaji Liman Kwande and Secretary-General of ACF, Col. John Uba when ACF paid Buhari a courtesy visit at his Kaduna office, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

PENGASSAN, NUPENG on strike over rights to oil leases

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POCKET CARTOON

SECURITY—Safer Highway Patrol vehicles inaugurated by IGP, Solomon Arase at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Buhari slams military for hiring mercenaries Continues from page 1 local government councils in the country without the assistance of “South African mercenaries.”

According to Buhari, Nigerian soldiers needed not wait for South Africans before confronting Boko Haram insurgents and winning the war in parts of the North East.

He spoke in Kaduna while hosting the National Executive Council of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF. His words: “The military has never been so incapacitated like now. It is a shame that the Military cannot secure 14 out of the 774 local governments in

the country.

“What is more worrisome is the fact that Nigeria’s military has to rely on South African mercenaries before it could gain recent success in the war against Boko Haram. This situation is shameful and unacceptable.

“My administration will concentrate on three major areas on assumption of office, that is insecurity, the e c o n o m y / unemployment and cor r uption. We will ensure we nip insecurity in the bud.”

Speaking on governance, Buhari said, his administration would make sure that every Nigerian lived

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

To be a shining light to others you must have experienced a lot of clouded situation… and for every closed door, life opens new pathways...just be open and you’ll find it — Take Heart Quotes

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IFE has taught me to choose friends in my inner circle with a lot of caution but I give others the chance to earn my friendship, I presume most people do same too.

I love meeting and knowing people; I strongly affirm to the inherent goodness in our hearts, but sometimes, even my enthusiasm wanes in the presence of malicious intent, gossip and unnecessary banter.

One of the most beautiful flowers on earth the lotus grows on swampy grounds; it beats all odds to retain its true essence, and its significance of purity.

Whenever, I witness true bond of love between persons who take time to extend and express their divinity to others and themselves, my heart is lifted beautifully. Often people with little love will do everything to put a dark spot on something pure and sweet... if you have experienced this...just fill yourself with divine love... be rest assured light will always outwit the dark in the end.

within his means or earnings, adding that “a situation where people live above their earnings will not be tolerated.”

Earlier in his address, ACF chairman and

retired InspectorGeneral of Police, Ibrahim Coomassie had told Buhari that Nigerians voted for him because they believed

in his integrity, knack for transparency, accountability, honesty and commitment to security of lives and property.

Coomassie further said that Nigeria had never experienced the level of decay, collapse of moral values, the high level of corruption, crime, unemployment and impoverishment of the citizenry like in the last six years.

According to Coomassie, “security has been the major concern especially in the North-East region which has been

NGF: Governors broker truce •Shettima emerges chairman of Nor thern Governors Forum

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA—THE troubled Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, was on the path of reconciliation last night as henchmen behind the two factions met for the first time since the divisive election that splintered the body in May, 2013.

The governors, who met at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, last night, were as at 9.30 p.m. yet to formally commence deliberations. However, the presence of the leading lights of the two factions gave the assurance that the governors were set to bury the hatchet.

The NGF split into two after the leadership election in May, 2013 when Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s score of 19 votes was rejected by supporters of Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State who polled 16 votes.

Jang, who was recognised by the Presidency eventually set up a parallel secretariat from the one that had served the unified body before the election.

Among the governors that had arrived for the meeting that was set to take place at the Lagos/ Osun Hall, Transcorp

Hilton Hotel were Rotimi Amaechi, (Rivers), Godswill Akpabio, (Akwa Ibom), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Rauf Aregbesola, (Osun), Babangida Aliyu, (Niger), Ramallan Yero, (Kaduna), Saidu Dakingari, (Kebbi), Emmanuel Uduaghan, (Delta) and Kashim Shettima (Borno).

Also present were Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), deputy governor of Kogi State, Arc Yomi Awoniyi and the Deputy governor of Kano and Governor-elect, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The deputy governors of Nasarawa and Imo states and the governor-elect of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel were also present.

Earlier in the evening, yesterday, Governor Kashim Shettima emerged chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, NSGF, taking over from the outgoing governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu who spent eight years as chairman.

His election came as the NGSF vowed to ensure reconciliation among the larger body of governors in the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF. Reflective of that pledge, Governor

Aliyu following the meeting of the northern governors led his colleagues to the scheduled meeting of the NGF called by the Governor Rotimi Amaechi-led faction.

Speaking after the meeting of the NGSF that took place at the Niger State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja yesterday night, Aliyu said that the move to mediate and unite all the governors would among others, help rebuild the body for a better Nigeria.

He said: “The goal is to mediate and unite the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, that has been fragmented in the past few years.”

Present at the meeting were governors of Gombe, Adamawa, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Kwara, Borno, Zamfara, Bauchi, Kebbi, Kano Governorelect, and Kogi State deputy governor.

The Deputy Governor of Kano State and the state’s Governor-elect, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje emerged deputy chairman of the The new NGSF. leadership would be inaugurated June or July with all former governors of northern extraction expected to be in attendance.

devastated by the insurgency caused by the Boko Haram.

Energy which is the source of power and main driver of the economy, requires serious and urgent attention.’’

He further told Buhari that Nigerians were eagerly waiting for him to also free them from the shackles of poverty, ignorance, corruption and insurgency and urged the Presidentelect to curb the powers of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF whom he said was more powerful than ministers.

He said: “The current situation whereby the SGF operates above ministers offends the laid down principles of accountability in governance.”

Ritualists kill, pluck Rivers LG staff's eyes e sid n I e Se

COLUMNISTS: The day Goodluck Jonathan became my hero •P.17

Bush on Iraqi war •P.53

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

Teacher, 35, defiles 12-yr-old female student

NORM: Oil spill at Osiama Oil F i e l d , Southern Ijaw L o c a l Government Area of Bayelsa State, y e s t e r d a y.

NAN PHOTO.

By Tina Akannam

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UTSE—NATIONAL Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has arrested a Junior Secondary School, JSS, a 35 years old teacher at Dan Zomo in Sule-Tankarkar Local Government Area of Jigawa State for allegedly raping a 12-year-old female student.

Jigawa State commandant of NSCDC, Dr. Mohammed Gidado, who confirmed the arrest, said the corps’ investigation had proven the accused guilty.

He said the girl also confirmed during investigation that the teacher had defiled her several times before the last one, which was inside the toilet of his office.

The accused, who is married with children, also admitted committing the crime and pleaded for mercy, saying it was the handiwork of the devil.

Gidado disclosed that the medical report carried on the girl was being processed by the hospital, adding that when it was ready, it would further support the prosecution of the case.

2 plead guilty to drug trafficking charge

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WO jobless men, Ismaila Cole and Succeder Ogbonna, who pleaded guilty to trafficking in 3.1 kilogrammes of hemp, were yesterday brought before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

Cole, 27, and Ogbonna, 24, are standing trial on a charge of drug trafficking.

The prosecutor, Mr. Orji Kalu, a lawyer with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, told the court that Ogbonna unlawfully dealt in 2.7 kilogrammes of hemp on March 23, while Cole unlawfully dealt in 400 grammes of hemp.

The duo pleaded guilty.

Justice Mohammed Idris said the accused should be kept behind bars and adjourned the case to May 27.

IG's squad arrests five policemen, 98 others over Edo cult war zCivil servants, artisans, businessmen, professionals among suspects

By Kingsley Omonobi & Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—FIVE police officers were arrested Saturday in Benin, following their alleged attempt to shield some suspected cultists from arrest.

This came as the crack team of detectives sent by the Inspector-General, Solomon Arase, to Edo State over the cult war in the state looked set to prosecute 11 kingpins of different cult groups, including a medical doctor, an engineer and some public servants for cultism, fingered in conspiracy and murder of 10 persons.

The five policemen were arrested by men of the IG's crack team.

Vanguard learned that problem started at Oliha Market, where some youths engaged themselves in a freefor-all as two persons, including one identified as Castro, were allegedly stabbed, while several others, including market women, sustained various degrees of injuries.

It was further learned that the fight was part of the battle for the control of ticketing in the market by two different youth groups, one of which came with some police officers for protection.

Discovery

However, after the fight, luck ran out on the policemen who escorted the youths to the market, as they ran into the men of the special squad from Abuja, who accosted them and insisted that their vehicle be searched.

Their colleagues in Benin informed the IG’s squad that they should allow the boys go.

zI came to assist police— Medical Doctor zMy group does charity work— Engineer But the squad engaged them in a heated argument and eventually searched the vehicle.

Four cut-to-size guns and two short-barrelled guns were found in the vehicle.

Consequently, the IG’s squad accused their colleagues in Benin of being cultists since they were protecting the suspects and subsequently disarmed and arrested their Edo colleagues.

Vanguard learned that they were locked up at the state police headquarters on the orders of the IGP. Attempts to get reaction of Edo State police command proved abortive as neither the Police Commissioner, Mr. Samuel Adegbuyi, nor the spokesman in the state took calls to their phones.

11 cult kingpins

Meanwhile, the IG's squad is set to prosecute 11 kingpins of different cult groups, including a medical doctor, an engineer and some public servants for cultism, conspiracy and murder of 10 Nigerians.

Also, 98 other suspects, including students from higher institutions in the state, arrested by the police in connection with cult violence in the state, have been detained in the state.

They were said to have been arrested as they converged on Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, for an initiation ceremony.

Briefing the media on the update of investigations into cult killings in Edo State, Force

Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the cultists and their gang leaders murdered innocent persons between April 5 and May 5 this year.

He said: “I am presenting before you some persons suspected to have played ignoble roles in acts of terror, vicious inter and intra-cult conflicts that have led to avoidable loss of lives and destruction of property in Edo State.

“The cult group’s membership is not limited to students but also include artisans, civil servants, businessmen, public office holders, and professionals.”

guidelines of Black Axe, minutes of NBA black axe meeting held in Edo State in 2014, 17 All Progressives Party, APC, membership cards, 34 APC registration forms, one bag containing various NBM confraternity documents, among others.

Ojukwu said: “The successes recorded in the arrests and investigation of the cultist are clear testimonies of the dedication of the IG to promptly respond to issues of crime and criminality that affect the quality of life of the citizenry in every part of the country.

“The same level of intervention shall be deployed wherever and whenever the need arises.”

Names suspects

Giving a breakdown of some of the kingpins and the group they belong to, Ojukwu said: “Engineer David Olukoga, 36, is of the Eiye; Dr. Salako Adebowale, 43, Black Axe; Osunde Aigbedo, 48, is of Black Axe; Ahunwan-Id Orlando, 39, Black Axe, and Uche Chukwuma, 36, Eiye.

Others are Adebo Eguaoja, 46, Buccaneers; Totti Omonuwa, 42, Eiye; Earnest Amadasun, 49, Black Axe; Isobor Larry, Norsemen; Felix Evbodi, Black Axe, and Joshua Ehiabhi, 36, Jurist.

Items recovered

He listed items recovered from the suspects to include cultists’ sculptors inscribed with Eiye slogans, template

Suspects’ story

Asked to comment on allegations against them, two of the suspects, Dr. Adebowale and Engr. Olukoga, admitted to being members of some cult groups, but noted that they had never been involved in violence.

They said their involvement had always been to assist the police checkmate criminal elements and miscreants.

Adebowale said: “I joined in 1998. I never killed anyone. I was never involved in violence or terrorism. I came out to assist the police when I was arrested.”

Olukoga said: “Our confraternity is a registered body. We try to foster peace; it is also for the emancipation of the black race.

We also do charity work.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015—7

Air Force men beat FAAN official comatose

By Lawani Mikairu & Daniel Eteghe

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AGOS— AN official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, was yesterday beaten unconscious by two Nigerian Air Force officers in charge of traffic control at the departure section of the international terminal wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

The FAAN staff, Mohammed Shuaibu, who works at the protocol and passages of the agency, had told his friend to pick him at the airport but when he arrived, the airmen attempted to remove the number plates of his car.

Shuaibu was said to have begged the Air Force men not to take away the number plates.

According to eyewitnesses, Shuaibu, dressed in FAAN staff uniform, introduced himself and showed his identity card, but an argument reportedly ensued and the Air Force men descended on

him.

He was beaten by the airmen until he collapsed, with blood gushing out of his nostrils.

An official of FAAN told reporters that Shuaibu was first taken to the FAAN clinic at the airport, but was later taken to the airport hospital.

At press time, he was yet to regain consciousness.

An official of FAAN told Vanguard: “Shuaibu begged them and introduced himself as a FAAN staff, but they seemed not to care. By the time other people arrived the scene, Shuaibu had collapsed and blood was flowing from different parts of his body.

“We first moved him to FAAN clinic, where they said his heart beat was slowing down and he was finding it difficult to breathe.

So we have to rush him to the airport hospital.”

It will be recalled that about three months ago, a trolley operator at the General Aviation Terminal, GAT, of the Lagos airport died after sustaining grievous injuries from attacks by a naval rating.

Ekiti varsity lecturers threaten strike over kidnaps

By Gbenga Ariyibi

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Mohammed Shuaibu, unconscious in hospital bed.

20-yr-old pregnant maid dies 4 days after employment

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—OPERATIVES of the state criminal investigation and intelligence department are currently battling to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of a 20-year-old girl, who died four days after she was employed as a maid by a couple at Mafoluku area of Oshodi, Lagos.

The maid, identified as Josephine Naarop, a native of Plateau State, was employed on April 2 to assist her employers (names withheld) to take care of their household chores, including a set of twins delivered less than three months ago.

It was gathered that prior to her employment, her employers informed her relatives, John Gwelding and Mark that they would subject Josephine to series of medical test to determine if she was medically fit for the job.

Vanguard gathered that among the test she was made to undergo were HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis and pregnancy.

Tests results

At the end of the tests, which were carried out on April 5, she was discovered to be HIV and Hepatitis negative, but was discovered pregnant.

Vanguard learned that Josephine’s employers called

on her relatives to notify them of the development and that they could no longer allow her to work with them.

It was learned that the next day, at about 2p.m., one of her relatives, identified as Mr. Luka King, came to take her back, since they no longer had need of her services.

When Luka got to the residence of the employers, he reportedly found Josephine rolling on the floor of the sitting room, writhing in pains and vomiting.

He called the attention of her madam, who was at home and they rushed her to a nearby hospital.

It was gathered that when they got to the hospital, Josephine was not admitted as the doctor on duty discovered that she was already dead, so he advised them to take her remains to the mortuary, which they did.

A relative’s reaction

One of Josephine’s relatives, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said: “We really do not know what happened. We cannot say what exactly happened to her because when my brother, Luka, got there, she was in a terrible state. So she could not talk, let alone reveal what was wrong with her.

“She was hale and hearty when she came to their house and pregnancy does not kill. Her employers said after they came back from the tests, she did not leave the house. If she did not

leave the house, the idea of her aborting the pregnancy is not possible.”

Although her employers denied having anything to do

with her death, the case is currently being investigated by the state criminal investigation and intelligence department, Yaba, Lagos.

Motorcyclists, agbero clash over levies in Lagos

By Evelyn Usman

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IGHT broke out, yesterday, between motor park touts, otherwise known as agbero, and Hausa commercial motorcyclists, in Ejigbo area of Lagos, leaving several persons severely injured.

Motorcycles were reportedly burnt, while motorists who ran into the fight had their cars' windscreens shattered.

Reports said the fight was caused by high levies imposed on motorcyclists plying NNPC and Canoe axis by members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW. Investigation by Vanguard revealed that every morning, N800 was levied on each commercial motorcyclist.

Sometimes, defiant motorcyclists would allegedly be gangbeaten by the motor-park touts, while at other times, their motorcycles would be seized, pending when they paid.

Yesterday’s fracas, according to eyewitnesses, occurred at NNPC Junction, after one motorcyclists from the Northern

part of the country was accosted by an agbero, who demanded evidence of payment.

His refusal to show any evidence of payment reportedly led to verbal confrontation which degenerated into a fight.

The commercial motorcyclist was said to have been gangbeaten to a state of coma.

His colleagues, who witnessed the brutality, reportedly alerted others at the Canoe end, who rushed to NNPC and attacked any toll collector in sight.

This led to a free-for-all where dangerous weapons such as broken bottles, knives and cutlasses were freely used.

When Vanguard visited the scene at 2.30p.m, the route was still deserted. Broken bottles and burnt motorcycles littered everywhere.

An eyewitness, who gave his name as Kunle Fagbami, said: “This place was a theatre of war earlier today (yesterday). A member of NUPENG, who attempted to broker peace between a motorcyclist and agbero was beaten to pulp.”

DO EKITI— ACADEMIC Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Ekiti State University chapter, took to the street yesterday in protest against incessant kidnapping of its members, gaving the state government till Friday, May 22, to rescue the victims, failing which they would go on indefinite strike.

They marched from Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital in Ado to the palace of Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, where they said five of their members had been kidnapped.

They said two had been released to look for N210 million being ransom for the release of the others.

The victims include Dr. Femi Omisore, a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University; Dr. Folasade Alade of EKSU and Dr. Kikelomo Adegun, wife of the former Chief Medical Director of EKSU Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.

7 killed in East-West Road accident

By Perez Brisibe

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GHELLI—SEVEN persons, including two women, were on Sunday confirmed dead as the commercial vehicle they were travelling in rammed into a faulty lorry parked along the East-West Road, killing seven of the nine passengers in the car.

The accident, it was gathered, happened at about 4:10p.m. along the Patani axis of the road in Delta State.

An official of Ughelli Command of Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, the victims were travelling from Ughelli to Bayelsa in a Toyota Picnic car, when their vehicle rammed into a faulty lorry packed along the road, just before Patani Bridge.

He said officials of the FRSC had to cut through the mangled remains of the car to rescue the victims, adding that the driver and a female traveller were the only persons in the car that survived the accident.”

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

Fuel crisis worsens as stock level goes down zNUPENG declares NNPC sufficiency claim as a mirage zDPR overwhelmed by marketers’ infractions

By Clara Nwachukwu & Ediri Ejoh

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AGOS — DESPITE assurances from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, of at least 31 days premium motor spirit, PMS or petrol sufficiency, the current fuel shortages appear to be worsening as stock levels deplete, leaving fewer filling stations dispensing the product.

The NNPC also said it had 21 and 18 days sufficiency for automotive gas oil, AGO/ diesel, and kerosene respectively, which the corporation said were mostly at sea, and will be berthing at the depots very soon.

But the products are not coming in soon enough, and as a result, sharp practices among retail outlets have increased, with almost every outlet not only selling above the pump price of 87/litre, but also seriously underdispensing to make higher profits.

NNPC claim is a mirage Furthermore, the leadership of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, does not have much faith in the NNPC products, especially as they’ve not been brought to the tank farms.

The NUPENG Chairman, Lagos Zone, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, in a telephone interview with Vanguard, said: “NNPC’s claim is a mirage; we don’t believe in faceless products.

“If they say the products are on the high sea, why can’t it come to the depots and tank farms? Even if they do have, where is the reception facility, since the depots and tank farms they have agreements with have been locked up because of outstanding debts owed them?”

Korodo also denied allegations that the petroleum tanker drivers, PTD, branch of NUPENG, downed tools over the weekend on account of the 48 hours ultimatum given them by the Lagos State Government to vacate the highways or face the consequences.

According to him, we had a tripartite meeting with Lagos State last Tuesday, where the marketers said they do not have fuel anymore. So there is no justification for our drivers to be on the road. And they gave us 48 hours to leave the roads, and we said it will not

NEITI indicts FG over corruption in oil sector

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RECEPTION: Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd) (r) being received by the Secretary to Sokoto State Government, Alhaji Isa Gada, during arrival formalities at the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto. be immediate, but promised that by weekend, the trucks will leave the roads.”

He, however, noted that there is no way the truck drivers could confirm the depletion of stock by the marketers, but added that as at yesterday, “not a single litre of fuel was lifted from the depots. Right now, they (marketers) have locked up all their depots.”

He equally suspected that the action of the marketers may be deliberate to push home their demands to be paid their outstanding N200 billion subsidy claim from the outgoing government.

MOMAN insists on stock depletion But the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, insisted that their stock level is depleted, but could not confirm what quantity they have presently.

Executive Secretar y, MOMAN, Mr. Obafemi Olawore, also in a telephone chat with Vanguard said nothing much had changed regarding their discussions with government on the outstanding claims.

He also attributed the disappearance of the fuel trucks from the highways to the agreements reached during the meeting with

Lagos State.

According to him, “the meeting was at the instance of MOMAN, because we were the ones that approached the state in view of the mayhem the trucks were causing on the roads and how to get the roads cleared.

“We had a meeting with them, which also included Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association, DAPPMA, the NUPENG/PTD, the Police, FRSC and other stakeholders.

At the meeting, we appealed to the drivers, asking them to go and park somewhere outside Lagos, and we will call them one by one to come and load since we don’t have much stock any more, and they agreed.”

Also confirming the depletion of the stock level, the industr y regulator, Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, told Vanguard: “There is hardly any stock anywhere, but we will try and get the data for you as soon as possible.”

Nigerians frustrating DPR officials Asked what the agency was doing with regard to the unwholesome practices being indulged by marketers on account of the scarcity situation, the DPR blamed consumers for their inability

to bring such marketers to book.

According to a top downstream official, who spoke in confidence, “we are getting complaints from everywhere in the country.

But when we go to these outlets to investigate or take actions for these infractions, it is the same Nigerians we are trying to protect from them that will swoop on our officials, shouting and asking why we want to seal the filling station. They prefer to pay the higher costs than not to have fuel at all.

“Apart from this, once we visit one outlet, the attendants quickly call their peers in other outlets that we were coming, and by the time we get to them, they would have quickly adjusted their pumps back to the regulated price and quantity. As such, there is not much we can do in that instance.”

Furthermore, the source noted that DPR is challenged by the shortage of adequate manpower to effectively police the industry, saying: “Even if all the staff of DPR should go out to the field for monitoring, we won’t even be enough to go round one area in Lagos, let alone nationwide.”

This notwithstanding, she enjoined concerned citizens to continue to alert the agency whenever they were cheated by calling to inform them about the location of the outlet, so they could take necessary actions.

BUJA — NIGERIAN Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, NEITI, yesterday, indicted the Federal Government for the high rate of corruption in the hydrocarbon sector of the Nigerian economy.

Speaking at a workshop in Abuja, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, Executive Secretary, NEITI, disclosed that the determination of the Federal Government to protect sensitive industry information is frustrating efforts to ensure transparency in the oil and gas industry.

According to her, refusal of the Federal Government to mandate the relevant agencies to open up registers of licensed entities and contractual engagements in the oil and gas sector to the public is undermining effort to ensure transparency in the sector.

She further stated that this act of indecision by the Federal Government pushes NEITI to regularly manoeuvre in most cases, to get information from operators, during the course of the preparation of its audit reports.

She explained that countries with less experience and capacities in managing extractive industries like Ghana, Liberia and the Gambia were ahead of Nigeria in opening up licensed registers and contracts to the public.

She said, “The major challenge we have in Nigeria in implementing EITI is our inability to open up the licensing registers of the oil and gas companies; it is our inability to open up and put in the public domain operating contracts for the oil and gas sector.

“Those are our major challenges but what we have done in NEITI with the guidance of the National Stakeholders’ Working Group (NSWG) is that we have looked at the standards and insist that, standards are not really in the public but what did the requirements ask for?”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015—9

El-Rufai warns Yero over intention to spend N2.74bn SURE-P money

By Luka Binniyat

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ADUNA – KADUNA State Governor-elect, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, has warned outgoing Governor Mukhtar Yero not to secure approval of the state legislature to spend N2.7bn Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) fund two weeks to handing over to him.

In a statement signed by his spokesman, Mr Samuel Aruwan, in Kaduna yesterday, El-Rufai warned of “dire consequences” should the Kaduna State House of Assembly pass the request into law and the money is eventually spent.

According to the statement, “Kaduna State governor-elect, Malam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai has reacted to the attempt by the outgoing Kaduna State government to secure approval to spend N2.744 billion SUREP funds.

“The government has put pressure on the Kaduna State House of Assembly for the spending approval, barely two weeks to the end of its tenure.

“El-Rufai has said that the incoming All Progressives Congress, APC, government in the state will punish anyone culpable in the SURE-P funds diversion.

Aruwan quoted El-Rufai as saying: “I have been made

aware of desperate attempts to secure approval to spend N2.744 billion SURE-P funds.

Less than two weeks to its exit, the outgoing government of Kaduna State is seeking to pressure the outgoing House of Assembly to permit it to spend 50 per cent of the money on the Kawo road project, while the 23 local government councils will share the balance.

“As governor-elect, it is my

duty to caution every official involved in these last-minute deals that the incoming government will ensure that there are dire consequences for illegal conduct, breach of trust and stealing of public assets.

"Our government will certainly insist on accountability, and no one should be in any doubt about our resolve, be it the instigators of any impropriety

or those who facilitated and executed it.

“Our transition committee is daily inundated with reports about the dire financial straits in which the outgoing government has placed the state. While I await the formal submission of the committee’s report, I am compelled to publicly affirm that we cannot and will not turn a blind eye to bad behavior.”

CONFERENCE: From Right (front row): Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Rear Adm. Gabriel Okoi; the Deputy CDI, AVM Bashir Saidu and Director (Foreign Liasion), Brig.-Gen. Peter Bojie, with participants at the opening ceremony of the Deputy Defence Advisers/Attaches and Librarians' Annual Training Conference, in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

PENGASSAN, NUPENG on strike over rights to oil zIndustrial action may affect power supply leases

By Ediri Ejoh

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AGOS — THE Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, branch of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Corporation, NPDC, yesterday shut down exploration activities in the country over the failure to reverse the alleged transfer of the operatorship of Oil Mining Lease, OML 42.

The unions had given a notice, which expired on Friday, urging the Federal Government to reverse the transfer of operatorship of the Joint Venture, JV, partnership in OMLs 40 and 42 to Neconde Energy Nigeria Limited and Elcrest Exploration and Production Limited.

A statement from the JV partners, said the shut-in has affected all NPDC operated assets in joint venture with indigenous companies that had applied for operatorship, except Neconde, who, prior to the crisis,

had been awarded the operatorship of OML 42, and immediately got the JTF to secure the assets.

Elcrest (OML 40) which is next in line to be awarded operatorship, Shoreline OML 30 and FHN/Afren (OML 26) have now been shut as oil evacuation is hampered from OML 34 which relies on the OML 30 pumping station.

The unions had accused the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, of stripping the two oil blocks from NPDC, a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. In 2011, the Federal Government assigned 55 per cent equity in eight assets divested by the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC to NPDC. The company had since retained the operatorship of most of the assets which included: OMLs 4, 26, 30, 34, 38, 40, 41 and 42.

The partners in the statement also expressed

worry over the impact of the industrial action on the already crippled country’s economy.

According to the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, “Nigeria has faced continued pressure from spiraling debts, in the face of dwindling revenues resulting from falling global crude oil prices.”

They argued that if the industrial action is allowed to persist, it will also affect the power sector as NPDC supplies at least 30 per cent of gas required to generate electricity.

According to them, “Over the years, NPDC have been under constant attack for lacking the requisite technical competence and financial muscle to operate the assets in contention effectively and efficiently.

“Under NPDC’s operatorship, all the oil fields have taken a nose-dive in production volumes; obligations to communities have not been met; sharp drop in revenue, etc.

All the indigenous companies that are in a JV with NPDC have suffered from the poor performance of NPDC since

acquiring the licenses.”

They also insisted on “NPDC’s lack of capacity to continue as the operator of the acreages they purchased from the Shell-led consortium. Their argument is that they could have gotten more production out of the fields than NPDC was doing as operator. The government appears to have finally agreed with them and the perception in the industry is that the remaining three companies will soon have their prayers for operatorship answered.”

A management staff of NPDC who pleaded anonymity, was quoted as saying that the strike had resulted from “a breakdown in communication” between the management of the company and the union members.

He further stated that under the new arrangement, the workers stand to benefit more, saying: “Both the NPDC and the indigenous companies are all understaffed, and would require more workers."

Alleged N6.5bn fraud: EFCC re-arraigns Sylva

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA — FORMER Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Timipre Sylva, yesterday, took fresh plea over a six-count criminal charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Sylva is facing trial over allegation that he masterminded the illegal diversion of funds from the Bayelsa State treasury while he was in power.

He was specifically accused of siphoning over N6.5 billion from the Bayelsa State treasury between October 2009 and February 2010.

EFCC had earlier identified three persons whose bank accounts it said was used as conduit pipes for illicit transfer of funds which it said that Sylva secured through loan from Union Bank Plc in the name of the Bayelsa State government.

Names of the said accomplices were given as Habibu Sani Maigidia, a Bureau de Change operator with Account no.

221433478108, in Fin Bank, Plc; Enson Benmer Limited with Account No. 6152030001946, in FirstBank Plc and one John Daukoru with Account no.

04800250000418, in United Bank for Africa Plc. Meantime, Sylva who was previously arraigned before the court on June 5, 2012, pleaded not guilty to all the six-count charge against him.

His prosecution commenced de-novo (afresh), following the retirement of the former trial Judge in the matter, Justice Adamu Bello.

Shortly after the embattled ex-governor took his plea yesterday, the new trial Judge, Justice Evoh Chukwu, allowed him to go home on bail on the same conditions that were ab-initio stipulated by the court.

Nevertheless, before adjourning the case till May 25, Justice Chukwu ordered Sylva to surrender all his international passports to the Registrar of the high court.

10 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

Lagos carnival winner to spend prize money on modelling career

PDP CRISIS: Fashola calls for vibrant opposition

By Monsur Olowoopejo

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AGOS—MISS Damilola Edward, the Beauty Pageant winner of the 2015 Miss Lagos Carnival, yesterday said that her N1.5 million prize money would be used to boost her modelling career.

Edward, 21, a sociology student of the University of Lagos, who also won a brand new KIA Picanto car, made the disclosure in Lagos.

10 females contested in the beauty pageant at the one-day carnival held on May 9 at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

The winner said that modelling had been her passion right from young age.

She said “I was never surprised that I won the 2015 Miss Lagos Carnival because I deserve it.

“I have been practicing modelling right from my young age; I am unique in doing things. It is my uniqueness that sells me."

“The N1.5 million will be used to further my modelling ambition and career in life,” Edward, who said she was an indigene of Lagos State said.

Lagos PDP removes state youth leader

By Dapo Akinrefon

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AGOS—THE crisis rocking the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday deepened as the PDP Youth Leaders’ Forum removed its leader, Mr Jide Ladehinde.

He was replaced with the Mainland local government youth leader, Mr Malomo Adelabi.

A dissident group within the Lagos State PDP had last week removed the state chairman of the PDP, Capt Tunji Shelle (retd).

The PDP youths, however, pledged their loyalty to Shelle describing his removal as “condemnable, and in the interest of the opposition”.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Publicity Secretary of the youth group, Mr Abiodun Abari faulted the role of the party’s Youth Leader condemning the “way and manner the aggrieved persons rushed to press without exploring available options to resolve their grievances internally.”

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AGOS—AS the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP crisis intensifies, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has urged the party to resolve its crisis and form a vibrant opposition in the country, saying; “the country’s democracy needs opposition.”

Fashola, in an interview, said that the country’s democracy cannot survive without a vibrant opposition to checkmate the party in government (All progressives Congress, APC).

According to him, “We have been in opposition and it is necessary. Today, those who were in opposition for 16 years are now preparing to get into governance, and those who were in government before now see how opposition life is.”

The governor noted: “It is important that opposition must remain.

The country ’s democracy needs opposition.”

Explaining the importance of vibrant opposition in democratic governance, he said “for instance, the two dominant parties in United States of America, USA, are either in or out of government. While one serves as opposition for

some years, the other is in government and vice verse.

Speaking about his successor, Fashola said; “ in a sense, we have gained and for my successor, Akinwunmi Ambode, he stands at the threshold of history because all the issues that affected the state may ultimately come to an end during his tenure.

“By the vote of Nigerians, APC is now the party that will form the government at the center and in Lagos. We are also happy that we also have a lawyer as the Vice President of the country. He will understand the importance of law,” the governor added.

Meantime, the state government yesterday, presented to the public 31 research projects from various fields of human endeavour carried out through N126.2 million state’s grant.

The projects were aimed at promoting infrastructural development and economic growth in the country.

Governor Fashola said at the occasion that research and development is germane for economic growth of any country or state in the world.

According to him, the research projects on exhibition at the event were funded through the state’s Research and Development Grants, LRDG.

VISIT: Lagos State Governor-elect,Mr Akinwunmi Ambode flanked by first civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande and his wife, Abimbola during a 'thank you' visit at the weekend.

Apapa traders protest planned demolition of market

By Monsur Olowoopejo

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AGOS—HUNDREDS of traders of Idi-Ose Market in Apapa Local Government yesterday stormed the Lagos state House of Assembly protesting over the planned demolition of the market by Oba Fatai Aromire Ojora.

The traders, who stormed the Secretariat, Alausa at about 1:00 pm lamented that the demolition of the market would render thousands of them jobless.

The protesters were armed with placards with various inscriptions.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the Iyaloja-general Apapa-Ignamu, Alhaja Nike Owoseni said she got the information about the proposed demolition last week while she appealed for peace, she said as the leader of not less than 16 markets, she has been making moves to resolve the impasse.

According to her, “When they called me on Thursday that they wanted to pull down the market, we went to the police station to complain and we tried also to see the Oba

but we were told that he was engaged in a festival. So I told my people to maintain peace.

“This morning (yesterday), I was called again that some

20 youths were harassing the traders in the market. Our people wanted to retaliate by fighting them but we had to appeal for calm,” she said.

Also, the secretary of Idi-

Ose Market, Pastor M. A. Adeoye said they were being treated as slaves, adding that the threat for them to vacate the market has been on since 2014.

How 197 drug convicts escaped from jail—NDLEA boss

By Ifeanyi Okolie

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HAIRMAN/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, disclosed yesterday that a cartel comprising some court clerks and prison warders aided 197 convicted drug traffickers to evade serving their sentences”.

The NDLEA boss who disclosed this while supervising the destruction of illicit drugs valued at N3.5 billion at Ibereko area of Badagry Lagos revealed how the convicted drug traffickers manipulated their way out of lawful custody.

Giade, who accused prison officials and court clerks of criminally aiding the release of notorious drug traffickers added men of NDLEA uncovered this plot when a drug convict who ought to be

in prison was re-arrested while attempting to smuggle drugs at the Kano airport.

According to him, “a cartel that aided 197 convicted drug traffickers to evade serving their sentences was detected by my men.

“The Police investigated the case and confirmed my findings that 197 drug convicts were left off the hook with the connivance of some court clerks and prison warders” Giade explained that “statutory, NDLEA has no business taking care of an accused once the person had been arraigned and remanded in prison custody. The Agency discovered that the criminal act took place between the court and the prison after an accused had been sentenced.

“This is a wake-up call for stakeholders to remain sensitive and prevent any act

capable of undermining the criminal justice system. We must continue to discharge our responsibilities without compromise from the time a case is reported to when a convict completes serving the prescribed punishment by the court”.

Meanwhile, the destroyed drugs weighing 18,791.5953kg were seized by the NDLEA Lagos State Command, Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Command, Seme Border Special Area Command and the National Headquarters.

All cases relating to the destroyed drugs have been heard and disposed by the Federal High Court. The drugs include 18,420.71kg of cannabis, 268.9533kg of cocaine/heroin and 101.932kg of methamphetamine/ ephedrine.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 — 11

ALLEGED COVER FOR GANGS: You're a hypocritical, Fayose tells Falana

By Gbenga Ariyibi

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DO EKITI—EKITI State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose has faulted Mr Femi Falana’s claim that he (Fayose) was providing cover for armed gangs to operate in the state, saying such a comment is ridiculous and nonsensical.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti yesterday through his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor wondered why the Lagos-based lawyer would always stand truth on the head.

The governor, who was reacting to a comment by Falana in a national daily that the governor was the one sponsoring armed hoodlums to operate in the state described Falana as a hypocritical political merchant, who always kept silent whenever APC controlled States are involved.

He asked; “Is this not hypocrisy?

And Falana did not find it important to ask those All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled states what they have done with their workers’ salaries if truly he is a human rights activist as he claims to be.

“Hypocrisy has made Falana not to say a word on the collapse of the judiciary and the legislative arms of government in some APC controlled states. Or is the judiciary in Rivers working? And has Falana said a single word on the collapse of the judiciary in Rivers State?

While urging Falana to live up to the meaning of his name by minding his own business, Fayose wondered why the lawyer would be pretentious about some issues and act to be a defender in others not involving his friends and paymasters.

“Falana should be ignored because he is fond of beating about the bush and his utterances are always dictated by the percentage of stomach infrastructure from his paymasters.

“I have never and will never provide official cover for armed gangs. ‘’It is only a governor or leader that is not popular or loved by his people that would adopt such unconventional means to rule,” he said.

The governor said his being loved

by Ekiti people was further demonstrated in the last general elections by the pattern the people voted for his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The governor added that instead of Falana advising his paymasters in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and calling them to order, he was rather leading them astray.

“The reason Nigerians should stop paying attention to any comment by Falana on Ekiti is that murder cases involving a former governor and four lawmakers, are pending in various courts and Falana kept quiet and pretended as if nothing happened.

“It is this same man, who as a

SCHOOL TAKE-OVER: Nonagenarian plans peaceful protest to Fasola's office

By Innocent Anaba

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VISIT: From (2nd left) Hon Abike Dabiri; Mrs Ngilari, wife of Adamawa State governor; wife of Nigeria High Commissioner to Argentina; Mrs Olufunke Amosun, wife of Ogun State governor; Mrs Aishat Buhari, President-elect wife; Mrs Oyemade, Mrs Nkechi Okorocha, Imo State Governor's wife; Dr Malai and Hajia Hajo Sanni, Former minister for Women Affairs with officials of Nigerian High Commission in Buenos Aries, Argentina during the visit of Nigerian women delegation to Argentina for a conference.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, ought to protect and encourage the protection of the judiciary, is the one underneath encouraging the APC lawmakers to disrespect court orders all in the name of politics.

“It is this same party of his, which owes workers seven months salary in Osun and four months in Oyo and Ogun that is crying every day in the press over a little delay in the payment of April salary in Ekiti,” he concluded.

IGP deploys special squad to ensure that all states of the in Ekiti over kidnappings Federation are rid of people with Meantime, the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase has assured people of Ekiti of a rapid response to the spate of kidnapping in the state.

Arase, while hosting the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose in his office, promised to deploy a special team to Ekiti and Kogi states within the next 48 hours to curb the menace.

The IGP, who noted that the police will do everything within its power

criminal tendencies, assured the governor that Ekiti State will soon become safe for economic activities.

Addressing newsmen, Fayose expressed his readiness to create an enabling environment for the police to thrive in checking crimes in the state.

He said all hands must be on deck irrespective of party affiliations, to ensure a peaceful Ekiti where everyone would sleep with their two eyes closed.

How my mother-in-law escaped from fraudsters – AMOSUN

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—OGUN State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday, raised an alarm that fake government officials are on the prowl in the state aiming to dupe the people in the name of Home Owners Charter programme.

Amosun explained that the fake government officials had contacted his mother-in-law asking her to pay some huge money before she could have the title documents to her house.

The governor stated this while presenting one thousand title documents to the 7th batch of beneficiaries of the Home Owner Charter Programme at the Arcade Ground, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Amosun explained that his mother-in-law escaped from being duped by the fake officials when she put a call

to him over the issue and was asked not to go ahead.

He said “some people have been going round in the name of homeowners charter. In fact, some people went to my mother-in-law that they will help her get the document that they are from the homeowners and I said grandma, if you give anybody money, that means you have just wasted your money.

“Particularly, in Arepo, some people have been calling us over the activities of fraudsters”, he said.

The governor said the programme had helped government to identify infrastructure needs of various communities and stressed that it would help his administration in attending to them.

The governor said other states had interfaced with Ogun with a view to replicating the programme in their respective states.

In his address, Special Adviser on Lands, Director-General of Bureau of Lands and Survey, Mr. Wale Osinowo noted that the

programme had revolutionalized the property market in the state, as well as improved the standard of living of citizens and their ability to access capital.

...Amosun inaugurates transition committee Governor Amosun has set up a transition committee to ensure a befitting second term inauguration ceremony.

The Committee consisting of seven sub-committees including media, programme content, protocol, entertainment, logistics, security and venue management also has a coordinating committee headed by the deputy governor-elect, Chief Yetunde Onanuga with Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, Head of Service, Mrs Modupe Adekunle, and Chief of Staff as members.

AGOS—A 91-yearold woman, Madam Roseline Ololo, has written the Lagos State Police Command to convey her intention to embark on peaceful demonstration at Governor Babatunde Fashola’s office today.

The notice to the state police command, dated May 13, 2015 was pursuant to an earlier seven days ultimatum issued by the nonagenarian to Fashola for the return of her schools, Metropolitan College and Isolo Secondary School in Lagos.

Metropolitan College was founded by Madam Ololo and her late husband, Chief Michael Ololo in 1955 through their company, Akaix West Africa Limited.

In the notice to the police

by Madam Ololo’s counsel, Malcolm Omirhobo, the police was urged to provide adequate security throughout the peaceful demonstration which is billed to start from 9a.m. today.

The lawyer also wrote another follow-up letter to Fashola, lamenting the refusal of the state government to release the schools to the owner despite repeated demands, and then notifying the governor of the intention of his client to embark on the said demonstration.

In the letter to Fashola, the lawyer said: “Regrettably, as at today 13th day of May, 2015, we are yet to receive any response from your office. This callous and nonchalant posture of the Lagos State Government has led to my client to be restive and apprehensive that unless cogent and urgent steps are taken, her schools may not be returned to her before your Excellency vacates office.”

The Military Government of Lagos State took over 48 private secondary schools from their owners, including Metropolitan College. In the process, Isolo Secondary School was carved out of Metropolitan College on the same expanse of land hosting the college.

However, in 2001, the administration of Bola Tinubu repealed the law and returned the schools to their owners, but Metropolitan College was not returned, a development that brought about a law suit.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

Obasanjo's think-tank report, blackmail for Buhari, says Owie A

FORMER member of the National Assembly, Senator Rowland Owie, has said that the Chief Obasanjo think-tank report will soon become a document of blackmail for the presidentelect, Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.).

Owie, former Chief Whip of the Senate, in a statement, wondered: “How can Obasanjo be preparing a blueprint for Buhari?”

He expressed concern that the in-coming administration of Buhari was in romance with Obasanjo, noting that the said document will become a blackmail because “Obasanjo will tell the world that the solutions he prescribed for fixing Nigeria were ignored.

“I just read that Obasanjo's think-tank has submitted a blue print to Buhari. I am shocked that great Nigerians like Prof.

Mabogunje, Dr. Kalu and Dr. Kolade were involved. Since Obasanjo is linked to the blueprint, it will be a document of blackmail to Buhari very soon.

“How can Obasanjo who wasted eight years in government pursuing perceived enemies and tried to ruin the legislative and judiciary arms of government

in Nigeria, wasted $16 billion on power and not a single kilowatt of energy was produced, destroyed Aladja Steel, Itakpe Steel, Ajaokuta Steel, NITEL, just to mention a few government parastatals, as a result of his incompetence now begin to advice Buhari?

“How can Obasanjo, whose government received, in one year, a revenue equivalent of

the total revenue that Gen. Ibrahim Babandiga's regime received in eight years, with nothing to show for it, be handing over a blue print to the in-coming administration?

“While there are great legacies left behind by Babandiga, Nigerians can’t find any useful legacy by a government that received the highest revenue, since the

amalgamation of Nigeria.

The legacies left behind by Obasanjo are hate, divisiveness, Zaki-Ibiam and Odi destruction, impunity in government business and the business of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that was put together by wellmeaning people, including my humble self, when he, Obasanjo, was in prison.

DELTA TRADE EXPO: From left: Mr. Kenneth Okpara, Commissioner for Finance; Mr. Patrick Origho, Head of Service; Dr. Anthonia Ashiedu, Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Chief Paulinus Akpeki, Chief of Staff to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, during the official opening of Delta Trade Expo 2015, at the Dome, Government Event Centre, Asaba,Delta State. Photo: Nath Onojake.

N-Delta struggle resumes after Jonathan hands over, —Dokubo threatens

By Emma Amaize & Perez Brisibe

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EADER of Niger Delta People Salvation Front, NDPSF, Alhaji Dokubo Asari, has said that the next phase of the struggle for self determination by the people of Niger Delta will start with the hand-over of power by President Goodluck Jonathan to President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari.

He also described President Jonathan’s tenure as a period of restraint on the people of the Niger Delta region.

Asari, at the 2015 annual Major Issac Adaka Boro Day organised by NDPSF in Ughelli, Delta State, said that Jonathan’s presidency has been a mitigation and a restraining factor on the advancement of the self determination struggle of the Niger Delta people.

He said: “A new government begins in Nigeria and the next phase of our struggle shall begin. We will watch, wait and determine our best way forward because the future is pregnant and Nigeria will never be the same again.”

Speaking on the incoming administration of Buhari, he

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said: “Should Buhari undermine certain interests of the Niger Delta region through a systemic arrest, maiming of our comrades and seeing her as a conquered region, then it may be honourable for some of us to

die in prison or in the field of war as nobody is afraid of him.

“Yes, a new government begins in Nigeria and the next phase of our struggle will begin also. The Jonathan presidency was like a restraining factor. Now that

the order is about to be lifted, however, we will watch and wait, let them draw the first blood and we shall determine our best way forward. Truly, Nigeria will never be the same again. The future is pregnant.”

Why APC leadership should cede House of Reps Speaker or Deputy to S-South, by Akpatason

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—THE member representing Akoko-Edo federal constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives, Mr. Peter Akpatason, has admonished the leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC and his colleagues in the National Assembly to consider what he described as the peculiar situation the APC faced in the South South during the elections and ensure that either the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives was zoned to the area.

Akpatason, who also was re-elected for a second term,

reminded them that the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan and the money injected in the zone by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during the elections made the elections difficult for the APC in the zone.

He said: “We in the South South believe that we made great contributions to the emergence of APC. We may

not have contributed the numbers that other regions were able to produce, but people need to realise that the out-going president is from the South South."

NDDC begins inauguration of 40 projects in Delta

By Festus Ahon & Ochuko Akuopha

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SABA—THE Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has commenced the inauguration of another phase of completed projects in Delta State with over 40 of such projects slated for the exercise.

The Commissioner representing Delta State on the board of the commission, Chief Tom Amioku, said the commissioning of the projects marks a significant milestone in the complementary efforts of NDDC in the development of the Niger Delta region.

The first day of the exercise saw the inauguration of six completed projects located in parts of the state as well as inspection of some executed projects to ascertain their readiness for formal hand over to the benefitting communities.

The commissioned projects include, two landing jetties at Ogriagbene, upgraded school infrastructure at Government College, Bomadi, both in Bomadi Local Government Area, Odorubu-Imiwhere Road in Patani and another road that link the Odorubu main road to the Customary Court, Patani, in Patani Local Government Area of the state.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015—13

Judiciary workers in Edo defy govt order to resume work

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—MEMBERS of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Edo State branch, yesterday, defied a directive by the state Judicial Service Commission to return to work or risk instant dismissal from service.

It will be recalled that the workers have been on strike since January 5, over the nonimplementation of the financial autonomy granted to the judiciary by a Federal High Court in Abuja on January 13.

In a move to reopen the courts in the state which have been shut since then, the state Judicial Service Commission in a statement by its Secretary, Mr. Isaac Sanu, last week instructed the workers to return to their duty posts on May 18, failing which they would be dismissed from the state civil service.

But the workers described the directive as illegal and vowed not to the call off the strike or return to work until their grievances were addressed.

Vanguard gathered that the main gate to the high court was forced open at 9a.m., under the supervision of the Chief Registrar of the court, after some of the striking employees tried to prevent entry into the court, a move the vice chairman of the union,

John Egbomeade, described as mere intimidation which the workers would not succumb.

Egbomeade said: “The Chief Registrar of the High Court, Mr H. E. Enemaku, came to break the lock and forced the gate open, claiming that the workers were willing to return to work. But you can see that even some hours after the gate was forced open, no staff is prepared to work.

“So, that is to tell you that

they are trying to intimidate the workers to come to work. But the workers are saying there is no going back. So, irrespective of the threat, the strike continues. The workers are resolute, undaunted, no going back until our demands are met.”

He condemned the directive by the commission, describing same as “illegal, null and void,” arguing that a suit had already been filed at the National Industrial Court, with

CONFERENCE: Kamar Bakrin, Partner, Helios Investment Partners; Michiel Buitelaar, Managing Director, Smile Communications; Cyril Odu, Executive and Partner, African Capital Alliance and Charles Robertson, Global Chief Economist, Renaissance Capital, at the 6th annual Pan–Africa Investor Conference, in Lagos, yesterday.

Fresh oil spill reported in Bayelsa

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—AN oil spill has been reported at the Osiama oil field owned by Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, in Bayelsa State.

According to Environmental Rights Action/Friends of Earth Nigeria, ERA/FoEN, report, the spill was discovered by its field monitors on April 18, while investigating another spill incident.

The report by Mr Alagoa Morris, Head of Field Operation, ERA/FoEN, Bayelsa, yesterday in Yenagoa, said: “Field monitors of the Environmental Rights Action visited the Ondewari/ Okpotuwari environment on April 18, 2015. It was for the purpose of visiting a spill impacted site along Agip’s Tebidaba-Ogboinbiri Flow Line.

“However, while in the field, ERA’s guides also informed ERA that there was another fresh oil spill in the area. And so, soon after concluding with the Tebidaba- Ogboinbiri pipeline, ERA was led to the

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the JSC as a the third respondent.

“It is very surprising and very unfortunate that a commission headed by a Chief Judge, who is a lawyer and a judge can condescend to use its members to break the gate leading into the court. The workers here are in solidarity with us.

“Our stand is that the strike continues until further directives," Egbomeade added.

other spill site, some kilometers away.

“This spill under reference occurred at a location opposite the three oil well heads operated by Agip and across the Ossiama Creek where the pipeline continued,” ERA/ FoEN stated.

The report quoted Omietimi Yeiyei, a local hunter in Ondewari community, Southern Ijaw Local

Government Area of the state, as having discovered the spill sometime in April.

“I hunt with dogs and during one of my hunting expeditions, I noticed someone from a neighbouring community scooping what seemed like crude oil into jerricans which he took away from the environment.

“So I decided to investigate and that was how we

discovered the spill not long ago. I tried to investigate whether there were signs of fresh diggings in the immediate environment but didn’t find any. That was why we thought the spill must have resulted from equipment failure,” Yeiyei said.

The environmental group noted with regret that officials of the oil firm were yet to take steps to contain the spill several weeks after it was reported to them.

Oil communities to DTHA: Halt debate on DESOPADEC bill 2007.

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—OIL producing communities of Delta State have asked the Delta State House of Assembly to halt, “forthwith,” the debate on the executive bill seeking to repeal and replace the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, pending the determination of a suit on the existing law.

National coordinator of the oil communities, Prince Maikpobi Okareme, one of three plaintiffs

in the pending suit, said yesterday, that the state Assembly was bound to respect the call to halt debate on the bill as a state High Court in Jeremi had also issued an injunction to that effect.

Under the existing law, DESOPADEC is expected to receive 50 percent of the accrued 13 percent derivation fund to Delta State and the plaintiffs (oil communities) have, since last year, dragged the Delta State Government before a state High Court, to prove that the provision had not been honoured since

The court, at its last sitting on the matter on April 25, adjourned till May 25, for ruling on application by the state government, challenging the plaintiffs' locus standi to institute the case.

In a letter by their lawyer to the Assembly, the oil communities noted that they were in the suit, seeking, among others, an “order compelling the governor of Delta State to pay outstanding N225.

616 billion under released to DESOPADEC between 2007 and 2013 in line with Section 13 of the enabling law."

State govt not pilfering LG funds, says Delta ALGON

By Festus Ahon

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S A B A — D E LT A State Chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, yesterday, said that the state government was not pilfering the monthly allocation from the Federation Account accruing to local government areas in the state.

State Chairman of ALGON, Mr Malik Itiako-Ikpokpo, who briefed newsmen shortly after a closed door meeting attended by 17 out of the 25 council chairmen in the state, said that on the contrary, the state government was contributing N600 million monthly to assist the councils in the payment of primary school teachers’ salaries.

Itiako-Ikpokpo, who is also the chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, decried the ongoing strike action by some council workers in the state.

Ibom Science Park, a failed project, says Akpabio

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO—GOVERNOR Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, yesterday, described the Science Park in Uyo, inherited from the administration of Obong Victor Attah as a failed project.

Akpabio, during his valedictory state executive monthly prayer meeting at St. John’s Chaplaincy, Government House, Uyo, said: “The Science Park, to me, is not an abandoned project. It is a failed project. A failed project is a project that money has been paid for and the person neglected to do it.

“The Science Park was contracted at N5.6 billion and from the records about N5.3 billion had been paid upfront to the contractor, a South African Company and nothing was done."

14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

My bid for Senate presidency is to complement Buhari’s agenda —LAWAN ....Tinubu, Buhari not sponsoring me

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

S

ENATOR AHMAD Lawan, APC, Yobe North has traced his aspiration to be Senate President to his determination to

Indomie Fan Club kicks off Children’s Day celebrations

By Funmi Ajumobi

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NDOMIE FAN Club (IFC), Nigeria’s largest children based fan club has commenced its annual celebrations to mark this year’s children’s day. Over 70, 000 children are expected to take part in this year’s IFC celebrations which will hold in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Akure and Abeokuta.

The celebrations which will be officially declared open tomorrow, at the National Theatre Auditorium, Lagos, will run through to May 17.

Public Relations/Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju disclosed that Indomie, children’s favourite brand, will continue to ensure that the children are happy by creating an atmosphere of fun and excitement for them through the Fan Club.

complement the anti-corruption bearing of Muhammadu Buhari as president saying that the Senate must align with the anticorruption stance of the president-elect.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos yesterday, Senator Lawan dismissed insinuations that he was being sponsored by General Buhari and APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, saying that as Senate President he would strengthen oversight function of the Senate without compromising standards.

Noting high expectations of the citizenry from the incoming

administration, he said that the polity as such needed a man of high competence and capacity to push the legislative agenda needed to push forward the changes being expected.

Senator Lawan, who spent eight years in the House of Representatives before his last eight years in the Senate made reference to his key role as a team player in the leadership of the two houses which were controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as evidence of his ability to accommodate and build bipartisan consensus among

fellow legislators.

Senator Lawan, who holds a doctorate degree in Geographical Information Science, said: “I want to provide a 21st century Senate Presidency; a leadership that will ensure that we have a bi-partisan approach to legislative business.

I will bring incorruptibility and credibility to the administration.

Buhari was elected based on three issues-anti-corruption, fight against insurgency and economic revival. I can complement the anti-corruption stance of the President.

“Nigeria needs a serious anticorruption fight. If we don’t fight

corruption, the resources will go into private pockets. We need to block leakages. My public accounts background will be of help. The judicious financial management of our resources is a priority. We are coming to power at a time of dwindling resources.

Those who pillage the treasury will have to be brought to book.”

Noting his role in building consensus while in the House of Representatives and subsequently in the Senate, he said: “I have worked in the two chambers. I know the sentiments, tendencies, and sensibilities of the two Houses. The 16 years of experience have enabled me to work with three Speakers-Buhari Salisu, Ghali N’aaba and Bello Masari. I have learned to be a team player. I like to work on the basis of consensus. This is required to build a bridge of understanding among political parties in the National Assembly.

Good governance must be supported by the National Assembly. There must be service delivery. The 20 per cent capital expenditure/70 percent recurrent expenditure ratio is not acceptable to Nigerians. We must balance the budget and reduce recurrent expenditure to have a pro-people budget.

While rejecting insinuations that he was being sponsored by Buhari and Tinubu, the Senate President candidate said he was not unmindful of the respect due to party leaders and would not be careless about the support he could receive from them.

VISIT: Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi (left), “I am seeking the support of our presenting a plaque to Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, during the Corps Marshal's leaders. They deserve respect,” courtesy visit to Force Headquarters in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN he said.

We never endorsed Gbajabiamila/Monguno ticket —Reps

By Emman Ovuakporie

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B U J A — CONTROVERSY broke out in the race for Speaker of the next House of Representatives, yesterday, after ten members-elect claimed that their names were

surreptitiously enlisted in the support group of one of the leading candidates.

The storm followed the announcement last Sunday that 36 members of the Northeast caucus had endorsed the aspiration of the minority leader, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila against the

aspiration of Rep Yakubu Dogara, the leading aspirant from the North-East.

The group led by Rep Goni Bukar Lawan had, weekend, claimed that 36 of them were in support of Gbajabiamila and Rep Mohammed Monguno, APC, Borno for speaker and deputy speaker should the two

offices be zoned to the South-West and North-East.

However, yesterday, another faction of the North-East caucus countered the claim at a press briefing, saying that the names of ten of the alleged members in support of the Gbajabiamila/ Monguno alliance had been wrongly listed among the

DELTA POLLS: APC chieftain faults Tidi, PDP, on election petitions

A

LL PROGRESSIVES Congress, APC, chieftain in Delta State, Jesutega Onokpasa, has faulted claims

by Hon. Michael Tidi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that the elections held in the state were credible and that there was no need for the APC to contest the results.

Addressing newsmen, yesterday, in Warri, Onokpasa accused Tidi, whom he described as “someone I take as a younger brother,” of C M Y K

hypocritically attempting to justify election fraud.

Insisting that Tidi, himself, had been a victim of rigging by the PDP in the past, Onokpasa asserted that he, therefore, lacked “the moral authority to defend a party that had once stolen his own mandate.”

According to Onokpasa: “Everybody in Warri knows that Tidi was oppressed and rigged out by the PDP in the House of Assembly elections in 2011 when he ran under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN and

won.

"He was later deceived by the same PDP not to proceed to the tribunal and to return to their party on the promise of being compensated with a political appointment that never materialized.

Tidi himself cannot deny this to my face and if he thinks he can hoodwink us into abandoning our petition just as he was hoodwinked into abandoning his, he certainly does not know the kind of people we are in the APC.

"We do not recognize the victories of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa or even that of Ighoyota Amori and other bogus victories the PDP allocated to its candidates. For the avoidance of doubt, we are sticking to all our petitions.”

Accusing Tidi of being misguided, Onokpasa claimed that, “The PDP is a den of backstabbers, jittery over their impending political demise in Delta State, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they disappoint the young man all over again.”

endorsement.

Rep Binta Bello, PDP, Gombe who led the dissenters to denounce the claim, said none of them was consulted before the announcement, adding that the list paraded by Lawan and his group was the attendance list for one of their meetings.

Bello said: “We, members of the 8th Assembly from the North-East zone, hereby inform our constituents and the general public that we did not endorse any candidate for election into the office of speaker of the House of Representatives.

“We were, however, suprised and shocked to see our names being brandished in some national dailies this morning claiming that we endorsed Mohammed Tahir Monguno and Femi Gbajabiamila for any joint ticket” Continuing, the lawmaker stated: “We wish to state categorically clear that we neither consulted, nor were we informed about the publication before it was published.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 —15

Save us from marginalization, Nsukka Vanguard begs Buhari ...demands ministerial slot

By Kelechi Azubuike

A

ENGAGEMENT: From left, Alake of EgbaLand, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; groom, Mr. Akintola Ejiwunmi; his bride, former Miss Oyikansola Johnson; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Mrs. Ivie Ejiwunmi, groom's mother, and Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, during the wedding engagement of former Miss Oyinkansola Johnson, daughter of Engr. & Mrs. Alex Adebisi Johnson, and Mr. Akintola Ejiwunmi, son of late Hon Justice Akintola Ejiwunmi (retd) and Mrs. Ivie Ejiwunmi, at the Havila Event Centre, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

MASSOB TO JONATHAN: Release 35 of our members before you leave

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—THE leadership of Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, yesterday, appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to, in the spirit of forgiveness, justice, love and reconciliation, release 35 members of the group detained in Awka and Onitsha prisons since April 2007.

The group also urged the

outgoing President to ensure freedom for other members detained in Enugu prison two years ago on alleged frivolous charges of the treasonable felony, before formal hand-over to Buhari’s administration.

MASSOB Director of Information,Uchenna Madu, who made the appeal, said: “Among the 22 detained members, one is a crippled man while two were females. They have been abandoned in the prison yard to rot away for being MASSOB

members, about 15 of them need serious medical attention, including the females and crippled member.

“Several court adjournments, transfer of judges who want to establish justice and systematic delay of their trial has been the calculated method to frustrate their release at Federal High Court, Awka, and State High Court, Ogidi and Federal high Court Enugu.

“The names of the detained MASSOB members at Awka

Police deny shutting down Anambra restaurant for serving human flesh

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

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NITSHA—ANAMBRA State police command has denied shutting down any restaurant in the state for serving human flesh, as reported on internet and published in some national dailies (not Vanguard) The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Uche Ezeh, in a press statement, yesterday, said the story that went viral on the internet and published by some print media, was highly regrettable because no such incident happened in the state.

He added that the reporters of such information did not seek to clarify or verify its authenticity from the state command.

Ezeh said: “I make bold to state that no such incident happened or took place here in the state and the police authority in the state did not shut down any restaurant for serving human parts or recovered any grenade as claimed or reported by some media houses. ‘’What may be seen as being close to the report was what took C M Y K

place in the state in the year 2013 when intelligence report was received that one hotel in Onitsha called Upper Class Hotel was being used by ritualists.”

The statement added that on getting the intelligence report, the police swiftly stormed the

place, arrested the proprietor and recovered two human skulls, adding that the state government as at that time demolished the hotel in line with the laws of the state, while the suspects were charged to court.

prison are: Sabastine Amadi, Ikechukwu Chikwem, Peter Igbokwe, Uchenna Nicholas, uche Idika, Casmir Odokara, Eni Kalu, Chidiebere Ezekwem, Chima Asoh (cripple), Ojimba Anyanwu, Ndubuisi Okam, Emmanuel Orji, Micheal Okezie, Ikechukwu Aghari, Mmaduabuchi Asika, Chinwike Irondi, and Chukwuma Kalu, Those at Onitsha prison are: Innocent Orji, Chukwuebuka Ikenwa, Amah Onu, Okwudiri Basil (female) and Onyekachi Orji (female) while those in Enugu are Benjamin Onwuka (Leader of Biafra Zionist Movement), and 12 other members detained in Enugu prisons.

“MASSOB appeals to President Jonathan to release them because of their aged parents, many of the detainees are bread winners of their families, many of their children are no longer in schools, their wives has gone back to their respective villages."

GROUP, Nsukka Vanguard of Hope, NVH, has appealed to President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to halt the continued marginalization of Nsukka people by appointing one of their sons or daughters a minister of the Federal Republic.

The group, in a statement by the chairman, Mr. Cyril Chukwuemeka Ugwuoke, and secretary, Chibuzo Ezike, yesterday, lamented the injustices meted out on the people of Nsukka since the return of democracy in 1999, stressing that none of its sons and daughters had been appointed a minister.

While making case for an Nsukka indigene to be appointed to fill Enugu State ministerial slot, the group expressed confidence in the personality of Muhammadu Buhari as one of the most disciplined leaders in the nation. They, however, expressed confidence that the Dauraborn general will do the needful.

The group said equity and justice should be considered when appointing a minister from Enugu State and regretted a situation where a certain group of people, though key stakeholders in Nigerian project, were alienated from the scheme of things for no just cause, wondering why Nsukka should be so treated.

15, 000 traders may be displaced over ownership crisis in Onitsha market

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI—TRADERS of Marine Modern Market, Onitsha, Anambra State, have appealed to Governor Willie Obiano to settle amicably the ownership crisis at market, which has retarded its growth and structural development.

They expressed fears that the continued court case over the ownership of the market by some people in the state was retarding the growth and structural development of the market and have therefore, appealed to Governor Obiano to intervene to settle crisis

amicably.

The traders who spoke through their Chairman Chief Vincent Ifeme said that about fifteen thousand traders are currently trading in the market and have refused to make further investment in its development and expansion thereby retarding the growth of the number of more people that would have come into the market to do business.

He said that the government is equally losing huge amount of money it would have collected from the traders if there is no ownership crisis in the market adding that with the threat to the existence of the market, the state also stands

threatened security wise if the traders are thrown out of the market by those claiming ownership.

“In as much as we are not supporting or against any of the parties to the ownership crisis

in the market, we are calling for peace, we want Governor Obiano to intervene to ensure there is peace so that the traders will develop the market like other markets in the state.

16—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

World Hypertension Day marked in Lagos

BRIEFING: From left, Felix Anyanwu, Business Manager, South; Olugbenga Abiodun, Omron Area Sales Manager, Nigeria; Olayinka Ebenezer, Marketing Manager, Diagnostics, and Abdul Abiola, Business Manager, Lagos/West, New Heights Pharma, during a press briefing to mark World Hypertension Day in Lagos, yesterday.

Group cautions Buhari on tenured terms

By Dapo Akinrefon A RIGHT advocacy organization, Coalition for Right Judiciary and Equal Rights, CRJER, has called on the President-elect, Maj Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd), to handle with care, any appointment that had expired tenure, noting that, “arbitrary termination of such appointment will not do his administration any good.”

The organization urged the incoming government to ensure that the judiciary adjudicated with fear of God and strict adherence to the rule of law “without minding whose ox is gored in the process.”

In a statement by its President and Secretary, Messrs Taiwo Somoloju Akeja and Hassan Maishanu Dandoma respectively, the coalition stated that, “if all these are on ground, it would not only create stability in the polity, it would give the foreign investors’ confidence to come around for business.”

According to the group, the quest for standard economy and industrialization of the country ccannot come to pass in a country where arbitrariness is the order of the day.

On tenured term, the coalition argued that, “no serious government would want to enter into a long legal battle that could last for two years only because it want to get rid of an individual."

C M Y K

Mrs. Sade Animashaun, CEO, Carlisle Healthcare (left), and others, during the walk to mark 2015 World Hypertension Day, organised by Carlisle Healthcare Ltd, in conjuction with Nigeria Heart Foundation, and Neimeth Pharmaceutical Ltd. Photos: Biodun Ogunleye

APC holds forum on policy direction for Buhari

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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HEAD OF the May 29th inauguration, the All Progressives Congress, APC, will convene a roadmap for the policy direction of the Muhammadu Buhari–led administration.

The programme, entitled: 'Implementing Change: From Vision to Reality,' is being organised by the Policy, Research and Strategy Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

It would be unveiled during a two-day Policy Dialogue holding in Abuja, tomorrow and Thursday.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, the Deputy Head of the Directorate and former Minister of Youth and Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the President-elect would declare open the dialogue, which would be chaired by the Vice Presidentelect, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

Abdullahi said former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair will

UNIZIK management wants to expel me — SUG President

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—THE feud between the president of the Students Union Government of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Mr. Noble Eyisi and the management of the institution has taken a new dimension with the former accusing the latter of an attempt to expel him from the university for championing the cause of students.

Eyisi had last week led a protest against the management of the university, claiming that the alleged hike in the post UTME examination from N1,000 to N2,000 and the imposition of compulsory N7,500 for biometric data capture were all moves geared at extorting students.

Addressing reporters in Awka yesterday, Eyisi also alleged that his aides were being detained in a cell in the school, adding that there were also plans to arrest him.

He said: “My sin is that immediately after I was elected, I slashed transport fare around the campus to N20 and also championed a decrease in the price of food as sold by food vendors in the campus.

“I am supposed to be getting N20,000 daily from drivers in the

school, but I forfeited that just to ensure that the fare is reduced. But when we slashed the price of a plate of food in the campus, the management resisted, just because there is an amount of money which the food vendors pay to them.

“We have told them that the people who buy the food are students and not management, and we know how we are suffering, but they refused to listen. That was how they started fighting me.”

The SUG president insisted that he was not being sponsored by

anyone as alleged by the management of the institution to destroy the Vice Chancellor, adding that he was only concerned about the well being of students of the institution which is his primary constituency.

He also said that the SUG bus has been confiscated and the management of the institution has long stopped giving it subvention, just as they now collect the Students Union dues and refuse to remit same to the union for running of its affairs.

deliver the keynote address at the dialogue where input to the roadmap for the actualisation of the policies of the incoming administration “would be made by experts drawn from different fields and members of the public.”

Abdullahi, who said the core areas of focus in the two-day dialogue would include the economy, governance, job creation and security, in line with APC's manifestoes for change.

The former Minister, however, noted that the programme will also mark the winding down of activities of the Policy, Research and Strategy Directorate of the APC Campaign Council.

While he said that topics had been outlined for discussions, he stated that notable speakers, including Prof Ibrahim Gambari, Mrs Ifueko Omogui-Okauru, Dr Tajudeen Umar, Dr Rilwan Babalola, Prof Niyi Ayoola, Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd), Mr Tunde Ahonsi, Prof Pai Obanya, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, General Abdulrahman Dambazzau, among others, were part of the discussants.

Obiano swears in 5 new commissioners

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA— GOVERNOR Willie Obiano of Anambra State yesterday swore in five new commissioners for the state.

Those appointed are M. Okey Moka (Finance), Mrs. Gladys Ilobi (Special Duties), Mr. Afam Mbanefo (Agriculture), Mr. Frank Offor (Housing and Urban Development) and Dr. Uju Nwogu (Information, Culture and Tourism).

The fate of the former commissioners occupying the portfolios assigned to the new commissioners remained

uncertain as the governor was silent on them.

Speaking after the swearing-in ceremony in Awka, the governor said they should see their appointments as a privilege.

He told them: “Serving under this administration is an honour for yourselves and we look up to you to assist in moving the state forward. What you have just signed is your job specification with time frame for performance monitoring, which is usually every100 days. So you will only stay as part of the team if you are found worthy.”

Administering the oath, the Director of Civil Litigation, Mr

Emeka Ike, explained that the appointment was in accordance with the provision of Sections 190 and 194 of the Constitution of Nigeria.

Responding on behalf of the commissioners, Nwogu expressed gratitude to the governor for finding them worthy to serve the state, promising that they would maintain the tempo of development.

She pledged their dedication in ensuring the success of Governor Obiano’s four pillars of development in the areas of agriculture, oil and gas, trade and commerce and industrialization.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015—17

I

WRITE this as someone who does not know President Jonathan personally.

I have never met the man.

Neither have I ever spoken to him electronically. All I know about him is what I read in the papers, or what I have seen of him on television.

Nevertheless, he has been my president for the last five years.

When you write positively about the president, his opponents insist you must either be a card-carrying member of the PDP or be looking for a job. They act as if it is impossible to like him without having an ulterior motive. I have ignored this cheap blackmail designed to discourage people from expressing freely their liking for the president. But it has already outlived its usefulness. In a matter of days, the president will leave office. From now on, those ostensibly looking for a job are the praise-singers of president-elect Buhari.

Sabotage For over 20 years, I refused to write anything that was not religious. I took no interest in politics, and did not participate in political debates the way I used to. When that proscription was lifted two years ago, I became interested in President Jonathan because some people were so adamant that he must not succeed.

Indeed, they did their level best to sabotage his administration. Boko Haram was one of their many weapons. The press and the social media also became their tools of persecution where the president was maliciously labelled “clueless.”

I was affronted by this. I insist that President Jonathan has an inalienable right to be president of Nigeria, as does any minority citizen.

Moreover, close scrutiny of his presidency indicates he was better in many respects than his predecessors.

The president himself observed that Nigerians would appreciate him better after he leaves office. I discovered, for instance, such anomalies as the fact that while his administration is labelled as the most corrupt in Nigerian history, the most significant advancements in dealing with corruption actually took place under him.

It is not my intention to go into those details precisely here, having written copiously about them in the heat of the election campaign. I have been and will continue to be an ardent supporter of Goodluck Jonathan, in or out of office. Within the context of the current triumphalism of APC supporters, I have found it necessary to point out that president-elect Buhari was only awarded 52% of the votes cast. That is hardly an index of overwhelming support for him. Neither is it evidence of C M Y K

The day Goodluck Jonathan became my hero overwhelming rejection of President Jonathan.

Failure is an orphan, ensuring that the president, by his own admission, has lost a lot of his fair-weather friends since losing the election.

However, instead of losing me, the president has now become my hero. I don’t want the defining moment where my liking for him underwent this sea-change to be lost in history. Therefore, I think it is appropriate to put it down in writing especially because I am convinced I might not be alone in this assessment.

Clincher On Election Day on 11th April, 2015, President Jonathan and his wife went to their polling booth in his hometown of Otuoke to cast their vote; only to discover that their cards were not recognised by the card-reader.

At this point, the 2015 presidential election became farcical. If the card-reader would not recognise the number-one citizen in the country, then it was operationally useless. As far as I was concerned, that faux pas marked the failure of INEC in the election.

I regard this as a prime example of the democratisation of Nigerian incompetence. In even the most backward of countries, there are usually exclusion zones for failure. There may be no water in the capital-city, but you would not go to the toilet in the presidential palace only to discover there is also no water there. No way, no how! There will be water in the presidency, even if it is non-existent everywhere else.

But not in Nigeria! If there are power-cuts in the Abuja, Aso Rock would not be exempted.

INEC’s malfunctioning cardreader seemed to have sinister undercurrents. Although the card-reader did not recognise the president in Otuoke, it recognised General Buhari, the APC presidential candidate, in Daura. I watched this embarrassing moment for the president from the safety of my bedroom. I knew if it was me in his position, all hell would have broken lose. I would have put

it on record right there and then that the situation was completely unacceptable.

I can imagine myself ranting off something to this effect: “Clearly, INEC has bungled this election. If I, as president of the republic, cannot be recognised by the card-reader, who then would be recognised? If the card-reader fails in the South-South which is my stronghold, sending back home a number of my supporters who may not bother to return; but works perfectly well in the stronghold of my main opponent, then it cannot be said that we are operating on a level-playing field in this election.”

Human-being The president himself also revealed that the governor of one of the South-East states had phoned him to complain about ostensible INEC conspiracy in the South-East.

I recall his precise words. He said the governor was “boiling.” However, he did his best to calm him down. He himself did not seem too bothered by it all. Instead, he pleaded that contrary to what it might seem; INEC was doing its best.

He said: “I encourage Nigerians to be patient with INEC. Everybody will vote, even if the card readers have issues. It is new and anything new you must have challenges. INEC will have a way to handle delayed accreditation and I believe

If President Jonathan was determined to win the 2015 election, he would have won by hook or crook

they will follow the guidelines to ensure that all Nigerians willing to vote will vote”.

Someone then asked him how he fancied his chances in the election. It was his reply to this question that did it for me. “I am hopeful,” replied President Jonathan.

I looked at the man again on my television screen. He was so relaxed and unflappable. I even got the impression that he had a sweet in his mouth.

I said to myself: “I don’t think Nigerians fully get this man.”

There and then, I gave him the greatest compliment I give to anybody. I said: “This man, Goodluck Jonathan, is a human-being.”

Jonathan wears his heart on his sleeve. He is a simple man who does not put on any airs.

He is the president, but he has not allowed this to get into his head. This man clearly does not see the presidency as a do-or-die affair. He is a man of destiny who seems to take everything with a diffident equanimity. From that day forward, I saw President Jonathan in completely new light. From that day forward, he became my hero.

New departure It does not matter that he then went on to lose the election. Indeed, it helps to understand his attitude to his loss. Before the last results were announced, the president conceded defeat and phoned to congratulate Buhari. Many have extolled this as a new departure in the annals of Nigerian politics.

Moreover, the president’s gesture saved lives by averting bitter disputes and riots over the flawed election results. While I definitely share the view that the president’s actions established him as an exemplary statesman, I still maintain that the icing on the cake for me was hearing him say “I am hopeful” on Election Day. Nigerian presidents are not “hopeful.” They create their own hope.

Nigerian presidents don’t lose elections. But Goodluck Jonathan lost. If President Jonathan was determined to win the 2015 election, he would have won by hook or crook. He lost because

although he wanted to win, he was not determined to win at all costs. Winning was not the only option for him.

I have read all sorts of conclusions about the election.

Some of these only emphasise APC talking-points, as if these make any difference in Nigerian elections. Some who recognise that elections are never free and fair in Nigeria would have us believe this one was different because the card-reader made it rig-proof.

But the truth of the matter is that, card-reader or not, Obasanjo would not have lost this election had he been in Jonathan’s shoes.

People seem to forget that the president’s party lost many elections before 2015, and there was no card-reader involved. PDP lost in Ondo.

It lost in Edo. It lost in Anambra. It lost in Osun. In the previous five elections before 2015, the PDP only won in Ekiti. The president kept telling Nigerians that one of the legacies he would like to leave behind is that of being the man that revamped the democratic system in the country. We heard him repeat this again and again, but somehow, did not take him seriously. We thought he was just another politician sounding off.

Equanimity However, Jonathan sat back, and watched himself being defeated at the polls. My friend, Benzak Uzuegbu, says this is conclusive proof that Jonathan is, indeed, the most clueless man that ever ruled Nigeria. “How could he have lost the election? How can an incumbent president lose an election in Nigeria, with all the powers and resources at his disposal?”

I reach a different conclusion. Jonathan lost the election because he belongs to a different class of Nigerian politicians. He lost because he did not regard the president as something to be grasped.

He lost the election because, unlike most politicians, Jonathan is a human-being.

He is a simple, decent, unassuming human-being, and that makes him God-sent to Nigeria.

Before the election, Jonathan’s traducers tried to compare him to Gbagbo of Cote d’Ivoire; a President who refused to leave even after he lost the election. How wrong they proved to be. President Jonathan not only lost, his loss became his victory. When the history of the 2015 election is finally written, the emphasis will not only be that General Buhari won, but more significantly, that President Jonathan lost. To put it more precisely, the President agreed to lose. What kind of a man does that in a country like Nigeria?

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 PRESIDENTIAL security is priority everywhere, so it is not out of place for the same rule to apply in Nigeria. We commend decision of President-elect Maj-Gen Muhammadu Buhari that his convoy would obey traffic rules, but many situations would see the presidential convoy roar through the streets without Buhari knowing what colour of traffic light it obeyed.

What we find out of place is the growing acceptance that other lives should be disrupted, so often for the safety of the President, without any measures being taken to accommodate the convenience of the public. There are several angles to these interruptions that appear more visible in Abuja, where the first sign that the President is making a trip is the number of policemen who litter the 40-something kilometre stretch from the Presidential Villa to the airport. They are at every junction, covering every spot that they consider a risk point.

Minimal Presidential Disruptions Finally, the road is sealed off until the presidential fleet rumbles through to the airport. It takes another half hour for the impact of the disruption to disappear. More parts of Abuja than the expressway to the airport are affected, as any traffic heading to the expressway is stopped until the President passes. The congestion gets into the city, creating avoidable traffic nightmares.

Abuja’s other security measures

which have seen roads cordoned off in some parts and constructions, add to the traffic miasma that is becoming a hallmark of the city.

Like in most things, those who lock up the city for the President do not consider the interests of other road users, some of who also have flights to catch at the airport, and who unlike the President, do not have their private jets waiting for them.

These disruptions also occur in

the air. Flights are either delayed from taking off or asked to hover, when they are close to an airport the President is about to use. Consideration for people who need to make appointments or the extra cost of the fuel the airlines burn and their disrupted schedules is nil.

We appreciate the importance of the attention paid to presidential security, more so with current security challenges, which do not explain some of the ancient methods of protecting the President. Is lining up hundreds of policemen on Abuja airport route, the optimal security plan to get the President to the airport?

Helicopters can ferry the President to the airport. Could that not be safer, possibly faster and cheaper? Would that also not stop frequent disruption of activities in Abuja? The President’s safety is important. The lives of those who his movements interrupt are important too. We need a balance.

OPINION Politics Bayelsa

and development State(2)

By Godfrey Pondei Continued from yesterday pg 18

U

SING Empirical data,Dr.Godfrey Pondei, in his publication entitled “Development in Third World Countries – A Case Study of Tenure Longevity” hypothesised that the number of projects and programmes a regime could ever successfully midwife is directly proportional to how long the regime in question lasts.

Understandably,this postulation may have to hold certain variables constant such as population growth, and economic indices, amongst others.But for a few exceptions, applying this theory to Bayelsa State has rather proven it right. Agreeably, it has become common knowledge that the longer an administration lasts,thegreater potentials it has to deliver on its mandate, by way of consolidating on already initiated programmes and projects; which may be discontinued or worse still relocated in the event that there is a change of government.

The latter scenario has played out in some instances in Bayelsa State to the detriment of the rapid development that had eluded the state.For instance, the Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha-led administration began the construction of the Bayelsa Airport which was relocated from Amassoma tothe Zarama axis of the East West road by another

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of

regime. After having borne enormous costs at the Zarama site, the current administrationconsidered it cost-effective to continue the project at the original site in Amassoma, and as such further relocated it there.This provides a brief background for the much progress the said project has recorded thus far. What a waste of scarce resources that could have done so much, if well directed without a change in government as it has been in other states in the South South geopolitical zone!In addition to such actions being tantamount to waste of resources that could have been better channelled,there is also the possibility of causing disaffection amongst people.Worse still,it has tendencies of giving birth to an inequality in the development equation of the state.

Observing from a nonpartisan standpoint,the Governor Dickson-led administration has to its credit the ongoing

The proposed Bayelsa Conference, when successfully held,will then define development of the state in its entirety

construction of the Bayelsa State Cargo Airport in Amassoma, construction of a deep Seaport at Age, and a consortium of roads under construction amongst which are the three senatorial roads all of which have attained appreciable levels of completion, and as such being used by a host of communities through which the said roads have passed.It is on record,how that less than midway into the current administration,stories of corruption and non-performance amongst others began to bedevil it. As part of efforts in checking such rumours, the administration appointed a Special Adviser on Rumour Mongering. Sadly, however, this seems not to have yielded much obvious fruits, as many more rumours have been hatched then after.

It is in a bid to troubleshoot the Bayelsa challenges that, just recently, the Forum of Young Academic Doctors of Bayelsa State (FYADOBS)concluded a two-month referendum carried out across ten selected communities in each of the eight local government areas of the state with a view to ascertaining the significance of the monthly Transparency Briefing by the Chief Executive of the State and those of the Local Government Councils.

Ananalysis of the data collected from the said referendum speaks eloquently of the people’s unawareness of government programmes and policies.

Specifically, only fifteen percent of the state are abreast with happenings in public domain. Out of this subset, there are yet others that are politically docile and as such indifferent about politics and development.

Aspart of recommendations intended to check the ugly, volatile and embarrassing political climate that has become rather characteristic of Bayelsa State, FYADOBS is proposing a Bayelsa State Conference where concrete development plans which, when marshalled out, will outlive any single dispensation. Such a conference becomes inevitable as it will avail people of the state an opportunity to draw from lessons learnt from the National Conference 2014. With participants to be drawn from all strata of the state – students, civil servants, professionals, businessmen, farmers, fishermen, women, men, youths, the organied private sector, etc - this could lead to the conceptualisation, and subsequent execution of projects and programmes that have the potentials of positively turning around the fortunes of the state for posterity.

The product of such a conference would be a holistic development plan across all sectors that will be owned by Bayelsans both within and those in the diaspora.This will, in no little way, guide subsequent chief executives in determining projects and programmes of paramount relevance to the people.

Convincingly, such a step will truly make everyone a stakeholder in the Bayelsa project.

The proposed Bayelsa Conference, when successfully held,will then define development of the state in its entirety. At that point, it willbehove on the state government to sponsor an executive bill for its passage into law.

Concluded •Dr. Pondei is Chairman, Forum of Young Academic Doctors of Bayelsa State.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015— —19

Why die for government?

By Sunny Ikhioya

A

N American president once made the statement; “don’t ask what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country”. In the same vein, there is this question that we usually ask ourselves; “can one die for his country?” Many people in countries like the United States, Japan, Canada, Russia, etc will answer in the affirmative but why can’t we Nigerians do same? Why are we unwilling to make the supreme sacrifice for our country? Is it in our genes or environmental make up or simply the faulty foundation as a country?

Before we attempt an explanation to this, we must realise that the United States as a country is an agglomeration of so many races, tribes and cultures, so the gene factor has nothing to do with it. We also cannot say that geographical factors are responsible for our lack of will to put our lives on the line for our country as the countries whose citizens do so are not located in one geographical area. We are also not the only country to have multiple ethnic and religious groups, so what has

made it so difficult for Nigerians to get to that level of patriotism?

When a people are guaranteed security, safety and shelter from the government, when a people are guaranteed citizenship support, no matter where they may be all over the world, their love and commitment to their country is untainted. Nigerians cannot afford to make the supreme sacrifice because they are not guaranteed reciprocal sacrifice from our government.

The people that we elected to represent us in government have chosen to remove governance from the people's reach. They have chosen to chart their own selfish course at the expense of the people. They have taken self and pecuniary interest over and above the interest of the people and in the process they have stratified the country and people into ethnic and religious lines. The basic needs of the people have been denied them, so they have to take their destinies in their own hands; in other words they have lost confidence in the government.

The strength of Nigeria as a country is in our unity in diversity, the weakness is our penchant for allowing the parts

to take precedence over the whole. If we hold unto our strengths and work consciously to eliminate or reduce the negative impact of our weaknesses, the country will be able to achieve on its potentials.

But how did a country with such great potential come to this sorry state?

Again, like I have written in the past, we must all go back to the beginning; how did a people that are fiercely traditional and loyal to their customs and mores become so scattered and unfocused? Where are the values? If we had men of valour in the past who were ready or sacrificed their lives for the sake of their individual nation, what has happened to their progenitors? As it is said about the origin of sin in the Bible ‘from the beginning it was not so’. If it was not so from the beginning,

Will the issue of settlers and citizenship be resolved to the advantage of the long suffering masses?

NDDC: Between facts and fiction

By Sam Ekpe

A

RECURRENT feature of the politics of in this country is petition writing at all levels of Government – Local Government, State and Federal. There is no government Agency, no matter how good intentioned that is not unduly criticised, harassed or blackmailed by petition writers.

The ridiculous thing about most of these petitions is that the allegations contained therein are false when investigated and sometimes, fabricated.

Another noticeable feature of the petitions is that they are written with pseudo or nonexistent names. A close scrutiny of the names of the organizations which author of the petitions come from will reveal that they are not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and their addresses are either fake, or they cannot be traced.

A major Federal Government Agency where this “Pull Him Down” (PHD) syndrome has raised its ugly head is the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

This writer feels deeply concerned about the present destructive attacks on the NDDC, because he watched with keen interest and admiration the early stages of the struggles, intrigues and positive developments that gave birth to the organization. For instance, the struggle for the emancipation of the grossly marginalised and underdeveloped Riverine communities of Nigeria was initiated by the late Chief Harold Dappa Biriye who made a case for a better deal for the area at the Lancaster Conference in 1957. Following deliberations at this Conference, the Willinks Commission was set up in 1958 to address the case of the Niger Delta minorities of Nigeria.

It was discovered that the Niger Delta area was “underprivileged, forgotten and underdeveloped”. This gave rise to the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB) soon after, which though under-funded, co-ordinated economic activities in the Niger Delta area until the outbreak of the Nigeria Civil War in 1967

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This writer was a witness to the historic role Jasper F. Jumbo – (then called The Prince)”, played in the Niger Delta Struggle in the Second Republic. While serving as the Public Relations Officer to late Dr. K. O. Mbadiwe, then, President Shehu Shagari’s Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Jasper F. Jumbo visited our office at the State House, Marina on many occasions, seeking support for his wellresearched and documented solution to the Niger Delta problem, from various political heavyweights of the period. Dr. K. O. Mbadiwe gave him a note to the late Dr Pius Okigbo, of the Skoup Group, Enugu, the then Chairman of the Federal Committee for the Review of Revenue Allocation. Dr. Okigbo’s appreciation of Jasper’s confidential submission and positive response, was one of the reasons behind the allocation of 1.5% of Federal Revenue to the Mineral Producing Areas.

During the Military Regime, Chief Biriye floated the AMPARS – Association of Mineral Producing Areas of Rivers State”, which wanted the Mineral Producing Areas Fund used for a “Mineral Areas Bank” and Commy Tax for Niger Delta Chiefs. Chief Dr Jasper Jumbo disagreed with him and on principle, formed the National Association for Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (NAMPAD) which for over seven years peacefully carried the Niger Delta struggle to fruition. As National Co-ordinator and later, National Chairman of NAMPAD, he in 1986, led a few of the Niger Delta titans to

The Senate approved a budget of N299,526,463.12 for the Commission for 2015. With the approval of this figure by the Senate, it becomes inconceivable how the Commission could have spent N150billion

then at what point did it all go wrong?

The colonisation of Africa brought its own benefits to the continent like the elimination of human sacrificial killings and technology but it destroyed the heart and soul of the black continent. Policies were deliberately contrived to eliminate whatever bit of positive history we had, in favour of Britain and other colonial masters. Every decision taken was directed at benefitting the Crown and Great Britain as far as Nigeria is concerned, so policies were deliberately set up to put one ethnic group against the other. It started with the slave trade and when that stopped, they switched over to other economic products like; cocoa, palm oil/kernel, groundnut, etc. They set up policies that placed the more educated and enlightened south against the north who then had relatively few western educated and enlightened elite. That was how the country stood at independence, a polarised south and north. Subsequently, those who have found themselves in government have continued to maintain this posture of ethnic, regional and religious divide, every failure or performance in government is attributed to sentimental factors of this dimension and following from

formally negotiate with the Federal Government to establish another Commission for the development of the Niger Delta since the NDDB had virtually became moribund.

In 1992 the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) was finally set up by His Excellency, President I. B. Babangida, after the Armed Forces Ruling Council’s sub-Committee headed by Major General Paul Omu considered its confidential Blueprint written by Jasper Jumbo’s Policy Research firm – Jaspic Associates. Obasanjo Administration following the blueprint written by Chief Jasper F. Jumbo and harmonised by Nze Akachukwu, Sen. Fred Brume, Hon. Ipiganson, Chief Ufot Ekaete, PZ Aginighan, His Excellency, Chief Melford Okilo, Chief G. S. Sikoki, Gen. Gusau, - then National Security Adviser, Col. G. O. Musa (Rtd) and Major Lancelot Anyanya), later renamed the Commission NDDC and gave it a bigger structure, with greater impetus, greater resources and greater funding from the Federal purse to develop the Niger Delta Region.

There have been many Boards and Managements in the Commission since 2001. However starting from the Chief Onyema Ugochukwu-led Board, (from the inception of the Commission), to the present Board led by Sir Barrister Bassey Dan Abia as the Managing Director; the Niger Delta Development Commission has not known peace. There would always be petition writers ready and willing to distract the Board of Directors and Management of the Commission with one false allegation or the other. These unnecessary petitions and calls for probes have resulted in the sacking and reconstituting of the Boards and Management of the Commission thrice in the six years Administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. With this circle of instability, one wonders how the Management of the Commission will devote time and attention to fulfill the Aims and Objectives of the Commission. They will rather give such attention to fighting for their survival.

The present management of the Commission is as usual, being distracted by frivolous petitions to both the President and President-elect, calling on them to sack the Board Members and apparently replace them with the cronies of the sponsors of the petitions.

One such petition was from a so-called Niger Delta Integrity Group, with no locatable

there were the coups and counter coups, until by divine providence a truce was called that brought in the civilian government of Olusegun Obasanjo. Till date, we have enjoyed civilian dispensations but the seeds of discord have not been removed.

Happily, we have made improvements in our democracy; can the new regime acknowledge this as a challenge and begin the process of correcting this long outstanding anomaly? Will the issue of settlers and citizenship be resolved to the advantage of the long suffering masses? Will the secularity of Nigeria be brought to the fore front at the expense of religious bigotry? Will the government be ready to sacrifice for the people first before it embarks on its own ego tripping?

Will there be equity in the distribution of resources and personnel? Will pieces of infrastructure targeted at improving the lives of the common man, be focused on by this government?

If all of these are sorted out, only then will we be able to gather men in surplus that will be able to come out and say; “I can die for Nigeria”. *Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

address and without the telephone numbers of the authors. The petition was published on page 52 of Daily Trust newspaper, edition of Thursday April 30 2015. A close analysis of the contents will result in its being easily dismissed as hogwash, as many unreasonable and unsubstantiated allegations were made by the authors. They include; Expenditure of sums in excess of three hundred billion naira (N300,000,000,000.00) within one year with almost nothing to show for it. This story should be told to the marines, as in the present day Nigerian bureaucracy, with DUE PROCESS in place, no agency of the Federal Government can afford to do so. The NDDC has a budget approved by the Federal Executive Council, with oversight roles by both the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on the NDDC. The Management could not have ‘wasted’ N300,000,000,000.00 and yet appeared before the Senate Committee on NDDC to successfully defend its 2015 Budget estimates a few days ago. It could only have done so with verified proofs of expenditures and executed projects from previouslyapproved budgets.

Only on Thursday May 14, 2015 the Senate approved a budget of N299,526,463.12 for the Commission for 2015. With the approval of this figure by the Senate, it becomes inconceivable how the Commission could have spent N150billion i.e. over half of both its approved capital and recurrent expenditure budget in the past one year without seeking approval of both the FEC, the National Assembly and BPP. This is simply a figment of the imagination of the fiction writers!

It also cannot be true that almost 2000 new projects were awarded to ‘emergency contractors’ without budgetary provision and that many of the contracts have been fully paid for, even when the “emergency contractors” have not moved to site.

It is also unbelievable that the Commission that reports to the Presidency has awarded new contracts in excess of (N150,000,000,000.00) One hundred and Fifty Billion Naira in the last one year but has avoided or evaded seeking Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval or having any recourse to National Assembly or the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

•Mr. Ekpe, a former Press Secretary in the State House, wrote from Abuja.

20 — VANGUARD, TUESDAY, MAY 19 , 2015

Stories By Bose Adelaja

I

F you are a regular user of the Ijora flyover bridge, you may have consciously or otherwise noticed a perimeter fencing with two gates shielding two primary schools, a junior high school and an abandoned health centre with ugly shanties erected around the perimeter fencing.

The schools are Banjo Primary School, Ebenezer Primary School and Ogbo Junior High School, all in the swampy Otumara community, Ebute Metta West, Lagos State.

Located in an unfriendly and inhabitable environment, students of these schools are exposed to various dangers, including diseases and attacks from street urchins and animals . The schools which are near Brickfield Street, Apapa have a minimum of 500 students each.

The sorry state of these schools, particularly Banjo Primary School, however, demands urgent attention from relevant authorities.

Until recently, when a nongovernmental organisation offered a helping hand by erecting the perimeter fencing which was estimated at about N2 million, students of these schools were unintentionally mixing freely with street urchins and domestic animals that have made the schools their abode.

Apart from that, uncleared refuse dumps and weeds competed for space in the schools premises. Same applies to the abandoned, vandalized health centre where street urchins usually pitch their tent irrespective of government presence.

Banjo Primary School has only six teachers attending to over 500 pupils. The teachers are supported by a head teacher and an assistant head teacher to carry out academic duties. This is apart from the fact that the school is made up of only six classrooms which are in advanced state dilapidation.

An resident who pleaded anonymity told Vanguard Metro, VM, that some of the pupils have been raped due by undesirable elements that usually hang around, although none of the victims has spoken out.

To make matters worse, some parents said that during the rainy season, the premises are usually flooded.

VM gathered that Senator Remi Tinubu offered to donate three classrooms through a contractor who did not complete the project.

This was also the case with the four-year-old dilapidated six classrooms building which was said to have been badly constructed. VM was informed

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*Front view of the endangered schools

Lagos school where pupils share classrooms with animals when the former head teacher called the attention of the contractor to the shoddy job, the contractor had threatened to deal with her.

As at the time of filing this report, some worried parents are appealing to all relevant authorities to come to the aid of the school as there are very strong indications that it might cave in any moment and endanger the

Some worried parents are appealing to all relevant authorities to come to the aid of the school as there are very strong indications that it might cave in any moment and endanger the lives of the innocent pupils

lives of the innocent pupils. One of the parents, 50-year-old Mrs Basirat Abdukareem, said several complaints have been expressed over the matter in the past but nothing has been done so far in response. ‘’We shall not stop

calling on government until our prayers are answered,” she said.

Another parent, Mr Olokunola Adisa, said he was planning to relocate to another area due to the poor condition of the school. ‘’The classroom block can collapse any

moment. So, I am planning to relocate my children but this is difficult because that is the only school around here. We want the government to intervene because no one knows what these children can become tomorrow,” he said.

NEMA sensitises traders, others on flash flooding T

HE National Emergen cy Management Agency, NEMA, South West zone has flagged off a public sensitisation and awareness campaign to enlighten the citizens on the possible implications of the rainfall patterns for 2015. The implications include flash flooding, especially in built-up urban centres.

If utmost cautions are not exercised.

The agency in a statement signed by its Information Officer, Ibrahim Farinloye described flash flooding as more destructive and deadly than the normal flooding because the rainfall does not give prior notice.

“People will be tempted to ignore the rain and try to

move on with their normal routine on the road but the gathering of rainwater from the affected community will converge and start causing serious sweeping of everything in its course,” he said.

The campaigns according to NEMA, will hold around flood- prone areas of Oyo, Ogun and Lagos. Specifically affected are Igarra community in Oyo State, Sango Otta in Ogun state and Mile 12 areas of Lagos State while the target audience includes commercial drivers, traders, commercial motorcyclists, commuters and students who are the most vulnerable.

The campaigns will focus on safety tips to avoid staying under make-shift structures

and sending children on errands while there are indications of possible rainfall.

The statement also advised motorists to avoid staying in their vehicles during rainfall.

Schools were also advised against allowing their pupils/students to go home when there are possibilities of heavy rainfall.

“People should avoid plying the road immediately after rainfall because the underlying ground cannot cope, or drain it away on time. Roads can become like rivers and if there is a lot of water, it can affect properties, so, if the rain is falling too fast for the ground or drains to cope, there is a risk of flash flooding,” Farinloye said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

— 21

DISCOs deny indigenous prepaid meter producers patronage — BoI boss

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

A

GAINST the spirit of local content initiative, Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) have denied indigenous pre-paid meter manufacturers patronage.

Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa at the workshop for Business Editors and Industry Correspondents in Lagos yesterday titled, ‘BoI impacting on the Nigerian Industrial Sector’, lamented on the quantum of denial by disco companies to patronize locally made

prepaid meters, which he affirmed are of international standard.

Olaoluwa said out of the 11 disco companies in the country, only six of them patronize indigenous prepaid meters manufacturers, adding that disco companies prefer to import prepaid meters.

“Nigerian companies have invested heavily in the local production of prepaid meters and they produce very good quality meters. It is in our national interest that those companies are patronized by our disco companies

so that they can also grow and add value to economic development of this country” “Luckily, six discos are presently patronizing local manufacturers of prepaid meters but we need all of them to do so.”

Though, the BoI boss said that he would not encourage or support the companies to patronise manufacturers that produce substandard products but for those companies which have maintained good quality that can stand the test of quality in the international market, deserved to be patronized.

BRIEFING: From left: Mr. Waheed Olagunju, Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprise, Bank of Industry; Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, MD/CEO; Alhaji Muhammed Alkali, Executive Director, Large Scale Enterprise and Mr. Omar Shekarau, Divisional Head, Management Services during the Bank of Industry media parley in commemoration of one year of BoI’s impact in the industrial and SME sectors, in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

He stated, “We are not advocating patronage of substandard meters, the locally manufactured prepaid meters have been certified as top quality and international standards and there is no reason why we should continue to import meters.”

He emphasized, “I want to be very clear that am not saying Disco companies should patronise local manufacturers that produce trash but they should encourage those that produce good quality meters. We have local manufacturers that produce to international standard and they should be patronized.”

Commenting on the connection of the bank to the indigenous manufacturers, Olaoluwa explained that the bank gave the producers long term loans which they have justified in their products.

“We supported the local manufacturers of prepaid meters with long term loans. If they do not get the required patronage how would they grow? They need to pay the loans and also create Jobs”.

He, however, declined to disclose the amount of loan given to the producers but regretted that Nigerians complain of no jobs and about economic issues yet they are not encouraging those that have helped to create employment in the country.

He added that the country might continue to go in circles if Nigerians did not encourage local producers, “If we do not patronise local manufacturers, we will not make progress.”

“Those indigenous companies have invested to produce here in the country and if they are not encouraged, they cannot sell and they will be forced to lay off staff and go bankrupt.”

FRC suspends public hearing on corporate governance code $137.95

2.30

$3,136.00

$12.73

3.00

-0.16

$66.50

-0.31

59.82

0.13

CURRENCY

BUYING

CENTRAL

DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

196 196.5 309.8368 310.6272 223. 9692 224.5406 215.5741 216.1241 1.6437 1.6479 0.3161 0.3261 275. 641 276.3441 31.6028 31.6839 52.2639 52.3972 29.9992 30.0758 278.418 279.1283

197 311.4176 225.1119 216.674 1.6521 0.3361 277.0473 31.765 52.5305 30.1523 279.8385

CBN Exchange Rate as at 18/ 05 /15

By Babajide Komolafe

T

he Financial Reporting Council has suspended the public hearing schedule for today on the draft National Code for Corporate Governance due to a court injunction obtained against the hearing by some shareholders.

Meanwhile the Council has dismissed the allegation of division among its board members as well as misappropriation of funds for the take off of the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) Academy.

Addressing journalists at the Headquarters of the Council in Lagos yesterday, Chairman, Board of FRC, Hajia Ibrahim, said that the proposed public hearing for the draft National Code for Corporate Governance earlier scheduled for today (Tuesday) has been stopped by a court injunction. She said that after releasing the exposure draft of the

code, and allowing 30 days for observations from stakeholders, the Council decided to hold the public hearing to educate the public about the Code, and also hear from the various stakeholders observations and reservations about the Code.

"That was what we are preparing for only for us to receive a court

...out of the 11 disco companies in the country, only six of them patronize indigenous prepaid meters manufacturers, adding that disco companies prefer to import prepaid meters.

injunction against the hearing.

"We are surprised at it because when we said we want to have a public hearing, it is for you to come up and hear your grievances about the corporate governance code. If you don't come forward and talk to the public, and for us to put together what we need to put together, we cannot move forward as a nation. And it is not that as soon as we meet tomorrow, it becomes a law in Nigeria. If not for this court injunction, after the public hearing the steering committee who actually started the programme, will put together all the observations, which will the be submitted to the technical committee who will look at it again before it is submitted to the board for the final consideration. So it is a long process. So for those people who have gone to court, it was an opportunity for them to express their own feelings about the code.

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

,

Beta Glass Company Plc has proposed a dividend of 62 kobo per share to its shareholders for the financial year end of 2014 as the closing date for its register has been fixed for 12thJune, 2015.

TOP 10 PERFORMING STOCKS

BY PETER EGWUATU

B

eta Glass Company Plc in the Packaging / Container sub sector on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE led the top ten gainers chart last week ending Friday th 15 May 2015, rising by 10 per cent to close at N33.00 per share from N30 per share penultimate week.

Beta Glass Company Plc has proposed a dividend of 62 kobo per share to its shareholders for the financial year end of 2014 as the closing date for its register has been th fixed for 12 June, 2015.

The company reported revenue of N16.6billion in its full year result of 2014, indicating a growth of 18 per cent from N14.09 billion in the period of 2013. Profit before tax increased by 63 per cent to N3.3 billion from N2.05 billion in 2013. Profit After Tax, PAT increased by 62 per cent from N1.474 billion to N2.391 billion in 2014, Earning Per Share, EPS up by 62 per cent from 295kobo to 478 kobo in 2014.

Seven up Bottling Company Plc trailed behind Beta Glass as it rose by 8.6 per cent to N176.00 from N162.00 it opened trading penultimate week ended March 8, 2015.

The Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc is one of the largest independent manufacturer and distributor of the well-known and widely consumed brands of soft drinks in Nigeria. The company’s brands are Pepsi, 7UP, Mirinda, Teem and Mountain Dew. Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc posted impressive numbers in its 2014/15 first half, H1 result with growth recorded in top and bottom lines. Revenue grew Year on Year (YoY) by 12.76 per cent to peg at N38.142billion relative to the previous level of N33.825billion though declined by 18.65 per cent (in line with half year historical experience) when analysed quarter on quarter (QoQ) as half year standalone stood at N17.109billion vs. 2015 Q1: N21.033billion . Major cost items remain largely modest in line with historical cost structure as the cost to sales and Operating Expenses, OPEX ratios respectively pegged at 62.92 per cent (vs.

2014H1: 62.61 per cent) and 26.48 per cent (vs. 2014H1: 27.07 per cent). Finance charge however surged YoY by 15.01 per cent with debt to equity remaining high at 2.18 times while leverage

ratio pegged at 3.18 times.

Earnings after tax however grew stronger YoY by 15.04 per cent (N2.480billion vs.

N2.156billion in the corresponding quarter).

Trailing behind, Seven Up on the price gainers chart was Forte Oil Plc in the Petroleum Product sub sector on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. The company appreciated by 6.3 per cent to close last week Friday at N173.23 from N163.01 penultimate week.

Forte Oil was among the companies that reported their results for the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2015.

The integrated energy solutions provider posted gross profit of N4.1 billion, compared with N4.1 billion in the corresponding period of 2014. Although the company strived to reduce costs in the areas of sales,, distributions and administration, finance charges rose by 37.5 per cent.

This affected the bottom line in first quarter as profit after tax fell from N1.1 billion to N782.3 million.

The company’s Profit Before Tax, PBT dropped 33.7 per cent to N842.4 million from N1.2 billion in the corresponding period of 2014. The Earning Per Share, EPS declined by 65.5 per cent to 0.26k from 0.75k in 2014.

Following Forte Oil on the price gainers chart was Unilever Nigeria Plc which increased by 4.7 per cent to close at N45.03 from N43.00 per share.

Other companies in the top ten chart include: Conoil Plc which increased by 4.9 per cent or N1.90 per share to close at N39.92 per share from N38.02; Nigerian Breweries rose by 1.09 per cent or N1.68 to close at N155.18 per share from N153.50 per share it closed penultimate week ; Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc went up by 0.9 per cent or N1.30 per share to close at N151.30 per share from N150.00 it closed penultimate week; Presco Plc gained 3.5 per cent or N1.02 per share to close at N30.00 per share from N28.98 it closed peultimate week; PZ Industries Plc up by 3.6 per cent or N1.00 per share to close at N29.00 last week Friday from N28.00 it closed peultimate week, while Zenith Bank inched up by 96 kobo or 4.5 per cent to close at N22.22 during the week under review from N21.26 it closed penultimate week.

INVESTOR'S , CBN, how long will depositors of Savannah Bank suffer? (2)

By Babajide Komolafe

T

he depositors of Savannah Bank have been suffering since February 2012, when the license of the bank was revoked. How long

they will continue to suffer depends on two factors.

The first is the ability of the owners of the bank to raise the required capital to reopen the bank and settle depositors. This however is becoming much more difficult than securing the legal

victory that reversed the revocation of the license of the bank. In an era where profitmaking banks are raising funds to beef up their capital, to find investors willing to invest in a bank that has been out of operations for 13 years, would be a herculean task.

From left: Brand Ambassador Omo, Funke Akindele; Brand Building Director, Unilever Nigeria, Mr David Okeme; Brand Ambassador Omo, Chioma Akpotha; winner of N1 million from Army Children School, Abule Egba, Lagos, Imurang Salisu; Brand Ambassador Omo, Ali Nuhu and Category Manager, Fab Cleaning, Unilever, Ibironke Ugbaja at the Omo Imagine and Achieve Competition grand finale, in Lagos.

MARKET NEWS

Transcorp gross earnings rise to N41.3 bn T

ransnational Corporation of Nigeria , Trascorp Plc has recorded gross earnings of N41.3 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2014 In his address to shareholders duriiing the 9th Annual General Meeting, AGM , Chairman of the Board of Directors , Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, highlighted the operational excellence that has guided Transcorp’s turnaround from takeover in 2010, to increased performance in the year under review indicated that gross earnings increased from N18.8 billion to N41.3 billion , a

reflection of the first full year of earnings from the power business. Group operating profit also grew from N10.2 billion to N13.6 billion in 2014.

Shareholders unanimously approved the 2014 Annual account and consolidated financial statements. Based on the result achieved in 2014 and in view of the positive business prospects for the current financial year, a dividend of 6 kobo per share was also approved.

Transcorp Plc Group President/CEO Emmanuel N. Nnorom explained: “The

The Company has shown it is on track to deliver on its growth and expansion plans, as it achieved N27.6 billion in gross profit and N7.7 billion in profit before tax in 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 — 23

The second factor is how the CBN chooses to respond to the suffering of the depositors of the bank. This off course will also depend on how sensitive the apex bank is to the plight of the depositors. Is the leadership of the apex bank even aware that the depositors of the bank are suffering? Is the leadership of the apex bank aware of its moral and regulatory obligation to bring an end to this suffering?

Answers to these questions would determine how many years the depositors of Savannah Bank would still suffer the consequences of their money trapped in the bank.

As it is, the owners of the bank would be more concerned about protecting or recovering their investment in the bank, than the plight of the

The second factor is how the CBN chooses to respond to the suffering of the depositors of the bank

story of Transcorp is a standout among conglomerates in Nigeria and one that gets better each day. Our focus early on was turnaround and stabilization and this year’s results reiterate this commitment. Now, our focus is on growth. From hospitality to power, agribusiness to energy, we are blazing a trail in the sectors in which we operate and our ability to deliver in the face of strong economic headwinds, as we witness more stability in the economy, we will be able to perform ever better.”

The Company has shown it is on track to deliver on its growth and expansion plans, as it achieved N27.6 billion in gross profit and N7.7 billion in profit before tax in 2014.

This is in spite of a sizeable exchange loss on foreign currency loans in the power

depositors. Hence they would not mind how many years it would take to get the needed capital to resurrect the bank.

Even if there are investors willing to put money down to resurrect the bank, if the terms don’t favour the owners, they would reject the investment, and hence elongate the suffering of the depositors.

But if the CBN empathises with the depositors of the bank, and recognises its regulatory and moral obligation to protect them, it would not abandon them to the owners of the bank All that the CBN needs to do is to stipulate a deadline by which the owners of Savannah bank must recapitalise and reopen the bank or risk another revocation of the bank’s license, and handing over of the bank to Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), to settle the depositors. After all, under normal circumstance, banks are given deadline to recapitalise, or lose their license. Given that the deadline for recapitalisation during the 2004 consolidation exercise was 18 months and the owners of Savannah Bank have had six years since 2009, and yet have not been able to raise the capital to reopen the bank, it is time for the CBN to draw the line. This off course is if the leadership of the apex bank is sensitive to the suffering of the depositors of Savannah Bank, and is determined to shorten the number of years they would still suffer before they get their money trapped in the bank.

To be continued next week (Send your comments and enquiries to vanguardinvestorsforum@gmail.com)

business, capital market volatility, and lower average occupancy in the hospitality business.

Elumelu was optimistic, saying: “Transcorp’s shareholders are generally long term shareholders and we know that in the past, those shareholders have lost money.

We have our work cut out for us to help them recover that money and our focus is on planting seeds to grow the company through reinvestment of profits among other measures. We have achieved consistency in dividend delivery and corporate stability and now we are turning our focus to growth. This AGM reiterates our commitment to creating sustainable value for all stakeholders.”

,

S FORUM

We want them to reverse that policy or they should pay interest on the money, that is all, if they want to help us to keep part of the money, then they should give us intersect, because those who deposited the money will collect interest from the bank.

,

INVESTORS SPEAK

•Adebayo Adeleke

•Boniface Okezie

Reverse policy or pay interest on cash reserve, shareholders tell CBN

By Providence Obuh Shareholders are agitating that the CBN should either reverse its policy on the Cash Reserve Ratio requirement or pay interest on the money taken. In this interview, shareholders maintain that banks are lending institution meant to lend money and not to keep money.

money, that is all. If they want to help us to keep part of the money, then they should give us intersect, because those who deposited the money will collect interest from the bank.

M

r. Boniface Okezie If the banks are keeping money as cash reverse instruction from CBN, and they cannot use it to run businesses who does it profit? The shareholders are not profiting from it, neither does it make any gain for the banks because the banks are meant to lend money. If they r. Adebayo Adeleke of have such amount of money and it is in Independent Shareholders reserves with the CBN doing nothing, so who Association of Nigeria ISAN : When is going to gain at the end of the day? The the CBN says 20 per cent and they are loser becomes the banks. locking up the money, banks don’t have But if the money is with the banks and they access to it, neither are they paying any deploy it into their businesses, there will be form of interest on it. It is a double growth and earnings .The more earnings the jeopardy situation for the banks because banks make transform to profitability and it banks are paying to NDIC for insuring will lead to sharing of dividend to the same fund over everybody that has shareholders but if the deposited. So when the money remains untouched owner of that money and they are not utilising comes, the bank is meant it, it profits nobody and the to pay the owner interest It is a double banks will be at the losing on the whole sum, while end and the CBN does not jeopardy situation 20 percent is held by pay them interest on what CBN. There are instances for the banks they have, so the money is where CBN lend money just lying fallow. because banks are to the banks and they CBN should allow the collect interest, so if they paying insurance to banks to deploy those fund are taking 75 percent of and lend out, that is the only public sector fund and 20 NDIC on that same way they can grow their percent of private sector fund over business, but if the money fund and they are putting everybody that has still remains with the CBN it in a cash reserve, I see and the banks are not no reason why they deposited. making use of it, it's not should not pay interest on healthy for the institutions the money, because we and shareholders will are talking about huge continue to bear the brunt amount of money that because we have the banks don’t have access money but the bank can not deploy it to do to, they can’t trade with it, they can’t business and grow their earnings so as to lend it out, they are not making any maximise returns to their shareholders. form of profit from it.

Even if the banks have so much fund with We are not happy with it and we them the issue of mismanagement will not believe that they should be able to arise because CBN regulates them. If the reverse that kind of policy. If Securities banks are giving loan, there is a limit they and Exchnage Commission, SEC who can give out. If the customers are begging is suppose to be a regulator turns blind the banks to lend to the real sector and they eyes, the shareholders who are the are not lending, as a lending institution the owners of the business have the right banks are meant to lend money and not to to shout. We want them to reverse that keep money. policy or they should pay interest on the

M

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

MAY 19, 2015

Operators call for intervention on costs cut, CBN dollar policy

By Clara Nwachukwu

O

PERATIONS in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry have cried out against a recent directive by the international oil companies, IOCs, compelling them to cut project costs by at least 30 per cent to cushion the effects of the slump in global oil prices.

They have equally complained about recent Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN policy against the dollarisation of in-country services, as a way of strengthening the falling value of the Naira, saying that both policies are inimical to their survival.

Specifically, they argued that if allowed to pull through, the cost cuts will endanger the growth of a burgeoning local industry in an otherwise foreign dominated sector and increase unemployment in Nigeria, as workers are now being laid off and some companies closing shops completely.

They also note that the CBN dollar policy demonstrates a poor understanding of the petroleum industry global operations, which is denominated in dollars.

Price review Concerning the issue of price review, the Chairman, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN, Mr. Emeka Ene, told journalists on the sidelines of the just-concluded Offshore Technology Conference, OTC, in Houston Texas, that there is need to understand that profit margins of companies in the sector.

Ene, who is also, the Chair of the Nigerian Council for the Society of Petroleum Engineers, SPE, said: “Even during the best times, profit margins are not more than 20 to 30 percent.”

Explaining the intrigues surrounding the IOC’s call for reduction in the cost of projects, he said: “There was a panic when the oil price dropped and the immediate reaction was to tell the service companies to reduce their prices by 30 percent.

Unfortunately, that sent a very wrong signal to the industry.

“For an industry, whose profit margin is about 20 to 30 percent, if you are being

Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke asked to drop your prices by 30 percent, essentially you are asking the company to go out of business. The only way that company can survive is to slash their work force by 60 percent, because probably the average impact of pay roll would be about 20 to 30 percent range.”

For the Executive Chairman, Oilserv Limited, Mr. Emeka Okwuosa, “What the IOCs are asking for is wrong. When the oil prices go up, are we expecting that they will call us back to increase the value of our contracts? No!” Besides, he noted, “A contract is sacrosanct and should be respected. The only thing the IOCs should do is to rationalise and say, they may want to shut down contracts because it doesn’t make a sense for some of the contracts to continue to exist.”

“What does the contract says for cancellation of contracts, as contracts rates and terms remain as far as pricing is concerned irrespective of the oil price.

So we are impacted and a lot of our members are impacted, the service companies are impacted by this practice, which is wrong.”

Against this backdrop, Okwuosa called on government and industry regulators, especially, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, to intervene and manage the process in way a way that they should call the IOCs to order.

CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele

But beyond calling for government’s intervention on the cost review, Ene also called for a collaborative approach by operators to ensure efficiency in the industry.

“I think the better approach, which some of the operators have adopted, is a collaborative approach.

How can we improve efficiencies? How can we reduce the cost of doing business? For a service company in Nigeria to mobilise for a job of $10,000 or $100,000 project, he is going to carry police and security; he is going to pay communities. He is going to pay different toll gates along the way. He has to carry his own diesel, his own power.

The controversial CBN policy ignored the status of petroleum as a global industry that required the dollar to drive transactions across international boundaries

“The cost of doing business has not reduced, whether you are doing a small job or a big project. Really, at the end of the day, the only way to solve the problem of low oil prices is a holistic approach, where every part of the value chain discusses and collaborates on how to improve the economics and reduce wastes which is right across board.

“Now the price has gone up to $60. Have they said we should increase the price again? I think it is very important that the industry should not panic. Rather, the industry should engage to reduce prices.”

CBN policy on dollar The CBN had on April 17, 2015 issued a circular to all banks condemning and declaring as illegal, the trend of currency substitution and dollarisation of the Nigerian economy.

In the circular, the CBN stated unequivocally that transactions originating and consummated in Nigeria should be denominated in Naira.

The circular therefore makes it illegal to price or denominate the cost of any product or service in any foreign currency in Nigeria, or consummate a business offer or acceptance in Nigeria in any currency other than the Naira.

However, industry operators and other stakeholders argued that the controversial CBN policy ignored the status of petroleum as a global industry that required the dollar to drive transactions across international boundaries.

They therefore called on the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to personally intervene and exempt the petroleum industry and other sectors that operate on global business platforms from the dollar restriction in order to make them globally competitive.

Furthermore, UK-based global investment advisory firm, Deloitte, in a tax alert to foreign investors that partner Nigerian companies, cautioned them to remain cautious of Nigeria’s monetary policies.

According to Deloitte, the directive exempts foreigners, visitors and tourists who are encouraged to use their cards for payments.

“The Circular supersedes the provision of Memorandum 16 of the CBN Foreign Exchange Manual which provides that payments in foreign currency for products and services provided by a Nigerian company to another Nigerian company are optional,” it added.

However, the firm demands further clarity, as the circular is not clear about companies operating in the oil and gas industry whose transactions are predominantly priced in foreign currencies.

Also clarity is needed on the continuity of split currency arrangement in oil and gas contracts and continuous use of legitimately earned foreign currency in foreign domiciliary accounts maintained by Nigerian companies whether or not they are subsidiaries of multinational companies.

Again, other transactions between Nigerian companies and offshore service providers whether individual or corporate remain vague.

Deloitte also argued that the directive is not also clear on the impact on existing or on-going contracts already priced in foreign currency prior to the new circular.

It therefore advised its clients “to evaluate all foreign currency denominated contracts with other Nigerian entities including employment contracts and determine appropriate mitigation measures to manage associated foreign exchange risks that may arise as a result of seeking to comply with the terms of the new circular.

“Furthermore, we expect the overriding principle on eligibility of transactions for foreign exchange to remain applicable.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 — 25

Ethiopia’s electric power coverage reaches 55% A

ddis Ababa — The Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) said that electric power coverage in Ethiopia has now reached 55 per cent from only 17 per cent 24 years back.

EEP External Public Relations Director, Miskir Negash, said that the coverage rose significantly during the past years owing to the due attention given by the ruling party- The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

“Ethiopia’s current power production stands at around 2,313MW from 370MW in 1983 EC, ensuring that 55 per cent of the country is covered with electric power,” he said.

The number of electrified towns and rural villages also increased to over 5,300 from less than 648 some 24 years ago, Miskir said.

The total length of high voltage transmission lines has increased to 13, 000 km from 3,578 km, while the number of power substations rose to 162 from 82, he said.

In order to meet the increasing demand for power, a number of billions of birr projects are being executed in various parts of the country, Misikr indicated.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)

Universal Energy commences commercial oil production at Stubb Creek

U

HAND-OVER CEREMONY: From left: Government Relations Manager, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCo, Mr. Steve Okwosa; Public Affairs Officer, National Petroleum Investment Management Services, NAPIMS, Mrs. Tolu Derin-Adefuwa; and Head of Operations, Innercity Mission for Children, Mr. Kaycee Kanu, at the handover of the NNPC-Shell e-Learning Centre to the mission’s primary school in Ikeja.

with installed capacity of 6,000MW and the Gibe III with installed capacity of 1,870MW are the two main hydropower projects being carried out to fulfill the increasing demand, he said.

According to Misikr, Gibe III being built along Ethiopia’s Omo River will begin generating power next month.Genale Dawa III hydro power project with a

generating capacity of 254 MW, Adama II wind farm project with a generating capacity of 153 MW and Aluto geothermal power project with 70 MW generation capacity are also the hydropower projects being executed by the government.

Asked about the cause of the current power interruption in the country, he said the problem occurs not because

of power shortage rather due to transmission and distribution as well as the failure of old transformers.

However, efforts are underway to minimize the problem and enhance the capacity of transmission lines, he said.

Ethiopia has a potential to produce over 60,000 MW from renewable natural energy resources.

NIVERSAL Energy Resources Ltd said it has commenced crude oil production from its Stubb Creek Field in Akwa Ibom State.

The development followed the approval to embark on delivery of oil through the ExxonMobil’s Qua Iboe Terminal, which came on stream in early February 2015.

The company’s Managing Director, Mr. Bassey Umoh, in a statement in Lagos, was quoted as saying, “With this achievement, Universal Energy has joined the league of marginal oil field producing companies in Nigeria.”

He noted that “The marginal field round was executed with the aim of enabling domestic companies to bring smaller marginal fields on stream and we are proud to have achieved this.”

He said the company had also successfully completed the construction of an Early Production Facility and building of the necessary 23 km pipeline from the Stubb.

Ikeja Electric blames poor power supply on low allocation

Oil glut worsens as OPEC market share battle begins - Report

By Sebastine Obasi

N

iGERIA may find it difficult to finance the 2015 budget going by the impending global oil glut. At a benchmark of $65 per barrel, it will be hard to fulfill its budgetary obligations due to the dwindling revenue occasioned by the oil glut.

According to the International Energy Agency, IEA, a global oil glut is building as the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC kingpin, Saudi Arabia, pumps near record highs in an attempt to win a market share battle against stubbornly resistant U.S. shale production.

IEA said in a monthly report that although higherthan-expected oil demand was helping to ease the glut, growth in global oil consumption was far from spectacular.

As a result, signs are emerging that the crude oil glut is shifting into refined products markets, which

could make a recent rally in oil prices unsustainable.

“Despite tentatively bullish signals in the United States, and barring any unforeseen disruption elsewhere, the market’s short-term fundamentals still look relatively loose,” said the IEA, which coordinates energy policies of industrial nations.

Global oil production exceeds demand by around two million barrels per day, or over two percent, following spectacular growth in U.S. shale production and OPEC’s decision last year not to curtail output in a bid to force higher-cost U.S. producers to cut theirs.

As a result, benchmark Brent oil prices more than halved from June 2014 to $46 per barrel in January.

They have since rebounded to around $65, however, on fears of a steep slowdown in U.S. production growth.

“In the supposed standoff between OPEC and U.S. light tight oil, LTO, LTO appears to have blinked. Following

months of cost cutting and a 60 percent plunge in the U.S. rig count, the relentless rise in U.S. supply seems to be finally abating,” the IEA said.

But it added that the recent oil price rebound was giving U.S. producers a new lease of life.

“Several large LTO producers have been boasting of achieving large

We used to pride ourselves that we supply eight per cent of global LNG supply, but we have dropped to about five per cent today

reductions in production costs in recent weeks. At the same time, producer hedging has reportedly gone steeply up, as companies took advantage of the rally to lock in profits,” the IEA said.

“It would thus be premature to suggest that OPEC has won the battle for market share. The battle, rather, has just started.”

Despite a certain slowdown in U.S. oil output growth, global crude supply increased by a staggering 3.2 million barrels per day, bpd, in April year-on-year, the IEA said.

Beyond high OPEC production, the IEA cited strong performance of nonOPEC countries including Russia, Brazil, China, Vietnam and Malaysia.

The IEA lifted its 2015 forecast for non-OPEC supply growth by 200,000 bpd since last month’s report, saying non-OPEC producers will contribute 830,000 bpd of additional supplies in 2015.

T

HE Management of Ikeja Electric has blamed the current very poor power supply situation across its network to low power allocation from the National Grid.

The Chief Executive Officer, of the distribution company, Mr. Abiodun Ajifowobaje, was quoted as saying in a statement that in the last one week, the average power allocation to Ikeja Electric is 350 megawatts, MW, against minimum load demand of 1,250MW. Ajifowobaje explained that the huge shortfall is seriously affecting the operation of the company, as it has to resort to load-shedding, and assured that the power allocation will be equitably distributed among all its customers.

While appealing for customers’ understanding, he also said that efforts have been stepped up to ensure that electrical faults are cleared promptly, and urged customers to report such through its contact centre and other branch offices.

26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

FG reiterates commitment to regulate use of explosives

By Gabriel Ewepu

A

BUJA- THE Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to the regulation for the use of explosives in mining activities by operators in the sector.

The reassurance was made by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Musa Sada, while delivering a keynote address at the Stakeholders Forum on the Draft Explosives Act and Regulations held in Abuja.

Sada said that the ministry deemed it necessary to convey the meeting to take stock of views and inputs by stakeholders in the mining industry on the Explosives Act, as it concerns new provisions for export, use, and security of explosives.

He also called on relevant security agencies to ensure all hands were on deck not to allow unauthorised persons have access to explosives.

Sada said: “You will agree with me that the explosives business and legitimate application of the product in the mines, quar r y, construction and oil industry is faced with very critical challenges. Among which is security, emanating from illicit use by the insurgents as precursors for the manufacture of Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, and proliferation.

“However, because of the determination of the ministry that our operational activities must not be completely sacrificed at the altar, security concern, emergency reforms and measures were periodically adopted. This is in line with the powers of the Minister to make regulations with respect with respect to explosives as considered expedient for the purpose of maintaining and securing public safety.

“In ensuring the realisation of this objective, everything possible was done to ensure that explosives, which are indispensable tools for the exploitation of minerals, construction materials and oil well logging and exploration services do not constitute any risk to national security.”

The Minister further stated that the government will encourage the setting up of local manufacturing plants of explosives in the mining sector with the purpose of creating jobs, reducing huge capital flight, and also to enhance national security.

MAY 19, 2015

Vandalism: Sambo urges protection of power facilities

By Sebastine Obasi

H

OST communities of power stations have been told to protect such installations against vandals so as to reap the benefits for which the projects were built.

Vice President Namadi Sambo gave the charge last weekend at the commissioning of the 330/ 132/33kv at Oke-aro, a border line community between Lagos and Ogun states, built under the National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC. He said, “I enjoin you all to solidify these great achievements in being patriotic by protecting these public assets entrusted in your care as part of your civic responsibility against misuse and vandalism. This is so that generations yet unborn will not only benefit from the project, but shall build on the legacies we have bequeathed unto them. It is only when these assets are preserved that our great efforts will be consolidated.”

The Vice President said, the Oke-aro substation, one of NIPP’s several

interventions within Lagos and Ogun states was equipped with two large capacity 300MVA 330/ 132kV transformers. This makes it the station the first of its kind in the grid with a total transformation capacity of 600MVA at the 330kV level. Also, a 75MVAR 330kV shunt reactor was also installed for effective grid voltage control.

“At the 132kV level, 2nos 60MVA 132/33kV

transformers were also installed providing a total of 120MVA transformation for bulk evacuation capacity into the 33kV distribution network in the immediate environment of Oke-aro. The station construction was completed with adequately rated bus bars; switchgear, automation as well as protection and control equipment to enable it cope with the high power flows associated with its specially rated high capacity transformers.

Commissioning: From left: The Deputy Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (left); Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, James Abiodun Olotu, during the official commissioning of the 330/ 132/33kv transmission substation in Oke-Aro, Lagos.

“In order to achieve the objective of Oke-Aro serving as a relief to Ikeja West, two of the 3nos 330kV evacuation lines from Egbin Power plant to Ikeja West were turned in and out of Okearo to effect connection of the substation to the grid.

Oke-aro was thereafter successfully energised from the grid on 22nd May 2013.

All these facilities have been handed over to TCN for operations,” he said.

Speaking on the level of power generation, Sambo said, “At present, the nation’s power generation level stands at 5,500MW of which NIPP contributes about 2,600mw, a record that stands out in the annals of the power sector history in Nigeria.

“In its Phase II mandate, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company will vigorously pursue the construction of hydro-power plants mainly in the Northern axis to ensure a mixed grid distribution.

“Currently, the company plans to construct new large and medium hydro-power dams and the provision of power components for 13 existing dams.

GE completes Shell’s subsea tree refurbishment …Achieves 40% growth

By Clara Nwachukwu

G

E Oil & Gas said it has completed the first refurbishment of subsea production trees for Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCo at its service base in Onne, Rivers State.

The feat, reputed as the first-of-its-kind to be done in Nigeria, highlights GE’s commitment to investing in Nigeria and demonstrating the high-value services offered to its customers.

GE’s Chief Operating Officer, West Africa, Mr. Uzochi Nwagwu, told journalists in Lagos at the weekend that its team of “trained Nigerian engineers successfully disassembled the subsea trees to component parts before repairing and rebuilding them in accordance with customer requirements.”

The refurbishment programme included incoming deck-testing and an integrated performance test after refurbishment.

Nwagwu also said: “The development demonstrates GE’s commitment to localising operations in Nigeria through capacity

development, technology transfer and capital investment. This is resulting in the creation of high quality employment in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.”

He added that about 15 of these engineers were trained in Brazil, where GE has its Subsea tree manufacturing plant. The engineers were part of the 30 engineers and technicians recruited last year in support of the programme.

The Oke-aro substation, one of NIPP’s several interventions within Lagos and Ogun states was equipped with two large capacity 300MVA 330/ 132kV transformers

“Here, they acquired the skillsets required to support tree repair and for local assembly and testing of new equipment. Thousands of man-hours and hundreds of spare parts, procured by the local team, were used in the refurbishment of the first tree,” he disclosed.

He said further that GE recorded over 40 percent growth in the last one year, adding that more than $1.5 million was spent with Nigerian sub-suppliers supporting various parts of the work scope for each tree.

He identified other achievements resulting from the milestone to include: •New capability established for Subsea Production Tree Refurbishment in support of our customers’ needs •Significant milestone in the implementation and expansion of GE’s local content programme in Nigeria • The programme increases GE investment and spending in the local economy and creates high quality employment in Nigeria Also commenting, President/CEO, GE Nigeria,

Mr. Lazarus Angbazo, said: “GE Oil & Gas is continuously seeking to increase the competitiveness of the solutions for the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The Tree Refurbishment Programme will give Nigeria-based operators the opportunity to buy locally, avoid delivery delays and save cost while supporting the growth of the industry.”

On his part, SNEPCo’s Managing Director, Mr. Tony Attah, said: “The delivery of the first fully refurbished subsea tree system in Nigeria is another example of how we can deploy partnerships to strengthen local capacity in the country’s subsea oil and gas sector.”

He added: “We’re indeed pleased to be part of this pioneering effort which promises to deliver projects on time, safely and within cost estimates.”

Operating since 2002, GE’s purpose-built facility in Onne is reputed as the first quayside facility of its calibre in Nigeria, and has achieved an exceptional safety record of a 10 year operation with no loss time due to injury, LTI.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 — 27

Indorama, OIS par tner on $1 30m por erminal partner $130m portt tterminal

By Ediri Ejoh

Mining: Group seeks involvement in developing sector

I

NDORAMA and OIS, said they planned to build a world-class port terminal complex estimated at over $130 million, about N25.7 billion at the Onne Port, Port Harcourt, in Rivers state.

In its latest in-house publication made available to Vanguard, the Managing Director/CEO, IndoramaNigeria, Mr. Manish, said that the port complex will be used for exporting of dry bulk Urea fertilizer from Indorama’s fertilizer plant.

His words: “ The port complex, which is 72 percent completed as at March this year, is for exporting of dry bulk Urea fertilizer from Indorama’s fertilizer plant also under construction at the Indorama petrochemicals complex in Eleme near Port Harcourt.

“The port terminal will also serve for import and export of various types of break-bulk and containerised cargo for the partnering company Messrs OIS.” He added that the project which is a huge foreign direct investment, FDI, in the maritime sector, would be a major boost to Nigeria’s industrialisation process and economic development as well as revealing its commitment in fostering socioeconomic prosperity of Nigeria.

He said that the project was designed by international engineering companies and contracted local construction companies in partnership with expatriate engineers and other technical experts.

Manish noted that “the port terminal comprises marine facility of 320 meters quay to handle vessels ranging from 5000 dwt (deadweight) to 35000 dwt and 6.20 hectares of land terminal facility catering of handling and storage of dry bulk urea, break-bulk cargo and containerised cargo.”

On fuel slum, he hinted that its operations in Nigeria is stridently facing the challenges of the current economic and the concomitant massive devaluation of the Naira, “I had stated that the economic downturn has impacted negatively on our operations, and sought everyone’s ideas on how

By Gabriel Ewepu

* Port terminal we could surmount the challenge collectively.”

Also contributing, the Project Director, Mr. Ashwani Sood, maintained that the plant has a capacity to produce 4,000 tonnes of Urea fertilizer per day, which will be exported to international markets after meeting domestic consumption.

The project which is a huge foreign direct investment, FDI, in the maritime sector, would be a major boost to Nigeria’s industrialisation process and economic development

He said, “The terminal has handling capacity for 1 million tonnes per annum of dry bulk urea, 150, 000 tonnes per annum of breakbulk cargo and 12, 000 TEU (Twenty feet Equivalent Units) per annum of containerised cargo.”

On local content, he said that the company has contracted the Engineering Procurement and Construction, EPC, to a local contractor, a fully Nigerian company, with most of the workforce as Nigerians, except some expatriates among them.

“Also, the economic benefits of this project are both direct and indirect.

The direct benefit is in terms of direct employment, business opportunities to local contractors and businessmen.

During construction the peak work force is expected to be as high as 1500 people.

He further said that upon completion and operation, many support services such as vessels, tugs, boats, stevedores, maintenance and operational supports and services will be engaged and more revenues will be earned by the government from export duties, taxes, port revenue, while boosting the countr y ’ s economy.

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BUJA- THE Nigerian Mining n d Geosciences Society, NMGS, has expressed readiness to be part of the effective development of the nation’s mineral resources as the incoming government takes over leadership of the country soon.

This was made known by President, NMGS, Prof. Olugbenga Okunlola, at a press conference held in Abuja.

Okunlola said with the society ’s membership of over 6,000, this enormous human resource will add value in the harnessing of the abundant mineral resources in the oil and gas, solid minerals, metallurgical, geotechnical, water and environmental sectors of the economy.

He also called on the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, into law and to do the nation this favour before the end of the current legislative tenure without further delay in order to tackle the challenges faced in the petroleum sector.

He said, “As part of our professional responsibility therefore, we will continue to intervene by offering advice, suggestions and having robust engagement with all relevant stakeholders. This will lead to correct, sustainable, proven, policy formulations and implementation and all such activities that can lead to the overall development of these sectors for the benefit of the whole nation at large.

“The Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society is ever ready as we have been doing over the years to assist the new government in actualising its vision of developing the solid minerals sector. We have the expertise, experience and we are willing to sacrifice our time.” a

OTC: Cautious optimism, commendation trail participation

By Sebastine Obasi

P

ARTICIPANT at the just concluded Offshore Technology Conference, OTC, in Houston, Texas, have expressed cautious optimism at the level of attendance by Nigerians to the conference, regarded as the biggest oil and gas event in the world.

The Managing Director of Kaztec Engineering Limited, Mr. John Niezner, said that though the low oil prices may have affected the attendance, focus should be on how to reduce cost in the industry.

He said, “Of course, the oil prices affected this year ’s participation.

The oil price affected the whole industry. That is the negative side.

On the positive side, there is lot more effort now in focusing on cost reduction.

“It is a two-prong effect, the negative and the positive. On the negative there is unemployment, as

a result of the low oil price. But also there is a lot more focus on cost effectiveness across the industry and that can only be a good thing for the long time because over the last 10 years, there have been complaints of high cost of goods and services. So, I see over the next two, or three years a positive outcome.”

Niezner also said that Kaztec is going through a complete transformation, as it is going to be providing full integrated services from concept right through to drilling and full operations which includes engineering, fabrication, procurement, offshore installations.

According to him, “By stringing all those activities together, we have an ability to drive cost down and efficiency up for the operators. So, there is an opportunity for operators who are sitting on marginal economic reserves to develop those to the use of our services.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN, Mr. Emeka Ene, said that despite the downturn in the industry Nigerian participation was commendable.

He said, “On the issue of participation, I will just echo the words of the US Commercial Counselor to Nigeria. When he came to the Nigerian stand, he was excited. He said people were concerned that the oil industry in Nigeria was devastated by the oil price drop. But to his greatest surprise, he found that Nigerian oil companies still engaged the global oil industry by showing their presence. By demonstrating what they have done and what they can do; by discussing with their partners not just about the challenges of today, but how to grow the business tomorrow even within a tight regime.

“That for me sent a very positive signal to the industry, that we are

matured, we have come of age, that we can see the oil business as a long term business not a short term quick return. I think that was very important.”

For the Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. David Ige, despite the fall in prices globally, Nigerians participated well.

He said, “Despite what appears to be a low morale in the industry, we still have strong presence of the Nigerian service companies on exhibition. The continued growth and presence of the service sector, shows the vibrancy of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. There is quite a lot of service companies from Nigeria on display here, always getting more and more over the previous years. Over all, there is a lot to be proud as a Nigerian.”

28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

By Jude Njoku & Ikenna Asomba

M

ULTINATIONAL profes sional services network, Messrs PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited, PwC has singled out West Africa as one of the most attractive destinations for investors in infrastructure.

The region’s growing population and its wealth of natural resources were described as the foundation for sustainable economic growth.

This declaration was made by Ian Aruofor, PwC CP&I West Market leader at a media parley used by PwC to present its 2014 report titled: “Capital Projects & Infrastructure in East Africa, Southern Africa and West Africa: Trends, Challenges and Future Outlook”.

“It is clearly evident that sustaining West Africa’s impressive economic growth profile requires vast investment in enabling infrastructure. Improving governance, institutional reforms, trade, technology and an empowered workforce lend credibility to West Africa’s growth story,” Aruofor said.

Challenges stalling project execution The report which identified energy as a focal area for investments in West Africa, as the region remains in the grip of a prolonged power crisis, also listed the challenges stalling execution of capital projects in the region.

They include non-availability of funding, political risks and government interference .

“Resolving these identified challenges quickly and creatively will not only positively affect the outcome of current projects, but more importantly, will attract other project developers, owners and investors to enter the

Expansion of Lagos- Badagry expressway ... one of the numerous infrastructure projects in nigeria.

West Africa, most attractive destination for infrastructure investors — PwC report African market. It will also reduce the number of delays and the size of cost overruns, providing an example to other project owners and investors that African infrastructure can truly be developed efficiently and profitably.”

Aruofor said.

South Africa and Nigeria, according to the report, have the most ambitious infrastructure programmes and together make up almost 60 percent of the spend across sub-Saharan Africa. Kenya follows as the third largest in planned spend.

The report which presented the findings of a 2014 survey of key players in the infrastructure sector, including donor funds, fin-

anciers, government organisations and private companies across East, West and Southern Africa, indicated an opportunityfilled future for infrastructure development in sub-Saharan

The report stated that delays are worrisome as projects have come in more than two years late and more than double original budget estimates

FM expert wants incoming govt to tackle infrastructure decay

By Kingsley Adegboye

G

eneral Muhammadu Buhari (retd) should put infrastructure development and maintenance on the front burner of his administration’s agenda. The call was made by the Managing Director/ CEO of Alpha Mead Facilities & Management Services Limited, a.k.a.

AMFacilities, Mr Femi Akintunde.

Akintunde an engineer, spoke at a press briefing to formally announce the hosting of the 2015 edition of the Nigerian Facilities Management Roundtable.

He charged the incoming administration to formulate a policy that will address the worsening decadence in public facilities across the country as well as instil the culture of maintenance in Nigerians.

The one-day roundtable with the theme “Building Resilience for the Future” is slated for the second week in June in Lagos.

Akintunde who said the annual event is to commemorate the World Facility

Management Day, a day earmarked internationally by global FM practitioners to provide leadership in the advancement of the profession.

“As a leading facilities management company, our interest is to nurture the FM industry to be able to absorb the opportunities in the market, and the FM roundtable is one of the many windows we are exploring to institute standards and promote professional FM practice in Nigeria. Particularly, our motivation is that through the event we will stimulate a standard-driven facilities management sector that can sufficiently support Nigeria’s growing real estate and infrastructure market to contribute significantly to the nation’s GDP. “ In the face of the dwindling revenue occasioned by the deep in the oil price and the current economic realities, we consider “Building Resilience for the Future” a very apt theme in the role facilities management will play in helping businesses hedge against risk and downtimes.

Africa.

Sectors surveyed were water, transport and logistics, energy, mining, telecommunication and real estate.

Project delays Specifically looking into the Nigerian situation, the report stated that delays are worrisome as projects have come in more than two years late and more than double original budget estimates.

The report charged Africa’s leaders to improve the lots of their people through investment in infrastructural development, Capital Projects & Infrastructure (CP & I) Leader for PwC Africa, Mr. Jonathan Cawood said: “Infrastructure plays a key role in economic growth and reducing poverty having a 5-25 percent per annum return on investment as an economic multiplier. Those countries that have been most successful in developing and maintaining infrastructure have established programmes of prioritized investment opportunities with a number of features, including clear political support, a proper legal and regulatory structure, a procurement framework that can be understood by both procurers and bidders, and credible project timetables.

“These countries programmes eliminate key frictions such as long project lead times, clarity around funding and procurement strategies and to some extent reduce the risks of political term of office changes,” said Cawood.

Cairo leads other African cities

Also presented at the media parley is the Into Africa: The continent’s cities of opportunity report which is a study of 20 African cities (including Lagos) adjudged to be among the most dynamic and focused on the future. The study which was based on the methodology, research, and analytical framework of PwC’s global Cities of Opportunity report ranked the 20 cities on 29 variables grouped into Infrastructure, Human Capital, Economics, Society & Demographics.

The overall ranking of cities by the report placed the top five cities as Cairo, Tunis, Johannesburg, Casablanca and Algiers with Lagos placed seventh.

Speaking on the infrastructure component of the report, Cawood comments: “Looking at the report, you will notice a strong correlation between infrastructure, human capital, and economics. Cities that score well in infrastructure also score well in human capital and, unsurprisingly score well in economics – the link is clear between affordable and needs driven infrastructure and socioeconomic prosperity and cohesion.

With city infrastructure under significant pressure, many of Africa’s cities cannot maintain their current levels of population and economic growth without enhancing their infrastructure.

The demands for infrastructure vary from city to city based on stage of development, priorities and affordability.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 — 29

Cornerstone partners foreign investors, expands operations

By Kingsley Adegboye

C

ornerstone Real Estate Limited has taken its operations beyond the shores of Nigeria. The Lagos-based real estate development company said it is now in a position to buy, sell, lease or manage properties for Nigerians seeking such services in any part of the United States of America.

The Chairman of the company, Mr. Lanre Okupe disclosed this last week at the investors tour of Cornerstone’s Oregun Housing Scheme located in Ikeja.

Okupe disclosed that a USbased investment company, Messrs Aesbus Knowledge Solutions, which has interests in manufacturing, telecommunications and real estate, is now readily disposed to partner with Cornerstone Real Estate Limited.

The representatives of Aesbus Knowledge Solutions, Mr. Earl Castor who is the CEO and a director of the firm, Dr. Solomon Olatoye who visited the Oregun scheme, said they were impressed with the quality of finishing works.

They described the estate as one of the best workmanship that they saw during their short visit to Nigeria, hence their commitment to partner with Cornerstone Real Estate Limited.

The Cornerstone boss stated that his firm’s “success thus far has been largely due to the efficient and prudent management of materials and manpower by the professionals in the

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Cornerstone Estate, Oregun Ikeja organisation and the provision of quality products at competitive prices”.

The Cornerstone Oregun Phase II Housing Project, which is nearing completion, sits on five acres of land at the Ikeja end of Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun. The Phase 11 which consists of 14 units of various duplex types comprises two units of threebedroom detached Houses with one room boys’ quarters; six units of four-bedroom semi-detached Houses with

The Cornerstone Oregun Phase II Housing Project, which is nearing completion, sits on five acres of land at the Ikeja end of Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun

one room boys’ quarters and six units of three-bedroom Terrace Houses.

Each duplex sits on an approximate land area of 350m2-400m2. The four bedrooms are all en-suite while the ground floor space area includes the entrance lobby, foyer, main living room, dinning, kitchen, visitors’ toilet and guest room.

The first floor space area, includes the family lounge with balcony, two bedrooms and the master’s bedroom, all en-suite, spacious living and dining areas with exquisite

wood work, well-finished wardrobes and kitchen cabinet as well as P.O.P ceiling. It also comprises stainless steel aluminum railings, among others.

The Terrace will also be finished with P.O.P ceiling, stainless steel aluminum railings, well-finished wardrobes and kitchen cabinet among others.

The Cornerstone boss disclosed that installment payment is allowed, with 30 per cent down payment while the balance is spread over a year.

Barriers to professional devt, by experts

By Jude Njoku

C

orruption and individualism have been identified as the major barriers to professional development.

This identification was made by participants at a three-day national workshop with the theme “The Professional as an Entrepreneur,” organised by the Nigerian Institute of

Quantity Surveyors, NIQS in Kano.

Corruption, the experts said, lays more emphasis on ‘knowwho’ rather than on ‘knowhow’ and has led to breach of all known principles of fair play and mediocrity superseding meritocracy.

Individualism on the other hand refers to the preponderance of one-man firms which have several disadvantages such as limitations on providing quality timely service, restriction in its geographical spread and high staff mobility.

The construction cost experts stated that in order to improve productivity, organisations would require good quality service; sustenance of good stock of qualified employees; conducive working environment and good technical and financial plan.

A communique issued at the end of workshop and signed by the NIQS President, Alhaji Murtala Aliyu and Secretary, Marketing and Public Affairs, Mr. Jide Oke, enjoined quantity surveyors to have an in-depth knowledge of the business environment particularly in the sector where they operate. They should also imbibe good management

skills to manage the clients’ resources. “It is also important that he/she thinks like a business man to set goals that are realistic, achievable, measurable and clear”.

The cost experts who decried the dearth of professionals in various sectors of the Nigerian economy, observed that the previous model of single-shop owner is no longer sustainable.

“There need to expand, integrate, innovate and diversify in order to promote the profession, hence the workshop was put together to equip the quantity surveyor for the future growth and sustenance of the profession”.

The workshop called on quantity surveyors to embrace digitalisation and explore the use of MS Excel in the preparation of Bills of Quantities and other contract documents. This, they participants said, can greatly reduce the burden on the QS by eliminating boring and routine tasks.

The construction cost experts further recommended that: *Nigerians can achieve partnerships with foreign firms with deep expertise in highly relevant areas such as new methods of project cost benchmarking, PPP concept in

•Alhaji Murtala Aliyu, NIQS President

infrastructure development. *The current level of entrepreneurial skills within Q.S practice in Nigeria is shallow and needs to be deepened and Q.Ss in Nigeria must appreciate the need for them to act more as entrepreneurs and learn what entrepreneurship is all about. *For the QS interested in entrepreneurial development there are important things to consider: the preparation of a business plan, consideration of the external environment where the business will be reviewed and other Institutions within the external environment.

30—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

$19bn e-waste illegally traded annually — UNEP U

p to 90 per cent of the world’s electronic waste, worth nearly US $19 billion, is illegally traded or dumped each year, according to a report released last week by the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP. Each year, the electronic industry - one of the world’s largest and fastest growing generates up to 41 million tonnes of e-waste from goods such as computers and smart phones. Forecasts say that figure may reach 50 million tonnes already by 2017.

A staggering 60-90 per cent of this waste is illegally traded or dumped, according to UNEP’s “Waste Crimes, Waste Risks: Gaps and Challenges In the Waste Sector ”, launched today in Geneva, at the Conference of Parties to the three major conventions addressing the global waste issue, the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions.

The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) estimates the price of a tonne of e-waste at around US $500. Following this calculation, the value of unregistered and informally handled, including illegally traded and dumped e-waste ranges from US $12.5 to US $18.8 billion annually.

UN Under-SecretaryGeneral and Executive Director of UNEP, Achim Steiner said: “We are witnessing an unprecedented amount of electronic waste rolling out over the world.

Not only does it account for a large portion of the world’s non-recycled »waste mountain«, but it also poses

a growing threat to human health and the environment, due to the hazardous elements it contains.”

“Through enhanced international cooperation and legislative coherence, stronger national regulations and enforcement, as well as greater awareness and robust prevention measures we can ensure that the illegal trade and dumping of e-waste is brought to an end. This will create a win-win situation, whereby rare and expensive elements are safely recycled and reused, boosting the formal economy, depriving criminals of income and reducing health risks to the public,” he added.

Innovative solutions to

combat illegal and unsustainable handling of ewaste are emerging.

Recovering valuable metals and other resources locked inside electronic products, for example, can reduce the amount of e-waste produced,

The growing volumes of e-waste, municipal waste, food waste, discarded chemicals and counterfeit pesticides, all contribute to increasing pressure on the environment

diminishing pressure on the environment, creating jobs and generating income.

The growing volumes of e-waste, municipal waste, food waste, discarded chemicals and counterfeit pesticides, all contribute to increasing pressure on the environment.

The report also points to the fact that every year, roughly one third of the food produced for human consumption globally approximately 1.3 billion tonnes, worth over US $1 trillion - is lost or wasted

Heap of e-waste

Why dry construction remains the best — Nigerite

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n architect with Nigerite, Mr Jesse Onovre, has given reasons why the company is championing the cause of dry construction as an alternative to the conventional building method known as wet construction. He explained that the new building technology would demystify the age-long belief that dry construction is not viable.

Onovre made this disclosure at the just concluded Lagos Architects’ Forum. He explained that beyond marketing its product at the four-day forum organised by the Lagos State branch of the Nigeria Institute of Architects, NIA, the company used the opportunity to let the public know that dry construction remains a very viable alternative to wet C M Y K

construction that is a mixture of mortar and brick.

Nigerite’s flagship product, the Kalsi, he said, is a brand for the company’s dry walls as its basic elements prove that it possible to be used to build a house and it can equally be used for both internal and external works of buildings.

“We have been pushing for dry construction for about four and half years now. We are building momentum over time and that is why we are launching it again this year.

The reaction to the Kalsi wasn’t too lovely.

I remember I had several presentations to people, and they didn’t understand it very well, as many would tell us then that ‘I don’t want

to be used as a guinea pig’ for this your solution.

“It was like that for about two years when we started.

But after the third year, some people tested it and found out that it enhanced their jobs, including the architects. Now, people have been coming for it and more are also keying into it.

Overall, the response has been impressive; still growing though, and better than what we had before. I would say we have like 45 to 50 per cent acceptance so far; but it can be better”, Onovre said.

Continuing, Onovre stated that Nigerite’s dry construction solution, the Kalsi board solution, offers this alternative to wet construction at a cheaper cost. “We are trying to also let them know that it is possible to

Nigeria, 4 others selected as pilot countries for UNHabitat’s award

By Jude Njoku

N

igeria, Cambodia, China, Tanzania and Thailand have been selected as pilot countries for the UN-Habitat and the International Ecological Safety Collaboration Organisation , IESCO Youth Innovation awards programme. The biennial youth award is being supported by China Development Orient Urban Development and Investment Company Limited , “CDB-ORIENT”, a major private sector organisation in China.

They will be the pilot countries for the Award and depending on the success of the pilot initiative and subject to the availability of resources, will be replicated in other parts of the globe.

“The six categories span the breadth of the Award and are judged by the steering Committee of and panel of expert judges in their field. Awards will be given to Green Innovations, Ecological Safety and Climate Change and Social Equity and Poverty Reduction and Technological Innovations. Cultural innovations will be another category.

The sponsors have sent out the first calls for entries for those interested in being considered for the award.

The award is intended to recognise, honor and promote young generation of leaders who are in a unique position to leverage the power of invention to establish businesses which would contribute to solving social and environmental problems.

Culturally innovative proposals and projects which promote local culture in the concept, design and operation of the project will also be considered for the Award. Nigeria’s Prof Oyebanji Oyeyinka who works for the UN agency, said the “initiative aims to attract, support and inspire some of the most innovative, high-impact young innovators and entrepreneurs in a number of countries in Africa and Asia”.

Encouraging youth talent The aim of the Award is to acknowledge and recognise initiatives which will create positive impact socially, economically and environmentally. The initiative should act as catalyst towards the promotion of sustainable cities and towns and encourage talent needed for future urban development measured by creation of youth employment, poverty alleviation and ensuring ecological safety.

Young Entrepreneur of the Biennium will also be recognised and awarded,” said Jiang Mingjun of IESCO. Winners will not only receive a cash Prize and a certificate from UN-Habitat and IESCO, they will also get a trophy and will benefit from extensive media coverage. The total amount of the prize pool is USD 200,000 and the individual cash grant will vary from USD 20,000 to 50,000 to be shared by up to three winners in each category.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015—31

ABX World par tners Arik Air, SAHCOL for agro-allied export

By Lawani Mikairu

A

BX World (NIGERIA), a Nigerian courier and cargo firm, has signed an agreement with Arik Air and Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL) as cargo airline and process handling company for its export business.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ABX World, Captain John Okakpu said Nigeria had immense agricultural potential, even as only 40 per cent of her 84 million hectares of arable land is cultivated.

He said the company, having secured the certification of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as an "Authorized Cargo Agent", is set for a speedy export of agro-allied produces, especially perishable items such as vegetables and fruits.

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According to Okakpu, "the stability and sustainability of the world economy have been and still depend on agriculture, because agriculture is the major source of survival for man, animals and the industrial sectors through the provision of food and raw materials according to STAN in 2000.

"In other words, agriculture is taking back as the leading contributor to the economy; hence oil and gas sector is seriously in shambles."

He said Nigeria had the required manpower to support agricultural expansion, affirming that with an estimated 80 million farmers, Nigeria can cultivate enough food for its people and feed the world. He also said ABX World's believes in tapping into the sector can only be sustainable when the private sector expertise is allowed to

thrive.

He said: "There is a need to engage the private sector, investors, local banks and international financial institutions with the view of connecting (supply chain) the vast investment opportunities of Nigeria agriculture with local and international investors.

On the choice of Arik Air as cargo airline partner, he said as Nigeria's leading commercial airline, the airline was the first to operate a fleet of 26 stateof-the art regional, medium haul and long haul aircraft.

"The challenges we have as a nation, of course, present opportunities that could be tapped into for value addition and profitability. How can these be communicated to the agile youth, farmers, logistics companies, investors, and foreigners who have interest in Nigeria's agro-produce?"

32—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

New benchmark Mercedes-Benz CLA arrives “T

HE Mercedes-Benz CLA is a car that does not confuse midrange with mediocrity. Its powerful design underscores the sporty side of the MercedesBenz brands.

This is how chairman of the board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz cars, Dieter Zetsche, described the new Mercedes-Benz CLA which joined the Mercedes-Benz family in Nigeria recently.

The CLA is a four door coupe with breathtaking sporty proportions. Its powerful design, and equipment sets it ahead of its class, while its fuel economy is unrivalled in its class.

Weststar Associates, authorised distributors of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria is introducing the CLA 180 which is powered by 1.6 litre petrol engine with an output of 90kw (122hp) and 200 Nm of torque. The CLA class accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 9.3 seconds and boasts a top speed of up to 210km/h. Its fuel consumption and C02 emission figure is 5.4 1/100 km which is among the best in its class.

The CLA engine features the ECO start/stop function as standard while the transmission is the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic which reconciles comfort and sportiness in inimitable fashion.

With optimum fuel consumption, low emission and world’s best CD value for a series production vehicle of 0.22, the CLAclass sets new benchmarks in efficiency in the medium size calegory.

Loaded with features that will excite both the driver and passenger, the CLA design is unique with the bonnet embedded in the front end with power domes and diamond radiator grille.

The light modules and LEDs behind the headlamp cover glass have been arranged in such a way as to create the characteristic ‘flare effect’ for the daytime driving lights and indicator.

This light signet defines the car’s energetic appearance and shapes a new Mercedes face.

The gently sloping roof contour and the pronounced, hallmark curvature of the rear window provides the CLA with a coupé-style character

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from the rear, too. The athletic impression from the rear results from the drawnin C-pillars in conjunction with the shoulder muscle over the rear wheel arch linings. The tail lights are framed by the muscular lines of the shoulders which extend into the rear end, the

horizontal orientation of the lights emphasizing the rear ’s powerful and aesthetic breadth.

A large panoramic sliding sunroof is optionally available. This sunroof consists of a fixed polycarbonate cover at the front, a moving element

made of mineral crystal and side trims to match the glass look.

The interior design also contributes to the very special feel of Class. This is due to the selection of high-quality and the

available combinations of materials.

The instrument panel incorporates five round vents. The outer rings of the round vents have a highquality electroplated silverchrome finish.

The airflow direction is

governed by a galvanised insert that reveals a meticulous attention to detail. The free-standing display screen features a black piano-lacquer-look front panel in combination with the flush-fitting silver frame of the extended COMAND Online multimedia system.

Sultan of Sokoto tasks FRSC on road safety •Promises his convey will set standard

T

HE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar111 has charged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to sustain its current campaigns against road carnage in the country, stressing that road safety is a collective responsibility.

The Sultan who gave the charge over the weekend while receiving the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi in his Palace, assured that his own convey will continue to move within the stipulated speed limits to serve as an example to others. According to him, part of the challenges facing the campaigns against road carnage in the country, is how to mete out appropriate punishment to those that violate traffic rules, pointing out that this has created room for people to commit traffic offences

without appropriate punishment.

Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar noted that no society can function properly without the people obeying law, adding however that for people to obey the law, there must be appropriate sanctions to be strictly imposed on the violators to serve as deterrence to others. “We must obey all our laws, including the traffic laws,” he stated.

“Offenders of traffic

Offenders of traffic offences must be apprehended, tried and punished.

Nobody should be above the law of the land,” he added

offences must be apprehended, tried and punished.

Nobody should be above the law of the land,” he added.

On the use of crash helmet by motorcycle riders and passengers, the Sultan reiterated his earlier admonitions that motorcyclists must be made to appreciate the safety benefits of using crash helmet while

ridding, to protect them against head injuries in the event of a crash. He dismissed the cultural augment held by some people that the prevalent use of turban in the North is a hindrance to use of crash helmet, insisting that life is too precious to be taken for granted.

He therefore called for more aggressive public enlightenment through community leaders to

create adequate awareness on the safety benefits of the crash helmet to both the rider and the passenger to avoid death and injuries resulting from motorcycle crashes. “There should be away of properly educating members of the communities of the benefits of using crash helmet through their leaders,” he stated.

Porsche makes largest foreign investment in USA PORSCHE Cars North America officially opened its new $100 million Porsche Experience Centre (PEC) and headquarters in Atlanta last week, with the 27-acre complex becoming the brand’s largest investment ever outside Germany.

Showcasing Porsche’s innovation, forwardthinking and performancedriven ethos, the industry-

first facility is complete with a driver development track, classic car gallery, restoration centre, human performance centre, driving simulator lab and a fine dining restaurant. A state-of-the-art business centre features 13,000 square feet of conference and event space while the experience centre has been specifically designed as a destination for the public, automotive enthusiasts and

Porsche customers.

An estimated 30,000 guests are expected to visit the uniquely designed Porsche Experience Centre each year. Visitors and corporate groups can enhance their driving skills, utilise meeting space in the fully-equipped business centre, view classic Porsche automobiles or dine at Restaurant 356, aptly named after the first production Porsche.

Cross Riverians Contractor spits fire, abandons Delta hospital turn homes to renovation cemeteries PAGES 6

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TUESD AY, MA 9, 20 15 TUESDA MAYY 119, 201

•Grace, Daniel’s widow (3rd left) and children.

HORROR:

Ritualists kill, pluck Rivers LG staff's eyes

•Late Daniel Odike

*Widow, family cry out for help *Rumuokani community youths go on rampage *Emohua LG chair shuts down secretariat

By DAVIES IHEAMNACHOR

E

MOHUA — S U S P E C T E D ritualists, last Tuesday, invaded the secretariat of Emohua Local Government Council, Emohua in Rivers State, heartlessly killed, pulled out the two eyes and cut off the ear of a security guard, Mr. Daniel Odike, a father of 12 children.

Youths of Rumuokani community, Ogbakiri, who mounted a search for him, discovered his remains by the fence of the local government council. There were deep cuts all over the deceased body.

The youths enraged by the C M Y K

dastard murder, reportedly stormed the secretariat of the council and shattered window glasses and furniture, compelling the chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Council, CTC, Engr. Nnadi Abah, to order the workers to vacate the secretariat for security reasons.

Widow devastated The dazed widow, Mrs. Grace Odike, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice on a visit to the family, said, “It was the youths from our community, Rumuokani, who went in search of my husband and discovered his corpse by the fence of the local government council. His killers brutally

murdered him without pity.

They cut off one of his ears removed his two eyes and cut him all over.”

She said the death of her

The local government will be committed to whatever the family would require of us because late Daniel Odike died in his duty post.

Our coming today to meet with the family is a proof that the local government has not abandoned the family

•Emohua LGA secretariat husband was the biggest shock she has ever experienced in her life, stressing that he left the family without plans on how his 12 children whom he left behind would survive.

Her words, “Since my husband died, things have not been easy with us. We have not gotten any help from anyone.

Since Tuesday when my

Continues on Page 7

2 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

•Ogu waterside, alternative means of transportation will fall in place,” Akuegbe pleaded.

•Paramount ruler, Chief Akuegbe(left) and deputy, Chief Obugu.

BA YELS A ...

BAYELS YELSA

THE GLORY OF ALL LANDS

Bayelsa agrarian community laments lack of access road •Chief Akuegbe at the proposed road site.

*Villagers travel by river to Yenagoa, less than 2-km away *Monarch, leaders appeal to Gov Henry Dickson

By EMEM IDIO

O

GU — LOCATED less than two kilometres from Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State, and separated from the capital city only by an imposing Ekole Bridge, now christened Goodluck Jonathan Bridge, the people of Ogu community supposed they are very close to the river and consequently, have no business washing hands with spittle.

Their lifestyles, noticeable lack of infrastructure and social amenities do not depict the reality that they are anywhere close to the state capital. If anything, the proximity is like a blot to the villagers.

However, Ogu linked only last year to the national grid after decades of darkness is presently inaccessible by road, while neighbouring communities like Obogoro and Akaba had since been linked by road to the state capital.

To get to Yenagoa, they have to use canoe, the mode of transportation used by their ancestors during the Stone Age. Embittered by the continued delay on the construction of the Ogu link road, community leaders, including the paramount ruler; His Royal Highness, HRH, Apostle (Dr) Paul Akuegbe, Ogbolo XI; deputy paramount ruler, His Highness, Chief Mission Obugu; and the Community Development Committee, CDC, Chairman, Mr. Obi Esuenifien, last week, poured out their lamentations to Niger Delta Voice.

HRH Akuegbe said the most pressing and important infrastructure his people need is the access road, which he said would serve as a catalyst for other socio-economic C M Y K

development of the area.

Difficulty accessing the town His words, “What we urgently need now is access road since we are within the master plan of the capital city. If you look at it, road has reached the neighbouring towns that are along the same line with us, but road has not reached Ogu, which ironically is a ward headquarters.

“Due to lack of road, it is almost impossible to reach Ogu town by road in spite of the fact that the town is a stone throw from the state capital.

Consequently, we have been forced to resort to our natural means of transportation, which is river transportation, and again we are disadvantaged because we do not have a functional jetty. However, we have been using boats to evacuate our farm produce and move in and out of the town.”

He said, “The economic benefit of the Ogu road is much and cannot be quantified. Most of the farm produce at the Swali market are mostly from Ogu because we are mainly farmers and anglers by occupation. The

This community... will continue to support the PDP government to the end, but then, they must also reciprocate by granting us this singular request, which is the road from Akaba to Ogu

road when constructed will enhance all aspect of development ranging from small and medium scale businesses and economic boom.”

No action, just promises from government Speaking further, HRH Akuegbe said, “On several occasions, the present commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, M. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, had inspected the road site with assurance that the construction of the road will commence when it has been approved by the state

government. Initially, we were optimistic that work will commence soonest, but we are yet to hear or see any sign that the state government is committed to constructing the road.

“This community is one of the greatest supporters of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and we will continue to support the PDP government to the end, but then, they must also reciprocate by granting us this singular request, which is the road from Akaba to Ogu. The road is of a major concern because we are convinced that with the road, all other things

DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

6 yrs after Oporoza attack, struggle not futile — Johnbull

O

POROZA — SIX years after the 2009 military bombardment of Oporoza community, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State, by soldiers, the people say the blood of their massacred relatives was not in vain, as the kingdom has witnessed development.

Chair of the community, Demebi Johnbull, who spoke, weekend, at the 6th Annual Survival Day celebration, said the people deprived of their oil wealth embarked on a fight back to express their grievance.

He thanked the federal government for establishing the Maritime University at Okerenkoko and urged the incoming government under

the president elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) to do more for the area knowing the enormous natural resources exploited from the kingdom.

House of Representatives member-elect, Burutu Constituency, Hon. Julius Pondi and former chairman of the community, Mr Amami Ebimene, said the community and the entire Gbaramatu kingdom were still suffering, as they lacked potable water and other basic amenities.

The ceremony featured a football match between Oporaza and Benekrukru communities, where the former defeated the latter 3-2 and attended by prominent sons and daughters of the kingdom, home and in Diaspora.

Residents relocate Counting the losses of the people, his deputy, Chief Obugu, said, “We have houses and shops that are not rented and schools that are not viable due to lack of roads. People are parking out and relocating from the town. Visitors are discouraged to come in and do business, but if there is an access road, things will definitely change. “We are a very peaceful and law abiding people. Most of the social amenities we are enjoying are mainly from community selfefforts and non-governmental organizations,” he added.

Govt has abandoned us Also speaking, CDC chairman Mr. Obi Esuenifien, who could not hide his bitterness over the state of the Ogu road, said, “We are like a forsaken people. Our situation is like living close to the river but washing our hands with spittle. It is embarrassing and illogical in this 21st Century, that towns like Ogu, about less than two kilometres from the capital city cannot be linked by a functional road.”

He asserted, “The lack of road has deprived us of many other development incentives.

We believe that the road will open up our town and link us with the state capital, and by so doing, small businesses and artisans will grow. Our lands will sell and our houses and people will rent our shops. The rural –urban migration will minimize and employment opportunities will flourish, we are sick and tired of fruitless promises by the state government.”

THE TEAM Emma Amaize, Editor Jimitota Onoyume Samuel Oyadongha Simon Ebegbulem Gabriel Enogholase Festus Ahon Egufe Yafugborhi Emmanuel Una Akpokona Omafuaire Godwin Oghre Tom Moses Chioma Onuegbu Ike Uche Davies Iheamnachor Emem Idio Brisibe Perez Barnabas Uzosike Nath Onajoke Chijioke Nwankpa

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 — 3

AKWA IBOM...

LAND OF PROMISE

N-Delta ex-militants watching Buhari to know his game plan —

incoming President is a Nigerian and we are all Nigerians so I am happy, we do not have any problem because Jonathan did not win the election.

Do you believe Buhari can change Nigeria?

Yes, I believe he has the ability because has been a leader in different political offices in this country. He has been one- time governor of his state, a former head of state.

“Gen” Nikko Sintei

By CHIOMA ONUEGBU

E

X-MILITANT leader in Akwa-Ibom State, “General” Nikko Martin Sintei, spoke to Niger-Delta Voice in Uyo on the fundamental expectations of ex-militants in the Niger-Delta from the President Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) and why he should never toy with the Ministry of NigerDelta, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP. Excerpt.

Ex-militants from the Niger Delta have been calling on the President-elect not to scrap the Amnesty Programme, what is their fear?

Yes, we have been telling the incoming President to note that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and the Amnesty programme are the major benefits of the oil- producing communities of Niger Delta in this country. So we are saying for peace to continue to reign that nobody should tamper with them. Moreover, you remember that it was the late President Yar ’Adua, who granted us

•’Gen’ Nikko Sintei amnesty, and as a northerner, he understood that the region is feeding this country and for that reason, he granted the amnesty for peace to reign in the country. We accepted the amnesty and since then, Nigeria has been in peace.

Therefore, it will be wrong for the incoming government to come and tamper with the Amnesty programme and other programmes put in place to cater for the people that contribute so much to the wealth of the country. So, the incoming government must not do anything that could force us back to militancy.

Niger Delta ex-militants wanted President Jonathan to be re-elected during the March 28, 2015 Presidential election, do you regret that he lost out?

Really, we wanted President Goodluck Jonathan to be reelected and why we wanted him to be re-elected was because he is from the Niger Delta region and you know this is the first time we have occupied the seat. That was the major reason we supported him to continue in the next administration, but since the

Obomkpa not against Ugboba secession plot- Linus Chima BOMKPA — THE people of Obomkpa in Aniocha North Council Area, Delta State, say they are not opposed to any plan to give official recognition to an Obi (King) in Ugboba, a quarter in the community.

They, however, said relevant government agencies and the people of Ugboba should initiate the right steps to maintain peaceful coexistence within the community.

Rising from a meeting of stakeholders convened to review a purported report that the state government was planning to give recognition to an Obi in Ugboba, a quarter in Obomkpa, the Obomkpa stakeholders said they would not do anything to truncate the peace agenda of the C M Y K

...my candid advice to my fellow exmilitants and leaders is that for now, we should be patient with the i n c o m i n g government and see what the government has for the country and for the Niger Deltans

DELTA... FINGER OF GOD 4 DAYS IN KIDNAPPERS’ DEN:

My abductors asked me to tell Buhari they‘re jobless — Pa Ajueshi, Buhari group coordinator, Delta state

that the PDP government, which made no plan for empowerment of youths after 16 years of fruitless government, is to blame. I told them that they should be happy because with the coming of President –elect, General Muhammadu Buhari to power, the youths would be adequately empowered and they will be having meaningful things to do and that they will soon be taking out of the streets.”

By GODWIN OGHRE

DELTA... FINGER OF GOD

O

country does not want him and voted him out, we do not have any option.

Therefore, I do not see any need to feel bad about it. I took it in good faith. If it is the will of God, I do not need to question God, After all, the

Is there anything new you would want the new government to do for the Niger Delta region?

Well, the new government said that they are coming for a change so we are expecting many things from them. We need steady light and employment. He said he would tackle insecurity and corruption. Those are the things we are expecting from him, especially the steady power that will enable people improve in their businesses.

If he is able to actualize that, I think the country will be very happy with him. Since he said that he is coming for change, we expect him to keep to his promise on change. People are keen to see what he will be able to do. We want to see that change that he pronounced during his campaign.

Uduaghan administration or that of the incoming Okowa administration.

President- General of Obomkpa community, Mr. Linus Chima, told Niger Delta Voice, that it was not the responsibility of the community to call for a meeting to resolve grey areas in the agitation and demands of Ugboba for an Obi, but Obomkpa was ready to enter into meaningful dialogue on the matter and other related issues.

He said stakeholders were of the opinion that the lengthy litigation, which started around 1951 and ended at the Supreme Court in 1986, should have settled the matter of who owned the area where Ugboba is presently situated and by extension, the propriety of a second King on the same land.

On your part as Niger Delta ex-militant leaders, how do you intend to work with the new government and your advice to your fellow exmilitants in the region?

We the ex-militants and exmilitant leaders in the Niger Delta do not have any problem.

We are not worried. If he wants us to work with him, we will work with tirelessly. We do not have any grudge against him.

We are ready to work with him the way he will appreciate.

Therefore, I would want him to carry Niger Delta ex-militant leaders along in his government because they are the people that will talk to their boys to remain calm.

In addition, my candid advice to my fellow ex-militants and leaders is that for now, we should be patient with the incoming government and see what the government has for the country and for the Niger Deltans. There should be harmony, no tribal sentiments and we should see this government as a pregnant woman.

It is when the government starts working that we will know whether it has good plans for us or not. We are going to watch what the government will give birth to; all the same, I believe the new administration will not disappoint the people of this region.

S

APELE—KIDNAPPERS abducted the coordinator of the Buhari Support Organization, BSO, Delta State, Pa Isaac Tobore Ajueshi, a septuagenarian, Friday, May 8, at about 8.30 pm from his residence at Oghara, EthiopeWest Local Government Area in the state and held him hostage until Monday, May 11, when he regained freedom. He spoke to Niger Delta Voice on his ordeal.

He started, “It appeared that the kidnappers were lurking around my house that time. My generator suddenly went off and I believed they were the ones who put it off. Therefore, I came out to put it on when they emerged from the dark and carried me, throwing me into my own car that I parked outside, I did not know how they got another key to open the car.”

No food, water for 4 days According to him, “They drove me into a deep forest without any trace of human

•Pa Isaac Tobore Ajueshi activities, a location I cannot determine. There, they blindfolded me with my hands and legs tied up, lying me face up and without food or water throughout the four days I spent in their den.

“What saved me was that on the second day when the kidnappers untied my mouth, I began to tell them that they are not to blame for the kidnappings which they are involved in.”

What I told them about PDP He continued: “I told them

Why they released me His words, “As at that time, about six of them had surrounded me with guns.

They asked me if I was sure of what I was telling them and I re-emphasized it to them repeatedly. Therefore, they said they would let me go and help them to reach out to Buhari and tell him their plight, and that they were ready to quit crime if they can get jobs or empowered to do businesses.

That was how they freed me on the fourth day. My family did not pay any ransom. It is only my car that is currently in their possession.”

4 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

BA YELS A ...

BAYELS YELSA THE GLORY OF ALL LANDS

Bayelsa govt dump-site endangers health of citizens *‘We‘re bearing the brunt of this unwise decision’ – Angry residents

By SAMUEL OYADONGHA

G

BARIAN — THE relocation, early last year, of a dump-site on the Edepie-Tombia-Amassoma road, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, by the state government to its present site on the Etelebou Flow Station road, one of the quickest roads linking Gbarian Kingdom, is causing health hazard to travelers and residents of the monarchy.

Some three years ago, travelling on Opolo-Etelebou road was fun for motorists and fun seekers, especially lovers of nature, but not so nowadays, heaps of filth, discharging stomach-turning odour, have swamped the route.

Travellers, oil workers and indigenes of Gbarain Kingdom, host to the multibillion naira Shell LNG Plant, are rankled by the rancid smell that has enveloped the once- alluring landscape supposedly caused by the relocation of the state refuse dump site from the Edepie-Tombia-Amassoma road to its present site on the Etelebou flow station road.

Good intention turns evil The road is the quickest link road to the Bayelsa Gateway Road connecting the East-West road for travelers from the Amassoma flank in Southern Ijaw local government area of the state. Niger Delta Voice learned that the relocation of the dump site from the EdepieTombia road linking the university town of Amassoma was at the instance of the state government due to the strategic nature of the road and the embarrassment the stench from the site is causing travelers plying the route especially first time visitors to the Niger Delta University.

However, a noble gesture by the authorities, as passing through the route then was a harrowing experience for most travelers given the terrible stench from the overflowing refuse dump site, the relocation of the dump site to its present location, an area also owned by Opolo-Epie community, has turned out to be a pain to the people of Gbarain Kingdom.

Human excrete unloaded in C M Y K

dump site, adjoining creeks Solid wastes are not only being dumped indiscriminately in the area and almost taking over road, sewage trucks could also be seen discharging waste into the adjoining creeks, which also serve as source of drinking water for some of the settlements whose inhabitants are poor fishing folks.

Some residents of the Gbarain Kingdom, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice, expressed sadness over the relocation of the refuse dump site. They said though the land hosting the waste is owned by Opolo-Epie community, “We are the people bearing the brunt of this unwise decision of the government.”

An indigene, simply identified as Tonweri, said the refuse dump site, which relocation was effected in the early part of 2014 by the state government following an agreement reached with the Opolo-Epie community, owners of the land, has exposed them to serious health challenges.

“It is a shame that almost 19 years after the creation of

•Refuse from dump site flowing into Etelebou road Bayelsa, it has no solid waste treatment plant, which could have been a money- spinning venture for the government.

The present administration’s noise about environmental activism is nothing but a ruse to curry the support of our traumatized people.

The Etelebou dumpsite has

The way and manner solid waste and raw sewage are being disposed indiscriminately along that road/ environment is unacceptable

continued to be a major source of worry for us in Gbarain Kingdom following the near closure of the link road in the area because of the waste dump. The road which was originally executed by SPDC is now a sorry state,” he said.

Tonweri added, “The trend if not checked is capable of causing serious health hazard and spread of communicable diseases in the kingdom, the place is owned by Opolo community but is affecting our people (Gbarain Kingdom).”

No policy on environmental protection, refuse disposal Also lamenting the sorry state of the route, renowned environmentalist, Comrade Alagoa Morris said, “Refuse, solid waste management and sewage disposal are critical aspect of the effective running of cities, especially now that we have so many bio-non-

degradable and our clime becoming a dumping ground for all sort of unwanted items from western countries.”

He stated. “It is very unfortunate that the state government is paying lip service to environmental issues and without any policy on environmental protection and refuse disposal. The way and manner solid waste and raw sewage are being disposed indiscriminately along that road/environment is unacceptable and a shameful thing to do by government.

“Agreed that Bayelsa State is the most deltaic of all the Niger Delta states and we lack burrow pits for landfills to take care of sure solid wastes, but that challenge ought to drive the state government to do something extraordinary and fast rather than resorting to crude, uncivilized methods in a modern era,” he asserted.

DESOPADEC bill ‘ll transform Delta oil communities — Mengison

I

TSEKIRI youth leader in Warri North Local Government Area, Delta State, Comrade Benson Mengison, says those agitating against the bill by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to restructure the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, should take a second look at the bill, as indeed, the governor ought to be commended and not vilified for his bold effort. Excerpt.

How would you assess Dr. Uduaghan’s eight years of governance?

Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan is a man of peace. He maintains his calm nature despite persistent provocations.

As a practicing Christian, he believes that vengeance is of the Lord. Moreover, he goes about promoting peace as an act of state policy, this attribute of his started manifesting when the former governor, Chief James Ibori appointed him Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

As SSG, Uduaghan was the

alter ego of that administration in terms of peace advocacy. He was always at the riverine areas of the state predominantly inhabited by the restive youths, making peace and pacifying nerves. In fact, when hostage taking reared its ugly head in Delta State, it was Uduaghan, as SSG, who provided the magic wane. It is one record that about six foreign oil workers kidnapped in Delta State were released to Dr. Uduaghan in 2006.

Dr. Uduaghan’s giant strides in areas as diverse as urban development, social welfare and rehabilitation, information, culture and tourism, the environment, youth development, health, power, housing, commerce and industry, transport, energy, water resources, and sports, are legendary. Above all, Uduaghan has pursued reconciliation not just between himself and other aggrieved politicians but also across board because he knows that this is the precursor to peace

food security. Uduaghan has revived commodity boards that will help enhance the growth of agriculture in the state. It is also applicable to education, which the governor has given top priority in realization of the benefits it brings to society.

•Comrade Benson Erewa Mengison and development.

If Uduaghan’s strikes in physical infrastructure is astounding, his foray into agriculture shows that he has realized that food production would serves as alternative to oil. The governor has strategically positioned the Ministry of Agriculture to meet his policy on food production and

What is your position on the proposed re-structuring of the Delta State Oil producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) now undergoing second reading at the State House of Assembly?

If you create time to study the details of the bill thorough, you will agree with me that if becomes a reality, apart from the creation of more employment opportunities for Deltans, particularly those from the oil producing communities, it will also bring development closer to the grass-roots. I, therefore, urge every Deltan to give the desired support it requires to see the light of the day. The benefits are quite numerous. We should not sabotage the process.

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 — 5

Inspite of health implications, Cross Riverians turn homes to cemeteries If it were you, would you have thrown them away, “ Major Francis Iyaji, a community leader at Ugaga asked this reporter when he sought to know why the three family members who died in an accident , along Jos- Akwaga Road, were interred in one grave, right in the centre of the compound.

By EMMANUEL UNA

C

ALABAR — BEFORE now, most people at Calabar, capital of Cross River State and rural communities in the state bury their deceased persons at cemeteries, reserved portions of land and forests in their respective domains, but now, there is a new style of interring people in their stamping grounds.

People did graves inside rooms, verandas, thresholds, back yards, and indeed every available space to bury dead.

At Ugep, Mkpani, Akamkpa, Abi, Adadama, Boki, Etung, Kakwagom, Ikom and Agaragba in the Central district of the state, Yala, Ukele, Bekwara, Obudu, Afrike, Mbube, in the Northern parts of the state and places like Odukpani, Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Okoyong , Ikot Offiong, family members who passed on these days are buried within the premises.

However, in Calabar South and Calabar Municipality, permission is required from the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Social Welfare before the burying of dead relatives within their compound or houses. The common practice here is to lay the dead in one of the numerous private or public cemeteries located within the city.

Land speculators lay siege to cemeteries

But most recently, burial grounds, among them Hawkins cemetery, which holds the dead bodies of Efiks people located at Edibe Edibe, Akim Royal cemetery, Ikot Ishie cemetery and Goldie cemetery have badly been encroached upon with large portions of the land sold by land speculators and turned to residential houses.

In Hawkins, even with the bodies of famous personalities like the female political icon, Mrs Margaret Ekpo , the former deputy governor of Cross River State , Mrs Cecilia Ekpenyong, and several others interred there, over grown weeds have taken over the entire place, while the remaining area has been C M Y K

Danger

•Grave sold off.

The cemeteries which are the official burying grounds like the Ikom Cemetery close to the Ikom General Hospital is over grown with weeds following lack of care and prolonged periods of disuse, while the one in Ogoja, close to the Catholic Church has been consistently encroached upon by land speculators who have converted the desolate place to residential homes.

In other parts of the state, cemeteries are significantly nonexistent and where they are, they lie largely unused, as people see the interment of dead relatives in cemeteries as abandoning loved ones in the bush far away from other ancestors.

New craze

It is common to see a meander of graves around homes, which serve as sitting arenas and sleeping pavilions for those who are alive, both night and day.

We cannot throw away our family members in the cemeteries covered by bushes and snakes, are they slaves?” Mr Okamgba, a resident of Ikom queried when Niger Delta sought to know why they do not bury

What is paramount to most people is keeping their departed ones within the homestead.

That is why it is common to see graves next to water sources and nobody winks an eyelid drinking from them

their dead ones in cemeteries.

Investigations reveal that the burying of people within the precincts of the home has not been a common practice in the state. Modernity and pride appear, however, to be the twin factors that gave rise to it and has continued to spread to every part of the state.

In most homes, one could easily see the graves of grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, eldest son

and so on that had passed on. The graves, which are usually identifiable with their square shape, are often conspicuous in virtually every home as they are often elevated from other parts of the premises covered with concrete cement or red earth.

Habitually unmarked, little or no information is provided on the graves on the name date of death, age and other information about the deceased person. They only serve as sleeping platforms, cooking areas, resting points, laundry arena and of course dining spots.

The principal reasons advanced for the burying of dead family members is ego of the family. This is more so if the dead person has succeeded in building a house, they view it with much pride that the person was able to put up a structure and want him interred within the house or close to it.

In some instances, relatives dig graves in uncompleted houses to inter the dead owner. To the average family, such a person, though dead, was still part of the family and should not disowned.

“Why do you ask me the reason we bury our dead sister and brothers at home.

They do not consider burying of departed ones in homes unhealthy even when boreholes or deep wells, which serve as sources of drinking water are close by. The people hardly give thought to seepages and attendant pollution of the water sources while burying dead ones.

What is paramount to most people is keeping their departed ones within the homestead. That is why it is common to see graves next to water sources and nobody winks an eyelid drinking from them or using the water for domestic purposes.

The water pollution aside, some of the graves are quite fragile and often cave in.

This constitutes a risk as often, people sustain injuries by falling into them.

Hamstrung

Despite the attendant hazard the practice foreshadows, the Ministry of Health is in a fix over how to curtail it. A director with the Department of Public Health, Agnes Okon, said though the practice w a s u n h e a l t h y, cultural imperatives and political considerations have not allowed the ministry to come out with a statement cautioning or stopping it.

“Those who perpetrate this practice the most are the big men who often build their graves within their mansions and leave instructions that they should be buried there.

If you make to stop those people from such practice, you are likely to bite your fingers. Even at that, some people will tell you that it is their tradition to bury their dead within their home, even when you know that has not always been the case, what would you do in such circumstance?” She queried.

6 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

PODIUM…

•Front view of the hospital under construction

Contractor spits fire, abandons Delta hospital renovation *Pregnant women turn walkway to maternity room *Patient takes drip sitting on plastic chair for lack of bed space * We ‘ve no money to pay now- Dr. Otumara

By PEREZ BRISIBE

P

ATANI — WHEN the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan- led administration embarked on the renovation of the Patani Central Hospital, Patani, Delta State, the people heaved a sigh of relief, as the hospital devastated by the 2012 nationwide floods had turned a glorified health centre.

Strategically located on the East-West express road, the hospital, which serves the entire Patani Local Government Area with 14 communities and towns in neighbouring Bayelsa state, cannot be undervalued, but the people’s hope that the hospital will soon resume operation has been scuttled with the contractor, Capsine Nigeria Limited, pulling out of site.

MD keeps sealed lips The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. S.G Ahorituwere refused commenting on the state of things at the facility when Niger Delta Voice visited, but we witnessed appalling sights of patients, both male and female alike, receiving medical attention on open corridors, which also serve as maternity room for women in labour.

Owing to the non-availability of bed space, Niger Delta Voice counted three, including one that serves as maternity bed, a seriously ill male patient sitting on plastic chair was receiving drip pending the availability of bed for him to lie.

Strangely, there was no power C M Y K

supply, making the room very dark, especially in the night; hence, medics resorted to the use of kerosene lamps.

A tour round the hospital revealed that the renovation project, which is almost completed requires painting of the buildings as the ceilings, doors, glass windows and roofs the contractors have went extra mile in the project.

admit patients in the past 12 months, adding, “Patients are referred to the Ughelli Central Hospital while those residing

No patient admitted in the past one year A staff that preferred anonymity, disclosed since they are no private clinics, the hospital still takes care of patients despite its inability to

Why would the government withhold funds for the completion of the project? It is not an intentional act as that project is very close to the heart of the governor

at other adjoining Bayelsa communities now go the Central Hospital, Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State.”

We fault govt, not contractor Accusing the government of bias of complacency, two natives, Doutimi Fiepre and Perezilagha Orotu, who posted pictures of the dilapidated hospital on Facebook, said, “We are not blaming the contractor of the project because he has tried having embarked on the project to this level with his

RIVERS… THE TREASURE BASE OF THE NATION

Ogoni youths, students allege neglect, threaten NDDC

By DAVIES IHEAMNACHOR

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GONI — YOUTHS and residents of oil-rich Ogoni in Rivers State have threatened to disrupt the activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, citing the Commission’s alleged failure to site development projects in Ogoni land.

The students’ group on the platform of National Union of Ogoni Students, NUOS, with members drawn from the four local government areas, Khana, Gokhana, Tai and Elem that make up the Ogoni nation, said they would halt the operations of the NDDC in the South-South region, alleging that the commission since inception has neglected the oil rich communities of Ogoni.

Leader of the aggrieved students, Emmanuel Bie, said, “Today we are here to tell the world of the neglect and marginalization meted on

the Ogoni land by the NDDC, even as the area has contributed heavily to the economy of the country.”

“The commission was set up to serve as an intervention agency to cater for the rapid development of the Niger Delta region with equal distribution, fair sharing of projects, contracts and programmes, but the commission has duly failed the Ogoni people.

“Prior to this time, we have consulted stakeholders and personalities from Ogoni, reporting this neglect, marginalization and lukewarm attitude of the commission to site project in Ogoni communities, allocate contracts to our people and to give scholarships to the students,” he said.

His words, “We have written series of letters to the Managing Director of the Commission, Dan Abia Bassey, his SA to youths/students, comrade George Turnah and the director of projects, but all fell on deaf ears.

personal resources from our findings. “As a community, we have made series of appeals to the Delta state government and at a point, indigenes of Patani - men, women and youths wanted to embark on a protest to Asaba to express our grievances, but the contractor, Capt. Pius Sienebe, counselled us against such move with the hope that through diplomacy, things could be done right.

But till date, the government is yet to do anything,” they said.

Why I pulled out- Contractor Contacted, the head of Capsine Nigeria Limited, Capt. Pius Sienebe, a former chair of the ruling PDP in the state, confirmed that his company pulled out of site for past 6months, saying his action was anchored on the nonavailability of funds for the project.

Capt. Sienebe said, “The withholding of funds for the completion of the Patani General Hospital project is the highest form of inhuman treatment meted out on the people of Patani and only the governor can give answers to why the project is stalled.”

He said he had explored many efforts to reach the governor on why his government has failed to provide funds for the completion of the project and

Continues on Page 7

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 — 7

Ritualists pluck Rivers LG staff's eyes, slash ear “We have been able to talk with the family and we will still be meeting. At least the whereabouts of the man is now known because his corpse had been found, definitely we will make every arrangement to bury him,” he said.

Continues from Page 1 husband went to work and could not come back, there has not been food in the house and my children have not been going to school.

“As things are now with the family, I do not know where to start and where to end, I do not know where to go and look for help,” she added.

Went to work last Tuesday but didn’t return home She yelled, “My husband is left all alone in the mortuary.

My children have been crying that they want to see their father. Daniel went to work last Tuesday for night duty as a security in council. He promised to go to the bank to withdraw money before he will return on Wednesday because there was nothing left in the house for the children to eat, but he could not come back as he promised.”

Hunger, sickness hit family “Since then, there has not been food in the house, look at me now a widow, I went to do manual job just two days after the remains were discovered to feed the children. Since last week, I have gone to work in other people’s farm just to feed the 12 children left behind by my husband,” she bemoaned.

“As I speak, two of my children are seriously sick and there is nobody to care for them. I will still go for job to get money for their medication; I call on the government of Engr. Nnamdi Abah to come to our aid,” she said.

One of the daughters of the late Odike, Glory Odike, said, “I am in JSS2 now and I am afraid of dropping out of school. I have not been going to school again. I feel so bad that some wicked people decided to make my siblings and me fatherless at this tender age, I am pained,” she said.

“My father has died in the process of securing a government office, I believe the government will recognize his efforts and not abandon us to suffer. Since my father died, I have followed my mother to go and farm for people to get money for feeding and I cannot continue like that at this age.

“Since my father died in service, I want to call on the government to intervene in our welfare, to ensure we do not drop out of school. They should not allow us to suffer, they should take care of us so C M Y K

•Late Daniel Odike’s house that we will not suffer and die,” she pleaded.

We did not kill him- LG chair Meanwhile, the authorities of Emohua Local Government Area, led by the chairman of the Caretaker Committee, Engr Nnamdi Abah, met last Thursday, with the family of late Odike over the murder of their breadwinner and security staff with the council to interface on the matter.

The chairman told the family that the council has not and would not deny the fact that late Odike died in service, adding that it was said that a man, who was so active in service, was brutally killed by unidentified persons while on night duty.

Assuring that the council would pursue the matter to a logical conclusion, Abah said, “The local government will be committed to whatever the family would require of us because late Daniel Odike died in his duty post. Our coming today to meet with the family is a proof that the local government has not abandoned the family.”

He asserted, “The local

Despite the death of the staff member, I do not think it was proper for youths to use the opportunity to clamp down on the council headquarters

government did not kill Mr. Daniel Odike and did not in any way engineer the killing of this man. On what basis should we kill our own worker? Therefore, I wonder the grounds on which youths from Rumuokni would come to the local government areas secretariat and do the level of damage they had done. The council could not have been responsible for the death of our staff member, it is not possible.

“We have started a process of interfacing with the family of the deceased. I have found out that the immediate family members of the late Daniel Odike are not responsible of the damage done to the council secretariat.

…Urges workers to resume Pleading with workers, who deserted the council to resume official duties, he said, “Mainly, it was the window glasses that were damaged and some of the furniture. I still condemn the action of these youths from Ogbakiri, who came to the council in the guise of protest and did this level of damage to the local government council.

“Despite the death of the staff member, I do not think it was proper for youths to use the opportunity to clamp down on the council headquarters.

“We have gone to Ogbakiri to interface with the family of the late Daniel Odike, I think all the threats that are coming as a result of this death have been put to rest.

“The workers did not decide on their own to leave, but I gave the directives for safety reasons so that we will not be talking of the death of one staff and another happens.

Definitely, they will come back to work. Security is paramount and if there is no adequate security on ground I will not have called them to resume duties,” he added.

He stated, “The police have made some arrests. I thinking the police will help to bring the culprits to book. Definitely, we will give the police all the needed support to bring the killers to book.

“It is painful that staff will come to work and be murdered in his place of duty.

We must follow this case up to its logical conclusion.”

Bring killers to bookFamily Mr Chinedu Odike, who spoke for the family, “It is a good step taken by the local government by coming to see the family at this time. It is the first step and I think the local government has shown commitment having visited today. For me, as a family member, I am very happy that today the council has come to visit.

“The position of the family is simple, that the killers of Daniel Odike should be brought to book. You can see that the man left too much responsibility for his poor widow. He left small children in the family, so the local government needs to take responsibility because Odike died in service to the government.

“As a family, we condemn the act perpetrated by some boys who went to destroy some things at the local government secretariat. We condemn the act because it is not the culture of this family to destroy another person(s) property.

And our family youths would not be involved in such act.”

In addition, the head of Odike family, Chief Augustine Odike, pleaded that the council boss not to arrest any member of Odike’s family in connection with the destruction done to the secretariat, adding that the members were not troublesome people.

Contractor spits fire, abandons Delta hospital renovation Continues from Page 6 pulled out of site when he noticed that after sourcing for funds to work on the project to its current state, government was not forthcoming in making funds available for job done.

According to him, “Recently, I convinced the State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Joseph Otumara, to discuss the state of the hospital with the governor, if he did, that is an issue for another.” “Recently, an NYSC member died owing to inability to access prompt medical care after an accident that occurred on the Patani axis of the East West road. This was also the fate of a pregnant woman who died while travelling to Ughelli during a medical emergency.”

I will complete the project in 2 wks if given funds Bragging on the level of work already done in the project, the contractor said he promised the governor when the project with a target of eight months was awarded that it would be completed in eight weeks, adding, “It is 80 per cent completed and we achieved the feat in three weeks.

“As I speak with you, if money is released for the project today, I promise you and the people of Patani that I would complete the project in two weeks, but coincidentally, it is so bad to note that the renovation of the Patani General Hospital would be among the millions of abandoned projects in the state,” he said.

Nobody is wilfully project fundCommissioner for Health Contacted, Commissioner of Health, Dr. Joseph Otumara, while debunking insinuations that the state government is intentionally withholding funds for the renovation of the hospital, said: “Why would the government withhold funds for the completion of the project? It is not an intentional act as that project is very close to the heart of the governor and us in the Ministry of Health.

“It is the wish of the state government and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan that all project started by his administration is completed and the governor being from Delta South Senatorial district, has passion and knows the importance of that hospital in that area.”

8—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

By EMMA AMAIZE

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ENIN—CIVIL Society Organizations, CSOs, led

by Niger-Delta-based Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, and their international allies, have asked the President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) to reject the agreement between the Federal Government and the family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, because of observed complicity in the repatriation of the loot.

The group also urged the United Kingdom, United States, Swiss governments, World Bank and the International Community to support the incoming administration of Gen Buhari to turn its back on the agreement on grounds that “it is a strong precedence for more corruption; endangers Nigeria’s fledgling democracy; and engender a climate for setting up harmful role models.”

Executive director of ANEEJ, Rev David Ugolor, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice, said, “The agreement, which was brokered in July 2014, erodes the rights of Nigerian citizens to hold government accountable and speak truth to it and gives room for the cultivation of impunity and a possibility for looting the loot.”

His words, “Against this backdrop and to forestall the same pitfall, we the civil society groups in Nigeria seek to put local, national and the international community and interested parties on notice for action against the obnoxious agreement already brokered in July, 2014, between the representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Abacha family.”

He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, we are worried by the impending repercussions that that obscene agreement portends for the fight against corruption, the future of Nigeria, and the devastating effect it unleashes on the global effort to rid the international financial system of illicit funds.”

The group insisted, “The outgoing administration should provide a comprehensive independent audit on how other recovered and repatriated Abacha loot were expended so as to give insight into the management of public finance in Nigeria.”

For Buhari, he asserted, “In line with the avowed anticorruption stance of the incoming administration, the President-elect should move quickly to set up machinery to fast track the signing into law of the Proceeds of Crime Bill, POCA. We believe that the absence of a domestic framework on how stolen wealth is used creates room for mismanagement of recovered assets.”

His words, “We call on the UK, C M Y K

ANEEJ TO BUHARI:

Repudiate FG/ Abacha family pact on stolen loot United States and Swiss Governments together with the World Bank and international community to reject this agreement and suspend negotiations on actual repatriation of all recovered funds with the Nigerian government until all issues surrounding this most obnoxious agreement are satisfactorily resolved.”

Ugolor stated, “We urge the setting up of an independent committee comprising the EFCC, NEITI, and Civil Society practitioners to be headed by a retired Chief Judge of impeccable standing, to investigate and reconcile all the issues surrounding the recovery and repatriation of the Abacha loot.”

He lamented, “Transparency and accountability has remained a major problem besetting successive governments in Nigeria. For nearly four decades, the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, were not audited, but public outcry changed all of that, to the extent that when the accounts were eventually audited by a private firm, PriceWaterHouse Coopers, the audit report exposed widespread irregularities in the management of the finances of

the NNPC.” On the Abacha loot, he said, “The proposed repatriation of over $480 million stolen by the late Nigerian Head of State, General Sani Abacha from the United States of America to the Nigerian Government has so far been shrouded in unbelievable secrecy.”

This, he said, was in spite of efforts by Nigerian CSOs, led

by ANEEJ and its international Civil Society Allies to draw the attention of concerned parties and stakeholders to obvious anomalies that undermine international instruments and Nigerian laws, “as the Nigerian

In line with the avowed anticorruption stance of the incoming administration, the President-elect should move quickly to set up machinery to fast track the signing into law of the Proceeds of Crime Bill, POCA

•Ugolor Parliament and CSOs were completely sidelined in all transactions, undertakings and agreements relating to the arrangement.”

According to him, “Civil Society Shadow Report of the Nigeria Network on Stolen Assets, NNSA, published by ANEEJ on the Public Expenditure Management and Financial Accountability Review, PEMFAR, 2005, on the $500 million repatriated from Switzerland, showed the use of repatriated loot did not meet standards.”

He said it did not also reflect the spirit envisaged by Article 5 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, UNCAC. Ugolor said the Nigeria Public Expenditure Management and Financial Accountability

Review, PEMFAR was initiated by the World Bank to execute reform in the budget spending of the Nigerian government by analyzing the use of the repatriated Abacha loot in implementing the National Economic Empowerment Development Strategy, NEEDS, in support of Millennium Development Goals, MDGs. He explained that the background for PEMFAR was the February 2005 agreement by the Nigerian and Swiss governments to repatriate the Abacha family’s bank deposits in Switzerland for US$458 million (the so called “Abacha loot”) to be expended on prioritized sectors - education, health and basic infrastructure (power, roads, and water) for poverty eradication under the MDGs.

EDO... HEARTBEAT OF THE NATION Tambuwal has a lion heart like Oshiomhole, says HRH Ehidiamen, Opoji monarch *As he confers him with Onosejile title

By SIMON EBEGBULEM

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POJI — IT was like a carnival, penultimate Sunday, at Opoji, Esan Central Local Government Area, Edo State, when the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Governor- Elect of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, was given a traditional title the ‘Onosejile (God sent) of Opoji kingdom by the Onojie of Opoji, His Royal Highness Ehidiamen Aidonojie 1.

Opoji became the envy of other communities in Esanland as National Assembly members from Abuja and other wellmeaning Nigerians stormed the town in honour of the Speaker. Dressed in white agbada and a white shoe to match, Alhaji Tambuwal walked into the palace at about 2pm with his crowd of supporters to the admiration of the community members.

Addressing the crowd during the ceremony, the Onojie of Opoji disclosed his admiration for Tambuwal right from when he became Speaker of the House of Representatives till date, describing him as a young man, who is dogged and unwavering in the search for a

good leadership for the nation.

According to him, “The way and manner he emerged as Speaker was an indication that God has something for this young man and Nigeria. For the first time we are having a Speaker that emerged without the backing of his party. The

•HRH Ehidiamhen II Onojie of Opojie and Aminu Tambuwa, Speaker House of Reps

office of Speaker was zoned to the South West then, but his colleagues said no, this is the man we all want. I see him as God sent and that was why I gave him that title as God sent to Opoji. This is what has seen him through as governor- elect of Sokoto state and I pray that someday he will become the President of this country because he is still a young man.

“Tambuwal is a humble man with lion heart; he is like Governor Adams Oshiomhole who fears no body. So the people of this kingdom admire him so much, we always prayed for him and the gods of our land answered our prayers because today he is a governor -elect despite all attempts by the outgoing Federal Government to intimidate and humiliate him. That is why the Council of Elders of this community decided to give this title “God sent because he is not just God sent to Opoji land, he is God sent to Nigerians,” he stated.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015—33

By Theodore Opara

Nissan targets 13% market share •Opens multi-million 3S facility in Lagos

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ISSAN has celebrated the opening of a new state-ofthe-art dealership in Victoria Island, Lagos with the promise to increase its market share to 13 per cent this financial year.

The ultra-modern Nissan showroom is the first of its kind in the country, boasting three floor showroom.

The new Victoria Island showroom brings to 11 the number of Nissan dealerships in Nigeria, a demonstration of Nissan’s commitment to increase brand visibility in Africa’s most populous country.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Mike |Whitefield, Managing Director, Nissan South Africa and President Nissan’s Africa Region South business unit incorporating markets in sub-Sahara Africa said that “Nigeria is one of the most important markets in their Africa Growth strategy, part of which is a strong Nissan dealer network.

Continuing he said “We are delighted to attend the opening of the Victoria Island dealership, offering a customer experience in keeping with our ‘Innovation that Excites’ brand promise.”

“We intend to increase our market share to 13% during the current financial year, driven mainly by sales in the pickup segment,” Whitfield added.

Also in his speech, Mr Jim Dando, General Manager, Sub-Sahara Region, Nissan South Africa – Africa Region

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South applauded Nigeria’s new automotive policy saying: “This policy will form the basis on which major manufacturers will invest in manufacturing plants and local equipment manufacturing.”

He disclosed that Stallion has moved their market share from 4% to more than 10% in the last fiscal year adding, “We

The new Victoria Island showroom brings to 11 the number of Nissan dealerships in Nigeria, a demonstration of Nissan’s commitment to increase brand visibility in Africa’s most populous country

•The new Nissan showroom in Lagos worked side by side to achieve this goal and within Nissan we have a strong desire to contribute to rebuilding industrialisation in Nigeria and be contributors to the growth of the manufacturing sector.

In his remark, Stallion NMN managing director Mr Parvir Singh described the new 3S facility as “futuristic”, and unparallelled in Nigeria.

“Our Victoria Island dealership meets the standards of Nissan’s global corporate identity, currently being rolled out across the Nissan dealership network worldwide,” said Singh.

The 3S (sales, service and spares) facility, occupying 900 square metres, features a canteen, quick service facility, conference room and upper floor display

area showcasing Nissan’s range of locallyproduced and imported passenger, sports utility vehicle, crossover and light commercial vehicles. They include the popular Nissan Almera, Qashqai and NV350 Urvan, as well as a new offering from the United States, the D40 Frontier.

An expanded dealership network in

Nigeria is another indication of Nissan’s commitment to the country and the West African region. It follows the establishment in 2013 of a Lagos-based assembly plant in partnership with the Stallion Group. The plant, which produces an average of 200 units a month, assembles the Nissan Patrol, Almera and NP300 for the local market.

Ford Ranger Odyssey Africa challenge entries extended

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HE Ford Motor Company, in association with its accredited dealer in Nigeria, Coscharis Motors, has announced a new closing date for the Call for Entry into the 2015 edition of its actionpacked Ranger Odyssey Africa Challenge, themed “Brain Vs Brawn”.

The third edition of the annual Ranger Odyssey will see a total of 20 contestants navigating through the extremely challenging north-

western region of Namibia on a 12-day expedition that will push each person to the limit.

The adventure starts off at Spitzkoppe and travels through Palmwag, Khuwarib and the barren and unforgiving Desolation Trail that follows the Huab River to Desolation Valley.

“The Ranger Odyssey is a unique event that gives dynamic individuals with a spirit for adventure the chance to see some of the most spectacular parts of

Africa,” says Tracey Delate, General Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA).

While the life-changing experience is an exceptional prize in itself, there’s also the allure of the grand prize which includes the use of an Odyssey-spec Ranger for a year, along with R5 000 or its naira equivalent (in case a Nigerian emerges winner) worth of fuel per month.

While announcing the extension of the call for entry timeline, General Manager Marketing & Corporate Services, Coscharis Motors, Mr. Abiona Babarinde said “owing to the last minute rush for registration, Ford has decided to give interested Nigerians more time to register so that no one will be denied the opportunity to experience the adventure of a lifetime through the Ranger Odyssey.” He further re-emphasized the objective of the competition thus “The Ranger is built for the

Tough, and through this competition, Ford aims to bring together a group of people across the continent who have adventurous spirit to experience the best Africa has to offer.”

Mr. Babarinde further explained that in preparation towards the Namibia competition, Nigeria will hold an antecedent event on the 29th of May, 2015.

Interested participants will first battle it out here in Nigeria, where three winners will emerge to join Mr. Chinonso Oke-

The Ranger Odyssey is a unique event that gives dynamic individuals with a spirit for adventure the chance to see some of the most spectacular parts of Africa

zuo, winner of the 2014 Nigerian arm of the Ranger competition.

Thereafter, they will all proceed to represent Nigeria at the Karoo Boot Camp in South Africa where the best two from Nigeria will proceed to grand finale of the competition in Namibia.

Mr. Okezuo could not make it to Namibia last year due to a travel ban on Nigerian travelers owing to the notorious Ebola scare at the time.

He will therefore be among the contingents for the 2015 Ranger Odyssey.

Since the first Ranger Odyssey in 2012 which had around 700 entries, last year more than 8 000 people registered for the competition – and this number is expected to grow even further this year due to the high profile and remarkable success of this event.

To enter for the competition, interested persons are required to register online at www.rangerodyssey.com by the new closing date of 24 May.

34—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

By Theodore Opara

Kia, Access Bank partner on auto finance scheme M

ORE often than not, customers are presented with wide range of options for financing a car or securing an auto loan which makes it difficult to choose a tailor made scheme that perfectly fit their aspirations. This auto finance scheme is tailored to suit customers’ needs with manageable monthly repayments and is best suited for individuals, organizations, corporate bodies and institutions to avail a convenient and easy access to finance options making it easy to drive away their brand new Kia. At the launching of the joint promotion held at Kia Showroom, Victoria Island, Lagos, Kia Motors Nigeria partners Access Bank to offer competitive auto financing to Kia range of vehicles. Speaking at the launching of the finance scheme, Jacky Hathiramani, C.E.O., Kia Motors Nigeria said “our core competitive edge in the auto industry is the offering of best in class vehicles at an affordable price and we are delighted to partner with Access Bank to make owning the Kia range of vehicles affordable with flexible payment options”.

The Executive Director, Personal Banking Division, Access Bank, Victor Etuokwu stressed that “the finance scheme is aimed at making all customers own a brand new car with ease and tailor made payment options. He further stated that “the joint promotion offers a subsidized insurance and registration fee, with improved access to auto loan to enable customers drive their dream car.”

“This partnership represents another step

L-R: The Executive Director, Personal Banking Division, Access Bank, Victor Etuokwu; The C.E.O., Kia Motors Nigeria, Jacky Hathiramani; and the Relationship Manager, Commercial Banking Lagos Mainland Zone, Access Bank, Uche Madu at the signing ceremony of Access Kia promo launch. forward in our strategy to ensure our customers have consistently available, transparent and competitive financing.

Kia’s vehicles offer modern design and reliability at an affordable cost. And with our special auto finance scheme with Access Bank,

it’s never been easier to take home your very own brand new Kia. “ said, Jacky Hathiramani.

The partnership provides the opportunity for customers to walk into any Kia showroom across the country and get an on spot finance solution. “Our on-

satisfy all its customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially.

Whether you take advantage of on-the-spot vehicle financing at Kia’s showroom, or apply for a loan at a branch, an Access Bank car loan is a convenient and flexible way to finance your dream

Briscoe Academy, Highbury College UK graduate automobile technicians

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ONCERNED by the dearth of well trained and skillful workforce among automobile dealers in country RT Briscoe, dealers in Ford and Toyota brands in Nigeria has trained the first set of automobile technicians under the auspices of the Briscoe

Academy. .

Recently, out of about 24 applicants that were selected for the months long intensive online and face to face training programme under the tutelage of the UK-based Highbury College mechanical and e n g i n e e r i n g department, a total of 18

From left: Segun Ogunsola, GM Finance; Femi Eguaikhide, GM BriscoeFord and Briscoe Academy Board Member; Peter Janman from Highbury College; Seyi Onajide, MD/CEO R.T. Briscoe Nig PLC; Martins Porter from Highbury College and Femi Esan, Head BriscoeToyota After Sales and the graduating students of Briscoe Academy in a group photograph C M Y K

site financing service means that you have access to both the cars and the financing solution under same roof to make owning your KIA hassle-free” said Sandeep Malhotra, Chief Commercial Officer, KIA Motors Nigeria.

Access Bank vision is to

car. “We understand that your individual lifestyle demands a certain standard of convenience, Kia and Access Bank partnership is designed to suit your individual needs” said, Victor Etuokwu.

Kia Motors Nigeria promotes a customerdriven corporate culture by providing the best quality and exceptional service with all values cantered on the customers. For over a decade it has embraced every opportunity to exceed customers’ expectations with steadfast passion and creative thinking.

The finance scheme has a flexible payment option for up to 4 year repayment tenure and a competitive equated monthly installments (EMI) as low as N44,423. From its entry level cars like the Kia Picanto and the People’s Car, Kia Rio to its luxury sedan Kia Quoris, all KIA range of vehicles are covered in the finance scheme. Customers can have access to this scheme at over 20 Kia sales and service outlets in Nigeria and all Access Bank branches nationwide.

qualified Nigerians including a female were presented with Certificates of course completion. Giving a background history that eventually crystalized to the setting up of the Briscoe Academy, Seyi Onajide, group managing director, RT Briscoe plc disclosed that back in 2006 when he assumed office as executive director in charge of sales and marketing of RT Briscoe’s automotive business unit, he identified a yawning gap in some crucial areas of the auto business which includes resourceful human capital development in auto maintenance.

Seyi Onajide stated that throughout the training programme by Briscoe Academy automobile technical experts where shuttling between Highbury College UK and Nigeria. With periodic

practical assessment and aptitude and written test for the trainees to guage their level of assimilation of the course content.

The graduands were excited when the group managing director,

contrary to initial plans announced the offer of automatic employment to all the 18 members of 2015 Briscoe Academy class. Three of the most outstanding students were also selected to travel to Highbury

Porsche designs lighter, faster, economical 911GT3 R.

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ASED on the powerful 911 GT3 RS production sports car, Porsche has designed a new customer racer for GT3 series around the world: The 911 GT3 R. Boasting more than 500 hp (368 kW) the new racing 911’s evolution is embodied through lightweight design, enhanced aerodynamics, increased efficiency, improved handling and further optimised safety, as well as the lowering of service and spare parts costs.

Adapted from its road-going sibling but in a race track-formatted model, the 911 GT3 R features the distinctive double-bubble roof, and a wheelbase which has been lengthened by 8.3 centimetres. This ensures a more balanced weight distribution and more predictable handling particularly in fast corners.

These important racing attributes are further enhanced through the application of lightweight solutions for the body, add-on parts and suspension, optimizing the car’s centre of gravity.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015—35

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015—37

THIS WEEK May 22, 2015 The 2015 International Day for Biological Diversity will this week hold with theme: "Biodiversity for Sustainable Development".

The theme reflects the importance of efforts made at all levels to establish a set of Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.

May 23, 2015

The United Nations, Member States, partners of the Campaign to End Fistula and others around the globe will this week mark the annual International Day to End Obstetric Fistula. . This year's theme: "End fistula, restore women's dignity,"

Science World

New test detects drug use from fingerprint

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NEW potential drug test may be in the offing as researchers from the Netherlands Forensic Institute, the National Physical Laboratory, King's College London and Sheffield Hallam University all in the UK, are analysing the fingerprints of patients attending drug treatment services.

Led by other researchers at the University of Surrey, the team tested the prints against more commonly used saliva samples to determine whether the two tests correlated. While previous fingerprint tests have employed similar methods, they have only been able to show whether a person had touched cocaine, and not whether they have actually taken the drug.

"When someone has taken cocaine, they excrete traces of benzoylecgonine and methylecgonine as they metabolise the drug, and these chemical indicators are present in fingerprint residue," said Dr Melanie Bailey of the University of Surrey.

Continues on Page 39

• From top: A complication of gonorrhoea infection in a baby born by an infected woman. One of the symptoms of gonorrhoea manifests as painful urination. Below is the Niesseria gonorrhae, the causative organism of gonorrhoea.

Gonorrhoea: Silent rage of a ‘forgotten’ disease

By Sola Ogundipe, Chioma Obinna & Gabriel Olawale

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RANCIS complained that he was having an embarrassing difficulty. He said in the last few days, he had been experiencing a burning sensation whenever he was urinating, but now, in addition to the pain, a yellowish white discharge was oozing from his male sex organ.

Alarmed, the young man confided in some of his male friends who just laughed and waved his concerns aside.

But one of them called him aside and noted: "Oh, it looks like you've got the 'Clap' (another name for gonorrhoea).

It's easily treatable. But you must go to the hospital and see a doctor immediately."

Francis was scandalised.

“Gonorrhoea? How come? He replied. “Isn’t that the infection you get from sleeping with sex workers? I have never slept with a sex worker, so I cannot have gonorrhoea.”

In another encounter, Emmanuel, (not real name) who had experienced

gonorrhoea infection in the past was hesitant to talk about it.

“Ehhhmmm, gonorrhoea?”

The man exclaimed laughing uncontrollably. Good Health Weekly wondered aloud why he was getting all excited at the mention of the disease.

His next response was unexpected. "No please. I do not want to be reminded about that ugly experience."

This elicited further interest.

Emmanuel said: "My encounter with gonorrhoea is better imagined than experienced. It is one disease that you would rather die from than discuss about it even with your best friend. This was my situation at that time. However, I’ll make an exception this time. But do not use my real name."

My encounter with gonorrhoea is better imagined than experienced.

It is one disease that you would rather die from than discuss about it even with your best friend

Emmanuel, who could not tell for sure how he contacted the disease, concluded that the secrecy surrounding is usually what leads to life threatening complications that could even lead to death.

"My life was not the same. I could not visit the hospital for fear of stigmatisation from the doctors and nurses and even other patients because it appears contracting gonorrhoea is like committing the worst offence in the land.”

Continuing, Emmanuel said he was much younger and in his 20s when the incident occurred.

“I was confused. I decided to go to a chemist shop close to my house to buy the famous red and yellow capsule in those days. But the chemist man had noticed my frequent visit to his shop to buy the capsules, so he queried me. “Although, I denied having any problem, the Chemist was not convinced and reported the matter to my parents.”

Luckily, Emmanuel’s parents intervened and he was taken to the hospital. “As long as I live, I will never forget my embarrassment at the hospital.

“The doctor was a young female. She placed me on an antibiotics for seven days and some other treatments until it cleared."

Several scary stories have actually been told about gonorrhoea - a curable sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhae.

Gonorrohoea is acclaimed to be the world's most commonly reported Sexually Transmitted Infection, STI. Also known as Veneral Disease, VD, "gentleman's disease", the "clap", or the "drip", it infects thousands yearly, although more unreported cases are also believed to occur each year.

It can be passed from a mother to her baby during childbirth and the newborn babies normally show symptoms in their eyes during the first two weeks. The eyes become red and swollen, and have a thick, pus-like discharge.

Gonorrhoea can cause rectal disorder in men and painful or swollen testicles in men. In women it causes blockage of fallopian tubes which eventually lead to infertility. In babies it can cause blindness.

Continues on Page 38

Coalition canvasses safe delivery for rescued pregnant girls, women Page Page 36 34

Page 59

38—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

• Dr. Kehinde Habeeb Tajani

• Dr. Edwin Obarisiagbon

Silent rage of a ‘forgotten’ disease Continues from Page 37 It can affect so many organs of the body.

Experts say any sexually active person can be infected with gonorrhoea, yet nearly 75 percent of all reported cases is found in individuals 15 to 29 years old.

They say the most common symptoms of gonorrhoea are a discharge from the external sex organs and painful or difficult urination. It can infect the genital tract, the mouth, and the rectum. In women, the cervix and uterus can be the first place of infection, with the disease later spreading to the uterus and fallopian tubes, resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease, PID, that affects more women each year and can cause ectopic pregnancies and infertility in as many as 10 percent of infected women.

Investigations show that the highest rates of gonorrhoea infection are found in 15- to 19year-old women and 20- to 24year-old men.

When someone is diagnosed with gonorrhoea, they must tell all of their sexual partners, because they needed to get tested and then treated if infected, whether or not they had symptoms of infection.

As a sexually transmitted infection, gonorrhoea is often under-diagnosed. It is important to try to practice safe sex and to see a doctor if any symptoms appear. Left untreated they can cause fertility problems and have other unpleasant long-term effects.

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, women have a 60-80 percent risk of contracting the disease after a one-night stand. While symptoms depend on which part of the body is infected, the infection is asymptomatic in 50

percent of female carriers, so it can easily be passed along unknowingly.

Left untreated, the STI can trigger chronic pelvic pain, pregnancy complications, and even infertility in women and an increased risk of contracting HIV. In recent times, several cases of the disorder have defied treatment following emergence of multi-drug resistance in the bacteria that causes gonorrhoea, to a range of normal and special strength antibiotics. In recent years, effective treatment options for the newest strain of drugresistant gonorrhoea have dwindled to injectable antibiotic called Cefriazoxone.

Though treatable, are becoming increasingly serious problem in developing countries. The availability of antibiotics in chemists' shops is believed to be encouraging self-medication with subtherapeutic doses and inadequate treatment regimens.

Physicians speak

Consultant Physician, Department of Surgery, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, Benin City, Edo State, Dr. Edwin Obarisiagbon, notes that gonorrhoea patients will have pains and may be discharging pus from the urethra. For the ladies usually they may not have symptoms but over time they develop complications like the blockage of the fallopian tubes (connection between the root of the womb and the ovaries) and this one will eventually lead to infertility. For the men, the urethra becomes narrowed such that the patient may not be able to urinate properly.

Gonorrhoea is said to be dangerous in the sense that

like the women they may become infertile because the diseases has caused blockage the tube that connects the womb to the ovary. For men it can give a life- long disease. That the urethra becomes very narrow and they will have problem with passing urine.

Often times it may not manifest immediately, and may take years before the complications will arise. It will just be there but the patient will not know he has contacted the disease especially if he not treat the disease or it was poorly treated.

The complications may take up to 10 years in men or beyond before manifesting. Some people will go to chemist and the infection gets better and after that time the infection will continue to destroy organs of the body.

As soon he notices he is bleeding, he should see a doctor. Complications can be treated if the disease is treated early and well.

Obarisiagbon says gonorrhoea is not treated in isolation. “We treat other STIs along with gonorrhoea. It may

The complications may take up to 10 years in men or beyond before manifesting

take five to seven days. On its own it can be treated with a single dose.”

On drug resistance, he said it is advised that before “statrting any treatment, a culture and sensitivity test based on symptoms should give high index of suspicion and we will start treatment.

“Often times it works but if not, we use a stronger drug. The symptoms will then disappear.

Most times we see the complicated cases who either did not turn up for treatment or were never treated at all or those who were not properly treated.

The prevalence is not on the rise. We see about three or so cases in months and most of them are complicated. Most of the patients live in denial because some even when you questioned them they say they had it in the past while some will keep on denying they ever has it until we discover they did have it in the past. But we have to go ahead with the treatment.

On prevention, Obarisiagbon said: “You cannot prevent people from having sex but the bet is prevention. There is need for people to use condom to protect against infections.

And we also advise that patients should go to physicians who will treat them properly because more problems may present later.

They should also know that they may be at risk of contracting HIV. Generally health education is very important for patients. If a patient is immediately and adequately treated the disease can be cured and the complications averted,” he advised.

Explaining the procedure for the treatment of gonorrhoea in the hospital, Chief of Urology and Head, Department of Surgery, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi Araba, Lagos, Dr.

Kehinde Habeeb Tajani, said treatment begins with proper diagnosis.

“Most times, what people call gonorrhoea isn’t gonorrhoea.

But once we are sure it is gonorrhoea, the treatment is default, Just antibiotics only.

“You must be sure that it is gonorrhoea. Gonorrhoea is treated with antibiotics and there are different types of antibiotics. Some may just be a one dose treatment; others have to be used over a few days, the key thing is to be sure that it is gonorrhoea,” he stated.

Confirming the issue of resistance of the bacteria to common antibiotics, Tijani said gonorrhoea has been around for hundreds of years and there are some drugs that the bacteria were sensitive to before, and are no longer sensitive to, particularly penicillin and so on. Despite that, there are also many new drugs that the causative organism is very sensitive to. That is proven.”

Speaking of the incidence of gonorrhoea at LUTH, Tijani said it is not as common as it used to be in the past.

“The incidence has drastically reduced worldwide and one of the major reasons for this is the widespread anti-HIV campaign that encourages people to wear condoms. That is the most likely reason why it is not so common, and of course the ready availability of antibiotics. The incidence has drastically reduced worldwide not just in Nigeria.”

Local traditional healers: On the local traditional healers, he said it is a societal thing and not just for gonorrhoea, and also one of the major reasons why there are so many complications of the disease.

The complications can be really devastating ranging from infertility in mean and women, inability to pass urine because of poorely treated gonorrhoea.

My own advise will always be, go and see a medical practitioner. Most times what pepole thing is gonorrhoea is not gonorrhoea. Its diagnosis is with the swab of the discharge from the male organ examined and you find the causative bacteria there. If you do not find it, it is not likely to be gonorrhoea. People should go to the doctor so that they have the right diagnosis made.

Stigma in the hospital: Tijani argues that it is possible there may be some stigma about gonorrhoea, but says the most important thing for the individual is to look at the opportunity cost. “It is very wrong to stigmatise somebody with gonorrhoea as it can happen to anybody because occasionally one can pick the bacteria even from the toilet seat.

If you look at the complications, I can tell you they are truly, truly devastating for the unlucky man or woman.

Continues on Page 39

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015—39

Silent rage of a ‘forgotten’ disease Continues from Page 38 “The so-called fear of stigma should be insignificant. I have not noticed that in our own practice here probably because we’ve seen worse cases.

Somebody coming with gonorrhoea as far as we are concerned is like somebody coming with malaria. If anybody is stigmatised, that’s unfortunate. I can say that in our practice here we do not do that and I can vouch for a lot of my colleagues.

Prevention: The most important thing is being reasonable. Practice safe sex, If you have symptoms that make you suspect you have picked up an infection that could be an STI, please go to a hospital. If you are not comfortable with the attention, you can go to a teaching hospital which are readily available and be sure that you are goi ng to have expert care.

Untreated gonorrhoea, particularly in women could cause a lot of damage. , many have it and not know and that is when it is most dangerous. It could cause a lot of damage without them realising it.

The best thing is to go to and have treatment at a standard medical centre.

Good Health Weekly went on the trail of a traditional healer who claims to have encountered and treated cases of gonorrhoea.

Mr Abdulfatai Yakubu of of Aladuba Herbal Medicine, Lagos, said before the advent of Western medicine, there were local ways of treating such diseases.

In a chat he disclosed some of the traditional approaches towards taking care of such ailments.

“When people come with this sickness, we have our ways of knowing it is gonorrhea, even without carrying out a test. The issue of gonorrhoea has been in

existence before the arrival of Western way of treatment, and we treated it effectively.

Further, Yakubu explained: “Detecting gonorrhoea in the traditional way is very easy as it can present with different signs.

When it is about to start in some people they will experience pain around their abdomen.

“Some may feel something moving around in their sex organ when trying to urinate. But if left unattended for about four days, the person will be really feeling uncomfortable anytime he tries to urinate and it may soon result in discharge of pus. “ As the condition gets worse, blood may be discharged along with the urine and by then the person will begin to lose weight.”

It affects both men and women and if left untreated in women may lead to irregular menstruation and in some cases cause delay in pregnancy. In the man, there could be low sperm count and cause premature ejaculation.

Yakubu said the traditional healing is differentiated from the Western treatment because herbs are engaged in the former.

• Abdulfatai Yakubu, herbal practitioner • Mixture of herbal roots.

“Treating gonorrhoea in my herbal home involves combination of herbs prepared with water and roots in form of powder.

The powder can be taken with with pap or warm water.

“I give people this mixture and tell them to use it morning and night, by the time they return the following day they must have some level of relief. Some people take it for six days, others 10 days. There are people who after treatment require some herbs to take occasionally for protection.”

Test detects drug use from fingerprint Continues from Page 37 "For our part of the investigations, we sprayed a beam of solvent onto the fingerprint slide (a technique known as Desorption Electrospray Ionisation, or DESI) to determine if these substances were present. DESI has been used for a number of forensic applications, but no other studies have shown it to demonstrate drug use."

Researchers believe that the applications for this test could be far-reaching. Drug testing is used routinely by probation services, prisons, courts and other law enforcement agencies. However, traditional testing methods have limitations.

"The beauty of the method is that, not only is it non-invasive and more hygienic than testing blood or saliva, it can't be faked.

By the very nature of the test, the identity of the subject is captured within the fingerprint ridge detail itself.

It is anticipated that this technology could see the introduction of portable drug tests for law enforcement agencies to use within the next decade.

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40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

Unilever steps up action against anaemia •Targets 50,000 mothers and their daughters

By Chioma Obinna

I

N a bid to reduce the incidences of anaemia related disorders among Nigerian women and teenage girls, Unilever’s biggest brand Knorr weekend flagged off its campaigns aimed at reducing the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in Nigeria. The Knorr’s Green Food Steps targets 50,000 mothers and daughters who will practice the new cooking habits in Ijebu Ode and Amaigbo.

This is coming on the heels of the 2014 Global Nutrition Report which found that almost half (49 per cent) of women of a reproductive age in Nigeria are anaemic. Also, according to a dietary diversity assessment done in six Nigerian states, the majority of Nigerians are not consuming enough foods that are high in iron. The assessment further showed that only 38 percent eat fruits and vegetables, including leafy green vegetables on a daily basis while 33 percent consume meat daily.

The campaign which identifies anaemia as a major public health problem is making nutritious cooking more desirable, easy to understand and afford as part of its social mission to improve the health and happiness of a billion people by unlocking more flavour and goodness from everyday food.

• L-R: Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh, MD Unilever Nigeria; Professor Ngozi Nnam, President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Knorr Ambassador at the Follow in My Green Food Steps Symposium organised by Unilever in Partnership with the Nutrition Society of Nigeria in Lagos.

Speaking at the official unveiling of the programme in Lagos, President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Professor Ngozi Nnam, explained that Vitamin and Mineral deficiencies are among the largest public health challenges facing the country right now.

“Our health system is already overburdened, so we need to educate people on how they can help prevent deficiencies through healthy diets.”

She said to champion nutritious cooking, Knorr will help drive behavioural change via introducing an intervention programme – ‘The Green Food Steps’ – focused on educating mothers and daughters on the importance of an iron-rich diet through influencing their cooking habits.

Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh said cooking habits are deeply rooted but “we know that mothers pass

recipes on to their daughters, so by educating them on the need for iron-rich ingredients we can drive behaviour change in the next generation. By incorporating leafy greens and the Knorr fortified stock cubes into recipes, the programme will help mothers improve the nutritional value of everyday recipes.”

Representative of WellBeing Foundation, Toyin Saraki said teenage girls and pregnant women are particularly

vulnerable to anaemia. She said the Knorr initiative can really have a positive impact on maternal health in Nigeria, which is among the worst in Africa.

The campaign which focuses on “Green Food Steps” consists of three simple steps: toss greens into stews, stir them in, and crumble the Knorr iron fortified cube for a more nutritious dish. .

The aim is that these steps will demonstrate that it is easy for people to change their cooking habits without compromising on flavour, time, or cost.

Speaking, Knorr Ambassador, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde said she joined the programme, because as a mother of teenage girls, she feel particularly touched by the issue.

“It’s nice to be able to raise awareness about iron deficiency anaemia and its consequences.

This is a serious issue in Nigeria for many mothers and teenage daughters, who need more iron for development. If we can persuade Nigerian women to make these small, yet powerful changes to their diet, there will be a positive impact on the wellbeing of not just themselves, but that of their family and ultimately Nigerian society in the longterm.”

“The Knorr social mission takes a holistic approach, not only ‘Fork’ – championing nutritious cooking, but also improving livelihood of the most affected groups - ‘Fortune’ and helping smallholder farmers- ‘Farm’ To improve the livelihood of women.

Coalition canvasses safe delivery for rescued pregnant girls, women

By Sola Ogundipe

A

COALITION of NGOs, the Foundation for African Heritage, FACH, Uduimo Itsueli Foundation, and Fertility Care Centers of Africa, has cautioned against suggestions for the pregnant women and girls rescued from Boko Haram captivity in Sambisa Forest, to terminate their pregnancies.

Describing such calls as unconscionable, inhuman and scandalous, a representative of the Group, Mr. Sonnie Ekwowusi said what the girls urgently need at this moment is proper healthcare, social welfare and counselling services that would enable them to be effectively reintegrated and reabsorbed in the society.

Ekwowusi, who made a cash donation on behalf of the group for rehabilitation of the girls to the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, in Abuja, said having experienced unspeakable

We liaised with government officials and agencies in custody of the rescued women and children and they revealed that only 43 showed visible signs of pregnancy

trauma, dehumanisation and violence in the hands of their Boko Haram captors, it is unreasonable and illogical to subject the girls to the trauma and life-threatening abortion process.

He said the group was offering free maternity and rehabilitation homes and that there were prospects for legal adoption for those who wanted.

Faulting reports that 214 pregnant girls and women were among those rescued, The Coalition’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs Chioma Okonkwo, said only 43 women are visibly pregnant as of May 12th 2015.

“In the process of organising our relief efforts to the rescued women and children, we set out to determine the true numbers and categories of victims we would have to cater for.

“Consequently, we liaised with the government officials and agencies in custody of the rescued women and children and they revealed only 43 oshowed visible signs of pregnancy.

“They also refuted the earlier claim which put the number of pregnant women at 214, since pregnancy tests were yet to be carried out on the women."

According to Okonkwo, another member of the group who resides in Yola, Adamawa State, noted that at present the rescued victims lack the bare necessities of life such as clothing, food, water and shelter. “One would think that these should be the immediate concern of any

• Sonnie Ekwowusi is shown in the photo presenting the envelope containing the cash to Mr. Bitrus Samuel of NEMA franked by other members of NEMA philanthropic group instead of focusing on a campaign for abortion while these victims remain in need.

The group argued that what should be offerred is a range of safer and morally upright options that include safe refugee and crisis pregnancy centres, pelvic ultrasound to determine the gestational age, (dates and viability of the pregnancies).

In the views of an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, one Dr. Williams: "We must not assume that all these pregnancies,

intended or not, are unwanted or are a result of rape" The group said it is also offering professional medical and psychosocial counseling, adoption, provision of relief items and foster home care. recently, while briefing newsmen in Lagos on activities of the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, towards rehabilitating the rescued women and children, the Executive Director, Prof.

Babatunde Osotemehin, had indicated that 214 of those rescued were pregnant.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015—41

YAKUBU DOGARA: Making a case for a Speaker from North-East

By Chidubem Michael

A

NEW Speaker of the HouseofRepresentatives will emerge in less than a month.Thechangepromised by the President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) had been apparent in theformer’srefusaltomeddle in the process of (s)electing a new Speaker. While this does not necessarily prohibit other stakeholdersfromattempting to install a preferred candidate, it is the hope of manythattheeventualchoice resonates with Nigerians and inspires hope for the future.

Anexcellentwaytoachieve this would be to have a Speaker who represents Nigerians’ common aspirations; a Speaker who is fearless, incorruptible, intellectually sound and inherently pro-people. This descriptionfitsYakubuDogara – a Northern Christian representing a Muslim majority constituency in BauchiState–andthereasons stated below further lend credence to his aspiration to the House Speakership.

The Case for Equity The APC’s victory during the just concluded elections may very well be described as a joint effort between four out of six geopolitical zones; the North-West, contributing the highest number of votes, followed by the North-East, North Central and SouthWest, in that order. With the President-Electbeingfromthe North-West and his Vice from the South-West, it therefore goes without saying that in the spirit of equity, the other keypositionsofnumbersthree and four citizens should be filled by people from the North-Central and NorthEast.

Despite the prevalent perception of Northerners as ahomogenousgroupbymost Nigerians in the South, there are dozens of ethnic nationalities in Northern Nigeria and Northerners are notallMuslims.TheMuslim/ Christian divide in the North had previously been a basis forpoliticaldifferencesbutthis time around, Northern ChristianssupportedtheAPC and the candidacy of General Muhammadu Buhari, with largenumbersbeingrecorded in Christian strongholds in states like Plateau, Bauchi, Adamawa, Yobe and Borno, Taraba among others.

The North-East also hasthe highest concentration of minorityethnicities,withsome states having average of three tribes within each local government. A good way to silence critics of the APC and proponents of the Hausa/ Fulani “Born to Rule”

conspiracy is to choose a Speaker who will represent the interests of Northern Christians while simultaneously representing the many ethnic minorities in the North.

Most Importantly, the Case for Merit The one interest that supersedes all others is that ofALLNigerians,irrespective of where they are from. Many are averse to zoning because they believe merit and qualification are sacrificed at itsaltar;whilethismaybetrue in many cases, in this case, it is not. In fact, all factors seem to be working together for the good of the North-East – at least, as far as Speakership is concerned.

One son of North-Eastern Nigeria has signified interest in becoming the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Eighth National Assembly, and his name is Yakubu Dogara, the legislator representing the Bogoro/ Dass/Tafawa-Balewa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State.

Dogara has been a member of the House since 2007 and he is tipped by fellow legislators as the one aspirant to that position who can consolidate on achievements recorded by the 7th Assembly under the able leadership of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and make the Lower House more efficient and responsive to Nigerians’ needs.

Dogara’s sojourn in the House has been strongly propeople;hislegislativeinterests include regulating monopolies, company law, intellectual property and tenancy. He aims to “enact strong tenancy laws and see totherepealofobsoletelaws”.

Despite the prevalent perception of Northerners as a homogenous group by most Nigerians in the South, there are dozens of ethnic nationalities in Northern Nigeria and Northerners are not all Muslims

Staying true to his legislativeaims,hesponsored the Corporate Manslaughter Bill in 2010 to check negligence in corporate organisations which inadvertently leads to loss of lives. Also, in 2013, Dogara sought to have ambiguities regarding the impeachment process removed (through an amendment to section 143), and this earned him sponsored attempts to have him recalled.

Dogara has headed the House Services Committee since 2010, and not one scandal has occurred during hiswatch.Healsoheadedthe House Committee on CustomsandExcise,andwas said to have turned down a bribe of five million dollars offered by some special interestseekingtoconcealthe truth. He has also been on the House Committees on Judiciary, Capital Markets, Foreign Affairs, Rural Development and Power, among others.

Dogara has also sponsored motions against the indiscriminate and illegal granting of waivers by the Federal Government.

Dogara is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the InternationalBarAssociation, the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Chartered Institute of Mediators and Conciliators, the Cyber Bar Association and the Social Policy Association. He is also an associate member of the Institute of Environment Management and Assessment, and the World Jurist Association.

An alumnus of the University of Jos, Robert GordonsUniversity,Scotland, Oxford University and the Harvard Kennedy School, Dogara is qualified in terms of certificates, deep knowledge of the legislative process, and the desire to enact pro-people laws.

Conclusion Hon. Yakubu Dogara presents the perfect opportunity for the APC to get it right; to rise above dictatorship,godfatherismand selfish politics and give all Nigerians who played a key role in the APC’s victory a sense of belonging and appreciation.Healsopresents the perfect opportunity for Nigerians,asapeople,tohave the most vibrant House of Representatives in the history of our democracy.

If there is one person who can give the kind of purposefulleadershipthatthe Eighth Assembly requires, then that person is Yakubu Dogara. *Chidubem Michael is a student of political science at a Nigerian university, and a grassroots mobiliser when he’s not studying.

Enugu: Intrigues, permutations, as politicians jostle for PDP chair

By Jackson Nsude

T

HE battle for the chairmanship of Enugu State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is already hotting up and throwing up interesting permutations, even though the outgoing executive committee is yet to be formally dissolved.

The composition of the state exco was effectively unbalanced by the sudden resignation of erstwhile chairman, Vita Abba, whose exit a few weeks to the general election created substantial chaos among the rank and file in the now famous supremacy battle for the soul of the party between out-going governor, Sullivan Chime and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

Even though the governor prevailed in the contest to choose Abbah’s successor which ensued, in the person of Ikeji Asogwa, from the same Nsukka zone, the emergence of Ifeanyi U g w u a n y i (Gburugburu) , as governor-elect, has created a new expediency to reshuffle the Party ’s State Executive Committee.

Under PDP’s zoning arrangement which has particularly flourished under Chime’s administration, Nsukka zone which now has the governorship, must necessarily give up the headship of the party, and in this regard, the Enugu East Senatorial zone is the favoured block to produce a substantive state chairman of the party.

And within Enugu East Zone, informal consultations are in top gear, involving a plethora of interested person weighing up their chances of making the big leap to the peak of the state party hierarchy. And without a shred of doubt, the major stakeholder in the zone is former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, to whom most of the interested persons have been reportedly ingratiating themselves in recent times, one way or the other. It would appear whoever gets Chief Nnamani’s support would almost certainly sail through but his major challenge would be to back a candidate that has no political baggage, and one with a stature ripe for the big occasion.

Unconfirmed source claim Chief Nnamani is giving preliminary

consideration to a former aide whose main pedigree, apart from being a lawyer.

Nnamani’s kinsman, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, is the zone’s obvious choice. Ogbodo was variously Commissioner for Land, Urban Development and Finance in Chimaroke’s administration and is reputed to be an effective grassroot politician.

Former banker and administrator, Ogbodo’s other strong points, apart from his nobility and political sagacity, includes wide acceptability to people of other zones, who would ultimately have a say on who becomes the next party chairman in the State. Only a credible candidate from the area can survive an election in the event that a consensus candidate failed to emerge at the end of ongoing consultations. Ogbodo and Ugwuanyi were classmates at St. Theresa’s College Nsukka back in the 80’s.

The camp of the governor-elect maintain that they would not allow imposition for unpopular candidate who would not add value in the impending dispensation.

Promoters of the candidacy of Ogbodo believe that they could never be better placed to clinch the position than under Gburugburu.

Ugwuanyi on his part, will naturally appreciate someone with substantial electoral value especially now the opposition party in the state, APC, would operate with added impetus from the centre.

A source close to Ugwuanyi, when questioned on likely official direction of sympathy said “any good person will be good

Any good person will be good enough, but trusted longstanding allies and associates would definitely be preferred

enough, but trusted long-standing allies and associates would definitely be preferred.”

Others touted as aspirants include immediate past secretary of the party in the state, Dons Udeh. Udeh is from Ozalla but like Eneh, both come from Nkanu West Council area.

Current Secretary, Steve Oruruo, comes from Akpugo, also in Nkanu West Council area.

Former national auditor of the party, Ray Nnaji, also comes from Akpugo.

Another old “Gbur ugbur u” acquaintance who is reportedly interested in becoming the next party chairman, is former House of Representatives member, Anayo Ede. People from the Enugu South Area are vehement in their assertion that the council area naturally deserves the chairmanship slot. In addition to the aforementioned, former Acting National Secretary, Rex Onyeabor, and immediate past Deputy financial secretary, Osita Ogene, have all taken the chances of the NkanuWest/Nkanu East, and Isi-uzo Council areas, leaving the Enugu South, populated mainly by the people of Awkuanaw extraction, “empty-handed,” they claim.

Analysts posit that only a realistic political office of substance would appease the people of Enugu South, like the State Chairmanship of the PDP and their unanimous candidate appears to be Deacon Ogbodo.

“The position of speaker of the State House of Assembly could have been a realistic target, but two newly elected members from the council area are freshmen, and no freshman becomes speaker where there are ranking members in a legislature”, one observer noted.

Kinsmen of Senator Nnamani are urging him to look inwards in the exercise of his privileged discretion to choose a home-bred candidate, to strengthen his own stake in the leadership of the community.

If competence and acceptability are considered in the choice of the next PDP chairmanship candidate of Enugu South origin, stakeholders won’t even look far; what they need do is, pick wisely.

42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

No hostility in N-Delta after Jonathan’s presidency, Ateke assures

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— FORMER Commander, Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, Chief Ateke Tom, has ruled out possible resumption of hostilities in the Niger Delta region because President Goodluck Jonathan lost the presidential poll.

He also expressed confidence that things will be better in Rivers State when Mr Nyesom Wike assumes office as governor.

Ateke, yesterday in his hometown in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, assured that the region will be peaceful. According to him, anyone who dares to threaten the peace in the region should be treated as a common criminal.

He said: “I heard some people saying that youths in the region might go back to the creeks soon. Well, I want to say that nobody will go back to the creeks because there is

Delta lawmakerelect hails Abuja induction course

A

Delta State House of Assembly lawmaker-elect on the platform of Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Uviejitobor, has commended the organisers of the induction course held in Abuja last weekend, saying that the course was an eye opener for the legislative job ahead.

Uviejitobor, after the induction course in Abuja, said the main objective of the course was to provide new legislators with basic knowledge on legislative procedures.

He said: “As newly elected lawmakers, we have been infused with knowledge and orientation towards the legislative duties ahead in order for our impact to be felt in our various states.

Major topics taught include overview of the Nigerian state Assemblies’ structures and functions, legislativeexecutive-judiciary relationships, legislative procedures and practice in the state Assemblies, focus on standing rules and other topics."

no reason for anybody to resume hostilities in the region. Anybody who makes any move to threaten the peace should be treated as a common criminal because there is no reason for that in the region again.”

Expressing the hope that General Muhammadu Buhari will provide purposeful leadership when sworn in as

President of the country, Ateke advised him to give all Nigerians opportunity to contribute positively to his government.

He further advised Buhari against revoking the pipelines surveillance contracts awarded to youths in the region, stressing that the youths were better positioned to secure the pipelines from

vandalisation.

“My advice is that Buhari should not cancel it. We are taking care of the pipelines and we are taking care of them very well. If he cancels the job, I don’t see who else can do it better. We are the owners of the area and are more familiar with the terrain. So, he should allow us continue to do the job for the country,” he added.

VISIT: President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari (right); Director, Media and Political Communication of Otega4Governor Campaign Organisation in Delta State, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, (2nd left) and Delta APC 2015 governorship candidate, Olorogun O'tega Emerhor (2nd right) during a visit to General Buhari in Abuja.

Locating Nigeria's four topmost offices in one area untenable —Uduaghan

By Hugo Odiogor

G

OVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has described as untenable, alleged plans by the incoming All Progressives Congress, APC, government at the centre to locate the nation’s four key offices in one section of the country, regardless of the constitutional provisions on federal character.

Uduaghan, who was honoured

by Anioma people for his contributions to Delta State in the past 16 years, said it was inimical to peace and unity of Nigeria for the North to hold the offices of the President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, in addition to the office of the Chief Justice of the Federation.

Uduaghan said: “Leaders of APC reasoning along the line of allocating critical national offices to one section of the country is a mark of insensitivity.”

He said that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may be out of power “but it will mount strong opposition to APC to ensure the survival and advancement of democracy in Nigeria.”

He assured Deltas that he has “no intention of jumping from

PDP to APC,” as has become the vogue since the ruling party lost the presidential election in March.

He said he will remain a staunch member of the PDP and help the party go through the trauma of defeat and bounce back to mount formidable opposition to APC in the interest of democracy in Nigeria.

Earlier, the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi Chike Edozien, who is the President of Anioma Congress, said Anioma people decided to honour Dr. Uduaghan for the role he has played in the development of the state, starting from when he served as a member of the transition committee for the administration of Chief James Ibori.

NEPC proposes OSOP for inclusive economic growth

T

HE non-oil export sector has the potentials to revive the country ’s economy if adequately explored, even as the country continues to witness the fall in revenue from oil resources caused by the glut in global prices.

Executive Director/CEO of Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr Olusegun Awolowo, at a two-day integrated workshop on Techniques of Non-oil Export Project Formulation and Implementation for State Committees on Export Promotion, SCEP, in Kaduna, said: “Nigeria has the potential to be among the first top 10 net exporters of agricultural commodities given its abundant human and natural resources and spread across the

length and breadth of this country.”

Awolowo, represented by Mr Olajide Ibrahim, a Director in the office of the CEO, said that though Nigeria was presently the world’s largest producer of seven agricultural export commodities, the position does not reflect in the global trade stage, implying that the country was deprived of requisite world market share from the products.

He added that the council in its avowed effort to make the nonoil export sector a commanding contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, will deploy its capacity, expertise and reach to promote the diversification of the economy.

Legionnaires warned against illegalities

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

E N I N — MEMBERS of the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires, have been warned that the uniform issued to them was not a licence to embark on illegalities or tools to oppress members of the public but should be seen as an instrument to uphold the laws of the country.

The advice was given in Benin, Edo State, during the passing out ceremony of the new cadets of the Nigerian Legion of Commissionaires, Edo State Command by Col. Pauline Ifaorumhe, who was the special guest of honour.

“It is expected that you will always be of good conduct and show good example at all times. The Nigerian Legion does not condone any form of illegality or misconduct from its members. Such act is frowned at by the Commission and members found culpable will face disciplinary actions,” he said.

Rivers PDP tackles ex-deputy gov on projects

P

E O P L E S Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State has challenged the former Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Gabriel Toby, to point at any project he executed for his Opobo people throughout the eight years he served as deputy governor .

Reacting to remarks credited to Mr Toby, in which he described the just concluded governorship election in Rivers State as “a coup”, the state Chairman of PDP, Mr Felix Obuah, in a statement by his media aide, said that it was unfortunate that such remark should be coming from an elder statesman who ought to be more cautious in his public utterances.

He said: “This attitude goes further to explain the origin of the Information Commissioner's indiscipline."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015—43

Abia govt commends NHIS for reaching out to artisans

By Eric Ugbor

A

BA—ABIA State government has lauded the initiative of the National Insurance Health Service, NHIS, to extend health insurance services to artisans and traders in the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Okechukwu Ogah, gave the commendation during the flag-off of Osisioma Ngwa Better Life Mutual Health Association at the Umuehilegbu Industrial Market in Aba. He said: ‘’We are happy for this programme through which the NHIS is reaching artisans and traders in this market. It is one programme that ensures people do not leave their brothers and sisters behind them.

“Health insurance schemes are very important for the proper management of a community’s healthcare," the commissioner said.

Dr. Ogah stated that countries like "Dubai have working health care systems not because they have much money than us, but because they have health insurance schemes that help their system to build itself up.

“So I urge you traders and artisans to avail yourselves of the opportunity this scheme will provide for you to save money and enjoy hospital services at lower costs.”

In his speech, the Executive Secretary of NHIS, Mr. Femi Akingbade, said the flagoff of the programme at Osisioma would consolidate health insurance projects in Abia State.

Smokers in Abia commend new tobacco law ...call for total ban of the product

By Eric Ugbor

A

BA—SOME smokers in Abia State have commended the passage of the new Tobacco law which prohibits smoking in public places, saying it was a welcome development.

The Senate had, on Tuesday, May 13, 2015, amended the Tobacco Smoking (Control) Act, CAP.T6, LFN 2004,” enacted in 1990 to ensure effective regulation, control of production, manufacture, sale, labelling, advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco and tobacco products in Nigeria.

The smokers, who spoke to Vanguard in separate interviews in Aba, however, said the action was incomplete and could not achieve the desired result, if growing and processing of tobacco were not outrightly banned.

Mr. Chika Nwubani, a trader, who was smoking cigarette at the time of this interview, said: “What the Senate has decided through the bill is very good, but we must tell them to ban the tobacco growers and the producers.

“That is the only way they can keep the Nigerian population safe from being harmed by tobacco smokers, but if they refuse, they

should not blame the smokers for the injuries they may cause others.

“They may not prosecute a man who smokes in his house with his wife, children and relations inside but such a man is still injuring a part of the population. That kind of operation will defeat the purpose of banning tobacco smoking in the public.

“So to stop us from smoking and

causing health problems to others, they should ban the importers, the sellers, the growers of tobacco and the producers of finished tobacco products.”

Nwubani called for a task force to enforce the law and make it worthwhile, stressing that outright banning would make smokers to endure, if they looked for tobacco and did not find it.

Joseph Maduagwu, a farmer

who smokes, said the law was very helpful, but noted that outrightly banning of tobacco would help the smokers like him to stop smoking.

Chidebere Anyanwu, a staff of Abia Line Transport Services and a smoker, said he wanted to quit smoking, adding he was misinformed about the effects of tobacco smoking to the body when he started it.

LAUNCH: From left, Managing Director, Osun State Investment Company, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji; Managing Director, CEO, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya; Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola; Head, Technical Unit, Rlg, Mr. Alex Lu, and Regional Director, Mr. Tosin Ilesanmil, during the launch of Rlg phones, assembled in Adulawo Technology City, Ilesha, last Friday.

TRIBUNAL SITTING: Ebonyi residents lament blockades ...wants IG to disband them

By Peter Okutu

A

B A K A L I K I — RESIDENTS of Abakaliki metropolis in Ebonyi State, yesterday, lamented the road blocks barricading a section of the road leading to Government House and the Judiciary because of the ongoing tribunal sitting holding in the city.

This development had brought untold difficulties to road users in Abakaliki as it has made them drive longer distance to their various destinations.

Abakaliki, which is not known

for traffic gridlock, has since last week, begun witnessing slow vehicular movements across the state capital as it had impeded movement of goods and services within the state capital.

In a chat with Vanguard, the State Chairman of Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, Samuel Udeogu, and a civil servant (name withheld), condemned the development and called on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, to give directives to dismantle the blockades.

“This is outrageous and backward. How can you block a

major road people pass because of tribunal? The police should simply mobilize enough men at the premises of the judiciary and stop blocking roads in Abakaliki. ‘’They are causing pains and hardship to Ebonyi people. Is tribunal a strange thing to us?”

Meanwhile, 13 candidates of Labour Party and others who lost during the last general elections in the state have filed their petitions, challenging the outcome of the elections at Ebonyi State Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abakaliki.

Their petitions were filed

between April 18 and May 3, 2015, at the tribunal office in Abakaliki.

A break-down of the petitions filed include one governorship, three senatorial, six House of Representatives and three House of Assembly candidates of the political parties involved.

From the list of petitions filed, the Labour Party governorship candidate, Nkwegu Edward Ekereke, filed a petition challenging the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Engr.

Dave Umahi.

Imo Polytechnic mgt confirms receipt of Okija Shrine invitation letter to rector

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—THE management of Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area has affirmed that the Rector, Rev. Fr. Wence Madu, received a letter written to him by the owners of Okija shrine.

Confirming this in a release from the institution distributed to journalists at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, during this

year’s World Communications Day, the management also said the identity of Okija Shrine was still unknown.

“The Rector in his wisdom, though unperturbed with the contents of the said letter, has already handed it over to the appropriate security agencies for investigation, so that the originator and dramatis personae behind such diabolical design and whose desired aim is to destabilize the already existing peace in the school, can be unmasked and

legally addressed,” the release stated.

The statement described as “surprising” that the said letter did not identify with any known member of staff, which ordinarily would have been mentioned as complainant.

“It has also become frightening that out of civil service procedural rules that an aggrieved public/ civil servant (if any), complaining against injustice, will choose to seek redress at any shrine whatsoever, instead of the several

conventional conflict resolution avenues available for such purposes in any academic institution, including going to court,” the release stated.

After giving a litany of the ills which the present school administration had been battling since its inception, the statement warned that “anybody who supports what is evil and bad is spiritually indolent.”

While stating that the architects of the alleged letter of invitation to the shrine were “merchants of

lies, whose only aim is to malign the reputation and integrity of the Rector, the institution and its management,” the school authorities also denied that there was any element of crisis in the institution.

“There is no crisis in the school, which is evident in the fact that the institution is already in its second semester, while some sister schools, both in and outside Imo State, are still in the first semester of the same academic session,” the management said.

44 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

No room for you in APC, group tells Ogboru

T

HE Pan-Delta Unity Forum has described as shameful, alleged attempts by Chief Great Ogboru, Labour Party governorship candidate for Delta State, to lobby the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for admission into the party for the purpose of becoming its flag-bearer should a rerun of the governorship election in the state be held.

In a statement made available to newsmen, yesterday, in Ughelli, the group, through its coordinators, Ifokemo Ubiebi, Festus Osakwe, Dombraye Warman, Zino Idigbe, Ejueyitsi Omatsola, and Uche Eke, claimed that Ogboru becoming a member of the party would amount to light meeting darkness, something it insisted is both a scientific and theological impossibility.

Describing Ogboru as being the greatest enemy of the APC during the last elections, the group alleged that the Labour Party candidate and his supporters had resorted to “denigrating our heroic President-elect, General Buhari, our iconic leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and our amiable candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, on the orders of his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP paymasters, who had charged him with splitting APC votes in the state.”

Insisting that there is no room in the APC for those it described as greedy hunters, the group expressed shock that Ogboru “After attacking us during the election, can show up at the dinner table imperiously demanding the lion share of a meal he contributed nothing to and whose preparation he did everything to sabotage.”

Noting that Ogboru should have joined the progressives a long time ago, the group described him as “a lone ranger without a leader who insists on being the head everywhere he goes.”

According to the group, Ogboru would be better off joining the PDP, whose members it accused of shamelessly seeking to reap where they did not sow.

Jigawa SSG to hand over to incoming govt

By Aliyu Dangida

D

UTSE— THE Secretary to the Jigawa State Government, SSG, Alhaji Lawan Abdu Babura is to perform the handing-over ceremony to the incoming administration of Muhammad Badaru Abubakar on May 29.

In 2007, the SSG then, Alhaji

Lawan Yau Roni also handed over to the out-going governor, Sule Lamido as he was then the acting governor.

Already, Governor Sule Lamido is expected to preside over the last state Executive Council, EXCO, meeting tomorrow with all his commissioners, special advisers and assistants and

other political appointees.

It was gathered that Lamido would dissolve the EXCO and hand over the affairs of the state to his SSG for the remaining nine days to hand over power to the in-coming administration.

Vanguard gathered that Governor Lamido’s decision to allow his SSG to hand over power to Abubakar might not

be unconnected with the 2007 history where ex-Governor Saminu Turaki’s SSG handed over power to him.

Lamido will be escorted to Dutse International Airport after handing over power to his SSG to take a flight to Saudi Arabia for his lesser Hajj. He would bid farewell to his supporters, party leaders, stakeholders and other people of the state.

However, the decision by Lamido to ask his SSG to handover power to Abubakar has been generating heated debates among people of the state especially supporters and card carrying members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, some of whom faulted the governor's decision.

NYSC has greatly contributed to keep Nigeria peaceful — SULTAN PARLEY: From left: Mr Osita Ezechi, COO, Global Resources; Mrs Blessing Bayo-Alana, Group Head, Marketing, Robert Johnson; Mr Bayode Ijagbemi, Team Lead-Strategic Planning, LIRS; Mr Charles Duru, Channel Manager, Kaspersky Lab; Mr Andrew Ajuchi, Channel Manager, Phoenix Distribution; Mr Jide Sanni, IT Head, Optimum Exposures, and Mrs Olamide Odeneye, Kaspersky Product Manager, Zenith Technology Ltd at Kaspersky Lab Partner event held in Lagos.

NEMA donates large quantity of relief to Borno IDPs

M

AIDUGURI—THE National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has donated large quantities of relief materials approved for distribution to the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, living in various camps and host families in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

This followed the request made by the state government.

Presenting the relief materials to the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Umar Zanna Mustapha, who was at the headquarters of NEMA in Abuja weekend, the Director General Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi said the gesture was in addition to the regular humanitarian supplies being distributed by the Agency to the camps in Maiduguri.

This was contained in a statement signed by NEMA’s Press Officer, Manzo Ezekiel.

According to Ezekiel, Sidi ‘’affirmed the commitment of the Federal Government through NEMA to continuously support the displaced persons even as the agency had also deployed its officers stationed in all the camps to further assist the IDPs.’’ Sidi also said ''NEMA would not relent in the regular distribution of humanitarian supports to the displaced persons.''

Receiving the donation, Alhaji

Mustapha commended NEMA over its ‘’prompt response to the request from the state government.’’

Mustapha had earlier acknowledged the roles being played by ‘’NEMA in continuously supporting the IDPs in the state'' but said the

state government wants the Federal Government through the agency to take over full responsibilities of feeding the displaced persons in the camps.’’

The items donated included food and non food items to be delivered to the designated locations in Maiduguri.

‘Buhari’s administration'll be anchored on rule of law'

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI—THE Benue State Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Mr. Baba Agan has stated that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would be anchored on the principles of rule of law, accountability and total abhorrence for corruption.

He also, said that the administration would usher in the national rebirth most Nigerians craved for since the advent of democracy in the country.

Agan spoke yesterday in a telephone interview with Vanguard, in Makurdi the Benue State capital, adding that the country’s economy would witness complete rejuvenation

under the coming administration.

He said, “from May 29, Nigerians would enjoy the benefit of an administration that would be anchored on the principles of rule of law, accountability and zero tolerance for corruption.

“The Burhari we all know will administer a country that would at the end of the day be the envy of many because he will usher in a new Nigeria where everyone would be availed unlimited opportunities to excel in his/her chosen car-rear.

“This would be attained by the administration because corruption which has over the years been the bane of our national development would be effectively checked in a manner never witnessed before in the history of the country.”

S

OKOTO—THE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has said that the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, has contributed immensely in keeping Nigeria peaceful, united and evenly developed.

Abubakar spoke in Sokoto on Sunday when he received the Batch ‘’A” Corps members deployed to the state and who were currently undergoing the three-week orientation.

“The scheme has, indeed, lived above board and proved all its critics wrong. It has really being worthwhile.

“The scheme has given these energetic youths and highly educated youths opportunity to contribute their own quota to national development,” he said.

The sultan, specifically, extolled the invaluable contributions of the scheme in the areas of education, health, infrastructural development and the entrenchment of sterling democratic tenets in the country.

He urged the corps members to continue to be patient, patriotic and resilient in the face of several challenges facing the nation.

Abubakar promised to continue to render the needed support to ensure the success of the scheme at all levels.

The state NYSC Coordinator, Mr Thomas Yamma, told the sultan that the visit was aimed at paying royal respect to him.

“We are here to show our appreciation for the sustained support we have been receiving from the sultan and the entire Sultanate Council of Sokoto, Sokoto State government, and the people of the state,” Yamma said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015—45

C M Y K

HONOURED: First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan (right) and industrialist, Chief Eddy Nwoko (left), when they were honoured by the National Council of Women's Societies, NCWS, in Abuja.

CONFAB: From left— Hajia Aisha Buhari, wife of President-elect; Mrs Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi, and Helen Clark, UNDP Director, at a conference on women affairs in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

MTNF/ORACLE: From left— Baba Ikazoboh, Chief Revenue Officer, Dragnet Solutions Ltd; Orla Nichorcora, Director, Business Development, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Oracle; Dennis Okoro, Director, MTN Foundation; Mufutau Akuruyejo, MTNF scholar/beneficiary of Oracle training programme in Switzerland; Professor Tunde Banatunde, Dean, Student Affairs, UNILAG; Nonny Ugboma, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation; Adebayo Sanni, Country MD, Oracle Nigeria, and Mrs Akuruyejo, beneficiary's mother, at a briefing on the partnership between MTNF and Oracle in Lagos.

SAMSUNG'S DVM: From left— Mr. Parikshit Chandna, Head, Consumer Electronics; Mr. Sunil Kumar, Director, Consumer Electronics; Mr. Chukwuma Ofoma, Head of Channel, Consumer Electronics, and Mr. Jae Hak Lee, Business Development Manager, Home Appliances, all of Samsung Electronics West Africa, during the briefing on technical forum/launch of Samsung's Digital Variable Multi, DVM, super system AC and smart inverter air conditioners, in Lagos. PHOTO: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

CONFERENCE: From left— Adenike Ogbuagu, member; Ebeh Perpetual, PA to Visioneer; Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Chairman of Board, and Pastor Nduka Chuks, Visioneer/CEO, Breach Repairers, at a briefing on its conference coming up May 27 at the Guiding Light Assembly, Park View Estate, Ikoyi. PHOTO: Shola Oyelese.

WORKSHOP : From left— Mr. William Ezeagu, DD Product Development, Department of NEPC; Mr. Aliyu Lawal, MD AML Global Services, and Mr. Olajide Ibrahim, Director, Office of the CEO, at the integrated workshop on Techniques of Non-oil Export Project Formulation and Implementation for State Committees on Export Promotion and City Chambers in Kaduna.

PHOTO-JOURNALISM: From left— Mr. Femi Akintobi, former Financial Secretary, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State; Dr Oluwole Adefemi, lecturer, Redeemer University, and Guest Speaker, Alhaji Wahab Oba, Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor, former Chairman of Lagos State, NUJ; and Guest of Honour, Mr. Ademola Akinlabi, National Chairman, Photo-Journalists Association of Nigeria, PJAN, at the seminar on Ethics in Practice of Photo-Journalism in Nigeria, organized by Lagos State PJAN in Lagos. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

AGAINST CANCER: From left— Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE; Dr. Demola Sogunle, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd; Mrs. Sola DavidBorha, Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, and Mr. Oladele Sotubo, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Ltd, at the corporate challenge race against cancer, co-sponsored by Stanbic IBTC in Lagos.

46 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

LAWMA moves in as truck drivers quit Oshodi-Apapa expressway

By Ikenna Asomba

S

ince 2009, business operators, motorists and other road users of the OshodiApapa expressway have continuously been subjected to untold hardship of perennial traffic logjam, caused by the activities of drivers of tankers, trailers and other articulated vehicles, who park indiscriminately along the road.

But following a 48-hour ultimatum given by the Lagos State Government last Wednesday, for the truck drivers to vacate the road, officials of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), whose duty is to handle public waste collection, disposal and clearance of backlog of waste, have moved in to clear the road of the mess caused by the truck drivers.

It would be recalled that between 2009 to 2012, road users who ply this busy highway which leads into the Tincan and Apapa Ports, blamed the persistent traffic gridlock on the deplorable state of the road which is usually flooded whenever it rains.

Several calls for respite by residents and the Lagos State Government, however, compelled the Federal Government in August 2012, to award the contract for the reconstruction of Phase 2 of expressway to construction giant, Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at the cost of about N15 billion.

Having taken Julius Berger over three years to rehabilitate the stretch from Berger Yard to Cele axis, many had thought solace had come their way. But as truck drivers continuously seized the stretch from Rainbow to the Mile Two/Berger/Kirikiri axis of the road over time, motorists and road users were left in limbo.

The tortuous traffic logjam experienced on the highway came to a head over the last 12 weeks, as tankers and articulated vehicles which came in their hundreds from various parts of the country, including Bornu, Sokoto, Katsina, Adamawa and Yobe, seized the road to standstill. Even, several security operatives deployed to the road to control traffic situation were overwhelmed by the recalcitrant drivers.

The drivers and their assistants (motor-boys) have apparently made the roadsides their homes, eating, sleeping and performing their conveniences there. The evidences are there for all to see, as food scraps and wrappings

•Waste by the truck drivers cleared by LAWMA to a corner of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. litter the area. Their messy activities force pedestrians to be wary of stepping on urine and faeces that regularly ‘adorn’ every nook and corner of the road.

Against this backdrop, the Lagos State Government as well as the State House of Assembly, issued several directives to relevant authorities to ensure evacuation of all trucks from the road. But they all fell on deaf ears.

Worried that the indiscriminate parking of these truck drivers had defied all known solutions, the State Government, Wednesday, issued another 48hour ultimatum, ordering them to park within 300 meters of fuel depots in the state or relocate to safe parking lots pending the availability of petroleum products.

Upon the expiration of the 48hour ultimatum, Vanguard gathered that the drivers evacuated their trucks from the ever-busy highway, to Ojere Truck Park, along the LagosIbadan Expressway. Evidently, this has brought huge sigh of relief to road users whose places of work and businesses are located in this tanker-besieged area.

Recall that Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa gave the ultimatum while reading the communiqué arrived at after a meeting between the Lagos State government, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Workers, NUPENG, Petroleum Tankers Drivers, PTD, National Association of Road Transport owners, NARTO and other stakeholders.

The stakeholders’ meeting agreed to use persuasive enforcement to free roads and bridges currently occupied by petrol tankers and other trucks in an anticipated relief to the people.

Opeifa said the meeting had agreed that 48 hours should be given to tanker drivers queuing between 200 and 300 meters to the fuel depots to vacate pending

My joy will know no bound if this recent order of evacuation by the State Government will bring about an end to the impunity by these tanker drivers

availability of the commodity.

He said information available from the marketers revealed that there was no fuel in the depots to be lifted. He said the situation had been further compounded as more tankers from all over the states converge on the areas to lift fuel.

The commissioner also said no tanker should be seen from the Eko Bridge to Liverpool, Coconut on Apapa Expressway to Mile 2, adding that before tomorrow (last Thursday), the tanker owners must make one lane available for other motorists pending the expiration of the ultimatum.

Opeifa, said the enforcement would be carried out by various unions in the axis, which will include: the state government, the police, Lagos State Transport Management Authority, LASTMA, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Vehicle Inspection Service, VIS, officials among others.

He said: “Any tanker that did not comply will be impounded, fined and would not be released until such fines had been paid.”

The commissioner, however, appealed to NUPENG, PTD and NARTO to ensure that the agreement reached was not breached, saying that by Friday afternoon, government would begin enforcement. He noted that persuasion would be used rather than towing of the tankers.

According to him, marketers and major operators in the area had agreed to come out with a

programming and ticketing method that would allow only tankers meant to lift fuel at a particular point in time within the axis.

He said with this development, traffic gridlock in Apapa, Ijora and neighbouring areas is expected to abate by Sunday (two days ago), while appealing to residents to exercise patience and warned that government was ready to take the agreement seriously.

Traders, others relish ordeal Some of the road users who spoke to Vanguard, decried the untold hardship they have been subjected to over the years, even as they were sceptical on whether this was the final end of trucks and articulated vehicles besieging the road again.

Vanguard gathered that some business operators along the axis had closed shops because of the perennial traffic gridlock, because customer who patronise them no longer do so for fear of being trapped for several man-hours.

Mr. Okechukwu Manfred, a phone engineer at the Westminister Electronic Market, situated along the Apapa-Oshodi expressway, lamented that the perennial traffic logjam has almost forced him out of business.

Manfred said: “The 48-hour evacuation order given to these tanker and trailer drivers by the Lagos State Government is a welcome development. However my major fear is that no one knows where they have relocated to, neither does any one know whether they are coming back in the days to come? It has really been a tortuous experience for us here in Westminister. Most of our customers who patronise us no longer come here to repair their phones. You can imagine how much we would have lost over these years. It is unquantifiable,” he said.

Similarly, Ebere Nnadi, who deals in spare-parts of heavyduty trucks at Berger Suya Market, Olodi-Apapa, decried that the perennial traffic gridlock along the axis, have scared customers patronising him.

According to Nnadi, “Since this traffic log-jam went out of hand, our customers no longer come to patronise us again. Rather, they prefer to go to Ladipo Market on Toyota Bus-stop, along this same Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. The loss is huge. You won’t believe that I have lost over N100 million since last year to this unfortunate incident. My joy will know no bound if this recent order of evacuation by the State Government will bring about an end to the impunity by these tanker drivers.

Whether this latest development is an end in sight to the years of agony of road users, is left to be seen in the days ahead.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 — 47

OSHODI-APAPA EXPRESSWAY: 48 hours deadline choking us — AMATO

By Akoma Chinweoke & Christopher Njoku

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OR helping them to secure about 51 hectares of land around Mile 2 axis, the President, Association of Maritime Truck Owners, AMATO, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, has commended the Federal Government.

The federal government had through the management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), made efforts to secure the land to ease the perennial traffic logjam in the state.

He has however, appealed to the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, not to truncate the plan when he assumes office.

Ogungbemi, who also spoke to Vanguard on the 48-hour deadline issued by the Lagos State Government to tanker drivers parked within 300 meters of fuel depots in the state to relocate to safe parking places pending the availability of petroleum products, pointed that the provision of truck terminals is the only solution to the chaotic traffic situation in the axis.

He blamed the persistent traffic gridlock in Apapa area which has spilled over into some parts of the state to government’s inability to address long years of infrastructural decay which he noted compounded the problem. He appealed to the in-coming government to embark on serious corrective measures rather than relying on curative measures which according to him only worsens things His words: ‘’I am appealing to the Lagos State government to see reason why provision of truck terminals should be the solution to the chaotic traffic situation that are tearing every dwellers and workers in Apapa and other parts of the state apart. Efforts must be made to develop a modern truck terminal, but the irony of it all is that it is a capital intensive project that we cannot handle by ourselves. I pray that the incoming government would not truncate the idea.

“The land at Mile 2, is very strategic to the Apapa and TinCan Island ports. Also, the place is big enough to accommodate all the trucks in Apapa and Tincan. So, by the time such facility is ready, all the bottlenecks would disappear. Also, all forms of extortions and other challenges would become a thing of the past. The problems we witness

•The usual state of Oshodi-Apapa expressway before the latest directive by Lagos State Government. today were created by all the stakeholders and therefore requires collective effort to tackle. It is wrong to single out truck owners as the cause of the problem.

“I must say that truck drivers have been operating under an abnormal situation and the only way to bring the situation back to normal is for our government to build the necessary infrastructure.

Without these infrastructures in place there can never be

sanity.

The hostility and too many devourers are becoming unbearable. So, it is now extremely difficult for us to remain in business

“Every body is in a hurry in Nigeria and all the cars are always on the road at the same time. So, there are bound to be commotion and collusion . The environment is choked up and people are pushing the blame on tanker drivers which is wrong.‘’ Speaking further, the AMATO boss pointed that the state government sometimes roll out obnoxious laws to aid them slam bills on trucks, adding that he had advised

their members to do all they can to leave the road before the expiration of the 48-hours deadline so as not to fall victims of circumstance again.

“Truck operators have become ATM cards that cough-out money for all manner of people. Daily, we pay over N50,000 as fine when our trucks are impounded and between N200, N300, and N1000 to the same government officials for doing our legitimate businesses.

“The hostility and too many devourers are becoming unbearable. So, it is now extremely difficult for us to remain in business.”

Ogungbemi also noted that it was maladministration that have allowed tank farms to spring up within the port environment, adding that instead, refineries should have been built in all the states of the federation so that tankers would be going there to lift fuel ‘’The citing of the tank farms in Apapa was a huge error and the people that were supposed to checkmate this failed in their responsibilities. They are now using obnoxious laws to punish the truck owners as if we are the cause of the problem. They forgot that without the trucks, the economy of Nigeria would be at standstill,’’ he said.

Sanitation: Lagos demolishes 590 structures for non-compliance

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

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or failing to comply to the state’s Sanitation Law, the Lagos State Government has demolished no fewer than 590 structures to ensure strict adherence by residents.

This development, was contained in the document obtained by Vanguard and signed by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, while briefing the press on the activities of its ministry in the last 365 days.

The ministry through the sanitation service department issued 636 abatement notices to landlords and owners of the structures who defaulted; out of which 157 owners complied with the state government’s directives.

The document further revealed that during the year under review, 107 enforcement exercises were conducted across the state to attain a cleaner and sustainable environment, while 590 structures were separated (demolished) to comply with the state environmental law.

It also stated that of the 530 houses inspected for compliance with the environmental laws, about 310

were unsatisfactory.

Worried by the increase in open defecation, the government approved the construction of eight public toilets and rehabilitated five within the state secretariat, even as it monitored 564 facilities across the state, to ensure their adherence to enforce the required distance between drainage and buildings, especially ahead of this year’s rainy season.

Right of Way The state government also said at least 302 structures on the Right of Way, ROW of drainages channels were removed, in order to prevent flood cases across the state.

During the year under review, 302 structures were separated from the drainages channels to aid the free flow of waste water. Breakdown of the statistics revealed that Kosofe Local Government was the highest with 66 structures and closely followed by Ojo Local Government with 60.

Also, Surulere Local Government had 47, Ikorodu Local Government- 29, Oshodi-Isolo Local Government- 19 while 18 structures were demolished in Agege Local Government as

against Alimosho Local Government 15 structures.

7, 500 traders prosecuted In a bid to ensure full compliance with law prohibiting street trading, the state’s agency Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI brigade prosecuted 7, 500 traders that erected structures on drainage alignment, walkways and drainage channels across the state.

Vanguard learnt that the activities of the enforcement officers came after the 913 KAI officials were absorbed into the state civil service.

According to the document, the traders were arrested

during evacuation of illegal street trading along major highways and streets which include Agege, Ikorodu road, Awolowo way, Kingsway road, Broad Street, Mile 12 and others.

Fashola reacts Reacting recently over street trading, the state governor, Babatunde Fashola, said “Trading on the road side is breaking the law, and when the law enforcement officers come there to dislodge them, they will claim that the dislodgement was induced by religion or ethnic affiliation.

“The truth is that they are doing the wrong thing.

•Bulldozers demolishing houses along drains in Lagos.

48—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

A FORMER military administrator of Kwara State during the Buhari/ Idiagbon administration, Group Captain Saludeen Latinwo ,retd, in this interview states that it is imperative for the President-elect, MajorGeneral Muhammadu Buhari ,retd, to have his imprints on key issues affecting the party, particularly the zoning of political offices. Latinwo, also provided insight into how the Buhari administration was able to confront the socioeconomic challenges that had held the country down between 1983 and 1985. He also spoke on other issues.

Buhari should step in now to stop zoning controversy — Grp Capt Latinwo (rtd) •Says that there's zoning even in the United Nations

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OW true is it that you were disengaged from the military on account of your participation in the Buhari/ Idiagbon administration?

What happened was that there was a random selection of some officers on the allegation that they wanted to forcefully change the government.

If you look at the officers that were picked up, you will find out that they were directly or indirectly connected to Buhari or Idiagbon. I believe that it was a predetermined action to create fear in the mind of the officers and subject them to ridicule. I am not sure if they really met the purpose for which the officers were picked up. It was alleged to be a coup.

Mamman Vatsa was picked up, myself, David Ikpeme and other officers were also picked up. The story was all over the newspapers and human begins being what they are were saying the officers should be killed. But the Nigerian Bar Association and other groups came out to say that the officers cannot be killed and that military law should be followed since it was alleged to be a military offence.

After a lot of pressure, the government agreed and started with an investigative panel which was led by the then Brigadier Sani Sami who is now the Emir of Zuru. After that, there was a court martial. The striking thing in it is that some of us were not even connected to the alleged coup. It was on that ground that we were exonerated at the early stage of the investigation. But they did not know what to do because they had already told the world that we were involved in coup plotting.

When they did not know what to do with us, they called us to inform us that we were dismissed. We did not talk to the press out of the fear of not being picked up. We all went back to square one and started life all over again. The dismissal

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•Latinwo: Buhari needs to ensure that Nigerians are not disappointed lasted for about three or four years when some officers realised that we were not treated fairly. They started by writing letters and making presentations to the authorities on our behalf. It was at that point that the dismissal was turned to retirement.

Are you inferring that some of you who were exonerated were picked probably because of you were perceived to be loyalty to the ousted government?

My assumption is that they felt our loyalty was in doubt.

The issue was that they needed to calm the tension in the country, hence the move to remove those who they believe were not loyal to them.

My career was prematurely terminated because of my perceived relationship with the key leaders of that Buhari administration. And I was just 42 then with a family to take care of. As at then the only thing I knew how to do was

soldiering because I joined the military early. The late Sarduana of Sokoto sent for us from Lagos and we met him in Kaduna where he encouraged us to join the military. To suddenly terminate my appointment at 42 for no reason was disorientating.

Do you think Gen. Buhari should be indifferent to who

Buhari having won, needs to ensure that Nigerians are not disappointed. In doing that he needs to be involved in everything his party does

becomes Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives?

Buhari having won, needs to ensure that Nigerians are not disappointed. In doing that he needs to be involved in everything his party does.

Every issue that concerns his party should be of uttermost concern to Buhari. He should not seat back and say that he can work with anyone who emerges for certain offices. As a party member, his input is needed. There is need for sense of unity at the National Working Committee on every issue so that the public don’t get the impression that they are divided on issues.

The APC should know that some people are not happy that they recorded a landslide victory. It is for that reason that they should be careful not to play into the hands of its enemies through their inability to agree on the sharing of offices. Mr. President-elect, should get involved in some of the contentious issues in the party at the moment to save the

What I am saying is that he should ensure that his party comes up with an acceptable power sharing formula that will not give room for acrimony among members party from playing into the hand of fifth columnists.

Will that not interfere with the independence of the legislature?

What I am saying is that he should ensure that his party comes up with an acceptable power sharing formula that will not give room for acrimony among members. I expected the party to collectively agree on one person out of the competent candidates in any zone. Such a person should be presented as the party’s choice in a manner that will not give room for the current intrigues regarding who becomes the Senate President and speaker of the House of Representatives. It is a party issue and it affects every member of the party. He had said that he is ready to work for whoever that emerges, but Mr. President-Elect should know that the buck stops on his table. So, it becomes imperative for his party to have a consensus on sensitive issues in the interest on the nation and the party. APC has not got any antecedent of power sharing formula at the national level unlike the PDP that had something like that for 16 years despite its ruggedness. So, they need to agree on a formula that will not give room for the kind of intrigues going on because the party has a lot of work to do.

I am not saying that he should be interfering. All I am saying is that he has to be involved in key decisions and appointments for now until when things stabilise. It is only at that stage that he can seat back and expect people to do things normal but for now, his imprints are needed because Nigerians overwhelmingly voted for him because of his impeccable reputation.

To me, the appointment of the Senate President is a key issue that the President-elect should be involved in at the party level. He should be able to support a particular candidate for certain reasons rather than

Continues on page 50

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015—49

By Bashir Adefaka

People sympathetic to President Jonathan and PDP still find it difficult to come to terms with the reality of the change that has taken place

OTUNBA Bosun Oladele, a constitutional lawyer and a former commissioner for Information and Orientation in Oyo State won the election to represent the Irepo/ Orelope/Olorunsogo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Member Federal House of Representatives. He speaks on issues flowing from the last elections, expectations from the Muhammadu Buhari administration and the contentions for the office of speaker. Excerpts:

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HAT was your assessment of the last general elections?

I have seen generally that what our people wanted was change in the way things were done and the mantra change is that you cannot be doing the same thing the same way every time and then you expect a different result. It is only when there is change that you get a different result.

I think people have chosen very well, nationally and they deserve good results this time around.

You once said that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo bequeathed Nigeria with President Jonathan and that he should be the one to take him away from us. Would you say that statement was relevant to the change that occurred?

Yeah! That statement is relevant because it was like something that I saw coming.

You can see, I am not his (Obasanjo’s fan), I have said it for the umpteenth time. But that is a man that is never afraid of taking positions. He is never afraid of taking on enemies. He has done that and we have to give kudos to him. He was all over the place.

He became a full soldier just to ensure that things were no longer the same negatively in this country. We thank God, people have been speaking positively and we thank God his own actions have also been positive. And that my statement was to charge him that he had the major responsibility and he had led the campaign, he led the war and that change we wanted has come. He has taken away Jonathan.

People sympathetic to President Jonathan and PDP still find it difficult to come to terms with the reality of the change that has taken place.

Many stakeholders are looking forward to what Buhari and the APC government will do. What are your expectations?

I think the reality has dawned on them. If you look at the media, how the media has been awash with blame game, right now there is confusion in the camp of PDP. What we had always suspected has blown into the open.

Everybody has started blaming any available person.

The only thing nobody has done is to blame himself or herself.

•Oladele: APC will still dominate the presiding officers

SPEAKERSHIP TUSSLE: APC Reps 'll checkmate PDP's antics — Oladele, Reps-elect But if you look at where the accusing fingers have been pointing, none of them is exonerated.

Everybody is involved.

Everybody must bear the blame within the PDP. They say, “Oh, the

campaign organization blew it off.” The campaign organization would say the presidential team caused it and the presidential team would say the party team blew it off. Now, out of all these segments in PDP, everyone of them must

belong to one or two or even all the three at the same time. So, who is free? They are all to blame. I think the reality has dawned on them and it can never be business as usual.

Does Buhari have any

reason to worry about the cooperation he will get from the 8th Assembly?

I think he has sounded normal and I think that was exactly what he needed to say at this point in time. You have the role of each segment of the government well spelt out constitutionally. Each arm is to serve as check on the other. Each arm has its own distinct role. So, everybody must play by the rules.

Where do you stand in the jostling for the office of speaker?

The rules are there and are accessible. They have not changed. Any party that does not have majority in any of the chambers cannot dominate the presiding officers. We are not even saying they cannot contest; that party, not in the majority cannot nominate talk less of contesting.

So, APC will still dominate the presiding officers.

I am not ruling out other antics that the PDP wanted to use, which I am not ready to disclose, but I believe sincerely that we are on top of the situation.

With Buhari, hard work 'll now pay — Cally Ikpe

By Charles Kumolu

VETERAN broadcaster and founder of Civil Empowerment and Rule of Law Support Initiative, Mr. Cally Ikpe in this interview says that despite the myriad of challenges awaiting the Presidentelect, Muhammadu Buhari, the incoming administration would be a people’s government. He also explained why he championed a suit challenging those against the usage of Smart Card Readers.

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OU were behind the law suit challenging calls for the non usage of the Smart Card Readers during the last general election, can we know what informed that and other forms of support displayed by the All Progressives Congress, APC? I got attracted by the rare anticorruption posture of General Muhammadu Buhari. He is someone I see as a sure antidote

to the impunity that has characterized Nigeria for too long.

All his previous attempts at clinching the presidency had me and my entire family supporting completely. Really, who else has the will to confront corruption like him? Like he said, “if we don’t kill corruption, then corruption will kill Nigeria”.

Some mischievous elements had gone to court to challenge INEC’s decision to use the card reader for the general elections.

Particularly, a suit was filed by the United Democratic Party alleging that the use of the card reader amounted to electronic voting which ran contrary to our electoral laws as enshrined in the 1999 constitution.

We simply asked to be joined in the suit. Yes, I am part of an NGO; Civil Empowerment and Rule of Law Support Initiative. I personally swore to an affidavit that the card reader was in no way tantamount to electronic voting; but rather that the biometric system only served to prevent double registration. I was personally irked by the obvious mischief intended.

But the card readers were generally reported to have

that card readers amounted to electronic voting.

The case was adjourned to a later date and as we speak it is still pending. I suspect they have developed cold feet. The usage of the card reader has come to stay.

It would better the electoral process as was seen during the election. Things will keep getting better on that, after all, some of the challenges encountered in its usage were attributed to human error.

•Ikpe malfunctioned and is the basis of several petitions at the election tribunal.

It was apparent that this was a case of the hand of Jacob and the voice of Esau. Seeing that the elections didn’t seem to favour the ruling party, its people became restless and at all cost wanted to frustrate the elections from holding or in the alternative, opening it up to the usual manipulation which the card reader served to check.

It was also a situation of preparing grounds for the elections to be nullified once the courts rule

So, how do you feel now and what are your expectations?

Impunity will be halted. Subsidy fraud will cease. We were going to get to a point where more than half of our total budget will only cater to the welfare of the executive and the legislators while the rest of the citizenry struggle to stay alive.

In the new dispensation, I hope people will not collect money for contracts they have no intention of executing any more. I am sure it hurts you too, that NEPA makes you pay for power they don’t supply.

It takes only a heartless leadership to look the other way while people are exploited in that inhumane manner.

50—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

•El-Rufai: Governor-elect

•Yero: Outgoing governor

KADUNA: Doubts about Debts •El-Rufai, Yero squabble

By Luka Binniyat

THE dust from the decisive victory of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai over the incumbent governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Mukthar Yero in the recent governorship elections may have settled. But not so with the rumours about alleged debts to be left behind by the outgoing regime.

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IVEN the rough tackles the victorious All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate in Kaduna State Mallam Nasir El Rufai exchanged with his vanquished incumbent, Mukhtar Yero, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, no one really expected an uneventful transition.

With the two less than two weeks formally exchanging baton, the two men are mired in controversy over the amount of debt allegedly being left behind by the outgoing administration.

The current row between the two is centred over claims by El Rufai that the Yero government is indebted to the tune of between N90 to N100 billion.

Speaking over the weekend in Kaduna, during a reception organised for him by the Kaduna Peoples Association, El

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Rufai said: “When people call to congratulate me or come to congratulate me and General Buhari, I always tell them, thank you, but what we need is your sympathy and prayers.

“This is because, myself and Buhari are taking over bankrupt governments; it is so bad that the Jonathan administration is finding it difficult to pay salaries. In fact, they had to obtain loan to pay salaries.

“In the case of Kaduna State, the Yero government has incurred debts to the tune of over N90bn and this may get to N100bn before May 29”, he said.

The deputy governor of Kaduna State, Ambassador

With the two less than two weeks formally exchanging baton, the two men are mired in controversy over the amount of debt allegedly being left behind by the outgoing administration.

Nuhu Bajoga, however, debunked the allegation in strong terms, saying the government of Yero was not owing a kobo.

“N100 billion? How can we borrow N100 billion,” the deputy governor said when confronted on the issue by Vanguard.

“Well, we are handing over everything. The incoming

government is coming to tell us how much we have borrowed.

Look, the total amount that Kaduna State receives from the Federation account, as at now is just about N4 billion.

“Ok, four multiply by twelve, is that not less than N50 billion? How can you go and borrow N100 billion?

“Who will give you that lend that kind of money? When he knows that you cannot earn

N100 billion? Nobody will ever give you that kind of money, based on your earnings. The good thing is that these talks about borrowing will come to light now.

“The books are with them (incoming government). They will tell us what we have borrowed and what we have not borrowed. The last borrowing under the Yakowa government was N20 billion.

And we have paid that. On our own, we borrowed N7 billion from the banks, and we have already paid that.

“We wanted to borrow another N8 billion, but it did not materialize up till now as I am talking to you. There are some borrowings that are tied to some projects. And then there are counter-part borrowing.

This you can see in SUBEB. (State Universal Basic Education Board). It is because of the SUBEB arrangement that you are seeing projects all over our campuses and schools.

We had a counterpart funding of about N1.7 billion or thereabout because the total project in N3.4 billion. I thank God that the books are now wide open. They can go to the press and say what is their findings.

“But one thing I can assure you is there have been borrowings long before we came to government. If anyone is talking about such borrowings, then it is not from this government. To my own knowledge, these are what we borrowed as a government and we have long paid back”, he said.

Buhari's imprint is needed in who becomes what — Latinwo Continues from page 48 the free for all that the party has made it. When such a position is made a free for all, anything can happen and that will not be good for the party. We must accept that some APC members are still wearing the garment that was brought from the PDP. They may claim to be holding the broom but some are still holding the umbrella in other ways. If the party allows this free for all for sensitive positions, there might be a payback time which may not be good for the party.

APC should not forget that the PDP is waiting to reap from any mistake they will make. That is why the President-Elect should get involved now in every sensitive matter that affects the party. He can’t be neutral because everything is centred on him. It was his personality and the spread of the party that got the APC this victory.

So, you really believe in

zoning given the strong contest between Senators Ahmad Lawan, Bukola Saraki and George Akume?

Zoning is an international practice. Even the United Nations practices zoning. The European Union also does it.

You can’t say that zoning is undemocratic because participation is an essential requirement in a democracy.

Zoning goes with merit.

Anywhere any office is zoned to, competent people would be found there.

If a certain office is zoned to Ondo State for instance, you will find so many competent people in that state but you need to agree on who should be the first among equals.

Zoning is basically done for everyone to have a sense of participation and belonging.

You never can say who is a frontrunner because anything can happen in politics within a short time. With due respect to the system, if I were in the National Working Committee,

I will insist that the party should come out with a candidate.

What they would have done is to constitute a committee that will work out the modalities that will ensure that an acceptable person emerges as the candidate. These people you have mentioned are all qualified and that is why they indicated interest in the race.

It is their right which is not debatable. But we should not let the contest for the position get to an acrimonious state because we are one. I understand that the previous arrangement was for the Southeast to produce the Senate President, but since the zone did not produce any senator, the APC ought to have come up with a plan B. It does not stop at the party saying they are zoning it to the North Central, they ought to have agreed on who to present from the zone. There should not have been any quarrel about that.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015—51

US promoting Nigeria's economy through empowering women

Cross section of participants at the US Consulate's Public Affairs Section

By Vera Samuel Anyagafu

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s part of its contribution to assisting the Nigerian government in efforts towards empowering women in diverse entrepreneurship capacites in Nigeria, the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the US Consulate General Lagos recently equipped a good number of Nigerian women with tools that will extensively assist them in building the country’s economy.

The workshop which is on Financial Independence and Capacity Building for Women, has the theme ‘Take Charge of Your Financial Future’, and encourages Nigerian women to hasten up the abilities to further ignite the desire for a better Nigerian economy.

Also coming in honor of Women’s History Month, which is often celebrated annually in the month of March, as well as the International Women’s Day for 2015, the programme was designed particularly for women entrepreneurs with a passion for learning more business idea implementation skills.

In her keynote address, the US Public Diplomacy Officer, Rhonda Watson, charged both young and aspiring Nigerian female entrepreneurs with the responsibility of ensuring they grow productively in their various fields of endeavor, while also displaying interest in learning more about the potential of information technology to enhancing their businesses productivity and also identify and learn new social networking and business promotion tools.

She told the forum that the US government has great interest in empowering women across the globe, for fact that women play a major role in building any country’s economy.

According to her, the US government has diverse platforms upon which it discusses steps to promoting nations’ economies through empowering women with tools to help them grow their communities, hence the need to often organize workshops that will provide women the opportunity to get new ideas on how best to attain entrepreneurial success.

“Acquiring new ideas is supportive to successful business endeavors, just as C M Y K

it is important to getting the great ideas out to receive the support of both the mentors and those who are willing to invest in the new ideas”, she added.

The forum also gave room to Resource Persons, who in turn encouraged participants to strongly build a network to help grow their new entrepreneurship ideas into fullfledged successful businesses.

It also provided ideas needed to strengthen and solidify entrepreneurs’ knowledge and skills in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) needed to enhance and support the work of the small & medium enterprises, in addition to sharing skills that will further enable female entrepreneurs reach potential customers and build networks with existing clients. Each resource person’s presentation addressed the importance of building a social network of like-minded entrepreneurial individuals, who are committed in efforts to providing valuable tools that will support each other in the journey to becoming remarkable entrepreneurs.

The forum also agreed that the essential elements needed to becoming successful entrepreneurs are mostly incorporated in valuable lessons learnt from engaging in various Entrepreneurship Developmental workshops.

Interestingly, each of the women entrepreneurs who participated in the program presented a diverse set of growth strategies to prospective entrepreneurs and encouraged them to increase their confidence levels and not isolate those elements that would help them grow their businesses.

In addition, the session also helped reaffirm the confidence, skills and strength of prospective entrepreneurs, as each intending entrepreneur, testified that the gathering had in no small way, prepared them for the task ahead, and also threw more light on how to tackle their work according to priority, so as to deliver better customer services. The female only entrepreneur programme was a great success and had in attendance over a hundred participants who registered enormous interest in the workshop’s various sessions, which objectives were fully accomplished

52—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015—53

Jonathan sacks NIPC boss zAs APC BoT member warns Jonathan against last-minute appointments

Bush on Iraqi war

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USH and Iraqi war? This suggestion brings back memories of the first and second U.S. wars in Iraq. Presidents George Herbert Walker Bush and George Walker Bush, the father and son duo of presidents of the United States at different times, launched blistering and expensive wars in Iraq. But, while the senior Bush is acknowledged to have had genuine reasons to unleash U.S. men and women in uniform and awesome armament against the regime of Saddam Hussein, the younger Bush went in on what turned out to be the phantom of weapons of mass destruction.

Little does anyone attempt to bring in yet another member of the Bush political dynasty, John Ellis “Jeb” Bush, into discussions about the war in Iraq. Yet, last week Jeb dominated headlines with his comment about the war in Iraq launched by his father and brother. It was in the form of Jeb’s response to a rather simple question about the Iraqi war authorized by his brother, George.

Jeb, who is known to harbour presidential ambitions in the 2016 election, was on one of those make-me-shine interviews at FoxNews when the anchor, Megyn Kelly, asked him an innocuous question. “Knowing what we know now, would you have authorized the invasion?” asked the lady, perhaps with the expectation that Jeb will use the opportunity to ingratiate himself with viewers. But what came out of Jeb’s mouth must have startled Kegyn. His response? “I would have, and so would have Hillary Clinton, just to remind everybody.

And so would have just about everybody that was confronted with the intelligence that they got.”

Jeb said he would have authorized the war in the face of the knowledge we now have, that there was no weapon of mass destruction in Iraq, which was the reason his brother used to launch the costly war. Even Hillary who was mentioned in the response has since retracted her views that the war was justified. Practically all current presidential hopefuls in the Republican camp last week distanced themselves from Jeb’s response, leaving this third Bush struggling to correct the gaffe.

Politicians are known to provide embarrassing answers to questions from reporters. So, you might say that Jeb’s situation was not unique. But, here is the uniqueness. Soon after the gaffe became public Jeb got another opportunity to correct the error.

This time it was at Sean Hannity’s

radio program barely forty-eight hours after Jeb’s slip of tongue.

Sean is another friendly face and has a programme on Fox News.

And, hear is how Jeb “corrected” his earlier mistake: “I interpreted the question wrong, I guess I was talking about given what people knew then, would you have done it, rather than knowing what we know now. And knowing what we know now, you know, clearly there were mistakes.” He then went on say more. “I don’t know what that decision would have been, that’s a hypothetical…The simple fact is mistakes were made. ... And so we need to learn from the past to make sure we’re strong and secure going forward.”

If Jeb thought his circumlocution would help him wriggle out of the quagmire, it turned out that he had miscalculated once again.

He was severely derided in the media and his supporters were at a loss to understand why he could not have provided a simple answer to a simple question. It took four days and other interviews for Jeb to finally realize and acknowledge that what he needed to say was that knowing what everyone now knows about the Iraqi debacle, he would not have authorized that military invasion.

That “Iraq war” question was not the only issue which made everyone raise eyebrows about Jeb’s readiness for office. So far, he has not formally announced his interest in the job. Rather, he is busy doing fund-raising across the country. That is not a handicap. What appears to be his

Raising money to run the very expensive U.S. presidential election does not appear to be a handicap to Jeb. What is increasingly becoming questionable is his spontaneity in fielding questions in a most articulate manner

albatross is the impression that he is not his own man; that as president, he would govern under the shadow of his father and brother, both ex-presidents.

This public perception has led Jeb to use every opportunity to announce that he was his own man and would make his own decisions based on facts and circumstances as he understood them.

However, as Jeb was busy trying to convince political pundits that he was his own man, he came out about two weeks ago to announce at a public forum that he would make his brother George, his foreign policy adviser on U.S. foreign policy with regard to Israel and the Middle East.

Knowing that George Bush’s policy in that region is not what could be written about in glowing language, the “I am my own man” claim by Jeb even raised more questions than it previously did.

Jeb used to be the governor of Florida. It is generally agreed that he did a good job as governor, something that gives him a good cushion in his presidential bid.

Another issue that might help his presidential ambition is the fact that he is married to a Hispanic lady and speaks fluent Spanish.

In the U.S. political environment where Latinos are increasingly having a say in determining who wins an election, Jeb might not find it difficult to court Latino voters. Added to all this is the well-known thinking that mainstream Republican kingmakers would prefer Jeb as a moderate candidate to his more right-wing colleagues like Senator Ted Cruz or even the relatively middle-of-the-road candidate like Rand Paul. His power to attract rich donors was demonstrated some weeks ago when millionaire businessman Henry Kravis hosted a private dinner for Jeb. Each of the 25 specially chosen attendees paid no less than $100,000 “attendance fee” to gain entrance to the private occasion.

Raising money to run the very expensive U.S. presidential election does not appear to be a handicap to Jeb. What is increasingly becoming questionable is his spontaneity in fielding questions in a most articulate manner. That is the primary quality expected of anyone running for office in the U.S. A. Jeb’s increasing number of political gaffes might just be enough to derail his ambition, his army of millionaire donors and name recognition notwithstanding.

By Ben Agande and Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA — THE gale of sack of top officials of government by the out going president, Goodluck Jonathan continued yesterday as the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive of Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, NIPC, Mrs. Saratu Altine Umar, has been relieved of her appointment with immediate effect.

A statement by the the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said the President had approved the appointment of Mrs. Uju Aisha Hassan-Baba, as the new Executive Secretary/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

The statement added that the new Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive had served previously as DirectorGeneral, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in Anambra State and Director, Legal Services, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

Abati said Jonathan thanked the out-going Executive Secretary/Chief Executive for her services and wished her well in her future endeavours.

APC BoT member warns Jonathan Meanwhile, a member of the Board of Trustees, BoT, of the All Progressives Congress APC, Chief Sam Nkire has asked outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan to stop the

last minute gale of sack and political appointments.

Nkire also urged the incoming administration to reverse the appointments, warning those accepting such offers to beware “as their music might just stop before they warm up to dance.”

In a statement issued in Abuja, the APC BoT member said that the appointments if not reversed would mean that president Jonathan could determine the pace of General Mohammadu Buhari’s government from outside.

He reminded Jonathan that Buhari’s administration was not going to be an appendage or extension of his government, stressing that it was wrong for an outgoing government to make a five-year tenure appointment that would outlast General Buhari’s four-year presidency.

He stated that the appointments “are not likely to stand,” saying that though the President has the right to “hire” and “fire”, he was rather hiring at the wrong time.

President Jonathan had since after the last general elections fired and also recruited a couple of Nigerians as heads of some parastatals and agencies, one of which was the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, now headed by the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi as the DirectorGeneral, DG.

Airtel backs Osun's ICT youth empowerment scheme with RLG

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SOGBO — AIRTEL Nigeria has commended the Osun State Government for its ICT-driven initiative which has not only enhanced skill acquisition amongst youths but also led to job creation.

Speaking at the launch of new product brands by RLG, one of Africa's Technology powerhouses, Airtel Nigeria's MD/CEO, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya noted that the public-private initiative between RLG and Osun State was worthy of emulation as it is an example that good

things can come out of Africa.

Ogunsanya noted that Airtel Nigeria had begun partnering with RLG by placing orders for the phone brand made at the RLG/Adelawo Technology City because it has found that the products meet the company's standards.

He said Airtel was happy to support more local production as most of the phones imported into Nigeria means transfer of Labour to other countries and also capital flight.

54—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

First sugarcane bio-factory begins operations

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HE Federal Government, yesterday, inaugurated Nigeria’s first sugarcane bio-factory in Zaria as part of efforts to achieve national self-sufficiency in the nation’s sugar requirements.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said the one-million seedling per annum capacity bio-factory was the first in the series to be established in the next five years, with a combined capacity of 12.5 million seedlings per annum.

Aganga spoke while declaring the bio-factory open for operations at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.

He said: “The provision of high grade and quality seedlings of sugarcane is essential for the attainment of the set goals of the National Sugar Master Plan.

“A bio-factory is a facility where disease-free crop seedlings are rapidly micro-propagated under controlled laboratory environment for planting in the fields.”

Breach Repairers hold youth confab

By Laju Iren

A

non-governmental organization, Breach Repairers, with the primary purpose of raising a new generation of Nigerian youths, will hold its annual youth conference on Wednesday, May 27, at the Guiding Light Assembly, Parkview, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Coordinator of the group, Pastor Nduka Chuks, who disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos said Nigeria was in dire need of role models that the youths can follow.

This year ’s debate competition organized by the Breach Repairers is on Mentoring as a tool for youth development and nation building, while the dance drama is on Purity, purpose and productivity begets royalty.

Boko Haram: FG to acquire mine-sweeping equipment from Slovak firm

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LOVAK producer of minesweeping equipment, Way Industries, yesterday, said it had signed a contract to supply five Bozena mine clearing units to Nigeria.

The company ’s General Director, Bohuslav Lipovsky, said: “We have just received

the results of a tender in Bangladesh in which Slovakia’s Bozena won as well. We are analyzing the details of the tenders as we speak.”

Apart from supplying mineclearing equipment, the firm specializes in consulting and

Citizens’ commitment to civic duties vital to security —IDIODI

training soldiers.

Lipovsky said: “Our expert team recently returned from the Golan Heights (Israel), where we provided a tailormade mine-clearing system.

Apart from project work, we also provide consultations and training.”

By Oboh Agbonkhese

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N the pursuit of a better world, what matters is not the political party that wins, but the commitment of each citizen to the fulfillment of civic responsibilities, which means service as payment for the space we occupy, and if a government is doing badly, it is selfimposed since the leaders are from among the citizens.

These were the submissions of Dr. Kenneth Udiodi, Grand Regional Administrator/ President, Board of Trustees, and Director, Supreme Board, Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, at a briefing on the order’s 2015 Lagos Zone Conclave on Mysticism for National Security and a Better World.

He said there was real cause for concern about personal, community and national security as the current situation threatens the yearning and aspiration for a better world.

While congratulating Muhammadu Buhari, President-elect, Dr. Idiodi said: “The outgoing government deserves commendation.”

He urged the incoming administration to encourage and not displace anyone doing well, and that any good thing done or began by a predecessor must not be abandoned in the name of change.

PARLEY: From left— Mr. Segun Babatope, Senator Aminu Lawan and Mr. Roy Jibromah, at a media interactive session in Lagos, yesterday.

4 siblings die in Anambra candle fire zI told them to put off the candle— NEIGHBOUR

By Obialunamma Nwadiogbu

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RAGEDY struck yesterday in Omuko village, Awka, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, as four children of same parents were burnt to death when their onebedroom apartment was set on fire by a candle.

The parents of the children, who are from Ebonyi State, were not around when the disaster occurred in the middle of the night.

The victims, whose names were given as Ikechukwu, 9; Chinonso, 7; Chisom, 5 and Chioma were rushed to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, but did not survive as they finally gave up on Sunday morning.

Father of the children, Mr. Ozoemena Nwoye, a native of Ezaa village, Ebonyi State, said: “I am so devastated by the fire incident. I want help from the public. My family has been suffering from one problem to another.

“We do not really have any hope right now. We do not know who to run to. I am appealing to kind-hearted Nigerians to please come to our aid, with whatever they can afford to give us, so that we can bury our children and settle the hospital bills.”

Nwoye said that although the family lost virtually

everything they have laboured for over the years, he however explained that the loss of his children remained the most painful.

His wife, Ginika, said she went to visit her husband’s brother who had an operation at Amaku General Hospital, Awka, when the incident occurred.

A neghbour's story

Mrs Ebere Nwokike, neighbour to the Nwoyes, whose room was also burnt, said she came out from her room around 9p.m. and discovered that the children left the candle burning while

they slept.

According to her, she called the eldest child, Ikechukwu, to put off the candle, which he did but unknown to her, the children re-lit the candle when she had gone back to her room.

She said: “Suddenly, I saw flames everywhere and I rushed outside with my child. Before people noticed heavy flames coming out of the windows, it was already too late.”

She said when the door was finally forced open, the burnt bodies of the children were found in a corner of the room, huddled together.

Professionals in diaspora back Oshodin for Edo governorship

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ENIN professionals and entrepreneurs in the United States of America and Canada have called on Professor O. G. Oshodin, immediate past Vice Chancellor of University of Benin, to join the 2016 Edo State governorship race.

In a statement by Mr. Igbinigie Aiguobasimwin, President, the group, Bini in Diaspora Organization, BIDO, said after research and consultation with the various interest groups, market

women, students, drivers, civil servants, professionals and traditional rulers and Enegies, they resolved to appeal to Oshodin.

It said: “Having regards to the rights of individuals across the state to vie for such a position, ours being a nonpartisan political organization has resolved to thread softly by first inquiring Professor Oshodin’s disposition to aspire for the post of the state governor.

“Being in the fore-front,

Oshodin is our first choice and we can only consider supporting any other Benin man or woman only if the illustrious son declines our humane appeal for him to join the race.

“BIDO has agreed to give financial and logistic support to ensure that our state is left in the hands of an astute manager of human, financial and material resources. From public inquiry sampled from Edo people, irrespective of tribal leanings, Professor Oshodin polled 89 percent acceptability rating.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 — 55

RESCUED GIRLS: Allow pregnant girls to decide on abortion or not — NGO

By Evelyn Usman

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BRIEFING: From left; Mr Joseph V. Akojenu,Trustee; Chief M. I. O. Oruwa, Secretary; Rev. (Dr.) James Kayode Owoyemi, Chairman; Alhaji Adebisi Ogunye, Treasurer; Comrade Komolafe Ayo Joel, PRO/Social Secretary, and Mrs Nusirat Taiwo, Finance Secretary, all of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Teacher Pensioners Branch (NUP-TPB) Lagos Branch, during a press conference to congratulate President Elect, Muhammadu Buhari and solicit his assistance on their plight in Lagos, yesterday. Photo by Diran Oshe.

Boko Haram kills many, abducts 6 women in Adamawa

By Umar Yusuf

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OLA—BOKO Haram insurgents have killed several people and abducted six women at Sabongari town in Madagali Local Government of Adamawa State.

Sources from the area indicated that the insurgents invaded the town weekend, forcing residents to run into the bushes.

This was even as about 108 displaced Nigerians, mostly women and children who were rescued from Niger Republic have been received by officials of Adamawa State government in Yola, the state capital.

However, a resident, who simply gave his name as Musa said the insurgents arrived the village at about 10 pm Sunday night and started shooting sporadically, killing many people and injuring others before abducting the women.

The Chairman of Madagali Local Government Area, Maina Ularamu who confirmed the incident, called on government to provide more security

in the area.

Ularamu expressed regret that several villages and communities were presently without military presence and urged the Army to deploy troops to the areas.

Meanwhile, speaking with newsmen in Yola on the arrival of the 108 people rescued from

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AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has ordered that the account of Zamfara State Government domicile with Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, be attached to satisfy a judgement debt of N741.8million, owed First Bank of Nigeria Plc. The order of the court was sequel to an application argued before the court by Mr Oluwakemi Balogun, SAN, counsel to the bank.

In an affidavit deposed to by Mr Onah Marcellus, he averred that Ministry of Finance, Zamfara State issued an irrevocable standing payment order (ISPO) for the payment of the sum of N308.200 in favour of the judgement creditor First Bank of Nigeria Plc. Onah stated that the claim in this

from the state to their various communities just as it would assist others to return to their states of origin.

Some of the displaced persons interviewed said most of them were fisher men, farmers and traders who had carried out their various trades in Niger for years.

PDYM seeks end to litigations in Delta State

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HE Pan-Delta Youth Movement, PDYM has called on opposition political parties in Delta State to accept the wishes of the electorate who voted overwhelmingly for the Peoples Democratic Party by shelving needless litigations at the election tribunal.

In the course of a post-mortem analysis of the April 11th Gubernatorial election, the group lamented the incessant litigations

N741.8M DEBT: Court wants Zamfara govt account with CBN attached

By Innocent Anaba

Niger Republic, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Haruna Furo said 24 of the persons were from Taraba State while two were from Gombe State.

Furo noted that the state government was making arrangements to convey those

case was in the sum of N586,489,631.97 being the outstanding and now being claimed from the debtors Having regard to the letters of guarantee dated February 22, 2008 issued by Zamfara State Hospital Services Management Board in favour of First Bank guaranteeing the monthly deduction of N17,122,222.22 for a period of 18 months under an irrevocable standing payment order and the subsequent reliance thereof the bank released the sum of N260 million to a company, Al-Excel Nigeria Limited to finance the purchase of 4000 units of CG125 Motorcyles for members of the Zamfara State Hospital Services Management Board.

instituted by opposition candidates to contest the outcome of an election adjudged by local and international observers as been free, fair and credible; a situation which oftentimes slow down the pace of development in the state.

The convener of the Group, Mr. Augustine Tete, while underlining the preparedness of PDYM to partner with the incoming administration, stated that the era of pursuing vain litigations are long gone and that there is need for all Deltans irrespective of political leanings to close rank with the State Governor-Elect in pushing forward the development strides of the outgoing administration.

Earlier on, technical consultant of the body, Michael Tidi had stressed the preference of the PDYM for cooperation rather than confrontation, stating that ''In the emergence of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, what we witnessed in Delta State was nothing short of remarkable with ever more voters casting their ballots freely and fairly, chiefly thanks to Delta youths who spared no sacrifice in ensuring that the state is now fortunate enough to enjoy the purposeful leadership which Okowa has come to exemplify. ''He is coming to the position of Executive Governor with a robust knowledge of the “African Youth Charter ”, which

encapsulates the rights, freedoms and obligations of youths in Africa.

He stated that the case as instituted by the opposition is not tenable, and that all stakeholders will have to come together for the concise development of the state. He assured the youths that the incoming administration is committed to the aspiration of ensuring youth participation in governance at all levels by way of affirmative action.

Non-Governmental Association, Project Alert on Violence Against Women, yesterday, stated that the pregnant women rescued from the camps of terrorists in the Sabisa forest in Borno state should be allowed to decide for themselves whether or not to abort the pregnancy.

This is just as it has kicked against earlier call by an NGO; Foundation for African Heritage, that the girls should not be subjected to a life threatening abortion process, emphasising that the decision should be the exclusive reserve of the girls.

Briefing journalists yesterday on the release of the girls, the Executive Director of Project Alert, Josephine Effah-Chukwuma , pointed out that donation by public, private or NGO to the girls at their rehabilitation home did not give them the right to decide what was in the best interest of the girls ,whom she said were subjected to months of unimaginable physical, sexual and psychological terror.

The law on abortion in Nigeria definitely does not hold water in this case. So also should religious sentiments not hold sway. For once as a people let’s be real and not hypocritical. For as many of the girls who want to keep the pregnancy should be supported to do so; and for as many who want to abort it, should be supported to do so.

This is not time or occasion for politics of any kind.

Kogi seeks $2m to tackle erosion

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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OKOJA—KOGI State government said it is making efforts towards accessing $2 million intervention funds to fight the erosion menace ravaging the state.

The state governor, Capt. Idris Wada, who stated this yesterday during the visit of delegation of Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP, expressed concern over the devastating effect of erosion on the state, describing the situation as worrisome.

Wada was represented on the occasion by his deputy, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi.

He however, described the

establishment of NEWMAP, an agency that would cater for ecological problems in the country as commendable.

“Following the dwindling allocation to the state, tackling the menace of erosion has become worrisome due to paucity of funds.

The state will do all it can to access the $2million provided by NEWMAP for the fight against erosion in the state,” he said.

The Governor who eulogized the World Bank, and other organisations for coming to the aid of the state during the 2012 flood disaster that ravaged the state, promised to follow strictly the guidelines that would enable the state meet the June 30, deadline, as well as make judicious use of the funds if accessed.

56 — VANGUARD, TUESDAY, MAY 19 , 2015

Pope FFrancis rancis ttells ells Bishops tto o fight corruption, po ty povver erty P OPE Francis has told bishops to strongly denounce corruption and to act more like pastors than “pilots” telling the faithful what to do. Francis’ strong words were aimed at members of the Italian bishops’ conference, who opened their annual meeting at the Vatican on Monday. Francis, who is also the bishop of Rome, urged his bishops to be more Christ-like in showing humility, compassion, mercy and wisdom.

He told them not to shy away from denouncing the “diffuse mentality” of public and private corruption that he said impoverished families, honest workers and retirees, while marginalizing the neediest and depriving young people of hope. Italy is rife with corruption scandals, and its youth unemployment

rate stands at 43 percent.

Francis asked the bishops to reinforce the “indispensable role” of ordinary folk in their dioceses. “In reality, lay people who have an authentic Christian formation shouldn’t need a bishop-pilot, or a monsignor-pilot, or clerical input to assume their responsibilities at every level, from political to social, economic to legislative,” he said.

“Rather, what they all need is a Bishop Pastor!”

He complained that often official church documents are too heavy on doctrine and theory “as if our orientation isn’t aimed at our people and country but rather students and specialists.”

Francis has complained about an overemphasis on doctrine and “small-minded rules”.

Migration: EU plans naval mission in the Mediterranean

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UROPEAN Union foreign ministers agreed yesterday to set up a naval mission in the Mediterranean to target gangs smuggling people from lawless Libya to Europe.

The EU’s foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said the decision tak-

en at a meeting of foreign and defense ministers in Brussels would “disrupt the business model of smugglers and traffickers networks in Mediterranean”.

The European Union ultimately wants to capture smugglers and destroy their boats off the

Crisis rroc oc ks UK Labour P ar ty af eat ocks Par arty aftter def defeat

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RITAIN’s opposition Labour Party is struggling to regain its balance after suffering one of its worst election results in modern times. Shocked by the extent of the loss, leaders are trying to figure out how to rebuild the party and regain the public’s trust.

The country’s biggest union — and top funder — has signaled it will have its say in the leadership contest and a front-runner for the job quit just days after launching his bid. Its leader in Scotland won a confidence motion — but resigned anyway.

“Today the Labour Party stands at a crucial juncture — either we realize how bad our defeat was, learn from that and advance,” Mark Ferguson, editor of the LabourList blog, wrote in a commentary. “Or we deny the scale of our electoral, cultural and emotional rejection by the British people, curl up into a ball and, slowly but surely, slip out of existence.”

Labour, as the name

*Pope Francis

implies, is supposed to be the party of the working man, and woman — a left-leaning organization with the unions at its core. The unions actually created the party over a century ago to promote its causes in Parliament.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair made great efforts to unshackle the links when he became leader in 1994. His decision to move the party to the center — socalled “New Labour — was a recognition that the country had changed fundamentally. The original foundations of the Labour Party were no longer there as the steelworks closed, the shipbuilding yards were shuttered and the coalmines abandoned.

Attracting the middle classes was the mantra of Blair’s years at the helm. His party’s comfort with wealth creation and its insistence that income taxes would not be raised worked — Labour won three consecutive election victories under Blair, something it had never done before.

*Umuna pulls out

Libyan coast to help it tackle the rising number of migrants fleeing war and poverty in North Africa, but many EU countries want U.N. authorization to act.

Mogherini had earlier said that an agreement would increase the chances of the United Nations Security Council giving the EU the backing many ministers want for a more aggressive mission.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urging Europe to take that step, partly because Islamic State militants might be “also trying to hide, to blend in among the migrants” in order to get to Europe.

Some 51,000 migrants have entered Europe by crossing the Mediterranean Sea this year, with 30,500 coming via Italy. About 1,800 have drowned in the attempt, the U.N. refugee agency says.

At an emergency sum-

mit in Brussels last month following the loss of hundreds of people aboard a single vessel, European Union leaders agreed to “identify, capture and destroy vessels before they are used by traffickers”.

Mogherini flew to New York this month to seek support for a draft resolution by Britain, France, Lithuania and

China PM on Brazil visit

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HINESE Prime Minister Li Keqiang headed to Brazil yesterday on a threeday visit with a promise of $50 billion in investment for creaking infrastructure as his hosts finalize preparations for next year’s Rio Olympics.

Li, who was due to land late afternoon in the capital Brasilia, will hold talks Tuesday with President Dilma Rousseff, for whom the investment

India rape victim dies after 42 years in coma

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Mumbai nurse who was raped more than 40 years ago, and who had been in a coma ever since, has died, local news channel NDTV reported. Aruna Shanbaug, 68, was raped in the KEM hospital where she worked and suffered from an irreversible brain damage following the attack in 1973.

No one was charged with her rape. The man who was accused of the

assault was charged with robbery. The country’s Supreme Court in 2011 rejected a petition by author Pinki Virani to stop staff at the hospital where Shanbaug was cared for from forcefeeding her. Virani also argued for legal euthanasia for Shanbaug.

Kavita Krishnan, a women’s right activist said that the widespread attention generated by Shanbaug’s case hasn’t led to reduction in sex-

Spain under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which allows the use of force to restore international peace and security.

Without U.N. authorization, the EU’s naval mission, which will likely be headquartered in Italy, will not have the mandate to intervene in Libyan territorial waters and onshore in Libya to seize vessels.

ual violence against women in India.

“This case says a lot about the safety of women at the work place. There is a widespread rape culture which has only gotten worse. Women have become extremely vulnerable to violence. Much remains to be done to change this culture,” Krishnan, who heads the All India Progressive Women Association, said.

will be a major boon.

Brazil’s economy is battling a fifth straight year of poor growth and spiraling inflation.

Li will head for Rio on Tuesday evening to see some of China’s investment in the city, which Brasilia supplanted as the capital in 1960 but which will in August next year welcome South America’s first ever Olympic Games.

On Thursday, Li will continue a Latin American swing designed to increase Chinese influence in the region, heading to Colombia before visiting Peru and Chile.

PM: Li Keqiang

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, MAY 19 , 2015 — 57

Burundi election: Ken enyyantta asks for shif shiftt K

ENYA’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has told Burundi leader Pierre Nkurunziza that he should postpone a presidential election due next month after last week’s failed military coup, Kenyatta’s spokes man said yesterday.

Manoah Esipisu said the two leaders, whose nations belong to the East African Community (EAC) common market, had spoken by phone on Sunday. Kenyatta’s counterparts in the region shared his view, he added.

Heavily armed soldiers were deployed yesterday in the capital, Bujumbura, days after the failed coup attempt that followed widespread protests against Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term.

In the Musaga neighbourhood, armed soldiers faced off on Monday with hundreds of angry protesters calling on Nkurunziza to rescind his decision, which many say is unconstitutional.

An Associated Press reporter in Musaga saw two soldiers firing live rounds into a crowd of protesters, who repeatedly shouted, “Shoot us.”

The soldiers were seen armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.

There was no police presence, signalling the army, which previously had acted as a buffer between protesters and the police, has now taken over operations against demonstrators.

Regional leaders want the election date changed from June 26 to create a “conducive environment” but the vote should still be held within the current electoral cycle, which comes to an end in late August, Kenya’s Esipisu said.

Making his first appearance in the capital since last week’s attempted coup, Nkurunziza said on Sunday that he has been battling a threat from Somali armed group al-Shabab.

“We are very preoccu-

pied by al-Shabab’s wellknown attack. You know that Burundi has contributed to sending troops to Somalia so we came here to contact our friends and colleagues here in Kenya as well as in Uganda,” Nkurunziza said.

“Both are privileged targets for al-Shabab.

The agenda is to put in place proactive measures to face these attacks that are a security risk to the citizens of Burundi.”

Guinean opposition vows tto o bring do wn down president

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*President

Uhuru

Kenyatta

Burundi’s president dismisses key ministers

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URUNDI President Pierre Nkurunziza has dismissed his defence and foreign

President Pierre Nkurunziza

ministers after last week’s failed military coup, according to a presidential spokesperson.

Emmanuel Ntahonvukiye, a civilian, was named yesterday to replace Pontian Gaciyubwenge, the defence minister, while Alain Aime Nyamitwe was appointed foreign minister to succeed Laurent Kavakure, the spokesperson said.

Reports from the capital Bujumbura, said Nkurunziza was “under a lot of pressure” not to stand for a controversial third term and perhaps he had put trusted

allies in those positions “who won’t try to stab him in the back”. Earlier yesterday, Uhuru Kenyatta, the Kenyan president, told Nkurunziza that he should postpone a presidential election due next month after last week’s failed military coup, Kenyatta’s spokes person said.

Manoah Esipisu, the spokesperson, said the two leaders, whose nations belong to the East African Community (EAC) common market, had spoken by phone on Sunday. Kenyatta’s counterparts in the region shared his view, Esipisu said.

Merkel: Global catastrophe plan needed after Ebola crisis

T

HE Ebola crisis in western Africa showed the world in a painful way that a global catastrophe plan is needed to deal with future epidemics, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday.

“The struggle (against Ebola) is only won if there are no new cases and if we have learned the lessons from this crisis: we should have reacted earlier,” Merkel told the 68th World Health Assembly in Geneva.

The World Health Organization has been criticized for its slow response to early warnings about the Ebola outbreak.

More than 11,000 people have died in the outbreak since the first

cases became public in rural Guinea in March 2014.

Merkel said that WHO structures need to become more efficient, suggesting that the organization has to become more centralized.

An independent panel of experts is currently looking into the WHO’s slow response to early warnings about the Ebola outbreak.

The panel said last week in its first report that “deep and substantial” change is needed at the World Health Organization. After studying what went wrong in the WHO’s response to the Ebola crisis, the panel said it’s still not clear why the global body took so long to heed warnings.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Looking forward, the chancellor said Germany would give 200 million euros ($228 million) to help developing countries build up betterfunctioning health care systems — which she said was essential to deal with future epidemic outbreaks. She said 70 million euros of this

UINEA’s opposition leader pledged to continue the protests in which at least four people have been killed unless President Alpha Conde allows prompt local elections.

Cellou Dalien Diallo said Conde had broken a 2013 U.N.-brokered deal with the opposition to organise long-overdue municipal polls before a presidential vote set for October.

The opposition accuses Conde of packing local authorities with his supporters after the five-year mandate of elected officials expired in 2010. Diallo said those officials are campaigning on Conde’s behalf, making fair elections impossible.

Before talks with Diallo on Wednesday, the president has ruled out holding local elections before October, citing a decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) that doing so would require postponing the presidential vote.

Recent protests have sparked fears of a return to the violence of 2013.

More than 50 people

were killed then before legislative elections in which Conde’s RPG failed to win a majority.

The violence deterred investors from the Guinea, a former French colony of 12 million people and the world’s largest bauxite exporter.

“We will carry on with our demonstrations because it is illegal what Conde is doing and it is unfair,” Diallo said in a weekend interview. “I will tell him that this electoral calendar violates the constitution ... and the electoral code.”

The rise in tensions comes as the country tries to end the worst outbreak of Ebola ever recorded. The disease has killed more than 11,000 people in Guinea, neighbouring Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Politics are divided along ethnic lines. Diallo comes from the Peulh tribe, Guinea’s largest, whose control over the economy has stirred resentment among some other ethnic groups.

Conde comes from the Malinke, the secondlargest ethnic group, but has rejected accusations of exploiting ethnicity.

Malian rebels kill 3 soldiers

A

T least three Malian soldiers were killed yesterday in a dawn raid by rebels south of the desert town of Timbuktu, a rebel and a U.N. source said, despite a partial signing of a peace deal last week.

The violence erupted in Bambara Maounde, some 100 km (60 miles) south of Timbuktu, another sign of violence spreading beyond the northern strongholds of the various rebels still active despite the deployment of French and United Nations troops in Mali. A U.N. military source, who asked not to be named, said three government soldiers had been killed and one wounded.

Mohamed el Maouloud Ramadane, a senior figure in the Arab MAA faction of the separatist rebel CMA coalition, claimed the raid on recently deployed sol-

diers and gendarmes in the area.

He said it killed at least 10 security personnel.

Souleymane Maiga, a spokesman for Mali’s military, confirmed the early morning attack but gave no further details.

The CMA alliance, made up of Tuareg and Arab-led rebels fighting in Mali since 2012, have committed to Mali’s peace process but they refused to sign a deal last week with the government and its allied armed groups.

The repeated clashes are overshadowing what diplomats hope will be a step towards pacifying Mali’s north, which has been gripped by violence since the 2012 separatist rebellion was hijacked by al Qaeda-linked Islamists, forcing a French military intervention in early 2013.

58 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 PISCES; Mercury starts going backward in your Star sign from today meaning that you will need to always reexamine your new ideas more than twice before contemplating execution. Here is a day when friends will assist you.

ARIES; Tomorrow will prove more beneficial. Yet you can make meaningful progress today through your career line. Avoid secretive deal please.

TAURUS; It is better to take practical assistance from your good friends than their advice now when Mercury goes on backward motion in Pisces. Be more ambitious.

GEMINI; Success indicated for you today. But it is important you don’t take for granted competitors emerging along your career line. Be more practical.

CANCER; Many ideas will compete for prominent place on your mind today but you will need to be more careful with new ideas not capable to stand test of time.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

T is not uncommon to I find man reeling out a catalogue of why he could not do anything. It is an a b n o r m a l condition, he will say. But if we must face the truth, man

Is any condition normal? will be nothing without challenges confronting him.

Do you think God couldn’t provide everything for us?

Why do you think

TERROR MUDA

God commanded us to have dominion over all things? Everyone of us have a huge sense of satisfaction

in “Never say goodbye”

anytime we overcome a major challenge. That is the joy.

There is no normal condition anywhere. But the condition will be normal when the man is normal.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

LEO; Those soliciting your support in terms of joint venture may not be telling you everything; that is to say you must guard against deception. Practical approach to your work (hard work) will give you good result.. Take good care of your health.. ` VIRGO; Although you appear more enterprising, it is the element of luck that brings you success today. It is good to be loving but a bad day to create atmosphere for deep seated jealousy as it can take long time to get over the ripples.

LIBRA; For the next few days you will need to take your health more seriously. As for today you will be willing to give priority attention to happenings within your base.

SCORPIO; Although you will have good new ideas today, let it be known to you that you will need to beware of new ideas that will be coming to you suddenly from tomorrow for the next few days.. Take advantage of your sex appeal positively.

SAGITTARIUS; Simply because you are able to manage the tension within your base of operation without serious trouble today it does not mean you can continue to lord it over others without negative reaction in the next few days.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

CAPRICORN; You will have the needed opportunity to assert yourself to the betterment of your cause.

Unnecessary argument can not help you now.

AQUARIUS; This is your day; financial success is closer to you than you think. The more willing you are to keep your secrets the better for your cause.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What’s my star?

According to the date I was born I should be a Libran by my star but most of the time when I read horoscopes written by both yourself and foreign Astrologers Scorpio always applicable to me, why?

Kindly tell me how the planets lined up when I was born and the day of the week I was born but don’t publish my date of birth.

Anonymous. Lagos.

Dear Anonymous, You were born on a Sunday. You were wrong to have taken Libra as your Sun sign because the Sun was placed in early degree of Scorpio together with many other heavenly bodies. Then with the Moon in Libra when you were born will equally be influential in your characteristics build up but, you are mainly a Scorpio born person You are both an intelligent and emotional person. And as there was no planet at home when you were born, too many ideas will always struggle for prominent place in your mind, thus decision making is difficult but most times, your intelligence comes to the rescue.

Certainly, you appear to other as a gentle person who can be mistaken for soft fellow but your inner-self is the personality with a steel like will power.

You are the consistent type who may find it difficult to change once you have made up your mind as indicated by distribution of the planets as written out in paragraph two of this exercise.

One major challenge you have been battling for a very long time is constant worries, some times, necessarily and the other time, uncalled for, as indicated by conjunction Mercury and Saturn formed when you were born.

Placement of your natal Sun (basic self head) and Moon (your sub-conscious self) in Scorpio and Libra respectively are indications of your being mainly Scorpio born person and partly in Libran. And that is to say basic characteristics of both Scorpio and Libra are highly pronounced in you.

Then, you are spiritually gifted; if you don’t develop it is another thing.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 — 59

FIFA WWC: Falcons jet out, play Canada May 25

PWC Chess4Change: Kings College win best School and Individual Prizes

BY BEN EFE

N

IGERIA’s Super Falcons are expected to fly out tonight to start their campaign at the 2015 FIFA Women World Cup starting June 6 in various venues across Canada.

Their first assignment will be to play a friendly match against the hosts Canada on May 25.

The team has been camped in Abuja ahead of the tournament. They played an All Africa Games qualifier against Mali, which they won with an 9-1 aggregate scores. That was the only pre-tournament match they have played since winning the African women championship last October in Namibia.

“The May 25 friendly against Canada has been confirmed. The Nigeria Football Federation is still working on one or two more games to boost the confidence of team,” one of the coaches said yesterday as they prepared to fly.

On June 8 in Vancouver, the Super Falcons will test their intentions with Sweden

•Inyama

K

DRESS REHEARSALS... Falcons Players rounding off training yesterday in Abuja. and then take on Australia on June 12 in Winnipeg.

Finally, on June 16 they will play the USA in Vancouver in the groud

behind the Falcons at the AWC arrived Canada on Friday. They were the first team to arrive for the party.

The 24 national teams arrive in Canada between 15 May and 5 June, with the opening group matches across Canada.

Inyama: No shady deal in NFF, NIKE contract

C

HAIRMAN of the Marketing and Sponsorship Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, High Chief Emeka Inyama has blasted a report in a section of the press loaded with unhealthy insinuations concerning the Federation’s recent kit sponsorship contract with American sportswear giants, NIKE. “For all the efforts that the present NFF administration has been making with regards to securing corporate partners to help the development of Nigeria football, we expect

Flying Eagles Continues from BP The 18-year-old has made Nigeria’s final 21man squad for the competition and has been featuring in the team’s friendly games in Germany, where they have scored 10 goals and conceded just two in the two matches played so far.

Captain Muhammed says he and his teammates are ready to take on the world.

“We are ready to take on the world,” he said from the team’s camp in Germany.

“The friendly matches we have played have really helped us.

Starting with the Super 6, and the games we

pairings. Coach Edwin Okon is hopeful that will not be the end of their stay in Canada.

Cameroon who finished

have played here and I will say we now have a compact side.

“This is not about being boastful but I believe we are ready to take on the world because we have had such a good preparation for the competition and we are ready to go,” he stated further.

The Nigerian U20’s have been impressive in the two friendly games they have played in Germany, where they are camped before heading to New Zealand.

They will play their third and final friendly match against the U23’s of Freiburg tomorrow, before leaving for the U20 World Cup.

support from all sections of the media.

“There has been support from large sections and we are grateful for that. But it

is unfortunate that a minor section has been reporting negatively about our recent agreement with NIKE.”

Inyama insisted that global best practice was followed in all processes leading to the consummation of the agreement.

Shell Cup: Feyenord coaching on Sunday evening and clinic begins today the officials have met the

T

HIS year ’s Shell Cup competition enters crucial stage as the coaching clinic to be handled by Feyenoord technical officials from

Holland starts today in Lagos.

The Feyenoord team of three officials- Mike Obiku, Melvin Boel and Gido Vader- arrived Lagos

Okagbare Continues from BP At the weekend, the African sprint champion calmed nerves frayed by her diatribe, when she ran 10.98 seconds to record the season’s fastest time at the Shanghai leg of the IAAF Diamond League series. Speaking on the development, AFN president, Solomon Ogba stated that O k a g b a r e Ighoteguonor’s apology has been received and the board of the AFN will take up the matter.

“Blessing is our daughter. She has erred and when your child goes wrong, you pull her ears with your left and then draw her close to you with your right hand.

“I think we have moved on from that incident and our

concentration is on how to run our programs for the season,” Ogba said.

O k a g b a r e Ighoteguonor with her time is now the leading woman in the 100m and barring any circumstances, the IAAF World Championships in Beijing in August could be her month of glory. It is three months to Beijing, and her rivals, may also improve. But Okagbare said yesterday, she is aiming to go faster and for once be crowned a world champion. Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, who clocked 11.25 to finish fifth in her first 100m of the season said she is looking forward to redeem herself.

“The feeling is OK. “I am looking forward to my next race. What comes, comes.”

organisers of the competition on the expectations for their visit.

Four teams at the weekend qualified for the semifinals and they will benefit from the programme which is aimed at exposing the players and coaches to modern training in football.

The four schools are Rezheight High School, Benin, Government Secondary School, Gwale, Rochas Foundation College, Ogboko and Government Day Secondary School, Kofar Yandaka.

INGS College, Victoria Island and its student, Babalola Peters emerged the winners in schools and individual categories of the maiden P r i c e Wa t e r C o o p e r (PWC) Chess4Change Grand Slam for Secondary Schools organised by the Lagos State Chess Association (LSCA) which held in Lagos from Wednesday, May 14-16.

The tournament which is supported by the foremost accounting and audit firm aims to equip the students with the skills for applying strategic thinking in solving day to day problems of the larger society.

GTBank Lagos Principals Cup finals tomorrow

M

OUTH-watering prizes and other incentives await winners of the 2015 GTBank Lagos Principals Cup football competition which ends Wednesday, May 20 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.In the male finale, Birrel Avenue Senior Secondary School, Sabo will clash with Keke High School, Ijaye, while Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu will clash with Ikotun Senior College In the female category, . The road to the finals was filled with thrills and challenges. In the second semi final (female category), Ikotun Senior College girls overpowered Government Senior College by 3-1.

Pogba Continues from BP great criticised the French international’s low goal tally and expressed his belief that this must improve if he were to be considered a great.

“Pogba isn’t a superstar,” Platini said to RTL. “A great footballing star is someone who scores a lot of goals.

“I don’t know if Paul Pogba is someone who can be on the same level

as Messi or Ronaldo, as they both score 50 goals a season.

“It’s interesting to notice that when he loses the ball and his teammates suffer, they yell at him straight away.”

Pogba has scored 10 goals in 38 appearances for the Old Lady this season, helping them to the Scudetto, Coppa Italia final and Champions League final.

60— Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

Bulbwa: World Cup is my time to shine Mbachu reminds GEJ of AWC promise S

A

FTER making the final list of players to the U-20 World Cup, Flying Eagles forward Bernard Bulbwa has said the World Cup will be his stage to shine.

The 18-year-old scored a spectacular goal to help Nigeria beat Senegal 1-0 in the final of the last Africa Youth Championship in March to help Nigeria lift the trophy, and says this is his opportunity to make a bigger statement.

“I thank God for what I did at the Africa Youth Championship but the World Cup is obviously a bigger stage and a bigger opportunity for me to showcase my talent.

“This is my stage to shine and I believe I will not let Nigerians down by the grace of God. My teammates and I have worked really hard to get to this stage and hopefully we will go on to win the World Cup,” he said.

The new Esperance acquisition played at the 2013 CAF U-17 championship for Nigeria, but failed to make that year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup. Having been named amongst the 21 players to play at the U-20 World Cup, he says he is grateful to the coaches for giving him the opportunity.

“I have to thank the coaches for giving me this opportunity and I am grateful. I will do my best so I won’t disappoint them,” he stated.

BIG STRIDE .... Flying Eagles star, Bernard Bulbwa (r) stretches to block his opponent during one of their games.

USSIAN-born Nigerian tennis star, Melissa Ifidzhen will be the centre of attraction this morning as she confront Henrietta Ogude in a first

•Melissa

Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia.

Seven months after the heroic performance and barely 10 days to the termination date of the current regime, the nation’s heroines are yet to be received by the sitting president, Dr Jonathan.

Mbachu said it will be a huge discouragement and disincentive on the side’s quest for honour at the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada should Mr President leave office on May 29 without the promised reception seeing the light of the day.

The good old days are here again — Pinnick N FF President Ama ju Pinnick is confident the good old days are returning to the elite division of Nigeria football after savouring an incident-free Glo Premier League showdown between traditional rivals Shooting Stars of Ibadan and Enugu Rangers at the Lekan Salami Stadium on Sunday.

“It was just like the good old days, when people could go to any of the stadia with their families and enjoy a League match without

•Pinnick

CBN Tennis: Russian-born Melissa begins quest for title

R

UPER Falcons for ward Stella Mbachu has pleaded with the incumbent president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, to fulfill his promised grand reception for the side before leaving office on May 29.

The president promised to host the Super Falcons for emerging winners of the ninth Africa Women Championship (AWC) in Namibia.

The Falcons edged perennial rivals Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 2-0 in the final to claim their seventh title of the biennial football showpiece at the Sam

round match at the ongoing 37th Central Bank of Nigeria Open Tennis Championship holding at the National Stadium, Lagos.

The former Russian National junior champion started playing for Nigeria in March when she featured at the ITF/ CAT U-18 Junior Championship in Egypt and is expected to scale the hurdle before her despite being a wild card entrant.

Melissa, born of a Nigerian father and a Russian mum, is aiming to go a step better than Elizabeth Garos-Pam, a London-based player who lost in the final on her first attempt last year.

any hassles. The officiating was spot-on, the players gave their all and both teams deserved the point they each got from the encounter.

“I just feel that the good times are returning. The efforts of the Nigeria Football Federation and the League Management Company are yielding positive dividends.”

Pinnick, once more, praised the NFF Referees Committee headed

by Yusuf Ahmed Fresh and the Nigeria Referees Association led by Tade Azeez.

CONTROL . . . Super Falcons striker Stella Mbachu displays her soccer skill.

Success opens up on camp absence

I

SAAC Success has broken his silence on the reason behind his failure to attend the Nigeria Under 20s get-together in Germany despite the relatively short flight distance between Andalusia and Bavaria.

The Granada striker has maintained again and again that he was in touch with the Flying Eagles backroom staff to keep

side did not sanction his trip to Nuremberg, contrary to reports. ‘’I did not attend the training camp in Germany because my club Gran-

•Success them abreast of developments after the Spanish

Ayew best African player in Ligue 1 HANA winger An

G

F/Eagles foes Hungary pick 3 overseas pros Also, Erik Bukran from

F

LYING Eagles first round foes Hungary have named three players based outside their shores for the FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand.Defenders Akos Kecskes and David Forgacs are with Atalanta in the Italian Serie A, while midfielder Zsolt Kalmar is with German second division outfit RB Leipzig.

EPL side Hull City has been placed on standby.

The 21-man squad was whittled down from an initial shortlist of 26 and includes several from the current Under-19 squad, two from the Under-18 age group and even one, Patrik Demjén, who is still eligible for the Under 17 national team.The Flying Eagles face Hungary on June 7 in New Plymouth.

ada is fighting to escape from relegation,’’ Isaac Success said. ‘’For that reason Granada did not allow me to attend the camp. ‘’

•Ayew

dre Ayew has been named winner for the 2015 Marc Vivien Foe award as the best African Player in the French Ligue 1.

The Olympique Marseille ace beat competition from Ivorian MaxAlain Gradel (Saint-Etienne) and Tunisian defender Aymen Abdennour who plays for Monaco.

Ayew will receive his award on Monday evening

by Radio foot International on RFI (Radio France Internationale).

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 — 61

Mayweather Jnr wins $830,000 gambling on boxing, basketball as he lives up to his ‘Money’ nickname F

LOYD ‘Money ’ Mayweather has certainly been living up to his nickname as the 38-year-old boxer posted a series of winning bets on his official Instagram account.

Gambling on a combination of basketball and the bout betwee Gennady Golovkin and Willy Monroe, Mayweather made $827,272.73 from a total stake of $350,000.

Factor in his winnings from his own super-fight with Manny Pa c q u i a o earlier this month, and it’s definitely been a successful few weeks for the American.

Mayweather had under 5.5 rounds in the Golovkin fight and the Kazakh completed the job early in the sixth.

He also backed the Houston Rockets to win at the LA Clippers in Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference semi-finals (they came through 119-107) before having a punt on the Rockets +4.5 in the second-half spread in Game 7 of the same series. He also had a second-half spread bet (Atlanta +3.5) in the game between the Hawks and the Washington Wizards in the Eastern semis.

It is not the first time Mayweather has bragged about his bigmoney wins on social media.

Back in O c t o b e r, h e w o n $4million as part of a streak betting on NFL games.

On one occasion, he wagered $800,000 on the Arizona Cardinals to beat the Oakland Raiders with a handicap of 3.5.

The Cardinals duly obliged, winning 2413, and Mayweather collected $1.5m.

A week earlier, he bet $815,000 on the Denver Broncos to b e a t t h e N e w Yo r k Jets, duly claiming $1.44m.

Last April, Mayweather won $75,636 betting on the University of Connecticut Huskies C M Y K

Barcelona transform their season from trouble to a possible treble

I

Mayweather bet that Gennady Golovkin (left) would defeat Willie Monroe Jr earlier this week

Mayweather attends the NBA play-off series between the LA Clippers and the Houston Rockets

Mayweather: The last four days have been great. I’m getting paid while watching others entertain and perform. I don’t do anything for free. I bet $350,000.00 and walked away with $827, 272. 73 in a College Football championship game.

In 2013, Mayweather laid down a whopping $5.9m on the Miami Heat beating the Indiana Pacers in an NBA basketball game, winning a profit of $6.49m.

It is also claimed that between August 2010 and February 2012, Mayweather had a nearly flawless run of 46 bets totalling $3,890,833, netting the

fighter $3,938,722 in winnings.

M a y w e a t h e r delivered a defensive masterclass when he defeated Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 2, adding the WBO welterweight title to the WBC and WBA titles he already had.

He was awarded the fight, reported as the most lucrative of the century with at least

$180m going to Mayweather, 118-110, 116-112 and 116-112 by the three judges.

Mayweather ’s professional record now stands at 48-0 with 26 knockouts.

T started against Atlético Madrid and it ended against Atlético Madrid, the circle completed at the Calderón. Three hundred and 64 days after Atlético went to Barcelona and won the league, Barcelona went to Atlético and won it back again, Leo Messi’s superb goal sufficient to take the title. But maybe 17 May was not the date, after all; maybe 11 January was. The night the crisis was contained, a collective catharsis that became the first day of the rest of their season. There was trouble then; there may be a treble now.

Barcelona have won the league and two of their three remaining games are finals: against Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey and Juventus in the European Cup. The night of Sunday 11 January was at the end of a week that had begun with defeat at Anoeta, where Messi sat on the bench. The following day, he had missed the only training session of the year open to fans due to “gastroenteritis” just as, with unfortunate timing, an interview with Xavi Hernández was published in which he noted that “gastroenteritis” is the classic excuse given when something else is wrong. That same afternoon Andoni Zubizarreta, the sporting director, was sacked.

Carles Puyol walked hours later. And most thought Luis Enrique would follow. One poll showed that 68% of fans wanted him the coach to do so.

His relationship with Messi under scrutiny, Luis Enrique admitted that his position had been weakened with Zubizarreta’s departure and he has taken every opportunity to praise his absent friend since.

Jérémy Mathieu would later reveal that there had indeed been a clash between Messi and the coach on the training pitch. And although they were still ducking the issue then, although Luis Enrique avoided questions about ultimatums and claimed not to read the papers on doctors’ advice, he knew the board had begun sounding out replacements. Pretty soon, even they might be replaced: in that same week, presidential elections were called. “To reduce the tension,” Josep María Bartomeu said.

That might have helped; winning would have helped more.

“Victories are the only things that can calm this wave,” Luis Enrique said.

That night, Barcelona faced Atlético, league champions and a team they had not beaten in six matches last season. Lose and they might lose everything.

Barcelona’s players celebrate winning La Liga after the 1-0 victory at Atlético Madrid.

62—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015 —63

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

We’re ready to take on the world – F/Eagles skipper A

S the FIFA U20 World Cup draws ever closer, Flying Eagles skipper Musa Muhammed has commented on their readiness for the competition which kicks off on the 30th of May in New Zealand.

Continues on Page 59

READY: Asst Coach, Nduka Ugbade dishes out instructions to F/Eagles players ahead of U-20 W/Cup in New Zealand

Platini: ‘Pogba not Okagbare apologises to AFN a star’

BY BEN EFE

B

L E S S I N G OkagbareIghoteguonor has apologised to the hierarchy of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria over her

•Okagbare

statements criticising the federation’s athletes development policy.

Consequently, she may be given a ‘soft landing’ with the hope she will be of good conduct in the future.

Continues on Page 59

U

EFA President Michel Platini believes that Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is not a star player on the same level as Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

The former Juventus Continues on Page 59

•Pogba

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Bow (4) 4 Delve (3) 6 Staunch (4) 9 Pale (3) 10 Subside (8) 11 Sea-eagle (4) 14 Expert (3) 16 Garret (5) 19 Helped (8) 21 Danger (5) 23 Industrious (8) 24 Decoration (5) 27 Consume (3) 31 Divide (4) 33 Realm (8) 34 Prosecute (3) 35 Ale (4) 36 Beam (3) 37 Whirlpool (4)

DOWN 2 Chamber (4) 3 Droop (4) 4 Shown (8) 5 Increased (4) 6 Dulcet (5) 7 Sailor (3) 8 Boredom (5) 12 Seraglio (5) 13 Enquired (5) 14 Serpent (3) 15 Weird (5) 17 Weary (5) 18 Hamper (5) 20 Loitering (8) 22 Illuminated (3) 25 Delete (5) 26 Flower (5) 28 Goad (4) 29 Pit (4) 30 Tart (4) 32 Regret (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Palate 5, Pardon 8, Disagree 9, Rota 10, Mum 12, Clash 15, Dog 17, Oar 18, Ode 19, Tor 20, Event 21, Fee 22, Axe 23, Ewe 24, Oil 26, Petal 29, Rod 33, Yell 34, Undersea 35, Stable 36, Rotate.

DOWN: 2, Adieu 3, Away 4, Enrol 5, Press 6, Rare 7, Outdo 10, Motto 11, Moral 12, Creep 13, |Avert 14, Hotel 15, Deter 16, Greed 25, Inept 27, Exude 28, Adder 30, Overt 31, Club 32, Grit.

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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