PDP CRISIS: I won't resign — TUKUR

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61907

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

Boko Haram kills 5 NECO candidates, 13 others in Borno •P.6

PDP CRISIS: I won't resign — TUKUR

BY HENRY UMORU & BEN AGANDE

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•It is not true that I am resigning. Resign for what? It is not true at all. We are here to run the PDP and we have done so and we will continue to run the PDP•

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BUJA—IN TENSE horse trading was on last night to determine the fate of embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

While Tukur was adamant last night that he would not step down, his adversaries in the party closed ranks to push him out.

Tukur and members of

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Admission slots pegged at 704,000

COLUMNISTS:

ROTIMI FASAN Ajimobi’s Oyo •P.19

•P.8

Nigeria has 1,499 illegal entry routes

DEAR BUNMI •P.34

Mr & Mrs

— MINISTER

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TRIAL—Russian sailors arrive at the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday, for their trial over alleged illegal importation of arms. AFP photo.

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POCKET CARTOON

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PDP CRISIS: I won't resign — TUKUR Continues from Page 1

his National Working Committee, NWC, last night launched desperate moves to counter the overwhelming pressure for their resignation from

major party stakeholders.

Their efforts, including a meeting with the President was remarkably being countered from intense lobby by the second ring of national of-

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

The story of Jesus, because it is not usual, does not mean it is undoable, as a matter of fact, it is because it is unusual and was done, that makes it real, true and unique.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

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IVE your truth. Express your love. Share your enthusiasm. Take action towards your dreams.

Walk your talk. Dance and sing to your music.

Embrace your blessings. Make today worth remembering — Steve Maraboli Start making your own happiness a priority. Your needs matter. If you value yourself, you’ll look out for yourself, remember, when you take care of your own needs, if you do this successfully, you will be more capable of helping those who need you most.

Start liking and loving yourself, genuinely, you do this by appreciating your inherent virtues, being more loving, kind, generous and compassionate being. This much is true, trying to be like anyone else is futile. Be yourself. Embrace the light from within you, inside you are ideas, visions, inner strengths, and beauty like no one else. Be the person you know yourself to be – the best version of you – on your terms. Above all, be true to you, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.

Start facing your challenges head on. It isn’t your problems that define you, but how you react to them and recover from them. Problems will not disappear unless you take action. Do what you can, when you can, and acknowledge what you’ve done. It’s all about taking baby steps in the right direction.

ficers of the party, who themselves, yesterday, launched their campaign to replace embattled national officers of the party.

A defiant Tukur at the end of a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan said he would not resign tomorrow, insisting that only the eight national officers affected by the report of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, would leave office.

Fate still hanging His fate, Vanguard learnt, was still to be considered in a series of official and unofficial party meetings to be held ahead of tomorrow’s NEC meeting.

The leadership of the National Assembly, who also forms a powerful bloc within the party's NEC, also met the President yesterday. At the end of the meeting, Deputy President of Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu said the legislators were still consulting on the fate of Tukur and his officials.

The national caucus meeting was on-going last night, while the Board of Trustees, BoT

meeting, is to hold today.

It is expected that Tukur ’s fate could be decided at the end of the two meetings.

The latest crisis in the party was sparked after the Senator Anyim Pius Anyim-led Presidential Committee on the crises in the PDP submitted a report Monday night recommending the resignation of Tukur and all members of the NWC. The recommendation was based on fallouts from the report of the INEC on the PDP National Convention of March 2012 which was faulted by the electoral umpire as irregular. The INEC report had alleged that eight of the NWC officers were improperly elected. Upon the INEC report, some members of the party had gone to court to seek dismissal of the affected officers from office.

The Anyim committee, it was learnt, had recommended that members of the NWC step down not only to avert possible negative political consequences of allowing them to conduct a future presidential convention that could be legally defective. But yesterday, Tukur was defiant as he affirmed his determination to weather the storm after leading members of

the NWC to a meeting with the President.

Tukur said his position as chairman of the party was not affected by the Anyim committee report upon which the news reports were based.

Affirming that there is no vacancy in the position of PDP National Chairman, he said the meeting with the President dwelt on rectifying the positions of the eight NWC members who were not properly elected.

Resign for what?

“It is not true that I am resigning. Resign for what? It is not true at all.

We are here to run the PDP and we have done so and we will continue to run the PDP. We are going to have our caucus tonight, we are going to have BoT tomorrow (today); we are going to have our NEC on Thursday.

“It is not true, Chairman is there dam dam.

The chairman is not only in office, he is in power.

In PDP, there is no vacancy in the national chairmanship. The meeting is about regularising the family of PDP because there was an INEC observation, some of the members of the NWC were not properly elected so it has to be regularized.

“Those who have not been elected will resign and they will go back, they will have opportunity to regularize. About eight people are affected. There are three people that are not affected; they, the National Chairman, the National Financial Secretary, National Auditor and of course National Secretary which is vacant now.

“The other eight people- all the deputies, and ex-officios and the rest of them whose elec-

tions in the convention were considered irregular, by INEC, would resign,” Tukur stated.

His assertion nonetheless, it was learnt, yesterday, that plans were already on the way to nominate Professor Jerry Gana to lead a caretaker committee that will oversee affairs of the party pending the coming of a new set of NWC officials.

A source also revealed that Senator Stella Omu from South-South would also serve as a member of the Committee with other members drawn from the BoT to represent the geo-political zones of the country.

Vanguard also gathered that the Secretary of BoT, Senator Walid Jibrin and the Political Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak were last night locked in a meeting at Legacy House, Maitama drawing the final list of the caretaker committee preparatory to presenting them before the BoT today.

Vanguard also gathered that the Gana-led Committee would oversee party affairs pending when zonal and mini congresses are held in July for the purpose of electing a new NWC.

PDP's 2nd eleven gears up Also yesterday, elected deputy national officers of the party who are the second ring of national officers after the NWC members launched a campaign to replace the embattled NWC members.

The officers who went as a group in a white Coaster bus first met with Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State at the Akwa Ibom Governor ’s Lodge in Continues on Page 11

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

N70,000 mysteriously turns to pieces of paper

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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BUJA — PENSION money withdrawn from a second generation bank by a 24-year-old woman for the upkeep of his ailing father mysteriously turned to pieces of newspapers after she alighted from a commercial taxi in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

The woman who pleaded anonymity told Vanguard that she had gone to the bank located at Murtala Muhammed Highway, Calabar Road, to withdraw N70,000.00 but later discovered to her surprise that the money which she wrapped in a black cellophane bag before boarding a taxi had turned to pieces of paper.

The bewildered lady while narrating the incident to policemen on duty and concerned commuters amidst tears, said after making the withdrawal she boarded the taxi to Watt Market to buy some items.

According to her, after the withdrawal she stopped a commercial taxi with four passengers behind and one in front and she was asked by the driver to squeeze herself in the front seat.

As she was about to enter the front seat, a male in front came down for her to go in. Not suspecting anything, she entered and sat close to the driver, while the male passenger entered and sat by the door.

She said: “When I got in, the other man followed and was telling me to adjust. The driver, in pretext of helping me to sit well kept pulling my left hand that held the black polythene bag containing the money.

“In a short while, the driver said there was no space for me, that I should alight. Moments after I alighted, after the car had zoomed off, I experienced coldness when i realised that the polythene bag was now lighter” The woman further said to clear her doubt, she reached for the bag only to discover that her father’s pension money had turned to pieces of paper.

She said she immediately stopped another taxi to go after the earlier one and when she could not catch up with it, she stopped and reported the matter to policemen.

She told Vanguard that she was afraid of telling her ailing father what happened, saying the father might drop dead.

To salvage the situation, she said she decided to borrow the money from her friend with the hope of paying back latter.

5 NECO candidates, 13 others killed in fresh Boko Haram attacks

BY NDAHI MARAMA

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AIDUGURI— BARELY 24 hours after gunmen, suspected to be Boko Haram members, Sunday night, killed seven students and two teachers of Government Secondary School, Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, five students and 13 civilians were, Monday, killed in separate attacks by suspected Boko Haram sect in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Our correspondent gathered that five of the students killed were writing the ongoing National Examination Council, NECO, examinations when the gunmen stormed Ansarudin, a private primary/secondary school in Jajeri ward of the metropolis and opened fire in the hall, few minutes after the examination started.

An eye witness who pleaded anonymity for security reasons told Vanguard that one of the victims was impersonating a candidate as he was writing the exams for somebody else, before he met his untimely death at about 3pm when the gunmen struck.

13 others killed in Maiduguri In a related development, about 13 people, including fishermen and tea vendors, were

killed around the Alau Dam situated on the outskirts of Maiduguri by suspected sect members.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the gunmen ambushed the people around the dam and before opening fire, they told their victims: “You are those exposing our activities to security agencies.

Today your days are over, as we will kill all of you.”

It would be recalled that a week ago, some youths on a volunteer mission arrested several members of the sect in Hausari, Gwange, among other areas of Maiduguri and handed them over to the JTF before they were killed.

Alau Dam is one of the biggest dams and a treatment plant that supplies water to people of Maiduguri and its environs. It also supplies vast agricultural land for irrigation for farming around the riverine areas.

Those killed included some youths of Gwange ward of the metropolis who went to Alau Dam to buy fish for their domestic consumption.

A resident of Gwange and a nieghbour to one of the victims, Mallam Mohammed Musa, said: “Yes, one of my neighbours was among the 13 people killed by suspected Boko Haram in Alau Dam on Monday. It was yesterday after Magrip prayers

that the news of the killings filtered into the community. I just came to report in the office before going back home to attend the burial.”

Residents express fears Meanwhile, some residents of Maiduguri have expressed fears over the fresh killings, and called on the security agencies to allow GSM operators resume their services after a month of total blackout.

Mallam Ibrahim Modu and Mamman Elbadawi said since the declaration of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, the JTF ordered the closure of all telecommunication services and the blockage of some major federal roads to tame the Boko Haram.

He added, however, that the killings of innocent people have continued unabated in the state, citing the recent Yobe and Borno killings.

A top security official who do not want his name mentioned as he was not authorized to speak, in an interview confirmed the separate attacks and killings in Borno State.

He said apart from the killing of the NECO candidates and the 13 people in Alau Dam, another female NECO official/supervisor was lynched by the suspected

2012 flood victims from Bauchi State waiting to cash their relief money at a bank in Bauchi, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Man docked for allegedly poisoning own son

BY PETER DURU

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AKURDI — A 21year-old man, John Terver, has been arrested by the Police in Makurdi for allegedly poisoning the food of his three-year-old son, Aondoyima Terver, which led to the death of the toddler.

Terver, an automobile panel beater, hails from Zaki Biam in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

Arraigning the suspect at a Makurdi Magistrate's Court, the police prosecutor, Patrick Sunday, informed the court that one Samuel Tihi had on May 30, 2013 reported to the police in Zaki Biam that the accused allegedly gave the deceased a poisonous substance suspected to be a local insecticide known as wiper which led to his death.

He explained that following police investigation, the accused was arrested and charged to

court for culpable homicide.

No plea was taken for want of jurisdiction. However, the prosecutor informed the court that investigation into the matter was in progress and asked for another date for hearing.

In her ruling, the trial magistrate, Mrs. Lillian Tsumba, ordered that the accused be remanded in the Makurdi Federal Prison and adjourned the case to July 23, 2013.

Boko Haram sect while on her way to administer questioneers to candidates in one of the schools in the metropolis.

Youths nab suspected sect member Meantime, youths in Bulumkutu area of the metropolis have captured one of the suspected Boko Haram sect member, yesterday, in their community and handed him over to the JTF. However, irked by the arrest of dozens of their members in Borno and Yobe States in the last two weeks, members of the sect, yesterday, declared hostilities against youths in Borno and Yobe States.

The group, which said it was waging a war against the Nigerian State to establish a Sharia legal system said in addition to killing the police, soldiers, other security operatives, politicians and other symbols of authority, the group has added youths to the list of their targets for assassination.

Boko Haram declares war on youths Our correspondent reports that angered by the lingering crises that crippled social and economic life in Borno and Yobe States as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency, hundreds of youths have organised themselves into vigilance groups, captured scores of insurgents and handed them over to security operatives.

Abu Zinnira, the acclaimed spokesman of the Boko Haram said in a statement to newsmen in Maiduguri that they will also launch manhunt of their hunters (youths) who go by the name ‘Civilian JTF.’ According to him, “we have established that youths in Borno and Yobe States are now against our course. They have connived with security operatives and are actively supporting the government of Nigeria in its war against us. We have also resolved to fight back.“

Youths promise to fight back However, some of the youths who promised to fight the Boko Haram insurgents in Maiduguri said they would not be deterred in carrying out their mission and there would be no going back.

One of the leaders of the youth groups said: “What the Boko Haram said is an empty threat because the time of war of terror, war of attrition and killing of innocent people with impunity is over. We, the youths have resolved to take our destiny in our hands and will continue hunting the insurgents.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013—7

Navy arrests 6 alleged fake personnel in Lagos zWe are Merchant Navy —Suspects L

BY EVELYN USMAN

AGOS — THE Nigerian Navy has arrested six persons, among them, a student of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, FCFMT, who were allegedly parading themselves as naval personnel, in Apapa area of Lagos.

Also, the navy has described as untrue, reports that its personnel shot students of FCFMT during a recent clash in Victoria Island.

The suspects, clad in naval uniform, were reportedly arrested in a hideout around Marine Road, Apapa.

Briefing newsmen on their arrest, Commander, NNS Beecroft, Commodore Chris Ezekobe, said the arrest which was the second in the last one month, became necessary following activities of some persons using navy uniform to harass people within Lagos metropolis.

He said on May 26, 2013, there was a fracas between two ratings and a student of FCFMT identified as Abayomi Ajose, in Victoria Island, where a rating and the student sustained injury. He said the student was taken to the naval dockyard, Victoria Island, for treatment, an action his colleagues said was to be an arrest.

Ezekobe said: “The students came in large numbers, barricaded the Ahmadu Bello Way, threw stones and other missiles at the senior Naval officers' quarters. This action caused a lot of damage to the areas, as a result of which a detachment of OP MESSA was invited to disperse them. But they continued to cause more damage while obstructing traffic along the major road. It was then the security team shot into

the air, resulting in a stampede that injured three students.”

Board of inquiry Following the incident, he said a board of inquiry comprising the Navy, the Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Victoria Island, Special Assistant on security to the Eti-osa Local Government and Deputy Provost, Academics of the FCFMT was set up to investigate the cause of the fracas.

However, the committee’s findings, he said, revealed an alleged high rate of atrocities being committed at the school and the approval of a cadet corps for Merchant Navy training as well as facilitating issuance of Navy identity cards to the students.

He said: “The students have among them a Commanding Of-

ficer and other officers that appear in uniforms of the Nigerian Navy personnel. They dress in Naval uniform which are often used in committing atrocities all over Lagos.”

Consequently, a raid was carried out at the school premises last month, during which 53 persons were arrested, with the recovery of a tailor shop where naval uniforms and accoutrements were sewn.

We are Merchant Navy —Suspects But the suspects told newsmen that they were Merchant Navy personnel. When asked why they were clad in Naval uniform, they claimed that was the uniform given to them by their authorities, adding also that the eagle

and inscription, MN, on their caps and badges differentiated them from Naval personnel.

According to Alao, one of the suspects, “I am a Merchant Navy. I passed out from academy, that is Oceanography. I am a fourth engineer on board a vessel. My last vessel was MT Soloshine, a tanker vessel.

"This problem is national and it's been a long standing one. I have been all over the world. Merchant Navy and the Navy work hand-in-hand but it's not so in Nigeria. We are not of defence navy. One major thing that differentiates us is the gun. While the defence Navy handles weapons, we don’t.”

But on further observation, it was discovered that the rank he was wearing was same as that of a Seaman in the Nigerian Navy.

The suspects as paraded by the Navy

JTF, youths rescue French national from kidnappers

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA — A MISSING 28-year-old French national, Benjamin Élan, working on board a chemical vessel, was yesterday, rescued from the kidnappers' den by operatives of the Joint Task Force code named Operation Pulo Shield in collaboration with youths of Amatu community of Bayelsa State in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Élan, the chief officer of the ship was among the missing 15 crew of the chemical tanker, Adour, was attacked by suspected pirates June 13, 2013, some 30 nautical miles off Lome, Togo.

The chemical tanker was said to have discharged the cargo of STS into the port and left when suspected pirates struck, took control of the ship and changed its course to Ni-

geria.

Vanguard reliably learnt that the chemical tanker is registered in Marseille, France and is owned and operated by the French company Sea Tankers Shipping.

The Commander of the JTF,

Major General Bata Debiro, while presenting the rescued Chief Officer of the ship, Benjamin Élan, to newsmen and officials of the Bayelsa State government led by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Markson Fefegha,

Rescued French national, Benjamin Élan (2nd left) at the JTF headquarters, Opolo, Yenagoa.

in Yenagoa, said he was rescued at Amatu 1 in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.

Reliving his experience, Élan said his abductors were not violent but that he was kept in hiding for six days and was fed with bread and water.

He said as a worker aboard MT Adour he was taken as a shield by the pirates after a team of operatives of the Nigerian Navy and French Marines stormed the hijacked ship.

He said: “The Navy officers negotiated the release of other crew members but due to fear and poor visibility, the pirates held unto me to ensure that they escaped.”

In his remarks, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Fefegha, lauded efforts of officers of the Joint Task force for their proactive moves to stamp out criminality and theft along the waterways and creeks of Bayelsa State.

Marketer, cargo surveyor arraigned over subsidy fraud

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AGOS— MANAGING Di rector of Stonebridge Oil Limited, Samuel Owa was, yesterday, arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos by the Special Fraud Unit, SFU, of the Police over alleged economic crime and fraudulent collection of N1.7 billion fuel subsidy from the Federal Government.

Owa and his company were arraigned alongside Vibrant Ventures Limited and a cargo surveyor with the firm, Olori Onasis Wajutom, on a fourcount charge bordering on the crime.

Both Owa and Wajutom were ordered to be remanded in prison custody pending the hearing of their bail condition scheduled for June 20, 2013.

The prosecutor told Justice Ibrahim Buba in the first count that the accused persons conspired among themselves to commit felony to wit: obtaining money under false pretext from the Federal Government, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, Cap. A6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

In count two, the SFU alleged that the accused fraudulently obtained N1.7 billion from the Federal Government, while in count three, they were said to have falsely claimed to have imported and discharged 15, 000 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol.

The accused persons, pleaded not guilty to the charges, while Justice Buba adjourned till Thursday for hearing of their bail application.

Police arrest nine over murder of NURTW leader

BY OLA AJAYI

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BADAN — THE Oyo State Police Command has arrested nine suspects for alleged involvement in the killing of one of the leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Rafiu Adebayo, in Ibadan.

Adebayo was reportedly killed at Apaana, Foko area on Sunday.

The arrest of the suspects was confirmed, yesterday, by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olabisi Ilobanafor.

The suspects names as given by the police include Kazeem Adegbite, Azeez Adebayo, Saheed Ismaila, Ikudaisi Kudus, Abibu Ogundeji, Adio Saka, Aliyu Adejumo, Saheed Dauda and Kasimu Olaniyi.

8—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

Chevron to divest from three more oil blocs

BY MICHAEL EBOH & ADEBADE ADEJIMI, with Agency Reports

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HEVRON, yesterday, said it was selling 40 percent of its stake in three oil blocs in Nigeria, bringing the number of assets it plans to sell in the country to five. The blocs are OML 52, 53 and 55.

A statement by the company said it would prefer to sell the assets to indigenous oil companies in response to plans by the Federal Government to increase the participation of local companies in the Nigerian oil industry.

Chevron said the disposal will bring down operating costs, improve efficiency and provide other smaller businesses, particularly Nigerian indigenous companies, opportunities to grow.

It said: “Chevron remains committed to Nigeria, especially as we have been in the country for more than 50 years.”

The company did not state the reserves held in the blocs or what it expects to earn from the sales.

However, sources said Chevron’s share of the five blocs would amount to reserves of around 200 to 250 million barrels of combined crude oil and condensate.

The sources disclosed that the company had already contracted French bank, BNP Paribas, to handle the sale of the blocs The sources further noted that First Hydrocarbon Nigeria had already expressed interest in acquiring at least one of the blocs.

Couple of weeks ago, Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Petrobras, announced plans to sell off its stake in some Nigerian oil blocs valued at $5 billion or N795 billion.

The planned divestment of N795 billion is about 16 percent of Nigeria’s 2013 budget, which is N4.98 trillion.

That is more than power, works, health, agricultural and rural development's allocation.

THE PRESIDENT & PDP: From left— President Goodluck Jonathan; Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman, and Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, Chief of Staff to the President, at the meeting between the President and the national executive members of PDP ahead of its caucus meeting and the National Working Committee meeting at Aso Villa, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Abayomi Adeshida.

UTME: Institutions review admission slots to 704,000 1.7m wrote exam, 738,375 beat cut-off

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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BUJA—TERTIARY institutions across the country, yesterday, declared that they could only admit 704,000 students out of more than 740,000 candidates who are qualified to be given admission for the 2013/2014 academic year having scored 200 and above.

Out of the 1,735,720 candidates that registered for this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, 1,540,179 candidates had their results released as 738,375 candidates have already crossed the 200 marks bar, even as the results of the 36,000 candidates that wrote computer-based tests have not been made public.

This came as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, and National Universities Commission, NUC, vowed to vet post-matriculation admissions.

The institutions also debated the cut-off mark for this year’s admission after a rowdy argument at the 4th Combined Policy Committee meeting held at NUC headquarters in Abuja.

Cut-off marks reviewed

They arrived at 180 for degree-awarding institutions, while the cut-off mark for nondegree awarding institutions was pegged at 150 from 160 to encourage candidates to opt

for polytechnics and colleges of education.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, made the disclosures, yesterday, at the NUC headquarters, stressing that the admission capacity of tertiary institutions in the country had been raised to 704,000, from the initial 500,000.

Ojerinde said the board and NUC had to deal with the problem of admission of excess students for which the Federal Government was often pushed into a tight corner.

Admission deadline

He warned the institutions to stick to the deadline of October 31 for admission of students and cautioned that any student admitted outside the deadline would not graduate from the institutions.

He said: “I wish to remind

you formally that all admissions will come to an end by October 31. All institutions are hereby called upon to adhere strictly to this date as late submissions will not be entertained.

“We have discovered that some universities and other institutions comply with admission deadline, while some others do not comply and up till date they are still admitting students.”

He said that the scores of 180 and 160 were adopted last year as cut-off point, but was thrown open for institutions to agree on before adoption in the 2013/2014 year.

However, the debate on the cut-off for this year generated heated argument, but the institutions unanimously agreed to peg the cut-off mark at 180 for universities and 150 for nondegree awarding institutions.

Reasons for marks review

The institutions based their argument on the graph shown to them by JAMB, indicating that candidates preferred universities to polytechnics and colleges of education.

They argued that to encourage candidates to seek admissions in polytechnics and colleges of education, there was need to bring down the cutoff mark to 150 for non-degree awarding institutions.

Ojerinde reminded the institutions of the mandatory guidelines on admission, pegging criteria for merit at 45 percent, catchment, 35 and educationally less-developed states, ELDS, 20 for Federal Government-owned institutions.

For state-owned institutions, merit was put at 40 percent, catchment 40 and ELDS 20.

CBN extends deadline on Know Your Customer

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE & PETER EGWUATU

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ENTRAL Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, extended, by eight months, the deadline for banks and other financial institutions to comply with Know-Your-Customer, KYC, requirements.

Meanwhile, value of shares listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange, NSE, fell by N19.4 billion yesterday due to decline in the share price of 33

companies.

Additional KYC requirements are in respect to bureaux de change, hotels, law firms, accounting firms and consulting firms referred to as Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions, DNFBPs. CBN announced the extension in a circular to all banks and financial institutions signed by Mr. A. Ikem for the Acting Director, Financial Policy and Regulation department.

The circular was entitled Additional Know Your Customer, KYC, requirement in respect of Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions, DNFBPs— Extension of deadline.

It read in part: “In consideration of some challenges encountered by Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, CBN has decided to further extend the second deadline of April 30 by eight months to December 31.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 — 9

Vanguard's Publisher decries child abuse

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

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AGOS—PUBLISHER of Vanguard newspaper, Mr. Sam Amuka, yesterday, reaffirmed his organisation’s commitment to fight child sex abuse in the country, even as Mrs. Kuburat Okoya, wife of industrialist, Razaq Okoya, said the trend had become a silent epidemic.

Addressing participants during the 5th edition of Vanguard’s Children’s Annual Conference that attracted over 40 schools in Lagos, Mr. Amuka noted that since inception of the programme five years ago, the company has been choosing topics that would advance the cause and welfare of the Nigerian child, especially in curbing child sex abuse.

Represented by Mr. Fred Odueme, Assistant General Manager, Brands, the Publisher said the programme was a way of partnering with children, who are the leaders of tomorrow and therefore, need to be properly brought up.

He said this year’s topic, Role of Teachers in Curbing Child Abuse, was because of the very important roles that teachers play in the lives of children in the society.

Tradition, culture not helping— Okoya

On her part, Mrs. Okoya, special guest at the programme, said: “Child sexual abuse occurs all over the world. But its phenomenal growth over the years in Nigeria leaves much to be desired.

“Do you know that up to onethird of adolescent girls report their first sexual experience as being forced? Sadly enough, tradition and culture have prevented such cases from being appropriately addressed and ultimately taken seriously.

“Sexual abuse of children and public health issue is a silent endemic, which has long term negative effects on the victims.”

She outlined some of the effects to include severe distress, fear, shame, stigmatisation, discrimination and other physical and psychological health issues, which may affect victims throughout their lifetime.

Kiddies Editor speaks

Mrs. Funmi Ajimobi, Vanguard’s Kiddies Editor, who conceived the idea five years ago, said the programme was primarily started to address the increasing cases of child sex abuse in the country.

She added that within the last five years, the annual event had concentrated on creating awareness on how children could protect themselves.

She said: “Child abuse is very

It's a silent epidemic— Okoya rampant in the country and that is why we embarked on this programme to create awareness so that young people especially, could learn to protect themselves.

“I believe that since inception, there has been more awareness, because most young people now know

what to do when they are abused. I also believe there have been more improvements in the situation.”

Participants react

Some participating students, who spoke to Vanguard, said they had become more aware of the different

kinds of abuses and how to protect themselves.

Rukey Stella, from Rybeka Model College, said: “I have learnt that we should not allow anyone to kill our dreams and that there are different kinds of abuses and I am now better informed on how to protect myself.”

Roll call

Some of the dignitaries at the event were Chief Olufunmilayo Adesegun, wife of the Deputy Governor of Ogun State; Prof. Tunde Babawele, Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation, CBAAC, and Deacon Olatunji Belo, Chairman Pearlcourt Residences and Hotels Ltd.

DEMOCRACY CONFAB: From left— Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives; Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Senate President, at the closing ceremony of the International Conference on Emerging Democracies in Africa, in Abuja, yesterday.

There 'll be adequate funds for Lagos-Ibadan, Apapa-Oshodi roads— Tambuwal

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

S

PEAKER of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, has assured that lawmakers would ensure adequate funds for the fixing of the LagosIbadan Expressway in the 2014 budget.

He also promised to liaise with other Federal lawmakers to find solutions to the deteriorating Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, the gateway to the nation’s major seaports that had become an eyesore with recurring traffic snarl in recent times.

Tambuwal, who also assured that the legislators would pass the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, in the interest of the country, spoke yesterday after delivering the quarterly business lecture of the Island Club, at Onikan, Lagos.

Asked what the lawmakers were doing to ensure that the Lagos-Ibadan Highway was not jinxed, he said: “The Federal Government had some

issues with Bi-Courtney.

"When the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo gave the contract for the repairing of the road to BiCourtney, it was done in good faith believing that an indigenous company from South-West will know the importance of the road.

"But Bi-Courtney ran into problems. Now the issues have been resolved and the Federal Government has awarded the contract to Julius Berger.

"The National Assembly will support adequate funding for that project once we receive the 2014 budget."

On PIB

On the PIB, he said the bill had successfully gone through second reading contrary to fears in various quarters.

He said: “We have set up a committee to conduct a hearing and they have finished zonal hearings and by July, they will finish the hearing in Abuja and submit

their report.

"We hope to pass the bill in the interest of the country.”

Told that Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr Goodluck Jonathan, at various times, delivered the Island Club lecture and later became presidents, Tambuwal said: “The future is very bright for Nigeria.

"I hope the country will witness true development in 2015 that will usher in a formidable team that will turn around the fortunes of Nigeria."

His lecture

Earlier in his lecture, entitled The Legislature and the Growth of Our Democracy, the Speaker anchored the deepening of democracy in the country on strengthening of the legislature.

Noting that military governments also implemented good projects, he said dividends of democracy should be seen as the promotion, protection and guaranteeing of personal freedoms

and liberties.

He said: “There is no way that democracy can thrive unless the three arms of government respect their constitutionally-assigned roles and cooperate for the benefit of our country.

"As members of the House of Representatives, we shall continue to work towards the sustenance of our hardearned democracy for the benefit of our people.

“More than anything else, democracy demands two things: sovereignty of the people and equality before the law.

"The people cannot be said to be sovereign unless their interests become the foremost reason for governance.

"And this cannot happen unless the arm of government, which represents them, exercises the latitude to do its work without threat or blackmail.

"We have just celebrated 14 years of uninterrupted democracy, but the hangover of decades of military rule continue to slow our progress."

10—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

Few subscribers use Internet data — Report

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AGOS — ONLY 34,471,520 customers out of the 114.172 million active subscribers on the Global System for Mobile Communications, GSM, networks use data, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports.

The Internet Subscriber Data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, on its website showed that 79,700,920 subscribers were yet to use data on the Internet as at the first quarter of 2013.

NBA’s Law Week focuses on administration of justice

Mogaji: More condolences pour in for Tinubu

.Market women, men shut down businesses in her honour

BY CHARLES KUMOLU & BASHIR ADEFAKA

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AGOS — ASSOCIATES of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu have condoled with him on the death of his mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.

Mogaji, died on Saturday evening at her Ikeja residence at the age of 96 and was buried on Sunday at a private cemetery in Ikoyi. The third day Fidau prayer was held yesterday.

This was even as all major markets in Lagos metropolis were, yesterday, shut in honour of the late Mogaji who was the Iyaloja-General of the state.

The development followed the partial closure which was observed on Monday, when

several markets were shut in her honour.

Reactions to the death of Mogaji came from the former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige; former Deputy Governor, old Ondo State, Dr. Musa Adebayo Ayeni; Senator Ehigie Uzamere, ACN, Edo South); Reps member, Abike DabiriErewa, (ACN, Ikorodu) and former member of the House of Representatives and ACN chieftain, Hon. Temi Harriman, as well as the National Union of Textile Workers.

In a letter addressed to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and personally signed by Dr. Ngige, who represents Anambra Central Senatorial District at the Senate, the late market leader was described as a “virtuous woman of hon-

our and of many parts.”

Ngige stated that Mogaji “was a mother to all; who showered love, compassion, wise counsels and impacted her sense of purpose and tenacity on everyone she came across.

“Even in the face of adversity, she always stood tall and maintained her dignity. She was a woman of deep faith and a great organiser and community leader, who led the Association of Nigerian Market Men and Women as its President-General.

“She selflessly gave her time, energy and acute thinking for the welfare of the association.”

Also, Senator Uzamere praised her for living a very good life, while Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in her own tribute said: “She was a mother par excellence. I knew her from my days at the NTA, and my mother

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

L

AGOS — THE Lagos branch of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, yesterday, said that this year’s annual Law Week would afford judges and members of the legal profession the opportunity to exchange ideas on the administration of justice in the state.

Dignitaries expected at the event include: Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola SAN; constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Mr. Ade Ipaje; the former NBA President, Mr. Bayo Ojo and former NBA Chairman, Olisa Agbakoba, SAN. Briefing newsmen in Lagos, the Chairman, organising Committee, Mrs. Tolani Edu said the theme for the 2013 Law Week is, ‘Corruption, Insecurity, Ethics and The Legal Profession,’ while former Vice Chancellor, University of Ado-Ekiti, Professor Akin Oyebode and Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN, are to deliver papers on “Money Laundering Vs the Legal Profession.”

The annual Law Week will hold between Sunday, June 23 and Thursday June 27, 2013 in Lagos,

MEETING: From left, Engr. Jide Adeniji, Chairman, FERMA (Osun Delegate); Sen. Isiaka Adeleke, former governor, Osun State, and Chief Ayo Fayose, former governor, Ekiti State, during the South West PDP Stakeholders’ Meeting, in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe

I am your property, Tambuwal tells Jonathan

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA — A MILD drama played out at the meeting of members of the caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday when Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal described himself as ‘property ‘of the President.

Tambuwal has been conspicuously absent from major federal governmentorganized events while showing up in those organized by the opposition.

At the meeting of the caucus of the party at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, President Goodluck Jonathan who held Speaker Tambuwal’s hand asked the Speaker where he had been all along, and Tambuwal, while laughing,

answered: “I am your property Mr President. I am not hiding.”

The caucus meeting, which started at about 9 pm had in attendance Vice-President, Muhammad Namadi Sambo, the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who according to the constitution of the party is expected to preside over all national caucus meetings of the party, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, some principal officers of the National Assembly and Chairman of the party ’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih.

Other members of the party like the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia, representing the South-East;

the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke and her counterpart in the ministry of transport, Senator Idris Umar were also present.

The new members of the party’s caucus got drafted into the group via a letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, February 27.

The duties of the national caucus, according to the party’s constitution include the harmonisation of the relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government and the co-ordination of their activities and those of the party.

It also has the function of considering, reviewing and advising on policies and programmes of government.

A quorum of the national caucus can be formed when twothirds of its members are in attendance.

also had a shop and she was under her leadership. I covered her activities as a member of staff of NTA and I am ever so amazed at her wealth of knowledge and experience.”

“We thank God for her life, she lived a great life, a worthy mother and a strong and committed woman. I think if you say you are celebrating women, Alhaja Mogaji is a foremost woman to be celebrated because she trained a lot of people all over the world.

“Whatever she said was almost always well thought out and she lived a life of pride and admiration.”

Harriman in her own tribute said: “She lived an illustrious life for the public good, starting out as a formidable trader in consumer goods, which led to the enduring and successful leadership of the Lagos Market Women as the pioneer President-General.

“As I celebrate her life and her remarkable achievements, I pray to Almighty God for her peaceful repose.”

To the former Ondo State deputy governor, Musa Ayeni, late Majaji was a genius. In his message, he recalled how much involved Alhaja Mogaji was in the struggle for the growth and development of commerce and ensuring religious harmony in Nigeria.

“Alhaja Habibat Magaji was a great Nigerian leader in commerce and religion.

When I was at the University of Ife, I led a delegation to commend her for her contribution towards building of the university mosque, she not only gave her full support and contribution, but also, encouraged others to also do. Her positive attitude towards religious harmony and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians would forever be missed therefore,” Ayeni added.

Meanwhile, a News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, correspondent who visited some major markets in the metropolis reports that all shops and stalls were locked.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 —11

S/West PDP endorses Jonathan for second term .Passes vote of confidence on Tukur, NWC .Appoints Obasanjo grand patron

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

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AGOS — THE South West Zone of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term in office, noting that he is constitutionally entitled to seek reelection.

It also appointed former President Olusegun Obasanjo as grand patron of the party in the zone, even as it constituted a stakeholders’ council under the Chairmanship of Senator Lekan Balogun.

Disclosing these, yesterday, in Lagos at The South West Stakeholders’ Forum, the party passed a vote of confidence in its National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and National Working Committee, NWC. Those at the event include: Senator Seye Ogunlewe, Chief Ishola Filani, Chief Ayo Fayose, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, Mrs. Mobolaji Osomo, Alhaja Salmat Badru, Chief Tayo Dairo, Mrs. Aduke Maina, Dr. Olu Alabi, among others.

A communique issued at the end of the forum, said, ‘’after carefully X-raying the leadership qualities and transformation efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan and in view of the fact that he is constitutionally qualified to seek re-election, the Forum hereby unanimously endorses him for a second term in 2015 ‘’The Forum hereby unani-

mously passes a vote of confidence in the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President, the leadership roles of the National Chairman, the National Working Committee ,NWC, the Zonal Caretaker Committee and the State Executive Committees in the Southwest.’’

It further said, ‘’the Forum hereby resolves to henceforth work as a united entity for the success of the party in all the forthcoming elections in Nigeria, commencing from 2014 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states to the presidential and other elections in 2015.

“The Forum appreciates the appointments made so far in

the Southwest by Mr. President but pleaded that further appointments be routed through the party. ‘’The Southwest PDP appreciates the support of Mr. President, National Chairman and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) in fostering peace and unity in our party in the Southwest.

“The Forum commends the President on the measures so far taken in combating the current security challenges in the country. The Forum hereby approves the setting up of PDP Southwest Stakeholders’ Council under Senator Lekan Balogun.’’

Earlier the Zonal Caretaker Committee Chairman, Filani,

said the newly constituted council would be a major player in the party’s march towards regaining power in the zone. ‘’Since the inauguration of the caretaker committee, it has identified the challenges facing the party in the zone, we also worked hard to identify the areas of conflict in the different state chapters.

“Towards this end, we have sent visitation panels to all the six states of the zone and I am happy to say that not only have all the reports been submitted, a review panel has worked on them and submitted its report.

“We are now set to implement recommendations. I am confident that when implemented, our party will witness the re-

AGREEMENT: Ms. Jean Gough, Country Representative, UNICEF Nigeria and Mr. Akin Fanimokun, EVP Technology & Operations, FirstBank, exchanging agreement documents, during the UNICEF and FirstBank signing ceremony that flagged off the formal commitment to disburse funds to women in rural areas via the bank's mobile money service FirstMonie, at the FirstBank’s head office, in Lagos.

birth which we badly need,’’ he noted.

In addition, he said, ‘’One of the ways of actualising our objective is to create appropriate organs which would assist the zonal committee to do its work more effectively.

“Towards this end, the Southwest PDP Stakeholders’ Forum, which we are inaugurating today, will be a major player in the party’s match towards regaining power in the zone, particularly, as we approach the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states’’

Oyo community cries out over indigenes’ killings

BY OLA AJAYI

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BADAN — FOLLOWING the killing of seven indigenes of Iseyin last Saturday by some suspected armed robbers, residents of the city have petitioned security agencies in the state to help them check the recurring attacks.

People of Iseyin in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State lamented their ordeals in the hands of the men of the underworld who send promising sons of the town to their untimely graves.

The robbers were said to have blocked the bus in which the victims were travelling along Iseyin/ Maya road at the weekend.

It was gathered that the driver of the bus, in an attempt to escape with his passengers, reportedly hit one of the robbers.

This, according to a source, infuriated the robbers who were said to have immediately opened fire on the occupants of the bus.

The incident propelled a socio- cultural organisation- Iseyin Elders Council to call on the security agencies in the state to protect them against future attack.

Speaking through its Secretary, Alhaji Bolaji Kareem, the council pleaded for increase in the number of security operatives manning all the roads.

He added that the incident at the weekend was just one of several attacks that they constantly suffer in the hands of robbers and Fulani herdsmen.

PDP CRISIS:

I won't resign — TUKUR Continues from Page 5

Asokoro, Abuja from where they proceeded with the governor to meet with the President.

The outcome of their meeting could not be ascertained last night.

The deputies are campaigning that since there are no provisions for a caretaker committee in the constitution of the party and that based on Section 45 of the 2012 PDP constitution as amended, they should take over.

According to Section 45 (1) of the constitution, ":if a National Officer of the Party is removed or resigns from office, he shall immediately hand over to the National Secretary all records, files and other properties of the Party in his or possession.

(2) In the case of the National Chairman, he shall hand over to the Deputy National Chairman who shall, without prejudice to Section 45(6) of this Constitution, act as the National Chairman pending the election of a replacement.

(3) In the case of National Secretary, he shall hand over to the Deputy National Secretary.

(4) This provision shall apply mutatis mutandis to other levels of the Party structure.”

The National Deputy officers of party are Senator Umaru Tsauri, Deputy National Auditor; Mrs Hannatu Ullam, Deputy National Women Leader; Dr. Okey Nnaedozie, Deputy National Organising Secretary; Binta Masi Garba, Deputy National Publicity Secretary; Awwalu Gwadabe, Deputy National Financial Secretary; Barrister Mohammed Doho, Deputy National Legal Adviser; Dennis Alonge-Niyi, Deputy National Youth Leader and Clafius Enegesi, Deputy National Treasurer.

Appointees, aides mull situation At the National Secretariat of PDP yesterday, dozens of political appointees and personal aides to the affected NWC members as well as staff of the party were seen in clusters outside their offices discussing in very low tone over the developments.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

Amaechi assures on completion of Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity road zPromises to build tertiary hospitals in the three senatorial zones

BY JIMITOTAONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has again assured that his administration will soon complete the Ogoni Andoni-Opobo-Unity Road project.

Amaechi, who gave the assurance during an inspection of the 42 kilometre road project, noted that the road has 13 bridges, adding that it would connect Opobo town to other parts of the state, expressing the hope that the road would be completed by December this year.

He said that his administration had constructed a road with bridge in Bolo, noting that the road connects other parts of the state.

The governor said: “People can now travel to Bolo by road.

I was very pleased that the people of Bolo can now commute by road. We have done the same thing with the Okrika Ring Road.

“Because we are looking at content, have also employed doctors twice in the health sector. We are looking at our health institution and we have

decided that nobody will go to the secondary health care without passing through the primary health care system. We

are providing as many health care centres as possible, already, we have between 140 and 145 health centres in the state.”

The governor said that he will also build tertiary hospitals in the three senatorial districts of the state and one other in Etche.

MEETING: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (left); Niger Delta Development Minister, Elder Godsday Orubebe (right) and Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan as governors arrived for a consultative meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, before the meeting with a faction of Nigeria Governors' Forum in Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Amnesty office denies withholding ex-militants’ stipends

BY EMMAAMAIZE

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ARRI—THE Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Abuja, has denied the claim that its officials were colluding with some ex-militant leaders to dispossess ex-militants of their monthly stipends.

Head of Media, PAP, Abuja, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, reacting to the allegation by the exmilitants, said “If anybody says that any person in the Amnesty Office is colluding with ex-militant leaders to shortchange him, let him point at the official, so that he will hand over the person to security agents for prosecution.”

He said the position of the Special Adviser to the President of Niger Delta Affairs and

Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr Kingsley Kuku, “is that stipends for ex-militants should be paid into their respective bank accounts and not through intermediaries that is the current practice.”

Alabrah said he was, however, aware based on numerous cases that the office handling some ex-militants in Delta State entered into clandestine arrangement with a certain leader to pay about N15,000 monthly, but there was disagree-

65 N/Delta youths for strategic training cialised courses capable of changThe students’ stay in the UK, is in UK ing the fortunes of their commufunded by the Presidency, which

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BY SONIDANIEL

BUJA—DETERMINED to transform oil-impacted communities in the Niger Delta, the Presidency has dispatched another set of 65 students drawn from the region to the United Kingdom to pursue spe-

nities.

The students, who are to run both undergraduate and post graduate courses in Engineering and related fields, arrived several universities in London, weekend, with some officials from the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs.

Legogie was a true democrat —OSHIOMHOLE

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM &

GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN CITY—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, described the late Deputy Senate President, Senator Albert Legogie, as a true democrat, who gave his all for the growth of Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, Oshiomhole said “news of the death of Senator Legogie came to me as a rude

ment over the matter.

According to him, the Amnesty Office stopped the payment of stipends to the affected ex-militants and their leaders to investigate the cause of disagreement and resolve same.

shock. I offer my personal commiserations and the condolence of the people and Government of Edo State on this sad loss.

“His death is a great loss not only to his family, but also to the people of Edo State, whom he served so devotedly culminating in his emergence as Deputy Senate President in the Third Republic. As an elder statesman, Senator Legogie refused to be constrained by political differences as he

willingly offered his advice on ways to move our dear state forward.

“His death has robbed our state and indeed the country of a true democrat, who gave his all for the enthronement of true democracy in the country. As a democrat, who believed in the welfare of the people and the sanctity of the ballot box, Legogie was at the forefront in the struggle for democracy in the post-military Nigeria.”

is responsible for their tuition, feeding, accommodation and return tickets.

Out of the 65 students, 33 are drawn from Bayelsa State under a scholarship programme said to have been initiated by President Goodluck Jonathan, when he was the governor of the state while the balance of 32 are taken from other states in the Niger Delta.

Addressing the departing students, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, admonished them to stick to the terms and conditions of the scholarship by studying hard to justify the expenditure on them by the Federal Government.

Kuku, who was represented by Mr. Larry Pepple, the Technical Assistant on the Amnesty Programme, warned that any defaulting student would be promptly withdrawn and prosecuted by law enforcement agencies.

Chinese firm to partner Akwa Ibom on Ibaka seaport

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YO—CHINESE Civil Engineering Construction Company, CCECC, has offered to partner Akwa Ibom State Government in the realisation of the Ibaka Deep Seaport project.

Managing Director of the Company in Nigeria, Mr. Shi Bing, when he paid a courtesy visit to the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio in Abuja, was full of praises for the governor for giving the company the opportunity to be involved in road construction in the state, noting that the company was involved in similar projects in other parts of Africa and pledged their readiness to deploy their resources to make the Ibaka project a reality.

Bing said having visited all the states in Nigeria, he could confirm that Akwa Ibom State has the best infrastructural facilities and urged Governor Akpabio to keep up the good work.

In his response, Akpabio thanked the Chinese firm for their interest, saying that it would be fantastic to collaborate with them in the construction of the Ibaka Deep Seaport.

Electorate tasked on credible candidates

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ENIN—A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain in Delta State and former Commissioner for Housing and Water Resources, Dr. Alex Ideh, has urged eligible voters in the state to vote credible candidate in the fast approaching elections, saying that the 2015 general elections will be very challenging.

Speaking when he played host to a political pressure group, G25 Assembly at his residence in Benin City, Edo State, he also advised the electorate not to accept any nonsense from their leaders or the older politicians.

He urged them to always scrutinise policies of aspirants before casting their votes for such candidates.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 — 13

C M Y K

14—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

Anambra to purchase Achebe's text books for students

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BY VINCENT UJUMADU

WKA—ANAMBRA State government plans to purchase the late Professor Chinua Achebe’s books for all secondary school students in the state The books include “Things Fall Apart”; “Arrow of God”; “No Longer At Ease”; and “There was A Country.”

Governor Peter Obi, who announced the decision in Awka, said government would also establish a writing school in the state as a way encouraging the young ones to develop interest in reading and writing.

The governor explained that he had already held discussions with the traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu in Orumba North Local Government Area, Igwe Chukwuemeka Ike, a professor, and another astute writer on the modalities to set up the school.

Obi said the purchase of the books was part of measures to put the children on the right track to the return of quality education in the state.

Nsukka loses N20m monthly to ghost teachers

BY CHINENYEH OZOR

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SUKKA—NSUKKA Lo cal Government Council in Enugu State has admitted losing N20 million monthly to ghost primary school teachers.

Mr. Tony Ugwu, chairman of the council, disclosed this at a briefing, saying that although the council discovered the ungodly racket recently, everything was being done to nip the development in the bud.

Ugwu noted that the scam, which had been in the system of the council for long, had bloated the number of primary school teachers in the local government area.

According to him, this prompted the council to spend over N80 million on wages of primary school teachers at the detriment of capital projects.

Ugwu said: “We have recorded reasonable progress in our efforts to combat the unfortunate syndrome before the tenure of this administration elapses by December this year so that the next administration would not suffer what we suffered".

C M Y K

Nigeria has over 1,499 illegal entry routes — INTERIOR MINISTER

BY VICTORIA OJEME & RUTH ODINIYA

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B U J A — INTERIOR Minister, Abba Moro, yesterday, disclosed that there were over 1,499 irregular/illegal and 84 regular/legal officially identified entry routes into the country.

Moro said Nigeria has witnessed several instances where foreigners crossed the borders and perpetrated various types of crime, including terrorism.

He said as a result, 10,401 Nigeriens, Beninois and Camerounian, amongst others, were refused entry, while 8,337 Nigeriens were repatriated.

Moro, who made these disclosure at the Ministerial Platform of the Ministry of Interior in Abuja, said that Nigeria Immigration Service would soon commence construction of border control plazas to strengthen effective surveillance around the nation’s borders

He said the decision had become necessary to help the service in monitoring movement around the borders as Nigeria could not successfully monitor and survey its vast borders without the cooperation of neighbouring countries.

He added that electronic

passenger registration facilities were also being provided at land borders, adding that mobile border patrol units are being strengthened for effective surveillance.

He said the NIS was collaborating with state governments and other security agencies to ease out, on a reg-

ular basis, foreigners without valid travel documents.

He further disclosed that the bill to amend the Prison Act had passed through the second reading at the National Assembly, explaining that “this will ease the challenges of congestion in Nigeria Prisons”.

VISIT—From left: Mr Omede Charles, Media Liaison officer, Children Living with Cancer Foundation; Mrs Ify Nwajagu, Coordinator, Children Living with Cancer Foundation; and Dr. Nneka Nwoobi Founder, Children Living with Cancer Foundation during the Foundation's visit to Vanguard Newspapers Ltd in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Shola Oyelese.

Reps slam contractor, order him to resume work on abandoned Ikorodu-Sagamu road

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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AGOS—THE House of Rep resentatives Committee on Works, yesterday, asked a contractor, Impresit Bakolori Plc, that abandoned Ikorodu-Sagamu road for two years to activate the contractual agreements or face the wrath of the law.

Chairman of the Committee, Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, said this during an inspection of the road.

Ozombgachi, who led a 16member team to inspect South West federal roads, said the era of abandoned contracts had come to an end as it would no longer be condoned in Nigeria.

He told the Managing Director of the contracting firm, Mr Emilio Magoni, that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, asked the team to inspect this very important road, based on a petition written by the community dwellers.

He said: “You said you abandoned this project because of management crisis. We won’t take that reason from you. Your company must complete this project immediately because you have delayed the good people of this area who petitioned our speaker.”

Apparently short of words, all

Mr Magoni, the contractor could say was that he was not aware of what led to the management crisis but promised that his firm would complete the road as soon as possible.

Ozomgbachi also wanted companies in the country to execute Federal Government contracts with a sense of obligation to Nigerians.

The inspection by the committee was part of its oversight

functions on all on-going federal road projects in the SouthWest.

The Ikorodu-Sagamu road rehabilitation contract was awarded in 2009 to Impresit Bakolori at the cost of over N3.3 billion but was abandoned a year later after the company received over N687 million mobilisation.

The completion date of the contract had elapsed since May 17, 2011, and this did not go down

well with members of the committee.

The company, which returned to site last month, promised to complete the project latest April next year.

Members of the committee on arrival in Lagos, had earlier inspected the on-going rehabilitation of access road to Apapa Tin Can Island Port, NNPC Depot Atlas Cove in Lagos, as well as Apapa-Oshodi expressway.

Be patient with Jonathan, cleric urges Nigerians

BY OKONKWO EZE

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NEWI—ANGLICAN cleric, Bishop Ephraim Ikeakor, yesterday urged Nigerians to be patient with President Goodluck Jonathan in his efforts to transform Nigeria through his Transformation Agenda.

Ikeakor said Jonathan’s midterm report had shown that the President had set a standard and a record no other had done.

Speaking at the end of this year’s second synod of the Anglican Diocese of Amichi at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church,

Umudim, Amichi, Nnewi, Anambra State, Bishop Ikeakor declared: “In Nigeria, we have a problem which is impatience.

The cleric said: “By January 2014, Nigeria would clock 100 years and how do you think what was destroyed for 88 years could be fixed in 14 years?

“Jonathan had just presented his mid-term report and asked Nigerians to judge him but before he finished the speech, many have started criticizing and waving his report aside without any parameter.

“In Nigeria we don’t give people chance. Whatever anyone does we criticize but I insist that President Jonathan has done

what no man, no other leader has done in the country.

“He has equally improved on what former President Olusegun Obasanjo did while in office. I suspect the opposition wants to penetrate the leading party and destabilize it. PDP really needs an inhouse cleansing if they would win the 2015 election.

“I think President Jonathan and his cabinet are doing well. And from what I passed through, leading men that are heaven-bound with impeccable characters, then you think of what the President is passing through leading godly and ungodly men. If not for Boko Haram, President Jonathan would have gone far.”

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013—15

5TH VANGUARD CHILDREN'S CONFERENCE

From left: Mr Fred Odueme, Assistant General Manager (Brands) Vanguard Newspaper; Mrs Gloria Chioma-Ibe, Director, Centre For Black African Arts and Civilization, CBAAC; Mrs. Olufunmilayo Adesegun, wife of the Deputy Governor of Ogun State; and Mrs. Kuburat Razak Okoya, mother of the day at the 5th Annual Vanguard Children's Conference at LTV House in Lagos.

Pix: Lamidi Bamidele.

From left: Mr Frederick Rapu; Mr Dosunmu Akeem, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Sports; Deaconess Olatunji Bello; Mr Sunday Ogunrinde, Senior Special Assistant to Gov Fashola on Youth and Social Devt.; Mrs Gloria Chioma-Ibe, Director, CBAAC; Mrs Kuburat Rasak Okoya; Mrs Olufunmilayo Adesegun, wife of the Ogun State Deputy Governor; Mrs Funmi Ladele, Director and Mrs Ndidi Aimienwawu, Dep Director, both of CBACC, with participating students.

Pupils of Ola and Ayo Nursery and Primary School, Anthony Village led by Mrs Titi Segun-Ojo.

Pupils of Normandie Nursery and Primary School, Surulere led by Mr Ajewole Mayowa.

3-DAY FIDAU PRAYERS FOR LATE ALHAJA ABIBATU MOGAJI

Dr. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment (left) presenting a condolence letter from President Goodluck Jonathan to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (2nd left); General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) (middle); Justice Usman Muhammad (rtd) (2nd right); and Alhaji Tanko Almakura, Nassarawa State Governor (right), during the three days Fidau Prayer for Late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, mother of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the TBS, Lagos Island, yesterday.

Pix: Bunmi Azeez.

From left: Justice Latifah Okunnu; Alhaja Fatimah Tinubu and Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

From left: Chief Rasaq Okoya; Senator Ben Obi and Pastor Tunde Bakare.

From left: Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Deputy Governor of Lagos state; Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, First Lady of Lagos State and Mrs. Funso Amosun, First Lady of Ogun State.

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16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

Kaduna Assembly alleges misuse of N560m SURE-P fund

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

K

A D U N A — KADUNA State House of Assembly, KDSHA, yesterday, alleged dubious transactions involving the state’s share of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, including the reported missing N560 million from the fund.

The state Governor, Alhaji Muktar Yero was the Chairman of the SURE-P programme in 2012 when the money was reportedly declared missing.

As the then Deputy Governor, he served as the chairman up till December 15, 2012 when he took over power following the death of his principal, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa.

Suspension of SURE-P activities Following this development, the KDSHA in a unanimous vote, yesterday, suspended the SUREP and its activities in the state, after passing a vote

of no confidence on the then Commissioner for Finance, responsible for the SURE-P implementation, Dr. John Ayuba, before his recent deployment to water resources in a cabinet reshuffle. Dr Ayuba debunked the allegations against him.

The KDSHA at its session yesterday received and adopted a report of its 11member Ad-hoc Committee which investigated the implementation of SURE-P programmes, projects and activities in Kaduna State, chaired by Kantiok Iramiya Ishaku in its reort stated,“The actual receipts by the Kaduna State Government of its share of revenue from Subsidy reduction for the year 2012 stands at N2.24 billion at a monthly rate of N280.398 million from May to December, 2012.

“But there was no receipts for the months of January – March, 2012, and no mention of it was made with regards to the month of April, 2012.

“However, the sum of

N560 million was said to have been received.

“All efforts by the Implementation Committee on SURE-P and the ad-hoc committee of the House to get the actual records of this expenditure from the Commissioner of Finance proved abortive.

“According to the report also, contrary to the advice of the implementation committee on SURE-P’s decision to purchase some Nissan Sunny taxi cabs at at N2.880 million instead of N3.283 million each, the Ministry of Finance went on to purchase same at N2.996, thus incurring a lose of N4.6 million for the 40 taxis purchased.”

He told Vanguard on the telephone yesterday: “I am surprised about this development, because I have never had any inkling that I had an issue with the House of Assembly when I was Commissioner of Finance. We had a meeting with that committee last May with all members of the SURE-P and nobody among them asked me for such details.”

NGF crisis: LP chieftain expresses dismay over Mimiko’s role

BY EMEKA MAMAH

L

AGOS—A member of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Issa Aremu, has expressed dismay over Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s role in connection with the disputed Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF. The election was won by Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State.

He said: “As a member of the NEC of the LP, I am constrained to call on Governor Mimiko to urgently return to the path of social democracy which is the proclaimed ideology of the LP and stop his current unacceptable open patronage of anti-democratic forces within the NGF. ‘’Members of the LP and labour movement (which formed the party) have been grossly embarrassed with the recent role of Governor Mimiko in the election of the Forum’s chairman and its eventual denationalisation.

“Social democracy is the official ideology of the LP. It among others, asserts that the only acceptable constitutional form of govC M Y K

ernment is representative democracy under the rule of law, the bedrock of which is one person one vote. It is an open globally acknowledged democratic fact that Governor Rotimi Amaechi won the NGF election. Labour Party members are therefore shocked that Governor Mimiko (who just emerged from a similar free and fair election based on secret ballot) would be party to an unacceptable disputation of a simple majority elec-

tion by 36 governors. LP’s Governor, Governor Mimiko must urgently refill his democratic account which has suffered huge deficit by his uncritical association with governors who are no respecter of electoral outcomes.

NGF is a pan-Nigerian forum. Any attempt to undermine the Forum through anti-democratic posturing, further disunites the federation at this critical period of national security challenges.

Police didn’t kill our student —KWARA POLY

I

LORIN—THE au thorities of the Kwara State Polytechnic have reacted to media reports that a student of the institution was killed by a police escort of one of the banks in the state on May 28, 2013.

A statement signed by the Registrar of the school, M.O. Salami, stated that the student claimed to have been shot dead was still very much alive.

The statement read in part, “You will recall that the reportage of the incident

to the public was to the effect that the shot student had died when in actual fact he is still very much alive.

“This unscientific publication aggravated the annoyance of not only the students but, also the general public.This resulted in the destruction of property, disruption of traffic and violent disturbance of peace and harmony in Ilorin metropolis by miscreants and hoodlums who hijacked the peaceful protest from the students.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 — 17

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18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 SHOCKS over the United States Government’s order that Nigeria has to improve ports security or face sanctions – stoppage of vessels sailing to Nigerian ports - are indicative that Nigerians do not fully appreciate the implications of being members of the global village. It may be a village, but it has standards.

The US wants ports standards that would guarantee safety of its investments (worth more than $40 billion in 2012) in transporting goods in and out of Nigeria.

There are many allied businesses involved: insurance, safety of the goods in transit, the certainties of industries and other services that depend on them running smoothly all through the year, and guarantees of safety of these investments.

Would the US have bothered if the standards were in order? Did we need the US to tell us the security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea were affecting Nigerian waters? Who created the room for the US to meddle in our affairs? We did.

Nigerian officials, for decades, did things with their standards. They signed

Room TTo o Meddle international conventions they had no plans to implement. After the sessions they return to the “normalcy” they prefer at home.

The chaos at our ports was replicated at our airports until the same US insisted on standards that had to be met if planes would fly from Nigeria into its territory. It is a shame as some people have noted that the authorities had to wait until America barked orders for them to know that our ports deserved better standards.

Nigerian business people have mourned for years over the high costs of goods passing through our ports. The major causes the number of agencies that clear goods at the ports, all charging different fees for doing the same thing, or mostly

nothing and higher costs of shipping and insurance to Nigeria. The authorities ignored them. They were unimportant, as if governments were uninterested in the businesses these Nigerians did.

It took the warning of middle level diplomats at the US Embassy and government in half the time wants to secure the ports. It feared the US would mobilise its partners to boycott Nigerian ports.

Must Nigerian governments wait for promptings to act? In improving the ports, government should realise Nigerians expect high standards in all its services to them. With the official clamouring over Nigeria being West and Central Africa’s shipping hub, nothing practical was being done to achieve the ambition.

We must set higher standards for ourselves and in our engagements with others. There must be an aspiration for Nigerian standards to be high, such that others strive to attain them. Promotion of excuses and mediocrity would never create standards that would inspire others.

OPINION

BY NATHANIEL ABARA Continued from yesterday's pg 18

T

HIRDLY, the challenge of Nigeria is not so much the lack of good laws, policies, rules and regulations. The implementation of these ordinances is the problem. The CCS will support other government arms by mobilising its CSOs, their members and volunteers to engage the MDAs. The proposed recognition of CCS is compelling for other reasons. CSOs have played a significant role in the current review process. It is only logical that they should also play a role in operating the Constitution. The recognition offers the locus standi to protect and develop CSOs and provide an ecosystem to advance the contribution of a strong voluntary, nonprofit Third Sector of CSOs. The CCS will integrate the Nigerian Diaspora of 17 million; create a global human infrastructure platform and a new social world of Nigerians. Empowered civil society will also strengthen our nation’s political society, link party members to institutions of the state and lead to strong people-owned parties to mobilise the masses, transform politics and make our political parties developmental.

The timing is right for a constitutional CCS. As the Constitution is now under review, we need to take advantage of the process and change things to avoid a worse scenario from rearing up its head in future.

We may not have another one for 10 years to straighten things up.

Besides, prevailing conditions favour the

Constitutional role for civil society-media organisations(3) CCS. We have the social media, geographic and global positioning systems and the Federal Government’s “Getting Government Online” initiative.

Performance contracting has been introduced. The Freedom of Information Act is operational.

Recently, many noted people in our nation called for civil society participation. Mr President urged labour unions to conduct peer reviews on corruption among its members. The Deputy Senate President suggested CSOs’ constitutional representation on state police service commissions. The Minister of State for Health charged CSOs to monitor supplies to health facilities and ensure that the approved items were actually supplied. His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja urged state governments to return to their original owners all missionary schools taken over in the 1970s. CSO leaders demanded the publication of state and local government revenues, budgets and finances as is done at the federal level. Senior citizens clamoured for National Conference to include people from various relevant walks of life in order to discuss matters that affect them.

Also, a few ongoing CSO initiatives need mention. The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission provides the media specialised training on investigation of

corruption cases and follow-up to conviction. Many states now mobilise state- and community-based CSOs to address security concerns. A coalition of public procurement CSOs secured court order compelling government to disclose details of a power sector contract.

Conclusively, we can say that people are saying that CSOs should be actively involved in the ways they are being governed. Therefore, the constitution should clearly state the roles that CSO should play because it is the document that legally stipulates how the people of Nigeria wish to be governed - not how powerful interests prefer to govern them.

F

ortunately, Nigeria’s CSOs have a distinguished record of performance.

It was CSOs that successfully led the resistance against colonial rule and the struggle for independence. They provided mass education and health services that raised most of today’s outstanding leaders in various spheres of our lives. Since 2004, CSOs have constructively engaged in the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, to improve governance through transparency and accountability.

NEITI has uncovered the sum of unpaid accruals to the tune of $11.6 billion due from oil and gas companies of which $2 billion (N300 billion) has so far been recovered. Nigeria’s implementation of the

global EITI principles is reported to rank best amongst the implementing countries around the world. The more recent Federal Government Agriculture Transformation Action Plan also works “ within a framework of partnerships” that involves CSOs. These and many other examples, provide ready pilots to scale up workable CCS engagements with the public service in collaboration with the other three arms of government.

How should the CCS be represented in the Constitution? We propose that the Constitution Review Committees should insert a new chapter to be titled: “The Council of Civil Society”, or some other name to that effect. The Council should be independent of government with an independent secretariat run by its CSOs. Government funding support will be a first charge on the consolidated revenue fund.

The CCS should function at the three tiers of government. Members of the Council would serve on part-time basis, for a given term. The tenure could be renewed for further terms as may be agreed upon.

Representatives should be technocrats. The Council will seek to get things done, as may be stipulated by inputs from their constituencies and the other arms of government. Measures shall be put in place to protect the CCS, its organs and operations from conflicts of personal, ethnic and other divisive interests and corruption.

Concluded. *Mr. Abara, an economic expert, wrote from Lagos.

—19 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013—

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BIOLA Ajimobi, governor of Oyo State, has been in the news of late. Only weeks ago he was honoured with a chieftaincy along side his wife by the Olubadan, Oba Odulana Odugade. There has been much talk before and since then about how well the Governor has transformed Oyo State, particularly, Ibadan, the state capital, into a working city. The first and only time I have seen the Governor was on a flight from Ibadan to Abuja in November 2011. This was just six months into his administration. Passengers on this flight had no idea the Governor was on the flight until the pilot made this announcement.

As he alighted in Abuja, he greeted passengers quietly and received their greetings in response. This quiet mien would be ruffled minutes later when I sighted him in a quiet part of the arrival lounge where, looking quite upset, he made angry remarks surrounded by his aides. Apparently, some

important thing which should have accompanied him to Abuja had been left in Ibadan. At least so it appeared to me. I had the impression he let his anger took the better part of him at that moment. I haven’t had the opportunity to observe him at close quarters or in flesh and blood ever since but I have seen far happier images of him in the media since that first sighting.

Since nothing much seems to be happening I have not paid much attention to his administration until lately. Once or twice though I have wondered at what seemed an uncreative attempt by the administration to imitate the Rauf Aregbesola youth empowerment programme, OYES. Nothing, for me, indicated this blind and uncreative cloning of OYES than the name the Ajimobi administration chose to call its own programme, an inversion of the Osun label- YESO. I soon learned to look beyond the administration- until lately, I

,

repeat. And it does seem that something is happening which goes beyond media propaganda and should not be overlooked. The Governor himself hinted at this some months earlier.

S

ix months ago, Ajimobi took stock of his administration in an interview with a team of editors from the Sun. In this interview, the Governor spoke on what he considered his achievements in office up to that point. Development in the infrastructure of the state which is noticeable in the construction of roads and bridges across the state, urban renewal and beautification of projects on well-known parts of the state capital, Ibadan, among others and improved transport system, were among the achievements he listed. The

Proposed automatic tickets: Before Anenih is crucified

BY SUFUYAN OJEIFO

O

N Thursday, May 30, 2013, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, stirred the polity with a proposal that some people consider controversial: He proposed that the PDP should reward incumbent presidents and governors who perform well in office with an automatic second term ticket. Speaking in Abuja, at a dinner organised by President Goodluck Jonathan for select group of the party’s top leadership, Anenih said his proposal would position the PDP to come out of its present challenges stronger and more united.

If accepted by the party, his advocacy will, naturally, make those who fall within his categorisation, “skip” the usual rancorous party primaries. Prominent among the beneficiaries will be President Jonathan whose perceived interest in the 2015 presidential contest has already generated heated arguments, especially after an Abuja High Court, presided over by Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi, last year declared him eligible to contest for a second term if he so wishes.

Ever since the suggestion, Anenih, the man well known as political tactician-in-chief, has received unfair knocks from different quarters, especially from people who have either not fully digested and reflected deeply on it, or have opposed it for their selfish ends. Some have also wrongly interpreted it as a plan to undercut the democratic process.

No doubt, Anenih’s proposal is borne out of his genuine concern for the PDP which has been weighed down in recent times by internal problems. His reasoning is that while party primaries are unavoidable, C M Y K

especially for incoming chief executives, they are definitely an unnecessary distraction for incumbents aspiring for a second term, especially when they do well.

Besides, as he argued, energies and financial resources could be reserved for the bigger battle against the other parties in the general elections.

Though the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF and other opposition groups have criticised the suggestion, the strongest of them has come from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who has threatened to drag the PDP to court if the policy is adopted.

While the ACF, the socio-cultural umbrella organisation of the North and obviously a meddlesome interloper in PDP’s internal affairs, condemned the suggestion on the grounds that it would violate the provisions of the Electoral Act on internal democracy, Atiku, an interested stakeholder and leading member of the party, said he opposed it because it amounted to a “consensus arrangement” and an “adoption” which would be equal to a “travesty of democracy”.

But then, Atiku’s utterances are most surprising, going by his political antecedents. For a man who contested the PDP primaries of 2011 as the North’s “consensus” candidate, it is an irony that he has chosen to attack Anenih’s proposal on the argument that “consensus” arrangements are undemocratic. When did Atiku, who gleefully celebrated his adoption by the Adamu Ciroma-led group of 17 Northern Elders, develop such a strong allergy to adoption and consensus? As his democratic credentials have usually been criticised, the recent utterances are seen as one of those contradictions in his politics since his desperate quest for the presidency started in 2006.

The question to ask is: Is Anenih’s suggestion really undemocratic? The answer,

,

Ajimobi’s Oyo

There must be more substantial evidence of the governor’s performance but his effort at improving the road network in Ibadan and reportedly in other parts of the state is obvious

Governor chronicled his achievements in this manner even when he was only six months into his administration. He went on in this interview to predict his would be the first administration to enjoy a second term in the modern history of Oyo State. It is a notorious fact that no governor has ever served a second term in Oyo State. For both good and bad reasons, the people of Oyo have not been generous enough to extend a second mandate to any of their past governors. It’s either they are rigged or genuinely voted out of office or they are simply stampeded by local power houses too strong to be controlled.

Nigeria is that country where public office holders are celebrated and praised for doing what they promised and sought the peoples’ mandate to do. This may be understandable since the norm is for politicians to turn the commonwealth into personal estates for their own use. For this reason, the few who appear to be different are often celebrated. It is in this context that the likes of Fashola, Oshiomhole, Mimiko, Aregbesola and co are held up for praise or excoriation by both their supporters and opponents.

Ajimobi seems to have joined this league of achieving public officers. There must be more substantial evidence of the Governor’s performance but his effort at improving the road network in Ibadan and reportedly in other parts of the State is obvious. Ibadan, especially spots such as Iwo Road, Beere and company, used to look like the proverbial Esu crossroad of confusion . Places like Iwo Road were Ibadan versions of Oshodi.

Anenih’s proposal is borne out of his genuine concern for the PDP which has been weighed down in recent times by internal problems; his reasoning is that while party primaries are unavoidable, they are unnecessary distraction

,

of course, is no, especially if reference is made to practices in other democratic presidential systems? One must never tire of making reference to the United States of America, not only because of her democratic history but because our present practice was directly lifted from there.

The inescapable conclusion that must be arrived at is that over the years, it has become the convention in the US that an incumbent president is accorded sole candidacy of his political party at the party’s convention, so long as he is willing to run for a second term.

So why then would anyone quarrel with the suggestion that such a practice is adopted in Nigeria where primaries for the president and governors are even more divisive and threaten national unity?

I

n fairness though, Nigeria which has been experimenting the US model of presidential democracy, both in the Second Republic and the present dispensation, has not deviated from this practice either. Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who had, at those eras, sought reelection as sitting presidents, were obliged by their parties. In 1983, Shagari was largely unopposed for the ticket of the National

They were centres of disorder which defied any remedy. But this is no longer the case. The nightmare these places represented seems over. Vehicular movement in and around Ibadan has improved greatly and Ajimobi’s YESO has taken more than a back bench in this effort.

More motor parks have been created around Ibadan and away from the roads, making it possible for other road users to go about their business without delay.

The Ajimobi administration has proven in Ibadan that where there is the will to effect change in attitude there is always a way. It has also shown that politicians have a lot to answer for the outlaw activities of members of the road transport workers that controlled motor parks and held different parts of the state hostage for many years. Today, they ’ve been dislodged and there are fewer miscreants and less cannabis fumes assaulting passersby in the different motor parks in around Oyo State. What is more, the government has introduced mass transit buses it dubs Ajimobi Shuttle. These buses have no dedicated lane and, compared to the Lagos BRT, are quite a very modest effort at addressing the transport needs of Oyo State. They appear functional but are far fewer and less glamorous or patronised than the BRT at inception. Yet they appear to be taking Oyo State or Ibadan in particular somewhere beyond the blind alley of the past.

With these modest effort in two years, Ajimobi’s own dream of a second mandate in 2015 might just turn out to be more than a pipe dream. Who knows!

Party of Nigeria, NPN, while in 2003, Obasanjo prevailed against candidates like Alhaji Abubakar Rimi and Barnabas Gemade to get the PDP re-election ticket.

The difference is that unlike in the Second Republic when Shagari’s re-election ticket was automatic, members of the ruling PDP have increasingly bickered over such issues.

What the present proposal seeks is simply to institutionalise it in the PDP and remove the uncertainty and unnecessary divisions that are associated with it. The party will simply go to the nomination primaries with the candidatures of the lucky sitting presidents and governors as fait accompli, even if genuine opposition or prearranged opponents are encouraged to enter the race in order to give the processes a semblance of democracy through the stamp of voting.

The party machinery would have been properly driven to seamlessly achieve the agenda.

Indeed, in all her long history of democracy, the US has held the light on issues of political stability which is the basis on which the policy of continuity and consensus is usually canvassed. Since 1900, for instance, as many as 12 US presidents have been elected to a second term in office, while others failed. It is instructive to note, however, that those who failed to make it, William Taft, Herbert Hoover, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush, were not denied the tickets by their respective parties, but lost in the general elections proper, due to other factors.

Two instances will suffice. In 1992, Republican Party’s George H.W. Bush lost his bid for re-election to Democratic Party’s William Clinton because of widespread discontent at home arising from a faltering economy and continued high deficit spending. In 1981, Democratic Party’s Jimmy Carter lost his re-election campaign to Republican Party’s Ronald Reagan.

Carter's defeat was traceable to the hostagetaking of U.S. embassy staff members in Iran which dominated the news during the last 14 months of his administration. *Mr. Ojeifo, a journalist, wrote from Abuja.

20— Vanguard ,

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, JUNE 19 , 2013

Debate of the masses

The opposition will return GEJ to power

“W

*No buying and selling for now.. Katankowa Market on Monday

LATE ABIBATU MOGAJI:

Mixed feelings over closure of markets F

OR the past few days, Adigun Street in the Ikeja area of Lagos has become a Mecca of sorts as people throng the place to mourn with the family of the departed President-General, Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, who died last Saturday at the age of 96.

The late Mogaji was mother of former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Also, on Monday and Tuesday, trading activities were suspended in some parts of Lagos in solidarity with family of the departed who championed the cause of Nigerian traders for many years. Her remains were laid to rest last Sunday, at the Vaults and Garden Cemetery, Ikoyi.

On both days, most open markets were shut to business as the affected markets were under lock and key, although there were isolated complaints by some of the traders who said they were not carried along by their leaders.

The Lagos State Government had earlier announced that all markets will be closed on Tuesday but some market leaders went the extra mile to direct that the closure should begin from Monday. This led to heated arguments and outright quarrels between traders and their leaders in some of the markets, especially when members of a special task force set up for the purpose of enforcing the closure went round to impound goods from those who did not comply with the directive.

When Vanguard Metro visited some of the markets, it was found that partial compliance was the order of the day, although the gates leading into most of the markets were under lock and key as some traders stood in groups to discuss the development, while others were

daily sales; that is why I had to seen transacting their businesses come to the road side today,” she by the road sides. said.

At the popular Mile 12 market, However, Mr. Ajagbe Tijani said the two gates were shut but tradhe was satisfied with the closure. ing activities took place on the road ‘’Alhaja Mogaji tried for traders and sides until later in the day when we need to contribute our own quothe traders were sent home by their ta to honour her,’’ he quipped. leaders. Also at the popular KaIn a chat with Vanguard Metro, tankowa Market by Super Bus-stop Mile 12 Market Financial Secrealong Lagos-Abeokuta Express tary, Alhaji Shehu Usman, said the Road, the hustling and bustling asclosure was part of activities to hosociated with the market was clearnour the late market leader who ly absent but some smart traders served the cause of traders conscisurreptitiously transacted their entiously. “The two gates to Mile businesses near the market. Same 12 market are shut; this is to howas the case at Aswani market, Idunour our late leader who fought the mota, Alaba International market cause of Nigerian traders. We don’t and Oke-Odo market.

On Monday, We’re are being forced to comply some traders were seen loiterwith the directive; our leaders did ing around not carry us along....Alhaja Oshodi with many of them Mogaji tried for traders and we telling VM that need to contribute our own quota there was no prior notice by their to honour her leaders on the closure. “We’re are being forced to regret today’s action as we have incomply with the directive; our lead- structed our members to ensure toers did not carry us along,’’ said tal compliance,” he said. Also, Nasome of the traders. tional President, Traders Rights ProIn Ikorodu, Sabo Market was ini- tection Initiative, Comrade Chris tially shut on Monday before it was Okpala, said on Monday, all marre-opened in the afternoon. kets in Lagos Island were affected One of the traders there told Van- by the closure, including those guard Metro she had to observe the dealing mainly on food stuff. “All directive to avoid embarrassment markets were advised to observe from street urchins. “My sister, I total compliance on Tuesday in hoobeyed because area boys usually nour of the late legend. This is nechijack such occasions to steal our essary because of the personality wares,” she said. involved. Alhaja Abibat Mogaji was At Mile 12, a road-side trader, a great leader.”

Mrs. Orisabiyi Dada, was upset at On the partial compliance with the development, saying that she the directive, he said some of the and her four children depend sole- traders got the information late. Acly on sales from her petty business cording to him: “Some of our memsince the demise of her husband six bers did not get the information and years ago. “Education is free in La- they opened their shops but we latgos State but food and clothing are er went round to inform them and not free. I feed my family from the they returned home.”

‘

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BY BOSE ADELAJA

HAT’S with some people anyway?” hissed Joshua, a commuter in the Apapa-bound bus as the bus crawled through the usual maddening traffic. Another commuter, Tayo had made a scathing remark on President Goodluck Jonathan’s government being rudderless. “I get really pissed off when people criticize for criticism sake.”

“But is that not true? Is this government performing?” asked Ade. Replied Joshua: “Look, I am not saying he is the messiah but please, for God’s sake, give the guy a break! He has achieved something no matter how little. I’ve not seen a president so insulted and abused like Jonathan.”

“E be like say PDP don settle you to trumpet their non-existent achievements,” said Ade to which Joshua said: “I don’t need to be paid. I have never met the man; I just hate people handing down unjust and unfair judgments. No single regard for the office he occupies. The truth is that as long as we don’t have a credible opposition, PDP will continue to rule.”

“Exactly! I see Jonathan returning as a result of their unintelligent and destructive criticisms,” agreed Joe. “Impossible!” Pat exploded, “except they rig as usual.”

“Let’s watch and see.

The opposition will bring it to pass all by themselves, if they keep going the way they are going. Their unintelligent and non-constructive criticisms will return the man to power,” said Joe. “There’s a way you will criticize a man and he will gain the sympathy of even those who hate him.

They are not attacking issues but the person of the president. I believe that for criticisms to be pro-

ductive, they must be objective and constructive; not a situation where you see absolutely nothing good in whatever the man does. It makes nonsense of your criticisms,” said Joshua.

“I think if the so-called opposition means well for

‘

I see Jonathan returning as a result of their unintelligent and destructive criticisms

‘

BY EBELE ORAKPO

us as they claim, what stops them from teaming up with government to better the lot of Nigerians, especially in areas of security, power and education? They are all greedy and selfserving. Put them there and they will do worse,” said Ben who had been quiet all along. Continuing, he said: “Imagine the opposition screaming blue murder when a state of emergency was declared in three states.

How else did they want him to handle the situation? If they had a better option, why didn’t they come up with it? They had accused the man of doing nothing when those places burned and when he finally did something, they began to criticize him again. Haba!

“That’s human beings for you, selfish. But if the man can face one sector and achieve something tangible, people’s opinion will change, believe me,” said Bayo.

“When OBJ was there, he was seen as the devil and when Yar ’Adua came, OBJ became a saint. Now, Yar’Adua is a saint compared to Jonathan. Jonathan will be a saint compared to the next president,” said Ben.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 — 21

Jonathan inaugurates GE’s $1bn manufacturing facility in Calabar

BY MICHAEL EBOH

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, inaugurated the General Electric’s $1bn service and manufacturing facility in Calabar.

The ground breaking ceremony followed the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga; and the Global Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of GE, Mr. Jeff Emmelt, in January.

Represented by the Vice-

President, Arch. Namadi Sambo, Jonathan said the groundbreaking ceremony would not only give a fine boost to the administration’s Transformation Agenda, it would also further strengthen the improved confidence in the Nigerian business environment by both local and foreign investors.

He said it also confirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to revitalising the Nigerian economy within the lifetime of the current administration through policies and projects that would pave

the way for increased production activities, job creation and wealth generation.

In his remarks, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment said the ground breaking further demonstrated that the current administration was not just interested in investment commitments, but in monitoring the processes to the execution stage.

He noted that GE had, over the past 125 years, swiftly evolved to seize new opportunities created by changes in technology and the

economy as a frontline multibusiness organisation.

He said, “It is therefore not surprising that the company has moved smartly to explore the favourable investment opportunities that abound in Nigeria. Today, the company is building new platforms in industries and markets with GDP growth that provide opportunities to apply acquired technology and management expertise to accelerate development and growth in both developed and emerging economies.

“The decision made in recognizing the potential of Nigeria becoming your base,

From left: Mr Adeyinka Adeyemi, MD Intermarc Consulting; his wife, Funmi; Mr Pedro Hipolito, MD, SIBS International and Mr Hugo Aranjo, Marketing Division Manager at the 13th Card ATM Mobile Expo E-Business dinner and awards in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

Resource companies ripping off Africa — AfDB chief D

EVELOPED world mining and energy companies operating in Africa should pay more taxes to help the world’s poorest continent climb out of poverty, the president of the African Development Bank has said . “The reality is, Africa is being ripped off big time,” African Development Bank president Donald Kaberuka told Reuters, a day after attending a meeting in London with other African representatives ahead of the G8 summit of rich countries on the “triple-T” agenda of trade, transparency and tax.

“Africa wants to grow itself out of poverty through trade and investment - part of doing so is to ensure there is transparency and

sound governance in the natural resources sector.” Britain hosts this year’s G8 summit, which takes place in Northern Ireland on Monday and Tuesday. Britain has turned up the pressure on the other countries to clamp down on secretive money flows by pressing its overseas tax havens into a transparency deal and announcing new disclosure rules for British firms.

Kaberuka attended a lunch to discuss the issues with British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, the presidents of Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, Somalia and Tanzania and the finance minister of Nigeria, all of which have energy or mining resources. “It’s seen as a collective agenda, not just a G8 agenda, that we make sure everybody pays what is due,” Kaberuka said. The Democratic Republic of Congo, for

example, lost at least $1.36 billion in potential revenues between 2010 and 2012 due to cut-price sales of mining assets to offshore companies, according to a report from the Africa Progress Panel, led by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Africa, and in particular subSaharan Africa, has been growing strongly in the past few years, a trend which Kaberuka said had been helped by the cancellation of debt to the poorest African countries at the 2005 G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland. The AfDB forecasts growth in Africa at 4.8 percent this year, with sub-Saharan Africa - excluding South Africa - the fastest-growing region at 6.6 percent. But aid to Africa from the developed world had been cut for the first time in 10 years and the continent needs to look for ways to make that money go further.

where other African Countries would be served, will give a greater opportunity to demonstrate your innovation capabilities and home grown solutions to other African countries’ problems.”

In 2009, GE signed a landmark Country-toCompany agreement with the Federal Government of Nigeria, aimed at forging a strategic partnership that would see the two parties working together on high growth opportunities and investment in support of Nigeria’s transformation objectives.

The minister also noted that in 2012, as part of the Countryto-Company agreement, GE and the Federal Government of Nigeria signed three Memorandum of Understanding agreements (MOUs) for the energy, healthcare and rail transportation sectors.

Aganga said, “Recently, precisely on 31st January, 2013, the nation recorded a milestone in its investment drive as the Federal Government of Nigeria and Messrs GE sealed an investment deal of $I billion dollars (N158 Billion) on the establishment of a Best-in-class assembly in Calabar.

“I signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which gave birth to this significant event on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria while the Global Chairmen and Chief Executive Officer of GE, Mr Jeff Emmelt, led other top executives to sign on behalf of the company.”

123.05

0.8

2,229.00

-17.00

16.94

0.16

104.79 +0.10 98.22 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR 154.75 POUNDS 243.3908 EURO 206.4675 FRANC 167.6598 YEN 1.632 CFA 0.2942 WAUA 234.5852 RENMINBI 25.2636 RIYA 41.259 KRONA 27.6764 SDR 236.1795

155.25 244.1772 207.1346 168.2015 1.6373 0.3042 235.3432 25.3457 41.3923 27.7659 236.9426

+0.37 SELLING 155.75 244.9636 207.8017 168.7432 1.6426 0.3142 236.1011 25.4277 41.5256 27.8553 237.7057

CBN Exchange rate as at 18/06/2013

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013—23

Long-term value for long-t erm in or long-term invvest estor orss S

Sterling Bank raises fund tto o increase market share *Offers over N5bn rights issue

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

S

TERLING Bank Plc has commenced a capital raising exercise aimed at increasing its market share in the banking industry.

The first step in this regard is a Rights Issue of N5, 888, 949, 162 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N2.12k per share. According to the rights circular made available at the company’s completion board meeting held in Lagos, the offer is on the basis of three new ordinary shares to every eight ordinary shares of 50 kobo each held as at May 20, 2013. The offer will open next week Monday and close 31st July 2013.

Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Yemi Adeola said “We need to establish more branches, we need to improve on our technology infrastructure to enable us pursue our retail banking strategies. We have a design that is unmatched in the industry as far as retail banking is concerned. We need to put enabling infrastructure in place to enable us move to the next level. We can also do more with banking custom-

ers’ market.”

He said that the bank’s focus is on expanding more into the Nigerian market, saying the bank has no immediate plans of expanding overseas in the near future.

“Expanding off shore is not our interest right now. Nigeria market is huge and it is important to have our footprint all over Nigeria first before we start thinking offshore,” he said.

Speaking further he said, “This is the beginning of our capital raising journey.

We stated during our last general meeting that we will embark on this journey.

First of all, we agreed to do $200 million, Rights Issue, which is being ratified today, and a balance of $120 million, by way of private placement. And then we will raise tear two capital of $200 million towards the end of the year. This is key because we have run this bank from a modest capital of N25 billion in 2006 when we merged to slightly over N40 billion today, without calling on any of our shareholders to bring money.”

He noted that the bank is one of the few financial institutions that has not raised capital in seven years and has no regrets whatsoever at this moment embarking on the process of raising additional capital.

MorganCapital unveils Nigerian top 5 equities league

BY PETER EGWUATU

M

ORGANCAPITAL Securities Limited, a foremost Nigerian investment banking and securities dealing firm, has introduced MorganCapital Top Five Equities League as a weekly guide for investors interested in the Nigerian Equities Market.

Explaining the rationale for this initiative, Managing Director, MorganCapital, Mr. Ayoleke Adu, said this became necessary after a close study of the reasons that led to the 2008 stock market crash, which revealed that many investors invested their funds based on sentiments and band wagon effect without a good understanding of the fundamentals of companies.

C M Y K

According to him, the weekly Top Five League, which started on the 20th May 2013 as a newsletter, has received wide spread acclaim, and readership. It comes as a free subscription, distributed via Email to interested persons.

Besides, he noted that MorganCapital sees this as a social responsibility, and a way of enlightening the investing public about efficient ways of stock picking and investment decision making.

“The purpose of the league is to present investors, (prospective & existing, local & foreign) with insights on the Nigerian equities market and a chance to position themselves in companies that are most likely to return good value on their investments, based on our analysis & opinion,” he said.

companies to show a profit and in addition they would want the companies to pay a substantial part of the profits as dividend. The declaration of bonus shares may be useful when the total number of shares available for trading on the floor of the NSE is limited. Julius Berger Nigeria declared an exceptional bonus of 3 new shares for every existing share in August 2005 as well as a dividend of N0.25 per share. For every 1000 shares in 2005, the shareholder had 4000 shares in subsequent years.

While the shareholder received N250 as gross dividend for 1000 shares in 2005, the corresponding 4000 shares in subsequent years earned gross dividends of N2800 in 2006, N3600 in 2007, a peak of N15000 in 2008 and more recently N9600 in 2012 and N10000 in 2013. Thus one can say that from 2005 onwards Julius Berger Nigeria has given improved value to long-term shareholders.

The significant factor for a company is its costs of doing business, especially personnel costs. The increas-

,

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State (left) presenting Special Recognition Award for Contribution to the Banking Industry to Agada Apochi, MD/CEO, Unified Payments at the Businessday 2013 Banking Conference and Awards, in Lagos.

HARES are sold and bought on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, each working day of the week. One would notice that from the total number of trades indicated for each day by the NSE, there are not many investors actively trading in their shares. Rather, it would appear that the active traders are persons/companies who are investing relatively large sums of money on shares. Some of these active traders buy some shares and sell these shares within a short period, sometimes less than a month, for a profit. Some of these share purchases may have been made for pension funds who may not be trading in the shares over short periods but who would rely on the gains in share prices over long periods.

A large number of shareholders hold on to their shares from one year to the next year and the income the shareholders earn from these shares are the dividends declared by the companies. The value of these dividends may not be lower than the gains made by the active traders who have traded over a relatively short period of time. The requirement of the NSE that companies should report their earnings every three months. There reports usually do not give any reasons for the performance of the companies and in cases of poor results some reference may be made by a company to what in their view is the harsh operating environment.

In contrast, sometime in the last two years, the PZ Cussons Group in the United Kingdom reported that there would be a drop in the group’s earnings given the problems with the disruptions of economic activities in Northern Nigeria. The PZ Cussons company in Nigeria did not make a corresponding announcement. While the PZ Cussons company in Nigeria declared a bonus of 1 new share for every existing 4 shares plus a dividend of N0.86 per share in August 2011, a dividend of N0.43 per share was declared in August 2012. The annual reports and accounts however indicated that measures had been taken that would lead to an improvement in the company’s profitability.

The practice is that companies in Nigeria hold what is described as a facts behind the figures session on the floor of the NSE for the benefit of members of the NSE. Also, some companies hold what are described as stakeholders’ meetings which are largely meetings of the company ’s directors with the shareholders’ associations. The NSE has insisted on timely reports of company financial results in recent times and this has allowed shareholders to know a little more about the companies in which they have invested.

The requirement that companies should file their results quarterly may made the companies realise that they have to show a profit or in the alternative offer explanations of why their operations are unprofitable. There are several companies that have not reported a profit in the last few years and the NSE has recently removed from its trading lists some companies that have not file the required reports.

Long-term investors would want the

We should have the opportunity to take a look at the long-term performance of some companies if and when shareholder’s copies of their annual reports and accounts are delivered

,

es in the prices of petroleum products have led to salary increases and consequently increases in pension costs. The Federal Government had to introduce the Pension Reform Act 2004 when it found that it could no longer afford to meet gratuity and pension payments from the government’s current resources. Companies should take a look at their defined benefits scheme which essentially is the gratuities paid to employees on their retirement. Total Nigeria Plc has provided a new approach which may suit current realities as recent salary increases are not related to increases in the productivity of the workforce and profits are likely to decline or show only marginal increases. Total Nigeria Plc has what it has called a Defined Contribution Scheme in which the gratuity is computed based on 9.5% of total annual emolument and the sum is paid monthly to Fund Managers nominated by individual employees. This may also offer some protection to employees in a situation of the failure of a company.

We should have the opportunity to take a look at the long-term performance of some companies if and when shareholder’s copies of their annual reports and accounts are delivered.

24—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

Bits ILO calls for more action against Child Labour

T

Labour, NGOs strategise for dividends of democracy

From left: Mrs. Remi Ihejirika,FES official; former FES rep, Mr. Thomas Mattig, the new rep, Mrs.Seija Sturies and Professor Abubakar Momoh of LASU

F

OR over a decade, the office of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung has been a rallying point for nongovernmental organizations.

FES assignment in Nigeria has been essentially about promoting and sustaining democracy and this it has done by working with non-governmental organizations, the media, trade unions, women and other civil society groups.It was therefore not surprising when a similar programme was organized to bid farewell to the former resident representative, Mr. Thomas Mattig and welcome Mrs. Seija Sturies, the first female resident representative of the FES in Nigeria.

H

AVING invested so much to assist Nigeria have a stable democracy and sustain it, it was no surprise to many that the topic discussed was “Nigeria’s Progressive Movement: How to deliver the promises of democracy”. Though, the programme was held at the Lagos office of FES, participants came in from outside Lagos to share their thoughts with discussants. They include Professor Abubakar Momoh of the Department of Political Science, Lagos State University, Ojo, Ms. Nma Odi , Executive Director of BAOBAB and Dr. Sylvester Odion , lecturer, Political Science Department, Lagos State University, Ojo. Mr . Thomas Mattig, outgoing resident representative of FES, set the tone for the discussion. He reminded participants that in about three years and six months that he has been in Nigeria, FES focused on governance, trade unions in the work place and as political actors. However, he and his organization are concerned about Nigeria’s progressive movement and how to deliver on the promises of democracy.

Progressives and the peoples’ expectations : For, Ms. Nma Odi, she believes, “we are in civil rule rather than a democracy”, because in her opinion, “

the tenets of democracy are not there”. She said Nigerians expect “quality education, quality welfare, safety of life and property,” and all of these we don’t have.

Dr. Sylvester Odion believes there is confusion about who a progressive is. To him, “a progressive movement can exist at the level of an idea, an organization and practical action for the majority of the people”.

Professor Abubakar Momoh defines a progressive: “ A progressive does not have to be a leftist but one who shares the virtues of uplifting and empowerment of the people. He must ascribe to certain values and ideas that must be popular and empower the

,

BY FUNMI KOMOLAFE

How to get politicians to deliver on the promises of democracy: Nma Odi: “There is the need to build a movement and sustain it so we can have democracy dividends. A coalition has to make them deliver hence the need for a progressive. The civil society has to work together. She asked rhetorically: “Where did we get it wrong that we were unable to work together? She said the civil society groups were better when there were fewer NGOs; no progressive youths anymore”. Dr. Sylvester Odion agreed, saying “during the military dictatorship, its was the National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS) that engaged the

There is the need to build a movement and sustain it so we can have democracy dividend

people”. He said unlike the Second Republic when progressives in all the parties worked together irrespective of party affiliation, “today, we have progressive individuals but the progressive platform has been decimated.” Professor Momoh, a leftist, said, the left was decimated during the military regime of General Babangida as “ the struggles against the Structural Adjustment Programme made people very vulnerable. It impoverished people, so, key leftist elements were dragged into government.”

He expressed regrets that “commitment to group has been subordinated to individuals”. He said organized labour had been tamed since 1988 when the military forcefully took it over while the proliferation of Non- Governmental Organisations with questionable funds had further divided the left. In his words, “NGOism is the worst thing to happen to Nigeria”. Momoh said “what we have is not democracy because we have no means of holding anybody accountable. Culture of impunity is the order of the day. No politicial class but political elite.” He agreed with Odion that politicians of the First and Second Republics had a vision for Nigeria.

,

establishment and the status quo in Nigeria” but he too lamented that NANS has been compromised and now there are several factions. Odion believes existing political parties are “mere nomenclatures.‘ In his words, “ state governors are lording it over all parties, the parties have no agenda, no internal democracy in all the parties hence, the goal of transformation is not possible”.

The way out : Nma Odi suggested that “ we need to work together sincerely to remind the government to deliver on the social contract with the people”.

Dr. Odion said “ we need to build organizations and build cadres for us to reap the dividends of democracy.

Citing the Brazilian example of Da Silva Lula, Professor Momoh said we need to build organizations. “In Nigeria , we believe we can use any platform to get power. He dismissed the planned merger of opposition political parties saying, the politicians are “political nomads “ moving from one party to another only for the purpose of seeking power.

He warned “ if the opposition plays by the rules of the PDP, they can never capture power.

HE Director-General of the Inter national Labour Organisation ( ILO) , Mr. Guy Rider has called for global action against child labour in domestic work.

A new report of the ILO confirms “ an estimated 10.5 million children worldwide – most of them under age – are working as domestic workers in people’s homes, in hazardous and sometimes slavery-like conditions”. It stated, “About Six and a half million of these child labourers are aged between five and 14 years-old.”. Of this figure, “ more than 71 per cent are girls”.

Mr. Rider who spoke at the on-going 102 International Labour Conference said, although “significant progress has been made in reducing the number of child labourers worldwide, 215 million girls and boys remain at work, over half of them in the worst forms of child labour”.. He urged ILO members respesenting 185 countries including Nigeria to ratify and ensure effective implementation of the Convention N0. 189 and Recommmendation No.201 adopted two years ago .

Mr. Rider explained that Convention No. 189 also states that the minimum age for domestic workers should be consistent with the provisions of the ILO’s child labour conventions. These require that children should not work below the legal minimum age for employment or work, and that young workers above the minimum age should be employed in safe conditions.

The ILO boss made it clear that “ Child labour is a fundamental abuse of human rights. It denies girls and boys the right to be a child, to access quality education, and to hope for the future.”.

Although he acknowledge that tackling child labour in domestic work is most difficult because it takes place behind closed doors, with the cooperation of members it could be tackled.

Mr. Ryder said “there is no excuse, no place for Child Labour”.

Productivity Merit Award Committee seeks more funds

M

EMBERS of the National Produc tivity Order of Merit Award Committee (NPOMAC) have solicited for more allocation of funds from the Federal Government to enable the Committee carry out its assignments of combing the nooks and crannies of the country to get the most qualified awardees for the prestigious (NPOMA) Award.

The Chairman of the committee Dr. Abbas Aidi made the call in Abuja when the committee visited the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Illoh. He pleaded with the Honourable Minister of Labour and Productivity Chief Emeka Wogu and his Permanent Secretary Dr. Clement Illoh to use their good offices to solicit on behalf of the committee for adequate resources from the presidency to carry out their national assignments.

In Dr. Aidi emphasized “Our assignment is based on merit it is not just a question of sitting down in a place to pick five organisations out of the numerous organisations in the country for the award, also going round the country to pick ten individuals out of 160million Nigerians for productivity award is not a joke and there is need to increase the number of awardees to encourage them” .

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 — 25

DIARY

Select ICT events zMonetising OTT Services. Holds June 17-19, 2013 in London, UK. zN.I.G.F. 2013.

Holds June 18, 2013 in Abuja, Nigeria. zDigital Services World Congress.

Holds 18-19 June 2013 in London, UK. zMobile Wallet and Retail Innovation. Holds 18-19 June 2013 in London, UK zM2M and Internet of Things. Holds 18-19 June 2013 in London, UK. zDigital Services Africa 2013. Holds 25-26 June 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

Tagging intruders with DNA

The DNA fog tagging system from Applied DNA Sciences can mark an intruder without their knowledge, making it easier for police to identify them later.

DNA marking is already in use, with the most common use being to mark persons of interest at riots. The new system is a bit more general, and is meant to help stop and identify an intruder.

Called DNA Fog, the device will fill a room with smoke and DNA-loaded droplets when triggered by a break-in. More than just confuse the intruder, the DNA will mark them for later identification if they are caught.

The DNA sequence can be altered, so each building or business can have their own unique code, if desired.

I N S I D E C M Y K

Can Lagos be a smart city?

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

NITDA powers Senators on ICT-driven legislation

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

A

I

n a move to digital ize the Nigerian law making process, the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA has begun an information communications technology, ICT training programme for the Senate in Abuja.

This followed the successful conclusion of similar training for the House of Representatives in 2012.

The ICT training scheme is an initiative of NITDA aimed at arming the legislative arm of government with requisite ICT tools to be able to migrate from the analogue mode to ICT-driven legislation in tune with world best practices.

According to NITDA, the ICT instruction was designed to enhance their legislative duties and ultimately increase legislative output.

Speaking at the occasion, Director-General of NITDA, Prof. Cleopas Angaye, said the major potential of ICT lies in the area of assisting in transforming government processes thereby enhancing the pace of national development.

He said that Nigerian legislators must key into e-parliament and ICT usage in order to be part of the global process, adding that the lawmakers should take the advantage of the massive increase in internet penetration in the country in carrying out their legislative duties.

Angaye, who expressed optimism on the importance of ICT to the economy, noted that the surge in ICT usage in the country has paid off through increased foreign direct investment, FDI and contributed about five percent to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, and insisted that

IBM offers tech solution to Lagos traffic

From left: Mr Chidi Okonkwo, Deputy General Manager, TECNO Mobile Nigeria; Mr Lucas Dada, Director of Production and Services, Etisalat Nigeria, and Mr Mounir Boukali, Public Relations Manager, TECNO Global at the launch of TECNO Phantom A Smartphone, in Lagos.

many things wouldn’t work without the aid of ICT. “Nigerian investment in ICT is already yielding positive fruits and enhancing service delivery and laying solid foundation for the Nigeria e-government initiative. The training of the senators is yet another major effort at building the ICT capacity in the legislative arm of government in Nigeria with the aim to impact maxi-

as e-voting, e-democracy, e-participation, online campaigning and eparliament are the most powerful proof of the use of ICT in political activities, processes and institutions.

Sen. Nnaji explained that ICT has proved to be a significant supportive and facilitative power for the effective fulfilling of the duties and responsibilities granted to parliaments by the constitution.

Nigerian legislators must key into e-parliament and ICT usage in order to be part of the global process mum knowledge to further enhance their legislative duties,’’ he stated.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, underscored the importance of ICT in nation building, saying that its importance cannot be over emphasized.

For him, concepts such

TECNO joins Android fray with Phantom A

“In order to carry out the functions of legislation, representation and inspection more effectively, to connect with the public, to implement the concept of public participation and to improve the image of politics in general and parliaments in particular in the minds of the public, parliaments the world over are exploiting the advan-

tages offered by ICT.” “If the parliament is the representative body through which people find expression, in which their diversity is manifested and in which the differences between them are debated and negotiated, then parliamentarians have to be abreast of opportunities provided

by ICT for efficient public service delivery and enhancing social inclusion.”

“Creative and innovative legislation in a fast and cost effective manner and this can be achieved by ensuring that our information systems provide both information and communication that meet the criteria of clarity, accuracy, timeliness, completeness and the provision of feedback in dealing with our various constituents.

“It is my hope that after this workshop, we would have achieved the objectives of harnessing the potential benefits of ICT to support our constitutional functions as a legislature and our administrative efficiency, information access dissemina-

Continues on page 30

Imagine Cup: Nigerian solution is ready for global showcase, says Oyetosho

team of IBM ex perts completing a month-long consulting assignment, at the weekend presented recommendations to the Lagos State Government which they believed could help ensure a more efficient flow of traffic in Lagos.

Working with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, the agency responsible for developing and implementing the state’s transportation blueprint, and the Lagos State Ministries of Transportation, Works & Infrastructure, Science & Technology, the IBM team of experts proposed technologydriven strategies to make travel easier.

Located in West Africa’s rain forest belt, 20% of Lagos' geographical area is taken up by water, but most commuter travel in the state is by road. City authorities predict a 350% growth in the number of vehicles in the state over the next 25 years, with the population doubling to 40 million by 2030. The potential of both rail and water transport remains largely untapped, carrying less than one percent of overall traffic in the state.

The recommendations included better coordination between agencies responsible for traffic management, police, fire and medical care. More efficient decison-making would be based on data gathering and analysis from a variety of sources such as cell phones, call centres, cameras, and global positioning systems devices. This accurate and up-to-date information would assist the agencies better manage traffic flow. It would also enable them to wirelessly provide travelers with information such as road

Continues on page 30

Humanity and mobility systems – Imperatives for future of public transportation system

26— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

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Can Lagos be a smart city?

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Also included among the proposals was a single, integrated e-ticketing system for all modes of transportation (similar to New York City’s Metro Card or London’s Oyster card systems) and integrated fare management.

The introduction of roadway toll rates based on traffic density would also help encourage the use of public transportation, bringing less pollution and increased revenue.

The state was also advised to create a single platform for all its traffic and transportation-related data, integrating all agencies and modes of transport, allowing seamless passenger transfers.

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I

AM constantly amazed at the ad vances in information and communication technology, such that inventions and innovations being celebrated this week may become nearobsolete the following week as an even better option might have been developed.

The way things are going, there will be very few things left that can be done without the aid of an ICT device, or without interfacing with some digitalized facility.

Equally interesting are the programmes launched by some of the world’s leading ICT firms, in living xperience is digitalized when fully functional. I speak of Cisco’s Internet of Things, SAP’s Enterprise Asset Management, and IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge, as examples. If here, we could adopt one or all of these programmes and bring them to impact on our infrastructure system, then we could leapfrog into the comity of advanced nations and achieve Vision 20-2020 in real time.

The IBM Smarter Cities Challenge is here with us as the firm has begun marketing its potentials to relevant markets.

Launched in 2011, the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge is a three-year, 100city, US$50 million competitive grant programme.

It is IBM’s single-largest CSR effortthrough which the firm assigns a team of six top experts to each winning city to study a key issue identified by the city’s leadership.

Last week, the IBM team proposed technology-driven strategies to make Lagos traffic move.

Working with LAMATA, the team proposed better coordination between agencies responsible for traffic management, police, fire and medical care.

More efficient decisonmaking would be based on data gathering and analysis from a variety of sources such as cell phones, call centres, cameras, and global positioning systems devices. This accurate and up-to-date information would assist the agencies better manage traffic flow. It would also enable them to wirelessly provide travelers with information such as road and traffic conditions, as well as bus, boat and toll schedules.

The state was also advised to create a single platform for all its traffic and transportation-related data, integrating all agencies and modes of transport

Beautiful proposals, and dizzyingly exciting if it can be implemented. If Lagos State Government accepts the proposals, it would radically transform our metropolis from the clutter and tangle of traffic snarls that is current experience to a manageable, people friendly, efficient and reliable system.

It also means we retrieve the transport system from the tender mercies of the nation’s most pernicious minds and wipe out the notorious, gangland-model agbero system. The transport unions, as currently structured both in membership and operation are also due for reforms.

But I have my fears. Can we muster the political will to confront and cage these monstrous issues and institutions? The Lagos State Government must summon that will, for the sake of the rest of Nigeria, and the survival of the emerging mega city, which is already endangered with the kind of transport system we have.

ECNO Mobile on Monday in Lagos unveiled its latest Android smartphone series, Phantom A into the Nigeria market. With the new product designed to battle Samsung galaxy tab, the smart phone maker at the launch said that it was designed for users with higher demand from smartphones.

User friendly The Public Relations Manager of TECNO Global, Mr.MounirBoukali while showcasing the product to IT Journalists said that TECNO Phantom A is user friendly with Big Screen, Elegant Slim business style, adding that it is now available at all TECNO authorized retailers across Nigeria.

Runing on Android 4.1, Boukali told the gathering during product demonstration that with dual core processor, the device offers users a fast processing speed and the ability to use multiple applications at the same time, along with a smooth web browsing experience.

800,000 apps “With TECNO Phantom A, users can download over 800,000 innovative and interest-

TECNO joins Android fray with Phantom A ing apps from Google Play Store. It was our objective to enable Nigerians acquire smart phones and enjoy a smart life with the TECNO phones. Now, with the Phantom A, we are offering a superior smartphone with highend performance and a better user experience,” Mounir explained.

5" high definition touch screen: He further explained that the product runs on a stunning 5" high definition touch screen, presents users with an amazingly smooth operation experience while viewing messages, multimedia, playing games, for example Asphalt 6, preloaded on the Phantom A. Notable features: Other notable features of the Android-driven smartphone, according to him will include 8 mega pixel rear camera with flash, a powerful front camera as well and

Phantom A

a long lasting batterywhich allows the users to enjoy long hours of talk time.

“We always endeavor to provide suitable products to the consumer based on market demand. There is no doubt that peoples’ demand from Smart phones is met in the Phantom A. it is fast and precise. “Our team have been working hard to give the best of Smartphone and in TECNO

Phantom A, it is innovation combines with style and business live.”

Boukali he explained Earlier in his response, Mr. Lucas Dada, Director of Products and Services, Etisalat Nigeria informed the gathering that the phone comes with a 12months free data bundle powered by Etisalat’s most advanced 3.75G, HSPA+ network with speed up to 42 mbps.

By Emeka Aginam

Imagine cup: Nigerian solution ready for global showcase, says Oyetosho

BY EMEKA AGINAM

B

ARELY few weeks a head of the global contest for the 2013 Microsoft Imagine Cup scheduled to hold in Russia next month, the Developer & Platform Evangelism Lead / Microsoft Anglophone West Africa, Shina Oyetosho has said with optimism that the solution, CardioLife developed by the Nigerian team was ready and tested on Windows 8 and phone devices .

Team Life Saver from Obafemi Awolowo University and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology have developed an application called CardioLife, which helps prevent heart attacks by monitoring heart readings on the fly via the Microsoft Windows Phone. It also provides a rehabilitation programme for stroke patients using the Kinect sensor.

With 10 teams from African continent for the world wide finals, he said that teams that did not make it to the global finals from their local finals had the opportunity to compete for the online portal competition

Sean Lefluer, Director Google Sub Saharan Africa (left) with Juliet Ehimuan, Google Nigeria Country Manager at the just concluded SYNC organised by Google Nigeria.

Although no team from Africa qualified for the World Wide finals through the online competition, he disclosed that Nigerian team has got supports from Dell which will provide Laptop Nokia which will provide windows phone OS devices and MainOne which had already provided internet connectivity support during the local finals held in April.

“During this week,

(last week) the team will be paying a courtesy call to the NITDA DG to drum up support from the agency. I have confidence in the Nigerian team. They will fly Nigerian flag well in the world wide finals. We are ready for the 2013 Microsoft Imagine Cup competition” he said .

Before now, Dele Akinsade Developer Platforms Evangelism Lead, Sub-Saharan Africa and Indian Ocean Islands

had posted on Tech Blogs, saying that each competing team deserves the highest recognition for the creativity and imagination applied to some of the world's biggest challenges.

“All of these solutions will have an impact on the future and inspire others. Since Imagine Cup was launched a decade ago, over 1.65 million students across the globe have participated" he said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013—27

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

M

INISTER of Sci ence and Technology, Prof. Ita Okon Ewa, has said that plans have been perfected to send the first Nigerian into space by 2015.

This he said was part of a 25-year plan to establish Nigeria on the global map of space technology.

The minister who stated this at the 2013 Ministerial Platform on Monday, also said that Nigerian universities must collabo-

Nigeria in space by 2015, says Ewa rate with research institutions in the country in order to add value and boost the impetus of the local capacity.

He noted that in an effort to ensure that Nigerians achieve the vision 20 2020 agenda, the ministry had in the recent past replaced the lost NigeriaSate 2 and also launched NigeriaSate X, which, was build by Nigerian engineers.

And in trying to train local technologists, he said that adequate consideration will be given to women to be part of the ongoing capacity building for Nigerian technologists.

His words: ‘‘We have a 25-year road map target to be in space by year 2015 since 2011. We do not just want space technology, we also want solar panel technology,

which are components of the satellite. In trying to train our technologists, we had to consider women. We are trying to partner with China and USA on rocket technology.’’

On the benefits of the satellite, the minister explained that the technology had since inception enhanced security surveillance, urban and regional planning, land use mapping, agricultural

land use studies and environmental surveillance, as well as surveillance of desertification and disease infested areas.

For Nigeria to tap from the benefits of the emerging knowledge-based economy and achieve sustainable growth, he said that research results by local scientists must be commercialized for increased productivity.

“There is a problem.

Some of the research works have not been commercialized. Priority attention must be given to them if Nigeria must leverage on them for growth into a knowledge economy. This is part of the reason the new science, technology and innovation policy was approved in 2012 and redesigned in 2013. The policy has all it takes to drive the economy, if it is well implemented.’’

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013—29

28—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

FIF A U-20 W/Cup: F/ EaFIFA gles sure of good outing

Nwosu

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•Ideye

dubs Eagles selfish

S

K eshi hi happy for or an an

ormer Golden Eaglets coach, Henry Nwosu has said Super Eagles were wasteful at goal in their first group game against Tahiti at the ongoing 2013 FIFA Confederation Cup in Brazil.

Eagles got off to a good start in their title quest at the global football competition with an emphatic 6-1 win against the Oceania champions in Belo •Mikel Horozonte on Monday.

Nigeria lead Group B on three points the same points as European champions, Spain but on superior goals. Elderson Echiejile scored a brace while Nnamdi Oduamadi achieved a hat-trick and Tahiti’s hitman, Jonathan Jehau who pulled one back for his side later scored an own goal to complete the 6-1 routing.

Nwosu said Eagles could have scored more than 10 goals if they had used their chances and avoided selfish plays by some of the players.

“The standard put in by the Super Eagles is worth more than six goals because as far as I’m concerned if they had been more coordinated upfront and avoided the selfish plays by few of them especially Ahmed fi rs t, so w e th an Musa, Brown Ideye, John Ogu, getting them fir k G od fo r st in the draw.

Anthony Ujah among others the goal “We don’t real ly care about tally would’ve gone up to 10 goals or the goals. Wha up er E ag le t mattered was s more. ca p ta in getting the three points “Eagles were too casual and .”

Vin ce n t The goalkeep E n ye am a er was even complacent in front of goal. Strong pointed to fatig m ore disappoint opponents would’ve surely punished the Super Eag ue to explain conceded a goal ed to have les’ somewha le th t argic perform to a side full them for that.

A 6-1 win agai ance against Tahiti. of amateurs, but refused “It wasn’t a bad game, being our first nst the amateu to rs from blame anyone.

Oceania looked game. At least, we shouldn’t exhaust jerky in patche “I am always di s as N ig er ia n st ri ke our scoring abilities in one game when sappointed rs w as te d a ho the at conced ing goals, but st op of portunities, and we’ve two more matches to play in the you ca n n ot bl am Enyeama said je t e an yb od y group stage,” said the former Super lag took its toll beca “It Eagles assistant coach. th at w e w er e was obvious no use this game was not a rmal game. st ru gg li n g, ” Nwosu is confident the reigning Enyeama said.

“People comin g off a very African champions will come out “There was fa long •Enyeama unscathed in the game on Thursday brain and all pa tigue in the pl , stressful journey then rts of the body aying in such a “But we are happ against the South American short time. y we scalled thro . But we are an happy to get th ug d we are happy it’ h champions, Uruguay. is s Tahiti we play ed behind us.

Enyeama: Fatigu e caught

Dolphins, Bayelsa in a twomatch drama

injur ee injuryy -free game

UPER Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi said he was relieved his side had avoided any further injuries after they thrashed minnows Tahiti 6-1 in their opening game at the FIFA Confederations Cup i n Belo Horizonte.

Forwards Victor Moses, Kalu Uche and Emmanuel Emenike were all ruled out by injuries before the tournament, while midfielder Ogenyi Onazi missed Monday’s game with a knee problem.

Keshi hopes the Lazio player will be available for tomorrow ’s encounter with Uruguay, which is likely to play a significant role in determining whether or not Nigeria progress from Group B. “There are no (new) injuries to the players, because I’ve already lost four players,” he said.

F

igeria’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, on Monday expressed confi dence that they would have a good outing at the 2013 U-20 World Cup in Turkey. Samm Audu, the team’s media officer, who said this in a statement in Abuja, declared that the team were the first in Group B to arrive in Kayseri, Turkey. The statement said the team flew from Munich, Germany, to Istanbul where they connected a local flight to Kayseri. They are expected to play two group games there before heading to Istanbul for their final group game.

up with Eagles

•Stephen Keshi

Oduamadi believes ‘best yet to come’

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uper Eagles winger, Nnamdi Oduamadi believes he is yet to achieve the peak of his powers playing for the African champions.

Oduamadi capped a brilliant performance with a hattrick as Nigeria trounced minnows, Tahiti 6-1 in the Confederations Cup on Monday.

The AC Milan forward, currently on loan at Serie B club, AS Varese took to the social networking site, twitter to rate his performance against the Islanders on Monday.

“Wanna say a Big tank u to you all. We gonna make Nigeria and Africa proud. My best is yet to come. Jesus is Lord,” he tweeted via @Oduamadi7.

Oduamadi also went into the record books as the first African to score a hat-trick in the history of the Fifa Confederations Cup.

•Pillars

Pillars first round champions K ano Pillars on Sunday held on to top spot in the Nigeria league to end the first round champions after a 2-0 win over El K a n e m i .

Champions Pillars now have 36 points from 19 games.

Kabiru Umar opened scoring for the home team in the 33rd minute for his fourth goal of the campaign, before Mustapha Musa made it two on the stroke of half time.

Kabiru Umar said that he is delighted that he is getting the goals and enough playing time now. ”I am happy things are going as I wanted, I have more playing time now and getting the goals. I will keep doing my best to get more,” said U m a r .

El Kanemi Warriors vice-chairman Modu Adamu Bata asserted that the referee was fair but his boys failed to play in the first half. ”It was a nice game, a fair officiating.

We lost the game because my boys did not play well in the first half and I don’t know why. We played very well in the second half though,”

*Dolphins

Modu Bata said.

Gombe United thrashed Akwa United 4-1. Akwa United gave the host a scare by taking the lead.

Table Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Team Kano Pillars Kwara United Warri Wolves Heartland Bayelsa United Enyimba Dolphins Nasarawa United Gombe United Sunshine Stars Lobi Stars Kaduna United Nembe City 3SC Rangers Akwa United ABS F.C. Wikki Tourists El-Kanemi Sharks

P 21 18 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 18 15 19 19 18 17 18

W 11 9 8 9 9 8 8 8 9 8 7 8 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 4

Bishop Onyeudo equalised for Gombe United to take his goal tally to 8 this season. Barnabas and Babangida with a brace were the other goal scorers

D 5 4 6 2 2 4 4 4 1 3 5 2 2 1 3 3 4 2 4 5

•Oduamadi

L 5 5 5 8 8 7 7 7 9 8 7 9 9 9 5 9 9 10 8 9

GF 26 21 25 27 19 14 17 17 20 21 16 18 19 22 23 20 16 14 16 8

GA 20 11 18 16 23 10 15 20 24 15 19 22 24 21 14 25 21 22 21 18

GD 6 10 7 11 -4 4 2 -3 -4 6 -3 -4 -5 1 9 -5 -5 -8 -5 -10

Enyimba were simply luckier – Ndubuisi

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C M Y K

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eartland coach, Nduka Ndubuisi has given his play ers a pat on the back even after losing 0-1 to their hosts, Enyimba in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) saying his side were not outplayed in the Matchday 19 encounter at the Aba Township Stadium on Sunday.

Ndubuisi said his side lost to a luckier side as his wards gave excellent account of themselves in the rain-soaked encounter.

“I’m not disappointed by the outcome of the match, we played very coordinated game to earn a point in the encounter if not the slippery nature of the pitch due to heavy down pour and few missed chances.

“I think we lost to the luckier not the better side because Enyimba were not better than my wards in the game.

Both side gave good account of themselves as expected in a derby, we’ve taken the defeat in good faith,” said the former Plateau United coach.

Nduka said he had hoped to end the first stanza of the league season on a winning note.

•Nduka Ndubuisi

Pts 38 31 30 29 29 28 28 28 28 27 26 26 26 25 24 24 22 20 19 17

hree-time Nigeria Pro fessional Football League (NPFL) champions, Dolphins proved their mettle as former champions as they beat Bayelsa United 2-0 in a dramatic game decided over two days at the Port Harcourt Liberation stadium.

The game which was originally scheduled to hold on Saturday was called off in the 81st minute because of a water-logged pitch with Dolphins leading 2-0 at the time.

The game continued on Sunday at the same venue with the NPFL directing that only 15 minutes plus added time be played.

No goals were scored in the underwhelming contest as Dolphins put in a workman-like performance to hold on for maximum points.

Afterwards, United trainer, Ladan Bosso expressed surprise that the game was not replayed entirely on a clean slate.

“I was surprised that we were asked to play just 15 minutes with Dolphins leading 2-0. Ordinarily, the game should have been replayed entirely but we decided to go along with the deci-

Ikoko beckons Golden Eaglets coach

Y

OUTHFUL Otonye Kingsley Ikoko is just one amongst the glut of stars abound in this country whose future holds promise, if properly managed.

Otonye Kingsley Ikoko, whose dazzling defensive and offensive qualities were on display at the recently conducted football clinic left officials of Bolton Wanderers football club of England Youth team wondering why such a talent was wasting here.

The Bolton officials who were in the country to conduct the coaching clinic with the city of David Church were stunned by the exceptional soccer artistry exhibited by the kidstar.

Ikoko, only Seventeen, was first discovered at Early Stars Football Academy (now cowbell Football Academy) owned by renowned Television Journalist,Godwin Dudu Orumen and currently laces his boots for Cathedral Boys Football Academy, Abalti Barracks.

The light-skinned Ikoko maintains a solid balance between the right full back and the right wing position and can operate conveniently from both positions C M Y K

30—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

IBM proffers tech solution to Lagos traffic Continues from page 25

and traffic conditions, as well as bus, boat and toll schedules.

Also included among the proposals was a single, integrated e-ticketing system for all modes of transportation (similar to New York City’s Metro Card or London’s Oyster card systems) and integrated fare management.

The introduction of roadway toll rates based on

Engel and Nugent (2010) trace the conceptual roots of the spatial turn to Ernst Cassirer and Henri Lefebvre (1974), although Frederic Jameson appears to have coined the epochal usage of the term for the 1980s paradigm shift. Jameson (1988 / 2003, 154) notes that the concept of the spatial turn, “has often seemed to offer one of the more productive ways of distinguishing postmodernism from modernism proper, whose experience of temporality — existential time, along with deep memory — it is henceforth conventional to see as dominant of the high modern.”

“The intellectual roots of mobilities in sociology distinguish it from the traditional transportation studies and transportation geography, which have firmer roots in mid 20th century positivist spatial science. Cresswell (2010, 551) presents six characteristics distinguishing mobilities from prior approaches to the study of migration or transport: Mobilities often links science and social science to the humanities Mobilities often links across different scales of movement, while traditional transportation geography tends to focus on particular forms of movement at only one scale (such as local traffic studies or household travel surveys) Mobilities encompasses the movement of people, objects, and ideas, rather than narrowly focusing on areas like passenger modal shift or freight logistics Mobilities considers both motion and, “stopping, stillness and relative immobility.”

Mobilities incorporates mobile theorization and methodologies to avoid the privileging of, “notions of boundedness and the sedentary” Mobilities often embraces the political and differential politics of mobility, as opposed to the apolitical, “objective” stance often sought by researchers associated with engineering disciplines Mobilities can be seen as a postmodern descendant of modernist transportation studies, with the influence of the spatial turn C M Y K

traffic density would also help encourage the use public transportation, bringing less pollution and increased revenue.

The state was also advised to create a single platform for all its traffic and transportation-related data, integrating all agencies and modes of transport, allowing seamless passenger transfers.

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola

says, “The need to deploy innovative approaches that address civic challenges in Lagos State has never been greater. Keeping up with the state’s growing appetite for services and resources is a herculean and continuous process. Our ability and growing success in attracting home-grown and international trade and investment activity, is generating a need for

better governance and management practices.

Technology is the key to the future, and we welcome IBM’s support in this regard.”

The team's recommendations incorporated existing infrastructure, and proposed strategies for self-funded projects.

“IBM’s set of recommendations address our key transportation challenges and clearly en-

Humanity and mobility systems: Imperatives for future of public transportation systems (2) corresponding to a, “poststructuralist agnosticism about both naturalistic and universal explanations and about single-voiced historical narratives, and to the concomitant recognition that position and context are centrally and inescapably implicated in all constructions of knowledge” (Cosgrove, 1999, 7; Warf and Arias, 2009).”

Transportation and Our Environment From Bicycle to what?

We’ve already seen some excellent thinking around the city of the future. A recent paper by Microsoft comes to mind, a white paper on the anywhere working city. It introduced

trans#port system. The challenge lies in complementing the urban structure in a manner that allows the mobility and transport needs of new residents and functions to be efficiently met through public transport.

Public transport systems offer many advantages over the personal alternatives when it comes to getting large numbers of people from A to B in style and safety - less congestion, less pollution and lower costs for starters. But while we certainly see plenty of impetus on the personal transport front, fresh concepts for the future of mass transport don’t seem to enjoy the same level of

Mobilities often embraces the political and differential politics of mobility, as opposed to the apolitical, “objective” the concept of a ‘third space’ - a space between the office and the home where people can connect via technology.

Global Action Plan’s ‘Business in motion’ paper examined how technology could reduce our impact on the environment. And Business in the Community’s ways2work campaign connects business leaders with best practice on how businesses can reduce their impact on the transport network.

A heightened ap#preciation of environmental values is required for the future development of public transport – especially in Africa.

Growing medium-sized urban regions provide a vi#able passenger base for a functioning public

exposure, despite the fact that many cities around the world are still saddled with public transport infrastructure that’s been in place for over a century.

There are some radical plans in the works, however, and the 21st Century will undoubtedly bring with it a raft of people moving projects that redefine our notion of public transport.

So just what will be pulling into the station in 50 years time?

SHAPE OF FUTURE MOBILITY SYSTEMS Below, the author has researched on some innovative and inspirational models of future transportation and mobility systems and presents ten (10) of those that are out rightly crazy and others that are just

wow and breathtaking! *Evacuated Tube Transport - Superconducting vacuum trains The Evacuated Tube Transport (ETT) system envisions superconducting maglev trains operating in evacuated tubes at speeds of up to 6,500 km/h (4,039 mph) on international trips - that’s New York to Beijing in two hours! The proponents of this system say that ET3 could be 50 times more efficient than electric cars or trains.

Terraspan goes even further than ultra-efficient mass transport with its vision for a network of superconducting tunnels. As well as providing infrastructure for “Terraspan trains,” this network would also facilitate zero loss transmission of electricity to our homes.

A 500 km/h (310 mph) vacuum train project has also been proposed for Switzerland, but as the Swissmetro site outs it: “So a far-advanced technology of and for the next generation remains in the drawer.” * String Transport System Another high-speed rail concept that aims to present an alternative to conventional systems without the astronomical price tag is Anatoly Unitsky’s String Transport System. The concept is based on the use of what look like heavy-duty above ground electrical wires, but instead of carrying power, these high-tension wires become the support for carriages.

The proponents of the system see big advantages in terms of cost (somewhere between three and 10 times less expensive than a railway, maglev system, monorail system or motorway) and efficiency (an 80 kW (107hp) motor would take a 20person passenger vehicle up to 155 mph (250 km/h)).

hance our ongoing efforts to fix the myriad of issues faced by our fast developing state,” Kayode Opeifa, Lagos State commissioner for transport said.

Further confirming this point of view, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos state commissioner for works and infrastructure said the state’s “blueprint for transforming our struggling infrastructure into a modern ecosystem driven by data intelligence and efficient resource management has been further authenticated by these set of recommendations from IBM.” Lagos is West Africa’s

*Tubular Rails Taking the above ground rail concept further (and then turning it on its head) is Robert C. Pulliam’s Tubular Rails. In this system the trains themselves carry the tracks, while the wheels and motors are contained in elevated rings that the train passes through at speeds of up to 240 km/h (150 mph).

Because the design would cause minimal disruption to existing infrastructure and the technology is readily available, Tubular Rail estimates that construction costs could be 60 percent less than conventional urban train networks. *Straddling Bus - Sharing the street This is definitely one of the most interesting public transportation concepts we’ve encountered over the years when it comes to reducing urban congestion, while making use of existing infrastructure.

The “straddling bus” would roll on stilts above traffic using small tracks positioned between lanes of traffic while passengers get on and off at elevated bus stops. The result: additional people carrying capacity for urban roads, no disruption to traffic and no need to build completely independent track systems. Seems like a win/win, but at this stage we’re not aware of any progress on the expected pilot program. *The Shweeb - Humanpowered mass transport Another outside-the-box approach to transport that deserves a place in our top 10 is the Shweeb. This human powered monorail system uses bicycle pods suspended from tracks to create a very efficient option for getting from A to B. Currently you can ride the Shweeb at the Agroventures in New Zealand where you can reach speeds of up to 45 km/h (28 mph) under your own steam. The idea is not limited to adventure parks though. Shweeb picked up a US$1 million investment from Google in 2010 as part of Project 10/100 and the company says it will soon be announcing the planned location of the first Shweeb built for public use.

z TO BE CONTINUED. Uwaje, President of

ISPON, delivered this as a paper at the eWorld Forum which held in Lagos penultimate week.

leading commercial hub with the region’s largest air and seaports. The city generates 25% of national gross domestic product and its citizens account for 12% of Nigeria’s population.

“Lagos will continue to be a significant element of Africa’s economic success story, said Taiwo Otiti, IBM’s Country General Manager for West Africa. “An intelligent, interconnected logistics and transportation management system is a crucial must-have for any modern city, and this engagement with IBM’s Executive Service Corps team will further enhance the state’s ability to deploy technology-driven solutions in a timely and strategic manner.”

The collaboration between Lagos and IBM was funded by a Smarter Cities Challenge grant -one of only some 30 awarded globally for 2013.

Launched in 2011, the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge is a three-year, 100city, US$50 million competitive grant program.

IBM's single-largest philanthropic initiative, the program assigns a team of six top IBM experts to each winning city to study a key issue identified by the city's leadership. The program was inspired by the global migration to cities. According to the United Nations, in 2008 more than half the world's population began living in cities for the first time.

NITDA powers legislators on ICT-driven law-making Continues from page 25

tion and interaction with citizens would have witnessed further improvement,” he said.

On his part, another participating, Senator Olugbenga Obadara, said there is no alternative to digital legislation if Nigerian legislative process must be made effective and efficient.

“As the world is changing, one has to get more acquainted with the latest in the ways we conduct our business because in making laws, more researches have to be done, which is the practice globally, and in doing this, we’ll be able to be updated with the latest in the world.”

According to him, “It simplifies your job in the essence of being able to use gadgets that will aid your work; it makes the work faster, the research quicker and more conductive either on the senate’s floor or at home.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013—31

Cashless Policy gets boost as SIBS berth in Nigeria

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

G

From right: Mrs Tawa Arilesere, Deputy Director, Investigation and Enforcement, NAFDAC; Mrs Ifeoma Amusan, Regional Manager Branches, Tripplesea Limited; Dr Leo Atueyi, Head Tripplesea Foods and Pharmacenticals Limited, and Mr Rolland Emuobor, Business /Product Development Manager, also of Tripplesea during the 2012 Africa top dealers award, organised by Africa Brands Review.

LOBAL payment processing company, SIBS International, has pledged its support and commitment towards the success of the cashless policy initiative in Nigeria. Speaking at a press conference during the Card, ATM and Mobile Expo (CAME), held in Lagos recently, Mr. Pedro Hipolito, Managing Director of the company, stated that the firm is set to launch an office in Lagos, the country’s commercial capital in order to play a long term proximity role in bringing the cashless policy to fruition.

Hipolito added that the company has been present in Nigeria through a partnership with Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) since 2011, and that moving fully into Nigeria is a sign of its commitment towards assisting the country in achieving a cashless economy. He said: "We are going to deepen our presence in Nigeria by opening an office here. This move signals our commitment towards supporting Nigeria's quest for cashless payment system. We will ensure that we have people on the ground to cultivate relationships and meaningful exchange of

knowledge and also provide cutting edge technology towards that goal.”

He expressed optimism that with the company’s experience in payment solutions spanning over 30 years, Nigeria will attain a cashless payment system that is efficient, safe, reliable and people friendly. “We are riding on over 30 years’ experience in this business. Indeed, SIBS International has been able to carve a niche for itself as a global leader in payment solutions. Our mandate is to deliver innovative, safe and flexible payment solutions in order to ensure that Nigeria attains the much vaulted cashless economy.” he said.

SIBS International operates in more than ten countries around the world, including Algeria, Angola, Malta, Mozambique, Nigeria, Poland, Spain, Greece, Romania, Portugal among others.

CT Ministry to hold stakeholders forum tomorrow

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he Ministry of Communication Technology has concluded arrangements to hold a Stakeholders Forum tagged ‘’Connected for Growth- Moving from planning to Execution” The forum according to Efem Nkanga, SA (Media) to the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson will hold at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Kuramo Waters today in Lagos.

The event which serves as an avenue for interaction between the ministry and industry stakeholders will provide the opportunity to assess progress in key areas of the ICT Industry.

The Ministry since creation in July 2011 has been holding regular forums with industry stakeholders in fulfilment of the pledge by the Minister, Mrs Omobola Johnson that she will work hand in hand with industry stakeholders to transform the ICT sector.

The proposed forum is the third of such forums with stakeholders.

At the first forum, the Minister presented her Roadmap and vision for the ICT industry.

32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

State government commissioned some state-of-the-art armoured personnel carriers, APCs, during the second anniversary celebration of the administration.

According to a resident in the area where the commissioning took place, that was the third in the series of APCs delivered to the area.

Said he: “We’re really grateful to the Governor for the effort he has put in to ensure our safety here. In fact, this is the third attempt of bringing this APC here. The first two were damaged before they were used because someone poured diesel where he’s supposed to put oil. I believe it was sabotage.” Continuing he said, prior to the provision of the APC, robbers were always on the rampage, terrorising banks and residents.

Securing lives and property Bridge under construction in Itoku

INDUSTRIAL HUB:

Why more companies are moving to Ogun I

By JUDITH UFFORD

T began as an innocent question but soon degenerated into a heated argument. And what is this question, one might? Between Lagos and Ogun, which has more industries? The Lagos fans would not imagine any state in the country taking the lead in terms of commerce and industrialisation. They were ready to put their last kobo on the line.

They readily cited the ports and some industries around the Ogba and Ikeja axis. But after a thorough analysis, it was generally agreed that Ogun State is now the industrial hub of the nation. The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun attested to this recently during the administration’s second anniversary. Senator Amosun

would tell anyone who cares to listen that Ogun has the largest number of industries and that the state is now a preferred choice destination for investment. And this boast is not hot air. An accountant of repute with many years of experience, Gov. Amosun has been able to muscle industries in the state which hitherto paid taxes and levies to the Lagos State to put their money where their mouth is. And he has succeeded in this regard such that from a base of an Internal Generated Revenue, IGR, of N730m as at May 2011 every month, it rose to N3.8b in May 2013 and is still counting.

Thus, according to the Governor,”today, Ogun State is not only open for business, it is business”.

For him, the economic gains are there for all to see. With 123 companies showing readiness to

locate their manufacturing outfits in the state and 32 of this figure already on ground at different levels of operation, while 27 have fully commenced operations, Ogun no doubt is gradually becoming the hottest ‘industrial hub’ in town. Perhaps, it is against this backdrop that the State government says its Bureau of Lands and Survey is being restructured to make it more efficient with transparent and accountable operations.

Accountable operations Amosun said the state government is about completing the implementation of the Geographic Information System, GIS, with full automation land administration. This, he said, would pave way for the mapping of the entire State, facilitating

,

One of the public schools under construction

easier access to land for local and foreign investors.

In addition to this, the state government is equally pursuing with vigour infrastructural development such that it can presently be described as a huge construction site.

Besides the six-lane Ita-EkoSokori-Totoro road and Grade separation (Flyover) bridge at Ibara roundabout which is the first of its kind in the state, there is also another flyover at the Lagos Garage along Folagbade Street and Mobalufon junction along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway.

Another such work in this axis is the Sagamu/Benin Express junction-Oba Erinwole junction project. There are also on-going

“So bad was the situation that the banks shut their doors to the public. Imagine the loss of revenue, both to the banks and State. So, we’re very glad that the Governor had gone to great length to secure lives and properties in this area,” explained this resident who simply describedhimself Ayodeji. All together, a total of 13 APCs, 200 security patrol vans fitted with security and communication gadgets and other security implements have been provided.

Besides the economy, Governor Amosun can also be said to be winning in the education sector.

The construction of 18 model schools across the state is a testimony of this feat. The schools which are located in Ilaro, Onijanganjangan, Itele, AdoOdo, Yemoji, Idi-Aba, Ofo,

,

With 123 companies showing readiness to locate their manufacturing outfits in the state , Ogun no doubt is gradually becoming the hottest ‘industrial hub

projects on the Ilishan/ago-Iwoye road, Ilara/Ijoun/Egua/Oja Odan/Ilase road, the MobalufonEjinrin road, the LafenwaAyetoro, Ofada/Mowe/Ibafo road, amongst others.

According to a state government official, over 400km of rural roads have been opened up in the 20 local government areas in the state. In addition to infrastructural development, an area that the State government has continued to expend energy on is security. According to the Governor, despite the fact that the security agencies belong to the Federal Government, “we have continued to expend funds and other resources in order to ensure security of lives and properties of our people.”

As proof of this effort, residents of Sagamu trooped out in their hundreds recently when the

amongst were jump-started to take care of over 22,000 students who would have began roaming the streets as a result of the hand over of mission schools.

Indeed, it was a sight to behold as school children lined the street leading to one of these school projects in Sagamu. They waved the national flag as the Governor’s convoy drove past.

The scene was reminiscent of colonial Nigeria and this reporter did not hestiate to make this observation when the opportunity presented itself. As the Governor walked round the project site, this reporter spotted a gentleman whom she assumed was one of the teachers in the area. Her assumption was right.

Why were children made to line up in the heat of the sun waiting

Continues on page 33

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 — 33

Why more companies are moving to Ogun Continues from page 32

RAPE: The reign of randy men P

ERHAPS when the Light of Hope Orphanage was being established in 1996, what preoccupied the mind of its founder was how to provide a home for orphans, abused and abandoned children.

Sixteen years after, developments within the facility which is located at 2, Tunde Senbanjo Crescent, Ojodu, Akute Ogun State, appear to have made the orphanage a threat to orphans who live there.

How the Home descended from being a centre for rehabilitation, reformation and reintegration to a source of worry, is better understood by reading the story of its founder Mr. Olatayo Atunde, who is currently being remanded in prison.

It began with allegations by two minors in the orphanage that Atunde had raped them and other girls at various times.

One of the minors (name withheld) had allegedly showed up at school in March with blood dripping down her legs. When questioned by school officials, the minor claimed that Atunde had sex with her.

“Daddy has been having sex with at least 10 of us. We are mostly between the ages of eight and 14. I reported to Aunty Hannah and when she challenged daddy, he laid a curse on me,” she said. Following the allegations, policemen from Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos State arrested Atinude.

The attempted rape of a 65-year-old woman, by 18-year old Nnanna Osondu in Opi Town, Nsukka Local Council of Enugu State, is one case that has left many asking what could have informed the dimension the anomaly had assumed.

Osondu, who had set out in search of an old woman to rape, but had his mission thwarted, narrated how he, in company of other young boys, usually rape old women and widows in Opi community. The tales are endless. Against the backdrop of these incidents across the country, VanguardFeatures, VF, can authoritatively C M Y K

state that rape has become a national The Minister said: “An overview data of concern. Although, various societies have Gender Based Violence generated for 18 states of the federation and covering the had to live with it, all through the ages, its sudden increase in Nigeria, spreads fear six geo-political zones in 2010 revealed that across the land. There is hardly any week out of 479 reported cases, the result is as follows: 21.08 percent of sexual violation, lately without rape cases making the headlines. For instance, the 2012 statistics 44.25 percent of physical violations, 18.37 presented by the Lagos State Attorneypercent of domestic violence, 11.48 percent General and Commissioner for Justice, of harmful traditional practices, HTP and Mr. Ade Ipaye in January 2013, confirmed 2.92 percent of economic violations.” the rising rate of rape.

Why the rising incidence of rape?

The question everywhere is: Why the Alarming statistics: Ipaye disclosed that 427 rape cases were recorded in the state rising incidence of rape? ‘’As long as rape last year, through the Office of Public victims and their parents refuse to show interest in prosecuting the case, the Defence. Similarly, President, Zonta Club II, Ibadan, Dr. (Mrs) Omolara Smith had offenders will go free and more of such at a forum, convened to mark the crime will happen. The victims of rape or International Day for the Elimination of defilement are the main witnesses, the Gender-Based Violence in 2012, said, that police need to send the offenders to prison,’’ cases of rape have As long as rape victims and their parents gone up from 12.5 per cent to 84 per refuse to show interest in prosecuting the cent in Nigeria. case, the offenders will go free and more of In January, a report by the Child such crimes will happen Protection Network, a child rights Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer advocacy group, listed 95 child rape cases Ngozi Braide noted. in five Northern states. The report, which Stating her reasons, she said: ‘’The case did not indicate a time frame over which is a serious offense under the Nigerian law. the incidents occurred, had Gombe State An offender could be sentenced to life at the top of the chart with 50 cases. Kano imprisonment if found guilty. We have was next with 22, while Bauchi, Plateau many people who should be behind bars and Nasarawa had 11, eight and four for violent crimes against women. But cases, respectively. But some rights groups because the people concerned are not like CLEEN foundation, indicated that willing to come forward to assist the police 2,241 cases of rape and indecent assault in prosecution, they are walking freely and were reported in 1999; 1,529 in 2000; 2,284 even committing more of such crime. If in 2001; 2,084 in 2002; 2,253 in 2003; 1,626 offenders are not punished, many others in 2004 and 1,835 in 2005. will be bold to commit such a crime.’’

Following this frightening statistics, a Although the President of Gender worried Minister of Women Affairs and Equality and Protection, GEAP, Dr. Christie Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Idonojie, agreed that inability of victims is Maina, had in April 2012, decried the partly responsible, she told VF that the laws alarming rate of rape cases across the against rape in Nigeria, are not punitive country. She said her Ministry was enough, adding that with such laws still overwhelmed with series of such cases in place, people would still rape with requiring urgent legal attention. impunity.

,

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

,

for the Governor. He gave a secretive smile, took a deep breath and said it’s a doubleedge reason. What do you mean? this reporter asked. “ Well,” he began by way of an explanation, “first, it’s a good opportunity for the children to see their governor and by waving at him, it is their own way of appreciating him for the good work he’s doing. In a way too, the children are encouraged to aspire because amongst them, some might want to take up public office in future,” he said as though delivering a lecture and he was not yet done.

Continuing, he said: “Even the adults you see were not coerced to be here. They came on their on own. I guess it’s a demonstration that they love what the state government is doing and this is their own way of saying thank you.” One wasn’t so convinced with this explanation.

Why for crying out loud would an entire village turn up for a mere project inspection exercise.

The conclusion this reporter came to was this must be a political rally of some sort. The Governor was probably testing the waters for 2015. That certainly explained the huge crowd at every school project site. My friend (he refused to disclose his identity) shook his head in disagrement.

Annual allocation to education “This government has done so well for us in terms of education and the people are happy. It’s not a political rally. This is just their way of telling the government we appreciate what you’re doing and like you to do more. You understand why I said the reasons for been here are two fold, he said and disappeared into the crowd.

Indeed, the government is holding its own in this sector also.

What with its free education in all public primary and secondary schools. Official statistics put the annual allocation to education at between 22 and 25 percent in line with UNESCO’s recommendation.

What this means is an increase in school enrolment in government owned schools.

Added to this is the rise in performance at external exams.

For the state government, this positive yield leads to one direction- that Ogun youths would be eligible for tertiary education. And for Governor Amosun, with this development, a solid foundation for the production of high calibre manpower needed for the socioeconomic development and industrialisation of the state is in sight.

34—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

I don’t want jealousy to ruin this relationship

Am I not enough for her?

Dear Bunmi, My 25-year-old girlfriend is 10 years younger than me. I have noticed that her s.x drive is stronger than mine because of the age difference, but I’m a bit concerned about how much she masturbates.

We currently live together and I caught her recently masturbating when I came home earlier than expected in the night.

She admitted she masturbates at least once a day. This is on top of the lovemaking she has with me (about four times a week).

Is this normal? Does it mean I’m not satisfying her? She

says I am and she just likes doing it, but I’m not sure I believe her.

Dejo, by e-mail.

Dear Dejo, She’s right and you’re better off believing her! In one major survey, nine out of 10 women aged over 18 admitted to masturbating. It’s natural— so natural that it’s believed humans are not the only females of the animal kingdom who do it.

Female horses, cows, dolphins, cats, monkeys and baboons have all been seen to play with themselves or rub their privates against things,

especially when in heat.

It’s perfectly normal for your girlfriend to masturbate everyday or even several times a day. It’s also fine to masturbate less or not at all!

Your girlfriend seems honest enough to have come out with the truth and I believe that if she wasn’t satisfied by the lovemaking you were having she would have told you.

So assuming she’s not doing anything abnormal, like staying off work to do it or has an array of vibrators, I’d relax and be proud of a girlfriend who enjoys lovemaking and is not scared to let you know she does!

I fancy my married boss Dear Bunmi, I’m a secretary in love with her married boss. I’ve worked with him a couple of years now and he’s 21 years older than me. This might sound like a cliche, but I have these gut feelings we have a real connection.

Apart from the official lunches we attend together, he also takes me to lunch from time to time. Once or twice, he’s even taken me to his club

for drinks.

I don’t want to be responsible for breaking up a marriage but this looks like my one chance to be happy. I feel more for this man than I have for anyone else in a long time.

Do you think I should take the risk and take things further?

Annie, by e-mail.

Dear Annie, Why do you believe this is your ‘one chance’ of being

happy? Are you under the impression there’s a massive shortage of men?

It’s true some men do leave their wives for women with whom they live happier lives.

But a vast majority has the affair with their hot, young and eager secretaries, stay married and when the secretary starts to make too much noise about them living a more stable life, fire her an get a new one.

Dear Bunmi, I’m not really happy at home as my parents are not really happy with each other and take it out on us children. I am 18 and I have a boyfriend who seems to be sympathetic to my plight.

He listens with sympathy, hugs and kisses me, then we make love. I’m beginning to feel used by him.

I’m furious that it’s happening, but I also find some sort of comfort in it. I just don’t know what to do. My boyfriend is 24 and has a good job.

Falilat, by e-mail.

isn’t what you want, then ensure you steer clear of physical contact with him.

You could get pregnant or catch a nasty disease. All you want now is more support—

from someone who doesn’t want anything physical from you. I suggest you interact with more female friends and talk to any counsellor or an older relative you like.

Dear Bunmi, Ever since I first started going out on dates, my jealousy has sent my men packing. I’m always accusing them of two-timing me and I’ve even stalked one or two.

I’ve always regretted this oneeyed monster that is ruining my life.

I have two children from two men I’d driven into other women’s arms because of my anger. In my late 30s, I’ve now met a wonderful man and I want our relationship to work. Help!

Titilope, by e-mail.

Dear Titilope, Admitting to your excessive jealousy is a step in the right direction. Once you’ve done that, you can start solving the problem. You need to pinpoint your fear.

All jealousies are down to anxiety that the person you love is going to fall for someone else. When you experience jealous feelings, try to understand exactly

what triggered them.

Don’t imagine the worst as jealousy often makes you imagine problems. If you find yourself making up stories in your head of how your partner is going to leave, get a grip. Relax and stop thinking negatively.

If you think you’ve got something to be jealous of however, ask your partner about it not in an accusing way, just to get reality check.

Hopefully, your partner will reassure you at this fitage.

You also need to raise your self-esteem. Often, you are jealous because you don’t feel good enough— you’re sure your partner can find someone better. Build confidence in yourself and you’ll build trust in your partner.

Lastly, work on your love and the intimacy you share.

The stronger your relationship, the less reason you’ll have to feel jealous. Forget about threat to your love.

Instead, channel that energy into strengthening the bond you have.

‘

He listens with sympathy, hugs and kisses me, then we make love. I’m beginning to feel Lovemaking is all the comfort he offers used by him

Dear Falilat, I can see why you’re confused. You’re mistaking affection for passion. As you’re going through such a traumatic time, you’re turning more and more to him for comfort. When he steps over the line between sympathy and intimacy, you don’t stop him and this leaves you feeling bad.

This isn’t your fault as you’re currently vulnerable, so any physical contact seem good. But you need to tell this man clearly that intimacy

I no longer want intimacy as much as I used to Dear Bunmi, I am in my late 30s and a single mother of a child. When I first started going out with my current partner, I wanted intimacy all the time and we couldn’t get enough of each other. But now, I only feel in the mood for it the day before my period starts.

My man’s getting really pissed off and frustrated with intimacy only once a month and wants our old style back.

Is there anything I can do?

Lizzy, by e-mail.

Dear Lizzy, Loss of desire for intimacy is not unusual in a couple, particularly for the woman.

But there are ways to get the spark back. You need to see your doctor for a check-up.

It’s possible that illness or medication could be causing your loss of libido. If so, your doctor can treat the problem, or consider changing your existing medication.

Look at your lifestyle. Do you eat a healthy diet and get enough exercise? If not, you should tackle these issues, as libido is connected to wellbeing.

Include lots of fresh foods in your diet, and try to exercise three times a week. Exercise is a great natural way to reduce stress levels. And if you’re a smoker, try to quit the habit.

Examine your relationship and be totally honest. Do you think it is solid? Try to spice up your lovemaking so as to re-energise your s.x life. Good luck.

My girl allows me too much freedom Dear Bunmi, For four years, I’ve had a rewarding relationship with my partner and care for her a lot. But one thing really confuses me: she doesn’t get jealous at all.

She lets me go out with my mates, go to late night parties alone, but never worries I might go off with another woman. Is this normal? I’m beginning to wonder whether she really loves me.

Lekan, by e-mail.

Dear Lekan,

’

I’m sure your partner loves you. In fact, she does more than that— she trusts you.

She’s secure in your love, and she knows you’re not going to stray.

It’s a bit unusual in this day and age where men and women change partners at the drop of a hat— but I wouldn’t worry if I were you.

Only don’t be tempted to have a fling just to show you can, or to get her going. A relationship without any jealousy at all is rare and wonderful— so count your blessings.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Vanguard anguard,,

WEDNESD AY , JUNE 19, 20 1 3 — 35 WEDNESDA 201

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 CANCER; Many of you may be tempted and give in to the urge to gamble either with love or other important issue to the detriment of your cause. Be practical.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

A

Talking to people

great thinker once wrote that words are the ence.

LEO; This is not the right time to take happenings along your career line for granted. Prepare for important doYou may be a great forerunner of our mestic challenge. Keep your family secrets. action. People first actor but if you are hear us talk before not able to market VIRGO; You may over inflate your ego to the resentthey see us act our your skill you will ment of people that matter. Watch what you do with talk. It is what we have a scanty audimoney before 12.31pm. Try to be more diplomatic. say that first cap- ence. And if you are LIBRA; If care is not taken you would mislead others tures their attention a leader, if you can’t before 12.31pm while you are close to minor but costly and ensure that communicate your mistakes from 12.31pm. Be wise with money. intention, chances TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”they give us audiBy Lanre Kehinde

are that you will have a very low followership. This is where ability to speak and communicate appropriately comes in. It is not enough to know it, the question is can you convince peo-

ple that you know it?

Talking to people is a skill everyone of us should develop.

The leader, the marketer, the politician, the manager etc. we all need the skill.

Think about it!

SCORPIO; After initial confusion before 1pm you find your bearing and assert yourself but you will need to prepare to take care of oppositions that may come up suddenly.

SAGITTARIUS; It is important you don’t allow friends mislead you before 12.31pm no matter how genuine their intention. Watch what you do with your health.

Tomorrow is your best day.

CAPRICORN; Take it easy along your career/business line during the morning period so that costly mistakes will not make things difficult for. Take your social life seriously.

AQUARIUS; What may look like a very good advice from younger members within your base of operation may eventually lead to avoidable trouble.

PISCES; Miscalculation is possible before 12.31pm that is why you will need to be as practical as possible and refuse to take people for granted throughout.

ARIES; Yes it is good to take partnership related issue seriously but priority attention must be given to money.

Watch what you tell others before 12.31pm.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

TAURUS; If you take your new ideas too seriously they would mislead you. But taken good advice from your influential friends can prove helpful. As the Moon fluctuates during AM period it is important you practical till after 12.31pm.

GEMINI; Provided you don’t allow mid-morning blues to get better off you will eventually live up to expectation at work. Take good care of your health, please.

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 sesitive part?

Dear Joshua, I ma interested in your daily analysis in Vanguard Newspapers. The truth is your daily horoscope column always work for me and now I just cant do without reading my Star in your papers.

My believe is since you can be as accurate as possible writing daily horoscope you are in a better position to analyse my health which is very important to me. I want to know which area(s) of my body should be taken more seriously.

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Mohammed, Lagos.

Dear Mohammed, According to your natal horoscope you have gone above danger zones of your life health-wise. But then what you will find here-under will be of benefit. Thanks for your commendation.

YOUR HEALTH Opposition between the Sun (an indicator of basic selfhood) and difficult Saturn during your birth hour pointed to a very tough beginning in life but luckily for you both Spiritual Neptune in powerful Scorpio and steady Pluto in healthy Virgo were at positive angles to your natal Sun thus, your chances of surviving are more than the delicate ones. More so as your natal Sun and Moon are members of strongest Star signs-health wise.

Certainly Saturn must have brought you a few number of health related challenges raging from skin, bone, sometimes the stomach and importantly headache .

Since you were able to survive infancy and middle age you have very good chances of living to a very old age.

While the ailments stated here can easily be managed by yourself one important organ of your body that must be managed by medical expert is your HEART because of many placement in heart related Star sign. This is not to say you must have heart problem but here is an organ you in particular must take very seriously. Yes fever is common in Africa and today fear of STDs is the beginning of good health. STDs are mentioned here because of your natal planets is sexual Scorpio. Mind you nothing fatalistic here, but mere warnings.

HOME & AWAY

by Lawrence Akapa

36—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

Ex-Deputy Senate President, Legogie dies @ 65

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—SENATOR Albert Legogie, Deputy Senate President in the Third Republic, 65, is dead. He died, Monday, at a private hospital in Benin, Edo State, at 4:30pm, after a brief illness.

His first son, Victor Legogie, told Vanguard: “He had malaria and was taken to the hospital. He recovered and was brought home. In fact he was doing well.

“But later, he fell ill again and we rushed him back to the hospital.

Unfortunately, he died.

As you know, my dad was a man of many parts.

“We have to inform the National Assembly and state government before fixing a date for his burial.

"We are consulting with a lot of people. We never expected him to die now.

It is shocking.”

Eku re-union

E

KU sons and daughters from all parts of the world are expected to attend a family re-union thanksgiving at the St. Matthias Anglican Church, Eku, on Sunday.

Venerable S. Ikpesa, in a statement, said the thanksgiving was part of efforts aimed at strengthening family spirit.

Ijaw Youth Council has lost focus, says ex-scribe

BY EMMA AMAIZE

W

ARRI—FORMER Secretary of Ijaw Youth Coun-

cil, IYC, Western Zone, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, yesterday, said that the current leaders of the group had lost focus and advocated a caretaker committee to run its affairs.

Speaking to Vanguard in

Warri, Delta State, he said: “IYC has outlived its usefulness because those at the helm of affairs have politicised the body and created many organs that contradict the council's set objectives.

Why we translate Bible to pidgin— C'ttee

BY EMMA ARUBI

W

ARRI—AS PART of efforts to spread the Christian gospel, the Nigerian Pidgin English Bible Promoters Committee has launched the first Pidgin English in audio CDs. Speaking at the presentation of the Pidgin English Audio Bible at the Word of Life Bible Church, Warri, Delta State, Dr. Mark Erumi, said that the committee decided to embark on translating the Bible to preach the Word of God to majority of Nigeria.

Erumi said that during his years of travels across the

world, he came to discover that Bible is a universal language and that everybody in Nigeria, irrespective of age, understands Pidgin English.

He said the translation of the New Testament of the Bible took them nine years to complete, adding that the greatest challenge was how to translate some English words to Pidgin English.

He, however, thanked God for making it possible for them to finish the translation, promising that the Old Testament would be available in two years time.

Earlier in his brief remark, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Presi-

dent, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, said that the Word of God is life, noting that every good thing in life came into being as a result of the Word of God. He said: “There is no greater gift that you can give to man than the Bible. The Bible is life and every good thing in life came into being as a result of the Bible.”

Also speaking at the event, President of CAN (SouthSouth Chapter), Archbishop God-Do-Well Avwomakpa, thanked the committee for the translation, adding that it would help to spread the gospel of Christ.

“A caretaker committee should be immediately constituted to examine the many conflicting structures on ground.

“Sometimes, the executive will say something, parliament will say a different thing and the Board of Trustees will go in another direction. Now, they have introduced committee of past leaders.

“Some of us do not have faith in the council. How can they set up an electoral committee that has members of the current body, Ijaw National Congress, INC, as members?

“The chairperson of the committee, Ankio Briggs, is a member of INC and she contested in the last election. Another member, Alaowei James, also contested for a position in the last INC election.

“What I am saying is that IYC has lost focus, otherwise, how can members of the INC be called to conduct election for an organisation they do not belong?”

Fayemi seeks 10-yr-ban for election riggers

BY INNOCENT ANABA

G

OVERNOR Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has called for a 10-year-ban or more on public office holders found by the courts to have rigged themselves into power, noting that until same was done, cheats will continue to find themselves in power.

Governor Fayemi spoke at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association, Section on Business Law, NBA-SBL, 7th Annual Business Law Conference, in Lagos, with the theme The Legal Profession in an Emerging Economy.

He renewed his call for the setting up of a special court to prosecute electoral offenders, saying “establishing an elec-

toral court will ensure that those who put themselves into public offices through fraudulent means, and the court holds so, should be banned from holding public office for an upwards of 10 years or more.

NBA President's speech

Meanwhile, NBA President, Mr. Okey Wali, SAN, in his address, said: “Continuing legal education or professional development has assumed an urgent priority in developed and developing economies.

"It is a lifelong learning process that is indispensable to professional growth and individual competence of lawyers.

"With the dynamic social,

political and economic changes taking place in our society, there is increased demand for legal services that are responsive, innovative and effective.

“I believe that continuing legal education is a vital component of legal education. Legal education does not end once a lawyer is admitted to practice law. Indeed, it begins after admission to practice.

"It is for this reason that the NBA established the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, NBA ICLE. Since inception, it has been organising training programmes and workshops covering various areas of law.”

He commended the council and members of SBL under

Fayemi

Governor Fayemi, continuing, said: “Consider the issue of electoral fraud. It distorts the legitimacy of governance.

"When a fraudulently ‘elected’ official, who enters into contracts on behalf of government, signs budgets, incurs wage bills, benefits from the entitlements of the office among others, is later adjudged a beneficiary of electoral fraud, ordinarily the justice system in invalidating his tenure should also render all decisions he took in office ipso facto null and void— but this is not so."

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

the leadership of Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, for their commitment and determination.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On President Jonathan's mid-term report(4)

F

ROM what I have seen so far, President Jonathan is serious in ensuring that we get dividends of democracy. Just that there are so many bed eggs in his administration that need to leave for things to be better.— Miss Danquah Lucina, Student.

H

ONESTLY, I do not know where to start from. Is it the roads, electricity, unemployment level or general poverty in the land? You name it. They are not working. Yet I see people say this administration has done well.— Mr. Tunde Julius, Sound Engineer.

L

IKE I used to hear “Rome was not built in a day.” So Nigerians should be patient because these things cannot just change suddenly. However, with time things shall be better. I score him 60 percent.— Miss Suzzie H e r b e r t , Businessperson.

R

IGHT now there is nothing to score this administration on. If what we were told by some ministries during the mid-term report are believable, let me hope that things will get better in this country. Let us just hope.— Miss Temmy Williams, Student.

I

really do not like dabbling into politi cal issues because our politicians are not trying. They do not inspire hope at all. The only time they show interest in us is during elections.

After electioneering, their true colours show.— Mr. Nelson Nwamara, Writer.

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ELL, let us hope that something good will come out in the remaining two years. For now, I cannot say that the present administration has done well. Even the payment of N18,000 minimum wage is still an issue.— Miss Obioma Okoye, Businessperson.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 —37

Oil workers protest failed Eleme-Onne link road

BY JIMITOTAONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT—THE NIGERIA Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN have handed both the Federal and the Rivers State Governments, a seven-day ultimatum to commence work on the deplorable Eleme-Onne link road in the state.

The two unions, which stormed the road to protest its deplorable state, said members cannot continue to waste productive hours on the road because of its deplorable state.

Chairman of NUPENG, Eastern zone, Mr. Godwin Ayuba, who spoke to Vanguard, said that haulage vehicles find it very difficult to use the road, adding that if the federal and state governments failed to start work on the road in compliance with the ultimatum, members would be forced to remain at home.

According to him, members of the two oil unions pay so much as tax to the Rivers State Government, stressing that it was not their business who was

responsible for the road, as all they want was for same to be fixed.

He said: “There are about 300 companies at the Onne Free Trade Zone, the Eleme Petrochemical is also affected by the deplorable state of the

roads. The biggest refinery in the country is also in the area. Our members pay the highest tax to the state government, yet we spend four to five hours on the road because of its bad state. We are giving the governments

seven days ultimatum to commence work on the road. We don’t want to know which level of government owns the road.

When we go on strike, we will not want to know which level of government will be affected.”

VISIT: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, presenting a plague to Dr. Halima Nyako, wife of Adamawa State Governor, during a courtesy call, at Governor's Office, Uyo.

Women in oil communities raise alarm over rise in breast cancer

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN CITY—WOMEN from the nine oil producing states of the Niger Delta, under the aegis of Host Oil and Gas Communities, Women Wing, yesterday, cried out that women in host communities are suffering breast cancer and other diseases as a result of gas flaring and appealed to the National Assembly and the Federal Government to put in place laws that will protect women of the region.

They also appealed to the National Assembly to urgently pass the pending Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, noting that the passage of the bill will bring transparency in the management of funds from the oil sector.

National Coordinator of Host Oil and Gas Communities, Women

Wing, Evangelist Carina Gassidy, in Benin City, Edo State, at a meeting of the Hostcom women, explained that the body is to be inaugurated on July 27, 2013 by President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that the women wing of Hostcom was formed to protect the rights

and health of women in the oil producing communities.

She said: “We are not satisfied with the condition of women in the oil producing areas because gas flaring is affecting our women, we are suffering breast cancer and many other diseases. And that is why we are sensitising our

Delta OSAPEV chairman sacked

BY GODWIN OGHRE

S

APELE—THE State Co ordinator of the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Delta State chapter, in partnership with Foundation for the Advancement of Ethics and Values, Lady Gladys Omaghoni, was, yesterday, impeached in Asaba,

following the crisis rocking the Office.

She was impeached at a meeting of members, executive and board of trustees of the office in Asaba.

Members of her executive, were not left out as they were also removed, leading to the constitution of a Caretaker Committee, with Mr. Festus Unuavworhuo as

Private schools owners urged to improve standards

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—PRESIDENT of Association of Private Schools Owners of Nigeria, APSON, Delta State chapter, Revd. Felix Mikpoyibo, has charged proprietors of private schools in the country to assist government to improve on the standard of education in the country.

Mikpoyibo in a statement at

women to take their rightful place in the communities. The woman is a major stakeholder in the family and when we suffer all kinds of disease such as breast cancer due to oil exploration and gas flaring and nobody is doing anything about it, it is certainly unfair.”

the general meeting of the association, said as school owners “we should identify with people of high integrity in the society. The association has set up a committee to checkmate the activities of school proprietors with a view to disciplining erring members.”

According to him, the association will soon organise a seminar for teachers in private schools, adding that; “if you

don’t teach them, don’t blame them.” He told owners of private schools, who are yet to register their schools with government to do so without delay.

He added that the association will partner the state Ministry of Education on a state wide educational development quality assurance training exercise for proprietors and Heads of registered private schools in the state.

Chairman/State Coordinator, Mrs. Onwuka Eunice as State second Coordinator and Peter Edoghogho, as Secretary.

The Coordinators and Trustees of the body in a statement, said Lady Omaghoni and her executive were impeached, following what they described as “bad leadership.”

The statement also accused Lady Omaghoni and her executive of insubordination and refusal to render accounts and submit to the general house, several documents relating to the activities of the body, which include, photocopies of appointment letters of members, certificate of the cooperative union, identity card of members, N800 which they collected from each member, list of field workers and their failure to attend a zonal meeting in PortHarcourt, Rivers State, without reasons.

Non indigenes hail Dickson

BY SAMUEL OYADON-

Y

GHA

ENAGOA—NON indigenes in Bayelsa State, have lauded the peaceful co-existence between them and Bayelsans and commended Governor Seriake Dickson for providing excellent leadership to the people.

The non indigenes under the aegis of Bayelsa State Association of Non indigenes, BSANI, after the election of its officers, pledged their continued support to the Dickson’s administration.

Newly elected President General of the group, Chief Christopher Edosa, said that the ongoing road projects in the state was an indication of the governor’s determination to launch the state on the fast lane of development.

Edosa, who thanked members for electing them to serve the body, urged them to give the new executive the necessary cooperation to move the union forward and also support Governor Dickson in his drive to ensure peace and good neighbourliness.

Convention

T

HE National Women Convention of Garden of Life Assembly, Warri, will hold from June 21-23, 2013, at the church premises, 7, All Saint Lane, off Okere/Ogberikoko Rd, Effurun, Delta State.

In a statement, Bishop Philip Edward, said that the event with the theme: “I will surely go with you” (Judges 4:9) will have as guest speaker, Rev. E.S. Orovwuje.

Passage

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ADAM Alice Enegaria Udezi (Nee Ekone), 87, of Ikpide-Irri, Isoko South LGA, Delta State, is dead.

There will be a funeral service at Winners Chapel, Ikpide-Irri, on Friday, June 21, at 11.00am to be followed by interment.

She is survived by children and other relations, including Mr. Favour Udezi.

Late Ma Alice Udezi

38—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

Nnaji's power generating firm begins operation in Aba

Flood stalls court's proceeding in Imo

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA WERRI—ACTIVI TIES at Owerri Urban Customary Court, situated inside Imo Hotels, Owerri, were yesterday, stalled, following the submerging of the building by flood.

The flood came on the heels of a torrential rain experienced which lasted for several hours on Monday.

Vanguard observed that court officials and litigants clustered in groups to discuss the flood.

A staff of the court, who spoke to Vanguard on anonymity, said the flood was caused by tampering of the top soil by the contractor handling a government project in the premises.

The staff said: “The contractor bulldozed the top soil of the area and ended up creating a basin around the court building. The courtroom is flooded and no one can even get close to the door.

“You have seen what we are facing. Can anybody work in this type of condition? Except you tell the world what you have seen, nobody will get to know that we cannot get our jobs done for no fault of ours”.

O

Police arraign estate agent over alleged N600,000 fraud

BY IJEOMA NATHANIEL AGOS—A 56-year-old estate agent, Segun Alade, was yesterday, arraigned, before a Lagos Magistrate Court, sitting in Ikeja, for allegedly obtaining N600,000 from one Adesanya Adegbesan, under false pretext of getting him an accommodation.

The defendant who was docked before Magistrate Miss A. O Akinde, is facing twocount charge of fraud and stealing, levelled against him by the police.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Benson Emuerhi, said the defendant committed the offence at 25, Yaya Abatan, Street, Ogba, Lagos.

He told the court that Alade fraudently obtained the money from Mr Adesanya Adegbesan under the pretence of letting a four-bedroom duplex to him.

The prosecutor also alleged that the defendant did not give the apartment to Adegbesan for rent as promised, after he had collected N600,000, payment meant for the apartment.

L

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MEETING—From left: Mr Yemi Adeola, Managing Director Sterling Bank Plc; Alhaji Suleiman Adegunwa, Chairman; and Justina Lewa, Company Secretary at the Bank's completion Board Meeting at Eko Hotel & Suite, Victorial Island, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

Ubah tackles Gov Obi over car gifts

BY ENYIM ENYIM

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NITSHA—THE face-off between Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and a governorship aspirant for the 2014 governorship election in the state, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, deepened yesterday as Obi’s recent distribution of vehicles to traditional rulers came under attack

by Ubah. Governor Obi gave vehicles to each of the traditional rulers in the state to assist them.

But Ubah in a statement by his Director on Media and Publicity, Mr. Afam Ilouno, described the gesture as a ‘Greek Gift’ with a political undertone.

“Governor Peter Obi has suddenly woken up to recognize and respect the traditional institution by giving them vehicles after more than seven years of his administration. Ubah said: “These vehicles are the statuto-

ry rights of these royal fathers and they should have been given two vehicles each before now”.

According to Iloumo, Obi’s gesture is propelled by the recent visit of the traditional rulers to one of their illustrious sons, Ubah, in Lagos, where on departure they were given transport money back to the east.

The visit of the traditional rulers to Ubah, it would be recalled, caught the wrath of the governor who, on their arrival, ordered them to return the transport money to Ubah, threatening that any of them that failed to comply with the directive would be de-robed.

But the traditional rulers unanimously disobeyed the governor’s directive and rather chose to wait for the worst to happen which, however, was

translated to the new vehicles that was recently given to each of them by Obi’s government.

Political observers opined that Obi’s action was predicated on his fears that Ubah was becoming too popular and may scuttle his plot to instal a governor that would succeed him come 2014.

Afam said: “The motive of Governor Obi giving the vehicles to traditional rulers almost at the end of his administration is well known to Anambra people.

“It is aimed at currying the favour of traditional rulers and people of Anambra so that he will have a leeway to instal a governor for Anambra State in 2014.

“Governor Obi should know that his antics and political gimmick would not work this time because the people of Anambra have vowed to resist any form of imposition of a governor on them.”

Dabiri-Erewa condemns killing of 2 Nigerians in US

BY UJU MBANUSI

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HAIRMAN, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Abike DabiriErewa, has condemned the gruesome murder of two Nigerian cab drivers in Washington D.C. and New York, the United States of America and challenged the American authorities to fish out their killers.

Dabiri-Erewa in a statement, recalled the events that led to the death of the two Nigerians who she said were killed in their prime while eking out daily living.

Dabiri-Erewa recalled that

two weeks after a Nigerian cab driver, Solomon James Okoro, was shot dead in Washington DC by armed robbers, another Nigerian, Orji Ama Uro, from Ebonyi State was killed in Brooklyn, New York.

She said “the death of these two Nigerians who are out to earn their daily bread was really heart rendering, worrisome and pathetic. It was barbaric, inhuman and condemnable.”

She further extended her condolence to the families of Okoro and Uro .

She added that “Our concern after the death is the survival of the children. We

extend our condolences to friends and families who have been thrown into mourning”.

She further urged the American security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the senseless killing.

It was reported that 54-yearold Orji Ama Uro from Ekoli Edda, Ebonyi State, was brutally stabbed in the eye with an umbrella after dropping off two people, a man and a woman, in Brooklyn last Thursday.

The point of the umbrella pierced Ama Uro’s brain, and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

MUAHIA— A power generating firm, Geometric Power System, owned by former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji will begin generation and distribution of power in Aba next month.

Prof. Barth Nnaji, who is also served as Chairman of the firm said, necessary arrangements have been concluded for the power company to take off.

Nnaji explained that distribution of electricity from the power plant will be carried out under the name of Aba Power Limited.

He, however, maintained that generation of power will be carried out by Geometrics Company located at Osisioma in Aba. Nnaji spoke on Monday while hosting the General Secretary of National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, Comrade Joe Ajaero, who was in Aba to inaugurate a chapter of the union in the new company.

The former Minister, however, disclosed that the company would be officially commissioned in August

by President Goodluck Jonathan.

FUTO commissions facilities

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—ACADEM IC and infrastructural development have improved at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, following the completion and commissioning of the Department of Dental Technology and the Department of Optometry building complexes.

Also completed were the 1,000 capacity lecture theatre, engineering workshops 1 and 2, 600-bed NDDC hostel, Post Graduate School building complex and installation of solar powered street lights in strategic areas of the university.

FUTO’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Chigozie Asiabaka, who spoke while highlighting his achievements within two years in office, said the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology complex had taken off.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013—39

BURIAL: From right, former Oyo State governor,Otunba Adebayo AlaoAkala; AIG Isaac Boladuro (rtd); Prof. Olu Aina, and Chief Ayo Akinyemi during the final burial rites of Madam Munirat Eyinade Boladuro, at Otun Ayegbaju,Osun State.

ANNIVERSARY: From left, Mr. Jimi Disu with ACN spokesman Alhaji Lai Mohammed, at the first anniversary of 'The Discourse with Jimi Disu,' a programme aired on Classic FM, in Lagos.

COURTESY VISIT: Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (centre); Chairman, Osun Support Group, Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Abolarinwa Oladele (left); Chief Solomon Ogundola (2nd right); Organising Director, Osun Support Group, Mufula Akodu (2nd left); Mr. Bayo Osungbohun (right) and others during a courtesy visit to support Governor Aregbesola for second term in office, at the State Secretariat, Osogbo, Osun State

10TH ANNIVERSARY: The Chairman,Ansar-UdDeen Society, ADS, Abuja Branch, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf (right), during the presentation of an award to Alhaji Ismail Omipidan, North-West Bureau Chief of The Sun Newspapers, at the 10th anniversary of Ansar-ud-Deen Youth Association, in Abuja.

PRESENTATION: The Chief Executive Officer, Bestman Games Limited, Mrs. Nimi Akinkugbe, presenting The City of Lagos Monopoly Board to the Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, in his office in London, during the unveiling of the City of Lagos in United Kingdom.

CONVOCATION: The VC, Babcock University, Prof. J.A. Makinde (right), having a handshake with Dr. Matthew Oladele, during the 2nd Doctoral Hooding ceremony and 11TH Convocation ceremony of Babcock University, llishan-Remo, Ogun State.

STAKEHOLDERS' MEETING: Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Special Adviser, Education, to Lagos State Governor, Otunba Fatai Olukoga and LAMATA’s Director of Public Transport, Mr. Olugbenga Dairo, at a stakeholders' meeting on Bus Rapid Transit extension to Ikorodu, at Ikorodu, yesterday.

SWEARING-IN: Commissioner for Information, Hon. Kayode Akinmade (middle) flanked by Dr. Dayo Adeyanju (left) and Dr. Baderinwa Omolaja, at the swearing-in of new commissioners by Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo State governor, in Akure.

INSPECTION: From left, Chairman, House Committee on Works, Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi; Toby Okechukwu, Ajibola Famurewa, Nosakhare Osahon, and Deputy Chairman Works Committee, Mohammed Wudil, watching the coring machine, at Oshodi Apapa Express Way, yesterday, in Lagos.

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

Bauchi lawmaker seeks enforcement of law on horse riding

Mogaji: Shema condoles with Tinubu

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AUCHI— A MEM BER of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Ilyasu Zwall, has called for the enforcement of the law regulating the use of horses in major cities of the state, to end the harassment of residents by horse riders.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the “Ceremonial Horse Riding (Restriction) Law 2012,” was assented to by Gov. Isa Yuguda on August 28, 2012.

Zwall, who initiated the bill, said in an interview with NAN that almost one year after the enactment of the law, there was no attempt whatsoever to enforce it.

The lawmaker, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Security, said the aim of the law was to protect the people from the menace of some horse riders, mostly youths, whose action often caused accidents and loss of lives.

"During marriages and other ceremonies, some youths are in the habit of speeding on horses dangerously along highways, causing traffic accidents and sometimes loss of lives.

"There was a time an elderly man riding a bicycle, was knocked down and killed by a horse rider in my presence.

"The bill I initiated, which has already been passed into law, does not seek to stop horse-riding completely, but to moderate same in such a way that the safety of innocent people are not jeopardised.

"There was negative reaction from the youths over the bill because they see horse-riding as a status symbol, an indication that they have ‘arrived’, but generally speaking, most people are happy with the legislation.

"Unfortunately, there is no implementation because those responsible for enforcement, the FRSC and Police, are saying they do not have copies of the law," he said.

Zwall, who represents Lere/Bula State Constituency, said he once drew the attention of the governor to the non-enforcement of the law and that a directive was immediately given to the Ministry of Justice to provide copies to relevant law enforcement bodises.

"As I speak, the governor’s directive has not been complied with",he said.

COMMISSIONING—Vice President Namadi Sambo (right) presents a car key to a benefitting taxi driver, Mr. Chukwuma Nnawulezi, while the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed (2nd left) and Minister of State, FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide (l) look on during the official commissioning of the FCT SURE-P/AICL Abuja Taxi Scheme at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Maku, Ewuga, others shun Nasarawa peace meeting L

BY ABEL DANIEL

AFIA—A PEACE meet ing called by Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State to find solution to the protracted crisis which has led to the killing of hundreds of people, including 103 security men in the last few years, flopped yesterday as major stakeholders from Eggon clan boycotted the parley.

The summit was supposed to feature major stakeholders like former governor, Aliyu Akwe Doma; Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; Senator Solomon Ewuga, and former Deputy Governor, Mike Abdul, but they were conspicuously absent.

However, among the few present were another former governor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and former Minister of Labour, Dr. Hassan Lawal.

About 93 policemen and 10 personnel of the Department of State Service, DSS, were allegedly killed by Ombatse cult members about two months ago, following the protracted crisis in the state.

Declaring the summit open, Al-Makura highlighted his achievements so far, especially in the area of infrastructure.

He said: “When I came in 2011, we faced some insurmountable challenges of decay and lack of infrastructure all over the state. We had to

tackle it head long, but a new phenomenon sprang up, causing ethnic crisis and emergence of ethnic militia which later in 2012, gave birth to Ombatse group which go about terrorising the people of the state everywhere” The communiqué of the summit read read in part: "Governor Umaru Tanko AlMakura of Nasarawa State held a meeting with selected stakeholders of the state in Lafia, the state capital to discuss the prevailing security situation in the state.

"Stakeholders at the meeting considered the various security challenges confronting the state and the negative implications for its image.

"The meeting expressed displeasure at the absence of former governor, Aliyu Akwe Doma, Senator Solomon Ewuga and Information Minister, Labaran Maku, at this crucial meeting. That all reports of the high-powered commissions of inquiry into previous communal crises, particularly, those on Assakio and Agyaragu should be implemented and those indicted, prosecuted without further delay. ’’The meeting unanimously condemned the recent gruesome murder of scores of security operatives

at Alakyo village in Lafia East Development Area of the state by the Ombatse Eggon ethnic cult.

"In the light of the above, effort should be intensified to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of the heinous act.

"Accordingly, the meeting called on all Eggon elites to bring to an end the criminal activities of the outlawed Ombatse cult and help fish out the culprits for prosecution.

ATSINA—GOV ERNOR of Katsina State, Dr Ibrahim Shema has commiserated with the former Governor of Lagos State and leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on the death of his mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.

He has also, consoled the family of late Managing Director of Media Trust Limited, Malam Sulaiman Ibn Mohammed, saying that his death was very sudden and shocking.

In two separate condolence messages signed

by Shema’s Senior Special Assistant, Press Affairs, Lawal Ahmad Matazu, he lamented the death of Mohammed, describing it as "a tragic loss to the media community and Nigeria as a whole."

The Governor also said that the death of Alhaja Mogaji was a great loss to Nigeria and the business community in particular.

According to Shema, "late Alhaja Mogaji will be remembered for her tremendous contributions towards repositioning commercial activities in Lagos State which at one time was dominated by foreigners."

NLC condemns poor handling of Kaduna pensions scheme

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ADUNA—THE Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday expressed concern over poor handling of the Kaduna State Contributory Pensions Scheme.

The state NLC Chairman, Adamu Ango said during an interactive session between workers and the state Head of Service, Mr Nathaniel Hayab that, the state government was not remitting its 10 per cent contribution for the scheme.

He said while the five per cent contribution by workers were being deducted, the government had not been

forthcoming with its contributions.

Ango, therefore, urged the government to remit its contributions so as not to jeopardise the pension scheme and put the lives of pensioners at risk.

The NLC chairman advised the state government to consider reviewing the salary of workers in line with the improvement being recorded in the state’s internal revenue.

Responding, Hayab acknowledged that poor funding was affecting the pension scheme, but said the government was making efforts to address the challenges.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 — 41

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013—43

Time to tackle improper treatment of Nigerians in Diaspora

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

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T is hard for Nigerians to over look the fact that fellow Nigerians in Diaspora are being subjected to diverse levels of harsh treatment by governments and citizens of countries they have migrated to. Often, these lead to imprisonment and deportation. These problems, as described by a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, are massive and structural, and it affects every Nigerian citizen.

She said: “The entire Nigerian society, particularly ‘those affected’, should be involved in finding a lasting solution to the problems Nigerians encounter in foreign lands. More than 75 per cent of Nigerians in the diaspora are oppressed daily due to their inability to return to Nigeria for diverse reasons at the end of their validity period in various countries they reside.

“This is in no small way disheartening because most victims must have had genuine reasons for seeking extension of visas, and when not granted, they are caught in a web that makes it impossible for them to either conclude their business transactions and or other personal reasons for visiting.”

Consular Advisory also learnt that Nigerians who do not meet the stipulated educational qualifications are regarded as unqualified for well meaning jobs and so, are subjected to demeaning jobs, which in most cases pose hazards to their health.

Olayinka Davis who has a degree in psychology said: “I am not surprised at the way embassies in Nigeria treat Nigerians who throng their consulates for various visa types on a daily basis.”

According to him, dreaming of greener pastures in foreign countries brings about the highest degree of failure which he said, makes it imperative for intending travellers to begin to develop the mindset of ‘Think Home First’, to escape from the looming predicament that awaits their arrival in foreign lands.

Davis said: “I recently attended a conference where Nigerian applicants each had to relate their disappointing experiences in some countries abroad over

Foreign Minister, Amb. Ashiru

educational qualifications, work permit, resident permit, validity period of stay, extension of stay and so on. Listening to their narratives, one wonders what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is doing to curtail the excesses of these foreign missions, and the best way to tackle them.”

An applicant who obtained a master degree from Lagos State University, LASU, was said to have lost a job in the U. K on the excuse that his qualification was below standard. This made him depressed and with no other option, he returned to Nigeria. He said: “Some Nigerians obviously, may have decided to settle for jobs that do not befit their qualifications, but the likes of the LASU masters degree holder, would not give away anything but work below the level of their qualifications.”

When people are subjected to work below their qualifications they tend to give and or contribute less to the economy, and in this case, the society as a whole suffers, and it is time Nigerian authorities highlight these problems and provide solutions to end the way Nigerians and their educational standards are perceived abroad. This I believe would bring about an enabling environment for them to achieve their potentials and arrive at something beneficial.

Consequently, listening to the testimonies from both immigrants and nonimmigrants, Davis is of the view that, all host countries should allow for cordial coexistence, because no matter how it is conceived, integration and immigration are needed to grow an economy, where Xenophobia, racism, negative attitudes towards migrants, gender inequality, media prejudices are put aside.

Canada announces improvement on citizenship test

BY PRISCA SAMDURU , with agency reports

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HE Canadian Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister, Jason Kenney, has announced that citizenship applicants who fail their first citizenship test will be given another opportunity to rewrite it rather than wait for an appointment with a citizenship judge.

This is an improvement on the earlier process which individuals who failed their knowledge tests were required to

wait a couple of months for an appointment with a citizenship judge, who made a final decision on their case.

According to Kenney, with the new development, applicants will be informed of their results immediately following their test and individuals who fail but have met all other criteria will be provided with a date to rewrite the test a few weeks later. Those who pass their test he said, will be scheduled for a citizenship ceremony.

Also, individuals who are currently waiting to see a citizenship judge

because they had previously failed the test will be invited to rewrite the test. His words “The Government of Canada remains committed to maintaining Canada’s tradition of high numbers of permanent residents taking up full citizenship, and this is one of many recent improvements that have been made to the citizenship process to ensure the timely welcoming of new citizens. Since 2006, Canada has welcomed the highest sustained levels of immigration in Canadian history.”

consularadvisory@vanguardngr.com

44 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

G8 calls for urgent Syria peace conference

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LOBAL leaders called for peace talks to be held as soon as possible to resolve the Syrian civil war but they failed to mention the fate of President Bashar alAssad in a final G8 summit communique Isolated at the G8, Russia’s Vladimir Putin had clashed with other leaders over the conflict and resisted their attempts to get him to agree to anything that would imply Assad should step down or that Russia should tone down its support for Assad.

“We remain committed to achieving a political solution to the crisis based on a vision for a united inclusive and democratic Syria,” according to a copy of the final communique seen

From left British Prime Minister David Cameron, Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zidan, U.S. President Barack Obama and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto walk together during the G8 Summit in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland

by Reuters.

“We strongly endorse the decision to hold as soon as possible the Geneva conference on Syria,” said the communique.

It made no mention of Assad, whom Western

leaders have said in the past said must step down as part of a resolution.

G8 leaders also called on the Syrian authorities and the opposition to commit to destroying all organizations affiliated with al Qaeda.

Mubarak remains in jail despite court ruling

A

court in Egypt decided to release former President Hosni Mubarak on one charge, but the former ruler remains in jail on other

counts, his lawyer said yesterday.

A misdemeanor court decided to end Mubarak’s detention in the case of making illicit

NSA director says plot against Wall Street foiled

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HE director of the National Security Agency yesterday said that the government’s sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange, in a forceful defense of spy operations that was echoed by the leaders of the House Intelligence Committee.

Army Gen. Keith Alexander said the two recently disclosed programs — one that gathers U.S. phone records and another that is designed to track the use of U.S.-based Internet servers by foreigners with possible links to terrorism are critical in the terrorism fight.

Intelligence officials last week disclosed some details on two thwarted attacks — one targeting the New York subway

system, one to bomb a Danish newspaper office that had published the cartoon depictions of the Prophet Mohammad.

Alexander and Sean Joyce, deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, offered additional details on two other foiled plots, including one targeting Wall Street.

gains, said Attorney Farid El-Deeb. The prosecution will appeal in 48 hours or

by Thursday, El-Deeb told CNN. The case involves how the family acquired several dwellings.

The ousted autocratic leader is being retried in the killings of hundreds of civilian protesters who took to the streets for two weeks in early 2011 to demand his removal from office after three decades of rule.

He is also charged with seizing public funds and misusing political influence. Mubarak is accused of selling natural gas to neighboring Israel for prices below fair market value.

US to hold direct peace talks with Taliban

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HE United States will engage in direct peace negotiations with the Taliban in Qatar next week, aimed at achieving peace in Afghanistan, senior White House officials have said.

The announcement came as the Taliban opened a political office in the Qatari capital, Doha, to help start talks on ending the 12year-old conflict, saying it

wanted a political solution that would bring about a just government and end foreign occupation.

Taliban representative Mohammed Naeem told a news conference at the office in Doha that the armed group wanted good relations with Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries.

Dozens detained in Turkey police swoop

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URKISH police yesterday detained dozens of people across the country in an operation linked to three weeks of often violent demonstrations against Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan.

Overnight in Ankara, C M Y K

riot police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse hundreds of protesters who had gathered in and around the government quarter of Kizilay.

But in stark contrast to the recent fierce clashes

in several cities, dozens of protesters merely stood in silence in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, inspired by a man who lit up social media by doing just that for eight hours in Istanbul’s Taksim Square on Monday.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 — 45

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46—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

Fathers' Day: Cleric urges exemplary living

SNC won't solve Nigeria's problem, says Bishop Akinola

By SAM EYOBOKA

P

RESIDING bishop of Rhema Christian Church & Towers, Sango Ota in Ogun State, Dr. Taiwo Akinola is opposed to current calls for sovereign national conference to solve the nation's various crises, arguing that those calling for SNC are insincere ethnic champions.

Addressing newsmen in his church office preparatory to the church's All Believers' Fire Conference scheduled for June 22, the bishop further argued that the strength of the Nigerian nation is derived from its size and diversity, noting that established structures in the country should be allowed to sort things out.

The theme of the conference which begins at 10.00 a.m., he said, is "Fire for End-Time impact" with Bishop Victor Olayemi Akilla as guest speaker.

"We have elected officials representing various constituencies in the country. I think they could discuss instead of electing another group of people who will come to the table with their private agenda. So I do not support sovereign national conference," he stated.

"Since members of the National Assembly come from various constituencies, what will be the yardstick for picking who will be members of the so called sovereign nation-al conference?" he stated.

*Bishop Taiwo Akinola According to the bishop, "we take the issue of empowerment very seriously. We train youths, women, and men. Above all, we believe that performance in life is all about the power of the Holy Spirit. That’s why we called this conference.

"I’ve always told people that legendary men and women are mere products of divine assignment, opportunity and chance. Unless God is involved, labours come in vain.

It’s meant for everybody across the board," he added.

On corruption, Bishop Akinola said Nigeria would not make any progress if resources are being put in private pockets.

"I think corruption is a fallout of

our moral decadence and degrading values as a society. From the home, the society, traditional leaders, church leaders; all of us should re-orient our values. We should have norms that not only place emphasis on hard work but also on honest gains," he said, noting that "we must stop paying lip service.

"Because EFCC probably is like a dog that barks but doesn’t bite. I think the nation should be more serious. Some people are preparing for 2015 now and you will be wondering if they are going to kill themselves.

"They no longer talk of millions; they now talk of billions, as if they want to wage a war against Nigeria and it’s all in preparation for some of these political gains. Let us stand strong, not just paying lip service.

And it will require everybody standing up from the homes, to traditional setting, to schools, to churches," he maintained.

He called on Nigerians to join hands to build Nigeria, "let’s be serious and sincere. I’ve always known that the job of nation building is not a child’s play." On the state of insecurity in the nation, Bishop Akinola expressed joy over the state of emergency declared by the president to arrest the mindless insurgence "we’ve been having in Nigeria.

Bad leadership: Only the truth can set us free, says Adeoye-Davids

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RESIDENT of City With Foundations (CWF) a.k.a.

Harvesters Fire Family Church, Senior Pastor Kunle Adeoye-Davids has identified lack of truth as the major problem of the country, reports ETOP EKANEM. He made this known during his church’s monthly programme, tagged, Wealth Clinic Lagos at Excellence Hotel & Conference Centre, Ogba, Ikeja.

According to him, “Until we are able to recognise that no government can solve the problem of this nation and until the citizens themselves decide that they want to live by the truth, things will continue to remain the same.”

Adeoye-Davids, who is passionate about changing the society through mentoring people, said: “People should not allow money to determine what they will say. Until we stand by truth, which will not be about creed or tribe but truth, things will not C M Y K

change. When truth begins to prevail, peace and prosperity will follow because you can find justice, equity and those are what will build this nation.

"It is not by the use of police to chase corrupt people. It won’t work because even the police are part of the system,” he stated.

On the Wealth Clinic Lagos programme, the cleric said it was a monthly programme organised to help people who have specific issues.

He explained: “At the wealth clinic, we teach things that will help one not only to identify those goals but actually do things

that will make them manifest in one’s lives within the shortest possible time. It is a life maximization seminar that we have once a month."

The cleric said he got his inspiration from the normal ante-natal clinic, which he attended sometime ago.

“I remember I was there with my wife and there were so many pregnant women and right there, it dawned on me that so many people are pregnant with dreams and desires but they don’t have the midwives to care for them.

"Midwives who would tell them the signs to look out for and the things to do

Pastor & Mrs Kunle Adeoye-Davids

to bring that baby to full term and deliver safely.

Many abort their dreams, many desires were not fulfilled and many goals are not achieved because there is no person as it were, a midwife to attain to them,”

A

S the world celebrated Fathers' Day last Sun day, Vicar of St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Awodiora, Ajegunle, Lagos, Ven. Andy Iheagwam advised fathers to live exemplary Christian lives, love their wives and train their children in Godly ways, reports OLAYINKA LATONA. In his sermon to commemorate the celebration of fatherhood titled; “The role of a father in church, family and society”, Rev. Iheagwam explained that every existence of human race begins from the man, noting that fathers as heads of families could influence and shape their families or society positively or negatively.

Decrying the rate at which family system is fast degenerating, the cleric said the moral decadence being experienced in the society is an indication that society has lost grip of its morals, natural and traditional responsibilities.

Iheagwam, therefore, urged fathers as pillars and pastors of their families to rise to the challenge, describing the family as a bedrock of the larger society.

His words: “Our culture focuses the training of our children through discipline; therefore fathers should take very good care of their children so that we will not suffer in future. There is need to counsel, advise and instruct our children rather than indulge them in wrong doings”.

According him, it is the duty of the father to pass on the instructions he receives from the Lord to his children so that there will be continuity of Godliness and righteousness in the society.

Explaining that families were the foundation of every society, he said fathers were the head, adding “so whatever they do would go a long way to determine what the larger society becomes”.

Speaking on the significance of Father’s Day in Christendom, the cleric said it is to appreciate fatherhood, what they had done and another way of asking fathers to rise up to their responsibilities as it concerned fatherhood. The highlight of the celebration was the distribution and presentation of gifts from mothers to their husbands which was led by the wife of the church vicar, Mrs. Amaka Iheagwam.

Nihinlola appointed president of Baptist Theological Seminary

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OCTOR Ezekiel Emiola Nihinlola has been appointed president of the Nigerian Bap tist Theological Seminary, a foremost theological and ministerial training institution of the Baptist denomination.

Prior to the appointment, Nihinlola was the rector, Baptist College of Theology, Lagos. Born on September 12, 1958 in Ogbomso, he attended Ilorin Grammar School, from 1973 to 1977 before proceeding to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife where he bagged a degree in Biochemistry. He proceeded to the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary where he bagged his Bachelor of Theology, first class degree and Masters Degree and his Ph.D degree specializing in systematic Theology.

*Members of the Men's Fellowship of The Trinity Church Council visited the Wesley Schools (1 and 2) for Deaf Children in Surulere, Lagos to donate some items as part of activities lined up to celebrate the Methodist Church Nigeria Men's Work Week. L-R: President, Men's Fellowship of The Trinity Church Council, Bro. Engr. Ikemefule Onyearugha, Coordinator, The Rev Oladapo Daramola, Secretary, Bro Olayiwola Odubanjo and the Vice Principal, Wesley School 1 for Deaf Children, Mr. Alimi Kehinde during the presentation

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 — 47

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48—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

If I were that bad, Jonathan would've sacked me — Orubebe FOLLOWING a session with traditional rulers of Ijaw extraction at the Palace of the Pere of Ogulagha Kingdom in Warri, Delta State last week, Elder Godsday Orubebe, Minister for Niger Delta Affairs spoke in an interview with some newsmen.

Excerpts:

W

HY are you here today?

I am here today because of the false things that people have been writing in the papers.

That is why my traditional rulers in Delta State were worried and they invited me to come and brief them, so I came in here to have a meeting with them and to talk to them about how I have lived as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and also to debunk those false allegations. People of Delta State know that I have built my integrity over the years as a councillor, and as a local government chairman, as executive board member of state primary education board, as an adviser to the former governor on Urban and Regional planning, as a state Chairman of the ANPP, Delta State and I have been a Minister for six years. So if Orubebe is that bad, there is no way any President will tolerate him.

I have come to discuss with

,

BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

I have been a Minister for six years. So if Orubebe is that bad, there is no way any President will tolerate him

,

them and I am going back to Abuja to continue the good work we are doing to support Mr. President in implementing the transformation Agenda.

Can you react to your purported suspension by a faction of the PDP in Burutu Local Government Area of the State?

Well, I thought I reacted to that issue when I was asked by the press. I did say that some charlatans who I describe as people that are having political dance met and ascribed to themselves powers that they don’t have to

*Orubebe talk about things.

Well, I don’t want to talk about it, they remain my brothers and sisters but I feel sad that people who are supposed to know what is right and good do not understand the constitution of the PDP and the power they should have and so I don’t think about it, I am moving forward and I will continue to support the PDP in Delta State and I will continue to support the governor of the state in all his activities to see that we have a better state here in Delta State and I will continue

to support the PDP at the national level to see that we get to the level that we are supposed to be.

I have talked about the EastWest road a number of times.

This is a road that had no programme, no financial programme, no design. I did it. It is a road that has 42 bridges spanning from 70 to 850 metres. I came on board as a minister: I have completed 36 of the 42 bridges; it is also a road that has over 1,000 culverts. Today, we have completed over 704 culverts.

Last week I addressed the press and I did say that by December 2014, this road which has been there since 2006 will be delivered to Nigerians, particularly Niger Deltans by December 2014.

What is the outcome of your meeting with your traditional rulers?

Well, it was a nice meeting, a meeting between fathers and their child. We had a very good meeting and I think that when they come out, they will be able to tell something good about the meeting, they are always proud of this son of theirs.

What is your relationship now with Chief Edwin K. Clark like?

Chief E.K.Clark is a leader of the Ijaw people, he is a father and will remain so. Our relationship is still cordial.

We work together for the interest of the Ijaw people, we work together for the interest of the state, we have a cordial relationship.

What is the way forward to having a genuine reconciliation in PDP in the state?

I don’t think we have any problem in Delta State PDP, Delta PDP remains strong and PDP remains the only party in this state. There is no other party in this state; the party is strong, we have a very solid, strong and vibrant state party chairman. We are working with him to deliver PDP in 2015 again.

Sokoto still behind Wamakko

I

BY AHMED MOHD

T is a wonder how a man like Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, who inherited a ‘’ dead PDP ‘’ in 2007 in Sokoto State could have been heinously suspended from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP by the party ’s National Working Committee, NWC. Wamakko had indeed revived the party from its state of coma in 2007 and breathed life into it, making it the ruling party in the state win control over the legislature and the executive and winning all elective offices in the state.

Expectedly, the action indeed stirred the hornet’s nest locally, nationally and even internationally.

The suspension of Governor Aliyu Wamakko from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the subsequent reversal on Monday, June 17, 2013 go a long way to underpin the resolute support base of the governor in the state and the party.

A former PDP chairman in the state who is presently the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Muhammadu Arzika Tureta described it as a betrayal saying the suspension was “ without recourse to procedures, justice and equity as enshrined in Article 21 of the PDP constitution.”

So, it was not surprising that when the governor returned from an official trip abroad on June 12, 2013, he was faced with an unprecedented crowd that turned out to receive him.

The enormity of the outpouring was seen in the fact that some minutes after

*Wamakko 4.00 pm when the chartered aircraft conveying the

governor and Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and others tried to land it could not because the tarmac had been flooded by supporters of the governor.

The aircraft had to be diverted to Kaduna until the crowd thinned out later in the evening before the governor returned to Sokoto.

The sight of the governor as he deplaned was electrifying.

Thousands of supporters who still camped at the airport, who had waited patiently allday to welcome Wamakko chorused “Sai Alu and Allahu Akbar – God is great.” The echo was deafeningand the action of the supporters was

heart warming and consoling.

The governor was received at the airport by a strong contingent of the executive and the legislature led by his loyal deputy, Alhaji Mukhtari Shagari and the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Lawalli Zayyana.

The airport reception over, the surging crowd moved to Government House , Sokoto where hordes of other PDP supporters had waited patiently for several hours to listen to the wise counsel of Governor Wamakko and Aminu Tambuwal.

Continues on page 49

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 —49

IMO 2015: Will PDP prevail?

Opposition politics “Opposition politics calls for everything you can muster, it calls for creativity, pro activeness and alertness of the mind. It demands too much from you so that you are on top of every situation. I can tell you it has not been a pleasant experience,” he noted.

Repositioning the party ahead 2015 Worried by the loss of gubernatorial seat to the opposition, the party leadership has begun moves to reposition the party in order to reclaim the state come 2015. Confirming this, Duruiheoma said, ‘’we are focusing on 2015. Our emphasis, our focus now is on 2015.

What has gone has gone.

Whatever may have led to what happened is now history.

However, we have learnt our lessons but it is not something we can share. It is something we have internalized, something we have since understood and I can tell you that it is helping us in our present efforts to reposition the party for 2015. I can tell you that we are working so

Worried by the loss of gubernatorial seat to the opposition, the party leadership has begun moves to reposition the party in order to reclaim the state come 2015

,

hard now to regain the confidence of every member of this party.”

PDP in a hurry to reclaim Imo – Hope Uzodimma Reflective of its determination to win back the state in 2015 polls, the PDP recently raised over N20m for its state chapter at a fund raising dinner.

Chairman of the occasion, Senator Hope Uzodimma disclosed that the party was in a hurry to reclaim the state.

According to him, the party was consolidating and restrategising to take back the seat of power, noting that to achieve this, funds and other resources were needed.

Those at the event included: Chairman of the party in the state, Duruiheoma (SAN); Deputy Speaker of the House

•Uzodimma of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha; PDP National Women Leader, Dr. Kema Chikwe; Chief Tony Ezenna; two former speakers of the Imo State House of Assembly, Kelechi Nwagwu and Goodluck Opiah; Speaker, African Parliament, Bethel Amadi; and the erstwhile Director-General, National Sports Commission (NSC), Patrick Ekeji among other top party members.

Reaching out to aggrieved members In view of the battle ahead, PDP is also working round the

clock to bring aggrieved members back under the umbrella.

“We are also doing everything possible to ensure that members who left the party for one reason or the other return to the party before the next election.

The PDP which I head stands for justice, peace and everything good,” Duruiheoma added.

He further said, “The gospel we are preaching now is that those who will fly our banner in the next election must be ready to serve the people.

Sokoto still behind Wamakko Continued from page 48

Governor Wamakko did not disappoint them, rousing the morale of the people and describing his suspension as an illegal action taken by some Abuja-based opportunists.

“The action is a display of ignorance of the rules involved and in total disregard to the provision of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Section 40.

They are mere opportunists and sycophants who do not mean well for PDP and Nigeria,” Wamakko asserted.

He wondered how a person who made the party to win 100 per cent of all the elective positions in 2011 from its dead and zero position in

2007 could be suspended by some individuals. He also recalled how he strenuously worked to stabilize the PDP nationally.

,

T HE race for 2015 Imo State governorship election has begun, and no political party in the state is leaving anything to chance towards occupying the Government House.

The battle for now, is mainly between the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, which is part of the yet to be registered All Progressives Congress, APC, and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The PDP, still not happy over its defeat in the 2011 gubernatorial election, has vowed to regain the state in the 2015 governorship election, even as it is claiming that its legacies in the state have been sabotaged by incumbent governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha who the opposition party claims lacks focus.

Opposition politics calls for everything - Duruiheoma Although, PDP says it’s playing a very reasonable and vibrant opposition in the state, from all indications, it is not comfortable playing that role, a fact, the state chairman of the party, Chief Eze Duruiheoma, SAN, confessed to recently.

,

BY NNAMDI OJIEGO

They must be service-oriented people who are ready to serve the people. In the past, the issue of money used to cause a lot of problems.

Zoning arrangement On the issue of zoning, Duruiheoma said it can not be wished away in Imo politics.

“Yes. The party believes in zoning as a tool for equity.

Having made this statement that the party believes in zoning, the issue of which zone will take advantage of the zoning policy is a matter the PDP as a party and not me as the chairman, will make pronouncement upon at the appropriate time. At the appropriate time, the party will say or do something about it”.

Okorocha’s alleged plan to return to the PDP settled On rumours that Okorocha would soon be absorbed into the PDP to seek re-election, Duruiheoma described the story as total falsehood, adding that with the current extent of bad governance, Okorocha has no space in Imo PDP. “We don’t have to cross any bridge until we get to that bridge. So I don’t want to do with this speculation about ‘if the governor comes’.

If he decides to join PDP tomorrow, he knows what to do. He will join in his ward and they will spell out the guidelines and the constitution of the party for him”.

Although, Gov Okorocha’s joining of APC seemed to have put to rest, speculations that he would be rejoining the PDP, however, in politics, anything is possible.

world what they have done for the PDP so that we will be able to judge as to who is really more PDP between Bamanga Tukur and myself,”

He wondered how a person who made the party to clinch 100 per cent of all the elective positions in 2011 from its dead and zero posts in 2007 could be suspended by some erratic, careless and senseless individuals

Recalling his efforts at consolidating the fortunes of the party within and outside Sokoto, he said: “Therefore let me challenge Mr. Bamanga Tukur and his boss, Ahmed Gulak, to tell the

,

Wamakko fumed.

Wamakko also advised President Goodluck Jonathan to act according to the constitution of the PDP, direct for the convening of the party ’s NEC meeting

immediately to remove Bamanga Tukur from PDP chairmanship before he succeeds in destroying it .

“Bamanga is running the party as his personal private business.

Ahmed Gulak should be sacked from being the (President’s) political adviser as he lacks the relevant credentials to be so.

He is only gaining more enemies day by day,” Wamakko said . Continuing, he said: “for the avoidance of doubt, let it be known to all and sundry that neither Sokoto nor its governor or its people can be intimidated, harassed, coerced into submission in any form except on the basis of mutual respect.”

50 — Vanguard,

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

Why I dumped the body of my son •Father of 9-yr-old boy killed by police stray bullet

BY UJU MBANUSI

T

HE father of nine-yearold, Oluwatimilehin Ebun, a Basic 3 student of Royal Scholars International School, Ikorodu, Lagos, who was allegedly killed by stray Police bullet has given reasons why he dumped the body of his son at Ketu Police Station.

Recounting the moments he shared last with his son before his untimely demise, Mr. Olusegun Ebun, Managing Director of a Finance firm in Lagos lamented that the incident which occured June 13, 2013 at about 9pm around Ketu/Mile 12 area of Lagos, will remain indelible in his mind.

The bereaved 48-year-old father of three could not hold back tears as he narrated how the incident happened. “It was on Thursday, the 13th of June 2013, I went with my wife, Olufunke Ebun, my son Timilehin, and his sister to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja in our Parthfinder SUV to pick up my eldest son, Jide who arrived from Canada where he is studying, for a vacation here with the family.

“My wife was seated with me at the front, on the passenger’s seat, my son whom we went to pick was seated right behind me at the back, my daughter Damilola, who is my second child was

T

HE Plateau State Com missioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe recently paraded suspects said to belong to a 24member criminal gang that specializes in snatching cars and driving them across the border to dispose. He disclosed that about 18 cars were recovered from them. Crime Alert spoke to two of the suspects who narrated their modus operandi.

“My name is Chijioke Egbo and I am the leader of the robbery gang. We snatch cars or steal them and take them to Cotonou to sell. I was co-leading the gang with a military officer friend who is now dead.

Snatching cars and robbing people He died in a car crash along Kano-Potiskum road some months back. We started as car dealers and normally took cars to Potiskum to sell. But along the line, the story changed and we started snatching cars and robbing people. It is the devil’s work.

“My military friend was accompanying me in his uniform so, we had no problem with checking by security personnel on the roads.

seated at the back behind my wife, and my last son Timilehin Ebun, was seated at the middle; that is usually the family’s seating position when ever we go out in the SUV. It was a smooth ride on our way back until we got to Ketu/ Mile 12 area at about 9pm, when we encountered a little hold-up due to the heavy traffic. I noticed a police patrol van at the other side (coming from Ikorodu) of the road, it was as if there was a little unrest, but I felt it was nothing much to worry about.

“The next thing I heard was a gun shot, the bullet went right through my wind screen, pierced through my wife’s arm pit and hit my last son, Timilehin seated in the middle of the back seat in his right eye.

•The deceased: Oluwatimilehin Ebun

Middle of the back seat Because everywhere was dark, I couldn’t see what had happened until I asked my elder son to turn on the inner light, that was when I saw my son in a pool of blood. I was totally confused, We were on the expressway, but I managed to get out of the car, opened the passenger door, carried out the body of my son, screaming ‘the police has killed my son, somebody help me’...

I noticed that immediately the shot was fired, the police van took off. Some hoodlums in the area who were attracted to the scene by my shouts quickly organized them selves and tried to stop the van but they managed to escape and drove away, straight to their office at Ketu police division. As soon as they entered the compound, they locked the gate. The crowd pursued the van to the gate, but they were not allowed inside.

•Oluwatimilehin’s father: Olusegun Ebun

“As all these were going on, I begged one of the sympathizers to help convey my wife and other two children to the station in the SUV, while I carried the body of my son to a nearby clinic. I knew he died on the spot, but I carried him to the hospital with the hope that somehow, something could be done to bring him back. Unfortunately, on getting to the clinic, he was confirmed dead on arrival. I then took him to the police station. The whole police station

was deserted, not a single police man was at the station, hence I laid the boy on the counter.

“For hours, no officer came out to ascertain what the matter was.

We wanted to document the whole thing but they did not allow us. I was shouting in anger while my wife was crying bitterly, rolling on the floor. This went on until some one from the crowd that followed us into the station made a call.

Consequently, an officer in

How we snatch cars and — suspected robbery kingpins

By TAYE OBATERU & HOPE OFOBIKE Later on, he gave me a pair of uniforms to wear whenever he could not travel with me. That was how I had possession of a military uniform. Whenever I travel from Cotonou back to Jos, there are a lot of check points on the road, but with the uniform, I can pass all check points without being stopped. But the business collapsed when my friend died and that was when I went into crime.

“With the uniform and identity card, no one knows my true identity; we specialize in snatching cars and selling them out in Cotonou.”

Also speaking, another suspect, John Jacob, alleged to be the producer of the guns used by the gang said he learnt how to produce guns from technical school.

“I attended technical school in

•Chris Olakpe, Plateau State Police Commissioner

•Some of the cars Kuru and graduated from there in 2002. After school, I started doing ‘business’ and after a while, I went into manufacturing guns for people. I only produce small guns for interested buyers and I sell each one for N10,000.

“I cannot say what pushed me into this but it was not poverty.

My customers to whom I sell guns bring other customers to me and I do not have specific clients to whom I sell the guns.” Jacob who limps, said he was injured by one of his customers who mistakenly shot him while trying to test the gun he sold to him. “A person I wanted to sell a gun to

decided to test it and mistakenly shot me in the waist,” he said.

Briefing journalists earlier, the Police commissioner said the war against crime in the state was yielding fruits and the smashing of the armed robbery syndicate was evidence of that. Parading the suspects at the police head-

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

at Police station mufti reluctantly came out, armed with a sophisticated gun and accompanied by two military men as guards. He did not appear sober at all. He told me if I was sure it was his men that killed my son, that there was an armed robbery incident earlier that evening at Iyana-Ipaja, and two police men were killed; that perhaps, the robbers must have made away with the police van and it might be the robbers that actually shot my son; otherwise can I identify the men that shot my son? I asked him, if he meant to tell us that robbers now patrol around in police van? After all, the van entered the police premises and is currently parked in the compound.

My request to write a statement was rebuffed, but my wife was eventually made to write one.

“In anger, especially owing to the ‘I don’t care manner’ the case was handled, I left my son’s body there at the counter, I told them, since they had killed him, they can as well keep his body. I took what was left of my family and went home in another car. In the process, I lost my phone and some money I left in the SUV. “When they saw I was serious about leaving my son’s corpse with them at the station, the police later organized and took his remains to the Ikeja general hospital mortuary. One of my brothers who came to meet us at the station went with them. I also

left the SUV there, even though it was a car I cherished so much, I cannot bring myself to drive it again, not after what happened.

The SUV should still be parked at the station.

“My eldest son who arrived the country after much persuasion, to spend some quality time with his family has not been himself since that incident. He has been in his room, refusing to come out. I pray this event does not make him want to leave the country for good.

Also my wife was hospitalized that Thursday, due to the trauma, she was discharged on Saturday the 15th of June 2013.”

Investment specialist When asked what kind of child his son was, the Ososa, Ogun state born Finance and Investment specialist exclaimed, “Haa! Timilehin, even though he was nine years old, had the brain of a 17-year- old. In this house, I don’t know how to operate any of the electronic gadgets we have, he handled everything. He was a very promising child who showed great interest in engineering. He read a lot, he cleaned the house and played the piano very well. Earlier that evening, he had washed the Honda car parked outside, thinking we were going to the Airport in it, it was when I got back that I

told him we will go in the SUV instead, because the Honda will be too small for the whole family.” In pain the bereaved father added “I was told by an eye witness there at Ketu, where my son was killed, that the cause of the mis- fire was that the police wanted to extort N200 from a danfo driver who tried to run away from them. How can a trained police man use live bullets in handling cases like that? The way they handle gun is very crude. These senseless killings by the police must stop. I think the reason this has been going on is because each time the police killed some one, nothing comes out of it. This has given them the courage to continue killing. No police man has ever been executed publicly for killing an innocent citizen. All these cannot bring back my son, but I want justice done in this particular case, I want the police man who fired the shot that killed my son brought to book, he has caused me so much pain.”

Crime Alert gathered that the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the CID, with the Area Commander Ogudu Police station,the DPO of Ketu Police Station and the Lagos State Police PRO Ngozi Braide payed a condolence visit to the Ikorodu home of the Ebuns on Monday, June 17, 2013. “they came to console us and assured us that justice will be done concerning this case” Mr Olusegun Ebun said.

smuggle to Cotonou

•Other items recovered from the suspected robbers quarters, Olakpe said, “the gang members, some of who claim to be students of the University of Jos, specialize in car robbery using pistols and handmade guns.

“We also have in our custody, an occult gang who murdered a man last December, putting his battered body into a jute bag.” He said the cars were recovered from

neighbouring states of Bauchi, Kano and Nassarawa and called on the public to be alert he also urged car owners to ensure they do not move at odd times.

According to him, “The general public should ensure that their vehicles have modern security gadgets such as car tracking and also ensure their cars are insured,

cars should be locked with pedal and motorists should avoid plying lonely routes at odd times, this is to help curb the menace of car theft in the state.”

While lamenting the in creasing rate of crime in the country, he said, “we are committed to our constitutional responsibilities and will ensure that total peace returns to the state. We call on the public to cooperate with police and other security agencies by volunteering credible information and report suspicious movements in their environment.”

One of their victims whose car was recovered, Azoba JohnBosco recounted his experience: “my car was stolen on the 12th of April 2013. I was returning from a friend’s bachelor’s eve at Rayfield when some boys double-crossed me and stopped my car, they told me they wished to speak to the girl in my car, and when I wound down my glasses, they pointed a pistol at me.”

— 51

Fulani Herdsmen on rampage at Adani Community

•Police boss relocates to restore peace

By CHINENYEH OZOR, Nsukka

T

ENSION is high between the people of Adani, a community in UzoUwani Local Government Area, Enugu State and Fulani herdsmen whom they alleged are committing criminal acts in their area. The situation has got so bad to the extent that the Police Area Commander in Nsukka, about 45 kilometres from the community, Ros- Armson Haladu, an Assistant Commissioner of police, had to relocate temporarily•CP Enugu State, Adamu Mohammed to Adani for peace to reign.

Crime Alert gathered that the Fulani herdsmen settled in rape and armed robbery. the area for a long time and “I want them to leave Adani have allegedly carried out all Community if they cannot stay manners of crime in form of in peace in the area. They are rape, robbery and several at- troublesome, carrying out viotacks on the community at in- lent nocturnal criminal activitervals. Barely few days ago, ties, harassing, raping and robthe herdsmen allegedly raped bing, acts that are barbaric and some young girls and middle- wicked on the soil of Adani aged women and robbed mo- Community,” he noted. torists along Adani – Nsukka Sources alleged that the express way of their valuables herdsmen use all sorts of danand cash, an action the commu- gerous weapons to carry out nity termed an attempt to chase their nefarious criminal activithem out of their fatherland. ties, mounting road blocks with Based on this ugly develop- AK 47 rifles and charms to rob ment, the community started travellers of cash and other valupreparing for a show down to ables. chase the herdsmen out of their Contacted for comment, Enuancestral home. gu State Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amarizu said the Anti robbery situation in Adani Community policemen was normal and peaceful as Police have moved in APC to In the simmering feud, the patrol all the nooks and cranArea Commander, Rose -Arm- nies of the Community. He son Haladu mobilized forces noted that the Police met with and fortified the area. He re- the Seriki of the Fulani people portedly moved the Police Ar- to ensure there was peace in the moured Personnel Carrier, community, assuring that Police APC, a team of anti robbery po- have stationed the Armoured licemen and other Police Patrol Personnel Carrier to Patrol the Vans to Adani community to en- area. sure there was no break down The PPRO urged people to go of law and order. about their normal businesses Meanwhile, the chair- adding that the alleged disturman of the local government bances in the community was a area, Mr. Cornel Onwubuya mere rumour to heat up the told Crime Alert on phone that polity of security situation in the Fulani herdsmen have always area but assured of total secubeen the problem of Adani com- rity. munity for a very long time, It could be recalled that just causing various degrees of last year at Nimbo Community trouble at intervals in the area. in Uzo-Uwani L.G.A., two SSII Onwubuya said he had sever- Students of Community Secal meetings with the Fulani ondary School, Nimbo were alpeople and their Seriki for legedly shot and killed by Fupeace to reign in the area but lani herdsmen at their farmland the herdsmen would pretend to and fled the community at have heard and would still en- night. gage in all manner of crime,

52—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

•A fridge is meant to

•A fridge is meant to keep food safe and minimise the chances of bacteria and mould growth, but it could constitute a health hazard if adequate care is not taken.

Your fridge could be a breeding ground for germs

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

B

ELIEVE it or not, your pre cious fridge (refrigerator) could have become the ideal place for nasty germs to breed.

How germ-free is your fridge?

Before you answer, you may need to check if your fridge in tip-top shape.

Things such as open tin of canned tomato, a leaky meat package, and spoiled milk , abound in the refrigerator.

So it is hardly a surprise that a host of potentially dangerous bugs such as E.coli, salmonella

listeria, campylobacter, and norovirus, which can cause upset stomach and diarrhoea, have been found lurking in the average domestic fridge.

Although a fridge is to keep food safe and minimise the chances of bacteria and mould growth, it is worrisome that it could now constitute a health hazard.

Here are the best tips for keeping your fridge germ-free.

Some bad habits encourage breeding of these harmful germs.

For instance, leaving the door

open for long periods is a common route through which germs infiltrate the interior because the proper storage temperature is compromised.

While it is not uncommon to find that some fridge owners regularly take all the food out of their fridge, wipe down the interior, and clean the drawers separately, however, some fridges are effectively never cleaned, and that is probably where the problems occur. To avoid contamination, properly store food that goes bad easily. Wash and disinfect re-

frigerator walls and shelves.

Keeping your fridge super clean is the utmost important factor of having a healthy, bacteria-free fridge. Don't just wipe bits of food or crumbs when you see them make it a habit to take all food items out and use anti-bacterial products for a thorough clean.

A mixture of raw and cooked meats in the fridge is tricky. Keep cooked and uncooked separate at all times.

Raw meat contains bacteria from the animal's gut, so ensure it's kept on the bottom shelf (to avoid juices and blood dripping on other food) and ensure it's well covered. If it isn't, you could be providing the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

Ensure your fridge is kept at the ideal temperature to stop harmful bacteria developing or growing further. The perfect temperature is 1-4 °C and your freezer should be minus 18 °C. There temperatures keep food fresh and stops germs multiplying.

It is so easy to plonk the latest food purchase at the front of the fridge, but don't forget about the older food sitting at the back of your fridge. Move the food around to ensure it all gets eaten (and seen!) before it goes out of date. Rotten food left deserted in the fridge creates a host of bacteria which can spread onto other foods if left too long.

It's easy to put the latest food materials at the front of the fridge, but don't forget about the older food sitting at the back of the fridge.

It is advisable to move the food around to ensure it all gets eaten (and seen!) before it goes out of date.

Rotten food left deserted in the fridge creates a host of bacteria which can spread onto other foods if left too long.

What to look for when you have eczema

I

F you have eczema, you may al ready know that some cosmetics irritate your skin, but that’s no reason to give up on makeup.

ingredient can reduce redness from eczema by strengthening the skin’s barrier. Apply niacinamide cream first, before you put on cosmetics.

What to use

What to avoid

Dermatologists suggest that you use creams that contain shea butter, glycerin, or lanolin. Look for skin care products that list these. These moisturizing ingredients improve the appearance of your skin while also repairing it.

While there’s no cure for eczema, you can reduce flaky, dry skin by using products infused with hyaluronic acid.

This substance is found naturally in your body; it helps draw moisture from the atmosphere to your skin. Smooth on cream with hyaluronic acid to give your skin an extra boost of moisture.

If red patches show through, try a serum or cream that contains niacinamide (also known as vitamin B3). This

Eczema is partly caused by a weak skin barrier, which lets irritants penetrate your skin more easily, and allows water to evaporate more easily.

So it’s best to avoid products that either dry out skin or irritate it. Some of the worst are glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and retinol.

Avoid preservatives like methylparaben or butylparaben that can lead to inflammation. Try using products with natural preservatives like neem oil or grapefruit seed extract when possible.

No matter how soft and subtle a scent may be, ingredients that give fragrance to makeup and lotion can trigger eczema flare-ups. Look for prod-

•Eczema ucts that don’t contain fragrances. The label should say “fragrance-free” rather than “unscented.” Natural or organic products are also usually free of fragrances.

•Anthony Offor

Man, 34, seeks N10m to restore lost hearing

BY CHARLYNE IKPE IS problem began in 2007 when he lost his hearing while in the final year at of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos. Now at 34, Anthony Offor is still seeking help to restore his hearing.

“I was on campus one day when I suddenly started feeling feverish. I took it as routine illnesses but the condition intensified. A course mate accompanied me to the Unilag medical center from where medical personnel advised me to go to a private hospital for more attention. I headed to another hospital, but as I and my friend were going I noticed that when ever he talks to me, his voice sounded as if he was speaking from behind the walls. When we got to the hospital I subsequently put on drips after some injections, then I slept off, only to only to wake up to notice that I could not hear again.

“My father dismissed the whole situation saying it could be after effect of my illness. About a week later I recovered fully but still I could not hear. I was referred from one hospital to another.

One Dr. Kunle Okupe examined my ears with a modern scanning machine after which he prescribed cochlea implant surgery estimated that is estimated to cost N2, 200,000.

He is calling on the government and well meaning Nigerians to render whatever assistance to enable him hear again.

If you are touched, kindly send your donations to Offor Anthony Williams, First Bank, 20122986488, or send SMS through 07038327168.

H

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 — 53

Oganwu, ex-Eagles player bags Warri Rotary award

F

IRST Nigerian grad uate to play for Green Eagles, Dr. John Oganwu, has received the prestigious ‘major donor’ award from Rotary Club of Warri, Delta state for his cumulative donation of between $50,000 - $99,000 to the Rotary Foundation.

President of Rotary Club of Warri, Rotarian Adamson EjuoneatseThomas, who decorated Oganwu, currently a United States-based entrepreneur, said, “Today in our club, Dr. John Oganwu is honoured as a three- level/ star major donor, this means that he has contributed between $50,000 - $99,999 to Rotary Foundation.”

“May his pocket never run dry as he has chosen to serve mankind in

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this special way,” Adamson added.

Also speaking, the incoming president, Rotarian Blackwell Idiahi, said Rotarians were generous people, who by their conduct, have agreed to engage in humanitarian activities to enhance the

living standard of the people in the societies they live in and the world at large.

He revealed that the generosity of Rotarians and friends of Rotary have resulted in so many programs aimed at eradicating diseases, some

of which are endemic, epidemic and even pandemic.

“Rotarians and nonRotarians are encouraged to emulate this great philanthropist of our time and our club’s best Major Donor, Dr. John Oganwu, “he said.

Mastersports for Rigan 2013

L

EADING sports mar keting outfit Mastersports International have been appointed as the official media Marketing consultant to the forthcoming Research Institute Games tagged “RIGAN 2013” Making the announcement at the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony, the Director General and

Chief Executive Officer, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, the host of the Games, Dr (Mrs) Gloria Elomo cited the company’s track record as a leading sports marketing outfit that has delivered in similar projects in the past as the reason for the appointment.

“The appointment of a reputable organization

like Mastersports International underlines the importance we attach to RIGAN 2013. Lagos is a Megacity and also the Economic capital of the country, so we want to host a game befitting of the status of Lagos considering that this is the first time that Lagos will be hosting the games regarded as the ‘Olympics’ of Institutes”

S

EASON three of Air tel Rising Stars (ARS) national U-17 football tournament for boys and girls organized annually by telecommunications operator, Airtel Nigeria, officially kicked off Tuesday in Lagos.

The official launch of the grassroots tournament, an initiative of Airtel Africa, marked the commencement of Season 3 of the tournament which aims to develop grassroots football by discovering talented youngsters and providing them the opportunity to evolve and acquire new football skills and develop into notable soccer talents.

The tournament also builds capacity for sports officials while offering quality entertainment, excitement and fun to millions of soccer loving

ARS football tourney begins in Lagos fans across the nation, especially the youth.

In his opening remarks at the event in Lagos, Segun Ogunsanya, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, said the ARS platform in the past two seasons had led to the discovery and nurturing of young stars, some of whom have commenced their professional careers in football.

“We are indeed happy that in just two years of its existence, Airtel Rising Stars has played a major role in the nurturing of remarkable talents."

54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

Real of onaldo record •1 55m offfer R Ronaldo •155m deal

C

RISTIANO Ronaldo is close to agreeing a new contract with Real Madrid which will make him the world’s highestearning footballer, Goal can reveal.

Madrid are in advanced talks with Ronaldo’s representatives over a deal totalling around • 155 million over five years, with the Portuguese forward set to earn • 15m annually after tax in what will be the most lucrative contract in the history of the game.

Ronaldo, who has scored 201 goals in just 199 games in his four seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu, raised alarm bells on Thursday when he posted a cryptic message on Twitter which read simply: “All the

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news about my renewal with Real Madrid are false.” Days earlier, however, he revealed his intention to remain at the Spanish side beyond his current contract, which expires in 2015.

After Portugal’s 1-0 win over Russia in a World Cup qualifier last week, Ronaldo said: “I haven’t spoken to anyone yet, [but] I know we will reach an agreement on a new contract. The most important thing now is the national team.” And he also claimed his future has nothing to do with the departure of coach Jose Mourinho. “I am not worried by what Mourinho does; I am concerned with Real Madrid and my future,” he said in May.

Ronaldo

Oduamadi, Balotelli hit the ground running

A

FTER a colourful and exciting first round of 2013 FIFA Confede-rations Cup matches that featured a flurry of goals, it is perhaps no surprise to see a couple of forwards at the top of the Castrol Index.

Almost half of the 16 goals seen so far in Brazil came in the one match – Nigeria’s 6-1 win over tournament newcomers Tahiti – and the hat-trick scored by Nnamdi Oduamadi in Belo Horizonte has made him the Index’s early frontrunner.

What was impressive about Oduamadi’s contribution was his finishing accuracy.

While Nigeria’s six goals came from 17 shots, the 22-year-old –

who spent last season in Italy ’s Serie B with Varese – scored with three from four. In fact he had just three goal attempts inside the Pacific Islanders’ penalty box but was in the right place to put the ball in the net on each occasion.

While Oduamadi’s treble earned him 9.55 points, Italy ’s Mario Balotelli took 9.38 for his lively performance against Mexico, capped by the winning goal with 12 minutes remaining.

Balotelli was a central figure throughout Sunday ’s entertaining contest, offering an early statement of intent with a shot just over the crossbar and two more straight at goalkeeper Jose Corona.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 — 55

Tahiti trump Nigeria in celebration stak es akes T

AHITI has treated Monday ’s 6-1 Confederations Cup loss to Nigeria in Belo Horizonte like a victory in the World Cup final.

The French Polynesian island, who stunned New Caledonia to win the 2012 Oceania Nations Cup and qualify for the Confederations Cup, managed to score a goal in their first appearance at a major tournament.

Tahiti head coach Eddy Etaeta had described a goal as the team’s ‘ wildest dream’ before the Confederations Cup and when Jonathan Tehau headed home at the back post in the 54th

Continues from B/P Tuesday, Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Chief Emeka Inyama said Gaiya’s attacks on the Football House were unwarranted, and should not have come from someone like him who is highly informed about the operations and constraints of the football-governing body.

“The NFF can only operate with the funds made available to it. We are taken aback by the attacks because Hon. Gaiya knows everything that’s going on, including the reasons why we have to slash bonus and downsize

Continues from B/P Confederations Cup, Brazil 2013, with a defeat, but that does not necessarily mean there are no positives to be taken from the game.

Their coach Oscar Washington Tabarez said before the game that “if we played against them ten times, in normal conditions, they’d win nine”.

It was perhaps this approach that led to the distinct lack of long faces in the Charrúa camp post-match, especially in the case of Luis

HISTORY MAKERS: Jubilant Tahiti players celebrate after recording their first goal in a FIFA competition in their match against Nigeria. Nigeria won 6-1. minute, the Tahitian TAHITI!!!!!!! WE ARE After the match, the TaFootball Federation (TFF) THE CHAMPIONS!!!!,” hitian squad completed a did not hold back on the TFF posted. lap of honour and Etaeta Twitter.

“TFF #NeverGiveUp revealed he was close to “ G O A A L L L L L L L Tehau HERO!!!!!!” tears throughout the 90 minutes.

“I was deeply moved, almost crying,” Etaeta for this year, out of which C M said. technical/backroom N1.5 billion is for Y “We watch World Cups staff,” began Inyama. sporting activities, and K on TV. Giving an insight into we have been told that “Today we were actors. efforts made by the NFF the sum of N790 million “Tahiti was watching, to carry the players and given to us to prosecute our president sent us a officials along in the the Africa Cup of message and suspended bonus slash, Inyama Nations in South Africa a cabinet meeting for it.” said he was aware of would be deducted from While Tahiti was meetings convened by that sum. celebrating their fiveNFF President, Alhaji “In the event, we are goal defeat like a win, Aminu Maigari with left with the sum of N710 Nigeria head coach Coach Stephen Keshi million for our sporting Stephen Keshi was less and other members of activities for the whole of than impressed. the team’s Management this year, how are we to in Abuja, and with Keshi service our different and some of the senior National Teams (Super players in Nairobi and Continues from B/P Eagles, U-23 Men, UWindhoek.

20 Men, U-17 Boys, 2013 FIFA “The NFF President Super Falcons, U-20 Confederations Cup was very transparent in girls, U-17 girls, Beach following a 6-1 explaining to the Coach Soccer, Home-based trouncing of Tahiti in and the players why the Eagles, U-13 boys) from Belo Horizonte on bonus had to be slashed. this amount, for the rest Monday evening.

The NFF was allocated of the year?''

Spain’s Furia Roja the sum of N1.8 billion (Red Fury) who edged Uruguay 2-1 in the first match of the pool on Sunday night, are Suarez – scorer of his different, and we’ve got second behind the side’s goal with a to win them to progress. African champions on stunning direct free- We have showed a goals difference. positive attitude and I’m kick.

While the Spaniards “We lost against the feeling optimistic.” will look to pile up the Though the 6-1 win by goals against Tahiti on world’s best national team, but we know that Nigeria over Tahiti does Thursday, the Eagles Uruguay ’s have confidence they the competition’s only reduce just starting,” said margin for error should can overpower Oscar Suarez, one of they wish to reach the Tabarez’La Celeste and Uruguay’s key figures. next round, the 26-year- earn a semi final ticket “I think that we left a old former Ajax hit man ahead of their final positive impression and believes he and his group phase tango with often world champions Spain we never let our heads countrymen drop, even when the perform better when the in Fortaleza on Sunday. game looked beyond us. chips are down. “Us NFF President, Alhaji The matches we’ve got Uruguayans are used to Aminu Maigari, coming up against having it tough,” he understandably elated Nigeria and Tahiti are said. by the team’s goal-rious

NFF

Suarez

FIFA Confed Cup: Brazil sets sight on s/final

H

OSTS Brazil will be looking to secure a FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final spot with a win over Mexico in their meeting today.

After their opening victory over Japan, Brazil know that victory in their Group A clash in Fortaleza will guarantee a place in the last four with a game to spare.

However, their

opponents must avoid defeat in order to maintain hope of progression in the tournament after they lost 2-1 to Italy on Sunday.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side looked in great form in their game with Japan and they romped to a 30 win after Neymar ’s superb 25-yard volley gave them an early lead.

Oduamadi

Continues from B/P

massive it was indeed when he discovered that after his second goal, AC Milan president Adriano Galliani called up manager Massimilliano Allegri and directed him to bring the Nigerian back to Milan’s pre-season training camp.

“That’s fantastic for me and I want to give glory to God.” Oduamadi spent last season on loan at Varese, playing a very good second half of the season after returning from injury, which cost

Uruguay performance against the Oceanians on Monday, has charged the boys to increase the tempo against the tacticallyaware Uruguayans.

“The Eagles have started well, and they are perching on top of the table as expected.

We believe they have the strength and the savvy to go all the way and do our country and Africa proud.

“I want them to forget about the win over Tahiti and appreciate that Uruguay is a different ball game. They should work very hard and come out on top on Thursday,” Maigari said.

Salvador, the capital of Bahia State, is home to about 2.7 million people and is Brazil’s third most populous city. It was Brazil’s first capital

him a spot on Nigeria’s Nations Cup squad.

But on a night of personal glory, Oduamadi, like the rest of the Nigeria squad felt a tinge of disappointment not only at the numerous missed opportunities, but also at his wrongfully disallowed goal.

“I’m a little bit disappointed that we missed so many chances and that the referee cancelled a good goal which I scored.

“But let’s see what happens in the second game.”

city until 1763. It is also regarded as the black capital of Latin America, as more than 80 per cent of its inhabitants are of African descent.

In other words, the African champions will not lack support inside the renovated Arena Fonte Nova when they clash with the Uruguayans starting from 7pm Brazil time (11pm Nigeria time) on Thursday.

Coach Stephen Keshi has also been telling his boys to believe in their ability as the boys cruised into the Hotel De Ville Tuesday afternoon.

“Nobody gave us the chance to triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. We love the status of underdogs that we have here and it will help us to achieve our objective of making Nigeria and Africa proud.”

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VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013

Oduamadi gets Milan recall NAMDI Oduamadi

N

CONFEDERATIONS CUP

Uruguay will be different •Maigari tells Eagles

Continues on Page 55

Sports Vanguard Xtra — P. 28 & 29

A

F R I C A N champions Nigeria, in upbeat mood, arrived Salvador, northeastern Brazil Tuesday afternoon ahead of their much-hyped clash with South American champions Uruguay on Thursday.

The Eagles are majestically perched at the top of Group B of the Continues on Page 55

Suarez: Eagles will fall U

Ambrose

Suarez

NFF joins issue with Gaiya T

HE Nigeria Football Federation has debunked comments by Chairman of the House

Maigari

of Reps’ Committee on Sports, Hon. Godfrey Ali Gaiya on the bonus issue of the Senior National

PUZZLE

Team, Super Eagles.

Speaking in Abuja on

Continues on Page 55

RUGUAY striker, Luis Suarez has boasted that the Super Eagles will suffer for the 2-1 defeat inflicted by Spain on the Uruguay when the champions of Africa and South

Americans clash tomorrow in a Group B Confederations Cup match in Salvador.

Uruguay opened their campaign at the FIFA

Continues on Page 55

TODAY’S MATCHES Brazil Italy

vs vs

Mexico Japan

8:00pm 11:00pm

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

described his hattrick against Tahiti at the Fifa Confederations Cup as ‘massive’ and says it is the reward of hard work.

The goals have also earned him an immediate recall to his parent club AC Milan.

“I am very happy. I really worked hard and getting three goals in the Confederations Cup is massive for me,” he told KickOffNigeria.com.

Oduamadi, on loan to Varese from Milan, was to find out just how

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Tie (4) 4 Recede (3) 6 Storm (4) 9 Lubricate (3) 10 Grim (8) 11 Boast (4) 14 Through (3) 16 Cherub (5) 19 Endured (8) 21 Heaped (5) 23 Almanac (8) 24 Wed (5) 27 Longing (3) 31 Twist (4) 33 Scholarly (8) 34 Friend (3) 35 Repudiate (4) 36 Shelter (3) 37 Oaf (4)

DOWN 2 Standard (4) 3 Row (4) 4 Recondite (8) 5 Concoct (4) 6 Bird (5) 7 Tune (3) 8 Dazzle (5) 12 Mohammedism (5) 13 Bid (5) 14 Vigour (3) 15 Pass on (5) 17 Degree (5) 18 Memorise (5) 20 Deputy (8) 22 Lair (3) 25 Yawning (5) 26 Answer (5) 28 Prison (4) 29 Chief (4) 30 Tor (4) 32 Managed (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

How to Play Sudoku

ACROSS: 1, Strong 5. Sample 8, Abortive 9, Love 10, Cog 12, Plank 15, Ale 17, Oar 18, Alb 19, Mar 20, Empty 21, Yet 22, Gas 23, Ass 24, Cue 26, Speak 29, Shy 33, Daub 34, Unstable 35, Bedeck 36, Number.

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 2, Taboo 3, Ogre 4, Grill 5, Stern 6, Melt 7, Level 10, Comic 11, Gorge 12, Press 13, Ample 14, Kayak 15, Abyss 16, Entry 25, Usage 27, Pluck 28, Arson 30, Halve 31, Able 32, Maim. e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

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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