2015: PDP Exco, BoT endorse Jonathan

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62235

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

B'Haram: Things'll change next month— GEJ >8

2015: PDP Exco, BoT endorse Jonathan

By Henry Umoru & Ben Agande

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•I'm humbled, overwhelmed; I won't disappoint — Jonathan •Obasanjo, Tambuwal absent at NEC meeting •Lamido steps down for Jonathan; President to pay N22m for forms

BUJA—AHEAD of his formal re-election declaration, President Goodluck Jonathan has been adopted as the sole presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the National Working Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party.

The party’s governors’ forum had on Wednesday endorsed the President for a second term.

In essence, President Jonathan will stand as sole aspirant at the PDP’s December 6 presidential primaries unless another aspirant emerges. The Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, who earlier

Continues on Page 5

COLUMNISTS: Donu

Justice delayed

EBOLA SURVIVORS— Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos(4th left) with survivors of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, during a visit to the Governor in Lagos, yesterday. From right: Dr. Adaora Igowoh, Dennis Akagha, Fashola, Dr. Ibeawuchi Morris, Dr Fadipe Akinniyi and Dr Enemuo Kelechi. SEE STORY ON PAGE 57.

SEIZED $9.3M: South Africa

faults FG's explanations •Suspects laundering; obtains court order to freeze money •APC raises 15 questions for Presidency

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SYNAGOGUE: 17 of our NSA, Service Chiefs, govs, nationals missing — S-Africa others get National awards •P.8 •P.9

•P.17

....Delight and dilemma of journalists •P.27

Mr & Mrs

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POCKET CARTOON

PROTEST—Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Professor Viola Onwuliri and Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ashraf Salama, during a meeting in Abuja, yesterday, to protest maltreatment of a 17-year-old Nigerian by EgyptAir officials. Photo: NAN.

2015: PDP Exco, BoT endorse Jonathan Continues from page 1 vowed to challenge Jonathan for the PDP ticket has shelved his ambition and toed the path of other PDP governors.

NEC’s endorsement

Rising from its 66th meeting, yesterday, at the Wadata Plaza National Secretariat of the party, the party ’s highest body, NEC, explained that the move became imperative because no serious party would change a winning team like President Jonathan's, who has performed with his Transformation Agenda which has changed the face and well-being of Nigerians.

As prelude to the NEC’s adoption of the president, yesterday, Governor of Niger State and Chairman, Northern States Gov-

ernors’ Forum, NSGF, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, who spoke first and on behalf of all the PDP governors, told NEC members that at the meeting of the governors held on Wednesday at the Akwa Ibom Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, the governors had unanimously adopted President Jonathan as the party’s sole candidate for next year’s election without any dissenting voice.

Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, were absent at yesterday ’s meeting. Tambuwal was allegedly said to be preparing to dump the PDP.

I’m humbled, I won’t disappoint you –Jonathan

Meanwhile, President Jonathan who accepted the endorsement by all

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Plan for tomorrow as if today does not exists, and live today as if tomorrow will not come. Do your best with what you have.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live — Wolfgang von Goethe

C

ONFIDENCE is an asset to happiness, and it is something most people lack. As we struggle in life, as we aim to find ourselves and our path, we sometimes lose this very important part of ourselves.

But the good news is; confidence is something you can get back.

The first step in building your self-confidence is to listen to yourself. It is important that we are in tune with that small voice deep within our minds, and we learn to not only listen to it, but control it as well. We tend to be far harsher on ourselves than we are on others, and much of this issue arises from the fact that we are constantly comparing our lives to those around us, or those we look up to. It is important that you see the big picture. So many times we look at other people and see only the surface, like comparing a ‘first draft’ with a ‘final edit’. What is on the outside is not necessarily what it comes down to in the end. You must train the little voice in your head to avoid envy or comparisons, and focus instead on what you have done that is positive and moving you in the right direction.

organs of the party which culminated in that of NEC, said he was really humbled, overwhelmed and promised not to disappoint the PDP governors, the leaders, stakeholders and members of the party.

He said: “Let me really say that the events of yesterday, starting with BoT meeting last night and what has just happened today, with the various motions adopting me as sole candidate of the party has really humbled me.

“Let me specially thank our governors that initiated that action, let me thank members of BoT, let me thank the Senate President and members of the National Assembly, let me appreciate the PDP women for their position and the NEC, because no matter what anybody does, without the NEC, you will be on your own.

“Adopting me as the sole candidate of the party has humbled me; I am totally overwhelmed. When the governors came up in a jointly signed paper, though House of Representatives started it, governors’ intervention was like an atomic bomb. I commend all departments of the NEC. “I am so overwhelmed that I lack words to express myself. I leave it for another day. For today, for you to have that kind of confidence, I am extremely challenged. It means that whatever we had done in the past three years, we'll triple it. That is the only way Nigerians will appreciate it. I promise I will not disappoint you.”

Lamido steps down

There was, however, a mild drama when Governor Aliyu called on Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State to stand up and join him and soon after, Lamido stood up as a sign of agreeing with other governors and jettisoned his ambition for now to support President

Jonathan’s return bid.

The hall erupted with shouts of PDP! PDP!! by members of NEC, just as Governor Aliyu boasted that Rivers, Nasarawa, Kwara, Sokoto and Adamawa states would be brought to the party in next year’s election.

Soon after Governor Aliyu spoke for the governors, former Deputy National Chairman of the party and member of the party ’s BoT, Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, who was mandated to speak on behalf of the BoT, also announced that the BoT at its Wednesday’s meeting unanimously voted for Jonathan’s continuity and as the party’s sole candidate.

BoT, NASS caucus, PDP women speak

According to him, the BoT took the decision unanimously, willingly and joyfully because of the need for him to further consolidate on his achievements.

President of the Senate, Senator David Mark who doubles as Chairman of the National Assembly said that as an advocate of continuity especially for a performing sitting president, it has become imperative for Jonathan to continue, a reason the National Assembly PDP caucus made up of both the Senate and the House of Representatives agreed that President Jonathan should not only continue, but should be the only candidate to be presented at the convention by the party for the 2015 presidential election.

For the women, Ambassador Justina Eze, said PDP women passed a resolution that the president should continue and be the party’s candidate because of his concern for women, adding that there was no vacancy in Aso Rock.

How PDP BoT endorsed Jonathan

On Wednesday night, the PDP BoT unanimously endorsed the President as its sole candidate for the 2015 presidential polls, adding that it was done to reward hard work as well as for continuity.

At its meeting at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja which started at about 8:16pm and ended at about 11:30pm, the BoT also approved the time-table and guidelines for the party’s primaries and national convention for the 2015 polls.

The decision of the BOT, according to former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana was an affirmation of the position

of the PDP governors who had earlier taken such position and presented same to BOT of the party.

Endorsement motion

Former acting National Chairman of PDP, and past Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, moved the motion, which was seconded by former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, who said: “It is difficult to change a winning team because this team has done so well.

I think it is just fair that I second the motion that Dr. Ebele Jonathan be returned as the sole candidate of the PDP.” PDP National chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, however, put the motion to vote and the NEC unanimously adopted it without any dissenting voice.

Speaking after, Mu’azu who disclosed that the convention of the party has been fixed for December 6 and 7, where his position would be ratified as well as that of the National Secretary and the National Auditor with minor amendments in the party’s constitution.

PDP approves guidelines for primaries

zPresidential aspirants to pick forms for N22 million; Governorship aspirants N11 million zSenators, N4 million, Reps, N2 million, State House of Assembly, N1 Million President Jonathan and any other presidential aspirant will pay a total of N 22 million to collect the Expression of Interest and nomination forms of the PDP. This is one of the guidelines for the 2014 general elections approved by the National Executive Committee, NEC, yesterday.

The NEC approved that the Presidential election shall be by Special Convention using the modified open secret ballot system otherwise known as open secret and delegates shall emerge as provided for in the constitution of the party or the Electoral

Guidelines of the party.

According to the 39page document obtained

by Vanguard, yesterday, for the presidential primary, the Expression of Interest Form Code PD002/P would go for N2 million and the Nomination form Code PD003/P would be purchased for N20 million, totalling N22 million.

To qualify for the primaries, a presidential aspirant must be nominated by 60 persons from at least two-thirds of all the states of the Federation who shall be registered voters in their local government areas and also registered members of the party.

Governorship aspirants will maintain the N1m for Expression of Interest form Code PD002/G and N10 million for nomination form Code PD003/G and a gubernatorial aspirant must be nominated by 45 persons.

According to the approved guidelines, the Presidential Screening Committee shall consist of Chairman, Secretary and eight other members; Presidential Appeal Panel shall consist of 12 members of the NWC and six from the Board of Trustees, BoT, one from each zone of the country with the National Chairman presiding.

Meanwhile, the NEC said government appointees would not be delegates at the special national convention.

According to the guidelines, to be a senatorial aspirant, such a person must purchase the Expression of Interest form for N500, 000.00 and Nomination form for N4 million.

An aspirant to the House of Representatives will purchase the Expression of Interest form for N500,000.00 and nomination form for N2 million while for the State House of Assembly, an aspirant would pay N200,000.00 for the Expression of Interest form and N1 million for the nomination form.

Female aspirants, in line with the tradition of the party, will not pay for the nomination forms.

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Multiple check points return to Badagry Expressway

By Godfrey Bivbere

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EW weeks after the retirement of the immediate past Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, road blocks along the Lagos Badagry Expressway have returned with the Badagry-Seme end having about 11 and nine police and Customs checkpoints, respectively.

Even Customs checkpoints, which the Service headquarters limited to three, have steadily grown to seven between Seme and Badagry in the last three weeks.

Investigation revealed that the Customs checkpoints are mounted by officers from Seme Border Command and the Federal Operations Unit, FOU. With the former arrangement, both units were supposed to be present at the three approved checkpoints to avoid duplication.

Apart from the 11 police, seven Customs checkpoints counted by Vanguard between Badagry and Seme, others are gradually springing up in Agbara and Badagry town.

The Customs Authority in the past said the three approved checkpoints along the route should be sited at Gbagi, Agbara and Aradagun.

Tiler docked over stabbing

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AGOS—A Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, yesterday, remanded a man, Taofeek Ola-Sheu, at Ikoyi Prisons for allegedly stabbing a security guard with broken bottle.

The accused, 27, a tiler, who resides at Ologonla in Ajah on Lagos-Epe Expressway, had pleaded guilty to the two-count charge of assault occasioning harm and causing bodily injury on a man.

The Magistrate, Mr. L. A. Owolabi, said the accused should be kept behind bars pending facts and sentence.

Police nab man over beheading of 45-yr-old woman zHer son raped my wife— ACCUSED

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—EBONYI State Police Command has arrested one Mr. Chinedu Nweke, for allegedly beheading a 45year-old woman, Philomena Nwega, in Ezza North Local Government Area of the state.

Nweke, 32, was said to have waylaid and cut off the victim’s head while she was returning from the farm. Both the suspect and deceased hailed from Amuda in Ezza North council, where the incident occurred.

State Police Commissioner, CP Maigari Dikko stated this at the command’s

headquarters in Abakaliki.

He said: “According to the suspect, his reason for beheading the woman was that her son, one Friday Nwega, allegedly raped his wife sometime ago.

“After committing the murder, the suspect threw the headless body into Ogbor stream in Amuda and buried

the head in a nearby bush “Both body and head of the deceased have been recovered by operatives of the Command’s Department of Investigation”.

CP Dikko also revealed that the command arrested 12 robbery suspects involved in three different robberies in the state.

ACCIDENT: An accident between the two trailers and three commercial busses claimed three lives at Toyota Bus Stop along Mile 2-Oshodi Expressway, yesterday. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Igbo community sue Police over killing of 4 kinsmen

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS— THE alleged extra-judicial killing of four youths, Anthony Ezenwafor, Chukwuemika Ezeofor, Izuchukwu Ezeama and Alloysius Osigwe, said to have been shot dead by policemen attached to Aguda Surulere Police Station, on suspicion that they were armed robbers, is being challenged by their kinsmen in Lagos The Ekwulobia Imeobi Youths Association of Ladipo Market, to which the four youths belonged, has filed a suit against the Attorney General of the Federation and Inspector General of Police, IGP, over the killing.

The four were said to be working for one Chief Jude Okoli, a businessman at Ladipo International Market,

as apprentice traders.

On July 21, 2001, the deceased were said to be in their apartment at 48, Olaitan Odularu Street Kilo bus stop, Surulere, Lagos when robbers visited the house.

The deceased were said to have removed some window panes and escaped through the window during the robbery.

After the robbers had gone they went back home when policemen arrived shortly after and without enquiry shot dead three of the victims, while the fourth who would had testified against the police was allegedly killed in police custody.

Joined as defendants in the suit by the Ekwulobia Imeobi Youths Association is Attorney General of Lagos State, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Chief Marvelous

Akpoyibo then of Area ‘C’ Police Command, Surulere and Divisional Police Officer, Aguda Station.

The claimant is seeking an order of the court declaring that the killing of the deceased by the police officers serving under the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Aguda Police Station attached to Area C Police Command Surulere Lagos on Sunday July 21, 2001 as unconstitutional, extra judicial, illegal and infringement on the right to life, liberty and dignity.

The claimants in the suit are Akaraka Ezeonara, Chris Okpara, Remigus Ezenwanne and Ifeanyi Okoye.

They are also asking for an order for the payment of N4 billion as damages and compensations to the families of the four victims for the

unlawful killing and unjust and illegal termination of their lives.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere, the defendants’ counsel, Jonathan Ogunsanya told the court that they were yet to regularise their position and, therefore, sought for adjournment to enable them do so.

The claimant’s counsel, Abiola Akerele, in his response, told the court that they have served the Attorney General of the Federation and Inspector General, adding that since 2001, when they served Aguda police Station, they were yet to get a reply.

He urged the court to give them short time to regularise their position.

Justice Ogala fixed October 23 for the hearing of the suit.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014—7

8 family members remanded in prison over murder zEx-soldier also remanded for resisting arrest

By Jane Dania , with agency

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report

AGOS—AN Igbosere Magistrate's Court in Lagos, yesterday, remanded in prison nine people including eight family members on alleged murder of a man over land dispute.

The accused are Latifu Olarinde, 67; Sanni Olarinde, 32; Yusuf Olarinde, 31; Idris Olarinde, 26; Jide Olarinde, 27; Shola Olarinde, 24; Temitope Olarinde, 31; Usman Olarinde, 24; and Samuel Adebisi, 22.

They are facing charges of conspiracy and murder.

The Magistrate, Miss Olanike Olagbende, who gave the ruling, said the accused should be remanded at Ikoyi Prisons for 30 days pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. Her words: “I hereby order that the defendants be remanded in prison till October 20 pending advice from the office of the DPP.” Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Charles Odii told the court that the accused committed the offences with others still at large on July 15 at Abule Ado in Satellite area of Lagos.

He alleged that the men shot and killed one Olajuwon Olawepo over land dispute.

"The accused also opened fire on policemen who were dispatched to the scene to restore order, but luckily they escaped unhurt," he said.

Odii added that Latifu, the oldest among them and selfacclaimed Baale, led the group.

The trial took another dimension when Idris, the 4th accused, told the court that Olawepo was an armed robber.

“The person we shot was an armed robber my lord,” he said.

The offences contravened Sections 221 and 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Meantime, a Mararaba Magistrate's Court 2 in Nasarawa State, yesterday, remanded a 55-year-old exsoldier, Ali Obenta, in prison custody over alleged resistance to arrest.

Obenta, who resides at Masaka, is facing a three-count charge of criminal intimidation, cheating and resistance to arrest.

The Senior Magistrate, Mr Jeremiah Danladi, refused an oral application for his bail, filed by his counsel, Mr Obolo Austine.

Danladi adjourned the case to October 10 for hearing.

The prosecutor, Mr Mohammed Aliyu, had told the court that the accused took his daughter, Joy, for a surgery at the Lafia Clinic at One Man Village, Nasarawa, on August 18.

Aliyu said that Joy was operated on by Dr Makpa Hassan, with the consent of her father at a cost of N90, 000.

He said that the accused made an advance payment of N30, 000 and wrote an undertaking to pay the balance the same day.

He said that on August 19, the accused ran away from the hospital with his daughter, without the doctor’s consent, but paid an additional N10,000 when he was traced.

Aliyu said that the accused then promised to pay the remaining money before August 25, but absconded.

He said that when Obenta was later seen, he resisted arrest and threatened to shoot the doctor and make sure he did not practice again.

Aliyu said that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 397, 322 and 172 of the Penal Code.

Fuel queue at Central Area in Abuja due to ongoing strike by oil workers, yesterday.

Photo: NAN.

Motorcyclist docked for defiling 5-yr-old girl

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AGOS—A 30-year-old c o m m e r c i a l motorcyclist, Michael Odunlami, who allegedly defiled a five-year-old girl, was yesterday arraigned in a Yaba Chief Magistrate's Court, Lagos.

Odunlami, who resides at No. 3, Fadipe Street, Somolu Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count charge of indecently dealing with a child and defiling a minor.

The prosecutor, Inspector Peter Nwangwu told the court that the accused committed the offences on September 10 at the minor ’s residence at Adedoyin Street, Somolu.

Nwangwu explained that Odunlami was a regular visitor to the minor’s compound, where he patronised a local dry gin (Ogogoro) seller.

Nwangwu said the accused on the fateful day, went to patronise the dry gin vendor, “saw the child, picked her up and put her on his laps.

“Odunlami put his finger into her private part, causing her severe pain and injuries.”

The prosecutor said that Odunlami caused damage to the child’s private part, which bled profusely after the assault.

ALLEGED ASSAULT ON ELECTRICITY STAFF:

Accused, mother sob in court L Physically challenged persons, during a meeting at the Adamawa branch office of the association in Yola, yesterday.

Photo: NAN.

AGOS—A 55-year-old woman, Oluwatoyin Salawu, sobbed uncontrollably at a Tinubu Magistrate's Court in Lagos, yesterday, when a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy and assault was read to her.

Salawu, who also cried out

Trader docked for aiding housekeeper steal employer's N1m jewelry “That same day of employ-

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AGOS—A trader, Mr Emmaunel Abine, who allegedly aided a housekeeper to steal jewelry valued at N1millon, was yesterday charged before an Oshodi Magistrate’s Court in Lagos.

Abine, 30, who resides at No.11, Temitope St., Ogba, Lagos, is being tried for conspiracy and stealing.

The prosecutor, Corporal Kehinde Olatunde, told the court

that the accused committed the offences on June 10, at No. 23, Kehinde Akamo Street, Ilupeju, Lagos.

He said that the accused conspired with a housekeeper to steal a gold jewelry valued at N1 million, property of one Mrs Adeola Ayorinde.

“The accused brought a housekeeper for the complainant when she told him she needed one.

ment, the housekeeper disappeared with her employer’s property,” he said.

According to Olatunde, the complainant returned from work and discovered that the locked burglary proof padlock to her bedroom was burnt with fire.

“She came back from work and discovered that her newlyemployed housekeeper had made away with her jewelry and other items, "he said.

loudly, claimed innocence of the offences.

“I am innocent of the offences, I do not understand all the charges read to me,” she told the court.

The mother of the accused also broke down in tears as she pleaded for leniency for her daughter, who she claimed knew nothing about the case.

The accused, a civil servant, who lives at No. 28, Daddy Alaja St., Oke-Arin, Lagos Island, is facing a sixcount charge of conspiracy, unlawful interference with public property, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and assault.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Daniel Ighodalo, had told the court that the accused committed the offences on September 17, at Oke-Arin, Lagos Island.

He alleged that the

accused and other occupants of the house had done illegal connection to get electricity.

“They were warned to disconnect the illegal power supply, but they refused.

“A team of electricity workers went to disconnect them and in the process Salawu assaulted them.

“She slapped one Babatunde Bello and Henry Olayokun, tore their shirts and ordered them to leave the house, “ Ighodalo said.

He said the offences contravened Sections 166 (d), 170, 172, 338 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mr M.L. Owolabi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N40,000 with two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case to October 6 for mention

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

NSA, service chiefs, govs get national awards

By Okey Ndiribe

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B U J A — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has conferred national honours on all the service chiefs, the National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and 300 others.

Among those on the list who were conferred with CFR are Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin; Chief of Air Staff, Air ViceMarshal Adeshola Amosu and the Acting InspectorGeneral of Police, Suleiman Abba.

Others include the Head of Service of the Federation, Danladi Kifasi and his predecessor, Bukar Goni Aji, Supreme Court judges, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, Chukwuma Eneh and Muhammad Coomasie.

Also in the list are Amb. Ayo Oke, Director-General of National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Philip Asiodu and Brig. Gen. Jones Arogbofa, Chief of Staff to the President.

Others in the list include publisher of Champion newspapers, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim.

Those who received the CON awards include former Governor of Kogi State, Ibrahim Idris; the Grand Khadi of Sokoto State, Alhaji Abdulakadir Tambuwal; former Governor of Rivers State Dr. Peter Odili; Abba Gana; Chief Thomas AguiyiIronsi; Amb. Dan Sueliman, Olorogun Felix Ibru and Olusegun Oshunkeye.

Several serving governors are also on the list. These include the Governor of Abia State, Theodore Orj; Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda; Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime; Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko; Governor of Kebbi State, Usman Dakingari; Governor of Plateau State, Governor Jonah Jang; Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi.

Also given awards was Nigeria’s Under-17 male football team that won the World Cup last year.

Boko Haram: Things'll change by next month — JONATHAN

By Kingsley Omonobi & Henry Umoru

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BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan promised yesterday that by next month, the security challenge posed by members of the Boko Haram sect who have engaged in massive killing and wanton destruction of property would change drastically. This is just as the troops have killed 60 of the insurgents.

Speaking yesterday at the 66th National Executive Committee, NEC of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, President Jonathan who admitted that the nation’s greatest challenge was that of insecurity, stressed that what obtains presently in Nigeria has gone beyond terror, but plans to secede where members of Boko Haram want to install their own leadership.

Commiserating with victims of killings in Kaduna and Kano states, the President disclosed that he would be attending the United Nations General Assembly summit on Global Terrorism which all the super powers would attend.

He said: “Nigeria is having an unfair share. Terror is a global problem, and Nigeria situation is going beyond terror. When terrorists think about holding ground, attempting to install

VISIT: From left; President, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Austine Alegeh; Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and General Secretary, NBA, Mr. Afam Osigwe, during a visit by the leadership of Nigerian Bar Association to the Speaker, at National Assembly, in Abuja, yesterday. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan. leadership, it is no longer terrorism, it is almost like going into the line of succession.

Between now and October, things will change.

He appreciated the Senate and the entire National Assembly for their statement and joining the government in this regard, promising to bring it to an end.

Meanwhile, following the regrouping of Boko Haram terrorists and a second attack on Konduga town by the insurgents on Wednesday night, the Nigerian Army said another 60 insurgents were killed in the battle that ensued.

After the confrontation which lasted from 4pm to 8pm, several

military hardware recovered from the insurgents included 13 AK47 rifles, five RPGs, two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) and one anti-aircraft gun.

Two Ford Ranger pick-up vehicles that could be used to mount anti-aircraft attack ordnance were also recovered.

2015: Elections'll hold in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Jega tells Senate ‘Why we created more polling units in North'

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA—CHAIRMAN, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega has said that despite the security challenges in the north-eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe and the declaration of emergency in the affected states, elections will still be conducted in the troubled states in 2015.

Professor Jega, who stated this yesterday during a meeting with the Senator Andy Ubah-led Senate Committee on INEC, however, noted that there was the expectation that the security situations in the affected states would improve before the general elections.

He argued that if countries like Afghanistan and Iraq that have always faced crises could hold elections in the midst of such turmoil, elections should also hold in the North-East states that were having security challenges.

The INEC chairman explained that while the

security situation in the area could not be underestimated, elections could still hold in the three affected states, adding that already the security situations in the affected states were being tackled frontally by the Federal Government to restore normalcy.

The INEC Chairman also justified the recent controversial creation of about 30,000 polling units, which had been criticised as being lopsided with the North having about 20,000 additional polling units while the South has about 8,000, adding that considerations were given to the displaced people from the troubled states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, who were now living in refugee camps.

According to him, “We are having displacement of people; people are abandoning where they live and now live in camps, it is a serious challenge, nobody can underestimate it, but the hope of everybody in this country is that, this is a temporary problem and you cannot begin to plan long

term based on a temporary thing.

“If we now say okay because people are leaving the north east therefore the polling unit you create in the north east should take care of people who have moved out, are we saying that this people are not likely to come back before 2015 or whenever we conduct the elections?”

He told the senators that elections were held in several volatile nations “...including countries which are having problems like ours in terms of security, take Afgahnistan, take Iraq and so on.

“We hope and pray that states where emergency is; will stabilize sufficiently for us to be able to conduct elections that are relatively peaceful in those areas and we must plan for that eventuality.”

He said the commission was making preparations to hold elections in all parts of Nigeria even where there was the case of displaced people as long as there were registered voters, stressing that there were likely to be displaced people but that there

temporary displacement should not be an excuse to disenfranchise them.

He also said that preparations were on top gear to conduct governorship bye-election in Adamawa States and that the exercise would take place in all parts of the state.

He said from the briefing he received from the state resident electoral commissioner, life was gradually returning to normal in most parts of the state.

Jega said, “Yesterday the Adamawa State Electoral Commissioner was here and he gave us adequate briefing. From what we have heard, people are moving back home. (In) Madagali for example, as of yesterday (Wednesday) buses were being provided to move people back home from the camps.

Speaking at the meeting, Senator Alkali Jajere representing Yobe South Senatorial District on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, said that nothing would stop the elections holding in the troubled states even as he put it that there was “no Jupiter on earth” who could stop elections from holding in his state.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 —9

Synagogue: 17 of our people still missing, says S'Africa

zAs rescue ends with 80 dead

By Evelyn Usman

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AGOS—AS rescue work at the scene of last Friday’s collapsed building used as guest house by the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN was concluded yesterday, the South African government said 17 of its nationals were still unaccounted for.

This is just as SCOAN has remained silent on the identities and number of persons who lodged in the building, but insisted that the attack was targeted at its Senior Pastor, Prophet Temitope Joshua.

Thus, the official number of lives that perished in the five storey building which collapsed at 12.44pm, is 80, while the survivors were 131, according to the National Emergency Management Authority.

This is just as SCOAN finally released an official statement yesterday, maintaining that the tragedy occurred shortly after a plane which flew very low, hovered round the building.

Indication also emerged that some o f the survivors have been discharged from the hospitals and have returned to their respective abodes.

It was learnt that DNA tests would first be conducted on some of the decomposed bodies with a view to ascertaining their true identities.

Vanguard reliably gathered that there are plans to fly the remains of foreign victims to their respective countries. As at yesterday, arrangements on how this would be done was reportedly going on between authorities of the countries concerned and SCOAN. Among the countries is South Africa.

South Africa’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lulu Mnguni, was quoted

by AFP as saying that 17 of his compatriots were unaccounted for and that the church had set up a hotline in Johannesburg for concerned relatives.

S-Africa faults FG's explanations on seized $9.3m zAPC raises posers for Jonathan S

OUTH Africa has rejected explanations by the Nigerian government on the $9.3m cash seized from two Nigerians and an Israeli citizen in a chartered private jet for the purpose of procuring arms for the Nigerian intelligence services.

According to an online news medium, Premium Times, South Africa described as “flawed and riddled with discrepancies,” explanations by the Nigerian government that the money was meant to procure arms.

This is just as the All Progressives Congress, APC raised 15 posers asking President Goodluck Jonathan to avail Nigerians full disclosure on the alleged scandal.

The private jet used to convey the cash was owned by the National President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, who has since denied any involvement in the arms deal, saying the aircraft has since August 2, been leased to another company, Green Coast Produce Limited.

The Federal Government, in a statement by PRNigeria, an agency that releases statements for the military, police and other security agencies said “The Federal Government has submitted relevant data and documents on the transaction to South Africa and insisted that the transaction was legitimate.

It also clarified that the funds were neither laundered nor smuggled for any covert manoeuvres. No launderer will be audacious to fly into a country in a chartered jet with such huge cash.”

The South African prosecution agency, in a statement sent to Premium Times, however said “Although various explanations about the money were given to the investigating officer, these explanations were flawed and riddled with discrepancies.”

S'Africa moves to seize money

Already, the Asset Forfeiture Unit, AFU, of the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa, NPA, has obtained a court order to freeze the money.

The NPA, in a statement said that the manner in which the money was brought into the country breached the country’s laws that deal with the transfer of foreign exchange of such proportion.

“The money was initially detained by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) as it was neither disclosed nor declared at Customs, and was above the prescribed legal limit for the amount of cash that may be brought into the country,” it said in a statement.

PRESENTATION: From left; Doyen of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Sam Ndata; Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Ltd, Mr. Olumide Oyetan; Head, Product Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Dipo Omotoso, and Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, Mr. Dele Sotubo, at the Facts Behind the Offer presentation on the Stanbic IBTC Exchange Traded Fund 30 at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Lagos, yesterday.

Investigators also cast serious doubt on the Nigerian government’s explanation that the money was meant for the procurement of arms and that it has provided documents and receipts to back its legitimacy, raising serious concern that suspects might have been in the process of laundering the money before it was intercepted.

The NPA said its investigation shows that Tier One Services Group, the firm Nigerian government claimed it wanted to procure the arms from, is not authorised to sell or rent military hardware.

“In the court papers, the NPA submitted evidence that Tier One is not registered with the National Conventional Arms Control Committee and is thus not authorised to enter into any agreements regarding the sale and/or rental of military equipment,” the statement read.

Tier One has apparently issued an invoice to a Cyprusbased company, ESD International Group Ltd, ESD, in respect of the procurement of armaments and helicopters to be delivered to Nigeria.

However, South African investigators said the time the invoice was prepared and the time the money was brought in threw up some serious issues of its true intent.

The money was ferried to South Africa less than a week from the date the invoice was prepared (September 8, 2014).

The involvement of a Cyprusbased company also heightens the suspicion that this may be a case of classical money laundering.

The NPA added that the transaction did not follow normal procedure in the procurement of

the kind of equipment it was alleged to have been meant for.

Tell Nigerians the truth, APC urges Jonathan Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to come clean on the circumstances surrounding the seized money.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party also called on the National Assembly to launch an urgent investigation into the issue, saying the silence of the peoples’ representatives on the issue is deafening, unfathomable and unacceptable.

According to the statement, ''it is absolutely urgent for President Jonathan to clear the air on this alleged off-the-shelf equipment or arms purchase, which runs against all known protocol for such purchases anywhere in the world. Military equipment and weapons are not bean cakes to be purchased by the road side.

There are globally-acceptable protocols for such purchases by governments, otherwise what differentiates a government from an insurgent group that is shopping for arms? ‘’Is the Jonathan Administration not aware that the UN General Assembly on April 2nd, 2013 adopted a landmark Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) to regulate the international trade in conventional weapons by avoiding the kind of road-side purchase that the Nigerian government is said to have been involved in? Though the ATT has not come into effect, the fact that Nigeria is among few countries to have signed and ratified the treaty shows that the country is concerned

by unregulated arms trade,’’ APC said.

The party said the resort to ‘’procedural error’’ to explain away the whole issue cannot work, because Nigerian authorities cannot pretend not to be aware that currency brought into or taken from South Africa is monitored by law, and that anyone bringing into that country more than R25,000 in South African currency or U$10,000 or the equivalent thereof in foreign currency must declare such.

It said that in any case, those who are using ‘’procedural error’’ as an alibi are being too clever by half. This is because if entering or leaving a country with undeclared $9.3 million is mere ‘’procedural error’’, why was Sule Lamido’s son convicted for not declaring a mere $50,000 dollars at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport?

APC said, however, that in the spirit of fairness, it has decided to give President Jonathan and the government he heads the opportunity to make urgentlyneeded clarifications by answering a number of questions relating to the $9.3 million scandal: Is the money indeed meant to purchase a helicopter as has been reported?

To which arm of the government or security force does the money belong? Who appropriated it and for what purpose? Why was the money being ferried in cash by the same government that has been spending huge time and money to promote a cashless policy? Is the resort to cash to avoid a paper trail for the transaction, in which case it is illegal? ‘’Mr. President, we are aware that each arm of security has an account with the CBN for the purpose of arms purchase and such transactions are properly documented, so why was this not the case in this instance?

10 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

FG summons Egyptian envoy over airline's ill-treatment of Nigerian passenger

By Okey Ndiribe

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HE FEDERAL Government has summoned the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ashraf Salama, over the illtreatment meted out on a Nigerian teenager, Master Joshua Kunle Abdulazeez, by Egypt Air. An official of the airline had torn the teenager’s Nigerian passports in Istanbul, Turkey, while on his way to Ukraine to resume studies as a medical student.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which issued the summon yesterday, demanded an unreserved apology from the Egyptian government.

The Minister of State 1, Foreign Affairs, Viola Onwuliri, also accused Egypt Air of “childabuse” for starving the young Nigerian of food for three days, after wrongly routing his air ticket.

She said it was unacceptable that Egypt Air had failed to respond to repeated enquiries

from the Nigeria Embassy in Cairo on what led to the maltreatment of the Nigerian.

The Nigerian authorities had sought explanation from the airline on reports that the Nigerian passport of the 17-year-old teenager was torn to shreds by a staff of Egypt Air in Istanbul, Turkey.

Ms. Onwuliri expressed dismay that the Egyptian ambassador’s initial reaction to the issue was to question the authenticity of local media reportage on the Nigerian

SERVICE: From left, Mrs. Funmi Ogunlesi, daughter; Dr. Niyi Ade Ajayi, son; Mrs. Christy Ade-Ajayi; widow; Mrs. Yetunde Aina, Mrs. Bisi Oloko, and Mrs. Titi Ajayi- Jones, during the lying in state and Commendation Service for late Emeritus Professor, Jacob Festus AdeAjayi, at the University of Ibadan,Wednesday.Photo: Dare Fasube

BRT VANDALISM: Military appears before

tribunal, gets approval to recall witnesses

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

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HE MILITARY yesterday appeared before an Inquiry Tribunal into the July 4 road traffic accident crisis at Palmgrove Bus Stop in Ikorodu Road, Lagos with a request to recall three witnesses who had earlier testified before it.

The appearance came two days into the sitting of the tribunal, a situation which raised the insinuation that the military would shun the panel.

The Lagos State government had inaugurated the tribunal to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the crisis which led to the alleged vandalism of some Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicles by some soldiers and suggest the way forward.

At the resumed hearing of the tribunal, it granted permission to the Nigerian Army to recall three witnesses, Razak Mustapha, Ikechukwu Umeaku and Dapo Adediran all employees of Mutual Model Transport Ltd., sub-operator of the LAGBUS, for cross-examination by the army legal team led by Lt.- Col.

Hycinth Ande.

The witnesses had earlier testified before the panel chaired by retired Justice Ebenezer Adebajo on Tuesday and Wednesday, where they gave accounts of how their buses were

allegedly vandalised by the soldiers.

They alleged that the mayhem was perpetrated by soldiers who were protesting the death of their colleague allegedly killed by a BRT bus.

NECA secures tax concession for hospitality coys

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IGERIA Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, yesterday, said it had secured concession for hospitality companies (Hotels, Restaurants and Fast Food Businesses) from the Lagos State Government on uncollected occupancy and consumption taxes/rates.

The umbrella body for the employers in the country said following the enactment of the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law 2009, the Hotels and Personal Services Employers’ Association, HOPESEA, an affiliate of NECA, filed a case on behalf of its members at the Federal High Court to seek clarifications on the appropriateness of the tax.

While the legal suit subsisted, the hoteliers had refused to comply with the law.

However, following the ruling of the court in the case Attorney

General of the Federation vs. Attorney General of Lagos State, the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue Service had come after the hoteliers to collect all outstanding payment arising out of the law, which led to NECA's intervention.

According to NECA “It is therefore a big relief and a thing of joy to all and sundry when the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, announced the following resolutions at the 4th edition of the Lagos Corporate Assembly: a waiver of taxes not collected by them at the inception of the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law 2009; and in the spirit of fairness, to credit the account of those who did not collect taxes but made payments to Government in fulfillment of the law.”

who was treated like “a common criminal” by Egypt Air. When Vanguard called at the Ministry of Aviation last Wednesday, the Assistant Director of Press, Mr Joshua Odaodu, said both the Minister, Mr Osita Chidoka, and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Jamila Shuara, were not available for comments.

Odaodu further stated that since the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, which is a parastatal of the Ministry was already handling the matter, based on the petition sent to the agency by the Abdulazeez family, the Ministry had to wait for NCAA to complete its investigation into the matter before wading in.

Meanwhile, Nigerians have begun reacting to the development, with Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Malachi Ugwumadu, expressing outrage over the incident.

Speaking to Vanguard in a telephone interview, Ugwumadu said: “I am joining others who have condemned the unjustifiable attack on Joshua Abdulazeez, a fellow Nigerian citizen.

“What led to the young man being flown to a country different from his destination was not his fault but due to negligence on the part of those who sold the wrong ticket to him.

“It was the mistake of somebody who was not competent to do his job. Whatever was the case, the type of treatment that was meted out to this young man was callous.

“The fundamental rights of all Nigerians are guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution as amended.

So, a Nigerian’s life cannot be taken except in accordance with the order of a competent court of law. Similarly, a Nigerian’s freedom of movement including the right to leave and enter the country is also guaranteed.

“The right to personal liberty is also guaranteed by the constitution. The right to human dignity is also provided by the nation’s grundnorm.”

Ugwumadu maintained that the fundamental human rights of citizen Abdulazeez as stipulated under Chapter Four of the constitution, had been attacked by the action of the Egyptian officials.

Said he: “Abdulazeez could therefore file an action in court for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights which would entail the perpetrators of those acts including the airline being sued.

“One of the reliefs that he should seek is a heavy compensation for the damage done to his passport. The destruction of his international passport and the physical pain he was subjected to could not have been part of the Egyptian legal provisions for traveling to a wrong destination.

Foursquare Iba holds 3rd Convocation ...offers free medical check

F

O U R S Q UA R E GOSPEL Church in Nigeria, Iba District, will tomorrow offer free medical test to residents of Iba and its environs in Lagos.

Taking place as part of its 3rd Convocation which holds between today and Sunday, at the District headquarters of the church at Iba Estate, the free medical test according to the District Overseer, DO Rev. Dan Olumefun, would be between 7a.m. and 10a.m.

Olumefun in a statement noted that those who would turn up for the free medical test would undergo test such as urinalysis, blood sugar and optical (with free medical glasses) The DO said the three day programme would commence from today with an opening ceremony.

Among anointed men of God to feature include the General Overseer, GO, of the organization in Nigeria, Rev. Felix Meduoye, Rev. Dan Olumefun, Rev. S.O. Oshibanjo and Rex. Diran Ajayi.

Cline-Cole is dead

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RS. VIRGINIA Obiageli ClineCole (Nee ILONNA), is dead, aged 67.

She died on Friday, September 12, 2014 at her home in Ajao Estate Lagos, after a brief illness.

She was a devoted Christian, a loving and hard working nurse.

Burial arrangements will be announced later. She is survived by her husband – Dr. Jeremiah Ojumiri Cline-Cole, four daughters and several grandchildren, aged mother, brothers, sisters and in-laws.

Late Mrs. Cline-Cole

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014—11

EBOLA: S-West governors direct schools to re-open Monday .Ogun trains 15,000 teachers, Lagos to sanction defaulting schools .Osun fixes Oct 6

By Dayo Johnson, Ola Ajayi , Amaka Abayomi & Daud Olatunji

L

AGOS — LAGOS and other South West states besides Osun, have directed the resumption of primary and secondary schools on Monday as directed by the Federal Government, with a stern warning from Lagos State government that it will sanction schools that default in implementing the basic preventive measures Ebola Virus Disease EVD, as directed by the Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau.

This came as no fewer than 15,000 teachers from both private and public schools in Ogun State have been trained on how to contain the outbreak of the dreaded EVD. However, Osun State government has fixed October 6 as the resumption date for public and private schools in the state.

In Lagos, Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, at a sensitisation exercise on EVD for private schools owners, said sensitisation programme was part of measures aimed at preventing further spread of EVD According to Oladunjoye, “the aim of this sensitization exercise is to remind school management and teachers on the need to teach their students the importance of good personal hygiene so that we don’t record new cases of the EVD. To ensure compliance with the Federal Government’s directive, monitoring teams from the state Ministry of Education will, this weekend, go on inspection tours of all private and public schools in the state and any school that fails to provide running water, hand sanitisers and digital thermometers would be sanctioned accordingly.”

The Commissioner also said the first day of school would be dedicated to educating the students on the EVD and the various preventive measures.

Pleading with teachers to concentrate on their teaching jobs, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Yewande Adesina, charged them to be proactive and not panic driven so as not to instil fear in their students.

Ogun trains 15,000 teachers on Ebola While announcing the training of 15,000 teachers, Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Segun Odubela, the training conducted by medical personnel from the ministry of health, took place in seven centres across the state, and lasted for three days.

Odubela who said he could not confirm yet if the schools in

the state would resume on September 22, added that the state was yet to receive infrared thermometers from the Federal Ministry of Education on Thursday.

He said, “I am still talking with the officials of the Federal Ministry of Education on the infrared thermometers, as at now, we are yet to receive them.

Hopefully by tomorrow (Friday), I will still call them.”

Necessary provision made in Ondo On its part, Ondo state government directed all public and private schools in the state to resume for the 2014/2015 academic session on Monday in line with the Federal Government directive.

Commissioner for Information Kayode Akinmade in Akure, said government had made necessary provision for the safe return of pupils and students to

their schools.

Akinmade said necessary steps had been taken to address the current challenges over EVD. He said the state had already lined up activities to sensitize the public, Principal and Head teachers of schools on the prevention of EVD. The statement said Scanners would be distributed among schools in the state for early detection in the case of the Ebola virus or other contagious diseases.

The Commissioner said government was satisfied that reasonable measure had been put in place to ensure safety of pupils and students Osun fixes October 6 Osun state government through a statement by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori, who is also the state Commissioner for Education, said Governor Rauf

Aregbesola had directed all public and private schools to reopen for the 2014/2015 academic session on October 6.

According to the statement, “This will enable principals and teachers to receive adequate training to prevent Ebola epidemic in schools and in the state in general.”

NUT lacks professional competence on EVD — Reps Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has insisted on September 22 resumption date saying the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, which directed members not to comply with the September 22 resumption date, lacks professional skills to speak on EVD. NUT had rejected the date saying its members would not resume until they were provided with necessary gadgets that would prevent them from contacting the

TOUR: Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (4th left), accompanied by the Chairman, Ogun Waterside Local Government Council, Hon. Olatunde Rufai (5th left), as he arrived Abigi, Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, on the third day of his official Assessment Tour of the 20 local government areas in the state.

Ekiti music legend, Elemure dies; Fayemi mourns

By Gbenga Ariyibi

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DO EKITI — A leading Ekiti traditional musician, Chief Peter Ogunyemi, popularly known as Elemure, is dead, aged 70.

Ogunyemi died in the early hours of yesterday, though details of cause of his death was sketchy at time of this reports.

A family source told Vanguard that the ace musician died of undisclosed ailment and had been on and off from the hospital for sometimes.

While alive, Elemure Ogunyemi traversed the length and breadth of the country, entertaining his fans with his music, usually laced with Ekiti dialect.

He was also famous for his leading role in the promotion of Yoruba language, a feat that made his fans in the Diaspora to take him on a recent musical tour of America and Britain.

His sudden demise,yesterday, shocked residents of Ado-Ekiti.

The ace musician was born in Ikole Ekiti on August 23, 1944. and started his elementary education at Saint Peter' s Catholic Primary School, Ikole Ekiti, where he finished his Standard Six He proceeded to Lagos and worked briefly with the Federal Ministry of Finance in 1976 and

later returned to Ekiti State finally in 1979.

Elemure released about 46 albums.

Meanwhile, Gvernor Kayode Fayemi, has expressed his condolence on the death of the musician.

The governor, in a statement, said he received the news of the death of Ogunyemi with shock

Late Chief Ogunyemi, a.k.a Elemure

on a day the state was celebrating the transition of another illustrious son and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Jacob Ade-Ajayi.

According to the governor, the music star, who positively projected the image of the state, was the first musician of Ekiti genre to attain a global recognition, is a great loss to the state.

deadly EVD. Speaking through the Chairman, House Committee on Education, Alhaji Aminu Suleiman who was in the University of Ibadan as part of its oversight functions, said since the teachers’ union was not the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, it lacked the power to discuss issues relating to health.

He said, “Based the heated arguments across the country on the resumption of schools, we invited the Minister of Education to ventilate the anger of Nigerians over attempt to resume. We also invited the NMA. The government through the minister defended reasons that led to the decision to resume on September 22.

This position was corroborated by the NMA” .

“NUT as a trade union has rights to do its protest. But, we must be very frank with ourselves, NUT is not a professional body as far as health matters are concerned. I respect them as a trade union organisation with rights to defend their members. But of course, where an issue that concerns a position of professionals and the professional came before the National Assembly and before cameras to say it is safe for our children to resume. On what basis, we would continue to argue? Is it on the basis of ignorance? We are convinced by the position of NMA. If there is anything, then Nigerians should be ready to hold NMA responsible

Bintu Gbadamosi is dead

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ADAM BINTU Gbadamosi [Nee Laniyan], is dead, aged 93.

She died on September 15, 2014, and was interred same day according to Muslim rites.

Described as a community leader, a family statement said she was an effable and dependable patriot.

She is survived by children, grand children and great grand children, among whom, is Mr. Kehinde Gbadamosi of Vanguard Newspapers.

Late Madam Gbadamosi

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

MUTINY: CLO condemns death penalty on soldiers

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—THE Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, in Bayelsa State has described as “double standard” and “a national disservice,” the death sentence passed on 12 soldiers of the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, Bornu State for mutiny.

It called on the military authority to review the sentence or face a coordinated protest from civil society groups and the entire people of the six geo-political zones of the country.

The CLO in a statement by its Chairman, Chief Nengi James, said though the Nigerian Army has once again shown its posture and intolerance for acts of indiscipline by its officers and men, the death sentence pronounced against the 12 soldiers over alleged mutiny and insubordination was a disservice to the nation at this time of security challenges.”

It noted that the controversy trailing the retirement of the former General Officer Commanding, GOC, Major General Abubakar Mohammed was a further provocation to the troops and the purportedly convicted soldiers.

The statement said: “The action of the military authority lacks better judgment and a poor signal to the remaining troops at the war front against the Boko Haram insurgents.”

Edo PDP demands for APC leaders' resignation over ‘N428m waste'

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN— THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State has called for the resignation of Mr. Anslem Ojeizua, the All Progressives Congress, APC, state Chairman, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Godwin Erhahon and the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion for what it described as their willful distortion of facts about the waste of government resources on personal and social

engagements.

PDP, in a statement by its state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Matthew Urhoghide in Benin yesterday, also demanded an apology from Governor Adams Oshiomhole to all Edo people on the alleged reckless waste of the resources of the state to the tune of N428 million in two months.

He said: “We demand the immediate resignation of Ojezua, APC state Chairman; Mr. Odion, the state Commissioner of Information and Mr. Eghahon APC Publicity Secretary from the offices they hold for wilfully

distorting the facts about the waste of government resources on personal and social engagements.

“The financial impropriety from the governor has impoverished the already cash-strapped state, making physical and human capital development unachievable.

“Our people groan under the hash times whilst these government protégés and several not mentioned in the current government, dip into the commonwealth to undertake expensive journeys to the United States for picnics.

AWARD: The Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh, Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, Anglican Communion (2nd left); his wife, Nkasiobi, and the Archbishop of Enugu Province, Most Revd Dr Emmanuel Chukwuma, presenting the Primatial Award of Excellence to the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha (right) at the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion 2014 Primatial Award of Excellence at The Cathedral of The Good Shepherd, Enugu.

Complainant in assault suit against 3 DELSU ex-students dies

By Brisibe Perez

A

BRAKA—THE complainant in case of alleged felony, stealing and assault, a lecturer at the Theater Arts Department of the Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, Mr. Ifeanyi Ogu-Raphael, in which three former students of the

university were charged before an Abraka Magistrate’s Court, has taken a twist with the death of the lecturer.

The lecturer died on Saturday from a brief illness.

Seeking an adjournment in the case, Mr. Peter Daubri, counsel to the late OguRaphael, said he needs time to study the case further on

whether the matter can continue without the complainant based on available evidence.

He said: “Whatever findings I get, I will have to seek permission from my office to either continue or withdraw the case as a result of the new development.”

On his part, Mr. Tayo

Burutu constituency backs Uduaghan, Daubry

By Onoja Innocent

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OMADI— THE people of Burutu Constituency 2 in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, have supported the lawmaker representing the constituency in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Kennedy Daubry, and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for the state Assembly and the Senate

“The PDP is in possession of proofs of the estacodes and BTAs approved for the governor and his cronies to attend a picnic in Miami, Florida.

“Such monies include approval for millions of naira to the governor to procure security details in the already secure United States.

“This development is unacceptable and as responsible opposition machinery, PDP, Edo State shall expose this insensate lot for what they really are: that is, enemies of Edo State and its people.”

in 2015 polls, respectively.

The people, under the aegis of Burutu Political Vanguard for Good Governance, BUPVANG, in a statement by Mr. Ezekiel Yankee, Chairman, noted that the lawmaker ’s developmental strides across the constituency were unprecedented in the history of politics in Burutu

constituency 2 and hence, their call on him to go for a second tenure.

They noted that the construction of primary and secondary school blocks, NYSC lodges, public libraries, science block, rural electrification, human empowerment and many other developmental efforts ongoing in the constituency had earned him

the support of his constituents to continue for a second tenure.

Yankee said: “Daubry came to change the atmosphere of politics in Burutu council with unbeatable achievements in his constituency.

“He is selfless and has surprised everybody with the massive rural development activities across all

Ibrahim, counsel to the three accused persons, Oghenetega Odiete, Aforke Avwerosuo and Oghenede Ufuoma, lamented the death of the lecturer.

He said: “The case is very simple. Having discovered that there is no way the state counsel can go on with the matter from the evidence available to sustain the charge, he prayed the court to grant him permission to go through his books, which we did not object to.

“It’s only unfortunate that having given evidence in court, we could not put questions across to him to know and get the veracity of the evidence he has given. But whatever way the case goes, the truth will prevail at the end of the day.”

The trial Magistrate, Mrs. O. M. Omonemu, adjourned the matter till October 15 for continuation of hearing.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014—13

1,000 youth for New York summit

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O fewer than 1,000 young Nigerian professionals are expected to take part in an international summit organised by the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum, NYPF, on September 27 in New York, United States of America.

NYPF Chairman, Mr Moses Siasia, who disclosed this in Abuja, said that the essence of the summit was to pool ideas on how to foster sustainable socio-political and economic development of Nigeria.

He said that the summit was slated for New York because of the large number of young Nigerian professionals resident in the US. “The agenda of the summit is to bring together well selected Nigerian young professionals residing the US to brainstorm on how to engender accelerated development in Nigeria.

“The summit will be a strategic platform on how young people can objectively network by using our wealth of experience and knowledge to foster growth and development in our country Nigeria.

“We all know that a lot of young Nigerians are making waves in the US in various aspects of human endeavour.”

VISIT: From left— Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC Corps Marshal, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi; Director-General, National Environmental Standards Regulation Enforcement Agency, Dr. Ngeri Benebo, and Deputy Corps Marshal, Operations, Mr. Abu Adei, during an advocacy visit to the FRSC partnership on initiatives to check vehicle emission in Abuja.

FG moves to reduce graduates' unemployment

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—WORRIED by the army of unemployed graduates in the country, the Federal Government has said that it had put in place strategies at various levels aimed at addressing same.

Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolemenmen, who stated this in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, explained that the strategies were not just providing the enabling

environment for the jobs to be created, but massive investments in infrastructure which will serve as catalyst for growth to mitigate the harsh conditions that unemployed youths go through.

The minister who was at the graduate internship opportunities fair, organised SURE-P called on the private sector to support the Federal Government in its noble objective of the scheme by taking and mentoring them as same was vital for the development of necessary skills for improved manpower and the development of capacity that will form the bedrock for the attainment of country’s vision 20:2020.

He said that the graduate internship opportunity fair was another effort of the Federal Government to address the plight of the millions of young people that

Guber aspirant lauds Ojougbo's appointment

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HIEF Gabriel Oyibode, one of the contenders for Delta State gubernatorial seat in 2015 has commended Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the appointing Dr. Cairo Ojougbo as the Vice Chairman of the party in South-South.

Oyibode, who consulted with Ojougbo at his country home in Agbor, Delta State after his meeting with stakeholders of Ika South Local Government Area of the state, on his intention to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, remarked that the lawmaker ’s appointment as the PDP South-South leader, was well deserved.

are yet to secure jobs.

For the unemployed graduates who were the main beneficiaries of the scheme, the minister urged them to display the skills once they are selected and do well during the internship to disprove the negative impression about Nigerian graduates and prove that they are indeed employable.

He said: “This government

understands that the youths of this country constitute the force necessary to drive the transformation agenda and take Nigeria to its pride of place in the committee of nations.

“The government is therefore, committed to ensuring that several platforms are created for the Nigerian youth to be gainfully employed.”

NDDC moves against child trafficking, violence against women

By Festus Ahon

U

GHELL— MANAGING Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr Bassey Dan-Abia, has said the commission will embark on awareness campaign to discourage child trafficking and violence against women in view of their vulnerable nature in the society.

Dan-Abia at a one day Women Orientation Workshop organised by NDDC for women in the Niger Delta region, said the commission had in the past conducted awareness campaign on breast and cervical cancer for women in the region.

Dan-Abia, whose address was read by the Delta State Commission on the board of

the commission, Chief Tom Amioku, said the commission had also equipped almost 2,000 rural women and young girls in the region with skills that could enable them make money for themselves.

“In addition, we intend to equip our women with other useful skills through career and entrepreneurial fairs for Niger Delta women. Like Annan, NDDC believes that women are major stakeholders with great potentials for creating the peace we need for the development of the Niger Delta.

“This is why we are determined to strengthen the capacity of our women to generate wealth and promote peace and create an environment where development of the Niger Delta will be easier.”

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Rivers gets N200m from FG to fight Ebola

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State Government, yesterday, confirmed that the Federal Government released N200 million to the state to assist in the fight against the Ebola Virus Disease.

State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, said schools in the state will not resume on September 22 because there were still about 254 persons under surveillance in the state.

He said there was no Ebola patient at the Ebola treatment centres at the moment in the state but that there was need to complete the circle on persons

under surveillance before schools could resume.

He said: “I received good news, Wednesday, from the Minister of Health, that the President has approved the release of N200 million to Rivers State to support the state’s Ebola response.

“I hope that we will receive the money as soon as possible. For about a week now, we have not had any new case at the treatment and isolation centres and that really gladdens my heart.

“Surveillance is still on.

Remember that we got a robust registration of about 526 persons on surveillance.

“Today, as I speak, it has dropped to about 254. More will drop as the days go by. And

by September 22, by the grace

of God, a huge number will drop. We hope none of them will come out symptomatic or positive.”

Oyibode backs Jonathan

A

governorship aspirant in Delta State, Dr. Gabriel Oyibode, has called on the South-South geo-political zone to support President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election in 2015 to foster consolidation.

Oyibode, who addressed a large crowd of his followers at his Delta Central campaign headquarters in Ughelli, said despite the many tribulations

suffered by the President, he had forged ahead by putting in place the right structure in the overall transformation of the country.

He noted that whether the opposition and critics like it or not, God has given Jonathan to Nigerians as a restorer and builder, appealing that they must support him for more development.

Anioma monarchs endorse Adigwe for Senate

By Tommy Anaduaka

A

cross section of traditional rulers from Anioma nation has expressed their support for Mr. Pascal Adigwe, on his bid to contest Delta North senatorial district election in the 2015.

Speaking at his palace, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Chike Edozien and the traditional ruler of Abavo Obi Erienuma described Adigwe as a respectful grassroots politician that has the interest of all at heart.

The traditional rulers, in their separate remarks, noted that the senatorial aspirant’s tenure as former representative for Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency made a remarkable representation worthy of emulation.

They said they were supporting him because of his track record, adding that there was no doubt that if he was elected as the Senator, he will carry everybody along and bring more dividends of democracy to the area.

Adigwe said his ambition was to create youth’s empowerment and attract other basic infrastructural development to the senatorial district.

Owei advocates full scale war on B'Haram

F

ORMER Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Roland Owei, has called on the National Assembly to support the declaration of full scale war on Boko Haram insurgents in North Eastern part of the country.

Owei, in a statement, yesterday, said: “A Bini parable says a landlord cannot sleep when snakes are on the roof of the house. I urge the President to send the a p p r o p r i a t e communication to National Assembly to enable a full scale war to be declared on these enemies of God and humanity.”

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014—15

Enugu Assembly moves to end herdsmen, farmers' clashes zWe can't continue to see our women raped, people maimed and killed —Speaker

By Austin Ogwuda & Francis

E

Igata

NUGU—ENUGU State House of Assembly yesterday began public hearing on a Bill to make provisions for the control of nomadic cattle rearing in the state and it has already passed second reading.

Declaring the three-day public hearing open, speaker of the House, Mr. Eugene Odoh, cautioned against using inflammatory words while contributing during the hearing, no matter the anger.

Represented by the Leader of the House, Mr. Udo-Okoye of Awgu-North consistency, the speaker said: “Yes it’s true that our women, both young and old, have been raped, maimed in their farmlands by cattle rearers in the state.

“These cattle rearers send their cows into the farmlands of our people where they destroy all their farm produce.

“They block the highways with their cattle, rob and kidnap our people. They abduct them and keep them captive in the bush and demand for ransom.

“That is why as a House elected to serve, represent and make laws for the good governance of our people, we can no longer fold our

arms and watch our people being killed and maimed.”

The Bill provides for the establishment of grazing areas in each of the three senatorial zones of Enugu State and the nomadic cattle rearers shall ensure that the cattle are confined within the grazing areas as provided.

It further stipulated: “Any person who permits cattle to graze in an area not designated as grazing area in the state, shall

be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to six months imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 or both.

“As from the commencement of this law, the commissioner shall appoint poundmasters in all the local government areas in the state, whose functions shall include the impounding of cattle found grazing in a nondesignated grazing areas.

“Cattle found grazing in an

area not designated a grazing area in the State shall be impounded by the poundmaster or any other person duly authorized by the commissioner.

“Any cattle impounded under this law, which is not claimed within one week of the impounding shall be sold in accordance with auction law; the proceeds of the sale shall be deposited in the government revenue.”

DEFECTION: From left: Enugu State PDP Chairman, Chief Vita Abba, former APC chieftain, Mr. Val. Nnadozie and Governor Chime of Enugu State, at Government House, Enugu, shortly after the APC chieftain declared for the PDP in Enugu.

5-storey building collapses in Onitsha N

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

NEWI—PROVIDENCE saved what could have been a disaster as an uncompleted, five-storey building collapsed at Odume Layout, Onitsha, Anambra State, Wednesday night, shortly after site workers had closed for the day.

The incident, which occurred on 6, Adikiye Street, drew the attention of a large crowd of sympathisers who thronged the scene for search and rescue but there was no casualty.

Vanguard, however, gathered that no life was lost in the building collapse, which brings to six the number of building collapse incidents in Onitsha this year.

According to an eyewitness, Mr Chidi Onyeocha, the incident took place at about 7 p.m. on Wednesday after a heavy downpour.

The witness said all workers at the site had gone home after the day’s work when the incident happened, averting what could have been a disaster.

Reacting to the incident,

chairman of Anambra State chapter of Nigerian Society if Engineers, Mr. Emmanuel Nwankwo, said the group would investigate the incident to ascertain the cause.

“We are worried by the incessant collapse of uncompleted buildings in

Onitsha and its environs. I will be sending our team to the scene to get professional evidence at the scene on what could possibly be the cause of the collapse.

“That would take some days before we can objectively make a statement on Odume

Layout uncompleted building collapse. Incident building collapse has become a recurring phenomenon in Onitsha and its environs in the past one year. At least six uncompleted buildings at various locations have collapsed,” he said.

Anglican Primate urges Nigerians to work against division

E

By Austin Ogwuda

NUGU—OUTSPOKEN Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, has enjoined Nigerians to work hard to ensure that the prediction that the country would cease to exist in 2015 was not realized.

He stated this yesterday at the 11th General Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion at the Cathedral Church of the Good Shephard, Enugu.

According to him “the recent foibles may be traceable to the

handiwork of saboteurs in and outside the barracks, and in and outside government.

“We call upon the whole country, politicians, business people, and service personnel, all security agents to rise as one man and defeat this evil. It is in our common interest,” he said.

Okoh, who is also the Bishop and Archbishop of Abuja, told the mammoth gathering that God had good plans for Nigeria but warned that Nigerians must shun collaboration with enemies from outside to

destroy the country.

He said: “God has good plans for our country. But we in collaboration with enemies from outside can destroy the country.

“We need Nigeria, we need peace. The youth must not yield themselves as instruments of destruction to any political party.

“Parents must prevail on their children and wards to stay away from the theatre of political turmoil and refuse to be bribed or paid to die, or to kill.

Yoruba, Igbo youths unite to tackle Boko Haram

U

By Anayo Okoli

MUAHIA—IN a bid to tackle the insecurity in the country, leading Yoruba and Igbo youth organizations have agreed to come together and work for a common purpose.

At a joint press briefing, the Leader of Yoruba Youth Council Worldwide, Comrade Eric Oluwole, and National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, resolved to form an alliance to combat the Boko Haram insurgency ravaging the country.

The youth groups, including Yoruba Youth Council Worldwide and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, which met in Enugu, also urged chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Atahiru Jega, to reverse the recent 30,000 polling units in the country.

According to them, the new polling units were created by INEC with a hidden agenda and should either reverse the action or resign.

Obiano's aide begs Obi to remain in APGA

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—SENIOR Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Inter-party Affairs, Chief Ben Obi, has urged the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, not to leave the All Progressives Party, APGA, because he was the pillar of the party.

Addressing reporters in Awka yesterday, Obi, who is also the chairman of Join Jonathan Journey, JJJ, a President Goodluck Jonathan’s support group set up by APGA, said it would amount to one destroying the house he built, if the former governor abandoned APGA. He said: “Obi should support Governor Obiano in his effort to strengthen APGA. If he joins Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, politicians will make mockery of him and to me; this will be a suicide venture."

16— Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Group backs Oduah for Senate

Obiano approves N300m to tackle Ebenator erosion menace

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

A

WKA—A group, Peoples Democratic Party Mandate Frontiers, PDPMF, has expressed its support for former Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, to represent Anambra North senatorial district in the Senate in 2015.

The group in a statement signed by Chief David Umeh and Ike Ogu, said it was throwing its weight behind Princess Oduah to enable the district get quality representation in the Senate next year.

“We have started the winning strategy to the Senatorial seat for the former Aviation Minister, Princess Oduah by mobilizing through voter education in the seven local governments, 99 electoral wards in the zone that will ensure victory for the party and its candidates in the 1,392 polling units in the senatorial zone,” it said.

The group said it had held series of meetings and looked at the performance of political leaders in the area to arrive at the choice of the former minister.

By Enyim Enyim

O

N I T S H A — GOVERNOR Willie Obiano of Anambra State has approved N300 million for the control of erosion at Ebenator in Nnewi South Local Government Area.

The governor, who was on a thank you visit to the place, also said he had given a marching order to the contractor handling the Ichida-Azigbo-AmichiOsumenyi and Akwaihedi road to complete it on or before the contract agreement date of completion.

Besides, he approved the extension of UnubiAkwihedi road with drainages as well as street lights for the roads.

Obiano equally promised to embark on new road projects in the area, saying he would continue to maintain the policy of continuity.

Speaking to reporters shortly after the event, the liaison officer to the governor in Nnewi South constituency ll, Mr Igwe

Jerome, said the governor had since assuming office, given a life line to the people of Nnewi South by providing developmental projects which past governments failed to do.

“I must tell you that my people have never had it so good until this Dr Willie Obiano government came on

board jus few months ago.

“Truly a Daniel has come to judgement in Anambra state.Apart from this, our dear governor without delay corrected the imbalance in the appointment of our people into political offices. We are solidly behind his administration.”

Jerome, while calling on the people of Nnewi South to support Obiano’s government, urged them to support President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general election to enable him complete the good job he had started.

2015: Ex-soldiers mobilise for Jonathan

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

O

NITSHA—NATIONAL chairman of Nigerian Civil War Veterans of (1967 – 1970), under the aegis of Carefirst for the Aged Welfare Development Association of Nigeria, CAWDAN, Ubi Okoi, said yesterday that the group has mobilized over 65,000 members for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 elections.

Consequently, he called on the President to urgently declare his intention to run

for a second term in office in the elections.

Okoi, who made the disclosure in Onitsha, Anambra State, while speaking to newsmen, said Jonathan deserved a second term in office because of his on-going transformation agenda.

He said: “President Jonathan should as a matter of urgency declare his intention to run for a second tenure in 2015 because we have already concluded all the arrangements to engage

the over sixty-five thousand members of the body living in different parts of the country to give their support to ensure the emergence of the President in 2015 presidential election.”

He noted that members of the group, in their youth, contributed their quota to the peacekeeping of the country,.

Okoi appealed to the federal government to fulfill its pledge of compensating war veterans who fought for the unity of the country during the civil war.

PDP NEC ENDORSES PRESIDENT JONATHAN FOR 2015 PIX: GBEMIGA OLAMIKANLAMIDI BAMIDELE

From left: PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu'Azu, President Goodluck Jonathan, and Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the 66th National Executive Meeting From left: PDP National Women Leader, Mrs Kema Chikwe, Senator of the party, where the President was endorsed as the "sole candidate" for the 2015 Stella Omu, Erelu Olusola Obada and Justina Eze. general election, at the party headquarters in Abuja.

President Goodluck Jonathan (right), and PDP National Chairman and Alhaji Adamu Mu'Azu on arrival at the 66th NEC meeting.

President Goodluck Jonathan (left), and Vice President Namadi Sambo.

PDP Deputy National Chairman, South South, Chief Uche Secondus, Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu'Azu and National Secretary, Prof Adewale Oladipo at the event.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 —17

J

USTICE delayed is justice denied" is a legal maxim.

It means that if legal redress is available for a party that has suffered injury but is not forthcoming in a timely fashion, it is effectively the same as having no redress at all.

The phrase has become a rallying cry for legal reformers who are of the opinion that courts or governments are acting too slowly to resolve certain legal issues, either because the legal system is too complex, unwieldy or overburdened to move at a reasonable pace, or because the issue or party in question isn’t regarded as a priority by the authorities or simply lacks political clout.

The “justice delayed is justice denied” saying can, in my view, also be appropriately applied to situations that are not strictly legalistic. And I want to BITTERLY complain about

Jonathan still enjoys widespread support in our area; but I am very disappointed that he is not pushing his subordinates to take the UNEP report more seriously

,

the fact that the Federal Government and Ministry of Petroleum Resources have yet to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) regarding Ogoniland.

The UNEP report, which was published in 2011 and formally presented to President Goodluck Jonathan, was based on an in-depth 14-month study that included aerial reconnaissance missions and scientific investigations of over 200 locations and the medical records of more than 5000 Ogoni inidgenes.

The report talked about the “tragic legacy” of 50 years of oil exploration and production…and revealed major safety issues and massive threats to human health, sustainable development and economic potential.

It highlighted contaminated water, land, creeks and C M Y K

ecosystems (mangrove swamp vegetation, for example) and clearly stated that drinking water was so polluted in parts of Ogoniland that immediate emergency action was required.

In one community, Nisisioken Ogale, families were found to be drinking water from wells that had been poisoned by benzene - a known carcinogen - at levels that were over 900 times above World Health Organization guidelines.

The report concluded that Ogonis are “exposed to hydrocarbons every day through multiple routes” and that “air pollution…is all pervasive and affecting the quality of life of close to one million people.”

The report said that while some aspects of this disaster could be resolved fairly quickly, the overall damage would take 25-30 years to be remedied.

Illegal refining has contributed to the status quo.

But the Shell Petroleum Development Company is the main culprit in this sorry tale of woe; and UNEP has criticised Shell for failing to properly control and maintain oilfield infrastructure…and for using an inadequate environmental remediation method.

UNEP advised a holistic approach whereby the government, oil companies and victims would work together.

,

Reforms of the government’s environmental regulations and monitoring/enforcement strategies were recommended.

The oil industry was urged to improve its modus operandi.

UNEP also strongly suggested that 3 new institutions and substantial financial resources be established and provided to support a comprehensive restoration exercise: 1.An Ogoniland Environmental Restoration Authority to oversee implementation of the study’s recommendations.

2. An Environmental Restoration Fund for Ogoniland to fund the Authority’s activities, to be set up with an initial capital injection of US$1 billion contributed by the oil industry and the government, to cover the first 5 years of the clean-up project.

3.

An Integrated Contaminated Soil Management Centre and

Justice delayed

Niger Delta region: Devastated by oil exploration. network of mini-centres, to be built in Ogoniland to treat contaminated soil and provide hundreds of job opportunities.

1. A Centre of Excellence in Environmental Restoration in Ogoniland to promote learning and benefit other communities that have been impacted by oil contamination in the Niger Delta and elsewhere in the world.

But NOTHING has been achieved. Justice is being delayed for no good reason; and I, as a native of Ogoniland, am extremely angry, on behalf of my people in general and also because I have been personally affected by this nightmare.

According to the UNEP report: “Where entrepreneurs have established fish farms…their businesses have been ruined by an ever-present layer of floating oil.”

Layers of floating oil And this is what has happened to the fish farm that my late father created in our village. It is now a graveyard in which no aquatic creatures can survive.

In response to the UNEP report, the Federal Government set up a body called the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP). It is domiciled in the Ministry of Petroleum and headed by an Ogoni lawyer, Joi Okunnu.

Since Mr President, the Minister of Petroleum (Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke) and Mrs. Okunnu are all core Niger Deltans who know only too well how decades of environmental devastation have undermined our region, I’d have expected them to start the process of sorting out this mess at the

earliest opportunity.

Our brethren are suffering.

Our communities are under siege. Gas flaring is rife. Our farmers and fishermen are barely coping with the numerous challenges they face.

But the only news I ever hear from HYPREP is feeble excuses and tedious platitudes that insult my intelligence and make me want to scream.

I recently made contact with a HYPREP executive, to complain about the fact that HYPREP appears to be a comatose joke and mere window-dressing exercise.

Window-dressing exercise I was told that “useful and productive” things are happening behind the scenes.

But I’m not buying this story.

HYPREP has had plenty of time in which to emerge from a shadowy Behind-The-Scenes stance and needs to provide upfront and concrete evidence that it is a worthwhile organisation with genuine intentions.

For years, Niger Deltans blamed “outsiders” for the deprivations they were enduring. We were convinced that our fortunes would soar dramatically if one of us became Head of State; and we campaigned aggressively for our beloved brother, Jonathan, and celebrated wildly when he took over the reins of power.

I actually wept tears of pure joy. I couldn’t quite believe that a man from the Rivers-Bayelsa family had finally made it to the top. And I had such high hopes.

Jonathan still enjoys widespread support in our area. But I am very disappointed that he is not pushing his subordinates to

take the UNEP report more seriously.

And lest you think that it is only Ogonis who feel aggrieved about this terrible Justice Delayed scenario, please go online and check out a damning editorial comment in the New York Times newspaper of August l4th 2014…in which the Government and oil companies are accused of “unacceptable” foot-dragging… …and in which it was pointed out that if Jonathan cracks down on oil theft – which costs Nigeria $3.65 billion per annum in lost revenues - the Government will easily be able to pay for the Ogoni project.

Some cynics think that Jonathan and AllisonMadueke are not enthusiastically embracing the Ogoniland project because they are Ijaws. And there are times when I suspect that Mrs. Okunnu means well for her ancestral terrain but can’t make significant moves because her hands are tied by her nonOgoni bosses.

Whatever the case may be, I have always felt that even though Ogonis started the struggle for environmental justice, the clean-up should NOT be restricted to Ogoniland and should be extended to every single oil-producing area.

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

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

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 WHEN the Australian negotiator, Dr Stephen Davis, alleged that an unnamed top official of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was among the sponsors of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria many people took his words with a pinch of salt as he had also named a former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, and former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff.

Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has added his voice to this allegation, affirming that his own independent inquiries showed that the same individual is indeed culpable. He went on to say that the name of the person has been made available to the highest authority in the land.

The question on the lips of Nigerians is: who is this person? What is so special about him that he cannot even be named? Why can’t he be brought out for the public to see the person who has helped in sending thousands of Nigerians to their early graves while the nation is faced with the greatest threat to her unity since the Nigerian civil war nearly fifty years ago?

Why has the CBN remained mute about

Exposing The CBN Boko Haram “sponsor” this issue, since its name is being dragged to the mud? Why hasn’t the CBN seen it fit to tell Nigerians what it knows about this matter?

Happily, the Socio -Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a social crusader organisation, has taken up the gauntlet and given the CBN a fourteen-day ultimatum, based on the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. SERAP demands information about the persons involved in the money laundering and sponsorship of Boko Haram sect. A statement from the

group said the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, is required to explain the exact nature of any such transactions.

We commend SERAP for wading into this matter clinging to the force of the FOIA. We are waiting patiently to see how the CBN under a new manager, Emefiele, will respond to this challenge. It will be a major metric for measuring the seriousness he attaches to his work and the need to keep the Bank clean of scandals.

We are greatly worried that the Presidency and the security agencies have chosen to keep the Nigerian public in the dark about the truth or otherwise of this individual’s involvement.

Although the very thought that an individual in the top echelon of Nigeria’s ultimate Bank and regulator of the financial system will become a bankroller of our enemy, yet it is only such a high level conspiracy that can make Boko Haram to grow into the monster it has become.

When this fellow is identified, tried and convicted, we will expect him to face the full wrath of the law.

OPINION

By Adewale Kupoluyi

P

ARENTS and guardians with their children and wards in both public and private primary and secondary schools which were earlier scheduled to reopen by the third week of September after a long holiday that began late July - were directed by the Federal Government to adhere to a new date following the sudden outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country. Initially, the resumption was postponed to October 12 and in a twist, after a meeting of the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and states’ commissioners of education, it was resolved that the schools would now reopen on September 22. The Minister of Education’s previous announcement had sparked-off a wave of several reactions with stakeholders in the private schools coming out heavily against it and calling for a reversal. Also, the new date drew criticism from doctors, activists and civil society groups, who alleged that the government was stampeded into taking the decision due to the strong influence of some powerful school proprietors.

Ordinarily, one would wonder why the government and private school owners would be in a hurry to reopen schools while the disease is still being contained in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State, after it was successfully contained in Lagos State.

Isolated cases are still being reported in other parts of the country such as Ile-Ife while over 400 Ebola contacts are still being monitored. Hence, one would want to ask whether it wouldn’t have been better to defer

How prepared are we for schools'resumption? the resumption of schools to safeguard the pupils, students and teachers. In what could be referred to as giving an official seal to this decision, the Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, had said that there was nothing to fear over the directive to schools to resume, based on 'experts advice', on an earlier date of September 22.

Chukwu had confidently said the virus had been contained, saying “we’ve contained the situation. Ebola is no longer in the streets anywhere in Nigeria”. He added that his ministry was working closely with the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure that institutions having returnees from outside Nigeria were given questionnaires, asked questions and subjected to tests to ensure that they do not have the disease. Even though the government has given the reason for its decision, many people on the other hand are of the opinion that this directive could have been taken merely as a way of accommodating the views of those who would rather not want the school calendar to be disrupted. The government should ensure the safety and welfare of all including the children.

The Minister of Health has not convincingly demonstrated why the resumption date should brought forward because nothing concrete has been done to curtail the spread of the disease bearing in mind that children and the youths usually have little resistance to manage personal problems unlike adults.

This was the bone of contention of the Nigerian Medical Association that has

decried the government’s directive and reasoned that all schools should rather remain shut till all those under surveillance for the disease have been certified free. The NMA was of the opinion that the resumption of schools could further be shifted till December or early next year warning that with the spread of Ebola to any school, it would become catastrophic in line with the fears of the House of Representatives, which is also worried that nothing tangible is on ground on the part of government to warrant an early resumption as it swiftly directed its Committee on Education to probe the controversies that has trailed the fixing of a new resumption date. The Nigerian Union of Teachers are gearing up for strike action over the early resumption date. The union said it would not allow any of its members to teach until it was scientifically and medically proven that the country was out of the scourge.

No doubt, Nigeria has been commended for the way it has handled the containment of Ebola with minimal casualty. It is hoped that this feat will not be rubbished by a hasty decision that may not be well thought-out afterall. The health minister should let us know what he has been able to put in place in fact and figures should the virus goes wild in our schools. And if government insists on enforcing the new resumption date, states should ensure that all safety measures are put in place by installing dispensary, providing adequate water facilities, sick bay where sick children, especially those with

fever are properly tested and managed.

School authorities should watch out for strange behaviour amongst pupils and generously provide hand sanitisers to their pupils before allowing them into their premises. They should also have thermal thermometers to constantly check the temperatures of pupils at regular intervals and train desk officers to handle suspected cases. As a perennial crisis and feature of most public institutions, government should ensure that adequate public toilets are provided in addition to carrying out an intensive safety assessment to ensure proper monitoring of health-related issues. With these provisions in place, it will be easy to convince the people that the government is truly capable of curtailing the spread of the disease. Above all, parents and teachers should be better prepared for hands-on engagement in inculcating good hygienic practices necessary for the eradication of the outbreak of Ebola and other communicable diseases bearing in mind that prevention is always better than cure.

Otherwise, schools should be shut till the last suspected cases and patients are certified to be free of the virus by shifting the resumption date further. Though painful, this would rather help the government to have adequate time to follow the standard procedure and put the necessary machinery in place for containing the deadly virus going by the disclosure that it could take between six to nine months to completely contain the virus. *Mr. Kupoluyi, wrote from Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014— —19

T

HE Synagogue Church Of All Nations, SCOAN, building collapse calamity of Tuesday September 15, will serve as a real test for the Lagos State government's support for Christians and Churches.

When Governor Babatunde Fashola started off about eight years ago, his government said the noise from churches within residential areas was too much.

It demanded that external cone speakers must be removed to reduce noise level within residential areas, and so on. We painstakingly adhered to the rules in our Church. Soon they discovered that Mosques also use huge external cone speakers and they call for prayers usually very loud about five times every day, from as early as 5am.

If implemented, the law would catch more of Mosques than Churches, so the matter died down. Early this year, I think around February, the President of the Lagos Branch of CAN gave a press briefing after a conference, where he called for the Deputy Governor slot to be allocated to Christians in Lagos State. A short while after after, the man's church in the Lekki area was pulled down. But will that stop the cry

for fairness in Lagos? I think not, because this week, a pan-Igbo group campaigning for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GEJ, has asked for the Deputy Governor slot to go to Ndigbo. Will LASG pounce on the executives?

If they tried it, the consequences may be dire for APC in 2015. The truth is that the time has come for LASG to open up and expand the space between Muslims and Christians in matters of who rules Lagos.

Back to SCOAN.Already people believe LASG will find one reason or the other to clamp down on that church using this opportunity. The man himself, Prophet TB Joshua is seriously pointing to terrorism, and the message to discerning minds is grave.

Immature Christians are busy castigating TB Joshua rather than face the real issues. Some out sheer ignorance or because their GO told them so and so. Some say they don't know how TB started, but who knows how Elijah started in the same Bible?

Elijah in the book of Judges was described as Elijah the Tishbite, and there is no place called Tish or Tishb in Isreal! Some doubted Elijah’s calling too at that time, and that accounted for his anger against King Ahab’s, Captains of

Christianity in Nigeria is under a serious siege and we must stop it; the Church leadership in Nigeria must grow above denominational bickering and see the real issues TB Joshua is pointing at!

Fifties where he said: "If I be a Man of God"...and the consequences for those soldiers were bad! Drawing from that alone, amidst many more examples, it is utterly futile to use the tradition of men, and man’s history to question God's call on a person, or argue God's decision.

Most disown TB Joshua out of sheer envy and jealousy. The man displays God's power and anointing in uncommon ways, just like in the days of Simon Peter! I pray that God anoints many more like that, and give hell to the devil in Nigeria. The man is a great credit to the Church and Christianity in Nigeria as Heads of States and foreigners troop to the place, and that’s what the devil hates. The devil hates Nigeria because we curse him and put him to shame at every corner during night vigils, prayer

An aspirant's plan for Delta's dead industries

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By Ben Etaghene

HE twin social ailments of unemployment and insecurity remain the most painful societal evils in Delta State today. Though pernicious and nearly permanent in the system, a well calculated approach can diminish, if not terminate, their influence in the society.

There are so many people running around in the country as we read this who are not aware of vital policy initiatives required to address firmly the root cause of these problems.

We as a people must, therefore, be concerned about why problems like this exist to make life miserable for our people.

This must not happen in Delta State, a land rich in both natural and human resources.

But for the undue economic concentration on crude oil as a monolithic source of revenue to the detriment of agriculture and agro-allied industries, Delta State would have, a few decades before the turn of the century, been in leadership position in Nigeria.

Unfortunately, the once thriving industries which provided employment to thousand of Deltans, suddenly they became moribund and went out of circulation like fair weather friends.

Then in Delta State we had Bendel Glass, Asaba Textile Mill, AT&P, DSC, Bendel Steel Structure, the Mid West Hotels etc.

Bendel Glass at its climax then was famous for making quality glasses which compared favourably with those imported into the country. But suddenly it went under. Asaba Textile Mill, a subsidiary of the state government, in its prime stood shoulder C M Y K

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By Clement Udegbe

,

The SCOAN calamity and the Church in Nigeria

high with Arewa Textile factories, Michitex, Webisco, and even became a threat to UAC and its Hollandische wax. There was also the African Timber and Plywood, Sapele, a plant that had everything going for it to succeed. It had the facility to make flush doors, cartons, matches and match boxes, tooth pick which today are imported from Malasia, Indonesia, Taiwan, etc. It had a export link with many West African countries. A visit to many of these factories, except the AT&P which the state government has partially reactivated, will only reveal that their structures have become homes for reptiles and rodents.

Besides the money spent on establishing them, their resuscitation and meaningful management will be a great source of wealth creation and employment opportunities for a huge number of Deltans.

These factories and hotels are evenly spread across the three senatorial districts of the state. There is the manpower to run them whenever the state government takes the initiative. We should, however, not forget that abandonment of industries is not peculiar to Delta State. The Federal Government has Volkswagen Industry in Lagos, PAN in Kaduna, Leyland in Ibadan etc. These are painful memories of a system failure making people to suffer in the midst of abundance.

However, it may not be long to wake the giant from its slumber because shifting attention to these abandoned industries could afford us a good start in giving the economy a boost and Delta State could lead the way. Remember the “Next Level” slogan which slipped into the Nigerian political vocabulary in 2010 which is today

meetings and in our holy altars.

Nigeria is at the centre of EndTime evangelism, and the devil knows it! What Christians often forget is that there is so much hatred against them from the pit of hell, and they are using the world and its leaders, even church leaders, to execute this plan. Their playing against each other over their earthly fight for supremacy is their folly, which their common enemy is exploiting.

If TB Joshua is oppressed by LASG, any Christian General Overseer will be oppressed whenever the opportunity presents itself to do so! The man has been pointing accusing fingers at terrorism, but our Church leaders castigate him and his claims, which are on real life recordings! How many planes have hovered four times over the headquarters of RCCG, TREM, Lord's Chosen, Deeper Life, Christ Embassy, etc? The list is quite long. None! This plane hovers and soon after its last visit, the building collapses, and nothing is being said?

I don't know where the boss of NEMA is coming from but his assertion that if it were a terrorist act, that the whole building will be reduced to rubbles is very wrong. He was too hasty to condemn, perhaps out of frustration from the reported reaction of the Church security.

First, it depends on the kind of bullet that was fired. Second , the

We only need a great mind to lead Delta State into becoming the Hong Kong or Dubai of Nigeria; there is no other way to greatness other than effective leadership of this state

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a popular policy slogan all over the country.

Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege, an author, is at it again. He wants to be governor of Delta State, come 2015. He has assured Deltans that his first major policy objective will be the reactivation of the abandoned industries. Imagine the world of “made in Nigeria” matches, tooth picks, etc. One may defiantly retort, we had made in Nigeria matches before. But the question is where is it now? So we must give honour where it is due. The man who is promising us a “Made in Sapele matches”, “Made in Asaba textile” for our women, men and children is indeed a great mind.

Delta State is a land blessed with human resources. We only need a great mind to lead Delta State into becoming the Hong Kong or Dubai of Nigeria. There is no other way to greatness other than effective leadership of this state. Indonesia was transformed by Sukano through good leadership. It can happen here. Over the years, there has never been any candidate who took our minds to this vital area of the economy. In his view, which I buy, is that “for the state to attain its place of pride, all the existing moribund companies in the state must be given adequate attention and new companies must be given room to spring up to reduce unemployment rate in the state”.

extent of damage intended. For example, an appropriate laser bullet fired into a building will go to the foundations and cause damaging ruptures which will trigger a collapse of the building.

If broad spectrum bullets or missiles are released into the building collapse will follow.

NEMA should stick to their rescue mission and leave other conjectures to professionals.

Buildings collapse everyday, not only in Lagos. It has happened in Abuja,in India, Pakistan,Egypt, and will happen tomorrow. It is a human failure.

Christianity in Nigeria is under a serious siege, and we must think together to stop it. We must learn from the mistakes of the handling of Boko Haram. The insurgents have sympathy from some people in government, so we are today fighting to recover parts of Nigeria from a small group that could have been silenced two years ago!

Maitastine, Boko Haram,ISIS, Al-Shabab, and the rest of them, are all Jihaddists fighting to eliminate the followers of the God of Isreal! They have no lines between the Christian denominations.All Christians put together are called INFIDELS, and are expendable! This is why the Church leadership in Nigeria must grow above the denominational bickering, and see the real issues TB Joshua is pointing at!

•Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

Omo-Agege also promised massive employment as a means of countering insecurity. It is a known fact of life that in any society with adequate employment, insecurity level is always low. There is also a school of thought which believes that another means of checking insecurity is the creation of state police. But for now the Federal Government is averse to it. Then again there are those who appoint vigilantes in communities without any meaningful force. But Omo-Agege would rather adopt a policy that would “expand the waterway security policy by introducing community security marshal that will engage any youth that is not gainfully employed from the streets of the state”.

On the policy of continuity, Omo-Agege would complete any projects that the government of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan would leave unfinished. He also said that his administration would consolidate on the three points agenda of Governor Uduaghan.

These are some of the vital issues or policy implementation that had proven problematic for new leaders which create a buffer between them and their predecessors. Many hurry to prove they are their own men to the detriment of those states. Continuity is essential and it is often fruitful. All these are some of the benefits of the dividends of democracy – a platform to examine what those aspiring to lead will provide so as to vote well.

For Delta State to move forward, the resuscitation these industries as functional subsidiaries of government is very essential. Beyond being roots, they will also serve as branches that will expose the state to the outside world and the man with this noble idea should be rewarded. *Mr. Etaghene wrote from Warri, Delta State.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY,, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

How I was tortured by STF members over missing gun —27-yr-old welder

By Marie-therese Nanlong, Jos

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OLOMON Gyang, a native of Foron in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State has many reasons to be grateful to God. Indeed, he is all the more grateful for his narrow escape from death in the hands of members of the Special Task Force, STF, who tortured him for three weeks for an offense he insists he knows nothing about.

The 27-year-old Solomon, a father of two who resides in Bisichi area of the local government, narrated his ordeal in the hands of the soldiers when he visited the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalist in Jos after being discharged from a hospital in

me on a tree and started beating me with wire from about 1pm to 7pm.”

Solomon added that the beating continued on daily basis with the soldiers asking him to confess that he took the gun, but he insisted he was innocent and knew nothing about the said gun.

His words: “They said I should give them the gun and I told them I don’t know anything about any gun. They later took me from Bisichi to Barkin Ladi where the Commander told them to ‘waste me’ if I will not confess. At about 8.30pm on Saturday, the 14th of September, the soldiers took me, put a black nylon on my face, put me in their Hilux van to go and ‘ waste me’. We were going towards a bush and I was praying

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They tied my hands behind, hung me on a tree and started beating me with wire from 1pm to 7pm; they later took me from Bisichi to Barkin Ladi to ‘waste me’ if I will not confess Barkin Ladi.

Speaking with Vanguard Metro, VM, he said: “I am a welder from Foron, I live in Bisichi but work at building material market.

Sometime in August, after closing from work, I entered a beer parlour near my area in Bisichi. l took pepper soup and ate in a nearby restaurant. When I got home in the night, my wife told me some soldiers came to the house, demanded my whereabouts, beat her and left. I asked her what happened and she told me that she learnt that a gun was stolen from one soldier in the beer parlour I entered.”

He wondered what business he had with the missing gun since he said he didn’t take the gun but fear of arrest made him not to sleep at home that night. On his return the next day, he met his house in disarray as the soldiers came back at about 4am to search the house.

According to him: “When they came, I was not there but they scattered everything, broke the ceiling. But no gun, not even a knife, was found in my house.

Within that week, I travelled to Abuja to do some work and on my return, I was arrested.

“On the 24th of August, I went to church. As I returned with my son, some soldiers met me on the way and started beating me. One of them cocked a gun and pointed it at my head, threatening to kill me if I misbehaved. I asked them what the problem was, but they didn’t tell me until they took me to the premises of one company at Bisichi.

They tied my hands behind, hung

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fervently to God to save me because I am innocent.

“As we were going, rain started falling and since the road is bad, the vehicle could not go further, so they dropped me there and said God has helped me because they cannot do what they wanted to do.”

The victim called for urgent help for others who were arrested and are still in the custody of the soldiers, saying “they may not be as lucky as I was if help do not get

Solomon Gyang...Narrating his ordeal to news men to them on time.”

Solomon who said he didn’t know any of the soldiers by name but could identify them, however, maintained he has forgiven the soldiers but handed over everything to God to judge.

“They have cheated me, accused me wrongly and punished me for

what I know nothing about. I don’t have anyone to fight for me, I thank God they didn’t kill me but I have handed over everything to God,” he stressed.

Although Solomon was initially treated at and discharged from the Barkin Ladi General Hospital, he is now receiving treatment at the

Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH at the time of this report.

Lamenting the situation, Da Markus Dapam, the Village Head of Rarung who is like a father to Solomon said he is surprised at the wrong accusation and the degree of injury inflicted on the victim.

According to him: “I have known Solomon from childhood. He is not a boy that gives anyone headache; he’s a boy with good character.

When we heard this thing and approached the Commander, Sector 7 who is in charge, he didn’t give us audience but thank God this boy didn’t die.”

When contacted, the spokesman of the Special Task Force, STF, Capt. Ikedichi Iweha said: “The boy in question is one of the last people who was seen with the soldier. When our men started the investigation, he ran and left the community for about two months.

We are not aware of any job he is doing.

“At the time he was apprehended, the Commander was not around and the men out of annoyance got involved in the incident which led to the injuries.

The boy is an orphan and nobody actually took responsibility to come for him.

“At the time his uncle eventually came forward, the Commander had returned. The Commander treated the boy himself and handed him over to his uncle who is to produce him anytime he is needed because investigations are ongoing.”

Speaking about others in detention, Iweha added: “We released the boy because we did not find any weapon in his house but the others had some locallymade pistols, so we handed them over to the Police for further investigations.”

Environmental degradation: Lagos seals bank, brothel, three buildings •arrests four suspected persons for assault

By Monsur Olowoopejo

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HE Lagos State Government has sealed a commercial bank (name withheld), brothel and three houses and four shops in the state over environmental degradation.

Also, four persons were arrested after they broke the seal on the structures and for assaulting the state government’s officials who came to enforce the closure.

Officials of the Zero Tolerance Department of the State Ministry of the Environment carried out the enforcement, escorted by policemen attached to the State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, stormed Alimosho Local Government to enforce the closure order.

According to the state government, the order to seal was in “pursuant to section 8 (2) Cap. 25 Vol. 6 Lagos State law of 2003.

And section 93 (3) of the national Environmental health service regulation 2007.”

The commercial bank located at Dopemu Agege axis was sealed for allegedly for staff and visitors vehicles being parked on the walkways, a nuisance that did not abate after they were served, leading to their being shut down. Also, four shops were sealed for their owners displaying their wares on the drainage and emptying their waste into the gutter.

At Iyana-Ipaja, Morning Star, a brothel, and the structure at 142 and 144 EgbedaIdimu Road and 11 Church close, IyanaIpaja were shut for alleged discharge of human faeces into drainage channel.

The enforcement team led by Mr. Fatai Lawal, Head of the Zero Tolerance, Alimosho Local Government said that the team was out to enforce a court order.

Lawal lamented: “The occupants and owners of the structure discharge their liquid waste into the drainage. Some have damaged soak away which has led to pollution of the water on the street.”

According to him: “We have five houses

that we have served series of notice over their poor sanitation issues. We served them abatement notice but they did not comply. After several days, the state government applied for court summons.

After receiving it, the owners and the occupants of the structures were served.

And rather than comply, they continued with their poor sanitation act. We applied for sealing order from the court. And it was granted by the court.

“For them to have their houses reopened, they will have to appear before the court before their property could be opened. They do not need to pay money to anyone. All they need to do is to appear before the court. The court will decide the appropriate action to take,” he added.

The bank was later re-opened on the order of a Magistrate Court, following assurance to comply with the environmental law failure of which further sanction would be meted out.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 — 21

LAPO secures N1.5b FMO facility to boost operations

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

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HE Netherlands Development Fi nance Company, FMO, has invested about $7.5 million (about N1.5 billion) in LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited, to enhance financial inclusion and stimulate the development of sound financial services in Nigeria.

The bank said that the facility which will last for a period of five years, will be used for providing funds to micro and small enterprise clients and also strengthen the implementation of its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives including the Client Protection Principles (CPP).

Speaking during agreement signing ceremony in Lagos, CEO, LAPO MfB, Mr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, said that the facility will enhance the bank’s capacity to reach a wider group of clients, especially women and rural clients, ensuring greater financial inclusion.

Ehigiamusoe said that the partnership is geared towards supporting and expanding its outreach, not only in terms of numbers but also in terms of diversification of loan products.

“One thing that is important which we are passionate about is the whole issue of sustainability. Lapo is currently implementing an initiative that focuses on preserving the environment, enhancing social performance and support for our clients and at the same time also look at the whole issue of governance which is known as environment, social and governance initiative, ESG. There are lots of initiatives within that contest. “We are deeply involved in implementation of clean energy lending, ensuring that we take a number of our women out of using fire wood as

From left : Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema; Chairman, Capital Market Solicitors Association (CMSA), Mr. Uche Val Obi; and Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Suleyman Ndanusa at the 2014 Capital Market Solicitors Association (CMSA) Annual Business Luncheon held at Civic Centre in Lagos . source of energy, we are doing that through lending that will provide for them to acquire clean cooking gas cylinders, we are also lending to promote the use of solar energy particularly in provision of light, lantern for people particularly in rural communities.

“The scholarship programmes for the children of our clients, we intend to expand that because we realise that it will not only relief the burden of our women in terms of cost of education, is actually also providing quality education to prepare their children for the future and these are some of the activities we are implement-

ing within the sustainability contest.

“We see this partnership is going to further whatever we have been doing and at the same time helping us to extensively diversify our product. We appreciate and value this partnership and hope it will be of benefit to our people and contribute to national development,” he said.

Chief Finance Officer, LAPO, Dr. Kamakhya Singh, added, “We appreciate the initiative LAPO, FMO has brought in, it is not only the financial support, but in recognition of what it is doing in the most populous nation of Africa. We are glad FMO is partnering with us on this and it

Made-in-Aba shoe daily exports hit 1m pairs

By Franklin Alli

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he Aba shoe industry in South East Nigeria is heading for global market with a daily export figure of one million pairs to other African countries.

The shoemakers produce quality that compares with the Italian brands. They lead the African market, and yet they have no presence outside the continent.

In view of this industry’s potential and the multiplier effects on the state and the national economy, the Abia Think Tank Association, a replica of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, say they want to take the industry global.

“We have started forming the shoemakers into cooperative society so that they can have access to funding from development finance institutions like the Bank of Industry as well as capacity building and linkage to international market,” said Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, President of the Association.

Briefing business journalists in Lagos on Aba Summit 2 being organised by the Association to further boosts socioeconomic activities in the state, Ohuabunwa said, “Recently, I was in Aba and I went to where

they made shoes and I found trucks loading for Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Gabon even to Zaire. I was impressed and when I checked in I discovered that in Aba, over one million pair of shoes is exported daily out of Aba and I was completely thrown off my feet.

“I found out that they were doing the work without minimum support from anybody. But when I calculated their returns on those investments, I found it was peanuts. They work like elephant but eats like ant. They sweat to bring in their ingenuity but because they are not properly harnessed, the return on investments is meager.

“We found out that part of their problem is individualistic operations. We are now trying to put them together as cooperatives so that they can get some funding to be able to increase their capacity and attract more investment.

“We have linked them up to some developers in the shoe industry in America.

AN, who helped Ethiopian to developed its shoe industry is excited because China which used to be the major shoe supplier to the world is moving away from that kind of industry because they see it as low-

cost industry. China is moving to electronic and all that, so there is a gap in the international trade for shoe and he believes that Nigeria is nearer to the United States than Ethiopia, India and China.

Hopefully, he will come for the summit and tell our people how to scale up in quality so that they can meet America-spec and scoop up in quantity so that they can have enough to justify their investment and efforts.”

He explained that the forthcoming summit with the theme ‘Aba as the centerpiece of Abia Economic Renaissance,’ will consolidate and deepen the gains of the previous edition and maintain the momentum in focusing attention of private and public sectors in Aba to resolve a veritable and strategic roadmap for Abia economic development. “In terms of commerce, Aba used to stand side by side with Lagos, Kano and Onitsha; Aba used to be a centre of trade and people from the South –East and South-South make Aba their Lagos. They come to Aba regularly to buy in bulks and go and break the bulk in their different states. Beyond national trade, Aba has also become a centre for international trade,” he said.

will be helpful eventually for us in reaching our milestone of 5m clients by the end 2017.

Meanwhile, Director, FMO, Mr. Jaap Reinking, explained that FMO is the Dutch Development Bank that supports sustainable private sector growth in developing and emerging markets by investing in ambitious entrepreneurs. He noted that a strong private sector leads to economic and social development, empowering people to employ their skills and improve their quality of life.

However, FMO focuses on three sectors that have high development impact: financial institutions, energy, and agribusiness, food and water.

USC 179.85 USD3,149.00

USC 13.98

USC -0.75 USD 79.00

USC 0.43

USD 98.76 USD 93.97

USD -0.29 USD -0.91

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.75 250.7724 200.3394 165.7385 1.445 0.286 231.3531 25.1773 41.259 26.9079 232.156

155.2 251.5826 200.9867 166.274 1.4497 0.296 232.1006 25.2591 41.3923 26.9948 232.9061

155.75 252.3929 201.634 166.8095 1.4544 0.306 232.8481 25.3409 41.5256 27.0818 233.6562

CBN Exchange Rate as 18 /09 / 2014

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Stable, consistent policy regime needed to attract listing on NSE

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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ttracting new companies to list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, will require maintenance of a stable and consistent policy regime by the appropriate authorities, said Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, NSE. He spoke at the 2014 Capital Market Solicitors Association, CMSA Annual Business Luncheon, in Lagos.

He stressed that the effort also requires the need to uphold fair and orderly markets based on just and equitable principles that would generate and preserve issuer and investor confidence in our markets.

According to him, the NSE’ management has realised that to attract more companies to list, it must partner with policy makers to take full advantage of developmental initiatives which require massive mobilisation of capital.

“For instance, sector-wide policies calling for recapitalisation of and or consolidation by operators, and other privatisation/ commercialisation programmes in sectors such as telecommunications, extractive industries, and so on,” he said, adding, “Our business development team continues to actively take steps to encourage Nigerian companies in general to list in Nigeria. Initiatives in this area focus on direct communication with listed and unlisted firms, as well as seminars/dinners targeted at specific industry groups.” He explained that the NSE has started work on its new medium-term strategic direction, covering the 20142019 corporate strategic plans with clearly outlined objectives leading up to 2019.

He noted that the corporate

strategy strives to solidify the Exchange’s leadership position as Africa’s foremost securities exchange, and aims

to increase its footprint in the region (and internationally), by creating a market platform that is compelling for domestic

From Left: Director-General, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria & Guest Lecturer, Arunma Oteh and Doyen of Accountancy profession in Nigeria, Mr. Akintola Williams at the second Christopher Kolade lecture on Business Integrity in Lagos.

Stanbic IBTC to act as payment agent for electricity bulk trader

By PETER EGWUATU

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tanbic IBTC Bank has been appointed by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) Plc as the payment management services provider to the bulk trader. The payment solutions agreement to formally appoint Stanbic IBTC was signed at NBET offices in Abuja.The strategic arrangement, coming ahead of the transitional electricity market (TEM), is expected to make the electricity trading system transparent as well as instill confidence in the electricity

market in Nigeria.

The appointment would see Stanbic IBTC Bank, which emerged through a transparent selection process handled by KPMG professional services, in line with extant regulations, undertake payments on behalf of the bulk trader and also support its treasury functions.

As the Bulk Trader’s payment agent, Stanbic IBTC will be responsible for the efficient and effective payment processing between NBET and the GENCOs in line with the underlying power purchase agreements.

Mansard Insurance records 27% growth in revenue

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and global issuers and investors.

Speaking on the theme of the event, titled, “Transformation

ansard Insurance Plc. provider of risk and investment management services has recorded 27 per cent growth in revenue for the audited half year results ended June 30, 2014.

The company also recorded 27 per cent growth in both Gross Premium Written (GPW) and Net Premium Income (NPI).

While commenting on the results, Mr.Tosin Runsewe, Chief Client Officer, Mansard Insurance said “This year, revenue growth has been driven by deepening relationships through superior customer service delivery and our growing accessibility to customers. Our medium term focus is to rapidly grow our distribution channels such that our accessibility to all

customers will be with ease and convenience. We expect the first half of 2014 growth pattern to continue during the second half of the year.”

The Chief Financial Officer, Mrs. Rashidat Adebisi said that the 52 per cent drop in profitability was expected. In her words, “The dip in profitability was driven largely by the dip in investment income, which was expected. Last year we enjoyed two one-off income gains (i.e. unrealized gain on our investment property and profit from the disposal of an unquoted equity) which resulted in income of a little over N1.2billion. Backing out this, we have a real growth of 11% on the investment income line”.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NBET, Rumundaka Wonodi, said the engagement is a critical marker for NBET’s preparation for the transitional electricity market and that the appointment is in line with NBET’s strategy of employing the best service providers to complement its in-house competence.

Wonodi said it was important for them to have gone through the procurement part to contract an agent that would support the bulk trader, thereby “keeping it a lean and efficient institution.”

“One of the issues that we have had in the electricity market is that before the transition electricity market, even before this current period, payments and transactions seem to be crowded in a way that is not very clear to market participants,” Wonodi said.

“So through this process, we hope that the generation companies will have the confidence and the comfort that when they send invoices to us, they have an institution that has the capacity to undertake those services on our behalf. That way, the confidence in the market would be enhanced and sustained.”

of the Nigerian Stock Exchange”, the NSE boss said that all the initiatives the Exchange has delivered in the course of its transformation, which commenced in 2011, were aimed at developing a more transparent, liquid and accessible market with a modern market structure to support the delivery of a wider range of investment products.

“By engaging all our stakeholders - our investors, listed companies, market operators, the regulator, and prospective issuer, those who had lost faith in the capital market are now returning to the market, and we are beginning to witness a sense of optimism from all market stakeholders.

He, however, stated that achieving competitiveness and enhancing the NSE’s value proposition were important to its success in the short term and beyond, while safe-guarding the market and maintaining a high level of attractiveness with a strong regulatory framework, were critical to its objectives.

Learn Africa commends NECO’s performance

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earn Africa Plc, a quoted company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE has commended the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the candidates that sat for the June/July 2014 Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE) on the great success recorded in the examinations, with results showing, among other things, 72.58 per cent credit pass in English Language and 69.49 percent credit pass in Mathematics. According to statement form the company “This is, no doubt, a remarkable improvement on last year’s results. As a leading educational book publisher that is strongly committed to the human capital development of our great country through consistent and timely provision of effective learning resources, we take great pride in aligning and identifying ourselves with this success. There is no iota of doubt in our mind that our New Concept English and New Concept Mathematics, books that have been generally adjudged to be top notch in terms of content and pedagogical adequacy as well as production quality, have contributed immensely to this success.

It is also heartwarming to note that only 0.44 percent of the candidates that sat for the examinations were involved in any form of malpractice; this is a clear testimony that NECO is winning the war against this monster.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 — 23

By JIMOH BABATUNDE

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OLLOWING Dangote’s $1billion in vestment in rice production in Nigeria, another company has pledged to invest about N2.2 billion in cultivating about 25,000 hectares of land at Akotogbo in Ondo state with a promise to create 2500 jobs.

Speaking on the project, the Chairman of Wems Agro Companies, Rotimi Wemi-Akinsola, said Nigeria has a vast arable land and lots of water to plant rice.

But, he regretted that the country does not produce up to 15% of the 22.5 million bags of rice consumed in the country monthly.

“Rice growing and consumption historically has been based in south East Asia, where most of the world’s rice is still grown. The fast growing market is sub - Saharan Africa (SSA) where rice production falls far below consumption and where the FAO forecasts that rice will be the largest staple food by 2030.”

He added “Nigeria’s per capital consumption is estimated to be 78 kg per capital giving a total consumption of 6.1m tones for 2014. Half of this, 3 million tones, is imported at N356 billion it is accepted a heavy burden on the Nigerian balance of payments. “ Rotimi Wemi-Akinsola noted that his company is investing in the rice project in Ondo with the intention of taking advantage of the Nigerian market opportunity and help it become self sufficient in rice as well as help develop a profitable agricultural industry in Ondo State.

“There is no history of rice production in Ondo State although the weather and soil conditions are suitable. Wems Agro will be introducing rice production having found suitable available land. This will bring employment and social benefit, introduce a new agricultural technology to the state, act as an economic centre and be profitable to all concerned.”

Agricultural technology He disclosed that rice production will be based on a sustainable System of Rice Intensification (SRI) methodology, together with a 2 - year rotation, where rice is grown twice in a year and this will be followed by one year of a green manure fertility building crop.

“600 ha will be cultivated in 2015, this relatively small area will ensure Wems Agro establish best work practices. A rain fed system will be used in years 2015 - 17 followed by the introduction of irrigation in 2018 to allow for two crops per year.”

He added that the initial project has a target of 5400 hectares in rice production, cropped twice a year, with a further 5,400 hectares in the fertility building phase.

Speaking on the yield estimates, Wemi-Akinsola said yields will be relatively low at four tones per hectare to take into account, what the Japanese call, ‘New Rice Disease’. “This is a syndrome whereby the yield is commonly found to be low when rice is first introduced to new land.”

He said their forecasts yields thereafter, are conservative at five tones per hectare for rain fed rice and six tones per hectare for irrigated rice. The expectation is that these will be easily C M Y K

Mrs. Bagenal, Chairman/CEO, Wems Agro Companies Limited, Rotimi Wemi-Akinsola, MD, Joseph Nwadukwe & Henry Bagenal, Technical Partner & COO after a media briefing at Orchid Hotels, Lekki last week.

Why we are investing N2.2b in rice production — Wems Agro achieved and surpassed.

SUSTAINABILITY Wemi-Akinsola disclosed that one of the major aims of the project is to produce rice as sustainably as possible with low unit costs of production to enable rice to be processed and marketed at an affordable price.

He explained that System of Rice Intensification (SRI) they will be using reduces seed costs, input

costs, water usage, and at the same time increases production by up to 30 percent “As a point of interest, an Indian farmer, who is using SRI, has achieved a yield of 14 tones per hectare, this is the world record for rice production. The system has the added social benefit of providing local employment in the weed control phase to a large number of people.”

He added “In the WEM AGRO business model it is the local community who

will be contracted to hand weed the rice. Hand weeding is much more effective than tractor mechanical weeding and is an important step in SRI cultivations.

“It is hoped that this project will act as catalyst for the region to become a hub of sustainability. The project will grow from 600 ha in year one to 5400 ha (double cropped) in year five, and produces profits from year one.”

‘Agric transformation favours peasant farmers’

By CHINENYEH OZOR

T

he Director General of Unique Farmers Association, UFAN, Chief John Paul Adama has said that Agricultural Transformation Agenda, ATA, of President Goodluck Jonathan administration most favorable to peasant rural farmers as the scheme has eliminated intrigues in the country who deny armers of their entitlements.

The Agricultural Transformation Agenda was launched at the inception of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to grow the agricultural sector and make farm inputs accessible to farmers directly at subsidized rate.

Adama while speaking with Vanguard at the university town of

Nsukka said the era when the ministry of agriculture was in the hands of politicians has ended with the launch of ATA in the country.

‘ATA through rural peasant farmers attests to the fact that they get direct farm inputs supplies from the ministry, which explains that ATA has eliminated all forms of corruption practices by godfathers in the ministry of Agriculture’ he said.

Rural peasant farmers He commended other innovations introduced by the minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina.

‘The Growth Enhancement Support Scheme is another laudable innovation that brings fertilizers directly to the doorsteps of farmers through Electronic

Wallet.

‘This year alone e-wallet system which is electronic driven has captured 14million farmers as against the 10 million last year. We hope that every farmer in the country gets certified so that they also get benefit from these incentives.

‘All that is expected of any farmer is to get enlisted by registering his name and phone number in other to get certified and thereafter go to any redemption centre nearb and collects your subsidized fertilizers, seeds.

‘The scheme has made communications among farmers easier as we get regular up to date information on latest trends in agriculture from the ministry through phone, explaining that ATA has enriched many farmers in agriculture, which has never been experienced before ’, he said.

24—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Port regulation: NPA accountable to Shippers’ Council—Amiwero Stories by Godwin Oritse

F

OLLOWING the appointment of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, by the Federal Government as economic regulator for the port industry, the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, is now accountable to the Council.

President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Licensed Agents, NCMDLCA, Mr. Lucky Amiwero stated this in an exclusive interview. He said that the presence of a regulator will keep both shipping firms and terminal operators in check.

The logistics expert also said that Nigerian Ports Authority in the present dispensation is a service provider like the terminal operators who must also be regulated.

He stated that the issue of marine services, provision of power and port access roads amongst other were meant to be provided by NPA. Amiwero explained that Nigeria as a maritime nation got it wrong when it concessioned its terminals without appointing a regulating agency, adding that the absence of a port regulator was the reason Nigerian ports remain the most expensive in the world.

He said “What Nigeria has done is wrong, you cannot concession your port without an economic regulator” “Port regulators all over the world are to regulate the port industries for the nation’s economic interest.

“There should be nothing like technical regulator in the concession agreement, and if it is there, then that agreement

needs to be reviewed because it is wrong to have technical regulator when there is a port or economic regulator”.

“While the Shippers’ Council is to determine the right pricing for services provided by terminal operators and shipping companies, NPA is meant to ensure that there are fairway buoys, that the

channels are well maintained for vessels to sail in and out without running aground”.

He believes that the presence Nigerian Shippers’ Council as port regulator will reduce or completely eliminate the manipulative tendencies of some shipping firms and terminal operators in fleecing

F

EW weeks after the retirement of the immediate past Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, road blocks alongtheLagosBadagryExpressway have returned with the Badagry – Seme end having about 11 and nine police and Customs checkpoints respectively.

Followingthebanonallpoliceroad blocksacrossthecountrybyAbubakar, activitiesofsuch activities alongthe major international routes were eliminated.

Shortlyaftertheappointmentofthe newpoliceboss,SuleimanAbba,the roadblockshavegraduallycreptback totheroutesresultinginpoliceofficers insisting on performing the duties of theCustoms.

Even those by the Customs which theServiceheadquartershavelimited to just three, have steadily grown to seven between Seme and Badagry in the last three weeks. Investigation revealedthattheCustomscheckpoints are mounted by officers from Seme Border Command and the Federal Operations Unit, FOU. With the

countries like that of Nigeria are supposed to exercise economic regulation of the ports system in line with government’s strategic objectives and monitor the activities of the port authority to ensure that it performs its function in accordance with the law.

•L-r: Former Coordinator of ANLCA BOT, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, new Chairman of board, Chairman Chief Henry Njoku,and BOT treasurer, Chief Peter Obi at the press briefing after the elections, weekend

Customs implements new auto policy ahead of January deadline

A

HEAD of the January 2015 for the implementation of the new auto policy, the Nigeria Customs Service has begun the collection of additional 70 percent on new vehicles and thirty five percent on fairly used ones.

The introduction of the new rate on new vehicles also pitched Customs agents against officers at the Port Terminal and Multipurpose Service Limited, PTML, when agents withdrew their services to protest the introduc-

tion of the new rate on new vehicles.

Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command; Comptroller Folorunsho Adegoke told newsmen yesterday that his command is only collecting 35 per cent on used vehicles.

He also confirmed release of HS Codes for imported used vehicles and advised licensed customs agents to use the appropriately.

“Note that the new levy is NOT

Multiple Customs, Police checkpoints back at Lagos-Badagry Expressway

By Godfrey Bivbere

Nigerian importers of billions of Naira.

“It is left to Shippers’ Council to look at the criteria the terminal operators and shipping firms used in arriving at the current charges they collect.

Amiwero further explained that Port regulators of other

former arrangement, both units are surposed to be present at the three approved checkpoints to avoid duplication.

Apart from the 11 police, Seven Customs checkpoints noticed between Badagry and Seme, others aregraduallyspringingupinAgbara and Badagry.

Each police checkpoint between Seme and Badagry collects a toll rangingfromN50toN200fromeach commercial vehicle plyng the route while anyone ffound with a bag of richismadetopartwithbetweenN500 andN1.000.

The Customs Authority had in the past said that there are only three approvedcheckpointsbytheCustoms authority along the route which, according to him, are those in Gbagi, Agbara and Aradagun.

Already,othersecurityagenciesare beginning to return to the route to set up their own checkpoint, are the Nigerian Army team that comes out every evening just by the one by the customsbeforeIyanu-ibiyiontheway fromBadagry,LocalCounciljustafter Seme and several others by officials oftheNigerianImmigrationService,

NIS. Similarly, officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) occasional show up at Agbara end of the Customs checkpointtomounttheirs.

So endemic was the practice then that even a Presidential directive by formerPresidentOlusegunObasanjo couldnotstoptheillegalcheckpoints

applicable for now until 31/12/ 2014”, he said in a message.

According to the CAC, HS Code for used passenger vehicles are: 8702. 1020.20, 8702. 1020.29 and 8702. 9020.97. He added that the HS Code for cars/ Four Wheel Drive vehicles are: 8703.2422.00, 8703.2429.00 and 8703.3121.00.

Comptroller Adegoke also gave the HS Code for Dumpers/ Lorries as: 8704.2125.00, 8704.2219.28 and 8704.2320.00.

He told our correspondent that, once this HS Code is used, it would be impossible for any officer to classify the used vehicles as new, even as he added that these HS Codes are well known to the clearing agents.

He also confirmed that he had personally sent the same message to the leadership of the freight forwarding associations, a claim that was later confirmed when it was forwarded to Vanguard .

It will be recalled that, on

Tuesday, the PTML Command allegedly began the collection of 35% duty and 35% levy on imported vehicles.

The action made the freight forwarders operating at the terminal to withdraw their services.

But the CAC explained yesterday that, it was not true that the command had began collection of 35 % levy on used vehicles, adding that there must have been a mix-up.

Speaking with reporters, the ANLCA Chairman at PTML; Prince Bola Adesokan had said that stakeholders are not comfortable with the 35% levy demanded by the customs.

He demanded full explanation of the new HS Code of vehicle importation that was recently released by the customs. The image maker of PTML Customs command, Steve Okonmah had also clarified that the 35 % levy is only collectable on new vehicles.

ANLCA denies Customs N800m gift

T

HE Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has debunked reports that the management of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) donated a whooping sum of N800million to the purchase and reconstruction of its newly acquired property in Lagos.

Speaking to Vanguard in Lagos yesterday, President of the association Prince Shittu Olayiwola said that Comptroller General of Customs whom the building was named after did not donate any kobo to the project. Shittu however said that money for the purchase and reconstruction of the associa-

tion’s building was donated by friends of the Customs service.

Ol;ayiwola explaned that the same people that have benefited from the service in the past are those behind the rumours adding that Dikko as an individual or Head of Customs did not give N800million to the association for the purpose of ANLCA’s building.

Some aggrieved members of the association have challenged the leadership of the group to come out with the amount and names those of that donated monies to the association.

In a statement signed by the national publicity secretary of the

group, Mr. Emmanuel OguOpara said that majority of the donations came from highly placed individuals in the oil and gas industry including friends of both the President and Board of Trustee Chairman of the association.

Part of the statement reads “Some highly placed individuals in the oil and gas industry including clients of the National President and the BOT who believed in this lofty dreams offered to bank roll the acquisition of the secretariat but would rather want to remain anonymous to avoid the ugly trend of blackmail rumors and untruth.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 2014—25

I N S I D E

Brig.-General Benjamin Adekunle:

Condition of the nation:

Delight and dilemma of journalists Page 27

The hero Nigeria deserves Page 26

THE 2015 race for Anambra central Senatorial seat is getting keener. A horde of aspirants are now on the prowl angling to snatch the seat from the incumbent Senator Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

2015: I’ve what it

takes to govern Lagos— Hamzat Page 28

2015: The knife-edge battle for

Anambra central

By Clifford Ndujihe

A

MONG the leading con tenders are: Senator Ngige; National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh; a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Uche Ekwunife; Leader of Nzuko Imeobi Idemili North and South, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo; former Secretary to the Anambra State Government, SSG (1999-2003), Prince Victor Ossy Ezenwa; Dr. Kodilichukwu Okelekwe; Mrs. Christy Okoye, Senator Annie Okonkwo and Mr. Sylvester Okonkwo.

Ngige Senator Ngige, who is going for a second term in the Senate made his mark as governor of Anambra State for three years before he was thrown out of office by the law courts for election rigging. He is considered popular in Anambra central, which benefited immensely from his botched administration in terms of projects.

Having lost the last governorship election, the APC legislator, who has not indicated whether or not he is re-contesting, has however, said that most of those angling to stop him are political lightweights.

Umeh Sir Umeh, whose reign as APGA national chairman saw the

•Ngige leader and a delegate to the just concluded National Conference shows that much work is yet to be done and he is the most qualified person to execute the onerous duty for Ndigbo, South-East, Anambra and Anambra central.

He is running on the banner of APGA. Ekwunife Hon. Ekwunife is one of the two women in the race so far. The ranking Rep is aspiring on the banner of the PDP the platform that gave her, her first mandate in the House. She left the PDP for the Progressives Peoples’ Alliance (PPA), contested the governorship and lost. She defected to APGA and retained her Reps’ seat. Now, she is back to the PDP from APGA. She believes that her popularity in Anambra central

,

,

Life is not about self. Life is about touching others. It is about living for others. That is why I am aspiring to go to the Senate

party winning electoral laurels such as two governorship seats, senatorial, House of Representatives and state assembly slots, while declaring his intention to run for the seat, said the state of affairs in the country now requires the Igbo, Anambra and Anambra Central to put their First Eleven forward. According to him, his experience as APGA

•Umeh

•Ewkunife

and PDP’s political muscle will see her through.

Obiora Okonkwo Dr. Okonkwo is the leader of Nzuko Imeobi Idemili North and South, the apex socio cultural and political organization of Idemili in Anambra Central Senatorial District, Political and Economic Adviser to the Archbishop of Onitsha & Metropolitan of

•Okonkwo

•Okelekwe

Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province; President and Founder, Nigeria – Belgium Business Forum (NBBF) Coordinator of the Anambra State Good Governance Forum (ASGGOF).

While declaring his intention to run on the plank of the PDP, he said: “We want to restore pride in the people, rebuild their confidence and make them believe again that power resides in them and in representing the people in the Senate, it will be with the awareness that power is in the hands of the people in which we shall demonstrate the will to deliver on the community charter of the senatorial zone, propagate quality representation anchored on accessibility, consultation, responsiveness and accountability to my constituents.”

Okelekwe Dr. Okelekwe, who boosts of

knowledge of multimillion-dollar budgets and keen business experience from running his own flourishing business as C.E.O, wants to banish poverty from the zone through education.

The former governorship aspirant, who is aspiring on the platform of the PDP said: “I don’t believe that any individual should be denied the right to education on account of poverty.

That is what drives me. That’s why I am contesting. I am not contesting for a Senate seat to indulge in primitive accumulation of wealth. Life is not about self. Life is about touching others. It is about living for others. That is why I am aspiring to go to the Senate."

He said he wants to “get the people involved in the process of lawmaking. If I get elected as a senator, I will institute what I

call monthly town hall meetings, which will rotate from one local government to the other.

"In Anambra central, there are seven local government areas.

We will use this mechanism to sound out the people, get their opinion and take into account their input in either proposing a new law or proposing an amendment to existing ones or moving a motion to draw the attention of government to certain areas.”

Ezenwa Ezenwa, who was SSG under former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju and former chairman of Njikoka local council said he is disturbed by the high rate of unemployment in the zone.

Making his intentions known during a consultations meeting with his constituents and journalists at his Abagana country home, Ezenwa, said he was aware of other heavyweights in the race but that the odds were in his favour.

Gale of endorsements Ahead of the polls, the polity is awash with a gale of endorsements for the aspirants. Umeh got the endorsement of Anambra Central Women Forum (ACWF), which described him as a man of action, principle and integrity, tested and trusted to effectively represent Anambra Central Senatorial Zone in the Senate.

Continues on page 26

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

BRIGADIER-GENERAL BENJAMIN ADEKUNLE:

The hero Nigeria deserves The death of Brigadier General Benjamin Adekunle provides a stark contrast between the great potentials of the past and the bleak future of the present.

By Kunle Famoriyo

H

IS death provides a timeline that shows two pictures: that Nigeria is not progressing due to its inability to preserve and replicate patriotism and that its life is ebbing away with every death of past heroes announced.

Nigeria faced in 1967 the same internal threat to corporate existence it faced today, with few differences in semantics and prevailing circumstances. Then the threat was termed “secession” from down South but now it is called “insurgency” from up North. Then, Nigeria was neither as rich as it is today nor prepared for such high level combat, having only few trained personnel. Today, the country commands enormous resources and has a reputably strong army, as could be seen in its peacekeeping efforts.

Adekunle's heroism

Yet, this insurgency has not only lasted more than the civil war, from all indications, it is getting stronger, while the army sinks deeper into controversies ranging from mutiny to protests.

Adekunle’s death therefore begs the “why” question and it forces a conclusion that the labour of past heroes is being laid to waste, instead of being built upon.

Adekunle’s heroism could be summed up by one saying that where there is a will, there will be a way. He took over an army command largely made up of volunteers who had no prior military training and turned them, within months, into brave soldiers with the most humane records. His attention to details could be seen when he renamed

z SEPT 1968: Late General Adekunle (middle) seen here as GOC, 3 Marine Commando, flanked by his top commanders — From left, Lt. Col. Godwin Alabi-Isama, Lt.Col Alani Akinrinade, Major Yemi Alabi, and Major Alimi Ogunkanmi. his command, officially called “Third Infantry Division”, to the “Third Marine Commando.”

As a good manager of men and resources Benjamin Adekunle threw his soul, knowledge and body to the prosecution of the Nigerian civil war, leading the 3rd Marine Commando through the sea to rapidly capture the city of Port-Harcourt and the total liberation of the parts of eastern Nigeria that are now known as Rivers, Cross Rivers and AkwaIbom States respectively. This descendant of Ogbomoso warriors fearlessly fought side by side with his soldiers at the war front, sharing their pains and experiences.

It is on record that Adekunle’s feat came with minimal loss of human lives, a testimony to his deft tactics. Many of those captured by his command were either absorbed into the Nigerian army or rehabilitated to take up other dignifying jobs. So, while the “Black Scorpion,” as he was fondly called, gave a tough posture in the media as someone who wants to kill all “enemies,” he was quietly rehabilitating them and winning them over, as revealed in recently published accounts of the civil war.

If casualties recorded by his command’s onslaughts are compared with especially the one led by late General Murtala Mohammed, Adekunle instantly comes across as a thoroughbred officer and gentleman, a Nigerian Military nationalist and a Yoruba illustrious son, who gave the art of modern warfare in Africa a unique place in the history of humanity.

History of humanity

Adekunle, according to historical accounts, was a product of Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK and he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on December, 1960.

He served in Kasai Province of Congo with the 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own Regiment, been his first ONUC UN peace keeping duty. In 1962, Lt Adekunle became Aide-deCamp to the governor of the eastern region, Sir Akanu Ibiam.

As a Captain he was posted back to the Congo as Staff Captain (A) To the Nigerian Brigade HQ at Luluabourg under Brigadier B. Ogundipe. In 1964, Major Adekunle attended the Defence Services Staff College Wellington

2015: The knife-edge battle for Anambra central Continues from page 26 ACWF President, Mrs. Adanma Chukwuma, said the group is backing Umeh because “we cannot sacrifice effective representation at the altar of partisan politics.”

In like manner, Idemili Action Movement, IAM and a sociocultural association, Nzuko Imeobi, have thrown their weights behind Dr Obiora Okonkwo and urged voters and stakeholders in the Anambra Central senatorial zone not to repeat the mistakes

of the past in electing their representatives in 2015.

Making the calls at different for a recently, IAM Chairman, Dr. Uche Ezeliora and Nzuko Imeobi President, Chief Edwin Ekwuno said: “We don’t support parties, we support candidates and it is in this regard that we are supporting the various calls for change and adopting Dr. Obiora Okonkwo of the PDP as our choice for the senatorial seat in the Central. His track record is people oriented and he has shown a sense of service to the

people, which we believe will lift the state of development in the zone if he gets to the Senate.”

Also, writing about the aspirants, Professor Ben Nna Okoye said given the protracted problems facing Anambra Central, the zone needs a disciplined, focused, pragmatic, logical, creative, organized, problem-solver as its senator. According to him Dr. Okelekwe fits this description because he is a skilled and competent leader who is widely admired for his civility, diligence and political acuity.

•Adekunle in India. He was appointed Adjutant General briefly in May 1965 to replace Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon, who was proceeding on a course outside the country. He later handed over the position to Lt. Col. James Pam and posted back to his old Battalion (1st Bn) in Enugu as a Company Commander. He later assumed command of the Lagos Garrison as a substantive Lt. Col. When the Nigerian Civil War broke out in July 1967, Adekunle was tasked to lead elements which included two new battalions (7th and 8th) - to conduct the historic sea borne assault on Bonny in the Bight of Benin on 26 July 1968 (carried out by Major Isaac Adaka Boro’s unit). This happened after the Federal Government gained confidence of most South western ethnic groups as a direct result of Biafran push to Mid-west State and probe into Western region.

Adekunle was promoted to Colonel after the Bonny landing.

The 6th (under Major Jalo) and 8th (under Major Ochefu) battalions of the Lagos Garrison subsequently took part in operations to liberate the

Midwest following the Biafran invasion of August 1967. The 7th (under Major Abubakar) stayed behind to hold Bonny. Because Major Jalo’s Unit was seconded to Lt. Col. Murtala Mohammed’s 2nd Division, Adekunle was left with only the 8th Battalion at Escravos. He, therefore, protested to Army HQ and got the Lagos garrison upgraded to Brigade status through the creation of the 31 and 32 Battalions (under Majors Aliyu and Hamman, respectively). This formation, combined with elements of the Lagos garrison along the eastern seaboard, was officially designated the 3 Infantry Division. However, Colonel Adekunle did not think the name was sensational enough nor did it project the nature of the unique terrain in which his men had to fight.

Therefore, without formal approval from Army HQ, he renamed it the “3 Marine Commando (3MCDO).”

The “Black Scorpion” was easily the most controversial, celebrated and mythologized figure. Benjamin “Adekunle’s boys in the Midwest seized Escravos, B u r u t u , Urhonigbe, Owa and Aladima.

They captured Bomadi and P a t a n i , Youngtown, Koko, S a p e l e , Ajagbodudu, Warri, Ughelli, Orerokpe, Umutu and Itagba” The name of B e n j a m i n Adekunle will continue to resonate as a great son of Africa forever for the role he played in the contemporary history of Nigeria, feats that are lacking in the Nigerian Army today, a rare willpower that is sorely needed. One therefore wonders whether Nigeria deserves its heroes. Nigeria recorded great feats that were unmatched even in European countries in its early years.

We will continue to miss him, as long as we are unable to produce men like him. It is in this regard that Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) commiserate with the entire family of the late Brigadier General Benjamin Adesanya Maja Adekunle, the Soun Of Ogbomoso Oba Oladuni Oyewumi, the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the good people of Oyo State and Nigerians in general on the loss of this illustrious son of Oduduwa and a national patriot of the highest order.

He is gone, but his life is still with us as a lesson, as a fountain from which we can drink forever.

Adieu! “The Black Scorpion” •Kunle Famoriyo is the Publicity Secretary of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG).

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014—27

I

LOVE my country, Nigeria dearly and I cherish its loving people immensely.

In Nigeria, there is no dull moment as everyday brings its own contrasting news from sadness and hopelessness to happiness and hope. That is Nigeria for you and its own peculiar characteristics.

Unlike Denmark which contains the happiest people in the world, Nigeria portrays a delightful mixture of sadness and happiness.

As the country mourns the loss of lives in the unfortunate collapse of the hostel in T. B. Joshua‘s own local ‘Vatican‘, there came the news of death sentence on the soldiers who were involved in shooting the vehicle of their Commanding Officer in the warfair area of the North-East. That sentence, it is said, is subject to confirmation by Chief of Army Staff. Thus, a soldier could be killed not only at the Boko Haram war front, but also by engaging in mutiny.

On the Boko Haram insurgency, the apparently well remunerated legislators, after their well deserved recess, have returned to Abuja to remind the country about the seriousness of the raging war.

The amazing law makers described the insurgency as a total war on the country and promised to meet Mr. President to discuss on the seriousness of the situation.

Serious dialogue There is no doubt that many patriotic Nigerians will support a serious dialogue with President Jonathan and if convenient, make a trip to the forbidden insurgents‘ haven - the Banbisa Forest – to show support for the gallant ecurity forces.

But all is not dismal news. There is the pleasant news that a sum of N611 billion has been injected into the Nigerian economy as the monthly (August) sharing of oil money. There is no doubt that the states and the local governments would welcome the pleasant news with jubilation for the unearned income. As usual, the curious but eagle-eyed anti development officials of the Central Bank would be actively preparing for the mopping up of excess liquidity through the famous

EVANGELIST Elliot Uko, founder of the Igbo Youth Movement and Deputy Secretary, Igbo Leaders of Thought, is not happy with the way the Federal Government is combating the Boko Haram insurgents, who are bent on carving out an Islamic Caliphate in Northern. Nigeria. Apart from taking decisive and proactive action, he says in this interview among others that without tackling the root cause of the insurgency Nigeria would have a group that is worse than Boko Haram in future. Excerpts:

Condition of the nation: Delight and dilemma of journalists technique of issuance of the Treasury Bills. As expected, the local banks who are the recipients of fresh injection of funds through the monthly sharing would prefer investing in the safer and profitable government bonds to lending to the risky real sector of the economy.

At times, questions are being asked if it is economically rational to seek a foreign loan of $1 billion (no matter how low the interest is) when the country could distribute freely a whooping sum of N611 billion (about $4 billion) to all the tiers of government. There is little doubt that the monthly distribution of booty (oil money) is the greatest drawback to serious approach to interrmally generated revenue.

Some readers of my column often wonder why many articles and newspaper reports appear to be negative in assessing the efforts of federal government in its attempts to grapple with the country‘s many complex problems. Many apologists of the present federal government have erroneously branded some columnists as “enemies” of President Jonathan. I think the answer lies between what is factual and what is regarded as the truth by the affected parties. Also, newspapers‘ respected colomnists would be expected to be dispassionate in analyzing national events. In reality, sycophancy should be ruled out of the dictionary of any good journalist, even if occasional praise

Nigeria 'll have something worse if... — Uko

Boko Haram:

By Clifford Ndujihe

H

IS take on the flickering flames of insurgency in the country and how to overcome it This cancer called Boko Haram did not fall from the sky. Certain people, certain acts inspired it. We are merely living in denial. If we refuse to address the mindset of the people who inspired this madness another Boko Haram will rear it’s ugly head after the demise of this one. We are treating the symptoms without identifying and addressing the root cause of the ailment.

Boko Haram is a product of a mind set. It is called Jihad. Some people stoked the fire by introducing sharia Legal code in eight states 14 years ago, then this Boko Haram warriors were probably about 10 – 15 year old boys then. They were also inspired by certain religious clerics. If we refuse to face up to the truth we will only be deceiving

worshipping could be tolerated.

As it has been mentioned in this column several times, critical analysis of national events should not be seen as abuse or personal attack on officials excersising authority or discharging responsibilities A journalist like a good citizen, is addicted to his profession that, “A man who is ignorant of the society in which he lives, who knows nothing of its place in the world and who has no thought about his place in it, is not a free man even though he has a vote”.

It is normal that any elected government, wether at the federal, state or local government level, should be able to defend its policy and fulfil promises made to the electorate as a whole. For example, if a party has promised provision of security and mass employment for the people to get elected, that party is under the obligation of political expediency (reelection) to deliver and answer some reasonable and related questions on its methodology, even if there is clear evidence of hardwork (consencious mediocrity) always.

It is obvious to all Nigerians (except some reactionary politicians) that the country is in a real civil war engineered by the seemingly well organized but ‘foreign‘backed insurgents. It is also true that the current politicians (with the alluring prospects of 2015) are not fully aware of the dangers ahead. The political panorama

at present, purviews rallies of support for those to be re-elected and those wishing to usurp power in the electoral system which is yet to be perfected and which is under serious suspicion of regional loyalty.

The pertinent question could be, is this the right time to be playing politics with the destiny of the country? Perhaps the distinguished legislators of both Houses would have enough courage and grace to engage Mr. President in a useful discussion on the current issues of national interest. Or perhaps, the tireless Minister of Finance and the Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy would join the delegation to convince the President that economic transformation programme would not work efficiently under a tough monetary stance with depreciated currency and increasing unemployment rate.

Some analysts are sceptical about the type of economy which Dr Okonjo Iweala is co-ordinating, if her alleged liberal fiscal policy is being clearly undermined by the inexplainable restrictive stand of the Central Bank and its Monetary Policy Committee whose members seem to resemble old economists of depression in an affluent society. This is not an abuse but a rational reflection on the national economy.

The Black Scorpion The passing away of Brigadier General Benjamin Adekunle last week has, as expected, elicited sympathy from many Nigerians including President Jonathan and former President, Chief Obasanjo (his successor as the Commanding Officer, 3rd Marine Commandoes). There is no doubt that Bri-General Adekunle (Black Scorpion) was one of the gallant military officers who were responsible for the successful prosecution of Nigeria civil war.

He operated with unqualified success in the difficult and dangerous terrain of the present South South zone of the country Brigadier Adekunle became Director of Training at the Army Headquarters and later undertook the difficult assignment of clearing the over crowded wharf. It is to his credit that he did all assignments given to him before his retirement with zeal and diligence. May his soul rest in undisturbed peace.

•Uko ourselves.

Secondly violent culture of killings, burning and destruction which also influenced these young men has been accepted in the North as a way of life.

All these coupled with the tolerance of decades of blood-letting and religious bigotry and regional nepotism all gave

legitimacy to the born-to-rule mentality. We must address the issues of the causative agents of the Boko Haram mind set before we can have lasting peace in Nigeria.

It is ironic that those who put manure on the Boko Haram seed are now at the receiving end of this cancer. Our president must deal with this cancer decisively. I disagree with his assertion that he is not a lion. He is Commander-in-Chief. He must face up to reality. Boko Haram is a fast spreading cancer that must be destroyed.

The Igbo leaders of Thought once raised a committee to secure the SouthEast form Boko Haram attacks. How is the effort playing out?

What Igbo leaders of Thought did was to bring the attention of the government to the grave danger that Boko Haram in the South-East portends. The efforts to protect the zone from BH attack, is not something we should make public. The Igbo leaders of thought led by Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN) is a gathering of accomplished men and women who want only the best for their country. Prof. Nwabueze in spite of age and not so good health travelled severally to Abuja and to the East from his Lagos base to try and assist in building a strong, United, prosperous nation. He met severally with confab delegates from

several zones, all in an effort to get things right. The principal agenda of the Igbo Leaders of Thought is how to build an enviable country where things work.

We also want to live in peace with fellow Nigerians. Ndigbo have never been attacked anywhere else except in Northern Nigeria. in April 2011, of the 863 Nigerians killed as INEC announced Jonathan winner of that elections 691 were Igbo. We don’t want that to happen in February 2015. The Igbo Leaders of Thought believe that respect for life is one of the surest ways to build a country where people will be willing to give their all to grow and develop.

The confab resolutions now await implementation. As one of earliest advocates of the confab, how do you see the current developments?

There are so many earlier and more steadfast advocates of the need for a confab. It is really about the huge desire to save Nigeria. Our blessed land have been misdirected and mismanaged for decades, especially during the military incursion into governance. The journey to redesign and grow our great country should be everyone’s concern actually. The

Continues on page 28

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

DR. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, the Commissioner for Works in Lagos State is interested in governing the state in 2015. Hamzat, who clocks the golden age of 50 today, speaks on his chances of clinching the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in November and his plans, mission and vision for the state in 2015. Excerpts:

By Dapo Akinrefon

W

HY do you want to be the governor of

Lagos?

You have asked a very serious question. About nine months ago, I asked myself this same question. All of us learn through various means. For me, I see that the challenge of the black man generally is lack of sustaining development.

The issue is that we deal with the wrong things at home. We talk about Igbo, Yoruba and South-South, does it matter? The currency we spend has no colouration. The road that you drive on does not know or ask where you come from. When a plane crashes, it doesn’t know if you are from the South or North.

So, why then do we focus on the wrong things? That is one of the reasons I said we must look at the right approach to solve our problems. We must have somebody that possesses the experience, humility, integrity and what it takes to do the job.

of who emerges as your candidate?

I don’t know where that is coming from. Every time I remember Chief Obafemi Awolowo or Azikwe, I don’t even remember their religion. What I remember Awolowo for is the building of OAU, Ife, setting up the first television station. I don’t know what religion Nelson Mandela practiced but there are many Christians and Muslims in South Africa who took money from the white government and betrayed their people.

I have said it before that one of the problems with the black man is that we deal with what we cannot measure. In my view, it has absolutely nothing to do with religion and I think we are getting it wrong as a people especially when we start that in Lagos. For example, since Ogun State was created, all the governors in that state have been Christians. The first one that would be a Muslim is Amosun.

We did not have a single agitation, why should it have to

,

What is important is how to move Lagos forward. We must be careful because this is a state where we have about 40 per cent of bank branches in this country

I believe I represent those values. That is one of the reasons I’m presenting myself as a candidate for the office. Our party, the APC, is lucky because we have many people who are qualified to do the job. We don’t need to go and hire people from outside, borrow someone or be begging. Within that number as well, there will also be ratings based on various factors that as a people we must determine, in terms of experience, background, education and the rest. But I believe that at the end of the day, I will carry the day.

How would your party handle the issue of religion in the choice

,

start from Lagos?

It is absolutely ridiculous and I think as a people we must not allow those types of nonsense to happen. What is important is how to move Lagos forward. We must be careful because this is a state where we have about 40 per cent of bank branches in this country. Which nation in this world has dabbled into religious issue and came out successful?

As a people, we must be very careful. What we must always know is that the governorship has absolutely nothing to do with religion. It shouldn’t matter, it’s not important because their job is not to go and preach.

•Hamzat

2015: I've what it takes to govern Lagos — Hamzat Your party, APC, has been accused of always carrying out magic primaries to pick its candidates for election, what is your comment on this?

I don’t know what you mean by magic primaries. The truth of the matter is that everybody will have specific interests, so the leaders like Asiwaju will have a particular candidate. He is a leader, he is a human being, but he has only one vote.

What I am saying is that as a candidate, I don’t worry myself with that. What I am worrying myself with is let me present what I represent to the party and the people of Lagos, you leave your faith in God, so whatever happens, so be it.

How would you assess your chances among those who are jostling for governorship position? What is your relationship with the party leadership and kindly react to what the Oba of Lagos said at a book launch that a son of an Ogun State Oba will not become governor over him

First of all, in answering your question, I take myself serious.

If I don’t believe in something, I don’t do it. I take myself very serious and whatever I want to do, I face it. So if I don’t believe in my chances, I would not waste my time. In November, I am going to win that primary.

Two, I wouldn’t discuss Kabiyesi (Oba of Lagos) issue, I wouldn’t do that. You know what is interesting; Kabiyesi tells me more about my grandfather than my mum does. My mum and Kabiyesi, they are like family. My mother is from Ija Egbe in Lagos Island, my maternal grandfather is Pa Collins, he (Kabiyesi) tells me more about him than my mum. I learnt more about him from Kabiyesi so I will not respond to what Kabiyesi has said.

Do you think that would be an obstacle?

No, it is not. You know why it is not, because it doesn’t matter, it is not that there is a law that restricts you, but two, it is okay for anybody to lie about his roots.

Boko Haram: Nigeria'll have something worse if... — Uko Continues from page 27 confab may well turn out to be President Jonathan’s greatest legacy to this generation, if the resolutions are dutifully implemented.

To answer your question Nigerians expected radical structural changes which did not happen, but the twenty committees did good job in so many areas which if studiously implemented without delay, Nigeria of tomorrow will be better than the Nigeria of yesterday.

Any group of people who decides

to subvert, undermine or sabotage an early and wholesome implementation of the confab resolutions, will actually be working against the very survival of Nigeria. There is so much awareness now about the state of the union, the confab resolutions will help cement the bonds of unity and grow our country.

The south East governors are mostly rounding off in eight months. How do you rate them?

These crop since 2007 did a lot better than the 1999-2007 set.

They worked a lot together and

they concentrated on real infrastructure development especially roads and rural electrification. Sullivan Chime did a lot in Enugu, Peter Obi managed Anambra resources so well, Martin Elechi tried to consolidate on the great work Sam Egwu initiated in Ebonyi.

But the gentleman in Abia is facing a lot of propaganda from his political enemies who think that Abia is their personal property.

Governor Theodore Orji is the most attacked Governor in Nigeria. He has performed so

well with meager resources but his detractors are angry that he freed Abia from the shackles of slavery. Gov. Orji opened up political communication in Abia, restored security, empowered the youth and brought decency to governance, but some people believe Abia State is their personal property.

So they go to extra mile to run down Governor Orji in the media.

In Imo, what we see is a lot of razzmatazz; it is difficult to confirm if they are for real or mere showmanship.

I will never lie because, where then do you get your integrity from? If you lie about your heritage, or roots, then you will lie about anything. I cannot even lie because a lot of people know my dad and if my father had said he is from Epe, nobody can dispute it.

If by November, you didn’t win the governorship seat, do we see you moving to another party?

No, no, no, I wasn’t brought up that way, you must believe in something.

What exactly do you have as agenda for Lagos?

It is very interesting as you can see, it is a document I keep reading and writing. It is called ‘Building A State That Lasts’, this will be the manifesto.

Knowledge based economy There are four major pillars. The first one is building a knowledge based economy.

Now, it is also important that we encourage technical education.

So for education, we must do technical. The well-being of the people is also a priority. We spend more money treating the side effect instead of using that money to build water works, among others. Those type of infrastructure must also continue.

The truth is that we have identified seven rail lines in Lagos, we are building one now.

The truth is that no foreign investor wants to invest in rail in West Africa.

Why? When people invest in such a thing, they want their money back. It is somebody ’s investments they want to bring, how do they get their money back?

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014—29

SATURDAY, September 13 is a day that will not be forgotten in political circles especially in Minna, the Niger state capital in a hurry.

Jonathan: TAN’s North-central tragicomic rally

By Wole Mosadomi

I

T was a day the North Central zonal rally organized by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, (TAN) took place.

Supporters of the President Goodluck Agenda for 2015 from the various states in the North Central Zone - Niger, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kwara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Niger were effectively mobilized to the venue – Trade Fair Complex, for the rally.

For about one week prior, Minna, the state capital had been flooded with posters, bill boards, flags mounted at strategic points along major streets in the hilly city.

As early as 7a.m on the fateful day, people from all walks of life had started trooping to the venue to get a vantage position to sit.

Despite the erection of four pavilions at the venue, many people could not secure seats and they resorted to hanging at any available space. The final alternative was for part of the crowd to find their way to the VIP pavilion.

Signs of collapse: Before the arrival of the dignitaries, cultural dancers, political vendors and musicians were already at the venue entertaining the crowd.

Feelers from some early arrivals seated at the VIP pavilion indicated that each time the musicians were performing on the podium, the pavilion shook

•Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu (third left); his wife, Jummai, and others, during a visit to the hopital where victims of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) rally accident were being treated in Minna last Saturday. completely when he was harassed by some of the dignitaries on the high table.

Most of the dignitaries from the different zones came almost at the same time. It was over one hour behind schedule and the event took off with a word of prayers after which the coordinator of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, (TAN) Chief Udenta Udenta addressed the mammoth crowd where he reeled out the various achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan.

President, Nigerian Association of the blind, Niger state, Isah

,

Feelers from some early arrivals seated at the VIP pavilion indicated that each time the musicians were performing on the podium, the pavilion shook seriously

seriously but it was not enough to cause panic for those already seated.

At a point, a portion of the pavilion at the back gave way with few people collapsing with the scaffold. This should have been a warning signal to those seated but one of the contractors that erected the pavilion who rushed to the spot assured them of safety.

Vanguard reliably gathered that one of the security agents who was concerned about the unfolding event and the possible damage the collapse of the pavilion might cause had to persuade some people to vacate the pavilion at least to decongest the arena before the arrival of other people.

Nobody seemed to co-operate or comply and he left the area

,

Umar took his turn at the podium and while addressing the gathering, a loud noise came from the pavilion where the VIPs were seated.

The noise was so terrifying just as the pavilion started collapsing from the back and with those seated there sinking along with the steel metals to the ground which is about 12ft high.

Many were trapped half way while some landed straight on the floor. Some were eventually rescued while still dangling half way by good Samaritans and security agents that summoned up courage to stay behind after the collapse of the pavilion.

Many of those at the other pavilions and even those standing at different locations around the Trade fair Complex took to their heels, running for

safety.

Within a twinkling of an eye, the important dignitaries especially at the front roll had disappeared out of the danger zone.

The dignitaries at the VIP pavilion included the Niger state governor, Dr. Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu; his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto; Deputy Governor, Sokoto state Alhaji Muktar Shehu Shagari; and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

Ministers seated at the stand included that of Information, Labaran Maku; Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ockepe; Minister of state Federal Capital Territory, Chief Olajumoke Akinjide; Agriculture, Hajiya Asmau Asabe Ahmed and former Minister of state, Power, Hajiya Zainab Kuchi.

Takeoff of the event Similarly, former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, Senators Philip Adudu, Barnabas Gemade and Zainab Kure, newly elected Senator in Niger state, Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu and his wife Comfort Nuhu, PDP BoT member, Bola Shagaya, D.G. NAFDAC, Paul Orhii among others were also present.

The incident happened less than 10 minutes after the takeoff of the event and the collapse of the pavilion led to a stampede as people ran for safety and thus bringing the rally to an abrupt end. However, few minutes later, the personalities resurfaced after rescue operations of those trapped and injured had been

completed.

Resumption of rally: The rally eventually resumed with most of the dignitaries in attendance. It was a courage summoned up by the big wigs to convince Nigerians that all was well at the rally.

Addressing the rally, the host governor and Chairman Northern state Governors Forum, Dr. Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu called on the people not to panic pointing out that the incident was a sign of victory for President Jonathan at the 2015 polls.

He said though the country especially parts of the North are passing through some challenges, he assured that these challenges especially insecurity would soon be over.

He said he was satisfied with the way President Jonathan was handling the security situation and therefore called on all Nigerians to join hands with the president to fight the common enemy to a stand still because “security is not only the responsibility of the government; it is the responsibility of all Nigerians."

Senator Anyim in his address said he had come in his personal capacity to receive the register containing the signatories of people from the zone who are in support of President Jonathan contesting next year’s election.

He said so far, over two million signatures have been collected at the North Central zonal rally for the president to contest the 2015 presidential election.

A breakdown according to him shows that Niger had 310,767 signatures, Plateau, 308,610 Benue, 103,6941, FCT, 101,377, Kogi, 100,948, Kwara, 101,060,

Nasarawa, 100,429.

Health condition of the governor's wife Wife of the Niger state governor, Hajiya Jummai Aliyu was part of the dignitaries seated at the front seat of the pavilion before it collapsed. The panic experienced due to the sudden collapse shocked many of them including the first lady.

While reports spread that she was seriously injured, she was seen with her husband, Dr. Aliyu few hours after the incident visiting some injured victims at some hospitals in Minna.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Israel Ebije in a press statement said the wife of the governor was not in any way injured.

“My wife is unhurt I read in some Newspapers that my wife was “badly injured” and I wonder where all that was coming from.

Let me therefore make it categorically clear that she was not injured. After the rally, we were together to visit victims at the Hospital,” governor Aliyu declared through his press secretary.

Expertise and experience He said the clarification became necessary in order to tell Nigerians the true position of his wife’s health on account of several calls across the country by well wishers who were demanding to know how she was faring.

The governor explained that no death was recoded. He also defended the organizers of the rally (TAN) over the collapsed pavilion saying, “despite the expertise and experience, some incidents cannot be avoided and from all indications, the scaffold might have yielded to weight on account of the surging crowd.”

After the incident, 28 causalities were rushed to different hospitals ;13 were rushed to the IBB specialist Hospital Minna, 11 to General Hospital, Minna, three to Bay Clinic Private Hospital and one to Top Medical Hospital.

Besides, 11 others who sustained serious injuries were said to have been rushed to the National Hospital, Abuja but were later transferred to an Indian private Hospital for more intensive care.

Governor Aliyu, his wife and other top government functionaries visited the casualties at the hospitals shortly after the rally to commiserate with them. He promised that government will pick their medical bills.

30—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

•Tony Benson

By AYO ONIKOYI and KEHINDE AJOSE

C

AN we know a bit about you?

By next January, I will be sixty seven. I started on stage at the age of four playing the drum-set. My dad, late Bobby Benson taught me how to play the drums, and other instruments, including percussion, keyboard and I also managed a band.

What actually inspired you to go into music?

When you grew up with something, you hardly have to be inspired. Music has always been part of my psyche and person. Even before I had the chance, it was all I wanted to do. Music became a part of my life at a tender age and from there it grew into what it is today.

How did you become a oneman band?

I am Nigeria’s sexiest man, Benson Okonkwo boasts C M Y K

Tony Benson, son of late music legend Bobby Benson, is pushing 67, at least that may in part explain why he isn’t so much known in this generation of hip-hop music. When you listen to his brand of music your first impression is that he is a jazz musician. Then you listen harder, you aren’t so sure again. You get a feeling its high-life, blues, Latin or even opera. And when he starts singing, you simply have to give up.

Like he told us; “You have to listen to my music to decide for yourself the genre of music I do”. All songs from his latest 15-track album were composed from 1963 to date and recorded live on stage. Most of the songs are tributes, to his late father, Bobby Benson, late Sir Steve Rhodes and many others. Weekend Groove had an interesting afternoon with the affable one-man band. Excerpts: When I had my band, I was the highest paid band leader, but the advent of Juju music ended all that. Then, musicians depended on commissions from what people gave them at parties. They weren’t getting salaries, they were only getting commissions on each performance. That drew the musicians away from the main band and the churches also drew some away.

I had left music several times and came back each time to it.

I didn’t have enough

resources so I had to work a way out. I have also been held to ransom like three to four times outside the country by some musicians who travelled with me. Most times they wanted to walk away. So I ended up being with my dad.

Gradually, I started this oneman compose, that had this keyboard accompaniment and rhythm equipment. That is how it generated into what it is today.

As a one-man band, how many instruments do you

incorporate into your music?

I can’t really count. I use equipment called MIDI in telecommunications language.

It is called Musical Instrument Digital Interface and it can interface up to fourteen equipments. You synchronize them and programme them.

What you programme starts to play in time with what you have set with your MIDI. Do you play the entire instrument as a one-man band?

While it’s playing I can take

Doing something new was a bit scary,

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ICT: Hero or Villian?

solo on each of the instrument.

So during a live performance, I don’t have to break for anything, all I need to do is to make the proper connection and it sometimes takes up to four hours to set up. If the music stops during the performance, it means you have messed up the party. I do all my packing, settings, wire checks and connections.

When you have a show, do you still do all these things all by yourself?

I have people who can help me pack and convey, but when it gets to setting, I have to connect and link up by myself.

I leave early for any show, three to four hours in advance.

For instance, if I have a show for let’s say, four o’clock, I will leave by 10am in the morning.

I play for the average of 4 to 6 hours and I have played for nine hours non- stop.

What instrument do you Continues on page 31

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014—31

I don’t listen to what I can’t gain from Continues from page 30 really play?

I started by playing the jazz drum popularly known as drum-set, then with congas, keyboards and the gramophones. When I started playing the keyboard, I was taught to use footbase pedals but I have forgotten all that now. If you go to most churches, you will see an array of wooden things on the floor, they look like sticks, but they are actually musical notes for the bass part of the music.

Do you do only jazz music?

You see, because of the nature of our business back then, we could not afford to play only one form of music. We had different nationals and all sorts of people coming to the club, it was impossible to appeal to all of them by playing one form of music.

When I was very young my father had a lot of gramophone records which I listened to. The kind of people who came to the club made us not able to play one form of music. That is why we play a bit of this and that.

Do you have any classification for your music?

I can’t afford to have a classification for my music, it’s just like someone who has a restaurant, a ‘Mama put’ and you say you want to cook only eba and amala. You can’t afford to make only one form of delicacy. I cannot be pegged into any genre of music, because I play a bit of jazz and high life, I play Latin, blues and I also sing.

How do you see the Nigerian music scene right now?

The Nigerian music scene right now is evolving and evolution is continuous.

I have to praise the young artistes of this generation, they are only working with what they have and what they know. You cannot blame them. The musicians now are very energetic, they are not lazy. It’s what they know that they are working with. They cannot do otherwise.

Very big buying audience The saving grace is that we have a very big buying audience in this country. If Nigeria were as small as Cotonou, they would have to think twice about the kind of music they make.

It is notable that most of today’s musicians cannot perform live….

As I said earlier, it’s not their fault.

Please, I am not making excuses for them, it’s not their fault. You know, I tried long ago but I failed, I wanted to open a music academy for the performing arts to learn how to dance; you pay your money and start dancing immediately.

You don’t have to own a school certificate. Here, they tell you to bring your school certificate and all of that.

It discourages them .It’s a standing factor to our music explosion. The talent is there and the energy is there, but there are too much encumbrances. Here, they would ask you if you have a school

leaving certificate.

Do you need a school leaving certificate to play in front of a live audience? So you don’t blame them, they are using what they have to get what they want. They dress fine, doing all kinds of gimmicks with ladies on stage.

Don’t you think their inability to play music instruments may be killing this same art of music?

It will not, it will only broaden it.

How would you compare the opportunities you had during your time to the opportunities the young artistes have in this generation, because more people are making more money in music presently than in those days?

In those days, music was looked at as something for drop-outs. Look at footballers today, they are millionaires.

Like I said,we are evolving to understand. I cannot blame them; it’s a function of what they know. Their scope is limited and they are making the best out of what they have.

If they want to impress you, all they do is sing a few lines, put beautiful girls and that will catch your attention.

The younger cadres are so many that if you want to belong you have to follow the crowd.

How do you see the acceptability of your own kind of music?

I don’t care. You see, I was taught to play good music. For instance, I once lived in Benin Republic and I discovered that the level of understanding of the average Benin Republic citizen is far higher than that of the average Nigerian. They are much more exposed to different genres of music than our people. I am doing this as a kind of testament that I came to this world and was able to accomplish this.

I have more materials that I haven’t even touched.

Are you saying you are not essentially doing music to make money?

Excuse me, when they tell you ‘Ori e foka sibe’ you can’t expect me to sing that at my age, with due respect to the young man who sang the song. We have conservatives, non- conservatives, conformists and the non-conformists, free thinkers, among many others.

People in movie industry People in the movie industry are the most fortunate because most of them studied drama in school. You can’t say that about the music industry even though it’s blossoming in its own way.

A guy came from America and was taught how to play the talking drum by Nasiru Akanni. Nasiru taught him how to play the talking drum and today he is making huge money from playing the talking drum.

•Tony Benson

I cannot be pegged into any genre of music, because I play a bit of jazz and high life, I play Latin, blues and I also sing Nasiru didn’t ask for his university degree before teaching him. As long as he is ready to pay his money, he will be taught. The white guy learnt how to play the talking drum in three months and he is a lecturer in some university in America. It’s like that.

How do you see the lyrical content of today’s music?

The lyrical content is a function of their limited scope and training. The other day, there was mass failure in WAEC. They lack that basic education and backing.As long as the basic backing is not there, you get garbage in, garbage out. That is just it. They say to themselves: ‘With or without you I will make it’ But these guys seem to be making more money than the people doing good music?

It’s simply because there are more of them around with the same background.

They speak the same language. This happens because they are in the majority. You cannot dampen evolution; you can only help reshape it. Our education is in shambles and because the parents have to go and hustle jobs to make ends meet, they really don’t have time for the home-front.

How do you see the evolution of the present day brand of music killing other genres of music?

Fuji pushed Juju out of the way and

something is pushing Juju out of the way too. High-life is still relevant because it’s conservative. What the majority understands is more or less Agidigbo based. Let’s call a spade a spade. When you fuse drums, Sekere and the gong, what you have is Agidigbo.

How do you see the future of music in this country going by this trend?

They will keep selling because they are in the majority. The youth market is huge, they are many and they will keep selling. They will bootleg and pirate.

The musician only thinks about what puts money into his pocket, he is thinking of today, he doesn’t wants to live forever. He is not thinking of ten years time, only of what he can do now to make money, buy nice phones and a good car.

Most of the songs on your album are tributes, like Madiba?

I composed that in 1999, someone tried to hijack it. I won’t mention his name and he murdered the song .I couldn’t get the song out, because I didn’t have enough resources.

Is the whole of this album only about tributes?

That is what life is about. No one succeeds without others. So it’s good to give honour to whom it’s due.

If you had to pick five musicians in Nigeria today who will they be?

It depends on what they do .For lyrics I will pick Adeolu Okutegbe .He has very sound lyrics with deep content.

I mean the new generation musicians?

I don’t listen to what I cannot gain something from, musically or otherwise.

This Skelewu song, I like the music and I was almost tempted to fuse it in one of my songs, but the song I wanted to fuse it with was done in 1963. People will misunderstand the rhythm and think I am trying to copy his, so I decided to leave it as it is. It’s called Agolo Tincan which everybody calls Scavan. The song was composed when I was in form two.

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

I am Nigeria’s sexiest man, Benson Okonkwo boasts C Meeting KSA will be a dream come true — Prince Adesegun

BY IYABO AINA

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IGERIAN fast- rising Juju cum gos pel musician, Prince Adesegun Mojeed Bakare, is set to storm the music scene with his music talent. The handsome dude who is a Business Studies graduate from Lagos State Polytechnic told WG that his ability to handle different musical instrument is what will stand him out in the highly populated music scene.

The singer who had travelled to countries like Ghana, United Arab Emirate (U.A.E), South Africa among others to entertain people, said his biggest dream now is to meet King of World Beat, King Sunny Ade, one on one. “It will be a dream come true for me the day I will meet Sunny Ade face to face. In fact that has always been my dream ever since I started singing as a teenager”.

Although he believes all musicians are the same, but says there is something about him that is different.

ONTROVERSIAL and down-to-earth Nollywood actor, Benson Okonkwo has bagged another sexiest man award after winning the first runner-up prize of the Vanguard’s Sexiest in Nollywood 2013. The One Dollar star who is fondly called Mr Packaging by fans, took the Karis Award crown after beating fellow actors; Ken Erics, Muna Obiekwe and Walter Anga.

The actor who spoke with Weekend Groove after clinching the crown said more awards will come his way.

“Well, it’s not a new thing. I have always been sexy and I know it. I started modelling before acting. I started modelling at the age of 16. I have always been admired by the public and that’s what makes me stand out. The confidence I have today is from my being sexy and I have a lovely and beautiful mum that I look like, so I got the beauty from her.

Even when I was in school, I have always won awards for being the sexiest. So this is something I am used to.

I have also won a prize as Vanguard’s sexiest actor. And now Karis Media sexiest actor and more awards will come. Because to me, if I am to say it and I will say it again; I am Nigeria’s sexiest man”. The sexiest actor contest organised by Karis Media was a concept of Vanguard newspaper and it started in 2008 with Jim Iyke and Genevieve Nnaji winning in the male and female categories respectively.

Uti Nwachukwu love-struck on reality TV show I T’S nice to see attention shift focus from contestants every once in a while on TV shows, as was the case on last weekend’s episode of Star the Winner Is with Uti Nwa-

*Uti blowing Dunnie a kiss after receiving a rose

chukwu getting some love from one of the female contestants.

Handing him a red rose, sassy looking Dunnie Lawal, a 22-yearold contestant made Uti Nwachukwu grin from ear to ear while she sang Asa’s Be My Man to his thrill.

Dapper looking as always, Uti, host of the show, did not hide his excitement as he even teased the 101-jury members of his lovely red rose, which he had just received.

We are not certain that Uti will become Dunnie’s man just yet, but the wide grin on Uti’s face will not be forgotten very soon.

Baseline Music is home, I am excited about my next steps, says Aramide

By KEHINDE AJOSE

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ASELINE Music is fast becoming home to Nigeria’s finest entertainers.

Quintessential musician Aramide last week became the newest artiste to sign under the music label which is also home to sensational pop artiste like Saeon, multi talented musician Skales, and producer Mr. Chido. Her remix of Davido’s Ekuro became her claim to fame and made her a bonafide performer.

Confirming the news, Howie T, head honcho at Baseline Music says ‘Aramide has great potentials. With her unique voice and talents, she has what it takes to bloom and expand in this industry.

With her exceptional fusion of Afro beat and soul music, she can surpass anything.’

Aramide on her part too has all but praise for the label. “Baseline Music is home, we are able to bounce ideas and share creative opinions about where the Aramide brand is and where we are going. I am excited about my next steps” Aramide said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014—33 With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

ICT: Hero or Villian?

By PAUL IKUFORIJI

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T goes without saying that advancements in modern technology have helped countries develop and broaden their communication networks, enabling faster and easier networking as well as information exchange. Currently, there are almost about two billion internet users and over five billion mobile phone connections worldwide.

Every day, 294 billion emails and five billion phone messages are exchanged among friends, family members, business partners and even complete strangers. Social media is a worldwide phenomenon in itself; the number of people on facebook and twitter combined are more than the population of some large countries.

The increasing popularity and convenience of digital networks, however, comes at a cost.

Regardless of its cutting edge advantages, Information and Communication Technology, ICT can be described as a two-sided coin because of its attendant challenges.

Over the years, cyber crimes and digital attack incidents have increased around the world.

These attacks are generally classified as any crime that involves the use of computer network such as financial/fraud scams, computer hacking, virus attacks.

The first major report of cyber crime was in 2000, when a massmailed computer virus affected nearly 45 million computer users worldwide.

Over the past few years, the global cyber crime landscape has changed dramatically, with criminals employing the use of more sophisticated technology and greater knowledge of cyber security.

Until recently, internet fraud, spam emails, hacking into corporate sites and other attacks of this nature were mostly the work of computer ‘geniuses’ showcasing their talent.

These attacks, which were rarely injurious, have gradually evolved into cyber criminal acts siphoning off money through illegal cyber channels.

Due to this fact, these criminals have rendered so many people bankrupt. But sadly, the price sometimes is paid in blood. From the release of disturbing videos of the missing Chibok girls by Boko Haram, to the gruesome beheading of two American journalists by ISIS recently, it is obvious that terrorism in Nigeria and beyond, is very much facilitated by technology.

According to Terrorism Research, ‘Terrorists have been quick to use new technologies, and adapt existing ones to their uses.”

On one hand, ICT helps develop the economy; on the other hand, it can be used to defraud businesses, individuals and even Government organizations. On one hand, it opens up a whole new world to the security of lives and property.

On the other, it could be used to destroy the very people it helps save.

Understanding the complexities of modern day television W

HILE technology is intended to make our lives simpler, anyone who has gone shopping for a new television will tell you that the abundance of choices available can make choosing the right TV almost impossible. The television market changes extremely rapidly, and it can be difficult for the everyday consumer to stay abreast of all the new lingo and acronyms being used to describe what were once fairly straightforward machines.

At the moment, the lion’s share of the television market today still belongs to LED LCD TVs. These use light-emitting diodes to light up the LCD screen and offer the widest array of price points, sizes and features. LCD TVs still exhibit imperfections when displaying rapid motion, as in sports, and because of the nature of the technology, the color black is represented by dark grey.

Promised for several years and now finally making inroads into

the large-screen TV market are OLED sets. Using organic light-emitting diodes, OLED sets can light up each picture element individually, without the need for the separate light source that LCDs require. This translates into a much brighter, more colorful picture. And because OLED TVs don’t require backlighting, they can be made much thinner, as well.

•OLED screens

LG’s acquisition of WebOS will also be a crucial differentiator. Like perhaps no other line of TVs being made today, OLED screens possess an instant “Wow” factor that creates a powerful first impression on consumers. Made with flexible materials, OLED screens allow for TVs to sport a slight concave curve, leading to a more immersive viewing experience.

•Samsung’s curved ultra HD TV

Samsung strengthens retail presence in Nigeria

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AMSUNG Electronics West Africa, in partnership with accredited local partners, has begun a massive roll out of Samsung brand stores across the country.

According to Samsung, the retail expansion drive is designed to provide Nigerians with an exciting avenue to interact with Samsung’s full range of audio visual solutions and an extensive range of premium household appliances in one easily-accessible location, whilst creating widespread destinations where consumers can experience firsthand Samsung’s extensive product ecosystem and receive personalised service from trained sales consultants. Director of Consumer Electronics at Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Sunil Kumar, described the move as a confirmation of Samsung’s effort to make connected lifestyle products and solutions more accessible, and to offer the most consumercentric engagement in a retail environment.

“Over the years, Samsung has made strong in-roads with its consumers in Nigeria. We consider the country as a key entry point into Africa. With the growing importance of the region as a primary world market for our premium consumer electronics, maintaining a strong top-of-mind position in Nigeria holds considerable importance for us from a business perspective. Our ongoing expansion drive in the country marks our commitment to delivering excellent products and services to our consumers. We see bright prospects for Nigeria’s future economically, and we expect consumer sentiment to remain positive and indeed move from strength to strength. We believe that this is the right time to expand our footprint across the retail space," he said.

Kumar added that Samsung is focusing on adding more retail hubs to the company ’s more than 90 brand shops nationwide to create more convenient buying experiences for consumers.

Samsung’s ongoing retail expansion comes on the heels of the company's unveiling of premium products including the new curved and ultra-high-definition televisions and the WW9000 washing machine, both of which are on display at the stores.

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Lions district 404B.2 urges women to assist the needy L

IONS Club District 404B.2 has installed Alhaji Abdul Ganiyu Abiodun Adedeji as its pioneer governor. Also, women all over the nation are advised to continue humanitarian efforts in order to reduce the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Adedeji gave the advice at the installation of his cabinet officers/fund raising, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

He affirmed that Lions was ready to assist in the fight against ebola, being the largest service club organisation in the world with more than 1.35 million members in 46,000 clubs worldwide.

Dignitaries at the event included Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, represented by Dr. Jemilade Longe, former Inspector General of Police Alhaji Musiliu Smith, former Lagos governor Alhaji Lateef Jakande, former Punch Chairman, Chief Ajibola Ogunsola, Oba Saheed Elegushi and Prince Alaba Oniru and others.

Adediji joined the Lions Club of Nigeria in 1986 and served in various capacities in the last 28 years. But hard work, commitment and dedication to a noble cause

paid off for him when he was installed as pioneer District Governor 404B2.

According to him: “In this Lions year and in a new district, we intend to consolidate on the worthy legacies of our heroes past, both living and gone and lay a solid foundation for our new district that would become pride of our future. To this end, the district has concluded arrangements to procure and donate dialysis machines and accessories to some tertiary hospitals within the district.

“Several others project and activities

to support diabetes patients, provision of portable water, support to special schools, hospices and other charity homes will be added. I believe with the support and partnership of kind hearted Nigerians, we will overcome the challenges and together put smiles on the faces of our people by raising an estimated sum of N120 million.

“The level of energy and effectiveness of clubs and district officers depend on the availability of new leaders who are well trained and prepared for their leadership positions and roles. Our theme for the year Our Legacy, Our Pride speaks volumes of our resolve to take pride speaks volumes to take pride in worthy and enviable legacies of our living heroes who have done well to lay foundation upon which we intend to leave for the next generation”.

ADWEF, SEPLAT empower 300 widows in Lagos business, while those at the verge of starting a business or sent on vocational courses would be empowered.

The vision of the foundation is to see the total liberation of widows from the ugly norms of deprivation of inheritance and abuse of human rights to a place where they are encouraged, nurtured to discover and utilize their hidden entrepreneurial skills by becoming contributors to their communitys’ development as employers of labor.

“Some of the foundation’s roles are: to cooperate with existing NGOs to educate men on the need to write their wills early in life and also to make their wives their next of kin in all insurance, employment and banking documents in order to ease accessibility of funds in instances of their deaths.”

BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIAAGBONKHESE

A

dvocacy for Widows Empowerment Foundation, ADWEF, in partnership with Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc., has equipped no fewer than 300 widows with work tools in Lagos.

The effort, Lipstick gathered, was in line with ADWEF’s empowerment agenda already being executed in various parts of the country through the distribution of work tools for occupational enhancement.

At the recent ceremony in Lagos, various work equipment such as sewing machines, hair dryers, grinding machines, power generator sets and others tools worth hundreds of thousands were handed over to widows, to boost their vocations.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Chinwe Nwachukwu, General Manager, External Communications, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc., said the company was supporting widows so they could go through widowhood with ease.

“Whatever you receive, make sure you use judiciously. We are trying to touch lives from the money Seplat makes from drilling and selling oil”, she told the widows.

Explaining why the company decided to touch the lives of widows even outside its Niger Delta base, she said: “This is due to the worthiness of the programme.

We are still targeting more parts of the country for this project.”

According to Willie Workman-Oga, Founder, ADWEF, the aim of the annual project was to help widows manage their businesses properly so as to contribute meaningfully to the upkeep of their families.

Workman-Oga said: “It is the intension of ADWEF to contribute positively to the lives of widows while aligning with government agencies, traditional rulers and other international organizations who have passion for widows’ empowerment.

“ADWEF desires to help widows who already have businesses upgrade their

It is the intention of ADWEF to contribute positively to the lives of widows while aligning with government agencies

Over 558 youths benefit from free ICT training A lso, the free monthly Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Training Program, has reached a total of 558 youths since its inception in 2011.

The training centre which is situated in Magodo, Lagos, recently graduated the 13th and 14th batch of the exercise in grand style.

According to Ashafa, the initiative constituted a part of his vision for the senatorial district during his campaign back in 2011.

“It is pertinent to point out here that there are 33 youths graduating today and they constitute a fair representation of the communities across Lagos East senatorial district. This number is in addition to the 525 youths from the past 12 batches.

Consequently, by the end of today, we would have graduated a total of 558 youths, with 36 of them going home with brand new computer

systems and printers”, he said .

“It is instructive to note that feedback from past graduands indicate that our efforts have not been a waste. We can only advise that those of you graduating today should also make the best use of the training you have received here.

“Let me assure you that having been part of the training exercise, the benefits are beyond mere participation. You are now part and parcel of the family.” At the end of the programme, the top three students that performed excellently ýwell in each batch were rewarded with brand new computer systems and printers. These include: from batch 13- Miss Atumofe Hapiness (Ikosi - Isheri LCDA) , Miss Arawomo Itunu (Somolu LG) and Mr Bashiru Sulaiman ( Ikosi - Isheri LCDA) . From batch 14 are Miss Lawal Yetunde (Kosofe LG) , Miss Adeolu Abiodun (Agboyi-Ketu LCDA) and Mr Otelaja Adebayo (Agboyi-Ketu LCDA).

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 —

35

Women, youths, others, all smile as Senator Ashafa showers mega empowerment items

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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Lagos first class traditional ruler in Lagos, the Alara of Ilara, Oba Akeem Adesanya, has commended Senator Gbenga Ashafa, currently, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, for his frequent philanthropic gestures towards the people of the senatorial district .The Alara made this known during another Mega Empowerment Programme sponsored by the lawmaker at Epe Local Government Secretariat recently.

The monarch who described Ashafa as the true son of the soil from the Epe axis, 80’s Comeback s h o w e r e d *Puffy-sleeved encomiums on him blouses as one of the * Leather outstanding leaders *Jumpsuits the district had ever produced in the political history of the area.

In February 2013, Senator Ashafa had inaugurated a weekly general empowerment programme as part of contributing his quota to the alleviation of poverty and unemployment within his primary constituency.

All his 76 constituency projects are being felt across the length and breadth of the district. As a first term senator, he has proved all doubting “Thomases” wrong, especially with his recent Mega Empowerment Programme which he started at Ibeju-Lekki, and Epe. According to the lawmaker, he is ever committed to the warfare of his people.

Alara speaking in Epe: “There is no gainsaying the fact that Senator Ashafa has done wonderfully well within his three years in the senate.

“I was told that this same mega empowerment programme will soon be extended to Kosofe and Ikorodu Local Government Areas. All these truly indicate that he is the masses’ choice when it comes to delivering the dividends of democracy in fulfilling his campaign promises back then in 2011ý.” He said

Campaign promises He continued “With over 2000 beneficiaries benefited in Epe empowerment programme, there is no doubtý that if he is given another responsibility greater than this, he would perform better.

The mega empowerment programme which had beneficiaries from Epe, Eredo and Ikosi-Ejinrin was witnessed by top politicians in Epe. Some of which include Chief Lanre Rasaq, Hon Joko Pelumi and Chief Wasiu Odeyemi among others.

Traditional rulers in the area too were not exempt.

Oba Olawale Ogunsanya, the Aladegunshenbi of Odoragushin, Oba Adekoya Odusanya, the Olofin

Ajaye of Orugbo- Iddo and HRM Orijeru of Igboye.

Ashafa, last week, extended his caring gesture to Somolu Local Government and Bariga Local Council Development Area respectively, where over 2000 party members benefited recently in Somolu at megaempowerment programme.

As early as 8am, members of the APC in Somolu/ Bariga began to throng the venue in their hundreds as they eagerly anticipated the arrival of the distinguished senator whom they had taken a big liking to for his renowned welfare-oriented programmes.

Just few weeks back, he sponsored a mega empowerment programme in Ibeju-Lekki where over 1000 party members benefited from Ibeju-Lekki and Lekki area.

The mega-empowerment programme at Somolu was a follow-up to the last edition which held on August 21, 2014 at Iberekodo Primary School, Ibeju-Lekki.

The atmosphere was charged with songs of support and solidarity as the senator commenced the free distribution of business grants, tools and equipment such as sewing machines and tailoring accessories, deep freezers and refrigerators, vulcanizing machines, hair dryers, welding machines, power generators, airtime vouchers, GSM phones, umbrella stands, chairs and tables among others.

Similar to that of Ibeju-Lekki programme, all the beneficiaries were filled with words of appreciation praises and prayers for the senator.

Donates buses to party leaders

In a bid to ease their burdens in terms of transportation whilst carrying out party-related activities, Ashafa last Thursday, handed over two 18-seater buses to the Youth and Women Leaders of APC in the district ý.

The handing over which took place at Encounter House, Magodo ýwas witnessed by all the obviously, appreciative Youths and Women Leaders across the 5 Local Governments and 11 Local Council Development Areas of the Word can not district. express my According to the lawmaker, because the difficulties faced by profound both the youths and women gratitude to leaders in the district while discharging their leadership roles this great man is quite unbearable, it was high of passion. I time something tangible ýwas about it. have gained so done The senator who gave the leaders stipends for the much through maintenance of the buses also this initiative advised the Leaders to use the he provided for buses judiciously for the progress of the party always. us Itunu, one of the ICT beneficiaries, was full of praises for Ashafa, saying, “Word can not express my profound gratitude to this great man of passion. I have gained so much through this initiative he provided for us, the youths because we are the leaders of today and not tomorrow.”

36 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 — 37

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

South Africa postpones new visa regulations

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A tourist taking a dive into the Ethiope river at the Abraka turf club

Abraka turf club, the diamond in Delta

By JIMOH BABATUNDE

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HAT comes to the mind of many when the name, Abraka is mentioned is the University town in Delta, but there is a diamond that lies in the town that many have not explored.

That diamond is the Abraka Turf and Country Club, a private club that has been created to function at the highest levels of luxury and guest satisfaction.

Abraka Turf and Country Club has taken on a leading role in the nation’s leisure and catering industry, and prides itself on its ability to deliver exquisite services.

From anywhere in the university town, the residents can easily direct one to the turf. For a first timer at the resort, the entrance does not reflect what lies ahead, but the beauty opens up as one maneuvers through the entrance to the large expansive green of well-manicured lawn that stretches as far as one’s eyes could take in.

Dotted on the lawn are buildings for accommodation and other activities.

Overwhelming hue of green Okorie Uguru on visiting the turf said “The first thing that hits one on entering Abraka Turf and Country Club is the overwhelming hue of green.”

He added that a vast stretch of expansive well-manicured land bursts into one’s vision as one heads for the reception area of the resort. “Green, the colour of nature, has the effect of giving the feeling of calmness and tranquility. That is what Abraka Turf and Country Club offers.”

The resort is eco-friendly as one can breathe in clean and unpolluted air as the green environment makes one close to nature. Tourists can enjoy hot sun, cool blue pool; clear emerald green river, natural greens and a C M Y K

outh African’s Home Affairs department has announced the postponement of the planned implementation of the requirement for children under the age of 18 to present an unabridged birth certificate when applying for visas.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, who disclosed this in a media parley, also disclosed that the written permission required for children travelling with a parent has also been postponed till June next year.

Gigaba explained that the requirement that people apply for visas in person will stay in place and there is no postponement for this requirement, adding that this requirement was not unique to South Africa and was required of visitors by other countries.

Under the new regulations, people travelling to South Africa on a visa are required to apply for the visa in person. Parents travelling with children under the age of 18 are required to produce an unabridged birth certificate for each child.

In the case where only one parent is travelling with the child(ren), consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent registered is required.

Alternatively, either a court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or a death certificate of the other parent must be produced.

The regulations also require that people apply in person for visas to allow for biometric intake.

Minister Gigaba suggested last week that this regulation was already in place and called on missions abroad to start implementing this requirement.

He emphasised that, since the regulations were announced, the department had made it clear that it was open to engagement. He thanked industry representatives who had engaged the department on new regulations.

Savannah adventure of a lifetime However, from the Ethiope River on a quintessential multi-sport apart being a source of pure drinking odyssey in Delta’s paradise. water to the villages that the river On the lawn are horses that flows through, is also known to have lazily graze on the grass. Looking its source from Umuaja flowing a little further is a dense mangrove though Umutu, Abraka and finally forest that reminds one that one emptying into the Atlantic ocean. was in the Niger Delta.

Although the club is open to the The resort includes perfect villas, public, facilities at the club could chalets, and caters to high-end also be enjoyed by being a member clientele that includes families, of the Abraka Turf Club. The club vacation seekers, campers, as well members and their family members as corporate groups. enjoy memorable and serene Abraka Turf and Country Club is holidays in the luxury villas and fully equipped with state of the art chalets. facilities and the outdoor activities As a corporate member, all club include golf, tennis, canoeing, facilities are at one’s disposal. Other kayaking, polo, horseback riding, facilities at the turf club include afishing and deep river diving. state-of-the-art conference centre Fishing and deep river can be that can comfortably seat 75 people. done at the River Ethiope that There are facilities for personal cascade through the resort. What computers, laptops and take-away strikes one first about River memory sticks. The turf has Ethiope is the unnatural purity of equestrian facilities for polo and the water. At most of the points horse riding and has the best stables where the river flows across one in the country with various breeds could from the river bank see the of horses, ranging from local to bottom of the water. argentines.

In fact this has even given some people a false sense of shallowness of the river to their peril.

Fishes could be seen graduate course in the travel s w i m m i n g

By CALEB AYANSINA and tourism and hospitality enthusiastically in fields. the water but quickly Sheriff made the appeal at swim out of reach on Director in the National the handing over ceremony to noticing human Institute for Hospitality the newly appointed Director presence. and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), General of the institute, Mrs River Ethiope is Alh. Abdul Maji Sheriff, has Chika Balogun, in Abuja one of the most called for proper funding of recently. popular rivers in the institute to enable it fulfill He noted that the challenge Delta State. This has its mandates. of inadequate funding faced to do with the fact NIHOTOUR was created to by the institute had denied that as the water provide improved and quality staff of getting proper capacity traversed through service in the hospitality and building to be able to perform villages, towns and tourism industry by optimally. cities in Delta before introducing professional, Sheriff explained that this emptying into the technical and specialised had been preventing the Atlantic Ocean. training as well as postinstitute from getting training

NIHOTOUR decries lack of funding … Gets new DG

A

hotel which is germane to the realization of their mandates. “ Working on paper as we used to do cannot move us forward as workers need to be practically trained rather than on paper. We have tried to have our own training hotel but money released to us was too small to the extent that we have to return it,” Sheriff said.

In her remarks, Mrs Balogun said she believed in team work and with the cooperation of management and staff, they would overcome challenges.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014—39

DTHA 2015: Okere-Urhobos okay Opuoru

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Okumagba, while receiving Mr. Opuoru and his supporters at his private residence in Warri, said “I know Mathew well enough as rugged and firm but he fights like jackals, which means he can fight for the rights of his people.”

Admonishing him to keep a straight face in his 2015 aspiration, Okumagba noted that the people no longer want the era, where everybody will be bought with money and denied their rights.

Pa. Churchill Oki, former Supervisor for Youths, Sports and Culture in Warri South council, Mr. Festus Okoloko, Okumagba Ward II Women Leader, Divine Iniovosa and an elder in

Agbarha, Warri who prefers anonymity, all described Mr. Opuoru’s aspiration to the Warri South Constituency II seat in 2015 as their project, which must be vigorously pursued, adding that it was the turn of OkereUrhobo to produce the Warri South Constituency II representative since Agbarha Warri has had three terms since 2003.

Receiving Opuoru and his supporters at the Okumagba Ward I headquarters, the PDP Ward Chairman, Mr. Femi Okumagba, described the governor’s aide as one who has worked a lot with them, adding that his intention was good, as “he is a moving train.”

Aspirant advocates increase of lawmakers in Edo legislature

EBOLA: TAN lauds FG, Nigerians for success

AN Edo State House of Assembly aspirant, seeking to represent Oredo West constituency and a member of All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Raymond Enogieru , has called for the increase in the number of lawmakers in the state Assembly, blaming the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the Federal Government for deliberately breaching the 1999 constitution as amended.

Enogieru, who announced his aspiration to represent the Oredo West constituency, yesterday, in Benin city, said there was urgent need to increase the number of legislators at the state Assembly, which has so far not reflected the provisions of the

T

lkate Baptists celebrate

ARRI — PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, leaders in Okumagba Wards I and II as well as some other Urhobo stakeholders in Warri South Local Government Area in Delta State have supported the 2015 House of Assembly aspiration of Special Assistant to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on Special Duties, Mr. Mathew Opuoru.

They described his aspiration as their project, which must be pursued to logical conclusion.

Scion of the Okumagba dynasty and PDP leader in Warri South council, Chief Emmanuel

R A N S F O R M AT I O N Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, a non-governmental organization, has commended the Federal Government for its successful battle against the deadly Ebola Virus Disease.

The group said the collective efforts have yielded tremendous results.

TAN said in a statement in Abuja, that after a critical assessment of the Ebola situation in the country and

what it described as concerted fight against it, it discovered that so far, the spread of the disease had been effectively curtailed with good preventive measures backed by a massive awareness campaign.

The statement said,“TAN is impressed that every effort made by some sections of the society to politicize the fight against the disease failed, as some wanted to use the news about possible spread of the

disease to disrupt day to day activities of the country for non justifiable reasons other than politics.”

TAN lauded efforts of the Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, and that of Lagos and Rivers states respectively and urged the citizens to maintain vigilance and collaboration with the appropriate quarters to ensure total eradication of the disease in the country.

I

KATE Baptist Church holds its golden anniversary from September 20, 2014 at 30, Nnobi Street, off Kilo Hotel, Surulere, Lagos.

A statement from the church said that on Tuesday, September 23, the church's Youth Reunion will feature a jubilee colloquium with Profs. Ponle, Osibajo and Sobowale as guest speakers while

constitution. He noted that whereas there are nine members in the House of Representatives from Edo State, members at the state House ought to have outnumbered the current 24 members to have a minimum of 27 elected members sitting at the state House of Assembly.

The aspirant, who cited sections 90 and 91 of 1999 constitution, as amended, stated “There shall be a House of Assembly for each of the states of the federation.

Subject to the provision of this constitution, a House of Assembly of a state shall consist of three or four times the number of seats which that state has in the House of Representatives divided in a way to reflect, as far as possible, nearly equal population.”

Archbishop Atilade, presiding bishop of Gospel Baptist Conference in Nigeria and Overseas will serve as the moderator.

It said that on September 27, the church will launch its N250m appeal fund to build Jubilee hall while a grand thanksgiving service will hold on Sunday, September 28.

40— VANGUARD,

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 HE dire consequences of violence and terrorism are taking its toll on Muslims. The erroneous link with Islam has made some Muslims to conceal the Islamic personality in them, while some have paid dearly for it. In a society like ours where misconceptions about Islam are the order of the day, where violence and terrorism have been perceived to be synonyms of Islam, Muslims face quite a lot of embarrassment as some of them battle with complex.

Most times and in public places, Muslims experience was proved. But thank God pejorative remarks or attitudes with the intervention of the from non-muslims. Recently, security operatives, the a beard young man, decked situation was brought under in flowing Islamic kaftan, with control where it was clear that traditional turban clutching to he was just another good a black polythene bag was Muslim. Thereafter, the recently called a Boko Haram deprecatory statement was by a co-passenger as they withdrawn and apology alighted from a bus in Berger tendered. area of Lagos. This Like it was written on this apparently upset this young page last week, Islam Muslim and he decided to shouldn’t be judged through assert his right. He held this

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Terrorism: Maintaining Islamic per sonality personality

Instead of making friends with the misguided people that could lead you to perdition, why not cultivate friendship with the righteous and treat others in a gracious and just manner, with your real identity as a Muslim

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co-passenger and demanded for a proof that made him a ‘Boko Haram’. Within a few seconds, a crowd had surged forward, curious to know the ‘Boko Haram’ and threatening to pounce on him. Sometimes, it pays to damn all consequences to assert your right! But what else could he have done at that particular time, to save his dear life? The young Muslim would have been battered before his innocence

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the negative practices of terrorists but according to the teachings of the Holy Quran and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad. (s.a.w) The very meaning of Islam is peace, security and giving a guarantee of protection against all forms of evils.

Sincerely, though, this element of Islamophobia is common with people mostly not informed about the teachings of Islam.

Without deviating from the topic, we know some Muslims are victims of terrorism and extremism perpetrated by some the so-called Muslims, but it is not enough to conceal your identity as a Muslim at any forum or public place no matter the indignation.

Thegood ones will show themselves just as there is no hiding place for the bad eggs.

Again, some parents out of sheer absence of Islamic culture which is manifesting itself in all aspects of our lives today, they disregard Islamic etiquette on dressing even to their children and wards.

They will not instil the consciousness of hijab on their children just because they don't want to be percieved as Boko Haram. It is not the look but the attitude that explains who you are. Some Muslim parents even shun good Islamic schools and prefer to educate their children in non-Islamic schools. Truly, there is nothing more painful than seeing our youth grow up in a non-Islamic environment leading, in some cases, to Muslim youths losing their Islamic identity, their values and even their Deen.

Friendship The fact remains that most of the deviant youths were brain-washed by their friends and acquaintances. The task of choosing the right friends

and companions is essential to preserving our identity.

Friendship with righteous and virtuous Muslims is one of the prerequisites for staying on the straight path and not becoming deviants to the society. As parents, we should not overlook who our children associate with so that they don't become victims of bad doctrine against the religion. Islam has given us a road map to navigate through our lives in order to succeed both in this world and the hereafter. We must always abide by the it in all aspects of our lives.

Parents' role Parents should always strive to promote in their kids the Islamic standards of dos and don't s as the natural reference point in their lives.

The most common mistake Muslim parents make is limiting their own roles in the family to only that of the provider which leads, in so many cases, to dysfunctional relationships with their teens as it leaves the youth vulnerable to the influences and pressures from their peers.

Islam bases ties and relations not on benefiting each other in worldly affairs but rather in our struggle for success in the hereafter by seeking the pleasure of Allah.

It recognizes the importance

of such relationships and has set guidelines for us to follow and how to maintain them.

That is why the Prophet said, "A person follows the Deen (way of life) of his close friend; therefore let each of you look carefully at whom he chooses for friends." [Tirmidhi] It has been narrated by alBukhari that the Prophet said, "If one of you loves his brother for Allah's sake, then let him tell him since it causes familiarity to endure and firmly establishes love." [Bukhari] The Prophet said: "Whoever would like to taste the sweetness of Iman (belief) then let him love a person only for Allah's sake." (Ahmad) Sharing of Love Love is exemplified by sharing of wealth with others.

This is greatly encouraged in Islam. It builds trust and closeness amongst people. It may be difficult for nonMuslims to grasp this principle especially when by the misconception of violence and terrorism is widespread.

Imam Bukhari narrated that the Prophet said, "None amongst you believes (truly) till one likes for his brother, that which he loves for his himself." [Bukhari] Giving gifts has also been recommended by the Prophet and he explained that it strengthens the relationship between people. Kindness to our friends, helping them in times of need and consoling them in times of grief should become our duties for everyone needs a shoulder to cry on and someone to share their joy. Instead of making friends with the misguided people that could lead you to perdition, why not cultivate friendship with the righteous and treat others in a gracious and just manner, with your real identity as a Muslim? That is the teaching of Prophet Muhammad. (s.a.W). Be proud of your religion no matter what others say.

Abuse of hajj status

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BY HARUNA RAZAQ

NE of the most valuable embodiments of Islam is Hajj.

When Allah ordered mankind to perform Hajj through Prophet Muhammad (SAW) about 1,427 years ago, it was with certain fundamental norms meant to guide humanity towards virtues. However, it is disheartening that many of the present Hujjaj from Nigeria lack qualities of a good Al-Hajj to the extent that some non-Muslim and misinformed Muslims thought that Hajj is meant for all and sundry judging by the category of people that bears the name (Al-Hajj) today, ranging from devoted Muslim to irreverent ones. Therefore, in order to emphasize that Hajj must be performed according to the practice of the Prophet (SAW) which is based on morality from the beginnings to the end of the exercise, it is pertinent to state that some are not qualified to embark on the journey for the rites by not performing the first four pillars of Islam properly. It is of note that many Hujjaj from Nigeria in recent time, lack the quality of sound Aqeedah (faith, doctrine, belief) heedless of the fact that faith is one of the conditions of the validity of deeds and its approval in Islam.

Also some lack what constitutes ability to perform Hajj such as good health, safety, enough money etc. Another ways through which some Nigerian abuses Hajj is by not making the necessary provisions for Hajj such as: consciousness and fearing of Allah in actions and speech; good intention; knowledge of how to perform Hajj and Umrah ritual through •A member of the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Sheik Iskeel Lawal, reading of books, attending seminars, familiar with all Hajj and Umrah aspects. during a sermon session with pilgrims Wednesday in city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014—41

AHMADIYY A JJAMAA AMAA T BRIEFS AHMADIYYA AMAAT More than 33,000 Ahmadis attend UK Jalsa Salana

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Echoes from Saudi:

Pilgrims free from contagious diseases — Saudi Govt •Says: Govt is alert

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O contagious diseases or quarantine cases have been reported among pilgrims, said acting Health Minister Adel Fakeih on Wednesday.

“The ministry has taken

precautionary measures to protect the guests of God,” he said, while expressing his optimism that this Hajj season would be free from infectious diseases.

Fakeih said the Ministry’s

EASING HARDSHIP: Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman (right), accompanied by Adnan Al-Mazroue, President of Taibah University, during an inspection tour on Haj services near the Prophet’s Mosque on Wednesday. (AN photos by Yousuf Mohammed)

Hajj pilgrims in Madinah to get top quality service

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ADINAH Governor, Prince Faisal bin Salman, chairman of the Madinah Haj Committee, Wednessday, opened the Bunyan 7 Exhibition entitled “Partnership in Haj Operations” south of the Prophet’s Mosque, to highlight the quality services available for pilgrims this year.

President of Taiba University Adnan Al-

Mazroue and other top officials were also present. The exhibition includes more than 40 government, private, charity and voluntary agencies.

After cutting a ribbon to open the event, the prince toured several pavilions and was briefed on the various direct and indirect services offered to pilgrims. Historical, cultural and heritage aspects of the pilgrimage were also showcased.

hospitals and other medical facilities in Makkah and other holy sites were ready to extend advanced health and first-aid services to pilgrims.

More than 600,000 pilgrims have already arrived from foreign countries to take part in the annual event, which is expected to officially begin on October 2.

Saudi Arabia has banned pilgrims from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, the three main Ebola-hit African countries, to prevent an outbreak of the disease in the Kingdom during the Hajj season.

Saudi health authorities will keep a close watch on arriving foreign pilgrims to make sure they are not carriers of contagious diseases.

The Kingdom has set up several modern hospitals in Makkah, Mina and Arafat to cope with potential cases.

Fakeih said the Health Ministry has mobilized all its human and material resources to provide the best possible services to the guests of God. He commended the ongoing coordination between the various government departments to serve the pilgrims as efficiently as possible.

We gathered that the Supreme Hajj Committee, which met in Riyadh recently, discussed arrangements for the largest gathering of Muslims, particularly the measures taken to combat the Ebola virus.

Ogun pilgrims urged to comply with rules

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ILGRIMS from Ogun State have been admonished to ensure strict compliance to all the rules and regulations guiding the Hajj exercise for it to be counted worthy of acceptance by Almighty Allah.

The Ogun State Amir-ulhajj for the 2014 hajj exercise, Imam Abdul-Qudri Junaid stated this while leading the third batch of pilgrims recently, to perform Sihara in the city of Madinah.

Imam Junaid noted that as representatives of the State,

all pilgrims must ensure strict compliance to all the rules and regulations guiding the Hajj exercise, noting that their welfare would be of utmost priority at all times.

He charged them to continuously pray for the success of the present administration under the leadership of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, in its drive towards rebuilding the State, and for the peace and development of Nigeria in general.

Various Holy Sites visited by the pilgrims included Mosque of the Holy Prophet Muhammad

(SAW) (Masji- al Nabawi Madinah Haram), (Musjidil-Cubba) the first Mosque of the Holy Prophet (SAW), Mount Jabalil-Hutt also known as Jabalitoro,( Mosjid-kiblahtain) the first direction to face while praying before the new location of the khabba, and Dharul-Sallam among others.

The last batch of Pilgrims’ from Ogun State are expected to join their counterparts arrive in Saudi Arabia before the end of the week.

HE 48th Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK concluded on Sunday 31st August 2014 with a faith inspiring address by the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad. This year more than 33,000 people attended the Jalsa Salana from 97 countries. Apart from the thousands of Ahmadi Muslims who attended, many non-Ahmadi and non-Muslim guests also came to attend the event.

One of the highlights of the Jalsa Salana was the pledge of allegiance, known as Bai’at that took place on Sunday afternoon where the participants pledged allegiance to Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad as the Khalifa (Caliph) of the Promised Messiah. The participants formed a human chain leading to the Khalifa as they repeated the words of the pledge in unison. Prior to the ceremony, His Holiness announced that more than 550,000 people had joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community during the past year.

In his concluding address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad spoke of how the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, who was the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi, came to re-establish the peaceful and original teachings of Islam. The Promised Messiah taught that God was One and that Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the final lawbearing Prophet who came with a universal teaching for all of mankind.

During the Jalsa Salana, His Holiness said that in today’s world many false allegations were levelled against the Islam and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). His Holiness said that all such allegations were completely false and that in reality the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) was a mercy for all of mankind who came to spread love and compassion for all people, for all times.

The Jalsa Salana concluded with a silent prayer led by His Holiness in which he asked the Ahmadi Muslims to pray for peace in the world and for the Muslim world to be rightly guided towards Islam’s original teachings and for all violence and cruelties to end.

His Holiness particularly prayed for the innocent victims of the recent war in Gaza. The Jalsa Salana took place at a 200 acre farm in Alton, Hampshire known as ‘Hadeeqatul Mahdi’.

Apart from the 5 addresses delivered by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, various other speakers and scholars took to the stage during the course of the 3 day event. Various exhibitions were also on display, including a photographic exhibition documenting the history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and a human rights exhibition.

Over 550,000 people join Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in past year

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HE World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered an annual report of the global activities and progress of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. His Holiness delivered the report during the second day of the 48th Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) taking place at Hadeeqatul Mahdi in Hampshire.

During his report, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad announced that more than 550,000 people had joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community during the past year.

He also announced that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was now established in 206 countries of the world and that during the past year Ahmadi Muslim communities had been established in Belize and Uruguay for the very first time.

His Holiness further announced that during the past year the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community had completed the translation of the Holy Quran into the Maori language and thus the Community had now translated the entire Quran into 72 languages.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that the progress of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was due to Help of Allah and indeed many people had been guided towards the truth of Ahmadiyyat Islam

by Allah the Almighty through dreams.

The annual report was the fourth address given by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad at this year’s Jalsa Salana which ended recently.

•Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

The Nigerian equation and the imperative of national ideology (5) This is the fifth part of this discourse. The fourth part was published last Wednesday

Oil: How AGIP-GE undermine NNPC/NAPIMS on local content

By Yusufu Ameh Obajei N other words, nations exist on ideas which define what they are and what they are expected to live for in order to fulfil their national goal or destiny. Nations must discover and define what God intends them to be or realize as their collective mission on earth. The absence of such a clearly defined mission guarantees underdevelopment in all areas of life.

Its ontological nature: National ideology is a product of ‘being’ as against a ‘thing’. Here, we refer to ‘being’ as existence or essence. .It is within the nature of ‘being’ to operate on ideas. All actions of ‘being’ are dictated by a body of beliefs or doctrines which define, motivate, inspire, guide or direct the movement of being from one place to another, from one level to another, from one position to another and from one action to another. This applies to all countries or earth as the citizens are beings and not things. Nigeria, therefore, is not an exception and as a matter of fact, she cannot realize the dreams of being a Nation without a clearly defined National ideology to project the realization of the dreams.

Being as existence or essence compels a country or nation of people to have an ideology in order to develop her natural resources and the overall environment. Even the people themselves can only develop in ideological mileux informed by their ontological nature.

Its anthropological nature: National ideology is a product of humanity. It is an expression of our individual and collective humanity. Human beings have no capacity to act or behave in an ideological vacuum. All our actions are based or rooted in ideas, whether such ideas are sound or weak. This applies also to a body of people inhabiting a country or a nation. It is the ideology of the people within a given geographical location called country that determines the overall behavioural pattern of the people. In the absence of a clearly defined national ideology, people within a particular country or nation drifts from one extreme to another without genuine transformation of lives and society. There has to be a qualitatively defined ideology to guide the people and inspire them to give their best for the development of their country.

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By Ifeanyi Izeze

for vetting and approval. You see the fraud of an American firm conniving with its Italian partner in Nigeria.

The Purchase Order arrangement between Map of Nigeria Agip and GE which is not backed by the Law of this Land, has led to the payment of over US$182 million (One Hundred and Eighty Two Million United States Dollars) or about N29.5 billion (Twenty Nine Billion and Five Hundred Million) to GE without recourse to joint venture appropriation and approval. This is being done while the short-term contract or stop-gap maintenance service contract is bogged down in protracted negotiations as well as in twists and turns.

How can we as a country allow these foreign operators covertly drain the nation of such huge amount of money with impunity? Are these companies above the Laws of the Land?

This is being done by the Italian and American globalisation allies while the short term contract or stopgap maintenance service contract which was supposed to go a Nigerian firm Arco is bogged down in protracted negotiations as well as in twists and turns as part of the Indigenous alliance’s manipulations to strangulate the Nigerian firm participation out from the job. Why should General Electric (GE) and It is vexing that American and European companies Nigerian Agip be so desperate that Arco, a tested and that flaunt credentials of transparent business ethics in competent Nigerian indigenous maintenance company their home countries would come to Nigeria to carry on should be wrestled out of the gas plant maintenance their businesses in manners that could best be described contract? How come the Nigerian company is now as fraudulent and opaque. These companies glaringly classified as a competitor and no longer an associate of operate in Nigeria as if they are above the law. This is to General Electric?

On this same matter, the NNPC in a letter to the bring to the notice of the federal government and the National Assembly the subterfuge and underhand tactics Managing Director of Agip, captioned “NAOC and methods employed by the Nigerian subsidiary of Maintenance Service Contract For Gas Turbines And General Electric (GE) of USA and the Nigerian Related Equipment For OB/OB, Ebocha And Kwale Gas subsidiary of the Italian transnational oil operator, ENI, Plants” dated 13 June, 2014, and signed by the Group to circumvent due process and transparent transactions General Manager NAPIMS, Jonathan K. Okehs, had insisted that “NAOC to immediately commence in their operations.

How could anybody describe Nigerian Agip’s negotiation with Arco Petrochemicals Ltd, with a view to circumventing of due process by giving Purchase Orders awarding a six-month Stop-Gap contract using the to General Electric International Operation Nigeria, manpower loading that was approved for the 2013 StopGEION, every two days, and I mean every two days for Gap contract. You are, therefore, guided to abstain from the Maintenance Service Contract For Gas Turbines And any award of a stop-gap contract to Plantgeria for NAOC Related Equipment For OB/OB, Ebocha And Kwale Gas Maintenance service contract for Gas Turbines and related equipment for OB/OB, Multinationals that do business in Nigeria are most Ebocha and Kwale Gas Plants because this will constitute an welcome but they must learn to play by the rules and illegal contraption. Thereafter, not continue to carry on as if to confirm the impression NAOC to execute a bridge framework Agreement with that Nigeria is a country where anything goes Arco Petrochemicals Ltd for the Plants belonging to the Nigerian subsidiary of the Italian provision of Maintenance Service contract for Gas ENI, if not to say that it is an outright illegality? Is this Turbines and related equipment for OB/OB, Ebocha and not fraud and corruption at its peak? Interestingly, this Kwale Gas Plants for six-month Stop-Gap contract. This arrangement has been on with impunity for a period of will enable Joint Venture maintain the facilities pending 22 months. the award of the ongoing replacement contract.

The fraud started on February 26, 2013 in a secret or “NAOC proposal to execute an interim award contract rather classified contract signed by Giovani Salvin, with Plantgeria for a replacement tender of which award General Manager District for NAOC and Harry Webster, recommendation has not been presented for NNPC Board Regional Business Leader-Sub Sahara Africa, for GE consideration and approval is declined and not approved.

International Operations Nigeria, GEION. And it has NAPIMS will not support any cost expended on NAOC been running since then. Extracts from the template of maintenance service contract for Gas Turbines and related the running illegal contract reads: “Now Therefore, in equipment for OB/OB, Ebocha and Kwale Gas Plants consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements arising from NAOC execution of such services with hereafter provided, it is agreed as follows: “Terms of Plantgeria (another wholly-owned Italian firm being Contract- Agreed terms of reference as per Revision smuggled by Agip and GE to undo the Nigerian Arco).

No. 1 Contract No. 4500008870 for one additional year It is very clear that the Nigerian Agip Oil Company extension. Duration of Contract: From 04/02/2013- 05/ (NAOC), a subsidiary of the Italian transnational oil giant, 02/2013, for a total of two days. Commercial Conditions: ENI has left out the substantive issues in its breach of the Daily Rate of USD 212, 990.29.”

Nigerian Content Act and has been covertly manipulating So for every two days, Agip pays GE USD425, 980.58 due processes and rule guiding their operations.

(Four Hundred Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty Multinationals that do business in Nigeria are most and Fifty Eight Dollars). The scheme was to criminally welcome but they must learn to play by the rules and not keep the fee below USD500, 000.00 (Five Hundred continue to carry on as if to confirm the impression that Thousand US Dollars) by splitting it into daily rates so Nigeria is a country where anything goes and where any as to beat the ceiling set by the guiding rules of the Joint regulator could be compromised provided the price is Venture with NNPC which requires all contracts from right.

•Izeze is an Abuja-based Consultant USD500, 000.0 and above to be submitted to NAPIMS

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HEN President Goodluck Jonathan signed into law the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content, NOGIC Act, popularly known as the Nigerian Content (NC) Act on April 22, 2010, he meant well for the nation.

But since then, the dubious activities of some foreign transnational oil companies, no doubt, has continued to undermine both the Content Board and whatever good intentions the Act itself was originally set to achieve in the nation’s oil and gas sector.

The Nigerian Content Act was meant to increase indigenous participation in the Nigerian oil and gas industry; build local capacity and competences; create linkages to other sectors of the national economy; and contribute to the growth of our National Gross Domestic Product. But except the Federal Government stepped in to checkmate the impunity with which foreign transnational operators flagrantly disregard the spirit and intent of the nation’s local content initiative, the entire oil and gas sector would sooner than anticipated be totally hijacked by those who don’t mean well for our effort at encouraging indigenous participation in this crucial sector of our economy. This is the bitter truth that the federal government must wake up to confront.

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Collective dream There is dire need for such an ideology for Nigeria now if we are to realize the birth of a New Nigeria of our collective dream.

Its spiritual nature: National ideology has a spiritual foundation. The spirit in us inspires ideas. As a matter of fact, we are not capable of building or rebuilding a nation without ideas inspired by our spiritual nature as psychophysical individuality. We are both spirit and body as humans and all our activities are informed by ideas or ideology. But the truth of the matter is that ideologies that are not consciously defined or critically carved out or specifically formulated do not serve our ultimate interest or goal. Such undefined ideas give birth to unexamined speculations, trials and errors in our attempts to arrive at conclusions which will command or dictate certain practical steps in life.

The absence of well-articulated national ideology creates restless spirit of discordant notes among citizens and consequently erodes unity and peaceful coexistence. In consequence of the spiritual nature of national ideology, a profoundly formulated one has the capacity to unite our dear country, Nigeria. Our seriousness and commitment to a well-defined national ideology will undoubtedly go a long way to reunite our common spirit and usher in a new era of our togetherness as Nigerians, rendering selfless service and celebrating our God-given country of abundant resources and holistic transformation.

Its religious nature: National ideology has a religious nature. It is always inspired by the fundamentals of our religious beliefs. Human beings are by nature religious in a sense that there is always a conscious and unconscious response to the presence of the Supreme owner and Lord of all creation called the Almighty God. Even the so-called atheist expresses the idea of unbelief as an element of doubt and frustration and not a denial of the One and Only God who cannot be genuinely denied by creatures that he created in his own image.

To be continued

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014—43

Breast cancer: How low awareness hinders survival

By Gabriel Olawale

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HE rate of breast cancer survival in Nigeria has not been encouraging,particularly because most patients tend to present themselves for screening at late stage.

Even as the second leading type of cancer in the country, with one or two in every 25 Nigerian women at risk, a large number of women in Nigeria are unaware of the risks neither are they aware of how to safeguard their lives through simple self breast examination techniques recommended by the World Health Organisation, WHO, nor are they attending regular cancer screening whereby the use of equipment such as breast ultrasound scan, mammography and histo-pathology can be used to detect breast cancer very early before it can kill.

Most breast cancer patients indulge in self denial and rejection while others, due to financial constraint, opt not to do anything. Meanwhile, breast cancer diagnoses depend on the body organ which is affected.

These diagnoses are in four different stage, one is when still limited to that breast area, two is when moving from breast to ampit, stage three is when it get to the bone and stage four is moving from bone to other organs.

Findings indicate that 70 percent of patients diagnosed of Stage 1 cancer stand a chance of surviving after five years, while State 2 is 40 percent; Stage 3 20 percent and Stage 4 less than 10 percent. In the country, majority of patients present to the hospital at Stage 3 when chance of survival is very slim.

Medical Director, Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Dr. Femi Olaleye has affirmed that focus on awareness and commitment is essential towards enabling a change in the status quo.

Olaleye who spoke to Health & Living said government has to put cancer screening centres across all local government areas in the country as part of service in all Primary Healthcare Centres “If we can screen at least 20,000 people annually this will go a long way in saving our women from been short-changed.

“In any developed country where healthcare is valuable and done properly, cancer must have a registry just as we have marriage registry, birth register and death register, we don’t have

a cancer registry in this country that is taken seriously, although there is one at Lagos University Teaching Hospital Idi-Araba but how many people go there?

Every facility that meet s client must have a form that must be set through a system that take note of all cancer diagnoses in this country but we done have

•Medical Director, Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Lagos, Dr. Femi Olaleye, stressing the importance of early detection of breast cancer through screening such as Breast Self Examination, BSE (left).

HIV discrimination impedes family planning in Nigeria, others

By Sola Ogundipe

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S world leaders gather for a special UN session on Sunday September 22, 2014, to assess progress made to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, a new report highlights ongoing discrimination faced by women living with HIV in accessing family planning programmes in Nigeria, Cameroun and Zambia.

The report, Quality of Family Planning Services and Integration in the Prevention of Vertical Transmission Context,

• Enobong Umoh (left) one of 11 new millionaire winners of the just concluded Peak Super Eagles promo, receiving her cheque for N1 million from Brand Manager, Peak, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Adetunji Quadri Jnr., in Lagos.

published by the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) and the International Community of Women Living with HIV (ICW), documents experiences of women living with HIV in Nigeria, Cameroon and Zambia.

The study highlights specific challenges women living with HIV face, as advocates for reproductive rights rally to ensure that sexual and reproductive health and rights remain central in the new set of Sustainable Development Goals currently being discussed at UN. Suzette Moses-Burton, Executive Director of GNP+, said: “The birth of a child is meant to be a happy time, but this report shows that for many women living with HIV it can be a time of intense stigmatisation and isolation.

Given the unprecedented scale-up of comprehensive prevention of vertical transmission programmes under the Global Plan Towards the Elimination of New Infections Among Children by 2015 and Keeping Their Mothers Alive, Ministries of Health must urgently address stigma around HIV and pregnancy as an important step towards fulfilling human rights, and improving access to quality sexual and

reproductive health services.”

Rebecca Matheson, Global Director of ICW, said: “We are concerned that many service providers deny dignity, human rights, and good health to women living with HIV by engaging with them differently, failing to provide correct or full information, or discriminating against them. As shown by the study, this is even more pronounced for young women.

“However, the study also shows that where service providers respected the human rights of women living with HIV, their clients’ experiences were also positive. We need to ensure that access to correct information and a range of family planning methods are available for everyone, not just the few.”

The report showed that good support, such as the recognition of the right to have a child and receiving positive messages about pregnancy following an HIV diagnosis, was critical for women living with HIV. The groups call on Ministries of Health to provide discrimination-free sexual and reproductive health care to women living with HIV by improving access to and increasing the quality of counseling, as well as ARVs and family planning commodities.

one.” Can we say it is because we don’t have enough laptop or IT platform to connect them or the able man to do the job?

Everybody understands the fact that government need to be support which is part of given room for non-government organisation but the NGO cannot take over the work of government.”

Olaleye said the cost of one mammogram is N15,000 while the financial implication of it and mind you this crisis will continue to migrate from one part of the body to other but if government and cooperate organization like the one supporting us at Optimal Cancer Care foundation can indicate more commitment, this issue will be nap at early stage and avert the risk.” He added Olaleye how ever indicated commitment to continue alleviating pains of cancer by providing care, compassion and hope to thousands of women across the nation.

In line with this year’s breast cancer awareness, the Foundation is offering free cancer screening every Friday through out October and 50 percent discount on mammograms and breast ultrasound scans. This year’s 'Go pink' awareness dinner billed for October, 4 is to enable purchase of a mammogram machine and vehicle to aid cancer screening outreaches to women living at the grassroots.

Protein secrets of Ebola virus

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HE current Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa, which has claimed more than 2000 lives, has highlighted the need for a deeper understanding of the molecular biology of the virus that could be critical in the development of vaccines or antiviral drugs to treat or prevent Ebola hemorrhagic fever.

Now, a team at the University of Virginia (UVA), USA -- under the leadership of Dr Dan Engel, a virologist, and Dr Zygmunt Derewenda, a structural biologist -- has obtained the crystal structure of a key protein involved in Ebola virus replication, the Cterminal domain of the Zaire Ebola virus nucleoprotein.

The team explains that their structure reveals a novel tertiary fold that is expected to lead to insights into how the viral nucleocapsid is assembled in infected cells. The structure could also provide a basis for the design of drugs to halt infection in humans.

"The structure is unique in the RNA virus world," Derewenda explains. "It is not found in viruses that cause influenza, rabies or other diseases." It distantly resembles the grasp protein motif found in ubiquitin, most likely the result of convergent evolution.

44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Fashola, Obi, Emefiele, others to grace SCGN conference

By Providnece Obuh

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WELCOME: Former Governor of Oyo State and Leader of Accord Party, Senator Rashidi Ladoja (3rd left), flanked (left) by the new Accord member, Senator Gbenga Babalola, and Chairman, Accord Party, Oyo State, Arc. Bashiru Lawal, during the ceremony welcoming Babalola and many other former PDP chieftains into the party at Iseyin.

Military reveals Boko Haram's tricks to use mechanics, others to deploy IEDs .Primary targets - Barracks, public places, govt establishments

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BUJA — IN the aftermath of the heavy casualties inflicted on Boko Haram insurgents in recent weeks, indications have emerged that the group is recruiting automechanic and car wash operators across the country to use their centres as loading bays to plant Intelligent Electronic Device, IEDs, on vehicles of unsuspecting

members of the public to cause havoc.

The objective is to hit at some top government establishments and functionaries as well as military and police locations in other parts of the country outside the North East, epicentre of the insurgency, to divert attention from the increasingly successful onslaught on the group in recent days.

Towards this end, intelligence sources told Vanguard that the Boko Haram group had infiltrated the ranks of many of the operators and bought them over with very mouth-watering sums of money to look the other way when the explosives were being planted on the vehicles.

According to the source, the terrorists, knowing that many vehicle owners hardly find time

Reps’ absence at plenary stalls debates on bills, $9.3m cash export

By Emman Ovuakporie & Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA — MANY bills slated for deliberations, yesterday, at plenary in the House of Representatives were stalled due to the absence of lawmakers.

This development came to the fore barely 72 hours after amending its standing rules to make the remaining five months of its session more productive.

Also, the motion on the need to investigate the attempt to smuggle the sum of $9.3million into South Africa was affected as its sponsor and Deputy Minority Leader, Abdlrahman Kawu, APC, Kano, was visibly missing.

The session, which commenced at exactly 10a.m., with the speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, presiding before handing over to his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha.

Tambuwal had left the chamber to declare open a joint public hearing of the Ad hoc Committee on Constitutional Review and the House Committee on Public Petition.

Presiding over the plenary, Ihedioha was able to pass two bills through third reading, which ordinarily requires no debate.

For the other four bills slated for debate into second reading, only the bill for an Act to Amend the

Companies and Allied Matters Act Cap, C20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to prohibit Infants and Other Persons of Questionable Character from Being Members of Companies was considered.

The Bill, sponsored by Ossai Nicolas Ossai, PDP, Delta, was killed, following his refusal to step it down for additional research into the subject matter, as suggested by Abubakar Momoh,PDP, Edo. The other three bills could not be taken for debates as all the sponsors were absent at plenary, prompting the presiding officer to call the attention of the House

Majority Leader, Mulikat Akande-Adeola, and the Chairman Rules and Business, Albert Sam Tsokwa, for enquiries.

Surprised at the development, Ihedioha stated: ‘’Chairman Rules and Business, how come the sponsors of all these bills are not here to debate their bills? Were they not properly informed about the orders on notice?’’

After a brief discussion with the House Leader and Chairman Rules and Business, the presiding officer told lawmakers present that the day was, however, not wasted as some achievements were made.

to spend with their mechanics or car wash operators, have concluded the plot to fix improvised explosive devices on such vehicles while they are with the mechanic or cash wash.

"When the unsuspecting owner of the car comes to carry his or her car, he will drive off with an explosives laden car that has been programmed to explode within minutes or an hour as the case maybe and in the process, be killed by the explosion, the source said.

A signal confirming this development and addressed to all military formations in the country said: “Boko Haram infiltrates auto-mechanic and car wash centres.”

It said the group was planning to use vehicles of unsuspecting members of the public, especially prominent persons and top functionaries as bomb carriers.

Targets of such dastardly plots, according to the signal, are official government quarters, military barracks and public centres.

The military urged the public, vehicles owners and users to be vigilant and watchful, especially when giving and collecting their vehicles from auto-mechanic and car wash centres.

Public Complaints Commission's failed Nigerians —Tambuwal

By Emman Ovuakporie & Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA — IN a bid to launch an effective ombudsman for the country, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday, said that the Public Complainants Commission, PCC, as currently constituted and operated in Nigeria, had failed to meet the purpose for which it was established.

Tambuwal made the assertion upon declaring open a one-day public hearing on "The Bill for an Act to Establish the Public Complaints Commission with wide powers to inquire into complaints by members of the public concerning the administrative actions of any public authority and companies or their officials, other matters ancillary thereto.”

Organized by the House Committee on Public Petitions,

the thrust of the hearing was to seek public opinions on the repeal and re-enactment of the Public Complaints Commission Act. Tambuwal said: “It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this public hearing.

The hearing is coming on the heels of constitutional changes in our county. I have no doubt that it will open a new vista in the operations of ombudsman."

AGOS — GOVERNOR of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, and governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, are expected at this year ’s Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, SCGN, annual conference, with the CBN governor delivering the keynote address.

The conference, billed for Friday, September 19, 2014, in Lagos, is titled “Leadership & Governance in the Public Sector.”

Head Programmes, Mrs. Hilda Nkor, said in a statement yesterday that the conference would discuss the practice of corporate governance in the public sector, its effect on businesses and the Nigerian economy at large, saying that the challenges of leadership in public sector governance in Nigeria will also be discussed.

“Recent events in corporate Nigeria, especially in the public sector, have brought to the front burner, the crucial issues of ethical behaviour, responsibility and accountability by public office holders to the nation and its citizenry.

World Bank invests $300 million in housing sector

By Chris Ochayi

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BUJA — THE Federal Government disclosed, yesterday, that the World Bank has agreed to support it with an investment of $300 million in the housing sector of the economy.

Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo, who revealed this while declaring open the 2014 annual conference of Registered Quantity Surveyors in Abuja, explained that the loan would spread through a period of 40 years at zero interest rate, with up to 10 years grace.

Arc. Sambo also said the government set up the Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing Company, NMRC, under a Public Private Partnership, PPP, arrangement to provide up to 200,000 affordable mortgages to the citizens within the next five years.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 —45

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46 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER19, 2014

Onuesoke slams Kwankwaso over Jonathan

Bauchi govt moves against ghost workers B

By Suzan Edeh

AUCHI—BAUCHI State Government has vowed to flush out ghost workers from the state civil service and put in place strategies at providing quality service and prudence.

State Head of Service, HoS, Mr. Abdon Dalla Gin, spoke while declaring open a five-day capacity building training on Human Resources Management for civil servants organised by the Public Sector Governance Reform and Development Project in collaboration with Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, ASCON. According to him, the administration was determined to ensure that only genuine civil servants were in its payroll through proper documentation.

He said: ”The state government was able to surmount the ghost workers syndrome in the state through the provision of Data Bank for all civil servants in the state including pensioners. This training is aimed at equipping the officers with requisite knowledge that will not only enhance their skills but also assist them in ensuring effective

F

ORMER DELTA State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has berated Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State, for describing President Goodluck Jonathan as lacking the political will to tackle Boko Haram insurgency and also witchhunting All Progressives Congress, APC, governors due to his presidential ambition.

Reacting to Kwankwaso’s allegations a in statement, Onuesoke said Kwankwaso could not pull down President Goodluck Jonathan because of his ambition, stressing that if Kankwaso was in Jonathan’s shoes, he would not have done onetenth of what Jonathan had done in curbing security challenges in Nigeria.

“No one will handle Nigeria better than Jonathan in this very condition of self inflicted virus that is bedeviling the nation,” he noted.

delivery service and it will also expose them to information technology system. The state is

GHELLI—A sociopolitical group, Concerned Urhobo Youths, CUY, has endorsed Mr. Solomon Ahwinahwi's aspiration to represent Ughelli /Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. A communiqué by Messrs Solomon Oghenerume and Steven Obioru, president and secretary of CUY, said Ahwinahwi's choice was informed by the quality and

effective representation he had earlier displayed in the House.

The statement reads: “His tenure in the National Assembly was very eventful and rewarding when he championed the making of Goodluck Jonathan as acting President following the death of President Yar’Adua. We are proud of him.

"While in office he helped to advance the nation's nascent democracy which

Dickson empowers Ijaws outside Bayelsa

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ENAGOA—THE efforts of Governor Seriake

include, championing the making of Jonathan acting President following the death of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua with the support of a group in the House of Representatives known as the Progressives.

"We are also aware of the empowerment of indigent youths by award of scholarships, skill acquisition and disbursement of funds to enable them start up their businesses."

Dickson of Bayelsa State to make life easier for people of the state has been extended to Ijaws living outside the state, through the Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency.

The governor, through the agency, recently provided loan facilities to thousands of Ijaws and other Niger Deltans living in the South-West. The programme was coordinated by the Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG. To show their gratitude and support for the governor in his efforts to improve the standard of living of the people, Ijaws

in and outside Lagos State, turned out in their thousands at the presentation of loan certificates to beneficiaries in Lagos.

Presenting the certificates on behalf of Coordinator of IMG, Comrade Joseph Evah, the IMG Chief of Staff, Comrade Andrew Elijah, urged the beneficiaries to ensure that the effort of the governor was not wasted.

He encouraged them to use the opportunity to raise their standards of living by making judicious use of the loans. He stated that Governor Dickson remains the first Bayelsa governor to empower the Ijaws living outside the state.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

need for such training for its workers to ensure transparency and accountability in the service.”

PRESENTATION: Comrade Andrew Elijah, presenting Governor Dickson’s loan certificate to a beneficiary on behalf of Comrade Joseph Evah of IMG in Lagos.

2015: Group endorses Ahwinahwi for NASS

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considering the international reforms currently going on globally hence there is the

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On 2 Nigerians with $9.3m cash held in S-Africa

W

e are just living by his grace there’s no security in this country, how can a group of people carry such amount of money out of the country, instead of investing it here and reduce the unemployment rate. Mr. Paholy Paholy- Store Keeper

N

ot until the real news is made open on whom the culprits are let’s fold our hands and wait. Since those caught with the said money have claimed that were acting on behalf of the Nigerian intelligence services.

Miss Joy AmosBusinesswoman

H

ow can 2 Nigerians import $9.3m to South Africa, while Nigeria military is looking for money running into billions of naira to equip it. Hmm, there is God o! We should be doing things right in this country.

Mr. Uche MabiaStudent

T

he best thing to do now it to wait for the investigation and verdict from the courts. Nigeria is not under any arms embargo from the UN and I just don’t want to accept that arms can be bought through this means by the FGN. Miss Lizzy PopsonWorker

T

hat money should be refunded to the Nigerian government and investigations should be taken over by the EFCC. Now the Nigerian security services will find out who actually needed the said ammunition for.

Miss Bukola OkerekeSecretary

T

he Nigerian government have to make a statement on this issue as quick as possible, in this day day of Boko Haram and other terrorists group around, Nigerians and the world need to know who is who in a time like this.

Mr. Mbah Pascal- Self Employed

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014—47

DTHA 2015: Akpowowo gets PDP leaders' nod

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HE Delta State youth leader of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Arthur Akpowowo, has been assured of total support by the party leadership in Ethiope East Local Government Area, in his ambition to contest the Delta State House of Assembly seat come 2015 general elections.

The assurance was given to him when he consulted the immediate past chairman of Ethiope East Local Government Area, Chief Anthony Oboroh; former House of Assembly aspirant, Chief James Emadoye; former PDP ward chairman, Okpara Inland; Chief Ageh Akpede Odioko, Chief Omokomoko Evwiaraye and other party leaders.

The leaders, in their separate statement, assured him of their support, saying he had worked for the party and was capable of representing them at the state House of Assembly.

FUTA CONFAB:

Ceramics experts seek collaboration

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HE Ceramic Researchers Association of Nigeria, CeRAN, has ended its annual conference at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, with a resolution to put interdisciplinary collaboration as a vehicle for the development of the Nigerian ceramic industry and nation building on the front burner.

The guest speaker, Professor Abdullai Umar, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, and participants lent their voice to collaboration by the association with other institutions and professionals in other areas of specialisation as a way to remain globally relevant.

Earlier at a courtesy call on the University Management, the National President, CeRAN, Professor Akinbogun and his team lauded ViceChancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola for his achievements at FUTA.

AGRIC DIALOGUE: From left— Mrs. Janet Omisore, Acting Director-General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA; Dr. Alimi Bello, representating NACCIMA National President and President, Kaduna Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Mr. Olusegun Asiwaju, South-West Zonal Manager, Bank of Agriculture, BOA, and Mr. Tunji Olukoya, Chairman, NACCIMA Agriculture Trade Group, at the association's National Dialogue on Agric Value Chain in Lagos.

76,300 girls out of school in Bauchi—SUBEB

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI—EXECUTIVE Chairman, Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Alhaji Abdullahi Dabo, said yesterday that no fewer than 76,300 girls in the state were out of school.

Dabo made this known in Bage, Shira Local Government Area of the state at the 2014/2015 School Enrollment Drive Campaign.

Dabo, who was represented by the Board’s Permanent Commissioner, Alhaji Kasim Ibrahim, said the figure was collated from 466 communities in the state between March and April, with financial and technical support from UNICEF. He said: “The figure shows that there is still a lot of work to be done to improve the situation if our girls must be properly and adequately educated. If we want to successfully fight poverty in our communities, we must ensure that our girls, who are among the most vulnerable in every community, are properly and adequately educated.

“With education, employment opportunities will be broadened, income levels increased and maternal and child health will

also be improved.”

Dabo said the state government had introduced free education as part of efforts to ensure people of the state were educated.

He noted that the alarming rate of out of school children in

the state necessitated SUBEB to organise the campaign to ensure that communities, religious and traditional leaders, and parents, were sensitised and encouraged to enroll all children of five to six years in school.

Kashamu makes case for FG's Transformation Agenda

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chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has urged all patriotic Nigerians to support the present administration’s Transformation Agenda, so that the nation’s development can be steady and sustained.

Prince Kashamu, who is Chairman, Mobilisation and Organisation Committee of the party, in a statement said: “Anything to the contrary would be tantamount to drawing us back by several years.”

On the security challenges in the country, especially the North-East, he said: “President Goodluck Jonathan is aware of his duties and responsibilities as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

“He is doing his very best to manage the situation and bring it under control. While he is

providing the resources needed to combat insurgency, utmost restraint must be exercised in order not to cause more problems in trying to solve one.

“All that is needed is the cooperation and support of all Nigerians across political, religious and ethnic divides.”

Kashamu noted that as part of the measures by the Jonathan administration to end insurgency, it had launched the Save Our Schools initiative and Victims Support Fund, “just as it pursues the almajiris education programme and other job creation initiatives.”

According to him, “it was because of his firm belief in the Rule of Law, democracy, equity and justice, that he declared a state of emergency in the affected places, yet retained the democratic structures with the governors still in office.”

Goodluck group supports Edoja for Senate

By Brisibe Perez

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GHELLI— AHEAD of the 2015 general elections, some indigenes of Delta Central senatorial district under the aegis of Goodluck to Goodluck, Delta State chapter, have appealed to the people of the area and the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to rally round and key into the wealth of experience of a former member of the House of Representatives representing Ethiope federal constituency, Mr. Solomon Edoja.

A statement by Professor Solomon Okobia and Mr. Ramson Ikweki on behalf of the group, said Edoja rebuilt Kwara State PDP as interim state Chairman, adding that his experiences in party administration, the executive and legislative arm of government among others, were assets to PDP that must be deployed towards transforming Delta Central.

The group lamented alleged non-representation of indigenes of Ethiope federal constituency at the Senate.

... as MoN backs Jonathan for re-election, flays opposition

By Christopher Njoku

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AGOS chapter of Move on Nigeria, MoN, a grassroots movement pushing for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, has lauded the Transformation Agenda, while urging the President to

declare his intention to run for a second term.

MoN’s Lagos State Cocoordinator, Candy Onwuraokoye, spoke to newsmen at a public lecture held in collaboration with Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on the theme: Handling Propaganda, Objectivity and

Patriotism During Electioneering Period.

Onwuraokoye said: “We urge President Jonathan to declare his intention to run for second term to finish the amazing work he has started.”

Urging the opposition to show some respect and decorum, MoN said: “Politics

is all about service, not violence and propaganda as we see today.”

Lagos State PDP Chairman, Olatunji Selle, said the President's “transformation agenda, which currently is having impact in many sectors of the economy, is the reason Nigerians are supporting him.”

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

VISIT: From left; Mr. Gbolahan Bilewu, Head of Corporate Affairs; Mr Adefisayo Awogbade, Ag. Registrar/Chief Executive; Chief Mark Anthony Dike, President; Barr. Gregory Ayodele Da-Silva, Council Member and Mrs Josephine Kandozie, Publicity Committee all of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN during the Institute's team's visit to Vanguard Media Ltd, Apapa, Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe.

BRIEFING: First Lady of Lagos State and Chairman, Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, COWLSO, Mrs Fashola (right), Chairperson, National Women Conference, Mrs. Rhoda Ayinde (middle) and the Publicity Secretary of the Conference, Mrs. Oladunni Ogunbanwo during the 14th National Women Conference Press Briefing at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

From left; Mr Saidi Balogun, President, Golden Movies Ambassador of Nigeria; Ms Rhonda Watson, Public Diplomacy Officer of U.S. consulate in Lagos; Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, President, Women Arise & Speaker; Dr. Patrick Quirk, Senior Conflict Stabilisation Advisor & Guest Speaker & Ms Caitlin Conaty, Election Officer Nigeria Policy and Operation Group.

BIRTHDAY: Mr. Tunde Bank-Anthony (left) during his 50th birthday celebration in Lagos, with wife, Imade and Mr. Muyiwa Fagbola, Chairman, Erith Group.

CONVOCATION: From right; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga; Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; President, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Prof Rasheed Arogundade and representative of the Minister of Health and Director of Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Patience Osinubi, at the 32nd convocation ceremony of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Ijanikin, in Lagos yesterday Photo by Biodun Ogunleye.

COMMISSIONING: The Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Obiora Madeni commissioning a newly-refurbished block of five class rooms at Nigerian Navy Secondary School Calabar recently. With him him was the Commandant of the school, Commander Regina Rex Eleazu-Uriri.

SUMMIT: From left; Deputy Editor, Leadership & Style, Mrs. Inemesit Ebu; Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Pastor Ita Udoh; and Head, Corporate Communications, Dana Air, Mr. Samuel Ogbogoro during the opening ceremony of Ibom Tourism Summit in Uyo that was supported by Dana Air.

EMPOWERMENT: The Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, recently presented loan certificates to beneficiaries of Governor Seriake Dickson’s empowerment programme for Ijaws living outside Bayelsa State. Some of the beneficiaries showing their certificates presented on behalf of Comrade Joseph Evah of IMG, by the Chief of Staff, Andrew Elijah.

LAUNCH: From left; MD, Microsoft Mobile Devices & Services, MMDS, West and Central Africa, Mr Nick Imudia; Head of Marketing, MMDS, West & Central Africa, Ms Debbie Shepard; Consumer Channel Group Director, Microsoft Nig, Mr Mark Ihimoyan and Head of Sales, Emerging Markets, MMDS, Mr Christopher Brown, at the launch of Lumia 930 Smartphone at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos. Photo by Akeem Salau.

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52 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER19, 2014

‘How I survived Kano blast'

By AbdulSalam Muhammad

K

ANO—A 12 years old primary five pupil of Warure primary school survivor of the Wednesday blast that rocked the Federal College of Education, Kano, Abdulbasit Umar, has revealed that it was through luck that he survived to tell his own story.

Speaking with Vanguard on his hospital bed, yesterday, the lad revealed that the college was his temporary abode, as he hawked sachet water since they began their long vacation July 24.

He said, ‘it was the peak of our business when suddenly a deafening sound punctured the peace and I went down unprepared. When I recovered from the shock and took to my heel, I heard gunshot felling those behind me one after the other."

The sachet water hawker said that "at a point that I thought I had sped to safety, I was hit on the thigh and fell down in pains."

The young lad with bruises all over his body said that "sensing the danger and confusion that dominated the environment, I crawled to safety before a good Samaritan came and rescued me alongside several injured to the hospital.

Umar who had bullets lodged in his thigh was among several others waiting for procedure at the Murtala Muhammed Hospital, where the medical doctors are already waiting to perform the operation.

The lad who betrayed emotion during the short interaction rhetorically questioned the reporter “will I ever work with my feet again?” His experience came on the heel of reports from the hospital that three out of 34 injured from the Wednesday blast had died last night bringing the official death toll from the incident to 18.

In the meantime, the Federal Government has directed National Emergency Relief Agency, NEMA to provide relief to all those affected by the blast.

Adefuye raises alarm over Boko Haram atrocities

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IGERIAN Ambassador to the United States, Professor Ade Adefuye, has alerted the international community to the numerous atrocities committed by Boko Haram terrorists using stolen uniforms of the Nigerian armed forces.

In a statement, yesterday, in reaction to allegations of abuse of human rights by the armed forces, Adefuye said it was important to examine carefully the alleged incidents and authenticate any video footage obtained by the international community.

Professor Adefuye stated, “on September 9, 2014, the PBS Frontline programme aired a video footage that purports to document human rights violations by the Nigerian Armed Forces in parts of northern Nigeria where Boko Haram operates. The attention of the Embassy has been called to the programme.

terrorist activities. We are undertaking an intensive investigation into these reports.

We will not turn a blind eye to abuse of our people’s human or civil rights.

“But we will like to call the attention of the International community to the fact that on numerous past occasions, the insurgents have staged fabricated atrocities using stolen Government uniforms.

The Chibok abduction of our school girls succeeded largely because the girls thought the abductors were Nigerian soldiers because they wore Nigerian Army uniforms.

“You may recall that recently, the Nigerian Police impounded

large consignment of military uniforms shipped through Nigeria/ Niger Republic border. They were seized from a warehouse in Kano.

Only God knows tons that are already in their possession. For this reason, it is important to examine carefully the alleged incidents and authenticate the video footage. Justice will be done once we have all the facts.

“When democracies fight terror, they must be held to a higher standard than the enemy they face.

My Government welcomes scrutiny from our people and international partners. The checks and balances that come from being in the media spotlight will only benefit us all in the long run. It is

worth remembering, however, that information is a powerful weapon that terrorist use with strategic effect. Al Qaeda, ISIS and now Boko Haram produce and disseminate sophisticated and compelling content with the intent of legitimising their cause, instilling fear and demonizing state actors.

“We do not claim that our counter insurgency efforts have been flawless, as is the case when any democracy confronts a terrorist insurgency. Nigeria will get this right because, as a democracy, the public will hold us accountable. Boko Haram has no such scruples and no such constraints."

Tenets of military discipline "I have seen these images.

They are deeply disturbing.

The Government of Nigeria is committed to holding all its public servants to the highest standards, including those in the Armed forces. The alleged behaviour is contrary to everything the Nigerian Government stands for and the basic tenets of military discipline.

“Our Government is committed to upholding the human rights of all citizens including those engaged in

Former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Nsima Ekere, raising a sword presented to him during the commissioning of a building built and donated to Etim Ekpo Traditional Rulers' Council by retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Udom Ekpoudom

FG releases N200b 3rd quarter capital vote

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

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HE Federal Ministry of Finance has released the sum of N200 billion as capital for the third quarter of 2014.

With this release, the Federal Ministry of Finance has thus disbursed N600 billion for capital projects for the first three quarters of the year. The capital vote for the first quarter was released in February, the second in June, therefore leaving the last quarter allocation outstanding.

Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu said in a statement that the funds would help ensure further progress in the execution of capital projects across the country, adding that the release, “signposts the determination of the Federal Government to ensure that clear and measurable progress is achieved in the execution of capital projects”.

The federal government capital budget for the current year stands at N1.119 trillion out of N4.695 trillion

A breakdown of the budget at a glance shows that N408,687,801,891 is for statutory transfers; N712 billion is for debt service; N2,454,887,566,702 is for recurrent Finance minister, Dr. Ngozi

Okonjo-Iweala, while presenting details of the 2014 federal government budget, on January 20, lamented the administrations’ dilemma over the boated recurrent expenditure She said, “the high share of

recurrent expenditure in the budget is of great concern as it reduces the size of funds available for investments in capital projects. We worked hard to reduce this ratio from 74.4 per cent in 2011, to 71.5 per cent in 2012, and further to 67.5 per cent in 2013 but it has risen back to 74 per cent in 2014.”

APC asks Lagosians to challenge PDP on corruption

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AGOS State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has tasked Lagosians to challenge the Peoples Democratic Party to show why its government has become one marked for mind boggling corruption which continues to impoverish and destroy Nigeria for the past sixteen years.

In a statement, yesterday, by its Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, the party urged Lagosians to “open their eyes and not fall prey to the evil and destructive gospel of PDP”.

The party said, “For some time now, the PDP in Lagos has been hallucinating on taking over power in Lagos. Lagosians that have witnessed responsible governance that has elevated

Lagos from the slum President Olusegun Obasanjo described it 13 years ago to Africa’s fifth largest economy cannot but wonder what fires PDP’s recent optimism if not the wish that somehow it will bring its notorious ability to rig elections in Nigeria to its rich list of vassal territories.

“Since 1999, Nigeria, as the sixth largest producer of oil in the world has harvested over N150 trillion from oil alone. This is enough to make every Nigerian rich, as is the case with every other major oil producing nation on earth. But the reverse is the case in Nigeria, in the hands of the PDP governance of the country. Even as Nigerians pay the highest price for petroleum products among other oil producers, our roads remain the

worst, Nigeria has the third largest population of poor people in the world, as more than 140 of the estimated 165 million Nigerians live below the poverty level, according to World Bank statistics.

“Today, Nigeria is ranked by UNICEF as the country with the second highest infant death rate in the world, our medical state is so terrible that our so called leaders jet to foreign countries to treat catarrh. Our educational system has almost completely gone bankrupt as Nigerian schools hardly make African Top 100 schools, mass failures in WAEC has become the fate of Nigerian educational system under PDP."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 — 53

54—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Delta commences issuance of new C of O

COOPERATION : From left— Mr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, Chief Executive Officer, LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited; Mr. Jaap Reinking, Financial Institutions Director, FMO Entrepreneurial Development Bank; Mr. Jeroen Harteveld, Financial Institutions, Africa Investment Officer, FMO; and Dr. Kamakhya Singh, Chief Finance Officer, LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited, at the siging ceremony between LAPO Microfinance Bank and FMO Nederlandse on credit facilities received from FMO in Lagos.

PHOTO: AKEEM SALAU.

By Festus Ahon

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GHELLI—IN line with its transformation agenda, Delta State Government has commenced the issuance of new Certificate of Occupancy, C of O, which is modern and has security features to applicants, who applied for statutory right of occupancy.

Speaking during the formal presentation of the new C of O to stakeholders, including members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in Asaba, yesterday, the state Commissioner for Lands, Surveys and Urban Development, Mr. Patrick Ferife, said the meeting was to sensitise all major stakeholders on the change of the C of O. Ferife said: “The new C of O is highly treasured and a specially packaged document that will immensely restore public confidence in the integrity of our C of O and the overall quality of our service delivery by the ministry of Lands, Surveys and Urban Development in line with the core objective of SERVICOM.” Thanking Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for his encouragement and commitment to the success of the project, which he described as the dividends of the state g o v e r n m e n t ’ s transformation agenda in making the state best amongst equals anchored on the Delta Beyond Oil initiative, Ferife said the old C of O would systematically be withdrawn and replaced with the new one.

NCDMB tasks stakeholders on local content policy implementation

By Samuel Oyadongha

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E N A G O A — EXECUTIVE Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Engr. Ernest Nwapa, has charged members of the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum, NCCF, to brace up to the demand of setting agenda for the implementation of the nation’s local content policy.

Nwapa, who inaugurated the Forum in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said it was to provide a platform for information sharing on upcoming projects and local capabilities in the oil and gas industry.

The body, he added will also serve as think-tank for the articulation of implementation models for the development of local content in the nation’s oil and gas industry.

Citing Section 57 of the Local Content Act, which provides for the establishment of Nigerian Content Consultative Forum, he noted that the membership of the body was drawn from key industry stakeholders in engineering, fabrication, banking, insurance, legal, shipping and logistics, materials and manufacturing, Petroleum Technology Association, Information and

Communication Technology, among others.

Earlier, NCCF Director, Mr. Patrick Oba, commended

Ex-militants pledge support for Orubebe

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ATA N I — F O R M E R militants under the aegis of Movement for Orubebe’s Actualisation, MOA, from Patani, Bomadi, Warri North and Warri South-West Local Government areas of Delta State, have pledged their support for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe.

The ex-warlords, who stormed Patani town yesterday in a rally, described Orubebe as a detribalised Deltan with an impeccable character who the youths, elders and women of the state are yearning for him

KPE Anioma, a socio-political pressure group in Delta North, Delta State, has endorsed the governorship aspiration of Chief Tony Obuh in the 2015 general elections.

Obuh recently resigned his position as a Permanent Secretary in Government House, Asaba.

In a statement in Igbodo, Ika North-East Local Government Area, Chairman of Light of Anioma

nation, Chief Joe Obuseh said after exhaustive deliberations by members, they resolved to endorse Obuh for the guber race.

Obuseh, who is the Ikejiani of Igbodo Kingdom, expressed appreciation to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for giving Chief Obuh the opportunity to serve the state and exposed him to

to govern them come 2015.

The Co-ordinator of MOA, Mr. Eniekenemi British, told newsmen that they decided to garner support for the exminister after carefully looking at the antecedents of the entire governorship aspirants jostling for the seat.

He said: “Orubebe is widely accepted by the Anioma, Urhobo, Isoko, Itsekiri and the Ijaw owing to the fact that when he was a minister for Niger Delta Affairs, he prudently managed funds meant for the construction of the East-West Road and adopted an open door policy with all Niger Deltans.”

S

TAKEHOLDERS from Ogulagha and Gbaramatu kingdoms in Delta State have thanked Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, for the Federal Maritime University he attracted to Okerenkoko.

Chief Beck Hitler, who spoke yesterday in Warri, said the university was Tompolo’s legacy to the Ijaw nation and unborn generations in Niger Delta region.

He said Tompolo will continue to partner the Federal Government and Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, to speed up the execution of the project.

He said: “We are happy to have a brother and leader like Tompolo, who is committed to the wellbeing of our people.”

I don't know how to steal, says Barlows, House of Reps hopeful know how to steal” but has called on the people not to

K

OKO— A House of Representatives aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2015 general polls, Mrs Alero Barlow, has said she “does not

Ukpe Anioma endorses Obuh for Delta guber

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Nwapa for his efforts in ensuring the development of Nigerian content in the oil and gas sector.

Communities hail Tompolo over maritime varsity

intricate and sensitive state matters which would be useful to him in the administration of the state.

He said: “Ukpe Anioma is out to unify all like-minded sons and daughters of Delta North and focus their mind towards encouraging good governance.”

Obuseh said the group seeks to encourage fairness, equity and social justice.

the connections to assist Deltans and take War ri federal constituency to the next level.

Mrs Barlow spoke at the Warri North PDP secretariat in Koko, while declaring her intention in the presence of party leaders and her supporters.

Describing herself as a grassroots and community person, who is proud to be an Itsekiri, she said: “Abuja is not a place for people without vision,” but with the right contacts.

An environmentalist and chieftain of PDP, Prince David Omaghomi in his remark at the ceremony, said PDP was the only party “that will deliver Itsekiri,” and

cast their vote in the forthcoming elections based on sentiments.

He said that the voice of Itsekiri ethnic nationality come 2015 lies in the Senate, House of Representatives and Delta State House of Assembly.

Responding, Warri North Local Government PDP Chairman, Mr. John Okoroloko described Barlow as a qualified person for the House of Representatives seat, adding that “she is on the right track.”

He said that politicians seeking re-election should first tell the people what they have done with their earlier mandate before canvassing for re-election.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014—55

2015: 'Jonathan‘ll lose Anambra State if...'

By Enyim Enyim

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NITSHA — INDICATIONS emerged, yesterday, that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may again lose Anambra State in the 2015 general elections should its national leadership fail to quickly resolve the long drawn crisis in the state chapter of the party.

Addressing reporters in Awka, some stakeholders and members of Emma Nwaeze-led faction of the party, called on the national chairman, Alhaji Muazu, to

urgently wade into the crisis and resolve the problem.

Spokesman for the group, Mr. Chukwudi Okasie, specifically appealed to the national leadership of the PDP to dissolve the present state executive on October 24 when its tenure would expire, threatening that they would go to court if a factional chairman, Chief Ken Emeakayi, continued to parade himself as state chairman after that date.

“The PDP is in confusion because we have two factions and based on this in the 2015 general

elections, the PDP has less than 50 per cent chances of winning the state.

“We were elected under the Emma Nwaeze executive which Emeakayi served as a vice chairman before he arrogated to himself the chairmanship of the party.

“Our tenure expires on Ocober 24 this year and we expect the national leadership to set up a caretaker committee before a proper congress could be conducted,” he said.

The group, which accused Emeakayi of anti-party activities

by working against the PDP governorship candidate, Mr. Tony Nwoye, in the last governorship election, warned that if he was not stopped in his present court matter aimed at elongating the tenure of the out-going executive, the party would again be compromised in the general elections.

“We are equally calling on the reconciliation committee chairman, Alhaji Amadu Ali, to investigate the matter and invite us to a round table reconciliation,” he said.

ABIA 2015: PDP chieftain supports guber zoning, says it's for peace

By Anayo Okoli

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MUAHIA — A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abia State, Mr. Ugochukwu Uwaeke, has called on PDP members in the state to respect its zoning of the governorship ticket to Abia South senatorial zone in 2015 elections.

According to him, the decision to zone the governorship ticket is to engender fairness, equity and justice.

Uwaeke called on all governorship aspirants on the platform of PDP, especially Ngwa people of Abia Central, to respect the decision so as not to make nonsense of the decision.

He said if the Ngwa in Abia Central zone continued with their ambition, other aspirants from the North would be emboldened to oppose the zoning and make nonsense of the party’s decision.

Uwaeke, who is the General Manager of Abia State Transport Company, Abia Lines Network, commended Governor Theodore Orji and the party for the zoning which, he added, would bring sanity and discipline to the party.

Governor Orji, according to

him, has enthroned equity, justice and fairness in the state, pointing out that since then, Abia had been very peaceful.

“Since the governor and the party caucus have zoned it (guber ticket) to Abia South, it is a commendable decision and I call on all Abians to support it. It will bring peace because it is predicated on equity and justice.

“Abia North and Abia Central have taken their turns, it is wise for Abia South to take

its turn in the interest of fairness, equity, justice and brotherhood,” Uwaeke said.

He also called on Senator Uche Chukwumerije, who represents Abia North senatorial district in the Senate to drop his ambition to return to the Senate in 2015, saying that after serving for 12 years, it was only fair for him to make way for others from other parts of the district. Besides, he said, Chukwumerije had not done well in the representa-

tion of the zone and called for the seat to shift to Arochukwu.

According to him, Arochukwu people are yet to produce a senator in the zone.

On the acrimony between Governor Theodore Orji and former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, Uwaeke attributed the problem to envy.

“There is no basis to compare the two administrations because the former governor did not leave any tangible development behind,”Uwaeke said.

T

HE second edition of Native and Vogue Port Harcourt International Fashion Week which kicks off today, has been described as part of the destination brand campaign aimed at repositioning the state as a business and tourism destination of choice.

Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Ibim Semenitari said this at a cocktail reception hosted by the governor at Government House, to welcome models, designers and other stakeholders participating in the second edition of this annual event.

According to her: “There are two reasons why we are doing this. The first one is that it is part of our destination brand campaign. When we kicked off our brand campaign in 2010, the idea was to reposition Port Harcourt as the

By Austin Ogwuda

T

HE DESIRE of Enugu State governor, Sullivan Chime, to go to the senate in 2015 has received a boost as elders and traditional title holders in Awgu Local Government Area have thrown their weight behind him.

The traditional title holders, under the aegis of ‘Ndi Nze N’Ozo Awgu Egbeleli, led by their traditional prime minister, Chief Stephen Onuoha, who paid the governor a solidarity visit at Government House Enugu, presented him with the traditional ‘ofo’ stick, saying it was a symbol of authority and unanimous mandate to represent them in the Senate.

Polycom, Mitsumi partner on video collaboration

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*From Left: Godoni Ekpata, Face Of Native and Vogue 2013, Dennise Ekpata, Gov. Rotimi Amaechi and Celine Njaero at the Native & Vogue cocktail.

2nd Native & Vogue to reposition Rivers as tourism destination

By Jemi Ekunkunbor

Awgu elders endorse Chime for Senate

place to be, live, and work as Port Harcourt has always been known as a place for its creative spirit and one of our core area of strength is in creativity” Decrying the lack of the worth of the creative industry in an economy, the commissioner pointed out that not only does fashion encourage entrepreneurship, it also adds

to the GDP of many countries.

“When you think about how many people are gravitating to Paris, for the Paris fashion show, the number of people that are going to New York, when you think about the thing that has positioned Milan on the world map, you are thinking fashion”.

She expressed optimism that with over 60 models who hail

from Rivers State participating in the show, it is a testament that Rivers State models and designers are upping their game and a proof that Port Harcourt is coming of age.

Among those present at the reception were top London based designer, Yemi Oshikoya of Kosibah Couture and South Africa based model Millen Magese.

NE OF the largest technology and consumer electronics distributors in Africa, Mitsumi Nigeria Limited, has entered into partnership with Polycom on video collaboration to help defy distance among colleagues, clients and suppliers in Nigeria.

Polycom, involved in unified communications and collaboration, is out to transform how people collaborate to change the face of the industry.

The new technology was unveiled to the public in Lagos recently.

Speaking at the event, Chris Prowse, Polycom Regional Sales Director, North Africa, Saudi Arabia and Levant, said: “Video conferencing will help achieve business goals and defy distance within organizations.”

Mamman Nasir Commission created many problems for Abia — Gov Orji

By Anayo Okoli

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MUAHIA — GOVERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State has accused the Mamman Nasir Commission on Boundaries of creating problems between the state and its neighbours.

The governor spoke against the backdrop of concerns ex-

pressed by current leadership of National Boundary Commission that no single interstate boundary in the South East zone had been conclusively demarcated to date.

The Commission had blamed inadequate funding and lack of logistics support for the problem.

But Governor Orji said the

state had been trying to resolve the problems created by past leadership of the Commission and urged the present leadership to help in the quick resolution of the problems.

According to the him, "Abia State’s problems with Akwa Ibom is the most problematic of all boundary issues the

state has with its neighbours."

Orji, who noted that the state also had boundary problems with Ebonyi, Rivers and a minor one with Imo, charged the National Boundary Commission to help maintain peaceful co-existence between the state and its neigbours as well as other states in the nation and their various neighbours.

56 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

BRIEFS

Brazil’s Silva wants better US ties

Scotland’s vote: 'No' campaigners in early lead S

COTLAND voted yesterday on whether to stay within the United Kingdom or end the 307-year-old union with England and become an independent nation in a finely balanced referendum with far-reaching consequences.

From remote highlands and islands to the tough city estates of Glasgow, people were almost equally divided over a vote watched closely by Britain’s allies, investors and restive regions at home and abroad.

Pre-voting opinion polls gave the “No” campaign those in favor of remaining in the United Kingdom - a slight edge. But hundreds of thousands of people still making up their minds held the key as polling stations opened.

Tennis star Andy Murray sent a powerful last-minute message in support of the pro-independence “Yes” vote, tweeting “Let’s do this” after months of silence on his views.

Many people see the choice as one of “hearts or heads” - whether emotional stirrings and yearnings would outweigh pragmatic concerns over the risks and uncertainty that an independent state would face.

“I’ve waited all my life for this,” said the first voter in Edinburgh’s Waverley

•At least 2,400 people have died from the Ebola virus, with Liberia bearing the brunt of the fatalities.

*Thousands of Scotts in 'a last minute Yes' or 'No' rally.

Court, a businessman who gave only his first name, Ron. “It’s time to break with England. ‘Yes’ to independence.”

As he spoke, a couple of workers hurrying by in the morning mist and drizzle shouted “Vote No!”” Those opposed to independence say a split could slow economic growth, affect the United Kingdom’s defense capability, threaten the unity of other countries and tip the balance in favor of people who want Britain to leave the European Union.

French President Francois Hollande said it would be decisive for Europe as well as Britain. “After half

a century of building Europe, we risk entering a period of deconstruction,” he said on Thursday.

Those in favor say such fears are overblown. They see a bright future for an independent Scotland in Europe, a fairer society and good defense and economic cooperation with London.

The issue has divided families and friends but also electrified this country of 5.3 million in months of debate.

One group of “Yes” voters marched to an Edinburgh polling station with a bagpiper paying “Scotland the Brave”, while on the city’s main Princes

Street, overlooked by its castle, “Better Together” campaigners handed out leaflets saying “Vote No.” “It’s not worth the risk.

There’s no going back.”

Leaders of both sides have urged Scots to consider the long-term implications of answering “Yes” or “No” to the question: “Should Scotland be an independent country?”

Alex Salmond, the 59year-old nationalist leader, told hundreds of supporters in Perth at a final rally: “Scotland’s future must be in Scotland’s hands ... This is our opportunity of a lifetime and we must seize it with both hands.”

EU denies providing safe haven for looted funds

BY HUGO ODIOGOR, Foreign Affairs Editor

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HE European Union has denied providing safe haven for corrupt public officers who take their stolen money to Banks in Europe for safe keeping.

Ambassador Michel Arrion made this clarification in Lagos yesterday in response to issues that European Union member countries have lax legislations which

makes it easier for corrupt politicians from Nigeria and Africa to run to keep their loot in European banks.

Ambassador Arrion was in Lagos where he briefed journalists at the Consulate of Italian Embassy, Lagos, on the level of cooperation between the European Union and Africa.

He said member countries of European Union have national legislations that require

them to monitor cases of stolen funds from countries in Africa as well as funds that are being moved from drug trade or financing acts of terrorism.

France has been singled out as a country with considerable amount of stolen funds from leaders of countries colonised by France. Switzerland is known to have the safest banking system which corrupt leaders from Africa utilise.

Ambassador Arrion said

*Ambassador Michel Arrion (3rd from left flanked by Mr. Massimo de Luca, trade counsellor, EU delegation (4th left) and a representative of the Italian Embassy (2nd from left)

Switzerland is not a member of European Union and its actions cannot be blamed on the EU. He said a team of European investors will be in Lagos next week to discuss with their Nigerian counterparts on areas of co-operation especially in the Energy and agriculture sectors.

He said the third business forum in Lagos will bring together companies from Europe to discuss with the private sector operators in Nigeria.

He said the objective of the business forum is to attract investment into the power sector and the Agriculture sector where the issue of nutrition is seen as a critical component of food security.

He said the areas selected are a critical to the industrialisation and diversification of Nigeria’s economy.

He said the EU has committed $600 million to finance development programmes in Nigeria.

M

ARINA Silva, a front-running presidential candidate who grew up in the Amazon jungle and could become the first black to lead Brazil’s government, said Wednesday that if elected she’ll improve ties with the U.S. and strongly push for human rights in nations like Cuba.

She spoke exclusively to The Associated Press in her first interview with a foreign media outlet since being thrust into Brazil’s presidential campaign after her Socialist Party’s original candidate died in an Aug. 13 plane crash.

Silva, a former Amazon activist and environment minister who pushed policies that helped Brazil slash the rate at which it was destroying the jungle, has found herself in a dead-heat presidential race with President Dilma Rousseff. The incumbent represents the Workers Party, which Silva herself helped found three decades ago.

“Brazil has a great opportunity to become a global leader by leading by example,” Silva said in talking about human rights and environmental protections. “Our values cannot be modified because of ideological or political reasons, or because of pure economic interest.”

India, China discuss border incursions

I

NDIA’S Prime Minister Narendra Modi has com plained to China’s visiting president about border incursions, the government said yesteray, as tensions on the remote mountainous frontier between Asia’s two superpowers threatened to overshadow a crucial summit.

As Xi Jinping hailed the potential of stronger ties between China and India to bring “peace and prosperity” to 2.5 billion people, local media reported that hundreds of troops were engaged in a stand-off in the northern Ladakh region.

The two countries have long been embroiled in a bitter dispute over their border, with both sides accusing soldiers of crossing over into the other’s territory.

The neighbours, now nuclear-armed, fought a brief but bloody war in 1962 over the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern Himalayas, and are still embroiled in a bitter dispute over the territory.

AFP could not confirm the incursion reports, but a Ladakh lawmaker who asked not to be named said around 1,000 Chinese troops had crossed into the Indian side on Wednesday — as Xi began his visit.

ISIS: Gates insists on US ground operations

F

ORMER U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates crit icized President Barack Obama’s strategy to “degrade and destroy” the Islamic State (also known as ISIS and ISIL) without sending in ground troops.

Gates is not alone in his criticism of the president.

According to a new CBS News/New York Times poll released on Wednesday, 57 percent of Americans don’t think Obama is being tough enough in dealing with the Islamist militants, while 31 percent think his approach is about right.

The poll also found Obama’s approval rating when it comes to terrorism is at a record low: 41 percent approve of his handling of the threat of terror — down 12 percentage points since March. Compare that to May 2011, after the killing of Osama bin Laden, when 72 percent approved.

“We’ve been at war with al-Qaida for 13 years. We have dealt them some terrible blows, including the killing of Osama bin Laden,” Gates said. “But I don’t think anybody would say that after 13 years we’ve destroyed or defeated al-Qaida.”

Australia warns citizens of random terror attack

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OUNTERTERRORISM raids in Sydney yester day were sparked by security intelligence that the Islamic State movement was planning a random, violent attack in Australia as a demonstration of its reach, the prime minister said.

Australian police detained 15 people and raided more than a dozen properties across Sydney in the country’s largest counterterrorism operation, saying intelligence indicated an attack was being planned on Australian soil.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he had been briefed on Wednesday night about the operation that was prompted by information that an Islamic State movement leader in the Middle East was calling on Australian supporters to kill.

Abbott was asked about reports that the people detained were planning to publicly behead a random person in Sydney.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014—57

Ebola survivors recount ordeal •We were deceived by Sawyer, ECOWAS officials on health status •as Fashola salutes courage of survivors •last EVD case under surveillance ready for discharge

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo

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IVE out of nine survivors of the dreaded Ebola Virus Diseases, EVD, yesterday, met with Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, and some members of the State’s Executive Council, SEC, where they recounted their experiences.

They include Dennis Akagha, husband of late Justina, a nurse at First Consultant Hospital, Dr Fadipe Akinniyi, Dr. Ibeawuchi Morris, Dr. Adaowa Igowoh and Kelechi Enemuo, wife of late Dr. Iyke Samuel Enemuo, who died of EVD in Port Harcourt.

Three of the survivors who are staff of First Consultant Hospital, contracted the virus from the index case, late Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian who brought in the disease into Nigeria on July 20, 2014.

Dr. Igowoh, who was the first to recount her ordeal, described yesterday as a glorious day in her life. She said, "it is a day of joy. I want to say that we are here today because of God. It was He that made us to survive. We are privileged to see this day and to be here with everybody, it is an honour. Thank you so much Governor Fashola, we can’t thank you for everything.

We at First Consultants Medical Centre took a risk, we risked our lives because we knew that we wanted to ensure the safety of Lagosians, Nigerians and humanity because we are a global village; from a small village it can spread to the world and we knew the implications, but we said we would risk our lives and we would not let the index case leave the hospital."

Dr Akinniyi: “I am most happy here today because as matter of fact, when everyone was running helter-skelter, I told myself I only opened the door and by the virtue of that, nothing should happen to me. I never knew I was deceiving myself, until the day I recorded my temperature and there was a kind of spike. I told myself what is going on. Once I have treated malaria a while ago and I told myself that it could be malaria. I used anti malaria drugs but nothing changed, rather it was getting worse. Eventually, I went to a private hospital to treat myself because I did not want to admit it was Ebola. I felt they would be able to proffer solutions to all my problems but it wasn’t to be so.

Rather, it was becoming terrible and I started stooling and vomiting. I summoned the courage and called the doctors at the monitoring units that my temperature has been persistently high."

Dennis: “I really want to appreciate and commend everything you have done. My case was different, I wasn’t among the doctors, my wife, Justina Echelonu Obioma happened to be one of the nurses that cared for the index case. She got contact with the index case, when she came back home, she told me. We didn’t know what was happening because she was having symptoms. She was two months pregnant.

She was feeling feverish. Infact that was her first day on the job, it was her first day and her first patient was Patrick Sawyer.

She just resumed that day, I encouraged her to go to work, but she was reluctant because of her situation, but I had to convince her to go and tell them in the Hospital about her condition so that they can give her more time. That was just the first day. When she came back, the following day she went to work again, then the next two days, she was off. We were just at home when the case was announced

the case of Sawyer and she told me that she cared for him at the hospital and I asked her if she was sure about what she said, because we have been hearing about it. I asked her what kind of contact she had with him and she said she used protective gloves. Hearing that, I felt rest assured."

Morris Ibeawuchi: “I was the person that received Patrick Sawyer the day he was rushed to First Consultant Medical Centre. It was like a joke. I did not know what came upon me that day. Unlike me, I was so reluctant to attend to him. But I was compelled by my colleagues to attend to him. When I got there, I was just talking to him. It was very unlike me. Being a doctor, you must examine your patient.

After due examination, I asked him some questions. But Patrick Sawyer lied to me, even the ECOWAS Protocol Officer, who sat there, kept quiet.

Collapse at airport “He asked him why he was in First Consultant. He lied to me that he was in a conference and felt so weak. As a result, people now rushed him to First Consultant not knowing that he collapsed at the airport. On that very day, the ECOWAS Protocol Officer was there and did not say anything. After sometime, I took his samples and sent it to the lab. I also informed Dr. Adadevoh (now of blessed memory). I informed her. She told me to get back to her as soon as the result is out.

When the result came out, everything was normal. But that night, the liver function test was not available. I told Dr. Adadevoh about MP result, and she was so confused and shivering because the man came in with a temperature of 39.7.

"She said I should just admit him. We treated him. We commenced with the malaria treatment. The next morning, Dr. Adadevoh came around and we all went there. At that time, the liver function test was already out and the result was so terrible. That made us to be so concerned.

After we went around, Dr. Adadevoh went for her daily clinic. It was at that point that one of the ECOWAS officers now came in and brought us information that Patrick Sawyer collapsed at the airport. After that, she asked whether I got the information.

That was how the whole thing started.

From there, we instituted barrier nursing technique. She tried as much as possible to get through to the Lagos State Ministry of Health. Again, I was asked to get Sawyer’s sample."

Fashola: However, Fashola, who called for one minute silence for those who lost their lives to EVD, commended the courage of the survivors by coming out to the public to share their experiences and damning possible stigmatization.

He stated: “We sympathize with you for the trauma that you went though. Perhaps it was avoidable. But I am sure that hard lessons have been learnt. Beyond that, I must congratulate you the survivors of the EVD. I felicitate with you and members of your family and friends. But most importantly, I thank you so much for coming forward because you took a great thing and you showed so much courage.

And you have helped us to take next step forward. And you have helped us to put an end to the spread of the EVD."

58 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

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Confirmation of name This is to state that David Charles Nsien and David Itiat Nsien refer to one and the same me. I now wish to be known and addressed as David Charles Nsien. All former documents remain valid. Calabar Academy School, NECO and general public please take note.

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Correction of name My name was wrongly written as Amadi Benaditha Chinasa, instead of Amadi Benedicta Chinasa. I now wish to be known and addressed as Amadi Benedicta Chinasa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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OKUANI—We, formerly known and addressed as Okuani Family of Orofia Village, Abagana in Njikoka L.G.A. Anambra State: 1. Ifeanyi John Okuani, 2. Doris Chikaodili Okuani, 3. Chidera Janefrances Okuani, 4. Chizoba Clara Okuani, 5. Kenechukwu Henriette Okuani, 6. Chidum John Okuani, 7. Ifeanyichukwu Emmanuel Okuani, now wish to be known and addressed as Chiemelie Family: 1. Ifeanyi John Okuani Chiemelie, 2. Doris Chikaodili Okuani Chiemelie, 3. Chidera Janefrances Chiemelie, 4. Chizoba Clara Chiemelie, 5. Kenechukwu Henriette Chiemelie, 6. Chidum John Chiemelie, 7. Ifeanyichukwu Emmanuel Chiemelie. All former documents remain valid and general public please take note.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 — 59

Vanguard CLASSIFIED ADEKOYA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Eniola Tolulope Adekoya, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eniola Tolulope Akanbi. All former documents remain valid. General public please takes note.

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ANEKE—Our family formerly known and addressed as Aneke family of Umuene Idedu, Etiti Amokwe, Udi L. G. A. of Enugu State, Nigeria, now wish to be known and addressed as Chimereze family. Our new names are as follows: 1. Mr. Boniface Robert Anayo Chimereze, 2. Mrs. Unoma Chinonyelum Chimereze, 3. Mr. Onyedikachukwu Chibuzo Chimereze, 4. Mr. Chimdindu Moses Chimereze, 5. Miss Ebubechukwu Favour Chimereze. All former documents remain valid. ESUT Teaching Hospital, ESUT, UNN and general public please take note.

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Confirmation of name AGBOGIDI—I, formerly known and addressed as Ijoba Romanus Akoji and Akoji Romanus Agbogidi, now wish to be known and addressed as Akoji Romanus Agbogidi. All former documents remain valid.

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Confirmation of name NGO—This is to confirm that the names Ogbegwa Onyeka Charity Oghenedoro, NgoOgbegwa Onyeka Charity, Ogbegwa-Ngidigwe Onyeka Charity and Charity Onyeka Ngo belong to the same person and all refer to me. I now wish to be specifically known and addressed as Charity Onyeka Ngo. All former documents remain valid.

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Confirmation of name This is to confirm that the names Asanebi Prince Anyoma and Anyoma Oyin-Emi Prince as it appear on my Letter of Provisional Admission of 2014/2015 and WAEC result refer to one and same me. I now wish to be known and addressed as Anyoma Oyin-Emi Prince. All former documents remain valid.

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Cole celebrates Roma’s C/L win

R

OMA defender Ash ley Cole tweeted his delight at the Giallorossi’s 5-1 triumph over CSKA Moscow last Wednesday’s night. Roma began their Champions League campaign in empathic fashion, demolishing Russia’s CSKA Moscow 5-1 at the Stadio Olimpico.

Veteran talisman Francesco Totti was instrumental and former Arsenal forward Gervinho netted twice in a game that was marred by crowd trouble between the two sets of fans. Cole, who signed on a free transfer in the summer, had a watching brief as Vasilis Torosidis started, but the former Chelsea man was still delighted by the result.

*Ashley

Klitschko to restart training soon

T

HE injured IBF/IBO/ WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (62-3, 52 KOs) is close to being ready to restart his training camp for his rescheduled November 15th title defense against #1 IBF Kubrat Pulev (21-0, 11 KOs) at the O2 World Arena, Altona, in Hamburg, Germany. Wladimir, 38, suffered a tear in his left biceps during training camp for his previously scheduled fight against Pulev on September 6th.

According to Klitschko’s manager Bernd Boente, Wladimir will be ready to start training again in a couple of weeks for the Pulev fight. Depending on what Pulev brings to the table, this could be one of Wladimir ’s toughest title defenses in many years since his stoppage win over a prime Tony Thompson in 2008.

Klitschko

60 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

NSA 2014: Okagbare, Enyeama top nomination list *Blessing Okagbare (backing the Camera, is congratulated by a fellow athlete.

T

HE 2014 Nigerian Sports Award has entered the voting phase as the top three nominees for each of the different categories of the award have emerged.

Names of the top three nominees for all the categories of the award was unveiled at a press conference on Thursday by the organisers of the Award.

Addressing the media, the General Manager, Unmissable Incentives Limited, Mr. Kayode Idowu noted that the panel received overwhelming nominations for the 2014 editions of the award from members of the public adding that it was a tough job for the collating to select the top 3 nominees for each category.

According to Idowu, Nigeria’s golden girl, Blessing Okagbare and Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama top the nomination chat as both of them were nominated in two categories.

Blessing Okagbare who won double Gold medals at the just concluded Commonwealth Games was nominated for the Track & Field Star of the Year and SportsWoman of the Year Awards while Vincent Enyeama was nominat-

ed for the Sportsman of the Year and Footballer of the Year Awards Asisat Oshoala, who won the Golden Boot and Ball at the just concluded Women U-20 world Cup, was nominated alongside Desire Oparanozie and Dike Courtney for the Footballer of the Year (Women) category. Vincent Enyeama, Emmanuel Emenike, Ogenyi Onazi were nominated for

the Footballer of the Year (Male) In the Ball Sports category, high flying Table Tennis player Aruna Quadri, who won the award last year, is nominated alongside another sensational table tennis player: Segun Totiola and Onaolapo Ojo while Blessing Okagbare and Ese Brume are the only two nominated for the track and field award.

Oshoala confident of AWC success

C

ANADA 2014 FIFA women’s U20 World Cup most valuable player, Asisat Oshoala, says the target for Nigeria is to reclaim the Africa Women’s championship which is set to be held in Namibia in October.

Oshoala, top scorer at the last FIFA U20 women’s World Cup in Canada with seven goals, has joined up with the senior women’s national team, the Falcons as they prepare for the next Africa Women’s Championship. The Falcons have opened camp in Abuja, the Nigerian capital after weeks of delay due to the crises in Nigerian football. The team also failed to win the last edition of the competition for only the second time since in-

ception, after they fell short in Equatorial Guinea.

But Oshoala says they are working very hard and hoping that the title returns to Nigeria.

“The target obviously is to go to Namibia and win the tournament, that is what we are working for at the moment,” she says.

“After the failure of 2012, we cannot afford not to win the competition again this time.”

The Nigerians are grouped alongside hosts Namibia, Ivory Coast, and Zambia in Group A, and play their opening game against the Ivoirians at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on October 11.

Nigeria have won the tournament a record eight times.

Eagles'll fly again, qualify

Enyimba can still beat Pillars to the title – Ikhana

E

NYIMBA manager Kadiri Ikhana says his team will get better and keep fighting for the league crown, despite succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to Akwa United in a week 26 fixture of the Nigeria professional football league on Wednesday.

A Kufre Ebong goal late in the first half condemned Enyimba to another loss, which now leaves them four points off leaders, Kano Pillars.

But Ikhana still be-

lieves his players will keep improving.

“It was a painful loss, but we will keep improving. It wasn’t a very good game for us, but I know the players are determined to win the title so we will keep working and keep improving,” he told sl10.ng.

The seven time league champions would have gotten to within a point of Pillars, if they had won, but the loss means they’re still third on the

log, with Nasarawa United, who lost 3-0 to Crown, still second with a point better.

Kano Pillars’ 1-1 draw with Taraba means they have the lead, but Ikhana says it can all change in two games.

“We all know how unpredictable the league is and because Pillars are top now doesn’t mean they can’t lose,” he added. They ’re just four points ahead of us and that could change in two games."

Continues from BP Morocco. “ I think we have a good chance to qualify.

It is just two games and we have four more games to play. We just have to concentrate on those four games and get good points from them and it will see us through”, said the former Braga defender.

Reflecting on the 3-2 loss and barren draw against Congo and South Africa respectively, the for mer Rennes player said Eagles only have themselves to blame for the defeat in Calabar, adding that “for me as a player, I think we could have done more at home because if we had done, we would not have lost. The lesson for us is that we have to work harder and give more. “ On the match against South Africa, it was always going to be difficult for us to win because any team that play against African champions will be determined to get a good result, which was what the South Africans

got because they worked hard for it”, added the 26 year-old former Bendel Insurance star.

Eagles face Sudan in a double-header AFCON clash early next month, two fixtures that Echiejile insists Nigeria must win to remain in the race to qualify for next year ’s AFCON. “I don’t think we really have much choice than to get the maximum points against Sudan because we are third in the group and to stand any chance of qualifying, then we have to get the six points from those games so we can step up our position on the table”, said Echiejile, who reckons that a new contract for coach Stephen Keshi will strengthen his commitment to the Nigerian cause.

“Playing for the national team needs your commitment and when you have a hundred percent commitment it will always show in anything you do. So I think any positive thing done will really help the team”.

On the competition for slots in the Super Eagles, Echiejile said it was a healthy rivalry as all the players just want to give their best to their country.

“We have Juwon and Francis who just moved to Israel.. We have good players in every position, who are up to the task. There are lots of back up players who could come up and take care of the situation whenever the player playing that position is not available”.

On a possible move from the Principality in Monaco, Echiejile says it is too early to be thinking of moving away from France

Eagles Continues from BP

36th. Globally Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Netherlands and Belgium completes the top five while Brazil narrowly missing out on a spot in the top five as they are ranked sixth.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 — 61

Champions League: Fernandinho sure of City come back M

IDFIELDER Fernandinho is convinced Manchester City can be competitive in the Champions League despite their opening loss at Bayern Munich.

Fernandinho believes City can take much from their performance at the Allianz Arena, which ended in an agonising 10 defeat after a last minute goal.

Former City defender Jerome Boateng struck a deflected winner with just moments remaining after it seemed the brilliance of goalkeeper Joe Hart might have secured a point.

It was a blow for the Barclays Premier League champions, who after three years doing little more than gaining experience in the competition hope to challenge for the crown this time.

Bayern’s dominance over 90 minutes meant victory was not undeserved, but City

showed resilience and had chances of their own and Fernandinho has no doubt they can compete at this level.

The Brazil international said: “I think so, especially like we have played here. We played well. We created some chances to score goals, we (could have) had a penalty for us.

“Unfortunately we conceded the goal at the end of the game.

“But in the Champions League you have to keep the concentration to the end, then we wouldn’t get beaten or concede a goal.”

City can take encouragement from the chances created for Edin Dzeko and David Silva, who also had a good penalty appeal rejected.

But the result leaves them already playing catch-up in a tough Group E, with their next opponents Roma having opened their campaign with a 5-1 win over CSKA Moscow.

Mourinho cautious with Costa

C

*Costa

HELSEA travel to Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday with Costa likely to return to the starting line-up after Mourinho opted to select the Spain striker only as a substitute in Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw with Schalke in Champions League Group G. Costa has scored seven times in four Premier League matches this term, but Mourinho says the £32million summer signing from Atletico Madrid is not ready to play more than one game a week after a hamstring problem recurred while on international duty earlier this month.

PSG frustrated with Ajax draw, admits Blanc

L

AERIAL TUSSLE . . .

Manchester City’s midfielder Fernandinho (R) attacks Bayern Munich’s Mehdin Benatia (L) during their first leg UEFA Champions League Group E match in Munich, Germany. Bayern won 1-0. Photo: AFP

Enrique: We have to play better B ARCELONA coach Luis Enrique conceded his team fell short of expectations as they opened their UEFA Champions League Group F campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Apoel Nicosia.

The Catalan club wasted

ARIM Benzema isn’t cowed by the scrutiny and the pressure from the everdemanding Bernabéu crowd. He knows that the Real Madrid fans love seeing the players run until the last second and fight for every ball, but he isn’t willing to change his style of play.

He refuses to obsess over the demand for him to score more frequently.

He knows that his role

is also about acting as a foil for his teammates and setting up goals, however much flak he gets for not hitting the net more himself.

“I could play for myself, but I’m a team player. I’m going to keep doing my thing and I’m sure the goals will come”, Benzema told MARCA and several French media outlets after the Basel match.

of three in La Liga this season.

However, the coach was not willing to make any excuses, admitting the performance simply was not good enough. “We found it hard to make the right choices over the final metres,” said Luis Enrique.

Musa: We failed as a team

ESPITE scoring a D late consolation goal for CSKA Moscow in

their 5-1 loss to AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League, Ahmed Musa says his goal counts for nothing.

“We lost by 5-1 how can I be happy that I scored?” he told SL10.ng.

“Overall we were poor

Benzema fans favourite

K

a number of chances at the Camp Nou, and Gerard Pique’s 28th-minute header was all that separated the two sides in the end. Luis Enrique made nine changes to the side which beat Athletic Bilbao at the weekend to give Barça three wins out

AURENT Blanc has bemoaned his side’s missed chances after Paris Saint-Germain were held to a 1-1 draw by Ajax in Wednesday’s Champions League encounter at the Amsterdam ArenA. The Ligue 1 champions took a 1-0 lead after just 14 minutes through Edinson Cavani and appeared comfortable for much of the game, despite Ajax enjoying plenty of possession.

Blanc’s men spurned several opportunities to put thegametobed,though,and they were ultimately punished for a lack of conviction as Lasse Schone leveled matters with a curling free kick with 16 minutes left.

“If we analyse the match and look at the chances we had we can say that we’re frustrated, but it was a tough match, especially in the second half.

*Benzema (left).

and we got off to the worst possible start by conceding early” He also admitted that being down 4-0 at the halftime break demoralised them even before Sergei Ignashviech’s own-goal.

“The halftime scoreline killed our morale more that conceding an own goal in the second half, no need to point blames or name names because we failed as a team.”

Despite the heavy loss, Musa is optimistic CSKA Moscow will make it out of their champions league group.

“We are the underdogs in our group on paper but it might work in our advantage if we believe in ourselves, I’m confident we will survive the group.” he added.

CSKA Moscow are grouped with Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Roma in group E, regarded by most pundits as the group of death.

Ahmed Musa

62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 — 63

C M Y K

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

AFRICAN TOP 10

FIFA rankings:

INSIDE TODAY'S SPORTS VANGUARD

1 Algeria 2 Côte d’Ivoire 3 Tunisia 4 Ghana 5 Senegal 6 Nigeria 7 Cape Verde 8 Cameroon 9 Guinea 10 Burkina Faso

Eagles drop to 37th ...Fall out of top African 5

*Enyeama

T

HE Super Eagles’ winless start to the 2015 Africa Nations cup qualifiers has cost them dearly as they have dropped four places in the latest FIFA rankings.

Nigeria started off their AFCON 2013 title defence poorly with a loss at home to Congo and a draw away to South Africa.

The Africa champions ranking of 37th means they are now out of Africa’s top five ranked nations, ranked sixth on the continent behind Algeria, Cote d’ivoire, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal. Algeria are now Africa’s number one football playing nation based on the FIFA rankings after moving up four places to 20th in the world after a 100 percent start to the AFCON

20015 qualifiers.

Cote d’ivoire are ranked in 22nd, Tunisia moved up 11 places to 31st in the World, but third in Africa.

Ghana are fourth in Africa ranked 33rd in the world with Senegal completing Africa’s top five nation with a ranking of Continues on Page 60

AFCON 2015: Echiejile: Eagles'll fly again, qualify S

Echiejile

UPER Eagles leftfull back Elderson Echiejile has backed the Super Eagles to bounce back from their recent poor spells against Congo and South Africa and qualify for 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking in an inter-

view, the towering Monaco defence ace, who made his debut for Nigeria in 2009, said that it was still early days to completely write off the African champions from qualifying for next year’s tournament in Continues on Page 60

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Swift (4) 4 Abroad (3) 6 Grating (4) 9 Cover (3) 10 Sick (8) 11 Top (4) 14 Mineral (3) 16 Traded (5) 19 Earned (8) 21 Cap (5) 23 Severe (8) 24 Teacher (5) 27 Stray (3) 31 Savage (4) 33 Show (8) 34 Golf-peg (3) 35 Ale (4) 36 Youth (3) 37 Deadened (4)

DOWN 2 Parched (4) 3 Rank (4) 4 Watcher (8) 5 Neat (4) 6 Dazzle (5) 7 Tear (3) 8 Perfect (5) 12 Skilful (5) 13 Advantage (5) 14 Sphere (3) 15 Weird (5) 17 Detest (5) 18 Lock (5) 20 Debased (8) 22 Hill (3) 25 Combine (5) 26 Command (5) 28 Tablet (4) 29 Scrutinise (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Gratis 5, Sailor 8, Sagacity 9, Late 10, Shy 12, Sleep 15, Rot 17, Imp 18, Awe 19, Axe 20, Aping 21, Eke 22, Lot 23, Aid 24, Dud 26, Eaten 29, Yet 33, Stop 34, Generate 35, Crater 36, Insult.

DOWN: 2, Reach 3, Tear 4, Still 5, Style 6, Idle 7, Outdo 10, Stand 11, Yield 12, Spate 13, Evict 14, Pagan 15, Reedy 16, Treat 25, Ulter 27, Augur 26, Ennui 30, Extol 31, Spot 32, Kris.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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