YAKOWA/AZAZI: Publish air crash reports - Senate tells Jonathan

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61778

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

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N150

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012

Pension task force Nigeria not fighting corruption enough uncovers N3.3tn •P.15 — US •P.6 fraud

FG'll not hike pump price of fuel in New Year — Omar •P. 40

YAKOWA/AZAZI:

Publish air crash reports, Senate tells Jonathan •To probe crash; says FG not able to identify causes of crashes •Yakowa for burial tomorrow; W/O Mohammed Kamal, today •Azazi: Burial to involve Army, Navy, Airforce — Ihejirika

By HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

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BUJA— FOLLOW ING last Saturday's helicopter crash in Bayelsa State which claimed the lives of former Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa and erstwhile National Security Adviser, General Andrew Azazi and the setting up of an investigative team to probe the incident, the Continues on page 5

God and us

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Pictures of the Nigerian woman •P.19

Mr & Mrs

YAKOWA'S REMAINS IN KADUNA—From left: Wife of late Governor Patrick Yakowa, Mrs Amina Yakowa, being consoled by the wife of Senate President, Mrs Helen Mark and her husband, Sen. David Mark, following the arrival of remains of the former governor in Kaduna yesterday. INSET: From left: Retired General Gold Eburu; Col CP Izuorgu; Cap

Uzumere; Navy Capt T Udofia, Omar Akaba and Group Capt Disu on condolence visit to the family of late General Andrew Owoye Photos:Lamidi Bamidele & Olu Ajayi.

More photos on Page 48 Azazi at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos, yesterday.

Insecurity killing Nigeria's economy •P.7 C M Y K

INEC to deregister more parties

•P.6

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POCKET CARTOON

Senate to Jonathan: Publish air crash reports Continues from page 1 Senate, yesterday, urged the executive to publish reports of previous investigations into air crashes before any new probe could attract the confidence of Nigerians.

Condemning the resurgence of air mishaps in Nigeria, the Senate said it had become obvious that the Federal Government was no longer capable of coming up with solutions to causes of air crashes.

The Senate also vowed to carry out what it described as a holistic probe into the remote and immediate causes of last Saturday’s air mishap involving a military aircraft.

The Senate decisions followed deliberation on a motion moved by Senator Chris Anyanwu, APGA, Imo East for an investigation into the crash of the Naval Augusta 109 Helicopter in Bayelsa State last Saturday.

Moving the motion yesterday, Senator Anyanwu who is also Chairperson of the Senate Commitee on Navy, said: "Senate notes that in 2007 and 2011, there had been two crashes of similar Augusta helicopters owned by the Navy; worried at the seeming recurrence of air mishaps not just in civil aviation, but also in the Nigerian Military, despite public outcry; aware that

between March and October 2011, there were three reported cases of air mishaps by the Airforce at different locations in the country, and that the causes of these crashes remain unknown.

“Further aware that on March 21, 2011, one F7NI fighter jet, belonging to the Nigerian Airforce that was on a routine training programme, crashed in Kano, killing the flight instructor. The F7 fighter jet, which was reported to have come from Makurdi for two weeks training exercise was delivered to the Airforce by the manufacturers in China only a few days before the incident.

“Recalls that on September 17, 2006, in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State, an 18-Seater Dornier 228 Airforce transport plane carrying senior army officers and three crew members crashed, leaving only three survivors. The victims were members of a committee set up by the government to reposition the Nigerian Army and were enroute Obudu Cattle Ranch where the officers were to hold the retreat.”

Presiding Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, overruled a motion for the three committees to carry out a joint independent investigation on the crash.

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

S

UCCESS is no accident. It is hard work, per severance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. – Pele. You too can succeed.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

We’re taught to try to live life without regret. But if you want to be fully functional and fully human and fully humane, I think you need to learn to live, not without regret, but with it — Kathryn Schulz

Senator Abaribe had told his colleagues that the three committees could only assist whatever committee the Executive would set up to investigate the crash, adding that the committees which were saddled with responsibilities of investigating similar air crashes in the past, never came out with any reasonable results as findings.

About 15,000 lives lost in two years Following deliberation on the motion, the Senate resolved as follows: "that the Senate condemns the resurgence of air mishaps in Nigerioa and the seeming inability of government to unravel the causes of the incidents.

"That the Senate do mandate the Committees on Navy, Airforce and Aviation to investigate the frequency of these mishaps with a view to finding a permanent solution.

"That Senate observes a one minute silence in honour of the victims of Saturday's air crash in Tombi, Bayelsa state.

"The federal Government should publish past reports of investigations into Air m i s h a p s .

Summarising the debate, the deputy president of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided said: “I think we have recorded too many deaths in this country in the last two years, from 2010 when terrorism reared its ugly head in Nigeria. And since then, we have had too many deaths in Nigeria, some arising from terrorism, some arising from kidnapping, some from armed robbery, and some from ritual killings, accidents, road mishaps, air disasters, boat

mishaps and all kinds of incidents that have visited us over the years.

“The truth is that people are dying on daily basis in our country, which is very regrettable. I believe within the last one to two years, we have lost over 15,000 people, which is about the population of some countries. Yes, Nigeria is a big country with so much population but this population is depleting by the day by all these incidents, so this calls for all of us and leaders in this country to see what we need to do to halt this trend.

“As we have said here, I think our regulatory agencies need to wake up, to ensure that only airworthy planes take off and land in this country, ensure that the pilots are well trained and where maintenance needs to be done is done. And of course, some of the people

have died because of security lapses.

“That is one area that I will emphasise that we should also wake up because the protection of lives and property is the primary purpose of governance.

We, as leaders, need to buckle up to ensure that we take care of these problems before we lose our dear

population.”

He announced the setting up of two committees, headed by Deputy Senate leader, Abdul Ningi, PDP Bauchi Central, and Minority Whip, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, ACN, Lagos West. Ekweremadu added that members would visit the bereaved families.

Azazi: Family begins burial arrangements

BY EVELYN USMAN

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RRANGEMENTS for the interment of former National Security Adviser, NSA, the late Gen. Owoye Azazi, who died in the ill fated helicopter crash at Tombi, Bayelsa State, last Saturday, alongside Kaduna State governor, Patrick Yakowa and four others, have begun, with burial tentatively fixed for this month by the family.

Family sources hinted, yesterday, that the late General was likely to be buried in his home town, Yenagoa in Bayelsa State.

His first son, Owoye Azazi Jnr, however, said the date was subject to change, as plans were just at its preliminary state. Family sources also hinted that

they would have loved to bury him next week but were constrained because of the position he held before death came calling unannounced.

Meanwhile, sympathizers, among them dignitaries from all walks of life have continued to throng the Ikoyi home of the late Azazi, to commiserate with his widow and children.

Callers, yesterday, were Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, former Minister of Petroleum, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, former Chiefs of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Paul Dike and General AO Ogomudia.

Meanwhile, the remains of the Warrant officer, Mohammed Kamal, would leave Dodan Barracks to-

day for his home town, Ile Odeshile, Ora town Kwara State for interment.

Governor Amosun while speaking to the bereaved family, described the late Azazi as one who reached the apex of his career in the Military. He said: “Azazi might not have died in the war front but he died in service to the nation and in a military helicopter. We are here to remind you that we share your pains. In things that belong to the government, there is usually the tendency to wave off things and presume that it is alright.

From primary investigations, there is every need to look at our maintenance culture. It is a sad occurrence.”

Continues on Page 11

T

HIS may seem really evolutionary thinking but Kathryn Schulz seems to make a clear understanding on the premise about having regret in life. We experience regrets when we think that our present situation could be better or happier if we had done something different in the past. So in other words, regret requires two things. It requires, first of all, that we had to make a decision in the first place. And second of all, it requires imagination.

We need to be able to imagine going back and making a different choice, and then we need to be able to spool this imaginary record forward and imagine how things would be playing out in our present.

Research findings show that the things we regret most in life: Number one by far, education. 33 percent of all of our regrets pertain to decisions we made about education. We wish we’d gotten more of it. Others very high on our list of regrets include career, romance, parenting, various decisions and choices about our sense of self.

To really move forward in life, we need to learn to love the flawed, imperfect things that we create and to forgive ourselves for creating them. Regret doesn’t remind us that we did badly. It reminds us that we know we can do better.

R-l: SGF, Senator Pius Anyim; Adamawa State governor, Murtala Nyako; PDP chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; former head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Senate president, Senator David Mark; President Goodluck Jonathan; Vice President Namadi Sambo; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; former President Shehu Shagari; Minister of state for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada; FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed with the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs and the inspector general of police during the official emblem appeal launch for the 2013 Armed Forces Remembrance day celebration at the State House, Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida

6—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012

INEC to deregister more parties

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE & EMILY OFIDE

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BUJA—AS mixed reactions continue to greet his recent decision, delisting 28 registered political parties, Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, has warned that unless some other political parties he considered not currently doing well sit up, their dreams of participating in the 2015 poll may not be realised.

He said he had no regret in de-registering the 28 parties, insisting that his action was based on the commission’s discovery that the 28 affected political parties fell short of meeting the requirements of the law.

He spoke in an interview with newsmen yesterday, in Abuja, shortly after chairing the validation conference of INEC’s 2012-2016, adding that there was room for registration of additional parties that meet the laid down rules.

He insisted that INEC took the decision based on the powers conferred on it by the constitution and the Electoral Act 2006 as amended, noting that he was aware that some politicians, who were aggrieved with the decision, had gone to court to seek redress.

Jega said: “We have taken the decision to deregister 28 parties and as far as we are concerned, we have acted legally.

“Of course, many political party chieftains, especially of those de-registered, were not happy and we understand that and some of them have gone to court. We are law-abiding and we await whatever judgment that will be made.

“However, we believe the constitution and the Electoral Act have given us the responsibility to register and de-register any party that falls short of meeting the requirements of the law.”

He reiterated his desire to create an enabling environment for all stakeholders to partake in the country’s electoral process.

Pension task force uncovers N3.3trn fraud zAccuses Senate of bias

BY BEN AGANDE & HENRY UMORU

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HAIRMAN of Pension Reform Task Team, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina, has said his task force uncovered N3.3 trillion pension fund fraud by cabals in various government agencies, ministries and parastatals, which will soon be made public.

He said: “I want to tell you that what we have uncovered will surprise Nigerians. We have found that pension fund up to N3.3 trillion was stolen by the cabal and we are going to recover all the money.”

Maina said the task team has so far recovered about N221 billion and had deleted 71,135 ghost pensioners from the civil service list.

“N74 billion of the N181 billion discovered and saved by the pension task team has so far been mopped up for utilisation in the 2012 budget,” he said.

He accused the Senate committee on establishment, which is investigating the pension office of bias against the task team.

He said: “The committee is unfair to us because they have taken sides with the cabal against those of us that are fighting the corruption in the system. That is why I wrote a protest letter to the Senate President to complain about how the committee is biased.

“They don’t allow us to answer questions because they will insist on yes or no as answer and that is unfair.”

He denied knowledge of the alleged theft of N195 billion by the pension office, saying “ we have been doing all this work without running cost and we don’t even have money to buy some basic office items.”

Senate c'ttee reacts

Meanwhile, Senate, yesterday, raised alarm that the cabal in the management of the controversial pension funds was worse than the ones in the oil sector.

Senate also alleged that very powerful Nigerians and top government officials were backing Maina, which explains why he cannot be touched.

These were some of the revelations by the Joint Senate Committee on Establishment, Pubic Service and Local Governments investigating pension fund.

Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Aloysius Etok, PDP, Akwa Ibom North-West, yesterday, challenged Maina to come out with evidence of bribery allegation against the committee members.

Senator Etok said: “In the

zPowerful Nigerians behind Maina— Senate

performance of pension probe, I realised I have stepped on very powerful toes. I can tell you that pension cabal is worse than oil cabal. In pen-

sion there are so many people involved.

“No one in the committee has ever collected bribe on our behalf, and if there is any evi-

dence, Maina should come out and prove it to Nigerians.

“No security agency has ever investigated me on bribery allegation.”

PUBLIC HEARING: Femi Gbajamiamila, representing Speaker and Minority Leader (left) and Uche Ekunife, Chairperson, House Committee on Environment, during public hearing on oil spillage at National Assembly, Abuja. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Yakowa's body arrives Kaduna, burial tomorrow

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

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ADUNA—AIR Force plane bearing the corpse of former Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State, and his aide, Dauda Tshoho, arrived Kaduna International Airport around 3pm yesterday, escorted by the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (rtd) former Governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieseigha, and seven other top government officials from Bayelsa State.

They were received by Yakowa’s widow, Mrs Amina Yakowa, the new Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Muktar Yero, over 10 serving Senators and members of the state House of Assembly and the State Executive Council.

Most of those that turned out to receive the corpses wailed openly on sighting the golden-coloured casket that was draped with Nigerian flag, even as security men had a hectic time controlling the large crowd.

Others who received the corpses, included local government chairman and religious and traditional leaders.

Mrs Yakowa, dressed in black attire, was accompanied by her children. They wept; comforted by close relatives also in tears.

Various women fellowship groups and Church societies engaged in prayer and praise sessions at the tarmac.

Handing over Yakowa’s remains to the Kaduna State government, Jonah said: “I sympathise with the family and the people Kaduna State.

I wish to inform you that

Bayelsa State government on Tuesday held a valedictory Executive Council Session in memory of your late governor.

“Our Governor, Seriake Dickson, and the SSG spoke on the accomplishment of your late governor during the session.

“He was a governor and a bridge builder, whose career since his days as the SSG till his demise, was aimed at ensuring peace and development for the people. I plead with you all to support the new governor to enable the state forge ahead.”

In his speech, Governor Yero expressed appreciation to the government and people of Bayelsa State for their supports and prayers.

He said: “I want to assure you that we will continue with the foundation laid by late Governor, Yakowa, for the sustenance of peace, unity and progress in the state,” he said.

The Catholic Arc-Bishop of Kaduna Catholic Arch-Diocese, Most Rev. Mathew Man-Oso Ndagoso, and Catholic Bishop of Zaria, Most Rev. George Dodo, took turns to pray for the repose of Yakowa and Tsoho before their caskets were transferred into an ambulance, followed by a long convoy of cars and drove through the 20 kilometre the Mando-Nnamdi Azikwe Eastern by-pass, to the St. Gerald Catholic Hospital mortuary, Kakuri, where the Senate President, Senator David Mark and his wife were waiting to receive them.

The top personalities at the ceremony, apart from the seven top government officials from Bayelsa State, included

Governor Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi State, Senators Bukola Saraki, Danjuma Goje, Andy Ubah, Nenadi Usman, Afuwai Bonnet, among several other dignitaries.

Vanguard gathered that Yakowa’s remains will be brought to the state EXCO Chambers today for a valedictory session by the members.

There will be wake-keep at his official residence in the evening, while the burial would be tomorrow at his country home in Kagoma, Jemaa Local Government Area of the state; about 250 kilometres from Kaduna metropolis.

Sambo on Kaduna Deputy Gov

Meanwhile, Vice-president Namadi Sambo and elders of the Christian dominated Southern areas of Kaduna have denied pressures on them to push widow of the late governor of Kaduna State, Mrs. Amina Yakowa, for the position of deputy governor of the state.

In conference calls to reporters in Kaduna, yesterday, Lt.Gen. Zamani Lekwot, Chairman of Southern Kaduna Elders Forum, SKEF, and the media aide of the Vice-President, Sani Umar denied discussions in that regard.

They spoke in response to reports that Sambo and Lekwot had agreed to push forward Mrs. Yakowa’s name to fill the office of deputy governor, which became vacant following the inauguration of the former office holder, Yero, as governor.

The immediate past governor and Amina’s husband, Mr. Patrick Yakowa, died in a helicopter crash last Saturday.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012—7

Flood: Kogi govt debunks diversion of relief materials

BY EMILY OFIDE

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OKOJA—KOGI State gov ernment has debunked allegations that it turned relief materials meant for victims of the recent flood disaster in the state into political handouts for sympathizers of the state administration.

The deputy governor of the state, Arc. Yomi Awoniyi in a reaction to the claim ascribed to the state chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo challenged critics complaining of inactivity by the administration to align themselves with the problems of the state that the administration has been battling to overcome.

The Deputy Governor said; “To the mischief makers, it may appear we are not making progress, but all well-meaning citizens and people who have knowledge of the problems of the State know that we are doing a lot to create a platform for an orderly growth of the State based on best practices of modern governance”.

He further debunked allegations that he and Governor Idris Wada had gone on a massive shopping spree of property, saying that the allegations were aimed at detracting the administration from its purposes.

Achebe’s memoir on Biafran listed on 2012 IOS best books

BY PRISCA SAM-DURU, WITH AGENCY REPORT ROFESSOR Chinua P Achebe’s latest book, “There Was A Country: A Per-

sonal History of Biafra”, is among books listed on the IOS Books of the Year, 2012.

The book adjudged as one of the best in the biography and memoir category by the international organization, despite generating lots of controversies and debates at home, was described on The Independent (London) as “the book that we’ve been waiting for since 1967, and the start of the Biafran War ”.

“In an era in which memoirs seem mostly to be written by young celebrities with nothing to say, how refreshing that this year ’s best examples are genuinely long-awaited life stories from those who know life, and a story, when they see it. There Was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra by Chinua Achebe (Allen Lane, £20) really is the book that we’ve been waiting for since 1967, and the start of the Biafran War ”.

Insecurity killing Nigeria’s economy — Abubakar M

INNA—A former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, yesterday expressed worry that the insecurity in the country was affecting the nation’s economy, especially its Northern part.

Abubakar made the remark after his inauguration as the Chairman of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai Endowment Fund board of trustees by Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger State.

He said the North was hard hit by the problems of insecurity that its once popular night economy had been sent into comatose, adding: “there is no more night economy”.

He said carnage, destruction of public property and loss of innocent lives were having negative effects on the national economy and therefore should be stopped.

“People who have grievances against the government should come out to discuss the grievances and settle for peace,” Abubakar said.

He told parents that they had a responsibility to check their children to

avoid their falling into wrong groups.

He also urged the State Government to contribute meaningfully to the fund to facilitate the execution of ongoing projects such as lecture theatre, lecture rooms, central water system and vice chancellor lodge.

Abubakar urged Nigerians, especially the elite, to

contribute to the fund thus paying back for the free education they had enjoyed in the state and parts of the country.

He told the 6,000 students of the university to remain disciplined and avoid anything that could tarnish the university’s image.

The former head of state also urged the institution’s authorities “not to spare the

rod” in dealing with any errant student.

Abubakar paid tribute to the late Kaduna State governor, Patrick Yakowa, who died in a helicopter crash on December 15, describing him as a worthy citizen and a friend.

The Niger State Governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu, affirmed that the relationship between late Yakowa and Abubakar was very cordial.

From left: Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Kabiru Jajere, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on INEC, Jery Manwey, during stakeholders validation of INEC in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

FG warns envoys over unguarded comments

BY VICTORIA OJEME

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BUJA—FEDERAL Government yesterday cautioned members of the diplomatic corps in the country from making provocative and unguarded comments in press interviews and public functions, saying this is in utter disregard to local sensitivities.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, said this in his address at an interactive session with the diplomatic community at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja yesterday.

Ashiru noted that such statements amount to undue interference in the internal affairs of Nigeria, adding that they sometimes represent and promote the views of antidemocratic forces designed to ridicule or embarrass the government.

“The Nigerian government will not encourage or condone Ambassadors and

High Commissioners running riot with comments that are capable of undermining the host authorities abroad”, Ashiru warned and called on the diplomats to support Nigeria in tackling the menace of oil theft and terrorism.

He said: “Oil theft and bunkering would have abated a long time ago if there

are no buyers of stolen commodity. The vessels used for this ignoble transaction have non-Nigerian ownership, while the buyers are located in countries outside Nigeria”.

He noted that Nigeria has received many trade investments, partnership drives in many countries of the world, and as a result for-

eign investors have secured shares and contracts in various sectors of the Nigerian economy.

While commending the diplomatic missions for improvement in visa issuance to Nigerian applicants, he observed that some challenges still remain and urged them to see how they can be tackled.

Reps throw out Police trust fund bill

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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BUJA—AN Executive Bill for an act to establish the Nigeria Police Reform Trust Fund and for related matters yesterday failed to pass second reading in the House of Repres e n t a t i v e s .

The Bill, which had enjoyed goodwill from members, met its demise when the leader of the opposition, Femi Gbajabiamila, said though the bill was

well intended, it compelled states to contribute to a Police Reform Trust Fund.

Fort Dike, Patrick Ikhariele, Nnena Ukeje all contributed, with Fort Dike insisting that measures be put in place to extract performa n c e .

He also frowned on the passage of a bill which the House could not be in total c o n t r o l .

In his contribution, Asita Honourable (Rivers), however, spoke resolutely against passing of the bill,

considering the clamour for state police.

He advised that debate be kept in abeyance until the Constitution Drafting Committee concluded its assignm e n t .

He, however, continued that an earlier effort to raise fund for the police later turned out to be a scam.

When Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, who presided over the yesterday ’s sitting put the question twice, members unanimously voted against passage of the bill.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, DECEMBER 19, 2012

AMCON insists on possession of Capital Oil’s assets A

SSET Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, said yesterday it would not yield possession of the assets of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Ltd, temporarily forfeited to it by virtue of a Federal High Court order of November 13 this y e a r .

AMCON said, in a statement, that it would retain possession of the assets pending determination of the appeal it filed against the court’s ruling, reversing its November 13 decis i o n .

Justice Abdu Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja had, in the suit by AMCON, marked: FHC/ ABJ/CS/714/2012 against Capital Oil & Gas Industries Ltd and Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah, via an order exparte, granted AMCON possession of certain assets of the defendants pending

the final determination of the substantive suit. The assets covered by the court order include landed prope r t i e s .

On December 12, 2012 Justice Abdu-Kafarati discharged the order of possession granted AMCON and ordered that the defendants be allowed to continue to run their business and pay their debt to AMCON as they can.

The judge also ordered that parties should resolve the dispute amicably in the interest of the economy.

Justice Abdu Kafarati refused AMCON’s application for the sale of the petroleum products in the defendants’ facilities, which have been leaking and posed serious security risks as well as public health hazard, but instead, adjourned hearing to January 18 next year.

Dissatisfied, AMCON

appealed the court’s decision of December 12 and filed an application praying for an order of stay of execution and injunction pending appeal.

It is also seeking an order mandating the Inspector General of Police, IGP, to provide security to secure the assets of the defendants, and an order for the immediate sale of the petroleum products in the defendants’ tank farms.

AMCON prayed the court to order that proceeds from the sale be paid into an interest yielding account in the name of the Chief Registrar of the court pending the final determination of the suit.

It hinged its decision to maintain possession over the assets on the ground that the defendants were at the risk of not being able to recover the over N65billion debt owed by the defendants to four banks.

AMCON contended that not only have the defendants admitted owing it and three banks over N90billion, it was aware of the order of the High Court of England granting freezing injunct i o n against the assets of the defendants to the value of $133,518,230.36.

It accused Ubah and Capital Oil of failing to honour past settlement agreements entered by parties. AMCON said it also learnt that the defendants owe arrears of rent on the property where their facilities at Apapa are located, with threat of imminent eviction. It contended that should the defendants be evicted, it would become impossible for AMCON to recover the huge debts owed to it by Ubah and Capital Oil. “In consideration of these facts and further legal advice obtained in this regard, AMCON will remain in possession of the defendants’ assets for which the court had originally granted AMCON possession in view of the pending appeal and applications in court.

“AMCON is also doing everything within its statutory powers to ensure that the huge and widespread indebtedness of the defendants to AMCON and Nigerian banks do not precipitate a systemic risk to the financial system,” the Corporation said.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012—9

Customs destroys N70m poultry products

Pipeline fire in Ijeododo causes panic .As firefighters battle to access site; NSCDC speaks

BY EVELYN USMAN, BOSE ADELAJA, MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO with agency reports

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AGOS— A pipeline explosion on Monday night occurred at Ijeododo in the Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State, following the activities of suspected pipeline vandals.

The fire, which caused some residents of the area to flee their homes, continued to rage early yesterday.

Vanguard gathered that immediately after the explosion, the vandals escaped from the scene through the 7th Avenue canal, FESTAC town, Amuwo Odofin Local Government , leaving behind no fewer than 33, 000 litres of fuel already scooped from the pipeline which passed through the community.

The vandal also left behind a Honda Saloon car with registration number TB 645 AAA, found at the scene of the explosion.

Some of the things damaged by the explosion include: Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), farmlands and others.

Reports said that though fire fighters arrived the site four hours after, which was said to have begun at about 8:00 p.m. on Monday, they

could not immediately access the area.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, the spokesman, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, whose men also came to the scene, said they contacted the fire service as soon as

they got news on the fire.

“We also contacted officials of NNPC who immediately blocked all the outlets, which is why the fire is subsiding,” he said.

He also said that a special bridge would be erected immediately to allow the officials get to the spot of the vandalised pipes.

Also. the Lagos State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp, NSCDC, Obafaiye Shem, confirmed that there was no casualty involved in the explosion, saying “the vandals’ immediately they discovered that the pipeline cut fire, they escaped through the water.”

From right: Mr. Segun Fagboyegun, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer, RCCG; Senator Bode Olajumoke and Prof. Ahmed Yerima, during the 1st International Conference on the Establishment of the United Nations Conflict Mediation Commission, yesterday, at Youth Camp RCCG, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State. Photos:Kehinde Gbadamosi.

14 fuel-laden ships to discharge in Lagos ports

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AGOS— FOUR TEEN ships are waiting to berth and discharge petroleum products at the various oil terminals within the Lagos ports, the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has said.

The 'Shipping Position' made available yesterday, in Lagos

by NPA, showed that seven ships would discharge petrol; six would discharge aviation fuel and diesel, while one would discharge kerosene.

The document also indicated that five ships would discharge bulk sugar and rice.

It said that 76 ships carrying different commodities would berth between Dec.18 and Jan. 2, 2013.

NPA said that 14 of the ships would arrive with petroleum products.

It added that 13 ships would sail in with new and used vehicles.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 49 other ships would arrive with containers, fresh fish, rice, sugar, general cargoes, bulk wheat, steel products, base oil and bulk malt

From left: Aremu Olusegun Osoba, Bere Aderinsola Osoba and Otunba Niyi Adebayo, during the reception held in memory of late Chief J. K. Randle, after a thanksgiving service, at the Cathedral Church of Christ, in Lagos, yesterday.

Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

Western Naval Command shows strength, warns robbers

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS— THE Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda, yesterday in Lagos, warned sea robbers to stay clear off the Command’s area of responsibility, or face its onslaught.

The FOC gave this warning at the end of a three-day sea exercise code named EX ICHUNTA, which involved three of the Command’s war

ships, two helicopters and three patrol boats.

The exercise, he said, was for the Command to consolidate on the gains of an earlier exercise code named FARAUTA, in which the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba partook.

The exercise took place in the Niger Delta region with emphasis on Bonny -Akassa Escravos axis, an area notorious for crude oil theft up to the extent of the off shore oil plat

forms at Bonga and Bogi.

Although there was no interception of any vessel involved in illegalities during the three-day sea patrol, Ikioda, stated that the patrol would be a continuous one until criminality on the Command’s area of jurisdiction was brought to the barest minimum.

Already, he said the on-going exercise had started yielding the desired results, noting that there had been a drastic drop in sea robberies .

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AGOS— THE Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, destroyed about 20,000 cartons of smuggled poultry products worth over N70 million impounded by both Federal Operations Unit, FOU and Seme Command of the service.

Mr. Uche Ejesieme, the Customs Public Relations Officer at FOU, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, said yesterday that the unit seized 16,391 cartons of the poultry products between June and November.

He said that Dr. Abdullahi Dikko, the Comptroller General of Customs, had passed a circular on zero tolerance on poultry products, adding that Comptroller Dan Ugo, the Head of the Unit, was determined to ensure strict compliance.

Ejesieme said that the duty paid value of the seized poultry products was N62.3 million.

“Between Monday and Saturday, we made total seizure of 1,117 cartons of poultry products and we made sure that we seized the means of conveyance,” he said.

The Seme Command of NCS also said it impounded over 3,000 cartons of poultry products in the last three months valued at between N6m and N8m.

Mr. Ernest Olotta, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, told NAN that the controller of the Command had fortified the anti-smuggling team.

“If smuggling stops, Nigeria stands to gain through job opportunities and there will be more foods, even for export, “ Olota said.

Mr. Jonathan Nicol, the Secretary General, Shippers’ Association of Lagos State, revealed that local supply of poultry production had not met the local demand.

“Smuggling is rampant, either because the supply to the mega hotels is high or because the ordinary man in the street does not have access to the scarce local poultry products.

“The cost of buying chicken locally is twice the amount one buys from smugglers,” he said.

Nicol urged government to remove the ban placed on poultry products, adding that such measure would reduce smuggling.

10—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012

Ondo to ban funeral undertakers in hospital's vicinity

Amosun eulogises late Eso, visits family

.Osun plans state burial

BY OLA AJAYI & GBENGA OLARINOYE

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BADAN —GOVER NOR of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun yesterday paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Supreme Court Judge, Justice Kayode Eso who died last month.

The governor described the late jurist as a shining example that other law practitioners should emulate.

Late Justice Eso according to the governor was a courageous judge.

Amosun who was in the Ibadan residence of Eso, said, the late retired justice “sacrificed his yesterday for our today so that we can raise our heads.”

Meantime, Osun State yesterday, rolled out programmes to give the legal icon, Justice Kayode Esho a state burial.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Osogbo, Osun State, the Chairman of the State Burial Committee, Hon. Oguntola M. Toogun, stated that the state government intended to give a befitting burial.

Toogun who is also the Assistant Chief of Staff to the Governor, said Justice Eso was not only courageous or a fearless judge but was equally known during his life time for his brilliance and illuminating judgment in the judiciary.

On the programme of event, Toogun disclosed that service of songs at Bodija International School, will be organised today while the state government will receive the corpse of the jurist on Thursday at Asejire border between Oyo and Osun states.

Other events, he said, will include Christian Wake-keep at the Anglican Church of the Risen Christ, his residence, Oke Omi Iru Ilesa, while a farewell oratory session in honour of the jurist will be held by the State Executive Council and others at the Governor’s office, Abere, Osogbo.

His remains will be laid to rest after a funeral service at the Cathedral Church of Holy Trinity, Omofe, Ilesa.

DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE—ONDO State government has expressed concern over the activities of coffin sellers and hearse operators within the vicinity of its hospitals across the state.

Specifically, the Health Commissioner, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju said in Akure that the state government has concluded arrangements to promulgate a law banning such businesses within the hospitals.

Adeyanju said the government was greatly disturbed by the advertisement of death acFrom right: Dr. Paul Orhii, DG, NAFDAC; Mr. Mcdonald Garuba, Director Enforcement and cessories to those who need enMrs. Stella Denloye, Director Lab Services, during a press briefing by Dr. Orhii, at the NAFDAC couragement to survive what Head Office in Lagos Photo: Biodun Ogunleye brought them to the hospital in the first instance.

He spoke during the launching of a programme tagged: Working Together for Health', aimed at coordinating activities of health workers to ensure maximum service delivery, at the state hospital and all the state’s health institutions.

BY LAMIDI BAMIDELE nel asked them to leave.

The chopper is owned by the According to him, “it is highly The soldiers who claimed to Nigerian Navy and was said to disturbing to see AGOS— Security situa- be acting on instructions from have been shuttling repeatedly advertisements of coffins at our tion at the Ikoyi, Lagos above, threatened to deal with between Port Harcourt, Yenogoa hospital gates. home of the former National any of the journalists who eiand Okoroba, the town where "What message are the Security Adviser, General An- ther took photographs or an aide to President Goodluck promoters of these businesses drew Owoye Azazi, who died conducted interview with any Jonathan, Oronto Douglas, was sending to the sick who should in a helicopter crash in Bayel- visitor to the house. burying his father over the be in the right frame of mind to sa State on Saturday was yesAmong the dignitaries sight- weekend. The governor and the receive treatment, the relatives terday beefed up as stern look- ed before the development former Security chief, were on who brought the sick and the ing soldiers barred access to were top military officers, both their way to Port Harcourt, en- general ambience surrounding the house. serving and retired such as route Abuja. our hospitals?

Even journalists from vari- General Gold Eburu, Group Multiple reports say the "You should not be seen ous media organisations were Capt Disu, Colonel CP carrier wobbled shortly after it promoting death where we are turned back by the soldiers Izuorgu, among others. stabilized in air and then encouraging and sustaining and security operatives.

It has been reported that the plummeted into the swamps life.”

Some of the journalists re- ill-fated helicopter, in which around 2.30pm. ported as early as 9.00 a.m. the former governor of Kaduna There seems to be no end to waiting for ‘clearance’ to take state, Patrick Yakowa, a former insinuations that there was pictures and interview digni- National Security Adviser, more to Saturday’s crash than taries who visited to pay con- Owoye Azazi, and four others, meets the eyes. dolence to the bereaved fami- were traveling in, burst into The Federal Government has ly but around 11.00a.m., a flames, before plunging into however begun investigation plain-clothe security person- the creeks. into the crash .

Security beefed up at Azazi’s Lagos home .As soldiers chase out journalists

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2,783 Ekiti LG workers' fate hangs

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BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

do EKITI — Tension has mounted in Ekiti State over the fate of about 2,783 council workers, as the state government has asked them to produce vital documents to justify their appointments According to a circular signed on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission by Mr. David Jejelowo, and pasted in all the council areas, workers suspected to have been illegally appointed were asked to produce some vital documents.

In the circular , 320 of the workers were marked to have overstayed in service by virtue of age and length of service and had been asked to produce their letters of first appointments, birth certificates, original copies of educational certificates and their personal files to be forwarded to the Commission before 17th December, 2012.

Most of the councils visited yesterday, workers were seen in cluster discussing the matter Vanguard gathered that no fewer than 1, 511 workers, had been declared to have been illegally

appointed into the local governments, while a total of 593 and 357 had been listed as redundant and allegedly promoted beyond bar, respectively.

Reacting to the development, the Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Victor Adebayo, who described the government’s action as surprising, said they would not fold their arms and allow government to sack its people unjustly.

Branding the measure as an attempt to punish the workers unduly, he appealed to government to stay action on the matter to douse the raging tension in the Ekiti State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, DECEMBER 19, 2012—11

C-River disburses N5.1m to youth council

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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A L A B A R — CROSS River State Government has presented a cheque of N5.1 million as subvention to the state branch of National Youth Council, uniformed and faith-based organisations to assist them carry out their humanitarian services in the state.

The beneficiaries of the gesture, National Youth Council got the highest share of N1.1 million while 20 registered and recognised uniformed and faithbased organisations got N200,000 cheque each.

Speaking at the event, state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Patrick Ugbe, said the subvention would help them to function better and reach out to the grassroots in their humanitarian services.

Govt urged to support indigenous oil firms

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IL producing communities in Delta State have called on both the State and Federal Government to shield indigenous oil companies from host communities, as such support would go a long way to improve the gains from the oil and gas industry.

Chairman, Kesidogu Oil Field Services Ltd, Mr. Moses Kragha made, the call during the inauguration of Ekugbe Oil and Gas Company, owned by indigenous communities of OML 34, at OtorUdu, yesterday.

Kragha said the inauguration of the company would give rise to active host community participation in the oil and gas business. He added that with the company in place, the issue of unemployment in the host communities would be a thing of the past as the youths will have the opportunity of being trained in different skills.

Gunmen release Nigerian hostage in Bayelsa ...as security operatives launch manhunt for kidnappers

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—A Nige rian, identified as Austin Giwa, abducted Monday, on the Atlantic coast of Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, alongside four expatriates believed to be Korean nationals, has been released by the kidnappers.

However, the Korean captives, identified as J. S. Chae, J. H. Kim, K. H. Kim and P. W. Lee, were yet to be released and their whereabouts remain unknown despite the manhunt launched by security operatives for their kidnappers, whose Monday action, rattled the relative peace in the coastal enclave.

The state governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, yesterday, said security chiefs in the state had intensified effort to secure the quick release of the hostages.

Condemning the act of criminality, the state governor, in statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said: “We will make the state too hot for kidnappers to carry out their trade.

Bayelsa State will not tolerate any form of kidnapping and we will do everything within our power to arrest the ugly trend.”

The victims were kidnapped when gunmen raided a Korean firm, Hyundai Fabrication Company, at Okpoama, Brass council of the state.

It was gathered that after blindfolding their captives and moving them to an unknown destination, the gunmen changed their minds and released their Nigerian victim.

The victim, who was blindfolded, was reportedly dumped in the mangrove swamps close to Odioma creek on the Okpoama

BRIEFING: From right: Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, Chairman, Prof. Augustine Ahiauzu; Dame Silverline Nwachuku, Commissioner Incharge of Civic Education and Mass Mobilization; Dr. Eddy Adiele, Commissioner Incharge of Works, Transport/Logistics, (RSIEC), during a briefing in Port Harcourt yesterday. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

NAFDAC repositioned to battle fake drugs —Orhii

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA—DIRECTORGENERAL of National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, said, yesterday, that the agency had undergone internal restructuring to reposition it to better fight against fake and counterfeit drugs and other regulated products by increasing the number of its Directorate to 13, with six zonal offices and addi-

tional three laboratories.

Dr. Orhii, in Asaba, Delta State, during the inauguration of NAFDAC Local Government Desk Officers, said: “The agency is determined to wipe out, in their entirety, drug counterfeiting, faking and all other offences relating to the importation, exportation, manufacture, distribution, advertisement, sale and use of regulated products in Nigeria.”

Represented by NAFDAC Coordinator in the state, Ms Esther Aburime, Orhii said

the agency was seeking collaboration with the local governments in the use of public address systems and town criers to disseminate regulatory information, such as dangers of drug hawking and illegal advertisement of herbal drugs, in their various dialects.

He observed that NAFDAC’s collaboration with local and international agencies was to ensure that its mandate was achieved, noting, “pharmaceutical counterfeits in Nigeria are estimated to be 17 percent and are mostly imported.”

Utuama urges Urhobo politicians to form alliance with other ethnic groups

BY FESTUS AHON

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G H E L L I — D E LTA State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN, has urged Urhobo politicians to form a common alliance with other ethnic groups in the state and beyond in order to achieve the political aspiration of the Urhobo people and increase their po-

waterway after identifying himself as a Nigerian from Brass.

“He was released at 5.30pm, about one hour, thirty minutes after their abduction. A woman, who was fishing in the river saw him where he was tied and dumped and rescued him. She took him to the police station where he made a statement,” a source said.

litical fortune in the state in particular and the country as a whole.

Speaking during the first General Meeting of Urhobo Political Congress, UPC, Utuama, noted that for the Urhobo to dictate the political fortune of the state, it must liaise with other ethnic groups to do so.

He said UPC was formed a year ago as a platform to ad-

vance the Urhobo political cause, adding that the formation of the group was already yielding fruit.

Commending the leadership of the group for its good work so far, he thanked the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, for his role in ensuring that “the two Urhobo groups, (Urhobo Political Forum and Urhobo Consultative Forum) unit together as one.”

Amaechi constitutes Board of Public Procurement

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State has constituted a seven-member board for Rivers State Board on Public Procurement.

At the ceremony at Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor urged the new board to help his administration achieve its set goals.

Five members of the former board were returned while two new ones were added to make them seven. The governor, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Feyii, commended the board members for their good job in the past, adding that they should not deviate from it.

He said: “The charge we give you is to continue to do the very difficult job that you are doing because it is not an easy job for you to look at what somebody is doing, review it and tell the person ‘no, you can’t do this.’”

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, DECEMBER 19, 2012

Students allege govt’s plan to hijack NANS convention

BY TONY NYONG

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YO—NO fewer than 450 students have stormed State Security Service, SSS, office, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to seek permission to protest against alleged plans by government officials to hijack National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, annual convention billed to hold in the state.

The students, who chanted solidarity songs, threatened to resist any attempt by government to impose a new executive on them.

Vanguard gathered that the annual convention, which was initially slated for December 1315, was allegedly delayed by the Local Organising Committee, LOC, and the Convention Planning Committee, CPC, as a result of alleged plan to hijack the association’s elections.

Mr Baba Razak, postgraduate student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, alleged that the elections were being delayed so as to get the students exhausted financially to get their votes cheaply.

Pa Edewor passes on

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A Edore Edewor, of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State is dead, aged 85.

A statement by his family said burial rites commence on Friday December 21, with a funeral service at St. Peter ’s Anglican Church Otorigho (Otibio). Reception follows at Otibio Grammer school, play ground.

A thanksgiving service will be held at St Peters Anglican Church Otorigho (Otibio), on Sunday, December 23.

Late Pa Edore Edewor

Prof. Okonjo’s abduction: Army releases 63 suspects

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—MEN of 4 Brigade of Nigerian Army, Benin City, Edo State, yesterday, released the 63 suspects arrested last Saturday at Osanogoho, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, in connection with the abduction of Prof.

Kamene Okonjo, mother of Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Similarly, a business mogul in Benin City, Edo State, Chief Uyi Oloton, who was abducted penultimate week by suspected kidnappers, regained his freedom on Monday.

Though the family members refused to speak to newsmen on his release, it was gathered that about N10 million was paid to secure his release.

However, the suspects who had been in the custody of the Army since their arrest, were sighted, yesterday, at the premises of the Army Barracks, perfecting arrangements for

their release.

Spokeswoman of the 4 Brigade, Captain Rose Managbe, who confirmed their release, said the Monarch of Agbor, the Dien of Agbor,

sent three chiefs to sign surety for their release.

She also denied allegations that the suspects had to pay for their food while in detention, and that some paid N70, 000

to secure their release.

Chief Gideon Okobia, who led the delegation from the monarch of Agbor, confirmed that the monarch sent them to secure the release of the detainees.

AGM: From right: Managing Director/CEO, Eterna Oil, Mr. Mahmud Tukur; Chairman, Mr. Fola Adeola and Company Secetary/Lagal Adviser, Bunmi Agagu, at the 2011 Annual General Meeting of Eterna Oil, held at Muson Centre, in Lagos, yesterday.

Uduaghan tasks health workers on commitment ‘Agbebaku

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ELTA State gover nor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has charged medical and health workers in the state to show high sense of commitment and sincerity in the discharge of their duties.

Uduaghan gave the charge during the official flag-off of the 2012/2013 edition of the state’s Free Rural Health Scheme, at Illah, in Oshimilli North Local Government Area.

He noted that without a formidable medical and health team that is committed and sincere, the fight to rid the state, espe-

cially rural areas, of sicknesses and diseases would be impossible, adding that the programme had continued to experience improvement every year, since its inception in 2005.

He said that surgical cases were introduced into the scheme in 2008, adding that dental care and immunization were introduced into the scheme in 2011, while the 2012/2013 edition has a Mobile Field Hospital to attend to surgical cases on the spot.

Earlier, state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Otumara, noted that the aim of the scheme, in addition to

combating diseases and other ailments, was to take healthcare services to the doorsteps of Deltans, especially the less privileged, in all the 25 local government areas of the state.

Otumara said the annual statistics of the scheme from 2008 through 2011, revealed that a total of 78,614 persons from 368 communities across the 25 councils of the state were treated for a wide range of diseases adding that 4,740 surgeries were recorded.

Elaborating on the Mobile Field Hospital, he said it has the capacity to provide full healthcare delivery of a standard hospital.

Lawyer blasts AMCON over Capital Oil

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Lagos lawyer, Chief Ziggy Azike, yesterday, berated Assets Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, for refusing to obey a Federal High Court, Abuja, ruling ordering it to vacate the premises of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited, as policemen, allegedly acting on its directives, have continued to deny workers of the company access to the

premises.

Akike told Vanguard: “This flagrant disobedience to a court order is very unfortunate, to say the least.

“It is more tragic that such arrogant contemnors as AMCON are using the police to defy the court.

“All courts ought to take judicial notice of this impunity

by AMCON and refuse to hear them until they obey, comply and purge themselves of contemptuous be-

haviour.

“AMCON took this matter to court and through an ex parte order, took possession of the property. Now the same court has vacated the order and AMCON has refused to obey, thereby choosing to obey only favourable orders.

“This conduct violates all the canons of the rule of law, and the locus classicus case of Ojukwu vs Military Governor of Lagos State, will ensure no appellate court will hear AMCON until they obey. That is the law.”

qualified to be Ambrose Alli Varsity VC’

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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E N I N — C O N CERNED Professors of Nigerian Universities, has described as untrue and mischievous, insinuations in some quarters that the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma, Prof. Cordelia Agbebaku, was not qualified to serve in that capacity in the university.

The group, in a statement by Alhaji Umar Umar, recalled that Prof. Agbebaku became an Associate Professor in 1998 and a full Professor in 2003, alleging that some persons were bent on rubbishing her name ‘because they are not happy with the face-lift the university had received since she became the VC of the university.”

It narrated that the Vice Chancellor commenced her working career as an Assistant Lecturer in 1987 in the Faculty of Law, AAU, where she rose through the ranks to the position of Associate Professor in 1998 and finally rose to the professorial position in the same University in 2003, “that was nine years ago.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012 —13

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14—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012

Enugu commissioner arrested on state Assembly’s order

BY TONY EDIKE

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NUGU—THE Enu gu State Commissioner for Poverty Reduction and Human Development, Mr. Godwin Ogenyi, was yesterday arrested by the police on the orders of the State House of Assembly for allegedly showing disrespect to the lawmakers.

Ogenyi was invited by the House to appear be-

fore it yesterday to give some explanations regarding the government’s efforts to alleviate the plight of those affected by the ban on motorcycles in the state but he failed to show up.

Although Vanguard learnt that he was seen within the premises of the State Assembly about an hour before the sitting, the commissioner could not be seen by the lawmakers

until they adjourned sitting to Thursday.

Worried by the attitude of the commissioner, the lawmakers unanimously passed a resolution directing that a warrant of arrest be issued against him and the police was immediately directed to ensure that he was arrested and brought to the House on Thursday.

But soon after the

House adjourned, the commissioner, who was apparently alerted about the development, was seen rushing into the Assembly complex but the police wasted no time in apprehending him.

Ogenyi was whisked away by security operatives who took him to the State Police Criminal Investigation Department where he was detained for some minutes before he was granted bail on self recognition.

VISIT: From left: Mrs Emike Uyanne, mother of the winner; Mr. Eze Anaba, Deputy Editor, Vanguard Newspaper; Miss Amarachi Uyanne, winner of the 10 Million Naira of Airtel Nigeria Got Talent; Mr. Fred Odueme, GM, Brand, Vanguard, and Mr. James Eze, Head, Public Relations, Airtel Nigeria, during the 8-year-old Miss Amarachi Uyanne’s visit to Vanguard Newspapers, Apapa, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Diran Oshe.

Engineers task FG on private sector participation in NNPC He noted that the oth- gional petroleum refining mented as a matter of urer proposed refineries for hub in West Africa and a

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS—THE Nige rian Society of Chemical Engineers, NSCHE, has called on the Federal government to divert majority shareholding in the three Nigeria National Petroleum Company NNPC, Refineries Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna to competent private sectors to boost their performance.

President of the group, Mr John Erinne, said at a briefing in Lagos that government should allow private investors with strong technical and financial capabilities and proven track record in petroleum refinery.

He also called on the National Assembly and Federal Government to ensure the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, was passed into law as soon as possible.

Erinne said that the proposed 350,000 barrels per day refinery in Lekki, Lagos, should be imple-

gency to ensure adequate refining capacity to meet growing demand for petroleum products in the country.

Bayelsa and Kogi should also be explored, adding that Nigeria had the potential of becoming a re-

net exporter of petroleum products in the next seven years with consistent commitment.

Govt tasked on adequate power supply

BY BARTHOLOMEW

MADUKWE

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AGOS—MARKET ING Manager of Clear Essence California Spa and Wellness Resort, Nnenna Obioha, yesterday, urged the government to ensure better power supply, noting that one of the challenges in running hotel business

is the cost of diesel used daily.

Speaking during a media facility tour in Lagos, Obioha said the hotel which have provided jobs for 36 Nigerians is trying to introduce the California lifestyle in Nigeria, stressing that the resort is making use of Clear Essence brand.

Obioha said: “In California, Spa lifestyle is a huge thing. So we are trying to bring that down to Nigeria because we offer exquisite oasis sheltered from the rush and stress of Lagos life.

Since 2009, Clear Essence California Spa and Wellness Resort have been recognised by discerning travellers as one of the finest hotels in the region.”

OSHA charges firms on employees’ safety

BY NNAMDI OJIEGO

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A G O S — SAFETY professionals and stakeholders under the auspices of Occupational Safety and Health Association, OSHA, have charged employers of labour to protect and safeguard lives of employees

by putting adequate safety measures in their organisations.

They made this call during the association’s annual conference/induction titled; “Health, Safety and Security Challenges of the Modern Workplace: Way Forward.”

Speakers at the event

stressed the need to reduce industrial accidents and improve the safety and working conditions of the workers, stressing that for organisations to improve on their productivity, the workers must be alive and healthy to give in their best.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012—15

Halliburton: Nigeria not fighting corruption enough— US

BY VICTORIA OJEME

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BUJA—INTERNATIONAL Narcotics and Law Enforcement Officer, United States Embassy, Ms Diane Kohn, yesterday, expressed displeasure over the manner the Nigerian government handled the Halliburton bribe scandal.

She told newsmen, yesterday, in Abuja, that the US punished the company involved in the Halliburton

scandal, wondering why those that received the money in Nigeria had not been punished.

Kohn said Nigeria was not doing enough in the fight against corruption.

She said corruption was a global problem that is not peculiar to Nigeria, adding that even in the US, there was corruption but that culprits were usually punished when found guilty.

Kohn noted that corruption sucks money out of the

economy, which affects the building of roads, power and other social amenities.

She gave several instances of corrupt officials not prosecuted and advised the Federal Government to be more willing in its efforts at prosecuting officers found guilty of corruption.

Kohn said: “There are cases like we see public officials with houses in London, in the United States and there are a few of them that the Depart-

ment of Justice is looking at.

“If you look at the number of high profile cases that have come to conviction where assets have been recovered, there are not very many of them.

“They have agreed what the standards should be for transparency, for criminal codes, for criminal enforcement and for international cooperation.

“What we are saying to Nigeria is that we are going to help you trace the money but you have to go after the corrupt officials. One thing that we have found, and is very apparent in Nigeria, is that

corruption affects not only your economy, it directly sucks money out of your economy.

“We are hoping that as time goes on, we can work more closely with Nigeria to help confront this, but that means Nigeria has to be willing to go after the corrupt officials.”

She called for proper funding of security agencies, even as she said that the security community was suffering from inadequate budget.

“The police should be fully funded to protect Nigerian citizens. We see that the police is not fully funded. Their training facilities are in very poor shape. The police are not being trained to do everything.

They are supposed to keep Nigerians safe,” Kohn added.

Mega Party threatens legal action over caretaker c'ttees

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ELTA State Social Democratic Mega Party, SDMP, has frowned on the newly-constituted Local Government Caretaker Committees in Delta State, threatening to drag the state government to court if a genuine local government election was not conducted in the state within one month.

Delta State SDMP Chairman, Oke Idawene, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the Association of Registered Political Parties, ARPP, Delta State, told newsmen that the Constitution of Nigeria was clear on the status of the three tiers of government, adding that the local government tier could not be truncated, hindered or overlooked.

Idawene said: “The local government elections must be held just as the case of Federal and state levels are held. The chairmen and councillors of local government council must be duly elected and officially sworn in after due democratic process.”

He said SDMP vehemently resists the “imposition” of caretaker committees on the people, especially without a definite date of elections, adding that it is either the correct thing was done or SDMP would drag Delta State government to court.

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16 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012

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— 17 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012— “I believe there is something out there watching us. Unfortunately, it’s the government.”- Woody Allen.

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The good -natured man

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ir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, the goodnatured and vastly-experienced Governor of Kaduna rose through the political ladder in much the same way as did President Jonathan. Death, that constant reminder of man’s frailty played roles in their lives with an uncanny similarity. Yakowa became Deputy Governor after Stephen Shekari died. He was then a Secretary to the State Government. He served two Governors as a loyal deputy, until the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua elevated then Vice President Jonathan to the Presidency of the nation. Of all the people he could have chosen, he selected Architect Namadi Sambo, Governor of Kaduna State to be his Vice.

Yakowa again moved up to take a slot providentially provided, the first person from southern Kaduna and a christian to become Governor of Kaduna State.

Both Yakowa and Jonathan, minorities and political dark horses, completed terms of others, and then battled for their own.

It is difficult to argue with people who argue that it was God’s will that Jonathan and Yakowa became President and Governor in 2011 respectively, principally because it is difficult to disprove it. Among people who routinely ascribe to God everything good, and then fight fiercely to subvert everything good, God is invoked when we are in trouble, and when we are safe and secure, we operate as if He does not exist.

We give glory to God when we have power and wealth, irrespective of the

God and us manner we acquire them. This is the same as giving gratitude to God for getting away with it all. We build temples for God with stolen money, and bow our heads in prayer that he will accept our supplications when we pray in them. We go through rituals of our faith in a mechanical manner, and separate our private lives largely marked by the love and fear of God, from our public lives and conduct, which are governed by values that negate everything God stands for.

The hand of God was visible in the life of Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa right up to his last breadth. The manner of his death cannot be separated from the major turning points in his life. For those who have the time to care, there are many lessons. One is the transient and ephemeral nature of political power. The bitter struggle to acquire and accumulate power and wealth could all be ended in one fell swoop. But not what you do with them. Popular opinion in Kaduna State is that the late Governor was a man who tried his best to govern a state wracked by cumulative and dangerous divisions, suspicions and conflicts. His valiant effort to bring peace in a state constantly

The Yakowa and Azazi threatened with conflict alienated him from both is own people from southern Kaduna who thought he was too soft on the “enemy”, and also from the other side, which thought he had a stolen mandate to implement a christian agenda in a state which has been a religious conflict frontline for a long time.

In the end, he gave it his best shot, and will be remembered as a good man who was held back by history and the

BY EDDY AGHANENU

T

HE man stood in royal regalia recounting the sufferings of his people. He was almost in royal tears. Royal tears! He is a king without a kingdom. A king without a homeland! A king without a palace!

He is a king whose subjects are in different countries – Nigeria and Cameroun. He is a king living in a refugee camp in his own country. The man swore! He laid curses on leaders who betrayed the collective will of the people for their own selfish ends. He chronicled before the audience the suffering of his people. People were touched by his tales of woes.

He is Etinyin Etim Okon Edet, the paramount ruler of Bakassi. He was speaking at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs’ 12th Brainstorming Session On The Bakassi Peninsula: Ten Years Of ICJ Ruling And Prolegomena To Resultant Problems. The event took place almost a month before the October 10th, 2012 deadline for Nigeria to appeal the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Bakassi Peninsula.

The occasion chaired by former Minister of International Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, had many

limitations of our political system.

President Jonathan will feel the absence of Patrick Yakowa, a man he loved, perhaps because he saw so much of himself in the late Governor. His

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HE awesome power of the Almighty was visible on Saturday last week when the plane which was flying the Governor of Kaduna State and former National Security Adviser, among others, crashed, and all lives in it were lost. The nation was also reminded of the deep submission to the powers of God by President Goodluck Jonathan in the manner his pictures were splashed all over the media and social network sites kneeling, as he did in 2010, before Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The tragic end of a good man, Patrick Yakowa could only have been part of a divine design, and most of the embattled citizens of his state must have believed this, because any other conclusion or circumstances would have triggered another round of mayhem. Two men whose political careers can only be explained by reference to divide powers reminded us of deeply we trust God in our lives, yet conduct our public affairs with scant regard for His demands on us.

tolerate abuse of rules or laws, no matter how little or large. He will be honest beyond reproach, and will not tolerate dishonesty from those around him. He will live a simple and humble life, and will shun ostentation and arrogance. He will be compassionate and sensitive to the needs of the people he leads. He will be, above all, a servant of his people, a provider and comforter in distress and need.

The President’s task to run his administration in a manner which suggests that he sees the presence of God in his personal life will be a difficult one indeed. The heart-rending report of 800,000 people applying for 1,800 advertised jobs in I.N.E.C is only a symptom of the very deep crises which faces the vast majority of particularly younger Nigerians. Everywhere you turn you are reminded of numbing statistics and stories of failures of the

A people who have profound faith in God have failed to run a political and economic system which has the slightest semblance with the manner God wants to see Godly societies run; you will almost wonder whether Nigerians believe genuinely in the power of God to punish wrong-doing in the way we steal and abuse trust with such wanton impunity

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moving submission on his knees to powers greater than Pastor Adeboye, and his attribution of his current position to God should be reinforced by the death of Yakowa. A President who believes that he owes his position to the acceptance of prayers to God should run an administration that pleases God. God that has powers to elevate and bless, also has powers to take away power, and punish ingratitude and arrogance. The millions of Nigerians who watched President Jonathan kneel before Pastor Adeboye will hope that the blessings he sought for are for him to lead this nation better. Most Nigerians will have an instinctive empathy with the abject humility of the President, but they will expect that a blessed President on his feet will be emboldened to make radical improvements in the manner he runs his administration.

A God-fearing leader

A OPINION

God-fearing leader will live a personal life that is disciplined, prudent and accountable. He will not

Bakassi: Do they know it's Xmas? scholars and eminent diplomats as speakers. It was an eye opening and revelation filled event. It was an event that a true patriot will weep for this country called Nigeria. It was an occasion that truly brought the reality home that we do not have leaders in this country but selfish rulers who care less about this country but more about their selfish interest. Is this country worth dying for?

How can a leader willingly give out part of his country to another country as Gowon did in 1975? Was it because Cameroun supported Nigeria during the civil war? Was that enough reason to cede part of a country to another - a very rich part of a country for that matter?

How can a leader remove some of the best international lawyers from the defence team simply because they were members of the opposition? How can a leader easily accept the ICJ ruling (when most Western

economy or security to keep millions of citizens out of desperate situations.

Billions are reportedly being stolen by well-connected people; and gangs are turning kidnapping of people into a thriving industry. An insurgency is threatening vast parts of the country, and criminal activities of all types are threatening to overwhelm the nation.

There are obviously massive gaps between our basic cultural values and our political system. A people who have profound faith in God have failed to run a political and economic system which has the slightest semblance with the manner God wants to see Godly societies run. You will almost wonder whether Nigerians believe genuinely in the power of God to punish wrongdoing in the way we steal and abuse trust with such wanton impunity.

There are pressures all around to improve the manner our politics benefits from our faith. At this stage, some of these pressures are being expressed either by people who think only faith-based political systems can work, or by people who pander to our basest instincts by invoking God in their support. The fight against systemic decay and failure will have to involve the emergence of leaders who genuinely love and fear God, and do his bidding with the trust and resources of the people.

countries don’t) simply because they were pursuing a third term agenda and want to be looked as good boy before the international community? How can a leader simply uproot his people from their ancestral homes without making adequate alternative arrangement for them? How can the National Boundary Commission unilaterally redraw the map of a disputed part of the country when the issues at stake have not been fully resolved? How come the NBC took that decision to redraw the nation’s international boundary when the constitution has not been amended about the said area?

How can this redrawing be done when the National Assembly has consistently said it does not recognise the Green Tree Agreement? How can such redrawing be used as the basis of judgment when the Surveyor General has not signed the new map? How can a leader watch his people rot and maltreated by another country without protesting?

Continues on pg.18 *Mr. Aghanenu, a public affairs commentator, from Lagos.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012 A RASH of concerns sprouted after the kidnapping of Professor Kamene Okonjo, mother of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Her release after five days’ captivity, under unclear circumstances, is being celebrated as victory for the perspicacity of the security agencies whose conflicting tales of the operations is another story. Her release is “a miracle”, according to her elated daughter. reason to change the perception.

We are glad this episode has passed rather It was nauseating to watch the security propitiously and the 83-year-old Okonjo is reagencies work themselves into frenzy over a united with her family. Our immediate worry crime that intelligence, technology and is the mismanagement of investigations and familiarity with the terrain, would have solved absence of proactive measures to counter in a matter of hours. For five days kidnappers crimes. held the mother of a serving Minister without Kidnapping is not just on the increase, any heat being applied on them. contrary to reports, crimes are noticed only The inadequacies of the security agencies when the high and mighty are attacked. were among the issues the incident brought Kidnappers have been on the prowl, picking to the fore again. Each time there is crime convenient targets. against a high profile personality, everyone Ransoms are paid and victims are released, jumps into the search. The police would sometimes without involving the security deploy the Inspector General of Police’s agencies, who many people do not trust, nor special force – whose job, it seems, is to wait expect to protect them. Criminals seem to act until a crime big enough to elicit Abuja’s with the certainty that help would not be interest is committed. available to their victims. They still have no

Making Kidnappers Kings

What does the special force otherwise do?

Does Abuja know that criminals have not allowed banking services in Auchi for over six weeks?

Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Civil Defence Corps were pressed into service for Okonjo. They failed to prove to kidnappers that they will be caught – and punished.

Simple technologies exist for tracking calls.

There are listening in devices for establishing the strength of the criminals. Why would the security agencies make criminals bigger than they are? The police’s haste in killing suspects is another disheartening attribute of our security operations.

Are our security agents so poorly trained that they cannot arrest suspects? Are the killings to protect security operatives or cover up possible information from suspects that could expose their sponsors?

The Okonjo kidnapping ended on the depressing note of extolling criminals. The security agencies did not prove they have developed better ways of fighting crime.

Ordinary Nigerians who cannot call up special forces from Abuja will keep suffering the ineptitude.

OPINION

BY EDDY AGHANENU Continued from pg 17

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HY did Nigeria refuse to appeal the ICJ ruling when there was documented evidence to prove that the Anglo – German Treaty of 1913, which the ICJ used as the basis of ruling, was never signed? Why was Nigeria in such a haste to hand over part of her territory to another?

These and more were some of the many posers that were raised during the workshop. Majority of speakers were against the final ceding of that part of the country to Cameroun? The people of Bakassi were against the final ceding of their ancestral land to Cameroun. They want to remain as Nigerians.

Unfortunately, they do not know where they belong. Those still in the peninsula are living in bondage while those in Nigeria are living in refugee camps.

How unfortunate can a people be!

At the brainstorming session, it was revealed that the Nigerian Navy Eastern Command are permanently locked or holed up in Calabar because they cannot go onto the international waters without permission from Cameroun. The Southern Eastern part of the country is now vulnerable to attack as the international boundary has given much of the international waters to Cameroun.

Enemy warships can now come very

Bakassi: Do they know it's Xmas?(2) close to Calabar. Meanwhile, Cameroun and France are busy exploiting the resources of Bakassi.

Finally, on October 10, 2012, Nigeria ceded part of her country to Cameroun.

This was in spite of the protest by the Bakassi people, Nigerians and the National Assembly. Our leaders promised to take care of the Bakassi people in Nigeria here and to protect those in the peninsula. The noise has died down. Everything has gone back to normal. All is well. The issue of Bakassi has been thrown into the waste can of history. Our leaders pretend that there are no more problems in the area.

But, Bakassi people are now like bats – not accepted by Nigeria or Cameroun.

They do not know where they belong.

People whose lives depended on marine farming have suddenly found themselves in environment alien to them.

They can no longer fish in their new environment. Where they have been given as their new home were taken away from the original owners thereby creating mistrust between the new owners and the original owners. They cannot vote in their own country as witnessed during the last election. They are still living in refugee camps. The money meant to resettle them has gone

the Nigerian way. About hundred houses were built for a people over a hundred thousand. Their dignity is gone as they are still dependent on the goodwill of others. Like the Palestinians, they have no home of their own.

Those in the peninsula do not fare better. They are in bondage. The palace of the paramount ruler has been coveted by the Camerounian gendarmes. The people are made to pay excessive taxes.

Women are commonly raped. The fishing gears of the Bakassi people and their catch are often seized by the Camerounian authorities. Bakassi names of communities are being changed to Camerounian names. Bakassi people in Nigeria are not allowed into the peninsula to see their loved ones there.

They are treated like spies. All these are against the spirit of the Green Treaty Agreement which specifically asked Cameroun to guarantee the freedom of Nigerians who decide to remain in the peninsula. This section of the agreement is being obeyed in the breach.

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he Nigerian government has not come to the rescue of Bakassi people. How can one sacrifice for his country when the country does not know of his existence. No Israeli is allowed to

suffer indignity in the hands of others.

For any Israeli captured or kidnapped, the government of Israel will do its utmost to rescue such. Not so with Nigeria. That was how thousands of Nigerians were killed in Liberia. Same in Libya. Nigerians are maltreated in Gabon, Equitorial Guinea and other parts of the world without protest or protection from Nigeria. Recently, the United States had to send a rescue team to rescue an American medical doctor kidnapped in Afghanistan.

The fate of the Bakassi people has an international conspiracy to it. How come that all the actions taken on the Bakassi people are against the spirit and tenets of the United Nations? Why were the people not consulted on where they want to belong?

The festive period is here. People are preparing on how to celebrate it. Our leaders are busy going about organising activities to celebrate this festive period.

Have we as individuals and as a nation spared a thought for the nationless Bakassi people? Do the people of Bakassi even know Christmas is only few days away?

Concluded *Mr. Aghanenu, a public affairs commentator, from Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012— —19

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INDSEY Vonn is an American woman, a champion skier. But she is at present not a happy skier because her wish to compete against the men has not been granted. For this she alleges discrimination against her. It’s anybody’s guess why Vonn wants to compete against the men but that desire cannot be too far from a need to be taken serious- an urge to prove a point. This time to prove that whatever a man can do, a woman can as well do, if not better.

There is the conceit in sports, not often stated but difficult to deny, that the best woman in a particular type of sport is way below her best male counterpart in the same sport. How many people would seriously entertain the notion that Serena Williams or her sister, Venus, or, indeed, any of the best women in tennis at present can play the game with the same skill and strength as any of Roger Federer, Andy Murray or Raphael Nadal? It’s ideas such as this that make it necessary for women, especially, to go out of their way to

prove a point. To be taken serious in any field of endeavour, you must stand toe to toe against the best.

This is the reason Vonn won’t find peace until she is allowed to compete against the men.

Thinking about Vonn, I was reminded of three recent instances of how Nigerian women might be trying to break down the wall of discrimination and level up with Nigerian men. The pictures I came away with were taken from a distance, in other words, none of the three women in them are known to me. The better so, perhaps, because it allows me to make my point without any fear that somebody might feel herself unfairly represented.

The first of these women I saw driving, of all vehicles, one of those disarticulated monsters that ply Nigerian roads, fleets of which are owned by the Dangote Group- a trailer. It was a fleeting view, I’m therefore not certain if the driver was an employee of Dangote. But there she was in the driver’s seat calmly manoeuvring her way

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through the gridlock created by tens of vehicles slowed down by the countless potholes made worse by the combination of dust and heat created by the scorching sun at Ibafo, one of the sprawling towns that lead into Lagos. Obviously a Muslim from the Northern part of Nigeria, if she saw the stares she elicited from other road users she gave no hint of this. The size and height of her vehicle, towering above many around it, made it impossible to see her face clearly.

But she was the picture of calmness from a distance. Perhaps, there are now women like her, long distance drivers of heavy duty vehicles, plying Nigerian roads. If there are, they can’t be many. She was the first I would see and her picture represents, for me, a loud statement that Nigerian women would not be ignored. And the fact that the woman in question was one from a very conservative part of the country makes the entire matter very remarkable indeed.

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day after this, I encountered my second example- just in

Late Eso's passion for community service I

BY TUNDE AWOBIYI

HAVE watched, read and listened to so many commentaries on renowned jurist and arbitrator, Justice Kayode Eso, who passed on, Friday, November 16, 2011, in a London Hospital. It is no surprise that this extraordinary man of uncommon pedigree would present so many positive sides to so many people and institutions.

That he bestrode the Nigerian Judiciary like a colossus, as a rare voice for the voiceless and the under-privileged cannot be over-stated. His erudition, tenacity, rectitude and courage are all evident in the landmark cases he dealt with fearlessly in and out of the Bench for over a quarter of a century, and until he bowed out gallantly from public and private engagements.

While alive, he never hid his ‘privileged’ background, which he was quick to flaunt irrespective what anyone thinks of him.

He always emphasised that, ‘no one can give what he does not have’ adding, three things influenced my life significantly’ the Ijesha traits in me, as well as my early and later education in Ilesa Grammar School, Osun State and Trinity College, Dublin, respectively.’

I must say that I am not too familiar with his exploits in Dublin, but if his record of almost always staying ahead of his peers in Ilesa Grammar School is a guide, one could assume that he would achieve no less anywhere else, especially with the overwhelming testimonies about his character and performance in public and private endeavours. He was, however, always quick to confess that the Yoruba C M Y K

concept of Omoluabi had been his guiding principle. Incidentally, the Motto of his secondary school is ‘E huwa omoluabi’, which enjoins everyone to be modest in all things.

And just like his courageous Ijesa kins, Enoch Adeboye, Late Bola Ige, W.F. Kumuyi, his friend, Dr Festus Ajayi, and the renowned Kiriji Warlord Ogedengbe Agbogungboro; Justice Eso was never afraid to walk alone where others feared to tread, daring the military’s rule of force and what he often called, executive recklessness. His minority and landmark judgements including the twelve two third, State Vs Wole Soyinka, Akilu vs.

Fawehinmi, Lagos State Vs. Ojukwu cases, spoke eloquently about this very thorough, fearless, courageous and incorruptible man, described by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) as the Lord Denning of Nigeria.

Just as he managed to come out unscathed in the controversies associated with his judicial activism, on the Bench and

The late Justice Kayode Eso

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Pictures of the Nigerian woman

You look at these pictures, they are all of the Nigerian woman breaking new grounds and charting new course in culture and, of course, excess

one of those towns far outside Abuja, our country’s capital- closer to Kogi State than to Abuja, I believe. I didn’t take note of the actual place and please don’t ask me if I’ve become a commercial vehicle driver. But it was at a checkpoint, manned by soldiers, one which emerged following the activities of the faceless and cowardly terrorist group terrorising the North of Nigeria.

You may not be surprised to learn, therefore, that my subject is a soldier. But what struck me was that she was a woman. Now, we are used to seeing military women but often in circumstances that do not immediately call attention to their gender. Only the previous week, I had seen on television a woman among a military guard of honour (I think it was the occasion of President Jonathan’s birthday). The picture of her, looking smart and neat among her male colleagues, was pleasant to see. But the remarkable thing about the soldier woman on the road is that she was in battle fatigue at a checkpoint in a blazing sun that could rout any man. She had her rifle at the ready in a manner that spoke of her fitness. She didn’t have the handsomeness that could make you think of her as a man, for which reason you might not see anything unusual in her performing a traditional male role. It was obvious she was a woman but one trained as a soldier. She exuded firmness and authority and I’m sure drew the admiration of others who noticed her as she did mine. Again, she didn’t appear conscious of her role.

The third picture came, just about two hours earlier, from a scene in a foreign mission in Abuja.

My attention was called to this by a male visitor seated by me. I tried

He was so painstaking in the mobilisation of resources and the award of the contract for the imposing edifice, fashioned after the Buckingham Palace

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other official capacities, little has been written about the unforgettable deployment of his arbitration skills in calming the many storms that nearly tore apart his people in Ijesaland in the last 25 years, over spiritual and temporal matters.

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n Anglican to the core, who never missed his early morning service, Eso was the pioneer chancellor of Ilesa Diocese, from November 24, 1974 and subsequently for over 35 years. Until he breathed his last, he was always consulted on the continued growth of the work of God both in his Ibadan and Ilesa abode. One of his last addresses to the Laity of the Anglican Communion was ironically, “Preparing to meet God” A testimony of his indelible contributions to the work of God is the fact that one of the funeral services lined up for him would be held in a chapel he built adjacent to his Ilesa home. A regular pastime of this loving husband and father of two very distinguished children, is the habit of always throwing open his Green Acres, Bodija-Ibadan residence to all manner of guests, immediately after his consistent 8am worship on Sundays.

to ignore him as he gently but repeatedly brushed his knees against mine in a sideways movement to attract my attention.

But he was nothing if not persistent.

When I turned, he asked to know in a low voice but which I feared could have been picked up by the subject of the discussion if she listened well- he wanted to know if the lady in question, a young woman, wore her trousers backwards. It was apparent enough that she wore her tightfitting, almost sagging trousers in the right manner and I was about saying so before it struck me that she indeed wore her trousers backwards. In other words, the fly, front pockets etc, faced backwards and the backside, again with the pockets etc, looked in the front direction. The amazed voice asked me, ‘Is this how women wear their trousers now?’ Well, search me! But I told my interlocutor it could have been a mistake, perhaps the woman didn’t know she had her trousers backwards. Yet, it struck me, even as the man expressed his doubt that she could have worn the trousers backwards unintentionally, that she couldn’t have worn the trousers backwards, given its tightness, without she realising it. The conclusion I could reach was that she wore the trouser backwards in full awareness of what she was doing. Why, you may ask? This might be another picture of the Nigerian woman on the revolutionary path. Perhaps to make more than a fashion statement, to wit, that what a man can do she, the Nigerian woman, can do- and even surpass. Any way, you look at these pictures, they are all of the Nigerian woman breaking new grounds and charting new course in culture and, of course, excess.

It is also noteworthy that, apart from his early active role in the Nationalist preindependence Zikist Movement, Eso could be said to be apolitical. His impartiality, honesty and outspokenness, no matter whose ox is gored, often recommend him for interventions and arbitrations in difficult political and communal issues, such as the Ogoni peace parley which he presided over.

One of such difficult tasks he took on, a few years back, was the one that challenged him to bail out his community.

The issue came on when one of the oldest monuments in Nigeria, the 1000-old palace of his paramount ruler, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland went up in flames, in controversial circumstances, at a time the community was assailed from all fronts.

Although, away in Italy, when the unfortunate incident happened, Eso at 82 then, was promptly and unanimously elected Chairman of the Palace Reconstruction Board of trustee, in absentia. On his arrival, and supported by Prof. Wale Omole’s team in the Central Working Committee, Eso, from zero budget level, deployed his legendary credibility and reputation, to source for funds.

He was so painstaking in the mobilisation of resources and the award of the contract for the imposing edifice, fashioned after the Buckingham Palace.He insisted that the winner of the bid, a non-Ijesa, who beat an indigene by just one mark should handle the project, in the face of all kinds of pressure. Until his last moment on earth, he was always checking up on the progress of work and accountability for every kobo contributed and spent .He made sure he attended all the meetings concerning the project, now at the roofing level, whether in Ilesa, Ibadan or Lagos. *Mr. Awobiyi, is secretary to the Ijesha Consultative and Action Council.

20—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, DECEMBER 19, 2012

Debate of the masses

Insatiable human beings

BY EBELE ORAKPO gra-cious! This heat is killing! E fit “GfryOODNESS person liver oo,’ commented Oge this Tuesday morning while commuting to work. “It seems the sun

Victims polio ... Nigeria must not be the last to eradicate it

Rotarians wage war against polio zInsist Nigeria shouldn’t be the last to kick it out

“I

T is very embarrassing that wild polio is still very endemic in Nigeria and the challenge before us is that we shouldn’t be the last to kick polio out of our country”. That was how Dr. Kamoru Omotosho, the District Governor, Rotary International District 9110, comprising Rotary Clubs in Lagos and Ogun states, opened a Polio Plus orientation workshop at the Rotary Centre, Ikeja, Lagos last week.

D r. Omotosho who spoke on the theme: “We shouldn’t be the last” lamented the embarrassment the polio scourge has caused Nigeria. “ India has been able to achieve that milestone, yet we are still one of the unfortunate countries being affected by polio.

The enormity of the problem is that it is a big challenge, which we must address. It is in our hands to do it,” he said He identified lack of political will and inadequate funding as reasons for noneradication of polio in Nigeria. Said he: “It is a shameful thing because there are some people benefiting from the funds g o v e r n m e n t s appropriated for the eradication of polio. And these people don’t want Nigeria to be free of polio because they benefit from the system. It is not just

for humanitarian reasons but selfish reason as well.

I hope these people are aware that if they refuse to channel the funds appropriated for the eradication of polio to the beneficiary, it may spread to other parts of Africa. I am happy to say that we have been able to break the lack of political will syndrome because every critical stakeholder on the

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BY LAJA THOMAS

We must ensure that we clear all our gutter and drainage regularly and keep our environment safe because the scourge is spreading, especially to places like Lagos and Ogun states

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polio scourge has been brought on board so that our country can be polio free” The Chairman of the District Polio Plus committee, Dr. Lanre Soyinka, whose address was titled, “Last lap of polio eradication in Nigeria,

‘The lingering pain’ and the way out’” stated that the polio scourge is a burden on Nigeria “The burden is how do we breast the tape of polio eradication in Nigeria which as of today we are the worst culprit. We are responsible for three quarters of cases in the world and 90 per cent in Africa.

Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries left and we are saying we must not be the last,” he said, adding that “ we all know that pains are not palatable at all, especially when it lingers or looks as if it is beyond what the doctors can solve. We all at a time have had this nasty experience. Moving from one doctor to another, even to orthodox doctors, we also at this time remember our creator by crying loud to Him for This rel ief/cure. afternoon, we are the patients and also the doctors. All of us have the pains-lingering on and what is the lingering pain?

Stop the transmission of polio virus in Nigeria.”

He added that, “in pains, the family and well wishers of the sufferers are also worried.

Our Parent Rotary International is worried.

We re all worried. As patients we are worried because of its excruciating pain and as doctors we need a conference for a radical approach to solving this

problem. We cannot afford to lose the confidence of our clients. Quoting the words of the immediate past Rotary International President, Kalyan Banerjee, he said: “We know polio can be eradicated and our success in India proves it,” A former Acting Governor, Busuyi Onabolu, who is a member of the National Polio Plus Committee, enjoined Rotarians to work towards the eradication of polio in Nigeria. He said, “the programme which is being funded by Rotary International began last week in Abuja. It is a Rotary initiative which started since 1979 and has spanned over 25 years.

Polio has been eradicate from every other part of the world. The challenge was that Nigeria is the only country in Africa and the third in the world, aside Pakistan and Afghanistan, where polio is still endemic,”.

According to him, “nobody believed India can eradicate polio, but they have done it.

Therefore, Rotary International is sounding a wake up call to Rotarians to rise up to the challenge. This is no longer time for talk, this is time for action. We must ensure that we clear all our gutter and drainage regularly and keep our environment safe because the scourge is spreading, especially to places like Lagos and Ogun states.”

god is very angry with us that it decided to descend on us with fury. I mean, the heat is becoming unbearable. For goodness’ sake, it’s just 9.00 in the morning and it’s already this hot, what happens at 12.00 noon?”

“Chei, human beings! Extremely difficult to please.

Thank God I am not God, otherwise, I would have wiped out the earth and everything in it. We are a bunch of ingrates!” spat Joe. “Just a few days ago, we were complaining about incessant rainfall and floods, today, it is too much sun. Which one una dey sef?”

Replied Oge: “We are only asking for moderation.

We don’t want extremes. Haba! the thing keeps descending on us from morning till evening without let. At this rate, we will all be cooked one day.”

“Here we are complaining because of this little heat.

What do you want those in Sokoto and Maiduguri to do?” asked Ify. “Please, that is a different kettle of fish. Their own heat no get part two! Na die. Imagine a temperature of 48 degrees Celsius, no be Fahrenheit oo. That is 118.4 degree Fahrenheit. In fact, a friend of mine who served in Sokoto said you did not need to boil water for garri. Just get water from the tap and make your eba, it’s that hot. And in Maiduguri, if you are fasting, ensure you drink water, or else, your system dries up before you finish the fast because the rate of dehydration is very high. I also heard that in some places, you don’t wear rubber shoes on tarred roads because they will melt,” narrated Abel.

“Hmm, Radio Without Station, you don come again,” teased Mercy.

“But it is true. The weather in the far North is always extreme. Too hot, too cold, too windy, sandstorm, just name it,” stated Jane, coming to Abel’s defence.

“We are the cause of our misfortune. We have been abusing the environment for so long and it is payback time. We are reaping what we have sown, the reward of hard work,” said Agnes.

“Dogon turenci! Long grammar! From drug abuse, to women abuse, to child abuse, to animal abuse, now it is environment abuse. How did we abuse the environment?” asked Abel.

“People still throw garbage into gutters and waterways, clogging them so that when it rains, the area becomes flooded because the water channels had been blocked so the water seeks alternative route. They still cut down trees, burn bushes, flare gas, etc. All these deplete the ozone layer which shields us from these unpleasant effects. I wonder why our witch doctors have not come to our aid. Now that we need rain to cool the weather, our rain makers should rise to the occasion and become instant millionaires,” replied Agnes.

“Exactly! If all their claims of making or stopping rain are true,” concurred Ify. “They’ve got no such powers. They are jokers,” said Oge. “Jokes apart, there are genuine rain makers,” noted Sule. “Oh really? Please we need to see them,” said Oge. “Ok, when the US authorities were predicting the coming of Hurricane Sandy, I swear, if any of these hungry witch doctors had come up to say he could make it go back from where it was coming, I assure you, the US Government would have come to pick him up with Air Force One, give him the kind of money he will never dream of in his entire life and made him a citizen with immediate effect. He will be an instant super star, sought after the world over. Who no like better thing?” asked Abel.

“They have no such power because if they did, they would have used it to better the lot of their children and relations. Forget them,” said Mercy. “But remember that their power is only for evil and not for good,” Sule reminded everyone.

“We are so gullible, anybody can wake up and deceive us. No wonder God said ‘my people perish for lack of knowledge’ not for lack of activities or prayers. We are full of those but lack knowledge. If you are knowledgeable, you cannot be easily deceived,” added Mercy.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012 — 21

FG to save N474bn with new metering system in oil, telecoms T

HE Federal Government will save about N474 billion ($3bn) through the implementation of new policy on Weights and Measures.

Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said this during the Second Annual Seminar for Trade and Investment Correspondents and Group Business Editors, in Abuja, on Monday.

He said that with the granting of the Presidential approval to the Weights and Measures Department, an agency under the Ministry of Trade and Investment, adequate measures would be put in place to ensure that Nigerians get value for products for local consumption and export.

“The Ministry of Trade and Investment has made significant achievements within the last one year. In terms of investment inflow, at least 30 per cent of the investment coming into Africa comes to Nigeria, which makes the country number one investment destination in Africa. But what makes this very important is that it does not include oil and gas investment, it is in the real sector of the economy.

“All over the world, there is legal meteorology which ensures that what you buy is accurate and legal. If you look at the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Report, there is a lot of

142.0

-0.1

2,490.00

-1.00

18.76

-0.45

leakage in the oil and gas industry, either because the meters are not working or they are not installed at the right places. But for the first time, the President has given us approval to commence that operation across all sectors of the economy. We are starting with the oil and gas, telecoms and power sector. When the process is completed, we expect to save the country about

107.89 +0.87 86.20 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

154.76 248.5446 199.8106 165.5364 1.8791 0.2894 237.2954 24.8402 41.266 26.7746 237.0149

155.26 249.3476 200.4562 166.0712 1.8851 0.2994 238.062 24.9209 41.3994 26.8611 237.7807

+0.27 SELLING 155.76 250.1506 201.1017 166.6061 1.8912 0.3094 238.8287 25.0016 41.5327 26.9476 238.5464

CBN Exchange rate as at 11/12/20127

$3billion and also generate revenue of about N17.4bn for the government in 2013”.The minister also said that the value and volume of the country ’s export had increased significantly within the last one year.

“In terms of export, the volume has gone up by 17.23 per cent while the value has gone up by 23.5 per cent. We are restructuring the Abuja

Securities and Exchange Commission and when that is completed, that will increase the price the farmers get for their goods from 35 per cent to about close to over 50 per cent as it is done in Ethiopia.

This process will help to create more jobs in terms of the warehouse receipt system that we are trying to introduce.

“Every Nigeria has the abil-

Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Lawan Ngama (left) and Director General, Securities & Exchange Commission, SEC, Ms Arunma Oteh during a dinner marking the end of the SEC Journalists’ Academy 2012 at Transcorp Hotel, Abuja.

Afreximbank signs 55m euro facility agreements with three firms T HE African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed facility agreements to provide almost 55 million euros to three firms for equipment procurement and to enhance cocoa beans processing capacities.

The bank disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday. It said that the gesture was part of the bank’s programme to support value-added activities to move Africa away from remaining an exporter of raw products.

In separate ceremonies at the Afreximbank Headquarters in Cairo, the bank signed a 10 million-euro facility agreement with Societe d’Usinage et de Conditionnement du Sud-Ouest (SUCSO) of Cote d’Ivoire on December 13, 2012. It also signed a 25 million-euro facility agreement with Societe Nouvelle de Commerce Guinee (SONOCO) of Guinea on December 14 and; a 18.9 million-euro facility agreement with Conditionnement de Cacao et Cafe S.A. Cote d’Ivoire (CONDICAF) of Cote d’Ivoire also on December 14, 2012. The statement said that the facility agreement with SUCSO

was a dual-tranche export receivablesbacked facility under which Afreximbank would provide up to 3.2 million euro in the first tranche.

This is to enable SUCSO finance upgrades and undertake new investments to complete the setting up of two additional processing lines for the production of cocoa butter and cocoa cake. In the case of SONOCO, the 25 million-euro facility will be used to purchase a flour mill plant to help the company to expand its business by producing flour locally instead of importing. CONDICAF will use the 18.9 million euros it is being provided under the facility agreement to refinance existing indebtedness, purchase a cocoa processing plant and to purchase cocoa beans.

Afreximbank President, Jean Louis Ekra, said that the facilities to SUCSO and CONDICAF were being extended under the African Cocoa Initiative through which the bank is supporting value-adding activities in the cocoa sector. He said the objective was to move Africa away from an exporter of raw beans to an exporter of cocoa products, including raw materials for the chocolate and beverage sectors.

ity to establish and run their own businesses. All they need is a good investment climate, funding and the business support. We are working with them to make sure that we have both the right investment climate, funding to create about 3.6 million jobs within the next four years.

NAICOM reiterates support for weak insurance companies

BY ROSEMARY ONUOHA

A

MIDST fears of possible close down of some weak insurance companies in the country, the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, has given assurance that it has no plan to make such a move.

According to the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, NAICOM has no plan to close any insurance firm as reported by Business Monitor International (BMI) Limited in its Nigeria Insurance Report 2012. He said that the commission has no reason to close any underwriting firm, adding that NAICOM is committed to strengthening the firms for the protection of policy holders.

BMI in its report said there are a number of bogus insurance companies that the regulator is keen to close. It noted that NAICOM is also keen to improve capitalisation and standards among the 15,000 insurance agents and 350 brokers.

According to the report, “Over the years that BMI has been monitoring the Nigerian insurance sector, the story has remained the same even as premiums appear to have grown. An industry that is largely ignored by foreign multinationals (with South Africa’s Metropolitan being an important exception) consists of a large number of (extremely) small, predominantly listed, indigenous insurers.

“As is explicitly noted in the discussion by NAICOM, the regulator, of the objectives for its Market Development & Restructuring Initiative (MDRI), there are a number of bogus insurance companies that the regulator is keen to close.”

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012

decisions.”

NSE targets five products to attain $Itrn capitalization in 2016

I

BY PETER EGWUATU

I

C M Y K

•Oscar Onyema, CEO,NSE

by the investing public, encourage informed deliberation and analysis among investors and analysts on a company ’s performance through provision of timely, appropriate and accurate information, thereby improving a company ’s market reputation and visibility.

“The top 50 stocks already have investor relations department or desk, a luxury most companies in the bottom 150 cannot afford, hence the decision of the NSE to provide a platform for such to tell their own stories “at a relatively cheap price.”

I

n his own comment, the Chief of Staff and Head of Corporate Division, Mr. Bola Adeeko said, “We promised five products in five years and with the introduction of ETFs in December 2011, we are already on product number

,

N a bid to attain the $1 trillion market capitalization target by 2016, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has embarked on various initiatives and strategies aimed at repositioning the Nigerian stock market.

The new management of the NSE had commenced the journey of recovery with visible improvement and results being recorded on daily basis. The management had promised to turn out five products in five years and to meet a trillion dollar market capitalization mark in 2016.

Recently, the NSE unveiled added services to draw attention to the listed companies and enhance their performance, while working on identified prospects.

To achieve this, the NSE partnered with various local and international organisations to provide services such as: Corporate Access, Investor Relations, Institutional Services, Corporate Governance and Independent Equity Research to enhance the value proposition of listing on The Exchange.

While briefing the capital market community during the launching of valued added services recently in Lagos, Managing Director/ CEO of the NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema disclosed that independent research firms (not attached to any brokerage firm or market operator), had been engaged to produce company reports for the investing public.

According to him, “Our focus is on less visible listed companies that are not covered by sell side analysts. We aim to raise these companies’ profile and visibility amongst investors to ultimately engender more interest and activity on their shares. Unlike reports from sell side analysts, the NSE’s research would not include the ‘sell,’ ‘buy,’ or ‘hold’ on any given stock, as is usual with analysts report from brokerage firms.

Companies and individuals wishing to access the reports, training and others services offered by these partners, will pay a heavily subsidized price.”

Commenting on the services launched, Onyema noted that corporate governance bouquet is to assist the boards and executive management of listed companies to adhere to international best practices in the way they run their firms and for long-term sustainability.

According to him, “Investors’ relation is a well designed programme that will help to enhance the understanding of a company’s strategic direction

Our focus is on less visible listed companies that are not covered by sell side analysts. We aim to raise these companies’ profile and visibility amongst investors to ultimately engender more interest and activity on their shares three out of five with more than three years to go. Being aware of the need for liquidity in our capital market, the Exchange introduced marketmaking along with short selling and securities lending a few months ago and all of us gathered here today can attest to the fact that this has impacted our market positively.” He added: “We revised our listing rules in 2012 to attract and retain more listings and have since strengthened our enforcement on compliance issues.”

Speaking as well, Jude

,

Fejokwu, who is partnering to provide independent equities analysis on the project, said the current efforts would allow for independent analysis of a company, which is better than the current situation where information about a quoted company is sourced from interested parties.

According to him, “It is important for investors to have information on the market from persons not directly linked to the market. (The reports are) to keep you informed so that you can proceed to make your own

nformation for the research work, he said, were sourced from the figures provided by the companies, history, and discussions with their management, and on the value adding propositions of such effort, In his words, “ The reports would give credibility to the NSE, value for money, and lead to greater market activity.

Jacob Esan, Executive Director, Investment Banking and Public Sector at Deap Capital said “An exchange is a market discovery platform for purchase and sale of stocks, this (effort) will expand investor base and increase the number of listed companies. We have to move our market and companies from where they are, to where they should be.”

In his comment, Mr. Haruna Jalo -Waziri, executive director, Business Development, overseeing listing, sales and retention; business development, said, “NSE made history as the first capital market operator in Africa to introduce a Market Quality Report –The “NSE XQual Report” which is designed to disclose the extent to which equities traded at the exchange provide executions at prices better than the prevailing price quotes before an investor places an order.

Fielding questions, he noted that top exchanges across the globe offer some kind of value adding propositions, geared towards ensuring that listed companies reap some form of benefits, besides ensuring that people no longer buy stocks blindly.

The top 50 stocks, he said, already have investor relations department or desk, a luxury most companies in the bottom 150 cannot afford, hence the decision of the NSE to provide a platform for such to tell their own stories “at a relatively cheap price.”

Poly Product shareholders back delisting from NSE

BY WILLIAM JIMOH

S

HAREHOLDERS of Poly Products Nigeria Plc have unanimously agreed that the company should be delisted from the daily official list of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, and embark on a corporate restructuring.

Speaking at its Annual General Meeting and Proposed Scheme of Arrangement in Lagos, Mr Michael-Murray Bruce, Chairman of the company said this was necessitated

having sustained loss of value over the past several years, adding that the company is no longer sustainable in its current form. As a result, the directors had come to conclude that the proper way forward is to seek entirely new ways to take part in Nigeria’s future, and the best manner of accomplishing this would be as a private enterprise, he said.

The proposed scheme of arrangement formally expresses the interest of the majority shareholder group in acquiring the minority shareholding of the company

with a view to delisting from the NSE and become a private company.

Mr. Murray said that the majority shareholders group, led by U-Chem Inc, has a 68.74 per cent stake in the company.

The proposed formally states the interest of U-Chem Inc to initiate a corporate and financial restructuring of Poly Products Nigeria Plc. However, as an essential first step to this proposed restructuring, U-Chem Inc proposes to acquire the entire minority shareholding Poly Products Nigeria Plc,

amounting to 77,916,590 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each, representing 31.26 percent of the company ’s issued share capital, subsequent to which the company will convert to a privately held company, he said.

Murray noted that, “there are several direct cost associated with being listed on the NSE. With a very modest market capitalisation of N252 million and turnover of less than N3 billion, we believe that it is not possible to deliver value to almost 10,500 shareholders.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012—23

DIARY Select ICT events z Convergence India 2013. Holds 16-18 Jan, 2013 inNew Delhi, India.

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

z Lotusphere 2013 . Holds 27-31 Jan 2013, in Orlando, USA. zITEXPO East 2013. Holds 29 Jan-1 Feb 2013 in Miami, USA. zBETT 2013.

Holds 30 Jan-2 Feb 2013 in London, UK. zMacWorld Expo 2013.

Holds 31 Jan-2 Feb 2013 in San Francisco, USA.

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

Building batteries from plant roots

Nigeria: Dump ground for T-1 boxes? zDespite opting for DVB-2 since 2008, DVB-T set-top boxes are still on sale in Nigeria

BY ADEKUNLE ADEKOYA

A new plant-based extract used as a clothing dye for over 3500 years could also provide a green alternative to the metal ores used to make lithium-ion batteries.

The extract, called purpurin, comes from the root of the madder plant.

Purpurin can be made and stored at room temperature, with a color change signaling when the binding process is complete. And because it is organic, batteries made from the material would be non-toxic, and could be easily disposed of.

The development team, from the City College of New York, estimates that a green Li-ion battery may be commercially available in only a few years.

I N S I D E C M Y K

T

HE lack of public awareness of is sues involved in migration to digital broadcasting had created a lacuna which some operators exploited to the detriment of unsuspecting Nigerians, Vanguard Hi-Tech findings show.

Nigeria had initially set this year as the mark-up date to digitize its broadcast system, but due to poor preparation and zip awareness, the date had to be shifted to January 2015, which is still some few months ahead of ITU’s June 17, 2015 deadline.

When analogue broadcast signals are switched off, every TV set will need a set-top box (decoder) without which it cannot receive signals. Set-top

UN body lauds ISPON on software development

boxes are mainly of two types, according to the technology. These are DVB-T, and DVB-T2. You may call them, for ease of reference, T-1, and T-2.

The United Kingdom, for instance, began the migration process in 2005, with T-1 set-top boxes, according to Ms Beth Thoren of Digital UK, in the course of her presentation at a Digital Dialogue conference in

African countries implementing the migration to opt for T-2, as people in the UK who had initially acquired T-1 boxes now have to replace hem with T-2 boxes whose technology offers more channels and clearer pictures. But Ms Thoren’s advice may have come too late for some African countries as hundreds of thousands of T-1 boxes have been sold and are still being sold with feverish alacrity.

Kenya, Uganda axe DVB-T

not even wait for Ms Thoren’s advice; of their initiative, they outlawed T-1 (DVB-T) decoders. In its place, they insisted that operators put in place the DVB-T2, the second generation decoders, which have been adopted as the new broadcast standard.

Ugandan authorities have already fixed a deadline for a halt to the use of DVB-T for 21 December, 2012. A Ugandan newspaper, the Daily Monitor quoted Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Ugan-

What remains unclear is why T-1 decoders are still on sale in a country that had chosen T-2 four years ago, with the industry regulator not doing anything about it Johannesburg, South Africa. She then cautioned

Samsung smart TVs: Next frontier for data theft

Some countries, like Uganda and Kenya did

da’s ICT minister, as warning Ugandans

Intel strengthens e-learning with digital teacher-in training programme in Kano

against further purchase of DVB-T (T-1) decoders.

His words: “Before you purchase any decoder, inquire which technology it is. If it is DVB-T1, don’t buy or else you stand to lose as the decoder will expire at the end of the year. The adoption of DVB-T2 technology means that we must ban the importation and sale of the old technology (DVB-T1). It will affect many people but it is the right thing to do, ” Rugunda told the newspaper.

Last July, Kenya, Uganda’s neighbour, also announced a ban on the importation of the analogue broadcast technology. This has been estimated to leave about 16 million Kenyans with

Continues on page 30

Cloud computing: Myths and realities

24—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER 19, 2012

UN body lauds ISPON on software development

T

HE United Nations Information Economy Report 2012 released on 29th November 2012, has recognized and commended the contribution of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), which was acknowledged in the report principally focused on “The Software Industry and Developing Countries” (Chapter 1, page 5 box 1.2). This is the first time Nigeria Software Strategic Initiative received a commendable mention in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Documentation.

In a letter to ISPON President, Chris Uwaje, Torbjor Fredriksson, Chief Analyst, ICT Analysis Section, Science Technology and ICT Branch, Division of Te c h n o l o g y and Logistics, UNCTAD) – wrote: Dear Chris, I have the pleasure of sending you herewith a copy of the Information Economy Report 2012: The Software Industry and Developing Countries. I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for your contribution, which is acknowledged in the Report, I hope you will find the publication interesting and relevant.

BAN Ki-moon, Secretary General, United Nations in his Remark said “Information and Communications technologies continue to transform our society. In recent years, we have seen dramatically improved access to mobile telephones, the Internet and Broadband connectivity throughout the developing world. These trends are gradually helping to dismantle barriers towards the goal of an ‘information society for all’, agreed by world leaders at the World Summit on Information Society.

Such a society depends on software. The Information Economy Report 2012 provides an indepth analysis of software industry developments in developing countries. I commend the report to Governments and development partners working to create an information society for all.”

The 126-page report by the UN on the Software Industry and Developing

Countries is not just a critical wake-up call for Nigeria, but has significantly vindicated the ISPON mission and advocacy on National Software Strategy in the past 14 years! Above all, it is an instructive directive to ensuring that Nigeria’s Strategic document of National Software Policy Framework is given accelerated approval by Mr. President and its relevant portions and enacted into an Act of the National Assembly without further delay.

Summary of the report on Nigeria software landscape is titled: “The New Software Strategy of Nigeria”. Excerpts: ‘The software industry was for a long time given limited attention by policy makers in Nigeria. As a result, the country became heavily dependent on foreign software, which accounts for m o r e than 90 per cent of all softw a r e used in Nigeria.

The new Federal Ministry of Communication Technology intends t o change this situation.

The draft national ICT Policy notes, among other things that “Nigeria can benefit tremendously from developing its own domestic software industry to cater for both domestic and export markets”. There is limited data on the composition of the Nigerian Software market. A survey conducted in 2004 estimated that there are more than 100 active firms in the industry; virtually all are privately owned (Soriyan and Heeks, 2004).

The industry was primarily servicing the domestic private sector with installation, customization and training services related to imported software packages. The picture has not changed since then. The young Nigeria Software Industry is largely organized through the private sector and professional initiatives such as the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) and the Nigeria Computer Society. The Minister of Communications Technology, Ms. Omobola Johnson, has engaged ICT Stakehold-

The young Nigeria Software Industry is largely organized through the private sector and professional initiatives such as ISPON

C M Y K

,

Continues on Page 25

Samsung smart TVs: Next frontier for data theft

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MART TVs, partic ularly Samsung’s (005930) last few generations of flat screens, can be hacked to give attackers remote access according to a security startup called ReVuln. The company says it discovered a “zeroday exploit” that hackers could potentially use to perform malicious activities that range from stealing accounts linked through apps to using built-in webcams and microphones to spy on unsuspecting couch potatoes. Don’t panic just yet, though. In order for the exploit to be activated, a hacker needs to plug a USB drive loaded with malicious software into the actual TV to bypass the Linux-based OS/firmware on Samsung’s Smart TVs. But, if a hacker were to pull that off, every piece of data stored

Samsung Smart TV on a Smart TV could theoretically be retrieved.

As if the possibility of someone stealing your information and spying on you isn’t scary enough, according toÂ

ComputerWorld, “it is also possible to copy the configuration of a TV’s remote control, which would allow a hacker to copy the remote control’s settings, and remotely change the channel.”

Omatek expands frontier with e-learning scheme

BY EMEKA AGINAM

T

O prepare Nigerian students to adapt to 21st century learning method, one of the Nigeria’s leading technology solutions company, Omatek is expanding the opportunity cost of acquiring computers with its new elearning scheme to provide a platform to ensure that ICT tools are deployed in class rooms under a carefully structured learning environment equipped with internet connectivity to create a virtual conneczStudents in a Lagos school going through Omatek’s e-learning solutions tion between students and teachers.

Omatek Xpress Consumer forms and With the scheme, Omatek would according to her were collapsed they will be attached to any of our partgive adequate support to compu- under the e-learning scheme, com- ner banks for provision of credit facility ter for students PC ownership prising of the e-school, e-teacher, e- to fund their purchases,” Seriki said . initiative recently introduced by the home, e-lab, e-lecturer and eShe said the e-mobile is designed federal government through the student. for executives with the Omatek 10” “The new e-Xpress scheme will ministry of communication smartbook which allows them to have be sub-divided into the e-learning technology. easy access to the internet anywhere.

“In order for the scheme to cater initiative, the e-mobile, the e- The ‘always on’ internet access for all categories of individuals and consumer and the e-Consumer; all enhances communication with sectoral groupings, the scheme was targeted towards all public/civil business partners, offices, suppliers designed to be effective irrespective servants, teachers, lecturers, anywhere. It comes with a structured of social status. The Omatek e- teachers, students, corporate payment plan spread over a period of Xpress initiative comes with a huge executives, corporate organizations, two years. funding support from our educational institutions, SME’s and According to her “the objectives of partnering banks and consists of e- other citizens to acquire computers Omatek e-Xpress Initiative among Consumer, e – mobile, e- tertiary, through a convenient and structured others is to ease the acquisition mode and e- youth,” Mrs. Florence Seriki, payment plan which spans 12 – 24 of the average Nigerian towards chief executive officer of Omatek months,” she said .

Corporate organizations, she said owning their own computers; to Ventures Plc., said. enhance the technical competence, efTo harness requirements within can also guarantee their staff to fectiveness, and continued the education space, she informed ensure that monthly deductions are professional development of that the scheme was further made by the organization from in- Nigerians; to address the current low restructured to capture the dividual staff while the company level of skills in IT literacy and to allow education sector holistically with the remits one check –off payment to executives have access to information other sectors falling within the e- Omatek.

“Other individuals can work into on the internet, access their email mobile and e-consumer space. anywhere, anytime while using their The e-youth and e-tertiary, any Omatek branch, pick up the Executive Omatek Notebooks.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012—25

Airtel roots for MNP against poor QoS

A

STORIES BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

S

AMSUNG Electron ics, is eyeing the top shot of the Nigerian mobile market in 2013, rolling out two new products it believed could do the magic. The products, Galaxy S III Mini, a compact version of the Galaxy S III, and the Samsung Galaxy Camera, tagged the ‘connected camera’, were unveiled in Lagos last week at a breakfast meeting with newsmen.

Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa (SEWA), Mr. Brovo Kim, used the occasion, to stoutly claim that Samsung would consolidate its leadership of the electronics market in the coming year with introduction of rich bouquets of innovative and competitively priced products.

For him, “already, we have two brilliant products that will positively impact the market in 2013: they are, our Galaxy Camera which combines high performance photography functionality with the latest Android 4.1 platform, as well as the Samsung Galaxy S III Mini, which promises unending thrill for tech-savvy fashion leaders who desire a mobile device with maximum features in a compact, rounded package,”.

Corroborating him, Business Head, Hand Held Products at Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas said the Samsung Galaxy Camera was designed to fit per-

L-R; Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas, Business Head, Hand Held Products ; Miss Okikolu Olajumoke, Marketing Manager; Mr. Brovo Kim, Managing Director and Mr. Daesong Na, Business Leader, Hand Held Products all from Samsung Electronics West Africa at the Samsung Breakfast Meeting with the media which held at Westown Hotel, Lagos…Monday.

Samsung consolidates position in Nigeria market with two new products fectly for those who wish to shoot, edit and share high quality photographs and video easily and spontaneously from anywhere, at any time.

He added that “GALAXY camera directly connects to 3G and Wi-Fi networks, revolutionizing the way digital camera content is created and shared. It comes with Cloud support and group sharing apps, variable camera lenses and photo settings, editing tools and visual effects, full high definition video with slow-motion capability and a huge 4.8” high definition super

clear touch display to view, edit and enjoy the images captured or recorded”.

That is even as Head, Corporate Marketing, Donald Etim said, that “in this new era of visual communication, the growth of social networks and the increasing dominance of smartphones and tablets, we are excited to introduce two innovative, cutting edge devices that will enable our consumers share their experiences through pictures and videos with much ease.”

The Samsung camera has the AllShare, Share

Shot application features which allow consumers to automatically save and share photos as they are taken. Users can also connect to a range of Galaxy devices including the Galaxy SIII and Galaxy Note II effortlessly and automatically share pictures across the Galaxy family.

The Galaxy S III Mini, shares the GALAXY S III’s design, but in addition, affords users a more comfortable grip and incredible user-friendliness. The product is powered by Android’s latest operating system, the 4.1, Jelly Bean.

IRTEL Nigeria has called on the telecoms regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission to fast-track the implementation of Mobile Number Portability, saying this move will promote healthy competition amongst operators and also improve the Quality of Service in the industry.

Mobile Number Portability (MNP) enables mobile telephone users to retain their mobile telephone numbers when changing from one mobile network operator to another.

Speaking at the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria’s (ATCON) Telecoms Executives and Regulator ’s Forum in Lagos yesterday, Airtel’s Director of Regulatory Affairs & Special Projects, Osondu Nwokoro said “Airtel is in full support of the urgent implementation of MNP. “We commend the NCC for their efforts thus far and encourage them to push harder for the implementation of the Project. It is our belief that the implementation of MNP will address quality of service issues and also help to put an end to anti-competitive practices in the industry,” he said.

He added that, the initiative will benefit telecoms consumers as well as drive operators to im-

UN body lauds ISPON on software development in Nigeria Continues from Page 24

Intel strengthens e-learning with digital teacher-in training programme in Kano I

NTEL has kicked off a teacher-in-training programme in Nigeria with a massive digital training for teachers of Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education Kumbotso, Kano state.

The school is reputed to be the largest teacher training institute in Nigeria with a student enrolment of over twenty thousand. The Intel training benefited over 50 lecturers of the institution in the first instance. The trained lecturers will in turn deliver the Intel Teach content to the students of the school through the General Studies course, which is compulsory for all students

Intel’s Corporate Affairs manager in Nigeria Mr Osagie Ogunbor said the move was in fulfilment of Intel’s determination to continually promote the use of technology to enhance learning.

He explained that the lecturers received very detailed training ranging from basic use of the computer to the use of technology to collaborate and facilitate knowledge.

According to Ogunbor, the 21 st century classroom is fast moving away from the teachercentric environment to a student centric one where the teacher using technology is only a facilitator of learning by

acting as a guide to students by fostering healthy collaboration.

Mr Ogunbor explained that the train the Trainer model being adopted by Intel was an efficient way of taking the training across all the major Teacher Training Colleges in Nigeria. He however added that Intel would continue to support the college in ensuring that the programme is sustainable over the years. He thanked the management of the College of Education for wholeheartedly supporting the programme by providing relevant ICT infrastructure in the school.

The school was said to have provided over one

*Olubunmi Ekundare, Country Manager, INTEL Nigeria.

hundred brand new computers with connectivity to guarantee a successful exercise.

prove service delivery.

Nwokoro who was represented at the event by Adeyemi Shola, Airtel’s Head of Licensing and Compliance stated that Airtel is currently working with relevant Stakeholders to ensure the successful completion of the MNP. “Right now, the MNP test run is about to commence and Airtel is very prepared for this phase of the Project. We are also working harmoniously with the Interconnect Clearing House and other operators to ensure that the Project commences as scheduled as having too many implementation delays is not in the interest of the industry,” he said.

Also adding his voice to the urgent implementation of MNP, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, the president of National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) urged the NCC to keep to its pledge of implementing MNP in the first quarter of 2012.

He said telecoms consumers are currently groaning in pains and MNP will provide soothing relief to them.

In his response, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Eugene Juwah assured that MNP would be fully implemented before the end of the first quarter of 2013, without fail.

ers in a roundtable to discuss the Government’s new ICT vision, mission and strategies for implementation. Software development is one of the four strategic pillars of this new vision and a national software policy is being prepared by the National Information Development Agency (NITDA). An IT Innovation Fund has been established and Government is in the process of setting up IT Parks in strategic areas. The Government’s new vision is welcomed by the software developer community. A national Software Conference and various round tables have been organized by ISPON to promote indigenous software development and support services. There are also plans by ISPON to facilitate the future participation of develop-

ers in various software technology competitions, such as the United Nations Youth Summit Awards. The institute has also established software development clubs in about 30 Tertiary institutions under the platform of the National Association of Computer Students”.

Lessons learned is that we now live in a ‘software-first world’ and Nigeria is greatly challenged and encouraged to accelerate the incubation and development of her Software capabilities to deliver and satisfy local consumption and also engage global competitiveness. One fact remains to be propagated – that is, Nigeria has the brain power and advantage of the English language rooted in Software for create World-class Software solutions and services.

26—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19 2012

Right of way issues threaten broadband penetration

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

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broadband summit put together by the Nigerian Communications Commission in conjunction with Business Day Newspapers, at the weekend, exposed the flagrant right of way demand by some government agencies as a major bottleneck to bringing about broadband benefits to the teeming Nigerians who are waiting to be transformed to global citizens on the wings of ubiquitous access This is coming at the heels of government’s re-

solve at the last ITU conference, to open doors to the global investment community to come and invest in the broadband sector.

Presentations at the summit pointed at Right of way as the gulf between taking services from the middle mile point to the last mile where majority of rural dwellers sit. As a result even the government are afraid that rural inclusion may become just a mirage if the issue is not taken care of with immediate effect.

However, it was agreed that to harness the poten-

tials of broadband for economic development the clarity of government actions and a predictable, transparent regulatory environment in the telecommunications industry would not be compromised.

At least, the Minister of communications technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, admitted that currently broadband was a prerequisite to becoming a competitive nation, adding that the Ministry was working tirelessly to remove the obstacles militating against laying proper broadband infra-

structure to move available bandwidth capacity from the shores to the last mile base.

Lamenting on the problem of right of way, Johnson said that "in some states, providers broadband infrastructure have to contend with as many as 7 state Ministries Departments and Agencies and local government to procure permits and permissions to erect base stations or lay fibre optic cable. In Nigeria today, right-of-way procurement contributes at least 50 percent of the cost to build.

But we are also making

significant progress in addressing this challenge" She added.

She revealed that the issue had been deliberated on at the National Economic Council, with the ministry preparing to engage the different tiers of governments to drum home the benefits of encouraging infrastructure deployment.

Johnson’s position appealed to the Director of regulatory affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko who listed other operational issues hindering investment in telecoms infrastructure. He agreed

with Johnson that a clear broadband strategy on broadband would go along way in luring investors into the sector.

"Government needs to develop right spectrum policy to encourage investors to come in. Issues around multiple taxation, right-of -way, power must be addressed to encourage operators make requisite investment in infrastructure. The NCC needs to continue to foster competition in the broadband industry. Government would have to find ways to subsidize rural infrastructure build because operators most times invest in areas that they consider commercially viable." He enthused.

After listening to the challenges confronting Nigeria in providing broadband benefits, UK&Ireland Network Strategy lead of Accenture, Mr Christian Rouffaert, advised that Nigeria clearly articulated its broadband strategy with a view to defining expected roles of government and the private sector in the emerging broadband ecosystem.

For him, "Most of the European nations have an active broadband plan focused on driving high speed connectivity with the knowledge of a correlation between broadband and economic growth.

Broadband improves workforce productivity and efficiency. The telecoms regulator will need to balance consumer interest and service provider interest. " he added.

Looking at the Critical Success Factors for an Operator' in the midst of all these operational challenges Chief executive officer, Main One, Ms Funke Opeke, noted that the structure of broadband market, price gauging and competition issues, particularly without distributive capacity, prohibit effective broadband supply to consumers by infrastructure providers.

She also alluded to the need of open access national backbone infrastructure to operators on a shared-basis.

This is as the Director, public affairs of the NCC, Mr Tony Ojobo agreed to her request, noting that the commission has already proposed an 'Open Access Model'.

He revealed that "we have engaged consultants to advice on the best model that will suit our environment. That s to say, our model is not cast in stone until the

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012 — 27

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28— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012

Opponents should worr y about Eagles – Keshi

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UPER Eagles’ manager, Stephen Keshi has said its rather his side’s AFCON

group foes that should worry their heads at the forthcoming football hostilities in South Africa.

Nigeria is in Group C alongside Cup

holders, Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia.

Keshi whose home-based players kicked off the AFCON training on Monday at the practice pitch, Abuja National Stadium said his concern is to raise a strong side that will challenge for the title at South Africa 2013.

“I don’t need to worry my head over Zambia, Burkina Faso or Ethiopia. They should rather worry themselves about us.

“My main worry is to prepare the team adequately and come up with a squad that will give Nigerians the third Africa title in South Africa.

“You don’t waste huge time thinking for yourself as well as others. You allow others think for themselves while you use your valuable time to do positive work,” said the former Nigerian defender.

Keshi expressed satisfaction with the forms of the domestic players at Monday’s training session.

“Training is turning out well, I pray it continues to progress as clock ticks for the AFCON 2013.

“Players responses are fine, I think they ’re picking the right mentality, I’m excited at the progress made,” he said.

However, it was gathered that players returning from prolonged injuries may not make the cut for the AFCON game.

This thinking might threaten the AFCON chance of the likes of Joel Obi, Onyekachi Apam, among others.

Messi stays put in Barcelona ...until 2018

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IONEL Messi has agreed a new contract to keep him at Barcelona until 2018.

The Catalan giants confirmed on their o f f i c i a l website the Argentinian would pen the deal “in the coming weeks”.

Barca also revealed Xavi and Carles Puyol had a g r e e d extensions until 2016.

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Messi’s current deal runs until June 2016 and the new agreement will keep him at the Nou Camp beyond his 31st birthday.

The forward has enjoyed an extraordinary year, even by his own remarkable standards, netting his 89th and 90th goals of 2012 at the weekend. The 25-year-old had already surpassed Gerd Muller’s 40-year-old record of 85 goals in a calendar year.

He is also in contention to claim a fourth successive FIFA Ballon d’Or crown, being named on a three-man shortlist alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and team-mate Andres Iniesta.

Defender Puyol’s contract was due to expire at the end of the season, while midfielder Xavi’s ran out the following summer.

Their new deals are set to keep them at

Barca for the rest of their careers and underline their commitment to the runaway Primera Division leaders under new coach Tito Vilanova.

They also reduce the chances of former boss Pep Guardiola being able to tempt them away if he returns to club management next season.

A statement on the Barcelona website read: “This news means that FC Barcelona has secured its ties with three of its most important players. Over the course of the next few weeks, Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernandez and Leo Messi will all be signing their respective new contracts.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012 — 29

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HELSEA have to show passion, plus some brute force, or they face losing to Leeds today, says Frank Lampard.

The Blues put in a limp performance to be beaten in the Club World Cup final in Japan on Sunday, and now face a needle match at Elland Road – where Lampard is not expecting to get an easy ride.

He said: “We have to go (to Leeds) and stand up. We got a result against Sunderland before we came (to Japan) and it’s important now, not just Leeds, but the league games over Christmas.

“There’s a rivalry (with Leeds) -we’re aware of it and I just hope it’s a good game.

“We have to play on the pitch with passion, and do the physical side of things up there – because they are going to be right at it.

“We can’t expect to go up there and tap it around and try and get a result – we need to do both sides.”

Show passion or lose to Leeds – Lampard

Warnock relishing Chelsea opportunity N

EIL Warnock insists there is no pressure on his Leeds United team as they prepare for their Capital One Cup quarter-final clash with Chelsea.

Leeds look well placed to claim an upset at Elland Road tonight, with the Championship side having claimed four wins from their last five games. Chelsea, by contrast, have been struggling for form and go into the game on the back of a lengthy flight from Japan after their Club World Cup final defeat to Corinthians.

However, Warnock says “Chelsea could put three teams out that could beat us” and that he is simply looking forward to the encounter.

“It promises to be fabulous with no pressure on us,” he said. “Whatever team I select we can just go out and enjoy it. I hope we go out and give them a good game, but if we play well and they do as well there’s only one winner, so we have to hope they’re not right up to it and we’re on top of our game.”

Warnock acknowledges that home advantage will work in Leeds’ favour, though, adding: “We can give anyone a run for their money on our patch and it promises to be a really good cup tie.

“There’s nothing else happening in the country that night so all eyes will be on the cup tie and it will be exciting.”

•Onwuchekwa Oyinwonuola, six-year old swimmer

Okeke sponsors a six-year old swimmer to Manchester A

• Warnock

Nigerian sports philanthropist, Emmanuel; Okeke ( Armani Auto Works Ltd) , has

promised to foot the bills of a six-year old swimmer, Onwuchekwa Oyinwonuola to the United Kingdom to compete in the Manchester Swimming competition slated for next year.

Onwuchekwa who attends the University of Lagos Women Society private school was chosen because she emerged the best swimmer in her category.

The sponsor, Okeke, stated that he hopes to encourage kids at the grassroots to ensure that the country attains an enviable height at subsequent Olympic Games following the dismal performance of the country’s contingent to the 2012 London Olympics.

Okeke said: “It is so unfortunate that the game has not improved. And, I think the best way is to catch them young. These children might be helpful in the nearest future. The joy is to see someone you sponsor excelling. It is better to develop them when they are at their infancy. This project is going to be a continuous one.”

In the same vein, the beneficiary of this humble gesture, Onwuchekwa said she was delighted that her effort is being rewarded:”I am very happy because I have trained so hard. I won’t feel intimidated, I am going to be focused.”

Meanwhile more than eleven schools participated in this year ’s edition of the swimming competition put together by Blue Sea Sport Company swimming competition.

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30—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19 2012

Nigeria: Dump ground for T-1 boxes?

Continues from page 23 the burden of dealing with the high cost of migration to the digital platform via the acquisition of DVB-T2 set-top boxes or decoders.

The Communication Commission of Kenya said the new technology offers better picture and sound quality, 50 per cent more programme channels on one TV frequency and a larger coverage area by TV transmission station.

The switch to the new technology implies that other than consumers

buying the new gadget, licensed digital signal distribution firms in Kenya have to make their platforms compatible with DVB-T2 technology.

In both countries, StarTimes, a Chineseowned Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) service provider, has been accused of flouting the ban on further importation and sale of DVB-T decoders. Uganda Consumers’ Protection Awareness Association (UCPAA), a consumer rights association, recent-

ly flayed the service provider for its continued sale of the outmoded technology. “Investigations carried out by the UCPAA in the market and the ongoing advertising subsequent to the announcements indicate that STAR times continues to sell and distribute DVB-T technology at knockdown prices despite the fact that these STB (Set-Top Boxes) are to be phased out in the near future and will be unable to receive television signals once the

UCC sets up its DTT infrastructure, which will support DVB-T2 but not DVB-T,” said UCPAA. DVB-T still selling Nigeria In 2010, StarTimes began operations in Nigeria, and started selling settop boxes with T-1 technology, despite the fact that Nigeria had committed to the T-2 technology as far back as 2008, a development confirmed by the DirectorGeneral of the National Broadcast Commission,

Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa at Digital Dialogue Nigeria 2012 which held in Lagos a fortnight ago. If Nigeria had committed to T-2 since 2008, how come the broadcast regulator allowed StarTimes to import and continue to sell T-1 boxes in the country? Is StarTimes dumping decoders nobody else wants in Nigeria? Till date, the firm is running promos and jingles offering its decoders to the public at just N2,999.

However, Ayokunle Idowu, StarTimes spokesman in an interview denied that his firm is dumping decoders on Nigerians, and explained the promo as an effort on the part of his company to ensure that “ordinary Nigerians enjoy the benefits of digital broadcasting,” and explained that the downward review in the prices of the decoders, fromN7,000 to N3,000 is further effort in this regard.

DVB-2 on sale this December Idowu, in the course of the interview also disclosed that StarTimes has started selling T-2 decoders from this month.

How about hundreds of thousands of subscribers who had bought T-1

channels and that the StarTimes currently has 75 channels as compared to the DVBT1 that can only transmit a maximum of 55 channels. He said this informs the difference in price of the two decoders.

The general manager said the company has five bouquets which offer over 70 channels for the unique bouquet while basic bouquet which is the least, offers over 32 channels. “StarTimes is ensuring its loyal subscribers and prospects are not left out of technological digital advancement and are given the best digital revise affordably”, he said.

He added that the DVBT2 decoders goose for N5,900 with two months subscription on the basic bouquet while the DVBT1 decoder goes for N2,900 with one month subscription.

Regulator looks away What remains unclear is why T-1 decoders are still on sale in a country that had chosen T-2 four years ago, with the industry regulator yet to do anything about it. Right now, Nigerian subscribers are paying and may continue to pay for a device that is on its way to oblivion.

Since the DVB-T1decoder is incompatible with DVT-B2 , a recall of the former from subscribers will therefore be necessary, but recalls happen only in structured economies. decoders?

“If they recharge for two months they ’ll get an upgrade to T-2, he said.

Despite stocking and offering T-2 decoders for sale, StarTimes is still selling T-1 decoders.

TAYE OBATERU, Vanguard ’s Plateu State Correspondent reports that General Manager of NTA Star TV, Jos, Shuaibu Haruna told newsmen that the second generation terrestrial Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB T2) decoders currently available in some cities would soon be extended to other places.

He said places like Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, PortHarcourt and the rest currently using the DVBT-1 decoders would in due course be upgraded to use the latest version. According to him, each frequency of the DVBT-2 technology has the capacity to transmit 25

DVB-1 decoders will be phased out and replaced with DVB-T2. Nigeria, according to the Digital Migration White Paper already signed by President Goodluck Jonathan, is expected to commence implementation of this process with a view to meeting the digital migration deadline of 1 January, 2015.

Though subscribers who have purchased StarTimes’ DVB-T1 decoders will find it possible to upgrade to DVBT2, failure to upgrade before the analogue switch-off will be more expensive. Since the DVB-T1decoder is incompatible with DVT-B2 , a recall of the former from subscribers will therefore be necessary, but recalls happen only in structured economies. Will this be a signal of structuring in Nigeria? Time will tell.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012 — 31

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32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012—33

BRIEFS SA boss bags three awards

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HE Group Chief Executive Officer of Standard Alliance Group Olorogun O’tega Emerhor has been bestowed with three awards for his contributions to the growth of the nation’s economy.

Emerhor was decorated with the three awards at separate events in Lagos and Abuja.

Emerhor who was decorated along with other eminent Nigerians at the AES Excellence Cub’s 3rd Annual CEOs Dinner/Awards Nite held in Lagos received an award as the Entrepreneur of the Year, 2012.

Speaking at the presentation of the awards, Mrs. Nike Akande, a former Minister of Industries and Chairman of the Club said, “We have carefully been following Emerhor ’s giant strides in business and his crucial contributions to the growth of the nation’s economy and the only way we can encourage him to continue with the good work is to recognise him today as our Entrepreneur of the Year, 2012.”

NAICOM to review MDRI

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HE National Insurance Commission, NAICOM has concluded plans to review the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative, MDRI, which was designed to enhance the industry ’s growth. The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, who disclosed this, said NAICOM will next year review the operational guidelines of the initiative to align it, for better performance. He said the review is one of the commission’s programme for the new year, but declined to give the time table for the review and release of the envisaged guidelines.

It was learnt that the need for the review, became necessary due to the failure of the industry to achieve projections where a target of N1 trillion premium income was to be attained. The Managing Director Riskguard-Africa Nigeria Limited Yemi Soladoye, said delay in the implementation of the initiative affected the projections set to be achieved, adding that the programme was meant to commence in 2009, but never took-off until 2011. He noted that to recover the lost period, there should be a shift in the deliverables to make-up for the difference between the time of the strategy crafting and implementation.

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DANA COMPENSATION:

Ground victims lament neglect

BY RITA OBODOECHINA

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for 18 ground survivors on June 20, this year, forwarding various copies to Yomi Oshikoya, the solicitor to the airline and its insurers. “The deliberate delay and reluctance of the aircraft insurers to settle the claims of the ground claimants are indeed worrisome” he stated.

According to him, some families of deceased members of the crew have benefited from the interim compensation of $30,000 per victim’s family, none of the families of the ground casualties have received one cent and those already traumatized by the incident have been exposed to so much pains, leaving some homeless by now.

Eguntola added that many residents of Olaniyi/Akande area,

those living in houses atop which the aircraft crashed and in houses within the vicinity of the crash site, not only sustained injuries, physical and psychological but properties were also lost.

He said, “Investigations carried out by the firm revealed that offshore insurer, Lloyd Insurance is ready with its own 70 per cent share of the risk, and there are issues of readiness of the local insurers led by Prestige Assurance to honor their own 30 per cent commitment.

He urged the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, to compel reluctant insurers to honor their 30 per cent share of the commitment under the third party liability claim. “Local insurers having pocketed huge premium from Dana Airlines, should not be allowed to escape third party liabilities, which in this case are unlimited” he said.

ROUND survivors and families of ground victims of the Dana airplane that crashed on June 3rd this year said the airline’s insurers had refused to include them in claims settlement. The ground survivors said that some families of the deceased members on board have benefited from the interim compensation of $30,000 per victim’s family, while none of the families of ground victims have received one cent.

Speaking through their legal adviser and Consultant, Mr. Gbenga Eguntola, the survivors said that some ground victim’s have lost their means of livelihood , while some have sent their wives and children back to their various towns and villages as their hope of quick settlement are waning by the day.

Eguntola said “The Mother of late Habibat Yusuf, Alhaja Modinat Sanni, who depended totally on her Daughter for her daily sustenance, is helpless, hunger, deprivation, and poverty has been her constant companions.

“Modinat is presently ill with no one to take care of her, and her only Daughter whom she depended on was one of the ground victims who died during the crash.”

Eguntola said, while the identities of late passengers and crews aboard the ill-fated air craft are already known, this is not so for ground victims. “How many people died on the ground? A clearer picture of ground casualties are just emerging after the accident, he said.

Mr. Wole Oshin, Guest Speaker (left) and CIIN President, Dr. Wole Adetimehin at the institute’s He stated that the firm graduation and awards ceremony, in Lagos. had filed insurance claims

Glanvills embarks on corporate transformation project

BY ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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LANVILLS Enthoven Nigeria Limited said it has embarked on a corporate transformation project in a bid to reposition the business of the company in line with recent trends.

Managing Director of the company, Mr. Tunji Oluyemi who said this, noted that there has been a significant re-alignment of staff to carry the three Rs (Restructure, Reposition and Rebrand) corporate transformation project to completion.

Oluyemi who stated this at the launch of its new look head office in Lagos said that the company rigorously reviewed its mission and found it to be relevant to the times and

is re-emphasising it throughout the company.

According to Oluyemi, Glanvills which is one of the oldest and leading insurance brokers in the country reviewed its values and ethics, resetting the standards of corporate morality and ethical conduct while noting that its values are indicated by the acronym PETIT (Professionalism, Efficiency, Transparency, Integrity and Teamwork).

Oluyemi said “The corporate head office is completely renovated and refurnished. The building which is at the centre of the industry operations will serve staff well in delivering value to customers in a comfortable, smart and modern office setting.

Commending the effort of the company, the President of Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance

Brokers (NCRIB), Mrs. Laide Osijo, noted that Glanvills has played a very significant role in the growth and development of the broking profession in Nigeria in the past 55years, adding that the rebirth of the company’s head office would serve as a launch pad for greater efficiency of the staffs and also buoy up the image of the company generally.

In a goodwill message, Group Managing Director of Odua Investment Company Limited, Adebayo Jimoh, said with the rebirth of the company, its will like never before satisfy the yearning need of its customers and the aspiration of the company’s shareholders through its motivated and pro-active professional workforce.

He also charged the company to leverage on its rebirth to acquire business from government parastatals as well as establish strong business relationship with other insurance companies.

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012

Appropriate intake of palm oil protects against chronic diseases

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ALM oil has a balanced composition of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.

Coupled with nature’s gift of high vitamin E content, the oil is naturally very stable. Palm oil contains an equal proportion of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. It’s particularly rich in the saturated palmitic acid (44 per cent), with substantial amounts of the monounsaturated oleic acid (40 per cent), and smaller amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (10 per cent).

Palm oil is nature’s richest source of carotenoids as compared to the other vegetable oils --15 times more than carrots, and 30 times more than tomatoes. Carotenoids are natural chemical compounds that give crude palm oil its orangered colour and that make palm oil red in colour.

The most active and important form of carotenoids found in palm oil is beta-carotene.

Many carotenoids contain Vitamin A which is an effective antioxidant that helps strengthens the body’s immune system and reduces the risk of cancer, heart disease and cataract. Vitamin A is a very essential vitamin for our eyesight.

Talking about vitamin E, palm oil is rich in Vitamin E (tocopherols & tocotrienols).

In fact, no other vegetable oil has as much Vitamin E compared to Palm Oil. Vitamin E is a powerful anti-oxidant, capable of reducing the

eatrightconsult@yahoo.com 08091276796

with Funke Oshifuye

cardiovascular diseases.

Fats have been getting a lot of bad publicity but we still need fats in our diet. Palm oil is very rich in calories. One gram of palm oil supplies 9 Kcal of energy. Energy should come from all groups of f 30 per cent of the total calories derived from our food should be obtained from fats and oils. Fatty acids are raw materials for building the

membranes of every cell in your body, including your bones, nerves and brain! The micronutrients keep your body cells healthy and functioning properly. Malnutrition can set in and you can become sickly or prone to infections if you do not have fats and oils in your diet.

Palm oil also supplies other important fat-soluble vitamins D, E and K.

Apollo hospital, Afroindia sign MoU on health facilities

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harmful types of oxygen molecules (free radicals) in the body. This means they may help to protect you from certain chronic diseases, while delaying the body’s ageing process. Solid fats made from palm oil are transfatty acid (TFA) free as they do not have to go through hydrogenation. Hydrogenation of oils produces transfatty acids along with saturated fatty acids. TFAs increase the amount of bad (LDL) cholesterol and reduce the amount of good (HDL) cholesterol in the body which in turn poses a lot of health risks especially

POLLO Groups of Hospital has signed a memorandum of understanding with Afroindia Medical services a Major to set up 100 Telemedical centres in West and East Africa.

In a statement released by its Chairman, Dr Prathap Reddy said the MOU will pave way for availability for tertiary and quaternary healthcare that will benefit many patients; this is because the Telemedicine centers will facilitate the Doctors in several African countries to interact with

specialists in Apollo Hospitals. Telemedicine according to the statement, has come to serve the Rural population in Africa particularly Nigeria where people are found to struggle to access timely medical treatment.

Also, the Managing Director of Afroindia Medical, Mr. Simon Oyibotie called on state governments in Nigeria to install Telemedicine in their Hospitals and Health centres, with the aid of the Apollo system. The centers have been open in Port Harcourt, Lagos and Abuja.

Help! Oluwaferanmi needs N62 million for a new heart

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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• Baby Olwaferanmi Adeogun

first glance at a pho tograph taken after the first week of the birth of Oluwaferanmi Adeogun does not only bring back good memories of child bearing, but is enough to motivate willing couples to try again. But like the saying goes; not all that glitters is gold.

Oluwaferanmi looks so healthy in the photograph, no one would suspect she is seriously ill. But seeing her in the flesh tells a completely different story altogether. According to a medical report from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, she has a large hole in the heart. The three-month-old baby is suffer-

ing. Her growth has reduced.

She is restless at all times, cries all the time and sleep has become a taboo for her parents.

Doctors handling her case had warned that the hole in the heart requires an urgent medical intervention in an India hospital. Another medical report from Lagoon Hospital, Ikeja, confirms the baby has an unrestrictive VSD and surgery recommended. Yet another report from Tejuosho Diagnostic & Clinical Services, Yaba, showed that there is a large area of pneumonic consolidation in her right lung field. The bottom line is that Oluwaferanmi needs a total of $US390,000 (N61,230,000) for an urgent medical procedure.

Narrating his ordeal, her fa-

Nigerians urged to eat for healthy life

BY GABRIEL OLAWALE, CHARLYNE IKPE & BUSOLA LIKOLO

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ALLELUJAH Acres, a Christian health organization, has urged Nigerians to eat healthily by adopting proper diet and healthy lifestyle.

Speaking a seminar on Nutrition and Nourishment, the Chief Executive and President, Dr. Paul Malkmus said 70 percent of sicknesses come from what a person eats.

Noting that 70 per cent of sickness comes from animal products such as white sugar, white flour, artificial sweetness, caffeine, he stated: “God designed our bodies to be healthy. But every day, toxins, free radi-

cals, artificial additives, pesticides and preservatives enter our body from the foods we eat and this depletes healthy cells and when this multiply, disease comes in.”

Malkmus said God did not create humans to be sick but has given them every food they need to be healthy, strong and vibrant. Part of which include fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts among others.

Chief of Education and Training, Ann Malkmus, said diseases manifest when there is no relief, no balance, no cycle work and rest. She further advised that people should engage in exercise, relax and embrace diet plan adding that juicing vegetables and plant foods are major parts of the diet plan required

to get nutrients into the bodies.

“Your digestive system only extracts 35 percent of nutrients in food, whereas when you juice the food, it is like an intravenous shot of nutrients, and you will absorb 92 percent of available nutrients, so juicing vegetables and plant foods will get nutrients into our bodies,” stated.

She said the Hallelujah Diet product can help strengthen the body because it contains living foods designed to build cells in the body. “This Hallelujah diet is made up of variety of supplements, including B12, oils, digestive enzymes, a cleansing product, and barley powder, which can help to restore the body back to normal.”

ther, Ige Adeogun said the 15 weeks old baby was diagnosed with a hole in the heart one week after delivery at Sumbo Hospital, Ikotun, Lagos. “The doctors at the hospital were able to make proper diagnosis and we were later referred to LASUTH for further treatment. We have done series of laboratory tests including ECHO test, we were given two weeks appointment but was asked to go to India for further investigation and treatment. He wondered why the case could not been taken care of in Nigeria saying: “While we were at LASUTH, no treatment was administered on the baby but she was given some medication to reduce pains.

“We were later advised to take the child to a hospital in India and the estimated hospital bill for the treatments and tour was put at $US390,000.We don’t have such money. We have spent over N200, 000 already. The two tests cost N75,000 and we were surprised that the same tests were redone at LASUTH at N5, 000.

Ige, who hails from Badagry is appealing to the Lagos State Governor and well-meaning Nigerians to save his baby’s life.

If you are touched by Oluwaferanmi’s story, please obtain further details on 07064932293 and 08179555453, or send your donation to UBA, Acount Number: 2015815019, Acount Name: Mr. Ige Adeogun

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012 — 35

C M Y K

36—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, DECEMBER 19, 2012

T

Nigerian youths: Good governance would improve their lot.

NIGER DELTA: Raising the bar in peace building

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

E

GBOSA Gabriel, (not real names) 25, had quietly walked into the training hall of Grand Mentecito Hotel, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital in the company of his friend, Jonathan.

Their entry into the hall was greeted with grave silence. The reason for the silence was obvious; theywererepentantmembersofthe dreaded militia group in the Niger Delta. Thanks to the earlier sensitisation by the organisers of the workshop, participants were able to face these youths. A subtle look at them evoked feelings of regret. But they are just two out of thousands yet to see reason why they should sheathe their swords and embrace peace. “I regret my actions. My familyisstillsufferingbecauseofmy involvement,” one of them retorted.

For these two Niger Delta exmilitants, violence not only ruins a person but also afflicts the family for life.

For 40 years, the Niger Delta comprising nine out of the 36 States of Nigeria – Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayesla, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Rivers and Ondo has been engulfed by violence. The crisis had been between rival militia groups and against the oil companies, no thanks to factors such as poverty, politicaldisenfranchisement,andthe easyavailabilityoffirearmsthathave continued to fuel violence in the region. Manyarmedgroupsfought eachotheroverthecontrolofillegally acquired oil (bunkering) and also engaged in violent acts such as

kidnapping against the oil companies.

Observers blame the violence on thelongperiodofneglectbyprevious

governments. The scale of this neglecthasbeenanimportantfactor behind the violence in the region.

Today, the future of Nigerians,

particularly, the youths in the Niger Delta brings to mind the report of Mo Ibrahim Foundation which noted that the future of youths in many African countries, including Nigeria may be grim unless governments and policy makers take urgent steps to improve good governance, provide quality education, health and create employment for the youths.

o get Nigerian youths, particularly,thoseintheNiger Delta, on track, there is need to ensure peace in the region which will in turn bring about youth competitiveness, right skills, adequate tools and attainment of social and political responsibility.

Against this backdrop, both the government and civil society organisations have been working towards ensuring peace as well as mapping out peace building strategies aimed at ending violence in the region and empowering the youths economically. One of such organisations is Partners For Peace (P4P), a flagship peace building programmeofPeaceInitiativeinthe Niger Delta, PIND. As part of efforts to promote peace building within the Niger Delta, PIND has embarkedonseveralresearchworks to analyse the keyissues anddrivers of conflict within the region.

Findings from some of the researches illustrated the detrimental impacts conflicts have onlivelihoods,andhowtheyimpede both the short and long-term economic prospects of community members.Inoneofitsreports,amale respondent from Ondo/Edo state explained how continued violence broughtthecommercialsectorinhis community to a standstill.

“During the period of the crisis many people could not trade as expected. Some people who used to go to the market to sell had to close their shops. If they opened, the shop could be looted. As a result, Continues on page 37

Amnesty programme not addressing issues —Ariyo There have been several criticisms against the amnesty programme especially by ex- militants who may not have made the list. The approval of N63.281 billion by the National Assembly for inclusion of victims of oil pollution and training of 3,642 ex-militants granted amnesty did not stop the grumblings in the Niger Delta region.

On this premise, Programme Officer for Partners for Peace, P4P, a group building peace in the Niger Delta, Dr. Robinson Ariyo spoke to CHIOMA OBINNA on issues surrounding the programme. He maintains the programme has not addressed the root cause of the conflicts in the Niger Delta, rather, has only created opportunity for more oil to flow. Excerpts:

I

S the amnesty programme addressing problems in the Niger Delta?

It depends on what objective you think the amnesty programme was set to achieve.

If you say the amnesty programme was set to achieve temporary peace so that the oil companies can drill, I will say 100 per cent yes. But if you say the amnesty programme was set to address the issues of agitation, I will say complete no. Right now, we have much more problems with the effect of the amnesty than we have had with the agitation itself because several people are sufferings.

From the perspective of government, if you are to look at the indicator, more oil is flowing, yes; you will say the amnesty has achieved its aim. But the truth is that in addressing the root causes, the answer is no. There is

•Dr. Ariyo

no long term plan for instance.

What happens to those who have been trained? For waht purpose was the exercise?

Most of them now constitute a nuisance.

The amnesty programme has not addressed the issues it ought to address. So there is no smooth conclusion because there is no game plan. You just train 21,000 ex-militants.

Apart from that, the process of selection of those who participate has some loop holes.

As it is typical in our country, when such opportunities come, people consider it as national cake, even substantial proportion of those who have participated or participating are not ex militants. Some slots were sold out. So to reach out to the core amnesty people in a manner that is intended by such a

programme would entail being transparent, being truthful to ourselves and being accountable to the process.

What should have been the ideal thing?

There are two ways to doing things - either by information or by ignorance. If government has not sat down to really understand what is happening, and then government will look like the blind trying to climb a hill. The problem is that most of the time government sits down in the office and discusses what is good for the people down stairs and fashions it and brings it downstairs.

Government may be well intentioned but it takes more than intention to achieve an end.

You need to have knowledge and this knowledge can only come from study and research and discussion with the people. There is a disconnect between government and the people. Government is throwing a lot of money on a lot of things, but those things are not working.

Not until we sit down and decide and say, I really want to know what this problem is and I want to discuss with these people. Government presently is like a doctor trying to treat a patient without talking to the patient. A doctor has to listen to the patient. That is the role of the government and the people.

Factors fuelling violence conflict is essentially a situation where people are trying to jostle for certain things that they value. And they are not doing it in such a creative and organised way.

There are multiplicities of factors based on the studies we have done so far.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, DECEMBER 19, 2012 —37

Kwara promotes health tourism with multi-million Diagnostic Centre BYDEMOLAAKINYEMI, ILORIN

H

EALTH is wealth goes the saying. As a result of this, issues relating to health have always been the central focus of human existence .In fact, all over the world, effective and resultoriented health care delivery services have remained the central target of any serious government.

In Kwara State, the situation is not different as the government has taken the issue of health care delivery beyond the pedestrian level.

Five years ago, the state became the first to start community-based health insurance scheme in Nigeria, precisely at Shonga in the Edu Local Government Area. The State has begun expanding the coverage of the scheme from Shonga in Kwara North to Kwara Central and now Kwara South.

Senatorial district.What the prospective client needs is to pay N300 as premium per annum to access the health care service.

Apart from spending several millions of Naira to upgrade all the state owned hospitals at Ilorin, Offa, Share and Kaiama to effectively meet the needs of the people in the three senatorial districts, the government has also built and commissioned a multimillion Naira Diagnosis centre situated along New Yidi Road in the State capital.

contribution to the national drive of reducing,(if not outrightly stopping)the outflow of Nigerians and national resources by people seeking such diagnostic services from other countries abroad and attraction of patients and patronage from abroad particularly from Africa. The Centre, he said, will also promote health tourism in Kwara and improve the State’s Internally Generated Revenue IGR. Facilities of the main diagnostic centre block, according to the commissioner, include a town house (staff quarter block and service block) with electronic smoke detector and fire warning; central public address system; digital master clock; digital information system and broadband internet connection among others.

Broadband internet connection The centre also has an imaging and laboratory wing. The imaging wing is equipped with the diagnostic machines such as 3D Magnetic Resonance Image Module, ultrasound Scan, ECG, M a m m o g r a p h y, X- r a y machine,Fluoroscopy,16-slides and 64-slide CT scan machine all complete with a dedicated UPS. Adding that the laboratory wing of the centre is complimented with the equipment for the various

,

The Public Private Partnership arrangement would afford the facility an excellent management and maintenance with the aggressiveness in marketing

The project which was conceptualised and started by the immediate past Governor, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki was targeted at providing services which the rich travel abroad to get.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was a key figure in the Saraki administration completed the project which was commissioned by the vice president, Namadi Sambo last week. Speaking at thecommissioning, the Commissioner for Health Alhaji Kayode Abdul Issa highlighted the importance of the diagnosis centre. According to him, “ every successful treatment of any ailment begins with proper and accurate diagnosis”.

The Commissioner listed the aims of the projects to include: Provision of excellent environment for world class medical diagnostic services primarily for Kwarans,

,

laboratories.

Vice President Namadi Sambo disclosed that the newly commissioned Advanced Medical Diagnostic Centre, Ilorin is capable of saving Nigeria from capital flight on medical tourism and treatment abroad.

The VP who lauded the state government for completing the project, said that outflow of resources from the country would be a thing of the past with effective functioning of the Centre. He called on the government to recruit qualified Nigerian medical practitioners now working abroad.

Sambo, who urged other state governments to emulate Kwara State government, advised that proper maintenance culture should be imbibed so that the facility will not be run down.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed described the commissioning as another milestone in the history

Vice President Namadi Sambo commissions the Kwara Advanced Diagnostic Center, while(From Left) Adamawa State Governor, Alhaji Murtala Nyako, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, Alhaji Razak Atunwa, Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly and Minister for Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi watch.

of the State’s health sector.

“The centre is a product of our long and persistent quest for excellence in all aspects of medical diagnosis. This is based on our recognition that proper diagnosis is a necessary precondition for effective medical treatment. This

Centre, therefore, is critical to our policy thrust on health with its twin focus on quality and access,” he said.

The governor said the Centre would be run through a PublicPrivate-Partnership with a highly reputable firm.

According to him,”We believe the Public Private Partnership arrangement would afford the facility an excellent management and maintenance with the aggressiveness in marketing within and outside of the country.”

Raising the bar in peace building Continues from page 36 companies closed down and other people that had the capacity to establish companies were afraid to do so for fear of destruction,” he said.

For the Programme Officer, PIND’s Peace-building, Dr. Robinson Ariyo, the strong correlation between conflict and the health of a region’s economy reinforces the notion that without peace, economic growth cannot flourish. This highlights why peace building is a core component of PIND’s holistic and integrated approach to promoting economic growth in the Niger Delta.

Conflict has been described as an intrinsic and inevitable aspect of social change. Although, conflict is said to have become a persistent feature of modernity and a universal phenomenon there is need to transform potentially violent conflicts into non-violent alternatives.

Building peace prevents conflicts and instability, improves governance, enhances sustainable development and strengthens the rule of law, which is necessary for cultivating a stable democracy.

Looking to the future with some hope, Dr. Ariyo regretted that over the years, unconscious to Nigerians, they have effectively communicated violence as a way of life, hence the desire of P4P to change the trend.

He regretted that a multiplicity of factors have continued to fuel violence in the areas. According to him: ”You can hardly point to one factor as solely responsible for

conflict but at the bottom of all these is a strong factor, that is economics.

People in the Niger Delta jostle over resources. Over time, people have come to think that they are entitled to much more from the oil that comes from their area, rightly or wrongly. Based on that kind of mentality, they feel that their lot shouldbebetterthan what itis.That is one of the major reason for conflict here.”

Lamenting the situation in the region, he stated that there is persistent struggle for who represents the people in the process of accessing these resources or whom royalties should be paid to.

“In most communities in the Niger Delta, it has gone deadly. People are prepared to kill. Apart from oil resources, you have the issue of land conflict and you also have the issue of lawlessness,” he said.

Public perception Ariyo who noted the urgency in building peace in the Niger Delta region said he is committed to promoting interest and support development of the youths by reducing negative public perception of youths and focusing their attention on the positive role they can play in the Niger Delta.

The2012PIND’sYouthAdvocacy Campaign was designed to generate awareness and interest in the issues, needs and aspiration of youths. Identified youths and groups that are impacting positively inthecommunitieswerecelebrated byPIND. AccordingtoAriyo,PIND is also working in the area of

economic development. Already, in collaboration with other partners, it has built an economic development centre which serves as a resource and coordination hub to develop and implement projects aimed at reducing poverty in the region through the improvement of incomes and creation of jobs.

He noted that most programmes are targeted at the youth as a strategy to replace the culture of violence with that of peace.

On its small research grants programme designed to engage policymakers, civil society, think tanks, researchers, academia and studentsinthepromotionofstrategic research and publications on the Niger Delta, PIND has given US$25,000 each to two organisations – Aries Concept Nigeria Limited and the South – South office of the National Centre for Technology Management NACETEM. He explained that P4P is a movement of the people aimed at developing a collective agenda for peace in the region. “We are trying to identify those people in the Niger Delta who are peace champions, whom we can link together and encourage to influence some other people. We are trying to design a crusade where people can assert their right to peace and a reputable livelihoodintheNigerDeltaregion,” he said.

To promote efforts aimed at buildingpeace,P4Pprogrammewill linktheseeffortsthroughaneffective communicationstrategy.“Anofficial P4P Facebook page has already beenestablishedtohelpachievethis objective.”

38 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012

DONATION: Abia State governor, Chief Theodore Orji receiving some relief materials by Golden Penny Company from Dr. Emmanuel Ukpabi, M/D, Floor Mills Plc for the flood victims in the state at Government House, Umuahia.

Emuobo Gbagi engages Ihwehwe

Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, former Minister of State for Education (left), with members of his family during the marriage engagement between his son, Mr. Emuobo Gbagi and Miss Ihwehwe, in Warri.

Mr. Emuobo Gbagi and Miss Ihwehwe. Photos: Akpokona Omafuaire.

C M Y K

LEFT: CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE: From left: Chairman, Lagos Anglican Schools Management Board, Dr. Olufemi Ogunsanya; Mrs. Nike Adamolekun, member, and Chief Christopher Bankole, during the Christmas Carol Service by Lagos Anglican Schools Management Board and Board of Governors of Igbobi College, at Igbobi College, Lagos.

From left: Mrs. Chinwe Akujobi, Mrs Shirley Bassey, both, members, Board of Trustees, Doam Foundation; Mrs Olabisi Gasper, Principal, Ikosi Senior High School; Mr. Ebere Nwaolikpe, Assistant Marketing Manager-ECOWAS, Western Union, and Mrs. Olufunke Agbeyangi, Director, Establishment Matters, Education District II, Maryland, during the Western Union Read To Succeed Library Project, in Lagos.

AWARD: From left; Senior Special Assistant, Mrs. Funmilayo Adeyi; Head, Admin. Secretariat, Abuja Geographic Information System, Princess Tiwalade Fapohunda; Deputy Governor/ Osun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technonogy, Mrs. Titi Laoye- Tomori and Senior Special Assistant on Education, Mr. Niyi Idowu, at the conferment of the award of the Most Innovative Education Commissioner in the South-West Zone to Mrs. Titi Laoye Tomori by the President's Schools Debate Nigeria in Abuja.

From left: Ndibe Obi, MD, Next International Limited; Innocent Iloabuchi, CEO of Innomary Integrated Services; Jacque Mulder, General Manager, Next International Limited and Mrs. Mary Innocent of Innomary Integrated Services, during the presentation of Kia Sportage SUV to one of the star prize winners at the Customers Awards Night, in Lagos.

TRAINING: Goke Ilesanmi (standing), Managing Consultant/CEO, Gokmar Communication Consulting, during an in-house training programme tagged "Effective Public Speaking and Business Presentation", at Quaditect Consultants, Abuja.

VANGU ARD, WEDNESD AY, DECEMBER 19, 2012 — 39 ANGUARD, WEDNESDA

Why does sex hurt this much?

Dear Bunmi, I’m in my mid-forties and going through an early menopause. Even though I still want sex just as much, it’s become really uncomfortable for me. It’s got to a point my husband is feeling frustrated too.

What can I do?

Diane, by e-mail.

Dear Bunmi, I was lucky to get this really good job some two years ago and I’ve made a success of it.

I’ve been assured my future

with the company is bright if I keep up my good work. But whenever I discuss my work and my future and what I’m hoping for, my fiance tries to

,

We were so very close and now I am totally by myself. I’m gradually losing interest in everything

,

My friend’s husband is a creep!

Dear Bunmi, Towards the end of last year, my best friend was in tears most of the time because her husband was having an affair.

There was a time it looked as if it would be the end of their marriage, but eventually he stopped the affair, begged to be given a second chance and they’re now fine.

The problem is, whenever I go round to their house I can’t face her husband as I’ve heard so many bad things about him.

My skin crawls when she cuddles up to him after the misery he put her through.

Nene, by e-mail.

Dear Nene, Your view of your friend’s marriage is based on what she said last year when she

was angry and unhappy but haven’t heard the conversations they’ve had where they were sorting things out.

You’ve not seen his sadness as he apologised nor seen the changes they’ve made to recover from the affair or the effort they’ve made to get themselves back in love.

It takes two to have a strained relationship. As close to both of them as you are, have you taken pains to hear his side of the story? I understand that whenever you see him, you remember his affair.

But things have moved on for her and she feels differently about him and their marriage. If you want to be a real friend to her, you’ll realise this and start to feel differently too.

discourage me.

I don’t understand it, as I always find time for us to enjoy being together outside work. He says that all career women are lonely and hard, and tells me he loves me as I am. He also says that our relationship should be enough and that I mustn’t destroy it.

How can I make him to be more supportive?

Onyeka, by e-mail.

Dear Onyeka, To hold down any job, let alone build a future, your fiance must actively support you, think you are wonderful and be proud of your achievement. When he isn’t behind you, it’s much harder to do what you have to do.

Try get to the reasons underlying your fiance’s negative attitude. Does he fear he’ll lose you if you find success? Then deal with this together. You’ll need to make him see that any partnership worth its salt is a two-way street.

I’m sure you support him— does he expect to get all he wants and still have you beside him? If he does, then he must do the same for you. No one can tell another person not to strive for all the things that make our working lives great. No partner has the right to stifle another’s potential, or hold her back from what she could achieve.

We all change, some of us grow. If he can’t grow with you, then he’s the person who is threatening the relationship— not you.

I can’t get over my husband’s death Dear Bunmi, My husband passed away over a year ago and I miss him so much. I am in my early 60s and live alone in our big house with servants. Our three children are based abroad and all I get from them is the occasional phone calls to find out how I am.

I plan to visit them soon. But previous visits had been with my husband and the thought of going anywhere without him makes me panic. We were so very close and now I am totally by myself. I’m gradually losing interest in every-

thing and my health has deteriorated since my husband died. There are times I don’t even feel like having a bath or eating. Is there any way you can help me?

Mubo, by e-mail.

Dear Mubo, After being close to your husband for so long, you’re bound to miss him dreadfully after his passage. Although you’re now lonely and confused, these feelings of panic will subside as you adjust to the loss of your husband. But you have to make the effort

by creating a new way of living that fills the void left by his death.

This is the time to fish out old friends and rekindle some of the friendships you let go while you were with your husband. When you visit your children, leave them room to share in your grief. Remember that they too lost their father.

You will not get over your husband’s death, but you’ll learn to live with it, especially when you relive the happy times you had together and the healthy children you’ve raised.

,

Why doesn’t he encourage my success?

Dear Diane, When you reach menopause, the change in your hormones means the skin can become more vulnerable.

You’ll also find you don’t lubricate as much as you used

to.

Go see your doctor. He or she can recommend pessaries that can rebalance hormones and help you get back its strength. And try a lubricant before sex— any reputable chemist should stock a few varieties.

Do realise that the more you have sex, whether by yourself or with your husband, the more you will stay flexible and your body will ‘remember’ how to lubricate. You’ll then discover that one of the best treatments is to keep on making love.

Try get to the reasons underlying your fiance’s negative attitude. Does he fear he’ll lose you if you find success?

,

We broke up but he still wants sex!

Dear Bunmi, My boyfriend doesn’t really have any respect for time and I lost my temper when he didn’t pick me up for an outing the time he promised he would. He drove off in anger and later sent me a text to say it was over.

I don’t want to lose him as I love him so much but he’s now asked if we could keep on sleeping together. My friends tell me he just wants to use me and that I should forget

him. What shall I do?

Ego, by e-mail.

Dear Ego, Now you’ve written to me, I am a friend also. So I’ll make my answer short and sweet.

Your ex-boyfriend just wants to use you. So forget him, learn to be more independent and go to fun places on your own or with your friend where you can meet plenty of new fun people— not the type who want to walk all over you!

Does she want him back?

Dear Bunmi, When I first met my partner, he and his wife were having a rough time. She was always running him down and threatening him.

It was her who eventually packed out of their matrimonial home and we got together. That was about a year ago.

Yet she keeps ruining things between us and coming to the house to find out when I would be moving out.

She took the two children of the marriage with her when she left. Now she’s sent them back and is always popping in under the pretext of finding out how well the kids are doing.

My partner humours her and I’ve told him he should take a hard stand against her.

He seems not to be getting the message. So how can I explain things to him without

sounding like I’m badmouthing his ex?

Enitan, by e-mail.

Dear Enitan, I don’t think you can say much here without causing trouble. Your partner is struggling to cope with the situation and if you tell him he’s not copping, that he has to stand up to his wife, it’s definitely going to put more pressure on him.

Offer support for him for now and help him with the kids as much as you can. As time goes by your relationship will grow. He’ll start to listen to your point of view. That’s when you can discuss your feelings and help him be more assertive.

For now, the best thing is to go with whatever your partner decides to do.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

40 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, DECEMBER 19, 2012

Katsina presents N114.5bn budget to state assembly

K

From left: Executive Vice President/CEO, Greater Washington, Mr. Owolabi Awosan; Director, Turkish Cargo Africa, Mr. Tarik Parlak and Air Freight Manager, DHL Global Forwarding, Mr. Paul ud Linden, during the unveiling of a new partnership contract between Greater Washington Logistics and Turkish Cargo in Lagos.

Events & Promotions Manager, Honeywell Superfine Foods Ltd, Mr. Raymond Ofili (left), Down Syndrome Foundation Staff, Mr. Peter Bassey and National President, Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria, Mrs. Rose Mordi, during Honeywell Superfine Foods Ltd end of the year party for the children, in Surulere, Lagos.

FG ‘ll not increase pump price of petrol in New Year, Omar assures Nigerians

ATSINA—— GOV ERNOR Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State has proposed a budget of N114.5 billion to the state House of Assembly for 2013 fiscal year.

About N80.1 billion representing 73 per cent was set aside for recurrent expenditure while N31.8 billion representing 28 per cent, was earmarked for capital expenditure.

Shema said the budget estimates tagged “Budget of Responsibility ”, would ensure the provision of dividends of democracy to the people of the state..According to

...calls on govt not to sack any worker in 2013

Group makes case for orphans

L

T

AGOS—PRESIDENT of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Abdulwahed Omar, Tuesday assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would not increase the price of petrol in the New Year.

Omar, who gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos, said already the masses were facing a lot of hardship, adding that government would not want to add to their sufferings.

According to him, any further increase in the prices of petroleum products can result in violent protest by the masses, and government will not want that to happen.

“Nigerians should expect a good year in 2013.

We don’t expect sudden surprises from government like we had early this year.

“I don’t think government will be disposed to doing that because if you look at it, the hardship Nigerians are enduring now is slightly higher than what they were enduring at the end of last year.

“So, I think it will be unthinkable for government to want to compound the problems of the common man.

“So, let us hope that 2013 is going to come with good hopes and with a lot of prospects for everybody in this country.”

The union president said Nigerians should not expect anything from the NLC, but should hope on many good things from g o v e r n m e n t .

Omar urged government

not to sack any worker, saying that it would not solve the country ’s economic

problems. He advised government to tackle the unemployment problem in 2013, saying that it

would be a major yardstick for measuring the country’s development.

....NLC asks private workers to join striking Plateau colleagues

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

T

HE Nigeria Labour Con gress, NLC, has directed private workers in Plateau state to join the public sector workers in the ongoing strike to force the state government to implement the N18.000 minimum wage.

At a meeting of its Central Working Committee, CWC, Abuja, leaders of NLC vowed to cripple social and economic activities in the state until government implemented the new wage.

Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar and Comrade Chris Uyot, President and Acting

General Secretary of NLC, in a statement, said the industrial action by workers in Plateau State was because of non-implementation of the minimum wage to Local Government workers and nonpayment of arrears of six months’ salary to the workers.

They said: “The CWC observed that workers in the Local Government had temporary agreed to accept a 55 percent minimum wage with an understanding that the new wage will be implemented in full when finances of the state improve. The CWC noted that despite this patriotic gesture of workers, the state government has refused to pay them outstanding salary arrears of six months, which had led to a declaration of strike. The CWC

further observed that government has deployed armed security men and thugs to unleash unprecedented harassment and violence on the striking workers.”

“After deliberation on the sixmonth long industrial crisis in Plateau State and the efforts of Congress to settle the issue through dialogue to no avail, the CWC, resolved that Congress shall be compelled to call Nigerian workers to a three-day solidarity strike should the Plateau State government refuse to dialogue with the workers with a view to paying all outstanding salaries and wages to workers and implement minimum wage on or before Wednesday December 20, 2012.

FG recalls suspended SEDI director

E

NUGU— DIREC TOR- GENERAL, Science Equipment Development Institute, SEDI, Enugu, Prof. Christian Nwajagu, has returned to his office following his recall from suspension by the Federal Government.

Nwajagu, who held reconciliation meetings with different segments of the staff of the institute, said his return was to take the institute to the next level.

He said the suspension had opened his eyes to some of the problems in the institute and pledged to work with the various groups, including the unions. The director general said he would improve on the staff welfare and mobilise

funds for staff training to improve research and other activities in the institute.

He said he would not use the opportunity of his return to victimise anyone and called for the

cooperation of the staff to move the institute forward. “SEDI for me is a passion. It is not just where one works, it is a passion.

I did not come back with a hammer to kill anyone,” he said.

Imo govt buys 50 buses for transport

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI——IMO State government has bought additional 50 buses for Imo Transport Company, ITC to improve passenger comfort and safety.

Managing Director of ITC, Mr. Emeka Duru, made this known yesterday, explaining that the new buses would ensure maximum comfort and safety for their teeming passengers.

“Apart from this, ITC management has designed excellent operational framework for the good of our customers. We now have new small, coaster and luxury buses in our fleet”, Duru said.

He further said the company has expanded its operations within the country and Ghana by procuring over 250 new Toyota Hiace and Coaster buses, as well as opening additional 70 loading bays in various parts of the country.

HE founder of Sidoni Foundation, Dr. Selekaye Victor-Ben, has called on political office holders to provide proper and adequate legal framework for the protection of the rights of orphans and abandoned children.

He noted that though the Federal Government was tackling insecurity in some parts of the country, the lack of legal backing for proper health and education for ophans and underprivileged children in the society may further breed violent crimes in the nation.

Dr. Victor-Ben, who spoke at the second edition of the Sidoni Foundation orphanage/less priviledge children party in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said out of the total populations of children in Nigeria,17.5million are orphans, adding “such children need to be protected with proper legislation”.

Firm rewards customers

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ANUFACTURERS of Amarula cream, fondly known as ‘The Spirit of Africa,’ recently hosted a cross section of its key distributors at the Rockview Hotel Apapa, Lagos and many went home with mouth watering prizes.

The star prizes of four brand new Kia Sportage Sport Utility Vehicles, SUVs, were won by the quartet firms of Benike Nigeria Ltd, Chigotex Ltd, Innomary Integrated Services and Uzems Ltd. Except for the latter company which is based in Onitsha, all the other three companies are Lagos based.

Also, two brand new 10KVA Maikano Generators were won by Dajmens of Lagos and Aba based Ebony company.

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2015: It will be political suicide if Ndigbo is absent — Chukwumerije

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, Deputy Political Editor

S

ENATOR Uche Chukwumerije's pedigree in the crusade for Igbo self identity is almost universally acknowledged. So, given the seeming lethargy that has enveloped the political leaders of the region especially with respect to the 2015 presidential contest, it was not surprising that Chukwumerije would make an intervention on the course and consequences of Igbo abstention in the contest.

Speaking penultimate weekend to a select audience of Ndigbo political elite, Senator Chukwumerije, PDP, Abia North warned that Igbo nonparticipation in 2015 would inevitably mean political suicide for one of three regional blocks upon which post-colonial Nigeria was founded.

The senator spoke at the 2012 end-of-year colloquium of the Igbo Youth Movement, IYM held at the Nike Lake Resort Enugu, under the theme: "Nigeria; in search of true federalism."

Notable persons honoured at the colloquium include literary

I

T was shocking that the Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen who was named as Minister of the Year by a construction industry journal showed up for the award. Basking in the euphoria of the award given him, Onlemenmen was all smiles as he showed off his trophy to dignitaries. As is the custom, the dignitaries at the award ceremony were largely friends of the minister, contractors and such who came to felicitate with him on what he and his associates would have considered a well deserved award.

Any doubt as to the glee of ministry officials on the award is erased by the conspicuous placement of the picture of the award on the ministry's web site.

The basis of the award was obviously not based on politics. After all, the minister, a protégée of the famed Peoples Democratic Party, PDP leader, Chief Anthony Anenih, and a major stakeholder in the Edo State chapter of the PDP in his own right, was on the losing side of the Edo State gubernatorial election few months ago. That was despite

*Chukwumerije: Ndigbo must think of 2015

*Achebe: Present at the event

icon, Professor Chinua Achebe, Dr Okechukwu Ikejiani, and Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu for distinguishing themselves and making Ndigbo and Nigeria proud. Also honoured at the event were

Chukwumerije said: "Ndigbo are in trouble politically and unless very urgent and decisive remedies are summoned to tackle this unbecoming situation we will disappear completely from Nigeria's political map. Every

other national group, big and small, but the Igbo, are currently unifying their ranks, realigning their forces, establishing linkages, creating alliances and girding their loins for the grate Continues on page 47

the last minute an area where attempt by the the clear minister to put majority of with up a show on Nigerians EMMANUEL AZIKEN r o a d believe that he detritetradetoxifiedpolitics@gmail.com reconstructions and his team in Benin. have clearly SMS 08052201189 According to not delivered. one of the Y o u r news reports correspondent on the award, at one time the minister believed that w a s the Apaparecognized for O s h o d i manager of over 25 years Expressway, the major road his effort in introducing a new policy on prioritizing projects, cognate experience in the linking West Africa's most strengthening capacity private and public sector in busy sea port and the subArc. Mike region's busiest airport was the through recruitment of young Nigeria, Onolememen holds the worst urban federal highway. graduates and such like. But Bachelor of Science degree in Certainly, the daily trauma of certainly not on the delivering Architecture, the Master of navigating round the potholes of good roads? degree in around the Berger roundabout It was really befuddling that science Architecture, and the Master and the heartaches navigating the basic yardstick considered by the majority of Nigerians of science degree in the wells on the road around in scrutinizing the Construction management. Mile 2 bus-stop were heart achievements of the minister, He is currently rounding up wrenching enough.

Navigating around these to wit, the improvement of our work on his Ph.D dissertation federal highways was not an in Public Policy and bad portions would almost Administration." certainly not give the issue.

Besides, he served as the impression of an active Off course, Arc Onolememen's qualifications Head of Project Management minister as the award givers and experience in the industry in the defunct Petroleum Trust tried to portray.

But in fairness to the are unarguable. The Federal Fund. Given his experience Ministry of Works website and qualification, it is as such Honourable Minister, I shocking that he allowed stopped complaining about portrays him thus: Oshodi-Apapa "A chartered Architect and himself to be taken in by the the professional construction false impression of success in Expressway few weeks ago

after making a near traumatic journey through the Lagos – Badagry Expressway. If my lot on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway is bad, Lagosians travelling through the Lagos – Badagry highway must be going through a daily trip through hell.

It is even more ridiculous that the road is the major link into the country from the WestAfrican sub-region. Is it not embarrassing that with such a sore that the Honourable Minister is recognized for his achievement? What about the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway or the Benin-Lagos expressway?

Arc. Onolememen is certainly a well respected man in his profession and we should respect him for his accomplishments prior to his ministerial appointment.

This correspondent believes that it is particularly awkward for a minister, not just the minister of works, but any other minister to receive an award for doing the job he is delegated to do. But given the fact that nearly all the ministers are failing, awards are certainly out of the question.

former Ohanaeze presidents, Justice Eze Ozobu and Dozie Ikedife, Prince Emeka Onyesoh of Nri Kingdom and Rev. Ukandu Ucheya.

Speaking on the topic "Ndigbo and 2015: An exhortation,"

POLITICAL METABOLISM

The minister's award

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012—47

At the top of his game N

O kingdom can survive with two competing kings.

Unfortunately for king Bukola Saraki, the only rival he ever had was his father. Oloye Dr. Olusola Saraki was remarkably, the father who inspired Bukola into the medical profession that was his trade, and subsequently, the political field where he now reigns.

Senator Bukola’s claim to his dominion in Kwara was confirmed first in 2007 after he became the first governor in the history of Kwara State to win a second term ticket. And later in 2011, when he became the first man in Kwara living or dead to beat Oloye in his own game.

The junior Saraki entered the political game fully in 2002 when his father was at his wit’s end.

Oloye in 2002, was again for the umpteenth time locked in battle with another rebellious surrogate in the person of Alhaji Mohammed Lawal, a retired military officer who Oloye had helped to become governor of Kwara State. Like all the other surrogates before him, Lawal was on the path of rebellion. The only difference this time was that he was about to get away with his rebellion and secure an unprecedented second term.

The elder Saraki was receiving counsel from several political and non-political associates among whom were Atiku Abubakar, Aliko Dangote and Ben Obi who severally and jointly persuaded him on the option of fielding his son, Bukola as the candidate to wrest power from Lawal who had already taken over the All Peoples Party, APP, a party Oloye personally

,

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

His effort in turning against the subsidy mafia came at a costly price as it is alleged that the ongoing financial probe of his administration is to suppress him

,

brought to Kwara. Bukola was fielded as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP against the incumbent Lawal who was on the ticket of the APP. It was a bruising fight in which the Sarakis fought for their lives and did not spare any naira.

That was Bukola’s firm introduction to executive political power. His stewardship in two terms between 2003 and 2011 was epochal. Illorin, the Kwara state capital renowned for its filth was transformed into one of the neatest towns in the country.

Bukola’s two tenures also sparked off an agricultural frenzy that has been imitated by several other state governments, albeit with less success.

Bukola saw the pains of the white Zimbabwean farmers and gave them home and so established a legacy with the Shonga Farms.

His administration also touched on physical landmarks including the Ilorin International Airport which was rehabilitated, established the Aviation International College, established the Kwara State

University, pioneered a community health insurance scheme that is now being emulated by the Federal Government, conceived a Metropolitan Square among other landmarks.

The Bukola administration also established an environment for international business concerns which led to the recent commissioning of a branch of Shoprite, the South African departmental stores in Ilorin.

“Sai Bukky” as he is fondly called by admirers and political associates was quick to go to the front of the class and in his term emerged in the frontline of national politics through his ascendancy to the leadership of the Nigerian Governors Forum(NGF), unarguably, the most powerful unofficial exclusive club in the country.

Beginning of second decade With his second term ending at the beginning of the second decade, Bukola started eyeing his future. Having almost displaced his father in the dispensation of patronage, he was his own man. His friends were fellow governors or exgovernors like James Ibori, Umaru Yar‘adua and such powerful figures that swaggered along the corridors of Aso Rock Presidential palace in Abuja.

But when his two major friends fell, one to the cold hands of death and the other into the grips of the law, Bukola was left to navigate the future for himself.

A bold attempt to contest the presidency saw him lose out in the preliminary round to the more

*Saraki: At the top of his game at 50 adept Atiku Abubakar.

But he was quick to face reality unlike Atiku and the other members of the Northern political gang and support the victorious Goodluck Jonathan. It paid off as Abuja looked the other way as he battered his father and sister in a local family contest for supremacy in the gubernatorial contest in 2011.

After the bruising battle, Oloye was never himself. But thankfully, no one would cast blame on Bukola for the father’s demise as it was clearly made known that the political titan died of cancer. Not political cancer!

Bukola’s opposition to his father ’s choice of his sister, Gbemisola, to succeed him was well received as altruistic. But many cringe that while he opposed his sister succeeding him that he did not mind taking up his sister’s senate seat!

His scruples nonetheless, he has done well in the senate, but then at a cost. Senator Bukola Saraki was the first to bring to national limelight the scandalous cost of the fuel subsidy regime.

His effort in turning against the subsidy mafia came at a costly price as it is alleged that the ongoing financial probe of his administration is to suppress him.

Senator Bukola Abubakar Saraki, who has successfully taken over his father’s mantle, today at 50 is at the top of his game. With the governor, the two other senators, all eight members of the House of Representatives from the state and all members of the State House of Assembly at his beck and call, he could not be a more accomplished man.

His father and only rival could not be better pleased in his successful discipleship.

2015: It will be political suicide if Ndigbo is absent — Chukwumerije political confrontation ahead.

What do we witness in Igbo land other than disunity, inaction, inertia, silence? Can we continue to live like this, to abandon our homesteads for others to pollute, to confuse and to exploit? "'The answer is capital no! We must take control of our political destiny; we cannot outsource it to any other person or group. To do so is to mortgage our existence, our future, and our place in Nigeria's political history.

Ndigbo must make uncompromising bid for presidency in 2015 Ndigbo must make an unqualified, unapologetic and uncompromising bid for the Nigerian presidency in 2015.

Failure to this will amount to political suicide. Our presidential bid has all required moral

,

Continues from page 46

We must take control of our political destiny; we cannot outsource it to any other person or group

content.

It also has a geo-strategic value as well as a demographic force behind it. Even though Ndigbo are the largest single demographic group in Nigeria , we won't be making an ethnic bid for power. We will be making a national bid, by talking to others, by convincing them about the imperative necessity of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction, by establishing strategic partnerships, by counting on our goodwill built over the years and by expanding our political capital wisely and

,

judiciously.

A national bid for presidential power operates in the context of the existing political parties and formations and the aggregate interests they represent. Ndigbo are well represented in the PDP and can become even more relevant to the power dynamics and power relations in it if we do the right things and take the right steps.

We cannot be strong outside in the rest of Nigeria without being strong at home. Our unity is the source of our strength but that unity is currently lacking among

the Igbo elite.

If we are united, no force, no matter how formidable it may be, will withstand our political resurgence, our political re-birth and a powerful bid for the presidency in 2015.

Igbo must carry other Nigerians along The senator, who acknowledged that the Igbo cannot go it alone proffered elaborate strategies to actualize the objective. He said: "We cannot do this alone. We cannot accomplish our political project by ourselves alone. We need the support and understanding of others. We can never achieve this without effort, sacrifice and hard work. We must have a team ready and up and running, meeting our contemporaries, our friends and neighbours, and even those who are not presently enthused about the prospects of Igbo

presidency in 2015.

It is our responsibility to convince them, to change their mode of thought and to bring them on our column.

Can we realize the goal of Igbo presidency in 2015? I honestly don't know. Can we realize it in 2019? I also don't know. Is any other group certain they will get it in 2015 or 2019? My answer is that if they are honest with themselves, they too don't know.

All I do know is that we will work very hard to attain this objective, we must do all that is needful to realize our aspiration.

Let us have a good political fight, let us render a good account of ourselves; let us say no to thunder and the other elements. Let us believe that we can, not by just mouthing it as a phrase or a slogan, but by working out our socks off beginning from today."

48— Vanguard,

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, DECEMBER 19, 2012

REMAINS OF LATE GOV YAKOWA ARRIVE KADUNA

N-Assembly probes NNPC’s N48bn excess expenditure ...uncovers secret cash reserve

ABUJA—THE National Assembly was yesterday told that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, realized N2.36trillion between January and September, 2012, while its total expenditure for the same period stood at N2.84trillion.

Meanwhile, the Senate also discovered that NNPC was operating a secret cash reserve where it withdraws money to augment funds appropriated to it by the National Assembly in the budget.

Disclosing this yesterday when he appeared before the Senator Magnus Abe, PDP, Rivers South-East led Joint National Assembly Committee on Petroleum, Downstream for the 2013 budget defence, the Corporation’s Chief Strategist, Dr. Tim Okon explained that the projected revenue for January and September, 2012 was N4.02trillion.

Okon who noted that the full year performance was expected to be N3.23trillion, also told the lawmakers that the 2012 plan for the three refineries was for the refining of 44million barrels. He added that 23million barrels out of a total annual allocation of 162million barrels were refined.

The National Assembly also raised alarm over the N48billion excess expenditure made by the NNPC in its 2012 operations.

The committee which is made up of senators and members of the House of Representatives further expressed dismay and displeasure over NNPC’s inability to furnish them detailed analysis of how they arrived at the revenues they made during the period and how they spent the claimed amount.

While reviewing the corporation’s performance in 2012, the lawmakers argued that the documents presented were vague, even as they discovered discrepancies between what the Corporation earned as

income and what was its operational expenditure for the year.

When the management of the NNPC could not convince the lawmakers, they had no choice than to reject the budget presentation, stressing that it was a deliberate attempt by the corporation to “deceive and confuse” Nigerians and the committee.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Magnus Abe who demanded further details of the revenue profile and expenditure made in 2012, said, “We cannot go on to consider the 2013 budget unless we understand how you arrived at the total figures. Tell us what are the sources of the revenues and how the monies were spent.”

A member of the committee and Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Hosea Ayoola Agboola, PDP, Oyo North said, “This is not a budget. A

told the committee that he did not have the details with him, told the lawmakers that the budget document submitted to the committee was not “an audited account of the NNPC. You can wait until we have a full audited account and then know whether there is a budget deficit.”

Also in his remarks, the Group Executive Director, Refining and Petrochemicals, Philip Chukwu, however tried to explain the source of the extra money that made up the corporation’s total expenditure, adding, “There are proceeds from NNPC’s oil production activities. It also funds the work in the refineries from the profits coming from the revenue streams. That is why we have the higher operational expenses.”

Abe and his Committee members while concluding the session,

Mallam el-Rufai signing the condolence register at Govt. House when the remains of Late Gov. Patrick Yakowa arrived Kaduna, yesterday. Pix: Olu Ajayi.

From left: Mrs Amina Yakowa; Hajia Aisha Dakingari and Senator Esther Nenadi Usman.

,

BY HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

“We cannot go on to consider the 2013 budget unless we understand how you arrived at the total figures. Tell us what are the sources of the revenues and how the monies were spent.”

budget should contain details of revenues and expenditure.”

Senator Benedict Ayade, PDP, Cross River North, however, drew the committee’s attention to the discrepancy of the expenditure and revenue profiles of NNPC. Senator Abe also asked, “Your expenditure is more than the revenue you received during the period.

Where did you get the extra money from?

Reacting to the issues raised, Okon said, “The NNPC is a running business and it has reserves and we got the money from the reserves.”

Okon who had earlier

,

however faulted Chukwu’s position, as they said it contradicted an earlier statement where he described NNPC “reserves” as crude oil and not in cash. They added that it was obvious that the presentation of the corporation would not lead to any transparent consideration of the budget.

Abe who told the NNPC management that the National Assembly has the powers in line with Section 162 of the Constitution, to appropriate funds for the NNPC, said the corporation should return to the committee with details of its budget as well as the details of the “reserves.”

From left: Senator Bukola Saraki; Senator Danjuma Goje and Senator Andy Uba.

From left: Jatau Ibrahim Yakowa; Miss Benedicta Yakowa and her younger sister, all children of Late Gov. Yakowa.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012 — 49

Egyptian prosecutor’s resignation angers Brotherhood E

GYPT’S public prosecutor resigned under pressure from his opponents in the judiciary, dealing a blow to President Mohamed Mursi and drawing an angry response yesterday from the Islamist leader’s supporters in the Muslim Brotherhood.

Seeking to keep pressure on Mursi, the main opposition coalition staged protests against an Islamist-backed draft constitution that has divided Egypt but which looks set to be approved in the second round of a referendum on Saturday.

Already, a few hundred protesters made their way through the streets of Cairo chanting “Revolution, revolution, for the sake of the

hoped for.

The opposition, which says the law is too Islamist, will be emboldened by the result but is unlikely to win the second round, to be held in districts seen as even more sympathetic

President Mohamed Mursi constitution” and calling on Mursi to “Leave, leave, you coward”.

But as the protest got under way, the numbers were well down on previous demonstrations.

Mursi obtained a 57 percent “yes” vote for the constitution in a first round of the referendum last weekend, state media said, less than he had

South Africa re-elects Zuma

President Jacob Zuma

S

OUTH Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) re-elected President Jacob Zuma as its leader yesterday setting him up for seven more years as head of state of Africa’s biggest economy.

Nelson Mandela’s 100year-old liberation movement also chose respected businessman Cyril Ramaphosa as his deputy, seeking to repair the image of a Zuma administration battered

by corruption scandals and strikes and facing growing discontent among the poor black majority.

More than 4,000 ANC delegates crammed into a marquee in the central city of Bloemfontein erupted into wild cheers when Zuma was confirmed in the top party post after comfortably seeing off a challenge by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.

Given the ANC’s dominance at the ballotbox less than two decades after the end of apartheid, 70-year-old Zuma is virtually assured a second, five-year term as President of South Africa in 2014 elections.

The rand briefly edged higher against the dollar, reflecting relief among investors at the prospect of policies remaining largely unchanged.

ORE than a dozen heavily armed gunmen had kidnapped and held NBC’s chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel and several colleagues for five days inside Syria, keeping them blindfolded and tied up.

They finally escaped unharmed during a firefight between their

captors and anti-regime rebels yesterday .

Speaking to NBC’s yesterday show one day after the escape, an unshaven Engel said he believes the kidnappers were a Shia militia group loyal to the Syrian government, which is fighting to crush a bloody uprising by rebels.

He said they executed at least one of his rebel

In a statement on its Facebook page, the Muslim Brotherhood, which propelled Mursi to power in elections in June, said the enforced resignation of public prosecutor Talaat Ibrahim

was a “crime”.

The Supreme Judiciary Council, which governs the country ’s judicial system, should refuse to accept the prosecutor’s resignation, the Brotherhood said.

Russia eyes Syria evacuation as rebels take Damascus district R

USSIA sent warships to the Mediterranean to prepare a potential evacuation of its citizens from Syria, a Russian news agency said yesterday , even as President Bashar alAssad’s key ally was worried about rebel advances now threatening even the capital.

Moscow acted a day after insurgents waging a 21-month-old uprising obtained a possible springboard for a thrust into Damascus by seizing the Yarmouk Palestinian camp, an urban zone just 2 miles from the heart of the city, activists said.

•Free Syrian Army fighters from Al-Farooq battalion celebrate after the fighters said they fought and defeated government troops in Halfaya, near Hama yesterday.

Fiscal cliff deal closer, but gaps remain

U

S House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner emerged from a meeting with fellow Republicans yesterday pledging to press forward on talks to avert the “fiscal cliff,” as hope of a deal rose.

Boehner, the top Republican in the U.S. Congress, told reporters that President Barack Obama’s most recent offer on taxing the wealthy is “not there yet,” but he was hopeful of an agreement.

Obama and Boehner are working to avert steep

Journalist, crew escape captors in Syria

M

towards Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood. Protesters broke into cheers when the public prosecutor appointed by Mursi last month announced his resignation late on Monday.

•Richard Engel escorts on the spot at the time he was captured.

President Barack Obama tax hikes and deep spending cuts set to begin taking effect next month.

Known as the “fiscal cliff,” the measures could trigger another recession if allowed to take effect.

Growing signs of a compromise in Washington pushed world shares towards a three-month high on Tuesday and weakened appetite for safe-haven bonds and the dollar.

To strike a deal, both leaders will need the support of their party’s rank and file, which appears anything but certain.

Early reports indicated that Boehner emerged unscathed from Tuesday morning’s meeting with

his fellow House Republicans, who include a core of Tea Party fiscal conservatives opposed to tax hikes.

“They were supportive of the speaker,” R e p u b l i c a n Representative Darrell Issa told reporters.

The president on

Monday made a concession, agreeing to allow the extension of low income tax rates begun during President George W. Bush’s administration for incomes up to $400,000 per household.

He had previously insisted setting that cutoff at $250,000.

Newtown school closed after threat

L

OCAL officials closed a Newtown, Conn., elementary school following a threat on what would have been the first day of classes since a shooting rampage at nearby Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Classes at Head O’Meadow Elementary School were scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. ET, but as parents and students arrived at the school they encountered police who turned them away.

With this development, Principal Barbara Gasparine had sent an

email to parents telling them that school would be closed rather than locked down due to the threats, the nature of which was not specified.

“As was predicted by the police that there would be some threats, the police were prepared and have us in lockdown, which is our normal procedure. Due to the situation, students will not come to school today.

Please make arrangements to keep them home,” Gasparine wrote parents in an email obtained by ABC News.

50 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012

Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012—51

Basic criteria for Brazil employment visa

By VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

I

ntending Nigeria applicants seeking to obtain Brazil employment visa, are expected to meet up with the embassy’s stipulated requirements which include suitable educational qualifications and work experience. Other criteria for approval of same visa include a secured employment contract in Brazil, proof of adequate means of sustenance in Brazil, police confirmation to indicate that you have no criminal record, and a satisfactory medical examination document.

Processing period: The expected length of time for the processing of employment visa is normally put around two to three months and is always issued for a specific job. The consulate notes that as a rule, the visa is not transferable between employers in Brazil without permission, thus warns that any defaulter will be punished accordingly.

Family unification categories Categories of application for a permanent visa: The embassy of Brazil has seven categories of application for applicants for a permanent visa, for the purpose of either living or working in the Country, and these include also marriage and family unification categories, as well as categories covering business executives and entrepreneurs, high level specialists, investors and retired people.

Permanent visa for business and professional individuals: Permanent visas can also be issued to

•Brazilian President Dilma Roussef

approval of a satisfactory investment plan and on confirmation that the investor has been able to create jobs for at least ten or more Brazilian nationals.

Herein, a resident investor can apply for Brazilian citizenship after four years; prior to this, he or she has many of the rights of citizens of Brazil, except for voting rights.

Permanent residence for retired individuals: Foreign nationals aged over 50 can apply for a permanent visa if they will be transferring the equivalent of at least US$ 2,000 to Brazil every month. Visas are also issued to at least two dependants, but there is a requirement to transfer an additional US$1,000 per dependant per month.

Documentary proof of income and a bank declaration authorizing the monthly transfer are required. Applicants for permanent residence visas are required to submit their passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable) and a police certificate of no criminal record, issued within the last 90 days.

Registration upon arrival: Holders of visas exceeding more than 90 days duration are mandated upon arrival in Brazil, to register with the Federal Police, in order to obtain an identity card. In the case of those who intend to work in Brazil, a work card must be acquired from the Labour Department, as well as a tax identification card, obtainable from the Ministry of Finance.

Citizenship requirements: A foreign national can apply for Brazilian nationality by naturalization, only when it is certified that such an individual has lived in Brazil for a continuous period of at least four years, with no criminal record, and can read and write Portuguese, among other stipulated requirements. The residency period can be reduced to only one, two or three years in some cases, and there are fewer requirements for those who have been living in Brazil for at least fifteen years upwards.

Holders of visas exceeding more than 90 days duration are mandated upon arrival in Brazil, to register with the Federal Police, in order to obtain an identity card

administrators, managers and directors of professional or business corporations, who are already employed by the company and are moving to Brazil on intra-company transfer. There is a minimum requirement for the parent company to invest at least US$ 200,000 per visa in the Brazil-based subsidiary, and to provide evidence that they are bringing value to Brazil in the form of increased productivity, technology transfer and or social benefits.

Hitherto, visas are also issued to administrators, managers or directors of start-up companies, but in this case, they are not required to meet the minimum investment or job creation criteria which apply to established companies.

Researchers or other high-level specialists employed by Brazilian research institutions may also be granted a permanent visa.

Visas for investors: Resident investor status may be granted to you as a foreign national, intending to invest a minimum of US$ 50,000 in a Brazilian business or productive activity. This type of visa is usually issued for an initial five years.

It is renewable on consularadvisory@vanguardngr.com

52 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

DECEMBER 19, 2012

F/Eagles train in Faro, Qatar N

IGERIA U20s will train in Faro, Portugal, as well as in Qatar ahead of the defence of the AYC title in Algeria in March.

Spokesman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ademola Olajire, disclosed Tuesday in Abuja that the Flying Eagles training will be in three phases.

They are expected to open camp in Abuja next month during which they will play an international friendly before they fly out to faro, Portugal, for more training.

They are also scheduled to train in Qatar because it has a similar weather to that of Algeria.

The Flying Eagles are drawn in Group B of the eight-nation tournament, which begins on March 16.

Their first round opponents are DR Congo, Gabon and Mali.

The semi-finalists will qualify for the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey.

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday commiserated with the government and good people of Kaduna State over the death of Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, CON, saying it was mourning the departed political leader on behalf of the Nigerian football family.

Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, CON died on Saturday afternoon after a Navy helicopter he was travelling in with other eminent persons crashed and burst into flames in Bayelsa State.

“News of the death of

ON ALERT: Flying Eagles defender Okorie checks an opponent during an AYC qualifying match in Ilorin.

UPER Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has been challenged to produce a winning squad that could stand

the test of time. To achieve this the gaffer has been advised to blend both the foreign and home-based players

into a compact team that has depth and flair.

One time aide to the former.chairman of the Nigeria Football Association, Alhaji Aminu Kurfi.siad this in a chat he was looking forward to a Super Eagles team that is mobile and adventurous upfront and with lot of options in every department.”.

Alhaji Aminu believes that Keshi would achieve this by adopting 80 to 20 percent ratio in the selection of foreign and home-based players to make up the team that would represent Nigeria in the Nations Cup in January.

NOC to organise more training programmes for coaches HE Nigerian Olympic Committee has promised to organise more training programmes for Nigerian Coaches.

President of the Nigerian Olympic Committee, Engr.

Sani Ndanusa, gave this assurance in Abuja at the weekend during the closing ceremony of the just concluded Nigeria Olympic Committee/ International Olympic

C M Y K

Committee solidarity course held at the National Institute for Sports building, package B of the Abuja National Stadium.

With over thirty basketball coaches in attendance at the five-day Olympic Solidarity course which had Mr. Ronnie Owino from kenya who was appointed by the world basketball ruling body FIBA as resource

person and Mr. Augustine Odigie as project officer, Ndanusa likened the indispensable role of coaches in moulding athletes to that of teachers which clearly means that the quality of training a coach undergoes shall largely determine the quality and level of performance his athlete will attain.

•Ndanusa, NOC boss

Late Gov Yakowa Governor Yakowa struck us like a thunderbolt.

He was a real supporter and lover of Nigerian football and the Nigeria Football Federation deeply grieves at his sudden departure.

PWF Championship ends in Lagos Football Club 1-0 in

Nations Cup: Kurfi urges blend of M domestic, foreign-based players S

PERFECT BLEND: Super Eagles players in joyous mood after scoring a goal.

T

Yakowa: NFF commiserates with Kaduna govt, people

Y People Football Club at the weekend emerged winners of the 2nd PWF Football championship carting home a giant trophy, winners’ medal with a whopping N750,000 prize money for their efforts.

The champions defeated Rainbow

closely fought final staged at the Legacy Pitch, National Stadium, Lagos.

The runners up were given N400,000 with a silver medal while the second and third runners up IGI FC and Robo FC earned N250,000 and N100,000 respectively.

Maigari Continues from B/P There were talks on a possible engagement of foreign hands to assist Keshi. The foreign assistants, some said, may eventually take over the team. The idea of a foreign coach, we also gathered, was being mooted outside the football federation but by people who command authority.

There was also another talk but this time by a board member of the federation. The member told the media that one or two members of Keshi’s technical crew may be disengaged for not contributing much to the team.

This, according to observers, could likely pave way for a foreign assistant as soon as possible.

The Eagles technical crew had admonished this and they said that such talks were not helping their

concentration.

Maigari said yesterday that “Keshi and his crew should ignore such talks and concentrate on their coaching job, and target a good outing at the Nations Cup.” Maigari said the federation was solidly behind Keshi’s crew which he scored above average. “So far, we all know that Keshi and his crew have done well. We owe them unflinching support. My advice is that they should ignore anything that could distract them.Let results speak for them. I always prefer that results speak for me and that is what I am passing on to them.

We have a job to do and we should all concentrate on the job.

“So far they have done well and there is no reason for a foreign coach now. Let them be focused and go to South Africa and do well. We are behind them.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012 — 53

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54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012 — 55

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VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012

Muamba rumba!

Nations Cup 2013: Cape Verde name squad

E

XPERIENCED defender Ricardo has opted out of the 23man Cape Verde squad for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in favour of playing for his club. The 32-year-old Pacos de Ferreira player is one of three senior figures missing for Cape Verde, who will make their tournament debut in South Africa.

Ex-captain Lito and striker Dady have been omitted by coach Lucio Antunes. Cape Verde will play South Africa in the opening game of the competition on 19 January in Johannesburg.

Atunes is the first boss of the 16 finalists to name his squad and has selected only one homebased player in

uncapped reserve goalkeeper Rilly from Mindelsense.

The rest of the players come from clubs in Angola, Cyprus, France, Romania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal. Cape Verde qualified for the finals by pulling off a shock result against Cameroon in the final-round qualifier, winning 3-2 over two legs.

S

ASHAYING across the dance floor with a broad grin on his face, he

clearly had the time of his life.

Eight months after a

Maigari rules out foreign coach •Wants Keshi to concentrate on job

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

P

•NO CAUSE FOR ALARM: Keshi

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

RESIDENT of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari wants Coach Stephen Keshi and his technical crew to ignore side talks and concentrate on the job of guiding the Eagles to a successful African Cup of Nations outing in South Africa next month.

Continues on Page 52

YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

Fegor spar kles in sparkles training T

HE only foreign based player that has been initially invited Fegor Ogude of Velaranga of Norway breezed into camp Monday night and by Tuesday morning was in full flight during the team’s training. Fegor said he has come to camp to meet with

his teammates and hopes he can pick a shirt for the Nations Cup proper in South Africa. Lobi Stars Bassey Ezekiel was expected to join camp, to bring the number of invited players to 24. Ezekiel is a late replacement for Heartland’s Kalu Orji, who is reportedly injured.

cardiac arrest stopped his heart for 78 minutes, Fabrice Muamba was on top form for Strictly Come Dancing.

The first pictures of the show ’s pre-recorded Christmas special show the 24-year-old footballer swaying his hips and spinning his partner Aliona Vilani with carefree abandon.

Muamba retired from football in the summer after collapsing during an FA Cup match for Bolton Wanderers against Tottenham Hotspur.

BARCELONA tie down Messi until 2018 — P.28

ACROSS DOWN 1 Crow (5) 2 Meadow (3) 5 Yawning (6) 3 Pilot (6) 8 Adder (5) 4 Fasten (3) 10 Sword (6) 5 Seize (4) 11 Bitter (4) 6 Coupled (6) 14 Dull (6) 7 Unsteady (6) 15 Touch (7) 9 Obtain (7) 18 Jewel (3) 12 Tooth (3) 19 Vase (3) 13 U. S. coin (4) 21 Repudiate (4) 16 Monster (4) 23 Earlier (5) 17 Quaver (5) 24 Repast (4) 20 Titular (7) 27 Tree (3) 22 Bird’s home (4) 29 Nourished (3) 24 Reckless (6) 31 Freedom (7) 25 Distant (4) 32 Mythical beast (6) 26 Bequeathed (6) 34 Speed (4) 28 Discount (6) 35 Begone! (6) 30 Speck (3) 38 Distribute (5) 33 Close (4) 39 Entreaty (6) 36 Oath (3) 40 Tearful (5) 37 Pinch (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Clever 5, Grub 8, Genre 9, Imp 10, Char 11, Oast 12, Scoop 13, Craved 16, Well 18, Espy 20, Via 22, Pie 23, Day 24, Disc 25, Rest 28, Social 30, Moist 32, Boob 33, Soap 34, Air 35, Waken 36, Tent 37, Pencil.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Clinch 2, Emphasis 3, Eschew 4, Merciless 5, Groomed 6, Reap 7, Bath 8, Gas 14, Depressed 15, Spy 17, Lie 19, Sanitary 20, Vim 21, Acrobat 26, Torpor 27, Florin 29, Abut 30, Moon 31, Ton.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place 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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