Yoruba elders split over Jonathan,Buhari

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62366

NLC splits in two as another president emerges 9

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FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Alleged missing $20bn: Own up to your errors, NNPC tells Sanusi

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Yoruba elders split over Jonathan, Buhari

By Clifford Ndujihe, Dapo Akinrefon & Anozie Egole

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•Hold parallel summits in Ibadan, Lagos COLUMNISTS:

Farewell to a lady of substance •P.17

POLLS: Impact of regional (party) alliances and ethnic bloc voting on results •P.29 YORUBA SUMMITS: ABOVE: From left: Former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, Convener, Gen Alani Akinrinade (retd); Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State during a Pan-Yoruba Summit with the theme "Yoruba people, our aspirations and demands from the central government of Nigeria" oraganised by Yoruba Assembly, in Ibadan, yesterday. Photo: Dare Fasube.

LEFT: From left: PDP chieftain, Chief Bode George; Gen. Mobolaji Johnson (rtd); Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State; Senator Femi Okunrounmu; Prof. Dupe Olatunbosun and Founder of O'odua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr Frederick Fasehun, at the Post-National Conference Summit, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

More Photos on page 50

AGOS — THE SouthWest geo-political zone was split, yesterday, as Yoruba leaders and elders were sharply divided over who to vote for in the March 28 presidential polls between President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) of the All

Continues on Page 5

Political power not for sale

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Mr & Mrs

2—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

ELECTIONS: APC is full of propaganda —Patience Jonathan

By Dapo Akinrefon

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IRST LADY Mrs Patience Jonathan, yesterday, lambasted the All Progressives Congress, APC, saying the party was only good in propaganda and urged Nigerians to come out massively to reject the opposition party in the forthcoming elections.

Speaking at a women sensitisation rally in Lagos, Mrs. Jonathan urged Lagosians to massively vote for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP at all levels saying they will live not to regret it. According to her, the PDP administration in Abuja has delivered on its promises and would do more if given the opportunity.

She, however, chided the opposition APC saying that the party has nothing to offer Nigerians. She said “we do what we promised because PDP is not a propaganda party. If you vote for PDP, you will never regret it. They are talking about corruption, are they not corrupt? For Nigerian women, your messiah has come and that is the PDP. The APC has nothing to offer, if they have anything to offer, then, let them come out and say it because seeing is believing.”

She said that the President has implemented the Beijing Conference recommendation of 35 per cent allocation of appointments to women with his generous appointment of female ministers in the federal cabinet. “Jonathan will give us more female ministers.''

Urging the electorate to vote for Agbaje during the April 11 governorship election, Mrs Jonathan said that the PDP governorship candidate would deliver on his campaign promises if voted into office. She said “We have given you a good material, Jimi is a credible candidate, Jimi will win and will not dupe you.”

In her remarks, the PDP National Woman Leader, Mrs Kema Chikwe said that Nigeria had a First Lady that was working hard to ensure that Nigerian women were properly taken care of. “We have a First Lady who is hardworking, going from state to state to ensure Nigerian women are taken care of. Patience Jonathan has written her name in the history of Nigeria as the best First Lady Nigeria ever had”, Chikwe said.

Buhari pledges zero tolerance for violence against women •takes responsibility for Decree 4,execution of drug peddlers

By Olasunkanmi Akoni, Gbenga Oke & Monsur Olowoopejo

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RESIDENTIAL Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, in Lagos affirmed that his administration will have zero tolerance for violence against women just as he formally took responsibility for actions taken under his stewardship as head of state.

Buhari spoke at two separate interactive sessions with the women in Lagos yesterday. He spoke as Governor Rotimi Amaechi commended Buhari’s wife as a true epitome of womanhood saying she has been well groomed as a lady preparatory to stepping in as First Lady. Governor Amaechi at the ceremony debunked attacks on him by First Lady Patience Jonathan saying that the same woman attacking him as a son cannot do so.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State also at the sessions also flayed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP led Federal Government for failing to bring back the abducted Chibok girls.

Giving his tone on gender issues, Buhari said: “Our administration will ensure promotion of antidiscrimination legislations and policies to afford women equality and equity, especially in the areas of employment, education, housing and entrepreneurship. We shall commit ourselves to merit based Affirmative Actions to level the playing field for women and provide them with opportunities to be part of decision-making and governance at all levels while we will include gender as a component of the federal character.

“There will be strong political will to promote Women’s Empowerment and Gender

Equality through dedicating the required financial, human and technical resources toward this goal and we will make a concerted effort to empower women in rural areas who constitute majority of the Nigerian women. We will enforce legal protection for the rights of the girl-child in all areas of religious, social and economic life, protecting her right to dignity, shelter and choice.”

He went further, “Nigerian women have always played a visible and competent role in nation building. In addition to their various activities which sustained communities in precolonial times, they also played key roles in the struggles for independence and the political processes that followed.''

Flaying the country’s high rate of maternal and child mortality which he said is among the highest in the world, he said he was determined to rescue Nigeria’s fading glory. “I am on a mission to restore Nigeria’s fading glory and reposition our great nation on the path to greatness. I am however aware

that this will not be possible without addressing the needs and concerns of those who constitute half of the population of this country which are women. As the father of a number of promising young women, I should know what it means to want the very best for my own daughters.”

Taking responsibility for actions done in his name as military head of state, particularly the execution of drug peddlers and the promulgation of Decree Number 4 limiting press freedom, he said: “As military head of state, there are two things I did and I have since accepted them as a leader. It is true that the bulk of everything lands on the table of Mr President, so the things that happened, I accept my responsibility but I cannot undo the past but as a President of the future, I have taken note.

“The two issues anyone can accuse me of is the shooting of drug pushers and decree number four which affects the Journalists. If you do your

research well, you will realize the reason why the Supreme Military Council of that time took those decisions”.

Buhari also drew questions from a cross section of the audience including leading stars of Nollywood, artisans and women from different professions.

Speaking at the event, Rivers State Governor and Director General of the APC Campaign, Governor Rotimi Amaechi described insinuations about Buhari as being a religious bigot as unfounded.

He said, “We have brought him here so that you ask him questions as you want, so that you can see that the other party has been feeding the country with lies. We have brought him here so that you can see that this man that is being demonised is after-all a human being and is not what they say he is and he is a man of his words.

“He is not a Christian but a Muslim, but Christians work with him. He told me two things when we started this campaign, he said to me I will give you 16 hours of my time but allow me my own 6 hours.

L-r: Oando PLC Group Chief Executive, Wale Tinubu, welcoming the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Director, Dr. Joseph Dawha to the Oando exhibition stand at the 2015 Nigerian Oil & Gas Conference with the theme “The Journey Towards Transformation” held March 16-19, 2015 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.”

APC accuses PDP of plot to frame its leaders in foreign currency deals •It is another APC lie —Fani-Kayode

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor & Henry Umoru

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday, claimed to have uncovered what it claimed was a plot to frame its leaders into an alleged plot to surreptitiously import undeclared foreign currency into the country. The plot, according to the party, was to put its leaders in bad light and out of circulation in the crucial days leading to the presidential election.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in a sharp reaction described the assertion as

another set of lies even as the party warned that APC leaders would be appropriately sanctioned if found infringing currency transfer laws.

The APC in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, affirmed that the claim was not cooked up saying, ''let us remind them that we raised the alarm over their plan to postpone the elections and it came to pass. We raised the alarm over their opposition to the use of card readers and now all Nigerians can see. We raised the alarm that the OPC will demonstrate against Jega in Lagos and it was accurate to the

day. We will continue to expose the plotters of evil.''

The party said that those who orchestrated the importation of the raw cash from a West African nation have also tipped off the security agents at the border posts to watch out for those who are bringing in a colossal amount in US dollars. ''Their plan is that once the couriers - who have been coached on their assignment - are arrested by Nigerian security agents, they will point accusing fingers at some top APC leaders who supposedly commissioned them to bring in the money to be used for the forthcoming elections. ''The plotters of the evil plan will then order the arrest of the

leaders, with a view to damaging their credibility and destabilizing them ahead of the elections,’’ APC said.

The party said as many evil plots as are being hatched by desperadoes who are bent on setting the country ablaze just to realize their naked ambition will be exposed, because Nigerians themselves, within and outside the government, have decided to be extra vigilant. ''Let’s be clear: Our leaders, who have been the targets of unprecedented mudslinging as well as physical and psychological threats will not be intimidated into abandoning their epic struggle to save our country from a rapacious administration.''

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 — 3

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

US backs use of card readers ...As IG warns voters off polling units after voting

By Joseph Erunke, Victoria Ojeme & Jude Opara

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BUJA—THE United States of America has thrown its weight behind the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission to deploy card readers and permanent voter cards for the forthcoming elections in Nigeria.

Already, the American Vice President, Joe Biden, is said to have spoken to both President Goodluck Jonathan and Major General Muhammadu Buhari on the need to ensure the success of the elections.

Biden, according to a statement released in Abuja by the U.S Embassy, commended the two leaders for signing the Abuja Peace Accord and pledging to conduct a peaceful elections.

The statement said: “ The United States’ support for the Nigerian Independent National Electoral Commission and its work to deliver free, fair, and credible elections, in part through its essential efforts to distribute Permanent Voter Cards and help ensure that electronic voter card readers are in place and fully operational.

“Vice President Biden affirmed that the United States stands with the Nigerian people in support of credible and peaceful elections, and will continue to stand with the Nigerian people whatever the outcome.

Biden is however said to have expressed concern about the violence during some recent election-related events and reiterated the need for both candidates to make clear that such violence has no place in democratic elections.

The Vice President commended

President Jonathan and General Buhari for signing the Abuja Accord in mid-January as a show of their commitment to nonviolence throughout the election process.

IG to voters: Don’t wait at polling units after voting

Meanwhile, to prevent crises that could arise from circulation of conflicting results by voters during the forth coming elections, Inspector General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, yesterday, warned voters not to attempt to hang around or wait at the polling units after casting their votes.

He said the police would not tolerate the repeat of what happened in 2011, where voters waited at the polling units after casting their votes, saying the new measure was to prevent the

release of conflicting results, thus sparking off crises.

The opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, had recently, asked its supporters to wait at the polling units to protect their voters, after casting, saying failure to do that could make the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, manipulate the outcome of the polls.

But the Inspector General of Police, Mr Abba, speaking in Abuja, at a briefing organised for accredited observers for the 2015 general elections, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, staunchly opposed the idea of voters waiting to protect ballots in the forthcoming general elections He warned that the police would not allow a repeat of the 2011 experience, saying it was only INEC that had the

constitutional power to announce results of elections in the country, saying anything contrary was a call to chaos.

“It is advisable that after casting your vote, go and cool down,” he said.

The police boss insisted that the electorate cannot wait at the poling units after casting their votes.

He explained: “The reason is that if you look at the provision of Section 129 of the electoral act, if you remain at the polling centre, there is the likelihood that you will commit an offence.

“While waiting, one can get involved with another voter which can constitute electoral offence.

So the law says if you remain you have to be orderly.”

He said the advice being given some party followers by their leaders to also announce

FLAG-OFF: From left; CEO, MTN Nigeria, Mike Ikpoki; CEO, Salt & Einstein, Mr Lai Labode and CEO, United Healthcare Int. Ltd; Kola Owoka during the flag-off of National Health Insurance Programmes nationwide at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja yesterday.

their separate results was an invitation to chaos.

“Already, we are getting information, which we hope is not true. Some people are planning to declare results themselves.

Certainly, this is an invitation to chaos. Because the law says that only INEC that can declare election results,” he added.

But he asked voters not to panic over security, assuring that the police and other security agencies have concluded arrangements to provide adequate security for electoral materials and personnel: adding that political thugs will not be able to disrupt the elections.

“We have trained our personnel enough to appreciate the situations,”he said.

He advised stakeholders to be mindful of their actions so as not to set the nation ablaze, stressing that what the law provided for is that any aggrieved person should approach the law court rather than take the law into their own hands and go against the democratic process.

He also urged the media to report issues that will foster the unity of the country.

The Inspector General of Police also assured the observers and the electorate of their safety during and after the elections “We will provide security for all stakeholders in the forthcoming general elections, enough personnel will be provided for election management teams at all levels right from the polling units to the collation centres.

“We will also provide security for both materials and lives.

“The electorate must be secured enough to be bold to go and cast their votes.

“We will be there to prevent anyone from disrupting the elections. Specific laws are provided to handle anyone who tries to disrupt this process. That is why apart from those ones we have mapped out; we have also put many on stand,” he disclosed.

ALLEGED MISSING $20BN: Own up to your errors, NNPC tells Sanusi

By Michael Eboh

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BUJA—THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday, accused the Emir of Kano, HH Muhammadu Sanusi, of attempting to reinvent the wheel of his false allegations against the corporation, advising the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to own up and apologise for his errors.

The NNPC was reacting to claims

by Sanusi, who gave an interview to an international news medium, that the issues surrounding the alleged unremitted $20 billion have not been adequately addressed.

The NNPC in a statement by Mr. Ohi Alegbe, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, said, “We believe that his royal dignity will be best served and preserved if he owns up to his error of raising false allegation and C M Y K

apologise for same rather than continue in error believing that if he continues to harp on his false allegation it will someday be accepted as the truth.”

According to Alegbe, the respected traditional ruler has got it wrong again in much the same way his failure to grasp the issues of remittances to the Federation Account led him into the embarrassing error of alleging that NNPC failed to remit $49.8 billion oil revenue into the Federation Account, an allegation which has since been proved to be false even by his own account.

He called on Nigerians to discountenance the latest attempt to resurrect the campaign of calumny against the NNPC. Alegbe insisted that the latest strategy of Sanusi is against the findings of the Senate Committee on Finance and

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), who both cleared the NNPC of the allegation.

He said, “Our attention has been drawn to the latest gambit of the former CBN governor and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, to reinvent the wheel of his false allegations against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation by insisting, during an interview with Christiane Amanpour of the Cable News Network (CNN), that the issues surrounding his allegation of unremitted $20bn have not been adequately addressed.

“According to the royal father, ‘One of them (issues) is the billions of dollars being paid in kerosene subsidies without appropriation by the National Assembly and against a presidential order and we don’t know who authorised those payments and yet no one has

owned up to say I authorised the payments, I made a mistake’.

“But it is on record that he (as CBN Governor) attended the hearings of the Senate Committee on Finance where the issue of kerosene subsidy was exhaustively looked at vis-à-vis the Presidential Memo directing the removal of kerosene subsidy.

The explanation was that the process of implementing the Presidential directive was not followed through by the Minister of Petroleum Resources at that time as required by law which technically meant that kerosene subsidy was not removed.

“It was on the basis of this that the Senate Committee on Finance in its report recommended that the Executive should prepare and present to the National Assembly a supplementary budget ‘to cover the expenditure in the sum of N90.6 billion for Premium Motor

Spirit subsidy 2012 and N685.9 billion for kerosene subsidy expended without appropriation by the National Assembly’.

“PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) also observed in its recent forensic audit report thus: ‘Regarding the issue of subsidy on DPK (kerosene) the Presidential Directive of 19 October, 2009, was not gazetted and there is no other legal instrument cancelling the subsidy on DPK. The Senate Committee had also concluded that all that was now required was for the FGN to propose appropriation for the unappropriated subsidy for the period in a supplemental budget.’

Alegbe further stated that the NNPC is at a loss as to the import of Sanusi’s statement that issues surrounding his allegation of unremitted $20 billion, especially regarding kerosene subsidy, have not been adequately addressed.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 —5

POCKET CARTOON

CAMPAIGN: From left: President Goodluck Jonathan; Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Deputy Governor of Yobe, Alhaji Abubakar Ali and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Deputy National Chairman, Mr Uche Secondus, during President Jonathan's arrival for PDP Presidential campaign in Damaturu, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Yoruba elders split over Jonathan, Buhari Continues from Page 1

Progressives Congress, APC. Divided into two groups, the leaders held parallel summits in Ibadan and Lagos and took divergent positions on what the Yoruba should do in the coming elections with reasons. While those at the Ibadan gathering were mostly for Buhari, the Lagos crowd rooted for Jonathan.

Those at the event included Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana; General Alani Akinrinade (retd), Governors Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

In Lagos for President Jonathan were Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Governor

Olusegun Mimiko, Dr Frederick Fasehun, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and Chief Olabode George among others.

Olubadan directs subjects to vote for Buhari

In Ibadan, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana, took thousands of people at the Parliament Building in Ibadan by surprise when he openly directed all his subjects to vote for Buhari on March 28.

The 101-year-old monarch spoke at a panYoruba summit convened by General Alani Akinrinade (retd) at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Ibadan.

The Olubadan, represented by the Ekerin Olubadan, High Chief

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

If you believe in yourself anything is possible — Take Heart Quotes

O

UR goals and aspirations won’t happen overnight, they also won’t happen without work. You will have to overcome many obstacles before you reach your desired goal.

There are always people who will work against you (if it’s not yourself doing so) or technical hurdles you will need to overcome. NEVER discourage yourself, always stay positive and focus on being a problem solver.

Keep pushing and never discourage yourself even when you think it is too challenging. No one has ever achieved anything without past failures or setbacks, try to stay positive.

Believing in yourself is the key to almost everything you will start. If you start a business not only you need to be in love with what you do, but you also need to believe in the fact it can work. It’s the stepping stone to any foundation.

Eddy Oyewole, did not mince words as he called on all sons and daughters of the zone to cast their votes for the retired general.

The monarch was one of the three paramount rulers who President Goodluck Jonathan visited some weeks ago to seek their support for his second term ambition.

Though, Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi was not physically present at the summit, he sent his representatives. He was represented by Chief Samuel Otolorin and several others.

The summit which had a semblance of the earlier one convened by Governor Olusegun Mimiko about a month ago had so many people including the Itsekiri from Delta State led by Chief Sunday Rone, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor and representations from all the South-West states in attendance.

Other participants at the summit included the APC Vi c e - Pr e s i d e n t i a l candidate, Prof. Mr. Yemi Osinbajo; host Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State; Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State; Dr. Kayode Fayemi, immediate past Governor of Ekiti State; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Governor of Osun State; Prof.

Nesi Omatseye from Itsekiri; Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Ganiyu Ologunebi; Oba John Bolarinwa, Onigboho of Igboho, Oba Samuel Adegbola,

Eleruwa of Eruwa among others.

Why Yoruba need change –Akinrinade

The convener of the summit, Akinrinade said: “As a people, we have been assaulted, buffered by the vagaries of strange cultures and traditions.

Our penchant to accommodate strangers with open arms has led to the bastardisation and in some instances total replacement of our culture, norms and values.

Today, things we never thought could happen in the Yoruba nation are now the things we glorify. We have turned our core values on its head. We now have able-bodied Yoruba men and women begging on the streets or becoming ready tools for politicians to exploit as thugs”.

Rita Lori, who spoke on behalf of Itsekiris, said they were in support of the demands made by the summit and that the people in the zone should appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan to protect the Itsekiris from Ijaws who allegedly unleash violence on them.

Oyinlola, who spoke in parables, advised all people from the zone to be united and should not allow politics to divide them.

The demands

The five demands of the summit are: Yoruba land will not be an occupied territory; Yoruba must pursue their destiny in line with the development

priorities and ambitions of her people; creation of a structural environment for effective devolution of powers to the country’s constituent units as a strategic development imperative; repeal of laws and policies that stifle the creativity of her people.

Others are: *Dismantling of all pseudo-security agencies that impede peace, harass and terrorise citizens in order to enforce pre-determined agenda that are not consistent with the wishes of Yoruba people. *Regional competitiveness should be the basis and indeed the key driver of growth and development of Nigeria, recognising that the creative spirit and latent capabilities of the country reside within the geo-political zones. *The effectiveness of the Federal Government of Nigeria lies on focusing on the critical issues of governance that are common to all components, like defence, national security, foreign affairs, currency and exchange rate, etc, while all other socioeconomic responsibilities, especially that of resource control, devolve to the federating units *Removal of all bottlenecks in the way of provision of effective and efficient transportation system, electrical power, and petroleum refining infrastructure.

The summit also condemned erosion of Yoruba values, virtues and morals and affirmed that the marginalisation of Yoruba people had attained the status of deliberate policy of the Central Government of Nigeria.

“This has been intensified under the current administration by extending it to Yoruba kith and kin in Itsekiri land," the elders said, alleging that there are calculated attempts to invade and subjugate Yorubaland through covert, disguised and even official policies of the Central Government.

Polls must hold as scheduled

They restated that the 2015 general elections must hold as scheduled and must be free, fair, credible, and transparent, adding that given the fact that for the past 16 years, Yoruba people have suffered marginalisation within the Nigerian state, the Yoruba Assembly calls on Yoruba people to vote for leaders who have the interests of the Yoruba at heart.

Governor Ajimobi said that the "huge historical repertoire has suffered immeasurably. The Yoruba people, who used to hold their own in the compass of where Nigeria was heading, have been relegated to the background considerably, especially in the hands of the PDP-led Federal Government. We have been subject of brazen marginalization and deliberate attempt to whittle down our historical contributions to the development of Nigeria.

“It will interest you to note that, in the wheel of power at the centre, there are only two Yoruba people. Indeed, out of the 50 most powerful men and women in the executive, legislative, judicial and even security components of power in Nigeria, there are only two Yoruba people. These are the Chief of Staff to the President, whose choice was almost an afterthought and the Accountant-General of the Federation.

"Never had the sons and daughters of Oduduwa been treated with such ignominy and disregard by a country their forefathers shed their blood to make a shining sun under the heavens.”

In Lagos, Yoruba leaders endorse Jonathan Continues on Page 52

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

FIGHT OVER DIRT:

Bizman docked for injury on woman’s breast

By Onozure Dania & Tayo Ogundipe

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AGOS—THE police, yesterday, charged a businessman, Nnamdi Unagbu, 36, before a Tinubu Magistrate’s Court for allegedly inflicting wound on the breast of a woman.

The defendant is facing a-count charge of assault filed against him.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Koti Aoudohemba, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence on March 9, adding that the incident occurred at Ebudola Market Balogun in Lagos Island.

Aoudohemba said the disagreement between both parties arose from the dirt which the defendant accused the victim of dumping in front of his shop.

He said this resulted in a fight between them, during which the defendant used a stick with nails to beat Eboh, which caused the wound on her hand and breast.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge and Magistrate Salam Matepo granted him bail in the sum of N10,000, with two sureties in like sum.

The matter was adjourned till April 1 for mention.

Abia director fired for allegedly raping 11-yr-old maid to death

By Anayo Okoli

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MUAHIA—GOVERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State has directed the immediate removal of the Director of Administration representing the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources on the board of the state’s oil producing areas development commission, ASOPADEC, Mr. Christian Onuoha, for allegedly

raping his 11-year-old housemaid to death last week.

The government, which announced the director ’s removal yesterday, said he had been placed on interdiction, pending conclusion of his case by the police.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr. Anthony Agbazuere, told newsmen that the crime was heinous, adding that ASOPADEC had also been

directed to take necessary action as the case progressed.

He pointed out that the suspect was only a civil servant representing the Ministry of Petroleum on the board of the commission and not a commissioner in the state executive council as alleged in some quarters.

Agbazuere explained that Section 358 of the Criminal Code of the Federal Republic

Cheating in examinations is fairly common in the Indian state of Bihar. These images show just how large-scale and blatant the practice is, as youths try to get answers to students taking examinations inside. BBC PHOTOS.

Gunmen seize 4-month-old baby from mum in Delta

By Ochuko Akuopha

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LEH—UNIDENTIFIED gunmen have abducted a four-month-old baby near OviriOlomoro community in Isoko South Local Government Area

of Delta State.

It was learned that the mother had gone with the baby to her farmland near the community in the company of her sister and two children. Later, they decided to rest for lunch.

Vanguard gathered that as the sisters were searching for shelter, they came across an isolated building situated on the outskirts of the community.

A source, who sought anonymity, disclosed that a

Petroleum Minister’s nephew kidnapped in Bayelsa

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—THE peace of Yenaka, the home town of Minister for Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State was, yesterday, violated by unknown gunmen who kidnapped her nephew, Mr. Joseph Agama.

Vanguard learned that the gunmen stormed the sleepy settlement at about 12:30a.m. and went straight to their victim’s home.

The primary target, it was, however, learned, was Chief

of Nigeria was explicit on the issue, noting that the punishment for rape was life imprisonment.

He added that since the victim was dead, the issue of murder came in.

Effort to get the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Joshak Habila, on when the matter would be charged to court was futile as his mobile line could not be accessed at press time.

Maxwell, Joseph’s father, but having missed him, they settled for his 20-year-old son.

The gunmen were said to have fired warning shots into the air before whisking away their victim to an unknown destination.

A community source said: “They came at midnight and took the boy away. We understand that they wanted the father, but settled for the son.

“They are part of the family of the petroleum minister. We do not know where they took him to and they are yet to state their motive.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Asinim Buswatt, confirmed the incident.

He said: “At about 12:30am today (yesterday), one Mr. Maxwell Agama of Yenaka community reported that his son, one Joseph Agama, age 20, was abducted by some unknown gunmen.

“We are still working to know

the number of the gunmen that carried out the attack. We do not know the motive behind it but our men in the marine division have been alerted of the incident and have commenced search, with a view to rescuing the victim.”

middle-aged woman appeared from the building and invited them into the house, which he said was sparely furnished, and urged the farmers to make themselves comfortable.

According to the source, the unsuspecting women entered the building and were midway into their meal when they noticed a black-coloured sport utility vehicle, SUV, approaching the building.

The source said the eldest of the sisters sensed danger and ran, but the nursing mother, who was breastfeeding her baby, was caught and the baby taken away.

Body of policeman recovered from Lagos Lagoon

By Evelyn Usman

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HE bloated body of a policeman, identified simply as Inspector Sapi-run, who jumped into the ocean in Lagos on Tuesday night was, Wednesday evening, recovered.

The late Sapirun, who was reportedly attached to Dan

Ocean Oil Company, according to eyewitnesses, was seen walking to and fro Ikoyi Bridge screaming that he wanted to die. Most people concluded that he was drunk.

At a point, an eyewitness said, he stood in the middle of the road, but all motorists reportedly avoided him.

An eyewitness, who gave his name as Mr. Chionye Maduka, said: “It happened precisely at 9.08pm on Tuesday.

“When he saw that no motorist wanted to hit him, he ran close to the newlyconstructed Ikoyi Bridge and jumped into the ocean. It was like a movie.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015—7

DONATION: Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Minister of State, FCT (2ndright) donating 182 transformers to all the communities in Ona Ara Local Government Area in Ibadan, yesterday.

PHOTO: Dare Fasube.

Former A-Ibom Dep Speaker assassinated

By Chioma Onuegbu & Tom Moses

U

YO—THE candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, for Ukanafun state constituency in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Okon Uwah, was, Wednesday night, assassinated.

Uwah, who was the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly between 2007 and 2011, was allegedly murdered by political thugs, when he went on a campaign consultation in Ntek, Ukanafun Local Government Area.

Contacted, the state Commissioner of Police Mr. Gabriel Achong, said he could not substantiate the allegation that party thugs killed him, adding that the police command was carrying out its investigations.

He said although no arrest had been made in connection with the assassination, he had already directed the Area Commander of Ikot Ekpene Division, the Divisional Police Officers in neighbouring local governments to relocate to Ukanafun to ensure there was peace and order.

Reacting to the development yesterday, Akwa Ibom State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, described Uwah’s assassination as unfortunate.

Addressing newsmen at the Umana Campaign Organization office at Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, the Deputy Director-General of APC Campaign Organization, Mr. Effiong Okwong, urged police and the Department of State Services, DSS, to ensure the perpetrators were arrested immediately and brought to justice.

Okwong said those who carried out the assassination must have done so spurred on by the inciting statement by

some leaders of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.

Reacting to the assassination, Akwa Ibom State government debunked allegations of its involvement in the murder of the APC

candidate.

Governor Godswill Akpabio, who spoke through the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umana, said: “Government regrets that in spite of the accord on peaceful and violence free elections

signed by political parties in the state, some miscreants have decided to trample upon the law.

“It needs stressing that no person’s political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen of Akwa Ibom State.”

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: Man, 24, allegedly rapes friend to death

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U T A — MAGISTRATE Martins Akinyemi of an Abeokuta Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, ordered a 24-year-old man, Michael Oyejide, remanded in Ibara Prison custody for allegedly raping his 18-yearold friend, Morenike Ajayi, to death.

The prosecutor, Cpl Moshood Hammer, told the court that the accused and one other at large, committed the offence on

January 8, at Ijeja in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

He said: “Around 8p.m., Oyejide, alias MI, celebrated his birthday at Adigbe and some ladies were invited. Later at night, the accused and one other got the victim, who is also a friend, drunk.

“The accused and his friend took the victim to his house at Ijeja and raped her to death.”

He said they pretended to be sympathizers and rushed her to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead on arrival.

“The management of the hospital reported the case to the Police, which led to Oyejide’s arrest,” Hammed said.

The Prosecutor argued that the offence contravened Sections 516, 357 and 358 of the Criminal Laws of Ogun, 2006.

The accused, whose plea was not taken by the court, is facing a two-count of rape and murder.

Akinyemi adjourned the case to June 5, pending the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP’s advice, for further hearing on the matter.

Fulani herdsmen kill village chief in Enugu

By Austin Ogwuda & Francis Igata

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NUGU—SUSPECTED Fulani herdsmen, yesterday, killed Tamgbo Ogueji, a member of the traditional rulers’ cabinet at Eke community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The deceased, aged 85, was allegedly shot in his house in the early hours over an undisclosed issue.

President-General, Eke Town Union, Mr. Anthony Enu, said the community was irked and the youths restive.

He said: “Last year, the same Fulani herdsmen killed two of our brother, Matthew Aniugo and Chiagha Chigbo, in their farms. The town is boiling with anger now.

“We have reported the matter to the Police. We are calling on all relevant authorities to prevail on these Fulani herdsmen to ensure justice for our people.”

All efforts to get the reaction from the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, proved abortive as he did not respond to calls and SMS to his mobile phone.

C-River LP Reps candidate alleges threat to life

By Emma Una

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ALABAR—FOLLOWING the invasion of his house, Wednesday, by gunmen who shot his police aide and took away his rifle, Chief Alex Egbona, Labour Party candidate for the Abi/Yakkur Federal Constituency, has said he was a target of an assassination plot.

Chief Egbona, who is the immediate past Chief of Staff to

Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, said the gunmen invaded his Calabar home and shot at his security detail, Inspector Archibong, and took away his service rifle, when they did not find him at home.

“Without mincing words, those people came for me and when they did not see me, they shot at my security aide, Inspector Archibong, who is still receiving treatment in the hospital,” he said.

EFCC gives NLC housing developer bail conditions

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

A

FTER making a comprehensive statement on what he knew about the failed Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Housing Scheme, Managing Director of Kriston Lally EPC Nigeria Ltd, Mustapha Umar Madawaki, was yesterday granted conditional bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. One of the conditions given Madawaki for bail was to produce a surety, who must be a director with the Federal Civil Service.

An EFCC source confirmed to Vanguard that the suspect had met all other conditions for bail except the production of a director to perfect his bail conditions.

Vanguard learned that at 5:30pm yesterday, when most civil servants had closed for the day, the bail condition was yet to be met

by Madawaki and could, therefore, not be freed by his interrogators.

The man behind the failed project was detained

by EFCC on Wednesday when he honoured its invitation, after declaring him wanted for the failed housing scheme, which had reportedly caused misery to many workers nationwide.

A top source in EFCC, who confirmed Madawaki’s bail, said, however, that he was not sure if the man would be able to meet the conditions before the end of the day.

Last Thursday, EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that the commission was in pursuit of Madawaki over his role in a controversial housing provision contract.

Madawaki and the immediate past NLC President, Abdulwahed Omar, had in 2013 signed a contract to build thousands of houses for Nigerian workers.

Anxious workers, who bought into the scheme, paid various sums said to be in the region of N3 billion into bank accounts provided by the promoters of the project only to be told later that the scheme had some hitches.

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY,, MARCH 20, 2015

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 — 9

NLC splits in two, as another faction emerges

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

By Sebastine Obasi Michael Eboh & Ediri Ejoh

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AGOS—NIGERIA Labour Congress, NLC has split into two, parading two presidents following a separate election yesterday in Lagos, that produced Comrade Joe Ajaero of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, as a parallel president by 23 aggrieved affiliates of the Congress.

It will be recalled that Comrade Ayuba Wabba of the Medical and Health Workers of Nigeria, MHWUN, was on Saturday Morning in Abuja, declared winner of the March 12 rescheduled election of NLC, which the 23 affiliated unions rejected claiming that it was manipulated to ensure that certain individuals were elected.

The Ajaero-led group had earlier scheduled a special delegates’ conference for this weekend, but had to hold the conference yesterday because of what organizers described as exigencies of the time.

Two Deputy Presidents were equally elected. They are Comrades Igwe Achese and Issa Aremu of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN. Among others elected into other positions were, Comrade Kasumu Kadiri of the Steel and Engineering Workers Union of Nigeria, SEWUN, Kelly Ogbaloi of National Union of Shop and Distributive Employees, NUSDE, and Yashi Yahaya of National Union of Civil Service Secretariat and Stenographic as Vice President.

Chairman of the five-man special Delegates Conference Committee, Comrade Peter Balogun, told the delegates that as at the time of the meeting all nominated positions were unopposed following a motion that was moved and seconded for confirmation of all the nominated officers as duly elected.

F

VISIT: From left; Engr. Aminu Jalal, DG of National Automotive Council; Dr. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade & Investment; Ivan Cao, Manager, Middle East & Africa, BYD Auto of China and Mr Seyi Onajide, MD/CEO, R.T. Briscoe Nigeria Plc during a courtesy visit and introduction of BYD Electric Vehicles to the Minister in Abuja.

As at today, out of the 43 affiliates of NLC, Ayuba Wabba who was elected President in the March 12, rescheduled election in Abuja, is leading about 18 affiliates of NLC while Joe Ajaero, who was elected president in a separate election yesterday in Lagos, is leading about 23 affiliates.

Two unions, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN and Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, can be said to be neutral as at now.

Reacting to the election of a parallel officers to run the NLC, General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, said “these are criminal acts. They cannot forge our letter head to write or issue directives. The constitution is clear on who calls for a conference. I do not want to be dragged into this issue. I think it is shameful” Efforts to reach Comrade Ayuba Wabba, were unsuccessful.

Several calls put across to his Cell phone were not responded to. Even test message sent to him was not responded to at the time of this report.

NLC crisis in perspective Since the emergence of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, after the restructuring of trade unions through Decree 22 of 1978 by the government of then General Olusegun Obasanjo, this is the second time NLC would split into two.

The first was in 1988, when the NLC split at its conference held at Saidi Centre in Benin Edo State, producing the Takaya Shammag and the Chiroma factions.

The factions were divided along ideological lines of the “ Democrats and Progressives” respectively But the present crisis was not based on ideological differences as only the gladiators can explain.

Issues of Account

The untidy way the account of NLC was presented at the botched conference also created tension as the controversial Kriston-Lally Housing scam was not addressed by the Treasurer.

When the Trustee, Comrade

Achese, raised the matter claiming that over N2.6 billion was unaccounted for in the Treasurer report, he was shouted down.

Formidable faction

Today, the Ajaero led NLC appears to be more formidable judging by the number of the affiliates controlled by the factions.

Implications

The obvious implication is that government may be forced through the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, to dissolve the leadership of the NLC and appoint a sole administrator or a caretaker committee to run the affairs of the NLC. When this happens, there may be investigations into the running of the finances of the Congress and other activities.

There is a school of thought which holds the view that government is happy with a divided NLC and will wait for a while to allow the division deepen before acting because it pays government and even the employers to have a divided or fragmented NLC.

We'll not concede any town to Boko Haram again, Says Jonathan

By Ndahi Marama & Bala Ajiya

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AIDUGURI— P R E S I D E N T Goodluck Jonathan declared yesterday that the Federal Government will resist any attempt by the Boko Haram terrorists to take over control of any town or village within the country.

The president stated this at the PDP presidential campaign rally in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital.

The president who said the Federal Government is

Long queues in Abuja, Lagos as fuel scarcity returns

committed to ending the insurgency expressed happiness that Yobe is presently free of the dreaded sect.

“As I speak, I am so happy to announce that Yobe has been freed of Boko Haram as all territories earlier under the control of the sect members have been recaptured by our able troops and we will henceforth resist any attempt by the sect members or any group to take control of any of our territory again. ''It is unfortunate that our brothers and sisters have turned mad against us and have left

us with these sad memories”, the president said.

He expressed sadness that Boko Haram members have been causing havoc to innocent people and destroying various communities stressing that such era is over.

President Jonathan asserted that his administration is committed to improving the lives of the people despite the activities of the insurgents and listed areas of intervention in the state to include; the introduction of the Great Green World, GGW and other efforts in fighting desert

encroachment that will create enabling environment to farmers and pastoralists in the state and beyond.

The president, who said he has set up a federal university in the state to bring university education closer to the people however urged the youths to make the best use of it.

He called on the people of the state to vote massively for the PDP pointing out that the party will consolidate on the gains of democracy thereby creating enabling environment for farmers, civil servants and businessmen alike.

UEL scarcity returned, yesterday, in Abuja and Lagos as long queues resurfaced in almost all petrol stations across the Federal Capital Territory, FCT and Lagos This was even as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) blamed the development on a shortfall of about 90 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, lifting from depots supplying the FCT and environs.

A number of petrol stations were shut down, claiming to have run out of products to sell. Long queues was seen in all the petrol stations across the FCT irrespective of whether fuel is being dispensed or not.

Total and Conoil petrol stations, opposite the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, though selling, was besieged by motorists, who spent several hours before they could purchase the product.

Almost all the petrol stations along the Kubwa Expressway: MRS, Oando, Mobil among others, were selling, but large number of motorists were seen struggling to gain access to the station.

Oando petrol station at Zone 4 and Total at Area 11, opposite the headquarters of the Nigerian Police, were besieged by motorists causing gridlock on the adjoining roads.

Long queues of motorists were seen at NNPC, Conoil and MRS petrol stations along the Airport Road.

Some of the motorists told Vanguard that the scarcity started weekend, with slight queues in some petrol stations in the FCT. In Lagos, Vanguard investigation showed that the numerous filling stations from Ojodu-Berger towards Oworonshoki end of LagosIbadan expressway were closed, while motorists queued in some others that were open in anticipation of getting the product.

However, filling stations mainly at Ajegunle, Festac, Kirikiri and Apapa, were seen selling fuel at the regulated price of N87 per liter yesterday as at the time of filing this report.

This has not affected transportation, neither have fares been increased.

10— Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Fashola condemns hate language by politicians zSays it will undermine democracy

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, said yesterday that hate speeches by politicians would undermine the country’s electoral process and democracy.

Fashola said this when a delegation of the Council of the Wise, led by its Coordinator, Prof.

Ibrahim Gambari paid him a courtesy visit in Lagos.

The council of the wise is a thinktank committed to peaceful and acceptable elections in Nigeria.

The governor during the visit said efforts must be made to stop the ugly trend, and to institute a means of holding politicians accountable for not only their actions but that of their supporters as well.

“The only way to hold politicians accountable is not only for what is done by them but that which is also done on their behalf,” he said.

The governor said it was important for candidates of political parties at all levels to always disassociate themselves from hate speeches and actions capable of disrupting the peace.

“When thugs begin to terrorise people on the street, the candidate should be able to disown actions of such persons.

“We are helping to promote violence by allowing hate speeches

by politicians,” he said.

The governor also stressed that those seeking for political offices must regard their quest as a call to serve the people not their vested interest.

On the use of card readers, he said that jettisoning it would be unfair to Nigerians when so much money had been spent on its procurement.

Gambari had also visited the

Chairman of Channels Television, Mr John Momoh in Lagos, where he solicited for partnership.

He said that the station had been very objective and committed to the ethics of journalism.

COMMISSIONING: From left: Flag Officer Commanding ,FOC, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango, Commander, NNS Wey, Commodore Ignatius Iliya, wife of the Chief of Naval Staff and President, Naval Officers Wives Association, Mrs Lami Jubrin, and representative of the first lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Olajumoke Durosimi, during the commissioning of seven unit three-bedroom bungalow and four units of three bedroom blocks of flats for naval officers at the Navy Town barracks, yesterday. Photo: Evelyn Usman

FUNSO WILLIAMS: Court grants detainee substituted

service request

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By Innocent Anaba

AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, granted an order of substituted means in the suit seeking to reopen investigations into the murder of a former governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State, late Funsho Williams.

One of the detainees in the murder trial, Bashir Junaid, in the suit is seeking an order of mandamus compelling the Inspector-General of Police to reopen investigations into how the late PDP stalwart was murdered in cold blood.

Williams was killed on July 27, 2006 at his Dolphin Estate residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Junaid, who was a former cemetery attendant, was detained for about one year in connection with the killing.

Defendants in the suit before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia are the IG; Lagos State Commissioner of Police; Mr Sunday Ehindero (former IG and IPO in Funsho Williams’ murder case; AttorneyGeneral of the Federation; Mrs Modupe Shasore; the PDP; Sernator Bola Tinubu; Dr Muiz Banire; Mr Babatunde Edu; Mr Dele Alake and Oladele Ajomale.

At the resumed hearing in the matter, counsel to the plaintiff, Tunji

Adesheye, moved an ex-parte application for substituted service and service of the writ of summons on some of the defendants outside jurisdiction,

which was granted by the court.

Meanwhile, further hearing has been adjourned till April 29.

The plaintiff in the substantive suit, is praying the court to

compel the Attorney General of the Federation, to direct the appropriate organ in the Criminal Justice Administration in Nigeria, to commence prosecution of the alleged suspects.

Court strikes out suit on Obanikoro's eligibilty ELECTIONS:

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Bartholomew Madukwe

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AGOS—AN Ikeja High court presided by Justice Kazeem Alogba yesterday struck out the perjury suit, brought against new Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

The court, sequel to an argument canvassed by

Obanikoro’s counsel, Mr Gbenga Ojo threw out the Originating Summons by the three plaintiffs, Micheal Babatunde Ogun, Suleiman Olayinka Saheed and Wasiu Adeniyi Odusanya on the grounds that the documentary evidences tendered before the court are not admissible in law.

Beside, the judge held that the

suit did not in anyway disclose any course of action. To his end, the suit was struck out.

The plaintiffs had among other prayers is asking the court to bar Obanikoro from contesting for political offices in the county on the ground that he had allegedly committed perjury. Other defendants inthesuitaretheIndependentNational Electoral Commission, INEC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Lagos CJ seeks lawmakers' support on financial autonomy allocation. According to her, 70 the House of Assembly, Hon.

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By Ebun Sessou

AGOS—CHIEF Judge of Lagos State, Mrs. Oluwafunmilayo Atilade has sought the assistance of the state House of Assembly over financial autonomy for the Judiciary and appointment of more judges in the state.

She disclosed that Lagos State Judiciary is groaning under gross inadequate fund

per cent of the institution’s budget is expended on debt servicing, leaving only 30 per cent for the judiciary. She, however, crave for the intervention of the Assembly to rescue the state’s judiciary from underdevelopment.

Atilade, who was sworn in as the chief judge in November last year, made the request when she paid a visit to the Speaker of

Adeyemi Ikuforiji in his office.

She also urged the assembly to give the judiciary the privilege of being part of the lawmaking process, noting that working together on law matters would be more productive.

“I have come to seek the assistance of the House concerning financial autonomy for the judiciary in Lagos and appointment of more judges."

‘Nigerians should insist on probity by leaders'

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

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AGOS—THE SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa, OSIWA, yesterday urged Nigerians to continue to demand accountability from their leaders at all levels of government.

The request was made at a public hearing in Lagos on local and community level corruption organized by the two leading civil society organizations.

Speaking at the programme, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, the Executive Director, SERAP, urged Nigerians to continue to demand accountability from their leaders at all levels of government, saying this will make the leaders to realize that their stay in office was at the expense of the people.

According to Mumuni, the programme was put together to bring together stakeholders and local residents who were directly or indirectly affected by bad delivery of services which cuts across their daily activities.

Also speaking, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, said eradication of corruption at the local government and community level would help reduce problems confronting Nigerians.

Represented by Mr Funmilola Kuku, Oyetibo commended SERAP for organising the hearing, adding that the fight against corruption requires a collective effort from all and sundry.

Passage

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A ASANIMO Stephen Asigbe, 96, the Okaroro of Enenurhie and Ewereni communities is dead. There will be a service of songs on March 20, at Osu Quarters, Enenurhie

by Ewereni Junction along Patani/PH Expressway, Delta State.

Lying in state and burial will take place at the family compound in EnenurhieEwereni, Delta State, the following day. He is survived by the widow, children and many relations, including Barr. Israel Asigbe.

Late Asanimo Asigbe

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 —11

Ondo lawmakers jerk up budget by N1bn zPasses N131 billion estimate

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By Dayo Johnson

KURE—ONDO State lawmakers yesterday approved this year’s state budget estimate after jerking it up by N1 billion making it N131 billion.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko had two months ago presented a budget estimate of N130 billion to the lawmakers.

At yesterday's sitting, the lawmakers unanimously adopted the report and passed the recommendations of its Committee on Finance and Appropriation.

The vice chairman of the committee, Victor Akinwe, said the committee made a careful scrutiny of the document, rejecting a number of request for additions made by Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Akinwe said: “The committee extremely restrained itself from granting further requests by MDAs except in a few critical areas, which resulted in additional N1 billion.

“At the end of the day, the total budget projection as approved by the committee is N131 billion only.”

The breakdown of the budget showed recurrent expenditure of N76.706 billion and a capital projection of N54.297 billion out of which N7.68 billion is allocated to Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, OSOPADEC, for its capital expenditure.

Akinwe also said that the recurrent expenditure component had an increase of seven per cent over the 2014 appropriation.

According to him, the increase was necessitated by the need to provide for promotions and the incremental credit of civil servants as well as the proposed establishment of University of Medical Sciences in Ondo.

This years estimate indicated a sharp reduction of 23 per cent over

last year’s budget of N168 billion.

Dr. Mimiko said during the presentation that it was not unconnected with the prevailing economic realities in the country and the global economic downturn.

He assured, however, that his administration will intensify efforts at ensuring that the revenue target for this year is achieved in the area of independent revenue ”which is

within our control” Mimiko said N38 billion is expected from the statutory allocation,N15 billion from Independent Revenue, N10 billion from VAT, N20 billion from Mineral Derivation fund, Roll Over fund N5 billion, SURE-P N4 billion, grantand credits from development Partners N6 billion, refund from FGN N1b, Education Trust Fund N3 billion and Sundry income/ divestment N1 billion.

PRESENTATION: From left; Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, Director, Office of Public Defenders, Lagos State, representing the deputy governor, Mr. Kazeem Gbadamosi, Chairman, NBA, Ibadan branch, Abiodun Ogunsegha, General Secretary, Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, Musa Lawal, Secretary, Trade Union Congress, TUC, Comrade Femi Aborisade, author of the book, Justice A.M. Lawal, Dr. F.B. Oneck, and Comrade Anochirin, during the public presentation of the book, Determination of Contract of Employment in Nigeria, SouthAfrica and Zimbabwe, by Femi Aborisade in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

I'll set up Job Creation Ministry, says Isiaka

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Ogun State, Prince Gboyega Isiaka has pledged to create a Ministry of Labour and Job Creation if elected as governor on April 11.

Isiaka stated this at a special parliamentary meeting of 53 labour unions in the state under the auspices of Trade Union Congress, TUC. The PDP governorship flag bearer also promised to ensure the payment of all un-remitted

deductions, including cooperative deductions, contributory pension fund, Ileya/Christmas shilling funds, bank loans and union check-off dues, made from workers’ salaries by the state

government.

While fielding questions from representatives of the labour unions, the PDP candidate said he would place priority on workers’ welfare if voted into

power.

According to him, for any government to succeed it must adequately protect the interests of workers.

Fayose commends military over war against terror

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By Gbenga Ariyibi

DO EKITI—EKITI State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, has commended the Nigerian military for recording a landslide victory by recovering the lost territories from the terrorist group, Boko Haram.

Fayose equally lauded the

efforts of the president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan by given the necessary assistance to the military in its determination to wreck havoc on the insurgents.

In a statement in Ado-Ekiti yesterday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Idowu Adelusi, noted that this singular feat recorded by the military has

put shame to those who pretend not to see anything good in the administration of Jonathan in his efforts at combating the menace of terrorists in the country He said: “This is to commend the Nigerian military for their patriotic efforts at ridding our country of Boko Haram terrorists.

Ijaw community in Asaba lauds Uduaghan on appointments, peace

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SABA—THE Ijaw community in Asaba, Delta State has commended the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for creating not only an enabling environment for the people to work and carry out their various businesses, but also appointed some indigenes of the community into key positions in the State.

In a statement issued by the President of the community in Asaba, Mr.

Oloye Tuwon and Secretary respectively, Mr. Tare Ogbo, described the governor as a focused and visionary leader, adding that with the appointment of Prof.

Peretonmore as the ViceChancelor of DELSU, Abraka Campus, Hon. Chris Ekiyor as the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. David Ekerekousu as Commissioner/Director of Projects Monitoring, Hon. Mr. Joel Bisina,

Commissioner for Delta State, Liason Office Abuja, Hon. Elijah Ologe as SUBEB Chairman, Mr. Thomas Ogbobiri as 1st member, Post Primary Education Board and Prince Emma Agbaduba as 1st member SUBEB, as a clear testimony of the governor being a true detribalized leader.

Patience Jonathan in Osogbo, promises federal projects

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Gbenga Olarinoye

SOGBO—FIRST Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan yesterday assured the people of Osun State of the federal government’s commitment to the early completion of the on going water project in Ilesa and Ile-Ife if President Jonathan is re-elected.

She also urged women in the country to support the re-election bid of her husband and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the forthcoming general elections.

She spoke yesterday in Osogbo, Osun State capital in continuation of her nationwide sensitization of women in readiness for the rescheduled March 28 and April 11 general elections.

Mrs Jonathan who was represented at the event held at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo said the PDP administration recognises the importance of women and appreciates their immense contributions to national development, adding that the party would engage more women in governance if it won the poll.

‘Expelled members behind attack on Adams'

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By Dapo Akinrefon

AGOS—THE Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, has distanced itself from activities of group which claimed in a press statement that they have been betrayed by Otunba Gani Adams.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Hakeen Ologunro, the group said: “The actions of a faceless group, which calls itself the OPC National Coordinating Council has come to our notice.

The group, comprising people who were expelled from the OPC as far back as 2007, claimed in a press statement that they have been betrayed by Otunba Gani Adams. This allegation by the shady characters who signed the statement is indeed laughable.

“The group, claiming to be members of an organization they were expelled from more than three years now, is nothing but a drowning man trying to cling to everything in sight to stay afloat. And of course, we are not unaware that the action of the group is the hand of Peter and voice of Paul. They are only being used by some politicians to attack the OPC.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

PDP using religion to loot Nigeria, says Buhari's wife

By Simon Ebegbulem & Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—WIFE of former Head of State and Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Hajia Aishat Buhari, yesterday in Benin City, Edo State, accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of using religious politics as a decoy to loot the nation’s treasury, adding that Nigerians must vote the party out before it grounds the country completely.

She also lampooned the PDP for the alleged campaign of calumny launched against her husband such as telling Nigerians that the intention of her husband, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, would be to jail Nigerians if voted into power, saying that only those who have “something to hide” should be scared and not innocent Nigerians who deserve power, good education and other basic amenities of life.

This came as Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State insisted that Nigerians will continue to witness power outage unless the PDP was voted out of power, adding that after 16 years in office, rather than revive and build more refineries which, according to him, will create jobs, the PDP allegedly destroyed the refineries so as to continue to import fuel and kerosene to the detriment of Nigerians.

Hajia Buhari, who addressed Edo State women at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, said: “They have

been painting Buhari black using religion, but I am happy today that Nigerians have discovered that PDP is using religion as a cover to loot Nigeria. They have grounded the country. Whoever talks to you about religion in this country is a liar, he wants to loot. He wants to loot the little resources Nigerians will enjoy.

Say no to religious politics, they are using it to deceive the people.

“When my husband is elected, insecurity, girl child trafficking, suffering of widows in the South-East will come to an end. There must be a cultural design that will accommodate widows in the South-East and a policy that

will make a girl child comfortable in this country.

Our girls do not need to leave Nigeria to prostitute abroad, it is not our portion. Our portion is to train our children to be future leaders.

“Girl child trafficking can be considered as one of our problems in the South-South zone. I know there is unemployment here too.

Unemployment is the major cause of brain drain and girl child trafficking. Gen. Buhari is a leader, he led Nigeria years ago and he is coming back now to sanitise the system. For those who are saying that he is coming to jail Nigerians, I don’t know what their fear is.

“They should not be afraid because we are all yearning for change. There is insecurity in the country, bad healthcare system, decay in the educational sector and there are other basic necessities that our people are lacking. I think Nigeria needs Buhari now.”

In her welcome address, wife of the deputy Governor of Edo State, Mrs Endurance Odubu, who commended Governor Oshiomhole for the opportunities given to women in the state to excel, described Gen. Buhari as the leader Nigerians deserve at this point in time “to revive our economy and end this prevailing suffering in Nigeria today.”

APC WOMEN RALLY: From left: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and wife of APC presidential candidate, Hajia Aisha Buhari, during APC Women rally, at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State. Photo: Barnabas Uzosike.

APC, other parties walk out of INEC peace parley

By Perez Brisibe

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GHELLI—POLITICAL parties participating in the forthcoming general elections in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, yesterday, walked out of a peace meeting convened by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in furtherance of the Abuja Peace Accord.

The political parties are African Democratic Congress, ADC, All Progressives Congress, APC, Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, Labour Party, LP and Social Democratic Party, SDP. Speaking on behalf of the political parties, the LP candidate for Ughelli Constituency 1, Mr. Newman Akpore, decried the absence of the Peoples Democratic

Party, PDP candidates and their representatives at the meeting.

He said: “There is still a pending case where thugs loyal to a PDP candidate in Ughelli were allegedly involved in the shooting of some persons loyal to the LP,

yet we are here to sign a peace pact without the candidate or his party present.”

Reacting to the incident, the Ughelli North INEC Electoral Officer, Mr. Ogbemudia Osunde, who lamented the position of the political parties, said: “It is almost impossible

for representatives of the various political parties to sign the peace pact at the same time. I will pass the information to the Area Commander of the Ughelli Police Command and we will reschedule the signing of the peace pact for another day.”

... as APC alleges Police bias in Rivers

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UPPORTERS of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, yesterday, called on the state police command to be fair to all political parties.

Mr Orji Ngofa, Caretaker Committee Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, made the call in Port Harcourt when members of the party staged a peaceful protest to the headquarters of the state police command.

He appealed to the state

Police Commissioner, Mr Dan Bature, to give equal treatment to all political parties in the state.

Ngofa, who applauded the police for their role in maintaining peace and order, noted that many APC members were being haunted by the police.

He explained that it was unfair for the police to arrest APC supporters without concrete reasons, adding that it was time to address the problem.

The chairman called for a level playing ground where all political parties would enjoy equal police protection to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

Responding, the Police Commissioner said that the police would continue to be neutral in the discharge of its duties.

Bature assured the protesters of the readiness of the Police to reduce crime and other offences to the barest minimum in the state.

Rivers Ijaw declares for Jonathan, Wike

P

By Jimitota Onoyume O

R

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HARCOURT—THE second term bid of President Goodluck Jonathan got another boost in Rivers State yesterday, as Ijaws in the state endorsed him as their presidential candidate for the March 28 election.

In a communique by Chief Ferdinand Alabraba and others, they also endorsed the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Nyesom Wike as the candidate of Ijaws in the state.

They explained that they supported Wike because of his tremendous support for President Jonathan.

The group urged Ijaw in the state to ensure that they vote for Ijaw candidates contesting other elections in the state.

We've achieved 90% PVC distribution in Bayelsa —REC

By Emem Idio

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ENAGOA—THE Bayelsa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr. Baritor Kpaigh, yesterday, said that over 90 per cent of the Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, in the state have been claimed by their owners.

Kpaigh, at a one day sensitisation and awareness workshop on peaceful and violence- free elections in Bayelsa State organised by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, in conjunction with the National Orientation Agency, NOA, added that the outstanding PVCs which were being awaited have been received and sent to the designated areas.

The REC who was represented by the Head of Voter Education, INEC, Mr. Victor Agbomwaneten, allayed fears over the use of the card readers.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015—13

NBA seeks court order to make INEC use card readers

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—WARRI branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Delta State, has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, before a Federal High Court sitting in Warri, seeking an order to guard against any attempt to prevent the commission from employing its voters card reading machines, VCRMs, in the general elections.

The case is before Justice Abubakar Shittu. Plaintiffs are Mr John Aikpokpo-Martins, Chairman, NBA, Warri; Mr Othadua Okpakpor, Secretary, NBA, Warri and Olukunle Edun, Chairman, NBA, Warri, Public Interest Litigation Committee.

Respondents are INEC, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and All Progressives Congress, APC. The plaintiffs are praying the court to restrain the defendants from interfering with the functions of INEC, particularly on the use of the VCRMs in the elections commencing next weekend.

They are also praying the court to compel INEC, either by itself, servants, agents and privies, to use the VCRMs in the 2015 general elections and

subsequent elections.

They are further asking the court to determine whether the defendants could lawfully interfere with the statutory responsibilities of INEC. The plaintiffs are further contending that the National

Assembly voted huge sums of money for INEC’s acquisition of the VCRMs in the 2014 Appropriation Act and was duly assented to by the President, adding that cancelling of the VCRMs usage, would amount to

violation of the 2014 Appropriation Act, fundamental rights of the citizens and credibility of the elections.

The case has been adjourned till March 26, 2015 for hearing.

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A R R I — N AT I O N A L C o o r d i n a t o r, Concerned Deltans for Good Governance, Olorogun Francis Vevakpor, has accused Prof. Attahiru Jega, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of having an ulterior agenda against the Niger Delta region.

Vevakpor said that the introduction of the card reader machine and Jega's insistence on its use were a grand design to marginalise the oil rich region.

Vevakpor, in a chat with Vanguard in Effurun, Delta State, said: “Jega has an ulterior agenda against the Niger Delta as the introduction of the card reader is to undo us. Electoral materials do not get to the creek communities until 11a.m., or 12p.m. So, if accreditation will end at 1p.m., how many people can be accredited to vote?

“If it takes three minutes or thereabout to accredit one

T

HE Jonathan Youth Vanguard, has urged Nigerians to support the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle Boko Haram insurgents in the North Eastern part of the country.

Director General of the group, Ebis Orubebe, in a chat with newsmen, commended the military for demonstrating a high level of patriotism in their special assignment in the three states.

Youths dismiss claims of insecurity in Burutu

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PVC SENSITISATION: From left: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State; the Ibenanaowei of Gbarain Kingdom, HRM King Funpere Akah and the Deputy Governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), during a PVC collection sensitisation tour to Gbarain in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.

Group alleges INEC's plan to marginalise N-Delta

By Akpokona Omafuaire

INSURGENCY: Govt needs support of all Nigerians, says Jonathan group

person, it means that only 20 persons will be accredited in an hour. Therefore, in the normal five hours accreditation

period only 100 persons will be accredited out of about 350.

This is a clear ploy to ensure that the region loses out so that

their aim will be achieved. I call on all well meaning Niger Deltans to come out and protest this injustice.”

Part of Ughelli/Asaba Road to be commissioned soon —COMMISSIONER

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—DELTA State Commissioner for Special Duties in charge of Ughelli/ Asaba Road dualisation, Mr David Anuku, yesterday, said that the ‘B’ section of the road project was 98 percent complete.

Anuku, when he led other top government officials, including his Lands, Survey and Urban Development counterpart, Mr Misan Ukubeyinje, said the state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, will commission Sector ‘B’ of the project before May 29.

Noting that about 70 per cent of sector ‘A’ had also been completed, he said the state government was committed to the completion of the road, which, according to him, would

ease the transportation of goods and services in the state.

He said that finishing touches were being put to Sector ‘B’ of the road project which spans through Arhade, Kwale to

Osissa in Isoko North, Ndokwa East and Ndokwa West Local Government Areas respectively.

Anuku commended Uduaghan for embarking on the project.

Okpe scholars allege marginalization in NNPC contract

O

KPE Scholars Association World Wide has protested the noninclusion of Okpe Kingdom in the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to various ethnic nationalities by the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. A statement by the President of the association, Chief Williams Avwigborighe and the Secretary, Mr. Lucky

Oghomiriona, said Okpe Kingdom had been marginalised, adding that the kingdom plays host to Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited, Nigeria Gas Company Limited, SPDC and others.

He added that the history of these companies’ activities within the kingdom had been very peaceful, owing to the peace-loving nature of the Okpe people.

HE people of Oborotu community in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, have denied claims of insecurity by some persons in the area.

A group, Oborotu Youth for Change, in a statement by its president, Kenerekedi Napoleon, after a meeting in Burutu town, called on the public, political parties and companies, not to be scared of Burutu waterways.

According to him, the clarification was necessary because companies and political parties were afraid of Burutu waterways due to false alarms raised by certain persons.

APC asks court to disqualify PDP Senate candidate in Bayelsa

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LL Progressives Congress, APC, in Bayelsa State has urged an Abuja High Court to disqualify the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Bayelsa West senatorial district from the forthcoming elections.

The PDP candidate, Foster Ogola, according to plaintiffs in the suit, Eddie Mietuade, Smith Julius and APC, allegedly supplied false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which is contrary to Section 31 of the Electoral Act, 2010.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to disqualify Ogola on the basis of the alleged infringement.

Further hearing in the matter was adjourned till March 17.

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14 — Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY,, MARCH 20, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 — 15

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16 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

PDP presidential campaign in Damaturu, Yobe

From left, President Goodluck Jonathan; Emir of Damaturu, Alhaji Shehu Hashimi Ibn Umar, and Vice-President Namadi Sambo, during the visit of the PDP Presidential Organisation to the Emir's palace, before PDP presidential campaign, in Damaturu, Yobe, yesterday.

From left, deputy governor of Borno, Alhaji Zanna Umar Mustapha; Governor Kashim Shettima, welcoming President Jonathan, in Maiduguri.

From left, President Jonathan; Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Deputy Governor of Yobe, Alhaji Abubakar Ali, and PDP Deputy National Chairman, Mr. Uche Secondus.

PDP supporters waiting for the President's arrival.

APC Presidential Town Hall Meeting with S/West women

From left, Director General, Buhari/Osinbajo Presidential Campaign Organisation and Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; National Leader, All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; APC Presidential Candidate, General Mohammadu Buhari; little Miss Eniola Benson, who donated N10,000 to Buhari and Ambode, Campaign Organisation; APC Governorship Candidate, in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, and Governor Babatunde Fashola, during a Town Hall Meeting between General Buhari and women in South-West, in Lagos, yesterday. Photos: Joe Akintola Photo, Photo Editor & Lamidi Bamidele

From left, Deputy Governor of Osun State, Otunba Laoye Tomori; her counterpart in Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Oorelope-Adefulire, and APC Women Leader, Lagos State.

From left, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, wife of APC Governorship Candidate in Lagos State, and Dame Abimbola Fashola,wife of Lagos State Governor.

From left, Otunba Titi Laoye, Deputy Governor of Osun State; Erelu Bisi Fayemi, wife of former Governor of Ekiti State; Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC Leader; General Muhammad Buhari, APC Presidential Candidate; Mrs. Osinbajo, Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Lagos Women Leader; Hon. Abike DabiriErewa, and Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Deputy Governor of Lagos State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 —17

Food for thought

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N anonymous sage made the following comments in a letter he wrote to the British

Guardian newspaper. He was talking about the behavioural, psychological and ideological transformation he had undergone between youth and middle age.

“My politics are no longer revolutionary and the size of the positive difference that I feel I can make in the world is constricting….[but] I will never sneer at people who want to change the world for the better. They are, after all, the only people who end up doing so.”

•The late Mrs Christiana Koripamo

In a country in which a First Lady can get away with openly deriding citizens who dare to yearn for change – and with fearlessly urging her supporters to hurl stones at

change-seekers – the above writer’s wise words are worth dwelling on.

Dame Patience Jonathan’s visceral allergy to reforms comes as no surprise. It’s kind and normal for plutocrats to

Farewell to a lady of substance M

Y dear friend, Dr Timiebi KoripamoAgary, a brilliant Public Policy expert and retired Permanent Secretary, has just lost her beloved mother.

Here, in the heartbroken family’s own words, is a tribute to an extraordinary daughter of the Niger Delta.

Mrs Christiana Virginia Ayibamieirigha Koripamo, MON, was a pioneer of her time.

Born a twin on the 26th of December 1910 to Fetepigi Amaran and Timiebi Kemmer, Chris, as she was fondly called in childhood, always marched to her own drumbeat.

While attending school at St. Monica’s Girls School, Ogbunike, in today’s Anambra State, she informed her family that she had no desire to be a teacher as they wished for her.

She, instead, wanted to be a nurse. Her family was not thrilled by this because the common belief then was that female nurses did not bear children. To compound matters, at the age of 18, she had refused to marry an older suitor who her mother had arranged for her to marry.

Seeing her determination to further her education and train as a nurse, her uncle, Rev. M. E. Lele, encouraged her to enrol

for nursing and midwifery training in Iyi-Enu Anglican Mission Hospital. She spent two years there and qualified as a nurse/midwife. Her outstanding performance at IyiEnu earned her first place in the register of the National Midwives Board. After her training at Iyi-Enu, she was posted by the Mission to her birthplace, Kaiama, to establish a maternity home.

During her time in Kaiama, she was the midwife at the delivery of Major Isaac Boro and Captain George Amangala, two revolutionaries who were killed in the Nigerian Civil War. In 1937, Chris married her long time friend, R. J. E. Koripamo. At age 26 she was considered a barren old maid, but Chris and her husband surprised everyone and had six children, four daughters and two sons. They both recognised the importance of good quality education and further confounded people by sending all their children, including the girls, to the best Mission schools at the time. They were mocked for “wasting their money” on educating girls. Two of those girls are PhD holders today – Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agary, OON, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil

Abba Moro – closure of sorts F OR months, I have complained about Abba Moro, the Minister of Interior who was rewarded with an undeserved national honour rather than sacked – after he’d presided over a botched recruitment exercise that led to many deaths.

Jonathan has still not dispensed with the offending Minister. But he has at least – finally, several months too late and on the eve of an election he’s desperate to win! – compensated the victims’ bereaved families.

Last week, at a brief ceremony in the Presidential Villa, he presented 33 letters of employment into the Nigerian Immigration Service to members of the 15 families who lost sons and daughters during the

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Service’s recruitment exercise.

According to Reuben Abati, Jonathan’s spokesman: “In his remarks at the occasion, the President said that he was deeply saddened by the death of their relatives in circumstances that were completely avoidable and unwarranted.

President Jonathan said that the Federal Government was fully committed to ensuring high standards for recruitment processes into the public service, and the provision of safety measures to avoid the recurrence of the March 15, 2014 incident which claimed many lives.

“Today is a sad day for all of us. First, let me convey our deepest condolences to the

prefer status quos that serve them generously.

I recently watched an American TV debate in which the Nigerian elite was described as “predatory ”.

How very apt! I couldn’t have put it better myself.

families who lost very young people during the recruitment exercise into the Nigeria Immigration Service.

“It is quite regrettable and we promise that such a thing will never happen again,” President Jonathan said. Cheques for an undisclosed amount were also given to each of the bereaved families at the occasion.

“The cheque is not for compensation. You cannot replace somebody with any amount of money,” the President said.

Hmm. Too little too late, if you ask me!

But the families are said to be grateful, so let me not ungraciously harp on about my curmudgeonly belief that the whole thing is a cynical PR stunt.

In 25 years she had served women from all strata of society, caring for them during their pregnancies, helping to bring their children into the world, and sharing life lessons

Service, and Dr(Mrs) Patience Akiga, a retired Director in the Federal Civil Service.

Being the wife of a teacher/ school administrator/politician/ business man, Chris had to hold down the home front alone on many occasions and set up a new home on every transfer.

This meant that she could not always practice as a midwife, but she always had a business (baking or sewing) that helped to support the home. As a mother and wife she was nurturing, supportive and loyal.

In 1972, when most people are entering their retirement years, Chris, with the support of her husband, set up a maternity home in Port Harcourt. She ran the maternity for 25 years until she was forced by her children to give up the tasking work of midwifery. In 25 years she had served women from all strata of society, caring for them during their pregnancies, helping to bring their children into the world, and sharing life lessons. She was a big advocate for the girl-child, encouraging parents to give their daughters the same opportunities as they give their sons, discouraging female genital mutilation, etc.

She spent the later part of her life quietly enjoying her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many friends and relatives in her home in Port Harcourt. She was the family historian and relished every moment she had to share stories about the family with the next generation.

On Sunday, 15th February 2015, she passed away peacefully in her home. She will be missed by all those whose lives she touched.

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

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18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 POLITICIANS have foresight. They see things that non-politicians do not see. For them the future is always bright, glistering with optimism of victories at elections.

Politicians see power, its uses, for themselves, and frighteningly, the challenges of being outside the spheres of power. They dread it; they can do anything to be in power. Most of the promises they are making, in their desperation to serve us, are rehashes of some fabulous ones that have been made since 1999; others are copied from faded copies of 1979 manifestoes and regurgitated to digital relevance for a people, who can really say they have seen it all.

From all sides it is the same. The bigger the promises, the bigger the befuddlement of the electorates – politicians have held them captive. They have discovered the people, as they do at election times. Without an appraisal of what others have done, those who want power are on a campaign to prove that Nigeria has been badly managed. It is possibly the only truth in all they are saying.

Desperation To Serve It is convenient now to remember that Nigerians are in want. Politics is about the people they keep telling us, especially at times like these when they want the people to vote for the next round of the invasion of our resources. Their desperation is obvious.

What roles have the same politicians who want our votes played in our lives since 1999?

When last did they bother about our lives?

Are they telling us anything new? What proof, from their perfor-mances, do they have to support their promises? If national concerns are the welfare of the people, how have our governments applied Section 14 2 (b) of the 1999 Constitution to their actions? According to the section, “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of

government”. Concerned politicians should know they have ignored the people for too long.

As if they have not done enough damage, they are shutting down peoples’ participation in their government, contrary to Section 14 2 (c), which states, “The participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution”.

Even campaigns are regulated through thuggery.

The indifference of governments, not only in Abuja, to Section 14 2(b) is responsible for democratic governments that have become government of the people “without the people” . Things are getting worse.

Politicians through their actions distance the people further from their governments each election season. Our people should realise that token gifts for votes, not only insults their dignity but are the investments politicians make to continue appropriating our country’s resources to themselves at the people’s expense.

OPINION

By Agboola Sanni

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HERE are so many novelties in the present political dispensation in the country. First, this is the first time since independence that elections, especially at the federal level will be a keen contest between the ruling party and the main opposition.

Equally true is the fact that this is the time that we will have a practical two-party system in a democracy. The Babangida experiment of 1991 was programmed to fail by the military that organized the election.

Hence, the annulment after a clear winner had emerged.

But more interesting in the catalogue of novelties is the fact that this is the first time in the history of the country that a ruling party would be election phobic. A situation in which the ruling party resorts to fidgety rather than confidence is very unfortunate.

Equally worrisome is the fact that this is the first time that the ruling party will attempt to divide the country along ethno-religious lines. It is therefore not surprising that insurgency had become a political bait by the ruling party to determine the political climate of the country for its own convenience.

The fact also remains that it is the first time that elections will be based on dollar-power rather than issues or ideology. The only language that is left with the ruling party is Dollar. It is therefore not an accident that this election had turned out to be harvest period for religious leaders. We have heard about several billions of Naira for pastors to help spread the gospel of Jonathan.

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Political power not for sale The latest dimension that had been introduced to the current campaign is amusing as it is irritating. It is that since other geo-political zones completed their two terms in office, the South-South must also complete two terms whether Nigerians like it or not.

The ridiculous corollary here is the fact that the Yoruba were pacified in 1999 because of the annulment of Abiola’s victory.

To the apologists of South-South bigotry, the zone should also be pacified lest the exmilitants go on rampage against the oil wells in the Niger-Delta area.

At no time during Obasanjo’s regime did the South West introduce ethnic sentiments.

In other words, neither Obasanjo nor the Yoruba as a race took the second term for

Politics is being pushed from the realm of persuasion to that of intimidation by the so-called federal might

granted. For his second term bid in 2003, it was Obasanjo/PDP affair in which the Yoruba did not show any overt interest.

Obasanjo canvassed for votes among the Yoruba without any ethnic presumption. His electoral fortunes within the South West were nothing to celebrate.

At the end of Obasanjo’s term under the unwritten agreement, power was transferred to the North, an arrangement that produced the late Umar Yar’Adua under whom Jonathan served as Vice President. It was the death of Yar’Adua that changed the political equation and calculation of the country. In a nutshell therefore, it is the North’s time that Jonathan is enjoying now.

If therefore there should be a call for the restoration of status quo, the clamour should be from the North. But that is not even the issue now. It is certain by a bad political augury for the country if the ruling party in the country should be wasting public resources to encourage all kinds of brigandery across the country. Is it not ridiculous that the MASSOB which had never hidden its disdain for the sovereignty of the country to the extent of warning their Igbo kinsmen against participating in the election now turning to a pressure group, calling for the sack of Jega.

Nothing can underrate the intelligence of the Yoruba psyche than promoting a Gani Adams to the level of Yoruba leader. That is the Gani Adams who recently confirmed his bid for multi billion Naira oil well protection by the federal government.

It is that state of hallucination that made him disturb the peace of Lagos and its environs with his so-called anti Jega protest which grounded economic activities in Lagos for hours. The main grouse against Jega is not that he is a Northerner who is likely to manipulate the election in favour of his fellow Northerner. Was Jega not a Northerner in 2011 when he declared Jonathan winner against his ‘brother ’, Buhari who also contested the election with the same Jonathan? It is sad indeed that everything in the country had been translated into religion or ethnicity.

Politics is being pushed from the realm of persuasion to that of intimidation by the socalled federal might. To the Jonathan NigerDelta apologists, the only guarantee for Nigeria’s continued existence is the return of Goodluck Jonathan.

Nobody can undermine the sovereignty of the country more than that. It was that same abuse of national sovereignty that led to the documentary of Buhari’s patriotism in the service of the nation to keep the country together as a soldier. Nigerians must be watchful of those pawning the territorial integrity and national sovereignty on the altar of transient political power at all costs.

All forms of outlawed ethnic militant groups are being mobilized to put the country on siege. A ruling party in the course of sustaining itself in power at all costs can go as far as declaring war on the psyche of the country. That is unfortunate indeed. *Mr.Sanni, a a public analyst, wrote from Ibadan, Oyo State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015— —19

Elections 2015 and Nigeria in distress

By Clement Udegbe Sometimes it is not enough that we do our best; we must do what is required -----Winston Churchill N eight days time, we will vote to decide who leads us for the next four years, and that decision may choose which way we head to as a nation; whether we will continue to grow, or slip into confusion that may consume the nation. Thank God, for the Shift in date for who knows where we would have been by now, with our level of unpreparedness, in spite of the deception by the elections umpire!

2015 elections have exposed how distressed we have become to watchful Nigerians. It has for example shown the games that many public commentators played with us in times past, and have confirmed that our leaders actually think that we only look as a people and cannot see. Why else would GMB include in his contract with Nigeria, to bring back Chibok girls? Does he really know where the girls are kept? I think he doesn’t. If he knew where they were, all this while, with all the troubles and killings that has trailed their abduction, then he really does not care and should not be trusted with our votes. Should a man who wants to rule Nigeria not commend the recent sustained successes of our military in the fight against insurgency, certificate or no

I

certificate?

The elections have also shown the power and failure of propaganda,from tearing of membership cards, to a presidential telephone call that never took place between GEJ and Moroccan King but is blown into a diplomatic row, while all the information in the internet about the wealth accumulated in Lagos state by key opposition leaders have been hushed down.

Not even a skating comment from our usual legal luminaries, academicians, and public affairs analysts.

We have seen the power of ethnic jingoists, and the prayers of all sorts of interests by clerics, some selfish, self-aggrandizing, and highly manipulative.

People, even clerics, don’t draw lines anymore.

All put together, elections 2015 have exposed how people lie, cheat, and agglomerate to achieve their selfish goals, from politicians to professionals.

Our politicians have also taken propaganda to ludicrous levels, even to accuse GEJ of being responsible for robberies that took place in Lagos recently, as Governor Fashola did.It then implies that the president is responsible for Lagos perennial traffic snarl, the road accidents, the impassable roads in Alaba International Market, Okota, Ejigbo, Iyana-Oba, Ojo, and Agege, to name a few; the selective release of PVCs to non-indigenes

in Oshodi, Ejigbo, Ojo, and Ajegunle areas and all the failure of the Lagos State Government.If indeed, GEJ is responsible for all these, we should vote for his party to rule Lagos State, so as to remove hindrances which LASG under APC has become!

The President’s wife, recently reacted to all the bad names they have been calling her and her husband since election campaigns kicked off, when she told her listeners to stone them, when they visit for votes.

Opposition quickly and as usual have piled up their propaganda marching to ICC.They wish to beat up a woman’s husband and expect her not to react. The ICC

Our politicians have also taken propaganda to ludicrous levels, even to accuse GEJ of being responsible for robberies that took place in Lagos recently

prosecutor does not seem to be resisting the urge to appear biased, and judging from the reported comments and warnings of the ICC Prosecutor, there is cause for concern.

If the legal maxim that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands, should apply, Governor Amaechi’s hands are soiled, and cannot therefore be the right person to sign such a petition, because it was him who threatened that they would form a parallel government if they lost the 2015 elections. There is no greater assault so far, on our constitution and democracy than such a comment. It is up to GEJ to file a counter petition, and Dame Patience Jonathan to cry to her fellow women’s constituencies to rally their support, and help reject GMB and his co-travellers come 28th March.

Any person including the ICC prosecutor, who is genuinely interested in a violence free elections in Nigeria should spend quality time with Prof. Atahiru Jega of INEC, as he is the only person who can prevent violence by conducting a free, fair and credible elections. All well intentioned attention must be given to INEC now for the following reasons; First,more Nigerians especially the youth are interested in voting this time than in all the previous elections, and to disenfranchise these people is the sure way to violence. The ways to avoid violence will be for INEC to sort out their PVC release issues

That unpresidential outburst

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By Iboro Otongaran

HE latest outburst by General Muhammadu Buhari, presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), if anything, has cemented the well founded concern that the former military strongman is too unstable to be president of Nigeria. Buhari let go his emotion, which was a doomsday wish for the nation, as is his nature, during a rally of the APC in Kaduna last week.

It was vintage Buhari—completely oblivious of concern for consequences or of his place in history. “If PDP is given another four years to rule this country, Nigeria will go down the drain in 2015,” Buhari cried fiendishly to the approval (read ovation) of fellow party men, including Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola. “This is because Nigerians are tired of incompetent leadership...”

Trust Buhari, to him everybody else is not just incompetent, all are corrupt in the judgement of the supper efficient, supper competent and incorruptible warmonger.

Thus, the leadership of the nation has been incompetent since 1999 and the Judiciary has been just as corrupt. He said he found out after losing three presidential elections and all the court cases arising there from that court judgement is for only those who can pay for it.

No conclusion can be more roundly damning and so comprehensively dismissive of a whole branch of government. And no utterance can be more unpresidential. It is vintage Buhari. This is not sour grapes from a serial loser and an old general. It is a hint of a score Buhari hopes to settle with the Judiciary if he becomes president. What justifies my conclusion? History!

When Buhari became a military head of state on December 31, 1983, he told the C M Y K

world in his maiden press conference that he had a score to settle with the Nigerian media. Buhari’s grudge with the media played out in a most unconscionable legislation called Decree 4, which made the truth in a publication an offence punishable with two years imprisonment, so long as the truth was adjudged to be embarrassing to his government. The first victims of Buhari’s Decree 4 were two young Nigerian journalists, Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson, of The Guardian, who served two years in jail for factually publishing yet-to-be-announced diplomatic postings. That was a sampler of the Buhari vindictiveness.

The combative general is not just vindictive, he also loves to throw mud around, calling everyone else corrupt and incompetent. Did Buhari rate as a touchstone for competence and uprightness when he had opportunity to work as head of state, and at another time as executive chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund? A peep into the records: The most valuable assessment of Buhari’s leadership skills and talent at economic management comes from The World Bank. In Adjustment in Africa: Lessons from country case studies ((1994, pp 242-243), The Bank states: “The It is a hint of a Buhari military came score Buhari government to power in hopes to settle January 1984 and augmented the with the Judiciary if he austere measures of 1982. It sought becomes to control public president expenditures by

imposing a wage freeze on public sector employees, enforcing the redundancy of a large number of civil servants, and requiring user fees in the education and health sectors. These measures made a dent in Nigeria’s budget deficit, which declined from 13 per cent of GDP in 1983 to about 3 per cent in 1984. Yet, the Buhari regime continued to fund inefficient parastatals, while cutting funds for maintaining infrastructure and equipment.

“The decline in public expenditures had its severest impact on the construction and service sectors, but employment and production also declined sharply in most other sectors of the economy. Capacity utilization declined and plant closures were widespread as the access of the import-dependent industrial sector to imported inputs was sharply curtailed.

Imports declined by 22.7 percent in 1984; non oil exports declined by 44.2 percent.

“Accompanying the declines in imports and exports was a significant rise in domestic prices and an increase in inflation to 40 per cent. Domestic savings and investment also declined; investment fell to 12 percent of GDP, down from 24 percent in 1981. Private investment suffered a most drastic decline, accounting for only 25 percent of total investment in 1985, compared with 50 per cent in the 1970s.

External debt service requirements on private debt and rescheduled arrears reached 34 percent of exports of goods and non-factor services in 1985—tripling debt service requirements from the 1982 level.

“By 1985 the distortions in the economy were pervasive and serious. The exchange rate was grossly overvalued, and despite the oil revenue boom, the budget deficit again rose to an average of 7 percent between 1980 and 1985. Moreover, despite efforts to control the budget deficit, public sector funding again burgeoned,

in the various zones. If as reported, up to One Million PVCs are yet to arrive, there is a big problem!

Second, is the Card Reader Devil.With an average failure rate of over 58 percent of the Card Readers in key northern states like Kano, Katsina, Nasarawa, Taraba,Bauchi, and Plateau states,the supposed strong holds of both PDP and APC, INEC will land us in trouble if they do not come up with a Plan B, which ought to include the use of TVCs verifiable with thumb prints as any paper work as being contemplated is prone to rigging, and violence.

Third, and most importantly, INEC said, that they were ready

by February 14, to conduct elections, but we have now seen, that they were ready, but not for a free fair and credible elections.

INEC is prescribing limits for the involvement of the military knowing that absence of the military close to polling boots will allow situations that may cause serious breaches and lead to violence.They said they are not ethnic jingoists, but facts have spoken. They said they would resign once they felt not wanted,but rather than resign with all the protests, they have now realized they have a job to do, yes, but INEC must agree that they are not military strategists, and should just face the PVC and Card reader confusion which they introduced, to ensure that we are not plunged into violence for their failures.

•Mr. Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

and the number and size of public enterprises increased sharply.”

Buhari’s bull-in-a-china-shop policies spawned historic shortages and massive lay-offs. His leadership record at the Petroleum Trust Fund was not better. At the Fund he promoted nepotism to high art, and showed that his heart is Arewa, even though his passport indicates he is a Nigerian. He used the resources of the Fund for intervention projects mostly in the North to the virtual exclusion of the South. Buhari thus presided over the most sectional allocation of our national patrimony, with his in-law in charge as Chief Operating Officer. That is Buhari’s track record in leadership and economic management. I invite the judgement of readers here. Is the General’s record exemplary?

Incendiary speeches As for his incendiary speeches and death wish for Nigeria, the diary is equally grim.

On 21 July 2014, following impeachment proceedings against the governor of Nasarawa State, Buhari predicted apocalypse for the nation, warning of “dangerous clouds beginning to gather and vultures circling” to come down and feast on the carcass of Nigeria if Al-Makura were removed from office. Buhari’s favourite imagery for his nation which he wants to lead is always of death, anarchy and destruction.

In a comment in 2011, Buhari warned, “God willing, by 2015, something will happen. They either conduct a free and fair election or they go a very disgraceful way. If what happened in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.’’

•Mr. Otongaran, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY,, MARCH 20, 2015

When explosion in Udi heightened fear of Boko Haram

By Augustina Anyaegbu

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ESIDENTS of Amokwe in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State are still unsettled since the explosion which occurred at the country home of a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State, Mr. Tony Emeka Eze. The residents were thrown into panic as they thought the explosion came from a bomb activated by Boko Haram insurgents.

Indeed, the apprehension was heightened by the initial difficulty in establishing the cause of the explosion as well as the location.

But it has since been established that it was caused by dynamites used in breaking rocks packed in one of the rooms of Mr Eze’s house.

The explosion which occurred at about 5pm destroyed Mr Eze’s house and so many other nearby houses.

Speaking to Vanguard Metro, VM, an eye witness, Michael Chinedu from Amaokwe Udi: “Mr. Emeke Eze recently offloaded 40 containers of dynamites which he packed in his house. And you know those dynamites are not supposed to be kept close to fire. There has not been light(electricity) for the past one month. Unfortunately, PHCN suddenly brought light and took it within few minutes.

And before we knew what was

happening, the dynamites exploded and burnt the whole house, including his brothers house and 25 other buildings within that area. Some people were badly wounded but we thank God, nobody died during the incident.”

Another eye witness, Miss Nkechi Eze from Umuaga Udi, said that she was at home with her mother and their visitors when they were jolted by the loud, bomb-like explosion.

Immediately their hearts flipped as they thought it was from Boko Haram insurgents. ‘’We nearly had heart attacks as we thought that terrorists had invaded our village. We panicked and started running about in confusion. Our fear was allayed when my cousin came home with a bike and told us what was happening. On getting to the scene of the explosion, we found that the affected buildings had been reduced to ashes and those wounded or burnt by the resulting fire had been taken to the hospital for treatment,” she narrated.

While confirming the incident, the Police spokesman in Enugu State, Ebere Amaraizu, said: “The Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police Force through its operatives have commenced a full scale investigation into an incident of explosion at Amokwe Udi in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State on Monday by 5pm with a view to finding out the possible cause of the sudden

*Once upon a bomb explosion

We nearly had heart attacks as we thought that terrorists had invaded our village; we panicked and started running about in confusion

ROVING CAMERA

*Out of school children... Under age hawkers count money made from sale of ‘pure water’ along Oyemeku Bus-stop Iju Lagos. PHOTO BY AKEEM SALAU. C M Y K

explosion.

“It was, however, gathered that some of the injured have been taken to the hospital just as men of the Explosive Ordinance Department of the Enugu State Command have cordoned off the place with other operatives.

“Meanwhile, instant analysis of the incident by the operatives of

the Explosive Ordinance Department on ground at the scene of the explosion revealed that it was occasioned by high calibre pyrotechnics (fireworks) in a large quantity packed in the house of the owner the house where the explosion occurred.”

Aftermath of protests in Lagos: Fear grips residents

By Bose Adelaja

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AGOS has in recent weeks witnessed several protests by different aggrieved groups, bodies or associations. Some of these protests have political undertones bordering on the 2015 general elections.

It was the turn of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, last Monday as some of its members took to the streets to register their grievances against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. While the protest which disrupted economic activities and vehicular movement, especially around Lagos/ Ibadan expressway and Ikorodu road axis, lasted, many Lagosians had reason to complain about the inconveniences that they suffered in the process. There is also the prevailing fear that the protest was a prelude to possible outbreak of violence during the elections.

The rumour making the rounds has it that the protest was an ex-

pression of the OPC of its appreciation to the Presidency for giving the ethnic socio-cultural group the responsibility of protecting oil pipelines in the South West from vandals and vandalisation. Before now, this assignment was being performed by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, believed to have been professionally trained, both locally and internationally, for the protection of government property.

In a chat with VM, the NSCDC National Public Relations Okeh Emmanuel, while acknowledging hearing the rumour, added: “We have not been officially informed that OPC is to protect the pipelines; so, I cannot comment on that. It is being rumoured but we have not received any official mail to that effect”.

Efforts to reach the factional leader of the OPC, Gani Adams, proved abortive as his aide told VM in a telephone conversation that his boss was busy.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 — 21

Indigenous ship owners move against NIWA over double taxation

By Godwin Oritse

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Group Managing Director, Union Bank, Mr Emeka Emuwa (left); Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Digital Jewels, Mrs . Adedoyin Odunfa; Deputy Director, UK Trade and Investment, Mr Bukola Dosunmu; and Head of Information Technology, Union Bank, Lucky Jayaratne at the presentation of ISO 27001-2013 Certification to Union Bank in Lagos .

UNIDO to assist Nigeria’s diversification to non-oil sector

By Favour Nnabugwu

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he United Nations I n d u s t r i a l D e v e l o p m e n t Organisation (UNIDO) said the National Quality Infrastructure Project (NQIP) will assist Nigeria to diversify its economy to non-oil sector.

UNIDO’s Project Coordinator, Mr. Charles Malata said the project will be useful to Nigeria as it spreads across several commodities in the country.

He said the four years NQIP signed in 2013 has taken effect since May 2014 and is sponsored by EU with 12 million Euros already committed to cover its five components.

Malata said the components included development of functional and internationally recognised National Accreditation Body (NAB).

Others are National Metrological Institute (NMI), National Quality Policy (NQP), consumer protection and creating linkages for private sector.

He said once the avenue for the products to get to international market is opened up with all the resources in the country, it would enable it to compete and become economically viable, compared to oil. The agency’s Project Coordination added that If Nigerian products must be C M Y K

found in EU market, it must have to meet the quality and safety requirement to compete with the oil sector.

The coordinator also said the project will be useful too in implementing strategic framework for vision 20:2020.

The framework is aimed at

developing policies and measures to improve competitiveness and diversification to non-oil sector.

Matala said Nigeria lacked an internationally recognised quality infrastructure bodies with the capacity to ensure safety, integrity, marketability

of goods and services. He said NQIP will support the improvement and establishment of missing quality standards control bodies needed to improve the quality of products and services for exchange locally and internationally.

Regulation not enough in granting credit — ICA

By Providence Obuh

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he Institute of Credit Administrators (ICA) Nigeria has called parties involved in credit transactions to be guided by a sense of values and ethics, stating that regulation alone is not enough for effective credit administration.

ICA was set up in 1992 in response to a lax credit system characterized by a number of unethical business practices which were negatively affecting business cash flows.

President/Chairman of Council, ICA, Mr. Adetunji Oyebanji, said this at a press briefing prior to the inauguration of ICA’s 3rd Governing Council in Lagos, over the weekend. He noted that the present situation of credit lax has evidenced a gaping hole that should be occupied by values.

“Integrity and honesty need to be the guiding principles in all business decisions. It is this

In times of our economic recovery which is still susceptible to external shocks, the well functioning of credit is crucial for the economy

responsibility towards the other party which will determine the wellbeing of credit in any economy,” he stated.

Oyebanji said that effective operation of a credit system in any economy is a pre-condition for enterprise and trade to develop and thrive, adding that for credit to boost the economy, it has to be sustainable and responsible. He further noted that the state of credit in any economy has important implications for both financial stability and private sector sustainability. “In times of economic recovery which is still susceptible to external shocks, the well-being of credit is crucial for the economy. The poor attitude to credit, especially to public loans provided by government’s development financial institutions (DFIs) and lack of a robust regulatory regime for the DFI sector to operate is a fundamental threat to the health of any credit economy.” he said.

HE Nigerian Indigenous Ship owners Association of Nigeria, NISA, has concluded plans to move against the proposed reregistration of vessels by the management of the National Inland Waterways, NIWA , a development they say will lead to double taxation.

Speaking at the end of its quarterly meeting, President of NISA, Captain Niyi Labinjo said that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, is the only agency empowered by law to register vessels in Nigeria.

Labinjo said that both NIMASA and NIWA cannot register vessels and collect a fee, stressing that it will be too much of a burden for ship owners.

The NISA boss explained that letter emanating from NIWA asking ship owners to begin to make arrangement for the registration of their vessels was tabled at the meeting and members unanimously agreed that it was better to meet NIWA at the National Assembly when the proposed amendment of the NIWA Áct will be legislated upon.

Explaining further, Labinjo said that the group initially wanted a tripartite meeting which will have NISA, NIMASA and NIWA in attendance but thought otherwise.

$136.35 $2,733.00

12.78

0.10 25.00

0.05

B & E$54.31 DATA -1.64 CAN$43.02 NOT-1.64 CURRENCY OPEN BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL

196 196.5 289.9244 287.6564 207.897 208.4276 195.2775 195.7756 1.6176 1.6217 0.2986 0.3086 268.3312 269.0157 31.4603 31.541 52.2569 52.3902

197 288.3883 208.9579 196.2738 1.6258 0.3186 269.7002 31.6217 52.5235

CBN Exchange Rate as at 19/3/15

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Pearl awards: SEC wants corporate governance included in selection process

By Nkiruka Nnorom

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he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has advised the board of governors of the Performance, Earnings and Returns Leadership (Pearl) Awards Nigeria to include good corporate governance in its criteria to reward quoted companies in Nigeria.

The commission also assured of its readiness to collaborate with the Pearl Awards in encouraging companies for high performance.

Ag. Director General of SEC, Mounir Gwarzo, stated this when he received members of the governing board of Pearl Awards, Nigeria in his office in Abuja.

He said it was in a bid to

There is no doubt that expectations are high, with investors earnestly looking forward to continuous pragmatic positive changes in the stock market under your able leadership ensure that companies operating in Nigeria’s capital market do well, that SEC is set to launch its corporate governance scorecard.

Gwarzo explained that the scorecard will ensure compliance of these companies to the tenets of corporate governance which will in turn translate into better returns and better service delivery among others.

“One issue that is very critical

in this market is the issue of Corporate Governance. I appeal that in you selection process, emphasis be given to companies that are complying.

SEC is the only regulator that has developed its Corporate Governance scorecard which has been approved by the board and we will launch it very soon” Gwarzo declared.

He also enjoined the Pearl Awards team to look at issues

of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by quoted companies which he said is very important so that communities will see companies giving back to them.

Speaking earlier, President of Pearl Awards, Tayo Orekoya, commended the management of the SEC on its efforts to return the market to the path of sustainable growth and

From left: Engr. Aminu Jalal, Director General, National Automotive Council; Dr. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade & Investment, Ivan Cao, Manager Middle East & Africa BYD Auto of China and Mr. Seyi Onajide, MD/CEO, R.T. Briscoe Nigeria Plc during a courtesy visit and introduction of BYD electric vehicles to the minister, in Abuja.

Access Bank to build capacity in oil & gas sector

By Sebastine Obasi

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s part of its continued drive to improve local content in the nation’s oil and gas industry, Access Bank Plc has thrown its weight behind the 2015 Nigeria Oil and Gas

Conference which is scheduled to hold in Abuja between March 16 and 19, 2015. The conference is the largest business network platform for players in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The Executive Director,

Financial literacy: FMDQ trains Covenant varsity students

F

MDQ played host to the Banking & Finance Students’ Association of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, on March 16 & 17, 2015. This study tour provided an opportunity for the 400 level students to gain thorough insight into the scope and operations of FMDQ, and financial the market activities in general.

Key activities during the tour included a presentation by the Group Head, Strategy & Corporate Communications, Kaodi Ugoji, on the overview of the Nigerian financial landscape as well as the FMDQ story, from its evolution to its role in the financial markets, milestones since inception, and strategic initiatives for 2015.

The students were engaged in an interactive session on the Two-way Quote (2WQ) and Order-based Two-way Quote (OB2WQ) market trading styles and FMDQ’s examination and surveillance activities. They also had the opportunity to view the trading screens which showed live

C M Y K

development, adding that the giant strides and remarkable achievements of the new management within short period of time cannot be over emphasized.

Orekoya said “there is no doubt that expectations are high, with investors earnestly looking forward to continuous pragmatic positive changes in the stock market under your able leadership.

quotations from FMDQ Dealing Members during the day’s trading session.

According to Kaodi, “We are very pleased to see young people show genuine interest in the Nigerian financial markets. This year, a key strategic initiative for us at FMDQ is to promote financial markets literacy amongst various cadres of students as well as market participants; and this study tour is well in line with implementing this initiative”.

Desirous of promoting financial markets education across a wide range of stakeholders, FMDQ has articulated an ‘FMDQ Education Plan’, which is expected to bridge the knowledge gaps for stakeholders in the financial markets, with specific focus on the fixed income, currencies and derivatives products under its coverage.

This resonates with the FMDQ mission to empower the financial market to be innovative and credible, in support of the Nigerian economy.

Corporate and Investment Banking Division, Access Bank Plc, Elias Igbinakenzua said that the Bank is delighted to be a part of the Oil and Gas Conference , adding that its involvement in the sector was in line with the commitment to contribute to the economic growth of the country.

“Our support for the oil and gas industry remains strong.

This further demonstrates our commitment to increase the capability of corporate customers as we continue to put them first in the heart of our business” he stated.

Igbinakenzua said Access Bank has been a major sponsor of the Conference noting that the Bank’s presence and active participation at the 2015 event reflects its focus on being a strategic partner to key stakeholders across the industry value chain.

He promised the Bank’s continued partnership with and assistance to the oil and gas companies by supporting initiatives that will create business opportunities and investments in Nigeria and the African continent.

Vitafoam to expand product line

By PETER EGWUATU

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s part of its corporate strategy to support sound health for mankind, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, a quoted company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE has pledged to expand its production of modern sleep products.

Addressing journalists at a ceremony marking the 2015 World Sleep Day, the company’s Group Managing Director, Mr. Joel Ajiga explained that Vitafoam Nigeria had ventured into production and supply of flexible, semi-rigid and rigid polyurethane foam products leading to incorporation of more subsidiaries.

“Vitafoam over the years has metamorphosed from being a household name in the production of just mattresses and pillows into being a foremost provider of ultimate comfort products. Though the company’s mainstay over the course of its 53 years of business was in beddings and related products, it had ventured into production and supply of flexible, semi rigid and rigid polyurethane foam products including furniture, bed and beddings, foot wears, panels insulated and moulded product. This expansion gave birth to some of its current subsidiaries Vitapur, Vitagreen, Vitavisco and Vitablom.

“As a solution- oriented organisation, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, supports the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) to lessen the burden of sleep problems on society through better prevention and management of sleep disorders with our world class sleep products. We have over sixteen products that help to support sleeping like our spring mattress, memory topper, bed sheets, duvet, throw and memory pillow e.t.c” he said. Ajiga identified some factors that can enhance healthy sleep. He alluded to an expert who once said “getting a good night sleep depends on a lot of factors; comfort, stress level, room temperature but to get it right you have to start with the basics and your mattress is the first building block to a restful slumber. Our spring mattress is posturpedic, orthopedic and therapeutic, this mattress help to support your body in a neutral position, one in which your spine has a nice curvature while your buttocks, heels, shoulders and head are supported in proper alignment.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 — 23

Biotech crops: Fastest adopted crop technology in the world — Report

By Jimoh Babatunde

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HE global hectarage of biotech crops has in creased more than 100-folds from 1.7 million hectares in 1996 to181.5 million hectares in 2014 making biotech crops the fastest adopted crop technology in recent times.

This was revealed by the director-general of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Prof. Lucy Ogbadu, at the International Service for the Acquisition of Agric-biotech Applications (ISAAA) global biotech update report for 2014 in Abuja.

She noted that a new and rigorous 2014 comprehensive global meta-analysis of 147 published biotech crop studies over the last 20 years, confirmed the significant and multiple benefits that biotech crops have generated over the past 20 years.

Prof. Ogbadu disclosed that the meta-analysis concluded that “on average GM technology adoption has reduced chemical pesticide use by 37%, increased crop yields by 22percenr, and increased farmer profits by 68 percent “Yield gains and pesticide reductions are larger for insectresistant crops than for herbicidetolerant crops. Yield and profit gains are higher in developing countries than in developed countries.”

While presenting the Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2014, the NABDA boss noted that millions of risk-averse farmers, both large and small, world-wide, have concluded that the returns from planting biotech crops are high, hence repeat planting is virtually 100%; good returns on their investment is the critical test applied by demanding farmers when judging the performance of any technology.

sub-regional institutions that address capacity building in biotechnology and biosafety and positive pronouncement on biotechnology development.

The NABDA boss listed four important trends for biotechnology development in Nigeria to include the expansion and improvement of current biotech crops, saying major opportunity for maize exists in Asia (60 M ha), rice and more for small and poor countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam & Indonesia – all Asian countries and Africa.

Ogbadu further highlighted the existence of more food products with direct consumer benefits; progress with drought tolerance and success of public-private partnerships with synergy in sharing resources and expertise.

She listed key lessons to be learnt for the swift passage of the biosafety bill into law, harping on the need for strong political will by the government and an efficient cost-effective regulatory process as well as sustained communication with society.

Speaking earlier in his keynote, the Minister of Science and Tech-

Ogbadu further highlighted the existence of more food products with direct consumer benefits; progress with drought tolerance and success of public-private partnerships with synergy in sharing resources and expertise

Impressive adoption “This impressive adoption rate speaks for itself, in terms of its sustainability, resilience and the significant benefits it delivers to both small and large farmers as well as consumers.”

Highlighting opportunities for developing biotechnology research in Africa, Ogbadu said they included persistent low yield of cereals around 1 mt/ha; existence of biotic and abiotic stresses; pests, diseases, weeds, environmental degradation, soil nutrient depletion, low fertilizer inputs, inadequate food processing amenities, poor roads to markets, and general lack of information to make science-based decisions that underlie farming methodologies and systems.

Others, according to her, are collaboration between various

From the left: Yemisi Bejide, Head M&A, Standard Chartered Bank; Akin Ogunbiyi, ED Elephant Group; Tunji Owoeye, MD Elephant Group; Abiola Ojo-Osagie, MD, Afri invest Capital Partners Nigeria Ltd during the signing of agreement in Lagos. nology, Dr Abdu Bulama, lamented that Nigeria had been unable to key into the opportunities provided by modern biotechnology or harness the benefits of the application because of the absence of a regulatory framework, the biosafety law, in the nation.

Speaking on the necessity of a regulatory framework, the minister said Nigeria needed biotechnology in its quest to feed and provide livelihoods for our teaming population, pointing out that the enactment of a biosafety law would provide the key to unlock the second gene revolution in Nigeria.

Speaking on the status of agricultural biotechnology and biosafety in Nigeria, the minister noted that the country already had a formidable team of biotech champions and highlighted the need for synergy among relevant stakeholders.

He said the lack of a biosafety

law, inadequate Intellectual Property Right (IPR) structure, awareness by key stakeholders on potential benefits/public acceptance, inadequate funds to promote research activities and activities of the anti-GM group militated against the commercialization of the GM crops/products.

The minister said no GM crop had been commercialized in Nigeria, adding sporadic reports of GM food suspects existed though.

According to him, three GM crops including cassava developed for Vit A iron and Zinc enrichment (Biocassava plus) and mosaic disease, brown streak disease resistance are currently undergoing CFT and they include BioCassava Plus, Maruca Resistant Bt cowpea (beans) and Africa Biofortified Sorghum. He said commercialization of GM crops could not commence until the Biosafety Law was enacted.

Meanwhile, Dr. Patrick Moore,

co-founder and former member of the group Greenpeace and now chairman and spokesperson of the Allow Golden Rice Campaign, has said that Golden Rice is the hope of the children.

Speaking at a seminar in Laguna, Philippines recently, he said allowing Golden rice to be available in the market will give children a better future.

Dr. Moore maintained that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) such as Golden Rice pose no harm, and added that humans are also products of gene modification through their parents’ genes, while commercially available products are combinations of the best genes and traits of each species that evolved through time.

Golden Rice, he said, is the same rice that people eat, aside from the fact that it is infused with beta carotene or Vitamin A, which is an essential vitamin needed in the human body.

Elephant Group partners AfricInvest for global rice production

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LEADING player in Nigeria’s agricultural commodities pro motion drive, Elephant Group, has entered signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a global organisation, AfricInvest for the purpose of boosting the federal government’s backward integration initiatives on rice, crude palm oil and fertilizer Supply Value Chain across the world.

This is in line with the company’s plan to showcase its products at the international market.

At a meeting in Lagos during the week, Founder/Group Managing Director, Elephant Group, Mr. Tunji Owoeye, explained that the company has entered into deal with AfricInvest for an equity investment in Elephant Group. Our Correspondent reports that based on the deal,

AfricInvest would acquire a minority equity interest in Elephant Group via issuing new shares. A statement emanating from both parties indicated that “the fund raised will be used to boost Elephant Group’s market share in agricultural commodities trading and deepen penetration of agricultural commodities exports across selected markets in Africa even as the Elephant Group will continue to strengthen its backward integration initiatives in the rice, crude palm oil and fertilizer value chain”.

Owoeye declared: “We are excited to partner with an African-focused investor with experience in the agricultural sector. The investment will enable the Company to benefit further from the federal government’s drive to promote agricultural productivity in Nigeria. It would also allow Elephant Group to transform from an in-

digenous agricultural commodities company in Nigeria to a vertically integrated pan-African player. This transaction will be the first ever private equity investment in the Nigeria agricultural commodities sector and we view it as a strong vote of confidence in the company”.

Senior Partner and Managing Director of AfricInvest in Nigeria, Abiola OjoOsagie said the partnership with the Elephant Group would enable the firm to take advantage of the opportunity to capitalise in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda.

“We have identified a company led by entrepreneurs and a management team with a good knowledge of the domestic market. Our goal is to build an enduring institution with a clear potential for growth and regional expansion,” Osagie noted.

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

NBCC blames failed, abandoned projects on policy somersault Stories by Naomi Uzor

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From left: Mr. Axel Stolz, Vice President, International Sales and Marketing, Alfred Karcher GmBH; Mr. Wolfram Stolz, Sales Manager, West Africa, Afred Karcher GmBH; Mr. Ali Bitar, Chairman, German Technology Limited and Mr. Alie Khalil, Managing Director, German Technology Limited at the opening of the first Karcher store in Lagos.

he Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce, NBCC, has blamed failed and abandoned projects littering every nook and cranny of the country on government’s policy somersaults.

The President of NBCC, Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, made this assertion during a breakfast meeting organised by the chamber in Lagos.

“In each case entrepreneurs were motivated to bring forward proposals, partners were selected, uncountable trips were made overseas, billions of dollars were pumped into the investments by the Federal and sometimes by state

BoI charges estate valuers against placing false values on assets *Disbursed N780bn to industries in 2014

By Franklin Alli

T

he Bank of Industry(BoI) has enjoined Estate Surveyors and Valuers in the country to adhere to ethical guidelines in their profession by not placing false values on companies assets.

The bank also confirmed that it has disbursed a total of N780 billion of intervention funds to industries in the real sector of the economy last year.

Speaking during the yearly conference of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers(NIESV) in Osogbo, Osun State, Rasheed Olaoluwa, Managing Director of the bank, said “As a bank, we depend on your judgment. The institution needs to task its members on the need to embrace fair and ethical practice while performing their duties.

According to him, it is often times discovered that false values are placed on assets and this practice is prevalent

in an industry where professionals have decided not to adhere to ethical guidelines. “Development and financial institutions most times discover that the value placed on some assets does not represent the reality and this is affecting financial intermediation by

Development and financial institutions most times discover that the value placed on some assets does not represent the reality and this is affecting financial intermediation by development finance institutions

development finance institutions. “Estate valuers play a critical role in the society as they are at the centre in placing value on assets.

Similarly, professionals in the estate valuation industry cannot afford to ignore the place of technology in the discharge of their duties in order to be globally recognised and competitive”, he added.

Commenting on the loans disbursed, he disclosed that disbursements of intervention funds and loans from the Bank to the nation’s real sector and other key sectors have hit N780 billion as at the end of 2014.

He explained that the bank has increased its intervention to critical sectors of the economy within the last five years, specifically from 2010 to 2014.

“BoI has become impactful within the last five years and at least 1.8 million jobs have been created through such efforts.

Before 2009, the level of intervention was below N30

billion, but we have been able to improve access of customers to the funds as well as increase their capacity in the utilisation of such facilities.

“We are doing a lot of things to ensure that we can provide that comprehensive support to our small and medium enterprises. We are reviewing our regional status to state offices in order to be able to serve our customers better,” he said.

Dangote calls for investments in real sector to save economy

D

ANGOTE Group has called on private investors to invest their money in the real sector of the economy, especially in manufacturing and agriculture.

Devakumar Edwin, the Executive Director of Dangote Group, who made the call in Lagos, noted that while government has a big role to play in formation of the right policy to encourage investors; the business community has a bigger role to play by moving away from importation to production.

“In this day of unprecedented

BITS Briefs Firm unveils Japanese Samurai curry

A

Lagos-based trading company, Tokyo Boeki Enterprise (TBE) has launched new curry sauce products into the markets across the country.

It is called Samurai Curry and is imported from Japan.

The Managing Director, TBE, Abel Akhigbe, said that the product contains over 30 spices that will help fight cancer and liver failure, adding that the sauce takes

just five minutes to simmer and can be served hot over meals such as rice, yam, potatoes, pasta, noodles, spaghetti, plantain and all kinds of bread. Akhigbe explained why the product was introduced to the Nigerian market: “In Japan, I saw how people lived and maximised time, despite the same process we also go through here in Nigeria.

Made-in-Nigeria products award takes off

By Anozie Egole

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OINTBLANK Media Concepts Nigeria Limited, (PBMC) has pledged to promote locally made products and services through its ‘Nigeria –Made- Products Awards.’ Mr. Theophilus Akatugba, Chief Executive Officer of the company who disclosed this in Lagos, stated that the awards will be

governments but the Nigerian landscape is littered with failed and abandoned projects many of which were hinged by corruption, ineptitude and downright sabotage and counterproductive policies” he said. According to him, it cannot always be said that all these projects were informed by compelling economic demands which is the base on which economic projects, to be successful must be based.

Sometimes, location was based on political influence and patronage.

This was possible because government was a major investor in these projects. He said national experience has shown that government is a bad business manager and that the country would have been better off if an enabling environment was created tax incentives established , soft long term loans extended in deserving cases and the experts allowed to get going with the jobs. “This was the formula adopted in the NLNG project which has turned out to be a most successful project because the private sector was given the commanding lead.

In consequence of poor organisation, expectations failed and many partners lost money after wasting years on projects that government policy sabotaged"" he said.

beneficial to the manufacturers and consumers alike.

“The awards are about seeking made in Nigeria products and services and exposing them to Nigerians across the country in an effort to promote and market them. “The fast depreciation of the Naira against other currencies is due to the low patronage of made in Nigeria products and high importation of related products.

continuous crash in the crude oil price at the international market and subsequent devaluation of the Naira, massive investment in agriculture and local manufacturing can save Nigeria’s economy.

Nigeria has left its economic fortunes to the vagaries of the international market forces through excessive importation and it was high time private investors latched in on this situation and help the government out by investing seriously in agriculture and manufacturing,” he stated.

Giving a practical insight into how good to invest in Nigeria, he pointed out that Nigeria has been blessed with what it takes for a country to succeed economically because the potential for growth in Nigeria is phenomenon.

“The potentials and opportunities for business are phenomenon and Nigeria has a huge population with enough skills, with huge quantity of arable land and water and lots of raw materials and mineral resources, so you have a market because of the population, you have the people to produce, you have a lot of minerals which you can develop for export,” he said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015—25

LCC: Preserving nature for tomorrow

zThe colourful Koi fish at the pond in LCC

zColoured koi fish in the newly constructed pond

zPart of the 2km walk trail in the conservation area.

By Jimoh Babatunde

I

N between the building sur rounding the striking multipurpose Rotunda, a peacock iridescent blue and green plumage feathers exposing the beauty of the bird welcome us as we move into the Lekki Conservation Centre tucked inside the bustling sprawl of Lagos away from the maddening crowd and noise the city is noted for.

The Lekki Conservation Centre, LCC, covering a land area of 78 hectare, is a conservation initiative to protect wildlife found in south west coastal environment of Nigeria in the face of sprawling urban development.

Under the scorching sun, Lucky George, Precious Ogbebor and I set out for the game viewing knowing fully well that prime time for viewing flora or fauna at LCC, is especially in the morning when it’s coolest and the humidity is not as oppressive, plus when the animals are most active.

Not detered by the heat, we move into the conservation area after we were bailed from paying the mandatory N500 gate fee

by LCC’s media man , Kunle Olawoyin. Moving into the nature reserve through the trail board-walk which was constructed in 1992 to enrich tourists/visitors view of the vast resources of the nature reserve, we could see very far through the trees.

This is so at this time of the year, March, when the rain has not fully commence, the bottom of the huge palms that reach into the sky has become dried unlike in the raining season that they are covered with lush green leaves .

The nature reserve traverses a mosaic of vegetation types, namely: secondary forest, swamp forest and Savannah C M Y K

grassland.

We have hardly moved some few meters on the 2km stretch trail that Ogbebor sighted Mona monkeys with babies — swinging through the tops of the trees , she reaches out to her Ipad for a quick photo snap.

“Here Mona monkeys are common sights, you will see more as we walk round” the Media head of the conservation centre said as he takes us on historical lane as to when the conservation was establish and what it is meant to serve.

How it started Olawoyin said the establishment of LCC was born out of Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF)’s relentless commitment to conservation of Nigeria’s vast natural resources. “This laudable concept could have come at no better time going by the daily degradation of the city’s remaining natural environment fragments due to ceaseless urbanisation; thus, making LCC one of the few natural environment relics within the city.”

Lucky interjects, apart from the Mona monkeys are there other animals here? Olawoyin says there are Monitor lizards, huge turtles, bush bucks, Maxwell duikers and giant rats. He adds that one of the turtles died seven months ago at almost 100 years.

Before he finished, Ogbebor asked if there are snakes around?

With laughter one of the guards that accompanied us said there are Pythons but they are nocturnal animals, “even if you see any now, it is as good as useless.”

Olawoyin added that to spot the animals will take patience .

Because of her size, Precious Ogbebor was already panting for breath before we get to one of the five rest stops.

A wooden platform overlooking the swamp habitat provides seats to be still, listen and look for fish, birds or the occasional crocodile. Rest stops are conveniently situated about every 250 meters or about every sixth of a

This laudable concept could have come at no better time going by the daily degradation of the city’s remaining natural environment fragments due to ceaseless urbanisation

mile. From the rest spot, we sight the newly constructed longest canopy walkway in the continent of Africa just constructed by the Lagos state government. “This is in partnership with Lagos state government on Eco-tourism here.” Olawoyin said.

The Canopy walk is funded by the Lagos State Government through the state Ministry of Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, the walk way will soon be commissioned and opened to the tourists.

As we move to take a walk on the canopy, Olawoyin voice came up again saying this “ Canopy is 401 meters and the peak is 22.5 meters and everything is within the forest. We used Aluminium and not wood like you have in Calabar.” Before he finishes, we are already climbing with the forest guard, but Kunle, Precious and I withdraw either for fear of height or fatigue. Lucky continues with the canopy walk while we make our way to the tree

Experts converge for tourism investment conference

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VER 350 experts from 30 countries are expected to converge in Lagos come November this year for the annual Nigeria Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference.

The conference is coming on the heels of the government efforts at diversifying the country’s economy as well as considering ways to explore the business opportunities available within the industry.

Speaking with Travel journalists in Lagos, on behalf of the organisers, Managing Partner, Jonel Hospitality Consulting, Brian Efa said the three-day conference is designed to identify and examine the profitability of tourism locations in the country and how they can be accessed.

Efa explained that the speakers are key leaders chosen for their industry knowledge, experience and insight that they are happy to share. He added that the conference would also discuss the tourism regulatory framework and its complexities as well as provide insight on investment policies and its role in the development process.

house through the trail.

Tree house: The tree house is one of the most fascinating features one can ever come across in an ecotourism zone. The tree house, stylishly seated on a stout dawadawa tree (Pakia biglobossa) rises above 25m. A well protected ladder is ruggedly mounted behind the tree to enable nature enthusiasts reach to tree house to savour the panoramic view of the tree canopy.

Though we could not climb the trees house as it is under renovation, we had another rest at the foot of the tree.

Foot of the tree With voices of Lucky and the guard re-echoing from the canopy, we move to join them as they descend . We soon reconnect to savour the forest outlook from the bird hide which enables avid bird watchers snipe at unaware avifauna that are wading through the pool overlooked by the hide or foraging within the vicinity.

Asked the feeling taking a walk on the canopy, Lucky enthused, “cool experience, wonderful as you can see the entire forest up there . I will want to do it again if I have the opportunity.”

Picnic area: The picnic area is a recreation island in the middle of a forest. It has a semi-enclosed block structure containing the indoor picnic facilities and conveniences. The outdoor has outdoor game facilities mostly for children.

Some few meter walk take you to the newly constructed EcoPark facilities at the Lekki Conservation Centre such as fish ponds, jungle gym, outdoor games, and Gazebos among others.

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

I N S I D E

2015 ELECTIONS: RIVERS VIOLENCE: Trading blames

Page 26

CROSS RIVER: The raging battle among parties

Impact of regional (party) alliances and ethnic bloc voting on results

Page 28

Page 27

•Voting in process

Step by step process for voting

•Jega

to the next stage of voting but note will be taken of such cases in an incident form available at the station.

All voters accredited to vote will be given a number based on when they were accredited.

STEP 3. At the end of accreditation officially by 1 pm, voting will begin and the supervisory presiding officer and his assistants will then arrange the voters in an orderly manner beginning from the first person to arrive the voting area.

STEP 4. The voter will mention the number which was given to him during the accreditation and this will guide the presiding

matching the finger print with the one embedded in the voter card.

Then he will be certified for voting.

Given the experience from the mock exercise penultimate Saturday, it would be expected that some fingerprints may not be read.

In such cases based on the judgment of the presiding officer, such persons who fail the biometrics would be passed on

This first step would authenticate the voter card to be genuine or not. If genuine the voter would be passed on to the next stage

NIGERIANS turning out to vote on March 28 and April 11 will follow almost the same steps in exercising their preference on voting day.

By Jude Opara

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N March 28 voters will be voting for three offices, namely, presidential, Senate and House of Representatives.

However, the election on April 11 will be for the office of governor in 29 states and House of Assembly in all 36 states of the federation. The states where governorship elections will not hold are Bayelsa, Kogi, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Anambra and Edo states.

It will, however, be a total holiday for voters in the Federal Capital City given that the territory neither has a governor nor a legislative House.

On the two voting days, polls are expected to open as from 8.00 a.m. when accreditation of voters will commence.

STEP 1. As soon as the voter arrives at the polling unit, he will present his voter card to the presiding officer who will carry out the process of verification, identification and authentication

using the card reader. The card reader will prop up the bio-data of the voter including his picture and finger prints.

This first step would authenticate the voter card to be genuine or not. If genuine, the voter would be passed on to the next stage. If not genuine, the possessor of the voter card would be asked to leave the polling station and failure to adhere to the instruction would prompt the presiding officer at the station to order security men to arrest or compel the person to leave the polling station.

STEP 2. If the card reader authenticates the voter as having an authentic voter card, he will be taken through the next step of the accreditation process which is to biometric exercise which is to confirm that the person with the valid voter card really owns the card.

This process would involve placing either the index finger or thumb at the top of the card reader for the purpose of

officer to check through the INEC register to cross check that it was still the same person that was accredited that has turned up to vote.

STEP 5. If confirmed that the person was the same person accredited earlier, the presiding officer will issue him a ballot paper to go and exercise his franchise.

On March 28, voters will be issued three ballot papers one each for the presidential, senatorial and house of representative elections. The ballot papers are customized for each position. The presidential ballot is red, senatorial ballot is black while the House of Representatives ballot is green in colour.

STEP 6. Three ballot boxes would be provided each for the three elections and they are also customized in line with the ballot papers. The voter will cast his ballot in respect of the ballot paper.

STEP 7. After the last voter on the queue would have cast his ballots, the presiding officer will begin with the process of sorting of the ballots from the three ballot boxes and dropped in their rightful places that is the presidential, senatorial and house of representatives.

Previous regulation Based on a new regulation exclusively published by Vanguard last Wednesday, INEC has altered its procedures for counting. Under the previous regulation ballot papers placed in the wrong boxes were to be discarded and rejected.

That is if a voter places a Senate ballot paper in a House of Representatives ballot box it would be discarded. However, the commission has now altered the regulation to allow wrongly placed ballot papers to be sorted into the correct box.

Following that the ballots for the different parties would be sorted and counted.

STEP 8. The voter is expected to wait if he or she likes for the counting and announcement of the outcome of the election; but voters must do so in an atmosphere of peace. However, any voter who wants to leave after voting is equally free to do so.

STEP 9: At the end of the counting, the presiding officer would announce the result at the polling station and place the results in a conspicuous place around the station.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015—27

By Jimitota Onoyume

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T was understandable that political activities dropped in Rivers State shortly after the postponement of the general polls by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, earlier scheduled for last February.

Before the action of the electoral body, campaign by the two major political parties, the All Progressive Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was at a feverish height.

However, with the elections again inching closer, the two parties are again hyping their campaigns.

The campaigns have also witnessed ugly incidents.

Recently a campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress, APC was disrupted with heavy gunfire and explosives in Okrika. A Policeman lost his life while four others sustained bullet injuries.

Several other members of the party were admitted to hospital following fractured bones after the violence in Okirika, the hometown of the nation’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

The party severally blamed the PDP for the ugly incident where property running into millions of naira were destroyed by the hoodlums.

Governorship candidate of the APC, Dr. Dakuku Peterside said no fewer than thirty members of the party had been massacred in Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government area in politically related violence.

He said as much when he met with a delegation of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, led by Prof Chidi Odinakalu that was in the state on a fact-finding mission over political related violence and killings.

Political violence He begged the commission to intervene to help reduce the incidents of political violence in the state.

His words, “Lives are being wasted daily and we are shocked to find out that in less than one year, in one local government area alone, Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni, we lost 30 persons to political violence.”, he said.

Curiously, Okrika people at the end of a meeting after the disrupted rally banned all forms of political campaigns in the area, saying they did not want to witness another round of political violence.

Former militant leader Ateke Tom and some others from the community re-echoed the reported stand of the community to the media, maintaining that the action was to ensure peace in the community. According to them, no political party should come to the area for campaigns.

The APC had been very

•Wike and Peterside: Is the smile for real?

RIVERS VIOLENCE: Trading blames THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP had in the past been the bulldog in past elections in Rivers State having been in control of the state administration. Now for the first time, the party is fighting from the disadvantaged position of the opposition, and it is a fight of brawn. uncomfortable with the reported decision. Dr. Peterside also drew the attention of the NHRC to the development when the team visited him at his campaign office in Port Harcourt.

“In Okrika local government area, you would have read through the papers, through electronic media, that we are not allowed to campaign. Similar

The spate of politically related violence has generated fear among electorates as some who spoke to the Vanguard said they would want to be sure of their security before they come out to vote in the general elections

scenario is playing out in Ogu/ Bolo local government area. I am told, though unconfirmed that some chiefs of Okrika issued an order banning us from coming to campaign in Okrika, and I wonder if Okrika is still part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Again, because the world is becoming a global village, when we experience some level of violence in one part of this country, the ripples are felt in other parts of the country, and so, it is in our enlightened interest to ensure that whenever it occurs, we put it under check for the good of all of us.

“I also believe that the NHRC is an appropriate agency to help us monitor, curtail this degree of human right abuses,.”

Meantime, the PDP has also been accusing the APC of allegedly killing its members and sponsoring acts of violence against its activities.

The party in a statement accused the APC of sponsoring thugs to shoot at a governorship campaign rally of the PDP in Degema local government area where a member died on the spot and some others sustained injuries.

The party further alleged that its governorship campaign train was attacked in Abua by gunmen allegedly sponsored by the APC recently, adding that a similar act was enacted again by the APC when the governorship candidate of the PDP, Barr Nyesom Wike went to Ulakwo in Etch for campaign.

The two parties have been involved in blame game.

Chairman of the NHRC, Prof Odinakalu said stories coming out of Rivers State were worrisome. He said the state had almost been reduced to a battlefield because of reported cases of political violence.

Political divide “We wanted to start here because Rivers State is already a battleground and we do not want to sit down in Abuja and look at twitter, look at facebook, and do a little phone call and claim that we know what is happening.

“I should also offer condolences to the people of Rivers State because a lot of blood has been shed here in political violence. It doesn’t matter what side of the political divide, at the end of the day, these are brothers and sisters.

“Now, we have also had men and women in uniform killed in the latest incident in Okrika and I don’t think any country should

frankly accept that its men and women in uniform should be killed in those circumstances.

That is unacceptable,” Odinkalu said.

Governorship candidate of the PDP, Barr Nyesom Wike during a meeting with the NHRC alleged that this year alone about forty members of his party had been murdered by the APC. Wike further blamed the state government and the APC for the political violence witnessed in the state, saying that they allegedly intended to use violence to intimidate PDP members, While assuring that the PDP would continue to pursue the path of peace in the state Wike said he was surprised that the NHRC seemingly ignored the crisis in the judiciary and the legislature in the state., He further gave dates and pictorial evidence to support the alleged attack on his party members in the state, accusing the media of allegedly suppressing reports of attack on the PDP. The spate of politically related violence has generated fear among electorates as some who spoke to the Vanguard said they would want to be sure of their security before they come out to vote in the general elections.

The army on its part has assured people of the state of adequate security during the elections.

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

CROSS RIVER: The raging battle among parties ABOUT a month ago, the three major political parties contending for elective positions in Cross River State signed an undertaking in the presence of the state Police Commissioner, Mr Henry Fadairo to be peaceful as they go about their electioneering campaign.

The crisis according to an eyewitness started when the Labour Party candidate Dr Alex Egbona, who is the immediate past Chief of Staff to Senator Liyel Imoke was stopped in his tracks during a scheduled campaign visit to Ekori, the base of Ewa who is in his third term in the House of Representatives.

The action reportedly led to a face off and subsequently a fight which went on throughout the night and the early hours of Tuesday leading to a number of fatal casualties.

Many people in the state are not entirely surprised with the political turn of events in the state which in the past has always laid claim to being the most peaceful state in the country.

By Emmanuel Una

T

HE three parties are the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, which is dominant in the state, the All Progressive Congress, APC, with a large followership and the new entrant, Labour Party LP. All three pledged to be of good of good behaviour and agreed to go about their campaigns free of rancor and violence and were all taken seriously by the security agencies and the civil society organisations that observed the exercise.

However, developments in the state since the signing indicates that the parties are so deeply involved in pursuing their own interests and doing everything willy-nilly to outdo one another effectively making the peace accord not worth more than the ink and piece of paper it was written on.

The uncompromising stance of some candidates and their supporters has led to frequent squabbles, tearing of banners of candidates in opposing parties, gun attacks and machete battles which have made a mockery of the entire peace accord.

Gun attacks and machete battles The squabbles are more intense in the Central and Southern Senatorial Districts of the state where supporters of Hon Bassey Ewa and Dr Alex Egbona contending for the House of Representatives seat for the Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency and in Calabar South where incumbent Senator, Prince Bassey Otu who decamped from the PDP to take up the Labour Party ticket against Chief Gershom Bassey, the Chairman of the Cross River State Water Board who won the PDP nomination are squared in a fight of wit for the Southern Senatorial District seat The supporters of the two parties, PDP and LP, who had in the recent past soldiered together in the same political family do not now see eyeto-eye leading to regular squabbles.

From the tearing of posters they progressed to attacks on each other, leaving a tale of wounds and injuries.

The attacks have left the political climate in the state tense culminating which the reported assassination attempt on Bassey three weeks

•Gov Imoke ago.

Last Monday, three person were reportedly killed in Ekori, Yakurr

Local Government Area following a clash between supporters of the PDP and the Labour Party in the area.

The action reportedly led to a face off and subsequently a fight which went on throughout the night and the early hours of Tuesday leading to a number of fatal casualties

The internal dissensions within the PDP following the party primaries is generally blamed for the development that has led to the manifestation of true opposition in the once politically harmonious state.

Among the new political platforms are the APC and Labour which have now gathered an unusual momentum.

People like Senator Bassey Otu, the Senator representing the Southern Senatorial district of the state who is hugely popular, the cerebral and eloquent Dr Sandy Onor, the Director General of the Gody Agba Campaign Organisation, Hon Dominic Aqua Edem, former representative of the state in the NDDC, Dr Julius Okputu, former governorship aspirant and now Senate candidate, Dr Alex Egbona, former Chief of Staff to Senator Imoke, Hon Ngim Okpo member of the Cross River State House of Assembly and a whole lot of others simply decided to take their fate in their own hands and voted with their feet to carry on with the race even when their new party, Labour did not have a governorship candidate.

These former PDP members who have a vast knowledge of the antics and abilities of the party in securing victory at the poll are not giving a breathing space even as the Chairman of the party, Ntufam Jonhn Okon said there is still room for them in the big umbrella should they want to come back.

POLL: Why Jonathan 'll win — Oputu ETERHISAN Oputu is a lawyer and chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). He has held a couple of party positions and he is currently the Udu local government area Coordinator of the Presidential Campaign Council, working to deliver President Goodluck Jonathan and other PDP candidates in the March 28 and April 11 elections. In this interview he speaks on a wide range of salient issues.

Excerpts:

By Leke Adeseri

O

BJECTIVE of the Presidential campaign council?

It is basically political. The aim of our work is to sale our presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan for his reelection in March 28 and all to deliver other PDP candidates in the different positions right from the National Assembly to governorship and State Houses of Assembly. So we are working to sell all our candidates and ensure that they win landslides in the general election. We have our strategies; and we were brought in to put things right before and into the elections.

This is the first time that this kind of structure is being put up and it was done for a tactical reason.

What’s your level of success?

We have done a lot of work and what we have done so far exceeds what we did in previous elections. We have overtaken the opposition parties in our local government. We have gone round a couple of communities and we have been on this campaign for days now. We have visited all the 10 wards, we have met with leaders and clusters of persons, market people, non indigenes, some religious leaders and opinion leaders in our local government that is, locally.

Senatorial and state levels Then as a body and umbrella of PDP, we have also done a lot of work outside the local government, at the senatorial and state levels, all in a bid to sensitize our people and gather votes for our party. It is an ongoing job; a daily job and we

will keep doing that till the umpire says stop.

Then the response we have gotten so far is positive. For instance; my local government, Udu is pretty contentious because the people are highly opinionated.

They are not people you can push around but with what we have done so far; we’ve been able to galvanize our people making them know of the need to play the needful and stop swimming against the tide.

At the presidential level, we have sold our candidate, President Jonathan with numerous projects that he has done in Niger Delta, the Amnesty programme, East-west road, schools have been put in plays, more universities have been approved, empowerment and many others.

So there are a lot of things that we have done and shown records of them to our people to ensure that they all vote for PDP in all the positions. So with what is on ground; I am very sure that PDP win because there is no other presidential candidate that has cover much ground like we have done.

We know that he is love by the generality of our people. The complain of security are almost

•Oputu sorted out as we speak.

Now, talking locally, the governorship candidate of Delta state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa will also win because PDP has been on ground since 1999 and nothing is going to change it.

There is no other candidate today that can match PDP in the governorship level; and the same thing will happen in the House of Representatives, senate and house of assembly have looked at the candidates of L abour Party and APC; considering our wide spread across the areas, I am also sure we will sweep them.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015—29 THE good news of the week was the clearing of the murderous gangs from some parts of the country which they have forcefully occupied and wantonly devastated. The country‘s gallant security outfits should be handsomely rewarded for the victories, and the support of all Nigerians is needed for the eventual victory over the Boko Haram insurgents also. The supporting forces of Niger and Chad should be appreciated for coming to the aid of their neighbour at the crucial moment.

In the midst of such glorious celebration, it is heartening to hear the army forces saying and quite aloud, that never will Nigeria again be subjected to the ignominy of internal insurgency and its army to the ridicule by rebellious armed gangs.

While the armed forces are stretching themselves to clear the insurgents from the remaining three local government areas, the country’s politicians continue to argue on the suitability of INEC‘s invention – the smart Card Reader for the elections of March 28 and April 11, 2015. The ruling party and its supporters are saying quite clearly that, a new device (not thoroughly tested) is not suitable for an important election, like the coming presidential contest.

Meanwhile the electoral umpire INEC has been maintaining its confident stance, that ‘We are ready‘. Yet, not many Nigerians are convinced beyond reasonable doubt, that INEC is ready.

In the ridiculous battle over the readiness of INEC, it appears as if the ruling party is unsure about its approach to the elections and jittery about electoral results which may not be favourable.

Some analysts think PDP party should not be nervous because of the party‘s political dominance

2015 ELECTIONS:

Impact of regional (party) alliances and ethnic bloc voting on results in many areas of the country.

The Opposition being the underdog has suddenly become the more confident contender taking the necessary challenge to the ruling party. The APC is seen by many Nigerians as the defender of the umpire who was unilaterally selected by the ruling party whose leader is a contestant. In the midst of the confusion over the distribution of PVCs and the Card Reader, the INEC Chairman, Prof Jega is the

Looking back into history, Nigeria opted for the British Parliamentary system at Independence in 1960 with the prospect of a government and the opposition or a coalition government of all parties

Grandmaster and the Opposition, the Teaser - It is a new political tactic to confront the ruling party.

The other day while waiting to collect my PVC (which I have not got), a young lady was bold to say that the political problems and instability of the system has been the lack of maturity among the Ibo and Yoruba leaders, past and present. I have since pondered over the seemingly innocent opinion of the young Nigerian lady. This view would coincide with the reporter‘s observation of late Chief Emeka Ojukwu that the solution to the political hegemony of the Hausa/ Fulani would only be challenged by the cooperation of political leaders of South-west and Southeast zones of the country, i.e AD in the West and APGA in the East. However, this might not happen.

Looking back into history, Nigeria opted for the British Parliamentary system at Independence in 1960 with the prospect of a government and the opposition or a coalition government of all parties (Unity government). From the results of elections held in 1959, the

formation of a national government would have been preferable. The NPC won 134 seats – all from the North; the NCNC came second with 89 seats (58 from East; 8 from North and 23 from West) and the AG rd was placed 3 with 73 seats (25 from North; 34 from West and 14 from East) minority areas.

These figures show that the NPC party had no overall majority and that NCNC (89) and AG (73) could have formed a working majority with 162 seats, even with 16 other candidates joining NPC, NCNC or AG. However, the predictable but negotiated alliance was between NPC of the North and the NCNC of the East. Tafawa Balewa of the NPC became the Prime Minister and Dr. Azikiwe took the position of a ceremonial President while Awolowo chose to become the Leader of Opposition. Thus, the first chance of Ibo and Yoruba political leaders working together was lost. Chief Awolowo was jailed in 1962 for felony and treason. The North/East coalition experiment failed with the military coup of 1966 and the consequent Biafra war of 1967 to 1970.

After the return of civilian rule in 1979, other electoral opportunities were open for the reconciliation of all the political forces of the country through the breaking of the 3 powerful regions (with Mid-west, carved out of Western Region) into 19 States which recognized the rights of the minorities.

The 1979 elections contested by three major old parties (but under different names–NPN (former NPC with broader base); NPP (old NCNC); and UPN (transformed from Yoruba led AG). The leading presidential candidates were Shagari (NPN – Sir Ahmadu Bello had been killed in 1966 military coup); Dr. Azikiwe for NPP and Chief Awolowo for the UPN. Nigeria had adopted the USA type of federalism since 1979 and the posture of the candidates showed the return of the old political rivalry – Hausa/Fulani – Ibo – Yoruba.

Looking back into the political history of the country, it could be discovered that lack of mutual trust and understanding among the Yoruba and Ibo leaders had affected their political fortunes.

In the era before 1960, the Eastern Region (Ibo majority) and Western Region (mainly Yoruba) had been fierce political fields by the NCNC (led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe) and Action Group led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The North (under Sir Ahmadu Bello) remained in a ‘splendid isolation‘ with the exception of Action Group incursions in the Middle Belt.

The Action Group and its leader suffered grievously for that impudence. However, the 1959 election results show dominance of the NPC in the North and the presence of NCNC and AG in all the three Regions.

DELTA: Why Okowa will win Urhobo votes — Oshevire HONOURABLE Abel Oshevire is a former member of the Delta State House of Assembly. He was elected into the House in 2007 and he was the Chairman of the House Committee on Information. Before his election into the House, Hon Abel Oshevire was the Senior Special Assistant (Media) to Chief James Onanefe Ibori from 1999 to 2007. He is a strong member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In this interview, Oshevire bared his mind on the 2015 election and the place of the PDP. Excerpts:

By Festus Ahon

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HAT is your take on the emergence of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as the gubernatorial candidate of PDP in Delta State?

Honestly, I think Okowa’s emergence is one of the best things to happen to us in PDP given his wealth of experience.

He has come a long way and I believe that he will make a difference in the governance of this state.

Don’t forget that Okawa has been part of the system throughout this political dispensation. He has been commissioner on three, four occasions, he has been SSG and a Senator, so he has seen it all.

So, I believe Okowa right now, at the moment is the best man

for this job. Don’t forget that I am fortunate to have worked very closely with him under Ibori.

He is a very humble person, he is a bridge builder, he is a unifier, he is a man who does not look at who you are or where you come from. He believes in what you can do as a person.

For me, during my upbringing, I see a good leader as someone who realizes the potentials of each person because every of each person, because every one of us has talents. If a man can appreciate your talent, he will get the best out of you and give you all the room to be the best.

Looking at the endorsement of the Labour Party candidate, Chief Great Ogboru by the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU,

•Oshevire: Okowa will win do you think Okowa will be able to win the governorship election?

Well, for me like l have said, I know Okowa very well and I can go everywhere to campaign for him. What my people should be concerned about is about the quality of the person. Has he been tested before? Okowa has

been tested many times and he has proven himself as a thorough administrator and technocrat.

Okowa is not a small boy when it comes to governance; he is not a small boy when it comes to discussing national issues. He has the network of contacts in Abuja, and round the country.

That is the kind of person that we should be looking at.

We are looking at a governor that is tested, a governor who knows what governance is all about, who can manage the finances that we have very well.

So, for me, I think the Urhobos should see Okowa as the candidate, as the governor that is neither an Ika nor an Anioma governor, but as Deltan governor who is going to work for the good of the state. We are going to see him as somebody that will protect our interests and the collective interest of Delta State.

Therefore, unlike what happened in previous elections, Okowa is going to get more votes in Delta Central, we are going to give him our votes, the votes that will enable him to win convincingly come April 11, 2015.

I am very optimistic that Okowa will be the next governor of Delta State.

You can see what is unfolding in the UPU now. It is like UPU has been politicized, which is not the best. I remember when (James) Ibori came into governance there was no problem in UPU. Ibori was able to organize the UPU and the late Benjamin was able to pilot the affairs of the UPU very well. Now the UPU that we are having today, it is unfortunate that there is this polarization.

My advice to our people is that they should look closely, and be careful so that we do not hurt our neighbours in the process. We should all be our brother ’s keeper.

God did not make a mistake in putting all of us in this place called Delta and God sees every one of us as equals before him.

He loves every one of us as his children.

So my advice is that the UPU is that we should try to put our house in order, because it is not good for our interest, it is not good for our image and it is not good for our integrity.

30 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

AGN CRISIS: My removal is a miscarriage of justice, says Ibinabo •Heads to Court of Appeal •She has no case — Emeka Ike

By Benjamin Njoku

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he last is yet to be heard of the crisis rocking the Actors Guild of Nigeria,AGN, in recent times as the woman at the centre of the matter, Ibinabo Fiberesima during the week stormed the Court of Appeal to challenge the Federal High Court ruling on Monday, which nullified the election that brought her into office for the second time as President of the guild.

Justice James Tsoho who gave the ruling, said the election was conducted against court order and ordered all parties involved to maintain the status quo. The suit was filed by one actor, St. Maradona Mikevine, who was the National Treasurer in the election that produced another popular actor, Emeka Ike, as AGN president.

Mikevine, in his suit, argued that the election that brought Ibinabo into office was conducted in the face of a subsisting court order restraining the conduct of AGN election.

The popular actor also, urged the court to determine whether it was proper for an election to be conducted in the face of an order to the contrary, and whether anyone could parade himself or herself as AGN executive based on an election conducted against a court order. The suit that brought about the initial order was filed by Emeka Ike. Ibinabo who insisted that she was not the one that conducted the election that produced her as AGN president but the AGN board itself, had stressed that Mikevine ought to have channelled his grievance with the election to the Electoral Committee set up the guild, and not the court.

Meanwhile, in an appeal suit No: FHC/L/CS/734/13, and dated 17th of March, 2015, which was made available to WG, the sacked President of AGN, is seeking an order of the Court of Appeal, setting aside the decision of the lower court, which nullified her election.

She’s also praying the Court of Appeal among other things to dismiss or strike out this action in its entirety.

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•Emeka Ike

The former beauty queen is also faulting the trial Judge for proceeding to hear and granting reliefs against persons who are not party to the case instituted against her

the Plaintiff to institute the case against her, since he was not a party to the suit number FHC/L/365/2011 which his action was founded among other grudges.

“Take notice that the Defendant being dissatisfied with decision contained in the judgement of the Federal High Court dated, •Ibinabo 16th of March, 2015, do hereby appeal to the Court of Appeal upon the grounds set out in paragraph 3 and will in the hearing of the appeal seek the reliefs set out in paragraph 4”, reads the suit. A date is yet to be fixed for the hearing of the appeal.

However, reacting to Ibinabo’s decision to seek redress in the Court of Appeal, Emeka According to the suit, Ibinabo is maintains that she has no case as he challenging the ruling on the ground points out what it entails to effect an that Justice James Tsoho erred in law appeal. Noting that the way forward in holding that the Plaintiff has the for the guild is for Ibinabo to abide by locus standi to bring this action at the the court order and vacate her office Federal High Court. The former as the President of AGN. beauty queen is also faulting the trial Ike had filed a suit on July 25, 2013 Judge for proceeding to hear and to contest the formation of an illegal granting reliefs against persons who government coined “National Unity,” are not party to the case instituted to run the affairs of the AGN. The actor against her since 2011, by Emeka Ike. had sought an order of court, In addition, she’s insinuating that reviewing the 2007 Constitution of the Justice James Tsoho did not make any guild, as it relates to the tenure of finding on the specific ultra vires members of Board of Trustees. action of the Defendants that entitled Continues on page 31

PATORANKING’S CONFESSION:

‘Music saved me from becoming a criminal’

My regrets so far in the music industry — Whale Clarke

Discover the amazing features of first Made in Nigeria OBV

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 — 31

Synopsis LOVE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT

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young surgeon’s chance meeting with her exboyfriend throws her world into absolute chaos when she makes a horrible discovery about her past and what could be the end of a great career, and beautiful marriage. A poignant story about moving on when there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.

Schedule SILVERBIRDCINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND Chappie: 1:45pm Love or something like that: 11:40am, 5:00pm, Son of a gun: 8:45pm, 4:30pm, 6:40pm Black hat: 12:35am Sponge bob: 11:00am, 12:45am.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA Black hat: 6:45pm, 21:10pm, 6:50pm, 9:10pm Chahppie : 3:00pm .

Son of a gun : 5:20pm, 7:10pm, 9:15pm Love or something like that : 5: 00pm Sponge bob : 12:40pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC Sponge bob: 1:40pm, 3:40pm.

Love or something like that:2:20pm, 4:40pm, 8:50pm.

Son of a gun : 12:00pm, 2:10pm, 4:20pm, 6:30pm, 8:40pm Black hat: 1:30pm, 4:10pm, 6:40pm, 9:10pm Chappie: 12:05am , 4:45pm, 9:30pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJA Son of a gun: 2:00pm, 6:45pm, 8:50pm.

Black hat : 1:40pm, 6:20pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Son of a gun: 12:10pm, 2:15pm, 4:20pm, 6:25pm, 8:30pm.

Black hat: 1:00pm, 3:30pm, 6:00pm.

Chappie : 4:00pm, 8:35pm.

Love or something like that: 11:45am, 3:15pm, 7:00pm, 8:30pm.

‘The trial judge erred in law’ involved to maintain the status quo, but the Board of Trustees of AGN went and conducted the election, Actors who are jubilating ahead presenting Ibinabo as the President of over Ibinabo’s removal the Guild. But today, justice has owever, mixed-reactions have prevailed. I am on a movie set in continued to trail the court Enugu and we are jubilating at the verdict. While some Nollywood moment,” he echoed. practitioners have started to drum up Also, writing on his Facebook page popular film director, support for the IbinaboDickson Iroegbu said, led AGN government, “When I heard over many others are the radio that the jubilating over the former President of the removal of the former Actors Guild of beauty queen as the Nigeria (AGN) had President of AGN. been sacked by the One of the actors who court, I quickly called are jubilating is MC I advised my Rasta brethren Smith Ochendo who McSmith Ochendo to once dragged Ibinabo though, that affirmed the news to court in 2013, to seek this victory be the interpretation of the thereafter I called court on whether the another brethren, now celebrated President of the Actors’ acting president, Guild of Nigeria, by all Chief Emeka Ike to Ibinabo Fiberesima salute his rugged and Nollywoodians should hold the post or dogged commitment not, being as exat home and to the rule of law. I convict. advised though, that abroad. May Reacting to the ruling, this victory be Ochendu said, “justice celebrated by all the face of has prevailed against Nollywoodians at Nollywood all odds. “The Court of home and abroad.

Law is not ruled by May the face of reclaim her emotion. The truth must Nollywood reclaim pride of place prevail at all time. The her pride of place court ordered all parties again. again

Continues from page 30

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SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, UYO Love or something like that: 11:50am, 1:45pm, 3:50pm, 6:00pm, 8:10pm Still Standing: 12:40pm, 4:45pm.

Chappie : 11:40am, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 4:20pm, 6:40pm, 8:10pm.

OZONE CINEMAS SABO YABA Son of a gun: 8:10am, 7:00pm, 3:30pm.

Chappie: 12:00pm.

Sponge Bob: 12:50am, 10:10am.

The Wedding Ringer: 10:05am, 11:35pm.

GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS LAGOS Chappie: 1:30pm, 4:00pm.

Love or something like that:1:05pm, 5:45pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Chappie: 10:25am.

Love or something like that: 11:15pm, 1:50pm, 6:00pm.

Still Standing: 9:20am DELUXE GENESIS CINEMAS, ENUGU Chappie: 10:55am, 6:00pm. .Love or something like that: 1:15pm, 8:20pm.

KADA CINEMAS, BENNI Love or something like that: 11:00am, 5:30pm.

Son of a gun : 11:am, 3:30pm, 8:15pm.

Chappie: 6:00pm.

VIVA CINEMA ILORIN Love or something like that:11:00am, 3:50pm Son of a gun : 3:10pm, 9:40 Chappie: 8:50pm Champagne: 12:00pm Reclaim: 3:55pm Most wanted man: 1:00pm, 7:45pm.

Antique: 8:55pm Magic in moonlight: 11:30pm, 6:05pm, VIVA CINEMA IBADAN Reclaim: 11:30am.

The 7th Dwarf: 1:15pm Chappie: 3:05pm, 8:55pm.

Son of a gun: 7:05pm, 2:30pm.

Magic in the moonlight: 10:45am.

Most Wanted man: 6:40pm.

Still Standing: 10:45pm.

Champagne: 12:35pm.

Love or something like that: 23:pm, 6:45pm.

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Patoranking’s confession:

‘Music saved me from becoming a criminal’

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eggae act, Patoranking dropped a bombshell during the week revealing that he would have become a criminal but for music.

The reggae-dancehall singer and songwriter made this revelation while, speaking at a media parley organized by MTV Base.

According to him, music saved him from becoming a criminal, ‘The slum is not a place that gives many options. There, it was either you make it the right way or the crime way but I chose music and it has worked for me’ he said.

He also expressed his appreciation to MTV Base for making him the Artiste of the

Month and for helping him secure the partnership deal with international reggae music label, VP Records which he describes as one of the high points of his musical career, ‘As many of you know, VP Records is one of the biggest record labels in New York so being signed under that label is a big deal for me which is why I am grateful to MTV Base’ As regards his debut album, he disclosed that plans are in top gear to ensure that he releases an album later this year, in addition to featuring International reggae artistes like Beenie man and Sean Paul, ‘There are plans for the album to be released soon.

Hopefully, later in the year’

Head of Marketing and communications, VIMN Africa, Colette Otusheso added that the reason behind the parley is to create an avenue for journalists to meet with and get to understand music artistes better, ‘With MTV Base Artiste of the Month, we provide a platform for some of our favourite artistes to get up, close and personal with fans and the media and this month we are excited about the talented reggae musician, Patoranking being our artiste of the month”

Yemi Alade disappoints fans at Berlin show

AfricaMagic takes over Channel O

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fro pop singer, Yemi Alade who is currently on European tour, suffered a setback last Sunday, in Berlin, Germany, where she was billed to perform to a large crowd but had to disappoint them.

The songstress arrived the event venue 30 minutes behind schedule, and had to refunded ticket money bought by fans because she couldn’t go on and perform at the show.

Speaking on the matter, Yemi said, the organizers told her to arrive the venue at 2:00am but she did at 2:30 am. Unknown to her, the organizers had kept fans waiting since 10 pm. So, when she got there, several fans had left and those still at the venue had become violent and angry, so she couldn’t perform.

Alade, however, apologized to her fans in Dutch, meaning “The show promoters told me to come at 2:00, but I came at 2:30 am. I didn’t know they have been waiting since 22:00.” She said ,half the audience had left and some of the remaining were violent, so they took the microphone away from me, even when I insisted on performing...I’m so sorry, and I have the money refunded.

The Afro pop singer has since performed in Paris, Lyon, Switzerland, Frankfurt, Italy among other European countries.

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•Patoranking

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•Yemi Alade

•M-net boss

he countdown to Africa’s hottest music takeover has begun. The music on Channel O Africa is moving house on the 31st of March when the channel stops airing on DStv channel 320 and GOtv channel 70.

Channel O will hand over the baton to Africa Magic, who are taking over as the new home of local music in Africa.

As M-Net continues to evolve, the decision was made to refocus its strategy to achieve a more efficient and streamlined approach that will enhance our subscribers’ television experience by providing them with renationalized music content.

One of the results of this new approach was the termination of the rest of Africa feed of Channel O, effective on Tuesday, the 31st March 2015, to allow M-Net to create customised music content according to regional preferences on its existing Africa Magic brands where the rest of Africa’s music talent will get ample space to shine.

From the 1st of April, subscribers can tune into Africa Magic World (GOtv channel 10 and DStv channel 155) to keep abreast of the best in West African music talent.

Seyi Shay, Korede shine, as Baileys celebrates Mothers’ Day

t was an evening of fun when Baileys treated mothers to an exclusive tea party on the occasion of the 2015 Mothers’ Day celebration which held in Lagos over the weekend.

Speaking at the event, which held at the Federal Palance Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Brand Manager of Baileys Nigeria, Ufuoma Udjoh said, the tea party was the first of its kind in Nigeria which replicated what obtains in Britain. The party was put together to celebrate independent women and mothers to give them special moments in their life and to make them celebrate the joy of motherhood

She added that the tea party events organized across three major cities in Nigeria; Lagos, Abuja and Benin, were part of the brand’s activities geared towards celebrating the 2015 Mother’s Day. Celebrities and mothers hailed Baileys for providing them with an avenue to celebrate this year’s Mothers’ Day in grand style and in a beautiful ambiance that depicts love for their mothers.

The events were hosted by Stephanie Coker (Co-host of Baileys Boutique and OAP with MTV Base Africa and Ebonylife TV) and Fade Ogunro (Co-host of Baileys Boutique & OAP with Beat FM), and held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island;

Panach Restaurant, Abuja and the Metro Event Centre, Benin.

The sensational duo entertained guests during the parties with various fun activities that put smiles on the faces of the guests. The night was also filled with the emotional mom-daughter trivia, where daughters demonstrated their knowledge of their mothers. Guests were treated to special music performances by fast rising music star, Korede Bello and R&B crooner, Seyi Shay who dazzled mothers to the dance floor with the elegant performances.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015—33

My regrets so far in the music industry — Whale Clarke

By Anozie Egole With his new video international, which has been enjoying massive airplay since its release, the new kid on the block, Adewale Adejuwon, a.k.a, Whales Clarke, has proven that he has come to stay. In this interview, the talented singer cum producer talks about his musical career and his personal lifestyle.

Tell us about your educational background?

I am a Mass Communication graduate of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. I graduated in 2010.While I was in school, I was fully into entertainment.

What is the idea behind your new single titled, International?

I wanted to do something different from the regular songs that we are familiar with.

A song that has a different sound. So, the idea was to do a world class song. I have this ideology that anything you want to do a song, you must ensure that it has quality.

When I say “International”, it is not as if I wanted to travel out of the country to do a What is your experience music. Rather, I wanted to do working with Modele? a song that would be accepted It was a different thing all everywhere. I am definitely going to get to my destination. together. Apart from having a That’s my own conception very fantastic vocals, Modele took me to another level as far about being International. as music production is As a producer, why didn’t concerned. I have not worked with many talented artistes as you produce the song?

I wanted someone who has Modele is. worked with talented artistes Did you set out to become to produce the song for me. I have not really worked with a musician?

I have always loved music such people in the past. I am still growing in the industry, as a child. One of my friends so I decided to work with an installed a particular software that makes sounds on his experienced producer. laptop. He started making What inspires your kind of music with the software. That was how I developed interest music?

Basically, I am inspired by in music production. But I everything that happens started singing as far back as around me such as sadness, when I was in secondary school with my friends. It was joy among others. just something we were doing How many albums have you for the fun of it. But when the production thing came up, I released so far?

I have lost count of my took it seriously. works. I produce mostly for How would you describe emerging artistes. I have also worked with a few popular the Nigerian music industry?

I would say that the industry artistes. I once worked with Modele of Project Fame. She is growing in leaps and contested for Project Fame bounds. Some years ago, 2009/2010 edition. I am Nigerian artistes hardly made currently working with a UK- money from music. They depended on shows to make based singer, Nales.

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People can buy and subscribe online. I know it can expose the material to the risk of being pirated, but there are also sites that you will go that will require you to pay before you download and that is the site that is helping us to sell our music right now. It is a Nigerian site.

ends meet. But today, the story has changed. Now, marketers come begging to distribute your music.

do must convey a strong message to the audience.

Any album so far?

I have more singles but I have not released any album.

I will be dropping another music video very soon.

What is so unique about your music?

I try to do music that will always convey a message to the audience. All the songs I have done so far, were loaded with strong messages.

What genre of music do you do?

I do anything that comes to my mind. I do rap music, but I make sure that whatever I

Do you have any regret being the industry?

No regret. I love what I am doing and I’d hope that it is getting better.

People do not know that I am a very shy person. And outside music, I would have been an artiste manager or media relation

In the next few years, where do you want to see yourself?

I see myself where Wizkid is right now. He is not my role model, but I see myself where he is right now in the next 45 years. He do not just do music for Nigerian market alone, he does international music. He travels round the world and do better songs.

Definitely, that is where I would be in the nearest future if not better than that.

What are your strategies to fight piracy?

My record label See Money Entertainment, have plans to release our music digitally.

Given a second chance, what do you think you would like to work more on?

The only thing I would like to correct is that I would like to go back to the church.

Before now, I used to be a very serious church person. I play instruments in the church so if I have a second chance, I would like to go closer to church again.

Why did you leave the church in the first place?

I did not plan to do that, it just happened. I was playing in the church before I got into school. So, when I gained admission into the university because of school environment, I deviated from the church and when I tried going back to church, I was not connecting well with the church any longer.

What is it that people do not know about you?

People do not know that I am a very shy person. And outside music, I would have been an artiste manager or media relation.

What is the craziest thing a female fan has done to you?

The crazies thing a female fan has ever done to me was when a fan sang my song in my presence. I never believed she knows my song.

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

s e l o r e r y t e r Women in spar division of labour?

- Low representation o requires them to bear children as well as care for them- but also because of their cultural roles in society.

According to a woman who has dabbled into politics, been burnt, has recoiled into her shell and now wishes to be anonymous“even in today’s modern world, there are few Nigerian men who would understand if they got back home to find their meal not ready because their wife had to attend a political meeting”.

According to her, a certain south west state which favoured a lot of women in their cabinet also recorded an

children and a grandmother, Remi Sonaiya can count on the support of her family. Her husband, who is also a university professor, is her biggest fan and does not care who knows it.

In Lagos, for instance, this role sharing between the sexes has reached an advanced stage, as it has become more or less the rule for all deputy governors to be

exceptions of Femi Pedro, who became deputy governor by default. Other states have joined the trend, notably Ekiti under Fayemi, where the Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmilayo Adeyinka was promptly replaced by another woman, Dr. Modupe Adelabu, a professor of Education.

Already, as the campaigns come to a crescendo, Lagos’ main contenders are already women-

conditioning has helped them to develop quality quite different and complementary to men’s, making them more suitable for certain roles in the division of political labour. Such qualities might include but are not limited to flair, sense of style, diplomacy, multitasking and a variety of others.

Not only is it generally believed that women are more reliable, honest, diplomatic and much better managers to boot; until rather recently, it was also widely believed that women are less corrupt and are less likely to misappropriate public funds. In addition, they are believed to be less aggressive, unduly ambitious and are more likely to be grateful for positions given to them.

This might have been the motivation in Ogun State, where incumbent governor Ibikunle

Safurat-Olayinka-Abdulkarim

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nother election year, another round of politicking and another spate of issues- none of them to do with the reasons why the fairer sex remains the small players on the Nigerian political scene.

The Nigerian First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan has announced on the campaign trail her disdain for the rumour that the rival APC candidature’s plan to dismantle the office of the First Lady if given a chance to preside over the affairs of the nation, come May 2015, saying women would not go back to the kitchen. The APC, in their turn, have inaugurated of the All Progressives Congress Women Presidential Campaign Initiative a vehicle with which to reach out to their female electorate.

And then, there is civil society, which continues to grumble about the lack of female participation in politics and government. Endless seminars and propositions on how to include more women in decision making roles in government have resulted in little change. The role of women in Nigerian politics appears to be set in stone, with the ladies at forefront of fanfare, entertainment and sharing of aso ebi, thereby bringing glamour and glitz to political events.

Many women have gone, seen and been conquered. There are those who complain that women do not have the make up to participate fully in politics not only because of their biology- which

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unprecedented number of broken homes in that particular 4-year period, pointing to the fact that politics is not favourable to good housekeeping.

“Imagine that a woman dresses up at 10pm and tells her husband she is going for a political meeting to be back in the morning”, she further stresses. “How many men would agree to such an arrangement? A typical man would not believe that nothing is going on and would rather believe she will be spending a part of the night in the arms of a political godfather.”

There are few exceptions. Not so for sole female presidential candidate in the upcoming Nigerian general elections, professor Oluremi Sonaiya, a university don who abandoned life on campus to join the KOWA party in 2010. A mother of two

In today’s modern world, there are few Nigerian men who would understand if they got back home to find their meal not ready because their wife had to attend a political meeting

Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire women. These women never run for office of the governor after eight years as they are constitutionally allowed to do, but would rather step down after their tenures for another woman to step up.

This trend precedes even the current civilian dispensation and has been the case since 1990, when Lateefa Okunnu was deputy governor, with the sticky

Women at a rally

Funmilayo Adeyinka Alhaja Safurat Abdulkarim, running mate to the late Funso Williams; and the serving Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule.

This might be seen as tokenism, and some might see women as being weak and unambitious, but this is not necessarily the case. It might well be that women’s social

Amosun has made a switch from his first term deputy governor, Segun Adesegun, who has ended up switching camps and running against him, to 54-yearold Yetunde Abosede Onanuga, a senior civil servant in Lagos State.

Unlike her predecessor, the lady deputy governor in waiting has not been able to hide her indebtedness. Speaking with journalists during her announcement last month in Abeokuta, she said she was pleased as she had been nursing an ambition to become deputy governor.

Indisposed Taraba State governor who had a plane crash that almost proved lethal as well as his supporters, may have wished he had a female deputy rather than Alhaji Sanni Danladi, who thrived to take his constitutionally recognized place at the helm of the state’s affairs rather than have an indisposed governor. That is because women are usually more faithful, loyal and peace loving.

In whatever roles however, it remains to be proved- as is widely believed- that women are better administrators than men.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 — 35

Where went that spark?

There is no burn as pleasant as from the fire of love T

hink back to the first few weeks of meeting your spouse. Do you remember that giddy feeling, the butterflies at just the thought of him?

Waking up with a smile and not even wanting to go to bed in the first place? Those heady days when the flame of love was burning bright? Those endless hours spent in passionate embrace? Now fastforward a few months, years, decades. Yes, the love may still be strong, but where’s the excitement; that magnetic passion? Ladies, it’s time to ignite the spark!

With the passage of time, things are bound to get comfortable. Fraternal even.

No matter how much in love you remain, your relationship needs a little freshening up from time to time. A reboot.

Ladies, when was the last time you spiced things up with your man? When last did you experience that exhilarating feeling of being closer than close to your man? When last did you see his eyes reflect that passionate fire in yours?

How can you change this?

Simple. A woman who feels beautiful can’t help but project that feeling to others, and often it can be the little unseen things that make all the difference. One of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century, Coco Chanel, once said “A woman should wear perfume wherever she wants to be kissed”. Translation – smell irresistible!

Where love lives, every woman should not just want romance and fun in her relationship, she should create it. Research shows that 43% of women are as likely as men to initiate that spark, while more than 21% take the initiative and start the fireworks.

So stop hoping for that excitement to come back on its own. Ignite the spark with some of the tips below: • A favorite fragrance on one’s skin boosts selfconfidence miles high • A sassy outfit, stylishlycoiffed hair and perhaps a beloved accessory or two create the perfect equation for igniting

Tips for Perfect Lips

S

o you just go with the crowd when it comes to choosing your lip colour?

Time to do better and choose the perfect shade EVERYTIME

Thin Lips? Stay Away From Dark Shades If your lips are on the thinner side, stick to light-tomedium shades of lip color.

Creamy lipsticks and tinted glosses are also a good bet, the creaminess and gloss adds plumpness.

Pick the Right Shade of Red Many women wrongly believe they can’t wear red lipstick. Red lipstick is timeless and bridges age and culture. The secret to choosing the right red lip color is in the undertones.

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Pink-skinned girls should opt for cherry red. Those with olive skin can wear fire-engine red. Dark skin looks great with deep reds. One big red lipstick no-no: It’s best not to match lips to your outfit.

You Hate the Lipstick You Just Bought You can create a great lip colour by blending lipsticks you don’t like. For lipstick that’s just a bit too bright, tone down the color with a darker liner before applying a lipstick.

Use a Lip Brush Use a lip brush when applying strong colors. You need a mirror and expert application so you don’t paint the outside edges of your mouth.

Use Lip Liner While you can line lips before or after lipstick or gloss application, I find lips look more natural when I line lips after I apply lipstick.

To keep lipstick from wearing off so fast, fill in lips with liner before applying lipstick. This acts as a color base, so when the lipstick wears off you still have color.

Where love lives, every woman should not just want romance and fun in her relationship, she should create it

the spark • Increase your chances of time together with that special one • A long soaking bath softens and elegantly scents your skin,

•

transforming you into the right kind of magnet to your man Finally, cultivate this simple habit: commit to one evening a week just for the

two of you – no work, no family and friends, no finances troubles, no hobbies, no phones – and watch the spark revive!

WACSOF carpets leaders in W/Africa over failure to domesticate gender based laws

By Caleb Ayansina

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BUJA – The West African Civil Society For um (WAC SOF) has decried the lackadaisical attitude of West African leaders towards the domestication of international legal and policy frameworks to guarantee right-based, propoor and good governance in the sub region.

The Acting General Secretar y of WAC SOF, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani said it was not enough for a country in the sub region to ratify the international instrument, calling on the leadership to domesticate the law.

Rafsanjani was speaking at a 2-Day Regional Partners Meeting Project on Promoting the Ratification and Domestication of International Legal and Policy frameworks to guarantee Right-Based, Pro-Poor and Governance in West Africa, organized by WACSOF with the support of OXFAM, in Abuja.

He attributed the increase in gender based violence to the failure of the authorities in the 15 member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to domesticate and implement the laws that guarantee protection of vulnerable in the society.

“It is common place to find states signing on to international conventions, and some even taking a step further to ratify them; however, domesticating these same instruments takes decades.

“This is more realistic in developing countries with poorly developed political, institutional and policy processes and systems, which pose huge developmental challenges such as discrimination, human rights abuses, gender inequality, poverty, bad governance, among others in West Africa.

“This is in all ramifications negates the essence of the ECOWAS vision 2020 of facilitating the transition from an ECOWAS of states to ECOWAS of people, where

citizens will enjoy the benefits of a borderless, peaceful, prosperous and cohesive region, built on governance and the can better harness and access its enormous resources through the creation of opportunities for sustainable development and environmental preservation.”

The West Africa Regional Programme Coordinator, OXFAM, Enrico Muratore maintained that to have a secured West Africa that is devoid of conflicts, the leaders must place a high premium on protection of rights of the people, while urging citizens to demand good governance from their leaders.

“I believe citizens in the West Africa have their roles to play too, to demand government to strengthening the institution that suppose to enforce the law, and make them compatible with the international human right legislation, even in terrorism, human rights continue to apply,” he said.

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

Discover the amazing features of first Made in Nigeria OBV •The studio

•Back compartment ...laced with 8mm aluminium

•Made in Nigeria OBV

By Prince Osuagwu

O

NE of the reasons there are few outside broadcast vans, OBVs in Nigeria despite the numerous broadcast stations in the country is probably the cost. A standard OBV may not just cost an arm and a leg, it could cost both arms and legs. It runs into millions of dollars.

Another reason could also be the processes of bringing them in. They must be imported and the rigours, according to those who have one, are enormous.

However, in a normal, comfortable economy with the kind of size and population that is Nigeria, outside broadcast vans should be a matter of ‘turn your head and see one’.

It wouldn’t also be any less important now the country is transiting from analogue system of broadcast to the digital transmission regime.

But the question has been why with all the fabrication prowess and ingenuity that Nigerians possess, one has not come out of this clime?

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Traditionally, Glamtech has a culture of keeping eyes and ears open for latest innovations. Most importantly we are known for sniffing out where uncommon breakthroughs are hatched and actualised. That was how we stumbled upon a made in Nigeria outside broadcast van that threatens to cut off demand for foreign packaged OBVs. When an indigenous telecom cum broadcast company, ComFax, gathered its engineers to a round table recently, the motive was to answer the question why no cost effective made in Nigeria OBV? Several ideas sprang up. The ideas became challenges which resulted into tasks and the tasks into a prototype. The prototype was eventually made real and one of the Nigerian state governments has become the beneficiary of the whole gamut.

Glamtech interactions with some of the engineers revealed that after the prototype, the road to building a made in Nigeria OBV began in earnest. Almost all the raw materials were sourced locally beginning with a Toyota Nigeria built Hiace bus that

However, in a normal, comfortable economy with the kind of size and population that is Nigeria, outside broadcast vans should be a matter of ‘turn your head and see one

understands the twists, turns and general dynamics of the Nigerian road. A 7.5 KVA sound proof generator back up was inevitable, given the unsteady power supply in the country. There’s also a special acoustic sound and heat proof system layered with 3- core wood and rug wool to withstand shock and ward off unwanted outside noise. There also was a deliberate tweak on the car Air Conditioning system to create a stronger cooling system which the studio equipment require to work and be sustained for a longer period.

The Made in Nigeria OBV boasts of 11-meter remote controlled outside antennae with hydraulic pump system.

The swag in the whole operation of the antennae is that when it systematically reaches angle 90 degrees, it automatically begins to pump and spring up majestically.

The height of the Antennae according to one of the engineers, Mr Mohammad Merhi, is to ensure that transmission between the OBV and its parent studio is not hindered by any sort of interference.

The OBV studio itself is replete with buttons and switches. Two microphones;one a multi directional wireless and the other, wired. One inbuilt CD and cassette players each, a set of console consisting of up to 24 plug inputs and a standard Uninterruptible Power Supply, UPS that can serve for up to 90 minutes when power goes off. The space inside the OBV seems wide enough to take the on air personality, OAP and a guest or guests as the case may be.

Exploring the aesthetics of the interior and exterior of the made in Nigeria OBV, who says that besides Boko Haram and political instability, there are no other great things Nigeria should be known for.?

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015—37

Presidential polls: Western diplomats call for caution

By Vera Anyagafu

A

L-r: Asiwaju Solomon Onafowokan, chairman, Coleman Wires & Cables, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, SSG, Ogun State, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, MD/CEO, Airtel Nigeria; Prof.

Ganiyu Olatunde, chief of staff, Ogun State and Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, commissioner for commerce & industry, Ogun State, during the breakfast meeting with Governor Amosun organized by the State Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Abeokuta Pupils of Childville School Ogudu GRA, Lagos performing at the school's annual cultural day with the theme ''Southern Europe'.

Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

S Nigerians count days to the country’s general elections come March 28, 2015, many foreigners appear to be leaving the country in droves as witnessed by Vanguard Consular Advisory at both Lagos and Abuja international airports.

Investigations revealed that many foreign missions in the country have advised their citizens against staying behind for fear of post-elections violence in Nigeria In this light most foreigners are relocating in droves to presumed safer areas, notwithstanding the fact that almost all of the aspirants have indicated commitment to ensuring violent free elections in the country.

A United States diplomatic envoy who spoke on grounds of anonymity, told VCA that he is better off staying back in his country until weeks after the elections in Nigeria.

He said that Nigeria seems not to have grown in its democratic rule and he is too afraid that the worse could happen during the presidential election, owing to how much the polity has been heated up.

Boko Haram insurgency The envoy said,“I often heard Nigerians talk about so many negative things like, ‘there would be no more oil from the Niger Delta if Jonathan loses and Boko Haram insurgency will heighten if Buhari loses. It is true that key aspirants have signed many peace accords towards ensuring non-violent polls, either during or after elections, we still harbour the fear of possible widespread violence after the elections.''

The envoy, however, disclosed that many of the foreign mission workers in Nigeria are prepared to stay behind for the love of Nigeria, but the worse fear is that the elections may be marred by violence coupled with the increasing threats by Boko Haram to strike wider and harder, if Buhari loses.

Many others who shared same views with the US envoy, told VCA that they took the decision to leave Nigeria, following the alert that they may be caught up in violence which may arise as a result of the elections. They disclosed that

Foreign nationals at the airport...call for violence free elections the move became necessary given the desperation that both parties are displaying on the campaign platform.

“I am leaving Nigeria because you can never tell what might turn up during and after elections here.

Although I have not witnessed any elections held in Nigeria, the manner at which the campaigners throw back at each other, is even more frightening.” said James, who spoke to VCA at the Lagos International Airport.

James while expressing the importance of the Nigerian elections to the international community, also pointed out that Nigeria is a great country and most foreigners are interested in coming to Nigeria, because Nigeria has prospects.

He added, “I purposely applied for my annual leave and will be travelling before the elections. I am here to send my wife and little daughter home. My sincere hope is that the elections come and go smoothly. I also do not plan to return to Nigeria until after the elections, March 28, 2015.''

There was steady movement of people out of the city of Lagos and Abuja as

This election is not just about the political class, but the kind of citizens participation we are witnessing is unprecedented

was observed by VCA. It was also gathered that many people, especially those from the Western world are not too comfortable with the present situation in the country, describing the exodus of people as something ‘unprecedented.'

“People are travelling en masse on a daily basis resulting from fear of what Boko Haram or Niger Delta Militants would do. People also are shutting down businesses and schools too, are caught up in the apprehension regarding the possibility of post-elections violence”, said a source who simply identified his name as Harry.

Investigations also indicated that schools, especially private schools are thinking of closing for the second term as a proactive measure against whatever may be the unexpected outcome of the polls.

A parent who came in from London to pick her only daughter from a school in Lagos also expressed fears, saying that she likes the plans to close schools.

She said that “The move to close schools I supposed is linked to fears being expressed by parents over the safety of their wards in the event of violence after elections. The fear made me return to take my daughter to London. I would have really appreciated she remained here for studies, but what is the gain if I lose my only child to a stupid situation. Nigeria is indeed in a sorry situation, especially at the moment, with the most keenly contested elections since the return to democratic rule, “This election is not just about the political class, but the kind of citizens participation we are witnessing is unprecedented. But then, this election, will prove to a large extent, how far Nigeria has grown to handle democracy.”

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Are nursing educators becoming endangered species?

By Andrea Lindell

F

OR the last 15 years, Nigeria and other African countries have been struggling to answer the increasing demand for skilled healthcare professionals, and the deficit looks set to continue for the foreseeable future. While this is also true for other professions in healthcare, from doctors to paramedics, the talent shortage facing the nursing profession is at a critical level in Nigeria, with less than 150,000 registered nurses to provide care for a population of 160 million. This leaves a nurse to patient ratio of 1 to every 1,066 of the population, more than 50 percent higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended minimum of 1 to every 700 people.

There are many factors contributing to the deficit, including an ageing workforce and a lack of graduates entering the nursing profession.

Qualified staff Within Nigeria, there is also the extra pressure of losing a considerable percentage of qualified staff to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, member countries. These countries are more prosperous and often attract nurses and nurse educators with the promise of more economically sound futures.

However, a study published in 2014 in the Open Journal of Nursing identified lack of nursing leadership as a major factor influencing recruitment and retention of nurses in Lagos health institutions. The article also mentioned the limited number of nursing schools in

• A cross section of participants at a walk organised by Nigerian Dental Therapists’Association to mark this year’s Oral Health Day, in Lagos. the state, which also happen to have a declining graduation rate. Overall, there is a significant threat to the nation’s healthcare system. Nurses are leaving the profession faster than vacancies are being filled.

This growing void between the number of nurse educators and the demand for trained nurses is a major concern at a time when there is greater demand for specialist nurses, such as midwives and those proficient in treating long-term health conditions such as diabetes. As majority of nurses prepare to retire within the next decade, what will happen to Nigeria’s healthcare system?

To help close the gap, it is important to proactively promote the benefits of transitioning into nursing academia; after all, retiring nurses are highly skilled and experienced professionals who

As Nigeria continues its momentous growth, its healthcare system needs to be staffed with trained nurses who are prepared to support the impact of this growth

Dental therapists advocate good oral health practice

By Gabriel Olawale

N

IGERIANS have been urged to imbibe good oral health practice and shun self medication, particularly,

in the case of oral health problems.

Speaking during the 2015 World Oral Health Day organised by the Nigerian Dental Therapists’ Association,

FirstBank marks Down Syndrome Day

A

S part of its corporate social responsibility, CSR, and its initiative at supporting good causes, First Bank Plc will tomorrow join Nigerian children living with Down syndrome to mark this year’s World Down syndrome day in Lagos. The bank is supporting the Foundation through its Hope Rising Initiative, HRI, designed to provide health and welfare support for disabled persons.

The partnership according to the Bank is aimed at providing succour for people living with the disorder as well as supports the advocacy platforms of the Foundation.

The Bank began this partnership in 2009, and has since supported various activities of the Foundation such

may be ready to transition out of direct patient care but not prepared to give up nursing altogether.

As a result, Nigeria could create a community of educators who can begin to safeguard the future of the industry by training and inspiring nursing students.

Instead of retiring, nurses can continue to contribute in one of many ways, such as becoming a part-time lecturer, mentoring students, or being a guest lecturer. There is a need to demystify the world of academia so that the next generation doesn’t face the same problem.

Although nurses may view a career in academia as somehow less impactful than physically caring for the infirm, an academic career can be just as

rewarding when considering their own quality of life, the satisfaction they will feel training others, and their ability to effect positive social change.

With a greater focus that includes career coaching and advice, becoming a nurse educator doesn’t have to be a phase before retirement; rather, it can be a professional goal that nurses aspire to achieve sooner in their careers.

To help facilitate this, it’s paramount to make it easy for nurses to continue their passion for helping people, whether that’s directly with patients or in the classroom. With minimal local nursing school options in Nigeria, online education can help prepare and build the workforce the country desperately needs. Also, since nurses’ schedules often vary, online education not only offers the flexibility to earn a degree on one’s own time, but it also enables students to learn best practices from nurses and faculty around the world.

As Nigeria continues its momentous growth, its healthcare system needs to be staffed with trained nurses who are prepared to support the impact of this growth, and the country’s seasoned nurses can be a first line of defence to help guarantee the future of the people. It will be important to have an academic environment that supports all those who wish to ensure the field of nursing will endure.

Andrea Lindell, PhD, is an Associate Dean at Walden University School of Nursing.

as the annual Down Syndrome Awareness Week, the annual Inter House Sports competition and recently, the Hope Rising Drama Series, a 13th episode radio drama series designed to highlight the challenges of Down syndrome and explore efforts at combating the disorder by providing a platform for advocacy and public enlightenment.

The radio programme was aimed at encouraging listeners to adopt prescribed codes of behaviour as they relate to issues with Down syndrome.

The Foundation Annual Inter House Sports competition, which is in its seventh year supported by the Bank is aimed at improving the physical and intellectual development of

persons living with Down syndrome through sporting activities designed to inculcate appropriate skills and values such as good sense of judgment, hard work, integrity, confidence and inter-relationship.

Speaking on the activities lined up for the Day, the Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Folake AniMumuney, stated that FirstBank is a patron of the Ivory House (Blue House) at the Inter House sports competition and the Bank’s participation at the event will customarily include staff participation to encourage members of the Blue House during the various sporting activities as well as identify with the children of the Down Syndrome Foundation.

NDTA, the Registrar, Dental therapist Registration Board of Nigeria, Mrs. Araminde keshinro lamented the rate at which people damage the health of their mouth, adding that unfortunately, when they present to the clinic several damages would have been done to the mouth.

“When many people experience pain in their mouth, they tend to listen to quack who will advise them to use several unimaginable things like touch and go, acid water which will in turn do more damages to the mouth and by the time they present at the dental clinic several damages would have happen.

Sensitising the resident of Ikoyi and Obalende area of Lagos during a healthy walk tagged; “Smile for life!”, Keshinro identified oral health as a symbol of general wellness, “It is only when your mouth is clean that the whole body will be clean, when oral health is bad the whole body is bad, when you take care of

your mouth the whole body will be clean.

A lot of people believe that they can only go for body check up, forgetting that every disease that happen to mankind will first manifest in the mouth even the smallest disease like malaria. So when you take good care of your mouth you reduce numbers of diseases.

Keshinro said some of the local chewing stick is also good and even medicinal but there is need to supplement them with tooth brush because you cannot use stick to struck your gums which will eventually cause pain.

“People should endeavour to brush twice daily, in the morning and last thing before they go to bed. Brushing before bed time help you clear the remaining of foods in your mouth which naturally the bacterial in the mouth would have acted on and dissolve it into acid which will start eaten up the enamel and thereby result into cavity.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015—39

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40 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

T

HE Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said, “Who from my Ummah (universal nation) would learn five qualities to act upon or teach to those who would (in turn) act upon them?”

Abu Hurairah said, “I, O Messenger of God.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) took Abu Hurairah’s hand and counted the five qualities on it, saying: •Guard yourself against things forbidden, you will be the most worshipful (devout) of people.

•Be content with what God has allotted you, you will be the richest of people.

•Be good to your neighbor, you will be a believer.

•Love for people what you love for yourself, you will be a Muslim.

•And do not laugh much; much laughing deadens the heart. (At-Tirmidhi, 2305) He (peace be upon him) drew a square on the ground, then a line in the middle of it that extended beyond it, and a number of small lines around that middle line. He told his Companions that the line in the middle represented man.

Extended ambitions The square represented his inescapable lifetime. And the small lines around it represented the afflictions that would happen to him (sickness, pain, bereavement, infirmity, and so on).

He explained: “If this one misses him, that one gets him, and if that one misses him, this one gets him.”

As for the line that extended outside the square, it represented man’s extended ambitions in this worldly life (ambitions that he believed he would attain before his death, but he would not). (Al-Bukhari, 6417) There was not, and there cannot ever be, a better teacher.

The wisest is the best of people.

That was Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). His goodness of mind was only

Jumada Al-Awwal 29, 1436 A.H.

How the Prophet taught morals excelled by his goodness of character, whose ampleness and magnanimity was not narrowed or ruffled by anything.

He was always overflowing with knowledge and benefit, always easy with people, approachable, informative, supportive, kind, generous, friendly, and cheerful; teaching people through his noble manners and actions as much as through his noble words.

Prophet Muhammad’s doors were not shut, nor did they have guards. He was within people’s reach. Anyone who wished to meet him could easily do so.

His accessibility did not in the least detract from his majesty and honor. At first sight, awe was the primary emotion, which would soon, after a little association with him, dissolve into amiability.

“Calm yourself,” the Prophet (peace be upon him) said soothingly to a man who came to talk to him and started trembling: “I am not a king. I am only the son of a woman who used to eat jerked meat (dried meat).”(1) He smiled without laughing, was sad without frowning, strong without violence, modest without servility, and generous without extravagance.

He shook hands with the rich and the poor, the young and the old, and was the first to greet whoever met him, whether young or old, black or red, free or a slave.

If a man met and shook hands with him, he (peace be upon him) never withdrew his hand first; he waited for the other man to withdraw his hand. He was

never the first to turn away his face; he waited until the other man had turned away his face.

He never said no to anything for which he was asked. And whenever given the choice between two matters, he chose the easier option, unless it involved a sin, in which case he would be the furthest from it.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was constantly mindful of God, wasted no time in useless talk, prolonged his

He was so humble that if a stranger were to enter the mosque and approach the Prophet’s sitting place while he was sitting with his Companions, one would not be able to distinguish him from his Companions

Miss Hikmat Abdul-Malik (2nd left), flanked by her parents, Alhaji Luqman Abdul-Malik and Alhaja Hamdalat Abdul-Malik; her siblings, Ahmed and 'Biodun, during her Quranic graduation ceremony from Ola Oluwa Arabic and Islamic School, Abule Egba, Lagos State.

prayers, shortened his sermons, and was never too proud to walk with the widows and the poor to fulfill their needs. His pattern of life was much like that of the common people.

Good manners and Courtesy The Prophet (pbuh) was a living example for all humans to follow. His wife A’ishah was asked about his manners, and she said, “His manners were the Qur’an.”

In this statement, A’ishah meant that the Prophet (pbuh) abided by its laws and commands and abstained from its prohibitions, and observed the virtuous deeds mentioned in it.

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “God has sent me to perfect good manners and to do good deeds.” (Bukhari & Ahmed) Allah, the Exalted, described the Prophet (pbuh) saying: “And indeed, you are of a great moral character” [68:4] Anas b. Malik served the Prophet (pbuh) for ten years; He was with him day in and day out, both when the Prophet (pbuh) traveled and when he was a resident in Madeenah. He was knowledgeable of the Prophet’s manners. He said: “The Prophet (pbuh) did not swear at anyone, nor was he rude, nor did he curse anyone.

If he desired to reprimand someone, he would say: ‘What is wrong with him, may dust be cast in his face!” (Bukhari #5684)

Feelings of the child The Prophet (pbuh) showed good manners and was courteous to all, even to children. Once when the Prophet was in a gathering, a drink was brought to the Prophet (pbuh) and he drank from it. On his right side there was a young boy and on his left side were elderly men. Feeling obliged by the respect of elders, and not wanting to hurt the feelings of the child, he asked the young boy: “Do you mind if I give the drink to them?’ The young boy said: ‘O Prophet of God! By God! I would not prefer anyone to drink from the place you drank.

This is my fair share18.’ The Messenger of God (pbuh) handed the boy the drink.”

(Bukhari #2319) The Messenger of God (pbuh) was the most humble person. He was so humble that if a stranger were to enter the mosque and approach the Prophet’s sitting

place while he was sitting with his Companions, one would not be able to distinguish him from his Companions. Anas bin Malik said: “Once, while we were sitting with the Messenger of God (pbuh) in the Masjid, a man on his camel approached. After he tied it with a rope, he asked: ‘Who amongst you is Muhammad?’ The Messenger of God (pbuh) was sitting on the ground while he was leaning, with his Companions. We directed the Bedouin, saying: ‘This white man leaning on the ground.’ The Prophet (pbuh) did not differ nor distinguish himself from his Companions.”

The Prophet (pbuh) would not hesitate to help the poor, needy and widows in their needs. Anas b. Malik said: “A woman from the people of Madinah who was partially insane said to the Prophet (pbuh): ‘I have to ask you [your help] about something.’ He helped her and took care of her needs.” (Bukhari #670)

Mercy and Compassion “A man came to the Prophet (pbuh) and said: ‘O Messenger of God! By God! I do not pray Fajr prayer because so and so lengthens the prayer.’ He said: ‘I have never seen the Messenger of God (pbuh) deliver a speech in such an angry state.’ He said: ‘O People!

Verily there are among you those who chase people away!

If you lead people in prayer, shorten the prayer. There are old and weak people and those with special needs behind you in prayer.’ “ (Bukhari #670) Once when the Prophet (pbuh) went to visit his grandchild he shed some tears.

“The Messenger of God (pbuh) sat with the child while he was on his deathbed. The child’s eyes froze in their places like stones. Upon seeing that, the Messenger of God (pbuh) wept. Sa’d said to him, ‘What is this ‘O Prophet of God?’ He said: ‘This is a mercy that God, the Exalted, places in the hearts of His slaves. Truly, God is merciful to those who are merciful towards others.’ “ (Bukhari #6942) Justice and Fairness The Messenger of God (pbuh) was just and fair in every aspect of his life and in the application of the religion. A’ishah said: ‘The people of Quraish were extremely concerned about a Makhzoomi woman (i.e. the woman from the tribe of Makhzoom) who committed a theft. They conversed among themselves and said, ‘Who can intercede on her behalf with the Messenger of God (pbuh)?’

They finally said: ‘Who dares to speak to the Messenger of God (pbuh) in this matter except Usamah b. Zaid, the most beloved young man to the Messenger of God (pbuh).’ So Usamah spoke to the Messenger of God (pbuh) regarding the woman. The Messenger of God (pbuh) said:

To be continued.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 — 41

MTA holds Int'l broadcast conference, training in London

T Jumada Al-Awwal 29, 1436 A.H.

Shura and democracy in Islam THERE is no doubt that Shura is the Islamic way of making decisions. Shura is basically a decision making process, a consultative decision making in Islam. But in a society where democracy has become the norm, not only in choosing leaders by in deciding issues that affect the lives of others.

How is the Shura process entrenched in the lives of Muslims in Nigeria? How have the scholars too preach and enlighten the Muslim Ummah on the gains and benefits of the Shura process bringing out lessons how Prophet Muhammad used the process to make decisions and run the affairs of world Muslims during his life-time. Is it part of the Islamic values that every Muslim must imbibe?How compatible is Shura and democracy? To what extent have Muslim organisations and emulate this process not only as alternative to democracy but drive it in the consciousness of believers. This is why we sought the opinions of scholars to proffer answers to these questions.

Aderonke Adeyeri reports

S

HURA isAllah'sapprovedway ofselectingleaders—SulaimanRidwanullah Shura is a central issue in the ongoing debate among Muslims over political reform. It’s one of the most cardinalprincipleforelectingaleader in socio-political organization called Nigeria.Islamicjurisprudentialframe workintroducesthesebasicprecepts in this regard.

Rida al awam a popular concept which is a prerequisite to the establishmentoflegitimatepoliticalauthority.Mas’huliyyahJam’iyyah(collective responsibility) which means maintainingthepublicgoodofsociety and by affirming all human as equal beforeAllah.

Lastly, Ijtihad Jamahah (collective deliberation),arequisitetotheproper administration of public affairs. All these put together indicate the differencebetweenShuraanddemocracy.

Democracy stipulates that the rule of people should be assumed by people;peopleshoulddrafttheirownconstitutionandlaws;andpeoplearethe judicial authority that judges among peoplethroughtheapplicationofpositive laws.

Inorderforpeopletoassumelegislativeauthority,setlawsandseparate betweenauthorities,generalelections are held to select a group of individualswhoareabletomonitorallauthorities. Those elected individuals have therighttodeposeministersandbring officialstoaccount,includingthehead of state. Where as, Shura has a different perception. It is based on Allah’s rules revealed to his Messenger, ProphetMohammed(s.a.w)thatadherencetothatruleisthebasisoffaith.

Scholarsarethepeopleofpowerand decision.

They come at the top of the people of Shura. Scholars work diligently to provethetext,understandaccurately and draw systematic plans for application. In fact, the democratic system can be easily circumvented throughthecontrolbycertainpowers or parties over the political action in a country.Thus,thisorthatpartywould impose its view on the nation. The IslamicShura,however,makesdomination for Allah only. It prioritizes Allah’srulesoveranyotherprovisions andlegislation.Thisleadstotheemergence of men living in the company of Allah and fearing Him honestly.

Democracy is deficient, God’s guided law is better —Adeyanju

HE first Islamic satellite television station globally, the Muslim Television Ahmadiyya, MTA, owned by the Ahmadiyya Muslim community is holding its 2015 annual international broadcast training and conference in London from 20th to 22nd.

The event is meant to review developments in international broadcasting and equip participants with the latest skills in broadcast industry.

Delegates to the conference will also have hands on experience at the MTA studios.

Participants for the two day training are drawn from the media industry, the staff of

Muslim Television Ahmadiyya, MTA and media scholars across the world.

Nigeria is being represented by Qasim Akinreti, National Secretary Publications and Media Relations Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at, as well as the Assistant Director News, Voice of Nigeria.

Others are Engineer Abdul Waheed Adeoye,National Secretary Audio-Visuals, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at, Nigeria and Abass Adegbite, Technical officer, AudioVisuals, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Nigeria.

ASK YOUR IMAM Question: Is beard one of the conditions for being an imam or leading a congregational prayer? Please also shed more light on the sytle of clothing to be worn by an imam?

SulaimanRidwanullah Jamiu "Democracy is a leadership selection process subjected to the decision of the majority of a given community.Itisasystemofgovernmentthatisdeterminedandguided by rules set by men themselves unlike Shura system that is guided

by God’s law.’’ And take counsel withthemconcerningthe(community’s) affairs’’ Q3:159 "Shura and democracy are two completely different systems by source and application. "However someaspectsofonecanbepartially felt in the other. A scholar of Islam said: One of most important values of democracy is people’s right (majority)tochoosetheirleaderandnot to be ruled by force or tyranny. The right of life, equality before the law, freedoms of belief and conscience as well as accountability of the chosen ruler are all also an Islamic values from Shura.

"Nonetheless,themagnificentand the perfection of God’s guided law (Shura) can never be compared to the deficient and imperfect human made democracy. Shura does not

Nonetheless, the magnificent and the perfection of God’s guided law (Shura) can never be compared to the deficient and imperfect human made democracy

Adeyanju Jamiu baseitsapplicationonthemajorityrule which may be faulty but on the most viable and correct stands even if its the minoritystands.Theuncompromising God’s law, the fairness, justice and equality, giving opportunity to the less privileged and poor, eradication of two poles or parties system but open possibilities to sort for the best regardless of status. Shura is always in the point of lookingforapeacefulsolution.Democracy is but a stage in human invention but may not be the last one."

Shura is built upon consultation — IskilMakinde Makinde, the Acting Provost, Civil DefenceCollegeofSecurityManagement, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun opined that Shura is a derivative word from the Qur’an that connotes consultation. He stated that it is a process of mutualconsultation,rootedasbasicinstructiontothebelieverstoconducttheir affairs and in particular to the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) respectively. He said:"Forinstance,theQuraninchapter 42verse38tagged“As-shura(theconsultation)” says that “ and those who answerthecalloftheirLordandperform the prayers, and who conduct their affairsbymutualconsultationandwho spend of what we have bestowed on them”.

"Specifically,Quraanchapter3verse 159 also points out that “ And by the mercy of Allah, you (Muhammad (peace be upon you))dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask Allaah’s forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. The when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allaah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust in Him”.

Answer: The beard is not a condition for the validity of a person’s prayer. It is not also for an Imam or the criterion for somebody to lead a prayer.

You have to differentiate between the obligation of growing a beard and the factors that make a prayer invalid. Therefore, a person may lead the prayer even if he doesn’t grow a beard. But this doesn’t mean that the beard is not recommended in Islam. It is one of the practices of the Prophet.

On clothing, the important thing is to meet the Islamic requirement of proper clothing and not to make an issue about the style of the clothes. The flowing kaftan or Jalabia as it is called in local parlance, is not also obligatory. You can wear your local style of cloths or shirt and jeans as long as it covers all required parts of the the body in Islam. It must not also be transparent. Thank you. God knows best.

Quotes from the Hadiths It pleases Allah for you to acquire three qualities and displeases Him that you acquire three characteristics. It pleases Him that you worship Him Alone and not associate anything or anyone with Him in worship, that you hold on to the Rope of Allah altogether and do not divide, and that you advise whoever Allah appoints as your Leader. The three that displease Him are that you say, ‘It was said,’ and, ‘So-and-so said,’ asking many unnecessary questions and wasting money.

Bukhari/Muslim

From left: Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello,Guest lecturer; Alhaji Issa Khidr Muhammed Lawal,Missioner Ajeromi Ifelodun branch of Nasfat and Alhaji Ibrahim Abdul-Wasiu, Missioner, Itire-Ijesa branch of Nasfat during the N50 million fund raising for the society held at Mushin Local government, Itire, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

42 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Vanguard, FRIDAY , MARCH 20 , 2015—43

Sambisa forest: Where are the Chibok girls?

Dear sir T gladdens our hearts that the Nigeria military have bombarded locations and liberated some parts of the north-east territory including the Sambisa forest, formally in the hands of Boko Haram. This is going by the information from the Defense Headquarters spokesperson, Major General Chris Olukolade. We have seen the Commanderin-Chief, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, pose with our military men when he visited one of the liberated towns.

We have even seen pictures of bodies of some dead Boko Haram members and also the recovered arms and ammunitions.

But painfully, what we have not seen and which would have gladdened our hearts so much is to hear about the release of the Chibok girls who are probably still in the stranglehold of Boko Haram in the Sambisa forest. About three hundred of these girls were abducted by the Boko Haram and majority of them still kept in ‘Sambisa’ forest, we were told; let us hope that they were not among persons bombarded there. One wished President Jonathan made out time to meet with some of the parents of the abducted girls when

I

Without trying to be insensitive, most of the surviving girls, no doubt, may have given birth to their first babies, thereby increasing Boko Haram’s population

he visited our solders; but he did not.

It will be recalled that it took the international and local outcry for the Nigerian presidency to accept the fact that Boko Haram actually abducted about 300 female students from a school in Chibok.

Having come to terms with the reality, President Jonathan then promised to bring back the girls, alive.

At a point, he gave a time limit and ordered the military to get into action but their action remained lukewarm until very recently, probably to secure a political point, since the 2015 election is some days away.

Routing of Boko Haram that has remained with us for about six years now, seemingly is what the President promised would be accomplished within six weeks and hence the 2015 elections were shifted for same six weeks.

The president had been criticized severally for his persistance “I don’t care” attitude towards the parents of the kidnapped girls and also to those campaigning that the girls must be brought back.

If what I calculate is right, the abducted school girls have remained in captivity for almost eleven months; a period long enough for most of them to become nursing-mothers. Without trying to be insensitive, most of the surviving girls, no doubt, may have given birth to their first babies, thereby increasing Boko Haram’s population.

If the present administration had moved in fast enough, this situation could have been avoided. Now, what has incubated for six years, he wants to achieve in six weeks. Why the mad rush when things have gone awry? In local parlance, it is termed medicine after death.

Dr. Cyril Kachi Madueke, Awka Road, Wuse II, Abuja.

The Ndukwe’s emergence Dear sir HE people of the South Senatorial Zone of Anambra State have been at the short end of the stick since the return to democracy in the land.

Largely, the inefficiency and godfatherism that has dogged the steps of the zone have thrown up questionable representatives who are either forced down the throat of the electorate by some self-acclaimed godfathers, or people who are ill-prepared for the job of representing the people.

The ugly situation within the ruling PDP in the zone, is worsened by some bizarre political arrangement that has provided one particular family with a blanket cheque to the political future of the zone as they have been allowed the prerogative of choosing which elective position they choose to run for and who gets nomination to any elective office.

At the last count, they have chosen the juiciest available elective office- the senate.

At one time, it was the eldest of the Ubah family political triangle – Senator Ugochukwu Ubah who took the first turn.

His immediate junior, Senator Andy Ubah, is about to complete his term and is bidding for the second tenure at the Senate for which his party has confirmed but not without a fight with his immediate junior brother, Chief Christian Ubah, who is still battling at the courts to secure the

T

nomination, having claimed it is his turn in the family!

While the curious and unwarranted domination of this family in the zone is still unexplained, their imposition of candidates may have become a welcome albatross to the party, given the conspicuous absence of the dividends of democracy, resulting in the electorate in the zone beginning to ask whether ` got another meaning. democracy has The decapitation of Dr. Alex Ekwueme’s political status by the Obasanjo administration on one hand, and promotion of godfatherism as represented by the Andy/Chris Ubah family as the dominant force in the zone, has further alienated the people from government.

This is why the emergence of Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, former chief executive officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, as the senatorial candidate of APGA, outside the fringes of the Ubah family political domination, has brought some refreshing angle to the politics of the zone. Clearly, the contest for the senatorial seat in Anambra South zone is set between Dr. Ernest Ndukwe of APGA, and the incumbent, Senator Andy Ubah of the PDP. As interesting as this contest might be, the difference between the two candidates are very clear.

Ebuka Emenike, Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA, Anambra State.

Tinubu and PDP PDP,, Osinbajo’s replacement It is a clear fact that PDP has accepted defeat already because I see no reason why they should be bothered about Tinubu replacing Osinbajo if they know that they will win the election.

Uduebor Osaro. +2348059826021

Free fall of crude oil prices If crude oil is certified finished, 90 percent of the so- called politicians will vacate their offices. Wealth is created from within, those measures taken by the Federal government should be enacted into law.

Arnold Overame +2348137518785 On OBJ’s membership of PDP Ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo is not prohibited by any written law not to resign his membership of the ruling PDP. However, he had his second tenure of eight years as a civilian president. President Goodluck Jonathan shall have his own tenure of eight years. What was good for the goose will equally be good for the gander. Retired generals should please tow the path of peace, emulate Senate President David Mark and join hands with President Goodluck Jonathan in moving Nigeria forward.

Bar r Anthony O. Obi 2348056009586 Politics around the Chibok girls saga I have been reading your column for sometime now but one snag there is that space is your worst enemy.

However, my grudge now is the continuous disparaging of our president on the pages of newspapers .

The other day one Maryam Uwais was using the Chibok girls to cast aspersions on the president through apparent references .

The Chibok girls saga is a cloak dagger game designed and nurtured by a clique ostensibly to achieve a goal . And that goal is political notwithstanding the grand standings . We are not naive as to who is for the release of the Chibok girls and those seeking for relevance.

Mike +2347058631174 New OPEC President It was good news when we heard that the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deizani Allison Madueke was announced as the President of Organisation of Pe-

troleum Exporting Countries, OPEC . The first female to get to such position! Nigeria no doubt is a great country endowed with great women of repute.

Anonymous +2348109842480 Bills passed by NASS Any product that does not functions well is not genuine! Making laws and passing fantastic bills that is not working is worrisome! What are our senators doing or what had they done to see FOI- Bill work?

Now they are trying to pass the bill of independent candidacy! What a shame if the rumour is right as alleged.

Romanus idiroko 2348024209181 Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission and Fixed charges The reported interactive session by energy stakeholders on fixed charges convened by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, is instructive. The providers acknowledged inadequate and dwindling power supply. The reality is that aggregate of 15 days supply is a tall order. Yet, they want the fixed charges paid. Meanwhile, consumption rates have now been increased, effective July.

Fixed and consumption charges should be mutually exclusive. One should pay highest of the two and not both. It should be termed minimum charge; A situation where a prepaid user is made to pay accumulated fixed charges for three or more months when one goes for recharge is anachronistic. Nigerians should pay for what we use.

Anonymous writes in from Lagos state Withdra wal of TTambuw ambuw al’s aides Withdraw ambuwal’s If after Tambuwal ADC were withdrawn and Mr President quickly reacted and ordered the immediate recall, I believe that would have been a selling point for President Jonathan’s campaign for second term.

My question now is what was the reaction of Mr president when he heard the news that Tambuwal ADC have been withdrawn by Inspector General of Police and when did IGP became a judge in Nigeria. Inspector General of Police is now a mini God, unquestionable man and untouchable. Well done Mr President.

God help Nigeria.

Osaro Uduebor. +2348059826021

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS The game of life is the game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deed and words return back to us sooner or later.

Be kind to get kindness back in return.

Simon Adewale08056180103, Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable.

Address your sayings to: The Co-ordinator, Sayings of Our Elders,Vanguard Media Ltd., PMB 1007, Apapa,

44 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

VIRGO; You will be in better position to consolidate on progress made recently. And it is wrong to take people for granted today……

LIBRA; Many people may be disappointed because of broken promises, therefore you will need to prepare your mind accordingly and refuse to take others for granted SCORPIO; . You can make it a good day as both career advancement and financial success are closer to you. Secret lovers are in for an exciting day.

SAGITTARIUS; Although there will be challenges here is a day when things will eventually go according to your plans. Don’t take friends for granted.

CAPRICORN; From now until next few days you will need to be as practical as possible along your career line; this is the wrong time to experiment with new ideas.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

A

workman wakes up every morning, rather than go to his workshop he goes to the brothel to while away his time with women

What Are You Doing...? of easy virtue. And this he does, after praying to God to give him his daily bread. Do you think God will answer such a work man? God

TERROR MUDA

will be unfair to the numerous men and woman who deserve His blessing if He pays attention to this one that has clearly the path of

in “Never say goodbye”

self destruct.

Do what is right.

If you do what is right everyday, when it is right and where it is right, you will never have cause to regret.

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS; You may not be in total control of your mind till around 5.36pm. That is to say you will need practical approach in all you do today. Be more cooperative.

PISCES; Continue to be more careful about proposals having to do with joint ventures. Yet that is not to say you can not take good advice. Prepare to work harder.

ARIES; You stand good chance to extend recent favourable events both at work and on matters-ofthe-heart. Watch what you sign before 5.36pm.

TAURUS; Young-at-heart will be willing to give priority attention to sentimental related issues probably because of your recent success.

GEMINI; Refuse to become mentally arrogant or else you would be working against your own interest.

Your love life will continue to enjoy favourable aspects.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

CANCER; Financial success is within your reach, especially if you back your old plans early in the day.

The more family minded you are the better for you.

LEO; It is important you don’t allow others to mislead you in the name of giving you good advice before 5.36pm. Those travelling or moving around in search of love may be in for both an exciting and pleasurable day.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat tr ological datee and place of bir th ttoo the As Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What’s my immediate future?

Dear Joshua, I am into business; sometimes I am alone but the other time I just have to do with some partners. Kindly tell me what my immediate future does have for me, especially between now late November 2007.

Anonymous-Jos. Dear Anonymous, For your own goodness I appeal to you to take what you will find here-under very seriously so that you will avert very serious business trouble coming through partnership very soon. I wish you the best.

Here is a period that will reverse most of the difficult situation you have experienced in your immediate past period. You are therefore advised to take good opportunities the period will bring. However it is imperative you have it at the back of your mind that next few weeks will bring another round of similar challenges thus you will need to take business you will be able to conclude on or before March 14th when the whole thing favours you, especially as it concern partnership related issues.

The said favourable period will bring you co operation, money, love and emotional satisfaction. Savour your good time.

Planetary placement and aspects are calling for carefulness on how you manage your relationships with others as some of them may be forced to betray and or disappoint you over MONEY and other important business transactions, consciously or unconsciously. Either a junior female worker or a lowly rated member of your opposite sex may be willing to tempt you during this period, who you just have to resist whichever way the person comes with antics.

Your health looks fragile. And you are accident prone.

Although the whole of the period calls for carefulness last four weeks can be a little bit sensitive. Please take note that nothing fatalistic is predicted here, you only need to take care so that you will avoid the pitfalls of the period.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015—45

EPZ: Jonathan coming March 26 for groundbreaking, says Uduaghan zAs shooting rocks Warri

By Emma Amaize

A

SABA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has approved March 26, two days to the March 28 presidential election, for the groundbreaking of the $16 billion Export Processing Zone, EPZ, in Ogidigben, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan announced this at a meeting with Ijaw and Itsekiri stakeholders, yesterday, in Asaba, the state capital.

Meanwhile, there was panic in Warri, in the early hours of Wednesday, as armed Itsekiri and Ijaw youths shot sporadically into the air for hours, according to sources, to test their fighting capability.

It was learned that youths at Ugbuwangue, an Itsekiridominated area of Warri, angry that Ogulagha-Ijaw boys dared, last week, to threaten the Itsekiri people of Ogidigben, started the power show with gunshots that shook the Nigerian Ports Authority , NPA, area, mainly populated

by Ijaw.

They threatened to deal with the Ijaw for the shooting at Ogidigben last week.

Thinking that the Itsekiri people, who were firing indiscriminately into the air from their base were about to carry out a reprisal attack, residents of the NPA area fled their homes.

However, a report was lodged with the soldiers at a nearby company, Panalpina, who barricaded the NPA section of the road leading to Ugbuwangue, but Ijaw vigilante in the area also mobilized when the shooting became more intensive.

A source said: “The Ijaw boys also started shooting into the air to signify that they were battle ready and after exhausting over 200 rounds of ammunition, the firing from both sides subsided.”

Ijaw leader, Chief Boro Opudu, when contacted, said: “I was away in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when I received a call that Ijaw boys were shooting. When I probed the incident, I found out that Itsekiri boys were the ones shooting.”

Itsekiri leader, Chief Ayiri Emami, said: “I am not around, but I heard about the shooting. My take is that there is no need for Ijaw and Itsekiri people to be attacking each other. We are all brothers and our differences should be settled amicably.”

On the EPZ groundC M Y K

breaking, a source that attended the meeting told Vanguard,: “The governor called us on Wednesday to come to Asaba for a meeting today (Thursday) at 7a.m. It is a select group, seven from each side. The Ogulagha people were there too. It was later that we got to know that

he had earlier met with Ogulagha people, who are making trouble in Ogidigben.

“The agenda for the meeting was to convey the date approved by Mr. President for the groundbreaking and consequently, he appealed to the leaders invited to the

meeting to maintain peace in their respective areas and ensure a trouble-free groundbreaking,” he added.

Vanguard learned that President Jonathan will lead some investors for the project to the groundbreaking. The police, army and navy are expected to provide security at Ogidigben and environs.

TOWN HALL MEETING: From left: Chairman, BOT, UNIPORT Alumni Association, Sir Ibogomo Gbeyasa; National President of the assciation, Mr. Sampson Ngerebara and Guest Speaker, Prof. Abolade Adeniji, at the University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association Town Hall Meeting, in Lagos, yesterday.

Delta APC Reps candidate denies forging death certificate

T

HE candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, for Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie federal constituency of Delta State in the National Assembly elections, Mr Gibson Akporehe, has denied the claim by one Christopher Anirah that he forged his (Anirah) death certificate to pave way for him to contest, describing the claim as false, malicious and unfounded.

Speaking with newsmen in Warri, yesterday, Akporehe, explained that contrary to Anirah’s claim, the idea to forge his (Anirah) death certificate was muted by Anirah himself to discourage him from going to court to prosecute him after it was discovered that he presented an allegedly fake letter purportedly announcing his (Akporehe) withdrawal from the race to the national secretariat of the party in Abuja on December 30, to secure his substitution.

According to him, “Anirah, in a letter addressed to the party national Chairman dated December 30 where his signature was forged, notified the party leadership that he (Akporehe) was withdrawing from the race for

personal reasons and it was based on this purported letter that Anirah’s name was substituted," adding that it was when he carried out investigations that he realised what happened.

He said: “It is on record that I’ve been the APC candidate for

the Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie federal constituency, Delta State for the House of Representatives, but from nowhere, my signature was forged in a letter presented to the national headquarters of the party in Abuja to notify them that I had withdrawn from the race for personal reasons and based on this I was substituted with him."

Cour t urged to disqualify APC candidate over alleged age falsification

By Festus Ahon & Egufe Yafugborhi

W

A R R I — T W O registered voters, Amagada Onoriode and Osibi Ufuoma, have asked a Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, to disqualify Benjamin Essien as All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Isoko South I in the Delta State House of Assembly seat in the coming elections over alleged age falsification.

Other defendants in the suit are APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The plaintiffs are contending that “Essien, who swore under

oath vide his INEC Form C.F. 001, in an affidavit in support of personal particulars in seeking election into the state Assembly had presented conflicting dates of births ranging from “July 7, 2014, July 7, 1966, June 7, 1966 and July 7, 1982 and July 7, 1962."

The plaintiffs are praying the court for “an order to set aside the purported nomination and or sponsorship of Essien by APC and INEC as candidate to contest the forth coming election into the state Assembly on the platform of APC or any other party.

“A perpetual injunction restraining Essien either by himself, his agent, privies or surrogates, from dealing with him (Essien) as candidate of the APC."

EDHA: APC candidate assures Esan North of quality representation

By Simon Adewale

T

HE All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Edo State House of Assembly, Prince Henry Okpamen, has assured the people of the local government area of quality representation if given the mandate to represent them.

Okpamen, who is the former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, said he was contesting for the position after seeing the neglect suffered by the electorate in the hand of the representatives they thought would transform their lives.

He empowered youths of the area who just completed their apprenticeship with hair dryers, cloths, cash and others gifts items.

DTHA: Udu monarch, Aladja community endorse Okoro

T

HE Ovie of Udu Kingdom, Owhoru 1, in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, has said that Mr Keston Okoro, member representing Udu constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, on the platform of Social Democratic Party, SDP, deserves a second term.

Speaking through the Oghuvwie General, Chief Photo Ogbe, the community, during a consultation visit by the lawmaker, said that Okoro’s performance in the last four years was enough reason to return him to the state Assembly.

The Udu monarch, in a separate statement, when the lawmaker and his campaign team paid him a courtesy visit, commended Okoro for performing beyond expectation in the last four years.

Projects completed by Okoro include construction of six classroom blocks at Aladja Secondary School, construction of five classroom block at Ekete Waterside Secondary School, among others.

46 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

NLC ELECTION: announced votes higher than

Stakeholders fault moves to concession Warri port

accredited delegates

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

W

A R R I — STAKEHOLDERS in Warri port, under the auspices of NPA Warri Port Stakeholders’ Forum, have petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan over alleged moves by Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, to concession Terminal B of the Warri Old Port in Delta State.

In the petition dated March 17, the forum said in line with Section 14 of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission Act 2015, BPE had no business putting up any publication for the concession, stressing that “it was a clear violation of the law and a usurpation of the functions of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission.”

The petition was signed

by Emiko Oghomienor, Tommy Gbugbuda, Oritsema Olley and Jonathan Duris Orugbo on behalf of the forum.

S

IX days after Mr. Ayuba Wabba of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, was declared the new President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, facts have emerged showing that the total votes announced in the election was higher than the total number of delegates accredited.

This came as aggrieved affiliates yesterday insisted that there was no going back on their resolve to conduct a special delegates’ conference this weekend for a credible election to elect true leaders of NLC, even as the aggrieved unions have also intensified preparation for the conference.

One of the unions, National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN,

No alternative to Jonathan’s Presidency—OHANAEZE YOUTHS

By Nkiruka Nnorom

O

HANAEZE Youth Council, OYC, has called on Nigerians, especially people of Igbo extraction, to re-elect President Goodluck Jonathan in next week’s presidential election.

The group, in a statement by the President, Mazi Francis Oji, and Secretary, Board of Trustees, Mazi Okwu Okwu, said doing otherwise would amount to political suicide that the Igbo might regret for years to come.

It counselled Igbo leaders to close ranks, stop infighting and strategize like other ethnic nationalities to get into the mainstream of Nigerian politics.

The OYC also advised President Jonathan and those who had his ears not to promote disunity in Igbo leadership by working with a particular Ohanaeze Ndigbo faction, but to reach out to all.

According to the group, doing otherwise may divide the voting strength of Igbo that may see some abstaining from voting or pitching tents with people that do not have Igbo’s political interest at heart.

Transition

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AMA Mary Obianugba, 90, of Umukwata in Ukwuani LGA of Delta State is dead.

A service of songs held at her residence yesterday, while internment is today at the family compound after a requiem mass at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, Owah-Umukwata. The outing service is Sunday.

It said: “President Goodluck Jonathan has done for the Igbo what no other president has done since the end of the Biafra War. “We believe he has conscience, has learned lessons and has promised to make amends.”

accused some immediate past leaders of NLC and its secretariat, headed by Dr. Peter Ozo-Ezon, of playing a major part in the perceived manipulation of results of the election.

Recall that the NLC Election Returning Officer and Pioneer General Secretary of Congress, Aliyu Dangiwa, had in the wee hours of Saturday announced Wabba as winner, having scored 1,695 votes against Ajaero’s 1,400.

This results was also confirmed by the advertorial the NLC General Secretary placed in a national newspaper on Monday, March16.

Chairman of the Credentials Committee that conducted the election, Dr. Isa Fagge, told Vanguard that 3,005 delegates and not 3,119 as earlier advertized

by NLC secretariat, were accredited to vote, saying two unions did not turn up

Indigenous firm begins end-to-end gas supply to fertilizer firm fertiliser plant to improve its company ’s

S

EVEN Energy International Limited, an indigenous Nigerian oil and gas development, production and distribution company, has commenced the supply of natural gas to Notore Chemical Industries Plc, a leading fertiliser and agro-allied company in Africa.

The supply of gas to Notore in Onne, Rivers State, executed through Accugas, a whollyowned subsidiary of Seven Energy, is being done at a rate of 25 million cubic feet per day (MMcfpd) as part of the feedstock to Notore’s fertiliser plant.

By this arrangement, Seven Energy is enabling the Notore

operational efficiency and enhancing the plant’s output.

Natural gas is the core input in the production of fertiliser.

Chief Executive Officer, Seven Energy, Phillip Ihenacho, said: “We are happy to announce the formal commencement of gas deliveries to Notore Chemical Industries Plc through our subsidiary, Accugas, a clear demonstration of our commitment to drive the industrialization of Nigeria through the development of the country’s huge natural gas resources. ‘’Through the supply of our processed gas, we are providing a new source of feedstock to meet the

I

N

IGERIA is the only country where we know the truth and yet run from it. It is so obvious that the card reader is the best.

INEC has demonstrated this, so what else do we need? What more is there to prove? That is just my view on this matter.— Mr. Dare Omogbai, Businessman.

I

On use of card readers

think it is a good de velopment, but I am sceptical about its successful application. This is because INEC seems illprepared for this election and might likely bungle the whole process. INEC should have tested the card readers long ago.—Mr. Timothy Bamgboye, Worker.

I

believe it is a good im provement because it will prevent double voting. I cannot say for sure how prepared INEC is.

They postponed the election by six weeks because of security issues.

I believe it is being taken care of by the military.

—Mr. Ugochukwu Ogbonna, Self-Employed.

increasing requirements, whilst directly enabling the production of fertiliser that Nigeria’s burgeoning agriculture sector desperately needs to grow.”

Mr. Stephen Tierney, Managing Director, Accugas, said the deal represented another significant step for Accugas in its effort to increase domestic supply and utilization of gas for the good of Nigerians and the country’s economy.

“By providing clean, dependable and quality gas supply to the plant, and doing so via an integrated endto-end solution, we are demonstrating our clear commitment and execution performance toward enhancing domestic gas consumption for broader industrialization,” he said.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

do not see anything wrong in it if used judiciously. I mean, if the purpose for which it was introduced is followed with all sincerity. To be honest, from the look of things INEC, the electoral body, is not fully ready. They do not have plans.—Mr. Olayinka Williams, Worker.

for the election.

According to him, 10 votes were voided with the agreement of Wabba and Ajaero’s agents.

General Secretary of NLC, who was also the Secretary of the Credential Committee, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, corroborated the chairman on the number of voided votes and accredited delegates, insisted the declared results as announced by the returning officer at the venue of the election and published by him in some national dailies, were the outcome of the election.

Meanwhile, the aggrieved unions yesterday met to finalize preparation for the conference, where one of them told Vanguard that they had got to a point of no return.

“This is about our movement, about the future of Nigerian workers and about upholding truth, rules, regulations and constitution,” they said.

Recall that aggrieved 23 unions had rejected the outcomes of the election, claiming they were manipulated to favour certain individuals.

T

HE problem here is not about card reader, our problem is INEC officials. From the look of things, they may not be able to handle the card reader efficiently. We are talking about free and fair election, so INEC must put everything in order.—Miss Nwazota Udeaku, Entrepreneur.

I

NEC is prepared. The number of those who have received the voter's cards has been put at above 70 percent. Security seems to be better and the INEC chairman said they are ready. Except some persons have hidden plans, election must hold.—Mr. Ben Onyekachi, Graduate.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 — 47

Nasko campaign coordinator defects with supporters to APC

By Wole Mosadomi

M

INNA — THE Campaign Coordinator of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Kuta area of Niger State, Alhaji

Akilu Ishaku Kuta has defected to the All Progressives Party, APC, along with about 1,500 of his supporters.

Ishaku who was former Vice Chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area in state

formerly defected at a rally in Kuta town yesterday saying that he was doing so because of the under development witnessed in the area since the inception of the present PDP administration in the state.

He compared the present administration to the immediate past administration and concluded that all the local government councils in the state had witnessed setback in terms of development.

ACF condemns killing of 100 in Benue T

HE AREWA Consultative Forum, ACF, has expressed dismay over the gruesome killing of 100 innocent people of Egba Village in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary General of ACF, Col. John Ubah, yesterday.

Ubah’s statement, entitled,

'ACF condemns killings in Benue State,' read: ‘’The death toll of the March 15, (ides of March) early Sunday morning attack, carried out by Fulani herdsmen, is reported to have risen to over 100

by Tuesday, March 17, 2015. ‘’But ACF is worried if the deadly attackers are really Fulani herdsmen or enemies of Nigeria’s peace and progress

masquerading as such. The recurrence is utterly condemnable and calls for the concern of every Nigerian. This is another attack too many in Agatu Local Government Area. ‘’The ACF therefore requests that the government takes more serious and critical view of the dangerous trend and conduct thorough investigation into the

unwarranted massacre and depletion of Northern population.

"ACF also urges security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering to stem down the frequency of the attacks, and also urges the populace to be vigilant and assist security agencies with vital necessary and timely information on mass movement in the volatile areas.

WORKSHOP: From left, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Olusegun Awolowo; Director, Office of the Chief Executive Officer,/Incentives, NEPC, Olajide Ibrahim, and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Mrs. Ambibola Umar, at the integrated workshop on techique of non-oil export project formulation & implementation for state promotion, in Lagos, wednesday.

‘’The ACF sincerely commiserates with the government and people of Benue State and, in particular condoles the families of the victims in Egba Village and entire Agatu Community.

Meanwhile ACF appeals to NEMA, SEMA and public s p i r i t e d organisations/ individuals to mobilise assistance and relief to alleviate the suffering of the victims.’’

Uromi Construction Institute gets FG's aid

F

E D E R A L

GOVERNMENT,

yesterday, said it was ready ‘’to provide full civil engineering support to all government institutions,’’ including the newly approved National Institute of Construction Technology, NICT, located in Uromi, Edo State.

Works Minister, Mike Onolememen made this known when members of the accreditation team of the National Board of Technical Education, NBTE, visited him in Uromi, his country home.

The NBTE team led by Mr. Abbati Mohammed was in Uromi for the accreditation of the NICT. Onolememen, while assuring them of Federal Government’s support, said part of the mandate of his ministry was to provide access roads and “key civil engineering infrastructure” to government institutions in the country and promised that work would commence on the site soon after elections.

ELECTIONS:

Jigawa NSCDC trains 537 on security

By Tina Akannam

Kogi gov's kinsmen back Jonathan's re-election

By Boluwaji Obahopo

L

OKOJA — GOVERNOR Idris Wada of Kogi State’s kinsmen have expressed support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential ambition, saying that there was no alternative to him.

The people of Dekina Local Government Area of the state where Wada hails from made this known while speaking with newsmen in Anyigba in Dekina during a stakeholders meeting in the area.

Spokesman for the people, Chief Gabriel Aduku who addressed newsmen on their behalf after the meeting said the people in the 12 wards of the local government resolved to stand by Jonathan to enable him win the March 28 presidential election.

According to Aduku who was a former Minister for Health, “grievances arising from the party primaries have been C M Y K

resolved and aggrieved members have all been reconciled, and all of us have resolved to unite and work as a team to ensure landslide victory for the President and PDP during

the elections.

“The people have also resolved to embark on house-to-house campaign to ensure that Jonathan and all the PDP candidates in the election swept the votes during

the polls.

“The people have unanimously agreed that they have no alternative to President Jonathan and all the PDP candidates in the election.”

....Campaign volunteers inaugurated in Benue

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI — THE Jonathan/Sambo reelection campaign organisation has inaugurated its Ward to Ward

Campaign Volunteers’ Scheme in Benue State, with a charge on members to work assiduously for the victory of all the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidates in the forthcoming elections.

Benue State Coordinator of the

organization and former Minister of State for the Niger Delta, Dr. Sam Ode who inaugurated the scheme, said that “the aim is to avail like minds a veritable platform to work for the success and victory of the PDP.

D

UTSE — THE Jigawa State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has trained 537 of its personnel in various security tactics with a view to forestalling any breach of peace in the state before, during, and after the forthcoming general elections.

The state Commandant of the Corps, Dr. Muahmmad Gidado who spoke to newsmen, said that his officers had been trained on counter terrorism, anti- bomb chemicals among others.

IDA disowns alleged meeting with Buhari

By Innocent Anaba

T

HE IGBO Delegates Assembly, IDA, yesterday, dissociated self from a purported meeting with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, slated for today in Abuja.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Auston Ifedinezi, the Assembly noted that while there was nothing wrong with the presidential candidate of the APC, the appropriate channels must be followed.

He said: “The attention of IDA, which is the umbrella

body of Ndigbo in 19 northern states of Nigeria and FCT, has been drawn to the text message, purportedly signed

by Chief D. Inyamah, the President General of IDA, inviting IDA to a meeting with General Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate APC for today, in

Abuja, through an SMS. “There is absolutely, nothing wrong with IDA meeting with Buhari if due process is followed. The President General of IDA is in hospital.

The purported messages to this kind of meetings, if real, are sent by him.

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

DIVINE SERVICE: From left; Lagos Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Chairman, Apostle Alexandar Bamgbola, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, and Mrs Folashade Ashafa, during the CAN's 2015 Interdenominational Divine Service, at The Apostolic Church, Olorunda, Ketu, Lagos.

AWARD: From left; Sales Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Hubert Eze, MD, Nicolaas Vervelde, National Champion of the Distributors Award 2015, Joy Igwe, Sir Gabriel Igwe of Ifeoma Chukwuka Nigeria Ltd, and Mrs Clementine Vervelde, at the distributors' award presentation in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele.

COMMISSIONING: From left; Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Senior Pastor, Trinity House, Mr. Seun Tandor, Chef, Mrs Victoria Tandor, and Mr Seyi Akinwunmi, First Vice President, NFF/Chairman, SS7, at the official commissioning of Chef Tandor Premiere in Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

PRESENTATION: From left; Oluwaseun Ayeni, Brand Manager, PZ Cussons, Mrs Funmi Daves, his husband, Yinka, parents of the winning baby, Sandy Griffiths, Marketing Director, PZ Cussons, and the winning baby, Morireoluwa Davies, during the presentation of PZ Cussons Baby Moment 2015 winning family at PZ Cussons head office, Ilupeju, Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele.

C M Y K

WORKSHOP: From left; Mrs. Elizabeth Omotowa, Director of Planning, Research & Development, Federal Ministry of Education, Professor Viola Onwuliri, Minister of State for Education, and Professor Offiong Offiong, Commissioner for Education, Cross River State, at the MDGs Workshop for primary school teachers in the South South geo-political zone, in Calabar, yesterday.

LUNCHEON: From left: Mr Victor Banjo, Director General/CEO, Institute of Directors Nigeria, Mohammed Sani Mohammed, Secretary/Legal Adviser, Pension Commission, Mrs Eniola Fadayomi,President/Chairman of Council Institue of Directors Nigeria, and Mr. Yemi Akeju,First Vice President, at the institute's quarterly Business Luncheon in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

CLEARING OF CANAL: Chairman of Warri South Local Government, Hon. Mofe Edema (middle) briefing newsmen at Igbudu Market, Warri, during the clearing of the canal linking Igbudu Market with Lower Erejuwa Road by Spare Parts Market, Warri. Left is the President of Igbudu Market Traders’ Association, Comrade Lucky Otu.

MEETING: From Left: Mrs Monica Ojukwu, past President, Association of Professional Women Engineers, APWEN, Hajia Hauwa Sadiqu, Vice President, and Mrs Nkechi Isigwe, past President, during the Assembly Meeting of the association to mark the International Women’s Day in Lagos.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015—49

Ologbese flays Gani Adams’ protest in Lagos

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AGOS-based social commentator and critic, Prince Olusegun Ologbese has criticised the street protest against Professor Attahiru Jega, the INEC Chairman by OPC factional leader, Chief Gani Adams over the planned use of card readers during the forthcoming elections.

In a statement in Lagos yesterday, Ologbese described Gani’s action as unfortunate, noting that it could have been a different thing if Gani was protesting against any illegality or shortcoming of the INEC chairman.

He said, ‘To the best of my knowledge, OPC was formed to protect the interest of the Yoruba race and Nigeria in general. The OPC organisation has made both the founder, Dr. Fredrick Fasheun and Chief Gani Adams to be popular within Nigeria and international community.

‘The street protest has destroyed all other good things Gani Adams had done in the past to protect the interest of the Yoruba race. To put it bluntly, he had sold himself out by the action. This is an abuse of a confided trust reposed in him by the Yoruba race.

Fashola opens Methodist synod

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ETHODIST Church Nigeria, Diocese of lagos Mainland, holds its 21st annual synod, Thursday, March 19 to Sunday, March 22, 2015.

The Synod with its Theme, “Aglow with the Holy Spirit,” Romans 12 Vs 11, will be hosted by the Folawuyo Bankole Memorial Methodist, off Alhaji Marsha Street, Kilo Hotel Area, Surulere, Lagos. Highlights of the events include the Ministerial and Lay Sessions from 8.00am and 10.00am respectively, on Thursday, 19th March 2015.

The Synod which is expected to declared opened by the Governor of Lagos State, Barrister Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, on Friday, March 20, will be preceeded on Thursday March 19, 2015 at 9.00am by a Holy Communion Service. A Devotional Service will be conducted on Saturday March 21 while the Business Section will commence immediately.

PDP, APC bicker on timeline for stable electricity

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA—CLAIMS by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that the nation would witness remarkable improvement in power supply from May were, yesterday, rebuffed by the All Progressives Congress, APC, as both parties bickered over a timeline for stable power supply.

While PDP affirmed that the country was on course to stable power supply through the privatization of the sector and

other reforms made by the administration, APC on its part alleged that monumental decay in the sector, inefficiencies and corruption would continue to be stumbling blocks.

According to the opposition party, a comprehensive road map which may take at least 12 to 18 months would be needed before any meaningful progress could be made.

Both parties articulated their positions on power at the Nigerian Political Parties

Discussion series organized by the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) in Abuja yesterday.

The APC was represented by its National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed while the PDP was represented by the duo of the Chairman of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Dr. Sam Amadi and Mr. Okey Ikechukwu.

Though the PDP agreed that the sector had been down in

From left: Peter Ocheikwu, M&E, Coordinator, Open Society Initiative for West Africa, OSIWA, Abuja, Mr. Funmilola Kuku, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, Executive Director, Socio Economic of Right and Accountability Project and Mr. Michel Deefen, Deputy Ambassador, Netherlands Embassy, during the Public Hearing on Local/Community Level Corruption, by Socio Economic of Right and Accountability Project and Open Society Initiative for West Africa, OSIWA, in Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

the last three decades, Amadi, however, assured that the next ten weeks would witness tremendous difference.

According to him, one of the ways of improvement was the involvement of the distribution companies and investors which he said would bring efficiency into the system. “The PDP knew that the only way to achieve power stability is to involve the DISCOS for efficiency”, Amadi said.

He also admitted that vandalization of the equipment had been the greatest challenge of the sector, advocating for attitudinal change on the part of Nigerians.

Amadi noted that “Nigerian is the highest vandalized gas market in the world.”

But speaking on the same issue, the APC spokesman, Mohammed said, “APC government is going to invest in high technology surveillance to reduce the incidence of vandalization.”

On bringing stability in the sector, Mohammed said “the government would inherit liabilities. We are going to inherit the assets. Give us time to correct the ills of the present time. Give us time to draw a comprehensive master-plan. We have amassed the best brains working for us. We are going to work under the government that has zero tolerance for corruption.''

Confab Report: Sagay, Okurounmu, PDP, LP laud FG

By Dapo Akinrefon & Gbenga Oke

D

IVERGENT views, yesterday, welcomed Wednesday ’s approval by Federal Executive Council (FEC) of the final report of the 2014 National Conference.

Notable persons, who commended the Federal Government on the approval included constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Saga, former chairman of the Committee on National Dialogue, Senator Femi Okurounmu; the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the Labour Party respectively.

However, Second Republic federal lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed chided President Goodluck Jonathan saying he is insulting Nigeria’s intelligence.

Half bread better than none—Sagay Welcoming the approval, Professor Sagay argued that core issues were not addressed at the conference. He said “well, half a loaf is better than no bread.

The National Conference has come and gone but they did not touch on the core issues. They did not touch on issues like fiscal federalism, derivation, then, they were able to ensure that states could create more local governments, state police and autonomy of local governments.

That is why I said half a loaf is better than no bread. We need to engage the federal government on the need to

practice true federalism.”

It is good news — Okurounmu Senator Okurounmu who threw his weight behind the approval said “the implementation of the report of the Confab is a good news. We were actually expecting the report implementation after the elections.

With this development, this has given us hope that every recommendation of that confab will be implemented.''

Jonathan is insulting our intelligence — Mohammed Mohammed, a Kano State delegate to the conference said the “National Conference, First and foremost, President Jonathan is insulting our intelligence because you don’t simply attempt to amend the laws of the land by merely taking a resolution in concerning amendment in your own cabinet because every recommendation must be subjected to referendum before it becomes law. He added that “the recommendations amount to nothing because some of them are not realizable.''

PDP Commends Jonathan Commending the President, the PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Olisa Metuh said “the development shows that the President and the PDP government are sensitive to the yearnings and aspirations of the

Nigerian people as encapsulated in the report.

This move which has been positively received by Nigerians is in keeping with President Jonathan’s avowed commitment to strengthen the unity and stability of the nation, plug waste in the system and ensure equity in the polity in line with the PDP manifesto and visions of our founding fathers.''

It’s a dream come true—LP On his part, Labour Party scribe, Mr Kayode Ajulo said

the development was a dream come true. Ajulo said “It is a dream come true. We in the Labour Party believe that Nigeria needs change not in terms of personality but in terms of restructuring. Since the coup of 1966, Nigeria has not remained the same, we have been having difficulties in our country.

Part of the recommendation of the National Conference is that Nigeria needs to practice true federalism. The dream of our party is for Nigeria to have a federal structure. If we can have this, then Nigeria will become a better place.

50—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

YORUBA ASSEMBLY HOLDS FORUM IN IBADAN

Governor Rauf Aregbesola; (2nd right), Convener Yoruba Assembly, General Alani Akinrinade, (left); Oyo State Governor, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajumobi, (2nd left), and Amb Olusola Sanu, during Yoruba Assembly Forum, at the House of Assembly, Agodi, lbadan, yesterday. Photos: Dare Fasube

From left Chief Rita Lori Ogbeibor, Bishop Felix Ajakaye, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) and Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN)

From left Oyo State Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, Ambassador Olu Saanu, and Hon Wale Oshun.

From left: Chief Sunday Rone, leader off Itsekiri from Warri and some other Yoruba Obas.

POST NATIONAL CONFERENCE SUMMIT IN LAGOS The Post-National Conference Summit was held in Lagos, yesterday, following the Federal Government's decision to implement recommendations of last years National Conference.

From left: Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Kofoworola BucknorAkerele, Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Senator Femi Okunrounmu and Prof Dupe Olatunbosun.

From left, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Foreign Affairs Minister of State-2 and Chief Akin Osuntokun

From left, PDP Chieftain, Chief Bode George; Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Professor Dupe Olatunbosun, and founder of Oodua Peoples Congress, Photos: Bunmi Azeez OPC, Dr. Frederick Faseun.

From left, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, founder of Ooda People's Congress, Dr. Kunle Olajide and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Ogun State governor

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 — 51

C M Y K

52—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Continues from Page 5

ference in which he did not interfere.

The atmosphere at Oranmiyan Hall of Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja was astir as Yoruba leaders who gathered for a Post-National Conference Summit became jubilant on hearing that the Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved immediate and full implementation of the recommendations of the 2014 national confab.

Drawn from all parts of the South-West geo-political zone, the leaders at the event themed: ‘’Tomorrow begins today,’’ were in joyous mood when the Minster of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, disclosed that the FEC had approved implementation of the recommendations of the confab, adding that the recommendations would be forwarded to the National Assembly for minor touches.

On that note and drawing from the comments of many leaders including Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Governor Olusegun Mimiko among others, they said there is need to re-elect President Jonathan, to enable him implement the recommendations of the confab and restructure the country into true federalism.

Other dignitaries at the event, who unanimously agreed that Jonathan deserved Yoruba votes for a second term in office included Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Chief Abiola Ogundokun, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Chief Olabode George, Dr Kunle Olajide, Dr Femi Okurounmu, Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa, Prof. Dupe Olatubosun, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele and Otunba Gani Adams.

The leaders, in a communique read and approved by the gathering commended President Jonathan for convening the National Conference based on the agitation of the Yoruba for many years.

The summit applauded the successful conduct of the confab as well as what it described as the laudable recommendations, which would allow creation of additional nine states among others.

The summit also canvassed that Lagos must be given support, while each state must be allowed to have its constitution and that the Presidency should be rotated among the six geo- political zones of the country among others.

There is need to restructure Nigeria –Adeyeye

LAUNCH: From left: Oladipo Jolaosho, Head Mass Marketing Segment Airtel; Dinesh Balsingh, Vice President, Segment and Usage Retention, Airtel Nigeria; Maurice Newa, Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, and Obinna Aniche, Director of Marketing Communications, Airtel Nigeria, during the launch of Airtel Smart Connect, in Lagos.

Yoruba elders split over Jonathan, Buhari Jonathan remains Yoruba’s best candidate –Mimiko Speaking at the event, the convener of the summit, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, commended Jonathan for his courage in convening the confab, which made 653 recommendations at the risk of his political career.

He said: “The president took a very big risk to organise the confab because there was the possibility of the outcome of the exercise being against his personal political interest. He should be commended for putting the interest of the country over and above his personal interests."

Given his sincerity in organising the conference, Mimiko said the President remained the candidate of the Yoruba irrespective of propaganda from people he called Yoruba irredentist.

According to him, for several years, the Yoruba had been in the struggle for liberty and freedom as championed by the late sage, who he said advocated for a truly federal constitution and recognition of the rights of the minorities in the country.

He noted that full implementation of the recommendations of the Confab recommendations such as devolution of powers, establishment of multi-level policing, states having power to create local governments, etc, is the surest way to develop the country.

Against this backdrop, Mimiko said it would be in

the interest of the generality of Nigerians to renew President Jonathan’s mandate to enable him implement the confab recommendations which he described as panacea to Nigeria’s problems.

Why Jonathan deserves Yoruba votes —Adebanjo Afenifere elder, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who chaired the summit, in his speech, went down the memory lane to remind the Yoruba why they must back restructuring of the county.

He said: “What Jonathan did about the confab was in tandem with the age-long yearning of the Yoruba nation. It would amount to betrayal of Yoruba’s collective cause if any Yoruba person votes against Jonathan on March 28.”

One of the few surviving frontline Awoists, however, said they were not backing the PDP but President Jonathan.

“We are not voting for the PDP. We are voting for Jonathan because of his determination and zeal for better tomorrow for Nigeria," said, noting that the president convened the National Conference despite numerous opposition and the belief in some quarters that the exercise was going to end in chaos.

Happy with Jonathan’s promise to implement the 653 recommendations and the FEC’s Wednesday’s approval for immediate implementation of the recommendations, Adebanjo, who was also a member of the National

Conference, said: “I am not supporting Jonathan because he is Jonathan, I am supporting him because he is championing the cause that is in the interest of Yoruba.”

The Afenifere chieftain declared that it was in Jonathan’s presidency that Yoruba’s interest would be better served, warning that the Yoruba should shun those he called revisionists who wanted to draw the race backward in pursuit of their personal and selfish interest.”

Yoruba have found their voice –Daniel Former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, said the quality of attendance at the summit is an attestation that the Yoruba Nation had eventually found its voice.

He said it is a tragedy that the minority has continued to oppress the majority in Yorubaland, adding that the quality of participants at the summit has shown that the Yoruba Nation has decided to take her destiny in her hands.

Daniel insisted that the Yoruba Nation had nothing against the Hausa/Fulani, adding that this was fully demonstrated by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo when he made Muhammadu Kura his running mate in the 1983 elections.

He said that Jonathan remained the candidate of the Yoruba in this month's election and called on the Yoruba to support the President to enable him

implement the resolutions of the national confab, adding: “Our future lies in that election, we must not fail, if we are to realise true federalism which President Jonathan represents.”

Jonathan has uncommon credential –Olajide On his part, Olajide said Jonathan has an uncommon democratic credential, which many did not know. According to him, people are eager to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) because they now know that under Jonathan votes must count because he has allowed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to operate freely just as he did with the National Con-

Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Works, Prince Adeyeye, said there is need to restructure the country, noting that if the recommendations of the confab were fully implemented, they would bring about a better country run under a truly federal system of government.

“Let us face it, the way things are today, there are fundamental structural problems and we need to restructure the country.

This is a clear issue.

Having gone through the recommendations myself, I believe the National Conference did a wonderful job and I think if we faithfully implement the recommendations, we would have a better Nigeria, a more federal system, a system that allows for rapid development of the country, a system that allows each geo- political zone, each of the states, even each of the local governments to take their destiny into their hands, a system that will free us from the excessive concentration of powers at the federal level and a system that fully accommodates the diverse nature of this country.

We must recognise that. This is what the Confab has done,” he said.

ELECTIONS: 28 professional bodies to meet Jonathan, Buhari

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BUJA—ABOUT 28 professional bodies in the country under the aegis of Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, APBN, are to meet with President Goodluck Jonathan as candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to ascertain their level of preparations for the growth of the sectors if voted into office.

The body said it will meet with Buhari on Saturday in Abuja, while appointment with the

President will follow on a later date.

Announcing this in Abuja after a courtesy call at the headquarters of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, President of the group, Foluso Fasoto said that the meeting would offer the association an opportunity to let the candidates know what the professionals have as blueprints for the development of the various professional bodies that make up the sector, as well as what they expect from them when voted into office.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015— 53

CNPP queries Finance Minister over $23bn Greenfield refineries contract

By Austin Ogwuda

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NUGU — CONFERENCE of Nigerian Political Parties , CNPP, has forwarded a letter to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, requesting for full disclosure of transactions concerning the contract for three Greenfield refineries and petrochemical plant awarded by President Goodluck Jonathan for $23 billion.

Spokesman of the group, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, who disclosed this in Enugu yesterday, said the group derived its powers to demand for the explanation from the Freedom of Information, FoI, Act. The letter containing the request, dated March 9, 2015, and titled, ‘Request for Information on three Greenfield refineries’, read: “May I under the Freedom of Information Act 2011, request for the full disclosure of transactions concerning the three Greenfield refineries and petrochemical plant contract awarded on May 13, 2010, by President Goodluck Jonathan to Chinese State

Construction and Engineering Corporation Limited, CSCEC,, at $23 billion meant to be located at Bayelsa, Kogi and Lagos states.

“Secondly, why are they dead on arrival as six years down the line, neither the three Greenfield refineries nor petrochemical plant is under construction.

“The three Greenfield refineries one understands, on completion were to add 750,000 barrels per

day capacity to Nigeria’s refining infrastructure and create over a million jobs.

“In addition, the petrochemical plant was to source natural gas from Nigeria’s gas master plan, produce polymers, solvents and fertilizer, thus boosting food production and textile industry.

“Accordingly, the three refineries and the petrochemical plant could have stemmed the

flood of imported refined products in the country, hence ploughing back the over $10 billion spent annually into our economy.”

Okechukwu expressed regret that the abandonment of such critical refining infrastructure stimulated closure of factories, crash of the naira, gross unemployment, return of huge debt trap and fuel scarcity, to mention but a few.

BRIEFING: From left, Messrs Tony Ojobo, Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Austin Nwaulune, Director, Spectrum Administration, and Reuben Muoka, Head, Public Relations of the Commission, at a press briefing on the forthcoming 2.6GHz spectrum auction, in Abuja, yesterday.

We will implement 2005 National Gender Policy — Buhari

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LAG-BEARER OF All Progressives Party, APC, General Mohammadu Buhari, retd, has promised to involve as many women as possible in his administration, if voted into power.

He made this pledge as the Director General for the Buhari / Osibanjo Campaign organization and Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi

yesterday hosted Nigerian women to a town hall meeting in Lagos.

He decried the present situation where women appointees in government were neither fully representative nor had made an impact in the administration.

According to him, there will be no limit to the number of female appointees as long as they are capable.

Twenty years after Beijing,

women in Nigeria have not fully benefited from the promises made by government at the conference. There is still discrimination against women in public institutions and in the private sphere.

“As a father to a number of beautiful and promising young women, I should know what it means to want the very best for my daughters.

"I do not expect my daughters to live unfulfilled lives with their talents wasted or ignored and rendered second class citizens."

The APC flag-bearer assured of the implementation of the 2005 National Gender Policy.

He said: "Nigerian women have been promised for so long. I will not take your votes for granted.”

See pictures on Page 16

Okorocha's suit against Ihedioha, Araraume suffers setback

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI — THE suit filed at the Federal High Court, Owerri, by Governor Rochas Okorocha and his All Progressives Congress, APC, seeking the order of court to stop the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Emeka Ihedioha and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume from campaigning, has suffered a setback.

Ruling on the ex-parte motion filed by Okorocha’s team of lawyers, the presiding judge, Hon. Justice S. M. Shaibu, refused to grant the governor ’s prayer to stop Ihedioha, Araraume and PDP from campaigning until the court decided who the actual candidate of the party was.

The court, thereafter, adjourned the matter to March 26, 2015, for the hearing of the motion.

Reacting to the court’s ruling, the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP, Chief Chuma Nnaji, described it as very thoughtful.

“By instituting this matter, Chief Okorocha is already afraid of losing the April 11, 2015, governorship poll."

N3.6BN ENSUBEB CONTRACT AWARD PROBE: Enugu House adjourns to Tuesday By francis igata

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NUGU — ENUGU State House of Assembly, yesterday, adjourned till Tuesday its probe on the N3.6billion award of contracts by the state’s Univerisal Basic Education Board,ENSUBEB.

Leader of the House, Mr. Sunday Udo-Okoye, had moved a motion for the adjournment on the grounds that the House was still studying documents provided by ENSUBEB and Commissioner for Education, Prof. Christopher Okolo, which was seconded by

Mr. Okechukwu Nwoke.

The House had last Tuesday,commenced a probe of contract award for renovation and prefabrication of 488 primary schools, accusing ENSUBEB of violating contract award procedure and poor supervision.

The House had also wondered

Otti slams Orji over Abia monarchs’ sack

By Akoma Chinweoke

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LL PROGRESSIVES Grand Alliance governorship candidate in Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has decried the sack by the state government of five traditional rulers perceived to be sympathetic to his party.

Reacting in a statement by the Media and Publicity Director of his Abia First Campaign Organisation, AFCO, Chris Uka, APGA governorship hopeful

described the action as cowardly and vindictive.

The traditional rulers were allegedly axed for failing to abide by the directives of the government that no Eze in the state should identify with APGA. The affected monarchs include Eze Nelson Emerengwa of Isiekenta autonomous community; his counterpart of Ovungvu autonomous community, Eze N.N Nwachukwu, Eze Peter Emereonye of Okporoahaba autonomous community, Eze

why ENSUBEB should pay Emenite 100 per cent of the contract sum for the re-roofing of the schools without throwing the process open for other companies to bid.

However, Chairman, ENSUBEB, Ms. Nneka Onuora, while briefing journalists, explained that Emenite was paid through Advance Payment Guarantee, AGP, even as she noted that the contract had been awarded before she assumed office in 2013.

Her words: “We have submitted

Sampson C. Jinanwa of Amaise Ovungwu autonomous community and Eze Gbufor Johnson from Otti’s local government ZE ISRAEL Ekeleme area of Isiala Nwachukwu, the Nze Ngwa South Omenma 1 of Udo Autonomous and Igwe of Community, former councillor Ariam Usaka Old Mbaise County Council, is autonomous dead, aged 93. community of A statement by His royal I k w u a n o Highness, Eze M. C. Ukeje, said L o c a l the late Nze Nwachukwu will be Government buried on Monday, April 6 at his Late Nwachukwu Area. house in Umunneorie village.

Nze Nwachukwu for burial

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all documents regarding the contract award. All due process was followed in the award. ‘’I must say that we had challenges because this is the first time the Board is handling projects of this magnitude. But I assure the people of Enugu State that all the projects will be done.’’

On supervision of the projects, Nneka said although 10 engineers were no longer with the Board, the state government had given approval for the recruitment of eight engineers to augment the three they had on ground.

Meanwhile, on water concessioning, Mr. Ikechukwu Ezugwu, representing Udenu consistency, moved for adjournment till Tuesday for probe into the concessioning of Enugu Water supply for 25 years.

The Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr. Michael Nwachukwu, revealed that the concessioning will amount to 600 per cent increase on water rate in the state from 7k to N42.

54—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Delta Speaker preaches continuity in governance

Don advocates socio-cultural revolution

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NLY continuity in socio-economic programmes and good governance will enhance the well being of Deltans and place Delta State on a sound footing to sustain the Delta Beyond Oil policy.

This was the position of the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Right Hon. Peter Onwusanya.

In the statement entitled Governance on the Right Track by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Patrick Nwanze, the Speaker urged Deltans to vote Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for all positions in the coming elections.

The statement indicated that the PDP-led governments at the Federal and state levels were sure of victory, as the transformation agenda of the Federal Government was grassroots-oriented.

The Speaker said: “Deltans have enjoyed the dividends of democracy in all facets because of the programmes put in place by the PDP-led government and government is ready to sustain these programmes beyond May 29.”

‘Urhobo marginalized in pipeline contracts'

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NE of the exagitators in the Niger Delta region, ‘General’ Israel Akpodoro, National Vice President, Phase 2 & 3 of the Presidential Amnesty Programme of the Federal Government, has alleged marginalization of Urhobo people in the scheme of things, and decried what he described as lopsidedness in the award of pipeline security contracts in the Niger Delta region.

He said although OML 30 & 34 and the Otorogun Gas plant are situated in Urhoboland, contracts were being awarded to a particular tribe.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, had recently confirmed the award of pipeline security contracts to some communities to forestall vandalization.

AWARD: From left— Mrs Edith Johnson, Manager, Public Affairs, Port Harcourt Refinery Company; Alina Nwogu, beneficiary; HRH Emperor Nkpe and Mr. Gerald Ohaji, Deputy Manager, Public Affairs, Port Harcourt Refinery Company, during the presentation of starter packs to persons trained by the company in skill acquisition in Eleme and Okrika, Rivers State. PHOTO: Nwankpa Chijioke.

FINANCIAL INCLUSION: FG,

IIFC sign MoU on NIPOST re-activation

By Wole Modasomi

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EDERAL Government n d a Bangladesh-based infrastructure giant, Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company, IIFC, have signed a contract for the provision of advisory services to the financial inclusion project of Nigerian Postal Services, NIPOST, in Abuja.

The tripartite project is aimed at reducing the number of financially-excluded Nigerians in the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s financial inclusion plan under the ongoing revival and transformation of the NIPOST by the Ministry of Communications Technology.

The NIPOST-CBN financial inclusion project is a multiagency initiative involving communications ministry and CBN, with NIPOST as project owners and the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, and the Public-Private Partnership, PPP, Department of the Ministry of Finance as stakeholders. a

Objectives

Speaking at the event, the Post Master-General, Mallam Mori Baba, explained that the objective of the project was to utilize the network of post offices across Nigeria to create and improve the access citizens have to financial services.

He said the signing of the contract came at a critical time for NIPOST: declining revenue from traditional mail operations occasioned by advancement in digital communications technology, amidst an increasingly competitive and harsh business environment.

This, he said, necessitated

the re-think by NIPOST to explore new lines of business, including the provision of financial services.

Meanwhile, according to a research by Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access, EFInA, four out of every 10 adults in Nigeria have no access whatsoever to financial services.

This class of people are said to rely on the cash they get from their trade, employers, families and friends to support all of their activities and do not have access to informal savings groups and cooperatives.

According to the report, of the six out of every 10 adult Nigerians that have access to financial services, only about half do so through formal deposit market banks.

Minister speaks

In her remarks, Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, said the transaction adviser was selected after a rigorous and transparent procurement process that saw a number of international and domestic consortia expressing interest in supporting the project.

She said the signing of the MoU will give the financial advisor authority to manage the second phase of the financial inclusion project, designed to activate and modernize all the post offices around the country and all the postal agencies to become financial hub for ensuring the inclusion of those that are not participating in the banking activities, especially in rural areas.

The Minister, who was represented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Tunji Olaopa, said: “Federal Government

believes that this scenario is untenable for the attainment of progress and inclusive development in Nigeria.

“This is because people do not live in a static state of poverty; improved income generating opportunities lifts them out of poverty, but social and economic shocks such as serious illness of a household member, death of a relative or household member, theft of goods and failure of business or trade, push them back.”

With the MoU signing, IIFC, a Bangladesh-based company will be working with its Nigerian consortium partner, the law firm of Abdulai, Taiwo & Company to complete its assignment.

Johnson said: “Completion of the NIPOST-CBN project will result, not only in the selection of a credible partner for NIPOST and creation and management of a successful and sustainable PPP arrangement, the project will make a significant contribution towards the attainment of the nation’s financial inclusion target, particularly in the rural areas.

ROFESSOR Jacob Kehinde Olupona has said: “We need a social and cultural revolution that recognizes the benefits of our native knowledge system that rehabilitates indigenous system of knowledge for development and our political renewal.”

The professor of African Religion and Traditions at Harvard Divinity School, Harvard University, United States of America, made the assertion while delivering the 2015 Foundation Day Lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, Tuesday.

He said faith and reason complement each other and religious knowledge or practice without scientific reasoning is incomplete.

Professor Olupona, who spoke on the topic God is in the Laboratory: Religion, Science and the Search for Knowledge in Nigeria, said there was significant relationship between faith and science to enhance human development.

He said effort must be geared towards bringing the two together to fight ignorance and promote deep knowledge for the benefit of Nigeria and the world.

The don said religion was not only about charismatic expression or spirituality, but also included important rational practices, which included herbal knowledge and understanding of medical science.

In his address, FUTA's Vi c e - C h a n c e l l o r, Professor Adebiyi Daramola, expressed his delight at the scholarly delivery of the lecture.

Otor kingdom demands recognition as TRANSCORP host

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HE people of Effurun Otor Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State have requested Transnational Corporation of Nigeria, TRANSCORP, Ughelli Power Limited in Ughelli North Local Government Area to implement the Court of Appeal, Benin, judgment in the suit between Effurun Otor Kingdom and Eruemukohwoarien community in Ughelli North

council, which held that Effurun Otor was owner of the land on which the company is situated and so should be recognized as host community.

The request was contained in a letter written by counsel to Effurun Otor Kingdom, Chief Milton Owhovoriole (SAN), and addressed to the said company and dated March 2.

Chief Owhovoriole had contested in the letter that a notice of appeal does not act as a stay of execution of judgment.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 — 55

Boko Haram men kill women forcefully-married wives ahead of clash with Army

By Kingsley Omonobi & Ndahi Marama, with Agency Reports

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OZENS of Nigerian women who were forced to marry Boko Haram fighters were reportedly slaughtered by their “husbands” before a battle with troops in the northeast town of Bama, multiple witnesses said yesterday Five witnesses who recounted the massacres to AFP said the Islamist militants were afraid they would be killed by advancing soldiers or separated from their wives when they fled the town.

They killed the women to prevent them from subsequently marrying soldiers or other socalled non-believers, they added.

“The terrorists said they will not allow their wives to be married to infidels,” said Sharifatu Bakura,

...Bodies of Boko Haram victims found in Bama wells Also, following Nigerian military’s recapture of Bama, the second largest city in Borno State; troops have discovered horrendous atrocities perpetrated by terrorists while their hold on the town lasted and as they fled the army ’s bombardment.

Military sources disclosed that a large number of dead bodies including that of women and children were discovered in several wells, apparently of some of their hostages or those who resisted them.

Aside those whose bodies were thrown inside wells, others were said to have been executed on the River Bama Bridge as the terrorists fled the town.

Civilians who have been cooperating with troops also narrated horrendous tales of the brutality of the terrorists while they held sway and ruled with iron hands, executing their own version of religious jurisprudence.

An intelligence officer, who confirmed the development, noted that the cordon and search of the town was continuing while some persons in the town are also being interrogated by troops.

Security sources noted that as troops advanced on Bama the terrorists embarked on a killing and maiming spree.

Military medical teams and emergency workers have been attending to survivors and evacuating internally displaced persons as screening of the town continues.”

Contacted, Defence Spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade said specific details will only be given after the ongoing thorough search of the town and its environments is concluded.

39, a mother of three.

According to Bakura’s account, which was supported by others, Boko Haram fighters received word of a military assault on Bama, formerly an Islamist stronghold in Borno state.

The insurgents had decided to flee to the nearby town of Gwoza before the troops’ arrival but first decided “to kill their wives so that nobody will remarry them”, she said.

Bukara’s husband was killed by the insurgents four months ago but she was spared from a forced marriage because she was visibly pregnant.

Boko Haram forcibly married scores of women in Bama after seizing it in September. The military announced the recapture of the town last Monday.

Witnesses who were taken under military protection this week to Borno’s capital Maiduguri, 73 kilometres (45 miles) away, said the killing of women began 10 days before Bama was liberated.

The Islamists said “if they kill their wives, they would remain pious until both of them meet again in heaven, where they would re-unite”, said Salma Mahmud, another witness.

A vigilante who fought

alongside the military in the battle to retake Bama, Abba Kassim, said he saw “dozens of women corpses” in the town.

While other witnesses reportedly a similarly high casualty figure the numbers were impossible to verify.

Fanna Aisami, 52, also in Maiduguri after escaping Bama this week, said the executions followed a warning from Boko Haram’s top commander in the town.

“He informed them of the

situation and the consequence of the takeover of the town by the advancing troops.

“He warned them that when soldiers killed them they would take their wives back to the society where they would be forced to marry and live with infidels,” the mother of seven said, speaking by phone to AFP in Kano.

The commander “said it would be better for them to kill their wives and send them to heaven,” Aisami added.

A number of women were shot dead in front of the commander’s house, she further said.

MEETING: From left; Alhaji Razak Yusuf, Lagos State CoOrdinator in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Development Matters & Special Duties; Hon. Obisan Bolade; Mrs Abiola Folami Ada, President of Lagos PDP Women Vanguard, and Mrs Omowunmi Abdulhammed during a General Assembly convened by The Lagos PDP Women Vanguard at Surulere, Lagos.

El Rufai accuses PDP of using soldiers to scare away APC voters Yero, also asked El- Rufai to defending their votes.

By Luka Binniyat

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ADUNA—KADUNA State gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Change, APC, Mallam Nasir el Rufai yesterday accused Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state of allegedly engaging the Nigeria Army to scare away APC voters from the polls and create room for rigging of the March 28, 2015 governorship poll.

However, the PDP governorship candidate and governor of Kaduna State, Muktar Yero has denied the accusation, saying that El- Rufai, was already preparing the grounds to justify what he said was imminent defeat of the APC.

supply any shred of evidence on the allegation as he could be talking from a state of “delirium from the sleepless nights he is now suffering since he confirmed that Governor Yero will beat him silly at the polls.”

El Rufai made the accusation in a statement signed by the Chairman, El Rufai and Kaduna State APC Campaign Organisation, Mr Ben Kure, in Kaduna yesterday.

The statement read, “The APC Kaduna State Campaign Council has been informed that soldiers have received orders to engage in massive and sustained intimidation of voters in the state.

The objective is to scare people sufficiently to deter them from voting, or, if they do, from

Four gov candidates in Adamawa back Ribadu

By Umar Yusuf

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O L A — F O U R governorship candidates from different political parties in Adamawa State have pledged to work for the success of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP flag bearer, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu in the April 11, governorship election.

The candidates include those of the Mega Progressive Peoples Party, MPPP, National Conscience Party, NCP, All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, and KOWA Party, KP, said they decided to abandon their respectiveambitionsandworkforRibadu in the interest of the state, adding that theirresolvewasbasedontheconviction that it was only the PDP candidate that could take the state to the next level of development.

“The PDP hopes thereby to reduce turnout, suppress the votes that would have been cast against it and thereby secure an illegitimate result. There seems to be no limit to the PDP’s desperation.

“In executing this illegal and dangerous order, the soldiers have been asked to concentrate their harassment, threats and scaremongering in Zaria and Kaduna.''

PDP chieftain boosts Okowa's campaign with transformer

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SOKO— A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, resident in the United State of America, who is also a patron of the Non-Indigenes/PDP Youth Forum of Delta State, Mr. Ochuko Odugba has donated a 500KVA Transformer to his home town, Emevor community in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, calling on his people to cast their votes for all the PDP candidates, namely: Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for President, Senator J.E. Manager, Senate, Delta South Senatorial District, Hon. Leo Ogor for Federal House of Representatives, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for Governor, Hon. Tim Owhefere, and Hon. Johnson Erijo for House of Assembly respectively.

Commenting further, he siad that part of citizen duty is to help government ameliorate the suffering of the populace. This gesture is to lit up my community, and therefore call on my people to protect it against vandals.

His words:” I truly believe that the 2015 elections are Nigeria moment of glory, an unparalleled opportunity to rise up to our challenges and defeat them. In order to consolidate on the gains recorded thus far, I urge all my kindred of Isoko stock to do the needful by voting en bloc for the PDP.”

Lagos PDP Women Vanguard tasks Agbaje

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OPEFUL of victory, the Lagos PDP Women Vanguard has urged the governorship candidate of the party in the state, Mr Jimi Agbaje not to forget women when he assumes office, saying that a number of agenda should be implemented to take care of womenfolk.

Making this call in a speech is Mrs Abiola Folami Ada, President of Lagos PDP Women Vanguard at a general assembly of the group convened in Surulere recently.

Mrs Ada, in her address, noted that the PDP Women Vanguard in Lagos is a mouthpiece for women in the political arena and those otherwise engaged.

She stated that the organization exists basically to empower

women, and listed vocational training for unemployed women, especially housewives and mothers as one of its achievements.

Another achievement of the organization, according to her, is the formation of a co-operative and credit thrift society which members subscribe to, to access funds through contributions.

She urged that Lagos markets be returned to women, and demanded that at least 35% of all appointments should go to women. She also listed free education for children at primary and secondary levels, day care/ creches in Lagos markets, as well as decent toilets, while multiple taxation and unlawful trials of women should also stop.

56 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 20 , 2015

NATO intercepts Russian military aircraft

UN asks ICC to prosecute Islamic State N for Iraq genocide J IHADISTS from the Islamic State (IS) group may have committed genocide and war crimes against the minority Yazidi community in Iraq, the United Nation has said.

In a new report just released, the UN said that IS had “the intent to destroy the Yazidi as a group.”

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Yazidis had fled villages in northern Iraq amid IS advances last summer. Many were killed, captured and enslaved.

The report, commissioned by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, was based on more than 100 interviews with survivors of attacks in Iraq between June 2014 and February this year.

Among the atrocities it says were perpetrated against the Yazidi community by IS (also known as ISIL), were , the “brutal and targeted” killing of hundreds of men and boys in Nineveh

ATO jets scrambled to intercept Russian mil itary aircraft as they neared Latvian airspace, officials have said.

Estonian radar detected the aircraft over the Baltic Sea on Tuesday night, NATO said. Other than the lead aircraft, NATO said, none of the other Russian military aircraft was on a flight plan.

NATO sent jets to identify the planes and later reported that the military aircraft flew on into Russian airspace.

NATO didn’t say how many Russian aircraft were involved. The flights come as Russia’s Northern Fleet has been placed on full combat alert for military exercises involving nearly 40,000 troops and 50 warships.

Air raid on Yemen president’s palace A new UN-backed report says Islamic State probably tried ‘to destroy the Yazidi as a group’. province, northwest of Baghdad, in August 2014, the rape of girls as young as six, the abduction of women “as spoils of war, and the forced separation of families, with boys as young as eight taken to be trained as IS fighters.

The reports added that, : “In some instances, villages were entirely emptied of their Yazidi population.”

A statement by the UNHCR says: “One witness described how two ISIL members sat laughing as two

teenage girls were raped in the next room.

“A pregnant woman, repeatedly raped by an ISIL ‘doctor’ over a period of two and a half months, said he deliberately sat on her stomach.

“He told her: ‘This baby should die because it is an infidel; I can make a Muslim baby’. “ The plight of the Yazidi population was brought to international attention when IS captured the town of Sinjar in August 2014.

Thousands of residents, mainly Yazidis, were forced to flee.

Many were trapped on nearby Mount Sinjar, which was surrounded by IS fighters.

Airstrikes led by the Unites States, and an offensive led by Kurdish peshmerga forces, helped break the stranglehold on Mount Sinjar.

The report also warns of offences being committed

by Iraqi security forces and affiliated militia.

Netanyahu assures on governing coalition after final vote tally SRAELI Prime Minister

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greets supporters at the party ’s election headquarters In Tel Aviv. Wednesday, March 18, 2015.

Benjamin Netanyahu is poised to lead a heavily right-leaning coalition government with control of 67 of parliament’s 120 seats, according to final election results released yesterday.

Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party won 30 seats, compared with 24 for his main rival, the center-left Zionist Union. It was a huge gain from the last election in 2013, when Likud won 18. Zionist Union’s leader, Isaac Herzog, conceded defeat.

“The reality is clear, the reality dictates that we will

European negotiator says framework accord with Iran unlikely soon

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IX world powers are unlikely to reach a framework agreement with Iran on its nuclear program in the coming days as the sides are still far apart on key issues, a senior European negotiator said yesterday, blaming Tehran for failing to compromise.

“Contrary to what the Iranians are saying with regard to 90 percent of an accord

being done, that’s not true,” the negotiator told reporters on condition of anonymity. “We are not close to an agreement.”

Iran and six world powers are seeking a comprehensive agreement to curb Iran’s most sensitive nuclear activities for at least 10 years in exchange for a gradual end to sanctions. The powers aim to complete the framework of a final deal by the end of March

and reach a full agreement by June 30.

A senior U.S. State Department official on Thursday denied reports there was a draft nuclear deal in circulation among six world powers and Iran. An Iranian official echoed the denial. Several Western officials had privately spoken of a document with brackets highlighting areas of disagreement.

be in opposition and will be an alternative on each issue,” he told Army Radio, dismissing any idea of a unity government.

President Reuven Rivlin has said that on Sunday he will begin to ask leaders of parties that won election to parliament to recommend a candidate to form a government. The nominee, almost certainly to be Netanyahu, will have 42 days to do so.

Since no one faction captured an outright parliamentary majority in Netanyahu’s come-frombehind victory, Israel will again be governed by a coalition of parties — as it has been throughout its 67year history.

Netanyahu, who has publicly ruled out a broad government with Zionist Union, is expected to ask far-right parties Jewish Home (8 seats) and Yisrael Beitenu (6), and religious factions Shas (7) and United Torah Judaism (6) to join him.

That would put him in command of 57 seats — still short of a majority — making a new centrist party, Kulanu, which won 10 seats, the kingmaker.

A

N unidentified warplane attacked the presidential palace in Aden yesterday after rival forces fought the worst clashes in years in Yemen’s second city, an official and residents said, in a sharp escalation of the country’s months-long turmoil.

Thirteen people were killed when forces loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi fought their way into Aden’s international airport and wrested an adjacent military base from a renegade officer, Aden governor Abdulaziz bin Habtoor said.

Both the fighting on the ground and subsequent air attack appeared to be part of a deepening power struggle between Hadi and the Shi’ite Muslim Houthi group, which controls the capital Sanaa and is allied with former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

In a televised speech Habtoor accused the Houthis of being behind the air attack on the compound in Aden’s al-Maasheeq district, where Hadi is based, but said the bomb “had fallen harmlessly into the sea”.

Virginia governor calls for inquiry into student arrest

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HE governor of Virginia has called for an investigation into the violent arrest of a black US student.

Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents arrested Martese Johnson, 20, outside a Charlottesville’s pub early on Wednesday, sparking protests at the University of Virginia.

A video and photos of Mr Johnson covered in blood and being pushed to the ground were widely circulated.

The white agents said Mr Johnson “ was very agitated and belligerent”.

But Bryan Beaubrun, a University of Virginia (UVA) student who photographed the arrest, said police acted with unnecessary force.

“He didn’t need to be tackled. He wasn’t being aggressive at all,” Mr Beaubrun told the Associated Press.

Craigslist attack: Unborn child taken from pregnant woman

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OLORADO police say a woman stabbed a pregnant mother in the stomach and took her unborn child.

The victim, who was seven months pregnant, is likely to survive following surgery, but the baby died.

The pregnant woman was visiting the suspect’s home to buy baby clothes that had been advertised on Craigslist.

Police said the suspect, Dynel Catrece Lane, took the baby to a hospital, where she claimed that she had a miscarriage.

Police have arrested Ms Lane, 34, on charges including first-degree murder, according to local media reports. She did not know the victim, police said.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 20 , 2015 — 57

Sierra Leone VP to challenge removal in court

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Tunis museum gun attack: Nine suspects arrested •as IS claims attacks N INE people have been arrested in connection with a gun attack in Tunis that saw 23 people killed on Wednesday, including 20 foreign tourists.

Tunisia’s presidency said four of those arrested were directly linked to the attack and five had “ties to the cell”.

museum attack, named by Tunisian officials as Yassine Laabidi, was reportedly known to the authorities.

Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid told RTL Radio that security services had flagged him up but were not aware of “anything specific”, or of any links to known militant groups.

Laabidi and his accomplice, named as Hatem Khachnaoui, were killed as security forces stormed the museum.

It was not immediately clear how the identities of the gunmen corresponded to the names given by IS. Jihadist groups, including IS, often give their fighters noms de guerre.

Tourists from Japan, Colombia, Australia, the UK, and several other European countries were killed in the attack and more than 40 people were A fighter from Misrata shouts to his comrades as they move to fight Islamic injured.

State militants near Sirte The army will also be deployed to major cities, the presidency added.

In another development, Islamic State said it was behind the attack on the Bardo museum, using an audio message to praise two “knights of the caliphate”.

The message, posted on Twitter accounts known to

be reliable sources of IS propaganda, named the attackers as Abu-Zakariya al-Tunisi and Abu-Anas al-Tunisi.

A statement described the attack as a “blessed invasion of one of the dens of infidels and vice in Muslim Tunisia”.

One of two gunmen involved in the Bardo

IERRA Leone’s fired vice president said he will challenge his removal by the president in the country’s supreme court, alleging that his dismissal was unconstitutional.

President Ernest Bai Koroma fired Samuel SamSumana on Wednesday, citing his recent expulsion from their political party.

Earlier this month, the ruling All People’s Congress political party expelled Sam-Sumana, making several accusations against him, including that he was instigating unrest. Sam-Sumana has rejected those accusations. It is unclear what triggered the dispute in the Ebola-hit West Africa country.

In a statement released late Wednesday, SamSumana said his legal team told him the president has no power to relieve him of his duties. SamSumana signed the statement as the “elected vice president of Sierra Leone.”

Tanzania’s MPs approve anti-foreigner law

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ANZANIA’s parliament has approved a tough new law aimed at curbing foreign employment.

The bill requires firms to satisfy the authorities that no local could do the job before employing a foreigner.

It reflects growing resentment towards foreign workers in Tanzania, a BBC reporter says.

It did not “make sense to see a Chinese driving a commuter bus” in Tanzania, ruling party MP Esther Bulaya was quoted by local media as saying.

Tanzania has seen a huge influx of Chinese nationals in recent years, with many of them carrying out skilled and semi-skilled jobs, says BBC Tanzania reporter Tulanana Bohela.

However, workers from other African states including neighbouring Kenya and Zambia - are likely to be most affected by the law, our reporters says.

They are employed by private firms in managerial posts, apparently because of a shortage of a skills among Tanzanians.

Boko Haram insurgents kill 10 in Nigerian border town

U.S. embassy in Djibouti closes for three days to review security

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SLAMIST militant group Boko Haram has killed at least 10 people in a town in northeast Nigeria, two security sources told Reuters yesterday , demonstrating it can still attack civilians despite a regional offensive that has forced it into retreat.

The sources said Boko Haram attacked a settlement on the way into the center of Gambaru, on the border with Cameroon, on Wednesday afternoon.

The nearby village of Ngala was also attacked.

Gambaru, near Lake Chad, had been captured from the militants by Chadian troops last month.

On Tuesday the Nigerian army said it had repelled Boko Haram from all but three districts of the northeast, less than two weeks before a presidential election.

Boko Haram has killed thousands of people in a six-year insurgency to carve out an Islamic state in northeastern Nigeria. The group, which until the start of this year controlled territory the size of Belgium, has been squeezed back in the run-up to the March 28 poll, in which President

HE U.S. Embassy in Djibouti has closed its doors for three days while it reviews the security in the tiny Horn of Africa state that hosts an American military base, the embassy said in a statement posted on its website.

In addition to hosting U.S. and French military bases, Djibouti also contributes troops to the African Union mission (AMISOM) trying to stabilize neighboring Somalia to the south.

The embassy did not say if there was any imminent threat.

“The U.S. Embassy will be closed to the public on Thursday, March 19, to review its security posture,” the embassy said in a statement posted on its Facebook an Twitter accounts, adding it would reopen for regular business on March 22.

A State Department official said the embassy took the decision “in light of ongoing threats,” but declined to elaborate.

Boko Haram Goodluck Jonathan will seek re-election.

Olu Adejuwon, staying in the Cameroonian town of Fotokol which is

separated from Gambaru by a river, said he had heard gunshots on Wednesday afternoon that continued for a long time.

“There was a gun battle with some Cameroon soldiers,” he said.

Sierra Leone announces Ebola curfew

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IERRA Leone is to enforce a three-day lockdown of key parts of the country to try to contain the Ebola epidemic.

There have been 3,702 reported deaths from Ebola in the West African nation.

A three-day curfew in September, keeping people at home under quarantine, was hailed as

a success by authorities, despite some criticism.

The country’s National Ebola Response Centre says a new lockdown will come into place next week. It will affect close to 2.5m people.

While the number of cases has slowed since the peak of the outbreak, the virus is far from

eradicated.

In the seven days leading up to March 15, there were 55 new cases in Sierra Leone, and 90 in neighbouring Guinea.

The number of new cases in Liberia - where most deaths have occurred - has not been registered.

Zimbabwean police shot prisoners

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IVE Zimbabwean inmates died after being shot by police in last week’s prison protest over food shortages, which turned violent as some prisoners attempted to break out of jail, vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa said.

Prison authorities last week denied that prisoners had been shot, saying one person died after being stampeded during the protest and investigations were being carried out on the cause of death of two more who were taken to hospital.

Some opposition members of parliament accused prison officials of trying to cover-up the cause of the prisoners’ deaths at Chikurubi Maximum Security prison, which houses some of Zimbabwe’s most dangerous prisoners convicted of crimes including rape and armed robbery.

58 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

Vanguard CLASSIFIED OBIONWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Dorathy Ogochukwu Obionwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Dorathy Ogochukwu Ukemezia. All former documents remain valid.

Federal Ministry of Environment, Abuja and general public please take note.

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Confirmation of name I, Okurudu Churchill Pere hereby confirm that the name Okurudu Churchhill Perekemebenaoyagha as it appears on my Pension Registration Certificate refers to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and general public please take note.

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Correction of date of birth

My name is Kalikwu Raymond. I was born on 20th June, 1992, but have erroneously used 18th April, 1984 as date of birth in some of my documents. This is to confirm that my correct date of birth is 20th June, 1992.

All former documents remain valid.

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Correction of name TUSEMONE— In some of my documents, my name was wrongly spelt as Tusemone Bibere Fortune instead of my correct name Tusemone Biboere Fortune. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Guinness Nigeria PLC and general public please take note.

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Confirmation of name This is to certify that these names Jude Ibe Chidiadi, Ibe Jude Chidiadi and Nnawuihe Jude Ibe is one and the same person; now wish to be known and addressed as Chidiadi Jude Ibe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OTURUHOYI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss O t u r u h o y i Oghenerievwema, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Evwierhurhoma Oghenerievwema. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

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IGWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Igwe Lilian Ogechukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Valentine Lilian Ogechukwu.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 — 59

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STRIKE: Patients on admission

lament .We'll be compelled to apply 'no work no pay' policy again if … — Fashola

By Chioma Obinna & Gabriel Olawale

ing ward rounds which normally start at 8: 00AM before the day’s clinics were yet HREE DAYS into the strike called to be carried out.

At the Lagos University Teaching by the Medical Guild, umbrella Hospital, LASUTH, where healthcare body for doctors in Lagos state, patients services improved compared to the in the wards have continued to bear the previous day, (Monday), patients in the brunt of the action. While patients seekvarious wards lamented what they ing emergency medical attention and those described as “abandonment’ by the striking presenting for the first time got some resdoctors. pite in most of the state – owned hospitals From the male surgical, male medical, in Lagos, patients already on admission female surgical and female medical wards, prior to the commencement of the strike only nurses were seen on duty attending were left at the mercy of the nurses. to patients.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor, Further investigation by Vanguard reBabatunde Fashola yesterday threatened vealed that the few doctors seen on ground to apply the ‘no work no pay policy’ again were instructed to focus more on new and on striking doctors if they remain on strike. emergency patients pending when the As at 10: 00AM when Vanguard arrived doctors would return to their duty posts. at some of the hospitals, the usual mornVanguard also gathered that the doctors working who were mostly consultants and locum doctors were also directed to only attend to the more sick people in the wards.

However, most of the EVIN, CHARLYN & est the Nigeria election has patients on admission who Kimberly Associates, generated. ‘Many people a UK based research and around the world, includ- spoke to Vanguard confirmed that no doctor had political risk consultancy ing political leaders and visited the wards since the firm has stated that incum- investors are focusing on bent President Goodluck Nigeria to see how the commencement of the strike.

Jonathan of the Peoples process of democracy is A relative of one of the Democratic Party will win managed’. Mr. Vince said patients in the wards, who the 2015 Presidential Elec- the ruling Peoples Demosimply identified herself as tion with a margin of 13 per cratic Party appear to be Toyin, commended efforts facing its toughest cent (probability).

The group which used challenge in 16 years and of nurses who were on duty.

Toyin who came to check both ‘monkey survey’ and hoped the efforts they have on her husband said: ‘Political Risk Index’ to made will help deepen and forecast the Nigerian strengthen democracy in “What I observed here since yesterday was that the election projected a Nigeria and enable the nurses are more frequent in Jonathan’s win if different contending parties everything remains manage their final push the wards than when doctors were working. toward 2015. constant.

They listen to us and Here’s the full statement: In a statement by Mr. We randomly conducted console us. One even told O.C Vince, the Vice me that very soon the strike President of the firm for a nationwide opinion poll will be called off.”

West Africa while focusing on the six geoAnother unidentified addressing a press political regions of Nigeria: nurse lamented that the conference today in Abuja, North East, North West, impact of the strike was explained that the firm has North Central, South West, no partisan interest in the South East and South- telling on the nurses.

“Ideally this is what we face outcome of the election South. The sampled whenever doctors embark which is left for the people population were asked of Nigeria to decide. The three questions centering on strike. It is not new to us again but we just hope company said it decided to on human rights, the they resume on time.” conduct the survey because economy and security: of the general global inter-

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Jonathan may win 2015 election by 13% — UK based research firm

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Non-Indigenes Forum backs Delta Assembly Chief Whip's re-election bid

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ARRI — THE NonIndigenes Forum, yesterday, endorsed the candidature of Hon. Omawumi Udoh.

Udoh, who is the member representing Warri South Constituency 1 in Delta State House of Assembly, is seeking re-election for the the same position on the platform of the PDP. Speaking to pressmen in Warri, the leader of the Forum, Prince Sani Usman,

stated that their endorsement is borne out of the need to ensure that "our party, the PDP presents the best candidate as our representative.

“We are behind Mrs. Udoh because as Chief Whip of the House, she has not only done well in the discharge of her legislative functions, but has brought sterling experience and added inestimable value to the position.

Continuing, Usman stated: "She has been able to identify the problems of the people she is representing. We are convinced that given her 12 years legislative experience she is in a vantage position to give the needed representation the constituency desires.

"She is a unifier and has been able to carry the indigenes and nonindigenes along in her empowerment schemes.

60 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

CAF throws out Dolphins N

IGERIA’s flagbearers in the CAF Confederation Cup, Dolphins were ejected from the competition yesterday after the CAF Interclubs Organising Committee decided the Garden City boys have no case in their contention against being walked over by Club Africain FC of Tunisia.

The Nigerian representatives had arrived in Tunis three hours to kick-off of their first round, first leg match at the Rades Stadium on Saturday, March 14, but then were held up for hours in the processing of

visa-on-arrival and lack of transport from airport to stadium.

When a bus eventually surfaced, the team was driven r o u n d Tu n i s a n d eventually arrived at the Rades Stadium one hour after scheduled kick-off time.

However, the CAF Interclubs Organising Committee decided there was no case of force majeure, and fined the Nigeria Football Federation the sum of $2,000 while ejecting Dolphins FC without prejudice to other financial sanctions that may be taken against the club.

OLLOWING the withdrawal of Bolivia from the planned March 26 international friendly with Nigeria, after citing “tense political situation” in the country, the Super Eagles will now play Uganda on that day in Uyo The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced the Uganda friendly on their Twitter handle yesterday.

Both Uganda and Nigeria will use this match to prepare for the qualifying tournament

•Musa

N10m prize money in NCC Tennis Cup

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN objectives of developing the game and arresting ELECOMMUNICATIONS youths restiveness. regulator, the “This competition is N i g e r i a n modelled after the Telecommunications prestigious Davis Cup Commission (NCC) has and it is not limited to rolled out the NCC just the youths alone, as Tennis Cup, which will tennis enthusiasts can see players winning come along to N10m in prize money. participate but they have Speaking yesterday in to align with the teams Lagos, NCC’s Chief competing in this Executive Officer, Dr. inaugural edition.

Eugene Juwah, The winning team will represented by the get N5, fist runner up Director, Public Affairs, will earn N3m, second Tony Ojobo said the runner up walks home commission was with N2m and the third investing in the runner up will gross sponsorship of the N1m. competition to achieve Eight teams, its two-pronged comprising Civil

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F/Eagles Continues from BP Striker Taiwo Awoniyi, Obinna Nwobodo, Musa Abdullahi have said the team have their sights fixed on a seventh AYC triumph in Sunday's final, agaisnt Senegal who beat Mali 2-1 yesterday.

Goals by Obinna Nwobodo and skipper Musa Muhammed in either half of the match lifted the Flying Eagles to Sunday’s final.

“The target now is to win the cup after we have qualified for the World Cup. We want to make our great country Nigeria happy and proud by winning a seventh AYC title,” said Awoniyi, who has scored

three goals at Senegal 2015.

“The fact that we have already qualified for the World Cup has made it a lot easier for us to now focus on becoming champions again.”

Nigeria have won the AYC six times with the last being in 2011 in South Africa.

In the meantime, the Flying Eagles scooped a fourth CAF Man of the Match Award at the tournament after midfielder Obinna Nwobodo was picked as the best player in the semifinal against Ghana.

Awoniyi (twice) and Ifeanyi Ifeanyi have been the other winners of the top award.

Friendly: Uganda replace Bolivia F

Defence, Tombin, Team Delta, Team Anambra, all in the Blue Group and the White Group, featuring Kaloku, Team

Ogun, Team FCT and CBN Futures will battle it out in a round robin set of matches.

Danagogo charges F/Eagles on AYC title

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PORTS Minister and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo has congratulated the national U-20 team, the Flying Eagles for qualifying for the final of the African Youth Championship holding in Dakar, Senegal after their 2-0 victory over Ghana’s Black Satellites.

The minister however, cautioned the Manu Garba-led side not to rest on their oars but put

in extra effort until the final is won, stressing that it would be more honourable if they go to the FIFA U-20 World Cup later in the year as African Champions.

“The Flying Eagles have done Nigeria proud by not only qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup but qualifying for the final of the African Youth Championship. Their qualification for the final is also remarkable as they beat our perennial rivals, Ghana.

NFF-Sec Gen Continues from BP old lawyer said his resignation took immediate effect and thanked the President, the Executive Committee and indeed “everyone at the NFF for the singular honour of serving our great country in this position and wish you and the NFF the very best in the years ahead.”

Accepting the resignation, the NFF Executive Committee said it respected Barrister Amadu’s decision and

wished him success in his future endeavours.

“We greatly appreciate his quality contributions to the development of football in Nigeria. His professionalism, hardwork and commitment to his duty helped in no little way in keeping the NFF administration stable and efficient.

“Without any doubt, when the story of Nigerian football is written, Musa Amadu’s name will be etched in gold.”

for 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

Both of them failed to qualify for the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea.

Nigeria beat the Cranes of Uganda 1-0 in their last meeting in Abeokuta in 2007.

Officials have also disclosed they have asked for compensation from Bolivia for their lastminute withdrawal from a planned friendly in Uyo. Nigerian presidential elections are fixed for March 28 amid growing fears of violence

Teams set to vie for Edo FA Cup

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WENTY men and women’s teams in Edo State are set to begin battle for the top prizes in both categories of the state FA Cup. The final of both events is scheduled for the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, on April 6.

An elaborate draws ceremony and presentation of trophies for the competition was held on Monday in Benin City. The winners’ trophy christened the Adams Oshiomhole Cup was donated by former Super Eagles player and coach, Austin Eguavoen while the Pius Odubu Cup for the losing

finalists was donated by Osaro Asemota.

The third-place winners’ trophy was donated by the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Prof Julius Ihonvbere.

Other personalities that donated trophies for other events were Dudu Orume, Mike Itemuagbo and a former sports commissioner in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Sports, Presley E d i a g b o n y a , commended Edo FA chairman, Frank IIaboya, for bringing a new dimension to the Edo FA Cup competition.

AAG Qualifiers: Elegbeleye writes off Mali, sure of Dream team

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HE Director-General, National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye has written off Mali, the Super Falcons opponents in the 2015 All-Africa Games (AAG) qualifying matches saying the senior national female football team would beat their Malian counterparts home and away as he expressed confidence in Dream Team VI beating Zambia.

The Super Falcons will face their Malian counterparts in the first leg match of the AAG qualifiers on Saturday in Mali.

El Clásico

Continues from BP

as long as possible.”

Messi said that although the team feels prepared for Sunday ’s game against Real Madrid, they will be a dangerous opponent: “We have a lot of respect for this game.

They ’re never in bad

shape; they ’re still dangerous, with impressive individual players and we need to respect more than ever … They are very strong and we have to play our game and, with the help of our fans, try to overcome them.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 — 61

Messi, Iniesta praise Hart B

ARCELONA attackers Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta have complimented Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart for keeping the score at 1-0 when they met at Camp Nou. Hart was beaten by Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic to make the aggregate score 3-1 in the Spanish side’s favour, but had the English ‘keeper not been in such fine form it could easily have been worse for the Citizens.

“He was phenomenal, he stopped everything,” Messi said. “We have to congratulate him on a great game because he’s a fantastic goalkeeper.”

“Hart was key to keeping them in it and was great in one-on-one situations,” added Iniesta. “He was outstanding. We had a lot of chances, which is not normal in this type of game. We deserved to win by a bigger goal difference.”

Hart will be looking to keep a clean sheet when West Brom visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, while the Barca players will already have turned their attention to El Clasico, when they face Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Tevez ´a dream´ team-mate – Morata

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LVARO Morata claimed playing alongside fellow Juventus forward Carlos Tevez is “a dream come true” after he led the Serie A club into the UEFA Champions League’s last eight.

With Andrea Pirlo unavailable for Thursday’s round-of-16 second leg against Borussia Dortmund due to a calf injury and Paul Pogba limping off in the first half in Germany, Tevez led from the front for Juventus, scoring twice and setting up Morata for the visitors’ second goal in the 3-0 win.

Juve fear no-one — Bonucci

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HART-FULLY . . . Manchester City’s goalkeeper Joe Hart (L) spreads hands to block Barcelona’s forward Lionel Messi (R) shot during their UEFA Champions League round of 16 match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. Photo: AFP.

Kompany: Huge difference between City, Barça, Bayern M ANCHESTER City captain Vincent Kompany accepts the club still remain a long way short of fulfilling their European dreams. The gap between City and the continent’s best clubs was starkly illustrated on Wednesday, when Barcelona dumped the English champions out of the UEFA Champions League with a commanding performance at Camp Nou. Thanks to the brilliance of Joe Hart, City at least

in the seven years since their Abu Dhabi takeover, but the journey still has a long way to go.

Kompany said: “The reality is they were a better team, there is no shame in admitting that.

For me there is a big, big difference. I will just mention Bayern Munich and Barcelona, and then there are the rest of the teams, with Real Madrid probably in between.

“Ultimately we have always said our goal is to become as good as them, but it will take some time. They are really good.

“Bayern Munich and Barcelona are not just Champions League-winning teams, they are World Cup-winning teams as well. They have generations that have played together a long time.

kept the scoreline respectable losing 1-0 for a 3-1 aggregate defeat - but they were distinctly second best to a Barça side inspired by the magnificent Lionel Mess i .

City m a y have made •Kompany considerable progress

EONARDO Bonucci says Juventus fear no-one in the UEFA Champions League after beating Borussia Dortmund to book a quarter-final spot.

Juventus fear no-one ahead of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final draw on Friday, according to defender Leonardo Bonucci.

The Serie A champions booked their place in the last eight on Wednesday with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund, giving them a 5-1 aggregate win.

It is the second time in three seasons Juve have made the quarter-finals, but they have not progressed beyond that stage since 2002-03.

They join Paris SaintGermain, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Monaco, Porto, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the last eight, and Bonucci is not worried about who they face next.

•Bonucci

Messi best of all-time – Enrique

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Tevez

ARCELONA star Lionel Messi is the best player of all-time, according to coach Luis Enrique.

The Argentine impressed as Barcelona claimed a 1-0 win over Manchester City in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.

Messi set up Ivan Rakitic for the game’s only goal at Camp Nou, where Barca completed a 3-1 aggregate victory after Sergio Aguero was denied from the penalty spot late on.

And Luis Enrique was unsurprisingly full of praise for Messi afterwards, labelling him the greatest of all-time.

“What Leo Messi is able to do is al-

ready known by everyone. He is the best player in the world, no doubt.

Not just nowadays but also in history,” he said.

“Obviously he gives us a lot, we’ve never hidden from this. It’s a pleasure to have him at our club.

“Nevertheless, we need a solid team behind him in order to lift trophies. So we have to keep working as a team, something which I think we are already doing."

62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY,, MARCH 20, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015 — 63

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015

El Clásico: Real Madrid ‘re dangerous – Messi F

C Barcelona forward Lionel Messi was elated after reaching the quarter-

finals of the Champions League for the eighth consecutive year:

“We’re back at a high level and we have to keep it going Continues on Page 60

TERRIFIC 3: Benzema, Bale, Ronaldo, ready to wreck Barca.

We must return home with trophy — F/Eagles •Play Senegal in the final

NFF’s Sec-Gen resigns!

B

ARRISTER Musa Amadu on Wednesday left office as General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation.

In his letter of resignation dated 18th March, 2015 and addressed to the NFF President, the 53-year

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FTER scaling through Ghana with a comfortable 2-0 win in the semi final, Flying Eagles players have all said they must return to Nigeria with the AYC trophy which has eluded the country for sometime now.

Continues on Page 60

JUBILATION: Flying Eagles players rejoice after victory over Ghana.

Continues on Page 60

•Amadu

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Jumped (5) 5 Evil (6) 8 Housey-housey (5) 10 Dance (6) 11 Finished (4) 14 Paling (6) 15 Criticise (7) 18 Pinch (3) 19 |Consume (3) 21 Rip (4) 23 Follow (5) 24 Caribou (4) 27 Number (3) 29 Youth (3) 31 Polluted (7) 32 Tyrant (6) 34 Sword (4) 35 Combined (6) 38 Reigned (5) 39 Blush (6) 40 Principle (5)

DOWN 2 Self (3) 3 Delight (6) 4 Hill (3) 5 Bark (4) 6 Believe (6) 7 Knife (6) 9 Flood (7) 12 Vehicle (3) 13 Mature (4) 16 Margin (4) 17 Relaxed (5) 20 Melodious (7) 22 Fever (4) 24 Totter (6) 25 Otherwise (4) 26 Knocked (6) 28 Part (6) 30 Rabbit (3) 33 Gull (4) 36 Entrap (3) 37 Sheep (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Carafe 5, Spar 8, Sewer 9, Ash 10, Open 11, Vote 12, Asked 13, Gratis 16, Dull 18, Even 20, Ass 22, Bee 23, Den 24, Step 25, Jest 28, Setter 30, Place 32, Evil 33, Trap 34, Run 35, Lever 36, Hold 37, Bridge.

DOWN: 1, Change 2, Rehearse 3, Florid 4, Senseless 5, Severed 6, Prod 7, Rued 8, Sea 14, Subjected 15, Men 17, Lee 19, Ventured 20, Ate 21, Spilled 26, Temper 27, Cringe 29, Mesh 30, Pill 31, Err.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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