Brave Doctor, Adadevoh loses Ebola battle

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62213

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

Over 5,000 persons displaced as fire razes five houses, sawmill in Lagos >>7

Brave doctor, Adadevoh loses Ebola battle

By Sola Ogundipe, Health Editor, Clifford Ndujihe, Chioma Obinna, Ola Ajayi, Victoria Ojeme, Monsuru Olowoopejo & Gabriel Olawale

•3 more patients to be discharged; WHO lauds Nigeria L •Lagos Govt, NIPRD move to discover cure •Panic in Ibadan; why Ebola kills fast

A G O S — FRONTLINE medical Doctor, Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, who saved the country from potential epidemic of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, yesterday, fell to the visegrip of the disease which she contracted while attending to the index (first) Ebola case, the late American-Liberian, Patrick Sawyer.

Dr. Adadevoh was infected when she force-

Nigeria sinks deeper into external debts >>9

Continues on page 5

COLUMNISTS:

Why I defected to PDP — Ribadu

The week after

•P.17

>>8

PSC approves 8 new Deputy Inspectors General of Police >>9

Elections as •P.19 military operations

Mr & Mrs

SAD LOSS—Late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh.

UNN: Lectures hold in stadium over shortage of classrooms

See 8-page pull-out inside

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY , August 20, 2014

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY , August 20, 2014 — 3

4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY , August 20, 2014

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 —5

POCKET CARTOON

AWARD FOR UDUAGHAN—President Goodluck Jonathan (2nd-l); presenting CBN Award to Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State in Abuja, yesterday, while Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (R) and CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, watch. Photo: NAN.

Brave doctor, Adadevoh loses Ebola battle Continues from Page 1 fully restricted Mr. Sawyer to his bed after he tried to remove the drip administered on him.

Observers said, yesterday, that her action probably saved many Nigerian lives because, if Sawyer had succeeded in forcing himself out of the hospital, it would have been difficult to trace those who had contact with him.

Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu announced the

death, yesterday evening, of Dr Adadevoh.

‘With this unfortunate development the total number of Ebola Virus related deaths in Nigeria now stands at five. The other two patients currently under treatment in the isolation wards are stable and are being taken care of,‘ he stated.

News of her death coincided with confirmation that the last three patients in the isolation centre may be discharged this week.

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

The protection of God is critical in achieving your desired goals. Ask for it and you will receive it.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Living in the present moment helps you to avoid worries, fears and anxieties, and wasting your time on futile and negative thoughts —Remen Sasson

I

F you keep thinking about the past, you allow all kinds of emotions and thoughts to rise into your consciousness, affecting the way you feel and think. Most often, such reminiscing disturbs the mind and agitates it, which is the opposite of peace of mind.

It is the same with thinking about the future. It is okay if you devote some time to thinking about it and planning it, but if you just keep dwelling on it and worrying about it, you are keeping peace of mind away.

The best approach would be to direct your attention to the present moment, to what you are doing and what is happening around you at each moment. By occupying your mind with the present moment you keep your mind busy, and don’t make room for worries, anxieties, fears or unpleasant memories.

With her death, Nigeria has recorded five Ebola deaths, of which one was the index (first) case, Patrick Sawyer, one medical doctor, two nurses and the ECOWAS staff. Nigeria also has five Ebola survivors and three more expected to be discharged later this week.

Dr. Adadevoh, an experienced consultant physician and endocrinologist was Lead Consultant with First Consultants Medical Centre, Obalende, Lagos, came into the limelight shortly after the dramatic visit of Sawyer, and will be remembered as the first Nigerian confirmed to test positive to the Ebola virus. A holder of an MBBS from the University of Lagos, UNILAG, as well as a Diploma in Endocrinology from the University of London, the deceased practised in the United Kingdom and Nigeria for more than three decades.

She was a member of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, the British-Nigerian Association and a Fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College.

Anxiety

Anxiety had escalated over her health in the last one week which necessitated a group of concerned friends, families and associates to seek assistance from the United States of America.

The call which attracted attention of the public and government, how-

ever, did not yield the much expected result, as she succumbed to the cold hands of death. A source confirmed to Vanguard that spirited efforts to save her life proved abortive. It was gathered that she died Monday night.

According to the source, the late Dr Ameyo Adedavoh could not make it due to the serious contact she had with the late Sawyer.

“She tried to fight the disease. She fought a good fight. She saved Nigeria from imminent Ebola epidemic. She was the one that stopped late Sawyer when he became violent and was able to stop him. It is unfortunate we lost her. She is a heroine, even in death,” the source stated.

Meanwhile, three more patients may be discharged any moment from today. According to the source that pleaded anonymity, among the three people that made it include a woman who gave birth in the hospital (First Consultants) and later returned for vaccination.

“The conditions of the three patients left in the isolation centre remains stable. I cannot say when they will be released but all I can tell you is that they are in stable condition and will be released any time from now. It could be tomorrow or next. But they are in good health,” the source said.

Cure for Ebola from survivors’ antibodies?

Meanwhile, in continuation of the search for a possible cure for Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, the Lagos State government is exploring several options among which is the collection and examination of antibodies from the blood of the Ebola survivors.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, disclosed this yesterday, during a tour of the Ebola Isolation facility at Mainland Hospital, Yaba, Lagos.

He said: “We are exploring the possibilities of collecting and examining the antibodies possessed by the patients for possible prospects of a cure.

“The patients were admitted into the isolation centre based on the result of tests conducted on them. But after some treatment, they survived the virus, and the test conducted on them again showed negative.”

Idris said the survivors were treated based on their symptoms, but explained the need for more virologists in the fight against the deadly virus because EVD patients are not like other patients.

“The activities within the isolation centre are very crucial, and one has to understand the protocol even if he or she has the expertise in managing the patients.

“For Ebola cases, there is specific training one has to go through, and one of the measures is that the safety of the people must be considered paramount. This is because the slightest mistake from any of the health officials can cause infection.”

It could be recalled that four patients who have survived the virus were discharged from isolation on Monday by the combined federal and state government teams and their international partners. Earlier over the weekend, a female doctor had been discharged after surviving the virus.

This development brings the number of survivors of Ebola in the

country to five while three other patients yet to scale the hurdle have been moved to the 40bed capacity isolation centre in the hospital.

WHO commends Nigeria

Also, the World Health Organisation, WHO, has commended Nigeria’s response to the current Ebola Virus disease outbreak, noting that efforts to contain the cases in the country have paid off.

In an assessment of the situation in Lagos, the global health body said the situation looks reassuring and encouraging, noting that at present, all 12 confirmed cases are all part of a single chain of transmission.

“Those infected by the initial case include medical staff involved in his treatment, a patient in the same hospital, and a protocol officer in very close contact with the patient.

The initial patient was vomiting frequently during travel and upon arrival. No one on the same flight was infected.

“The full recovery to date of one infected contact is additional good news. It counters the widespread perception that infection with the Ebola virus is invariably a death sentence. Evidence suggests that early detection and supportive therapy increase the prospects of survival.

“Intensive contact tracing, conducted by Nigerian health officials and staff from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has not, so far, identified any further confirmed cases outside the initial transmission chain,” said the WHO. The global health body added that since the index case which arrived Lagos on July 20 died on July 25, the 21-day incubation period has lapsed, stressing that all 12 cases were confirmed in a WHO-approved laboratory.

“The intensity of the search and monitoring effort raises cautious optimism that further spread of the virus in Nigeria can be stopped.

Continues on page 56

6—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, AUGUST 20, 2014

NSCDC arrests 3 over missing 202 voter's cards

By Tina Akannam

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UTSE — THE Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, said its officers have arrested three suspects in connection with the missing 202 voters cards in Tanukutaru ward, Gandun Sarki polling unit of Malam/Madori Local Government Area.

The trio, who are adhoc staff of Independent national Electoral Commission, INEC, were arrested following a tip-off by the Electoral Officer in the area.

The state commandant of the NSCDC, Dr. Muhammad Gidado has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter after which they will be arraigned.

According to him, the suspects arrested are Zaharaddeen Baita, Muhammed Saidu and Ibrahim Musa Yau.

30-yr-old plumber electrocuted in Lagos

19-yr-old rapes chicken to death in Ondo

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE— A-19-year-old apprentice welder (names withheld) was yesterday caught making love to a hen. The fowl reportedly died during the act.

The taboo was said to have been committed by the apprentice at about 11.20 p.m. at Continental area of Akure metropolis.

The suspect, Vanguard learnt, had committed same taboo with a goat in his home town, Afo in Ose council area of the state.

He was said to have been excommunicated from his home town because of the offence which made him to move in with his brother in Akure.

Speaking with newsmen, the owner of fowl, Mrs Stella Akintola, who resides in the same building confirmed that the man actually made love to her chicken.

According to her, she went to bed early but was woken up by the noise coming from the chickens at the back of her room, an indication that someone was disturbing their peace.

The discovery

Akintola said she went outside only to find that the back door was still opened.

According to her, she became curious and "I shouted to know who was still at the backyard only for him to appear from the corner of the house, saying he went to the toilet because he had a running stomach."

Akintola said she was not convinced especially as she

The suspect noticed that the noise from the chickens' pen stopped abruptly.

She said she went to where the chickens were but nothing was found. "It was when I visited the toilet that I found one of the them stone dead with its feathers littering the

floor," she said.

Still unaware that the suspect was the cause of the death of the bird, Akintola said she raised an alarm only for him to confess that he was responsible for the death of the fowl.

Akintola said the suspect confessed and begged her for forgiveness, saying he would pay any amount for the dead fowl.

She said she decided not to report the matter to the police because she could not stand the rigour she would be subjected to by the police over a “minor offence.”

Report had it that there were evidence that the man actually had sex with the hen when it was examined by the owner and others living in the building.

In an interview with newsmen, the suspect, who declined to speak initially, however, said a spirit directed him to do what he did.

He said: “I was already sleeping when a spirit just came upon me and directed me to go to the back of the building. I did not know what I was doing again until when I discovered that I had slept with the hen."

Contacted, the police image maker, Wole Ogodo, said since the matter was not reported to the police, he could not comment on it.

Ogodo noted that “it is what members of the public bring to our notice that we investigate.

This is a strange occurrence if what you are telling me is the truth."

5 nabbed for robbery, car theft in Bayelsa

By Samuel Oyadongha & Suzan Edeh

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ENAGOA — Policemen attached to the Akenfa and Yenagoa Division of the Bayelsa State Police Command have arrested a notorious criminal, identified as John Brigidi, aka Timberland and four others in separate raids over alleged robbery, car theft and recruitment of youths into violent crimes in the state.

John Brigidi was arrested alongside Tamara Joseph and Udoka Nezedike during a raid

along the Tenacious road junction, Edepie and Akenfa area for allegedly robbing a couple, Felicia and Johnson Adejuwon at gun point.

The duo of Keneth Temiunsi, an indigene of Igbogene community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state and another unidentified youth were arrested with a locallymade pistol and a stolen vehicle at Akenfa and Obele areas respectively.

The Public Relations Officer of the Bayelsa Police Command, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, who confirmed the development,

L

AGOS—A 30-yearold plumber has been electrocuted while carrying out his plumbing job in Ikeja area of Lagos.

The man, identified as Raphael, was electrocuted at 20, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja.

Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe, said the deceased was doing a plumbing work on a building decking with his colleague when the tragedy occurred.

He said the deceased’s colleague had descended from the decking to buy water but came back to see his friend electrocuted.

“We used a ladder and tied a rope on him to lower him down and handed him over to the police. They sell cars under the building,” he said

A spirit directed me to do it —Suspect

said the raid was part of ongoing exercise targeted at mopping up arms and check-mating incidence of theft and robbery in parts of the state.

According to him, “Brigidi alias Timberland and his gang were arrested at about 2.30 am on August 16, 2014 during a raid on the Akenfa area of the state following his identification by a couple robbed by the gang.

The couple were robbed at gun point at about 8.30pm.

“On Agust 8, at about 5am, a gang of robbers, operating in a Nissan Premiera wagon with number plate BY 37BB, were apprehended by the police patrol team and some concerned individuals. When the vehicle was searched, three suspected stolen car stereos were recovered.

“Also in the Yenagoa area, police anti-crime patrol team raided some black spots and saw a suspicious gathering of youths. On sighting the police team, the youths took to their heels and one was arrested and found to be in possession of a locally made pistol.”

...4 arrested in Bauchi

Flooded area at Rumuola Junction on Aba-Port Harcourt Road, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Also, the Bauchi State Police Command, yesterday, said it had arrested four suspects who specialised in robbing motorists plying the Bauchi Dindima-Alkaleri highway.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed, in a statement said the arrest was made possible following a tip-off by members of the public.

Items recovered from the suspects included five fabricated rifles, cartridges, cutlass and four handsets.

One arrested, 3 others escape Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014—7

Over 5,000 displaced as fire razes 5 houses, sawmill

Two siblings, woman burnt to death in Ogun

By Daud Olatunji

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By Evelyn Usman, Olasunkanmi Akoni, Bose Adelaja & Monsur Olowoopejo

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AGOS— FIRE, Monday night, engulfed five buildings and a sawmill in Oko-Baba area of Ebute-Metta, Lagos, displacing over 5,000 persons.

Property worth millions of naira were also destroyed in the inferno.

The cause of the fire, which started at about 10.30 pm and raged till the early hours of yesterday, could not be ascertained.

However, no casualty was recorded but several persons reportedly sustained injuries in the resultant stampede.

It was gathered that a similar incident occurred in the sawmill and bolt-up buildings last year.

Fire men attacked

Vanguard gathered that officials of the fire service, who arrived the scene to contain the fire, were attacked by some hoodlums, with one of the fire trucks smashed. The attack was said to have delayed the rescue work of the fire fighters.

Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Rasaq Fadipe, said three fire trucks were deplored to the scene when news of the incident reached them.

On his part, the South-West spokesman of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, said: “No casualty was recorded. We could not wait to count the number of houses affected. Except residents give number of houses affected, one cannot estimate. But they were just temporary structures built with planks. The fire consumed five bungalows built with sand concrete, multiple bolt up buildings and sawmill.

“When men of the fire service arrived the scene, hoodlums struggled to take control of the

Scene of the Ebute-Metta inferno. Photos: Biodun Ogunleye fire fighting, thereby endangering lives but they were resisted and they turned against the firemen.”

...In Somolu

Farinloye also said a threebedroom flat and a two-storey building at 14, Ayodele Bajulaye, Somolu were also consumed by fire.

LASEMA reacts

General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, LASEMA, Dr. Femi OkeOsanyintolu, who also visited the scene, said: “The fire was put out by the combined effort of the Lagos State Fire Service, LASEMA and the Local Emergency Management Committee of the affected local government area.

“LASEMA and men of the NSCDC are still on ground for assessment and enumeration exercise. Over 1,500 houses made up of shanties were razed by the inferno and also over 5,000 people displaced.

‘Sawmill equipment worth millions of naira were burnt.

The equipment included spindle, saw machine, band

saw, circular saw and generating machine.”

He appealed to the public to be careful in handling electrical appliances and learn to quickly send alert if there is an emergency.

Victims' account

When Vanguard visited the scene, yesterday, some lucky victims were busy gathering their personal effects while the unlucky ones were lamenting their plights.

Although, thousands of people were affected by the inferno but the sawmillers told Vanguard they lost several equipment worth billions of Naira to the inferno.

The sawmillers, who spoke through their vice chairman, Mr Kedus Okoye, said many of them had closed for the day ’s business before the inferno.

According to the vice chairman, "the sawmill exists about 70 years ago but some retirees among us have sublet their shops and they have converted them to residential buildings.

One of the residents, who gave his name as Afeez, said: “I only moved in about three months ago after a friend

moved out. I paid N60,000 for one year. Now, everything is gone and I do not have any place to go.

Another, a father of three, who identified himself as Donatus Mgbeje, said: "I have been living here with my wife and three children for three years and I have witnessed this type of incident twice.

"The last one occurred last year during rainny season.

No one can tell what caused that of last year and this one.

"Anytime it happens, we will begin to build again because we cannot afford money to rent accommodation elsewhere. We live like every other Lagosian here, the only difference is that while others live in concrete buildings, we live in makeshift buildings.”

But some of the residents, who spoke to Vanguard on phone said the fire could have been caused by a lit candle.

"This is not the first time an inferno will occur in this place but it is usually traced to the residential areas who refuse to understand that residential homes are not built near a sawmill. We want the government to come to our aid."

B E O K U TA — TRAGEDY struck yesterday, in Temitope axis of Idiroko border town when three persons including two siblings and a woman were burnt to death.

The incident occurred when two vehicles being used for bunkering business had a headon collision and burst into flame.

Vanguard gathered that one of the victims simply identified as Fatai, his younger brother and a woman who reportedly engaged in illegally trans-border crossing of petroleum products between Idiroko border and Republic of Benin died in the inferno.

It was gathered that the three were returning from a smuggling base generally referred to as “beebe”, before their Nissan Sunny car with number plate, LAGOS AKD 194 BS, collided with an unmarked Ford bus loaded with fuel.

Va n g u a r d f u r t h e r gathered that the unmarked Ford bus, laden with 200 units of 50-liter capacity jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was heading to the beebe petroleum black market for onward movement to the neighbouring country before the accident occurred.

An eye witness said in a hurried movement to avoid being caught by security operatives, particularly the Nigeria Customs Service, the vehicles collided in front of a filling station located.

Police officers from Idiroko Divisional Headquarters also arrived the scene and towed the carcasses of the burnt vehicles.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

Why I left APC; I won't taunt my friends —Ribadu 'It’s a personal insult to say I'll leave APC — Ribadu said four months ago'

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor & Henry Umoru

FORMER CHAIRMAN of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and until recently All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has said that he would not taunt his former associates in the APC such as Governors Rotimi Amaechi and Rabiu Kwankwanso.

Ribadu in a statement, yesterday, also claimed that his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is to establish good governance in the country.

His claim of pursuit of good governance in the ruling PDP is despite his assertion four months ago when he claimed that he considered it a personal insult to insinuate that he would leave the APC purportedly for the PDP. Following his defection to the PDP, Ribadu in a statement, yesterday, also pledged not to antagonise his former associates in the APC even as he denied a statement credited to him where he had purportedly disparaged Governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State.

In the statement posted on his facebook page, Ribadu, the 2011 presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, one of the legacy parties that formed the APC, Ribadu said: “I know how difficult it may be for you to come to terms with my defection to another party. But I must assure you that it’s a carefully considered decision for which I do not wish to hurt anyone’s feeling. I’ll not embark on a needless animosity with my good friends, irrespective of political, religious, regional and ethnic affiliations.”

“Let me quickly make it known that I did not issue a statement disparaging APC and its members, including Governors Amaechi, Kwankwaso... These were clearly fabricated, expected backlash, by mischievous characters interested in misleading the public and drawing a picture of nonexistent feuds between me and my good friends.

“My defection shouldn’t be seen as an initiation of political antagonism with my good friends in another party.

I still hold them in high esteem, and even where there are marked differences,

I believe there are decorous and honourable ways of resolving them. So, kindly disregard any statement said to be by me attacking the personality of any politician since my defection. I’ll never allow myself to be drawn into such disrespectful exchange.

“As for my next step in this political struggle, this would be made known in due time.

For now, I wish to assure you that my defection is in pursuit of a good cause, and never out of any selfish interests as portrayed by a section.

"Thanks for bearing with me on this decision, and for those who have been in solidarity with my struggles and still giving me the benefits of the doubt, I’m most grateful. I’ll never let you down on this new path."

With reactions to Ribadu’s defection still generating mixed reactions, it emerged, yesterday, that the former oppositionist four months ago said that it was a personal insult on him to allege that he would defect from the APC. In a posting on his facebook page on April 9, Ribadu had said: “I felt personally insulted by rumours making the

rounds in this space over my alleged intention to dump my party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. There is no iota of truth in that malicious falsehood being peddled by persons who do not wish me and my great party any good.

“I am a committed member of APC and I have no reason to lose confidence in the party. For the past seven days, I have been in my state of Adamawa helping to see to the smooth conduct of ward congresses and other coming elections.

“I urge all my friends here to disregard that rumour as what it is; cheap blackmail from mischievous persons.”

Only four weeks ago, Ribadu on his facebook wall had also praised his “friend and brother,” Rauf Aregbesola on what he said were the good works of the governor in Osun State.

“My Friend and Brother, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, is leading the Broom Revolution in Osun State and delivering Government Unusual. I am glad the people are totally behind him and will massively vote for him come August 9th.”

Meanwhile, ahead the

PUBLIC HEARING: From left: Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, chatting with the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, and National INEC Commissioner, Abdulkadir Oniyangi, during public hearing on a Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act No. 6 of 2010, to ensure a level playing field for all participants in the electoral process in Nigeria, and for other related matters, at the National Assembly, in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan

October 11 gubernatorial election in Adamawa State, the national leadership of the PDP is set to rake one N154 million from sale of forms to contest for the primary election where the party ’s flag bearer would emerge.

The sale of forms closed yesterday, as return of forms holds today while the ward congress are fixed for September 1; Ward Appeal, September3; State Congress September 6; appeal September 8, with screening of aspirants to hold September 28 and appeal, September 30.

The national leadership of the PDP had since the sale of forms for Anambra State governorship election held November 16, 2013, pegged the nomination form at N10 million while the Expression of Interest form was sold for N1 million.

Women are expected to purchase only the Expression of Interest form for N1 million while the nomination form is given to them free in line with the norms of the party, but in the case of Adamawa State, no woman picked either of the forms to contest for the most exalted position in Adamawa State.

As at the close of sale of forms, yesterday, at the PDP National Secretariat, Vanguard gathered that 14 aspirants purchased the forms.

Those who bought forms, according to the record at the Mobilisation office in the office of the National Organising Secretary and obtained by Vanguard, yesterday, are the Acting Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri; a three time gubernatorial aspirant, Dr. Umar Ardo; former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Senator Abubakar Girei; former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak; erstwhile Military Administrator of Lagos and Borno states, Brig.

Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa and former Minister of Statement Foreign Affairs, Dr. Aliyu Idi-Hong.

Others are: the immediate Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Dr. Ahmed Modibbo Mohammed; son of former PDP National Chairman, Awwal Bamanga Tukur; Marcus Natina Gundiri; James Shuiabu Barka; Jerry Kundusi; Engr. Brig. Gen. A.A.V. Kana and Andrawus Sawa.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 —9

PSC approves 8 new Dep InspectorsGeneral of Police. ....Arase, Doma, Katso make list

By Kingsley Omonobi

CONFERENCE: Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State (4th left), exchanging greetings with Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State. Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State (right), Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (2nd right) and others, at the 8th Annual MSMEs Finance Conference and Entrepreneurship Awards, at the Sheraton Hotels, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida

Nigeria sinks deeper into external debt

By Omoh Gabriel & Emma Ujah

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IGERIA’S TOTAL debt stock has again risen to a very high level of N10.4 trillion as at June 2014. The rising debt profile of the country is made up of external debt stock of N1.46 trillion ($9.377 billion), Federal Government domestic debt of N7.421 trillion ($47.653billion).

States in the federation have a domestic debt stock of N1.551 trillion or $9.963 billion. The Federal Government's share of the rising external debt stands at $6.363 billion.

As at December 2013, however, the total stock of external debt was $8.821 billion indicating a rise of $556 million in the first half of 2014. But as at December 31, 2012 Federal Government’s external debt was $4.14 billion as against a total debt stock of both Federal and state governments of $6.5 billion.

A break-down of the rising debt profile showed that Federal Government’s external and domestic debts amounted to N8.8 trillion or $57.030 billion as at the end of June 2014. Federal Government borrowing from multilateral Institutions amounted to $3.826 billion while loans from bilateral sources mainly China Exim Bank and Eurobond amounted to $2.537 billion.

In the case of states, a total of $2.904 billion was sourced from multilateral institutions, $108.9 million was obtained as loans from bilateral sources, thus making the states' total outstanding external debt as at June 2013 $3.013 billion.

Disclosing these facts in Abuja, Director General, Debt Management Office, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo said that although the debt profile had increased, he assured that the debt remained sustainable at a ratio of 12.51 to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP. The D-G also said that the managers of the nation’s debt would apply more caution in further borrowings in order not to run into the crisis of debt overhang, which the nation once suffered.

DEBT MANAGEMENT OFFICE Nigeria’s Public Debt Stock as at June 30, 2014 in millions Debt Category

Amount outstanding in USD

A. External Debt Stock (FGN + States) Domestic Debt Stock (FGN Only) Sub-Total B. Domestic Debt of States* C. Grand-Total (A+B)

Amount outstanding in NGN

9,377.11 47,653.61 57,030.73 9,963.72 66,994.45

1,460,297.92 7,421,097.30 8,881,395.22 1,551,650.13 10,433,045.35

*Domestic Debt Stock of the 36 states and the FCT as at end December, 2012.

CBN Exchange rate of 1USD to 155.73 Naira as at June 30, 2014 was used.

His words: “The sovereign debt is doing well. Currently our total sovereign domestic debt for both Federal and states and the FCT is about N8.9 trillion and external debt is about $9.38 billion.

“Our current debt/GDP ratio is about 12.51 per cent which is much lower than the 56 per cent total public to GDP for countries of Nigeria’s group.

However, this is not an indication that Nigeria can afford to borrow without caution. In spite of the re-basing which means we have more capacity to borrow, we are not going to borrow without caution. In fact, we are going to be more cautious, especially because our tax-GDP ratio is low.

Many economic agents do not pay their taxes.”

Eurobond Dr. Nwankwo said that the Eurobond initiative which commenced in 2011 with the floating of the $500 million Eurobond has positively changed the profiles of Nigerian corporate organisations and their ability to raise long-term funds from the international capital market.

FG to tackle MSMEs problems frontally — Jonathan …kicks off N220 billion disbursement …urges patronage of made-in-Nigeria goods Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief & Emmanuel Elebeke

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RESIDENT GOODLUCK Jonathan has pledged to frontally tackle all problems militating against Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, in the country, as he commenced the disbursement of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, N220 billion fund for that sector, in Abuja, yesterday.

Speaking at the crowded event, he noted that MSMEs formed the bedrock of all economies, worldwide, providing an average of 47 per cent of the national Gross Domestic Products, GDP, and must be rejuvenated in Nigeria.

His words: “As Africa’s largest economy with excellent prospects of becoming one of the 20 largest economies in the world in the nearest future, it is imperative that the challenges confronting MSMEs are

addressed frontally at this time if all of us work together.

“There is no doubt that a vibrant MSMEs sub-sector is indispensible to achieving the transformation agenda of this administration.”

President Jonathan disclosed that there were about 2.7 million MSMEs in Nigeria, but that the number was too small compared to a country like Indonesia with about 40 million MSMEs. He added: “The MSMEs initiative is a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to its vision for job creation and inclusive growth.

“Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, SMEs, are recognised all over the world as engine of growth in any development and growing economy. Due to the inherent labour intensive production processes, they also provide a viable platform for job creation globally.”

The president noted that stable power supply was the critical to industrial development, as well as, economic progress and pledged that his government would vigorously pursue better power supply.

Patronage of Nigerian cars The president urged the Nigerian public to patronise locally made goods, especially the cars being assembled in the country, noting the new automobile policy would enhance the MSMEs if Nigerians bought into it.

He said: “The new automotive policy has already received commitment from investors to sale motors, which had produced the first set of locally produced cars in April this year. Our expectation is that special patronage of the automotive industry will significantly boost the MSMEs in our nation”.

ABUJA — FOLLOWING the retirement of the erstwhile Deputy Inspectors-General of Police during the tenure of former IGP Mohammed Abubakar, the Police Service Commission has elevated eight new Deputy Inspectors General of Police.

Those promoted are AIG Solomon Arase, formerly AIG in charge Intelligence at Force Headquarters, AIG Dan’Azumi Doma, formerly in charge Force Secretary’s Department, AIG, Christopher Katso, formerly a Directing officer at the National Institute for Police and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, AIG Salihu Argungu, formerly AIG in chage Zone 5, Benin.

Others are: AIG Mamman Tsafe, formerly AIG in charge Zone 2, Lagos and AIG David Omojola, formerly AIG in charge Zone 11, Oshogbo.

The two CPs promoted to DIG’s are CP Hilary Okpara, formerly CP in charge Bayelsa state and CP Sotonye Wakama, formerly CP in charge Counter Terrorism Unit.

According to a statement signed by Ferdinand Ekpe, Assistant Director, Information, “the promotions are with effect from August 19, 2014. The Commission also reaffirmed its earlier decision that promotions from the ranks of ACPs to AIGs would only be done after its interviews with the affected officers.

“The Commission had earlier at its 6th plenary on August 12, 2014 reviewed the time limit within which aggrieved police officers can lodge complaints against punishment meted to them to 30 days from the receipt of the decisions,” the statement said.

“It has also availed aggrieved officers the opportunity to appeal directly to the Commission where an action on its decision is not implemented by the Police authorities as directed by it.”

Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Mike Mbama Okiro, while congratulating the newly promoted officers enjoined them to see their elevation as opportunity to serve.

10—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

Fashola assures of completing all ongoing projects before leaving

By Monsur Olowoopejo

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola Lagos State, yesterday, said the state would meet the demand of potable water supply to the residents by the year 2020, urging Lagosians to vote massively for the All Progressives Congress, APC, for more dividends of democracy.

This came as the governor defied the heavy early morning downpour to commission two schools, constructed in IfakoIjaiye Local Government Area, aimed at increasing the number of classrooms in the state.

Giving the assurance after inspecting the on-going construction of the Adiyan Water Works phase II, IfakoIjaiye Local Government, the governor said when completed, it would inject another 70 million gallons per day.

Vanguard gathered that the water demands in the state will be 733 million gallons per day while the production in the state would be 745 million of gallon per day.

The governor said the project was designed to end scarcity of potable water supply to the residents.

Harping on the importance of the Ajiyan water works, he said, “The construction work on the Adiyan water works phase II is in top gear. The contractor has showed that they could work at night and hopefully, this will speed up the construction of the water works. This is the third major water works in the state.

The first was the Iju water works which was build at about 1910.

There was no major intervention in the state until 1991 when Adiyan water works phase I was constructed. That is a long time and the population continues to grow in the state.

“The state government has constructed so many mini and micro water works. The reason this is important is that we started with the micro water works and to resuscitate some of those that were built by my predecessors, and to add more as a short term.

This is a medium term plan in the second term. The long term plan is to have more if this being built in partnership with private sector to deliver more of such projects.

“This is direct government funding. The long term plan is that we will need more of this to be able to hit the water demands for the residents of the state. The plan is that by 2020, we should be able to meet the plan of the citizens of the state.”

The governor explained that the provision of water alone was never the answer to water scarcity

but the conservation of water, saying “Like all utilities, one can never over supply, so to have adequate supply, it requires minimisation of waste, conservation.”

On the new schools

The governor, while commissioning the schools, urged the residents to vote for the All Progressives Congress, APC to continue to enjoy dividends of democracy.

The schools were Sonmori Senior Comprehensive High School, Ifako Ijaiye with 18 classrooms block at and First

African Primary School, Iju – Ishaga axis of the state with 13 classrooms Fashola assured residents that the ongoing work on the Ifako-Ijaiye mini stadium “will be completed as the administration goes on. It is a commitment I made to them and I assured them that I will deliver it. And hopefully we will finish it before 2015.”

Noting that provision of new structures was an on-going effort to rebuild new school, and renovate existing ones during the vacation; the Governor said it was expected

to also inspire teachers to produce better results.

The governor said the purpose was to ensure that when the children resumedfrom their long vacation, they would resume into a better learning environment than they left while proceeding on the vacation.

He reiterated his commitment to give his best to the state adding that if the residents could defy the rain or the sun to come and vote for the APC in the last general election, nothing would also stop him from serving the people of Lagos in the rain or the sunshine.

COMMISSIONING: From left — Dr Obafemi Amzat, Commissioner for Works, Lagos State; Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Deputy Governor; Governor Babatunde Fashola; Mr Bisi Onasanya, GMD, First Bank; Mr Toyin Ayinde, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Devt, ; Chief (Mrs) Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, President General, Market Men and Women, and others during the opening of the Main Tejuosho Shopping Complex, Yaba, Lagos yesterday. Photo by Biodun Ogunleye.

FG extends payment deadline for Afam, Kaduna DisCo to Oct 6 balance of the 75 percent bid price facilities already obtained.

By Emma Ujah

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HE Federal Government has extended the deadline for Televeras Group and Northwest Power Plc; the preferred bidders for Afam Power Plc and Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, respectively, to pay the balance of 75 percent of purchase prices to October 6, 2014.

Their original deadline expired on August 6, 2014 The Bureau of Public Enterprises said in Abuja, yesterday, that the Televeras Group pleaded the nonexecution of the gas agreements required to bring the transaction to a financial conclusion and security challenges, as reasons for seeking the extension.

“It would be recalled that the Televeras Group-preferred bidder for Afam Power Limited had on May 19, 2014 requested from the Federal Government an extension of time to pay the

for the power Company because gas agreement that is germane to the completion under the Share Purchase Agreement, SPA it signed with the government had not been executed”, the bureau explained.

Televeras claimed that the bankability of the transaction was predicated on the execution of the gas agreement and that the nonexecution of the agreement had made it difficult to satisfy the due diligence enquiry required for the raising of funds to make the full payment.

The investors had paid the initial deposit of 25 percent of the bid price of $ 65,012,500 for the Afam Power Plant.

On its part, Northwest Power Ltd had on July 25, 2014, requested an extension of transaction timeline by 60 days due to the recent security challenges experienced within the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, which made its offshore financiers to postpone disbursement of bank

The company explained that though it had secured financing for the transaction from a foreign bank, the bank had requested for additional time to review the transaction in the aftermath of the security challenges in Kaduna to ensure the safety of its funds.

EBOLA: Fear grip ferry passengers over use of life jackets

By Godwin Oritse

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OMMUTERS on Lagos waterways are beginning to shun the use of life jackets for fear of contracting the deadly Ebola virus currently ravaging some countries in the West African subregion.

Vanguard gathered that boat operators in Lagos have recorded low patronage in water transport as a result of the Ebola virus.

Commuters who insist on using water transport now buy and wear their personal lifejacket instead of using the one provided by boat operators.

A few number of commuters at the CMS jetty who spoke to Vanguard, said the fear of contracting the Ebola virus made passengers to shun the lifejackets that probably had not been sanitised.

Speaking to Vanguard on the development, a boat operator, Mr. Chris Ajayi, told Vanguard that the use of personal lifejacket was the best for now.

Ajayi insisted that life jacket was available and affordable in Lagos, saying the safest thing at this point was to ensure that the public lifejackets were sanitized before passengers put them on.

While passengers blamed the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, for not sensitising commuters on the outbreak of the Ebola virus with regards to waterways transport, Engr Muazu Sambo the agency’s Lagos Area Manager said the authority planned a massive sensitisation programme for commuters on waterways.

Gas shortage hinders effective power supply, says IPMAN privatisation in the country

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A G O S — T H E Independent Petroleum Marke t e r s Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, has said that sustained shortage of gas had remained a major threat to sustainable electricity power supply in the country.

National President of IPMAN, Mr Chinedu Okoronkwo, made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos.

Okoronkwo said that power

would have yielded positive results if the various power plants had adequate gas supply.

He, however, said that in spite of the gas challenge, some areas in the country had started enjoying 18-hour uninterrupted power supply, noting that new investments in the power sector, including procurement of equipment by the investors and upgrade of infrastructure were contributing to the improved power supply in parts of the country.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 —11

By Gbenga Ariyibi

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DO EKITI—Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State and All Progressives Congress, APC led Government of Kayode Fayemi, yesterday traded words over unpaid July salaries of teachers and council workers.

While PDP claimed it was punitive measure by Fayemi to punish those he thought did not vote for him during the June 21 governorship election, Governor Fayemi Administration, blamed the PDP for the problem, saying due to the paucity of fund the government used to raise money from the banks to pay salaries, but PDP had been raising undue alarm over it.

PDP in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Pastor Kola Oluwawole said “Our candidate, Mr. Ayo Fayose, defeated Fayemi squarely in the election by winning in all the 16 local governments and all segments of the society, including civil servants rejected Fayemi and the APC, at the poll. Fayemi has decided to punish those he perceived did not vote for him in the election, among whom were local government workers and teachers. Fayemi should let the people of the state know what is delaying the payment of the salaries of these people. He had money to pay his political appointees and even sent money to his illegally-created local council development areas.

Fayemi should pay these workers without further delay. .”This governor should explain

Ekiti govt, PDP trade words over workers' salaries

By Ola Ajayi

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LAUNCH: MD, Samsung Electronics, West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim; Samsung brand ambassador, Remilekun Safaru, a.k.a. Reminisce; Head of Product Marketing, IT and Mobile, Samsung Electronics, Ms. Olajumoke Okikiolu; Director, IT and Mobile, Samsung Electronics, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas and Business Devt Director, IT and Mobile, Samsung Electronics, Mr. Daesung Ra at the launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S and Galaxy Ace 4 Lite and Galaxy Trend Lite, in Lagos. Photo by Joe Akintola, to Ekiti people what he is doing with the allocations that have come to Ekiti State from the Federal Government since June for them to know why the payment of workers’ salaries has become a taboo to the government that claims to be people friendly.”

But reacting through the

Commissioner for Information, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo, the government blamed PDP for the problem, explaining that the state government had always paid salary of civil servants and teachers with ease.

Ekundayo said the state government used to raise money from banks to pay salary of

We'll unseat Amosun in 2015, PDP boasts

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U TA — T H E People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State, yesterday boasted that it would unseat the incumbent governor Ibikunle Amosun in the 2015 election, claiming the calibre of governorship aspirants in the party was a pointer that Amosun was on his way out of the office.

The state Chairman, Bayo Dayo spoke at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta, while receiving a letter of intent from a lawmaker representing Yewa South/Ipokia Federal constituency in Ogun State at the House Representatives, Abiodun Akinlade, to run for the governorship seat in 2015.

Chief Dayo however, denied that the party had chosen its governorship candidate, promising that every aspirant would be given a level playing field during the primaries ahead of the general election.

The chairman, who described Akinlade as a strong politician who could give the party its desired victory in the coming election, assured that PDP would be fair to all aspirants.

South West monarchs tasks FG on confab

According to him, “No decision has been taken on any elective positions. I am assuring everyone that when we are going to have our party primaries, I will be transparent and honest to all. All aspirants would be given a level playing field. I am not going to take side with any aspirants.

I have told all the State Working Committee, SWC members that we are all referees and an umpire must not take side. We are going to be fair to all”.

Akinlade while presenting his letter of intent to the chairman, in the presence of members of the SWC, tasked leaders of PDP in the State to settle their differences and work hard so that the party could win all the elective positions in the state in the 2015 general elections.

According to Akinlade, “government is about the people, any government that does not have human face is not a government. The state can get better than what it is now. By God’s grace, in 2015, PDP will return to Oke Mosan. I came to present my letter of intent to be your servant in 2015, with the

support of the leadership of our party, our supporters and the people of Ogun State, Amosun is on his way out. If I am given the governorship ticket, I will deliver 99 percent of the votes cast to PDP.”

workers due to the delay in federal allocation, saying “We have paid all the civil servants except the Local Government workers that we are owing July salary. We have never owed workers salary despite paucity of fund.

“This thing happened because of the meddling of the PDP in the affairs of the state. We used to obtain fund from banks to settle salary in the past pending when we will receive allocation, but the PDP advised banks not to deal with us. The banks thereby became circumspect in dealing with us. The meddling is not in the interest of the state; otherwise we would have paid all the workers. It is the PDP that should be blamed.''

Ogun CJ releases 39 prisoners

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—THE Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade y e s t e r d a y, g r a n t e d unconditional release to 39 inmates in four out of the five prisons in the state.

The freed inmates were said to be robbers and others arrested since 2008 whose case files could not be found by the police.

According to the release from the ministry of justice, prisoners were set free from Ilaro, Oba, Abeokuta and Ijebu-Ode prisons.

Justice Olopade however, explained that the exercise which was supposed to have taken place in July was shifted to August due to judiciary workers strike.

“Even though the courts are on vacation, we would ensure the welfare of the inmates and

decongest the prisons by setting free those inmates awaiting trial on the ground of no case file and some inmates who have no charges against them,” she said.

Olopade expressed optimism that the released inmates would have learnt their lessons and would live as good citizens of the society.

The CJ however appealed to the State Police command to work effectively with the ministry of justice in the discharge of their duties toward speedy dispensation of justice.

She added that the state government had assured it would assist the Criminal Justice Sector, so that criminal cases would be brought to court promptly by approving funds for the duplication of case files in order to eradicate delay in justice dispensation.

B A D A N — MONARCHS from the South West zone of the country have called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to expedite actions on the recommendations made by the just-concluded national conference especially the creation of states before the 2015 general elections.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting held by the Yoruba Obas Conflicts Resolution Committee in Ibadan.

The meeting was presided over by the Chairman, Yoruba Obas Conflict Resolution Committee, Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan.

The obas, who commended the efforts of the participants at the conference appealed to Nigerians to be patient and wait for the approval of the recommendations.

...As Medical consultants warn over doctors' sack

By Ola Ajayi

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B A D A N — M E D I C A L consultants in the country have warned the Federal Government that the sack of about 16,000 resident doctors will have dire consequences on the health sector in the country.

The medical consultants gave the warning after an emergency meeting held under the auspices of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria.

In a statement by its General Secretary, Dr. Adeoye Moshood, the consultants said, “It is disheartening that this action of the Federal Government will destroy the already fragile health system. ''We totally condemn the suspension of the residency training by the Federal Government”.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2014 — 13

Aspirants give Utuama, PDP 48-hr ultimatum on Ughelli South primaries

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—SIX Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, aspirants for the chairmanship position in Ughelli South Local Government, Delta State, have given the state Deputy Governor, Professor Amos Utuama and the party caucus in the area, a 48-hour to reverse the choice of Mr. Paul Etega as the flag-bearer, following the primaries held penultimate Saturday ahead of the council polls.

In a statement yesterday, the aggrieved aspirants, Dr. Amos Itihwe, Princess Josephine Oduaran, Vincent Otidi, Godspower Muemuifo, Andrew Adushoke and Monday Emuvakpor, described the emergence of Etega as broad day robbery, calling on the deputy governor, who hails from the locality, to intervene.

“We never bought nomination forms for

some persons to sit at a parlour and hand-pick a candidate. The PDP leader in Ughelli South locality, Professor Utuama and the party caucus in the area must take urgent steps to address the undemocratic situation we have found ourselves. We are not going to accept this broad day robbery.”

According to them, PDP caucus members in Ughelli South had invited them for a meeting on August 6, three days to the PDP primaries to address the aspirants, but claimed they were never allowed to speak at the meeting as they were asked to go back home with a promise that they would be contacted.

They claimed that nobody got to them, but they were later told that Etega had been picked as the chairmanship candidate.

Tension in 4 Rivers communities over shootings

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT—HUNDREDS of residents of four communities in Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State, have fled their homes, following shootings in the early hours of yesterday, which reportedly started Monday night.

The communities involved are Egwie, Okomoko, Ulakwo 1 and Ulawkwo 2.

Vanguard gathered that the gunmen allegedly sponsored by an opposition politician moved from one community to the other, shooting.

Caretaker Committee Chairman of the council, Mr. Charles Anyanwu appealed to youths of the area to shun violence, adding that they should ignore offers from politicians to carry arms.

14—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

Maternity proprietor alleges police harassment

Oshodin makes case for a visionary successor

By Simon Ebegbulem

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— ACTING Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Aba, has been urged to order a fresh investigation into an alleged harassment of Dr. Chinyere Precious, owner of God’s Gift Maternity in Elelenwo, Rivers State, by some policemen.

Precious was arrested and paraded at the Rivers State Police headquarters for allegedly running a baby factory. Police later dropped the charges for lack of evidence.

In her petition to the IG, Precious alleged that before she was discharged and acquitted by a Rivers State High Court, policemen stormed her clinic and residence at Elelenwo, and destroyed valuables, and that some policemen have continued to harass her.

In the petition by her counsel, she said: “The culprits conspired and without any justification, invaded my hospital and dwelling house at Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, with explosives and caused damaged to same.”

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ANTI-PIRACY: From left— Air Vice Marshal Stephen Onuh, Director, Air Force Transportation; Air Vice Marshal Adebowale Odunlade, Chief of Training and Operations; Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA; Commodore Jatau Luka, Director, Maritime Services, Naval Headquarters Annex, Moloney Lagos; and Capt. Ezekiel Agaba, Executive Director, Maritime Safety and Shipping Development, during the commencement of the anti-piracy air show by the joint team of NIMASA, Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Navy, and media tour of sea area in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Bunmi Azeez.

Divided opinions on Uduaghan's administration, as Delta marks 23 yrs

By Austin Ogwuda

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SABA—WITH less than nine months for Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State to leave office, Deltans seem to be sharply divided on his achievements so far.

While some of the governor’s aides are saying the governor has performed well, some other Deltans disagree and rather tasked the governor to do more by ensuring that the numerous uncompleted and abandoned projects were completed before he vacates office.

Those who spoke to our reporter in Asaba, as the state

is set to mark the 23 years anniversary of its creation on August 27, 1991, include the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, who said: “There are numerous projects the Uduaghan administration has executed and for the few yet to be completed, they will surely come on stream.

“I believe Delta State is on the right course and in capable hands under Uduaghan. At 23, giant strides had been made and even as one of the youngest states in the country, Delta is definitely one of the most developed.”

However, Mr. Patrick Ochei, a journalist working for a local tabloid in Asaba said: “To finish strong, Governor Uduaghan ought to make the grassroots election fair by ensuring he leaves peace and tranquility behind.

“We also want to see a dualised

Asaba-Okpanam Road with durable drainage system; we want to see Asaba-Ughelli Road completed. We want to see Stephen Keshi’s Stadium Asaba completed and many other abandoned major projects.

“From now, he should ensure contractors do solid work on our roads, while also opening inter-community roads for easy accessibility.”

The Senior Political Adviser to the governor, Chief Ighoyota Amori, on his part, said: “The state has attained enviable level of development in all ramifications under Governor Uduaghan.

“This is evident in areas of his three-point agenda. The roads, airports, model schools, teaching/specialist hospitals and primary health care facilities are overwhelming.”

Group slams ex-MEND leader over comments on Dickson

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—A group, Grassroots Connect for Restoration has slammed a former member of Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Mr. Paul Eris, over his open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan alleging that Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State was disloyal and part of a plot to assassinate him.

According to the group, the accusation against Governor Dickson was irresponsible and another calculated attempt to create bad blood between the governor and President Jonathan.

In a statement in Yenagoa by its National Coordinator, Mr. Nyenye Mathias, the group called on security agencies to investigate the ex-militant leader.

It said: “How can a man like that claim that a sitting governor

is disloyal to the President? He is being used by some politicians to throw the state into a state of insecurity.”

The group said the refusal of the state governor to be drawn into the local conflict between the ex-militant leader and his boys at the Peremabiri community, was responsible for the false claims.

It said: “We have it on good authority that some youths of Peremabiri community, interested in freeing their community from the clutches of slavery, had engaged him in deadly battles.

“Though the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Hillary Opara, had intervened and is finding a lasting solution to same, the aggrieved exmilitant leader felt he has the sole right over the community and wanted to draw the state government into the crises.”

ENIN—VICEChancellor of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, Professor Osayuki Oshodin, yesterday tasked stakeholders in the university to ensure that a Vice Chancellor, who has vision succeeds him, warning that the achievements made so far by his administration must be sustained.

Oshodin, whose tenure expires on November 30, at the opening ceremony of a two-day AcademiaIndustry Forum hosted by the university, expressed gratitude to God for saving his life.

He said that the idea of the forum was to help find means of industrialising the nation. He commended the management of Lancaster University, United Kingdom, for providing the enabling environment “for us to forge this alliance which, God willing, will provide the springboard for our institution to be at the forefront in the quest for the industrialisation of our country.”

‘Majemite wasn't imposed on Ethiope East'

By Festus Ahon

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GHELLI—PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, stakeholders in Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State, have berated some party chairmanship aspirants in the council over their outburst, following the just concluded council chairmanship primaries.

Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, Chief Ochuko Unuagba, said: “Majemite has paid her due and was the only aspirant who consulted leaders and the ward executive in all the wards in the council.

“The emergence of Mrs. Majemite as the party flagbearer was a collective and unanimous decision of all stakeholders in the council after an extensive consultation with party elders, leaders, executives, women and youths.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 — 15

2ND NIGER BRIDGE: Dredgers protest non-inclusion in FG's compensation A

By Vincent Ujumadu

WKA—MEMBERS of Dredgers Association of Anambra State yesterday took to the streets in the commercial city of Onitsha over alleged plot to sideline them in the payment of compensation by the federal government for the second Niger Bridge.

The protest, which lasted for several hours, caused traffic gridlock at the Habour Industrial Layout and Atani

road in Onitsha.

Addressing reporters, chairman of the association, Mr. Gilbert Udemadu, alleged that an amorphous group had perfected plans to defraud the federal government by collecting the compensation meant for them.

According to Udemadu members of the association were invited to a meeting sometime in November, 2013

by a consulting firm, Aurecon Nigeria Limited, to deliberate on the modalities to pay compensation for their property that will be affected by the construction of second Niger Bridge, only to be dropped by the federal government half way.

He said there was a list being circulated which did not contain their names, adding that the adopted list was made up of those whose

property were not in any way near the place which the second Niger Bridge will pass through.

He said: “After the first meeting with Aurecon Nigeria, there were several other meetings where we were informed that it was the federal government’s directive that any person that is affected or is likely to be affected by the construction of second Niger Bridge will be compensated.

Obiano orders rebranding of traffic agency

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—AS part of activities to sanitize the state-owned Anambra State Traffic Agency, ASTA, the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has ordered the re-branding of the establishment.

Apparently worried by the poor image the organization was giving the state administration, the governor also announced the suspension of the agency ’s activities in Ihiala, Nnewi, Ekwulobia and Onitsha. For now, it is operating only in Awka.

The state Commissioner for Transport, Chief Chuma Mbonu, who announced the government’s move in Awka yesterday, said as a first step, the agency would henceforth be known as Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency, ATMA. According to Mbonu, bad eggs in the old agency will be sacked after what he described as re-screening of the workers of the establishment.

Senator donates borehole to community

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—SENATOR Gbenga Ashafa, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, has handed over motorized borehole water project to residents of Odo-Nla at Ikorodu, Lagos, with a charge to residents to always ensure maintenance of public utility among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Ashafa stressed the importance of the project to the community, noting that water was one of the most important God-given natural resources.

He, however, reiterated his commitment and dedication to the improvement of the welfare of communities in the senatorial district and entire Lagos through the provisions of basic and social infrastructure.

“Under my tenure, 30 boreholes have been installed in various communities across the senatorial district,'' he said.

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

Bus crushes Okpara varsity student to death in Abia zAs students set vehicle ablaze U

By Anayo Okoli

MUAHIA—A FIRST year diploma student of Computer Science at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, was on Monday crushed to death by a bus belonging to the fleet of Akwa Ibom State Transport Corporation, AKTC, in front of the university gate.

The student, simply identified as Cynthia, was said to have died on the spot, prompting the students to burn the vehicle that killed her.

The driver was lucky to be alive as the students were said to have accepted the appeal of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hillary Edeoga, who intervened in time to save the driver’s life.

The body of the slain student has since been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Umuahia.

Public Relations Officer of the university, Mrs. Onyinye RalphNwachukwu, confirmed the incident and regretted the death of the student.

The angry students were said to have descended on the bus when they realized that their

colleague was dead, especially when it was said that the drivers attached to the Akwa Ibom Transport Corporation had been warned severally to slow down whenever they approached the school gate located on the busy Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene-UyoCalabar narrow road.

When Vanguard visited the university yesterday, it was observed that the burnt vehicle

had been removed and students going about their normal academic activities.

Vanguard observed that drivers of the Akwa Ibom Company drive very recklessly, despite the poor condition of the road.

A resident said: “Drivers of this company are notorious with reckless driving. One wonders if they have value for human

beings. You can never see them drive like normal drivers.

“They don’t mind the condition of the roads they ply.

When they approach this gate they hardly slow down despite the warning. Now see this one wasted the life of this young girl.

“People who travel all over the country always complain about the recklessness of the drivers attached to this company. ''

THANKSGIVING: From left: Sir. Victor Umeh, National Chairman, APGA, Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Catholic Bishop of Abuja and Dr. Nkem Okeke, Deputy Governor, Anambra State, during a thanksgiving mass held for the governor at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Aguleri, Anambra State.

Okwu blames defection of APGA lawmakers to PDP on Umeh

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By Enyim Enyim

N I T S H A — F O R M E R chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, Chief Maxi Okwu, yesterday blamed the national chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, for the recent defection of four members of the House of Representatives and two lawmakers in the state House of Assemblyelectedontheplatform ofthepartytoPeoplesDemocratic Party, PDP. Speaking exclusively to Vanguard, Okwu, who described the development as very sad for the party, said it was an indictmentonUmeh’sleadership after what he described as the obtuse Court of Appeal judgement on June 19, 2014.

He said: “ Every serious party guards jealously its membership, especially people of such high profilemembership. Younotethe extra mile the PDP goes in seeking and trying to reconcile with migrant members.''

VOL. 1 NO 4

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

UNN: Lectures hold in stadium over shortage of classrooms

*Anomaly blamed on increase in students’ population

*Students receiving lecture at UNN stadium

BY CHINENYEH OZOR

A

cute classroom shortage has hit the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, prompting the authorities to use the bowel of the Sir Akanu Ibiam Stadium of the university and shades of trees as lecture halls.

A profressor in the Faculty of Social Sciences who pleaded anonymity blamed the anomaly on increase in students’ population without corresponding increase in the number of lecture halls.

The professor spoke during the opening ceremony of the faculty’s Annual Public lecture

series at the UNN. He said that shortage of classrooms became acute in the last few years, leading to the use of the open stadium or tree shades for lectures.

The Faculty of Social Sciences of the

Continues on page 3

ALSO IN THIS EDITION Tension as Anglicans, Anambra community quarrel over demolition of church — Page 3

Abia community groans over alleged neglect by govts — Page 4

Gully erosion threatens 9th Mile-Opi Nsukka old road — Page 5

Confusion in Enugu community over leadership tussle — Page 6

2— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

ANAMBRA

*Some buildings in Enuagu, Enugwu Ukwu threatened by gully erosion

A

WKA—THE people of Enuagu village in Enugwu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State are living in fear following threat of gully erosion in the area, despite efforts by the people to check the menace.

The unique problem of the community is that it is located on a place that looks like a valley at the tail end of Enugwu Ukwu town and Nibo/Nise.

Recently, an indigene of the community and a student of Okutalukwe Secondary School, Enugwu Ukwu, Master Ezuno, drowned on the flood during a downpour.

It was gathered that any time there was a heavy rain, people had to remain indoors for fear of being carried away by intense flood.

Among buildings on the verge of being submerged by the gully erosion in the area include the multi-million All Souls Anglican Church, Herbert Nkwocha Model School and the ultra-modern country home of Mr. Dozie Nwankwo, a prominent politician in the area.

There were also noticeable cracks along the community’s roads, which is an indication that the area is sitting on a keg of gun powder.

In fact, Nwankwo’s home,

Fears as erosion threatens to sack Anambra community which was completed about a year ago, is sitting on the edge of a gully that is over 30 feet deep, such that the owners have become afraid to sleep in the house any time they returned to the village from their base in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Though several contractors had been engaged to save Nwankwo’s house, there is no hope that the house would be saved, About three contractors had worked on the control of the erosion behind Nwankwo’s building, but nothing has been achieved after huge amount of money had been spent on it.

All Souls Church, a church building under construction is just on the edge of a massive gully erosion, even as work was going on when South East Voice visited.

The resident priest, Rev Cosmas Diugwu, appealed for quick intervention by government to save the building. He said though members of the church had tried to check it by planting

,

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

When many people no longer slept in their homes for fear of their houses sinking into the erosion at night, we had to write to the state government to come to our rescue, but to date, we have not received any response

trees and constructing culverts, all the trees have been washed away, thereby, exposing the new building to danger.

Conducting South East Voice round the community, the chairman of Enuagu Village, Vincent Oguno, said though his people have been battling to control the erosion over the years, nothing much could be achieved because of the speed at which the erosion spread.

He said that because the village is sitting on more or less a valley, all the flood from the entire Enugwu Ukwu and Nawfia empty into Enuagu,

,

leading sometimes to residents of the area abandoning their homes to take refuge in other parts of Enugwu Ukwu.

He said that part of the measures adopted by the community was the planting of bamboo trees and filling the gully with stones and sharp sands, regretting that the efforts had even come to naught as the trees planted in the area have also been washed away.

His words: “Many years ago, the community engaged in self help water project, but after spending millions of naira on the project, erosion

washed the structures away with the result that the community lacks potable water.

“When many people no longer slept in their homes for fear of their houses sinking into the erosion at night, we had to write to the state government to come to our rescue, but to date, we have not received any response.”

According to him, the erosion became worse during the reconstruction of the old Onitsha-Awka road. He said the contractor failed to channel the flood properly as the flood water usually come into Enuagu village.

Another indigene of the area, Evangelist C.B. Okafor said people of the area could not resist the temptation to build houses close to erosion sites because of lack of land.

He said that what used to be the community’s farmland had to be abandoned because flood from other communities flow down to Enuagu, with its attendant devastation on crops.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014—3

ANAMBRA

Tension as Anglicans, Anambra community quarrel over demolition of church

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA–A cold war is now raging between the Ebenezer Anglican Church, Oyolu-Oze, NkwelleEzunaka in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State and the host community following last Monday ’s midnight demolition of the church.

Unknown persons were said to have invaded the church and demolished the building for reasons yet to be ascertained, triggering tension in the area.

The worshippers believe that some indigenes of the community were behind the alleged dastardly act.

4-man panel

Although the state governor, Willie Obiano visited the site and announced the setting up of a four-man panel of inquiry to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the demolition and the faces behind the masks, peace is yet to return as both parties are yet to face the reality of the situation.

The panel which has two weeks to submit its report, according to Obiano, is also mandated to find out the actual owners of the primary school premises where the church building was erected, as well as suggest the most possible means of bringing lasting peace between the community and the Anglican Communion.

The panel which is headed by the state Deputy Governor,

*Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State Dr. Nkem Okeke, has the Commissioners for Land, Education, Local Government and Transport as members.

Governor condemns demolition

Obiano had condemned the demolition of the church describing the action as the handiwork of hoodlums. He said that for the sake of clarity,

the parties involved in the matter were the Anglican Church, the Anambra State government and the leadership of NkwelleEzunaka Town Union.

However, the refusal of Obiano to allow Mrs. Elsie Nwokolo, wife of the Bishop on the Niger, Rev. Owen Nwokolo and the Chancellor of the Diocese, Chief Nnamdi Ibegbu, SAN, to speak on behalf of Bishop Nwokolo who was absent on the occasion

sparked off spontaneous protests from members of the church and their clergies until they were prevailed upon.

Earlier, in his speech, the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Ibezim called for calm on the part of the church members, saying that what was needed was dialogue among the parties concerned.

He said: “I know how hot you are feeling, especially when people pull down your property. God will definitely fight for his people.”

The disagreement between the church and the community had sparked off barely a month ago when a contractor who claimed to have been awarded the contract for the renovation of the school premises housing the church, by the Universal Basic Education, UBEC, arrived the premises and started removing the roofs of the school buildings which also served as a worship centre for the church members.

Consequently, the church members protested and accused the Town Union president, Elder Chris Eluemuno of plotting to drive them away from the school premises, because he was a Catholic faithful, adding that it was the Oze villagers who were predominantly Anglicans that allowed the church to use the school premises many years ago as a worship centre. He added that the immediate past governor of the state, Peter Obi, even approved it.

UNN students hold lectures in stadium over shortage of classroom ENUGU

Continues from page 1 university is said to be the oldest and the largest in West Africa with nine departments including Economics and Political Science.

The professor further said that the staff of the faculty were not left out in the accommodation problem, adding, “ while more staff have been employed since the new millennium, existing classrooms do not meet the National Universities Commission’s standard. Our students and staff are in dire need of accommodation.

“In line with the general vision of the university administration to transform it into a 21st century learning centre, our great Faculty faces major challenges.”

Earlier in his speech the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Tagbo Ugwu, had said that increase in the responsibilities of the faculty were not commensurate with available funds to tackle the challenges. He explained that students admitted into the nine departments of the faculty had increased astronomically without increase in classrooms.

He called for assistance and increased funding in keeping with the university’s transformation agenda.

Ugwu listed other needs of the Faculty to include a bus, office equipment, a 5 KVA generator and a modern computer centre.

The Senate Majority Leader, Victor Ndoma Egba who was a guest lecturer on the occasion, said he was delighted to be associated with the cause of the institution and expressed his commitment to the institution’s aspiration to attain its goal of becoming a 21st century centre of learning.

*Students receiving lecture at UNN stadium

4—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20 , 2014

Abia, Akwa Ibom communities on war path over boundary dispute

U

ABIA

BY ANAYO OKOLI

MUAHIA- IF both Abia and Akwa Ibom state governments do not intervene on time, two neighbouring communities on either side of the states may clash, pitching the two states

*Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State

Abia community groans over alleged neglect by govts

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA—LIFE for some communities in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State is not worth living as a result of total neglect by successive governments in the state. The roads to these communities are in very horrible state. In some of the communities, only cyclists ply the roads.

Also in some of the communities, good drinking water and electricity are like mirage as they only hear about them but have not witnessed anything like that.

Worst affected are Itumbuzo, the community that hosts the famous Leprosy Hospital and Rehabilitation Home, and Ubibia a sleepy rural community, all in Bende Local Government Council.

According to some indigenes of these areas who spoke to South East Voice, they have resigned to their fate to God, hoping that it is only through God’s intervention that they would ever witness social amenities like good roads, electricity and good drinking water.

For the residents who interacted with our reporter, their anger was directed more to a former Governor of the state and a native of the area, who they said did not give them any sense of belonging.

They also said that the current Chief Theodore Orji’s administration has promised to do some of the roads, but nothing has materialised so far.

These communities are unique in that they have a mixture of people who speak Igbo language and those who

speak Annang, an Akwa Ibom ethnic language. The communities incidentally produce farm produce in large quantities, especially cassava and plantain. But these products hardly make any economic impact as they have no roads to evacuate them to urban areas to sell and improve

their standard of living.

The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, had at one of its Synods appealed to the Abia State governor, Chief Orji to “in line with his road construction programme, remember to do community roadfs, especially the roads leading to Itumbuzo and Ubibia

communities.

South East Voice, however, observed that in spite of the deplorable condition of these roads, the citizens still engaged in sand excavation which also contributes in damaging the roads more.

against themselves.

This is because the common boundary of the two communities is currently under dispute as tension is already rising over the matter in the area.

The communities are A m a n c h a i Au t o n o m o u s Community, Ariam Usaka in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State and Ubono-Isok in Ini Local Government of Akwa Ibom State.

South East Voice lear nt that the National Boundary Commission, NBC, had once waded into the dispute and advised the two communities to steer clear of the disputed area until the issue was amicably resolved.

But, while the directive of the NBC subsists, the Amanchai Ariam Usaka community has accused its Ubono-Isok neighbours of allegedly flouting the directive and encroaching on their land.

C o n s e q u e n t l y, the community has asked the Abia State House of Assembly to wade into the matter to avoid bloodshed and other untoward incidents.

In a petition signed by the traditional ruler of the c o m m u n i t y, H i s Ro y a l Highness, Eze Eleogu, the Amanchai Autonomous Community stated that despite the directive of the NBC, that the two communities should stay away from the disputed areas, the Akwa Ibom community was allegedly going ahead in encroaching on its land.

The community then appealed to the House to intervene to forestall incidents that could lead to the shedding of innocent blood.

Reacting to the petition which was brought by the member representing the area in the Assembly, Mr. Chukwuemeka Osoagaka, t h e S p e a ke r, C h i e f U d e Oko Chukwu referred it to the House’s Committee on Security and Boundary headed by the Deputy Speaker, Alwell Asiforo for investigation.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014—5

*Gully erosion sites in the community

ENUGU government to urgently mandate the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA or any relevant agency responsible for the maintenance of federal roads to come to their rescue to prevent loss of lives on the road, which she said, has become a deathtrap.

The badly damaged portion of the road is just at the junction of the road leading to the palace of the community’s traditional ruler, Igwe Callistus Njeze and just a few meters away from the residence of the former Minister of Aviation and current Nigeria’s Ambassador to Switzerland, Mrs. Fidelia Njeze.

In a chat with South East Voice at the gully site, another native of Umuavulu Abor, Mr. Matthew Ngwu, said the erosion threat on the affected portion of the road began about two years ago but it became more devastating during the current rainy season.

According to him, officials of FERMA had carried out minor erosion control works but materials used were completely washed away by flood thereby worsening the condition of the road.

He said: “We are helpless, as you can see, the erosion has eaten very deep into the road and with more downpours the road might not survive this rainy season. The federal government should within. move in quickly and do One of the natives, a teacher, something before our village who identified herself as Mrs. is cut into two.

Okoro, alerted South East “Already some buildings Voice on the phone about the around the gully site are danger on the road last week, being threatened and we can expressing fears that a major do little or nothing to stop the disaster might occur in the menace.

The State village if urgent steps were Government can also do not taken to check the erosion. something about this road if She said that people driving the Federal Government is on the road especially at delaying action because it is night were taking great risk our people from many villages as vehicles with poor visibility along this road that will suffer could crash into the gully. more if the road is finally cut She urged the federal off.

Gully erosion threatens 9th Mile-Opi Nsukka old road *As Abor community cries out

By TONY EDIKE

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NUGU—MOTORISTS plying the old 9th Mile Corner-Opi Nsukka Federal Highway are now doing so with extra caution due to threatening gully erosion which has almost cut off some portions of the road.

Apart from deep potholes at the centre of the road that connects several communities in Udi, Igbo-Etiti and Nsukka local government areas, major gully erosion has eaten deep

into the road at a spot in Umuavulu village, Abor community in Udi council.

Some vehicles and motorcycles were said to have fallen into the deep gully which is threatening to divide the Umuavulu village and render the entire road impassable. But the natives said that no life has been lost at the spot as some concerned people have continued to place some barricades at the edge of the gully to warn motorists of the danger

REACH US DO you have any news of neglect or abandoned projects or your representatives at the local, state or federal governments are not representing you well?

Do you have unique cultural activities coming up or any community news to tell us?

Emeka Mamah (Co-ordinator): 08033218645 Tony (Enugu): 08033218180 Vincent (Awka): 08035804090 Anayo (Umuahia): 08034046839 Chidi(Imo): 08033391108 Peter (Abakaliki): 08032680756 Chinenyeh (Nsukka): 08185664011 Nwabueze (Nnewi): 08037794782 Enyim(Onitsha): 08169297179 Or: e-mail us: eastervoice@yahoo.com

6 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

, Confusion in Enugu community over leadership tussle

It is the Rural Electrification Board, REB, that is handling the community project and the REB does not give money directly to an individual

,

ENUGU

FRANCIS IGATA

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NUGU—THERE is confusion in Obinofia Ndiuno Community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State following the leadership tussle between some town union officials.

One of the factions had alleged that the other group embezzled the Obinofia town union funds vowing to remove the executive members by all means.

Warring factions

South East Voice investigations revealed that the two warring parties took their bottled anger to Enugu, the state capital where they staged peaceful demonstration both for and against their respective leaders at the premises of the state Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, carrying placards.

While one of the factions loyal to the state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Victor Okolo, an indigene of the area, demanded that the leadership of the Community Town Union be dissolved and Umuonaga Autonomous Community carved out from the present Obinofia Ndiuno community, other protesters including women insisted that a serving state commissioner be probed over misapplication of over N7 million fund meant for the extension and completion of electricity project in the area by the state

*Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State government.

In a petition signed by the President-General of the Town Union, Chief Fred Ezinwa and Secretary, Nicholas Onuigbo, the community alleged that

N6.03 million and another N3 million meant for the rehabilitation of the community had disappeared from the treasury, adding that the funds were given to the community during the the

regimes of former Chairman of the local government, Julius Ogbuke and the incumbent, Emeka Ozoagu, respectively.

....As House moves to halt farmers, Fulani herdsmen's clashes FRANCIS IGATA NUGU—WORRIED by incessant violent clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the state, the Enugu State House of A s s e m b l y, E S H A has commenced moves to halt the ugly trend.

In a bill, entitled “A law to make provisions for the control of normadic cattle rearing in Enugu State and other matters related thereto” being sponsored

E

by Hon. Chinedu Nwamba, representing Nsukka East Constituency,the lawmaker revealed that it will put an end to avoidable deaths arising from such clashes.

The lawmaker in an interview with journalists said the bill when passed into law would promote symbiotic relationship between the farmers and the herdsmen.

Nwamba, who lamented that several lives and

properties have been lost in different parts of the country owing to the clashes, urged other states to replicate the law.

“The main reason behind this bill is to ensure adequate peace between the two parties- farmers and herdsmen. Nobody in this country is ignorant of some violent clashes which have occurred as a result of disagreement between the

farmers and the herdsmen.

“We have cases where the herdsmen will allow their cattle to grave on farmlands, and when the farmers kill the cows in retaliation, the herdsmen will go further extent to challenge the farmers.

“So, it is my firm belief that when this bill is passed into law, it will end conflict and promote peace between these parties.

Vandals at work

T hey also noted that due to the activities of electricity cable vandals, the community had been thrown into darkness.

Commissioner reacts

Reacting to the story, Commissioner Okolo, told the South East Voice that allegations of missing money in the community was false.

His words: “It is the Rural Electrification Board, REB, that is handling the community project and the REB does not give money directly to an individual. There is no way the money can be embezzled by an individual. It is the REB that executes community projects and our community, Obinofia Ndiuno is not an exception. The REB used its labour and materials for the extension of the electricity project.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014—7

IMO

Cultists hold Obiakpu-Egbema communty hostage

sleepless nights. We plead with the state government to quickly intervene in the

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—THE sleepy rural community of Obiakpu Egbema in Ohaji/ Egbema Local Council Area of Imo State, has been taken over by cultists who have made lives unbearable for the people of the area. The two deadly rival cult groups , Degbam and Dewell are said to have so far killed about 21 people in the area since the clashes between them started some few months ago .

South East Voice gathered that those silenced for life included Chief Emmanuel Opara, just as property worth millions of Naira have equally been destroyed by the cultists.

Some escapees from the area who spoke to South East Voice at Nmahu, Egbema said, “We are indigenes of Obiakpu. We are only taking refuge in Nmahu. Please do not attempt going to Obiakpu. The community is very hot and dangerous for you to visit now.”

One of the escapees, who simply identified herself as Nkechi said: “Obiakpu is now a ghost town. The clash has left sorrow, tears and blood on its trail. The cultists are very deadly and they unleash mayhem on innocent people.’’

She recalled that signs of the current clash reared its ugly head on June 7, 2014, when the cultists who were dressed in army uniform, invaded Nwari village in broad daylight.

“Again, about 6am, June 13, 2014, a faction of the cult group invaded Obiakpu with sophisticated weapons, shooting, killing and maiming innocent people,” Nkechi said.

Another refugee from Obiakpu, who spoke on condition of anonymity recalled with grief that “despite the fact that most of the protagonists or perpetrators of the cult war were known persons, nobody has been arrested to answer for their crimes.”

Meanwhile, the state government says it has not only declared total war against cultism, but has equally set up anti-cult task force, to stem cult activities in the state.

Governor Rochas Okorocha disclosed this during a meeting he held in Government House, Owerri,

with the people of Ohaji/ Egbema local government area of the state.

Governor Okorocha, who stated that the task force comprised the Army, Police, Department of State Services, DSS, and the Imo Security Network, regretting the spate of killings by suspected cult groups at Ohaji/Egbema local council area. He directed the members of the task force to shoot on sight all cult members, as well as discover and move into their den immediately for necessary action.

Okorocha equally directed the immediate deployment of men of Imo Security Network to the troubled area, and

approved the release of Hilux vans for the police, 40 motorcycles for the local vigilante, as well as other logistics to ensure smooth operation for the group.

Earlier in his speech, the President General of Obiakpu Community, Prince Ogwumaru Joseph, who spoke on behalf of his community, stated that the problem in their area was as a result of cult clash between two rival groups, “Day-Gbam” and “Day-Well”, which led to sporadic shootings and selective killings by the cultists. “About 21 youths have been killed by this cult action while the communities are now living in fear and

matter to avert more loss of precious lives”, Ogwumaru pleaded.

The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in-charge of Egbema, Enihe Paul, said that “about 12 suspected cult members had ‘’been arrested,” and asked for the government’s assistance in the fight against the cultists.

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State

Imo communities face hard times over collapse of Oyibo River bridge

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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W E R R I — COMMUNITIES along the OrieaguUmundimoko-Umuoma-Afor Nzerem road in Ehime Mbano local government area

of Imo State, are passing through hard times following the collapse of the Oyibo River bridge and the abandonment of the road project by the state government.

South East Voice visited the the area and discovered that

The dilapidated Oyibo River bridge.

the former busy road had become desolate as a result of the poor condition of the bridge.

Investigations in the area showed that the villagers and commuters have been passing through a lot of inconeniences as they can only get to their

nieghbouring communities on cicycles.

A community leader who identified himself as Chief Okoro said that ‘’the villagers had to construct a makeshift bridge that now takes pedestrians, bicycles and motor bikes, when we realized that the state government was not in a hurry to reconstruct the bridge.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

ANAMBRA

ASSAULT: Onitsha lawyer kicks against orderly room trial for charged Policemen

By NWABUEZE OKONKWO NITSHA—AN Onitshabased lawyer in Anambra State, Faustinus Andi, has rejected the pattern of orderly room trial adopted by the authorities of Anambra State police command against some policemen who reportedly assaulted him and one of his learned colleagues, Ephraim Agubalu.

They said the reason for their rejection was that the three policemen brought out of the detention for the trial were not the exact ones that beat them up on the fateful day, even though they were actually among the team that perpetrated the act.

O

The perpetrators

They, therefore, insisted that the two policemen who did the beating must be produced for the trial because trying those who though were members of the team but who did not participate in the beating would never produce effective result, because even if they are tried, dismissed and charged to court for the offence, the court might not find them guilty as charged.

They wondered why the actual perpetrators were not brought out from the detention by the police authorities to face the music and said they were suspecting a fowl play.

Five policemen

A team of about five policemen on duty had on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at about 7.30p.m, reportedly beat up the two lawyers to stupor, resulting to their being rushed to the hospital unconscious.

The policemen whose patrol van had inscriptions: Operation Kpochapu, Route 13, were said to have accosted Agubalu first at Federal Housing Estate in “3-3” Area of Onitsha, along the Onitsha/Otuocha road for allegedly causing an obstruction.

According to the lawyers, the policemen accosted Agubalu, banging on his car doors to stop him for trying to join the traffic after buying

some quantities of petrol from a nearby filling station. They asked him few questions before allegedly giving him some lashes of the cane.

As he was still trying to explain to them his reason for gradually trying to join the traffic from the filling station, Andi who spotted his colleague and the policemen arguing among themselves while driving past the scene stopped his vehicle to intervene.

Andi said as he alighted from the vehicle and walked towards their direction asking: “Senior, (referring to Agubalu) what is the problem between you and these policemen, the policemen also pounced on him and started hitting him all over his body with gun butts and canes.’’

He alleged that the policemen who mounted an illegal road block, really descended on him for no just cause and as if he was the person they were waiting for at the road block.

Battered lawyer, Faustinus Andi

Andi, Police PRO

Andi who narrated his ordeal in the hands of the angry policemen while complaining to the out-going State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Emeka Chukwuemeka in his office said: “I am a friend of the police and I appreciate their job in the society and the hazards associated with it and that was why I usually handle legal cases for policemen free of charge. But what borders me much is how policemen always beat me up.

“This is not the first time such a thing has happened.

The other time, some police escort attached to one of the banks near my office along New Market Road, Onitsha, beat me up but later came back to me and apologised. I forgave them and this time around, they have repeated the same ugly phenomenon. ‘’Look at my body completely battered. I am now limping and my doctor has warned me not to take the beating lightly because I may develop internal bleeding, and if it is detected and not treated, it may lead to serious

health problem.

“They assaulted me physically, brutalized and caused me grievous bodily harm for no just cause. In short, I was highly disappointed that the policemen charged with the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the citizens had turned round to beat me up to a point of unconsciousness, even when I had not committed any offence to warrant such brutality.”

Andi, a human rights lawyer, further told the PPRO how he closed work for the day and left his office in Onitsha and was driving towards his residence at Federal Housing Estate, “33” Area of Nkwelle-Ezunaka when the incident occurred at about 7.30 p.m.

He said after taking a first aid treatment, he managed to drive to “3-3” Police Station and lodged a complaint of assault and occasioning harm by some policemen, adding that it was at the station that he was informed that the policemen

who beat him up were from Otuocha Police Division and not even from the “3-3” area where they mounted road block and beat him up.

Meeting the DPO

He said he met the Divisional Police Officer, DPO at “3-3”, Mr. Shehu Umar who promised to inform his Otuocha colleague about the incident, since the team were from Otuocha Division.

He said he was preparing a strongly-worded petition to police authorities about the incident, adding that he would equally initiate a court proceeding against the policemen.

Responding, Chukwuemeka who expressed his sympathy, said the particular team that carried out the act had been identified by the police authorities, adding that they had been detained and are awaiting orderly room trial.

Five of the policemen were later detained on the orders of the state Commissioner of Police, Usman Gwary, for an orderly room trial.

DEMOLISHED CHURCH: Town union leader asks Anglicans to suspend work on site or ...

By VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—THE President General of NkweleEzunaka community in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, Elder Chris Eluemune has urged authorities of the Anglican Church to discontinue construction work going on at Oze village in the town or be prepared for a showdown with the community.

Speaking after a general meeting of the community, Eluemuno regretted that despite the order of the state government that status quo be maintained pending the completion of the investigation by the panel set up by the state government, the Anglican Church has continued to build on the disputed school premises.

He, however, denied the involvement of the community in the demolition of the Anglican Church last week.

According to him, nobody gave the school to the Anglican Church in the first place and that the church did not get any certificate of occupancy on the land.

He said that the school in which the demolished church was situated, was built by Nkwelle Ezuunaka people in 1980 and handed over to Anambra State government, while the Anglican Church started worshiping there more than 10 years after the school was built.

“It was Chief G.U. Okeke who came and pleaded that Anglican Church be allowed to worship there and promised that the church would never contest ownership,” he said.

He added that the Anglican Church reached an agreement with Nkwelle Ezeuaka that the Church would pay N20 annually for using the premises, an agreement, he said the Church has reneged on.

He expressed surprise that a church should be telling lies and wondered what the church leaders should preach to the ordinary people.

The President General warned that his community would not fold its arms and allow anybody to come in and take its property unduly stressing, “if government is tired of managing the school, it should hand it over to the community which owned it.”

VOL. 1 NO 4

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

UNN: Lectures hold in stadium over shortage of classrooms

*Anomaly blamed on increase in students’ population

*Students receiving lecture at UNN stadium

BY CHINENYEH OZOR

A

cute classroom shortage has hit the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, prompting the authorities to use the bowel of the Sir Akanu Ibiam Stadium of the university and shades of trees as lecture halls.

A profressor in the Faculty of Social Sciences who pleaded anonymity blamed the anomaly on increase in students’ population without corresponding increase in the number of lecture halls.

The professor spoke during the opening ceremony of the faculty’s Annual Public lecture

series at the UNN. He said that shortage of classrooms became acute in the last few years, leading to the use of the open stadium or tree shades for lectures.

The Faculty of Social Sciences of the

Continues on page 3

ALSO IN THIS EDITION Tension as Anglicans, Anambra community quarrel over demolition of church — Page 3

Abia community groans over alleged neglect by govts — Page 4

Gully erosion threatens 9th Mile-Opi Nsukka old road — Page 5

Confusion in Enugu community over leadership tussle — Page 6

2— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

ANAMBRA

*Some buildings in Enuagu, Enugwu Ukwu threatened by gully erosion

A

WKA—THE people of Enuagu village in Enugwu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State are living in fear following threat of gully erosion in the area, despite efforts by the people to check the menace.

The unique problem of the community is that it is located on a place that looks like a valley at the tail end of Enugwu Ukwu town and Nibo/Nise.

Recently, an indigene of the community and a student of Okutalukwe Secondary School, Enugwu Ukwu, Master Ezuno, drowned on the flood during a downpour.

It was gathered that any time there was a heavy rain, people had to remain indoors for fear of being carried away by intense flood.

Among buildings on the verge of being submerged by the gully erosion in the area include the multi-million All Souls Anglican Church, Herbert Nkwocha Model School and the ultra-modern country home of Mr. Dozie Nwankwo, a prominent politician in the area.

There were also noticeable cracks along the community’s roads, which is an indication that the area is sitting on a keg of gun powder.

In fact, Nwankwo’s home,

Fears as erosion threatens to sack Anambra community which was completed about a year ago, is sitting on the edge of a gully that is over 30 feet deep, such that the owners have become afraid to sleep in the house any time they returned to the village from their base in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Though several contractors had been engaged to save Nwankwo’s house, there is no hope that the house would be saved, About three contractors had worked on the control of the erosion behind Nwankwo’s building, but nothing has been achieved after huge amount of money had been spent on it.

All Souls Church, a church building under construction is just on the edge of a massive gully erosion, even as work was going on when South East Voice visited.

The resident priest, Rev Cosmas Diugwu, appealed for quick intervention by government to save the building. He said though members of the church had tried to check it by planting

,

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

When many people no longer slept in their homes for fear of their houses sinking into the erosion at night, we had to write to the state government to come to our rescue, but to date, we have not received any response

trees and constructing culverts, all the trees have been washed away, thereby, exposing the new building to danger.

Conducting South East Voice round the community, the chairman of Enuagu Village, Vincent Oguno, said though his people have been battling to control the erosion over the years, nothing much could be achieved because of the speed at which the erosion spread.

He said that because the village is sitting on more or less a valley, all the flood from the entire Enugwu Ukwu and Nawfia empty into Enuagu,

,

leading sometimes to residents of the area abandoning their homes to take refuge in other parts of Enugwu Ukwu.

He said that part of the measures adopted by the community was the planting of bamboo trees and filling the gully with stones and sharp sands, regretting that the efforts had even come to naught as the trees planted in the area have also been washed away.

His words: “Many years ago, the community engaged in self help water project, but after spending millions of naira on the project, erosion

washed the structures away with the result that the community lacks potable water.

“When many people no longer slept in their homes for fear of their houses sinking into the erosion at night, we had to write to the state government to come to our rescue, but to date, we have not received any response.”

According to him, the erosion became worse during the reconstruction of the old Onitsha-Awka road. He said the contractor failed to channel the flood properly as the flood water usually come into Enuagu village.

Another indigene of the area, Evangelist C.B. Okafor said people of the area could not resist the temptation to build houses close to erosion sites because of lack of land.

He said that what used to be the community’s farmland had to be abandoned because flood from other communities flow down to Enuagu, with its attendant devastation on crops.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014—3

ANAMBRA

Tension as Anglicans, Anambra community quarrel over demolition of church

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA–A cold war is now raging between the Ebenezer Anglican Church, Oyolu-Oze, NkwelleEzunaka in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State and the host community following last Monday ’s midnight demolition of the church.

Unknown persons were said to have invaded the church and demolished the building for reasons yet to be ascertained, triggering tension in the area.

The worshippers believe that some indigenes of the community were behind the alleged dastardly act.

4-man panel

Although the state governor, Willie Obiano visited the site and announced the setting up of a four-man panel of inquiry to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the demolition and the faces behind the masks, peace is yet to return as both parties are yet to face the reality of the situation.

The panel which has two weeks to submit its report, according to Obiano, is also mandated to find out the actual owners of the primary school premises where the church building was erected, as well as suggest the most possible means of bringing lasting peace between the community and the Anglican Communion.

The panel which is headed by the state Deputy Governor,

*Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State Dr. Nkem Okeke, has the Commissioners for Land, Education, Local Government and Transport as members.

Governor condemns demolition

Obiano had condemned the demolition of the church describing the action as the handiwork of hoodlums. He said that for the sake of clarity,

the parties involved in the matter were the Anglican Church, the Anambra State government and the leadership of NkwelleEzunaka Town Union.

However, the refusal of Obiano to allow Mrs. Elsie Nwokolo, wife of the Bishop on the Niger, Rev. Owen Nwokolo and the Chancellor of the Diocese, Chief Nnamdi Ibegbu, SAN, to speak on behalf of Bishop Nwokolo who was absent on the occasion

sparked off spontaneous protests from members of the church and their clergies until they were prevailed upon.

Earlier, in his speech, the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Ibezim called for calm on the part of the church members, saying that what was needed was dialogue among the parties concerned.

He said: “I know how hot you are feeling, especially when people pull down your property. God will definitely fight for his people.”

The disagreement between the church and the community had sparked off barely a month ago when a contractor who claimed to have been awarded the contract for the renovation of the school premises housing the church, by the Universal Basic Education, UBEC, arrived the premises and started removing the roofs of the school buildings which also served as a worship centre for the church members.

Consequently, the church members protested and accused the Town Union president, Elder Chris Eluemuno of plotting to drive them away from the school premises, because he was a Catholic faithful, adding that it was the Oze villagers who were predominantly Anglicans that allowed the church to use the school premises many years ago as a worship centre. He added that the immediate past governor of the state, Peter Obi, even approved it.

UNN students hold lectures in stadium over shortage of classroom ENUGU

Continues from page 1 university is said to be the oldest and the largest in West Africa with nine departments including Economics and Political Science.

The professor further said that the staff of the faculty were not left out in the accommodation problem, adding, “ while more staff have been employed since the new millennium, existing classrooms do not meet the National Universities Commission’s standard. Our students and staff are in dire need of accommodation.

“In line with the general vision of the university administration to transform it into a 21st century learning centre, our great Faculty faces major challenges.”

Earlier in his speech the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Tagbo Ugwu, had said that increase in the responsibilities of the faculty were not commensurate with available funds to tackle the challenges. He explained that students admitted into the nine departments of the faculty had increased astronomically without increase in classrooms.

He called for assistance and increased funding in keeping with the university’s transformation agenda.

Ugwu listed other needs of the Faculty to include a bus, office equipment, a 5 KVA generator and a modern computer centre.

The Senate Majority Leader, Victor Ndoma Egba who was a guest lecturer on the occasion, said he was delighted to be associated with the cause of the institution and expressed his commitment to the institution’s aspiration to attain its goal of becoming a 21st century centre of learning.

*Students receiving lecture at UNN stadium

4—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20 , 2014

Abia, Akwa Ibom communities on war path over boundary dispute

U

ABIA

BY ANAYO OKOLI

MUAHIA- IF both Abia and Akwa Ibom state governments do not intervene on time, two neighbouring communities on either side of the states may clash, pitching the two states

*Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State

Abia community groans over alleged neglect by govts

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—LIFE for some communities in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State is not worth living as a result of total neglect by successive governments in the state. The roads to these communities are in very horrible state. In some of the communities, only cyclists ply the roads.

Also in some of the communities, good drinking water and electricity are like mirage as they only hear about them but have not witnessed anything like that.

Worst affected are Itumbuzo, the community that hosts the famous Leprosy Hospital and Rehabilitation Home, and Ubibia a sleepy rural community, all in Bende Local Government Council.

According to some indigenes of these areas who spoke to South East Voice, they have resigned to their fate to God, hoping that it is only through God’s intervention that they would ever witness social amenities like good roads, electricity and good drinking water.

For the residents who interacted with our reporter, their anger was directed more to a former Governor of the state and a native of the area, who they said did not give them any sense of belonging.

They also said that the current Chief Theodore Orji’s administration has promised to do some of the roads, but nothing has materialised so far.

These communities are unique in that they have a mixture of people who speak Igbo language and those who

speak Annang, an Akwa Ibom ethnic language. The communities incidentally produce farm produce in large quantities, especially cassava and plantain. But these products hardly make any economic impact as they have no roads to evacuate them to urban areas to sell and improve

their standard of living.

The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, had at one of its Synods appealed to the Abia State governor, Chief Orji to “in line with his road construction programme, remember to do community roadfs, especially the roads leading to Itumbuzo and Ubibia

communities.

South East Voice, however, observed that in spite of the deplorable condition of these roads, the citizens still engaged in sand excavation which also contributes in damaging the roads more.

against themselves.

This is because the common boundary of the two communities is currently under dispute as tension is already rising over the matter in the area.

The communities are A m a n c h a i Au t o n o m o u s Community, Ariam Usaka in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State and Ubono-Isok in Ini Local Government of Akwa Ibom State.

South East Voice lear nt that the National Boundary Commission, NBC, had once waded into the dispute and advised the two communities to steer clear of the disputed area until the issue was amicably resolved.

But, while the directive of the NBC subsists, the Amanchai Ariam Usaka community has accused its Ubono-Isok neighbours of allegedly flouting the directive and encroaching on their land.

C o n s e q u e n t l y, the community has asked the Abia State House of Assembly to wade into the matter to avoid bloodshed and other untoward incidents.

In a petition signed by the traditional ruler of the c o m m u n i t y, H i s Ro y a l Highness, Eze Eleogu, the Amanchai Autonomous Community stated that despite the directive of the NBC, that the two communities should stay away from the disputed areas, the Akwa Ibom community was allegedly going ahead in encroaching on its land.

The community then appealed to the House to intervene to forestall incidents that could lead to the shedding of innocent blood.

Reacting to the petition which was brought by the member representing the area in the Assembly, Mr. Chukwuemeka Osoagaka, t h e S p e a ke r, C h i e f U d e Oko Chukwu referred it to the House’s Committee on Security and Boundary headed by the Deputy Speaker, Alwell Asiforo for investigation.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014—5

*Gully erosion sites in the community

ENUGU government to urgently mandate the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA or any relevant agency responsible for the maintenance of federal roads to come to their rescue to prevent loss of lives on the road, which she said, has become a deathtrap.

The badly damaged portion of the road is just at the junction of the road leading to the palace of the community’s traditional ruler, Igwe Callistus Njeze and just a few meters away from the residence of the former Minister of Aviation and current Nigeria’s Ambassador to Switzerland, Mrs. Fidelia Njeze.

In a chat with South East Voice at the gully site, another native of Umuavulu Abor, Mr. Matthew Ngwu, said the erosion threat on the affected portion of the road began about two years ago but it became more devastating during the current rainy season.

According to him, officials of FERMA had carried out minor erosion control works but materials used were completely washed away by flood thereby worsening the condition of the road.

He said: “We are helpless, as you can see, the erosion has eaten very deep into the road and with more downpours the road might not survive this rainy season. The federal government should within. move in quickly and do One of the natives, a teacher, something before our village who identified herself as Mrs. is cut into two.

Okoro, alerted South East “Already some buildings Voice on the phone about the around the gully site are danger on the road last week, being threatened and we can expressing fears that a major do little or nothing to stop the disaster might occur in the menace.

The State village if urgent steps were Government can also do not taken to check the erosion. something about this road if She said that people driving the Federal Government is on the road especially at delaying action because it is night were taking great risk our people from many villages as vehicles with poor visibility along this road that will suffer could crash into the gully. more if the road is finally cut She urged the federal off.

Gully erosion threatens 9th Mile-Opi Nsukka old road *As Abor community cries out

By TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU—MOTORISTS plying the old 9th Mile Corner-Opi Nsukka Federal Highway are now doing so with extra caution due to threatening gully erosion which has almost cut off some portions of the road.

Apart from deep potholes at the centre of the road that connects several communities in Udi, Igbo-Etiti and Nsukka local government areas, major gully erosion has eaten deep

into the road at a spot in Umuavulu village, Abor community in Udi council.

Some vehicles and motorcycles were said to have fallen into the deep gully which is threatening to divide the Umuavulu village and render the entire road impassable. But the natives said that no life has been lost at the spot as some concerned people have continued to place some barricades at the edge of the gully to warn motorists of the danger

REACH US DO you have any news of neglect or abandoned projects or your representatives at the local, state or federal governments are not representing you well?

Do you have unique cultural activities coming up or any community news to tell us?

Emeka Mamah (Co-ordinator): 08033218645 Tony (Enugu): 08033218180 Vincent (Awka): 08035804090 Anayo (Umuahia): 08034046839 Chidi(Imo): 08033391108 Peter (Abakaliki): 08032680756 Chinenyeh (Nsukka): 08185664011 Nwabueze (Nnewi): 08037794782 Enyim(Onitsha): 08169297179 Or: e-mail us: eastervoice@yahoo.com

6 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

, Confusion in Enugu community over leadership tussle

It is the Rural Electrification Board, REB, that is handling the community project and the REB does not give money directly to an individual

,

ENUGU

FRANCIS IGATA

E

NUGU—THERE is confusion in Obinofia Ndiuno Community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State following the leadership tussle between some town union officials.

One of the factions had alleged that the other group embezzled the Obinofia town union funds vowing to remove the executive members by all means.

Warring factions

South East Voice investigations revealed that the two warring parties took their bottled anger to Enugu, the state capital where they staged peaceful demonstration both for and against their respective leaders at the premises of the state Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, carrying placards.

While one of the factions loyal to the state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Victor Okolo, an indigene of the area, demanded that the leadership of the Community Town Union be dissolved and Umuonaga Autonomous Community carved out from the present Obinofia Ndiuno community, other protesters including women insisted that a serving state commissioner be probed over misapplication of over N7 million fund meant for the extension and completion of electricity project in the area by the state

*Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State government.

In a petition signed by the President-General of the Town Union, Chief Fred Ezinwa and Secretary, Nicholas Onuigbo, the community alleged that

N6.03 million and another N3 million meant for the rehabilitation of the community had disappeared from the treasury, adding that the funds were given to the community during the the

regimes of former Chairman of the local government, Julius Ogbuke and the incumbent, Emeka Ozoagu, respectively.

....As House moves to halt farmers, Fulani herdsmen's clashes FRANCIS IGATA NUGU—WORRIED by incessant violent clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the state, the Enugu State House of A s s e m b l y, E S H A has commenced moves to halt the ugly trend.

In a bill, entitled “A law to make provisions for the control of normadic cattle rearing in Enugu State and other matters related thereto” being sponsored

E

by Hon. Chinedu Nwamba, representing Nsukka East Constituency,the lawmaker revealed that it will put an end to avoidable deaths arising from such clashes.

The lawmaker in an interview with journalists said the bill when passed into law would promote symbiotic relationship between the farmers and the herdsmen.

Nwamba, who lamented that several lives and

properties have been lost in different parts of the country owing to the clashes, urged other states to replicate the law.

“The main reason behind this bill is to ensure adequate peace between the two parties- farmers and herdsmen. Nobody in this country is ignorant of some violent clashes which have occurred as a result of disagreement between the

farmers and the herdsmen.

“We have cases where the herdsmen will allow their cattle to grave on farmlands, and when the farmers kill the cows in retaliation, the herdsmen will go further extent to challenge the farmers.

“So, it is my firm belief that when this bill is passed into law, it will end conflict and promote peace between these parties.

Vandals at work

T hey also noted that due to the activities of electricity cable vandals, the community had been thrown into darkness.

Commissioner reacts

Reacting to the story, Commissioner Okolo, told the South East Voice that allegations of missing money in the community was false.

His words: “It is the Rural Electrification Board, REB, that is handling the community project and the REB does not give money directly to an individual. There is no way the money can be embezzled by an individual. It is the REB that executes community projects and our community, Obinofia Ndiuno is not an exception. The REB used its labour and materials for the extension of the electricity project.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014—7

IMO

Cultists hold Obiakpu-Egbema communty hostage

sleepless nights. We plead with the state government to quickly intervene in the

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—THE sleepy rural community of Obiakpu Egbema in Ohaji/ Egbema Local Council Area of Imo State, has been taken over by cultists who have made lives unbearable for the people of the area. The two deadly rival cult groups , Degbam and Dewell are said to have so far killed about 21 people in the area since the clashes between them started some few months ago .

South East Voice gathered that those silenced for life included Chief Emmanuel Opara, just as property worth millions of Naira have equally been destroyed by the cultists.

Some escapees from the area who spoke to South East Voice at Nmahu, Egbema said, “We are indigenes of Obiakpu. We are only taking refuge in Nmahu. Please do not attempt going to Obiakpu. The community is very hot and dangerous for you to visit now.”

One of the escapees, who simply identified herself as Nkechi said: “Obiakpu is now a ghost town. The clash has left sorrow, tears and blood on its trail. The cultists are very deadly and they unleash mayhem on innocent people.’’

She recalled that signs of the current clash reared its ugly head on June 7, 2014, when the cultists who were dressed in army uniform, invaded Nwari village in broad daylight.

“Again, about 6am, June 13, 2014, a faction of the cult group invaded Obiakpu with sophisticated weapons, shooting, killing and maiming innocent people,” Nkechi said.

Another refugee from Obiakpu, who spoke on condition of anonymity recalled with grief that “despite the fact that most of the protagonists or perpetrators of the cult war were known persons, nobody has been arrested to answer for their crimes.”

Meanwhile, the state government says it has not only declared total war against cultism, but has equally set up anti-cult task force, to stem cult activities in the state.

Governor Rochas Okorocha disclosed this during a meeting he held in Government House, Owerri,

with the people of Ohaji/ Egbema local government area of the state.

Governor Okorocha, who stated that the task force comprised the Army, Police, Department of State Services, DSS, and the Imo Security Network, regretting the spate of killings by suspected cult groups at Ohaji/Egbema local council area. He directed the members of the task force to shoot on sight all cult members, as well as discover and move into their den immediately for necessary action.

Okorocha equally directed the immediate deployment of men of Imo Security Network to the troubled area, and

approved the release of Hilux vans for the police, 40 motorcycles for the local vigilante, as well as other logistics to ensure smooth operation for the group.

Earlier in his speech, the President General of Obiakpu Community, Prince Ogwumaru Joseph, who spoke on behalf of his community, stated that the problem in their area was as a result of cult clash between two rival groups, “Day-Gbam” and “Day-Well”, which led to sporadic shootings and selective killings by the cultists. “About 21 youths have been killed by this cult action while the communities are now living in fear and

matter to avert more loss of precious lives”, Ogwumaru pleaded.

The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in-charge of Egbema, Enihe Paul, said that “about 12 suspected cult members had ‘’been arrested,” and asked for the government’s assistance in the fight against the cultists.

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State

Imo communities face hard times over collapse of Oyibo River bridge

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

W E R R I — COMMUNITIES along the OrieaguUmundimoko-Umuoma-Afor Nzerem road in Ehime Mbano local government area

of Imo State, are passing through hard times following the collapse of the Oyibo River bridge and the abandonment of the road project by the state government.

South East Voice visited the the area and discovered that

The dilapidated Oyibo River bridge.

the former busy road had become desolate as a result of the poor condition of the bridge.

Investigations in the area showed that the villagers and commuters have been passing through a lot of inconeniences as they can only get to their

nieghbouring communities on cicycles.

A community leader who identified himself as Chief Okoro said that ‘’the villagers had to construct a makeshift bridge that now takes pedestrians, bicycles and motor bikes, when we realized that the state government was not in a hurry to reconstruct the bridge.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

ANAMBRA

ASSAULT: Onitsha lawyer kicks against orderly room trial for charged Policemen

By NWABUEZE OKONKWO NITSHA—AN Onitshabased lawyer in Anambra State, Faustinus Andi, has rejected the pattern of orderly room trial adopted by the authorities of Anambra State police command against some policemen who reportedly assaulted him and one of his learned colleagues, Ephraim Agubalu.

They said the reason for their rejection was that the three policemen brought out of the detention for the trial were not the exact ones that beat them up on the fateful day, even though they were actually among the team that perpetrated the act.

O

The perpetrators

They, therefore, insisted that the two policemen who did the beating must be produced for the trial because trying those who though were members of the team but who did not participate in the beating would never produce effective result, because even if they are tried, dismissed and charged to court for the offence, the court might not find them guilty as charged.

They wondered why the actual perpetrators were not brought out from the detention by the police authorities to face the music and said they were suspecting a fowl play.

Five policemen

A team of about five policemen on duty had on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at about 7.30p.m, reportedly beat up the two lawyers to stupor, resulting to their being rushed to the hospital unconscious.

The policemen whose patrol van had inscriptions: Operation Kpochapu, Route 13, were said to have accosted Agubalu first at Federal Housing Estate in “3-3” Area of Onitsha, along the Onitsha/Otuocha road for allegedly causing an obstruction.

According to the lawyers, the policemen accosted Agubalu, banging on his car doors to stop him for trying to join the traffic after buying

some quantities of petrol from a nearby filling station. They asked him few questions before allegedly giving him some lashes of the cane.

As he was still trying to explain to them his reason for gradually trying to join the traffic from the filling station, Andi who spotted his colleague and the policemen arguing among themselves while driving past the scene stopped his vehicle to intervene.

Andi said as he alighted from the vehicle and walked towards their direction asking: “Senior, (referring to Agubalu) what is the problem between you and these policemen, the policemen also pounced on him and started hitting him all over his body with gun butts and canes.’’

He alleged that the policemen who mounted an illegal road block, really descended on him for no just cause and as if he was the person they were waiting for at the road block.

Battered lawyer, Faustinus Andi

Andi, Police PRO

Andi who narrated his ordeal in the hands of the angry policemen while complaining to the out-going State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Emeka Chukwuemeka in his office said: “I am a friend of the police and I appreciate their job in the society and the hazards associated with it and that was why I usually handle legal cases for policemen free of charge. But what borders me much is how policemen always beat me up.

“This is not the first time such a thing has happened.

The other time, some police escort attached to one of the banks near my office along New Market Road, Onitsha, beat me up but later came back to me and apologised. I forgave them and this time around, they have repeated the same ugly phenomenon. ‘’Look at my body completely battered. I am now limping and my doctor has warned me not to take the beating lightly because I may develop internal bleeding, and if it is detected and not treated, it may lead to serious

health problem.

“They assaulted me physically, brutalized and caused me grievous bodily harm for no just cause. In short, I was highly disappointed that the policemen charged with the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the citizens had turned round to beat me up to a point of unconsciousness, even when I had not committed any offence to warrant such brutality.”

Andi, a human rights lawyer, further told the PPRO how he closed work for the day and left his office in Onitsha and was driving towards his residence at Federal Housing Estate, “33” Area of Nkwelle-Ezunaka when the incident occurred at about 7.30 p.m.

He said after taking a first aid treatment, he managed to drive to “3-3” Police Station and lodged a complaint of assault and occasioning harm by some policemen, adding that it was at the station that he was informed that the policemen

who beat him up were from Otuocha Police Division and not even from the “3-3” area where they mounted road block and beat him up.

Meeting the DPO

He said he met the Divisional Police Officer, DPO at “3-3”, Mr. Shehu Umar who promised to inform his Otuocha colleague about the incident, since the team were from Otuocha Division.

He said he was preparing a strongly-worded petition to police authorities about the incident, adding that he would equally initiate a court proceeding against the policemen.

Responding, Chukwuemeka who expressed his sympathy, said the particular team that carried out the act had been identified by the police authorities, adding that they had been detained and are awaiting orderly room trial.

Five of the policemen were later detained on the orders of the state Commissioner of Police, Usman Gwary, for an orderly room trial.

DEMOLISHED CHURCH: Town union leader asks Anglicans to suspend work on site or ...

By VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—THE President General of NkweleEzunaka community in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, Elder Chris Eluemune has urged authorities of the Anglican Church to discontinue construction work going on at Oze village in the town or be prepared for a showdown with the community.

Speaking after a general meeting of the community, Eluemuno regretted that despite the order of the state government that status quo be maintained pending the completion of the investigation by the panel set up by the state government, the Anglican Church has continued to build on the disputed school premises.

He, however, denied the involvement of the community in the demolition of the Anglican Church last week.

According to him, nobody gave the school to the Anglican Church in the first place and that the church did not get any certificate of occupancy on the land.

He said that the school in which the demolished church was situated, was built by Nkwelle Ezuunaka people in 1980 and handed over to Anambra State government, while the Anglican Church started worshiping there more than 10 years after the school was built.

“It was Chief G.U. Okeke who came and pleaded that Anglican Church be allowed to worship there and promised that the church would never contest ownership,” he said.

He added that the Anglican Church reached an agreement with Nkwelle Ezeuaka that the Church would pay N20 annually for using the premises, an agreement, he said the Church has reneged on.

He expressed surprise that a church should be telling lies and wondered what the church leaders should preach to the ordinary people.

The President General warned that his community would not fold its arms and allow anybody to come in and take its property unduly stressing, “if government is tired of managing the school, it should hand it over to the community which owned it.”

“A week is a long time in politics” (Harold Wilson, 1964).

HIS time last week, the nation held its breath in anticipation of the final episode in the four months old saga that was the National Conference. The key actors themselves did not have the final pages of the script.

Or, to put it another way, there were many versions of the final scenes of a melodrama that threatened to either tear the nation apart, or facilitate massive distortions in political power and resource mobilisation and allocation.

Few thought the Conference was going to leave the nation pretty much as it was before the President became an overnight convert to the idea that it was the key to the nation’s survival. The audience had primed the key actors to the hilt on how the Conference was to end. You could say that for all its lack of popular mandate and multitudes of shortfalls in inclusiveness, this Conference was the most representative in terms of the plurality of burdens and demands placed on its leadership and delegates.

This time last week, regional and ethnic gladiators had assembled for the final battle.

Most of the positions of the opposing forces were known to each other. All that was needed was a verdict over the winner in this long, expensive and bruising battle, although a few final skirmishes were being sorted to provide the indicators of victory or defeat.

The melodrama came to an end with a lot of cheering and backslapping by delegates. They told each other they had done well, or parted as mortal enemies to fight other battles. The nation is left without billions and a pile of documents to further decorate us as a nation of good ideas and little action.

Did the good guys win at the end of this melodrama? Is the

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nation better or worse off now that 500 or so handpicked Nigerians looked at our nation in the rarefied air of Abuja once again and said what they see as wrong with it, and how to fix it? Let's look at a few issues.

The 2014 Constitution misadventure The most audacious attempt to hijack the Conference was the emergence of a draft constitution which by implication, would wipe the slate clean for current political office holders, and provide them with fresh leases to seek new mandates. This is a rather crude paraphrase of a poorly – crafted antic that learnt very badly from history. The defeat of this audacity and its demotion from a Draft 2014 Constitution, to pieces of advise on constitutional amendments would be claimed by northern delegates; but the victory belonged to all Nigerians.

If President Goodluck Jonathan wants another term, let him convince Nigerians over the legality of that ambition, and convince them that he deserves another four year term.

Regional and ethnic champions A conference intended to provide solutions to seemingly intractable political problems created by a Nigerian state that has failed to dilute narrower loyalties and widen the horizon for the emergence of a Nigerian citizen was promptly hijacked by the very forces it was to fight against. Perhaps, this is the most predictable element of the Conference: a conclave designed around regional, ethnic, religious,partisan and personal political considerations could not conceivably rise above them. So the powers of local champions ebbed and flowed, showing them one moment as whips and enforcers of narrow interests, and the next as the enemy of the rank and file. They gave the Conference a character it found

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY , August 20, 2014— —17 delegates from the North to understand what it all meant.

They will ask where new grounds for a north/south-west alliance will be found in future, and some of the damage done may find a new life in a party that has substantial north/south-west constituency.

Delegates from the lower fringes of the North, and other minorities were enticed by the prospect of a few states here and there, until they realised that they were all substantially pawns. Their abject poverty in influencing how the big boys play the game reminded many of them that their status as appendages will take a while to remove. They will wait for other opportunities to see if they can improve in the art of exploiting the greed and gullibility of the larger groups.

Delegates from the north, particularly the far north ran from pillar to post saying no to everything that even remotely seemed like a play for advantage by the others. Their flanks were exposed very badly on many occasions in a war in which they started as crippled underdogs.

They found the perfect strategy

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The week after

difficult to dislodge. Virtually every delegate became a northerner or southerner, sometime only a Muslim or Christian, and every issue had a major ethno-religious stamp on it.

The Conference redesigned Nigeria into a nation of two regions and religions, something even the British could never do.

Many delegates must have developed symptoms of split personalities: some northern Christians fraternised with South South in the night, strategised with ‘core’ North in the morning, and asked what exactly was in it for them in the evening. Yoruba Muslims found common ground with Igbo more-states champions against the north on devolution; elders and leaders agreed on state police and abused each other over resource allocation. Bright and younger Nigerians found voices in committees, but were drowned by orchestrated, behind-thescene positions designed either out of fear, or desperate gambles that oppositions can be whittled down or deceived. Eminent names and records were trampled upon on the slightest suspicion that they pandered to the opposition. There were booby traps everywhere, a situation that perfectly mirrowed the conception and birth of the Conference: when you are unsure of the plans of the man sitting next to you, the best option is to prevent both of you from moving anywhere. In the end everyone retreated to the safe comfort of the clan, and a few millions in Naira richer, all have returned home with their own tales to tell.

Elite cohesion: Instead of improving concensus on national priorities, the conference has left a gaping hole in the beleaguered cohesion of Nigeria’s elite. Igbo leaders are fuming that northerners and their legion of other enemies have frustrated their single-item agenda of additional state(s).

They will wait for the right time to revenge. South South activists saw their hopes for improved takehome-pay scuttled by delegates whose roles as parasites are becoming intolerable. They will wait to see if, in addition to this insult, the nation also sends President Jonathan out of the Villa next year. Delegates from the South West packed up all the polished grammar on devolution of power, true federalism and a new constitution in the face of the stubborn refusal of mostly

school girls, burnt whole villages and now takes and holds entire towns. Nigerians do not know what the delegates said about national security, but we can assume that the conference recommendations have not fed the fight against the insurgency.

Northerners were being profiled by security agencies in southern states and detained; state governments in the south were telling them to get registered; northern youths were threatening to relaliate. The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria who said tens of billions of dollars were missing was called a liar and suspended, and then appointed Emir of Kano. This matter is likely to await another administration for a verdict over who is right. An opposition governor was impeached over offences he committed while he was with the PDP; another opposition governor narrowly escaped being impeached; the opposition lost a state to the PDP and clung to another. A minister was sacked for apparent gross abuse of office, but she is walking free as air today.

While our delegates discussed foreign policy, our President was

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The Conference redesigned Nigeria into a nation of two regions and religions, something even the British could never do

in opposing everything which has not been said ten or twenty times before, or which will substantially alter the status quo.

They discussed good ideas in committees and agreed to them, then fought hard to leave the conference with just that: ideas and suggestions on improving policy, processes and governance. They went to the conference to defend the north against what they saw as a conspiracy. They left believing that there is indeed a conspiracy against the north; and while they think they have successfully fought it this time, they are more convinced that the danger is still lurking. All in all, many delegates who should be building bridges as we move towards the stormy waters of 2015 will now be building barricades and fortifications, and they will have the scars from skirmishes at the conference to justify their positions.

The nation: While the delegates met the world went round. The nation’s security situation got a lot worse. The insurgency grew in leaps and bounds, took away

summoned to Paris and Washington to discuss our security situation. Government doctors went on strike and prepared to treat Ebola in their private clinics.The president sacked all of them. Wives of soldiers blocked gates of the barracks to stop their men from going to war; and our politicians rolled over from one party to the next without the slightest shame or qualms.

This time last week delegates to the national conference were mostly congratulating themselves for concluding a conference many people predicted will break up,or break the country up. The operative words here are concluding a conference. It will take the best part of many years to decide whether any good will come out of what is said to be the best national conference. By this time last week, few people really cared whether the conference broke up or was concluded successfully. A week after, we can all look ahead to even more frightening prospects: the insurgency digging in, and an election which terrifies us in its implications.

OPINION

By Elliot Uko

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IGERIANS are amused to no end once again as a section of the northern elite who despise President Goodluck Jonathan passionately, has once more embarked on its usual campaign for Jonathan albeit unwittingly, as usual.

The vituperations of both the Northern elders forum and the Northern delegates to the confab to wit that Jonathan should not run in the February 2015 elections.

This is déjà vu is of the 2010/2011 Northern faux pas.

This excessive display of paranoia does not only suggest that the north has run out of ideas and arguments but it confirms that the Boko Haram madness is political.

Are our Northern brothers treading this familiar road because of their love for

2015: North treads familiar path Nigeria? Or just a last ditch effort in the desperate battle for central power and insatiable hunger for eternal domination of the rest of Nigeria.

This is déjà vu, the last time our northern brothers took this road four years ago they only succeeded in frightening the rest of the country and forcing them to gather behind Jonathan. A mere repeat of the same road that didn’t pay any dividend. They terrorised him endlessly, gave him seven days to resign, chose a consensus candidate, and campaigned ferociously on religious and regional pedestal, all these failed. Then they promised to make Nigeria ungovernable.

Jonathan is still trucking on.

The strategy of threat of soaking dog and baboon in blood is not capable of snatching power from Jonathan as only Nigerians will decide on 2015.

It’s amusing that those who are threatening to reject a new constitution cannot see that they would only be making a bigger mistake than their GREAT MISTAKE at the Jos PDP convention 15 years ago.

Fifteen years ago, the same people who are fiercely resisting restructuring Nigeria through a new constitution stormed Jos, to stop, a former vice president and the only man who would have handed over power to the North after four years. Instead, they brought out

from Yola prison their Northern choice who dealt them a blow the north is yet to recover from. Once again, as the world watches, the North is about to seal her fate as she opposes the only open route to a peaceful stable and functional Nigeria a new constitution adopted at a referendum.

Their parochial mind tells them that they would seize power and keep it forever, hence their preference for the unworkable status quo. A mistake for which they could pay dearly, sooner than later.

Reminds us of the great Northern mistake at the Jos PDP convention 15 years ago. What a déjà vu.

*Mr. Uko, a social critic, wrote from Enugu, Enugu State.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 WHENEVER a new Inspector General of Police is appointed, he calls together the top echelon of the Police, with great media attention, to unfold his vision and mission. The recently appointed IGP, Alhaji Suleiman Abba, is no different. Abba has made it clear that the Nigeria Police under his charge would be modelled as, not just a friend but also a “helper ”. According to him, it is only when a policeman demonstrates his eagerness to help members of society that he is accepted as a friend.

According to Abba, the policeman will now be strongly reoriented, not just to arrest, investigate and prosecute criminals, but also to be able to administer such humanitarian services as first aid, emergency management and other activities that will make citizens glad to see a policeman, rather than being afraid or contemptuous.

It is a good way to start. But we are witnesses to the fact that successive police bosses always come full of promises and hope but eventually leave the Force no better than they met it. Some come in

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By Sule Ya'uSule

S perception principles go, being ad mired in public service for the right reasons is good politics. A reputation manager’s biggest luck is to find a principal with unassailable character; a man of integrity who can be trusted to take the moral high ground even if it is by his choice, his personal material space is diminished.

These submissions formed the knob of a paper titled “Public Relations and the Challenges of Reputation management”, which I presented to the selection committee for the award of Fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, in Kano, in December, 2011.

My paper drew substantially from my experience as Director of Press and Public Relations to the twice elected Executive Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, Sardaunan Kano. My task was simple: to draw open the curtain and let the public scrutinise the Governor without interference. I concluded my paper with a conviction that a spin put on a bad product must carry an expiry date.

Two months after I was awarded the prestigious fellowship of the Institute, the most important influence in my choice of that topic and the doyen of reputation management in Nigeria, Malam Mohammed Ahmed Abdullahi, passed away.

The passage of this foremost reputation manager at this time in our national life is very tragic and regrettable. These are dire times when our country needs leaders with strong moral strength and courage of conviction to come forward and lead. Nigeria, and indeed the public relations profession has

Police, your “friend, helper” pledging to abolish police roadblocks and offering to strengthen mobile patrols. Some come in, emphasising on respect for human rights, while some promise to strengthen police/public relations and partnership or boost welfare as a means of combating crime in society. But in many cases, IGP’s have left the Force in blaze scandals and corruption, with the promised reforms never attended to.

We as a society and nation must bear in mind that the Police is what we make of it. Our Police Force is a mirror-image of

our society. The Police cannot help itself unless the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria make up their minds to give unto themselves a police force they can be proud of.

A police IG can come with glowing ideas, but unless the officers, men and women of the force are properly trained, equipped, paid and given a conducive atmosphere to give their best, the pledges by successive IGP’s to produce rabbits from the hat will remain mere platitudes.

For the Nigerian policemen to truly become helpers and friends, they must be totally reoriented to ensure they do away with their military mentality. They must realise that the arms they bear are for the security of lives and property of the citizenry, and that it is a gross abuse of office and power to use same to terrorise and extort them.

We wish the new IGP success in implementing his vision, especially in the runup to the crucial general elections of 2015.

Nigeria will be a happier place when, indeed, the Police become the helpers and friends of the people.

OPINION TTribut ribut e tto o Malam Ahmed Abdullahi ribute lost a great man, which is unfortunate because this is a time we seriously need reputed practitioners like MalamAbdullahi to mentor the younger generation, and to teach them the rewards of patience, hard work and personal integrity. There goes a successful professional and reliable colleague. We shall continue to live by his inspiring words.

The late Mohammed Abdullahi will be mourned by the thousands of family members, friends and professional colleagues who knew him in his lifetime but I feel his loss personally because our paths crossed on several life’s journeys. The man we fondly called ‘General’ epitomized the professional thoroughness and high sense of ethical judgement he often preached as essential, in fact irreducible, in building a lasting reputation. He inspired me very much.

From his humble and hardworking days as a student at Bayero University, Kano, our alma mater, where we struck a good friendship despite his being one year my senior, Mohammed Abdullahi would go on to become the most recognised name in information management in Bauchi State, the entire North, and indeed the country. As far as I can remember, he was the longest serving Government House Director of Press and from 1992 to 2007, served a total of seven Governors in Bauchi State, military and civilian. I remember that each time we met as a body of Government House Directors of Press, MalamAbdullahi was the automatic choice to chair our meetings. At various times, he served the Bauchi State

Government meritoriously as Permanent Secretary and Commissioner of Information. His last assignment was with Bauchi Radio Service, where he was General Manager. His long years of service apart, he was a natural leader and presided over our meetings with a firm but fair hand.

The late Mohammed Abdullahi was a father figure and mentor to hundreds of practising public relations professionals today. He encouraged me to vie for Council membership of NIPR but advised me to prepare myself intellectually for the task.

Inspired by his vision and kind encouragement, I took up the challenge. He was generous with his time and advice. He always kept in touch and cared for his protégés’ professional development. To him, there was no growth without knowledge. He shared his optimism and counselled upcoming practitioners to strive for improved knowledge and higher certification. He was a repository of knowledge in public information and reputation management, and he readily shared this wealth of experience with others.

Many Nigerians will perhaps best remember Malam Mohammed Abdullahi as a two-time President of the NIPR. In this position, he wrote his name in gold, having left footprints of accomplishment in leadership, accountability and fairness. As Vice President, he understudied another doyen of public relations practice in Nigeria, Professor Ike Nwosu and took over as

President at the expiration of Nwosu’s tenure.

It was at the 2011 NIPR General Conference and Annual General Meeting, which I hosted in Kano as chapter chairman that he was reelected for a second and final term, with members expressing satisfaction with his leadership style and the new direction the institute was going under his guidance. Early this year, MalamAbdullahi handed over the baton to his successor, Mr. RotimiOladele at a well-attended AGM in Abuja. Every professional association thrives when it enlists members’ commitment to a higher vision. NIPR continues to march into greatness on account of the hard work, vision and meticulous mentoring of new members by the likes of MalamAbdullahi.

I will seize this opportunity to express my heartfelt sympathy to his immediate family and officers and members of NIPR over MalamAbdullahi’s death. We have a duty as his colleaques to continue his legacies and carry the torch to the next generation. The General completed his mission on earth and left with a great reputation.

MalamAbdullahi will forever be remembered for his numerous contributions to society, his piety, humility, friendship across all boundaries, his forceful articulation of his principled convictions without sounding sanctimonious.

There is no greater eulogy to a fallen colleague than recognizing and appreciating how he changed your own life.

I am indebted to MalamAbdullahi for his brotherly love and for mentoring my public relations career. *Mr. Ya'uSule, a fellow of the NIPR, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014— —19

, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has taken quite a few positive steps in recent years. These are remarkable transformations in the activities of the organisation of which I have taken mental note, hoping the time would come when these could be properly acknowledged. There are not too many good things to report about public institutions in Nigeria. That the ugly many times overshadow the beautiful has made nonsense of our ability, to say nothing of our readiness, to get out of the rot of what would seem a perpetual habit of nagging and seeing all that is wrong about us but always too tight-lipped about the few things we are doing right. The August 2 interview Saturday Punch had with the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Dibu Ojerinde, was all the prompting I needed to finally put this down in writing.

Many of the observable changes in JAMB's current activities are actually the result of hit-and-miss experiments, trials and errors, over the last one and half decades.

In addition to positive steps newly initiated by him, Prof. Oderinde

simple as it may sound, nor is it rocket science requiring the most nimble minds around to take control of. It takes a good student of history, one assured of and confident in their own ability, to set aside all ego and continue with the tasks begun by others. As we can all readily attest: policy flip-flop or discontinuity is the bane of many organisations/ administrations in this country, from the private to the public. Everyone of us wants to reinvent the wheel and so embark on wild goose chase of our own in order to pamper our ego and line our pockets.

Such philosophy appears to be very far from the thoughts of the present managers of JAMB. The first thing to note about the Board today is that it has streamlined its processing of candidates' admission into Nigeria's tertiary institutions. While I can't be sure yet of its ultimate benefit, limiting candidates' choice of institution to just one has the immediate benefit of reducing the chaos of multiple applications where only one would eventually be utilised.

Although they may not be content with the institutions assigned to them but no candidate who sits the unified

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tertiary matriculation examinations would be totally without placement of some sorts. If their result does not qualify them for admission in a university, they could have a choice of either polytechnic or college of education. This underlines Prof.

Oderinde's statement in a section of the Saturday Punch interview that no candidate fails an examination organised by JAMB. Rather, it is the ratio of available admission spaces that determines the number of students to be offered placement, provided candidates meet the minimum basic requirement. Where there are available spaces, every applicant would be fixed somewhere.

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his may be an equable way of ensuring everyone gets a tertiary education who wants it.

But I hold what I would call a traditional view of examination which makes me not too eager to accept Prof. Oderinde's postulation.

My intuition tells me that while everyone could be considered prima facie eligible for admission for having met the minimum basic requirement, not all could be

Elections as military operations

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Y all sober reckoning, Professor Attahiru Jega has done quite well in his last two outings as Nigeria’s chief electoral officer and, so, democracy’s chief midwife in our turbulent country. If Ekiti broke the hearts of progressives, of those who believe that “man does not live alone by bread” — in other words, that the gospel of “Man shall live alone for his stomach,” according to Saints Adedibu and Fayose, is perversion itself — Osun offered them consolation. With the hardfought but clear victory of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in the August 9 election, Jega gave hope to a nation pining, panting even, for a sign of change in the still uninspiring effort of governing ourselves sensibly. If against the seemingly unstoppable electoral machine of the ruling party, oiled by its ability to dispense power and privilege, a harried governor from a new collation party still getting to know all of its new members could win re-election, then 2015 might not be all the predicted gloom and doom. Electorally speaking, only, I must be quick to add, for the forces that tear at corporate Nigeria are legion!

Simultaneously, Jega blunted one biting criticism of President Jonathan’s use of his awesome powers in the course of the two South Western states’ gubernatorial elections. By either ordering or condoning what was effectively a military siege to either state in the run-up to the elections, Jonathan played an open and partisan hand, say the critics. The arrest and violation of the freedom of movement of leaders of the rival All Progressives Congress, including governors of the party from other states, while allowing operatives of his own party unrestricted roaming rights across the length and breadth of both states, showed a far greater interest in his personal political fortunes than in the fate of Nigeria, they charged.

These critics did not really need any further proof, but Jonathan’s Minister of State for Defence, the garrulous Musiliu Obanikoro, was nonetheless eager to erase any doubts. And so he issued threats and admonitions, purportedly intended for all mischief-makers, only that they appeared to belong exclusively to the opposition party. To curtail them, about 73,000 troops and officials drawn from across the entire security apparatus of the nation — army, police, SSS, civil defence corps, etc — were deployed to Osun State. A visitor from saner climes would be forgiven for thinking that they were needed to quell a riotous insurrection; certainly not for the election of a governor. And then Mrs Marilyn Ogar showed us how they do intelligence analysis at the State Security Services. The occurrence of bomb explosions after the two governorship elections the opposition party lost, contrasted with the incident-free aftermath of the two they won, shows, she said, that the opposition party is behind the bloody violence bedeviling Nigeria.

She was not done. With her inference hardly mistakable, she claimed to have declined offers of a bribe by certain politicians to compromise the election. Why, she even reinstated the offence of wandering in our laws! Clearly, Mrs Ogar would not be outdone by Alhaji Obanikoro, but if the reports are true then she can now prove her allegations in court and dress herself in glory as a heroine of the great struggle to save troubled democracy.

Nor would Obanikoro be upstaged. Thus, in congratulating Aregbesola, he “saluted” the Independent National Electoral Commission but “particularly, our Military and other security forces for . . . ensur[ing] a peaceful, free and fair election.” He did not mince words.

“But for the efforts of our Military in Osun State,” he declared, “the elections could have

been marred by violence.”

He is not totally wrong. I recall my astonishment when I asked Senator Femi Ojudu, over the phone, whether the bleak report he was giving me of proceedings in Ekiti was due to the expected rigging wrought by the PDP under military protection and he

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JAMB's gradual but steady progress HEY might seem little to has had the good fortune of building those who don't know or upon the foundation laid by past T remember its past history but the registrars of JAMB. This is not as

JAMB is being 21st century compliant in its entire move towards a digitised operation; the advantages that come with this are obvious enough

offered admission once a 50-50 ratio of application to admission is achieved. A university candidate, say, should in addition to meeting the basic requirement, prima facie, have certain qualities that should indicate their readiness for the type of education they aspire to. Five credits at two sittings in addition to say, 180 or 200 postUTME test, is not necessarily sufficient qualification for admission.

The computer-based test, CBT, is an innovation that reduces to the barest, if not completely eliminate, unwholesome practices such as malpractices and/or missing answer scripts which are associated with hand written/multiple choice answers. Yes, it requires some level of technological know-how and availability of ancillary services and equipment such as uninterrupted electricity and availability of computers. The basic thing is that the CBT is the future of public exams and the earlier it is embraced, whether we like it or not, the better. JAMB is being 21st century compliant in its entire move towards a digitised operation. The advantages that come with this are obvious enough: application forms can be purchased online, exams taken online, results checked within 48-72 hours online, and now admission letters which used to take months to arrive where they are not lost in transit, can be printed by candidates online! Time was when UME candidates waited for at least six months before the release of results. We also know what horrors hundreds of anxious and harassed candidates who travelled from far and near saw as they milled around gates of JAMB offices to check their results or even purchase application forms. It used to be simply hell a few years back.

The happy news is that things are,

As long as we can only vote under the iron cordon of military troops massed round the ballot box, our elections look more like military operations than civic actions

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answered: “No, there is no rigging. Our people seem not to want a visionary programme of development and accountability.” Painful as the news was to me, I believed him that the election reflected the prevailing will of the people. Still, 73,000 military and other security officials for a state election? Aren’t elections a civic affair? Why should preparations to vote be indistinguishable from mobilisation for war with an enemy foreign?

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or as long I have lived, there has been no free and fair national election, which until recently always included state governors’ elections at about the same time.

The lone exception was the June 12, 1993 election and we know how that ended,

however, now much different.

Virtually all recent JAMB innovations are money-driven as young Nigerians pay, exorbitantly in certain cases, to enjoy them. To be part of many of these online activities candidates have to purchase 'scratch cards'. Sometimes more often than they need to which raises questions of extortion. These are areas the Nigerian government and JAMB itself have to work on and try to make amends. The public should also be realistic about their expectations of JAMB as with other public institutions. We know we have many spendthrifts we call leaders wasting our commonwealth on frivolities, which makes us to insist on our share of the national garri. We shouldn't forget, though, that these services ought to be paid for. We shouldn't be too quick to want free things while insisting on quality service. Paying for services enjoyed is about the only way to ensure those services don't stop.

On a measuring scale, the benefits of the many digital age innovations initiated by JAMB far outweigh their disadvantages.

And this is what we must take away from what the Board is doing: its entire move toward digitised operations should be seen within the framework of the country's move towards a digitised society where people become internetsavvy, do less paper work and or carry cash all over the place as if they were human bullion vans.

Many of us may be struggling with the internet but in due course we would be the better for it. Digitised operations would allow for proper and prompt planning. In the case of JAMB, it will help in the appropriate documentation of Nigerians, providing data that could be used alongside census figures and related data.

proving that the means will most often than not taint and jeopardise the end, however seemingly benevolent in the short run. This is why, I think, Aregbesola, even in victory, felt constrained to both praise INEC for conducting “a largely free and fair election” and to pillory the military for conduct detrimental to democracy and the rule of law.

Many of the troops stationed in the state, he asserted, violated the Constitution by turning themselves into a terror gang after specific targets, and so into partisan agents of the ruling party.

The matter might boil down to the overzealousness of a few who cannot “differentiate” between legitimate and illegitimate orders or who, in their craven eagerness to please power, please the President, send themselves on unconstitutional errands.

And it may be that the temporary answer to clamping down on opposition figures, on molesting, harassing and intimidating supporters of the opposition party is for soldiers and policemen to have the courage, henceforth, of “resisting wrong orders” that are “antithetical” to the Constitution, as Aregbesola urges. What is unmistakable, however, is that for as long as we can only vote under the iron cordon of military troops massed round the ballot box, our elections look more like military operations than civic actions. And to that extent, we prolong the poisonous ethic and tragic memory of military dictatorship in our land.

20 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

A question of ‘staff’ passengers

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UMBER 43 Salami Street or Ademisoye’s House as it is more popularly known in the Mafoluku area of Lagos easily attracted attention not necessarily because of its appearance or size but due to the fact that it was one of the oldest buildings in the area. Indeed, it was considered a kind of landmark.

In the expansive compound were two buildings: the one at the rear was home to four tenants, while the other one was occupied by the landlord, Pa T. Adamiloye and his entire family. That was the case until Monday August 11, 2014, when fire gutted the house, throwing all the families living there into mourning and rendered them homeless.

It was particularly more tragic for Mr and Mrs Patrick, who for 14 years were occupants of a twobedroom flat there. The tragic incident of that fateful Monday sent two of their children to their early graves.

Mr. Patrick and his wife, as gathered, had early in the morning of that fateful day left home for their respective places of work, leaving one of their children, Ada, to take charge of their flat. Ada, a mother of two, one a seven months old and another a two-year-old, had in addition to her own

By EBELE ORAKPO

IF she enter this bus, I no go move from here, I “swear!” declared the driver of the Ogba-bound com-

*The raging inferno

Death in an inferno: The tragic end of two kids

By Bose Adelaja of them helping to salvage some belongings, while others were ransacking the buildings.

That was when it dawned on her that the candle she lit and left in the flat had set the entire building on fire and spread to other apartments. The top floor of the building was razed, particularly the twobedroom flat on the top

Why on earth did she lock up the flat after lighting a candle?

It was her carefree attitude that caused the death of those kids

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children been looking after her two-year-old nephew left in her care by the grand parents.

After feeding the kids and taking them to bed at about 8pm, Ada had lit a candle and locked up the flat. She reportedly left the house in the company of her friends.

According to a neighbour, Madam Seeke Adamolekun, Ada was relaxing with her friends at a spot near the bus-stop when an alarm was raised that ‘’a building on Salami street is on fire’’. Ada was said to have left her friends to go and see what was happening. On getting home, she discovered sympathisers had filled up her compound with some

,

floor housing the deceased children and their family.

It was later gathered from sympathisers that the seven months old child was rescued by a ten-yearold boy who found his way into the flat through an opening. Unfortunately, the brave chap, who sustained a minor injury, could not rescue the two-year-old kids as the fire escalated before he could do so. However, the boy was able to raise the alarm which attracted other neighbours to the scene before a call was put across the State fire services.

When Vanguard Metro arrived the compound, some of the occupants of the compound were busy lamenting the death of the

two kids and the fact that they have been rendered homeless. Meantime, the affected building had been put under lock and key by officials of the local council who also instructed the occupants to find alternative accommodations.

A teenager, perceived to be the landlord’s son, also joined in appealing to the tenants to take the situation in good faith. ‘’Daddy has decided to leave everything to God. Meanwhile, I appeal to you all to find an alternative accommodation till the building will be fixed...’’.

One of the occupants, a septuagenarian, who simply gave her name as Madam Gladys, said she arrived home that Monday, after being away for three months visiting one of her children who gave birth in May. ‘’I arrived yesterday and was very tired. I was fast asleep when I heard a distress call. Immediately, I called my daughter who assured me the situation would soon be under control. But before you knew it, street urchins had taken advantage of the situation to steal some of my belongings,’’ she said.

An occupant at the compound who pleaded anonymity said the Patricks were members of a popular pentecostal church at Ijesha and blamed “their care free attitude” for the tragedy. ‘’Why on earth did she lock up the flat after lighting a candle? It was her carefree attitude that

caused the death of those kids,’’ he lamented.

Director, Lagos State Fire Services, Razaq Fadipe, confirmed the development to Vanguard Metro, adding that the fire service was not called on time to put out the fire.

“We got a distress call around 8:38p.m. that Monday and when we got there, we discovered that it was a storey building that was on fire. The top floor has a two-bedroom apartment and four single rooms, while the ground floor has a two-bedroom and six single rooms. They did not call us on time, that is as soon as the fire started,” he said.

Fadipe confirmed that the fire was indeed caused by a candle which was lit by a member of the family occupying one of the flats.

He said two water tanks were used in putting out the fire, adding that the Isolo and Ilupeju Fire Stations were involved in putting out the fire.

The Fire Service boss appealed to residents to desist from using candle in their houses as it could be dangerous. He said that they should instead purchase cheap rechargeable lamps that would be more useful to them at night.

He also appealed to landlords to ensure that tenants do not use candles in their houses in order to prevent fire disaster.

muter bus this Thursday evening as a policewoman tried to get on the bus. He was shouting so much that passengers had top wade in. At this point, the policewoman could not utter a word; she stood by and watched the unfolding drama between those for her and the very few against her.

Trouble started when the policewoman came into the park and went to where some bus drivers and conductors were standing, greeted them and asked for permission to board the bus already loading.

One of them asked her to go ahead, while the driver of the vehicle protested vehemently; asking her to wait for the next bus. Other drivers asked him to oblige her but he refused, threatening not to leave the park if she boarded his vehicle. At this juncture, a commuter in the bus by named Uzo said: “What is your problem sef? Is it because she came to take permission from you? If she had simply boarded without telling you, there is nothing you could have done about it.”

Replied the driver: “Then I will not drive out of this park. No be my motor?”

The altercations continued and the woman decided to wait for the next bus. As the driver drove out of the park, Joe, a passenger in the bus said: “But driver, you are very wicked. You are lucky the policewoman is not the wicked type, otherwise your work would have ended for today as she would have made sure you left empty and then her comrades would have dealt with you on the way.”

“No mind am, yeye man. If he enter bus now e go claim staff. They no dey pay transport fare,” noted Lamidi.

“Abeg make una shut up,” said another passenger, Biodun in defence of the driver. “The driver is already carrying three staff thereby losing N600 and you want him to add one more to make it N800? That is wickedness! Did you buy the vehicle for him? Abeg make we dey reason like human beings.”

“Staff indeed! Staff of Lagos State Government or Federal Government?” sneered Sam. “Motor park touts (agberos), bus drivers and conductors, area boys, miscreants – are all staff in Lagos State so they don’t pay transport fare, but ensure it is always inflated to punish genuine passengers,” said Lamidi.

“Can’t you see he is a staff? That is why he is crying more than the bereaved,” said Uzo. “So you are part of the loss because you did not pay.

You should have paid so the man will not run at a loss,” stated Sam. “Do you know how the bus came?” asked Biodun. “ We don’t want to know. Even if you bought the bus for him, should that make you not to pay the fare? You will kill the business before you know it,” said Uzo. “The policewoman is very gentle. If she had not gone to seek permission to board the bus, would the driver have had the guts to insult her?” asked Joe.” “E no fit! They no born am well to try that!” declared Lamidi.

“I think it’s because the officer is female. He wouldn’t try that with a male officer. It’s just that the police have lost their respect in the eyes of the people,” said Uzo. “Forget oo, some of the female officers are meaner than men. She is just naturally nice,” said Joe. “Nice? Nigeria Police officers? You make me laugh.

You never enter their hands before. Many of them are really mean. If they want to deal with you, they will weave a heavy lie and hang on your neck just to crucify you.”

Narrated Sam: “That’ s true. I remember the police stopping a friend of mine some time ago. The guy stopped and they asked for his particulars, he showed them and everything was in order. One of them peeped into the car and said the seats were old and worn and they were going to charge him for driving a tattered vehicle!”

This caused laughter.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 — 21

Stories by PETER EGWUATU

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he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has confirmed more than 90 per cent of the banks operating in the country have complied with its directive to install AntiScheming devices on their Automated Teller Machines, ATMs. The Anti-Scheming device is to help protect banks’ customer against fraud from fraudsters that uses various means.

The CBN’s Director, Banking & Payments System Department, Mr. Dipo Fatokun , who confirmed this development to Vanguard after its opening remarks at a meeting hosted by the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum( NeFF)featuring the CBN, Deposit Money Banks, DMBs and other stakeholders in Lagos, said “The CBN has gone to the banks’ ATMs to check compliance and to ensure that the banks complied with the directive.

More than 90 per cent have complied. There is technology issue ,but it is not an excuse for them not to comply, but a challenge which we hope would be overcome.

Remember, they have to be physically present to install these devices in their ATMs and you know that some of the banks have a lot of the ATMs which they do in phases. So we hope that the few banks, which I think is about two or more that have not fully complied but have shown commitment would comply soonest. In his remark on electronic fraud, he said “We

CBN confirms banks’ compliance on Anti-Scheming devices on ATMs

From left: Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko; Director, Consumer Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, Hajiya Mariam Bayi; and Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher at the new Etisalat Experience Center, Ropp House, Abuja. have to admit the fact that fraudsters are always deploying new strategies and this is why this forum would continue to meet, collaborate, cooperate and discuss. That does not mean there won’t be an end to it. The truth is that it is reducing and it will continue to reduce, but for it to reduce further we need to think ahead of the fraudsters

and this why the stakeholders will continue to discuss.”

On NIBSS Instant Payment, he said “ The platform as good as it is, some people are using it for unintended consequences. We also notice that each bank has put in place standard that are applicable within their banks so the management of Central Bank of Nigeria came to the

conclusion in consultation with the Bankers committee that it would be good to have an industry standard, so that this bank will not set a limit of 500,000, another bank set a limit of, N1 million and another bank set a limit of N2000 , we know that it will create confusion in the minds of the banking populace and that was why that circular was

NeFF predicts growth on electronic fraud to N4bn by 2014 T

he Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum, NeFF has disclosed that the rising electronic fraud in Nigerian banking system may likely increase from the reported N2 billion at the moment to N4 billion by the end of 2014 if not checked.

Chief Inspector & Divisional Head Control of Enterprise Bank Limited, Mr. Chuks Ekpunobi, who represented the Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Bank, Malam Ahmed Kuru at the meeting of NeFF held in Lagos last week, said that, N2 billion electronic fraud has been reported so far could go up to N4 billion by the end of 2014 if proactive measures are not taken to stem the scourge.

Continuing, he said “Our responsibilities as banks are to find ways on how to reposition our banks to be able to stem that trend. The implication of increasing fraud you know is that it will affect the bottom line of our banks. If we have N5 billion as fraud, that amount is more than Profit Before Tax, PBT of some banks. So if we allow it to continue it means some banks profit will be wiped out by that value. We all know that we would be making provisions that would erode the capital of our banks” On remedy to forestall the increase in electronic fraud, Chuks, said “ Anti fraud unit establishment is needed by banks and there should be mediation and arbitration unit.

It is the Ethics Committee of Bankers’ Committee that is presently in charge of this. It is advised that rather than

go to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC or police, the Forum should be able to intermediate and come out with solutions. From our feedback from the banks’ auditors, the moment the fraudsters notice that a matter of such substance is taken to the police they will be more comfortable and relaxed to face it.

In his remark at the Forum, Mr.Abdul Fatai, who represented the Chief Executive Officer, Sterling Bank Plc, said “There is need for collaboration amongst the banks to fight fraudsters in the banking system.

According to him “The banks need continous engagement and good policy formulation to tackle fraud in the system. 25 per cent of customers of banks change bank easily due to incidence of fraud. So, we must tackle this issue holistically if we don’t want customers to lose confidence in the system.”

Speaking as well in his opening remark, Director, Banking & Payments System Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Dipo Fatokun said Nigeria as a country has done a lot in terms of electronic payment where there is noticeable increase in number of transactions going on through electronic channels.

“But the fraudsters are always following the money wherever it goes needed. They are also following it electronically.

issued so that there could be standardization ,not only as to the amount that could be transferred but also on the security level in each of the banks. You will notice that the circular has four levels, the Highly secured, Moderately secured, Basic Security and Low security. The circular is a policy document issued by the CBN, specifying that by December this year all banks in Nigeria must be at the highest level of security for instant payment to ensure that this is not an avenue for fraudulent practices.”

188.95

0.2

3,260.00 +33.00 15.94

0.03

101.32

-2.21

96.07

-1.28

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

154.73 258.2753 207.168 170.633 1.5079 0.2962 236.1726 25.1687 41.2547 27.7862 236.5976

155.23 259.1099 207.8374 171.1844 1.5127 0.3063 236.9358 25.2502 41.388 27.7862 237.3622

155.73 259.9445 208.5069 171.7358 1.5175 0.3162 237.699 25.3322 41.5214 27.8759 238..1267

CBN Exchange Rate as 19/08//2014

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 Look, if you have somebody who doesn't have health insurance, who doesn't have a doctor or dentist, and in order to deal with their cold or flu or dental problem, they go to an emergency room - in general, that visit will cost ten times more than walking into a community health center

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INSURAN C

Risk management stak eholder o increase stakeholder eholderss aims tto consumers’ insurance appetite

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TAKEHOLDERS in risk management are looking at building more capacity that would ensure that consumers of insurance services enjoy smooth claims process, to the extent that they develop more appetite for protection of assets.

A capacity building programme, they believe would also make claims management process by underwriters and intermediaries less cumbersome such that consumer confidence that hitherto degenerated as result of bad experience with claims are reduced to its barest minimum.

To this end, the Risk and Insurance Managers Society of Nigeria, RIMSON, in collaboration with the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, NCRIB, and the Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria, ILAN, would be holding a one-day workshop that would provide the needed platform to x-ray the challenges facing the industry and possible solutions.

A statement signed by the Programme Coordinator, Engr.

Jacob Adeosun, RIMSON 1st Vice President/ Executive Director

Insurance Brokers of Nigeria (IBN) says the workshop will hold next Wednesday in Lagos.

Chairman of the event is Mr. Olusola Ladipo- Ajayi, Managing Director of Lasaco Assurance plc, while Mr. Fola Daniel, Commissioner for Insurance, National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, will be the special guest of honour among other dignitaries.

Adeosun said that the insurance industry in Nigeria is experiencing a wave of complex, contentious and sizable claims across a wide range of insurance portfolios including but not limited to energy, industrial all risks, casualty, life, marine, aviation and other policies.

“While the insured, as the ultimate consumer of insurance has the natural desire to secure full compensation for every insured loss as the “Prima facie’ raison d’être” for purchase of insurance protection, the insurance companies which are in business to remain solvent are obliged to pay all and every claim admissible within the contractual policies,” he said.

Vono Product records N841m in turnover

BY CHIMEZIE CYNTHIA

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ONO Products Plc has achieved a turnover of N841.4 million for twelve months in 2013.

The figure is an improvement from N525.8 million recorded for nine months period in 2012.

Addressing shareholders of the company at the 53rd Annual General Meeting, AGM in Lagos, Chairman of the company, Mr. Mohammed Yinusa said that gross profit also increased from N121.3 million in 2012 to N230 million in 2013 while the loss position improved with profit before tax of N1.5million compared to the loss before tax of N86.8 million recorded in 2012.

Yinusa said that the company was able to achieve the improvement in the face of several challenges including; high cost of operation arising from decadent infrastructure, adding that the situation is not beyond redemption as the board is poised to deploy ingenuous solution to stem the trend of losses.

According to him, experts in the real estate industry have established a deficit of over 15 million housing unit in their country, and if this deficit is to be bridged in the coming years, furniture and steel goods consumption is envisaged to rise significantly.

In his words, “It is expected that

the education sector will receive grater attention from government at all levels thereby generating demand for the company’s product. The insurgency in the north eastern part of the country characterised by blood letting, kidnapping of innocent souls and other acts of savagery reminiscent of dark ages will continue to project the country negatively amongst nations and distract the government from the task of governance.”

He said that all hands must be on desk to tame this unfortunate phenomenon that threatens the fibre of our nationhood and portends grave danger for the economy.

He added that it is disheartening to note that several number of manufacturing companies and business concerns, including their company, are already counting their losses from this deeply hurtful and disconcerting situation.

“It is hopeful that the government will find a lasting solution to the problem before it takes its toll on the economy,” Yinusa stated”.

He said apart from insecurity in the north eastern part of the country which resulted in loss of business opportunities, dearth of infrastructure, dumping of cheap and substandard furniture products is another problem encountered during the year.

According to him the problem was

‘Welfare of workers should occupy govt economic devt strides' Stories by Rosemary Onuoha

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IGERIAN Council of Regis tered Insurance Brokers, NCRIB, the umbrella body of insurance brokers in the country, has urged leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, to synergise its efforts with related stakeholders in order to take advantage of the 2014 Pension Reform Act for the benefit of their members.

President of NCRIB, Mr. Ayodapo Shoderu made the plea during an interactive session between the NLC and insurance operators in Enugu.

According to Shoderu, the welfare of workers should continually occupy prime position in the reckoning of governments in its economic development

strides, pointing out that the quality of labour was a major index for determining the advancement or otherwise of countries of the world.

Shoderu said, “Countries such as United States of America, United Kingdom, Japan and lately, China, have attained their enviable status as developed nations because of due consideration their governments accorded labour” According to him, the 2014 Reformed Pension Act has mandated employers to take group life assurance for their workers, noting that the step would increase the regime of benefits that could accrue to workers in retirement.

“Aside from the increased pension contributions on the part of the employers, the reform provides that an

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 —

Some residents doing their laundry during the Sunlight Delight Community Wash programme in Ehanlen, UheleEkpoma, Edo State.

employer ’s contribution under the group life should not be less than 20 per cent of the employee’s monthly emolument. In addition, a group life insurance policy must be maintained in favour of the employee’s annual total emoluments similar to the old Act.” Shoderu added that the elimination of Letter of Administration for the processing of group life to beneficiaries of deceased workers was also a good idea that has made access to death benefits by dependents much easier than it was before.

He regretted that in spite of extant laws on compliance with group life by employers of labour, government at the three strata, namely federal, states and local governments have continued to be lax in compliance.

“The federal government and its agencies could be said to be less cul-

pable as records shows higher compliance by federal government agencies. Some of the weak reasons being adduced was that the group life insurance enforcement is a national law that must first be complied with by federal institutions for their workers while the states and local government could comply at their convenience. The fact must be made that law is law and must be complied with at all levels of government, irrespective of jurisdictions,” Shoderu stated.

Shoderu said that there is need to continually create platforms of interaction between NLC, employers unions and other critical stakeholders across the country to highlight the importance of the group life aspect of the new reform and need for compliance.

In addition, it should also be the responsibility of labour to meet minds with professional bodies, especially those that have to do with human resources or workers in order to explore the new reform in favour of workers.

He said that there should also be lobby of notable regulatory institutions to make evidence of compliance with group life a prerequisite for granting approvals or yearly renewals as presently being done for insurance operators who are requested to show such evidence before renewal of their yearly license with the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM. According to Shoderu, there is need to create more aggressive awareness campaign, encouraging workers to adhere to the new reforms Act and sensitising employees to demand for compliance by their employers, adding that labour must always be ready to take drastic or militant actions such as lock ups or picketing on companies that are unwilling to conform to the provisions of the Act.

From left: Vice President, Brands and Marketing, Airtel Nigeria, Obinna Aniche and Kierieni Kirika, Regional Expansion Manager, Africa, MicroEnsure at the media launch of Airtel Insurance in Lagos

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CE & YOU

If a child, a spouse, a life partner, or a parent depends on you and your income, you need life insurance

23

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NAIC advises farmers to take crop insurance against climate change effect

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HE Zonal Manager, North East Zone, Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), Mallam Ahmed Arabi has advised farmers, especially in the North to get crop insurance to mitigate the effect of climate change on their farm produce.

Arabi, who stated this in Bauchi, admonished farmers to imbibe insurance culture to safeguard their investment against calamities.

He stated that agricultural insurance among Nigerian farmers had remained unpopular despite the threat of climatic change in the country, which sometimes resulted in heavy losses to farmers.

He stressed that the two major groups of farmers relating with NAIC were those who patronise the corporation voluntarily and those whose dealing had become mandatory because of the loans they took from banks.

According to him, “All loans that are granted by banks or other lending agencies are automatically insured by NAIC if they are agricultural loans. In this case, farmers are being mandated to insure their investment. As a result, most of our clients happen to be those

from the mandatory category; only few clients that have tested us and believe that we could serve as rescue unit, come on their own.”

Periodic losses by farmers on account of natural disasters like flood and drought had often left some of them impoverished, he noted.

Most farmers, especially those in the northern part of the country, he pointed out, see losses from natural disasters like flood and disease as seasonal calamities that must occur as and when due.

Consequently, some farmers lack the least capital to continue farming even at domestic scale after such disasters, he said.

He explained that if farmers, faced by such disasters, had insured their investment, the insurance cover would have cushioned the effect of their losses and enabled them remain in business.

He called for enlightenment of farmers to see agricultural insurance as a serious safety net that would safeguard their investment against losses and ensure continuity.

He attributed the general apathy for insurance, as being responsible for low adoption of agricultural insurance by farmers in the country.

Police pension commences operation as 21st PFA T

HE National Pension Commission, PenCom, has granted an operating licence to the Nigeria Police Force Pensions (NPF Pensions) as the 21st Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) after fulfilling very stringent licensing requirements.

In a statement from the company, NPF Pensions has since commenced operations.

According to the company, the NPF Pensions which is specially licensed to administer the pension contributions of personnel of the Nigeria Police Force under the Pensions Reform Act 2014, is already taking steps to receive the transfer of the over N300 billion pension contributions of all the personnel of the Nigeria Police from the other 20 Pension Fund Administrators which are currently managing the funds in line with the conditions for the licensing of the Police PFA. The company noted that the NPF Pensions was set up and licensed to cater for the personnel of Nigeria Police as a compromise to prevent NPF from exiting the Contributory Pension Scheme.

Following the enactment of the Pension Reform (Amendment) Act 2011, which exempted the personnel of the Military and Intelligence Agencies, the Nigeria Police and other agencies brought heavy pressure to bear on the Presidency to

also be excluded from the Contributory Pension Scheme.

"After careful considerations, following several meetings and consultations, the Federal Government decided that the Nigeria Police personnel should remain under the Contributory Pension Scheme, but with special administrative solutions to address the grievances of their personnel within the framework of the Scheme.

“Indeed, with the granting of operating licence to the NPF Pensions, the spirit of the compromise whereby the police remains under the Contributory Pension Scheme, being regulated by PenCom but own their PFA to cater for their specific needs and address their genuine complaints against the PFAs which amongst others include poor service delivery has now been realised.

"All police pension contributions are currently being transferred to First Pension Custodian which has custody of the funds whereas NPF pensions manages the funds and its required to publish its account annually like any other PFA. "So the safety net that covers contributors fund in other PFAs is also covering police pension funds. There is no doubt that, the members of the Nigerian Police are desirous of owning their PFAto serve their unique needs."

C M Y K

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

Conoil profit rises by 298% C

ONOIL Plc has recorded impressive financial performance at the end of its last financial year ended December 31, 2013 with 298 percent increase in Profit Before Tax, PBT, rising from N1.15 billion in the preceding year, to N4.6 billion.

According to the audited result of the company filed at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), its Profit After Tax, PAT also increased significantly by 329 percent from N714 million to N3.07 billion. Its revenue increased from N149.9 billion to N159.5 billion.

The company’s Earnings Per Share (EPS), which measures the net income for every shareholder, increased by 329 percent; from 103kobo to 442kobo. The Board of Directors of the company has therefore recommended a total dividend payment of N2.78 billion at N4.00 per share for every 50kobo share held by each shareholder.

The company attributed the

great financial outing to improved cost efficiency, significant reduction in interest expense and a strong hold on cost of sales. It would be recalled that the Conoil had shown signs of a sound financial year after posting 341 percent increase in profit before tax while its profit after tax went up by 329 percent in the third quarter of 2013.

According to a press statement issued by the company, its performance was driven by revenue increase from its nationwide retail outlets, especially its newly commissioned mega stations.

The remarkable performance was also augmented by additional income streams from its world-class quality lubricant products.

Conoil said it stepped up engine oil export to West African markets as well as entered into joint venture partnerships with leading car manufacturing companies. It added that its income was also bolstered by ancillary services including marketing of Low

Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO).

At the company’s last meeting with shareholders, its Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga assured that the company had a robust growth strategy that placed emphasis on continued investments and delivery of quality products and services.

According to him, the future outlook of the company remained bright as it has built stronger financial position and facilities that would create enduring value for shareholders. “We will constantly develop strategies to sustain our position as the only marketer that always goes the extra mile for our ever growing customers, with total commitment to excellent service delivery.

We firmly believe that such a robust strategy will ensure continued growth and stronger position in our core markets”, Adenuga said.

From left: Mfon Bassey, Brand Manager, Goldberg, Nigerian Breweries Plc; Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II, the Ataoja of Osogboland; Olaleke Fakeye, Regional Trade Marketing Manager, South West, MTN Nigeria and Nnamdi Ezeani, Brand Manager, Premium Brands, Grand Oaks at the Osun Osogbo Festival 2014 stakeholders presentation forum, at the Ataoja’s palace in Osogbo.

Dividend: NIDF rewards investors with N60.71 coupon per note

By Peter Egwuatu

I

nvestors in the Nigerian International Debt Fund (NIDF), an NSE listed mutual fund have received an interim dividend of N60.71 per note as the Fund Managers, Afrinvest Asset Management Limited, commenced payment last week. The N60.71 coupon per note is well above the initial estimated dividend payment of N36.00 per note.

According to a statement released by the firm, “The number of qualified notes on the register of the NIDF as at the closure date of July 29, 2014 stood at 727,515.1892, and a total of N44, 167,447.1363 will be distributed to all note holders at N60.71 per note.”

“Dividends have become an important

factor for investors to consider and, at Afrinvest, we are committed to providing value for our clients, helping them achieve their investment objectives”, said Ike Chioke, Managing Director of Afrinvest West Africa Limited, the parent company of the Fund Manager.

The Nigeria International Debt Fund invests in the domestic and international debt instruments of the Federal Government of Nigeria as well as those of the 36 States.

NIDF offers investors safety, capital preservation, steady returns, diversification and value, and has a consistent dividend history making it quite attractive for both individual and institutional investors such as Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), insurance companies, asset managers and gratuity funds.

Social engineering through Lagos State civilian governors

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he very large numbers of people living in Lagos State requires that we must always ensure that our social infrastructure is effective, that the social infrastructure does not suffer from non-application of resources and that the social infrastructure is not overwhelmed by the numbers of its users. How would one rate social infrastructure in Lagos today and why should I be concerned about infrastructure matters?

My first visit to Lagos was in the early 1950s and I had the opportunity of my first boat journey when we crossed the lagoon by the ferry service between the Marina and Apapa. Subsequently, I spent some of my school holidays in Lagos until I became a Lagos resident for the first time in the early 1960s as a student and next as a worker. I recall that in my first employment as a school leaver, I was part of the teams that carried out the enumeration of the persons and properties in the Apongbon area of Lagos Island as these persons and properties had to make way for the construction of the Eko Bridge. I recall the relatively high density of the population in this area. The construction of the Eko Bridge is a significant milestone as the Carter Bridger was the only road access into Lagos Island until the Eko Bridge was put into use. How have we fared with the provision of social infrastructure since that milestone?

We are moving into another election period and it would be useful to look at some of the changes that have taken place over the years. I recognize that political advertisements use the words change, transform, next level and so on but I realize that the government’s work cannot be all done. I will give a simple example and move on. The Lagos State Government has been constructing our roads to new standards using adequate thicknesses of stone base and asphalt. It is obvious that it would take several years before all existing roads are built to this new standard and in the meantime more roads would have been opened and would be begging for attention.

We would be looking at change starting with an extract from Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem – the Passing of Arthur – as follows:

“The old order changeth, yielding place to new, And God fulfils himself in many ways, Lest one good custom should corrupt the world.”

This extract suggests to us that periodic change of persons in authority is necessary so that whatever may be imperfect in what these persons are doing would not grow to diminish what is perfect. It also suggests that change could bring us to new ways, possibly better ways of doing things and that if one administration would not meet a particular request from us we may be able to persuade the next administration to meet our request. There is also the

,

By Peter Egwuatu

It is obvious that it would take several years before all existing roads are built to this new standard and in the meantime more roads would have been opened and would be begging for attention

,

suggestion that there could be something bad going on within an otherwise good administration but the bad thing could only be brought to an end when that administration leaves office. However, the word corrupt stands out and one may ask if God supports the corruption that is built into the ways in which we manage our affairs.

We would in the next few weeks be looking at some little things that our civilian governors in Lagos State have done and which little things have brought tremendous changes in the lives of the residents of the state. We would from these indicate what we would want the next governor of the state to do for us. The late Sir Michael Otedola’s administration was at a time when we had a military government at the federal level and so we would only be looking at the administrations of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Senator Bola Tinubu and Mr. Babatunde Fashola, S.A.N.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014—25

DIARY zAdvanced Networking, Internet Tech and Administration Workshop Lagos Sep 8-12, 2014

z Cisco Connect Sun City, South Africa Nov. 2 - 4, 2014

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

TECHing Ebola out of Africa: Charge your phones with sound

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prototype mobile phone able to harvest the energy of background noise to keep itself charged marks a turning point in creating ways to harness energy from sound.

The technology of using sound to charge mobile phones was first proposed four years ago by a Korean team, who used zinc oxide nanowires to convert vibrations into e l e c t r i c i t y. H o w e v e r, the team at that time was not able to generate enough current to charge a mobile phone.

Carrying on that research, the joint team from Nokia and Queen Mary University grew an array of zinc oxide nanorods on a plastic sheet, and then sandwiched that sheet between a pair of contact sheets made from aluminum foil. In tests, the prototype proved able to generate up to five volts using just "everyday background noise" like voices or traffic sound, which is enough to charge a mobile phone.

‘National e-Response, only solution’ •Ebola info now in Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba •Scourge challenges ingenuity of Nigerian tech experts

By Prince Osuagwu & Emeka Aginam

U

NLESS a sustainable national electronic response centre is im mediately established in all the African states where the dreaded Ebola virus is ravaging people and economies, controlling it may be a wild goose chase.

This is the view of a group of African ICT experts who met online recently to proffer solution to the Ebola pandemic.

The group, made up of over 65 African Tech experts worldwide is divided into two parts which meet via teleconferencing in two separate locations of South

I N S LG debuts with I Tone Infinim D headset E

Africa and Ghana, West Africa. They meet from time to time to share information and possibly proffer solutions that can let the continent off the hook of the scourge.

For them, Information and Communications Technology, ICT, must be at the centre and as a matter of fact, the backbone of Sustainable solution, to the Ebola spread in Africa, if better result could be achieved.

The group which branded itself Tech rescue response from Africa ICT domain network demanded that as a matter of national emergency, all African countries must create a national and Africa-wide

database on Ebola.

These IT practitioners are gleaned from Nigeria, Liberia, South Africa, Congo DR and Uganda amongst other African countries.

They include Mr. Chris Uwaje from Nigeria, Ms. Dorothy Gordon of Accra Ghana and other African tech specialists in Africa and in the diaspora.

But there are also top officials from the Liberian Ministry of Health and Social Work, Liberian Telecommunications Authority, Sierra Leone Health imple-

Your calls may soon be monitored

Continues on pg 28

26—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

LG debuts with Tone Infinim headset O

PERATING systems have become so mature and capable, hardware ultimately is now more interchangeable and interconnected than ever before, with the ability to connect and join key component of consumer buying habits. These focus on some of the key products and trends from within LG and beyond with are helping to shape a newer, smarter world – something global media retains a continual interest in. The result of having more connected devices in existence than human beings is known as having an

internet made of objects or ‘Internet of Things.

There are huge opportunities for society resulting from this, the possibility of creating more complex information networks promise to create new business models, improve business processes, and reduce costs and risks. From a less macro perspective, having intelligent devices that can ‘talk’ to one another has the potential to alleviate and automate ordinary tasks, saving time, energy and costs for consumers. With the enduring popularity of smartphones, countless accessories have

been designed to help users harness the full power of their smart devices.

While these accessories remain somewhat dormant by themselves, their ability to connect with smartphones has led to them becoming an indispensable component of any 21st century digital ecosystem. The LG Tone Infinim is a Bluetooth headset designed to flawlessly sync with the user’s smartphone. The headset has a number of unique features that allow for hands-free smartphone operation. Through the headset, users can send and receive

calls as well as supply users with operational data for their smartphones.

The speaker technology guarantees users the highest quality sound. The G Watch is able to pair seamlessly with any android device. It gives users more options when interacting with their technology, helping them stay connected at all times. Integrat-

ing a wide range of apps and updates from Android devices, G Watch gives users the information that they in the timely manner befitting a replacement to the traditional wristwatch. The G Watch is designed for hands-free operation — using one’s voice — which eliminates the complexity of typing on such a compact display.

Samsung’s Interior decor partnership adds glamour to technology

Why 2018 target for ‘made in Nigeria' satellite may fail

By Emmanuel Elebeke

N

IGERIA dreams to build own satellite by 2018, but that dream may not be realised if militating factors pointed out by the Director and Chief Executive of Centre for satellite Technology Development, CSTD, Dr. Spencer Onuh, are not addressed.

Onuh has expressed fears that Nigeria’s dream of launching her first locally designed and fabricated satellite may be dashed, if urgent action is not taken by the Federal Government to put up proposed Assembly, Integration and Test centre, AIT. In an exclusive interview with Hi-Tech in Abuja, Dr . Onuh said that although the centre is working hard to meet up with the deadline, he was not totally sure that everything would be ready.

According to him the AIT is an indispensible factor needed to be established to provide Nigerian engineers the platform to perform both practical and

testing experiments before coming out with the proposed satellite.

He described AIT as “a must have if we must actualize this dream of launching a wholly made in Nigeria satellite by 2018. One of the innovative approaches we are using is gradual composition of sub-systems.

We are working and believing hopefully that we can still meet up. We are positive about it but I may not promise we are fully ready until I have AIT facility on ground.”

The CSTD is one of the six activity centres of the Nigerian National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA. The agency is under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and is tasked with the implementation of the Nation’s Space Policy Programs..

According to Onuh, Satellite technology remains the driving force behind most developed and developing economies. It provides security, telecommuni-

cations, technology advancements, protects the environment and a host of daily services that Nigeria can no longer afford to undermine their needs in the ongoing transformation agenda.

He boasted that the centre has a growing work force of highly motivated engineers and support staff from various scientific and engineering backgrounds globally tested but lack the needed equipments and facility centre to showcase their stuff and compete globally.

He pointed out that space has become a crucial tool in tackling the global challenges various countries are facing and will continue to face in years to come.

He underscored the importance of developing indigenous technology and warned that Nigeria will continue to expose its privacy to foreigners until it learns to use locally made technologies.

“We will continue to depend on other manufacturers outside our country to do it for us, telling them what we want. In doing this, there is no way you can keep anything secret from them” he added.

IN line with its vision of creating the ideal home environment where innovative technology meets cutting-edge design, Samsung Electronics West Africa has partnered with Home and You Interiors to showcase the future of interior decoration.

According to Samsung Electronics’ Director of Consumer Electronics, Mr. Sunil Kumar, the initiative aims at providing Nigerians with the opportunity to experience the integration of Samsung’s newest consumer appliances, including its curved ultra-highdefinition televisions and digital appliances such as the newly launched WW9000 washing machine, with everyday lifestyles.

“Our partnership with Home and You Interiors reinforces our continued commitment to offering homeowners the very best in innovative and stylish design. Through this channel, Nigerians can experience the elegant design and interoperability of Samsung’s latest consumer appliances in a tastefully-furnished home setting. The initiative will also enable our consumers elevate the

look and design of their homes with a blend of quality furniture and consumer appliances towards making their living spaces more stylish, energy efficient and sustainable,” he said.

Kumar urged Nigerians to visit Home and You Interiors’ showroom in Lekki, Lagos in order to interact firsthand with the companies’ lifestyle and technology innovations as well as obtain a deeper understanding of the partnering organisations’ commitment to creating a smarter life through quality design and innovative ecofriendly solutions. He added that Samsung will be furthering its commitment to promoting smart living by partnering with other interior designers in Nigeria’s residential market.

On her part, Chief Executive Officer of Home and You Interiors, Mrs. Feyisola Abiru said “Since inception, our company has delivered top quality furniture, accessories and designs that create interiors that wow. Through this partnership with Samsung, our clients will get to see how effortlessly integrated technology solutions blend into our creative designs and ultimately enable them to enjoy style and optimal convenience at all times.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014—27

Your calls may soon be monitored

...as NCC sets to unveil guidelines on call monitoring

By Emmanuel Elebeke

I

N view of the unstable security situation in the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, says security agencies will soon commence monitoring of all calls to enhance their operational activities in the country.

This Commission announced this recently at a special edition of Consumer Outreach programme organized by the commission at IBB Golf Club, Maitama, Abuja.

According to the commission, plans are in the offing to come up with a guideline that will guide the take-off of the plan in such a way that no subscriber’s right or privacy would be breached in the process.

Though, the Commission promised to ensure full protection of the rights of every consumer through the proposed guidelines, it however noted that there is no enabling law at the moment to guide the operators on such powers and called for a quick enactment of legislations to give the proposed guideline a legal backing by the time the implementation proper kicks off.

According to the commission’s legal adviser, Mrs. Yetunde Akinloye, “In view of the worrisome security situation in the country, the security agencies are about to key into peoples’ conversation. We as a regulatory agency are coming with guidelines that will guide the operators on this. Though, at the moment, we do not have a law to guide how the operators should keep consumers privacy in conversation, we also need this guideline. to enhance the smooth implementation of the plan.”

Recall that last year Senator Isa Galaudu, PDP Kebbi North sponsored a bill entitled A Bill for an Act to Provide for Interception, Development and Pro-

tection of Communications Networks and Facilities for Public Interest and Other Related Matters 2013.

The bill seeks to give legal backing to relevant national

chief security officers, national security agency, Department of State Services and Police to intercept communications considered prejudicial to national security or public interest.

The bill passed second reading in the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly and was referred to the Senate committees on Communication, Judiciary and National Security for further legislative input.

However, though the bill generated serious condemnations from different quarters going by wide spread fears of privacy breach it could bring about, it received overwhelming support in the Senate, in September last year.

But the NCC is promising that the soon to be released guidelines will take care of fears of privacy breach and ensure that the process does not affect genuine conversations.

Globacom gets rights to sell internet bundle Apple products

By Richard Udofia

N

IGERIA’s second national carrier, Globacom re cently signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with Core Group Africa, a representative of Apple product in Africa as part of its commitment towards providing quality products to customers.

The agreement, gives Glo the right to sell internet bundled Apple devices like iPhone5s, iPad mini and iPad air to customers. The internet bundle according to the parties will have one year data access At the unveiling in Lagos, Head of GloWorld, Mrs. Titi Ebinisi said this synergy would create a platform for lovers of quality products to enjoy Globacom Internet services through Glo Bolt and other platforms.

Ebinisi added that “the strategic partnership will remove the burden of worrying about how to get authentic Apple devices and how to activate full functionalities of the devices.”

She reassured subscribers of future innovative products and services at pocket-friendly rates, urging that customers should always buy products from authorized dealers to prevent buying of substandard products.

The Country Manager of Core Group Africa, Mr. Sachin Verma, said that the partnership is a sign that more Nigerian Telecom market is bound to experience more partnership from different brands. He congratulated Globacom for the success attained so far in the industry and urged them to explore more as teeming consumers are happy to be associated with the brand.

Verma promised, that through this partnership, customers are assured of getting quality Apple products at the right prices.

Corehead shortlisted for Project Inspire final

By Richard Udofia

DTH-FTA, Nigeria’s only hope of meeting digital migration deadline — Experts

By Laju Arenyeka

M

ANY stakeholders have expressed fears that Nigeria may not meet the June 2015 deadline for countries to switch over to digital broadcasting, as stipulated by the International Telecommunications Union, ITU. This is following challenges which seem to be endless: the deadline is short, and the required funds are large. But one thing on which stakeholders do not differ, is the fact digitization of the broadcast industry is indispensable. This was the motive behind the Broadcast Summit 2014 which held in Lagos recently, where facilitators agreed that the Directto-Home, Free-to-Air, DTHFTA; option is the way to go.

The summit, which was organized by SES, a global satellite operator in conjunction with the Computer Warehouse Group, CWG, also doubled as the launch of new digital television platform, on SES’s ASTRA 2F satellite, at 28.2 de-

grees—a joint venture of both companies. The CEO of CWG, Mr Austin Okere, told HiTech, that the DTH is the primary way by which Nigeria might be able to meet the 2015 deadline set by the ITU. He said: "The digital migration is a move that the stations will have to do soon. And this platform will make it easier for Nigerian Television stations to switch over and cheaper for subscribers to adapt."

Mr. James Agada, chief technology officer, CWG Plc, expounding on the platform said: “The brand new digital ‘Direct To Home’ (DTH) free-to-air platform is ultimately designed to help accelerate and alleviate the challenges broadcasters and content owners face in the digital migration process.

The platform is packaged as an innovative approach in order to address the challenges of the cost of migration, operation, operational and support challenges, platform agility and flexibility and platform neutrality.”

O

NE of Nigeria’s business enterprises, which uses mobile platform to give entrepreneurial empowerment and business expansion orientation to women, Corehead Business Solutions, has been selected to compete in the final stage of the Project Inspire 2014 competition.

The competition is a project spearheaded by Singapore Committee for UN Women in collaboration with MasterCard. It is also supported by global consulting firm Bain & Company and academic partner INSEAD. The project is fully known as “Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World.”

This year’s campaign attracted over 500 submissions from 70 countries around the world.

Launched in 2011, the project is a joint initiative which seeks to support laudable ideas to improve the lives of women and girls in the society.

Applicants aged 18-35 were asked to submit a sustainable idea to improve the lives of women and girls in Asia/Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, for the chance to win a US$25,000 grant to help implement their project in the field.

Other finalists showcased a range of innovative ideas, including a pumpkin-farming enterprise targeting single mothers in Uganda, a menstrual hygiene initiative in rural India, an Australian project providing financial support to female refugees, a Cambodian-Singaporean venture which helps sex workers transition out of the sex industry and run a small business, and a food-processing plant which funds a homeless refuge in Zimbabwe.

According to the President, Singapore Committee for UN Women, Trina Liang-Lin, “2014’s entry guidelines were significantly more stringent than in previous years but that didn’t deter potential applicants. With this year garnering the highest calibre of submissions we’ve ever received, we couldn’t be prouder of the incredible work that is being done by youth around the world to empower women and girls,”

28—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

FG, Huawei invest over N100m to train 41 Niger Delta youths

By Emeka Aginam

E

FFORTS to redirect Nigerian youths and arm them with IT skills and knowledge for global competitiveness have started yielding the expected results as the Federal Government in partnership with Huawei Nigeria have invested over one million dollars into a six-month vocational training for forty-one Niger Delta youths.

The training takes place at the Huawei Global Training Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The 41 beneficiaries of the special scholarship program left the country on Sunday for Malaysia. The beneficiaries had already undergone a two-week orientation and basic ICT training to develop their ICT skills.

It is expected that at the end of the training in many areas including telecom technical training, practical sessions, Telecom certification, internship and entrepreneurial skills training, these young Nigerians will return to the country to apply the skills acquired to make a difference in the development of Nigeria.

The trainees at the completion of the program will have the opportunity to be employed in Nigerian ICT companies, IT departments in other industries or start their own business with the skills acquired from the capacity building program.

Speaking on behalf of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, the Technical Adviser to the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Mr. Lawrence Pepple, informed that the program is part of the strategy of his office to empower Nigerian youths with technology skills for global competitiveness.

Pepple said that Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta affairs is committed to the Federal Government’s efforts in ICT skillacquisition. “We are partnering Huawei to engage and empower young people to enhance their contribution to national development," he said.

“We are planting this seed of technology in you for the future.

Be our Ambassadors in Malaysia. Do us proud. Do Nigeria proud. Do Niger Delta proud. Your destiny is in your hands. When you come back, turn your ideas to reality. Use it to better yourselves and the society at large” he told the

youths.

For the General Manager of Huawei Nigeria, Mr. Julius Akhalumenyo, the training was part of Huawei’ commitment to enabling more Nigerian youths to involve in the ICT industry.

“ICT has the transforming power to accelerate the development of a country by helping its youths to be more efficient and effective in their jobs, careers and business, and to generate new employment opportunities. It also has the potential to significantly contribute to increasing the social welfare of the country in general.

“We wish these young talents will play a leading role in the future to serve the ICT industry and to serve the country. It is part of Huawei’s global ‘Telecom Seeds for the Future’ campaign.

*Young tech innovators

‘National e-Response, only solution’ Continues from page 25 menting NGO, Liberia-based tech consultants, Liberia diaspora tech community, Microsoft, Liberia Embassy in South Africa, Uganda and DR Congo tech institutions.

The initiative was put together by Emira Woods of Thought works Team and coordinated by Prieska Buthelezi.

One key issue that prompted the meeting was the need to press upon core policy makers in Africa that unless ICT is actively deployed, the Ebola virus will continue to ravage the continent.

Setbacks to curtailing the virus Besides the realisation that African governments are slow in passing relevant information that can help curtail the spread of the virus, the tech professionals also observed lack of collaboration between government and non-governmental organizations.

They contended that even the basic information conveyed by mobile operators via SMS in most of the affected countries as well as those from websites, social media, posters, radio announcements, lack basic details and statistics that can easily curb the menace. .

Basically, they discovered there were inadequate real-time GIS mapping of information to indicate statistics related to the spread, coupled with inadequate service delivery and prevention efforts for the disease.

Another drawback which they said was observed was that of limited internet connectivity, especially in rural areas and most urban centres. These were in addition to limited internet access to most essential health facilities as well as limited real time information, inadequate tools for pulling information from affected members of the public into the systems at Ministries of Health.

Solutions Part of the solutions the group proffered, included to constantly keep con-

tacting, tracing and following-up those who are ill or quarantined as a result of the virus to get first hand information; to pay sufficient attention to remote areas with regards to adequate information that can keep them safe.

They also suggested strong collaboration amongst different impacted countries. They argued that when all these are built around Information and Communications Technology, the mission to nipping the Ebola menace in the bud would be result-oriented Nigeria’s representative in the group, Mr. Chris Uwaje, who himself developed the Ebola database-engine, an app to capture the reports of the virus online across the nation, said the group was one of the best things to happen to Africa since the outbreak of the virus.

For him, the major problem with the Ebola disease in Africa is management of information between the time it is contacted and when it spreads.

“Management of information on the dreaded disease is very poor. This is because African countries are not used to solving problems with Information Technology tools. Once this orientation is changed, everything will fall in place.

For instance, Nigeria is the giant of Africa but how many of the things that make other giants do we have? We were supposed to be the custodian of the West African teleconferencing group but it had to go to Ghana because we do not have a public teleconference room that can be used. We don’t have national emergency centre that can display information.

“If we had pre information of Sawyer’s medical record in Liberia, we would have been prepared, waited for him and quarantined him at the Airport. But technology is not there to share health information in Africa. That is why I said this group is a blessing."

“Do you know that Africa has 11 percent of world population but harbours 24 percent of world diseases? Malaria

kills more in Africa than other places because we don’t deploy technology.

Our people react late because the job technology can do is lacking. Time has come to change all that” he added.

Ebola database engine goes WAZOBIA Uwaje, who is the Chief Software architect of Mobile Software Solution Limited, said that in quick response to the Ebola outbreak his company had deployed a team to create Ebola database-engine, an app to capture the virus report online across the nation, for the purpose of best education of the pros and cons of the virus to people with less knowledge of it..

He however regretted that due to the low awareness culture in the country and the little or no importance attached to ICT in the country, the Nigerian Ministry of Health has not contacted him for collaborations even when far away ministry of Health and social welfare of Liberia and world bank and Forth foundations have shown so much interest and support to the initiative..

Meanwhile, his primary aim is to apply his ICT knowledge to ensure that the spread of the virus is curtailed to the barest minimum in the country.

As a result, he revealed to Hi-Tech exclusively that his company has finalised arrangements to translate the Ebola mobile resource centre into the three major languages in Nigeria- Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. This is to reach people in rural areas and properly inform them about the causes and prevention of the deadly disease.

He urged other Nigerian technology experts to see the challenge posed by this dreaded virus to their tech knowledge and come up with ideas that can save the Nigerian people. “The virus is a challenge to Nigerian IT professionals. It tests our knowledge of creating IT solutions to solve our problem.

We all should face this challenge and surmount it” he added.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 — 29

30 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 — 31

32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

I won’t bite again,

FIFA U-20 WOMEN

says Suarez L

uis Suarez has promised Barcelona fans he will never bite another player, as he was officially unveiled by the club yesterday.

The Uruguay striker had been in limbo since FIFA imposed a four-month ban from all football-related activity after his infamous bite on Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup. Suarez, who cannot feature for Barcelona in a competitive match until October 26, admitted he is also seeking professional help to avoid any further lengthy sanctions.

“The dream of playing for Barca comes from many years ago, as a kid. Everyone knows my relationship with family living here,” he said.

“When I came to watch games here, I thought ‘One day I will play here’. But it seemed something far away.

There w e r e offers from other clubs but when the Barca option came up I didn’t think twice.

“My ban is what it is and we have to accept it. I have apologised and I’ve been talking to professionals in order to deal with it. I say to all the fans do not worry about that. I won’t be doing that anymore.

“It’s a difficult moment for me. I had the same situation last year at Liverpool (when he was banned for biting Branislav Ivanovic).

Schurrle hails Fabregas, Costa W

orld Cup winner Andre Schurrle believes Chelsea may have found the extra ingredients needed to win titles in Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa.

The new Blues duo, signed for a combined £60million this summer, made an immediate impact as the title favourites opened their Barclays Premier League campaign with 3-1 win at promoted Burnley.

Former Atletico Madrid striker Costa lashed in a quickfire equaliser after Burnley had taken a shock lead while ex-Arsenal playmaker Fabregas was influential throughout and had a hand in two goals.

Asked if the pair could make the difference, Schurrle said: “Yes, I hope so. It was very good.

“I think for Diego it was a perfect start. For a striker to come in and score his first goal is always important.

Courtois puts Cech on his toes

F

or only the second time in 10 years, Chelsea began their Premier League campaign without Petr Cech in goal. While his absence in 2009 was down to injury and was therefore temporary, this time it feels more permanent, as Thibaut Courtois made his first competitive appearance for the club he signed for three years ago.

Jose Mourinho will be the envy of most other managers with the two world-class keepers at his disposal. However, the selection of Courtois over Cech was not an easy decision for The Special One. Speaking to Sky Sports, he made it clear that he could be influenced to change his mind at any time, saying: Obviously a goalkeeper is not the kind of player you change match after match, you must give a bit of stability, but this is about performances so Thibaut has to know that having a goalkeeper of Petr’s level sitting on the bench, it means from him we want a high level of performance.

The Koreans ‘ll determine how we play — Devdebo F

alconets head coach Peter Dedevbo has assured Nigerians that there is no cause for alarm as the team prepares to tackle Korea DPR in the semi finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on wednesday at the Moncton Stadium.

Nigeria qualified for the semi final after a thrilling 4-1 win over New Zealand on sunday.

“The higher you go in football, the harder it becomes,” the coach said, adding, “I don’t want to leave any stone unturned in the match against Korea. Am very much aware that they are fast on counter attack and that is why the girls were not given a day off.

“We have to perfect our strategies as well as make sure we get an early goal which will unsettle them” On the tactics to adopt, the gaffer says the first miute of the match will determine the tactics to be employed.

“I don’t want to disclose my strategies, the game will determine how we play, but I

*Dedevbo

ON in T

want to tell Nigerians that ,the team is confident and ready to take on any team”.

Team captain smarting from their semi finals says the players are not looking to underrate their opponent.

“All we need is to study their style of play, discover their plans and then move in with our tactics. We have watched their clips and I know we shall send them parking.”

he W Mrs D congr Wome super going in Can qualif The in Abu result have s the co The full of girls i

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 — 33

'S WORLD CUP Danagogo charges Falconets to go all the way *As coach Dedevbo expresses confidence

A

s the national women’s U-20 team, the Falconets battle the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for a spot in the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup at the Moncton Stadium in Moncton, Canada, Sports Minister/ Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo has charged the girls to go all the way by not only reaching the final but winning the trophy for the first time.

Dr. Danagogo, according to his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Patrick Omorodion, believes the successes recorded by Nigerian athletes in recent times through the African Youth Games in Botswana, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the African Athletics Championship in

Morocco will rub off on the Falconets who are doing well so far.

“I am convinced our girls will not only qualify but will go all the way to win the cup for the first time following their performance in the competition so far. I believe the successes recorded by our athletes in recent times will rub off on the Falconets and they will also write their names in gold,” he said.

He added that “I urge them not to rest on their oars but build on the victories recorded from the group stage and the quarter finals to triumph and progress because they have what it takes to become world champions.”

The Falconets take on Korea DPR today at 10 p.m. and their coach, Peter Dedevbo is confident of his squad who have been able to break the quarterfinals jinx of past competitions when they competed in the U-17 category.

Neville: No panic buys at Man Utd G

ary Neville has warned Louis van Gaal that he must learn from the expensive mistakes of the previous Manchester United regime and not “panic buy” before the transfer window closes.

The Sky Sports pundit says his former club need to make additions to the squad if they are to compete for major honours again, but urged caution over wasting millions on the wrong type of player.

United have spent £165million on the likes of Juan Mata and Marouane

Neymar, Messi on target as Suarez makes Barca debut L

uis Suarez made his first appearance for Barcelona after his move from Liverpool for a reported 95 million euros (£75 million, $127 million) as the Catalans hammered Mexican side Club Leon 6-0 in a friendly on Monday.

The Uruguayan striker, who won’t be able to play in a competitive game for Barca until October after his appeal against a fourth-month ban for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup was rejected last week, replaced Rafinha Alcantara 14 minutes from time.

Barca were already leading 4-0 thanks to goals from Lionel Messi, Munir El Haddadi and a double from Neymar before Munir and Sandro rounded off the scoring.

“Today was an unforgettable day,” tweeted the 27-year-old Uruguayan international.

“Thank you all for your affection.”

NYEDINMA: Our women are a force world football

e chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League, Chief Dilichukwu Onyedinma has ratulated the National U-20 en team the Falconets for their rlative performance in the ong FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup nada where the team have fied for the semifinals.

Women League boss, who spoke uja on yesterday, said that the ts posted so far by the Falconets shown that women football in ountry has come of age.

NFF Board member said: “I am f joy for the performance of the in the championship. I want to

Fellaini in the last five transfer windows – only PSG have spent more across Europe in that period – and Neville feels much of that money was spent unwisely And he says Van Gaal must adopt a different transfer policy to David Moyes, despite the supporters calling for more money to be spent.

commend them for their doggedness and their ability to remain focused at every point in time.

“They didn’t allow any distractions to affect them, instead they have decided to make a statement with their quality of football, scoring the fastest goals in the tournament ever, and dismissing their opponents without stress.

“This has shown that they are a force to be reckoned with in world football.”

Onyedinma, therefore, charged the team not to rest on

their laurels until they win the trophy for the country.

“We played in the finals four years ago, and played placed 4th in the last edition, I think that this is an opportunity for the girls to write their names in Gold, by winning the trophy not only for Nigeria, but for Africa,” added Onyedinma.

She insisted that the Nigeria Women Football League would continue to remain a pool for the various Nigeria Women National teams.

Martinez upbeat on Barkley

R

*Martinez

*Barkley

oberto Martinez is confident that Everton’s Ross Barkley will make a rapid recovery from the knee injury he suffered in training last week.

The Toffees manager admitted he could not estimate just how long the England international would be sidelined, but said the initial signs are encouraging.

34—Vanguard, Wednesday,

AUGUST 20, 2014

Chelsea Clinton A Blessing Okagbare

T

HOSE who thought the lady of speed had gone past her professional peak certainly had another thing coming, as they say. Blessing Okagbare did not only dominate the

Commonwealth games in Scotland but also the Nigerian cyberspace.

Suddenly, the whole of Nigeria is ‘proud of her’, and so they should!

Blessing has soothed the pain of Nigeria’s dismal performance at the recently concluded World Cup in Brazil When asked about Blessing’s amazing individual performances where she won gold in the women 100m in 10.85 seconds, setting a Games record and on the 200m clocking 20.25 seconds confirming pre-tournament forecasts that the sprints medals were hers for the taking; Solomon Agba had said, all I can say about Blessing is that she’s a blessing to Nigeria. We already know she could do it and she has proved us right!

Blessing Okagbare has been utterly dominant in this Commonwealth Games also easing the painful memory of London Olympics 2012 where the 25-year-old finished last in the Olympic final but has now won the first of three possible individual titles in Glasgow.

Modupe Ozolua ONCE upon a time, boobsie socialite Modupe Ozolua could not keep her chin above controversy. Then, silence.

Now suddenly back on the scene, Ozolua says she has been celibate for two years, two months and still counting. The body enhancement ‘expert’, who runs a spa in Lekki, Lagos, made this confession in an interview with a new lifestyle magazine.

According to Ozolua, her new way of life is not borne out of aversion for men, but to preserve herself for her wouldbe suitor and because of her new found faith. Well, it first started with me waiting for my own man, knowing this man will be mine. That was in the first year.

By the second year, my church was also quite encouraging in helping me ensure that I keep steadfast to my promise she said.

Men find it hard to believe that women have the capacity to hold off sex and I always have to reiterate to them-I’m doing it. It means any woman and most women can do it.

Ozolua now attends Mountain of Fire Ministries, MFM, in contrast to the many salacious tales have been spun about her.

She set tongues wagging about a decade ago when she admitted to have had breasts enlargement surgery, and before then, she had been accused of being a ‘bimbo.’

Some months back, a shirtless picture exposing her bare rear with a long tattoo adorning her body, appeared on the cover of the lifestyle magazine published by celebrity photographer, Kelechi Amadi-Obi and stylist, Dimeji Alara.

Prior to that, she had vowed never to ap-

PPARENTLY, former United States First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton threw her pregnant daughter a chic baby shower in New York last week. Bill Clinton’s wife feted her daughter, 34, near the Clinton’s estate. Chelsea, who is expecting her first child with husband Marc Mezvinsky, was also joined by close friends for the intimate gathering.

Blogosphere is abuzz with the details, down to the menu, which was said to expecting back in April while speaking at be”99% gluten-free” The former First the Girls: A No Ceilings Conversation Daughter had announced she was event in New York City.

Chika Amalaha

AND while Blessing is trending positively, also trending but on the other end of the spectrum is Nigeria’s Chika Amalaha who has failed a doping test days after winning gold in the women’s 53kg weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The 16-year old has been handed a provisional suspension from the Games after her A-sample submitted after winning

gold showed traces of traces of diuretics and masking agents.

According to Commonwealth Games executive Mike Hooper, We issued a formal notice of disclosure to an athlete following an adverse analytical finding as a consequence of an in-competition test.

That athlete is Nigerian weightlifter Chika Amalaha who was tested on July 25th. In general terms, [diuretics and masking agents] are on the prohibited list for two reasons – firstly in weight category sports they can be used to unfairly aid weight loss … and secondly, their use has been reported in attempts to mask the presence in the body of other prohibited substances. The Games Executive added that Amalaha has exercised her right to have a B-sample submitted for testing at a London laboratory. Amalaha would be stripped of the gold medal if the result of the B-sample returns positive and would also face a lengthy ban from the sport.

Ngozi Okonjo Iwealla T

pear nude again, only to appear in the debut of Mania, which has left many wondering just what to think.

Blogosphere is loving the re-enactment of the photos, meanwhile.

HE Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is romancing the Nigerian public once more, with the commencement of a project by which low income earners would begin to have the opportunity to own their houses under a flexible payment package.

Okonjo-Iweala said unlike in the past when it was difficult for Nigerians to own their houses through affordable mortgages; the process had now been simplified, with the processing time for application for the mass housing project being reduced from between six and eighteen months to just six weeks.

The minister said with the inauguration of the NMRC in January and its subsequent take off in June, the key barrier of finance to develop accessible and affordable housing in Nigeria had been removed.

She said, We want Nigerians to own their houses at affordable costs. The NMRC’s mission is to provide long-term funding for the housing sector.

So, instead of people not being able to

own houses as they would have to pay up in 12 or 18 months; we are changing that now so that for 10 to 15 years, people can be able to pay for their own houses.

Agatha Amata T

HERE are discussions on blogosphere of how popular TV personality, Agatha Amata has joined the ranks of the Mo Abudus of this continent and floated a new TV station.

Rave TV was launched in August,2014 and is currently airing on Startimes Channel 125 and Continental satellite Consat cable. Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Lateef Jakande and Pastor Taiwo Odukoya were some of the high profile guests that attended the launch According to the producer of Inside Out with Agatha, Rave TV will be launching with a full bouquet of programs, from movies to telenovelas, talk shows, documentaries, children‘s programmes and more. Go girl!

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 —35

The rhythm of beats show forth in my design —Rahima Mohammed, Raaah London boss Rahima Mohammed, Founder, Raaah London, is a remarkable African fashion designer that is ready to reach the skies with her exquisite designs. The Zimbabwean started designing at the age of twenty and took it a step further by studying fashion drawing at the London College of Fashion.

RAAAH is a ladies fashion brand that creates elegant, cutting edge pieces that are pitched between high street and high end fashion labels. She opens up on the vision for her brand in Nigeria, her voyage into entrepreneurship, what she thinks about the African fashion industry and lots more.

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

Tell us about your background?

AM originally from Zimbabwe but I live in London. I started with opening a boutique were I sold high end clothes for women, so, I went to study fashion drawing at the London College of Fashion to perfect my drawing and sketching skills. That inspired me more to want to bring out my designs. And of course the dreams and visions kept appearing .

Can you share your journey into entrepreneurship?

Though I have always been passionate about fashion, I temped in various industries for a long time and was never interested in fulltime white-collar job. Whilst temping, I used to buy and sell shoes and ladies’ dresses online for years. The drawing courses I took last year helped to put my ideas of designs on paper. I came across Toyin of Tiannah’s Place Empire on Instagram , her drive and passion inspired me to bring out my first sketches.

I

Drive and passion I spoke to her about her being my mentor and we came to an agreement and started working on my first collection which got very good feedback. So, I developed them into a full collection and here I am now ready to go with RAAAH! What is the vision for your brand in Nigeria?

Nigeria is a beautiful place with fashion forward people. I won’t be shocked to see a hot chick at the mall wearing a dress straight off the runway. I would love to see my brand grow in Nigeria and participate in fashion shows and events that can facilitate that growth in terms of

exposure. Tiannah’s Place Empire will carry my brand which is already an excellent platform.

Do you think African women are living their dreams?

Nigeria is a beautiful place with fashion forward people. I won’t be shocked to see a hot chick at the mall wearing a dress straight off the runway •Rahima I don’t think many African women are living their dreams. It’s only now you see women coming out of their shells a bit and doing things to empower themselves or other women because of western influence and in most cases, I think it has to do with the different cultures around the world and society. The economy too doesn’t make it easy for some unless you’re in the western world where there can be opportunities.

Who are the fashion designers you draw inspiration from?

I am inspired by a lot of things and designers like Karen Millen, Alexander McQueen, Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana and Toyin Lawani. I’m so much in love with their work. She is hardworking and very creative and that inspired me to work

with her on this my “FLY” collection.

How does music inspire your designs?

Well, I think the arts are interwoven in one way or the other whether it is dance, music or fashion. For me, the rhythms of beats show forth in my clothes. As I design, I imagine the models walking the runway in my clothes, whether fast or slow. This influences my decision on how tight or how loose a piece can be.

What new project are you working on?

RAAAH is fully launching at Pure London 2014 and doing a follow-up launch at AFWL Africa Fashion Week London 2014 but to my core market.

I’ve tried to bring out a mixture of styles with what was going on around me at the time to attract a wider audience

for my first collection. Maybe in the nearest future , there will be opportunities to target specific market segments.

What’s your take on the African fashion industry?

The African fashion industry is definitely picking up because the spotlight is on Africa right now in terms fashion and arts. We’ve been designing and have always been talented, and it’s like people in the western world think it’s a new thing.

It’s actually interesting how Africa often serves as inspiration for most fashion collections. Hence, you see African prints in shops like Topshop.

We just need to stand up for ourselves .We will get there slowly but surely.

36 — Vanguard, Wednesday,

AUGUST 20, 2014

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014—37

enator Enyinninya Abaribe, erstwhile deputy governor of Abia State and presently the senator representing the Abia South Senatorial District is one of the major aspirants in the Abia State governorship contest. In this interview he speaks on his prospects and plans.

Excerpts:

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

What are the problems the next governor of Abia State will inherit from the outgoing governor? et me say that the challenges of development in every State in Nigeria will also be exactly the same that if you are in Abia, you will have to confront – underdevelopment, massive unemployment, infrastructure that is not up to par with what you need for a 21st century economy and then of course the basic ones of education, health, environment and agriculture.

Basically, what I think is the biggest challenge you have to face will have to do with all arising from the infrastructure, of course, you will have to deal with all the other areas that are lacking.

The Governor of the State at the moment is doing certain things that we have tagged legacy projects. What we are going to do is to sustain what he has done.

One of the biggest problems in our governance structures in Nigeria has always been that a new government would always want to do something different from what the previous government has done. I don’t have that kind of ego problem of completing what another person has done without giving the person credit. By my background as a university lecturer, it’s drilled into you that when you are doing a paper, you will acknowledge the person who you are taking from his work so that you avoid the charge of plagiarism.

For your own ambition, what are the challenges you see on the way?

I have been in the field; I have done consultations at all levels; I’ve done consultations with stakeholders in the State – individually and collectively.

I’ve done consultations with the party people in Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South.

I come from Abia South and I have also done consultations with people at the state party level. I can tell you that I had a lot of enthusiasm from people where I went. No other

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What Orji’s successor will need —Abaribe

Abia 2015: aspirant in Abia has been able to traverse the State in the way that I am doing.

I’m going into the second level of consultations of doing oneon-one consultations at every local government level in the state.

How well have you represented your district in the Senate in the last eight years for you to be aspiring to another level?

What I bring to the table is not theoretical; it is something that has already been done and among all the things I have done when I was talking about exposing our people to the 21st century, we did something that was very unique which has never been done by anybody before; Aba is the key to the industrial sector in the Southeast. In Nigeria, things made in Aba used to enjoy wild patronage until we started having the twin problems of lack of physical infrastructure and the problem of power. We think that if those two things are dealt with, Aba will rise again to continue to fulfil her potential.

So, do you think you have done well in the Senate to deserve being trusted with the governorship of Abia State?

Of all the people who have been in the Senate from Abia, I think I have done more than anybody. If what you have done for your people is the criteria, then I deserve to be governor based on that and the evidence is clear. This is not evidence that is coming just out of my mouth but the evidence is pictorial and otherwise, for which we will expect that people can verify.

What are you bringing to this race that will distinguish you from your competitors?

Three things: Character, competence and integrity. All the political actors in Abia know for one thing that it’s not just enough to talk the talk. You should also be able to demonstrate by your actions the type of person that you are. I can say this without any fear of contradiction that anybody in Abia knows that if it is in terms of character, uprightness and being able to be your own person and actually work for the people of Abia, they will not find me wanting.

If it is in terms of being competent enough to do the job of governor, they will also not find me wanting because I have been at various levels and demonstrated at various times that I have the ability to run a state. For everybody who is a governor, your word is your bond. We have also had the unfortunate situation of having

•Abaribe had a governor in Abia who will say one thing today and tomorrow will do exactly the opposite. That will never be me and that is why when I meet with Abians, they agree that this is the sort of person that is needed at this time of our national development.

Which governor ? Is it the incumbent governor or the one before him?

It’s not the incumbent governor.

You are seen as too independent, don’t you

,

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deal with that matter. The governor told me that I should please tell the people when I meet with them that he has never anointed anybody and that he didn’t have any intention of anointing anybody.

Subsequently, the government of Abia also went on air and disowned any such statement.

Also recently when the governor swore in the transition Chairman, he made the same statement and said he was not going to influence

I don’t have that kind of ego problem of completing what another person has done without giving the person credit

think that could dissuade you from getting the governor’s support?

Let me say this very unequivocally that at the time we heard some people making claims of being anointed or so by the Governor, I contacted the governor. I called a meeting of Abia South Senatorial zone, being a political leader of the area and we needed to

that he himself as the incumbent will also have a say on how the process is done; thirdly is the party apparatus, that is those within the party who will eventually be the delegates to the Congresses that will bring out the nominee.

Abia PDP chieftains have in the past been accused of finding it difficult to work together. Will it be different this time?

I think that matter has already been settled and dealt with by the incumbent governor, Governor T.A Orji.

Since 2010 when he came back into PDP, he has been able to wield everybody together; he has been able to bring the different factions of PDP together. So, what we have seen really is that that syndrome of disunity has actually been permanently buried by the way that Governor Orji has handled everybody. Let me tell you that between 2003 and 2010, for example, several of us never went to Umuahia, not to talk of going to Government House in Umuahia, even though we were senior members of the party; even though somebody like me was senator in 2007; we never went there because of the way the previous incumbent scattered everybody.

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anybody; that what he is going to do is to ensure that the field is made in such a way that everybody will have an equal chance of being able to emerge as governor and he said it very clearly that the person who will become governor will be made by three persons – the first person will be God himself because everything that we do as human beings, its only when God wills it; secondly,

38—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

My political ambition shocked many men — Piyo •Life as only female chairman in Plateau State

M

rs. Josephine Piyo is the only female of the 17 local government chairmen recently inaugurated in Plateau State.

She is also the second female chairperson of the attack-prone Riyom local government area. In this interview she expresses among other things, her desire to take Riyom local government area out of the woods.

Excerpts.

By Marie-Therese Nanlong, Jos

How did you get involved in politics? got involved in politics in 1996 after I retired as a senior Nursing officer having served the state meritoriously.

What motivated you to vie for this position and how did the men take it?

Riyom is a gender sensitive and gender friendly local government area. I have a burning desire to serve my people, to see how I can contribute to the development of the local government. The men did not find it funny, no not at all. You know they will never do that, they can never but sometimes, you don't give up. You continue to hold on, you continue to struggle and if it is the will of God, you get it. I think it is God that did it.

Riyom, your local government area has been a flash point in terms of attacks, how have you tackle these problems since your resumption of office?

Well, you have said it all that Riyom local government is one of the flash points of persistent attacks. It has not been easy at all because we were sworn-in on the 3rd of March, 2014, on the 4th of March, there was an attack at Gwawereng village of Rim District of Riyom local government area. The attacks have persisted but by the grace of God, we have tried to restore peace to the local government.

We have had series of talks with the Fulanis, the Beroms and others. We have organised talks among various groups, sometimes the youths, sometimes the Ardos, Imams and the chiefs, sometimes we combine everyone and we have always encouraged the people to live harmoniously with one another. We have emphasized the need for us to live peacefully because without peace, no meaningful development will come to the local government, we have tried to make them understand this. By the grace of God, we will overcome, at least we have been able to heave a sigh of relief because for sometime now, there has not been any attack. That is not to say that everything has died down because there are some

I

ambushes here and there from time to time, people are ambushed and killed but we are trying to talk people out of this ambush and kill syndrome.

Some politicians in Riyom have received threat letters in the past, have you received any of such letters?

No, I trust God will not allow that. He has been there for me.

I have not received any threat and I know God will see me through.

What is your vision for Riyom local government area

as a whole?

My vision is to ensure that permanent peace is restored to Riyom local government area and for visible development is experienced in the local government in terms of infrastructure and empowerment of the people.

It is alleged that recently sworn-in councillors in the 17 local government areas of the state have not been paid their salaries, how true is this and how are the councillors in your local government taking it?

Yes, it is true that they have not been paid but it is not a deliberate action. It is because of this biometric capturing exercise that is going on in the State. The local government areas are going through this screening and once it is completed, everybody will be paid. In Riyom, we have advanced some salaries to the councillors, we have given them

•Piyo

something that at least should keep them going and they understand.

What is your assessment of the representation of lawmakers from your local government both at the National Assembly and State Assembly?

I will tell you without mincing words that these people have been so wonderful. We have been united, working together for the common good of the local government. These people have never left me alone to handle the challenges in the local government.

Anytime I have any problem and I call on them, they come around and we sit down together to discuss the issues and challenges facing the local government and we proffer solutions together. They have been very wonderful and supportive.

2015: Etsako will not back those with

moral burden – Hussein

By Gabriel Enogholase, Benin

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r. Hussein Garba is an aspirant for the Etsako federal constituency election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Garba who is from the same constituency with Governor Adams Oshiomhole in this interview paints how he would overcome the political influence of the governor to achieve his ambition.

Excerpts What led to your defection from the Labour Party? was among the people that held Labour Party in the past in Edo State.

But I realised that PDP is the only truly democratic party. I quit because, Labour Party was not independent. The leaders of the party were merely trading with the party..

What is the level of support for you in your constituency?

My community position is simple. We have always supported our brother from other communities to win the House of Representatives seat over the years. They too should reciprocate our support by supporting one of their own. Sincerely the support from my community has being wonderful, the support goes beyond party. Everybody (I mean everybody) irrespective of the party affiliation is giving 101% support. All the communities also agree with the position of the Auchi community that they (Auchi) should be allowed to occupy that position now.

Sincerely, Etsako is truly one family because, with the level of support from the entire Etsako people, I am humbled

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•Hussein the more.

Given that Governor Adams Oshiomhole is from the constituency, what is your chance of defeating the candidate of his party, the APC? Remember that the is wiser now. The elections of today are different from elections of yesterday. With the kind of support I have within and outside my party, only God can stop PDP from winning the election, if I am given the ticket.

Also remember, that the election is between me and any candidate the APC is going to present.

I have not seen any, so far among the aspirants they have paraded in APC that can stand my popularity among the people. In Ekiti State, an incumbent Governor was defeated. All the candidates in the next election are going to be judged by the electorate, based on their personality. The days when people ride on others back into political office have gone. Aspirants or candidates with moral burden cannot get the vote of the people

anymore.

If you emerge as the Etsako Reps at the National Assembly, what will be your area of focus?

I have said it time without number that, my area of focus will be human capacity building. (in a nut shell, empowerment). Our people are hungry, neglected and need urgent attention to prevent the danger that is ahead of this country. The large number of unemployed youths roaming our streets is a time bomb.

What is your view on the insecurity in the country vis-à-vis that of Edo State House of Assembly?

Insecurity today in our country, in as a result of neglect and poverty that abound within us. In the midst of plenty, a lot of us cannot boast of two basic meals a day. In a country where majority of us cannot get two basic meals per day, you hear a politician who is a house of assembly member for less than six years in office is celebrating a billion naira mark, and you expect the youths to seat down and be clapping for such person(s)? The crisis in the Edo State House of Assembly is a total slap or shame to our democracy. You cannot shift the goal post at the middle of a game. When the PDP house members were decamping to ACN they were received with fanfare and gift items lavished on them. But when the table turned that APC members were decamping to PDP, it became illegal and unconstitutional. Our politicians are making mockery of our judiciary and Nigerians. The then leaders of the Edo State House of Assembly were only acting a script written by their paymaster.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014—39

North, Central may rock zoning in Abia

By Kalu Uduma

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HE zoning arrangement adopted by the Abia state’s ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through its Equity Legacy is receiving some knocks.

The hardest of the knocks seem to come from the Abia North and Central senatorial zones, two areas that have produced state governors in the past.

Though the PDP zoned some principal political offices in the state from councilors to governor, some PDP aspirants in the two zones are jostling for the governorship and some top slots in spite of the fact their zones fall outside the favoured areas.

The troubling offices include that of the governor which the party zoned to Abia South and its senatorial positions. The other position is the Aro/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia North.

Governor Theodore Orji, along with the PDP leaders, zoned the gubernatorial position to Abia South. The zone, made of the Ngwa and Ukwa ethnic nationalities, is the only one yet to produce governor.

Orji and incumbent Senator Nkechi Nwogu of Abia Central are now locked in a battle of who becomes the zone’s senator. Orji is being wooed by his Umuahia

kinsmen and others in the Central to go to the Senate. There is every indication that he will win. Since Abia South is expected to produce the next governor, a disfavoured and Ngwa-born Nwogu is angry because she may lose out twofold.

In Abia North, Mr. Arua Arunsi, representing Aro/Ohafia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives may slug it out with Chief Uko Nkole Ndukwe, who is being wooed by admirers to declare his interest for the job soon.

However, the zoning arrangement is also causing ripples in the Aro/Ohafia zone as Arunsi whose Ohafia area is said to have used up its tenure is bent on returning while it is the turn of the Abam.

In spite of these contentions, several groups have emerged to root for Orji, President Goodluck Jonathan and Ndukwe, three PDP would-be aspirants, who are yet to declare their interests for their respective political posts.

Speaking with Vanguard recently in Umuahia during the at the hand-over of six vehicles to key PDP political office holders in Aro/Ohafia to enhance the party’s mobility in federal constituency, Mr. Ofem Kalu, Director General of Friends

•Orji: Abia State governor of Uko Nkole Ndukwe, one of the groups rooting for the trio, said that the Abia Charter of Equity also operates in the zone.

According to him, the charter stipulates that the representative for the constituency should rotate among the three zones that make up the local council.

They are Aro which includes Ihechiowa and Ututu; Ohafia which includes Abiriba and

Nkporo; and Abam. Of the two, only Abam is yet to produce a Rep, he said.

Aro, he went on, had its turn through Mr. Mao Ohuabunwa who served for eight years and handed over to Mr. Uduma Kalu Igu of Ohafia. Igu lost out in a court case to Arunsi from Nkporo, an Ohafia zone. Arunsi’s tenure ends next year. Together with Igu, both have served out the

CONFAB: Proposed Oil Rivers State is treacherous — Attah, Nduese, others

By Henry Umoru

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BOM State caucus at the 2014 National Conference has kicked against planned moves to create Oil-Rivers State, saying that it was designed to scuttle the final report of the Conference.

In a protest letter to the Chairman of the Conference, Justice Idris Kutigi, the 13 delegates led by former governor of Akwa Ibom state, Obong Victor Attah, former Minister of Lands and Survey, Chief Nduese Essien, described the recommendation to create the new state from Akwa Ibom and Rivers states as treacherous and harboured a hidden agenda.

According to them the plan is at variance with decisions taken during plenary at the Conference.

Noting that the provision was now contained on Page 4, Line 11 of the “Draft Constitution” produced by the Conference secretariat, they said to dismember some parts of Akwa Ibom state to form an “Oil Rivers state, “was not only treacherous but amounts to a hidden agenda by people whose aim might be to

•Attach scuttle the final outcome of the Conference.”

The letter read in part: “This action is at variance with the Conference decision of the Committee on Restructuring and Forms of Government. The conference decision as correctly reflected on Page 281 (b) of the draft report was that ‘the third state to be created in the SouthSouth zone will be named later along with its state capital.

•Justice Kutigi “This inclusion is a slight of hand, unholy and completely unacceptable to us as there was no prior discussion with Akwa Ibom state and her delegates on the matter.”

The delegates who noted that they support the emergence of new states where deserving, stressed that the process should be in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, adding, “as the true representatives of

our state and people at this conference, we have been mandated to reject totally and disassociate ourselves and our state completely from this provision. We assert that no part of Akwa Ibom State should be excised to form a new state.”

The conference is expected to present its final report to President Goodluck Jonathan tomorrow.

Ohafia tenure, Ofem said, adding that it is the turn of Abam, hence their call for Nkole from Ozu Abam to vie for the job.

Some of political personalities and beneficiaries at the vehicles’ hand over event were Chief Obinna Nwankwo, PDP chair, Aro LGA; his Ohafia LGA counterpart, Mr. Kingsley Imaga; Ogbuji O. Ogbuji; David Iro, youth leader; Madam Obobi; Mrs Grace Chijioke, Women Leaders; Livinus Ezelu; Mba Akuma; Ugochukwu Okorie; Okorie Ndem Okpi; Chief Amogu Anya; youth leaders and principal officers of the PDP in the state, among others.

Ofem said his group aims at organizing Aro/Ohafia federal constituency into self help having realised that most of their representatives have refused to provide infrastructure such as bridges.

The group, he said, has decided to be providing some of these amenities and had repaired the River Muri bridge.

Ofem condemned the failure of Aro/Ohafia representatives at the national assembly to attract development to the area.

Winning team He said his friends, “donated the six vehicles to the PDP in Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency based on our beliefs and visions of G2G agenda for Mr President 2015 reelection bid and also Ochendo’s Abia Central Senatorial bids because you don’t change the winning team.”

It also built some houses for widows in the area and gave two Hyundai buses branded with President Goodluck Jonathan and Orji’s posters to the PDP women leaders for mobility. The organization, he went on, has consistently identified with Orji’s youth empowerment schemes and supported Abia’s football teams by printing vests and mobilising fans to Lagos to cheer the team to victory at last year’s FA cup finals which the team won.

According to him, his friends want Nkole to vie for the Aro/ Ohafia federal constituency job as he has been working for his community with his own resources, adding that if he could help his people privately, he would be do better as a representative. The friends, he said, have been making consultations with the monarchs of the various autonomous communities, prominent people, political leaders, trade organizations etc. His group’s President Jonathan’s 2015 ambition, code named Goodluck to Goodluck(G2G) is aimed at continuing Jonathan’s vision by working for his reelection, he noted.

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

Ebola: The rumours, fear and comic relief of a deadly scourge

BY MIKE EBONUGWO, FEATURES EDITOR; CHARLES KUMOLU, BOSE ADELAJA

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*For these roadside traders, it’s safety first with these funny looking gloves Lagos resident, Mr. Eziashi Vanguard Dobe told Features,VF. Dobe is not alone as the sentiment is shared by the World Health Organisation,WHO, which described government’s response as a model for other affected countries to copy. ‘’What I would want to emphasise is the leadership from the Federal Government of Nigeria to tackle this epidemic. The presence and leadership from Mr. President calling on all governors and commissioners of health in order to understand the current level is commendable,’’ Country Representative of WHO in Nigeria, Dr. Rui Vaz said.

But while this timely emergency response to the scourge has received commendations in some quarters, it was obviously not enough to assuage the growing panic in most Nigerians who still harbour the fear that the virus lurks in every inconceivable place, including the air.

Findings by VF indicated that the coming of EVD to the country is reshaping the thinking and way of life of many.

Although Mr Sawyer is dead and his remains cremated in accordance with safety requirements, most Nigerians are yet to forgive him for being

the harbinger of Ebola infection and death in Nigeria. So enraged are Nigerians over the development that many of them have called the late Liberian unprintable names and would have gladly murdered him if the fellow was not already dead. Even

,

T came like a thief in the night, unannounced but deadly. And since its stealthy arrival, death has been stalking the land, leaving tears, sorrow and fear in its wake. At the last check, the death toll has hit the 1,145 mark, according to the World Health Organisation, WHO. Indeed the world has known no peace but fear since an outbreak of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, went out of control, ravaging West African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

It took an errant and unfortunate visit of the late AmericanLiberian Patrick Sawyer to Lagos for the scourge to register its presence in Nigeria. One of several accounts has it that on discovering that he was afflicted with the dangerous virus, Mr Sawyer, had rushed to Nigeria to seek medical relief. But he eventually died in a Lagos hospital.

His death and the revelation that he died of the highly infectious EVD had immediately triggered off widespread panic in the country. Subsequent death of two medical personnel who attended to him at the Lagos hospital and an ECOWAS protocol officer who assisted him during his plane ride to Nigeria only served to heighten the panic as Nigerians assumed that the situation has attained an epidemic proportion and desperately sought whatever means to safeguard themselves from contracting the disease.

Since the death of the Liberian, Nigeria has recorded a total of 12 people infected with EVD out of which four have died, five said to be recovering while 189 are under surveillance in Lagos and six in Enugu. The swift and coordinated response by government has elicited unusual kudos across the country. The Federal Government and the Lagos State government, in particular, had responded to the Ebola threat by establishing isolation centres to contain the spread. Other states soon followed suit with their own versions of an Ebola containment programme. ‘’For the first time our government has acted in a very responsive manner. We are all aware that they were not proactive, but praises should be given to them for containing it and initiating measures against its spread,’’ a

ant experience for Nigerians travelling abroad for sundry reasons.

Suddenly every Nigerian traveller is suspected as a possible carrier of the Ebola virus and subjected to all kinds of humiliating treatment and tests to ascertain and ensure that he or she

From Sambisa to Calabar, Sokoto to Yenogoa, EVD has created tension and panic among hitherto resilient Nigerians who now prefer to err on the side of extreme and sometimes comic caution

the usually self-controlled President Goodluck Jonathan had in a rare public display of anger called him a mad man.

Apart from being on edge as death stalks the country through Ebola, Nigerians are also uncomfortable, and indeed embarrassed, by the increasing realisation that their country has been branded by some members of the international community as a nogo-area just like Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone which are presently under some kind of pariah isolation.

Indeed it is no longer a pleas-

,

is Ebola-free. Nigerian sports men and women participating in international sporting tournaments appear to be worst hit. For instance, a Nigerian contingent which travelled to China to participate in a Youth Olympic Games was forced to return home after their hosts subjected the Nigerian athletes to humiliating treatment by quarantining them. Indeed, it has been reported that the International Olympic Committee, IOC, has officially announced a ban on all West African countries from taking part in the Youth Olympic Games. Only recently, Lesotho

had announced its withdrawal from an Under-21 football qualifying match with Nigeria on account of Ebola.

Funny, but no laughing matter

It would appear that the fear of death is the beginning of comic relief by Nigerians. Though not a laughing matter, but it is remarkably funny how Nigerians have been reacting since Ebola made its unwarranted appearance in the country. Indeed, the fear of Ebola now seem to be the beginning of how not to exchange greetings, dress, transact business, worship, behave in certain public places, including government and private sector offices.

The general perception is that Ebola kills without exception. It is a disease that kills the strong as fast as it kills the weak. With it even the fittest does not survive, according to this fear-engendered perception. From Sambisa to Calabar, Sokoto to Yenogoa, EVD has created tension and panic among hitherto resilient Nigerians who now prefer to err on the side of extreme and sometimes comic caution.

This is why many fell for a widely circulated claim that Continues on page

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014—41

The rumours, fear and comic relief of a deadly scourge drinking salt water and bathing with it would cure the EVD. It was reported that many in the villages took this strange prescription after town criers went around disseminating information to this effect which they claimed was prompted by national emergency alert from reliable sources.

Long sleeves, trousers, gloves and sanitisers please

In Lagos, most people now put on protective wears like long sleeve shirts and trousers. For now mini-skirts and other skimpy clothes have gone out of vogue no longer common on the streets of the metropolis. So it will not be strange to see people dressed Eskimo-style these days, all to avoid contracting the virus.

It has also been observed that many commuters, especially those travelling in commercial buses, never leave home without face towels, handkerchiefs and sanitisers to protect themselves from co-passengers.

The situation was the same with hair dressing salon operators, as they now wash their hands after every transaction.

Perhaps the most common evidence of how scared Nigerians are of the Ebola virus is the now popular wearing of hand gloves and even nose protector. This has become the vogue in both government and private sector offices. Even at various bus-stops and motor parks, transport operators, security guards and law enforcement agents are seen wearing gloves.

A visit by VF to some banks showed that apart from gloves and nose protectors worn by the teller and other staff while going about their work, the use of hand sanitisers, has become a condition for entering into the banks.

Why we gave directive on sanitiser—UBA

When VF sought the opinion of the Head of Corporate Communication and Media Relations, UBA, Mr Ramon Nasir on whether there was a directive on the use of sanitiser as a condition to enter any of its branches, he noted that the bank okayed the development. ‘’The use of sanitizer by customers who enter the bank, before they start any transactions, is a directive of the bank; it’s an extra care of the bank against this Ebola virus. It’s a standard thing in UBA now; the sanitizer is not only meant for the customers, but also for the staff of the bank. As a bank, we deal with all kinds of people and even internationally, so it’s just an ex-

tra care of the bank,’’ he added.

Same applies to most corporate offices like presently obtains at the Dangote Group where every visitor must sanitise his or her hand before entering any office.

No more handshakes, say hi!

Before now, handshake was a popular way of exchanging greetings between two or more people. It was a common way of expressing mutual feeling of goodwill. But not any more since the outbreak of Ebola. The new safety rule now is: Please avoid handshake for now as the virus can be transmitted through the sweat of an infected person. On account of this, Nigerians have resorted to what is popularly known as hi-five to avoid coming contact with those infected.

The more daring settle for what is called ‘chop knuckle’ believed to expose one to minimal contact.

Even most churches in Nigeria have under the present exigency had to modify their mode of worship in order to check the spread of the virus among members. Practices like handshakes and hugging have either been banned or restricted to a level considered safe. For instance, the Catholic Church in Nigeria that is well known for encouraging handshake among the faithful as a sign of peace during the celebration of Holy Mass has suspended the practice. According to the Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins while announcing the Church’s new guidelines on the prevention of the spread of Ebola: “Taking into consideration the fact that this rite is optional, we shall henceforth omit(it)...When you get to this rite, skip it...”.

It’s time to wash your hands

Considered very crucial in the Ebola prevention effort is the washing of hands, according to health experts. While for reason of their safety many Nigerians have enthusiastically embraced this, again others are taking it to comic extremes. Some organisations in Lagos have readily adopted the ‘wash your hands initiative’ by even designating places their customers can wash their hands before any transaction takes place.

Boom time for dealers in disinfectants, bitter kola, sanitisers

But while Ebola is not a laughing matter to most Nigerians, dealers in locally made disinfectants are said to be smiling their way to the bank as demand for the products has been on the rise since Mr Sawyer died in Nigeria. A hawker of local disinfectants at Mile 12 Market, said she has has been making a daily

*Security operatives also took steps to protect themselves from Ebola turn over N15,000 .

Some traders in Lagos also told VF that there is a sharp demand for detergents even though the prices have largely remained stable.

However, it was not the case for sanitizers and other sanitary products, as most dealers claimed they have run out of stock. In addition, prices of the products have skyrocketed. For instance, a 60 ml bottle of hand sanitiser that previously sold for N250, now goes for N600 or more.

Following a 2009 report pub-

,

Continued from page

tact with those infected with the Ebola virus.

For the owner of a popular relaxation spot in Ikotun, Mr Sunday Maduemena, Ebola has been bad for business. According to him: “Since Ebola came from nowhere, people have been scared to come out to enjoy themselves. They no longer frequent here anymore. When they manage to come, their topic is always Ebola and how deadly it is. Everybody is now cautious’’.

Improved hygienic habits

Continuing, he said: ‘’I have

The use of sanitizer by customers who enter the bank, before they start any transactions, is a directive of the bank; it’s an extra care of the bank against this Ebola virus

lished by the BBC, suggesting that eating bitter kola is an antidote to EVD, many Nigerians, including those who previously could not stand the bitter taste had resorted to eating bitter kola, leading to a sharp rise in demand for it. Of course, this translates to dealers in bitter kola making hay while the information remained unconfirmed.

Consequently, the price of bitter kola has been on a steady rise, selling three pieces for N100 or even N200 three weeks ago.

“This is our best season ever since I started this business. In the past one week, I have sold three baskets of bitter kola. All praise to Allah,” a trader in Lagos Island said.

But if dealers in bitter kola and sanitisers are smiling, the same cannot be said of those in the hospitality business, including operators of relaxation centres who now lament declining patronage. Reports have it that many are now avoiding such places like a plague. Also, the noticeable drop in social activities in Lagos has been traced to people avoiding places where they may likely come into con-

,

noticed that people are now eager to wash their hands unlike before. Some customers have even now formed the habit of carrying sanitisers about. It sounds funny but that is the reality here.’’

Also complaining of lack of patronage are commercial sex workers or prostitutes. Since Ebola is believed to be transmitted through body contact, many of their patrons appear to have taken a break for now, at least until the situation returns to normal.

The development has also hit food vendors hard. A canteen operator at Ojota, Madam Saidat Oyedeji, lamented thus: ‘’Patronage has really reduced.

People no longer trust themselves because they were told that dirty environment also causes Ebola. Some of my customers now prefer to eat at home”.

Mrs. Charity Orji, a trader in Oshodi Market, says the fear of Ebola has made her to avoid going to cafeterias or crowded places. She said: ‘’It was for that reason that I failed to attend the last Holy Ghost Congress at Redemption Camp. Since then, I no longer go to public functions to avoid being infected”.

A trader at Iyana-Ipaja who simply gave her name as ‘’Mama T” said she was contemplating of stopping her only son from attending school, come September. ‘’Government said we should avoid going to public places and schools are one of them,”she noted.

It was further discovered that even some sick people are scared of going to the hospital, to avoid contracting the disease.

Yes to orderliness in Lagos Another astonishing side of EVD in Lagos is the orderliness it has brought about among residents. The usual rush and chaotic manner of movement at bus-stops seem to have given way to orderliness, as people now avoid body contacts.

At a Mile 12 LAGBU park, apprehension was clearly written on the faces of intending passengers who stood metres apart while queuing to board the bus.

Rumour galore

For the rumour mill, the fear of of Ebola in Lagos presented another opportunity to spread falsehood. For instance, when the nation was yet to come to terms with the claims that salt prevents the infection of EVD, it was reported that the someone had contracted the virus at Alimosho General Hospital Igando. One of several text messages circulated to this effect read thus: “Please do not go near Alimosho General Hospital Igando Lagos.

A case of Ebola was confirmed there. A Liberian who came for deliverance(at a popular church based in Ikotun) was seen in the hospital with all the features of Ebola and he died today...Send this to people you care about until it gets to the right authority”.

VF later found the story to be untrue following a visit to the Alimosho General Hospital.

An enquiry from one of the hospital staff, revealed that there was nothing of such. The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, later dismissed the rumour.

42—V anguard 42—Vanguard anguard,, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

AGIP and GE defy with impunity NAPIMS instructions

By Boniface Chizea

L

ET me first of all explain my involvement in this matter as I should expect that I am more known as an Economist with special focus on fiscal and financial matters particularly banking. And quite recently, I have engaged with a passion to shed some light on the sound initial steps the Governor of the Central Bank has taken. But I have known ARCO for some time now because of its strenuous efforts and commitment to show that a Nigerian indigenous company can acquire competence and experience to positively influence and raise the level of participation of Nigerians in the Nigerian oil and gas sector if the environment is made congenial to all players in the sector. I am quite familiar with the travails the company has suffered in the hands of multinational companies in Nigeria and became convinced that I should lend my voice by bringing this despicable situation to the public square confident that concerned authority who might not be privy to what is happening, would be eager to engage to bring to an end this sort of injustice in such an important sector of the economy.

What is happening to ARCO is neocolonialism in 21st Century Nigeria despite all the efforts the government has made to ensure that this sort of situation does not persist in the country through the

unacceptable. Multinationals that do business in Nigeria are most welcome but they must learn to play by the rules and not continue to carry on as if to confirm the impression that Nigeria is a country where anything goes and where any regulator could be compromised provided the price is right.

To ensure that this matter is put in its proper perspective, it is probably in order at this point in time to profile the company, ARCO Petrochemical Engineering Company Plc. ARCO Company is a wholly indigenous company which was incorporated in 1980 as a service provider in the area of maintenance and operations support to upstream and downstream sectors of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

And in response to the changes taking place in the international corporate world, ARCO diversified its operations from its traditional maintenance

,

Multinationals that do business in Nigeria are most welcome but they must learn to play by the rules and not continue to carry on as if to confirm the impression that Nigeria is a country where anything goes

enactment of the Local Content Act amongst other such targeted programmes. What has happened as would soon be made quite clear in the following narrative is a situation whereby an indigenous company, ARCO Petrochemical Engineering Company Plc. has at the same time been shortchanged and marginalized with impunity despite the best efforts of The National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS).

NAPIMS in keeping with its major strategic role of promoting local content with regard to input in engineering and construction, supplies and materials utilization in the upstream sector did its best to stop the prevalent situation from happening by the issuance of serial directives which were rejected by the two multinational companies - AGIP and General Electric with little or no consequences resulting in the stalling of progress and as it were holding all concerned to ransom.

And from my perspective, this sort of behaviour is most

,

engineering and support services to venture into Marine Logistics, Pipeline and facilities inspection, and most recently industrial park development in partnership with the Delta State Government under the Public Private Partnership Scheme with a view to progressing in the near future to being involved in detail engineering, metal fabrication and property development.

ARCO, as a group, currently employs over 400 highly skilled Nigerian engineers and technicians with proven record of excellent performance. About 150 of these skilled engineers and technicians are at OBOB/ Ebocha/Kwale gas plants, the subject of this writeup.

I am aware that ARCO went into a business relationship with Nuovo Pignone SpA of Italy and facilitated its entry into the country in 1982. I am aware too that for a period of about 24 years, ARCO and Nuovo Pignone worked amicably together on several projects. In 1999, General Electric of America acquired Nuovo Pignone SpA

and its name was changed to GE Oil and Gas while the Nigerian subsidiary became known as General Electric International Operations Nigeria Limited (GEION). This change in ownership did not immediately affect the working relationship between ARCO and this company. In fact in 2006 both companies won the contract for Rotating Equipment Machines Maintenance Services at the Nigerian AGIP Oil Company (NAOC) gas plants at OBOB/ Kwale/Ebocha jointly owned by Nigerian Government through NNPC and NAOC. The Nigerian AGIP Oil Company (NAOC) later changed the contract terms after the approval of NNPC Board and awarded the same contract to GE. ARCO was reduced from being a partner to a sub-contractor, an anomaly that ARCO pointed out but succumbed to pressure to leave the matter as it is.

But barely a year from the commencement of this joint project, the Niger Delta crisis erupted reaching frightening levels that led to an exodus of expatriate staff that worked in that region. Consequently GE withdrew its expatriate personnel and sent them back to Italy. In the intervening period, ARCO Engineers and Technicians independently sustained operations and were able to avoid disruptions to operations.

Disruptions to operations The Management of NAOC was impressed that it is on record that commendation letters were issued to ARCO staff in appreciation. But as the situation improved and got manageable in the Niger Delta, GE expatriate staff returned to the gas plants.

On discovering that ARCO staff sustained operations at the plants during their absence, GE became furious.

It warned ARCO staff never to again touch GE equipment if its own men were not there at the plants. It remains a matter of irony that the same GE proceeded to poach 19 of the staff that were scolded for working on GE equipment in the absence of its own men. The poached members of staff of ARCO were

placed to work side by side with ARCO staff and offered emoluments and allowances far in excess of what ARCO was in a position to pay them.

The company also went ahead to withdraw agreed overhaul/ inspection allowances for ARCO staff. These two actions of GE resulted in wide disparity between the emoluments of the two groups of staff leading to unrest amongst the ARCO staff that refused to accept this unjustified disparity. The matter was resolved by NAPIMS and GE had to increase the amount it was paying to ARCO to enable the company to adjust the salaries and allowances of its workers accordingly. GE in reaction made strenuous efforts to reduce the role of ARCO in the maintenance contract and in collusion with NAOC, outsourced part of ARCO’s scope of work to third party companies and at a stage pointedly requested NAPIMS to terminate the involvement of ARCO in the contract. NAPIMS, however, intervened, caused GE to return the jobs taken away from ARCO and blocked the attempt by both multinationals to abruptly remove ARCO from the contract.

Maintenance service contract When it dawned on GE that the attempt to destabilize ARCO is not a walk in the park, it turned around pretending to now want to work with ARCO to bid for a new 4+1 years maintenance service contract in December, 2011 only to delay and foot drag. When GE thought that ARCO has been schemed out as the deadline for the submission of the bids was near, it submitted a bid with another Nigerian Company. And despite the antics of GE to oust ARCO from the maintenance contract, the local content authority put a spanner in the works by duly informing NAOC via a letter dated May 16, 2013 that GE was not qualified to bid for continued participation in the maintenance contract.

When this information was brought to the attention of GE it procured a Nigerian company as a lead (front) with GE as technical partner. Of course, ARCO in alliance with another equipment manufacturer sent in its own bid documents.

Meanwhile upon the expiration of the maintenance contract pending the approval by NNPC Board of a new 4+1 years contract, GE and ARCO were invited to submit their prices for a stop-gap contract for one year because they are the contractors on site. After protracted negotiations, both parties could not reach agreement on the terms of working relationship for the one-year stop-gap contract.

NAPIMS subsequently requested GE and ARCO to independently submit their bids which was won by ARCO. So, NAPIMS asked NAOC to hand over the gas plant to ARCO for maintenance for six months.

But NAOC continued to resist the directive that the contract should be awarded to ARCO while making efforts to award it

instead to a different Nigerian based Italian managed company, Plantgeria Co. Ltd claiming that Plantgeria which has no proven experience, has been selected as the winner of the new 4 + 1 maintenance contract of the gas plants in an inconclusive tender process. NAOC predicated its recommendation on Plantgeria’s almost give away price which is about 10% of the current cost of executing the same contract by GE. It underscores the fact that Plantgeria lacks technical depth in this matter and will not be able to deliver. It becomes obvious that GE will eventually be invited to take over the maintenance contract when Plantgeria fails because of the alleged existence of an offshore maintenance agreement between GE and AGIP/ENI which is against Nigerian Local Content Law. The bottomline is that NAOC and GE plans to oust ARCO from the gas plants.

It is interesting to note that NAOC’s recommendation has not been approved by the relevant authorities and yet Plantgeria is being pushed by NAOC to take over the stop-gap contract. This scheming is all to the effect to exclude and deny involvement to a competent indigenous company, ARCO that has long established its bona fides in the country’s economy. Even the Unions in the sector PENGASSAN and NUPENG in particular are dead against Plantgeria because of its rumored anti-labor orientation and have jointly sent a letter to the Minister of Labor and Productivity threatening fire and brimstone should the company be engaged.

Demobilisation period Notice has been sent to ARCO terminating its services with an effective date of June 30, 2014 with a demobilization period from July 1 to August 31, 2014. Since this notice, agents of Plantgeria Co. Ltd. have shown up on site with the information that they are the new contractors approved for the stop-gap contract. NAOC had to extend the termination date by one month because, from available information, Plantgeria has not been able to lure ARCO Engineers and Technicians to their fold. If we may ask, could it be that NAOC and GE are scheming to wreck ARCO and begin another long journey of raising an inexperienced company to enable GE keep its hold on the job through the backdoor?

It is necessary for the relevant authorities to step in to stop this brazen impunity and protect ARCO a wholly owned, patriotic Nigerian company which in all respects, has paid its dues from suffering this type of injustice in 21st Century Nigeria. My firm conviction is that the Jonathan administration as it embarks on its far reaching transformation agenda, would not allow this unfairness, this injustice to persist without its intervention to ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done.

•Dr. Boniface Chizea is CEO, BIC Consultancy Services, Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 — 43

doctor@lagospainclinic.com

Lagos State Govt’s response to Ebola THAT

•Written August 17 AM writing these words as I watch what is probably the highest concentration of Europeans in the UK....at the exit/entrance point of the Eurostar train at St Pancras Station, London.

I am surrounded by recognisable Spanish, Italian, French and German dialects and a few unknown ones, probably Polish and Romanischte.

No, I am not traveling to mainland Europe; I am waiting for a train to Leeds.

As I sit amidst this voluminous human traffic, I marvel at the open borders and welcoming arms of this great country, England.

In the last two hours, despite the media frenzy on Ebola Fever, 300 Nigerians have disembarked from a Virgin jet and walked unhindered and unrestricted into the UK, free to go and do as we please within the confines of the Law.

I

•Nigerians obtaining free healthcare services during a medical mission \exercise recently.

World Humanitarian Day:

UNFPA calls for more funding

O

N this year’s World Humanitarian Day, the UNFPA calls for increased funding for international humanitarian appeals, especially for efforts to support sexual and reproductive health and protection for women and girls from sexual violence.

Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, who made the call in a statement said with rising crises worldwide, more financial and human resources are urgently needed to support humanitarian action and protect human rights and dignity.

On the 2014 theme, "The World Needs More Humanitarian Heroes," calls attention to the courage and commitment of humanitarians who respond to increasing disasters and persistent conflicts around the world, he said they put their own lives at risk to save the lives of others.

“Today, I pay tribute to humanitarian workers who help pregnant women deliver safely and protect women and girls from gender-based violence. These humanitarian heroes extend hope as they strive to save lives and protect human rights and dignity in extremely difficult situations.”Oshotimehin said.

Further, the UNFPA boss argued that the campaign asks each of us to take action, make a difference and become a

Messenger of Humanity.

“One heroine is Catherine Njeri Makuma, who works as a midwife in Juba, South Sudan, in a UNFPAsupported health centre. She assists women with difficult pregnancies, providing antenatal, obstetric and postnatal care. Connecting women with skilled midwives and doctors, and emergency reproductive health kits and commodities saves their lives and those of their newborns.

Another heroine is Feeza Shraim, a midwife in Gaza, who provided health services for pregnant women until her clinic and home were destroyed in a recent airstrike. In Gaza, at least 11 hospitals, and several clinics and ambulances have sustained damage in the hostilities, limiting residents' access to essential care.

The work of heroines, such as Catherine and Feeza, cannot be overestimated. In all regions, women continue to get pregnant and have babies during crises and emergencies. Violence often increases as health and other social services are disrupted. From South Sudan to Syria to Gaza and other crises, UNFPA supports sexual and reproductive health, and the protection of women and girls from gender-based violence.

•Centre is Dr. Anthony Omolola, National President, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, AGPMPN, receiving an award for excellence in leadership from members of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS recently in Lagos.

Ban Yet, only a few days ago, a fellow African country, who shares no immediate border with us and whose Health Infrastructure is no where as developed as ours....has banned Nigerian passengers and Nigerian flights into its territory!

If my Geography is correct, they may even be closer to the Ebola River than we are!

A Nigerian proverb states that we should keep our eyes open while we shed tears.

Indeed, we had some divine intervention (luck) with the index Ebola case....

The man collapsed and needed hospitalisation immediately on arrival on our shores, had he spent a few more hours in town

or made it to his conference city the consequences would have been devastating.

Equally, had there been no doctors strike, the likelihood would have been a transfer from the airport to the nearby LASUTH. His admission process in this teaching hospital environment would have caused more direct contacts and a greater public health hazard.

But, aside from the luck, credit must be given to the Lagos State Government for its calculated, military style response, despite many limitations, to the immediate threat posed by this index individual to a city of 20 million and our nation of 120 million plus.

Action However, Governor Fashola and Dr Jide Idris swung into action thus: They crash-trained lab technicians and civil servants on how to enter a house and check for the Ebola virus.

In four days, they turned an abandoned government building into an isolation unit.

In a week they managed to find and cold-call scores of people from blue-collar workers to diplomats who may have touched the index case, Patrick Sawyer Within days they procured necessary PPE gear to protect health workers.

Coordinated response They put out a massive and coordinated public education and awareness campaign. All officials pushed the same message with the same emphasis, factual and unemotional.

When the government received the passenger list for Mr. Sawyer's flight,

contact information was missing for 18 of the flight's 48 passengers. All officials had were names and nationalities. Nothing else.

The airline tracked down some passengers by calling the ticket agents that booked the flight, while government officials found others by contacting local Embassies.

A crew of volunteers set about cold-calling people with the frightening news they might have Ebola.

They sent nurses, lab technicians and civil servants into homes to deliver forms for potential carriers to fill out twice daily, asking about fever and other symptoms.

They have recruited hundreds of volunteers, with good remuneration and life insurance, to handle complex contact tracing, barrier nursing, infection control and critical care management.

We had never treated one single case of Ebola in Nigeria before, and doctors were on strike.

Praise The Lagos State authorities deserve some praise.

According to the Wall Street Journal : "What is clear, though is that hundreds more lives could have been saved if more West African governments acted as Lagos did."

Of course, all this would not have been possible or achievable without the input of, and partnership with, the Federal Ministry of Health and its extensive national and international contacts.

Prof. Onyebuchi and Dr Idris, both doctors themselves, have facilitated the early curtailment of the spread of this deadly virus.

It is my view, and prayer, that Nigeria can and will contain Ebola.

44—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

Nigerians lament spate of insurgency

By Vera Samuel Anyagafu

M

ANY Nigerians and nationals of neighbouring countries have condemned the insurgencies across most countries in the continent, describing the situation as disastrous. They assert that the spate of violence requires a better organised strategy from responsible governing authorities to address.

A source who spoke to Vanguard Consular Advisory on grounds of anonymity, attributed laxity on the part of governments as a factor encouraging illegal immigrants into affected countries, stressing that many of these countries’ governments are failing in their responsibilities in proposing and/or enforcing tough immigration laws against unqualified immigrants.

He said,“In Nigeria for instance, more than a handful of foreigners parade different regions without fear and do not

expect any level of restrictions from responsible regulatory bodies, such as Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS. Following NIS’ inability to rightfully exercise its primary duty, Nigeria has become vulnerable to insurgents and is subsequently exposed to undeserving infiltrations as a result of unguarded borders and or inefficient officials.

It is sad to know that many of the foreigners, who arrived Nigeria, either legally or illegally always have the mindset that Nigeria is synonymous to corruption and the regulating officers on duty are always ready and willing for a tip to the detriment of the lives and properties of the citizens.”

VCA gathered that recently in Agbara, a Nigerian Immigration Service officer, who was among the team positioned at the Agbara end of the country to monitor close borders between Nigeria, Benin and other neighbouring countries, was recently caught

accepting a cash bribe from a cross-country luxury bus driver heading towards Ghana.

Investigation revealed that it has been a routine among cross country transporters, whenever they have to transport illegal immigrants in and out of the country.

“It is indeed dissatisfying to see a Nigerian toying with the security and future of his country. It is even more ridiculing to know that a national can exchange the peace of his country for something as little as a few thousand naira.

I was perturbed to notice that the money squeezed into the palm of the NIS official by the luxury bus driver was just N2, 000. And for that amount, he readily and willingly traded the peace and security of his country and countrymen. This is so disgracing and dangerous to the nation’s well-being,” the source said.

He stressed the need to set up monitoring teams to oversee the

ills of these corrupt officers who are bent on thwarting all efforts towards ensuring that the right immigrants are permitted into Nigeria, adding that throughout the period he was privileged to leave the shores of Nigeria for either official or personal appointments, he had envied the way laws were enforced and maintained in countries visited.

entering without official and or authentic documentation. On many occasions, I wondered the kind of government we run and the kind of laws they prioritize.”

Similarly, another source stressed the need to sensitise and cross check the educational qualifications of some of Nigerian Immigration authorities, saying that many of the officers can barely write their names.

According to him, this has to a large extent, crippled work efficiency, for fact that they are easily intimidated and almost always used as tools for easier illegal penetration. He said, “In countries where law enforcement is efficient, responsible immigration authorities are always on

It is sad to know that many of the foreigners, who arrived Nigeria, either legally or illegally always have the mindset that Nigeria is synonymous to corruption He said that these countries’attitude to work are a way off from what is obtainable in Nigeria, adding, “an officer of the law in Nigeria is ever willing to accept a token and part with his essential primary duty, while security officer in countries I visited will never allow an immigrant overstay in their countries, how much more

ground and empowered with needed tools to ensure that movement of people in and out of the countries are closely monitored. In this case, there would be no room for insurgencies, as was always the case in many African countries of recent, especially Nigeria.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 —45

Why INEC can’t finance political parties — Jega

By Okey Ndiribe

T

FELLOWSHIP: From left, Chief Karetimi Oluwole, PDP council chairmanship flagbearer; member representing Bomadi/ Patani in the National Assembly, Rev. David Adesina; Mr. Nicholas Mutu (OFR), and Bishop Anthony Karuna, at the special prayer/anointing programme, organised by the Bomadi and Patani local government area chapters of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, in honour of the federal lawmaker, Rev. Adesina, in Bomadi.

Alleged killing of 4, 000 B/Haram suspects in army cells false — DHQ ... says military can't be intimidated

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BUJA — MILITARY authorities in Nigeria have lashed out at a British media organisation for alleging that about 4, 000 persons arrested and detained by the military in connection with the Boko Haram insurgency were killed in custody, saying the allegations would not hold water as it was designed to intimidate the military.

Accordingly, the military said the claim by the tabloid, even without efforts at cross checking from the authorities and relevant agencies, smacked of a biased mind-set against the Nigerian military and the Federal Government.

The military authorities in a publication culled from DHQ Blog, said: “The report credited to the British newspaper, Daily Independent, UK in which it claimed that Nigerian government committed war crimes by terrorising some of its citizens in the war against insurgency is to say the least, unduly judgmental and quite consistent with the disdain and bias with which a section of the western media reports Africa.

“The newspaper did not lay claim to any sense of professionalism in coming out with that grossly unsubstantiated and bogus allegation against the Nigerian government.

“No credible independent source or government official was contacted to ascertain the veracity of those wild claims yet the sanctimonious and allknowing Daily Independent could not exercise any restraint to be sure of its story.

“Is it not preposterous to even suggest that 4,000 people have died in military custody… when

it is on record that suspected terrorists are held in various facilities while being processed for prosecution? At what point then did 4,000 people die in military custody?

“This ludicrous report did not come as a surprise to anybody since this biased mind-set against Nigerian government has always characterised this newspaper even before the commencement of the ongoing counter-terrorist operation.

“The Daily Independent newspaper and its ilk should be

reminded that the Nigerian military and by extension the government cannot be intimidated by this patterned bias and supremacist mind-set in reporting Africa.

“Having adopted this kind of judgmental posture, we will not be surprised by any phantom video they will release to support their wild claim. We, therefore, urge the general public to discountenance this obviously jaundiced report or whatever phantom video as it is all aimed at tarnishing the

image of Nigerian military.

“The preposterous interrogative posture of Daily Independent since the inception of the war on terror in Nigeria clearly questions the integrity of the said documentary and is, therefore, an indication of frantic effort at tarnishing the Nigerian military and ultimately the Nigerian nation. The so-called documentary should, therefore, be taken with a pinch of the salt.”

2015: It's in the nation’s interest for Jonathan to contest — PDP ...says it'll do the needful

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA — AHEAD the 2015 presidential election and the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, strong indications emerged, yesterday, that the party may have pencilled President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate.

This comes as the national leadership of PDP said it was in the interest of the nation for President Jonathan to be the candidate for the poll.

According to PDP, President Jonathan, who should be given the opportunity of right of first refusal, has the inalienable right to contest.

The party said it would do the needful at the right time.

Speaking when the National Coordinator, House to House Campaign Organisation for Democracy, Ogidi Ben- Bara, led other members on a visit to his office at Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretary, Professor Wale

Oladipo, said PDP would win the 2015 presidential election in the interest of Nigeria. He stressed that the party had been known to work towards the development of the nation, adding that come 2015, it would continue its transformation agenda.

Speaking further, the PDP National Secretary noted that PDP stood for internal democracy and believed that politics should be for the service of humanity.

He said anything contrary to that would not be found in PDP, adding, “PDP stands for progress and the transformation agenda of this present administration must be taken to the end.

“We know that our leader, the President represents stability; he knows that enormous power has to be exercised with moderation and sledge hammer should not be used to kill a fly.”

According to him, the administration of President Jonathan had performed credibly in all the sectors, including energy and aviation, among

others.

Prof. Oladipo tongue-lashed the opposition, the All Progressives Congress, APC, who, he described, as a party synonymous with violence.

“APC, as far as I know, is a drug that has been banned. The name also means Armour Personnel Carrier, which is synonymous with violence.

“Our party, PDP, is not a party where a single man will sit in Lagos and decree who will be next governor. We follow due process and do the needful,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Coordonator of House to House Campaign Organisation, Ogidi Ben-Bara, reiterated that the group had declared President Jonathan as its candidate for the 2015 presidential election.

He disclosed that the group had set aside N19.5 million to purchase election form for the President when he eventually declared to contest the presidential election.

HE CHAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Attahiru Jega, has said the commission was barred by law to fund registered political parties.

Jega stated this, yesterday, in Abuja, shortly after declaring open a three-day 'Train the trainers' workshop which focused on the role and responsibilities of political party agents on election day which was organised by INEC, in collaboration with the Democratic Governance for Development Project, DGD, of the UNDP. “The issue of funding political parties is a constitutional matter. As I speak with you, the constitution of Nigeria does not permit INEC to fund political parties. But in many other countries, their laws allow for the funding of political parties,” Jega said.

Varsity accreditation free —NUC

By Laide Akinboade

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BUJA — THE N a t i o n a l Universities Commission, NUC, yesterday, denied allegation by the Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, Professor Kayode Makinde, that universities in Nigeria paid for course accreditation.

The Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie, stated this when he received the House Committee on Education, led by Suleiman Aminu, in Abuja.

He said the claim by the Vice Chancellor was untrue and a total fallacy.

The Vice Chancellor made the allegation that universities normally paid for accreditation in a television programme.

In a swift reaction, the NUC boss, who was represented by the 2nd Deputy Executive Secretary, Dr. Akinbode Agbaoye, said no tertiary institution in Nigeria paid for course accreditation.

He said: “It is a total fallacy for any university to claim that they pay for accreditation of courses.

The claim by Babcock University is totally untrue."

46 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

NB opens annual creative workshop

NUTGTWN flays ebola export, says it's medical terrorism

By Victor Ahiuma-Young & Chioma Obinna

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terrorism against a sister country – Nigeria. Sawyer, who possibly contracted the virus from his late sister was criminally cleared to engage in an ill-fated travel to Nigeria for a conference organised by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, without notifying the Nigerian government.”

He lamented that Nigerian workers were usually the first contact with anybody likely infected with the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, arguing that it was an occupational health and

safety challenge for organised workers. Aremu appealed to the Federal Government to quickly enter into negotiation with the striking doctors under the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA with a view to calling off the strike.

He said "it is time government engages the doctors by further providing them with the necessary insurance covers to deal with the latest menace of Ebola.

Let’s sack Ebola not doctors.

Above all, both the doctors and the government must be

HE annual Nigerian Breweries sponsored and Farafina Trust led Creative Writing Workshop has commenced in Lagos with 32 participants.The workshop which is led by internationally renowned Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Adichie, is scheduled to run from Tuesday, August 12 to Thursday, August 21, 2014.

Prolific Kenyan author and winner of the Caine Prize for African writing, Binyavanga Wainaina, Norwegian writer, Aslak Sire Myhre and the author of ‘Fine Boys’, Eghosa Imasuen have been invited to co-facilitate the workshop with Adichie. The 2014 Creative Writing Workshop will take the form of an interactive class session where participants will be assigned a wide range of reading, as well as daily writing exercises.

The participants will also be exposed to creative techniques to help them bring different perspectives to the art of storytelling. At the end of the workshop, participants will be presented with certificates at a literary evening of readings that will be opened to the public.

ATIONAL Union Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, yesterday, described the importation of the dreaded Ebola Virus disease, EVD, by the late American-Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, into the country as medical terrorism.

At a one-day sensitization programme for workers, organized by the union, its General Secretary, Mr. Issa Aremu, insisted that the action of the late Sawyer was a clear diplomatic indiscipline and called for immediate implementation of the national conference committee's recommendation on Foreign Policy and Diaspora Matters, which says that Nigeria should promote discipline within the ECOWAS community.

Aremu who is also a vicepresident of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, said though the Liberian Government had apologised to Nigeria but by allowing a confirmed Ebola Virus patient whose sister died of Ebola to travel, showed that Liberian authorities had knowingly and inadvertently engaged in medical tourism against a sister country.

He said,“I agreed with those who said by allowing Patrick Sawyer whose sister had died of the same disease, the Liberian authorities had knowingly and inadvertently engaged in medical

Auchi MFB holds AGM, Saturday

Piracy: Air force to deploy war planes

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By Ifeyinwa Obi

HE Nigerian Air Force, NAF, is set to deploy its war planes to fight piracy on Nigerian waters. Indications to this effect emerged, yesterday, at the sensitization conference for maritime stakeholders on the partnership between it and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.

HE Auchi Microfinance Bank’s Annual General Meeting, AGM, holds on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at its Banking Hall, Auchi at 10am. A statement by Mr. Jimoh Adamu, the Acting Secretary, said all shareholders should attend.

L-r: Mr Julius Omodayo-Owutuga,Group Chief Financial Officer, Forte Oil;Mr. Oscar Onyema,CEO NSE;Mr Akin Akinfemiwa,Group CEO Forte Oil, with Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director Business Development ,NSE; and Oludare Akinde;Group Head HR,Forte Oil. during the Facts Behind the Figures by Forte Oil Plc at the Nigeria Stock Exchange yesterday in Lagos.Pic:Joe Akintola;Photo Editor.

Under the new working arrangement between both parties, NAF airborne assets namely the ATR 42 MPA, the Mi-35P, Augusta Light Utility Helicopters, and where necessary, Alpha Jet aircraft and associated platforms, will be deployed to complement NIMASA’s other collaborative efforts with other government agencies to fight criminal activities on the nation’s

territorial waters.

NAF chief who was represented by Air Vice Marshal Adebowale Odunlade, said, “With this partnership, we are to see more synergy, more effectiveness on safety and security on our coastal waters. On the level of piracy, we are expected to see tough time for piracy, oil theft, sea robbery and other illegal activities because by

the time we deploy all the platforms we will be able to monitor happenings on the coastal water.”

Director General of NIMASA, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, said that in fulfillment of the mandate of the agency to secure maritime domain, conduct search and rescue, maritime safety and effect compliance to regulatory obligation; the agency decided to partner the Air Force to make Nigeria waters safe from illegal activities.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

tempered by the miserable Nigeria’s health numbers.”

He stressed the need for the government not to neglect other diseases such as malaria and cholera which had been killing people more than the dreaded Ebola, saying, “As deadly as Ebola a virus disease is, we should not forget there are other diseases like malaria, polio and cholera which have cure but still rampant in the country. Thus as we battle with Ebola, we should do more with other diseases with known treatment/prevention.”

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On Aregbesola victory at Osun election

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HE biggest winners are the people of Osun State who despite the intimidating presence of the military and other armed-to-the-teeth security personnel, trooped out to cast their votes and make their choices known. Mr. Luqman Rogba- Engineer

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ITH the outcome of Osun gubernatorial election, there’s brighter future for Nigeria and Nigerians. Let us all now work together in developing this nation. I say congratulation to Governor Aregbeshola of Osun state. Mr. Abdulkareem Abdulrafeehi- Businessman

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HE victory of APC in Osun State is a welcome development and not a limitation for the PDP but to go back to the drawing board to strategies positively. People complain of the heavy presence of military personals at election arena.

Mr. Simon HumphreyWorker

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O N G R AT U L A TIONS Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola thank God there will not be any litigation from APC, let this Aggrieved People Congress'' learn from PDP the biggest political party in Africa- Mr. Musa Abubaka - Businessman

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HIS Election is a pointer to the Sincerity of the Jonathan administration to channel a good and democratic path for the Nigerian Masses. This is a victory to the people of Osun state, they have chosen their leader. Mr. Ganiyu Kolawole - Teacher

ET Rauf Aregbesola sa L vor his victory by embracing all shades and seg-

ments of the entire population of Osun State, and he should start the healing process immediately. Congratulations to re-elected Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his clear-cut victory on the ballot-box at the polls.

Mr. Taofic Musibau- Self Employed

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 —47

2015: Delta North must grab power from south, central — Uwaka

Bauchi expends N950m to resettle IDPs

By Suzan Edeh

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AUCHI — THE Bauchi State Government has said it expended N950 million in resettling Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, who migrated from some neighbouring states because of insecurity.

Permanent Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Alhaji Mahmud Garba, disclosed this yesterday in a chat.

According to him, “Bauchi State is currently hosting displaced persons from Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Plateau and Kaduna states who are currently settled in Bauchi, Dass, Tafawa Balewa, Bogoro, Toro, Gamawa, Giade, Darazo and Misau local government areas.

"The agency has succeeded in touching the lives of displaced families residing in different camps in the state with the support of the state government. One of the camps, for instance, is in Mararrabar Liman Katagum in Bauchi Local Government area, where over 300 families were supported with food items, building materials and clothings.

"Other camps are cited in Wuro Magaji, Wuro Jauro and Liman Katagum in Bauchi Local Government, Kuletu in Dass as well as Zabir camp in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.”

He commended the state

Ikeja City Mall holds fashion show

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T was pomps and pageantry, Saturday, as the Ikeja City Mall Alausa held it second edition of Catwalk in ICM 2014, a fashion and music show, where consumers were treated to rewarding entertainment with free gifts and refreshments.

According to the centre manager of the mall, Mr. Norman Sander, “this year edition is to further prove that Ikeja City Mall is not just a shopping place but fast becoming a really big social network avenue in the community, where people meet for healthy social interactions and exchange of positive business ideas while they enjoy themselves.

"They are not just coming to shop but also to have fun and share a transforming experience.”

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Chief Executive Officer of SAP, Africa, Pfungwa Serima (left) and Robert Enslin, member, Executive Board of SAP SE and President, Global Customer Operations, at the World Trade Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa during the announcement of $500 by SAP to upskill local African talents and drive innovation, yesterday. Photo: EMEKA AGINAM.

APC warns against plot to arrest Borno chairman •Urges DSS to shun partisanship

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BUJA — THE All Progressives Congress, APC, has warned against plan by the Department of State Services, DSS, acting at the behest of some politicians, to arrest its chairman in Borno State, Hon Ali Abubakar Dalori, on trumped-up charges, saying it is capable of precipitating a crisis in an already volatile environment.

In a statement in Abuja, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the situation in Borno was already very dire, hence no one should add fuel to a raging fire simply because of scorched-earth politics.

It also warned the DSS to resist the growing temptation to dabble into politics, even while it was becoming very glaring that the agency was being compromised under the present political dispensation.

According to the statement, "the careless and clearly partisan statements being made by DSS spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, have shown all discerning Nigerians the direction in which the agency is leaning. However, it must still exercise great caution not to spark a needless crisis in Borno.

"We have it on good authority that with the recent movement of Ali Modu Sheriff to the PDP, attempts are being made to destabilise the APC in Borno, using agencies of state like the DSS. The take-off point is the arrest of our chairman in the state on trumped-up charges.

"Let those who are seeking to

trigger a crisis in Borno know that the people of the state are resolute in their determination to ensure a level playing field in the run-up to the 2015 election. It is curious that the DSS has suddenly unearth supposed offences committed by Hon Ali Abubakar Dalori to warrant his arrest, now that Sheriff has defected to the PDP. "Again, we are compelled to warn the DSS that, as an organ of state, it cannot afford to be partisan. An agency being sustained by the tax-payers cannot turn around to hunt the same tax-payers.

"An agency that is supposed to protect the people of Nigeria

cannot be the same agency being used to witch-hunt the opposition.

"Unless the DSS turns a new leaf and stop making itself a tool in the hands of politicians, the agency will ridicule itself and weaken its capacity to function effectively."

The party urged the DSS and other security agencies to concentrate their efforts on arresting the daily carnage being perpetrated in Borno and other states by Boko Haram instead of allowing those who helped to precipitate the carnage in the first instance to further destabilise the state.

governorship aspirant in Delta State, Mr. Michael Uwaka, has described the agitation for power shift to the northern senatorial district in 2015 as a moral issue, urging political stakeholders in the area to work towards taking over power.

Uwaka, who spoke after collecting his permanent voter's card, at his ward in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for putting in place a swift system for the exercise.

Uwaka said that power will not be delivered to Delta North which has not produced governor since the state was created in 1991 on a platter of gold unless it was fought for.

He said: “I must tell you from my own understanding what power shift is all about.

It is a moral issue in the sense that you do not expect somebody to give you power just like that, you have to fight for power.

"Power is not easily gained. So if you ask me whether the Central or South will willingly give power to the North, I will say that it is a moral issue.”

CT minister, NCC endorse ICT media centenary award

By Emeka Aginam

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BUJA — MINISTER of Communications Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, and Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, have endorsed ICT Centenary Award.

According to them, it is a positive development in recognition of individuals and corporate entities that toiled to create the values that are currently being globally celebrated as landmark achievements in the ICT ecosystem in Nigeria.

Other industry leaders that have embraced the event

include the immediate past Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC and Chairman of OpenMedia, Dr Ernest Ndukwe; Director General,National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Peter Jack and Director General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Mr Chris Onyemenam.

The industry leaders expressed their support for the programme when a delegation of the promoters of the event visited them at different times in Lagos and Abuja.

While receiving a delegation of the ICT Media Initiative, a coalition of all ICT media

practitioners in Nigeria, the minister told the team that celebrating the achievements in the ICT sector and individuals who have distinguished themselves was worth the drive.

Similarly, while welcoming the group to his office in Abuja, Juwah commended the ICT Media Initiative for deeming it worthy to articulate the bold steps that the leadership of the NCC had taken in the last few years to sustain the growth pattern in the ICT sector of the economy.

The Director-General of both NITDA and NIMC also commended the ICT Media Initiatives for the bold move at rewarding individuals and institutions that have impacted on the ICT for development within the Nigerian space.

48 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY: From left; Governor UNVEILING: From left; Managing Director, Bunor Creazioni Designer, Frank Oshodi Richard; 2014 Face of Native and Vogue (Female category winner), Adoki Joy; Permanent Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, his deputy, Alhaji Alli Olanusi Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Rivers State, Mrs. Cordelia and Chief Judge, Rt. Hon Olasehinde Kumuyi, at the Peterside, representing Commissioner for Information and Comminication, Mrs. Ibim groundbreaking ceremony of the Akure Shopping Mall, in Akure.

Seminatari; 2014 Face of Native and Vogue (Male Category Winner), Dennis Atiegoba and Managing Director, NEO MANTRA, Nkiruka Oguadinma at the unveiling of the 2014 Face of Native and Vogue in Port Harcourt.

CONDOLENCE VISIT: Mr Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi (left) with Mr Adeola Jokomba, Chairman of Ikorodu North LG during their condolence visit to Late Oba Salaudeen Oyefusi of Ikorodu over the weekend. Photo by Shola Oyelese.

GULDER ULTIMATE SEARCH: From left; Onyeka Okoli, Senior Brand Manager, Gulder; Emmanuel Agu, Marketing Manager, Gulder, Legend & Life; Walter Drenth, Marketing Director, all of Nigerian Breweries Plc. and Chima Okeniukpe, Creative Director, Insight Communications Ltd; at the Gulder Ultimate Search 11 regional selection exercise, held at Union Bank Shopping complex, Surulere, Lagos.

LAUNCH: From left: Regional Sales Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Chizoba Ojielo; Ace Disc Jockey, DJ Humility; and Divisional Sales Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Uche Mbah, at the Orijin National Launch held in Onitsha.

UN YOUTH DAY: From left; Senior Public Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre, UNIC, Lagos, Ms. Envera Selimovic; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Youth & Social Development, Dr. Dolapo Badru; and President, Strategies for Mentoring Initiative & Leadership Empowerment, S.M.I.L.E, Mrs. Bimpe Bamgbose-Martins, during the 2014 United Nations International Youth Day Celebration by SMILE, in Lagos.

AWARD: From left; Head, Media Relations, PRRedline, Eric Eghaghe; Princess Lady Zpee of Zpee Production; Mrs Titilola Aboyade-Cole, MD, Podium Int'l; Head, Strategy and Business Devt, PRRedline, Aishat Bello-Garuba and Head, Media Research & Analysis, PRRedline, Ganiyu Olowu receiving Classic Africa Merit Award (CAMA 2014) Outstanding PR Company of the Year, held in Lagos.

PARLEY: From left; President, Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria, MIPAN; Mr Tolu Ogunkoya; President, Advertisers Association of Nigeria, ADVAN, Mr Kola Oyeyemi; Director General of National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Chief Emeka Mba; C.E.O, Ultima Limited, Mr Femi Ayeni and the Registrar, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, Alhaji Garba Kankarofi, during a breakfast session with NBC on the digitalisation of the electronic media in Lagos.

VALEDICTORY: Proprietress, Oloruntele Integrity School, Mrs. Mologede Oluwakemi Otuyemi (6th right) with graduating SS3 students during their valedictory and graduation ceremony.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY , August 20, 2014 — 49

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50 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 —

51

My husband’s the reason I was unfaithful

Caught having sex in the office Dear Bunmi, ECENTLY, I left some of things I purchased for the house at work, but when I popped back to the office to get it, I found two married colleagues having it away on the office desk! I quickly

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picked what I came for and left. But things are no longer the same in the office and the atmosphere between us is awful. Do I need to make amends?

Anne By e-mail

His drinking could ruin our relationship Dear Bunmi, ’VE been with my boyfriend for close to two years and we’re very much in love. My former boyfriend was nice but very possessive and we never did anything together. My current boyfriend is such a contrast but I’m concerned about his drinking.

I told him he had to cut down on it and he agreed but a few days later, he was back at his favourite beer-parlour.

My father was an alcoholic and he used to beat my mother.

My boyfriend is different from him, but my experience of drink has shown me how bad the result can be. The fact that we disagree on this issue pots a strain on our relationship.

Apart from this, we’re very much in love. He accepts he has to limit his drinking and he’s made progress. But I feel bad if he started drinking to excess.

Boyede By e-mail

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Dear Boyede, T’S obvious you have a lingering fear of men-and not just of those who drink.

After all, your dad, the man whose love you most needed, handed you fear instead. He abused drink and the mother you loved and worshipped.

The disenchantment has left a cruel mark. As an adult, you resist the intimacy that you think of as being possessive.

Your boyfriend’s eagerness for life must have thrilled you initially. Now, his relaxed behaviour seems too scary to you. Because he fails to control his drinking tightly, you felt uncomfortably confronted to proof that he is after all another man who is unreliable.

Well no man is perfect!

You’ve advised your boyfriend to be wary of abusing alcohol.

Good for you. Instead of repeatedly condemning his drinking, understand and respect his zest for living. You have much you could learn from him, be there to pick him up.

Many men learn how to handle

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alcohol only from their own early mistakes. Either love your man and accept his fallible man for who he is – or walk away.

Dear Anne, HERE is nothing to make amends for. You didn’t ask your workmates to have sex on the desk and it’s not your fault you caught them.

The bad atmosphere is almost certainly down to the fact that they feel guilty for what they did and are scared stiff you might spill the beans.

If you want to clear the air, just assure them that you’re not going to shop them to their spouses. But don’t apologise – you have done nothing to feel bad about. The problem is theirs.

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The friend who doesn’t measure up We are all good dressers but Dear Bunmi, I’m with a group of friends and we eventually decided to form a social club. We meet once a month in each others’ home for drink and a chat.

Should I leave him for my child’s dad?

Dear Bunmi, ’M a single mother of a twoyear-old and I’m 26. I’ve been with my current boyfriend for a year and I love him. Recently, on one of his rare visits to his son, my ex made it clear he would love us to get back again. We were an item for three years.

My fear now is that I might discover I love him more than my current boyfriend. Yet my ex has two sides - he’s loving, caring and loads of fun most of the time, but he’s also been known to be a skirt chaser and I’m really confused as to what to do. Can you help?

Linda, Bye-mail

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Dear Linda, woman in love with two men has to be really cautious. Allow yourself to get to know your new man better but encourage your ex to be a caring father to you on. As t e months pass, it will become apparent whether he can love and unconditionally or not. Just as you once accepted that he’d had sex with other women, so will he neetl to accept that you continue to have sex with another man whom you met when the two of you broke up.

In the end, you may even discover you don’t love either of them in a way that will endure. True love is clear on your having no choice but to love a partner completely, with no doubts whatever.

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one of us really needs decent clothes and modern headties. It would have been understandable if she couldn’t afford to dress better but she just couldn’t be bothered.

As a result, we often talk behind her back, as no one really wants her in the club’ she sticks out and none of us has the nerve to tell her. We’ve all known her for years and we wonder if there is a way to tell her nicely to find her level. We are planning our next anniversary and we don’t want her to be part of it. How do we tell her?

Eunice By e-mail Dear Eunice, I’m really glad I’m not a part of this charming and caring club of yours! Do you all carry sharp knives to stab yourselves in the back? If one of your happy-goback lucky club members is unhappy, is drunk or suddenly has a stroke, is the automatically shunned for letting the club down? This so-called badly dressed woman relies on the friendship of members of the club, so make her feel welcome and include her in your anniversary plans. If you feel she would be happier being better dressed, then invite her to accompany you next time you shop for clothes and head ties.

This poor woman may have the impression that who is she and the way she looks are no longer important, and it is up to you to help her to rediscover pride in her appearance. She will really lose her self esteem if she catches a whiff of your plot to oust her from the club. Instead of causing her pain, you and your conceited friends should help her to boost her ego. If you can’t help her one another in simple ways, maybe you should consider disbanding and finding nicer friends.

Dear Bunmi, ’VE been married to my husband for over 20 years and we have four lovely children. He’s always had series of affairs that I’ve lost count of the times I stopped talking to him about them and when friends did, he told them smugly that he must be doing something right or I would have left. He says his affairs are really for the sex and that he would never leave me for another woman. Big deal!

I’m quite an attractive woman myself and still wear a size 14 dress. I have a good job and dress well and recently, I started looking at other men the way my husband might look at other women and wondered what it would be like to have sex with them. You know what? My husband was right. You can have good sex without getting emotional involved as I’ve since found out. I don’t know if he suspects anything, but lately he’s being jealous, why should he have all the fun?

Halimat, By e-mail

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Dear Halimat RE you really happy sleeping with another man who probably is also married? You tolerated your husband’s affairs because he assured you the women with whom he had this casual, uncaring sex meant nothing to him. Rather, he used them for sexual variety and to maintain “his self image as a stud who could pull the girls despite a wife and four kids.

Because you must have been sure of your husband’s love, his affairs didn’t seem to be a threat to your marriage.

To a woman who had always been faithful to her husband, you’re playing with fire by suddenly sleeping with another man in your middle-age. You’re putting your pride, your selfconfidence and your commitment to the future of your marriage at stake. Your husband might suspect your infidelity but what happens if any of your children finds out? Continue being the supportive wife and mother you’ve always been. Talk to your husband to slow down. Don’t worry, age would soon do that for him!

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How do I get rid of this dupe?

Dear Bunmi, HEN I recently went abroad to be with my daughter who just had a baby, I left the running of my business to my live-in-lover of almost ten years. I’d left him in charge in the past and nothing on-towards happened. But when I came back this time, I discovered that a huge chunk of the takings was missing. He didn’t mention it until the theft was discovered.

When I confronted him, he said he borrowed the money and was hoping to put it back before I had time to discover it missing.

Unfortunately, the business he pump the money into turned out to a ‘419’ deal.

I’m still in shock and I’ve told him to leave. But he has refused to, saying he’s contributed to the running of my business over the years and shouldn’t be used and dumped. I don’t love him anymore. How do I get rid of him?

Mope By e-mail

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Dear Mope, T is a pity that your boyfriend had betrayed the trust you had in him by spending your money behind your back – no matter how genuine his reasons, it’s sad that he betrayed the trust you’d built in him in the ten years you had together.

Unfortunately, there is no hope of getting your money back and now he’s talking about being used and dumped?

Now that you no longer have any respect for him, your best bet is not g be antagonistic. Let him know how you feel about the relationship and if he wants to prove difficult, you’ll have no choice but in involve the police.

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Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

52 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 Edited by: Emma Nnadozie emmadozie@hotmail.com 08023145281, 08111813021

By NWABUEZE OKONKWO, Onitsha IT is no longer news that gunmen who kidnapped Chief Michael Obi, father of John Mikel Obi, Super Eagles’ midfielder and Chelsea star and demanded four billion US Dollars as ransom, were arrested recently in Anambra State. What is however news is that the kidnappers carried out the nefarious act in August, 2011 in Jos, Plateau State and were arrested in Anambra State in August 2014, three years later to pay dearly for their nefarious activities.

The same deadly gang was equally alleged to have kidnapped the Personal Assistant to the former Commissioner of Works in Anambra State, Mr Clement Ayika (Captain), Mr Pius Maduka, elder brother to Chief Cosmas Maduka of the Coscharis Group, among several others, on various dates and demanded various sums of money as ransom.

Exchange of gunfire While some members of the gang had died during an exchange of gun fire with the police, others were charged to court, just like some of their houses were recently demolished by the state government.

Incidentally, they were arrested during the present regime of Governor Willie Obiano who has, from day one of his administration, sworn not to allow criminals operate in the state freely.

The arrest of over 21 kidnappers by the Police across the state in the last one month has thus sent warning signals to the hoodlums.

A source explained that of this number now in Police net, 15 had been on the wanted list while two of the suspects are already being prosecuted in the courts. Government sources quoted Governor Obiano as saying that some of the high profile kidnap cases carried out by the suspects was that of the father of Super Eagles and Chelsea Football star, John

•A building belonging to one of the kidnappers being demolished recently.

How 15 wanted kidnap kingpins were arrested in Anambra •Kidnappers of soccer star, Mikel Obi’s father, inclusive •Why Anambra is winning the war “the state is winning the war against criminals and has continued to empower Operation Kpochapu, the state joint security team, with necessary equipment and gadgets including over 60 security vehicles to aid their operations. Governor Obiano explained that the State Vigilante Service is being re-organized and the personnel retrained and screened to weed out bad eggs with a retired Commissioner of Police now in-charge. He stated that the drone and closed circuit

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The arrest of over 21 kidnappers by the Police across the State within the last one month has thus sent warning signals to the hoodlums

Mikel Obi. The governor was quoted to have disclosed this while reacting to the latest demolition exercise carried out in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the state for two consecutive days. A total of six bungalows belonging to kidnap king-pins and their collaborators in the Awkuzu area which were used as dens for several victims were pulled down.

An obviously elated Obiano was further quoted as saying that

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television and other crime detection techniques and technology deployed across the state are yielding desired result, thus the criminals and miscreants have no hiding places anymore. The governor commended the security agencies and urged the citizens to continue to support the government to sustain the tempo.

The demolished buildings included a four-bed room bungalow at Umudunu Dusogu, Awkuzu built by one Izuchukwu who

died in a gun battle with the Police on 9th February 2014; and another four bedroom bungalow with adjoining boys quarters owned by the Nwadike family of Obinetiti Dusogu village, Awkuzu, which was used as a den for kidnap victims by one of their daughters, one Baby Igbanugo Nwadike, now at large, and members of her gang.

Kidnap victims The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, Mr. Finihan Adeboye who spoke on the development, said that the buildings were used severally for incarceration of kidnap victims who were compelled to pay millions of Naira to secure their freedom.

He confirmed that one of the suspects confessed that over N20million was realized as ransom from the house at Umudunu, while over N80 million was collected from several victims kept at the Obinetiti, Awkuzu, kidnap den. DCP Adeboye explained that the demolition exercise is in keeping with the provisions of the law and the directive of Governor Willie Obiano, who has revoked the rights of occupancy of the

building and land.

According to DCP Finihan Adeboye, “the exercise is a confirmation of the resolve of the state governor and the entire security agencies that the war against crime and all forms of criminality is a continuous one, which will not be stopped until the state is

rid of all forms of criminality.”

Some residents of the area expressed joy that the governor is carrying the war against kidnappers to all nooks and crannies of the state and praised him for sustaining the war against criminals in Anambra State.

Driver gags, rapes

By ESTHER ONYEGBULA

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HEN 15-year-old Loveth (not real name) started living as a maid with one Madam Elizabeth, the expectations of her parents was for her to have a fresh start in life.

For a teenage mother who had gone through a lot in the last few months, living with a guardian at No. 18, Ogo-Oluwa Street, off Sabo Bus-Stop, Ojodu Berger, Lagos, was not only a dream come true, but a second chance to put the broken pieces of her life together.

But the desire to have a fresh start seems to be vanishing into thin air as the unexpected happened recently, when her guardian’s driver, Nelson Eke,

allegedly tied her up and raped her after her madam went to church.

How it happened Crime Alert learnt that on that fateful day, her guardian reportedly went to church by public transport after her driver claimed that the car had suddenly developed a fault, without anyone suspecting he had an ulterior motive. The woman gave the driver N6,000 with which to repair the car before leaving for church and asked him to bring it to church after fixing it.

Immediately madam left the house, instead of taking the vehicle to the mechanic, he came inside and asked the victim to give him drinking water,

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 — 53

Tears of joy, as Rivers POWA empowers Police wives, widows W

•DC Alkali Shaba (DC, Operations) representing the Commissioner of Police, CP Tunde Ogunsakin, with other officers.

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IVES of Policemen in Rivers State including those that lost their husbands, recently, shed tears of joy during the empowerment scheme organized by Police Officers Wives Association, POWA, to give them economic sustenance.

Chairperson of the association, Rivers State chapter, Mrs Chinyere Ogunsakin, said at the occasion that the scheme was developed and executed to give economic sustenance to wives and widows of Policemen as well as equip them in case of any fatal eventuality. She said it involved training and empowering 120 women and youths in various areas such as tailoring, cosmetology, bead/ hat making and catering/hotel management, events management and general business development.

The scheme also witnessed the giving out of industrial grinding machines and securing accommodation for widows of fallen policemen. Every trainee was presented with a certificate.

This is the first time we are witnessing this kind of a thing where the widows who have been forgotten are remembered for good and given hope

Wholescale empowerment In her speech during the event, the chairperson expressed joy that the plan of carrying out such a whole scale empowerment had finally come to fruition. She expressed satisfaction that this first phase was a success.

POWA, she said, was established with the objective of providing socio-economic support and empowerment to Police officers’ wives and their wards.

This has become the sole preserve of the Rivers State chapter under her watch. “We want to give a helping hand to our trained women to enable them start on their own journey to

•Mrs Ogunsakin fulfilment and financial liberation.”

The chairperson also shared her vision of forming a cooper-

ative of those beneficiaries who take the empowerment seriously so as to obtain loans from corporate organizations like the

Central Bank of Nigeria.

The beneficiaries in response couldn’t contain their joy as they danced joyously around the chairperson, singing song after song with the Police band at hand dishing out melodious music. For the widows who were provided with accommodation, emotions flowed freely as they let the tears flow uncontrollably.

Mrs. Ogunsakin was moved to tears herself when the widows clustered around her, went on their knees and began proclaiming countless blessings on her and her family.

15-year-old nursing mother which she did before he allegedly tied her and raped her, after which he took the car to the mechanic for repairs.

A family source told Crime Alert, “At about 8am when Loveth was taking breakfast downstairs after madam left the house for church, Uncle Nelson (madam’s drivzGagged: The victim, Loveth er) requested for drinking water.

She reportedly left her food, dining area to continue eating went upstairs to get him water. when Nelson came inside and After giving him water, she poured engine oil into her cup came back to the kitchen down- of tea and asked her to drink stairs, carried her food to the it.

“Initially, she refused to drink it but he pushed the chair where she was sitting down and she fell, hitting her head on the floor. He then poured the tea into her mouth forcefully. As she struggled to run, she fell down. He then used his shoe to press her hand down to the ground. When she tried shouting, he used her wrapper to cover her mouth, tied the other hand as well and raped her.”

It was gathered that while she was struggling to loosen herself, one of the dining chairs fell on her chest. She was there till her madam came back at about 2pm.

Lamentation The family source lamented the fate that befell Loveth: “For

goodness sake, Loveth is a nursing mother trying to make amends for her past mistake only for this man to rape her.

She works as a maid for her madam who takes good care of her and her baby.”

It was further gathered that when her madam returned from church, she saw the victim upstairs, tied down and eventually reported the case to the police. The victim was also taken to the hospital where tests were carried out.

Although the suspect, Nelson, agreed to have had carnal knowledge of her, he denied using her wrapper to tie her up.

The case is still being investigated by men of the State CID, Panti, in Lagos.

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One of the widows of a late Inspector, Mrs. Theresa Israel, in tears, commended this initiative as the best attempt at empowerment by any POWA administration. According to her: ”This is the first time we are witnessing this kind of a thing where the widows who have been forgotten are remembered for good and given hope, God must bless our mummy.”

Mrs. Janet Agoreyo, another beneficiary who continued dancing and singing long after the programme said that she was so glad that she could comfortably say that the days of sharing bags of rice were over. She had been placed on a pedestal to aid her husband in providing for the family.

All the women sought for opportunity to air their appreciation and relief regarding the scheme. Mrs. Constance Mbajunwa was beaming with smiles as she recounted how she had been through hard times and thanked ‘Mummy’ for striking all the right notes in just seven months of being in Rivers State.

DC Alkali Shaba (DC, Operations) representing the commissioner of Police, CP Tunde Ogunsakin, was quick to commend the POWA chairperson and her executive for the initiative and stated that it is a morale booster to the entire Police Force. He also intimated that the Rivers State Police command will do everything to support POWA in all its endeavours.

54—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

Ogoni in US meet on 2015 guber, UNEP report, others

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HE People of Ogoni ethnic nationality of Rivers State resident in the United States of America, USA, are set to meet on their future in the present day Rivers State and Nigeria in general.

The conference, organised under the auspices of Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, in the United States, is slated for August 22 to 24 in Atlanta, Georgia.

A statement by the Secretary-General, MOSOP-USA, Mr. Michael Akoka, said the three-day conference will discuss the 2015 governorship project, clamour for creation of Bori State, non-implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, report on Ogoniland among others.

DELSU launches book on ecology

By Akpokona Omafuaire

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ARRI—ALL is now set for the presentation of a book, Ecology: Concept, Politics and Legislation, edited by Professor M. Gasioku, Dean Faculty of Law, today at the Delta State University, DELSU, Campus, Oleh.

The event will be chaired by Justice. S. Oseji, while the Secretary to Delta State Government, Mr. Macaulay Ovuozuorie and the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly will be the guest of honour and chief guest of honour, respectively.

Also expected at the event are Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Z. Smith; Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Frank Omare; Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Hope Eghagha; Delta State Attorney General/ Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Charles Ajuyah, while DELSU's Vice Chancellor, Professor Eric Arubayi will be guest of honour.

PATANI YOUTHS TO CLARK: Our LG funds not for medical use

By Festus Ahon

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GHELLI—AS protests continue to trail the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chairmanship primaries in Patani Local Government Area, Delta State, youths of the area, yesterday said the council's funds were not meant for the treatment of individuals.

Alleging the purported

imposition of Mrs Josephine Abeki on the people of the area

by Chief Edwin Clark, the youths alleged that her plan was to cater for her husband, who has been sick.

The youths said they will not fold their alms while their future was being toyed with.

Mr. Binatare Bumotu, who spoke when the youths stormed the Ughelli PDP office in their

numbers, said: “Patani council has not witnessed any reasonable development because of unnecessary imposition of candidate on us.

“Chief Clark wants to impose on us the former chairperson who served for three years and could not do anything for the council.”

Also speaking, Mr. Kelvin Arijovwode and Tare Ekpesa

said they were not supporting any candidate but want the right thing to be done in other to bring development to the council.

They insisted that they will not succumb to cheap blackmail, not even from a well-respected leader like Chief Clark, who was in the forefront of the struggle for the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan as President in 2011.

...as PFN hosts Bomadi, Patani rep

B FUTA'S REGISTRY LECTURE: From left— Dr. Modupe Ajayi, Registrar; Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, and current Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State; Professor Adedayo Fasakin, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic; and Professor Tolulope Akinbogun, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Development, during the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA’s Registry sixth annual lecture on Universities of the Future: Roles of the Stakeholders.

4 Edo govt-owned tertiary institutions down tools zIt's not fair; we were negotiating— COMMISSIONER

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—ACADEMIC activities in Edo State Government-owned four tertiary institutions were grounded yesterday, following the strike action embarked upon by the staff over alleged non-payment of about 16month salary arrears.

The institutions are the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi; College of Education, Ekiadolor; Institute of Management Technology, Usen, and College of Education, Igueben.

The leadership of the Coalition of Unions of StateOwned Tertiary Institutions lamented that several attempts to resolve the dispute between the unions and the state government had yielded no result, hence their decision to embark on strike.

However, state government, through the Commissioner for Higher Education, Mr. Washington Osifo, described the strike action as unfair, saying the workers failed to give government the opportunity to iron out the problems after the meeting held last week Thursday.

He said: “Prior to 2012 when the Federal Government

announced the new salary structure, state owned tertiary institutions were covered. But we needed to domesticate it and that was negotiated by the Federal Government and not states.

“So, it is not like a fiat. You have to make provision for that at the state level and we decided to key into the federal structure, even when some states refused.

“Whereas government negotiated in some other sectors, because the Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led administration

holds education in high esteem, he said we will abide by Federal Government’s agree-ment as regards those workers.

“The painful aspect of it is that if we used the whole of last Thursday to deal with their matter, one expected them to wait so we can discuss it further at an enlarged meeting where the governor will be present.

“While we were waiting to fix a date to see them on Monday, we received a letter that they were embarking on strike.”

O M A D I — CHRISTIANS in Bomadi and Patani Local Government areas, Delta State, under the aegis of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, organised a one-day special prayer and anointing programme in honour of Mr. Nicholas Mutu, member representing Bomadi/ Patani federal constituency in the National Assembly.

Mutu, who was received on arrival by his supporters, was ushered into the venue of the programme, where clerics of various denominations were on hand for the anointing service.

In his sermon, Rev. David Adesina, who described Mutu as the anointed son of the Niger Delta, said: “He is the man with the light of God to lead the people of the Niger Delta forward.”

Mutu, who thanked the leadership of the Christian family for the special prayer and anointing service organised in his honour, admonished politicians in the state to note that power belongs to God, as “only God can give power.”

Women laud Olejeme on grassroots programmes

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group, Uplifting Women Through Farming, UWTF, a non-governmental organisation set up to encourage and promote rural women in agriculture, has lauded the strides of Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, one of the governorship aspirants in Delta State, for identifying with women at the grassroots.

A statement by Founder of UWTF, Afoma Adigwe, described Olejeme as a “trailblazer and a woman who has the milk of compassion flowing for women.”

Adigwe said in the statement that although she had not met Olejeme personally, some UWTF members who came across her through her empowerment

programmes spoke of her deeds.

She said: “Delta State will be a better place if we have more women like her, who take it upon themselves to take care of

women at the grassroots. We are commending her and also encouraging her not to relent in her efforts in uplifting women in the state.”

Youths task Okpe indigenes on voters' registration

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HE umbrella body of Okpe youths, Okpe Youth Council, OYC, has appealed to all eligible Okpe sons and daughters within and outside Delta State to make themselves available and participate in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, voter ’s registration

exercise.

Addressing newsmen in Sapele, OYC National President, Engr. Felix Oborodowan, said: “The exercise will provide the opportunity for Okpe sons and daughters to have a say on who governs them in the next political dispensation.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 —55

FARMERS, HERDSMEN CLASH: Law to

MOTOR-PARK TOUTS:

criminalise illegal grazing under way in Enugu

UNSCAM gives LASG 21 days

By Tony Edike

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NUGU — ENUGU State House of Assembly has commenced moves to halt frequent violent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the state.

A bill, entitled, 'A law to make provisions for the control of nomadic cattle rearing in Enugu State and other matters related thereto,' is being sponsored by Chinedu Nwamba, who represents Nsukka East constituency.

The lawmaker told journalists in Enugu, yesterday, that the bill when passed into law, would promote symbiotic relationship between the farmers and the herdsmen.

Nwamba, who lamented that several lives and property had been lost in different parts of the country, owing to the clashes, urged other states to replicate the law.

He said: “The main reason behind this bill is to ensure adequate peace between the two parties - farmers and herdsmen.

Nobody in this country is ignorant of some violent clashes which have occurred as a result of disagreement between the farmers and the herdsmen.

“We have cases where the herdsmen will allow their cattle to grave on farmlands, and when the farmers kill the cows in retaliation, the herdsmen will go

further extent to challenge the farmers.

“So, it is my firm belief that when this bill is passed into law, it will end conflict and promote peace between these parties.

They need the services of each other.”

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

It further provided that “any person who permits cattle to graze in an area not designated as grazing area in the state shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to six months imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 or both.

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

designated grazing areas.

“Cattle found grazing in an area not designated a grazing area in the state shall be impounded by the impounding master or any other person duly authorised by the commissioner.”

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

CONFERENCE: From left, Country Manager, Core Group Africa, Sachin Verma; Head of GloWorld, Mrs. Titilayo Ebinisi, and Head of Glo Zone, Tunde Alimi, at a press conference to announce the start of sale of genuine Apple devices at all Glo outlets across the country.

No zoning in Imo — PDP chieftain

By Anayo Okoli

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MUAHIA — SECRETARY, Imo State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. George Eguh, has assured that the party was determined to provide a level playing ground for all aspirants for the 2015 governorship ticket.

According to Eguh, the contest

remains open to all qualified aspirants as the party had never zoned the governorship position to any section of the state.

Eguh spoke when he received Senator Ifeanyi Araraume’s Destiny Organisation which paid him a courtesy call in his country home at Ihitte/Uboma Local Government Area.

He explained that no senatorial

zone would be given any preferential treatment in the contest for the ticket of the party, assuring that all aspirants should go to the field and slug it out.

According to him, the PDP in the state was more than ready to avoid the ugly incident of 2007, when a party member won the primary but was denied the ticket.

Man 38, docked for defiling girl, 7

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS — A man, Monday Ogbeyin, 38, who defiled a 7-year-old- girl, (name withheld), has been arraigned before an Ebute-Metta Magistrate’s Court, sitting at Oyingbo.

The defendant, who claimed to be a father of two, a boy and a girl, was said to have committed the offence on July 27, 2014, at 6, Ajanlekoko, Kirikiri, Oja, Lagos, at about 5.50p.m.

He was alleged to have entered the apartment of the victim’s maternal grandmother to commit the offence.

The victim, during the arraignment of the defendant, told the court that the defendant came into their room when her grandmother was not around,

adding that she tried to cover her self with blanket, but that the defendant removed the blanket from her and dipped his finger into her private part.

The prosecutor, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Etim Ekankum, said the offence was punishable under section 259 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

The defendant, who denied committing the act, and pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge by the police, was docked before Magistrate O.O. Olatunji.

However, Magistrate Olatunji, who is holding the brief of Magistrate A. A. Demi-Ajayi, admitted the defendant to a bail in the sum of N300,000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.

Olatunji further stated that one

of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant, adding that the sum of N50,000 should be deposited in a designated account of the court’s Chief Registrar.

By Bartholomew Madukwe & Dotun Ibiwoye

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AGOS — THE United Nigeria Sovereign Conference and Alternative Movement, UNSCAM, yesterday, gave Lagos State government a 21-day ultimatum to ensure enforcement of the laws relating to the activities of touts in public parks.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, UNSCAM Chairman, Comrade Mordekai Adekambi said: “We are talking of people (touts) who make N30 billion yearly for Lagos State government. After 21 days, we will as much as possible ensure that we free ourselves from the slave trade in Lagos.

“We are making a promise, not a threat. The judiciary is the last hope of the ordinary man, but we are yet to try other avenues.

When we do that, then we will try the judiciary.”

'Lopsided promotions in prisons causing confusion in Imo'

By Chidi Nkwopara

Eguh noted that the party lost the governorship in the state due to what he called “self-inflicted injury,” which had continued to create problems for the party, but vowed the party leadership in the state would avoid such mistakes.

“PDP is suffering from selfinflicted injury which must be addressed so that the party can move forward. The ticket will not be given on a platter of gold; every contestant must go to the field and test strength and popularity.

“When the contestants go to the field and Imo PDP members select whoever they want to be their governorship candidate, we will now give the ticket to that person.

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WERRI — THE 2013 promotions recently released by the high command of Nigeria Prisons Service, NPS, have started generating ripples in Imo State Command.

Most of the affected officers, who stormed Vanguard office, yesterday, to complain on the issue, fingered “corruption, injustice, marginalisation and brazen lack of due process in the exercise.”

They not only faulted the promotion, but also insisted that “it was full of palpable malpractices and anomalies.”

'Ebola is a great challenge to the world'

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI — THE Board Chairman of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, NMCN, Alhaji Mustapha Jumare, has appealed to the Federal and state governments to treat the Ebola haemorrhagic fever as a great public health challenge for the world and Nigeria in particular.

Alhaji Jumare made the appeal, yesterday, at a press conference in Owerri, as part of the programme lined up for the NMCN Examiners’ Workshop.

“As you are all aware, two of the victims of the Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Nigeria are nurses. These professional colleagues of ours contracted this deadly virus while trying to save the life of an infected patient.

“To us, these great nurses are the Nightingales of our time, who gave their all for a dying man,” Jumare said.

He called on nurses and midwives to strictly observe the universal precautions of hand washing with soap, running water, use of sanitisers and protective gears, when dealing with all patients dead or alive.

56—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

EVD: Community pharmacists call for research on cure

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By Chioma Obinna

HARMACISTS under the auspices of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, Lagos State Branch, have called on the Federal Government to strengthen the drive for research on pharmacology with a view to ensuring that Nigerian pharmacists play a pivotal role in the production of medicines that would cure health related diseases such as Ebola Virus Disease, EVD. Speaking during an awareness campaign organised by the association on ebola for travellers and motor park workers at the Yaba bus stop, Lagos, the State Chairman of ACPN, Yinka Abdulsalam Aminu, said the present scourge of ebola should have been taken care of if there were appropriate support for research in Nigeria.

Aminu who said there is no approved medicine for EVD, regretted that traditionally, support for research has been lacking in Nigeria. “We are advising the government to strengthen the drive to ensure that researches are supported by government and if supported the outcome will be very useful to Nigerian pharmacists and the society at large.

“We really need that support in terms of research so that we can play our part actively as people who can make drugs available for Nigerians and solve health related problems in terms of making efficacious medicines available,” he stated.

Addressing the gathering which included bus drivers, passengers, travellers and passersby, the ACPN chairman said: “There is no vaccine and there is no cure, for ebola for now. Survival rates can be as low as 1 in 10; so far in West Africa, just over 60 percent of recorded cases have ended in death.”

Describing ebola as an infectious disease caused by a virus, he urged participants to look out for signs such as high fever, headache, joint and muscle pains, sore throat, general body weakness, stomach pain, red eyes, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea, bleeding from eyes, ear, nose, mouth and skin.

The ACPN boss said the ebola awareness campaign was part of activities to kick start the 2014 Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria’s, PSN, Annual Week and ACPN Day in Lagos which

is designed to enlighten the various communities about public health, use of medicines and general hygiene practices aimed at ensuring good health.

“As pharmacists, we operate in the communities and we are close to the people. We have a responsibility to play our parts to ensure that the public are enlightened about this disease and how it’s transmitted because during an outbreak, those at higher risk of infection are health workers, family members and others in close contact with sick people and deceased patients.”

He counselled them to ensure high level of personal hygiene such as hand washing with soap, environmental hygiene such as fumigation, regular cleaning of surfaces with disinfectant and bleach, and

Lagos State chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, Pharm.

Yinka Abdulsalam Aminu addressing commercial bus drivers, commuters on the ebola scourge avoiding contact with persons severely ill with ebola.

He, however, debunked some myths saying that a person

cannot get Ebola through the air and handling of cash.

Aminu encouraged them to call the Lagos State Ebola response centre 0800326524357 if the

suspect any person around them.

The exercise also witnessed free health screening for vital signs amongst others.

Brave doctor, Adadevoh loses Ebola battle Continues from page 5 The search for additional cases continues, as does the current high level of vigilance,” the WHO observed.

Epidemiology and surveillance Between 14 and 16 August 2014, a total of 113 new cases of Ebola virus disease (laboratory-confirmed, probable, and suspect cases) as well as 84 deaths were reported from Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.

NIPRD seeks upgrade to produce Ebola drug In a related development, the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Research and Development, NIPRD, has called for an urgent upgrade of its laboratory to be able to produce necessary drugs to cope with the threat being posed by the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD. NIPRD Director-General, Professor Karniyu Gamaliel, who made the call in an exclusive interview with Vanguard, explained that the institution required what he called “P4” laboratory to complement what they have in stock to be able to meet the current challenges triggered by the EVD. A P4 lab is a high containment laboratory facility that can safely handle deadly pathogens such as the smallpox and Ebola viruses.

Gamaliel said the laboratory is needed urgently to enable the agency to fast-track research into drugs that could be used

as palliative for the EVD. He remarked that although the agency currently has five departments with fully equipped laboratories, it should operate maximally with 18 or 20 specialised laboratories.

“Our laboratories need a little upgrading with facilities like the P4 bio-safety cabinet which will make the laboratory very competent and very useful, and we insist that the situation is an emergency given the position of Abuja as a centrallyplaced city.

“Ebola is a deadly pathogen and the facilities we have need to be upgraded. I went round the facilities yesterday and we don’t have the P4 facility but we have a structured laboratory suitable for handling the virus and the various studies that are relevant,” he said.

Gamaliel boasted however that the institution had the capacity to identify the virus in the infected persons.

“There are better versions coming in as we speak. We can do with up scaling of such machines that would be required and sample handling machines also which takes samples and stored in a safe way.

“I think we are the only laboratory that can do all those things and also monitor those activities on a door-to-door basis. “ So I think we have a role in analysing the activities of the drugs and the progression of the infection in people already infected so that preventive measures can be carried out appropriately,” Gamaliel said.

How and why Ebola

kills fast Speaking on why the Ebola Virus Disease kills fast, Dr Michael Smith of WebMD, said: “Everyone knows that Ebola kills but what exactly does it do? This worm-like virus has a devious way of working. Once it gets in the body, the virus attaches itself to the surface of the cells. Then it invades them, replicates and causes the cells to explode, sending infectious particles flying. From there, Ebola overpowers the immune system. It uses the very cells that are meant to fight infection to travel to other parts of the body, including the liver, spleen, kidneys and brain. It attacks almost every organ and tissue.

“The particle explosion also sets off an overwhelming inflammatory reaction. That’s what causes the sudden flulike symptoms that are the first signs of Ebola. Inside the blood vessels, the virus causes abnormal clotting and bleeding at the same time. Bleeding into the skin causes a red rash that appears all over.

“With the ability to clot normally destroyed, bleeding occurs internally as well as from the eyes, ears and nose. This whole cascade of events causes the organs to fail. The loss of blood, along with organ failure, is what makes Ebola so deadly.

“But if doctors can keep the organs working with intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, a ventilator and other treatments, there’s a much better chance they can save lives. The infection moves fast and it can kill in one to two weeks. In the current outbreak, 60 per cent

of the people who caught the virus have died. Many more could likely be saved with better access to medical care.”

Panic in Ibadan Following alarm raised in Ibadan yesterday that an Ebola patient was taken to Adeoyo State Hospital, Ring Road, some residents of the area were already considering relocation from the hospital vicinity.

A baby allegedly infected with the virus was said to have been taken to the hospital on Monday.

Though, doctors were yet to confirm from tests conducted on the baby, people in the area were afraid of being infected.

When the baby allegedly showed symptoms of the deadly virus, staff and other patients in the hospital reportedly ran for safety.

Reacting to the incident, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, allayed their fears that it had not yet been confirmed that the baby had the virus.

He hinted that blood samples had been taken and sent to the laboratory at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan for proper analysis.

“We saw a suspected patient.

It will be presumptuous to jump into conclusion until the result of the test is out. But it is not likely to be positive. But let us wait for the result of the blood test.”

Also, an epidemiologist with the state Ministry of Health, Dr. Abass Gbolahan, also said: “From our records at the Oyo State Ministry of Health, we are not aware of any child said to have the infection.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 — 57 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 TAURUS: THE Moon fluctuates as it moves out of your star . That is why you will need to guard against confusion likely to be caused by others.

GEMINI: THE Moon position INFLUECES YOU TO BE COME AGGRESSIVE which is capable of bringing unnecessary argument and avoidable confusion. To before warned is to be fore armed.

CANCER: EARLY morning blues will affect many people today (yourself inclusive) but luckily for you, things will go according to your plans. And you will need to be more careful with money.

LEO: THE Moon fluctuates early in the morning. And if care is not taken you would promise more than you can actually deliver to the resentment of others. Yet, you’ll win.

VIRGO: BEHIND-the-scene-activities are sources of avoidable trouble especially before mid-morning period when influence of the moon’s fluctuation will last. Avoid inordinate ambition.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

T

HE subject of economies has taught us that there is a world of difference between what we wish and what we really want (need). Because we are humans our wish are insatiable – we

What Do You want...? want to build house, we want to ride the best car, we want to have the best job etc. All of these are alright. But have we worked towards fulfilling these

TERROR MUDA

wants?

Life is no a bed of roses. What you get out of life is what you have deposited in it.

We can have the best of life provided we also give our best to

in “Never say goodbye”

life. Life is not a philanthropy. Life is like savings in the bank where you earn interest. What you get from life is what you put in plus profit (interest).

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA: IT’S important you don’t allow your thought for and/or about the future derail your plans for the present so that success will not elude you. Romantic attractions along your career/business lines may become stronger sooner than you think.

SCORPIO: EARLY morning blues will affect many people around you meaning that not everybody-morning period especially along your career/business lines.

SAGITTARIUS: MAKE sure you perfectly understand what you are doing within your working arena before midmorning period or else costly mistakes would be made. Be tolerant.

CAPRICORN: TOMORROW is your day. Therefore you are advised to leave some important decisions and/or action till tomorrow when the heaven will smile at you. Your love life is favoured.

AQUARIUS: TOMORROW will prove more challenging.

Thus, if there are things you should do now, you better don’t contemplate procrastination as you are likely to be stretched full lenght tomorrow. Watch with you tell others early in the morning.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

PISCES: AS the moon fluctuates early in the morning some people may promise more than they can actually deliver. And if you take them for granted, you would be disappointed.

ARIES: CERTAINLY some people will get on your nerves yet you must not over-react at least because of the immediate future. Truly thus is the wrong time to gamble with love.

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 are my chances?

Dear Joshua, KINDLY analyse my star and tell me about myself especially my luck.

I want to know about my love life, social life and how to become successful in life. I have seen people who are close to me became big success without much struggle from them. Would my own be like them too?

Adedoyin. Ibadan.

Dear Adedoyin, You are different to those you said came by success: in your own case you will need to work hard and earn success.

It is important you watch and take practical precaution about inability to hold on to your gains for long. Some times unexpected assistance use to come your way at 11th hour.

Your being friendly with the influential personalities especially WOMEN will help your finance greatly speculative (and) venture is not the best for you.

Your magnetic personality makes it difficult for members of your opposite sex to the betterment of your love life.

Luckily for you, you know how not to allow your rugged/rigid personality to harm your love life; you are a sweet lover, although can be argumentative some times.

Love happiness indicated for you.

If you can analyse both your environment and social situation, you will have more to gain from social activities more than it’s attendant pressure.

You will need to drop unnecessary rebellious approach when dealing with your social life; although what looks like radical approach can earn you a few number of friends who may not be in position to assist you.

Many people love your gentle approach and will be willing to assist you especially the more influential personalities. Once again women can be helpful here If you expect easy success, you would be frustrated because Saturn-the planet of delay, frustration but greater reward after much struggles, was with the sun (basic-self-hood) when you were born. Thus it will not allow easy success. And at the same time will not deny you whatever you deserve.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

58 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2014

Umana at 55: A leader for his time As Umana Okon Umana, former secretary to Akwa Ibom State government and PDP governorship aspirant for the 2015 race in the state, turns 55 today, August 20, 2014, one of his disciples, Iboro Otongaran looks at the Umana phenomenon and his leadership potential for Akwa Ibom State NUMBER of clichés have been Umana earned most of these used to describe great men. One accolades for his distinguished of them is the well-worn wit, “A legend service while in the budget office.

The succeeding government led by ahead of his time.” But today we thank Obong Godswill Akpabio named God for giving us a leader for his time, Umana Okon Umana, immediate past Umana to the position of secretary secretary to Akwa Ibom State, born 55 to the state government on June 1, years ago on August 20, 1959 to the 2007. He executed the office of family of Mr. and Mrs. Okon Umana, secretary to the state government hardworking civil servants from Nsit with his trademark finesse and Ubium in present day Akwa Abasi Ibom effectiveness and left indelible marks on the execution of public policies State.

Fifty-five years on, that young son and programmes. At the end of the from a working class home has become call to duty as secretary to the state an icon, an extraordinary leader for his government, Governor Godswill time. That is the reason for joy in the Akpabio paid him a glowing tribute, camp of his disciples and followers describing him as a man of alike, that Umana Okon Umana, a “exceptional competence” and noted leader for his time, is their own. Others that his “commitment and dedication are leaders ahead of their time, which to duties as a Member of the State is a sad mismatch. But we are lucky to Executive Council contributed have an extraordinary leader to look immensely to the achievements up to for direction in this extraordinary recorded by my Administration.” He time, a man of tremendous self-control headed some of the most pivotal and intellect to lead us around the landmines of these perilous days. That is why we are celebrating. We are celebrating because we have the best leader we could ever wish for, a leader seasoned to deal with the peculiarity of his time.

A

Chance encounter For me a chance encounter in 2003 along the verandah of Government House, Uyo led to a treasured discovery that would become an inspiration, a challenge, an opportunity all at once in the last one decade and a year. That chance encounter was with Umana Okon Umana, a man I was to find out is a paragon of quiet efficiency. At that time he was the commissioner for finance in the administration of Governor Victor Attah. Over the years, a work relationship I had with him grew in warm and affection into a personal friendship. Today I feel extremely privileged to say that Umana Okon Umana is my boss and friend.

Working with him has proved to be an experience I will not trade for anything else. Umana daily illustrates the saying widely attributed to the great architect, Le Corbusier that “God is in the details.” Umana is a man of details.

That is why he achieves near perfection in whatever he does. In my work with him, he never glosses over anything.

He goes over every piece of paperwork with a fine tooth comb and will never sign off on the job until every detail is right, no matter how long it takes to get to that point. But make no mistake about it, he is not leisurely in his work pace. He demands quality with alacrity.

His profile boasts a rounded experience in the public service. He was principal budget officer, deputy director of budget, and director of budget before he was elevated to the very peak of his civil service career as permanent secretary in charge of budget in the governor’s office in Akwa Ibom State. He earned the position of permanent secretary by sheer superior performance when some of his contemporaries were still at the directorate levels. The testimony to his distinguished career in the civil service was not limited to his rapid climb to the top. In 1991 he was honoured with the Akwa Ibom State Public Service Award for Outstanding Performance.

Umana Okon Umana committees during his time in government, including the finance and general purposes committee of the state executive council for six years.

But Umana is not just a man of exceptional competence, he is also a man who is prepared and ready to lead. He is prepared and ready for service at the highest level of leadership to his people not just by way of experience, but also by formal training. He studied Economics at the University of Calabar and earned an MBA from University of Port Harcourt before taking advantage of executive training opportunities to hone up his leadership skills at London Business School and Columbia Graduate School of Business, New York.

Umana is an embodiment of all the qualities found in a transformational leader. He has strength of character, is consistent, highly focused, possessed of tremendous selfcontrol; he is humble, stable and mature. He is a man of great conviction who combines greatness with common touch. He is friends alike with everyday people and the high and mighty.

On this occasion of celebration for my boss and friend and a good family man, I want to say 55 happy cheers to this extraordinary leader of our time.

Israel strikes Gaza after rocket fire *Blame militants for ending truce

I

SRAEL has launched air raids on “terrorism targets” in Gaza and recalled negotiators from Cairo after three rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel, as efforts to agree a permanent ceasefire appeared to unravel.

The Israeli military said that rockets landed in open areas near the town of Beersheeva. Sources told Al Jazeera that they were fired from Shujayea in the Gaza Strip.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister,

ordered his army to attack targets in Gaza, and rec a l l e d from Cairo negotiators who were involved in indirect talks with Palestinians on a permanent ceasefire.

“In response to Hamas’s violation of the truce, the prime minister and defence minister have ordered the IDF [Israeli army] to once more attack terror sites in the Gaza Strip,” a government official said.

The Gaza health ministry reported that one attack, on the airport area near Rafah, had injured two children.

Hussam Badran, a Hamas spokesman in Doha, noted that the group could not confirm whether Hamas or any other factions fired rockets into Israel and that the next few hours would clarify the situation.

An Israel Defense Forces ,IDF, statement shortly afterward said strikes were being carried out against targets in Gaza.

IRAQ: ISIS fighters halt offensive to recapture Saddam’s home town

I

RAQI forces halted a short-lived offensive on Tuesday to recapture Tikrit, home town of executed dictator Saddam Hussein, due to fierce resistance from Islamic state fighters who have also threatened to attack Americans “in any place”.

In Geneva, the United Nations refugee agency announced a major aid operation to get supplies to more than half a million people displaced by fighting in northern Iraq.

Buoyed by an operation to recapture a strategic dam from the jihadists after two months of setbacks, Iraqi army units backed by Shi’ite militias launched their offensive shortly after dawn on Tikrit, a city 130 km (80 miles) north of Baghdad which is a stronghold of the Sunni Muslim minority.

But officers in the Iraqi forces’ operations room said by mid afternoon that the advance had stopped.

South of Tikrit, the government side came under heavy machine-

Falana petitions UK Prime Minister over Gaza

BY INNOCENT ANABA

H

UMAN rights activ ist, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, has called on British Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron, to use United Kingdom’s presidency of the United Nations Security Council to persuade members to refer Israel to the International Criminal Court, ICC for unlawful killings and destruction of properties in the Gaza Strip

Pope’s relatives killed in Argentina crash

T

HREE relatives of Pope Francis, two great nephews and their mother, have been killed in a traffic accident in Argentina, police said.

The dead from Tuesday’s crash include a baby aged eight months and a twoyear-old toddler, police commissioner Carina Ferreyra said. The vehicle in which they were travelling collided with a lorry, the police said.

Their father, the pope’s nephew Emanuel Horacio Bergoglio, was in serious condition, she told the AFP news agency.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said the

gun and mortar fire from the militants, a group of Arab and foreign fighters hardened by battle both in Iraq and over the border in Syria’s civil war, the officers told Reuters.

pope had been informed about the accident and was “deeply pained.”

“He asks all those who share in his pain to join him in prayer,” Lombardi added.

The accident happened on a highway after midnight in the central province of Cordoba.

For reasons that are under investigation the car hit a truck carrying grain from behind. Bergoglio is in hospital with multiple injuries. Official details of his condition have not been released.

The truck driver, a 60year-old man, was not hurt.

and West Bank.

Falana in a petition, said: “I am writing to request that you use your good offices and position to urgently facilitate the referral of Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in order for the court to investigate allegations of the unlawful killings and destruction of property perpetrated by Israel against the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

“I am aware that the UK is holding the presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of August. Since Israel has not ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court the only way the court will be able to exercise jurisdiction over Israel is by a referral by the Security Council, pursuant to article 13, paragraph (b) of the Rome Statute. “I strongly believe that without your leadership at this point in time those who ordered and encouraged the international crimes being committed in the Gaza Strip and West Bank which are clearly prohibited under the Rome Statute will escape being brought to justice, and the victims will be left with no hope of international justice and accountability.’’

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014 — 59

Maigari confident Falconets will cruise into final P

RESIDENT of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari has inspired players of the U-20 Women National Team, Falconets, with words of courage, saying he has confidence in them to reach Sunday’s championship final.

Following their easy 41 dismissal of New Zealand in the quarter final on Sunday, the Falconets clash with pacy North Korea at the Moncton Stadium, Moncton on Wednesday evening, in the first semi final.

“I have watched all the matches played by the girls since the championship started,

ALL FOR YOU — WBO and Commonwealth Boxing Champion, Isaac Ekpo (R) dedicates his belts to Dr. Rafiu Ladipo (C) while scribe of NBB of C |Remi Aboderin watches. a leading the prowess and skills of and I am greatly are delighted at the manner powerhouse in women’s our girls. I am truly they have taken it one football in the world, but impressed and I know so are our girls. This they have what it takes match at a time.

“The North Koreans tournament has shown to reach the final.”

Oshoala: I’m not under pressure to score A

FTER two player-oft h e - m a t c h performances and three goals, and emerging as her team’s most influential player, Super Falconets

midfielder Asisat Oshoala says she is not under pressure to continue her impressive form when they take on Korea DPR in their semi final duel today.

Asisat Oshoala (m) celebrates with teammates Continues from B/P behind with three first half goals to clinch all three points. Playing away at Burnley’s Turf Moor ground, the west London club brought Mikel on in the 77th minute, indicating that manager Jose Mourinho may want to hold on to him after all.

Throughout the summer, Mikel was the subject of several transfer bids from European clubs after being regarded as surplus to requirements

by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

However, Mike decided not to accept any offer or move until he gets his British citizenship and looks set to spend at least another season at Chelsea.

Mikel Among the clubs said to have been interested in Mikel’s services were Monaco of France and Juventus and Inter Milan in Italy. Under British citizenship laws, an immigrant who has lived in the country for five years, has been of outstanding character and who has lived within the confines of the law, can apply for a British passport.

Having joined Chelsea in 2006, Mikel has now spent eight years in the UK and is eligible. He is believed to have applied for a British passport and is waiting for confirmation from the Home Office that his application has been

The Rivers Angels midfielder has played all four of Nigeria’s games so far in the competition and has contributed in no small measure to ensure her country get as far as they have gotten but says she will be under no pressure to maintain her impressive performance.

“I have had a very good tournament so far and I think we have also played well as a team and naturally when you play so well, people expect so much from you and that tends to put you under

accepted.

Last night, Mikel played his first game since the World Cup, coming on for Brazilian Oscar when the match was virtually won. In an entertaining first half, Chelsea went behind in the 14h minute but three goals from Diego Costa, Andre Schurrle and Branislav Ivanovi in the 17th, 21st and 34th minutes sealed the win for the Blues.

Having secured a two goal cushion, Chelsea took their feet off the pedal in the second half, offering very little in the way of goalmouth action.

By the time Mikel and Ivorian striker Didier Drogba came on towards the end, the match was virtually over.

some pressure.

“But I will not be under any pressure because I will continue playing and enjoying my game, just the way it has been. I don’t have to feel the pressure,” she said.

When asked if she expects to keep scoring and keep winning playerof-the-match awards, she maintained her modesty by saying she expects the team to keep playing well.

Continues from B/P double –header.

Onazi, the midfield powerhouse who suffered a terrible injury in the Round of 16 defeat by France, is now fully recovered, but Michael Babatunde, who was stretchered out against Argentina after a hand injury, is left out.

Home –based quartet Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kunle Odunlami and Gbolahan Salami who were part of Nigeria’s third place finish at the African Nations Championship in Cape Town earlier in the year, also have opportunity to return to Cape of Good Hope and shine. They are joined by Enugu Rangers’ marksman Christian Osaguona as the lot from the domestic League.

Nigeria play Congo’s

Obi makes Inter Europa Cup squad

N

IGERIA midfielder, Joel Obi was handed a spot in Coach Walter Mazzari Inter Milan squad for today’s Europa league qualifier against Stjarnan of Iceland.

Obi was listed on the club’s website as part of the 21man squad who departed for Iceland yesterday.

He will battle for a starting spot in a seven man midfield consisting of Mateo Kovacic, Ricky Alvarez, Hernanes, Kuzmanovic and Yan M’Villa.

His career has been stunted by series of injuries which has cost him a regular spot at Inter and the Nigeria National team. However, after a successful six months loan spell at Parma towards the end of last season, Obi appears to have gotten over his injury woes and is expected to play a vital role in Inter Milan domestic and continental engagements this season.

Falconets Continues from B/P The Falconets have been to the semi-finals twice - in 2010 they reached the final, where they lost out to Germany, while in 2012 they did not go beyond that stage.

The match comes up on Wednesday by 9pm Nigerian time.

“We have to perfect our possession and control as well as make sure we get an early goal which will unsettle them,” Dedevbo said.

“The higher you go in football, the harder it becomes. I don’t want to leave any stone unturned in the match against Korea.

“I am very much aware that the Koreans are fast on

counter attack and that’s is why the girls were not given a day off.”

He added: “I don’t want to disclose my strategies, the game will determine how we play, but I want to tell Nigerians that the team is confident and ready to take on any team”.

Striker Uchechi Sunday promised victory in this semi-final.

“We cannot allow Korea to edge us out. We defeated Korea Republic in the first round and this Korea will go same way,” she boasted.

“I promise more goals to my team and will play with my team mates to achieve victory, for my best is yet to come and what a better place to show case my skills than against the Koreans.”

Nigeria Red Devils - restored to the race after conquerors Rwanda were found guilty of using an ineligible player – in Calabar on September 6, before flying to Cape Town to take on the Bafana Bafana on September 10.

THE FULL LIST Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United, Nigeria) Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco FC, France); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria);

Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria) Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Ramon Azeez (Almeria FC, Spain); Joel Obi (Inter Milan, Italy); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Omatsone Aluko (Hull City, England) Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Chinedu Obasi (Schalke 04, Germany); Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen FC, Netherlands); Nnamdi Oduamadi (AS Varese 1910, Italy); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Christian Osaguona (Enugu Rangers)

60 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

Ebola: CAF gives Nigeria all clear to host matches .Says no ban on affected countries N

IGERIA has been given the all clear to host AFCON qualifying matches which begin next month after the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) instructed Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia to find neutral grounds for their matches.

Africa’s football governing body, in a statement, added that there is no ban on travel to and from the Ebola virusaffected countries, hence all planned qualification matches would go ahead.

The body said it affirmed the position following advice from the World Health Organisation; which provided guidance on attitudes the continental soccer governing body would observe in the management of CAF competitions scheduled to take place in countries affected by the epidemic, namely Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria.

In the circular, the Secretary General of CAF, Hicham El Amrani, called on member associations to relay accurate information about the mode of transmission of Ebola, its symptoms, and precautions persons needed to take against the disease. CAF also advised member associations to undertake Ebola screening protocols at departure and arrival points and directed Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone to organize their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches on neutral territory based on recommendations by the WHO. There have been huge concerns raised by some countries that are set to face the affected countries in the AFCON qualifying phase.

This has led to Rwanda being replaced with Congo after it showed signs of abandoning its match with the Super Eagles.

Just last week, Lesotho, who was supposed to tackle Nigeria’s flying Eagles in an AYC qualification match in Kaduna, failed to turn up for the match.

T

Coach Stephen Keshi (l) joins his players to celebrate Afcon 2013 victory.

Rojo signs for Man U

S

PORTING Lisbon have confirmed that Marcos Rojo is to join Manchester United, with Nani returning to the Portuguese club on a season-long loan.

The Argentina international Rojo had hinted he was poised to move to Old Trafford and become part of Louis van Gaal’s squad, and Sporting have now confirmed his departure.

Rojo had returned to training with the Portuguese giants recently after apologising to them for previously refusing to play, as he looked to force through a transfer.

Nani rejoins the club that he left for Old Trafford in 2007 having scored 25 goals in 147 appearances for United.

E R M A N champions Bayern Munich are set to make a bid for Atletico Madrid defender Diego

Godin.

The 28-year-old has been targeted by Pep Guardiola’s side, as he looks to replace the

Cour tois begs Cech to stay

T

•Rojo

We paid £65m for Suarez — Barca

S

PANISH giants Barcelona have stated that they paid £10m less than the £75m Liverpool claimed to have received for controversial striker Luis Suarez.

The Uruguay international completed his move to the Nou Camp last month, despite being banned from any competitive football for four months for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

After finally being presented as a Barcelona player this week, the Catalan side have now dismissed Liverpool’s claims that they paid more for Suarez, according to the Metro.

Bayern to make £27m Godin move

G

Sterling Bank offers Arsenal fans ‘Fantastic Experience’

injured Javi Martinez, who suffered cruciate ligament damage during Bayern’s defeat to rivals Borussia Dortmund in

the first-leg of the German Super Cup last week.

According to the Daily Mail, the Bundesliga club are ready to make a £27million bid for the defender.

HIBAUT Courtois has told Chelsea rival Petr Cech he wants him to stay at Stamford Bridge.

Cech’s future at the club is in doubt after Jose Mourinho put Courtois in goal for the Blues’ first game of the season last night but the manager and Andre Schurrle are also urging the veteran not to go.

The 32-year-old has been Chelsea’s No1 for a decade and was not in the mood for talking after the 3-1 win at Burnley. Cech was one of the first players to leave the dressing room to board the team coach.

•Cech

HE world-class performance of Arsenal Football Club, culminating in the winning of the Community Shield last weekend, is creating excitement in the clubs legions of supporters in the country.

Gunners beat Manchester City Football Club, the winners of the 2013/14 Barclays Premier League, 3-0 to start the season on a promising note having acquired new players to fortify the team.

Already, Arsenal partners in Nigeria Sterling Bank PLc, is pledging to continue to make the team’s supporters in the country happy in this second year of their relationship with the London club.

As part of its “Fanatic Experience” initiative, Sterling Bank is offering over 500 Gunners’ fans in Port Harcourt and Lagos free tickets to watch Arsenal’s first home clash with Crystal Palace this weekend at the Silverbird Cinemas in the two cities.

Beckenbauer backs Reus to join Man U

G

ERMANY great Franz Beckenbauer feels Marco Reus could join Manchester United in the future if a move to Bayern Munich doesn’t go through.

The Borussia Dortmund superstar has fuelled speculation he could make a switch after rejecting a new contract, which has attracted a number of heavyweight European clubs.

And although Beckenbauer feels Reus would work wonders at Bayern, he admits he can also see him playing at Old Trafford for the Red Devils, the Daily Star reports.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY , August 20, 2014 — 61

62 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY , August 20, 2014

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY , August 20, 2014 — 63

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014

Mikel dispels fears he will leave Chelsea

F

EARS Super Eagles midfielder Mikel Obi could be leaving Chelsea abated somewhat Monday night after he featured in the club’s Premiership debut of the 2014/15 season

•Mikel

coming on as a second half substitute in their 31 victory over Burnley.

Living up to their promise to challenge for the Premiership title, Chelsea came from

Continues on page 59

Nigeria invites Enyeama, 22 others for Devils, Bafana C

• BACK AND BETTER: Obasi

UP holders Nigeria have called up 23 players, including ace goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, for next month’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against the Red Devils of Congo and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.

The list released by the Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday also included defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Efe Ambrose, midfielders Ogenyi Onazi and John Mike Obi, and forwards Ahmed Musa and Emmanuel Emenike.

France –based Elderson Echiejile, who missed the 2014 FIFA World Cup as a result of injury, Nosa Igiebor who missed the final cut

for Brazil and Chinedu Obasi who was not considered for the

tournament, are all back for September’s

Continues on page 59

FIFA U-20 Women’s W/Cup Nigeria Germany

vs Korea PR 9.00 p. m. vs France 12.00 a. m.

Falconets plan early goal against North Korea

F

• Oshoala

ALCONETS coach Peter Dedevbo has said he hopes his team score an early goal to unsettle North Korea in Wednesday ’s U20 Women’s World Cup semi-final.

Continues on page 59

Suárez promises not to bite again! — P.32

•TAMED: Suarez

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Permit (5) 7 Inform (4) 8 Save (6) 9 Jumped (5) 11 Performed (3) 13 Through (3) 15 Paradise (4) 16 vegetable (3) 18 Pedigree (4) 19 Betrothed (7) 20 Singer (4) 22 Wine (4) 23 Animal (7) 25 Seem (4) 27 Fodder (3) 28 Fever (4) 30 Plaything (3) 31 Finish (3) 33 Beach (5) 36 Edit (6) 37 Placed (4) 38 Ruin (5)

DOWN 1 Foul (5) 2 Each (3) 3 Meadow (3) 4 Damp (3) 5 Deed (3) 6 Revel (5) 10 Excuse (4) 11 Non-payment (7) 12 Demolish (7) 13 Forecast (7) 14 Lived (7) 16 Nip (5) 17 Irritate (5) 18 Beverage (3) 21 Tree (3) 24 Curse (4) 26 Seeped (5) 29 Unfastened (5) 32 Offer (3) 33 Stitch (3) 34 Poem (3) 35 Moose (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

ACROSS: 1, Teach 5, Insert 8, Lurid 10, Recite 11, Edit 14, Ailing 15, Regular 18, Men 19, Tie 21, Deft 23, Legal 24, Cost 27, Dig 29, Hen 31, Defiant 32, Loaned 34, Mate 35, Learnt 38, Loyal 39, Distil 40, Reign.

DOWN: 2, |Eke 3, Clique 4, Hut 5, Idea 6, Soiled 7, Target 9, Related 12, Dim 13, Tine 16, Ergo 17, Rigid 20, Eagerly 22, Fawn 24, Called 26, Tenant 28, Finale 30, Net 33, Dell 36, Ear 37, Nag.

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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