2014: FG targets jobs in N4.6trn budget

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62040

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

OBASANJO/IYABO LATEST:

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We won't intervene, say Yoruba elders

2014: FG targets jobs

in N4.6trn budget HIGHLIGHTS: BASELINE ASSUMPTIONS

zBenchmark Oil Price: $77.5pb zBudgeted Oil Production: 2.3883mbpd zAverage Exchange Rate: N160/$, same as in 2013 zReal GDP Growth Rate: 6.75%

•I'm disappointed in c'ttee's report 15 — Oduah

EXPENDITURE PROJECTIONS

zFiscal Deficit: N911.96 billion zFiscal Deficit as share of GDP: 1.90 zNew Borrowing Requirement: N571 billion, a decrease from N577 billion in 2013 C M Y K

BUJA—THE Fed eral Government yesterday presented a budget proposal of N4.6 trillion for the 2014 fiscal year to the National Assembly. The proposed budget christened ‘Budget for Job Creation and Growth’ represents N100 billion reduction from the N4.7 trillion

N225m cars: Reps ask Jonathan to sack Oduah

zGross Federally Collectible Revenue: N10.88 trillion zGross Federally Collectible Oil & Gas Revenue: N7.16 trillion zTotal deductions, including cost of crude oil production, subsidy payments, and domestic gas development is N2.15 trillion, same as in 2013. zSubsidy payments were maintained at the 2013 level of N971.1 billion. zGross Federally Collectible Non-Oil Revenue: N3.29 trillion zFGN Budget Revenue: N3.73 trillion

FISCAL BALANCE

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Continues on page 5

REVENUE PROJECTIONS

zAggregate Expenditure (Net of SURE-P): N4.642 trillion zAggregate Expenditure (Inclusive of SURE-P): N4.910 trillion zStatutory Transfers: N399.7 billion zINEC’s expenditure is to increase from the N32 billion provisioned in 2013 to N45 billion. This is to enable the Commission intensify preparations towards the 2014 elections. zNational Assembly’s allocation is to be maintained at the 2013 level of N150 billion. zThe provision for debt service is N712 billionfrom the 2013 level of N591.8 billion. zRecurrent (non-debt) Spending: N2.43 trillionfrom N2.80 trillion in 2013 zPersonnel cost increased slightly from the 2013 amendment Budget provision of N1.718 trillion to N1.723 trillionfor 2014. zCapital Expenditure: N1.100 trillion zShare of Capital in total Expenditure: 27.29%down from 31.9% in 2013 reflecting the increased allocation to pension as well as high wage bill zShare of Recurrent in total Spending: 72.71% zProvision for SURE-P: N268.37 billion

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

COLUMNIST:

BUDGET 2014: Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of

the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala laying the 2014 Budget Proposal before the Senate in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Patients desert hospitals as doctors' strike grounds services 14 Candidates record mass failure in Nov/Dec GCE exams 9

•P.17

Mr & Mrs

2— Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER

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20, 2013

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4— Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

PLATEAU BUDGET—Deputy Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, Mrs Joyce Ramnap (R), congratulating Gov. Jonah Jang after presentation of 2014 Appropriation Bill to the state House of Assembly in Jos, yesterday.

2014: FG targets jobs in N4.6trn budget Continues from page 1 that was budgeted for this year.

Capital expenditure is projected at N1.1 trillion representing 27.29 per cent, down from 31.9 per cent in the current year.

The reduction in capital expenditure was attributed to increased allocation to pension and high wage bill. The N4.6 trillion expenditure is to be financed from budgeted revenue of N3.37 billion,

while the balance will come from N571 billion debt.

The budget is based on oil price of $77.5 per barrel and crude oil production of 2.38 million barrels per day(bpd) with an average exchange rate of N160 per dollar.

The budget was presented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who rep-

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

The first step towards success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you find yourself – Mark Caine.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Hold in mind the long-term vision, whilst operating completely in the present moment, and you can’t help but become a powerful force for good — Mary Jaksch.

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PERSON needs to think in long time scales to be more effective. Yet the only power you have is in the present moment. We dilute our effectiveness as soon as we come out of the moment. Because we worry about the past, we project about the future. This is the paradox.

You need to be perfectly poised in the moment, and pull back your awareness and energy from everything else. Then you need to use the long-term plans to direct and guide that energy and manifest your goals into your reality. In essence, if you want real success and a sense of accomplishment in your activities, then learn to hold in mind the big picture at the same time as the day-to-day tasks.

If you want to lead and contribute on a larger scale, then have a vision for outcomes that last longer than the next few months. Stretch yourself to imagine what you’d like to be building over the next 10, 20 years. Keep this enormous time scale in mind and heart, whilst remaining in the present moment, and you can’t help but become a powerful influence for the good of the whole.

resented President Jonathan. Though she did not give details of the budget and the amount for the recurrent expenditure, highlights of the proposed budget were however later released by the Ministry of Finance.

Speaking to Journalists after presenting the budget, Dr. Okonjo Iweala said that the aggregate expenditure of N4.6 trillion excludes the Subsidy Reinvestment Expenditure Programme, SURE-P. She said, “I felt very privileged, it’s an honour that Mr. President has asked me to carry out this task in conjunction with my colleagues in the cabinet, and of course, the Director General of the Budget Office supported me to do this great honour.

“This budget is the Budget for Job Creation and Inclusive Growth, meaning that it’s a budget which will continue the President’s transformation agenda for several sectors of the economy. The budget is going to support the push in agriculture.

“It will kick-start the housing sector where we can create more jobs, it is designed for our policies that would support manufacturing because jobs would be created there. Industries will also be created in solid minerals sector. All these support will continue to be unleashed. Job creation is the key to really solving the problems of

the Nigerian economy.

“Aggregate expenditure excluding SURE - P funds is about N4.6 trillion and the revenue is about N3.73 trillion.

The capital is about N1.1 trillion and makes up about 27 percent of the budget, the balance of course is the recurrent, and it is about 72 percent of the budget.”

The Minister explained that the distinguishing feature between the 2013 budget and that of the 2014 budget was the focus the government had in continuation of the 2013 budget especially on the area of job creation for the youths and promised that the government was not going to relent in pushing forward.

She said, “All the programmes that create jobs are very well supported, the SURE -P is also part of it, community services programmes would be pushed, the You-Win programme would be

pushed.”

The Minister further said that the government would pursue vigorously infrastructural development.

“The infrastructure development is part of it, the Hon Minister of Transport is here, we have been working on rail development. Ministry of Niger Delta is also part of the infrastructure development, Water resources, FCT

development and so on.

“We have privatised power but we will be working on the transmission to direct resources there. The distinguishing thing is that it’s a continuation of what we have done before but with more emphasis on really pushing out jobs and also supporting safety nets that can further redistribute income to poor people in the country.”

APO KILLING: Victims were slaughtered like goats — Survivor

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

ABUJA—A LUCKY survivor of the midnight massacre of squatters in an uncompleted building situated at the Apo district of the Federal Capital Territory on allegation that they were members of the Boko Haram sect, Mallam Gambo Idris, yesterday, narrated before a panel of the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, how some masked gun men besieged the building and slaughtered the sleeping occupants like helpless goats.

Idris who was close to tears as he gave a blowby-blow account of what transpired between them and their assailants on the wee-hours of September 20, which culminated to the instant death of eight persons, said he escaped death by the whiskers, “because after shooting sporadically inside the building for a long time, three of the armed men wearing black cloths, went inside each of the rooms to confirm that the occupants were dead”.

Insisting that none of the victims were Boko Haram members but mostly Keke-NAPEP, Taxi drivers and Shoe makers, Idris said he was fast asleep on that fateful day when at midnight, gunfire suddenly erupted

from various sides of the building. “We all woke up in panic, some of us were shot at the back or the fore head while running for safety.

“We were up to 100 persons living in two separate one-storey building inside the compound. As the people were trying to run away to save their lives, the bullets were killing them. Our attackers barricaded the house; we didn’t even know where the bullets were coming from because it was dark.

“So I and some others quickly ran back inside the house and hid in one of the dark rooms. Thank God there was no light.

It was while we were inside the room that we saw three masked men in black overall, carrying guns. When they were entering the house, they met one of the squatters who hid by the door and shot him dead. After that, they inspected most of the rooms; luckily for us, they passed the room we were hiding in, if not, they would have killed all of us,” he added.

Besides, Idris, told the investigative panel of the NHRC led by its Chairman, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, that the one hour bloodbath lasted from 12a.m to 1a.m. “We came out after the shooting and saw one of our colleagues who was also a Keke-NAPEP rider that was shot in the stomach

and his intestines were gushing out.

“We quickly carried him and others who were injured and ran to a hill (Gwari-hill) which is close to the building. It was still dark then. About 30 minutes later, we saw people flashing torch lights at the hill, shouting that they were police men and that we should come down because they have come to our aid.

“Though the police men were not seeing us, at that point, we decided to climb down and face our fate. As we were climbing down, we saw two corpses; one of them was also shot on his fore head. After identifying the corpses as members of the National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Riders Association otherwise known as NACOMORA, the police also discovered three other corpses.

“At that point, the police men advised us to go back to our hiding places for fear that our assailants may come back. Immediately the police men left and we quickly ran back to the hill where we stayed till it was time for the morning prayers.

When we came back to the building, we counted eight dead bodies though I can’t categorically tell you now the number of people that were injured..."

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

Court restrains FCDA from demolishing Sahara Estate

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BUJA — AN FCT High Court, yesterday, granted an order of interim injection restraining the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, from further demolishing a property belonging to Sahara Estate in Kafe District, Abuja.

The vacation judge, Justice Musa Othman, gave the order after counsel to Sahara, Mr Paul Eshiemomoh, filed a motion seeking an order restraining the FCDA from demolishing the property.

Othman said the order was granted, pending hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

He said: “I have carefully listened to the oral submissions of counsel to the plaintiff and the addresses attached therein.

“And I am satisfied with the submission of the plaintiff.”

The judge ordered that both parties should maintain status quo, pending the determination of the case.

Othman also ordered the applicant to serve the respondent with the notice through a substitute means.

However, Eshiemomoh told the court that the plaintiff, Mr Christian Audu, built a three-bedroom detached bungalow on plot 55 Cadastral Zone C05, Kafe District.

He said that the plaintiff bought the land from Sahara Estate Developers in 2005.

35 Kano women fail mass wedding test over HIV, pregnancy z1,111 widows, divorcees wedded

BY ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD

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ANO — THIRTY-FIVE women were, yesterday, disqualified by the Kano State Hisbah Board from participating in the mass wedding organised and sponsored by the state government.

Those disqualified included 19 divorcees said to have tested positive to HIV and 16 others said to be pregnant.

Altogether, at least 1, 111 divorcees and widows from the 44 local government areas in the state were joined in matrimony at the City Central Mosque during a brief but colourful ceremony.

It is another round of mass wedding conducted by the Chief Imam of Kano Central Mosque, Professor Muhammad Zaharadeen.

The event was attended by the state Deputy Governor, Dr Umar Ganduje, along with top Islamic clerics across the state.

However, each of the grooms signed an undertaking not to divorce their spouses without recourse to the board, as contra-

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state.

He said: “We cannot fold our arms and watch our heritage destroyed. What we have done remains the best in the light of several cases of divorce among couples in the state, to halt the destruction and bastardization of our

heritage,” Daurawa said.

Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State hosted the couples to a grand reception at the Government House, beamed live on radio and television stations across the country.

A burning fuel tanker at the NNPC mega station on Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Central Business District, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN.

Two policemen die, scores injured in auto crash

BY PETER DURU

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AKURDI — AT least two police officers were confirmed dead while several others

sustained varying degrees of injury in a ghastly accident when a bus conveying 48 officers of the Police Mobile Force skidded off the road and somersaulted at

Ikpayongo, Aliade Local Government Area of Benue State, yesterday.

Vanguard gathered from sources that the ill-fated vehicle

Three-yr-old boy abducted in Calabar church

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BY EMMA UNA

ALABAR —A three-yearold boy, Victor Offiong Edem, was abducted by an un-

Pastor docked over sexual assault, theft of N250 AGOS — A 28-year–old pas tor, Chibuike Israel, yesterday, appeared before an Ejigbo Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, over alleged unlawful carnal knowledge and stealing.

The accused, who resides at the Ijegun area of Lagos, is facing three-count charge of sexual assault, stealing and obtaining by false pretences.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Femi Adeleye, told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in August at 4, Ojorubutu St;, Kudeyibu, Ijegun, a suburb of Lagos.

Adeleye said the accused unlawfully had sex with his victim (name withheld), when she was

vention will attract a N50,000 fine.

Addressing the couples shortly after the ceremony, Commandant, Kano Hisbah Board, Sheik Daurawa explained that the measure was adopted to check rising cases of divorce in the

nine months pregnant for another man.

He added that the accused also unlawfully obtained N250 from her under false pretence.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravene Sections 250, 263 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The counsel to the accused, Mrs Jacint Ogbedele, pleaded with the court to grant her client bail in the most liberal terms.

The Magistrate, Mr P. E. Nwaka, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to February 10, 2014.

known person at the Assemblies of God’s Church 14, Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Calabar South during Sunday service, December 15, 2013.

The father of the boy, Mr Offiong Edem, a staff of College of Health Technology, Calabar said he took his family to the church to thank God for his goodness to him in 2013.

He said after the service which was also the church’s Thanksgiving Day, he went to work and left Victor in company of his wife, Angelica and his other son, Samuel but was later informed that Victor had gone missing.

He said: “I do work on Sundays. Soon after giving my offering, I went to work leaving behind my wife, my first son and Victor in the church only to be called later that Victor had gone missing."

Mother of the missing boy said after the close of service, she had a short discussion with some church members

and after that “I went to pick my bag where I kept it not far away from where I stood and when I turned back, I asked Samuel where Victor was and he said he could not find him.”

She said obviously the person was monitoring her and the children and as soon as her eyes were turned away from the child, the person took away the boy.

According to Angelica,“My son is a healthy and happy boy and I know God will bring him back to me no matter where the person may have taken him to.”

Pastor Chukwu Ekeke, head pastor of the church, said: “That is the first time an unfortunate incident like this will happen in this church and prayers have been said and I know God will certainly bring back that boy.”

A police source at the Mbukpa police station where the matter was reported said investigations are going on to track down the abductor.

was conveying the police officers from Maiduguri in Borno State to Port Harcourt upon completion of an assignment in the besieged state.

One of the survivors of the accident who pleaded anonymity told Vanguard on his hospital bed at the Bishop Murray Hospital, Makurdi that the accident occurred at about 4 am when the vehicle had a collision with an oncoming bus.

He said: “We were travelling from Maidugiri after undergoing a four-month special assignment on Boko Haram insurgency. At Ikpayongo, our bus slightly came in contact with a Marcopolo bus on high speed from the opposite side and somersaulted, ending up in a ditch.

“I was in front of the vehicle.

I saw as my colleagues were being evacuated. At a point, I became unconscious.”

A brother to one of the deceased who claimed to be a Police Inspector from Kogi State said on hearing about the accident, he quickly rushed to Makurdi only to see his brother’s corpse.

Scores of family members of the injured were also seen at the hospital sympathizing with their relations.

Contacted, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP, Daniel Ezeala confirmed the accident.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013—7

BY ANAYO OKOLI.

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MUAHIA — LESS than a week after the Abia State government demolished a five-storey building used as a baby factory home in Aba, another uncompleted building has been demolished, this time, at Umuobia Olokoro in Umuahia South Local Government Area of the state.

The government said the demolished uncompleted building was being used as baby sales point.

Speaking during the demolition exercise, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Task Force Matters, Captain Awa Udonsi Agwu (rtd), explained that the state government had zero tolerance for crime.

According to him, based on the report by the police that the building was being used as a baby factory, Governor Theodore Orji directed that the building be demolished to serve as deterrent to others.

According Udonsi, the police fingered one Mr. Uche Uhuabunwa and his wife in

Robbers kill journalist in Warri

BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

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ARRI — THREE rob bers, Wednesday evening, at Ogbe-Ijoh market, Warri, Delta State, stabbed a journalist, Mr. Vincent Onovakpuri, to death after carting away an unspecified sum of money.

The robbers attacked the deceased and his wife in her shop.

Late Onovakpuri, a native of Akperhe-Olomu in Ughelli-South Council Area of Ughelli-South, was the Udu Council Information Officer.

According to a report, “Vincent came to the store to take his wife home after closing from work that day.

He was going to buy something near the store at about 7.23pm when three armed youths attacked him and took his money and phones.

“After dispossessing him, he rushed back to the store.

Immediately the boys started shooting guns, so we all lied down, there was confusion as people were running about.

“All of a sudden, they boys rushed to the store and started stabbing him. They went inside and took all the money made from sales that day.

“After that he was rushed to Central Hospital. He died moments after arriving the hospital."

Baby factory: Another building demolished in Abia The baby factory being demolished, yesterday.

the illegal business.

According to him, 18 pregnant young girls were rescued by the police during a raid in

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the place.

He called on Abians to give adequate information to the government on all types of crime in the state and

commended the Governor Orji on the level of courage he has shown in fighting crime in the state.

Lagos ATM robbery: Police nab 28-yr-old gang member

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

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AGOS— THE police in La gos, yesterday, said they have arrested a 28-year-old member of a robbery gang, Nonso Egbuzobi, that killed three policemen while attempting to break into an Automated Teller Machine, ATM, of a second generation bank in Ayobo area of the state in November.

Vanguard gathered that two members of the gang were also killed during an earlier encounter with operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, at Ilasamaja area of the state.

Four AK-47 rifles, with serial numbers 403647, 132969, 5008685, 20640 and 24 AK-47 magazines, all loaded, were recovered from the killed suspects.

Sources disclosed that the AK47 rifles belong to policemen killed during the Ayobo and Igando Police encounters with the bandits.

Two of the rifles were said to be those of late ASP Longinus Amuzie and one of his colleagues attached to Ayobo police station who were killed while responding to a distress call at the bank, while one was snatched from a policeman killed while on guard at a a hotel in Igando area of state.

The bandits, however, met their waterloo when they attempted to rob a man of N10 million at Ilasamaja area of Lagos.

SARS operatives led by SP Abba Kyari, were said to have gotten a tip-off and engaged them in a shoot-out, killing Daniel Onuoha, and Eyo Bassey, with an army identity card, while Nonso Egbuzobi was arrested

Woman, 27, remanded over neighbour’s death

alive.

The Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, who paraded the suspect, yesterday said he received information on the robbery and ordered his men to foil it by all means.

Manko added that investigations

by SARS operatives led them to a house agent who helped the robbers secure accommodation and when their house was searched, the four AK-47 rifles, which belonged to slain policemen, were recovered while the agent was also killed while attempting to escape.

He said a police walkie-talkie with which the robbers monitored police movement was recovered.

When Vanguard interviewed captured Egbuzobi, he said he only followed the gang to one operation.

According to him, “some weeks ago, I was at a snooker joint around Lagos State University when a man approached me, saying he had a target that we could rob at Ilasamaja. I told him I was not a

robber but I knew people who were capable.

“I approached one robber known as Fine Money and I connected him with the person that gave me information.

"On December 4, 2013, Fine Money picked me up in a SUV around Mile 2 and I led him and two other guys to the house at Ilasamaja and we were told that the victim had N10 million in his house.

“They all had guns but I decided that I would only remain in the car. However, before they could come down, policemen started shooting at us and everyone in the vehicle died except me because I hid on the floor of the car.

“Like I said, this was my first time and I did not rob, I only gave the robbers information that they needed. I am a responsible man and even a footballer at LASU. It was poverty that pushed me in to it."

AGOS – AN Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, yesterday, remanded a 27-yearold woman, Lydia Ezon, in Kirikiri Prisons over alleged murder of her neighbour, Musa Salaudeen.

Ezon, 45, who resides at 76, Cemetery Road, Amukoko, Lagos, is facing a charge of unlawful killing.

The Magistrate, Mr O. A. Ogunkanmi, said the accused should remain behind bars pending advice from the state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Feddy Asu, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on November 16 at 8.00 a.m. at her residence.

He said the deceased, Salaudeen, a co-tenant of the accused, pushed him during a fight and was later confirmed dead.

He said: “The accused and the deceased’s brother had a misunderstanding.

The accused reported the case to the police and the deceased was detained for questioning.

“Following his release, Salaudeen went to Ezon’s residence, shouting and abusing her father.

“The accused came out and pushed the deceased and in the process, he fell down and was later confirmed dead.”

He said the offence contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The case was adjourned to Janury 20 for mention.

Abia police parade 30 for robbery, child trafficking, others

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA —THE Abia State Police Command, yesterday, paraded 30 suspects involved in different crimes arrested from some parts of the state.

According to the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Mohammed Tilli Abubakar, they were arrested for alleged robbery, car snatching and baby sales.

Nineteen of the suspects, young girls between 16 and 23 years of age, were arrested in an illegal charity home for child trafficking.

Eleven other suspects were arrested for robbery, car snatching and illegal possession arms.

Abubakar said the arrests were made between November and this month.

The CP also announced that the two AK-47 riffles snatched

from two police inspectors killed by robbers, Jimmy John and Kingsley Etuk, were recovered in a bag buried in a ground in a bush in Umuawa Alaocha, Ohuhu, Umuahia North Council.

He said: “Within this month of December, the command had some ugly events owing to the loss of two her personnel to men of underworld in the course of their services to mankind.”

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, OLA AJAYI, DAYO JOHNSON, GBENGA OLARINOYE & DAPO AKINREFON

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UGGESTIONS that Yoruba elders will intervene in the feud between former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and his daughter, Iyabo, were yesterday ruled out as prominent leaders from the South-West said they would not mediate.

In ruling themselves out from brokering an end to the face-off between father and daughter, the elders affirmed that it was a family feud which was best left to insiders.

However, Second Republic Senator and Yoruba leader, Senator Ayo Fasanmi called on the National Assembly to probe the issues raised against Obasanjo by his daughter.

Among other Yoruba leaders who commented on the feud yesterday were Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti; Afenifere stalwart, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Second Republic Minister of Justice and AttorneyGeneral, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), and one time leader of the Alliance for Democracy, Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa.

Group suppor ts Iyabo

Also yesterday, support came the way of Senator Iyabo Obasanjo from a group, Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria, FEHN, which said that the former senator and first daughter should not be castigated based on the fact that she knows her father more than many other commentators.

The feud between father and daughter came to public knowledge upon an open letter to Obasanjo from Iyabo exclusively published by Vanguard last Wednesday.

In the letter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo described her father as a liar, wife beater, manipulator, two -faced hypocrite, who orchestrated a third term plot in office despite denials to the contrary.

It's their problem — Fasoranti

Speaking on the squabble, leader of the Yoruba sociopolitical group Afenifere, Chief Fasoranti, yesterday, said the group has no business in the family matter that is tearing Obasanjo’s family apart.

He said: “I do not think we will like to intervene in it because it is between the father and the daughter. They know themselves.

“If it was done in bad taste, that is their problem. It shows how they relate with themselves

SPECIAL DUTIES: President Goodluck Jonathan (right) welcoming members of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, who are on an oversight visit to the State House, Abuja, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

OBASANJO/IYABO FEUD: Why we won't intervene— YORUBA ELDERS z‘It is a PDP crisis, let them settle it’ at home. We have no business mediating in their private matter.

“Let them settle their quarrel themselves. No Yoruba leader would interfere in the Obasanjo/daughter quarrel. It is their family matter and it has nothing to do with Nigeria.

“There are other pressing national matters to attend to than the Obasanjo/daughter crisis. So, there is nothing we as elders can say or do.”

It's for NASS —Fasanmi

Another Yoruba elder, Senator Ayo Fasanmi who described the rift between the former President and his daughter as a very sensitive issue, said he would not support Yoruba elders dabbling into the matter.

Speaking on telephone in Osogbo yesterday, Fasanmi said Senator Iyabo Obasanjo’s letter to her father was very indicting.

He said the cross fire between the father and his daughter was a matter that cannot be swept under the carpet, but should be thoroughly investigated by prominent leaders in the country, including members of the National Assembly.

He said: “The National Assembly should as a matter of urgency set up a panel comprising prominent members of the assembly to investigate all the weighty

allegations made by Iyabo Obasanjo in the interest of the nation.

“There must not be a cover up in the matter. It bothers on morality and integrity of Obasanjo and Nigerians deserve the right to know the truth of the matter as a leader in his (Obasanjo) own right.”

Fasanmi also urged Nigerians not to blame Iyabo Obasanjo, saying “Obasanjo wrote an open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan recently.

“If he has the right to do so, I believe Iyabo also has the right to write to her father and advise him on the right thing to do.”

However, he stated that he would not support Yoruba elders intervening in the current impasse between Obasanjo and his daughter, saying that it was strictly a family and an internal affair, which needs to be handled at the family level.

A family matter — Adebanjo

Also, Afenifere stalwart, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who spoke with Vanguard on the telephone, said it was a family matter which needs no outsider intervention.

Adebanjo said: “What are you intervening in a family matter for? The girl is saying what she is experiencing with her father, what do you want to dispute there?

“I believe it is purely a family matter. Another thing is that, as far as I am concerned, it shows how unfortunate Nigeria has been to have had the type of person that has ruled us for 10 years.”

Olu Falae, Akinjide, Akinfenwa

On his part, former Minister of Finance, Chief Olu Falae said: “Well, it is a family matter between a father and daughter.

“As far as I am aware, there is no room for anyone getting involved in a family matter. It is a pure family matter which we know nothing about.”

When Vanguard called Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), and asked if Yoruba elders should intervene, the former Minister of Justice said emphatic ‘No’ without giving further explanation.

Also, Chief Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa, another respected Yoruba leader simply said it is a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, affair and would not want to say anything about it.

He said: “It is the internal crisis of PDP. Let them settle it as a family problem.”

However, a chieftain of the PDP, Senator Lekan Balogun said although he and Chief Obasanjo were not best of friends, he felt the crisis between father and daughter

should not be allowed to aggravate.

He said: “We will do our best. I will try and talk to Iyabo first and then her father. We cannot sit down and watch the issue to degenerate.

“It is only Chief Obasanjo and I who are not best of friends but I will call Iyabo.”

‘Obasanjo's letter to Jonathan worse'

Meanwhile, as reactions continued to trail Senator Iyabo Obasanjo’s letter to her father, Chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria, FEHN, Mr. Allen Onyema, said Iyabo should not be castigated because “she knows her father more than anyone else.”

Onyema, who said that Obasanjo’s 18-page letter to President Goodluck Jonathan last week was capable of whipping up sentiments that can lead to civil war, added that Nigerians do not need Iyabo’s letter to know that Obasanjo “has nothing to offer Nigeria now than instability.”

Onyema said: “The man was playing with treason.

Imagine an old man trying to whip up sentiments that can lead to war.

“Obasanjo’s public letter to President Jonathan is absurd because he did worse things when he was President.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013—9

which is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”

Speaker's situation

SENATE RECEIVES ASUU/FG AGREEMENT: President, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Dr. Isa Fagge (left), presenting the signed agreement between ASUU and Federal Government to the Senate President, David Mark, during the union's visit to the Senate in Abuja, yesterday. With them is ASUU's Vice President, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi (sitting). NAN PHOTO.

PDP TO TAMBUWAL: Declare defecting Reps' seats vacant z As Tukur declares Jonathan 'll win northern votes in 2015

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor, EMMA UJAH & HENRY UMORU

T

HE Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, is set to clash with the leadership of his party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, following the party’s request,

yesterday, that he declare the seats of all 37 House members that defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress, APC, vacant.

Meanwhile, the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who is fighting moves by the party’s

governors and some stakeholders to shove him aside fought back yesterday, saying his antagonists were inspired by their determination to stop the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, a plan he said, was bound to fail.

His assertion nonetheless,

Candidates record mass failure in Nov/Dec GCE exams

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

& DAYO ADESULU

T

HE West African Examination Council, WAEC, has said that the November/December 2013 examination which it conducted was characterised by mass failure.

It also said the performance, compared to the November/ December 2011 and 2012 WASSCE (Private), represented a decline, adding that 38,260 results, representing 12.88%, are being withheld in connection with examination malpractice.

Announcing the release of the results yesterday in Lagos, Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Mr. Charles Egurudu said 308,217 candidates registered for the examination, out of which 296,827, consisting of 163,659 male and 133,168 female, sat for the examination.

He said: “Of the total number

z38,260 results withheld of candidates that sat for the examination, 120,115 candidates (40.46%), obtained six credits and above; 161,721 (54.48%) obtained five credits and above.

“198,832 (66.98 %) obtained credits and above in 4 subjects, while 230,325 (77.59%) obtained credits and above in three subjects.

256,500 candidates (86.41%) obtained credits and above in two subjects.

“However, 86,612 candidates (29.17%), obtained credits in five subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

“Based on this, when compared to the November/ December 2011 and 2012 WASSCE (Private), there is a marked decline in candidates’ performance.

“299,784 candidates, (97.26%) have their results fully released, while 8,433 (2.74%) have a few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors mainly traceable to the candidates and cyber cafes in the course of registration or writing the examination.

“Such errors are being corrected by the Council to enable the affected candidates get their results.

“38,260 results (12.88%) are being withheld in connection with examination malpractice.

Such cases are being investigated and the reports of the investigations will be presented to the Nigerian Examinations Committee, NEC, of Council in due course for consideration.

“The Committee’s decisions will be communicated to the affected candidates through their schools.”

Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State in a terse statement, yesterday, called on President Jonathan to intervene in PDP affairs before the party is destroyed by what he described as an inept leadership under Tukur.

PDP's statement

PDP, in a statement, said the claim of the defectors that they had obtained a court injunction stopping the Speaker and Senate President from declaring their seats vacant was false.

The statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said: “We have, after a careful review, discovered that this claim is false. For the avoidance of doubt, the order of the court clearly says that status quo be maintained, which means the affected members shall remain members of the PDP. “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Section 68 (i) (g) clearly spells out the consequences of cross carpeting when there is no division in any party.

“We wish to re-emphasise here that the courts have pronounced, and INEC has concurred that there are no factions in PDP. “Since the affected members have renounced their membership of PDP, we call on the Presiding Officer in the House of Representatives to declare the 37 seats vacant without any further delay.

“This action shall be in adherence to our grand norm,

There were, however, indications yesterday that Speaker would ignore the call, putting him on a collision course with the party leadership.

A source close to the Speaker told Vanguard yesterday: “There is no way that the Speaker can act on the call or are you not aware of the court injunction obtained by the 57 members stopping the Speaker from declaring their seats vacant?”

Told of the PDP’s argument that the court injunction required all parties to maintain the status quo, the source said “Yes. Maintain status quo depends on the interpretation of who it favours.”

Besides, the movement of 10 of the 11 members of the House from Sokoto State, it was learnt, may have also tied the hands of the Speaker given his close relationship with the 10 members who are from his home state.

With the defection, Tambuwal is the only member of the Sokoto State delegation to the House still on the PDP ticket.

Jigawa gov's appeal

Meanwhile, Governor Sule Lamido of of Jigawa State called on President Jonathan to save the party.

In a statement entitled Is it Too Late to Intervene, issued by the Jigawa State Director of Press, Alhaji Umar Kyari said: “I am short of words to express my pain. It is agonising to see the party built in every home, in every village, town and city all over Nigeria with lots of sweat and sacrifice being destroyed.

“Is it too late for the leader of the party to intervene and save our party? Nigerian democracy must not be truncated.”

Tukur

Meanwhile, Tukur has said the PDP crises were due to blind ambitions to stop Jonathan from re-election in 2015.

He said: “The crises we are witnessing in PDP are about 2015. The promoters are members who wanted to be President at all costs; they are those who wanted to be Vice President at all costs and those who wanted to seek re-election as governors.”

He spoke, yesterday, when a delegation of PDP youths from 19 northern states led by Mr. Galadima Yahya, paid him a solidarity visit at his Wuse 2 residence in Abuja.

Tukur said: “The electorate in the North will elect Jonathan. If you go to them, they will tell you ‘ when those who are forming various parties were in power, what did they do for us?'”

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

Lagos set to promote businesses

BY OBOH AGBONKHESE

T

HE LAGOS State Government has reassured genuine investors of continuous provision of infrastructure and the enabling environment to establish and grow their businesses in the state.

The Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry to Governor Babatunde Fashola, Hon. Oluseye Oladejo said that the state government was determined to keep promoting commerce and industry in the state by investing heavily on good road network and other necessary infrastructure to enhance business growth.

Oladejo spoke in Lagos, weekend, while commissioning The Dove, a multipurpose event centre located at Festac Town in Amuwo Odofin area of the Lagos metropolis, where he commended the owners for researching well on the location of the centre.

The Special Adviser, who was accompanied by the chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Council, Hon. Ayodele Adewale, noted that The Dove with all modern facilities will create opportunities for those in the hospitality and event planning businesses.

Transition

M

ADAM BEATRICE Elueme (Nee Umerah) is dead. She was aged 70.

There was a service of songs in her honour, yesterday, at St. Monica’s Catholic Church Ogboli, Ibusa, to be followed today, December 20, with lying in state at her residence in Ogboli.

A requiem mass will be held at the same church this morning and thereafter interment will follow at her residence.

She is survived by children, among whom is the Senior Special Assistant to Delta State Governor, Mr. Philip Elueme, and grand children

Late Madam Elueme

Judge orders arrest of Lagos council chairman

BY ONOZURE DANIA

L

AGOS — JUSTICE Adenike Coker of an Ikeja High Court, had ordered that the Local Government Chairman of Ifako Ijaye Local Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Adeyemi Olabinjo be arrested, for demolishing a section of Irepolodun meat market, a state abattoir and

Lairage Complex at Abeokuta Road, Ojokoro, Lagos State.

Justice Coker ordered that the bench warrant be issued with immediate effect and also detention of the third defendant who should be brought to court at the next adjourned date of January 13, 2014.

At the resumed hearing of the suit, yesterday, one Musa Yaro, told the Judge that

Olabinjo demolished some stalls despite the Judge's earlier restraining order, to protect them.

Yaro, had through a motion exparte sought court's intervention as he sued Ifako Ijaye Local Government, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, its chairman, Benjamin Adeyemi Olabinjo and the Attorney General of Lagos State.

The Judge had in November given an interim order against the defendants, after listening to the counsel of the complainant, Opeyemi Bello, thus: "That interim injunction is hereby granted to claimant/

applicant restraining the defendants, their agents, servants, privies or anybody acting through or for them or on their behalf from trespassing, harassing, demolishing, disturbing or otherwise interfering with the possession of the claimants, his tenants and all persons claiming through them in respect of all that seven kee-klamps comprising 186 stalls at Irepodun Central Meat market, State Abattoir and Lairage Complex, Abeokuta Road, Ojokoro, Lagos State, the subject matter of this suit for 14 days only."

PDP Crisis: Governors pass vote of confidence on Tukur

BY HENRY UMORU

A TRADING: From left, CEO-designate, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo; CEO, Nigeria Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema, and the MD & CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc, Reginald Ihejiahi, ringing the 'Closing Bell,' to mark the end of trading on the floor of the Stock Exchange.

2015: Lagos PDP passes vote of confidence on Jonathan

BY DAPO AKINREFON

L

AGOS — THE Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has passed a vote of confidence on President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that it will mobilise Lagosians to vote for him in 2015.

State chairman of the party, Captain Tunji Shelle (rtd) said this, yesterday, during the party ’s general assembly in Lagos.

Shelle, however, accused the Lagos State government of failing to improve the plight of Lagosians

in spite of the huge allocations accrued to the state.

While imploring Lagosians to vote en masse for the President in the 2015 general elections, he said Jonathan has been delivering on his Transformation Agenda.

Shelle said: “At this juncture, I want you to join me as we pass a vote of confidence on our leader, President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of our great party for their worthy stewardship so far, which is reflecting in steady march in our national development.

Corruption: Lagos APC urges notable Nigerians to speak out

T

HE All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos State chapter, has urged eminent Nigerians to emulate former President Olusegun Obasanjo by speaking out on the present leadership crisis afflicting the country.

The party in a statement signed yesterday by its interim Publicity Secretary, Mr Joe Igbokwe, said every one will be affected if Nigerians do not speak out against the relentless pressure from bad and corrupt leadership According to the party, “We feel that the present situation where gargantuan leadership mess, monumental impunity and overwhelming corruption are being perpetrat-

ed on the system by the present PDP government has reached a point Nigerians cannot keep quiet any more.

We believe that the battered economy that has made Nigerian citizens destitute while enriching the cabals that control state power in Nigeria needs to be challenged.

“We believe that the rank impunity and outlawry that the present incompetent PDP federal government employ to batter Nigerians to continue tolerating it needs to be challenged.

We believe that the charade, confusion and failure that has hit the Jonathan government is enough to nudge Nigerians to speak out, as the former president and Leader of PDP, General Olusegun Obasanjo, recently did”.

BUJA—NATION AL Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur yesterday survived planned moves to remove him as governors elected on the platform of the party passed a vote of confidence on him.

The decision was taken at the end of the meeting of the governors held on Thursday at the Akwa Ibom State Governor ’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.

Though journalists were not allowed into the venue of the meeting, but Vanguard gathered that at the end of the meeting which ended at 8.45 pm, the governors decided to pass a vote of confidence and end the bickering which has torn the party apart leading to the defection of five governors to All Progressives Congress, APC. A source at the meeting told Vanguard that Tukur had a smooth ride following the failure of North East to produce a replacement

for him as it was agreed penultimate week by the governors that the zone should shop for his replacement.

The Governors immediately after the meeting rushed to the Presidential villa apparently to brief the leader of the party, President Goodluck Jonathan on the outcome of the meeting.

Present at the meeting were Bamanga Tukur, Governors of Akwa Ibom State, Delta; Enugu; Bayelsa; Benue; Cross River; Kaduna; Deputy governor of Niger and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim Pius.

Moved by the defection of 37 lawmakers of the PDP extraction in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, PDP national Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, members of the National Working Committee, NWC, governors of the PDP were yesterday night in a marathon meeting with Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Leader of the House, Mulikat Akande and other members of PDP caucus in the lower chamber.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013—11

Elect experienced govs, Mimiko, Nwanyanwu advise Ekiti people zLP formally admits Bamidele

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

A

DO-EKITI — ONDO State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and the National Chairman of Labour Party, Mr. Dan Nwanyanwu, have reasoned that Ekiti State was unable to match its peers in terms of physical development because the state was always governed by young and inexperienced governors.

The duo spoke, yesterday, in Ado Ekiti during the official acceptance of the House of Representatives member and former member of All Progressives Congress, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele into LP. They urged the people of the state not to make similar mistake and vote experienced politician like Bamidele during the next year governorship election Mimiko, was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Kola Ademujimi and three Commissioners during the occasion, at Basiri Area of Ado Ekiti, said: "Experience, they say, is the best teacher.

Everything is working in Ondo State because of the experience I had over the years.

"I had served as commissioner in the old Ondo State. I served as a Minister before I was elected the Governor. So, Opeyemi Bamidele had served as commissioner for eight years in Lagos State and had acquired the experiences that would liberate Ekiti from the pangs of backwardness."

The governor noted that LP was the right vehicle of change and development in Ekiti and

beyond, assuring that Bamidele will replicate the developmental agenda in Ondo State if elected governor in 2014.

While Nwanyanwu, used the opportunity of the programme to state that there was no division in Ekiti LP as being portrayed by some people, ruled out the possibility of imposition of candidates in the party.

The LP National leader assured that nobody would be discriminated against in the party, saying, "There is nothing like new or old

members. All we have in LP is one united family.

"We will not stay in Abuja like they used to do in other parties and impose anybody as governor. We are going to conduct the primaries in line with the electorCconstitution," Nwanyanwu assured.

Bamidele in his comment, said he would work harmoniously with past governors Ayodele Fayose, Segun Oni, Bamidele Olumilua and Kayode Fayemi, if elected governor in 2014, saying his government would not despise or treat any leader or Ekiti indigenes with disdain.

Ajimobi presents N188.9bn budget to Oyo Assembly

BY OLA AJAYI

I

BADAN — GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi has presented the budget of N188.9 billion for the 2014 fiscal year.

The budget tagged, 'Budget of Consolidation,' was presented to the 32-member legislative arm and hundreds of members of public including

members of the State Executive Council on the floor of the House of Assembly, Secretariat, Ibadan.

According to him, the 2014 fiscal year would aim at solidifying the on-going process of physical and social infrastructure development in the state.

The governor proposed the sum of N96.041 billion, representing 50.9 per cent for recurrent expenditure, while the capital expenditure will gulp N92.795 billion, representing 49.1 per cent of the budget.

The sectoral allocation consists of economy N36,192,500,000, representing 39.01 per cent; Social Services N25,680,000,000, 27.67 per cent; Urban Regional Development N17,741,600,000, 19.12 per cent, and General Administration N13,180,916,000.

At the presentation of the budget, a member of the House of Assembly representing Egbeda State Constituency, Mr. Ibrahim Bolomope announced his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, on the floor of the House.

He said: “Today, I have decided to pitch my tent with a party of the progressives, that is, the All Progressives Congress," Bolomope, an erstwhile Accord Party member, told a jubilant crowd that had thronged the Assembly to witness the budget presentation.

Afenifere demands publication of confab committee report

BY DAPO AKINREFON

A

FENIFERE RENEWAL Group, ARG, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately make public the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on National Dialogue, which was submitted, Wednesday.

A statement by the group's Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kunle Famoriyo, said making the report a public document is the only way President Jonathan's wish to convene the conference can continue to enjoy the support of Nigerians.

ARG said: "Nigerians have supported the call for the conference and participated fully in the public sessions. Many travelled far distances to participate in the conference. One of them was the late Babarinde Omojola, who never returned home, but died after making his presentation in Akure."

Road crashes in Osun: 185 people killed in 2013

O

SOGBO — OSUN State sector command of Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC, has declared that 185 lives were lost in various road accidents in the state between January and November this year.

According the statistics released, a total of 267 cases of road crashes were recorded which involved 1,247 casualties out of which 185 people were killed. Also, 1,007 sustained various degrees of injuries.

No money is missing in Ogun — Commissioner

A

B E O K U TA — OGUN State Government has denied that N11 billion was missing from Tax Revenue collected by consultants engaged by the government from residents living in border towns.

In a statement by Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, the government stated that the report was a clear misrepresentation of what transpired when Mr. Babajide Odubanjo, the chairman of the state Board of Internal Revenue Service, appeared, Tuesday before the House of Assembly to defend the service's projections for year 2014.

Ekiti CJ Releases 5 awaiting trial inmates

E

KITI STATE Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Ayodeji Daramola has released five awaiting trial inmates of the Nigerian Prisons in Ado Ekiti.

Justice Daramola ordered the unconditional release of the inmates when he visited the prison complex along Afao Road in the state capital.

The CJ, however, warned the released inmates to be of good behaviour and avoid actions that may get them back in prison custody.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

NTI moves to boost teachers’ productivity

DELTA CENTRAL SENATORIAL POLL: APC drags PDP, INEC to court zSeeks Aguariavwodo’s sack

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

BY GABRIEL EWEPU

A

BUJA—THE National Teachers’ Institute, NTI, has taken further step to boost staff productivity, following its introduction of sporting activities as part of efforts to create mutual relationship between management and staff.

Director-General, NTI, Dr. Aminu Sharehu, said the move to increase staff productivity through sporting activities was to keep them fit medically and mentally to contribute meaningfully to the transformation of the institute.

Sharehu said: “Productivity could only be increased and sustained when the staff are healthy enough. This informed the idea of introducing sporting activities at the institute."

NDDC board urged to avoid past mistakes

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

N

IGER Delta Patriotic Initiative, NDPI, has called on the newly constituted Niger Delta Develo p m e n t Commission,NDDC, board to avoid the mistakes that led to previous controversies in the commission.

It also described the appointments of Chief Tom Amioku and Mr. Tuoyo Omatsuli into the commission as an indication of President Goodluck Jonathan’s belief on credibility.

This was stated by its sonveners, Michael Tidi and Jesutega Onokpasa.

A

BUJA—ALL Progressives Party, APC, yesterday, dragged the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, alleging that there was electoral fraud in the recently concluded bye-election for Delta Central Senatorial District.

Besides, APC and its candidate at the election which held on October 12, 2013, Mr Oghenetega Emerhor, told the court that it had garnered sufficient evidence with a view to proving that the PDP, connived with one Mr Olawale Dawodu, an official of INEC in Abuja, and smuggled in forged documents it said were relied upon to endorse the Nomination Form of Senator Edesiri Aguariavwodo who eventually won the election.

It alleged that in defiance of the time limit that was set by INEC for the submission of nomination forms, PDP not only failed to meet the deadline, but also bribed INEC official to write a false date of receipt on the nomination form of its candidate.

Consequently, the plaintiffs, while contending that Senator Aguariavwodo of the PDP was not a valid candidate at the said election, applied for an order of the court, directing the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation,

to, forthwith, prosecute both the PDP, Senator Aguariavwodo and the accused INEC official, Mr Dawodu.

In a 20-paragraphed statement of claim filed in support of the suit, the plaintiffs further told the court that the 1st defendant, Aguariavwodo’s nomination and C.F. 001 forms, were not submitted to the 3rd defendant (INEC) on the last day of submission of list which was September 26, 2013. “1st defendant was not validly nominated by the 2nd defendant (PDP) to contest the byeelection into the office of senator for the Delta Central

Senatorial District.

“The plaintiffs aver that the failure of the 1st and 2nd defendants to submit the nomination and CF001 Forms of the 1st defendant to the 3rd defendant latest 26/9/2013 is vital and mandatory condition precedent to 1st defendant subsequent valid participation in the election.

“Notwithstanding the facts that 1st defendant’s nomination forms were not received at the close of submission on 26/9/2013, the 3rd defendant invalidly included his name and published it as part of the final list of candidates standing nominated for the

bye-election of 12/10/2013. The 1st defendant was not a candidate at the election and should not have been allowed to campaign for votes."

Meantime, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, is yet to assign the case to any judge for adjudication.

“The 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants made 1st defendant’s nomination and forms C.F. 001 and affidavit in support of personal particulars to bear a false date of reception knowing it to be false and with intent that it may in any way be used or acted upon as genuine by the 3rd defendant."

CARNIRIV: Obi/Akpor LGA performing at the 2013 Rivers State Boat Regatta, in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Nwankpa Chijioke.

Vote out PDP, Amaechi tells Rivers people

G

OVERNOR C h i b u k e Amaechi of Rivers State, yesterday, urged people of the state to vote out Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, upon what he claimed was the fail-

ure of the Federal Government to bring any benefit to the state.

Speaking when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, in Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Amaechi

alleged that where benefits to the state have not been channeled to Bayelsa State, the Goodluck Jonathan administration had impeded the progress of the state.

The governor said he joined All Progressives

Congress, APC, to protect the interests of Rivers State which have been neglected by the PDP's Federal Government.

He said: “So, for Rivers State, basically that is the cause of the quarrel and you have a choice to make. The choice for me, if you ask me to advise you, is to vote out PDP and there is no sentiment about that.

“Legally, we have not lost Soku (oil wells). We have just lost Soku to the fact that the President is from Bayelsa. When a

president that is not from Bayelsa comes, he will look at the facts and the facts are there. The Federal Government in writing in the court said to court, ‘sorry, court, we made a mistake, we will correct the mistake’ and we have told Federal Government, ‘don’t call us for a meeting, go and correct that mistake.

How could you people wake up in 2011, suddenly change the map of Nigeria and take Soku into Bayelsa State!'”

According to the governor, the Jonathan administration has failed to execute a road project awarded by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration to link the oil-rich Bonny Island in Rivers State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013—13

Oshiomhole to Edo doctors: Go back to work or lose your salaries

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, described the ongoing nationwide warning strike embarked upon by the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, as provocative, warning doctors in the state to go back to work or forget about their salaries.

Oshiomhole stated this at a meeting with the Association of Resident Doctors, Medical and Dental Consultants Association at Government House, Benin City.

He said: “If you have any grievances you are obliged by law, you are obliged by tradition, you are actually compelled by your own oath, not to abandon your patients.

“The facts are not in dispute because doctors under the employment of Edo State Government are not staff of the Federal Government.

“The Federal Government has no hand in your employment, no hand in your promotion and they have no hand in your posting. How we find money to pay, the Federal Government has no hand in it.

“So, I believe that even if we are to talk in the context of employer-employee relationship, you are obliged by law to state the particulars of your grievances to your employer.

“There is nothing in the convention or the law that allows you to simply walk out of your job. The fact that your colleagues under Federal employment had dispute and they sought meeting with the Minister of Health, those are meetings between your colleagues and the Federal Government. How is Edo

State a part of that?

“I expect that if you feel obliged to go on that strike, you should inform us that the strike is inevitable. I do understand the logic and essence of solidarity, but in this business, before you resort to solidarity action, people who are themselves directly involved in the dispute may choose on their own to first go on strike."

Responding, Dr. Eghe Abe said the association would convene to take a dispassionate consideration of the governor ’s address and do what was in the interest of the state.

Agnesia Powder bags award

T

HE Institute for Government Research and Leadership Technology has awarded Ferdison Pharmaceutical Limited’s Agnesia Powder, Best Irritation Powder Management for 2013.

The award was presented during the African Product Forum 2013, in Lagos.

Presenting the award, Mr. Otunba Oni described the

award as a well deserved one for the company, adding that the company has done very well in producing quality skin irritation and other pharmaceutical products at affordable price to Nigerians.

Receiving the award, Chairman, Managing Director, Ferdison Pharmaceutical Limited, Chief Ferdinand Uwagba, expressed delight over the award which he described as long overdue.

Esele urges Jonathan to address issues raised

by Obasanjo

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—FORMER President of Trade Union Congress, TUC, Mr. Peter Esele, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan not to brush aside the issues raised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his letter to him, insisting that he

should offer explanations to some of the issues raised in his own interest and that of the Presidency.

Esele, who fielded questions from journalists in Benin, yesterday, also said that most of the issues raised by Senator Iyabode Obasanjo in her missive to her father

were things already in the public domain, saying the only surprise was that it was made public.

He said: “I think the President should explain certain things, he should look at the letter for the sake of the Presidency; not only for his own sake but should clear the air over certain things that were stated there."

Rivers Assembly Crisis: We are independent umpires —Tambuwal

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA—SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday, said the House had no personal interest in taking over the legislative duties of Rivers State House of Assembly at the peak of the assembly’s crisis this year.

He explained that the decision to take over the crisis-stricken assembly was taken in consultation with the Senate, pointing out that the action was a patriotic in-

tervention to rescue the assembly and by extension, the nation’s democracy, from collapsing.

Tambuwal spoke when 23 members of the Assembly paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.

He further noted that the patriotism of members of the House usually made them to jettison their individual differences while considering critical national issues.

The Speaker, howev-

er, said that though the matter of the Rivers Assembly crisis was still pending in the courts, the National Assembly would not relent until the issue was amicably resolved and peace returned to the state.

He said: “I was out of the country when the crisis in Rivers State started. It was my deputy and my own brother, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, that presided over the session that day. But the House rose to the occasion in order to rescue our democracy from collapse."

14—Vanguard , FRISDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

FG inaugurates c’ttee on basic, secondary education

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

A

BUJA—THE F e d e r a l Government yesterday inaugurated a National Steering Committee to tackle fundamental challenges confronting basic and secondary education in the country.

The committee is a creation of the State Education Programme Investment Project, SEPIP. Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, while inaugurating the committee in Abuja, said it was created to address basic education system, in terms of improvement in teachers’ deployment and availability in the rural areas.

Wike, who was represented by Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr MacJohn Nwaobiala, said the SEPIP project was created to last for four years.

He said: “The project would also improve teacher availability in the core subject areas such as, English L a n g u a g e , Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Integrated Science in Junior Secondary School.

Passage

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AGOS-BASED businessman, Larry Agugor who died on October 21, was buried in his home town of Ifite, Agbaja, Abatete, last Wednesday after a concelebrated Requiem Mass at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Agbaja, Abatete.

He is survived by his widow, Ada, children, Jennifer Nwabugwu and Ogechukwu Ebube, among other relations .

Late Larry Agugor

Patients desert hospitals as doctors’ strike grounds services

BY SOLAOGUNDIPE

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AGOS—PATIENTS are deserting public hospitals as doctors withdraw their services for the third day in compliance with the nationwide strike even as the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, says it is no longer dealing with the Federal Ministry of Health over the strike.

Yesterday, the strike was total in most government hospitals in Lagos which have put in place skeletal services to attend to patients’ needs.

At the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Ebute-Metta, there was no activity at the emergency ward, while the general ward was almost deserted following mass discharge of patients.

Only a few physiotherapists and other paramedics were on ground. A nurse on duty confirmed that patients whose cases were not too serious had been discharged from the previous day because there were no doctors on duty to attend to them.

She said: “They were asked to settle their bills and go home. We are only monitoring those who cannot be discharged because their condition is critical.”

Only skeletal services were in place at Lagos University

Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi-Araba. Activities at the institution’s Accident & Emergency ward were scanty as no new emergency cases were being admitted.

Although all the outpatient clinics were open, only nurses and some paramedics were present even as patients

were not forthcoming.

Some patients lamented inability to keep scheduled appointments with their doctors. For instance, a patient, Mrs. Olaide Adedeji complained that her sister, who had been booked for surgery this week, was yet to be confirmed for the procedure.

“We have paid and bought everything required, only to be told the surgery is postponed. So what do we do now? What will happen to my sister,” she wondered.

When confronted, a senior medical staff confirmed that all unscheduled and elective surgical procedures had been suspended and that some patients were requesting to be discharged.

SESSION: From left, Secretary to Anambra State Government, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, Chairman of Heads of Federal Government Establishments in the state, Dr. David Ugonna, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transport, Mr. Nebolisa Emodi, Director, HRM, Mr. Oqua Eta, and former Chairman, Heads of Federal Government Establishments in Anambra State, Dr. Uche Nwafor, at the interactive session of permanent secretaries, Federal Ministry of Transport with federal civil/public servants in Awka.

Physically challenged persons continue protest in Imo

BY CHIDINKWOPARA WERRI—RESIDENTS of Owerri, Imo State capital, have been held hostage for the second day running by physically challenged persons protesting alleged insensitivity of the state government to their welfare.

However, commuters have appealed to Governor Rochas Okorocha to find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis of confidence between him and the physically challenged persons in the state.

The call followed on-going protest by physically challenged persons, which commenced since Wednesday morning and has continued to effectively disrupt vehicular traffic in Owerri municipality.

The current peaceful protest, which is the third in the series in less than two months, took off from the entrance gate of Imo State Government House, Owerri.

The physically challenged citizens, numbering about 500, had besieged the gate with placards, most of which contained uncomplimentary words against the state

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governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha.

The appeal by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Owerri, Sir Jude Ejiogu, for the aggrieved citizens to discontinue the protest was completely ignored as they insisted on having audience with Okorocha.

Apparently angered by the unwillingness of the governor to come out and address

them, the group quickly mobilised and used both vehicles and wheel chairs to barricade the ever busy Library Roundabout, connecting Government House, Wetheral Road, Okigwe Road and Bank Road.

The special citizens are accusing the governor of insensitivity to their plight,

citing the non-recognition of December 3 of every year by the state government as a day for the physically challenged persons declared by the United Nations, one of such evidences.

One of the aggrieved citizens, Mr. Henry Amamchukwu, told journalists that unemployment and non-release of subventions were also part of their grievances.

NARTO decries failed roads in S-South

BY SIMONEBEGBULEM

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ENIN CITY—THE Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, in the South South, yesterday lamented the deplorable state of roads in the region and appealed to the Federal Government to find solution to the problem.

The zonal chairman of the association, Mr. Sammy Akano who lamented this during the maiden inauguration of the Edo State branch executives led by Anthony Oz-Iziduh, regretted

that investors in the transport business in the region are pulling out due to the bad state of the roads which according to him is causing accident and deaths on daily basis.

Disclosing that the association would ensure the proper regulation of the activities of truck owners in Edo State in collaboration with the state government, he called on the Federal Ministry of Works to expedite action on the deplorable state of Nigeria roads which he said, posed a great danger to truck owners

across the country and the South South in particular.

Akano who also disclosed that the association had been involved in the training of their drivers through partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, in order to minimiSe the rate of road accidents.

The newly sworn in chairman, Oz-Iziduh, while thanking members for his election, commended the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion for his support and contribution to the take off of the body in the state.

Vanguard , FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 —15

N225M BULLET PROOF CARS: Reps adopt c’ttee’s report finding Oduah culpable zAsk Jonathan to review her position as minister

BY CLIFFORDNDUJIHE

EMMANOVUAKPORIE& LEVINUSNWABUGHIOGU

A

BUJA—THE House of Representatives yesterday adopted the Aviation committee report which found the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah culpable over her alleged role in the purchase of two BMW bullet proof cars worth N225 million and urged President Goodluck Jonathan to review her continued engagement as minister.

Others recommended for sanctions

Also recommended for sanctions were the former Acting Director General, Mr. Nkemakolam Joyce and the Director of Finance, Mr. S. Ozigi

“safety and security vehicles” sub-head in the Appropriation Act. The position of the committee that this was not included the budget is spurious as clear evidence exists in the Appropriation Act as stated above.

“The action of the Committee and the House were pre-medicated with the sole aim of casting aspersion on the person and office of the Aviation Minister. We reiterate that the recommendations of the Committee do not reflect the actual course of proceedings at the Hearing.”

Minister expresses shock

But in a swift reaction, the embattled minister in a statement by her Special Assistant on media, Mr. Joe Obi expressed shock that in spite of the mass of evidence presented to the Committee of the House during investigation, it went ahead to adopt all the recommendations which she said was to mar her reputation and that of her office.

The Eze -Igbo of Lagos, Dr. C.U. Nwachukwu, has also urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ignore calls for the removal of the aviation minister saying she did not contravene any law of the land.

The committee report also directed the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to immediately terminate all transactions and loans agreement entered into with First Bank of Nigeria Plc and directed the ministry to recover all the monies on the entire transactions and pay same back into the Consolidated Revenue Account.

House reaches decision

The House reached the decision after considering the report of the investigation carried out on the purchases of the cars by its Committee on Aviation.

It will be recalled that the report was initially laid before the House on November 7, 2013 by the chairman of the Committee, Hon. Nkiruka Onyejiocha.

Faulting the role of the minister, the House said that Oduah “contravened the Appropriation Act, 2013 and the Approved Revised Thresholds by exceeding the Ministry of Aviation’s approval limit of N100m by the purchase of 54 vehicles valued at 643m.”

Further directives were also given to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and other relevant anticorruption agencies to “further investigate the discrepancies in the Chasis Number (DW68032) of the vehicles on the one reported to have been delivered and the one inspected by the Committee and further investigate and if found wanting, prosecute all persons/institutions involved in the transactions.”

C M Y K

INSPECTION TOUR: Mr. George Uriesi, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, (left) and Alhaji Usman Saka, Ilorin Airport Manager, during the inspection tour of Ilorin Airport, yesterday. of NCAA “in accordance with the Civil Service rules for deliberately breaching the Appropriation Act, 2013 and other Extant Laws of the Federation.”

COSCHARIS Nigeria Ltd, the vehicles clearing agency was asked to be instigated on the issue of waiver on import duties, source and exact cost of the two BMW vehicles.

It was further recommended that the company be made to pay the value of the waiver into the Federation Account.

Minister reacts

Meanwhile, the Minister swiftly reacted to the action of the House.

In a statement by her Special Assistant on media, she expressed shock that in spite the mass of evidence presented to the Committee of the House during investigation, it went ahead to adopt all the recommendations which she said was to mar her reputation and that of her office.

She insisted that due process was followed in the procurement of the two amoured vehicles.

According to the statement: “We are shocked and disappointed that in spite of the deluge of representations and evidences provided by the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah and all invited stakeholders on the matter, the House would reach conclusions that have only confirmed that there was a hidden agenda in the entire exercise from the beginning.

We recall vividly the underhand tactics of the House when, 24 long hours before the Report of the investigation was due to be laid before the Plenary, “Certified True Copies” were handed over to online and traditional media. The motive of those who handed the document to unauthorised persons has fully manifested in the adoption of the recommendations that have no reflection to the Public Hearing conducted in the full glare of Nigerians and the media.

“We stand by our earlier submissions to the committee that Due Process was followed in the procurement of the vehicles by the NCAA. The Minister told the Public Hearing; and her evidence was corroborated by the NCAA that the cars were neither purchased for her nor in her name. Evidence also shows that the cars in question were included as a line item under the

DEFECTION OF 37 REPS: Fear grips Jonathan’s loyalists

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

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BUJA—CORE loyalists of President Goodluck Jonathan in the House of Representatives have panicked over the defection of no fewer than 37 former Peoples Democratic Party to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC. The fear of the President’s men stemmed from unconfirmed allegation among members that the APC had concluded plans to take over the leadership of the House of Representatives and move against Jonathan and his interest groups in the House.

The allegation became so strong that some of the supporters of the President started sending out mails to their members, pleading with them to urgently turn out and block any move by the opposition to move against their interests.

16Vanguard , FRISDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

Yakowa’s anniversary: VP slams Y El-Rufai

BY EMEKAMAMAH

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BUJA—THE Vice President, Namadi Sambo, yesterday, lampooned the former Minister of Abuja Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for alleging that he (Sambo) prevented him from speaking at the one year anniversary of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa, in Kaduna recently.

Sambo said that he did not prevent El-Rufai from speaking at the occasion, pointing out that it was indeed, the late Yakowa’s family which organised the event, singlehandedly, that did not want him to speak.

His reaction was contained in a statement by his special adviser on Media and Publicity,

Alhaji Umar Sani, who described El-Rufai’s allegation as the ‘’rantings of an accidental politician’’ to attract attention to himself.

Sani’s statement entitled, ‘’the cacophony of an accidental civil servant,’’read, in part, ‘’The venue of the one year anniversary lecture in commemoration of the former governor of Kaduna State, late Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa provided a platform for Mallam ElRufai to once again renew his usual verbal vituperations against the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan; specifically directed at the Vice President, Namadi Sambo. ‘’The erstwhile minister of the FCT brazenly accused the VP of barring him from praising late Yakowa.

We are constrained to respond to the allegation not minding the motive but to set the records straight. The lecture was exclusively organised by the late Yakowa’s family including

inviting those to present papers and speak on the occasion. The family alone compiled the programme of events, printed and circulated same at the venue. All those who were billed to speak at the event and whose names were contained in the programme spoke. ‘’For someone who was invited by the family to speak, one wonders why his name was conspicuously missing from the programme? Why would the presence of the Vice President generate any problem for him? Was he not aware that the Vice President was a special gu est and was billed to speak at the event which was widely advertised in our national dailies? ‘’If he was desirous to raise some fundamental questions on the present happenings in the state, was the memorial lecture of Yakowa the only avenue or platform for him to do so? As a concerned Nigerian, does he not have other avenues to air his views on the happenings in the state?

BY EMMANUEL

AZIKEN O L A — THE Adamawa State Commissioner for Environment, Mrs. Arziki Sawa has debunked news reports that she backed away from the collective decision of the Adamawa State executive council to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Commissioner denies abandoning Gov Nyako Mrs. Sawa, wife of former Senator Andrawus Sawa, a leading chieftain of the PDP debunked the insinuations that she had decided to follow her husband to the PDP following her absence at the ceremony when the cabinet resolved to move

WRPC trains 48 host youths in Delta

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ARRI—THE Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company, WRPC, yesterday graduated 48 host community youths in its 2013 Skills Acquisition programme, with the aim of improving their standard of living.

Speaking during the closing ceremony at the company’s premises, the Managing Director, Mr. Paul Obelley, said the programme was initiated in 2005 and has trained 225 persons from its five host communities.

The programme was designed to empower the participants with the skills

needed to become selfemployed and self-reliant.

He stated that with starter-packs worth millions of naira given to each trainee, they would now be in a position to train others in their various communities and also become employers of labour.

His words: “The beauty of this programme is that participants do not have to worry about how to start up as WRPC management has provided them with the primary equipment requiredtocommencebusiness.

Secondly, there is a large and ready market to consume your products and services.”

with Governor Murtala Nyako to the APC. “I am 100 per cent behind Baba Maimangoro and there is no way that I can abandon him, so I am 100 per cent behind him in APC and wherever he is going, I will go with him,” Mrs. Sawa told Vanguard in a telephone interview yesterday.

“I don’t know who is behind the reports.”

Asked why the reports were made, she said: “The truth is that I went for an official engagement in Abuja and so maybe because they didn’t see me at the declaration but I cannot point at any person as being behind the reports. If there is anybody spreading the report, that person is telling a lie and he will never see me going the other way and just wants to bring chaos.”

Mrs. Sawa was away at a meeting of the National Council on Environment in Abuja when the decision by the cabinet to defect to the APC was taken.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 —17

This week’s caustic correspondence O

n Wednesday, this n e w s p a p e r announced that it had exclusively obtained an “open letter ” in which Iyabo Obasanjo, the ex-President’s eldest daughter and a former senator, bitterly accused her father of being a liar who treated his family shabbily, described his recent criticisms of President Jonathan as hypocritical and told the world that she wanted no further contact with him.

Meanwhile, Chief Segun Osoba, the former Governor of Ogun, the Obasanjos’ state of origin, has allegedly alleged that the contents of the letter are almost identical to remarks that Iyabo has recently made in his presence.

I used to spend a lot of time with Iyabo before Life took us in different directions. We were close enough in those days for her to stay in my house when she visited Port Harcourt; and I recall her grumbling about her Dad’s penchant for relating to her as if she was a baby and saying that she wished he would remember that she was now a grown woman with her own child. That was the worst thing I ever heard her say about him. And she even laughed as she said it.

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urthermore, I watched her interacting with her Dad on quite a few occasions.

And they were genuinely affectionate with each other in my presence. Very relaxed.

Lots of jokes. Their warm rapport was a pleasure to observe.

I am extremely surprised to now be hearing that this rapport has totally evaporated and that Iyabo now loathes her father with a burning passion and is eager to tear him to shreds in public and never wants to see him again.

If this letter had been brought to light by any other newspaper, I would have insisted that it was a forgery that was composed by someone who has personal or professional reasons for wanting to rubbish the former C M Y K

•Senator Iyabo Obasanjo

•Fmr. President Obasanjo Head Of State… …and that the letter sounds credible only because its author has cleverly interwoven complete lies with verifiable facts that are

common knowledge and intimate details that anyone who has had access to the Obasanjos is aware of.

According to internet reports, Iyabo has denied

writing the letter. But one cannot believe everything on reads online, so we’ll just have to wait and see whether she issues a firm and unequivocal rebuttal. Or not.

I certainly hope that she does. I haven’t seen either father or daughter for ages.

But I have fond memories of both and want them to be happy.

Last week’s caustic correspondence

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any thanks to the many Vanguard readers who took the trouble to comment on last week’s column in which I discussed Obasanjo’s “explosive missive” to President Jonathan. Your feedback is always muchappreciated (unless it is downright abusive or megadim-witted!), even when you disagree with me.

Some respondents told me off for not highlighting Obasanjo’s shortcomings and praising Jonathan. But most shared my opinion that even though the latter has what it takes to save Nigeria, his performance to date has been so disappointing that his former mentor cannot be blamed for addressing him like a wayward son.

On reflection, though I continue to be convinced that the message is more important than the messenger and feel that

Obasanjo did a better job than Jonathan has done so far, I agree with those who say that I should also, in the interests of balance, have pointed out that Obasanjo is no saint himself… …and that his administration was also far from perfect…and that a man who dishonourably sought an unconstitutional Third Term is a fine one to sanctimoniously carp about Jonathan’s apparent desire to sit tight beyond 2015.

Meanwhile, PDPsupporting friends who know that I am pro-Jonathan at heart have called me to say

that they are very unhappy about my failure to defend him within the context of the most damaging item in Obasanjo’s letter: he rumour that Jonathan has put 1000 people on a “ watchlist” and is training snipers and clandestinely acquiring weapons, the implication being that Mr President is planning to assassinate his opponents in cold blood.

I didn’t even briefly mention this item last week and my silence was deliberate.

Obasanjo made it clear that he didn’t know whether the above rumour was true and I

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felt that it wasn’t my place to join a retired General in speculating about a dangerous, serious and sensitive security issue that I know nothing about.

There are times when one is totally out of one’s depth!

However, since I am being berated me for shrinking from this topic in a cowardly and disloyal fashion, I now feel obliged to say that while one can never completely vouch for another human being – especially a Nigerian politician! - I HONESTLY do not believe that Jonathan is capable of that kind of violence.

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only). PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 NOT too long ago, Nigerians were reminded that matters that involved the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were family affairs.

The party extended its “family affairs” to the condoning of the arsons in many parts of the country, in the course of its members vying for political power. PDP stood above the law, which its members never expected to defend them, especially in contests among themselves.

Another round of feud has broken out in the family. It may assume the hue of letter writing, but any family – whether political or biological – that communicates to itself in the manner we have seen in the past few weeks, is in trouble.

PDP is really in trouble, but it is not doomed as many predict. Its trouble is rooted in the indiscipline within the party. More importantly, more party members have assumed statures that tempt them to act with impunity that was reserved for a select few.

Nigerians may be seeing a contest over privileges, particularly the right to dictate what happens, rather than any altruistic

Family Lett er s, Not Letter ers, Family Af s Afffair airs worries from the individuals grandstanding about the prospects of Nigeria under uninspiring leaderships.

What should bother Nigerians is the absence of proper channels for communicating family fights as both letters truly show. The letters from the two Obasanjos had a limited audience; they should have been left at the level.

It is important to note that PDP is famous for externalising ordinary party issues. It could be a subterfuge to paper over its cracking walls. Nigerians may be losing sleep over what happens with these letters flying around. Not much would happen.

The letters have achieved their purposes,

which could include making the other party uncomfortable, coercing one party to act as the other wishes or most likely make a play at gaining the affection of Nigeria under the guise of being nationalistic.

None of these would work in the overwhelming circumstances that the country is finding itself. Economic matters are contesting fiercely for attention. Politicians jostling for the 2015 elections and anything that is available before then, do not think about Nigeria beyond its relevance to their ambitions. The allure of power would sustain the conflicts, and ironically resolve them.

Access to power, or bits of it, is the central interest in PDP. The public’s concern is the distractions the tussles provide. They affect non-party members too. With the number of States PDP controls, and its dominance at the centre, resources, including time, are expended in resolving one party issue or the other.

Governors are spending too much time in Abuja attending to endless party crises.

Governance is suffering. Governments should concentrate on the enormous task of rescuing Nigeria.

OPINION

BY FRANCIS EWHERIDO

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N October 18, 2013, my wife and I went to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Ojodu, Lagos, for data capturing to enable us renew our drivers’ licenses. Normally, a lecture precedes the data capturing. The lecturer on this day was one Mr. A.O. Oseni of FRSC. As we cramp into the roads for our Christmas travels, it is apt to recall the lecture.

One, when driving on the road, assume every other road user is a mad man/woman (no insult or disrespect intended; just a mind-set to guide you in relating with other road users). These road users include car drivers, bus drivers, articulated vehicle drivers, tricycle drivers, motorcycle riders, pedestrians, etc. Treat them as you treat a mad person.

Two, while driving on the road, assume you are driving five vehicles- the actual one you are driving, the vehicle in front of you, behind you and beside you on both sides. The import is that any of these vehicles can cause an accident that will involve the one you are driving, so always watch out for them.

Three, the maximum speed allowed on Nigerian roads is 100 kilometres per hour.

When tempted to go above the speed limit, always remember you are on Nigerian roads where you can always expect the unexpected. Speeding on Nigerian roads is risky and suicidal. The irony and foolishness in excessive speeding is that if you stop briefly by the side of the road, in no time all the vehicles you sped past

Some Lessons from FRSC this season earlier, including lorries, trailers and other articulated vehicles, will drive past you again. And then you begin to wonder, what was this whole madness and suicidal driving all about? The second issue Oseni pointed out is the response time in the event of accident. While you can get help abroad within minutes, here it takes a while even with the improvement by FRSC and other relevant bodies. Even if you get help on time there is the other matter of resident doctors being on strike or hospitals rejecting accident victims or asking for deposit before commencing treatment (rejecting a road accident victim by hospitals and medical personnel is an offence that attracts a fine of N50,000). If the injuries are severe, you might need to be flown abroad for further treatment because of our poor health facilities. Your financial capability now comes into play.

You now see the consequences of excessive speeding; it can easily result in a long, complicated story.

Four, get genuine documents and know your right when dealing with the police, customs, FRSC, Vehicle Inspection Officers, and many government officials who come in all shades, sizes and colours.

To this I add even when you have genuine documents and know your right, know when to insist on your rights. Do not argue too much with a drunken law enforcement agent with a gun. Also if you are badly outnumbered in a quiet place and you are

alone, be very careful. Some of these people will get rid of their mother for 10 kobo not to talk of a complete stranger like you.

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ive, as a road user make efforts to know the traffic rules, but do not hang onto them once you are on Nigerian roads; do not claim any rights. Obey the traffic rules but do not expect other road users to obey the rules. The other point I want to add is that you should not get yourself involved in standoffs on the road. Even when you are right, give way to the trouble maker, let him/her pass and you can continue your journey. To the immature, they will feel that they have had one on you, a feeling fuelled by agonising ignorance and gargantuan ego that has no foundation. A lot of them are actually insecure and inherently wicked road users.

The real winner is the cultivated man/ woman who will not constitute himself/ herself into a public nuisance. Such standoffs can also result in fisticuffs. You do not want to be involved in such public shame. My experience at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, has also taught me that some of these lean hungry looking people you see on the road are actually powerhouses. You do not want to be given the beating of your life. On the other hand, some of the well-fed people you see are actually walking corpses. You do not want to be involved in an avoidable and

unnecessary manslaughter or homicide case.

The only downside of my interaction with FRSC is the time it takes to get the driver’s license. I applied for the renewal of my drivers’ license in March; I went for data capturing in October and was given a temporary driver ’s license. I was told to come for the original license on December 17, 2013. I duly went there today and after going through the busy pre-Christmas traffic I was told it was not ready. I photocopied the temporary license, it was stamped and a new collection date of February 25, 2014 written on it. I just wonder why it will take a year to get a card that only takes a minute to print.

Meanwhile, by the time this license comes out, the date on it will probably be March 2013, so that in a little over two years, I will go through this horror again. I renewed my international passport earlier in the month. It took only two days to get an international passport renewed and a passport looks more difficult to produce than driver ’s license. So what exactly is the problem? FRSC has work to do. The agony Nigerians go through to get their driver ’s license is avoidable and unnecessary. *Mr. Ewherido, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013— —19

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ANY find themselves overseas for many reasons, ranging from the pursuit of greener pastures, fleeing persecution, tough family conditions, wrong peer influence among friends and in school, to mere youthful adventurism. Some do this at great risks of their lives like in the recent case where hundreds of migrants perished in a boat mishap in Italy. Whenever such happens, Nigerians are involved, because of the highly adventurous nature of our life in Nigeria, fuelled by years of broken promises of employment, and economic good conditions by successive governments in the past.

No one tells these people especially our youths that life can be very tough should their bid for migration legitimacy fail in the destination or host country. Every nation has her own immigration laws and rules which must be adhered to by all migrants, and once breached, the person becomes an illegal migrant.

Governments have varied attitudes towards illegal migrants, but most countries, do all possible to make life very tough for the illegal migrant. They are often arrested, sent to detention or holding Centres, from where they will be deported under shameful conditions to Nigeria. Where their asylum bid fails, they would remain at the Centre till they were suddenly deported.

The shame, feeling of anguish, loss of years of one’s life, and of value honour and human dignity associated with forced deportation from home countries, cause many of them to choose to die in their host country than return to Nigeria, where the environment has remained largely indifferent and even hostile to deportees.

It is against this background that over 168 nations partnered in 2002, to establish the International Organization for Migration (IOM),whose main thrust is to uphold and restore the human dignity and well-being of migrants, through the encouragement of their voluntary return, to settle in their countries of Origin, while enhancing their re-integration into the economic system they have become alien to due to long absence. The IOM envisions the collaboration of professionals built on trust, that listens to member states and helps them to manage migration cost effectively and efficiently, for the benefit of all. This initiative's support of the government of Switzerland’s MOU with Nigeria regarded as best practice on the handling of migrants must be commended in the face of inhuman, degrading treatment of migrants by most other nations especially the developed and civilized world.

Rightly or wrongly America does not want immigrants and is increasingly enforcing removals in dehumanising manner. A recent

,

report indicated that the "enforcement of the nation’s immigration laws is crucial to the future of America due to a "fundamental fact," according to the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) — many more people would like to relocate here than the country could reasonably absorb. "Unless this country becomes a very undesirable place to live and work, there will always be more people wishing to come here than there will be available legal immigration slots," the CIS states, using a Gallup poll of more than 450,000 adults in 151 countries conducted over a recent two-year period.

I

t projected that about 13 percent of the world's adults, more than 640 million people, would like to leave their country permanently, and about 150 million of them would prefer to relocate in the United States.

The second most favoured country people would like to move

Is Oshiomhole victim of his comrades?

BY BLESSING YAKUBU

I

HAVE always believed that the difference between the governors and the governed is not only in the thin divide of ‘’you there and I here’, but on the perception of the individual concerned. From the outside looking in, most people see only the flaws and negatives of a government. Many do not care about how or why things do not work according to their expectations.

In Edo State, the coming of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole into governance in 2008 may have been greeted with a lot of hope not only on the side of the generality of the people but particularly by workers who saw in him a genuine comrade whose activities in the Labour movement in Nigeria could be counted upon to lift them beyond the skies. Such expectations were genuine also. Before assuming office as governor of Edo state, however, Comrade Oshiomhole had not been in government but could be described, in spite of his leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), as one of us the governed. In his NLC position he could give voice to the frustrations of the workers he led, picket establishments where and when necessary, mobilise workers to embark on strike actions and listen to explanations where such were ventured.

Expected results may or may not materialise in certain circumstances. That Comrade Oshiomhole was a huge success at the NLC is not in question and Nigerian workers have continued to appreciate his contributions.

The relationship between Comrade Oshiomhole and workers in the state civil service is now being defined in terms of his past in the NLC and his present position as governor of the state. Workers, represented by the state NLC chapter, are of the view that Governor Oshiomhole being a Comrade should impact positively on their welfare

C M Y K

without prompting. Or, as they say, of what use is a Comrade in government if their lives do not positively reflect that reality? It is with this mindset that the state NLC headed

by Mr. Emmanuel Ademokun two weeks ago embarked on a strike to press home their demand for ‘’improved welfare’’.

On the list of demands which Ademokun said were not given accelerated attention

by Comrade Oshiomhole were (a) none reconstitution of the State Civil Service Commission (b) delayed recruitment of new staff to fill existing vacancies in the service (c) non-inclusion of workers in the boards of government parastatals and boards (d) non-payment of balance 10.5 percent allowance to primary school teachers and (e) bridging the salary gap between the Directors and Permanent Secretaries (also known as relativity!).

The three issues of reconstitution of the Civil Service Commission, recruitment and board appointments are clearly not in the purview of Labour as they fall outside their competence. Therefore, the only welfare issue which ordinarily would require the attention of the NLC leadership is that concerning the non-payment of the balance of Teachers’ Special Allowance (TSA) and that of the Doctors. It is instructive, however, that the doctors concerned backed out of the NLC action and opted for dialogue to resolve their payment issue. This stance is the most viable option open to the NLC if it wants to achieve results.

Also, if the NLC executives had taken time to read the Constitution, they would have known that Primary Schools and their teachers are under the control of Local Governments and not the state government.

Relativity is an issue which was clearly sorted out during the negotiations for a new Minimum wage with the Organised Labour in 2011, to which the NLC, TUC and JNC Chairmen appended their signatures. It is

to is the United Kingdom preferred by 45 million adults, followed by Canada (42 million), France (32 million), Saudi Arabia (31 million), Australia and Germany (both 26 million).

Migrants are most likely to come from populous countries such as China (22 million), Nigeria (15 million), India (10 million), and Bangladesh (8 million), according to Gallup.

America, Britain and the developed nations need to emulate, and support the IOM initiative, and Swiss MOU, in order to increasingly foster the upholding of the human dignity of migrants especially including Nigerian migrants. Nigeria is presently the biggest returnee and transit Centre along West Africa.

The Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) program, of the IOM is of greatest interest, where it encourages illegal immigrants to return voluntarily, and assists them to overcome the myriad of challenges they face upon return to Nigeria, in order to reintegrate them into the social and economic system of this nation. Voluntary Returnees, constitute a large population of human resources, with huge potentials that could be tapped into towards the economic development of this country. So far 644 Nigerians have returned making Nigeria the biggest country of voluntary return in West Africa, Ghana comes next with 326, Gambia, 221, while Guinea recorded 142 returns.

Nations that have remained hostile and abusive to migrants need to learn, understand and support the AVRR initiative of the IOM. The EU and Asia should reconsider and improve on their

,

BY CLEMENT UDEGBE

,

Human dignity of migrants and Nigeria

Rightly or wrongly America does not want immigrants and is increasingly enforcing removals in dehumanising manner

The NLC leadership in Edo State, rather than cultivate the friendship of their colleague-governor, wants to blackmail him into doing their wishes without considering the larger implication of meeting their (reasonable or unreasonable) demands

,

therefore surprising that it was listed as one of the reasons why they went on strike.

W

hile not denying workers their right to press home their demands on government through strike action, it would appear to me as a retired labour leader, that the situation in Edo state is assuming a dimension alien to the Labour movement in Nigeria. Workers anywhere have never been, and will never be, in a position to determine when and how government makes political board appointments or recruits or replenishes its workforce. It is selfish on the part of Labour leaders to insist that they should be appointed into boards in parastatals where they draw membership from. The Civil Service Commission is provided for in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and its functions of recruitment, promotion, discipline, etc cannot be performed by another organ of government.

It is, however, wrong for workers to go on strike to demand its reconstitution after it was dissolved about nine months ago when the same objective can be achieved through negotiation.

I have watched an uploaded video clip of the NLC action led by Emmanuel Ademokun against senior government officials on YouTube and was shocked at the

largely inhuman handling of migrants. Nations like Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, to name a few should adopt a necessary change of attitude towards migrants, by encouraging and promoting Assisted Voluntary return and reintegration of migrants. It is noteworthy, that Nations like Iraq, and Sri Lanka top the list in the support of the AVRR program , basically because they have national migration policies which they are implementing. The absence of Migration Policy within most African countries accounts for the tardiness in the handling of migration with dignity in Africa.

Nigerian government has mandated the National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced persons [NCFRMI] to coordinate all Migration issues and matters. Expectedly the NCFRMI has articulated the National Migration Policy since 2006, which has been ratified by stakeholders but is yet to be approved. The uncertainty surrounding the adoption, approval, and implementation of the policy must be removed.

Whoever is responsible to ensure that this policy is released must be encouraged now, from the office of the Secretary of the Federation, to the NCRFMI. All hands must be on deck, while we look up to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to do more to arrange the Swiss type of MOU with other EU nations, America, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Israel.

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

unwarranted physical attack on government property and senior personnel by workers mobilised at the Museum grounds in Benin for the purpose. It is against the norms for workers and their leaders to behave in a manner which put reasonable members of the public in difficulty differentiating responsible workers from motor park touts and street urchins. The NLC in Edo state did not exercise reasonable and due caution in not only calling workers out on strike but also enforcing the strike order the way it did.

Comrade Oshiomhole may have become a victim of the comradeship he generously shared with the state NLC when he became the first governor in the country to implement the new minimum wage in 2011.

Till date, that minimum wage law has not yet been implemented in some states.

Workers in the states yet to implement the minimum wage are still at their duty posts contributing their quota to the economic development of their states. It is my view that the NLC leadership in Edo State, rather than cultivate the friendship of their colleague-governor, wants to blackmail him into doing their wishes without considering the larger implication of meeting their (reasonable or unreasonable) demands. It must not be said that because Oshiomhole is a Comrade all demands by workers who form a mere three percent of the state population must be met using any means including physical attack on government officials. The guiding principle should be that of engagement, dialogue and negotiation.

From all indications, the Organised Labour in Edo State had no genuine reason for going on a week-long strike; many have insinuated pecuniary reasons and some say they are playing the script of the opposition party, whatever may be the reasons, the Organised Labour should sit up and not call workers out on a strike unless there are genuine infractions on the rights and benefits of workers.

*Comrade Yakubu, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Yenogoa, Bayelsa State.

20— Vanguard ,

THURSDAY THURSDAY,, DECEMBER 20 , 2013

Debate of the masses

Obasanjo/Jonathan face-off (1)

Children displaying at the carnival

Kids use CARNIRIV to campaign for preservation of the environment

T

HE 2013 edition of the Riv ers State-owned international carnival, CARNIRIV, formally kicked off on Sunday with the children’s version of the carnival called Kids’ Carnival. The kids used the occasion to call for the entrenchment of a culture of environment preservation to engender sustainable national growth.

Hundreds of school children who converged on Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt which also doubles as the Carnival Village, were spectacular in their enthralling and creative costumes that encapsulated the essence of the first carnival in Nigeria. Their beautiful and creative carnival costumes reflected a green world which is the theme for this year’s CARNIRIV. The lads in their renditions and messages emphasised responsible environmental culture by all and sundry to stem the current global warming. They enjoined all stakeholders to show more concern by doing everything possible to curtail activities which could impact negatively on the environment. The theme of the seven-day carnival is ‘our environment, bedrock for sustainable development.

Apart from the matched dance steps, well-choreographed body swings and acrobatic display, their messages of environmental responsibility were very strong and captured in very emotional phrases some which included “say no to marine debris”, “give a hoot, don’t pollute”, “say no to plastic, say no to trash”, “trash is dangerous, dispose your waste properly.”

Some of the pupils were also members of Clean Coast Nigeria, a volunteer group that advocates clean and green environment and responsible envi-

‘

The lads in their renditions and messages emphasised responsible environmental culture by all and sundry to stem the current global warming

‘

BY LAJA THOMAS

ronmental behaviour.

Speaking on their excitement and involvement in this year’s CARNIRIV, Miss Elizabeth Ucheawaji and Master Chigozie Obikwere, both pupils of Government Secondary School, Elekahia, said the message of environmental sustainability could not be over-emphasised because “our environment is our heritage.”

“CARNIRIV is a very big event for us in Rivers State, and I love what is going on here this year. The environment is crucial for our survival, we must take care of our environment”, Ucheawaji said. On his part, Ucheawaji declared, “I am happy to be part of the contingent, and also to speak on the issue of our environment. Without a sustainable environment, no human

being, plant or animal can survive; this is why we must be responsible the way we handle our environment.”

The Director-General, Rivers State Tourism Development Agency, RSTDA, Dr. Sam Dede, lauded the excellent display of the rich culture of the Rivers people by the children, stressing that the intent of giving children a special place at CARNIRIV was to bring out the creativity and potential in them.

He said the Kids’ Carnival spoke to the fun, refreshment, leisure and unrestrained entertainment befitting of an icebreaker event in anticipation of the grand opening of CARNIRIV 2013.

“The show of colour, glamour, style and class which CARNIRIV is renowned, has been brought to bear through these children today, but it was just the beginning. We assure everyone attending this year’s carnival of the best experience of our colourful and captivating parade. No doubt, every moment of the Green World Edition of CARNIRIV is a moment no one will forget in a hurry”, Dede said.

The coordinating choreographer, Mr. Dan Walter, alluded to the brilliant performance by the children, which he attributed to rigorous rehearsals, endurance and sacrifice on the part of the children. He said, “we went to their schools and we did audition for them. We had series of rehearsal; we took them through the various aspects of dance and body movements. We wrote the script and thought them everything along the line of the CARNIRIV theme.”

“Aha, this is more like it! I like this photo of GEJ. For once, let him be serious, no smiling,” said a commuter, by name Akan, in the Oshodi-bound bus as he displayed a photo of President Jonathan in a national daily for all to see.

“Water don pass garri nah!

The allegations by Obj are weighty so the almost permanent smile has to disappear,” said Charity.

“Our leaders are taking us for granted. They see us as a bunch of nonentities so they can do whatever they like and get away with it because we are so passive,” stated Chris.

“But what is Obasanjo’s problem? Is he the only expresident in Nigeria?” asked George. “Everyone else is a criminal, weak, incompetent, except him. How conceited can one get?”

Replied Akan: “He is Nigeria’s messiah, period! He alone knows the problems of Nigeria and how to solve them. He thinks he loves Nigeria more than the rest of us.”

“I think it’s the case of a relationship gone sour. After all, GEJ was his anointed son. He thought he would be very easy to control, you know, pliable and malleable. Unfortunately, the man with the quiet mien has become his greatest nightmare,” noted Charity.

“What are you guys talking about? Why can’t we for once be objective and put sentiments aside? Are the issues Obj raised true or false? They should be addressed by those concerned,” said Ben. Continuing he said: “Like him or hate him; there is no doubt he loves Nigeria passionately and will do anything to keep it together.”

“Oh sure! Like the third term bid and all the Ghana-MustGo that changed hands?” asked Chris tongue-in-cheek.

“I think the onus is on the accuser to prove his allegations and stop beating about the bush.”

Stated Edith: “In all honesty, I don’t think Obj has the

moral right to point accusing fingers at GEJ. After all, he did same if not worse things.

Kettle calling the pot black.

Don’t forget he was president and petroleum minister throughout his tenure. Did he account for all the money?

Please give me a break! For

‘

But what is Obasanjo’s problem? Is he the only ex-president in Nigeria?” asked George. “Everyone else is a criminal, weak, incompetent, except him. How conceited can one get?

‘

BY EBELE ORAKPO

sure, no leader ever gets it right as far as Saint Obasanjo is concerned.”

Replied Ben: “Whether he has the moral right or not is immaterial here. It takes courage for a morally bankrupt person to condemn immorality. So we should be praising Obj instead of upbraiding him. Take the message and leave the messenger.”

Said George: “We should all shine our eyes oo. I can smell a rat in all these.

First it was Tambuwal, then Lamido and now Obj, all attacking the GEJ administration. Lamido said he reported the case of a $250 million bribe to the president and he did nothing. Is Jonathan the EFCC? If you have such evidence or knowledge, go to EFCC. I wouldn’t be surprised if the military stages a comeback. Let’s all watch and see.”

“God forbid! Military regime as in Abacha days? That will spell doom for Nigeria and these politicians who do not want to get their act together, they will all end behind bars for good,” said Charity.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 — 21

B & E DATA

AfDB boosts Nigeria’s power sector with N29bn facility

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

A

frican Development Bank (AfDB) yesterday approved $187.4m (N29.166 billion) facility to encourage private sector investment in Nigeria’s power sector.

The facility, the Bank said, comprise “an African Development Fund (ADF) Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) program of $184.2 million and an ADF loan of $3.1 million, for capacity building, to support the Nigerian

power sector privatization program.”

In a statement announcing the facility, the Bank said, “The PRG program in Nigeria aims to increase the country ’s electricity generation by catalyzing private sector investment and commercial financing in the power sector through the provision of PRGs. The PRGs will mitigate the risk of the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc

(NBET), a Federal Government of Nigeria entity established to purchase electricity from independent power producers (IPPs), not fulfilling its contractual obligations under its power purchase agreements with eligible IPPs. This in turn will increase the comfort level of private sector financiers and commercial lenders investing in the Nigerian power sector privatization program.”

Speaking on the impact of

the facility, AfDB’s Energy, Environment and Climate Change Department, Alex Rugamba, said, “An effective and steady power supply is critical to the sustainability of Nigeria’s development path.

The Board’s decision today will allow the AfDB to support the Nigerian Government’s efforts to reform the power sector and position the country for sustainable and inclusive growth.”

Over the long term, the

From Left: Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Ade Bajomo; Group Managing Director, GTI Capital Group, Mr. Abubakar Lawal; Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema; Managing Director, Trust Yields Securities, Alhaji Rasheed Yussuf and Managing Director, GTI Securities Limited, Mr. Tunde Oyekunle during the visit of NSE management to Nigeria’s first private trading floor built by GTI Securities Limited, in Lagos.

Access Bank co-hosts NSBP conference to drive sustainable banking 116.15

0.2

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

2,783.00

+13.00

15.99

0.1

I

109.60 97.79 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

154.7 253.0892 212.7589 174.0549 1.5019 0.3053 237.4773 25.4754 41.2445 28.5067 238.3308

155.2 253.9072 213.4466 174.6175 1.5068 0.3153 238.2449 25.5582 41.3778 28.5988 239.1011

-0.03 -0.01 SELLING 155.7 254.7252 214.1342 175.18 1.5117 0.3253 239.0124 25.641 41.5111 28.6909 239.8714

CBN Exchange rate as at 19/12/2013

n a bid to drive sustainability in the banking sector, Access Bank Nig. Plc has played host to a conference involving the signatories of the Nigeria Sustainability Banking Principles, NSBP. The signatories that included local financial institutions, development banks, discount houses as well as international stakeholders discussed the progress and challenges of NSBP implementation in the country.

Nigerian signatories

at the conference, comprising Access Bank, Associated Discount House Ltd, Bank of Industry, Central Bank of Nigeria, Diamond Bank, First Bank, Skye Bank, Union Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank also deliberated on the future of the banking principles while giving updates on their implementation progress and strategies since the adoption of the principles.

Declaring the conference open in Lagos, the chairman of the NSBP steering committee and Access Bank’s Chief Risk Officer, Dr. Gregory Jobome said that, “the conference was convened to foster a holistic implementation of the NSBP by encouraging knowledge and experience sharing amongst industry players and

other international organizations like the IFC and Sustainable Finance Ltd.” He disclosed that Access Bank as the Chair of the NSBP Steering Committee, and Co-host of the event aims to actualise the objective of the committee which is to ensure the successful implementation of the Nigeria Sustainable Banking Principles across Nigeria’s financial institutions.

On the NSBP, Jobome noted that the NSBP was developed by and for the banking sector in Nigeria as a way of driving commitment to economic growth that is environmentally responsible and socially relevant, adding that the Bank has been the driving force for change, particularly in the Nigerian financial sector.

Nigerian PRG program is expected to lead to increased productivity, economic activity and growth, and reduced poverty. In the short to medium term, the project will yield an increase in the maximum electricity supply and consumption per capita.

According to government statistics, power outages cost Nigeria about three per cent of its GDP annually. It is anticipated that the IPPs eligible for coverage under the program could generate an additional 1,380 MW of power by 2016, thereby contributing to increasing the population’s access to more reliable and affordable electricity (from 41 per cent currently to 50 per cent by 2016).

Nigeria, in its development objective to rank amongst the top 20 economies of the world by the year 2020, targets an ambitious 40,000 MW of electricity generation, which represents more than half of the current installed capacity on the African continent. With a population surpassing 160 million, its current maximum electricity generation capacity – approximately 5,500 MW – is inadequate to meet demand estimated at 10,000 MW. To meet the generation targets set for 2020, significant private sector investment is required in the supply chain, including generation, gas to power infrastructure and distribution networks.

This is the second ADF PRG issued by the Bank in less than two months after the one in support of the Lake Turkana Wind Project in Kenya.

The AfDB’s innovative approach for crowding-in private financing for infrastructure investments with the guarantees will have a catalytic and replication effect in Nigeria and more broadly in Africa.

The ADF PRG is a political risk mitigation instrument that covers private lenders and investors against the risk of the government or government-owned entity failing to meet its contractual obligations to a project. Since 2004, the AfDB has made African Development Fund PRGs available to catalyze private investment in middleincome countries.

22—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

BRIEF Renaissance Credit Nigeria changes identity to RenMoneyNigeria

R

From right: Chairman of Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi Ikhide, welcoming the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, while the Managing Director, Arik Air, Mr. Chris Ndulue, Senior Vice President, Arik Air, Capt.Ado Sanusi and others watch during the Borno State Governor visits to Arik. PHOTO: BAMIDELE LAMIDI

$1trn market capitalisation: NSE pledges support for GTI Securities trading floor

BY PETER EGWUATU

I

n order to achieve its one trillion dollar market capitalisation target, the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, has assured that it will give all necessary supports to the operations of GTI Securities trading floor as part of efforts to deepen the capital market as a catalyst for national development.

Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, who gave this assurance during a visit to the trading floor at Central Business District, Marina, Lagos, described the initiative by GTI Securities as an exciting and trailblazing innovation that will complement ongoing efforts to deepen the Nigerian capital market into a $1 trillion capitalisation market.

According to him, the NSE will provide supports to GTI because the private trading floor will help to drive NSE’s stated goal of getting to $1 trillion in market capitalisation across five products.

Situated on Tinubu Street in the Marina axis of Lagos’s main Central Business District, the trading floor built

by GTI Securities Limited, a member of the GTI Capital Group is a 150-seat multipurpose trading floor. At full installed capacity, some 150 brokers and dealers can trade on all securities listed on any of the securities exchanges including Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and NASD Plc.

“GTI has really impressed me, you are blazing the trail in innovation in the Nigerian capital market. We at the NSE are very supportive of your efforts and applaud you on taking the initiative to invest in this area. We believe that the sky is the limit,” Onyema said.

The NSE CEO noted that the market is a whole ecosystem that requires the innovativeness and effectiveness of the regulators but of all other stakeholders reassuring that the NSE will

continue to work closely with all stakeholders in the collective effort to grow the market.

He pointed out that the Nigerian economy and capital market have the depth to accommodate innovations and expansionary drives such as GTI’s, urging market operators to be creative and innovative.

“We are very excited about what GTI is doing, congratulations,” Onyema told the management of GTI after listening to presentation and inspecting the state-of-

the-art trading floor.

Group managing director, GTI Capital Group, Mr. Abubakar Lawal, commended the NSE for providing the enabling environment for innovation and global competitiveness to thrive.

According to him, GTI is positioned as one of the leading investment banking firm in Nigeria with its trading floor being the first in Nigeria and in the Sub-Saharan Africa.

CSR: GTBank, Access Bank sponsor Ikoyi passport office waiting lounge

BY PETER EGWUATU & VICTORIA NJOKU

G

uaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) Plc and Access Bank Plc, both quoted banks on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE have jointly built a waiting lounge at the Ikoyi passport office of the Nigeria Immigration Service , NIS as part of their Social Corporate Responsibility, CSR. Meanwhile, the NIS has been ordered to deliver 24 hours passport procurement target by next year 2014 in order to key into the transformation agenda of the President Goodluck Jonathan to reforming the economy.

In his remark at the

commissioning of the lounge in Lagos, Group Managing Director/CEO, GTBank Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje said “We are extremely delighted to partner with NIS in providing quality service to Nigerians. It is a partnership that will continue; together the Skye will be our limit. This partnership is a small thing, it is just the beginning.”

Similarly, the Group Deputy Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Obinna Nwosu, said, “It is a great pleasure for the bank to be part of this project. We are grateful to be part of this service of giving back to the society from all we receive from the public. You are going to see more of this in years to come.”

The Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, who was the special guest at the commissioning of the lounge, said “Public Private Partnership (PPP) is the best way of providing facilities that will serve the entire citizens. It will help everybody to protect the facilities that are both sponsored by the public and private sectors.”

Continuing, he said “ Everybody must participate in building the institution so that together we can boldly say it is our own and no longer government property” .

enaissance Credit Nigeria, also known as Rencredit MFB Limited, has announced a re-branding initiative beginning with a change of the brand name from Renaissance Credit to RenMoney, as part of positive improvements to the fortune of the young but innovative consumer finance service provider.

In a media statement to sensitize the public on the name change, CEO of the firm, Olusegun Akintemi, assured that the service and product offerings would remain unchanged, while its operations and strategies have been overhauled to be more in tune with the tastes and expectations of the people of Lagos.

According to Akintemi, “This identity change represents another great step in our resolve to serve Nigerians with passion and commitment. It is a great milestone for the company as we have raised the bar, so that we are now better equipped not only to remain a leading provider of consumer finance within every community we operate, but also to ensure we are within reach across all platforms - physical or virtual”.

Neimeth launches Pyrantrin Choco

N

eimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc, a company quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE is set to record another milestone, as it launches Pyrantrin Choco, a chocolate flavoured variant of Pyrantrin, a brand of Pyrantel Pamoate.

Pyranrin Choco is an antihelminthic (deworming agent) that effectively expels six commonly occurring intestinal worms/roundworms, hookworms, Pinworms, Threadworms etc.

Pyrantrin Choco is the 1st of its kind in the Nigerian pharmaceutical market.

At the launch of the product in Lagos, the Chief Execitive and Managing Director, Neimeth, Pharm. Emmanuel Ekunno, noted that the product acts by effecting instant neuromuscular blockage of the worms which induces paralysis and consequent excretion of the worms through peristalsis. With this, the drug obviates the possibilities of worm migration/ excitation which is characteristic of some other deworming agents.

This way, negative consequences, (e.g. worms coming out through the mouth or nose etc) are averted.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013—23

West Africa has potential to strengthen its agricultural sector

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Chairman, Senate Committee on Science & Technology, Prof. Ajayi Borofice (2nd left); Director General, FIIRO, Dr. Gloria Elemo (left); Senator Chris Ngige and Senator Gobir

Environment expert cautions FG over influx of GM foods

BY GABRIEL EWEPU

A

N environment expert, Mr. Rufus Ebegba has raised alarm over the influx of Genetically Modified foods into the country through porous borders, as there was no law to safeguard the lives of the people.

Ebegba raised the alarm while speaking to newsmen at a one day workshop with theme, ‘Stopping the False Nutritional Kite & Understanding the Convention on Biological Diversity ’, which was organised by Health Of Mothers Earth Foundation, HOMEF, for small scale farmers.

Ebegba said the country has become a dumping ground for genetically modified foods and organisms if there was no law regulating inflow of these products the country will end up to be a dumping ground as it is to other imported products.

Ebegaba said: “Thus Nigeria as a country, is meant to have a foreign policy,the danger is that if there is no law, Nigeria will consume any product that comes into the country, because Nigeria presently, imports agricultural products from countries that manufacture genetic modified foods, like Mexico, India and other countries.

“If Nigeria does not have a law, it means what we are consuming genetic modified organisms, and we cannot ascertain it. The golden rice sold and consumed by Nigerians is genetically modified. And I have said in my presentation that in a place where there is no law, offence is not committed.

“Nigeria will end becoming a consuming nation of genetically

modified organisms or a dumping ground of genetically modified organisms.”

He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to assent to the National Biosafety Management Bill is for an Act, to that ensure Genetically Modified Organisms, GMOs, which were products of modern biotechnology were safe for human consumption. The bill has sections for penalties for any offender who had refused to follow a particular laid down terms and conditions.

“The bill serves as a safety valve in the adoption of the modern biotechnology in the use of the product. If the bill is on ground with regulations in place, Nigeria can use the technology to enhance the economy, generate employment, and also make our farmers have more income.

“Without this bio-safety law in place I see Nigeria having serious problem in the next few years,” he added.

Meanwhile, in his paper entitled ‘Stopping the False National Kite’, Director, HOMEF, Architect Nnimmo Bassey, argued that Nigeria cannot accept genetically engineered foods despite the alleged move by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who had said Nigeria cannot be left behind in accepting genetically engineered foods.

oosting productivity, f o s t e r i n g competitiveness and ensuring that small-scale farmers have greater access to markets are key to West Africa realizing its full agricultural potential, according to a new study released today by FAO and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The publication, Rebuilding West Africa’s Food Potential, presents a range of successful case studies since the region stepped up investments in agricultural development in the wake of the world food

crisis in 2007-2008.

But the book argues that countries could benefit significantly from policy support that targets broader agricultural development and greater coordination among producers, private industry and the public and financial sectors.

“Although some West African countries in the region are doing better than others, the region has lagged behind other parts of Africa in terms of basic infrastructure, investments, research and development and agricultural processing,” said FAO Senior Economist Aziz Elbehri, who edited the publication.

Staple food crops T he book reasons that the region should direct greater efforts to develop its staple food crops, which in the past have been sidelined in favour of a few export commodities.

Maize and cassava, two of the main pillars of West Africa’s food security, could form the backbone for a thriving agro-industry given their multiple market applications, the publication suggests.

There is a huge production deficit in rice in the region, which currently imports an unsustainable 70 percent of what it consumes.

And yields of sorghum and millet – critically important for the food security of 100 million people in the Sahel – could double or triple with the help of improved seed

varieties and fertilizer.

But providing farmers with the means to boost the yields of staple food crops is not enough, the book stresses.

“Farmers have little incentive to increase production if they can’t sell their crops because of cheaper and easily accessible imports,” said Elbehri. “Policy and market incentives are needed to improve the competitiveness of locally grown crops and increase their share in the consumer market.”

The book also underscores the importance of continued investment in export crops such as cotton, coffee and cocoa, which play a significant role in generating income and employment, and flags tropical fruit and vegetables and other emerging niche products like sesame and cashew nuts as another viable area for export growth.

Budgetary allocation to science hampering R&D – FIIRO DG T

he Director General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Dr. Gloria Elemo, said that availability of funds has limited the scope of the

institute’s research and ability to deliver effectively.

While noting that the nation needs the institute to achieve rapid industrialization, Dr. Elemo

Professor Tolulope Akinbogun, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Development (fourth left) FUTA flanked by Dr Ayo Olajuyigbe, Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship, CENT; Dr Jibayo Oyebade, Chairman, Ondo State Cocoa Revolution Committee, other officials and trainees during the flag off of training of Cocoa Pruners in Ondo State.

said FIIRO needs special intervention fund and support for commercialization of over 250 Research and Development outputs developed.

The DG, who made the plea during the visit of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology led by Senator.

Ajayi Borofice, said since inceptions that FIIRO has developed technologies relevant for processing of raw materials of relative advantage in the country.

“With the little we have had in the past, we have been able to impact positively on the national economy especially in the areas of micro, small and medium enterprises development and employment generation.”

She added that they can do better if funding situation improves especially with regards to the achievement of the Transformation Agenda and Vision 20:2020.

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

Nigerians see tourism as dance, not business — Ogbuewu StoriesbyJIMOHBABATUNDE

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ne time Minister of Tourism, Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu, said that Nigerians do not seem to understand the economic importance of tourism and culture to the country.

Speaking at the National Tourism Forum/ Expo in Lagos during the week, Ogbuewu noted that it is more pathetic when those in government see tourism as mere dance and enjoyment and not real business.

He urged practitioners to come up with statistics to show the contributions of the industry to the nation’s economy, “one way of doing this is through the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA).”

Ogbuewu explained that the lack of TSA, which United Nations’ World Tourism Organisation has consistently encouraged, in the country has deprived Nigeria from capturing the growth of tourism.

“TSA provides the tourism sector with reliable data to assist them in the design of policies and strategies for tourism and to measure performance.”

Delivering a paper on imperative of TSA for Nigeria, Ms. Anitha Soni, a tourism consultant from South Africa said tourism is an important economic and social

activity in the majority of countries’ national economies.

“It is however the view that there is insufficient statistics and reliable data in many countries to profile the importance of tourism.”

Soni explained that the absence of supply and demand side information affects the ability to develop sound policy and strategic interventions and programmes.

He said this is because “tourism sector is not measured as a sector in its own right in national accounts as it is not a clearly defined industry, but rather an amalgamation of industries such as transportation, accommodation, food and beverage services, recreation and entertainment among others.”

He said to achieve an accurate quantum of tourism’s contribution to the economy of a country that it is important to measure tourism based on ‘purchases by tourists to the total supply of these goods and services within a country.’

An acrobatic display during the Kids' Carnival version at the ongoing CARNIRIV 2013 in Port Harcourt..on Sunday

CARNIRIV 2013 climaxes as Amaechi lists carnival benefits A s this year’s Port Harcourt Carnival (CARNIRIV 2013) climaxes this weekend, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has said that the event offered immense opportunities for small and medium enterprises to thrive.

Speaking at the carnival opening ceremonies at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt during the week, Governor Amaechi expressed delight at the rising profile of CARNIRIV, which he said has become an iconic brand with wider appeal across

Children performing during the Kids' Carnival version at the ongoing CARNIRIV 2013 in Port Harcourt ...on Sunday

geography and strata of society.

Amaechi said, “CARNIRIV is a platform for social interaction; with what I have seen I have no doubt that in the next couple of days we will be thrilled to what we consider the pride of our heritage by the foremost and oldest carnival in Nigeria. It gives opportunity, after our hard days of work, to mix and mingle in atmosphere of friendship.”

The governor assured visitors and participants that

adequate security had been put in place to secure lives and properties, stating “To our visitors, we promise you that all efforts have been made to make sure that security is not compromised.”

Represented by the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Nnabs Imegwu, the governor said “Let me be sincere with you, in all the series of carnivals we have had, I have not seen a crowd as huge and intimidating as the one we are witnessing tonight. This is not

just a carnival but a CARNIRIV. It promises all the theatrics of fun and entertainment.”

This year’s edition was kick started with the children’s version of the carnival called Kids’ Carnival during which the children advocated a culture of environment preservation to engender sustainable national growth.

Hundreds of school children who converged on Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt were spectacular in their enthralling and creative costumes that encapsulated the essence of the first carnival in Nigeria.

More importantly, their beautiful and creative carnival costumes reflected the theme for this year ’s CARNIRIV dubbed the ‘Green World Edition.

The lads in their renditions and messages emphasised responsible environmental culture by all and sundry to stem the current global warming, while calling on all stakeholders to show more concern by doing everything possible to curtail activities which could impact negatively on the environment.

Apart from the matched dance steps, wellchoreographed body swings and acrobatic display, their

messages of environmental responsibility were very strong and captured in very emotional phrases like “say no to marine debris”, “give a hoot, don’t pollute”, “say no to plastic, say no to trash”, “trash is dangerous, dispose your waste properly.”

Speaking on their excitement and involvement in this year ’s CARNIRIV, Miss Elizabeth Ucheawaji and Master Chigozie Obikwere, both pupils of Government Secondary School, Elekahia, said the message of environmental sustainability could not be over-emphasised because “our environment is our heritage.”

“CARNIRIV is a very big event for us in Rivers State, and I love what is going on here this year.

The environment is crucial for our survival, we must take care of our environment”, Ucheawaji said.

On his part, Ucheawaji declared, “I am happy to be part of the contingent, and also to speak on the issue of our environment. Without a sustainable environment, no human being, plant or animal can survive; this is why we must be responsible the way we handle our environment.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 — 25

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ritsefemi Majemite, simply known as Oritse Femi took the music scene by storm when he released his hit tracks “Mercies of the Lord” and “Oleju” which enjoyed massive airplay and an evergreen status in the hearts of music lovers. Though he plays gospel, there is so much of dance-hall infusion into it that it cannot be ignored by a wide spectrum of the society. In this encounter with WG, the Delta State-born Itsekiri Femi, born and bred in Ajegunle, bares all on his journey from the shanty settlements of Ajegunle to the limelight. Excerpts: How have you been surviving ?

It’s hardwork and most especially, you must be prolific and realise you must change as your environment changes.

Presently, Afro Hip-hop rules •Oritse Femi

the music industry. For instance, if you are a Fuji musician, Reggae star or a

There was a low time in my life when I felt so depressed but my mum with her inspiration woke the spirit of God back in me. I was so filled with the spirit to the extent I never thought possible. So, that was how the inspiration came out. rapper, you must infuse Afro into it because it is what rules the scene now. This Afro is generated from Fela Anikulapo Kuti. If you listen to Fela Music, he usually sings with our local p i d g i n English which they c a l l commercial.

So, you must infuse t h a t commercial and Hiphop in it.

So, I keep including that in my music.

But the most important thing is your own uniqueness. I try to rediscover my unique selling point so that anywhere I go, it will serve as my identity. And one of my most unique traits is my vocal, the way I sing and whenever I sing, people understand and identify that this is Oritsefemi.

Meanwhile, I try my best and take my time to put out very unique lyrics. So, I infuse all these into my music and it has been working for me. I make sure the content is beyond reasoning. Another thing that we, Ajegunle boys, lack is publicity. Our guys have the mindset that they won’t play their music on radio but I keep asking them to try nonetheless. The industry is now highly competitive so you have to promote your songs. I always try my possible best to meet up with that competition.

So, that’s why I’m still relevant.

If you hadn’t hit the limelight would you have still remained in Ajegunle full time?

I will move to anywhere in the world. Like I said earlier on, the world is like a circle you must learn how to move around but ‘Aje’ is still my hood and I still have a belief in it.

What inspired ‘Mercies of Da Lord’ ?

I was born and brought up in the ways of the Lord but

•Oritse Femi

because of worldly things, I derailed. But my mum, who is highly religious and Godly, brought it back. There was a low time in my life when I felt so depressed but my mum with her inspiration woke the spirit of God back in me. I was so filled with the spirit to the extent I never thought possible.

So, that was how the inspiration came out. Actually, that song was the last song I did in my album, I was supposed to round up my album, I’ve already rounded up the album; I just need an intro into the album. But when the producer, Ben Droze heard the intro, he said what I just dropped can be a track, so we now completed it, making it a full track.

How was it like working with

Pasuma ?

Yes ! Pasuma is a nice and humble artiste. When I walked up to him that I have a song and I would like him to feature in the song. Immediately I gave him a clue of the song, he said the song would be a hit. I swear that was what he said, so he put his own impact.

We went to Clarence Peter’s Studio around his house.

Suspect was the engineer; I now brought my own producer which is M-Shine to come and produce the beats while Suspect took the vocal and because that place is so close to Pasuma’s place then, he came in to do his own part.

After we finished the job, it was

Continues on page 26

I N S I DE: TRAILER REVIEW REVIEW:: Emem Isong’s Lagos Cougars C M Y K

Online betting: Investment or Gamble?

26 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

My first money as artiste was N5 million —Oritse Femi

With Isabella Akinseye artiste and he has his own energy and he keeps doing what he knows how to do best but to me, I don’t see him as a challenger.

I can compete with any artiste in the world.

What was the first fee you got as an artiste?

My first money is small; N5million. And five million naira then is 50 million naira now.

How did you handle the excitement?

It was in cheque because the people that gave me the money knew I have never handled such amount before and they didn’t want to cause problem. When I saw the cheque, I was stupefied, speechless and continued staring at it as if it were a dream. I wasn’t too sure but when I saw the money in front of the cashier men! I was like wow, and from there the inspiration rose and that should be around 2004/2005 Before then, what was the highest money you have ever acquired

Continues from page 25 so smooth and fantastic. It was like a dream come through. Up till now, the song is still relevant because I still perform it on stage and I see people’s response to it.

Your memorable experience?

I think it was when I was in a group called, The Jingolist. We released two albums. It was a joint project with my colleague, Chibudo. The first album was entitled, ‘Boys Dibinu’, that is, “Boys are not happy”. The second album was ‘Money Na Time’ and they had eight tracks each. Later I went solo and released an album, ‘Elewon’, which means “Chase them”. That was when I started singing about the flopped politicians and the need to chase them away. It was released in 2007/08 •Oritse Femi during the elections and turned out to be a hit. My second solo album has just been dropped into the market entitled, ‘Unfadeables’. I was motivated to release this album because of the wickedness prevalent in the world. One of the hit tracks that is making waves on radio and TV is ‘Mercy of the Lord’. It has a remix featuring the late Dagrin, Rhymzo and also my record label chairman, Shining. We have already shot the for yourself? video and it would be out any moment from It was one hundred thousand naira now. The ‘Unfadeables’ has fourteen tracks.

(N100,000) and that hundred thousand It is going to redefine what the Oritse Femi naira, I used it to form big boy for more people have been hearing about. Apart from than one month because the hundred the artistes I mentioned before, I’ve also thousand naira was like a very big money featured in my works 2face, Pasuma Wonder, to me then. You can’t blame me because I Nico Gravity, B Kleen and some other popular was born and brought up in the ghetto. artistes in Nigeria. It is a ‘thank you’ album And the hood that I came from ‘I don dey to my fans who have been urging me on. The experience flood before Nigeria dey get fans have been there, saying that Oritse Femi flood’ because then even the so called cannot fade. That is why I titled the album, mosquito net cannot be enough for the ‘Unfadeables’. It is a street lingo narrating population of people living in that area. how people neglected me when I was not We have more than 10 million people who known will struggle to get it. So, if mosquito bites As the only surviving musician doing this us, we see it as a way of life. So, you can’t genre of music, what are you doing to blame me if I see hundred thousand naira support other ones? and I over reacted.

How was your dream like after you eah! I’ve heard so much about that and collected the N5 million, judging from what I believe is that, we are all the kind of environment you were players in one position or the other. coming from?

For instance in a football match, we have Immediately I collected the money, my everyone playing different wings, so everyone nightmare changed. ‘I dey dream say na must be noticed in his or her own position.

Europe I dey’ because then I used to dream Even if I am playing the defence role, I will about OPC and Area boys fighting. try my possible best to be noticed. So, that’s Your latest single, Sagbene is presently why I keep holding that place that I am. rocking the air and people want to know Already, I don’t want to mention names. But what next , can you tell us what you are talking about Timaya, he is a good friend and working on ? right from time, Timaya has always seen me My new single will be dropping any as a competitor. You know sometimes, moment from now, it is titled ‘Double someone can be your friend and still feels you Wahala’ which basically talks about the are the only problem he has. The last time problems in Nigeria. Even small children that I called him that we should do a song born today know Nigeria’s problem. together, he said we are going to do it but he Nigeria is filled with hardship; there is kept postponing it because he sees me as a insecurity, unemployment and many threat. He doesn’t want a situation whereby others. people will be comparing us. Timaya is a good

Y

TRAILER REVIEW REVIEW::

Emem Isong’s Lagos Cougars

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easons’ greetings my fellow readers and welcome to another edition of N o l l y w o o d Movies: To watch or not to watch?

This week, I’ll be reviewing the much talked about Royal Arts A c a d e m y production – Lagos Cougars (currently screening in cinemas across Nigeria) by Emem Isong.

Happy reading!

The title alone – Lagos Cougars – is bound to tickle the interest of even the most sceptical Nollywood fan. Cougars are basically older women who date (or prey on) younger men. While ‘cougarism’ is more popular in the Western world, it also exists in Nigeria but it is more coded. For me, I wanted to see how a Lagos cougar would behave. Would she openly flaunt it or hide it from her friends? Was she doing it out of love or lust? These were some of the questions going through my mind as I watched the trailer.

From the opening scene, you are let in on the action; somebody wants blood. “If I lay my hands on Lawrence…I will kill him” is what we first hear. As the trailer progresses, we see young boys and women old enough to be their mothers basically loving and fighting themselves. There are a lot of things going on between the different characters. For example, there is a scene where an African American woman is saying she will go to Africa to collect her $5000. We also have extracts of dialogues pieced together with a lot of action. On their own, the dialogues help to tell some parts of the story but together as a whole, they don’t work. In this case, less would have been more.

As is fast becoming the trend in Nollywood, this trailer has elements of key dramatic moments such as kissing, touching, slapping, fighting and over the top acting. Considering the fact that we have scenes of some African American ladies talking to each other, hip-hop music or even Nigerian pop music would have easily sufficed. Instead, we are given a country music soundtrack.

Towards the end, the names of the actors appear on screen in quick succession. This works for people who know their Nollywood actors but for newcomers, it would have been nice to see their names as their characters appear for the first time.

The final scene which comes after a graphic design of Lagos Cougars shows the African American ladies talking about a guy promising “Gucci bag, Fendi” should have been totally omitted. Better to have ended with something with more punch from one of the cougars preferably.

Verdict – You would enjoy watching Lagos Cougars if you want some ‘Naija’ drama, a good laugh with the girls and a lot of hot eye candy.

Do you agree with me on this review? Let me have your thoughts, comments and suggestions. Send me an email isabella.akinseye@live.com Isabella Akinseye is the founder of www.nollysilverscreen.com – a one stop shop for all lovers of Nigeria’s cinematic industry.

We feature trailers, reviews, interviews, cinema listings, articles, videos and red carpet fashion.

Do you agree with me on this review? Let me have your thoughts, comments and suggestions. Send me an email isabella.akinseye@live.com Isabella Akinseye is the founder of www.nollysilverscreen.com – a one stop shop for all lovers of Nigeria’s cinematic industry. We feature trailers, reviews, interviews, cinema listings, articles, videos and red carpet fashion.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

C M Y K

— 27

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 Stories by Ayo Onikoyi

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pcoming Nollywood duo, Tamara Eteimo and Crystal Okoye hardly have anything in common, probably except for their beauty and brain, with which they have held movie bluffs spell-bound since their arrival on the screen.

There isn’t any record that the two girls knew each other anywhere but movie plaudits have pitched their fates together as they have been mostly adjudged the two new best actresses, not just of this year but since last year.

Crystal came into the industry just last year and she has done close to a score of films while Tamara hit her paydirt this year, featuring in more than five blockbusters films including ‘Desperate Housegirls’ and Finding Mercy’. Crystal on her part made it big with ‘Mr Ibu and the Widows’ and a couple of others.

While Tamara hasn’t been forthcoming on expressing herself so well, Crystal has spoken up many times and at a point, even declaring “She has the best figure in Nollywood”, competing •Crystal her curvy hips to that of Mercy Johnson. As dissimilar as these two are, they are hot, talented and have arrived to call the shots.

Alek Wek, Angela Simmons storm Nigeria for Music Meets runway

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nternational model, Alek Wek with International fashion designer and •Tamara fashionista, Angela Simmons, will be in Nigeria for the third edition of Music Meets Runway (MMR).

Also, joining the two international designers on stage are Grammy award nominee and Afro-beat icon, Femi Kuti, Afro-pop star 2face Idibia, Kokomaster D’banj, Ice-prince, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Sheyi Shey, Lola Rae and Toni Tones. The highly talked about event will hold tomorrow at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

In the last three years, heavyweights and dominant newcomers such as Wizkid, Davido, Naeto C, Kayswitch, Basketmouth, Burna Boy, Efya, Iyanya, May D, Ajebutter, D’Prince, Dr. Sid, Duncan Mighty, Sasha P, and Toolz have all graced the stage of the show..

One of the highlights of the December 21 event will be the introduction of 5 fashion designers and their models that will lit up the stage with their eclectic designs and new trends in the fashion industry.

15 top artistes rock Asaba for Glo Laffta Fest ...as Ibadan hosts final show Sunday

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lobacom on Sunday treated Asaba residents to an amazing evening of preChristmas fun with 15 bestin-class national and international artistes among the cast of the Glo Laffta Fest show that held the city spellbound with a full dose of comedy and music The Asaba edition of the show, the ninth in the series of the 10-week package of fun and entertainment to celebrate th the 10 anniversary of the company held at the Orchid Hotel, Asaba and was attended by a mammoth crowd of fun seekers from the city and the adjourning towns The night of jokes and music was opened by top Asababased comedian, Frank D Don. Then, Odogwu, who played a fast one on the crowd. SIM

D

Lagos Countdown: Naet aetoo C per perfforms surprise medley of hit songs

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Card, 2CanTAlk and Osama were just as funny in their delivery. Their jokes centered around Igbo and Niger Delta mannerisms.

Funny Bone, dressed like a Boko Haram member, threatened to blow the crowd with comics If they did not

iplomat-actor and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Obi of Anambra State on Creative Media, Bob Manuel-Udokwu, fondly called King Bob has become a Fellow of Institute of Corporate Administration.

His investiture ceremony took place recently.

It would be recalled the actor was conferred with an award of excellence by the Anambra State University sometime in August of last year amongst so many the actor has earned over the years.

applaud him. Once he got his way, he treated the crowd to his rich repertoire of jokes.

The legendary Okey Bakassi, and many others joined the train.

Nigeria’s l e a d i n g

comedian, Basketmouth, who anchored the event, told the crowd”this is a way Globacom is saying a big thank you to all of you for your loyalty and support for the Glo brand in the last 10 years.

The final edition of this season’s Glo Laffta Fest will hold this Sunday in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

w a r d

winning rapper and producer, Naeto C , was the surprise guest artiste on S a t u r d a y December 15 at the STAR Beer V i l l a g e throwing fans into raptures of delight with his effortlessly smooth delivery and fluid rap skills.

The stylish artiste took happy fans back in time as he performed a number of his hit songs such as, Kini Big Deal, I Gentle, 10/10, Ife Ni Le, and some others.

Host for the night, Dotun of Cool FM and prolific DJ, Snoop Da Damager ensured that fans had an enjoyable time through out the event.

Terry G, DJ Neptune and KCee are popular artists who recently performed at the STAR Beer Village. An unconfirmed of number of super stars are also billed to perform during the coming days to add to the excitement and thrill of the special event.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013— 29 With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

Online betting: Investment or Gamble?

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

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ith this jet moving internet age, it is no surprise that online sport betting has become the order of the day in Nigeria. Bet 9ja, nairabet.com, betcolony.com, 1960bet, are just a few of the hundreds of betting websites that have exploited the average Nigerian’s love for sport and the average person’s crave for money.

Customers of betting firms are either cash or online customers. Cash customers pay through agents while online customers pay directly to the betting firms with their own cards. The easiest key to understanding how sports betting works is getting a sense of what your stake is worth on a given

match. This is known as odds. The odds are a mathematical likelihood of victory, draw or defeat for a given team, as figured by the bookmakers.

Bookmakers are the ones who offer the odds, take bets and handle payouts for sports investors.

Reading the odds consists of evaluating the likelihood of a given outcome and choosing to put money down accordingly.

Simply put, a strong team like Barcelona FC has a high probability of winning the Spanish La liga. As a result of this, the winnings if you bet on such a team will not be high. But a bet on Sunderland winning a game against Chelsea in the English Premier League is an odd bet and will attract

huge returns if it clicks.

So, the greater the risk, the more money you’re likely to win.

You don’t have to merely play winners or losers, however. You can bet on total goals scored, points scored, margins of victory, individual player statistics or best of set marks, ranging from as low N100 to hundreds of thousands of naira.

Looking at this on the face value, it looks like a modern

game. But the shocking realisation is that despite the technological innovation, online betting has a lot more in common with other forms of lottery like Pool staking, Jackpot, Try Your Luck and every other kind of gambling. It thrives on greed and luck. So while a lucky player might win hundreds of thousands of naira in a single play, an unlucky one might lose all his life savings in another.

Addiction to gambling has derailed many youths and triggered vices such as borrowing, stealing and the likes. Sometimes fights that lead to loss of life usually break out in the process.

In the other hand, investments are usually well thought out, planned and procedural.

They also usually require skill and hard work. But for the gambler, every bet is a game, and if he doesn’t learn when to walk away, he never will.

I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E:

Scammers prepare ahead for 2014 BYLAJUARENYEKA

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ll over the world, individuals, families and businesses are making plans for 2014. You just may not believe it, but the scammers are not left out. They know that some people have a desire to travel abroad next year, and are ready to feed on that desire. It should therefore not come as a surprise that emails like the one below have become a favourite of scammers in this season. Take a look at this piece from one Ms. Cecila Thomas who is most likely as nonexistent as the International Youth & Women Foundation she claims to represent. It reads: “Dear Colleague, The International Youth & Women Foundation (I.Y.W.F) is pleased to invite you to participate in our forthcoming International Conference on (Child Abuse, HIV/AIDS, Racism And Human Trafficking). This event will begins from (January 21st-24th 2014) in California, United State of America and (January 28th-31st 2014) in Dakar, Senegal. I am honored to invite you to attend this event as my guest.

For more details and requirement for your registration, kindly contact the secretariat office via Mr. Charles Raymond E-mail: [secretary.global.youth.i.y.w.f@secretary.net].

Also feel free to contact me if you need any further details related to this event. Note that the Organizing Committee and Our donor sponsors will take the full responsibility of all registered participants Visa processing for the United States & Senegal respectively. That will include your round trip air tickets to both

events. While delegates will only be responsible for his/her own hotel accommodation in Dakar,Senegal were the second phase of the event will take place. I do hope you can make time in your busy schedule to attend this conference and share your ideas on this topic on the panel.”

This is one letter you must avoid like a plague if you do not want to get duped!

Nokia gets smart mobile phone award

By RICHARD UDOFIA NOKIA’s designs and innovation are not escaping the recognition of those that value smart innovation. That may have accounted for the Most Innovative Smart Mobile Phone of the Year award it received last week at the 2013 African Product Forum organized by the Institute for Government Research and Leadership Technology (IGRLT) at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

Country Director, Institute for Government Research and Leadership Technology, Ambassador Moses Essien explained that in a research conducted amongst various mobile phones using the parameters of “product high quality, value creation, track record and efficacy; product availability, affordability, acceptability and reliability; conformity with global quality for a good smart mobile phone brand; compliance with government regulatory laws and guidelines” amongst others, Nokia came tops.

Receiving the award, Managing Director, Nokia West and Central Africa, Nick Imudia, said that it was an honor for Nokia to be so recognised and promised that the company will continue to have innovation show in all its products. “We are happy to know that our customers appreciate our products and acknowledge the value that it brings to them. It has been an interesting year, winning awards, which show that we are living up to our promise of providing our customers with innovative mobile products that connect them to what matters most”.

•Scammer

30 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

It is very difficult to have ghost workers in Lagos civil service — Lagos HoS Mrs Josephine Olusheyi Willams, is the 17th Head of the Lagos State Public Service. Having risen through various hierarchies before Governor Babatunde Fashola appointed her. Her dedication to duty and courage in handling challenges saw her emergence as female Head of Service in a state with the highest workforce. Mrs. Williams spoke with Olasunkanmi Akoni on her vision and mission to improve the state service among others issues. Excerpts: person who is younger than you and probably just graduated and lack the qualification required for the job suddenly becomes your boss. He or she won’t know the job. You will be the one to do the job and you will work tirelessly. I just thought if that is what I would have to contend with, I can’t do that all my life. So, I just moved to serve in the state that will recognise you for what you are. I was with federal service for five years.

At the time you were leaving Federal Service for the state service, did it ever occur to you that you could become a Head of Service in Lagos?

Never, I just moved because I was fed with the system at the federal service.

I didn’t even know that I will become Accountant-General or Permanent Secretary. I just moved and wanted to serve in the state that will recognise you for what you are that is exactly I got to the service of Lagos State.

What is your vision for the Lagos State Civil Service and the unique thing do in your tenure?

I look forward for a public service that is service oriented and can be the best, the civil service that can compete favourably beyond the shores of Africa.

How do you intend to achieve that?

We are talking about human resources, so, we are taking of good training, improved welfare of civil servants the purposeful service delivery to the people. When we are talking of human, we are saying service delivery, I am sure you know that service delivery in Lagos state has changed in the last few years.

Our service in Lagos State has improved and it still

Mrs Josephine Olusheyi Willams keeps improving. I remain committed to its improvement so that we see our clients, that is, the public as people who should be treated with respect and then we will make the habit of the civil servant to make efficient service delivery natural to them, so that will serve the people enthusiastically. This is because it is one thing to force them to be polite with

‘

appointment of Head of Service in the state, were you at any point in time doubted that you could be appointed as the next head of service in this state?

Did I doubt?, there is no question of doubting the appointment of Head of Service in a state, it is a prerogative responsibility of the state Governor. The law says the governor can

I look forward for a public service that is service oriented and can be the best, the civil service that can compete favourably beyond the shores of Africa

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s a female Head of Service in a state like Lagos, how do you intend to cope ?

Being a female Head of Service is really not a big deal. I am not the first and I know I am not really going to be the last. Being the Head of Service is the actual thing whether male or female but when it comes to taking management decision making, you are already same gender.

I have been in the public service all my life. I started with the federal government; I worked in the Federal Inland revenue, customs and excise. I worked in the Federal Housing Authority. I later joined the state service I have been moved to various places held positions in the state service. I was later appointed AccountantGeneral and later seconded to Lagos State University, LASU, as a Bursar of the institute before I was moved back. In 2006 I became accountant general/ Permanent Secretary of the State Treasury Office. So I have moved round. By the time you become the Permanent Secretary, one should have been able to manage human resources.

One would have become a manager, it doesn’t matter what your discipline is, you are suppose to manage the ministry and make things happen.

Why did you leave the federal service for the state service?

Well, I will be frank with you. There is something they call Federal Character in the federal service where they will just bring somebody from somewhere. Such person may not qualify before you. He or she may not have what it takes to do the job. Such a

the public and it is another thing for them to do it willingly. So, I want a public service that will know the right thing to do in term of efficient service delivery.

Giving the politics that sometimes surround the

appoint the Head of Service from any of the serving Permanent Secretaries. So, nobody can abrogate the provision and say ‘it is my turn or he or she should be the one’. So it is just a prerogative function of the

governor, there is no reason why anybody will fight over it. If you think you are ripe for it, just pray and it would come your way.

Occupying a strategic position like this comes with some challenges, managing estimated 119,347 civil servants in the state, any threat?

Really, there is nothing to fear or dread about. The population is huge but don’t forget that there is succession in service. There are 10 or 15 that can occupy the seat.

There is a succession and pattern already that we work with in the service and all you need to do is follow the already established pattern.

What is that unique thing you want to introduce in the service that you will like to be remembered for?

If you talk about being unique, you will probably not do anything if want to do what no HOS has ever done in the state. My predecessors have done a lot to improve on the welfare of the civil servants in the state. There is nobody that will invent anything. There is nothing to invent, you can only enhance what is on ground and what is on ground is welfare. It doesn’t matter what one has done before, there will always be a chance for improvement and that is what I intend to do. To ensure that the welfare of staff is enhanced so that they will be more ready to work without anybody pushing them. You know when you are happy with the job you are doing, you will not even know that you have worked till midnight.

Ghost workers syndrome is a common phenomenon in the Nigerian civil service, how do you tackle this?

The Oracle system is a very robust system. In fact, if you are retiring in 16th of October for instance, your name is already off the pay roll by the end of September.

Even the 16 days you spent in the month of October will have to be manually computed before you are paid for it. So, there are no errors.

On the first of January this office generates a list to each agency to state those who are retiring in their agencies or ministries each year. So, for instance I know how any people are retiring in my ministry. Apart from that the beginning of the month that person retires, the name of the person goes off the pay roll and go straight to the pension it is automatic. So, whether you like or not, you will no longer be paid. So, it is very difficult to have ghost workers in the Lagos civil service.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 —

Perhaps, some situation where death cases of civil servants are not recorded and someone gets the salaries of such dead workers unknown to government, what measure in place to checkmate this?

I think it happens everywhere and that tells us the kind of society we are. That is why we talk about verification exercise in the service. It is the only way to check that. Verification exercise comes twice in a year to verify that civil servant is still alive so that we can continue to their pension. When people fail to come and we cannot verify whether they are still alive they forfeit the pension. That is the only way to check that. But with this contributory pension scheme because once you leave, you are with your Pension Fund Administrators, PFAs. So, if the person dies and they refuse to tell the government it is still his money. It is a matter of time.

As a chartered accountant, what will you proffer as solution to financial misappropriation in the civil service?

That is the beauty of democracy, in the military era; you dare not talk if you observe any misappropriation. We are now in a democracy, even though we see corruption in the newspaper, I think our democracy has to continue to evolve because we cannot go back to the military era. In other climes, we see less corruption, because they speak out and continue to speak out. If you pay your tax for instance, you will be able to tell me what I am doing wrongly but if you don’t, you are likely to keep quiet, thinking that if you talk, I will come after you. People are now getting more aware. That is, if I make you pay Land Use Charge, and income tax, you will be more interested in what I am doing with the money. People have to be interested in government; if they don’t, corruption will continue to greater extent.

As female HOS, how do you manage the home front responsibilities?

I do not have any problem balancing the two; the official responsibilities and the family responsibility. I am not a nursing mother, I am a grandmother already. Really, I have never had problem in my homes even when I was younger.

What is your advice to the Lagos State civil servant?

I will emphasise discipline I have always done that anywhere I have worked. People know me for that I want discipline. People can’t just do what they like. I want to implore our workforce to be disciplined at all times. If there is no discipline there can’t be progress. So, we have to be discipline and committed to the service delivery

31

Child abuse is slavery — NAPTIP H

EAD Public Enlightenment, NAPTIP Lagos zonal command Mrs. Kehinde Akomolafe, has described Child Trafficking and other forms of abuse as the equivalent of modern day slavery.

She said this at a seminar organized by HARMONY LIFE FAMILY MAGAZINE ON CHILD ABUSE AND ITS IMPLICATION ON THE SOCIETY Stressing the importance for participants to have an insight into child Abuse, child trafficking and the existing law in combating the ills and dangers that are “closer to us than we think”, she said it would be of great benefit to know how to address the situation and what roles to play in combating the menace.

Child abuse, sexual abuse and Trafficking is a global phenomenon that have assumed serious dimensions affecting all countries and regions of the world in a complex network of illicit movements and Nigeria particularly is not left out. This could be regarded as a euphemism of slave trade. The recent manifestation is not different from that experienced during the slave trade, which saw many Africans ferried across the Atlantic Ocean to developed countries.

This paper further explained that this obnoxious practice was abolished 200 years ago, but the practice resurfaced again in a different dimension. “This time around, “slaves” are captured not by the usual slave raiders but by an organized recruitment that is less

visible but very dangerous”.

DEFINITION OF CHILD ABUSE

The Oxford Advanced Learner ’s Dictionary 7th Edition 2 defined “child abuse is the crime of harming a child in a physical, sexual or emotional way”. According to Odu Bimbola Kemi and Bosede Funmilola in International Journal for Cross Disciplinary Subjects in Education (IJCDSE) Volume 2, Issue, 1 March 2011, “child abuse consists of any act or failure to act, that endangers a child’s physical , emotional health and psychological development” According to her, TYPES OF CHILD ABUSE include physical, sexual, psychological/ Emotional Damage and neglect, while SIGNS OF CHILD ABUSE include broken bones, Swollen eye, Burns Low self esteem, Adaptive behaviour, Running away from home, Attempting suicide, discomfort in walking, death, anxiety, trauma and sleeping during classes.

Factors encouraging child abuse were identified as including Marital discord, Domestic violence, unemployment, financial difficulties and poverty social isolation, inappropriate punishment, unintended pregnancies, cultural and religious practices, disability, large family size, wickedness, profit/personal gain, ignorance, mental illness, substance abuse as well as exposure to harmful drug/ alcohol.

Speaking further, she disclosed

that CHILDREN DO NOT INFORM ANYONE because of feeling of shame or stigmatization, ignorance and disability.

Defining Human Trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power, or of a position of vulnerability or of giving or receiving payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation, she decried the dimensions of the trade.

In a country of over 167 million people with a growing rate of 3.52 percent per year, only few are aware of the palpable dangers human trafficking poses to the economic and social well being of Nigerians. This has dented the image of the country nationally and internationally as Nigeria is said to be one of the leading African countries involved in this heinous trade.

She concludes: Rights of the child include amongst others the Right to be given protection and necessary care, Freedom of association and peaceful assembly, Right to dignity of the child as well as the Right of a child to free, compulsory and universal primary education, recommending that parents should be close to their children.

NAPTIP LAGOS ZONAL COMMAND – Hotline: 07080601801 (toll free for airtel lines) Email – infolagos@naptip.gov.ng Website – www.naptip.gov.ng

32 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 — 33

C M Y K

34— VANGUARD,

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

Ask Your Imam About destiny Question: Kindly shed more light on the issue of destiny as regards the impacts of witches and wizards on human endeavors; why is it that this is mainly predominant in Africa, Nigeria in particular? Is it destiny that those in the western world will live long while those in Nigeria die young?

Ansar -ud-Deen urges Muslims tto o care ffor or Ansar-ud-Deen the needy needy,, abandoned babies

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lhaja Muibat Adetokun, the Chairperson of Ansar-udDeen Society, Ilorin branch, recently expressed dismay at the increasing cases of abandoned babies in the country.

Adetokun spoke in Ilorin when the group visited the Children Reception Centre at Gaa Akanbi as part of activities to mark the society’s 90th anniversary.

Describing the act as inhuman, Adetokun, who said children are gifts from

God, appealed to parents and guardians to take good care of children at all times.

She said Muslim organisations in the country, irrespective of sociocultural backgrounds, owed it a duty to always provide for the needy.

Adetokun said the group was committed to the propagation of Islam as well as to promotion of western and Islamic education among Muslims.

Responding, the officer in charge of the centre, Mr

Taiye Ikupolati, expressed gratitude to the group for the donation.

He stressed the need for other organisations to emulate the society’s gesture of assisting the needy.

Earlier, the Public Relations Officer of the society, Alhaja Sikirat Olaitain, said a Special Juma’at Service would hold on Friday as part of activities to mark the 90th anniversary while the grand finale will hold on Saturday in Lagos.

Wh ounded Seifudeen FFoundation oundation Whyy I ffounded full access to it and — Chief Imam, Olowo-oribi given because I knew how much it “IF Allah made me a leader, I will use my position to establish a modern Islamic library for the use of the ummah.” That was the vow Sheikh Seifudeen Olowo-Oribi, the Chief Imam of Ikorodu made several years ago and today, he is one the verge of fulfilling that troth.

Olowo-oribi made this known recently during the official launching of the Seifudeen Olowo-Oribi Islamic Foundation which

has as its main thrust, Islamic e-library and medical care.

The occasion which was held at the Ikorodu Central Mosque, Obaale, also featured the final of Quran and Quiz competitions organised by the foundation.

Olowo-Oribi said: “When I was receiving Arabic and Islamic education, I had the privilege to study under a leader that had a massive home library, the biggest I have ever seen in this country. But people were not

will help in the quest for knowledge, I vowed that if Allah made me a leader, I will use my position to establish a library for the use of the ummah.”

The guest lecturer, Dr Saheed Timehin harped on need to seek knowledge, adding that knowledge is the only indices for measuring greatness in life and not wealth.

Among the twelve finalists in the Quran recitation competition, (Juz Amma)

• From left: Chief Imam of Ikorodu Div. S. Olowo-Oribi, Dr Saheed Timehin; Alhaji R Mayeigun, representating Chief Imam of Epe; Alh Sambo, Mufasir, Ikorodu and Alhaji Wahab Olawale during the launch of SOIF in Ikorodu.

AbdulMalik Mafe reciting Juz Amma during the Quran competition where he came second.

Abdullahi Olowo-Oribi of SOIF Arabic School clinched the coveted first position carting away a Desk-top computer; while fiveyear-old AbdulMalik Mafe of Fidelity Montessori School, Igbogbo and A b d u l S a m a d Muhammad Awwal of Dharul-Hikmah Private School, Maya, came second and third respectively.

Answer: Belief in Allah’s power, knowledge and control of all things is one of the six articles of faith in Islam. Everything happens by the will of God. Whatever He wills happens, and whatever He does not will does not happen. He has decreed and written everything that happens in the universe from the beginning of time to the end in the Book of Decree called Lahul-Mahfuz.

The Qur’an says “Know you not that Allah knows all that is in the heaven and on the earth? Verily, it is (all) in the Book (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz). Verily, that is easy for Allah” (Q22: 70) It is also narrated that Abdullah ibn Amr said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) saying: Allah wrote down the decrees of creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth. (Muslim) If this concept is understood, then the issue of witches and wizards can be tackled. The activities of these people of underworlds are orchestrated by Satan and they are bent on derailing man from the path of truth. Faith in Taqdir (Destiny) has a very deep impact upon our lives and we always find our lives oscillating between determinism and freewill. Man also has the free will to choose the path he wants to go; whether that of God or that of Satan.

The witches or wizards afflicted the Prophet (s.a.w) a couple of times but God saved him. God warns the Muslims against their (witches and wizards) heinous activities in many verses and chapters of the Qur’an. They are indeed existing not only in Africa but other parts of the world but Allah’s decree on human being is supreme. Just like any other person who disobeys Allah, no matter how long he lives, he will be punished here on heart and in the hereafter except he repents. That does not answers the question on why the life expectancy is low here in Nigeria. It is simply because there is so much pressure on the individual on how to survive not also mentioning our crimes.

There is two dimensions to your question. First is that if the whole world gathers to prevent what Allah Has predestined to happen, they could not do so, and if the whole world gathers to make something happen which Allah Has not predestined to happen, it will not be possible for them.

That is why they also fail in a task they set to achieve.

However, this does not mean that there is no effect of witches and wizards; there is and it sometimes affect and harm people, especially if there is no powerful prayer sessions carried out to repel it. Allah says about the magicians (what means): But (they) do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allah.(Quran 2:102). If a person is harmed and affected by magic, then this happened because Allah Had predestined it for a reason which no one knows but He. Again, not every victim of wizardry will not get relief. Prayer is the center point of getting relief and protection against the machinations of witches and wizards. In fact prayer is the only thing that is capable of changing the already predestined action against man. Allah has given us the opportunity to call and seek for his favours and according to His promise, He will surely grant our requests. But unfortunately, some people do not even believe in the efficacy of prayer to change their situation and so, succumbed to the machinations of the evil doers and they blame it on destiny even when they have the will power to change it through prayers. Prayers can indeed change any situation. In summary, the fate of man can go according to how it was predestined or he himself can change the situation through prayers.

Alhaji Abdurahman Maiyegun and the winner of the Dr. Saheed Timehin presenting and AbdulSamad Mu- Quran recitation Abdullah Olowo-Oribi. hammad Awwal (3rd) during the Quran competition

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013— 35

Is Islam misunder st ood? misunderst stood?

BY ADERONKE ADEYERI

‘Kill the infidel’ is not Islam — Alhaji Abdulbari Yoosuph Afini

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Does Islam prohibit women from working?

HE Qur’an is the only book of world Scripture in which women are frequently

referred to alongside men, both are described as being friends and partners in faith. The Quran says: The believers, men and women, are protecting friends one of another; they promote the right and forbid the wrong, establish prayer, pay the poor-due, and they obey God and His messenger.

As for these, God will have mercy on them. Surely God is Mighty, Wise. God has promised to believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the good pleasure of God: that is the supreme felicity. (Qur’an 9:71-72) Islam considers a woman to be equal to a man as a human being and as his partner in this life.

Women have been created with a soul of the same nature as man’s.

Allah (SWT) says in the Quran: “O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely,

NASHAK celebrat es 5th anniv er sar celebrates anniver ersar saryy

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asrullahi-l-Akbar Society of Nigeria, NASHAK, Lagos recently celebrated her 5th anniversary with pomp and festivity.

The Spiritual head of the association, Alhaji Sadiq Azeez Odulami stated that the association has wax stronger since after it was formed adding that “Our aim on establishing this society is to promote Islam and we have recorded massive success in that regard with the establishment of branches in other parts of the state.”

Sheikh Soyibul-Bayan who gave a lecture on the importance of promoting Islam advised Muslims to see themselves as ambassadors of Islam and exhibit good characters as taught by the Holy Quran and hadiths especially on human relationship in order to properly promote Islam.

The occasion which held at Olomu Community Junior Secondary School, Ajah, EtiOsa, Lagos, also recorded the turbaning of eminent Muslims in the area. Some of those honoured were Alhaji

Rasaq Odunlami (as Baba Adinni of NASHAK), Alhaji Ibrahim Olokonla (Alakoso Adinni), Alhaja Kiyamo Adebayo (Iya Sunnah), and Alhaja Mudrakat Abodunrin (Otun Iya Sunnah).

Others honoured included Fadhilatu Sheikh, Imam Abdul Bari Y. Afinni, Chairman Council of Imams and Alfas, Eti-Osa, Fadhilatu Sheikh, Imam Fatihu Admson, Chief Imam Ajah Central Mosque, Fadhilatu Sheikh, Imam Ibrahim Okunmoyibo, Mudir Markaz Ajah. Others included Chief, Mursik Alani Ojupon (Baale of Ajah land) Alhaji Nuah Azeez Odunlami, Alhaji Hon Taiwo Olaleye among others.

The association’s prayer book which containes specific pryaers points drawn from the Quran and the hadiths was also launched.

Facing the Kaaba gathered that Professor S. A. Bidmus of University of Lagos, UNILAG, wrote the forward note.

Other eminent Muslims that graced the occasion include: Alh Kazeem Salam (CEO Kaz Oil and Energy), Hon. Ismail Azeez, Alh; Taofik Adeyemi, Alh; Ola Ayinde, Chief Kazeem Odunlami, Alh Taiwo Ojupon among others.

Allah is Ever and All-Watcher over you.” (Al-Nisa 4:1) And in the words of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w), “Assuredly, women are the twin halves of men.” (Sahih reported

by Abu-Dawud (r.a) In reality, and in Islam, the rights and responsibilities of a woman are equal to those of man, but they are not necessarily identical with them. Equality and sameness are two very different things. The fact of their nature and physique do not exempt them from being part of the society and taking their roles for development.

A sit-at-home mother or a typical housewife may not be able to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the society. So, she needs and has right to employment. Career Muslim women will definitely add values, to the socio-economic well-being of the society than a sit-at-home mother. While Islam does not prohibit women working outside the home, it does stipulate that employment should not come before, or seriously interfere with her responsibilities as wife and mother. Her work should not cause friction within the family, and the husband’s consent is required and if she is not married, her guardian’s consent is required.

Her appearance, manner of behavior should follow Islamic guidelines in terms of dressing, chastity and general comportment. For a Muslim woman, her modest dress is an expression of her religion. Her

,

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Her work should not cause friction within the family, and the husband’s consent is required

,

any non-Muslims misunderstand Islam, in fact, some Muslims, also have a wrong notion about the religion.

Sentiment have crept in to the practice of Islam in some areas.

Some Muslims who do not have a full knowledge of the religion often diffuse their culture into the religion and as such give a wrong impression about Islam.

Another misconception about Islam is a popular phrase ‘Kill the infidel’ which many people believe is the ideology that Muslims have towards the non Muslims. This is not a correct portrayal of Islamic law. Islam gives respect and freedom of religion to all faiths. The Quran says “God does not forbid you with regards to those who fight you not for religion nor drive you away out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them, for God loves those who are just.” There are many historical examples of M u s l i m tolerance towards other faith.

One example was when the Caliph Umar was ruler of Jerusalem from 634 to 644 AD g r a n t e d freedom to all religious communities and said that t h e inhabitants of his city were safe and that their places of w o r s h i p would never •Imam AbdulBari Yossuf Afini be taken away Chairman, Council of Imam, Eti-Osa from them. He also set up courts that were designated to the non Muslim minorities.

Yet, another misconception is that Muslims worship Prophet Muhammad. This is entirely untrue, and is easily refuted by the actual saying of the Prophet (s.a.w): “Do not over praise me as the Christians over praised Jesus, the son of Mary. I am His slave, so refer to me as ‘God’s slave and Messenger.” Islam teaches Muslims to respect all of God’s Prophets and Messengers but respecting and loving them does not mean worshipping them.

Islam is not terrorism — Haruna Rasaq

I agree with the fact that Islam as a religion that suffers misconceptions. These misconceptions are often created by two groups which are the Muslims and the non Muslims. These groups have injected wrong practices into the religion. Today, there is a misconception of Jihad often propagated by the antagonists of the religion. They mis-interprete jihad to mean “Holy war” and they belief it is the reason behind the incessant killings and terrorism in the Northern part of the country. However, jihad does not totally mean war but a word with a compound scope.

Jihad was coined from an Arabic word “Juhb” which means striving and also synonymous to “Taaqah” that means capacity and power. It can also be likened to “maslagah’’ the ability to endure hardship. Therefore, Jihad means striving to endure hardship in Islamic act. Jihad could be the act of traveling to Hajj which is the last pillar of Islam. Jihad can also be explained as the act of enduring hardship in the course of establishing religious act and charitable deeds. An hadith says “he who strive to meet the needs of the widow and the poor has done Jihad. Some believe that women are regarded as slaves in Islam which is not true. There is a Surat and hadith specially for women- Nisai.

dressing confers respect, dignity to her. Besides, modesty in dressing protects the society from adultery and other forms of illegal sexual relations that lead to the break up of families and corruption of society. Women should try to seek employment in positions such as teaching, nursing other women, midwifery, medicine with specialization’s like pediatric or obstetrics-gynecology.

According to recent research, there are dearths of female Muslim doctors in the country. This will help to give confidence to female Muslim patients during issues of From left: Alhaja Khulthum Majolagbe, Alhaja Bilyamin Abmedical examination and dulGafar and Hon S.O.B Agunbiade, representing Ikorodu 1 Constituency during the launch of SOIF in Ikorodu. treatment.

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

PPO canvasses support for Jonathan

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E O P L E ’ S Promotional Organisation, PPO, has called on the Ijaws in Delta, Bayelsa states and other Nigerians to join them in celebrating President Goodluck Jonathan’s achievements in the implementation of his transformation agenda.

Director-General of PPO, Deacon Arede Edeinmene, said this while outlining events scheduled for December 23, in Warri, “to strengthen the cultural ties and foster unity amongst Ijaws of Delta and Bayelsa states and bringing to the grassroots the achievements of Mr. President in the last two and half years.”

It added that the event will chaired by Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, while the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, will deliver the keynote address.

Igbo in Lagos sack traditional rulers

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HE executive of Igbospeaking community in Lagos State has sacked some Ezes over a recent controversial visit to a governor, who allegedly gave them staff of offices.

A statement in Lagos by the community ’s President-General, Chief Ebere Ubani, described the visit as demeaning.

It said: “With this singular action, the affected Ezes have abdicated their Ezeship and the Igbo-speaking community the authentic and legal body that installed them, hereby declares their stools vacant with immediate effect.

“The Igbo-speaking community in Lagos State shall look into issues dispassionately and will not relent in wielding the big stick where necessary; as such Ezes have lost moral authority to preside over their respective domains in Lagos State, as their allegiance has now shifted.”

BUDGET PRESENTATION: From left— Rt. Hon. Basil Ganagana, Deputy Speaker, state House of Assembly; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan; his Deputy, Professor Amos Utuama, and Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, Speaker, state House of Assembly, all of Delta State, at the governor's budget presentation, Wednesday.

DELSU lecturers face empty classrooms

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA— FOLLOWING the suspension of the nationwide strike embarked upon by Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, activities have fully resumed at Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka and Asaba campuses, but with few students in attendance.

Speaking to Vanguard

yesterday, Chairman of ASUU in the state, Dr. Emmanuel Mordi, expressed satisfaction that his colleagues had fully returned to the classrooms only to meet negligible number of students, contrary to their expectation.

He said: “Lecturers are on ground and have resumed full academic activities, but curiously only a handful of students are on campus

contrary to our expectations of a deluge.”

Mordi had on Tuesday announced that the “suspension takes immediate effect. This is in compliance with the resolutions of the meeting of the National Executive Council of the union held at the Federal University of Technology, FUT, Minna, on Monday, December 16.

Bini accuse FG of marginalisation

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN— THE Bini people from Edo South senatorial district, Edo State, have expressed regrets about absence of their people in President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, despite availability of qualified sons and daughters from the district.

Benin Forum, an umbrella body of all Bini people, both home and in the Diaspora, led by the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, made the declaration in a statement at the end of the plenary on Advancement of Bini Ethnic Nationality in Benin.

It described as unacceptable “the growing docility and selfinterest of a number of Benin elders and political leaders, who are negatively affecting the people, especially Bini youths.”

The forum stressed the need for Bini ethnic nationality to play active part in the proposed national dialogue to address the “existing geo-political and social-cultural injustice and inequities perpetrated against the Bini over the years, both at the Federal and state levels.

“Bini people currently play

second fiddle in Edo State politics. The Benin Forum and indeed all Benin ethnic groups

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ENIN— GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that effective January 2014 pension fund would be funded in line with the Amended Pensions’ laws to give room for the 7.5 per cent contribution by employers and 7.5 per cent by employees to be managed by Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF. The governor, who disclosed this when he had audience with the executive council members of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Edo State Council, said: “The several years of neglect in the payment of pension and gratuities by past governments of led to the huge debt burden, which is the reason for the pains inflicted on the pensioners in the state.

“That huge debt burden has

YULETIDE: Transport union assures on fair price

should become more proactive and begin to infuse youths at the leadership level.”

Edo commences pension funding Jan 2014

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

“With the suspension of the strike, all academic activities have resumed in the Delta State University, and all lecturers are on ground to discharge their obligations to their students.”

remained the problem, such that even as we are spending more money every month, we have not been able to cure that problem because of the magnitude of the problem.”

He said that in 2000, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP government in the state dismissed many civil servants without payment them their gratuities and pensions, adding that all these put together had been responsible for the pains currently experienced by the pensioners.

While reacting to the pensioners’ alleged neglect by the present administration after they had supported him to win his second term, the governor admonished the senior citizens of the state to discountenance PDP's alleged neglect of not being properly catered for after the said support.

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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HAIRMAN of Delta State Council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Mr. Ifeanyi Obi, yesterday, gave assurance that drivers had been instructed not to increase transport fare because of the Christmas rush.

Obi noted that an increase in transportation fare was capable of affecting the fun associated with the yuletide season.

He, however, called for increased patrol by men of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, to control traffic, especially on the Niger Bridge.

Speaking with newsmen in Asaba, Obi said: “We are not going to hike fares.

“We make sure the vehicles are in good shape and also check the tyres of the vehicles everyday because we do not want any vehicle to break down or have accident on the road. Speed will be regulated. They have been well sensitised.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013—37

Ignore APC's impeachment call, N-Delta group tells N'Assembly

Ogunlewe denies clash with FUNAAB VC

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RO-CHANCELLOR and Chairman, Governing Council, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, has refuted a newspaper report that claimed there was a clash between members of the institution’s governing council and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Oyewole.

This followed a report published on page 11 of the Vanguard newspaper of December 18, 2013 titled: ‘Ogunlewe, VC clash over administrative style’ in which it was alleged that a crisis of confidence brewed between Professor Olusola Oyewole and members of the governing council, led by the former works minister, Senator Ogunlewe.

But in a statement made available to Vanguard, Ogunlewe through his Media and Publicity Director, Mark Mayah, he disclaimed the report, describing it as distressing, unfortunate and completely repugnant to natural justice.

“For the avoidance of doubt, at no time did the Pro-Chancellor and chairman, governing council, either in his public engagement or private, had an interactive session with journalists at his Ogudu residence as published in the report. I had one-on-one interview session with either politics or education reporters but there was no mention of clash between the VC and myself or any members of the governing council."

Pre-Isoko Economic Summit holds Dec 27

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PRE-ISOKO Economic Summit will hold at Oleh on December 27.The summit, which is organized by Isoko Action Group, ISAG, holds in the first quarter of 2014.

According to the organizers, the meeting is designed to have first hand consultations with Isoko leaders and people from all walks of life in order to prioritise, strategise and determine the potential, proposals and requirements of each community in the oilproducing area of Delta State, ahead of the summit next year.

“The summit is designed to fashion out necessary steps and actions to move the Isoko economy forward,” the organizers stated.

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BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

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VISIT: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (right) and Dr. Abe Eghe of the Joint Action Committee of Medical and Dental Consultants Association, Edo State chapter, during a courtesy visit in his office.

Rights group flays Rivers lawmakers for signing Police undertaking

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

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ORT HARCOURT—THE International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, ISSJHR, has expressed disappointment at members of Rivers State House of Assembly, RVHA, for signing Police undertaking to be of good conduct as precondition for reconvening the House which had been shut since July.

Chancellor of ISSJHR, Omenazu Jackson, expressed the group’s displeasure yesterday, shortly after Deputy Speaker of RVHA, Leyii Kwaneen, announced in Port Harcourt that 22 members of the House had reported at Rivers Police Command’s Criminal Investigation Department, CID, to sign the undertaking.

Jackson asked: “What desperation pushes an elected arm of government to shamelessly bow to police ridicule and intimidation to the extent that they have

to sign undertaking to act honourably in their own hallowed chambers? This 7th Assembly has really been a disappointment to Rivers people.

“There was a barbaric fight in the House. That brought enough disappointment and shame to Rivers. Now they have to sign an undertaking before the Police. They were elected and swore to be of good conduct in the interest of Rivers people.

“If they no longer trust themselves as men of good conduct, then it is not a question of signing police undertaking. The best they should do is resign their seats and let Rivers people re-elect genuinely honourable members.”

He accused the police of overstepping their bounds, warning that authorities of the state Police Command must stop “grandstanding

and undue interference in the governance of Rivers State.

“A situation where the police hold the office of a state governor in contempt, intimidate the legislature, turn blind eye on five rebel lawmakers trying to lord it over 27 and undermine court orders, is a dangerous precedence Rivers people must not allow to linger for too long.

“They have succeeded in cowing the lawmakers. This is bad precedence. Tomorrow, we should not be surprised to hear the police saying if the one arm of government could concede to signing good conduct undertaking, the other arms, the governor and commissioners as well as judges in the Judiciary should, if the police so deem fit, raise no objection to signing undertakings too,” Jackson concluded.

FG to increase SURE-P beneficiaries in states to 5,000 next year

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—THE Federal Government, yesterday, said it would increase the number of beneficiaries of the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme, SURE-P, in the 36 states of the federation from 3,000 to 5,000 from 2014.

Chairmen of SURE-P, in Edo State, Mr. Lucky Imasuen, announced this in Benin City, shortly after the meeting of 36 chairmen of SURE-P in the country.

Imasuen, who disclosed that each of the 36 states currently engaged 3,000 beneficiaries under the programme, said the meeting was called to assess the progress made and proffer solutions to challenges.

He explained that the beneficiaries of the programme were now being trained to make them self-reliant at the end of the programme which he said, was expected to end after one year.

He said beneficiaries received N10,000 per month for performing such tasks as traffic control, cleaning of roads and hospitals, among others, adding that the Federal Government spends about N1 billion monthly to pay salaries of beneficiaries.

While thanking President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Labour and Productivity for their commitment to the programme, Imasuen said the programme helped in creating jobs for

youths and women.

He also called on states and local governments to spend their own share of SURE-P funds to impact on the lives of the people.

He said: “The 36 state coordinators including the FCT, met in Benin for a two-day meeting to assess the programme for this year, progress and challenges. In those two days, we examined the impact of the community services that are targeted at the youths.

“We assessed the programme and we thank Mr President for coming up with such a laudable programme, creating jobs for our young men and women including the physically challenged."

ARRI—A PRESSURE group, Peace, Credible and Visionary Leadership Niger Delta Forum, PVLNDF, has called on the National Assembly to ignore the call by All Progressives Congress, APC, to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan.

The group described the call as a mischievous declaration that had no basis and urged the President to focus on implementation of his transformation agenda.

Comrade King-Jerry Prebor, National Chairman of the group, in a chat in Warri, said the country was bigger than APC, noting that it was the people who elected the President.

He said: “The APC should leave Jonathan alone.

Jonathan has performed exceedingly well. The number of years the North had governed this country is noting to go by.

“In the 53 years of Nigeria’s independence, the North has ruled for 39 years with nothing to show for it.

Ever since they have been ruling, the South has never attacked them as they are doing now.”

PPMC lauds FG, N-Delta govs over drop in crude oil theft

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

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EPOT Manager, Product Pipeline and Marketing Company PPMC, Warri, Delta State, Mr. Ali Abdallah, has disclosed that Nigeria was winning the war against crude oil theft, oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism and commended President Goodluck Jonathan and governors of the Niger Delta, as well as security agencies, for their efforts in curbing the menace.

According to him, crudeoil theft has, over the years, led to a significant drop in revenue accruing to the country from the petroleum sector.

Abdallah gave the commendation when former militants from Ondo, Delta, Edo, Rivers and Bayelsa states led by Fiawei Pathfinder, visited him in his office.

38 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

Imo community leader cheats death

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI—THE Chairman of Amawom Welfare Association, AWA, Owerri, Chief John Mark Igwe, narrowly cheated death as bullets fired at him by suspected assassins missed him by divine intervention.

Narrating his ordeal to newsmen in Owerri, the badly shaken AWA chairman recalled that cabinet chiefs of Owerri Traditional Council were invited for a meeting by the royal father, Eze Emmanuel E. Njemanze.

“Top on the agenda at the meeting was the election of a new executive of Owerri Community Assemby. The meeting ended on a fine note and we all left for our respective homes,” Chief Igwe said.

According to the AWA chairman, he picked the Village Head of Umororonjo, Chief Tos Oparaugo, the Secretary of the Electoral Committee, Ambrose Anozie (Jnr) and two female cabinet members, on his way home.

“I drove through the Bank Road into Tetlow Road. At Tetlow Road/ Ekeonunwa Street junction, the two women disembarked. I was then left with Ambrose Anozie (Jnr) and Chief Oparaugo, who I wanted to drop at his Onumonu Street residence.”

ABSOLUT ELYX debuts in Nigeria

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BSOLUT ELYX, the award winning vodka named Best Vodka, Double Gold, at the 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, was launched in Nigeria last Friday, at the Spice Route, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event which had selected audience, witnessed the showcase of highest expression of ABSOLUT class by the esteemed guests who lauded the newest product from Pernod Ricard as iconic standard of luxury vodka.

Brand ambassador, Martin Kapsdorfer did well to welcome the revered guest to a new world of luxury with several blends of cocktail made of the Swedish single estate handcrafted vodka, leaving them feeling distinguished.

Enejere’s sack: UNN staff continue protest

BY EMEKA MAMAH

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SUKKA—WORKERS at all levels in the University of Nigeria, UNN, yesterday continued for the second day, their protest at the commodious Freedom Square on Nsukka Campus, calling for the removal of both the Supervisory Minister for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, and the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Bartho Okolo, over alleged maladministration in the institution.

A similar protest is also going on simultaneously at Enugu campus of the university.

As a result of this, all activities, including post-ASUU-strike mop up examinations and project defence for final year students have been grounded in the university.

Lecturers and non-academic workers in university had Wednesday, vowed to continue mass demonstrations on both campuses of the university in Enugu and Nsukka, until the supervisory Minister of Education, Mr Nyesom Wike, reinstated chairman of the university’s governing council, Prof. Emeka Enejere.

They also demanded an apology to Prof. Enejere for suspending him without any valid reason.

The university community woke up yesterday to the largest demonstration of members of the

university staff since the institution was founded more than half a century ago.

On Wednesday, the workers converged on the Nsukka campus in a spontaneous peaceful demonstration to demand the reinstatement of Prof. Enejere following reports that he had been suspended from his post.

Reasons for Enejere’s removal were not made public but sources told Vanguard that the council had requested for the

detailed activities of the university ranging from the management of the NUGA games funds, recruitment of workers (Seniour Special Assistant’s), to award of contracts and general administration.

The council had also, frowned at the creation of the office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor, DVC, (Academics) and then recommended that the office be scrapped without delay.

Apart from this, the council

asked the UNN bursar, Mrs. M.E. Obi and the registrar, Mr. I. A. Okonta, to submit detailed account of their work in the past four years but the bursar reportedly refused to submit her report which led to her suspension by the council. It was suspected that she might have been handling financial matters with Okolo, through the telephone without any written instructions, a situation alleged to been occasioned by the VC’s poor attendance to office.

INAUGURATION: From left: Anthony Iziduh, Sir Sam Ahiarakwe, Pastor Emmanuel Wilson, Mr. Aloga Ogbogo, Mr. Sammy Kano and Alhaji Sanu Danfulani, during the inauguration of Nigerian Association of Roads Transport Owners, NARTO, in the South South, Edo State executive in Benin City.

Tinubu, Okunnu task LG chiefs on rebuilding primary schools

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AG O S — S E N AT O R Oluremi Tinubu and former Federal Commissioner of Works, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, have urged local government authorities to make strategic intervention in rebuilding public primary schools across the state.

The duo made the demand at the unveiling of the new building by chairman of Lagos Island Local Government Area, Wasiu Sanni, built for Ansarul-Deen Primary School, Alakoro.

At the unveiling, Tinubu who represents Lagos West senatorial district in the Senate, stressed the unbiased information about infrastructure renewal in public primary schools on Lagos Island, which had been embarked upon by Sanni’s administration.

She tasked other local council chairmen in the state to learn from what Sanni’s administration had been doing in the last two years to bring life back to primary schools.

Senator Tinubu added that she was aware of the tremendous change in the

education sector, particularly the restoration of confidence in public primary school system, citing the intervention in infrastructure renewal in public primary schools.

Tinubu also noted various

forms of assistance given to the youth, either by way of support to further their education with the distribution of free JAMB and GCE forms or providing avenues for them to learn different trades and develop

their skills.

She said: “Sanni administration has done great things in the area of health delivery with the improvement in healthcare delivery system and the construction of more primary healthcare facilities.”

PDP chieftain challenges Okorocha to publish accounts, Chief Chukwueke state’s financial statement argued that it was common

BY CHIDINKWOPARA

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WERRI—A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Jerry Chukwueke, has challenged Governor Rochas Okorocha to publish the financial statement of Imo State since he assumed office in 2011.

Chuwueke, who threw the challenge while fielding questions from newsmen in his Awaka, Owerri North local council country home, also opined that this was one of the ways he could clear the governor of the allegation that he had dragged Imo people into serious debts.

“There is this palpable fear that Imo State is in a serious financial quagmire that portends danger, if nothing is

done to recover the state from its present economic woes,” Chukwueke said.

In pressing for the publication of the state’s statement of

practice for other states of the federation to publish their statement of accounts in newspapers every month and wondered why Imo was finding it difficult to follow suit.

CPP decries lack of opposition in Abia

BY ANAYO OKOLI MUAHIA—AHEAD of 2015, Citizens Popular Party, CPP, has decried the lack of position in Abia State politics, promising to change in the minds of the people for better governance come.

At present, Abia State, according to a statement by the CPP, can comfortably be said to be a one party state, with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, dominating all aspects of

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politics in the state, having a sitting governor and all the 24 members of the House of Assembly.

The party noted that other political parties that ought to serve as opposition only come around during elections, make noise and retreat to their shells as soon as elections were over.

It noted also that the main opposition at the national level, the All Progressives Congress, APC, was yet to find its feet in the state.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013—39

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COMMISERATION: Senator Iyiola Omisore (left), commiserating with the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin, over the crisis in some schools in the town as a result of reclassification of schools by Osun State Government.

MEETING: From left, Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Jide Awosafe; Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Kayode Adepitan; Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun; Director General, Development for South West, Mr. Dipo Famakinwa, and Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, during the South West Commissioners of Agriculture meeting, in Abeokuta.

AGM: From left, Dr. Timothy Farinre, Chairman, Omatek Venture Plc; Engr.

Florence Seriki, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Omatek Venture Plc, and Professor Rahmon Bello, Director, at the 4th Annual General HAND-OVER: From left, Mr. Segun Agbaje, MD, GTBank; Miss Shallom Meeting of Omatek Venture Plc, at Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Wigwe-Elisha, winner of the GTBank Create Savings Account promo star Photo: Akeem Salau prize, and Ibukun Odegbaike, Divisional Head, Lagos Island, GTBank, during the hand-over of the car prize to the winner, at University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

COMMISSIONING: From left, Mr. Olumuyiwa Fagbola, Chairman, The Dove Event Centre; Mr. Oluseye Oladejo, Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry to Lagos State Governor, and Mr. Tunde Bank-Anthony, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Sports Endowment Fund, LSSEF, at the commissioning of the Dove Centre, in Lagos.

INAUGURATION: Professor Olufemi Taiwo, DirectorGeneral, Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research, NISER; Dr. Segun Aina, OFR, President/ Chairman of Council, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN; Dr. Sarah Alade, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, and Dr. ’Uju Ogubunka, Registrar/Chief Executive, CIBN, during the inauguration of the Board of the Centre For Financial Services, CFS, a subsidiary of the Institute, at the Bankers House, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday.

FORUM: From left, Director General, Nigeria's Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Mr. Chris Onyemenam; representative of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr. Linus Awute; Permanent Secretary (SGF’s Office) and National President, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, at a one day Business Forum on 'Resolving Nigeria's Identity Management Crisis,' in Lagos.

PRESENTATION: From left, Mr s. Olayinka Oladunjoye, Lagos State Commissioner for Education; Mr. Paul Gbededo, GMD, Flour Mills; Otunba Ayobade Obajimi, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, and Alhaji Olalekan Saliu, Company Secretary and Director, Flour Mills Plc, with Students of New Era Girls' Secondary School, Surulere, Lagos, during the presentation of school bus donated by Flour Mills Plc to the school.

AWARD: Brand Manager, Veleta Fruit Wine, Chioma Alonge; ace-actor, Fred Amata, presenting award for 'Best Actress in a Leading Role.' to Omoni Oboli, for her role in the movie, 'Brother’s Keeper,' at the IDLSupported Best of Nollywood Awards, in Asaba, Delta State.

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

Al-Makura gets 24-hr ultimatum to reinstate 5,000 sacked workers

Ijaw laud Urhobo over Aziza's election

BY ABEL DANIEL

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AFIA—The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, has given Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State a 24hour ultimatum to reinstate over 5,000 sacked local government staff.

The union gave the ultimatum shortly after a peace meeting to resolve the three-year-old crisis within the association, resulting in the constitution of a care-taker-committee since 2010.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of a new executive committee in Lafia, the state capital, yesterday, the National President of NULGE, Mr Khalid Isa asked AlMakura to release all the check-off dues belonging to the union since it had resolved its crises.

Utuama bags Delta NUJ award

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

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AG O S — D E LTA State Deputy Governor, Prof Amos Utuama has bagged the Delta State National Union of Journalists (NUJ) award at the end of a four-day Press Week in Asaba, the state capital.

Utuama was honoured with the Delta NUJ Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding contributions to good governance, peace, social and political development of Delta State.

Presenting the award, the Delta NUJ chairman, Comrade Norbert Chiazor said the nation would be better for it if more intellectual and successful professionals join in the process of providing quality leadership for the people.

Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, who represented Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, described the awardee as a meticulous and thorough administrator.

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MEDIA INTERACTION— From left: Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Muhammad Abdullahi; Executive Director, Ado Muhammed and Director, Admin And Human Resources, Alhaja Aisha Abubakar, at a Media Interaction in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Plateau, Bauchi, Kogi govs present N512.1bn budget for 2014

BY TAYE OBATERU, SUZAN EDEH, MARIETHERESE NANLONG, BERNARD LUCAS & BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

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AGOS—THREE State governors, yesterday, presented the 2014 budget estimates totalling about N512.1 billion to their respective houses of assembly for consideration and approval.

They include Governors Jonah Jang of Plateau State, Mallam Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State and Idris Wada of Kogi State. Jang presented the state’s 2014 budget estimate totalling N228,742,602,356 to the State House of Assembly, made up over N147.107 billion as capital expenditure and N81,634 billion as recurrent expenditure, while his counterpart in Bauchi State, Mallam Yuguda proposed N133.7 billion, just as Idris Wada of Kogi proposed an expenditure of N129. 7 billion for the fiscal year.

Tagged, “budget of continuity and inclusive growth IV” Jang said it will be funded from traditional sources of “internally generated revenue, statutory revenue allocation, reimbursement from the federal government as well as internal and external loans”.

The works sub-sector was allocated N37.637 billion, agriculture N6.123 billion and health N11.542 billion.

Education got N19.986 billion, water and sanitation takes N4.538 billion, administration has N12.175 billion, youth development N1 billion

while, sports development was allocated N5,563 billion, among others.

The governor said his administration will continue to make the welfare of the people and strengthening of the economy its top priority despite various challenges.

Reviewing the 2013 budget which stood at N136,641 billion, he said great success was achieved but “this is not a record on which we are prepared to rest because as a government, we are committed to moving on”.

He concluded: “The details of the budget breakdown will be presented to the public, we will continue to create a brighter future full of hope and prosperity for the Plateau people”.

In Kogi State, Wada’s proposed estimate tagged, “Budget of Reality” was made up of a recurrent expenditure of N79.6 billion and N70.02 billion for Capital expenditure.

The budget is lower than the 2013 estimate by about N3. 95 billion or 2.1 percent.

Wada said the budget would be financed through the expected state’s share of revenue from the Federal Account, Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, Value Added Tax, VAT, SURE -P, Excess Crude Account, as well as other miscellaneous refunds from the Federal Government.

Giving a break down of the budget estimates, Wada said the state expected N10.1billion from IGR; N44.5

billion from its share from Federal Government; N10billion from VAT; N3 billion from Excess Crude Oil; N1.5 billion as miscellaneous refunds from Federal Government; N4 billion from SURE -P and N6.5 billion as revenue from budget argumentation.

On sectoral allocation, the Governor said that the Transport sector received a Lion’s share of N20.42 billion while Energy and Sports would receive the least of N825 million and N1.9 billion respectively.

The Governor who hinged the low performance of last year budget on the non-realization of the expected N20 billion bond from domestic capital market, promised that the 2014 budget will be better implemented.

“There will be prudent management of resources, expansion of revenue base; provision and expansion of basic infrastructure in both rural and urban areas; implementation of industrialization projects; increasing productivity in the public service and prompt payment of counterpart funds to attract resources from national and international donours,” he said.

In his presentation, Governor Yuguda said that recurrent expenditure would gulp N65 billion while Capital expenditure would take N68 billion respectively.

According to Yuguda, the office of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, would receive the highest allocation of N14.4 billion.

AGOS—THE Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, has called on the Urhobo nation to mobilize themselves to give the second coming of General Patrick Aziza as president of Urhobo Progressive Union, UPU, a turning point in the affairs of the people.

In a congratulatory message signed by Comrade Joseph Evah on behalf of Ijaw IMG, the Ijaws salute the foresight of Urhobo leaders for re-electing General Patrick Aziza, adding that it was time for Urhobos to insist that they were not second class citizens in a country that their wealth contributed to its survival.

“We are grateful to God that Aziza decided to re-contest this historic election. This is not the time for Urhobo nation to be headed by cowards, unsteady characters or abnormal political prostitutes. Urhobo nation as one of the pillars of the Niger Delta must be piloted by courageous and bold leaders carrying the spirit of the great Mukoro Mowoe of blessed memory and that is the honour that General Aziza has reminded us in his style of leadership.

"If Urhobo must remain a powerful House in Nigeria, we need a dynamic leader that can represent the true face of one of the largest tribes in Nigeria."

The Ijaws further advised the new president of UPU to work hard to maintain the trust and confidence the entire Urhobo nation have in him. It added that all aspects of Urhobo nation need to be mobilized for the good of the people. “A tribe that parades intimidating world-class intellectuals and economic gurus must have a think-thank that can turn things around for the future generation”, the statement added.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 — 41

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42— Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 — 43

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44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

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he national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was last night locked in a meeting with the remnants of the party caucus in the House of Representatives in Transcorp Hotel, Abuja. Last night’s meeting was one of several carrot and stick options initiated by the party hierarchy to hold other fidgety legislators contemplating leaving the party. The day before the meeting 37 members of the PDP caucus in the House defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC turning the once dominant majority into a minority.

One of the responses from the presidency was the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to absent himself from the presentation of the 2014 budget proposals to the National Assembly. In his stead, the coordinating minister of the economy and minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala presented the proposals to the two houses of the National Assembly. It was the first time that a sitting and fit president would present the country’s financial projections to the legislature in absentia.

•Tambuwal: New dawn •Jonathan: Skipped budget presentation yesterday Stakeholders were, however, divided whether the president was right to absent himself from the presentation or not.

The absence of the president some alleged, was out of apprehension that the APC members and especially the new ones just decamped from the PDP would embarrass the president by booing him.

It was, however, learnt that this year was not the first time that such threats of booing the president were perceived. inevitably quickly One source revealed that in boomeranged given the the past when such threats aspiration of many second were made, the then Special term governors to move to the Adviser to the President on Senate or to stop some of their National Assembly, Senator senators from returning.

Joy Emodi took time to members, the party is still It was following that The 40 or so members who court for an order to restrain identify the source of such short of an overall majority in are allegedly waiting, it was the PDP or the National interaction with senators that threats and worked on them the 360 member House. learnt, were those who Assembly leadership from PDP governors again called to mollify them and Labour Party, the All decided to tread the path of declaring their seats vacant in for the removal of Tukur as sometimes, got some of the Progressive Grand Alliance, caution, apparently afraid that the event of defection. national chairman. What was members to clap for the APGA and Accord, together their seats could be The members were guarding thought to be a respite for the president during his budget have a membership of 17, endangered by whatever their seats against the beleaguered national speech. giving the impression that scheme that the PDP could background of constitutional chairman following the exit of However, Mrs. Emodi was provisions that members who the five nPDP governors from eased out of office few months leave their parties must vacate the party, it seemed, was not ago following an alleged face their seats except in the case a respite after all. off between her and some So, at yesterday ’s night of the factionalisation of the presidency officials who meeting the national party on which they were sought to create what she chairman was expected to be elected. allegedly described as a The PDP leadership has on more tactful in making any parallel and divisive support its part sought to pooh-pooh promises of giving re-election structure for the presidency in insinuations that the tickets to the legislators as a the National Assembly. emergence of the nPDP does quid pro quo for their Wednesday ’s defection not amount to the emergence remaining in the party. inevitably made the PDP to for Whatever the actions of the of a new faction and have the first time since the advent PDP leadership, it is certain cited the court of democratic rule in 1999 to pronouncement that the that the PDP in the House of lose its plurality of members Bamanga Tukur led Representatives would in the in the House of mainstream of the party is the foreseeable future play a Representatives as the party secondary role in the affairs only recognized leadership. slipped in membership It was being expected that of the House. strength from 208 to 171.

After his heartfelt umbrages the party would raise such What was a loss for the PDP they could become the marshal to hit at the renegade issues with the members last against the policies and turned into a gain for the APC deciding factors in any legislators. men of the night as the meeting was yet points which transformed itself from partisan dispute. That It was as such not surprising to commence as at press time administration, there are few a minority party to the prospect is, however, diluted that 57 of the lawmakers yesterday. doubts about the political majority party in the House by the fact that as many as 40 supportive of the now defunct In a recent meeting with inclinations of Speaker Aminu with 174 members. other members of the PDP are nPDP in the House and 20 senators, Tukur had issued Waziri Tambuwal. Though he Even though the APC now also waiting in the wings to senators also inclined to the the carrot of a return ticket to has the highest number of leave the party.

Continues on Page 45 faction of the PDP went to senators, a promise, that

A new dawn in Tambuwal’s House

THE defection of 37 members of the once dominant PDP in the House of Representatives has for the first time turned the party into a minority in the House.

Whatever the actions of the PDP leadership, it is certain that the PDP in the House of Representatives would in the foreseeable future play a secondary role in the affairs of the House

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013—45

Obasanjo’s letter to Jonathan should be taken seriously — Rep Mbadiwe

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU that’s what leadership is. And I think that anybody who aspires or is praying for this country must have that character. Otherwise, we can’t make any progress. So, when President Obasanjo said he told him two months ago that he is not going to run, and he later said he was going to run; you know, there is confusion in the whole atmosphere which is very unfortunate for this country. So, I think that this matter should not destabilize us but it should be taken very seriously. That’s the way I look at it.

The PDP has approached the court to declare the seats of the 5 defected Governors vacant even as the opposition is angling to assume the control of the House. What is your reaction to these developments?

Those who are saying that the seats should be declared vacant should go and read the constitution. It is very clear the way you can declare a seat vacant. That’s all I can say about that. The constitution is

*Mbadiwe: There were issues in Obasanjo's letter very, very clear and since the matter is in court, it will be improper to comment on that anyway. About the control of the House, right now, the House is in a state of flux. But my advise to everybody is, let’s just keep quiet, be patient and watch events unfold. We cannot know until

maybe the end of January or even February, 2014. But this House is a very united House.

It doesn’t matter what happens. By the way this House emerged, for me, I think that unity should be maintained. It is very important.

The universities have lost

five months from the recent strike action. As a former academic how do you think this will impact upon the system of education in the country?

Well, they will. But unfortunately time is something you cannot save.

So, if it’s gone, it’s gone. All you can do is to maybe have some crash programmes. But again, you are shortchanging the students. No doubt about it. I have said many times, I was a lecturer myself and even Secretary of ASUU in the University where I taught, there is a limit to what you can get. When you are negotiating and you get 70 percent of what you are asking for, I think that was the time to go back. That’s exactly what they are doing now. They have not gotten more than that.

Leadership has to listen to the people they are leading.

Education system, I have said, needs a lot of funding.

But you cannot give everything to education and kill the entire system. So, I thank both the Government and ASUU for doing for what they should done four months ago.

A new dawn in Tambuwal’s House Continues from page 44

his continued leadership of the House. did not join the other 10 The same, however, cannot members from Sokoto State to be said of others on the PDP defect, few doubt that side of the leadership, Tambuwal is heart and soul in particularly the deputy the APC. speaker, Chief Emeka His remaining in the PDP Ihedioha who given his according to some sources is alleged gubernatorial just a matter of convenience aspiration in his native Imo as defecting would do little to State would think twice about defecting.

Sources in the House have told Vanguard that a change in the leadership would be effected on resumption after the yuletide break.

It was learnt that an attempt may be made to alter the rules of the House to preserve the status quo, but how successful such a move could be has remained an issue.

H o w e v e r, Ihedioha as deputy speaker was elected by the House and not by a party caucus and unless the APC members are able •Ihedioha: To know fate in January

to mobilize two-thirds of the members they may be unable to shove him aside. His personal chemistry with members may inevitably determine his fate.

However, for the other party leaders who were appointed by the party caucus, it is expected that they would automatically revert to minority positions in the New Year.

The prospect of the incumbent minority leader,

Gbajabiamila, a strong critic of the Jonathan administration is also one of the closest allies of the APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

There are suggestions that in the new dispensation that Gbajabiamila would skip the presentation of government bills as majority leaders have done since 1999, and leave same for the minority leader from the PDP. The outlook for the PDP has

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on. Eddie Mbadiwe is the Deputy Chairman, House of Representative Committee on National Security and Intelligence. He represents Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State. In this interview with Vanguard, he posits that issues raised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his recent letter to President Goodluck Jonathan should be taken very seriously. Excerpts: Just days after Speaker Aminu Tambuwal claimed that President Jonathan is not fighting corruption, former President Obasanjo wrote the president expressing the same views. What is your reaction?

To be honest with you, the fight against corruption should be done frontally. And it has to start with the presidency. I have said this many times: corruption can be destroyed very easily. If for instance, Eddie Mbadiwe is the President and I say I will not take or give bribe and I enforce it, corruption will die a natural death. So, that’s what the Speaker is saying that the body language of Mr. President tends to gloss over corruption. And he mentioned one or two things where the House is investigating and the presidency set up a counter investigation. I mean, which report of the committees are you going to handle? Is it the one the President set up or the one the House set up? That’s what he means by saying that the body language does not support the fight. On the other issue, I have a lot of respect for former President Olusegun Obasanjo personally, and I think that he thought about this a long time before he wrote that letter.

A number of issues were raised which I think should not be dismissed with a wave of hand, because these are fundamental issues. A number of them, he wrote from personal experience. The party side of it, I will leave alone because I am not in PDP but the ones that concern this nation, I think should not be waved away. If for instance, he says there is a Killer Squad being set up to target some people, it’s fundamentally dangerous. That’s criminal. I think that he should in conjunction with other former Heads of State, sit down with Mr. President, the President is much younger than all of them and he is amenable to advice. But you see, leadership can be very simple and difficult. If you are honest with people, it is very fundamental, if I tell you that this is white and tomorrow, I tell you it is black, you can’t trust me. But if I tell you it is white and it is still, for me,

There are suggestions that in the new dispensation that Gbajabiamila would skip the presentation of government bills as majority leaders have done since 1999, and leave same for the minority leader from the PDP

Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila becoming the Majority Leader and leading the affairs of the House is probably one of the factors that may have agonized the PDP national leadership and the presidency.

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never been this bad and it was thus not surprising that the president skipped his normal schedule of presenting the budget yesterday.

Pitiably, he has plenty more of such days ahead!

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

•Imoke: His associates want him to determine successor

•Ndoma-Egba: Senate Leader

2015: New Body language in C/Rivers EVER since Donald Duke stamped his authority on the politics of Cross River State at the turn of the century, politics in the commercially laid back state has been a staged affair. Now, rumbling between the camps of the governor and the Senate leader is shaking the status quo

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AVING been zoned by both the PDP and the All Progressive Congress to the Northern Senatorial District of the state which comprises of five local government areas, so many contenders are muting their interest for the post.

They include the loyalists of Senator Liyel Imoke and “outsiders” and from their body language; every aspirant is in strong contention no matter irrespective of the odds.

Already jostling for the coveted position is an array of influential and powerful politicians from the district.

They include Mr. Fidel Ugbo, the serving Secretary of National Planning Commission, Mr. Goddy Agba, the General Manager Crude, NNPC, Professor Ben Ayade, the Senator representing the Northern Senatorial District, Mr. John Odey, former Minster of Environment, Mr Larry Odey, Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mr Fidel Egoro, Deputy State Chairman of the PDP, Mr Mr Tanko Ashong, Legal Adviser NEMA, Mr Legor Idagbo, Commissioner for Works, Dr Julius Okputu, former

Commissioner for Environment and Mr Peter Ojie, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs.

It is also generally believed by almost everybody that the PDP is the only party in the state with the capacity to produce a governor in 2015.

One group, comprising of core Imoke loyalists believes that Senator Imoke as the leader of the party in the state should be given the leverage and free hand to pick a successor, while the other group contends that the array of aspirants for the prime position should be allowed to contest on a free and fair platform for the winner to emerge on merit.

Those who want Imoke to pick a successor argue that having piloted the affairs of the state for eight years, he is well versed and adequately positioned to know who is competent enough to handle the affairs of the state after his exit.

“Mr Donald Duke wasted his first four years on trial and error; he hardly knew the names of the villages and communities not even those of his supporters. That is not what we want again in this state but someone who would hit the ground running and who should that person be but

the one who has been following Imoke and is conversant with the politics and personalities in this state”.

Mr Lawrence Ekpe, a PDP stalwart told Vanguard.

Some political leaders of the PDP in the Central Senatorial District of the state, where Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, the Senate Leader comes from, also hold this view. These

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BY EMMANUEL UNA

In a meeting held recently at the instance of Rep. Eno, the again came to fore as majority of the speakers insisted that Senator Imoke should be allowed to pick a successor. “He was the one who brought the PDP flag from Abuja in 1998 and has since then been the light in the tunnel and as a governor he deserves the right to pick a

Besides the alleged support for Agba, Ndoma-Egba’s alleged plans to return to the Senate in 2015 is also festering bitterness within the PDP family in Cross River

include Hon Owan Eno, House of Representatives member representing Obubra/ Etung, Hon Chris Eta, Ikom/ Boki Federal Constituency, Hon Bassey Ewa, Yakkur/Abi Federal Constituency and their supporters.

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successor to succeed him”, Eno told the leaders.

Eno said clandestine meetings are being held by those he called “faceless” with the view to subverting the plan

by Senator Imoke in order to install their own stooge as

governor. “Governor Imoke means well for the state and has the massive support of the party members and where he stands is where every one of us here will stand so let no one deludes himself that he will subvert the plan by the governor to have successor of his choice”.

Speaking in the same line, Rep. Bassey Eko Ewa said Senator Imoke has been championing unity in the PDP at the national level and so should not be distracted at home by people who out of their personal ambition want to distabilse his political plan.

“Most initiatives by President Goodluck Jonathan to bring unity to the party is being driven by our governor so he needs the total support of everyone in the party and not to be clouded by personal ambition of some people.”.

He challenged anyone who wants to dare the will and direction of the party in 2015 to go ahead and do so because he would meet with total failure.

Leading the pack of those supportive of a free and fair primary to pick the PDP candidate is Venatius Ikem, a former national publicity secretary of the PDP and the Commissioner for Works in the state till December 2011.

To Ikem and his group, it is ludicrous for anyone to assume such a position given the constitutional provisions of the party and the 2010 Electoral Act. “I have heard that some friends of the Governor have expressed such a desire, but clearly, you know such desires do not have a place in our democracy, warped as it might be. If you go closer to look at the composition of such meetings, they are clearly laughable indeed,” Ikem said.

Ikem who has openly thrown his weight behind Mr. Agba said, given the fragmentation of the political class along lines of personal interests someone with a neutral background in the party should be given the opportunity to assume the position so that he will unite the party.

Besides the alleged support for Agba, Ndoma-Egba’s alleged plans to return to the Senate in 2015 is also festering bitterness within the PDP family in Cross River.

Though Imoke has not made any pronouncement on his choice of candidate from the North to succeed him, multiple sources close to him say he is increasingly inclining towards Ugbo who served as the Secretary to the State Government in his administration before his

Continues on page 48

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013—47 AS repeated in this column many times, the country‘s problems are many, varied, complex and fundamental. And like the United States of America‘s balance of payments, would always end in fundamental disequilibrium. The main reason is that as a watchdog of the world, its foreign exchange expenditure is always more than the surplus on its balance of trade.

The problem of political instability in the country could be conveniently traced to the concept of a federal constitution being run as a unitary one, i.e. the civilian President acting like a military Head of State. Under this system, constituent states of the federation are dependent on the centre for political direction and economic subvention through the monthly bazaar of which the Federal Government takes 52%.

The military, under General Abubakar Abdulsalam who designed the 1999 Constitution on behalf of ‘my people‘ knew exactly what it wanted – a very strong centre with politically weak and economically non-viable states and local governments. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo came out of the Abacha prison to become a politician with doubtful democratic pretentions. He later became the President of Nigeria through election won by his party, Peoples‘ Democratic Party (PDP), a party believed to be supported by former military power brokers.

Obasanjo was believed to be one of them and their anointed candidate, thus becoming the godfather of future Nigerian Presidents.

If this theory is not in the realm of fantasy, it would be naïve for President Jonathan to think that he won the 2011 elections through the combined block votes of South-South and South-East areas. How about logistic support and other factors necessary for election victories in Nigeria? It should be remembered that in 1999, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo won the Presidential race without the block votes of his Yoruba people and the

tearing families and political friends apart – leading to ritual killings and political assassinations.

However, the problem of adequate security is for all Nigerians to tackle. I do not believe that grave and sensitive matters should be left alone in the hands of a single party which has no will to tackle its internal problems of insecurity, impunity and indiscipline.

It is a serious error of judgment to assign responsibility to President Jonathan and his party alone. This has been the stand of many patriotic Nigerians over the years, but sadly neglected by the politicians of different parties.

From the position of his divided party, the PDP and weak has not been able to tackle seriously and disposition of the President to successfully the twin problems of many of Nigeria‘s complex unemployment and deepening problems, the redeeming factor poverty. Also, by its action or is the prospect of a National indication, the ruling party has failed to Conference which is being convince many Nigerians that it is really opposed by the 2015 power mongers but liked by many ready to face and fight corruption.

It is generally noted that corruption patriotic Nigerians. If President disease has become endemic in the Jonathan is serious and appears country and that has affected its total genuine in his approach, he eradication without destroying the might secure a glorious name for himself after its successful existing structure of the country.

However, what the people are expecting completion.

Many patriotic Nigerians is the show of seriousness on the part of political leadership of the country – an believe that the problems of attitude that is sadly lacking in the Nigeria appear partly structural existing political class. A corrupt society and partly, constitutional. On will always give room for extraneous Constitution, a noted authority on French politics, Dorothy Pickles factors of destabilization. noted that, “It is not that Inadequate security to life and Constitutions cannot guarantee property is one of the most serious to safeguard the future. There problems of the country. Apart from are some ills of which the deadly Boko Haram insurgency in constitutions have no cure and the North-East, the resurgence of among them are deep and bitter deadly armed robberies on persons political divisions”. and banks is worrying; in many parts Sadly enough in Nigeria, apart of Nigeria, especially in the South. from deep and bitter political It appears as if armed guards are no divisions, there are also, ethnic longer deterrents to heavily armed and religious cleverages turning bandits. The lust for easy money and one brother against the other, and quest for lucrative political posts are shedding precious blood of the innocent people.

The art and act of solving Nigeria’s problems supporters of ANPP in North-East and North-Western States of Nigeria.

However, if the civilian political ‘Lilliputians‘ in the PDP think that they can outwit the former military game masters, I would gladly remind them of the wise saying of the late Winston Churchill, a former soldier, politician and Britain‘s 2nd World war leader.

The legendary statesman noted that, “but in craft, in slow intrigue, in strength of personality, in doubtful dangerous maneuvers, the soldier beats the politician every time”. Many would say, anytime, and anywhere.

It must be agreed that though disdainful to ‘some‘, disagreeable to others, and distasteful to many, former President Obasanjo‘s open “Letter” to President Jonathan is not in bad taste. It is like a good advice of a loving father to a prodigal son – believed to be fun loving but arrogant. If the President is ill advised to prolong the ill-feelings, then he should watch his back carefully because former President Obasanjo is believed to be harmless. According to one of his old colleagues, Obasanjo is a serious planner with a mixture of intrigues and tricks. He is also known to be an expert in ‘confrontational tactics‘. As for the unity of Nigeria, Chief Obasanjo is described as an incurable optimist.

It looks as if the best answer to Obasanjo‘s antics lies in good governance, zero tolerance approach to corruption, high employment rate and general prosperity. Unfortunately for the country and its people, the ruling party in the Federal Government

Calling of the last Imam: A tribute to Dr. Ibrahim Tahir

BY ABDULLAHI YELWA

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learnt of the death of Dr. Tahir in Decem, 2009 from a mutual friend of ours, Mallam Musa Bukar Sani. I was inconsolable. I had, in that my moment of shock and grief thought of his place (though largely unappreciated by his less intellectually endowed contemporaries) in the sociopolitical life of our nation, his position in his family and the Bauchi axis of the Northern divide, and even of his critical role as bridge builder between the North and South, and the academia and the real world of politics. Then, for me, there was a situation of a personal nature as well. I had at the time returned to active journalism, as publisher of Great Republic Newspaper after my difficult junket into the treacherous waters of Nigerian politics. I had therefore not only lost a friend and senior brother, but also a major source of breaking news as well.

Dr. Tahir had been my editorial magic wand from the early days of the IBB era till his death. When the big stories break, Tahir was the

man to see. Even on a bad news day when bad stories refuse to break, Tahir can save the day with his usually controversial comments and views. A reporter ’s delight, Tahir needed no questionnaire, prior appointment or talking points from any journalist before granting interviews.

During our last telephone interview we had discussed so many national issues, beside the mega party topic, my initial area of interest.

Previously during our happenchance meeting in the country residence of Ciroman Keffi, I had asked after his health. His steadfastness, giant frame and courage couldn’t allow him to admit the seriousness of his ailment.

His unique interview technique is rooted in his rare intellectual prowess and academic grounding in logic and philosophy. In his days in the academia at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Tahir was an intellectual colossus who towered over and above his peers. Though a progressive/ modernist, whose intellectual and social roots were deeply grounded in Northern

counter Nigerian t h e a n d infectious European logic of conservatism, communism Tahir as a with an sociologist equally n e v e r eloquent denied the a n d role of the compelling society in treatise on shaping the the values psychological o f character of tradition t h e a n d individual. culture.

He thus was H e the last line m a t c h e d of defense Dr. Bala for IslamoUsman, African •Abdullahi Yelwa h i s values, ideological even as he sought to reform them. At a foe, logic for logic, statistics time when every intelligent for statistics. For the students scholar in the Nigerian ivory of the university, such tower was afflicted or cowed encounters were rare by the epidemic of socialism, intellectual treats, a gladiatorTahir ’s understanding of type bipolar duel fought by human sociology became his their lecturers in the lecture antidote against its symptoms. halls of their campuses. That He saw through the facade of Dr. Bala Usman was often its infections allure deadly times the sentimental favourite of the students, most and addictive social opium.

There were no idle of them from poor and under intellectual moments in Zaria privileged homes and in his days there. He was at societies, during such the time one of the few encounters, never took away intellectuals who could from Tahir his superior

intellect and mastery of logic and history.

Tahir ’s intellectual superiority was only matched by his boundless philanthropy and humanism.

He was undoubtedly one of the most intelligent and politically endowed in eloquence, aura, persona class, swagger and pedigree of Nigerian politicians of the time. Understandably too, he was an easy target of class conspiracy by his less endowed peers. He was feared as much as he was liked, and it was only when his strategic political expertise was needed that he was allowed to shine. The “conquest” of Anambra and Oyo states by the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), was largely a by-product of his rare political ingenuity. He was thus never allowed to rise to his full political potentials.

Dr. Tahir had his faults - all mortals do have them. But avarice was never one of them.

*Abdullahi Yelwa, a journalist and Newspaper publisher writes from Abuja.

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

Why and how confab 'll work, by Igbo leaders FOR the second time in less than one month, Igbo leaders on the banner of Igbo Leaders of Thought led by Professor Ben Nwabueze (SAN) have brainstormed on the proposed National Conference and canvassed reasons Nigerians should ensure that the confab is successful.

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE & TONY EDIKE

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HE leaders who met in Enugu on November 14 and December 12 to approve the Igbo position to the national conference after deliberating on the report of three committees, urged support for the dialogue because “we believe that the conference is one of the best things that have happened to Nigeria. The Igbo leaders of Thought therefore call on everyone to give it his/her support in order to ensure that the conference succeeds, and that it offers solution to Nigeria’s problems.”

Igbo leaders at the December 12 meeting included Professors Nwabueze, Felix Oragwu, Michael Echeruo, Uche Azikiwe, Ben Obumselu, Lawrence Ocho and Elo Amucheazi, Igwe Alfred Achebe, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, Chief Nduka Eya, Senator Offia Nwali, Senators Ben Obi, Uche Chukwumerije and Anyim Udeh, Dr. Dozie

the countries of the world since 1989, to bestow upon a constitution, an authority deriving directly from the people themselves as the supreme law of the land, i.e. a people’s constitution. * The conference is essentially that of ethnic nationalities/ peoples of Nigeria not of interest and pressure groups. *The new constitution approved by the conference should be subjected to referendum so as to democratize it and prove that it clearly belongs to the people. *The enabling law by the national assembly should provide that the constitution approved by the conference should immediately go for a referendum. *The conference will regulate its proceedings. *Members should first exhaustively air their views and no issue is swept under the carpet. * The conference will set up its own committee to produce a draft

The Igbo leaders of Thought therefore call on everyone to give it his/her support in order to ensure that the conference succeeds, and that it offers solution to Nigeria’s problems

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Ikedife, Arch. Bishop Anthony Obinna and Arch. Bishop Maxwell Anikwenwa.

There were also Lady Kate Ezeoffor, Mrs. Maria Okwor, Dr. Igwe Aja Nwachukwu, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Evang. Elliot Uko, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Dr. Chidi Osuagwu, Rev. Ukandu Ucheya, Chief Emechi Onyia, Engr. Obi Thompson and Prince Emeka Onyesoh among others.

With their next meeting scheduled for January 6, and the submission of the report of the Senator Femi Okurounmu-led confab committee, the Igbo leaders, who said that “Ndigbo are firmly committed to the success of the conference” outlined measures that will make the dialogue a success.

The measures include:*The purpose of the conference is clearly underlined, that it is to draw a new constitution for Nigeria. A referendum is the means, accepted by majority of

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arising from the deliberations.

The conference thereby proceeds on recess *The conference now reconvenes to deliberate on the draft

•Nwabueze: Confab will work if.. *The product of the deliberation is debated and approved by the general conference. * The conference again vets the product of the team of legal draft men * The approved constitution now goes for referendum.

The leaders noted that a constitution introduced with the above outline will be “a fairly people constitution, Nigeria constitution, drawn by Nigerians.”

Devolution of powers They continued: “In a balanced (true) federation, the Federal Government exercises exclusive

powers in a few areas that affect the entire country. These are: Defence-external and internal, Foreign Affairs and Immigration Monetary and fiscal policy: Customs and excise *Residual powers remain with the federating units *Concurrent powers are shared in specific items; but the role of the federal govt. in such areas is limited to general policy directives research and setting of standard.

Speaking on why the leaders outlined the measures, secretary of the group, Professor Amucheazi said: “We believe that it is a new constitution that

is being produced, that the constitution will go for a referendum. That is the way of democratizing constitutions and we know that 85 percent of countries of the world had adopted referendum in bringing into being their constitutions.

“We accept that their will be an enabling law for the conference.

We expect that this law will also make provision for a referendum.

It will be embodied in the enabling law that there will be a referendum for the new the new constitution.

“On the modus operandi, we had discussions on how to proceed in the conference; some said there should be a draft that will be brought before the conference as happened in the 90s. We said no, that this is completely a new constitution and the ethnic nationalities should be involved in drafting the new constitution. They could start with a talk shop, we said nothing should be swept under the carpet, so the conference will discuss every raised issue, they can even spend one month canvassing all issues.

“Meanwhile, the conference itself will then constitute a committee which from these issues canvassed will draw a draft, that is, the draft will be prepared by a committee of the conference and the committee must be representatives of the zones.

So every zone must be represented. Having done that draft, the house reconvenes to go through the draft, get it approved and send it to the legal draftsmen.

When they complete their work, the product of these legal draftsmen will again be sent to the entire house of the conference to vent the draft prepared by the legal draftsmen and finally approve of it. When it approves it; that is the constitution that will now go for a referendum.

“These are the steps we thought should be followed at the national conference and that is the position of Ndigbo.”

2015: Body language in C/Rivers Continues from page 46 appointment as Secretary of the National Planning Commission.

It is on the assumed belief that Ndoma-Egba is inclined to Agba who incidentally is his in-law, that a political group Ikom for Liyel Imoke Movement at the end of a recent meeting came out with a communiqué declaring that the selection of a governor for the state in 2015 is the “sole

prerogative”, of the governor.

The group which has Professor Osam Edim, S .A Strategic Planning, Mr Henry Ojugwu, Accountant General of the State, Mr Christopher Agibe, Secretary Carnival Commission, Mrs Magdaline Agibe, S. A Job Placement, Hon. Simeon Nkoro, Member, Cross River House of Assembly, Mr Fred Osim, S .A Political, and Mr Ndoma Egodo, faulted Ndoma Egba’s acclaimed support for Goddy Agba and restated the

position of the earlier meeting of the Central Senatorial District that it is only Imoke who can give the directive on his choice of successor.

Nevertheless, countering that position, another group backing Ndoma Egba reminded them of past political developments in the state where those who had the backing of incumbents never made it to the post. “What they have forgotten is that in 1999 Mr Donald Duke came from outside the

establishment to become governor of the state. In 2007, Senator Imoke, even when it was apparent the establishment did not want him, became governor, how does Ikom for Liyel Imoke believe that the establishment, which is seemingly still speaking tongue in cheek as to who would be successor in 2015 be single handedly installed by the governor ” they queried?

V anguard anguard,, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 — 49

FG rejects visa payment in foreign currencies

BY VICTORIA OJEME, Abuja

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HE Federal Government has said it will not accept payment for visa and other consular charges in foreign currencies as introduced by some foreign missions in the country.

Speaking yesterday during a meeting with the members of the diplomatic corps on the planned one day summit-level conference to mark the celebration of Nigeria’s centenary, Supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Viola Onwuliri, said it is unacceptable and illegal. ”I would like to raise an issue of deep concern to the Federal Government.

It has come to our notice that some diplomatic and consular missions in Nigeria charge visa and other consular fees in for-

eign currencies. This is totally unacceptable and must be stopped forthwith.

"Charging fees in foreign currencies is an illegal act that clearly violates the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. No self-respecting nation can accept such a flagrant assault on the symbol of its nationhood,” the minister said Recently, the British High Commission in Abuja announced that from 16th of this month all applications for a United Kingdom’s visa must be completed using their online application system and paid for online in US Dollars.

The payment, according to a statement signed by its Political and Press & Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Rob Fitzpatrick, can be made using Verve debit card, Visa, MasterCard credit, debit cards or the

e-wallet PAGA. The move to online application and payments, they said, will deliver a streamlined application process and is consistent with a wider global trend to online transactions and payments which met the requirements of the UK Government’s Digital

by Default initiative and will help cut costs in the management of the visas operation, which in turn helps to keep visa fees down.

On the centenary celebration, the minister said, it provides a special opportunity to rejoice and reflect on the journey so far, reposition the country for national transformation in order to realize its potentials for future growth and development. ”Despite the differences and insinuation, Nigeria is still willing to be one.

We will not break up,” Onwuliri said

Woolwich murder: British court jails two Nigerians

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WO Nigerians have been convicted of murdering a British soldier in broad daylight on a London street, hacking him to death in a gruesome killing that horrified the nation.

A jury at London’s Old Bailey criminal court decided that Michael Adebolajo, 29, and Michael Adebowale, 22, were guilty of murdering soldier Lee Rigby on May 22 in Woolwich, southeast London. The two British citizens had denied murder, with Adebolajo saying the killing part of a war for Allah in response to Western wars in nations

Iran's nuclear talks resumes

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ELICATE talks be tween Iran and world powers on how to implement a landmark nuclear deal were to resume in Geneva Thursday, as France’s foreign minister cast doubt on their chance of success.

The technical talks were set to begin at 3:00 pm (1400 GMT) in the Swiss city, Iran’s deputy foreign minister and lead negotiator Abbas Araqchi, who is not personally taking part in the expert-level negotiations, told Iranian state television.

Experts held four days of talks in Vienna last week, but the Iranians walked out after Washington expanded its sanctions blacklist against Tehran.

such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

The brother of Adebolajo has told Al Jazeera Investigations Unit that the Woolwich attack was “inevitable” and its justifica-

tion is “obvious”.

Jeremiah Adebolajo, 26, said that after the initial shock of seeing his brother on television in May, he recognised the motivation behind the attack.

Why US redesigned $100 note

BY VERA SAM-ANYAGAFU & PRISCA SAM-DURU

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HE Acting Consul General of the United States, Dehab Ghebreab has disclosed that the $100 note which is the highest denomination of the US currency and most counterfeited, was redesigned to stop further counterfeiting of the currency.

The new redesigned dollar notes which incorporate new security features to deter counterfeit and help businesses and customers distinguish between fake and real notes, Ghebreab noted, “is redesigned to stay ahead of counterfeit, as it contains

security features that make it easier to authenticate but harder to replicate, and as the new note transits into daily transactions, the user-friendly security features will allow the public to more easily verify its authenticity.”

Coming with notable security features, which includes a blue 3-D security ribbon with images of bells and 100’s, a color changing bell in an inkwell, as well as some additional features retained from the old note, such as a watermark, according to Ghebreab, “offer the public a simple way to visually authenticate the redesigned notes.”

CAR brings presidential election forward

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ENTRAL African Republic will bring forward its presidential election to next year, Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye has said, bowing to pressure from former colonial power France to speed up the transition following a coup in March.

“The national electoral authority has been put in place and members will be sworn in by the end of this week, or early next,” Tiangaye said on Thursday after meeting US ambassa-

dor to the United Nations Samantha Powers in Bangui.

“They will be in charge of preparation and organisation of the election, which will take place in 2014,” he said.

The rule of interim President Michel Djotodia, the leader of the Seleka rebels who seized power in March, was originally set to last until 2015 under an initial agreement made with regional African powers.

50— Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 — 51

C M Y K

52— Vanguard,

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 20 13 2013

Vanguard CLASSIFIED RUNSEWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Temiloluwa Sewa Runsewe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Temiloluwa Sewa Majekodunmi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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known and addressed as Mr. Ejiofor Patrick, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Emordi Patrick. former

All

documents

remain valid. General

known and addressed as Miss

Amagara

Y.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY DECEMBER 20, 2013 — 53

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Commonwealth champion reclaims title •Delta reigns in Greco Roman

BY SOLOMON NWOKE

Y

ENAGOA The Greco Roman style of wrestling concluded Wednesday night in the ongoing Governor Henry Dickson Seriake Wrestling Championship at the Indoor Sports Hall of Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa lived up to its billings as it witnessed an upset in the 74kg weight class.

The reign of national champion and bronze medalist in the African Championship, 2010 in Egypt in the weight class, Pere Fegha Keriben of Bayelsa state ended when an upcoming wrestler, Emmanuel Ninore from Cross River state dethroned him.

Equally, Edo state born Commonwealth Games champion, Joe Efianeyi Agbonevbare reclaimed his title in the 84kg weight category which he lost early in the year to Delta State’s Soso Tamara in Warri.

Delta state maintained the lead in the Greco Roman wrestling, winning three gold, two silver medals and a bronze while they were closely followed by their arch rivals, Bayelsa which also won three gold, a silver and three bronze medals for the second place.

Plateau placed third with two gold and bronze medals apiece, just as Cross Rivers state won a gold and a silver medal to occupy the fourth

•Wrestlers size each other during a bout. place. Interestingly, the rave of the maiden EK Clark Wrestling Championship, Soso Tamara of Delta State was pushed to the second place in the 96kg weight class by Paul Ikpon of plateau state who reigned as the champion of the 120kg class in the

Warri championship.

While in the120kg weight class, the Commonwealth Games Bronze medalist, Tabalara Manman of Plateau came first ahead of Tosin Odumosun of Delta state just as Samuel Ebikabowei of Bayelsa placed third. Reacting to

the results yesterday, Technical Director of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Damian Ohaike expressed happiness with the performance of the wrestlers saying, the result shows that the future is bright for the sport.

Abba Unity Champions League Committee debuts Grapik Ltd, the football Sports headed by ex-

T

HE maiden edition of Abba Unity Champions League meant for the discovery of football talents will hold from Christmas Day, December 25, 2013 to New Year, January 1, 2014.

Sponsored by an illustrious son of the community, Chief JohnBosco Ozigbu (Ogwuaga of Ogwuaga), the CEO of

competition is part of his effort to empower the youth of the community in many areas.

Chief Ozigbu said that participants will smile home with cash rewards just as winners will be rewarded with trophies and valuable prizes among other things.

The competition which is being organized by the Association of Abba A u t o n o m o u s Communities (AAAC)

international, Nicholas Ukadike is tailored towards the discovering of budding talents who will replace retired players like former Super Eagles/Enugu Rangers playerEdmund Ndukanma; Emma Oche and Charles Unaka of Progress Bank FC of Owerri and Vasco da Gama of Enugu respectively.

Elegbeleye thumbs up Nigerian sports in 2013

BY SEGUN OGUNJIMI, Abuja

T

HE Director General of the National Sports Commission, Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye has

rated high the performance of sports in the outgoing year 2013 and urged all sports stakeholders to work hard in ensuring that the coming year (2014) record

Rolake Olagbegi's mum passes on •As Dan Ikpechuikwu loses wife

O

NE time tennis queen Rolake Olagbegi Kassim has lost her mum, Mrs Eunice Olagbegi, one of the wives of the late Oba Of Owo Olateru Olagbegi.

Eunice Passed on just as Rolake joined her husband in the burial rites of her mother in-law last Tuesday.

Same day, former ace sports writer Dan Ikpecukwu lost his darling wife, Chinwe in far away Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Eunice was 85 and Chinwe just over 40. “It’s devastating,” Dan sobbed over the death of his wife who will be buried in Nigeria before end of February, 2014

better successes compared than the year under review.

He commended the sports federations, the staff of the National Sports Commission, states and other stakeholders for making the outgoing year a success. He however urged them to continue in this manner so that 2014 would be a better success story.

“We must thank Almighty God for the successes recorded so far in the outgoing year (2013). Also kudos goes to the entire staff of the National Sports

Commission under the leadership of the Honourable Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and to all the sports federations and other stakeholders in the country for the successes recorded this year.

“In order to consolidate on what we have achieved so far we need to develop new talents to replace the aging ones.

We are happy that the just concluded National Youth Games has produced some of these talents we needed but we will still need to work hard to get more.

54— Vanguard, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY DECEMBER 20, 2013 — 55

I will work hard to be in Brazil — Obasi F

IT-AGAIN Schalke striker Chinedu Obasi says he is ready to make up for lost time after what he describes as a frustrating spell on the sidelines.

The Nigerian, 27, moved to Gelsenkirchen on a permanent deal from rivals Hoffenheim in March 2012.

But a bout of injuries have left him watching the The Royal Blues’ impressive campaign from the sidelines.

He has only featured twice this season since his return to action in late November, but the Super Eagle is determined to win back his place in the side.

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t frustrating at times, to watch your team play when you’re not able to play,” Obasi told BBC Sport.

“I’ve been working hard and waiting patiently for my chance, and when it hopefully comes I’m determined to make the best of it.

“As a professional you know the competition for places is really good and you want to be out playing.

“The coach has been very encouraging so I have to work as hard as I can to get back into the fold.”

Obasi, who has made 28 appearances for his country, suffered a shin injury for the second time in his career in June but says his time in exile has turned out to be a blessing.

Continues from B/P Super Eagles for next year ’s Fifa World Cup finals.

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi, NFF’s Director of Marketing, Mr. Adama Idris, Assistant Director (Media), Mr. Ademola Olajire and Eagles’ Team Administrator, Mr. Enebi Achor inspected the exquisite facility the day after the Final Draw of the 2014 Fifa World Cup was held in Costa do Sauipe, off Salvador.

Located in Campinas, a dainty city 70 minutes’ drive from the Sao Paulo International Airport, Vitoria Hotel Concept Campinas is an ideal C M Y K

Obasi’s last game for Nigeria came in a 0-0 friendly draw against Botswana in November 2011, in what was coach Stephen Keshi’s first game in charge.

And the man who gave him his last cap told the local media this week that Obasi still has an international future with the African champions.

But with only two substitute appearances coming in the Uefa Champions League and German Cup, Obasi knows he has his work cut out.

“It’s heart-warming to hear the coach say that because it’s more than two years since I last played for my country,” said Obasi.

“But I cannot get carried away because without me they won the Nations Cup and qualified for the World Cup in Brazil.

“It’s motivational to know that there is a chance to get back but I must work extremely hard to earn a recall.

“I can’t kid myself thinking it’s going to be easy. But the hard work obviously starts now.”

Obasi appeared in Nigeria’s three group matches at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He is the only Nigerian to have appeared in all Fifa World Cups [Under 17, Under 20 and Senior] as well as the Olympics.

NFF facility that will truly help the Super Eagles concentrate on the business of aiming for a major impact at the FIFA World Cup finals, according to Coach Keshi.

“I love this place. It is good for our team and we will be able to achieve full concentration,” Keshi said as he looked over the hotel and afterwards, checked out the training site on Saturday, 7th December.

Keshi added: “It is also good that there is an airport in Campinas that

FIFA U-17 Women’s W/Cup:

We ‘ll parade a good team, says Flamingoes coach

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Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi, (l) challenges a Greek opponent during the 2010 World Cup group match in South Africa.

OACH Bala Nkiyu of the national U-17 Women’s football team, the Flamingoes has assured Nigerians that he would assemble a good team for the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup billed for Costa Rica between 15 March and April 4, 2014.

The Flamingoes have been drawn in Group D, alongside Mexico, Columbia and women football powerhouse China. Nigeria qualified for the finals of the competition without playing a single match.

Together with South Africa, the Flamingoes received a bye into the final round of the preliminaries, where

they were drawn against South Sudan, However, the east Africans pulled out of the competition before the first match, giving Nigeria a place at the finals without the chance to kick a ball.

Coach Nkiyu, who took over the team shortly before the scheduled qualifiers against South Sudan, said that he is confident his side will prove tough in Costa Rica, even though they have not played a competitive game since the last World Cup. “I will not predict how we will finish because you have to respect your opponents, but I am sure we will have a good team.”

Why we didn’t push for Iheanacho — Man United

E

NGLISH Premier League champions Manchester United have conceded Nigerian youngster, Kelechi Iheanacho to their neighbours Manchester City but the club has revealed they would not miss the Nigerian whizkid.

Writing on the club’s website under the headline, Nigerian talent set for City move over United!, Paul Bienkowski said, “Thinking on the positives though, United have plenty of talented players in their academy, so it could be a reason as to why the club did not push for the

player.”

The writer raises doubts as to whether Manchester United actually wanted the player, as he writes further, “For all we knew, City might have been the only club to make a concrete offer for

serves domestic flights, so we don’t have to travel to Sao Paulo to fly to our different venues.”

The Team Base Camp Hotel is usually the base of every team at the Fifa World Cup finals, from where it travels to venues to honour its fixtures, during which it stays at Venue-Specific Team Hotel.

The African champions will be based in Campinas and travel to Curitiba to play Iran, to Cuiaba to play BosniaHerzegovina and to Porto Alegre to play Argentina. Only Cuiaba is more than an hour ’s flight from Campinas.

Continues from B/P

•Iheanacho

the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Argentina, Nigeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran have been drawn in Group F, with the Lionel Messi-captained side hugely tipped to secure the top spot in what observers see as a relatively easy group, when compared with others.

In their three previous confrontations with Argentina at the World Cup, the Eagles ended on the losing side and despite a resurgence in the attacking play of the African champions, Maradona, insisted that the

the player. I am sure, over time, the truth will come out on the deal.”

Iheanacho is currently ineligible for a work permit, so City, who have a sister club in

Ghana, will loan the 17year-old until he has earned enough international caps to qualify for a work permit.

FIFA

Continues from B/P points to maintain their position as the fourth best team in Africa ahead of Cape Verde who are placed on 698 points to claim the 39th spot in the world and 5th in Africa.

Côte d’Ivoire are ranked first in Africa with 918 points while the Black Stars of Ghana

Maradona

current South American giants have enough firepower to see off all their prospective opponents in Brazil.

Speaking in an interview with TyC Sports in Argentina, Maradona said “I do not see any team in group F beating us. We are too strong for them. We are going to win our third World Cup. It is going to happen again in Brazil.

Argentina will be champions of the world, but they are going to have to fight against the ‘morochos’ [Brazil]. They are very tough.. The success of 1986 will be repeated and it will be in Brazil.”

end 2013 as runners-up after gathering 849 points. Algeria are fourth on the log with 800 points.

World and European champions Spain top the final ranking of the year for the sixth time in a row, securing themselves once again the title of Team of the Year.

Taking a look at the other top teams that can give Argentina a good run for their money, Maradona said “Germany and Holland are in good shape, Italy not so much and Spain are getting bored of their own tactics.

They go forward and forward, but cannot convert.”

Meanwhile, in order to get the team in top shape for the World Cup, football officials in Argentina confirmed last night that Argentina will play a friendly match against Slovenia on June 1, which is expected to be the team’s last match before their first Group match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

V anguard anguard,, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013

Inside Sports Vanguard

Maradona writes off Eagles •Says Argentina will win World Cup

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

A

RGENTINE soccer legend, Diego Armando Maradona has written off Nigeria and other group opponents and tipped Albiceleste to defeat the Super Eagles in their Group F match on June 25 in Porto allegre and go on to win

Continues on Page 55

FIFA ranking: Eagles drop to 37th

NFF picks Eagles Base Camp

T

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation has announced the selection of Vitoria Hotel Concept Campinas as the Team Base Camp Hotel of the Continues on Page 55

Basketball Div One fixtures

CELEBRATION: Argentine soccer stars celebrate after a successful outing.

Maradona tips them for World Cup glory.

NAF v Raptors 9 am Kwara Falcons v NAF 4 pm

I will work hard to be in Brazil — Obasi •P.55

PUZZLE

Africa Top 10 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Ivory Coast Ghana Algeria Nigeria Cape Verde Egypt Mali Tunisia Cmeroon Burkina Faso

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

HE senior national team, the Super Eagles have dropped one place to 37th in the latest Fifa world rankings released on yesterday morning.

The Super Eagles gathered a total of 710 Continues on Page 55

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Mail-related (6) 5 Shriek (6) 9 Plot (5) 10 Smelled (6) 11 Lubricating (6) 12 Outcoming (5) 14 Finished (4) 17 Entrap (3) 18 Front (4) 20 Weary (5) 22 Managed (5) 23 Threatened (7) 24 Unadorned (5) 26 Fresher (5) 29 Orient (4) 30 Still (3) 32 Challenge (4) 33 Drink (5) 35 Threefold (6) 36 Tacked (6) 37 Change (5) 38 Rely (6) 39 Offer (6)

DOWN 1 Bird (6) 2 Meat-pin (6) 3 Imitated (4) 4 Loaded (5) 5 Observer (5) 6 Voucher (4) 7 Reviser (6) 8 Robbed (6) 13 Tardy (7) 15 Instrument (5) 16 Send (5) 18 Paled (5) 19 Allude (5) 21 Lair (3) 22 Marshland (3) 24 Peppered (6) 25 Slumbering (6) 27 Lamented (6) 28 Give (6) 30 Cede (5) 31 Principle (5) 33 Family (4) 34 Unusual (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

ACROSS: 4, Admit 7, Hyssop 9, Fir 10, Per 12, Dowse 3, Lees 15, Renew 17, Stripe 19, Name 20, Ensue 22, Ram 24, Deleted 27, Dis 28, Regal 31, Aura 33, Cereal 35, Scene 37, Rant 38, Vista 39, Tap 41, Ire 42, Parcel 43, Start.

DOWN: 1, Shelve 2, Assess 3, Pop 4, Aide 5, Drown 6, Insomnia 8, Peri 11, Represent 14, Stud 16, Neat 18, Reed 21, Naturist 23, Mere 25, Lice 26, Dear 29, Glance 30, Little 32, Astir 34, Reap 36, Cart 40, Pan.

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.

C M Y K

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