RE-RUN POLLS: Shootings continues in Rivers

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62808

US, British govts knew where Chibok girls were —Ex UK envoy 10

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

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PDP leads as results trickle in

Abua Odua and Ahoada East Federal House of Representatives PDP 19, 188 APC 6468

Ahoada East PDP 9, 917 APC 3, 760 *Winner Betty Apiafi

Ahoada East constituency I APC 1429 APGA 18 PDP 3, 417 SDP 16 Total valid 4890 Total rejected 230 Total votes cast 5, 120

Ahoada East constituency II PDP 6, 654 APC 2, 077 Degema Sate constituency PDP 7, 219 APC 1573

RE-RUN POLLS: Shootings continue in Rivers

By Jimitota Onoyume, Dapo Akinrefon, Charles Kumolu, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Davies Iheanachor & Rotimi Ojomoyela

•One killed; Wike, Amaechi clash again at Mile 1 police station ORT-HARCOURT— •Dakuku Peterside survives gun attack THE orgy of P violence, which •Police arrest 24 for electoral offences; INEC cancels polls in 8 LGs characterised Saturday’s re-run polls for some •Hold Buhari responsible for violence – Fayose federal and state Continues on Page 5 •PDP leads; Sagay, Tsav decry reign of violence AWARD—From left:

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa'ad Abubakar III; National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) and his Olori, Wuraola, during the award of honorary Degree of Doctor of B u s i n e s s Administration, to Tinubu at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, weekend. More pictures on Page 14.

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Mr & Mrs

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POCKET CARTOON

DR. OSHIOMHOLE—Governor Adams Oshiomhole flanked by Elder Bisi Ogunjobi, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, (left) and Dr Olusola Okebukola, Chairman, Board of Trustees (right) at a Special Convocation for the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration on Governor Oshiomhole by Samuel Adegboyega University (SAU), Ogwa, Edo State, Saturday.

RE-RUN POLLS: Shootings continue in Rivers Continues from Page 1

legislative seats in Rivers State continued, yesterday, as the results were being collated.

There were sporadic shootings in Abonema area of Port Harcourt, the state capital. The shooting which lasted for about 30 minutes caused panic as people around Mile 1 and Azikiwe road scampered for safety.

The cause of the deafening gunshots was yet to be ascertained at press time but some security operatives arrived the scene on time to restore normalcy.

There were also shootings, last night, causing heavy stampede in Rumuola and Rumuigbo areas of Port-Harcourt.

The shooting in Rumuigbo, base of Tony Okocha, APC House of Representatives candidate for Obio Akpor Federal Constituency, occurred around 8.00 p.m. an d caused many pedestrians to take flight.

Peterside survives gun attack, Wike loses aide

One person was feared dead, yesterday evening and two others reportedly sustained gunshot injuries during fierce shooting at UTC junction on Azikiwe road.

The scene of the incident is about 200 meters from the office of the Department of State Service, DSS and a walking distance to Government House, Port Harcourt.

There were conflicting accounts of what led to the incident. Dr Dakuku Peterside, who was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, alleged that he was the target for assassination, adding that the gunmen opened fire on the vehicle conveying him, his running mate in the last general elections, Asita and the Chairman of his party, Dr Davies Ikanya.

A statement by Peterside’s media aide, Mr Sylvester

IT'S UP TO YOU

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BY AYO ADIO

OMMITTED people believe they can achieve their goals. They can visualize and are confident of crossing the finish line. It’s up to you.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

As we express our gratitude, we must remember that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them —John F Kennedy

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RATEFUL people have a higher sense of selfworth. I think that’s because when you’re grateful, you have the sense that someone else is looking out for you. Once you start to recognize the contributions that other people have made to your life, once you realize that other people have seen the value in you, you can transform the way you see yourself. Just because gratitude is good doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Practicing gratitude can be at odds with some deeply ingrained psychological tendencies but if we focus on gratitude, we’ll attract our heart desires.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

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ACH time the arrow is shot, it lands on the pit latrine. Was the arrow made for the pit latrine?

Asoya alleged that his Police orderly, Mr Emma Esi sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to the hospital.

“Two Jeeps belonging to Emeka Woke, Nyesom Wike’s Chief of Staff, carrying two unknown gunmen trailed us to UTC Junction and opened fire on my car. Our car, however, did a detour first to Aba road, then to old GRA with the two jeeps still trailing us.

We drove to the DSS office to seek refuge and on getting to the gate the unknown gunmen opened fire again at the DSS men on guard.

“The exchange of fire between the DSS men and the assailants lasted for more than 30 minutes. In the course of the exchange of fire, my Police detail, Cpl Emma Esi was shot at and seriously injured. This is a very ugly experience but I thank God that my colleagues and I escaped unhurt.

"When the DSS men demobilized the two jeeps, we found out that the man at the back of the car who was identifying us to the assailants was Wike’s Chief of Staff, Emeka Woke. He has been arrested by the DSS.

My CS lost an aide— Wike

Meantime, Governor Nyesom Wike, who spoke generally on the re-run elections to newsmen in Government House said the aide to his Chief of Stafff, Mr Emeka Woke died in the shooting.

According to him, he detailed his Chief of Staff, Mr Woke to monitor the rerun election result of Ikwerre Local Government (the local council of former governor Chibuike Amaechi) to where ever they were taking it to in the state capital.

He accused Peterside and his team of allegedly opening fire on his Chief of Staff, saying the aide of his Chief of Staff died immediately from the incident “As I talk to you now, my chief of staff said his aide had been shot dead.

Dakuku and his team

trailed him from Isiokpo where he had gone to monitor movement of result from Ikwerre local government area and shot him around UTC junction,” he said.

Describing the alleged act as extreme desperation by those trying to allegedly tamper with the result of Ikwerre local government, the governor said never in all his years in politics had he seen the huge involvement of military men in elections in the country.

Wike, Amaechi, clash again at Mile 1

Governor Nyesom Wike and the Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, clashed again, yesterday, at Mile 1 Police station over result for Ward 10 in Port Harcourt City local government.

Leaders of the two political parties stormed the Police station with their supporters.

On the side of the Minister of Transportation, Mr Amaechi were the Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mrs Ibim Semenitari; DG NIMASA, and governorship candidate of the APC, Dr Dakuku Peterside and state Chairman of the APC, Dr Davies Ibiama.

Those who came with Governor Wike were the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Austin Opara; former Chairman, Local government Service Commission, Mr Azubike Emeregini; Senatorial candidate of the PDP for Rivers East, Chief George Sekibo and others.

About 500 party supporters, who took over the premises of the Police station, spilled over to the ever busy Ikwerre road.

There was also heavy security presence as soldiers, policemen and men of the Department of State Service, DSS, who accompanied the party leaders positioned themselves strategically in the premises.

Vanguard gathered that the party leaders stormed the police station over the Ward 10 PHALG Collation officer, Mrs Ekwe Adebisa, that was in the Police station.

On the incident at Mile 1 Police station, Governor Wike said he went to the station when he was told that a candidate of his party, Blessing Nsiegbe was arrested by the Police and detained at the station.

“I got a text that one of the candidates of my party, Blessing Nsiegbe was abducted and was at Mile one Police station.

We drove d own to see things. I saw her there.

We’ve arrested 24 suspects – AIG Bolanta

Meantime, the Police have arrested 24 persons for electoral offences, just as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,

suspended the rerun elections in additional two local governments, thus bringing the number of local government areas where it suspended elections in eight.

Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6, Mr Baba Bolanta said 24 suspects were arrested at different locations during the rerun elections in the state.

The zonal Police Chief said that only four persons died during the elections in the state. He said he was embarrassed by the outrageous figures of death in some newspapers.

His words: “It is pertinent I let you know that we have 24 suspects comprising 22 males and 2 females in police custody, who were arrested from different parts of the state. They are presently undergoing interrogation on allegations of criminal or electoral offences or both.

I was startled this morning after seeing outrageous figures of deaths associated with elections as dished out by the media. To keep the records straight, four deaths were recorded with two in Buguma, while Nonwa Tai and Omuanwa each recorded one.”

INEC cancels elections in 8 LGs so far

Announcing the suspension of rerun elections in additional two local governments, taking the number of councils where polls have suspended to eight, Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr Aniedi Ikoiwak, in a statement, yesterday, said the commission was still collating results and studying details around other elections.

So far, the local government areas where elections have been suspended are Andoni, Asari Toru, Gokana, Khana, Tai, Eleme, Etche and Bonny.

Sagay decries wave of violence

Cond emning the violence that rocked the state in the re-run elections, Head of the Presidential Anti-

Corruption Committee, Prof Itse Sagay, SAN, called on the Federal Government to dismantle obstacles preventing the conduct of free and fair elections in Rivers State.

Sagay said: "Mark what I am saying. What you have everywhere is organised rigging and writing of results. I said it so many times and that is why the Supreme Court decision on the governorship elections in those areas is still a mystery to me. Now, why is there too much violence?

There is violence because for the first time, the Federal Government tried to institute free and fair elections by injecting a lot of security personnel who will stop the usual hijacking of election materials."

FG must embark on disarmament in Rivers—Tsav

Retired Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, said: “The situation is very sad.

During the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the foundation for this manner of violence was laid in Rivers State. We recall that Mrs Patience Jonathan once snatched a microphone from then Governor Rotimi Amaechi, creating the foundation for the violence that followed later in that dispensation.

“Unless the government does something decisive on the issue, we may experience such degree of violence in subsequent elections in the state."

Hold Buhari responsible —Fayose

Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose said President Muhammadu Buhari has a lot of explanations to do over the violence and loss of lives being witnessed in Rivers State.

According to Fayose, members of the APC were emboldened to unleash violence on the people of Rivers State and other parts of the country because they know that President Buhari won’t lift a finger against any of his party members perpetrating evil."

6 — Vanguard, MONDAY MARCH 21 , 2016

EU lifts ban on beans import from Nigeria

by June

By Chioma Obinna

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A G O S — INDICATIONS have emerged that the ban on exportation of beans produce to the European Union countries, EU, imposed on Nigeria by the European Food Safety Authority, will be lifted

by June this year.

The development came weekend following the visit of a EU / Dutch team to the Central Laboratory of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, in Lagos.

The team was in the country to inspect the procedures of the regulatory agency to ensure that future export of beans and other agricultural produce from Nigeria meet the standards of importing countries.

The European Food Safety Authority had in mid-2015 banned some agricultural produce which included beans from Nigeria, citing that the rejected beans were found to contain between 0.03mg per kilogramme to 4.6mg/kg of dichlorvos pesticide, when the acceptable maximum residue limit is 0.01mg/kg.

Speaking during the visit, the Acting Director General, NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Oni noted that the ban has no doubt resulted in a huge economic loss to Nigeria; although she insisted that the beans which resulted in the ban were smuggled out of the country and did not pass through her agency.

“The ban was placed about a year ago due to high insecticide residue in beans but let me sound a note of caution here that the beans that were rejected never passed through NAFDAC, they were beans produce smuggled out of the country.

“The ban has brought about a huge economic loss in the sense that Nigeria has large expanse of land, we have a lot of farmers that produce beans and the beans are not able to go out.”

Taxes, surcharges responsible for increase in airline tickets — TRAVEL AGENCIES L

AGOS—THE National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, NANTA,yesterday said that cumulative effect of taxes and surcharges were responsible for increase in prices of airline tickets in the country.

The group made the disclosure in a statement at the end of its Annual General Meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State.

A copy of the statement signed by the Financial Secretary of NANTA, Mrs Ngozi Ngoka, was made available in Lagos.

The statement said the effect of taxes and surcharges generated a final price to the consumer that could be as much as double the advertised airfare for a short-haul flight.

It noted that a situation where taxes that go to the airlines were higher than base fares was not acceptable.

The statement therefore, appealed to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation to call foreign airlines to order over alleged sharp practices.

“Consumers are often shocked by the difference between an advertised airfare and the price they ultimately pay for the airline ticket.

“The reason for the discrepancy is that the amount advertised is usually the airline’s ‘base’ airfare on which many surcharges and taxes are levied at the time of purchase,” it said.

According to the statement, some foreign airlines make available on their websites fares which are much cheaper than those available on the agency booking platforms.

It noted that the practice was an unfair competition which was sending a lot of travel agencies out of business.

The statement also decried the astronomical cost of air tickets by foreign airlines which it claimed was ludicrous.

“A situation where air fares from Lagos to London costs between N400, 000 and N450, 000 for economic class ticket from between N150, 000 and N200, 000, simply cannot be justified, notwithstanding the falling Naira against the dollar.

“First class ticket on British carriers and other European airlines has gone up tfrom between N1 million and N1.5 million to N3 million,” it added.

BRIEFING: From left: CEO, Lagos State Mortgage Board and member, Board of Trustees, Ambsam M e m o r i a l Foundation, Mr. Deinde Tunwase; Coordinator, Mr. Taju Abass and a member and GM, Radio Lagos, Mrs. Funke Moore, during a press conference by the foundation to commemorate the launching of life jackets to all water ways passengers, in Lagos. Photo by Bunmi Azeez.

Lagos to establish waterways laws enforcement authority

terminus would be constructed before the end of this year.

Mobereola explained that the

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & aim of Governor Ambode was to Monsur Olowoopejo strengthen the intermodal transport system, in order to AGOS—AS part of commute the over 17 million measures to curb the incessant boat mishaps, Lagos State Government has concluded plans to establish an enforcement authority similar to Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, with the mandate to manage and control activities of

By Monsur Olowoopejo boat operators in the state.

On the plan, Commissioner for AGOS—24 hours after a Transportation, Dr. Dayo one-storey building sited at Mobereola and the Special Adviser to the Governor on 9 Alli close, Mile 12, Kosofe Local Transportation, Mr. Anofiu Government, collapsed, Lagos Elegushi, disclosed this at the State Government, said there was weekend during a Stakeholders’ no single columns (pillars) in the forum organised by the state building to support structure.

When Vanguard visited the Ministry of Transportation on the proposed transformation of the scene, it was gathered that the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS Bus building was constructed over 30 years ago,1985, and partially Terminal into world class.

Mobereola added that the collapsed at about 9 am on government through the State Saturday, allegedly killing one Waterways Authority, LASWA has person and injuring another. identified 14 routes on the waterways that would be dredged and channelized to avert future boat mishaps in the state.

The commissioner described their function as similar to what the State Traffic management By Abdulwahab Abdulah Authority, LASTMA, was doing on the over 9, 000 roads in the state.

MID controversies He stated that more ferry trailing the alleged secret recruitments by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, the SocioEconomic Rights and obey traffic laws in their Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened a court action, operations.

On his part, Muhammed said except the apex bank terminate that the association had embarked appointment of those employed.

In a statement by the deputy on awareness programme for executive director of SERAP, members of the union to adhere Olukayode Majekodunmi, the to traffic laws.

The RTEAN boss urged body gave the CBN governor, passengers to also caution Godwin Emefiele a 14-day drivers whenever they flout ultimatum to withdraw letters of employment issued to the traffic regulations.

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EASTER: Transport unions caution members

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AGOS—The National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW and the Road Transport Employers Association, RTEAN, yesterday urged their members to observe all traffic regulations on the highways during Easter celebration.

The Lagos State Chairman of NURTW, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, and his RTEAN C M Y K

counterpart, Alhaji Musa Muhammed, made the plea in Lagos.

Agbede, who urged members of the union to adhere to traffic laws in the state, said obeying traffic laws was to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers.

“We have spent a lot of money on print and electronic media to educate members on the need to

residents of Lagos with ease.

He added that plans had commenced to operate a 24-hour transport system, noting, “This was part of the reasons we decided to transform the TBS Bus Terminal to attract more tourists.”

Lack of maintenance caused Mile 12 building collapse – LASG

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Explaining the preliminary reason for the collapse, the Acting General Manager of the Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory, LSTML, Mr. Rasheed Balogun, an engineer, lamented that there were obvious cracks on the structures, indicating that the structure was ill-maintained.

He said: “We came to conduct the structural stability test. And from our preliminary investigation, we discovered that this structure was constructed over 30 years ago.

And there are obvious cracks all over the building.''

SECRET RECRUITMENT: SERAP vows to sue CBN if... employed persons.

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The group noted the step taken by the CBN was contrary to the principle of equality of opportunity and access to employment for all Nigerians as guaranteed by the constitution.

The group sent an open letter to CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, requesting him to “immediately withdraw hundreds of letters of employment issued following a seriously flawed recruitment process and to put in place a system of recruitment and hiring based on the principles of non-discrimination, transparency, participation and objective criteria such as merit, equity and aptitude.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016 — 7

Our healthcare agenda is to eliminate inequality — MIMIKO

By Dayo Johnson

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K U R E — GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State weekend said that the health reform agenda of his government is designed to bring qualitative health care to the people and eliminate inequality in the health care delivery system.

He said this while addressing a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure.

Dr. Mimiko pointed out that he regarded the poor health indices that he inherited on assumption of office as unacceptable.

According to him, the present administration initiated health policies and programmes whose results he observed, have been acknowledged globally.

“Our home grown interventions such as the Abiye Safe Motherhood Programme which is targeted at bringing qualitative, accessible and effective healthcare to women and children,'' he said.

Others include the ORIREWA Routine immunization, the Agbebiye, which is targeted at eradicating the involvement of Traditional Birth Attendants and Faith Homes in Medical practice, the establishment of dedicated Mother and Child Hospitals; the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Death in Ondo State (CEMDOS), among others.

All these, the governor noted have helped to ensure that “pregnancy may no longer be a death sentence in Ondo State.” He said that in the state, “Maternal Mortality rate has been reduced from 317 per 100,000 deliveries in 2011 to 170 per 100,000 in 2015.

...Ondo to prosecute violators of advertising law Meantime, the State government yesterday warned that it would prosecute any advertising agency or individual that violated the advertising rules and regulations in the state.

Mr Oluremi Ofakunrin, the Chairman of Ondo State Signage and Advertisement Agency, issued the warning in Akure.

Ofakunrin said the agency was lawfully established to carry out its mandates, including sanctioning of advertising agencies and advertisers that broke advertising laws of the state.

Governors’ clash imminent at APC NEC meeting over Odigie-Oyegun

By Omeiza Ajayi

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BUJA—THE All Progressives Congress, APC is this week heading for a titanic clash between incumbent governors and the former governors in the party over the fate of the national chairman of the party, Chief John OdigieOyegun.

The former governors, Vanguard learned have mounted a strong defence of Odigie-Oyegun as a matter of solidarity on account of the fact that the national chairman is himself a former governor.

The former governors mounting the defence of the national chairman are led by Senator Bukar Abba-Ibrahim, himself a three time governor of Yobe State.

The incumbent governors, who are said to be bent on removing Odigie-Oyegun, are, however,

piling on the pressure and may have resorted to cutting off funding for the party. The development it was gathered has further stifled party activities.

The face-off between the two sides it was gathered may have contributed to the weekend decision to postpone the inauguration of the party’s Board of Trustees, BoT and there were indications that the National Executive Committee, NEC,

earlier scheduled to hold this week may also be postponed.

The former governors are said to be rooting for Odigie-Oyegun to complete his four-year tenure, while the incumbent governors are said to be more disposed to having a new chairman who would ultimately do their bidding.

A source who is close to OdigieOyegun’s camp told journalists in Abuja yesterday that the 1992 set of governors in the party led

by Senator Ibrahim have met and decided to support Oyegun, who is also a member of the set.

Science education, effective syllabus key to devt — AIRTEL BOSS

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AGOS—MANAGING Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, has called on government, policy makers and other stakeholders in the Education sector to deepen science education in schools and develop a curriculum that prepares students for the present-day situations, thereby turning out employable students.

Mr. Ogunsanya made this remark at the 21st Annual Lecture, Award of Honours and Postgraduate Scholarship event organised by the Stephen Oluwole Awokoya Foundation for Science Education, SOAFSE, on Tuesday, last week in Lagos.

While speaking on the important relationship between Science Education and getting Nigeria on track digitally, the Airtel CEO, who was the Guest of Honour at the event also charged government, private sector and nongovernmental organisations to form a ‘triangle of influence’ to accelerate and boost development in the education sector.

Mr. Ogunsanya noted that Science& Technology impacts every area of life and every sector, including business& commerce, healthcare services, e d u c a t i o n , government, banking, telecommunications, agriculture, entertainment among others.

“The team would try to see the President, Muhammadu Buhari on the issue if responses from other party chieftains are not positive”, the source said, adding that members would also reach out to influential party leader and former governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We have many of our members in the party and outside the party.

We have chosen to back Oyegun after our meeting because we have seen that some people are only looking for how to control the party at all levels,” the source added.

VISIT: Lagos deputy governor, Dr Idiat Adebule (2nd left) with by the Permanent S e c re t a r y, Department for International Development (DFID), Mr Mark Lowcock (2nd right); Head of Office, DFID Nigeria, Mr Ben Mellor,(left) and the southwest r e g i o n a l c o o r d i n a t o r, DFID, Mrs Margaret Fagboyo during a courtesy call on the deputy governor at the secretariat, Alausa.

Despite N6m allocation, Osun’ll pay salaries — GOVT

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—OSUN State government yesterday described as uncalled for insinuations that the state would not pay its workers salaries in March as a result of the N6 million federal allocation that accrued to it for the month of February.

The government, therefore, assured the workforce that, just as the Rauf Aregbesola administration had weathered the storm to pay salaries up to December, it is executing, with the support of all stakeholders, including the workers, a wellmapped out strategy for ensuring that workers are not made to pay higher price for the dwindling allocation than they have done.

A statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, explained that the considerably reduced FAAC allocation is no

more news to the state.

“As at today, the process for the payment of January salaries is at the final stages. Osun workers will receive their pay from this week in preparation for Easter holidays.''

NOUN VC pledges quality assurance, excellence for its courses

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AGOS—THE National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, says it will aggressively pursue quality assurance excellence through the National University Commission’s Benchmark for Academic Standards, BMAS. The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Abdalla

Adamu said this in his welcome address at the 15th matriculation ceremony of the university.

According to him, the initiative will be achieved by reviewing the university ’s curricular offerings and streamlining them with approved guidelines in every discipline.

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8 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

Those asking me to account for Abacha’s loot are stupid — Obasanjo Justifies Buhari's frequent foreign trips Says no regret putting Jonathan forward as President

By Gabriel Olawale, with agency repiorts

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AGOS — FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed angst against those asking him to account for recovered Abacha loot, describing them as illiterates and stupid people.

He also said there was nothing wrong in President Muhammadu Buhari’s frequent trips as, according to him, Nigeria needs to be in touch with important centres of the world.

Obasanjo, who stated this in an interview, weekend, said the role of his office was to facilitate the recovery process and not how it was put to use.

He said: “They said the money recovered from Abacha, I should account for it. What stupidity! The man who asked for it, the man who gave the judgement or who answered them are all stupid, with due respect.

“I don’t keep account, all Abacha loots were sent to Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and every bit of it was reported to Minister of Finance. My job was to write where we can get help to recover the money.

"Every penny that comes out of it went to CBN, so if they want to know what happened to the money, they should call CBN governor or call the Minister of Finance.

“But again, it shows ignorance, total ignorance, which is lacking and you wonder, are these people educated? They can also approach the man who helped us in recovering process to give the list of money recovered and where he took it.”

On fluctuating oil price

On fluctuating oil price, Obasanjo said President Buhari was lucky than he was, saying: “When I assumed office in 1999, I inherited $3.7 billion in reserve, while Buhari met $30 billion, almost 10 times of what I met then, and the price of oil then was $9.

When it got to $20, I was dancing.

“I know the price is down now and with time, it will jump up again. What Buhari is doing currently is preparing ground for Nigeria to take advantage when it goes up again.”

Justifies Buhari's frequent foreign trips

Obasanjo, who justified Buhari's frequent foreign trips, said President Buhari needed to get involved in the world.

He said: “He needs to be known and to know people. How do you make friends and influence people except you know them and this cannot happen if he sits

in Aso Villa, especially in a situation that we found ourselves, a situation where we have bad image in the world, a situation where we need to play leadership role, especially in Africa, because during Jonathan’s administration, Nigeria was not on the table.”

On Biafra agitation

Obasanjo, who described the Biafra agitation as a platform for people of the South East to make their voices heard, insisted that Biafra was dead.

He said: “I sympathise with people agitating in the country, but what Nigeria needs to do now is to get our economy back on track. When you have a bad

economic situation, such is expected. So I did not see their cause as a threat but I see it as a platform to get their voices heard.

“Like I said on January 15, the important, authentic leaders of the South-East are concerned about economic situation of Nigeria and I believe when the situation changes tomorrow, these young people will sing a new song.”

No regret putting Jonathan forward as President

While expressing no regrets in facilitating the emergence of former President Goodluck Jonathan as President, Obasanjo said his objective had been

achieved by making a minority group to produce the president of Nigeria.

He said: “I believe that Nigeria politics will be strengthened even more if we have the opportunity to allow the minority in its own right to emerge as President, and I do not have any apology for anybody because the purpose I wanted Nigeria to achieve had been achieved.

“That any Nigerian can become president, it is not a regret for Nigeria and for me because Nigeria gave him that opportunity, he used, abused, misused as he wished and at the appropriate time, Nigerians said thank you for what you have done and what you have not done and Nigeria said bye bye, which is the beauty of democracy.”

VISIT: Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State (left) and Olusegun Awolowo, Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, during Awolowo's advocacy visit to the governor in Katsina to discuss Zero Oil Plan strategy.

22 modular refineries to produce 1.429mbpd had in 2007, reviewed the

As DPR refutes withdrawal of licences

By Clara Nwachukwu

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AGOS — NIGERIA’S quest for domestic fuel sufficiency may have been given a lift with the award of 22 licences for modular refineries to private individuals.

The refineries have combined capacity of 1.429 million barrels mbpd.

Efforts to boost domestic refining capacity through other alternatives, like modular refining, follows the inability of the nation’s five refineries, with combined capacity of 446,000bpd, to meet daily national requirement of 40 million litres per day.

The development comes as the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, weekend,

refuted a national daily report (not Vanguard) that it had withdrawn the licences awarded to some private investors.

A statement from the oil and gas industry reiterated that it “has not withdrawn the licence of any private refinery. The department is in alignment with government’s aspiration of improving Nigeria’s refining capacity by strengthening its regulatory oversight function of the petroleum sector in Nigeria.”

The DPR also used the opportunity to clarify the status about private refineries in Nigeria to avoid further misrepresentation of facts “in line with our commitment to entrench transparency in oil and gas regulatory function.”

Rather than withdrawing some licences, the department said it

existing guidelines for private refining.

It said the review resulted in a new guiding document, “Guidelines for the Establishment of Hydrocarbon Processing Plants in Nigeria,” which it said “was introduced to ensure that only committed investors were licenced."

Based on the reviewed guidelines, the DPR noted, among others, that “there are currently 25 private refinery licences granted to companies, with 21 in the Licence to Establish, LTE, category, while four are in the Approval to Construct, ATC, category.

It said: “Three of the 25 licensed companies are billed to construct conventional stickbuild plants, while 22 will construct modular units with a proposed combined refining capacity of 1,429,000 bpd."

Alleged N3.1bn fraud: Another minister sneaks out

A

By Soni Daniel

BUJA— AS operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, move to unveil the beneficiaries of the N3.1 billion withdrawn from the account of the National Security Adviser in the Central Bank of Nigeria for political campaign, one of the recipients of the cash bonanza has slipped out of the country.

Sources at the anti-graft agency said last night that the former minister, who hails from one of the SouthEast states, sneaked out of Nigeria just before the EFCC blew the lid on the huge cash withdrawal.

The former minister, who is believed to have collected as much as N350 million of the cash, left for a European nation just before the information on the six key Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftains, who drew the cash was made open by the anti-graft agency last week.

But a source close to the former minister defended her, claiming that she left the country two weeks ago for the foreign country without prejudice to the cash or investigation by the EFCC. “Madam has, however, been informed of the amount of money she is said to have received from the ONSA for political campaign but she is not in Nigeria as we speak.

“The woman has been informed of what the antigraft agency has said about her but we don’t know when she will return to Nigeria,” a close aide of the former minister said yesterday.

Of the N3.1 billion cash withdrawn from the CBN on the instruction of the embattled former NSA, a former minister collected N840 million, leaving the balance to be shared by five other party chieftains.

Last Sunday, another former female minister who reportedly provided the account into which the cash was paid and actually disbursed the money, left Nigeria and is yet to return.

A source said that although most of the beneficiaries claimed they had the permission of the former President to collect the cash to campaign for him, the President might not have had any knowledge of such transactions.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016—9

C M Y K

10—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

US, British govts knew where 80 Chibok girls were, but ... —Ex-High Commissioner to Nigeria T

HE United States and British governments knew where at least 80 of the Chibok girls kidnapped by Boko Haram were but failed to launch a rescue mission, it has been revealed.

Boko Haram insurgents stormed a secondary boarding school in the remote town of Chibok in Borno State, in April 2014, and seized 276 girls who were preparing for end-of-year exams.

Dr Andrew Pocock, the former British High Commissioner to Nigeria, has now revealed that a large group of the missing girls were spotted by British and American surveillance officials shortly after their disappearance, but experts felt nothing could be done.

He told The Sunday Times that Western governments felt ‘powerless’ to help as any rescue attempt would have been too high risk - with Boko Haram terrorists using the girls as human shields.

Dr Pocock said: "A couple of months after the kidnapping, flybys and an American eye in the sky spotted a group of up to 80 girls in a particular spot in the Sambisa forest, around a very large tree, called locally the Tree of Life, along with evidence of

vehicular movement and a large encampment."

He said the girls were there for at least four weeks but authorities were ‘powerless’ to intervene - and the Nigerian government did not ask for help anyway.

He said: "A land-based attack would have been seen coming miles away and the girls killed, an air-based rescue, such as flying in helicopters or Hercules, would have required large numbers and meant a significant risk to the rescuers and even more so to the girls.’

He added: "You might have rescued a few but many would have been killed. My personal fear was always about the girls not in that encampment — 80 were there, but 250 were taken, so the bulk were not there. What would have happened to them?

You were damned if you do and damned if you don’t."

In an investigation by Christina Lamb for the Sunday Times Magazine, Dr Pocock said the information was passed to the Nigerians but they made no request for help.

The magazine has also seen brutal rape videos which show

schoolgirls are being used as sex slaves by the terrorists.

Ms Lamb reports: "They film schoolgirls being raped over and over again until their scream become silent Os." Some of the girls, who managed to escape, told Ms Lamb they were kept in ‘women’s prisons’ where they were taught about Islam. Boko Haram fighters would visit and pick their wives.

The girls were powerless to resist as even then the men would be heavily armed. They were shown videos of people being raped, tortured and killed as a threat of what would happen to them if they tried to run away.

Dr Stephen Davis, a former canon at Coventry Cathedral, who has spent several years attempting to negotiate with the terror group, said Boko Haram ‘make ISIS look like playtime’ and said it is ‘beyond belief’ that the authorities both in Nigeria and the West do not know where the schoolgirls are.

He insists the locations of the camps where the girls were being kept were well known and could even be seen on Google

Economy: Tough choices face CBN policy committee today —Analysts

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

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AGOS — AS the Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, meets today and tomorrowtorevieweconomic and monetary developments since its last meeting in January, and take some measures, some financial institutions and economic analysts have indicated hard choices in the face of worsened macroeconomic headwinds.

Key focus of the MPC deliberations would include exchange rate management, interest rate restructuring and liquidity management strategies.

Since the last meeting of the MPC, all the variables and figures following their last decisions have turned negative and increasingly adverse.

While the exchange rate in the official market has been maintained stable administratively, the parallel market had witnessed its worst instability in decades.

Similarly, while the apex bank had deliberately induced high liquidity in the banking system with the expectation that this would result in availability of funds for the real sector at lower interest rate, the reverse has been the case.

Against these circumstances, economists at

FSDH Merchant Bank said last weekend that “MPC is faced with difficult monetary policy choices going by the current economic developments in Nigeria and the short-to-medium term outlook."

According to them, notwithstanding the conflicting signals and arguments in favour of currency adjustment, interest rate hike, and other issues, the MPC needs to act quickly to boost investors’ confidence in the Nigerian economy.

Making its recommendations, FSDH stated: “We continue to support naira exchange rate adjustment to around US$/ N230-US$/N240 and measures to increase yield.

For other macroeconomic issues, the bank made some further recommendations.

“The current low GDP growth rate justifies monetary policy easing to boost growth though this will not support the current of rising inflation rate and weak exchange rate.

“The appropriate policy response to the rising inflation rate is to hike rates.

This move may conflict with the growth objective of the CBN and Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN. “The fundamentals of the oil market still tend towards lower oil prices in the shortterm. Therefore, the revenue of the FGN and the value of the Naira still face significant

external shocks.

“While the MPC does not have any control over oil price, an increase in rates and adjustment in the exchange rate may reduce speculative demand for foreign exchange.

“In the short-term, the adoption of an acceptable exchange rate that will attract foreign investors will boost the external reserves.”

Reacting to the challenges facing today’s MPC, economists at Afrinvest West Africa, a Lagos-based investment house, said: “This meeting is coming against the backdrop of renewed optimism in the global economy, albeit tepid; sustained sub-optimal domestic economic performance and elevated headwinds on potential real economic growth and consumer purchasing power."

Afrinvest economists outlined the various policy options open to the MPC which include, holding all rates constant and continue to harp on structural reforms and policy coordination with the fiscal arm; adjusting the MPR upwards by 100 to 200 basis points so as to compensate investors for lowered real return and attract foreign private capital or; increase the Standing Deposit Facility, SDF, rate by 200 basis points, while leaving other rates constant, to force an upward movement in the yield curve and mop up liquidity in the financial system.

maps.

He added: "How many girls have to be raped and abducted before the West will do anything?"

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau previously claimed that all the girls, some of whom were Christian, had converted to Islam and been ‘married off’.

The mass abduction brought the brutality of the Islamist insurgency to worldwide attention and prompted the viral social media campaign #BringBackOurGirls which was supported by everyone from Michelle Obama to Malala Yousafzai.

Boko Haram violence has left at least 17,000 dead and forced more than 2.6 million from their homes since 2009. The Global Terrorism Index ranks the group as the word’s deadliest terror organisation.

The group, now officially allied to the Islamic State fighters who control much of Iraq and Syria, has responded with suicide bombings and hit and run attacks against civilians.

Nigeria spends $1bn to import tomato paste —UNEP

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA — THE United Nations Environmental Programme, UNEP, has lamented that the Nigerian government spent about $1 billion on importation of tomato paste.

The African Regional Coordinator of UNEP, Dr. Richard Munang, who made the revelation, weekend, during the official inauguration of the Nigeria branch of Ecosystem-Based Adaptation for Food Security Assembly, EBAFOSA, also noted that over 75 per cent of tomatoes were wasted in the country because of lack of storage facilities.

He expressed regrets that about 240 million people in the continent go to bed hungry and that malnutrition was high, affecting nearly 200 million people which in turn resulted in the death of over 50 per cent of children below five years.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016—11

Man steals 7-month-old baby

By Chinenyeh Ozor

By Esther Onyegbula

T

HE university town of Nsukka was thrown into mourning, weekend, as a paint manufacturer in Umunkashi Uwani Ugwu community, Samuel Ezema, and an electrician were electrocuted.

The paint manufacturer employed the services of an electrician identified as Emmanuel, who hailed from Okuje in Nsukka Local Government Area, to effect repairs on his faulty factory water pumping machine.

The deceased electrician, it was gathered, went into the well at the paint factory (SAMEZ paints) to carry out the repairs.

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PERATIVES of the Gender Department of Lagos State Police Command are currently investigating a 26-year-old man for allegedly kidnapping a seven months old baby.

Vanguard learned that the suspect, identified as Happiness Umaru, was intercepted at Eric Moore in Surulere by policemen attached to the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, at about 10p.m. on March 16.

It was gathered that during interrogation Umaru initially claimed to be the biological father of the baby. He later confessed that he found the baby around Ijora Railway, when he went into a bush to answer the call of nature.

After the case was transferred to the Gender Department for further investigation, officers from the unit visited the scene of the incident, where they located the biological mother of the baby.

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

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The suspect, Happiness Umaru and the stolen toddler.

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member of a three-man robbery gang, Goodness Allison, has disclosed that his members disguise as policemen and military officers to impound motorcycles, popularly called Okada, which they sell.

Allison, 31, from Idda Local Government, Kogi State, stated that the gang, comprising Wilson, Aboki and himself, have collected over seven motorcycles from riders in Ejigbo, Ikotun and Bucknor.

He disclosed that they operate from 9p.m. to 11p.m., and “normally meet in Isheri Junction. Wilson dresses like soldier. He wears military polo, long sleeves with camouflage trousers and black

BA—ABIA State Police Command’s Anti-Robbery Squad’s operatives have arrested a 27-year-old man identified as Mr. Tochukwu Nna with a substance suspected to be Indian hemp, weighing 50kg.

Vanguard gathered that Nna, who hails from Isiala Mbano council area of Imo State, was arrested at Umuobiakwa community in Obingwa council area, Abia State, while trying to

Baby girl sold for N500,000 in Onitsha

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—FOR buying a baby from a 17-year-old mother, a couple, Mr and Mrs Sunday Kalu, and three child traffickers, are presently cooling their feet at the Criminal Investigation Department of Ondo State Police Command.

The young mother, Tessy

We impersonate police, Army to seize Okada— SUSPECT

By Esther Onyegbula

When he was done, late Ezema tried connecting the pumping machine to test the work done.

He was said to have unknowingly handled a naked wire. He was electrocuted and crashed into the electrician, who was coming out of the well at the time. They both went down the well and died.

Police spokesman for Enugu State Police Command, DSP Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the incident, adding that full scale investigations have commenced to unveil the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of the two, while the bodies have been deposited at Faith Foundation Hospital, Nsukka, for autopsy.

Man arrested with 50kg Indian hemp

Mother’s account

According to the mother of the baby, Patricia Victor, “I laid my seven months old baby (Favour Victor) on the bed inside my house at about 8p.m., to buy food for my son.

“By the time I returned with the food for my older son, my baby had disappeared. I raised alarm and neighbours joined me in the search all thorough the night, but we did not find him.

“I did not know that police officers had arrested the man who stole my baby. Luckily, when they came the next day to investigate the case, they located me.”

The baby has been released to the mother, while Happiness Umaru, the suspect, will be charged to court today.

2 electrocuted in Nsukka

shoes. Aboki wears black pullover with black trousers and shoes.

“I was co-opted into the team two weeks ago. Then, I was arrested at Bucknor by Wilson and Aboki at about 9:48p.m.

They said I took restricted road. I pleaded with them to let me go, but they told me that I was going to take them somewhere.

“I took them to Ejigbo, where I helped them to arrest an Hausa boy and we took his okada. I do not know what they did with it, but the following day they called me and offered me N10, 000.

“It was at the same spot where I seized my first okada that I was caught, beaten and arrested.”

Obianua, Vanguard gathered, was allegedly impregnated by one Shola. But she later eloped with Jude, her parents’ neighbour in Ogbese, Ondo State, to Onitsha.

Police source said the baby’s grandfather, Mr. Henry Obianua, forwarded a petition to the command that her daughter was impregnated by an unknown person who eloped with her.

Obianua alleged that her daughter ran away with the pregnancy in January 2015 and re-appeared in May last year without the baby or the pregnancy.

The daughter was said to have confessed that Jude, who was their neighbour at Ogbese camp, took her away to Onisha where she was delivered of a baby girl.

She confided in her uncle that the baby was sold to a couple in Onisha for half a million naira and that she was forced to sign an undertaking that she would never come back to reclaim the baby.

Detectives from the state Police Command traced the buyer of the baby to Onitsha and the alleged trafficker, Mrs Chibuzor Okoye of 3, Tonny Olisaa Street, Awada, in Onitsha, was arrested.

The couple, who were later

arrested at their 8, Uzogwu Street, Onitsha, claimed they gave N200,000 out of the money to Jude to buy clothes and shoes for the mother of the baby,

deliver the substance to a yetto-be-identified courier.

A source at the Aba Area Command told Vanguard that police got information ahead of time that the substance was being ferried from Benin, Edo State, to Aba and the Aba Area Commander, ACP Peter Wagbara, instructed his men to swing into action.

Luck ran out on the suspect when the tricycle conveying the contraband goods broke down at Umuobiakwa community, causing him to drop the Indian hemp in a nearby bush.

Vanguard learned that it was while the suspect and the tricycle driver were trying to repair their Keke to continue with their journey that men of the anti-robbery stormed the area.

The Keke rider ran away, but the suspect was apprehended.

3 injured, as fire guts biscuit firm

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

T

HREE persons, yesterday, suffered severe burns, when fire razed Niger Biscuits Company on Creek Road, Apapa Local Government Area, destroying property worth several millions of naira.

Also burnt were two Sports Utility Vehicles, SUV, parked within the premises.

Confirming the number, a resident, who identified himself as a staff of the company and does not want his name in print, said that three injured persons have been rushed to an undisclosed hospital by officials of Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS. He said one of the victims was a security officer, adding “he was trying to put out the fire when it happened. In fact, it was God that can saved him.”

It was learned that the fire started at about 2p.m., few minutes after gas exploded at the factory.

A staff of the company, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Vanguard that the explosion occurred after the maintenance department completed their Sunday maintenance service, in preparation for the commencement of full scale production today.

At press time, the fire was still raging, while officials of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Lagos State Fire service, NNS Beecroft, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA Tin Can Island Port, UBA Fire service, Julius Berger Plc fire services were on ground battling to put out the fire.

Fire tankers were seen racing to Folawiyo Oil Depot, to source for more water to put out the fire.

Meanwhile, the company’s staff were standing helplessly, lamenting what would be the aftermath of the inferno and expressing fear that the management might downsize.

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

Edo Speaker, Clerk to appear before A-Court over alleged contempt

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—THE Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Edoror, is to appear before the Court of Appeal in Benin, Edo State, to explain why he should not be committed to prison over an alleged contempt of court.

The Speaker was said to have been served the ‘Form 49 notice’ initiated against him by the appellant in the suit, Mr. Sylvanus Eruaga, through substituted means last week.

Also ordered to appear before the court is the clerk of the House, Mr. Lawson Ugiagbe.

The duo are to face contempt of court charge following their alleged refusal to comply with an earlier order of the court as contained in Form 48, notice of consequence of disobedience of court order directing them to swear in Mr. Eruaga as the

representative of Etsako West II in Edo State House of Assembly.

It will be recalled that the Appeal Court had last week granted the appellant leave to serve Form 48 on the Speaker and the Clerk of the House through substituted means after the court bailiff was allegedly beaten up in the Speaker’s office, to indicate why an order of committal to prison should not be made on the two (speaker and clerk) in suit CA/B/93/2016.

The order, read: “Take notice that the judgment creditor/ applicant will on March 21, 2016, at 9a.m., apply to this court for an order for your committal to prison, for having disobeyed the order of this court made on December 19, 2015 requiring you to swear in the judgment creditor/applicant as the member to represent Etsako West constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly and despite

the service of form 48 (notice of consequence of disobedience of

court order) on you on March 5, 2016.”

Contacted on phone by

CONDOLENCE VISIT: From left: Chief Solomon Asemota; Felix Ibru Junior, son of late Olorogun Felix Ibru; Prof. Ben Nwabueze, SAN, and Mr. Micheal Orobato,during a condolence visit to the family of late Felix Ibru, at GRA Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Akeem Salau.

CCT: Why FG withdrew case against Orubebe F RESH facts are now emerging on why the Federal Government last week withdrew the charges against Elder Godson Orubebe, a former minister in charge of the Ministry of Niger Delta in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan who was arraigned before the Code

of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, on allegations of false declaration of assets.

Sources confirmed that the decision to withdraw the charges was based on a legal advice from the Federal Ministry of Justice in which it was strongly canvassed that the case against Orubebe as presently constructed and

filed was fundamentally defective.

The legal advice from the Ministry of Justice was to the effect that since Orubebe was not invited to make a statement on the allegations against him, the process of arraignment was fundamentally flawed.

The legal advice referred to Section 379 sub-section

Urhobo'll take active part in Ibru's burial civilian governor of the rites —Omo-Agege state brought about peace

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—THE senator representing Delta Central senatorial district, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has visited the Ibru family home in Agbarha-Otor and the people of the kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, to commiserate with them over the death of their son, Olorogun Felix Ibru, who died recently, aged 80.

Describing the death of Senator Ibru as a major loss to the country, Delta State and Urhobo nation, OmoAgege said that the people of the district would join hands with the family to give Olorogun Ibru a befitting burial.

He said: “Ibru was a great leader. As first civilian governor of Delta State, he laid the foundations of a democratic state. As a senator of the Federal Republic, he was a bridge builder and quintessential advocate for good governance. He excelled in every public office he

C M Y K

held.”

Also, the leadership of Ukwuani Foundation Union, UFU, has condoled with Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, and the Ibru family over Ibru's death.

In a statement by its president, Chief Joseph Olise, the union said that the late Felix Ibru was a worthy son of Delta State, whose tenure as the first

and stability in the state.

The union described the late Chief Ibru as a man of many parts who made Delta State an investment haven, adding: “He raised the development bar of Delta State, lived an exemplary and fulfilled life but had to answer the call of nature when he was much needed. He will be greatly missed.”

Oshiomhole bags honorary doctorate degree

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has been conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Public Administration by the Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa, Edo State.

At a special convocation held, weekend, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Benard Aigbokhan, extolled the humanitarian qualities of

newsmen, the speaker, Mr Edoror said: “I am not aware of that. I need to confirm what you have said.”

Governor Oshiomhole, which he said stood him out for the honorary degree.

He said that the governor gave his full support and did everything possible to ensure the smooth take-off of the university which has now graduated its first set of students.

Also, Chairman, Board of Trustees, of the University, Dr Ebenezer Okebukola, noted: "The unquantifiable contributions of Governor Oshiomhole led to the development of Samuel Adegboyega University.”

(1) (a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015

which listed the ingredients that must be forwarded as part the

process to be filed by the prosecution before the commencement of the case as including in (iv) “ copies of statements of the defendant”.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016—13

Edo landlord/tenant fracas: My husband not responsible for fire outbreak —Wife

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—VISION impaired Mrs. Nekpen Obasohan, wife of Mr. Jeff Obasohan, the tenant who was alleged to have set his landlord, Pa Joseph Iyen, aged 83, ablaze in his residence on Uwa Street, Benin City, in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State, weekend, has said that her husband was not responsible for the fire incident that occured in the house.

Mrs. Obasohan, who was with the family members of her husband, including their children, told newsmen at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre, Benin, that she, her husband and their children were all asleep when they heard shouts from neighbours alerting them that their apartment was on fire.

She said: “We were sleeping and my husband was not feeling fine.

At 4 a.m., we heard our neighbours shouting ‘fire, fire’ behind the door of our apartment and because of my poor sight, I was groping from one place to the other and I did not know what to do and people helped to put the fire out by pouring water on it.

“I don’t know who was responsible for the mysterious fire but suffice it to say that as soon as the fire was put out, one of the boys in the compound noticed that the landlord who lived upstairs was burning on the ground floor. The fire incident did not affect

apartments upstairs.”

On the allegation that her husband owed his landlord, she said that they were not indebted to him as they had paid up to date, just as she claimed that her light bill had also been paid up to 2015.

She added that a month’s quit notice was issued to them and

they begged the landlord to give them enough time to look for another house.

On the day the landlord was allegedly set ablaze, she said that there was no quarrel between them, claiming that Pa. Iyen came threatening to kill her husband if he refuses to vacate the house.

She added that her husband went to Esigie Police Station to report a case of threat to his life by the landlord.

She therefore, appealed to the Commissioner of Police in Edo State to thoroughly investigate the matter, saying that her husband was not responsible for the fire.

AWARENESS CAMPAIGN: From left: Mrs. Lydia Udoma, Special Assistant to the Governor, Akwa Ibom State on Marketing and Brand Management; Mr. Kingsley Isong, Dakkada Ambassador, Akwa Ibom State; Bishop Eddy Ating, Dakkada Ambassador, Akwa Ibom State and Mr. Sam Edoho, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Akwa Ibom State on Marketing and Brand Management, at the recent Dakkada Ambassadors awareness and mobilization campaign, at Oron Federal constituency, Akwa Ibom State.

Experts link infrastructure failure to shortage of specification in procurement

By Daniel Gumm

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ARRI—A FORMER Chief Process Engineer in Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company, WRPC, a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Engr. Mark Williams, has stressed the need for specification in procurement, insisting that shortage of specification was responsible for building and other infrastructure failure in Nigeria.

Williams, weekend, in Effurun, Delta State, at a public lecture series with the theme, Engineering and Procurement, organised by the Warri branch of Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, opined that between 60 and 70 percent of a company ’s expenditure was on procurement, hence the need to ensure transparency and accountability.

Chairman of NSE, Warri branch, Engr. Joseph Eghwrudje, in his opening address, explained that the lecture was to encourage engineers to know more about engineering and procurement.

Disclosing that the President of NSE, Engr. Otis Anyaeji, belongs to the Warri branch of NSE, Eghwrudje tasked members to C M Y K

live up to their obligation so as to promote the engineering profession in the country.

Speaking in the same vein, a national executive member of NSE as well as the Deputy Director Polymers and Advanced Composites, SHEDA

Science and Technology, Abuja, Engr. Edith Ishidi, noted that good procurement must be devoid of sentiment and the officers involved should be accountable and exhibit good ethical standard.

President of NSE, Engr.

Anyaeji, had in a message through Engr. C. Wamuo canvassed the participation of non-engineers in the public lecture series, noting that sharing of ideas was part of the reason the lecture was being organised.

Don’t mortgage our lands, Delta community warns DSC

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—THE people of Udu Kingdom in Udu Local Government Area, Delta State, have warned the new management of Delta Steel Company, DSC, Premium Steels and Mines Limited, against using the lands acquired by the Federal Government to secure loans from banks.

Enjoining the new managers of the moribund DSC not to usurp the rights of the people of the kingdom in any of the lands originally acquired by the Federal Government for use of DSC, the Ovie of Udu Kingdom told them not to use the lands for purposes other than those for which they were acquired by government.

Advising financial houses especially the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to resist the use of DSC lands for mortgage

purposes, the monarch in a letter by the spokesman of the kingdom, Chief Sam Odibo, said: “While it may be wrong for buyers to jump into DSC's lands without approval from government, it is also wrong for DSC to use the said lands to secure facilities from banks since the lands were acquired from Udu people for specific purposes.”

In the letter addressed to the CBN Governor and all financial institutions in Nigeria, in response to a warning issued by the company on the sale or purchase of the lands by the original owners, the King said: “DSC's lands must be used for the purposes for which they were acquired and not for securing facilities which the original owners could as well do with their lands if the lands were not acquired by government."

Senate orders contractor to stop work on Otuoke road project

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By Emem Idio

ENAGOA—IRKED by the level of work on the 16 kilometre Otuoke Road project in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Projects, has ordered the contractor handling the project to stop work and vacate site immediately.

The Senate Committee, which was on an inspection tour of various NDDC projects in Bayelsa State, expressed anger over the poor performance of the contractor handling the road project which connects former President Goodluck Jonathan’s country home, Otuoke, with Yenagoa, the state capital.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Peter Nwaobushi, who stated this in Yenagoa, said that the contractor, after collecting N600 million mobilization for the project, reduced the scope to six kilometres, without any agreement with NDDC, yet with no appreciable work on ground to match funds so far released by the commission.

The committee also expressed displeasure with the slow pace of work at the Akenfa Canal Bridge in Yenagoa, the state capital, however, admitting that the delay was caused by the nonrelease of funds to the contractors.

On the hostel project located at the Niger Delta University, NDU, Amassoma, the Committee lauded the contracting firms for their work pace despite the re-design of the project to include drainages to allow easy passage of rain water.

14—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY HONOURS TINUBU

From left—Vice Chancellor, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Professor A. Zuru; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State; National Leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; and Chancellor of the university, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu I of Lagos, during the institution's conferment of honorary Doctor of Business Administration on Tinubu in Sokoto.

From left— Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State; Governor Abdulazziz Yari of Zamfara State; Governor Ambode; Tinubu; Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and Governor Aminu Masari of Kastina State, at the award ceremony.

SAMUEL ADEGBOYEGA UNIVERSITY HONOURS OSHIOMHOLE

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (middle) flanked by Dr Bisi Ogunjobi, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, and Dr. Olusola Okebukola, Chairman, Board of Trustees, both of Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa, at a special convocation for the conferment of honorary Doctorate in Public Administration on Governor Oshiomhole, Saturday.

Edo State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Gideon Obhakhan (left) and Governor Oshiomhole.

Governor Oshiomhole and his wife, Iara (middle), with members of the Governing Council of the university, at the event.

From left— Professor Mike Ikhariale, Professor Cordelia Agbebaku, Vice Chancellor, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and Governor Oshiomhole.

Governor Oshiomhole and his wife, Iara.

RIVERS RERUN: Facts of Mile 1 police incident— SEMENITARI

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OMMENTING on yesterday’s clash at Mile 1 Police Divisional headquarters, Mrs Ibim Semenitari faulted Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State in a statement by her Special Adviser on Media, Bekee Anyalewechi.

She alleged that Governor Wike, in company of a retinue of aides, invaded the police station, held the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Collation Officer for Port Harcourt Ward 10, Mrs. Ekwi Adebisa, hostage.

The statement read: “Mrs Ekwi Adebisa, Port Harcourt City Ward 10 Collation Officer, for the rerun legislative election in Rivers State, was moved by force

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to the police station.

“The result she had collated was separated from her. While at the police station, agents of the Rivers State Government brought her, under duress, to write a statement that she had been abducted and made to falsify the Ward result by agents of All Progressives Congress, APC. “That they forced her to the police station and kept her under traumatic condition was, in itself, criminal. But that they had forced the result she had lawfully collated out of her custody was more criminal.

“Governor Wike had arrived the police station accompanied

by Senator George Sekibo,

Mr. Austin Opara, Azubuike Nmerukini, as well as other aides of the governor.

“As a leader in APC, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, Acting

Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, being in attendance at the meeting, was among those delegated

to go see what the actual development was.

“When Semenitari and others arrived the police facility, they confirmed the report.”

‘FCT minister wrongly advised on Centenary City project’

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S controversy over the status of the Centenary City Project lingers, there are strong indications that the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Mallam Muhammad Bello, may have been deliberately misled by certain officials of the ministry into making his recent statements before the National Assembly concerning the ongoing project.

A senior staff of the ministry, who is very knowledgeable about the project, insisted at the weekend that the minister meant well, but was wrongly briefed by a clique of what he called “the old order” in the establishment.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the aim of the group was to

scuttle the well-conceived project by confusing the public.

Bello, last week, accused promoters of the project of seeking to have a parallel authority in the FCT, declaring the request for revocation of the development agreement between the Centenary City Plc and the FCT Administration as untenable and unrealistic.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016—15

BIAFRA: FG seeks dismissal of Kanu, others

appeal A

•As hearing begins April 25

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

BUJA—THE Federal Government has asked the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, to dismiss an appeal by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu, alongside two other pro-Biafra agitators, David Nwawusi and Benjamin Madubugwu, had gone before the appellate court to challenge what they termed “strange procedure” adopted in their trial.

Already, the trio who are answering to a six-count treason charge, have urged the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to stay further hearing on the case, pending the determination of their consolidated appeal.

They alleged bias against trial Justice John Tsoho who not only declined to quash the charge against them, but also permitted the prosecution to shield the identity of eight witnesses billed to testify in the matter.

The Judge equally refused to discharge and acquit the three defendants as it was prayed to do under section 351(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

The defendants, through their lawyer Chief Chuks Muoma, SAN, contended before the appellate court that trial Justice Tsoho erred in law “ when having refused the application for the witnesses of the prosecution to testify behind screens, or masked” on February 19, 2016, “suddenly varied the said order in the ruling delivered on March 7, 2016, on a mere oral application by the respondent.”

They noted that the variation order was made on the basis of a mere oral application by the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri.

The DPP had informed the court that witnesses scheduled to testify against Kanu and the others, said they would not appear unless they were allowed to wear masks or their identities shielded from both lawyers and people observing the proceeding.

He said Department of State Service, DSS, operatives also billed to testify in the matter, made similar request on the basis that they were investigating terrorism cases and would not want their identities exposed.

Sequel to his application, Justice Tsoho gave an order permitting the witnesses to testify behind a screen.

The defendants had on February 9, opposed FG’s application for secret trial, even as they queried the propriety of the court allowing “masquerades” to testify against them.

Though Justice Tsoho maintained that the order he made on Monday was in tandem with the ruling of February 9, the defence lawyer went on appeal to challenge the revised order for the identities of the witnesses to be protected.

He is praying the appellate court to direct the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to transfer their case to another Judge for trial.

Nevertheless, FG, in a counteraffidavit it filed before the appellate court, sought the dismissal of the appeal which it said lacked merit.

The DPP who endorsed the appeal, argued that the March 7 order of the High Court did not amount to a variation of the previous order of the court.

FG insisted that Kanu and the others were never denied fairhearing by Justice Tsoho to warrant re-assignment of the case-file to another Judge.

Besides, it accused the defendants of attempting to use frivolous interlocutory appeals to delay their trial.

Whereas Justice Tsoho has fixed April 5 to hear the motion seeking his disqualification from the matter, the appellate court on the other hand has slated April 25 to commence hearing on the appeal.

OPENING: Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha (2nd right, his wife, Nneoma(right) and others at opening of Shoprite Owerri Mall.

Anambra govt to sanction hospitals charging money antigens and public health for immunization including pregnant women of interventions, assuring that the

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By Vincent Ujumadu

WKA—ANAMBRA State government has threatened to sanction health care institutions found to be charging money for immunization.

The warning came on the heels of reports that some private health institutions were charging money for immunizing children in their areas, even as government was also worried about the source and conditions of the vaccines such institutions stock.

Addressing reporters in Awka on the ongoing second round of National Immunization Plus Days in Awka, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike reminded the people that immunization was free, noting that all the vaccines were donated free of charge by international donor agencies in partnership with the state government.

The routine immunization, which is taking place in all public

and private health institutions, churches, motor parks, schools and other places where children could be found, is targeted at over two million people,

children.

According to the commissioner, the exercise was a strategy to deliver oral polio vaccine together with other immunization

vaccine would help to reduce the burden of vaccine preventable diseases in a bid to sustain the eradication of polio in Anambra State.

Nebo lauds Gov Ugwuanyi on devt

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By Victor Otigbu

GBUDU—Agbudu Town Union in Enugu, Enugu State, has commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, for his people oriented programmes since assumption of office 10 months ago.

President General of the union, Hon. Nebo Chukwujekwu who commended the Governor for his humane, articulateand focused administration in a statement, said: “Today the rural populace are singing his praises as his administration is very close to the grassroots, in spite of the paucity of funds as a result of the meltdown of the of the economy, the Governor

have embarked on road infrastructures in the three senatorial zones of the state, this to a large extent, has impacted on the movement of agricultural produce from the farmlands as can be attested by the support the

sancarlos farms in Awgu have received which today has made it possible for products such as pineapples and tomatoes, to flood the South East and South South Markets with its attendant human capital development.”

Lagos govt rehabilitates Fashola's residential road, 12 other

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—FOLLOWING directives by the Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, men of the state’s Public Works have commenced a massive rehabilitation of 13 link roads, including that of former Governor Babatunde Fashola’s street in Surulere Local Government Area, LGA. The Chief Executive Officer and Special Adviser to the Governor on Lagos State Public Works Corporation, LSPWC, Ayotunde Sodeinde, disclosed this during an inspection tour of on-going road projects in Surulere LGA weekend.

Sodeinde, while inspecting the completed work on Kernel Street, which Fashola has his residence, stated that Ambode through his magnanimity approved the rehabilitation of the road projects.

Already, asphalt work had been completed on Kernel Street, while grading of adjoining Animashaun Street is on- going.

Other roads due for rehabilitation according to Sodeinde, include: Itolo Road, Johnson Street, Imam-Dauda, Suenu, Olumegbon, Onitolo, Olorogun, Iluseyi, Aiyegbami and Jeminatu Buraimoh close in Surulere Local Government.

The Special Adviser also inspected on-going drainage construction and road rehabilitation projects at Queens Drive, Ikoyi. He said in the next two weeks the projects would be completed.

“Within the last eight months, LSPWC has completed road projects at ACME/Metal box road, Ogba, Alfa-Nla in Agege, Ikotun-Ejigbo road projects, Epe-Ijebu-Ode road, Oba Sekunmade in Ikorodu, CIPM Road in Ikeja and Jan. 27 road in Oke-Afa Oshodi/ Isolo to mention a few,” he said.

My removal act of God —Ex-Imo SSG

O

By Chidi Nkwopara

WERRI—SACKED Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Jude Ejiogu, weekend took his sack spiritually, saying God had plans for his future.

Ejigou in a statement he personally signed, said he was convinced that he was not removed as a result of incompetence, mediocrity or

negligence of duty, stressing that he was “leaving as a happy person with my shoulders very high.

“Convincingly, I know the Governor’s decision to relieve me of my position was not as a result of failure, incompetence, mediocrity or negligence of duty on m part, but it was a sound desire to give another Imolite the privilege to contribute his or her

quota aimed at developing our dear state, the Eastern Heartland. God has plans of future elevations in my life, through which I can continue to touch the lives of the good people of Imo State positively in many ways.”

While saying that his greatest joy had been to serve Imo people to the best of his ability, Ejiogu also commended the Governor Rochas Okorocha for giving him “the priceless opportunity” to showcase his experience and expertise.

16 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016 WITH the February 2016 inflation figure of 11.4 per cent, the highest in three years, Nigeria’s economy would now be grappling with the misery index, which measures the level of suffering in a society.

The latest inflation rate is the ninth consecutive rise month-onmonth with analysts projecting further rises in the months ahead, except something positively dramatic or miraculous happens at a point later on in the year.

Of major concern in the latest inflation report is the rapid pace, about the fastest rise in over a decade, and for the first time, beating all analysts’ projections (including those of pessimists) by a wide margin.

Both the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and independent analysts believe the spikes in core and food inflation are attributed to the exchange rate passthrough, which has affected consumer prices in both sub-

The inflation challenge for CBN indices through the imported and processed food components which have also pervaded domestic prices.

In the light of the extent of the cost-push effect of the exchange rate crisis on the Consumer Price Index, many analysts have revised their 2016 average headline inflation figure to 11 per cent, which indicates that inflation will reach a high of 12.4 per cent year-on-year by October before ending the year at 12.2 per cent.

The foreign exchange crisis remains the largest risk to the inflation outlook. The opposition of the Central Bank of Nigeria

(CBN) to devaluation is partly based on its impact upon inflation.

But with the latest inflation report the resistance strategy seems to have failed. Already the inflation rate has made a mess of CBN’s target maximum rate of 9.0 per cent.

We also note the impact of other factors such as the increase in the electricity tariff in February 2016 and fuel shortages that impacted on the transportation cost-push, a factor clearly beyond CBN. Certainly, the alar ming inflationary level is expected to be a key focus for the CBN at its Monetary Policy Committee

(MPC) meeting which will hold early this week. The outcome is eagerly awaited.

The present economic circumstance questions the current monetary policy thrust of the CBN which appears to have given up the objective of price stability for an induced foreign exchange stability, trade protectionism and stimulating domestic manufacturing growth.

We expect the CBN to be more creative and review the current monetary policy thrust because it is yet to have a salutary effect on development indicators such as GDP growth, credit to the private sector, manufacturing PMI, amongst others.

Though we do not see any easy way out of the tight cor ner, we expect the MPC, in addition to altering its policy thrust, to also boldly engage the political leadership on the need for complementary fiscal policy measures.

OPINION Ikeoha’s

support

By Ikenna Nwandu

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NE of the major societal problems in Nigeria today is Youth unemployment. Thousands of graduates of our universities including those who studied abroad are roaming the streets in search of none existent jobs. With the dwindling revenue profile of the Federal government, the situation becomes more critical and worrisome, as the various skills acquisition programmes of the Federal and State governments cannot be adequately funded.

There is nothing as frustrating for both parents and the graduates themselves that, after many years of toiling day and night in tertiary institutions and emerging, successfully to spend many more years seeking employment. This is the sad situation in present day Nigeria.

Any individual or organisation therefore that attempts to find a solution to this recurrent malaise in our society should be embraced with open arms and supported overwhelmingly by our teeming youths. One of such nongovernmental organisations that is making serious impact in this direction in Enugu State and environs is the Ikeoha Foundation founded about 15 years ago

by Rt. Hon. Ike Ekweremadu CFR, the Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Foundation has impacted positively on humanity in several aspects – infrastructural development, educational development C M Y K

for

youth

empowerment

through scholarship awards and bursaries, health outreach, various youth empowerment and skills acquisitionprogrammed etc.

For instance, the Foundation has commenced the training of 700 youths in Information and Communication Technology, ICT. During the flag off of the project, Senator Ekweremadu noted that the training is part of his vision to harness the potentials of the young people to make them self-reliant and drivers of the country. According to him “ The philosophy behind the training is that since God has given us the opportunity and privilege to support and help others, we will neither be doing any good to ourselves nor fulfilling the ends of that opportunity if we don’t avail to our teeming youths the opportunity to excel and be better than what we are today”.

He assured that the five national youth development centres, which he attracted to the five local governments of the Enugu West Senatorial District, would soon take off. Similarly the Deputy Senate President has given out 22.350 million naira as scholarship and bursary grants to 525 students from Enugu state for the 2013 — 2014 academic sessions.

Worthy projects like the Ikeoha Foundation go a long way to meet society’s needs

The grant was made, during the Ikeoha Foundation Adult Literacy day. A breakdown of the grant shows that 25 students got N500,000 as scholarship awards, while 83 students each from the five LGAs in Enugu West senatorial district as well as 80 students from Enugu North and Igboeze got N30,000 each as bursary awards. According to him “Today we renew our commitment to fight illiteracy in Enugu state and Nigeria and I am happy that we are winning this war. I am certain that we would conquer illiteracy. We will conquer poverty and we will conquer ignorance “.

He also announced that the Federal government has awarded a N986 million contract for the construction of the Greater Oji River Water Project,to supply water to every home in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu state. The Senator said he attracted the water project to help address the water needs of the people permanently, noting that it was regrettable that Oji River, which was the source of water for Enugu Township had no potable water. He explained that many borehole dug in the area could solve the water challenge in Oji River and therefore, came up with a new project, which would provide water everywhere in Oji River and environs. He disclosed that the project had been designed and awarded, and that work will start very soon.

Youths for Ikeoha also see the

construction of a ‘National Youth Development Centre in Ngwo communityin Enugu North Local Government area, of Enugu state, sprawling over eight hectares of land as a landmark project that will up lift the youths and train them in various skills.Already the project is completed and still awaiting commissioning and operationalisation. It will offer selfacquisition skills on carpentry, welding, mechanical works, fashion designing and hair styling etc. for several jobless youths roaming the streets in search of whitecollar jobs that rarely exists. The centre is being built in each of the five local government areas that make up Enugu West senatorial district. Senator Ekweremadu further announced recently that he has been working towards the establishment of a Federal Polytechnic, to be sited in these natorial district.

It is projects like the Ikeoha foundation that distinguished politicians are noted for and remembered by, long after they are gone. The impact of the programme and activities of Ikeoha foundation in Enuguwest senatorial district are very far reaching. Therefore, it is the responsibility of every youth in the area to make the Foundation succeed and make society better. We cannot all wait for and look to the Government to do everything for us.

Worthy projects like the Ikeoha Foundation go a long way to meet society’s needs.

•Mr. Nwandu, a social critic, wrote from Enugu, Enugu State.

MARCH 21, 2016

VISIT - From left, Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, with the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Ladi Balogun, during a visit by the Management of the Bank to the Governor at Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Nigeria eyeing 1,000 MW of electricity from coal by 2020 — FAYEMI Great prospects in non-oil economy Solid minerals earned N400bn in 2015

By YINKA KOLAWOLE

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igeria is expected to generate 1000 mega watts of electricity from coal by year 2020 to supplement other sources of energy currently in use in the country.

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Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, disclosed this at an Economic Summit organised by the New Telegraph newspapers with the theme, “Nigeria: Beyond the Oil Economy”, in Lagos last week.

Also, the diversification of the nation’s economy has been yielding positive results, with the country

earning about N400 billion from solid minerals in 2015, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Fayemi noted that a significant opportunity exists for power generation from coal exploration in the country. He said the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development is collaborating Ministry of Power,

Works and Housing to ensure that huge coal deposit in the country is explored to meet some of its energy needs.

“Coal production started in Nigeria in 1902 and it was the main energy source for our country until 1960, and coal is in about 19 states of the federation stretching for about 800 kilometres. Coal exploration offers a significant opportunity for power generation and one of the efforts that we are making now in partnership with the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing is ensuring that coal forms a significant part of the energy needs. I know there are people who are worried about climate change and the implication of coal on that.

But even coal can achieve clean coal environmental standard and we believe that about 1000 mega watts of electricity can be generated from coal by the year 2020. And these are plants that are going to be sited near the areas where the reserves are, across the country.”

Mining reforms Speaking on “Digging Deeper for New Wealth: Opportunities from Solid Mineral Resources”, Fayemi remarked that some reforms arising from Nigerian Mining and Minerals Act 2007 have created a platform for a robust private-sector-led mining industry in the country. “The mining sector has been with us since 1902. From the early operations of the geological surveys emerged entities such as the Nigerian Mining Corporation, Nigeria Coal Corporation and the National Steel Company. And during this period, mining was a major contributor to Nigeria’s revenue base and was a leading employer of skilled and unskilled labour. But we then lost it, we forgot all about mining, and the Indigenisation Decree, particularly in 1972, contributed to the demise of mining in the country. Because that’s when most of the expertise that we had in mining, which was essentially foreign, mostly British, left the scene, and we lost our tracks as far as mining was concerned. But following some reforms which started in 1999, which essentially crystallised around the Nigerian Mining and Minerals Act 2007, Nigeria is once again on the path to providing a transparent and workable regulatory and policy environment for more robust private-sector led mining.”

Banks don’t understand mining The minister however noted that one of the major challenges confronting the mining sector is finance, asserting that the banking industry does not understand Continues on page 18

18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

Cover

How to generate a businesss idea

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AWARD - From left: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya; Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), Stephen Oluwole Awokoya Foundation for Science Education (SOAFSE), Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, with Founder and former Chairman, Diamond Bank Plc., Mr. Pascal Dozie at the 21st Annual Lecture, Award of Honours & Postgraduate Scholarships of the Foundation, held at MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Nigeria eyeing 1000MW of electricity from coal by 2020 —FAYEMI Continued from page 17 mining. “Less than one percent of the loan that is on offer in the banking sector goes to mining.

In fact, our banking industry does not understand mining at all. Apart from the Bank of Industry (BoI) that has now started some work in this regard, only 2 banks in this country have mining desks – Stanbic IBTC and First City Monument Bank (FCMB). On becoming minister, I had to go the Bankers Committee to talk to all bank MDs, courtesy of the CBN governor, to encourage them to set up mining desks in their banks and also get involved in similar interventions schemes which exist in agricultural sector but does exist in mining yet, it will come. We are determined to have funding structures that can support genuine mining, and over the course of the next 6 months a lot more will be heard of what we are doing in this sector. But banks are also showing interests because they see that it is a priority area for the government,” he stated.

Great prospects for non-oil economy Meanwhile, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, also declared at the event that the N400 billion earned from solid minerals in 2015 underscores the great prospects of the nation’s non-oil economy.

In his keynote address on “Returning Nigeria to the Boom Days: Prospect of a Non-Oil Economy”, Emefiele who was represented by CBN’s Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Dr. Sarah Alade, noted that although the challenge of diversification of the Nigerian C M Y K

economy is daunting, it is by no means insurmountable.

“The prospects are great with the potentials in the agricultural, solid minerals and the creative industry sectors.

The country is endowed with abundant arable land capable of supporting all- year-round production of a wide variety of both cash and food crops, livestock and forestry. By its geographical location along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, and myriads of water-ways, it has huge potentials for fish production to meet domestic need and surplus for exports in a global fish market valued at $144 billion in 2014. In the solid minerals sub-sector, there are at least 44 known mineral assets notably gold, iron ore, barite, bitumen lead, zinc, tin and coal which have been identified for commercial exploration. Solid minerals contributed an estimated N400 billion to the economy in 2015.

“Nigeria’s creative industry driven by Nollywood, produces about 50 movies per week, second only to India’s Bollywood and ahead of Hollywood, and currently provides employment for over one million people (excluding pirates). This makes it Nigeria’s largest employer after agriculture. In 2013, the

Less than one percent of the loan that is on offer in the banking sector goes to mining

creative industry contributed 1.4 per cent to GDP and was rated the third most valuable film industry in the world, generating revenue of N1.72 trillion. The Nigerian film industry has a global audience of several millions in over 178 countries. In recognition of the industry as a leading non-oil sector in Nigeria, the World Bank in 2010 provided a grant of $20 million to boost growth and employment under its Growth and Employment in States (GEMS) project. From the foregoing, it is evident that we are not short in potentials to transform the economy through the non-oil sector. The task of returning the non-oil economy to its glory days is possible but would require the creative energies of all stakeholders; government at all levels, the private sector, press and indeed, the citizenry. It is noteworthy that, government, particularly at the centre recognises the need to and has committed to diversifying the economy away from oil.

“The banking sector is the “lifewire” of economic activity in any economy. The sector mobilises resources from the surplus and lends to the deficit segment and thereby, efficiently channeling savings into investment. This helps to mobilise and pool savings from a large number of investors to achieve growth. An efficient banking system also eases the exchange of goods and services by providing efficient payment and settlement services. Thus, it influences savings rates, investment decisions, technological innovation, and consequently, enhance longrun growth. The banking system is the major instrument of government’s monetary strategy from which Continues on page 19

s stated in the quote above, ideas rule the world. It was someone’s idea that manifested as the electric bulb, the computer, the automobile etc., all came from an idea. So you need ideas; but right ideas “because you decide what ideas are right or wrong? For example, someone decides to sow and sell head pants, everyone laughs and say this is wrong idea. Guess what, he goes ahead, and suddenly, head pants hit the fashion scene and he makes his millions. So, it’s not getting the right idea but getting your idea right. It is one thing to get an idea and another to get it right.

In order to generate ideas, you must open yourself up to the process of getting ideas. There are two methods of generating a business idea: Creative methods and Systematic methods.

CREATIVE METHODS: Creative methods often involve doing what feels right to you subconsciously, we each have likes and dislikes. We are attracted to certain things that don’t attract other people. For example, you may like to clean and anytime you go into people’s homes, you spot the dirt and want to clean. Perhaps there is a business in it for you. Also each of us has things we do well and other things we don’t struggle to do at all. You can start your creative method by listing those things you do well; those things that bring out your smile. Take note of what friends tell you they have seen you do well. These may include: speaking, writing, organising, building, teaching, supporting people, gardening, selling, connecting people, and disciplining others. After creating a list of things you do well, decide which ones you prefer above others, and pursue it. This brings us to the second creative methods: trying it out.

Once you have an idea of what you would like to do, try it. So you believe you write well, try selling a piece of your poetry or prose. If it works, you might have the beginning of a lucrative business. Don’t stop at trying only one of your ideas; try them all because people often establish many businesses in a lifetime.

Also you might find that it is better to combine two or three ideas than just one.

The following questions would help you generate business ideas: What talent do you have?

What is your educational qualification?

What are your hobbies?

What are your character traits?

How well do you relate with people?

What do you like to read about?

What do you dream of doing with your life?

SYSTEMATIC METHODS If you choose not to use the creative method to generate business ideas, you can use any systematic method. Any of these methods would help you to identify the kind of business you can start: Find a need and fill it: While brainstorming ideas on starting a business, one can look around and find something people need but difficult to get and plan to meet the need. If you make a habit of finding and meeting needs, there will be no limit to your business.

Improve existing goods and services: In many developing countries, most government owned organisation have collapsed due to lack of maintenance, but these services can be rendered to the masses through creative individuals ready to make money. Take the case of water supply, where government water board no longer functions to supply water; you can start a business of drilling boreholes for the communities.

What about other sectors? What business could you build out of power shortage; lack of adequate sanitation etc. let your mind wander.

Identify future trends in an economic sector: If you can identify a future trend in an economic sector, you can create wealth. For example, if you can figure out what goods and services would need to be delivered to banks, telecommunications, oil companies and private companies, you can be a preferred supplier.

Surf the internet: The internet is another way of generating business ideas to embark on. The internet is a place to learn so much ; you can get lots of business ideas on websites like our: www.successinyourbusiness.com, www.enterweb.org, msn money etc.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016 — 19

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IGERIANS’ taste for foreign goods has been the bane of the economy.

Many prefer goods and services from abroad to locally produced ones even when the foreign ones are of lower quality. This has had a serious effect on the nation’s reserves and compounded the unemployment situation in the country. The continued depletion of the external reserves of the nation and the ever growing army of unemployed youths is partly a result of this trend that has bedeviled the Nigerian economy.

Available data show that the trend of high importation of goods and services out- stripping export has continued despite efforts by government at diversifying the economy. Latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics for the 2015 calendar year shows that the N288.6 billion. Nigeria’s im- cent. The country also importcountry’s total trade was record- ports by Economic region re- ed goods valued at N2.5016 ed at N16.4268 trillion, amount- vealed that the country con- trillion or 37.3 per cent from ing to N7.2516 trillion or 30.6 sumed goods largely from Asia Europe, and N871.3 billion or per cent less than the total trade with an import value of 13.0 per cent from The Amerivalue recorded for 2014. This N2.8335 trillion or 42.3 per cas. Imports from within the continent of Africa totalled development arose largely due N420.4 billion or 6.3 per cent, to sharp decline in the value of while imports from the region exports; from N16.3040 triillion of ECOWAS amounted to in 2014 to N9.7288 trillion in It is bad busiN213.8 billion.

2015, a decline of 40.3 per cent.

On an annual basis total exA decrease of N676.4 billion or ness to export ports from Nigeria stood at 9.2 per cent in the total imports crude and imN9.7288 trillion at the end of in 2015 helped to mitigate the 2015, representing a drop of declining trade balance, which port fuel and N6.5752 trillion or 40.3 per cent stood at N3.0308 triillion, petro-chemiover levels recorded in 2014.

N5.8989 trillion less than the Notwithstanding a steep devalue in 2014. The crude oil cals, export iron cline in crude oil exports by component of total trade de- ore and import N4.9459 trillion or 41.6 per cent creased by N4.9459 trillion or in 2015, the structure of Niger41.6 per cent as against the level steel, export ia’s exports is still dominated recorded in 2014 alumina and by crude oil exports. The conIn 2015, imports classified by tribution of crude oil to the valimport aluminiBroad Economic Category reue of total domestic export vealed that “Industrial supplies um products, trade amounted to N6.9453 trilranked first with N1.8241 trilexport raw colion or 71.4% in 2015. Exports lion or 27.2 per cent. This was

by Section, revealed that the followed by “Capital goods coa and import largest product exported by and parts” with the value of processed cocoa Nigeria in 2015 was “Mineral N1.5167 trillion or 22.6 per cent, products” which accounted for and “Fuels and Lubricants” with products, export N8,574.3 billion or 88.1%. the value of N1.2107 trillion or cotton and imExports by continent, showed 18.1 per cent. The value of Prethat Nigeria mainly exported mium Motor Spirit stood at port garments

goods to Europe and Asia, which accounted for N3,866.6 billion or 39.7% and N2,945.8 billion or 30.3% respectively, of the total export value for 2015.

Furthermore, Nigeria exported goods valued at N1.4004 trillion or 14.4 per cent to the continent of Africa while export to the ECOWAS region.

Sadly, instead of Nigeria’s non-oil export rising, it has fallen. Instead of import bills dropping, they are rising, a scenario that portends danger for the economy. For too long, Nigerians have failed to recognise that the nation is in the wrong business by exporting crude oil and importing fuel and petro-chemicals, exporting iron ore and importing steel, exporting alumina and importing aluminium products, exporting raw cocoa and importing processed cocoa products, exporting cotton and importing garments.

This is bad business. Foreigners and economists have always bemoaned the much touted economic growth because it has not reflected on the life of the average Nigerian.

Former Minister of Agricul-

ture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, had said that Nigeria expends N1 billion daily on rice importation, translating to N360 billion annually. Besides, N217 billion is equally spent annually to import sugar while fish importation gulps N97 billion every year.

As Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole said, no country desirous of making economic progress relies on importation. Nigeria has no business importing rice.

Nigeria is simply in a mess because of the kind of leadership imposed on the country.

When serious nations are discussing how to move forward, Nigeria’s supposed leaders are counting how much they have in their personal bank account or buried in their compound.

At international conferences, while others are negotiating deals that will bring succour to their people, Nigerian leaders are looking for opportunity to steal from the nation's treasury.

This is the root of Nigeria’s leadership problems.

Nigerian leaders are simply lazy and rent seekers. This is the basic problem; bulk of the nation’s import is for consumption instead of capital goods that will aid further production.

There is something fundamentally wrong with Nigerian leaders and Nigerians. If anything, this is the time for a rethink.

Emefiele reiterated CBN’s commitment to its developmental mandate with intervention programmes across various sectors but with strong focus on the real sector. “The key objectives of the interventions include: providing enabling policy environment for increased lending to priority sectors;

improving access to affordable and long term funds to fast-track real sector development; derisking lending to encourage financial institutions to finance priority sectors; incentivising borrowers to encourage timely repayment; enhancing job creation and promoting the diversification of the economic base.”

What is wrong with Nigerians?

Cover Story Great prospects for non-oil economy Continued from page 18 all the other organs in the economy take their financing tone.

In recognition of the above,

the CBN as the apex regulator in the financial system has remained focused on creating and sustaining a stable macroeconomic environment

and building a vibrant, safe and sound banking system that is capable of supporting the diversification drive of the economy,” he stated.

Cement: Community backs Dangote's expansion plans

By JIMOH BABATUNDE

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ouths in Okpella Community, Edo state staged peaceful protest to the Okuophellagbe of Okpella kingdom, Dr. Yesufu Dirisu, the paramount ruler of the Community over perceived delay in the take off of the proposed Dangote’s three million tonnes per annum production capacity cement plant in their Community.

Speaking during the solidarity march when some officials of Dangote Group visited the village, the Youth President, Christopher Kadiri, said they were in the palace to find out when the

proposed cements plant announced by the Dangote group will come on stream.

The youths were seen with different placards like “All we are saying, let Dangote Cement come to Okpella”, “Okpella youths earnestly ask for Dangote Cement” and “Okpella Chief and Elders, Please beg Dangote come here.

We are waiting for Him Kadiri said “history has been made today particularly on the side of the youths, because there were uncertainties about Dangote investing in our community, but today, the youth are simply saying we are 100 percent behind Dangote .

“We want development in our community. I am telling you

today that the whole of Okpella both old and young are in full support of his investment.

While commending the traditional ruler for his role in fast tracking the infrastructural development of the community, he expressed optimism that the proposed Dangote Cement Plant in the village would bring development to the area.

It would be recalled that Dangote Cement Plc, Group Executive Director, Devakumar Edwin had announced some production capacity expansion drives with the commencement of construction of new cement plants in two communities in the country.

HEALTH DAY - From left, Vice President Marketing, Unilever Nig Plc, Robbert De Vreede; Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, representing Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode; State Coordinator, World Health Organisation, Dr Sunday Abidoye; Category Manager, Oral Care, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Bunmi Adeniba during the World Oral Health Day Celebration in Lagos.

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20 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

Business & Economy

BY EDIRI EJOH & ILOAZE BLESSED-ODIDI

World retail market targets N301trn by 2025 — Report

By PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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he world’s retail sector, including Nigeria has been projected to hit N301trillion ($1trillion) by 2025 according to Mckinsey report.

The report is the world’s retail sector report and trends. It said that presently the sector is worth over N150.5 trillion ($500billion), but will grow to N1trillion, which is N301trillion by 2025, if converted at the current exchange rate.

Speaking, Co-ordinator of the Retail Convergence conference, Francis Osifo, in Lagos at a press briefing, said the conference tagged: ‘Data Driven Insight; Optimizing Your Retail Operations Based on Business Data’, will include exhibition that will hold April 16, 2016, which aim is to enable retailers take advantage of new resources, technology and network of opportunities to optimize their operations and stay competitive.

Osifo who failed to give insight into what Nigeria’s contribution is to the retail sector revenue projection by 2025, noted that over 30 percent of the revenue generated during the projected period will be lost due to improper managerial skill on the part of owners, pilfering, lacklustre customer insight and other challenges facing the sector.

According to him, “the conference aims to bridge the gap to let Nigerians into new world retailers trends, thus helping in putting finishing touches in order to up their ante in the sector. This conference will enable participants explore avenues to their retail businesses even in present economic condition” He went on to say that retail conference is the convergence of retailers of all sizes as well as retail service providers to discuss industry trends, challenges, opportunities and the role technology plays in the future of retail in Nigeria and Africa. Continuing, he stated, “as a firm we are committed to creating a platform that enables retailers leverage technology in their business to become more efficient, removing leakages and ensuring management control by the owners and management of the retail businesses.

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anufacturers in N i g e r i a have been charged to as a matter of urgency imbibe standards that are generally acceptable for locally made and exporting products, else risk acceptance by the International markets.

This was the views of some experts at the just concluded Manufacturing Partnerships for African Development, mPAD and MAN expo, in Lagos.

Speaking on the need for standards in production, Assistant Chief, Standard Engineer, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Mr. Dosumu Tajudeen, said there is need for manufacturers to retract their minds from going shortcut in production and distribution of their finished product.

According to him, “There are required standards set up

by SON to everything being produced both locally and that which should be accepted from the International communities. The problem has always been some individuals who try to boycott the process for selfish reasons.

“Some of these challenges range from corruption, lack of adequate knowledge, our way of life and other social vices.

Most times, we have being engrossed with the mindset that any goes, and that alone has hindered locally manufactured products from scaling the odds at the International markets.”

He argued that there is need for manufacturers to carry out research and development on

MEETING - From left, Director, Managed Services, Inlaks Computers, Mr. Oladimeji Koyejo; Director, Sales and Strategy, Financial Business, Mr. Precious Osegi; Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Femi Adeoti; Sales Manager Africa, Nautilus Hyosung, Mr. Ryan Kim; and Director, Sales & Strategy, Infrastructure Business, Mr. Tope Dare, at the Institute of Directors’ monthly meeting in Lagos.

Imbibe global standards for local, export products, SON urges manufacturers the successes of other prominent manufacturers, internationally and locally, and work on them before going into production or begin to export such products.

“Before a product is certified for local consumption or for export, it is required that such product should pass through what we call Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programm, MANCAP (Local product), and Standard Organization of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programm, SONCAP,

(Importing and Exporting standards).”

He however, urged local manufacturers, importers and exporters to adhere with requirements set in place by the Federal Government via its agencies established, adding that such laid down rule is meant to bring about credibility and values for acceptance in the global markets.

Also speaking, Head, Procurement, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, called for Federal Government will power to strengthened regulatory

environment that will drive the implementation of global standards in our markets.

He argued that there should be certifies standards for product imported rather than flooding the markets with diverse adulterated products that it seldom needs. “The challenge here is that, it is not everybody that produces what you need, that deserves to import to the country. There should be a standard, benchmark for products acceptance.”

Economy on verge of recession — EKPO

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU & JONAH NWOKPOKU

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irector General of West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, Professor Akpan Ekpo, has said that the prevailing economic situation in the country resulting from persistent decline in commodity prices has sent the Nigerian economy hovering on the brink of recession.

He stated this while speaking on a topic: ‘Steering Nigeria out of economic turbulence: Policy choices for Buhari’s administration’ at an inaugural lecture organised by Centre for Financial Journalism, in Lagos.

He said: “The government

must be strategic if it wants to fast track Nigeria’s development. It is clear that the Nigerian economy is in distress. The economy is on a tip of a recession. While no economic blue print has been made available but based on the party ’s manifesto, pronouncements by government as well as the draft 2016 budget, President Buhari has several policy choices both in the short and medium terms.”

He said those policy choices must focus on critical areas such as massive investment in hard infrastructure, employment generation, investment in housing construction, changing the structure of the economy and provision of social services.

Other key areas, according to the Economics professor, include: rebuilding the public school system, building strong institutions, growing the real

sector and pursuing aggressive monetary and fiscal policies.

According to Ekpo, “Investment in power particularly would enhance growth and generate employment. It would result in the establishment of new micro and small scale industries as well as sustaining existing ones. The release of the funds for infrastructure in the 2016 budget would enhance liquidity in the system.

Construction of both urban and rural roads; repairs of existing roads, construction of rural roads would generate jobs.

“Unemployment has reached a crisis situation hence government must formulate policies and strategies to address the problem. The 2016 budget estimates provide for the recruitment of 500, 000

teachers. The visible hand of government must recruit persons into all the security agencies such as the Police, Army, Navy, Air Force, Immigration, Customs, etc.

The multiplier effect of government employment would grow the economy and then check the pending recession. The new workers would earn wages, pay taxes to the government and demand goods and services.

“The rebased GDP indicates the sluggish growth of the housing sub-sector. A revamped housing sector for all levels of income through the mortgage process would involve both skilled and unskilled labour.”

Speaking further, he said the country ’s economic structure needs changing.

According to him, “Though this is long term, the effort must begin immediately.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016 — 21

Business & Economy

LITERACY DAY - From left, Union Bank, Executive Director- Public Sector ,Ibrahim Kwagana, Assistant Zonal Director Admin-Kano Municipal Zone, Moheabdulalik Kura, Principal (Mariam Aloma Mukhtar Girls Secondary Kano) Aisha Isa Muhammadu, Director Planning,Research and Statistics ,(Min. of Education,Science and Technology) Danlami Garba who Represented he. Dep.gov.& Hon Commissioner For Education Kano State, Executive Director, Commercial Banking Union Bank Plc, Kunle Sonola and Chief Education Officer-admin,Kano Municipal –Ibrahim Ahmed U/Gini, at the Financial Literacy Day at Mariam Aloma Mukhtar Girls Secondary School, Kano.

Ajima Farms tackles energy problems with innovative waste management

BY JIMOH BABATUNDE

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pilot project that will tackle the energy challenges facing off-grid rural communities commenced in Rije, Kuje Area Council of Abuja recently as Ajima Farms and General Enterprises Nigeria Limited in Partnership with ECOWATT Projects launched Waste-2-Watts off-grid energy initiative.

The project, with funding support from The United States African D e v e l o p m e n t Foundation (USADF) under the 2015 Power Africa Off-grid Energy Challenge, will provide off-grid electricity, clean water, and biogas cooking fuel produced from locally sourced agricultural wastes from farm outlets in Kuje area.

Disclosing this in Abuja, one of the Project Managers, Miss Fatima Oyiza Ademoh, said the initiative will leverage the existing agricultural waste generation potential in Kuje Area which happens to be the hub of farming activities in Abuja.

She noted that providing cheap and clean electricity to the community will improve so many aspects of their lives but more importantly it will boost their agricultural productivity because farming is their major source of livelihood.

“The electricity will be C M Y K

used to process and preserve some of their farm produce, improve their productivity and spur several business ventures that require electricity to thrive.” She noted.

According to Ademoh “Ajima Farms will provide biogas cooking stoves to help reduce the use of fossil fuels and fuel wood which the

villagers currently source by cutting down economic trees like Shea butter trees.

“The project will actively engage the youths in the community during the construction phase of the biogas plant and also train them with the necessary skills to manage and operate the biogas plant.”

Dangote borrows Brazilian model to boost local rice production

By FRANKLIN ALLI

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lhaji Aliko D a n g o t e , President/CEO, Dangote Group has hired a Brazilian agricultural expert to replicate in Nigeria the model that Brazil used to transform the country from a net importer of rice in the year 2000 to a net exporter in the year of 2009.

In a statement, the company said that Mr. Lulu Carlos, the Brazilian, has already started work in the country as Special Adviser to Alhaji Aliko Dangote on Rice and Coordinator of Dangote Rice Farm Ltd’s out growers’ scheme.

Vanguard learned that the pilot test is being conducted by the company in HagoFadama, Kafin Hausa and Auyo community in Jigawa state.

It was further learned

that the company has provided small hold farmers in these communities with quality inputs (certified seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals and petrol), improved agricultural practices and technology to increase yield and produce quality rice paddy which would also be bought back from them

by Dangote Rice Limited.

Said Carlos: “We are happy to start the first phase of the out growers bloc of 200 hectares, shared among 8 communities. I’ve seen the same project born in my country, Brazil, whereby from 2.5metric tons in the beginning to today where we reached 9 tons of paddy rice per hectare in productivity.

“This has transformed my country (Brazil) from a net importer of Rice in the year 2000 to a net exporter in the year of 2009.

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22 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

Banking & Finance

Sterling Bank rated top ten globally

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terling Bank Plc has been rated 10th by Lafferty Group among 100 other quality banks from around the world.

The bank also rated first In Nigerian in terms of quality.

The Lafferty Group, which made this known in a statement, said its approach to rating is to use publicly available information to judge against key quantitative and qualitative criteria such as strategy, culture, customer care, brand promise and financial performance.

Lafferty Group is a major provider of knowledge services to the banking industry worldwide from benchmarking research and Councils to professional education. According to Michael Lafferty, Chairman, Lafferty Group “banks that score well on Lafferty Bank Quality Ratings tend to trade at a premium price to their tangible book value”.

In an update to investors and analysts on the Ratings, Yemi Adeola, Managing Director/Chief Executive, stated: “Our Bank has remained resilient in a turbulent operating environment; and Lafferty Bank Quality Ratings has provided an objective view on the fundamentals of our business, by rating us 10th in the world, top 3 in Africa (after Capitec and Barclays Africa) and the top bank in Nigeria.

Dragnet and Blogme supports NYSC to train 5,000 Corp members

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n a bid to eased unemployment problem and to empower the youth in the country, Dragnet Solutions and Blogme is supporting the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in ensuring that the Corp members are afforded a highly efficient, innovative and benefitting service through conducting free aptitude tests which begins this week at the secretariat in Lagos.

In NYSC furtherance commitment, it also including the National Youth Service Corps Lagos State (SAED) to commenced the screening of the over 5,000 Corp members during the next couple of weeks leading up to their passing-out parade.

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Rising inflation, declining growth: Will MPC do nothing?

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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he Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) meets today to consider recent development in the economy especially the twin challenges of rising inflation and decline in economic growth rate.

However, the expectation is that the committee will likely adopt and a wait- and- see’ posture rather than adjust its monetary policy or introduce new measures.

At the end of its last meeting in 2015, the MPC ended its four years of monetary tightening and decided to relax money supply with the aim of stimulating economic growth. Consequently, it decided to: Reduce the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) from 25.0 per cent to 20.0 per cent; Reduce the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 13.0 per cent to 11.0 per cent; Change the symmetric corridor of 200 basis points around the MPR to an asymmetric corridor of +200 basis points and -700 basis points, around the MPR. This decision, according to the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, was prompted by, “Weakening fundamentals of the economy, particularly the low output growth, rising unemployment and the uncertainty of the global economic environment”.

But at its first meeting of this year, in January, the Committee adopted a waitand-see attitude, stressing the need to allow time for policy changes made in 2015 to impact the economy.

Declining Growth & rising inflation Discussions at this week’s MPC meeting would focus on the fourth quarter 2015 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data and February Inflation data recently by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

According to the NBS, GDP growth rate dropped to 2.11 percent from 2.84 percent recorded in the third quarter.

Thus the economy grew at an average rate of 2.77 percent in 2015, down from an average of 6.22 percent in 2014.

The February inflation report however showed that inflation rate rose to a three year high of 11.38 percent, courtesy impact of sharp depreciation of the naira on prices of goods and services.

Besides exceeding the single

Emefiele, CBN Governor inflation rate threshold of the CBN, the February inflation figure surpassed the 10 percent predicted by Financial Derivatives Company (FDC).

While the GDP data for Fourth quarter of 2015 reinforces the need for policy measures to stimulate growth, as decided by the MPC at its November 2015 meeting, the February inflation data, according to Cowry Asset Management Limited, “Put question on the current monetary policy thrust of the CBN which appears to have given up the objective of price stability for an “induced” FX stability, trade protectionism and stimulating domestic manufacturing growth.”

According to, a bank treasurer and official of Financial Market Dealers Association of Nigeria (FMDA), “Ordinarily the MPC would have continued with its decision to relax

Like we noted, a much more potent policy mix would be to adjust the exchange rate and restructure the market to allow for more flexibility

monetary policy by further reducing the MPR, or the Standing Deposit Facility (SDL) rate, but with the February inflation date, it is not likely they would do so”.

Comments from MPC members From the personal statements of MPC members at the January meeting, it is obvious that, they were resolute about the need to stimulate the economy. The personal statements also reveal that they were obvious that this policy direction would have some negative side effects including possible rise in inflation rate.

“According to Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, CBN, Mr. Bayo Adelabu, “From the monetary side, the teething issues could always be addressed by fine-tuning some measures without altering the strategic goal of policy, which is the need to support the real sector and promote inclusive growth.”

Another MPC member, who is not on the board of the CBN, Mr. Uche Chibuke, stated, “Some of these costs are already obvious and are bound to increase in the future. Statistics available to MPC, for instance, clearly show that inflation is already inching upwards and approaching double digit territory. The implementation of the 2016 budget will only cause the inflation problem to get worse. Based on the above dynamics; the biggest challenge for monetary policy in my view is how real sector development can be encouraged in the face of rising inflation.”

With these comments, MPC members may not be in the mood to consider a resumption of monetary tightening to rein inflation.

The enormity the enormity of the increase in inflation rate also makes it less exciting to consolidate on the pro growth measures and it is worrisome especially to investors as it reduces real interest rate or returns on financial assets, thus stimulating desire for upward review of the MPR to ensure investors earn positive returns on their investment.

Policy Options Based on the above, Analysts at Afrinvest, stated while there are three options for the MPC, there is high probability the Committee will decide to do thing by retaining it policy stance.

They stated, “We expect the MPC to decide between; Holding all rates constant and continue to harp on structural reforms and policy coordination with the fiscal arm; Adjusting the MPR upwards by 100bps – 200bps to compensate investors for lowered real return and attract foreign private capital; Increase the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate by 200bps, while leaving other rates constant, to force an upward movement in the yield curve and mop up liquidity in the financial system.

‘Whilst acknowledging the need to compensate investors for the depressed real return, we have placed an 80 percent probability on option 1 and 10 percent apiece on Options 2 and 3 due to 1).

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016 — 23

Corporate Finance

VISIT - From left, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc’s Group Managing Director, Mr Sunday Adeniyi; Chairman, Dr Dele Makanjuola; Executive Governor, Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and Group Managing Director, Omatek Ventures Plc, Engineer Florence Seriki, during Vitafoam’s courtesy visit to Senator Amosun on industrial project in Ogun State.

Nigeria received $21bn diaspora remittances in 2015 — CHOMEL •As GTBank joins MoneyGram

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he Vice President, Africa and China, MoneyGram , Mr. Herve Chomel in this interview with Vanguard’s Assistant Business Editor, Peter Egwuatu, spoke on issues bothering the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s cashless policy and how the Foreign Exchange, Forex is impacting on its business as money transfer; the partnership with GTBank Plc, a quoted entity on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE over the launch of MoneyGram’s cash to account service , the benefit of money transfer to the economy , among other issues.

Excerpt: How has CBN’s forex policy impacted on your business and how are you coping in terms of meeting customers’ need?

Actually the forex policy of the CBN is affecting us as a money transfer agent because there is 60 per cent difference between the parallel market and the official exchange rate, nevertheless, we are managing to meet customers’ need as much as we can. We don’t have choice but to comply with the CBN’ S policy of paying beneficiary in naira value of the money sent to them. Before the forex restriction policy, we paid customers in dollar if they want. However, whenever the policy is reversed ,we will go back to paying beneficiaries in foreign currency as they demand.

How important is Nigeria market to your business?

Africa in general is a critical part of MoneyGram ‘s

business . Nigeria alone accounts for around two thirds of total remittance inflow in Sub-Saharan Africa, and received an estimated $21 billion in 2015, according to World Bank’s report. Therefore, Nigeria is a big business for in the Sub=Saharan part of Afria and we are satisfied doing business with our partners here in Nigeria. Nigeria is becoming a strong send market following the CBN’s directive in 2014, which allows customers in Nigeria to outgoing transfers to other part of the world.

You recently launched Cash to Deposit Account and signed a partnership with GTBank Plc, a quoted company on the NSE. What informed the decision to pioneer this kind of product and will other banks in the country benefit from this innovation?

The reason why we launch

We don’t have choice but to comply with the CBN’s policy of paying beneficiary in naira value of the money sent to them

•Mr. Herve Chomel Account Deposit Money Transfer, otherwise known as cash to account is to make our customers collect their money without hassles. It is very easy to receive the money sent from your loves ones abroad through one’s account. The receiver does not need to go to a bank and queue and waste time. Once the money is sent, it hits the beneficiary account and the person can make use of the money through Automated Teller Machine (ATM), Point of Sales Terminal (POS) etc. We are excited to partner with GTBank , a leader in the Nigerian banking industry, to bring our services to customers who need them most. We are now offering our money transfer services at GTBank’s network of 16 locations. Also, this service is not limited to GTBank alone, but to other banks, which uses Nigeria Interbank Settlement System. This means that the service is available to all individual accounts with access to the Interbank Settlement System.

How has your money transfer service supported the CBN’s cashless policy?

In fact, we are really committed to bringing financial inclusion to Nigeria, and to Africa, which is why we are continuously investing in

innovative new channels to facilitate fast and easy money transfers across multiple platforms. In the moblle realm, we are offering mobile money transfer services directly to customers through our agreement with e- Transact.

There is no point carrying cash from one place to the other when one can easily pay one’s bills through our mobile services. When money is transferred to your account, you can pay the electric, water bill and so on through the mobile platform. There is no need carrying cash from one place to the other. So, all these are part of our effort in supporting the cashless economy.

What is the benefit of money transfer to the Nigerian economy?

Remittances are important to Nigeria’s economy as Nigeria living abroad sent more than $21 billion back into the country in 2015.MoneyGram’s account deposit service makes it easy and convenient for both sender and the receiver to transfer and receive funds. We are connected to about 1.5 billion accounts in five of the world’s largest remittance receive markets from Nigeria, China, India, Mexico and the Philippines. We are the second largest money transfer service provider in the world.

What has been the organisation’s contribution in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR ?

Well, apart from the service we provide we also make sure we give back to the community or society where we operate.

We remain dedicated to Nigerian community. Through our MoneyGram Foundation , we have helped children around the world gain better access to educational facilities and learning . We have provided many grants across Africa. Many of those grants have been provided to Save the Children for educational books in Nigeria.

What is MoneyGram all about and are you still willing to invest in the country despite the challenges facing the country?

Yes, we are committed to investing in Nigeria.

MoneyGram is innovative leading global money transfer company that provides an essential services enabling customers to send money anywhere in the world, quickly, reliably and affordably. We help people send money to their families to cover expenses ranging from the everyday to the emergency and everything in between. We have more than 3 million customers in more than 50 countries in Africa each year and that shows why we are committed to investing in Nigeria and Africa in general.

Guinness Nigeria repositions for long term, sustained growth

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

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uinness Nigeria Plc has announced that it has begun the process of reviewing its organisational structure and design in order to enable it build a more effective and efficient business for sustained, long term growth.

Peter Ndegwa, MD/CEO, Guinness Nigeria, said that the company needed to reposition in order to achieve its objectives and response to an increasingly volatile operational environment. “It is our performance ambition to be the best performing, most trusted and respected Consumer Products Company in Nigeria.

With a challenging market economy and slowing GDP growth, increasing inflation, oil price crisis, amongst others, we feel that this is a good opportunity for us to look at our structures, processes and culture and see how we may build a simpler, more agile and performanceoriented organization in order to achieve that ambition and respond with speed to enable us to win in the market.”

Ndegwa continued: “While work is ongoing to determine the full extent of these changes, we know that headcount will be impacted but our focus is to take a broader look at our organizational design to enable us build a more effective and efficient organization. These changes are required because we are determined to create the right conditions for our people, our brands and our business to succeed.”

Ndegwa concluded: “Africa is the fastest growing region for Diageo in the world and Nigeria is an important market for Diageo in Africa. We are committed to the Nigerian market; we have been here for 66 years and expect to be here for many more years. We feel that these changes will help transform our business and put us in the best shape to grow our business today and for the future.

“We are very excited about our consumers and some of the great innovation that we have launched recently and others coming in the pipeline as well.

A great example is the Guinness Africa Special that we launched late last year – the first major innovation on the Guinness brand in 10 years.

24 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

Homes &Housing Finance

Steps to acquiring a property

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hoose your property: When looking to buy a home, you must decide on the kind of property and location you want. If necessary visit a mortgage adviser to check the likely level of mortgage you need and can afford. Shop around for options before you decide to buy.

Agreeing the sale: Before agreeing on a price or signing anything, make sure you know what’s included in the asking price. Your acceptance offer is still ‘subject to contract’– which means the sale is agreed but isn’t binding until you exchange contracts. Up to that point either side can back out without penalty.

Financing: Unless you are financing the purchase without a mortgage your next step is to find one – or make sure you have the money ready.

Arrange a survey: Engage a surveyor to conduct a survey of the property Get a solicitor: You will need a solicitor or conveyancer.

Once they’re happy with the legal aspects of the property, and you have the finance in place, you can sign and exchange contracts. Discuss with your legal adviser any requirement to pay a deposit as this can be up to 10 percent of the purchase price.

Exchange of contracts: When you exchange contracts, the seller is legally bound to sell the property to you.

Completion: You complete on the date agreed in the contract, where the rest of the money is transferred to the seller. Collect keys from the seller’s agent and then you can move into your new home. *Source: 3invest

•A private estate under construction.

Lagos set to partner NMRC on mortgage financing Stories by YINKA KOLAWOLE

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agos State government has declared its readiness to partner with the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) to boost homeownership in the state.

Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal, stated this during a meeting of the Ministry and its agencies with the management of NMRC led by its Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Prof. Charles Inyangete. He said the state government is prepared to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as soon as parties agree on the terms and modalities of the facilities which are geared towards enhancing access to mortgage finance in the state.

The commissioner said Lagos State has positioned itself

Fidelity Bank customer wins duplex in savings promo

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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customer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Odianosen Adodo, of Uromi branch, Edo State, has emerged the winner of a duplex worth over N35 million in the 5th draw of the bank’s on-going ‘Save 4 Shelter ’ promotional campaign.

The property located at 7A, 5th Avenue, Rumuibekwe Housing Estate Extension, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, is the second out of three such houses to be given out by the bank throughout the duration of the promo. The first duplex located at a prime area in Abuja was given out last year, leaving the one in Lagos as the last to C M Y K

be won. Six customers also won N5 million cash prize in the monthly rent support, including 12 other consolation prizes.

With these, the bank has so far given out a total of N29 million in rent support and over 60 consolation prizes to its loyal customers since the promo commenced five months ago.

Executive Director, Shared Services and Products, Fidelity Bank, Mrs Chijioke Ugochukwu, who spoke on behalf of the Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, explained that the promo is focused on one of the basic needs of man (shelter), while noting that it’s the bank’s way of promoting financial inclusion in the country.

positively in terms of provision of mortgage law and the establishment of necessary institutions to facilitate a value-chain approach in financing housing. He stressed that the state is working towards reducing poverty, noting that home ownership goes beyond shelter as it is a major investment.

Lawal further disclosed that state government has commissioned empirically based studies across the state to ascertain the various needs so as to guide government in its quest to reducing housing deficits across the state.

“Government is working towards reducing poverty, because home ownership goes beyond shelter as it is a major investment, as such, we are making effort to tackle housing challenges. We commissioned

There are a huge number of houses that are yet to be accessed by the public

Resort Savings partner developers on 500 housing units

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esort Savings and Loans Plc said it is collaborating with estate developer to build 500 housing units before the end of the second quarter of 2016.

The mortgage bank’s Head of Business Development, Mr. Yemi Popoola, said in a statement that the alliance would enable the bank provide mortgage finance to off takers interested in the housing estate which are for the middle class.

He declared that the bank has invested over N3.0 billion in real estate and created mortgage in excess of N5 billion over the past 36 months which has helped in reducing the housing deficit in Nigeria.

Speaking on the recent collaboration, Popoola said the estates would be tastefully

furnished in prime locations within Abuja and Lagos, adding that a unit goes for between N9 million and N20 million. He encouraged all existing and prospective customers of the bank to take advantage of the new development in the bank.

“We are in an era that requires great tact for those who want to survive. One of the ways to live in this era is to take advantage of facilities like this. With the products in our bank, it is easy for anybody who wants to own property to do so, our terms are flexible,’ he stated.

Popoola noted that the bank already has huge investment in real estate developments in Ofada, Ogun State, Karu Area Council, Abuja, Lekki, Lagos State and a host of other places in Nigeria.

empirically based studies that were carried out across the state to ascertain the various needs that can guide government in its quest to reducing housing deficits,” he said.

Lawal reiterated the state’s commitment to continuous provision of mass housing for the residents. According to him, the provision of mass housing is part of government’s efforts to tackle the current housing deficit being faced in the state as a result of population increase and influx of people into the state. He however noted that government could not shoulder the responsibility alone, hence the call on developers to partner with the ministry.

“As part of the outcome of our interaction with the representatives of the real estate sector, held recently, the involvement of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) has received boost as many of the actors had shown interest in our various projects, especially, in options such as rent-to-own initiative. That is why we are exploring a collaboration with the mortgage financing company that could enable the people have more access to homes as there are a huge number of houses that are yet to be accessed by the public,” he stated.

The commissioner asserted that the current housing crisis calls for drastic measures requiring a Public Private Partnership (PPP), to take housing beyond delivery to possession. He disclosed that government is considering the introduction of other housing ownership initiative options such as a rent-to-own apart scheme that could enable the people have more access to homes considering that there are a huge number of houses that are yet to be accessed by the public.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016 — 25

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26 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

Aviation

Why Medview enjoy huge patronage — Bankole

By LAWANI MIKAIRU

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he Managing Director of Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole has revealed that the secret of the airline’s continued patronage and increase in passenger traffic is due to the airlines passengers’ friendly services and on time departure and arrival.

Bankole made the revelation while announcing the commencement of their LagosKaduna . He added that the airline has witnessed tremendous patronage and goodwill on both the local and international routes.

On the Lagos –Gatwick route ,which some stakeholders have thought would be a major challenge for the airline, Bankole said the challenges of operating Lagos-Gatwick were there but that the airline has done very well. He further explained that the airline was making good its promise especially on in-flight catering, as Nigerian dishes have been introduced onboard According to him, “See our London flight, we said we would serve local food and we are serving amala(local yam flour), fish pepper soup we are doing what we say and keeping our passengers happy. We keep to our promise. We treat them like Nigerians, with respect and dignity.”

AFRAA charts course for improving aviation business in Africa

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frican Airlines Association (AFRAA) has planned a conference in Kigali, Rwanda, where stakeholder in aviation would converge to deliberate on ways to foster dialogue, build sustainable networks in supply chain management and create a competitive environment for aviation business in Africa.

The secretary general of the associate, Dr. Elijah Chingosho said the event which is organised in conjunction with RwandAir would take place in May 2016.

Convened under the patronage of the ministry of transport and infrastructure of Rwanda, Chingosho said the convention had been endorsed by Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority and Rwanda Development Board.

He said the event is expected to bring together about 400 participants consisting mainly of airlines, civil aviation authorities, airports.

Nigeria ready for ICAO audit, says NCAA boss, Usman

By LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

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irector General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority of Nigeria, NCAA, Captain Muhtar Usman has said that Nigeria was fully prepared for the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme ,USOAP.

Captain Usman while speaking at NCAA Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Lagos pointed out that the audit was aimed at promoting global aviation safety through regular audits of safety oversight systems in all ICAO member states.

He said that the ICAO USOAP was launched in 1999 because of the widespread

concern about adequate safety oversight around the

We are here to assess the level of safety in Nigerian aviation industry

INAUGURAL - From left: Eng Mohammed Sanni, Regional Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Kaduna; Alhaji Ishaq Na'Allah, Executive Director, Business Development, Medview Airline; Eng Lookman Animashaun, Executive Director, Technical; Nzomisaki Pmasato, Northern Zone Coordinator, SAHCOL and Alhaji Bello saliu, Managing Director, Batake Resources Handling Company Ltd on arrival at Kadunal International Airport during the inaugural flight of the Airline to Kaduna.

Easter: Passenger traffic increases at Lagos airport

By LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

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he Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos is beginning to witness an upsurge of passengers traffic at the airport due to the forthcoming Easter celebration beginning from Friday to Sunday.

Vanguard went round the various terminals at the airport and observed that passengers were seen on long queues at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Domestic Terminal 2 (MMA2) and the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) popularly known as (MMA1) trying to buy their tickets in order to travel to their various destination.

Investigation into the fares, Vanguard learnt was still at its normal price as Medview Airline from Lagos to Kano was pegged at N23,000 while most of the domestic airlines fares on Lagos to Abuja goes between N23,000 to N27,000

respectively which is subject to changes.

When contacted, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN),Mr. Yakubu Dati said that a significant upsurge in passenger, cargo and aircraft traffic is expected in Nigerian airports.

Mr. Dati also stressed that the increased would last up to the last quarter of this year, when most of the terminal and other related projects at these airports would have been completed and commissioned.

According to him, with improvements in terminal and airside facilities at these airports, a number of local airlines in the country have already started expanding their route network, some extending to the West Coast of Africa.

The FAAN GM said that some foreign airlines with Lagos as their only destination have also begun to show interest in operating into Mallam Aminu Kano and Port

Harcourt International Airports. Qatar Air is one of such airlines, following the recent signing of Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Qatar.

“Significant increase in passenger, aircraft and cargo traffic at Nigerian airports, especially those managed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, became noticeable towards the end of last year.

In September, the figure for passenger movements in all the airports was 316, 680. The figure grew steadily to 318, 503 in October, 328,652 in November and 336,652 in December, 2015”.

“During the same period in 2015, cargo movements grew steadily from 13, 504, 252 in September, 15, 435, 842 in October, 16, 102, 686 and 16, 267, 208 in December. Other factors likely to influence the growth of passenger and cargo traffic this year include the completion of cargo terminals at designated airports across the country” Mr. Dati added.

world adding that the growth and development of aviation in Nigeria was undergoing a periodic examination by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The NCAA boss further stressed that the audit consists of three phases which are the pre-audit phase, on-site phase and post audit phase stressing that an analysis of the countr y ’s oversight establishment has been done including a review of implementation of Annexes’ provisions and the differences from the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) that were identified in SAAQ an d Compliance Checklists.

Captain Usman pointed out that the country was currently in the on-site phase of the audit as the state is visited by ICAO team to validate the information provided by focusing on the overall capacity for safety oversight.

Meanwhile, Head of the four-man team of ICAO, Mr. Jean Claude-Waffo said that this year ’s audit was a monitoring phase of what have been checked-on in previous audit ten years ago.

Claude-Waffo affirmed that the first audit was conducted in 2006 and the focus was on checking the level of safety in the Nigerian aviation industry while this present audit was based on effective monitoring phase.

According to him, after the audit, there would be an effective implementation rating stressing that the essence of the audit was to regulate and force compliance of members countries to the international regulations.

He said “We want to thank NCAA for their support given to us during the preparation phase. As you know, the previous audit took place in 2006. The first audit focused on checks while this one is based on continuous monitoring on the checks that had been done and an effective implementation rating will then be done” Mr. Claude-Waffo added that this year ’s audit would reflect on the changes in civil aviation in Nigeria in the last ten years, to access the state capacity and to overseas the aviation system.

“We are here to access the level of safety in Nigerian aviation industry, to find out whether their have been changes in our last audit, we will do this through the collection of evidences of data” he added

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016 — 27

Economy

What we want to achieve with innovation this year-Olugbodi Tell us a bit about yourself and your role in verdant zeal

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y name is Tunji Olugbodi and I am the Executive Vice-Chairman and Group CEO, Verdant Zeal Group, an emerging multinational and multidisciplinary marketing and communications firm with a number of subsidiaries in Nigeria and operations in Ghana and The Gambia.

Verdant Zeal opened for business on the first of March2007 with a vision to be the benchmark partner for clients, brands and businesses in the emerging market. We started rather humbly with a group of y o ung but v e r y d ar i n g professionals whose sole ambition was to change the world with their ideas and as the story has been consistent in the last 9 years.

What inspired you to inaugurate the innovation series?

When Verdant Zeal clocked 5 in 2012, we had the option of inviting our clients, partners and friends for a big party in celebrating the milestone. But as grand as that idea sounded, it didn’t measure up to the kind of legacy we had always wanted to build for ourselves. So we decided to inaugurate the Innovention Lecture Series, a thought leadership platform designed to leverage the positive energy of the public and private sector within a stimulating intellectual environment.

The days of folding our arms and saying ‘it is well’ had to be put on the back burner as this passive attitude was not going to take us anywhere. We decided that we needed a game changer to aid the reorientation of minds to help reengineer the nation towards development.

We chose not to ignore the complex and longstanding challenges; lack of vision, good leadership, corruption and a host of others impeding development but face them with a strategy best known to us: collaboration. Again, from the onset, we decided that Africa would be our playing field and our thinking and strategies had to align with this vision so it was not out of place to inaugurate a continent wide discussion forum.

Over the years, the Verdant Zeal Innovention Series has continued to find smarter answers to the tough questions that arise out of the quest to move Africa forward.

It seems like a herculean

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task to grow in the midst of all these challenges, and in a country like Nigeria, it becomes much more daunting with the socio economic and political environment. However, like tea bags, people never really know how strong they are until placed their backs are against the wall. During the past three decades, Africa suffered lack of idealistic, visionary and altruistic leaders dedicated to their own people. People, have therefore, lost most, if not all, faith in their respective governments and have decided to become responsible for themselves.

Africans are tired of being hungry in the midst of plenty.

The theme for this year’s innovation series is “the next big thing”. What should participants be looking forward to?

That’s an interesting question because when the theme was couched in September 2015, Nigeria wasn’t quite in the dire straits that we are in now. Yes, the signs were there, but not as glaring. That said, our intent this year is to allow participants see the billions of untapped potentials that can be harnessed for greater economic performance. As it is now, the price of crude oil has dropped and Nigeria, like many African countries is faced with answering the tough question every mono economy has to answer - what more?

What next? As democracies are established across the continent and free trade opportunities continue to grow across borders, Africa needs a concerted agenda to ensure that it creates multiple streams of income if it must remain relevant globally.

It is the aim of the 2016 Innovention Series to start the conversation on identifying and leveraging these untapped opportunities for collective progress.

One of the pivotal points will be on how to get unprecedented returns on investments. Yes, it may be high risk, high return but if it works in Wall Street, why should Africa be exempt from having the same benefits?

Yes, the political structures are emerging and the human capital ranks low on core technical skills but Africa is one of the few places in the world where multiple digit returns can be guaranteed in the shortest time possible.

Perhaps some of the inhibitions to real growth across the continent is trans border trade. Our challenge will be to think of smart ways of overcoming these language

development?

It’s interesting that you asked that question. About 4 years ago, I had granted a similar interview where I had said that we were in the digital economy and that only businesses that were quick to embrace this reality would survive. At the time, it seemed like Greek, but the signals are much clearer now.

Africa may be termed as the ‘last frontier ’ and perhaps the last to embrace technology but its definitely leap frogging in terms of usage and adaptability.

Unfortunately, the teeming population has enveloped the giant strides that many tech start-ups are making but it’s only a matter of time before Africa shows the world how it’s done.

With the democratization of Internet connectivity premised on super fast fiber optic technology, it is amazing, the volume of internetenabled devices being produced and how that has shifted consumer behavior patterns from ‘traditional’ channels to online alternatives. It affects everything from commerce to culture and everything else in between. So you see that it is only a matter of time before business in Africa will be at the speed of light.

As marketing and c o m m u n i c a t i o n s professional, what role does advertising and promotions play in developing African brands especially now that local content is being encouraged?

• Tunji Olugbodi and territorial barriers so that goods and services can move seamlessly across borders. We will also be exploring Africa’s emerging creative community and how our organic uniqueness can possibly create a cultural renaissance with equal economic benefits.

It is also the intent of the Innovention Series to get rid of the stereotype of the single story that Africa is one country. Africa is 54 independent nations, each resplendent with its natural, human and economic resources with the capacity to attract a heterogeneous crowd with each visit. Just as Italy

differs from Spain despite the spatial proximity, each African territory must be clearly differentiated and marketed as thus.

The Keynote Speaker and other discussants have been carefully handpicked from different genres of the economy such as African studies, media and arts, and advertising to broaden our scope and help catalyze the progress of the private sector.

As one of the advocates of the digital economy, what impact do you think technology and social media will have in leapfrogging Africa’s collective

We started rather humbly with a group of young but very daring professionals whose sole ambition was to change the world with their ideas and as the story has been consistent in the last 9 years

Marketing & communications continues to play a very pivotal role in positioning products and brands for visibility, higher purchase preference, loyalty and overall brand awareness.

As more opportunities are created within this market, startups will emerge, new brands will be born and the unending race for brand supremacy will continue.

Smart brands need to understand the importance of building their brand images.

Many businesses still perceive advertising as an unnecessary evil. But this faulty premise has denied many brands the golden opportunity to reach their peak in the awareness game. If giants such as Coca Cola still place premium on advertising their over one hundred year old brand, that should be instructive to others.

Digital marketing has come to stay but many of the tactics such as celebrity endorsements, emotions, humour and storytelling will still remain relevant.

In the words of Albert Einstein, the specific problems we face today cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them. So, we must keep thinking. We must keep discovering. We must keep dreaming because the next big thing is close than we think.

28 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

People in Business

By Ebele Orakpo

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any diseases and natural disasters like poor farm yields due to desertification, and erosion, hitherto attributed to the gods and witchcraft, were later found to be caused by microorganisms and global warming caused by activities of man. This was possible through research. In this report, Financial Vanguard sought the opinion of stakeholders on how research and innovation could be used for economic development especially with the current dip in price of crude oil, Nigeria’s major export product, in the global market. Nigeria, a mono product economy, which depends almost solely on crude oil for foreign earnings, urgently needs to look inwards.

Best time for research: All the contributors agreed that there is no better time to use research and innovation to take Nigeria out of the doldrums.

“There is no better time for research than now when Nigerians are trying to look inwards to find alternatives by use of locally developed technologies. Research has the potential of growing the economy. This is the right time for it,” said Prof. Idris Bugaje, Director-General, National Research Institute for Chemical Technology , Zaria.

Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, VC of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in his address at the 6th edition of Nigerian Universities Research and Development (R&D) Fair held in UNIZIK, said: “For the national economy, R&D could yield new technologies and products, generate solutions to existing challenges and boost global competitiveness of its goods and services.”

“If we are trying to solve problems, we have to understand the nature of the problems and we do that through collaboration by researchers and industry,” said Dr. Ferdinand Che, Associate Dean, School of Business & Entrepreneurship, American University of Nigeria. He noted that research is a fundamental part of national development.

For Prof. Samuel Wara, Director, Research, Innovation & Discovery, Covenant University, research must be vision-driven.

“If we are going to grow the economy based on research, then we will be looking at solution, industry and sector-based research because that is the only way researches can be impactful.”

Solution-based research: In order to get the needed impact on society, research must be tailored towards solving societal problems health, agriculture, infrastructure, etc.

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Research, innovation panacea for economic growth

•Covenant University's Dual engine car

•Bayero University, Kano's Medium power generator from stationary bicycle

•Nnamdi Azikiwe University's mini bus Said Wara: “Breakthroughs and products emanating from the researches would need to be pushed out for public consumption.”

For Bugaje, research is not enough. “You have to move your research into innovation, which is what will help move the economy forward.

Innovation means new processes, new products or better ways of carrying out existing processes. So we need to get our act right. We have the potential and the manpower; what is required is the policy direction.”

“The obvious areas of diversification are Agriculture, health, power etc.

Fundamentally, this is about recognising the opportunities and doing something about them.

For example, government can make the environment coducive for entrepreneurship to flourish.

People must be able to create something and to make profit from that while making positive impact on society,” said Che. Policy direction: “If Nigerian universities are doing researches that are common knowledge elsewhere, they will not contribute to economic development. So we must take our researches to the next level. Get those that are really viable properly patented internationally. The statistics of Nigeria’s patent registrations in the US is very low. In 2014, Nigeria registered only 70 patents, South Africa, Kenya, Algeria are all ahead of Nigeria. SA had over 1,000 patent registrations and Nigeria had about 100 so we have a long way to,” said Bugaje.

Problem: Although R&D is pivotal to economic development, successive governments in Nigeria have consistently underfunded the sector. Said Bugaje: “Research is not recognised in the national economy generally and you can see that from the way it is being funded by government. For instance, in the 2016 budget, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology got 0.67 per cent of the budget. This government is new, I hope by the time they

The researches must be impactful, solution-driven and industrybased get their economic direction properly, they will pay more attention to R&D.” Giving an example of how research is contributing to economic development, Dr. Braimoh Bello, senior medical scientist/research technical leader at Johannesburg-based Centre for Statistical Analysis and Research (CESAR) said: "There are different aspects of research - food, water, health, social and environmental issues and government has to be involved in all.

"South Africa is a researchintensive country. I was contracted by their Dept of Environmental Affairs to provide training on statistics.

I asked them what they do,

one of them said they are responsible for removing alien plants. I asked what alien plants are and she said the amount of water available to the country depends on the amount of water in the aquifers and the amount of water in the aquifers can be depleted by the alien plants that are not contributing anything to the vegetative quality of the country. They map out areas with alien plants and measure the volume and quality of water in that area before and after. So they are able to say this is the amount of water we need for the whole country, this is the amount of water we have, this is the amount of water we can add if we can remove our alien plants."

Way forward: “After identifying the kind of research - impactful, solutiondriven, industry-based - how are you going to drive them? On individual or collaborative basis? A university should be known for something so you look at those universities or individuals that have something in common with respect to the drive you want for the economy.

For instance, you may want to drive issues of security, power/ energy, transportation, environment, manufacturing in different areas like textiles, so you begin to form research clusters

that will work in those areas.

“Next, what facilities should be in place to undertake these researches? We will look at literary or library, ICT, specialised laboratory and human resources. We may create partnerships and collaborations to be able to undertake these researches,” said Wara.

Endowed chairs: "We may create some endowed chairs or centres of excellence in universities. How much of technology are the Technology Incubation Centres incubating?

How much exploitation of raw materials is Raw Materials Research and Development Council doing? One centre of excellence may be that of Energy Resources, another may be dealing with global warming and environment.

“Hunger and poverty are issues. Over 791million people live in chronic undernourishment in developing countries and about 2.2 billion people live on less than $2 a day. So researches to produce food and make them available to people at affordable cost will be undertaken to deal with them.

Entrepreneurship will help deal with poverty so we need to promote small and medium scale industries. Security and conflict resolutions are issues, what must we do to build peace across the country?”

There are also Health, Housing, Transportation and Education issues – what are we doing about them? "asked Wara.

"We have to find ways to help micro enterprises to employ more people, create more opportunities that will lead to jobs and by people having more jobs, they will be creating more economic activities which will lead to the development we are talking about. Research will help us to understand our problems and our weaknesses so in presenting those pictures, people can recognise where the opportunities lie," said Che.

P&G launches 2016 CEO Academy program

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rocter & Gamble (P&G)Nigeria, has announced the kick-off of its CEO Academy program. It is a capability-building program targeted at the brightest and highest performing university undergraduates who desire to sharpen their skills in readiness for the job market.

The program comprises a mix of trainings and case study sessions. Participants are given the opportunity to learn from senior P&G leaders, and amass skills they need to compete in the job market. The students can build mentoring relationships on which they can leverage in their employment path. Judges from P&G will select a winning team from the case study challenge based on certain criteria such

as: team work and collaboration, problemsolving skills, ability to understand and analyze information.

“P&G endeavours to select the best and the brightest talent in Nigeria,” said Chisom Obiora, P&G’s Talent Practice Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa. The competition shall be taking place in select schools across Nigeria, including Obafemi Awolowo University which held on March 9, 2016; UNILAG, March 15, 2016; and FUT Owerri, March 18, 2016. “It is important to attract, develop and retain the best talent from top universities in Nigeria,” said Interested students should visit http://www.facebook.com/ PGCareersNigeria for more information.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016 — 29

e-Commerce

S&T Media secures $1m seed round from EchoVC Partners Stories by JONAH NWOKPOKU

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igeria’s leading place based digital advertising company; S&T Media has raised a $1 million seed round from EchoVC Partners, an early stage technology venture capital firm.

S&T Media pioneers several innovative digital advertising platforms including AdPump – a digital advertising network targeting consumers at petrol pumps - and AdEdge – an instore digital advertising screen – which secured its first retail deal with retail giant, Spar recently.

The seed round which could go up to $1, 000, 000 according to the investment details which have not yet been fully disclosed, will be dedicated to growing S&T Media including increased investments in AdPump’s expansion, product development, and further hardware and staff acquisition.

Launched in 2014 as AdBox, S&T Media has since installed 160 AdPump screens across Lagos in 17 strategically located filling stations and successfully entering into distribution deal with a number of Nigeria’s petroleum products marketing companies, including Oando Plc, Forte Oil and Total Plc which boasts more than 1,000 filling stations capacity across the country.

The company has also recently signed up key advertising partners including Etisalat, Jumia, Smile Communications, House on the Rock, Guaranty Trust Bank and Mall for Africa.

Speaking on the deal, CoFounder of S&T Media, Tolu Roberts said: “Since inception we wanted to create platforms that can give brands the reach they crave in a more efficient and targeted manner. Securing

AWARDS - From left: Alex Holmes, Chief Executive Officer, Moneygram; Rob Giles, Head Transaction and E-banking, Diamond Bank Plc and Grant Lines, Executive Vice president, Moneygram at the Awards and Recognition of Moneygram agents ceremony held in Lagos. institutional funding with the right investor has allowed us to accelerate that vision, as we rapidly develop and install platforms that connect brands with captivated consumers.

With EchoVC on board, we have found more than just an investor but also a partner who understands effective growth of tech start-ups. We are confident that we can penetrate the advertising market with our innovative platforms whilst leveraging on EchoVC strategic

partnerships.”

Also speaking, Managing Partner, EchoVC Partners, Eghosa Omoigui said: “We

With EchoVC on board, we have found more than just an investor

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enMoney microfinance bank has launched a digital campaign to deepen awareness and boost access to its financial services solutions.

The Lagos based simple money solutions provider recently launched her MakeItHappen campaign featured across all RenMoney

orporateneeds.com has launched an online based shipping logistics and procurement solution to provide low cost, reliable and fast logistics for SMEs as well as large corporations.

Speaking on what motivated the new solution, founder of Corporateneeds.com, Nduka Udeh said: “Clearing of goods at the port are riddled with issues from the multiplicity of fake clearing agents, thereby increasing the overall cost of business for most companies. A delay in delivery either by air and ocean is a common business challenge and finding cost effective warehousing is even more challenging. Couple these with the cost of procuring dollars to meet basic import needs and we see why lots of businesses are folding up.

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were impressed with AdPump’s ingenuity in developing new routes to market for advertisers in Africa, namely via digital. The velocity at which they ’ve attracted content suppliers, key advertising partnerships as well as a distribution network with such notable brands, is a combination of their excellent product, as well as the market’s willingness to use targeted marketing methods to reach their end user.”

RenMoney launches digital campaign to drive access to financial services social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

In a statement, RenMoney said, MakeItHappen is a sequel to the recently concluded #ALittleMoneyAndADream digital campaign where individuals were called upon to share their dreams and

Corporateneeds.com launches shipping logistics solution

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Infinix Mobility unveils Easter Promo to rewards customers

“Corporateneeds.com is a logistics and procurement solution designed exclusively for companies, providing stress free solution to their shipping, clearing, warehousing and procurement needs, by providing an easy to use platform that eliminates unnecessary middlemen and contractors. By using our solution, companies will save over 25 per cent on their procurement and logistics needs.”

He added: “Corporateneeds.com aims to link global supplies and companies, allowing companies to bypass time wasting and LPO issuance process in the procurement of goods.

By providing a solution customized to each company, companies have better control over their logistics and procurement cost and signing up is easy as companies can sign up in few minutes by going directly to the website.

aspirations on RenMoney social media pages. As a follow up to this, the MakeItHappen campaign is a call to individuals to partner with RenMoney in bringing dreams, aspirations, goals, plans and promises they hold dear to reality.

Speaking on the initiative, CEO of RenMoney MFB Nigeria, Graham Lee said: “Our understanding of this market has shown that the gap between aspirations and reality most times, is the needed cash to fund our dreams. RenMoney is interested in bridging this gap between needs, wants and desires of Nigerians and finance they require to make it happen.

This is our key relevance and we are determined to continually raise the bar to make it happen.”

The statement said the MakeItHappen campaign will make use of the #MakeItHappen to communicate exciting and rewarding events and offers available on all RenMoney’s products; Cash Loans, Fixed Deposit and Target Savings.

obile device maker, Infinix Mobility has unveiled an Easter reward promo for fans and loyal customers of Infinix devices.

The promo allows Infinix customers to buy a smartphone and instantly unlock rewards, which include free accessories and discount off smartphone purchases.

Infinix presents the 3-level Easter reward promotion with a customized Coupon for customers who are interested in participating in the reward program.

The reward coupon gives customers access to the discounts and freebies that come with the promo. Also, customers who unlock all 3 levels of reward will partake in the Easter raffle draw to win Big home appliances.

Customers can visit these participating stores in Nigeria to pick up their Easter reward coupon upon the purchase of their smartphone – Pointek store in Abuja, Finet stores in Lagos & PH, Okay Phones store in Lagos, Solat & Play stores in Ibadan.

Konga launches Easter store

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s Easter approaches, Nigeria’s online mall, Konga.com has launched an exclusively dedicated Easter store in preparation for Easter shoppers nationwide.

In a statement, Konga said, the Konga Easter stores features all the items individuals and families could need to celebrate the season.

Konga said: “To further ensure shoppers get great deals, Konga is giving up to 25 per cent discount on select items in the Easter store.

The Konga Easter store is indeed an opportunity for shoppers to buy everything they need for the season without going through the usual hassles that come with shopping during festive seasons.

This is why they have ensured to make items such as fashion, accessories, electronics, clothes and toys for the kids, home appliances, food item and much more, available for shoppers.

“The edge Konga.com has over other shopping sources is its genuine concern for the shopper ’s experience even after an item has been purchased.”

30 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016 NOTE: This article was written on March 8, 2016, two weeks after it was announced that President Buhari had agreed to organize an Economic Summit. Even then, it was clear to some economists that this government was not really interested in the summit. The summit failed to take off on Thursday, March 10, 2016 as scheduled and no new take-off date had been established. Obviously, there is no commitment; only an attempt to silence critics of government.

“Alas, my lord, there’s many a sycophant And flatterer that fill your courts with cant And give more pleasure with their zeal forsooth Than he who speaks in soberness and truth.”

Geoffrey Chaucer, 13421400.(VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS. When late Harold Wilson, the late British Labor Party Prime Minister pronounced in the 1970s that “A week in politics is a long time” (VBQ p 271) he left politicians in the modern age a time metric to determine the tide of events as they affect their popularity with the electorate. As you are reading this article, President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC, on whose platform he rode to power, would have consumed nine months, or 18.75 per cent, of the time given them

by Nigerians to bring about the changes they shouted from the roof tops and everywhere during the elections. If according to Wilson’s arithmetic, a week is a long time, then Buhari and the APC have spent the equivalent of political eternity in office. That is startling enough.

What should be shocking to Nigerians is the fact they are just now getting ready to sit at another talkfest to discuss the economy. This is simply scandalous for reasons too numerous to discuss in

Economic Conference:

An afterthought too late to rescue budget 2016 (1) one article. But a few will demonstrate the anguish any economist – irrespective of whether conservative, liberal or socialist — must feel when confronted with the stark naked fact that Nigerians had elected a government and political party which had no economic programme for governance while campaigning for office and which compounded that colossal error by not hastily assembling an Economic Management Team, EMT, the week after former President Jonathan conceded. But, the most inexplicable was the fact that in the five months Buhari took to select a mere fifty-odd assistants and Ministers, it never occurred to anybody in Aso Rock that one of the cardinal functions of a President and government, if not the most important, is to manage the economy. That, invariably, means selecting those people who would be his advisers and who would develop the Economic Blue Print for economic policies.

Here we are, with close to 20 per cent of the first term gone and we are being told they are just about to sit down to discuss the “way forward” – at a time when we should be

undertaking the first review of the plans and policies which they have been implementing since June 1, 2015.

Whoever says “history does not repeat itself ” has never heard of a country called Nigeria – where the sordid history of failures recurs almost with every change of government. When Professor Wole Soyinka, not an economist, was reported to have canvassed for an economic summit, and the government latched on to it to organize one, the first thing that should have occurred to anyone familiar with our record for economic summits is to ask the question, “Another one?”

“A pessimist is a former optimist who finally got all the facts.” Dele Sobowale, 1991.

(VBQ p 186). It is quite possible that those calling for the economic summit, now about to get underway, and Professor Soyinka, don’t have a deep knowledge of the history of economic summits in Nigeria – otherwise they would not have set great store on it. On this one, blessed are they that expect nothing – for they shall never be disappointed. Below is a brief history – just from 1992.

In 1992, when military President Babangida, appointed Chief Ernest Shonekan, GCFR, as the Head of Government, the first thing, the old technocrat did was to organize the First Economic Summit and to create the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG – which still functions today. NESG had not only held annual economic summits, except for two or three years since then, they have contributed several cabinet members to various governments.

Buhari’s administration is actually one of the few that had been (un)fortunate to have one of their members on board. If ever there was a group that specialized in organizing annual gabfests, ending in communiqués that are widely praised by government and totally ignored, it is the NESG. Like most intellectual masochists, it was my sad lot to attend the first two summits on behalf of the Nigerian Institute of Management, NIM. Five more followed; spent representing VANGUARD, until it dawned on some of those in attendance that, apart from being mainly a “billionaires’ forum”, it was

a bloody waste of time. For almost seven years, nothing new was added to the basic outlines of the first communiqué. And, for almost seven years none of the recommendations of the NESG was implemented.

Incidentally, one proposal that caught the fancy of a government – Abacha’s government – was the most useless. It was the VISION 2020 idea which was introduced to Nigeria by a guest lecturer from Malaysia, who was in charge of Malaysia’s VISION 2020 programme. The fellow left a lasting impression because he was the contributor of the words, “It does not matter if the cat is black or white as long as it catches rats.” (VBQ p 26). The man made clear that VISION 2020 was not possible in a society where square pegs end up in round holes and where corruption is institutionalized as in Nigeria.

Yet, the first government to pretend to adopt the idea was the most corrupt up to that time – Abacha’s regime. Abacha not only grabbed it with both hands, he reduced the number of years which a more advanced Malaysia had allotted to itself to achieve the feat by launching VISION 2010. There is a lesson for Buhari in this story – before he falls into the trap of the praise-singers — his “assistants, Ministers and advisers”.

Microfinance Unemployment: NEPC to create 1.5m jobs STORIES BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

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igerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has announced plans to create about 1.5 million jobs in the next five years via Nigerian Diaspora Export (NDEX) Programme.

Director-General, NEPC, Mr. Segun Awolowo, made this known at a stakeholders’ workshop organized by the council in Lagos, explaining that the NDEX programme had been part of the council’s efforts to rebrand the image of Nigeria, outside its shores, thereby generating more revenue for the nation.

Awolowo who was represented by the South West Regional Head of the council, Mr. Olusegun Faleke, stated, “There is no doubt that the essence of our gathering today underscores the crucial role that Nigerians living in the diaspora are expected to play in this programme, given that about 15 million C M Y K

Nigerians live abroad, generating over $21 billion so far as recorded by World Bank in 2013.

“Now this is just a paper work, it is likely the populations of Nigerians living abroad are more than that.

“The NDEX Programme is the one that seeks to leverage on the presence of Nigerians in Diaspora, using their advantage of creating a strong ‘External Demand Pull’ for indigenous foods, fashion and other products.

“We have emphasis on key areas, and they are the Nigerian Heritage City (NHC), The Nigerian Cuisine beyond Borders (NCBB) and the Diaspora Export of NonOil Products (DENOP) “The NHC seeks to create a formalized hub where Nigerian products and services would be displayed just like we have back home in Nigeria.

“This would be established in countries where there is a large concentration of Nigerians like the United

States and London, and this would be akin to the China towns that we have today.

“The NCBB, which entails the cuisine, would also rebrand the Nigerian foods from the packaging and cooking to meet up with international standards and

world cuisine brands we know today “All these sub-programmes under this NDEX would create not less than 1.5 million jobs for Nigerians both within and outside the country, because it will definitely increase non-oil exports,” he said.

Faleke said that the programme would obviously bring about a high value

addition to non-oil products and services in the country at a time when the nation needs to revive its manufacturing, agricultural and industrial sectors.

He added that the programme would be boosted by the utilization of the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Export Development Fund (EDF)

Use of electronic payment adds $296bn to GDP – Report

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recent study has shown that increased use of electronic payment products, including credit, debit and prepaid cards, added $296 billion to GDP, while raising household consumption of goods and services by an average of 0.18 percent per year.

The study “The Impact of Electronic Payments on Economic Growth”is a 2016 study conducted

by Moody’s Analytics that analyzed the impact of electronic payments on economic growth across 70 countries between 2011 and 2015.

In addition, Moody’s economists estimate that the equivalents to 2.6 million new jobs were created on average per year over the five years period as a result of increased use of electronic payments. The 70 countries in the study make up almost 95 percent of global GDP. Chief Economist of Moody’s Analytic, Mr. Mark Zandi, said, “Electronic payments are a major contributor to consumption, increased

production, economic growth and employment creation. Those countries which saw large increases in card usage also saw larger contributions to overall growth in their economies.”

The study indicated that the electronification of payments benefited governments and contributed to a more stable and open business environment.

Additionally, the report found that electronic payments helped to minimize what is commonly referred to as the grey economy — economic activity that is often cash-based and goes unreported. As a result, electronic payments provided a higher potential tax revenue base for governments, while also bringing the added benefits of lower cash handling costs, guaranteed payment to merchants and greater financial inclusion for consumers.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016 — 31

Advertising & Media

Will Nigeria ever withdraw sweetened beverages from stores?

STORIES BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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lobally, medical professionals have complained of obesity and diabetes in children, all linked to Sugar-sweetened beverages which leads to over 180,000 obesity-related deaths worldwide each year.

“This means that about one in every 100 deaths from obesity-related diseases are caused by drinking sugary beverages,” as propounded by a Harvard School of Public Health research.

This accordingly may have informed the recent ban, when Tesco, an European supermarket brand in August 2015 decided to cut sugary drinks from its shelves - with the major culprit being Ribena and Rubicon.

Tesco, enacted these changes as most schools resumed in September 2015, the same time schools resumed in Nigeria.

Invariably, Nigerian consumers had hoped that steps could be taken by Nigerian supermarkets owners and other stores to replicate this enactment, as the children and adult alike in Nigeria experience same obesity and diabetic problem.

Other beverages with high sugar content include; Pepsi, Lacasera regular, yoghurts, the low-fat and non–fat versions, the link to Coke with high sugar content seems to have died down over the years since options have been provided in Diet coke and Zero coke.

Meanwhile, Nigerian consumers have called on government and other health authorities and shop owners to either remove or replace sugary drinks by no-added-sugar alternatives.

However, to take the decision on ban may be somewhat unpopular if Nigerian super stores to take this step it will be a decision that is targeted at kids’ which is part of a campaign against childhood obesity.

Like Tesco’s Soft Drinks Buying Manager, David Beardmore said, “the ban is part of the store’s 10-point plan against obesity and, we have decided that from September (that was in 2015) we will only sell no-added-sugar drinks in the kids’ juice category.”

A good step by Tesco one may say, but can this decision be taken in Nigeria by super store managers or can Glaxosmithkline owners of the brand look for alternative for Nigerian children.?

However, outraged fans in Europe, of the popular blackcurrant cordial had gone to Twitter to voice their outrage at this Tesco decision. Some of the customers had this to say: The decision by Tesco did not

BRIEFING - From Left: Samuel Akinrimisi - Business Development Manager, Hilda Dimgba, Brand Associate, both of EKO Supreme; Manny UY – General Manager, Sales, Euro Mega Atlantic Limited (Distribution Network Partners of EKO Supreme); and Bimbo Alabi, Marketing Manager, EKO Supreme, at a press briefing announcing the company’s new innovation to its products, Sokline and Good Mama in Lagos. go without protect from consumers in Europe who were of the view that “it is insane for Tesco to pull Ribena from the shelves-sugar is not the problem, a lack of exercise is.”

Meanwhile, to determine the effect of sugar-sweetened beverage on Nigerians, particularly on children, Financial Vanguard sampled the opinion of medical experts and consumers alike were it was revealed that a 500 millitre Ribena contains 52.6grams sugar. According to Musikat Alabi of Muslab Medical centre, Oshodi, “the World Health Organisation, WHO, recommends consuming no more than 10 percent of our daily kilojoules in sugar. Using this rule, and based on an 8,000 kilojoule-per-day diet, sugar consumption should be no more than 800 kilojoules per day, or approximately 50 grams of sugar.

For Dr. Valentine Ateosu of Mosaf Medical Centre, OlodiApapa, coroborated the above statement, but said, “sugar is an embedded part of human active, total cut will not be good and high consumption is not good also.” In Nigeria, consumers have called for abrupt withdrawal of Ribena

Scientists found that more people died from diabetes, heart disease and cancer in parts of the world where consumption of sugary drinks are high

from supermarkets.

The sugar in Ribena is the problem, not fat, said Shola Ogundana, a medical practitioner who said danger locks around for persons who take sugary beverages like Ribena and others.

However, efforts made to speak with Glaxosmithkline on the issue was abortive, as this reporter was not allowed to speak with any of the top management, occasioned by the company’s strict security rule.

For Omobola Ojo, banning of the brand will be a relief for her, I have been looking for a way to stop my children from having it in their lunch box.

The sugar in Ribena is the problem, not fat, said Shola Ogundana, a medical practitioner who said danger locks around for persons who take sugary beverages like Ribena and others.

Robert Akunna, a Marketing

professional with Orlick Communications said; “this goes beyond campaign against Obesity on billboards, print and broadcast mediums.

Scientists found that more people died from diabetes, heart disease and cancer in parts of the world where consumption of sugary drinks are high.”

Of the nine world regions in 2010, Latin America and the Caribbean had the most diabetes deaths linked to sugary drinks with 38,000. East and Central Eurasia had the most cardiovascular deaths at 11,000.

In the United States, sugary drinks were linked to the deaths of 25,000 people from diabetes and other obesityrelated diseases. As in many other countries, the death rates were highest in young adults under age 45, with one in 10 obesity-related deaths associated with sugary beverages, According to “Almost three-quarters of the deaths caused by sugary drinks are in low and middle income countries,” says study author Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, codirector of the cardiovascular epidemiology program at the Harvard School of Public Health. “So this is not just a problem in wealthy nations.”

Food advice : Like Dr. Robert Dim, a Nutrition expert said, “eat the fruit, don’t drink the juice. Fruit juice in cartons has had all the fibre squeezed out of it, making its sugars more dangerous.”

Continuing he stated that beef from grass-fed cattle is fine, but not from corn-fed cattle. He noted that sweetened beverages deliver sugar but with no nutritional added value. Water and milk are the best drinks, especially for children.

For Olajide Odunade, a nutritionist advised consumers to watch out for added sugar in foods where they would not expect it.

Chi introduces Hollandia mixology pack

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hi Limited, manufacturers of fruit juices and yoghurt drinks has introduced new 315ml ‘Grab ‘n’ Go mixology

pack.

Commenting on the new pack, the Managing Director, Chi Limited, Mr. Deepanjan Roy in a statement said, “We are committed to ensuring that our loyal consumers continue to get value and satisfaction from our products. Our customers are being offered great value with the new Hollandia Mixology Grab ‘n’ Go packs which provide them a tasty and nourishing option to mix with other beverages”.

“Mixing drinks just got better with the new Hollandia Mixology Grab ‘n’ Go Pack. Consumers can now enjoy the smoothest blend and the greatest taste just the way they like it with a handy 315ml pack of their favorite yoghurt to mix with a variety of beverages.”

The company says consumers can now enjoy Hollandia yoghurt mixed with a drink of choice.

The mixology Grab ‘n’ Go Pack is already in the market for consumers who love to mix drinks, a statement said.

The Hollandia Mixology Grab ‘n’ Go Packs are also great for on the go fun as they are light and handy, with a specially designed prismatic shape and an attractive screw cap that you feel proud to be seen with, the statement said.

OMD bags most creative media agency award

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or the 10th time, OMD has been awarded Global Agency Network of the Year for the 10t by the Gunn Report for Media The Gunn Report for Media is the industry standard for evaluating media creativity, innovation and effectiveness. The report summarizes media agencies’ overall performance from January to December 2015 based on the results of global, regional and national media award contests spanning most markets in the world. Most importantly, it recognizes the vital role media agencies play in today’s highly competitive and fragmented communications landscape.

“The recognition of creativity through awards is important to our agency culture at OMD. It is not only a critical measure of our performance, but also a reflection of how much harder we are pushing ourselves and our media partners to better our work year over year.

Morning Fresh launches pan-Nigeria consumer promo

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Z Cussons, makers of Morning Fresh, a dishwashing liquid has launched a new consumer promotion targeted at creating more affinity between the brand and Nigerian consumers. The promotion tagged “Morning Fresh Kitchen Makeover” was unveiled to the delight of consumers and distributors in Lagos recently.

Speaking at the unveiling, the PZ Cussons’ Managing Director for Family Care, Mr. Alex Goma said the decision to launch out a new promo for Morning Fresh is borne out of the desire to continue to cement existing relationship with consumers despite the difficult challenge of the time.. He admitted that even though there are economic challenges, the company remains committed to innovation in order to satisfy the need of its dynamic consumers.

Despite the fact that the operating business environment in Nigeria is quite unfriendly, the managing director believe that the only way out of such situation is to continuously maintain and build good relationship with the consumers.

32 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

(0805 220 1997)

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T is regrettable, that the absence of a more salutary impact from partial implementation of earlier budgets, has seriously eroded public expectation to make Nigerians, non-challant about this annual constitutional requirement. Unfortunately, the unfolding drama surrounding the 2016 version of this critical annual event, may not also inspire public confidence that this year’s plan will positively touch our lives.

Nonetheless, cynics may suggest that it is probably a deliberately programmed recipe for failure, if one consistently embraces any annual fiscal plan which invariably forfeits a quarter of the year before implementation commences.

Indeed in his recent interactions with Nigerians resident in the UK, Mr President had explained that several MDAs deliberately warehoused most of their capital vote until the fourth quarter, before they frantically adopted various strategies to evacuate the bountiful residual funds into personal accounts, with fraudulent invoices and waybills.

According to Buhari, the adoption of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) may have protected over N2 trillion from being corruptly siphoned into private pockets, by 31st of December 2015. Consequently, Mr. President suggested that the projected significant revenue shortfall of over N2 trillion may not require loans, as earlier proposed in the 2016 Appropriation bill.

Buhari must be worried that the full implementation of the projected N6 trillion-plus budget, with over N2 trillion embedded deficit, would imply that the Federal Government would be compelled to allocate, well over the present inappropriate amount of 35kobo out of every Naira income, for servicing both the existing and new debts. Evidently, no country’s economy can be safe

things in our budget, that also changed the State House Clinic allocation”?

Furthermore, the Senate Committee on Education have also reported that they had uncovered about N10bn that was hidden in the Ministry’s projected allocation for 2016; the Committee also wondered why parastatals attached to the ministry, continuously received rising allocation for personnel cost, while similar allocations for all federal schools and universities rose much more slowly?

Indeed, there is nothing to suggest that the respective MDAs, have so far reconciled their allegedly controversial budget projections with the respective National Assembly Committees; thus, it is not yet really clear which budget NASS will now consider for Approval before the Easter break as they promised. The critical question, however, is whether NASS would also condone the obnoxious debt burden that a N2trn plus deficit with crippling service charges will bring upon our nation.

Besides, while addressing some Nigerians resident in Saudi Arabia, in February, President Buhari had condemned the distortion of the budget proposals by entrenched interests; the President insisted, according to his spokesman, that the “unauthorised alterations” had completely changed the document from the one he presented to the National Assembly.

Thus, with the related controversy and the various revelations of inflated projections of fund allocations, and muti billion Naira spurious subheads smuggled into the 2016 budget, Buhari may have just kept his steel gates wide open for treasury looters to enjoy a bonanza year, if the N6 trillion plus 2016 budget is ultimately passed in deference to speed rather than a recognition of the predatory rats in the content of the 2016 Budget.

Is N6trn “ghost budget” still defensible? or indeed prosper with such precarious application of precious generated revenue.

Indeed, the existence of such an oppressive debt service burden probably should have advised a more responsible and sensitive fiscal plan, consciously designed to produce a balanced budget, so as to suspend further debt accumulation, which might endanger our sovereignty. It is unlikely that Buhari would gleefully endorse the present, highest ever projected deficit of over N2 trillion if the implications of such an oppressive debt service burden was thoroughly explained to him.

In fact, an unquestioned approval for such an oppressive financial burden is probably at cross purposes with Buhari’s renowned frugality and national pride. Consequently, some Nigerians were alarmed when Vice President Osinbajo initially flew the kite of a proposed N8 trillion budget; clearly, with crude oil trading below the $38/ barrel budget benchmark, it would require over N4 trillion ($20bn) loan to fund such a budget, not minding that this would compel the odious allocation of over 50kobo of every Naira earned to servicing our national debts annually.

Fortunately, Nigerians were spared this dismal prospect with a reduced fiscal plan of N6.1 trillion, even though such spending will inevitably still extend current debt service beyond the dis-enabling and distortional 40 kobo from each Naira generated revenue. Our debt burden would clearly become perilous, if persistent low crude prices should also instigate further deficit financing in 2017. So the question, obviously is, why

Business & Economy

Buhari would so readily accommodate this heavy, debt laden fiscal projection in such an austere season?

One expects that the budget figures President Buhari laid before NASS were determined between Jun-Dec 2015, presumably, after thorough and exhaustive consultations with stakeholders and the respective legislative committees responsible for MDA oversight.

Sadly, these extensive consultations and the attendant delay for budget enactment, may not have been justified by the series of absurdities that gradually unraveled after a budget which was presented to the National Assembly, in the full glare of the World press, on December 22nd, was declared to be missing, less than four weeks later, in January 2016.

A Presidential aide was subsequently fingered by the Senate for swapping the original budget document with a dirty copy! Although, the Presidency never denied the allegations of budget fiddling,

The critical question, however, is whether NASS would also condone the obnoxious debt burden that a N2trn plus deficit with crippling service charges will bring upon our nation

Buhari, nonetheless, on the 19th of January, sent a corrected version to replace the discredited budget copies with NASS. Sadly, a casual evaluation of the corrected version by the Legislative Committee, still threw up several inconsistencies. Indeed, it soon became clear that some Ministers and MDA Management still fumbled when defending their respective Expenditure projections, especially when these were compared with historical allocations to the same Agencies in the previous three years.

Alarmingly, the Health Minister, Prof Isaac Adewole, for example, disowned some contentious provisions in the budget proposal of his ministry, when he claimed that “ this was not what we submitted”; and therefore added that “we will submit another one. We don’t want anything foreign to creep into that budget” Adewole’s reaction definitely raises questions as to which version of the budget he sought to defend, and why the National Assembly’s copy was different, even after the NASS had received a so-called, corrected version from the Presidency.

Furthermore, the Health Minister confirmed that his ministry had nothing to do with a projected N3bn State House Clinic, which is a clearly lopsided projection, when compared with the paltry N2bn allocation to the development of new hospitals and clinics throughout the country.

Consequently, Professor Adewole concluded, with regard to the State House Clinic projection, that “ I hope it’s not the same rats that changed

Standard Chartered empowers youths with financial literacy

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or the third year running, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria has partnered with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to drive its Financial Literacy with a financial literacy workshop in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.

Speaking at the workshop, Mrs. Ebiti Sam-Yudo, Head, Client Relationships, Port Harcourt, who represented the Managing Director/CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria, Mrs. Bola Adesola, said giving students the fundamental information about financial literacy empowers them with the right tools towards becoming financially sound and independent individuals in the C M Y K

future. She added:‘This is an excellent initiative of the CBN as it equips children across the country with information around how to be financially responsible through training materials that touch on various topics including savings, budgeting, earning and investing money.

“Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria is proud to support the CBN in this initiative. This is one of the many ways we reiterate that we are indeed here for good - we look forward to continuously making a difference in the country.”

The Principal of Rayfield Secondary School, Uyo, Mr.Unyimi Umoren, thanked

the bank for facilitating the workshop at the school. He added that it was encouraging to see corporate institutions that are still interested in the development of our youths through education and added that the sessions were indeed informative.

Initiated and driven by the Bankers’ Sub-committee on Financial Literacy and Public Enlightenment in collaboration with the CBN, the Financial Literacy programme was created to serve as a platform for financial institutions to educate adolescents in secondary schools on the basics of banking, value of money, investment options, savings, insurance.

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Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016—33 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Journe o Amnesty Journeyy tto IGERIANS are yet to no, he was on duty. I asked if the N comprehensively assess company he works for also the implications of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Elections annulment. One fall-out which we have not come to terms with is the rise of armed militancy.

Some came to the conclusion that if a very rich and powerful Moshood Kashimawo Abiola could be denied his mandate, then, only through armed struggle can they assert their right in the country. Thus by 1995, armed groups started sprouting.

Unfortunately, the rise of armed groups in the Niger Delta coincided with the Ijaw-Itsekiri conflicts. Given my knowledge, I knew a terrible bloodbath was likely, and ran to a few persons I knew to discuss how the conflict could be nipped in the bud. An old acquaintance, Tony Engurube was at hand. He gave names of people I should see, but tragically, blood flowed, communities were razed, lives and future lost.

In 1997, I lost my father, and went to organise his funeral in Patani. One day, a young man I had not seen in the town for years, ran after me. I had been told he had relocated to work in a ship in Warri. I enquired whether he was on leave. He said

operated in Patani. “No”. He was on duty for the town. He explained that it was the turn of his set to protect the town against possible Itsekiri attacks by running to the banks of the Forcados River to shoot sporadically into the air. The understanding he said, was for youths in the town and neigbouring towns and villages to run or sail quickly towards the sound of the gun fire.

Surprised, I asked if he was armed, he raised his shirt to reveal a pistol and said the youths who genuflected towards me in recognition, were nestling AK 47 rifles. I was shocked and reflected that our towns and villages had become unsafe; when the conflict with the Itsekiris end, what will happen to the arms that flowed freely or the youths who had learnt how to use firearms? During the burial ceremony, armed youths in two minibuses said to be on patrol on the East-West Road drove into the town; they had come to make my acquaintance.

I was further convinced that something urgent had to be done to ensure peace.

Then on December 11, 1998 Ijaw youths issued the famous

Kaiama Declaration which demanded control of the natural resources including oil and the environment. Peaceful demonstrations called OGELE in support of the Declaration which held in various towns from December 30, led to armed confrontations and the January 2-3, 1999 military invasion of Kaiama, the home town of the Ijaw national hero, Major Adaka Boro. Following reports of the Kaiama massacre, some Ijaw youths decided to go and confront the soldiers that had taken over the town. I went to Port Harcourt and Yenagoa as part of a group of leaders and elders to persuade the youths to stand down and allow negotiations. There was a heated debate with some youths in Port Harcourt which went far into the

There was a heated debate with some youths in Port Harcourt which went far into the night before a vote was taken between my position and that of a youth leader who argued for armed retaliation

How Dickson is creating a new Nigeria

By Nat Onoja Agbo

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RANCIS Ottah Agbo is the Special Adviser, Media Relations to Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State. So what, you might ask. After all he is qualified and has consistently demonstrated his capabilities as a frontline journalist, image maker and reliable friend of the Countryman Governor over the years and had stood by the governor through thick and thin. A veteran of many investigative stories, Agbo was part of the highly-successful tenure of Prof. Dora Akunyili as Minister of Information and Communications and has been with Governor Dickson since his first epoch-making election as Governor of Bayelsa State in 2012. It was in recognition of Agbo’s impactful public service, particularly, the impact of his investigative journalism and in-depth writings in shaping government policies in Nigeria that the Pacific Western University, Colorado, USA in 2012, conferred on him, an honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration.

Agbo is however not the first non-indigene to occupy such an important position. In the defunct Gongola State, Governor Bamanga Tukur appointed Chief Raymond Dokpesi as his Chief of Staff, just as Adagbo Onoja, an indigene of Benue State served as Special Adviser, Media Affairs to former Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State.

It must be stressed, however, that although other non-indigenes occupied political offices in some other states in the past, the recent appointment of Benue-born Francis Ottah Agbo as Special Adviser, took many people by surprise. This is so because recent experiences show that some politicians, especially State governors, hardly tolerate people who are either non-indigenes of their states or do not share the same God-given language with them. For me, Agbo is simply reaping from where his state- Benue sowed. In the first Republic, the legendary JS Tarka sponsored the election of C M Y K

Alhaji Ibrahim Imam, a Kanuri man to the House of Representatives to represent Benue particularly the Tivs. Alhaji Imam was father of former Presidential Liaison Officer to the National Assembly and PDP governorship candidate in Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Imam. Similarly, Francis Agbo’s constituents had overwhelmingly elected Chief Agbo Nwangbo, an Igbo man from Izzi community as Councillor representing Ijigban Ward in Ado Local Government.

Those who are familiar with the antecedents of Governor Dickson and Agbo are, however, not surprised at the appointment. They share a common belief in hard work, loyalty, integrity, a united Nigeria and friendship that is built on trust and competence. The governor has always demonstrated his desire for the evolvement of a Nigeria in which everybody would be free to live and operate freely and fully in every part of the country irrespective of his creed, religion, ethnicity and state of origin.

That explains why the governor made spirited efforts to join the Nigerian navy, and when that failed, the Nigeria Police Force became handy.

He enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force in 1986, about three years after his secondary school education. The Nigeria Police Force broadened his national outlook and gave him a fair idea of how to relate with Nigerians from every part of the country.

Although his initial plan was to serve until retirement, he knew that a secondary school

Agbo’s appointment clearly demonstrates Dickson’s desire to build bridges of unity

night before a vote was taken between my position and that of a youth leader who argued for armed retaliation. I won, and the youth leader who was later to play a prominent role in the armed conflict in the Niger Delta, happily agreed with his supporters to accept the majority position.

That incident further reinforced my position that while the injustice and gross underdevelopment of the Niger Delta needed to be addressed, an armed conflict, more so on Ijaw soil, will not be in the long term interest of the people.

Tragically, a fate, far worse than that of Kaiama was visited on Odi Town on November 20, 1999 when armed soldiers levelled the town and carried out a horrendous massacre.

The situation steadily deteriorated; parts of the region were destroyed, death including from the air was visited on the populace, and people became internally displaced. Possible peaceful resolution faded into the background. Then President Musa Yar’Adua appeared on the horizon. Unlike his predecessor, he was neither warlike nor combative. He was interested in a peaceful resolution, which would be beneficial to all including the economy which has seen oil production plummet to 700,000 bpd. But he worried that his offer of amnesty may be rejected.

Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agary, retired Permanent Secretary of the Ministries of Labour, and Information and Communication with whom I had maintained discussions over the years on the Niger Delta issue, raised the matter with me. Could I join a team to

certificate would not take him very far in the Nigeria Police Force. His quest for further education took him to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology where he picked a degree in Law in 1992. Thereafter, he attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, where he also grabbed the Bachelor in Law and was subsequently called to the Nigeria Bar. At the end of the law programme, he proceeded to the Police Academy, Kano as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.

While there, his interest in the police force began to wane and subsequently withdrew his service to commence law practice. At the time he stepped out of the Nigeria Police Force, he knew that he could not set up his chambers, so he joined the chambers of Serena David Dokubo and Co as an Associate Solicitor in Port Harcourt. Driven by a sense of adventure and the need to further broaden his horizon, he went to Lagos and joined the Chambers of Aluko and Oyebade in 1995, also as an Associate Solicitor. He returned to Port Harcourt in 1996 and set up his Chambers, Seriake Dickson and Co. In all this, he created a data base of trusted friends from various parts of Nigeria who are committed to ensuring good governance and building a united and prosperous Nigeria.

Although not all his friends are in politics, most of them are active participants in the politics of their respective States. Apart from serving his immediate Ijaw community in various capacities through the Ijaw National Congress INC where he rose to be its National Legal Adviser, he also held respectable positions in the Nigerian bar Association in Bayelsa State.

His broadened national outlook came into use when he opted for politics in 1998, an opportunity he explored in the service of his people. Of the three major political parties, AD, APP and PDP, he pitched his tent with the AD because of its commitment to true federalism and Ijaw national interest at the time.

Dickson was elected as the first chairman of the AD in Bayelsa State and worked hard, so much so that the party produced the Senator representing his zone (Bayelsa West) and two

campaign for the Amnesty based on a fair deal for all concerned?

Many including leaders , elders and the fighters in the Niger Delta had serious reservations.

First, they did not trust the Government as this may be a trap and a cunning way to let the agitators expose themselves and their arms. Secondly, would freedom fighters not be admitting criminality by accepting amnesty? Most importantly, the reason for the revolt was the underdevelopment of the Niger Delta, how does amnesty address that?

These were legitimate concerns and the way forward was for the Government to address them. On all the issues, President Yar’Adua was ready to commit government and work out an agreement with all the stakeholders. So, under the supervision of Dr. KoripamoAgary, we began a massive campaign to sell the Amnesty idea. One of my first tasks was to get the Coordinator, a serving officer, AVM Lucky Ararile on television networks to put a face on the programme. One of my last tasks was to organise a press conference for Ararile – today, the Ovie of Umiaghwa-Abraka Kingdom, Delta State – to announce the number of militants who took the Amnesty, and related programmes. Peace returned to the region, there were programmes for both the exagitators and impacted communities. When late last year I returned to the country and was approached to be Media Consultant to the Programme in its final phase under Brig General Paul Boroh (Rtd), I gave a nod. It is not a job or means of income, but a moral duty.

members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly from Brass Local Government of the state. The governor’s achievements in the political arena were further illuminated when he was elected into the House of Representatives in 2007 and as Governor of Bayelsa State in 2012 where he sponsored many bills, embarked on critical oversight function of the Executive Arm and brought so many national issues to the front burner on the floor of the green chamber.

Governor Dickson has re-awakened a revolution which will bind the country, heal the wounds of its people and change the face of politics in Nigeria. That state of origin still takes pre-eminence over universally acceptable criteria of competence and of state of residence, 50 years after Nigeria’s independence should not deter other political leaders from following Dickson’s example.

Using the bridge of friendship and reliance on the need for good governance and national cohesion, political leaders in the country should seek the best or tested hands irrespective of their state of origin to provide quality leadership in their respective political offices.

The primitive inclination towards self and race or tongue must give room for wider participation of the competent hands in governance so that we can move gingerly into the Nigeria of our dream; the Nigeria in which a man from Bayelsa State can feel a sense of belonging in Bauchi; the Nigeria in which the man from Ebonyi State or Zamfara State can live and work in Delta State without being treated as a stranger or non-indigene; the Nigeria in which the man or woman from Benue or Ondo state would not suffer the indignity of being denied employment or enlisted as a contract staff in the civil service of Kano State.

Francis Agbo’s appointment clearly demonstrates Governor Dickson’s desire to build bridges of unity and create a new Nigeria in which people will have the opportunity to contribute to the over-all development of the country.

*Mr. Agbo,a veteran journalist, wrote from Lagos.

34 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

I

AM a diehard opponent of bringing past military leaders back to preside over our democratic dispensation. Apart from the fact that they would always bring back the better forgotten memories of the 1966 coups, the Nigerian civil war and their evil aftermaths that leave a bitter taste in my mouth, they are singularly incompetent to correctly and successfully operate our democracy.

When Obasanjo was in power, his eight years were bedevilled by his inability to refrain from meddling in the affairs of the National Assembly, the Judiciary, the various political parties (including his own Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which he finally destroyed and jumped ship after a dramatic but shameless public shredding of his membership card). He could also not let the various state governors be. He plotted the impeachment of many of them and discriminately declared states of emergency to install sole administrators where impeachment failed. Under Obasanjo, some of the worst elections on the continent of Africa took place.

After Obasanjo quit the stage, the atmosphere cooled considerably as genuine democrats (the late President Umar Yar ’Adua and later on, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan) took over. For eight subsequent years, the National Assembly operated without disturbance. The removal of the first female Speaker of the House of Reps, Hon. Patricia Etteh and her Deputy, owed more to the sentiments over her imposition by former President Obasanjo than Executive meddling. And it was independently initiated and carried out by her colleagues.

Under Jonathan, even though Speaker Waziri Tambuwal emerged against the wishes of the then ruling Party and President, he was allowed to carry on with his duties since he enjoyed the tremendous support of his colleagues till November 2014 when he joined the PDP rebels who crossed over to the newly-formed All Progressives Congress,APC. When General Buhari assumed power and his main coalition partner, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, desired to install Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senator Ahmed Lawan as the President of the Senate, Buhari surprised many, yours sincerely inclusive, when he openly declared that he would not interfere in the process of emergence of the leadership of the National Assembly as he was ready to work with whoever emerged.

Unfortunately, Buhari did not keep his word. Tinubu got a dose of his own “Tambuwalisation” medicine when members of the National Assembly installed

Settling the Saraki matter their independent choices – Dr. Bukola Saraki as the President of the Senate and Hon. Yakubu Dogara as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The South West power broker dragged Buhari into a needless (and so far futile) effort to force the Federal lawmakers (especially the Senate) to remove their elected leaders and install their agents.

His anger was that Saraki and Dogara had secured the backing of their PDP colleagues to emerge. In fact, Saraki had traded off the post of Deputy Senate President to the PDP which enabled Senator Ike Ekweremadu to emerge. The trumped up anger and bitterness over the emergence of a PDP leader to share power in an APC Federal Government is behind the current

Our democracy will be much poorer when external forces, such as the Presidency, the ruling political party or powerful elements therein are allowed to destabilise our National Assembly and install their stooges to act as their rubberstamp zombies. That will be a fertile nursery for a civilian dictatorship

threat by the Executive to destabilise the Federal Legislature by seeking the removal of Saraki by hook or crook.

The anti-Saraki alliance inside the APC is not only seeking a strong foothold in the current Buhari regime, many of its elements are eyeing 2019 when some foolishly believe that Buhari would step down after one term.

While Tinubu, whose Vice Presidential ambition was opposed by Saraki and Atiku Abubakar wanted to control the National Assembly in addition to having the Vice President, others like Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El Rufai and his Katsina State counterpart, Aminu Masari, are believed to be nursing the ambition of stepping into Buhari’s shoes “when” he gives up the presidential seat in 2019.

Rotimi Amaechi, who had inherited the Chairmanship of the Governors Forum from Saraki, is also angry with the Senate President for not supporting his aspiration to emerge as Buhari’s Vice President. All these guys see Saraki’s position as Senate President as a threat to their interests and would fancy his fall from that seat.

The strategy they adopted could be termed: “”persecution by prosecution”, or the use of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal to induce not only Saraki’s removal from the Presidency of the Senate but also the total eclipsing of his political career.

To get the project on the road, former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde (who, incidentally is now wanted for alleged “relooting” of recovered funds) and the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Danladi Umar came in handy.

Lamorde exhumed the assets declaration of Bukola Saraki, which he swore to as Governor of Kwara State in 2003. He was accused of false assets declaration and other offences and arraigned before Umar’s CCB. The way they went about the whole business made it obvious that all they wanted was for Saraki to be quickly shipped out even before Buhari released his line-up of ministerial

nominees in September, 2015. However, Saraki responded by using his own legal team to delay the process which has remained ongoing till date.

I do not see anything wrong in getting any former public officeholder, especially those formerly covered by immunity, to answer to any criminal acts they are alleged to have committed. That the alleged offence took place twelve or thirteen years ago is neither here nor there. In fact, that Saraki is being made a “scape-goat” among the myriad of other equally culpable former governors and officeholders is also non sequitur. Every occupant of public office must be prepared to give an account of his stewardship whenever called upon to do so and if found guilty must pay for it according to the law.

Therefore, let the legal process raised against Bukola Saraki proceed and be followed to logical conclusion. But it MUST be done in accordance with the due processes of the law. If Saraki is eventually found guilty he must pay for it. I do not subscribe to the puerile sentiment that the Chief Lawmaker of the nation should not be in the dock. But while he is going through the legal trial, he remains innocent until (and if) proved guilty.

Secondly, his continued stay in office as the President of the Senate must remain at the pleasure of those who voted him in – his colleagues. If, at any juncture of his tenure they no longer want him as their leader they should be free to dispense with his services in the same way as they had voluntarily installed him.

I am totally against efforts by external forces to employ the dirty tricks perfected by former President Obasanjo to undermine the integrity of any of the other arms of government in our democracy. We opposed it then, and we still oppose it even now.

The reason is simple. Our democracy will be much poorer when external forces, such as the Presidency, the ruling political party or powerful elements therein are allowed to destabilise our National Assembly and install their stooges to act as their rubberstamp zombies. That will be a fertile nursery for a civilian dictatorship.

The National Assembly must remain independent in accordance to our Constitutional intendments. Only a free and independent National Assembly can effectively act as a check on the Executive, make good laws for country, represent their people well (as opposed to representing party chiefs or turning the Legislature into an extension of the Executive Branch), carry out their oversight functions diligently and help deliver good governance to Nigerians.

This is how I want the Saraki matter to be settled.

OPINION

By Samuel Adiga

N

IGERIA'S long years of military rule brought about militarised leadership in the country. It was an era better imagined than experienced. With the return of democratic governance in 1999, it was obvious that the country has returned to the path of freedom, equity, fairness, rule of law, period elections and constitutionalism.

But quite disappointedly and unexpectedly, the cabal crept in and hijacked the democratic and election processes. That was the commencement of godfatherism syndrome in the country’s politics. A syndrome which perverts democratic processes through undemocratic and devilish means for the benefit of the members of the cabal at the detriment of the people. At a time, the syndrome became a democratic tradition and norm in the country.

The godfathers who usually enjoy the backings of the powers-that-be then dictated the dynamics of political power both at states and national levels. They were worshipped like God by power seekers, and their homes became a Mecca of sort. Their words were laws and they were above the law. Prominent among them were Chief Chris Uba, Sir Emeka Offor, Late Lamidi Adedibu, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Tony Anenih alias “Fix It” and others.

It was Anenih who announced in 2002 while serving as Minister of Works during Obasanjo’s tenure that there was no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2003. Anenih stated further that the then 21 Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, governors would be given automatic ticket C M Y K

Edo 2016: APC and danger of political godfatherism in 2003, thereby foreclosing any transparent primaries in the party.

Just as dictated by Anenih, President Obasanjo and the PDP governors with the exception of Chinwoke Mbadinuju of Anambra State were issued automatic return tickets in 2003 to the disappointment of many Nigerians and party faithfuls especially party aspirants. It was the height of political impunity in the PDP and the beginning of the party’s disastrous end.

Anenih also extended his godfatherism activities to his home State Edo where he operated like a political colossus, dictating who gets what, how and when in the party and the governments at will. He and his party had a field day for a while in the State until 2007 when the people of Edo State revolted with protest votes against Having Anenih and his party, PDP during the governorship murdered election. It would be sleep by recalled that before the election, Anenih had political preference for Senator godfatherism Odion Ugbesia to emerge as the governorship PDP lost candidate of the party, but Obasanjo opposed him and followership imposed Prof. Oserehimin

Osunbor on the party as its governorship candidate.

Not even the PDP’s manipulations in the election could save the party’s candidate in the court of law as the court declared Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of the defunct Action Congress (AC) winner of the election. That was how Anenih’s godfatherism activities and PDP inglorious days ended in Edo State through the people’ votes. PDP godfathers paid dearly for their sins and it was end of a dark era in the politics of the State.

The greatest beneficiary of the demystification of political godfatherism in the State was Comrade Adams Oshiohmole who overwhelmingly enjoyed the support of the people. That was why the voters voted massively for him during his second term bid against the PDP candidate, Major General Charles Airhiavbere (retd) that was imposed on the PDP by Anenih and his cohorts against a popular and acceptable aspirant.

It was the State's notorious, now demystified godfather that manipulated the PDP primaries in favour of Airhiavbere. Since then till date, PDP in the State has never known peace and may not know peace in the nearest future, especially now that the party is not in control of power at the centre. Having murdered sleep by political godfatherism and imposition of candidates during elections, PDP lost not only followership but leadership in the State.

Continues tomorrow on pg 18 Mr. Adiga, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Benin City, Edo State.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21 , 2016 — 35

Driving e-Commerce K

ONGA.com has forever changed the way Nigerians shop online, but it wasn’t always the juggernaut that it is today. In fact, once upon a time it was just a promising startup with a big vision. So, how did it end up becoming Nigeria’s largest online retailer?

It’s hard to say, but one thing CEO Shola Adekoya easily alludes to is the culture of the company: “When you go around Konga you find us very energetic. And we always think outside the box in order to come up with solutions for customers, and that’s why you wouldn’t find us going through the traditional routes of problem solving because we bring technology into the equation and a lot of the advances we’ve made are based on technology” “So, at the core of all this innovation and culture is: How do we get innovations to make the lives of Nigerians a lot better?”Konga is fast becoming a behemoth of Nigerian business.

Internet retailer It’s one of the most rapidly emerging e-commerce companies in Nigeria by market popularity and by far the largest Internet retailer. In a country that seems under dominated by ecommerce, the company has a lot of room for growth: “I don’t think e-commerce has yet achieved up to one percent of retail in Nigeria.

And when you compare that to the United States where they do ten or twenty percent or even China where it’s a lot higher, then you’ll understand why Nigerians need to embrace ecommerce a lot more. As a matter of fact, I think Nigeria has cause to be very different from some western countries and we should be closer to India and China” While the internet may be new for most of the things we do: how we socialize, how we search and now even how we shop for many things, there is still a fear of online shopping and a major challenge is in trying to get

Shola Adekoya CEO, Konga.com consumers to trust buying things online: “We’ve responded by setting up a trust and safety team.

And we also optimize our processes just to make sure that the moment a customer complains, we are onto it very quickly and resolving the issues as well as making sure they are comfortable with any transaction they perform on the platform.

For a few Nigerians, clicking to buy something online and then having it delivered to their door step is something they still find difficult to conceptualize in their minds, so trying to get people to trust an online service like this is still a major challenge. That is why you find that e-commerce penetration in advanced countries is a lot higher than where we are in Nigeria”.

The anticipated growth in the e- commerce segment of the market would be on the back of commerce technology replatforming as online retailers upgrade their commerce technologies to support increased revenues and to drive innovation.

Indeed, online technologies move at a frightening pace, and it is a big problem for businesses that operate online and want to keep up with the latest new trends and techniques: “The ecommerce industry is technology based.

Software that are relevant to our environment and that can enable us to deliver the best services all come with limitations so we’ve taken over our own software developments as well as a team of in-house developers in order to build our own solutions.

They have also taken into consideration the nuances of our environment. Taking charge of our own software development has helped us but it’s been one of our biggest challenges as a company because we just don’t have enough of the skills required within the market”.

BIO BRIEFS

Shola Adekoya: Education: London South Bank University Career: Etisalat Konga.Com (2016) C M Y K

Nigeria’s growing appetite for buying goods over the Internet is not only boosting online retailers, it has also become a big growth driver (and headache) for courier services.

Though the bulk of their business is still reliant on companies shipping packages to other companies, there are several factors driving the part of their business that involves delivery to consumers: “We’ve managed to roll out a delivery network across the whole of Nigeria through franchises and some of our proprietary assets.

And that has sort of reduced our shipping time by 60%.

Mobile payments To have a network of ninety courier companies working for us, delivering and being able to reduce the shipping minimally is quite laudable because we are the first truly nationwide cash on delivery e-commerce Company”.

Mobile payments are fast becoming a commodity and are widely used by retailers.

Just as every online retail consumer uses traditional credit cards for transactions with online malls realizing they can’t bank on razor-thin profit margins from swiping fees alone has led to some innovations within the online payments space.

Commerce is all about bringing the right product to the right

shopper at the right time. commerce movement will “Within the payments space, continue to gain momentum as we’ve just launched our own more consumers embrace the payment solutions called Konga convenience of shopping from Pay which makes it easy for the comfort of their homes consumers to pay and also get through online platforms. Under refunds for transactions made on the purview of e-commerce the platform. companies, both Konga and And it’s been very popular with Jumia stand out as longstanding our customers. The things that major players in the marketplace. we are doing with Konga Pay are Both Konga and Jumia operate quite interesting so we have to as online shopping sites, innovate constantly to bring a providing visitors with the ability seamless service to our to browse through available customers. This payments products listed for sale or auction solution can handle over 40,000 through each company’s online merchants and storefront. their products on While Konga our platform. As a and Jumia have matter of fact, we each evolved are the only over the last few online mall to years to meet the have registered needs of today’s that many, using consumers, there software built in are distinct Nigeria.” differences “We are also between the two the first to do companies: “We escrow payment have a brand service—a we are Konga is one of that platform that pushing. And allows a the most rapidly the biggest merchant to be difference emerging e paid once their between us and goods are commerce our competitors is delivered”. customer service. company in Konga’s most In Konga we do Nigeria by daring gambit, our very best to and the one that make sure that market may position the we get things popularity and company for the right. In many kind of earnings ways, our internet retail growth the flexibility and market expects, is adaptability to its foray into payments and our customers’ needs is what software development. In recent ultimately sets up apart”. times, Konga has ramped up its Shola Adekoya had been Chief services and has expanded its Operating Officer of the third-party marketplace, where company. He took the reins of merchants all over Nigeria can Konga from its founder, Sim set up their own virtual stores on Shagaya, who recently resigned Konga .com and sell their from his post as CEO of the products—all the while company. leveraging Konga’s large customer base and innovative Leadership payment-processing services: positions “Our involvement in a number of industries makes us a brand At its core, Adekoya finds that that is trying to bring excellence the basic premise of business into the market in whichever part leadership will never change. of the business, from There will always be a need for courier services to individuals who can motivate, retail to market inspire and encourage their place to teams to work together toward payments and common goals. software But the environment in which development. leaders are expected to Ultimately, all accomplish this mission has we want to transformed dramatically in stand for is recent years, and those who are excellence new in leadership positions must and that is adapt in order to figure out how what we strive to navigate the modern business to achieve”. world: “It’s always very The E rewarding when you see people grow after investing time and introducing something totally different to them. And you can see how, over time, the mindset changes and they become totally different when compared to the past”.

“In terms of challenges, trying to sell a new way of thinking to people can be very difficult at the initial stage. At Konga, our mission statement says: ‘We want to be the engine of trade and commerce in Africa” and when you begin to see these things impact, it becomes very rewarding but also very challenging to get people to that point”.

•Shola Adekoya

36 — Vanguard, MON DAY MONDAY DAY, MARCH 21, 2016

Season of abductions

By Ebele Orakpo

W

Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Bolanle Ambode (m) with Folake while others look on.

Lifeline from gov’s wife: Story of housewife with broken hip

By Bose Adelaja

I

T was election day and this housewife joined others in her neighbourhood to exercise her right to vote. Unfortunately all she got was a broken hip bone for her trouble. From then, life became a living hell for her and her family.

It all began with the inevitable expenses on medical treatment as she underwent two unsuccessful major surgeries in two Lagos general hospitals. That practically wiped out all the family’s savings.

On account of this, she had cried all day as she considered her bleak future.

But in a happy twist of fate she recently had an encounter with the wife of the Lagos State Governor Bolanle Ambode, an encounter that has since changed the blighted course of her life. Suddenly Mrs Folake Muritala, a petty trader, can smile again.

She told Vanguard Metro she had gone to Epe to cry out to Governor Akinwumi Ambode. It was during the visit that she was opportuned to be interviewed by the Governor’s his wife.

Major surgery That fortuitious encounter opened a door of opportunity that will soon see her being flown abroad for a major surgery with all expenses, including flight, to be met by her benefactor.

Folake’s ordeal began in 2003 after a stampede in the Epe area of Lagos. She got her thigh broken while scampering for safety.

On that fateful election day, according to her: ‘’I was about casting my vote when suddenly there was a stampede that eventually led to the death of some people’’.

Her ordeal was to take her to Gbagada and Ikorodu General C M Y K

•Folake Hospitals for major surgeries. She was also on admission at Igbobi Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos where doctors also tried endlessly to revive her broken hip.

Fortunately for her, she was among about 50 lucky women who benefitted from an empowerment programme put up by the Hope for Women Foundation, HOFOWEM, in conjunction with Mrs Ambode.

The financial empowerment which took place penultimate Monday was packaged for widows and mothers with multiple births. It was also meant to provide medical support for the lessprivileged. Each beneficiary smiled

home with the sum of N250,000.

Mrs Ambode urged the beneficiaries to make use of every opportunities available to them, saying: ‘’Í urge the widows here to take the issue of economic empowerment very seriously. They must seek to be gainfully employed through a regular paid job or vocational skill that would generate regular income to meet their vital needs. A stable income gives some guarantee of happiness and preserves the dignity and self worth woman. The Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA, will be readily available to assist you in this regard through its vocational training centres located across the state’’.

In her remark, a representative of HOFOWEM Oyefunke Adeleke, said her commitment was to assist the needy.

Speaking on the theme, ‘The rights of the widow’’, the Director, Public Defender, Ministry of Justice, Mrs Omotola Rotimi, called on widows to report to her office any time their rights are violated. According to her, every legally married woman has the right to one third of her husband’s property and in case of violation of rights, they should report to our office for proper action.

An Assistant Director in WAPA, Mrs Toyin Onanuga advised women to register for vocational skills across the state.

HEN you think you have seen it all in Nigeria, another season of the movie begins,” said Chris, a commuter in the Apapa-bound commuter bus this Thursday morning as the newscaster gave updates on Ese Oruru, the 14-year-old girl who was abducted from her home in Bayelsa State and taken to Kano State.

“My brother, I tire oo. These are really interesting times.

Na only Ese? Have you not heard of Patience Paul, another 14-year-old girl from Benue State resident in Sokoto State with her parents? She is also in the same mess as Ese. She was reported to have been seen in the Sultan’s palace,” stated Joe. Said Stella: “Hmmm, what is it with 14-year-old girls?

Abi they swear for these evil men with little girls? For God’s sake, the girls are too young; and why taking them to the palace?

“Ah, can’t you figure it out? It is because no one dares go into the palace in search of anything. It is viewed as a sacred place, so it is a good place to hide the girls,” said Akin.

“All those involved, no matter how highly placed, should be made to rot in hell. What kind of wickedness is this? I heard the boy who took Ese to Kano, her alleged lover, said he acted on instruction. So who instructed him? Why did it take the Police months to act?”asked Chris.

Said TJ: “My thoughts exactly! These guys are criminals!

But you and I know how these things play out in Nigeria, especially when the untouchables are involved. Before you shout okokobioko, everything is swept under the carpet.”

Replied Akin: “Not anymore! With PMB at the helm of affairs, I see the matter going to a logical conclusion and the culprits punished adequately.” “You don carry come again oo. Must everything be about PMB? What has the president got to do with this matter? E don travel finish? Abeg, leave the man to enjoy himself,” said TJ. Replied Akin: “PMB has got everything to do with it. Do you think Ese would have been returned to her parents if not for the fact that those involved are afraid of what PMB will do to them?” “Why do you always stand logic on its head? It was the outcry by people through the conventional media and social media that did the magic,” said Stella.

Said Akin: “I don’t think so. Remember Charity Uzoechima, the pastor’s daughter who was taken away and converted to Islam? She was then taken to the Etsu Nupe’s palace in Minna for protection because according to them, her life would be endangered if she was returned to her parents. I don’t think she ever returned home.”

Voluntarily converted “Hers was different in the sense that she was of age. She was 26 years while Ese is only 14. In fact, she was 13 when the event took place so you can’t compare the two,” said TJ. “I can see a pattern here. Abduct a young girl, convert her, get her pregnant, keep her in a palace and tell the world that she voluntarily converted and would be in danger if she is returned to her people. It seems to me a deliberate policy.

Please the authorities should thoroughly investigate these cases and the media should follow up, pile on the pressure on the authorities,” said Chris.

“Sure! Remember it was reported that there were three other girls with Patience in Sokoto. It is possible that some girls that were declared missing or even dead, are actually alive and hidden somewhere,” said Stella.

Replied Chris: “Some people are far above the law. Reports said that the police said they should contact the Emir of Kano for help! Can you imagine that? If na ordinary citizen now, them go storm the compound commando-style to rescue the girl.” “We should also remember the three students abducted from their school in Lagos. What is going to happen to Ese and her five-month pregnancy?”asked Joe. Said Stella: “Kai, they don spoil that poor girl life. I read an interview where she said she did not know how she got to Kano so she must have been hypnotised. Meanwhile, her abductors told the world that she willingly relocated to Kano, got converted and married. Even the Emir said he directed one of the district heads, the Sharia Commission and Hisbah to investigate the allegation Ese raised over threat to her life by her estranged parents. He said the report confirmed the allegation so he requested Police intervention to provide cover.

The parents suddenly became monsters abi? My suggestion is that the palaces should be thoroughly searched for any illegal or criminal activity taking place. Enough of the desecration! Invite independent investigators to do the job.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016—37

C M Y K

38 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016.

YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 TAURUS: Many members of your opposite sex will go out of their ways to attract your romantic interest. This is the wrong time to engage on unnecessary argument. Been your lucky day you are expected to take good advantage today.

GEMINI: If you priority is love, much of it would come your way as desired. But here is a better day for more ambitious in the business world. Don’t allow anybody to deceive you over money.

CANCER: Those of you with secret admirers within your working area will have the needed opportunities to make the needed moves. Resist the temptation to deceive others.

LEO: Although matters-of-the-heart may give you cause to smile broadly, if care is not taken, you would cause friction that can’t help you r case at work. This is the wrong time for unnecessary scheming within your working arena.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

God is watching

R

IGHT from ages man has continued to look for ways of clothing his nakedness. Nakedness does not just mean not wearing clothes alone. It includes covering our evil deeds, wicked acts, ways and

sins etc.

As it was the days of the biblical Adam and Eve, so it is today.

When we commit heinous crime, we run for cover under the stone,

TERROR MUDA

under the water and under the dark, hoping and praying that we will not be caught.

We live a lie. We forget that air bear witness to our cruel act;

in “Scavenger Elite”

the sun by our shadow takes our photograph, and our conscience convicts us daily.

Beware, God is watching. Your sins will find you out.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

VIRGO: Those of your who are red-blooded for romance may have an exciting and satisfying day. Happenings within your social circles must be taken more seriously.

LIBRA: Confrontation may come your way in the circle but the heavens are working favourably for you. Some doses of romance is not too much for you on a day like this.

SCORPIO: Provided you don’t allow your innate ability to be as diplomatic as necessary desert you, things work favourably for you to the betterment of your finances.

SAGITTARIUS: Many of you will be in sentimental mood and exhibit strong romantic desire openly. But then, if care is not taken, you may be carried away to the detriment of your finances. Serious minded lovers are in for happy day.

CAPRICORN: Whatever anybody says or does, you will have both your say and way. Venus and Jupiter may tempt some of you to embrace illicit (or secret) romance within your base of operation.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in “HEY’

By Andy Akman

AQUARIUS: Planets at positive angles may tempt you to join some of your friends who are already on-board of merry making train. Watch your health.

PISCES: Minor financial success you record today can lead to something bigger and good in the near future; as good luck will smile at many and induce love of luxury, merry, making and romantic association. Genuine lovers will need to be on guard against deceit from new admirers.

ARIES: Both financial success and emotional satisfaction are closed to you than before. Those of you travelling because of maters-of-the-heart are in for an exciting romantic day Those of you who are ambitious (careerwise) will succeed after few struggles.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

What’s my Horoscope?

Dear Joshua, I want you to give me my comprehensive horoscope, especially what my special gift is.

Which day of the week was I born? Where were my natal planets and their meanings? Who am I? Oluwatoyin, Lagos.

Dear Oluwatoyin, There is no space for comprehensive horoscope but what you’ll have here -under is answer to your questions/ You were born on a Thursday and your special gift is LEADERSHIP quality.

YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Day Of Birth: Thursday Sun Sign: Virgo: Sun in 20th Degree of Virgo Moon Sign: PISCES: Moon on 10th Degree of Pisces Mercury in 16th Degree of Libra Venues in 5th Degree of Scorpio Mars in 13th Degree of Cancer Jupiter in 6th Degree of Pisces Saturn in 5th Degree of Aquarius Uranus in 2nd Degree of Virgo Neptune in 11th Degree of Scorpio Pluto in 10th Degree of Virgo North Node in 6th Degree of Leo South Node in 6th Degree of Aquarius Quality and Element Cardinal and air star signs hosted two planets each fixed and earth three each, no planet in fire while mutable and water star signs hosted five planets each.

Push-full influence = 20% Non- push-full element = 80% Final dispositor = Lucky Jupiter General Analysis Just 20 per cent of push-full influence in your chart can deceptively present you to others as a soft (or even timid) person but practical Virgo that hosted nothing less than three heavenly bodies when you were born and Astrological aspects between Mercury (mental focus) and aggressive Mars in you r chart are pointers to the contrary.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016—39

CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE PALM SUNDAY NATIONWIDE, YESTERDAY.

Judges, EFCC and corruption

By Igbini Odafe Emmanuel

C

ORRUPTION no doubt has been seen by all Nigerians, as the nation’s major enemy that must be destroyed and wiped out from the surface of our beloved nation. We have strongly condemned corruption and continue to do so yet almost on daily basis Nigerians are inundated with media reports of allegations of high level acts of corruption. Our houses of worship and even our respected men and women of God no longer command the respect of their members except for fear, they pretend to do so, so as not to incur the wrath of God that may be invoked against them.

Our media houses have also not been spared the allegation of corruption, aiding and abetting looting and stealing of public funds.

As if this is not worrisome enough, judges in our courts and top officials of anti-graft agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have also come under serious attacks and condemnation from the Nigerian people. These institutions and their personnel are accused of fraud, money laundering, bribery or stealing and looting of public funds, the same offences they are constitutional empowered to prevent and or prosecute. Every profession in Nigeria has also come under same accusation.

Corruption pervades all nooks and crannies, so it appears today, may be the reason President Buhari is reported to be telling the whole world that Nigerians are very corrupt.

My concern in all of this is not to join in the attacks and condemnations of our respected justices or officials of the antigraft agencies but rather to x-ray the reason(s) some of our respected justices and officials of anti-graft agencies are caught in this same web. Our judges are not aliens, they are human beings and Nigerians like every one of us in all respects. They desire all the good things of life as we also desire. They are Nigerians from Nigerian families. They are Nigerians like us who also come under pressure from families, friends and associates to discharge one form of responsibility or the other, some of the responsibilities money must provide. They buy from the same markets as we all do; they pay the same high cost for goods and services as we do.

The methods They are paid salaries and of appointment allowances in of Nigerians as naira and in some cases they judges must be are even paid far urgently less.

While some reviewed to N i g e r i a n make it strictly w o r k e r s , politicians and the p o l i t i c a l responsibility appointees who stay few hours of the legal and carry out far practitioners less tasking and judiciary assignments are C M Y K

provided with lavishly furnished offices, most of our judges are provided with dilapidated court rooms and offices often without ceiling fans working efficiently.

The courtrooms are sometimes compared only to an oven during hot weather condition leaving our judges sweating profusely and helping themselves with improvised hand fans to cool off. In some cases when it becomes very unbearable the courts are forced to adjourn for the day.

It is my candid suggestion that we rather encourage them by providing the best we offer any Nigerian (private or public servant) and to provide them with maximum security cover during and after retirement. They must not lack the basic needs and comfort of life even after their retirement. They must continue to be celebrated, honoured and cared for during and after retirement.

Worshippers of Christ Anglican Church, Agege Diocese of Lagos West on a rally to celebrate Palm Sunday. Photo by Akeem Salau.

The Archbishop of Ibadan Diocese, Bishop Gabriel Abegunrin consecrating the palm fronds before distributing them to the faithfuls of St Mary’s Cathedral, Oke Padre, on Palm Sunday. Photo by Dare Fasube.

Wealth of knowledge Those that have excelled in any given legal year must be shortlisted for National Merit Awards and be celebrated by the media and civil society organisations. Their wealth of knowledge and experiences should always be tapped by creating special legal advisory council for the Federation and States and they be appointed into such to continue to guide the younger judges.

Finally, the methods of appointment of Nigerians as judges must be urgently reviewed to make it strictly the responsibility of the legal practitioners and judiciary. This method of the Executive and the Legislature being the critical part of their appointments is itself very corrupt and the basis for corrupting our judges.

After all, he who pays the piper dictates the tune; hence our judges are today regrettably seen as appendages of the Executive arm of government. Judges are often at the beck and call of the president and governors to the extent that they even submit to being loyal to wives of these presidents and governors.

Is it not an insult for wives of our president and governors to publicly boast that they made the appointment and or promotion of some judges, particularly the females, possible in line with their socalled women empowerment programmes? Was it not in this country that we were informed that the appointment of the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria was made by a first lady in line with her women empowerment programme? Was this right?

Comrade Odafe Emmanuel is National President, Vanguard for Transparent Leadership and Democracy (VATLAD) Warri, Delta State.

Parishioners on a procession to mark the Palm Sunday at the Our Mary Queen of Nigeria, Pro Cathedral, Area 3, Garki, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.

Members of the choir, leading the procession during the celebration of Palm Sunday at the Holy Cross Cathedral,Lagos. Photo by Biodun Ogunleye.

40—VANGUARD, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

There is no country, to the best of my knowledge that toys with its constitution on a daily basis, monthly basis, yearly basis or quarterly basis as Nigeria

Anti-graft war shouldn’t be Buhari’s sole agenda — OLANIPEKUN CHIEF Wole Olanipekun, SAN, is one of the leading lawyers in the country. He was President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) between 2002 and 2004 and was the ProChancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of the University of Ibadan (20042006).

In this interview, he spoke on the country’s federal system of government, amendment of the 1999 Constitution and why President Buhari should make government less attractive.

Excerpts: •Olanipekun: You don’t amend the constitution of a country based on your whims and caprices

By Bartholomew Madukwe

T

HE Senate has constituted a 38-member committee to begin a fresh process for the amendment of the 1999 Nigerian constitution as amended. What issues do you think need to be touched?

I don’t believe in this periodical amendment of the constitution.

The constitution of any nation is what binds the nation together, the entire entity, citizens, ethnic groups, languages, tribes and religions.

So, it is not something that you keep on amending and toying with on daily basis. There is no country, to the best of my knowledge that toys with its constitution on a daily basis, monthly basis, yearly basis or quarterly basis as Nigeria.

The 38-member committee set up by the Senate, the setting up of the committee itself presupposes that Nigeria does not have a constitution. What we have is a transient constitution, a constitution for the interim.

Nigeria was not born yesterday and did not come into being yesterday. Right from the Macpherson Constitution to the Richardson Constitution, Independent Constitution to the Republican Constitution of 1963, to the Constitution of 1979, to the Babangida Constitution to the

C M Y K

Abacha Constitution, to the Abdulsalam ConstitutionNigeria has been existing.

Now let us look at it, how do you make a Constitution? Agreed that the National Assembly, by its constitutional fiat represents Nigerians, what are their backgrounds, antecedents, orientations and inclinations?

Whims and caprices You don’t amend the constitution of a country based on your whims and caprices, leanings of your political party or interest- you look at the collective interest of the nation. Have we achieved this?

During the Murtala regime, a constitution drafting committee was put in place, with the late Chief Rotimi Williams as chairman; a Constitutional Assembly was also put in place with the late Justice Udo Udoma as chairman and in that way, a constitution evolved. People from different parts of the country partook in the making of the constitution.

Since then, we have not been allowed to make any input into our constitution until the then Nigerian President; Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan inaugurated the National Conference. The

National Conference was inaugurated by Jonathan on March 17, 2014, in Abuja.

You may not agree with the modus operandi, with the modalities of picking those who participated but the fact remains that people from my area, people from your area, and from different parts of the country were there.

That conference touched on all areas; the participants debated, they cross-fertilized ideas and in some cases they agreed unanimously that these are the things we want in the constitution.

We have the volumes lying somewhere. I have read in and out. You may not agree with everything there, but what is the government doing about the recommendations? Are we throwing it into the dustbin? The government must talk about it.

The Bible says that except the Lord build a house, those who work labour in vain. With all respect to the 38-member committee put in place by the Senate, they will labour in vain.

Or let me put it this way, they won’t achieve anything- except they go into the recommendations of that National Conference put in place by Jonathan. Every Nigerian, from Sokoto to Ekiti, Maiduguri to Oyo, from Oyo to Bayelsa, from

AKEREDOLU

Bayelsa to Calabar, Ibibio, Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani, Ijaw, Tiv, Idoma, Igala, everybody was represented. What is happening?

Why are we now saying that look we are setting up another 38member committee? Are they superior in knowledge, experience? Do they represent the collective will of Nigerians? Let us tell ourselves some basic truth.

This is the problem with Nigeria.

We always run away from the solution.

Collective will of Nigerians I do not support and therefore, I am not giving any advice to them. I am not giving them any suggestion as to what to do because the volume that I have gone covers everything.

It covers from the judiciary, the different ethnic nationalities, state police, election and electioneering campaigns, including to the structure of the country. Let us forget about this 38-member committee. The National Assembly representatives have some more useful things to do.

The Buhari administration in its war against corruption has stepped on many toes and probably gathered more foes Continues on page 41

VANGUARD, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016 — 41

Buhari should make govt least attractive—OLANIPEKUN Continues from page 40 than friends. Don’t you think the government should soft-pedal in its war against corruption?

Why do we have a system that allows for stealing, pilfering and looting? Are we making any effort to block all these gaps and loopholes, to correct the system?

Let us correct the system.

The entire world will be making mockery of Nigeria. Every time, it is corruption. Now we talk as if fighting corruption is the main business of government. To me, no! Government has many other things to attend to. Education is crippling, the roads are bad, no light, there is no water to drink, and unemployment is increasing every day.

Social security When you are living comfortably and you see poverty surrounding you, then you are in danger. What are we doing to address all these ills of our society? What are government’s programmes? We are not facing real issues. We are talking of corruption; fighting corruption every day, what social security did government put in place? All over the world governments are putting in place social security.

So, what is your view on insinuations that President Buhari is using the anticorruption fight to witch-hunt the opposition?

We should stop fighting corruption. We should nail it. I don’t believe in these

APC:

•Olanipekun postulations. Some people talking of corruption, what were they when they were in government?

Did they fight corruption? Did they not encourage corruption?

We say all hands must be on deck against corruption, so we should not select it.

Can we say that Nigeria is running a federal system of government?

We are not running a federal system of government. What we are running is unitary government disguised as federal.

We must face the substance. We will continue to say it until they listen to us. I am worried that we are not running a federal system.

The government of President Buhari is not addressing how we are going to re-organize or restructure Nigeria. President Buhari has not said anything

about the recommendation of that national conference put in place

by Jonathan. If we put all these things in place, it would nip corruption in the bud.

Another thing is that as large as the country is we have only one police force. It is not realistic.

We are deceiving ourselves.

Every state in Nigeria is supposed to have its own police force. Lagos, for example, should have not less than three different police formations. Everything in Nigeria is now unitarised.

Universities abroad have their police formations. In London, you have Metropolitan police, London police, North-London police and others. When you look at the federal universities, for instance, the capital budget to University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, is N57 million. Let us face it, how can a university as

big as University of Ibadan cope with a capital budget of N57 million? How does Unilag cope with a capital budget of N57 million? Is that right? What are we doing about the fallen standard of education? What are we doing about our roads? We have Area Boys here and there because some of them are jobless.

This an issue we lawyers should address. We have a constitution that says it is the duty of government to provide education.

Some Nigerians have argued that government is too attractive, given how big some politicians live. What is your reaction to this?

Why are we making government so attractive? The easiest way to be a billionaire in Nigeria today is to find yourself into government. To me, President Buhari should make government

We are not running a federal system of government. What we are running is unitary government disguised as federal. We must face the substance

A difficult week ahead

SCHEDULED meetings of the statutory organs of the ruling party and the CCT trial of the country’s number three man indicate stormy days ahead for the APC this week.

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

T

HE inauguration of the Board of Trustees, BoT of the All Progressives Congress, APC, earlier scheduled for tomorrow was last night believed to have again been deferred a development that further stretched the tension in the party.

The party is, however, scheduled to progress with its National Executive Committee, NEC meeting scheduled for later in the week.

The postponement of the BoT meeting again further casts focus on the prospects of the party’s national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun who has come under pressure from the three major power blocs in the party.

The APC was founded in 2013 as a merger of three major political parties, the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, the

All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP and the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC. The merger was subsequently embraced by five governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar, who broke away from their party to join the new mega party.

The present power configuration has, however, lately been redefined into three with the ACN bloc led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the old CPC bloc led by President Muhammadu Buhari and the nPDP bloc led by the duo of Senator Bukola Saraki and Atiku Abubakar.

Remarkably, the differing political inclinations of the three major groups have combined to put the party in a seeming state of inertia. The party has been unable to find a new party spokesman following the appointment of the veteran opposition spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed as minis-

•Buhari

•Oyegun

ter of information and culture.

That essentially is because the deputy national publicity secretary, Mr. Timi Frank was stopped from succeeding him upon concerns of his past vitriolic assertions against party leaders, notably, Odigie-Oyegun and Mohammed.

Even more, statutory organs of the party have failed to meet. The tension in the party worsened after it emerged yesterday that plans for the inauguration of the BoT may now be put on hold.

Besides the failure to inaugurate the BoT, the party’s other main organ, the National Executive Committee, NEC has held epileptic meetings, a fact that

underlines the fault lines in the ruling party.

That fault line is to be further tested this week when the Code of Conduct Tribunal ruling on the case against the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki is decided.

Saraki had repeatedly alleged that his problems are traceable to his emergence as the president of the Senate. His associates whisper that the case against him is fuelled by the ACN tendency in the party as they allege that the case would not have been brought against him if he had not emerged as Senate President.

Remarkably, the major tendencies in the party also quietly

less attractive.

Government is still very attractive, and that is why people will kill themselves to become ministers by all means. If you want to serve your nation, you don’t need to go and be lobbying.

It is good when you are called to come and serve in government. I was once an Attorney-General in Ondo State. The government came to my house and pleaded with me to serve as AttorneyGeneral.

Mission university What is happening now? My father was asked to convince me; they spoke to my wife and pleaded with my mother. The government came with an entourage to invite me. If you are going to serve loyally, consciously or with the fear of God, then you do not need to beg anybody.

I was Pro-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan for four years; I didn’t take any money from them rather I gave to the institution. To the glory of God, we changed the entire face of the university.

Go there; you will see my imprimatur. Today, I am ProChancellor of an Anglican-owned university, a mission university in Oyo; we are doing the same thing there. J.F. Kennedy said, and I believe in it because it is a truism of life, ‘think not what you can gain from your country but what you can do for your country’.

Some people in government today, when they got there they had nothing and tomorrow they become billionaires. Nobody is asking questions on that.

blame the national chairman of the party, Odigie-Oyegun for not supporting their causes. Apparently placed between the devil and the deep blue sea, OdigieOyegun has had to trudge a difficult path of not succumbing to the over desire of the two contending power blocs, as such winning enemies on both sides and no friends at all.

The defunct ACN wing of the party blame the national chairman for failing to uphold what they claim as the party’s decision on the zoning of the principal offices of the National Assembly. They believe that under him, Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara messed up the party and that he, Odigie-Oyegun failed to sanction them. Complicating the case for Odigie-Oyegun is also the claim by associates of Saraki that the national chairman has allowed himself to be locked in the grips of the old ACN which produced him as national chairman.

Even more, the third major power bloc, the old CPC bloc led

by President Buhari has kept itself away from the fray.

With the postponement of the BoT meeting earlier scheduled for this week, the party may only have postponed the evil day.

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42—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

How Airtel drives brand love with consumer rewards

By Erhumu Bayagbon

I

T felt like a dream for many of the winners who were in the expansive hall of the premium Chinese restaurant in Ikeja, Lagos, that Friday morning. Every winner was with, at least, three loved ones - family and friends - eagerly awaiting their grand prizes, all-expense paid trip to Dubai, commercial capital of •The participants enjoying the roller coaster in Dubai the United Arab Emirate (UAE), in line with the reward for winners ride in the world’s largest rollercoaster. in the just concluded season 3 of the Airtel They also visited the world’s largest and Redhot Promo. most expensive Mosque, which is still Even though they had their bags and under construction in Abu Dhabi. On the luggage packed, many were still hesitant, way back, the winners made a stop at the a bit unsure of their winnings. But after a popular Nigerian restaurant dubbed Kiza brief event at the Ikeja venue, the winners for a soiree. were transported to the Airport to board The following day, winners visited an Emirate Flight to Dubai. Aboard the several notable malls on a shopping spree. plane, it was a different feeling – a feeling Later in the day, they hit the desert for a of a dream coming to fruition. Their faces bumpy SUV ride, reminiscent of the lit up, big smiles playing on the lips of all rollercoaster ride at the Ferrari world. The the winners as they shared hearty jokes evening was capped with an amazing ahead of the all-expense paid experience camp night at the desert. Different in Dubai. But that was just the beginning entertainment groups held the guests of great moments. The eight hours flight spellbound as they performed. felt shorter as excitement amongst the Speaking on the Dubai trip, one of the Airtel winners hit fever pitch. winners, Sadiq Hakeem Adegbenga, Needless to say, Dubai is a beautiful city Insurance Marketer with IGI said: “My and the winners were enthralled by a city experience has been very sweet, very that shone brightly and dazzled in absolute lovely, nice one, I enjoyed it. It is just as if beauty and glamour on a Friday (February they should say we should stay and live 26th) night. The winners were welcomed here for at least two years. Where I went by extremely courteous and professional to yesterday, the Ferari World was just Emirate staff who took them to their five amazing.” star hotel rooms in the centre of an However, The Kiza Nigerian restaurant amazing city. From that point, it was stood out as my best experience. Kiza was celebration galore and many breathtaking awesome. The boat cruise too was also moments for the Airtel winners and their great, very entertaining.” friends and family members.

On the first day, the winners were taken Very nice on a tour of Dubai, visiting many great experience places including the Burj Khalifa as well as spending quality time at the Jumeira Another winner, Mamiyo Abisu, a barber Beach. It was fun at the seashore as in Bauchi said; “I have experienced many winners played games and engaged in things here in Dubai. If not because of other exciting activities. Later in the Airtel, I wouldn’t have been here. I have evening, the Nigerian contingent was seen many things and I have observed aboard a boat for a cruise. It was no many things. I thank Airtel. I enjoyed the ordinary boat cruise as winners were Ferari World, it was amazing. The entertained by different local rollercoaster ride stood out as one of my entertainment groups just as the cruise best experiences in Dubai.” experience quickly turned in a night club James Jondi, politician, who party, featuring accompanied his friend, Abisu on the trip Nigerian hit also said: “I had a lot of amazing songs. experiences. The visit to Burj Khalifa, the For those tallest building in the world is just too winners who much for me. I had a very nice experience, thought that the which I will never forget in my life. trip was limited to “Also, the tour to the Ferrari world was The Dubai alone got nice and fantastic, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the shock of their Ferrari the rollercoaster ride. In fact, I enjoyed all lives when the world is my the rides. In fact, to me, Airtel is the best amiable Indian line so far. I want to tell Airtel to keep this tour guide best programme. When I get back, I and my informed the moment so family, our best line must be Airtel. I will winners that they help Airtel to advertise their programmes.” will be visiting far. I Nsikan Emmanuel Ette, 100 level the Ferrari World enjoyed the Economics Student of Akwa Ibom State at Abu Dhabi.

University, who accompanied his mum on The Ferrari World rollercoaster the trip said: “It is very exciting and funlived up to its ride filled. The Ferrari world is my best moment billings as so far. I enjoyed the rollercoaster ride. winners enjoyed Dubai is a nice city and a nice place to be. a breathtaking Airtel is a nice network with good quality.”

C M Y K

•The traditional Fulani herdsman

Fulani herdsmen: Threat to Nigeria’s fragile unity

By Moses E. Ochonu

N

OMADIC Fulani herdsmen have become a much-resented group across the country. The resentment has intensified as they have clashed with farming communities across the country. In the Middle Belt, however, it is no longer accurate to call the attitude resentment, just as it is no longer accurate to describe what is happening as a clash. It is a sustained massacre, and it has engendered an attitude that is approaching hatred the kind of hatred that one reserves for someone who threatens one’s very existence.

Recently, hired mercenaries in the pay of Fulani herdsmen massacred 300 people in several Agatu villages, burned down homes, food barns, and churches, and displaced tens of thousands of Agatu people. Fulani herdsmen leaders in Makurdi then brazenly claimed the attack, describing it as payback for cattle theft.

The massacre was a reprisal for several such murderous invasions across different areas of the Middle Belt - in Plateau, Kaduna, Taraba, Nasarawa, Adamawa, and Benue States. The genocidal rampage of well-armed herdsmen has become a feature of life in the area in the last seven years.

Let me make some itemized observations about these killings, what they portend for this country, the issues at stake, and possible ameliorative reforms: •There is a pattern to these massacres; they are not random, spontaneous acts. The pattern is predictable. The Fulani never deny the killings. Instead, they are ever ready with a familiar alibi: the indigenous people stole our cows and this was payback.

By this bizarre logic, the theft It is a of cows by a member of a strange, host community is not only a murderous death sentence; logic that it is a death sentence for the equates the thief and all of lives of cattle his kinsmen with those of and women. It is a strange, human m u r d e r o u s beings, logic that equates the including lives of cattle those of with those of human beings, women, including those children, and of women, children, and the elderly

the elderly. It also advances collective retributive punishment as a form of inter ethnic engagement. The herdsmen basically, and repeatedly, admit to and boast of razing communities and engaging in massacres of defenseless people, including women and children.

Yet they have never been held accountable. And their leaders who make these admissions are coddled, dignified, and invited to press conferences with high-ranking police officers and political leaders, where they are given a platform to justify their genocidal operations.

Afterwards, they are allowed to freely walk away to plot the next massacre.

•The militia members are mostly foreigners. In the rare couple of instances when several of them were captured in some Middle Belt communities, they were discovered to be foreigners from neighboring countries, who had been conscripted by the Fulani herdsmen to commit these massacres. It is not a farfetched hypothesis to surmise that only foreigners with no historical or mutual existential ties to the targeted Middle Belt peoples would be capable of unfeelingly committing the scorched earth atrocities that have been unfolding in the area, a tapestry of massacres documented in unspeakably grisly pictures of infants, pregnant women, and the elderly hacked or burned to death.

Desertion of villages The militias are basically armed, standby proxies of the Fulani herdsmen. They have no regard for Nigeria’s security agencies and their capabilities. They rape, murder, burn, and pillage at will.

•Every massacre is followed by two developments: the desertion of villages and towns by the surviving members of Middle Belt communities, and a subsequent occupation of these communities by herdsmen and their cattle — a forceful, de facto territorial takeover.

•It is wrong to call the massacres clashes. They are not clashes. They are invasions that result in the massacre of defenceless indigenous people in purportedly vengeful orgies of bloodletting. Clashes require two sets of combatants. In these massacres, there is only one heavily armed group of combatants, a militia armed and hired by the herdsmen, a militia that the leaders of the Fulani herdsmen boldly and proudly admit is doing their bidding.

•These massacres do not fit into the traditional, familiar mold of “farmerherdsmen” clashes. No, what is happening in the Nigerian Middle Belt is not that. Clashes between farmers and headsmen are common in Africa. In Nigeria such clashes often pit Fulani herdsmen against largely non-Fulani farmers.

To be continued

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21 , 2016 — 43

Gov Bello alleges manipulation by civil servants •Says state borrowing to meet obligations L

By Boluwaji Obahopo

OKOJA—GOVERNOR Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, weekend said the state had been bleeding under heavy wage bill occasioned by alleged manipulations by civil servants forcing the government to perpetually rely on borrowing to meet up with its obligations.

The governor said the ongoing screening exercise would yield positive dividends for the state and the citizens at large when all the loopholes created by greedy individuals must have been exposed and blocked.

Bello who spoke during the naming ceremony of his twins, said: “The issue of screening that is ongoing is very important. When we came on board the wage bill was N3 billion and a staff strength of over 39,000. When you move round the state, you will not see offices, schools or the hospitals and we are aware that since 2011 there has not been any advertisement for recruitment of staff. So, how can we be having this heavy wage bill monthly?”

Bello who said what accrued to the state from the federation

account monthly had dwindled from N2.2 billion to N2 billion, noted that the state Internally Generated Revenue, IGR was hovering around N400 million and N500 million monthly.

According to him, putting the two together would still not enough be for salary.

He said: “The state would have to rely on borrowing to

M

A K U R D I — INDICATIONS have emerged of a looming outbreak of epidemics in Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp housing over 2,000 displaced Agatu farmers, Benue State, as inmates now defecate in the open due to lack of adequate toilet facilities.

When Vanguard visited the camp situated at the NOGOA Secondary School, Makurdi, it was discovered that the facility houses over 800 women and girls, close to 850 children and about 200 men and boys.

It was also discovered that the two toilets facilities that served the students population of the school were the only two available for use by the inmates.

The development forced majority of the inmates to resort to defecating in nearby bushes, drainage channel and open trenches thereby exposing themselves and their neigbours to public health problems.

Speaking to Vanguard on some of the challenges facing the Agatu IDPs, the camp coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Onah, said the inmates were faced, lack of medicare, food supply, water and security.

According to him, “aside open defecation which is practiced in the camp due to lack of toilets facilities a major challenge we have in the camp is the fact that criminals infiltrate the camp in order to access most of the relief

C M Y K

Education (Technical) with barely 300 students and yet nonteaching staff strength is over 500.

Do you know that on the eve of that screening, the registrar issued out over 200 appointment letters.

In another discoveries, a staff is earning salary in four offices and another staff taking salaries of over 40 persons.”

PRESENTATION: From left: Friday Enaholo, Marketing Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc; Michael Irabor, Astymin Get Alert February star prize winner, and Femi Ajah, Product Manager, Astymin, Fidson Healthcare,during star prize cheque presentation in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola.

AGATU: Epidemic

By Peter Duru

service overhead which is not sustainable. This development necessitated the screening exercise.”

The governor, however, expressed satisfaction with what had been uncovered so far from the screening.

According to him: “I will give an example, like in a situation where Kogi State College of

looms at IDPs camps in Benue

materials that are meant for the genuine IDPs. We also have the problem of the inmates particularly children falling sick and not being able to access Medicare, that remains a major source of concern for everyone,

since the camp opened a month ago.”

Onah who asserted that the other three Agatu IDPs camps located in Ojantele, Ataganyi and Ugbokpo were also facing the same challenges pointed out

that the Benue State Emergency Management Agency was doing its best for the people, but noted that the agency required assistance from individuals and organizations to meet the needs of the IDPs.

NASS to host Roundtable session on economy Business Environment

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

A

B U J A — S E N AT E President, Bukola Saraki, disclosed yesterday that the National Assembly would host a round table session on the economy today.

According to Saraki, the inaugural National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable, NASSBER, would hold in Abuja with key stakeholders drawn from the executive, legislature and the private sector to seek workable solutions to the nation’s economic problems.

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the session would deliberate on the recommendations of the Business Environment Legislation Review Report which was submitted by a team of experts on February 29.

He said: “As part of the activities leading up to the inaugural NASSBER, a

Legislative Review was conducted and the final peerreviewed report was submitted to the National Assembly on February 29, 2016; which identified institutional, regulatory and legal instruments currently constraining and impeding business activity in Nigeria.”

The findings and recommendations of the Business Environment Legislative Review Report, according to him, “provides a framework for the assessment and improvement of legislation and policy affecting businesses in Nigeria and will direct the deliberations at the first NASSBER event."

How Nigeria can survive—Don

D

By Aliyu Dangida

UTSE—HEAD, Mass Communication Department, Hassan Usman Polytechnic, Katsina, Dr. Muhammad Bashir Usman has said Nigeria cannot survive without entrepreneurial skills.

He called on media to report more of business activities showcasing potentials in the country instead of focusing more on government functions.

Dr. Muhammad Bashir Usman, made the call while speaking on the topic, ‘Media role in economic development’ during the two-day

entrepreneurial journalism training workshop, organised by Voice of America, VOA, over the weekend.

He said: “Media are powerful means of information, reorientation and mobilization. Let us use the media to boost entrepreneurship for better national development, as we cannot survive without entrepreneurial as Nigeri.a” The HOD explained that it was a known fact that the media could do and undo in the change perception of happenings around the globe, saying “media is a ready-made tool to improve the economy of our country through persistent reports on businesses.”

Stop exploiting Nigerians, electricity workers tell stakeholders

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

OS—NATIONAL Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, weekend urged stakeholders in the Power Sector especially companies who benefited from the privatization process, to stop exploiting Nigerians in their desperate drive to maximise profit.

The Union urged the electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs, to desist from estimated billings of customers without commiserate services, but rather seek better ways of meeting customers’ consumption.

The Union’s SecretaryGeneral, Joe Ajaero spoke in Jos, Plateau State, when the National Executive of the Union paid a visit to privatelyowned Power distribution company, Nigerian Electricity Supply Corporation Nigeria Limited, NESCO. Ajaero called on DISCOS to take a cue from the NESCO model where customers got value for their money and the management maintained a healthy industrial relations with its staff despite the difficulty in the generation and distribution of power.

FG urged to partner private airlines to establish MRO in Nigeria

By Lawani Mukarru

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AGOS—MANAGING Director/Chief Executive Officer, Toucan Aviation Support Services, Achuzie Ezenagu, has called on the federal government to partner with private airline operators to establish a major Maintenance, Overhaul and Repair, MRO, in the country to serve as catalyst to the nation’s aviation development.

Ezenagu who spoke at the just concluded Nigerian Business Aviation Conference, in Lagos, said MRO facility in Nigeria would save the country huge financial resources, help to train and employ indigenous aircraft engineers, make aircraft checks cost effective for Nigerian airlines and reinforce Nigeria as a hub in West Africa.

44—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

Kashamu rescues kidney failure patient with N2.5m

By Etop Ekanem

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HE joy of Mr. Adeyemi Aderogba, a kidney failure patient at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano, Kano State, knew no bounds on March 15, 2016 when he was presented a cheque for N2.5 million to perform a scheduled kidney transplant at the hospital, courtesy of Senator Buruji Kashamu.

Kashamu is the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District of Ogun State and the Founder of the Omoilu Foundation.

The management of the hospital had written in January 2016 to the Abuja office of the Senator seeking financial assistance to be able to continue the dialysis being done for the patient.

Kashamu had inquired if a donor was available and offerred to pay the N2.5 million.

He dispatched two of his aides, Onadeko Onamusi and Austin Oniyokor, to Kano where they presented the

cheque to the hospital management.

The team was received by the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Prof. Aminu Zakari Mohammed, who was accompanied by the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council, Dr. Muhammad Mijinyawa and the Director of Administration, Mallam Adamu Aliyu, among others.

Onamusi, the Senior Legislative Aide to Kashamu, said the gesture was natural to the Senator as a compassionate leader and philanthropist who touched lives through the Omoilu Foundation.

In his response, Mohammed expressed gratitude for the “life-saving initiative,” and said the hospital had done about 30 kidney transplants over the years.

“We have heard and read about the good things Senator Kashamu has been doing and we thought that we could approach him on the issue of this patient. We are happy that

PRESENTATION: Official presentation of the N2.5 million cheque to kidney failure patient, Adeyemi Aderogba (right) on behalf the Omoilu Foundation, an initiative of Senator Buruji Kashamu. we are witnesses to his kind He was later referred to the gesture.”

AKTH where he has been Mohammed Narrating his ordeal in tears, undergoing dialysis with the expressed gratitude Adeyemi, said he took ill in support of his relations and for the “life-saving May last year and thought he friends. But his resources ran out had malaria.

But, when his that was when the hospital initiative,” and said condition did not improve after and appealed for help. the hospital had treatment, he left his Akure base “Here am I today. Senator and went to a hospital in Buruji Kashamu being a kinddone about 30 Palmgrove, Lagos, where he hearted person has decided to kidney transplants discovered his kidneys were come to my aid. I cannot thank failing. him enough, Adeyemi noted” over the years

NUTRITION: Nestle educates parents through digital platform

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ARENTS and mothers-to-be in Nigeria and Ghana can now source guidance and expert advice on good nutrition for their babies through Nestlé’s new Start Healthy Stay Healthy Facebook pages.

The online social platforms, which are now live, are part of Nestlé Start Healthy Stay Healthy – a science-based education programme designed to help mothers and caregivers provide nutritionally and developmentally adequate nutrition in the first 1,000 days of a baby’s life.

Posts on what to eat during pregnancy,

breastfeeding tips, as well as how and when to introduce weaning foods, are shared through messages, images and videos to help the first-time mothers in Ghana and Nigeria make the best decisions during the first 1,000 days of baby’s life.

The Country Business Manager, Nestlé Nutrition in Central and West Africa, Philippe Hascoet, said the unique window from conception to the child’s second birthday is an important opportunity to ensure optimal growth and development in the short term, and to impact the future health of a child over

the long term.”

“The new Start Healthy Stay Healthy Facebook pages will help to engage and communicate this message to parents and first-time mothers across the region, as well as reaffirming our belief in the exclusive breastfeeding of infants in the first six months of life,” he noted.

The new digital launches are part of Nestlé’s efforts to provide education programmes for good nutrition and feeding practices to help parents and caregivers raise healthier children.

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C M Y K

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HIKUNGUNYA is often misdiagnosed as dengue fever, says a study, suggesting that the disease’s worldwide burden is underestimated.

Both diseases are transmitted by the same mosquitoes and trigger symptoms of fever, headache and rashes.

“There is a lot of misdiagnosis happening,” says scientists at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in the UK. This means patients might receive inappropriate treatment and epidemiologists might be using inaccurate data.

Unhealthy lifestyle, poor digestion fuel obesity

By Ediri Ejoh & Angela Okpe

ROUNDTABLE: L-R - Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Michael Onuoha, Supply Chain Director, Cephas Afebuameh, Ciroc Ambassador, Bankole Wellington, and Corporate Communications Manager, Olayinka Edmond, all of Guinness Nigeria Plc at the DrinkiQ Roundtable for media practitioners last week in Lagos.

Chikungunya diagnosed as dengue

IGERIANS have been urged to embrace detoxification as a way of helping the body absorb nutrients.

Speaking during its product launch and Expo in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of Edmark group of companies, Mr. Sam Low Ban Chai, said that being overweight is an indication of a highly toxic body due to poor digestion, blood circulation and a manifestation of an unhealthy lifestyle which was characterized by a high cholesterol diet and a sedentary lifestyle.

“In the Cellular Rejuvenation Therapy concept, detoxification is just as important as balanced nutrient intake.

While most people are aware of the importance of nutrition, few bother to detoxify the intestines and colon. When

the body is not cleansed it loses its capacity to absorb nutrients.”

He said with aging, it is a warning that the body is starting to deteriorate and is becoming a candidate to chronic disease, “cardiovascular and heart problems. Hence, managing our health is essential to sustain ourselves, not just to look good but also for us to function at our peak while doing our daily activities.”

“However, there is more to healthy living than just eating well, exercising and seeking cure when the needs arise.

Edmark healthy living products present four basic steps called the power 4 slimming program that will jumpstart your journey to health and over fitness.”

The company are fully committed to help people succeed in health, wealth and total well being.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016 — 45

Vanguard CLASSIFIED JOY—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abel Joy Jenny, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Abel Chidiebere Jenny. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DAU B R I FA D E — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Daubrifade Theresa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Seigha Theresa. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

O N Y E M A — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyema Oluchi Sandra, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akubukor Sandra Oluchi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

TIETIE—We, formerly known and addressed as Tietie Samuel, Tietie Goodluck and Tietie Verosuo, now wish to be known and addressed as Abe Samuel Kohwe, Abe Tive Goodluck, and Abe Vwerosuo respectively. All former documents remain valid. Edo State University, Nigerian Law School, University of Lagos, Chartered Institute of Taxation, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and general public please take note.

O M O T OYO S I — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss O m o s e n i Oluwadamilola Omotoyosi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akingbade Oluwadamilola Omotoyosi.

All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

OSEMI—I, formerly known and addressed as Tamara Emomotimi Osemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Tamara Emomotimi Godwin Ebierede. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OSEMI—I, formerly known and addressed as Master Ghanbode God’swill Osemi now wish to be known and addressed as Master Ghanbode Godwin Ebierede. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name I Chukwuedozie Victor Alfred, hereby confirm that am the same person known and addressed as Chukwuedozie Victor Chinaza. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHIBUEZE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Miriam Oluchi Chibueze, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Miriam Oluchi Opara. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OJEBUOVBOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Efe Ojebuovboh, now wish to be known and addressed as Efe Akpotu-Efangwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

N W E N N E — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Ifeoma Juliet Nwenne, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ifeoma Juliet Obido.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGHAULOR—I, formerly known as Aghaulor Blessing, now wish to be known and called Mrs. Aputu Emmanuel Blessing.

All former documents bearing my previous names remain valid. The general public and to whom it may concern should please take note.

ADJARHO—I, formerly known as Miss Juliet Ovuefereye Adjarho, now wish to be known and called Mrs. Juliet O v u e f e r e y e Etinedeyovwi. All former documents bearing my previous names remain valid.

The general public and to whom it may concern should please take note.

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IGWEOKWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Vincent I k e c h u k w u Igweokwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Sage Vincent Ikechukwu.

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General public please take note.

Addition of Name AYOMA—I, formerly known and addressed as Felix Ayoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Felix Akpitaye-Ayoma. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Names These names, Olokor Beauty Emmanuel, Ogheneruemu Favour Emmanuel and Obodago Beauty Akporuere belong to the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as Obodago Beauty Akporurere. All former documents remain valid, first bank, keystone bank and the general public to take note.

Confirmation of Names These names, Ohwovoriole .O. Oghenechavwuko and Ohwovoriole Ohwonovo Burne belong to the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as Ohwovoriole Ohwonovo Burne. All former documents remain valid,first bank and the general public to take note.

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UDO—I, formerly known and addressed as Cecilia Udo Nene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Patrick-Amexi Cecilia Nene. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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ANYAOHA—I, formerly known and addressed as Ngozi Florence Anyaoha and Ngozi Florence Ibeh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ngozi Florence Onyemaechi. All former documents remain valid. The Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu and general public please take note.

Ojo Onaolapo

Magdy focuses on Nigerian Open A

FTER making his persence felt at the just concluded ITTF World Tour tagged Kuwait Open, Egypt’s Shady Magdy is hoping for a return to Lagos for the Nigerian Open scheduled for May 18 to 22 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The 20 year-old Egyptian defeated Nigeria’s Ojo Onaolapo to claim the U-21 title at the 2015 Nigerian Open and with his performance at the Kuwait Open, he is roaring to conquer in Lagos.

Despite being edged out in the semifinal of the Kuwait Open at the weekend, the impact Shady Magdy made in Kuwait caused heartaches to some top players from Japan and Denmark.

Shady Magdy caused a major surprise by beating Japan’s Toni Ryuzaki, the no.11 seed, in the first round and he maintained his good form as the player with no current world ranking in the second round accounted for another Japanese Kohei Sambe, the no.4 seed, saving three match points in the fourth game, before gaining and early lead the fifth and never looking back (3-11, 12-10, 9-11, 1513, 11-8).

Equally, in the opening

round of the Men’s Singles qualification event, he had been in good form; he had extended Denmark’s Zhai Yujia, listed at no.105 on the current Men’s World Rankings, the full seven games distance (11-7, 119, 5-11, 11-7, 9-11, 12-14, 11-8).

But Shady Magd’s adventures came to a conclusion on Friday March 18 at the semi-final stage of the U-21 Men’s Singles event. He found the fast attacking skills of Hong Kong’s Ho Kwan Kit, the no.2 seed, just too hot to handle; a straight games defeat was the order of the day (11-5, 113, 11-9).

Disappointment for Shady Magdy but he was realistic. “Looking back I have to be pleased with my level here”, he concluded.

“Now I want to play more high level matches; hopefully I will go to the Polish Open and the Nigerian Open,” he said.

In Nigeria he is the defending U-21 Men’s Singles champion; last year he beat the host nation’s Ojo Onaolapo in the final. Notably on that occasion he recovered from a two games to nil deficit to secure success (6-11, 811, 11-8, 11-3, 11-9).

Mitrovic saves Newcastle, Southampton sink Liverpool

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LEKSANDAR Mitrovic scored an 83rd-minute equaliser as Newcastle United prevented northeast rivals Sunderland from escaping the Premier League relegation zone in a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

Seeking a seventh successive win over Newcastle, Sunderland took the lead in the 44th minute at St James’ Park when Jermain Defoe volleyed home left-footed after Rob Elliot had parried a shot from Fabio Borini. But with seven minutes remaining, Georginio Wijnaldum

crossed for Serbian striker Mitrovic to score with a downward header, sparing Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez from defeat in his first home game and keeping both teams in the bottom three. With eight games each to play, thirdbottom Sunderland are two points from safety, with Newcastle a point behind in 19th place. In the day’s other early game, Sadio Mane scored twice — and squandered a penalty — as Southampton checked Liverpool’s charge towards the top four by coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at St Mary’s.

46 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

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ET me quickly credit the Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir el Rufai with the ingenuity of this headline.

Secondly, I quickly reply the Sports Editor of Vanguard Igwe Tony Ubani that “......,,I have not left you....”

Tony while calling to congratulate me on my appointment as Akwa United Chairman, noted that I had not written my column for some time and wondered whether I have “ ..........left us “ ( laughter) It is perhaps too late to start to explain how I got to this challenging post of Chairmanship of Akwa United. Yes God has been faithful when it comes to sports and football administration in Nigeria, Africa and the world.

Yes I am a member of the Scrabble Federation of Nigeria Board, marketing and Sponsorship member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria AFN, Secretary General of the Association of Sports Veterans Nigeria, Chairman media sub committee of the National Sports Festival,Member Technical and Development Sub committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, CAF instructor on Club Licensing, FIFA/CAF Security Officer, CAF General Coordinator, FIFA/CAF Match Commissioner........yet none of these positions could have prepared me for what I have passed through in 21 days as Chairman of Akwa United.

My immediate decision to put structures in place, help the LMC to ameliorate the organisation of the league from my little corner.............has been put on hold by a post whose success is dependent on what a group of eleven players and seven reserves do on the field on match day.

A classic example will suffice.

When the announcement was made officially on March 1, there was a league match the next day and I was told to superintendent. From where I sat I heard spectators wondering whether I will win the match and whether I was going to be a lucky chairman etc.....

I am not the coach of the team, of course I was not going into the field to play, but here I am ready to be judged by what I do not have direct control over.( Thank God we won) That I believe is the fate of most Chairmen who must find time between the suffocating match schedule to put administrative structures in place, such as can run on auto pilot without the chairman tied down twenty four hours.

This, can be difficult. Take my recent fixture as an example. Played Plateau on a Friday, Ikorodu United on a Wednesday, Rangers International on Sunday, Warri Wolves on Wednesday in Uyo, off to Bauchi on Sunday against Wikki, then we hit the road on Monday morning destination Katsina for a rescheduled match against Elkanemi......wear and tear, huge financial commitment ............

I have addressed the management I met on ground and wondered why I cannot, by a simple tap of a but-

The accidental Chairman When I saw our account credited with N200,000 by the LMC I asked questions and they said it was for the draw at Akure against Sunshine ton see which players have played which matches, what was their performance ratio, how many yellow and red cards, injury records and so on.

This is critical because less than three days in office there was a player that was left out of a match because the coach was not properly briefed as to how many matches he was to miss due to a red card he received What about the Club Captain, Secretary, Team Manager, Curator, Camp Commandant........do they know their roles? How professional are they?

Contracts , transfers, agents and conditions of service.....my Akwa experience is huge. Nigerian clubs must be professionally run. Players must be educated and tutored on the bigger picture, one that has to do with their career, different from the daily quarrel over feeding allowance and such pittance that are ephemeral.

In two weeks, I have come to appreciate the performance bonuses of the LMC and as I confessed to the Chief Operating Officer, my colleagues have not said enough on the fact that if you win an away match you get as much as N500,000 bonus, N200,000 for a draw and some cash for enhanced spectatorship.

Kano Pillars can win money every week for the crowd that turns up to watch them, but I have also told the LMC that whereas 8,000 people can fill the Sani Abacha Stadium, 10,000 at the Nest of Champions may appear scanty due to the massive and state of the art structure that seats more than 30,000. Our specta-

tors have put the Africa disaster behind them and are back in great number so LMC get ready with your cheque book !

When I saw our account credited with N 200,000 by the LMC I asked questions and they said it was for the draw at Akure against Sunshine. Yesterday I told my players to target that in Enugu. Yes Enugu. Sunday morning I bought a national sports paper and jumping at me was the headline GO BEAT RANGERS SILLY IN ENUGU......quickly called the reporter and told him to mind his language because that was not mine. I have great respect for clubs and Rangers is more than a club, it is an institution. How can I tell my boys to beat Rangers “SILLY” A fellow Chairman has called to say I have not seen anything yet. That they will fabricate stories, put words in my mouth and most times will report that “ .........when contacted the club chairman was not available for comments.....”. Well, this is my culture medium and I pray and expect to be treated a bit more fairly because I “ will always be available for comments” At this point I want to appreciate His Excellency the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State Mr Udom Emmanuel who has found me fit to serve my state in this capacity. He calls me PB and believes I have the capacity to deliver. I thank the Honourable Commissioner of Youth and Sports Sir Monday Uko, my Principal, whose oversight functions I cherish.

My current constituency, The Club owners body have welcomed me with prayers. The LMC, NFF, SWAN...Colleagues in Africa and Europe, past Chairmen of Akwa United, Akwa United Supporters Club, Referees, Coaches, members of the state executive council, Honourable members of the House of Assembly ( some of them drove all the way to Enugu to support the team against Rangers) the generality of the Nigerian football family...the goodwill and acceptance has been overwhelming and I remain humbled.

There is no doubt that my predecessor in office has left behind mighty boots for our small feet, that is why we crave prayers and the favour of the Almighty.

Akwa Ibom is in the vanguard of sports revolution in Nigeria. The provision of adequate infrastructure is the priority of the Udom administration, one that is a continuation of Senator Godswill Akpabio’s Nest of Champions, unarguably one of the best stadiums in the world.

Sports performing centres are springing up in various locations in the state and the ministry of Youth and sports is focused on a plan that will afford the youth adequate fora for the manifestation of their God given talents.

I have been told by the Commissioner that the Godswill Akpabio Stadium is too good to “ lie waste” that we must bring back Africa to Akwa Ibom. I say “Amen......SO HELP ME GOD..”

See you next week

Enyimba vow to defend Nigeria’s pride in Africa

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HEY are the only surviving Nigerian club on the continent, and now face the task of defending the pride of the country as the journey becomes tougher following the summary crashing of Warri Wolves and Nasarawa at the weekend.

This is the story of Enyimba, whose coach, Paul Aigbogun believes the 2-1 loss to Vital’O will not affect his team as they have achieved their objective of qualifying to the next round of the Caf Champions League.

After an impressive 51 win in the first leg in Port Harcourt, Enyimba needed to avoid a 4-0 defeat in Bujumbura to seal a place in the next round of the tournament and that, according to Aigbogun, they have achieved.

“We came down to Burundi with one aim, C M Y K

to qualify. If we had beaten them here it would have made a positive story, but we didn’t, so we have to not worry about it and instead concentrate on our next games in the competition because we have done the job here,” he told EnyimbaFC.net after the match.

“In this competition, the priority is always to qualify, to qualify, until you get to the group stage. Then after that, you focus on reaching the semi-finals and final. You can’t go in with the mindset of, we have to win every team home and away. No.” “Sometimes only a draw is needed and then you have to play with that mindset, so you don’t open yourselves up to an embarrassing defeat. We want to go as far as possible in this tournament so

we have to be a very organized and disciplined team, a team with an eye on the prize and not be careless.

“Will this defeat affect the team, no. We knew they were going to come out and fight for a win, just for pride so we are not going to drop our heads down and feel sad. We will remain focused and prepare for our next opponents.”

From Left: The Chairman of the Squash Section Mr. Funmi Bamkole, the wife of the sponsor, Mrs. Nike Olasunkanmi, the winner of the Men’s tournament Temiloluwa Adegoke, the sponsor of the tournament Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, the winner of the Under-19 Ladies tournament Busayo Olatunji and the President of Lagos Country Club, Chief Kayode Moradeyo.

Adegoke wins Sen. Olasunkanmi Squash tourney

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N order to further encourage the development of Squash in Nigeria especially at the grassroots level Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi celebrated his 60th birthday recently by hosting the first edition of the Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi U19 indoor squash tournament which took

place at the Lagos country club Ikeja Lagos.

The tournament had a total of 24 players, 16 boys and eight girls fighting for the first prize. In the boys category, Temilolu Adegoke warded off stiff challenge from Desmond Igoudala winning 3-0 (119, 13-11, 11-9) to win the 20,000 first prize while Busola Olatunji cruised

pass Idowu Ogunyemi 30 (11-5, 11-3, 11-4) winning 15,000.

Temilolu Adegoke, winner in the boys category stated that the final was a difficult one as Igoudala had been a consistent force in the tournament he also applauded the opportunity given to young Squash players in the state to horn their

skills.

Chairman of the Squash session of the Lagos country club, host of the tournament Arc Funmi Bamkole believes that the gesture by the senator is one that should be applauded and followed by other wellmeaning Nigerians saying that sport is a veritable tool in youth development.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016 — 47

Siasia selects six home-based for Egypt cracker S

UPER Eagles coach Samson Siasia has selected six home-based players for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Egypt.

According to the Super Eagles official Twitter handle, the six players picked by Siasia include Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Kalu Orji and Chibuzor Okonkwo.

Others are Matthew Etim, Ifeanyi Matthew and U-23 Africa Cup of Nations highest goal scorer Oghenekaro Etebo.

They will join up with the overseas-based players for the clash against Egypt.

The Eagles will entertain Egypt on Friday

Eagles

Balogun Continued backpage

March 25 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna and face them again in Alexandria four days later.

Egypt top Group G with six points from two games, two points ahead of the Eagles who are second on four points and the same number of games.

from

Eagles for the fixtures against Egypt in the qualifier. And with the March 25 and 29 dates for the crucial ties nearing, nothing could be more disturbing as the news of injuries to key names on a waning list.

Last week, the NFF confirmed that Turkey based, Kenneth Omeruo picked a groin injury which will effectively keep him out of the qual-

ifiers. Yet, more worrying news emerged as another defender; late invitee, Leon Balogun was dropped from Mainz 05’s match day squad to Werder Bremen in the bundesliga on Saturday due to a muscular injury.

The 27 year-old has been kept out of the Super Eagles team ; for the most part of its campaigns since his debut in an international friendly against Mexico in 2014, because of injury.

Continued backpage

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coach Samson Siasia would have no effect on his players performance.

“These types of comments should not affect our morale because if they did, we would become a team with no identity, and we would not deserve to represent Egypt,” he said.

He also claimed that while Nigeria have a lot of great players with pace and skill, Egyptians possess the abilities required to win.

“The Ghana debacle

Bwalya loses Zambia FA chair

Z

Kalusha Bwalya

AMBIAN legend Kalusha Bwalya has lost his position as Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president after being defeated by businessman Andrew

Kamanga.

Kamanga won the election against Bwalya by 163 to 156 votes in what many thought was an impossible task for the challenger.

Enyimba, Etoile reignite Champions League rivalry

N

IGERIA League Champions Enyimba will hope the historical 2004 CAF Champions League final repeats itself when they face Tunisia side, Etoile du Sahel in the final qualifying round of the CAF will not be repeated, and we can beat the Nigerian national team so I promise we’ll give everything in this match, but I cannot promise a win outright,” he added.

The former Valencia manager also defended his decision to call up Hamada Tolba and Essam ElHadary: “I chose Hamada Tolba because he has the characteristics for the kind of left-back that I need for the two games against Nigeria, and Essam ElHadary is putting in good performances with Wadi Degla.”

Champions League.

Paul Aigbogun’s men saw off Vital’O 6-3 on aggregate to get themselves on the threshold of a competition they

Siasia

Continued from backpage Juan Mata’s pass allowed teenager Rashford to evade a poor Martin Demichelis challenge and slide United ahead in the 16th minute.

Demichelis appeared to have conceded a penalty when he took down Rashford on the stroke of the break but City’s appeals were unsuccessful.

Sergio Aguero missed two good opportunities with headers before the booked Chris Smalling escaped a second yellow card for chopping down

last won 12 years ago.

Meanwhile, Etoile du Sahel made light work of Moroccan side, Olympique Khouribga, grabbing a 3-1 aggregate win. the hosts’ talisman.

The hosts, despite another fine chance for Aguero, were unable to find an equaliser, as United closed the gap to their fourth-placed local rivals to a single point.

Louis van Gaal’s men sit sixth, behind West Ham on goal difference, and the battle for the final Champions League is likely to be intense until the last day of the campaign.

City, along with defeat, suffered a misfortune in the form a groin injury sustained by Raheem Sterling, who was replaced by Fernandinho a little over a quarter into the encounter.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

Man U win Manchester showdown ARCUS Rashford M scored the only goal as Manchester

Cuper: Eagles have great players, Egypt possess abilities to win E

GYPT national Team manager Hector Cuper yesterday spoke on the double header against the Super Eagles on March 25 in Kaduna and March 29 in Alexandria, insisting that he has the magic wand to ensure that Eagles do not qualify for next year ’s African Cup of Nations in Gabon.

Cuper started by insisting that comments by

United won 1-0 at Manchester City in the Premier League.

At the Etihad Stadium,

Continues on page 47

Cuper

Siasia selects six home-based for Egypt cracker — Pg 47 Siasia sulks as Balogun joins Omeruo on injury list

S DERBY DELIGHT... Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring for Man U, against City yesterday.

Man U won 1-0, at Etihad Stadium

AMSON Siasia is laden with the task of achieving the near impossible with a team without spine, when he was promoted to caretaker coach of the Super

Continues on page 47

Ogenekaro

Continues on page 47

Siasia

RESULTS NPFL El-Kanemi Heartland Plateau Utd Rangers Wikki Ikorodu Utd Shooting Stars

2 1 2 3 2 1 1

Ifeanyi Ubah MFM Lobi Akwa Utd Tornadoes Giwa Rivers Utd

1 0 1 0 1 2 0

EPL Man City Tottenham Southampton Newcastle

0 3 3 1

Man Utd Bournemouth Liverpool Sunderland

1 0 2 1

SERIE A Atalanta Frosinone Verona Sampdoria Torino

2 0 1 0 1

Bologna Iorentina Carpi Chievo Juventus

0 0 2 1 4

LA LIGA Espanyol Villarreal

2 2

Athletic Bilbao Barcelona

1 2

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S PUZZLE

FRIDAY'S ANSWERS

Across 5 Chemical used to make something paler (8) 6 Milky-coloured precious stone (4) 7 Notion (4) 8 Souffle ingredient (3) 9 Discharge (fumes) (4) 11 Thin part of a bottle (4) 13 Hard palm fruits (8) Down 1 Riding crop (4) 2 Competitive track and field sports (9) 3 Aroused by injustice (9) 4 Liberate (4) 10 Rodents chased by cats (4) 12 Trims (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

Across: 5, Omit 6, Scar 8, Strenuous 9, Upwards 13, Ambiguous 15, Idly 16, Skin

Down: 1, Poise 2, Liar 3, Accord 4, Cross 7, Enlarge 10, Pebbly 11, Basin 12, Using 14, Oaks.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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C M Y K