Issuu

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62126

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014

B'Haram cannot disintegrate Rape: IG orders probe Nigeria — Jonathan 6 of Lagos DPO 43

INSECURITY:

It's civil war — GOWON

BY SONI DANIEL, VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG, LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU, UMAR YUSUF & NDAHI MARAMA

AGOS—GENERAL Yakubu Gowon, who led Nigeria through a 30-month civil war, yesterday, lamented that the country had fallen into full scale civil war with the spate of crises in the northeast. His assertion was corroborated by the NonAcademic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU.

•Seven more school girls escape from abductors •Worst days of my life as Governor — Shetima

The assertions came as the governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shetima lamented that the last seven days have been the worst in his life following the abduction of 129 girls from a secondary school in the Continues on Page 5

APC postpones congresses over security meeting with Jonathan 8

COLUMNISTS:

Budget Don kpafuka again •P.40

Living among •P.46 demonic enemies

Mr & Mrs

EASTER —Top left: President Goodluck Jonathan (3rd right) receiving Easter gift from FCT residents during a homage in Abuja, yesterday. Top right: Cross section of communicants at Holy Ghost Cathederal, Enugu. Below left: Children having fun in Ibadan. Below right: Cultural dancers celebrate Easter in Bauchi. Photos: NAN.

N151bn debt threatens fuel supply— Marketers 7 C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

TURBANNING—From right: Vice President Namadi Sambo with Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State and the Chairman, Northern Governors Forum, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State at the turbaning ceremony of Governor Muhktar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State as the Dallatun Zazzau in Zaria, weekend. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

It's civil war — GOWON Continues from page 1 state. He disclosed that seven more girls had escaped from the hideout of the Boko Haram insurgents bringing the number of those remaining in captivity of the Islamic insurgents to 77. Meanwhile, despite Saturday’s formal lapse of the state of emergency in the troubled Northeast, the military remained fully deployed in the three states with strict restriction on the movement of persons in the states. However, telephone communications which were once curtailed af-

ter the proclamation of emergency rule by President Goodluck Jonathan last April have noticeably improved. Nevertheless, opinion on the sustenance of the state of emergency remained mixed among stakeholders from within and outside the troubled states. While some called for the full implementation of emergency rule with the suspension of the elected political institutions, other stakeholders differed. All parties were nevertheless agreed that the soldiers deployed to the region should re-

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world—Oscar Wilde. Always have a way to look ahead.

TAKE HEART BY ELLA RANDLE

We all have potential and, whether you realize it or not, your desire to do or be more than you are is your best indicator of future success —Steve Goodier. Did you know that Albert Einstein could not speak until he was four years old and did not read until he was seven? His parents and teachers worried about his mental ability. Or that Beethoven’s music teacher said about him: “As a composer he is hopeless?" What if young Ludwig believed it? When Thomas Edison was a young boy, his teachers said he was so stupid he could never learn anything. He once said: “I remember I used to never be able to get along at school. I was always at the foot of my class...my father thought I was stupid, and I almost decided that I was a dunce.” What if young Thomas believed what they said about him? When F. W. Woolworth was 21, he got a job in a store, but was not allowed to wait on customers because, according to his boss, he “didn’t have enough sense.” I wonder if the boss was around when Woolworth became one of the most successful retailers of his day.

main. The president has not given notice of his inclination towards renewing or suspending the state of emergency. A security meeting between the president and the nation’s governors is expected to hold on Wednesday following which a formal announcement on the issue would be clarified. The state of emergency was first proclaimed by President Jonathan in April 2013 and renewed after six months last November. Gowon, who spoke exclusively to Vanguard on the sideline of events marking the 75th birthday of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Ufot Ekaette, said it was imperative for the government to firmly deal with the rising wave of terrorism in the country so as to keep the country one. The former head of state pointed out that what was going on in Nigeria was close to the challenges the 30-month civil war posed to his administration. He said that it was necessary for all Nigerians to team up with the government to ensure that the forces opposed to the continued unity and progress of the country were roundly defeated. Describing the insurgents as enemies of a united Nigeria, Gowon enjoined Nigerians to support the federal government with necessary prayers to God to end the cycle of violence being unleashed on the nation by the insurgents.

It's civil war — Gowon

Gowon said: “What we are witnessing today is not too different from what happened during my administration as head of state and we moved ahead to checkmate the insurgency. “We need to pray and work with the government to ensure that this ugly cycle of violence comes to an end so that the unity of Nigeria is not threatened. It is therefore imperative for the government to take appropriate decisions to deal with the spate of violence sweeping through the country so that this country can remain as one united entity,” he admonished. While speaking at the birthday celebration, Gowon had said that he stood his ground to ensure that Nigeria remained as one during the civil war because he believed in the unity of the nation. He pointed out that although he was not the one who coined “Go Ahead With One Nigeria, GOWON", the coinage significantly inspired him to resist all attempts by certain elements to divide the country. The former head of state therefore appealed to Nigerian leaders at all levels to ensure that they render quality service to their people and also resist the temptation to stay in office beyond the stipulated terms in the constitution. Gowon, who poured encomiums on Chief Ekaette, who had served him as Private Secretary between 1968 and 1975,

said the former SGF was an embodiment of loyalty, hard work and transparency, who should be emulated by all well meaning Nigerians. NASU in a statement recalled the April 14, 2014 bombing at Nyanya Motor Park, Abuja, which claimed over 100 lives with over 250 others injured, and the abduction of several female students from a Government Girls Secondary School, GGSS, in Chibok, Bornu State, 24 hours after the Nyanya bombing. Speaking through its General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, NASU, argued that it was unbelievable that one week after, the whereabouts and safety of some of the abducted students had remained unknown till today, calling on the Federal Government especially, the military to live up to its responsibilities of protecting the nation both internally and externally.

My worst days ever — Shetima Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima has described the last one week as his most troubling moment since he took over the mantle of affairs in May, 2011. The statement came as seven more girls escaped from captivity, bringing the total number of those who have escaped to 52 leaving 77 still in captivity. Shettima’s expression of feelings was contained in his Easter message released by his spokesman, Isa Gusau and followed the abduction of 129 school girls in the early hours of last Tuesday at Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State. The Governor said though he had witnessed very dark days of insurgency inherited by his administration, none of the attacks had been more troubling for him as the abduction of the school girls. “I am also very much aware that the girls abducted consist of not just those with origins traced to Chibok but also from

other parts of the state and the country which is typical of a good secondary school that should unite Nigerians. I am also aware that the abducted students include both Christians and Muslim faithful. “I am made to understand that the Ameera (spiritual head) of the Muslim Students Society in the school is among those abducted and yet to be freed. She was abducted alongside her Christian and Muslim colleagues without the insurgents worried about the religion any of the students practice. We must therefore remain united in our shared grief to pray vehemently for our girls as well as the patriotic security agencies and civilian volunteers currently in relentless search and rescue efforts. “Between last night and this evening, seven more girls escaped from captivity, bringing to 52 the number of those with us out of 129 students that were at the hostel on the day of that attack. This means 77 students are yet to be found.”

CAN declares fasting, prayers, appeal for their release Meanwhile, the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State, yesterday, called on all Christians in the state and Nigeria to begin fasting and prayers for the release of all the secondary school girls kidnapped by insurgents in Chibok. State chairman of the association, Rev. Titus Pona at a press briefing in Maiduguri yesterday equally appealed to members of the Boko Haram to release the school girls. “We are calling on all Christians in Borno state, Nigeria and the world to fast and pray for the release of the girls. He also called on the insurgents to lay down their arms and channel their grievances through dialogue with the federal and state governments.

6—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014

Gunmen attack school staff quarters, kill 5-yr-old girl

AUCHI — THE Police in Bauchi State said suspected gunmen set ablaze some houses in the staff quarters of Government Girls Secondary School, GGSS, Yana, killing a five-year old girl yesterday.. The police spokesperson in the state, DSP Haruna Mohammed, said yesterday in Bauchi that the gunmen also burnt a telecommunication mast in the town. He said they stole a private car belonging to the principal of the school. He assured the public that other students in the school were safe. He said: “Unknown gunmen attacked the staff quarters of GGSS Yana, Shira Local Government Area of the state, around 2.30 a.m. on Sunday. “They set the school bus ablaze and in the process, a five-year-old girl was killed in the fire while they destroyed the vault of a bank." According to Mohammed, a combined team of security forces are on the trail of the attackers.

Police arrest 24 over clash in Taraba

U K A R I (TARABA)— The Police in Taraba have arrested 24 suspects in connection with a clash which occurred in Wukari on April 15. ASP Joseph Kwaji, the police spokesperson in the state, said in Jalingo, yesterday, that the suspects would be charged to court soon. He said: “The command has so far arrested 24 persons in connection with the current Wukari crisis. I can assure you that the suspects would soon be prosecuted." NAN recalls that violence broke out in Wukari on April 15 when youths in the town protested the alleged killings in some villages by suspected herdsmen. Alhaji Garba Umar, Acting Governor of Taraba State, during a visit to the troubled area on Friday, imposed a 24-hour curfew on the town.

IGP orders probe of Lagos DPO accused of raping mother of two •Policeman caught beating woman arrested BY EVELYN USMAN

AGOS — THE Inspector Gen eral of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, weekend, directed that a discrete investigation be carried out on the alleged rape of a mother of two by a Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in Lagos Island, while she was in detention. However, the three-man panel comprising senior officers from the Lagos State Police Public Relations Office, Human Rights and X-Squad are expected to make their findings in the rape saga known to members of the public this week. As at yesterday, the DPO and two other policemen mentioned by the victim, Miss Idowu Akinwunmi, were still being detained at the Lagos State Command Headquarters. The DPO, alongside seven other policemen on duty on the day of the alleged rape incident, were summoned, Friday, for interrogation at the state command. But some of the policemen, according to police sources, claimed they went to eat and denied that they ever saw when the lady was invited to the DPO's office for the purported debriefing. The three-man investigative panel reportedly visited the police division where the alleged act took place, Saturday, where the location of the room the alleged act took place, including the toilet the mother of two claimed to have later washed herself as instructed by the DPO, fit her description. Five of the policemen earlier detained alongside the DPO were later released by the panel on ground that they were not directly involved. When the spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, was contacted on the latest development, she said investigation was still on, adding that its findings would be made known to members of the public.

Policeman caught beating woman arrested

A police officer caught on video beating a civilian woman in Lagos State has been arrested after an investigation by the Lagos State Command. In a statement released by Mr Frank Mba, the Force Public Relations Officer, on his website, www.frankmba.com, he affirmed that the officer, Cpl Muhammed Nasir with Force Number, 229057, has been arrested. A statement by the police force

read: "The attention of Lagos State Command was yesterday drawn to a video clip posted on some internet sites via the YouTube which depicted a Police officer beating up a woman. "Upon viewing the video, the Commissioner of Police swiftly set up a team and arrested a Policeman by name Cpl Muhammed Nasir with Force Number 229057 who is believed to have been the one on the alleged video clip. The officer is

Rainbow bus stop on Oshodi-Mile 2 expressway, Lagos after a down pour, yesterday. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Nigerien arrested in Ogun with 1,000 boys passport photographs

BEOKUTA — THE Ogun Police Command has arrested a middle-aged Nigerien for allegedly being in possession of more than 1,000 passport photographs of young boys. Also found on the suspect

were a camera and several forms. The spokesman of the command, Mr Muyiwa Adebajo, said in a statement in Abeokuta, yesterday, that the suspect was arrested at Ogijo

Missing Prof's family calls for FG's intervention BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

SOGBO — THE family and community members of the missing lecturer of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Professor James Olomo, has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan and the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, to assist in the search for their kinsman. Prof. Olomo, a renowned Professor of Nuclear Physics at OAU, Ile-Ife was declared missing last October after he travelled to Eket in Akwa Ibom State on the invitation of Mobil Oil

currently in Police custody as investigation has commenced and the outcome would be made public. "The Commissioner of Police wishes to assure Lagosians that a thorough investigation would be conducted as we are betrothed with protection of life of every citizen. Not only that, the Nigeria Police Force is committed to exhibiting high sense of professionalism and respect to rule of law which is in accordance with the IGP's code of conduct for officers."

Unlimited. The family of Olomo and Otan Ayegbaju community, home town of the missing professor, at a joint press conference appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, especially security operatives to assist in finding Prof. Olomo. The President, Otan Aiyegbaju Progressive Union (OAPU), Mr Ademola Olawale said the community and Olomo's family had made several efforts to find the missing professor but to no avail, hence the call on the Federal Government and the Police for assistance. He said the community had

sent representatives to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command as part of efforts to find Olomo, adding: "The Police in Akwa Ibom State are trying their best but we are of the opinion that the presidential intervention in the matter will hasten the process of finding and release of Professor Olomo." He also called on Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Godswill Akpabio of Osun and Akwa Ibom states respectively to intensify efforts on the search for Professor Olomo, who he described as an illustrious son of Osun State and Nigeria in general.

on Friday. He said the suspect, who claimed to be staying with one Alhaji Ismalia Abu in Ikeja area of Lagos State since 2013, could not explain his mission in Ogijo or what he was doing in the country. Adebajo said the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikemefuna Okoye, had directed that the case be transferred to the Ogun Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service for further investigations. “When the immigration authorities are through with the investigations, the state Police Command will decide on the next line of action,” the statement added. Adebajo assured members of the public that the police would continue to do their best toward ensuring security. He commended residents of Ogijo, particularly the community's leadership, for the support offered in arresting the suspect.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014 —7

EASTER: Clerics preach devt, unity BY SAM EYOBOKA& OLAYINKA LATONA

WORSHIP: From left— President Goodluck Jonathan; his mother, Mama Eunice; Mr. John Kennedy, Executive Secretary, Christian Pilgrims Commission, and others at the Easter Sunday worship at Aso Villa Chapel, Abuja. PHOTO: Abayomi Adeshida.

FG's N151bn debt threatens fuel importation— MARKETERS zDPR blames scarcity in Abuja on motorists from neighbouring states BY SEBASTINE OBASI

NDICATIONS have emerged that the current fuel scarcity across the country will not come to an end soon, following the Federal Government’s N151 billion indebtedness to oil marketers. While the Independent Petroleum Marketers’ Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, said that the Federal Government still owes oil marketers N151 billion outstanding fuel subsidy claims, the executive secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency, PPRA, Mr. Ahmed Faruk, who did not specify the amount owed, admitted that the non-payment to marketers is partly responsible for the fuel crisis being experienced in some parts of the country. Faruk, however, said that over nine vessels were discharging about 200 million litres of premium motor spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol, across the country. He said: “From our report, we have over nine vessels currently engaged in discharging products in various depots across the country. From Calabar to Oghara, we have Lister Depot; it is supposed to be discharging for Oando. “We have Atlas Cove vessels discharging for Pipeline and Products Marketing Company, PPMC. We have vessels discharging in

Apapa. All in all we have over 200 million litres being discharged by various vessels.

‘No need to panic’

“There is no need for any panic because we have the product. And I can advise the general public just to calm down and go about their normal businesses; not to panic as the product is available.” Reacting to the money being owed to marketers, Faruk explained, “Before then, some of the marketers were finding it difficult to secure credit lines to open letters of credit to bring their importation. But I understand that payments were being made.” Also, Faruk said that rumours of alleged moves by the Federal Government to increase the pump price of PMS led to the scarcity of fuel as some marketers began to hoard the product. However, IPMAN said that sequel to the last fuel scarcity experienced nationwide, government made frantic efforts and released N41 billion for part-payment of what it owed marketers to enable them continue product supply. According to IPMAN, before then government had not paid marketers since September 2013.

Scarcity, prices

Notwithstanding the position of PPPRA, scarcity of fuel is being experienced in

various parts of the country except Lagos. Though the long queues witnessed at filling stations in the thick of the fuel crisis some weeks ago are no longer there, fuel prices have hovered between N120 and N140 in different parts of the country. In Aba, the Abia State commercial nerve centre, residents have been buying a litre of fuel for between N120 and N125 in the last nine months. Kalu Ogbuka, a resident, told Vanguard that though he has been buying above the official price, his concern has been the availability of the product. He said: “Aba is a commercial city and people do not want to be distracted from their businesses due to lack of fuel. In some filling stations, you can buy at N120, while some sell at N125. “In the last nine months, we have become used to the situation that people hardly complain.” The story is similar in Owerri, the Imo State capital, where the residents have had to contend with the exorbitant price of between N115 and N125. According to Angus Ike, a civil servant, residents of the state have resigned themselves to fate as the only places fuel is sold at the official price are the few NNPC stations in Owerri,

which are not enough.

Abuja

In Abuja, the nation’s capital, Vanguard learnt that outside the major filling stations, fuel is sold for between N100 and N110, while roadside vendors have been making brisk businesses selling 10 litres of fuel are sold between N1,500 and N2,000. The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, attributed the situation in Abuja to pressure from motorists in the neighbouring states. According to the Abuja Zonal Controller of DPR, Mr. Aliyu Halidu, most motorists in the neighbouring states come to Abuja to buy fuel because of the availability of the product. He said: “The supply to Abuja fluctuates between 80 and 120 trucks per day. Why we have queues, even if we have 120 trucks in Abuja, is because the environs are not being served and they are dried. “If anybody comes to Abuja, the tendency is for the person to fuel his car before going back. Those coming from Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi congregate here to take fuel. “There are commercial vehicles that come with dry tank and they fill their tanks here before they go back.” The Zonal Controller explained that DPR also tried to make sure that stations sold with maximum number of pumps, in addition to ensuring that the product is sold at the official pump price.

HE Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Samuel Emeka-Uche; The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins and Bishop of Lagos Diocese, Bishop Ephraim Adebola Ademowo, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to focus on the welfare of Nigerians by directing its policies on job creation for youths. Emeka-Uche called on those in authorities to do the needful by making life comfortable for the masses. Adewale-Martins urged Nigerians not to give up, while Ademowo prayed for peace, unity, stability and an egalitarian society for the country. In his message at the Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu Lagos, The Methodist Prelate, EmekaUche, called on those in authorities to do the needful by making life comfortable for the masses. He added that it was high time political leaders recognised the importance of God’s sacrifice to mankind, saying that leaders must sacrifice their personal egos and forge a common front to make life better for the common man whom they have been elected to serve. Most Rev. Martins urged Nigerians not to give up despite challenges confronting the country, saying there is light and hope for the country. He called on Nigerians to contribute their quota towards the development of the country, maintaining that for rapid transformation and changes to occur in the country, all hands must be on deck and that the ability and might to transform the country lie within individuals. Ademowo in his message entitled Christ is Risen, said Easter was the greatest and oldest feast in the Church; the pinnacle of the Christian year. Calling on Christians to live Christ-like life, he prayed for peace, unity, stability and an egalitarian society for the country.

8—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014

APC postpones congresses over security meeting with President

HE All Progressives Congress, APC, has postponed its state congresses scheduled for Wednesday to allow its governors attend the rescheduled expanded National Security Council meeting fixed for same day to discuss the security situation in the country. In a statement issued in Lagos, yesterday, by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the postponement (to Saturday, April 26) was a confirmation of the party’s stated stand to be part of all genuine efforts to end the insurgency in the country. APC reiterated its earlier warning to the presidency and Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, not to politicise Nigeria’s security and to desist from seeking to profit from the current state of widespread insecurity in the country. APC said: “Cunningly edging out APC governors from last Thursday’s meeting of the expanded National Security Council is a bad strategy because despite belonging to the opposition, our governors are not any less of stakeholders on the issue of our nation’s security than governors of PDP or its satellite parties. “As a matter of fact, three of the worst hit states are presided over by APC governors, hence they are indispensable to any serious effort aimed at ending the security conundrum.” It wondered what the governors of PDP, Labour Party and APGA could have discussed with the President at Thursday’s meeting that they did not want APC governors to know about. The party said: “Every trick in the book was employed to give APC governors the impression that the meeting had been called off, only for those who believe they are the ‘real stakeholders’ to go ahead with the meeting.”

NNPC debunks reports of feud between Petroleum Minister, GMD BY EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief

BUJA—THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has said that there was no rift between the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke and its Group Managing Director, GMD, Engr. Andrew Yakubu. In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, the Group General Manager, GGM, Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, said that the two were “in harmonious working relationship.” Mr. Alegbe also said that the Minister of Petroleum Resources and the NNPC, in the last few months, have heeded countless number of summons from the

National Assembly, wondering why the media would go to town with the reports that the Petroleum Minister was doing everything to thwart the proposed investigation into the alleged N10 billion purportedly expended on the charter of jets by the corporation. He said: “The Minister and NNPC are putting together all the documents that the House of Representatives Committee on Public Account had requested for. At the end of the probe, the Minister and the Corporation would be vindicated.” Alegbe said that the GMD of the corporation was in London last week for the board meeting of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, and that NNPC

would remain focused on its core mandate of guaranteeing energy sufficiency for the country.

On measures against fuel scarcity

He said that new measures were being adapted to ensure round the clock availability of petrol. Under the arrangement, he said, the Minister had approved the allocation of 1,854,314 metric tonnes of petrol as supplementary volumes for the first and second quarters of the year. He noted that whilst the first quarter supplementary volume was designed to complement the earlier allocation in addition to covering any under-delivery by marketers due to unforeseen financial

challenges, the second quarter (June only) quota was in consonance with the national consumption pattern of 40 million litres per day. The NNPC spokesman also noted that the second quarter quota also captured a 23 percent upper tolerance in the event of default or slippage into July. He said: “There are 27 oil marketing companies with proven performance records enlisted in respect of first quarter deliveries. For the second (June only), there are 40 marketers with good performance records and whose facilities are functional. “The idea of June only is to revert back to the normal quarterly sequence. That is July to September and October to December.”

RALLY: From left— Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Atiku Abubakar; Governor Abdullazeez Yari of Zamfara State; Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State; Ikira Bilbis and Governor Aliyu Wamako of Sokoto State at the APC rally and reception for Bilbis, who decamped to the party in Gusau, Zamfara State, weekend.

Senate lauds FG over ports' concessioning BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

BUJA— THE Senate has hailed recent concessioning of the ports by the Federal Government through the Bureau of Public Entreprises, BPE, saying it was generating high revenue for the country. Although the Senate failed to give the percentage of the revenue being generated by the concessioned ports, it added that the ports were contributing high revenue to the nation’s annual budget as against the preconcessioning period when the Federal Government

allocated huge sums to maintain the ports. A statement, yesterday, by Chigbo Anichebe, Head, Public Communications of the BPE, said the upper chamber spoke through its Chairman, Committee on Public Entreprise, Senator Olugbenga Obadara, during the committee’s oversight visit to Tin Can Island Port, Lagos. Obadara explained that efficient service delivery and massive infrastructural development at the ports were major reasons for the concessioning. He noted that the aim was significantly achieved as

services at the ports had not only improved, but that the ports were also contributing immensely to the revenue base of Nigeria. Earlier, the Port Facility Manager of Five Star Logistics Limited, concessionaire of Tin can Island Port Roro Terminal, Mr. Fulwood Bizzaro, had told the lawmakers that despite several challenges, the concessionaire had ensured strict adherence to the agreements it signed with BPE and Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA. Bizzaro said in line with the concessionaire’s

development plan for the port terminal, it had developed sixteen 17 square metres of land for container and cargo stacking to handle the increased vehicle importation in the country. The General Manger of Josephdam Port Services Limited, Mr. Dimon Travers said the recent approval by the government for the company to extend its lease on Tin Can Island Port Terminal ‘A’ by five years, had given them the opportunity to fully comply with the tenets of the concession agreement and to also develop the terminal.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014 — 9

Heavy downpour floods Lagos again BYKINGSLEYADEGBOYE

AGOS—AN afternoon downpour across Lagos yesterday flooded parts of the metropolis, causing serious gridlocks on major roads. Commuters and motorists plying the ever-busy OshodiApapa Expressway saw hell as they were trapped in the gridlock for several hours as a result of the flooding of the dual carriageway. On Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, the situation was also pathetic as traffic snarl stretched from Ojodu/ Berger to Ogudu following the flood on the highway. Motorists and commuters plying the popular Ikorodu Road inward Western Avenue were not spared of the traffic nightmare arising from the flooded road. Reports from various parts of the metropolis revealed that major roads in Alimosho Local Government Area, the Agege Motor Road, parts of Ikeja and Ogba were also flooded. Parts of Surulere, Iganmu, Orile and Ajegunle were also not spared by the floods that took over the entire areas. The flood, which created bottlenecks forced commuters to be stranded at bus-stops and causing many to arrive their destinations behind schedules. Also, several vehicles, which could not withstand the enormity of the flood, were stuck in the flood. Not unexpectedly, yesterday’s heavy downpour in Lagos prevented many picnickers from enjoying their Easter Sunday fun in various centres across the metropolis. At the Bar Beach, Victoria Island, it was noticed that many families that came to catch fun remained inside their vehicles, while others scurried in search of shelter. Mr Adewale Esan, a civil servant, who lives at Onikan, said he brought his entire family, who were visiting Lagos for the first time, to catch fun at the beach. “My family is just visiting this place for the first time but it is unfortunate that the heavy rainfall has denied us the opportunity to catch fun here. “Anyway, we can still come around here tomorrow, if the weather condition is conducive,” he said. Mrs Stella Okeke, a food vendor at the beach, said the rainfall had prevented them from making good sales. “Most of our customers have run away, due to the heavy downpour. There is flood everywhere; I don’t think that majority of the picnickers that left here will come back again.

“Yesterday, we recorded good sales and that encouraged us to cook more food today but see what the rain has caused us,” she lamented. At the National Theatre, Iganmu, the situation was the same as families were seen under the Nigerian Brewery kiosks sheltering themselves from the rain. Some of the picnickers said

they were waiting for the rain to stop, so that they could return home. Mrs Florence Akinfenwa, a resident of Surulere, said the rain had prevented her from relaxing with her family. “As you can see, what I did was to take my family inside Mr Biggs at the theatre and buy them snacks. We can’t blame God for the rain.

“We are travelling to Abeokuta to celebrate with my in-laws tomorrow,” she added. Mr Tunde Jinadu, a trader, said that even with the rain, he would still enjoy the holiday. “I have prepared myself for the rain; I will not leave this National Theatre until later in the night,” he said.

REGATTA: From left— Mr. Disun Holloway, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernment Relations, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Engr. Olusegun Jawando, Chairman, Regatta Planning Committee, during the Lagos water regatta 2014 celebrating Easter Sunday, held at Regatta Village, Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos. Photo by Bunmi Azeez.

Fashola’s successor: APC denies imposition allegation BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN

AGOS—AHEAD of the 2015 gubernatorial election, a group within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in Lagos is said to be spoiling for war against alleged plans by some party leaders to handpick one of the leading gubernatorial hopefuls as the party ’s candidate. The Visioners for New Lagos, VNL at the weekend vowed that it would resist what it alleged as attempts by the party hierarchy to foist a former accountant-general of the state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, as the next governor without due process. However, the assertion was immediately challenged yesterday by the interim spokesman of the state chapter of the APC, Mr. Joe

Igbokwe who told Vanguard that assertions of imposition credited to the immediate past governor of the State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu were the figment of the imagination of the group. He said that serious decisions on Lagos are collectively taken by a group of elders and not solely by Asiwaju Tinubu. Coordinator of the VNL, Mr. Bambo Akin-Johnson, however, in the statement said that the group was determined to stop what it claimed were clear signals that the party leadership was inclined to railroad Ambode as the next governor without due process. “Why no one is opposed to the person of Ambode aspiring to the office of the governor, we take exception to his imposition. If anything, he must be a product of a credible process

in the emerging new Lagos,” he said. In his reaction yesterday, Comrade Igbokwe said: “I don’t know about it. If anybody is saying that Asiwaju can just decide what can happen in Lagos, that person does not understand the inner working of APC Lagos. We have elders of the party who are between 15 and 20 and if there is any important decision to be taken, they meet and after the meeting and if there is any serious decision, somebody must be mandated to speak and because Asiwaju commands the respect of Lagosians, he is always the one to deliver such.” “It is not a matter of one man getting up that this must be this. Lagos is a civilised place. It is a figment of the imagination of those people who are saying that.”

NSCDC arrests 2 for selling siphoned petrol BY EVELYN USMAN

AGOS—THE Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, yesterday arrested two boat operators in Coconut area of Lagos, for allegedly selling siphoned petrol. Recovered from the suspects, were 66 jerry cans filled with the alleged siphoned petroleum product. But the suspects denied the allegation, stating instead, that the recovered jerry cans were loaded into their boats by the NSCDC officials. The suspects identified as Abu Idris and Kunle Ayandokun, according to the command’s commandant, Clement Adesuyi, attempted to bribe the officials with N40,000 upon their arrest. He explained; “They were arrested around the creeks in Apapa. We impounded three of their operational speed boats with 66 kegs of petrol. Investigations are ongoing at the end of which they would be prosecuted. The N40,000 they attempted to bribe our officials with have been tendered as exhibits”, he stated, calling on members of the public to avail them with useful information that would lead to the arrest of pipeline vandals. However on their part, the suspects denied culpability. One of them, Anyadokun claimed to be a member of the maritime workers union. He alleged that the recovered jerry cans were put inside his boat by the NSCDC officials. Said he: “ I do not know anything about the recovered jerricans. On Sunday, some NSCDC men stormed our area to arrest pipeline vandals. On sighting them, those who usually sell the product jumped into the water and escaped. Some of the officials entered my boat and told me to help them chase the fleeing suspects but they could not get them. ''They told me to load some of the stolen fuel into my boat and take them to Iddo, but on reaching the place, I was arrested, as they claimed I was among the pipeline vandals.''

10— Vanguard , MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014

Ogun police arrest 110 suspected criminals BY DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA—THE Ogun State Police Command said, yesterday, that, it had raided some ‘black spots’ across the state and arrested 110 suspected criminals. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi said this in a statement. According to him,the areas where the raids were carried out included Sagamu,IjebuOde,Ilaro,Otta and Abeokuta area commands and the operations were supervised by the deputy commissioner in charge of Department of Operations DCP Akpoebi Agberebi. He said “The command worked on the intelligence gathered from the State Intelligence Bureau of the command on dangerous black spots in Ogun which propelled the raids and eventually led to the arrest of the suspects.

...As govt recovers 300 hectares from land grabbers BY DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA—THE Ogun State government, weekend, said it had recovered over 300 hectares illegally seized by land grabbers in Agbara estate in AdoOdo-Ota Local Government Area of the state. The Special adviser to Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Trade and investment who also doubles as the Managing Director, Ogun State property Investment Corporation, OPIC, Babajide Odusolu stated this during a media chat. He lamented that the land grabbers had taken over some government and private individuals' lands before the present administration came on board. According to him, ''the major focus of the Corporation is to create an enabling environment for investors who would return the gesture through payment of tariffs and taxes.''

Fayemi condemns Sambo’s ‘going to war in Ekiti’ statement BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

DO-EKITI—EKITI State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has described as unfortunate, comments attributed to Vice President Namadi Sambo that the state is a war front. Sambo, who heads the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, campaign to the Ekiti and Osun states governorship elections, last week, said they were going to the war front to end electoral

stealing and to recover the two states for the PDP. Reacting to the vice president’s comment, weekend, Governor Fayemi said it was unfortunate. On the contrary, he said Ekiti State, which was almost like a place coming out of war when he took over three and a half years ago was now very peaceful. The governor, who said he was not entertaining any fears about the PDP’s threat to reclaim the state, said the people of the state,

whom he had empowered, would re-elect him to deepen the development in the state. He also picked holes in the alleged roles of Minister of State, Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro in Ilaje-Ese Odo, Ondo State House Representatives byelection, saying in decent climes, Obanikoro would have lost his ministerial appointment. His words: “Quite frankly, my immediate reaction when I saw the statement from the Vice

RALLY: Supporters of Mr Ayodele Fayose, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship candidate at a rally organised by 'Coalition of Ekiti Youths for Fayose' in Ado Ekiti, Friday.

Better days await Ekiti teachers — FAYOSE

D O - E K I T I — TEACHERS in Ekiti state have been assured that their glory allegedly trampled on by the Ekiti State All Progressives Congress, APCled government will be restored. The Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP 2014 governorship candidate, Mr Ayo Fayose stated this at a rally organised by the Coalition of Ekiti Youth for Fayose held in Ado Ekiti weekend. According to a statement by Fayose’s spokesman, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the former governor who governed the state between 2003 and 2006 said he valued Ekiti teachers much, stressing; "these same teachers humiliated by the APC government, I used to transform the education and return Ekiti to the first position in WAEC and NECO exams in South West as opposed to the 36th position I met the state in 2003 when I took over from Niyi Adebayo.” The PDP candidate said that to raise the status of teachers, he created the office of Tutor-

general, elevated teachers’ day to a carnival and rewarded excellence. Fayose continued; “I will do more to make teachers happy and comfortable. Cases of victimisation will be looked into. “But I am appealing to the teachers to go and collect their voter’s cards. The card is your only weapon to return me as your governor.

“I am also appealing to all eligible voters in the state not to surrender their cards to anybody.” Earlier, the leader of the coalition, Mr Wale Ayeni said the PDP youths in the state had resolved to support Fayose to win the election because he was the most experienced, qualified and competent of all the aspirants that had jostled for the ticket.

President was disbelief until I eventually read it in about five newspapers and saw that the language was consistent and that the reports are not different in all the papers. “I was not going to believe it because the Vice President is someone I relate with very well. He and I are on the board of Nigeria Integrated Power Project, NIPP. He chairs NIPP and I represent the South-West in the power project in the country. And through that we meet fairly regularly. “The Vice President has every right to push for his party in any election. That is his legitimate right but to have said what the media reported him to have purportedly said was quite unfortunate because we are not at war in Ekiti. “We have seen here three and a half years of peace - one of the most peaceful states in this country today. “So for somebody who occupies one of the highest offices in the land as our Vice President, to reduce the importance of his office and promote insecurity either directly or by subterfuge, and in this case it is pretty much directly and it wasn’t used figuratively, he used it in a matter of fact that he was going to a war front is very reminiscent of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s do-or-die statement, which is really unbecoming of the person who occupies the number two office in the land. I hope he would deny saying that and it would be some form of reassurance.” “I think it is the underlying text that should worry us. There has been a lot of sabre-rattling about this election. “All of us also saw what happened at Ilaje - Ese Odo and the role played by a minister of government who does not even come from the state, has no responsibility in the state. “The way he was said to have soiled his hands in the Ondo byelection is unbecoming. In any decent government Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro would have been asked to leave by now.”

Monarch gives Amosun condition for second term support BY DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA – A first class Oba in Ogun State, the Olubara of Ibara, Oba Jacobs Omolade has said his people will support the second term bid of the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun on conditions that he grants their requests. The monarch said his people wanted Amosun’s government to take over the only public school in Ibara-Orile, which he said was being funded by the community and give them good roads. The Olubara, an associate of

former President Olusegun Obasanjo, spoke at the commissioning of two science laboratories donated to Ajiboyede Comprehensive High School in Ibara-Orile in Abeokuta North local government area of the state by a former member of House of Representatives, Mr. Lanre Laoshe. The royal father, who lamented that past governments had abandoned his people in Ibara-Orile, said he believed that Amosun’s second term would consolidate his

achievements he had started. The monarch, who commended the donor for spending about N15 million on the community school through payment of the salaries of the teachers and renovation of some buildings in the school, urged the government to take over the school for more attention. According to him, ''21 years ago, when I became an Oba, our people clamoured that they wanted a school in Ibara-Orile and after we got it, rainstorm blew off the roof.''

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014 — 11

Bayelsa community alleges threat to GbarainUbie gas project

Why Delta South should vote Uduaghan for Senate in 2015 — Reyenieju

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

BY DANIEL GUMM

ARRI—A MEMBER of the House of Representatives, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, has called on members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta South senatorial district to consider political experience, capacity for contacts and humility as fundamental criteria in the distribution of elective positions in the area in the forthcoming general elections. Reyenieju, at the Warri South 2015 Women Forum, while playing host to members of the Warri Federal Constituency Women, who paid courtesy visit on him, explained that the Senate remains the hub of political experience and contacts, which are needed to ensure robust representation. He told his guests that the current governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, “who is also from the senatorial district possesses all such qualities for the senatorial seat in view of his diverse experience in politics, governance, horizontal and vertical contacts with the different individuals, and segments all over the country."

Second Calabar Int’l Jazz Festival kicks off

HE city of Calabar came agog, weekend, as the second edition of Calabar International Jazz Festival kicked off with renowned jazz maestros, such as Jimmy Dludlu from South Africa, Greek-born Salvador Sango, and Nigerian acts, including Bez and Double Kinetic Crew serenading. In what was clearly an added flavour to the Easter celebration, the 2,500 capacity auditorium of the Calabar Cultural Centre, venue of the four-day event, was electric as Cross River State governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, members of his cabinet, the state lawmakers, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke and other jazz enthusiasts gyrated all night to a sumptuous dose of afro, contemporary and classical jazz tunes.

CALABAR INT'L JAZZ FESTIVAL: Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State; former Minister of FCT, Mr. Solomon Ewuga; Chief Gersom Bassey; Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke and Commissioner for Information CRS, Chief Akin Ricketts, being thrilled by a jazz maestro, Jimmy Dludlu, at the ongoing Calabar Int'l Jazz Festival, in Calabar.

Boko Haram: Political movt against Jonathan’s second term —Dokubo BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

ORT HARCOURT— LEADER of Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, has described Boko Haram as a political movement set up to cow Christians in the North against voting for President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general elections. Dokubo, weekend in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at the 4th edition of the South- South Youth Leaders and Elders interactive forum, said the key task of Boko Haram was to ensure it instilled fear in the Christian communities in the

northern part of the country, so that they will not come out to queue for President Jonathan during the election. Asari who said President Jonathan has no choice other than to run for a second term, stressed that Boko Haram had nothing to do with Islam. He said: “All they want is political power. Boko Haram has nothing to do with Islam. Boko Haram is a political movement to foist leadership on Nigeria. They want to weaken the northern Christians not to vote for Jonathan in 2015. They are chasing all the Christians in the North from their communities.” He advised President

Jonathan to be vigilant, adding that some of those around him were fronts for his political opponents. On his part, Chairman of the interactive session, Professor Kimse Okoko and member of the national confab, said that the structure of the country’s federalism was defective and oppressive, noting that it bled the Niger Delta of its resources, “and left the region with noting to celebrate.” Prof. Okoko noted that there are people bent on sabotaging the good works of President Jonathan, adding that they had chosen to remain blind to his success.”

JTF sets car laden with petroleum product ablaze in Delta ...nabs two suspected illegal bunkerers BY FESTUS AHON

GHELLI—IN its bid to stamp out illegal bunkering from the Niger Delta region, the Joint Military Task Force, JTF, has set a Mitsubishi Gallant saloon car, loaded with substance suspected to be locally refined petroleum product ablaze and apprehended two persons for allegedly indulging in illegal oil bunkering. Commanding Officer of the 222 Battalion, Lt. Col. Ken Chigbu, who briefed newsmen, said the car marked Imo AG 337 NWA, was intercepted by his men on Agbarha Otor-Orogon Road while on routine patrol of the area, last week, adding that the car was loaded with 36 polythene bags containing locally refined petroleum product.

Speaking before the car was set on fire, he said: “It is estimated that the 36 wraps, if converted, will fill two 200 litres drums. The JTF mandate is to ensure that these areas are free of the activities of illegal bunkerers. We intend to have the vehicle and the products burnt and the suspects handed over to the police for prosecution.”

He said that the suspects were apprehended while transporting the product, adding that “preliminary investigation is ongoing to ascertain the main source of the product, but from what we gathered from them, they got it from one lady and they were transporting it to a selling point where they will meet the end users.”

ENAGOA—AGGRIEVED youths of Gbarain Kingdom in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have sent a saveour-soul message to the National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki and President Goodluck Jonathan over rising threat to the multi-million dollars GbarainUbie gas project, due to alleged neglect by Shell Petroleum Development Company. The youths, under the aegis of Gbarain Youth Federation, GYF, said though the Shell operations started in 1972 without disturbance from the indigenes of the communities in Gbarain Kingdom, the company’s refusal to uplift the standard of living of the youths has left the communities with environmental pollution and abject poverty, which has provoked the youths and same may be a threat to the Gbarain-Ubie Gas project in the area. According to a letter by President of the GYF, Mr. Akeri Okoro and others, the continued refusal of Shell to honour series of correspondence from the Gbarain people and live up to its social responsibility was causing tension and a sense of insecurity in the kingdom. It said: “The entire communities in Gbarain Kingdom frowns at the neglect by SPDC and a violation of the corporate social responsibility of the company. The operations of the oil multinational in Gbarain Kingdom have left the communities in abject poverty, as air borne diseases and environmental pollution were now the lot of our people."

Gbaramatu leader lists advantages of proposed varsity

LEADER in Okerenkoko community, in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Timi Oluba, has assured that the proposed Marine University in Okerenkoko will enhance human and infrastructure development in Gbaramatu Kingdom.

Oluba also commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for the inspection of the University site last week, adding that "the governor ’s inspection of the site gave us hope for the ground breaking of the University by President Goodluck Jonathan.” He added that the people

of Okerenkoko were committed to the peaceful execution of the project which is meant to enhance their fortune and that of the entire Gbaramatu Kingdom. Oluba commended Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, for making available his Diving School in Kurutie for the kick off the University.

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014

Bozimo, Owie urge FG, NASS to declare full-scale state of emergency in Borno, Yobe ...condemn abduction of students by Boko Haram insurgents BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

ENIN—FORMER Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo and the former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie, weekend, described as wicked and ungodly, the continuous detention of children abducted by the Boko Haram sect last week and urged the Federal Government to declare full state of emergency in Borno and Yobe states. While Bozimo expressed optimism that President Goodluck Jonathan will emerge as the best President the country ever had before the end of his tenure despite the activities of the sect in some states in the North, Owie stressed the need for the National Assembly to back the President in the declaration of a full state of emergency in the troubled states in order to stop “the carnage and evil practices of these people.” Bozimo said: “What we are experiencing is despicable. It is a tragedy because you sent children to school because you want them to be educated, only for people to abduct them. For any parent, that is wickedness. They should release the children immediately because that is ungodly. We

pray that God should touch the hearts of these Boko Haram people to release the children.” On his part, Senator Owie said: “The abduction is barbaric and ungodly. It is now clear

that the Boko Haram people are direct agents of Satan and do not deserve to be treated as ordinary criminals. Total war should be declared on them. I urge the

President to declare full state of emergency in Borno and Yobe states and I particularly plead with the National Assembly to support the President on this matter.”

TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE: From left: Sen. Helen Esuene; Prof. Jerry Gana and wife Lucy; groom, Prof. Gana's son, James; the bride Jessy and Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, at the traditional marriage ceremony of Prof. Gana's son, in Uyo, weekend.

Party leaders in Etsako demand cancellation of Edo APC congresses, registration exercise BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

ENIN—CRISIS has engulfed the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Etsako federal constituency, made up of Etsako West, Etsako Central and Etsako East Local Government Areas of Edo State, with a call by aggrieved party leaders in the area on Governor Adams Oshiomhole to cancel the outcome of the recent congresses within 14 days or they would be forced to defect to other political parties. The aggrieved APC members also want the membership registration exercise of the party in the area to be cancelled. The meeting which was well attended by the party leaders, including the party's Edo State Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Usman Shagadi, the member representing Etsako federal constituency, Mr. Abubakar Momoh, three former council chairmen from the area, Mr. Godwin Eshieshie, Chief Alemoh Akhigbe, Kasimu Dokpesi; APC Senatorial Woman Leader, Mrs.

Bekilas Imisara; Mrs. Evelyn Omorodion and Mr. Lukman Mohammed, former member of Edo Sate House of Assembly. Former chairman of old Etsako and ex-Commissioner for Works, Evangelist Kasimu Dokpesi, who read the resolution at the end of the meeting, said the meeting was convened to expresses their displeasure with the party's registration exercise and the ward and council congresses. They demanded the cancella-

tion of the party’s registration exercise and the wards and council congresses, even as they gave the state government a 14-day ultimatum to effect the cancellation or they will consider the option of defecting. The aggrieved party leaders also gave Governor Oshiomhole 14 days ultimatum to correct the anomaly noticed in the congresses and party membership registration just as they appealed to

the national leadership of the party to wade into the issue. Spokesperson for the leaders, Kasimu Dokpesi, explained that the idea of consensus candidates should be by agreement of the people and not a one-man decision, saying that what happened could be likened to imposition of candidates which negates the principle of one man, one vote, professed by the party.

N30bn allocation for E-West Road inadequate—Ishaku BY CHRIS OCHAYI

BUJA—THE Minister of State and Supervising Minister for the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Darius Ishaku, has said that the provision of N30 billion for the EastWest Road project in the 2014 budget of the ministry was grossly inadequate, given the scope of work needed on the road. Ishaku spoke at a meeting with the Chairman of SURE-P, General Martin Agwai, in Abu-

ja, convened to assess the progress of the project and the contribution of the fund towards its completion. He said that the intervention by SURE-P in 2013 had contributed immensely to the realisation of the project, which was being supervised by his Ministry. According to him, the provision of N30 billion for the East-West Road project in the 2014 budget of the ministry was inadequate, pointing out that if more money was not made available, the

target date envisaged for completing the project might be shifted to the first quarter of 2015, instead of December 2014. He emphasised the urgency of completing the 15-kilometer Port-Harcourt-Onne portion of the road to reduce traffic in the city, and assured that it will be given top priority. “I can assure Nigerians that the work will continue and will be concluded once the funding issue is addressed,” he said.

Delta uncovers teenage gay cult in Warri BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

A R R I — D E LTA State Government, yesterday, said that a cult of teenage homosexuals patronised by gay men exists in Warri. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who made the disclosure in his Easter message to Deltans at the First Baptist Church, Warri, said teenagers from ages 15 to 18 belong to the sect named Yansh, and live in rented apartments close to Enerhen Junction, Warri, where men come to sleep with them. He said: “These are our sons and men come to sleep with them. It is through the Edu Marshals Programme that we discovered them. We used to know about female harlots, now we have male harlots. Unfortunately they are young boys. There is much government can do, but there is more we can do as parents.” Uduaghan, who noted that the country was going through trying times, challenged parents to be alive to the realities of today’s society as crimes committed daily were committed by children belonging to parents who are members of the immediate society.

How I'll improve Isoko's fortunes —Erebor

Peoples Dmocratic Party, PDP, chieftain and House of Representatives aspirant in Delta State, Chief Augustus Erebor, has assured the Isoko people of quality representation if elected. He gave the assurance in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State. Chief Erebor said he will not let the Isoko people down and promised to work in line with the vision of the founding fathers of Isokoland. Addressing newsmen, he said that the Isoko nation will emerge a strong factor in the National Assembly, now that it was a new dawn for the Isoko people politically.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014 — 13

We didn't cancel Abia LG congress — APC BY ANAYO OKOLI

MUAHIA — LEADING opposi-tion party, All Progressives Congress, APC, has said that its local government congress, last Monday, in Abia State was

not cancelled. The party’s position came as a denial to a statement credited to one Chief Iyke Ibe who announced that the congress had been cancelled in the 17 local government areas of the state.

Reacting to the announcement, APC, through Abia State Congress Committee, headed by Chief Sunday Akere, urged the public to disregard the announcement by Ibe, saying he was acting alone and on nobody’s in-

RECEPTION: Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu being welcomed to Oduma by the Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council, Aninri Local Government Area, HRM, Igwe Godwin Nwanjoku to the reception and conferment of chieftaincy title of Dike Ejemba on him by Oduma community, Aninri Local Government Area, Enugu State, weekend.

struction. The committee said it was in possession of results of 14 of the 17 local government areas and was only trying to resolve the issues relating to three others. “Our attention has been drawn to a press release purportedly signed by Chief Iyke Ibe on behalf of the State Congress Committee announcing cancellation of the local government congress on Monday, April 14, 2014, in 17 local government areas in Abia State. “The members of the public are hereby requested to disregard the said announcement as Chief Ibe is acting alone and on nobody’s instruction. "If there are any complaints arising from the said congress, the aggrieved party has the right to lodge their complaints with the Appeal Committee which will sit over them. The State Congress Committee has forwarded its interim report to the national leadership in Abuja and results from 14 of the 17 local governments are with us while issues relating to three are being looked into. “We, hereby, reiterate that Abia APC Congress has not been cancelled but still on-going,” the congress committee said.

Easter: Okorocha, clerics urge Nigerians to show love, forgiveness, peace BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

WERRI — IMO State gover-nor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, and religious leaders in the state have admonished Nigerians to demonstrate forgiveness, love for one another and continue to pray for peace to triumph over violence in the country. For the governor, Easter celebration will be meaningless if Nigerians did not demonstrate forgiveness, love for one another, tolerance, hatred for evil and appreciation for everything good. Okorocha, who made the appeal in his 2014 Easter message, also urged all Nigerians, especially Imo people, to forgive one another and show love to all, like Christ. “Corruption, greed, killing and maiming one another, rape, selfishness, clannishness, or division were never parts of the reasons that made Jesus to die on the cross and resurrected. Nigerians are advised to shun these evils,” Okorocha pleaded. He said with unity of purpose and love for one another, the Boko Haram menace could become a thing of the past, pointing out that Nigeria did not need ethnic considerations to achieve greatness, but unity on the parts of the citizenry. He called on Nigerians to pray for Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over the 2015 general elections and for

C M Y K

politicians to wittingly shun rigging. In their separate messages, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Dr. Anthony Obinna, the Anglican Bishop of Okigwe South Diocese, Rev. David Onuoha and General Overseer of Charismatic Renewal Ministries, Dr. Cosmas Ilechukwu, stressed the need for all to be holy in all spheres of life. “God is not unmindful of the terrible and difficult times we are going through in our nation today. The ever worsening cases of insecurity in the land, coupled

with the prevailing hardship, unemployment and poverty, should not drive us into doing the wrong thing,” the Anglican bishop said. He noted that Easter challenged and encouraged all to persevere and remain resolute on the part of truth, justice and peace. In his own message, Dr Ilechukwu said Easter proclaimed hope in a world ridden with conflicts and discrimination, adding that the season also invited all to reflect on how people have appropriated the love of God as individuals and to what extent they had let that love radiate through

them to others, in form of compassion, forgiveness and reconciliation. “May the love of God revealed a Easter be a powerful incentive to us as Nigerians to learn to live together and harmoniously, even in our obvious diversities,” Ilechukwu prayed. Archbishop Obinna reminded Nigerians that they had a vocation to be holy in every sphere of life, including business, politics, government, teaching, science, technology, medicine, priesthood, military and religious life.

Oko crisis: Youths call for removal of monarch .Rector demands apology BY VINCENT UJUMADU

WKA — FOLLOW ING last Saturday’s killing of a masquerade at Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, youths of the community, yesterday, called on Anambra State government to depose the traditional ruler of the town, Igwe Laz Ekwueme, who they described as being the mastermind of the crisis in the area. The call came on the heels of a 24 -hour ultimatum given to the President General of Oko Progressive Union, OPU, Mr. Cyprain Nwamuo, by authorities of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, demanding an unreserved apology for dragging the name of rector of the polytechnic, Professor Godwin Onu, into the matter. The crisis in the community took a dangerous dimension with the alleged killing of the masquerade by soldiers allegedly invited by Igwe Laz Ekwueme to stop them from performing during the community’s ongoing annual Afia Olu festival. An eye witness said the soldiers apparently in an attempt to scare the masquerades mistakenly shot one of them dead. Addressing reporters in Awka, the President of Oko Youths wing of OPU, Mr. Hilary Ezeokafor, said their traditional ruler had caused so much harm to the community and was, therefore, unfit to remain in the exalted position of the traditional institution. He also called on the Federal Government to remove the traditional ruler from the board of the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, where he is the chairman.

Nyanya bomb blast: We did it, says Boko Haram's Shekau

OKO Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, yesterday, confirmed the group’s involvement in last Monday’s bomb blast in Nyanya, Abuja. It said it was in revenge for the alleged killing of Muslims in certain parts of the country and other parts of the world. He cited countries where Muslims were being killed to include Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan even as he challenged President Goodluck Jonathan to trace his supporters who he claimed were in Abuja. His assertion published in AFP yesterday read thus:“Let the world know that we were responsible for the bombing within Abuja in an area called Nyanya. (President) Jonathan you are a lame duck. Jonathan, you are now too small for us; we

can only deal with your grand masters like Obama the president of America…even they cannot do anything to us… we are more than them. “Yes, we did it; we carried out the attack because you kill Muslims in Plateau; you kill Muslims in every country of the world. Why don’t you global tyrants talk when Muslims are killed in Afghanistan? Why don’t you talk when Muslims were killed in Iraq? And they are still being killed. Why don’t you talk when Muslims are killed in the Islamic state of Iraq and Syria, and now Yemen, Mali, Azerbaijan, Shishan, Pakistan? “Why were you not complaining when our Muslim brethren were killed in Plateau, their wives were forcefully taken and raped, and if they give birth, their children were being killed? So be-

cause of that tiny incident that happened in Abuja, everybody is out there making an issue out of it across the globe. “We want you, Jonathan, to know that we are worshipping only God, that is why we are always victorious in all our attacks; stupid fellow like you; if you are that wise, why is it still very difficult for you to locate where we are up till date despite the fact that we are within Nigeria? Look at us, we are right within your city; and you don’t even know how to find us. Let me tell you now, I am here very close to you; I dare you to get me, if you can. “You cannot do anything. Remember that this is exactly the fifth year that you boasted that you were going to finish with us in just three months; so we are not bothered with any further

boasting that you will make now because what you cannot accomplish in five years, is very difficult to achieve now, never! We will not stop until our aim is achieved; so everyone that calls himself a Muslim should stop obeying the constitution, should leave democracy, should stay away from western education. We are the bombers of Nyanya; yes we are the bombers; if you really want to know who did it, let me tell you now; it was Shekau that did it”. Chuckling and tapping his chest, he said, “this is me, Abubakar Shekau whose turban you don’t like seeing; whose armoured shirt you hate; this is my usual gun with which I kill. Get more annoyed, because I am still here; yes, I am the Shekau that does not like Christians."

14â€”Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014

RASAK OKOYA'S DAUGHTER WEDS AKALA'S SON

From left, Alhaji Tajudeen Okoya, Chief Rasak Okoya, bride's father and business mogul; Chief Samuel Adedoyin and Justice George Oguntade (rtd), during the engagement and wedding ceremony between former Miss Hadiza Okoya, and Mr. Olamijuwonlo Akala, son of former governor of Oyo State, at Oluwanisola Estate, Ajah, Lagos. Photos: Lamidi Bamidele

The new couple - Mr. and Mrs. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala during their wedding.

From left, Chief Kemi Alao-Akala, Otunba Christopher From left Chief Kudirat Okoya; Princess Sade Alao-Akala, groom's father, and Pastor Florence Alao- Okoya, representing mother of the bride; Chief Akala, mother of the groom. Modupe Oguntade, and Erelu Rashidat Ojora.

Mr. Sunday Adewusi, former Inspector General of Police, and wife

LAI MOHAMMED'S DAUGHTER MARRIES OGUNNEYE'S SON

From left, Mrs. Lara Ogunneye, Alhaji Ladi Ogunneye, parents of the groom; the couple - Mr. & Mrs. Oluwaseyi Ogunneye; Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and wife, Kudirat, parents of the bride, during the wedding Oba Timothy Akinsanya, Orungba II, Ewusi of ceremony between former Miss Nusirat Mohammed, and Mr. Ogunneye, at The Ark event centre, Lekki, Makun Kingdom and wife. Lagos, yesterday. Photos: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor

Alhaji Taiwo Alimi, former Ogun State Mr. Ademola Taiwo, chairman of the occa- Commissioner for Information (left) and From left, Mr. Williams Adeleye; Mrs. Aanu Adeleye; Mr. Femi Alhaji Lai Mohammed. sion, and wife. Odutade, and Mrs. Omowumi Odutade. C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014—15

FG shuts Kaduna airport over fire outbreak BY DANIEL ETEGHE

ADUNA — THE Federal Government, yesterday, said that it had temporarily shut down Kaduna airport to flight operations following a fire outbreak at the airport which completely destroyed air traffic control equipment. Disclosing this to newsmen, General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, Mr. Supo Atobatele, said the fire outbreak was attributed to power surge which eventually engulfed the entire tower. He said all the personnel on duty at the tower were safely evacuated, stressing that there were no serious casualties. Atobatele noted that the agency had already issued a NOTAM (Notice To Air Men) informing operating airlines locally and across the world of the temporary closure of the airport. Meanwhile, Managing Director of NAMA, Ibrahim Abdulsalam, has directed the immediate deployment of the agency’s mobile tower currently in Abuja to Kaduna airport to resume normal services by sunset today. He said: “There is no cause for alarm as we are on top of the situation. Our mobile tower is capable of handling normal traffic as it is well equipped with necessary ATC console to do that.”

Nyako/Presidency face-off: Don’t mix politics with insecurity —Northern delegates BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

AGOS — SPOKESMAN for the northern delegation to the ongoing National Conference, Mr. Anthony Sani, has charged political stakeholders not to input politics into the security challenges facing the country. Reacting to the face-off between Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State and the Presidency following

Nyako’s allegation of the Federal Government’s culpability in the insurgency, Sani called on the two sides to drawback from mixing politics with the issue. Sani in a statement said: “Governor Nyako’s allegations that the Federal Government is culpable in the violent crises in the North is just one of the two conspiracy theories being bandied about in the polity, depending on which sides of the aisle one belongs.

Nyanya bomb blast: Why we’ve not released 12 corpses —Hospital mgt BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

BUJA—THE management of National Hos pital, Abuja, where some victims and corpses of last Monday bomb blast were taken to, said it had only released three of the 15 corpses that were deposited at the hospital’s morgue because of the medical processes involved in case government decides to compensate the relations of the deceased. Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the hospital, Dr. Tony Okam, told Vanguard shortly after the Deputy Senate President visited the hospital to sympathize with the injured, weekend, that the hospital decided to follow all necessary due processes and documentation before releasing the corpses. Okam, who explained that part of the processes included forensic reports by pathologist, noted that the measure would facilitate identification of relations of the dead in an event government decides to compensate them. According to him, “the problem we had was that when government wanted to pay compensation on the immigration saga, there was the issue of relations coming to claim the corpses. “We now said that the forensic pathologists have to come and identify the casualties but you know religion came into play as some Muslims will like to bury their loved ones. “We now asked what we should do under the circumstance, and we agreed that we should prepare a letter of undertaking, which the family (of the deceased) will have to sign as well as the police. “Under that circumstance, we will let go but ideally, we agreed with the forensic pathologists and the police that there must be autopsy report but

Ex-Gov Audu charges politicians on services to humanity ...wins Igala Man of the Year award By CHRIS OCHAYI

"To some people, the crises have been spawned by some northern leaders in order to make the country ungovernable for President Goodluck Jonathan on account of his faith, his ethnicity and his region. ”To some others, the crises are being orchestrated by the Federal Government under the watch of Mr. President in order to decimate the North by making it weak to such degree

BUJA — FORMER Governor Abubakar Audu of Kogi State has tasked all political office holders in the country to be honest and put in their best in the services to humanity, so that they would be remembered and appreciated by the people after leaving office. Audu, who was honoured with the Igala Man of the Year award at the Arise Igala Leadership awards 2014 night organised by the Arise Igala magazine in Abuja, said whenever God gives you opportunity to serve or govern, serve and govern well. The nomination for the award was con-

ducted online and Prince Audu was overwhelmingly voted for to emerge as Igala Man of the year. According to him, you can't work to please everybody but while at the helm of affairs in any God’s given opportunity, try as much as possible to put in your best for your people to enable your name be written in the sand of time. Audu, who noted that rendering good services to the people was better than amassing wealth at the detriment of the governed, recalled the magnitude of appreciations he was being accorded within and outside of Kogi State since he left office as governor of the state.

what do we do in a situation whereby the relations of the deceased want to bury the dead immediately according to their religious belief. “It was not easy trying to achieve what we can do and we made it clear to them that they have to sign it and the police also have to sign. So we have been able to release three corpses. “We had 14 (corpses). Remember if government decides to pay compensation now many people will come and say I am the relation, we had an issue with that just recently.”

that the region would no more have any political traction come 2015. “Some of us believe both sides should realise the fact that in matter of security, the leadership at all levels is expected to bring Nigeria together and help them live up their synergy against the common challenges for effect and for the good of all. "They cannot afford to bring matter of national security into the cockpit of politics. They must, therefore, avoid generalization and stick to what they know. This is because generalization tends to make it possible for criminal elements of our society to hide under group interests, group goals, group cohesion, group coherence and even group conspiracy in order to commit crimes. “Enough of the blame game, and in favour of consciously directed efforts against the security challenges for positive effect and in larger interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.”

16 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014 Live simply so that others may simply live - Anonymous MERRIMENT and excessiveness are alien to Easter. The manner of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, whose death, according to Christian doctrine, God used in saving mankind, is always filled with the sobriety of appreciating the depth of the sacrifice. It is tough for Nigerians to be happy at this time. The economic challenges apart, scores of Nigerians die daily from the terrorist attacks that have heightened security everywhere. Thoughts of God’s love are hardly associated with the present attitude of Nigerians to each other. The celebration of Easter is steadily eroding its religious content. Speeches and preachments have been elevated to the reason for the season. Neither preachers, nor their listeners are making efforts

Hard tto o be happ happyy to live the life – sacrifice, forgiveness, expectations of a share in the life beyond – which Easter should inspire. Jesus Christ, who we are celebrating, died to reconcile mankind to the Almighty, in the same way that He expects that we would be reconciled to each other. The raging conflicts in the country, across regions, religions and reasons, do not reflect any knowledge of Easter. For people as religious as Nigerians, the number of conflicts and their intensity fail to show their religiosity is beyond words.

The rich and mighty would send messages that have no relationship to the realities that hurt Nigerians. Our leaders would regurgitate the message of Easter on their way to merriment while workers’ salaries are not paid, justice is denied, the poor are getting poorer. Some pensioners – old people who have given their youth to this country – missed making it to this Easter, as they died queuing for their pittance. They are hardly paid. Easter presents a great opportunity to explore God’s unfailing love. We should also

think about those who our national policies hurt the most. We need to reconcile our policies with the needs of our people, who we are hurting so much that they are losing hope that our leaders can help them. Jesus cared for the poor all His days. For Him, it was not a show to be put on and off at certain times of the year. Caring for the needy, the challenged, the disadvantaged, the poor, the weak, the sick, the oppressed, the widows, the orphans is not about photo opportunities. It is a life long commitment that should be the essence of daily leadership. Life is getting tougher by the day. Ordinary Nigerians watch as opportunities elude them due to the selfishness of those who want everything for themselves. This definitely is not the spirit of Easter, a spirit of daily commitment to sacrifice for others. Happy Easter Nigerians!

OPINION BY KAYODE OJO

INCE he became governor of Lagos state in 2007, Babatunde Raji Fashola has largely avoided unnecessary controversies. Rarely did he engage in those acrimonies that usually distract his colleagues, which many believe accounts for his unwavering focus on issues of governance. Even when his predecessorturned-godfather turns the heat on him, as he regularly does, Fashola keeps a cool mien. The result, you must concede to him, is that he has performed above average. However, for some inexplicable reasons, Fashola is now turning that legacy upside down by jumping into unnecessary controversies. From his actions and utterances, he now gives the impression he is not the smooth guy we have all been led to believe he is. Not only has he chosen, in the twilight of his tenure, to hurl political missiles across the land, he is raising so much dust in the process. His recent statement that President Goodluck Jonathan spends more time inside the church than he spends leading the country is one of such unfortunate statements. Fashola made this statement while speaking at the sixth Bola Tinubu Colloquium in Lagos, tagged: “The Summit of the Common man,” urging Nigerians to decide whether they want someone who spends most of his time in church or the man who is ready to spend his time on the job. While it is difficult to relate the above statement to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, it is even more difficult to understand what he intends to achieve

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Fashola, Jonathan and that religious jibe with it. And this leads to the question: Is Fashola a true Muslim? The question is necessary because as the governor of a multi-religious state like Lagos, famed for tolerance among the adherents of the various religions, it is surprising that Fashola has chosen to disparage the Christian faithful, just to score a cheap point over President Jonathan. Besides, Muslims in all climes have over time laboured to convince all of us that theirs is a tolerant religion --- one that respects other faiths. The Governor ’s recent unguarded outburst would, therefore, appear to give that effort a bashing. What has the President’s devotion to his Creator got to do with his performance, so much that Fashola believes it is time wasted? Let’s juxtapose this position, for if indeed he is a true Muslim, he would probably observe the mandatory five prayers every day, most times abandoning state duties to do so. When you contrast this with President Jonathan who takes time off to worship in various churches on Sundays, Fashola would appear to be the one who spends more time in ablution and mosques. Yet no one quarrels with that. Would he rather the President spends his time with the Babalawos in Badagry? In playing the religious card against President Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party, Fashola forgot the realities of his own party and his state. That Christians in Lagos State which he governs have over time been sidelined as

far as the governorship slot is concerned, is one. The raging controversy that his party, the All Progressive Congress, is gearing for a Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket for the 2015 elections with his godfather as major beneficiary is the other. Add that to the criticism that the party ’s top leadership is preponderantly peopled by adherents of the Muslim faith, and you will wonder why a man like Fashola, who lives in a glass house, should be busy throwing stones. Rather than advert his mind to those indictments of the political platform and the dynasty that propped him up and continues to hold him to ransom against the wishes of the Lagos electorate, he has chosen to cry wolf where none existed. Fashola’s attitude to Jonathan is revealing indeed, for it is a curious insight into how he regards his wife, Abimbola Emmanuela Fashola, a born again, firespitting, tongue-speaking Christian just like his godfather’s spouse. If he has such disdain for Christians, how has Abimbola been coping with him all this while? Is it not likely that Madam regularly gets on Oga’s nerves often for spending time in church or prayer, and getting bitterly scolded in the process? It is understandable that Fashola’s increasing estrangement within his All Progressive Congress caucus in his Lagos State and at the regional and national levels may be driving him to frustration, but it is still not excusable for him to vent

his frustration on the wrong person. In the past few weeks, Fashola as a sitting governor has wallowed in the political wilderness of Lagos, shut out from the crucial decision-making in the APC, including the search for his successor. Not only has Bola Tinubu taken the centrestage in playing the state’s political chess, he has continually rubbished the sitting governor in the process. Yes, Fashola is increasingly seeking relevance, and how best to do that than to take a swipe at the man who will ultimately be his godfather’s nemesis, even if he rakes religious dust along the way. The stage and the timing cannot be more opportunistic for a sidelined godson seeking to warm his heart to the godfather by fighting his perceived enemy. After all he has been through, including wriggling out of landmines planted for him by the Lagos State House of Assembly, Fashola is the most unlikely man to rake up controversy. He may have lived for so long under another man’s shadow, even as a state chief executive with enormous influence and power at his disposal, and may now want to find his voice. But he is going about it the wrong way. After avoiding a possible impeachment, he should do well to also avoid consciously putting his neck inbetween the guillotine, for that is what religious politics is.

*Mr. Ojo, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014—41

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42 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014

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Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014—43

ACF urges tolerance from high and low BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, political editor

From left, Managing Director, Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Eshikena; Head Coach, Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi; Operations Director, Mr. Vedavyas Vemuri, and Human Resources Director, Tominiyi Oni, during the media briefing for Peak Super Eagles campaign, in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor

Boko Haram cannot break up Nigeria — Jonathan BY BEN AGANDE

ABUJA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, said those fomenting trouble in the country in the belief that it will lead to its disintegration, would be disappointed, noting no criminal group within or outside the country could disintegrate it. The President, who spoke when some Abuja residents paid him Easter homage, added that the country would certainly overcome the Boko Haram challenge. The President said: “Nigeria will disappoint those who are thinking that the country will disintegrate. Despite the challenges, the country will not divide. ”Surely, we will overcome this tribulations. Those who think that this country will be divided into North, South, East and West, or whatever, will disappointed. Nigeria will not divide. Criminal group ”Boko Haram will not disintegrate this country. Most of you are aware when this incident happened in Nyanya; Nigerians from all religions, from all classes participated in the evacuation of all the people who were affected, even before the security people arrived. ”People came from every where, irrespective of their religious beliefs and persuasions. That shows that there is no criminal group, within or outside this country that can break this country. No criminal group will disintegrate this country. ”Boko Haram will come and go. We have overcome various challenges, God willing, we will also overcome Boko Haram.” Speaking on the unemployment situation and high poverty rate in the country, the President accused state governments of not doing enough to create employment and alleviate poverty. He called on state governments C M Y K

to work more for their people by applying their resources to alleviate poverty in states, rather than resorting to blame games and depending solely on allocation from the federation account. ”The current revenue sharing formula as recommended by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, indicates that local governments receive 20.6 per cent of the federally collectible revenue, states get 26.72 per cent while Federal Government gets 52.68 per cent ”Many of the states at the moment rush to Abuja every month end to collect their allocations without much to show for them; a situation that has created a challenge in which fiscal federalism in Nigeria has become like a cancer with many states blaming it for their poverty. ”Unfortunately in Nigeria, when you talk about the issues of development, people think that it is only the Federal Government that can solve the problems. ”The states as semi autonomous components of the federation, Mr. President does not control the resources of the states. They completely control their resources, so if all states and local governments

can work in concert, we will solve most of our problems instead of blaming one another. ”I believe that government is one even in terms of separation of powers, whether the executive arm of government, the legislative arm of government and even the judicial arm. You talk about one government, it is just separation of powers. ”If all of us work collectively, if all of us are committed to serving the people of this country, surely, we will get to where we are going as a nation,” President Jonathan said. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, who led the FCT group on the visit, commended Nigerians for their response during Nyanya bomb blast and assured that his administration will work hard to ensure that the FCT was safe for all Nigerians He made a special presentation to President Jonathan and prayed for God’s protection for the President, his family and the entire nation. Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Smart Adeyemi, who was also on the entourage, noted that Easter represented

one of the most important events in Christendom. He said Nigeria was lucky to have a President whose trust was in God, adding that because “we are a nation that trusts in God, Nigeria will abide for ever.” Earlier at a church service at the Aso Villa, Chapel, the Chaplain of the Aso Rock Villa Church, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba, urged the congregation to emulate Jesus Christ who laid down his life for mankind. In his message, entitled, Let's Celebrate Jesus,' he declared that ample evidence existed to show that Jesus Christ resurrected as was shown by the preachings of Apostle Paul, who after persecuting Christians, turned around to preach the gospel of Jesus, testifying and showing proofs that Jesus resurrected. Some of the dignitaries at the service included the Senator Representing FCT, Senator Philip Aduda, Minister of Youth Development, Boni Haruna, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of power, GodsWill Igali, Dr. Amos Adamu, John Kennedy Opara, Executive Secretary, NCPC, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke.

....Trained by al-Qaeda, says Akogun …commends military action in N-East BY CHRIS OCHAYI

BUJA — FORMER House Leader in the House of Representatives, Tunde Akogun, has said that Boko Haram members killing innocent Nigerians and fighting the military in the North Eastern zone were not ordinary civilians but trained al-Qaeda Islamists. Akogun, who stated this while paying a solidarity visit and making cash donation to victims

of April 14, 2014, Nyanya Motor-park bomb blast at the National Hospital, Abuja, weekend, said the sect was trained and grounded in handling of sophisticated weapons. Akogun described the recent situation of the country as very strange, adding that no one in one's wildest imagination would ever think terrorist activities could take place in the country. Akogun, who retired as a colonel in the Nigerian Army, commended the efforts of the

military personnel battling the Boko Haram sect. He said: “The military are doing their best, I can assure you, but they will not let you know their tactics. “You can see from the type of weapons the Boko Haram fighters are using. They are not just ordinary civilians or just demonstrators. No, they have superior training and have been grounded somehow either by al-Qaeda group or whatever it is, in handling sophisticated weapons.

HE AREWA Consul tative Forum, ACF, has urged Nigerians, especially of the Christian faith, to emulate the virtue of tolerance as demonstrated by Jesus Christ. The forum in an Easter message to the citizenry, said the Easter period was an opportunity for all and sundry to reflect on the good examples set by Jesus in His life time. The message issued by the group’s national publicity secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim, read thus: “The Easter period commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians all over world celebrate this period with prayers and activities of self sacrifice for the good of the society. The period also gives the Christians the opportunity to reflect on the life and good teachings of Jesus Christ especially his tolerance, forgiveness and self sacrifice.”

‘Nigeria loses more money to mineral theft than oil’ BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

ARTICIPANTS AT a one-day stakeholder’s workshop on gemstone have lamented the poor exploration and utilisation of local raw materials in the country, saying Nigeria loses more money to mineral theft than oil and gas. They noted that the capacity utilisation of many industries in Nigeria was hampered by lack of raw materials and other required inputs. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gems and Minerals Nigeria Limited, Rev. Zephaniah Ndaja, said Nigeria loses more money to stealing of solid minerals like gemstone than oil and gas theft, due to lack of ignorance of the industry. He called on governments to give the same priority to the solid minerals sector as that of oil and gas by putting mechanism in place to protect the nation’s gem mineral reserves against abuse and waste.

44 — Vanguard, MOND AY, APRIL 21, 2014 MONDA

• Cross section of beneficiaries of the free surgical intervention Programme initiated by the Lagos State government.

Lagos frees 53 residents from goitre BY CHIOMA OBINNA

OR families of the 53 beneficiaries of the Lagos State free surgical Goitre Control Programme, Tuesday 15th of April, 2014, will remain evergreen. It was a day of testimonies by beneficiaries, mostly women of child bearing age and the elderly. A case in point was Mrs. Olayinka Godonuve who could not control her joy. “I never knew it was going to be a promise kept. Many of us here have been given so many names due to this neck swelling called Goitre.” Olayinka, a petty trader, and other beneficiaries are from Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State. Investigations show that Goitre is common in the area. It is so bad that a case is found in every home. According to the 32-year-old, she and others affected by the disorder suffered much

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discrimination in the community. While some attributed the cause of their predicament to not drinking

water from the cup, some say it was due to their evil deeds. T h e swellings put people off. Apart from the pains they feel from the disorder, many of them have spent money on finding a solution that never came. “I have been to so many places. I even traveled as far as Cotonou for a cure. But Goitre Control getting there, I was asked to pay over N100, 0 0 0 . Unfortunately, I could not afford the money I came back feeling disappointed,” Olayinka stated. “Since we came in yesterday, we have not paid anything. We were accommodated in the

hotel and fed free of charge. She commended the team of medical experts for their efforts” She appealed to the State government not stop until all the people on the waiting list for possible treatment and surgery are attended to. “It is too bad in Badagry, please help us.” Another beneficiary, Mrs. Mojisola Bayo narrated how many herbalists have tried to defraud them in their search for a cure.

Search for cure “Many people have asked us to pay like N45, 000; some say we should bring N10, 000, but today, the government has not asked us to pay any thing. We are grateful.” Flagging off the programme at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Fashola called on residents to be conscious of their eating and drinking habits in their own interest. The team of medical experts deployed to Badagry had earlier commenced investigation into the causes of

high prevalence of goitre in the area. The programme, is the first phase in the series of the exercise to be carried out for patients in the state. “Securing the lives of citizens does not only include providing security personnel with ammunitions.” Healthcare is a strong tool to deliver security to the residents of the state.He wondered why people who eat iodized salt could have such a high prevalence of goitre,” Fashola noted, adding that investigation has commenced and the results will hopefully help come up with a strategy to deal with the problem. Earlier, Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, stressed that the neck-swelling disorder screening and treatment would henceforth be incorporated in the statewide health mission programmes. The Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Professor Wale Oke noted: “At the commencement of the exercise, 30 residents were identified to have surgery, but within few days, another 23 residents have been added to the list.”

Ijora Oloye community tames malaria with nets BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

‘N

O more malaria. My children will no longer be at the mercy of mosquitoes at night,” remarked Saidat Ismail, 31, mother of six including two sets of twins. “Insecticide Treated Nets all the way!” Chorused Sikirat Akindele, 38, also a mother of six. Saidat and Sikirat, of 2, and 18, respectively, on Akindele Street, in Ijora Oloye area of Lagos are nursing mothers. They just received LongLasting Insecticide-treated Nets, LLINs, donated as part of the social mobilisation campaign for proper and sus-

tained use of Insecticide Treated Nets, ITNs in Nigeria. The duo were part of the group of residents targeted in the four Senatorial Districts of Ijora Local Government Area under the social mobilisation campaign tagged “Nets To Live Project” spearheaded by Sahara Group Plc, for proper and sustained use of ITNs. Ijora Oloye is an • An infant on Akindele Street , Ijora Oloye sleeping under one of the ITNs over-crowded, semiurban, flood-prone community quito nets to enhance ownerITN to sleep under every night and an ideal breeding ground ship and utilisation. and also to encourage all pregfor mosquitoes. The distributed ITNs were Hundreds of properly hung in each house- nant women to seek antenaresidents in hold by volunteer teams from tal care and ask about anti-mathe community the community accompanied laria treatment. Records at the local public were engaged by employees from the comhealth clinic show no less than in the cam- pany. 70 percent of outpatient visits paign. During the exercise, benefiS a h a r a ciaries were taught to hang, are malaria cases. Although Group Plc. fold, remove, wash and gen- still the biggest killer of Nigewhich is lo- erally preserve the nets. About rian children under five years cated in the 200 nets were given out to care- of age, simple, cost-effective Ijora Oloye vi- fully selected households and preventive measures, such as cinity, said it is priority was given to those consistent use of the ITNs and alleviating the households with pregnant anti-malaria treatment for pregnant women are recommalaria bur- women and children. mended by the RBM partners den through The nets distribution was the the employee- highpoint of the sustained so- as part of moves to translate led-volunteer cial mobilisation to make sure in the reduction of childhood project to dis- every child and pregnant and maternal deaths due to tribute mos- woman in a household has an malaria.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014—45

Fayemi’s cabinet members are my sponsors — Bamidele THE Labour Party (LP) Ekiti State Governorship Candidate, Mr. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, in this brief chat with Vanguard, boasts about his chances at the June 21 election, saying that he has supports from all parts of the state including members of Governor Kayode Fayemi’s cabinet. Excerpts: STORIES BY DAPO AKINREFON

AVING gone round, so far, how optimistic are you that the people of Ekiti State will cast their votes for you? The people of Ekiti are yearning for real and genuine development, they earnestly want a change in the reins of power due to series of bloodletting that have dotted the Ekiti political landscape since the advent of this administration. I have gone round the state and consulted widely, I have no doubt in my mid that from the receptions I got from all the nook and crannies of the state, I will by the grace of God be elected the next governor of Ekiti State come June 21, 2014.

What gives you the assurance that some members of Governor Fayemi’s cabinet are solidly behind you, as you claimed recently? It’s not fallacy, it is the truth. Members of Fayemi’s cabinet are my sponsors. Very many of them are disenchanted with his authoritarian leadership style, many are not happy with the squandering of the riches of Ekiti State that the outgoing governor currently typifies.

It was alleged that members of your party were the first to attack APC members during your campaign train at Ilawe and Iye Ekiti recently. Could you clear the air on that? It is common knowledge in Ekiti that Fayemi and his

•Bamidele: Fayemi's commissioner are disenchanted with his style party love bloodletting and violence. On the contrary, I

am peace loving and I abhor violence in all its

ramifications. My campaign train had been variously attacked by Fayemi’s thugs. My supporters were attacked in Isan Ekiti, Fayemi’s home town, Iye Ekiti, Ilawe Ekiti which is the home town of Yemi Adaramodu, Fayemi’s Chief of Staff. Our people were equally harassed in Efon Alaaye. Ekiti people know the truth. Only last week, his thugs opened fire on Fayose’s campaign office while his thugs are currently standing trial in an Ado Ekiti High Court for torching the State PDP Secretariat along Ajilosun Road in Ado Ekiti. I can go on and on. Are you not worried about the rising trend of violence trailing the campaigns? I am a firm believer in God and his promises for Ekiti people. I am aware that the APC is planning to unleash terror and violence on hapless voters during the elections even as he plans to rig the elections, yet I have absolute faith in God and the law enforcement agents that they will rise to the occasion and maintain law and order.

I initiated stipends for elderly— Fayose

•Fayose: I will improve the lot of Ekiti people BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

NE of the great feats that the APC candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has been praised for in the course of his stewardship is the social security programme he embarked upon. Under the programme, the sum of N5,000 is given to elders in the state who meet the conditions stipulated. The programme has undoubtedly won the governor accolades from far and near. One of the governor’s major challengers, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ayo Fayose, who governed the state between

2003 and 2006 is now claiming credit for initiating the first welfare programme for elderly citizens of the state. Fayose during electioneering campaign to Ayegbaju and Oye Ekiti at the weekend, said that impressions that Fayemi started the welfare programme is false as he claimed that he paid N2,000 to selected widows during his stewardship. Fayose said if given the chance to rule the state again that he would improve upon the existing programme and the living condition of the generality of the people of the state. He said his wife, Mrs Feyisitan Fayose, collaborated

with the Ministry of Social Development and Women Affairs to disburse the allowance to the widows at that time. “Though, I don’t want to engage in any controversy with anybody over any issue the records are there for anybody to see. I started the social security scheme for the elderly in this state through the various local governments. “Elderly people were then given the sum of N2,000 on monthly basis and the widows were equally taken care of aside the fact that l paid salary to workers including teachers on 20th of every month. Given another opportunity, I will improve on this,” he assured. Fayose, who went philosophical on the controversies during his stormy tenure that culminated in his forced departure from office on October 15, 2006 said that God has ordained it that he would be installed the next governor of the state on October 15 when the life of the present administration is expected to end. He thus urged voters to

collect their voters’ cards in the INEC office and commence a house -to -house campaigns and vote him in as the next governor of the state come June 21 At Oloye’s palace where the campaign train bathed and where the monarch of the town, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, held a prayer session for Fayose, the traditional ruler prayed for the success of Fayose at the polls. The monarch harped upon on the need to ensue peace and violence -free election before,

during and after the poll “It is the view of traditional rulers in this state that we want election devoid of acrimony. Fayose has said he does not want violence, to you his followers, please do according to his wish, don’t create unnecessary tension,” the monarch pleaded. Some notable people in the campaign train included Senator Ayo Arise, Hon Duro Faseyi, Senator Clement Awoyelu, Dr Jimi Oke and a host of others.

NCP joins the race

R Ilesanmi Emmanuel has emerged as the Ekiti State governorship candidate of the National Conscience Party, NCP. Emmanuel, the sole aspirant of the NCP, emerged as standard bearer by voice affirmation. National Chairman of the NCP, Dr Yinusa Tanko; National Secretary, Comrade Dele Akele; Deputy National Chairman, Alhaji Waheed

Lawal and its South-West Chairman, Comrade Waheed Lawal were on ground to conduct the election. Speaking with Vanguard, Alhaji Lawal said “as a registered political party, we have to participate in all elections. To the best of my knowledge, the only platform provided for Nigerians, fee of charge is the NCP. The only requirement of the NCP is your integrity.”

46 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014

IGERIA is a sad country to live in. This is because we are living in the midst of demons. Horned devils afflict us like vicious viruses. Look at what happened in the past one week. On Friday, 11th April 2014, Boko Haram terrorists invaded the venue of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Borno and massacred 200 candidates. Two days later, 60 people were killed in in Ngoshe and Kaigamari villages near the border with Cameroon. As if to remind us that this terror threat is not only a regional jeopardy, the Nyanya Motor Park was car-bombed, leading to the death of 75 persons and injury to more

Living among demonic enemies to be trained to become mothers and leaders of this nation in future. Unless we find ways to extricating them quickly from these monsters, they may come out totally wrecked physically, mentally and

But the problem of Boko Haram has been rendered seemingly formidable by the very nature of the Nigerian society; in other worlds, the Nigerian factor has crept into the fray and a simple matter is becoming increasingly complicated

than 200 persons according to revised official figures. And the following day, another heart-rending news hit the front pages and screens of our media: about 100 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. You can imagine the young ages of these children, usually between 11 and 17, the favourite age range for child abusers and paedophiles masquerading behind religion. As a father of two girls within that age bracket, I have not been able to sleep easy at night. My mind boggles at what these beasts could be doing to these innocent tendrils of youth sent to school

psychologically, with some of them carrying the pregnancies or even offspring of these fiends, being infected with HIV/AIDS and heaven knows what other vile infections, and wracked with vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF). Some might not be lucky to come back alive, as they might be used as human shields when our forces close in on the terrorists. Don’t also dismiss the possibility that some of them could be turned into local versions of British born white woman, Samantha Lewthwaite, the so-called “White Widow” implicated in the Al Shabbab siege of Nairobi shopping mall last

year, who became a super- by Doku Usmanov in 2004 (the charged arrowhead of terror internet is littered with videos after getting her mind of beheadings by these Islamic poisoned with Salafist venom. terror groups) you will know A careful attitudinal profiling they have a well formatted of the Boko Haram terror universal, coldblooded mode group’s dreadful exploits d’emploi. shows they are the most wicked of the Islamic terror Boko Haram groups around the world. deeper into infamy Other al Qaeda and the But the Nigerian Boko groups it inspires, such as Al Haram appears to have moved Shabbab of Somalia, Taliban of a step deeper into infamy by Afghanistan and Pakistan, the targeting innocent, preteen Islamic State of Iran and Syria (ISIS), the Islamic separatists little boys and girls for of Chechenya in Russia, the Al slaughter or use as sex slaves. Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb Other Islamists have clearly (AQIM) among a host of others are well known throat slitters. Being able to slaughter a fellow human being or kill in cold blood is regarded as a sign of valour among its soldiers. If you remember how Michael Adebolajo was able to butcher a British soldier, Lee Rigby in Woolwich, England last year in the glare of the public and the Beslan School massacre in 2004 staged by the Chechen rebels led Nyanya bomb blast

defined targets: government and security personnel and institutions, and sometimes, churches and places of worship belonging to rival Muslim groups. They also target rival clerics and political figures, particularly those with links to the US and the West. But the Nigerian Boko Haram, everyone is fair game. The more defenceless the juicier, since military targets have become more dangerous and difficult to come by and often require suicide attackers to confront. Boko Haram is still very much a rag-tag armed challenge. It is still a piece of cake for any coordinated and focused response by the Nigerian state. But the problem of Boko Haram has been rendered seemingly formidable by the very nature of the Nigerian society. In other worlds, the Nigerian factor has crept into the fray and a simple matter is becoming increasingly complicated. Just take a look.

OPINION BY MOSHOOD ISAH

UST before I picked my pen to write a piece about the recent blast in Abuja, I was greeted with the news that about the 100 or 200 school girls had been abducted in a village in Borno State. It is quite unfortunate that Nigeria’s situation has got to this alarming level where virtually all aspects of life are calling for urgent attention. Nonetheless, the issue of insecurity is the most important as you can seek employment, good roads, electricity and other basic amenities of life, only if you are alive and well. In this vein, my heart goes out to all the victims of the insurgency and their families and I pray that God should bring an end to these inhuman activities. Although the average Nigerian believes that activities of insurgents are restricted to the North East of the country, the reality is that virtually every part of the country is not safe. It is no more news that, North Western states like Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina have not been spared of the maiming that has become the talk of the day in the nation. This is not forgetting the rampaging marauders in North Central states like Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau. This is a simple sign that

Nyanya blast: Clarion call to safety consciousness insurgency is going viral and needs drastic action. The latest development in the spate of attacks is most unexpected and unpredictable because government appeared to have taken vital security measures around the Federal Capital Territory to avert any form of invasion. The explosion that rocked the densely populated Nyanya motor park left dozens dead and scores critically injured. A palpable feeling of frenzy, anxiety and hysteria enveloped the nation’s capital city as business activities were immediately brought to a halt. Fear of what would happen next and where became the immediate issue of discourse among both private workers and public servants in Abuja. Bereaved families are still mourning loudly as innocent promising lives of loved ones have been cut short by terrorists. The rate at which innocent Nigerians die as a result of bomb blasts by alleged members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, has become a source of concern to many Nigerians. This should be a major source of concern to residents of the nation’s

capital and the country at large. This is despite the seeming belief about the impregnable nature of Abuja city due to the high level of security presence in and around the Federal Capital Territory. And barely 24 hours after the Nyanya bomb blast, pandemonium broke out at the premises of the National Assembly as staff hurriedly abandoned their duty-posts as early as 1.30pm following rumours of a bomb planted somewhere within the premises. Expectedly, everyone had fled for their lives within a twinkle of an eye. This goes more than many miles in supporting the fact that, there is need for intensive security consciousness. For some time now, the federal capital has been relatively peaceful. As a matter of fact, the last of any form of insurgent activity happened towards the end of 2011 when an improvised explosive device went off at the Mogadishu Barracks (formerly Sani Abacha Barracks). Afterwards, security agents have been on their toes to checkmate any form of attack in and around the seat of power. During the

period, an attempted jailbreak by suspected Boko Haram insurgents was foiled at the Department of State Security headquarters. The Nyanya attack serves as a clarion call to the Federal Government, including all security agencies, that there is much to be done to safeguard the citizens of this nation within the FCT and other areas affected by terrorism. We sure never can tell where the next attack would come from, especially if the nation’s capital appears not to be really safe. Commentators have suggested that there is an urgent need for security agencies to step up their act and involve the use of intelligence in the fight against these terrorists, since a stitch in time saves nine. Finally, there is need for critical safety measures in densely populated areas like popular markets, motor parks and other public places. Everybody should always remain alert and security conscious. Security agents can only identify and track flashpoints. It is the responsibility of citizens to be conscious of strange movements and wary of inane objects for security and safety purposes. *Mr. Isah, a a public affairs commentator, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014 â€” 47

ITH the way the Boko Haram insurgency is playing out, it is apt to ask the question once again: How prepared are we for this battle? It is not a matter of mouthing it, we must let our actions speak. It is shocking to read the story, online, about the wives of soldiers in the Enugu division of the Nigerian Army, complaining/protesting the posting of their husbands to Boko Haram affected states. If our soldiers, through the actions of their spouses, are dreading postings to Borno and neighbouring states, how confident will they be when confronting the insurgents. In any battle fear is the greatest enemy. In fact, if you are afraid of going into a battle, the battle is half lost. Does this explain the ease with which the insurgents go in and come out of these areas despite the state of emergencies and imposed curfews? If this is so, then it is not too late to do a reassessment of our strategies, and urgently effect corrections where necessary. First, we must go back to the basics, down to the training and orientations for our troops. To what extent have they been trained, both in the combat and military psychology? I do not mean officers alone, I am referring to the rank and file, anyone that is in a position to

do battle and offer support service to troops in the war zones. Do we just put them together, based on their past training as soldiers, and send them to the front lines, or, we carry out fresh training? Training is not exhaustive, it must be regular and constant. For each batch that is to go to war, there must be fresh comprehensive trainings, including the psychology of the conflict. So, the training and indoctrination departments of all of our armed forces have a lot of work to do in designing programmes that will take care of such challenges. If they already have it in place, then it must be upgraded to suit present day realities. Today's military challenges call for new strategies and we must quicken our pace to cope in these areas. Having highlighted the above, the success or failure of the Boko Haram challenges and its type will depend on two major factors: Technology and Intelligence. How we put these two to use will determine the future stability of the nation. For example, how can a convoy of 30 hilux vehicles attack a military base in Borno and neighbouring towns, carry out dastardly actions and retreat successfully to their base in the forest without detection or counter measures? More surprising is the fact that the area is under emergency rule and so,

subject to curfew. The military response against the invaders of Timbuktu and other towns in the North of Mali was swift and brief because of the use of superior technology by the French army. The satellite cameras were detecting the movements of the rebels and picking their positions which enabled the air force and ground troops to know the positions of the enemy and helped checkmate their moves. In fact, the invaders were overwhelmed by the French army and allied troops; despite their bravery and fierce opposition, they could not match the superior force. That is the impact technology can create. If we do not have the instruments to detect positions of the insurgents via satellite, it is time for us to swallow our pride and reach out to Israel, France, Britain or the US to assist us. Without an effective satellite

Okubor and the unfolding Delta 2015 drama BY JESUTEGA ONOKPASA

HE Delta 2015 gubernatorial race is fast emerging as the most complicated and probably most confusing race for any Government House nationwide. Pundits are continuously shifting their bets, labouring beneath a debilitating cluelessness on how those bets may safely be hedged against the background of ever surprising developments which keep springing up to dominate the political landscape in the high-octane race to 2015. While the idea that the governorship would shift to the Delta North senatorial zone was hitherto more or less a given, serious contenders for the governorship have solidly emerged from all three zones. Needless to say, where does that leave advocates of power shift like me? I have often interrogated my support for political inclusiveness. However often I choose to embark on that exercise, I end up right where I began. It is not possible that God created any group of people not fit to rule. Indeed the idea that certain ethnic groups may validly be precluded from aspiring to the highest office in any clime is blasphemous and unreasonable. We are all created equal and that equality, being innate and inalienable, is nonnegotiable. That is what informed my support for Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and what powers my

continued support for a Governor from Delta North. Of course as an Urhobo, I dream of the day one of my kith and kin would emerge as President of Nigeria. At any rate, which of us minorities wasnâ€™t excited when one of us emerged President of Nigeria in the person of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan? What is sauce for the goose must be sauce for the gander and I will not in conceit and greed, proceed to deny my fellow man what I want for myself. But I also have a closer-to-home reason for my stance. Few people bother to remember anymore that the existence of the state we are at daggers drawn to rule is traceable to efforts led by a man of Delta North extraction. Dennis Osadebe, Premier of the defunct MidWest Region was the man who spearheaded its creation from the defunct Western Region. At the time of the struggle, my late father, Benedict Etedjere Onokpasa, was a member of the Action Group, AG. When it dawned on him that Obafemi Awolowo was immovably opposed to the creation of the Mid-West Region, he decamped to the Nnamdi Azikiweled National Council of Nigerian Citizens, NCNC, a party that tacitly supported its creation. Matters came to a head for my dad when the AG, as was its clandestine nature in those days, brought trumpedup charges against him alongside other decampees, including a fellow

BY SUNNY IKHIOYA

Are we ready for this war?

The country is in a state of war and everyone must wake up; if the Boko Haram insurgency is allowed to fester, the future of this country will remain a question mark

communication system, our plan to flush out the Boko Haram will remain a pipe dream. Our team must now begin to evolve strategies, to make the people open up to them for information. All possible channels must be explored: faith based organisations, community leaders, youth groups, farmers and cattle rearers associations, all types, must be factored in. The Boko Haram scourge is wiping out a whole generation of Northern youths; it is, therefore, of no benefit to any true citizen of this country. Anyone talking in support or trying to find justification for their actions, for any reason whatsoever, is only helping to destroy his country. There is no justification for the killings of innocent children and women, defenceless men and women, Muslims, Christians and so forth. It is plain madness and the government must give them the madness treatment. Now the bombings are getting closer, the Nyanya bombing is a pointer to the fact that we must all take our destiny in our own hands. Everyone must be placed on permanent alert and be on constant surveillance all over the country. Let everyone of our information agencies carry out sensitization campaigns to all nooks and crannies of this country, harping on the dangers of complacency in the issue of Boko Haram. The country is in a state of war and everyone must wake up. If the Boko Haram insurgency is

Remarkably humble, unassuming and perennially down to earth in a political theatre of egotistical individuals, there are few heights this medical doctor has not attained in politics

Okpe man, the late Chief Brass Ometan. They were arrested in Warri and environs, transported to Asaba and marched before a judge. It was Dennis Osadebe, the irrepressible bulwark of the Mid-West movement who defended them. Incidentally, it was the same Osadebe who coined the term Anioma and I simply cannot see how he could have championed our collective liberation from the Western Region, been the Premier of the MidWest Region, and for some reason, another person from Delta North cannot become the Governor of a state created from the same region he was most instrumental in creating.

pon what is, in all likelihood, the resignation of Victor Ochei, former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, I had resolved not to support anyone, from anywhere, for the governorship of Delta until such a time as a candidate emerges in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. But then I had chosen to support Ochei

allowed to fester, the future of this country will remain a question mark. Have we forgotten Afghanistan and Somalia? Picture a Nigerian Afghanistan and think. It is other peoples turn to weep now, tomorrow can be anybody else if we do not act now. POST SCRIPT There have been a deluge of criticisms on the decision of the President Goodluck Jonathan to embark on the Kano campaign a day after the Nyanya bombing. At first, I was also outraged but on second thought, I felt otherwise. In Israel after any suicide bombing,anywhere in the state of Israel, the place is cleared and normalcy is restored within minutes. This is to discourage the bombers from gloating in victory. In that sense, I will not criticise President Jonathan for his action. The only difference is that, as a set of troop is busy clearing the bomb area, another set is airborne in pursuit of the bombers and anyone remotely connected with them. The Israeli army will retaliate and inflict greater damages than the one inflicted on the people. In that area, our soldiers are slow to respond. It does give the people a sense of protection and belongingness to realise that the state can avenge for any misdirected attack against them. This is food for thought for the authorities. *Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

because he had asked me to support him. As we say in Urhobo, it is the man who calls you that you answer. Yet I had known Dr. Festus Okubor, present Chief of Staff to Governor Uduaghan, long before I ever met Ochei, and had served with him on the Delta PDP Campaign Council (2011). Dr. Okubor is an interesting fellow. Remarkably humble, unassuming and perennially down to earth in a political theatre of egotistical individuals, there are few heights this medical doctor has not attained in politics. Between 1996 and 1998, he emerged on the national political landscape when he became National Publicity Secretary of the defunct Grassroots Development Movement, GDM. Later in 2002, he became Chairman, Ika North East Local Government, and a year later became the State Director of Protocol, Government House, Asaba. Okubor was then appointed Commissioner for Special Duties in 2006, later as Commissioner for Information and then Commissioner for Health in 2007. In 2008, he became Chairman, Delta State Hospitals Management Board. In the hair-raising morass of the 2010-2011 electioneering season which saw two gubernatorial elections held in Delta in remarkable quick succession, Okubor emerged as Deputy Director General, Uduaghan Campaign Organization. The challenge with Okubor derives from his remarkably cool approach to politics. *Mr. Onokpasa, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Warri, Delta State.

48 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014

JONATHAN/NYAKO FACE-OFF

Nyako is frustrated, drowning —Owie FORMER Chief Whip of the Senate and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Roland Owie, at the weekend reacted to assertions by Governor Murtula Nyako that the Federal Government is responsible for the spate of violence normally attributed to the Islamic insurgent group, Boko Haram. He describes the assertion as baseless, describing the governor as a troublemaker who has fought every responsible man in his native Adamawa State. Excerpts: BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

HAT is your reaction to Governor Nyako’s assertion that the Federal Government is culpable over the spate of crisis in the North? No responsible Nigerian should take Governor Nyako serious. Quite frankly, this was a man that never knew when the PDP was formed and besides, since he came to Adamawa State he has done nothing, he has either been busy fighting either Atiku Abubakar or Senator Jibril Aminu or fighting Bamanga Tukur. He has been an isolationist and as a matter of fact, the only good aspect that Nyako has is that he has a good wife, Justice Nyako, after that, Nyako is baseless. No responsible Nigerian will take Nyako serious. What is he talking about Boko Haram? We know those who are in charge of Boko Haram. We know those who said that if the 2011 election did not favour them that they would make Nigeria ungovernable and we know the comments of various leaders from the North all the time that Boko Haram has been striking here and there. Not too long ago, a few persons that I respect including Babagana Kingibe

•Owie: Nyako is a troublemaker to say so called Boko Haram. Now that Boko Haram has virtually finished all the churches in the North, they are now descending on themselves because God has a way of making those who persecute innocent people to put their swords on themselves. Now that Boko Haram has virtually finished with Christian

The only good aspect that Nyako has is that he has a good wife, Justice Nyako, after that, Nyako is baseless

called on the Federal Government to withdraw the military from that area. Quite frankly, I think it is quite time to call for the imposition of full state of emergency on Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states. It should be full state of emergency and let the military take over like Obasanjo did. Governor Nyako says the Federal Government is responsible for the killings which it attributes to “the so called Boko Haram” You can see that Nyako is an evil-minded Nigerian for him

communities and churches, the blood of the innocent people has now entered their head so that they no longer care who they attack and it is now that Nyako is talking about so called Boko Haram. As a matter of fact, as the governor of a state who collects billions of naira as security votes, he should hide his head in shame. After all, a state like Jigawa is in the North, as we are talking today, Boko Haram is not rearing in Jigawa. Do you know that the administrations of these three states (Adamawa, Borno and

Yobe) have been terribly faulty? They have not been able to deliver dividends of democracy to their people. When you are talking about unemployment is it only the Federal Government that can give employment? The states have not done their own and they are looking at the federal to do it for them. They all have their allocations and I tell you, here you will find a northerner with four wives and 22 children and when their father and children want to sleep, they would not find out where they are. They wake up the following morning, they are not looking for the 22 children they have. They are on the streets being used by wicked people to perpetrate evil. As old as I am today, if my father were alive he would still find out from my wife in the evenings if I were not in and say, ‘where is your husband? Tell him to call me whenever he comes.’ Care for the children in the North, particularly these areas where you have Boko Haram, is zero. And besides, if you look at the history of the North, you will see that the Fulanis, the Hausas and the Kanuri have been at war with themselves from the creation of this nation.

And this zone where you find this is dominated by the Kanuris who always find themselves superior to these other ethnic groups. If the governors in these states had been performing, working like Governor Sule Lamido, insecurity would have been at the barest minimum, but some of our people in the North just feel that it is the birth right of the North to rule and now that a South-South person is there, they just feel that all they can do is to create enough problems so that people will say that Jonathan is not performing.

Declaration of full emergency Security does not belong to the Federal Government alone; it is there for all arms of government. And these governors are regularly taking billions of naira for security and they are doing nothing. So, I think that it is time to call a spade a spade and let Jonathan declare full emergency in these three states. Enough is enough of this arrogance from these irresponsible governors who don’t know where they come from.

So, what of the assertion that the Federal Government is sponsoring Boko Haram? That is nonsense. Jesus Christ said it that if the owner of the house is called Beelzebub, what will his followers be called? This was what the Jews did. They turned around to say that he was being used by the devil. The Federal Government has no reason to sponsor Boko Haram. The truth is that Boko Haram is an instrument for those who felt that if they didn’t win election, Nigeria would be ungovernable. One thing is very clear, when God says yes, nobody can say no and I know very well that peace will return to this nation and all those who don’t want peace to return to this nation, God will ensure that they are consumed by their own fire. What can elder-statesmen like do to make peace given the claims of Governor Nyako? We have a parable in Benin that the ground that needs blood for libation, there is no amount of palm oil you will pour on it that it will accept until that blood of libation is poured on it. What you are seeing today is the irresponsibility of people like Governor Nyako. This was a man that was in the Navy and has no respect for himself or those with whom he served in the military. If you watch his antecedents in particular, you will see that that letter is a letter from a frustrated person.

Re-election quest When Nyako was in the PDP, he never performed in Adamawa and but for the federal might he would have been defeated in his re-election quest. Check if there is any responsible Adamawa indigene that is supporting Nyako. He is there as a loner. That letter is a letter from a man who has refused to perform with the mandate given to him, it is a letter from a man who came to a house which he never built and tried to destroy it, it is a letter from a man who hates anyone that is near him that wants to do good. He fought Atiku, he fought Jibril Aminu, and he fought Buba Marwa and every human being that is worth something in Adamawa. People have deserted him, so that letter is from a drowning man. As far as I am concerned, it is a letter from a confused heart, a letter from someone God gave opportunity to govern and he misused it.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014 — 49

We’re on course to make 2015 elections best in history — Ekweremadu •Says defeating Boko Haram is do-able SENATOR Ike Ekweremadu, the deputy president of the Senate, last Monday, delivered a lecture entitled “Constitution review in an emerging democracy” to the faculty and staff of the John Hopkins University, Washington D.C., USA. Following the lecture, Ekweremadu also held talks with U.S specialists on Africa and addressed members of the Nigerian community who came from far and near within the United States to share views on Nigeria with him. At the end of the engagements, Ekweremadu spoke on his observations in an interview. Excerpts: BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

HAT is the outcome of your meetings in Washington? The major thing that I came here to do was to present a paper at John Hopkins University, and outside that, I had some scheduled meetings with some interest groups. I met with the National Security Adviser in President Bill Clinton’s administration, Mr. Sandy Barger and we spoke about the security issues in the sub-region of West Africa and how they could be of assistance to us using their experience, and he was very forth coming in the discussions. He spoke about the issue of border control and how that has been a panacea of sorts in the Middle-East and we are going to take it up from there as I intend telling the National

Haram including a joint effort on the level of the Chad River Basin Commission which would mean Nigeria, Chad, Niger being involved in finding a solution to this problem because that had been the major problem in Nigeria’s engagement with Boko Haram. So, because of the sub-regional implications, it became necessary for Nigeria to involve other countries within the sahel region to ensure that we have a concerted effort in dealing with this matter. I am aware that in a place like Chad that they are selling AK 47 riffles on the streets, so if they are not involved, we will be wasting our time because the supply of arms will go on unhindered and that is why we need to involve others in the region. And I made it clear to them that we are open to dialogue and

We are going to amend the constitution to address some of the concerns we have noticed between 2011 and now, just as we are also reviewing the Electoral Act to improve on the quality of the election in 2015 Security Adviser of our discussion so that the two of them can take it up from there so that we can take advantage of his experience in that respect. I also spoke with officials of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies and they wanted an assurance that there would be free and fair election and I made it clear to them that we have been in the process of electoral reform since 2010. The group had earlier met with Dr. Doyin Okupe and Alhaji Lai Mohammed and my meeting with them was more like a followup. So, I assured them that we are working with Prof. Atthairu Jega, the chairman of the Independent and National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the election in 2015 will be very transparent. They wanted to find out what would happen in the North-East, I told them that we are very optimistic that matters would have been settled by then and that Nigeria is considering a lot of options in dealing with Boko

discussions on ideas on how to deal with this matter. So, we want our friends to be part of any effort to resolve this issue. Did you address concerns raised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the forum with the CSIS on the sincerity of the Nigeria administration towards free and fair elections in 2015? The matter came up and I told them that the government is determined to ensure that there is free and fair election and that everything to that regard is being put in place including legislative infrastructure that would enable this election to be successful. We have looked at the success recorded in 2011 and the areas that require improvement and we are providing both constitutional and legislative support for that. So, we are going to amend the constitution to address some of the concerns we have noticed between 2011 and now, just as we are also reviewing the Electoral Act to improve on the quality of the election in 2015.

So, we believe that the election in 2015 will be much better than that of 2011 in spite of the fact that that was adjudged to be very successful. So, will these meetings bring them to support development in Nigeria? Definitely! We also met with the authorities of the John Hopkins University to see if they could set up a campus in Nigeria because I noticed a large number of Nigerians in the school and they spend $60,000 to $100,000 to acquire their degrees here.

Quality education I believe that this money can be saved in a way in Nigeria if they can set up a campus in Nigeria and it will help save transport and living expenses expended here in the United States and at the same time acquire this quality education. We will continue this dialogue as it seems interesting to them because I believe that whatever we can get now in terms of quality education that Nigeria will be better for it. We need to think of the future leaders of Nigeria, how we can develop them intellectually to face the challenges of tomorrow. So, we will be continuing the discussion with the John Hopkins University through the Nigeria Institute of Legislative Studies, NAILS which is already collaborating with the University of Benin on legislative studies. But this will be broader programme and we expect it to be a major development in our educational sector. What do you think you can get from the U.S. to check the activities of Boko Haram? The U.S. has been deeply involved in fighting terrorism in different parts of the world, so no doubt, they must have acquired some experience doing that. So, we can share their experience in the Middle-East especially in the area of border control. We have porous problems in that part of Nigeria, so it is important that we develop the kind of infrastructure that can help us deal with this matter. What we need is their

•Ekweremadu: We can defeat Boko Haram advice and their logistic support and indeed, their psychological support because terrorism is an international challenge, so it is not just Nigeria that is affected because once a bomb goes off, you don’t know who would be killed, it could be any national. So, there should be a concerted effort every time and everywhere to deal with terrorism anywhere in the world. What is your message to Nigerians following the latest Boko Haram strike in Nyanya, Abuja? It was a sad development and I believe this is a time that we can all come together as a country to fight this ugly development, to fight this insurgency.

National challenge We need to come together as a country because today it is Mr. A, tomorrow it could be Mr. B. So, irrespective of religion or tribe, we need to come together, bond together as a country and then fight the insurgency and obliterate it from our system. I believe that it is doable and we have gone through challenges like this such as the civil war. So, I am very optimistic that we would be able to go through this challenge, the important thing is for us to see it as a national issue, not a northern issue, a North-East issue or a South-West issue or a Muslim or a Christian issue. We must see it as a national challenge for all of us as Nigerians. We must as a people come together, condemn it, fight it and get it away as quickly as possible.

Were you able to address the concerns of the Nigerian community in United States on these challenges? `1Definitely, I did. I met with a cross section of Nigerians after the lecture and it was an opportunity for us to have informal discussions on developments at home and we encouraged them to come home.

Enabling environment One of my friends who came with me, Prince Chris Igwe, made it clear to them that there are more opportunities for them at home than they would have in the United States. He gave examples of Nigerians who moved from the USA where they were doing nothing to Nigeria where they are now doing extremely well. What we must know is that government cannot provide work for everybody and our people are very enterprising and all that government can do is to provide the enabling environment.People are here just managing to survive with the very stringent system where people pay very extreme tax and the security situation is not too different from what we have in Nigeria. You have a situation where children go to school and kill fellow students and where unthinkable things happen. So, if insecurity is the issue, nobody would even stay in America, no where is secured anyway. So, what we need to do is that all of us should think how we can help our system, but that is not an excuse for us not to pray for progress.

50 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014 NEWS ON BRIEFS

Australia sees ‘regroup’ on Malaysian plane search in a few days

Easter: Pope preaches dialogue M

ARKING Chris tianity’s most hopeful day, Pope Francis made an Easter Sunday plea for peace and dialogue in Ukraine and Syria, for an end to terrorist attacks against Christians in Nigeria and for more attention to the hungry and neediest close to home. Well over 150,000 tourists, Romans and pilgrims, young and old turned out for the Mass that Francis celebrated at an altar set up under a canopy on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica. So great were their numbers that they overflowed from sprawling St. Peter’s Square, which was bedecked with row after row of potted daffodils, sprays of blue hyacinths and bunches of white roses. Waving flags from the pope’s native Argentina as well as from Brazil, Mexico, Britain, Poland and many other countries, they also filled the broad boulevard leading from the square to the Tiber River. Easter is the culmination of Holy Week and marks Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead after his crucifixion. Francis noted that this year the Catholic church’s celebration of Easter coincided with that of Orthodox churches, which have many followers in

T Pope Francis prayed for an end to conflicts in Syria and Ukraine Ukraine. Francis prayed that God would “enlighten and inspire the initiatives that promote peace in Ukraine, so that all those involved, with the support of the international community, will make every effort to prevent violence.” In eastern Ukraine, the holiday was marred by a deadly shooting Sunday fueled by tensions between pro-Russian supporters in the east and those loyal to an interim government in Kiev. The clash appeared to defy an international agreement reached last week in hopes of ending months of unrest. Francis also prayed that all sides in Syria will be moved to “boldly negotiate the peace long await-

manned by pro-Russia insurgents in eastern Ukraine, Russia’s Foreign

Outside an airbase in Kramatorsk in Eastern Ukraine, pro-Russian demonstrators swarmed and roughed-up a Ukrainian general who came out to talk to them after troops inside had earlier opened fire, apparently wounding three.

ed and long overdue.” Syria has been wracked by a three-year civil war that has cost 150,000 lives and forced millions to flee the country. Christians make up about 5 percent of Syria’s population. In comments to mark Easter there, the Greek Orthodox patriarch vowed that Christians there “will not submit” to extremists who attack “our people and holy places.” Francis makes a pilgrimage to Jordan, the Palestinian territories and Israel next month, so on Easter he prayed that hopes sparked by the resumption of Mideast peace negotiations will be sustained. Thousands of pilgrims from around the world flocked to the celebrate Easter in the Holy Land,

where Christian communities, as well as elsewhere in the Middle East, have been declining as the faithful flee regional turmoil. Francis also spoke of those suffering in Africa from an epidemic of deadly Ebola and urged a halt to “brutal terrorist attacks” in parts of Nigeria. Nigerians marked Easter with heightened security against a spreading Islamic uprising, mourning the deaths of 75 bomb blast victims and fearful of the fate of 85 abducted schoolgirls. The homegrown terror network Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for last week’s rush-hour explosion in the capital, Abuja, and threatened more attacks.

Ministry issued a statement blaming militant Ukrainian nationalists and Russian state television stations aired pictures of supposed proof of their involvement in the attack that left at least three people dead. The Ukrainian Security Service, however, said the attack was staged by provocateurs from outside the country. And the presented evidence — particularly a pristine business card said to have been left behind by the attackers — was met with widespread ridicule in Ukraine, where

it soon had its own Twitter hashtag. The armed clash early Sunday near the city of Slovyansk appeared to be the first since an international agreement was reached last week in Geneva to ease tensions in eastern Ukraine, where armed pro-Russia activists have seized government buildings in at least 10 cities. Ukraine’s new leaders and many in the West fear that such clashes could provide a pretext for Russia to seize more Ukrainian territory.

South Korea ferry: Transcript reveals evacuation panic

HE last communica tions between the South Korean ferry that sank on Wednesday and traffic services reveal panic and indecision by the crew.

USTRALIA will decide in a few days whether to alter or scale back the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, but will consult all countries involved on any changes, Australia’s ambassador to the United States said on Sunday. Kim Beazley told CNN the search countries would “regroup and reconsider” if nothing is found in a section of the Indian Ocean floor now being scanned by a U.S. Navy underwater drone. This includes adjustments to the air and sea surface search efforts and the possibility of bringing in private contractors to replace some military assets, he said.

Turkey Twitter accounts blocked after Erdogan court action

Ukraine, Russia trade blame for shootout in east ITHIN hours of an Easter morning shootout at a checkpoint

In the newly released transcript, a crew member repeatedly asks if there were vessels on hand to rescue passengers if evacuation was ordered.

The captain has said he delayed the move for fear people would drift away. After three days, divers have now entered the ferry and retrieved 26

bodies, bringing the death toll to 58. However, another 244 people are still missing. Some 174 passengers were rescued.

WO anonymous Twitter accounts used to release secretly recorded conversations implicating family and associates of Turkey’s prime minister and senior government officials in a corruption scandal appeared to have been blocked yesterday. Twitter last week agreed to comply with a Turkish government request to close some accounts that officials said had breached national security or privacy regulations. The two accounts - Haramzadeler and Bascalan each had more than 400,000 followers, who now see only a red circle with a line through it and cannot access any tweeted material.

UN envoy, Israel in Easter ritual access row

HE UN’s Middle East peace envoy has criticized Israeli authorities for allegedly preventing him from reaching an Easter ritual in Jerusalem. Robert Serry said the delay was “unacceptable behaviour” and called on all parties to “respect the right of religious freedom”. Israel said it was a “micro-incident” and questioned Mr Serry’s judgement. Thousands of Christian pilgrims took part in the Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Mr Serry said that he was held up at a checkpoint along with other diplomats and dozens of Palestinians trying to make their way to the ceremony.

French journalists arrive home after Syria hostage ordeal

OUR French journalists taken hostage in Syria were reunited with family and colleagues on Sunday in an emotional homecoming after 10 months in captivity during which they were chained together and held in dingy basements. Looking thin and tired but overjoyed, the men hugged relatives and colleagues waiting at an air base southwest of Paris where they flew in early Sunday from Turkey. “It was a long haul, but we never lost hope,” said radio reporter Didier Francois, who, like the rest of the group, had shaved the long beard he grew in captivity before the reunion at the Villacoublay base. “From time to time, we got snatches of information, we knew that the world was mobilised,” said Francois, 53, an experienced and highly respected war reporter for Europe 1 radio.

Many dead in Iraq violence ahead of vote

OMBINGS across Iraq, including a suicide blast at a college in north Baghdad, have killed at least 18 people, while clashes in the country’s restive city of Fallujah left 15 people dead. Yesterday’s violence came less than two weeks before a parliamentary election that will be a major test for security forces. Police officials said that a suicide bomber with an explosives belt attacked the main gate of a Shia private college in Baghdad’s eastern neighbourhood of Ur, while three armed men attacked the back gate.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014 — 51 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 AQUARIUS; Make sure your plans for both immediate and far future are legal friendly. This is day of success you will need to savour with your partners/spouse. PISCES; Even if you think your health is ok you better make sure you confirm your fitness from your doctor before giving in to strenuous activities. Success at work indicated for those of you who are truly healthy. Be practical please. ARIES; It will not be a bad idea trying to consolidate on progress made recently. And the more co-operative you are today the better it will be for you.. TAURUS; You will be in good position to take good advantage within your working arena.. Don’t wait till tomorrow before you make important future plans. GEMINI; Tomorrow may bring more challenges than anticipated that is why you will need to prosecute your plans now. Lovers are fairly favoured.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY By Richard Eromosele

Y nature, every human being wants to avoid a problem. It is also natural for humans to bemoan any p r o b l e m whenever they

Solve A Probem face any. Yet, everyone of us wants progress. How can we progress when we try everything possible to avoid

TERROR MUDA

problem? E v e r y destination has its own route and road. The road to the top is solving problems -

in “Never say goodbye”

solving your own problem and solving other p e o p l e s ’ p r o b l e m s i n c l u d i n g organisational problems. Think about it! By Lanre Kehinde

CANCER; Those of you who are moderate and practical with their financial plans are in for a good day. Live up to expectation within your family circle. LEO; Success is within your reach but you must do away with mental arrogance and take good and practical advice from the professionals. Work harder. VIRGO; Your being enterprising will go a long way to further enhance your prospects and if financial advancement is your priority you will fare better. Be more loving. LIBRA; Prepare to take the lead and exhibit your special talent. Advice from younger people may look good but not practical enough thus if you must take advice today take it from matured personality who may appear authoritative. SCORPIO; Element of luck will work in your favour, however that is not to say you can not back your reasonable plans with practical action. Keep your secrets. SAGITTARIUS; You will have your ways; much will depend on how ambitious you are, the bigger your aspiration the better. Take your tried and trusted friends seriously.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

CAPRICORN; Here is an ambitious day for many of you and with moderation things will go according to your plans. Financial success is actually close to you than you think.

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,

My full Horoscope please!!! Dear Joshua, I want you to analyse my horoscope fully. I was born on July 8, 1969. I am a male graduate of Geology gainfully employed. Bolaji. Lagos. Dear Bolaji, To analyse any horoscope fully I will need three to four pages of this highly respected Newspaper; I believe you understand what I mean. But not worry what you will get here-under will prove helpful. YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA/PLANETARY PLACEMENT DATE OF BIRTH = TUESDAY MAY 8, 1968 SUN SIGN = CANCER ;SUN IN 16TH DEGREE OF CANCER MOON SIGN = TAURUS ;MOON IN 8TH DEGREE OF TAURUS MERCURY IN ZERO DEGREE OF CANCER VENUS IN 1ST DEGREE OF GEMINI MARS IN 1ST DEGREE OF SAGITTARIUS JUPITER IN 29TH DEGREE OF VIRGO SATURN IN 7TH DEGREE OF TAURUS URANUS IN ZERO DEGREE OF LIBRA NEPTUNE IN 26TH DEGREE OF SCORPIO PLUTO IN 22ND DEGREE OF VIRGO NORTH NODE IN 23RD DEGREE OF PISCES SOUTH NODE IN 23RD DEGREE OF VIRGO NUMBERS OF PLANET HOSTED BY GROUP OF STAR SIGNS (ACCORDING TO QUALITY & ELEMENT) ARE; CARDINAL = 3, FIXED = 3, MUTABLE = 4, FIRE = 1, EARTH = 4, AIR = 2 WATER = 3. PUSH-FULL INFLUENCE = 30% NON-PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 70% FINAL DISPOSITOR (PLANET AT HOME) = NONE ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA/PLANETARY PLACEMENT As there was no Planet at home when you were born, too many ideas will constantly struggle for supremacy in your mind, especially whenever you are to take important decision of finality nature thus, confusion can creep in. But thank goodness for the quality of your mind that do not allow daydreaming as indicated by preponderance of Planets in mutable (qualitative) and earth (elemental) Star Signs; this simply means you can be adaptable but must not give away the practical approach in you. Astrologically, Cancer is a calm, cool-headed and kind hearted Star Sign with greatest regard for the family tree. And with not more than 30 percentage of push-full influence in your chart, you are not the type who will go on offensive (or adopt aggressive) approach to achieve your aims and objectives.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

52 — Vanguard,MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014

Vanguard CLASSIFIED

ALALA—I, formerly known and addressed as Alala Faith Aghogho, now wish to be known and addressed as Omochovwen Faith Aghogho. All former documents remain valid. Delta State University and the general public please take note. OKOLI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoli Augustina Omerebere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ezigbo Augustina Omerebere. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. OLADAPO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwatoyin Kehinde Oladapo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwatoyin Kehinde Abimbola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ALTER Gagg is a FIFA Director with incredible knowledge of the round leather game. Mention a game that was played many years ago and expect Walter Gagg to furnish you with uncanny details, complete with the dramatis personae. For over 15 years and consecutively too, he has become more like a consultant to CAF, directing all the security concerns of CAF competitions and helping out with other activities. No wonder then that when CAF needed someone with a FIFA touch to be appointed to the high level CAF Inspection team to the six bidding countries of the 2019 and 2021 Nations Cup, that person had to be Walter Gagg. It was in Abidjan, Cote D’ivoire that we met. With the luxury of a break during the intensive inspection tour, Gagg was to tell the officials of the Federation Ivoirien de Football that in a group that had Colombia, Greece and Japan, Cote D’ivoire had perhaps the best chance of any African team to move into the next round of the FIFA World Cup, Brazil 2014. The Ivorian football officials were delighted with the news, coming from him. I waited for my time. At breakfast the next day at the prestigious Hotel Ivoire, I cornered him. “Gagg”, I said. “yesterday you talked about the chances of the Elephants, what about the Super Eagles of Nigeria?” He did not respond immediately, rather he took out a piece of paper from his pocket and studied it. It was a World Cup fixtures guide. “….You should have it. I never go anywhere without it. Later I will make you a copy”, he promised. After studying the document that contained all the groups,time of matches and venues, he said Nigeria should beware of Bosnia and Herzegovina. “…It will be 50/50. You can beat Bosnia, but Bosnia can also beat you. The greatest asset of the Bosnia team is the coach, Safet Susic, (59) the greatest Bosnia player alive, who was also a legend in Paris Saint Germain as a player” Gagg went on to say how the coach was such a model tactician, he reminded me that during the European Qualifiers, Bosnia and Herzegovina won eight and drew one of the ten matches played, scored 30 goals and conceded only six and with players playing consistently in top clubs in Europe Bosnia was a threat. Some of those players were identified as the goal scoring machine Edin Dzeko of Man City, Vedad Ibisevic (

Beware of Bosnia, says FIFA expert

You cannot expect to take any team for granted, not even Iran...

ONUA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Benedicta Chikodi Onua, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Benedicta Chikodi Sunday Onyekenyadi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Sttutgard ) Tino-Sven Susic (Hadjuk Split) Izet Hajnovic (Galatasaray) Asmir Begovic first choice goalkeeper at Stoke, Miralem Pjanic (AS Roma) Senad Lulic (Lazio) and Emir Saphic of Bayer Leverkusen among others. Again he brought out his reference material. Two key factors will go a long way in deciding the group he said. One is the result of the opening matches . Nigeria must beat Iran and hope that Bosnia hold Argentina. (He then added that Iran was a very tactical side but with very little international experience. “ ……Their Portuguese Coach Queiroz was in South Africa during CHAN to study the playing pattern of Nigeria and he is very good at reading games” he said) The second factor was that Nigeria was going to play Bosnia in the South of Brazil, a place called Cuiaba, which with over 40 degrees centigrade was the hottest state capital in Samba Land. “...That place is hot, very hot. Whoever can cope with the heat or plans on how to cope with the heat is likely to emerge victorious “By the way, where is your Base Camp?” He asked. I quickly got in touch with NFF Spokesperson Demola Olajire, who replied that it was in Vitoria Hotel Campinas, about 65 minutes drive to and from Sao Polo Airport. Walter Gagg thought it was okay, although the best site would have been in the south where Nigeria will play Iran and Argentina in Curitiba and Porto Alegre.

“……. Beautiful weather in the South. “In the East of Brazil where you will play Bosnia is very hot and humid. It will be quite telling on the players. I have been there, with the Swiss National team some years ago and though we managed to draw 1-1 it was quite an experience” Argentina? “You have always been grouped with Argentina, but ah…I remember the final of the U20 World Cup in Holland in 2005….what a match. Nicholas Navarro, Segio Aguerro, Lionel Messi, Mikel Obi….”. The world believes a world cup without Argentina in the semi finals is a failure that is why on paper everyone believes it will be Argentina and one other. It is up to you to prove the world wrong” Nigeria? “….Great potential. I like Keshi, he is a good coach and my friend. When you go back, say me hi to him. Also extend my greetings to Amokachi, Ike and Kanu. Great professionals. Nigeria has a great chance. As I said earlier, the Eagles can beat Bosnia, all they need is tactical discipline and maximum concentration throughout the duration of the matches. You cannot expect to take any team for granted, not even Iran…..”

ADVERT HOTLINE Milo Africa Championship: Nestle pledges continuous 01- 8737025

support for youth development tions of the Milo brand to sports development in Nigeria and pledged that the company will continue to create bene-

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ESTLE Nigeria Plc has promised to continue supporting youth development programs in the country through sports to ensure a steady line of intelligent, healthy and active future leaders. The assurance was made at the unveiling of plans for the 3rd Milo Africa U-13 Football Championship in Lagos on Wednesday by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestle Plc, Nigeria, Mr. Dharnesh Gordhon who explained that the Milo African Championship (MAC) aims to promote cross-cultural ties, and discipline through football. According to Gordhon

ficial platforms for youths to engage and find expression for their natural sporting endowments.

Ekiti United finger ref in loss to 3SC

Cross section of team Nigeria, with their coach, Mr. Oyinloye Joshua Seyi, during the 3rd Nestle Milo under 13 African championship press conference, held at Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

“Nestle Milo are pleased to be one of the major private sector contributors to the development of sports in Nigeria, as part of our com-

mitment to promoting physical activities and enhance the quality of life through sports” He expressed satisfaction with the contribu-

HE management of Ekiti United has blamed center referee Adeyeye B.A from Lagos for awarding two questionable penalties for Shooting Stars Sports Club, 3SC, of Ibadan in a week 11 Nigeria National League, NNL, match played at the Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan on Saturday. The result dashed the hope of the coach Adewumi Moses-tutored side to secure their

first away win in the ongoing National League this season. Sylvanus Ebiaku’s two goals from the spot in each half of the encounter in the 36th and 87th minutes gave the Oluyole Warriors the needed victory to settle the contest between both clubs. Ekiti United Secretary, Olowolafe Ayodeji said the center referee played the role of a spoiler in the match.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014—53

C M Y K

C M Y

54 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014

Keshi hails Okoku over Greater Tomorrow Foundation S UPER Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi has hailed exinternational and former teammate, Paul Okoku over the launch of the Greater Tomorrow Children Fund for lessprivileged kids. At the olourful and wellattended ceremony held inside the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, Keshi, who described Okoku as a trusted brother and best friend, said that the Greater Tomorrow Foundation was also his project, noting further that he has always been involved with the pet project spearheaded by Okoku. “I am a part and parcel of the Greater Tomorrow Children Foundation. This is also my project. Okoku, I am sold on this. You can always count on my support and I must commend you for this great initiative to help the less-prvileged ones in our society”, said Keshi. Continuing, the former Togo and Mali coach said that Okoku should be encouraged by all Nigerians in delivering on the Foundation’s objectives to change the lives of deprived in the

Nigerian society. “My appeal to Nigerians and corporate bodies is that we should support this noble project because over there in the America, the major thing driving the society is charity. Society cannot do well without giving to the charity orrganisations, which in turn ensure that

the ones who do not have are well taken of. “It is a thing of shame that over here in Nigeria, we seem to care only of ourselves. That is why we are having all these problems in the country because there are so many deprived people in our support. Nigeria will changes when we start helping the helpless.

Ejide refuses bench role in Israel

FTER complaining of a back problem for most past of last week, Austin Ejide failed to make his 31st appearance in the Premier League as Hapoel Beer Sheva took on Maccabi Haifa. The Nigeria international

Wawrinka beats Federer to win Monte Carlo Masters title “It’s exceptional to be

TA N I S L A S Wawrinka won the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time Sunday, rallying to beat Roger Federer 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2 in a rare all-Swiss final. The Australian Open champion had lost his previous two Masters finals and looked like losing a third until Federer’s level dropped suddenly late in the second set, and Wawrinka began troubling the 17-time Grand Slam champion with his aggressive backhand. The fourth-seeded Federer, who accepted a wild card invitation to play in the tournament, was also looking to win it for the first time after los-

ing his three previous finals here to eight-time champion Rafael Nadal from 2006-08. Wawrinka has beaten Federer only twice in 15 matches but both victories have come here. He also beat him in the third round in 2009.

able to win my first Masters title here,” Wawrinka said. It was the first time that Federer and Wawrinka met in a championship decider. In the last allSwiss final, Marc Rosset beat Federer in Marseille in 2000.

Provisional list Continues from BP would join the foreign legion for the Eagles’ friendly in London against Scotland and their camping exercise in USA. A very competent source informed Sports Vanguard that Stephen Keshi has an impeccable belief in the team that won the African Cup of Nations in South Africa. ‘’He thinks that those who won the Nations Cup did so much and deserve to go to the World Cup since you don’t change a winning team’’, our source said. One other lucky player whose name has been included in Keshi’s list is German-based Leon Balogun who is recovering from injury. ‘’Surprisingly he made the list’’, our source said of the player who picked an injury in his debut for the Eagles.

Another player who got listed in the provisional list is Stoke City ‘bad boy ’ Osaze Odemwingie whose last minute apology to Keshi and the Nigeria Football Federation did the magic for his inclusion. ‘’Osaze is in the list. The only person that I did not see his name is Ike Uche. And the officials of the NFF have done everything to convince Keshi to include the lad in the list. But keshi has his own reasons. He said that for a player who do not see him as a good coach cannot play for him’’, our source said. We also learnt that there would be one or two names that would shock Nigerians in the list. ‘’I think that it is a good list that will do Nigeria proud in Brazil’’, our source emphasised.

Spain — Liga 2-4 Celta Vigo 3-1 Real Betis 1-0 Granada

Almerial Rayo Vallecano Sevilla

•Ejide

was supposed to be included in the 18 - man roster but he strongly rejected the offer from manager Elisha Levy . It was believed that Ejide was mindful of the fact that observersmightthinkhewas dropped to the bench due to a drop in form.

Germany — Bundesliga Numberg 1-4 Bayer Leverkusen VFB Stuttgart 3-1 Sshalke 04 Monaco Bastia Bordeaux Lorient Reims Valenciennes

France — Ligue 1 1-0 Nice 2-1 Ajaccio 5-1 Guingamp 4-4 Montpellier 0-1 Sochaux 2-6 Nantes

Liverpool Continues from BP 2-0 ahead inside 10 minutes as the relegation-threatened Canaries were ripped apart with a superb 25yard effort from Sterling, before Suarez tucked home from close range. However, Norwich - just two points above the drop zone - rallied after Gary Hooper reduced the deficit following a poor punch by Simon Mignolet only for Sterling to slot home a deflected third on the break. Robert Snodgrass set up a tense finale with his far post header with 13 minutes left, but the Reds secured what looks to be a priceless victory in their

bid to win a first championship in more than 20 years. With England forward Daniel Sturridge missing because of a hamstring injury and Jordan Henderson suspended following his red card against Manchester City, Joe Allen and Lucas Leiva came into the Liverpool midfield. Suarez - who has scored 11 goals against the Canaries in the last four meetings - lead the attack as the Reds looked to move five points clear of Chelsea. It was Sterling, though, who made an instant impact, firing Liverpool in front after just four minutes.

Oboabona Continues from BP •Wawrinka

Amuneke Continues from BP following last minute withdrawal of Niger which they would have met on Saturday. ”We are in good spirit ahead of our match against Mali on Monday and by the grace of God, we shall come on top,” Amuneke said after the team’s special service at their Blue Angel Hotel camp in Lome on Sunday. “We have actually asked for blessing from God and hav-

ing done our own part, we are confident that God will help us to achieve victor y,” he added. Indeed, the Golden Eaglets would go into this match knowing that the Malians would not give them a quarter after their rampaging predecessors dispatched them from the last CAN Under-17 T o u r n a m e n t in Morocco on a 4-0 aggregate score line.

Brazil, we all play at top level. We are ready to take the world by storm. I am ready as ever to give my best for Nigeria whenever I am called upon,” Oboabona said, in an interview with African Football. com. The central defender will be on the provisional squad to be announced by coach Stephen Keshi in the new week. The African champions will feature in their fifth World Cup and they are drawn against Argentina, BosniaHerzegovina and Iran in

the first round of Brazil 2014. The former Sunshine Stars captain also told AfricanFootball.com his Turkish club Rizespor will retain their status in the top flight. “That is what we are playing for now, we are putting in our best. I am sure we will survive the drop. The victory at Kayserispor last weekend was a big boost to our ambition,” he said. “I hope we continue like that.” Oboabona has made 15 appearances in the league for Rizespor and has scored a goal.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014—55

C M Y K

C M Y

VANGUARD, MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014

England - Premier League Norwich City Hull City Everton

2-3 0-3 2-0

Liverpool Arsenal Manchester United

EPL Top Five Team Liverpool Chelsea Man City Arsenal Everton

Brazil World Cup: Provisional list

GP 35 35 33 35 35

W 25 23 22 21 20

D 5 6 5 7 9

L 5 6 6 7 6

GF 96 67 88 62 57

GA 44 26 34 41 34

GD 52 41 54 21 23

PTS 80 75 71 70 69

a step closer Osaze in, Ike Uche out! Liverpool to title dream

•6 home-based in 35-man list

AHEEM Sterling scored twice and Luis Suarez broke the 30-goal barrier as Barclays Premier League leaders Liverpool beat Norwich 3-2 at Carrow Road to move five points clear at the top of the table. The Reds showed their intent to make the most of Chelsea’s shock home defeat by Sunderland on Saturday, and romped Continues on Page 54

BY TONY UBANI

S Nigerians await the release of the 35-man provisional World Cup list from coach Stephen Keshi tomorrow, we can authoritatively inform that all the players who played at the Africa Cup of Nations victory in South Africa in 2013 except Ike Uche are included in the list. Also, six home-based Eagles, Kunle Odunlami(Sunshine), Chigozie Agbim(Gombe United), Azubike E g w u e k w e ( Wa r r i Wolves), Dan Akepei(Warri Wolves), Ejike Uzoenyi(Rangers of Enugu) and Abdullahi Shehu(Kano Pillars) are the lucky ones who Continues on Page 54

•Keshi

•Osaze••• In

•Uche ••• Out

Amuneke: Mali must fall G

•Agbim

OLDEN Eaglets’ Coach Emmanuel Amuneke (MON) believes his record as a national team coach would start on a winning note on Monday when Nigeria face Mali at the WAFU B Under-17 Tour-

nament in Togo. The eagerly anticipated match fixed for 2:30pm local time-3:30pm Nigerian time-at Stade Municipal would be Golden Eaglets’ first match at the tournament

Continues on Page 54

•Amuneke

•Rodgers

Eagles will shine in Brazil — Oboabona

IGERIA defender G o d f r e y Oboabona has said that, African champions, the Super Eagles will shine at the World Cup in Brazil in June. “We will do well in Continues on Page 54

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Plunder (5) 5 Gift (6) 8 Reappear (5) 10 Anew (6) 11 Group (4) 14 Consuming (6) 15 Fought (7) 18 Enclosure (3) 19 Colour (3) 21 Remainder (4) 23 Revolt (5) 24 Petal (4) 27 Obscure (3) 29 Solidify (3) 31 Hurricane (7) 32 Poured (6) 34 Fruit (4) 35 Escaped (6) 38 Sea-duck (5) 39 Stretch (6) 40 Species (5)

DOWN 2 Away (3) 3 Pact (6) 4 Aye (3) 5 Loyal (4) 6 Linger (6) 7 Objective (6) 9 Applauded (7) 12 Sleep (3) 13 Prong (4) 16 Competent (4) 17 Liability (5) 20 Relegated (7) 22 Pip (4) 24 Small (6) 25 Elderly (4) 26 Feminine (6) 28 Uncertain (6) 30 Permit (3) 33 Act (4) 36 Limb (3) 37 Bird (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Accept 5, Disc 8, Sober 9, Tea 10, Even 11, Life 12, Atlas 13, Repair 16, Seen 18, Echo 20, Pod 22, Set 23, Dry 24, Mine 25, Plea 28, Draped 30, React 32, Root 33, Tame 34, Lag 35, Seven 36, Died 37, Studio.

DOWN: 1, Attire 2, Champion 3, Precis 4, Contented 5, Delayed 6, Iris 7, Crew 8, Sea 14, Respected 15, Shy 17, Eel 19, Crippled 20, Pig 21, Deleted 26, Ardent 27, Adagio 29, Bred 30, Rose 31, Tan.

How to Play Sudoku

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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