Nigeria has defeated Ebola -

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62257

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Soldiers kill 25 Boko Court nullifies Jimoh Haram members, recover Ibrahim's ownership of Newswatch 10 arms in Damboa 3

Nigeria has defeated Ebola — WHO

By Sola Ogundipe, Favour Nnabugwu, Olasunkanmi Akoni, Chioma Obinna, Victoria Ojeme & Gabriel Olawale

•It's major milestone — FG, Atiku, LASG, RVSG •Jonathan calls for sustained war against disease •Lagos pledges N50m to First Consultants Medical Centre

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BUJA—IN what has been described as a spectacular success story that shows that Ebola can be contained, the World Health Organisation, WHO, has officially declared Nigeria an Ebola-free nation, urging other countries currently faced with the challenge of contending with the epidemic to learn from Nigeria’s ex-

Continues from page 5

COLUMNISTS: Buhari: Running for president with anticorruption bank loan •P.17

Obama's Credit Card embarrassment •P.35

Mr & Mrs FREE—From left: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Linus Awute; Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; Country Representative of World Health Organization, WHO, in Nigeria, Dr. Rui Gama Vaz and Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan celebrating exit of Ebola in Nigeria, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

2015: Court berates INEC over de-registration of political parties

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Fayose blasts Fayemi over N3.3bn Gov's Lodge 11

The many agonies of Mbiri, Delta’s food basket

See Inside

2 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

By Ben Agande

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BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday night met behind closed doors with governors elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, where the issue of the forthcoming primaries were exhaustively discussed.

The meeting, which lasted till the early hours of Monday reportedly discussed how to reposition the party to have a rancour-free primaries and serve the nation better in the years ahead.

Addressing state House correspondents after the meeting, the Governor of Katsina state, Ibrahim Shema said that the meeting evaluated strategies for a successful conduct of the party ’s forthcoming primaries.

Corroborating his position, the Deputy Governor of Kogi, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, said the meeting was cordial and fruitful.

According to him, “the President called the PDP governors and we all had a very good meeting, which was all about repositioning the party to serve the citizens very well. It was a very cordial meeting and the resolutions reached would be made public by the appropriate quarters.”

Also speaking, the governor

Jonathan, PDP govs meet over primaries of Abia State, Theodore Orji said “We discussed our party and the primaries that will soon come. We looked at how to fortify our party to avoid rancour to enable us do very well both in the primaries and general elections in 2015.”

The governor maintained that the reported clash between PDP governors and the party’s national leadership over endorsement of candidates at the state chapters did not come up for discussion.

He said that the party ’s governorship candidates would

emerge through free and transparent primaries contrary to reports of endorsements in the media.

Among the governors who attended the meeting were Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Bala Ngilari (Adamawa), Isa

Tambuwal’s denies defection despite presence at APC secretariat

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor FLAG-OFF: From right, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State; Taraba State Acting Governor, Garba Umar; Goevrnor Theodore Orji of Abia State; Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Agriculutre Programme, Dr. Baraka Sani; President Goodluck Jonathan; Vice President Namadi Sambo; Agricultural Resources Minister.

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; Minister for Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and Ambassadors of the National Schools Agriculture Programme during the flag-off of the scheme at a brief ceremony at State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.

2015: Court berates INEC over de-registration of political parties

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately comply with High Court judgments that voided the de-registration of 28 political parties in the country.

INEC had in 2012, proscribed the parties over their inability to win any seat both at the state and the National Assembly levels after the 2011 general elections.

Nevertheless, in a judgment yesterday, the court stressed that the de-registration exercise was conducted in total violation of the provisions of the 1999 constitution.

Consequently, Justice Ademola Adeniyi, yesterday, declared a letter dated December 6, 2012 and a press release that was issued by INEC on December 8, 2012, which announced the deregistration of the 28 political parties based on section 78(7) of the Electoral Act 2010 , as unlawful, unconstitutional and wrongful.

The court judgment was sequel to a suit that was entered before the High Court by Hope Democratic Party, HDP, and the National Coalition for Democratic Change, for themselves and

Yuguda (Bauchi), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Martin Elechi (Ebonyi).

Others were Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), and Umar Garba (Acting Governor of Taraba). Also present were Theodore Orji (Abia), Babangida Aliyu (Niger) and the deputy governors of Sokoto and Nasarawa.

...Says exercise was in breach of 1999 constitution ...Accuses it of disobeying court judgments other affected registered political parties in Nigeria.

However, Justice Adeniyi yesterday struck out the name of the 2nd plaintiff on the premise that it is not a registered political party in Nigeria and therefore lacked the locus standi to institute the action against INEC. Whereas the National Assembly was cited as the 1st defendant in the matter, the plaintiffs, sued INEC as the 2nd defendant.

Meanwhile, Justice Ademola, while voiding the deregistration of the HDP yesterday, regretted that almost one year after a sister court also nullified the de-registration of Fresh Democratic Party, he said INEC was yet to obey the verdict.

“It is very unfortunate and regrettable that INEC has refused to obey an earlier judgment on this same matter which was delivered by my brother Justice Gabriel Kolawole since August 29, 2013. I want to state it categorically today and I want INEC lawyers inside this court to go back and tell it that decisions of courts are made to be respected and obeyed”,

Justice Ademola fumed.

He held that even though INEC has the powers to de-register political parties, it must do so in accordance with the provision of the constitution.

The court noted that INEC violated the rights of the political parties to fair hearing by failing to invite them to defend themselves before it wrote them letters informing them that they have been proscribed.

The court maintained that the powers granted to INEC in section 40 of the 1999 constitution and section 78(d) of the Electoral Act 2010, not to accord recognition to political parties that failed to win any seat at the National Assembly of State Assembly election, was not absolute.

It held that the powers of both the National Assembly to make laws with regards to political parties and the powers of INEC to de-register any of them, are subject to sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 constitution.

“Lack of fair hearing to the plaintiff by the defendant is germane to the determination of this suit. The 2nd defendant failed to discharge the burden of proof to show that it gave the plaintiff fair hearing before it purportedly

de-registered it through the letter dated December 6, 2012.

“There is no proof by way of documentary evidence before this court to show that it accorded the plaintiff fair hearing, and that was a grave error or omission by the 2nd defendant. The decision should have been taken after fair hearing was given to the plaintiff ”, the court added.

The court went ahead and granted “An order setting aside the 2nd defendant purported press release of 8/ 12/12 and letters dated 6/12/12 suggesting and purporting the de-registration of 28 political parties including the 1st plaintiff and other affected registered political parties.

“A perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, servants and or privies howsoever from further acts, publication or pronouncements, obstructions, de-registering, de-listing and or interfering with the operations and activities of the plaintiff as duly registered political parties in Nigeria as provided by the constitution of Nigeria”.

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PEAKER of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal yesterday played down rumours of his defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC despite his presence at a meeting of Sokoto State opinion leaders at the state secretariat of the APC. The rumours of the speaker’s defection were reinforced upon his absence at a People’s Democratic Party, PDP reconciliation meeting that took place also in Sokoto yesterday.

The meeting of major opinion leaders in Sokoto State at the state secretariat of the APC along Sultan Abubakar Road, Sokoto, was, however, described as a non partisan meeting that was summoned by Governor Aliyu Wamakko to deliberate on the development of the state. Among those present were major opinion leaders in the state including the Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji.

Sources, nevertheless said the meeting also had on its agenda, the consideration of a consensus candidate to replace the outgoing governor.

Tambuwal who was elected speaker of the House of Representatives against the desire of the national leadership of the PDP has lately been reported to be on the verge of leaving the PDP. He has, however, repeatedly claimed to be consulting on his political future.

The speaker in a statement issued by his spokesman, Imam Imam last night said he was not invited to the PDP reconciliation meeting which was presided over by the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the party, Chief Tony Anenih.

The PDP meeting which took place at Hadeja Hotel, Sokoto was called to resolve outstanding bickering in the party especially sparked by the entry of the former governor of the state, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 — 3

SERVICE OF SONGS/PAPAL'S NIGHT AND MEDALIST FOR LATE DAME OLUREMI OYO AT IJEGUN, LAGOS. Photos by Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Alleged N10bn jet scandal: Court okays Allison-Madueke, NNPC’s suit against Reps

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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From left: Son-in-law, Mr. Tolu Abudiore; daughter, Mrs. Okiemuote Abudiore (nee Oyo) and widower, Mr. Vincent Oyo at the service of songs for the former President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, NGE and and former Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Dame Oluremi Oyo at her Ijegun, Lagos residence, yesterday.

From left; Late Remi Oyo's elder brother, Mr. Sunday Oke, his wife, Mrs. Remi Oke and the deceased's junior brother, Mr. Abayomi Oke at the event.

Soldiers kill 25 Boko Haram members ...Recover arms in fresh attack on Damboa

By Ndahi Marama

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AIDUGURI—NO fewer 25 members of the Boko Haram terrorists group were on Sunday night killed by troops of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno state, security officials have said.

It will be recalled that Boko Haram had on the 17th of July this year hoisted their flags in Damboa after a gun battle that claimed the lives of five policemen, some soldiers and Lieutenant Colonel Commanding the military base in Damboa with property worth billions of naira destroyed.

A reliable security source in Maiduguri told our Correspondent that the insurgents invaded Damboa town at about 5:15pm on Sunday.

Damboa is south of and 85km drive from Maiduguri, the state capital. It also share borders with Sambisa forest where Boko Haram has its largest suspected training camp.

A resident of Damboa, Mallam Aji Bukar Kura who was among hundreds that fled to Chibok for safety during the attack however said, they were considering coming back to Damboa yesterday (Monday) as they were informed by security operatives that the attack was repelled and more than two dozens of them were killed.

Another source said “terrorists numbering over 100 in 7 Hilux pickup vans and motorcycles armed with Rocket Propelled Launchers, Improvised Explosive Devices, AK47 rifles stormed the town on Sunday night but we are happy that they were confronted and defeated by the troops”.

He then commended the effort of the military in Damboa for successfully repelling the attack which led to the killing of over 20 terrorists with the recovery of arms and ammunitions.

A text message sent to the Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade successfully delivered and a phone call put to him for confirmation was not answered as at press time.

But a top security source who was not authorized to talk to the press confirmed the incident in Maiduguri yesterday. He said, “There was an attack on Damboa on Sunday evening and our soldiers had effectively repelled them and killed 25 of them during a shootout. The soldiers were able to recover several ammunition including a Buffallo Armoured Personnel Carrier.''

BUJA—JUSTICE Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, granted a request by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to challenge the legality of a move by the House of Representatives to hold a public hearing over allegation that N10 billion was spent on chartered jet by the Minister.

The court in a ruling yesterday, okayed an amended originating summons that was entered against the National Assembly and the House of Representatives by the plaintiffs.

Justice Mohammed said he granted the application considering that it did not in any way change the character of the claims in the original suit that was filed by the plaintiffs.

The suit is basically challenging the powers of the Public Accountability Committee, PAC, of the House of Representatives, to probe the allegation against the Minister.

At the resumed sitting on the matter yesterday, the court further dismissed contention by the House that allowing the plaintiffs to amend the original suit would amount to an abuse of judicial process, noting that it was the first time the plaintiffs are making such application since the case started.

Moreso, the court yesterday said it would go ahead and determine whether or not the proposed investigative public hearing by the House of Representatives is not illegal, null and void for failure to comply with the requirement of section 88 of the 1999 constitution (as amended), requiring that the resolutions in respect of such public hearings or investigations be published in the prescribed manner.

However, the court turned down a separate request by the duo of Madueke and the NNPC to further amend the suit to include seeking the pronouncement of the court on whether or not the powers conferred on the National Assembly in section 88 extend to holding hearings on petitions written against MDAs of government or carrying out oversight visits

by relevant committees of the two chambers to the MDAs to conduct examination of their activities in relation to their nominal roll, budget progress reports, among others.

The court said the prayer, if granted, would change the nature of claims in the original motion before it.

It will be recalled that the high court had earlier stopped the House of Representatives from going ahead with the probe of the Minister and the NNPC over the alleged private jet scandal.

Justice Mohammed ordered the House to maintain status quo on the matter pending the determination of the suit.

Specifically, the plaintiffs are among other things, seeking, “ A declaration that having regard to the provisions of Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended and Section 8 of the Legislatives Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act Cap. L12 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010, the Respondents or any of their Committees are precluded from summoning the Applicants to appear before them for the purpose of giving evidence and or producing any papers, books, records or other documents which relate to the unpublished official records of the applicants without the consent of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria first and obtained by the respondents or their Committees.

“A declaration that having regard to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as altered, especially Sections 88 and 89 thereof, the Respondents acted ultra vires their powers and functions by sending out invitations to the Applicants and agencies under their control when such invitations are not for the purpose of enabling the Respondents make laws or correct any defect in existing laws.”

They are praying the court to quash the invitation and declare that the House of Representatives lacked the powers to invite them when such invitations are not for the purpose of enabling the Respondents make laws or correct any defect in existing laws.

Meanwhile, the court yesterday adjourned the matter to November 19 for hearing.

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4 --- VANGUARD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—5

POCKET CARTOON

COMMISSIONING—From left: Works Minister; Mike Onolememen; Deputy Governor of Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama; Vice President Namadi Sambo, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oru; Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Hon. Ndudi Elumelu of the House of Reps at the commissioning of Utor Bridge in Ebu, Delta State.

Nigeria has defeated Ebola — WHO Continues from page 1 perience.

Announcing the declaration through its representative in Abuja, Rui Gama Vaz, the global health body said after six weeks (42 days) with no new cases, Nigeria is now free from Ebola.

WHO pointed out that the story of how Nigeria ended what many believed to be potentially the most explosive Ebola outbreak imaginable is worth telling in detail.

This came as President Goodluck Jonathan urged a sustained war against the disease.

Also, outgoing Minister of Health, Professor

Onyebuchi Chukwu described the declaration as a major milestone of the present administration.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, also commended the Federal, Lagos and Rivers State governments over the feat, saying it would change the negative perception of the country by the outside world.

Nigeria Ebola free — WHO “Today, October 20, Nigeria reached that 42-day mark and is now considered free of Ebola transmission,” WHO noted in

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

You just need to decide what kind of life you want to live. It is not everything that you see that you need to have and you will find out that most of the things you have are exactly what you need.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Private dreams are the most powerful. You have to dream of success to make it happen, and if you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will. But that doesn’t mean you have to go around telling everyone about it —Tony McCoy

W

HEN 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. Others may discourage you, but the most important voice to listen to is your own.

a statement, in which it also commended the Federal Government’s strong leadership and effective coordination of the response that included the rapid establishment of an Emergency Operations Centre.

The Ebola virus was introduced into Nigeria on July 20, 2014, when an infected Liberian, (Patrick Sawyer) arrived Lagos aboard an Asky Air flight and died in hospital five days later, setting off a chain of transmissions that infected a total of 20 people, of which eight died.

According to WHO recommendations, the end of an Ebola virus disease outbreak in a country can be declared once 42 days have passed and no new cases have been detected. The 42 days represents twice the maximum incubation period for Ebola (21 days). This 42-day period starts from the last day that any person in the country had contact with a confirmed or probable Ebola case.

When the first Ebola case was confirmed in July, health officials immediately repurposed technologies and infrastructure from WHO and other partners to help find cases and track potential chains of transmission of Ebola virus disease.

WHO, United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders,

UNICEF and other partners supported the Nigerian Government with expertise for outbreak investigation, risk assessment, contact tracing and clinical care.

The body noted that strong public awareness campaigns, teamed with early engagement of traditional, religious and community leaders, also played a key role in successful containment of this outbreak.

Speaking in Abuja, WHO representative, Rui Gama Vaz, who urged other countries to learn from Nigeria said an aggressive government response and effective contact tracing helped keep the virus in check in Nigeria.

Be vigilant “I will like to take this opportunity on behalf of the WHO Director-General, Margaret Chan, to congratulate the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through President Goodluck Jonathan.

Many wealthy countries, with outstanding health systems, may have something to learn as well,” Vaz said, warning that Nigeria must continue to remain vigilant for any suspected case and adhere strictly to WHO guidelines.

The WHO representative noted: “While the outbreak now is officially over, Nigeria's geo graphic positions and extensive borders make

the country vulnerable to additional imported cases of the Ebola Virus Disease. It is therefore, necessary to continue vigilance for any suspected cases by strict compliance with the WHO EVD preparedness guidelines.

“Therefore, there is need to continue to work together with all states to ensure adequate preparedness and rapid response in case of any potential re-importation.

It must be clear that the war has not ended, the war will only end when West Africa is also declared free of Ebola", he reiterated.

Sustain war against Ebola — Jonathan Reacting to the announcement, President Jonathan urged a sustained war against the disease as he welcomed the declaration of Nigeria as Ebola-free by WHO. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, the President dedicated the certification to patriotic health workers, volunteers and ordinary Nigerians who supported government to defeat the virus.

Jonathan noted that the country ’s globally-acclaimed success against Ebola was a testimony to what Nigerians could achieve if they set aside their differences and work together.

“President Jonathan welcomes today’s declaration by the World Health Organisation that Nigeria is now officially Ebola-free after 42 days without any incidence of the Ebola Virus Disease.

“He dedicates the certification to the many patriotic health workers, volunteers and ordinary Nigerians who worked tirelessly, some of them paying the ultimate

price, to stop the deadly virus in its track after it entered the country in July.

“The President seizes this opportunity to also reiterate his appreciation of the contributions of state governments, WHO and other international health organisations; relatives of infected persons and other Nigerians who either courageously underwent the rigours of being quarantined or complied with all directives issued by health authorities to defeat the virus.

“He believes that Nigeria’s globally-acclaimed success against Ebola is a testimony to what Nigerians can achieve if they set aside their differences and work together."

The President urged all Nigerians to remain fully alert and vigilant to guard against a re-entry of the virus.

He shared the view of the WHO that the war will only truly end when West Africa, Africa and the world are declared free of Ebola.

“Health officials should continue to actively screen persons entering the country through its air, land and sea borders for any sign of the virus", the president said. He also urged all Nigerians to continue to follow the anti-Ebola advisories on sanitation and personal hygiene issued by Federal and State Health authorities.

The golden rules against Ebola – Chukwu On his part, out-going Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, said it was possible for any country to control and defeat Ebola for as long as it was in consonance with the golden rules.

Continues on page 9

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

2 arrested for robbing woman of recharge cards, cash

By Emma Amaize

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GBOR—POLICE have arrested two suspects in Agbor, Delta State, for allegedly attacking and robbing a woman, Uloma Ofo, of two bags containing assorted recharge cards and some money.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu, confirmed in a statement, yesterday, that the suspects who reside at 50, Obiazukwor Street, Boji Owa and 21, Osesoma Road, Agbor-Obi, respectively, attacked the victim in her store located within her residence at Ezekiel Avenue, Off Eva Hostel, Agbor.

She said on receiving report of the incident, detectives commenced investigation and arrested the two suspects, recovered one to cut-to-size double barrelled gun and two live cartridges.

Businessman sues IG, others over unlawful detention

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By Bartholomew Madukwe

businessman, Mr. Yinusa Ganiyu, has dragged the Inspector General of Police, Lagos State Commissioner of Police and GTRich Investment Limited before a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere, claiming N200 million as damages for his unlawful detention.

Other defendants in the suit include Mr. Richard Nyong (2nd defendant) and Mr. Barry Nyong (1st defendant).

Ganiyu, who is in the business of supplying sands, granite, cement and other building materials, is also claiming N18 million allegedly owed by the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendant for the delivery of filling sand to Horizon and Ikoyi Gardens construction sites.

The dispute started after disagreement among the parties, leading to the arrest and detention of the claimant for over 90 hours at the Force CID, Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos State.

HEROES: Members of Civilian Joint Task Force speaking to a reporter (right) in Chibok, Borno State. NAN PHOTO.

Tension in Imo community over rape of 11-yr-old girl

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—UNEASY calm has enveloped the sleepy, rural Ehume autonomous community in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State, following the gang-rape of an 11-year-old girl.

Vanguard gathered that the girl (names withheld), who hails from Amaiyi, Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area, but resides at Ehume with her parents, was raped when her parents sent her to the popular Onuimo Rescue Market, Umungwa, Obowo.

Vanguard was told that the girl decided to take a commercial motorcycle to and from the market.

“That was how she boarded the motorcycle piloted by 35year-old Onyekachi Nwankwo, a native of Umunachi, Obowo,” the girl’s father told Vanguard.

The obviously angry father also said soon after the suspect picked Ngozi at the entrance to the market, he told her that he intended to pick his friend, Chike Njoku, who was waiting for him at Ekeja Market in Ehume, Obowo. he said: “My daughter innocently agreed. The story suddenly changed when Onyekachi picked his friend, veered off the road into a track leading to the boundary river between Umunachi and Umuagu communities at Obowo.”

Explaining her experience

in the hands of the rapists, the girl said: “When I saw all the weapons they were holding, I had no option than to follow

them.

“They parked the motorcycle inside the bush, pulled off my dress and had sex with me, one after the other and left me to my fate thereafter.”

Efforts made to get a

confirmation of the incident from the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, proved abortive as his mobile line could not be reached at press time.

Anxiety in Bayelsa community as water level rises

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—THE rising water level around low lying Azikoro in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State is now causing fear among residents of possible invasion of their homes by reptiles.

Most of the settlements along Azikoro creek, which passes through the community, have been taken over by flood.

The development, it was learned, has forced snakes and other dangerous reptiles out of their habitats in search of dry area.

When Vanguard visited the densely populated area yesterday, the flood had moved close to the major road, with most of the structures along the route submerged.

Some residents, who spoke to Vanguard, blamed the surging flood on the recent downpour recorded in the state and the silting of the creek caused by dumping of refuse.

A resident, who simply identified himself as Collins, said: “We are really disturbed by the rising flood. As you can see, I do not want to take chances as we are surrounded by forests, which is home to

snakes and other wild animals.

“Our homes have been submerged and I have since moved my family to my uncle’s place at Amarata until the water recedes.”

Another resident, Ebipade Tariebi, said: “We are living in

fear of possible snake bites; the snakes are also looking for dry land and may enter homes without our knowledge.”

He urged relevant authorities to come to their aid by dredging the creek and fumigating the area against reptiles.

One dead, 16 thugs arrested at Amosun’s Ilaro rally

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—PANDEMONIUM broke out, yesterday, at Ilaro in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State as two groups of hoodlums clashed, leaving one person dead.

An eyewitness, Biodun Sowunmi, who escaped the fracas, said the incident occurred during the assessment tour of Governor Ibikunle Amosun to the local government.

According to the eyewitness, who is also a public analyst, the gangs were fighting over territorial protection.

The incident reportedly left

many people injured as a result of dangerous weapons used by the rival gangs.

It was gathered that the incident occurred outside the venue of the assessment tour and did not affect the programme.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, said one person lost his life.

Adejobi said the incident was masterminded by hoodlums who used dangerous weapons freely.

He disclosed that 16 people had been arrested, while weapons, including four pump action guns, cutlasses, axes and assorted charms were seized.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—7

Unilorin's VC laments incessant invasion by herdsmen

By Demola Akinyemi

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LORIN—THE Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has expressed concern over incessant invasion of the university premises by cattle rearers, which he said was a threat to the security situation of the university.

Consequently, he appealed to the Federal Government to provide perimeter fencing for the university to prevent the situation from escalating.

Professor Ambali, who spoke at a briefing yesterday to commemorate the 30th convocation of the university, said: “We have a serious challenge in the area of security.

“Every time the cattle rearers invade our environment, the situation become disturbing and very embarrassing to the university.

“We urgently plead with the Federal Government to help with funds to erect fence to stop this menace, so that it does not escalate to a security problem.”

He also called for assistance in the area of funding to

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—THE schism, which has been trailing the

By Hope Ofobike

L

AGOS—A middle aged man, Adebiola Micheal, was, yesterday, arraigned before a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere over an alleged theft of two black berry phones and N180,000 cash from one Adeola Adirat.

The defendant, who is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery preferred against him by the state, was docked before Justice O. Opesanwo.

Prosecuting counsel, Afolabi Sholebo, told the court that the defendant committed the crime at Access Bank road, University of Lagos, Akoka.

He said the robbery attack took place on March 26, 2012, at about 9p.m.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant and others still at large, committed the crime while armed with a gun.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, as Justice Opesanwo ordered that he be remanded in prison custody.

The matter was adjourned till November 25 for trial.

4 job seekers drag FG to court

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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B U J A — F O U R unemployed youths have asked a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to compel the Federal Government to pay them N10 million as general damages for failing to provide them with jobs.

They include Patience Omezie, Kasim Suleiman, Okojie Arabamen and Godwin Morka.

The plaintiffs, in a suit filed on their behalf by Chief Jubril Okutekpa (SAN), told the court that they were among Nigerian youths who were exposed to serious harm in the botched recruitment conducted by the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS. A total of 19 applicants, including a pregnant woman, reportedly lost their lives at various centres across the federation where the exercise took place.

Consequently, the plaintiffs, aside from praying for damages against the Federal Government, also urged the court to sack the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, under whose supervision the NIS tragedy occurred.

Besides, they are praying the court to declare that “Abba Moro

research funding in the university as inadequate.

Catholic priests fight dirty in Mbaise

VISIT: Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State (left) at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, UITH, Ilorin.

Man remanded over phones, N180,000 theft

support the research grant for lecturers, and described

is not a fit and proper person to hold public office in Nigeria having regard to his callous statement that Nigerians, who died and those injured during the exercise, were careless.”

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), the NIS and its comptroller, Mr. David Parradang, were also joined as defendants in the suit.

The plaintiffs also want the court to declare that the defendants acted negligently and in total disregard to the sanctity of lives of over 520,000 Nigerians, who were invited for interview and or screening.

They also declared that the N1,000 collected from the applicants was unlawful and contrary to the public service rules and regulations as it amounted to a breach of constitutional and statutory duties of the defendants.

They equally want the court to direct the defendants to account the for fee and repay the applicants, as such payment was illegal, unconstitutional and contrary to public policy and good conscience.

Meanwhile, Justice Abdul Kafarati, yesterday, okayed the suit for hearing on December 1.

appointment and consecration of the new Bishop of Ahiara Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Okpalaeke, by the Papacy, took a more dangerous dimension weekend, as priests allegedly got entangled in what people described as a dirty battle.

Vanguard investigations revealed that Rev. Fr. Januarius Chima Ahaneku went to St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, Nnarambia, at about 7.15p.m., following his posting to the parish by the Vicar General of the embattled Diocese, Rev. Fr. Clement Ebii.

While Fr. Ahaneku was accused of storming the parish with thugs and assaulting the resident priest, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Nweke, Ahaneku, however, said he was there on legitimate posting.

Nweke confirmed that he had to alert the police and the people when his brother priest allegedly exhibited an act unbecoming of an ordained Catholic priest.

He said: “They started harassing us, using hammer and some iron bars to break the doors and gained entrance.

Some of us even sustained injuries. I dislocated my left shoulder.”

Continuing, Fr. Nweke alleged that the police recovered pump action rifle, double barrelled gun and an electric shocker from Fr. Ahaneku and his friends.

Fr. Ahaneku's story

In his own account, Fr. Ahaneku, who is a son of Nnarambia, said although he presented a letter from the Vicar General, Rev. Fr. Clement Ebii, deploying him to St. Brigid’s Parish, as an Acting Parish Priest, he never attempted the use of violence as claimed by Nweke.

He explained that the men, who were arrested by the police as thugs merely accompanied him to the Parish, to assist him settle down with his belongings.

He said: “The Parish Priest left without the knowledge of the Vicar General/Delegate of the Diocese. So, I was detailed to go there and take care of the souls of the parishioners. I did not go there with a thug at all.”

Continuing, the obviously angry priest recalled that “when Fr. Nweke came out, we greeted each other and I explained my mission to him and he said he was not informed of the posting and insisted that

the Vicar should call him.

“The Vicar General called him severally but he refused to pick his calls.

“I took him to my car and showed him my authority: the letter I was given. After reading it, he said there was no trouble.”

Continuing, the priest recalled that as he was trying to move his personal belongings into the parish house with the help of his friends, Fr. Nweke started making calls.

Ahaneku said: “They first raised false alarm to the police that some armed robbers invaded their house.

“In a matter of minutes, several people stormed the place. A lot of them were carrying machetes and other dangerous weapons.

“I wanted to leave in my vehicle but my brother priest stood in front of my car, insisting that I will not move an inch. In order not to hit him or commit any crime, I left the vehicle there,” Fr. Ahaneku recounted.

The Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, which Fr. Ahaneku drove to the parish was badly vandalized by the alleged angry youths and was still in the custody of the Church at press time.

Vicar-General's confirmation

Reacting also, the Vicar General of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Ebii, however confirmed that Fr. Ahaneku had his approval to report to St. Brigid’s Catholic Church.

He said: “Fr. Ahaneku was sent there officially to go and do pastoral work. He had a legal paper from me.”

Meanwhile, Imo State Police Command has appealed to the Administrator of Ahiara Diocese, who doubles as the Archbishop of Abuja Ecclesiastical Province, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, to find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis bedevilling Ahiara Diocese, since the death of Bishop Victor Chikwe.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, who made the passionate appeal, while reacting to the mayhem unleashed by some supposed parishioners in St. Brigid’s Church, Nnarambia.

He said: “It is most shocking that priests can get to this level.

The Catholic Church and its priests are supposed to show good examples for others to follow.”

8 --- VANGUARD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—9

interested individuals or groups should contact the following help line: 08000-32652-4357 and the website, http:// www.ebolaalert.org/.”

Idris stated.

Atiku , others laud FG, Lagos, Rivers Govts

COMMISSIONING—From left: Former First Lady of Lagos State, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun, Bilikisu Eshinlokun some White Cap chiefs in lagos and others, during the commissioning of Oba Eshinlokun Road in Isale-Eko, lagos.

Nigeria has defeated Ebola — WHO Continues from page 5 exHe said: “Nigeria has won the battle against Ebola Virus but this world war rages on other fronts in other countries. The war certainly is not over. A reinforced Ebola Virus could still invade Nigeria.

“Given this risk of possible re-infection, there is need to maintain the state of high alertness at all our ports of entry. We cannot afford to lower our guard.

“Nigeria, like other countries, will not have the control over the presentation of the disease at any of its ports of entry.

“However, it is the responsibility of the country’s surveillance system to ensure that any case presenting at any of our ports of entry is rapidly identified and isolated.

“That is the only way the country will remain safe from the Ebola Virus Disease pending its global elimination. If any cases emerge in the future, it will be considered by international standards, a separate outbreak. If that happens, Nigeria will be ready and able to confront it exactly as we have done with this outbreak.

“I am indeed gladdened that by divine providence, this declaration coincides with my leaving office as Minister of Health. As the outgoing Minister of Health, this declaration symbolically presents a

dignifying seal of the achievements of the Federal Ministry of Health during my tenure as Minister of Health of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Several people have asked me what I thought was the most critical success factor in the Nigeria’s containment effort against the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak. Undoubtedly, the most critical success factor was leadership — strong, effective, focused and committed leadership provided by President Goodluck Jonathan himself and replicated at various levels down the ladder.

“I am convinced that without this quality of leadership, it would have been extremely difficult for the EVD outbreak not only to be tamed but to be driven out of Nigeria. Next to leadership is a factor closely linked to leadership: Effective coordination of the various collaborating partners. Under a single leadership, all the contributing partners were moulded into a single, almost homogenous team. This is one factor that may be lacking in the control efforts of other countries. The private sector and the Media also played key role which greatly facilitated the containment of the disease.

“This risk and the risk to other countries can only be eliminated

through the setting up of a system similar to the Nigerian one under the leadership of the United Nations but with the operational wing built around ECOWAS. The disease needs to be eliminated from every country of the world. It is only then that each country can heave a sigh of relief.

“As long as there is a case of EVD in any part of the world, every country of the world, every human being on this planet remains at risk.”

Lagos pledages N50m to FCMC In Lagos, the Lagos State Government welcomed the development while disclosing plans to nip in the bud future outbreaks of EVD, even as it said the state may not be out of the woods yet.

Disclosing intention to present N50 million to First Consultant Medical Centre, Obalende, where the index case, Mr Patrick Sawyer died as well as undisclosed amounts to other Ebola causalities and survivors in the state as business support gesture, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, described the outbreak and the eventual containment of Ebola in the state and the country as phenomenal.

Idris, who addressed a joint media conference in Alausa, Ikeja, noted

that significantly, till date Nigeria has contributed only 0.22 per cent and 0.18 per cent to global burden of suspected, probable, confirmed cases and deaths respectively.

He explained that 891 cumulative number of contacts were recorded nationally; 365 in Lagos and 526 in Rivers, while contacts that completed 21 days follow-up nationally was 890 — Lagos 365, and 525 in Rivers. A total of eight deaths recorded in all.

He said the gesture "is with a view to getting people, businesses back on their feet and for businesses to re-secure patronage of their customers."

Health inter venintervention mission to Sierra-Leone On the planned deployment of health workers to Sierra-Leone, Idris disclosed that the state government had written to the Sierra-Leonian authorities on its intention.

According to him, 28 health workers have signified interest and readiness to go and assist in affected countries.

“I use this medium to urge and encourage private organizations who wish to join in this good work to come on board.

This is the time to do so, especially those that had earlier indicated interest or made pledges while

Meanwhile, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has commended the successful eradication of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria, saying the feat would change the negative perception of the country by the outside world.

Atiku, in a press statement issued by his media office in Abuja, yesterday, said the federal, Lagos and Rivers State governments should be commended for the remarkable achievement in the face of the grimmest medical crisis that the country found itself dealing with.

He said the successful eradication of Ebola and the declaration of Nigeria as Ebola-free zone was a clear demonstration of the outcome of collaboration, hard work and commitment of the governments of Nigeria, Lagos and Rivers states.

Atiku said he was superbly impressed with the amazing manner Nigeria had proved to the world that it had the will, commitment and human resources to deal with critical challenges of this nature.

He explained that when leaders work together for the common good of the society, there was always a ray of hope for the nation.

The former Vice President also extolled the virtues of the medical personnel during the battle to control the spread of Ebola. He said he was touched by the sacrifices of the medical personnel who sacrificed their lives to save others.

He, however, advised the entire country not to rest on its oars until the last vestiges of the Ebola virus were destroyed.

Atiku said every country must demonstrate the capacity to carry its fate in its hands, instead of relying on the outside world, adding that he was proud Nigeria demonstrated that capacity.

S u r v i v o r , Chinyere Enemuo appeals for assistance However, a survivor of the EVD, Chinyere

Enemuo, a sister to late Dr. Ike Enemuo, one of the medical doctors who lost his life to the virus, has raised alarm that the EVD frustrated her wedding plans and virtually destroyed everything in their family.

She, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government to assist her family to overcome the negative effect of the EVD on the family and also support her restart her wedding plans which was disrupted and disorganized due to her contact with the EVD.

How it all started The Ebola virus entered Lagos July 20, 2014 via an infected Liberian who died five days later. At the airport, he was visibly very ill, lying on the floor while awaiting the flight.

He was said to have vomited during the flight and again in the private car that took him to a private hospital in Lagos.

The ECOWAS protocol officer who escorted him later died of Ebola.

At the First Consultant Medical Centre, he told staff that he had malaria and denied any contact with an Ebola patient. It was learnt later that his sister was a confirmed case who had died from the disease in Liberia.

The traveller visited his sister while in hospital and attended her burial ceremony.

As malaria is not transmitted from person to person, no staff at the hospital took protective precautions. Over the coming days, nine doctors and nurses became infected and four of them died.

The virus entered the country’s oil hub, Port Harcourt, on August 1, when a close contact of the index case flew there, seeking care from a private physician.

That doctor developed symptoms on August 10 and died of Ebola on August 23. Laboratory tests confirmed the city’s first case on August 27.

An investigation undertaken by a team of epidemiologists from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme and the State Ministry of Health, assisted by WHO, revealed an alarming number of highrisk and very high-risk exposures for hundreds of people.

10— Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

2015:

Obanikoro joins Lagos gov race zSays I'm on a mission to rescue Lagos

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BUJA—OUTGOING Minister for State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro declared yesterday that his interest in taking a shot at the governorship of Lagos State, was to rescue the state from unnamed individuals that have put the state in bondage and to stop the commercialization of its governance.

The minister who spoke when he inspected the ministry’s Quarter Guard set by the Defence headquarters in his honour as part of activities marking his sendforth yesterday also expressed hope in the success of the ceasefire deal struck between the Federal Government and the Boko Haram sect, saying it will bring about the much needed peace in the North East.

Obaniokoro expressed gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Defence, General Aliyu Gusau and the staff of the ministry for the support given him while in office.

His words: “We came in at a very difficult time for the country and I thank God we have been able to strongly put in hard work to ensure that value is added to what we met on the ground, and some of the successes that we have seen in terms of stability in the country is part of the contribution that we have also made as part of the ministry of defence family.

“Funding will always be a challenge, the commitment and the effort we have put in so far with Mr. President at the helm of affairs; we are making progress. From a nation of anything goes to a nation where we are bringing about stability. We have conquered the issue of militancy in the Niger/ Delta; the Boko Haram issue will also be a thing of the past.

“I’m excited; things like this don’t come easy, a lot of sleepless nights have gone into it. We must salute Mr. President for the courage and the conviction that we must have peace than to have war,” he stated.

Court nullifies Jimoh Ibrahim's ownership of Newswatch zWe'll appeal —Newswatch

By Innocent Anaba, Abdulwahab Abdulah & Bartholomew Madukwe

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AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, nullified businessman, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim ownership of Newswatch Communications Limited, publishers of Newswatch publications by quashing a Share Purchase Agreement, SPA, which transferred ownership of the newsmagazine to Ibrahim.

The court also awarded N15.7 million damages against the respondents as well as halted further publications of Newswatch Daily among other reliefs sought by the petitioners.

The judgment came a day after the 28th anniversary of the murder of Dele Giwa, the cofounder of Newswatch magazine, who was killed by parcel bomb sent to his home on October 19, 1986.

In the suit, two minority shareholders, Mr Nuhu Aruwa and Prof. Jubril Aminu had prayed the court to quash the said share purchase agreement.

They had also asked the court to restrain the respondents from publishing and selling to the public, Newswatch daily and weekend magazines.

Respondents were Newswatch Communications Ltd, Global Media Mirror Ltd, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, Newswatch Newspapers and the Corporate Affairs Commission.

In his judgment, trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba upheld all the prayers of the minority shareholders.

The court held that the respondents could not prove that they paid up for the shares, as the petitioners gave evidence to show that the second to third respondents totally failed to pay for the shares of the Company.

Justice Buba said: “They have not showed how and when they paid for the said Shares, and nothing in paragraph 11 and 18A of the respondents’ statement of defence shows how they paid for the shares.

“There is no evidence in paragraph 3.0 that the respondents paid on or before May 5, 2011, as stated, as they have only given their interpretation to that paragraph.

Whatever monies they spent was spent on Daily Mirror and this was confirmed by DW2 during cross examination.

“The N510 million was supposed to be paid for Shares and not for any other purpose; there is no evidence to show that the Shares have been paid for.

Besides, it was a company called Global Fleet that paid the N14 million, not any of the respondents who contracted with the first respondent.”

The court held that the case of the petitioners have merits, and so, granted all the reliefs as prayed.

The court grants all the reliefs as set out on the petition at the inception of this case as follows: “An order setting aside the contract entered into between the first and second respondent companies by virtue of document titled “Share Purchase Agreement” between the first and second respondents executed in May, 2011.

“A Consequential Order setting aside the Form CAC2 (Statement of Share Capital and Return of Allotment of Shares) of the 1st Respondent company dated August 27, 2012, and presented for filing by one Gloria A. Ukeje.

“An Order directing the 2nd and 3rd respondents jointly and severally, to pay special damages in the sum of N15.7 million to the first respondent Company, being loss of Business profits since August 2012 till October 2012 when its operations were unilaterally shut down.”

The court held that the petitioners had discharged the burden placed on them by proving their case, while the first to fourth respondents failed woefully to discharge the burden placed on them.

The petitioners had averred that the 2nd and 3rd respondents purportedly came into majority ownership of the Newswatch Communications by

virtue of a Share Purchase Agreement entered into in May 2011.

They argued that by virtue of clause 3.0 of the said agreement, the 2nd respondents purportedly acquired 51 per cent of the company, on the condition that they pay the sum of N510 million as price of its shares.

They added that by clause 4.0 of the agreement, the money was to be paid on or before May 5, 2011, and that the 2nd respondent was obligated to be paid additional N500 million within 90 days after take-over, which was supposed to serve as working capital for the company.

According to them, without complying fully with the aforementioned conditions of agreement, the 2nd respondent through the instrumentality of the 3rd respondent went ahead and took over full control and management of the first respondent company. They therefore, instituted the suit, seeking to quash the said take over.

The judgment is sweet victory-Ekpu

Ray Ekpu said: “This is a sweet victory for the poor man, it means that the poor man still has the chance in Nigeria against the rich man. This is sweet victory, because the judge was forthright, his analysis of the case was succinct, and I commend him.

That means we still have pockets of excellence in our judiciary

inspite of the nonsense going on. I don’t know him, I never met him, I just sat down and listened to him whenever we went to court. He is a good man for the judiciary, so there is hope. This judgment is hope for people who don’t have the unearned weight to throw around. So when small people like us decide to fight for our rights, they will not be crushed by those who have unearned weight to throw around. Those are the people who want to reap where they did not sow. Our patrimony is intact.

We ‘ll appeal —Newswatch MD

Reacting, Newswatch management said it would appeal the judgment.

According to a statement signed by the Managing Director of the company, Moses Jolayemi, it described the judgment as lacking in merit.

He said: “The Publisher of Newswatch, Jimoh Ibrahim directed the management of the company not to contribute to the problem of the judiciary and that the matter should be laid before the Court of Appeal where he is convinced justice will be done.

“The judgment lacked legal foundation and moral reasoning and that he was sure the Court of Appeal will re-establish justice and the integrity of the judiciary.”

PRESENTATION: Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos State (right), presenting an award to Mr Oha Lucky Emeka, being the Eight hundred thousandth Lagos resident registered with Lagos State Residents Registration Agency LASSRA, and Ms Yinka Fashola, General Manager, LASSRA, during the 2,700 days celebration of Governor Fashola in Office in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele.

Lagos to get 2,400 polling units —REC

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By Dapo Akinrefon

AGOS—THE Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola has said that Lagos State would get 2,400 additional polling units ahead of the 2015 general elections.

The Lagos REC said this yesterday, in Lagos, at a workshop on the planned

distribution of Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, organised for INEC officials by the United Nation’s Development Project, UNDP, in Lagos.

Dr Ogunmola said that the distribution of permanent voter’s cards would capture the new units adding that “there will be considerations in situating the new units.

The essence is to ensure

proximity and that there are not more than 500 voters in a unit.”

He, also added that “ we have also received the delineation report from the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, and have given them out to our electoral officers across the councils to study. We will use the ones we consider relevant.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 —11

Fayose blasts Fayemi for spending N3.3bn on Gov's Lodge zAs Ekiti Assembly suspends 30-day recess

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By Gbenga Ariyibi

DO-EKITI—EKITI State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has condemned his predecessor, Kayode Fayemi, for committing N3.3 billion to the construction of a Governor’s Lodge built at the twilight of his administration.

The governor stated his position in Ado Ekiti yesterday while administering oath of office on the new Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Modupe Alade and other Special Assistants.

Fayose said he could not rationalise how the government could expend such a huge amount of money on Government's Lodge when an average citizen of the state could not afford three square meals.

government in consonance with the Beijing Declaration of 1993.

He said the appointment of Mrs Alade underscored the enormous respect he has for the womenfolk, pledging that his government would protect them through allotment of reasonable appointive and elective positions, especially during the 2015 State and Federal Legislative polls.

“Let me tell the men here who are politicians that some of them will be asked to step down for women in next year’s elections."

He called for understanding among the political appointees in

view of the current state of the government’s finances.

Ekiti Assembly suspends 30-day recess

The Ekiti State House of Assembly has suspended its 30day recess announced by the Speaker, Hon. Adewale Omirin, last Friday.

The House will subsequently sit today in preparation for the screening of Special Advisers and Commissioners to be forwarded by Governor Fayose.

This was contained in a statement signed by Special

By Daud Olatunji

Adviser, Media to the Speaker, Mr. Wole Olujobi,in Ado Ekiti yesterday who said the step is in the overriding public interest.

According to the statement, all the 26 members of the State House of Assembly have been contacted on the new development, assuring that the House sitting would be peaceful.

Six members of the All Progressives Congressdominated Assembly had during Fayose’s inauguration last Thursday defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which fuelled speculation about an alleged plot to remove the Speaker.

Fayose speaks

His words: “My heart nearly failed me when I got to the new governor ’s lodge on last Thursday. The mansion cost N3.3 billion. It was initially awarded for N2.3 billion and later increased to N2.7 billion, while a sum of N640 million was used to procure fittings and furniture.

“And this building will require N150 million to maintain annually. Ekiti cannot sustain this and we have to do something about it.

How could a governor be living in such a house when the masses are living in abject poverty?“, he asked .

Speaking against the backdrop of his penchant for women empowerment, he assured that his administration will strictly comply with the 35 per cent Affirmative Action for women in

TOUR: Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, addressing a crowd in Ilaro,Yewa South Local Government Area in continuation of his Assessment Tour of the 20 Local Government Areas in the state, yesterday.

Osun PDP tasks Aregbesola on school students' uniforms O

SOGBO—THE Osun State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday appealed to

the state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola over the plight of the newly admitted high

school students in the state, who have not been able to get clothings for the common uniform his administration introduced.

The PDP said its investigations revealed that clothing for high school uniform is not available in the state, while the students admitted into high schools, majority of whom have not been able to get uniforms, are being daily locked out of school.

The party added that Aregbesola is making the students to suffer unjustly because of his education policy and this “should be source of worry and concern to any government," and

GNI, Sharafa dump LP, join Ogun PDP gov race

advise the government to either reverse the common uniform for all public schools’ policy or make the uniforms available “even if parents will have to pay more than the N2,000 being charged per uniform.”

In a statement issued yesterday by Prince Diran Odeyemi, the Osun PDP spokesperson, the party said it has also observed that since students returned to schools for 2014/2015 academic session, text books have not been made available to them, while “Opon imo, tablet of knowledge have been withdrawn from schools."

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B E O K U TA — A governorship aspirant of the Labour Party, LP, in Ogun State, Nasir Gboyega Isiaka otherwise known as GNI, yesterday, dumped the Labour Party and joined the People’s Democratic Party.

Isiaka, who contested in 2011 governorship election on the platform of People’s Party of Nigeria, PPN, however, obtained expression of interest form for governorship at the PDP secretariat in Abeokuta.

Speaking shortly after he obtained the form, Isiaka said he had consulted with his supporters and associates before he defected to the PDP. He said his desire to serve is borne out of a conviction that he possesses “the capacity to lead this state to a greater height from the background of sound professional and academic background, solid and enviable private sector experience.”

According to him, "I come from a part of the State that is highly marginalized and have not been opportuned to govern this State in the last 38years of its creation despite the abundant human capital and rich history of contributions to the socio economic development of the State.

Also, a former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Sarafa Ishola who was also a former member of the Labour Party has joined the PDP and as well obtained an expression of interest form for governorship ahead of 2015.

Sharafa who obtained his form earlier, pledged to look into the wellbeing of the people of the state.

12 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

2015: Ijaw youths reject zoning of elective positions in Bayelsa

By Samuel Oyadongha

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E N A G O A — HUNDREDS of Ijaw youths have protested against zoning of elective positions in Bayelsa State, just as Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, commenced his campaign to return to the Senate to represent the East senatorial district. He insisted that he was the best material Bayelsa could offer in the Senate.

The youths, drawn from the eight local government areas of the state, operating on the aegis of Nigerian Youth Project for Jonathan, said though President Goodluck Jonathan, was yet to declare his intention, the duo of President Jonathan and Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange were the needed combination for accelerated development and growth in the state.

Director General of the group, Mr. Ken Okorodas, while addressing a multitude of women and youths in Yenagoa, said the achievements recorded by the Jonathan administration had rejuvenated all sectors of the economy.

“This uncommon transformation by the President Goodluck Jonathan

administration has brought about same at the state level with Governor Seriake Dickson turning the state into a construction yard of growth and development,” he said.

Okorodas, who described the tenure of Senator BarighaAmange in the National Assembly as unprecedented, urged the people of the state to consider experience and performance as a yard stick to produce a senator to represent

Bayelsa East senatorial district.

“While in the senate, Senator Barigha-Amange ensured that several projects for the area were captured in the federal government but stalled due to lack of follow up when he left office. After a thorough assessment of a wide spectrum of the people friendly policies, programmes and projects that are evident in Bayelsa State in particular and Nigeria in

general, courtesy of Mr. President, the governor of Bayelsa State and our beloved senator for whom we are gathered here, we have no doubt that these eminent Nigerians under whose leadership these uncommon heights of all-round achievements are recorded, will perform better if given another opportunity to render their services to the state and the country.”

VISIT: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (middle); AIG Zone 5, Mr. Musa Daura (right) and the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, Akali Usman, when the AIG visited the governor in Government House, Asaba, Monday. Photo: Henry Unini

Warri PDP assures on peace between Ijaw, Itsekiri W

A R R I — V I C E Chairman of Delta Waterways Security Committee and Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Warri South-West Local Government, Chief Boro Opudu, has chided Warri Ijaw Peace Monitoring Group, WIPMG over its threat of fresh Warri crisis, describing the group as “a kind of Boko Haram name existing on paper.”

The PDP leader, who spoke at his office in Warri, yesterday, said the identity of Chief Patrick Bigha, who purportedly issued the statement, was not known in Warri South-West, stressing that Ijaw and Itsekiri leaders were standing on the one tenure chairmanship power rotation agreement in Warri South-West.

He said: “The immediate past elected Local Government Chairman of Warri South-West, George Ekpemupolo and the outgoing Transition Committee Chairman of the local government, Rev. Sam Kenenaghan are Ijaw. We are still standing on the gentleman agreement of one tenure each for Ijaw and Itsekiri.”

While declaring that Warri is in permanent peace and there is understanding between Ijaw and Itsekiri in Warri South-West Local Government, Chief Opudu admonished anyone having issues in the area to resort to

dialogue rather than going to the pages of newspaper to make statements capable of truncating the existing peace in Warri.

Chief Opudu insisted that what the Ijaws of Warri South-

West had been agitating for from the relevant federal and state government agencies was the creation of a separate state constituency to accommodate the Ijaw interest in Warri South-

West Local Government and not any power sharing agreement regarding the existing state constituency currently being represented by Hon. Daniel Mayuku.

Community disowns decamping lawmaker

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN CITY—ELDERS and leaders of Urhonigbe community in Orhiomwon Local Government Council of Edo State, have disowned the lawmaker representing Orhiomwon South constituency in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Friday Ogierakhi, for decamping to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from the All progressives Congress, APC. The leaders accused the lawmaker of selling the mandate given to him to the PDP following his decamping to the PDP without their consent.

Loyalists of the lawmaker in ward 8 including the ward executives were received into the APC by the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Pius Odubu, in a rally held in front of the residence of the lawmaker.

Chief Edosa Iyegunmwena

and John Ogbeiwi who led the defectors, claimed the traditional head and elders had informed Ogierkhiahi that they could not be ungrateful to the projects sited in their domain by the Governor Adams Oshiomhole led APC government in the state, therefore declared that the entire Urhonigbe would remain APC. According to Chief

Iyegunmwena” we stand here in front of Friday Ogierkhiahi’s house to tell you people that we own this community. our lawmaker came here to deceive us to join PDP but we have asked him to show us what PDP has done for us but he has nothing to show. And we are aware that each lawmaker in Edo State House of Assembly receives N36 million yearly for

Delta LG poll: Group backs Maku for Warri North chairmanship

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ENIN-RIVER Vanguard has applauded the choice of Mr. Francis Maku, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, flag bearer for this Saturday's local g o v e r n m e n t chairmanship election asking all to turn out enmass and vote for him.

Co-ordinator of tge group, Mr. Anthony Okotie, speaking through his executive assistant, Mr. Godfrey Mejebi in Jakpa, Warri North Local Government Area, said Maku is a tested and trusted politician who has the overall interest of the indigenes of the local government at heart. He said Maku will run an all inclusive government where there will be easy accessibility to him.

Court sets aside order on leadership in Edo community

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—EDO State Customary Court of Appeal, sitting in Benin, has set aside the order of the lower court mandating Pa Aiyudubie Igbinovia, as the acting Odionwere of Iguomon community in Uhunmwode local government area of the state.

The court also ordered the case to be transferred to Oredo Area Customary Court 2, Benin- City for hearing and determination de novo and should be given an accelerated hearing.

Delta North gov aspirants won't fight over party's ticket —Ochei

By Emma Amaize

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SABA—PEOPLE’S Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial hopeful in Delta State, Hon. Victor Ochei, has said the conspiracy by people who want Delta North (Anioma) governorship aspirants to fight and fall apart over the party’s ticket will fail.

Ochei while reacting to the

insinuations that purported bickering among gubernatorial hopefuls from Delta North senatorial district, may deny Anioma people of governorship in 2015, said, “Before we entered the race, we knew that it is only one person that will finally emerge as governor so it is not true.”

The large number of aspirants from Anioma indicates that we

have quality contenders for Deltans to pick from, I am sorry to disappoint them, we have learned our lessons and cannot fall to such game plan,” the former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly asserted.

He said: “We are carrying out our campaigns maturely, nobody is abusing each other because we all know we are one and that only one will person will emerge in the governor in the long run.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—13

Graham-Douglas ‘tears’ Rivers PDP apart

By Emmanuel Aziken,

Political Editor

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HE crisis in the Rivers State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, deepened yesterday, after the chapter flayed the alleged cordiality between a senior member of the party, Alabo Graham-Douglas and Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

The state chairman of the party, Bro. Felix Obuah, in a statement made available to Vanguard yesterday described as indefensible and a betrayal, the assertion by Douglas that he could not sever his relationship with Governor Amaechi despite the political chasm between Amaechi and the mainstream of the PDP in Rivers State.

Douglas, a former minister and member of the PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, had been quoted in a newspaper interview as saying that he could not, because of the differences between the governor and President Goodluck Jonathan, sever relations with either of them.

The development follows recent mutterings in the party over the influence of the former Minister of State, (Education), Nyesom Wike, and the recent clash in Abuja between supporters of Wike and those of his rivals.

“It will be foolhardy for anybody to say that I should severe relationship with him, (Amaechi). Jonathan is my younger brother and Amaechi is the governor of my state of origin. I have been playing fatherly roles to both of them,” Alabo Douglas had been quoted as saying.

Reacting to Douglas' assertion yesterday, Obuah, in a statement by his special adviser on media, Jerry Nedam said:

“The PDP feels disappointed by the reported series of contacts between the Kalabari chief, and Governor Amaechi of All Progressives Congress, APC, especially now that the issues of who becomes the president of the country and next governor of the state are on the table of the political parties.

“The PDP recalls its earlier revelation that those causing disaffection in the party are

moles and agents of Amaechi and the APC. “The PDP regrets that despite all the insults and abuses on President Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan

by Governor Amaechi, Alabo Graham- Douglas sees nothing wrong about it, otherwise, he would have publicly cautioned the governor and also discontinued such political relationship which does the PDP no good.”

AGM: From left: Managing Director, Dr. Ladi Okuboyejo; Alternate Chairman, Mr. Tokunbo Adesanya and and Company Secretary, Mr. Segun Ogunbanjo, during the Premium Health 2014 Annual General Meeting, at Wheatbakers Hotel,Ikoyi,Lagos

Disburse SURE-P funds directly to LGs, Edo urges FG

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—EDO State Government, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to disburse the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, funds directly to local government councils rather than passing them through state coordinators.

Speaking through Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, at a briefing, Chief Lucky James, insisted that channelling the money through state coordinators was not achieving the purpose for which the funds were meant, claiming that state coordinators were using the funds for political patronage rather than empowering the youths.

James, who briefed newsmen on the utilization of SURE-P funds in local government councils in the state, said in Edo State under the leadership of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, “the local governments were mandated to inject their SURE-P funds on projects that have direct impact on the lives of the

people. We believe that the SURE-P funds are supposed to help ameliorate the sufferings of our unemployed youths and that is why I am not comfortable that the funds are being channelled through state coordinators because we have observed that rather than use them appropriately, those coordinators use the funds to satisfy their political associates and cronies.

“The funds will be better

utilised if channeled directly to local governments. A situation where a middle man is selected and given the name “state coordinator ” and given money to be disbursing to his cronies, and political associates, is inappropriate? I am challenging the Federal Government to rechannel these funds and give them to the local governments who will make better use of these funds.

I also want the EFCC to look

into the activities of some of these state coordinators because some of these monies are being misappropriated.”

James noted that local government councils in the state had become a reference point on the application of SURE-P funds, asserting that “this was the position of the SURE-P supervisors who visited the state recently to take stock of the application of the funds in Edo State."

2015: Ikwerre passes vote of confidence in Coordinator of Ikwerre Jonathan, Wike

By Davies Iheamnachor

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ORT HARCOURT— IKWERRE ethnic nationality has passed a vote of confidence in President Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Nyesom Wike in the forthcoming general elections, and called on them to declare their interest for the polls.

Ikwerre nationality, comprising all Ikwerre speaking communities in Rivers State, weekend, adopted President Jonathan and Chief Wike making their 2015 political ambition known.

Governor Amaechi and Wike are indegenes of Ikwerre.

The occasion was a solidarity rally in Port Harcourt attended by illustrious sons and daughters of the land including Sergeant Awuse, Victor Ihunwo, Prince Igirigba and Kingsley Chindah among others.

The Ikwerre nation which is one of the major ethnic groups in Rivers State, said its support for President Goodluck Jonathan is unconditional, adding that his leadership qualities have won him their unalloyed support.

Council of Chiefs, Chief Paul Wonodi, who spoke on behalf of the Ikwerre chiefs said the people had mobilized for the two candidates because of their outstanding leadership qualities, adding that President Jonathan and Chief Wike should declare without further hesitation.

Wonodi said: “The Ikwerre people are encouraged by the leadership qualities of the President of the Country and the courage of our son, so we are calling on them to declare their intention for the 2015 election.”

ASUU-DELSU condemns Associate Prof's kidnap

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—THE Academic Staff Union of Union, ASUU, Delta State University, Abraka branch, has condemned the suspected kidnap of one its members, Dr. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology by suspected gunmen.

The union, in a statement by its Chairman and Secretary, Professor Abel Diakparomre and Dr. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri respectively, said: “Once again, the relative peace in Delta State University, Abraka, has been thrown into jeopardy following the kidnap of one of our lecturers, Dr. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, an internationally renowned erudite scholar and scientist.

“Dr. Tonukari, an associate Professor of Microbiology at the Delta State University, Abraka went missing on his way from Sapale to Abraka on October 13, His car was found abandoned in the neighbourhood of Eku, in Ethiope East Local Government area of the state. It is suspected that he is kidnapped by some yet to be identified persons.

“Since the kidnap, no group has claimed responsibility neither has any group or individual made contact with the family or anybody. Also, no demand for ransom has been made. Tonukari has thus remained incommunicado with his where about unknown.

“The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Delta State University, DELSU, branch, is highly vexed and worried by this unholy and pathetically ugly incident of kidnapping of university academics which has until some years ago remained alien and utopian to the Nigerian society in general and DELSU in particular.

“Those who adopted him and the general society should understand that the University anywhere in the world remains the sacrosanct intellectual refinery in which the crudity of humanity is refined into fine products for individual and national development."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—14

OKOWA DECLARES: Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (middle), during his declaration to contest the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship seat for Delta State in Asaba, yesterday. With him are members of his campaign team and other party faithful.

2015: Maeba joins Rivers governorship race

Uduaghan 'll hand over to me next year, boasts Okowa

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— SENATOR Lee Maeba has announced his intention to contest Rivers State governorship election in 2015.

Maeba, who represented Rivers South-East senatorial district in the Senate on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said he was going to tackle the problem of housing confronting the state, noting that he would also develop more cities in the state.

He said: “My blueprint has addressed the problem of housing in the state. Within four years, my administration will embark on a housing programme that will put an end to the problem of housing in the state. The truth is that the government has failed the people in the provision of affordable houses. If voted into power, our administration will provide affordable houses for the people.”

The former senator, who condemned violence in politics, said as senator, he initiated the local content bill that was later passed into law.

He added: “I, Senator Maeba, endorse politics without bitterness as propounded by the late Waziri Ibrahim. My concern is to help the youths attain their potentials. I have never bought a pistol or any other arm or ammunition for any youth."

Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, Delta State PDP governorship aspirant (middle), in a handshake with the National Organising Secretary of PDP at the Wadata Plaza headquarters of the party, when he picked up his forms to contest the 2015 governorship election in Delta State.

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By Charles Kumolu

S A B A — GOVERNORSHIP aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday boasted that the incumbent governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, would hand over to him in 2015.

He also said his political profile, ranked him better than other aspirants in the race.

Okowa spoke in Asaba, at the formal declaration of his ambition to govern the state.

Those in attendance included Prof Sam Iyovbaire; former Information Minister. Chief Wlliams Ibori, Chief Bayo Esenebe; former Chairman of Delta PDP, Chief Ovie Agas, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi; ex chairman of Delta PDP, Agasa, Chief A. Okpakpor, Chief Ochonogor Ossai, Mr. Michael Diden among others.

Okowa said: “I was the Director General of Uduaghan Campaign Organisation. He is my friend.

Our governor will handover to me because he is my friend, brother and boss. No matter what we hear, he is for me and remains my friend. At the end of my tenure as governor, Delta state will be one in which there are

gainful employment opportunities, a flourishing agriculture and agricultural business sector, effective health and educational systems and renewed urban infrastructure and security that would enhance continued economic growth and the prosperity of all Deltans.

“No one can doubt my deep

knowledge and commitment to my people of Delta State, to all the communities, the aspirations of the people and the tremendous challanges facing us.”

In his remarks Oyovbaire said: “If you look aroond you will see people from all the ethic nationalities in the state. If the

....Orubebe dismisses claims of anointed PDP candidate

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By Chris Ochayi

EOPLES Democratic Party, PDP governorship aspirant in Delta State, Elder Godsday Orubebe, yesterday, rebuffed insinuations of a favoured governorship aspirant in the party, saying "all major aspirants are friends of the outgoing governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan."

Orubebe who pledged to sustain the development projects of the Uduaghan administration if elected governor, vowed to make the

state proud by realising his long term vision for the state.

He said in dismissal of speculations of a favoured aspirant among those in the hustle to replace the governor, “Well, I think it is rumour and I can tell you categorically that the Governor has not endorsed any aspirant. I can also state categorically that the governor is a friend to all the people that are aspiring. I can also say that he believes in fairness and is working with all the aspirants so that

....As Omo-Agege enters Delta gov race

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By Henry Umoru

BUJA—AHEAD of the November 29 Governorship Primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, two governorship aspirants in Delta State, Ovie OmoAgege and Mr. Andrew Warri, yesterday stormed the Party’s National Secretariat, to pick their expression of Interest and Nomination forms, kicking against alleged zoning

gathering is to be broken down into age brackets, you will see that every age grade is represented. The Okowa project has been put together by all Deltans. I am very confident, that Okowa as governor will lead our people well. He is the only aspirant that I know is at home with all the tribes in this state."

introduced in some states.

According to them, there was nothing like articulated zoning formula.

Speaking after he picked his forms, Omo-Agege said, “there was never anytime where it was agreed that there should be zoning in Delta state or stopping aspirants from all the three Senatorial Districts from contesting.

Aspirants have always

contested for the governorship position irrespective of district.

“The contest for governor is essentially the exercise of executive powers and I can tell you today that there is no part of Delta state in what is today Delta state that has not at one time or the other exercised executive powers."

whoever succeeds will continue from where he will stop. All aspirants see the governor as the leader of the Party in Delta State and as a leader, he is giving us a level playing ground. So, that story is not correct.

Orubebe, who was the immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs added, “We are all working towards November 29, 2014 congress where one of the aspirants, Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe will be elected as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship flag bearer. I want a situation where every Deltan can aspire to become great depending on these three pillars that I have created for myself. I want a Delta State where our young men and women can achieve excellent height depending also on these three pillars.

“I want to affect the mental reasoning of my people, particularly the youths who are future leaders of this great nation and state. I want them to see God as their ultimate source of achievements."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—15

LONDON FESTIVAL OF LIFE: Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Archbishop Justin Welby, of Canterbury and Primate of England, and others in a prayer session, during the just concluded London Festival of Life programme.

Pastor Enoch Adeboye and the Anglican Archbishop, Justin Welby after the all night programme in London.

Four members of Ebonyi SEC resign to contest 2015 polls

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—THERE were indications yesterday that no fewer than four members of Ebonyi State Executive Council, SEC, had resigned their appointments to contest various positions in the 2015 general elections.

Vanguard learned that those reported to have resigned their appointments include: Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Hon. Chike Onwe; Commissioner for Commerce and Tourism, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Commissioner for Cement Production, Sunday Ugwuocha, and the Special Adviser to Governor Martin Elechi, on Petroleum Product, Pricing and Distribution, Chidi Ejem.

The governor’s aides were said to have submitted their resignation letters through the office of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Chief Fidelis Mbam, because Governor Martin Elechi was out of the state.

Feelers from the state's Government House revealed that there are others still holding their resignation letters awaiting the return of Governor Elechi, who was expected yesterday.

One person whose resignation took everybody by surprise, was Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Chief Ikpor, whose resignation came 24 hours to the flagging off of National Festival of Arts and Culture, NAFEST being hosted by the state.

He is the chairman of the local organising committee for the event in the state.

His resignation is also raising

dust considering the fact that he is running for governorship, for which the PDP and other stakeholders in the state had already endorsed former Health Minister, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu.

The former Health Minister and Mr. Ikpor are from Afikpo North local government area in Ebonyi South senatorial district of the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation,

Dr. Onwe, is said to be aspiring for the House of Representatives of Ezza South/ Ikwo federal constituency, currently occupied by Mr. Tobias Okwuru.

At the last State Working Committee meeting of the PDP, Governor Elechi had announced that two senators would return and pleaded with the party to allow all legislators to also return.

Meanwhile, former deputy

governor, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, has purchased nomination form to contest Ebonyi South senatorial district position, presently being occupied by Senator Sonni Ogbu-Oji, who is also warming up for re-election.

Sunday Ugwuocha and Chidi Ejem are said to be eying House of Assembly positions in Afikpo South local government area of the state.

Why we set up c'ttee to advise aspirants,

by Edo North PDP

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN CITY—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo South senatorial district of Edo State has explained that it decided to set up committee to advise aspirants to avoid crisis after primaries and not to impose any particular candidate.

The State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Matthew Urhoghide who gave the clarification, said the leadership of the party in the South took that decision due to the high number of aspirants in the area.

According to him, “ we discovered that the aspirants in Edo South are more than what we have in Edo North and Central so we have to manage the situation. We have over one hundred aspirants for the House of Assembly seats in Edo South but we only have eleven seats in the House. If you want to pick form for House of Assembly it is about

N1.5million.

“For the women they are exempted from paying. But this money is none refundable.

So, the leaders now said rather than rush to pay this money why can’t you go and discuss among yourselves on who should go because you must know your political strength as a politician. We don’t want a situation where after they must have paid the money and lose we will start reconciling them.

“The number is too large. For

House of Representatives you pay N3m, for the senate N5.5million. That was why the committee was set up to give advise to them and not even to prune down the number because you cannot force anybody to run or withdraw.

“We don’t want a situation where one will go and borrow money and later lose the primaries then he or she will start fighting. That will not be good for the party," he said.

Labour welcomes Nigeria's declaration as Ebola free state

By Victor Ahiuma-

Young

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RGANISED Labour yesterday expressed delight that Nigeria had been declared free of Ebola Virus Disease EVD, by The World Health Organisation, WHO, saying “this is a credit to Nigeria and all Nigerians.”

Speaking through the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, labour also commended the efforts and measures taken by the Federal government of Nigeria, State governments particularly the Lagos State government and all stakeholders to curb the spread of the Ebola disease in Nigeria.

In a statement by its General Secretary, Issa Aremu, the union said “It is a mark of good governance that Nigeria applied a bi-partisan national approach to curb and curtail an epidemic of a disease without a cure and record a globally acclaimed achievement."

Ikpo endorses Adigwe for senate

By Tommy Anaduaka

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N ELDER statesman and two-time Senator in Nigeria, Senator Nosike Ikpo, has thrown his weight behind the aspiration of Hon. Pascal Adigwe, to vie for the Delta North Senatorial seat in 2015.

Senator Ikpo who is a community leader and one of the

founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, described Adigwe as a very humble, respectful and committed grassroots party man who had over the years exhibited his talent for all to see.

Ikpo said that there was need for the people of the area to join hands and ensure Adigwe’s

emergence as the next senator of Delta North.

Senator Ikpo, who turned 80 recently, recalled that experience of administration was necessary for anybody wishing to represent a people, adding that Hon. Adigwe having served as the representative for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency with good results willperformwellifelected.

16— Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Ebola: Nigeria records 60% survivors

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By Clifford Ndujihe

HE World Health Organisation, WHO, yesterday, declared Nigeria free of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, a no mean achievement given the deadly and delicate nature of the disease.

Nigeria lost eight persons to the disease including the index (first) case, Mr Patrick Sawyer, the late Liberian-American who brought the disease to Nigeria on July 20, 2014.

Nigeria had 20 cases of Ebola after Sawyer flew into Lagos and collapsed at the airport. Health care workers treating Sawyer were infected, and as it spread it ultimately killed eight people, a low number next to the thousands of cases and deaths in other countries. With the development, the disease killed 40 per cent of those affected in Nigeria. The WHO estimates that 90 per cent of those affected die from Ebola.

Through sheer determination and care on the part of the government and the citizenry, Nigeria ensured that only 20 persons out of a population of 167 million were affected and 60 per cent of the victims survived the disease. The record is bettered by Uganda, which in 2007 had 149 cases and 37 deaths (25 per cent

fatality) and Cote d Ívoire that had one case and no death in 1994.

Since the outbreak of the disease in four West African countries- Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria, late December 2013 and this year, Spain and the United States of America about 9000 cases have been reported with about 4500 deaths (50 per cent fatality). The breakdown of the figures in West Africa is as follows: •Liberia - 4262 cases, 2484 deaths, 58.28 per cent fatality •Sierra Leone - 3410 cases, 1200 deaths, 35.19 per cent fatality •Guinea - 1519 cases, 862 deaths, 56.75 per cent fatality •Nigeria - 20 cases, eight deaths, 40 per cent fatality.

Nigeria is by far the most populous of these countries with a population of 167 million and yet recorded the least number of cases, an indication of the professional manner the government and the citizenry handled the challenge. The populations of the other countries are: Uganda (37 million), Cote d Ívoire (16 million), Guinea (10 million), Sierra Leone (six million) and Liberia (3.5 million), whose total of 73 million is about half of Nigeria’s population.

Strike: Health workers threaten showdown

By Chioma Obinna

H

EALTH workers under the aegis of Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, yesterday, continued with their ongoing indefinite strike warning that if the Federal Government refuses to meet their demands in the next one week, other unions in the health sector would join the strike in solidarity.

The National President of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP, who is also the Vice President of Joint Health Sector Union, Mr. Felix Faniran, maintained that industrial action has witnessed “total compliance” in different parts of the country including the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, its national secretariat.

Faniran said, “The strike began on Thursday (last week). All our members are on strike in all parts of the country including OAUTHC. If this strike persists in the next one week, others will join us in solidarity.

Already, JOHESU has alerted the government of its intention to join the strike and this time around, the consequences will be disastrous. There will be total paralysis of the health sector.”

When asked why NUAHP would continue the strike, despite the resignation of the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, to pursue his 2015 governorship C M Y K

ambition in Ebonyi State, Faniran said: “Our agitation was beyond Chukwu. We are calling on President Goodluck Jonathan not to appoint a medical doctor to be pilot the affairs of the Health Ministry in Nigeria.

We reiterate that the President should consider a person from Allied Health Professionals as the replacement for balance and harmony in the health

sector."

The group had, among other demands, condemned the decision of the Federal Ministry of Health that only those registrable with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria could use the designation ‘Consultant’, stressing that “it is not only a ruse, it is false, incorrect, wrong and unacceptable.”

Reps endorse N4,000 for online NYSC registration

By Emman Ovuakporie and Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA—THE House of Representatives Committee on Youth Development has endorsed the N4,000 for the online registration of members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC. Chairman of the committee, Rep Kamil Akinlabi, revealed this while giving update on the investigation into the new policy, during a media chat with House of Representatives Press Corps.

Akinlabi said the fund would be used for installation of equipment at the NYSC offices nationwide adding that the fund would enable the contractor handling the project is expected to recoup its investment within five years.

After the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hassan Saleh, the House directed NYSC management to suspend forthwith the policy requiring prospective corps

members to pay N4,000 with effect from 2015 to access their call up letters.

Akinlabi said: “from the onset, when the matter was brought to our attention, the first thing we felt was the way you are feeling but after constructive engagement, we discovered that it was an innovation that we can’t run from. First, it was not the responsibility of the NYSC to mobilize respective corps members to get their call-up letters, it is the responsibility of the parent. If somebody schooled in Lagos but lives in Kano and to get his callup letter he has to travel to school.

He ädded “so you will discover that it’s time consuming, risky and very expensive. So what the NYSC has done is to partner with a consultant that is already handling similar project for JAMB and WAEC that has eliminated similar risks to partner with them through PPP arrangement. And that PPP arrangement will be on Built Operate and Transfer."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 — 17

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NE thing is for sure: Muhammadu Buhari would like to be the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He has tried three times and has failed every time. Finally realizing it is a lost cause, he said he would not try again. But now he is persuaded to try again.

His supporters are impressed that he won 12 million votes against Goodluck Jonathan in 2011. However, they need to be reminded that he lost to Jonathan by over 10 million votes. Since the third time did not turn out to be a charm for Buhari, what are we to call his fourth attempt? Listening to the declaration of his newfangled presidential bid in Eagle Square, Abuja a few days ago, it is seems this fourth time is going to be one big charade.

The sign was provided by none other than Buhari himself.

Since his one credential is that he is a man of integrity who, as president, is expected to wrestle corruption down to the ground, Buhari decided to burnish his anticorruption image by revealing that he obtained his N27.5 million APC nomination form with a bank loan. However, what this declaration did was to tell Nigerians that Buhari is a pretentious anti-corruption crusader. His Mr. Clean posture is nothing but a public relations gimmick.

Question marks In fairness, some of us have known this all along. Under Buhari’s watch as Petroleum Minister in the late 1970s, $2.8 billion (worth billions of naira today) was missing from the NNPC account. The matter was subject to Senate investigation under the chairmanship of Olusola Saraki in 1983. But before the report could be dealt with, Buhari conveniently overthrew the Shagari government in a military coup d’état.

Vera Ifudu, an NTA newscaster, revealed that Saraki told her in an interview that the missing money was traced to an account at Midland Bank in London. For this disclosure, Vera was summarily sacked by the NTA .

However, she appealed against her dismissal in court and won. She even received a handsome financial compensation for wrongful dismissal from the NTA .

Instead of clearing his name as a man of integrity, Buhari refused to appear before the Oputa Panel set up to look into the matter (among under things) by the Obasanjo administration.

Buhari claims to be an anticorruption crusader, nevertheless, he agreed to serve under Sani Abacha, one of the most corrupt Heads-ofState ever in the history of

for its presidential primaries. One would have expected a truly anti-corruption crusader to make the point that the nomination fee is unacceptable.

Instead, Buhari r e a d i l y acquiesced to the requirement in order to safeguard his all-important presidential ambitions. Since Buhari cannot, or does not, fight against this corrupting nomination fee in the APC, and insist on its reduction to something far more reasonable, how can he expect us to believe that as president in a political system with the separation of powers; against a legislature likely to be controlled by the PDP; he would be able to fight corruption? Somebody is fooling somebody here. Or else, somebody is living in a cloud cuckoo land.

Charity, they say, begins at home. If Buhari is truly anticorruption, he should begin his crusade in the APC. Is it progressive for a political party in Nigeria to ask its candidates to come up with N27.5 million just for the nomination papers for an election where only one person will emerge as the winner? Is it not corrupt politicians that are likely to have this type of easy-come easy-go money? Is this not an open invitation for the winner, if he actually manages to secure election to the presidency, to recoup this extortionate fee from public funds?

Anti-corruption bank loan: What did anti-corruption Buhari do about this outrageous APC requirement? This is where the whole matter becomes ridiculously implausible.

According to Buhari, rather than fight against the measure, he took out a bank loan to pay for it.

Buhari told us about his “loan” out of embarrassment; in a pathetic bid to validate his anti-corruption credentials.

But this so-called loan indicates that Buhari does not understand what it means to be anti-corruption. For Buhari, anti-corruption is a posture; it is a swagger; it is a badge; but it has no bite and, in the usual Nigerian fashion, it will be prosecuted with hypocrisy. Buhari wants us to believe that he cannot afford N27.5 million. Nevertheless, he rides around in a bulletproof Jeep and maintains a convoy of Land Cruisers. He cannot afford N27.5 million.

Nevertheless, he declared his candidacy lavishly in Eagle Square, Abuja. Did he also take out a bank loan for that?

Muhammadu Buhari: Running for president with an anti-corruption bank loan Nigeria. While there has been APC. Should he become no proven allegation that president, does he intend to Buhari corruptly enriched probe his corrupt partyhimself as Chairman of the members? Has he made them Petroleum Trust Fund under understand he would be Abacha, it is abundantly clear coming after them once that this fabled anti-corruption elected? If he has, does he crusader failed to curb the really expect them to help him rampant corruption that get elected so he can retrieve prevailed in the organization. their stolen loot and send them Group Captain Usman Jibrin, off to jail?

A 72-year-old man with a board member of PTF, resigned from the organization Buhari’s experience, who was in protest over Buhari’s overthrown in a preemptive irregular appointments of coup by members of his own government, knows that in consultants.

In 2000, the Obasanjo Nigeria, nobody gets elected as administration set up an president on the platform that Interim Management he is going to be an antiCommittee to look into the corruption crusader when he affairs of the PTF, under the gets into office. That is a sure chairmanship of Haroun signal for all the politicians in Adamu. The Committee all the parties to gang up discovered that billions of naira against him and make sure he was stolen under Buhari’s never makes it.

If you really want to be antichairmanship.

Political platform: Now the corruption, you have to keep same Buhari who would not or your mouth shut about your could not curb corruption in the plans until you get elected and PTF wants us to believe he will then catch your corrupt fight corruption as colleagues by president of surprise. You must Nigeria. However, also have resolved he has chosen the not to seek re-election APC as the political for a second-term. It platform on which to is not only the undertake this. populace, but the But the APC is an politicians in unscrupulous particular, who insist political party that is on “stomach choc-full of corrupt infrastructure.” But politicians. It is the if you are talking party of Murtala anti-corruption while Nyako who was still seeking the impeached as nomination of your governor of party, it must be Adamawa State for because it is well converting state In Nigeria, known to your corrupt money to personal nobody colleagues that your use. It is the party anti-corruption where Buhari gets elected stance is merely for himself and others as public consumption. went cap-in-hand to Cleaning up APC: Otta to beg president It is not surprising, Obasanjo to be their on the therefore, that “navigator. ” despite all the noise platform Surely Buhari about anti-corruption knows that he that he is coming from Buhari cannot fight and his cohorts; he going to be corruption by being has failed to fight the presidential an antiagainst corruption in candidate of the the APC. We did not corruption APC. Whatever hear him raise a voice a n t i - c o r r u p t i o n crusader against the crusading Buhari when he incongruity of a sohad in him in the called progressive past must have gets into party demanding a ended when he office cynical nomination decided to join the fee of N27.5 million

Four months to a make-orbreak election, Buhari would have us believe he has no money.

How does he propose to finance his presidential campaign? Is he going to take N1 billion loan from the World Bank for this?

Dubious loan Why would a bank lend Buhari that amount for a presidential pie-in-the-sky that failed to materialize three times in the past? Is that not likely to be a bad loan? How long did it take for the loan to be processed? What did he put down as anti-corruption collateral? How does he propose to pay the money back? Mr. Integrity needs to spell all this out for the sake of his fast-disintegrating anticorruption credentials.

I did not know loans are so easy to secure in Nigerian banks today. Perhaps Buhari could introduce me to his bank manager. I would also not mind taking this kind of soft loan. I am sure I can always come up with some unproductive excuse or the other for it. Is such a loan even legal today under Nigeria’s stricter banking laws?

How many honest Nigerians can afford to give a nonrefundable N27.5 million to a political party, on the offchance that they will be able to secure the party ’s presidential ticket? If they win the nomination and even get elected president, how would they pay back the money?

Not presidential material: It is clear that Buhari is not only lacking the money to pay for APC nomination papers, he does not have the funds to pay for advisers, to counsel him about what to tell the public and how to prosecute an effective presidential campaign. His advisers might have educated him that there is something called “fund-raising.” Surely, the most popular politician in the North-West can find some of his ardent supporters to give him N27 million. Certainly, a former governor of the Central Bank can easily cough up the money.

Buhari wants to fight an election that will take place in four months time. From what he tells us, he does not have N27 million to prosecute that election now. If this is true, he is not the right man to be president of Nigeria. For a man who is running for election for the fourth time, that is the height of cluelessness.

It shows Buhari is lousy at marshalling resources.

Otherwise, he is fooling nobody but himself.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 PREPARATIONS for the 2015 elections again raise the issue of the highly monetised nature of Nigerian politics. It gets worse each political season.

Last year, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, generated N163m from selling nomination forms to governorship aspirants for the 2014 election in Anambra State. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, raked in N184m from the same exercise.

APGA’s nomination form cost N10m for men and N5m for women. PDP charged same rate of N10m for both men and women.

Outrageous as these expenses were at the entry point of the gubernatorial race, candidates willingly paid. Candidates are violating the Electoral Act which pegs election expenses.

It is getting worse. PDP wants N11m from gubernatorial aspirants in 2015. PDP presidential aspirants will pay N22m; All Peoples Congress, APC, charges presidential aspirants N27.5m, and governorship aspirants N5.5m. PDP women aspirants pay nothing. Alliance for Democracy’s forms are free for all aspirants.

Section 91 (3) of the Electoral Act 2010 (amended) provides that, “The maximum election

Our Money Politics expenses to be incurred by a candidate at a Governorship election shall be two hundred million Naira (N200, 000,000).” A presidential candidate is expected to spend a maximum of N500m as election expenses.

Though Section 91 (8) of the Electoral Act excludes pre-nomination expenses from the ceilings, the scuttling of the ambition of ‘ordinary ’ people is obvious. Possession of millions of Naira has become substitute for leadership qualities.

Whoever can pay gets the party ’s attention, buys delegates or decides the party’s mode of selecting candidates. Those who cannot pay are excluded from participation. We still call it democracy?

Nigeria is quickly drifting to plutocracy. High costs squeeze poor people out of elections. After investing in elections, winners make recouping their investments priority while in office. It creates fertile platform for corruption. Anxiety to secure victory also promotes malpractices, especially violence.

Today ’s people of means are selfish and appropriate Nigeria’s future which they alone can afford. Candidates, aside campaign expenses, pay bills of the party and campaign leaders, their children’s school fees, hospital bills, wedding and burial ceremonies.

Only money bags or those they bankroll can win elections in Nigeria. This should not be the case because the country is replete with intelligent men and women of moderate means, who can re-direct the ship of the Nigerian state.

Monetisation of politics poses dangers to our politics. Winners use state resources to offset electoral expenses. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has failed to monitor electoral expenses.

Instead of bickering among themselves, Nigerians, in their various parties, should invest their energies in instituting more democratic practices in our politics. It would be a more profitable engagement than the fixation with 2015.

OPINION

By Joe Igbokwe

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AST week a powerful delegation of Igbo leaders made up of Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Senator Hope Uzodinma; Minister of Labour & Productivity, Emeka Wogu; National Publicity Secretary PDP, Mr Olisa Metuh; Mr Ifeanyi Ubah and former Governor Peter Obi stormed Dover Hotel at Lekki Phase 1 Lagos to woo Ndigbo Lagos for President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 presidential bid.

At Dover Hotel, they met eminent and prominent Igbo leaders, namely President General Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Gary EnwoIgariwey; President Ndigbo Lagos, Professor Anya. O. Anya; President Aka Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazurike; former Chairman Diamond Bank, Chief Pascal Dozie; former Governor of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu(rtd); former President of Nigerian Stock Exchange, Dr Raymond Obieri; Eze Ndigbo of Ikeja, Eze Uche Dimgba and President Ohaneze Ndigbo Lagos, Fabian Onwughalu and many other eminent Igbos in Lagos. Like I said their mission is to persuade Ndigbo in Lagos to join the train in the campaign to make President Jonathan to continue in office even after 2015. The meeting was well attended and this mission was clear: It is President Jonathan or nothing!

The Lagos mission has indeed thrown up some big questions on what Igbo agenda is in Nigeria. What does Igbo want in Nigeria?

What is their strategy? What is their mission?

What is wrong with Igbo Politics in Nigeria?

What is their plan for Nigeria? What is their strength? What is their thinking? What is wrong with Igbo politics?

Few weeks back an Igbo youth posted a question on his Facebook page. Hear him: “Why is it that Igbo are always in the forefront to work for other people to be President in Nigeria? Is it that no Igbo is good to be president of Nigeria?” He traced the days of IBB and Abacha when Chief Arthur Nzeribe and one Daniel Kanu played prominent roles to extend their tenures in office. Nzeribe went to court to stop June 12, 1993 election so that IBB will continue in office. It failed: Daniel Kanu, Chief Arthur Eze, Orji Uzor Kalu, Sam Mbakwe, Onyeka Onwenu and others staged a two million man march tagged Youths Earnestly Asking for Abacha, YEAA in Abuja to get an extension of tenure for Abacha. It failed also. Of all the men that have led Ohaneze only Professor Ben Nwabueze and Dr Dozie Ikedife gave good account of themselves. Today, like Daniel Kanu of YEAA, Ifeanyi Ubah is driving TAN for Jonathan. Now where does all this lead Igbo to? Is there anything they know that we do not know?

South East has the least number of states in Nigeria, the least number of Senators, the least number of House of Reps members, least number of State House of Assembly members, least number of Ministers at the federal level, least revenue allocation, least federal presence or investment, least local governments, least wards and the least of everything in Nigeria. Can we conclude that

Igbo worry about nothing except their stomach? Can we assume that an Igbo is not good to be president of Nigeria? Can we conclude that top Igbo politicians lack strategy, tact and vision to think deep in matters of politics? Can we conclude that we are satisfied with the status-quo ante? Is there hope for Ndigbo in Nigeria’s political equation? Igbo politics worries me to the marrows!

For eight years the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, ruled on the platform of APGA and according to him then, it was either APGA or nothing. To celebrate the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Emeka Ojukwu, he wore his clothes everywhere he went; he erected billboards bearing his photo with Ikemba. Now few months after he left office, he caught the bug and moved to the PDP, betraying the late Ikemba and APGA. Again what will you call this? Is it politics of ideas or what? Is it politics of the stomach?

If Ndigbo help President Jonathan to remain in power till 2019, where does this leave Ndigbo? By 2019 Southern Nigeria would have been in power for 18 years. Now do you think the North will just sit down to continue to be spectators in a democracy? Is this what we struggled for from 1985 to 1999? The South did not struggle for power shift to the South so as to keep it for 18 years. It will be a threat to democracy, a threat to national unity and a threat to the corporate existence of Nigeria as a political entity. This is a timely warning!

As 2015 draws near, our prominent and eminent Igbo leaders do not think about the

state of the nation. They are not worried about insecurity in the land. They are not worried about the tragedy in the power sector, they are not worried about outrageous corruption, impunity and mediocrity at the federal level, they are not worried about the threat to national unity, they are not worried about colossal decay of infrastructure, they are not worried about the decay in our schools and hospitals, they are not worried about Nigeria’s monumental battered image and they are not worried about Nigeria’s threatened future. There is no strategic alliance with the major ethnic groups, the Hausa-Fulani and the Yoruba just for the sake of Nigeria. They abuse them and call them names forgetting that they need their votes to rule Nigeria. They allow their flanks to be infiltrated for a mess of porridge. It is money for hand back for ground. It is give me money and I kill myself (Inyem ego egbuom onwem). The truth is that Igbo has been left behind in matters of Nigerian politics. There is no strong presence in PDP and no strong presence in APC, the two major parties. Igbo politics worries me to the bones!

But it is not yet a hopeless case for Igbo.

Things can get better if we sit down to discuss strategies and think properly. If you do not know where you are going, nobody can help you. If you do not stand for something, nobody will take you serious. If you do not love others, then they can never trust you. If you do not show some seriousness in anything you do, nobody will take you serious. *Mr Igbokwe is the Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress, Lagos State chapter

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—19

By Sunny Ikhioya

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HE Nigerian will always be a Nigerian. When in other climes, people accept responsibility for their failure, the Nigerian will always find reasons and will be the last to accept his fault. It traverses every part of our being as a nation. Several applicants died as a result of the glaring incompetence of our Immigration authorities, no one opted to take responsibility. The NNPC accounts have been battling to be reconciled in the past several months, no one has volunteered to take responsibility, though the account is supposed to be up to date, at all times and be ready for public scrutiny.

Because we are not tidy at doing things, there are always tardiness, as witnessed by the ongoing South Africa and Nigeria impasse over $15 million.

Nothing happens in Nigeria without a reason. A person travels home to his village, comes back, maybe as a result of the stress of the journey, he collapses and dies. The death is attributed to "juju" from the village, maybe caused by an old grandmother who never knew he existed. You are sacked for incompetence and you attribute it to tribal factors.

That is the nature of Nigerians and that is why our leaders and

politicians are taking us for granted, because they attribute reasons for any obvious madness.

Fresh school graduates are now made to pay N4000 to register for the compulsory NYSC programme that is supposed to be a service to the nation. Why should these young school leavers be made to bear the cost?

Why can't the NYSC authorities work out the cost and put it in their budget for approval? Why must people suffer because a negligible few want to get rich? The NYSC must reconsider this obnoxious policy, it is not heard of.

The excuse syndrome recently got to its peak when the coach of our Super Eagles told journalists, on his return from the Sudan fiasco, that his team was sabotaged and that is why they lost to Sudan. So, who is the saboteur? Coaches and players who refuse to play until match allowances are paid or the NFA that decides to 'siddon look'? What a reason! Simple "I am sorry we have failed the nation" would have been enough, but, not so for a typical Nigerian.

Our representatives have failed to realise that the glory for any victory go to them, as individuals first, before the nation. It gives them the required international exposure that catapults one to the peak of the profession. There are

,

Keshi, Eagles and excuses

Keshi displayed very unpatriotic tendencies by openly flirting with other nations for employment while still in charge of Eagles; that was a big distraction which, I believe, affected his focus

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monetary rewards which are sometimes accompanied by other material benefits. The now former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, is a proud recipient of the MON award. Victory, therefore, is for their individual glory. So, why are they careless with it?

The last time the Eagles played good football was in the AFCON competition in South Africa last year. Since then, it has been on the downward slide. A major reason for this is that our players and coaches have chosen the pecuniary options over others.

You will notice that each time Nigerian players begin to put on airs, their form begin to decline.

It did not start today, past players like Okocha, Oliseh, etc, exhibited this trait and their careers declined accordingly.

There was a time Okocha got lost

in London trying to locate the Super Eagles camp base.

The Sudan game was a complete eye sore. I do not know how to describe it. Our players were passing the ball to the opponents and running away from tackles, while shooting high balls to no one in particular, it was nauseating.

Keshi needs to asses his own performance: eleven games, five losses, five draws and, only one win. So, the slide did not start now, Sudan was only an accumulation of the build-up.

Keshi has been building since he came in and in the process, he managed to drop useful players who helped him to win the Nations Cup like Sunday Mbah, Brown Ideye - his combination with Emenike, Ike Uche and others was superb. In their stead, he brought in very average players who could not rise to the occasion.

The absence of a creative mid fielder has been there since Keshi took over. Three years after, he has not been able to fill that vacuum; that does not show competence.

All over the world, players that excel from the youth teams are drafted into the senior teams. We did that with Kanu, Oruma, Okocha and others. Why did Keshi chose to ignore Iheanacho who sparkled in the Under-18 World Cup tournament? To make best player in any World Cup

Empower states to explore minerals deposits and diversify economy

By Omotayo Adeolu

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ACK of awareness about the locations of mineral resources in Nigeria makes the country almost exclusively dependent on oil today even though we established ourselves as an agricultural society many years ago.

Industrial Great Britain derives great wealth from the exploitation and the use of kaolin and coal at home. She also exports large quantities of these two minerals to earn considerable foreign currencies.

Nigeria is very rich in these two minerals, yet she does not use or derive any wealth from their presence. Nigeria's coal deposit at Udi near Enugu is among the best in the world. We used it to run our railways and generate electricity many years ago.

It is now abandoned. In the centre of Minna, the capital of Niger State, lies a rich deposit of kaolin the extent of which will last more than one hundred years were we to exploit it. This kaolin we can use in the production of ceramics, paper filling, paint making, etc, as well as export it to earn foreign currencies.

The people of Minna don't even know that such rich deposit exists. A state hospital comfortably sits on this mineral deposit; neither the contractors nor the supervisors raised alarm about the look of the unusual soil while the foundation of the hospital was being laid. This writer discovered the presence of the mineral when he went to the site in 1989 to prepare a report on the condition of the hospital for the Federal Ministry of Health which was in the process of taking a decision to complete the construction of the hospital for Niger State.

foundation three centuries ago.

We can earn double what we earn from Every state of this country has one the sale of crude oil if we care to add value mineral deposit or the other in its territory. to the crude by refining it before we sell it.

This writer picked sample of bitumen from The Japanese asserted this economic Imeri village near Ijebu Ode in December advantage long ago in 1901, refining her 1986 and informed of the presence of own crude oil obtained from the northern bitumen in Ogun State later in the Comet island of Hokkaido and the prefectures of newspaper. Agbabu in Ondo State is Yamagata and Shizuoka in the the central believed to have the largest deposit of island of Honshu. We pass the gas layer bitumen in Nigeria, spreading to Edo before getting to the crude oil layer. What State, Ogun State and Lagos State. was the reason why we encouraged the Reference to this deposit was made in oil companies to waste away the gas by 1896. One hundred and eleven years after, flaring instead of first collecting it and we have not taken any depositing in the market before decision to exploit it. If we will coming to the crude oil itself? encourage every state to get We made ourselves poorer by involved in the exploitation of not asking questions and If we will minerals within its area of getting positive replies for the authority, we shall begin to talk encourage many years the gas remain about “ resource flared. This writer is aware the development” rather than every state to flaring has been going on for “resource control”. get involved about 50 years. Why? Gas The preparation of a flaring must cease. Time to in the geological map of Nigeria take our destiny into our own showing precisely what exploitation of hands is today, not tomorrow. mineral deposits exist in each minerals Our universities should be state will stimulate interest in encouraged to share in the the mineral wealth of each within its area process of our industrial state and the desire to share of authority, development. They should in the duty to mine such take the lead to investigate what mineral deposits of one's we shall begin value they can add to a mineral state. Legislation empowering to talk about or what use they can put such states as well as individuals mineral to. to get involved in the “resource The University of Technology exploitation of minerals in development” in Minna may wish to every part of the country will investigate further the kaolin make the growth of Nigerian rather than in Minna, use it for ceramics, economy compare with that “resource etc; the Chemical Engineering of the United States of America Department of the University control” in her early years when she at Ago-Iwoye many wish to was laying her own economic take sample of bitumen at

competition is not a small feat.

Keshi should have included him in his team. Mexico did it for Dos Santos and Argentina did it for Messi. Dropping Iheanacho was not a good strategy on Keshi's part and that is the sentiment issue that critics are accusing him of. As far as I am concerned, at least three of those Under-17 boys should have been drafted straight to the Eagles. The right back, where we still have problems till date, the goal keeper and the creative midfield, where we have Iheanacho. The future of the Eagles is in the hands of the youths.

Keshi also displayed very unpatriotic tendencies by openly flirting with other nations like South Africa for employment while still in charge of our Eagles.

That was a big distraction which, I believe, affected his focus.

His relationship with his employers, the NFF, was not the best. That is not a winning strategy for a super coach. How can you be fighting with your bosses and expect to succeed? It is also alleged that he dumped all those who assisted him with technical inputs during his successful Nations Cup runs.

Keshi does not stay in Nigeria to monitor his players. So, for the period he was in charge of the Eagles, he operated like an expatriate coach. *Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

Imeri, Ijebu-Ode and see to it that the roads on the campus can be up-dated with the bitumen collected, maybe also extract petroleum from the collection.

Involvements of this nature may even dictate the directions of some of the students as the process is bound to open a lot of opportunities for them after graduation. The universities in Enugu should also, without delay, do something positive about the coal near Enugu. Some Nigerians who have made chemical analysis of the coal are positive about its quality. Besides using it to generate electricity, it can be exported to earn foreign currency, it can also be used for steel production. The university at Makurdi may wish to take advantage of the rock salt deposit in Benue State and through small scale prospecting and exploitation supply the salt needs of Nigeria, thereby save large sums in foreign currency used in importing this commodity into the country.

Lagos may resume what it was best at before its bombardment in 1851, by collecting water from the sea, dry and make cheap and high quality salt for use in Nigeria today. The beach at Badagry is ideal for this today.

Deposits of graphite exists in Birnin Kebbi and Adamawa, exploitation of this mineral will stimulate the production of lead pencils and carbon bushes for our cars, the universities nearby may get involved to remain relevant! Mica exists in Kabba (Kogi) and Dukku (Niger); this is relevant in electrical insulation. Will the university in Lokoja turn its face away from taking advantage of this very valuable mineral deposit? The list is endless.

We attend colleges and pass out, and for several years we have no employment.

These are some of the ways we can bring about a change in our society for the better.

Ideas change men, ideas shape nations. *Prof. Adeolu, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Our lingering pain, family of slain nursing mother

BY SUZAN EDEH, BAUCHI LABORATE preparations had been in top gear for the dedication ceremony of Mrs Loricia Onunkwo’s two months old child. But in an ugly twist of fate, the event scheduled to take place on Sunday November 9 at the Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church Fadama Mada parish, will never hold as the Bauchi-based Igbo business woman will not be there to experience the joy she had so much looked forward to. Rather, the Onunkwo family are today mourning the tragedy of the brutal killing of Loricia by unknown gun men. It is a nightmare that has refused to go away.

Indeed the unfortunate incident threw the entire Igbo community in Bauchi into mourning as nobody ever envisaged that she would die in the hands of heartless men of the underworld.

It was learnt that the victim, a mother of four children who was nursing a two-month-old baby when she died, was a successful investor in poultry business.

Vanguard Metro, VM, gathered that on the fateful day two gunmen trailed Loricia after she closed for the day’s business at around 7 pm and was heading to her residence in Fadama Mada. It was gathered that when she arrived at her residence, she tooted the horn of her car so that one of her children would come to open the gate for her to drive in. The gunmen, who were following her closely quickly entered into the compound.

Her second son, 10year-old Makochukwu, had just opened the gate for his mother when he saw two men carrying guns walking towards his mother’s car. They shot her twice through the windscreen and made away with her handbag.

VM further gathered that the husband of the deceased, Mr Leonard Onunkwo, who was not in the house during the attack, returned from a church service,only to

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be greeted with the news of his wife’s death. The man who was shattered by the incident, has since relocated his family to the GRA in Bauchi.

“They were shouting ‘where is the money, where is the money’ before they shot her at close range,” a women leader in Loricia’s church who pleaded anonymity informed.

She described Loricia, an indigene of Ideato Local Government Area of Imo State, as a very friendly and calm woman, adding that she “loved everybody, always cracking jokes, always happy . If you are upset and you meet her, you will become happy. I don’t know why anyone would kill such a person.

I have never heard of a woman being killed like that. Loricia never told us she had problem with anyone. It is simply painful and a mystery”.

The Christian women leader explained: “We fixed second Sunday of November for the dedication at Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church Fadama Mada parish and she was excited about it. She talked about it all the time as we almost concluded arrangements for the dedication of her baby. She called to inform me that she had booked for the reception at Chaba Hotel and we made arrangement for the cooking. So it came as a shock when we heard the news that she was killed. It is sad”.

An Igbo leader in the state who also pleaded anonymity decried the killing of Loricia, saying her brutal death has thrown her family and the Igbo community into great mourning. ”Her death brings to four the number of Igbos killed in Bauchi. Her own is sad because she is a woman. We implore the police to bring the killers to book,” she said.

When VM visited the bereaved family at the G.R.A, where the husband and the children are currently residing, relatives of the family,

The gun men wanted to shoot me, so I ran inside; it was after I ran into the house that they shot my mother

Mrs Loricia Onunkwo...killed by unknown gun men friends and neighbours were there in their numbers to condole them over their loss.

Mr Onunkwo was to say later that his wife might have been killed out of sheer envy. The widower said that his wife was killed by some people who were not happy that she was making progress in her poultry feeds business, stressing that the world was so corrupt nowadays that anything could happen.

“The world we are living in is so corrupt. When you are living fine some people will not be happy; when you are not living fine as well some people will be happy.

Booming business “Though I am not suspecting anybody but I know that what happened was out of envy because she was progressing and her business was booming. It might even be because they saw how we were living in peace. And out of envy somebody may have sponsored her assassination,” Onunkwo alleged.

He rejected the belief that the killers might have been attracted by the money his wife had on her or the car she was driving at the time she was slain, adding that “what they wanted was not the money, but the life of the woman.”

He wondered why anyone would have killed a woman nursing a two-month-old baby except he really wanted her dead.

Narrating what happened, Onunkwo, who said he had been in Bauchi since 1984 and got married to the deceased in 1993 in the town, explained that he was worshipping at Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Parish at Fadama Mada when his son came at about

*Makochukwu...Deceased’s son past 7pm on the day, crying profusely and asked him to come out and see. He said that when he came out of the church, he saw his wife in her car with a bullet wound, bleeding and still breathing. “ I took the car keys and drove to the Tafawa Balewa Housing Estate police station to report the incident from where a policeman escorted me and some of my neighbours to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Reaching Hospital, ATBUTH. “But my wife gave up the ghost just as we were approaching the teaching hospital. I am still grateful to God because the Bible says in every situation we must be grateful to God,” he submitted.

In his own account of the incident, the second son of the deceased, Makochukwu Onunkwo, a student of Immaculate Conception Secondary School, Bauchi, said that his mother returned home that day at 7:15pm and he went to open the gate for her.

“I saw two armed men coming

*Leonard...Deceased’s husband with guns. They faced me and wanted to shoot me with the guns, so I ran inside. It was after I ran into the house that they shot my mother. The gunmen were masked but I can recognize one of them,” the 16-year-old said.

He, however, said that though he did not know if the two were customers of his mother but feel that they might have shot her because she knew them.

According to a source close to the family, the deceased got a huge sum of money for supply of poultry feeds. He added that this might be the reason why her killers followed her home.

“Mrs Lorica is very hardworking and successful business woman.

This might have stirred the envy of her enemies,” the source posited.

Reacting to the development, the Catholic Bishop of Bauchi Diocese John Malachi Goton, enjoined bereaved Leonard Onunkwo, to forgive the killers just as he enjoined the police to fish out her killers.

Vanguard, TUESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2014 — 21

BoI warns commercial, dev banks of loan defaulters

BY FRANKLIN ALLI “As a matter of fact, some of these cases are already in EFCC, Economic and Financial Crime Commission, and some in courts.

“We didn’t blacklist these companies just because they

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he Bank of Industry, BOI, has called on commercial and development banks in the country to beware of dealing with bad corporate customers on its red book and who are now on the prowl.

Rasheed Olaoluwa, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of BOI, made the call in Lagos during the launch of the bank’s Hall of Fame and the unveiling of ten companies from various sectors of the economy into the Hall of Fame.

According to him, while the BOI Hall of Fame was established by the management of the bank to honour companies who took loans from the bank and have fully repaid the loans granted to them as and when due, a total of 24 companies have willfully refused to repay the loans granted to them by bank.

“These people are like virus.

We want to make sure they don’t circulate in the Nigerian banking system. What usually happen is that somebody takes a loan as A Limited in a bank, reappear as B Limited in another bank, and C Limited in another bank. This is why we are unveiling the real people behind these companies -their promoters and directors. We believe that this will put other financial institutions on notice to ensure that they don’t deal with those characters.

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG & KELECHI AZUBUIKE

-6.4 +22.00

-0.09

USD 86.16 USD -2.73 USD 82.89

DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.76 247.4148 197.2261 163.4559 1.4617 0.2798 228.9643 25.2722 41.255 26.4846 230.7472

USD -2.85

155.26 248.2142 197.8633 163.9839 1.4664 0.2898 229.7041 25.3543 41.3883 26.5701 231.4927

acquisition of plant and machinery to ventures outside the agreement signed with the Bank. Some of these customers provided cloned title documents, thus committing outright frauds.

“In addition to unveiling these companies, we have taken the additional step of naming their directors and shareholders, such that other lending institutions and credit bureaus are sufficiently put on notice,”

NECA set to establish micro-finance for women’s business

210.7

16.58

people we are talking about are people who have deliberately defaulted. They are customers of shady character and questionable integrity. Customers who diverted loans meant for the

From left : Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mrs. ‘Debola Osibogun; MD/CEO, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Emeka Emuwa; and MD/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo at the 2014 Fellowship Investiture of the institute.

N

3,108.00

were unable to pay, no. We all understand that sometimes, you can have difficulties and you may make genuine efforts to pay but unable to pay. This is not the category of people we have blacklisted. The

155.76 249.0135 198.5005 164.512 1.4711 0.2998 230.4438 25.4364 41.5216 26.6557 232.2382

CBN Exchange Rate as 20 /10 /2014

IGERIA Employers Consultative Association, NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women, NNEW, weekend said it planned to set up a Micro Finance before the end of January 2015, to cater for the business needs of women without asking for collaterals.

At a briefing ahead of its maiden annual Conference/Summit, taking place between Thursday October 30 and Friday 31, President of NNEW, Mrs. Lola Okanlawon, lamented the hurdles women entrepreneurs go through when trying to raise funds from the commercial banks.

He noted all these would be things of the past when the Finance bank comes on stream before the end of January next year, saying “NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women, NNEW, the platform established in 2005 by Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) to promote and nurture entrepreneurship among women.

Speaking on the forthcoming summit, she said “The Summit will further promote entrepreneurship among women and youth in Nigeria. The contributions of women entrepreneurs in nation building have had immense positive impact both on the nation’s economy and the society, as a whole; so much that the federal government has made a whopping 60 per cent allocation of the recent CBN N250 billion Fund to financing the business of women entrepreneurs. In view of the above, NNEW is hosting aspiring, emerging and established women entrepreneurs at her maiden Summit tagged “The Catalyst 2014”. The objective of the Summit is to re-orientate, inspire, teach and mentor female entrepreneurs on business strategies, techniques and values necessary for successful and sustainable enterprises. The conference event includes; plenary sessions, syndicate sessions, panel discussion and networking sessions.” She said the need to equip women became necessary in view of the fact that women entrepreneurs constitute a greater

percentage of micro, small and medium enterprises in the country.

“The contributions of women entrepreneurs in nation building have had immense positive impact both on the nation’s economy and the society as a whole; so much that the federal government has made a whopping 60 per cent allocation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) 250 billion Fund to financing the business of women entrepreneurs,” Okanlawon said.

She said the conference event which includes plenary sessions, syndicate session and panel discussion will also provide opportunities for mentorship, sales, exhibition and networking.

She listed some of the speakers expected at the event to include; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Ruff ‘N’ Tumble, Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi, Principal Consultant, Toki Mabogunje and Co., Mrs. Toki Mabogunje. Others are Chief Catalyst, OLMed, Mr. Lanre Olusola, Chief Executive Office, Mindplus Facilitation Company Limited, Mr. Noruwa Edokpolor and Principal Consultant, Experiential Consult Limited, Mrs. Aderoju Odunsi.

22— Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

The underwriting firm recently secured approval of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to roll out micro insurance products in Nigeria, becoming one of the first to get the approval after the guideline was released in November 2013.

INVESTORS ,

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TOP 10 PERFORMING STOCKS

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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n the top 10 performing stocks last were shares of 7-Up Bottling Company Plc, Ikeja Hotels Plc, Mansard insurance plc, Golden Guinea Breweries Plc, Academy Press Plc and UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust Plc. Others were R.T Briscoe Plc, May & Baker plc, International Breweries Plc, and Courtville Investment Plc. 7-Up led the pack with 10.24 percent or N15.13 price increase to close at N162.96 from N147.73 it started the week at. Listed in Beverages/nonalcoholic sub-sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, 7-Up had declared a dividend of N2.50kobo per share for the financial year ended 31st March, 2014, same as the amount paid the previous year. Analysts believe that its steady dividend payment policy could be the reason for positive sentiment towards the stock. Price analysis showed that the 52weeks and year-to-date performance respectively stood at 57.73 percent and 65.832 percent gain respectively. The first quarter financial results for the period ended June 30, 2014, recently released, shown a m a r k e d improvement in all the performance indicators. The revenue for the period rose to N21.032 billion from N17.770 billion, representing 18.4 percent increase, while the net assets increased by 12.5 percent to N19.49 billion as against N17.33 billion recorded in the corresponding period in 2013. The profit before tax at N2.705 billion was 49.9 percent improvement over n1.804 billion posted in 2013, while and the profit after tax rose by 47.2 percent to N2.164 billion from N1.470 billion.

However, analysts at Proshare opined that “the stock is now trading within an extreme overbought region as suggested by price RSI, which may incite cautious trading towards the stock anytime soon”.

Ikeja Hotels, which has been investors’ toast over the past few months, followed with an impressive 8.65 percent or N0.23 to close at n2.89 from N2.66. The stock, however, has been hit by sell pressure as the share price had previously risen to N3.37 earlier in the year, before falling to its present market price. Also, there has been appreciable improvement in the company’s disclosure level having released, not just the 2013 financial statement to the investing public, but has also gone ahead to release the first quarter report and account for march, 2013. The first quarter result, was, however, showed a poor outing during period despite reduction in tax expense.

The revenue for the quarter declined marginally by four percent to N1.522 billion from N1.59 billion in 2013. The

profit before tax for the period fell by 26.7 percent to N251.443 million from N343.063 million, while the profit after tax and earnings per share fell by 26.7 percent and 27.3 percent respectively to N170.981 million from N233.283 million and eight kobo from 11 kobo respectively.

M a n s a r d Insurance was the next with 8.33 percent or N0.23 price appreciation, closing at N2.99 from N2.76. The underwriting firm recently secured approval of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to roll out micro insurance products in Nigeria, becoming one of the first to get the approval after the guideline was released in November 2013. Micro insurance products are insurance products designed to be appropriate for the low-income market in relation to cost, policy terms, coverage and delivery mechanism. Mansard is one of the few insurance companies in Nigeria that has been up-to-date in updating the investing public with information regarding to its financials.

Available financial statement of the company for the half year ended June 30, 2014, showed that the underwriter ended the half year with gross premium of N9.6 billion, up by 27 per cent from N7.54 billion in 2013. Net premium earned stood at N4.5 billion in 2014, compared to N3.5 billion in 2013. However, management expenses and provision for doubtful accounts rose by 15 per cent from N1.758 billion to N1.999 billion, while profit before tax declined by 52 per cent from N2.1 billion to N993 million, while after tax dipped by 56 per cent from N1.842 billion to N814 million.

The dip in profitability, according to the company was expected, due to fall in investment income. “Last year, we enjoyed two one-off income gains (i.e. unrealized gain on our investment property and profit from the disposal of an unquoted equity) which resulted in income of a little over N1.2 Billion. Backing out this, we have a real growth of 11 per cent on the investment income line,” said the Chief Financial Officer, Mrs. Rashidat Adebisi.

Golden Guinea appreciated by five percent or N0.04 to close at N0.84 from N0.80; Academy Press rose by 4.55 percent or N0.06 to close at N1.38 from N1.32; UPDC REIT advanced by 3.69 percent or N0.32 to close at N9.00 from N8.68; R.T Briscoe followed with 3.49 percent or N0.03 gains to close at N0.89 from N0.86; May & Baker went up by 3.45 percent or N0.06 to close at N1.80 from N1.74; International Breweries appreciated by 3.28 percent or N1.00 to close at N31.50 from N30.50, while Courtville appreciated by 1.92 or N0.01 to close at N0.53 from N0.52 per share.

Before you choose a bank

By Babajide Komolafe

I

nvestigations have revealed that many people have a casual attitude when it comes to deciding on which bank to deal with. Like marriage relationship, banking relationship can make or mar an individual or a business entity. For example, some people choose a bank simply because their relative or friend works in that bank. Some make the choice simply because their client or their employer bank with such bank. Others make the choice because of the mouth watering promotional or marketing offers of the bank. Such decision has made many people victims of failed banks, with significant loss of money. In the past when banking distress was a common occurrence and when bank closure happened at an average of three per year, some people became customers of a distressed bank a month or even a week before the licence of the bank was revoked.

Don’t choose a bank because your relative or friend is working in the bank, as he would not work there forever or be in that branch forever.

And when he chooses to leave the bank or is to be transferred, he would not likely consult or inform you.

Furthermore, that person, depending on his level of responsibility may not

have adequate information about the financia information, why should he disclose it to you. M friend wants you to choose his bank is to enable The same reason applies to choosing a bank banks. There is no law that says an employee mus the bank of your client is immaterial to the main quality services. Banks are major culprits in t

DIALOGUE - From left: US Consul General Nigeria Leadership Initiative, NLI, Yinka O Entwistle and Pamela Schmoll at the second in Lagos

MARKET NEWS

Value addition to customers critical to business success

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

S

peakers at the Stanbic IBTC Holdings Business Leadership Series held in Lagos have emphasised the role of listening to and creating value for customers in building any successful business venture.

They said that giving customers wonderful experience that would make them to want to keep patronizing ones business is one key factor that has proved effective over the centuries in building and sustaining both start-up and large scale enterprises.

According to Mr. Sim Shagaya, founder of online retail chain, Konga, though managing a retail chain like Konga is quite capital intensive and tough in a terrain like Nigeria, he noted that listening to and following customers’ directive is one thing that has kept the business going in the face of the numerous challenges.

“We started Konga in 2012 facing fierce competition from structured

international competitors that have developed the kind of master plan that would translate to immediate success in any market, but the only thing that has guided Konga in the last two years when we started with all the logistics and tech problems is one thing – just listening to customers. “And this is what we told ourselves at the beginning. Just by listening to customers, they will tell you exactly where you need to go, what future you need to build, what new products you need to come out with, what new functionality you need to come out with, what the problems are and it is amazing these days.

“I don’t know how CEOs functioned 40 years ago, because if you are a CEO now, and you just pay attention to twitter, you can hear the complaints of your customers. It wasn’t like before when you have layers and layers oflegal and senior management and you still don’t hear what your customers say. Now you can actually

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 — 23

,

FORUM

Diversification protects you from losing all your assets in a market collapse. The sharp decline in stock prices in the Nigerian stock market of 2008 and 2009 are proof enough that putting all your eggs in one basket is a risky strategy.

,

Why investors should have diversified investment

By PETER EGWUATU

l health of the bank. And even if he has such Meanwhile, the main reason why that relative or e him meet his deposit target. because that is where your client or employer st choose the bank of his employer. And choosing n factor in your relationship, which is delivering this regard. Most of them now insist that their

l, Jeff Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer of yinlola, US Ambassador to Nigeria, James d edition of the NLI Diplomatic Dialogue Series

hear what your customers are saying and that is what Konga has been doing and we will continue to do that,” the Konga boss affirmed.

Also speaking, Vusi Thembekwayo, South African-born motivational speaker and business leader, said that no matter how big or small your business is, what the customers expect is to get value for their money. “They don’t care how big your business is, but how fast you can deliver,” he said.

He stated that the focus of any business leader should be how to retain his/her customers’ loyalty, saying that this could only be achieved by the level of loyal demonstrated by business owners themselves towards their customers.

He added that success in business also require setting clear result/target, which all employees are supposed to pursued, and by also clearly defining roles supposed to played by each individual.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/CEO, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Yinka Sanni, said that the business series, which was the first in the series, was conceived with the aim of strengthening the bank’s relationship with its numerous customers.

“We are always looking for

service providers must open account with them.

The above is very instructive to the millions of unbanked Nigerians who would soon have to choose a bank, due to the vigorous pursuit of the financial inclusion goals of the Central Bank of Nigeria. While many of them are not educated, most of them have some level of education. Hence it is instructive that they are fully aware of the implications of the choice of banking relationship, and the factors to consider before making such choice.

The first factor that should be considered is service. Most times, people want to know if a bank is strong or weak before they can do business with it. But besides the financial results published annually by banks, it can be quite difficult for somebody who is not an insider to know the health of a bank. But through the services of the bank, and how it is delivered, you can have an idea. The most important issue in this regard, is to first determine the banking services you need, or that are vital to what you do, and then inquire for the bank that offers these services, and which ones offer it efficiently. (To be continued) opportunities to move our clients forward and we believe that the series will bring out ways for you to enhance your lives and businesses and also contribute meaningfully to the development of the nation’s economy,” he said.

“We will be looking at business leadership from various angles”.

Key focus will be given to leadership in the digital age and how e-Commerce is changing the face of business globally,” Mrs. Sola David-Borha, Group Managing Director/CEO, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, had said about the Business Leadership Series.

The Stanbic IBCT Business Leadership Series is an annual event to help create deeper connections and build a new cadre of leadership among business leaders in Nigeria. The series will focus on improving leadership with the underlying goal of advancing Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

Participants are drawn from various sectors including regulators, investors and the business community.

R

egulators and investment experts in the Nigerian capital market have been advising investors especially the retail ones to have their investment diversified.

But most retail investors are complaining that they do not have much funds that would make them to diversify their investment. Consequently, most of them go for equity, (shares). That was the most reasons why retail investors got their fingers burnt when the Nigerian stock market crashed in 2009.

Investment diversification protects investors’ money from adverse stock market conditions.

When it comes to investing, investment experts advised that investors should spread their money around, that is, diversifying their investment portfolios.

Diversification protects you from losing all your assets in a market collapse. The sharp decline in stock prices in the Nigerian stock market of 2008 and 2009 are proof enough that putting all your eggs in one basket is a risky strategy.

But in order to diversify correctly, an investor for example, need to know what kinds of investments to buy, how much money to put into each one, and how to diversify within a particular investment category. It is good for investors to go for variety, and not quantity of shares.

Also, having a lot of investments does not make you diversified. To be diversified, you need to have lots of different kinds of investments. That means you should have some of all of the following: stocks, bonds, real estate funds, international securities, and cash.

For the retail investors in the Nigerian capital market, who do not have much funds to diversify their investment, such category of people can diversify by embracing mutual funds.

Mutual funds are for everyone. No matter much money an investor have to invest; the investor can start investing in mutual funds.

Mutual funds provide you with access to the various investment markets by pooling your money with the money of

several other individuals with similar investment goals.

Mutual Funds are also a great way to diversify your investments and help you minimise risk. Each of our mutual funds has a specific investment objective and strategy to suit the investment needs of a broad range of clients.

Although a mutual fund is not traded on the stock exchange, like stocks, investors are able to buy and sell through a Fund Manager at any time.

Units are created and sold to new investors on a continuous basis, so you can either invest a lump sum or save on a regular basis. Mutual funds are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Nigeria.

We have Money market fund, Fixed income fund and Heritage fund existing in the country. The money market fund is regarded as the short-to-medium term investment solution with low risk. The fixed income fund is the regular income with exposure to the bond market, while Heritage fund is characterized with superior capital growth with diversification across equities, bonds and treasury bills.

Money market Fund: It is a short-tomedium term investment giving unit holders stability, liquidity and some income. It typically offers higher interest rates when compared to rates on bank savings accounts. This fund invests in treasury bills, bank tenured deposits and commercial papers. There is low risk in this kind of fund. Investors with as little as N5, 000 can invest in this kind of fund. In this kind of investment, investors do not need to pay any withholding tax on capital gains.

The minimum holding period for such kind of fund is 30 days and income could be distributed quarterly depending on the fund manager.

Fixed Income Fund: It is a regular income with exposure to the bond market. Fixed income is higly recommended for aged people. It is amedium-to-long term investment giving unit holders a consistent regular income.

From left: Executive Officer, Symrise Group, Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram; Managing Director, Allied Technol Systems Limited, Henry Olujimi Boyo, and Head, Corporate Communication, Symrise, Bernhard Kott at the opening of Nigeria office in Lagos.

24 —

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa, account for 30% global oil discoveries Stories By Sebastine Obasi

A

sufficient to fund universal access to electricity for all Nigerians by 2030.

According to the report, a host of smaller producers such as South Sudan, Niger, Ghana, Uganda, and Kenya, see rising output; but, by the late 2020s, production in most countries

with the exception of Nigeria, is in decline.

Additions and upgrades to refining capacity mean that more of the region’s crude supply is processed locally. With regional production falling back from above 6 million barrels per day (mb/d)

LMOST 30 percent of global oil and gas discoveries made over the last five years were in sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting growing global appetite for African resources, the World Energy Outlook Special Report said.

The report, recently released, also said that Nigeria is the richest resource centre of the oil sector, but regulatory u n c e r t a i n t y, militant activity and oil theft in the Niger Delta are d e t e r r i n g investment and production.

Consequently, Angola is set to overtake Nigeria as the region’s largest producer of crude oil until the early 2020s. It noted that the value of the estimated 150,000 barrels lost to oil theft each day – Inauguration: From left: Nnenna Ahukannah; Funmi Roberts of Roberts & Co; Dr. Sam Amadi, amounting to more Chairman, NERC; Osarieme Ezekiel, Managing Partner, Oakwell (Commercial Lawyers and Charthan $5 billion per tered Mediators); and Mr. Akisanya, at the inauguration of the Dispute Resolution Panel of NERC year, would be in Abuja.

Why Afren CEO was sacked F

ACTS have emerged that failure by the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Afren Plc, Mr. Osman Shahenshah, to report the company’s $400 million payment to Oriental Energy Resources, OER, may have led to his sack.

The transactions that breached the rules were a payment of $100 million in 2012, and another of $300 million in 2013 to Oriental Energy, Afren’s partner in the Ebok Field, located in OML67, offshore Nigeria.

According to Nigerian Oil and Gas Intelligence, Afren signed a farm-in agreement with OER to take part in the development of the Ebok field in March 2008. Under the terms of the agreement, Afren would fund appraisal and development costs and recover these from 100 percent of field revenues.

After the cost recovery, Afren and Oriental would share the revenue equally. Shahenshah had described the two transactions as being in the ordinary course of business.

In the first transaction, Afren agreed to pay $100 million to Oriental in lieu of oil. The payment was made in two tranches of $95 million and $7 million, representing five per cent of Afren’s market capitalisation.

In the second transaction, Afren paid

$300 million to Oriental, representing 12 per cent of its market capitalisation in return for Afren acquiring rights to certain tax allowances, and increasing its share of oil revenues from the Ebok oilfield.

According to an independent review by the law firm of Willkie Farr and Gallagher (UK) LLP, the first transaction “was not, in reality, an agreement for the prepayment of oil, nor was it a way of funding Oriental’s costs in developing Ebok in a manner which might be considered to be in the ordinary course of business.” The review concluded that: “It was a loan of $100 million to Oriental and was included in Afren’s balance sheet for 31 December 2012, under the line ‘prepayments and advances to partners’.”

“Accordingly, it was neither in the ordinary course nor of a revenue nature and should have been announced as a class 2 transaction on 25 July 2012 once the second tranche of $7 million was paid.”

With regards to the second payment, the review concluded that due to its size and incidence, it should have been declared.

Afren said in a statement that it had notified the Financial Conducts Authority, FCA, of the breaches and will make the full report available to the FCA.

They may have to pay a penalty for breaching the rules. Oriental has already begun to pay back some of the money.

Speaking on the issue, executive chairman of Afren, Egbert Imomoh, said: “The decisive and comprehensive actions we have set out today should leave no-one in any doubt about how seriously Afren takes the issues uncovered in July and our commitment to rebuild the confidence of shareholders, partners, staff and our other stakeholders.

“Our focus is now on delivering the significant opportunities we have before us with an open and transparent approach to our business based upon mutual respect, the highest standards of ethics, governance and business conduct.”

The review was undertaken as part of the company’s investigations into illegal payments received by Osman Shahenshah, and chief operating officer, Shahid Ullah, and two associate directors, Iain Wright and Galib Virani.

Shahenshah and Ullah were involved in an arrangement with Oriental that involved Oriental paying 15 per cent of its cash receipts from Ebok for the period from 2013 to 2017 to a British Virgin Islands special purpose vehicle (SPV) Ntiti Ltd.

in 2020 to 5.3 mb/d in 2040, but demand for oil products doubling to 4mb/d, an upward trend amplified in some countries by subsidised prices. The result is to squeeze the region’s net contribution to the global oil balance.

The report also explained that natural gas resource-holders can power domestic economic development and boost export revenues, but only if the right regulation, prices and infrastructure are in place.

It noted that the incentives to use gas within sub-Saharan Africa are expected to grow as power sector reforms and gas infrastructure projects move ahead. But for the moment as much gas is flared as is consumed within the region.

According to the report, more than 1trillion cubic metres of gas have been wasted through flaring over the years, a volume that if used to provide power would be enough to meet current subSaharan electricity needs for more than a decade.

Specifically, Nigeria remains the region’s largest gas consumer and producer, but the focus for new gas projects also shifts to the east coast and to the huge offshore discoveries in Mozambique and Tanzania.

The size of these developments and remoteness of their location raises questions about how quickly production can begin. But they provide a 75 billion cubic metre (bcm) boost to annual regional output, which reaches 230bcm in total by 2040, with projects in Mozambique larger in scale and earlier in realisation.

East coast LNG export is helped by relative proximity to the importing markets of Asia. But alongside the benefits from an estimated $150 billion in fiscal revenue to 2040, both countries are determined to promote domestic markets for gas, which will need to be built from a very low base.

As regards energy, the report stated that since 2000, sub-Saharan Africa has seen rapid economic growth and energy use has risen by 45 percent. It said many governments are now intensifying their efforts to tackle the numerous regulatory and political barriers that are holding back investment in domestic energy supply.

But inadequate energy infrastructure risks putting a brake on urgently needed improvements in living standards.

A severe shortage of essential electricity infrastructure is said to be undermining efforts to achieve more rapid social and economic development.

For the minority that has a grid connection today, supply is often unreliable, necessitating widespread and costly private use of back-up generators running on diesel or gasoline. Electricity tariffs are, in many cases, among the highest in the world and, outside South Africa, losses in poorly maintained transmission and distribution networks are double the world average.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 — 25

Nigeria earns N69bn from LPG sales

By Michael Eboh Nigeria earned about N68.957 billion from lifting Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, for both export and domestic consumption in 2013, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has revealed.

The NNPC in its Annual Statistical Bulletin 2013, disclosed that the country lifted 417,924 metric tonnes, MT LPG in 2013, despite LPG production of 409, 712 MT. The Nigerian Association of LPG Marketers, NALPGAM, using the Mont Belvieu LPG price, put current price of LPG at N3.3 million for 20 metric tonnes, translating to about N165,000/ MT. Belvieu LPG price is the international pricing model used by the Nigeria LNG Limited, NLNG, to sell gas to the domestic market.

The Bulletin in a breakdown of LPG production and lifting in 2013, indicated that Chevron and NNPC produced 163,885 MT and 245,827MT respectively, while both companies lifted 150,046 MT and 267,878 MT respectively.

To this end, the NNPC accounted for 60 per cent of LPG production and 64 per cent of LPG lifting for export and local consumption, while Chevron accounted for 40 per cent and 36 per cent of LPG production and lifting respectively in 2013.

Further breakdown showed that Nigeria’s highest LPG lifting was recorded in November, with 59,669 MT; followed by September 59,035 MT and March 58,608 MT. Other LPG lifting were:

C

Award: From left: Mr. Deji Haastrup, General Manager, Policy, Government & Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited receiving the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria’s (CIPM) HR Best Practice Award on behalf of Chevron Nigeria from Mr. Victor Famuyibo, President and Chairman of CIPM Council during the institute’s 46th conference at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

January 29,833 MT; February 29,871 MT; April 29,894 MT; May 29,580 MT; June 36,962 MT; July 54,649 MT; while in August 29,824 MT. There were no LPG lifting in October and December 2013, according to the NNPC Report.

In the area of LPG production, May, March, and June 2013 recorded the highest output of 39,498 MT; 39,104 MT and 35,597 MT respectively.

Others were: January 34,802 MT; February 28776 MT; April 34,652 MT; July 32,526 MT; August 32,473 MT; September

31,562 MT; while in October, November, and December 33,780 MT, 32,254 MT and 34,689 MT were produced respectively.

Furthermore, the report disclosed that a total of 1.191 million MT, MMT of Natural Gas Liquid, NGL, was produced in 2013, while 1.176 MMT NGL was exported.

Specifically, 435,867 MT, 394,548 MT and 360,995 MT of propane, butane and pentane respectively, were produced in the period under review, while 443,550 MT, 396,312 MT and 336,397 MT of propane, butane and

pentane respectively were lifted.

Indicating further, the Bulletin put total crude oil and condensate production in 2013 at 800.488 million barrels, giving a daily average of 2.19 million barrels per day (mmb/ pd). This is lower than the previous year ’s by six per cent.

“In the gas sector, a total of 2.325 trillion Standard Cubic Feet (SCF) of Natural Gas production was reported by 25 companies. This shows a decrease of 9.88 per cent when compared with 2012 production.

Minister tasks Abuja Disco on power supply

By Chris Ochayi

T

HE Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has charged the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, to urgently address the epileptic power supply in the entire Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja and its environs.

Nebo gave the marching order when he paid an unscheduled visit to AEDC Headquarters in Abuja.

He noted that the erratic supply of power in and around Abuja, especially in key government establishments is slowing down the pace of work, which is greatly impeding the performance of government programmes and activities.

The minister’s visit is meant to ascertain the challenges responsible for the recent drop

Chevron wins awards for human resource management

in power supply in the FCT, with a view to collaborating with the company to provide immediate solution.

He lamented that Abuja as the seat of power, cannot afford to operate under low power supply, adding that the situation where most government establishments are starved of constant power supply is totally unacceptable.

He called on the management of AEDC to do a thorough check as well as prioritise load shedding to ensure that there is equitable distribution of electricity. He also noted that Nigeria, which is currently wooing investors into the power sector, will receive negative response from prospective investors if confronted with darkness when they come to discuss business.

“There is cheering news from other cities about improvement in power supply, whereas Abuja, where major government transactions take place is unfortunately starved of the needed regular power supply,” the minister said.

Also commenting, the Permanent Secretary, Power, Amb. Godknows Igali, enjoined the company to properly balance its load shedding.

He added that priority should be given to public buildings, like the Federal Secretariat, Office of the Head of Service, economic and health institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, hospitals and airports.

He assured the electricity company of his Ministry ’s support in tackling the challenges confronting it in the distribution of power to the

Abuja environ.

Responding, the Managing Director, AEDC, Mr. Neil Croucher, called for a political decision in the quantum of power supply to the FCT. According to him, the amount of power supplied to Abuja has drastically reduced thereby necessitating the rationing of power in such a way as to satisfy all its customers.

He said the issues raised by the Minister are of great concern to the company, adding that prompt response will be given to ensure that load shedding is prioritised for optimum results.

Croucher further said that his company is in close discussion with five other electricity companies on embedded power to ensure that the supply to Abuja and its environs increased to boost economic activities in the area.

HEVRON Nigeria Limited, CNL, operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture, has won the 2014 edition of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, CIPM, Nigeria’s Human Resources, HR Best Practice Awards in the Oil & Gas category and the Overall category.

According to CIPM, Chevron Nigeria received both awards in recognition of the company’s robust human resources practices and policies, and engagement of employees on HR related issues.

The General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, PGPA, CNL, Mr. Deji Haastrup, who received the award on behalf of Chevron, expressed the company’s appreciation for the recognition and award.

“We are delighted to receive both awards because CIPM and members of the adjudication panel thrive on excellence. For CIPM to assess us and adjudge our company ’s human resources programmes as not only the best in the oil and gas industry, but the overall best in the country is something to be proud of,” Haastrup said.

He commended CIPM for the recognition as well as CNL’s Human Resources & Medical departments for making the company proud. “I thank CIPM for the honour and recognition, and our HR and Medical department for its excellent work, which has brought us honour.”

The awards were presented to Haastrup by President/ Chairman of CIPM Council, Mr. Victor Famuyibo, during the Institute’s 46th conference held last week in Abuja.

CNL’s Director, Human Resources and Medical, Mrs. Ihuoma Onyearugha, described the conferment of the award as a “great moment for Chevron.” She added that “the recognition by CIPM reinforces the fact that Chevron is a great company – with good processes.”

The Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron companies in Nigeria, Mr. Clay Neff, applauded CIPM for the awards, which he said was an endorsement of the Human Energy driving the Chevron success story.

According to him, “People are the most important asset in Chevron and this recognition is reflected in the company’s vision to be the global energy company most admired for its people, partnership and performance.”

26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

FG signs MoU with 3 power companies

By Chris Ochayi

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HE Federal Government has signed Memoranda of Understanding, MoU, with three power firms - 3D Hitech System Ltd, SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction Corporation, and CGC Nigeria Ltd, with a view to boosting generation, distribution, and supply in Nigeria.

The Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo, who signed the agreement, which held at the Ministry ’s conference room, charged the companies to deliver on their promise so as to beef up the level of power supply.

According to him, “Nigerians are hungry for power and would still demand for more, even if the output of these MoU were doubled, tripled or quadrupled.”

He commended the 3D Hitech for its proven capacity in the test running of the 110MW of power it is currently working on, which will soon be commissioned, adding that the 500MW gas fired turbine to be cited in Ajaokuta, will also go a long way in enriching the national grid.

The Minister, who noted that transmission is fast becoming a major bottleneck in the distribution of electricity, commended both the CGC and SEPCOIII for their interest in financing and providing transmission infrastructure, describing it as a move in the right direction.

According to him, the money being injected into the sector by private institutions will no doubt, go a long way to inject more life into the transmission network. He further assured of the necessary moral support

and government backing in the realisation of its mandate.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, 3D Hitech, Mr. Patrick Azi, said the ground breaking ceremony for the 500MW in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, will soon be held and assured of its installation within six to nine months.

Also responding, the Managing Director, CGC Nigeria, Mr. Li Xuhui, said the company’s MoU was for the financing and execution of transmission projects. He assured that his company will work diligently to ensure that funding is made available for the strengthening of the

transmission network.

Similarly, the Executive President, SEPCOIII, Mr. Zhang Hongsong, said his

company will ensure that the supply, refurbishing and replacement of transmission materials are given top

FG ready to declare power transition market

A

By Chris Ochayi

FTER being postponed for a number of times, the Federal Government has indicated strong readiness to declare the commencement of the Transitional Electricity Market, TEM. The TEM, was initially slated to commence last year, but

postponed to March 1, 2014 due to failure to meet certain conditions.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, disclosed this in Abuja.

He said, “We have completed the last of the formal condition precedents, CPs, and we are effectively handling the

Anniversary: From left: Managing Director Nipco Plc ,Venkatapathy Venkataraman; Chairman,Chief Bestman Anekwe; and Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir, at the company’s 10th year anniversary celebrations and special recognition awards ceremony in Lagos.

Nipco identifies workers as key to success N IPCO Plc, an integrated indigenous operator in the nation’s oil and gas industry, has identified its staff as a key component in its success story since it commenced commercial operations in 2004.

The Chairman of Nipco, Chief Bestman Anekwe, stated this at the 10th Anniversary and award ceremony to show gratitude to all staff for their contributions to the growth of company over the last 10 years.

He said the event is the first of its kind in the history of the company, as it provides an avenue to publicly acknowledge the efforts of its human capital, especially and some of the founding fathers.

Going down memory lane, Anekwe recalled that the Nipco dream, which some thought was impossible had become a reality even in the face of some

daunting challenges to the delight of numerous stakeholders.

He specifically acknowledged the support of two of the founding members – Alhaji Abdulkadir Aminu, and Mr Tunji Adeniji, with whom he travelled across the nooks and cranny of the country soliciting support for independent fuel marketers.

“The trio went through lots of tribulations from the onset of nurturing the firm. But our greatest joy today is that the dream of the promoters had crystallised to a level even beyond our projections, especially against the background of what its peers were able to achieve within a decade,” the Chairman declared.

Despite current challenges he said the Board is undaunted and will continue to propel the

priority so that the goal of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda is fully realised.

management to attain greater heights in the industry.

The Managing Director, Nipco, Mr Venkatapathy Venkataraman, noted that as a key element in the rising profile of the company, the management will continue to provide the enabling environment for staff to excel.

He enjoined the staff to continue to put in their best adding that “management is committed to having a cohesive workforce and intend keeping an open door policy for all staff to improve the communication line in the organisation.”

He encouraged all hands should be on deck to maintain the good image the company had built in the last decade, with many commendations and awards in its kitty, which had made it a benchmark for other operators.

The Nipco boss also pledged to work with the board in ensuring that staff, processes and systems are in line with the company ’s growth objective of being the first choice to all stakeholders in the oil and gas industry.

The Executive Director, Corporate Services, Alhaji Aminu, in his remarks lauded the current transformation in the company, which had impacted positively on both the human and material elements.

He added that improved productivity and excellent service delivery to its numerous publics hold the key to its continuity.

About 16 members of staff, who had put in 10 years of service, and some founding fathers and expatriates, were honoured with special plaques for their contributions to the company.

informal CPs. NERC is poised to recommend to the Minister of Power to declare the commencement of the TEM at a named date.”

Below are some of the conditions, which are expected to be met between the completion of the privatisation process and the start of TEM. They include the execution of the market participation agreement; market operations system regulations, market settlement system; and the procedures for registration and admission processes for market participants.

As a result, the Federal Government, on March 17, suspended indefinitely the planned implementation of the TEM, saying it was more concerned about putting the right market conditions in place for the sector to thrive.

However, the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, had recently blamed the new owners of the distribution companies, Discos, for the delay in the declaration of the TEM. He said the DISCOs needed to be reassured of their ability to recoup their investments, especially through revenue collection.

But speaking during the inauguration of members of the Dispute Resolution Panel, DRP, Amadi declared that the TEM is now ready for commencement.

“By today’s event, we have met the last condition precedent for the commencement of the TEM as prescribed by the Market Rules,” he said.

The NERC, in 2011, established an industry wide Transition Steering Group, TSG, to manage the efforts of stakeholders in the electricity industry to achieve the CPs for the commencement of the TEM. Amadi also identified some informal CPs that were not listed in the Market Rules, but are necessary for the optimal working of the market.

He said, “For this stage of the market, certain formal and informal CPs need to be met.

The formal CPs include: the approval of grid codes and market rules, the establishment of an independent regulator, the establishment of market operation and system operation with functional capabilitiesm, and the establishment of a market dispute resolution mechanism.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 — 27

BRIEF

Oil companies distribute 337m litres of petroleum products

By Amarachi Obiora

O

IL marketing companies in Nigeria, comprising independent petroleum marketing companies and NNPC Retail Limited distributed about 336.89 million litres of various petroleum products across the 36 states of the federation in June 2014.

According to data obtained from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Monthly Petroleum Information for June 2014, independent petroleum marketing companies distributed 237.73 million litres, representing 71 per cent of the total, while NNPC Retail Limited distributed 129.16 million litres, representing 35.20 per cent of the total.

This, according to the NNPC, shows a decrease of 221.49 million litres or 37.64 per cent when compared to the total volume distributed in May 2014, put at about 588.38 million litres.

The NNPC said, “Distribution by product shows Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) had the highest figure of 278.05 million litres, reflecting average daily sales of 9.27 million litres, followed by household kerosene (HHK) with total sales figure of 48.34 million litres (13.18 per cent) averaging 1.61 millon litres per day.

“Automobile gas oil (AGO) came third in the petroleum product distribution slate with 32.70 million litres (8.91 per cent), giving an average daily figure of 1.09 milion litres. Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) and others contributed to the remaining part of the distribution.

Lagos flags off energy academy … to train power engineers, artisans

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

L

AGOS State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has formally commissioned the Lagos Energy Academy, to groom electricity professionals while inducting the first batch of its students.

The governor said, “This first key step will herald the training of many batches of power engineers and artisans who will provide the necessary human capital for lighting Lagos and Nigeria.”

He stated that the academy would provide training for young people to become technicians and electrical

HE Ukrainian president has said his country has reached an agreement with Russia on supplies of natural gas for the winter.

When Russia cut off gas supplies to Ukraine in June over unpaid bills, it raised the risk that Ukraine would be left without heating during the coldest months of the year. It also raised fears that Russia could cut off flows to Europe if Ukraine began siphoning off gas from the pipelines crossing its territory, as has happened during past gas disputes.

President Petro Poroshenko said in a television interview late Saturday that Russia has

decided to invest; to connect these young people to jobs that are waiting to be taken so that they do not continue to complain about unemployment.

“So, we have taken them from all levels, from vocational centres, technical colleges and through our schools systems to give them a chance to start out a new career in power sector in Lagos.”

“We believe that over the years, there is a possibility to produce as many as 200,000 graduates who would have Siemens certification to be able to work anywhere.

From Left: Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Lyel Imoke, Transport Minister, Senator Idris Umar and Managing Director, Calabar Channel Management Company, Mr Pieter Hecken at the flag off of the dredging of the Calabar port channel in Calabar, Cross River State.

India to pay Iran $500m next week I NDIAN refiners will pay $500 million to Iran next week, the second installment in an interim deal that allows

Ukraine, Russia reach gas supply deal

T

engineers and provide training in generation, transmission and distribution.

Fashola explained that there are modules on simulated substation as well as transformers and all sorts of learning equipment and tools in the Academy situated at the Lagos State Electricity Board, LSEB complex, GRA, Ikeja.

Fashola said, “The biggest needs of this society today is power, and as the Discos (distribution companies) are taking position, they are going to need men and women, boys and girls who will provide the manpower the knowledge.

And this is where we have

agreed to supply Ukraine with gas through March 31 at a price of $385 per 1,000 cubic meters.

“I can say that Ukraine will have gas, Ukraine will have heating,” he said.

Poroshenko said he expected the deal to be signed during the next round of European Union-mediated gas talks, to be held Tuesday in Brussels.

Following Europe-brokered talks in Italy on Friday, Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin reported progress on both a definitive peace settlement in eastern Ukraine and on settling the gas dispute.

Tehran to recover part of overseas frozen oil revenues that are payments for oil it has sold, two industry sources said in Friday.

Iran and the United States, China, France, Germany, Britain and Russia agreed in July to extend a six-month interim accord until Nov 24 after they failed to meet a July 20 deadline for reaching a long-term deal to end their nuclear dispute.

“The process for the first installment of $400 million has been initiated and the second installment of $500 million will also be cleared next week,” said one of the sources.

Payment of $900 million by India was to be made in September, the sources said.

It was not immediately clear why the process has been delayed.

Indian refiners together owe about $6 billion to Iran. They are depositing payments in

rupees in an Indian bank.

Iran uses these funds to pay for imports from India.

The sources declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. The payments will be made using an existing mechanism based on a series of back-to-back transactions in different currencies that are initially channeled through the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

On receipt of the funds from refiners, the RBI would buy dollars from authorised dealers. It would instruct the Federal Reserve to transfer dollars to the United Arab Emirates’ central bank account there, after confirmation that Iran had received a final payment in dirhams from Abu Dhabi.

Iran’s top oil client after China, India has imported 38 percent more oil from Tehran in the first nine months of this year than in the same

“We are also partnering with a meter manufacturing company which is training them on how to diagnose faults in meters - the old analogue meters, the digital meters, the card meters. So they are able to render service in terms of power generation, transmission and distribution and all other challenges.”

Mainland IPP Speaking on the Mainland Independent Power Project, Fashola said it would be the sixth IPP that the state will be completing, and is currently going through the precommissioning testing.

He said that the project will be commissioned before October ends, adding that it is designed to supply power to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, the High Court, the Lagos State Police Command, and other public institutions in Ikeja axis.

Speaking on the opportunities available for people from other states, the Governor said there is always room to take on people from other states if they meet the pre-qualification tests.

“You can’t just walk in here.

You have to satisfy basic literacy competence and knowledge and quantitative test to get people in. At the first application we had about 200 people, only about 90 passed at that time, but I don’t have final details of how many finally qualified. But it is very serious business because the certificate you would be getting is a global certificate from a brand like Siemens,” he explained.

period last year, tanker data obtained by Reuters show.

Tehran has already received $1 billion from Japan under the interim deal, state news agency IRNA reported last month.

Iran and the United States said they made some progress in high-level nuclear talks on Thursday but much work remained to clinch a breakthrough deal by a lateNovember deadline.

The six powers want Iran to scale back its uranium enrichment programme to ensure it cannot produce nuclear bombs. Iran says the programme is for peaceful purposes.

In return for continuing action to curb its nuclear programme, Iran during the four-month extension has been granted access to $2.8 billion of its funds held in foreign banks, in addition to $4.2 billion paid between January and July.

28 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

A slummy neighbourhood. (inset Mr. Ban Ki-Moon)

Housing: Give slum dwellers a voice, Ban Ki-Moon tells African leaders ••as FG pledges to address challenges of slum dwellers

By Caleb Ayansina

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BUJA – The Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Ban Ki-Moon has called on African leaders and other private institutions to listen to the yearnings of slum dwellers in their countries with a view to meeting their needs and making life more meaningful for them.

He said it was imperative for the leadership in Nigeria and other countries, “to focus on a new urban agenda that leave no one behind.”

Kin-Moon, who stated this in a message to the 2014 World Habitat Day in Abuja, noted that with technology, the wellbeing of people living in the slums could be enhanced. The theme of this year ’s World Habitat Day was ‘Voices from Slums’.

Represented by the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr Daouda Toure, the UN Scribe said it was so unfortunate that some of the people living in slums had lost hope due to long years of neglect.

“Often, people in the slums live in near-anonymity – no address, no census and no idea when their living conditions will improve,” he lamented.

The UN scribe told authorities in Nigeria “to hear from people who live in the slums, what has worked and what has not- and what we need to do”. ”I encourage governments and

non-governmental institutions to give slum dwellers a voice, and to listen to what they have to say. We have the technology and the know-how to build economically, socially and environmentally sustainable cities based on local solutions,” he said.

The UN Secretary maintained that urban city should not be developed by leadership to meet housing needs alone, but also to be used to combat climate change.

“Ensuring that our towns and cities expand in a well-planned and managed way is not only necessary to meeting the housing needs of our growing urban population, it is also vital for combating climate change, protecting the environment and

Often, people in the slums live in near-anonymity – no address, no census and no idea when their living conditions will improve

supporting sustainable development. Let us focus on a new urban agenda that leave no one behind,” he said.

The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi said though the slum phenomenon was not peculiar to Nigeria alone, the government is commitment to addressing the challenges confronting persons living in the slums.

She urged stakeholders in the sector to listen to the voices of the slum residents, to ensure

that their genuine concerns were effectively and efficiently addressed. ”There is no better way to fully establish the living conditions in the slum than to hear from the slum residents themselves. It is our hope that collectively we will establish a vibrant platform to give a voice to this growing segment of our communities,” she said.

The Minister noted that through conversations with slum dwellers, decision makers would come up with policy interventions to mitigate the

adverse effects of the slum challenges across the country.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim assured the Ministry of the National Assembly ’s cooperation in her efforts to address the challenges of legislation, especially as it affects the 1999 constitution.

Ibrahim urged the Minister to lead other stakeholders in the country to expedite action on the presentation of the bills to the National Assembly for further legislative action.

“I am highly delighted that the development and adoption of the enabling sector policies on National Housing and National Urban Development Policies will soon resolve the challenges of unprecedented urbanization and unemployment,” he said.

A representative of slummy Lugbe community, Prince Mustapha, who spoke to newsmen in an interview, said that they were facing numerous challenges, ranging from lack of potable water, poor electricity supply and bad roads among others.

Mustapha called on government to consider the plight of the people living in slums. According to him, neglecting such areas would go a long way to endanger the life of the residents.

He however thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for not demolishing the area despite all threat to pull down all the buildings in the community.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has rolled out plans to immediately attend to the growth of slums in the country. The World Bank study of 2000 identified 42 slum communities in Lagos alone.

EU earmarks N210 million water grants to Niger Delta CSOs

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HE European Union has unveiled plans to award N210 million grants to civil society organizations, CSOs and non-government organizations, NGOs for the implementation of community-based actions that will boost sustainable water supply, sanitation and hygiene services delivery in urban and small towns in five Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Rivers.

Out of this amount, grants worth N147m would be allocated to CSOs and NGOs with innovative projects on sustainable access to improved water supply and basic sanitation services delivery and proper hygiene practices, while the balance N63m would be

allocated to fund projects aimed at addressing environmental pollution and poor The civil society grant programme is being implemented under the Water and Sanitation component of the Niger Delta Support Programme, NDSP financed by Delegation of the European Union in Nigeria under the 10th European Development Fund, EDF, information made available in the EU website said.

The total budget for the NDSP is €65, 8000,000, of which the EDF is contributing €56,000,000, the five participating Niger Delta States, the ten participating Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the benefitting communities are contributing €9,200,000, while the UNICEF is contributing

€600,000.

NDSP was designed to provide support for the peace process, conflict prevention and local governance in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria; and has four components –water supply and sanitation, public finance management, youth employment and micro projects.

The Water and Sanitation component of the NDSP started in February 2013 and is addressing the issue of poor access to safe water and basic sanitation facilities in the five participating States -Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Rivers; with particular focus on improving policy, institutional, legal and financial framework in the water and sanitation sector.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 — 29

FHA’s new towns development initiative to deliver 20,000 houses

•Illustration of the single room apartments

By Jude Njoku

I

N furtherance of its drive to provide affordable housing in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territor y Administration, FCTA has allocated parcels of land in the city to the Federal Housing Authority, FHA, to enable the housing agency fulfill its mandate of building

decent and affordable housing for Nigerians.

This arrangement is coming under the FHA New Towns Development Initiative.

Under the scheme, FHA plans to build about 20,000 housing units in Kuchiko, Bwari and Kwali councils. The Authority is also planning to build 1,136 housing units at Zuba in the Federal Capital

Territory under its mass housing programme designed to meet the “housing desire of the outcrowded residents of the FCT characterized by low skills and unemployment”.

Under the scheme, FHA plans to build single house types in one, two and three bedroom blocks of flats. A further breakdown shows that

416 units will be single bedroom apartments in 26 blocks of 16 units each. The two-bedroom units will be 440 units comprising eight units in 55 blocks while 280 units of three-bedroom flats will be built in 35 blocks of eight units per block Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi who disclosed

Developer identifies impediments to speedy housing delivery in Nigeria

By Kingsley Adegboye

A

S Nigeria intensifies efforts at bridging her housing deficit, a major player in the real estate sector and Managing Director, Grenadines Homes, Mrs. Noimot Olatunji has called on government at all levels to urgently put measures in place to fast-track timely and cost effective housing delivery in the country by simplifying the approval processes of land titles.

According to the Lagos-based real estate developer, the condition under which players and investors in the real estate sector operate currently is “unfriendly, cumbersome, antibusiness and generally very ambiguous”,.

She listed the hard conditions to include bureaucratic red tape the processing of land titles and building approvals.

Speaking as a panel member

during the session on ‘reducing red tape’ at the just concluded Real Estate Unite Conference 2014, in Lagos, Olatunji stated that although there was nothing wrong in setting rules and regulations, she bemoaned undue bureaucratic bottleneck

The solution to dealing with this thorny issue is to make the processes very clear from the outset

encountered in the course of seeking approval as the bane of the Nigeria’s real estate sector.

“Rules and processes are in place for the protection of the real estate sector, but what we actually want is for somebody to give us timely updates on the approval process. We want to know if the title applications are being processed or if there are issues.

We want to know if the designs meet the specifications; we want to know if everything is okay.

What we don’t want is to go half way down the development journey only to find out that there are issues”, she said.

The Grenadines Homes boss further noted that the practice of non-delegation of authority and consequent needless long wait in the absence of some officials in charge of approvals was a setback in the running of government business.

“They will tell you the governor

has sent the engineer somewhere so this week nothing is happening and these are the things that really do frustrate us.

When we are being stalled by the government processes it becomes an integrity issue for us because we keep giving clients one excuse or the other because of the engineer who has personalised the office”, she lamented.

Mrs. Olatunji also drew a link between red tape and corruption while advocating that such behaviour was not good for any economy. She urged government and concerned stakeholders to address corruption in all facets of our national life.

According to her, “the solution to dealing with this thorny issue is to make the processes very clear from the outset. What the sector really needs are concise guidelines on what we have to do, how much it will cost and how

these facts in Abuja, also unveiled plans by her Ministry and FHA to restore Festac Town in Lagos to its lost glory.

“We are making efforts to restore Festac Town to its past glory. To this end, I paid a visit to the Town recently where I met with key stakeholders with a view to addressing some of the outstanding issues militating against the restoration of the Town as directed by Mr President. We shall not rest on our oars until the mission is accomplished,” she said. Mrs Eyakenyi said her Ministry is currently establishing 150 fully serviced residential plots per site in 13 states of the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Presently, 11 Nos of the projects are at various stages of completion. Some of the plots site areas are at Kujein FCT, Igbogbo and Osborne 11 in Lagos state, Gubio Road, Yola in Adamawa state; Bichiin Kano state, Bida in Niger State, Republic Layout in Enugu State and Runmudamaya, Port-Harcourt in Rivers State. The main activities of the projects include earthworks, construction of drains ans culverts and road surfacing,” the Minister said.

long it will take. If we have that, then we are on a good starting point and will prevent unscrupulous people from defrauding the system.”

She further advocated the setting up of parameters for measurement which will allow for effective planning. “The industry will be better served when those responsible for processing applications are held up to a high standard where they can state periodically how many applications they receive, how many have been processed and how many are pending; and the time frame it will take or it has taken to process them. Then the sector can be taken seriously”, Olatunji enthused.

She also canvassed the resolution of perennial conflicts which often arise among intergovernmental agencies over which of them has the supreme authority on the approval of procedures and perfection of titles. She decried that the multiplicity of regulatory bodies hinders business growth as well as create room for corruption.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—30

[L-R] Managing Director ,TrustBond Mortgage Bank Plc, Mr. Adeniyi Akinlusi, Acting Chairman of the bank, Mr. Uduma Kalu and Company Secretary, Mr. Mark Okoye during the 5th Annual General Meeting of TrustBond Mortgage Bank Plc in Lagos last week.

PMI pledges uninterrupted operations in real estate T

RUSTBond Mortgage Bank Plc, one of the recapitalised national primary mortgage institutions, PMIs in the country, has assured its shareholders of uninterrupted operations in its real estate activities. The PMI said its has sown the strategic ‘seeds’ for the growth of its core operations which are banking and mortgage, by securing access to long-term funding from the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company, NMRC. The firm said

it has taken up a respectable equity stake in the refinance company as an equity investment.

Giving this assurance at the company’s 5th Annual General Meeting, AGM in Lagos last week, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the mortgage bank, Mr. Adeniyi Akinlusi, said “access to long-term funding is a sine-quanon for successful mortgage banking operations”.

“We shall therefore seek to

complement funding from NMRC with other sources of funds to continue to grow our core mortgage banking business,” he said.

Thanking the shareholders for their faith in the bank, and customers for their loyalty as well as the management and staff for their relentless efforts to make the bank one of the foremost brands in the Nigerian mortgage banking industry, Akinlusi stated that without them, the company has no business.

Structural engineers give recipe to stem collapse of buildings

By Kingsley Adegboye

D

EEPLY worried by incidents of collapse of buildings across the country the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers, a division if the Nigerian Society of Engineers NSE, has called on the three tiers of governments to engage the services of the qualified structural engineers in all their construction projects.

The call is coming against the backdrop of the worsening occurrence of building collapse, the most recent being the sixstorey building that caved in and killed over 115 persons at the Synagogue Church of All Nations SCOAN, in Lagos.

President of the Institution, Samuel Ilugbekhai, an engineer, who made the call at a media briefing, sued for more attention to to be paid to concrete structures in our built environment with a view to ensuring safety of lives and property. Ilugbekhai noted that within the low and medium rise zone of the built environment in Nigeria where the incidents of

building collapse are most prevalent, concrete structures, by far, outweigh other structural types in numbers, shape, size and application, in terms of use.

According to him, “for structural concrete to deliver effectively on its integrity and efficiency, all its various components must be combined in the right proportion, the right atmosphere, the right circumstances and by the right personnel. And cement being the binding agent in concrete, it is therefore a good starting point in what promises to be a continuous series on the safety of structures in Nigeria in the advocacy agenda of the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers”. To this end, he said, the Institution will hold an awareness workshop that would center on the use of cement between on October 23-24.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the body of experts we shall be having at our Cement Conference will give vital information on cement which will not only be useful for the

development of Nigeria but also help to save lives that would have been lost to building collapses due to improper application of cement”, he stated. Akinlusi who called the the Federal government to back the practice of structural engineering in Nigeria by legislation, pointed out that government should appreciate the professional competencies of the Nigerian engineers in general and the structural engineers in particular, and engage them meaningfully for positive growth and development of Nigeria.

According to him, a nation that berates her professionals only bolsters in the euphoria of peripheral development that is not deep rooted and not sustainable on the long run.

He said engineers in general and structural engineers in particular, should request for a revisit of the engineering policy of Nigeria and restructure it for the accelerated development of Nigeria, maintaining that structural engineers should be involved in the formulation of a Structural Engineering Policy for Nigeria.

Akinlusi noted that the year 20 13 marked the end of the company’s ‘transition’ period which began in 2009, with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s intervention in its erstwhile parent bank, Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank Plc).

He explained that the year also marked the beginning of laying a stronger foundation for future growth of the company as well as the first full year of operations post IFRS conversion.

“Some key strategic decisions

were taken and successfully implemented which include disposal of major real estate assets in line with the new CBN guidelines, winding down of real estate activities with the new operational guidelines, relocation of the head office and commencement of operations from our own premises at Lekki Scheme 1. Others are successful capital raise of N313.5 million under the special placement exercise by the bank, achievement of the N5 billion new minimum regulatory capital required to continue to operate as a national mortgage bank and securing of regulatory approval to invest N500 million as equity in the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company”.

Most of the shareholders who spoke at the AGM commended the management of bank for its future outlook, with particularly reference to upgrading the bank to national level, and efforts being made by the management to remain sustained and vibrant in the industry.

The shareholders who were not given dividends because of the N5 billion recapitalisation of the bank, however implored the bank to strive hard in terms of business transactions to ensure that they earn dividends in the next AGM of the company.

One of the shareholders suggested that rather than embarking on high profile residential housing schemes that will take time to sell, the company should consider construction of low income housing that will not be tied down in the market, as that is the only way capital of the bank will not be tied down.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—31

Why Nigeria needs to scale through consideration of CLCS – Prof Awosika

By Vera Samuel Anyagafu

A

S Nigeria awaits consideration from the United Nation’s Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, CLCS, the need to make funds available to the National Boundary Commission and the Extended Continental Shelf, ECS, office in New York is said to be essentially imperative.

Speaking at the 35th session of the CLCS in New York, the reelected chairman of the Commission, Professor Lawrence Awosika, who happens to be the

first African to chair the Commission since its inception, urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to assist the NBC and ECS to effectively represent the country in respect of the CLCS. He said that Nigeria should not be found wanting when the submission comes on for consideration by the Commission, stressing that the country would have to act fast and ensure that all the necessary logistics are in place to enable it to sail through the consideration of the Commission. It is important to

note herein, that Nigeria made her submission to the CLCS in 1997 for an extended continental shelf. At that time, Nigeria’s submission was number 28 on the CLCS queue. Currently, Nigeria’s submission has moved to number two and could come up on the queue for the CLCS to start its consideration by January 2015.

According to Awosika, the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, CLCS, was established following the entry into force of

the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS. Awosika said, “According to Article 76 of (UNCLOS) the functions of the Prof. Larry Awosika, ChairCommission consists of man- UN Commission on the considering the data and other Limits of the Continental Shelf material submitted by coastal (CLCS) NY. States concerning the outer limits of the continental shelf and to nautical miles is obligated to provide scientific and technical submit supporting scientific and advice, if requested by the coastal technical data of its continental shelf to the Commission on the State.

"A coastal State intending to Limits of the Continental Shelf. establish the outer limits to its The Commission shall then continental shelf beyond 200 consider and analyse the data and make recommendations in writing to the coastal State that made the submission and also to the SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations.”

He also stated that the limits of the shelf established by a coastal State on the basis of these recommendations shall be final and binding.

However, it is pertinent to note that Nigeria made her submission for an extended continental shelf to the CLCS in June 2009.

Consequent upon the submission and its queuing, a continental shelf office was established in New York, USA. The office was instituted for the purpose of preparing and enhancing the submission for defence before the Commission. "So far the office has been hampered by the non provision of funds to undertake the necessary enhancement and prepare the submission to enable pass the very stringent and technical assessment of the commission”, Awosika said.

Speaking also in respect of the country’s NBC, CLCS and ECS, Head, Extended Continental Shelf Project, ECS, office in New York and Director of Maritime boundary department in the National Boundary Commission Abuja, Mr. Aliyu Omar, said that a lot of work needs to be completed before the Nigeria submission is ready to be considered.

Aliyu said, “Nigeria would have to get a lot of work completed before the submission is considered and it could be anytime.”

Professor Lawrence Awosika, is a member of the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, CLCS, prior to his present status.

32 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

By Theodore Opara

•Hyundai Grand i10 sedan

Stallion Motors Unveils Made-in-Nigeria Hyundai Grand S

TALLION Motors last weekend took the wraps off one of its locally assembled Hyundai models at an interactive session with local automobile media in Lagos.

The Grand base model is priced under N2 million.

The Hyundai Grand i10 as it is named is an elegantly compact family sedan that comes in two variants with 5Speed manual and 4-Speed automatic transmission and powered by 1.25 Kappa Dual VTVT engine respectively.

Jatin Nadkarni, Head of Sales and Marketing, Hyundai Motors Nigeria, a division of Stallion Group said that the Hyundai Grand i10 was the proceed of the recently inaugurated Federal Government National Automotive Industrial Plan.

He said the Hyundai Grand i10 has proven a point that a comfortable and spacious car doesn’t have to be cumbersome.

“And that was Hyundai Motors’ conviction when it move to produce this exceptionally cultured sedan that would soon become the toast of most automobile freaks in the country,” Mr. Nadkarni said. A feature – packed Hyundai Grand responds to every expectation with alluring cabin colour, textures and shape that lend it a sporty appeal that could easily make any large car envious.

From whatever angle you view this car, it is evident the Hyundai Grand was crafted to meet utmost degree of needs.

The Grand is a whole new level of art plus innovation which ordinarily gives the car an unimaginable feel.

Mr. Nadkarni acknowledged these values as he showed the media some of the attractive features that distinguish the sedan.

He said: “the world is changing every day, so we decided to also change the way people communicate with each

other by introducing the Hyundai Grand - a car that lets you share a new language with the world.”

And true to his words, the Grand shows a sharp styling with a whole new level of innovation that attest to the brilliantly crafted exterior which

leaves an everlasting impression on all those who catch a glimpse of it.

The newly designed clear headlight clusters for instance, not only look good, they improve your night vision and on-road visibility with extra safety. Hyundai Grand is

equipped with chrome-coated radiator grille positioned to perfection to project strong presence.

The outside mirror repeaters are aerodynamically sculpted while the outside mirror is ornamented with LED repeaters for enhanced looks and safety.

Inside the car, the front and rear seating ergonomically designed bucket type front seats gives the car a premium feel with spacious and cushioned rear seats while the adjustable headrests assure ample support and comfortable seating.

This is in addition to the liberal boot space that could accommodate your weekend luggage with bench folding function that provides an extra flat load space.

Hyundai Grand does not compromise on safety. The makers used structural safety that utilizes anti corrosive steel, ring structure application to enhance the rigidity and body robustness of the Hyundai Grand and its Anti-lock brake system (ABS) prevents skidding and retains the car’s steer ability on slippery surfaces. This mechanism also enables stable braking and restricts wheel lock-up during panic braking.

FG signs agreement with S/Africa bank on car finance

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ESBANK, a division of FirstRand Bank Limited, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Automotive Council (NAC) of Nigeria, to offer vehicle finance to retail and corporate purchasers. The agreement aims to stimulate the sale of locally assembled vehicles in Nigeria.

The MoU was signed in Johannesburg, South Africa recently by the Director General,

National Automotive Council (NAC), Engr. Aminu Jalal who headed NAC Management team comprising Mr. Luqman Mamudu (Director Policy and Planning) and Engr. Waheed Odetoro (Director Industrial Infrastructure). Chief Executive Officer of WesBank, Mr. Chris De Kork signed on behalf of hiscompanyinthepresenceofother WesBank management team.

Engr. Aminu Jalal said the Nigerian government recently

approved the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP)toattractinvestmentsfrom vehicle manufacturers globally and grow the supply of locallymanufactured vehicles. He explained that the agreement would allow WesBank to work closely with NAC to develop vehicle financing solutions specifically for those vehicles built in Nigeria with the aim of making them readily affordable for the

L-r: Chris De Kock, CEO WesBank, Simon Ingersent, CFO –WesBank Motor Division, Johan Burger, Deputy CEO FirstRand Bank Ltd, Engr. Aminu Jalal, DG National Automotive Council of Nigeria, Mr. Luqman Mamudu, Director Policy and Planning: National Automotive Council of Nigeria, and Engr. Waheed Odetoro, Director of Industrial Infrastructure: National Automotive Council, at the signing of the MoU in Johannesburg, South Africa.

average Nigerian car user.

“We are delighted that the Nigerian government and NAC have chosen WesBank as their partner of choice,” said Chris de Kock, CEO of WesBank. “Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and this is an excellent opportunity to grow our footprint on the continent, in line with the FirstRand strategy.”

WesBank is already successfully representedinotherAfricanmarkets including Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia,Mozambique,Swaziland, and Zambia. The move to Nigeria will extend its reach to the northern parts of the continent, presenting an opportunity to participate in some of the larger African economies where, over time, vehicles sales are expected to experience substantial growth.

“We believe that we have the required experience and expertise to operate successfully in developing countries given our own experience in South Africa over the last 50 years. Our ability to find innovative solutions and to develop country specific products and processes we think will be wellreceivedbytheNigerianautomotive marketanditsbuyers,”saidDeKock.

“It is also our hope that in due time, this venture could become the biggest market for WesBank in SubSaharan Africa outside of South Africa.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 — 33

By Theodore Opara

Sambo to flag off 16th Abuja Motor Fair •over 30 companies participating

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HE Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo will lead other dignitaries from the public and private sectors to declare the 16th edition of the Abuja International Motor Fair open on Thursday. The Fair which kicks off on Tuesday October 22nd, at the Eagle Square, Abuja will parade over 25 participants from Nigeria and abroad.

Disclosing this during a media briefing, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu-Chairman of the Organising Committee of the fair said, having the fair declared open by the vice President underscores the seriousness of the Federal Government in encouraging and supporting every effort geared towards developing the automotive industry in Nigeria, especially now that it has come up with a new policy aimed at transforming the sector for the benefit of all stakeholders. . Mr. Agwu who is also the Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions LimitedOrganizers of the Fair noted that the presence of the Vice President will go a long way in reinforcing the aims and objectives of the

show which is the fast tracking the development of the automotive sector of in Nigeria.

His presence according to the Managing Director would give the needed encouragement and boost to existing and potential investors in the industry. .

“The platform of this event will offer a litmus test to the shape of things in the industry with the current paradigm shift in the sector as the automobile is undoubtedly the primary yardstick of success for any auto exhibition. This means auto enterprises showcasing at any exhibition must ensure visibility and wholeness and, not leaving anything to chance”. The edition is loaded with a whole lot of content that is designed to showcase the strength and resilience of the participants as well as create an educative and fun filled atmosphere for all those that will be visiting the show.

Continuing he said, “the reinvigorated auto policy no doubt caught some stakeholders unprepared, confused and some highly prepared. These various states have caught some on the wrong foot and they needed to

stay afloat and the ready ones; therefore creating an ambience all need to show that they are all for the debutants to rub shoulders ready to play big in the new era. with the big boys, which will It is this unique opportunity that further expose the debutants to the 16th Abuja International the workings of the industry.

Motor Fair has been packaged This edition will show not only to provide to all the new entrants from the various Stakeholders.

Therefore brands, but also the hot spot showcasing amongst others at the products in the market. All these event will ultimately show the exhibits focus on displaying the state of preparedness new achievements and or otherwise of new breakthroughs in participants. This does various aspects, not apply only to the particularly the a u t o m o b i l e indigenous ones.” companies but “With our reach, a equally to those high powered which services and or delegation from the products complement Federal Government is the automobiles expected to lead the because the incidence inspection of of the policy falls on automobile brands and all of them. the parade of stands. At With the theme this The least for 16 years, we year, which promotes reinvigorated have been able to the culture and create a auto policy attitude of self- belief c o m p r e h e n s i v e and self –confidence, no doubt automobile exchange the Organising Committee head also caught some platform drawing noted that aside the stakeholders global attention. We believe that with high known strong brands attention from all levels unprepared that will be at the of government leaders, show, a few others will joint efforts of sponsors be debuting,

and organizers, strong supports from the Motoring journalists and people in all fields, and powerful market and social demands, the Abuja International Motor Show will be better and better in the future.”

The entire days of the Fair have been laced with lots of crowd pulling fun and side attractions.

Visitors, Exhibitors and the general public that would bf funfilled days at the fair arena; adding that this will be a landmark and a benchmark in auto show business in subSaharan Africa’. Each of the nine days that the fair will last is loaded with activities and events that will make this edition remarkably different and we intend to improve and add on this in subsequent editions, Mr. Agwu, revealed further.

Some of the companies and agencies that are participating are: Some of the companies and Agencies that are heading to the show include: CFAO [Distributors of Nissan, Chevrolet, Isuzu, Iveco and Mitsubushi brands], Toyota Nigeria Limited [distributors of Toyota brands], Dana Motors [Kia brands], SAIPA Corporation/ Sparkling Energy resources Ltd [distributors of SAIPA vehicles], AUTODEX Nigeria Limited [distributors of Shineray brands] and, Elizade Motors Ltd [JAC Trucks].

34 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

By Theodore Opara

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ON Automobile, a multivehicle assembly plant, and member of the Stallion Group has said that its facility along Lagos – Badagry Expressway can meet the country’s vehicular demand with its current production capacity of 50,000 vehicles annually. Mr. Parvir Singh, Group Managing Director (automobile division) Stallion Motors Limited, told the media at an interactive session in Lagos, last weekend that though the plant has an installed capacity for 100,000 vehicles. “We can convincingly produce 50,000 vehicles annually even though we are constrained to produce what the market requires at the moment.”

He commended the Federal government national automotive industry development initiative, describing it as an economic thrust with proclivity for improved GDP.

‘VON Automobile can produce Nigeria’s vehicle needs’ — Stallion boss

All new Nissan Altima

Economic thrust Also remarking that its subsidiary, Stallion NMN, the authorised Nissan sales company has done remarkably well since the dealership was inaugurated 18 months ago, Mr. Singh said: “We have experienced favourable growth indices and sales volumes due to favourable patronage by our valued customers and we are convinced that very soon, Mr Parvir Singh, Group Managing Director Stallion MoNissan will assume its rightful place on the automobile sales tors and Amit Sharma, Head, Sales and Marketing Nissan Motors Nigeria briefing the press on Nissan achievements chart.”

The Nissan marketing in Nigeria. company made sales projection of 6,000 units by the end of 2014 inauguration of archetypal of iconic models like GT-R and sales year – a remarkable vision made in Nigeria Nissan 370Z with exciting B, C, D, vehicles such as Nissan Almera SUV and LCV (light in the brand’s history.

Mr. Singh listed other / Sunny; NP300 Pick-up and commercial vehicle) segment vehicles including Almera / achievements of the dealership high end Nissan Patrol SUV. Other accomplishments are Sunny, Sentra, Altima, within a spate of one year as and Urvan the commissioning of an the introduction of expanded Pathfinder Nissan line-up with the addition commuter bus – the largest ultramodern Abuja facility;

Nissan line-up ever in Nigeria, the Stallion boss reaffirmed.

It is also expected that Stallion NMN’s activity with other stakeholders in the country’s automotive sector would in earnest save valuable foreign exchange for the country and create local skills and employment opportunities for teeming Nigerian youths Mr. Singh reasoned.

He pledged Stallion’s commitment to world-class consumer experience, promising to continue to supply best Nissan products and services to growing Nissan clientele.

“We plan to expand Nissan service network through the appointment of more provisional dealers to improve customer satisfaction by providing high quality service at reasonable price,” Mr. Singh assured.

The Stallion boss said Stallion seeks to open ultramodern Nissan showrooms in Victoria Island and Port-Harcourt and the launch two additional exciting Nissan models by next year.

Meanwhile, the dealership has formally announced a change in the name of its celebrated midsize family sedan previously known as Teana in this market to Altima in harmony with the product image worldwide, Mr. Singh noted.

The Nissan Altima is a top choice among family sedans, delivering excellent fuel economy and a rare blend of comfort and agility, a foremost American online resource for automotive information, Edmunds.com recently said.

Bosch, NAC partners on replacement parts B

OSCH, a leading global supplier of technology and services, and the Nigerian government organization National Automotive Council (NAC) have agreed to set up an alliance in the automotive aftermarket sector to pave the way for the development of technical automotive skills and the establishment of anetwork of automotive workshops in Nigeria. Aminu Jalal, Director General of the NAC, and Andreas Bodemer, Vice President Middle East and Africa of Bosch’s Automotive Aftermarket division signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in October 2014. As the number of cars on Nigerian streets rises, so will the demand for skilled maintenance and state-of-the-art repair workshops.

The two partners plan to offer technical training as well as innovative solutions (in the area of workshop and test equipments) to the operators of automotive workshops throughout the country.

“This partnership on training centers is clearly an innovative forerunner in the Sub-Saharan part of Africa and will significantly drive the structural development of the automotive industry in Nigeria. We aim to extend our expertise with NAC by further developing our Bosch workshop concepts in Nigeria and adapting them to local needs, especially for the growing middle-class segment,” stated Andreas Bodemer. With its solutions for repair and maintenance, Bosch’s Automotive Aftermarket division

keeps vehicles moving all around the world. Bosch currently maintains more than 43 training centers which offer training courses for operators of automotive workshops globally, two of which are located in Morocco and in South Africa.

Long-Term Commitment to Nigeria: “Our partnership with the NAC demonstrates the longterm commitment of Bosch to Africa in general and Nigeria in particular. Nigeria is the continent’s largest economy and boasts a reservoir of young and well-qualified people.

Bosch aims to further develop the technical competences of the local workforce especially in the automotive industry for the mutual success of the Nigerian industry and Bosch’s business in this country,” said Dr. Markus

Thill, President of the Bosch Group in Africa.

Professional training and material for workshop operators The agreement covers several areas of common interest. For example, trainers of the NAC will largely benefit from Bosch’s “train-the-trainer program”. Both parties will from now on offer technical training programs for mechanics and technicians on maintenance and repairs of gasoline and diesel powered cars.

The training programs will be available at the NAC’s six training facilities. In order to provide the trainees with efficient skills, both practical and theoretical courses will be conducted during the trainings.

Every mechanic or technician who will participate in the

training program will be awarded an official certificate attesting to his expertise in the field of automotive technology.In addition, Bosch will equip the NAC training facilities with workshop test equipment and media training tools such as videos and brochures.

Skills enhancement to build local expertise in Nigeria: NAC Director General, Engr. Aminu Jalal said that the NAC welcomed the agreement as a contribution to enhancing the skills of the local workforce. This is one of the deciding elements of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) launched in 2013 as an integral part of the Nigerian National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) to further the country’s economy.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—35

Delta 2015: Omo-Agege, Urhobo and the hope of a new Delta State

Obama’s Credit Card embarrassment

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T seems implausible that the president of the United States of America could have his credit card rejected or declined when he tried to make a payment. But, it happened to President Barack Obama.

Before you conclude that it might have been the handwork of some of his Republican Party opponents who were out to embarrass, if not humiliate him, please read the story.

On the other hand, you might wonder: what is the big deal about this credit card mishap?

I also urge you to read the story. Here is what happened, as told by President Obama himself.

Sometime last month, President Obama decided to give his wife, Michelle, a dinner treat at a New York restaurant. When the bill came, Obama promptly fished out his credit card to pay his debt, and handed it over to the waitress. But, minutes later, the waitress came back with the bad news for her president: the system had rejected or “declined” the card.

Not believing what he had heard, Obama told his audience that “I was trying to explain to the waitress, ‘No, I really think that I’ve been paying my bills.’” But, reality was reality: the system did not accept the card. However, the issue was later resolved when Michelle, who was being taken out for dinner, paid for the treat. According to Obama, “It turned out, I guess, I don’t use it (card) enough…. They (card providers) thought there was some fraud going on.”

In other words, the card’s managers sensed that someone had poached President Obama’s card and was about to embark on a spending jamboree. Their precautionary measure was to stop what they thought was theft, not knowing that they had unintentionally embarrassed the president of the United States of America at a public restaurant.

What if Michelle did not have her card?

You might say that Obama is human afterall and can face what many of us face from time to time. Yes, that might be true.

But, let us imagine it was Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe or John Dramani Mahama of Ghana that had faced Obama’s situation.

Could the credit owners have dared to make the president’s credit card inoperable for whatever reason? OK, let us take a few steps back and ask: what on earth would compel an African president to take his wife out for dinner at a public restaurant when the presidential villa had ample room for such a treat?

for something, anything for that matter, at a public restaurant? Who is the manager of such a restaurant to have the temerity to give His Excellency and the First Lady a bill for something like the food they happily ate? And, to cap it all, how dare an ordinary mortal in the name of a wretched waitress summon the courage to inform the president that his credit card had been rejected?

As I write, my mind is full of revolving flashes of what might have happened to the waitress, her managers, the restaurant, the credit card owners and everyone else involved in this matter had Obama’s embarrassing moment been the lot of any of his African counterparts, serving or retired. Can anyone imagine the outcome of such a situation involving Yoweri Museveni, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, Isaias Afwerki, Jacob Zuma, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Uhuru Kenyatta and so on? Do such people even carry credit cards on them when access to their country’s treasury is available and unlimited?

Obama’s credit card “embarrassment” is possible because of something called transparency in governance and the fact that the president is not regarded as a god to be worshipped. He does not really enjoy special privileges in his private capacity as a husband or father, in spite of his position as the most powerful leader of our time. Like the rest of us, he pays for his private, personal affairs. Mundane things like his salary or how much he is worth or how much taxes he pays are not hidden to the public. All you need to find out about Obama’s financial worth is to goggle it and answers will pour forth. Should Obama spend state funds on his personal affairs, the law will certainly catch up with him.

State house operatives Assuming there is need to taste some food from the best chef in the country, wouldn’t the state house operatives instruct the chef to bring his or her best cuisine to state house for the delight of the president and his first lady? Wouldn’t that be considered a privilege to the chef? What more, who would expect Mugabe or Mahama to bring out his credit card to pay

There is no room for abracadabra when it comes to transparency in public office

Public office Public office in the U.S. is not a secret cult. The president is human and is treated as such. What public servants are paid, and their assets and liabilities are not privileged information. Should you serve as the president of the United States and suddenly become a millionaire in or out of office, you will have to explain the source of your sudden wealth. If you fail to pay your taxes, in or out of office, you are as good as sitting in jail for a very long time.

There is no room for abracadabra when it comes to transparency in public office. And, there are no undue privileges either. That is how their system survives and people have confidence in it, despite their opposing political and other beliefs and inclinations.

Next year, Nigeria for instance, will engage in a number of political elections. Wouldn’t it be nice, if not appropriate as it is done in other countries, for the sources of income and financial empires of the political contestants to be matters of unfettered public knowledge? But, alas, in most of the developing world, transparency is opaque.

And, the president is a god.

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By Justice Iyasere

by conflict, but by peace and justice and opportunity. His commitment, doggedness and patriotic zeal to make an impact in the rugged political terrain isnot in doubt. He believes we are the master of our fate, the captain of our journey through life with God Almighty leading the way. His message to Deltans is that we can change our lives and make Delta State work better for us all.

Omo-Agege’s understanding of our economic and social problems and his knowledge of how governance can tackle these problems is profound. No question takes the Obaisi of Urhobo by surprise any time he meets with the media, which he considers a veritable ally. Those who were privileged to have worked with Omo-Agege know him as a diligent professional, a publicspirited and forthright public officer, and as a person of great convictions. He is a consummate and passionate public personality with extra-ordinary and boundless flare for service in the interest of the common man.

INCE the entrance of Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege into the race to Government House in May this year, political calculations have been altered and a new energy brought into Urhobo quest to return to Dennis Osadebey House in 2015. Until he declared his intention to succeed Governor Uduaghan, very few gave Delta Central any chance in the race for the gubernatorial ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But that has changed and it is looking very likely that Omo-Agege, whom the Urhobo have overlooked in the past in favour of another Urhobo son in the opposition, may well be the one who gets Urhobo out of its present political wilderness.

Omo-Agege is not a new name in this business. In 2006, he contested the PDP primaries at Ogwashi-uku and came second behind Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. The experience of that painful loss has prepared him for the challenge of today. Iconic in political philosophical disposition, the man, Ovie OmoAgege has invested his raw energy and deployed his wealth of experience and contacts in the race, moving about like the political tactician he truly is. He exudes so much confidence, speaking the language of hope and ever optimistic of a brighter tomorrow.

Omo-Agege needs no introduction. He is well known and popular across the length and breadth of Delta state.

As Executive Assistant to Map of Delta State the Governor, Commissioner for Special Duties, More than thirty persons have Government House and Secretary to the indicated interest in the PDP Delta State Government within a period governorship ticket but very few are of four years,Omo-Agege has acquitted considered as serious contenders. Of himself as a man on the highway to the those in the race from Delta Central, top. But in 2006 and 2011, he did not get only Omo-Agegecould be counted as the required adequate support from his truly viable judging by the intensity and people to get to the very top of Delta consistency of consultation and politics. acceptability among the major Today, however, he is generally seen as stakeholders of the party at state and the hope of the Urhobo to reclaim glory national levels. The others have either after eight years in the political fizzled out as mere spectators or mere wilderness. Contrary to what many ice blocks that melt under the scorching thought of him, the Urhobo have now sun or are simply scared of the come to realize that he is indeed a true uncertainty in the emerging fight. patriot who gave his all to the common Notwithstanding the antics of cause of the people. He has proved detractors, Urhobo appreciates the himself overtime that he meant well for courage of Ovie Omo-Agege as a the people. He has a true vision of a dogged fighter and an irrepressible goal blessed future but could not adequately getter. He knows his way through the market that dream on the popular rugged jungle of Nigerian politics. He highway of favourable public opinion. is therefore, in my considered opinion, That is now in the past as he has now having examined the political weight succeeded in winning the confidence of of the other aspirants, the best material those who doubted him. the Urhobo nation could promote into The Urhobo nation is now ready the PDP primaries for the needed for Ovie Omo-Agege. change and hope of a new Delta State Omo-Agege’s strength of character and in line with the UPU purposive drive towards his dream to be UvwiamugeDeclaration. Omo-Agege governor of Delta State defies the is the only Urhobo man feared by language of impossibility. He is in the race other aspirants from both Delta North with a message of hope, maintaining and South because they know that he without mincing words that the Delta is the only one in Delta Central who State of our dream is possible. A new Delta has what it takes to win the 2015 PDP defined not by our differences, but by our gubernatorial ticket. common hopes and aspirations. To Omo•Justice Irikefe Iyasere is of the Agege, we can build a world defined not Urhobo Voice Newspaper.

36 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

The cabal will soon abandon Suntai—Astimans, Ag. Gov’s Media aide THE senior special assistant (media and publicity) to the acting governor of Taraba State Mr. Aaron Astimans speaks on the political log-jam in the state that followed the plane crash of the substantive governor, Mr. Danbaba Suntai.

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BY JOHN MKOM

HAT is the truth about an impeachment plot against the acting governor?

In the first place let me tell you the truth that there has been no reason for the acting governor to be impeached as the House of Assembly and the acting governor are on the same page in the so called Taraba state political crisis.

They have been working together, they have been following the truth in the Taraba political problem and there has been no disagreement whatsoever on the steps and process they have been taking in resolving the crisis.

Relations between the acting governor and the members of the state executive on one side and the House of Assembly on the other side are very cordial and that is why we in Taraba enjoy peace which everyone is witnessing today.

Having said that, I also want to rebuff the insinuation making the rounds that there was any time the House at all contemplated to impeach the acting governor Umar and his boss Governor Danbaba Suntai.

Interview with BBC What the acting governor was explaining in his Hausa interview with BBC was simply the fact that those people who are agitating or the members of the cabal who all this while want to impose Danbaba on power despite the fact that he is not ready to take power, are the people who are now saying in their own assumption that Umar and Suntai constitute the problem of Taraba State and that the two of them should be impeached.

What is your reaction to the recent court decision restraining your boss and the House of Assembly from interfering with the office of governor?

The court did not stop my boss or the state House of Assembly on any issue, I have a copy of the judgment with me, the court said we should maintain the status quo. The court refused to stop the medical panel from sitting because the panel was not joined while Suntai earlier filed his case last year which means the medical team can do its work.

Sir what do you know about the personal relationship

between your boss and Governor Suntai given the allegations that your boss is aiming to hijack power?

Since the outbreak of this political crisis my boss has not commented for once on Danbaba’s stewardship as governor of Taraba State, he never commented on the health status of his boss, he never told anybody whether the man is well or not. He visited him in US and I want to tell you also that the acting governor has

After 2015, this fight will die down they will all abandon Danbaba and run away and the acting governor will continue to care for him

been receiving constant brief on the health status of Danbaba.

But he considers it out of respect not to discuss it with anybody and he knows the health status of the governor more than the people that have been parading themselves as core Danbaba supporters.

I also want to tell the whole world that since the unfortunate accident of Suntai till date the state government has paid all the medical bills up till now. Never one day that the acting governor restrained himself from approving funds for his treatment and he is prepared to pay more despite all provocations.

All Danbaba travels including hiring of aircraft have been paid for by the state government, no single individual no matter how powerful has contributed money for the upkeep of Danbaba’s family.

He has refused to join issues with people who are lower than him politically in the state because politically in the state he is the highest person and that is why he has reframed

•Astimans from that.

If the acting governor were hungry for power by now he would have cleared the Government House of all the people who have been hanging around and causing problems in that place.

Sir if at all there are people behind the crisis, what do you think has made them to be doing this?

2015 general elections, 2015 is at the corner because they know that Taraba State is deeply controlled by government, that government

is the only industry so they know that if they go into power they can manouvere where the governorship of Taraba will come from if you are not in government you will not be able to that.

So their desperation is to get the acting governor away so that whoever they want to succeed Danbaba will succeed.

After 2015, this fight will die down they will all abandon Danbaba and run away and the acting governor will continue to care for him.

LAGOS 2015: In search of another Fashola S

BY UTHMAN GIWA

INCE the advent of Nigeria’s democratic odyssey in 1999, one can safely argue that no public office holder or state governor has enjoyed so much popularity or admiration as Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State.

Though he didn’t set out to have this kind of movie star cult-following among Nigerians, his relentless pursuit of the ideal, pervasive and profound achievements, despite a drastic shortfall in federal revenue allocation,and catholic devotion to bettering the lives of Lagosians have earmarked him as a primus inter pares.

The fact that he doesn’t make a song and a dance of these achievements further prove that he is an exception in a political clime where governors celebrate paying the salaries of civil servants. Really, it is hard not to love BRF as he is fondly called by Nigerians of all ages and races and religions. A gangling force of nature, Fashola’s gregarious charm, razor-sharp intellect and the innate gravitas he brings to

•Fashola governance make many analysts and social commentators compare him to the charismatic American President, Barrack Obama.

Interestingly, the comparisons are hinged on their trajectory and individual characteristics.

Both are trained lawyers serving their second terms in public office. Both are southpaws, keen sports fans (Obama plays basketball and doesn’t mind getting bloodied on the court while Fashola plays football avidly) and have incredible appeal among

youths.

That is where the similarities end.While Obama rode into office on a tidal wave of genuine love and desire for change, Fashola was the anonymous, self-effacing technocrat railroaded into the maelstrom of Lagos politics by his former principal, the former Governor of Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Interestingly, while Obama’s rating in the eyes of Americans has plummeted in the last one and a half years, Fashola has been enjoying stratospheric adulation wherever he turns whether in Lagos or Lafia and everywhere else.

Oratorical appeal Yet, it is not because Obama has lost his mojo and oratorical appeal; it is just that Fashola’s type is rare in this clime. His dynamic insight and robust foresight have placed him as a leader who never flounder in torrid times. Going forward, that is the kind of leader Lagos State needs, not tentative, illprepared also-rans.

Lagos is Nigeria’s most important state. And one does

not need higher education to understand this. It is the socioeconomic nerve-centre and heartbeat of Nigeria. It is home to Nigeria’s second largest population after Kano, according to contrived census figures but Nigerians know better. Lagos is too important to be left in the hands of charlatans or inordinately ambitious politicians whose only aim is to feather their own nest and that of their cronies at the detriment of millions of Lagosians. It is therefore very interesting to see the horde of aspirants jostling to succeed Governor Fashola. As at the last count, there must be over thirty potential candidates across the major political parties jostling to win their party’s ticket. In the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, there are no less than ten gladiators ranging from the current Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Commissioner for Works, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Akinwunmi Ambode, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, to the former Attorney General of the State, Olasupo Sasore. *Uthman Giwa writes from Lagos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—37

38 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

By IKENNA ASOMBA

B

ARELY three months to the 2015 general elections, political observers in the country are beginning to witness another season of presentation of scorecards by politicians who have served one or more terms at various tiers of government.

In Lagos State, a metropolitan city with a population of about 21 million people, the campaign drums are beginning to roll, especially across the 20 Local Government Areas, LGAs and 37 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs. It was countdown to the October 22, 2011 council polls in Lagos, that the Managing Director of Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency, LASAA , Mr. George Noah, said that the agency will continue to pursue the existing zero tolerance policy on indiscriminate use of posters in the state, emphasizing that the warning should serve as a reminder to all political parties, political aspirants, their campaign teams and numerous supporters in the forthcoming local government election to refrain from the indiscriminate use of posters in Lagos State.

Indiscriminate use of posters

•Scorecard banners dotting the landscape in Lagos (inset) Hon. Fatai Ajidagba, Chairman Ifelodun LCDA (middle) during an official presentation of score card of his three years in office.

LASAA ban: Score-card banners replace posters in Lagos

However, as a result of this policy, Vanguard has gathered that banners of various sizes and colouration which showcase the score-cards of various politicians called Ajifat by his political intending to vie for offices in the admirers. forthcoming Lagos council polls Last Tuesday, during the official have now replaced the usual presentation of score-card of his posters which previously dot the three years in office, landscape. commemorated with the Barring the recent disclosure by presentation of over 16, 000 free Justice Fatai Adeyinka (Rtd), school uniforms, bags and Chairman of the Lagos State exercise books to all the pupils Independent Electoral of the 26 public primary schools in his LCDA, Commission, Commissioner for LASIEC, that due to Local Government some constraints and Chieftaincy bordering on the Affairs, Mr. Ademurin non-updating of the Kuye, impressed by current voters’ his achievements, register, last used in lashed-out at the 2011, elections into opposition parties for the 20 LGAs and 37 criticising the creation LCDAs will not hold of additional 37 this October as LCDAs to the exiting expected, Vanguard In Lagos 20 LGA in the state, in has also gathered that 2003, by Asiwaju Bola council chairmen State, a whose tenures have metropolitan Tinubu.

At the occasion held lapsed have lost at the playground of sleep, as they have city with a the 17+1 block Sari begun wide population Iganmu Primary consultations ahead of their next political of about 21 School, Oke-Oja, Amukoko, rehabilitated aspirations. million

by Ajidagba in his first One of such council 100 days in office, bosses is the people, the Kuye affirmed that the Chairman, Ifelodun campaign Local Council drums are gt r ar nas fso sr mr aot ioo nt Development Area, Hon. Fatai Shuaib beginning to recorded in the Ifelodun LCDA within Ajidagba, fondly roll three years had

proved critics wrong.

Reeling his account of stewardship, the council boss who upheld the unflinching support of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and leaders and faithfuls of the All Progressives Congress, APC, said the council has become a pride among local councils in the state, adding that in the last three years, the administration had made security, infrastructure, health, environment, education, empowerment and commerce, its focus for even development.

Security committee Ajidagba said: “On security, this administration in collaboration with the police, army, vigilante groups and our peace and security committee was able to restore peace in the LCDA. We have helped to make of insecurity a thing of the past.

Now, residents park their vehicles at home without any fear of vandalisation unlike in the past. To further boost security in the LCDA, we have been able to provide two patrol vehicles to the Layeni and Amukoko divisional police stations, a special duty truck for

surveillance, in addition with communication gadgets earlier provided for them.”

Affirming that the administration has witnessed a monumental success since assumption of office in terms of infrastructural development, the council boss stated that “In line with the Lagos State government specification that constructed or rehabilitated roads must have drainages and side-walks, we have been able to achieve this in the construction of the following roads- Odofin road, Michael Ebahor, Rasaki, Animashaun, Oyedeji, Appollo, Akinshie, Abikoye, Aiyepe, Turner Eradiri, Salawu Shoye, Tejumola, Asemota, Owokoniran and Jumoke streets. Ongoing construction on Aduke and Ogungbe streets will soon be completed. In addition to our infrastructural development, we have completed a new multipurpose office at the area office in Layeni, so as to provide a conducive working environment for our work-force.” Ajidagba who noted that education and youth development remains the bedrock of any society that seeks to develop and attain its full potential added that “Since my assumption of office, I have taken up the issue of education

with more vigour and vitality.

In the last three years, we have achieved the construction of 17+1 prototype block of classrooms and the perimeter fencing of Ladipo School Complex, Iganmu road; distribution of over 4000 desk and benches, computer sets to all the public schools in the LCDA, as well as over 130, 000 exercise books to the pupils.

“Also, over the last three years, over 1, 500 forms GCE and JAMB forms have been distributed to indigent students respectively, even as we have constructed a modern E-Library and skills acquisition centre in the LCDA, where our youths acquire skills in hair dressing, barbing, GSM and computer repairs and tailoring.

“In our commitment to alleviating the burden of our parents, we are today, distributing over 16, 000 free school uniforms, school bags and 120, 000 exercise books to all our public primary school pupils. As it is said that to whom much is given, much is expected, we urge all of you our pupils to put all that you are given to good use.

Study well, and with God on your side, you will surely come out to be responsible citizens of this community,” he said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

LAGOS-BADAGRY EXPRESSWAY TAKE-OVER:

Lagos says no to FG

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI

A

CLASH of interest is imminent between the Federal and Lagos State Governments, as Governor, Babatunde Fashola says the state will resist the plans of the federal government to take-over the second phase of the multi-billion dollar reconstruction of the LagosBadagry Expressway project.

Fashola, while responding to a recent statement credited to the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, that the Federal Government would take over the ongoing reconstruction of the LagosBadagry Expressway, affirmed that such moves would be resisted by the state government.

The governor made the statement in Ikeja while speaking at the occasion to mark the 2,700 days of his administration in office.

Onolemenmen during a recent visit to the state said that the FG planned to takeover the 10 lane- project, citing the difficulty by the state government to execute it effectively due to funding issues.

Onolemenmen also said a new design had been approved for the project and there was the need to execute

•Lagos-Badagry Expressway under construction. the project in accordance with the new design.

Reacting, Fashola said he would not want to believe Onolememen made such statement, but if he (minister) did, then it would be an unfortunate idea to contemplate.

“I have not heard it, I have

not read it. If they said so, then they will have us to deal with. I don’t think it will be possible to contemplate that idea,” adding “that the construction of the road was being undertaken by the state government for public interest.”

He said he did not have

details of the plan but wondered what objective the Federal Government was going to achieve taking over a project it neither designed nor funded.

Fashola therefore urged FG not to pursue with the plan as it had no development value to the state and its people.

— 39

“I don’t know, I have not read about it. But I think it will be wise to hear what they have to say on the matter and I think it will be very unfortunate journey to even contemplate that idea. They will have us to deal with, should that be the case, but I don’t think that anybody who is sensible will want to stand in the way of development, what will the objective be?

“You are not providing the money and the design, we are doing this so that our state can move forward. I don’t want to believe the Minister made that statement. I think we will leave it there.”

Fashola said the Federal Government would be helping the state by refunding to it the over N51 billion it had spent on repairing federal roads in the state rather than embarking on a project that would not enhance development.

It will be recalled that Lagos state government had budgeted N220 billion which was subject to review due economic reality.

The second phase of the redevelopment of the LagosBadagry Expressway Lot 2A has been awarded to the China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation, one of the five companies that bided for the contract.

The second phase of the project runs from the Mazamaza area to Okokomaiko. CCECC also has the responsibility for the rail content of the Lot 1 along with the new contract.

Using community service to de-congest the prisons

By MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

L

AGOS State Government through the 12 magistrate districts has started sentencing more offenders to different terms of community services instead of jail sentences. This was against the practice in the state before 2012 when offenders were sentenced to jail for crimes committed.

This was evident as no fewer than 2, 734 offenders have been sentenced to various terms of community service across the 12 magistrate districts in the state, in the last 10 months.

The number recorded in 10 months was 500 offenders higher than what the state recorded in 2013. In the previous year, 2, 234 offenders were sentenced to different terms of community service in the state.

This number represents those who would have been incarcerated in prisons in the state with consequential disruption in their economic, social and family lives.

Vanguard gathered that the offenders were convicted of offences such as violation of 2012 road traffic laws, street trading, prostitution, loitering and others.

The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye had earlier noted that the community service is a non-custodial punishment enshrined in the state’s criminal law, even as it was aimed at ensuring speedy dispensation of justices.

In the first 100 days this year, marking the 2, 500 days of the State Governor Babatunde Fashola, 1, 015 offenders were sentenced to various terms of community services.

In another 100 days (April-July), of the present administration which marked the 2, 600 days, 789 offenders were handed such sentences to decongest prisons in the state.

Also, between July and September, 2014, 930 offenders were sentenced to community service for several offences committed.

This was contained in the document published by the state government and obtained by Vanguard at the event marking the 2, 700 days in office of the present administration held at the Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

The state government clarified that through the community service, which requires offenders to do some

community work, it has succeeded in decongesting the prison system without compromising justice administration.

Also, to aid effective decongestion of prisons in the last 100 days, the state government, through the Citizens Mediation Centre, CMC, had

resolved 8, 246 cases involving residents of the state. Office of the Public Defender, OPD treated 1,286 cases that could have led to jail sentences, even as the Directorate of Citizens Rights attended to 2, 602 cases.

• Inmates carrying out community services

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Amosun’s impressive score card in Ogun Dear sir GUN State was in 2013 awarded the “ the fastest-growing economy and first choice for industrialists and entrepreneurs among the 36 states in Nigeria by Business Day Newspapers. According to the financial newspaper, Ogun State, under the leadership of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, won the prestigious award “because it has the highest number of businesses established in its domain and the government has made the environment more attractive to investors.

Ogun also has the highest positive number of Gross Domestic Product,GDP in the last one year. The number of bank branches has increased more than that of other states in the last three years and its financial inclusion, particularly the embrace of cashless economy and use of Automated Teller Machine by residents had increased tremendously.”

If anyone thought that the breakthrough was a fluke and was only a national recognition, then wait for this. The report of the World Bank, Doing Business in Nigeria 2014, rates Ogun, out of 35 states and FCT, as one of the 5 states “that made the biggest strides towards the national frontier of good practices.” The biennial report, released

O

We don’t want bloodshed in Ekiti State Dear sir WOULD like to use your widely read newspaper to appeal to the politicians who stay in a safe distance and want to cause the breakdown of law and order in Ekiti State, to have a re-think.

The incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi had accepted defeat which received acclaim from many Nigerians because it is rare for a Nigerian to accept electoral defeat even if he is not popular in his household.

Many of the politicians who pushed him to the court of law do not live in Ekiti and our people should let them know that we have no short memory about the havoc that was unleashed on the old Ondo State during the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Omoboriowo’s era.

It is the same affliction that made Chief Iyiola Omisore to go to court to challenge a defeat that was glaring to all Nigerians.

Are the politicians fanning the embers of hatred and division in Ekiti State adolescents and people who were too young to appreciate the magnitude of harm that we did to ourselves in the 1983 general elections in old Ondo State, when important personalities who could have used their positions to turn the economy of old Ondo State around were murdered?

These disgruntled politicians are advised to beware and ensure that we don’t go the way of destruction of lives and property.

We Yoruba are still being held responsible for the collapse of the First Republic which eventually led to a civil war in Nigeria. We should not forget the wild, wild West of retired General Yakubu Gowon.

Let us engage in a sober reflection to avoid the coming back of another military rule.

James O. Adeyemi, Abule-Egba, Lagos State.

I

last Monday, puts Ogun in the exclusive club of the top reforming states in Nigeria.

This, to many observers, is an extraordinary performance by the current government of Ogun State. The giant strides made by the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun in the last three years are better appreciated when compared to the situation of the state before he mounted the saddle of leadership in May, 2011.

The same World Bank, in 2008 and 2010 reports, ranked Ogun State as one of the lowest overall performers among the 36 states in Nigeria in terms of ease of doing business. In other words, Ogun State was by then not conducive to business. If a student that had ‘Credit’ as a grade in 2010 now has ‘Distinction’, we say he or she has improved. But when a student that secured ‘Failure’ as a grade in 2010 now has ‘Distinction’, it is no longer a mere improvement but complete transformation.

The report observes further that in Ogun State, “the construction permitting system was radically overhauled, with the state government authorities decentralising the approval system and a new committee monitoring delays. Building permit applications and payments can now be made simultaneously in district offices.

Private professionals issue environmental-impact assessments in accordance with the conditions and templates set out in a framework agreement. The certificate of completion is issued on the spot, immediately following the final inspection.”

Amosun has moved Ogun State from F9 under the last administration to A1 in just three years of being the governor. One can imagine how successful Ogun would become by the time Amosun, through the grace of God, concludes eight yeas in office!

Soyombo Opeyemi Abeokuta

Kudos to NYSC Dear Editor, I AM one of those that paid N4000 for Online Registration for NYSC. I want to ` say that this is the best thing that has happened in the history of the NYSC. The ease with which I completed the registration process is most fascinating. All I am waiting for now is the notification and commencement of printing call-up letter online. There is no better way to describe my feelings.

I want to use this medium to appeal to my fellow corps members to use the online option. It is fast and most convenient. And it would in the long run eliminate the delays associated with going to school to pick up call-up letters.

I also want to commend the management of the NYSC for introducing this initiative.

I wish that we could experience such innovations in our universities when we want to collect our statements of results and certificates. The world is going digital and it’s either we embrace digitization or we would be left behind. I also want to commend the Director General of the NYSC Brig. Gen. Johnson Olawumi for the many other innovations in the NYSC. Amos Bamidele, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Osun State election

T

he Osun election was not won on a platter of gold. It tested the popularity rating of the incumbent but has also helped in solidifying Nigeria’s democracy. Now, every politician is more conscious of the fact that winning an election is more about the choice of the people and not how well a party can rig election.

Segun writes via email Nigerian Army and Boko Haram’s activities It is a shame that the Nigerian Government is unable to contain the Boko Haram menace, given the fact that our soldiers perform well in peacekeeping missions outside the country. Why are they suddenly incapable when it comes to achieving such success in their own father land.

This question needs an urgent answer.

Onoriode 08097021649 Budgetary allocation to the Nigerian Army Since the cries of the Nigerian soldiers have been about inadequate and outdated arms and ammunition and improper funding, why has it been so difficult for those in charge to equip and fund them, despite the huge sums that we expend on security yearly on Defence budget? We are yet to be honest with ourselves on this issue of effectively tackling Boko Haram and putting an end to this insurgency.

Romanus 08024209181 Kudos to Gov. Amosun on urban renewal Nigeria’s urban centres currently are experiencing a disconnection between urban infrastructure and the populace.

The majority of urban infrastructure were developed during the military regimes as far back as the early 70s.

Despite the succession of democratic governance in the 21st century, there had been an inadequate maintenance of infrastructure in most urban centres across Nigeria.

It is gratifying to note that the Ogun state government has put everything in place to make the state a mega city with the provision of social amenities like good road networks, transportation systems and provision of educational materials and the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding( MOU) on light rail project in the state. No wonder, when Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and Chief Godswill Akpabio visited the state, they commended the state governor.

F.H.E.Olomore 08057700199

Balarabe Musa’s comment on Jonathan Preachers of doom like Alhaji Balarabe Musa do not deserve the attention of the government.

Rather than say Jonathan could cause a coup, it is he who should respect his age and stop wishing doom for the country. People like him are the armchair critics who have made finding a lasting solution to the Boko Haram menace very difficult.

Hassan writes in from Kwara state Debate on tenure elongation IT is an incontestable truth that Mr. President has the constitutional right to re-contest for the office which he occupies currently in 2015 if he desires.

But what the average Nigerians don’t want at this time when he has not really completed half of his tenure, is the on- going political horsetrading by some PDP leaders when the nation is facing serious economic and security challenges. Mr. President should realise that Nigerians voted massively for him because it was widely believed in Nigeria that he will restore the nation back to her glorious days.

I strongly believe that if President Jonathan delivers up to 70 percent of his campaign promises, Nigerians will demand for his return to office come 2015 not minding what few political hawks think or feel. President Jonathan should concentrate on his job and allow Nigerians to decide his fate when 2015 comes.

B. Ezenwadigwu 08182266401 Expectations from the new NNPC’s boss Before the emergence of the new General Managing Director, (GMD) there were critical issues that the former Group Managing Director ignored. These are (1) “ethnic cleansing”carried out by OBJ and Kukpoloku between 2003 and 2006 where 90 percent of those affected (retired) were Niger Deltans.

Attempts by the current Senate to resolve the issue were ignored by the former GMD. The many contract workers that are used for cheap labour should be absorbed if they are qualified and harmonisation of retirees salaries should be effected.

If the above issues are properly handled, a successful tenure would be guaranteed.

Dedemo : 2348074490347

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS The game of life is the game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deed and words return back to us sooner or later. Be kind to get kindness back in return.

Simon Adewale08056180103, Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable.

Address your sayings to: The Co-ordinator, Sayings of Our Elders,Vanguard Media Ltd., PMB 1007, Apapa,

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—41

Cross River’s 22 excellencies

BY EMMANUEL UNA IN Cross River State, apart from Governor Liyel Imoke, there are 22 other excellencies in waiting who are daily crisscrossing the length and breadth of the expansive state in long entourages to sell their blueprints to the people of the state.

Each of these excellencies, 21 men and a lady, is upbeat, confident and self assured of being the next occupant of the Government House, Calabar.

Significantly, the bulk of the aspirants are political acolytes of Senator Imoke or “family members” of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and are all from the Northern Senatorial District of the state where the position of governor of the state in 2015 has been zoned to.

The aspirants F the 22, seven were members of the State Executive Council until September 29 when the governor asked them to resign and face their governorship aspiration.

In this league are Mr Mike Anyia (Secretary to the State Government, SSG,) Mr Legor Idagbo (Commissioner for Works), Mr Peter Ojie (Commissioner for Local Government), Mr Patrick Ugbe, (Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development), Mr Gerald Ada (Special Adviser on Trade and Investment) and Mr. Peter Oti (Special Adviser on Budget).

Other aspiring family members who have worked closely with the governor though were not members of his cabinet when he asked those contesting to resign include Barrister Fidelis Ugbo, (former SSG and now secretary of the National Planning Commission), Mr Julius Okputu (former Commissioner for Environment), Mr Fidel Egoro (deputy state chairman of the PDP) and Professor Ben Ayade (the serving Cross River North senator).

Imoke's unusual exit plan

•Ugbo

O

Level playing field Significantly, these people are beneficiaries of an open political system enthroned by Governor Imoke in the last seven years with the objective of according everyone a level playing field on the political turf of the state.

It is also through this open platform that people like Tanko Ashang (former NEMA legal adviser), Mr Joe Agi (SAN), Mrs Alice Achi (former banker), Engineer Emmanuel Ubi, Barrister Israel King Murphy, Rev Father Eworo and several others who in other climes may have been considered outsiders are effectively in the governorship race without anyone giving them a cold shoulder or seeing them as underdogs.

The level playing field in the state is such that each aspirant

•Ugbe

•Idagbo including those for the Senate, House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly are touring their constituencies to present their blue prints and manifestos in order to garner support from caucus members and all stakeholders.

The governor himself has toed the path of neutrality in the processes of electing his successor

•Imoke: Created level playing field These tours and debates have proven to be very educative, enlightening and entertaining, which both the aspirants and caucus members look forward to as marks are awarded to each contender by the various members of the caucus to ensure that at the end of the day the best will be given the chance to take charge of the state’s affair at both the executive and legislative levels.

“What we in the Zonal Caucus are doing is to ensure that we get the best. That is why we are giving everyone who wants to be the governor of the state after Senator Imoke an opportunity to sell himself to the people. The person should be someone who can sustain the high standard the state has already attained that is why we are engaging the aspirants in healthy interactions and at the end of the day we shall submit the names of the people we consider top to the party to decide what to do next,” Chief Linus Okom, the Chairman of the Northern Caucus told Vanguard.

He said though the caucus is not vested with the powers to screen or adopt any one as the party’s candidate, the governor has given firm instructions that nobody should be unduly favoured in the contest as the people will have to decide who will be his successor and the

THE ASPIRANTS THE ASPIRANTS Mr Mike Anyia SSG Mr Legor Idagbo Mr Peter Ojie Mr Patrick Ugbe Mr Gerald Ada Mr. Peter Oti Barrister Fidelis Ugbo Mr Julius Okputu Mr Fidel Egoro Tanko Ashang Mr Joe Agi (SAN), Mrs Alice Achi Engineer Emmanuel Ubi Barrister Israel King Murphy, Rev Father Eworo presentation of blueprint is the most appropriate way to achieve that.

“We are all living witnesses to how Imoke and Duke before him, worked hard to achieve their mandate and it is incumbent on us to ensure a bottom up approach which will give the people a significant say in who becomes their governor in 2015,” he added.

A member of the Central Senatorial District Caucus, Barrister Daniel Ugbama said the presentation of blue print by the aspirants at all the elective positions underlines the principle of fair play which the state has adopted in choosing those to be standard bearers of the PDP at all levels in the state.

“We have heard people come here to tell us that they are bureaucrats, some say they are technocrats but what the state

needs at this point is essentially a leader who will be able to rally all the academics, bureaucrats, intelligentsia and technocrats together to move the state to the next level.”

He said the plethora of aspirants jostling for elective positions boosts the confidence of many people that they will not be short changed or unfairly treated. “Nobody will want to participate in a system where he is not sure he will be given a fair opportunity but since the process has beeen made open

by Imoke, many people will try their hands on being elected and if they do not succeed, they will not complain since they know nobody cheated them”.

Imoke’s path of neutrality Basically the governor himself has toed the path of neutrality in the processes of electing his successor. He has continuously insisted that subverting the process to favour someone would be immoral and tantamount to trivialising the position of governor.

Reiterating this position on October 1 while addressing stakeholders and elders of the state in his house during the state merit award ceremony, Imoke said those waiting for him to anoint them as his successor will have to continue to wait until a new governor is swornin without their ambition coming to fruition.

42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Senate: The battle in Cross River Enoh is pushing his luck too far – Ndoma-Egba

Why I want Ndoma-Egba's seat —Rep Enoh

•Enoh: Spending third term in House that the DPO of Ikom had come to warn me not to go to Akparabo because the security R John Owan Enoh is a mem indications were negative. It turned out that ber of the House of Representatives the first strategy was to scare me security representing Ikom Federal Constituency in wise. I told the DPO that I was going to the the House of Representatives and also the town.

And so, I went to bed but the first thing I chairman House Committee on was told in the morning was that the road Appropriation. He in this interview explains leading to the town had been blocked. If the reasons for his quest for the Cross River road leading to the town gets blocked by Central Senate seat. Excerpts: aides of the senator, who had boasted that I cannot enter the place, What happened it meant too much to the Enoh recently during a Senator's aides that I yam festival where was going there. it was reported that •I was stopped by Eventually I got in your group and anyway because we Ndoma-Egba's men that of the Senate used the military and from entering his Leader, Ndomawhen I got in, it became village Egba were inapparent to me why •Ndoma-Egba's three volved in a fracas? they did not want me to TheseatthatIwant terms in the Senate get in because the jubiis occupied by the was on the goodwill of lation in the communiSenate Leader, ty was like a triumphant Liyel Imoke SenatorVictorNdoentry.

•Ndoma-Egba has ma-Egba. I am not We have a good relabecome very unpopular just a rookie in politionship. For the past tics. In 1999, I got several years, Ndomaelected into the Egba has been the Cross River State chairman of the Cross House of Assembly and in 2003, I was elected River State National Assembly caucus and I into the House of Representatives and so, I the secretary. In 2011, I resisted to the end, am actually serving my third term. I believe the pressure to run for Senate. My governor that more than 90 per cent of the people in my comes from our senatorial district. In 2011, district want me in the Senate. when my governor lifted his hand in his (govI live in Ikom and Ikom is the headquar- ernor's) village, to run for a third term, my ters of the Senatorial district. The current governor was booed. occupant of the Senate seat comes from Ikom Why? local government area. Normally, we Because people did not want him (Ndocelebrate yam festivals every September and ma-Egba). So, for the three times he has gone because of the positive work I do in my con- to the Senate, it is the governor who has stituency, there is a positive perception across. actually insisted that people should support This particular yam festival, I got a lot of him. invitation from many people especially from Is the governor disposed to your aspirathree different wards, who were celebrating tion? the new yam festival and it included the Well the governor is not running and I am Senate Leader's ward. sure it is unusual. In a system where every Ordinarily, if I did not go to the ward, it second term governor wants to return to the would look like a letdown. It was supposed Senate, Liyel Imoke decided not to, perhaps, to be on a Saturday and I arrived Ikom on it is also the measure of the character of the Friday. person.

One of my aides had come to inform me BYDAPOAKINREFON

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•Ndoma-Egba: Spending third term in Senate

S

enate Leader Victor NdomaEgba (SAN) in this interview rebuffs claims by Rep. Enoh and makes a strong case for institutional memory in the Senate.Excerpts:

are seeking your attention and so, you give them that attention and on each occasion, I negotiated with them and they let me through! It’s normal in politics. In politics, there are different strategies, different methods.

What actually happened during the It’s alleged that you are not popular in New Yam festival in your village because your senatorial district and that you were it’s alleged that you instigated youths to booed when Governor Imoke raised bar him from participating in the cereyour hand in his village in 2011. mony?

There was no such incident. He never raised my hand in Itigidi.

Well, I was not there.

It never happened. So, it’s Ndoma-Egba This is one New Yam a figment of Enoh’s politfestival I missed in ical imagination; there many, many years. I •I made way for Enoh was no such incident. And wasn’t there during the then, when you talk of not to enter my village New Yam festival bebeing popular, let me just •I have paid my dues cause I had arrived by way of introduction tell •Enoh comes from a from the United States a little about myself. I to Abuja on a Friday decent family but he is you became a graduate before evening in the first an exception I was 21 years, I became week of September, so, •I will not be pushed a lawyer before I was 22 it was practically imyears, I served on a fedto advertise my works possible for me to go eral board during the adof charity home but I remember ministration of former getting a call on that President Shehu Shagari morning from the clan at the age of 24 years, I head to the effect that there was an issue built my first house in my home town at the that some youths blocked the road because age of 24 years. I became Commissioner in the honourable member representing the Old Cross River State which is, today, Etung/Obubra Federal Constituency divided into present Cross River and Akwa wanted to go for New Yam in my village Ibom States at the age of 27 years. I was and I told them: ‘why should that be an Commissioner for Works and Transport and issue’? It shouldn’t be an issue because, that ministry is today, divided into eight minone, it is his right, he has freedom of moveistries. I ran for governor of my state in 1992; ment; it’s his right to go anywhere he wishI practised law for an unbroken 26 years es. I asked that the youths be persuaded across Nigeria. If you check the Law Rethat the peace was not breached; that evports, you’ll see my cases there; they use ery Nigerian has a right of movement and my cases to teach students in the Law it was his constitutional right.

School. I’m a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, But having said so, in this our business, I’m a member of the Body of Benchers. I being stopped on the way is normal. I was a three-term Chairman of the Nigeria remember that I was going to a community Bar Association, Calabar Branch. That’s unin Southern Etung and to stop me, the precedented. I was a three-term President youths removed the bridge! Yes! To stop of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce. I me from reaching there, they ripped off say this because today, they want to re-write the bridge; just to stop me from going. In history as if some people made me. I was another community, there was a bonfire made long before they all ventured into polacross the road. I’ve been stopped three itics; long before them. I was a successful times: one in Abi Local Government and Continues on page 43 twice in Etung. It’s part of the game. They

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—43

My agenda for Abi/Yakurr people of C’River —Alex Egbona DR. Alex Egbona was once a councillor in Abi Local Government of Cross River State and grew from there to become Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Liyel Imoke and resigned lately as Chief of Staff to contest election for the Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives. He spoke on his core area of interests as well as his relationship with the governor, Liyel Imoke. Excerpts:

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By Dapo Akinrefon

HE current occupant of the Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency seat is planning to return to the House of Representatives for the third term and you are also planning to contest against him.

Let me start by thanking you for the privilege of this meeting. My brother Bassey Ewah has been there for about eight years now. He has the right to seek a third term. I also have the right to that seat. He has done his best and I think it is time for a change of guard. Let me also say that my relationship with him is very cordial. I can tell you that I was the person who moved the motion that made him to go to the House of Reps.

There was this clamour of who will replace the incumbent as at that time, Hon.Obeten Okorn.

There was a tussle on who will

come in and we in Abi decided that it has to be the person who indicated interest in Yakurr. We endorsed Bassey and that has been the story till now. Bassey has been winning with Abi votes, all the Abi men and women have been voting for Bassey in all the elections.

I will tap from his knowledge and experience. Incidentally, he has experience in the legislature too; he has been in the House of Assembly as the speaker then, before he moved to the House of Reps. He has done his own bidding and I’m actually going to improve on what he has done. If there is anything he has not done, I will look at them and try to do it and even do better.

What do you intend to achieve, different from what has been happening there?

I want to leave a legacy of

proper service. I want to leave a legacy that people can feel and enjoy within the next 48 months, to put a cottage hospital. I want to decongest the General Hospital at Ugep and with the new polytechnic that is actually called school of management technology, students of that school will have the benefit of a nearby health facility that is of standard because my idea is that we will put a resident doctor there to offer 24 hours service. In 48 months, I think I can achieve that and that is my first target for my people.

There is a saying that a healthy man is a wealthy man and because in Nigeria people don’t pay attention to health, that is why you see people going to India. What you just need to do is to provide some facilities here, bring some medical experts even from the same India. With a conducive environment, an Indian doctor can work in Ugep, can work in Mkpani, can work in Ekori, can work even in Ekureku, can work in Itigidi or any part of the local government. An Mkpani person doesn’t need go to Ugep because for now that is the only hospital, very far from Nko, very far from Ekori. I have already started my

•Egbonna consultations and the response is very interesting. I have met a lot of very prominent Yakurr and Abi people, men and women and I am still consulting. I am already moving ahead and as I told you I am not working alone. My people are with me and together we will get there.

One would have thought that as chief of staff to the governor, you would not have the need to seek other political offices Life, for me, is all about service.

Cross River 2015: Ayade's blueprint BYPAULETIM

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PART from the favourable ratings Senator Ben Ayade, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant for the 2015 Cross River State governorship election is enjoying across the various geopolitical zones of the state, he has continued to excite not only his party, but several groups and associations in the state.

Ever since his aspiration became public a couple of weeks ago, the political climate in the state has become increasingly charged and more boisterous with hundreds of socio-political groups throwing their weight behind his aspiration.

It is intriguing how the senator representing the Northern Senatorial Zone comprising Bekwarra, Obanliku Obudu, Ogoja and Yala continues to charm the party as well as the becoming the toast of many in the state.

Citing such virtues and qualities as credibility, trustworthiness, vision, progressivism, resourcefulness, transparency and humanity, which many say are emblematic of Ayade, these attributes have continued to smooth his path and galvanize throng of supporters in his trail ahead of the November 29 governorship primaries and beyond.

It is therefore, neither misplaced

•Ayade nor accidental when last week, a coalition of over 40 socio-political groups and nongovernmental organisations from the seven local government areas of the Southern Senatorial Zone, under the aegis of Southern Peoples Coalition (SPC) affirmed their total support for his aspiration.

According to the group, “Having taken a closer look and having done a proper check on all the governorship aspirants, Senator Ben Ayade remains the best material to step into the big shoes of Governor Liyel Imoke in 2015.”

In its estimation, Ayade is the most credible, trustworthy, visionary, progressive, resourceful, transparent and most peopleoriented personality.

Vouching their total commitment to the ‘Ayade for 2015 Project’, another coalition of youth and women groups, drawn from the Southern and Central Senatorial Zones said Senator Ayade stands out from the pack of aspirants jostling to be governor, given his intellect, ideas, experience as an entrepreneur and his vast local and international contacts.

The coalition, claims to have begun consultations to ensure Ayade’s emergence as candidate of the PDP. According to them, only the senator possesses the resume, the clout that fits the state’s profile.

From Senator Ayade’s Northern Senatorial Zone, a source close to the zone’s caucus disclosed that having come to terms with what he (Ayade) is capable of offering the state, there have been a momentum to ensure his (Ayade) emergence as the party ’s candidate at the November primaries.

While this claim could not be independently verified, a new wave of momentum which has witnessed the emergence of so many groups rooting for Ayade offered credence to the claim.

I have served as a councillor before.

I have served as special assistant to the former governor, Donald Duke. I have been deputy chief of staff and then I moved up to become chief of staff. These were various platforms for service.

And now, duty calls again. The only constant thing in life, as we are told, is change. We must keep moving. The more you move, the more opportunities you have to touch lives and this is my pre-occupation.

Enoh is pushing his luck too far ...

Continued from page 42 legal practitioner; known across Nigeria.

Do you see this as a smear campaign?

First, let me say that I regret the tone of Hon. Enoh’s interview. The family is a decent, polished, educated family and cultured as well. But, then, you should know that in every situation, there are exceptions, deviants. I think he’s just carried away by his luck. He’s a young man who’s been lucky and he’s pushing his luck too far and he shouldn’t take God’s mercies for granted.

You stand accused of doing things for your people because you saw Enoh doing projects...

(Cuts in) I’ll get to that in a bit. As I was saying, I have 39 bills to my credit. I also publish a constituency magazine called The Report which has been published since 2003 and there, I publish my bills, projects, scholarship beneficiaries, with their names. The only thing that is not in this magazine is charity! I don’t dramatise charity because the moment you do that, it’s no longer charity. So, if he wants me to dramatise charity...and they accuse me of being stingy, that I’m selfish, well, my driver lives in his own house in Abuja.

Every staff I have owns a plot of land in this same Abuja, paid for by me. A lot of my staff live in their personal houses. I send people to India for treatment. Let him show me just one person whose life he has touched. Must I go and dramatise that? There’s an allegation that you began to have problems with the governor when you introduced Goddy Jedy-Agba to President Jonathan as a governorship aspirant in your state.

No such thing happened and I have said it before the president and the national chairman of our party. The president has even confirmed that nothing like that happened. That is one. Two, let us even assume that I did. Is the governorship of Cross River State an appointment?

44 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—45

KMF lecture holds

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OLAGBODI M e m o r i a l Foundation, KMF, will hold its 18th Annual Kolagbodi Lecture on The Fight for Women’s Rights and Prospect for Effective Participation of Women in the Trade Unions, today in Lagos.

A statement by KMF General Secretary, Mr. Abiodun Aremu, said the lecture would be delivered by Drew Povey, a socialist and consultant on public sector governance.

Veteran journalist and Assistant Editor (Labour), Vanguard Newspapers, Mrs. Funmi Komolafe, will moderate at the event, with Mrs Lucy Offiong, Chairperson, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Women Commission; Mrs. Oyinkan Olasanoye, Chairperson, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, and Mrs, Ngozi Iwere of Community Life Project, CLP, will be discussants.

Electronic firm organises forum on Green Building

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G Electronics and its strategic partner for commercial airconditioners sales and installations in Nigeria, Tecnicool Nigeria Limited, will host architects, building services consultants and contractors in an interactive forum tomorrow in Abuja.

A statement by Mr. Jonny Geong, General Manager, Air Conditioning and Energy System, LG Electronics, West Africa Operations, said the event would enable LG to present multi VVRF system air conditioners as contribution to the drive for Green Buildings in the country.

Tecnicool General Manager, VRF System Installation, Mr. Kamaldin, who had championed several VRF installations in the Middle East and African countries, said expertise, depth of knowledge and experiences were required for proper handling of VRF air c o n d i t i o n i n g installations.

MEETING: From left— Mr. Olisa Imegwu, Chief Frank Omare, Mr. Daniel Mayuku, Chief Ayirimi Emami, Mr. Jaro Egbo, and other guests at a meeting of Delta United for Obuh, DUF at Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State.

DELTA GOVERNORSHIP: Gbagi, Obuh clash over PDP membership

By Emma Amaize

A

S A B A — T W O governorship aspirants in Delta State, on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi and Sir Tony Obuh, yesterday, sang discordant tunes over the latter ’s membership of the party.

Gbagi claimed that Obuh, who retired from the state civil service in August as

permanent secretary, was not a card-carrying member of the party and could not rule the state.

In a swift reaction, Obuh dismissed the allegation, saying “I am a card-carrying member of PDP and it has been that way since 2011.”

Gbagi, a former Minister of Education, State, told Vanguard: “Quote me, Tony Obuh is not a member of PDP. He is not a politician and Deltans should not lose sleep

Labour protests new policy at Onne terminal

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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ARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, yesterday, threatened to shut the nation’s ports over plot to designate the INTELS Terminal, Onne, Free Zone Ports, Port Harcourt Rivers State, a National Terminal for the clearance of heavy lift cargoes and deep draught vessels, saying it would lead to massive loss of jobs.

At the end of its Central Working Committee, CWC, meeting to review the recent publication by the Seaport Terminal Operators Association, STOA, on the development, the union warned that if implemented, the policy would, among other consequences, cause thousands of dockworkers their jobs.

A statement by the Secretary General, Mr. Aham Ubani, read: “While we are not going to talk about the implications of this insinuations or developments to other terminal operators, because they are in a better position to talk about how it will

affects them, we are much concerned about the job implications and job security of our members.

“As was pointed out by STOA, there is no doubt that if this policy is approved, it will have grave implications for job creations and job security of our members in the maritime industry.

“We have a lot of our members working with stevedoring companies in the midstream or offshore operations with vessels. We do not want to imagine or contemplate what will happen to the pool of dockworkers in these locations, who are our members, if this policy is implemented.

“We do not want to believe that this is part of a design to weaken the union because if it is, government should better prepare for the consequences because we will resist it with last drop of blood.

“The reasons for the appointment of stevedoring companies to midstream and offshore terminals, as STOA indicated, was to create jobs and address youth restiveness as parts of programme to sustain the amnesty offered insurgents during Niger Delta militancy era.”

over him. I am the oldest member of the party in the race for governorship at the moment.

“I have not heard of his name before. If he is a cardcarrying member of PDP, then it is within the last three months that he retired from the civil service.”

However, Obuh said: “It has been said in some quarters that I am not a politician and that I will need exemption to be able to run for office. That is not correct.

“I am qualified to run for office without applying for any form of permit or clearance from anybody just like other contestants aspirants.

“I have the qualities and the qualifications to run for the office of governor in Delta State. There is no controversy about that.”

Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, who spoke when Obuh paid a consulta-tion visit to PDP executive last month in Asaba, said: “Obuh has been a cardcarrying member since 2011.

“He has been non-partisan until he retired from Delta State Civil Service in August.”

I'm best for the job — OLEJEME

By Hugo Odiogor

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frontline governorship aspirant in Delta State, on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, has expressed confidence that she will emerge winner of next year ‘s governorship election as, according to her, she has the support of a large spectrum of the electorate.

Speaking after the commissioning of the state PDP secretariat at Asaba by the national Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, Dr. Olejeme said her supporters transcended the three senatorial districts of the state.

She said her political structure and goodwill, garnered over the years in the service of the people, would guarantee her victory, adding that her pedigree and experience as an administrator and technocrat had prepared her for greater service, noting that she was the best aspirant.

... as Uduehi lauds PDP on preparation

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ELTA State governorship aspirant, on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mrs. Esther Uduehi, has lauded the party leadership for promising to give everyone a level playing field in the upcoming primaries.

The former Presidential Adviser and retired Permanent Secretary also called on Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term, arguing that the President had transformed the country and deserved a second

tenure to consolidate on his Transformation Agenda.

Uduehi, who is Chairman, Governing Board of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, spoke to journalists when she bought PDP’s Expression of Interest, EoI, form.

According to the experienced administrator, “my zeal makes me a dominant force in the race. All political watchers know it is the time the real contenders are separated from the pretenders.

46 —

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

2015: PPA moves to identify genuine members

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FALLING OIL PRICES: NECA demands

FG's contigency plans

By Vincent Ujumadu

W K A — T H E Progressives Peoples Alliance, PPA, in Anambra State, vowed yesterday that it would not allow its members to be used and dumped as was done to it in the previous elections.

Addressing members of the caretaker committees for the 21 local government areas of the state at the party ’s secretariat in Awka, the state leader of the party and its candidate in the last governorship election, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, said PPA had decided to start on a clean slate to identify genuine members of the party.

According to him, each local government will have five persons, who would in turn, co-opt other members from the 326 wards in the state to register new members and urged those who wanted to belong to register with the party.

Omuge Iwere gets new exco

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ARRI—THE Omuge Iwere, an all-Itsekiri social club has elected its national officers to run the affairs of the club for the next four years.

In a keenly contested election in Warri, the following officers were elected: Mr. Samuel Oke (National President); Mr. Goodluck Ikpotor (National Vice President); Mrs. Florence Madamedon (National Chairlady); Mr. Amorighoye Miller (National Secretary) as well as Mr Shola Geoerge (National P R O).

F

OR me, Keshi has done his best for us.

The only mistake he made is not quitting when the ovation was loud. He can still bounce back coaching another country. Corruption is the simple reason Keshi was sacked to pave way for their foreign coach so there would be foreign currencies to loot.

Miss Blessing Ubah — Student

By Victor Ahiuma-Young &

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Kelechi Azubuike

AGOS—NIGERIA Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, has called on the Federal Government to explain in details the contingency plans put in place to avoid any economic shock that may arise from falling crude oil prices in the international market.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, had last week said there was no cause for alarm over the falling oil prices in the international market, saying contingency plans were already being put in place to avert shocks to the economy But the Director General, DG, of NECA, Mr. Segun Oshinowo, insisted that government must let Nigerians know its level of preparedness to ensure the country did not go back to another era of austerity.

At an interactive forum with journalists in Lagos, Oshinowo said the call became necessary, given that Nigeria's economy was extremely susceptible to changes in price of oil in the international market.

He said: “Let government explain in details the contingency plan it has put in place to cushion the effect of any shock arising from the decline in price of crude oil at the international market.

We want to know the preparedness of government in ensuring that we will not go back to another era of

austerity.”

NECA DG also urged government to immediately commence the process of privatising the four public refineries and resume national debate on the

removal of fuel subsidy in the face of shrinking oil prices.

According to him, the same courage and d e t e r m i n a t i o n demonstrated in privatising

the electricity sector should be extended to the refineries to save national resources being expended on Turn Around Maintenance, TAM, from which the nation is actually not getting appropriate benefits.

Former Anambra Dep Gov joins race for senate

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—FORMER deputy governor of Anambra State under Senator Chris Ngige’s administration, Dr. Okey Udeh, has joined the race for the senate to represent Anambra South senatorial zone on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. If he gets APGA ticket, Udeh will slug it out with the candidate of the Peoples

Democratic Party, PDP, which political observers say, is most likely to go to the incumbent senator for the area, Dr. Andy Uba. Udeh, who was a two – term member of the House of Representatives, said at his home town, Ndiowu, in Orumba North local government of Anambra State, where he was endorsed by elected councillors from the zone, that he decided to vie for the senate seat because the

zone had not got its fair share of dividends of democracy due to what he described as ineffective representation in the senate.

Addressing the well attended declaration ceremony witnessed by seven APGA local government chairmen and other officials and elected councillors from the area, Udeh said Anambra South needed a strong voice in the senate and promised to attract dividends of democracy, if elected.

Onokpasa tasks Deltans on credible LG polls

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ARRI—LAWYER and public affairs commentator, Jesutega Onokpasa, has called on Deltans to accord the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC, the requisite support to deliver credible polls in the impending local government elections slated for this weekend.

Speaking in Warri, Delta State, Onokpasa, who is the convener of the Delta Equity Coalition, DEC, commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, for respecting the legally established independence of the

commission by refraining from eroding its independent status.

While observing that the Commission has, since its inauguration strived to deliver on its mandate of free, fair and credible polls, he said: “From our investigations, the commission under its chairman, Moses Ogbe, is determined to conduct polls in which the electorate votes, its votes are counted and those votes indeed count at the end of the day.

It is commendable that in spite of protests from freeloaders and regular

election riggers, DSIEC stood its ground and went ahead to shop for credible ad-hoc staff, returning officers and election observers this time around, ensuring that it is not an all comers affair as in the past.

“By insisting that Delta State has qualified, experienced and credible persons able to conduct credible elections, Ogbe and the leadership of the commission have demonstrated their preparedness to engender a paradigm shift in the conduct of local government elections, thereby positioning DSIEC to deliver the sort of credible polls, the national umpire, INEC, has been commended for in the recent past."

What is your view on Keshi’s sack?

T’S a pity that Amodu HE players have done S a matter of fact, we ESHI became arro HOSE who had been Shaibu will be the I T very badly; collaboratA want the entire Eagles K gant and unprofession- ing against Keshi at the exT watching Eagles perscapegoat. Whatever the disbanded, and bring in playal by sidelining our best for players might have told the formances in the qualifiers an experimental team that will eventually disgrace our team. However, we need the genius of Sunday Oliseh, the best Nigerian World Class Player ever, and European Certified FIFA Coach.

Mr Godwin Epian — Businessman

pense of the country is sabotage against the entire country. if there were inherent problem in the team, why not consult the appropriate authorities rather than playing to loss in order to rubbish Keshi.

Mr. Nicholas Aruya — Worker

ers that will not play for selfish interest. In as much as those 85 percent of Eagles want Keshi to go, they too will go with Keshi. We need fresh, agile, positive minded players.

Pastor Omojevwe Emmanuel — Clergy

Minister concerning their poor performances was belated and out of place, having disappointed their nation and put it in a tight corner in the ongoing qualifiers.

Mr Isaac Gbadamosi — Worker

cannot but agreed with Keshi’s sabotage allegation.

Eagles are not under - 10 footballers who may be afraid to approach their coach and complain about what they feel is wrong.

Mr Etebele Julius — Commenter

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 — 47

Jonathan’s adoption by PDP, a shame – BALEWA

By Emmanuel Elebeke

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presidential aspirant and son of a former Prime Minister, Dr. Abdul Jhalil Tafawa Balewa has described the recent adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan as consensus candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the 2015 election as shameful.

He also said that the issue of consensus was unconstitutional as it was unknown to PDP’s constitution as amended.

According to him, those behind the decision acted against the general interest of party men and women.

Balewa spoke in Abuja when the National Association of Niger Delta Students, NANDS visited to endorse him as their candidate for the poll.

The aspirant who observed that the country was moving at snail speed stressed that he was in the race for the presidency because the country was not being properly managed adding that there was the need to turn the ship of the state towards the right direction He maintained that the fact that the country currently generates less than 4,000 Megawatts of electricity was enough reason for anyone to go mad.

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VISIT: From left; The First Secretary, Economic Dept, United States of America, US embassy, Abuja, Mr Joel Kopp, with the Economic Counselor, US embassy, Mr Alan Tousignant and the host, Chairman, Nigerian - American Chambers of Commerce, Kaduna State chapter, Alhaji Sherif Balogun during the visit of the US embassy officials to Kaduna, weekend. Photo by Olu Ajayi.

His words, “The consensus arrangement is very shameful. We used to blame APC for not having internal democracy but we that have it, if you look at the people who gave the consensus; they have loads of baggage behind them.

“Consensus is not in the constitution of the party. I have been a member of the PDP since 1998 in USA. I am not going to

any other party. I will rather insist on growing democratic principles in the party “I have been very active politically within PDP. I have travelled the length and breadth of this country. I believe I know Nigeria a lot more than anybody else.

“For me, it is not clamour for power to return to the north. I see Nigeria diving into the abyss.

I can rescue it and will rescue it.

“I do not know what it is that we are transforming but Nigeria is not moving the way it should. We can have near zero unemployment and improve education and power. There is no reason why Nigeria, so rich in coal, should have this kind of energy problem.''

He, however, pledged to support President Jonathan if eventually wins the primaries.

Ombatse raps political leaders over neglect of displaced Eggon refugees

By Abel Daniels

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AFIA—THE proscribed Ombatse religious group in Nasarawa State, has expressed its disappointment with Eggon political leaders over their alleged gross neglect of their indigenes, who were chased out of their ancestral homes by Fulani herdsmen in the area.

About 10 Eggon communities, which were forced out of their homes with their crops and houses destroyed are currently taking refuge in churches and primary schools, while many others were said to be squatting with their relations in Lafia, the state capital, among other towns.

The Legal Adviser of the

outlawed group, Mr Zamani Alumaga who made the accusation in an interview with Vanguard yesterday in Lafia, said that the political leaders (names withheld) do not truly represent the political interest of their Eggon people going by their response

to the plight of those Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs. “I have said it before that the (two main political leaders) are not members of Ombatse to the extent that the crisis that has displaced over 10 Eggon communities; they have never

HE Performing Musicians’ Employers’ Association of Nigeria, PMAN, has sent an SOS to President Goodluck Jonathan, calling for the immediate liberalization of collective administration in Nigeria.

In two separate letters, PMAN also addressed to Mr Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Representatives, the group said it had written series of letters to the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), and the Attorney General of the

shown any concern by way of assistance and support for the people who have been displaced and affected by the Fulani insurgents. Up till now that I am talking to you, none of them has given anything as way of assistance to the people.''

Kwara 2015: Ibrahim promises good leadership

By Emmanuel Aziken

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LORIN—ILORIN-BASED industrialist and Chairman of Lubcon Oil, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim has said he is prepared to give correct leadership to Kwara State, not based on the distribution of token gifts to the populace.

Ibrahim, who spoke as he formally signified his intention to contest the Kwara State 2015 governorship election by picking the governorship form of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Ibrahim, who said he is prepared to offer leadership that

Collective admin: PMAN sends SOS to Jonathan, Tambuwal

T

NUT charges Plateau govt on shortage of teachers

Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, SAN, on the issue but had received no response.

In a chat with journalists, the Chairman, PMAN Caretaker Committee, Kevin Lucciano Gabriel, lamented that the monopoly was killing entertainment business in Nigeria: He said: ”The forced monopoly in the copyright administrative system in Nigeria is killing entertainment business even more than piracy. We have

demanded for audience but PMAN has not received any response or action on its requests from NCC. “In August 2010, a group of entertainment practitioners, under the aegis of Concerned Copyright & Intellectual Property Owners (CCIPO), protested against the imposed monopoly and the Honourable Attorney General promised to reverse the situation within two weeks. Four years on, the problem is still there and this is unacceptable.”

the people of Kwara State are clamouring for, also dismissed insinuations of an anointed candidate predetermined by the leadership of the party.

“Our people hunger for a political upheaval and for the privilege and honour to have a say in who governs them. They want to elect a leader they desire not because he distributes gifts and privileges but because of a proven track record of performance in managing people and resources. I live and work in Kwara so I understand most of the challenges and the strategies to address them,” the aspirant said.

“We have no anointed candidate in Kwara PDP and I can assure you that every candidate will have a level playing field as we have no Godfather problem in the party,” he stated.

He also added that Kwarans are now rooting for a change in leadership and that PDP is poised to take back the State and provide quality leadership.

OS—MR Gunsin Yarlings, Plateau State Chariman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, has advised the Plateau government to establish an education board to tackle the present shortage of teachers.

Yarlings told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Jos that the shortage of teaching staff in the state’s primary and secondary schools was massive and called for urgent intervention.

He said the board should comprise key stakeholders in the education sector to facilitate the enactment of good policies for the improvement of education standard in the state.

...As Shekarau sets up Nigeria Education website

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HE Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, yesterday in Abuja inaugurated the Nigeria Education Website: w w w. n i g e r i a education.org designed in collaboration with the UK Department for International Development (DFID).

Shekarau said that the website would make access to education information easy and enhance the quality of teaching and learning in Nigeria.

IDPs in Chibok get more relief materials

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OLA—THE F e d e r a l Government yesterday gave additional relief items to Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, in Chibok, Borno, to further cushion the hardship in the area.

Alhaji Muhammed Kanar, the North-East Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, said in Yola, Adamawa, that the items were given in compliance to the directive from the presidency.

He said the agency was currently taking care of registered 10,376 IDPs in Chibok and its environs.

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

HONOUR :

From left— General Martin-Luther Agwai (retd.), Chairman, Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P; Chief Sally Mbanefo, Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC; General Yakubu Gowon, retd., (2nd left), his wife, Victoria (left) and a guest, during Gen. Gowon’s 80th birthday lecture at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

ROOTS: From left—

Mr. Femi Olutayo, President, Fountain of Hope Society; Rt. Reverend Dr. James Odedeji, Bishop of Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion; his wife, Lydia, and Venerable Abel Ajibodu, Dean, Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Lagos, during the Youth Parliament organized by the society in Lagos.

CHARITY: From left— Miss Joan Ukbaka; Mr. Ted Iwere, Golf Captain; Mr. Wale Doherty, Chairman, both of Ikoyi Club; Miss Tracy Kadiri and Mr. Yomi Orenuga, Chairman, Planning Committee, Ikoyi Club, during the presentation of gifts to Living Fountain Orphanage to mark the 76th anniversary of the club in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

VISIT: From left— Mr. Adekunle Aliyu, Deputy Online Editor, Vanguard Newspapers; Mr. Declan Okpalaeke, President, African Health Journalists Association; Mr. Eze Anaba, Acting Editor, Vanguard Newspapers; Ms Jeri Eddings, Senior Programme Director, International Centre for Journalists, and Mr. Shola Ogundipe, Health Editor, Vanguard newspapers, during a visit to Vanguard in Lagos. PHOTO: Diran Oshe.

ICT: From left— A beneficiary; Mr. Pankaj Maheshwari, Head, NIIT West Africa; Mr. Ayodele Adewale, Executive Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government; Mr. Ademola Sadiq, Legal Adviser, Lagos State All Progressives Congress, APC, representing Lagos State APC Chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale, and Mr. Ademorin Kuye, Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, during the presentation of certificates to 200 youths of local government-sponsored NIIT programme.

CAMPAIGN: From left— Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, Managing Director/

CEO of Nigerian Breweries Plc; Mr. Boboye Olayemi, Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, and Mr. Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries, during the company's Don’t Drink and Drive campaign flag off in Lagos.

CULTURE: From left— Chioma Iredia, Logistics & Contract Management Executive, Devices and Tokens Department; Benjamin Atseyinku, Team Lead, Switching Cluster, Electronic Funds Transfer Department; Ayoola Folarin, Unit Lead, POS/ATM Implementation, Devices and Tokens Department; and Michael Popoola, Head, Devices and Tokens Department, all of Interswitch, at company's cultural day in Lagos.

GOVERNORSHIP: From left— Mr. Adekunle Olayinka, All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain; Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Lagos State governorship aspirant; and Otunba Henry Ajomale, Lagos State APC Chairman, during Senator Solomon's collection of Expression of Interest and nomination forms in Abuja.

STANBIC: From left— Mr. Obinnia Abajue, Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank; Mr. Sim Shagaya, Founder & CEO, Konga Online Shopping Limited; Mr. Yinka Sanni, Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Bank; Mr. Vusi Thembekwayo, international speaker, and Mr. Victor Williams, Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, at the 1st Stanbic IBTC Business Leadership forum in Lagos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—49

Miyetti Allah mobilises for Jonathan

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA— AHEAD of the formal declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan for his reelection bid, Fulani cattle breeders in the country operating under the aegis of Miyetti Allah Kautal Kore, Fulani socio-cultural association representing more than 23 million Fulani nomads in the country, yesterday, reiterated the endorsement of the President for the 2015 Presidential election.

The group said it has concluded arrangements to embark on what it termed, Ruga-to-Ruga (Settlement-to-Settlement) campaign for the President now and after his formal declaration.

National president of the association, Alhaji Abdulahi Bodejo and the National Secretary, Engineer Saleh Kubah, explained that the Fulani cattle breeders in the country took the move to support President Jonathan because he has shown special interest in the welfare of pastoralists.

Old Peoples Day celebration holds today OLD People’s Day celebration will hold today at the United Nations Information Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos at 10 am.

Dignitaries expected at the event include Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth; Obong Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa Ibom state, and Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, former Minister of External Affairs.

Kalu hails Uduaghan at 60

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ORMER governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Kalu, has described Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, as a consummate politician who has impacted lives positively.

Kalu made the remark in a congratulatory message to the governor who turns 60 on Wednesday, October 22. In a statement by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, the former governorsaid,”As you attain the age of 60, I join your family, friends and well-wishers to celebrate this milestone."

$9.3m arms deal: Adeboye defends Oritsejafor

By Sam Eyoboka

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ENERAL Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, yesterday, defended the national president of the Christian Association, CAN,

Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, following the controversy surrounding the seizure of $9.3 million arms purchase funds by South Africa.

Pastor Adeboye who spoke in London during an ecclesiastical visit said, “Pastor Ayodele Joseph

Oritsejafor is a man of God I trust and I can personally vouch for him. I believe in the issue of his aircraft being chartered and the purpose it was used for he had no prior knowledge. I’m sure God will continue to build his church and the gates of hell will not

Senate assures quick passage of NHIS Bill

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA—THE Senate has assured the Ministerial Committee to Establish World Class Hospital and Diagnostic Centres that the bill on National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, will be given quick consideration for passage.

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who gave the assurance, yesterday, in Abuja when the Ministerial committee led by its Chairman, Chief Tony Elumelu, visited him in his office said the passage of the bill into law was paramount to the senate to reduce health tourism where Nigerians spend huge sums of money to seek for medical attention abroad.

Meantime, the Deputy Senate President has commended the efforts of the Federal Government towards contending the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, which has resulted in the World Health Organisation, WHO, declaring the country, Ebola-free country.

The Deputy Senate President described the visit as lobby which he said was normal in democracy and advised Nigerians to always ensure that appropriate bills of their interests were passed.

He said, “We have very good hands of medical personnel.

Nigerian doctors are one of the best in the world. What we can do is to improve on what we have, we should have confidence in our system and doctors, we must find a way of encouraging our doctors and the health sector.”

Senator Ekweremadu who said that there must be a synergy between government and the doctors assured that, “We are

committed to the passage of this bill in less than possible time.”

He said that with the passage of the bill, the country would save money she spent on medical tourism and that Nigerian doctors would travel abroad to provide world class medical facilities.

He further stated that the success recorded in tackling the EVD was an indication that if everybody in the country teamed up with the government, most of challenges facing her ranging from terrorism, poverty and unemployment could be conquered.

“If we work together irrespective of our religious

differences and ethnic background, we will be among the strongest in the world.”

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Tony Elumelu, apart from appealing for the passage of the NHIS bill before the end of the present legislative session, called for the provision of incentives and zero duty on medical equipment and pharmaceutical items.

He also called for home grown pharmaceutical companies that would be NHIS certified, stressing that if the efforts towards having world-class healthcare system in the country was achieved, the country would not spend over $700 million she spends annually on medical tourism.

prevail in Jesus name. One anointed cannot attack another anointed. A pastor cannot attack another pastor. Touch not my anointed is what God said.

Some Nigerians have questioned the use of Pastor Oritsejafor’s private jet by the Federal Government to convey the money to South Africa, accusing him of involvement in money laundering."

The Federal Government had to come out in defence of the CAN president, arguing that Oritsejafor who is also the founder of Word of Life Bible Church has no hand in the deal.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan (Public Communication), Dr. Doyin Okupe, told newsmen in Abuja: “Oritsejafor is the President of CAN and head of all Christians in Nigeria who is representing at least, 50 per cent of people in this country.

When it comes to a man like that, people should be cautious and circumspect.”

Okupe also advised Nigerians to stop playing politics with every issue of national concern, saying it is not in tandem with patriotism.

L-r; Wife of the Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly, Mrs. Eneyi Odey, Mrs Gloria Cobham, Sen Ita Giwa, Dep Governor Mr. Efiok Cobham, Mrs Obioma Imoke and Mr. Gershom Bassey, shortly after unveiling the 2014 and 10th Edition of Carnival Calabar with the theme, "Celebration Time" in Calabar, yesterday.

Killing of 9 policemen in Arepo: court closes prosecution's case

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By Innocent Anaba

FEDERAL High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, closed the case of the prosecution in the on-going trial of suspected pipeline vandals, who allegedly killed nine policemen in Arepo, a suburb town in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, closed the case of the prosecution following an application by the defence team, though the prosecution was not

represented by any counsel.

The development prompted the judge to grant the defence’s application.

The court, meanwhile, adjourned till November 6, 2014 for hearing of a no-case submission which the defence said it was preparing to file.

The suspects, among them a 54-year-old woman, Susan Viana, are standing trial on a 14-count charge of conspiracy, pipeline vandalism, oil theft and unlawful killings.

The suspects, some of whom were said to have been arrested on May 29 by men of the Joint Task Force in Ondo State, are Felix Yayu (M), 25; Ijoufaya (M), 42; Yakubu Ebiwei (M), 45; Augustine Ebiwei (M), 28; Tamara Dembofa (M), 32; Owei Atile (M), 37; Agbara Tiewei (M), 43; Rufus Godwin (M), 45; Tiery Koiyetin (M), 22; Ebis Sobijoh (M) 22; Ibori Lawrence (M) 45; Eberebu Ibori (M), 30; Atinuke Odewale (F), 42; Fatai Ishola (M), 32; Ahmed

Bashorun (M), 42; Odewale Waheed (M), 43; Susan Viana (F), 54; Tuesday Filatei (M), 36; Yeiyah Yellow (M), 28 and Ismail Abdullahi (M), 47.

The accused were alleged to be involved in the oil bunkering incident at Arepo, near Ikorodu, Lagos State, which happened on May 24, 2014.

The suspects were alleged to have stormed the Arepo area in about 14 speed-boats to carry out an illegal oil bunkering deal.

50 --- VANGUARD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—51

• A Liberian health worker holds a baby infected with the Ebola virus.

How Nigeria defeated Ebola

By Sola Ogundipe, Chioma Obinna & Gabriel Olawale

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INETY three days after the American Liberia Patrick Sawyer imported the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD into Nigeria, the nation is officially Ebola-free.

Announcing the declaration yesterday, the World Health Organisation said 42 days had passed since the nation last reported a case. By the time the last case was reported on September 5, 2014, Nigeria had recorded 19 cases with eight deaths and 11 survivors.

Findings by Good Health Weekly, revealed that early preparation, proper coordination and a unified response and implementation plan, were crucial to the nation’s success in winning the war. In what was described as by the WHO as “world-class epidemiological detective work”, Nigeria’s immediate and rapid response to the Ebola threat was triggered off with identification of the index (first case), Patrick Sawyer, and subsequent isolation at the First Consultant Medical Centre, Obalende in Lagos.

Public health emergency

First was the declaration of the Ebola out break as a public health emergency in the country. As a follow up, the Federal government through the Federal Ministry of Health, and in collaboration with the Lagos State government, set up an effective overall coordinating Ebola Emergency Operations Centre, EOC. The response team comprised of the FMOH, WHO, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Medecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). private companies, UNICEF, and the Lagos state and Rivers State health ministries, among others.

The training of local doctors and other responders was carried out with despatch even as adverts and requests

for qualified medical staff were issued regularly to the public. Each suspected Ebola case was thoroughly investigated and treated on merit.

A robust contact tracing system in Lagos and Port Harcourt ensured that virtually every contact of all reported Ebola cases was identified, tracked down and closely monitored. The dedicated follow-up, supervision and regulated public enlightenment mechanism was deployed to manage the panic caused by the Ebola outbreak.

Managing the public fear and anxiety was one of the main challenges of the response, especially as it was the first time Nigerians were witnessing such outbreak Sustained social mobilisation on the warning signs and prevention methods in the form of social-media messages, were deployed to improve education

and awareness and also to demystify the myths surrounding Ebola.

There was heightened vigilance and screening at the nation’s borders which were kept open but screening of inbound and outbound passengers was stepped up significantly, even as preparations were being made to increase facility and manpower capacity in the event of more patients.

Reacting to the declaration of Nigeria as Ebola free nation, President, Association of General Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, AGPMPN, Dr. Anthony Omolola said it was welcome.

“WHO declaration is a welcome development for our country and it shows that when we are committed to doing anything we can do it well. Our effort in curtaining Ebola has remain a sample to the world. We need to commend all the health workers, the

government in the manner in which the situation was reacted to and also the media need to be commended for their enlightenment role and dissemination of information at appropriate time.

“As the WHO is declaring us free, we should not forget those that had sacrificed their lives in ensuring that the country did not experience greater calamity,” he pointed out.

Corroborating their views, Immediate Past President, Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Dr Osahon Enabulele, said: “This shows that if the right support is given to the health sector and the players who are responsible for leadership play their part, Nigeria can begin to make move towards strengthening our healthcare system and all other countries are now learning from Nigeria's experience, which shows that there are actually potentials that can be explore if there are some level of sincerity and leadership commitment. So the development is laudable and I think Nigeria can begin to look at other areas of healthcare and not just be responding to crisis situation alone.”

Also speaking on the development, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Pharm Olumide Akintayo said it was well deserved but cautioned against the country resting on its oars. "For once, response was very prompt and highly commendable. I have no doubt that this is recognition is merited but it is not time to go and sleep. We must continue to put on the table, the finest tenets of professionalism."“Akintayo who worried over the porous nature of the nation's borders called for even greater alertness.

"Let us give kudos to the Federal government and the Lagos State government. However, we must continue our surveillance and monitor people coming in from the endemic zones, namely Sierra Leone and Liberia to a large extent."

The Immediate Past Deputy President, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, Comrade Rasheed Tonade noted that for WHO to say Nigeria is

Continues on page 53

ACPN calls for good hygienic practices to keep diseases at bay

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By Chioma Obinna

S the World Health Organisation declared Nigeria an Ebola free nation, Community Pharmacists have called for good hygiene practices with an appeal to managers of private and public schools to provide running water in order to sustain the campaign against the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD and other infectious diseases.

Speaking in Lagos on this year’sHand Washing Day, pharmacists under the auspices of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, the National Chairman, Olufemi Ismael Adebayo harped on hand washing with soap as a choice that every Nigerian can make to keep disease at bay.

“Good hygiene practice must become a habit that involves regular performance.

People should choose hand washing not

only on global hand washing day but every day. When people choose to wash their hands with soap, especially after using the rest room and before touching food, they are choosing to create a healthier environment not only for themselves but for people around them.”

Adebayo who appealed to management of schools across the country to include hand washing in their curriculum urged them to provide running waters in the schools.

According to him, hand washing focuses on children because not only do they suffer most from diarrhoea and respiratory diseases and death, but research shows that children are ever energetic, enthusiastic and open to new ideas. They are also powerful agents of changes for behavioural shift like hand washing with soap in their communities.

Applauding the decision to delay the reopening of schools, he expressed hope that the commitment exhibited by governments and Nigerians to contain EVD will continue.

“Ebola is a public health issue and it involves all stakeholders and that is why ACPN as stakeholder in the healthcare delivery has in the last three years been carrying out the campaign in primary and secondary schools across the country. We believe that a vast change in hand washing behaviour is critical to meeting the Millennium Development Gaols, MDGs of reducing mortality of children under 5 years of age by two third by 2015.

“Hand washing with soap under running water still remains the cheapest and most effective way to prevent Ebola, diarrhoea, typhoid and respiratory diseases,” he declared.

52 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Breast cancer: Early screening saves lives, women told

By Chioma Obinna

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ANCER is bad news everywhere but not a death sentence. This is evident in the case of Mrs Agnes Ola, who in 1983 as a nursing mother noticed a lump in her left breast which later metamorphosed in 2009 to cancer of the breast.

The discovery of the lump first was like the end of her life. She was enveloped in the world of fear.

She became afraid and needed to hear something different from her friends.

Fear, confusion, denial, set in.

Her mind was in turmoil.

Although it was just a lump that was discovered then, she was hoping there would be other solution apart from operating on the breast since she was nursing a four – month old baby.

Out of fear, Agnes resorted to all sorts of concoctions and almost lost her life in the process. She went back to hospital where the lump was removed.

However, in August 2008, the problem resurfaced and in January, 2009, the second lump was removed and diagnosis of cancer was confirmed. Then the treatment started.

Cancer is a tumour or growth caused when cells multiply uncontrollably, destroying healthy tissues. Ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, prostrate cancer and breast cancer are among the most common type of cancer in Nigeria.

Just like Agnes, many Nigerian women have succumbed to cancer due to ignorance, late presentation and low awareness.

Late presentation Most cancer patients in Nigeria often find out quite late that they have the disease.

These reasons and more informed a recent collaboration between Bristow Aviation and Sebeccly Cancer Care to mark this year’s Cancer month. At a free breast cancer screening event, a Clinical Radiation Oncologist blamed poor survivor rates on late presentation.

Salako, also the Executive Director, Sebeccly Cancer Care, noted that whereas late presentation of cancer in hospitals was due to ignorance, early detection and prompt treatment is the key to surviving this deadly disease.

“Many breast cancer patients are presenting at stage 4. The reason is because they do not have the right information and they do not know where to go.

Many cannot afford treatment.

So these barriers prevent patients from surviving cancer.

Only few people survive cancer.

In Nigeria here, approximately,

only three will be alive at 10 years.

“Early detection remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. When breast cancer is detected early and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that it can be cured. If detected late, curative treatment is often no longer an option. In such case, palliative care to relief the sufferings of patients and their families is needed.

Identifying poor awareness as a major contributor to low cancer survivor rates in Nigeria, she lamented that with cervical cancer and other cancers preventive, a lot of patients are coming in with cancers that can be prevented.

Salako stated that the major nonmodifiable risk factors of breast cancer include gender, age, genetics, family or personal history of breast cancer, race and menstrual history. The clinical oncologist noted that lifestylerelated factors such as diet, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, using hormone

replacement therapy, taking birth control pills, etc. are modifiable risk factors that fuels breast cancer. Cancer is not contagious and not a death sentence.

Speaking, Bristow Uplift Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Mayowa Babatunde, said the partnership programme was to raise awareness and an

intervention to save more women. ”It is one of the diseases affecting women and it is considered as death sentence. We just want to play our part to save more lives.

It is our charitable given programme where we intervene by giving our time and resources.

Today we are raising the awareness in house and we are taking it to the public throughout the month of October.”

•L-R: Technical Records Officer, Bristow Helicopters, Mrs. Christy Nwachukwu; Clinical and Radiation Oncologist/ Founder, Sebeccly Cancer Care and Support Centre, Dr. Lola Salako and Project Coordinator, Sebeccly Cancer Care Light Lagos Pink, Mrs. Omosigho Ozor at a seminar on the breast cancer awareness in Lagos last week.

Elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission is crucial to the MDGs — IDOKO

By Sola Ogundipe

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HE National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, has described the upcoming launch of National Plan for the country’s Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, eMTCT, initiative as being in line with the Global Plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive.

Debunking reports that the event was a political jamboree disguised as HIV/AIDS Conference in the Federal Capital Territory, Director General, NACA, Prof John Idoko said the launch is part of the continuous

effort by the Federal Government of Nigeria through NACA, to reduce by 90 percent the number of new HIV infections among children and to reduce AIDSrelated maternal deaths by 50 percent.

“The Federal Government is definitely not spending N1.59 billion a one-day jamboree disguised as HIV/AIDS conference. What will be launched in November is a comprehensive programme to eliminate Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, which will be implemented over a period of two years. The initiative is about saving Nigerians’ lives.

“NACA operates an open-door policy and is media-friendly. Facts about the planned programme are available on request.

Government and donor partners are stepping up efforts to win the battle against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria,” he observed.

Idoko, who argued that data from the 2013 UNAIDS progress report on the Global Plan shows that as at the end of 2012, Nigeria accounted for 30 percent of new infections in the 21 priority countries in sub-Saharan Africa, said in 2012, there were 60,000 new HIV infections among children.

• Women and children receiving healthcare services. Prevention and elimination of Mother-toChild Transmission of HIV services are offered at several public and private hospitals in Nigeria.

“Achieving the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission, eMTCT, is inextricably linked with and directly contributes to the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, especially MDG 3 (gender equality), MDG 4 (reduced child mortality), MDG 5 (improved maternal health) and MDG 6 (combat HIV/AIDS).

“This positions eMTCT as an important part of the maternal and child health and the overall development agenda,” he argued, noting that steps taken to address this issue include intensified efforts to rapidly scaleup Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission, PMTCT services, which started in early 2012.

“You are aware that the President’s Comprehensive Plan For HIV/AIDS, PCRP, was launched in 2013 and this marked a major commitment by the Government to accelerate the implementation of key interventions against HIV, including eMTCT.” Noting that the percentage of clients under treatment had gone up, Idoko said in 2013, an additional 150,000 people living with HIV/AIDS benefited from the life saving antiretroviral drugs purchased by the Federal and state governments.

He said an estimated 3.4 million Nigerians are living with HIV/AIDS. while the total number of people living with HIV/ AIDS benefitting from treatment facilitated by the Federal Government and international partners is currently over 650,000.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—53

Down Syndrome Foundation focuses on awareness

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OWN Syndrome Foundation Nigeria,DSFN, begins its 2014 awareness week with a focus on advocacy, awareness, fund raising, and celebrating uniqueness of people with Down Syndrome in Nigeria and the world at large.

Theme for this year’s programme “Keep Calm, I Can”, according to the National President, DSFN, Mrs. Rose Mordi, will create the requisite awareness about Down Syndrome.

Mordi said the week promises to be exhilarating, educative, enlightening and engaging. An 8-kilometre Charity Walk will take place around from Cele Bus Stop to Isolo, to be followed by an International Seminar to discuss medical, educational, and socio-economic issues of Down Syndrome in Nigeria is scheduled for Tuesday 21st October, 2014 at Grange School, Harold Shodipo Crescent, Ikeja.

Some of the speakers that would be presenting papers include, Professor F.A Oredugba , Medical Practioner at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) IdiAraba who will be talking on Dental Check ; Mrs Sonubi (Legal Practioner) will speak on “Domestic Violence” while Dr G.T Ijarojbe will touch on the topic “ Mental Aspect-children with Down syndrome”.

Another speaker Mr Adeleke Philips will enlighten the audience on “The Role of Special Teachers in taking care of Children with Special Needs” A high profile fundraising Dinner and Awards evening will hold on Saturday, 25th October 2010 at the Yoruba Tennis

Club, Onikan Lagos. The occasion also serves as a platform where we honor partners and sponsors of the Foundation who are partnering with us all these years.

The 2014 Down-to-Earth magazine of the Foundation will be unveiled.

The magazine highlights some of the successes recorded this year which include the participation of the foundation in marking the maiden edition of the Dance Marathon, Special Talent Hunt, inauguration of the Down Syndrome Ibadan Chapter in 2013 and experiences from the 2014 Down Syndrome National Congress held in, Indianapolis, United States of America.

Ebola Continues from page 51 Ebola free, judging from the fact that there has not been any case of Ebola in the last three weeks was a welcome development. “I can agree to it because available statistics have proven that.

There is nothing like Ebola now in Nigeria. We are only hearing about Ebola in US. I believe Nigeria should be declared Ebola free. We are up to the task but we should expand our treatment strategies to forestall future occurrence or outbreak as a nation. Our seaports and airports and other borders should be regularly and effectively monitored not only for Ebola but for other diseases that people may bring in from either land borders or any other border.”

•L-R: Consultant Nutritionist /Dietician, Galaxy Urology Hospital, Dr. Chika Ndiokwelu; Director, Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Mr. Clem Ugorji; Research Fellow, NIMR, Dr. Bartholomew Brai, and Professor of Nutrition, Ambrose Alli University, Prof. Ignatius Onimawo, during a panel discussion at the 38th Conference and AGM of the Nigerian Institute of Food, Science and Technology, NIFST, last week in Lagos.

P&G supports FG’s handwashing campaign

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S part of its global campaign against communicable diseases, leading consumer goods manufacturing company, Procter & Gamble, P&G Nigeria, recently identified with the Federal government’s on-going hand washing campaign through donation of its Safeguard Antibacterial Soap to the Federal Ministry of Health.

During the donation in Abuja, Mrs Temitope Iluyemi, P&G Director, Global Government Relations, Sub-Sahara Africa, told the Minister of State for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, that it was a partnership effort to support the Ministry ’s health and hygiene campaign through hand washing.

“It is also a demonstration of our commitment to improving the lives of people in Nigeria in line with our company’s global social responsibility principles,” she said.

“We should not relax our personal hygiene consciousness based on our success over EVD as this success does not make the country immune to subsequent attacks. Also, there is the need to sustain this consciousness because there are other infectious diseases like diarrhea, hepatitis, cold and the likes that Nigerians are prone to, apart from the EVD”, she said.

The company also donated the product to the Lagos State Ministry of Education.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Omolara Erogbogbo who recieved the soap was informed that P&G is to extend this fight against communicable disease to 2,000 public schools in the South-West region of the country. Safeguard Antibacterial Soap contains Triclocarban, a safe and effective antibacterial agent which is widely used around the world adding that Triclocarban forms an effective tool in the fight against germs.

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54—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Obasanjo failed Nigeria —EBUTE

EKO CLUB: From left— Major-General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (retd.), former Minister of Communications, member, Provisional Ruling Council and Chairman of the occasion; Major-General Adekunle Martins (retd.), and Alhaji Faruk Grilo, President of Eko Club, at the 40th anniversary celebration of the club in Lagos.

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA—FORMER Senate President, Senator Ameh Ebute, yesterday, said former President Olusegun Obasanjo failed to use his three years as Military Head of State and eight years as an elected president to solve the nation’s problems.

He also said if the former President had done his best in addressing some of the problems facing the country, Nigeria would have been better for it.

According to Senator Ebute, former President Obasanjo could not fix critical roads such as Benin-Ore road; LagosIbadan Expressway; Kano-Maiduguri Road; and the East-West Road, among others.

He said even his Otta-Abeokuta dual carriageway was abandoned and could not be fixed in all of his eight years as President.

Ebute, in a six-page letter to former President Obasanjo and made available to Vanguard yesterday, said for Obasanjo to draw Nigerians' attention to the problems confronting the country was an indictment on him, having failed Nigeria as a past leader, who was opportuned to rule the country as a military man and a democrat.

He said Chief Obasanjo was unable or unwilling to un-bundle the Power Holdings Company of Nigeria, PHCN, and privatize the power sector for efficient management during his eight years as President of the country.

He alleged that Obasanjo made superficial attempt to improve power supply in the twilight of his administration by committing Nigeria to spend a colossal sum of $16 billion, which was paid upfront to import gas turbines for NIPP projects.

Workers protest non-payment of allowances at Information Ministry

By Emmanuel Elebeke

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TAFF of Federal Ministry of Information, yesterday, protested at the Radio House over nonpayment of their allowances.

The workers, who came out in their numbers, abandoned their duty posts to drive home their demand for the intervention of the outgoing Minister of the Ministry, Mr. Labaran

Maku.

The protesters, who chanted songs of displeasure and blocked the gate of the ministry, told reporters that they were subjected to work under poor conditions, delay of promotion arrears, nonpayment of repatriation allowances and selective training of staff.

The protest took another dimension when the Permanent Secretary, Folashade Yemi-Esan, arrived

Leave Jonathan out of states' challenges, Clark tells govs

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA—FORMER Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, has urged state governors to find ways of addressing challenges in their states and leave President Goodluck Jonathan out of those issues.

Speaking yesterday at his Asokoro residence, when he received members of the Federal Capital Territory and Geo-Political Leaders Forum, led by Ambassador Ayuba Ngbako, Chief Clark said: “Some people believe that they are governors of their states, but when they have problems, they call on Jonathan; governors should solve the problems of their states.”

The elder statesman said President Jonathan was picked to become late President Umaru Ya'Adua's the running mate without his knowledge, when names like former governors Peter Odili of Rivers, Donald Duke of Cross River were penciled down to take the position since it was zoned to South South geo-political zone.

Speaking earlier, Ngbako told Clark that in support of President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election, bid, the FCT indigenes and the forum would organise a rally where thousands of residents would match the streets of Abuja, urging him to contest, even as they asked for an additional Senatorial slot for the FCT.

the venue of the valedictory section for the outgoing minister. The protesing workers began to call her names and rained abuses on her.

Speaking on behalf of other staff, Chairman of the Association of Civil Service of Nigeria, Ministry of Information Chapter, ASCSN, Mr. Adam Oghola, said: “The staff are angry because some of them have not been paid three months salaries and our promotions have also been pending.

“For us, there is a disconnect between the staff and directors of the ministry.

The directors are part of our problem because the ministers and the permanent secretaries will always come and go, but the directors remain.”

Other grouse raised by the protesters was that of 100 persons approved for training this year, only 30 of them benefitted from the scheme, and wondered why it should be so.

FUTA, Spanish varsity, four others partner on food research

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HE Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA; University of Alicante, Spain and four other African universities have commenced collaboration on a food research project called Integrated Soil Fertility Management for Food Security: Matching Capacities in Anglophone West African Nations with Local Needs.

The European Union, EUsponsored project, which has University of Alicante as the coordinating university, is aimed at fostering capacity building and regional integration in Integrated Soil Fertility Management, ISFM, for food security in Anglophone

West African universities.

Other collaborating institutions are University of Ghana, Accra; University of D’Schang, Cameroon; Njala University, Sierra Leone, and University of The Gambia, Gambia.

While speaking on the project, which has its Nigerian office at FUTA’s School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, SAAT, building, FUTA’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola, said the research collaboration is in tandem with the drive by the university to continue to contribute meaningfully to evolving solutions to pressing societal problems.

APC sensitizes voters on democratic process

By Monsur Olowoopejo

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AGOS State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has commenced sensitization of party faithful and residents on democratic processes and gains in the country.

The party also empowered no fewer than 3,000 youths in Ikorodu axis of the state.

APC chieftain and former Lagos State Commissioner for Rural Development, Prince Lanre Balogun, who spoke at a weekly e m p o w e r m e n t programme for residents and party faithful in Ikorodu, disclosed that some Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stalwarts in Ikorodu would soon defect to APC. He said: “With the planned defection of Adeyeri to APC, PDP is dead in Ikorodu division.

PDP can say whatever they want, but they do not have any chance in Ikorodu anymore. We can now boast that Ikorodu is now for APC.” On the sensitization, Balogun said lack of indepth understanding of democratic process and gains made some electorate accept stipends from some parties to cast their votes in favour of certain candidates.

He said: “We believe that if we enlighten Nigerians on democracy, they will not accept stipends from any party to influence their votes.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 — 55

Old rivalries tear Abia PDP apart

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

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LD political rivalries in Abia State which divided supporters of the former governor of the state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu from the mainstream of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP have resurfaced breaking the harmony recently forged by Governor Theodore Orji.

However, unlike the past when Dr. Kalu was at the head of one faction, the present division in the ruling party is said to be between those who left the Progressive People’s Alliance, PPA formed by the former governor and those they met in the PDP four years ago.

The former PPA members ,it was learned are said to be championing the interest of one of the gubernatorial aspirants who held a top job in one of the state agencies until a few days ago.

Governor Orji had in 2010 left the PPA for the All Progressives Grand Alliance before finally returning home to the PDP. In the run up to finding a

successor for the outgoing governor, it was learned that those close to the governor who moved with him to the PDP in 2010 are being accused of trying to fence out those they met in the PDP in selection of party candidates for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections.

At the heart of the move, it was learned is the allegation by some original PDP members of a plot to ensure that all original members of the PDP presently in the House of Assembly are denied a return tickets in a move to allow an unfettered grip by the

former PPA on the new regime in the executive and legislative branches of government.

“There are serious fears of an imminent implosion in the party unless the national leadership of PDP intervenes quickly. Top officers complain that members are now divided down the line as they have relapsed into the cleavage of the old members of the party and those from the Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA,” a source familiar with the development informed newsmen yesterday.

Governor Orji had recently constituted a congress and

primary election committee, chaired by the deputy chief of staff, Mr Charles Ogbonna who is also said to have kindred relationship with the governor.

“Chief Umeh has always fought for Igbo man, he is so passionate about the Igbo man, if the former governor had played the role the APGA National Chairman is playing for the course of the Igbo man with his position as governor then, he would have been an undisputed hero that would have stepped into the shoes of Late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu” he said.

Forum endorses Ekweremadu's return to senate

By Francis Igata

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N U G U — A N amalgamation of academic professionals, political and business bodies, operating on the platform of Save Awgu Forum Enugu, SAFE, has endorsed the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu for re-election in Enugu-West senatorial zone of Enugu State.

Thousands of SAFE members besieged the country home of Senator Ekweremadu at Mpu in Aninri Local Government Area, where they assured total support and commitment towards his reelection. "Those who are jostling for the position should tarry a while since a champion is already occupying the position," the group said.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the political leader of Awgu people and business mogul, Mr. Baywood Ibe, said that the endorsement, Awgu people had spoken with finality.

“Save Awgu Forum is working for the integration and development of Awgu, we are here to endorse our Ike Ekweremadu and we will make sure he goes back. We all belong to greater Awgu, Aninri was carved out of old Awgu; a father cannot forsake his son just like a mother cannot forsake her daughter.

“We have made mistakes in the past but with this new synergy, we will take Enugu by the storm; we cannot fight ourselves, that era is gone."

AWARD: From left: Ekeh Pius Junior, MD, Mobile Software Solutions; Mackaye Hassane Taisso, Minister de lenseignement Superieur et de la Recherche Scientifique, Republique de Tchad; Chris Uwaje, Chairman, Mobile Software Solutions and Iheayichukwu Eyika, Software Team Developer Mobile Software displaying the best African mobile solution award he won at the World Summit Award held at the just concluded second Inter-Ministerial Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), held in Rabat, Morocco.

Ranking, promotion of Imo Community Watch officers underway

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OVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, yesterday announced that government would commence ranking and promotion of officers of Imo Community Watch, ICW, to commesuration with their track record of gallantry.

Governor Okorocha spoke while addressing the officers and men of the ICW at Imo International Conference Centre Owerri.

The governor, who commended some of the Community Watch offices for being alive to their duties, stressed the need to organize regular trainings and physical tests to guarantee their fitness.

He assured that all their outstanding salaries of five months would be paid in bulk, while subsequent salaries would be paid through the Community Government Councils.

The governor explained that the delay in their payment was a result of conflicting records from traditional rulers and the state coordinator of Imo Community Watch.

2015: ‘No automatic ticket, consensus candidate in APGA'

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

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NITSHA—NATIONAL Secretary of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, yesterday said there would be no automatic ticket or consensus candidate in the party during the 2015 general elections in the country.

He said every member wishing to contest any elective position must be prepared to go through primary election to be selected as the best party’s flag bearer who would lock horns with their opponents from other political parties during the election.

Shinkafi, who spoke at Okpoko Layout in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, during the commissioning of two water projects at Okpoko and Ogbeukwu attracted by a prominent member of APGA and member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Victor Afam Ogene.

Shinkafi, who addressed party faithful and Ogene’s supporters before commissioning the water projects, maintained that the issue of consensus candidate or

automatic ticket had been ruled out of the party’s system, insisting that all candidates for elective posts in the party must go through primaries to be conducted freely, fairly and transparently.

According to him, the party will follow strictly the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended in

the conduct of its affairs for the 2015 elections and lauded Ogene for making the party proud in the National Assembly through his robust contributions and attraction of constituency projects that have touched the lives of the electorate in his constituency.

Anambra govt seals off 59 buildings over tax default

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WKA—THE Anambra Government said it sealed off no fewer than 59 residential buildings and business premises since 2011, over default in payment of taxes by property owners.

Mr Sylvester Agbapu, Head of Enforcement Unit, Anambra Property and Land Use Charge stated this yesterday in Awka, during an enforcement exercise.

The News Agency of Nigeria, reports that APLUC is the agency saddled with the responsibility of collecting property and land rates in the state.

Agbapu explained that the closure followed refusal of land, building and property owners to

pay their bills after several warnings.

According to him, such closures were carried out on the orders of court, after securing judgments against the defaulters.

He said that more than 4,000 cases were currently pending in various courts across the state over tax default.

During yesterday ’s enforcement exercise in Awka, five buildings were sealed off over property rate default of N1 billion. Grace Royal Hotel, Standford Hotel, a residential building at 348 Ziks Ave., Oando filling station on Enugu-Onitsha expressway and Santa Maria Lodge, were sealed-off by the agency.

Ex-House of Reps clerk, Nwosa dies at 68

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI—A former clerk of the House of Representatives, Chief Charles Nwosa of Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local government Area of Anambra State is dead.

He died on October 5, 2014, at the age of 68. His death was announced by Nwosa Okpatu large family.

He was the Clerk of the green Chamber from 2004 to 2006.

He is survived by his widow and three brothers and a sister, among who is Rev. Father Joe Nwosa .

In a statement released by his family and signed

by Mr. Moses Nwosa, the burial arrangement will be announced by the family in due course.

56 --- VANGUARD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014—57

‘Change your ways' Lagos CP charge officers

By Esther Onyegbula

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HE Lagos State police commissioner, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, has warned officers and men of the command against harassment of members of the public and mounting of roadblocks.

Aderanti who urged his men to device all means to earn public trust warned his men to change their ways or shown the way out of the Nigeria Police Force.

The Police boss spoke during his working visit to the Area A Police command, Lion Building, Lagos Island. He was hosted by the Area Commander, Mr. Imohinmi Edgal, Assistant Commissioner of police.

Aderanti said, “There is a wall between us and members of the public. I want us to pull down this wall. There is a communication gap between us and the people we are supposed to be serving. You were recruited into the police to protect lives and property; we should be able to work in harmony with the people of Lagos State. The perception problem is too much. How would they trust us when we turn a complainant into an accused person?

“Please let us change for the better. Let us treat Nigerians as our brothers and sisters. Let us respect them so that they can respect us. The public sees us as their last solution. They run to us when they are in trouble because they don’t want to take the laws into their hands. Let us turn a new leaf. Let ‘Police is your Friend’ be in words and

in action. We should learn to be patient with Nigerians. If you kill any innocent Nigerian, the blood of that person will be on you. When you see children crossing, help them cross safely.

When we see elderly people, let us assist them this is what obtains everywhere else in the world.”

Aderanti also urged the police officers to desist from mounting any form of roadblock or checkpoints, saying that any officer found flouting the order of the Inspector General of Police would lose his job.

His words: “Anyone caught mounting illegal road blocks would be guilty of gross misconduct. Roadblocks, checkpoints are banned in Lagos. When you mount roadblocks, you would be arrested and dismissed. What you should do is to work hard and stop harassing road users.

“Area ‘A’ has not had any bad stories so far. I want all of you to unlock Lagos in the area of traffic snarl. We would soon launch ‘Operation Unlock Lagos’. The Lagos State Government has been very generous to us. Imagine a Lagos State without Rapid Response Squad (RRS). The state government has been good to the police so we have to work hard. The IG has mandated us to inform you that a lot is going on to improve on your welfare and soon, you shall see the result. He wants to improve your standard of living. What you owe him is to ensure that you do not bring the image of the police down.

Lagos State Commissioner For Health, Dr Jide Idris (2nd Right), Information & Strategy Commissioner, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba (right), Special Duties Commissioner, Dr Wale Ahmed (left) and the Special Adviser On Public Health, Dr (Mrs.) Yewande Adeshina (2nd left) during a Press briefing on the W.H.O Certification of Nigeria as Ebola Free Country at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Secretariat, Ikeja, yesterday.

Firm partners UNICEF to raise N16m for birth registration in Nigeria

By Jonah Nwokpoku

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N online hotel booking agency, Jovago.com has entered into a partnership with the United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF to drive birth registration in Nigeria and across twenty other countries.

Known as passport-toprotection, the partnership will see Jovago raising at least $100, 000, about N16 million, to ensure that every child born in Nigeria and every part of Africa.

The partnership includes financial support of UNICEF’S birth registration programme via Information and Communication Technology, ICT and mobile technology.

African Arts and Fashion Initiative set to hold seminar on creative arts

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HE African Arts and Fashion Initiative, AAFI is set to hold a seminar on harnessing the potentials of creative African minds in Lagos this week.

The seminar, tagged Creating jobs for Creative Minds is meant to expose participants to the opportunities in the various sectors of creative arts such as fashion, crafts, modeling, makeup, photography, beading, branding, music, fine arts and much more.

Already, seasoned speakers have been lined up to speak to participants on these topics.

Among the speakers already lined up are Architect Fifi Ejindu who is presenting the keynote address, Ituen Bassey, St. Davies, Bayo Haastrup, Uche Ibezue, Bimpe Benson, Clara Okoro, Hakeem Salaam, Moriam Musa, Uche James Iroha to mention a few.

The two-day seminar is focusing on how talented youths in the continent could harness their talents to develop such and achieve their full potentials. The Foundation is also hoping to, through efforts like this, promote some of the best form of creative minds in fashion in partnership with fashion weeks across the African continent and other creative industries.

Speaking on the seminar, Joan Okorodudu, founder of the ISIS Modeling Agency and Creative Director ‘House of Jala’, who also doubles as the Director, Southern Region of the African Arts and Fashion Initiative explained that often times, Africans wait for foreign non governmental organisations to help us in every sphere of our lives but things are changing now as some African NGO, like AAFI are taking the initiative to place

young and upcoming Africans in a pedestal where they can compete favourably with other citizens of the world. This seminar, according to her, is the beginning of such efforts by the AAFI. The African Arts and Fashion Initiative is the brainchild of one of the country’s finest brains, Architect Fifi Ejindu.

The Initiative, which is meant to encourage youths in creative arts and provide them a platform to develop their God-given potentials; was launched at the Dorchester Hotel in London last year. She also spoke on popular CNN programme, African Voices where she stressed the need for the continent’s youths to be encouraged to develop to their full potentials.

The seminar is scheduled for Oriental Hotel along the Lekki Expressway, October 23 and 24 and attendance is free.

In a statement, the firm said: “For every booking that is made using the code ‘UNICEF’ on Jovago.com website, it will donate five dollars at no extra cost to the customer. The goal is to collect $100, 000 during the first year of the partnership.”

Speaking on the motivation for the registration drive, UNICEF’s Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Leila Pakkala said: “50 percent of children are unregistered in East and South Africa, in some regions registration is as low as 1 percent. Registration is the first right of any child, and I am delighted that this partnership – a partnership for children – will help provide this right to many.”

Also speaking, the Managing Director or Jovago, MarekZmyslowski said: “This partnership will support UNICEF’s vision to register every child. UNICEF’s birth registration programme is remarkable, both in regards to its objective to give each child a passport and in regards to the

progressive use of technology, which ensures that registration is efficient.”

Jovago said: “Being a travel company, Jovago has an interest in ensuring that every African can move freely across borders and beyond the continent. Apart from the inability to process passports, the lack of a birth certificate denies a child’s right to education, government grants and inheritance. It also denies them protection against child labour, recruitment to armed forces and early marriage. In the broader spectrum, anonymous children may later in life be denied the right to vote and are also a major obstacle to government planning.”

Customers will be able to use the UNICEF code for any hotel booking made on Jovago.com in the following countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Djibouti, Nigeria, Mali, Ivory Coast, Congo, Cameroon, Mozambique, Senegal, and Algeria.”

PDP lauds TAN on pro-Jonathan rallies

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA—NATIONAL leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has hailed the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, for the successful conclusion of its sensitization rallies across the country in support of the party’s sole presidential candidate, President Gooduck Jonathan.

A statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said, “The party notes that through these rallies, the numerous achievements of the President Goodluck Jonathanled PDP administration were adequately projected to the Nigerian populace and the

international community.

“The TAN movement, which is a novelty in the nation’s political development has indeed deepened democracy and broadened citizen participation in the polity. The collection of over 17 million signatures in support of President Jonathan during the rallies, is a clear demonstration of the far-reaching acceptance of our standard bearer and his party. The PDP particularly notes the unique contributions of Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, the leader and the brain behind the TAN movement even as we recognize the willingness of TAN to work with our great party in furtherance of our collective objective ahead of the 2015 general elections.”

58 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 PISCES: Your creativity quotient is enhanced today and if you demonstrate this within your working arena, you’ll earn success and consolidate on your recent progress.

ARIES: As mercury prepares to go on backward motion it is important you don’t take things for granted. Watch carefully what you agree to do.

TAURUS: Better than yesterday. Others will be willing to give you the needed co-operation both at home and within your working arena. This is a good day for lovers.

GEMINI: Those of you who are more enterprising will have much to show for your efforts. The more cooperative you.

Don’t neglect love.

CANCER: You will need to re-examine both your personal ideas and advice given to you by other people. Be family minded.

LEO: Avoided you don’t allow others to mislead you, things will not go wrong. The more willing you are to take the initiative the better for you. Take your love life more seriously.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

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HIS simply put is to overate your enemies. To ascribe o much power over you to your enemies.

Like the case of under estimating,

Over Estimating Your Enemies over estimating too has its own drawback. One of the disadvantages is its ability to intimidate us. As-

TERROR MUDA

cribing power which our enemies do not have to them helps them to overwhelm us and sap

in “Never say goodbye”

us of our own strength and energy.

Remember, no one has power except that power which you allow them to exercise over you.

By Lanre Kehinde

VIRGO: Although you will need to be as secretive as you can, your success will attract others’ attention to you to the betterment of your cause. Be ambitious.

LIBRA: People who more influential than you will be willing to support your cause but you will need to make the necessary move. The more self assertive you are the better.

SCORPIO: Challenges of yesterday will today bring you good opportunities along your career/business lines to the betterment of your finances seek supporters of powerful ones.

SAGITTARIUS: Think of the best way to improve on your working pattern in order to enhance your career prospects if you listen to your creative self, things will work out fine for you. Be more loving.

CAPRICORN: Success is boldly printed on your cards today.

Think of both immediate and far future while you are savouring goodies offered you but mother nature.

AQUARIUS: You should not have it tough while trying to win the needed supports of others. Take good advice from some of your friends who are creatively gifted.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

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,

What does future have for me

Dear Joshua, I don’t want you to publish my data. However, I want to know how the planets lined up when I was born.

And which day of the week was I born, would I record success in life ? When would my success come?

Ibrahim, Enugu Dear Ibrahim, You were born on a Jupiter ruled day - Thursday.

You’ll succeeded earlier than you think.

Your Horoscope Data DAY OF BIRTH: THURSDAY SUN SIGN = PISCES: SUN IN 25TH DEGREE OF PISCES MOON SIGN: PISCES: MOON IN 21ST DEGREE OF PISCES MERCURY IN 28TH DEGREE OF AQUARIUS VENUS IN 28TH DEGREE OF ARIES MARS IN 7TH DEGREE OF CANCER JUPITER IN ZERO DEGREE OF AQUARIUS SATURN IN 27TH DEGREE OF CAPRICORN URANUS IN 22ND DEGREE OF LEO NEPTUNE IN 11TH DECREE OF SCORPIO PLUTO IN 6TH DEGREE OF VIRGO NORTH NODE IN 6TH DEGREE OF PISCES CARDINAL AND MUTABLE STAR SIGN HOSTED THREE PLANETS EACH, FIXED AND WATER FOUR EACH, FIRE EARTH AND AIR HOSTED TWO EACH. PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 40% NON-PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 60% HIGHLY HIGHLIGHTED STAR SIGN = AQUARIUS FINAL DISPOSITOR = SATURN ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA Saturn as the final depositor-the most influential planet at home when you were born, pointed to you as an ambitious person who must have a well developed career. You are a disciplined person with higher degree of leadership quality in yourself. Although, you can be emotional, you are stable and reliable. Less than 50 per cent of push-full influence in you is an indication of your being an amiable person. Both your natal sun/moon in Pisces and Aquarius are indications of characteristic of star signs are highly pronounced in your inner-self Having your hands on public pulse will always bring you unexpected success and fulfilment.

Around your 30th birthday an endless cycle of great success and achievements will start for you.

Oil-petrol chemicals will feature in your life when the predicted great cycle starts for you.

Congratulation ! ! !

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 — 59

BRIEFS Ukraine crisis: Amnesty deplores abuses by both sides

H

Obama restates determination to clear Ebola

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ARELY one to leave anything to chance, President Barack Obama is restating his administration to clear the Ebola virus in America After waking up in his own bed yesterday at his family’s home in Chicago, Obama voted early for the midterms election and was to attend a fundraiser for Democrats. How he will spend the rest of the week is anyone’s guess.

That’s because Obama’s schedule this week is a work in progress, in a departure from the normal practice in which the president’s

schedule is previewed days in advance. The blank slate reflects the White House’s attempt to stay nimble,

leaving Obama room to maneuver amid a public health crisis that has been anything but predictable.

Oscar Pistorius knows fate today

O

SCAR Pistorius will finally learn his fate today when a judge is expected to announce the Olympic runner ’s sentence for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Pistorius could be sentenced to years in prison, or he could be given a suspended sentence and a fine and receive no jail time for shooting Steenkamp multiple times through a toilet cubicle door in his home.

More than seven months after Pistorius’ trial started, Judge Thokozile Masipa will announce what punishment she has decided on after finding him guilty of culpable homicide, which is comparable to manslaughter, but acquitting him of murder.

Prosecutors have demanded at least 10 years in prison for the double-amputee athlete.

that Pistorius did not intend to kill Steenkamp, but he acted negligently and with excessive force in the Valentine’s Day 2013 killing.

Last week, Obama twice had to cancel planned campaign trips at the last minute to stay in Washington to focus on Ebola. This week, Obama is hoping to avoid such lastminute cancelations and show he’s singularly focused on the task at hand.

So even though it’s crunch time for the midterm elections, with Democrats counting on their president to help get out the vote, Obama hasn’t made any promises to campaign this week with candidates.

Still, Obama made a point of voting early Monday to illustrate the Democrats’ push to get out the vote now and not wait until Election Day. They’re hoping to turn out Democratic-leaning voters such as minorities and young people who frequently skip voting in midterm years.

Zambian President goes for medical check-up

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•Pistorious His defense lawyers have suggested that three years of correctional supervision, with periods of house arrest and community service, would be appropriate.

Pistorius testified during his murder trial that he mistook Steenkamp for a dangerous nighttime intruder about to come out of the cubicle and attack him when he shot four times through the door with his 9 mm pistol. Judge Masipa last month ruled

A M B I A’ S President Michael Sata has gone abroad for a medical check-up amid persistent speculation that he is seriously ill.

Mr Sata’s office said the 77-year-old leader flew out on Sunday but it did not disclose his destination.

Mr Sata made a rare public appearance last month to tell parliament: “I am not dead.”

The BBC’s Meluse Kapatamoyo says this is the first time the authorities have said he is seeking medical treatment.

Defence Minister Edgar Lungu has been named acting president.

Known as “King Cobra” for his venomous tongue, Mr Sata was elected Zambia’s president in 2011.

It is unclear whether he will return by Friday to preside over celebrations to mark 50 years of Zambia’s independence.

Mr Sata has not been seen in public since returning from the UN General Assembly last month, where he failed to make a scheduled speech, the AFP news agency reports.

Turkey agrees to allow Kurdish fighter reinforce Kobani fighters

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URKEY said yesterday it would allow Iraqi Kurdish fighters to reinforce fellow Kurds in the Syrian town of Kobani, while the United States air-dropped arms for the first time to help the defenders resist an Islamic State assault.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington had asked Ankara to help “get the peshmerga or other groups” into Kobani so that they could help defend the town on the Turkish frontier, adding that he hoped the Kurds would “take this fight

on”.

If the reinforcements come through, this may mark a turning point in the battle for Kobani, a town that has become a frontline of the battle to foil Islamic State’s attempt to reshape the Middle East.

The Syrian Kurds have struggled for weeks against better armed Islamic State fighters.

U.S.-led air strikes have helped the Kurds avoid defeat, but they been unable to resupply fighters besieged on three sides by Islamic State and blocked by Turkey from bringing

fighters or weapons over the border.

Ankara views the Syrian Kurds with deep suspicion because of their ties to the PKK, a group that waged a decades-long militant campaign for Kurdish rights in Turkey and which Washington regards as a terrorist organization.

Speaking in Indonesia, Kerry acknowledged Turkish concerns about support for the Kurds, and said the air-drop of supplies provided by the Kurdish authorities in Iraq did not amount to a change of U.S. policy.

He indicated that the battle against Islamic State, a group also known by the acronym ISIL that has seized large areas of Syria and Iraq, was an overriding consideration.

“We understand fully the fundamentals of (Ankara’s) opposition and ours to any kind of terrorist group, and particularly, obviously, the challenges they face with respect to the PKK,” he told reporters.

But he added: “We cannot take our eye off the prize here. It would be irresponsible of us, as well as morally very difficult, to turn your back on a community fighting ISIL.”

UMAN rights group Amnesty International has said that there was evidence of atrocities committed by both warring sides in eastern Ukraine, but not on the scale reported by Russia.

It said “strong evidence” implicated government forces in the killing of four men near rebel-held Donetsk. When the bodies were discovered Russian media spoke of “mass graves” there.

Meanwhile a huge blast has rocked part of Donetsk, as clashes continue despite a truce agreed on September 5.

The shockwave from a powerful explosion damaged the Donbass Arena stadium on Monday. It was a venue for Euro 2012 football matches.

Reports say it happened near a munitions factory on the outskirts, in the same area as the airport, where fierce fighting has raged in recent weeks. No casualties have been reported. A dramatic video on YouTube showed the shockwave disrupting a rebel press conference. The pro-Russian separatists allege it was caused by a “Tochka-U” missile.

Islamic State: Turkey to let Iraq Kurds join Kobane fight

T

URKEY is to allow Iraqi Kurdish fighters to cross the Syrian border to fight Islamic State (IS) militants in Kobane, in what is being seen as a policy reversal.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said talks on the subject were continuing.

Tens of thousands of people have fled months of fighting in Kobane between IS forces and Syrian Kurd defenders.

The announcement came shortly after the US carried out air drops of weapons to the town’s Kurdish fighters.

Meanwhile, the US-led coalition has carried out its first air strike of the day, against IS positions in the south-west of the town, says the BBC’s Kasra Naji on the Turkish border.

US Central Command later confirmed six strikes near Kobane over Sunday and Monday, as well as six in Iraq near Falluja and Baiji involving French and UK aircraft.

Deadly car bombings hit Iraq’s Karbala

F

IVE car bombings in the revered Iraqi city of Karbala have killed at least 15 people, Iraqi officials have said.

A police officer said on Monday that the explosivesladen cars were parked in commercial areas and parking lots near government offices.

He said 48 others were wounded in the explosions.

Karbala is home to two of the most sacred Shia shrines and is located about 90km south of the capital city of Baghdad.

The attacks came hours after a suicide bomber blew himself up among Shia worshippers as they were leaving a mosque in a commercial area in central Baghdad, killing at least 11 people.

It also came a day after a suicide bomber killed at least 21 people at a funeral in western Baghdad outside a Shia house of worship.

UN to impose sanctions on highprofile Yemenis’

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HE United Nation is preparing to impose sanctions on five high-profile Yemenis including the former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, according to Al Jazeera. A UN panel of experts found that the individuals had been acting as spoilers in Yemen’s democratic transition.

Three of those named are leaders of the Houthi rebel group that has seized large parts of the country over the last month.

Saleh, whose 33-year reign ended in 2012 after a popular uprising, has been accused of using Yemen’s ongoing crisis to re-establish his influence over the country’s politics.

His powerful son Ahmed Ali. who was the brigadiergeneral in charge of the Republican Guard before he was named the ambassador to the UAE, is also to be sanctioned, Arab diplomats who have seen the report prepared by the UN panel said.

60 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

AWC: Falcons to attack Bayana Bayana 100 goals thrill Modise

B

AYANA Bayana veteran Portia Modise said she was thrilled to score her 100th goal in 117 games for South Africa Modise inspired the South Africans to a 5-1 mauling of Algeria with a brace, in their last group game. Against Nigeria on Wednesday, she is hopeful of making Precious Dede perform the unenviable role of retrieving the ball from the back of the net.

“Scoring 100 goals will always be an excellent achievement. I am over the moon “As a team we really worked hard and we had good co-operation on the field. We are together and we will do it again in our other games,” said Modise.

Bayana Captain Van Wyk said Modise’s selflessness for the national cause was one of the pillars upon which the team revolves.

“She is very experienced; she knows how to carry the team and does so without complaining. We are happy and ecstatic for her.”

STORIES BY BEN EFE, Windhoek

B

AYANA Bayana of South African are aiming to be the banana peel that will send the Super Falcons out of the African Women Championship, when both sides clash in tomorrow’s semi-final..

Super Falcons coach, Edwin Okon said that the Nigerian ‘die hard’ spirit will be at its best as they plan a massive onslaught on the South African women who in the 2012 edition, signed the Falcons’ exit warrant in the tourney hosted and won by Equatorial Guinea. With that victory at the back of their minds and buoyed by their 5-1 thrashing of Algeria, Bayana Bayana players’ confidence is soaring high.

“It is going to be a tough match no doubt about it. That is why we have stepped up our training,” said coach Okon after training yesterday.

“We are not going to give them a breathing space. It is going to be an all out attack and robust defending against them.”

Osinachi Marvis Ohale, Super Falcons’ defence stalwart echoed the coach’s optimism.

She stated that the team was ready to face the South African challenge adding that her teammates are in one accord of playing the match as if their lives depended on it.

“We have worked so hard in training, perfecting our strategy and working on our lapses. Our aim is to reach the final and South Africa will not stop us,” she said.

•Nkwocha

•Thombiso

I need to be lethal in front of goal — Oshoala U

•Oshoala

NDER-20 Women World Cup star, Asisat Oshoala is yet to find her rhythm at the African Women Championship even as her coaches and colleague are waiting for her to show the stuff she is made of.

Before their final group match against Namibia on Friday, her contribution has been one goal and one assist in the Super Falcons campaign. Having it in the back of her mind that much is been expected of her, Oshoala emphasized the need for her to perfect her finishing, which somewhat denied her a hat-trick in their game

against Zambia.

“I know that I am not good at finishing. I am not nervous, not under any kind of pressure or frustrated, it is just a matter of skill and I am learning to be lethal in front of goal.

“It is not a day’s job that is why I keep training.

Nobody is perfect even Messi or Ronaldo world class players they do miss scoring opportunities. As an upcoming player, I know that there is a whole lot to learn and usually after we finish training I stay behind for about 30 minutes to work on my imperfections,” she said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 — 61

Adelakun: Eagles don’t need a foreign coach

Samuel: Expect more against Congo and South Africa

By John Egbokhan

S

UPER Eagles mid fielder, Aaron Samuel has told fans to expect a bumper performance from him in next month’’s crunch 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo and South Africa.

Samuel, whose invitation for last week’s AFCON qualifier against Sudan in Abuja was not well received by Nigerian fans, who wondered why ousted Coach Stephen Keshi would call-up a player playing in the less-fancied

•Pinnick

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ENOWNED Nigerian football administrator Ayotunde Adelakun says that a foreign coach is not what the Super Eagles need.

"This job is not a job for big names. Ruud Gullit, Lothar Mattaus, Jose Pinto, Toppmoler, Jens Keller, Jean Tigana are all exciting names that we would want to see on the Super Eagles bench, but which one of these guys can actually deliver what we want?,” he told African Football.

“I have watched Africa over the years - been on the circuit of African football for close to 20 years and I have not seen ONE so-called big name who had come to Africa and done well. Not a single one.

“What Nigeria needs is someone who knows Africa; someone who can identify with the thoughts and mentality of African players.

Not a coach who will come in and still ask people about who the best players are and how to contact them."

Serena sends Ivanovic packing

•Samuel... Super Eagles new kid on the block

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HE 2014 Chevron Tennis Clinic came to a stylish end weekend at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, with no fewer than 100 players basking in the euphoria of participating in the foremost developmental programme in the country.

The players, ranging between the ages of eight to 14, were appreciative of the sponsors of the programme, promising to make the most of the exposure and experience

•Serena

Mbatha: Bafana will beat Eagles M

Chevron Tennis Clinic ends in style

By John Egbokhan

Chinese Super League, proved his critics and cynics wrong by posting a good showing.

For his efforts, Samuel scored Eagles second goal, which perhaps was the turning point for the Eagles in the Nations Cup qualification race.

“I thank God for this victory and also thank the fans for their show of love and promise to do more if invited for the next round of matches against Congo and South Africa”, said the 20 year-old former Shooting Stars player.

they gained from the holiday coaching clinic.

Speaking in an interview with Sports Vanguard, 12-year old Michael Oshewa said that “I am very grateful for this opportunity by Chevron to learn more about tennis and I can confidently say that I have learnt a lot. New things I learnt during this clinic include how to serve, how to hit the ball hard with my back-hand and how to serve aces."

12 year-old Ayoola Michael said that “being here has been very interesting for a lot of reasons.

I have learnt a lot of things, which I would not have learnt had it been I did not come here.

For 14 year-old Christopher Bulus, the gains of being in the clinic far outlives any gain he had made in his budding tennis career in recent years.

•Mashaba, South Africa's coach

AMELODI Sundowns midfielder Lindokuhle Mbatha is confident that Bafana Bafana will qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations next year.

Having played out a 11 draw with Congo in Polokwane last week, South Africa top Group A with eight points, one ahead of Congo in second.

The 29-year-old Mbatha, who is currently sidelined by injury, believes without a doubt that Shakes Mashaba’s side will make it to next year’s showpiece.

Speaking to Football411, he said: “We will definitely beat Sudan and Nigeria next month, because the boys are doing well at the moment.

“In my opinion I think it was not the best game but all that matters is we did not lose, maybe the bad weather also contributed.

I am 100 percent sure that we will go through.”

A

N all-action Serena Williams eased concerns over her injured knee as she opened the WTA Finals with a 6-4, 64 victory over Ana Ivanovic With no strapping on her knee, Williams slid around the court and at one point did the splits. She shouted “Come on!” so many times she made herself hoarse.

“I never do it in practice,” said Williams of her impromptu splits in the final game, which she said she’d only done once before on court. “I never run that hard in practice.

I save it for a match. I do work on my flexibility, but not for tennis. Because I dance… I guess it comes in handy.” After a nervy start it was an ultimately convincing win from the top seed, who is seeking her third straight season finale victory and the yearend world number one ranking.

Romania’s Simona Halep enjoyed a straightforward 6-2, 6-3 victory over a misfiring Eugenie Bouchard of Canada.

62 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

UEFA Champions League... UEFA Champions League... UEFA Champions League...

Pellegrini: Empty stadium won’t help Man City M

ANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini has said playing in an empty stadium won’t help his side when they travel to Russia for their potentially decisive Champions League match against CSKA Moscow today.

European football governing body Uefa has ordered CSKA to play the game behind closed doors because of racist behaviour by their fans — something City have direct experience of after Yaya Toure was on the receiving end of verbal abuse when the clubs met last season.

But Pellegrini does not

believe this will give the reigning Premier League champions, still struggling to make their mark on Europe’s elite club competition, an advantage in the Russian capital.

“I think that affects football. I don’t think it is the best way to play, not only for our team but for the Russian team,” Pellegrini said.

“I think football is about the fans. It is the most important thing because they give an atmosphere at the stadium which is different to an empty stadium. It will be a different experience but that cannot affect our performance,”

Roma not afraid of Bayern — Garcia

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UDI Garcia insists Roma have “no fear” of Bayern Munich despite being “outsiders” for the Champions League clash today.

While Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge labelled Roma the “strongest side in Serie A” on his side’s departure for Rome yesterday morning, Giallorossi coach Garcia was keen not to let the compliments affect his side’s preparation.

Although Roma have

made a flying start to their return to Europe with a record-equalling 5-1 win over CSKA Moscow and a convincing 1-1 draw at Manchester City, the French coach has warned that things are now going to get tough for his side.

“We were and we still are outsiders,” he said at a news conference on Monday. “Nothing has changed. We’ve still got everything to gain and nothing to lose.

•Roma players celebrating C M Y K

CELEBRATION ... Manchester City players celebrate the goal.

Mourinho won’t make sweeping changes

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HELSEA may be five points clear at the top of the Premier League and unbeaten in top-flight domestic action this season, but they are determined not to be caught off guard when they face Maribor in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge today Jose Mourinho has already seen his side slip up at home in Group G, with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar punishing the Blues for failing to make more of a number of chances by scoring Schalke’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw in the opening game of their latest European campaign.

Chelsea recovered from that disappointment with victory over Sporting in Lisbon.

But, with Maribor having held both Schalke and Sporting, Blues manager Mourinho will resist any temptation to make wholesale changes for the clash.

•Mourinho

Bale set to miss clash with Liverpool

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ARETH Bale has been ruled out of Real Madrid’s Champions League to Liverpool and is also a major doubt for the upcoming El Clasico.

Bale was an unused substitute during Real Madrid’s 5-0 win over Levante on Saturday after picking up a gluteal muscle injury while on Wales

duty last week. After the victory on Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti said that the winger’s injury will be evaluated in the coming days.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 — 63

South Africa rule out being 2015 hosts S

OUTH African sports minister Fikile Mbalula has stated the country will not step in as hosts for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations if Morocco withdraws.

The Confederation of African Football approached South Africa last week, after Morocco asked to postpone the event because of the Ebola crisis.

“I can tell you unambiguously and categorically that hosting is a no no,” Mbalula told South African media.

"Our budget cycle will not allow it - it is totally impossible.” South Africa were among seven countries sounded out

by CAF as possible replacements for Morocco, who have major concerns about hosting the 17 January to 8 February tournament.

Almost 4,500 people have died in the Ebola epidemic that broke out in west Africa at the

NFF Continues from BP week of December.

The three–week capacity building exercise is aimed at preparing the best of Nigerian arbiters to become better officiating officials in the coming years, and to enhance their opportunities of commanding greater recognition by international soccer bodies.

According to the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, this move is part of the vision of the new NFF Executive Committee to enhance the capacity of our referees for the kind of prominence on the international stage that a leading football powerhouse like Nigeria deserves.

“The new NFF Board is determined to train and retrain our referees, as well as coaches and administrators with an

start of the year and Morocco youth and sports minister Mohamed Ouzzine said on Thursday he does not think the tournament can happen as planned.

Moroccan officials will meet with CAF on 3 November to discuss the situation. Whatever the outcome, South Africa have made their stance clear.

Mbalula said the country had a responsibility to help fight the Ebola epidemic, with the United Nations predicting a surge in deaths and cases.

“We do not have a ready-made abundance of resources to be shifted to the Nations Cup, “ he added. “We would like to give this one a pass. We will share the responsibility to fight Ebola - we are not immune to that. We must be prepared to share our skills, our doctors, to reinforce the research to find a vaccine.”

eye on better output.

There is no reason why Nigerian referees should not be holding their own globally. We have the men and women, and all they need do is enhance their knowledge of modern techniques of the profession.

•WOW! Serena Williams shows off her remarkable flexibility as she beats Ana Ivanovic of Serbia during the opening round of the Women’s Tennis Association championships in Singapore yesterday.

“In another six months, we will get another company to sponsor another batch of referees to another refresher course. It is a continuous exercise.

But selection of beneficiaries will be based on performance on the domestic scene.”

Nations.

Shaibu, along with Salisu Yusuf, Gbenga Ogunbote and Alloysius Agu were named in the new Super Eagles technical crew on Thursday, with their immediate task being prosecuting the last round of qualifying matches to Africa’s biggest soccer showpiece next January.

“We have been given an assignment that is tough and very challenging but not one that is impossible to accomplish. We will give it our very best and see how

Continues from BP tonight’s Uefa Champions League clash.

Reviewing CSKA Moscow’s Champions League clash at home to Manchester City at a press conference held

Ethiopia

Amodu Continues from BP

Musa

things can be turned around.

“I think this situation is very similar to what we had in the qualifiers to the 2002 World Cup. We worked hard, did our bit and were fortunate to have results elsewhere also going our way.

“There are somethings that, as humans, we cannot control just as there are a lot more we can influence.

I can assure everybody that we will give this assignment all we have and then hope that all other things fall in place for us.”

Continues from BP Corporation said yesterday that the Ethiopian Football Association had not received any application from Keshi.

Keshi was reported to have opened talks with the EFA to take over the country’s team.

“I spoke with the EFA president Juneidin Basha yesterday (Sunday) on the report of Keshi taking over and he said the EFA have not received any application from Keshi for the EFA job,” Mandefro explained.

“Mariano Barreto re-

yesterday, Musa claimed City have struggled in their last few English Premier League games.

“In the last two matches of the EPL, they have looked unconvincing. I know the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent. I can say that the

opponent’s defense is not as strong.

“I think that City are weaker. This year, the British were not as strong as the same Bayern Munich,” the 22 year - old was quoted saying during the press conference."

mains the coach of the Ethiopian national team.

Even though he is not doing too well right now, the EFA have not mentioned anything about sack.”

Meanwhile, Coach Stephen Keshi has said he would rather take a

break than take up a new coaching job immediately after he was shown the door by Nigeria.

The former Eagles coach declined comments on the reports linking him with the top coaching post in Ethiopia.

Today’s Champions League matches CSKA APOEL BATE Barca Chelsea FC Porto Roma Schalke

v v v v v v v v

Man City PSG Shakhta Ajax Maribor A/Bilbao B/Munich S/Lisbon

5pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

NFF sends elite referees to England T

HE Nigeria F o o t b a l l Federation has concluded all arrangements to send

the best of Nigerian referees to the United Kingdom for a special refresher course beginning in the first Continues on Page 63

Ethiopia FA denies Keshi D

ISENGAGED Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi’s reported move to Ethiopia may have hit the rocks as the Ethiopian Football Association has denied ever getting any application from him.

Top Ethiopian journalist Taddeshp Mandefro with the Ethiopian Broadcasting Continues on Page 63

•Amaju

Don’t expect miracles from me — Amodu T

HE newly appointed coach of the Super Eagles Amodu Shaibu has asked Nigerians to be moderate in their

expectations of the team even as he promised to give his best in salvaging Nigeria’s hopes of participating at next year’s Africa Cup of Continues on Page 63

Champions League: Musa writes off City

I

N-form Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa has written off the chances of the English champions defeating the Russian champions in

Continues on Page 63 •Keshi

South Africa rule out being 2015 hosts — Pg.63

Champions League fixtures — Pg.63

•Musa

•Amodu

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Loathe (6) 5 Save (6) 9 Might (5) 10 Overlook (6) 11 On land (6) 12 Reel (5) 14 Clothed (4) 17 Permit (3) 18 Shrewd (4) 20 Of tides (5) 22 Fire-raising (5) 23 Rest (7) 24 Yawned (5) 26 Lukewarm (5) 29 Frozen (4) 30 Deed (3) 32 Cube (4) 33 Quoted (5) 35 Stagger (6) 36 Inherent (6) 37 Storehouse (5) 38 Dashed (6) 39 Controlled (6)

DOWN 1 Flaw (6) 2 String (6) 3 Rushed (4) 4 Sum (5) 5 Respond (5) 6 Gaelic (4) 7 Flower (6) 8 Team (6) 13 Disregard (7) 15 Shrub (5) 16 Challenged (5) 18 Belief (5) 19 Pick-me-up (5) 21 Guided (3) 22 Insect (3) 24 Talented (6) 25 Plague (6) 27 Wing (6) 28 Rely (6) 30 Ventilated (5) 31 Singer (5) 33 Yield (4) 34 Fruit (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 4, Match 7, Entrap 9, Sad 10, Per 12, Lucid 13, Flea 15, Repel 17, Arrive 19, Tiff 20, Romeo 22, Eat 24, Alerted 27, Ewe 28, Aimed 31, Solo 33, Entree 35, Perch 37, Tall 38, Sewed 39, Ear 41, Rep 42, Wailed 43, Began.

ACROSS: 1, Heifer 2, Stream 3, Rap 4, Male 5, Adult 6, Coifure 8, Peri 11, Reverence 14, Area 16, Peat 18, Role 21, Obsolete 23, Tear 25, Ewer 26, Diet 29, Meanly 30, Delude 32, Opera 34, Thaw 36, Eden 40, Ran

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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C M Y K