...AS NASS OKAYS EMERGENCY RULE: Insurgents fight withLibyan weapons — Army

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61887

Achebe remains arrives, begins final journey •P.9

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

From left: Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr Reginald Ihejiahi; Chairman of the Board, Chief Christopher Eze and Company Secretary, Chijioke Ugochukwu at the bank's 25th Annual General Meeting, in Abuja, yesterday.

...AS NASS OKAYS EMERGENCY RULE:

Insurgents fight with Libyan weapons — Army •NASS urges Jonathan to properly fund operations •Says democratic structures must be left in place •House wants compensation for Boko Haram victims

BY OKEY NDIRIBE, EMMAN OVUAKPORIE, HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

BUJA — THE troops deployed to flush out Boko Haram insurgents from Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, yesterday, encountered intense resistance from sect members who were armed with sophisticated weapons from Libya.

Continues on Page 5

COLUMNIST: ROTIMI FASAN •P.19

DEAR BUNMI •P. 42

Mr & Mrs

ALL FOR ACHEBE From right: National Chairman, All Nigeria People's Party, ANPP, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu; Anglican Bishop, Diocese of the Niger, Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo; son of the deceased, Dr. Ike Achebe; widow, Prof. Christie Achebe; daughter, Dr. Ogundimu; Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Pius Anyim during the airport reception for the body of the late novelist, Prof Chinua Achebe, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

B-I-Z-A-R-R-E •P. 6

Jonathan orders release of Human parts on sale Boko Haram suspects .P.9 C M Y K

2— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013—3

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4— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013 — 5

POCKET CARTOON

From left: Chief Financial Officer, Etisalat, Andrew Kemp; Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza; Managing Director, Etisalat, Mr. Steve Evans; Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje and Managing Director, Zenith Bank, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, during the signing ceremony of the $1.2 billion medium term loan facility for Etisalat by a consortium of banks in Lagos, yesterday.

Insurgents fight with Libyan weapons Continues from Page 1

This came as the National Assembly, yesterday, endorsed the proclamation of a state of emergency in the three states by President Goodluck Jonathan.

A senior military official told The Guardian of London that “they (Islamist militants) have been putting up fierce resistance and they are very, very well-armed

with weapons from Libya.” He said most of the militants who have waged a bloody fouryear battle to create an Islamist state had scattered across the semidesert borders.

A renewed military campaign, including aerial bombardments of Boko Haram training camps in the three states declared under emergency rule this month, has led to the capture of

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Religion is like a blind man looking into a black room for a black cat that is isn’t there and finding it – Oscar Wilde.

Have a relationship with God

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

When you have love in your heart, you don’t need to have anything else. If you don’t have it, it doesn’t matter much what else you have — James Barre.

W

hen we make our moments golden, we are mellowed with the infinite presence of Divine Love. The simple things are the most meaningful and beautiful expression of love. A simple act like taking a quiet walk, an appreciation and salute of a sunrise, listening to the birds singing beautifully, to hug loved one, to smile or do something nice for someone, to write a love letter to yourself and appreciate your divine qualities; virtues of kindness, patience, tolerance, generosity, purity of thoughts and compassion, to keep one’s heart a beautiful place and feel embraced in a protective clock of love, like the sweet fragrance of sequoia sandal wood in the ether all around me, and this beautiful realization that life will magnet its sweetness to you more abundantly in every way depending on what you give to it .

I sat on a rock by this beautiful pond and watched the wind stir a ripple to every spectrum, each returning wave embracing my heart with a beautiful knowing that when you have love in your heart, you don’t need to have anything else. If you don’t have it, it doesn’t matter much what else you have.

This much I do know, something better always comes because there is always something more to grace our hearts and caress our lives with joy, and much treasures of divine love.

almost 200 militants and the death of dozens in a week, according to the military. In one raid, a helicopter gunship was hit by anti-aircraft and anti-tank fire, a military source said.

However, a resident of the besieged states said:“It’s only by the goodwill of soldiers and by virtue of my position that I was able to leave the city. All the entry points to and from Maiduguri are blocked by the military but they let me through.”

Outside the city walls, he said, trucks carrying food and market produce were lined up awaiting entrance.

“We have been used to seeing soldiers and checkpoints for the past two years in Maiduguri, but it is having a real impact on the economic activity,” he added.

In Maiduguri, where militants are deeply enmeshed in the population, soldiers carrying out house-to-house searches after placing a 24-hour curfew in some neighbourhoods discovered stockpiles of weapons including rocket-propelled grenades, a defence spokesperson said.

“Life has still not returned to normal in these areas, shops aren’t opening. People are just sitting at home scared and sweating,” said Amina, a secretary in the neighbourhood. “They arrested a lot of people here in operations in the night.

NASS okays

emergency rule Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan’s proclamation of a state of emergency in the three North-East states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa received the unanimous endorsement of the Senate and the House of Representatives, yesterday.

The two Houses in separate sessions, nevertheless, qualified their endorsements with specific clauses to sustain the democratic structures in the three states.

One hundred senators, 28 more than the 72 required to endorse the proclamation, were present at yesterday’s session. The endorsement in the Senate was, however, devoid of a headcount as the lawmakers sought the coverage of a unanimous voice vote to protect themselves from the repercussions of the vote.

Two hundred and fifty three members, 13 more than the 240 members required, were present in the House of Representatives. As in the Senate, the vote was also unanimous.

However, a conference committee of the two chambers is to meet to agree on the final details of the clauses agreed by the two chambers including the clause by the House that victims of the Boko Haram insurgency be compensated by the Federal Government.

Carrot and stick policy

The Senate was the first to endorse the proclamation at the end of its closed door session at 12.46 p.m.

Reading out the Senate resolution at the end of the session, its president, Senator David Mark, urged President Jonathan to adopt a carrot and stick policy towards stopping the insurgency.

Prior to the commencement of the session, the principal officers of the Senate met again, yesterday, after last Monday evening's meeting during which they again reviewed strategies for the day’s proceedings. Following the meeting, Mark led the principal officers into the adjoining chamber of the Senate at 11.05 a.m.

Upon a motion moved

by Senator Victor Lar (PDP, Plateau South), Senator Mark, at 11.28 am, read the gazette of the proclamation as communicated by the president.

Subsequently, the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, directed senators to order 136 of the Senate’s standing rule.

The rule reads: "The President shall in a closed session brief the Senate on the circumstances of the Proclamation of a State of Emergency and thereafter make available to the Senators the documents as provided by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Ndoma-Egba then moved for a closed door session in line with the provision. The motion was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume.

At the end of the closed door session at 12.44pm, the Senate again opened for plenary.

Speaking on resumption, Senator Mark said: ”You will recall that this

morning, I read a letter from Mr. President that we approve his declaration of State of Emergency.

Democratic structures must be left in place “At the closed session, we extensively discussed some of the issues that we think are very important to this proclamation of state of emergency. We want to emphasize very emphatically that all the democratic structures must be left in place and must be allowed to operate fully and actively and they must also be involved in all the efforts that the Federal Government is putting up to bring this ugly situation to an end.

"We also would like to emphasise that the Armed Forces are issued a proper code of conduct where they are humane and benevolent and make sure that all citizens are treated with utmost respect so that they do not lose their respect as human beings.

"We are conscious of the fact that government is taking this step as a last resort but alongside that, we want to encourage the government to also urge the committee on amnesty to work alongside the current functions that are put in place to bring this to an end so that at the end of the day, government can concentrate on their efforts to win the hearts and minds of the people in all the states that are affected.

"We are conscious of the fact that there was lawlessness, there was anarchy and mayhem in most of the places that are involved in the declaration of state of emergency and we appreciate the fact that government must take every possible step to bring

Continues on page 8

6—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

4 nabbed over N75m petroleum product fraud

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

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DEALERS: Fatai Akinwowo, herbalist (left) and alleged suppliers of human parts. On the ground are suspected mixture of ground human head and local gin in a bottle alongside a human finger, allegedly recovered from the suspects.

AGOS—POLICEMEN attached to Area B Command, Apapa, Lagos, have arrested four persons, among them three ‘Managing Directors,’ who allegedly specialised in defrauding unsuspecting petroleum dealers.

The suspects, Clinton Aladay, Emmanuel Amakre, Lawrence Oduh, allegedly defrauded their victims to the tune of N75 million worth of petroleum products, using fake payment alerts.

Parading the suspects before newsmen, yesterday, spokesperson for Lagos State Police

HUMAN PARTS AVAILABLE: Hands, N4,000; head, N8,000; private parts, N10,000; live human, N40,000

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS—EMOTIONS ran high, yesterday, at Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, following startling revelations by suspected members of three syndicates, who specialised in selling human parts to herbalists and persons suspected to be clerics.

The suspects told a bewildered crowd that human heads were sold for N8,000; hands, N4,000 and private parts N10,000.

One of them, Agboola Kolawole, who blamed his indulgence on poverty and inability to pay his children’s school fees, disclosed that he had so far sold four heads of his deceased siblings to a herbalist, who in turn sold to some persons they identified simply as Alhajis.

The Alhajis, as gathered, offered to pay one of the suspects N40,000 to get a live human being, only for the suspect, Sanni Kazeem, to be apprehended during his search for prey.

Recovered from one of the arrested herbalists, identified as Ajibade Rafiu (40), who the suspects said they supply with the human parts, was a dried human finger suspected to be that of a lady, and a concoction, which he said was made from ground human head mixed with local gin.

The concoction, according to Rafiu, was to fortify him against spiritual attack.

Arrest, confession

Their arrest, according to the Command's spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, followed a tip-off from the officer-in-charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, Abba Kyari, that one of the suspects, Jamiu Adeleke, was at the verge of selling a human

hand for N21,000.

The operatives, according to Braide, who paraded the suspects before newsmen, stormed Owode town, Ogun State, where Adeleke was arrested while attempting to sell the human hand to a buyer.

She said: “Adeleke confessed that one Sanni Kazeem sold it to him for N6,000. When Sanni was arrested, he also confessed to the crime, adding that he had supplied two human heads to a dealer named Akinwowo Fatai (30), who was also arrested.

Akinwowo, on his part, confessed to have received the human heads and another four human heads from another supplier, one Agboola Kolawole (40), who was later arrested in the same Owode town."

Sources of 'goods'

"Kolawole confessed that he cut the heads of his two late brothers and two late sisters buried in private graves in their compound and sold them for N8,000 each. The final buyer/receiver, one Ajibade Rafiu (30), a herbalist, was also arrested.

"During interrogation, the suppliers said they got their human parts from various grave yards in Ogun State, while the middlemen doubled the prices and sell to the herbalist, who is the end user.

"Sanni Kazeem also confessed that two popular Alhajis in the same Owode town had bought one head from him before and also requested for a live human being for N40,000.”

She added that the first suspect arrested, Adeleke, jumped out of a moving vehicle in his attempt to escape and

sustained fatal injuries, which later resulted in his death, adding that effort was still on to arrest others indicted in the business.

‘Am in it for school fees’

One of the suspects, Agboola Kolawole, said: “Yes, I sold my dead siblings parts for N8,000 each. I was tempted to do that because of poverty and inability to pay my children's school fees.

“Just as I was thinking of how to pay their school fees, a friend approached me and asked why I should be suffering when there was a way out. When I asked how, he said I should go and get some human parts that he would pay me.

“That was how I went to my late brother’s grave at night, exhumed the bodies of two of them and cut off the heads.

“When I took them to the

"I told him I would think about it. But I never went back to him again because I felt I could not do that.”

However, it was gathered that Alpha Jamiu, the middleman, pays the supplier N8,000 but sells the parts thrice the amount to end users.

The herbalist, Ajibade Rafiu, told journalists that he bought a human head for N8,000, with an intention to prepare a fortification concoction for himself.

He said: “I burnt the human head and later ground it, poured it inside a plastic and added local gin and other roots. I prepared the concoction for myself.

"It is to fortify me against any attack because in this job if you are not fortified people may attempt to throw spiritual arrows at you. But with this, if anybody tries it, it will backfire.”

Command, Ngozi Braide, explained that the suspects floated three different companies (Hephziba Energy Resources Ltd, Deep Flank Energy Resources and Blue Moon Energy Resources Ltd.).

They equally opened several bank accounts with various banks to facilitate their crimes.

She said: “After bargaining the price with the dealers, they will issue cheques on the agreed sum, and in some cases the innocent victim receives alert from his bank indicating that money had been deposited in their account, before parting with their products.

“When they go to the bank to confirm if their accounts had been credited, they will realise that they had been defrauded.

“These suspects are on the wanted list of the State C.I.D, Yaba, Zone 11, Onikan, Lagos, Special Fraud Unit, Area E Command, Festac and the Area B Command for various fraud cases.

“They met their waterloo when detectives from the Area B Command got information that one of the suspects was trying to sell off a petroleum product to a buyer in Apapa.

"They swooped on him and he assisted the police in arresting others.

“Their victims at the mentioned police formations includes; Nikky Best, who they allegedly defrauded of N5.2 million; Mrs. Ogini, N6 million; one Professor N9.6 million; Innocent Okonkwo N9.6 million; Pesue Temisanren, N4.7 million; Royal Oil, N2.9 million; Meta Oil and Gas N4 million; King Simon, N11 million; Jonathan, N5 million and many others.”

friend, he gave me N16,000 and told me to get him four hands. This time around, I went to my late sisters graves and cut off their hands. I was paid N8,000 for a set of hands.”

‘I was offered N40,000 to get a human being’

Kazeem Sanni said he usually went to cemeteries to exhume dead bodies and cut off the needed parts.

He said: “The cemetery I usually frequent is CMS. I usually go there at night when the guards would have slept.

“I sell skull for N8,000 to Alpha Jamiu (Muslim cleric). So far, I have gone to the cemetery thrice to cut off human parts.

“Two weeks ago, he called to say that his clients needed a human being, promising to pay me N40,000. When I asked him how that was possible, he said he would give me a charm that would hypnotise the victim to facilitate his/her abduction.

PROTEST: Women of Eke-Awka Market protesting paym Awka, in Anambra State, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013—7

Service of songs holds for Pini Jason

8 die, 8 injured in Anambra auto crash

BY OKONKWO EZE

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NEWI—NO fewer than eight persons were feared dead, yesterday, in an auto crash involving a Mitsubishi commercial bus and a tipper lorry at the Ideani end of Nnobi-IdeaniOjoto-Umuoji-Nkpor road in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Eight others also allegedly sustained various degrees of injuries in the accident, which occurred as a result of a head-on collision by the two vehicles.

According to an eyewitness, the bus, an Ekwulobiabound fully-loaded mass transit vehicle, coming from Onitsha-Nkpor, collided with the tipper, coming from Nnobi end, close to Ideani River.

The tipper lorry was said to have smashed the bus, which resulted in the instant death of six of the bus pas-

sengers, while two others died on their way to a nearby hospital.

Those that sustained injuries were said to on danger list in their hospital beds.

Efforts by newsmen to get in touch with the Divisional

Police Officer, DPO, incharge of Nnobi Police Station on phone, proved abortive as there was no response.

A Senior Police Officer, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the incident but said

only four had so far been confirmed dead by the police.

The Onitsha Unit Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Mr. Metta, could not be reached at press time.

I'm too young to be widowed, kidney patient's wife cries out

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

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DO-EKITI—A 34-yearold young man, Mr. Olanrewaju Olawole, is said to need N7 million to stay alive, as he is afflicted by a kidney-related problem.

His wife, Funmi, said: “I am a young lady and this is not the right time for me to become a widow. It will be difficult for me to take care of

three children with my meager salary as a teacher.”

According to her, Olawole, a video editor and father of three, had been admitted at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owo, since January.

Mrs Olawole said N2.2 million had so far been expended on dialysis.

She said the money was realised through the sales of their property, adding that he

had been on life support at the FMC having fainted three times Monday, when his condition degenerated.

She said: “He was first treated for malaria at a private hospital in Akure, Ondo State capital, in January.

“Diagnosis at the FMC discovered that his two kidneys had ruptured and that he needs N7 million to do kidney transplants.”

Army nabs 9 Fulani ‘mercenaries' over Benue bloodbath

BY PETER DURU

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AKURDI—AFTER weeks of bloody conflict between Fulani herdsmen and Benue farmers, nine of the suspected Fulani mercenaries have been arrested and arraigned before a Makurdi Chief Magistrate Court.

The suspects, who were apprehended at Gbajimba in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State by officers of the Special Forces Squad of the 72 Battalion, Makurdi, were arraigned yesterday and charged with culpable homicide and causing mischief by fire.

Parading the suspects before the court, Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Patrick Sunday, told the court that the accused persons were arrested in Gbajimba on

ment of tax at Government House,

May 6 by the military personnel, who handed them over to the police.

According to him, the army officers told the police that they received reports that some Fulani mercenaries had attacked some villagers in Guma council, killing and burning the houses of their victims.

He explained that following the report, the army officers rushed to the area where they arrested the accused and also recovered three locally-made pistols and four live ammunition in their possession.

The army officers, the prosecutor further stated discovered four yet-to-be identified corpses of their victims at the scene of the attack.

At the hearing, the accused persons told the court that

they came to Benue State from neighbouring Bassa in Nasarawa State.

However, no plea was taken for want of jurisdiction, while Police prosecutor asked for an adjournment of the case pending the completion of Police

Cult clash claims 2 in Lagos

BY BOSE ADELAJA

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AGOS—TWO people were feared dead, while others were injured, yesterday, when two rival cult groups clashed in OdoKekere area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.

The incident, which took place around 8am, caused tension in the area as residents, especially workers and traders, scampered for safety

25-yr-old remanded in prison over human trafficking

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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investigations into the matter.

In her ruling, presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Cecilia Tsumba, ordered that the accused be remanded at the Makurdi prison and adjourned the case to the June 11 June for further mention.

Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, ordered the remand in Ikoyi prisons of a 25-year-old man charged with human trafficking.

The accused, Paul Osasu, who resides at Ojo barracks, Lagos, is being prosecuted by National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person, NAPTIP, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and human trafficking.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge but the judge, Justice Musa Kurya, ordered that he be remanded in custody pending bail application by his counsel.

The prosecutor, told the court that the accused was arrested on July 17, 2012, at the Ojo barracks by officials of the agency, allegedly in the business of human trafficking, as he conspired with one Elizabeth Arikoro, who is now at large, to lure one Beauty Imagbenikaro away from her home town in Edo State.

The accused was alleged to have taken Imagbenikaro, 20, from her residence in Benin to Lagos, with a promise to offer her a factory job. On reaching Lagos, he again told the victim that he would prepare traveling documents for her to Mali.

during the violence that lasted for hours.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said it was a reprisal attack from a cult group whose members had reportedly threatened to avenge the death of some of their members during a clash that took place about two months ago.

A hawker in the area, Miss Chinyeren Chukwuma, said there had been rivalry among members of Aiye and Eiye fraternities, who had been fighting for supremacy in the area.

She said: “Police usually comb the area and make arrests but the groups grow daily and if care is not taken, they will soon overpower Police.”

Two residents of the area, who gave their names as Agoro and Lekumon, told Vanguard that some members of Aiye had positioned themselves in strategic places and launched an attack on a rival group and there was a reprisal attack, which degenerated into violence and two people were killed in the process.

According to the residents, dangerous weapons were freely used by the members until the arrival of law enforcement agents.

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

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SERVICE of Songs was, yesterday, held in honour of the late media icon, Chief Pini Jason, as families, friends, colleagues and well wishers gathered at the All Saints Anglican Church, Montgomery Road, Yaba, Lagos for the event.

At the event, different hymns were rendered punctuated by scriptural readings by his children: Amadi, Kelechi and Ozodi and prayers by the clergies.

The late Pini Jason who died at the age of 65 will be buried on June 1.

In his prayer, the Assistant Priest of the church, Rev. Jimi Ebiesuwa enjoined the family not to allow sorrow dwell in the hearts but rather to be grateful for the exemplary life led by Pini. A visiting clergy and executive assistant to the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Rev. Echi Nworgu, during the prayer sessions also noted that Jason led exemplary life that should be emulated by all Christians.

Nworgu said: “Pini Jason’s burden was to see men whose life matches their profession of faith. I pray that lives of Christians become exemplary just like that of Pini Jason while here on earth.

The passing on of Pini touches us in many degrees but we find comfort in the Lord.”

Some colleagues and well wishers also took turns to testify to the exemplary life that Pini led.

Sir. Emeka Ohakim who led the former cabinet of the former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim said: “The man Pini was a man who could not keep silent.

He was a loyal servant who worked closely with us in the government of Imo State under Ohakim. He was a man of ideas, who professed excellence and emancipation of mankind.”

My Ikeddy Isiguzor who led the Vanguard Team said: “Through his writing, people knew what he stood for. He was never afraid to speak up. In a country like ours he was never afraid to discuss any issues. And people said he went into government because of money but that was not true. He was a man that chose his standard of life. He lived the way he wanted to live out of his own convictions.

He was highly talented and he shared his talents with a lot of people.”

On his part, a Nollywood actor turned politician, who worked with Pini in the Imo State government under Ohakim, Okey McAnthony said: “I met him as a fearless journalist. He was a father figure to me. He was also a man totally committed to his work and I learnt a lot from him. And he served the government without being tainted.” The Service of Songs was attended by many dignitaries including Vanguard publisher, Mr Sam Amuka, Prof.

Anya O Anya, Ebitu Ukiwe among others."

8—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

Continues from page 5

this to an end as quickly as possible with minimal loss of lives and materials.

Asks Jonathan to properly fund military operations "At the end of the day, we would like to support the Federal Government in this proclamation of the state of emergency in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, but we also would like to remind the President that the Federal Government must fund the operations there properly and adequately and we must also remind the Federal Government.

As the operation is going on, relief and medical materials should as quickly as possible be moved to the area so that the people can benefit from government’s presence.

Appeals to Boko Haram "We are conscious of the fact that this problem ought to have been brought to an end long ago but it is better late than never.

We want to appeal to the Boko Haram insurgents and terrorists that it is still not too late to cooperate with the forces that are there in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe so that we can bring this to a logical conclusion as quickly as possible.

"We must emphasise that at the end of the day, a military solution is not the final solution to the problem on ground, it is to win the hearts of the citizens in the states that are affected and indeed, in the whole country that we see a final solution to the problem as we see it today.

"I believe that when the whole military operation is over, the Federal Government will ensure that development gets to these areas as quickly as possible. We implore the Federal Government to use the carrot and stick policy to ensure that this is brought to a logical conclusion as quickly as possible.

Urges cooperation from other states ‘’While we support the declaration of State of Emergency in the three states that are involved, we urge the other states that are not directly involved to cooperate with the Federal Government and indeed, the state governments that are involved so that we can bring this to an end.

"The summary of our discussion is that the democratic structures will remain in place, the governors and local government chairmen, have as it were, the backing of the Federal Government and they should be supported maximally to ensure that this is brought to a logical conclusion.”

Insurgents fight with Libyan weapons — Army Senators absent Mark said 100 senators were present at the day’s session and said the nine senators that were absent were out on essential assignments.

Among the senators absent were Senators Ibrahim Musa, CPC, Niger North; Senator Remi Tinubu, ACN, Lagos Central; Senator Danjuma Goje, PDP, Gombe Central; Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawan, Borno North; Senator Ahmed Lawan, ANPP, Yobe North; Senator Olushola Adeyeye, ACN, Osun Central and Senator Babafemi Ojudu, ACN, Ekiti Central.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the day’s proceedings, Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and Media, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the senators decided not to take a head count for the purpose of protecting their members from the repercursions of exposure of their votes.

Abaribe who also explained that at the closed door session, all senators including members of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN spoke frankly on the need to place Nigeria first as a common interest before any political leaning. He also said the Senate was yet to get any request from the Presidency for additional funds to fund the enforcement of the emergency.

Reps introduce clauses The endorsement by the House of Representatives followed a marathon closed door session which lasted for almost four hours. At the end of the session, the House agreed to incorporate some clauses to the proclamation as sent to the House by the president.

The amendments include a clause that provides that governors and local government chairmen of the affected states shall continue in office and that the emergency rule shall only apply to the security, order and safety in the affected states and local government areas. The House also resolved that funds accruing to the affected states and local government areas must not be tampered with by troops and security personnel enforcing the emergency rule.

The House also introduced another clause that victims of terror attacks should be compensated by the Federal Government.

Speaker of the House, Aminu Tambuwal, had announced the establishment of a six-member committee to harmonise the resolutions of the House and that of the Senate. The committee is expected to submit its report to the House tomorrow. Members of the committee include Sam Tsokwa (Chairman), Nkoyo Toyo,

Ahmad Ali, Aminu Shagari, Ben Nwankwo and Nathaniel Agunbiade.

Rules of engagement Tambuwal also used the opportunity to appeal to the troops deployed in the three states to

adhere to the rules of engagement by realising that their major responsibility is to protect the lives and property of the citizens of the affected states.

The atmosphere within the chambers of the House was tense during the brief period that members held open deliberations yes-

terday. The session began at 12.05 pm.

The scanty content of the order paper was an indication that members would not spend a long time on the relatively few items listed on the order paper. At exactly 12.29 pm, House Leader, Rep. Mulikat Adeola-Akande moved a motion that the House should move into a closed session.

At the end of the closed session, the House unanimously adopted the proclamation with the amendments agreed by members.

MEETING—From left: Finance Minister, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State; and Power Minister, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, discussing during the meeting of the Economic Management Team at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

NGF crisis: Two chairmen may emerge

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

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HERE were indications, yesterday, that the subterranean moves being made by the Presidency to edge out Governor Rotimi Amaechi from the leadership position of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, might lead to the emergence of two rival chairmen.

Vanguard learnt from reliable sources that the subtle attempt by the pro-Jonathan camp to coax some governors to vote against the reelection of Amaechi and the decision to hold the poll at the Presidential Villa might backfire.

It was gathered authoritatively that some independent-minded governors, who are also sympathetic to Amaechi have vowed to conduct their election at the Secretariat of the NGF, as stipulated by its constitution if the proJonathan governors insist on having their voting at the Villa.

Bolstered by the strong support it is enjoying from governors across party lines and regions, the Amaechi group has insisted on having a se-

cret ballot to select the next chairman of the NGF, a position, jettisoned by the proJonathan camp.

The pro-Jonathan group is afraid that many of the governors may vote against their candidate in a secret ballot and is insisting on the selection of one of them as the next NGF leader through consensus.

A governor loyal to Amaechi, said yesterday that, “We know that those who are planning of going to vote at the Presidential Villa are afraid of election and they will certainly lose in a free and fair poll.

"However, if they are sure of having the support and goodwill of the majority of the governors, let them come for a contest when the date is fixed.

“Since we are duly guided by the constitution of the NGF, we will hold election at our secretariat and elect our chairman and those who have the Villa as their secretariat are free to go there and have their election. We will not be distracted by some desperate politicians to do what is illegal, all in an attempt to satisfy certain interests”.

A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governor from the north told Vanguard that some of the northern governors wanted the post to return to the region since Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State had earlier been selected as the PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman.

“We have already told Amaechi that although we enjoy his leadership style and all that he has been doing for the growth of democracy in Nigeria through the NGF, we cannot allow the two posts to be taken by governors from one part of the country,” the governor said.

“It is as a result of recent political changes in the party and the country that we also want to put one of our own for the NGF position and nothing more.

“We have nothing against Amaechi as a person because despite all that they are saying nobody has been able to pinpoint anything that the Rivers State Governor has done or said against the President,” the source stated.

This was the first time in the history of the NGF that the Presidency is showing more than a passing interest on who becomes its chairman.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013 — 9

BY TONY EDIKE & UDUMA KALU

A

T 6. 00am yesterday, the re mains of 82-year-old Nigeria’s literary icon Chinua Achebe, who died in a Boston hospital arrived Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja from his US-base. The body was released by government officials led by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Anyim Pius Ayim.

Also at the airport to receive the casket draped in the National colours of green, white and green were his first son, Dr. Ike Achebe, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo and former governor of Abia State, Ogbonnaya Onu, former FCT minister, Chief Chuka Odom, former Minister of State for Education, Dr. Jerry Agada, former House of Representatives member, Dr. Wale Okediran, chairman of the Achebe National Transition Committee, Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, traditional rulers and leaders of Igbo communities, including those from his Ogidi community, and writers.

The casket, carried by pall bearers in traditional Igbo attires was ushered into the reception hall of the domestic wing of the airport in a procession led by Rt. Rev Owen Nwokolo who, in a brief sermon, prayed for the repose of Achebe’s soul saying, “We are gathered to say nno (welcome) to Achebe. He has come back, though dead but we know that his works keep him alive. We are gathered to receive him because of what he has accomplished throughout the world.”

He praised the departed literary icon for his exemplary and transparent life and called on Nigerians to learn from

Achebe remains arrive, begins final journey Achebe’s transparency and selflessness.

Also speaking, Senator Pius Anyim, extolled the virtues of Achebe and said his death was a terrible loss to Nigeria and urged the family of the author to bear it with strength.

The body was accompanied

by Achebe’s wife, Prof. Christie Achebe, his children Chidi, Chinelo, Nwando and her husband.

Dr. Ike Achebe, the first son of Achebe expressed his appreciation for the support his family has received since his father’s death on March 21.

He said: “I want to appreciate everyone that has worked tirelessly to ensure that the transition is peaceful. I thank you all”.

After the airport reception, the casket was ushered into a smaller plane, escorted by Achebe’s widow and other dignitaries for onward flight to Enugu where a reception was also held in his honour at the University of Nigeria, UNN, Enugu campus.

UNN formally declares Achebe absent at Senate; pays tributes At the senate session held in his honour late Achebe was formally declared absent having confirmed his demise by sighting his corpse which laid instate at the Enugu campus of the university.

The senate and indeed the entire university community paid glowing tribute to Professor Achebe whose demise, they said, would leave a void in the hearts of people and the University of Nigeria where he is revered as a great academic and administrator.

Professors, Associate Professors, Senior lecturers, and other scholars, draped in their flowing academic gowns, filed past the casket wrapped with national flag bearing the remains of the late author of Things Fall Apart.

The remains of the departed literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe arrived Enugu at

The late Prof. Chinua Achebe

12.35pm yesterday. A private aircraft belonging to Overland Nigeria marked 5N-BPE brought the dark brown casket wrapped with dark blue lace to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu from Abuja. Professor Christie Achebe, his widow, children and Engr Austin Achebe, his elder brother and leader of the Achebe family were among personalities on ground at the airport to receive his corpse.

A dark Mercedes Benz R500 belonging to M.I.C funeral undertakers conveyed the casket to the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus and a special Senate session was held in his honour presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bartho Okolo and attended by other scholars. The event which was attended by members of Achebe’s family and his associates in Enugu State commenced at 3: 45pm and ended 6pm.

“We are gathered for the purpose of paying our last respect

to Emeritus Professor Chinua Achebe,” Prof Okolo told the large audience drawn mainly from the university community.

During the special Senate, there was a long roll call of all the professors who are members of the senate. All of them answered their names but when Achebe’s name was called severally, everywhere was dead silent without Achebe responding.

“Dear colleagues, it is unlike Emeritus Professor Chinua Achebe, our revered man of letters, the literary giant, the Eagle on Iroko, to stay silent at the mention of his name,” Okolo said.

After formally announcing the passing of Achebe, the Vice Chancellor said: “For the avoidance of doubt, may I call his name one more time: Emeritus Professor Chinua Achebe! (still no response).

Truly, this is a solemn confirmation that the earthly sojourn of our revered col-

league, Emeritus Professor Chinualumogu Albert Achebe, our compatriot who rose to become a citizen of the world has come to an end. It is, therefore, with profound grief and regret that I preside over this special senate in his honour.”

Okolo described the late icon as “a truly distinguished academic of international status and one of the finest academics that the University of Nigeria has ever produced.”

He added that Achebe was one of the best creative minds of the present generation, stressing that the late writer told the story of Africa in over 50 different languages.

“In doing so, he brought various aspects of the political history and socio-political existence of Nigeria to the attention of the world,” he said, adding that “Achebe will be remembered as a remarkable teacher, an astute administrator, creative genius, a story teller and author of extra-ordinary ability.”

The UNN VC said Achebe, during his life time, enjoyed a larger than life image as a world renowned literary giant, adding that in addition to his winning many literary awards, “his creative works, which often had prophetic undertones, drew world attention to African literature.”

However, at the end of the session, the motorcade bearing Achebe’s remains left Enugu for Awka where another funeral would take place in his home state, Anambra ahead of his internment at his Nkwelle Ogidi hometown in Idemili Local Government Area tomorrow.

Jonathan orders release of Boko Haram suspects

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

A

BUJA—AS the military in tensified its offensive to dislodge Boko Haram terrorists from their camps in the North Eastern part of the country, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, directed the release from Police, DSS and Military detention centres, of hundreds of suspects held in connection with the insurgency.

The action of the President which took many Nigerians and security agencies by surprise was, however, interpreted by Presidency sources as the ‘Carrot and Stick’ policy by the Commander-in-Chief with a view to bringing an end to the Boko Haram debacle.

Vanguard gathered that the suspects to be released are

from states such as Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Kano, and Kaduna, Gombe and Niger, though the exact number was not revealed.

The Federal Government, however, explained that the decision to order the release was sequel to the request by the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Reconciliation set up to explore the possibility of amnesty for converted terrorists.

A statement to that effect signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade said “Consequent upon the directives of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Defence Headquarters will be releasing from detention a number of persons being held in connection with ter-

rorist activities.

“The move is in furtherance of the Federal Government position in response to requests by the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Reconciliation.

“The measure which is in line with Presidential magnanimity to enhance peace efforts in the country will result in freedom for suspects, including women under custody.

“The details of the directives and those to benefit from this gesture have been communicated to field units and the Joint Task Force.

“The beneficiaries will be released to the State Governors who will be involved in further rehabilitation before these suspects are released to their respective community leaders/relations”.

10 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

ARD raises alarm over dearth of doctors

Lagos commences implementation of land use law July 31

BY ABDWAHAB ABDULAH

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

A

SSOCIATION OF Resident Doctors, ARD, has raised alarm over dearth of resident doctors in teaching hospitals across the country.

Lagos State University Teaching Hospital branch of ARD, LASUTH-ARD, decried the current trend where hospital managements no longer employ resident doctors.

ARD warned that it portended grave danger and shortage of specialists required.

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AGOS — LAGOS State Government, yesterday, said it would commence full implementation of the new Land Use Law in the state from July 31, 2013.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, who spoke on behalf of the government advised property owners to validate their title documents before the date.

Ipaye at a Stakeholders’ Meeting on Land Use Act (Title Documentation) Regulations 2012 in Lagos, noted that at the end of the exten-

sion, the new Land Use Act would make it a criminal offence for anybody to file false documents for the purpose of obtaining Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or Government Consent on land purchased after the Land Use

Act, 1978.

According to him, the extension by the governor was to allow those who bought land after the Land Use Act 1978 to perfect their documents, saying, “forged documents is punishable under

...to confiscate 407 abandoned, uncompleted buildings

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AGOS — LAGOS State Government, yesterday, said no fewer than 407 identified uncompleted buildings abandoned by owners across the state would be confiscated, saying it would begin monitoring of

structures under construction to ensure standard.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, at a briefing on the activities of his ministry in the last one year as well as commemoration of six years in office of Governor

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (4th right); Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye (3rd right); Special Adviser, Lagos State Eko Project, Mrs. Ronke Azeez (right); Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mrs. Gbolahan Daodu (2nd right); former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye (left); former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan (2nd left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga (3rd left); Chairman, House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King (4th left) and the former Education Minister, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili (middle), during the opening session of the 3rd Lagos State Education Summit 2013 with the theme, “Qualitative Education in Lagos State: Raising The Standard,” in Lagos

Keep children away from criminality with postive values — Agberebi

BY UJU MBANUSI

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AGOS — EXECUTIVE producer, Crime Fighters'the Police and You,' Mrs. Aisha Tosan Agberebi, yesterday, in Lagos, stressed the need to inculcate positive values in school children to keep them away from the criminality and self-destruction.

At a pre-event briefing on Crime Fighters Security Awareness Day, Agberebi explained that the event billed for May 27, with the theme: ‘Security Awareness Among Children,‘ was aimed at ensuring that children got and received proper education on security and crime to prevent them from being misled into criminal activities.

According to her: “You all will agree with me that when we were growing up, the environment we had was different from what it is now, these gadgets

that we have today were not available then; so our temptations were limited.

"But the children of today are facing peculiar challenges and we really need to talk to them; some of them get into these crimes unknowingly.

"From our investigations and having been in this profession for two decades I think it is high time we be-

gan to talk to our children, rather than castigate them when they got into trouble.”

The reason for targeting young people, she said, was borne out of the alarming rate of juvenile involvement in criminal activities across the globe, sighting the ‘Cynthia Osokogwu’ murder and the use of children in detonating bombs in Pakistan as instances.

“If you look at the trend of crime, adults don’t really get involved, they may be involved in the planning, but they use the younger ones to hatch it, because their minds are easily carried away.

"This is because at this stage, their minds are vulnerable and can easily be lured into criminal activities.

Hence the need to create security awareness in them."

Nigeria can’t achieve EFA by 2015 — Ezekwesili

BY AMAKA ABAYOMI

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AGOS — FORMER Minister of Education and World Bank’s Vice President, Africa, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has said Nigeria has no capacity to achieve Education for All, EFA, by 2015.

Ezekwesili, who spoke in

section 363 of Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

"Supply of false information to public officials with intent to deceive is punishable under section 96 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.”

a keynote address at the 3rd Lagos State Education Summit, blamed the over 40 per cent youth unemployment in Nigeria to the mismatch in the school turn-out and workplace's requirements.

Speaking on the theme ‘Qualitative Education: Raising the Standard,’ Ezekwesili said “primary

school completion rates range from two per cent to 99 per cent, depending on the state you are focusing on.

"Sixty-one per cent of primary school age children don’t have access to education, and 17.2 per cent of the world out-of-school children are in Nigeria.

Babatunde Fashola, explained that the moves were parts of government’s measures to forestal incidences of building collapse.

Ayinde said: “We have identified at least 407 abandoned building projects scattered around the state.

Though, some of the owners have recommenced work on their abandoned buildings such as those located in Oniru Estate on the Island.

"We are applying appropriate sanctions to those abandoned and we are going to take the buildings over."

These abandoned structures are threat to security. Hoodlums do take advantage by using them as hideouts” On monitoring, according to him, all hands must be on deck to tackle recurrent cases of building collapses, saying, “More worrisome is the fact that some unscrupulous developers and builders have decided to embark construction at weekends, public holidays and even at night."

Dragnet Solutions gives tips on quality workforce recruitment

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AGOS — LACK of stand ards and technology have been identified as the major problems plaguing the recruitment process in the country’s public sector.

According to Mr. Robert Ikazoboh, Managing Director, Dragnet Solutions, a people screening and computer based testing solutions firm, the quality of workforce in the public sector could be improved by instituting stringent entry qualifications across board in all ministries, departments and agencies as well as adopting the e-recruitment alternative.

Ikazoboh, who spoke during a media parley in Lagos, counseled government at all levels to come up with new guidelines and policies that would ensure that weare employed.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013—11

Ekiti deputy gov tasks auditors on ethics

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UDITORS in Ekiti State have been urged to uphold the ethics of honesty, transparency and zero tolerance for corruption to sustain the people's respect for the profession.

Ekiti State deputy governor, Professor Modupe Adelabu, gave the charge while receiving the state and local government auditors, led by the State Auditor-General, Mr. Adedayo Ajayi, on a courtesy visit to her office in Ado-Ekiti.

In a statement by the Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Media and Communication, Mr Lekan Fadeyi, she noted that auditors play significant roles in curbing fraud and mismanagement of funds among public officers and advised them to remain assiduous, incorruptible and do their work without fear or favour.

Ogun PDP denies members' defection to LP

O

GUN State chap ter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, denied the claim that 5,000 people, including some of its members have defected to Labour Party (LP) in Remo Federal Constituency.

A media report had claimed that some 5,000 people from the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN and PDP had defected to the LP. A statement by the party's Publicity Secretar y, Mr. Waliu Oladipupo, said: “It was either the figure existed in the imagination of those behind the claim or they counted fishes, pigs, chicken and other poultry products in their farms."

Jonathan orders MDAs to complete on-going projects

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE—AHEAD of the second anniversary of the present federal administration, President Goodluck Jonathan has given a marching order to all Federal ministries, departments and agencies to complete ongoing and abandoned projects that are viable and of economic benefit to the people.

Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Reng Ochekpe, said this yesterday, at the commissioning of the N159 million Erusu/Arigidi dam project in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Mrs. Ochekpe assured that the government was committed to completing as many projects across the states as possible.

The Minister noted that the Federal Government has developed a framework for public sector participation in government projects, especially in the water sector.

She said the fostering of Public Private Partnership, PPP, by government was in recognition of the funding challenges from budgetary provision by government to fund the development of critical infrastructure in the water sector.

Mrs. Ochekpe noted that 65 projects have been identified and are currently being packaged with the assistance of the

Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (NAIF), for public sector engagement.

The Erusu/Arigidi dam has a reservoir of 1.29 million cubic meters of water to be used for water supply, irrigation and fishery development.

The Managing Director of the Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority,

Engineer Ajibade Ijasan, at the invent, asked the communities around the project to take advantage of the project to improve on their livelihoods in the areas of health, agricultural activities, industrial development, recreational activities, fisheries and hydropower generation.

Ijasan, who said that the project was awarded in1993 and initially expected to be completed in 1998, remained an on-going project for 17 years.

Earlier during a visit to the

state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko,the minister said her visit to the State was to inspect some on-going and completed projects in the State under her Ministry with a view to ensuring their quick completion and commissioning.

Ochekpe solicited the State government’s partnership with her ministry in the completion of the Owena Dam Project and to ensure that the components of the transformation agenda of the Federal Government are achieved for the benefit of the people of the state.

VISIT: From left: Deputy Governor, Osun State, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Director-General and Chairman, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Professor Peter Onwualu; Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; Director, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Dr Sebastian Obasi and Vice Chancellor, Osun State University, Professor Bashiru Okesina, during a courtesy visit to brief the governor on the Pan African Competitiveness Forum, in Osogbo.

2015: Ijaw back Jonathan for second term

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE—THE Ijaw in the nine Niger Delta States rose from a meeting in Ondo State and asked President Goodluck Jonathan to exercise his constitutional right of seeking re-election in 2015 and should not be intimidated.

They also lambasted the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, for its unpatriotic stance on the declaration of emergency rule in three Northern states.

In a communique issued after their meeting in Ondo State, they blamed the activities of insurgents in Northern Nigeria on the politics of 2015 by Northern leaders, describing the crisis in that part of the country as political.

National President of the group, Chief Pere Ganfo, said some Northern elders are hiding under the cover of Boko Haram to seek political relevance and seek power through the back door.

He said: “We are aware that some misguided persons

have warped the theory of amnesty for Boko Haram as they often draw comparison with the Niger Delta situation. May we state unequivocally that both are not comparable."

The Ijaw leaders said that President Jonathan should not be intimidated by the activities of Northern leaders by seeking re-election in 2015.

They said: “Like other Nigerian leaders before him, therefore, we call on President Goodluck Jonathan to exercise his constitutional right by seeking re-election.

“They vilify President Jonathan, not because they love South-East Igbo, to whom they have continuously shown disdain and mistrust in the power equation.

It cannot be said that they

love the South-West Yoruba, from whom they snatched a pan-Nigeria mandate in 1993.

“The hatred for Jonathan by the Northern power mongers is, of course, not out of love for their next door Idoma, Tiv or Ebira man who they see as inferior northerners. The ultimate desire in them is to continue to cling to political power by playing one ethnic group against other.”

Osun tertiary institutions workers end strike

F

OLLOWING an agreement yesterday, with the Osun State Government, the teaching and non-teaching members of staff of the four state-owned tertiary institutions have called-off their strike.

The academic staff unions and the non-teaching staff had been on a two-month-old strike.

In a joint statement by the two unions, signed by their presidents and secretaries, Ademiluyi F. A.; Fasipe O. O.; Jimoh L. A. and Esan D. O. respectively, the agreement was reached after a successful deliberation be-

tween government representatives and the unions on the implementation of the 2009 Consolidated Salary of Tertiary Institution (CONTEDISS) and Colleges of Education Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS).

Part of the agreements reached includes: payment of 90 percent of the consolidated salary with the effective date commencing on May 1; 7 percent of the total emolument as approved to be sustained as Peculiar Academic earned allowance and that government would continue to pay annual leave bonus in accordance with the

existing regulation of 10 percent of basic salary.

The statement further said: “That the government will continue to remit all outstanding and subsequent contribution on contributory pension.

“Government has concluded arrangement for the commencement of Group Life Assurance Scheme.

“All other issues relating to Contributory Pension Scheme will be addressed accordingly; that the state government would address the issue of understaffing as soon as the Governing Councils are put in place."

12— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

C M Y K

C M Y

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013 — 13

FG, private sector to invest N1.11trn in gas industrial park

BY MICHAEL EBOH & KUNLE KALEJAIYE

T

HE Federal Government, yesterday, said that the gas-based industrial park it is building in Ogidigben, Delta State, will cost about N1.11 trillion.

Speaking at the fourth edition of the Free Trade Zone 2013 International Conference and Exhibition in Lagos, Mr. David Ige, Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, said the project was being financed jointly by the Federal Government and the private sector.

Ige, who was represented by Mr. Sam Ndukwe, General Manager, Gas Pipelines and Infrastructures, NNPC, said the project was an offshoot of the gas-based industrialisation agenda of the government, aimed at increasing gas supply for use in the power sector and to drive the industrialisation and development of the country.

Ige noted that the Delta State Government had given approval for the location of the park in the state and also issued Certificate of occupancy, C of O, for the about 2,700 hectares of land. He explained that the industrial park, when completed, will provide companies and both local and foreign investors with vast opportunities as it will be the largest gas city in Africa.

N-Delta bishops back Jonathan on state of emergency

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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ARRI—BISHOPS in the Niger Delta region have supported the state of emergency declared

by President Goodluck Jonathan in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, but former national chairman of the Traditional Rulers for Oil Minerals Producing Communities of Nigeria, TROMPCON, HRM, Charles AyemiBotu, said it should be extended to six other troublesome Northern states.

The bishops, at a meeting in Warri, Delta State, where the chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, South-South region, Archbishop God-Do-Well Awomakpa, was unanimously adopted as chairman of Niger Delta Bishops’ Forum, noted that it was time religious leaders came together to restore sanity to the Christian religion, adding that the increasing cases of indiscipline, immorality and indecent dressing in churches must be stopped in order not to provoke the anger of God. HRM Ayemi-Botu, Pere of Siembiri Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, spoke in his Okpokunu palace, when he played host to Ijaw Profes-

sionals in Diaspora, who came with medical assistance and other materials for his people, commended the President for declaring state of emergency in the three states, adding: “He seems to be fidgeting; it should be extended to Kano, Zamfara, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue and Plateau states.

“The people want to Islamise the country, they are saying they abhor western education, you

can see that they have no cogent reason for the killings, they are masquerading and doing all these things because their sponsors do not want Jonathan.

Therefore, the state of emergency declared should be extended to the other states.

Stepping it down the way it was done is not a full- force declaration.

“If the governor of a state

supports Boko Haram, leaving him in his position will not work. Jonathan should have included these states.

It has been predicted that in 2015, Nigeria will break into many parts. If he does not want these doomsday prophecies to come to pass, as the Commander-in-Chief, he should damn them and declare a full state of emergency in these states.”

VISIT: Former South African President, Mr. Thabo Mbeki being received by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru as he arrived for a courtesy visit to President Goodluck Jonathan, at the State House, Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Tukur tells returning PDP govs to commence 2015 campaigns

BY HENRY UMORU

A

B U JA — N AT I O N A L Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yester-

day, asked governors elected on the party's platform, who have plans to return in 2015 to start campaigns now, if they must win the election.

Tukur warned the PDP governors against falling prey to the antics of praise singers, adulators and those he termed grovellers, who would always be around them.

He spoke to newsmen, yesterday, shortly after a meeting with

some former members of the National Assembly in his residence, noting that these grovellers had mastered the trick of causing government officials to derail.

He said: ”Such individuals have been responsible for making public servants to develop swollen heads and feel bigger than the party.”

President Goodluck Jonathan had, at the last Na-

Amaechi's aide resigns over party crisis nor reads: “In view of

BY JIMITOTA

ONOYUME

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ORT HAR COURT— SPECIAL Adviser to Governor Chibuike Amaechi on of Rivers State, on Conflict Resolution, Mr Obina Anyanwu, has resigned his appointment.

Obina said he took the decision because of the political crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state.

His resignation letter addressed to the gover-

recent political developments in our great party, PDP, Rivers State chapter and my father’s position as regards his call for your resignation as the Governor of Rivers State, I wish to tender my resignation with immediate effect since it is only natural, and incongruent to still remain in office.

"I, therefore, thank you very much for the opportunity you offered me to serve in your administration.”

tional Executive Committee, NEC, urged political office holders not to engage in political activities, but Tukur noted that PDP governors remain the best with landmark achievements.

According to him, most of the PDP governors have, indeed, been implementing the party’s manifesto on education, infrastructure, agriculture, rural development, power generation, transportation, aviation and others.

Royal father, Uduaghan, others to grace IPC AGM

BY EMMA ARUBI

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ARRI—THE Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse II, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and other prominent Warri sons and daughters, will grace the Annual General Meeting, AGM of the frontline Itsekiri Progress Club, IPC, billed for PK Pub, Warri,

on May 25.

A statement by Chairman of IPC, Mr. Fred Ogbe and that of the AGM Planning Committee, Mr. Lawrence Kubeyinje, said the AGM/dinner will feature a lecture on Petroleum Industry Bill and its Implication for Itsekiri, to be delivered by oil and gas industry expert, Engr.

Alex Neyin.

C M Y K

14 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

Fidelity Bank grows profit after tax by 604%

SERVICE OF SONGS FOR PINI JASON

Declares 21 kobo dividend per share

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

A

BUJA—FIDELITY Bank plc yesterday declared a profit after tax of N18.2 billion for its financial year ended December 31, 2012, just as it approved a dividend of 21 kobo per share to its shareholders.

The bank’s profit after tax for the year under review rose significantly by 604 per cent, compared to the N2.6 billion it posted in 2011.

The bank’s chairman, Dr, Christopher Ezeh, who announced the results at its 25th Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Abuja, said Profit after Tax, PAT, rose by 604 per cent to N18.2 billion in 2012 from N2.6 billion recorded in 2011.

Ezeh said in addition to the huge expansion recorded in non- interest income and net inter-

est and discount income, the rise in PAT resulted from a significant proportion of income from tax exempt assets and transactions.

According to him, gross earnings grew by 62.3 per cent from N73.6 billion in 2011 to N119.4 billion in 2012, while the net interest and discount income was N36.8 billion in 2012, an increase of 20.5 per cent from N30.6 billion recorded in 2011.

“This was driven by prudent balance sheet management that aimed to balance asset prices and low cost deposit mobilization with income growth,” he said.

The bank’s non-interest income increased by 65.6 per cent to N39.4 billion, compared to 2011 figure of N23.8 billion, due to continued increase in customer re-

cruitment, new business acquisition, and the continued linkage effect of a well implemented branch expansion programme with a total assets that rose by 23.9 per cent to N914.4 billion as at December 31, 2012 from N737.9 billion as at December 31, 2011.

He announced that the total deposit from customers was N716.7 billion, representing an increase of 27.2 per cent over the N563.7 billion posted in 2011. The proportion of low cost deposits (demand and savings deposit) to total deposits was 73.9 per cent as at end of December 31, 2012. Net loans and advances to customers increased by 23.7 per cent to N345.5 billion from N279.2 billion while its total equity rose by 10.5 per cent to N161.5 billion from N146.1 billion.

Aliyu blames killings in North on religious intolerance, boundary disputes

BY KINGSLEY

OMONOBI

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INNA—FOL LOWING the killing of security agents and several bloody communal clashes in Nasarawa and other Middle Belt states, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Ni-

Passage

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RS Theresa Njide ka Obianom, 71, of Ifite Village, AguluUzoigbo, Aniocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, is dead.

Vigil Mass will take place tomorrow at her compound; burial Mass on Friday at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Agulu-Uzoigbo.

She is survived by children and other relations.

Late Theresa Obianom

ger State has identified religious intolerance and boundary disputes as the primary cause of insecurity in the zone.

It will be recalled that 56 police officers and their DSS colleagues were killed recently when they attempted to arrest the chief priest and members of the ‘Ombatse Religious Sect’ at Alakyo, Eggonland in Nasarawa State.

Governor Babangida, who spoke at a one day workshop on ‘Intelligence Sensitization and Community Partnership’ for the zone in Minna, argued that “as a result of this religious intolerance, we have many security flashpoint states like Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue and Kogi.”

The governor, however, attributed the inability of security agencies especially the Police, to rise up to the challenges of insecurity to such factors as poor recruitment procedure, low morale associated with poor social welfare policy and lack of adequate operational equipment for officers and men.

He said: “Whereas in

more advanced societies, entry into the security services and some profession is by self-selection (out of personal interest and passion for the job), in our case, many people join many profession only to earn meal tickets. That is the reason we have people of questionable character in the security services in the country; People who are feeling unhappy with themselves and their jobs, leading to poor performances.

“That is why so many issues are still unresolved – extra judicial killings, accidental discharges, ‘excursion of suspects’, missing case files, detention without trial, stalled investigations, denied justice due to delayed prosecution, extortion and corruption, among others.

“Similarly, the politicization of the Police is a major hindrance to effective policing and national security in Nigeria. In a real federating system, the need for proper definition of the responsibilities and authority relations of the police is very imperative.” he added.

From right; Mr. Amadi Onyegbadue (son), Mrs. Priscilia Onyegbadue, (widow), Mrs. Ozodi Adigwe and Miss Kelechi Onyegbadue (daughters), during the service of songs for late Chief Pini Jason Onyegbadue, at All Saints Anglican Church, Montgomery Road, Yaba, Lagos.

From right; Mr. Eddie Ndukaire, Chief Edwin Igbokwe, Mr. Obi Azuru, Kanayo Esinulo and Mr. Emma Ohakim at the occasion.

From right; Mr. Okwudili Obiagwu, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager, Pubilcations/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Newspapers and Admiral Alison Madueke (rtd), at the event.

Mr. Eze Anaba, Deputy Editor, Vanguard Newspapers (left) and Mr. Victor Gotevbe, Admin Manager Vanguard Newspapers, at the service of songs.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013—15

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16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

Achebe's body arrives

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State (left), Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri (right); Leader of the Ogidi Union, Mr. Barth Okafor (2nd left); Son of the deceased, Dr. Ike Achebe (2nd right), during the airport reception for the body of the late playwright, Prof. Chinua Achebe, at the, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday.

Members of the Ogidi Union, providing entertainment.

Photos: Abayomi Adeshida

From the left: Governor Peter Obi, Senator Pius Anyim, SGF; Chief Ogbonmaya Onu, ANPP National Chairman; Minister for Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo and other dignitar- Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, Minister of State FCT (left); Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri (r); Former Presiies. dent of ANA, Dr. Jerry Agada (2nd right) and other dignitaries.

Family members from the right: Dr. Mimi Achebe, daughter-in-law; Ms. Chino Ekwueme, grand-daughter; Dr. Ogundimu, daughter; Prof.

Christie Achebe, wife; Dr. Chinelo Achebe, daughter; Dr. Chidi Achebe, son; Dr. Ike Achebe, son and Prof. Folu Ogundimu, son-in- Women Wing of Ogidi Union. law.

Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo, Anglican Bishop, Diocese on the Niger, flanked (left) by the son of the deceased, Dr. Ike Achebe and the National Chairman ANPP, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu (right); from left: Senator Pius Anyim, Governor Peter Obi, Dr. Ogundimu, daughter of the deceased, and Prof. Christie Achebe, wife of the deceased

Former Women Affairs Minister, Amb. Judith Attah; Prof. Uzordinma Nwala and Mr.Patrick Ogujiofor, Vice Chairman ANA Abuja (right) C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013 — 17

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18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013 NIGERIA is a country of distinct contradictions. Public officers make a round of the world attending seminars and conferences on health, for example. They then conclude health is important to the country’s well-being.

Budgets at national, state, and local government levels – are never more than three per cent of the total – truly reflecting the priority we place on health services. Most health budgets are for payment of salaries and maintenance of old facilities that barely provide any services.

In a world leveraging technologies to improve lives, our health services remain ancient, and exorbitantly expensive where they appear modern. The ease with which government officials, and all who can afford it, travel abroad for their medical check has left millions of Nigerians to their fate. Would government officials bother with health facilities they do not use? How would they appreciate the challenges ordinary Nigerians face to access health services?

The rise in poverty, hunger, and new illnesses has left many Nigerians unable to manage health situations confronting them. How would millions of Nigerians, without

Ignored Impor Importtance of Health Ser vices Services employment, without savings, without any assistance access health services?

Many government officials would push their free health services as the answer. How would they know, that with a few exceptions, that free medical services are sheer propaganda?

Cases of patients being detained in hospitals over their inability to pay their bills are on the increase. This usually happens in private hospitals. Arguments that those who cannot pay their medical bills should use government hospitals are made with a flimsiness that suggests government hospitals are within reach of everyone and that they provide services.

Are we running a nation without a place for

the poor? Should Nigerians who are unable to pay hospital bills, who cannot afford to pay, be allowed to die? What do governments do for ordinary Nigerians – the poor, the weak, the elderly, the physically challenged, unpaid pensioners, the unemployed, and the unemployable? Are they expected to die because they cannot pay hospital bills?

Sustainable health systems built on working insurance schemes, free health services for the poor, social responsibility ventures and philanthropic contributions are long overdue. They are different from the pamphleteering and speechifying Nigerians witness daily.

Politicians who swear to constitutional provisions that the security and welfare of the people are the primary purpose of governments should not just wonder about health.

If health is as important as they all claim, they have to do more than wondering about it in order to save the increasing millions of Nigerians, who have no capacity whatsoever to cater for their medical needs. Leaders have a responsibility to include them among their health priorities. Health services need an emergency, urgently.

OPINION

BY TOCHUKWU EZUKANMA Continued from yesterday's Viewpoints ONTHS later, she was frustrated by lack of progress in the prosecution of the suspects. Crestfallen and confused, it, finally, crystallized to her that Nigerian institutions, including the judiciary and the Church, are Whiten Sepulchers. On paper, their objectives are superb. But in practice, these magnificent objectives are marred by the Nigerian factor: corruption, greed, dishonesty and lawlessness.

The case was flagging. It was repeatedly adjourned. For nearly a whole year, nothing happened as the prosecution was yet to make its case. The problem was that the Public Prosecutor refused to prosecute because she has not “seen the prosecutor” (a euphemism for: she has not bribed the prosecutor).

With the lady broke, and her benefactor (her senior sister) not enthused about the prospect of a protracted legal tussle, she may not be able to bribe the prosecutor.

And as such, the case against these bestial rapists may just peter out because a desperately poor woman cannot afford to bribe the public prosecutor. The thought of three sociopaths, who, in their demonic thralldom, sexually abused a six year old girl, going unpunished because a public prosecutor insisted on being bribed before doing his job brought the refrains from one of Fela’s sad songs to my mind: "This country na wa a; this country na wa a; this country na wa, a a a".

This woman’s depressing story is an indictment of two of the most powerful

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Moral degeneration of Nigerian institutions (2) national institutions: the Church and the Ministry of Justice. Even, within the confines of the church, trusting and unsuspecting members are routinely deceived and betrayed by their pastors. Was it not in the church that a reckless and feckless man was foisted on her by a fake prophet? The church should be the ultimate sanctuary – a pious bulwark against the forces of evils and depravity – a refreshing contrast to the moral seediness of the Nigerian society – a light that illuminates the paths of believers, if not, the entire nation. Lamentably, in Nigeria, many churches, especially amongst these one-man owned Pentecostal churches, are well-spring of falsehood, deceit, betrayals, and all forms of evil.

Many of these churches are led by freebooters, deviants, swindlers and all types of questionable characters that realised that it is very lucrative and safe to cheat, deceive and steal under the cover of the church. And that crimes committed under the guise of being a pastor are mostly shielded from public reproof and criminal prosecution. So, they abandoned the dangers, rigors, vagaries and opprobrium of mainstream criminality, and posturing as pastors and prophets, moved their bases of evil activities into the churches.

In these churches, they exercise inconceivable control over the lives of their members and make enormous money. With their gross misrepresentation of the Christian doctrine (prosperity doctrine), they swindle their congregation and justify

for their own greed, selfishness and materialism. And with their false prophesies, they deceive and exploit their members, and in addition, frustrate hopes, poop dreams and ruin lives. In all these, instead of reproach and disdain, they earn respect and admiration – at least from their members - and strut to sanctimonious titles: man of God, pastor, prophets, daddy in the Lord, etc.

Like in every other country of the world, there will always be criminals and crimes in Nigeria. The rule of law, social justice and the best criminologist’s formulations cannot totally eliminate crime because there are some individuals who are, intrinsically, criminals and their passion will always remain in killing, stealing and raping.

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o, the criminals are less of the problem than the institutions that, supposedly, deter and fight crime and prosecute criminals. The motto of the Nigeria Police Force is “to serve and protect” Nigerians. Despite this highminded motto, many Nigerians feel intimidated by the Police, and even, as crime victims will still deliberately avoid any involvement with the Police because they are unreasonable and corrupt (they extort money from crime victims). So, many crimes are not reported to the police. Did the raped girl’s mother not refuse to report the rape to the police because she could not afford a “police case”.

The Ministry of Justice, in all likelihood,

has a motto – an inspiring and superlative expression that tersely states its mission.

However, like other national institutions, there exists an unbridgeable chasm between this stated mission and the modus operandi of the ministry. Thus, public prosecutors, employed at public expense to prosecute crime suspects and ensure that the guilty are punished, refuse to do their work because they have not been bribed. That a public official sworn to uphold the law, in his venality, has no qualm to (by his inaction) deny justice to two hapless individuals and allow Satan-possessed rapists to walk the street in freedom dramatizes the problems of this country.

The central problem of Nigeria is leadership. It is the corruption, arrogance and contemptuous indifference for the common man of the ruling elite - president and governors - that filtered down through the ministers, commissioners, permanent secretaries, etc, and permeated every facet of government institutions. Therefore, officials in government ministries are corrupt, arrogant and disdainful of the Nigerian masses. No wonder, these institutions operate as merciless enemies of the people; they violate and abuse - thus, figuratively - rape Nigerians. Consequently, the Ministry of Justice that is reputably the hope of the common man degenerated to disreputably the nightmare of the common man.

Concluded. *Mr. Ezukanma, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013 —19

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OW it looks like President Goodluck Jonathan has decided to take on the beast of religious terrorists ravaging different parts of Northern Nigeria, particularly the NorthEastern part, with his imposition of emergency rule on the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa last Wednesday. The President had in a national broadcast made the announcement after his hurried return to the country in what looks like a panicky attempt to cover the sore of insecurity he had allowed to fester for so long. For to speak the truth, the situation in the NorthEast last week was not in anyway different from what it had been like in the last many months.

There was therefore no apparent justification for the declaration of emergency. But PDP chairman, Bamanga Tukur, has volunteered information which seems a secret known only to members of his party. The terrorists, Alhaji Tukur said, have perfected plans to secede from Nigeria with parts of the North under their control. One

wouldn’t know if the apparent lack of any significant increase in the state of insecurity in the states in question is the reason the opposition ACN is not sold on the idea of emergency rule right now.

For them, the President is only playing politics ahead of the declaration of campaign for the 2015 elections with his decision to suspend normal constitutional rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

Indeed there are doubts in certain quarters as to why Adamawa should suffer the same fate as Borno and Yobe.

Whatever is the real reason behind the President’s decision, the bottom line now is that he seems to be travelling down the road he had until last week refused to walk through. The operative word here is that the President SEEMS to have decided to take on the terrorists and had ordered the movement of troops. We might wake up next week and find that the entire talk of declaration of emergency was another blast of hot air. We, therefore, need to be sure the administration is sure

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about this declaration before we conclude it is ready to take on the terrorists. For quite a long time now, time during which the terrorists ravaging the peace of the country have been allowed to consolidate their stranglehold in different parts, dictating the pace of events by their campaigns of terror to which Abuja only manages to react every now and again- for such long time has the President vacillated on what step to take to counter the surge of terrorism in the country.

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ne morning he decides he wants to talk to faceless groups of murderers, one faction of which vowed to sheath their swords if he could but proclaim himself an Islamist. The next night he vows to take on the terrorists ‘fire for fire’. After two years of lingering too long around the pit-

Never plan the future with the past

BY ERIC TENIOLA

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HE remains of Major Isaac Adaka Boro (1938-1968) were excavated from the Ikoyi cemetary last month and re-buried at Heroes Park in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State on Saturday May 18.

At the reburial was the American civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson and Elder statesmen, including Chief Edwin Clark and Alhaji Tanko Yankasai and of course the Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson.

In the words of the spokeman of the Bayelsa State Government, Deacon Markson Fefegha: ”Adaka Boro was one of the leading lights and founding fathers of Ijaw struggle and emancipation.”

We have really not read the will of Adaka Boro. We do not know whether he would have wished to be reburied in Heroes Park in Yenogoa. All we know is that he died fighting as a soldier of the Nigerian Army. He was buried in Lagos at that time when Lagos was Nigeria’s capital and for the past 45 years his remains had rested peacefully in Ikoyi Cementary in Lagos.

Those who arranged to rebury him in Yenogoa must have guessed that as a true Ijaw man who died for the emancipation of the Ijaws from oppression, he would be comfortable to rest in peace in an Ijaw nation.

Tribal leaders are usually over honoured in the absence of a true national unity.

The story of Adaka Boro is an unusual one; for while men like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and others are being celebrated for fighting the British colonialists for their country’s independence, Adaka Boro is being celebrated for fighting Nigeria for the oppression of the Ijaws.

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He was many parts and different things to different people- a university student’s leader, a teacher, a policeman and Nigerian army officer. An undergraduate student of chemistry and student union president at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, he left school to lead an armed protest against the exploitation of oil and gas resources in the Niger Delta areas which benefitted mainly the Federal Government of Nigeria and a remote Eastern Nigeria regional government. He believed that the people of the area deserved a fairer share of proceeds of the oil wealth.

Adaka Boro noted that “most of the youths were so frustrated with the general neglect that they were ready for any action led by an outstanding leader to gain liberty. We were clenched in tyrannical chains and led through a dark alley of perpetual political and social deprivation. Strangers in our own country! Inevitably, therefore, the day would have to come for us to fight our long-denied right to self-determination.”

He formed the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, armed militia with members consisting mainly of his fellow Ijaw ethnic group. They declared the Niger Delta Republic on February 23, 1966 and gallantly battled the Federal Forces for 12 days but were finally routed by the far superior Federal firepower.Boro and his compatriots were jailed for treason. Before being sentenced he claimed that his people “had long sought to separate not because they loved power but because their conditions were peculiar and the authorities did not understand their problems. There is nothing wrong with Nigeria. What is wrong with us is the total lack of mercy in our activities.”

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Jonathan, the fire fighter

The terrorists have shown themselves more reliable in sustaining their terror campaign than this government has shown in protecting citizens of the country; who do you blame for this but the fire fighters in Aso Rock Villa?

latrine of indecision, strange flies now buzz in the ears of Abuja, forcing it to take panicky measures to cover the stench of its own stool in a sudden access of brave actions.

This column has for long maintained that the glaring lack of will to take on the terrorists whose name this column has blacked out for long, a name that legitimises its existence and confers respectability on it- this column has repeated again and again that had the President summoned courage and invoked the powers of his office as the Commander-in-Chief and taken the fight to the cowards who hide under the guise of religion to commit abominable acts of violence against longsuffering citizens of this country, his government would have since scattered them to the four winds.

But he dithered, wasted precious time because he lacked both the wisdom and, even more, courage to act when the situation called for it. The President has never fully recovered from the dizzying effect of his meteoric rise up the political and social ladder of the country.

He lacks the confidence that should enable him exercise the powers attached to his office as president. He appears to be constantly looking across his shoulders, afraid of both real and imaginary enemies, leaving Chief Edwin Clarke to do most of the sabre-rattling on his behalf when the likes of Asari Dokubo are not threatening fire and brimstone on anyone who does as much as question the President’s right to a second term in office. The President is the weakling, the proverbial Dada, the Yoruba says has a courageous younger brother.

It is, thus, the President’s weakness, his lack of moral courage, that the terrorists saw and

Tribal leaders are usually over honoured in the absence of a true national unity; the way tribal leaders are celebrated in Nigeria for mere political objectives does not give comfort for the achievement of a true national unity

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owever, General Yakubu Gowon granted him amnesty on the eve of the Nigerian civil war in May 1967. He then enlisted and was commissioned as a major in the Nigerian army. He fought on the side of the Federal Government but was killed under mysterious circumstances in active service in 1968 at Ogu (near Okrika) in Rivers State, after successfully fighting for the Nigerian forces thinking he was liberating the Niger Delta from Biafran Forces from Eastern Nigeria.

Adaka Boro was born in September 10, 1938 in Oloibiri in the present Bayelsa State.

He is survived by Deborah Waritimi, Esther Boro and Felix Boro.

Another Ijaw man who started the Ijaw struggle long before Adaka Boro championed it, was Chief Melford Obiene Okilo (1933-2005) who in 1962 was appointed parliamentary secretary and later Minister by the then Prime Minster, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Chief Okilo founded the Niger Delta Congress in 1959 and was later elected Governor of Rivers state and served between 1979 and 1983. I really do not know whether Okilo’s remains are at Heroes Park in Yenogoa.

have since taken advantage of, proliferating into many copycat groups that now call into question the basis of the Jonathan administration. For a government that can no longer guarantee the security of life of its citizens, where the very structures of state powerthe security forces and state establishments have come under incessant attacks, such government cannot claim to be in control. That the terrorists have taken the initiative from the government is the reason Abuja continually falls into avoidable blunders and takes panicky reactive measures that have earned it the charge of human rights abuse. When it confronted the terrorists in Baga and hundreds of people died, it got the blame. When the terrorists returned fire in Bama weeks later, nearly 60 security personnel went down in the attack, to say nothing of the Nasarawa case where three more security personnel became mere canon fodders. For all of these, the administration gets blamed. It’s increasingly clear that the Jonathan administration’s only skill is in fighting fire. Which now leaves it with the unenviable irony of sending troops to combat the very groups for which it recently established a presidential committee that would engage their members in dialogue. The fear of the terrorists going after them was clearly a major consideration for a couple of the nominated members of the committee that declined their nomination. The terrorists have shown themselves more reliable in sustaining their terror campaign than this government has shown in protecting citizens of the country. Who do you blame for this but the fire fighters in Aso Rock Villa?

I have read Adaka Boro’s autobiography titled, The Twelve-Day Revolution, I respect his courage just as I respect other notable Ijaws from Bayelsa State, including Gabriel Okara, Earnest Ikoli, Daniel Igali, Samson Siasia, Perobo Dakole, Harley Empere and his royal majesty, Alfred Diete-Spiff who was the pioneer Governor of Rivers State on May 28, 1967.

I have also read the various articles on Adaka Boro by Hoshia Emmanuel, President Olusegun Obasanjo’s description of how he died in his book, My Command, the comments on him by Professor Godini Darah, Akpobulokumi Oborokumo, Alfred Ilenre, our beloved Princess from Sagbama,Karie Yekwe, the pioneer Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in Bayelsa State and the late Comrade Dan Ikunniye who was from Kogi but who Idolised Adaka Boro till he died. I found the article written on Adaka Boro by Youpele Banigo in July 2005 as the most objective.

If Adaka Boro is today being given a posthumous honour, what about Samuel Owonaru and Nottinham Dick who were both sentenced to death for treason along with Adaka Boro by Justice Phil Ebosie?

Afterwards they all travelled along with Adaka Boro outside Nigeria to seek financial and military aid for the Ijaw cause before their arrest.

The way tribal leaders are celebrated in Nigeria for mere political objectives does not give comfort for the achievement of a true National Unity.

Inspite of the sentiments on Adaka Boro’s reburial in Yenogoa,little was heard on General Sani Abacha,the man who created Bayelsa State on October 1,1996,or on General Yakubu Gowon who pardoned Adaka Boro or on Navy Captain Phillip Ayeni,the first executive Governor of Bayelsa state who is today abandoned and neglected on a wheel chair in a dilapidated house in Apapa,Lagos. *Mr. Teniola, a former director at the Presidency, wrote from Lagos.

20 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013 — 21

CSOs kick against tobacco firms’ inclusion in tax forum

By FRANKLIN ALLI

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From left: Mr. Dotun Adeniyi, Executive Director, Enterprise Risk Management; Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu, Executive Director, Treasury/South East; Group Managing Director/CEO, Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti and Executive Director, Retail Banking/ South-South, Mrs. Ibiye Ekong at Skye Bank’s Pre-AGM media briefing, in Lagos.

$500m AfDB loan: FG commences withdrawal, sets up c’ttee

By NOEL ONOJA

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HE federal government has activated and commenced access to a $500 million African Development Bank (AfDB) loan with the setting up of a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) committee in Abuja. The loan aimed solely as intervention for the power sector is to be released in tranches of $100 million. The setting up of the committee is one of the preconditions for drawing on the loan.

According to a statement released by government, The

132.6

-3.0

2,305.00

+5.00

16.8

-0.09

104.81 +0.17 96.78 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR 154.74 POUNDS 235.3131 EURO 199.104 FRANC 159.7234 YEN 1.5092 CFA 0.2846 WAUA 230.0383 RENMINBI 25.2043 RIYA 41.2596 KRONA 26.7106 SDR 230.6864

155.24 236.0735 199.7473 160.2395 1.5141 0.2946 230.7816 25.2862 41.3929 26.7969 231.4318

+0.76 SELLING 155.74 236.8338 200.3907 160.7556 1.519 0.3046 231.5249 25.3681 41.5262 26.8832 232.1772

CBN Exchange rate as at 21/05/2013 C M Y K

Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), one of the successor companies of the now unbundled Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) charged with the responsibility of evacuating and transmitting generated power, has been asked to access the funds as it works towards bridging the enormous gap in the sub-sector.

It will be recalled that minister of power Chinedu Nebo has said that about $3.4 billion is needed to help upgrade the transmission network to the standard that it would evacuate the expected generation capacity coming on stream.

“We have been challenged by the problem of not being able to evacuate power beyond 4,500 MW. From what the TCN gave us, if we have appropriate

funding in the next one year we will be able to double our transmission capacity. The technical committee is critical as it is required by AfDB to access the loan,” said Nebo, represented by the ministry ’s permanent secretary Godknows Igali.

The committee is made up of representatives from the federal ministry of finance, ministry of power, Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) and TCN. The inauguration ceremony was performed at the power ministry’s head quarters, Abuja.

The minister, while challenging the members of the committee, said that the federal government expects

HE Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/ FoEN) and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) have faulted the participation of tobacco companies in the African Tax For um, saying “Tobacco companies should not lecture governments on taxes or tracking and tracing systems.”

The African Tax Forum was recently organised by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and its partner, t h e African Tax Institute (ATI) and the International Tax and Investment Center (ITIC).

“While we commend the FIRS and the ATI for coming up with this timely initiative to discuss strategies for strengthening tax administration on the continent, we strongly reject its extension of invitation to the tobacco industry. This is totally unacceptable,” said CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Rafsanjani.

much from the members as their efforts would help fast track the disbursement of this initial $500 million loan and the possibility of accessing even more funds.

Haruna Mohammed Chairman of the Committee and ministry of finance director for international economic relations department, speaking onbehalf of the group noted that the members were all well informed on the problems in the sector and promised that all projects would be properly tracked and assessed to ensure successful execution.

“We need to leverage on execution of these initial projects to be able to access other available funding moving forward,” Mohammed said.

Advertising contributes over N300bn to economy …As AAAN celebrates 40 yrs

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU HE Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), has said that the advertising industry contributes over $2 billion (over N300 billion) to Nigeria’s economy as it rolls out red carpets in celebration of the Association’s 40 years anniversary.

The president of AAAN, Bunmi Oke, said while announcing the association’s achievements in the last 40 years that the industry’s contribution to the economy is more in intangible assets.

According to Oke, members of the association has built and championed great brands, stating with confidence that multinationals still strongly rely on

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Nigerian agencies most of whom are of international standard for brand building.

“All key brands are in Nigeria and it is the advertising industry that has been growing them. An economy is as vibrant as the products and the products are as dynamic as the advertising industry”, she said Speaking on advertising reform, she said the association will continue to support the growth of the industry, promising to continue to work with government to deliver government policies to the extent that every Nigerian will understand them.

Promising that the association would continue to operate open door policy to dialogue with all sectoral groups in arriving at mutual understanding of industry issues, Oke regretted that some advertisers have reneged on the payment of pitch fees. She promised that the industry would continue to create awareness on the need for the advertisers to pay pitching fees.

Expatiating on the AAAN milestones, Shola Adegborioye, Executive Director of Creativexone and executive member of AAAN, said the industry has grown to professionalism.

22 — Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

A shareholder’s view on SEC vs UBN and 19 others (Part 2) L

Plc; Mrs Abidemi Ademola, Company Secretary; Mr Atedo Peterside, NonExecutive Director; HRM Nnaemeka Achebe, Chairman and Mr Thabo Mabe at the 88th Annual General Meeting of the company, in Lagos.

Unclaimed Dividend: Unilever appeals to shareholders on e-dividend, e-bonus

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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NILEVER Nigeria Plc has ap pealed to its shareholders to embrace the electronic dividend and electronic bonus as a solution to the problem of unclaimed dividend in the country.

Addressing shareholders at the 88th annual general meeting of the company in Lagos last week, Chairman, Board of Directors, His Majesty, the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, said, “The board of directors remains committed to implementing the electronic dividend and electronic bonus payment system in order to further help reduce the incidence of unclaimed dividends and share certificates. I therefore, on behalf of the Board, request shareholders to complete the e-dividend and ebonus application form in the annual report.”

The company recorded marginal improvement in its performance indices for the 2012 operating year. Revenue grew to N55.54 billion from N54.72 billion. On the other hand, profit before tax rose by to N8.8 billion from N8.2 billion. Consequently, the company retained the same dividend of N1.4 per share for shareholders. Achebe attrib-

uted the marginal increase to what he called ‘continuing tough business environment’.

Briefing the meeting on the performance of the company in the 2012 operating year, he said, “Within the context of continuing tough business operating environment, Unilever Nigeria Plc’s fundamentals held strong in 2012. Our company defied the challenging national and economic circumstances with strategic actions and investments, which enabled it to weather the storms and deliver continued value to all its stakeholders. Unilever Nigeria Plc has emerged a stronger business and more than fit to win in the market place.

Against all odds, we succeeded at holding revenue and margins at previous year ’s level. Our compelling vision continues to drive focus that will guarantee our ability to continue to win into the future. Unilever Nigeria proactively employed its four pronged strategy of Wining with Brands and Innovation, Winning in the Market place, Winning through Continuous Improvement and Winning with People.

Strategic investment in our brands came in form of new product launches in Savoury, Tea, and Hand and body Categories”, he said.

Oando rights issue oversubscribed, raises N55.2bn

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

I

NTEGRATED oil company Oando Plc has succeeded with its Rights Issue as it raised about N55.2 billion from existing shareholders. The company had issued 4.548 billion oerdinary shares to existing shareholders at N12 per share between December 2012 and February 2013 with the intention of raising N54.6 billion.

The allotment approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) showed that Oando succeeded in raising N55.2 billion, indicating the high level of investors’ confidence in the company.

Details of the allotment showed that a total of 11,714 acceptances for 4,596,055,622 ordinary shares valued

at N55.153 billion were received in connection with the Rights Issue.

All 11,714 acceptances were found to be valid under the terms of the Rights Issue and were all processed, leading to a subscription of 101 levels.

The success of the Rights Issue did not come as a surprise to capital market stakeholders as market experts had said that by subscribing to the issue, shareholders were responding to a positive outlook based on strong market fundamentals.

“Oando is entering a new frontier in its integrated energy business model, which will see the company increase investments in the upstream segment of the Oil & Gas space. In addition, “Oando is a low cost route into Nigeria’s attractive energy sector,” a market analyst had said.

their role is to repair the balance sheets of the weak banks, that is, banks that were overburdened with non-performing loans. In the repair process, the shareholders’ funds in these weak banks were wiped out and the shareholders were left with next to nothing of their investments.

The Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, BOFIA, provides under Duties of Banks, Sections 16 to 20, for the procedures to be adhered to in the grant of advances and loans by banks. In the situation in which these procedures have not been followed and the loans and advances have to be recovered following on CBN intervention, recovery is usually by criminal prosecution as indicated by BOFIA. However, criminal prosecution of bank directors and officials have not gone far because anyone facing a

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FROM LEFT: Senator Udo Udoma, Non Executive Director, Unilever Nigeria

AST week, we considered the actions required of the current Board of Directors of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc – UBN, following on the judgement of the Investments and Securities Tribunal, IST, in respect of an originating application, case no IST/LA/OA/20/2010, brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission against UBN and 19 others.

The current UBN Board was asked to commence an action for the recovery of the sum of N30.47billion and any interest paid on this sum from the persons who were UBN Directors at the relevant times and who are legally liable for the misapplication of the sum in the purchase/acquisition of 609,852,000 units of UBN shares.

The group of persons who were shareholders of UBN at the time of the Court-Ordered Meeting, COM, on 30 September 2011 should also consider what action they should take.

A suit for the recovery of misapplied funds as stated above would be for the benefit of pre-COM shareholders of UBN. The 2011 Annual Report indicates that UBN was capitalized by N78.35billion by Union Global Partners Limited and Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, subsequent to the COM. If the sum of N30.47billion had not been misapplied and if the sum of N80.838billion had not been introduced into the balance sheet of UBN as Retirement Benefits Obligations, the investment required to recapitalise UBN would not have been up to N78.35billion. The significance of the amount placed against retirement benefits obligations is that it is simply based on actuarial computations of what would be required if the obligations had to be paid as at the reporting date, the amount has not been expensed. For the 2012 UBN Report, the obligations are put at less than N50billion.

The pre-COM shareholders should not be surprised if the current UBN Board does not start an action for the recovery of misapplied funds. In the first place, the current UBN Board may not want the pre-COM shareholders to have the benefit of additional shares from the recovered funds. Also, although UBN has identified three directors as being responsible for the transactions leading to the share purchase and for the share purchase, the courts could adopt the position that all the directors at the time of the share purchase have liability for the share purchase. The current UBN Board may not want to put to another test the directors who share a common position with UBN at the IST. What all of the above lead to is that the pre-COM shareholders of UBN should prepare themselves towards bringing the action for the recovery of the misapplied funds.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and AMCON have a role to play in the restoration of the rights of preCOM shareholders of UBN. The CBN and AMCON have maintained that

The CBN and AMCON, a shareholder of UBN, should, therefore, encourage the current UBN Board to commence a civil action for the recovery of the misapplied funds

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criminal charge can ask for the charge to be quashed. If the request to quash the charge is not granted, the person charged can appeal against the decision of the court and the prosecution of the charge is halted until the appeal process is completed.

The CBN and AMCON should therefore consider using civil recovery processes based on the discovery of contraventions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAMA, especially Section 282 subsections 1 and 2 as well as Section 283 subsection 1. The CBN and AMCON, a shareholder of UBN, should therefore encourage the current UBN Board to commence a civil action for the recovery of the misapplied funds.

There have been discussions lately on what should be the moral standard applied to the banks by the CBN and AMCON. AMCON Managing Director was interviewed during an hour long Radio Nigeria Programme on Saturday 27 April 2013. The CBN and AMCON should realise that, given the manner in which shareholders’ funds have been wiped out in the banks in which CBN intervened, the bank directors would believe that shareholders’ funds could be mismanaged so long as the CBN is satisfied that depositors’ funds are not at risk. This is the moral climate in which the business of the banks is being conducted. ……TO BE CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013 — 23

DIARY Select ICT events zCTIA WIRELESS 2013. Holds 21-23 May 2013 in Las Vegas, USA

Zinox completes new digital assembly plant

zSatCom Africa 2013. Holds 27-30 May 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. z Maximising Customer Loyalty & Profitability. Holds May 21 - 23, 2013 in Munich, Germany.

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

Z

provement of public sector organisations. It also means the use of ICT to achieve better stakeholders’ engagement.

“When carefully designed and diligently implemented, e-government tackles the problems of poverty, disease, unemployment and hunger. E-government strategies that work facilitate both public sector and private sector development.

“The protection of life and property is the major function and responsibility of any government. All over the world, no nation is excluded from the challenges of insecurity. Murder, armed robbery, terrorism, cultism and other crimes abound despite the best efforts of security and law enforcement agencies.

“A more proactive IT-

INOX Technolo gies Group has completed the installation of a new digital PC/Phones assembly plant, ahead of the end of May 2013 deadline set last year by its management. Committed to the manufacture of quality ICT equipment, Zinox has powered and successfully tested the reliability of the digital plant, with the challenges of local power supply.

The plant has capacity to assemble in-house brands as well as execute contract manufacturing for other brands.

Corporate Affairs Consultant of the Zinox Group, Mr. Echika Ezuka, in a statement, said that the plant with multiclass functionality produces desktops, laptops, tablet PCs and phones, and is structured to produce a wider range of gadgets with available components. Ezuka said that this plant has enhanced the capacity of Zinox to keep pace with international quality standards.

“Zinox would now be more competitive in terms of pricing, delivery and after sales support while increasing the rate of introducing new products.”

The new plant, Ezuka, added is an opportunity for Zinox to customize large orders for its customers.

With an installed capacity and digital certification of 1250 PCs daily, the Zinox plant is expected to open new vistas to the entire IT sector – nurturing new brands, improving the quality of existing ones, and introducing new levels of flexibility with product design and architecture, all at costs

Continues on page 30

Continues on page 30

zNetwork Security.

Holds 22-23 May 2013 in London, UK. zKITEL 2013.

Holds 28-30 May 2013 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. zAnDevCon Spring Host Developers Conference. Holds May 28 -31, 2013 in Boston, USA.

New inventions shaping life and living

USB lamp uses empty bottles

Use infotech to tackle insecurity, NCS urges FG

BY EMEKA AGINAM

U

Transform your empty bottles into lamps quickly and easily with the Satechi Touch USB Lamp system.

The system is designed to work with any bottle able to accommodate the lamp, and is very easy to install—simply slip the lamp inside the neck of the bottle. The bottle functions as the base of the lamp, and the lamp unit itself can be turned off and on simply by touching the silver disc at its top. Power to the lamp is supplied via a USB port, and the LED has an expected lifetime of 50,000 hours.

I N S I D E C M Y K

NLESS information technol ogy, education, employment creation were given urgent attention in governance, the fight against terrorism and other acts of insecurity may be long-drawn, the President of Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, Sir. Demola Aladekomo has warned.

The NCS President disclosed this last week in Lagos during a press conference to announce

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Preview

NCS 2013 SUMMIT: From left, Iyiola Ayoola, Corporate Affairs Director (NCS); Dr. Vincent Asor.

Chairman Education Committee(NCS); Professor Charles Uwadia, immediate Past President (NCS); Sir Demola Aladekomo, President, and Chinedu Onuoha, Executive Secretary at a press conference to unfold activities for the 2013 NCS national conference coming in July.

Revisiting NCC's draft wiretap regulation

the 2013 edition of NCS International Conference slated to hold in Osun State next July. Aladekomo noted that e-government and national security as the theme of this year's conference was borne out of the need to highlight the relevance of IT to governance and national security to ensure real, all-inclusive development and transformation of governance through IT, while overcoming the menace of insecurity bedevilling the nation.

The recent declaration of State of Emergency in three states in the country by the President, due to insecurity challenges in those states made this theme all the more compelling

According to him, if terrorists who are basically the youths were gainfully engaged through IT, the situation can be better managed.

“Let us engage the jobless youth population.

There is no better time than now. Let us build IT parks around the nation where youths can be engaged. Let us empower the youths with IT tools and knowledge which will go a long a long way in preparing them for the global market.

“You will agree with me that the recent declaration of State of Emergency in three states in the country by the President, due to insecurity challenges in those states made this theme all the more compelling.”

“One way to describe egovernment is the application of ICT to strengthen governance — the use of ICTs in the operations and performance im-

Mixed reactions Ex-Nokia team greet draft debuts wiretap law at smartphone, Jolla forum in Lagos

‘Why NCC should prioritize dominantoperator regulation’

24— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

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Revisiting NCC's draft wiretap regulation

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ECENTLY, a draft crimes, law enforcement piece of regulation agencies have found call by the telecommunica- records of targeted inditions regulator, Nigerian viduals in their cases useCommunications Com- ful, and obtained them to mission, titled Draft Law- speed up investigations. ful Interception of Com- In many cases, these munications Regulations have not been done with has become the focus of warrants from competent attention. courts.

Taken with an allegation Section 4 of the draft that the Federal Govern- regulation allows interment has engaged a for- ception of communicaeign firm in a $40 million tions without a warrant. I contract to monitor elec- posit that will be injurious tronic communication to the primacy and privahere, we can no longer cy of communications carry on as if it is business among individuals. as usual. In fact, business Again, the draft regulais no longer as usual giv- tion says in Section 7 that en the spate of security “a warrant shall be grantchallenges that the nation ed for an initial period of is currently grappling three months or such lesswith. er period as the Judge may deterTo this end, mine based B usiness the draft regulaon the cirtion, which is no longcumstances some people are of the applier as usual already calling cation made the Big Brother given the before the law should comJudge and spate of mand the attenshall cease to tion of all and security have effect at sundry until all the end of the issues ger- challenges period stipumaine are satisfactorily lated in the resolved..

Warrant unIn introducing the regless renewed.” ulation on its website, the This is dangerous, as NCC states under “Scope information accumulated and Objectives of the Regulations” that “these Reg- over three months may ulations are made to pro- not be germaine to the vide a legal and regula- initial case but form tory framework for the grounds for a fresh case. lawful interception of This cannot be overlooked Communications in Ni- in a polity like ours, geria, the collection and where public institutions disclosure of intercepted are prone to misuse and Communications. Fur- abuse by elected officials ther, the draft says “these in pursuit of political obR e g u l a t i o n s jectives.

Provisions of Part IV of shall....provide the legal the regulations is particand regulatory framework ularly alarming, as it difor the lawful interception rects all operators in the of Communications in country “to install interNigeria and to put into effect the provisions of ception capabilities that Sections 146 and 147 of allow or permit the interthe Act (the Nigerian ception of Communications.” Taken together Communications Act).

Section 147 of the Nige- with other provisions in rian Communications Act Section 6, 14, 19, and others, this means that our states: “The Commission may communications are on determine that a licensee record, and can be pulled or class of licensee shall out at anytime against animplement the capability ybody for any purpose. to allow authorised inter- But then, who bears the ception of communica- cost of these?

My own take on the tions and such determinadraft regulation is that it tion may specify the techshould be a legislative isnical requirements for authorised interception sue, subject to all the processes of public hearings capability.”

As ICT percolates every and debates. Since the sector of the economy and law allocates responsibilcitizenry, crimes are be- ities to various entities, it ing committed using elec- should be the outcome of tronic devices, particular- a legal process by a comly mobile telephones and petent legislative house. computers. In attempting Nothing less will serve to solve some of these our purpose.

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C M Y K

firm comprising former Nokia employees has shown off Jolla, a new smartphone with a custom operating system known as Sailfish.

The software has been built from the remnants of MeeGo, a project abandoned by Nokia in 2011 in favour of adopting Windows Phone for its handsets.

The Jolla phone pronounced Yol-la - is due to be released by the end of the year, and will only be sold online.

With this, the product is expected to enter a market already heavily crowded with several operating systems.

"For a couple of years we haven't had anything really interesting in the mobile phone market," said Antti Saarnio, chairman and cofounder of Jolla.

"This creates opportunities for newcomers to come in. It's different, but it's purposefully different."

The other half

The phone has a 4.5in screen, with an eight megapixel camera. It also supports 4G and is compatible with apps made for Google's Android.

Among the handset's

Ex-Nokia team debuts smartphone, Jolla other features is what the company has called "The Other Half."

The coloured back of the phone is interchangeable - and the operating system's interface will change depending on what type of cover you have.

These changes could include, for example, team colours for a football team.

"You connect it to the phone, and the user interface reflects the players and colours of the team," Mr Saarnio told the BBC. Although he did not confirm how exactly this feature works - but many speculate the use of near-field communication (NFC) technology.

Mr Saarnio left Nokia in 2011, along with several other employees who had been working on a joint Nokia-IBM

project to create a new mobile operating system to rival the likes of Apple's iOS and Google Android.

Nokia released one handset running the MeeGo software, the N9-00.

Mr Saarnio felt it was not given enough of a chance to succeed.

"The team really felt that this was one of the best phones in the market, even though it was quite undermarketed," he said, adding that , "Everybody felt so strongly that they wanted to continue."

Several of the team left

the Finnish mobile giant to start their own company and remain working on MeeGo, which it has renamed Sailfish.

Despite leaving the company, Mr Saarnio said he wished Nokia well - and that Jolla was open to letting them use Sailfish in future handsets.

"We are actually quite open - we are offering this operating system for other smartphone makers to use. Let's wait and see and we will just do our best in our business” he explained.

—EMEKA AGINAM with agency report.

Glo unveils new post-paid product, Infinitiser

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

S

ECOND National carrier, Globacom has launched a new postpaid product that enables subscribers to enjoy the full range of Glo voice, data and business offerings with the convenience of a single monthly bill rather than recharging different voice and data accounts.

Glo Infinitiser, as the new product is called, makes it possible for Glo subscribers to make absolutely free calls to 26 million subscribers on the Glo network once the beneficiaries pay the monthly subscription fee of N5,000.

Kamaldeen Shonibare, Globacom’s Head of Corporate Sales while speaking at the launch of the product in Lagos, described it as the biggest post-paid product offering ever in Nigeria. “Infinitiser gives a golden opportunity to achieve more, enables you to talk endlessly with loved ones and business associates.

It helps you to close your deals and get fulfilment.

It eliminates the difference between day and night because you can make free calls on it 24/ 7”, he said.

Targeted at existing and potential pre and post paid customers, the new product also offers free

FREE CALLS FOR GLO’S POST-PAID SUBSCRIBERS: Globacom’s Head of Corporate Sales, Kamaldeen Shonibare (middle) flanked by, from left, Glo ambassadors — Ini Edo, Chidinma Okebalama (Chee) and Monalisa Chinda— during the launch of Glo’s first-of-its-kind post-paid package, Glo Infinitiser, in Lagos.

1GB of data monthly along with the free calls.

Calls to other networks will be at the low rate of 25k per second, on- net SMS at N4 per message and international calls at the rate of N9 per minute to 7 destinations namely, US, UK landline, Canada, India, China, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Shonibare said the new product offers subscribers more reasons to come on board and enjoy the unlimited benefits offered by the Glo network.

He further explained that the product was in-

troduced in line with Globacom’s commitment to delivering value and unbeatable tariffs to its subscribers. “This product is outstanding. It is a super Closed User Group (CUG) which will appeal to business customers, high net-worth individuals, business owners and senior managers within the corporate, SME and Public sectors”, he added.

Subscribers currently on the post paid tariff are eligible to migrate to the new Infinitiser while individuals who currently spend more than N5,000

to recharge their pre-paid lines monthly also stand to benefit by moving to the Infinitiser post paid platform. Subscribers on other networks can equally port in to Glo to enjoy this special package and still maintain their numbers.

To join Infinitiser on the post-paid platform, new subscribers and those already on pre-paid will need to formally apply and fill the subscriber agreement forms at the Gloworld shop nearest to them. Their lines will be activated after paying the monthly deposit of N5,000.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013—25

Use infotech to tackle insecurity, NCS urges FG Continues from Page 23

Mixed reactions greet draft wiretap law at forum in Lagos

BY EMEKA AGINAM

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AST week in Lagos when stakeholders in the Nigerian telecoms industry gathered to discuss the draft lawful interception of communications regulations, leading voices contended that except the policy as recently released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), passes through a legislative process, Nigeria may not get the expected results.

It would be recalled that the NCC recently came up with the Draft Lawful Interception of Communications Regulation, which provides the legal and regulatory framework for the lawful interception of communications in Nigeria, and to put into effect the provisions of Section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act.

It's illegal

Although the President of Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Engr.

Lanre Ajayi agreed that it is a regulatory issue, the former FCT minister, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai who faulted the draft policy told the gathering that lawful interception of communications regulations should go through legislative process.

“Listening to other people’s conversations was therefore not only objectionable but a crime in common law jurisdictions like Nigeria. So why does our government want to listen to our telephone conversations? Why has the Federal Government committed between $40$61 million off-budget to monitor our emails, instant messaging and social media activities?

“From the foregoing, it is not only unlawful for the government to invade the privacy of citizens by intercepting letters, phone conversations or emails, but a constitutional violation and therefore an impeachable offence.

“However, if the National Assembly enacts “any law that is reasonably justifiable in the interest of defence, etc then the interception may be lawful. The question that follows is whether NCA 2003 is one such law.

“As one of the fathers of the NCA 2003, I can say without any fear of contradiction that it was only meant to deregulate the telecommunications sector and no more. It was not designed or drafted to C M Y K

led approach to combating this menace is needed in a country like ours.

It is our considered view that no organisation is better suited than the NCS to chart the way forward in this regard.

“NCS has diligently over the past few months canvassed the use of ICT towards resolving the issues of security in our Country. We call on the Federal government to engage NCS towards contributing in resolving this massive issue. Once this is done youth empowerment and employment will follow” he explained.

It would be recalled that annually, the conference addresses critical national and global IT issues and concerns, attracting practitioners, decision makers, policy makers and professionals from Nigeria and all over the World.

The conference is the largest annual assembly of high-level IT stakeholders from business, industry, education, government and social communities in Nigeria. It is the key networking and professional event for advancing Information Technology for development and promoting the interests of IT stakeholders in the country.

Phase3 telecom wins Arch of Europe award JACITAD FORUM: From left, ALTON President, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo; former FCT Minister, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, and Director, Government & Regulatory Affairs, Airtel Nigeria, Mr Osondu Nwokoro at the JACITAD forum on Draft Lawful Interception of Communications in Lagos. Photo: Emeka Aginam. abridge the fundamental rights of Nigerians entrenched in the 1999 Constitution, and there is nowhere in the law except one of the ‘emergency provisions’ in section 148(1)c that intercepting communications was envisaged.

“The regulations have no commencement date.

The title of the draft regulations contain no year of coming into effect.

Many of us know that the unlawful interception of communications have been going on for years,” he explained.

Ajayi disagrees

But Engr. Ajayi who disagreed with Rufai said that regulatory process in the lawful interception of communications regulations was proper.

“Countries throughout the world have adopted legislative and regulatory requirements for providers of public and private communication services (service providers) to design and implement their networks to support authorized electronic surveillance explicitly.

“The lawyers (members of Nigeria Bar Association) are challenged to determine the legality of operation of Lawful Intervention Devices by Law Enforcement agencies when the regulation to guide the usage is still a draft” the ATCON President said.

Key concerns

With the policy lacking enabling law, the President of Association of Licensed Telecommunication Association of Niger-

ia, ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo said that given that the right to privacy is a constitutionally protected right, it is critical that a properly enacted Bill of the National Assembly be enacted to guide implementation of the lawful interception.

“In trying to fill the gap, the NCC’s draft regulations has sought to impose obligations on parties who are not ordinarily subject to its jurisdiction, such as judges and law enforcement agencies.

“The right of law enforcement agencies to secure access to communications in the national interest must be balanced against the equally important need to protect individual freedoms. The requisite legal framework must provide sufficient safeguards against abuse and opportunities for redress. There must also be very clear supervisory and reporting provisions.

“It is critical that network operators who implement interception in the national interest should be protected against civil and criminal liability in very clear and specific terms.

Operators' worries

For the Director of Regulatory & Government Affairs, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Osondu Nwokoro, the publication of these draft regulations by the NCC was an open admission by the security agencies that have been invading our privacy and constitutional rights without any legal basis. While raising concern on the cost impli-

cations on the operators, he said that , “Subject to some of the suggested amendments to the content of the draft, the NCC should properly submit it as a bill for enactment by the National Assembly.

That in my opinion is the only way to have an appropriate legal and regulatory framework,” he said.

More good than evil

Speaking further on the issue, Femi Adesina, Deputy Managing Director/ Deputy Editor-in-Chief, of the Sun Newspapers, who is also President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, said: “Without prejudice to what legal experts would say, I personally believe that the draft regulation on lawful interception has more strengths than weaknesses, and will do more good than evil.

While any law, however benign, can be manipulated and used for negative ends, the LI can also help in stemming the tide of violent crimes like kidnapping, terrorism, and other anti-social acts.

There are also enough provisions in the regulation to protect the citizenry, and give access to redress against unlawful acts.

“Most countries of the world have LI, and are living with it. The countries are even the better for it, and I therefore believe that this is a legislation that should be encouraged, after relevant stakeholders have dotted the Is and crossed the Ts” he explained.

BY EMEKA AGINAM

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HASE3 Telecom has been awarded the International Arch of Europe Award for Quality, a globally recognized award for product excellence and business maximization.

The award jury comprises outstanding professionals of the business world that specializes in quality, excellence and attention to the client.

This award is composed of a trophy, a certificate and a statement of quality , a reflection of Phase3 Telecom’s commitment to her clients as well as her employees’ commitment to quality programs.

“For Phase3 Telecom, the ease in user experience in all facets of telecommunications has always been the objective and goal in our service delivery; it drives our commitment to the customer and the industry. We also believe this must be of paramount importance to our clients — GSM operators, large ISPs, and

multinational companies.

Our business uses a proliferation of technologies in providing innovative solutions to our clients.

Every day, we nurture and sustain an intellectual product that has become of great characteristic importance in day-to-day life, engagement and the pursuit of the new age of man. And for ten years, our team of dedicated and innovative young men and women has on a daily basis, given 100% to the deployment of quality and consistently evolving broadband delivery and connectivity solutions. We are not unmindful and do not take for granted the honor that we have been blessed with today. This International Arch of Europe Award has reinforced our resolute dedication to our vision and commercial guarantee to our clients and invaluable partnerships to always back up our brand promise with high quality service delivery,” Zeme Elaiho, Director of Strategy & Investment, stated.

Zinox completes new digital assembly plant Continues from Page 23 that would reduce prices.

At last the IT sector can deliver huge orders at short notice.

Head of Operations at Zinox – Mr. Uche Onyechere said that the engineers who installed the digital plant worked in two shifts daily, including Sundays, to achieve compatibility with the nation’s erratic power supply. These Engineers drawn from China and South Africa made sure the plant passed through all certifications stages, synchronizing the different sections of the plant and then tested production for a few days before

internal commissioning.

Mr. Onyechere confirmed that Zinox now runs a full scale digital assembly which is rated globally with a failure rate of 0.001.

Launched in 2001, Zinox Technologies Limited, is a pioneer manufacturer of internationally certified branded PCs. The company took on the onerous task of running an advocacy for the adoption of the computer as a tool for work and play through the Computerize Nigeria initiative. Zinox over the years has evolved to one of the most effective solutions companies in Sub Saharan Africa.

26—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

MainOne rebrands to pure communications services provider

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‘Why NCC should prioritize dominant-operator regulation’ STORIES BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

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HE Nigerian Com munications Commission, NCC, penultimate week, opened the telecom industry up for another debate when it released the operators’ market status and declared two, MTN and Globacom, as dominant players in different categories.

Since that declaration which came almost immediately it flagged off the Mobile Number Portability, MNP, in the country, several opinions have been raised by subscribers who charged the regulator to prioritize the regulation or risk having the sector fall back to the NITEL days of monopoly.

However, this is not the first time the commission is making attempt at stabilizing competition in the telecom market. In 2010, it attempted such exercise but it produced no positive result. But in June 2012, the NCC embarked upon what it described as the “Study of the Assessment of the Level of Competition in the Nigerian telecommunications industry.” The broad market segments considered in the survey included Voice (Mobile and Fixed), Data (Mobile and Fixed),Upstream and Downstream. According to the findings, there are no dominant operators yet in the fixed mobile, fixed data and downstream market segments.

For voice data, MTN, which had about 47.4 million subscribers (about 43.57 per cent market share), as at December last year, was declared the dominant operator. The network, which commenced operation at the launch of the GSM liberalisation in 2001, was also announced as joint dominant operator in the upstream segment. The other network so declared was Glo, which launched its services in 2003 and had about 24.1 million subscribers (about 22.15 per cent) as at December 2012.

Going by its findings, NCC declared that there are concerns in the two market segments. For mobile voice, it states that the segment is not “effectively competitive.” Fundamentally, NCC expressed worry about the “ wide differential (of about 300 per cent) between on-net and off net calls.” It goes further to C M Y K

YOOKOS AT MOBILE WEB WEST AFRICA: From left, Mr. Vincent Maher, Director, 2go; Mr. Marc Herson, CEO Eskimi.com; Mr. Vytas Paulstys and Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tomisin Fashina during athree-day Mobile Web West Africa event in Lagos. warn that “this is indicative of the likely establishment of a calling hub for MTN subscribers.”

The regulatory agency also stated that the dominant operator in the mobile voice market should, among others requirements, collapse on-net and off-net retail tariffs immediately.

This is where an Aba based telecoms lawyer, Chibuzor Ogii said the regulator should assert its authority if it were serious to balance the market.

“NCC should be serious when it makes pronouncements. It is one thing to appear as to the public as if it is working and another to prove that it is genuinely protecting the interest of the market.

For instance, the dominant operator in the voice segment is yet to comply with the NCC directive.

Its booster weekly prepaid charge, for instance, offers on net calls at 10 kobo per second, while subscribers are charged 150 per cent more – 25 kobo per second – for calls to other networks. At 30 kobo per second for calls from the second minute till the rest of the day, its Super Saver off-net call rates appears exploitative.

There is a huge difference of 200 per cent as it charged 10 kobo per second for on-net calls" he said.

The lawyer who was in Lagos at the weekend enumerated to this reporter that “other operators like Globacom, pitches its Talk-Free pre-paid package, on-net calls cost at 15 kobo per second and 18 kobo per second for off-net calls. SMS charges are the same N4 irrespective of whether the message is sent to within or outside the network. On Glo HiFlier and G-BAM Hi 5ive, subscribers enjoy same 18 kobo per second charge to any network within Nigeria. But Glo is also guilty of exploitation as it charged 10 kobo per second for on-line calls on Glo Gista but 30 kobo per second for off-net calls, while Glo 1derful rates for voice calls are 15 kobo per second for on-net calls and 25 kobo off-net.

“Airtel has 2good Classic and Airtel Club 10, among other packages.

For the former, voice calls have a flat rate of 18 kobo per second for calls to all national destinations, irrespective of the network.

Airtel Club 10 requires subscribers to register 10

Airtel lines of family, friends or associates which would then enable calls to be made at 8.34 kobo per second. Calls to other Airtel numbers on this package cost 20 kobo per second on-net and 30 kobo per second off-net.

“Etisalat has Easy starter, among its several packages. Calls to all networks cost 50 kobo per second, while Homezone calls are charged at 40 kobo per second whether on-net or off-net. On Easycliq, calls within the network at peak period cost 40 kobo per second and a minimal increase to 50 kobo per second for off-net calls”.

For him, “having commenced the Dominant Operator policy since May 1, the NCC is expected to have ensured compliance with the new regime, particularly in the area of pricing”.

Incidentally, in his recent announcement, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo assured that the regulatory agency would deploy all necessary procedures to ensure that both companies did not use their dominant positions in the industry to stifle competition.

Why Nigeria remains best telecom investment destination — Juwah

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HE Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr Eugene Juwah has declared that Nigeria had remained and would still remain telecom investment haven as long as Foreign and local investments into the booming telecommunications sector in Nigeria are duly protected by existing telecoms laws. Juwah said that this has remained the strength of the sector in the past 12

years of its liberalisation.

He noted that the Nigerian Communication Act 2003, which defines how telecommunications works in a win-win both for the country and the investors, has been a major source of the industry success.

The NCA, is largely regarded as one of the most progressive laws in the country. It gives the regulator absolute power, devoid of government or other external

interferences to regulate the industry according to the best global practices as enshrined by the International Telecommunications Union and other regional telecoms regulatory bodies.

According to Juwah, “the power of the Nigerian Communications Act guarantees a safe market for investors that they can indeed bring their money into Nigeria and be sure that the law is there to protect their investment.”

ABLE Company, Main One, has rebranded itself as Main One. The rebranding marks the conclusion of the company’s evolution from a submarine cable company to a full-fledged communications services provider, poised to play a greater role in providing a wide bouquet of data center and connectivity services across Africa.

With its repositioning, Main One is asserting its increased capability not only to provide wholesale capacity, and to offer a wider range of products and services to cater to the needs of its customers but also to stake its claim on its share of the sub-Saharan telecommunications market which is billed by analysts to grow at a 10% annual compounded rate to a size of $69b by 2016.

Already within three years of operation, the company has established a reputation as a preferred provider of wholesale capacity and Internet services to Service Providers and Enterprises in the region. In addition, the company has extended its reach of services both organically and through partnerships within Nigeria and Ghana into the neighboring West African countries of Togo, Benin,

and Burkina Faso. In addition, the company recently established an office to service Francophone West Africa in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Unveiling its new corporate identity at the International Telecoms Week 2013 taking place in Chicago, Main One’s Chief Executive Officer, Funke Opeke, explained that the rebrand was carried out to better reflect the company’s focus and direction.

“Main One has been at the forefront of driving broadband penetration across West Africa since our inception. In order to achieve our vision of improving access to broadband services across the sub region, we have taken decisive action to continue to invest in our terrestrial network in multiple countries, increased our product and service offerings beyond basic connectivity, and formed strategic partnerships with various operators to enhance our portfolio of services. We are excited about the future prospects in our market and look forward to launching the new brand identity to symbolize the tremendous opportunity ahead of us to transform the broadband landscape in West Africa.”, she said.

Sterling Bank, Intel partner on Laptop acquisition scheme

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TERLING Bank Plc and Westgate Computers have synchronized plans with Intel Corporation (Nigeria) to increase effortless access to technology and improve the quality of living for its teaming customers and youths in general through the Sterling Bank-Intel new Laptop acquisition scheme.

The New PC acquisition scheme is a scale-up on the ‘Create Your Tomorrow’ campaign rolled out

by Intel late last year.

The initiative was announced at a media launch held at the Pearl Garden, Victoria Island, Lagos. Speaking on the collaboration, the Chief Financial Officer, Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman explained that “At Sterling Bank, we understand the interrelatedness of technology and genuine development in any nation. This initiative offers everyone, the opportunity of a lifetime by empowering them play active roles in creating their tomorrow with sheer ease and convenience.”

Country Manager, Intel Corporation, Olubunmi Ekundare, stated that ‘the scheme, being a sequel to last years’ seeks to reinforce Intel’s commitment to being the sponsors of

tomorrow and fuelling the potentials of technology in Nigeria and Africa as a whole’. He added that the scheme will further bring the benefits of technology and to bear on the quality of life and living.

Industry watchers are unanimous in agreeing that the adoption of Technology has gradually become the universal culture around the world and Africa and Nigeria especially should not be left out.

‘Intel is therefore throwing its weight behind this initiative because we believe in plugging into a tomorrow that fits the profile which technology supports” further stated.

The scheme is targeted at salary earners whose accounts reside with Sterling Bank as well as (NYSC) Corps Members whose monthly allowances are domiciled with Sterling Bank. According to Group Head Retail Loans, Kikelomo Kuponiyi , the programme will ease the process of owning Intel-powered laptops while relying on a stress-free monthly installmental payment process. Individuals can therefore purchase quality Intel-powered PC’s for work and play while payment is spread over twelve (12) months.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013—27

Why the Post is failing, by ex-PDP chair, Alli

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

F ORMER Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Sen. Ahmadu Alli has identified poor funding performance as the major factor militating against the growth and survival of the Nigerian Postal Service.

Sen. Alli stated this at the weekend during the public presentation of the book “Reforming the Post in Nigeria: The Story of the Nigerian Postal Service”, in Abuja.

Senator Alli stated that the postal sector, especially in the Sub-Sahara Africa is at a critical juncture and is in dire need of good financial standing to attract investment and measure with the global trends.

“It is evident that the postal sector, particularly in Sub-Sahara Africa is caught in a vicious circle of poor financial performance which cause a lack of investment, thereby preventing either improvements in the quality of service or expansion, which generates lower usage of the sector and mail volumes, which further perpetuates the circle,’’ he said.

“If nothing is done, and the status quo is maintained, then it is likely that the sector will continue to erode as competitors and other communications media take over the market.

Rate of progress “If we are to catch up with the state of postal service in other regions of the world, we would have to see to it that the rate of progress is doubled,’’ he added.

In his remarks, the Post master general of NIPOST, Mr. Mori Baba lamented the absence of efficient laws to propel the ongoing reform in the sector and called on the national assembly to fasttrack the passage of the bill currently with them.

Mori Baba who was optimistic about the future of NIPOST dismissed the perception that the advent of social media would hinder the survival of the post.

“Until the last man leaves the earth, the POST will continue to be relevant, because it will continue to receive mesC M Y K

AWARD: PostMaster-General of NIPOST, Alhaji Mori Baba receiving the Icon award from the Emir of Zuru, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Sami (rtd) at the occasion. Photo: Emmanuel Elebeke. sages and these messages are such that you cannot receive with the internet. Even though, you think that you can receive them, there are vital information you needed to have a hard copy.

“Therefore, the post whether you can it the National operator by government or is a private company, it will continue to remain relevant,’’ he said.

On how the book will enhance the Postal sector,

Baba said “history is one thing we have been neglecting. If you want to know your future, probably, you also need to know your past. Therefore, it means that you need to know historically, what had happened in the past; the pitfalls, challenges, success and be able to plan your future.

That is why this book is relevant to the present transformation NIPOST is undergoing.

Agada gets Titans of Tech award

BY EMEKA AGINAM

AT the just conclud ed Titans of Tech award held in Lagos recently, James Agada, the Chief Technology Officer, Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) received the Titans of Tech merit award while CWG was awarded the Financial Sector Technology Solutions provider of the year by Technology Africa, the organizers of Titans of Tech award.

The annual Titans of Tech award is a forum designed to acknowledge those individuals and corporate organizations that have directly or indirectly contributed enormously to the growth and development of Information Communication technology (ICT) in improving the economy of the country.

The organisers of the annual award said Agada had contributed immensely to the advancement of ICT in the country, especially in the area of software solutions (banking applications), adding that it was on that note that Technology Africa bestowed the feat on him.

Similarly, the organisers also noted that CWG’s innovative technology so-

lutions for the financial sector has altered for good, Nigeria’s entire financial landscape with a higher inclusion of banks than any other solutions provider in the ICT sector and hence deserves the prestigious “Financial Sector Technology solutions provider of the Year” award.

The award was presented to Agada by Chris Uwaje, President of Institute of Software Professionals of Nigeria, ISPON. Agada in his speech at the occasion, highlighted the need to cover more grounds in terms of ICT development in the country.

He said: “Sometimes I wonder why we do receive these awards, because we still have so much to achieve in the industry. This kind of programme will inspire more IT professionals in the country to be involved in IT development in Nigeria.”

Agada holds a first class degree in Electronic Engineering and a master’s degree in Electronic Engineering with specialization in Digital Systems from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

28—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

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32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

Glo Soccer Academy boys thrill in Dubai

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our members of the Glo Soccer Academy have arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on a training tour of the city, courtesy of telecommunications giants, Globacom.

The boys, Aminu Murtala (16), David Abagna (15), Daniel Abaa (16) and Bismarck Larbi (17), arrived Dubai on Saturday and commenced training immediately at the prestigious Football Academy of Dubai Sports City.

Their training is focused on the fundamentals of modern football including attacking and short passing skills after which they will be exposed to the use of team work and strategic passing style in match situations.

The boys were later incorporated into the Dubai Football Academy team which played against Baniyas Real Madrid, a youth team from another academy in Dubai city.

The Glo Soccer Academy members gave a good account of themselves to the admiration of the two teams and their officials as they scored four goals in the 8-0 victory recorded by the Football Academy of Dubai Sports City over their counterpart. David Abagna who played as the top striker scored two goals while midfielder, Daniel Abaa also scored two goals.

Chelsea stop

Mikel, Moses from Mexico match H

aving experienced a gruelling football season with Chelsea, Nigerian duo, Jon Mikel Obi and Victor Moses have pleaded with Coach Stephen Keshi to leave them out of the exhibition match against Mexico on May 31.

An official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) revealed that Mikel has asked to be excused from the tune-up match in order to rest and take care of personal issues.

“Mikel has said he will prefer to be left out of the friendly game against Mexico later this month. He says he will want to just take a rest after a long season with Chelsea and also take care of personal matters at the same time,” said the federation official on Tuesday.

However the 26-year-old midfielder is said not to have made mention of being excluded from the FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Kenya and Namibia in June.

“Nothing has been said about the World Cup qualifiers. He has only asked to be left out of the friendly

Enyimba on the path of glory

Matches Today 3SC v Wikki v Pillarsv El-Kanemi v

Nasarawa Utd 4pm Warri Wolves 4pm Kaduna United 4pm Sharks 4pm

Thursday 23 May 2013 Sunshine v Heartland ABS F.C. v Rangers Akwa United v Enyimba Bayelsa United v Nembe City Lobi Stars v Kwara United Dolphins v Gombe United Table Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 C M Y K

P Team Heartland 13 Kano Pillars 13 Gombe United 13 Nembe City 13 Bayelsa United 13 Enyimba 13 Kwara United 13 Nasarawa United 13 Rangers 11 Sunshine Stars 13

against Mexico,” the official stated.

Already, the trio of Victor Moses, Kalu Uche and Gabriel Reuben have opted out of the Nigeria squad ahead of the FFIFA World Cup qualifiers and Confederations Cup citing injury concerns.

W 7 7 7 6 6 5 5 5 5 5

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nyimba attacking midfielder, Ayo Saka has said his side are on the path towards achieving their ambition in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm

D 2 2 0 2 2 4 4 4 3 3

The Aba club defeated Bayelsa United 2-0 in the NPFL Matchday 13 encounter at the Enyimba International Stadium on Sunday.

Saka scored the first goal for his side while former Niger Tornadoes’ hitman and the side’s top scorer, Sibi Gwar scored the second.

Both goals came in the first half of the encounter.

Saka said his side’s victory against hard fighting Bayelsa United is evidence that the good times are back for the two-time African champions.

“The victory is a good omen and a strong indication of more victories to come our way in the league.

“The spirit among my teammates is very high and I assure you that Enyimba are on the march again.

“Bayelsa United are a good side, they gave us a tough time but thank God we were able to overwhelm them.

Pillars spend N35m to clear bonuses L 4 4 6 5 5 4 4 4 3 5

GF 22 14 13 15 14 11 12 12 17 14

GA 9 13 15 16 15 5 9 12 9 9

GD 13 1 -2 -1 -1 6 3 0 8 5

Pts 23 23 21 20 20 19 19 19 18 18

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ano Pillars have settled all outstanding match bonuses and other allowances totalling 35 million Naira, officials said.

Pillars spokesman Idris Malikawa revealed that the board led by Abba Yola promised the players a good welfare package.

“We paid all outstanding match bonuses for our players and some other expenses amounting to 35 million Naira. The board chairman Abba Yola told the players that their welfare is the top priority and tasked them to keep doing their best, Malikawa said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013 — 33

COUNTDOWN TO FINAL

Lahm:

Bayern hungr y for success B

ayern Munich right-back Philipp Lahm says his team are hungry for more success as they prepare to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final on May 25.

The Bavarian giants finished this year ’s Bundesliga campaign on top with a 26point advantage over Jurgen Klopp’s side, having lost out to BVB in the title race in the previous two seasons.

And Lahm is convinced neither their dominance in the league nor the loss to Chelsea in last year’s final will affect their concentration levels ahead of the clash at Wembley on Saturday.

“The team is hungry, as we’ve seen throughout the season,” the 29-year-old told FIFA.com.

“We refused to be distracted by our huge lead [in the Bundesliga], nor by losing last season’s Champions League final.

“We’ve stuck to our course, and we’ll continue on it. We’re hoping to win the treble, and I’m very confident. This team could be very successful over the next few years, both at home and in Europe.”

Should Jupp Heynckes team be successful against BVB, they will have the opportunity to clinch an historic treble when they face Stuttgart in the DFBPokal final on June 1, and Lahm has urged his team-mates to go all out for success as the season draws to a close.

“If we win this trophy, I want us to go on and win the German cup a week later,” he added.

azy’ – Podolski crazy’ ‘Klopp is positively cr T he Arsenal forward feels there is no favourite for the Champion s League final, but believes the Borussia Dortmund boss is capable of motivating his players in unconventional ways Arsenal attacker Lukas Podolski has described Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp as “positively crazy ” ahead of the Champion s League final against Bayern Munich at Wembley.

BVB, together with the Bavarian giants, will take part in the competition’s first-ever all-German final, and the Premier League star has refused to slap the favourites tag on either of the sides - although he admits that Klopp’s unconven tional manmanagement style will see his players fired up for the occasion.

“There is no favourite for the final, everything is possible in a single

Oscar out for rest of the year

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match,” he told Bild.

“Bayern are at the top of Europe, but Klopp is a positively crazy coach who will fire up his men. They’ve had a very strong Bundeslig a and Champions League campaign.

aralympian Oscar Pistorius will not compete again this year as he awaits trial for murder, despite receiving a number of meeting invitations.

Pistorius stands accused of premeditated murder after the death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his Pretoria home.

He was released on bail of R1m. He will be back in the North Gauteng High Court on 4 June.

Heineken’s five off to Wembley

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he five lucky winners of the Heineken promo to watch the final of the 2013 Champions League match between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will tomorrow depart Lagos for London to watch the match at Wembley stadium The five Nigerians had emerged from a contest among over 350 consumers and showed their skills, wit, and inventiveness to win tickets and join

thousands of other ‘privileged’ football fans that will watch the match..

“These consumers have shown that they are a true ‘Man of the World: open-minded with a passion to go beyond their comfort zone. They are more active and resourceful in their pursuit to progress in life and are inspired by the inventiveness displayed by great players in the UEFA Champions League,” The senior

Brand Manager Heineken, Jacqueline van Faaassen said yesterday.

She said the fans sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc will depart Lagos to London aboard British Airways and are expected to return on Sunday 26th May 2013.

“The consumers will be part of the annual UEFA Champions League Festival which will commence on the date of their arrival.

Lewandowski: We are ready for Bayern

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orussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski says their resent disappointing results will not affect the team ahead of this week’s UEFA Champions League Final against Bayern Munich.

“It’s no use talking about [the Hoffenheim] game. What matters now is the final and that’s what we’re concentrating on,” the Poland international was quoted as saying by the official Bundesliga website.

“Neither this game, nor the draw against Wolfsburg will be in our heads when we take to the pitch. What’s done is done.

“The final will be a totally different game, you can be sure of that.”

Nadal, Serena eye French Open glory

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afael Nadal and Serena Williams fired warning shots to their French Open rivals with comprehensive victories over Roger Federer and Victoria Azarenka respectively in Rome on Sunday.

Nadal has produced some blistering tennis since returning from a seven-month injury absence and his seventh victory in nine years on the red clay of Rome left his Swiss rival in no doubt as to the Spaniard’s prospects of lifting an eighth French Open title. “Now he is the favourite for the French Open,” said Federer.

While it was Federer’s first final this year, it was Nadal’s eighth, having swept aside Tomas Berdych a day after the big-serving Czech stunned world number one Novak Djokovic in the quarters.

It set up Federer and Nadal’s 30th meeting, but with 19 defeats against the Spaniard — 12 of which had already come on clay — the Swiss was playing catch-up from the third game before falling to a comprehensive 6-1, 6-3 loss.

The manner of Nadal’s win, and the level of his performances this week, leave no doubt as to who will be the man to beat in Paris.

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013 — 35

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36 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

BY ROSEMARY ONUOHA

I

N Nigeria, insurance has never been a popular buy. A common answer being given by the average Nigerians on why he will not buy insurance has always been “Insurance don’t pay claims.”

However, insurance is changing for the better. The negative perception that has plagued insurance all along is changing for the better because practitioners have seen the need for change and are embracing it.

Despite the fact that insurance is changing, the buying public on the other hand must understand the terms of the contract they are entering with their insurers so that when there is need for a claim, it will be promptly settled. A lot of times people don’t understand the terms of the insurance contract they are carrying. They believe that once a contract has been entered into, the claim must be settled when the need arises.

Unfortunately, insurance does not work like that. Insurance works strictly in accordance with what is contained in the policy document.

That is why it is advisable that people should read the terms of the policy thoroughly before entering into any contract.

According to insurance experts, members of the public should always read their insurance policy documents because policy documents are now written in plain language.

Read and understand your insurance policy documents

•You should read your policy documents well Accordingly, the era when policy documents are written in Shakespearean English is long gone as insurers have made the language of the policies they sell user friendly so that insurance buyers can ask questions where necessary before taking their final decisions.

Why you should read your policy documents well

I

nsurance in the simplest term means you pay a lump sum known as premium, to get a leverage or

Why it is necessary to be insured THE uncertainty in life is what makes insurance so important.

Although we can never predict what will happen to us, with the right insurance policies we can recover from our financial losses. This is because the insurance company will share the risk with us, to provide us enough security.

Before things really go wrong in our lives, especially in the areas of health , and roof over our head, that’s when we really need the foresight to take insurance policy and keep it up to date.

We may have our life, body or property insured, the insurance company makes good our loses as we pay the insurance premium regularly, because when we are insured we have to pay premium.

Insurance is clearly of great advantage and importance, insurance, like banking, promotes savings; it helps to remove various types of fear from the mind of the people. For instance the insured is secured in the knowledge that the protection of the insurance fund allows you to transfer the financial risk of certain types of losses to another entity, usually an insurance company.

By transferring the financial risk to such an entity and paying the required premiums, you can receive compensation for loss in the form of either a lump sum or an annual amount of financial resources. This compensation can maintain or replace your income stream. In this way, insurance helps you and your family maintain financial stability if you get sick or become unable to work because of disability, injury, or death.

It creates confidence and eliminates worries which is difficult C M Y K

to evaluate, however, if you do not have insurance and you are sued, get sick, or even die, you and your family may suffer serious consequences, your family may have to rely on only one income or a reduced income to get by, and your children may not be able to achieve important goals in life.

Insurance as we all know, protect against dangers to life and property.

If a person has got his life insured, his family will get enough money on his death. If he had an insurance policy for a shop, he can get compensation for fire, theft etc. He can get his goods insured while dispatching them by train, by truck, by air or by ship.

If you do not have insurance and you suffer great loss, it is likely that you will not be able to take care of your family as you should, you may be unable to work, and you may lose your earning capacity, you may lose everything you have ever saved, an insured person can get loans against the security of insurance policy from

,

BY RITA OBODOECHINA

support our family members. Some family would depend on the income of a person. Other than the head of a family, no other person would be employed in the family, and in such a case the family would face difficulties if the person dies or meet an accident.

But if they get life insurance coverage, it would help them.

Insurance saves our property If we did not have any property, we will not be recognised properly, and we will face difficulties when we buy a new house or construct a house. But with the help of property insurance, your insurance company will provide financial assistance to your house if it was affected by natural calamity, electronic machines, fire, theft or flood.

In such cases, property insurance is very important as damage will be more.

Financial stability Financial security is far from being stable in our times. It doesn’t matter how big our monthly budget is, or how

By transferring the financial risk to such an entity and paying the required premiums, you can receive compensation for loss in the form of either a lump sum or an annual amount of financial resources

insurance company or from banks Insurance is Important for health Health is more important than anything; this means that we should insure our health first. Health insurance policy helps you face the unexpected medical expenses.

Life is precious Since we cannot decide the birth and death of a person, it is better to join in our life insurance policy; this would

,

many savings we have, there always are situations beyond our possibilities and we can never be completely secured. Insurance helps you and your family maintain financial stability if you get sick or become unable to work because of disability, injury, or death.

This is why we need to take all the safety measures we can to secure our financial state, and the best way to do so is insurance. Insurance is the best defensive tools.

protection against an accident or loss of a large or small magnitude. So, when the misfortune is encountered, the insurance company can step in, helping you out to sail through the dirt. It is therefore pertinent that a client should understand how the product or service which he is paying for works, before committing his/her premium. Insurance means you do not have to be on the streets, if somehow the main family bread earner passes away, or the roof over your head is snatched or your life savings are stolen. In all these cases, a good insurance is your road to quick recovery.

The greatest asset insurance bestows is the absolute peace in case of most traumatic moments of ones life. Hence in order not to be deprived of this peace, you must know what your insurance contract covers and what it does not.

A dying man, who is insured for life, would breath his/her last in complete peace, knowing he/she can pass away without fretting over the financial state of his/her family. In automobile accident, you do not lay down in a panic attack, if the vehicle is properly insured. Hence it would be justifiable to claim that insurance brings an extra strength to face the worst upsets of life.

However, there are times when you can be in need of insurance cover but ended up confused on what type of insurance to take. In cases like this, it becomes important to engage the services of an insurance broker.

Insurance brokers act as intermediaries between clients and insurance companies. Clients may be either individuals or commercial businesses and organisations.

Brokers use their in-depth knowledge of risks and the insurance market to find and arrange suitable insurance policies and arrange cover. They act in the interest of their clients and offer products from more than one insurer to ensure that their clients get the best deal.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013 —37

TIT BITS***TIT BITS

IBTC Pensions opens Warri of offfice

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TANBIC IBTC Pension Managers has opened a new office in Warri. Mr Eric Fajemisin, Executive Director, Administrator, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, said the opening of its Warri office informs its focus on taking pension services closer to Nigerians, availing them the opportunity of interacting directly with its staff on any issue relating to their pensions, planning for retirement, investment outlook, or any clarification that they may require “In the event that they do not want to physically visit our offices, we have a 24-hour customer service centre that they can call and be attended to in any one of Nigeria’s major languages including pidgin English, and of course the lingua franca,” he added.

He however said that the contributory pension scheme, which was established with the enactment of the Pension Reforms Act of 2004, is still in its early growth stage and therefore requires investments such as those that have been made by Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers.

Fajemisin said that information plays a major role in enhancing confidence and trust in the pension scheme.

According to him, Structures and systems that will facilitate two-way communication between PFAs and contributors as well as retirees, will deepen understanding of the workings of the pension system, and with understanding comes empowerment.”

NAICOM signs MoU with NAIC

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HE National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, NAIC, of the United States, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, to establish a formal basis for co-operation and technical assistance.

Nigeria’s Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, and the president of NAIC, Mr. James Donelon signed the MOU on behalf of both parties at a well-attended ceremony held at the Willard InterContinental Hotel, Washington, DC in the United States of America.

The purpose of the Memorandum is to help maintain efficient, safe, fair and stable insurance markets in Nigeria and the United States for the benefit and protection of policyholders, by providing a framework for co-operation, increased mutual understanding, the exchange of information and technical assistance to the extent permitted by respective laws, regulations and requirements.

Under the agreement, the authorities will provide mutual assistance periodically through training held in the host country; participation in internships with specific educational focus, educational seminars held in the host country, provision of training manuals and materials and any other issues of common interest Similarly, both NAICOM and the NAIC have reiterated the importance of complying with the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) Core Principles for effective insurance supervision and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations on Anti-Money Laundering.

NAICOM and the NAIC believe that such cooperation will enable them to more effectively regulate the industry and entrench international best practices .

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS TO insuranceandyou@yahoo.com C M Y K

PenCom should be empowered to deal with pension defaulters.

Need to empower PenCom to deal with pension defaulters

By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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AST year, only 74 companies out of the lot operating in Nigeria got the National Pension Commission, PenCom, certificate of compliance to the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS. Statistics from PenCom shows that about 15,760 employers are defaulters of the CPS. Accordingly, over N2.5 billion of employees’ monies are being withheld by these employers. Unfortunately, the figure is on the rise on daily basis even when these monies have been deducted at source from the workers’ salaries.

Need to empower PenCom

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t is high time the Attorney General of the Federation grants, the National Pension Commission, PenCom, the fiat to institute criminal proceedings against employers who default in remitting pension contributions of their employees to their Retirement Savings Account, RSA. Should the Attorney General subscribe to this, PenCom will have the power to institute criminal proceedings against employers for their persistent refusal to remit pension contributions as at when due.

The National Assembly should likewise hasten the process of amending Section 11(7) of the Pension Reform Act, PRA 2004, as the present provision is clogged with limitations.

The section states thus, “Any employer who fails to remit the contributions within the time prescribed in subsection (5) (b) of this section shall in addition to making the remittance already due be liable to a penalty to be stipulated by the Commission provided that the penalty shall not be less than 2 per cent of the total contribution that remains unpaid for each.”

Further review of the penalties and sanctions shows that the sanctions currently provided under Section 85 are no longer sufficient deterrents against infractions of the PRA 2004. Consequently, Section 85 should be amended to provide for stiffer penalties that will serve as deterrents.

Section 85 states thus “Any person who contravenes any provisions of this Act where no other penalty is prescribed under this Act, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not more than N250,OOO or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both fine and imprisonment.”

Certificate of compliance

I

t will be recalled that the PRA 2004 made it compulsory for companies seeking government

businesses to present certificate of compliance which indicates that they are meeting the regulation on staff pension contributions.

The PRA 2004 also mandates all employers with minimum of five staff to subscribe to the pension scheme. To ensure enforcement of the law, the Commission issued an order that employers who fail to remit their pension contributions would pay two per cent charge two weeks after deductions have been made by them.

According to PenCom’s guideline, employers are to remit employees contributions not later than seven working days from the day salary is paid. If default persists after three months, one per cent of the outstanding would be paid to the Commission. The Commission said it would take legal actions on defaulters if violation persists while employers who refused to give access to information about their staff would pay a fine not more that N200,000 and that every false or misleading information would attract N100,000 fine, each day the offence continues.

Also any employer who coerce employees to open RSA with Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) that is not their choice, would pay N1,000 after three months per employee for every month of violation.

Objectives of the CPS

T

he CPS is to assist individuals by ensuring that they save to cater for their livelihood during old age; establish a uniform set of rules and regulations for the administration and payment of retirement benefits in both the public and private sectors; and stem the growth of outstanding pension liabilities.

Under the CPS, the employees contribute a minimum of 7.5 per cent of their basic salary, housing and transport allowances. Employers contribute 7.5 per cent in the case of the public sector. Employers and employees in the private sector contribute a minimum of 7.5 per cent each. An employer may elect to contribute on behalf of the employees such that the total contribution shall not be less than 15 per cent of the basic salary, housing and transport allowances of the employees.

Contribution and retirement benefits are tax exempt and fully funded. The contributions are deducted immediately from the salary of the employee and transferred to the relevant retirement savings account. By so doing, the pension funds exist from the onset and payments will be made when due.

38 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013 — 39

C M Y K

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

GAMALIEL ONOSODE:

would rather quit than compromise. “Oh, I was the first in so many things and so many areas. … and I always resigned on protest in each case.”

It takes great courage to do that, especially in our morally depraved situation in Nigeria.

“Sometimes, quite often,” he confesses, “I just walked into the night! …I didn’t know where I was going. By the time I resigned, I didn’t know what the next job would be. I just said well, don’t worry, I’m not going to tolerate that nonsense just because I want to keep a job.”

To wear honour like a garment (2) In this concluding part, Osofisan probes Onosode's past and reveals that Onosode began to carry family responsibilities right from youth and as a result, did not take part in sports. This ascetic solitariness, he notes, became a habit

A

ND...I guess that had an impact on me later on, because many of my contemporaries in the secondary school didn’t see a collection of books until they got to the school.

Whereas I was brought up among books.”

The company of books was really fortuitous then, because his parents had very strict ideas about their children mixing with others in the community: “At home, we were brought up to be stay-at-home children. We were not encouraged to go out because my parents believed that the influence of the world around us was more likely to be negative than positive … and I haven’t really outgrown that really. I’m still very much a-stay-at-home boy.”

This explains a number of things. Certainly it explains his present reclusive nature. And now, expanding on that, he makes a shocking revelation, that he was born with a natural disability: “I was the only child of my parents who had a stammer… I think that is part of the reason why I… I was very quiet, you see … because I was a

stammer, he explains, had disappeared miraculously when he was made a school prefect in the secondary school. “… I said to God, how am I going to discharge this responsibility of making announcements? And you know with stammering, there usually is an emotional kind of thing that fuels it, such that the more excited you are, the greater your chances of stuttering. But God just said, My boy, don’t worry, I will be with you. And without subjecting myself to any therapy, any therapy at all, the thing just vanished! Yes, God just did it!”

So now we understand his unbending faith in Christianity and the Baptist Church.

Building faith and character

But, however, apart from this speech defect, there was also the fact that he began to carry family responsibilities right from youth: “I seem to have developed without having a period of adolescence… I took over from my father long before he died. … And the result is that I didn’t really have fun like others.”

This ascetic solitariness became a habit.

Even in school, he did not take part in sports: “I didn’t like sports…

That’s one thing I have against Government College. Sports appeared to have been so emphasized, that I detested it… it was like, this was some oppression that I had to endure.”

Nor did he have girl friends or womanize, like most Nigerian men: “The bottom line is that I was… even before I PR OF PROF OF.. FEMI OSOFISAN came to Ibadan… that I took every opportunity stammerer. I would only open that was available to build up my mouth if I had to…” my faith and my character. I did A stammerer?!! I look at him not think sexual activity was incredulously. This man who is some kind of fun like drinking generally regarded as an oratea every Sunday afternoon. tor, from whose lips words pour No!” So what does he then do, out at all moments with mellifyou wonder, in his leisure luous ease, and whose polhours? There are the church ished elocution would be a activities of course, which he boon to any media house any never misses. But are those all? day?

Does he never relax?

He must have noticed my as“In fact, that’s my problem,” tonishment. He smiles. The he admits. “You may find out C M Y K

Flawless reputation

Gabriel Onosode...marking his 80th birthday today that perhaps I’m one of the most boring human beings you can come across… I am a private a person as I am. I am not a society person, and I don’t join societies and clubs…. I don’t go anywhere to dance to eat or drink... So, it’s a dreary kind of life. But I’m happy.”

My assistant and I exchange looks. How much of what he is saying is true, and how much is he deliberately pulling our leg? “You see,” he continues, “there are some people who say I’m an unsmiling person…

I don’t really…I don’t play games… It is surprising that I even know how to laugh…”

And of course at that we all burst out laughing, the three of us. It is interesting how the exterior so often masks the identity of the inner man. For if there is anything Onosode does not know how to do, it is certainly NOT how to laugh!

At least not in our company since I have come close to him.

His face may be stern and austere - like a permanent advert for sainthood, some people say - but you soon discover that behind that steel exterior is a soft and compassionate personality, prodigiously generous, and easily vulnerable in fact because of that.

Drama production Indeed in his company there is never a dull moment, for he tells many stories, some of which can crack your ribs. Even now, as I ask about his days at GCU, he repeats one of his favourites, an episode long ago from a drama production: “It was… one Emordi. He’s dead now. He died a long time ago. They were presenting Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, and when it got to the point where something was to hap-

pen to the dead body of Caesar as he was lying there, Emordi said, after looking blank and agitated for a brief moment, he just said - ‘Carry am make we go!’…The following morning, our Principal, Powell, almost wept in the assembly. He said, Yes, you can be forgiven for not remembering your lines… If you had said, Please help me remove this body… But, Carry am make we go! How could Shakespeare have known pidgin English?

,

BY FEMI OSOFISAN

But the irony was that, because of this risk and the flawless reputation he acquired through it, Onosode has always found other doors opening almost immediately for him. Honesty pays, once you wear it like a garment. It is his creed of honour: “When I’m telling people to be courageous, to stand for what is true, I’m not just passing on what I read from Aristotle or from Socrates or from whoever. No! I’m sharing my personal experience. I’m not asking them to do what I did not do myself…This is the Christ in me.”

It will not be easy. It has never been easy to live a clean life.

When I’m telling people to be courageous, to stand for what is true, I’m not just passing on what I read from Aristotle or from Socrates or from whoever. No! I’m sharing my personal experience

The humour ends, however, when it comes to work. In this, Onosode will not joke with the matter of efficiency or competence. And above these, is the question of ethics. This, again, is the powerful shadow of his father. “My father was a highly organized and disciplined person… he would never compromise on principle.” Gamaliel proudly recalls the unpleasant occasion when his father was denied ordination, even after graduating from Ogbomosho, because he would not bend to the presiding pastor’s view on polygamy. Sent out of the vicarage, he moved unrepentant and without shame to his wife’s half-completed house, and lived there for several months. And in the end it was the Church that had to recall him.

Like father, like son then, one can see. This rigidity on the matter of principle is the recurrent trait that has marked Onosode’s career. It is where he has earned his reputation of unyielding probity, as a man who

,

Still, as he says: “A man has to be a man… You have to be bold to stand for what you believe. …You see, if you really stand for a principle, if a principle is really for you a principle, you must be willing to pay the price. You can’t have your cake and eat it.”

And he concludes: “The reason why we have not achieved as much or even what could have been… is because of the lack of personal integrity.

There’s no substitute to that. As a Christian, everything revolves round that. … I mean, if there is no integrity, no amount of skill will produce the desired result. It takes only one little man to throw in a little spanner and the whole thing collapses, right? But, at the same time …it takes perhaps just one man to introduce an idea, a concept, a process that has a transforming effect. So, never give up!’

I look at my watch. Incredibly we have been here for five hours. What a day! It is time to leave the old man to rest.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, MAY 22, 2013 — 41

Can Nigeria Aviation Economic Regulatory Unit resolve fare disparity?

AIR FARES BY FOREIGN AIRLINES: Airlines

BA

ACCRA-LONDON First class

Business

First class

Business

4,970.55

2,920.55

9,548.25

4,708.80

3,492.24

8,242.664

4,244.31

5,243.20

8,472.90

4493.40

Lufthansa Emirate

ABUJA-LONDON

6,821.20

All the prices in U.S. Dollars as at 19/04/2013

By LAWANI MIKAIRU

T

HE Nigeria Aviation Economic Regulatory Unit to be established by the Federal government under the office of the Minister of Aviation may resolve the protracted issue of fare disparity by foreign airlines operating in Nigeria.

The reviewed Nigerian Civil Aviation Policy 2013, NCAP 2013, just released by the Federal Government contains a provision for the establishment of Nigeria Aviation Economic Regulatory Unit. The unit which will operate from the office of the Minister of Aviation will later become an autonomous agency. The NCAP 2013 says “Nigeria Aviation Economic Regulatory Unit oversees, intervenes and mediates in case of predatory pricing/ practices in the interest of the traveling public.”

According to the reviewed NCAP 2013, “To minimize the potential misuse of market power by aviation service providers by fostering a competitive, efficient and fair commercial environment where

•President Goodluck Jonathan cy or unit in the Aviation Ministry specifically charged with the function of “minimizing the potential misuse of market power by aviation service providers” and making sure passengers “receive quality services at reasonable prices”.

The foreign airlines, espe-

,

Tariff of aviation service providers are to be regulated by the Economic Regulator in accordance with ICAO policy and in consultation with interested stakeholders of the services

passengers receive quality services at reasonable prices, the Federal Government will establish an autonomous Economic Regulatory Unit under the office of the Honourable Minister that will become an Agency with time.”

It will be recalled that after the hue and cry by Nigerian travelling public about the disparity in fares charged by foreign airlines operating in Nigeria and Senate Aviation Committee public sitting in Abuja, nothing was done and the issue remains unresolved as there seems to be no agen-

,

cially the British Airways, had argued before the Senate Committee that there are too many aviation charges, taxes and tariffs in Nigeria. All the charges , according to them, add up to make airfares in Nigeria costlier than in Ghana for instance. This new autonomous Economic Regulatory Unit will monitor these charges, taxes and tariffs.

NCAP2013 says “Tariff of aviation service providers are to be regulated by the Economic Regulator in accordance with ICAO policy and in consultation with interest-

•Princess Stella Oduah, Aviation Minister ed stakeholders of the services. The objectives of Federal Government are to: Establish an autonomous Nigerian Aviation Economic Regulatory Unit to regulate the economic, commercial and financial practice of the aviation service providers.

Remove leakage and ensure transparency of all financial data required to determine the basis for charges. Ensure users views and interest are adequately taken into account.

“Ensure safety and security of operations, development and maintenance of infrastructure, promotion of competition and fair access of users to airport and air navigation services at rates and charges consistent with ICAO policies and guidelines and the NCAP. Ensure that all aviation tariffs and charges are in accordance with ICAO policy and guidelines.”

Aviation regulators and agencies in Nigeria have defended these high charges and tariffs in the past. They argued that because of little subventions from the Federal Government, they need these taxes and charges to keep afloat. To ensure that this

new policy does not strangulate the aviation agencies financially, government is to ensure the following: “Put in place necessary machinery to regulate the economics of respective airports and air navigation services.

Revenues generated by the civil aviation sector are re-invested in this sector in accordance with ICAO’s policies on charges (Doc 9082).

Aviation charges are only applied to services rendered and in accordance with ICAO policy and guidelines and international best practices. Aviation tariffs and charges are reviewed from time to time in accordance with the realities in the industry and in consultation with interested stakeholders.”

Comparable fares from Ghana This NCAP 2013 will also address the terms of UK/Nigeria Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA. The British Airways had said “The main reason premium fares from Nigeria are higher than those comparable fares from Ghana is attributable to capacity restrictions, brought about

by current frequency restrictions on air services under the terms of the UK/Nigeria Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA. Under the BASA, UK designated airlines are unable to operate more than 21 services per week between the UK and Nigeria. UK airlines have always operated the full number of services allowed under the bilateral ASA. On the other hand, Nigerian carriers, which are also permitted to operate up to 21 services per week between Nigeria and the UK have not taken up their permitted frequencies.

The NCAP 2013 will “put in place adequate rules of competition in Air Transport services and dispute resolution mechanisms that cover third countries and companies whose activities could affect and or distort competition.”

The ultimate objective of this reviewed NCAP2013, according to the government “ ... is also the need to balance the interests of aviation service providers, airline operators and passengers in view of the air transport importance and its influence in fostering economic, cultural and social development in Nigeria.”

42—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

Are these the keys to his love nest?

Love-making has become too painful Dear Bunmi, I’m in my 40s and always had a good s.x life before the birth of my third child, when I had a tear that had to be repaired.

Since then love-making is very

painful and usually impossible.

This is really affecting my relationship with my husband. Is there anything I can do to rectify this?

Dara, by e-mail.

He prefers to text, not talk

Dear Tessy, I don’t think it’s too much to ask the man you’re seeing to take a few minutes out of his day to ring and talk to you.

You need to encourage your texter to become a talker.

When next you speak, end the conversation by affirming how much you prefer talking to him than getting texts. Tell him it doesn’t have to be a long conversation, but that you really love the sound of his voice and that it stays with

you much longer afterwards than text.

When next he texts, let your response be terse by asking him “When’s a good time to catch up?” or “Let’s chat. Are you free to talk now?” Texting may be fashionable and cheap, but it also causes misunderstandings and confusion.

What’s more, virtually all the networks’ tariffs are reasonably priced. So keep talking— it’s healthy and important for any relationship.

’

Dear Sir, My last relationship ended a few years ago and it has taken me a long time to get back to the dating scene again. I met my current boyfriend through a colleague in my office and things went quite well.

The problem is he prefers to text. At first I really liked that he texted me hello and goodnight and sent the odd romantic message. Now it’s dawned on me he’d rather text than talk, which I find really impersonal.

I’m an old romantic and would rather speak to my man— not a machine!

Tessy, by e-mail.

Dear Dara, It looks as if you suffer from the condition called vaginismus, where there is an involuntary (i.e. not under your control) tensing of the muscles around the v.g.na that causes pain when love-making is attempted.

This is quite common and can occur after a difficult examination or a traumatic s.xual experience, and also in women who have had a painful condition such as a bad tear after child birth.

Pain and the fear of pain cause the muscles to tense up, which then makes any attempt at intercourse more painful and so this sets up a cycle. This can be treated, sometimes just by talking to your doctor and ruling out any other cause for the pain, but sometimes longterm counselling is needed.

Nkiru, by e-mail.

Dear Nkiru, There’s no doubt that he’s lying to you. If you’ve always had an open and trusting relationship, why would he lie to you, unless it involves another woman?

There is no upper limit on men having affairs. If he goes out a lot on his own, he’ll have had plenty of opportunity to meet someone.

A car is not that big you’d be unable to track down who could own a bunch of keys left in it. There wouldn’t be any harm in offering to help find the owner of the keys!

Is this long-distance relationship worth it?

Dear Bunmi, My boyfriend works in a bank. We had a great relationship until he was transferred to another town. Now, I only see him fortnightly, and all we do is argue. A few months ago, I met someone else who is wonderful and caring.

He’s been giving me such a good time and we’ve started sleeping together. I’m now confused because I still love my boyfriend. Is there a solution to my problem?

Onari, by e-mail.

are hard work and it sounds like neither you nor your man were prepared for how much more energy you would need to devote to keep it alive.

Is your man aware of how much trouble the relationship is in? My guess is that he doesn’t, which means you need to call a halt to the arguments and discuss how to salvage your relationship and improve communication.

The fact that you’ve started to see another man doesn’t help, but I get the feeling you would break it off if you could get what you need from your boyfriend.

ly, we drifted apart after she got married and this is no thanks to her husband. He is jealous and paranoid.

I’ve tried to arrange seeing her on her own, but she says he doesn’t like her doing that.

Do I just need to give up having her in my life? Her husband is so distant and hostile that talking to him is almost impossible.

Susanne, by e-mail.

lated and needs more love in her life— or less.

Sadly, it looks as if you’re going to have to spend more time with her husband in order to see her. I’m not saying that would be fun, but gaining his trust may be the only way to stay in contact with your sister.

And once you have that time, you’ll be able to help her see there are alternatives and that you’re willing to help her explore them. But if she really wants to be left alone, I advise you give her time to get over her fear.

He phones when Dear Onari, Long distance relationships his wife is in another room or at work to ask how we are. I can’t move My brother-in-law on as I still have feelings is too controlling she’s using her husband as Dear Bunmi, for him. Where do I A few years ago, my young- an excuse not to see you. The er sister got married and I was safest thing to assume, howgo from here? pleased for her. Unfortunate- ever, is that your sister is iso-

’

I still have feelings for my ex Dear Bunmi, I was married for 11 years with three children when things became strained between my husband and I. They were mostly to do with our finances, so he went abroad to work.

He sent money to us whenever he could but made it plain he was no longer interested in our marriage. In the end we were divorced, but remained friends.

I hoped that we would reconcile but he later told me he’d met someone else who was of tremendous assistance to him during his trying times. He said they were married and was bringing her back to the country.

They’re now back with a new

Dear Bunmi, My husband and I are in our late 50s and have been married for 20 years. It’s the second marriage for both of us.

He goes out most nights to have a drink with his friends.

We’ve always had a trusting relationship but months ago, he came home late and a bunch of keys fell out of his pocket.

A few days later, the same thing happened with the same bunch of keys. When I asked him about it, he said someone left it in his car and didn’t know who. Do you think he’s having an affair?

son, but I don’t know why I feel used and betrayed. I still love this man and must see or speak to him often because of the children.

He phones when his wife is in another room or at work to ask how we are. I can’t move on as I still have feelings for him. Where do I go from here?

Christabel, by e-mail.

Dear Christabel, There is no hope that both of you would genuinely get together again. He’s remarried and things have changed.

Even if he did come back, could you ever trust him again?

You need to tell him you’re not interested in chatting and that your relationship has to be amicable because of the chil-

dren. Encourage him to call if it concerns them, remembering that this man deceived you and you’re allowing him to continue.

This makes him feel less guilty whenever he phones to chat.

You need to be strong and respect yourself. You can’t be truly happy until you move on too, and until you’re happy, there’s no chance of meeting someone else.

He has made his choice, now it’s time for you to do the same.

You don’t really need a man like him. You deserve better so make your decision and keep yourself busy.

Do whatever it takes but let him go. He’s your children’s father and you can encourage that relationship, not the one with you.

Dear Susanne, Either your sister is in a horribly restrictive (and potentially abusive) relationship or

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Vanguard Vanguard,,

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

— 43

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

AQUARIUS; Today’s full-Moon in Cancer warns you to take your health more seriously. Yet here is a day remarkable success can be your lots.

PISCES;. Whatever happens you will have cause to smile. Yet you must not take your friends for granted, especially from 3pm. Take love more seriously.

ARIES; Unless you exercise great control domestic water can become heated with re-action from people within your base of operation. Protect your career.

TAURUS; Full-Moon’s influence can induce others to oppose some of your moves within your social circle.

Respect important view of your good friends.

GEMINI; Full-Moon across Cancer/Capricorn axis is capable of bringing avoidable personality clashes through financial transactions. If you rely too heavily on promises made by others from 3pm you can be painfully disappointed.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

T

HE first time you hear of trial marriage, what comes to your mind immediately? Is it not its temporary nature? How then can such union stand the test of time? Right from the very beginning, the union was programmed to fail.

Trial marriage, is it? - 2 Marriage is anchored on true love. And true love sees no fault. Love is all encompassing.

Love is tolerant. But trial marriage is based on detecting areas of short comings with a view to calling off the

intended union. Pray!

Who is that man or woman without a fault? The more we live together, the more our faults come to the fore but such faults in an ideal marriage are meant to be used as

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

building blocks of understanding.

If you want to be married, go ahead and marry, inspire of all the challenges. Know that you can’t know any human enough no matter how you try.

Above all, remember, marriage, is no palm wine that you test.

By Lanre Kehinde

CANCER; Full-Moon in your Star Sign’ll boost your confidence and can prompt you to become unnecessarily aggressive to the resentment of others. Take it easy please.

LEO; With the full-Moon across Cancer/Capricorn axis you are meant to do away with whatever can not be placed above board, especially if working today VIRGO; Today’s full-Moon in Cancer warns you not to nurse false hope and do away with self deceit so that you’ll not run into avoidable trouble. This is the wrong time to take your influential friends for granted, especially any time from 3pm today.

LIBRA;. Full-Moon across Cancer/Capricorn axis can bring you under the fire of enthusiasm but if care is not taken others may take undue advantage of your mind.

Do away with whatever can heat your domestic water.

Protect your image.

SCORPIO; Better than yesterday but because it’s a full-Moon day you are advised to take legal related issues more seriously. Minor misunderstanding possible from 3pm

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

SAGITTARIUS;. Full-Moon in cancer warns you to be very careful with both your personal and/or others money and joint ventures too. Be more family minded.

CAPRICORN;. Full-Moon in Cancer can bring you avoidable confrontation either from new contacts or old allies; try you best to avoid partnership crisis. Exhibit maturity

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’s my Astro-personality?

Dear Joshua, Please keep my birth data and identity secret, but I want you to analyse my horoscope bluntly so that I can know who am I; talking about my personality.

Anonymous. Osogbo.

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Anonymous, What you will find here under will prove useful if you take them seriously and utilise them ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA/PLANETARY PLACEMENT Aries that hosted the most important heavenly body (the Sun) together with indicator of mental focus lensMercury, is known for special leadership quality and higher degree of positive aggressiveness. Yes you were endowed with leadership talents which can manifest either in the business world or POLITICS and probably both.

It is true that Aries can be very aggressive, but with many planets placed in more mild Star signs, with less than 50% of push-full influence, loving Venus as most influential planet when you were born, certainly aggression of Aries is greatly water down to the minimum . That is not to say you the timid type but yours is a balanced personality. You are gentle, honest and straight forward person. Preponderance of fixed and earth in your chart are pointers to the fact that you are the careful type who will not change his mind just for the fun of it. Then as peace loving Venus was the most influential planet when you were born, peace and harmony will always come first whenever you want to take any (important and/or) decisive action.

Placement of mighty Sun (indicator of basic-self hood) the Moon (indicator of sub-conscious self/emotion) and the Stellium (that is more than two planets in one Star sign} in Aries, Pisces and Taurus respectively meant that basic characteristics of the three Star signs stated in this paragraph are highly pronounced in your inner-self.

Commen3

by Lawrence Akapa

44—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

Stakeholders in Obio Akpor re-affirm support for Amaechi

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

From left: Megha Joshi, Executive Secretary/CEO of Lagos Court of Arbitration, LCA; Olusola Adegbonmire, ADR Training Consultant, and Chief Justice Ayotunde Phillips, Chief Justice, High Court of Lagos State, during 2nd Judges’ Training in Lagos State by LCA, at Epe Resort and Spa, in Lagos.

Nigerian youths told to shun violence

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI — PRESIDENT General of Ovrode Community, Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Joseph Owhede, has urged Nigerian youths to shun violence and embrace peace.

Owhede, who spoke after his election as President General of the community, said no community develops in an atmosphere of rancor and acrimony.

Noting that he will partner government at all levels and oil companies operating in the area to attract development to the community, he assured the people that he will not betray the confidence reposed in him to lead the community.

ORT HARCOURT — FORMER House of Representatives member, Mr. Ikechi Chinwo has reassured Governor Chibuike Amaechi of the support of the people of Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking at a stakeholders' summit of the people of Obio Akpor council, Chino said that they were impressed

Group faults Ogboru’s claim on Delta guber polls

BY EMMAAMAIZE

W

ARRI — A group of leaders in Delta State, under the auspices of People’s Movement, have faulted the claim of the governorship candidate of Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, in the 2011 elections in the state, as a calculated falsehood.

Chief Great Ogboru had recently claimed that the three past governorship elections in the state were rigged.

The group also denied allegation that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, received N5 million from one of the transition committee chairmen for his 25th wed-

ding anniversary in Warri, describing the rumour as wicked, baseless and reckless.

In a statement by the Director of Communications, Mrs. Ibufuro Tatua, the leaders accused Ogboru of “feeding the public with cooked and calculated lies about elections in the state."

They noted that the past three governorship elections were the most transparent ever in the history of the state.

“Those banking their hopes on the apex court to occupy the Asaba Government House should stop deceiving themselves,” the leaders said.

with the achievements of the administration of Amaechi.

He added that the opposition should appreciate the achievements the administration had recorded since it came on board.

Chinwo, who was Chairman of the summit, also urged the people of the council to continue to resist temptations from any quarter to go against the laws.

“It is on record that ObioAkpor as a council in Port Harcourt city and in Rivers State, has the highest number of infrastructure development that is being constructed by Governor Amaechi. I want the people

EDSOPADEC commences construction of 10km roads in three Edo oil producing LGs SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN CITY — EDO State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission, EDSOPADEC, has commenced the construction of 10 kilometre asphalt roads in the oil producing councils of Ovia North East, Orhiomnwon, and Ikpoba Okhai in the state.

Chairman of EDSOPADEC, Mr. Vincent

Citizens in Diaspora invited to invest in Bayelsa

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

YENAGOA — BAYELSANS in the Diaspora have been called upon to come back home and explore the enormous potentials of the state by investing in various sectors of its economy.

They were also told to apply the knowledge acquired during their sojourn abroad to support the development efforts of government as well assist in developing their communities.

Governor Seriake Dickson

while inaugurating a 25member Diaspora Mobilisation and Contact Committee in Yenagoa, noted that Bayelsa was in a hurry to develop and attain enviable heights in all critical sectors of human endeavours.

Uwadia, while inspecting some of the projects executed by the Commission, said the roads when completed, will aid the movement of farm produce from the rural communities to urban areas.

He appealed to members of the community to give the contractors handling the projects needed support, so that the projects will be completed according to the specifications and in record time He added that it was the resolve of the commission to complement the efforts of the state government in rural development.

He inspected the block of six classrooms being constructed at Ewudu and Iboro communities and assured that when completed, the school will be equipped with modern learning facilities of international standard.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

of Obio/Akpor to support and encourage Amaechi, as the people of Obio/Akpor are very grateful. “ In their separate comments, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr. Tony Okocha and a former member of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Collins Ordu lauded the government of Amaechi for his projects in the council.

Okocha enjoined the people to shun any temptation to indulge in violence, just as he condemned the failure of the police to comply with the order of the state High Court to vacate Obio Akpor council secretatiat.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

What is your view on commodity price hike?

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HE truth is that prices of commodities in Nigeria have been rising and do not go down no matter what. It seems unbearable, but there is little or nothing we can do if those in government are not willing to do anything. —Mr. O.P.K. Richard, Gym Instructor C M Y K

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ARDLY anything sold today has retained the

same price in the last one year.

Badroadsandtransportsystems, among others; help hike prices, sinceretailersselltomakeprofit by adding cost of everything to the cost of goods. — Mrs. Kubura Aremu, Model

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RICES of commodities, including rice, beans, onions, yam, garri, among others, have been terrible today. You cannot prepare a pot of soup with N700 and you cannot buy any meal with N50. It is bad. —Mrs Chinwe Ekwe, Businesswoman

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he indiscriminate increase in prices of commodities will not only reduce the standard of living, it will also allow poverty to remain endemic in Nigeria.

The government should do something about this issue now. —Mr O. Chibueze, Barber

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RADERS have attributed the recent increase in commodity prices to the removal of fuel subsidy But I think the government should also have introduced something that would lead to fall in prices of goods. —Mrs. Esupofo Lawrence, Cleric

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EDERAL Govern ment should es tablish a price control board to check the indiscriminate increase in prices, especially that of foodstuffs. I believe that it would help to reduce the current hardship in the country. —Mr. Emmanuel Soji, Footballer

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013 — 45

Stakeholders flay high mortality rate in Rivers

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

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ORT HARCOURT— TO reduce maternal mortality in Nigeria, in compliance with the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, health experts and civil society groups have challenged Rivers State to play an active role in Nigeria’s efforts towards attaining same.

At a lecture and launch of Unite for MDG 5 Campaign, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by the Centre for Women’s Health and Adolescent Development, CWHAD, stakeholders considered the current level of deaths per birth in Rivers State as disappointing, in relation to the enviable primary health infrastructures the state government had established.

Dr. Godson Eze, a Public Health Consultant and lecturer at Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, whose key lecture dwelt on Maternal Mortality and MDGS in Nigeria: Trends, Progress and Way Forward, expressed the concern over the figures.

He said: “Currently, Rivers State records 800 deaths per 100,000 live births, is far higher than the national ratio of 630 per 100,000 by the 2012 World Health Organisation, report. Knowing that Rivers State has about the best Primary Health Centres among the states, she should be boasting of having progressed far beyond the national average."

Odiase for burial

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HE remains of late Mr. Osahon Odiase, 46, will be interred in Benin City, weekend.

Odiase, who was a tutor at Edo College, Benin, is survived by his widow, Irene, children, brothers and sisters.

Late Osahon Odiase C M Y K

2015: Dokubo vows to fight opposition, bullet for bullet Nobody can stop Jonathan —Fasehun

BY EMMA AMAIZE & AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

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ARRI—FOUNDER of Niger Delta People Volunteer Front, NPDVF, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, has said that he was ready, bullet for bullet, for those who want to stop President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general elections.

He spoke in Warri, Delta State, weekend, just as the founder of Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, said nobody can stop President Jonathan from contesting for a second term in 2015, assuring that the South-West geo-political zone would support him.

Both spoke at a memorial public event in Warri, for the late Ijaw hero, Major Isaac Adaka-Boro.

Dokubo-Asari said: “We have to demand for what belongs to us. 2015 is not about Jonathan, but about our destiny. If you allow them, they will crush us when they come.

I am ready for them, bullet for bullet.”

He said the battle line for self- determination had been drawn, as the people of the region would no longer accept being second-class to

the people of the North.

“The battle line is drawn, if our representatives in Abuja are trading off our destinies, we will not accept it. The enemies are at the doorstep waiting to pounce.

Having Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, ministerial and ambassadorial positions are not enough, we want to control our resources.

“When the enemies come

with their gun to shoot us down, I will also hold a gun to fight back. The day will come, they will come for us, there is no sitting on the fence. When they come, they won’t differentiate between Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Anioma, Edo, and other ethnic nations.”

Fasehun, OPC leader decried the call for Dokubo-Asari's arrest, over his comments on Jonathan’s re-election,

LECTURE: From left: Mr. Bamidele Aturu; Mrs. Funke Oyerinde, widow; Dr Abiola Akiyode, Director, Women Advocate Research Center, and Mr. Dele Hunsu,National President, Textile Workers union, at the first Annual Event Lecture in honour of Late Mr. Olaitan Oyerinde, in Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

Benin youths issue 7-day ultimatum to RCC over sacked workers

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—BINI Development Union, BDU, a socio-cultural organisation in Edo State, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Reynolds Construction Company, RCC, operating in the state, to reconsider its decision to suspend some Bini natives working in the company in order not to face the wrath of host community.

BDU threatened that after

the expiration of the ultimatum, youths of the kingdom will stage what it described as “earth moving procession to all locations of RCC in Edo State, unless the young men and women were allowed to continue to do their jobs, in as much as they are not dubious.”

The group, in a letter to the company by Okao Columbus, the state Publicity Secretary, protested that the management of the company had, last week, sacked

some Bini natives, who were working in their Ofosu site.

BDU said: “Every institution, whether private or public, is expected to complement indigenous development by allocating minor jobs to its host community. It is, therefore, burdensome to the Bini in Ofosu community that the privileged positions of some of its children and wards could be so brazenly withdrawn from them without recourse to their peaceful disposition."

Urhobo urged to stop supporting opposition parties

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—PRESIDENT of Urhobo Democratic Assembly, UDA, Chief Arthur Akpowowo, has charged the Urhobo nation to desist from embracing opposition parties and give their unflinching support to the ruling political party in Delta State.

Akpowowo, during the

saying those calling for his arrest were misguided.

He said: “Since the constitution guarantees Goodluck Jonathan two terms, which Jupiter can deny him the privilege? Those who condemn Dokubo for his statement, where were they when some highly placed individuals swore to make Nigeria ungovernable should Jonathan win the presidential election in 2011?"

courtesy visits of the group to the Transition Committee Chairmen of Udu and Uvwie Local Government Areas, Mr. Raymond Edijala and Mr. Bright Edejewro respectively, noted that there was a lot to gain when an ethnic group gives its support to the ruling party.

He said: “The politics of 2011 was that of ethnicity and sentiments,” lamenting that there was a downward

trend in the 2011 elections, when the Urhobo people drifted into the opposition.

Saying that the visits were embarked upon to congratulate the council chairmen, who are members of UDA on their appointments, he noted that the group was put in place to sensitise the Urhobo people to retrace their steps to the ruling party and make themselves relevant in the scheme of things, politically."

Ugborodo community, Chevron at loggerheads over damaged transformer

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA—THERE is uneasy calm in Ugborodo community, in Warri SouthWest Local Government Area of Delta State, where Chevron Nigeria Limited's tank farm is located, as women and youths of the community are spoiling for a show down with the oil firm over alleged refusal to fix a damaged transformer that had kept the community without electricity in the past three months.

Vanguard gathered that the people are particularly aggrieved due to the fact that the member representing the area in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Daniel Mayuku, had already provided another transformer, which Chevron allegedly refused their engineers to mount.

Contacted, Mayuku said, “the host community has been without light for the past three months due to the break down of the transformer."

46—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

Gov Orji hails Tambuwal

Anambra to flush out hoodlums from motor parks in Onitsha

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA—GOVER NOR Theodore Orji of Abia State has attributed the peace in the House of Representatives to the leadership qualities of the speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

According to him, the peace in the House has contributed largely to the growth of democracy in the country.

The governor, who made the assessment when he received the speaker in Umuahia, noted that the speaker had since assumption of office, worked closely with members of the state legislature.

Governor Orji said that informed the reason his development programmes were going on smoothly.

Tambuwal was in Abia to witness the royal reception accorded the member representing Aba North and South and chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions, Chief Uzor Abubuike by the traditional rulers of the area, and also commissioned two projects, the permanent office of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA, and an ultra modern industrial market.

Bizman petitions Jonathan, alleges oppression by AGF

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA—AN Onitshabased transporter and businessman, Chief Michael Emerah, has sent a Save-OurSoul message to President Goodluck Jonathan over alleged oppression by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN. Emerah, who is the chairman and managing director of Micmerah Group of Companies, said failure of the President to intervene in the matter might ruin his business and life.

In the petition, Emerah accused the AGF of withdrawing a criminal charge in suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/122/2008 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Mikky Dons Nigeria Ltd. and 16 others in which he (Emerah) had interest.

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BY ENYIM ENYIM NITSHA—ANAM BRA State government, yesterday, moved to flush out hoodlums in motor parks in Onitsha, following a recent clash between two factions of the miscreants that allegedly resulted in the killing of four persons.

Addressing newsmen, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr Chike Ohamobi, said security agents, comprising the military and the police, had been engaged and directed to swing into action immediately to track down the miscreants.

He said: “ Government has directed law enforcement agents to clamp down on miscreants causing trouble in the motor parks in Onitsha. They are making government lose a lot of revenue.

"We have genuine government agents in charge of the parks and who pay money into government coffers through the bank".

O COMMISSIONING—From left: Senator Joy Emodi, Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly; Senator Andy Uba and Mr Olisa Metu, PDP, National Publicity Secretary during commissioning of the remodelled terminal of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. Photo: Hill Ezeugwu.

Erosion sacks 2 communities, threatens 7 others in Enugu

BY TONY EDIKE

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NUGU—RESIDENTS of Odongbu-Amogbeke and Akponge-Amoju in Ezimo, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State have been sacked by gully erosion, while seven other communities are being threatened by the menace.

Conducting members of the Enugu State Assembly Committee on Environment round the devastation site, Deputy Chairman of the council, Mr Natty Eze, said the victims were now scattered in neighbouring villages.

Eze said the affected communities currently lacked lands for agriculture which was their main occupation.

He listed other areas affected by the menace to include Mkporogwu-Ezimo-Ulo road and Ugwu Odor-Uruneya erosion site in Udunedem ward.

Others are the two erosion sites at Obollo-Afor, four at Amalla community, Ama-Orba and Iyi-Opu Ozalla erosion site which he said were beyond the financial capacity of the local government.

Eze said the council had controlled the erosion site at Umu-

ezejo-Obollo-Afor and appealed to the state and Federal Governments to come to their aid.

He commended the assembly committee on environment for their foresight in collating data on ecological disasters threatening the state.

Anambra govt urges workers to attend Achebe's burial

BY VINCENT UJUMADU WKA—ATTENDANCE of today’s ceremonies in Awka for the burial of the late Professor Chinua Achebe is mandatory for civil servants in Anambra State, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, has said.

Obaze, who briefed newsmen yesterday on the preparations for the burial, said though there would be no work free day,

A

workers were to be at Ekwueme Square for the activities taking place in Awka, the state capital.

Obaze said: “We don’t want to declare work free day for Achebe because doing that may be an indirect way of asking the workers to stay at home without coming to the ceremony.”

Apart from civil servants, government has also been appealing to the general public to attend the ceremonies as a mark of respect for the literary icon.

Declaration of emergency rule not way out —COSEG

BY WILLIAM JIMOH

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AGOS—THE Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Group, COSEG, has described the declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states as an aberration, noting that it would not address security challenges facing the country.

Mr. Ifedayo Ogunlana, COSEG Chairman stated at a public lecture tagged “Sanctity of Life and the Nigerian Democracy” which was part of activities lined up for the first anniversary of the death of Comrade Olaitain Oyerinde, the former Principal Private Secretary to Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole.

He noted that the problems

confronting Nigeria should not be tackled with force but dialogue, through a Sovereign National Conference, SNC. His words: “It is in fact criminal for President Jonathan not to uphold the constitution he sworn to, when he cannot protect the lives and property of his subject. How can we explain several unresolved assassinations of notable and gifted Nigerians which include and not limited to Olaitan Oyerinde.

“Nobody in Nigeria today will deny that democracy is doomed,” He added that it was the belief of COSEG that the only way out of Nigerian woes is the SNC, rather than declaration of state of emergency in any part of the country.

Also speaking a Unionist, Mr.

Sylvester Ejiofor stressed the need for Nigerians to respect sanctity of human life, adding that beyond building structures, it was imperative to build good characters.

"As if Nigeria is not a part of the world, even countries that are not as endowed as Nigeria, take seriously, the sanctity of lives of their citizens irrespective of their status in the society; but ours is the opposite". he further explained.

Late Olaitan Oyerinde wife, Funke, maintained that her husband killer will not escape the arms of the law. “We believe he was killed in the line of duty by forces of retrogression determined to undermine genuine democracy in Edo State and by extension, Nigeria,” she said.

Group empowers widows, orphans

BY ENYIM ENYIM

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charity organisation, Adadioramma Foundation, yesterday, gave succour to widows, unemployed youths and orphans in Ihiala and Ekwusigo local government areas of Anambra State.

Founder and financier of the organisation, Mrs Nkoli Imoh, distributed motorcycles, vehicles, generator sets, coolers, cassava grinding machines, polythene bags machines, camp gas, sewing machines, deep freezers,hair dryers and vulcanizing machines to the less privileged after inaugurating officers of the Foundation for the two local government areas.

Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Imoh said the organization had made meaningful contributions towards the achievement of the Millenium Development Goals, MDGs, in the area of economic empowerment for the less privileged.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013—47

FAN CLUB: From left: Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, Public Relations/Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc; Dame Abimbola Fashola, First Lady, Lagos State; Mr. Deepak Singhal, MD, Dufil Prima Foods Plc and Mrs. Faith Joshua, coordinator, Indomie Fan Club, during the opening ceremony of the Indomie childrens' day party in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

EXHIBITION: Mr. Sunmi Smart-Cole, ace photographer and special guest (right); Mr. Gabriel Sobola, art teacher (2nd right); Mrs. Olufunke Amba, Director (middle), both of Vivian Fowler College; Mrs. Ekene Okoroma, Head, Lagos State National Art Galary (3rd left) and some of pupils of Vivian Fowler College, during the maiden edition of Photography and Art Exhibition of Vivian Fowler College for Girls, at the college hall in Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

SIGNING: From left: Director, Almotsons Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Kester Enwereonye; Chairman, Alaba International Market Association, Chief Remi Onyibo; CEO, KMG Securities Ltd, Mr. Michael Osime and General Secretary, Alaba International Market Association, Mr. Nwankwo Wilfred, during the signing of agreement between Almotsons Nigeria Ltd and the association on the construction of Alaba cosmopolitan malls and shops in Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

AGM: From left: Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Lagos Chapter; Dr. Francis Faduyile; Dettol representative at the Global Hygiene Council, Dr. Nneoma Idika and Secretary, NMA, Lagos Chapter, Dr. Bamigboye Babatunde, at the NMA's 53rd Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Lagos.

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MEETING: From left: Member, Governing Board, National Agency for Food and Drug Adminstration and Control, NAFDAC, Mr. Paul Enebeli; Director General, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii and Chairman, Association of Industrial Pharmacists, Dr. Lolu Ojo, during the Town Hall Meeting of NAFDAC and the pharmacy community in Lagos.

BOOK REVIEW: From left: Mrs. Irene Craig, CEO, Gozyren Nig Ltd; Mr. Victor Onyenkpa, Partner and Head, Tax Regulatory and People Services, KPMG Advisory Services; Ms. Angel Okwuosa, author, 'Diary of a Misfit' and Mrs. Idu Okwuosa, mother of the author, at the reading and reviewing of the book, in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

ADMISSION: From left: Enya Francis Ntui, Nigeria High Commission representative; Dotun Adejuyigbe, Alderman Roger Gifford, the Lord Mayor of the City of London; Lekan Akinyanmi, Chief Executive Officer, at the admission of Lekoil into the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market.

DONATION: Mr. Gbenga Akintola (3rd left), Senator 'Gbenga Ashafa (middle) and other friends and family members, at the presentaion of various items to the head of Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care & Treatment Home, to mark Mr. Akintola's 50th birthday in Lagos.

SEMINAR: Flag Officer, Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Azubuike Ajuonu (right) and Mr. Sola Obadimu, Director, Human Capacity Building, Nigerian Institute of Management, at the end of the seminar on pre-retirement, organised for personnel of Naval Training Command, Apapa, Lagos.

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

ECWA hospital operates 6,000 eye patients

Plateau pledges aid to accountancy college students

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BY TAYE OBATERU & HOPE OFOBIKE

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OS—THE Plateau State Government has assured the Nigerian College of Accountancy, Jos, of adequate security for staff and students pledging continuous assistance to the college to stabilize her operation in the state.

Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Ignatius Longjan, made the pledge while receiving officials of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, ANAN, led by the President, Alhaji Sakirudeen Labode.

He commended the association for siting her training arm in the state saying, “we are proud of this institution on the Plateau and we are determined as a government to assist the institution, in all aspects.”

Longjan, however, noted the non inclusion of indigenes of the state as members of the association’s governing board and urged the president to look into it and praised the association for pursuing her mandatory continuing development programme, MCDP, with consistency.

The ANAN president told the deputy governor who represented Governor Jonah Jang that the association deemed it necessary to visit the governor and appreciate him for the support shown to the association.

“Over 30 years ago, ANAN was born and we reached out to governors of all states, but only the Plateau State Government acknowledged us. We have indeed succeeded in manpower development. Our contribution to the state is estimated at seven billion naira.

Despite the crisis inherent, we have never dreamt of leaving Plateau, indeed coming here today is coming home. We never lost any of student to the crisis in the state."

L:r: Chief Financial Officer , CFO, Etisalat, Andrew Kemp; Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza; Managing Director, Etisalat, Mr. Steve Evans; Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje and Managing Director, Zenith Bank, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, during the signing ceremony of the $1.2billion medium term loan facility for Etisalat by a consortium of banks in Lagos

State of emergency: Adamawa reduces working hours

BY UMAR YUSUF with agency report

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OLA—THE Adamawa Government, yesterday, reduced official working hours in the state by one hour, to ease the difficulties civil servants have been experiencing since it imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Wednesday.

The 23 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Yola, has also announced the review of the curfew imposed in the state at the beginning of the state of emergency announced by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The curfew which was earlier imposed from 6pm to 6am has now starts from 7pm to 6am daily.

In a statement in Yola, yesterday, the Army Public Relations Officer, Lt. Ja’afaru Nuhu, advised the people to be law abiding and comply with the new timing of the curfew. This was even as youth leaders in the state have intensified their enlightenment campaign on the need for people

to conduct themselves properly under the state of emergency situation.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the 6 p.m to 6 am curfew was imposed to reinforce the current State of Emergency in the state.

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Kobis Aris, Tuesday, said workers would now close at 3 p.m. stressing: “Sequel to declaration of state of emergency in the state by President, Commander-In-Chief and the imposition of 6 pm to 6

FG rehabilitates 97km Katsina-Daura road

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ATSINA— THE Federal Government, yesterday, inaugurated the rehabilitated 97 kilometre Katsina-DauraMai’Adua road in Katsina State, awarded in 2009.

Minister of State for Works, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, who per-

New Nigerian journalists seek N780m pay off

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ADUNA—JOURNALISTS working with the New Nigerian Newspapers, NNN, have appealed to the 19 northern states governors to settle the N780 million outstanding liabilities owed workers of the company.

The Acting Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, chapel of the company, Mr Amos Mathew, who made the appeal in a statement in Kaduna, said: “We appeal to the Northern Governors Forum to expedite action in settling its own share of the liability from the time it took over from the Federal Government in September

2006 till date.”

The statement acknowledged the recent payment of N420 million out of the N1.2 billion owed workers but said most of the money was used to settle pension liabilities.

It added that payment of the outstanding N780 million would assist in fast tracking efforts to privatise the company, stressing: “It will make way for outright privatisation of the firm, so that it can compete with other private newspapers in the country.” The statement called on the northern

a.m curfew in the state, civil servants find it difficult to reach home before 6pm.

“Consequently, Gov. Murtala Nyako has approved that the state civil service official working hours be adjusted from 8:00 am to 3:00 p.m during the time of the curfew.”

It also said that the governor was holding consultations with various stakeholders in the state to generate support on the current security situation and ensure the restoration of peace and stability in the state.

governors to include the issue in their forthcoming meeting, stressing that the workers would not resume until the arrears were paid.

“Workers would also like to remind the management of the company that we would only go back to work when all salary arrears being owed are paid”, the statement added.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, recalls that workers of the newspaper company have been on indefinite strike since February this year.

formed the ceremony also inaugurated two newly constructed bridges on the Katsina-Kano highway valued at N870 million.

Inaugurating the projects, the minister said the road would enhance safety, reduce travel time and provide access to the northern parts of the country.

He noted that the route was intended to connect the Trans-Saharan roads of the country and boost economic activities between the states of Katsina, Jigawa, Kano and Niger Republic.

“We are here to commission these projects which will not only provide better access to Nigeria’s most important agricultural destination in the northern parts of the country, but will improve the evacuation of farm produce and services within and outside Katsina.”

Yuguda commended the government and people of the state for their support and urged the host communities to take possession of the projects through effective maintenance.

ANO—THE ECWA Eye Hospital, Kano, operated on 6,000 patients with cataract in Kano and Jigawa states in the last two years out of whom 180 were children under the age of 10.

Dr Abuh Sunday, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, disclosed this on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Kano.

“We have done cataract operations for a family with all their nine children. It runs in the family and the operation was successful and the children no longer experience eye problems,” he said.

Sunday said that many Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, supported the work of the hospital by donating equipment and other logistics, adding that the eye operation was mostly targeted at the lessprivileged.

“Through these organisations, including Christofel Blinden Mission in collaboration with Standard Chartered Bank, UK, we are given the target to treat at least 3,000 patients yearly. ”And this will be for a threeyear period and will end in June 2014,” he said.

Cleric advises President Jonathan

By OLAYINKA LATONA

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HE General Overseer of Christ Crusaders’ Deliverance Ministry, Pastor Festus Adewole, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to be bold, courageous to contend with the various crises in the country.

Speaking during a press conference to announce the church 15th anniversary with the theme: “Divine Acceleration”, Pastor Adewole lamented that the president has not been able to curtail the issue of insecurity and that of Boko Haram in the country.

He said the President should stop fixing the nation’s problems wrongly with unworkable policy, stressing: “For decades, there have been phases of challenges in this country, after independence from British Government, we are supposed to be completely independent and govern our people democratically but unfortunately reverse is the case."

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Achebe: The politics, and

persuasions of a prolific writer PROF. Chinua Achebe was a literary giant who used the power of erudition to project persuasive and powerful political points.

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

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ITTLE is known today of the sharp disagreement between the late Prof. Albert Chinualumogu Achebe and the late Senator Barkin Zuwo in the days after the controversial 1983 elections.

What is, however, known, and shocking to many, was that Prof. Chinua Achebe almost engaged in a physical combat with the late Zuwo over an unknown issue at a caucus of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP in 1983 before the two were separated. It was the combat of brain and brawn!

That indeed was the last that was heard of Prof. Achebe’s involvement in partisan politics. He had emerged as the national vice-president of the PRP after the party was registered in 1978 and became a close associate of the party leader, Mallam Aminu Kano, himself one of the most persuasive political ideologues of the colonial era.

With Kano, Achebe seemed to have formed a partnership that moulded the socialist bent of the PRP.

National honours

Intellectual benefit

Nigeria was, however, not mentioned as the setting of the book.

The book has two main characters, Odili and his former school teacher Chief Nanga, who becomes the minister of culture in an unnamed African country which had recently gained independence.

The book sees Odili at opposite ends with Nanga who uses his position in government to amass wealth and portray everything that is negative in truth and transparency.

The book ends with a coup that was itself a tell-tale of the 1966 military coup in Nigeria that overthrew the then civilian government. It was indeed not

surprising that some without any other proof suggested that Achebe had an insight into the coup.

Remarkably, on coup day on January 15, 1966, Achebe was gathered with fellow writers somewhere in the Ikoyi area of Lagos on a literary outing!

At the onset of the second republic, Achebe now an academician, joined the PRP and served in the party ’s highest decision making body, National Executive Committee, NEC and was seen as its intellectual backbone.

He, however, disagreed over yet unknown issues with Senator Zuwo shortly after the later emerged as governor of Kano State on the party’s ticket

in 1983. Whatever was the source of their problem has

,

Alhaji Balarabe Musa who was one of the two governors elected on the platform of the PRP in 1979, told Vanguard that he was not close to Achebe at that time, but that Achebe’s relationship with Mallam Kano was of robust intellectual benefit to the party.

“Achebe and Mallam were very, very close and he (Achebe) was very influential as an intellectual backbone in the party,” Musa said last week.

But Achebe’s politics did not just start with the beginning of second republic politicking.

His involvement before then was essentially in the literary sense, as he used his power of erudition to lash the political class. His first overtly political entry was A Man of the People published at the onset of the 1966 crisis. The book was a parody of the Nigerian political class of the first republic.

the symptoms of bad leadership that turned the country into a laggard among the nations despite the abundance of natural and human resources.

“The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership,” Achebe surmised in the 68 page narrative.

Achebe was to further make another parody of the Nigerian (military) political class in his fifth novel, Anthills of the Savannah published in 1987.

The book revolves around three characters, a military officer Sam who leads a successful coup, the military regime’s commissioner for information known as Chris Oriko and the highflying newspaper editor and critic of military government, Ikem Osodi.

The intrigues in the Anthills of the Savannah culminate in the assassination of the newspaper editor, Osodi!

When he did not write, his silence was profoundly provoking. His missives indeed troubled the authorities.

Twice he rejected the national honours from the Nigeria administration. The first time was when he threw back the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR at the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

In rejecting his CFR nomination in the 2004 honour list in a letter dated October 15, 2004, to the president, he said: I write this letter with very heavy heart. For some time now, I have watched events in Nigeria with alarm and dismay. I have watched particularly the chaos in my own state of Anambra where a small clique of renegades, openly boasting its connections in high places, seems determined to turn my homeland into a bankrupt and

Not long after that disagreement and with the death of his long time friend, Aminu Kano, Achebe, fully disengaged from partisan politics

remarkably been taken to the world beyond by the two men as neither Zuwo nor Achebe ever made public reference of it subsequently.

Remarkably, not long after that disagreement and with the death of his long time friend, Aminu Kano, Achebe, fully disengaged from partisan politics. His parting shot came in the form of his classical essay, The Trouble with Nigeria.

The book was a narration of

,

lawless fiefdom. I am appalled by the brazenness of this clique and the silence, if not connivance, of the presidency….

Nigeria’s condition today under your watch is, however, too dangerous for silence. I must register my disappointment and protest by declining to accept the high honour awarded me in the 2004

Continues on page 55

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013 —55

N

O one can say tomorrow, Simon Peter, one of the top associates of Jesus warned, when he wrote that “a day with the Lord is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day.”

It is a saying that has also found relevance in the country ’s contemporary political landscape given the rejuvenation in the goodwill of the administration.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who many had simply written off, some having consigned him to the footnote of history, has suddenly bounced back. The feeling of elation has indeed been all over since last Tuesday’s proclamation of a state of emergency in the three northeast states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. A people who had for some time believed they were forsaken to rudderless leadership can now look up and see some zest in the management of

POLITICAL METABOLISM with

EMMANUEL AZIKEN

detritetradetoxifiedpolitics@gmail.com SMS 08052201189

A presidency recharged! the insecurity situation of the country.

Many critics of the administration were won over, and where not, silenced by the president’s action in moving against those who had for some time held Nigeria captive, and put her in the category of the lawless.

It was nice of the president to cut short his visit to South Africa and abort yet another trip in the wake of the security challenges that aggravated penultimate week.

When a year or so ago, the president embarked on a

scheduled trip to Brazil hours after the bandits struck in Kaduna, some sympathisers of the administration said the president acted as a statesman in continuing with his visit and that the president of Nigeria must not be seen to be cowed by some rogues.

That was a theory that could not have been sustained.

Indeed, as he proceeded on the trip to South Africa for what was announced to be another drive towards fostering economic ties with that country, your correspondent could only

mutter.

Indeed, the question asked by many was who would want to come and invest in Nigeria, especially northern Nigeria given the daily chilly news of blood flow from that section of the country.

Off course, the president’s oratorical delivery may not have been faultless, but his words penultimate Tuesday, were succinctly assuasive.

By refusing to kowtow to the temptation of removing the democratic structures in the affected states, the president showed himself to be a true product of democracy in so much as he also gave the military the blank cheque to bring those terrorists to book.

Remarkably, the president’s action won praise across all sides of the political divide.

For once, the coherent articulation of Lai Mohammed, the spokesman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN turned into a

disharmonious tone as he gave the party’s opposition to the proclamation. Even ACN legislators revolted when they approved the action yesterday.

About seven days after the proclamation, there is no doubt that the president has won immense goodwill from the populace, many affirming that it is better late than never.

But much still needs to be done.

The president must direct the same energy he has used in fighting the Boko Haram terrorists into fighting the economic terrorists who in the true sense, actually helped in breeding local terrorism.

The injustice arising from the continuing oil subsidy scam, the manipulation of electoral mandates, the poor power situation in the country and many more aches are issues that are still waiting for Mr. President.

Ebon yi 'll soon o tak eo ther S/East stat es — Sen Ogbuoji Ebonyi ovver ertak take other states SENATOR Sonni Ogbuoji representing Ebonyi South senatorial district in the Senate in this interview bares his mind on the imperative of the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, on the welfare of the Niger Delta region, the dilapidated state of the Abakaliki-Afikpo expressway despite the huge funds ploughed into the project and the need for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to remain focussed ahead of the 2015 general election.

Excerpts:

BY PETER OKUTU

W

HAT is delaying the passage of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and will it ever be passed?

The long answer is that the process that it (PIB) will go through is what is actually happening now; various interest groups have to be taken care of.

We are also aware that our brothers in the Northern part of the country feel strongly that the petroleum industry bill will serve the interest of the Niger Delta and not the north; so to that extent they are battling it to see that it doesn’t come through but we are convinced that sanity will prevail at last because it is not only petroleum that is the natural resource of Nigeria; almost every state in the federation is endowed.

Natural endowment We should even sympathize with those states that have petroleum that is even exploited now which means that sooner than later their own natural endowment will exhaust and we will all run back to our own.

What has been the effort of Ebonyi Senators towards the completion of the AfikpoAbakaliki Expressway?

As legislators in the National Assembly in the 2012 budget we usually have what is called

*Ogbuoji:

Ebonyi on the move

intervention funds and for Ebonyi state it was N2 billion.

We held a meeting and agreed that N2 billion of our zonal intervention funds should be ploughed into Abakaliki-Afikpo road; it was quite a huge sacrifice by members who may not necessarily bother with that road but we felt that it was an arterial road that links the northern to the central and to the southern part of Ebonyi State.

But to our greatest dismay, the Federal Ministry of Works has not kept faith; that is our greatest disappointment. My colleagues and I will be in touch with him (Minister) as much as practically possible because we don’t want to sound over bearing but at the same time we want to be

responsible to our constituents who put us here in the National Assembly. But after all the troubles that we have had, you all are witnesses that that road is not yet completed; it is not just that it is not yet completed but that the pace of work is disappointing.

If you have travelled from Enugu to Abakaliki recently, you see what SETRACO is doing; the number of equipment that they have on the site; the amount of work they are able to deliver for every man-day; you cannot say the same thing for Abakaliki-Afikpo expressway.

These people (contractors) are using payloaders to scoop coal tar; they are even using ordinary trucks to fetch un-

tested laterite; so we find out that the work they are doing there is terrible; I have lately called the Minister of works and sounded our own feelings that we are very disappointed because we entered into a gentle man agreement with him that apart from what will be the normal allocation that will go to that road; we were handing over our own intervention funds for that road and after what we’ve done no results.

I can say with every confidence that all members of the National Assembly from Ebonyi state are very disappointed because we have not seen work and we don’t know where our N2 billion went to even though that was where we put it into.

Are you worried that in Ebonyi state that the clamour and consideration for political positions ahead of 2015 is overshadowing the attention that should have been given to good governance?

It is unfortunate that most

times we don’t find statesmen who are politicians because as they say, politicians are always interested in the next election but statesmen are interested in delivering democracy dividends first to the people before they start talking about the election and on that note I want to say that our governor, Chief Martin Elechi is a statesman because right from 2007 when he came into office, he has never really focused on the next election, rather his focus has always been how do I transform, change, move the state forward; how do I give these people a sense of belonging; how do I tell this people that even though we are waking up late among our brothers in the eastern states, yet we will overtake them.

Yet Chief Elechi has continued to demonstrate in all ramification that we will not just catch up with our brothers in the south eastern states but that we will overtake them through what he is doing.

Achebe: The politics, and persuasions of a prolific writer Continues from page 54 Honours list. Of course, Achebe referred to the situation in his native Anambra State where Chief Chris Uba, brother to Mr. Andy Uba who was then Special Assistant to the president on domestic affairs, was known to have taken over the political control of the state.

It was Achebe’s rejection of the dominance of the Uba brothers believed to have been achieved through the collaboration of President Obasanjo that undoubtedly led to his rejection of the award.

Remarkably, President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 pencilled him down for the same national honour, and Achebe again, rejected the award saying the reason for his first rejection had not changed.

The reasons for rejecting the offer when it was first made have not been addressed let alone solved. It is inappropriate to offer it again to me. I must therefore regretfully decline the offer again.”

Achebe’s last political narrative on Nigeria, There was a Country , his historical rendition of the civil war years from his own perspective was undoubtedly his most controversial work.

The book published just before his death at 82, was if anything, the confirmation that Achebe even despite his rejection of politics and the way it is played out in Nigeria, remained a political animal till death!

56 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

Pregnant women at an ante -natal facility.

CONTROVERSY:

Caesarian Section: The rule or option?

THE joy of every woman is to deliver her baby normally. This is in spite of the many travails associated with pregnancy and delivery. Before now, the most available or preferred option for most women is natural birth. As the world recorded countless maternal deaths due to this process, scientists sought an alternative and came up with the Caesarean Section, CS. Today, many babies have been delivered successfully through this process. But this success story is not without criticisms. In fact, this life-saving option has become a subject of controversy. How be it, a good number of women now claim CS is now an option explored by doctors to extort huge delivery bills. Chioma Obinna, Features Writer (Health) reports.

T

HE fears and myths: EVELYN Obi, a 28-yearold mother of two, did not bargain for a CS. According to her, having a baby through CS was part of her dream. ”It is unthinkable. When I was pregnant, there was no sign that anything was wrong with the position of the baby. I was only told the day labour began that I was to have a CS. When I asked why, I was told my baby was not lying properly.

“I was devastated because I had my antenatal services in the same hospital. I could not tell any of my friends. To make matter worse, my husband could not

afford the required cost of surgery. The hospital did not leave us with any choice. We were ready to borrow even from our enemies.”

Asked why she described it as an unthinkable venture, Evelyn said: “Where I come from, having babies outside the natural way is a taboo. You don’t talk about it.

Such women are considered weaklings. We later went to another hospital where I had a normal delivery.”

Evelyn is not alone, Mrs. Ifeoma Agwu, a mother of two, also exploded when asked if she would opt for a CS over the natural delivery process. “If I

The controversy Further VF investigations show that a C-section cost between N150, 000 and N1.000, 000 in highly specialised hospitals. While in public hospitals it is between 100,000 and 120,000.

Medical practitioners, however, insisted that the CS is safe and can only be prescribed on medical ground or on demand by a patient. Herein lies the controversy.

According to a fertility expert and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr. Richardson Ajayi, CS cannot be prescribed by the doctor because there is what is called absolute indications and relative indications.

Ajayi who is the Medical Director, Bridge Clinic, maintained that no doctor will impose CS on a woman unless a woman has absolute indication and needs CS. “CS can be prescribed only when there are indications such as placenta previa, where the placenta is blocking the exit from the pelvic. In this case, we handle professionally. Relative indications also include a labour that is taking too long. In this case, you have to assess the situation and make sure it is managed appropriately at that time.” had known that some hospitals are now making CS a business venture, I would have inquired from another hospital before settling for it.

“I must not deny the fact that CS is important in child delivery but not in all cases. When I was pregnant for my second child, I was advised to have a CS since my first child was through CS but

I refused. At that point, a friend of mine introduced me to a midwife who delivered me of my baby without complications.”

Ifeoma who was apprehensive over the alarming rate of CS among Nigerian women said: “I think CS has become brisk business for medical doctors in Nigeria”.

But for six-month pregnant

Mrs. Ope Ige,the story is different as she preferred to have all her children through CS rather than suffer the pains that come with natural delivery.

According to her: “I have three children through CS and I don’t think I can bear the pains of pushing a baby. I see it as a suicide mission”.

There is an alarm in the reproductive health circle.

Investigations have shown that CS has taken over. Available reports have shown that having babies through the natural process is on the decline.

Within the African setting, having babies through the natural process is seen as a show of strength. So, when a woman cannot do so, she is seen as a weakling. Her friends mock her as a result, members of the family keep mute over the matter. In fact, such is the secrecy, it is rated as a mortal sin. Today, however, thanks to technology, all that has changed but not without the controversy CS is beginning to generate.

Caesarean section or delivery also known as C-section is a birth through an incision in the abdominal wall (laparotomy) and uterus (hysterotomy) rather than through the vagina. CS is performed whenever abnormal conditions complicate labour and vaginal delivery, threatening the life or health of the mother, the baby or both. Doctors basically recommend CS when an expectant mother is experiencing a difficult labour.

Caesarean delivery According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, there has been a gradual increase in caesarean births over the past 30 years. In November of 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, reported the national caesarean birth rate was the highest ever at 29.1 percent in the United States, which is over a quarter of all deliveries. This means that more than one in four women are likely to experience a cesarean delivery. But the World Health Organisation, WHO, has stated that the caesarean rate higher than 10-15 percent is unnecessary regardless of location.

In Nigeria, also a study carried out on Caesarean Section in a secondary health hospital in Awka, by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amaku General Hospital, Awka, Anambra State by LC Ikeako1 and colleagues in 2009 showed a gradual yearly increase in rate from 9.0 percent in 2005 to 11.4 percent in 2009. Maternal mortality rate was 480 per 100,000 deliveries, while the prenatal mortality rate was 63.8

Continues on page 57

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013 — 57

Caesarian Section: The rule or option?

Juliana Jones, said: “I could per 1000 total births. have been a Vanguard Features, VF, learnt proud mother of that apart from difficult labour, four children doctors often advise mothers who today if I had have had previous C-section to accepted to have have it again. This action has my first baby made many women wary of the through CS. technology. Most of the women After two days, of are of the view that enough agonising labour options are not being given to without success, them by the doctors.

I was wheeled Apparently due to the into the labour demonisation of CS in the room for CS but country, some of the women who then, it was too responded to VF also expressed late to save the worry on the way and manner baby but a narrow some medical doctors handle escape for me. issues regarding CS in the I’m alive but the country. Others are of the baby did not opinion that they were not well make it”. counseled on why they should The facts: Doctors during a CS operation under go a C-section. Still, some D i s m i s s i n g alleged that many of the doctors insinuations on are usually in a hurry to have it the safety of CS, he said: have a normal delivery but when done.

“Caesarian section is very safe if this is not available, the preferred VF investigations reveal that it is done in the right place by option should be CS because you many pregnant women would the right person and with right can evaluate your result”. not even give the caesarean infrastructure in place.”

According to him: “There are section option a thought during Also acknowledging the fears many reasons why a doctor delivery. Some told VF that they expressed by some of the should prescribe CS and some would prefer to go through women, he said: “The fears of the occur in critical situations. Others labour pains that come with women are real because it is safer are used to prevent critical situations and some are elective.

CS can occur when placenta lies CS is an emergency when you did not low in the uterus and partially or expect it and you need to intervene completely covers the cervix.

One in every 200 pregnant urgently. It is elective when you know women will experience placenta that the baby must come through CS previa during their third trimester.

“Again, placenta abruption natural delivery and forget about to have your baby naturally than it once their baby is delivered a C-section, especially in a could also cause a doctor to than go through weeks of country where the infrastructure prescribe CS. It is the separation recovery that comes with is not controlled. Maternal of the placenta from the uterine mortality is very high in Nigeria lining that usually occurs in the caesarean section.

Rita Eke said: “My mother gave and there are many reasons for third trimester. Approximately birth naturally and that has been that and one of the reasons is that one percent of all pregnant our culture. She did not we don’t have clear bench marks women will experience placenta experience any problem during for the facilities that provide abruption. In approximately one in every 1,500 births, the uterus her child-bearing years. These emergency obstetric care. tears during pregnancy or things are better done abroad labour. where there are facilities. Have Emergency This can lead to haemorrhaging you forgotten the environment obstetric care in the mother and interfere with we are in? Electricity supply is not constant and there is also the “There should be a clear bench the baby’s oxygen supply. This fear of infection. No woman mark which says before you can is a reason for immediate should gamble with her life. I deliver a baby in this facility you caesarean. The position of the refused to risk my life. I will have must have this kind of baby could also lead to CS. When my babies like my parents did.” infrastructure in place. So if we dealing with a breech baby, a But many like Jane Ojo, have that kind of infrastructure caesarean delivery is often the however, is of the opinion that: in place, I think we would allay only option, although a vaginal “If my younger sister, Grace, had the anxiety of some of these delivery can be done under listened to her doctor’s advice for women. Anybody can have a certain circumstances.

“Also, cord pro lapse is another a C- Section when it was room and say I am doing a CS. discovered that her pelvis was too Until we have that kind of control cause; it occurs when the narrow to have a safe vaginal we will continue to lose women.” delivery, she would still have Also a surgeon with the Lagos been alive today. But she bluntly State University Teaching refused, insisting that she would Hospital, LASUTH, Dr. have her baby through vaginal Olugbenga Saliu Oseni, delivery. described CS as an interventional “Despite the pressure mounted delivery process whereby you on her by the hospital where she have complicated delivery. registered she refused. She went According to him, it is sometimes to another hospital and was the only option left to save the allowed to have her way. In the life of mother and child. process of having the baby she On situations that could died.” warrant CS, he said: “The best Another mother of three, thing to happen to a woman is to Dr. Oseni Continues from page 56

,

umbilical cord slips through the cervix and protrude from the vagina before the baby is born.

When the uterus contracts, it causes pressure on the umbilical cord which diminishes the blood flow to the baby. Sometimes, we do have women who are small in stature or are in the border line. It is obvious such women can go through normal delivery.

Fetal distress “Another reason is fetal distress.

If fetal monitoring detects a problem with the amount of oxygen that the baby is receiving, then an emergency caesarean may be performed; failure to progress in labour: this can occur when the cervix has not dilated completely, labour has slowed down or stopped, or the baby is not in an optimal delivery position.

Ninety percent of women who have had a caesarean are candidates for a vaginal birth after caesarean for their next birth.

Cephalo pelvic disproportion, active genital herpes, diabetes increase chances of caesarean as well as pre-eclampsia, that is high blood pressure in pregnancy, birth defects and multiple births amongst others,” he added.

Dismissing beliefs that doctors are recommending CS in order to make more money from

Dr. Ajayi

patients, Oseni said: “It will be crazy for any doctor to think he wants to do CS because he wants to make more money; that means that person is not an expert. I know that when I want to do surgery I lose appetite. You can still collect the same amount for CS for normal delivery because there are some normal deliveries that are even worse than CS. So that is an idea people do have in their head.

CS is an emergency when you did not expect it and you need to intervene urgently. It is elective when you know that the baby must come through CS. For instance, an elderly person who has suffered infertility for a long time and is having a baby for the first time; we call such babies ‘precious baby’ and we don’t want anything to happen to them.

So you want to electively deliver them by CS.

Hypertension or pre-eclampsia Elective CS is safer than emergency CS because everything is okay when you do elective. But in case of emergency, the patient may have some other abnormalities like hypertension or pre-eclampsia.

Sometimes we deliver them if they are progressing well. Hardly will one die because of an operation. Death arises from either the patient and relatives.”

He explained that from experience many of the patients who were advised to have CS and they refused and ran away from the hospital usually come back to the hospital with more complicated cases such as inability to conceive again, loss of child, amongst others.

Oseni argued that studies have shown that some babies delivered by Caesarean Section have a better IQ because they did not go through stress of delivery.

,

58 — Vanguard,

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

PRESIDENTIAL INTERVENTION:

Ikeja Police College wears new look

New looks: Some of the renovated buildings. Inset: President Goodluck Jonathan and Police college commandant, Irimiya Yerima inspecting the sorry state of the college during the unscheduled visit.

F

EW months ago, Nigerians woke up to receive with shock and disbelief, news of the decrepit level of decay at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos coupled with its deplorable state.

The college located on Oba Akinjobi way, close to Arch Bishop V inning Cathedral never gave any passer-by the slightest inkling of its real state, until it was revealed by a television station in January, 2013.

The documentary by the television station captured the odious condition under which men and women were trained as policemen. This revelation was so shocking for a reputable institution that graduates policemen every year to degenerate into such deplorable state.

From the startling revelations, it was observed that the toilets, bathrooms, dormitories were so

month ultimatum to the Nigerian Army Corps Engineers, to carry out total renovation of the dilapidated buildings and infrastructures in the College.

During an inspection of the college last Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Professor Sylvester Monye and the Inspector-General of Police, MD Abubakar, the Commander, Army Corps Engineer, Major General Funso Owonibi disclosed that the renovation work was 95% completed, revealing that work would be completed and handed over to the Police, in two weeks.

Explaining further he said, “ We got a marching order to move in here to rehabilitate the affected buildings, 35 in all, and we mobilized immediately.

Specifically from 8th of February, we started mobilization and after that, we started demolition and the end result is what you are

,

,

Something very fundamental has happened, as this is the first time in over 30years that this place is getting a face lift

bad that the trainees resorted to urinating at the back of the buildings, thereby emitting acrid stench which is dangerous to their health. This resulted in the insurgence of mosquitoes which gain entrance unhindered into the dormitories through the damaged windows and doors.

In addition to this sorry state, was the college’s once Olympicsize swimming pool which became a breeding point for toads and other reptiles. The list of the deplorable state is endless, with the trainees forced to adapt to the condition without any choice.

But the good news today, is that the college is currently wearing a new look, as a result of its renovation which was at the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan. The president who paid an unscheduled visit to ascertain the level of the unspeakable rot in the college as reported, was shocked to his wits and immediately issued a four-

seeing today.

As at the time we came, the buildings were in a very terrible state. Channels Television revealed the state to the whole world. But today you can see the level of transformation. We were given four months duration. We still have about one month to go.

But in two weeks time, when we shall be handing over to the Police, we will still have two weeks left to the ultimatum. The job is more than 95 % completed. The final work has been completed but all that is left is the second round of coating and the additional work we are doing is what will keep us till that two weeks. For instance, we are doing land scalping.”

He, however, clarified that only one building was pulled down while renovation work was carried on others. Areas renovated, according to him, included the toilets, bathrooms, residential units, cafeteria,

dormitories amongst others. The hostels, according to him, were fitted with fans, louvres changed to slid windows and roofs replaced. “ There was a building that has structural defect and a new one was built. Furniture items like beds and wardrobes were built for trainees. We fixed 2000 beds. But we exceeded the initial specification where we felt it was appropriate. We sank five boreholes and rehabilitated three, “ Owonibi said.

Demonstration of capacity Expressing satisfaction at the job he described as’ well done’, Special Adviser to the President on Performance,Monitoring and Evaluation, Professor Sylvester Monye, explained that the purpose of his visit was to inspect the level of work done so far. “ The President visited here on 13 of January,when it was in a terrible state and he committed to fixing it. What is interesting is not just that he has fixed it but the speed with which he has fixed it. What we have done is to explore our internal resources using the expertise of the Nigerian Army Corps Engineers and they have demonstrated their capacity without any doubt. So, we are very excited about that.

“I feel good because if you go right inside the hall, you will see the pictures before and the pictures after. And if you are a Nigerian, you can’t but feel good.

Something very fundamental has happened, as this is the first time in over 30years that this place is getting a face lift. This shows that the president’s transformation agenda is working,”Prof Monye stated.

Lamenting the poor maintenance culture of Nigerians, he however assured that funds would be made available annually for the maintenance of the college, with a view to preventing it from returning to its former state.

By CHIOMA OBINNA

L

AST week in Lagos, it was the end of the road for a suspected representative of a cartel of drug counterfeiters based in China when operatives of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, succeeded in arresting one Olisaemeka Osefor, alleged to be one of their kingpins in Nigeria. The drug cartel specializes in the production and shipment of various fake and counterfeit products into the Nigerian market.

Popular saying Just like the popular saying, “everyday is for the thief and one day for the owners of the house”, Olisaemeka was caught in the act after the cartel had successfully produced and shipped into the country, various fake drug products worth over N106, 210 million.

But fate played a fast one on them following a tip –off which led operatives of the Enforcement and Investigation Direc-

,

BY EVELYN USMAN

Sadly, hospital reports have shown that hundreds of Nigerians lose their lives on daily basis to activities of these drug counterfeiters

,

torate of the Agency to raid a warehouse located at Progressive Traders market known for the sale of jewelries and cosmetic products within the Trade Fair Complex along Badagry Expressway, Lagos.

The fake products were said to have been deliberately packed in plain cartons and rapped in sacks to conceal their identities and deceive the public. Curiously and of particular note was that of Neurogesic Ointment which was labelled as manufactured in Nigeria even when it was imported. Some of the counterfeit medicine discovered and impounded included; Skineal

COMMUNITY Sokoto residents expose ….arrest teenager also

By ABDALLAH ELKUREBE, Sokoto

R

ESIDENTS of 500 Housing Estates, otherwise called ‘Bafarawa Quarters’ in Sokoto metropolis, recently demonstrated how communities can assist in fighting crime in their vicinity.

It was at about 5.30am when they were going to the mosque to say their early morning prayers. They accosted a 15year- old JSS II boy, Godwin

Dominic who was brought from Aba to run errands for one of their neighbours identified as Mrs. Bola Balogun. He was in possession of two sacks popularly called Ghana Must Go. One of the residents, Comrade Mohammed Umar Sanyinna told Crime Alert that they had come out at about 5am for morning prayers when they sighted a young boy with a “Ghana-Must-Go” bag and asked him what the content was.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

Rough Rider Condom (56cartons), Iman Luxury powder (20cartons) and Heal balm (205cartons) amongst others.

Sadly, hospital reports have shown that hundreds of Nigerians lose their lives on daily basis to activities of these drug counterfeiters. The sad story of a one- time beneficiary of Kanu Heart Foundation may still be fresh in the minds of many Nigerians who read the report of how the beneficiary died after a fake drug was unknowingly administered unto him shortly after a life- threatening heart surgery.

The report disclosed that every year, fake drugs worth billions of naira are seized by NAFDAC. Unfortunately, despite the activities of the agency to earnestly rid Nigeria of fake drugs, some Nigerians have continued their nefarious activities unabated. Just recently, the agency destroyed

, •Agent of death?

Cream (158cartons x 10 x 24 x 15g), Funbact-A cream (43cartons x 30 x 12 x 30g), Mycoten

Cream (719cartons x 40 x 10 x 20g), Neurogesic Ointment (131cartons x 40 x 10 x 35g),

counterfeiting of drugs.

Parading Olisaemeka before the media and the public, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii described his arrest as among one of the ‘ground -breaking efforts’ the Agency has made in recent times.

Magnitude of the offence In view of the magnitude of the offence, the Agency, according to the Director-General, has sampled the drugs against the suspect preparatory for his prosecution when investigations were concluded. While condemning drug counterfeiting which he described as worst than armed robbery and other crimes, Orhii said that “latest findings had proved that drug counterfeiters now operate from markets that deal on other commodities to shield their dubious

Some of the counterfeit medicine discovered and impounded included; Skineal Cream (158cartons x 10 x 24 x 15g), Funbact-A cream (43cartons x 30 x 12 x 30g), Mycoten Cream (719cartons x 40 x 10 x 20g), Neurogesic Ointment (131cartons x 40 x 10 x 35g), Rough Rider Condom (56cartons), Iman Luxury powder (20cartons) and Heal balm (205cartons) amongst others

,

fake drugs and others valued at N145, 969, 606 in Makurdi.

Other raids and visits to about 12 suspected locations in Lagos alone for fake drugs led to the arrest of 14 persons in the last one month.

In the last few months, NAFDAC has stepped up its surveillance and enforcement activities to rid the nation of fake drugs and other unwholesome products regulated by it. Sources at the agency said that the regulatory body has, in the past four years of the current Director General’s administration, involved many strategies against

activities from law enforcement agencies”.

His strong message to those he described as ‘the merchants of death ‘ is that NAFDAC is more than prepared to rid the nation of fake and unwholesome drugs. He maintained that there will be no sacred cow in the fight against drug counterfeiting and warned that any counterfeiter arrested will be prosecuted according to the extant laws of the land.

Acknowledging that the Agency cannot win the war alone, Orhii solicited the support and cooperation of all Ni-

— 59

gerians to join hands with NAFDAC to combat the menace. To this end, the Agency has pledged to reward in monetary terms, any member of the public, landlord and market union, whose report would lead to uncovering of any suspicious activity relating to NAFDAC regulated products around their communities while promising that such informa-tion will be treated with absolute confidentiality.

Reiterating that China remains a problem to the fight against fake drugs in Nigeria, Orhii threatened that NAFDAC will begin prosecution of owners of warehouses used in stocking fake drugs. “It is imperative to also mention that landlords of warehouses stocked with fake drugs and other sub-standard products will henceforth be arrested and prosecuted as acomplices” he warned.

Intensive surveillance Corroborating his views, the Director of Enforcement, NAFDAC, Mr. Garba Macdonald said that his officers will continue intensive surveillance to consolidate on the achievements so far recorded adding that it had led to the series of arrests of the syndicate importing fake regulated products into Nigeria. He revealed that his directorate was investigating many petitions on the unwholesome activities of some importers and promised that no efforts would be spared to flush them out of the distribution chain.

However, Olisaemeka has confessed to be in business with a cartel based in China where the fake products were sourced and stored in their warehouse before being shipped to Nigeria.

He has also admitted that they have some other collaborators in Tin Can Island Port where they illegally cleared the consignments on arrival.

POLICING Togolese with 316KG of marijuana “He claimed that he did not know what was in the bag but that he was sent by a ‘Madam’ to come for it. When we apprehended him, he called someone on phone and a lady came trying to ‘settle’ us. We reported the matter to the police and men of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, came to arrest the woman in the house.”

Another resident, Aliyu Sale Illela alleged that when the house of the woman was searched, about 50 bags of the suspected cannabis were found

stating that although the woman that was found in the house was arrested by men of NDLEA, she was later released for reasons they could not explain. “The men of the NDLEA came and arrested the woman that was found in the house. She was later released by the Agency and we learnt that her husband was taken in her stead,” He added that residents of the area are apprehensive over the release of the suspect. “We are all asking the motive for the release without proper

investigation. We hope a different story will not be told about the number of the bags of cannabis found in the house,”he asserted.

The State Commander of the Agency, Alhaji Muhammad Idris confirmed that men of the Command received report of a 15- year- old boy who was apprehended by residents of the Quarters with cannabis in his possession. “We received reports that a young boy was apprehended by good Samaritans at Bafarawa Quarters with substance

suspected to be Cannabis. He was taken to the police and they also reported to NDLEA. We wrote to the Commissioner of

Police to release the boy and the substance that was found with him to us for proper investigation.

60 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

World Bank to announce funds for Syria refugee influx T

HE World Bank plans to announce substantial new funds to help Jordan cope with the influx of refugees from the civil war in neighbouring Syria, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim told Reuters on yesterday.

“There will be significant amounts of new funding going to Jordan in the very near future to deal with this crisis,” he said in an interview, shortly after making a speech at the U.N. World Health

Assembly in Geneva.

Jordan is one of Syria’s four immediate neighbours, along with Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq, inundated with refugees fleeing the twoyear old conflict in Syria.

Of more than 1.5 million refugees, almost onethird are in Jordan.

The United Nations has warned the numbers could triple by the end of the year.

“With Jordan, they are the first ones who have come and just asked me directly for increased

assistance and we’ve said yes,” Kim said.

“So we are using all of our flexibilities to try to increase our lending to them at very low rates so they will be able to respond to the humanitarian crisis.”

Kim was speaking on the eve of a visit to Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda, which he will make together with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. They later hope to visit the Sahel region in North Africa, Kim said.

Court rules bin Laden death photos can stay secret

A

federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday that the U.S. government had properly classified top secret more than 50

images of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden taken after his death, and that the government did not need to release them.

Arms deal: Kerry visits Oman, talks on Syria, Mideast

T

HE United States of America Secretary of State, John Kerry flew to Oman on Tuesday for Raytheon Co’s signing of an estimated $2.1 billion arms deal and to consult on Syria and Iran, U.S. officials said.

Oman is expected to sign a letter of intent to purchase a ground-based air defence system that would help protect against cruise missile, drone or fighter aircraft attacks, a senior U.S. State Department official told reporters aboard Kerry’s plane.

Part of the sale has been previously disclosed. In October 2011, the U.S. Defense Department notified Congress of a proposed $1.25 billion sale of Avenger fire units, Stinger missiles, and Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missiles to Oman.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the $2.1 billion deal included these elements - which are being funded with the help of U.S. government financing - as well as other items that Oman is buying directly from the arms maker.

The official also said terms were still being

negotiated and the value of the sale could change, adding it was unclear if Kerry would attend the signing expected on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Raytheon spokesman Jonathan Kasle had no immediate comment.

Raytheon Chief Executive Bill Swanson told an earnings call last month that the company was making “considerable progress” on a number of foreign arms sales, including a deal to sell a groundbased air defence system to Oman.

The unanimous ruling by three judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejected a request for the images by a conservative nonprofit watchdog group.

Judicial Watch sued for photographs and video from the May 2011 raid in which U.S. special forces killed bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan, after more than a decade of searching.

The organization’s lawsuit relied on the Freedom of Information Act, a 1966 law that guarantees public access to some government documents.

In an unsigned opinion, the appeals court accepted an assertion from President Barack Obama’s administration that the images are so potent that releasing them could cause riots that would put Americans abroad at risk.

Syria, Israel exchange fire

I

SRAELI and Syrian forces have exchanged fire across the ceasefire line in the occupied Golan Heights.

Israel returned fire after one of its military vehicles was hit by shots from Syria, Israel’s defence forces said, even as media reports say no-one was hurt.

Syria says it destroyed an Israeli vehicle which it says crossed the ceasefire line into territory its forces control.

Syria and Israel have traded fire a number of

times in recent weeks.

The Israeli military said its troops “returned precise fire” after the vehicle was hit.

A statement from the Syrian army said it had “destroyed an Israeli vehicle with everything that it had in it”. The statement said the vehicle was shot after it crossed the ceasefire line and headed towards the rebel-held village of Bir Ajam.

It warned that any attempts to violate its sovereignty would be “met with immediate and firm retaliation”.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013 — 61

Brave Blue world

Ogba commends coach Osagie

•Jose plans to back young talent J

P

SPECIAL DELIVERY ... Jose Mourinho already has his plans in place for when he takes over at Chelsea

OSE MOURINHO is already working on his Chelsea blueprint for next season.

The Special One wants to hit the ground running when he walks back into Stamford Bridge to start work in July.

So, even though he still has two matches left at Real Madrid — and wants to win them both — he is also looking ahead to next term.

Mourinho watched all of the Blues’ games over the past few months to study the squad he will inherit.

And he has also been drawing up a wish-list of players he wants to bring

Spain jeers departing Mourinho’s record

S

PAIN’S press bid a caustic farewell Tuesday to self-anointed Special One Jose Mourinho, jeering his divisive three-year reign at Real Madrid and his

failure to win more silverware.

“The Special End” ran the front page headline of top-selling sports paper Marca, superimposed on a photograph of a football

Irabor Continues from B/P that he had been in touch with the Sharks management and had told them that they had no excuse not to honour the mid-week fixture.

“It was in Maiduguri that Sunshine Stars played with El Kanemi and lost 1-0. Only last weekend, Shooting Stars of Ibadan (3SC) drew 00 with El Kanemi in the same Maiduguri. So, Sharks have no reason

not to go to Maiduguri.

We are not going to be stampeded into making irrational decisions and reversals”.

Irabor insisted. He however said that they were in constant touch with Sharks and were not insensitive to allow them to go to a place that was not safe “We hear they have relaxed the curfew and there is no cause for alarm”, the Duke emphasised.

Siasia Continues from B/P Timbe, BUL BIDCO coach Kefa Kisala and goalkeeping coach Fred Kajoba will be Micho’s assistants.

The Cranes job recently went vacant following the sacking of Bobby Williamson. The Scotsman, a record four time CECAFA winner, failed on his key assignment of taking the Cranes to the final

tournament of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Micho, 43, arrive Uganda after also being relieved of his duties in neighbouring Rwanda for also failing the Amavubi to the big stage.

Former Nigeria coach Samson Siasia was reported to have applied for the job, as well as Tom Saintfiet, former Nigeria Technical Director.

shirt being held up by Mourinho and club president Florentino Perez.

“Much ado about nothing,” concluded the headline of rival sports daily AS, which recalled the price tag of Mourinho’s term. “50 million euros in contracts and another 162 million in player signings,” it said.

“Mourinho left us with few titles and a lot of hassles,” AS said.

Mourinho is leaving at the end of the season, the club announced on Monday, and he has been strongly linked with a return to Chelsea, a team he managed between 2004 and 2007.

to the King’s Road.

But the man who won six trophies in his first three-year reign in SW6 is planning an entirely different approach to life at Stamford Bridge second time around.

The emphasis this time will be on promoting exciting young talent, rather than buying in ready-made stars.

Mourinho wants to emulate Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and create a team and build a dynasty — a vision shared by Chelsea’s billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.

That is a stark contrast to when Mourinho arrived in a blaze of glory in 2004 having just won the Champions League in his native Portugal with Porto.

A host of big-money, big-name signings arrived with him as Russian Abramovich splashed the cash to hand Mourinho a squad that could compete with the Premier League’s dominant forces Manchester United and Arsenal.

First to arrive were Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben, Petr Cech, Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira, Tiago and Mateja Kezman as the Blues made a £90million statement.

Diouf Continues from B/P minutes before bar staff summoned his minders in the early hours of Sunday.

A source had said: “He was with his wife but was completely drunk and was shouting abuse at everyone.

“A man called Thierry and a friend beat him up in the toilets for at least ten minutes. They gave him a going-over.”

Harouna Deme, boss of Le Populaire newspaper, which broke the story, said: “He has a reputation for getting

involved in fights.

“I can remember at least four other instances of him fighting.”

Bar owner Latir Diop told The Sun there was a ruck that “did not last three seconds” and the former Rangers, Bolton, Liverpool and Blackburn star was not hurt.

Diouf has been accused of spitting at players.

In December 2005 he said he was “too famous” for a rehab order after 12-month drink-driving ban.

RESIDENT of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Solomon Ogba has commended grassroots athletics coach, Isaac Osagie who has been fishing out budding talents from primary and secondary schools to train.

Coach Osagie and his wife, Edem, a former Nigerian international were spotted at the Kermbo Group of Schools Annual Inter House Sports

competition where they stayed the entire duration of the event. At the end of the event, they said they picked three athletes.

AFN boss, Solomon Ogba said he was encouraged by efforts by people like Coach Isaac Osagie who, on their own have initiated similar programmes.

“With efforts like this, the sky will be the limit for Athletics in Nigeria,” Ogba said.

Coach Isaac Osagie (2nd r) his wife, Edem and the three kids discovered at the event. With them is the Principal of the school (1st left).

National U-19 cricket team departs for ICC World Cup

T

HE national U-19 cricket team departed the country yesterday for Kampala, Uganda to participate in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Qualifiers Division 1 taking place in East African country from May 25-June 1,2013.

Fourteen players will be representing for the competition which is also expected to feature Namibia, Kenya, Botswana, Sierra Leone

and Zambia.

The selected players include Adedeji Sesan, Adiamo Mojeed, Ajeku Daniel, Obisesan Afeez and Adebiyi Usman.

Others include Ogunbayo Dayo, Adu Bimbo, Awosanmi Kunle, Oyenuga Niyi, Alfred Tay and Adams Rasaq.

Others include Okojaja Henry, Gim Daniel and Okpe Isacc The Coach of the team is Seyi Sonde.

Harambee Stars Continues from B/P

by FKF Chairman, Sam Nyamweya, “the Federation needs at least N18.8 m (KSh.10 million) for the match against Nigeria, with the bulk of the funds being used for the purchase of air tickets for foreign-based players, accommodating the visiting team, player ’s allowances, and payments of match officials.”

But the federation needs more than that to

prosecute the entire annual programme which include a two week long COSAFA Cup in Zambia as well as participating in this year ’s CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup. The statement said the federation needs 200 Million shillings to facilitate all matches for the national team this year.

Nyamweya also said that the Harambee Stars will play two friendly matches in the FIFA calendar.

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62— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013—63

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VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

—Page 61

2014 W/Cup qualifier:

El Hadji Diouf beaten up in toilet

Harambee Stars beg for S funds to ‘beat’ Eagles F

OOTBALL Kenya Federation has made a passionate appeal to prospective sponsors, the government and well wishers to step in and assist the national team Harambee Stars financially as they get set to ‘beat’ Nigeria in the return leg of the World Cup Qualifier in Kasarani on June 5.

In a statement signed

Continues on Page 61

Spain jeers departing Mourinho’s record —P.61

STAR: Mba signs autograph in Germany.

C

HAIRMAN of the L e a g u e Management Company, Honourable Nduka Irabor has said that the alarm being raised by Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt over the

security situation in Maiduguri was unfounded.

Speaking with Sports Vanguard Tuesday, Honourable Irabor said

Continues on Page 61

•Diouf

PUZZLE

U

GANDA have unveiled Serbian tactician Milutin Micho Sredojevi? as the new coach on a 2-year deal at FUFA House in Mengo, beating former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia to the position.

Police FC coach Sam

Continues on Page 61

Midweek Sports Vanguard Xtra Pages 28 & 29

•Siasia

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

Continues on Page 61

Micho beats Siasia to Uganda job

Maiduguri is safe, Irabor tells Sharks

•Irabor

OCCER badboy El Hadji Diouf was beaten up in a drunken fracas in a nightspot’s toilets, it was reported yesterday.

The Leeds Utd striker was said to have abused other drinkers at beach bar Five in Almadies in his Senegal homeland.

Local newspapers claim two men followed him to the toilets and laid into him for ten and

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Seraglio (5) 5 Corset (6) 8 Manufacturer (5) 10 Abaft (6) 11 Press (4) 14 Obvious (6) 15 Botched (7) 18 Beverage (3) 19 Cover (3) 21 Cart (4) 23 Renovate (5) 24 Skin (4) 27 Colour (3) 29 Fish (3) 31 Dunce (7) 32 Offer (6) 34 Season (4) 35 Simply (6) 38 Deposit (5) 39 Daunt (6) 40 Bordered (5)

DOWN 2 Donkey (3) 3 Appear (6) 4 Spoil (3) 5 Grasp (4) 6 Reblled (6) 7 Coarse (6) 9 Hassock (7) 12 Rodent (3) 13 Close (4) 16 Impel (4) 17 Ate (5) 20 Inferred (7) 22 Abroad (4) 24 Rotten (4) 26 Boredom (6) 28 Shut (6) 30 Guided (3) 33 Depend (4) 36 Era (3) 37 Untruth (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Result 5, Stop 8, Voter 9, Van 10, Main 11, Turn 12, Acute 13, Laurel 16, Roar 18, Emit 20, Gnu 22, Apt 23, Rod 24, Seen 25, Teem 28, Devote 30, Moist 32, Avid 33, Oust 34, Ill 35, Climb 36, Prey 37, Beggar.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Revile 2, Sanguine 3, Lumber 4, Concerted 5, Settler 6, True 7, Pant 8, Via 14, Loathsome 15, Hid 17, Ape 19, Motoring 20, Get 21, Ungodly 26, Mettle 27, Teller 29, Ramp 30, Mice 31, Tub.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

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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