Buhari to remove oil subsidy

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62432

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MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

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Buhari meets >>54 governors tomorrow

NNPC slashes crude oil prices over >>9 supply glut

Buhari to remove oil subsidy •Subsidy money to fund free education, social welfare •To unbundle NNPC for energy sector efficiency •Plans to block leakage of funds; Labour agrees •FG to pay controversial N160 billion subsidy claims

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North & Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

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B U J A — PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari plans to totally remove fuel subsidy and use the proceeds for the provision of free and compulsory primary/ secondary education across the country.

The administration is also said to be working on unbundling the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to make it more efficient in the production and delivery of products to Nigerians.

These proposals form part of the strong Continues on Page 5

Rivers probe: Amaechi fights back >>13 Mr & Mrs

OIL SPILLAGE—Officials of Bayelsa Ministry of Environment; Nigerian Agip Oil Company and host communities during their visit to a site of an oil spillage on Agip’s Ossiama-Ogboinbiri pipeline in Okpotuwari community, Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa State, yesterday. Inset: Oil workers fix a ruptured pipeline that discharged crude into the environment. Photos: NAN.

COLUMNISTS:

The roar of lions •P.20 C M Y K

Too old to start?

SALARY ARREARS: What manner of •P.44 •P.19 bailout?

Lekki-Epe Express Road: Ambode stops toll on 2nd Toll plaza >>10

2—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

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4—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

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POCKET CARTOON

FATHERS DAY—Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (left) being introduced to the Chairman, APC U.S.A., Mr. Anthony Isama (R) by Former Governor of Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige (M) while others watched during events that marked the 2015 Father's Day celebrations at the Aso Villa Chapel, State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Buhari to remove oil subsidy Continues from Page 1 recommendations made by the transition committee raised by Buhari to work out a blueprint for his administration.

Asked if the proposal for total subsidy removal had been discussed with labour, the source said that members of organized labour in the country were consulted by the committee and they made presentations on what should be done over the matter.

The source said: “ Labour is part of the decision; they have accepted the proposal of fuel subsidy removal.

“A committee is likely to be set up by the federal government to work out the modalities

of what is to be done in that respect.

“But the truth is that total removal of fuel subsidy has been recommended with adequate provisions for palliatives on free education and social welfare for the unemployed”, a member of the transition committee said.

The source pointed out that unlike in the past, the Buhari administration is considering the provision of free meals for students to serve as incentives for them to enroll in school.

The source explained that the committee also recommended the unbundling of NNPC to reposition the agency to

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

View those who speak disparagingly of you simply as affording you the opportunity to practice patience —Alan Lokos PATIENCE is a virtue but whenever we are open to it, we are happier and in good health because we are constantly in a state of equanimity. If we practice this virtue beautifully, the rewards are priceless. One who is patient glows with an inner radiance, for no one feels and looks attractive when angry. A grumpy or tempestuous person will have few friends. The inner churning caused by impatience and anger is the breeding ground for stress and illness.

No matter the level of provocation be mindful of not striking back at small offences because such retaliation serves to reinforce our aggressive tendencies which then grow and become potent. We start by simply thinking how impatience affects one’s life. You look deeply and that is a good starting point.

serve the needs of Nigerians better.

According to him, all refineries in Nigeria are to be made to work at maximum capacity by the federal government to be able to deliver adequate products to the consumers.

Corruption He said that the era of allocating more crude than any refinery in Nigeria can process was over, as it was discovered that the policy encouraged corruption and diversion of funds.

In a tone that suggested that the Buhari administration might probe the operations of the NNPC, the committee member further disclosed that the federal government was set to block all channels of fund leakages in the corporation.

He said: “The federal government is keen on plugging all areas of leakages in the corporation and whoever must have caused them must be made to account for such unpatriotic wastages. We don’t know whether that is what you call probe or not”, he said.

It could not be established as at last night whether such decisions of the officials were influenced by the planned beaming of search light on the operations of the

government agency.

FG to pay the controversial N160 billion subsidy claims Meanwhile, hopes for resolution of outstanding subsidy issues hampering normal supply of petroleum products across the country appear kindled as the special investigation team on subsidy claims verification recommends payment of the controversial N160 billion claimed by oil marketers.

As a result, bankers have resumed credit lines to the sector while importation by marketers have resumed though it is still on cautious notes.

The supply shortages witnessed across the country since last month was as a result of a disagreement between the federal government and oil marketers over the subsidy claims resulting in the marketers’ refusal to import more products under the subsidy programme.

In the last week of expresident Goodluck J o n a t h a n ’ s administration, the finance ministry had paid a part of the subsidy claims totalling about N131 billion in the wake of the supply crises arising from this

disagreement.

The former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had doubted the additional N160 billion claims ascribed to exchange rate differential and interest rate charges on banks’ funding for the petroleum products imports.

She had subsequently set up a special investigative team made of representatives of Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Committee (PPPRC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Debt Management Office (DMO) and the finance ministry to investigate the claims before she can approve the payment.

The team couldn’t conclude their assignments before the expiration of expresident Jonathan’s government and exit of the minister, hence validating the allegation of some of the marketers that the investigative team was designed to provide escape for the ministry from the agreement they had reached on subsidy payment. The marketers had also wondered why the setting up of the team whereas this assignment has always been done by PPPRC without any issues.

Return of confidence Bankers who spoke to Vanguard last week said that their confidence was gradually returning to the oil marketing sector which they had classified as ‘high-risk’ in the wake of the subsidy claims disagreement, indicating that some of them have resumed granting loans to the sector.

The disagreement had put about N300 billion banks’ risk assets (loans) in danger of default, escalating the industry's

non-performing loan ratio to almost 4.0 per cent with the worst performing banks hitting above 8.5 per cent aggregate and over 40 per cent on the oil sector. The industry red line is 5.0 per cent at which any bank’s exposure would be dangerous and unacceptable.

Top executives of the oil marketers’ associations told Vanguard that they have information that the investigative team has validated the marketers’ claims in their report to the finance ministry two weeks ago.

However, they said that actual payment is waiting for the settling down of President Mohammadu Buhari’s government, a situation which they also said cannot last for too long otherwise the renewed confidence of their funding banks may wane.

One of the marketers informed that following a meeting with the permanent secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources two weeks ago, some of them have begun importation of products on a low scale while helping the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to distribute its stock to lessen the supply crises. The focused cities are Abuja and Lagos which according to him has been very successful.

He added that the agreement reached with the ministry was just a palliative to welcome the new government of Mohammadu Buhari, adding that eventually they will have to address the issue in a more lasting policy.

The marketers associations, according to him, are unanimous in pushing for removal of subsidy, but probably they will recommend a phased programme lasting not more than six months.

6—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Man killed for refusing to join cult group zAlleged mastermind, girl friend on the run

By Evelyn Usman

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AGOS—TRAGEDY struck weekend at Isheri area of Lagos, following alleged killing of one Adeleke Awosiga by members of a cult group in a hotel, due to his refusal to join their confraternity.

The deceased’s childhood friend, Anu Olokodana, who is on the run, was alleged to have masterminded the killing.

Marks on the deceased body, according to the Police, indicate that he was strangled before his assailants threw him inside the hotel’s swimming pool where his body was recovered.

Report had it that the deceased and his friend Olokodana, had been at loggerhead over the former’s refusal to join the latter’s cult group.

But on Saturday, the deceased was said to have left his parents abode at Mowe, Ogun State, for the hotel at Berger Isheri, following a birthday invitation from Olokodana. Unknwon to him, most of the guests at the birthday party were allegedly members of the celebrant’s cult group.

Trouble reportedly started at about 4.30pm when the deceased requested to dance with the celebrant’s girlfriend, identified as Rashida Musco, a request said to have been turned down in a sarcastic manner by the lady.

An argument reportedly ensued, during which one of the cult members reportedly slapped Awosiga, resulting in a fight.

Report said they were separated.

But before leaving the scene, the deceased was said to have gone to the hotel’s swimming pool to have a shower, only to discover that his clothes were missing when he came out of the swimming pool.

At that point, the celebrant, Olokodana and members of his group allegedly approached the deceased and demanded why he attempted to dance with his girlfriend. This time around, members of the cult group allegedly beat Awosiga to a state of coma before throwing him inside the swimming pool.

Body recovered

His body was reportedly recovered by some of his friends who thereafter, alerted management of the hotel. He was said to have been rushed to the hospital by a team of policemen on patrol, where he was confirmed dead by doctors. His body was thereafter, deposited at Yaba General Hospital morgue, with the whereabouts of Olokodana and his girlfriend, still unknown.

Two arrested

But policemen at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, where the case was transferred to, said two C M Y K

persons were arrested in connection with the incident.

The suspects, according to Police sources, were arrested at the bereaved parents' home.

Police sources hinted: “They went to the deceased’s home, pretending to be mourning with his parents. But their

looks aroused curiosity and when the family members demanded to know who they were, it was discovered that they were members of the cult group that killed Awosiga, and were subsequently apprehended and taken to Mowe division. They told the policemen that they were

sent by Olokodana to gather information on the family’s next move.”

Meanwhile, the bereaved father, Evangelist Adeyemi Awosiga of the Celestial Church of Christ Mowe 3, has appealed to the Police to do all they could to bring his late son’s

killers to book.

Condemning the act, he said: “It is wrong for anyone to take another person’s life just like that.

The family has been thrown into grief. All we want is justice. The suspect must be made to face the wrath of the law.”

Anu Olokodana alias Tfire: Suspect on the run.

The late Adeleke Awosiga

Scores injured as hoodlums clash with policemen in Mushin L

By Ifeanyi Okolie

AGOS—THERE was pandemonium weekend at Odi-Olowo area of Mushin as hoodlums from Akala and Toll Gate areas clashed with policemen stationed in the area to quell clashes between miscreants at Akala and those from Ilupeju.

The policemen, who were said to have been attached to the Rapid Responds Squads, RRS, were deployed to the area, following last Thursday’s clash between Akala and Illupeju boys, where several vehicles and valuables were destroyed.

Vanguard gathered that the clash started when hoodlums from Akala stormed Toll Gate to protest the arrest of some of their members by a team of policemen from task force team, which raided the hideout of suspected hoodlums in the area.

Some of the hoodlums, identified as Ita Lukmon, popularly known as Oko, Aboki, Lizarazu and Chinedu, formed a group who have been terrorizing residents of Somolu and Onipanu areas.

Some residents who were caught in the clash were said have to have sustained varying degrees of injuries as the hoodlums went on looting spree during the rampage.

The policemen had to

reinforce from Rapid Response Squad, Alakara Divisional Police Station and Ilupeju Police Station, before normalcy could be returned to the area.

A resident of the area told

Vanguard on condition of anonymity: “Some policemen came and raided a shopping complex, where the cult boys use as their hideout. “

He said policemen from the task force succeeded in arresting some people who were accused of habouring the cult members.

MILITARY INVASION: Delta community sends

SOS to Okowa

By Akpokona Omafuaire

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ARRI—RESIDENTS of Aruakpor-Umah in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State have called on the state government for help over last Wednesday’s military invasion of their community, following conflict with the management of Petroleum Product Marketing Company, PPMC. Chairman of the community,

Chief Amos Amuro, made the appeal on behalf of the community yesterday in Warri.

He disclosed that last Wednesday morning, residents of the community staged a peaceful protest demanding that management of PPMC extended its turbine electricity supply in its housing complex to the community, being one of its hosts.

He alleged that the management of PPMC

addressed them and fixed a meeting with them for 3pm on same day.

Amuro narrated that following the agreement with the management, the protesters went home but were surprised to see three trucks of military personnel from the Artillery division invading the community.

He further alleged that the military men molested residents of the community, destroying property and arresting some persons.

....As another community protests ‘nefarious' activities of Fulani herdsmen

By Ochuko Akuopha

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LEH—HUNDERDS of indigenes of Ogume, Onicha-Ukwuaniand and Afor in Ndokwa West and East Local Government Areas of Delta State have embarked on a protest against the nefarious activities of Fulani herdsmen in their domains, including the killing of many people in the communities.

The protesters, comprising youths and women of the

communities, besieged Ogume Junction axis of Ughelli-Asaba Expressway, chanting songs of grievances and displaying placards which bore inscriptions such as “Fulani herdsmen are threat to our lives” “Our lives in danger,” “Government come to our rescue” “We can no longer bear this situation” “President Buhari please call your brothers to order” amongst others.

A protest letter signed by Chief Francis Oduwemu and Chief Francis Nwose, alleged the killing of a former Head of Personnel Management of Isoko North Local Government Council, Mr. Benjamin Chegwe, and 10 other indigenes of Ogume between 2012 and 2013 by the herdsmen.

The letter also alleged that the herdsmen also masterminded the killings of two other indigenes of the community recently.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015—7

Housewife tortured to insanity

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—POLICEMEN attached to Owutu Police Station have charged a middleaged man, Ajisafe Solomon, and his sister, Ajayi Ayomide, before an Ikorodu Magistrate's Court over allegation of wife battering and sodomy.

The accused were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on inflicting bodily harm and conspiracy to commit sodomy.

Police said the accused conspired and inflicted grave bodily harm on Solomon’s wife, Opeyemi Amuda, 25, by inserting a bottle of beer and pepper in her private part, which made her run mad.

The charge further read that the accused used cane to inflict severe wounds on the victim’s body, thereby committing assault, which contravened Section 409 of Lagos State law.

Vanguard learned that the victim, Amuda, had since gone insane, following the severe beating she received from her husband and sister in-law.

It was gathered that the incident happened at 9, Aminu Toyin Street, Igbo-Olumo, on June 19, when Amuda’s husband, Solomon Ajisafe, reprimanded her for allegedly insulting his mother.

Neighbours' story

According to neighbours, Solomon and his siblings allegedly poured ground pepper and inserted a beer bottle in Amuda’s private part over allegation that she committed adultery and had the effrontery to fight her motherin-law.

Vanguard gathered that the police had begun a manhunt for Solomon’s mother, said to be a prophetess in a white garment church.

The Magistrate, Mrs Afeez, remanded the accused in prison and ordered that the victim be taken to a rehabilitation centre for three months.

The case was adjourned to July 15.

Enters NGO

Meanwhile, Deacon Obatungashe Adebayo, the Coordinator of Women Arise Initiative at Igbo-Olumo, said the accused would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

She said: “This is a very sad development. It is just like the case of the Ejigbo sodomy and we wonder why they will go this far to torture somebody.

“I saw the victim and she is in a very bad shape. She has gone mad.

“She is defecating and urinating on herself. In court, she could not say any sensible word. She defecated all over her body.

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zHusband, his sister arraigned for battering, sodomy “We are going to follow this case as Dr. Joe-Oke Odumakin, our President, has taken interest

in the case and she has condemned this ugly act.

“We will ensure that others

involved in treating this woman like an animal will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

A-Ibom communal crises victims get relief materials

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CHARITY: Director, Inclusive Friends Organisation, Jos branch, Grace Jerry (sitting right), with physically-challenged persons after she disributed tri-cycles and wheelchairs to them in Jos, yesterday.

NAN PHOTO.

Cocoa Association's scribe kidnapped

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—NO fewer than four gunmen, weekend, reportedly abducted the Executive Secretary of Cocoa Association of Nigeria, CAN, Mr. Michael Segun Adewunmi, in Akure, Ondo State capital.

Adewunmi was abducted along Akinjo Junction, Oshokoti, in Akure metropolis.

He was said to have been blocked with another car while heading home in his black Toyota Lexus SUV 300.

The victim was asked to

alight from his car and driven away in the kidnappers' car.

His car was reportedly abandoned at the scene of the incident, while the kidnappers went away with some of his belongings, including i-PAD and mobile phone.

Meanwhile, the victim’s vehicle, marked ONDO ANG 149AA, had been recovered and parked at Ijapo Police Station.

It was learned that when the abductors were forcing the victim into their vehicle, one of his mobile phones fell.

The phone was later picked up by a man around Celestial Church of Christ, Olu Foam area.

It has been handed over to the police.

The wife reportedly raised alarm when her husband failed to return home after office hours.

Several calls she put to her husband’s mobile phone failed to connect.

Vanguard gathered that the abductors have not made contact with the family of the victim.

7-yr-old pupil drowns, washing hand after meal

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

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AGOS—TRAGEDY struck last Wednesday afternoon at Okokomaiko in Iba Local Council Development Area, LCDA, of Lagos State as a seven-year-old pupil drowned in a well beside his school, Aganju Aka Primary School II, on Richard Agbawi Street, Kemberi Town.

When Vanguard visited the school, the pupil, identified as Pascal, was one of the physically-challenged pupils in the primary school; the first child of his family.

Sources said the incident, which occurred at about 12.30p.m. on June 17, led to pandemonium, which halted the school activities.

It was learned that the late Pascal left his classroom a few minutes past 12p.m., to wash

his hands at the entrance of the class taking his launch.

Sources said on getting to the spot, Pascal realised that the bucket was empty and left the spot for the school well, where he could get water, about 50 metres away from the classroom.

Vanguard learned that on getting to the well, he could not fetch water due to the well’s depth and was unable to get any assistance.

On realising this, it was learned that the deceased left the school premises through a breach in the school fence, entered one of the buildings beside the school and got drowned, trying to get water from the well.

One of the teachers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident would have been averted if it did not coincide with the break

time of the older pupils.

“But it was the comment from Pascal’s mother, who arrived at about 1:30p.m. that gave the search party clue as to where he deceased could be,” she added.

One of the pupils, who identified herself as Yetunde, said the search party began to drain the well at about 3p.m. after obtaining permit from Okokomaiko Police Station, Okoko, and the deceased was recovered at about 6p.m.

Pascal’s father, Mr. Chucks, who spoke to Vanguard, said: “It pains me. If I had known, I would not have transferred him to this school.

“He was attending a private school, but I realised that the school did not have the facility to effectively teach him, considering his condition.

“However, I believe that his death has been destined.”

HE National E m e r g e n c y Management Agency, NEMA, has provided relief materials to support the rehabilitation of victims of communal clashes in Ekimbuk village, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

A statement by Mr. Sani Datti, Senior Information Officer, NEMA, in Abuja, yesterday, said Mr. Muhammad Sani-Sidi, Director-General, NEMA, while presenting the items appealed to the warring communities to stop the incessant destructions of lives and property.

The statement said the DG, who was represented

by Mr. Eugene Ezeh, Director, Relief and Rehabilitation of the agency, further urged the victims to embrace peace for national development.

It noted that the items delivered were based on recommendation of a joint assessment conducted by NEMA and Akwa Ibom State Government.

UNIONISM: Rector goes into hiding as Ogun Institute's students protest

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U TA — PANDEMONIUM broke out at Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, in Ado-Odo-Ota Local Government Area of the state as hundreds of students of the school embarked on protest which forced the rector, Dr. Funke Akinkuolere, into hiding.

The students embarked on the protest because of alleged attempt by the rector to stop them from conducting students’ union government election.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, told Vanguard that the angry students blocked the main entrance of the institute as early as 7a.m. last Thursday.

8—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Sultan made my victory possible —Dogara

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

SERAP drags states, FG to ILO

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BUJA — SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, yesterday, attributed his emergence despite the stiff opposition from his All Progressives Congress, APC, party to the backing of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III. Dogara defeated his opponent, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who was the party’s preferred candidate in the June 9 House of Representatives speakership election.

Speaking at a thanksgiving service held in his honour at the Church of Christ in all Nations (COCIN), Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi State, Dogara attributed his victory to the mercies of God, the goodwill of the Sultanate, his constituents, the entire state and other parts of the country.

According to him, “this victory that we celebrate here today won’t have been possible without God, the Sultanate and others across the country.

“For us who are Christian minorities in the North, we should acknowledge that this victory we are celebrating here today was made possible by the intervention of the Sultan and others. We should know that

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PRAYER: Dauda Gimba of Church of Christ in all Nations (COCIN), Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi State (2nd left) and other Pastors from Northern part of the country, praying for House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and his wife during a thanksgiving at the church, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan there is new thinking in the North.

“We owe it a duty to make sure we unite our own part of the country and other parts of the country. My emergence as Speaker is as a result of the support of all major tribes of Nigeria and all faiths in Nigeria.”

While calling on

zVows to remain loyal

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BUJA — FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, denied ever betraying the political interests of President Muhammadu Buhari even as he vowed to steadfastly remain loyal to him.

The former vice president made the claim against the backdrop of insinuations that Atiku collaborated with Senate President Bukola Saraki to undermine the interest of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the National Assembly leadership elections.

In a statement by his media office in Abuja, yesterday, and signed by Mazi Paul Ibe, Atiku while acknowledging the diverse political aspirations of stakeholders in the APC, nevertheless called for a sense of unity in order not to rock the collective goal of advancing the nation’s democracy.

He particularly called on party members presently at odds with one another to emulate the sense of unity and camaraderie spirit demonstrated by the presidential aspirants in the party at last year ’s national C M Y K

AGOS — Socioc o n o m i c Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged state and the Federal Governments to International Labour Organisation (ILO), “requesting its Governing Body to, suo motu, and in its own capacity, establish without delay a commission of inquiry to examine systematic and egregious non-observance of Convention No 29 on Forced Labour and other international standards on the right of workers to timely payment of salaries.”

The organisation said the complaint was brought pursuant to Articles 26-34 of the ILO Constitution.

The complaint dated June 19, 2015 and signed by SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, was addressed to Guy Ryder, Director General, ILO. The complaint was copied to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

The complaint reads in part: “SERAP is seriously concerned that several state governments and the Federal Government of Nigeria are failing and/or refusing to pay workers’ salaries and pensioners’ entitlements, amounting to billions of dollars in arrears. The state governments that have failed and/or refused to pay workers’ salaries and pensioners’ entitlements include: Osun, Rivers, Oyo, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Ondo, Plateau, Benue, and Bauchi states.

“SERAP contends that the failure and/or refusal of state governments and Federal Government to pay workers’ salaries and allowances and pensioners’ entitlements is a clear violation of the right to work recognized by various ILO instruments and article 6 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which Nigeria is a state party. The right to work is essential for realizing other human rights and forms an inseparable and inherent part of human dignity.

“Failure of states to pay workers’ salaries is tantamount to penalising them, and as the International Labour Organization has ruled, menace penalty amounts to forced labour and economic exploitation."

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politicians and stakeholders in the Nigeria project to seek divine assistance in running the country, Dogara reiterated that there could be no solutions to the myriad of problems dogging the country without God’s help.

The speaker was accompanied to the service by more than 20 members of the

House of Representatives across political party lines and the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund(TETFUND), Prof.

Suleiman Elias Bogoro.

Other dignitaries at the thanksgiving were a former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs. Paulen Tallen and ex-members of the Green Chamber.

Atiku denies betraying Buhari's political interests

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

Unpaid salaries:

convention.

“Anything to the contrary may jeopardise our hardearned democracy and constitute a clog in the wheel of the new administration,” Atiku said.

Vows to remain loyal

Affirming his unalloyed loyalty to the Buhari administration, the statement said: “Not only did Atiku Abubakar congratulate Buhari after his emergence as the presidential candidate of the APC at the party ’s national convention in Lagos, he also handed over his best assets to the Buhari Presidential Campaign.

"The former Vice President enthusiastically handled the diplomatic assignment of seeking endorsement for Dr. Adesina as the President of the African Development Bank on behalf of President Buhari and would be available for any other assignments as the President pleases.

“Make no mistake about it, Atiku Abubakar holds Buhari in the highest esteem, and would always

remain loyal to him, and support him in every endeavour to succeed as president.”

The APC chieftain also called on Nigerians with members of the President’s party taking a lead in their undiluted support of his administration, saying: “We, the members of the President’s own family, need to lead in this direction for others to follow for the good of our nation and its peoples.”

Atiku denounced the increasing determination of some people to draw a wedge between President Buhari and himself, noting: “It has become crystal clear even to the blind that the motives of these

hatchet men who are desperate to take every available newspaper space is to insult, vilify and calumniate the former vice president.

“We cannot allow liars, denigrators and blackmailers and their sponsors to use Atiku as platform to ingratiate themselves with President Buhari and hijack his presidency under the pretext of loving him more than anyone else. These political ventriloquists are hiding behind the cover of anonymity to achieve their sinister agenda of making Atiku the fall guy in the unfolding political developments.”

Rivers govt sacks Radio GM

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ORT HARCOURT— Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, yesterday, announced the sack of Miss Medline Tador, General Manager of the state’s radio station, Radio Rivers.

Mr Opunabo Inko-Tariah, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Governor, said in Port Harcourt that the sack was with immediate effect.

According to him, government did not give any reason for her sack.

"The governor also announced the appointment of Mr Sampson Fiberesima as the new General Manager of the state radio station and the appointment is with immediate effect,” he said.

Inko -Tariah said the directive was from the Governor of Rivers, Mr Nyesom Wike.

Fiberesima was until the appointment, the Regional Manager, South of Silverbird Group in Port Harcourt.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015—9

NNPC slashes Nigeria’s crude oil prices over supply glut

By Michael Eboh, with agency reports

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BUJA — THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, weekend, reduced the prices of Nigeria’s crude oil grades — Bonny Light and Qua Iboe — to their lowest points in over a decade.

The decline, according to reports, was due to declining demand for the country’s crude oil in the international market.

The action, according to oil traders, was engendered by the need for the country to join in the fight for market share.

Specifically, the NNPC in a statement, weekend, said it will sell July supplies of Bonny Light crude at 23 cents more than Dated Brent. This, according to oil trading sources, was the smallest differential since 2005 and compares with a 50 cent premium in June and $2.55 a year earlier.

The NNPC also lowered the official selling price for Nigeria’s largest crude oil stream, Qua Iboe, to dated Brent plus 35 cents per barrel, the lowest differential since May 2005.

Dated cargoes

Dated Brent is a market term for a cargo of North Sea Brent blend crude oil that has been assigned a date when it will be loaded onto a tanker. Cargoes that have been assigned loading dates are referred to as dated cargoes, wet cargoes or wet barrels. Dated Brent prices are used, directly and indirectly, as a benchmark for a large proportion of the crude oil that is traded internationally.

The drop follows North Sea crude, which hit a 10-year low earlier this week as all Atlantic Basin sellers, particularly those with light, sweet oil, struggle to place cargoes.

Rising output from US shale formations had over the last couple of months contributed to a market glut that drove crude down almost 50 per cent last year, roiling global markets as producer nations lost revenue and foreign-exchange reserves.

Speaking on the development, Hong Sung Ki, a commodities analyst at Samsung Futures Incorporated said: “Nigeria has no choice but to cut their price differential to fight for market share. The US was its key oil buyer in the past but imports have been shrinking with more shale output in an already oversupplied market.”

Also speaking, Kash Kamal, senior research analyst with Sucden, said: “They’re playing along now, towing the line with other OPEC members to try and capture market share.

“It’s a really messy situation.

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Saudi Arabia, with a marginal cost per barrel at around $30 and substantial cash reserves, can afford to stick it out with crude at these levels. But Nigeria needs crude around $115120 to balance their budget.”

Data obtained from Bloomberg showed that

horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, that unlocked supplies in shale formations in North Dakota, Texas and other states has boosted US output to the highest in more than three decades, forcing overseas producers, whose exports to the US are

shrinking, to find new markets for their crude.

The report noted that the US has bought an average 30,000 barrels a day of Nigerian crude this year, shipping almost one million barrels a day from the country in 2010.

In addition, the US Energy

Information Administration noted that w hile the United States once absorbed more than a third of Nigeria’s nearly two million barrels per day (bpd) of exports, this slumped to close to 60,000 barrels per day on average for the first three months of this year.

Nigeria having particularly hard time

EXHIBITION: From left: Senator Dino Melaye; Deputy Governor of Kogi, Mr Yomi Awoniyi and President, Female Artists Association of Nigeria, Mrs Ngozi Akande, at the opening of an art exhibition, during the 2015 Ogidi- Ela Day celebration at Ogidi, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, weekend. Photo: NAN

Energy sources stated that Nigeria is having a particularly hard time with the glut, as the shale boom in its once-key market the United States has all but shut out its exports.

According to oil traders, sellers of Nigerian crudes have aggressively pushed into new markets from Uruguay to China, but are coming up against other crude producers, including fellow members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, as well as new refineries that are geared towards heavier oil.

As a result, the traders said, as much as 10 million barrels of Nigerian grades that have already loaded are floating in vessels, taking months in some cases to find buyers.

Auta urges stiffer penalties against Wonder Bank operators zSays NDIC not only panacea for resolving bank failures

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA — THE Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, has urged the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, to impose stiffer sanctions against operators of illegal financial institutions known as ‘Wonder Banks’ in the country.

Speaking at a sensitization seminar organised for Federal High Court judges by the NDIC in Abuja, weekend, Justice Auta said it was regrettable that Nigerians have continued to fall prey to “unhealthy activities” of such uninsured banks.

The Chief Judge implored members of the 8th National Assembly to promptly amend the extant laws that established the NDIC, stressing that when eventually passed into law, the revised NDIC Act will complement the judiciary in the rationalization of the Deposit Insurance Jurisprudence.

He said: “Additionally, it is

time for your corporation to initiate/recommend penal or alternative prescriptions necessary to curb the inherent vulnerability of ordinary Nigerians to unhealthy activities of Non-Banks (Uninsured Banks/Institutions) sometimes called ‘Wonder Banks’.”

NDIC not only panacea for resolving bank failures

Meantime, while acknowledging the efforts of the corporation over the years to ensure the implementation of a robust deposit insurance system that is fully supported by both the banking community and government, Justice Auta maintained that the NDIC could not be the only panacea for resolving all bank failures or all other issues in the financial system.

He said: “As I understand it, the NDIC activities mirror the apparent concern government has about the implications for costly bank runs, the plight of depositors whenever a bank fails and the recognition of the importance of transparency in government actions.

“It must be made clear that deposit insurance or NDIC cannot be the only panacea for resolving all bank failures or all other issues in the financial system, as it is only one of the critical partners or components of the financial safety net arrangment responsible for promotion of financial stability.

“The success of the NDIC in the discharge of its mandates would therefore, to a large extent, be enhanced if other safety net players and stakeholders which include the judiciary would effectively play their respective roles.

“Other considerations critical to the role of NDIC include macro-economic stability, soundness of the financial system, hugh threshold of supervision and regulations, robustness of the legal framework and the structure of the banking system.

“I am particularly pleased that NDIC has recognised the judiciary as an important stakeholder which has a c ritical role to play in maintenance of financial system stability, which informed the initiation if the annual sensitization seminar for the Federal High Court.

“As you are all aware, our unique court is constitutionally reposed with exclusive jurisdiction respecting the NDIC activities. We are, therefore, integral and certainly indispensable to the holistic implementation, realisation and accomplishment of the NDIC mandates as provided in the NDIC enabling Act. “This brings to the fore the strategic importance of the sustenance of this annual sensitization seminar for judiciary in general and the Federal High Court in particular viewing the technical and dynamic nature of the banking operations and financial matters.

“It is gratifying to learn from the reports reaching me since the commencement of this sensitization seminars about three years ago that the objectives of the programme is being achieved, as judges are now better informed not merely on NDIC mandated and operations, but on the dynamics of the financial services industry and indeed the economy as a whole.

“This means, judges are now better positioned and prepared to deal with complex financial disputes and indeed developing core competencies in banking matters, which also leads to quicker disposal of cases.”

10—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Ambode unfolds plans for roads, housing, transport, others zSays fee won't be collected on 2nd Lekki toll point

L

LAUNCH: From left; Dr Paul Orhii, Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); Rockson Ogor, President, Vitatree Nutritionals and Dr Janine Bowring, formulator, Vitatree Nutritionals at the official launch of of Vita Tree Nutritionals in, held in Lagos. Photo by Akeem Salau. way which is being expanded into a 10-lane road, the governor said once the road is completed, the neighbourhood and the axis would be opened up as a business hub for the whole sub region.

He said his administration will make careful efforts to grow the tourism potentials of the state noting that a summit will be conveyed with stakeholders in the sector to explore the potentials that abound in the state.

The Governor said as a way of tackling the housing deficit, the state is considering adopting the Rent-To-Own Policy which would be a follow up to the Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme which was about owning homes through mortgage after 30 percent initial payment.

He said it was unnecessary for a bachelor to own a three bedroom flat, emphasizing that it was better for those in this category to rent studio apartments and later upgrade to more spacious accom-

modations when they are married and have children.

“There are some people who cannot afford the initial payments but who can move from rent to buying the homes when things improve for them. That is the area where we want to lay more emphasis to allow access for our younger people and lay emphasis on studio apartments for those who have not got married”, he said.

He reiterated his readiness to improve upon the multi modal approach to tackling the problem of transportation in the State stating that presently 236 operators are licensed on the waterways conveying over one million people per day but is not integrated with the roads same as the rail system.

“As more means of transportation come on board, the more than 600,000 private car owners and 120,000 motorcycles that are being put on the road in the state daily will reduce in number”, he said.

He said his administration has decided to scale up governance by

ICAO, WHO to inspect health facilities at Lagos airport

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KEJA—THE International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO and the World Health Or-

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By Innocent Anaba

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By Leke Adeseri, South West Regional Editor AGOS—GOVERNOR Ak inwunmi Ambode of Lagos State at the weekend unfolded his strategic thinking about improving road network, affordable housing scheme, upgrading the transport system and improving public service in the state, among other issues.

He particularly assured residents that the state will not collect any toll at the completed second toll point on the Lekki- Epe Expressway.

The governor, who spoke at an interactive session at the Banquet Hall of the Lagos House, Ikeja, said more importantly, his concern is about ensuring the Lekki - Epe Road is completed.

“We must start thinking of the future concerning that road. We said we will have an International Airport in Epe and an Export Processing Zone in Lekki and a Deep Seaport also in Lekki. What does that mean for that road?

“When you take your freight from the Deep Seaport and the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) are we going to make them pass through that same road. So what is the future? We missed something between Oshodi and Murtala Mohammed International Airport, there is no fast track rail that can take goods straight to the Airport. Should we also miss that here? Those are the issues that we are looking at.

“Should we not start thinking about how to improve and create a 10-lane road between Ikorodu, Itoikin, Epe and Ijebu Ode so that people can go out through there? Those are some of the things that we are looking at. There is no point constructing the road, paying tolls and in five years time, the road is gone”, Ambode said in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna.

On the Lagos-Badagry Express-

DStv: CPC probes alleged rights abuse

ganisation WHO will today inspect health facilities at the Murtala Muhammed International

Airport, MMIA, Lagos.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Fan Ndubuoke, General Manager (Public Affairs), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Sunday in Lagos.

The statement quoted the Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman, as saying that the visit is to evaluate the level of emergency medical preparedness at the airport.

Usman said the visit, which would end on Tuesday, June 23, was to guide the two international organisations in offering training and other assistance to nations and airports in Africa.

rearranging the civil service through the realignment of some ministries, agencies while scrapping some and creating a new Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment.

“We would set up an Office of Overseas Affairs directly under the Governor’s Office. We want to take advantage of our position to improve on commerce and on trade and we will increase the GDP of Lagos and will create more jobs”, he said.

He also spoke of the readiness his administration to bring more people into the tax net of the State to shore up its revenue base, stating that presently less than 50 percent of the taxable adults are paying taxes to the State coffers.

“People should be ready to come and pay their taxes willingly and that is why we are speaking to agencies like LASTMA that we have to be civil in our dealings with members of the public.

We can even apply technology also to deliver services.

“Yes we have said this is a government of continuity but it is continuity with improvement. It is about making life easier for the people. We are receptive to new ideas and that is why we are going to be creative, innovative, thinking out of the box”.

While seeking the collaboration of the media managers, the Governor said, “I will appeal to you that in areas where we are not getting it right, please be bold enough to tell us because you are representing the larger population that don’t have a voice.

“We are in it together, we are not perfect, we want to run a government of inclusion. We don’t want to leave anybody behind. We want everybody to have a voice.

Speak to us truthfully”.

AGOS—THE Consumer Protection Council, CPC, has commenced investigation into the operations of the Digital Satellite Television, DStv, operated by Multichoice Nigeria Limited, based on complaints of alleged consumer rights violations, in line with its mandate to provide redress for consumer abuse.

The council, in a statement by its Director General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, said that it had been inundated with a barrage of consumer complaints, alleging wide-range abuse of subscribers’ rights.

The regulatory agency noted that despite its earlier interventions in form of meetings with the satellite company, telephone and written correspondences with a view to ensuring that the company addressed the issues and developed quality standards for the safeguard of the interest of consumers, complaints have been pouring in unabated against the company.

According to the notice of investigation, CPC said “These complaints in effect allege that the DStv service does not conform with international best practice and is specifically designed to exploit Nigerian consumers who have suffered loss by not being able to fully enjoy or receive the benefit or actualide the full purpose for which they purchased or subscribed to the service.”

The council pointed out that the consumer complaints against DStv include “poor quality of service such as incessant disruption of service without compensation while subscription is current, wrongful abrupt disconnection of service during subsisting subscriptions, monthly subscriptions lasting less than 30 days and poor redress mechanism and customer services.”

Others, it said, include “Advertisements on customer care lines at the expense of consumers, poor implementation of decoder swap policy and effecting price increase for subscriptions despite payment before due date of increase.”

The council said that its investigation would involve receiving relevant evidence and documents from complainants, Multichoice, satellite broadcast experts and any pertinent witnesses, including relevant sector regulators.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 — 11

I didn’t pay myself N720m allowance – FAYOSE zAs PDP accuses Fayemi of diverting N4.1bn workers'deduction to APC

By Dapo Akinrefon

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OVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State yesterday dismissed allegations that he paid himself N720 million as allowances for his first tenure, saying “it is only a heartless leader that will do such.”

The Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC had accused the governor of paying the said sum.

The governor, however, saluted the people of the state on the first anniversary of his election and declaration as the governor-elect of the state following the June 21, 2014 governorship election.

Fayose also appealed to pensioners and civil servants in the state to be patient with his government, noting that he had been battling with inherited debts, the repayment of which is being made from the source.

Debunking allegations that he paid himself over N720 million as allowances for his first tenure, he said, “it is only a heartless leader that will do such at a period the state is facing financial challenges.”

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi said the governor, in a broadcast, noted that “the resolve of the people to massively vote for their choice and subsequently defend the mandate given to him in the face of stiff opposition reaffirmed that power resides with the people.”

While he reiterated his commitment and dedication to the course of the people, the governor said his victory will spur the government to deliver on

campaign promises even in the face of dwindling economy.

On poor supply of electricity, he noted that despite the fact that electricity was no longer directly under the government, he had been discussing with the Benin Distribution Company(BEDC) and assurance had been given that the moment some repair works being done were concluded, electricity will improve in the state.

Fayemi diverted 4.1bn workers’ deductions to APC — Ekiti PDP

Meantime, the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has alleged that the recent workers’ verification exercise in the state has revealed

how the administration of former Governor Kayode Fayemi diverted over N4 billion entitlements of workers to the All Progressives Congress (APC) through various means.

But in a swift reaction, the APC, through its spokesperson, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun said the party would not join issues with the PDP. The PDP said ghost workers detected during the exercise were among the methods used to perpetrate the fraud.

In a statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Jackson Adebayo, in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the party alleged that some of the some of the civil servants collaborated with the APC in the shady deal, and who claimed that they were short-changed, had

exposed the deal.

Adebayo said that the money involved in the fraud amounting to N2.1bn was withdrawn from the salary accounts of civil servants and moved to the APC secretariat for sharing from time to time in the four years that the APC government led by Fayemi lasted in Ekiti State.

The PDP spokesman also noted that the missing deductions from workers’ salaries for the months of April, May, June July and August, 2014 running to about N1.8 billion was also traced to the APC secretariat, as information had it that it was packaged for the running of the party after Fayemi lost his re-election bid in June 2014.

AREGBESOLA COUNSELS CHILDREN: Governor Rauf Aregbeola of Osun State counselling pupils of Baptist Academy, Nursery & Primary School, Awe, Oyo State, to be good leaders, during their excursion visit to Ibadan Airport, while the governor was returning from Abuja at the weekend.

Era of unpaid salaries’ll end soon – MIMIKO

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—ONDO State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has assured that the present predicament of inability of most states to pay their workers will soon be over.

He gave the assurance

yesterday at the 13th Anniversary of the Prayer Centre Church of God in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Dr Mimiko said the inability of state governments to pay workers’ salaries as the greatest challenge facing state

Hackers using my facebook account – Ogun deputy gov

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U TA — O G U N State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga has cried out over alleged hacking of her facebook account by those she called impostors with intent to defraud unsuspecting members of the Public.

Onanuga who stated this in a statement sent by the ministry of information, weekend, urged the people to discard the claims by the fraudsters.

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The deputy governor said, the impostor has been using the facebook account to promise, secured contracts and employment opportunity for unsuspecting members of the public, making unwarranted comments on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Onanuga said her attention has been drawn to the facebook account created by an impostor in a bid to trick unsuspecting members of the public.

must remain committed to the service of God for the nation’s governments in the country today.transformation and breakthrough.

According to him, despite the numerous sins committed in the country on daily basis, God has continued to show uncommon mercy to Nigeria.

He added that; “When the whole world thought it was over

By Ola Ajayi for the country, God came to our rescue and our country is now in peace.”

BADAN – THE students “We should all be thankful to and non-academic staff God in this country, because unions are among the five many people thought that by unions in the University of today our country will be in crisis Ibadan that would select a but I’m glad to say that each time new vice chancellor of the we thought that it’s all over for institution.

Nigeria, God will come to our The 13-man-committee rescue. where we are today is which is known as the because of the prayers of the University of Ibadan saints.

Community Forum 2015 was “God promised that there will drawn from the Non Academic be peace and prosperity in our Staff Union, Senior Staff palaces, what we are going Association of Nigerian through today in this country will Universities, Academic Staff soon pass, even the inability of Union of Universities and state governments to pay salaries. National Association of In his sermon, Pastor Ade Ojo Academic Technologists. called for spiritual rebirth by Speaking through its Nigerians, noting that Nigerians Chairman, Prof. Nelson

Osun monarch calls on bank to re-open

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—THE traditional ruler of Ejigbo in Osun state, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin has appealed to the management of a new generation bank to consider re-opening of its branch in the community which stopped operations about three years ago allegedly due to frequent attacks by armed robbers.

Oba Oyesosin stated that the security situation in the state since the last robbery operation in the town has greatly improved making banking transactions easy for customers.

Briefing newsmen in his palace weekend, the Ogiyan of Ejigbo stated that apart from the internal security arrangement put in place by the community, Governor Rauf A r e g b e s o l a ’ s administration has further reinforced the security situation in the town with the provision of an Armored Personnel Carrier APC, permanently stationed in the town.

He said that banking operations were not stopped in other places where there were bank robbery, asking why the bank’s management would relocate the Ejigbo branch to Ede town.

The monarch also faulted the alleged plans to sell the building that was formally used as a branch of the bank in the town, saying that he had received information that the building the bank used to occupy is being put up for sale.

Students, unions to input into UI’s VC choice

I

Fashina of the English Department, the committee assured the university community that it would discharge its duties with fairness.

He said that “The University of Ibadan Community Forum 2015 has been inaugurated to take charge of the processes leading to the emergence of the new VC. “Our terms of reference are to draw up modalty for the community meetings. We are to come up with the cost and logistical estimates for the implementation of the meeting. Others terms, according to him, are to organise and manage the meeting and to submit a publishable report /blueprint at the end of the exercise.

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Rivers to confirm state of govt aircraft in Germany

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State Government will today, confirm the state of one of its aircraft allegedly abandoned by the Rotimi Amaechi administration in Germany.

The state governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, weekend, during an interaction with newsmen at Government House, Port Harcourt, said he was sending an aide to Germany to know the state of the aircraft.

He said that since there was no formal handover to his administration by former Governor Amaechi, it was difficult for the government to make categorical statement on the state of the aircraft.

He said he gathered that one of the aircraft was lying somewhere in Germany while another one was at the Air Force Base, Port Harcourt.

He said: “We are sending somebody tomorrow (today). I got security information that the plane is parked somewhere in Germany. As I speak to you, there was no report, no handover to say this is where it is it. There is

another one parked at the Air Force Base. I heard it will take about two months before it will be fixed.”

The governor added that his administration had recovered vehicles belonging to the state government which were allegedly looted.

He challenged the former Commissioner for Information, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, to show proof that a bullet-proof Lexus SUV recovered from her Port Harcourt residence was bought for her by her husband.

The governor also linked the inability of the previous government in the state to pay salaries and pensions till the end of its tenure to improper planning.

He said there was no way the state should not have cleared all salaries of workers and pensioners if it had maintained financial discipline.

The governor also alleged that several withdrawals were made for alleged ridiculous items a few days before the May 29 handover date, stressing that the account of the state was almost in red.

Fielding questions on several issues, the governor said he would prefer a review of the

allocation formula where state governments should get a higher percentage than the Federal Government because of the responsibilities at the state level.

“I will support a review of the revenue allocation formula. The state should have more than the Federal Government. But if you

A

SABA—A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has struck out the suit by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, challenging the eligibility of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Accord Party, AP and the Labour Party, LP, to take part in the April 11, 2015 governorship election in the state.

Striking out the suit, trial judge, Justice Olatunregun Ishola held that the plaintiffs did not show sufficient evidence to prove that their rights were injured by the defendants in the matter, adding that it was a matter that could be resolved at the election petitions tribunal.

She urged political parties not to use the courts as a “play ground.”

Speaking to newsmen on the court's decision, counsel to PDP, Akinnolu Kehinde, SAN, said the judgment of the court would be studied and a position taken by his client.

He said: “As a senior counsel and a lawyer, I am bound by the decision of the court. We will take the next step when we get to that bridge.”

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Counsel to the APC, Valentine Onojeghuo, said: “We are happy with the decision of the court. It is a well considered judgment by the court.

“We have known from the onset that it was a futile

action by the PDP to score cheap political victory because they knew that they didn’t stand a chance against us at the tribunal and they were hoping to use it as an opportunity to frustrate us at the tribunal.”

Gov Emmanuel holding fort for me, says Akpan

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By Tom Moses

HE candidate of Accord Party, AP, in the April 11, 2015 governorship race in Akwa Ibom State, Bishop Sam Akpan, has said that Governor Udom Emmanuel was his forerunner and would soon vacate the office for him as the legitimate occupant.

Speaking at his 58th birthday celebration at Abak Ishiet, Onna Local Government Area of the state, Bishop Akpan said that it was now expedient for him to reveal the truth to those who still kept faith with God over his governorship project that the time has come for the truth.

According to him, the injustice and deprivations visited on

only given letters of employment in April this year, barely one month before the last administration bowed out, adding that his administration will look into the process of the employment critically before taking the next step.

VISIT: From left: Regional Bank Head, Midwest, Ovie Mukoro; Branch Leader, Asaba, Augusta Anyanwu; Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, when Fidelity Bank officials paid a courtesy call on the governor, yesterday.

Delta poll: Court strikes out PDP's suit against APC, AP, LP

By Festus Ahon

don’t plan well with what you get, you can’t pay salaries,” he said.

On the recent sack of over 400 staff of the Rivers State Polytechnic, the governor said that what he did was merely suspension of an employment process.

According to him, the staff were

the poor and the needy in the state by the privileged few in the past eight years would soon be redressed and their hope restored by the positive development that was at the corner.

He said: “The reality of time will soon be here. I have paid my dues, shown respect and humility to all manner of people. Irrespective of all the persecutions and provocations that I passed through, I have not shown intolerance to anyone.

“Therefore, I want to assure you that your long wait and commitment to this course is not in vain.

Udom Emmanuel is my brother and is my forerunner and will soon vacate the seat for the one whom God has appointed,” he said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2015—13

Probe of my administration, fraudulent witch hunt —Amaechi

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— FORMER Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has described the probe of his administration by Governor Nyesom Wike as fraudulent and a witch hunt, stressing that he would explore every legal means to defend himself.

Amaechi, in a statement by his media office, said the probe was dead on arrival, adding that the achievements of his government were on ground to speak for him.

The statement said: “Amaechi will use every constitutional and legal means available to protect his name and image from this smear campaign against him by this directionless, purposeless Wike-led government. As governor, Amaechi served his people well and the good things he did with the resources of the state are visible all over the state.

“This so called Wike’s probe of Amaechi is dead on arrival. All the noise Wike is making is to

grab media headlines with his lies of monumental corruption against Amaechi. It is all drama made for the media. What is playing out is a script written and directed by Wike,” the statement said.

Amaechi alleged that Governor Wike left specific instructions that the commission of inquiry should ensure that he (Amaechi) was indicted at the end of the day.

“While it is no longer in doubt what would be the report of Wike’s sham probe commission, what may shock Nigerians is the extent Wike has gone and is

ready to go to manufacture stories of corrupt practices and the kind of bogus tales of corruption against Amaechi that he will soon be feeding the nation,” the statement added.

The former governor also took a swipe at his former deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru, whom he described as a man allegedly lacking in dignity and shame.

“We won’t dignify him with a response. We won’t waste our energy on this man with no dignity or shame," he added.

"No self-respecting man will

talk the way Ikuru is talking right now. This is a character that served the Amaechi administration for almost eight years. While he was there, he never for once complained that Amaechi or the government that he was the second-in-command was corrupt. As a matter of fact, he was singing and parroting everywhere that Rivers State was truly blessed to have a governor like Amaechi, that Amaechi will always be remembered and hailed for changing for good the fortunes of Rivers State.”

Itsekiri leaders congratulate Okowa

By Emma Amaize

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ARRI—THE Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, ILoT, has congratulated Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on his assumption of office on May 29.

The group, in a letter by its Chairman, Pa J. O. S. Ayomike, said: “The entire Itsekiri people happily congratulate you first on your election victory, and your recent inauguration and assumption of office as the governor of Delta State of Nigeria.

“As you will recall on your brief and only visit to our executive before the election, it was the position of the Itsekiri people that the candidate of a Delta North person, such as you, is a manifestation of fairness and equity.”

Fairness and equity, it added, were the hallmark of the unity, happiness and togetherness of the diverse people and ethnic groups, which constitute the state.

“As we welcome to the seat of governance, we pray that the Almighty God will guard and guide you to apply the same sense of fairness, equity and justice in your task of directing the affairs of Delta State without fear or favour," he said.

FLOOD: Flood at Delta State Police Headquarters, Asaba, yesterday. Photo: Nath Onojake.

A-Ibom raises alarm over security threat

By Tom Moses

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YO—AKWA Ibom State Government, yesterday, raised alarm over alleged plans by some miscreants to attack key government institutions in the state.

A statement in Uyo, by Mr. Ekerete Udo, Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to Governor Udom Emmanuel, said that the plot had been brought to attention of the state government and enjoined members of the public to be curious of strange and suspicious movements in their environments and promptly draw the attention of security operatives to such developments.

He said: “Accordingly, the general public is hereby alerted to watch out for s u s p i c i o u s movements or

activities that may breach the peace and report same to law enforcement agents without delay.”

The state government warned sponsors and those recruited to embark on the sinister plot with a view to creating crisis in the state that the security agencies have been put on red alert and are

ready to apprehend and deal decisively with anyone that violates the law.

It urged law abiding citizens to go about their legitimate duties without fear of molestation as the state government was alive to its responsibility of safeguarding lives and property of the citizenry.

Lawmaker urges Dogara to reconcile warring Reps

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—THE m e m b e r representing Ovia federal constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives, Miss Omosede Igbinedion, has charged the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, to urgently reconcile members to enable the House focus on laws that will better the lives of Nigerians.

Describing the emergence of the Speaker as the work of God, Igbinedion described Dogara as humble and a man who has the legislative experience that will help to unite the House soon.

She said: “The Speaker is a humble man and has the fear of God in him.

The campaign leading to his election was intense but it never polarised the House. In parliaments all over the world, there is intense lobbying for leadership positions before a new session begins and Nigeria is no exception. The burden now falls on the Speaker to bring different interest groups into one fold and impress it on all members that we have a common purpose of serving Nigerians."

Speaking on her legislative priorities at the 8th Assembly, she said she intends to introduce and support legislation that supports and enhance employment generation, protection and promotion of human rights and the education of the less privileged, noting that an educated society is always easy to govern.

14—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Review allocations of oil blocs, PENGASSAN tells Buhari ...calls for declaration of state of emergency in oil sector

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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VISIT: Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara (right), chatting with Emir of Bauchi, HRH. Alhaji Rilwan Adamu, during speaker’s visit to Emir of Bauchi State Palace, weekend. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

BUJA—THE Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, has alleged that the allocation of oil blocs in the country lacked transparency and has urged president Muhammadu Buhari to review the process.

The association has also told Mr. President to declare a state of emergency in the oil sector to have permanent solution to the myriads of problems bedevilling the sector.

President of PENGASSAN, Comrade Francis Johnson, who made the allegation while delivering an address at the 4th Triennial Delegate Conference of Total E & P Branch of PENGASSAN in Abuja, weekend, alleged that lack of transparency in the allocation and transfer of oil blocks had remained one of the key factors affecting the oil and gas industry in the country.

Johnson said what the sector required was not cosmetic but rather a holistic approach which he said was the reason why it had become necessary to declare a state of emergency on the sector bearing in

Ericsson, Smile sign agreement on 4G/LTE managed services Ramadan, a blessing, not a burden APART FROM gaining the fear of God, (taqwa), which we emphasised earlier, the month is loaded with blessings like no other month. It is reported in some narrations that the companions of the prophet (s.a.w.) used to pray for longevity of their lives six months before Ramadan in order to witness Ramadan and to reap the benefits in it.

Immediately after the month, they also beseech Allah to accept their ibadaah for six months. This highlights the extremely high value of the rewards and blessings of this month.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: “There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month which Allah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 2106; Ahmad, 8769. classed as saheeh.

Again, at every point of breaking of fast, there is the rare opportunity of redemption and acceptance of prayer.

You can be redeemed of all your iniquities, you can be cleansed of your misgivings and sins. This is also contained in the saying of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) Saheeh al-Targheeb, 987.

In Paradise there are rooms that its outside can be seen from the inside and the inside can be seen from the outside. Allah has prepared them for those who feed the poor, those who are gentle in speech, those who fast regularly, and those who pray at night when people are asleep.

Besides, one Hadith says: “Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, he will have the reward equal to his (the fasting person), without it reducing in the slightest from the reward of the fasting person.”

As we are enjoined to always do good, any act of goodness done in the month of Ramadan will be multiplied. It was said in one hadith as equal to10x, 70x, 700x or more.

It is also a month of forgiveness of sins, the prophet harped on it so much that he said, “woe unto any one who fails to seek for forgiveness of sins during Ramadan.

We were taught Angel Jubril heard him and concorded by saying, Amin, Amin, Amin.

Not only that, whatever food that we eat for sahoor or Iftar is blessed. It is the month in which the Holy Quran was revealed, which also has one night that is better than a thousand months. It is a month of purity as all act of immorality are buried. It is a month of paying Zakat, caring for others and sharing happiness. By this, the society is better, human relations is improved, there is peace of mind and better ways of living. It is always a time for contemplation and evaluation of our inner-self. It is a month of massive blessings and not a single burden.

Ramadan Kereem.

By Emeka Aginam

fully managed end-to-end service that includes network operations, performance, optimization, field support and LOBAL LEADER in maintenance for Smile’s LTE networks.

Accordingly, Ericsson will provide a fully telecommunications managed services, Ericsson has signed a five-year managed end-to-end service that includes multi-country managed services network operations, performance, optimization, field support and agreement with Smile Communications.

Under the new agreement, Ericsson will maintenance for Smile’s LTE networks in manage Smile Communications’ 4G/LTE the those African countries under the networks across all operations in countries arranegement.

Commenting on the new agreement, including Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Tom Allen, Group Chief Operating Officer Democratic Republic of Congo.

This managed services contract extends of Smile Communications said: “We regard Ericsson’s relationship with Smile in Ericsson as more than a vendor, we are Nigeria, where Ericsson is Smile’s sole long term partners focused on delivering on the Smile promise to be the broadband vendor for 4G networks.

The agreement also leverages Ericsson’s provider of choice in Africa and to ensure more than 15 years of experience in that our customers fully benefit from the managing multi-vendor, multi-technology internet world”.

Also speaking, Fredrik Jejdling, networks in Tanzania, Uganda and the President Ericsson sub-Saharan Africa DRC. The first of its kind 4G/LTE managed said: “We are excited to be delivering this services contract signed in Sub-Saharan service to Smile as it further extends our Africa will enable Ericsson to provide a partnership with the operator in the region.

Bringing with us our expertise as global HSPA and LTE leaders, this partnership enables Smile Communications to focus ARRI—ALL He said: “It is quite even more on the core P r o g r e s s i v e s shocking for Igbini to be business of delivering Congress, APC, chieftain in applying for a ministerial superior products and Delta State, Jesutega job on the pages of services that cater to the Onokpasa, has condemned newspapers in such a needs of its subscribers, recently sacked former desperate and self- whilst at the same time Director General of the aggrandizing manner. improving operational cost state’s Direct Labour "Indeed it is simply Agency, Emmanuel Igbini laughable. Who has ever efficiency.”

Ericsson is the global for allegedly applying to be heard of anyone applying leader in made a Minister by to be made a minister? It is President Muhammadu like a comical scene from a telecommunications services, Buhari in an advertorial in poorly produced home managed managing networks for the Vanguard newspaper. video.” operators Addressing newsmen in According to him: “If I multiple via a Warri, yesterday, may ask which ministerial worldwide Onokpasa, who described slot is he hoping to occupy combination of global and the application as when he is not a member local network operations laughable, alleged that of our party and centers Igbini was “increasingly contributed absolutely In addition, Ericsson is engaging in bizarre acts of nothing to the election of present today in all highPresident Buhari?” political desperation.” traffic LTE markets Asserting that Igbini’s Onokpasa advised Igbini including US, Japan, and party, the People’s to “return cap in hand to South Korea, and is ranked Redemption Party, PRP, was his new master, Okowa for first for handling the most a complete joke as a political whatever crumbs he has to global LTE traffic. Forty party in the state, Onokpasa offer him instead of percent of the world’s claimed that Igbini was ridiculously seeking to reap mobile traffic is carried over “most unqualified to be a where he did not sow with Ericsson networks. comical application." minister.”

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APC chieftain flays Igbini over ministerial slot

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mind that it is the main stay of the country,s economy.

According to him: “The association is using this forum to restate its call on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the oil and gas industry in view of the highlighted challenges bedeviling the industry.

“When you are talking about allocation of oil blocks, under normal circumstances the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, in conjunction with the minister will do land tripping or something that is transparent, it must be opened. But what is on ground now at present does not represent that.

“That is why we are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to address the issue; and we said that for the oil and gas sector to grow as expected by all Nigerians, the government must declare a state of emergency.

“Look at the issue of oil subsidy, there are many challenges and anything the government plans to do apart from holding that forum, where we will all sit down and discuss the issues will just be cosmetics; because this industry is the main stay of the economy of this country. So, we need to sit down, and if necessary give it publicity just like it was done during the Oputa panel.”

He also enumerated other challenges confronting the industry to include crude oil theft, pipeline vandalisation, irregular Joint Venture Funding and Non payment of JV Cash Calls, state of the refineries and fuel subsidy claims.

Others, according to him were the poor condition of access roads to operational locations (refineries, depots, among others), non- passage of Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, and divestment by IOCs.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 —15

AJALLI/AKPU CRISIS: Community gives

conditions for peace

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI—AKPU in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State has said the listing of the community in Orumba North remained a condition for peace in the ongoing crisis with its Ajalli neighbours.

The community also said it must be allowed to erect its signboards

in Akpu land where they currently lived with Ajalli people and that the headquarters of Orumba North must read Ajalli/ Akpu as recommended by the panels set up to look into the crisis.

Akpu had been complaining about alleged wrongful exclusion from Orumba North Local Government Area and its malicious inclusion in Orumba

South Local Government Area of Anambra State during the creation of local government areas in the country in 1991.

Addressing newsmen weekend, former Senior Special Adviser to former Governor Chinweoke Mbadinuju’s administration on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Alex Okoli, said: “Akpu and Ajalli communities had

ADVOCATION: From left, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, Governor of Kano; Senator Jibrilla Bindow, Governor of Adamawa; Mr. Segun Awolowo, ED/CEO of NEPC, and Hon. Aminu Tambawal, Governor of Sokoto State, during the advocating of One-State-One-Product programme by Mr. Awolowo to the governors, to boost non-oil exports, at the launch of Gusau Institute, in Kaduna.

since 1900 lived together, after Ajalli migrated from Arochukwu in the present day Abia State and settled at their present abode in Orumba North.

“The military administration’s creation of local government areas in 1991, instead of becoming a blessing to Akpu seemed to be a curse now, and something the community had been regretting. ‘’It brought pains and sorrows for every son and daughter of Akpu, it was a slap on our face, an insult to entire Akpu, and a plot to send us on exile from our town.

“Taking Akpu, the owners of the land where Orumba North L.G.A and its headquarters is located and making Ajalli be part of the LGA and headquarters of the L.G.A, defeated the essence of creating new L.G.A from old Orumba Council Area.

“For Akpu people of old Orumba Local Government, the 1991 local governments creation seemed to be a curse, instead of blessing because we have been made to go on exile from our land and would have preferred to stay where we were before the 1991 creation and retain our land and our pride as a town, instead of making us look like slaves in our land.

“Including us in Orumba South L.G.A, instead of Orumba North, to us made nonsense of 1991 creation of new local government, it has no relevance to us, it amounts to a mockery to us as it resulted in making our tenants landlords over us."

NASS LEADERSHIP CRISIS: APC chairmen charge

aggrieved parties to sheathe swords

By Austin Ogwuda

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NUGU—ALL Progressive Congress, APC, Chairmen’s Forum, has urged aggrieved parties in the ongoing National Assembly leadership crisis to sheathe their swords and embrace the peace and

reconciliatory moves by President Muhammadu Buhari and the national leadership of the party in the overall interest of the party and the national interest.

The Forum in a statement signed by its publicity secretary and Enugu State chairman of the party, Dr. Ben Nwoye, in Enugu

yesterday, expressed concern over the raging crisis that trailed the election of the leadership of the 8th National Assembly.

Worried by the ugly development, the Forum said it met in Abuja and deliberated for four days on the internal crisis.

The statement read: “We are

ABIA: Deputy speaker’s aides allegedly beat up

court bailiff in Aba

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

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BA—AIDES to the Deputy Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Cosmos Ndukwe, allegedly beat up a court bailiff attached to the Federal High Court, Umuahia Division, who had gone to serve their principal a copy of order of court and writ of summons at his Luxury City Hotel in Aba, weekend.

But Ndukwe, in a swift reaction, denied that his aides ever beat up anybody, accusing his opponent of spreading false information about an event that never took place.

The Federal High Court,

presided over by Justice F.A Olubanjo, had last week in a suit instituted by Okpara Ogwo challenging Ndukwe’s eligibility to contest the 2015 election into the Abia State House of Assembly, ordered that the court processes be served on the 1st defendant (Ndukwe) by substituted means by pasting the same at the gate of his hotel, Luxury City Hotel, along Aba-Owerri Road, Aba. The court bailiff, whose name was simply given as Sunny, was said to have in compliance with the court order, gone to Luxury City Hotel, Aba at about 3.00p.m. last Friday, to paste a copy of order of court and writ of summons.

A source told Vanguard that after the court bailiff had finished pasting a copy of the order of court and writ of summons on the gate of the hotel, he was allegedly accosted by five aides of the deputy speaker.

The source added that as the five aides of the deputy speaker were still talking with the court bailiff, another man ordered that the bailiff be beaten up if he refused to go with the court summons he pasted at the gate of the hotel.

The aides allegedly seized the court bailiff, collected his bag and beat him up as he started shouting to attracted the attention of a small crowd of people.

urging all the aggrieved NASS members to embrace dialogue and the re-conciliatory move being championed by Mr. President, and the National leadership of our great party, for the sake of national interest and APC. “During the period, we engaged in a re-conciliatory meeting with the leadership of the party,in an attempt to seek resolution to the dispute and was presided over by the Forum’s Acting chairman, Alhaji Umar Haruna Muhammed of Kano state.

“We hailed the efforts of president Buhari, and the leadership of the party towards laying the crisis to rest and we align ourselves with the reconciliatory steps taking so far by Mr. President and the leadership of the party.

“We want to also call on all parties to cooperate with the party leadership and Mr. President in the reconciliation and it is our prayer that this matter would be resolved expeditiously in the interest of the nation and the need for a one harmonious, and happy APC family."

Ugwuanyi sets up 15man State Economic Advisory C'ttee on lean finances

By Austin Ogwuda

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N U G U — GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has set up a 15-man State Economic Advisory Committee to help the state government survive the current harsh economic realities arising from the dwindling revenue from the Federation Account due to global oil glut.

A release issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Uwakwe Abugu, in Enugu yesterday said the governor ’s move was basically a response to the concern across the country, owing to the frightening development in the oil sector which had made it difficult for some states and even the federal governments to pay their staff salaries and meet other obligations starring them in the face.

“Enugu State government has come to the conclusion that the advisory committee will assist us in investments promotion, mobilization of funds, increased internally generated revenue, IGR, and establishment of industries,’’ the statement read.

The team, headed by the Vicar-General of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Monsignor (Prof). Obiora Ike, has other members: former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, deputy senate president, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, industry giant and chairman of Innoson Group of Companies, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, former Economic Adviser to the President and current Director of the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Nigeria, Prof. Ostia Ogbu, Chief Chilo Offiah.

Other members of the committee include former Aviation Minister, Amb. Fidelia Njeze, a successful investor and civil society activist, Chief Loretta Aniagolu, Dr. Chikelu Mba, Mr. Kelvin Emeka Onah, Mr. Emeka Odo who had mercurially ‘transfigured’ from a business reporter with the Daily Times of Nigeria to become a banker and financial guru, Princess Ngozi Nnaedozie, Mr. John Okoye and Mr. Ikechukwu Chioke.

16—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Local gin sellers decry police arrest of members in Aba

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

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BA—SELLERS of locally brewed gin, popularly called ‘Ogogoro’ or ‘kai-kai’ , have decried what they described as incessant arrests of their members by the police in Aba, Abia State.

Spokesman of the traders, who gave his name as Joe Boniface Kalu, told Vanguard that the police in Aba had been arresting their members and customers who he alleged were released on bail after paying certain amount.

Kalu said it was true that some people died in Rivers State after they drank ‘Ogogoro’ but added that it was wrong for police in Aba to have embarked on the arrest of ‘Ogogoro’ sellers and their members when there was no such death or law prohibiting the sale of the product in the city.

“We have been into this business of selling ‘Ogogoro’ for years and we have not had any problem.

If some people died in Rivers State after taking it, it was not here in Aba and that should not give police the powers to come and start arresting us," he said.

REPS LEADERSHIP: S/South, S/East call

for adoption of federal character

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA—MEMBERS of the House of Representatives from the South East and SouthSouth geopolitical zones have called on the leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, to ensure that the spirit of federal character was reflected in the selection of principal officers.

Their call came on the heels of alleged lobby by some powerful chieftains of the party to consider Femi Gbajabiamila from Lagos State of the South West geopolitical zone for the position of

House Leader.

A member of the House of Representatives from SouthSouth told Vanguard that as Yakubu Dogara from Bauchi State in the North East had emerged as speaker and Yussuf Lasun from Osun State in South West as the deputy speaker, it would be wise to consider the other zones for the remaining positions yet to be filled.

The positions yet to be filled by the party include the House Leader, the Deputy House leader, Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip, while the minority party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is

also expected to fill the vacant positions of the minority leader and deputy as well as the Minority Whip and deputy.

However, the House member who did not want his name mentioned, said it would be unfair and against the spirit of federal character, if the South West should take the position of deputy speaker and begin to demand for the Leader.

He said: “The problem we are facing now is that some powerful forces are insisting that Hon. Gbajabiamila, who was the party’s adopted candidate for the position of Speaker but he lost to

INSPECTION: From left, Chief Law Chinwuba, Commissioner for Works; Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State; Mr. Shaheed El-Ahel, MD, IDC Construction Limited, nd Chief Victor Oye, National Chairman of APGA, during the governor's inspection of the fly-overs under construction, in Awka, weekend.

Hon. Dogara should be made the House Leader.

“Frankly speaking, we have nothing against Femi as a person because he is a nice man, but we must observe the spirit of federal character in whatever we are doing.

“We have just four positions left and four geo-political zones, therefore common sense suggests that the zones, the North West, the North Central, the SouthSouth and South East should be carried along in sharing these positions.

“We have about four of our party members from the South-South and about two also from the South East, so, nobody will say that the zones should be denied their rights because they don’t have members of the party from them.”

The source also revealed that some APC stalwarts, including two of their governors, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo State from the two zones had been meeting with the party leadership and expressed optimism that towards the end of the meeting, every zone must be treated fairly.

As the House resumes for plenary this week, it is expected that the APC and the PDP would provide or zone the offices to the political zones.

However, some members of the House have even argued that what the parties involved should do was zone the offices and allow members to make their choice.

7 SANs offer free legal services to monarchs

By Chdi Nkwopara & Chinonso Alozie

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WERRI—THE legal battle between some traditional rulers in Imo State and Governor Rochas Okorocha has assumed another dimension as about seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, have indicated interest to offer free legal services to the monarchs, when the hearing of the suit begins on Tuesday, June, 23, 2015, at Owerri High Court 4.

40 royal fathers last week dragged

Okorocha to court over the latter’s attempt to unlawfully invoke punitive actions against them for associating with the chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze (Dr.) Cletus Ilomuanya, who was reinstated by the Supreme Court.

A credible source yesterday told Vanguard that the identities of the Senior Advocates of Nigeria would be unveiled in the court on Tuesday to avoid unnecessary distractions.

It was also gathered that the traditional rulers themselves have vowed to storm the court same day

with many of their subjects, pointing out that they were determined to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.

Some of the elderly monarchs involved in the imbroglio have threatened to place curses on their traducers, if they did not withdraw their aggressive posture against them, stressing that “whoever detests or disrespects old age will not live to see grey hairs on his head.”

Meanwhile, many Igbo personalities have not only condemned the action of the governor but also expressed worry that there was no end to the drama of power in our country.

“Those who should thread on the path of justice government was still owing workers and democracy are only September 2011 salaries, saying not inspired by vengeance and everybody had been paid.

He said workers in the Ministry of revenge in their actions. ‘’These punitive actions Agriculture and teachers in the secondary against the reverred Igbo schools across the state had not been paid. traditional institution have “They are still owing us February 2015 salary arrears; we have made the continued to outrage presentation to the present administration Ndigbo and many and the governor directed that a committee Nigerians,” a senior civil be put in place to look into the matter; it is servant who pleaded an obligation they must fulfil and it is not anonymity, said.

He urged the governor to optional,” he said. have a re-think, stressing Meanwhile, the present government in that one of the tenets of the state has assured workers of its determination to offset every outstanding democracy was freedom of salary arrears owed them during former association, which the 1999 Governor Martin Elechi’s administration. Constitution guaranteed.

Workers in Ebonyi LGAs, school teachers still owed May salaries, NLC insists

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—EBONYI State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor, weekend insisted that workers in the 13 local government areas and primary school teachers in the state were still being owed their May salaries by the state government.

Nwafor, who stated this during a chat with Vanguard in Abakaliki, said it was the obligation of the present administration to pay all the salaries of its workers, irrespective of the dwindling economic fortunes of the state.

He further revealed that the state

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015—17

18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 NIGERIANS have invested so much effort in discussing what legislators earn that the bigger question about what they do is rarely considered. This is not a debate on return on investment - if resources deployed to legislators could be so addressed - but an inquiry into what all arms of government do. Our grudges with legislators are mostly personal.

We know them. We probably voted for them, possibly rigged for them. They promised qualitative representation, also known as “delivery of the dividends of democracy”. They said they were the best hands for the job of making laws for the common good. What is common good without tackling the bread and butter issues?

Before our eyes they prospered beyond our imagination, beyond reason and ironically against the preachments that things were tough, such that governments could not pay salaries to ordinary workers.

Even in States with crumbled economies, the legislators got their pay. They would only be waiting for entitlements that could have been delayed.

There are lots of reasons to be angry about

What Legislators Don’t Earn the jumbo pay that we hear legislators earn, but anger would not solve the problem, nor the additional mischief of demonising legislators by spewing salacious stories about money they do not earn, like the fabulous figures mentioned as wardrobe allowances. A lot of advocacy is required to engage legislators on their earning which was established during the prudent presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo.

It is equally important that we sustain a more wholesome approach to costs of running our governments. Is it not also necessary to know how much we spend on the executive? Again, what do people in government do for the much they earn? Are the waste we are against only in the legislature? Could we look deeper into other

areas of mostly illegitimate earnings for the legislators and the executives?

Illegal earnings are part of the corruption in the system. The noticeable parts include enormously bloated government pay rolls across the country, and a corrupt system that ensures that once some names are triumphantly announced as ghosts and expunged, more names are added to the lists, to join those who were never discovered.

Entrenched interests count for more than the interest of the people. As we fight over figures, there is still uncertainty about what our “servants” earn while those they serve earn nothing in an economy that has shrunk to the point of almost choking many Nigerians.

The fight to retrieve our country from selfserving interests should be deeper than fighting over figures. Nigerians are in for more fights than removing one government for another. There are too many interests contending for Nigeria’s retracting resources. When they hype salaries of legislators, they draw attention to one section, while shielding sectors that they loot.

OPINION Buhari's non-interference in NASS affairs

By Chukwudi Enekwechi

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N ideal democracies which Nigeria is copiously adopting, the principle of separation of powers is one of the pillars on which such societies are built. Indeed, since they (judiciary, legislature and executive) exist independently, they are meant to perform the role of checks and balances. In doing so, they avoid encroaching on each other’s responsibilities and constitutionally assigned roles.

Notwithstanding the above, they still complement each other in the onerous task of nation-building and in guaranteeing the positive growth and development of the country.

In the case of Nigeria, given that we just emerged as a democracy in 1999 from many years of dictatorial military interregnum, we had no choice than to tolerate the unending meddlesomeness of a dictator turned democrat, General Olusegun Obansanjo in the affairs of the legislature. Pitiably, that administration was not tutored or refused to learn to observe the basic tenets of democracy, and so across the nation, and in various spheres of national life, we found the executive exhibiting various forms of undemocratic tendencies, ranging from EFCC encroachment on fundamental human rights of citizens, imposition of C M Y K

candidates in elections and sponsoring of impeachment of duly elected officials of state.

Those were the dark days of what many considered our ‘’nascent democracy”, and Nigerians tolerated these malfeasance as their own sacrifice for the growth of our democracy. It can be said that Nigerians did not indulge former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his many undemocratic misdemeanors because we lacked understanding of what a true democratic system entailed, after all we had perfectly practiced democracy under Tafawa Balewa as far back as the 60s and from 1979 to 1983 under Alhaji Shehu Shagari.

Therefore, Obasanjo’s interloper’s adventurism in the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly was an aberration.

The present day meddlesomeness can be traced to his ignominious example.

In the present dispensation, President Muhammadu Buhari being a law abiding person, and having followed the democratic route since 2003 when he

It will amount to an effort in futility for a few individuals without any altruistic reasons to insist on imposing their will on the nation

joined partisan politics has made it very clear that he will not unnecessarily interfere in the affairs of other arms of the government. In doing so, he realises that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has spelt out the responsibilities of the different arms of government, including the ways and manner for the emergence of their various leaderships.

Therefore, it will amount to acting ultra vires, and totally incongruent with our laws for the president to undertake the needless mission of imposing his will on the elected representatives of the people as we have in the National Assembly.

Perhaps, it is pertinent to recall that President Buhari has similarly exhibited this adherence to the rule of law by resorting to the law courts each time he lost the Presidential election since 2003.

By doing so, he demonstrated his unflinching confidence in our judiciary as imperfect as they maybe, after all it is a human institution that is also vulnerable to the vagaries of human nature.

It is not at all surprising that in the recent melodrama that unfolded in the election of principal officials of the National Assembly, that President Buhari once again demonstrated his statesmanship and willingness to help in the rapid growth and development of our democratic culture by giving the legislature the leeway to freely choose their leaders without undue interference as we hitherto used to experience.

Obviously, while some vested interests would have preferred to use Mr. President as a stepping stone to achieving their

hidden agenda, most Nigerians have continued to applaud his stance of non interference in the affairs of other arms of government. While this approach is laudable, yet it is what the law sanctioned.

It is indeed a welcome development that for once we are beginning to adhere to basic democratic norms and ethos under President Buhari, and if this is sustained, there is hope that Nigeria’s democracy will continue to grow from strength to strength.

To the anti democratic forces and NASS members who lost out in their scheming for top NASS positions, they must realise that Nigeria is not a banana republic, rather a country governed by lawful processes which failure to adhere to by all concerned usually boomerangs and ultimately may incur the wrath of ordinary people.

All rational-thinking people want things to be done properly more so in this era of zero tolerance for corruption and cutting corners and any attempt to thwart the democratic process will spell doom not only for APC as a party, but our overall desire for democracy and freedom of choice.

With the unflinching support of Nigerians for the new National Assembly leadership and especially the configuration that has factored the complexities of our country into its choices, it will amount to an effort in futility for a few individuals without any altruistic reasons to insist on imposing their will on the nation.

* Mr. Enekwechi, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015—19

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LOT of Nigerians who believed General Muhammadu Buhari was a befitting replacement for former President Goodluck Jonathan are now being given reason to have second thoughts. The irony of it is that Pa Muhammadu Buhari, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is the one deflating their balloons of enthusiasm.

On 6th May when he met newly elected All Progressives Congress (APC) governors in his temporary abode at the Defence House, he expressed his worry that the expectations of Nigerians from him were “too high”. How do you expect Nigerians to feel when you ask them to tone down their expectation of a new administration that campaigned on the mantra of change? They will feel disappointed and begin to doubt if they took the right decision to give you their mandate.

Again, at the African Union Summit in South Africa, Buhari met with a group of Nigerians and delivered an even bigger shocker. He said: “I wish I became the head of state when I was a governor, just a few years as a young man. Now at 72, there is a limit to what I can do”. Even though he went on to say that his administration would bring “positive change” and implement the APC manifesto, telling us that his old age is a burden was a dramatic departure from what he told us when he was campaigning and his opponents made a big issue of his age.

Unless there is more to the issue, why should Buhari, without being prompted or cajoled, make an issue about the burden of old age? For me, there is nothing hard and fast about age. That is why, throughout the campaigns, I never made an issue of it. Even the idea of Buhari paying regular visits to London hospitals and taking frequent times out to “rest” were not an issue to me. Anyone at any age can see a doctor and take a rest. For that matter, anyone can die at any age.

Ronald Reagan was elected for a second term at the age of 73. He had Alzheimer’s disease, which makes people to be forgetful to ridiculous levels. He was renowned for his many public gaffes and got frequently heckled in the Press. But this was the man who eventually dissolved the Soviet Union, brought down the Berlin Wall, and drove the USSR out of Afghanistan, without firing the proverbial single shot. He certainly was one of the most epical of the presidents of the United States.

Back here in Nigeria, the Father of African nationalism, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe,

Too old to start? ran for the presidency in 1983 at the age of 77. Beat that! If he had won the election he would have served two terms (everything being equal) and rested for another four years at Onuiyi Haven, Nsukka, before boarding his eternal flight to the Great Beyond. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was 74 when he contested along with Zik, died in 1987. He would have died in office had he been elected. Our own General Olusegun Obasanjo is officially 78 but is believed to be well over 80. But he is still physically and mentally agile enough to do some of the things much younger people have since retired from.

Therefore, it is not the age that matters. It is what you have, what you do with it. It was unwise of Buhari to dabble into it at a time when his ovation is still loud and he needs to keep it going for the onerous tasks ahead. It was not surprising that his media aide, Femi Adesina, came out with a commendable effort at damage control,

Lai Mohammed should stop awarding himself nonexistent plaudits.

We, the Nigerian people, will be the judge of Buhari and APC’s performance

saying Buhari is good wine that gets better with age. If Buhari is afraid of failure, he should tackle his fears privately with the help of professionals and learn not to transmit it to the public.

It is not just the “I’m too old” gaffe that is making Nigerians nervous. That bit about being stymied by the refusal of former President Jonathan to give him “useful tips” on how to kick-start his administration also did not do him much credit. What “useful tips” would a former state military governor, head of state, Executive Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) and four-time presidential candidate be looking for from his erstwhile opponent? Shouldn’t he have perfected his vision and mission years ago, ready to explode on arrival? I don’t expect former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governor Sule Lamido or even Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso to need “expo” from anyone to take off if they found themselves in Buhari’s shoes.

Another issue that made Nigerians to shake their heads in disappointment in these past, non-eventful three weeks was the manner in which the president and his deputy declared their assets.

Many Nigerians expected that on submitting their completed forms to the Code of Conduct Bureau, copies would immediately be made available to the media for public perusal. That way, they would have sent a no-nonsense message about their anti-corruption agenda. But the president reminded us that he promised to make it public “ within the first 100 days”. Fine. But some of the wind has gone out of the sail. The CCB has not proved itself to be an anti-corruption agency so far.

Rather, it tends to protect the interests of highly placed government officials such as governors, presidents and vice presidents. It has never come out to expose corruption. The CCB appears to be a very

convenient hiding place for executive big shots.

But we are consoled by the fact that whatever is eventually disclosed will be savagely and minutely tooth-combed in the public. We are watching to see if it is true that our president was living only on his military pension before he got elected.

We will examine the plausibility of his needing to obtain 27 million Naira “bank loan” to pay for his APC presidential form.

We will extend our searchlight to the assets of Hajiya Aisha Buhari, a beautician who reportedly owns a N10,453,000 Cartier Baignoire Folle 18karat white diamond-encrusted wristwatch. She proudly displayed it for all to see during her husband’s inauguration. If a president’s wife wears a N10 million wristwatch, then can you fault federal lawmakers for their wardrobe allowances of N21.5m for Senators and N17.8m for members of the House of Reps? This apparently wealthy wife of a pension-sustained husband had also donated N135 million worth of drugs to Internally-Displaced Persons (IDP’s) in Adamawa during the campaigns. She got us wondering why she did not give some of that hefty cash to her husband to purchase the form. After all, she would bathe in the power and glory of her husband emerging as the elected president of Nigeria.

Indeed, she is already doing so, in lavish style. Though President Buhari had promised, during the campaigns, to abolish the office of the First Lady, which his predecessor’s wife, “Mama Peace” had occupied rather scandalously, it did not stop Hajiya Aisha from organising a grandiose “thank you” gig for women, during which she played court just like a First Lady. Or, are we going to see another Abacha episode? General Abacha announced the scrapping of the First Lady’s office. His wife, Maryam, answered “Wife of Head of State” and ended up more regal and ostentatious than “First Lady” Mariam Babangida!

And did you hear how APC spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, claimed that Buhari has already “surpassed” in three weeks what Jonathan achieved in six years in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency?

Apart from his foreign tours to garner support and moving the command centre of the operations to Maiduguri, Buhari has not made real move to engage the terrorists, yet Lai says he has “surpassed”.

Lai Mohammed should stop awarding himself non-existent plaudits. We, the Nigerian people, will be the judge of Buhari and APC’s performance.

OPINION Ignoble call for Ekweremadu’s resignation

By Nwobodo Chidiebere “I do not admire politicians; but when they are excellent in their way, one cannot help allowing them their due.” — Horace Walpole As lovers of true democracy acknowledge the historic emergence of a bipartisan legislature—made possible by the return of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President of the 8th National Assembly, there have also been disenchanted voices of some anti-democratic elements who appear hell-bent on subverting the nation’s nascent democracy. Some of them have even gone to the extent of calling for the resignation or impeachment of the duly elected and constitutionally-backed Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu just to satisfy their greed.

It is no longer news that the Enugu-born Senator was duly elected by his colleagues in the Red Chamber to lead them as Deputy Senate President together with Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki as Senate President. The process that brought them to office also demystified political demigods and in the event succeeded in securing the independence of the legislative arm of government, which in turn gave birth to a bipartisan 8th National Assembly. It still baffles the imagination of discerning minds that those anti-democratic elements who hitherto were challenging the constitutionality and credibility of Senator Saraki’s election as Senate President, are now unleashing their frustrations on Senator Ekweremadu for being elevated to the office of Deputy Senate President. They probably see him as a soft target they would unlawfully stampede out of office as compensation for their loss of the Senate Presidency—for no other offence or breach of the Nigerian C M Y K

constitution than being a member of opposition, PDP— which has a formidable number of lawmakers in the National Assembly.

The frightening aspect of the game of wits being employed by these irritated and disillusioned lawmakers is that they have resorted to allegedly under hand appraoch as wellas underground deals to influence the impeachment of Senator Ekweremadu to pave way for one of their own to emerge as Deputy Senate President against the spirit and intents of the nation’s constitution which stipulated the process of electing and removing principal officers of National Assembly. Those who are embarking on this ill-fated mission should bear in mind that Nigeria of 21st century has out-grown this national embarrassment motivated by hatred, strife, ethnicity and ignorance of the law; inspired by politics of bitterness. In every action, there is equal and opposite reaction, therefore Nigerians will not sit back and watch those who live on false impression that they are the owners of this country reopen the wounds of the past in this unfolding conspiracy and ugly quest to render South-East politically impotent by pushing for the impeachment or Why can’t the resignation of Senator APC make Ekweremadu, as if he does not have the mandate of his people this to represent them anymore.

Less than three weeks of being inevitable in the saddle as ruling party, the sacrifice for APC should not forget in hurray that Nigerians prayed and the peace of worked diligently for the postelection peace and tranquillity this nation we have now in the country.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan—the unsung hero of African democracy conceded victory to the then PresidentElect, Muhammadu Buhari not as an act cowardice but patriotism—which exemplified his clarion call that his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian without factoring in the irrefutable fact that he had the power to reject the outcome of the elections but did not, instead he transcended into heaven of statesmen by conceding victory before the final result was announced.

If PDP that held sway for 16 consecutive years as ruling party could relinquish The Presidency with all the leverages of power attached to it not minding the irregularities that characterised the electoral process; ranging from lopsided distribution of PVCs skewed against the stronghold of the party, malfunctioning of Card Readers during and after elections, ill-preparedness of INEC, etc. So, if a former President with the power of incumbency at his disposal and then serving Governors of PDP could concede victory to the then opposition party, APC both at the Presidency and State levels, respectively, why does the APC find it very difficult to concede victory to the PDP with regards to the election of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President? Why can’t the APC make this inevitable sacrifice for the peace of this nation—after all one of their own—Senator Bukola Saraki is still the President of Senate and Chairman of National Assembly?If APC wants to govern Nigeria in peace, in synergy with a stable National Assembly, it should call to order some of its aggrieved members who are stoking fire via their unguarded utterances by calling for the impeachment of Senator Ike Ekweremadu for no just cause, because any ill-conceived and mistimed action in the Red Chamber propelled by inordinate ambition of a few will truncate the fragile and grave yard peace being experienced in this country.

*Mr. Chidiebere, a political analyst, wrote from Abuja.,

20—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

The roar of lions N

IGERIAN Students were in disarray in 1981. After their heroic but deadly battle against military dictatorship three years earlier, they were now in factions. The Obasanjo regime had in 1978, sought to smash the Student Movement by banning the National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS).

Students had responded by establishing a bigger umbrella, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) which incorporated students from all tertiary institutions.

In 1979, the NANS had an interim leadership from the Yaba College of Technology with Danlad Oladele as Chair and Ayodele Akele as Secretary General. The following year, it put a constitution in place and elected Tanimu Kurfi as its founding President. Within months, Kurfi (who later became Chief Economic Adviser to President Yar’Adua) was victimised and expelled from school, and NANS was in a spiral.

The rump of the Kurfi Executive claimed leadership of NANS as did the former interim leadership, and student leaders from the Universities of Lagos (UNILAG) Benin (UNIBEN) and Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) In order to reunify the NANS

and nurture it through its teething stage, a Pan-Nigeria student group, the Patriotic Youth Movement of Nigeria (PYMN) met at the University of Ife (now OAU) to scout for conscientious and committed student leaders to contest the November, 1981 NANS elections.

As the then Secretary General of the PYMN, I led a delegation to the Eastern Zone where the NANS Secretariat comprising the President and Secretary General, had been zoned. With Femi Fatonode, now a lecturer at Accra Poly, Ghana, we began with a visit to UNIBEN that was to host the NANS Convention.

The Pariotic Youth League on the campus was our focus.

However, our main target was UNN where we hoped to raise candidates. UNN students were known as lions and lionesses.

We had discussions with the leader of the radical students on the campus, Femi Ahmed (now Pastor Femi Israel) We succeeded, but headed to the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) First to campaign for our UNN candidates especially when the leading contender for the NANS Presidency was from the University of Science and Technology (UST) in the same

city. Secondly to raise an alternative set of candidates in the event something went wrong with the UNN arrangement. Our UNIPORT comrades presented Nimi Wariboko to run for the Presidency as back up if our UNN comrades failed to run.

Then, we headed for the University of Calabar (UNICAL) where we met the leader of the radical students, a quiet Fisheries student, called Komo (Kayode Komolafe, now Deputy Managing Director of THISDAY Newspapers) He promised to ask some UNICAL students who spend holidays in Benin, to attend the Convention.

At the Convention, our UNN candidates did not show up, nor did the alternatives from UNIPORT. We became despondent and wrote off students from UNN whom we thought were more of domestic cats than the lions they claim

Ezeazu as NANS President was often on the move or lay low to evade capture by the military. When his one year term expired, he could not handover as it was too dangerous for student leaders to congregate

The old bureaucracy is back

By Eric Teniola

F

ROM January 15, 1966 till June 3, 1967, Nigeria had no Ministers.

That is a period of over fifteen months.

The two military rulers who ruled during that period——Major General Johnson Thomas Umanakwe Aguiyi Ironsi(1924-1966) and General Yakubu Dan-Yuma Gowon (80) constituted permanent secretaries as members of the Federal Executives Councils.

As for General Ironsi, the following were appointed—Mr.Ige (Agriculture and Natural Resources), C.O. Lawson (Communications), Alhaji Musa Daggash (Defense), Allison Ayida(Economic Development), S.S. Waniko (Education),T. Eneli (Establishments), Edwin O. Ogbu (External Affairs), Abdul Aziz Atta(Finance), B.N. Okagbue (Health), Phillip Asiodu (Industries), Grey EronmoseleLonge (Information), Alhaji A. Mora (Internal Affairs), M.A. Tokunbo (Labour and Welfare), H.A. Ejeyuitchie (Mines and Power), Alhaji Abdulrahman Howeidy (Special Duties-Internal Affairs), Alhaji Sule Kolo(Trade), H.O. Omenai (Transport), S.O. Williams (Works and Housing), Alhaji Sule Katagum (Chairman of the Federal Public Service Commission-Civil Service, A.E. Howson-Wright (Chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, A.I. Obiyan(Chairman of the Nigerian

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Ports Authority)and the AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice, Chief Gabriel Onyiuke.

There was also the all-powerful Chief Francis Nwokedi, who was Permanent Secretary, Special Duties and of course, Chief Pius Okigbo. Mr. S.O. Wey was in all but name the Secretary to the government.

As for General Yakubu Gowon we are all aware of his preference for Permanent Secretaries.

The Permanent Secretaries were the ones that paved the way for his coming to power on July 29, 1966 during the historic meeting held at Ikeja Cantonment. So for the first ten months of his administration he had no Ministers. He relied heavily on the counsel of Permanent Secretaries and

I am of the view that the Military trusts the civil servants more than the politicians and the civil servants in turn trust the Military than the politicians

to be. On the eve of the NANS elections, we decided to draft two UNICAL students, Chris Mammah and Eddie Igharo who were on holidays in Benin to run. Incredibly, they won!

The year 1986 was a very difficult one; the Babangida dictatorship was in full bloom.

Dissent was repressed. The NANS which was under siege, managed to hold its convention, and elected two UNN students, Emma Ezeazu as President and Jonas Awodi as Secretary General.

Given the past experiences with students from UNN, some did not have much confidence in them; what good can come from UNN students?

But they turned out to be true lions who led Nigerian students during one of the worst periods in our history. It was a season in which the regime shot dead four students of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) banned student unionism in all campuses and occupied the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) NANS, led by Ezeazu was proscribed and the regime set up the General Abisoye and Justice Akanbi Panels on student unrest. Also, many activists were on the run or in detention, and the regime decreed that there can be no alternative to the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) and the IMF Conditionalities it had imposed on the country.

Ezeazu as NANS President was often on the move or lay low to evade capture by the military.

When his one year term expired, he could not handover as it was too dangerous for student leaders to congregate.

He had to lead our country’s students for another year. That was how, without subverting the NANS constitution, he became the longest serving NANS President. In those two years, I met the quiet and

Judges who administered the country.

They include Sir Adetokunbo Ademola(Chief Justices of the Federation), Alhaji Sule Katagum(the head of the Federal Civil Service Commission),the Solicitor General-Biliaminu Oladiran Kassim.

Others are Mr. Phillip Asiodu, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, Mr.Eneli, Mr. B.N. Okagbue, Mr. Allison Ayida, Mr. Phillip Asiodu, Alhaji Abdul Aziz Atta, Mr.Buba Ardo who later became Supreme Court Judge, Alhaji Musa Daggash,Prince Festus Adesanoye who later became the Osemawe of Ondo and Mr. S.O. Williams. Some of them were referred to later as “super permanent secretaries.”And Mr. S.O. Wey who later became the Secretary to Government. There was also Mr.Ime Ebong who later became Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Planning.

It was not until June 3, 1967 that General Gowon brought eminent Nigerians including Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Joseph Takar, Mallam Aminu Kano, Mr.Wenike Briggs, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Alhaji Shettima Mongunu, Chief Okoi Arikpo,Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, Chief A.Y. Eke and Chief Edwin Clarke into his cabinet. Chief Obafemi Awolowo left the cabinet in 1971 for personal reasons. He later appointed some Military officers into his cabinet. They include Major General Emmanuel Eyo Ekpo (Agric) and Natural Resources), Brigadier Olusegun Obasanjo (Works and Housing), Brigadier Emmanuel Abisoye (Health), Lt. Col. Ahmadu Alli(Education), Captain Olufemi

unassuming Ezeazu a number of times. He never complained.

He never compromised, gave up, sell out or surrendered.

It was therefore not surprising that he went on to become a champion of the voiceless. He spent all his life in the service of the people whether as Executive Director of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) the Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP) or the Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE) But Ezeazu and Awodi (who unfortunately died early) were not the only lions that roared from UNN. One day, at a conference of the NLC, a slim gentleman approached, wanting to know whether I am Owei Lakemfa. He introduced himself as Chima Ubani. We went into an embrace. I knew the name; one of the courageous and committed student leaders then under attack.

Ubani, who like Ezeazu went on to lead the CLO, was an outstanding student and mass leader. He went on to become Secretary General of the Campaign For Democracy (CD) the umbrella organization of patriots who organized and led the Pro-democracy protests which forced Babangida out of power. Like Ezeazu, it was difficult to associate the quiet, unassuming gentleman, Ubani, with radical activism.

Tragically, on September 21, 2005, while returning from an anti-fuel price increase rally in Maiduguri, Chima Ubani fell on the road to Potiskum, never to rise again. Then on May 18, 2015, the lion, Emma Ezeazu, champion of democracy and peoples’ rights, passed on. An eternal farewell is planned for him next weekend in Onitsha.

What a loss!

Olumide (Transport), Brigadier Murtala Muhammed (Communication), Brigadier Henry Adefowope (Labour) Col. Dan Suleiman (Special Duties) and Brigadier Mohammed Shuwa.

Even then General Gowon did not make them members of the supreme military council yet he allowed the Permanent Secretaries to attend the meetings of the Supreme Military Council as observers. Worse still, Ministers could not pass memo directly to General Gowon. This arrangement created problems between his Ministers and his Permanent Secretaries till he was removed on July 29, 1975.

Now forty –years after, the same scenario is being played The recent appointment of Alhaji Ahmed Joda as Chairman of transition committee and the submission of his 800-page report to President Muhammadu Buhari is to emphasise that retired and serving civil servants will play key roles in the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari. Even though he is now a turned democrat, the military blood in the President is still alive. I am of the view that the Military trusts the civil servants more than the politicians and the civil servants in turn trust the Military than the politicians. The role to be played by the retired civil servants will become clearer in the months ahead. Let us keep our fingers crossed.

•Mr Teniola, a former director at the presidency, wrote from Lagos.

JUNE 22, 2015

AGM - From left: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, OON; President, NSE Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CON and Secretary to NSE Council, Ms Tinuade Awe at the Nigerian Stock Exchange 2015 Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

Naira devaluation hits industries hard zFG’s plan to create 3 million jobs annually under threat — MAN zLCCI demands zero import duty for critical raw materials

By FRANKLIN ALLI

C

OMPANIES in the manufacturing sector of the economy that source foreign exchange to import raw materials and products have been hit hard by the devaluation of the naira and the suspension of Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the exchange rate of the naira to a dollar is N196.9 while in the black market it hovers between N210 to N214 to a dollar. Similarly, British Pound Sterling exchanges between N303 to N304 to the Naira, while thed

Euro exchanges for N222.

Investigations by Financial Vanguard, showed that the high

CBN should examine manufacturers’ forex demand trends to ascertain the actual needs of each company

exchange rate occasioned by the suspension of RDAS policy, has wiped smiles off the faces of operators in the sector since it was implemented by the apex bank in February to tighten control on the foreign exchange market, in a bid to protect the nation's external reserves and save the Naira from further slide in value.

Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs, President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, noted that the impact is enormous on all manufacturers, especially those that depend on imported raw materials.

According to him, the Federal Government's plan to create three million jobs annually will be a mirage

if the current exchange rate is not addressed quickly. He urged Federal Government through the CBN to create a special foreign exchange window for manufacturers.

In addition, he requested the CBN to examine manufacturers’ forex demand trends to ascertain the actual need of each company for the importation of machines, spare parts and raw materials. He assured that MAN will validate beneficiaries to ensure that only bonafide manufacturers have access to such special foreign exchange window.

Also, Mr. Okey Akpa, the Chairman, Executive Committee of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of MAN, disclosed that the negative effects of the CBN policy of RDAS have started to trickle down to the entire pharmaceutical industry. He said companies operating in the sector are spending so much on importation of pharmaceutical glass bottles and packaging materials that are not available locally. He said this has led to further increase in the cost of production.

According to the Chairman of United Allied Spare parts Dealers Association (UASPADA), Chief Bartholomew Achukwu, his members are also adversely affected. “Today the problem is dollar issue, all our businesses are collapsing. We are expecting President Muhammadu Buhari to address this issue as it is hampering growth in trade. Going by his antecedent, we believe that the economy of Nigeria will soon be better than any other country around the world,” he said.

Mrs. Olaitan Efughi, Chief Executive Officer , Annabel Boutique also lamented that operators in the sector are also feeling the negative effects of the foreign exchange transactions. “I buy my goods from Dubai and Hong Kong, and I sell mainly to retailers and others who buy for personal use. But foreign exchange is a problem; most banks don’t sell BTA for people who go to Dubai for business, apart from that, there is a limit of the amount of money that the bank allows, you are not to spend more than $4000 per quarter, so basically, you have the money, but you can’t really buy much,”

Continues on page 22 C M Y K

22 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Cover

Entrepreneurial Education Revolution: An Imperative for Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Part 1

A

PRESENTATION - From left: Mr. Tunde Akerele, Chief Finance Officer, Proton Energy; Dr. Sam Amadi, Executive Chairman, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC); Mr. Oti Ikomi, Executive Vice-Chairman, Proton Energy; and Mr. Mark Fancett, Proton Energy Adviser, a t t he presentation of 150mw licence to Proton Energy by NERC in Abuja

Naira devaluation hits industries hard Continued from page 21 she stated.

Alhaji Remi Bello, President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, also added that high exchange rates is a major challenge currently facing many real sector operators, especially the medium and large firms.

According to him, the chamber has reviewed the policy and observed that although it was targeted at providing support for the real sector of the economy because of their strategic importance to the development process, job creation and inclusive growth, yet the sector is the first natural victim of the closure, particularly the few that had access to this window.

He identified the immediate implications on the sector as follows: “It has resulted in the escalation of production cost for firms that had access to this forex window. Such firms will experience cost increases of up to 20 percent. This would impact on sales performance, profit margins and ultimately capacity utilisation of manufacturing companies in the country.

"Import duty and other port charges which are computed as a percentage of import costs have also correspondingly increased.

This implies additional pressure on operating costs for erstwhile beneficiaries of the CBN RDAS forex window.

Firms funding requirements in naira will increase to reflect the new exchange rate and this has implications for cost of funds.

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“Many firms, especially manufacturers with high foreign exchange exposure have been thrown into loss positions as a consequence of the depreciation of the naira over the last couple of months and the eventual closure of the RDAS window.

“Exchange rate induced losses could trigger a new wave of Non-Performing Loans in the banking system and this has implications for financial system stability.

However, given the record disparity between the CBN RDAS forex window; the interbank and the parallel market rates, it was clear that the RDAS Forex window was not sustainable. The CBN could obviously not meet the huge demand for forex under the RDAS window.

"In spite of repeated assurances, many genuine requests for forex for industrial raw materials and other vital inputs were denied by the CBN. Foreign financial obligations could also not be met by many firms as remittances were affected.

This resulted in serious confidence issues among foreign creditors of Nigerian companies with some credit lines to Nigeria companies

Port charges should be waived for raw materials importation and machineries

being put on hold.

“The huge premium of over 20 per cent was a major incentive for round tripping, corrupt practices in the management of the forex, speculative activities in the foreign exchange market and many other abuses. It was also a major source of uncertainty and volatility in the market. There were concerns about the lack of level playing field in the management of the RDAS window. In the light of all these, it is difficult to fault the decision of the CBN to close the RDAS window."

Meanwhile, the LCCI has proposed measures to cushion the effect of the CBN policy on investors with high foreign exchange exposure.

It said that CBN should urgently provide a refinancing facility as life-line for investors in the economy which have high foreign exchange exposure.

“The sustainability of this class of businesses is currently at risk. We recommend a minimum refinancing facility of N200 billion to be provided at single digit interest rate and a fifteen year tenure. All critical raw materials and other imported inputs of manufacturing firms should henceforth attract zero import duty. All machineries and equipment should attract zero import duty.

"Port charges should be waived for raw materials importation and machineries. All these are necessary to minimize dislocations in the economy and ensure the continued survival of the real sector,” the chamber stated.

lbert Einstein once defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, while the French classical author, Francois de la Rochefoucauld said ‘ the only thing constant in life is change’.

This paper stresses the importance of entrepreneurship education towards enhancing sustainable development in Nigeria. The problems facing the country ranging from high rate of poverty, youth and graduate unemployment; overdependence on foreign goods and technology; Low economic growth and development; among others.

This paper therefore argues that entrepreneurship education will equip the students with the skills with which to be self-reliant. The objectives and strategies for redesigning entrepreneurship education are also discussed.

The paper also recommended that educational programmes at all levels of education should be made relevant to provide the youth the needed entrepreneurial skills. It is also recommended that the government should give adequate attention to entrepreneurial development in the country through the provision of good economic environment.

So it is on this premise I would like us to see the Nigerian educational system in light of current realities in the st 21 century. A careful look of the current state of affairs in Nigeria reveals that we are in a 21st century economy with a 19th century education system.

A system whereby much emphasis is still placed on the conventional classroom environment with much reverence for certificate for graduates who in most cases are trained to be job seekers as evidenced in present high unemployment rate in the land. However, we must accept the fact that times have changed and we must adjust by transiting from the old styled era of Adam Smith inspired concept of the ‘industrialized specialist’ which has outlived its usefulness to a more dynamic, resourceful and I.C.T based model where skills and creativity takes precedence.

Without deviating from the topic of my speech which is Entrepreneurial Education Revolution in Nigeria, I would like to briefly define some of the concept in the topic.

WHO IS AN ENREPRENEUR? An entrepreneur is a person who is driven to establish a business to take advantage of the financial opportunities and personal fulfilment offered, by pursuing their own dreams and shaping their own destiny in local, national and global economies. I personally define an entrepreneur as anyone who can convert what he loves doing to a moneymaking venture. Entrepreneurship on the other hand is said to be the process of planning, operating and assuming the risk of a business. It has also been seen as a process of creating a unique value. For the purpose of this speech, I would be limiting education to the activity of teaching about a particular subject.

Revolution on the other hand has been defined by The Macmillan English dictionary as a sudden or major change, especially in ideas or methods.

A revolution signifies a drastic turn around, a new way of thinking and acting.

So at this juncture, what then is Entrepreneurial Education?

Entrepreneurial education is a lifelong learning process, starting as early as elementary school and progressing through all levels of education, including adult education.

Entrepreneurial education focuses on developing understanding and capacity for pursuit, of entrepreneurial behaviours, skills and attributes in widely different contexts. It can be portrayed as open to all and not exclusively the domain of the high-flying growth-seeking business person. The propensity to behave entrepreneurially is not exclusive to certain individuals.

Different individuals will have a different mix of capabilities for demonstrating and acquiring entrepreneurial behaviours, skills and attributes. These behaviours can be practiced, developed and learned; hence it is important to expose all students to entrepreneurial education.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 — 23

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overnors of the 36 states of the federation rose from a meeting in Abuja last week Wednesday, resolving to meet President Muhammadu Buhari on the financial crisis crippling the affairs of some states in the federation. According to the chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Abdulazeez Yari, the governors viewed the financial crisis facing the states as national issue as there are also Federal Government agencies that owe salaries for upward of seven to eight months.

The new chairman of the Governors' Forum said: “We decided not to talk of the bailout directly, though the problem we observe is not only a state matter. It is a national matter. Some federal agencies are being owed for seven months and above. The Federal Government cannot operated on rents from oil whatever debt is outstanding just do it alone because of the export. It is a pity that no state as the new governor of Akwa government has developed its Ibom is trying to do to the dwindling economy.

"So, instead of requesting for internal resources to the point private jet his predecessor the bailout, because we have that it can stand on its own acquired with state money instead of going cap-in-hand to to make sure that the Federal without federal allocation.

While the oil boom lasted, no beg the Federal Government for Government has liquidity, but where will the Federal government functionary in a bailout.

In Akwa Ibom for instance, the Government find the liquidity? these states was ready to put It is sending a very wrong on a thinking cap that a day will former Governor bought a signal that the states are come when rent on oil will dry private jet for the state, built a football stadium that may only be asking for bailout and we all up. used once in a year. The jets While the rents accruing from know that the economy of the country is in a very bad shape. oil lasted, governors were living owned by state governments are "So, instead of sending a bad like lords of the manor. They parked and maintained with signal and aware of the flew and hired private jets, state funds. The question is; implications, we are asking moved around in fleets of why should a state own a private the Federal Government to vehicles and kept chains of jet?

Akwa Ibom State governor, pay the states for the Federal aides. Some were busy using Government jobs that have state resources to marry for their Emmanuel with his private sector been executed by the states. children and themselves. They background is said to be "We would be asking the hosted lavish parties. The unfavourably disposed to the Federal Government to settle money they should have private jet acquired by his the backlog owed the states. invested in projects that would predecessor, Godswill Akpabio The Federal Government have brought future returns to to ease his movement outside the owes some states N10 billion, states was wasted on frivolities. state and is contemplating N20 billion, N30 billion and Some of these governors built Lagos State, N50 billion. So, if mansions with state money in we can get back some of this the name of Governor’s Lodge money, we can settle some of in several locations in their to meet their the backlog of wages and states Federal ostentatious lifestyle. salaries."

These are monies that could The situation facing states at Government the moment is self inflicted. have been used for incomeshould tell these State governors had the yielding ventures. Some of these governors have invested opportunity to develop their shameless local economies and grow their their state's money in private governors in internal revenue generation. companies which they have But many of these state dishonestly converted to their unequivocal governors prefer to rely on personal use. Such properties terms that it allocation from the federation now that the chickens have will not bail out account. For too long, the come home to roost, should be Nigerian economy has lived sold and the money realised any state on rentals. The economy from them used to offset

Governors: No bailout coming from anywhere disposing of the aircraft.

The governor is said to be shopping for buyers of the jet to relieve him of the burden of fuelling and maintaining it.

Akwa Ibom is not the only state with a private jet, Danbaba Suntai of Taraba had even gone to the extent of not only owning a private jet but flying one himself.

It is heart-warming that the state governors are aware that the Federal Government itself is cash strapped and cannot help itself or bail out the states.

The Federal Government should tell these shameless state governors in unequivocal terms that it will not now or in the future bail out any state.

They should be told to go back to their states and straighten up their finances. In fact, the Federal Government should begin to make allocation to states based on accountability.

States must account for the money they get from the federation account monthly and they should be made to publish their annual statements of account. They should not just be collecting money and not give proper account for it. Every state must publish its account as well as every local government. This is the kind of change the APC government and legislature should bring about in the country.

A survey has shown that Nigerian politicians, especially state governors, deliberately

involve themselves in flagrant and ostentatious expenditure as a way to show off their class, without the knowledge that their action is responsible for the underdevelopment of the economy.

Many governors are richer and more powerful than some presidents around the world.

In the states, governors are the beginning and end of all wisdom. The governor is the state and the state was created for his good pleasure. They may occasionally try and display some decorum in treating the state’s funds as belonging to the citizens, but don’t be fooled.

Much of that fund is their pocket money literally. In some states, the SURE-P fund for instance, is essentially the governor’s chop money.

Security votes and ecological funds belong to this category too. No two governors are alike though every state gets the governor it deserves.

Nigerian governors are the masters of their universe, the lords of their manor and conquerors of their realms.

They are capable of being dictatorial, democratic, benevolent, malevolent, difficult, simple, matured and childish all at once. They are tough, calculating and ingenious in maneuvering the turbulence associated with that unique office.

Now that the financial situation in states is precarious, state governors should come off their high horses and face reality. They should cut down on their frivolities and spend the state resources on what is necessary. Time is now for altruistic service. There is no bailout from anywhere.

Business& Economy Hill+Knowlton Strategies debuts in Nigeria

By SEBASTINE OBASI

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eading international communications consultancy Hill+Knowlton Strategies has expanded its physical footprint in Africa with the launch of a new office in Lagos, Nigeria.

Hill+Knowlton Strategies Nigeria builds on the company’s existing strong presence in Sub-Saharan Africa and further extends the agency’s ability to serve its rapidly expanding client interests in African countries in a fully integrated way. The Hill+Knowlton Strategies global network consists of

some 88 offices, including key African markets such as Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Hill+Knowlton’s entry into Nigeria is said to reflect a recognition of the vast economic and commercial potential of the West African country, which sits among the top five investment countries in Africa, and which has seen a surge in capital inflows into the market.

Additional streams for investment have also opened up, with the establishment of fledgling economic sectors in the Nigerian market. The growth in investment and

funding for domestic companies, as well as an increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and joint ventures in the country, has created an attractive platform for H+K from which to grow and develop its client base.

“Global businesses with longterm growth strategies are focusing on the African continent,” said Lars Erik, Chairman and CEO of Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa, as well as a population of 170 million people which is expected to expand to 200 million by 2019.

TRADE MISSION - From left: Chief Fola Osibo, Chairman, Export Committee, Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC); Mr. Hassan Mohammed Hassan, Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Nigeria High Commission, London; Prince Dapo Adelegan, Deputy President NBCC/ Mission Leader and Mr. James Houston, Chairman, NBCC-UK Network at the Nigeria House at the ongoing Export Trade Mission to the UK. C M Y K

24 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Business & Economy

37 ships expected in Lagos

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hirty seven ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other commodities are expected to arrive in Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports in Lagos, from June 18 to June 30.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) disclosed this in its daily publication, ‘Shipping Position’, made available to newsmen in Lagos.

According to the document, the contents of the expected ships are petrol, kerosene, diesel, bulk urea, fresh fish, steel products, bulk wheat, bulk sugar and ethanol.

It said that other vessels would arrive with general cargo, buthane gas and containers.

The document explained that nine ships with petrol, aviation fuel, crude palm oil, rice, fish and general cargo are waiting to berth at the ports. 23 other ships had arrived the ports discharging bulk wheat, fertiliser, base oil, rice, general cargo, fresh fish, gypsum, base oil, petrol and diesel.

Port charges: Court adjourns Shippers’ Council, terminal operators’ hearing T

he Federal Court of Appeal, Lagos, has adjourned a case between the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), over port charges, till Feb. 4, 2016.

The Presiding Judge, Mrs Uzoamaka Anyanwu, said that the court adjourned the case as a result of the backlog of pending cases the court had to handle.

STOAN had earlier filed a

suit against the NSC over restriction of increase in

The court in December 2014 upheld the status of the NSC as the economic regulator of the seaports

progressive storage charges and reversal to what obtained in May 2009. The suit was struck out on technical grounds

by Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

The court in December 2014, consequently upheld the status of the NSC as the economic regulator of the seaports.

Justice Buba also ordered STOAN and Association of Shipping Lines Agencies (ASLA) to revert to the various charges as obtained in 2009

CBN calls meeting with banks on FX rules

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entral bank has called a meeting with chief executives and treasurers of commercial banks to discuss issues surrounding its policy on the foreign exchange market, multiple banking sources told Reuters.

The central bank imposed tight controls on the foreign exchange market in February to curb speculation on the naira and save its dwindling foreign reserves in Africa’s biggest economy.

Before setting the restrictions, the central bank had been battling to prop up the naira after a sharp fall in the price of oil, Nigeria’s main export, which triggered a selloff in assets by foreign investors.

The central bank also fixed the rate at which banks can buy dollars from oil companies.

Traders were upbeat on the outcome of the meeting which they claimed was long overdue to ease the tight control in the market and allow the local currency to find its real value.

“We are anticipating that the meeting would naturally discuss the present market conditions and explore possibility of reviewing the tight control on the forex market,” one senior treasurer told Reuters.

C M Y K

ANNIVERSARY - From left: Mr. Fidelis Ajibogun, Zonal Coordinator, National Lottery Regulatory Commission; Mr. Abdullahi Ibrahim, Group Executive, Technology and Services, FirstBank, Mr. Adolphus Ekpe, Director-General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission; and Mr. Henry Uwadiae, Deputy Director, National Lottery Regulatory Commission at a courtesy visit by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to FirstBank in commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the Commission.

and, as directed by the NSC. The court ordered ASLA and STOAN to refund excess revenue made from 2009 to date to the Cargo Defense Fund. Meanwhile, counsel to the second defendant, the Shippers’ Association Lagos State (SALS), Mr Osuala Nwagbara, said he would be glad if the date of hearing was brought forward. Nwagbara said his client was suffering because STOAN and ASLA were still collecting the charges.

Counsel to the NSC, Mr Emeka Akabogu, expressed dissatisfaction with the long adjournment, saying that he would meet his client (NSC) on the next step to take.

Akabogu said the counsel to the Appellant (STOAN), Mr Femi Atoyebi, failed to file the appellant’s brief as ordered by the court since the last adjournment.

“We are not satisfied with the long adjournment, we are going to meet with our client on the steps we are going to take,” the lawyer said. Akabogu noted that the case was an urgent national matter and it deserved outmost urgency by the court.

However, counsel to ASLA, Mr Chidi Ilogu said the court was not ready to take the matter because it had a crowded list of cases. “It is because of the circumstances. We do not have a choice than to accept that date,” Ilogu said.

Global economy loses $250bn yearly to fake products — Philips

By PROVIDENCE OBUH

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hilips Innovations Nigeria Limited, providers of personal health and lighting solutions businesses of Royal Philips of the Netherlands, has decried the over 50 percent faking of its products in Nigeria, saying that world-wide cross border trade in physical counterfeiting alone, cost the global economy $250 billion yearly.

To this end, Philips Nigeria has announced plans to kick-off a campaign known as “Buy Original” which had already started in Kenya since October 2014 and will move across West Africa during June 2015 to combat the menace.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, General Manager, Personal Health, Philips West Africa, Mrs. Chioma Iwuchukwu-Nweke, said that, Counterfeiting is designed to mislead

the public and all who are involved in buying and selling the product in order to make easy money by free riding on the reputation of others, “In Nigeria and other countries, a number of Philips lamps (lighting products) sold are counterfeits. Cheap components found in the counterfeit lamps, such as the driver which regulates electrical voltage, cause the lamp to fail well before its stated lifetime. Also, it can prove to be a hazard because of the poor construction. Counterfeits are therefore dangerous to consumers.”

She disclosed that the company would be introducing innovative hologram security stickers for lamps, providing a 16 digit code validation code for all Philips Lighting products, as well as the “original” sticker for their consumer lifestyle and lighting products to enable consumers to easily and instantaneously identify originals.

Iwuchukwu-Nweke said, “For all Philips consumer appliances and

Philips AVENT baby products, Philips is introducing a hologram sticker on packaging so that consumers can identify authentic products. It is hard to pinpoint where the fake product or packaging is originally made, where the shipment originates, and who is responsible for exporting the product.

“While there are no reliable industry wide statistics on the number of products that are counterfeits; from market feedback we receive, we know that this issue is very severe. Philips wants to work alongside consumers, government authorities, other MNCs and relevant organizations to see how we can collaborate together to enlighten and inform the consumers on matters relating to counterfeiting.

We urge the public to become more vigilant and question products that seem to be unusually cheap, appear poorly made, or have generic packaging; especially when shopping at more traditional trade stores.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 — 25

Business & Economy

Billfinger divests 33.4% stake in Julius Berger Dangote to open N78.4bn cement factory in Asia

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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ilfinger SE, a minority shareholder with a holding of 33.4 per cent in Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (JBN) has expressed its decision to divest its stake to Nigerian investors.

In a statement, the construction giant said Billfinger has notified the Board of Julius Berger of its decision to dispose of its remaining stake in JBN to long term Nigerian investors on or before the end of June 2015 JBN states that this proposed transaction will lead to the exit of the representative of Bilfinger SE from the Board of JBN. The Company added that the decision is based on Bilfinger ’s strategic realignment from a construction company to an engineering and services group in the last decade which saw Bilfinger SE divest totally from its construction activities.

The Board of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and the Executive Management strongly believes that the exit of Bilfinger SE will not impact on JBN in view of the strategic business directions being undertaken by the Board and Management of the Company which would sustain and increase JBN’s efficiency and responsiveness as well as set basis for a future of long lasting success.

The

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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AGM: From left, HRH Igwe Peter Nwokike Anugwu discussing with former Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Wolfgang Goetsch during the 45th AGM of Julius Berger Plc in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan. th conglomerate at its 45 Annual General Meeting for the year ended December 31, 2014 held in Abuja on Wednesday, announced a whopping N196 billion income. The company’s revenue for the period under review stood at N196 billion from N212 billion recorded in 2013, representing a loss of 7.49 per cent. Profit before tax also dropped to N13.134 billion from N16.220 billion posted in the previous years

while its profit after taxation increased to N8.239 billion

The decision is based on Bilfinger’s strategic realignment from a construction company to an engineering and services group

in 2014 from N7.853 billion announced in 2013 representing 4.92 percent rise. The company offered a dividend of 270 kobo per ordinary share of 50 kobo each in the sum of N3.564 billion to its shareholders while its Shareholders’ funds rose to N26.095 billion in 2014 from N21.034 billion in 2013 while earning per share went down by 8.81 percent from N6.72 in 2013 to N6.13 in the year under consideration.

Africans able to drive economic integration, growth – CBN

By NAOMI UZOR

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he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has said that Africans have the capacity to drive the continent’s economic integration, growth and development rather than relying entirely on foreign investors.

Commenting on the Dangote’s 2.5 million metric tonnes cement plant established recently in Ethiopia, the Governor of CBN, Godwin Emefiele, said the recent expansion drive of Alhaji Aliko Dangote confirms that Africans has the capacity to drive the continent’s economy integration, growth and development rather than depend almost entirely on foreign investors, especially at a time when the regional economy of sub-Saharan African and the economy of many of the constituents countries seem to be slowing down due to the impact of global shocks.

“I must commend Dangote cement for its expansion projects. The trust of the event is undeniably momentous for the entire Africa continent particularly as it underscores the importance of

fostering intra Africa investments.

Africa must first and foremost invest in Africa. We need to promote a symbolic and mutually beneficial flow of direct investment within the continent” he said.

He noted that the plant was undertaken at a cost of about $600 million and it is arguably the single largest investment in Ethiopia by an African entrepreneur, adding that, he believes that the investment will booster intra-regional trade, deepen financial market, create wealth, reduce poverty and unemployment and ultimately engender gross domestic product in Ethiopia with particular effects throughout the sub region.

For this, he said, Nigerians are very proud of Alhaji Dangote, an entrepreneur who is a patriotic African and a true ambassador of Nigeria.

The President/ Chief Executive, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said the company’s decision to set up the multimillion dollar plant in Ethiopia was informed by the enabling environment the government of Ethiopia had in place for investors and that this favorable investment makes

Ethiopia attractive to foreign investors.

“The government has made remarkable progress and has superintended a period of significant and inclusive economic growth that has seen official Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rates of Ethiopia surpassing 10 per cent, over the past decade, with a projection of 10.6 per cent in 2015.”

“This makes Ethiopia the largest economy by GDP in East and Central Africa. The government is also investing massively in several largescale infrastructure projects, including construction of the continent’s largest hydropower dam. All these make Ethiopia a beautiful bride to investors” he said. He said he believes that manufacturing, and not trading, is the best way to grow an economy, and that apart from cement production, they are also investing substantially in other sectors of the economy such as agriculture, oil and gas refinery, fertilizer and petrochemicals and in all, they have 13 subsidiaries in Nigeria and are investing about $16 billion between now and 2018, in new projects and existing plants.

angote Cement Plc has set plans in motion to open N78.4 billion ($400 million) factory with a 2 million metric tonnes in Nepal, Asia before the next 30 months.

While awaiting all regulatory approvals required to start the construction of a cement factory in the south Asian nation, Aliko Dangote, says the company has received 90 per cent of the regulatory approvals to commence operation by end of 2017. “It’s going to be one of the first factories for us to build outside our comfort zone, outside Africa,” Dangote, who has never visited Nepal, will invest $400 million in the country to build a cement plant with a capacity of as much as 2 million metric tons. He’s also eyeing South America and surveying for limestone in Brazil, where he registered a company two years ago. Nepal’s government estimates reconstruction costs from April’s quake, which killed thousands, alone will exceed $10 billion, even before the country was hit by a separate 7.3 magnitude temblor last month. “It will be a major boost for them, especially with what happened,” Dangote said.

“They don’t produce cement at the moment, they import mainly from India.”

There is room for Dangote to move into Nepal, said Andy Gboka, a fund manager at Bellevue Asset Management AG, which manages more than $5 billion and holds Dangote Cement shares.

“There is not enough production capacity and unfortunately you saw what happened with the earthquake and the infrastructure that was damaged,” Gboka said by phone from Zurich. “Even though this is coming from a negative event, there is a strong growth story in the Nepal region.” The tycoon, with a net worth of $15.4 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, has made the vast majority of his fortune in African cement production. He also has interests including sugar and more recently oil refineries in Nigeria.

Dangote’s charity gave $1 million to Nepal’s government after the deadly earthquakes.

He said he has made more than 20 billion naira ($100 million) of donations in more than two years, mainly in African countries such as Nigeria, Niger, Kenya, Tanzania and Ebola-hit nations in West Africa.

26 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Corporate Finance

Stanbic IBTC to publish names of loan defaulters

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tanbic IBTC, the local unit of South Africa’s Standard Bank in response to directive of the apex bank, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will make public list of loan defaulters.

Stanbic IBTC would be among the first banks to publish such a list after the regulator directed banks in April to go after nonperforming loans to forestall a repeat of a 2009 industry bailout that cost the government $4 billion.

The new plan requires banks to give bad debtors three months to square their accounts, following which they would be named in Nigerian media and barred from taking part in currency and government debt markets in Africa’s biggest economy.

An online publication quoted that Stanbic, in a statement said that in addition to publishing a list of defaulters by the end of August, it would also use legal and other means to recover non-performing loans.

LBSAA holds President’s dinner to fete alumni

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lumni of Lagos Business School (LBS) who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields will be celebrated at the 21st President’s Dinner organised by the LBS Alumni Association (LBSAA), where high-level networking opportunities will be fostered.

The annual event, scheduled to hold on 27 June 2015 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos is one of the biggest corporate and social events of LBS. Mr. Wole Oshin,LBSAA President, said this year’s President’s Dinner would be attended by a good number of the institution’s alumni who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields.

“The event would create a platform for high-level networking among icons of the Nigerian business community and highlight the School’s leading role in nurturing Nigeria’s business leaders,” he said.

According to Mr. Henry Onukwuba, Director, Alumni Relations, LBS, awards will be presented to deserving Nigerians and the best alumni class would also be honoured.

He said: “The event will be graced by distinguished professionals and captains of industry from all walks of life, some of them, products of the prestigious institution.”

GOOGLE DAY: From Left, Tolu Ogunkoya, Chief Executive Officer, MediaReach OMD; Juliet Chiazor, Country Manager, Google Global Services Nigeria Limited; and Patrick Gomes, Chief Digital Officer, Google; at ‘Google Day’; an event organized on brand marketing at OMD’s office in Lagos.

Lead Capital canvasses banking reforms to grow real estate market

By PETER EGWUATU

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he Chief Executive Officer of Lead Capital Plc, Prince Abimbola Olashore, has said that to unlock opportunities in Nigeria’s real estate market, the financial sector has to be reformed, fair banking practices have to be adopted and better supervision has to be focused on.

He explained that this will also stabilise prices in the long run and help to utilise the 17 million deficits in the real estate market which represents a huge opportunity.

Olashore, stated this during a paper presentation on “Unlocking the Opportunities in the Nigerian Residential Real Estate market: The Investor ’s Perspective” at a forum recently organised by Lekki Gardens Estate Investment in Lagos.

According to him, the opportunities inherent in the sector lies in the fact that there’s an increasing population growth in which more than 80 per cent of Nigerians live in settlements and demand for housing far exceeds the supply.

His words “Opportunities in the real estate financing can be seen from the increasing population growth, rapid urbanisation and the growth of the middle class have spurred demand for real

estate. With the level of housing at only 2 dwelling units per thousand people compared to a rate of 8-10

Opportunities in the real estate financing can be seen from the increasing population growth

dwelling units per thousand people as recommended by the United Nations. Nigeria has a population growth rate of 3 percent and a ruralurban migration rate of 5 per cent per annum. The rate of housing demand continues to exceed supply, presenting ample opportunities for growth and development”.

Viewing the investment perspective of the Real Estate, he portrayed Africa and the Emerging market as being field with opportunities for

healthy returns due to their increasing growth fundamentals. This is due to the fact that the Eurozone crisis has slowed down growth and weakened advanced economies from their strong position as an investment destination. This has made investors focus on promising markets, such as Africa, and the fact that Africa’s cities are experiencing an influx of residents in search of work and better standards of Living.

The Managing Director of FSDH Merchant Bank, Mr Rilwan Belo-Osagie, who spoke from the Banker ’s perspective on ‘Financing Real Estate deals’ stated that one of the peculiarities in the industry is that there is a large demand for housing in Nigeria and as such the Real Estate business is growing fast. “The key issue in financing real estate is achieving bankability, and dealing with weak value chains which ranges from property registration and taxes, Infrastructures, high interest rates demand, and access to long term finances.

Unless we get more mortgages in Nigeria, developing the residential real estate among other real estates will be difficult.”

While trying to unlock real estate opportunities from the media perspective, the Publisher of Business Day Paper, Mr Frank Aigbogun reiterated that more clarity is required on the part of those developing and buying houses, in order to understand the dynamics of sector, what drives it, and how it is compared with those abroad? According to him all these will aid reporting of the sector better .

Heritage Bank partners PMAN on biometric card scheme

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eritage Bank has announced its partnership support with the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) for the launch of a Biometrics Card Scheme for members of the music body.

The PMAN Biometrics Card Scheme, a flagship multi-purpose identity card project which was initiated to re-validate the association’s eminent status in the nation’s entertainment industry, is conceived as a starting point of an all-inclusive scheme to ensure significant levels of protection for Nigerian musicians’ commercial rights.

PMAN President, Pretty Okafor, explained that the Scheme is a product of a comprehensive assessment of the nation’s entertainment business landscape which shows that Nigerian musicians and their colleagues in the entertainment sector have been earning far below the commercial value of their works due to a variety of factors such as poor infrastructure and weak institutional and policy environment.

According to him, the Scheme would make it possible for PMAN to develop a sound database of genuine practitioners in the nation’s music business sector, thereby strengthening the anti-

piracy campaign.

Additionally, the card would serve as a debit ATM Card as well as avail members a CUG (Close User Group) platform to call their music business associates for a fixed monthly flat rate using the network service provider that is also partnering with PMAN in the Scheme. Heritage Bank’s Group Head of e-bank, Tobe Nnadozie, said the Bank’s decision to be part of the PMAN Biometrics Card Scheme is informed by its unwavering commitment to wealth creation, preservation and transfer in the entertainment sector.

“The entertainment sector has been identified as one of the biggest economic blocs in the country with potential to contribute hugely to the development of the national economy. Sadly, entertainment practitioners are being hampered from enjoying large chunks of what they deserve as income from their creative investments. As a bank that is wholly committed to the mantra of wealth creation and preservation, Heritage Bank is more than ready and willing to partner with PMAN in the task of sanitizing the environment so that entertainment practitioners can really flourish”.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 — 27

Corporate Finance

CAP posts N2.4bn profit, pays N595m dividend C

hemical and Allied Products, CAP Plc, a subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria Plc and manufacturer of Dulux paint, has posted a Profit Before Tax, PBT of N2.44 billion in its financial year ended December 31, 2014.

This shows a 17 per cent increase over the previous year. The company’s turnover also rose to N6.99 billion, indicating a growth of 13 per cent during the same period.

Based on the performance, the Board recommended a final dividend of N595 million, representing 85 kobo for every 50 kobo of ordinary share to shareholders on the register of members at the close of business on May 28th 2015. This, in addition to the Interim dividend of 150 kobo per share paid on November 19, 2015, brought the total dividend for 2014 financial year to N1.645 billion, representing 235 kobo per share.

The proposal received an overwhelmingly approval from the shareholders during the meeting.

Addressing shareholders at the Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Lagos, the Chairman, Mr Larry Ettah, said: “Businesses have continued to be buffeted by the usual challenges of poor

infrastructure and public services, insecurity, official corruption, multiple taxes, power supply shortfalls and volatile capital market.” He explained that power supply declined so precipitously in the country that public power became non-existent just as the currency devaluation heralded another round of sharp increases in the prices of inputs.

He stressed that coupled

with the elevated political risk due to the elections recently held in the country, investment dried up as consumer purchasing power remained weak.

Ettah further stated that the effects of these developments on the economy were low corporate revenues and margins and higher cost of doing business.

On the company’s plan for the future, he said, “As a

forward looking business, we will continue to seek and harness opportunities that ensure we remain relevant and create more value for you, our esteemed shareholders.

We will invest in cutting edge technology for paint manufacture that will enable your company to efficiently meet the needs of consumers, allowing them to express their colour preferences in the local variant of our flagship brand.”

WORKSHOP - From left: Managing Solicitor, Tayo Tiwo and Co. Mr. Tayo Tiwo; Director of Lands, Lagos State, Mr. Tunde Oyegbola; and Chief Executive Officer, SOFUNIX Investment and Communications Limited, Mr. Sola Oni, during a workshop on “Perfection of Titles in Nigeria: Issues and Resolutions” in Lagos.

Ecobank, Mastercard sign pact on payment solutions

By PETER EGWUATU

E

cobank Transnational Inc. (“Ecobank”) has signed a landmark multi-country agreement with global payments technology company, MasterCard to bring MasterCard’s payment solutions to more than 32 sub-Saharan African markets. It is a move that is expected to increase the acceptance and adoption of electronic payments in Africa.

A culmination of the multi-country licensing agreement signed by MasterCard and Ecobank in January 2014, this initiative will see Ecobank issue MasterCard debit, prepaid, and credit cards to millions of its customers over the next 10 years. Ecobank will also roll out innovative MasterCard acceptance solutions designed to expand the number of merchant locations that accept MasterCard payment cards on the continent.

Albert Essien, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank, says: “This collaboration with MasterCard will enable us to achieve our vision of contributing to the economic and financial integration and development

of the African continent by rolling out convenient, accessible and reliable financial products and services to our customers. Specifically, the initiative enables us to extend our MasterCard acquiring capabilities at thousands of merchants across Africa, grow our ecommerce acquiring business, and expand our service offerings to retail and commercial customers in Africa.”

Michael Miebach, President, Middle East and Africa at MasterCard, adds: “Bringing the benefits of electronic payments to markets across Africa and creating a world beyond cash is a primary focus for MasterCard. By collaborating with a leading pan-African financial institution such as the Ecobank Group with its extensive regional reach and established infrastructure, another successful step has been taken in ensuring access to safe, secure and convenient payments via MasterCard payment solutions.” As a result of the agreement, cardholders will now be able to access their funds at millions of automated teller machines in Africa and worldwide. They will also be able to pay for products and services in 210 countries and territories where MasterCard payment cards are accepted

today. The agreement will also see Ecobank roll out thousands of mobile point of sale devices to retailers in selected African countries, further boosting Ecobank’s current panAfrican network.

First millionaire emerges in Skye Bank reward scheme

A businessman residing in Kaduna, Kaduna State, Mukaila B. Hamza, has emerged the first winner of one million naira in Skye Bank’s ‘Reach for the Skye Millionaire Reward’ scheme.

Hamza, a former Mainstreet Bank account holder, now merged with Skye Bank, became the first winner of the scheme, following an electronic draw involving over 400,000 customers, during the unveiling of Skye Bank’s new retail banking project, tagged, ‘Retail Transformation and Growth’, R-TAG. A surprise congratulatory phone call was made to the winner by Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, who urged him to invest his reward wisely and continue his loyalty to the bank.

Speaking earlier at the launch of the project in Lagos on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, Mr. Oguntayo, assured that the new business transformation project would bring about customized and needssatisfying financial solutions in a manner that will exceed the expectations of the customers.

In his words, “Our renewed drive and focus on retail banking is anchored on the premise of building a long lasting relationship with our customers based on trust as well as supporting the financial inclusion drive of the CBN so as to bring a lot more people into the financial system and the formal economy.”

For her part, the Executive Director, South South, South East and Retail Banking, Mrs. Ibiye Ekong stated that the ‘Reach for the Skye Millionaire Reward’ scheme was instituted by the bank to encourage savings culture amongst the mass market segment.

NSE , LSE partner to stage capital market road show in London

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he Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has concluded arrangements to lead corporate finance experts, lawyers, capital market operators, regulators and companies keen to explore a London/Lagos dual listing, to an investor road show at London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), as part of efforts aimed at promoting dual listing and showcasing the potential of quoted companies on the NSE to global markets.

Scheduled to be held on June 22, 2015, the event is in furtherance to the agreement signed in November 2014 between the NSE and LSEG to

strengthen cooperation and promote mutual development between the two exchanges. According to the CEO of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, the event will bring together key market stakeholders to discuss opportunities for dual listing in the London and Nigerian capital markets. “It is an opportunity for engagement between the UK and Nigerian capital markets with a view to deepening domestic and regional markets; enhancing liquidity and identifying institutional and capacity building initiatives needed to develop both markets and create long term value for respective stakeholders.

28 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Banking & Finance

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FCMB rewards more customers at second draw of millionaire promo

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nother set of 643 customers of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited have been rewarded at the second draw of the Bank’s ongoing promotion tagged, ‘’FCMB Millionaire Promo.” The winners emerged at the electronic selection exercise which took place across the 3 Regions and 25 zones of the Bank nationwide on Wednesday, June 17, 2015. While 3 customers of the Bank were rewarded with the sum of N1 million each at the Regional draws held in Akure (Ondo state; Awka (Anambra state) and Abuja, a total of 640 others smiled home with LED televisions, generating sets, decoders, tablets, smart phones and other consolation prizes at the Zonal draws held in different parts of the country.

The FCMB Millionaire Promo, which commenced in February and run till July, is targeted at all segments of the society and for existing as well as potential savings account customers.

Fidelity Bank rewards loyal customers

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idelity Bank Plc has rewarded loyal customers with the sum of N52 million in the on-going Fidelity Loyalty Savings Scheme. A total of 106 customers were rewarded in this second batch; 80 beneficiaries received N500,000 “Xtra income” each, under Fidelity Personal Savings Scheme (FPSS) while 26 SWEETA account holders received N150,000 “School fees support” each.

The Fidelity Loyalty Savings Scheme is a special scheme designed to appreciate customers that had opened Fidelity Personal Savings Scheme and SWEETA accounts respectively. The accounts are interest-yielding which allows deposit of cash, cheques and dividend warrants. In addition, the FPSS and SWEETA account can be opened with any amount.

Another presentation will be held next month to a fresh set of beneficiaries of the scheme.

So, open and start saving today and you could win Extra income and School fees support with your FPSS and SWEETA account.

USTICE Olayinka Faji of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, on Friday, granted bail to five employees of three commercial banks involved in the N8 billion mutilated currency scam.

However, the court denied bail to 10 others, including three employees of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The officials are Ademola Adewale of Wema Bank; Kehinde Fatokun, Olukunle Sijuade of First City Monument Bank and Ajuwon Bolade. The accused were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges bordering on fraud, forgery and violation of the bank employees code of conduct.

The three CBN staff are Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Adeola, and Togun Philip.

Others include, Isaq Akano, Ayodele Adeyemi, Oyebamiji Akeem, Ayodeji Aleshe and Ajiwe Adegoke, all of First Bank Plc and Oni Dolapo and Afolabi Olunike of Wema Bank.

Delivering his ruling on the bail applications made by the accused persons, Faji said that the prosecution failed to establish a strong case against the five for which they should be denied bail.

He said that while the court could grant or deny bail based on its discretion, bail applications could be denied if prosecution could prove that trial could be hampered if bail was granted. “The prosecution had not proven well enough that these five accused could attempt to jeopardise the case by concealing evidence or influencing witnesses.

“Although the offences,

Currency scam: Cour Courtt grants bail to 5 accused per sons persons herein, in my view are grave as it affects the economy, yet considering the proof of evidence before me, the prosecution has no strong case against the five,” he said.

Faji, thereafter, granted each of the five accused bail in the sum of N20 million with two sureties in like sum. The judge said that the sureties must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction and have landed property in Oyo State; in addition to possessing evidence of payment of three years tax. On the other accused

persons, Faji held that their statements to the police upon their arrest suggested some level of involvement in the offences against them.

“The amount of money found in their different bank accounts and the worth of property disclosed by them, which is above their proven income, suggest that there is a strong case against them.

“Although they complied with the EFCC when they were granted administrative bail, the same may not be said of them now that they know the gravity

LAUNCH: From left, Director Healthcare Programs, Bayer Pharma AG, Dr. Michael Heerde; Director, Health, Population and Nutrition office, USAID Nigeria, Dr. Nancy Lowenthal; Director Family Health, Ministry of Health, Dr. Balami Wapada and Senior Bayer Representative/Head, Bayer Healthcare West Central Africa, Mr. Amechi Nwachukwu at the launch of Microgynon Fe Oral Contraceptive in Abuja on June 18, 2015 at Ladi Kwale Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

Access Bank’s UK subsidiary operating income up 37% Stories by PETER EGWUATU

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ccess Bank UK Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Access Bank Plc., which has just published its report and financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 recorded a growth in its operating income by 37 per cent.

The operating profit grew from 10.9-million Pounds in 2013 to 15-million pounds in 2014. The Bank’s profit before tax grew by an outstanding 138 per cent to £5-million. The latter reflects the growth in trade finance and also asset management activity by Access Private Bank. Assets under management for 2014 were £34-million, which is a year on year rise of 12.2 per cent, while total private bank customer

of what lies ahead,” he said.

He, therefore, denied them bail and ordered for accelerated trial.

The 22 bank officials are being prosecuted by the EFCC in seven different suits.

Three of the cases are before Justice Nathaniel AyoEmmanuel, while Faji is hearing four cases. Faji adjourned hearing in the four suits to June 26, July 1 and July 10 while the one involving the CBN trio and the three Wema Bank employees is Sept. 24 and Sept. 25.

funds were £46-million, a rise of 16 per cent on the previous year.

The Bank also saw a significant increase in net interest income of 94 per cent to £6.4-million as a result of the growth in loans to correspondent banks and customers. As The Access Bank UK’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Jamie Simmonds, highlights “this has been achieved while still operating within the moderate risk appetite set by the UK board”.

Further new products, such as UK fixed term deposits, were also introduced by the Bank in 2014.

Commenting on the figures, Jamie Simmonds adds: “Our second five-year plan began in 2014 and we achieved our aims and outperformed projections for the year. As at

31 December the Bank had a high capital adequacy ratio and liquid buffer assets significantly in excess of the minimum regulatory requirements. It is our intention that these will continue to be maintained at

Our achievements owe a great deal to the strong partnership that we have with our parent company, as evidenced by our joint support of the fourth Access Bank Day at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor.

satisfactory levels in the future.

“This has been a transformational year for the Bank as we have continued to grow the business based on the firm foundations that we have established and also diversify our income streams to ensure sustainable performance. We believe we have succeeded in the current financial climate where others have failed through our focus on establishing strong relationships with all our customers.

“Our achievements owe a great deal to the strong partnership that we have with our parent company, as evidenced by our joint support of the fourth Access Bank Day at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor.”

Access Bank Plc Group Managing Director Herbert Wigwe highlighted that the aim of the event at the Guards Polo Club is to raise further awareness of the issues and support required.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 — 29

Banking & Finance

Naira depreciates against major currencies T

HE Naira on Friday at the parallel market depreciated against three international currencies at the close of trading for the week.

A on Friday in Lagos showed that the Naira depreciated by N1 or 0.45 per cent against the dollar due to high demand. It sold for N221

against the dollar from the N220 it sold on Monday, June 15. The Naira also lost N27 to sell at N352 to the pound, representing 8.31 per cent depreciation from the N325 it traded on June 15.

Besides, the Naira against the euro went for N245 compared with the N238 it

sold on June 15, representing N7 or 2.97 per cent drop. The Naira against the dollar at Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official rate remained at N196.90, the rate since June 11.

But it fell by N7.96 or 2.61 per cent to the pound, selling for N313.31 from the N305.31

it sold on June 15. The currency also depreciated against the euro to sell for N224.58 compared with the N220.74 it traded on Monday.

A bureau de change operator, Mr Harrison Owoh said that the depreciation in all segments was due to a shortfall between demand and the foreign exchange available for sale. Owoh, who is the Managing Director of HJ Trust Investment Ltd., Lagos, said that a further shortfall in forex supply may lead to further depreciation.

VISIT - From left , Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr. Etekamba Umoren, Regional Director, South South II, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs Emem Udosen; Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Emmanuel Udom; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo; and Executive Director, South South/Retail Banking, Skye Bank, Mrs Ibiye Ekong, during Skye Bank’s management’s visit to the Governor.

Citigroup to shift European retail banking base to Dublin C

ITIGROUP is planning to shift the head office of its European retail banking operation to Dublin from London to benefit from lower costs and capital requirements.

This week the bank wrote to clients to say the UK-based business, Citibank International Limited, which operates a small number of branches across some 20 European countries, would be taken over by Dublin-based Citibank Europe Plc. “From a strategic perspective for Citi, moving to a single pan-European bank is expected to reduce operational and regulatory complexity, capital requirements and cost,” the company told clients.

Reuters quoted analysts saying UK rules that require banks to hold a higher level

of cash in reserve than other European countries do was likely to be a factor behind the move but that they did not expect to see a stream of other banks moving their headquarters from the UK. A spokeswoman for the bank said the change in the retail bank’s legal domicile and principal regulatory base would not involve job cuts and that the leadership of the European retail operation would continue to be based in London.

“The primary reason (for the move) is simplification, mirroring Citi’s strategy of creating a simpler, safer, stronger institution,” she said.

Citigroup has been scaling back its retail operations in recent years and remains a small player in Europe.

Citibank International Ltd

employed 4,600 people at the end of last year, filings show. Citibank Europe Plc employed 4,300 and currently focuses on providing transaction services to financial services and corporate clients.

The spokeswoman denied that the decision to rebase in Dublin was influenced by the possibility of the UK leaving the European Union following the referendum on EU membership which is due to be held in the next two years.

Also, although Ireland has become a magnet for international financial institutions thanks to its low tax rate, the spokeswoman said the restructuring was not tax driven.

Regulatory capital Since the financial crisis regulators have increased the

amount of cash and government bonds banks must keep in reserve in case of financial storms.

Higher capital requirements mean less money to lend out or invest and consequently lower returns for a bank.

European Union countries apply the same international rules on capital requirements.

However, on top of the basic reserve requirements, regulators require some banks to hold additional capital as a buffer. The amount depends on the regulator’s perception of the bank’s systemic or business risks.

The UK’s banking industry is much larger in terms of its assets as a percentage of national GDP than that of other countries in Europe, which means bank failures could cause bigger economic ripples than elsewhere.

This has led the UK regulator to require banks to set aside more money than other European countries demand, analysts said.

Ecobank lends support to women entrepreneurs, partners WOWE festival

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n line with its corporate disposition to sustainable women empowerment, Ecobank Nigeria is partnering Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) on the hosting of this year Women of West Africa Entrepreneurship (WOWe) Festival.

WOWe Festival 2015 with the theme ‘Vision to Reality’ slated for June 25 and 26 will provide the opportunity for female entrepreneurs and corporate professional women with entrepreneurial ambitions, to secure practical information on how to transform their businesses and realize their entrepreneurial ambitions.

The conference will also provide a high level networking platform that connects the most influential women entrepreneurs who will exchange ideas, address challenges, uncover new strategies and dialogue on issues relating to entrepreneurship.

CBN holds meeting with banks on forex rules

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ENTRAL Bank of Nigeria, CBN on Friday called a meeting with chief executives and treasurers of banks to discuss issues surrounding its policy on the foreign exchange market, multiple banking sources told Reuters.

The central bank imposed tight controls on the foreign exchange market in February to curb speculation on the naira and save its dwindling foreign reserves in Africa’s biggest economy. Before setting the restrictions, the central bank had been battling to prop up the naira after a sharp fall in the price of oil, Nigeria’s main export, which triggered a sell-off in assets by foreign investors.

The central bank also fixed the rate at which banks can buy dollars from oil companies.

Traders were upbeat on the outcome of the meeting which they claimed was long overdue to ease the tight control in the market and allow the local currency to find its real value.

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30 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Homes & Housing

NMRC to open 2015 Abuja housing show

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igerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) will kick-start the programme for this year’s Abuja Housing show.

The annual Abuja Housing show billed to take place from 6th to 8th July, 2015 is the biggest platform for exhibition of housing products in Abuja.

NMRC will open the event with a session tagged “Affordable Housing for Nigerians- what does this exactly mean?”

Notable experts drawn from various areas of the housing sector have been invited. Some of the organizations that will be part of the deliberation include: Director, Other Financial Institutions Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Director-General, National Pension Commission (PENCOM); National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria (NICON); Mortgage Bankers Association of Nigeria (MBAN) and; Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN).

Discussions will focus on land issues, delivery of standardized and affordable housing, building standard as well as the supply side of the housing equation (construction finance). Some state commissioners are expected to be part of the sessions. A communiqué will be issued at the end of the day.

Meanwhile, over 100 exhibitors and various stakeholders from every part of the country are set to attend the Abuja housing show which is expected to be declared open by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

This year’s Abuja housing show is sponsored by NMRC, FMBN, Dangote Cement, Rock of Ages Limited, Nigerite, GoodHomes and Shelter Afrique, with Festus Adebayo as coordinator.

Abuja Housing show is an event of FESADEB communications Limited, producers of Housing Programme on AIT, NTA and Raypower. The event has become an ideal place for networking, meeting visitors and selling deals.

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•Warren Buffet, one of the richest men in the world, lives in the same house he bought in 1958 for $31,500.

Nigeria among African countries with best property investment prospects Stories by YINKA KOLAWOLE, with agency report

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eal estate remains a booming opportunity for Africa-focused investors for good reasons.

The growth of cities creates a demand for increased volumes of high-quality commercial and residential real estate. Also, the rise of the urban middle class drives retail property development, particularly as modern shopping malls spread across the continent.

A growing number of multinational companies are searching for office space in the newly emerging cities. The rise of regional tech hubs and an expanding oil and gas sector creates job opportunity with no place to house the employees.

A survey by Venture Africa lists Nigeria among the topmost countries in the continent that offer the greatest investment opportunities in real estate.

Angola Angola is Africa’s fifth largest economy with Luanda and Huambo as its major cities.

Despite the recent construction of new properties across the both cities, primarily Luanda, the country suffers from a lack of good quality office and residential space. Surveys reveals that the majority of the near 300,000 square meters of office space brought to the market during 2014 – 2015 was already pre-leased or sold before officially opening.

Prices for office space, accordingly, are the highest in Africa at $150 per square metre per month in Luanda

nd (the 2 highest in Africa is comparatively $65 per square metre less). The retail market, although in its infancy, also provides a high return on investment with prices at $120 per square metre per month and a rapidly expanding middle class in Luanda.

Nigeria Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy with Lagos and Abuja as its major cities. You get mix reviews from developers in Lagos and Abuja on the effects

of recent construction. Capital has been poured extensively

As Africa’s sixth fastest growing economy, Nigeria is likely the most attractive market for retail property

into both cities. Yet the prices in both markets are consistently at two of the most expensive. Lagos office space rents for $85 per square metre per month while the Abuja office space, despite being in a market nearly 1/4 the size of Lagos, still rents for $72 per square per month.

As Africa’s sixth fastest growing economy (according to IMF projections 2015-2019), Nigeria is likely the most attractive market for retail property. Private equity funds have been active in this space in Nigeria for several years but prices remain high. It is home rd th to the 3 and 4 expensive market for retail space at $80 per square metre and $72 per square metre per month in Lagos and Abuja respectively.

An executive house with 4 bedrooms goes for $8,000 and $8,500 per month in Lagos and Abuja, while in Angola, the same property costs about $25,000.

Egypt Egypt is Africa’s third largest economy with Cairo, Alexandria and Giza as its major cities. Egypt is not Africa’s fastest growing economy – not even breaking the top 20 in Africa for the next five years. But its retail market is booming and looks to stay so in the near future. The drop in the retail sector during the Arab Spring hurt the growing sector back in 2013 through 2014.

Cairo retail space is renting for $100 per square metre per month. Office space rents for $35 per square metre per month in Cairo, making it one of top 15 expensive cities.

Firm begins work on 10,000 Abuja workers’ houses

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ock of Ages Properties limited, a member of (CHICASON) Group has started the construction of 10,000 housing units Estate at Lugbe South in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).Chairman of the CHICASON Group, Chief Dr Chika Okafor, who disclosed this, said about 3,000 units of the housing development which are meant for civil servants and other interested individuals will be delivered before the end of year.

He assured all the subscribers that the houses will be ready before the second quarter of next year, based on what he termed the good the reputation of the CHICASON Group. Okafor further noted that the Trade Union Congress (TUC) is one of the major subscribers of the houses. Meanwhile, Executive director of CHICASON Group, Adike Chux, said the United Workers Housing Scheme is a housing development that would deliver 10,000 housing units in plot 301 and 302 of L22 Southern Lugbe of the FCT in the phase 5 FCT development.

Chux explained that the project is been sponsored by CHICASON Group and the developer is Rock of Ages, a subsidiary of the Group, while the other collaborators for the project include TUC, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Nigeria Mortgage Refinance company (NMRC), Trusts Bond

Mortgage Bank and other banks. He added that the subscribers of the project cut across all works of lives, including the staff of Nigeria Customs and ECOWAS. According to Chux, the houses are in 12 different house styles and affordable to subscribers. “The subscribers will make equity contributions depending on the house type referred; the apartment blocks ranges from 2 bedroom flats to 3 bedroom flats, and workers who are contributors to Pension and National Housing Fund automatically qualify to apply for the houses. Some of the facilities and social infrastructures the subscribers will enjoy are good road network, independent power supply, water that will be metered to various apartments, hospital, secondary school, primary school, banks, petrol stations, office complexes, motor service stations, shopping mall.

To achieve all this, CHICASON is working with Development Control of the FCDA to avoid the use of substandard materials.

The project is bigger than that of Gwarinpa and in the next six months, construction works would have gone far,” he stated.Also speaking, Professor Charles Ofoegbu, former Director General of NBBRI, said the United Housing Scheme for Nigeria workers falls in line with what he has been advocating for in the past 10 years in Nigeria’s housing policy.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 — 31

People in Business

•Dr. Akunne at work

•Modified Langstroth hive

•Some of the products

Apiculture'll solve health, unemployment problems - Dr. Akunne

By EBELE ORAKPO

D

r Chidi Akunne is

a Consultant Apiarist and senior lecturer in the Department of Zoology and Entomology Option, Nnamdi Azikiwe University. In this chat with Financial Vanguard in Awka recently, he spoke on the Modified Langstroth Hive, honey wine and other products, noting that honey can help provide the much needed employment as well as food security.

Excerpts:

The Beehive: According to Dr. Akunne, he and his friend, Chiegele Akpoke invented the Modified Langstroth Hive for beekeeping and honey production.

"The beehive has two sections - the lower or brood chamber and the upper or super chamber. The brood chamber is where the queen bee and young ones reside while the upper chamber or super is for honey production.

"The advantage the Modified Langstroth Hive has over others is that both chambers (brood and super) are on the same side, affording the super chamber more space to store honey.

"Through beekeeping or apiculture, we can have honey as our primary product apart from beeswax used for candle making, paint making, shoe polish, pharmaceutical and therapeutic purposes as well as food."

The advantage Modified Langstroth Hive has over others is that both chambers (brood and super) are on the same side, affording the super chamber more space to store honey

Tonic wine: "I also made honey tonic wine which is more medicinal than the table wine.

Other products are bee propolis which is even more medicinal than the honey people clamour for. So beekeeping/honey production is purely for economic empowerment especially for the youth and young entrepreneurs."

Job creation: "Today, we talk about unemployment so beekeeping/honey production is really a venture that people can engage in small scale to curb the problem of unemployment. It empowers the youths, even the women are involved.

Food security: "Honey is good food for everybody - the young and the old as well as for health purposes.

As we know, today in Nigeria, healthcare is not easily accessible but with honey, you can solve a lot of health problems.""

Challenges: "There are challenges and risks in all professions. But with beekeeping, the

•Dr. Chidi Akunne...with beekeeping, the number one challenge, bee sting, is beneficial.

number one challenge, bee sting, is beneficial.

Bee sting medicinal: "One cannot engage in beekeeping without bee stings but we have reduced it to the barest minimum.

And of course, bee sting is not detrimental, it is medicinal.

In one of my write-ups, I talked about using it to solve the problem of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and cancer because from records, bee venom has actually done wonders in these areas so bee sting is not bad, people use it to cure some

diseases.

"But for someone to be involved in beekeeping, you have to protect yourself.

There are bee suits, smoker used to calm the bees because the bees release pheromones. A pheromone is a chemical released by an animal and it changes the behaviour of another animal of the same species. In this case, bees. They are sometimes described as behaviour-altering agents.

"The pheromones tell other bees that there is danger and they start stinging, but once you are protected, you will not be afraid," said Akunne.

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32 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Interview

By EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief & EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

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any Nigerians are looking up to the Federal Inland Revenue Service to bail the country out of the current revenue crisis, owing to the fall in oil revenue, what strategies have you put in place to raise your tax collection?

It is all about our common interest because we are all affected. If Nigeria does not have enough revenue, it would not be able to execute government programmes. But you know that the life line of the revenue source of this country is oil. If it does well, you would not know there is problem in all the other sectors.

But how do you do effective tax administration in the face of the present tax system? A good tax system is based on the law, the policy and the administration.

The last Minister of Finance had anticipated that the oil price would be on the declining end and suggested a list of new surcharges. They thought it would be sufficient to block the leakages and assist the budget deficit but that has not been realised. On our part, we keyed into it because we saw it as a veritable source towards addressing the declining revenue.

But we have not been able to collect. The reason is that Nigeria lacks the policy and law that support it. We are revenue administrators but we do not have that enabling law.

There are sources of revenue but what is needed is to understand what is driving the tax collection and remain focus.

Whatever we do have to be within the national Tax Policy. For us in FIRS, I can only improve on my limit. I have to follow the tax administration and can not influence the Minister of Finance.

The Minister had proposed a new VAT ( Value Added Tax) rate but the question is, are we prepared to implement this new rate? We are not because the power to do that lies with the executive as advised by the minister of Finance. I can only provide technical inputs. If we make all these policies become laws, it will help the economy.

We go to the National Assembly through the office of the Minister of Finance and Attorney General of the Federation, still the laws are not considered. That was what happened to the PIB, but we all know what PIB would have done for the economy. They have demonstrated the figures but three years on, the National Assembly is still on it. What we are doing now is to look at the laws as they exist today and see areas that can give us quick wins.

What are these “quick wins"?

We started off with the structure of the FIRS. Before now, we used to have the Tax Offices performing the functions of revenue collection and returns processing. We have the same Tax Offices doing audit work and we have the same Tax Offices doing debt management and at the same time doing tax payer education.

So, we felt that we had to restructure and allow the office to C M Y K

focus on education of tax payer, going out to bring in more tax payers and encourage them to keep books of account and not only that ensure that they bring in their returns when it is due as we are doing now. We free you of all other burdens. Let somebody else or group focus on auditing those companies. It is not a punitive step but a corrective step with a view to changing the system.

So, we are emphasising the need for engagement with tax payers because we can not do tax administration all by ourselves alone. We want to partner with tax payers and if they get it right, our job becomes easy and more focused. But we have not been promoting all these in the past.

The old way had not helped us.

We are segregating all the activities relating to audit and giving it to experts, those who really understand the language of accounting, those who understand the tax laws, coming together in what we call audit environment.

That will help us, improve transparency and accountability.

They can then give report to management from time to time, on a monthly basis what they are doing.

We have a group whose responsibility is debt management. There are huge debts out there uncollected, what we do now is that if a particular group failed to collect their debt we send a different group to go and collect them and all they will be doing is to pursue debts.

What we have done there is to create 10 regional debt management offices across the country. Their jobs will be to pursue every debtor in their region.

Are you saying you do not have all the tools needed to discharge your duties?

Yes, I will say we have not all but we are engaging relevant agencies of government. We were still talking to all of them. It was still work in progress when they ( last administration) were leaving.

Could that be why the Luxury items taxes regime has not yet started?

Yes, levy on private jets, for instance, was proposed but remember that when it comes to levy on luxury goods, we will not be the only one to collect them.

Customs, NCAA and FIRS will do some parts. It is a collective thing. For instance, customs will collect the surcharge on luxury goods being imported, NCAA will work on private jets but we needed to work together to agree on the basis of the revenue collection.

What is worrisome on that is using weight to determine how much anyone who has a private jet will pay.

But the question to ask is, for the fact that a man has brought a private jet for himself, is it right to levy N100 million on him? And is it weight that should determine how much he should pay? So, we engaged them on this. Many of them own platforms here but do not own jets. They use the platforms of foreign planes flying and they will register those private jets against their names and at the

Tax holidays require sanitisation — FIRS boss

The The dwindling dwindling oil oil revenue revenue across across the the globe globe has has left left the the Nigerian statewhere whereevery everyalternative alternativerevenue revenue Nigerian economy economy in in astate source source must must be be fully fully exploited. exploited. The The Federal Federal Inland Inland Revenue Revenue Service Service readily readily comes comes to to mind. mind. The The Acting Acting Executive Executive Chairman, Mr. Samuel Ogungbesan toldaateam teamfrom from Chairman, Ogugbesan told Vanguard Vanguardthat thathis hisorganisation organizationwas wasready readyto toplay playits itsrole rolebut but called for the enabling policies and legislations that could significantly shore up tax collection in the country. He also stressed the need to granted to companies to sanitise sanitise tax theholidays Tax Holiday granted to with pioneer status. companies with pioneer status.

Excerpts.

•Samuel Ogugbesan

We are bringing Presumptive Tax System very soon.

The idea is to enable us register every individual and businesses and determine how much they will pay

table. Tell me one man you know, who does not pay tax? But the first challenge is that we do not have centralised tax collection system.

So, it is difficult to say this man is not paying tax and I want to run after him. At a point we created a department called High Networth Individual Group in the office of the Chairman. But some members of the National Assembly whom we engaged came back to us and said 'we are not earning all the money you see against our names.' They said some of the money paid into their accounts were for constituency, accommodation and other allowances. At the end of the day, the facts were staring us in the face. We lack central tax

end, we discovered that they do not own even one private jet.

Some of them use those private jets for business purposes not for luxury after registering with the revenue agency and pay income taxes and also remit VAT on them.

So, there were a lot of issues with the administration. We were also to levy N15,000 on those flying Business Class. We thought that will start in July, but how ready are we without enabling laws.

There is this believe that big men do not pay tax, how true is this?

That is a general perception but you have to put your facts on the

•Samuel Ogugbesan

collection system in this country. That is not to say that Fiscal federalism is not okay. The states can be allowed to retain their revenue but we can work together under MoU and we help them do the collection. Constitution allows it, Canada also has Fiscal federalism, America has it. Let us work together.

But if you create silos in different states and leave the centre, we are exchanging information. But we need to capture every tax payer. When we say big men do not pay tax, we should realise that some countries have gone flat rate in tax collection. We do not want to rattle anybody or disrupt businesses because one single tax system may serve the purpose In fact, we are bringing Presumptive Tax System very soon. The idea is to enable us register every individual and

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 — 33

Interview involved, as long as, they are on that platform. For us, it is a huge revenue potential if we are able to get it.

But you know, it is ICT that will drive it. ICT today is an expensive venture, but we are ready to go by it. By the time we do it, nobody will come to remind us that somebody is not paying tax.

In every country, the informal sector is the engine of growth but if you do not partner with them, you may not be able to access anything from them.

One good thing government did was to establish the Developmental Bank of Nigeria.

That bank is now giving out loans to individuals and cottage industries. You grant them loan and it comes with moratorium period. That is for the next eighteen months, you are not required to pay back at all. In addition to that, it is at a low rate of interest.

If government has done that for you, it becomes easier for the FIRS to walk in there and demand their books of account and file in the accounts and then collect their tax.

That is why I keep saying, we can not do it all alone without the people.

Taxation in every country is every one's responsibility. Nigerians should support us, the legal people, judiciary, National Assembly will be there, giving us information about people who should pay and those who should not pay. We need information, but imagine that a tax man is there and you see people doing business and refuse to pay tax from them.

businesses and determine how much they will pay. But first of all, we need to know who our tax payers are.

If a tax man does not know who his tax payer is, it is difficult to get them to pay So, we are getting it right now. We are developing tax identification platform, which we hope will bring everyone into the platform. Looking at the success recorded in Lagos, even though they do not have the law, they started with cobblers, shoe shiners, taxi drivers and brought them into the tax system. The amount may be too small and does not disturb their business but when you put them together, it gives you the critical factor, the critical mass you need.

Because they have the data on them now, when a shoe shiner suddenly buys a machine, with the central data system, he is upgraded because his data will be seen. That is what we are trying to do with every individual. We can’t do effective tax administration if we do not have a data base of all our tax payers.

I have already met with the CBN Governor and he was happy to work with us. We have a team right now at the federal level. We have only requested states to drive it at their own end but compliance is poor, no one is following. The implication is that, if we do not have a robust data base, there is no way we can do effective tax system.

We have asked the CBN Governor to mandate all banks to ensure that no individual or corporate entity is allowed to operate his account until they have a TIN. We are working with NIMC also, so that all information they have in their databank can be uploaded into our platform, irrespective of who is

There are people whose tax es are deducted by their employees but when they request for tax clearance they are not given, how are you working to make sure that workers' taxes deducted are remitted to you?

That is a very good one but I would not want you to see it from the perception that nothing is happening. Something is happening which tends to promote compliance. I can tell you that the level of compliance from last year to this year has improved.

For those of us in the federal civil service, we have the Integrated Personnel Payroll System, IPRS platform in the office of the Accountant General. It does the calculation of pay as you earn. All you need to do is to fill in your information. There is no civil servant who is on that platform that is not captured. We have about 64 agencies integrated into this system. The number grew from 24.

The idea is to make sure that all federal government parastatals key into that platform. So, what that does is that you do not even have any control over it. The MDAs themselves cannot do it, someone is doing it for them.

For those in the private sector, that is where the problems is. The banks do the deduction but often times, they do not remit correctly.

What is important to us is to ensure that they are in our data base. And with the kind of monitoring we are doing in the recent times, we are reaching out to them and mandating them to ensure that the money they have deducted gets into our accounts. If it is filed late, we impose penalty. At least we know them. The number of agents coming into the platform is

In fact right now, no fund stays longer than 24 hours in any bank.

What about the use of consultants?

They law says no revenue agency should engage consultants for tax administration. Assessment collection and accounting for it.

We use consultants here but for training and ICT. We use consultants to build capacity but not to raise revenue. We are the one that tax payers should see in the front. We need the knowledge, the capability to collect revenue and we have done this for two years. Now we have seen that we can do it on our own and so we do not need them any longer. Let them go back to the background and rest. If they have better ideas in the future, they can come back and sell to us. But it is only in those peripheral areas.

•Samuel Ogugbesan increasing, but we are saying if every individual can do his own thing, the better for us. Let everyone account for his tax by himself but let us agree. I think, every worker has a responsibility to report to us if his employer is not remitting his tax to us. That is why we are emphasising engagement and collaboration. We are sending our people out for tax enlightenment.

There will only be problem with us when your tax is remitted to us and we fail to issue the clearance to your employer.

How do you handle tax evaders We insist they must pay. We use all our debt management staff to

In every country, the informal sector is the engine of growth but if you do not partner with them, you may not be able to access anything from them get them to pay. We use banks. It is a tripartite arrangement. We told the banks, you are collecting revenue for us , it is a collective responsibility. This tax payer is not complying. He is owing us so much, can you place a lien on the account of that tax payer?

They do not have a choice, they will do it and it is happening. That is better than to say because you have not paid, let us go to court.

Why am I going to waste my time in the court? At the end of the day, when judgment is given, we are still coming to sit down together. So what we are doing on debt management right now is promoting compliance.

There is no sense in going to seal up businesses anymore.

You owe me so much. I am not going to kill your business. You need to remain in business so that we can continue to recruit our children and I need you to continue to contribute to the GDP, so tell me how you are going to pay. That is debt management today. There is no sense in going to seal up businesses anymore.

Let me see your cash flow projection and then I say ok this is how much you need for your expenses- for your business to continue to run but tell me you must have to pay some, then we sign an MoU,- you sign and I sign and then the bank signs and I have you make payments every month.

That is what modern tax administration that yields results does.

Tax payer service, before now we were doing it from the headquarters . We need the Tax Offices to do tax payers service- just help fill forms. Now we said no. let headquarters alone be responsible for developing technical materials that will go to the fields. At the Regional level, 10 Regional Officers throughout the country, let them be the ones that will be organising stakeholders engagement with associations, with trade groups, interface with our officers there to undertake tax enlightenment programmes. It is happening at the same time across the country.

No one needs to be told that this is a new reawakening that is going to change the way we do things and we are engaging more with tax payers- they can feel us now. For the communications companies, airlines, power companies, what we are doing now is to ensure that we take our money upfront. Why do we have to encourage you to hold back our money and hold it for sometime before remitting to us. We have told them and they have assured that they will cooperate with us.

Do you still have issues with banks holding bank your money for some period, do business with it before remitting to your accounts?

Those were delay matters. They collect this money, and because we allow them then, some of them were holding back. But we have sanitised that area and as at today they are reporting as at when due.

But it is still a problem at the state and local government levels?

The last government did a lot to sanitise these problems. States and local governments can no longer just wake up and put spikes on the road. There is a Bill, we will present to the new National Assembly, the document went through a lot of negotiations.

Some states that were authorised by the former Act to collect 13 taxes, suddenly expanded it to 69.

We have to sit down with them- the Ministerial Implementation Committeee- called their members and said, this is bad administration. What do we do? So they traded off some, so the ones on which they passed laws at their state level, we allowed them to keep.For others they also introduced those taxes or levis to help grow their IGR. What we have today, I can assure you is a single document that prescribes to each tier of government , the kind of taxes it can collect.

There are issues with Tax Holidays. If a Nigerian company buys an existing business, is such a company supposed to enjoy tax holidays through the pioneer status policy?

It is not just the pioneer status exemption. It is looking at the incentive regime in totality. I am an advocate of the government giving some level of incentives to attract investment into this country. Remember , we are not a capital exporting country but capital must flow into our country. Let me give you an example, those years when we had a lot of DFIs coming into the country, those capital inflows kept our foreign exchange in check. For those four or five years, we were moving between N140 and N150=$1. And we were celebrating . The moment those foreign investments stopped coming into the country, you can see the repercussion today.

There are other things that have contributed to the current foreign exchange situation but that is one critical point. What are we saying about incentives? There is a law. That law says this 73 sectors will enjoy pioneer incentives. It says investors are entitled to three years tax holiday and additional 1 year plus another one year, subject to satisfactory performance.

C M Y K

34 —Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

E-Commerce

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ark Essien is the C h i e f Executive Officer of Nigeria’s largest online hotel booking portal, Hotels.ng. His company recently secured a $1.2 million investment, making it the only Nigerian e-commerce company to have 90 percent local equity stake. In this interview with JONAH NWOKPOKU, he spoke on how he managed the company to be able to attract such investment and how other start-ups can learn from his experience to also attract investors. Excerpts: Hotels.ng is gradually becoming a household name in the hotel industry barely two years since you started it, what really inspired you into this line of business?

Building the nexus of anything that involves the real world and the online and something like this is something that is basically facilitating people that are looking for hotel online. Before we came along this was not possible. People enter a town and virtually had to find someone to take them to a hotel. And they go there blindly but now that we have built this platform, anyone can go online and look at the pictures of the hotel and then decide to make the reservation because they already know that the rooms are available when they get down there. I think, observing that this opportunity exists in Nigeria to build something of this nature is what inspired us into this business.

Given your experience since you started, how would assess the Nigerian hospitality industry in relation to the emerging e-commerce sector?

The hospitality industry is worth about $3 billion annually in Nigeria alone. It is a very big industry. And generally you will see that when you compare e-commerce and hospitality, e-commerce is always the first online market to take off. We have seen it in South America, India and many other emerging markets and then the second one that usually takes off is the travel industry because travel is made much easier by pre-bookings and doing this in a way that you can compare prices. You can see comparing your experience of going to the airport to buy ticket to doing it online before you travel, there is a huge difference. This is the same thing with the hotel.

Instead of walking around three to four different hotels trying to figure out, it is very obvious that if you do this online, you end up with something much more comfortable for you. In that sense, as e-commerce develops, travel follows very quickly behind.

C M Y K

How Nigerian start-ups can attract investors – Essien Your company recently secured an investment of $1.2 million, how were you able to do this in a landscape like Nigeria where there is scarce investible funds for start-ups?

And how do you intend to utilise this fund?

The investment we received is a good validation of the work we have done so far. Recently I was looking at the hot startups of 2014 and in the list we are the only one still alive. We have been able to stay alive through these turbulent two years and now we have been able to build a profitable company and now this investment. After the new Venture Capitals, partners are coming in numbers seeing what we have been able to do.

This is a vote of confidence.

This is because they believe that this business can go far.

The people coming in now, they are not just coming in with money; they are also coming in as partners in the business. They are coming as people with big funds. So, they may be giving us $1.2 million but they have $500 million in their fund and typically as the business expands, you don’t end up raising money once, as you have more capital needs, you are going to raise money again from your existing investors. This investment now is positioning us to expand locally and to also expand across West Africa. As we need more money to also expand across other parts of Africa, we

will be able to raise from either existing investors or new investors that like the growth that we are showing. So I believe that having this investment now has changed us from one of the start-ups to a viable business that is well positioned to take advantage of the opportunity that lie ahead within the continent.

Despite the challenges in the industry, you have been able to survive thus far, what have you done differently and what can other start-ups learn from that?

There is something I keep on preaching which is the fact that it is the market that drives your business. If there is no market, there is no business. If you bring out any product and it is wonderful but there is no market, there is nothing you can do to make that market sell but if there is a market, people

When you are building a start-up, the first thing you need to do is to make sure that you are in the right market

will buy even if it is a bad market. Anybody selling in the market will tell you that. So when you are building a startup, the first thing you need to do is to make sure that you are in the right market and if you see signs that you are not in the right market and that it is not moving, get out of that market and provide something that works. So, one of the things we did right and this was not because we are geniuses, is that we ventured into the right market from the beginning. We did not do something that was not working, we did something that was working and it was all about how do we make it work best? And it terms of making it work best, we are not the first.

I think there were one or two small players before we came and when we came we just dominated over them. And what did we do differently from them?

There are two things that are important. First, when you are starting a business, you have to tell your story, if you do that, people read about it, they know about you, they get a feeling of who you are so that you will be able to attract funding. That was what we were able to do fast. Right from the beginning, we did that because we focused on entering the right market, demonstrating to people that we can actually generate traction to what we are doing and then tell the story so that people out there that have money and are willing to invest can now start talking to you and get the details of how they can come in. So, doing things and staying quiet doesn’t help people grow, you have to tell your story so that people who may partner with you will know about you.

Operations

The second aspect is that you need to be good in operations.

Many people cannot forecast what is going to happen months down the road. So, they have a certain amount of money in the bank, now you know your money will last you for three months and you have a certain number of staff. Three months earlier, you have to cut your staff strength so that your three become six months and you have time to recover. But some people will wait until the last month before they will begin to consider reducing team size but then it will be too late. Such decision has to be made early. This is because, when you are in a corner, you do not win by exploring because even if you find what is working, you do not have money to exploit it. You do not have enough knowledge yet.

You have no run way. So you have to focus on what is important and once you do that, you will grow from there.

eTranzact holds forum to drive mobile banking innovations

e

Tranzact International PLC, has held a mobile banking Masterclass in London, England titled “The Future of Mobile Banking Masterclass”.

The event provided a platform to discuss new innovations in mobile banking targeted at making mobile banking more about the customer and launching new innovations to make the customer on boarding process easier.

Topics discussed ranged from how to improve the mobile banking experience for customers and innovations in providing support for customers, to unveiling eTranzact’s improvements in the on boarding process and mobile architecture of the mobile banking application.

Speaking about what the banks and their customers should begin to see immediately after the session, Chief Executive Officer, eTranzact International PLC Mr. Valentine Obi, said: “To us, every product we build is ultimately about the customer whether at the corporate or individual level, and we want to ensure that we are meeting their needs both locally and globally, pushing ourselves every day."

Amazon signs book sales deal with Penguin

A

mazon.com Inc. has signed a digital and print book deal with Penguin Random House LLC, the last of the five biggest publishers to reach an agreement with the Web retailer following a dispute last year over e-book sales.

The contract is for sales in the U.S. and U.K. The company gave no other terms. Stuart Applebaum, a spokesman for Penguin Random House, declined to comment beyond saying that the publisher is “still in business with Amazon.”

The agreement follows previous deals between Amazon and Harper Collins Publishers, Hachette Book Group, Macmillan Publishers and Simon & Schuster. Amazon and Hachette were locked in a public spat for much of 2014 because of disagreements over the price of digital books and shared revenue. Amazon has sought discounts, arguing that lower prices boost sale volumes and result in more total income.

Book publishers resisted the move, while authors opposed Amazon’s tactic of removing titles from its Web store during the dispute.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 — 35

Aviation

Aviation security audit: Why ICAO gave Nigeria pass mark

By LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

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HE International Civil Aviation Organisation , ICAO, said Nigeria was given a pass mark after a thorough audit of the nation’s aviation industry which just ended because the audit team discovered there have been massive improvements in the security systems at the airports..

Disclosing this development to newsmen, leader of the team of the ICAO auditors, Mr. Steven Neu said that Nigeria performed excellently in the 9 days audit conducted on the nation’s aviation security system.

Neu noted that Nigeria scored a pass mark of 90 percent stressing that he was very impressed with the National Security Programme as there were very minimal “open items to be closed”.

He said, “Nigeria surpassed our expectations. We reviewed the 2008 audit before we commenced this exercise but we discovered there have been massive improvements in the security systems at the airports.” ‘’To Nigeria’s credit all the minimal open items were closed immediately. The audit was focussed on the eight critical elements”. he added.

According to him, Nigeria is one of the first countries in the world to go through the Universal Safety Audit Programme ,USAP, Continuous Monitoring Assessment

,CMA, Audit.

While applauding all the security agencies at the airports across the country, the likes of the Nigerian police airport command, DSS, Port Health Services, Air Force, Nigerian Drug Law enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Quarantine services, The ICAO boss stressed that the USAP CMA activity had been completed while draft findings and recommendations would be provided to the Regulatory Authority.

“After 60 days ICAO will forward the USAP CMA audit report to Nigeria. In 30 days, Nigeria will submit its comments on the audit report if any. Within another 30 days, the country will submit to ICAO its Corrective Action Plan (CAP)” he said.

Meanwhile, Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA), Capt.

Muhtar Usman appreciated the auditors for conducting a very thorough ICAO audit.

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HE contractor handling the construction of a new terminal at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) Kano, Civil Engineering Construction Corporation ,CCECC, would complete the project on schedule and hand it over in March 2016. The permanent secretary in the ministry of aviation, Mrs. Binta Bello, has revealed Bello said this in Kano where she inspected projects at the airport. She said despite the seemingly slow pace of work on the terminal and other ones in other locations, there is no cause to

Review current multi designation for foreign carriers, Dana tells FG

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he Managing Director of Dana Air, Jacky Hathiramani has urged the new government of President Muhammadu Buhari to review current multi designations approved for foreign carriers as most of them operate without reciprocity from their countries. This is just as he commend Buhari on his historic victory at the polls and eventual inauguration as the President.

According to Samuel Ogbogoro, Head Corporate Communication, Dana Air, Hathiramani said that President Buhari’s message of CHANGE resonates with the vision of Dana Air, and the yearnings of many in the aviation industry, given that President Buhari had promised to appoint technocrats to run the different aspects of the economy including the aviation sector.

Aviation unions oppose planned merger of ministries

VISIT - From right: Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo; Mr. Oti Ikomi, Executive Vice-Chairman, Proton Energy and Mr. Adrian Mucalov, Director, Actis, UK during a courtesy visit on the Vice President by Proton Energy in Abuja.

New MAKIA terminal, others to be completed on schedule — BELLO

By LAWANI MIKAIRU

Capt. Usman revealed that he was happy that Nigeria performed better than she did in 2008 adding that the country would not rest on her oars but will continue to ensure that our air transport operation is secure and safe.

“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA , will soon commence preparation for the ICAO’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) coming up in November, later this year”.

“While the USAP takes cognisance of states’ security at the airports, the ultimate goal of USOAP is promoting global aviation safety through regular audits of safety oversight systems in all ICAO member states” Capt. Usman affirmed.

doubt the completion of the projects on schedule.

According to her “The project manager at MAKIA has assured me that he will hand over the job in March 2016. They will finish it; they have all the materials. If they, who are doing the work, say they will deliver by March, you have no course to doubt them.

“The only place where we had challenges was Lagos.

They had the initial challenge of site. And when they overcame the challenge, they mobilized to site and work is in progress. At other sites, there have been no problems” said Bello.

The China’s Exim Bank is funding the construction of

the international terminals located at Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano airports at the total cost of $500 million.

Meanwhile, like the situation at the Lagos and Port Harcourt airports, local contractors working on different projects at MAKIA had suspended work due to lack of funds.

Whichever project site the permanent secretary and her entourage visited, only a handful of artisans were seen idling away while their bosses were nowhere to be found.

Patmoz Nigeria Ltd which is in charge of building the airport’s fire station had suspended work on the project saying it had

exhausted what it got as mobilization fee. Although one of the company’s junior managers did not disclose the contract sum because “only my boss has the file containing the agreement”, it was gathered that the contractor received payment for the work around October 2014.

Similarly, Jameck West Africa, which constructs the general aviation terminal, said the project which is about 60 per cent completed had been suspended due to nonavailability of funds.

Responding, the permanent secretary assured that the contractors would be mobilized to sites when “there is availability of funds.”

“As soon as we are able to mobilize funds, we will call them back to sites. They said they have not been paid; we will look at it and once funds are available, we will pay them,” she said.

THE three leading unions in the Nigerian aviation industry have expressed their displeasure about the planned merger of the aviation agencies and the ministry of aviation with the ministry of transport.

The unions who made their position known insisted that the merger of the agencies and the ministry by the new administration was not a panacea to the myriad of problems facing the sector.

The unions; the National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, NAAPE, and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, in a joint statement signed byr Captain Tarmongu , Comrades Olayinka Abioye, and Aba Ocheme respectively, said that merging the ministry with transport would weaken its performance.

The unions recalled that the ministry was merged with the ministry of transport during the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, but did not yield the expected result, which later led to its demerging by late President Umaru Yar’Adua. They insist that the merging of the two ministries was as a result of illadvise from some “cabals” in the aviation sector and advised President Buhari of the antics of the cabals.

C M Y K

36 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 — 37

38 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

"N12bn currency scam: N3.95b destroyed with acid, water, court told.”

THE NATION, June 12, 2015, p 1.

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he story went on to reveal that what started as an N8 billion scam had escalated to N12 billion scandal. Most probably, that might not even be the end of the story.

Most likely other discoveries or revelations will increase the amount and how long the economic sabotage had been going on within the banking system – with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, as the epicenter of this financial war against Nigeria by a few ndividuals in the banking sector.

Last week’s column ended with the assertion that since money is regarded as the root of all evils, then banks must be the devil’s preferred workshop because nowhere else are individuals, like all of us, exposed to the temptation to “help” themselves to “wealth without work” (apologies Ghandi) as in banks. The accused revealed, so far, are junior staff. The amounts traced to them don’t add up to N8 billion. So that should

CBN and the N8bn scam (2) tell us something.

Among the questions we should be asking are the following. Who assigns staff to this sensitive task? What criteria are used in selecting those assigned? And, why are they not subject to continuous investigation?

Also, how on earth can junior staff of banks have so much in their accounts with any branch without anyone alerting the authorities?

Finally, were all these people such loners in their banks that none of their colleagues was aware of their stupendous wealth or was there an active conspiracy of silence in every branch of the banks involved?

Let us start with the first question – which should point to collusion by senior bank officials. It is a fact, easily demonstrated that all the staff of most organisations, private or public, eventually, get to know the assignments which are most and least lucrative.

Competition for the most lucrative becomes almost cut-throat. The senior staff responsible for posting invariably trade on this

knowledge. They post only those who will render “returns” from the illegal self-enrichment that would follow. Customs staff posted to the Murtala Mohammed Airport or Seme invariably live beyond their legitimate incomes. Posted out, they fight with everything at their disposal to return to the lucrative posts. The same is true of Police Officers, Navy Commanders etc.

There is absolutely no reason to think that the same

It is quite possible that for each of the junior staff so far apprehended there is a senior staff who arranged the posting

system of patronage does not operate in the banking sector. It is quite possible that for each of the junior staff so far apprehended there is a senior staff who arranged the posting knowing what would occur and benefiting from it. That would partly explain the huge gap between the N8-12 billion involved and the sum total of the assets found with the culprits at the moment.

A

t the risk of being accused of trying to teach the prosecutors their jobs, one might want to suggest an approach often adopted by US prosecutors.

They offer to turn one or two of the accused to witnesses for the state in exchange for lighter sentences if they would provide vital information which will lead to the BIG people who probably master-minded the scam in the first place.

Looking at the staff involved, including drivers and security staff, it would appear that only one or two senior staff who could coordinate the activities of these people and remove the

security cover could have planned it. Those now in the net might be small “fish” – while those who received the lion’s share of the loot are planning their escape or have already fled Nigeria.

Finally, the conspiracy of silence, which made it possible for the scam to go on for so many years, must have involved some pay-offs to other staff members to buy their silence. Generally, it is almost impossible for three or four people to keep a secret of this magnitude for years. When we now have almost a dozen people involved, then they need a broad base of support from other staff in all the branches involved; and there must be an arrow-head ensuring that the conspiracy of silence is maintained. And, that can only mean regular pay-offs to other staff members in the branch.

At the moment, the EFCC is merely scratching the surface. They would not have solved the riddle until they can account for almost N7.5 billion.

Micro-Finance

NAMB goes incommunicado

zWebsite inactive, President shuns press

By PROVIDENCE OBUH

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he National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB) is bedeviled by inactive website, to make matters worse is the President who do not pick calls or respond to Short Message Service (SMS).

The latest information on the website was posted on July 8, 2014 with headline: “CBN assures NAMB of support; MFBs veritable tool for nation building – CIBN President; NAMB elects new officers and another posted on April 18, 2013 with headline: “Executive secretary warns of the activities of fraudsters,” among others.

From indications, it is about one year since the association posted information on its website.

Vanguard findings show

that MfBs that are members of the association are even more active on their website than the mother association.

Example is LAPO Microfinance Bank (MfB) which latest post was in May and Accion MfB in February.

A research into the benefits of making websites active shows that: “The more engaged a website visitors are, the more time they spend on the site.

The more time they spend on the site, the more likely they are to feel connected to the brand. The more connected they feel to the brand the more they will register, tell their friends and keep coming back for more.

These things don’t work in a vacuum, they must weave together to work seamlessly.”

NAMB’s Vision

The association has a

vision to be the internationally respected industry representative of Nigerian Microfinance Banks by simulating innovative and sustainable microfinance practices that guarantee financial inclusion and wealth creation for the economically active poor

NAMB must wake up, website should never be static

To encourage more participation and patronage of this sub sector, it is imperative that the association ponder on these: “You can’t fix a leaky faucet if you don’t know where the drip is coming from, similarly, how can you fix a

website if you don’t know where your problems and your successes lie? Site analytics are critical if you want to increase conversations on your site.

Furthermore, most directors either don’t have the capabilities or aren’t using the key reports that provide crucial information in figuring out what is working for their site and what isn’t Analyze your site. Use the information. Make changes!

Websites should never be static. You can always tweak to find what peaks the interests of your users and they will always be happy when new information comes along.

Importance of website

According to Superanalyst.net, “The main reason it is important for businesses to have a website is how people are likely to find you. These days most people will go online and research products and companies before they make a purchase, if you don’t have a website you are missing out on all of potential business.

“A website is also

important because it helps you establish credibility as a business. There are actually still quite a few small businesses that don’t have a website and without one this is exactly what they will remain. If you don’t have a website that you can refer people to, potential customers are going to assume that you are a small time company that does not take their business seriously.

Once you establish this reputation it is going to be hard to make sales.

“Clearly there are still a lot of small businesses that do not have websites, there are various reasons for this but mostly it comes down to the belief that they are expensive.

It is rather surprising how much small business owners believe a website will cost them. In truth a website can be built for very little money and if you are on a tight budget you can even get free websites. Remember you don’t need a giant ten thousand page website for your business, just a simple site that tells people about your company and your products will be more than enough.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 — 39

Economy

Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt crash in ranking on ICT for business

BY EMEKA ANAETO

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frica’s three leading economies, Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt, have recorded massive drops in their ranking on the global Information and Communications Technology (ICT) development with regards to Networked Readiness Index (NRI). The index is managed by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

While Nigeria’s position dropped seven places to 119th, South Africa fell five places and now ranks 75th while Egypt dropped three places and now ranks 94th.

Though ranking below South Africa, Kenya’s position appears more impressive as it actually climbed six places to 86th position in the global record.

NRI is a crucial indicator of a country ’s ability to implement and take full advantage of ICTs in businesses, economic development and global competitiveness.

2015 edition of the Global Information Technology Report (GITR) is released at a time when many economies around the world are struggling to ensure that economic growth is equitable and provides benefits for their entire populations.

In the report, Managing Director of WEF, Espen Barth Eide, said ‘’advanced economies have not yet reached their full potential and they struggle with persistently high unemployment, rising inequalities, and fiscal challenges.

Emerging

markets and developing economies are facing stronger headwinds than before and need to adjust their development models to ensure economic growth and a more broad-based distribution of gains’’.

As a general-purpose technology, Eide explained

Advanced economies have not yet reached their full potential and they struggle with persistently high unemployment

that the impact of ICTs extends well beyond productivity gains and acts as a vector of social development and transformation by improving access to basic services, enhancing connectivity, and creating employment opportunities.

Published by the WEF in partnership with Cornell

University and INSEAD since 2001, GITR has measured the drivers of the ICT revolution using the NIR. For each of the 143 economies covered GITR series allows areas of priority to be identified to more fully leverage ICTs for development.

NIPC sets to review investment laws •Mrs. Uju Aisha Hassan Baba, Executive Secretary of NIPC

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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he Nigeria Investment P r o m o t i o n Commission (NIPC) has began a review of the current investment laws with a view to making it more attractive to foreign investors while also strengthening NIPC’s institutional capacity to deliver on its statutory mandate. The affected laws are NIPC Act No 16 of 1995 and the draft Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA).

An Inter-Ministerial Committee comprising officers of the International and Comparative Law Department as well as the Legal Drafting Department of the Federal Ministry of Justice, an officer from the Investment Department of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and representatives of NIPC has been inaugurated for this purpose.

Executive Secretary of NIPC, Mrs. Uju Aisha

Hassan Baba stated that one of the key strategies being adopted to face the challenges in investment promotion is the sharpening of the promotional tools such as the IPPA which deals primarily with the admission, treatment and protection of foreign investment.

IPPAs usually cover investments by enterprises or individuals of one country in the territory of its treaty partner and ultimately boost the confidence of potential investors.

She explained that the need for review of the country’s IPPA and investment law was to develop a legal and institutional framework in line with current global investment and economic

trends that will enable direct and aggressive strategies for foreign investment inflows.

Nigeria, she said, “is in fierce competition with other developed and developing countries for global capital hence must develop specific promotional tools to boost its marketing strategies”.

Aisha Hassan Baba, served as Chairman of Nigeria’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on the negotiation of IPPAs and had prior to her appointment as the Executive Secretary of NIPC, fervently called for NIPC to drive the review process of the document as the Nation’s foremost investment promotion agency that relies on the incentives contained in the IPPAs.

40 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Insurance

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

IEI board targets stability, stronger capacity

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he interim board and management of International Energy Insurance (IEI) Plc says its focus is to bring stability and return the organisation to stronger capacity to be able to compete effectively and meet its obligations.

In this vein, the Board which assumed management of the Company about three weeks ago following the dissolution of the former board and the inauguration of the interim board by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) says it has embarked on restructuring of the company ’s operations, relationship with brokers as well as investment amortization.

Mohammed Ahmad, interim board chairman, who disclosed this during a brokers forum organised by the company in Lagos said the company is healthy and have the capacity to meet all its obligations. The intervention of NAICOM is to protect policyholders, investors and other stakeholders interests.

“Regulatory intervention was to ensure that individual interest does not destroy the institution, particularly that there were squabbles amongst board members.”

He stated that intervention does not amount to stress on the company, but could be for the interest of the industry to avoid laying a bad precedence.

Ahmad who has many years of experience as a regulator across the financial services industry including CBN, NDIC and Pensions where he retired as pioneer Director General of the National Pension Commission, says “We are not here to close IEI, but ensure that actions of the board does not undermine the institution.

“We gave you license not because of the money you paid but because you have promised to exhibit good character, integrity and good corporate governance.

“We are not here to stay long, but to finish our assignment within the specified time of first six months,” Ahmad stated.

He assured the brokers that the company will look at all claims outstanding and pay up within the shortest possible time. In another development, the company at the Brokers Forum, unveiled their online Marine Cargo product, meant to assist importers do business without hassles.

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HE National Insurance C o m m i s s i o n (NAICOM) has said that the media serves as a tool and a partner in fostering growth of the insurance sector.

Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, at the 8th seminar for Insurance Correspondents in Ilorin, Kwara State said the seminar, which began in 2009, has deepened the synergy between the sector and the media in the last eight years.

He said that the seminar helped a great deal to foster stronger relationship with the media who help educate the public on the importance of insurance.

“This forum has afforded us the opportunity to reassess ourselves and relationship with each other and in the process, explore new ways of forging stronger bonds of

Synergy with media deepens insurance awareness — NAICOM cooperation between members of the press and the commission.”

“Over the years, the Commission has had a sustained mutually beneficial relationship with the media.

For instance, we have not had serious reasons to disagree with reports about the Commission in the media.

The Commission shall continue to acknowledge and appreciate you in this regard,” he said.

The Insurance Commissioner also added that it has organised over 200 workshops and training programmes for insurance practitioners and journalists to expand their knowledge

about the sector.

According to him, “The objectives of the training include engendering better working relationship with media practitioners and public awareness; to address media on latest policies and developments and curb bad press among others,” he said.

On his part, Director General of the Nigerian Insurers Association, NIA, Mr Sunday Thomas acknowledged the support of the media though shared some observations which he hoped would change with time.

Thomas said, “Effective dissemination by the media of regulatory policies has ease

understanding and compliance by stakeholders; the media always act in defense of the policyholders to preserve their rights; agenda setting by the media has always put the regulator and the operators on their toes; cooperation with the media, creative thinking has increased in the insurance sector.” Thomas noted that the media always remind the industry of promises made, agenda set and polices introduced that have not been reneged, followed or implemented.

He admitted that the efforts of the media has assisted in stabilising the insurance industry

AGM - From left: Transcorp Ughelli Power Limited (TUPL) Directors Muhammed Risqua and Peter Hertog; CEO Adeoye Fadeyibi; Board Chairman Tony O. Elumelu, CON; Transcorp Plc Group President/CEO Emmanuel N. Nnorom; and TUPL Directors Sylvester Monye & Victor Osadolor during the 2nd Annual TUPL AGM

...Awaits 13 insurance companies’ response on accounts

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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HE National Insurance C o m m i s s i o n (NAICOM) says it is awaiting responses from 13 insurance companies over issues on their accounts before the Commission approves of them.

The regulatory body told journalists in Ilorin that 40 insurance companies have so far submitted their accounts to the Commission well ahead of the June 30th deadline out of which 13 are yet to get

back to NAICOM. Section 26(1) of the Insurance Act 2003 stipulates that every insurer shall not later than 30th June of each year submit to NAICOM, a balance sheet duly audited showing the financial position of the insurer and its subsidiaries at the close of the preceding year together with a copy of the relevant profit and loss account which the insurer is to present to its shareholders at its annual general meeting.

Director of Supervision of NAICOM, Mr Nicholas

Opara said that out of the 40, the Commission has approved 26 accounts of the companies while 13 of them are yet to get approval due to observations made by the Commission which the companies must correct before they get their accounts okayed and one is still under review by NAICOM. Opara said that NAICOM is waiting on the 13 companies to address the issues observed in their accounts and submit back for approval.

He said, “40 insurance

companies have already submitted their accounts to NAICOM. And out of the 40, 26 have been duly approved.

NAICOM made observations on 13 of them for corrections by the companies while one is still under review” In what seemed like a valedictory message from the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Fola Daniel whose tenure ends in August this year, the insurance industry has huge potential that could match with South Africa insurance sector.

He thanked the media for the role they played in propagating insurance which has now become a vital sector in economic development of the country.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 — 41

C M Y K

42 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Tax Matters

VAT on services of banks and other financial institutions The Value Added Tax Act Cap V1 LFN 2004 (as amended) imposes a tax known as Value Added Tax (VAT) on taxable goods and services. Part 2 of the First Schedule to the Act only exempts services rendered by Community banks, Peoples bank and Mortgage institutions from VAT. Accordingly, all banks and financial institutions, except those exempted, are required to charge VAT on services rendered by them to their customers and account for same to the Federal Inland Revenue Service. This is in line with Section 2 of the Act, which stipulates that “the tax shall be charged and payable on the supply of all goods and services (in this Act referred to as “taxable goods and services”) other than those goods and services listed in the First Schedule to this Act. Definition of Bank and other Financial Institutions These are legal entities incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) of 1990 and engage in banking and financial activities as defined by the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), 1991. They are companies within the financial sector of the Nigerian economy and are either publicly quoted or private companies. Banks will ordinarily include commercial banks, merchant banks and development banks while other financial institutions will include; finance houses, insurance companies, reinsurance companies, stockbrokerage firms, investment companies and financial consultants.

VAT Liability Banks in particular, charge commission, fees, or other charges for services rendered to their customers. VAT calculations are expected to be based only on the charges made for services rendered. It should however, be noted that the focus of VAT is on the charges levied on customers for the consumption of services rendered by Banks.

The provision of loans and advances does not in itself constitute a vatable service but there are other ancillary services to the provision of bank loan/advances or bank overdrafts, which are vatable.

The documentation and perfection of loan/overdraft agreements are examples of such ancillary services and fees charged, which would attract VAT. The resultant

interest chargeable on the loans and overdraft is however not vatable.

Insurance companies’ brokers/agents earn commission, loss adjusters earn fees, surveyors earn fees, brokers earn commission and agents earn commission for various services rendered to the Insurance Companies.

The services which generated these income are vatable services, and even though the premium received on policies is not vatable as it represents cost of risk to the insured, the commission paid to brokers/agent from premium will attract VAT; with the burden of VAT being borne by the insurance company itself.

Vatable Services Rendered

by Financial Institutions In arriving at what constitutes vatable financial services, a distinction should be made between activities that constitute return on investment and consumption of services rendered by financial institutions. All charges arising from the services of banks and financial institutions will ordinarily attract VAT and they include among others, the following: Commisssions/fees charged on forex trading or remittance; Commission on turnover (COT), ledger fees etc; Legal and other fees chargeable on lease arrangements; Fees charged for advisory services e.g. mergers and acquisition, financial strategy counseling etc; Fees chargeable on public/ private issues; Debt conversion fees; Fees/commission on asset trading; Fees earned on fund management; Fees and commissions earned on letters of credit/ documentary collection to finance import/export; Commissions on sale of Bankdrafts/certified cheques;

Fees chargeable on stockbrokerage and trust services; Commissions paid to brokers, reinsurers, underwriters and other insurance agents by an insurer.

Services of Banks and Other Financial Institutions not Liable to VAT A simple criteria for determining whether a service is vatable or not is the identification of those activities that constitute return on investment as distinct from those that represent consumption of

Where computerization has been established and it is likely to skip these procedures, the FIRS should be notified of the system in operation and how it would take care of all procedures without leaving out anything uncaptured. services. The services of Banks and other Financial Institutions that will not attract VAT include: Premium on insurance policies; Interest on loans/advances and overdraft facilities; Interest on savings accounts; Interest on bank deposits; Dividends; Interbank placements; and Profit/gain on disposal of government securities.

VAT Registration and Rendition of Returns Banks and other Financial Institutions are taxable persons within the provisions of the VAT Act and all services rendered by them

are taxable with the exception of the services of Peoples Bank, Community Banks and Mortgage Institutions which are exempted by the VAT Act. These Banks and Other Financial Institutions are to register for tax with the relevant tax office and obtain TIN. VAT returns are to be made regularly to the relevant tax office within twenty one (21) days after the month of transaction.

Accounting Procedure and Records to be kept

by Banks The mode of operation in the banks does not permit the issuance of tax invoices to customers. The VAT charges therefore have to be reflected in the customers’ statements of accounts in order to enhance disclosure and easy verification by tax officers.

Banks and other Financial Institutions are required to adopt the following simple methods of recording their transactions for VAT purposes: (i) When any service is identified as vatable, internal entries are raised by the Bank for the cost of the service plus 5% VAT. (ii) The Bank is expected to debit the account of the customer accordingly with the cost of the service plus the 5% VAT charged. (iii) Credit the Income account of the Bank or Institution with the income element of the charge excluding the VAT (iv) Credit the FIRS VAT account in the particular Bank or Institution with the 5% VAT deducted from (ii) to arrive at (iii).

Section 16 subsection (b) provides that where input tax exceeds output tax, the taxpayer will be entitled to refund of the excess tax from the FIRS on production of such documents as the FIRS may, from time to time require. With regards to banks and other financial institutions, this is not applicable because of the provision of Section 17 of Value Added Tax Act on allowable input tax, which provides that input tax on any overhead, service, and general administration of any business which otherwise can be expended through the income statement (profit and loss accounts) shall not be allowed as a deduction from output tax.

It is a common knowledge that the bank and other Financial Institutions render services; they do not produce goods and therefore regarded as final consumer of those goods purchased or services rendered to them. In this connection, all input VAT payable in respect of assets purchased for use in the banks and other Financial

Institutions should be added to the cost of the assets on which capital allowances may be claimed. Similarly, all VAT payable in respect of services consumed by the bank should be regarded as part of normal operational expenses chargeable to Statement of Profit or Loss Account. Under no circumstance should input tax on such items be claimed or deducted from output tax collected. Banks and other Financial Institutions cannot claim or deduct any input tax suffered. The entire amount collected on behalf of the FIRS should be promptly remitted in whole as prescribed by the law.

The Central Bank The position of the Central bank with regards to VAT payment is not different from that of other banks in the system. The Central Bank performs nearly all the services listed in paragraph 4 above and also acts as banker to other banks. It is therefore expected that VAT would be charged on payments made to it by the banks for vatable services rendered to them.

This makes it necessary for the Central Bank to register for VAT purposes.

Offences and Penalties Banks and other Financial Institutions have obligations to fulfill under the VAT Act like other taxable or registered persons. Part V of the Act contains the list of offences and penalties to be imposed. These include among others: Failure to register within six (6) months of the existence of a bank; Failure to issue tax invoice (debit note showing amount of VAT collected in the case of banks); failure to charge and remit VAT collected; Failure to keep proper records and accounts; Rendition of incorrect or false returns.

For these offences, stringent penalties are imposed to check possible defaults.

Banks and other Financial Institutions are taxable persons within the provisions of the VAT Act and all their services are vatable except those specifically mentioned in the First Schedule. Bank officials are strongly advised to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the VAT Act. Whatever is peculiar to any Bank or Financial Institution in terms of procedures which has not been dealt with in this circular should be referred to the FIRS without delay.

Finally, where computerization has been established and it is likely to skip these procedures, the FIRS should be notified of the system in operation and how it would take care of all procedures without leaving out anything uncaptured.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 — 43

Advertising & Promotions

Por tland me trics ffor or e xperience centres, ortland metrics experience cust omer satisfaction customer Stories by PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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n Nigeria, corporate firms operating Experience Centres across the country employ some front-line agents committed to achieve ‘best in class’ customer service as defined by the JD Power survey, a tool used to measure customer satisfaction.

The JD Power idea focuses on defining and developing skills and behaviours that are required by agents in order to make interaction with customers effective, memorable and consistent as possible.

The first step was to develop a simple competency framework that summarised the important skills, knowledge and behaviour required to deliver the customer experience which included a range of performance standards, such as the JD Power criteria, used to evaluate customer satisfaction.

However, over the past decade or so customers have all become accustomed to dealing with experience centres – whether it is to query an electricity bill, order a cheque book or complain about a missing delivery.

They are part of the way we live today, and in many ways they represent a significant improvement over the ‘old’ way of doing things, providing a personal service at a time to suit us.

Millions have been invested in improving experience centre service levels and efficiency, through sophisticated technology, improved business processes and complex performance metrics.

However, experience centres often achieve low levels of customer satisfaction due to a

HANDOVER: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Tilad Nigeria Ltd, Alhaji Tijani Oladosu (left) Representative of Auto Value Ltd. Dolapo Onayemi at the handing over of keys to 10 Shine Ray mini-buses to Auto Value Limited in Lagos. poor interaction between the experience centre staff and the customer. If we have been guilty of focusing too heavily on improving processes and systems and ignoring the (more complex) human factor.?

If this sounds familiar then there are lots to experience in the new centre commissioned

by Portland Paints and Products Nigeria Plc, recently, owners of the Sandtex brand of paints.

As the Sales and Marketing Manager, Mrs. Nnena AzukaOnwuka put it at the unveiling of Sandtex experience centre at

Ifako, Gbagada: “We do not sell paints, what we sell is customized colour services.

The experience center is not all about buying products, it’s more about you (Customers).”

She described the Center as a comfortable one-stop retail center where customers can access all products from the stable of Portland with expert colour advice at no extra cost.

Colours are available in over 15,000 in the Crown UK range and over 1,000 in the Sandtex range for immediate tinting.

Whatever the consumer choice

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tisalat Nigeria has called for entries for the 2015 Prize for Literature which is in its third edition. The Etisalat Prize for Literature is the first Pan African prize celebrating debut African writers of published fiction.

According to Matthew Willsher, Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, “the Etisalat Prize for Literature serves as a platform for the discovery of new creative writing talents out of the African continent.”

While highlighting the following, he said the success of the second year concluded earlier this year paved way for the third year.

NoViolet Bulawayo won the maiden edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature with her novel, We Need New Names, while Songeziwe Mahlangu emerged winner of the second year of the prize with his novel, Penumbra. The Etisalat prize is designed to foster writing in Africa, bring exciting new African writers to the attention of a wider audience, and promote the reading culture.

The winner receives a cash prize of £15,000 in addition to a fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia under the mentorship of the awardwinning author, Professor Giles Foden.

Ikeja City Mall rewards customers

s part of activities to Embrace new media — ADVAN urges marketers Areward customers, Ikeja City Mall, ICM, has rewarded

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peakers at the Advertisers Association of Nigeria, ADVAN organized peer to peer learning workshop have counselled Nigerian marketers to consider the value of new media in their marketing efforts, as a means of new communications channel.

The speakers believed that as much as the social media is important, marketers should understand this and embrace the platforms for brand building, but not at the detriment of the traditional media as it is still relevant in the marketing space.

Onyekachi Onubogu,

Our ambassadors' reputation speaks volume - Airtel

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of colours, our experience colours can match it, she said.

The new Center takes the brands closer to the consumers, provider to full the need for satisfying perfect paint finish that come in textured, smooth, gloss, satin, matt and special effects.

Corroborating, the Managing Director, Mr. Femi Oguntade, represented by the Finance Manager, Mr. Jubril Shittu stated: “our experience center is a one-stop shop where you have all Sandtex products with five years guaranty.”

Litrature Award: Etisalat calls for entry

irtel Nigeria says the reputation of the five brand ambassadors comprising musicians, a comedian and an on-airpersonality speaks volume for the brand.

The selection which was arrived at after series of consultation presents the music legend, TuFace Idibia; rap artiste Phyno; reggae dancehall singer, Patoranking; a comedian, Akpororo and renowned On-AirPersonality, IK Osakioduwa as brand ambassadors.

Speaking on rational behind their selection, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, said that the selected ambassadors for the new Airtel brand; who are tagged Smart Icons are respected members of the society who have distinguished themselves in their respective

fields and as a result, have now become forces in the entertainment sector.

He said: “We have carefully selected ambassadors who embody the values, character and overall image inherent to the Airtel brand, therefore making them a perfect fit for further endearing Airtel to millions of Nigerians whilst strengthening the relationship we have with our customers.”

Ogunsanya also noted that the appointment of enterprising and talented Nigerians as brand ambassadors is in line with their commitment to delivering value and rewarding excellence.

He described the unveiling ceremony of the celebrities as further demonstration of the Telco’s commitment to support the arts, creativity and entertainment industry.

Executive Commercial Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, gave the advice during the ADVAN organized workshop titled: “The changing role of marketing in digital economy,” saying that the workshop is a platform provided by the Association for knowledge sharing with different experts on various subjects with the objective to build the marketing industry and marketing experts that will help grow Nigeria’s economy. He also observed that the world and every marketer needs to understand how to apply and use these tools in order to remain relevant in the marketing world.

According to him, “Nigeria is moving faster in terms of digitalization, use of social media and e-commerce.”

Whilst noting that making the platforms a fundamental part of the marketing mix at this time is crucial. This he stated will make advertisers become better in what they are practising as the world is fast changing and nobody knows it all.

its five premium shoppers with shopping voucher.

The initiative which aimed at extending hand of appreciation to their customer witness the winners make purchases from any store in the mall worth N10, 000. Speaking during the presentation of voucher, the Marketing Manager, ICM, Mr. Emmanuel Ositelu said that the rewarding their customers was part of activities line up by the mall to mark the special moment in the history of Nigeria.

“We commence this Democracy Day with a promo which started on Wednesday May, 20th to 28th May, 2015 and it required shoppers to spend up to or above the sum of 5,000 on a single purchase receipt to qualify for the raffle draw and stand a chance to win a shopping voucher of N10,000” “The winners of this promo are contacted through their phone numbers and on democracy day they are here to redeem their cash prize.

C M Y K

44 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 Email:lesleba@lesleba.com, lesleba@gmail.com Blog page:www.lesleba.com/blog2 Website: www.lesleba.com Tel:0805 220 1997

SALARY ARREARS:

What manner of bailout?

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he Executive Governors of more states in the Federation recently, unabashedly admitted, that, all is not well with their finances; indeed it has become, sadly evident, that civil servants in some states are owed several months salary arrears.

The devastating impact of such experience on personal dignity, and self confidence will be appreciated by anyone who has suffered such deprivation; ultimately an abiding sense of responsibility and integrity may become compromised with rationalisation for self preservation, while the “opportunities” for unethical or corrupt enrichment may become identified as divine providence. Social Scientists may also argue that once a public servant crosses this Rubicon, other decisions involving public assets will be processed through the same prism of self interest rather than public service.

Consequently, even when the period of adversity is over, the once dedicated and honest civil servant will still become hooked on a predatory habit on their fellow countrymen!

Indeed, the spirit of genuine and undiluted dedication to public good, was probably extinguished when distinguished and dedicated civil servants, were notified of their summary dismissal from service, without fair hearing on radio and TV in January 1975, by the presiding

Military Junta.

Thereafter, the civil service became an unsafe haven to pursue a career, as one’s future could clearly be jeopardized without the protection of extant procedural rules that seemingly guaranteed job security, if one performed their duties diligently.

Expectedly therefore, the erstwhile uncommon incidents of corrupt enrichment in public service soon gave way to what has become a concerted looting cult, in the guise of taking personal responsibility to safeguard one’s future, rather than endure the uncertain prospect of honorable retirement with pension.

Furthermore, civil servants also recognized that the rapid inflationary trend instigated by serial Naira devaluations between 1985 and thereafter, reduced the once life sustaining pension payments to monkey nuts! In this event, public servants needed no persuasion to ensure they put themselves first before the people they served.

Thus, it is possible that the spirit of I before state or country in public service may have become recharged throughout several states in the country by the current inability of several states to pay staff salaries. Certainly, under such circumstances, if the opportunity presents itself to collude and clandestinely dispose of expensive government equipment and machinery for self enrichment,

there would be many converts who would streamline the process.

Regrettably, such anti-social coup de tat, will be rationalised as self preservation and or a divine opportunity presented in answer to ardent prayers.

Last week, a multifaceted Governors’ Forum, reportedly approached President Buhari, with a beggars’ bowl for funds to enable them meet their salary obligations. It is unclear how much each State requires, but what is certain, however, is that the federal government currently has no substantial reserves to dip into; besides, the completion of several critical federal

Increase in money supply will fuel inflation, particularly when CBN appears eternally preoccupied with irreconcilable challenge of surplus Naira in the system

support banks during the financial crisis in 2008-9; that process, despite its inflationary collateral, incidentally required over N5 trillion of fresh Naira supply to buy out those toxic debts that allegedly threatened the financial market and by extension the economy.

Some Nigerians may claim that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander; instructively however, most States may have very modest quality assets to pawn for the tens of billions of Naira that they may require as ‘temporary’ bailout to keep afloat. In any event the CBN would not be expected to provide such bailouts with zero interest rate.

Eventually, the applicable cost of funds may mirror the pattern of other CBN interventions which carry about 9 per cent rate of interest; curiously, the disbursing bank would earn the lion share of 7 per cent while the CBN’s return on its clearly inflationary investment will make up the balance 2 per cent.

Nevertheless, it is pertinent to also ask how the CBN sources its seemingly inexhaustible supply of funds, especially when most of the funds provided to AMCON still remain outstanding. Well, the truth is that the CBN has the sole authority to print money, and so far, there is no strict limit to how much cash it can release into the system at anytime.

What is however, clear is that such increase in money supply will fuel inflation, particularly when CBN appears eternally preoccupied already with the irreconcilable challenge of surplus Naira in the system.

projects is also challenged by paucity of funds.

Nevertheless, although the 2015 budget already accommodates about N1tn deficit, it is more probable that over N2tn may have to be borrowed with oppressive interest rates between 12-17 per cent to fund the modest N4.5 trillion budget and fuel subsidy payments.

So, where will Buhari get the additional funds to bail out the States and also remediate those critical infrastructural deficits that urgently cry out for attention on the federal level, particularly in the areas of Education, Health and Transportation. Regrettably, rather than deploy the modest proceeds of the Excess Crude Account directly to critical infrastructure, these funds were stashed away as idle deposits and then gradually, simply whittled down, as recurrent consumption expenditure.

Indeed, despite the prevailing high interest rates, it may be difficult for those States with already high indebtedness to source funds from Commercial Banks, if these States do not have a realistic repayment plan, particularly with reduced monthly allocations caused by the crash in oil prices.

Alarmingly, internally generated revenue in some States remains well below 10 per cent of total budget, so how will such States pay back additional loans, especially when gestation for new initiatives on internal revenue generation take considerable time to harvest?

However, as usual, CBN may be called to the rescue with bailout funds, similar to funds which were created to

Business & Economy

Shale fallout torments Nigeria as flagship oil at decade-low T

HE shale boom that’s reduced U.S. dependence on overseas crude is reverberating in Nigeria as it cuts the pricing for its flagship grade to the lowest in a decade.

The country, part of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, will sell July supplies of its Bonny Light crude at 23 cents more than Dated Brent, according to an e-mailed statement from Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. That’s the smallest differential since 2005 and compares with a 50 cent premium in June and $2.55 a year earlier.

Surging output from U.S. shale formations contributed to a market glut that drove crude down almost 50 percent last C M Y K

year, roiling global markets as producer nations lost revenue and foreign-exchange reserves.

While oil has pared losses this year, prices are still below what some producers including Nigeria and other OPEC members need to balance their budgets, data from the International Monetary Fund and ING Bank NV show.

“Nigeria has no choice but to cut their price differential to fight for market share,” Hong Sung Ki, a commodities analyst at Samsung Futures Inc., said by phone from Seoul. “The U.S. was its key oil buyer in the past but imports have been shrinking with more shale output in an already oversupplied market.”

The slump in prices last year forced authorities in Nigeria,

which relies on oil for about 70 percent of its income, to scale back budgeted spending and devalue the naira. The nation’s former finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said earlier this month that her successor will face a “difficult” year because of plunging crude revenues.

Brent fell 69 cents to $63.57 at 10:34 a.m. local time on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange.

Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, that unlocked supplies in shale formations in North Dakota, Texas and other states has boosted U.S. output to the highest in more than three decades. That’s forced overseas producers, whose exports to the world’s biggest oil consumer are shrinking, to find new markets for their crude.

Omoh Gabriel Babajide Komolafe Clara Nwachukwu Peter Egwuatu Yinka Kolawole Favour Nnabugwu Godwin Oritse Godfrey Bivbere Michael Eboh Franklin Alli Ifeyinwa Obi Rosemary Onuoha Nkiruka Nnorom CONTRIBUTORS Princewill Ekwujuru Jonah Nwokpoku Naomi Uzor Providence Obuh LAYOUT

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Group Business Editor Deputy Business Editor Energy Editor Asst. Business Editor Snr Bus. Correspondent Insurance Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Energy Reporter Industry/Agric. Reporter Maritime Reporter Insurance Reporter Capital Market Reporter

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Media/Marketing E-Commerce Industry Micro Finance Graphics Department

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Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015—45

eting among health workers, adding that doctors are not only inflating the prices but prescribing wrong drugs for them in the name of taking commission from manufacturers.

• Cross section of breast cancer survivors during the June Support Group meeting of COPE in Lagos. On the right is Mrs Ebunlola Anozie, Executive Director, COPE.

Exploited! Breast cancer survivors cry out

• Allege sharp practices by doctors

By Chioma Obinna

A

LTHOUGH they have sur vived breast cancer, one of the most debilitating disorders in the world, the pains and agony of undergoing treatment continue to haunt them.

All over the land, and across the country, breast cancer survivors are crying out. They are lamenting lack of functional medical equipment, series of exploitation by medical doctors and syndicated cancer drug racketing among health workers.

Good Health Weekly gathered that in public hospitals, medical doctors and other health care providers readily take advantage of patients, even as allegations of illegal sales and distribution of drugs as well as rampant diversion of patients to private hospitals continue to make the rounds.

Investigations reveal that the series of sharp practices and underhand measures being perpertrated in connivance with other healthcare providers, are preventing easy access to essential cancer treatment and care.

Further, it was gathered that patients often end up paying as much as five times what they would have paid in the public hospitals for treatment , no thanks to the some doctors who take patients away from government owned facilities.

Some cancer survivors made startling revelations during the

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Care Organisation Public Enlightenment, COPE's monthly Support Group meeting in Lagos last week. For these and other survivors there is urgent need for government to step in and save patients from dying from cancer due to poor access to treatment and funds.

While some allege serious exploitation by medical doctors in public health institutions, others question why some pharmaceutical companies are having monopoly of manufacturie and supply of most cancer drugs.

Survivors speak Beatrice, a five-year breast cancer survivor, said: "We cannot afford to lose more Nigerians to any form of cancer. Government should establish a comprehensive cancer centre that will offer free screening, subsidised chemotherapy and radiotherapy, where oncologists and other experts should be employed strictly by Federal government."

Beatrice, who faulted the recent announcement on plans to purchase mobile cancer van worth millions, narrated how lack of functional radiotherapy machines is hindering treatment across the country. She said the real problem cancer patients face is access to treatment. "At a time it was only the radiotherapy at EKO Hospital that worked; people were coming from Abuja and different parts of Nigeria to queue. Sometimes,

I got to EKO Hospital by 3am.

"The one at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, is always down. Government should make the machines available in both state and Federal hospitals so that people can easily access these services in their states rather than travelling from Lagos to Benin or from Owerri to Lagos.

Exploitation Narrating her experience, Cherry, another survivor recounted how some doctors in public hospitals falsify treatment cost especially for well-off patients.

"I did my radiotherapy at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, but I went through hell. In the process I discovered atrocities doctors commit. For a procedure that ordinarily should

It is appalling that a patient will go to a teaching hospital and be told that there are no reagents. The same hospital will now refer you to a private hospital where you ought to pay

cost around N13,500 officially, some patients are charged as high as N200, 000.

"If drugs and other treatment are made cheaper many people will not die. The cost of treatment should be made low as possible for people to live and contribute to the country," Cherry stated.

Ifelola, another survivor also explained how lack of chemical and reagents as well as scanning machines have been stalling her treatment. She wondered why a teaching hospital would claim it ran out of reagents since last year and the new stock brought few weeks ago got expired.

"Another problem is reagents for diagnosis. It is appalling that a patient will go to a teaching hospital and be told that there are no reagents. The same hospital will now refer you to a private hospital where you will pay up to five times what you ought to pay.

"Are we saving lives? That alone can even demoralise if not kill a person. That is why people are dying."

Ifelola alleged that continued exploitation from doctors who divert patients to their own hospital in the name of making extra pay. "The exploitation by doctors in public hospitals is too much.

Most times these doctors refer you to their own hospitals because of money. No one said they should not make their money but they should know that they are dealing with human beings.

She further alleged drug rack-

High cost of drugs "Many of us are no longer taking our drugs because we cannot afford them. Some of these drugs are sold between N25, 000 - N30, 000 and N450,000. The government should stop this trend.

When they see you in the public hospitals they will direct you to their hospitals and bill you higher.

Even in the hospital, they don't attend to you well when you are not rich. It happened to me at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, and I blasted them and told them that because I have one breast does not make me less a person.”

Challenging the government to investigate the anomalies, she called for full subsidy of drugs for cancer.

"Government should monitor the doctors and the people who sell the drugs. Most people die because they cannot afford the drugs. As a cancer patient, you are already unbalanced, and you get to hospital and they will still talk to you shabbily, no form of information or enlightenment on what is being treated and how you are to live.

“There should be counselling.

You are supposed to go to hospital and get some form of relief, but you go to the General Hospital you end up being depressed.”

Drug theft Carol, yet another survivor, stated: "I am a victim of drug theft at LUTH. Some of these active chemotherapy drugs are expensive, and you are supposed to consume probably about 300g for one person but they will spread it to about three to five people. Now tell me how it will be effective? I was a victim. It happens every time at LUTH," she added.

She also questioned why some pharmaceutical companies should have monopoly over production and supply of drugs, adding that when other marketers and producers are allowed into the market, prices of drugs will be reduced drastically.

Speaking to Good Health Weekly after the monthly support group meeting for breast cancer survivors, Executive Director, Care Organisation Public Enlightenment, COPE, Mrs Ebunola Anozie stressed the need for doctors to prescribe the right drugs.

"It is okay if doctors collect commission from companies, when they sell certain amount of drugs, but they should prescribe . Don't give somebody a medication that is not going to work. It is more like killing that person."

46—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

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Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015—47

WAKE KEEP: From left: Mrs. Ibidun Ohiosimuan (widow);Dr Okun Ohiosimuan, eldest son of the deseaced and his wife, Dr Roli Ohiosimuan and Mr Ohife Ohiosimuan, second son, at the Christian wake-keep for late Sir. Samuel Ohiosimuan, at Diocese of Lagos West Christ Church Anglican Communion, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.

From left: Sir Oluremi Omotoso; Prof Akin Mabogunje and Dr Micheal Omolayole, at the Christian wake keep. Photos: Akeem Salau.

IYC flays threat by military to attack N-Delta

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—IJAW Youth Council, IYC, yesterday, said that the threat by the military to attack the Niger Delta region over alleged rise in criminal activities such as oil theft, sea piracy and kidnapping, was a subterfuge to attack and kill innocent people of the Niger Delta region.

IYC was reacting to a statement credited to the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Bardeh, to the effect that the military would turn its arsenal on the Niger Delta because of the rise in criminal activities in the Delta.

Air Chief Marshall Bardeh had, weekend in Yenagoa, at the commissioning of the permanent headquarters of the Joint Task Force, JTF, expressed concern over the rising cases of oil theft in the Niger Delta region, warning the perpetrators to desist from the act or be ready to face deadly gun battle.

But the IYC, through its spokesman, Eric Omare, yesterday, described the Chief of Defence Staff's comment as part of the plot by a section of the country now in power to silence the people of the Niger Delta.

He said: “IYC regards the threat by the military to attack the Niger Delta region because of alleged rise in criminal activities such as oil theft, sea piracy and kidnapping, as a subterfuge to attack and kill innocent people of the Niger Delta region. This is a prelude to the execution of a hidden agenda by a section of the country now in power to silence the people of the Niger Delta.

“It is an open secret that those involved in oil theft in

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the Niger Delta are well and retired military officers. placed persons in the society, Some persons in the Niger including top ranking serving Delta are only used as artisans

and errand boys. Air Marshall Alex Badeh cannot claim ignorance of this fact."

Sacked Delta workers demand probe of state civil service

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—THE Congress of Newly Employed Civil Servants in Delta State, weekend, demanded a holistic probe into the state civil service with a view to flushing out corrupt management staff and ghost workers from the system and thereby open employment opportunities for Deltans.

The congress, in a statement by its Chairman, Mr Regha Obukohwo, urged the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okow, to reconsider his decision and reverse the suspension placed on their employment. He lamented that many of them resigned their previous jobs to pick up the civil service job with the intention of serving their state.

Denying insinuation that the state was broke and could not pay its workers, the aggrieved suspended workers, said: “We request the Delta State Accountant General and Head of Service to provide answers to high numbers of ghost workers under their watch and account for the internally generated revenue, IGR, of Delta State, which is over N7 billion monthly.

He said: “The claim that of the N12 billion allocation for the month of May 2015 by Delta State Government officials that over N5 billion was spent as salary without disclosing the state's IGR which is estimated at N7 billion while government officials are also claiming that they are using N5.2 billion to service its debt profile cannot be correct.

“We urge Governor Okowa to

direct Heckrbella Limited, the firm handling the N1.4 billion Delta State Biometric Identification Payroll Automation Time and Attendance System, BIPATAS, project to release its report on the ministries, departments and agencies they have already concluded Biometric report. Heckrbella is a

firm contracted to fish out ghost workers from the Delta State Civil Service.”

He further alleged: “That Governor Okowa was wrongly advised by the Accountant General and others that Delta State is bankrupt and could not afford to pay the newly employed civil servants.”

How engineers can tackle unemployment —Experts

W

A R R I — A UNIVERSITY lecturer and Head of Civil/Structural Engineering, University of Benin, Engr. Sylvester Osuji and a former Head of Corporate Civil Engineering, Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, Engr. Chris Ekpekurede, have identified versatility of engineers, incorporation of entrepreneurship skills in engineering curriculum and the involvement of engineers in policy decisions, as key components to engineering entrepreneurship capable of tackling the growing unemployment in Nigeria.

They spoke in Effurun, Delta State, at the Warri branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, public lecture series andinduction of 60 new members.

President of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Ademola Olorunfemi, in his message, stressed the need for engineers to lay more emphasis on entrepreneurship “because there are no jobs anywhere anymore.”

Engr. Olorunfemi, who was represented by a National

Executive Committee member, Engr. Denis Dania, tasked members of NSE Warri branch, to fashion out a deliberate arrangement for the mentorship of younger engineers to enable them cope with the present realities.

Earlier in an address, the Warri branch Chairman of NSE, Engr.

J. Eghwrudje, explained that the essence of the public lecture series was to encourage engineers to become business oriented.

Emerhor hails Jega on use of card readers

T

HE All Progressives Congress, APC, Delta State guber candidate in the April poll, Olorogun O'tega Emerhor, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, chairman, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, for his courage and integrity in standing by the commission’s guidelines for the conduct of the 2015 general elections with regard to the sanctity of the use of card readers only for the elections.

He, however, accused Jega of failing in INEC's responsibility towards some candidates in the elections and passing same to the tribunals.

He said: “In the first place, INEC ought not to have declared results that did not emanate from the card readers and use such results to declare winners.

"If INEC had set out to use card readers to conduct elections, it ought to ensure that the results declared were those emanating from the use of card readers."

LGs must meet obligations to workers —Oshiomhole

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that the local government councils must meet their obligations as specified in the constitution, adding that the state government would assist the councils in re-engineering their finances to meet their obligations to their workers.

Speaking at the 17th Synod of

the Anglican Communion, at St. John’s Anglican Church in Benin City, the governor who attended the Synod in company of his wife Lara and several top government functionaries, said: “There is no doubt that this is the most difficult period in Nigeria’s history, perhaps since 1999, probably even before then; so difficult that in about two-thirds of states, civil servants, public servants are working and for six months, their salaries have not been paid."

48—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Anuforom re-election: Another PDP Govs meet, petition milestone for NiMet NWC over Mimiko’s

By Lawani Mikairu

T

HE re-election of the Director-General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, Dr. Anthony Anuforom, as member of the executive council of the World Meteorological Organisation, WMO, for another fouryear mandate starting January 1, 2016 is an eloquent testimony of the laudable feats the DG has achieved in NiMet within his current tenure.

Anuforom’s election took place on June 4 at the quadrennial congress of WMO held in Geneva, Switzerland. The Executive Council is composed of 37 directors of National Meteorological or Hydrometeorological Services and to be re-elected for another four year to be one of these 37 Directors to coordinate the programmes of the Organisation’s 191 members is an affirmation of the positive changes that have taken place in Nigerian Meteorological Agency these past years under the leadership of the current Director General.

The Executive Council is “the executive body of the Organization, which meets annually, implements decisions of Congress, coordinates the programmes, examines the utilization of budgetary resources, considers and takes action on recommendations of regional associations and technical commissions and guides their work programme, provides technical information, counsel and assist in the fields of activity of the Organization and studies and takes action on matters affecting international meteorology and related activities.

“The Council is composed of 37 directors of National Meteorological or Hydrometeorological Services, serving in an individual capacity as representatives of the Organization and not as representatives of particular Members thereof. They include the President and three Vice-Presidents who are elected by Congress, and the presidents of the six regional associations, by whom they are elected.

The remaining 27 members are elected by Congress. Acting members are elected by the Executive Council if any place becomes vacant before the next Congress.”

Anuforom’s membership of the council is a boost as it is expected to attract more infrastructural development as well as training workshops, scholarships and other development programmes for Nigerian

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•Dr Anthony Anuforom, DG, NiMet meteorologists in particular and the country’s aviation industry in general.

A remarkable achievement of NiMet under Anuforom is the ISO 9001:2008 Certification of its Aeronautical Meteorological Services. NiMet successfully scaled through the first maintenance audit of its ISO 9001 Certification last year. The agency has not only attained international standard in its service delivery, “but also has institutionalized an in-built mechanism for sustenance of quality services.”

The agency under the current leadership of Dr Anthony Anuforom has witnessed physical infrastructural development as the agency Abuja head office is now a multistorey office complex, equipped with state-of- theart facilities, a movement from its former one duplex office building.

The agency has also been positioned to increase its revenue from non-aeronautical sources to Fifty percent. Anuforom said this at the recent commissioning of NiMet Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre and Scientific and Technical Information Library.

Taking the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka and aviation re-

A remarkable achievement of NiMet under Anuforom is the ISO 9001:2008 Certification of its Aeronautical Meteorological Services.

NiMet successfully scaled through the first maintenance audit of its ISO 9001 Certification last year

porters on a facility tour of NiMet complex, which include Central Forecast Office, National Weather Studio, Instrument Calibration Laboratory, Upper Air Station, before the commissioning of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre and Scientific and Technical Information Library, Anuforom told his audience that the agency plans to increase the services it presently render to the maritime, and oil and gas sector and this will drastically increase its revenue.

According to him, “presently, non-aeronautical sources contribute less than 5 per cent of NiMet’s IGR. Our strategy is to increase the contribution of revenue from non-aeronautical sources (maritime and oil & gas) to 50 per cent in the medium term, while ensuring that the aeronautical sources do not diminish.

“The ICT infrastructure we are commissioning today is a potent tool and platform for achieving this goal.

We will also explore generating revenue directly by rendering direct ICT services, and also farming out any excess capacity in the Centre to other organizations.”

Chief OsIta Chidoka, who was overwhelmed by what he saw during the facility tour said in his address that “if you are looking for technological development, come to NiMet; if you are looking for technical growth, come to NiMet; if you are looking for technologydriven organization and a truly transformed parastatal, come to NiMet.“ The commissioning of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre and Scientific & Technical Information Library, is significant because it is in line with the policy of last President Jonathan Government that all projects started in the Aviation sector must be completed and there must be no abandoned project.

The establishment of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre to enhance efficiency of collection, processing, archiving and dissemination of meteorological data and information is a clear evidence that NiMet has indeed transformed into a world-class technologydriven Organization whose operations are in consonance with contemporary global best practices.

The facilities have supported the agency’s activities in carrying out its mandate of monitoring weather and climate and “providing early warning information; not only for aviation, but also for other sectors of the economy.”

election

By Henry Umoru

A

B U J A — GOVERNORS belonging to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP are set for a showdown today as a meeting scheduled to deliberate on party issues is being overwhelmed by mutterings over the election of Governor Segun Mimiko of Ondo State as their chairman.

The governors are peeved that Mimiko was elected against due process having only recently rejoined the party. Those opposed to his election have forwarded a petition to the National Working Committee, NWC, on their objection, sources revealed at the weekend.

Mimiko emerged the Chairman of PDPGF last

week and vowed to engage President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC ,in a very constructive manner.

He replaced former Governor Godswill Akpabio who is now a senator.

During the meeting where he was elected, six Governors and two Deputy Governors who represented their governors were at the meeting out of the 13 governors produced by the party.

According to a source at the national secretariat of PDP, the NWC would hold a crucial meeting with all the governors today to brainstorm on these issues relating to how to move the party forward as well as the chairmanship of the Forum.

The aggrieved governors were said to have protested

that the choice of Mimiko did not follow due process bearing in mind that Mimiko only defected to the party recently.

Meanwhile, worried by the inability of PDP to convene a meeting of the National Executive Committee, NEC especially since the March 28 presidential election, the PDP governors will at their meeting today brainstorm on when the party should hold the meeting.

The meeting will also deliberate on the sharing of the minority offices to be given the party in the National Assembly.

A source told Vanguard yesterday that Mimiko will preside at the meeting where the governors would come up with names that will not cause ripples especially.

NNSG faults Amnesty Int’l on Nigerian military WAR AGAINST TERROR:

By Dapo Akinrefon

L

AGOS—ABUJA— The Nigerian National Summit Group, NNSG, has faulted the report by Amnesty International on the Nigerian Military describing the report as biased and slanted to fulfil a dubious agenda.

Addressing newsmen

in Lagos, NNSG’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Tony I. Uranta, accused AI of attempting to deploy cheap and notso-subtle blackmail to stampede President Muhammadu Buhari into turning against his own military, “to so stir discontent within the ranks of the Nigerian

military, and thus fasttrack the long-obvious agenda of certain Western powers to jeopardise the war against Boko Haram as prelude to expediting nationwide system collapse.”

The NNSG scribe said, “the AI report is mainly a compilation of unsubstantiated allegations, accentuated by dubious visuals of highly-suspect activities

by Boko Haram terrorists designed to portray the Nigeria forces in bad light, and strewn with a hodge-podge of putative ‘inside stories’ which are unlikely to stand any standard verification tests.

“Whilst we join the President in saying every allegation of impropriety, made against any agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, must be looked into, we strongly deplore the uncivil language and tone of AI’s Report which is irritatingly devoid of any diplomatese, any civility, or any respect, even as it seeks to dictate conclusions to Mr. President, even before his independent investigations are commenced.”

Vanguard, MONDAY 5 —49 MONDAY,, JUNE 22, 201 2015

Campus cultism: Nigeria’s fast-ticking terrorists time bomb

By Chioma Onuegbu, Uyo

I

F media reports are anything to go by, cultism is alarmingly on the rise in tertiary and post-primary institutions in Nigeria, a development that has raised grave concerns in many quarters, prompting several calls on government to take urgent steps to stem the tide.

Indeed it is said that many have lost their lives to campus terrorism, especially cult wars among rival groups, while several have dropped out of school without actualising their ambition and dreams.

The unfortunate situation explains why more Nigerian parents now prefer to send their children to secondary schools and universities run and managed by religious institutions where they feel the lives of their children would be safe and properly molded without minding the financial implication.

Some of these private faithbased schools are noted for adopting very proactive measures to prevent any possible infiltration. For instance in 2003, Madonna University Okija, Anambra State succeeded in pre-empting the infiltrating of the school by cult groups by directing all students staying off campus to move into the hostels within the institution. Some of the students who defied the directive were immediately expelled from the school and that served as a deterrence to others.

The good news is that a nongovernmental organisation, the Peace on Campus Initiative/ Initiatives for Child Education Against Cultism in Nigeria, ICEAC, has taken it upon itself to tackle the problem.

Comrade Oliver Cromwell, a retired Naval Officer and the National Coordinator of the PCI/ICEAC initiatives in a recent interaction with Vanguard Metro, VM, in Uyo the Akwa Ibom State capital gives an insight on the factors promoting the spread of cultism in Nigerian schools and what his body is doing about it.

According to him: “Although we are not everywhere but we are working seriously at containing the rate of cult activities in the states we are

*Comrade Oliver Cromwell

*Suspects arrested on cult-related offences covering at the moment. Apart from reducing the incidence of cultism in Nigerian schools the two advocacies also provide alternative safe landing for those who are tired of practising terrorism on campuses and also provide ground for renunciation for those who want to come out because we discovered that most of the students who are in cult groups did not join willingly. Some of them were conscripted; others were misled or deceived to join cultism.”

Going down memory lane, Cromwell recalled that it was the level of killings, rapes and other anti-social behaviours and vices perpetrated by cultists in the University of Uyo in the 1990s that moved him into fighting the menace.

“The problem started in 1991, about 24 years ago. Then the University of Uyo was known as Cross Rivers State University, UNICROSS and the second name then was ‘War College’ because of the level of killings on the campus.

There was no weekend we don’t pick one or two dead bodies from the Agriculture Farm. Then the school used to celebrate cultism.

“The killings got to a point that the military administrator in the state then, Col Bako, summoned the Service Chiefsthe Army Commander, Navy Commander, SSS and the Commissioner of Police to find out what was happening on the campus because as at that time people did not really understand what was going on.

“The Service Chiefs were asked to come in and each Command was mandated to

send somebody to monitor what was happening and that was how I became a permanent undergraduate on campus for 10 years. So I had to gather all men of the armed forces on campus, we talked and said enough was enough. But then we could not perform because most of the soldiers were on campus illegally.

“In 1994 I had to gather some student activists, some lecturers who detests terrorism and some fellowships too. We joined together to form what is called the ‘Students High Command’. We assured those weaklings who wanted to join cultism that there is no point, that they should come to ‘Students Higher Command’ that is known by the university.

“The High Command was very effective and we were able to stop so many things on campus. We stopped initiation on campus; we stopped what they called A-Robbery, that is phone snatching.

“The High Command drove

If this people can wreak this level of havoc today what happens to the South where we have over 300,000 armed militia? That is why I am very, very worried

them out of campus; but that did not solve the problem because they now turned guerrilla; they will come, hit and run away. So we now brought it down to the PCI. “This time around we can sit down with cultists and discuss.

We can engage them to work with us and with time they don’t go back again. And through the PCI we now found out what attracts them to cultism. By 2003, the Akwa Ibom State government adopted it because from that moment there were no more gunshots on campus, no student demonstrations; no cult wars; the University of Uyo adopted it and released money for us to go into wide sensitisation under the leadership of Professor Akpan Ekpo,” Cromwell said at length.

He also noted factors such as academic fraud promoted by some lecturers, influence of desperate politicians, certain traditional and religious practices, even breakdown in family and societal values as contributing to the perpetration of cultism among youths. ”It is giving us problem because the lecturers now gang up against us; they are doing everything to frustrate what we are doing. And the implication of that is that it promotes prostitution, it encourages confraternity on campuses, and students are detached from academics. Academic fraud should be fought seriously.

“Now as it stands I am calling on the state security service to come in; I am calling on the Ministry of Education; Council of Schools should also come into this. I am glad that the

EFCC are into it too and I expect ICPC to come in also.

“The last general elections promoted cultism among the youths and it is an indication that politicians contribute immensely to the high incidence of cultism and terrorism among our youths. A situation where politicians buy guns for these boys during elections and at the end of the day they are appointed as PAs, SAs and so on, encourages cultism.

“The Boko Haram insurgency in the North has been traced to the Almajiri system where children between the ages of five and seven are separated from their parents; they keep begging to survive. You go to the streets of Kano, Yobe you see close to 3000 everyday, but about the age of 20 you will not see them on the streets again.

“They are not educated, they don’t have money; they did not even learn any trade; so where are they? So if this people can wreak this level of havoc today what happens to the South where we have over 300,000 armed militia. That is where I am looking at, and that is why I am very, very worried.

“They are everywhere, in schools, in the streets. And the worst situation is that of secondary schools because they are first timers in illicit drug use and in live weapon handling. Before 2007 we were covering most secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State; we discovered that there are close to 17 and 19 cult groups that exist in secondary schools in this state and they are offshoot of the bigger body and before they go to higher institutions they are already initiated.”

50—VANGUARD, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

•Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki in a warm handshake with former President Olusegun Obasanjo when he paid a courtesy visit to him at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

APC: The unresolved issues

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

S

OME weeks before the recent presidential election, a former governor in the frontline of the campaign of the All Progressives Congress, APC reportedly went to the Lagos home of a national leader of the party and prostrated before him, begging him that they should not quarrel over some then emerging issues.

The leader had acquiesced as both men resolved to paper over the issues between them and focus on the main target of forcing out their common enemy, that is, President Goodluck Jonathan out of office.Now, having successfully uprooted the vagaries of President Jonathan and his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP from power, those issues that were papered over have now been exposed as the new ruling party seeks albeit with much frustration to forge a common ground.

Nothing speaks of the seeming dissonance in the new ruling party that as at yesterday, the new administration which had almost two months to prepare

for governance is yet to name critical personnel to operate the levers of government.

An explanation for the dithering procrastination has been adduced by administration sympathisers to the delayed submission of

the handover notes from the Jonathan administration.

However, few are fooled given the cacophony of voices that has shadowed the affairs of the APC since its takeover of the administration and the National Assembly.

Even the takeover of the National Assembly is suspect, given the humiliating defeat of the party ’s preferred candidates for the leadership of the National Assembly.

Whereas the party sought the pair of Senators Ahmad

The problem of sharing THE snide remark of antagonists of the APC is that the party was only united by the common fascination of uprooting the PDP and that the leaders of the party would fall out when it comes to sharing.

“This is what happens when thieves come to share their loot,” some PDP stakeholders have said sarcastically.

The APC has remarkably showed itself not to be gifted in sharing the cake, an art that was masterfully done by the PDP while in power.

The problem with sharing started immediately after the presidential election. The leadership of the party failed to agree on the distribution of the national offices. An initial agreement worked out by the National Working Committee,

•Lawan

•Saraki

NWC which showed the allocation of principal offices of the National Assembly to the various geopolitical zones became the subject of intrigues.

It was that failure of the party to take charge that led to the crisis that saw the opposition

PDP deciding on how the four top positions in the National Assembly would go. Pitiably for the ruling party and to the glory of the opposition, the permutations of the PDP prevailed over that of the ruling

Continues on page 47

Lawan and George Akume for the office of Senate President and Deputy Senate President, the pair of the APC’s Senator Bukola Saraki and the PDP’s Senator Ike Ekweremadu emerged for the office of Senate President and Deputy Senate President upon the faux pas caused by the party.

In the House leadership contest in which the party actively participated, the party’s preferred choices of Femi Gbajabiamila and Mohammed Moguno as speaker and deputy speaker, were defeated by the unofficial candidates of the party, Yakubu Dogara and Lashun Yusuf respectively.

The development has inevitably thrown the party into a crisis.

Remarkably, the president, some claim, is believed to be angry with the way and manner the new leadership emerged and has yet to set eyes on any of the four presiding officers. It is arguably the first time since the advent of the Fourth Republic that the president of the country has not met physically with the leaders of the National Assembly at the commencement of a presidential cycle.

Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu was understood to have told an online medium that the National Assembly leaders have not sought an audience with the president.

However, Senator Saraki was in the Abeokuta residence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo last weekend where he was understood to have sought the assistance of the elder-statesman in intervening on behalf of the new National Assembly leadership in stemming the crisis of confidence between the National Assembly and

Continues on page 51

Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu was understood to have told an online medium that the National Assembly leaders have not sought an audience with the president

VANGUARD, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015—51

APC: The unresolved issues Continues from page 50 the administration. Sources, however, say that the presidential beef may be more directed to the Senate than to the House given the awkwardness of the emergence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu from the opposition PDP as the Deputy Senate President.

The crisis inevitably brings to question assertions by the president on his inauguration of his determination to work with anyone that emerged in the National Assembly

leadership contest. The well acclaimed phrase by the president, “I belong to everyone, I belong to nobody,” is as such now enmeshed in a crisis of confidence.

The developments within the administration and the National Assembly inevitably puts the fact that the ruling APC still has a number of issues to resolve.

Among the issues are who gets what, the determination of a leader, Buhari’s aspiration for a second term among others.

•Buhari

The problem of sharing Continues from page 46 party.

Now, the APC has to contend with how to share the remaining eight offices in the National Assembly – leader, deputy leader, Whip and deputy whip – in the Senate and the House.

Understandably, party partisans want the loyal Senators Lawan and Akume and Gbajabiamila and Moguno, who lost out even after toeing the party position on the issues to be accommodated in the leadership.

However, it is a Machiavellian principle of power not to sustain your rivals in a power game, and hence the stiff opposition from loyalists of Saraki and Dogara to the pressure from the party for Lawan and Gbajabiamila to be appointed the respective leaders of the Senate and the House.

How the APC decides on this would be crucial, and it is the second test facing an already bruised party.

Suggestions to the effect that in the Tambuwal House that Mulikat Akande, who competed for the position of speaker was rewarded with the office of leader fail to measure in the case of Dogara and Gbajabiamila. Akande was practically no match for Aminu Tambuwal in the leadership contest of 2011.

The 2019 question •Aisha: Is Tinubu still her leader?

•Tinubu: APC national leader

Who is National Leader G

IVEN that the APC has yet to define the official status of some of its major stakeholders such as President Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu among others.

Many have predicted that sooner or later that Buhari and Tinubu would fall apart. However, such suggestions betray the fact that Buhari is a man who is known to keep his promises and a gentleman officer.

Only a few in the party deny the fact that Buhari and Tinubu were together on the Lawan for Senate President project. That fact is underlined by assertions that the majority of the Buhari boys in the Senate from the North tilted their support towards Lawan.

In an interview two weeks before the presidential election, Aisha, wife of the president had praised the sacrifices of Tinubu towards the Buhari campaign saying: “My husband, General Muhammadu Buhari has been contesting presidential elections for over a decade now, but this particular election is unique because our leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu jettisoned his personal interest for the sake of Nigeria,” she said.

But following the emergence of Buhari as president, the question as to who is now leader of the party is one that is bound to interest many stakeholders. Would Aisha still refer to Tinubu as the leader or would she remember the sacrifices, political and otherwise marshalled by Tinubu for the success of her husband?

T

HE 2019 presidential election is almost four years away, but almost every political step taken by party stakeholders today is defined by the machinations of the contenders for the ticket of the party.

Indeed, the dogged opposition by many party leaders to Saraki’s aspiration for the office of Senate President was essentially based on the fact that he was seen as too ambitious who would use the office of Senate President to the presidency in 2019.

Remarkably, Senator Rabiu Kwankwanso, one of the major threats against Saraki is also believed to have his own presidential ambition and there were suggestions in political circles that Kwankwanso opposed Saraki simply so that his rival’s political credentials would not be enhanced.

Governor Aminu Tambuwal also believed to be another presidential aspirant was believed to have led the Dogara campaign for speaker for the purpose of getting a

quid pro quo from Dogara ahead of 2019.

All the calculations, however, fall short of the uncertain 2019 ambition of President Buhari.

That like many other issues

facing the party are yet unresolved. How the party resolves such issues would give it stability and structure needed to deliver its promises.

•Kwankwanso, Tambuwal: 2019 combatants

52—VANGUARD, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

these bad things and people within the party that caused their political downfall. These are the reasons why I left at this time because when salt fails to test like salt; then it will no longer be called salt.

But some Nigerians believe there is no much difference between the PDP and the APC? I don’t believe this; it is untrue. A typical example is when I attended President Buhari’s inauguration; there was no fanfare and the usual display of uniforms by party members. If it were my former party, it would have been a funfair of financial wastages by making uniforms where its cost will be quadrupled by party leaders at the expense of the nation.

I saw nothing like such waste during Buhari’s inauguration.

There were prudent celebrations. As someone who has a financial background, I said to myself that the APC is really conscious of the financial leakages in the nation’s purse, and this is why it handled the ceremony in such a prudent manner.

•Sen Nwaogu: I’m in APC to assist the party bring change to Nigeria

The ugly reasons I said bye to PDP — Senator Nwaogu SENATOR Nkechi Justina Nwaogu, the immediate past senator that represented Abia Central District in this interview, speaks on the issues and contentions within the former ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Senator Nwaogu’s political trajectory has been phenomenal. She started off from the All Peoples Party, APP where she served as national treasurer and subsequently won election on the platform of the party to the House of Representatives in 2003. She moved from the party to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP while still a member of the House and used the PDP platform to overwhelm two senators in the 2007 election, Senators Chris Adighije and Bob Nwanunu.

Senator Nwaogu won re-election to the Senate in 2011 and made an unsuccessful bid for the governorship ticket of the PDP in 2015. Following her loss, she recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. She spoke on her political journey in an interview.

Excerpts:

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

W

HY did you dump the PDP for the APC when the former retained power in your state, Abia?

I left the PDP because, as a political party, it was supposed to act like one, not a dictatorial party. PDP was supposed to act in the best interest of every member. It is no longer news that my former party lost focus and up to the time I left, they have failed to realize that they lost focus.

There was too much impunity.

PDP lost the election because of impunity arising from the imposition of candidates. I felt that my association with PDP was no longer necessary because the party could no longer fulfil my political

aspiration. My political aspiration is to add value to my constituency, improving the lives of our people. PDP lost the ideology for which I joined them. This is why I had to leave because they lost all these virtue for which I was happy to join them.

Your supporters had expected this decision in view of what happened to your governorship ambition in the PDP, why did it take this long?

I thought my former party would have realized the mistakes they made. A lot of Nigerians reposed their political and economic well being on my former party and when they made these grave mistakes, I expected them to

realize and accept their mistakes and through public announcement and ask for forgiveness as well as find ways to rebuild and reorganize the party and the ideals it was known for. But rather than retrace their steps, they believed that they will always have their way. Yes, my supporters had expected me to abandon the party, but it is not just the moment that something happens that you react to it. I waited this long to give them time to retrace their ugly footsteps which brought such humiliation on the party during the polls, but I saw no remorse and rethinking.

I saw nothing in the future towards reorganizing themselves and expunging

Don’t you think that it would have been better if you left the PDP earlier?

No, I don’t have any regret not joining the APC earlier. I believe that everything that happens in one’s life is for a purpose. For those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, I believe it was the way it was destined for me.

This is a period of reflection over what has happened, if I had jumped into another party, I know I would have beaten the former governor in the senatorial election. If somebody who didn’t do much could beat him at his polling unit and ward

I waited this long to give them time to retrace their ugly footsteps which brought such humiliation on the party during the polls, but I saw no remorse and rethinking

in the election, then; there is no doubt that I would have won by a landslide and returned to the Senate.

What will the people expect from you since that you have become a member of the APC which is now the ruling party at the centre?

I’m in APC to assist the party bring change to Nigeria; a change in attitude and change in the way we do things.

Change has already started from my political ward; you saw what happened in my political ward and local government; the level of reception by the people on the day I formally declared for the party. We will be change agents for party, Abia State and Nigeria. I am happy to be a participant in the change process. I’m going to be a fisher of men, women and resources into the APC. You appear to have much confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari, how confident are you that he won’t fail Nigerians?

My confidence is that he’s been somebody who has been tried and tested at some point and found diligent and also found acceptable. We believe that he is the same person that has come here. Since after he left the military, look at his lifestyle, he is very close to not having a blemish.

If you look at his lifestyle, you will see that he is a person who is very progressive in nature who would want to give even his life for the country because for him to have tried to be the President for four times shows he had been lamenting in his heart about the state of affairs in this country.

He has been crying being aware that as a person, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), he could not affect lives as much as he can now that he is at the head of that change Nigerians desire. So I have confidence that he is not going to derail despite the fact that this is a democratic set up where people of different backgrounds, different interests are coming together all in the name of politics. I’m sure that Nigerians are praying for him to be focused and to put at the back of his mind those things he has promised Nigerians that he will do, and that is living an open life, running an open administration, doing something that will be for the benefit of the people.

If he is able to use good advice to plug a lot of wastages in the system, I can assure you there will be enough money to go around, to touch lives. There will be a revival in the private sector which is a great engine of economic development of any nation.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 — 53

National Identification Number becomes mandatory from Sept 1 —- NIMC

By Emmanuel Elebeke

A

BUJA—THE issuing authority for National Identity, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has directed that all transactions involving the identification of individuals must be done with the National Identification Number (NIN) beginning from 1st September this year.

The Commission has therefore urged on all Nigerians to avail themselves the opportunity of enrolment into the National Identity Database and be issued a National Identification Number (NIN), which is the single version of truth and the foundation identity.

Pursuant to section 27 (1) and (2) of the NIMC Act, 2007, the Commission said these transactions, include: application for, and issuance of an International Passport; opening of individual and/or group bank accounts, all consumer credits; purchase of insurance policies; the purchase, transfer and registration of land by any individual; National Health Insurance Scheme, such transactions that have social security implications, registration of voters, payment of taxes, and pensions, etc.

In a statement yesterday, the Commission’s General Manager, Inspectorate, Regulatory & Compliance Services, Mrs. Hadiza Dagabana said, “any

government agency/institution, bank, insurance company and all other institutions offering services and/or involved in transactions requiring the identity of an individual must first demand for the NIN. Any individual, institutions/body who fails to comply with the above has committed an offence under the punishable under section 28 of the NIMC Act,” She urged Nigerians to appreciate the full import of the NIMC mandate, and understand

that the three decades old problem of identity management in Nigeria has been fixed since 2012 by the provision of a Unique Identification Infrastructure for Nigeria and the subsequent launch of the National e-ID Card scheme in 2014.

On his part, the General Manager, Information Technology/Identity Database, NIMC, Mr. Chuks Onyepunuka said: “Clearly, most people are unable to appreciate the shift in paradigm from ‘Card Issuance’,

their familiar turf, to ‘Identity Management’, the current global trend, which explains the reason why they insist on getting the physical card even after they have been enrolled and issued their NIN. “NIMC is focused on establishing ‘Foundation Identity’ (who you are) as the issuing authority for Nigeria, all other institutions, including the Banks and INEC are focused on ‘Functional Identity’ (whether you are eligible for a specific service).

ASSEMBLY: From left: Chris Uwaje, Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, Presidential aspirant, Prof.

Charles Uwadia, former NCS President and Prof. Sola Aderoumu, also NCS Presidential aspirant at the just concluded Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria , CPN, 2015 IT Assembly held in Cross River Calaba. Photo by Emeka Aginam

I'll lift evil spell cast on Benue State — ORTOM

G

OVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State,weekend, assured that he would revive Taraku Oil Mills, Otukpo Burnt Bricks, and Ikwe Wildlife Park, saying he was determined to lift the evil spell cast on the state.

He spoke while inspecting

facilities at the moribund companies noting that the collapse of all industries in the state indicated that it was under an evil spell to have allowed the high level of economic decay and rot of all her industries.

In Taraku, Gwer local

government area, Governor Ortom said “This is my first time of coming into the oil mill and from what we have seen, Benue is under a spell. There is no reason for this factory to be lying fallow, this factory is a gold mine, greater than Benue Cement.

Sterling Bank embarks on nationwide cleaning exercise

T

HE staff of Sterling Bank Plc at the weekend carried out a nationwide environmental cleaning exercise as part of its “Sterling Environmental Makeover” (#STEM) series.

The exercise, which is part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of the Bank, focuses on environmental sustainability and aims at promoting a clean environment and good health among Nigerians.

In Lagos, the exercise according to a statement, saw the staff of the Bank in collaboration with officials of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority C M Y K

(LAWMA) clean a section of the famous Ladipo spare parts market along Oshodi Apapa Expressway to the delight of the traders who also joined staff of the Bank in the exercise.

Other locations where the exercise went on simultaneously include Ochanja Area at Anambra; Agodi Gate, Ibadan; Durumi Abuja; Bata market Kano; Elelenwo Akpaja road Port Harcourt and Behind Ogbogonogo Market Delta. The Bank’s staff across these locations enthusiastically undertook the exercise which many of them said was a great avenue for them

to make a difference. The Bank plans to extend this initiative to other parts of the country in subsequent editions.

The Bank’s Executive Director, Finance & Strategy, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman stated in an interview with reporters at the event that the Bank started the exercise in 2013 in furtherance of its core purpose of enriching lives. He added that Sterling Bank will continually engage in initiatives that promote a healthy environment especially those that promote healthy living through its renowned partnership with relevant government agencies.

“The raw materials are here and when the factory starts working, farmers, our mothers, and the youths will smile.

I want to pay tribute to our legend, the late Governor Aper Aku who had the foresight to establish this factory and I promise to build on his legacies. We will create the enabling environment to ensure that our industries function again”, Ortom promised, stressing that he had directed that water supply from the Otobi water works be extended to the factory.

In his comment, the Managing Director of Growrich Resorts Limited, managers of the mills on lease, Mr. Ernest Jor said that the factory has the capacity of providing over 600 jobs and creating massive wealth to Benue farmers regretting that the company lacked water, power supply as well as insufficient funds to maintain uninterrupted production.

TERRORISM: Air Force chief sues for stronger ties with other security agencies

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI—THE Director of Air Intelligence, in the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, Air Commodore Benson Omoyungbo has sued for close collaboration between officers and men of the armed forces and other security agencies in order to effectively tackle acts of terrorism in parts of the country.

He lamented that poor intelligence networking had enabled the insurgents receive crossborder support from international terrorist groups especially in the areas of training, funding and logistics.

Air Commodore Omoyungbo who spoke weekend, at the combined graduation ceremony of the Advanced Intelligence Course 12/2015 and I n t e r m e d i a t e Intelligence Course 11/ 2015 at the Nigerian Air Force School of Air Intelligence, NAFSAINT, Makurdi suggested that such flaws be addressed.

Speaking further , he said, “for the NAF to maintain its standard, we must also ensure training and re-training of personnel since the present security challenges confronting the nation required that we exhibit adequate professional knowledge and show first-rate discipline in the discharge of our constitutional roles.”

Earlier, the Commandant of the NAFSAINT, Group Captain Raymond Nwankwo said the training of the 49 graduands was in line with the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff, which entailed the consolidation on the transformation of the Nigerian Air Force.

He said the NAF Intelligence Directorate was committed to providing the needed multidisciplinary intelligence to all segments of the society in order to make Nigeria a safer place.

54—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Innoson slams N30 billion suit on GTBank

N

IGERIA’s first in digenous automobile manufacturer, Innoson Motors Nigeria Limited, has slammed a N30 billion suit against Guarantee Trust Bank, GTB, as a result of damages the company suffered following an ex parte order of Mareva Injunction, which GTB applied and obtained, freezing Innoson’s accounts in all the banks in Nigeria.

However, on June 10, Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in a considered ruling set aside the ex parte order of September 1, 2014 and the writ of summons as well.

The running legal battle between Innoson and GTB started when Innoson challenged the action of Nigerian Customs Service for auctioning its goods.

In a Garnishee Order Absolute, the court

had ordered GTB to pay Innoson N2,048,737,443.67 from Customs account.

Rather than comply with the Garnishee Order Absolute of the court, GTB on February 6, 2015 appealed the judgment, but the Court of Appeal in Appeal no. CA/1/258/ 2011 affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court and ordered GTB to pay the judgment debt of N2,048,737,443.67 to Innoson.

GTB, instead, appealed to the Supreme Court against the Court of Appeal’s decision.

In another suit, Innoson sued GTB for imposing excess and unlawful charges on the company’s account with the bank amounting to N559 million.

The trial court gave a N4.7 billion judgment in favour of Innoson.

GTB subsequently appealed the judgment of the Awka High Court, but the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, upheld the judgment and ordered GTB to pay the judgment debt, which stood at over N5.7 billion, into an interestyielding account in the name of the Chief Regi-strar of the Court of Appeal.

However, GTB has appealed to the Supreme Court.

Y'ELLO: Mrs. Derisola Soname, Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Education District IV, Lagos State Ministry of Education; Mrs. Aminat Oyagbola, Human Resources Executive; Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, Corporate Services Executive, and Mrs. Ugonwa Nwoye, Customer Relations Executive, all of MTN Nigeria, at the closing ceremony of 21 Days of Y’ello Care themed Investing in Education for All, in Lagos.

UNPAID SALARIES: Buhari meets governors tomorrow F

OLLOWING an appeal by the 36 state governors seeking President Muhammadu Buhari’s intervention over the inability of some states to pay workers’ salaries, the President has agreed to meet with governors tomorrow.

This is just as the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, has advised affected states to explore available avenues to alleviate the plights of the workers.

The meeting between President Buhari and the governors is expected to focus on the modality of sourcing funds to enable them defray the debts owed their workers.

A top government

official of the affected states said: “The President has graciously accepted our overtures to him to help us.

“Some of us owe workers over nine months salary arrears and this has brought activities in the public service to a standstill. We hope the President helps this time.”

A Presidency source said the Federal Government may be forced to draw from the depleting external reserves.

Meanwhile, NGE, at the end of its second Quarter Standing Committee Meeting held weekend in Abuja, decried the nonpayment of salaries of workers by some state

governments and advised affected states to explore available avenues to alleviate the plights of the workers.

NGE's statement

A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, signed by the Acting President, GarbaDeen Muhammad, and General Secretary, Victoria Ibanga stated that “The Guild decried the non-payment of salaries of workers by some state governments and advised affected states to explore available avenues to alleviate the plights of the workers.

“The Guild commended the Federal Government for the relocation of the Command and Control Centre of the Armed Forces to Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital, and urged it to keep up the momentum until peace is finally restored to all

troubled areas.

“The body of Editors also urged the relevant agencies to intensify efforts at resettling internally displaced persons, while ensuring proper protection and care to ameliorate their sufferings.

“The Guild further called for the diversification of the economy by Federal and state governments as well as cutting cost of governance and blocking leakages in the system.

“It, however, welcomed the efforts of some state governments that have taken steps to cut cost of governance and encouraged others to emulate them.

“The Guild also urged the National Assembly to concentrate on the business of law making for which they were elected in the interest of Nigerians.

... moves into Presidential Villa

By Ben Agande

A

BUJA—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday evening, moved into the Presidential Villa preparatory to resuming at the State House this morning, almost three weeks after he was sworn into office.

Sources at the Villa told Vanguard that security details and other staff of the Presidential Villa were on hand to receive the President, whose wife, Aisha Buhari, moved into the Villa last Thursday.

Truck loads of equipment moved into the Villa on Sunday evening ostensibly bearing the personal effects of the President, who returned to Abuja from Katsina State, weekend.

President Buhari and his Vice, Yemi Osinbajo, have been operating from the Defence House since they were sworn in on May 29.

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 — 55

Attack by Fulani herdsmen no longer acceptable in Benue —GOV ORTOM M

ARKUDI—BENUE State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has condemned recent attack on Tse-Ikpur community in Logo local government area by suspected Fulani herdsmen, resulting into killings and destruction of property.

He described the attack which is the most recent in a series of others, as savage and unacceptable.

Governor Ortom who directed security agencies to take urgent steps to stop further attacks on communities in the state said his administration would not tolerate acts of violence against the people.

He said measures are being put in place to curb the activities of criminals be they among herders or farmers and requested the police to track and arrest those responsible for yesterday ’s attack for prosecution.

According to him, the security of lives and property in the state particularly the

resolution of the incessant herders and farmers conflict, formed a major part of his discussion with President Muhammadu Buhari, when they travelled to South Africa

last weekend and that it remained a priority of his administration.

He noted that while ranches remained a permanent solution to the conflict,

dialogue between the two concerned parties and legal means of addressing grievances must be encouraged rather than the current resort to self help.

By Dapo Akinrefon

B

AFTERNOON TEA: From left, Mr. Akin Orebiyi, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Lagos State, Prof. Attahiru Jega, INEC Chairman and Mo Abudu,Chairman and CEO, EbonyLife TV, during Afternoon Tea with Prof. Jega in Lagos. Photo: Oscar Ochiogu.

Controversy trails appointment of new AGF

A

BUJA—THE appointment of Mr Mohammed Dikwa as the acting Accountant General of the Federation has been faulted by some staff of the civil service.

According to them, the development is being viewed as inimical to seniority, experience and discipline.

According to a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity to Vanguard, he said; subdued murmurs and simmering discontent have been

UNIBEN Council reaffirms Onokerhoraye's status as Professor Emeritus

trailing the process of the appointment of the successor to the immediate past Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, Mr Jonah Otunla, who left office about a fortnight ago.

“After Otunla’s exit, Mr Mohammed Dikwa was deployed to the position of the acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive AGF. But the worry in the civil service is that Dikwa ranks No. 18 in the order of seniority of

Directors of Finance and Accounts in the employment of the Civil Service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The deployment of Dikwa by the Head of Civil Service, Mr Danladi Kifasi against the instructions of President Muhhamadu Buhari that the most senior Director be appointed to act in the position of AGF was jettisoned and this has heightened suspicions, veracity and integrity of the process.”

The source went further, “34 directors of finance and accounts across the civil service sat for the most recent qualifying examination.

Based on performance

in the three-stage test, the number should have been whittled down to a more manageable size to enable oral interface before recommendation for presidential approval. The template which was put in place and followed religiously under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was for the best three candidates, following tests and screening for top-level service positions, to be proposed for eventual ratification at the discretion of the President.”

Accusing Kifasi of downplaying Mr President’s instruction, the source went further “Without regards for this rule, four of the 34 candidates who sat for the AGF qualifying examinationwererandomlyselected for post-screening in circumstances which were anything but transparent."

ENIN—THE Governing Council of the University of Benin has declared null, void and of no effect the withdrawal of the Professor Emeritus status of Andrew G. Onokerhoraye.

It will be recalled that the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Osayuiki G. Oshodin, the immediate past Registrar, Mrs. Gladys Ogboghodo and the Senate of the University had made attempts to withdraw, through the backdoor, the status of Onokerhoraye, a former Vice Chancellor of the University.

At its 142 Regular Meeting held on Wednesday 22 and Friday April 24 , 2015 the council of the university, which has the final authority on the issue of the appointment of Professor Emeritus, considered the petition from Professor Emeritus Andrew Onokerhoraye and faulted the Senate for not following due process, proper protocol and regulations of the university.

In the university council’s decision communicated to Senate by the new Registrar, Mrs. O. A. Oshodin, who incidentally is the wife of the immediate past Vice Chancellor on May 7, 2015, Ref: REG/CCM/COM 12/ Vol.10/554, Council after due consideration of the process of appointing a Professor Emeritus as stipulated in Section 5.2 of the University’s extant rules and regulations decided to revoke and asked membersofthepublictodisregard Senate purported decision to withdraw Professor Andrew Onokerhoraye’sProfessorEmeritus status.

NASS: PDP chieftain lauds Ekweremadu

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NUGU—A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain in Enugu State, Mr. Stanley Ude has commended Dr. Ike Ekweremadu on his election as the Deputy Senate President for the 8th Assembly.

Rising from an executive meeting at Awgu in Enugu State, Stanley who is the chairman of the PDP Young Democrats in Awgu Local Government, noted that the recent crises that trailed the election of C M Y K

Senator Bukola Saraki as the Senate President and Dr. Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President were a divine arrangement which nobody can do anything about.

He also described Ike Ekweremadu as a pillar whose efforts helped in stabilizing the national assembly in the last dispensation.

He equally reminded those kicking against his election and that of the Sen. Saraki that party

interference in the election of principal officers have always failed as was the case of the last speaker, Hon. Tambawal in spite of the party’s choice.

He said: Dr. Ekweremadu will definitely work in harmony with his colleagues to achieve even greater result in the present dispensation as our expectation is that one day he will become the president of this great nation.”

56— VANGUARD, MONDAY, JUNE 22 , 2015

Obama blames gun lobby for lax gun laws

P US: Hate killings spread as GOP hopefuls slam Confederate flag H

ATE inspired killings remain on the rise in US where Republican party hopefuls are calling for the immediate removal of the Confederate battle flag from outside the South Carolina Statehouse.

Reports said ten people were shot, one of them fatally, at a block party in Detroit at the weekend, the Detroit Free Press reported on its web site.

Three of the victims were women who ranged from ages 26 to 45, the newspaper said, citing police, who did not yet know the motive.

No details were available on the person killed, but a 46-year-old man was in critical condition and two men, ages 21 and 26, were in serious condition.

Asst. Chief Steve Dolunt told the Free Press that no children were hit, although many were present when shots were fired on a basketball court where the party was taking place.

This came as the world is watching the horrors of Dylann Roof’s attack on a black church in Charleston, South Carolina last Wednesday.

Many people in Lexington, as in towns across South Carolina, struggled to come to grips

Hundreds of protesters condemning the Conferate flag with one of their own being charged with such a heinous crime.

In interviews this week, they also worried that Roof, a high school dropout who embraced racist symbolism and carried a handgun, will reinforce a pervasive and unflattering stereotype of white Southern males as a group of poorly educated, gun-toting racists.

“They think we’re all like that young man, waving the Confederate flag with hate and racism,” said lifelong resident Letha Drafts, 72, who works part

time at Dooley’s, a local hangout, and attends a church in Lexington that has a mixed race congregation.

Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential candidate in 2012, joined the call for the immediate removal of the Confederate battle flag from outside the South Carolina Statehouse, while others steered clear from the sensitive debate, even after the shooting deaths of nine people in a historic African-American church in Charleston further exposed the raw

emotions about the flying the flag.

Many see the Confederate flag as “a symbol of racial hatred,” Romney tweeted on Saturday. “Remove it now to honor #Charleston victims.”

This came as a police officer in Anniston, Alabama, was fired and a second retired after they were linked to a neoConfederate group that calls for the South to secede from the United States, city officials said.

Britain’s fattest man dies at 33 B

RITAIN’s fattest man, who weighed 65 stone, has tragically died at his home in Kent.

Carl Thompson, 33, had been confined to his home for a year, relying on NHS carers to wash and feed him.

This morning, a private ambulance, police and the fire brigade were seen outside his home in Dover.

Police confirmed his death in a statement.

‘Kent Police was called at 10:38am on 21 June, to a property, Dover following reports that a man in his 30s had died,’ a spokesman said.

‘Officers do not believe the death to be suspicious.’

After speaking out about his plight last month, the 33-year-old vowed to shed weight in order to stay alive, adding that he had been ‘touched’ by the outpouring of sympathy and offers of help he’d received in the wake of several media interviews.

Mr Thompson said that he was desperate to

C M Y K

change his lifestyle after being warned by doctors that his ill health would kill him.

‘Any professional opinion or other knowledge would be great,’ he said.

‘I’ve had a lot of that coming in anyway but the more the better. ’ Unable to leave the house to go food shopping, the 33-year-old lived on Chinese takeaways and pizzas that he had delivered to his door.

He also claimed to have spent £10 a day on chocolate, relying on state handouts for money.

I

•Obama magazines. But he failed to convince enough lawmakers to support the restrictions.

“I don’t foresee any legislative action being taken in this Congress. And I don’t foresee any real action being taken until the American public feels a sufficient sense of urgency and they say to themselves, ‘This is not normal, this is something that we can change, and we’re going to change it,’” he said in the interview with Maron.

The interview marks the fifth time in two days that Obama spoke publicly about his frustrations with gun laws. He addressed the issue in Washington before traveling to California, where he brought it up at the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and at two fundraisers for the Democratic Party.

Netanyahu rejects interference as French diplomats visit

I

SRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday rejected “international dictates” ahead of a visit by France’s top diplomat, with Paris advocating a UN resolution laying out parameters for peace talks.

With negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians stalled for more than a year, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius met Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Sunday ahead of talks with Netanyahu.

The separate meetings in Ramallah and Jerusalem were part of a regional tour

by Fabius aimed at reviving peace talks.

France has argued in favour of a UN resolution

•Netanyahu that would guide negotiations leading to an independent Palestinian state and which could include a timeframe for talks.

Ahead of Fabius’s arrival in Jerusalem, Netanyahu hit out at international diplomatic efforts to impose proposals which he said neglected to address vital Israeli security concerns.

India PM joins first World Yoga Day The 33-year-old had become confined to his home in Dover, relying on NHS carers to cook his food and bathe him

Worries in Europe over rise of austere Islam TS imams preach austere piety, its tenets demand strict separation of sexes — and some of its most radical adherents are heeding the call of jihad.

Salafism, an Islamic movement based on a literal reading of the Quran, is on the rise in France, Germany and

RESIDENT Barack Obama blamed public apathy combined with the tight “grip” on Congress of the National Rifle Association, the powerful U.S. gun lobby, for blocking stricter gun laws.

Speaking during an interview recorded on Friday, just two days after the mass shooting at a black church in South Carolina, Obama said he did not foresee any quick changes to gun laws.

“Unfortunately, the grip of the NRA on Congress is extremely strong,” Obama said in a clip of the interview with “WTF with Marc Maron” posted by the New York Times.

It was not the first time Obama has railed against the NRA. After the Newtown, Connecticut school massacre in 2012, a tragedy that Obama has called his toughest time in office, he pushed for changes to gun laws.

He proposed more background checks for gun sales and pushed to ban more types of military-style assault weapons and limit the capacity of ammunition

Britain, security officials say, with Salafis sharply increasing their influence in mosques and on the streets.

The trend worries European authorities, who see Salafism as one of the inspirational forces for young Europeans heading to Syria or Iraq to do battle for the Islamic

State group. Experts, however, point out that the vast majority of Salafis are peaceloving.

In Germany, there are currently about 7,000 Salafis in the country — nearly double the 3,800 estimated four years ago, the Interior Ministry said last

P

RIME Minister Narendra Modi yesterday hailed the first International Yoga Day as a “new era of peace”, moments before he surprised thousands in New Delhi by taking to a mat himself to celebrate the ancient Indian

practice.

Yoga-loving Modi led more than 35,000 people, including bureaucrats, students and soldiers, performing poses such as the half camel and cobra in a 35-minute mass outdoor yoga session beginning on a New Delhi boulevard.

Jesse Jackson Jr. regains freedom today Jesse Jackson Jr. could be heading home today to spend the last three months of his prison term

on home detention.

Jackson has been at a Baltimore halfway house since March 26.

VANGUARD, MONDAY, JUNE 22 , 2015 — 57

S/Africa opposition seeks probe of Bashir’s But security ministers exit flight agreed at a meeting before

S

OUTH Africa’s main opposition yesterday called for a full investigation into the government’s failure to arrest Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, who is due to face charges of genocide at the International Criminal Court.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it wanted the Public Protector’s office to determine who was responsible for authorizing the use of state resources to enable al-Bashir ’s departure.

Last Monday, before a Pretoria court ruled that the leader should be held in the country and the ICC’s arrest warrant executed, Bashir flew out of the Waterkloof Air Base heading for Khartoum.

Meanwhile, reports yesterday revealed that South African government secretly plotted to ensure safe passage out of the country for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir despite an international warrant for his arrest on war crimes charges.

Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity over the conflict in Darfur, was able to fly out of Pretoria last Monday despite a court order blocking his departure.

South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper, revealing what it said was a secret meeting of top ministers to discuss protecting Bashir,

•Jacob Zuma said he was escorted to his plane by President Jacob Zuma’s own police.

The ICC had called on

South Africa — which is a signatory to the court — to detain Bashir while he was in the country for an African Union summit.

the Sudanese leader arrived that South Africa would “protect Bashir by any means necessary — even if it meant flouting court rulings and undermining the constitution”, the Sunday Times said, quoting a senior government source.

After the meeting, which was attended by the defence and police ministers and the director general of Zuma’s office, Bashir was given the goahead to fly to South Africa and “promised maximum protection”, the source was quoted as saying.

Malian rivals sign peace deal

M

ALI’s main coalition of Tuareg separatist rebels signed a peace agreement with the government Saturday more than a month after other armed groups did so, though critics said the deal still fails to address the impunity now rampant in the north.

Agency reports was in the hall when members of the Coordination of Azawad Movements, known by the French acronym CMA, penned the deal. The rebels — who call their homeland in the north Azawad — had refused to take part back in May when others had joined the peace deal following

B

prevent a repeat of this month’s deadly floods.

Some residents said security forces sprayed them with tear gas after they threw stones to protect their livelihoods from the bulldozers. By

C

HAD’s decision to ban women from wearing the Islamic veil, which came two days after bloody suicide bombings hit the capital, has divided Muslims but the government defends it as part of an anti-terror strategy.

“Wearing the burqa must stop immediately from today,” Prime Minister Kalzeube Pahimi Deubet told religious leaders on Wednesday, after the twin bombings left 33 people dead and more than 100 others injured in the capital N’Djamena.

Nobody has claimed

A Members of Tuareg rebels in Mali months of talks in Algeria.

The signature was welcomed by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kimoon, who said the U.N. stands ready to support the parties in the implementation of the agreement though “the ultimate responsibility for

evening, thousands were stranded in the rain amid rubble and household goods strewn for more than a mile.

“What they have done is not good for us because this is where some of us work and take care of our

Security forces watch as residents burn dwellings in an impoverished neighborhood in Accra, Ghana, yesterday C M Y K

Ban on Islamic veil divides Chadian Muslims responsibility for the attacks, but authorities blame Nigerian jihadist group Boko Haram, which has carried out many suicide bombings inside Nigeria in the past six years, sometimes by women who hid explosives under modest outer garments.

Chad’s army has spearheaded a regional military effort to fight Boko Haram as the militant sect extended activities beyond Nigeria’s northeastern borders. After Monday’s blasts, the Chadian air force bombed Boko Haram positions inside Nigeria.

Angolan Police arrest 13 dissidents

peace lies with Mali and the Malians.”

The Tuareg rebellion in Mali’s far north has been a source of conflict for decades with the government, and violence has continued even as all sides took part in peace talks.

Ghana destroys hundred homes in Accra to prevent floods families,” said scrap ULLDOZERS razed hundreds of homes and businesses in the poor Sodom and Gomorrah neighborhood of Ghana’s capital on Saturday so the authorities can start widening a lagoon to

Two Chadians female Muslims wearing veil

metal merchant Muhammed Abdul Karim as he surveyed the wreckage of his shack and the motorized tricycle he uses to haul iron.

Flood control has become an urgent problem for President John Mahama’s government since more than 50 people drowned in torrents caused by blocked drains on June 3-4, a tragedy that exposed the country’s creaking infrastructure.

The same night 96 people sheltering from the floods at a downtown gas station died when it exploded in the worst disaster in decades in the West African country.

NGOLAN police have arrested at least 13 young opposition activists, including rapper Luaty Beirao, who have campaigned against President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, the interior ministry said Sunday.

Activist groups, among them the Angolan Revolutionary Movement, claimed on social media platforms that as many as 20 people had been arrested when police raided a youth meeting in the heart of the capital Luanda on Saturday.

The interior ministry said its criminal investigation

unit had arrested “13 Angolan citizens who were caught red-handed as they prepared to carry out acts aimed at disrupting public order and security in the country”.

The Angolan police, which rarely issues statements on such arrests, could not be reached for further comment.

Among the detainees were rapper Beirao, a key figure of the Angolan opposition movement, and Manuel Nito Alves, who was jailed for two months in 2013 for printing antiDos Santos T-shirts.

S/Africa miners rejects ‘apartheid’ wage system

T

HE newly elected head of South Africa’s biggest mine union said on Sunday that his members were still being paid “apartheid” wages, signaling a hard line ahead of gold sector wage talks due to start on Monday.

David Sipunzi, formerly a regional leader from the gold-producing Free State province, was elected general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) earlier this month, replacing veteran Frans Baleni.

Boko Haram: ECOWAS leaders to creat regional force

G

HANA’s President John Mahama said at the weekend, West African leaders are considering creating a military force to fight Nigeria’s Boko Haram Islamist militants and will hold a regional summit next week to discuss the issue. Mahama, who

chairs regional body ECOWAS, told a news conference, “We cannot fight terrorism alone. We must find a way to act together, share information to synchronize strategies and pool our resources in order to rid the entire African continent of terrorism.

58 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 VIRGO; You will be in better position to consolidate on progress made recently. And it is wrong to take people for granted today……

LIBRA; Many people may be disappointed because of broken promises, therefore you will need to prepare your mind accordingly and refuse to take others for granted SCORPIO; . You can make it a good day as both career advancement and financial success are closer to you.

Secret lovers are in for an exciting day.

SAGITTARIUS; Although there will be challenges here is a day when things will eventually go according to your plans. Don’t take friends for granted.

CAPRICORN; From now until next few days you will need to be as practical as possible along your career line; this is the wrong time to experiment with new ideas.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

A

lady recently said to me - This weather is just not friendly. The sun is too much. Let the sun subside before I do it.

And I looked at her and said, supposing it starts raining now what will you do? The

The Weather truth is that the weather has never be friendly. Of course, it is not the business of the weather to be friendly to you. But your duty is to do

TERROR MUDA

everything within your power to be able to use the weather as it is. Tell me, have you ever seen a perfect weather? Whether rain or sun, people

in “Never say goodbye”

have always complained. Yet, some people are making fortune from it, rain or sunshine.

You too much do the same. For he that must succeed does not need to look at the weather.

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS; You may not be in total control of your mind till around 5.36pm. That is to say you will need practical approach in all you do today. Be more cooperative.

PISCES; Continue to be more careful about proposals having to do with joint ventures. Yet that is not to say you can not take good advice. Prepare to work harder.

ARIES; You stand good chance to extend recent favourable events both at work and on matters-of-theheart. Watch what you sign before 5.36pm.

TAURUS; Young-at-heart will be willing to give priority attention to sentimental related issues probably because of your recent success.

GEMINI; Refuse to become mentally arrogant or else you would be working against your own interest. Your love life will continue to enjoy favourable aspects.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

CANCER; Financial success is within your reach, especially if you back your old plans early in the day.

The more family minded you are the better for you.

LEO; It is important you don’t allow others to mislead you in the name of giving you good advice before 5.36pm.

Those travelling or moving around in search of love may be in for both an exciting and pleasurable day.

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 birthday ruler?

According to the date I was born I should be a Libran by my star but most of the time when I read horoscopes written by both yourself and foreign Astrologers Scorpio always applicable to me, why?

Kindly tell me how the planets lined up when I was born and the day of the week I was born but don’t publish my date of birth.

Ogunsanya, Epe.

Dear Ogunsanya, You were born on a Sunday meaning that mighty Sun rules your birthday. You were wrong to have taken Libra as your Sun sign because the Sun was placed in early degree of Scorpio together with many other heavenly bodies. Then with the Moon in Libra when you were born will equally be influential in your characteristics build up but, you are mainly a Scorpio born person.

You are both an intelligent and emotional person. And as there was no planet at home when you were born, too many ideas will always struggle for prominent place in your mind, thus decision making is difficult but most times, your intelligence comes to the rescue.

Certainly, you appear to other as a gentle person who can be mistaken for soft fellow but your inner-self is the personality with a steel like will power.

You are the consistent type who may find it difficult to change once you have made up your mind as indicated by distribution of the planets as written out in paragraph two of this exercise.

One major challenge you have been battling for a very long time is constant worries, some times, necessarily and the other time, uncalled for, as indicated by conjunction Mercury and Saturn formed when you were born.

Placement of your natal Sun (basic self head) and Moon (your sub-conscious self) in Scorpio and Libra respectively are indications of your being mainly Scorpio born person and partly in Libran. And that is to say basic characteristics of both Scorpio and Libra are highly pronounced in you.

Then, you are spiritually gifted; if you don’t develop it is another thing.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015—59

Vanguard CLASSIFIED I, formerly known and addressed as a job seeker, now wish to be known and addressed as an Adplus Adpreneur (AA). An AA Ear ns Good Money!

General public please take note. To become an AA. visit: www.adplus.ng/adp2

Want to do a Change of Name or Public Notice in Vanguard Newspapers from anywhere without hassle?

Do it yourself!

Visit: www.adplus.ng For your next Advert/ Public Notice Booking.

ARAMABI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Josephine Idodo Aramabi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Josephine Idodo Ihechere. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKORIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Peace Chichi Okorie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Peace Chichi Morgan. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AKONAFUA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Francisca Akonafua, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Francisca Samjack Gracesalamis. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IYIDOBI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Anthonia Onyinye Iyidobi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anthonia Onyinye Ngwoke-Iyidobi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name I, Aniogor Ifeakachukwu Patrick is the same person as Okwumaso Patrick Aniogor. All former documents remain valid. Stanbic IBTC Bank, Stanbic IBTC Pension and JBN Plc and general public please take note.

O B I O R A H — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Obiorah Ebele Gozie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ezekiel Ebele Chigozie. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

OKWUDINKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Okwudinka StellaChinelo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Udobi Stella Chinelo.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Reconciliation of Name I, Aboyowa Eyoyibo Sunday hereby confirm that the names Eyoyibo Sunday and Aboyowa Sunday as they appear on my documents refer to one and same me.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AHARU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aharu Oluchi Confidence, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Emeovrode Oluchi Confidence.

All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

O K O R O M — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Okorom Maryann Chibuzor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chiemeka Maryann Chibuzor. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ERERO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Enifome Philomena Erero, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Enifome Philomena Ovreme. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria and general public take note.

ADEWOYIN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adewoyin Tolulope Inumimo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Duncan Tolulope Inumimo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OMUTA —I, formerly

public take note.

OKOH CHIKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Okoh Chika Vincent, now wish to be known and addressed as Onwochei Vincent. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service and general public please take note.

HESSE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Orode Edah Hesse, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Orode Moses James. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UBOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Philomena Nkeiru Uboh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Philomena Nkeiru Ezinwa. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

UMEH—I, formerly known and addressed as Prophetess Angela Chinwe Umeh, now wish to be known and addressed as Prophetess (Mrs) Angela Chinwe Uchechukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MABEL—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mabel Ufot Matthew , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mabel Christopher Patrick. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Reconciliation of Name This is to notify the public that Iyamu Abies Jennifer and Iyamu Abiemwense Jennifer is one and the same person.

That Abies is the short name for Abiemwense as appeared in my WAEC Certificate and Iyamu Abiemwense Jennifer in my University Certificate respectively. I now wish to be known as Iyamu Abiemwense Jennifer. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and general public please take note.

OSSAI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Eunice Nkechiyeunm Ossai, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eunice Nkechiyeunm Oliseh. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGHOGHOVWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oghoghovwe O. Lawreen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omafuakpore O. Lawreen. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ERUJAROH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Erujaroh Akpevwe Faith, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. London Akpevwe Faith. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OTITE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Otite Apele, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Alice Adawaren. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Akhuemokhan. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

known and addressed as Miss Mary Omuta, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mary Onuwaje.

All former documents remain valid. General

Yobe monarch presents 3 trucks of relief items to IDPs

By Ndahi Marama & Bala Ajiya

D

AMATURU — AS part of efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the victims of insurgency in Yobe State, Emir of Fika and Chairman, Yobe State Council of Chiefs, Dr. Muhammadu Ibn Abali Muhammadu Idrissa has handed over three trailer-loads of relief materials to the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Relief Management Agency (SEMA) for distribution to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

The relief items include 3,600 bags of rice and 600 cartons of vegetable oil.

In his remark during the presentation, the monarch said: “It is my honour and priviledge to hand over these relief materials donated by the Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) headquarters in collaboration with His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.”

The royal father further stated that “these items were meant to be shared to IDPs. It is a token

from the JNI. It is not enough but it will go a long way in alleviating the sufferings of the IDPs. We are confident in SEMA, we belief it would be judiciously shared.”

He used the forum to appeal to wellmeaning individuals in the society to emulate JNI by contributing to the affected people in the state, saying: “We always pray for peace and end to the insurgency so that all the IDPs will return to their homes.”

In his vote of thanks shortly after receiving the materials, Executive Secretary SEMA, Musa Idi Chidawa, thanked the Emir for the effort in securing the materials and promised to judiciously distribute the items to the targeted beneficiaries (IDPs).

He said: “I assure you that these items will reach the IDPs. Our governor will direct us on how to go ahead in line with the rules of the donors.”

According to SEMA Executive Secretary, the Yobe State government has spent over N13 billion as a result of managing the crisis posed by Boko Haram.

Covenant varsity holds 10th convocation

T

HE Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State will hold its 10th convocation ceremony between June 24 and 28.

In a statement by the C h a i r p e r s o n , Convocation Planning Committee, Dr. Solomon Oranusi, the five-day ceremony will begin on Wednesday, June 24 with special convocation assembly, exhibition, world press c o n f e r e n c e , convocation rehearsal and special convocation service, where the Senior Pastor, Winners Chapel International, Pastor David Oyedepo, will be ministering.

Oranusi said: “On Thursday, June 25, the convocation lecture entitled Higher Education and Africa’s

Future: Doing What is Right, will be delivered by former Executive Secretar y, National U n i v e r s i t i e s Commission, Prof.

Peter Okebukola. This will be followed by a cocktail, CU/Industry Partnership Luncheon, College hooding events, special prizes and awards, as well as special concert and variety night.

“The Director, UNIDEP, Senegal and keynote speaker, Prof.

Adebayo Olukoshi, will be speaking on National Reorientation toward transformational leadership in Africa, on Friday, June 26, at the convocation ceremony for award of first and higher degrees, and presentation of special awards and prizes.”

60—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 — 61

WWC: Australia stun Brazil A

USTRALIA shocked Brazil at the Women’s World Cup to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament in Canada.

Samantha Kerr came closest to scoring for Australia in the first half, hitting a volley into the side netting.

Formiga almost gave Brazil the lead in the second half, heading onto the post, before substitute Kyah Simon grabbed the winner from close range after goalkeeper Luciana spilled the ball.

Australia face the winners of Tuesday ’s game between Japan and Netherlands.

Brazil topped their group after winning all three games, but came undone in Moncton after conceding their only goal of the

T

ECSTACY: Australian players celebrate their goal against Brazil. tournament.

Earlier in the tournament, striker Marta, 29, became the World Cup’s leading scorer with 15 goals, but she was unable to inspire her team to a positive result.

Ilo Continues from BP NFF for the Super Eagles job was a clear show of disrespect for the NFF. Asked of what he thought of Keshi’s return to the Super Eagles and his chances of success, Ilo said, “I think Keshi should not be there. I have nothing against Keshi as a person; his performance in the past was good but the way he went about his return to the team made nonsense of the Nigeria Football Federation.”

Continuing, Ilo said, “He treated them (the NFF) like garbage and that’s what is happening now.

They have lost his respect and I don’t know how this would affect their relationship.”

The former President of the Nigeria Cycling Federation said, “Keshi’s show of disrespect for the NFF was evident in the coach’s conduct because it was not a secret that while he was negotiating with the NFF for his reengagement, he was also negotiating with many other countries; busy attending interviews here and there.”

Should Ilo be on the board of the NFF, Keshi would not have got the Super Eagles job. “Keshi should go elsewhere and make his money, nobody will stop him. But for Nigeria, I think we better C M Y K

Zenith W/Basketball League: Benue Princess pip AHIP, Rocks to final 8

think again. Even Keshi himself, I don’t think he would come back if he had a choice.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed it will investigate reports that Stephen Keshi applied to manage Ivory Coast.

The Ivorian FA had on Friday, announced it had received 59 applications in the race to succeed Herve Renard. Keshi’s name was among the 59 applicants and the NFF is fuming over this development.

Although the page on FIF website listing Keshi and 58 other applicants for the Elephants job has been taken down, the NFF insists that will not prevent ‘a full investigation’.

“The NFF will open a full investigation to determine whether Mr Stephen Keshi actually applied for the vacant Ivory Coast job,” said NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire.

A source close to the Super Eagles coach told Sports Vanguard that Keshi’s application for the Ivory Coast job pre-dates his re-engagement by Nigeria. It is however difficult to believe the source as former Ivory Coast coach, Herve Renard resigned his appointment with the Ivorian FF Friday, May 22, almost a month after Keshi returned as Nigeria coach for the third time.

HE battle for qualification to the Final 8 of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League in group A went down to point differentials after 3 teams were tied on 24 points from 8 wins and 8 losses after the 2 phases in Abuja and Ilorin which ended on Thursday..

Benue Princess narrowly piped AHIP Queens of Kano and Plateau Rocks with a +11 points aggregate differential advantage over Plateau Peaks who had +8 and AHIP Queens with -19 to

World Cup 2016: Dedevbo calls 36 to camp team’s Serob Legacy Chiichii (inexplicably

C

OACH Peter Dedevbo has invited 36 players to camp as he kick-starts the U-20 Women National Team, Falconets’ preparation for next month’s 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Liberia.

Each of the 36 girls are expected to report at the

Hotel, Abuja camp on Tuesday, 23rd June, 2015 with her training kit, medical certificate of fitness and international passport.

Dedevbo, who led the Falconets to the final of the last edition of the FIFA World Cup in Canada last year, has recalled goalkeeper Sandra

dropped from the Super Falcons’ final team to the FIFA World Cup in Canada), as well as midfielder Osarenoma Igbinovia and striker Chinwendu Ihezuo.

Dedevbo has also called a number of players who starred in the U-17 team at the FIFA World Cup in Costa Rica early last year, including Ugochi Emenayo, Esther Elijah, Tessy Biawho, Uchenna Kalu, Mary Ologbosere, Joy Bokiri and Rashidat Ajibade.

join Sunshine Angels of Akure, former 4-time champions First Deepwater and unbeaten defending champions First Bank basketball club as the top 4 seeds in the group to seal qualification for the playoffs in Lagos.

Group B was more straightforward with back to back league runners up Dolphins clearly leading the pack with a maximum 32 points from 16 games, going unbeaten including a record 127-33 whitewashing of league debutant Zamfara Babes.

Joining Dolphins in the playoffs from group B is Customs who lost only to Dolphins in both legs in Abuja and Ilorin finishing with 30 points from 14 wins and 2 losses while IGP Queens and Delta Force complete the top 4 in group with 28 points and 26 points respectively.

The Top 4 four teams from both groups will converge in Lagos for the National Final 8 as the battle for the 11th Zenith Women’s Basketball League title promises to be a cracker. The date of the finals is yet to be announced by the Nigerian Basketball Federation.

Siasia

-R: Sea Scout, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mrs. Uzezi Edafiogho; Managing Directorand Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor; and Shell Club President, Mr. Vincent Nwabueze, at the closing ceremonies of the 2015 edition of the Shell Team Building Challenge in Port Harcourt... recently.

Keshi Continues from BP national side on the way to the SA 2013 triumph.

Speaking through his Manager, Emmanuel Addo, Keshi cautioned that enemies of Nigerian football should always look for positives instead of the other way round as the country tries to redefine the way forward for the national team.

With a recently signed two years contract, Keshi says he will never detract from set goals between him and the NFF leadership.

On the flipside, the longest serving national

team captain declared that he was happy to be shortlisted for the Elephants job by football authorities in that country and it goes to show the quality of the Nigerian bench.

Addo, finally on behalf of Keshi urged all well meaning Nigerian football followers not to allow enemies of the game to continue to cause distraction between the federation and its esteemed staff, noting that there are profiteers from the unholy acts.

Continues from BP added any value to the team, they should give way for others who can contribute their quota to the success of the team as they prepare for the crucial Africa U-23 Championship qualifier against Congo next month.

“I have given all these players enough time to showcase what they can bring on the table, but I am so disappointed that till this minute they still have not been able to convince me, so they have to give way for others to come and show me and my technical crew what they can offer.

I thank them for their contribution to the success of the team in the past, but we have to move on, if they show signs of improvement in their clubs they can be recalled back to the team.”

The dropped players are Sani Faisal, Lukmon

Gilmore, Emmanuel Ammana, Tonbara Tiongoli, Freedom Omofonma, Uche Okeke and Gabriel Sunday.

Coach Siasia has also asked the following players who are members of the Dream Team that went with the Flying Eagles to New Zealand to report to camp on Monday, June 22, as the one-week break he granted them to rest with their families is over.

The players are Musa Mohammed, Taiwo Awoniyi, Kingsley Sokari, Saviour Godwin and Dele Alampasu, while overseas-based Musa Yahaya, Kelechi Iheanacho and Moses Simon will report two weeks to the first leg scheduled for Abuja.

Siasia has also invited Sharks FC defender Chima Akas and Warri Wolves defender Semiu Laidi to report to camp immediately.

62 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

Sasic fires Germany past Sweden G

ERMANY comforta bly reached the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup at the weekend when they braved the baking Ottawa heat to thrash Sweden 4-1 in the last 16.

Celia Sasic scored in each half, with Anja Mittag and Dzsenifer Marozsan also finding the net against an unimpressive Swedish side. Linda Sembrant headed home a late consolation goal for Sweden while Sasic and Mittag now both have five goals in the tournament.

The physically imposing Germany side, who had scored 15 goals in their three group matches, spurned several good chances before Mittag fired in a curling 22-yard drive in the 24th minute.

Sasic easily converted a penalty in the 36th minute and then headed home from close range in the 78th minute.

Sembrant grabbed one back for Sweden four minutes later before Marozsan looped the ball over Sweden’s goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl in the 88th minute.

Germany, who won the title in 2003 and 2007, were knocked out in the quarter-finals when they hosted the tournament in 2011. Sweden came third in that World Cup.

Murray eyes Wimbledon triumph after Queen’s Club success

T

Celia Sasic heads her second and Germany’s third goal of as comfortablle last-16 victory over Sweden.

HE British No 1 matched the hauls of John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick, seeing off Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-4 in a one-sided Aegon Championships singles final.

Murray, top seed and ranked third in the world, lived up to his billing with an effortless performance that saw him floor Anderson with a brilliant variety of

China beat Cameroon, into last eight C

HINA booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 win over Cameroon at the Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday.

A classy 12th minute goal from forward Wang Shanshan proved enough for the 1999 runners-up to reach the last eight of the competition where they will face the winners of Monday ’s game between the United States and Colombia.

Cameroon, playing in their first Women’s World Cup finals, will feel unlucky though not

to have at least forced extra time with a determined and positive display.

The Africans went close to an equaliser in the 65th minute when a looping header from forward Gaelle Enganamouit hit the top of the cross-bar but a well-organised China team held firm for the win.

The decisive goal was a superbly executed move from a corner which was swung in by Wang Lisi to Li Dongna who brought the ball down nicely and then set up Wang who sidefooted a volley home.

winners and a service game that lived up to his big-hitting rival’s standard.

Now he is already thinking about his bid for a second crown at the All England Club.

“It’s been a great week for me and hopefully I can continue that form through to Wimbledon,” he said.

“Obviously you want to go to Wimbledon with matches under your belt on grass. Now I need to make sure I use the next seven days as best as possible.

“I want to continue playing this way through Wimbledon, I need to keep practising hard, playing well and we’ll see what happens in a couple of weeks. I’m looking forward to it.”

Murray believes his game is at least as good as 2013, when he peaked with an emotional Wimbledon success, but insists the current men’s roster - headed by Novak Djokovic - requires constant improvement.

“I’m playing better

Tang Jiali jockeys with the Cameroon defence in China’s narrow 1-0 win over the African powerhous

Lagosians defy rain to participate at World Yoga Day

By Solomon Nwoke

T

HOUSANDS of Ni gerians defied early morning rain yesterday and trooped out to the National Stadium, Lagos to join the rest of the world in celebrating the world Yoga day which took place in over 3,000 locations across the Globe.

With over Hundred cities in the United States to Australia, Africa, Asia, and Europe fully involved in the exercise, an estimate of five million people rolled out their Yoga mats as part of the fun to mark the event which has found resonance in the heart of everyone.

Speaking yesterday after the event, the Sec-

retary General of the Sports For All Nigeria Initiative, Austin Odijie expressed happiness at the turn out of participants for the exercise.

The programme put in place by the Sports For All Nigeria Initiative was organized in partnership with Nigeria Olympic Committee and Sewa International at the National Stadium

SMILES . . . Chairman, National Academy Sports Committee (NASCOM), Yemi Idowu (left); Flying Eagles’ star, Wilfred Ndidi and Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jayjay Okocha during the Barclays Premier League School Trophy tour in Lagos at the weekend.

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Surulere Lagos.

President of Sports For All Commission, Prince Henry Amike was equally glad that the programme was unique and first of it kind in the country.

Mr. Sri Sri Ravi

Shankar of the Art of living Foundation in his contribution, said yoga has been in existence for over 5,000 years and is meant for a healthy and happy lifestyle hence their desire to make it a household name in Nigeria.

Murray

10-man Rangers down Wolves 1-0 in Warri

T

HE Rangers Interna tional FC of Enugu on Sunday defeated Warri Wolves FC of Delta, 1-0 at the Warri City Stadium.

The match was a week 13 fixture of the 2015 Glo Premier League.

Rangers’ goal was scored their hitman, Rasaq Adegbite in the 20th minute after meandering through two Wolves defenders before unleashing a shot that goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi could not find answers to.

Wolves had dominated the match but the solid

defence and good goalkeeping by Itodor Akor of Rangers denied the hosts of opportunity of equalising.

Rangers’ defender, Etim Mathew was issued a straight red card in the 36th minute for unprofessional misconduct at the yard 18 box of his team.

However, Rangers were able to curtail the onslaught of the Wolves with the introduction of Chigozie Egwu, Bobby Clement and Osas Okoro in the 43rd, 55th and 79th minutes respective-

ly.

Wolves also made three replacements to fortify the team but the changes could not produce the needed result.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was the first time Wolves would lose at home in the ongoing 2015 Glo Premier League season.

At the post match interview, the Chief Coach of Rangers, Imama Amapakobo said he decided to make changes immediately after his side was

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015 — 63

CHILE 2015 COPA AMERICA

Messi celebrates 100 international matches with Argentina T

he true hero of the Argentina versus Jamaica Copa America 2015 match in Chile was Lionel Messi as he celebrated his 100th cap with Argentina.

The player who still hasn’t turned 28 was the youngest player to ever reach such a figure in the history of the South American team in last weekend’s match, which the Argentines won 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals.

Fellow countryman Javier Zanetti reached 144 international matches in his career while Javier Mascherano holds 113 caps at the age of 30, Xinhua reported.

All this suggests that the Barcelona star will overtake both Zanetti and Mascherano’s caps.

The 100-mark was also beaten by Cholo Simeone (104) and Roberto Ayala (114).

Messi has won every title available at club level with Barcelona but he still hasn’t won a World Cup with the national team.

He is competing for the third time in the Copa America and has also played three times in the Word Cup. “In these 100 matches I have had the opportunity to live some incredible, very beautiful experiences. Unforgettable. I have experienced situations that have allowed me to grow as a player but unfortunately no title,” said Messi, during an interview with a Spanish newspaper.

“I hope that these 100 matches will come with one (a title),” added the Barcelona forward.

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A

rgentina defeated Ja maica 1-0 in Lionel Messi’s 100th game with the national team, securing first place in its Copa America group.

Striker Gonzalo Higuain scored an 11th-minute winner for the title favorites, which had already secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the South American tournament. Argentina reached seven points with the victory in Group B, two points more than Paraguay, which earlier in the day drew Uruguay 1-1 in La Serena.

Rodriguez, Falcao show class to young Colombia fan

H

•UNSTOPPABLE . . . Argentina's forward Lionel Messi (C) dribbles past Jamaica's midfielders Joel McAnuff (L) and midfielder Garath McCleary during their 2015 Copa America championship match against in Vina del Mar. Photo: AFP

‘Colombia-Peru will be an open game’ – Fano

•Fano

F

ormer Peru interna tional Johan Fano is predicting an open game when they take on Colom-

bia in their final Group C outing at Copa America yesterday.

The 36-year-old has

Pizarro future ‘after Copa America’ iorentina midfielder Pizarro has been with F David Pizarro admits the Viola since 2012, havhe “will decide after the ing previous played for Copa America” whether to join Santiago Wanderers.

The Chile international will turn 36 in September and his contract is due to expire at the end of this month.

“Will I return to Santiago Wanderers? Everything is possible,” Pizarro told Chilevision.

Argentina beats Jamaica to finish 1st

•Pizarro “I wil only make a decision after the Copa America has ended.”

the likes of Udinese, Inter, Roma and Manchester City.

He grew up in the Wanderers youth academy, leaving to make his fortune at Udinese in 1999.

This season he managed only 26 Serie A appearances, but also 10 in the Europa League and one for the Coppa Italia.

spent a number of years of his playing career in Colombia, representing Once Caldas, Atletico Nacional and currently Aguilas Doradas in the Primera A. With La Blanquirroja and Los Cafeteros joined with Brazil and Venezuela on three points in their pool, every team knows that one more win would put them into the quarterfinals.

For this reason, Fano is expecting both teams to go out looking for the crucial victory in Temuco.

“Colombia have shown that they have a worldclass level and Peru are trying to regain the level they had for many years and are hoping to return to that again,” he told Colombian outlet FutbolRed. “It will surely be an open game because both are looking to qualify - they both need the points.” “(They need to watch) James (Rodreguez), [Juan] Cuadrado and Camilo (Zuniga) from the sides and the midfielder (Carlos) Sanchez. Also the strikers are important, with Teo (Gutierrez), Jackson (Martinez) and (Radamel) Falcao who are very experienced players,” he added.

aving lost to Venezu ela in their opener, Colombia beat Brazil in their second match and now all four teams in Group C are tied on 3 points after two matches played.

A video has started doing the rounds, showing James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao at their very best, off the pitch with a youngster.

The little Colombian fan made his way through security with a picture for the Colombia star pair, and they duly reciprocated with signed shirts and spent some time with the young fan.

Messi sorry to see Neymar banned L

ionel Messi has spoken of his disappointment that Barcelona team-mate Neymar will play no further part in the Copa America for Brazil.

The striker was handed a four-match suspension by CONMEBOL after being sent off following Brazil’s 1-0 defeat to Colombia, Neymar launching a verbal attack on the referee.

Messi admitted the decision to hand the 23year-old a ban would be a blow for Brazil’s chances, but also believes it is a shame for the tournament to be deprived of one South America’s top players.

•Neymar “I do not want to comment on Neymar.

“He is a very He’s a friend,” Messi important player for said after Argentina beat Brazil. I know what it Jamaica 1-0 on means to them to have Saturday. him on the field.”

“I regret the Argentina top Group punishment he was B after their victory in given and that he cannot Vina del Mar, a Gonzalo participate any further in Higuain strike securing the Copa America. their quarter-final place.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2015

CIV shortlist

Keshi happy with Eagles job S

Ilo blasts Keshi

BY JACOB AJOM

A

revered sports administrator and former board member of the Nigeria Football Association, Rev Moses Ilo has condemned the

attitude of Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi towards his employers, particularly as it affects the national team job.

Ilo who spoke on a television sports programme at the

weekend in Lagos said Keshi’s habit of sending multiple applications to numerous countries asking to handle their national teams while negotiating with the Continues on Page 61

UPER Eagles boss, S t e p h e n Okechukwu Keshi, has said contrary to news making the rounds that he has applied for the job of Manager of the

•Keshi

Elephants of Cote ‘D Ivoire, he is rather very happy with managing the Nigerian national team; Super Eagles who defeated the Ivorien

Continues on Page 61

Siasia ejects 7, recalls Musa H

EAD Coach of the U-23 Team, Dream Team, Samson Siasia has wielded the big stick by dropping seven of

the players in the team’s camp after the 3-3 draw with Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.

E x p r e s s i n g dissatisfaction with the performance of the team in the friendly against the Premier League side in Bauchi, Siasia said since the boys have not

Continues on Page 61

•Siasia

FIFA WWC: Brazil crash out — P.61

NPFL Results 3SC Abia Warriors Dolphins El-Kanemi Heartland Kwara United Nasarawa Utd Sunshine Stars Warri Wolves Wikki Tourists

0 1 1 1 3 1 1 3 ` 0 3

Enyimba Akwa United Giwa FC Ifeanyiubah FC Taraba Lobi Stars Bayelsa Utd K/ Pillars Rangers Sharks -

0 0 1 4 0 1 0 0 1 0

FIFA Women World Cup IN VAIN: Brazil maestro, Marta (10) meanders through the Australian defence during the Women’s World Cup match in Canada yesterday. Australia won 1-0 to book their place in the quarter-finals.

Germany China Brazil

4 1 0

Sweden Cameroon Australia

1 0 1

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Usual (6) 5 Box (4) 8 Artery (5) 9 Fuel (3) 10 Borough (4) 11 Danger (4) 12 Anaesthetic (5) 13 Skulked (6) 16 Intend (4) 18 Cot (4) 20 Man’s (3) 22 Pose (3) 23 Owned (3) 24 Food-list (4) 25 Excuse (4) 28 Hung (6) 30 Fun (5) 32 Threesome (4) 33 Assistant (4) 34 Silence (3) 35 Banal (5) 36 Encounter (4) 37 Atelier (6)

DOWN 1 Fuss (6) 2 Curb (8) 3 Hymn (6) 4 Satisfied (9) 5 Expanse (7) 6 Couple (4) 7 Scour (4) 8 Wonder (3) 14 Hopeless (9) 15 Offer (3) 17 Sicken (3) 19 Stormed (8) 20 Border (3) 21 Brace (7) 26 Passionate (6) 27 Slowly (6) 29 Staunch (4) 30 Location (4) 31 Fasten (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 3, Panic 9, Earned 10, Nudist 11, Price 12, Iron 15, Part 17, Nemesis 20, Lee 21, Tower 23, Aped 25, Test 26, Rigid 28, Wed 30, Concert 33, Edit 35, Tier 36, Treat 38, Reason 39, Talent 40, Newer.

DOWN: 1, Began 2, Groom 3, Pep 4, Adroit 5, Inch 6, Cue 7, Rival 8, State 13, Relaxed 14, Never 16, Restor 18, Sonic 19, Jet 22, React 24, Did 27, Donate 28, Weary 29, Divan 31, Eider 32, Truth 34, Erne 36, Ton 37, Tar.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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