Confab has shamed critics

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62215

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

I'm being persecuted, Enugu deputy gov alleges Pages11, 25&26

•He's a liar, Gov Chime retorts

Confab has shamed critics

GLO Xchange—L:R: MD, First Monie, Mr. Mike Ogbalu; Globacom’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ajay Mathur; ED, Legal Services, Mrs. Gladys Talabi; ED, Stanbic IBTC, Obinnia Abajue; Globacom’s Ag. Coordinator, Business Solution, Ike Oraekwuotu and ED, Ecobank, Kingsley Aigbokhaevbo at the launch of the Glo Xchange in Lagos, yesterday.

•Says Jonathan as he receives 22 volumes of report from Kutigi, lauds delegates

HIGHLIGHTS

A

BUJA — EXACTLY 158 days after he inaugurated the 2014 National Conference, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, received the report of the confab and vowed that his government would implement the recommendations.

The visibly elated President, who said that Nigerians had shamed critics, who thought the exercise would dismember the country, added that the government would discuss the outcome with Continues on Page 5

•Creation of 18 additional states •Modified Presidential system •Bi-cameral legislature •Part-time senators, Reps •Power Rotation •Removal of Immunity clause for crimes

COLUMNIST:

•Independent candidacy

Donu Kogbara

•Re-introduction of old National Anthem

Farewell to a really great guy•P.17 Mr & Mrs

•Revenue allocation: FG- 42.5%; States-35%; LGs22.5% •Govt to set up committee on Resource control

CONFAB CLOSES— From left: President Goodluck Jonathan receiving Report of 2014 National Conference from Chairman of the Confab, Justice Idris Kutigi at the closing ceremony of conference in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

North not parasite to any region — Gov. Aliyu >9 C M Y K

By Clifford Ndujihe, Henry Umoru, Ben Agande & Levinus Nwabughiogu

EBOLA: We'll not play politics with health — FG

>55

2 —V anguard Vanguard anguard,, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

C M Y K

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4 —V anguard Vanguard anguard,, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014—5

POCKET CARTOON

APC—From left, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and Gen Muhammadu Buhari at the inaugural meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Board of Trustees at the party secretariat in Abuja,yesterday.

Confab has shamed critics Continues from page 1 the National Assembly and the Council of State on how to implement the report.

Among other things, the conference made far reaching recommendations that could boost the socio-economic and political development fortunes of the country, if faithfully implemented.

The recommendations

The recommendations include: Creation of 18 additional states; adoption of modified presidential system of government that integrates the parliamentary and

presidential systems; part-time bi-cameral legislature at all levels; reintroduction of the old National Anthem; removal of immunity clause for criminal offences; independent candidacy and abrogation of the local government as a tier of government; scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions, SIECs and stoppage of government sponsorships of Christian and Muslim pilgrimages to holy lands.

Others include: Sharing of funds to the Federation Account among the three tiers of government should be:

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

God will always bring us the opportunities we need when we need them. HE simply never fails. His job is to create the opportunities, ours is to seize and use them.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Find a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain — Joseph Campbell

O

FTEN one may allow the causes of tensions, competitions, exertions, emotional peaks and tiredness take over ones actions and thoughts so that it is almost as if we were riding a roller coaster over bounding forces that we do not and cannot control.

In his wirings, U.S. Anderson concludes that a person feels isolated and alone and long for the touch and contact of another, often there is consolation that someone else exists and feels the same as us, alone also, reaching out. We may be constantly beset by feelings of insecurities, that we are not enough in many ways. So we adopt standards that are all based on our comparison with others.

People are better looking, worse looking, smarter, dumber, taller, shorter, thinner, fatter, poorer, wealthier, stronger, weaker, healthier, sicker, more talented, less talented, always in reference to ourselves. We hold up a mirror to the world, and the mirror is our ego. We see everything through it, and everything is coloured accordingly. But really? You are everything beautiful and loving. You only have to be aware of you...the real you and not the ego, an imposter of your true self.

Federal Government (42.5 per cent), State governments (35 per cent) and Local governments (22.5 per cent); in the modified presidential system the president shall pick the vice president from the Legislature and select not more than 18 ministers from the six geo-political zones and not more than 30 per cent of his ministers from outside the Legislature; President should reduce cost of governance by pruning the number of political appointees and using staff of ministries where necessary; presidential power should rotate between the North and the South and among the six geo-political zones, while the governorship will rotate among the three senatorial districts in a state.

With local governments no longer the third tier of government, the federal and states are now the only tiers of government, states can now create as many local governments as they want. The Joint State/Local Government Account be scrapped and in its place the establishment of a State RMAFC with representatives of LG and a chairman nominated by the Governor. The Constitution should fix the tenure for Local Government Councils at three years.

The conference also recommended that special courts should handle corruption cases in view of undue prolonged trials and prosecution of corruption cases in the regular courts; and retention of Land Tenure in the Constitution but with an amendment to take care of concerns, particularly compensation in Section 29 (4) of the Act to read

“land owners should determine the price and value of their land based on open market value.

The confab, however, could not resolve the issue of resource control, derivation principle and fiscal federalism. It said that assigning percentage for the increase in derivation principle, setting up Special Intervention Funds to address issues of reconstruction and rehabilitation of areas ravaged by insurgency and internal conflicts as well as solid minerals development, require some technical details and consideration.

It therefore recommended that the government should set up a Technical Committee to determine the appropriate percentage on the three issues and advise government accordingly.

We’ve shamed our critics – Jonathan Receiving the report, which is in 22 volumes and totalling 10,335 pages from the Conference Chairman, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, a happy President Jonathan said critics who thought the exercise would disintegrate the country have been shamed with the achievements of the delegates.

According to him, all those who had predicted the disintegration of this country at the end of the nation’s first centenary would wish they chose another country against the backdrop that the possibilities of the new vision for Nigeria were being actualised.

He noted that the time has come for all Nigerians to put behind them all the drawbacks that inhibited the country from realising her manifest destiny and full potentials, saying: “We must steadily arrive at the juncture where strife, conflicts and mistrusts would become distant echoes of our past. We must make every inch of our country a space for joyous habitation. Our country must enter a new season of harmony, prosperity and happiness with justice abiding in every hamlet, community and our country. It is the dawn of a new day in Nigeria and the new nation is at the door accompanied by its great men and women, young and old.”

It won’t be a wasted effort

President Jonathan promised that efforts of the 492 delegates will not be a waste as government would ensure that the recommendations were implemented in the interest of the country.

He hailed the del-

egates for their tireless efforts and coming up with recommendations that will help chart a path of peaceful coexistence, sustainable development, justice and progress as the country marches into the second centenary, and stressed that as delegates, they had done their best, that the onus was now on the executive and elected lawmakers to compliment their job.

He averred that the ability of the delegates to disagree to agree is a clear indication that Nigeria has remained our collective good and we are capable of solving our problems through dialogue.

His words: “The success of this conference has proved the cynics wrong in many respects.

Those who dismissed the entire conference ab initio as a “diversion” have been proved wrong as what you achieved has contrary to their forecast diverted our country only from the wrong road to the right direction.

“As I receive the report of your painstaking deliberations, let me assure that your work is not going be a waste of time and resources. We shall do all we can to ensure the implementation of your recommendations which have come out of consensus and not by divisions.

“The result of the conference has shown that we are not enemies, neither are we antagonists, no matter our religion, region, state, and tongue. This conference has reinforced what I have always believedthat Nigeria is here for our collective good.

“The discourse reflected our latest challenges. We shall send the relevant aspects of your recommendations to the Council of State and the National Assembly for incorporation into the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

On our part, we shall act on those aspects required of us in the Executive.

“Let me reaffirm this: Nobody has a monopoly of knowledge. We who

are in government need to feed from the thoughts of those who elected us into power.

You have done your patriotic duty; we the elected, must now do ours.”

Why I didn’t intervene

President Jonathan, who gave an insight into why he never intervened in their activities of the confab said that he took that decision on the premise that the delegates were capable of coming up with how to move the country forward, adding: “One of the many reasons for our non-interference is this: We have at the conference, 492 delegates and six conference officials who in their individual rights are qualified to lead our great country and if they were unable to agree on how to take decisions, we would be in real trouble! Acknowledging the quality and patriotic content of the delegates, I was confident the right thing will be done.”

Over 600 resolutions approved through consensus –Kutigi

Earlier, Chairman of the Conference, Justice Kutigi disclosed that that at the end of the conference, more than 600 resolutions dealing with issues of law, policy and constitutional amendments were approved through consensus.

Noting that they tackled substantial and fundamental issues, he said adopting all the resolutions through consensus “is a message that we wish the world to hear loud and clear. Nigerians are capable of not only discussing their differences but are also capable of coming up with solutions to these difficulties.”

Justice Kutigi explained that with the submission of the report, “ we have finally laid to rest the apprehension that a national conference will lead to the disintegration of Nigeria.

6—Vanguard , FRIDAY FRIDAY,, AUGUST 22, 2014

Two brothers remanded over murder of tenant

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS— A Lagos Chief Magistrate’s Court, sitting at Ebute-Metta, yesterday, ordered that two half brothers, Solomon Olowogbemi, 24 and Damilola Olayeye, 22, be remanded in Ikoyi Prisons for allegedly slicing their stepmother’s tenant, one Mr Olayinka Offahin's scrotum, which led to his death.

The magistrate, F. J. Adefioye, ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody pending the legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. The magistrate gave the order following a charge filed against the two brothers by the police.

The duo were charged before the court on a threecount of conspiracy, armed robbery and attempted murder.

The prosecutor, Corporal Onaiwu Iyobosa, informed the court that the crime was committed on July 25 at about 4.30 a.m., at 15, Popoola Street, off Abaranje Road, Ikotun area of the state.

She told the court that the defendants were the landlady’s stepsons and that the landlady and the deceased had a misunderstanding before the incident occurred.

Iyobosa also said the landlady told the deceased to leave his house upon which he promised to pack out by August.

“On the fateful day, the deceased and his family were sleeping when they heard a loud bang on their door and the defendants forcefully entered the room and destroyed their electronics and other property."

Killer of Lagos bizwoman charged with murder, robbery •Remanded in prison

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS – AN Ebute-Metta magistrate’s court has ordered that a 31-year-old man, William Kenneth Chukwunango, a.k.a KCM, who murdered his lover, a business woman based in Festac Town, Lagos, Lizzy Njideka-Nzewi, be remanded in prison custody, pending the legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. The defendant is facing a two-count charge bordering of murder and robbery preferred against him by the police.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Agwu Chukwu, told the court that the incident occurred on July 19 at the Festac residence of the deceased. He said the defendant killed the woman by stranglating her with her wrapper at about 2 am.

Chukwu further told the court that the defendant stole some items and a cash sum of N140,000 belonging to the

William Kenneth: The suspect deceased after killing her.

Other items stolen by the defendant included one Range Rover Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, with number plate EKY 509 AZ; one Nokia cellphone; one Motorola cellphone; one Huwai cellphone and Automated

Lizzy Njideka-Nzewi: Killed.

Teller Card, ATM, of Diamond Bank.

The offences, according to the prosecutor, are punishable under Sections 221 and 295 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

Earlier, the defendant had pleaded not guilty but his

plea was disregarded.

However, Magistrate A. Ipaye-Nwachukwu ordered that he be remanded in prison custody pending the DPP’s advice, adding that the prosecutor should duplicate the case file and forward same to the DPP for advice.

Man arrested for ‘abducting’ traffic warden in Ogun

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA – THE Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man, Tosin Owolola, 27, for allegedly

abducting a traffic warden at Iyana Mortuary in Abeokuta.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the incident occurred Saturday

when the traffic warden was at his duty post in Abeokuta and flagged down the man who was driving his car against the traffic.

Adejobi said: “The suspect

Two student cult leaders nabbed for murder

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE — TWO students of the Ondo State-owned Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, who are said to be notorious cult leaders, Jimoh Fidelis and Dare Wale, have been arrested by Police detectives for murder.

Acting on security reports, detectives from the ‘B’ Division in Owo swooped on

the cult members at their hideout.

Police source said the two students, who have succeeded in initiating many others into the Aiye secret cult on campus, are notorious leaders of the group.

Vanguard learnt that the bubble bursted when the killing of one Adedoja Olawale was traced to the two

Commuters waiting for BRT buses at Oshodi under bridge yesterday. Photo: Akeem Salau

cult leaders.

They reportedly led the gang that murdered the victim at the gate of a popular hotel in Owo. Police investigation showed that the students have made confessional statement and would soon be charged for murder.

In another development, police in the state have arrested two Fulani herdsmen who robbed along Owo/Oba express road.

They are Aminu Abubakar and Abubakar Umar.

Vanguard gathered that they are among a six-man gang that had been terrorising travellers on the road.

Items recovered from them include five single barrel guns, one dane-gun, three cutlasses, four GSM handsets and N12,000 cash.

The case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department for investigation.

Contacted, the Police image maker, Wole Ogodo, confirmed the arrest of the students and the Fulani suspects.

hit the warden which made him (the warden) to fall on the bonnet of the car. The suspect kept on driving for a distance of more than four kilometres with the traffic warden on his bonnet.

“It took the efforts of members of the public and other policemen on patrol, who were called on distress, to rescue the traffic warden from the man in the Kemta Idi Aba jungle,where he drove into.

“The suspect, who was heavily drunk, is a technician with National Diploma in Business Studies from the Lagos State Polytechnic, and hails from Abeokuta South Local Government Area of the state.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, CP Ikemefuna Okoye, has directed that a thorough investigation be conducted into the matter and that the suspect be subjected to medical examination before he would be charged to serve as deterrent to others who are fond of assaulting security agents on duty.

“The Commissioner of Police also warned that such act will no longer be tolerated for it’s the duty of the command to see to the welfare of its personnel.

"He urged the general public to accord adequate respect to all security agents who are properly deployed.“

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014—7

I was offered N30,000 for human skull —Suspect •As Police nab 2 herbalists, woman with human skulls

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS — OPERATIVES of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, Lagos have smashed a syndicate that specialised in selling human parts, arresting three of its members.

The suspects are two popular herbalists in Sagamu area and a mother of two whose husband was alleged to be a supplier of the human parts.

Recovered from the suspects were two human skulls suspected to have been procured from a graveyard.

Their arrest, according to Police sources, followed an intelligence report received by the Lagos State Police Command on activities of human parts dealers, which made the Commander SARS, Abba Kyari, to embark on a manhunt, that led to the arrest of the three suspects, Mustapha Muritala, Sunday Oluyeba and Adenike Olanrewaju, with others still at large in Ojumerin area of Sagamu, Ogun State.

Suspects' account

During interrogation, 42-yearold Murtala said he ventured into the business two years ago following an offer of N30,000 for a human skull.

According to the father of one, “I am a herbalist from Sagamu, Ogun State. I was introduced to human parts business by one Sunday Oluyeba I knew through my friends, Olanipekun and Kazim, three years ago.

"My friends asked me to get native birds called eyeoshi and eyeoke, and I succeeded in getting them. They later came and requested a human head with an offer of N30,000. They said they wanted to use it to prepare concoction for a pregnant woman in labour .

"They told me they also use human parts to prepare concoction for women who have difficulty in getting pregnant.

What they do is to grind the human skull, mix it with water

By Onozure Dania

L

The suspect and give to the woman to drink.

Such concoction cleanses the stomach, after which she would become pregnant.

"Sunday brought the human head and I paid him N15,000 for it. This is the second time I am buying a human skull from him.

I do not know where he got them from.”

How I was arrested

“I was going about my herbal business when a man came and demanded human skull. As I handed the nylon where I kept it to him, some men I later discovered to be policemen swooped on me. I have never

A

BEOKUTA — An Abeokuta magistrate's court sitting at Isabo has sentenced a 32-yearold man to two years imprisonment for burgling a shop and stealing a bag of rice valued at N7,500.

The Police prosecutor, Inspector Augustine Ozimini, told the court that the offences were committed on August 15 at Mokola in Abeokuta.

He said the convict broke into the shop of one Ramota Aikore and stole the bag of rice.

killed anyone in my life.”

After his arrest, he was made to put a call across to his partner in crime, Oluyeba, demanding a human head. Oluleba could not make it but instructed one of his herbalist friends,Baba Beji, to go for the supply. He was arrested when he got there.

His confessional statement led operatives to another suspect in Sagamu. The suspect, Juwon Olarewaju, another herbalist, reportedly fled on sighting the policemen but his wife was arrested instead.

Mrs Olarewaju, 34, in her statement to operatives, expressed shock over the sales

of human parts by her husband.

According to her, "I have been married to Juwon for five years and we have two children. My husband is a herbalist but I didn’t know he was dealing in human parts. I was arrested in my house at about 2am over the weekend. I swear, I didn’t know anything about all these. I was arrested because my husband whom they came to arrest ran away.

"These people implicated my husband in the matter; they said my husband supplied them with a human head.”

The suspects, as gathered, would be charged to court soon.

NURTW CLASH IN LAGOS: Oluomo’s loyalists

destroyed his property, says factional leader

By Evelyn Usman

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AGOS — MEMBERS of a faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, yesterday described as untrue, claim by their National Treasurer, Musiliu Akinsanya, aka Oluomo, that loyalists of a factional leader destroyed his (Oluomo) property during last Saturday’s clash at the 10th anniversary of the coronation

Man jailed 2 years for stealing bag of rice

By Daud Olatunji

Man docked for stabbing commercial sex worker

“My lord, Jimoh is an unrepentant convict, he has been convicted twice and he is yet to learn his lesson,” he said.

Ozimini submitted that the offences contravened Sections 413, 390 (9) and 451 of the Criminal Laws of Ogun, 2006.

The convict pleaded guilty to the three-count charge of burglary, unlawful damage and stealing.

The magistrate, Mr Emmanuel Adekunte sentenced the accused to two years imprisonment with hard labour and without an option of fine.

of Oba Agbabiaka of Isolo.

Rather, they said that the destruction of Akinsanya’s residence in Ejigbo area of Lagos could have been masterminded by his loyalists to indict the accused, identified as Olufemi Olowu.

It would be recalled that fight broke out between factions of the union at the installation of two chiefs in Isolo area of Lagos, during which several persons were injured.

It was alleged that the chairman, Cele\Ejigbo park, Olowu, who attempted to shoot, was prevented but went ahead to stab one Kamoru in the cheek.

However, Olowu’s loyalists described the allegation as false, stating rather that their boss was almost lynched at the party.

According to one of them, who gave his name simply as Gbadamosi, “On that day, Olowu who was invited by the celebrants arrived the venue at about 6.30pm. ‘’While he was spraying money on one of the musicians, Semiu Alao, at about 8pm, there was commotion, as some thugs were shoving aside guests

from the walkway for their boss (Oluomo) to have access.

"Some of the thugs were attacking guests by stealing their jewellery and other valuables. Before we knew it, they cut Olowu’s neck chain which costs N750,000 and dispossessed him of his two rings valued at N350,000 and his wristwatch which cost N35,000.

"When Olowu discovered that his neck chain had been stolen, he called the attention of Oluomo, saying his boys were responsible. Instead of calling his boys to order, he allowed them to descend on Olowu.

"One of the thugs hit him with the butt of a gun. Five of them were armed and were shooting indiscriminately. Nobody could go for Olowu’s help as everyone fled.

"Olowu was rushed to the Osolo of Isolo’s palace, where he was instructed to report at the police station. He went to the Isolo police division where the Divisional Police Officer, a woman, told him to go and treat himself first before coming to write a statement. That was how he was rushed to a hospital around Ejigbo."

AGOS — A 26-year-old polytechnic graduate, Shola Egunole, has been charged before an EbuteMetta magistrate’s court sitting at Oyingbo for allegedly stabbing a commercial sex worker., The defendant, who resides at 17, Fafunmi Street, Iyana Ipaja, was said to be a 2009 graduate of Banking and Finance from a private polytechnic in Lagos.

He was alleged to have stabbed the commercial sex worker, Joy Osasuwa, with a knife on the breast and back, at 3Star Hotel, located at Otto Railway Crossing in Oyingbo area of Lagos on August 12, after he made love to the victim.

The defendant is facing a count charge bordering on assault preferred against him by the police.

It was said that the defendant had demanded a balance of N800 from the N1000 he gave the victim for her service.

It was also said that the defendant made the demand for the balance on the ground that he did not complete the act, adding that when the victim refused to comply with the defendant’s demand, he resorted to selfhelp by beating the victim severely before stabbing her on the breast and back with kitchen knife he found in her apartment.

The prosecutor, Inspector A. U. Moses, told the court that the offence is punishable under Section 243 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge., The defendant’s counsel, Obi Simon, informed the court that both parties have agreed to settle the matter out of court and urged the court to grant the defendant bail in a most liberal term and adjourn for a very short date.

Following the submission of the counsel to the defendant, Magistrate K. O. Ogundare admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200,000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.

Ogundare also ordered that the sureties must show evidence of three years tax payable to Lagos State government, means of livelihood and have their addresses verified by the prosecutor. The matter was adjourned till September 24.

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

ADAMAWA 2014: APC calls for lifting of curfew ... commences primaries October

By Okey Ndiribe

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S THE October 11 governorship byelection in Adamawa State draws nearer, the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to lift the existing curfew in the state in order to create a level-playing field for all political parties that will participate in the electoral contest.

This call was made by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the party’s first National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting in Abuja.

The APC spokesman explained that the party was not calling for the lifting of the state of emergency in the state, but insisted that the existing curfew would hamper the freedom of movement of members and officials of the party if it remained in place during the period of campaigns for the governorship poll.

Said he: “For a free and fair election to take place in Adamawa, the curfew has to be lifted so that there would be a level playing field for all the parties participating in the contest.”

He stated that the party would

commence primaries for various political offices in October, adding that the party had also adopted the modified direct primaries for the exercise.

He explained that this method was adopted “because there are constraints to get over 20 million members of our party to queue for the primaries, but at the same time, we want it to involve the grassroots as much as possible.”

Commenting on the

impeachment threat being currently faced by Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, Mohammed stated that since the panel that was set up by the state Chief Judge had absolved the governor of any wrong-doing, he could not be subjected to another trial over the same allegations.

“The Nasarawa House could only compile fresh allegations against the governor, if any,” he said.

Commenting on the conduct of the recently held Osun State governorship election, he hailed the remark of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, condemning the use of masked security operatives during the poll.

He disclosed that the NEC meeting also discussed the guidelines for the party’s primaries, adding that forthcoming elections in Adamawa,

Police allay fears over abandoned car in Mararaba, Abuja

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MEETING: From left, Mr. Seye Awojobi, Registrar/Chief Executive, The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria; Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria and Otunba (Mrs.) Debola Osibogun, President/Chairman of Council, CIBN, pose for a shot during the Bankers Committee Meeting held at the CBN Head office Annex, Lagos.

Confab delegates form group to push for implementation of report

By Joseph Erunke

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BUJA — As the 2014 National Conference came to an end, yesterday, some delegates have formed a pressure group which main aim is to explore all necessary avenues to ensure that all the adopted recommendations of the conference are implemented by the Federal Government.

The group, which was christened, 'Initiative for National Consensus,” according to its handlers, was borne out of genuine desire to ensure that no part of the recommendations agreed upon and adopted by the delegates, was thrown into dustbin by the government.

Members of the group, led by its interim coordinator and leader of Ondo State delegation to the conference, Mr. Remi Olatubora, while briefing newsmen shortly their inauguration session at the confab venue, yesterday, insisted that their desire to come together in a group was informed by common desire of most delegates that all relevant governmental organs and agencies implement

Niger and Delta states were also discussed.

He stated that the party was worried about the neutrality of certain public officers over the forth-coming Adamawa gubernatorial polls.

Commenting on the recent exit of former EFCC Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, from the party, he said it was a “manifestation of the beauty of democracy which emphasises the freedom of association.”

the decisions of the conference in totality.

Olatubora, who is also a serving Commissioner for Adult and Vocational Education in his home state, explained that their decision to form the group was mostly informed by past experiences where recommendations and reports of previous exercises were left to gather dust.

He said that the group would work together as advocacy group towards ensuring that “decisions of the conference were not left in the shelf to gather dust in the manner in which the reports of

earlier conferences were treated.”

The group’s membership cuts across the six geo-political zones, comprises representatives of youths, academia, lawyers, politicians, Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, religious bodies, Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ and the Diaspora, among others.

Olatunbora said the mission of the group was to engage with issues flowing from the confab, as independent input into the process of consolidating the gains of Nigeria’s centenary, and its reconstruction into a responsible, accountable, and egalitarian

society.

Other reasons according to him was “to campaign vigorously for gender mainstreaming and intergenerational justice as dedicated by the requirement of 21 century politics."

Some of the objectives of the group, according to Olatubora, were “to develop a framework for the emergence of an alumni of the confab as the broadest convergence of pan-Nigerian constituent group and to act as a connecting rod between our group and the primary as well as secondary stakeholders in the sustainability of Nigeria project."

BUJA — THE Police in Abuja, yesterday, dismissed the report of a bomb attempt in the Nyanya area of the Federal Capital Territory over a suspicious car parked in the middle of the road which caused serious pandemonium in the area.

According to the FCT Police spokesperson, DSP Atine Daniel, the vehicle in question was thoroughly searched by bomb disposal experts of the Nigerian Army from the Military Police headquarters after an alarm was raised and nothing incriminating was found in the vehicle. It was later towed away by the army team.

There had been reports of serious pandemonium in the area (Mararaba) around mid-day when a car (406 salon) suspected to be laden with explosive device was seen left abandoned in the middle of the road.

Eyewitnesses said the driver of the car parked the car and left in a hurry prompting soldiers nearby to be suspicious while motorists in traffic on seeing the soldiers surrounding the car began to run in different directions.

DAAR Communications repositions towards digital transition Board of Directors of DAAR Communications Plc has announced the setting up of DAAR News Service Directorate which has been charged with the responsibilities of providing newsfeeds and programming for all the DAAR's broadcast outlets including Raypower, AIT, FAAJI and DAASAT. In a statement, the board said it took the decision to strategically

reposition the directorate in order to meet the programming demands of the on-going migration from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting as stipulated by the International Communication Union, ITU. According to the board, the restructuring which took effect from Wednesday, August 20, 2014 has Marc Imoni Amarere as Managing Director of News,

Odion Bello as Head of AIT News, Bayo Bodunri as Head of Reportorial/Chief Correspondent, Raymond Ellamah as Deputy Head of Reportorial and Austin Agbonsuremi as Head of Political Desk.

Others include Chukuwdi Okolie-Ugbaja as Head of Editorial, Gbenga Aruleba as Head of Current Affairs, Shola Aiyebola as Deputy Head of

Current Affairs, Emmanuel Ohiomokhare as Interim Head of Business Desk and Tunde Orebiyi as Head of Sports.

Kunle Adewale, Lara OwoeyeWise, Funke Fadugba and Raymond Ellamah had also been appointed as Head of Presentation, Deputy Head of Presentation, Head of Raypower News and Head of DAAR News 24 respectively.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014 —9

The North is not a parasite to any region —Gov Aliyu

By Wole Mosadomi

M

INNA — CHAIRMAN of the northern governor’s Forum and Niger State governor, Dr. Muasu Babangida Aliyu has said that the northern part of the country should not be seen as a parasite on any part of the regions in the country, but as an integral part of Nigeria working for the its progress and oneness.

He said rather than be seen as parasites, the northerners should be seen as very hard working and contributing to the development of the country in all spheres of life.

According to him: ”We should henceforth reject the claim that we are parasites in Nigeria because we have shown that we have the capacity to make a difference before and even after independence.”

Governor Aliyu called on the northerners not to associate or harbour members of the Boko Haram, describing them as enemies of not only the region, Islam but also enemies of the country as a whole.

“Don’t identify or harbour the

Boko Haram because anything they do will eventually affect all of us, no matter our religion or status. Nobody is praying for another civil war in the country and anybody that is attempting it should be ostracised,” the

governor declared.

National president of the Association, Alhaji Ibrahim Sokoto Aliyu said they were in Minna to honour the governor for his security measures taken in the state and for uniting the people

of the state.

He said because of his leadership role in the country, especially in the North, they will depend on him on whom to vote for in the 2015 general elections.

L-r: Managing Director, First Monie, Mr. Mike Ogbalu, Globacom’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Ajay Mathur, Globacom’s Executive Director, Legal Services, Mrs. Gladys Talabi, Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Obinnia Abajue, Globacom’s Ag. Coordinator, Business Solution, Mr. Ike Oraekwuotu and Executive Director, Ecobank, Mr. Kingsley Aigbokhaevbo at the launch of the Glo Xchange, Nigeria’s 1st Mobile Money Agent Network at Eko Hotel, Lagos, yesterday.

CASUALTY RATE OF SOLDIERS: Military pensions

board hindered

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA — THE Military Pensions Board has cried out that following the high casualty recorded by the military in the on-going battle to dislodge Boko Haram terrorists from the North East and North West parts of the country, is making it difficult for the board to pay death and other benefits.

Chairman of the Military Pensions Board, Air Commodore Mohammed Rabiu Dabo, who disclosed this when he received the Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro in his office, noted that present budgetary provisions did not provide for the high rate of dead soldiers from operational areas like the North East, the JTF and other internal security operations.

He, therefore, solicited the urgent intervention of the minister in ensuring that the unforeseen challenge was addressed forthwith so as to give families of the deceased immediate succour while other benefits due to those who died or injured were being worked on.

On the non-payment of arrears of 20 per cent out of the 53 per cent owed retired soldiers and officers since 2010, which led to a mild protest in the FCT recently, with ex-soldiers threatening that they will make the 2015 elections

...says funding inadequate

unpalatable if the arrears are no paid, Air Commodore Dabo described it as a tough challenge, noting that all efforts towards addressing the challenge had proved difficult He noted, however, that no pensioner was being owed the 33 per cent of the pension increment as at today saying that all military pensioners totalling over 130, 000 have been paid.

Air Commodore Dabo disclosed that 160 ex-soldiers who fought on the side of Biafra during the civil war and received presidential pardon including those who did not serve up to 15 years, and were enrolled in the military pensions system had successfully accessed their benefits.

He, however, said the new challenge was that "those on the Nigerian side who did not serve up to 15 years before retiring from service, are now agitating that their names be included in the pensions roll."

Dabo also requested the minister to draw the attention of government to the issue of disparity in pension benefits to ex-soldiers and officers in the three services following their agitations.

Asked why the yearly verification exercise to determine the actual number of military pensioners was yet to take place, the MPB Chairman said, the

present security challenges in some parts of the country was responsible for the shift, adding that once the situation improves, the exercise will be carried out.

In his address, Senator Obanikoro noted that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan was totally committed to the welfare of the military, both serving and retired, adding that issues concerning outstanding payments, be they arrears of 20 per cent, issues concerning death benefits of soldiers in operational areas as well as gratuities and pensions would be sorted out soon.

“The level of casualties sustained by our gallant troops in the war against Boko Haram insurgents and other operations has made it imperative that next of kin and family members of soldiers are paid their benefits without delay. We don’t want a situation where the families will suffer after losing loved ones.”

Describing the challenge of insurgency as new and huge both in finances and resources, the minister said: “People should remember that this administration is the first to battle domestic terrorism which is the most difficult battle to fight. It is not as if the battle ground is known. It is everywhere. We are dealing with unknown battlefield.

“Fighting terrorists in a democracy is difficult because of

the need to observe the rights and privileges of the citizens.

Between trying to ensure that individual privileges are not trampled upon, you have to also protect the larger society and I have said fighting terrorism is not Jonathan’s battle. It is all Nigerians' battle.

“The reason is because they are trying to change our way of life.

They are trying to reduce us from whom we are. The resources so far expended would have been diverted to the development of the economy and the country.”

Continuing Obanikoro said: “It is my belief that those who have served this nation with dignity should be treated with dignity.

Those who have lost loved ones paid the supreme sacrifice; we should not allow their families suffer.

“It is for that reason that an exception is being made to the rule with the putting in place of a benevolent funding. The problem is that the families may not be immediately aware of this, and it may cause some lacuna between the time of the loss of the personnel and accessing the fund.”

It will be recalled that a fortnight ago, the coalition of aggrieved military pensioners protested in Abuja over the alleged non-payment of their pensions by the Federal Government.

Road Transport Employers to build 185,000 houses for members

By Soni Daniel

H

OPE OF ending the scarcity of houses in Nigeria appears to have risen with the decision of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, to construct no fewer than 185,000 units of houses across Nigeria within a year.

RTEAN, a major player in the transports subsector in Nigeria, says it had already worked out the funding for the project, which is expected to be undertaken through direct labour within 365 days from the date of take off.

The landmark project, which is estimated at $1.5 billion, is to be executed in collaboration with two foreign firms, Havit Incorporated of the United States of America and JS Neoplans, working with Artemis Angels Global Limited.

Already, officials of the foreign firms had visited Nigeria and signed the necessary legal documents for the take-off of the project, which would provide direct jobs for 1,000 Nigerians contractors and 5,000 artisans.

The joint project will also enable RTEAN to secure 4,000 Nigerian assembled vehicles for members of the association in a bold move to empower them and stem the tide of joblessness among the group.

The joint statement formally announcing the deal was signed by Rig Vincent, President of the Havit Inc and Tony Adepoju, on behalf of JS Neoplans and Artemis Angels Global Limited.

Nigeria currently has a housing deficit of 17 million, ten per cent of which is being felt in Abuja, the nation’s capital, where houses sell like gold.

Where houses are available in Abuja at all, they are too pricey for the middle class and the low income groups, thereby making them a preserve of the rich, influential and powerful in the country.

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

Revenue Allocation: FG yet to justify its 52 percent share — FASHOLA ...Lagos APC lauds flag off of Lagos State EEP

By Dapo Akinrefon &

Monsur Olowoopejo

L

A G O S — GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday said the Federal Government was yet to justify the 52 percent revenue allocation; it received monthly from the federation account.

Fashola spoke at the flagoff of the expanded Lagos State Economic and E m p o w e r m e n t Programme, EEP, at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja.

The governor, who described the central government as the big brother, lamented that the inability of the central government to deploy the larger percent of the allocation it received from the federation account to provide the basic social amenities like power supply and adequate security, had made “life not too meaningful for the citizens. There are three governments in the Nigeria family-the Federal, State and the local governments.

The federal government gets 52% of the total income of the country; the 36 states governments’ share 26%, while the local governments share 22 percent. This is how our family is run. The big

brother (the federal government) has taken more than half of the total revenue.”

“We get income from three major sources; there are other ones but these are the main sources. One is oil, the other is charges and import duties. On imports duties, the central government in 2013, made an income of N1.4 trillion in six months.

And this was from the Apapa Ports alone. We do not collect taxes from companies, all the companies in Nigeria, once you declare your profit, certain percentage is paid to the federal government.

What we collect is personal income tax on the employees of the companies. Yet, the federal government has failed to provide constant electricity for its citizens. If there is power today, many companies will pick up.

“In Lagos State, we are looking at an alternative to national failure because we would soon start to hear a lot of stories. Just remember that we used to have Berec batteries, where hundreds of people were employed.''

Earlier, Deputy Governor, Princess Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire, said over 10,000 women were targeted for empowerment through the training and vocational skill acquisition programme

under the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA. She said the empowerment programme was open to all women in Lagos State, urging unemployed women to register for the programme beginning on August 25.Meanwhile, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has lauded the Lagos State Government on the flag off its EEP for the unemployed in the state.

The party said that the programme adds to a rich list of the laudable and effective programmes the Lagos State government “uses to deal with the great challenges of hosting the largest concentration of Nigerian educated and non educated youths in the face of the aggravating problem of poverty in the country.”

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, APC said by this welfarist attention to the plight of the unemployed and the disempowered, the government and the APC were demonstrating readiness to deal with the problems of poverty being exacerbated by the antipeople’s policy of the PDP federal government.

MDGs: South-South compares notes, adopts new approach to meet target

By Soni Daniel

W

ITH only less than a year to the 2015 target of the Millennium Development Goals, the South-South states, yesterday, took time off in Abuja to compare notes on what they had been dong in the area of education with a view to meeting the target set by the United Nations.

The six states, which met on the sidelines of the twoday MDG summit at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, did not only review the actions plans outlined in the MDG with regard to educational attainment but also examine what they needed to do to move the standards of education a notch higher.

The representatives of governors of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta and Edo, met in Abuja for over two hours during

which they compared notes on what each state was doing to advance the cause of education and also took notes of what was needed to be done in the months ahead.

In a lead presentation, Prof Edem Ayara from

Cross River State drew the attention of the states to the need for them to keep proper records of students who dropped from school after being enrolled as a result of unresolved challenges forcing them to withdraw or pay partial attention to school.

Repair works on Eko Bridge commences tomorrow

T

HE Lagos state Government yesterday said repair works on Eko Bridge would commence tomorrow.

The state government had earlier announced that the Bridge Expansion Joint Replacement contract beginning from Saturday 23rd August to Monday 27th October.

It said the repair works would last for 71 days and would not necessitate total closure, but a phased

partial restriction.

Commissioner for Transportation Mr, Kayode Opeifa, who announced this, said the first phase of the bridge expansion joint replacement being carried out by a leading construction firm would witness a partial restriction from two lanes to one lane at the loop towards Elegbata (Apongbon interchange) in-ward Lagos for six days between Saturday, 23rd August and Thursday 25th August 2014.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014 — 11

VISIT: Chief of Army staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah (middle), flanked on the immediate left by Abia State governor, Chief Theodore Orji, Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Udeh Okechukwu and on the right by the state deputy governor, Sir Emeka Ananaba, State PDP Chairman, Senator Emma Nwaka and some top officers of the Nigerian Army when they visited the governor in Umuahia.

IMPEACHMENT: Why I'm being persecuted —Enugu Dep Gov •He is a liar — Govt

E

By Tony Edike

NUGU—EMBATTLED Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, has said that his problem with Governor Sullivan Chime which led to the impeachment proceeding against him began the moment he expressed interest to contest Enugu East senatorial seat in 2015.

He told reporters in an interview in Enugu that the governor became uncomfortable with his senatorial ambition, following the positive response and encouragement he got from those he consulted about his political ambition.

Onyebuchi spoke even as the state government described as false and misleading claims that Governor Sullivan Chime operated a poultry and piggery at Government House.

In a statement by Chukwudi Achife, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Chime, yesterday, the government said the deputy governor ’s claims were malicious and intended to deceive the public.

The deputy governor, who said he was able to give a convincing response to the various allegations leveled against him by the State House of Assembly, insisted that the only offence he committed was his decision to seek election into the Senate against the preferred candidate of the governor.

His words: “My problem started when I expressed interest to contest for the senate seat of Enugu East Senatorial zone, coincidentally against the preferred candidate of the governor. Initially, they didn’t

know I will make any impact, they felt they had everything, but when I started making consultations, people I never expected started giving me encouragement and support.

Governor uncomfortable

“He (the governor) became uncomfortable. There was a time I received information from somebody that if I did not step down, this move will be made against me.

“So I did not believe it and I made it clear before now that it was from the day I expressed interest that I started noticing some hostile attitude from the governor.

“So it is not about chicken because when they said chicken, they removed the chicken, they did not give me the proceeds of the chicken or tell me where it is and I did not complain.

“They saw that I was in Onitsha and could not provide any evidence that the governor instructed me, what they did was to go and forge a manifest backdated and you know when the governor is on vacation, you cannot have his manifest, but they mistakenly got a manifest, backdated it and labeled it governor’s manifest when the governor was on vacation.

“So I believe the team of my lawyers has made a very good case and I believe that the ball is now in the court of the members of the panel.

“Like I said earlier, it is for them to choose whether they will stand on the side of the truth which is what the people of Enugu are calling for or to stand on the side of the saying that might is right and that he who holds the power

must be right and the weaker person must be wrong; therefore I was wrong.

“If that is done, it is okay because I have said it repeatedly as a Christian that nothing happens without God knowing about it and the best thing for me is not being impeached by God.

Why he did not resign

“So I said I am confident that I should have nothing to fear, that’s why I did not take the option of resigning, believing that if the panel of man impeaches me, I will get justice from the panel of God which is the Supreme panel.

“There is no court higher than that, the judgment may not come when we want but it will eventually come unless we don’t profess to be Christians. So I am confident that truth will prevail if not now, later, but I am not afraid.”

Onyebuchi said it was not true that he planned to defect to All Progressives Congress, APC, if he did not clinch the senatorial ticket of the People’s Democratic Party, saying as a good party loyalist and having benefited from the PDP, he would not turn his back on the party.

Good party loyalist

“I am a good party loyalist and it is the PDP that brought me where I am and I don’t have any reason to turn my back on the PDP. I will remain with the PDP whether I am contesting or not, I will not turn my back on the party that brought me to where I am.

“If they want to remove me

because they suspect that I may join another party, removing me under this circumstance will even make me bitter enough to want to join another party. But I am saying that I will not, because I owe something to PDP and will remain in PDP to pay that debt,” he said.

However, in a swift reaction to the deputy governor’s claim that the governor also operated poultry and piggery at Government House with funds appropriated by the State House of Assembly, the government said his claims were false and misleading.

It explained that “while the government maintains an Agric unit as part of Government House structure where livestock are kept for slaughter to serve the needs of the staff as well as both the governor and deputy governor’s premises, the unit was neither operated nor owned by the governor.”

The statement: “Our attention has been drawn to media reports credited to the Deputy Governor in which he alleged that Governor Chime owns a poultry and a piggery inside the Government House. Much as we would not want to join issues with His Excellency, the Deputy Governor (Onyebuchi), it has become necessary for us to put the records straight.

“The Deputy Governor ’s claims that Governor Chime runs poultry in the Government is most unfortunate and surprising. This is because it is patently untrue and the Deputy Governor knows better.

The truth is that there is an Agric Unit in the Government House where livestock are held for the use of the Government House.

It has been in existence since

the Government House was built and had served previous administrations in Enugu. It is neither commercially operated nor is it owned by the Governor.

“The unit is manned by civil servants including a veterinary doctor. Funds for its maintenance are provided for in the annual budget of the Government. The unit also serves the Deputy Governor. As a matter of fact, staff of the unit slaughtered a cow from the unit at the request of the Deputy Governor on August 4, 2014. So, if as the unit as he (Onyebuchi) erroneously claims belongs to the Governor, why should it form part of the state’s annual budgets? Why would the Deputy Governor request the unit to slaughter cows for him from its livestock holding?

“It is important to clarify that the said Agric unit is not within the Governor ’s residential premises but a unit in Government House which has other units like the Press unit, Drivers unit, among others.

“The Agric unit serves the purpose of holding livestock for periodic slaughter for use by Government House staff, the Governor ’s lodge and the deputy governor’s lodge. It was on the strength of this fact that he (Onyebuchi) requested the staff of the unit to slaughter a cow for him from the unit’s holding on August 4, 2014, and this was done.

“Now, the other question to ask is, since the deputy governor is fully aware of the existence of this unit and benefits from its services, why was he operating another one?

“The truth, however, is that he was operating a commercial poultry with his own staff, including as he admitted in his evidence, a marketing manager.

“The poultry in his residential quarters was relocated after he refused all official entreaties to do some, fully aware that running a commercial poultry within his residential premises, clearly violated an policy of government.

“So, why would the state’s number two citizen violate a policy made by his own government?”

Meanwhile, on Onyebuchi’s claims on what transpired between the panel and counsel to the parties on the day he slumped, it will be recalled that Mr. Nduka Ikeyi, counsel to Enugu State House of Assembly at the panel investigating the allegations of gross misconduct against the deputy governor, had clarified the events, contrary to what some sections of the press deliberately chose to report.

Speaking to reporters in Enugu, Mr. Ikeyi noted that some of the news reports on the proceedings had been “ most inaccurate and full of conjectures” adding that there also appeared to be a deliberate effort to exclude reportage of evidence considered damaging to the deputy governor ’s defence.

12 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

V anguard anguard,, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014 — 13

C M Y K

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

Group drums support for Obuh's 2015 guber ambition

Rivers Health Commissioner, PDP trade words over hospital project

By Jimitota Onoyume

By Festus Ahon

U

why the initial arrangement of a Private Public Partnership, PPP, was secretly changed to a private contractor arrangement and the whopping sum of N7.5 billion committed to the Canadian Company and why no job has

been done wherever the site may be, apart from the destruction of the structures at the temporary site of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, UPTH.'' But Dr Parker in a statement, insisted that the project was

ongoing, adding that he will speak on the details later on.

He said: “As stated earlier, I will give Rivers people a progress report on the Justice Adolphus Karibi Whyte Hospital. It suffices to state here that the 1,000 bed mega hospital is not an abandoned project and will be commissioned before long.”

GHELLI— DELTA United for Obuh, has urged the people of Delta State to work towards the actualisation of the 2015 governorship aspiration of Mr Tony Obuh.

The group in a statement after its meeting at the residence of Mr Daniel Mayuku, described Mr Obuh as the best candidate to govern the state in 2015, at the expiration of the second term of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on May 29.

The statement by Chief Ayiri Emami, its Convener, said members will not relent on their efforts in actualising the governorship aspiration of Obuh in 2015.

Reiterating their commitment to the Obuh campaign,thegroupchargedits memberstopreach“Obuhintheir homes,villages,wardsandlocal governments.You must see the Obuhgovernorshipprojectasyours.

ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has denied claims by the state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Sampson Parker that work was ongoing on the Karibi Whyte Hospital project.

Chairman of the party, Mr Felix Obuah in a statement by his media aide, Mr Jerry Needam, challenged Dr Parker to show where the project was sited in the state.

He said: “The Rivers State PDP, hasexpressedshockthatGovernor Rotimi Amaechi’s Health Commissioner, Parker is still deceiving Rivers people over the precarious issue of the proposed Karibi Whyte Mega Hospital, which does not exist anywhere. ''The party challenges Dr Parker to make public the site of the hospital,thenameofthecontractor, the cost of the project, the extent of work done and how much has so far been paid to disprove the Minister of State for Education’s weightyallegation.

“Dr Parker should also explain

DELTA LG POLLS: Aspirant harps on quality representation

IJAW TO ATTAH, OTHERS: You've no locus to oppose proposed Oil Rivers State

W

ARRI—MR. Robinson Ariyo, the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Warri South constituency 1 in the Delta State House of Assembly, has said that he will provide qualitative representation and be constantly in touch with the people, if given the mandate.

In a chat with Vanguard, he said that he will organise regular town hall meetings across the wards in the constituency to ensure that he “knows exactly what the people want, so that we will be able to design policies and programmes to speak on those things and be able to articulate and present their vision before the House.

“You must able to understand what the needs of people actually are, otherwise where the people need roads, they willget airports, or where theyneed water, you digguttersfor them.”

P

W

By Emma Amaize

ARRI—IJAW Youth Council, IYC, yesterday, said the Akwa-Ibom State caucus at the national conference had no locus to kick against the creation of the proposed Oil Rivers State for the Ijaw people of Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states.

IYC spokesperson, Mr. Eric Omare, in a statement, reacting to a letter by Akwa-Ibom people to the chairman of the confab, Justice Idris Kutugi, said: “Obong Victor Attah, Chief Nduese Essien and others who signed the petition against the creation of Oil Rivers state lack the locus to do so as the proposed Oil Rivers

AGM: From left: Chairman, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr. Atedo Peterside, Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, and Non-Executive Director, Mrs. Maryam Uwais, at the second annual general meeting of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, yesterday.

state is only for the Ijaw people and land inhabited by the Ijaw people of Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.

“The petitioners are not part of the proposed state; hence they lack the locus to oppose the

creation of Oil Rivers state.

Therefore, we call on the relevant authorities to disregard the protest as the proposed Oil Rivers State deserved to be created on merit.

“IYC wishes to make it clear

As Rivers govt denies outbreak of Ebola virus

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State Government has called on residents of the state to be vigilant and ensure they report any suspected case of Ebola virus to the state Ministry of Health.

Commissioner of Health, Dr Sampson Parker in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said that the state was on red alert to handle any Ebola case.

Parker who said that no case of the disease had so far been reported in the state, added that thegovernmentwasnottakingany

2015: Ex-Niger Delta militants asks Jonathan to seek re-election

By Simon Egbebulem

B

E N I N CITY— EX-Militants' leaders in the Niger Delta, under the aegis of the Niger Delta Youth For D e m o c r a c y, yesterday, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to declare his intension for the 2015 presidency, warning

that anybody or group of people opposing the creation of homogenous Ijaw states for the Ijaw people of Akwa Ibom and Rivers State on one hand, and the Ijaw people of Delta, Edo and Ondo States on the other hand, are a threat to the existence of Ijaw people and we are ready to take any step to protect our existence.''

that the people of the region will resist any attempt to stop thePresidentfromrunningfor a second term.

Noting that the issue of the Boko Haram was a ploy by some Northern leaders to stop the second term bid of President Jonathan, the group reminded northern leaders that “we are all one, so let us understand ourselves and move on as a country rather than fight to

stop Jonathan, who is qualified to run for a second terminoffice.”

Leader of the group, Mr Roland Abanara, who addressed newsmen in Benin, Edo State noted that thetimewasrightforanIjaw person to be given the opportunity to become the governor of Delta State, addingthattheyhaddecided to back the aspiration of Elder Peter Orubebe.

chances because of its sea routes, which could serve as entry points to people from other parts of the country and even overseas.

He said that the government had concluded arrangement with some United States experts to come and deepen the knowledge of health workers on how best to handle Ebola cases.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014 — 15

CLOSING CEREMONY OF NATIONAL CONFAB IN ABUJA, YESTERDAY PIX: GBEMIGA OLAMIKAN

From left: Chief Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Peter Odili, former Governor of Rivers State, From left: President Goodluck Jonathan, Chairman of the Confab, his wife, Justice Mary Odili, and Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, Justice Idris Kutigi, Vice Chairman, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, at the former Governor of Bayelsa State. closing ceremony of National Conference in Abuja, yesterday.

.

Mrs. Nike Akande, former Minister of Industry (left) and Victoria Akanwa

Chief Olusegun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State (right) and Senator Musa Adede.

Chief Olu Falaye, former Finance Minister (left) and Chief Ogunshola Ajibola.

From left: Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, Prof. Ike Obiora, and Chief RaymondDokpesi.

Senator Musa Tunde Bakare.

From left: Minister of Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga, Rafsanjani Auwal Musa, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Minister of Youth Development, Boni Haruna, NLC President, Abdulwaheed Omar, Comrade Isa Aremu and others at the event.

Adede (left) and Pastor

Cross section of delegates at the closing ceremony.

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

Ekiti denies outbreak of ebola ...Woman dies, after 4 hospitals erroneously rejected her as ebola patient

By Gbenga Ariyibi

A

DO EKITI—EKITI State Government yesterday debunked rumours of an outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in the state and cautioned against creating unjustifiable panic through indiscriminate spreading of unsubstantiated rumours about spurious cases of Ebola.

This came as the government lamented the unfortunate death of a woman, who was said to have vomited and collapsed in premises of the State Ministry of Health and was rejected in four different private hospitals because of the text messages circulated by some unidentified people suspected to be in the Healthcare sector that tagged her ebola patient.

At a briefing, Commissioner for Health, Professor Olusola Fasubaa assured that there was no known case of the disease in the state and warned that sending callous messages through the Short Message Service (SMS) could lead to avoidable death of innocent and nonEbola patients.

The Commissioner said a similar case at the NYSC Orientation camp in Ise Ekiti where a young man who had been

inadequately treated for malaria collapsed and was abandoned by everybody including the camp’s healthcare givers from 6am to 3pm when the state government intervened.

Fasubaa, who explained that the National laboratory in Lagos had declared the blood of the young man Ebola-free, stressed that the patient was fortunate to be alive, saying he could have died from non-attention by the healthcare givers.

He emphasised that to establish a suspected case of Ebola, the person must have travelled to an infectious area or had contact with an infected individual, and after 2-21 days of that contact would develop the symptoms of fever, intense weakness, bone and muscular pains, which would later progress to vomiting, diarrhea and organ damage.

Prof Fasubaa appealed to doctors in the state to live up to their responsibilities and remember the Hippocratic oath they swore to. He stressed that not all patients that have fever or vomiting have Ebola.

Narrating the pathetic story of the dead health worker, who was a staff of the Comprehensive Health Centre, Ogotun, the commissioner said “On 20th August,2014, a 55year-old health care worker at Ogotun- Ekiti, who was said not to have had any

Ekiti PDP disowns planned pro-Jonathan rally In Ibadan

By Gbenga Ariyibi

A

DO EKITI—THE planned political rally by a group within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ibadan Oyo State, tomorrow to drum up support for the second term bid of the President Goodluck Jonathan might have suffered a setback yesterday as Ekiti State chapter of PDP dissociated itself with the rally.

The Ekiti PDP, in a statement by the State Publicity Secretary, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, in AdoEkiti, said the planned rally did not have the blessing of the leadership of the party in the Southwest geopolitical zone.

According to the statement, “We are calling on the leaders and

members of our party in Ekiti State to shun the particular rally slated by the organiser for Saturday August 23, 2014 in Ibadan.

We the entire leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State hereby declare that we are totally and unreservedly committed to the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his second term agenda because of his outstanding performance.

“However, we are dissociating ourselves from the so-called proposed meeting/rally in support of President Jonathan’s second term ambition because the planned meeting/ rally has not received the consent or blessings of leaders of the PDP in South-West.”

complaints of illness in the last two months and no current history of travel outside the state (according to her neighbours) got to the Data Bank of the Ministry of Health at about 1.pm and collapsed after coughing out blood and subsequently vomited and she was immediately tagged Ebola victim without an adequate history taken and people started running away.

“The woman subsequently died in the late evening.

The unnecessary write-up through the social media by some doctors in the state is uncalled for, and counterproductive to the efforts of the state government in containing and curtailing the spread of the virus.”

NASU tasks Amosun on subvention to tertiary institutions

By Daud Olatunji

A

BEOKUTA—NON Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU has urged the State government to increase the subvention of tertiary institutions in the state from its present 20 per cent to 100 per cent.

The union expressed fear that the recent reduction of schools fees by the government might worsen the situation of the funding of the state-owned tertiary institutions.

The General-Secretary of the union, Prince Peters Adeyemi stated this during a visit to Governor Ibikunle Amosun at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Adeyemi, while speaking with newsmen, said the union was in Abeokuta to show appreciation to the state government for offsetting the outstanding allowances of his members owed by the previous administration.

Adeyemi said “We want government to try and subvent these institutions 100 per cent.''

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014 —17

Farewell to a really great guy

M

Y dear friend, Henry Abebe, who quietly passed away a few days ago in an Abuja hospital after a bout of ill health, is being buried today.

Henry was the adored son of Mrs Theresa Abebe and her husband, Dr Christopher Abebe - a distinguished pioneering executive who served as the first indigenous Chairman of the famous United Africa Company, UAC.

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Henry was a complete gentleman who touched the lives of so many people; he was fun to be with and interesting to talk to and unusually caring and generous

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Henry’s elder sister, Stella, went on to marry General Olusegun Obasanjo; and I first met him when he was the First Lady of Nigeria’s brother-inlaw.

It was difficult to believe that he had such lofty family connections because he was so modest, down-to-earth, normal and nice. Airs and graces were totally alien to his personality.

Arrogance and snobbery were not on his agenda.

Because he was very polished, it was obvious to anyone who encountered him that he wasn’t the product of an average home. But he never showed off or boasted about his social credentials or his access to the corridors of power.

He didn’t carry on like a brattish princeling. He didn’t demand deference or any special attention. He wasn’t obsessed with money or aggressively acquisitive. He didn’t behave as if he regarded expensive luxuries as his divine right.

If I hadn’t been told about Henry’s background before I was introduced to him, I would never have guessed that he had a sibling who happened to be a

presidential spouse or an especially successful dad who had made history.

When he visited my family home in Port Harcourt, my mother was highly impressed by his humility, respectfulness and charm and never tired of saying that his parents had done a fantastic job of bringing him up.

Henry was so good-looking that some of us nicknamed him “Handsome Henry”. But he didn’t prance around as if he thought he was God’s Gift to the female gender and didn’t crudely chase every pretty woman he came across.

He was fun to be with and interesting to talk to and unusually caring and generous. When he heard that I had a problem, he kindly offered – without any prompting from my end – to help me solve it; and I will never forget him seizing the microphone from the singer in a band that was entertaining us at a party, so he could croon a romantic ballad to honour his beautiful wife, Beatrice.

In a nutshell, Henry was a complete gentleman who touched the lives of so many people. May he rest in perfect peace. My heart goes out to Beatrice, their offspring and every other member of the esteemed Abebe clan.

•The late Henry Abebe

Abuse of power I

have a friend who owns a ra dio station. He sent me an article that was critical of the National Broadcasting Commission. As a media person, I am concerned about any erosion of press freedom; and I’ve decided to publish excerpts (some slightly paraphrased).

One of the greatest achievements of the military in Nigeria, the liberalisation of the airwaves through the issuance of licenses to independent broadcasters, is under threat. The threat is from the increasing politicisation of the regulator, the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC. Tragically, for Nigeria, it is an elected, “democratic” government that is engendering the demise of independent broadcasting.

NBC has today transformed

Emeka Mba... DG, NBC

from a regulator of a vibrant broadcast industry into a prefect, serving to secure and protect regime interests and nothing more.

Every three years, they statutorily called broadcast station owners to a roundtable to review its code. A democratic engagement for the renewal of the code under professional industry managers such as Dr. Tom Adaba, as DG has, under this era of transformation become something akin to the issuance of Fatwas.

Industry operators lament that these consultative meetings have become a hush up. After going through the motions, the “all-Powerful” NBC rams down the throats of the broadcasters a “pocket communiqué” prepared beforehand with serious consequences that everyone has to live with.

Without a law backing their promulgation, these codes or Fatwas assume the force of law and are used to levy fines, suspend programmes and issue threats of the withdrawal of licenses.

The independent broadcasters who are relatively new to an industry that government has managed and controlled since the coming of the radio are openly crying out that they are getting the short end of the stick.

The NBC metes out harsh treatment to any station that airs

words that President Jonathan would not like to hear. The unspoken new rule is: say nothing, do nothing to cause the President constipation.

One of the nine radio stations in Kano reported that they had been queried between 25 to 30 times in the last six months on flimsy matters using these unilateral codes.

Another radio station in Kaduna was fined N2 million by the NBC. What did they do?

The Minister of Information was leading journalists to their city on a projects inspection tour and in the course of a phone-in programme, a listener asked this important question: Wouldn’t it make sense for his state government to use the N150 million voted for the hosting of the Minister’s group for the provision of water in some communities that are direly in need? The fine was to punish the station for airing the question.

Meanwhile, an FM station in Abuja had a popular weekly review programme suspended simply because the government is “constantly getting a bashing”.

The conclusion of the Northern independent broadcasters, at the end of this summit was that government wants to run them out of business ahead of the 2015 election in which Dr. Jonathan is expected to be a can-

didate.

Regulation for the sake of ensuring sanity in an industry that can cause irredeemable injury in a matter of seconds can be, and is indeed justified. It is wrong however where politics and regime protection are the motives.

The Constitution left no ambiguity on the issue of the freedom to hold and express opinions where it said: “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”

At the rate the NBC is issuing indiscriminate Fatwas, fines and suspending programmes amongst independent radio and TV stations, especially in the North where opposition to Dr. Jonathan is at its highest, it is not far-fetched to say that the broadcast industry is just one inch from paralysis.

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18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014 THE decision by the federal government to terminate the appointment of striking doctors in its employ following their obduracy not to end the strike they started since July 1, 2014, is as condemnable as the strike itself.

The government, in a surprise move, had through a letter signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health, Hon N. Awute, informed the striking doctors of President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to terminate the Residency Training Appointment, which affected some 16,000 doctors in federal government hospitals nationwide. It immediately brought the striking doctors to the streets in protest. It thus worsened a situation that required an urgent solution in the face of the threat posed by the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak.

We are surprised and dismayed that governments at state and federal levels never learn from their experiences when it comes to tackling protracted Labour challenges.

Yes, indeed, the apparent ease with which public sector medical professionals abandon their duty posts in pursuit of ephemeral and selfish matters has been roundly

By Chidi Nwaizu

S

INCE Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, the former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led other chieftains of the party to Umuahia, the Abia State capital, to appeal and convinced Governor Theodore Orji to return to the party, there has been absolute unity and peace in the state chapter of the party. This is because Orji has utilised his uncommon fatherly and humble approach, coupled with the spirit of give and take, to unify the party stakeholders.

The popularity and acceptance of the party in the state after then was immediately attested to by the outcome of the 2011 general elections in the state. The party won the governorship, State Assembly and National Assembly seats in the state in a landslide victory, consigning the fringe opposition parties that exist only in the imagination of the quicksand proponents whenever elections draw near in the state into dustbin.

The development was unprecedented in the history of the party in the state since 1999. Ever since then, the party has remained one united family with the major stakeholders, the people and the state government working closely and assiduously in developing the state and the party. The consistent crises, backbiting and intrigues that characterized the party before became a thing of the past.

Ahead of the 2015 polls, the party members, leadership and stakeholders have resolved that in the interest of fairness, equity and brotherhood that the party’s governorship ticket will go to Abia South zone made up

Sack of striking doctors condemned by members of the public, and the ground for the ongoing strike was no exception.

The doctors remaining adamant even when the nation is faced with the daunting Ebola emergency smacked of cowardly desertion. Happily enough though, both the federal and state governments have been able to manage the crisis quite commendably, thus making the striking doctors seem irrelevant.

However, we caution that since the sacking of striking workers never yields any positive result but almost always ends with government being forced to reverse itself, it should no longer be deployed as a tool in resolving Labour issues. It is

simply not possible to effect mass sacks in the public sector. If the threat is taken to maximum extents, it is soon broken by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) mobilising the entire work force of the nation against it.

Government, being the institution vested with the power to solve society’s problems, must realise that two wrongs cannot make a right. You cannot cut of the head because it has headache. Crisis is part of human interactions, and it requires intelligent, diplomatic and expert handling to resolve it.

The purported mass sacking of workers is not a democratic practice. It is a throwback to the military mentality that depends on threats, intimidation and raw force in tackling human problems, and they always never solve problems at their roots.

We call on the government and their employees in the medical and health sector to resolve their differences amicably, and enunciate strategies for nipping problems in the bud. Workers must also put the nation first even in the pursuit of their legitimate rights.

OPINION Abia PDP and 2015 polls mainly of Ukwa/ Ngwa people, the only zone that has not produced a governor since 1999.

Since then, the party has been working towards actualising the objective by ensuring that a level playing ground will be provided to all party aspirants from the zone.

The state governor, Chief Theodore Orji who also doubles as the South East Caucus leader of the PDP and Chairman South East Governors’ Forum has since then continued to reiterate the party’s position on the matter, without minding whose ox is gored. None of the major party stakeholders and genuine members of the party in the state has denied the zoning decision or attacked the Governor on the issue. Today, PDP bigwigs and members in the state are known to not only the Presidency, the state and national leadership of the party, but also to the people of the state and other Nigerians. They have political values and followers across the state because people believe in their achievements and integrity.

They have held and will still hold several meetings on how to move the party, the state and the country forward. Virtually all of them are always available for the party meetings both in the state and Abuja, and they have always spoken with one voice because their leader, Gov. Orji has always carried them along in every decision.

With the 2015 polls in view, the party is already putting its act together to ensure that it emerges victorious in all the elections. But some disgruntled political elements, failed leaders and valueless politicians in the state instead of facing their self-inflicted political woes have

continued to throw jibes and tantrums at the party elders in the state, all in a desperate bid to gain undue political attention and relevance.

They have taken their propaganda to the media, in the print, broadcast and social media. But no one PDP stakeholder or leader in the state is joining issues with them because silence, they say, is the best answer to fools.

Even when the state governor was abroad on vacation, they fabricated rumour that State Assembly members were initiating impeachment against him. When it did not fly, another rumour came up that the Governor has endorsed a particular aspirant, whereas he agreed upon rejoining PDP in 2010 that he will hand over power to a particular member of the National Assembly in 2015. They also spread and published rumour that the Governor has set up a secret panel headed by one of his kinsmen to handpick his successor.

B

ut reacting to the rumour of the alleged impeachment upon his arrival from vacation recently, the Governor dismissed the rumour that the House of Assembly has commenced impeachment process against him. The Governor said: “I have always said that one of the benefits of democracy is freedom of speech. Anybody can say anything and get away with it because it’s their right.

Commencing an impeachment process against me is something that will never happen in the state House of Assembly. Our Assembly remains one of the best in the country in terms of support to the executive. You can’t even raise such a matter on the floor of the Assembly because

you will be stoned to death."

On the 2015 election, Orji said he has not endorsed anybody to succeed him. “I’m not power drunk like previous governors; I have not come to establish a business empire in Abia State. Wherever I stop in 2015, someone else will continue from there. Anybody that will rule Abia will emerge from the congress; nobody is more powerful than the other,” he said.

If these elements still believe in their own delusion that they are still relevant and popular politically in the state, is it not better for them to spend their time and energy in strategising on how to challenge the PDP in 2015 on any opposition platform instead of dissipating such time and energy for nothing.

Or have they seen that opposition has been non-existent in the state since 2010 till date, and there is no way they can make any inroad considering that the present PDP-led government in the state and at the federal levels have outperformed its predecessors in all spheres? Is it why they are envious of the PDP unity and acceptance at all levels of governance across the country and are determined to bring the party down by all means and at all cost before the 2015 polls?

Why are they afraid of coming down from their Olympian height, be law-abiding and follow due process to be accommodated in the PDP? The umbrella is big enough to accommodate every Nigerian, but checklist should be run on everyone that has questionable antecedent before being allowed into the umbrella. *Mr. Nwaizu, a political analyst, wrote from Bende, Abia State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, August 22, 2014— —19

A

VIRUS is a small infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of other organisms. Viruses can infect all types of life forms. Since 1892, about 5,000 viruses have been described in detail, although there are millions of different types. The average virus is about one one-hundredth the size of the average bacterium. Most viruses are too small to be seen directly with an optical microscope.

The origins of viruses in the evolutionary history of life are unclear: some may have evolved from plasmids—pieces of DNA that can move between cells— while others may have evolved from bacteria.

In evolution, viruses are an important means of horizontal gene transfer which increases genetic diversity. Viruses are considered by some to be a life form because they carry genetic material, reproduce and evolve through natural selection.

However, they lack key characteristics (such as cell structure) that are generally considered necessary to count as life.

Viruses spread in many ways. The disease-bearing organisms are known as vectors. Influenza viruses are spread by coughing and sneezing. Some viruses are passed from person to person by contact, entering the body in food or water. Viral infections in

animals, including humans, provoke an immune response that usually eliminates the infecting virus. Immune responses can also be produced by vaccines, which confer an artificially acquired immunity to the specific viral infection.

However, some viruses, including those that cause AIDS and viral hepatitis, evade these immune responses and result in chronic infections. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses, but several antiviral drugs have been developed.

This brief description becomes necessary to let us understand that although viruses may not be described as forms of life, they influence life and living with diseases.

Ebola Virus was first identified in the Congo Region of Central Africa in 1972. This year it manifested in West African countries of Guinea, Sierra-leone and Liberia. The vectors of this virus is said to be fruit eating bats and monkeys. The virus was brought into Nigeria by the late Mr Patrick Sawyer, an AmeicanLiberian, last month. The Ebola Vurus disease has no cure yet, with a gestation period of two to 21 days. It is very deadly and has caused fears in the world and Nigeria in particular. But the Nigerian spirit is overcoming Ebola, and for the first time we hear of people who were infected and got cured for reporting early to the right hospitals in Lagos.

T

he fear of Ebola helped to spur the fight against its spread, and today people hardly shake hands, we avoid body contacts when we can, we are learning to wash with soap at every opportunity in Nigeria. If you can contain Ebola for 21days, it simply dies off and that’s why we can overcome Ebola, as deadly and vicious as it can be. Moreover, Ebola is difficult to contract; except you make contact with the body fluids of an infected person, you won’t get it. In other words, with prayer, good hygiene and discipline, you may not only avoid Ebola, you can deal with it if you catch it, as has been proven in Lagos State.

But this is not the case with the

Why Omisore was thrashed By

S

Chuks Iloegbunam

ENATOR Iyiola Omisore lost the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election for one simple reason: majority of Osun State voters did not believe his averments that he would serve them better than Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. All other reasons – and they are legion – amount to no more than mere details. Yet, it is worthwhile to examine the many sides of the epic political battle. The APC candidate got 394,684 votes, while his closest challenger, the PDP candidate, got 292,747 votes. This means that Aregbesola got 101,937 more votes than Omisore, clinching 59 percent of the votes to Omisore’s 42 percent. Because Aregbesola won in 24 of the 30 local government areas, what he administered on his opponent was a thrashing.

Following Governor Kayode Fayemi’s recent loss to Chief Ayo Fayose in Ekiti State, Omisore announced with certitude that a second crushing defeat awaited the APC in Osun State. He didn’t seem to have taken two important factors into due consideration. The first is that Ekiti and Osun are different states, their proximity notwithstanding. The APC is more grounded in Osun than in Ekiti. After all, it was the only state in the South West stronghold of the ACN, a precursor of the APC, in which President Jonathan did not win in the last presidential election.

Secondly, Aregbesola plays a type of politics markedly different from the one by which Dr. Fayemi is critically perceived. The Osun Governor was fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from the mistakes that cost Fayemi a second term.

He owed salaries in arrears. And he owed pensions in apparently longer arrears.

Once Aregbesola reckoned with the fact that civil servants’ disaffection in Ekiti contributed to Fayemi’s defeat, he went borrowing. With the hurriedly secured loans, C M Y K

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he cleared the backlogs of debts that were of concurrent impact on the people but added to his state’s overall debt profile, which was not the immediate concern of those saved from privation and penury.

He compensated landlords whose houses he had demolished for the purposes of urban renewal. In seven short weeks – the period between the Ekiti and Osun ballots – Aregbesola assuaged the feelings of the citizens he had alienated through abruptness and unsettled perquisites.

Again, the APC remorselessly tied Omisore to a past he would rather be disconnected from. The assassination of Chief Bola Ige, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, in 2001 had come at a time Ige and Omisore were publicly at daggers-drawn. He was the prime suspect in the murder even though he endlessly professed his innocence and has the court’s not guilty verdict as validation. Yet, his traducers maintained that his hand was all over the celebrated murder. Little wonder that Omisore scored his littlest votes from Ijeshaland, of which Chief Ige was a denizen!

These and other factors gave the APC an upper hand in the ballot. Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan, the Police Minister whom the APC also never tires of weighing down with the baggage of Ige’s murder, immediately congratulated Ogbeni Aregbesola and appealed to all sides to accept the verdict.

Chief Fayose, waiting impatiently to resume his governorship of Ekiti, congratulated Aregbesola. The PDP chairman congratulated Aregbesola.

Above all, President Jonathan congratulated the Governor re-elect.

All those who congratulated Ogbeni Aegbesola were far from foolish. They simply acted laudably and in the best interests of Nigerian democracy, just as Governor Fayemi did when he congratulated Ayo Fayose, his victor in the Ekiti election. Now, it is important to highlight the wisdom with which

virus that I am talking about here. This virus can be contracted by contact or just by watching the carrier’s life style.

It can hardly be contained because when it comes it consumes the whole being, the outlook and conduct of the victim, and unlike Ebola, the vectors are humans, and it attacks only humans.

It is more deadly than Ebola because the victim enjoys its presence in his or her body till destruction comes. Unlike the symptoms of fever, stooling and vomiting, the victims of this virus manifest feverish and impulsive spending life style, and they display ostentation and degrade their environment. They are usually strong and healthy physically, but spiritually are dead!

This virus is worse than Ebola because it attacks the mind, heart and conscience of its victims. The victims become mindless, heartless, and conscienceless. It causes its victims usually to love power, and money, and it naturally kills a nation, when it hits their leaders.

From available records, Ebola came to Nigeria this year, but this virus has been with us from 1960! It has therefore eaten into the fabric of every facet of life and living in Nigeria over time, because it grows slowly but surely in the body and life of its victims.

The victims are very many in our churches, mosques, temples, and hospitals, schools, universities, offices, communities and government. It has caused the standing of good logic on its head

,

By Clement Udegbe

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A virus worse than Ebola

Ebola came to Nigeria this year, but this virus has been with us since 1960! It has eaten into the fabric of every facet of life and living in Nigeria over time, because it grows slowly but surely in the body and life of its victims

The APC incessantly cries wolf where there is none; that is deplorable politics; all the elections in the present political dispensation have proved to be infinitely better than the ones

conducted since the inception of the Fourth Republic

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Aregbesola reacted to his victory. His 750 word-long victory speech, entitled "Victory Over The Tyranny Of Power", did not have a single word of praise for INEC which had delivered him a second term on the wheels of a free, fair and credible election. The following is a part of Governor Aregbesola’s victory declamation:

W

e witnessed gross abuse of power and of due process before, during, and even after the actual voting process. It is so sad and unfortunate that what should be a normal, routine process was maliciously allowed to snowball into a needless virtual war by the Federal Government and the PDP. “ “Osun state was unduly militarized in an unprecedented manner through criminal intimidation and psychological assault on our people. This election witnessed an abuse of our security agencies and amounted to a corruption of their professional ethics and integrity.

“Hundreds of leaders, supporters, sympathizers and agents of our party were arrested and detained.” Yet, these hundreds remain faceless and nameless despite the APC’s disproportionate hold on the national media! Yet, not a single pictorial or video

in our country.

This virus has caused Nigeria to remain largely unemployed, with poor roads, poorly equipped and managed hospitals, terrible law enforcement systems, compromised security agencies, poor educational systems, lack of electric power, an import oriented consuming nation, with all sorts of exotic cars on our bad roads. It is so bad a virus that the leaders stand on podiums and condemn the manifestations of this virus, knowing that they themselves are infected serially.

They lie, cheat, steal, intimidate, harass and conduct themselves with impunity.

They impoverish the young ones and use them as political tugs, deny the parents the dividends of good governance, and give the women brooms to sweep the streets in the name of job creation. They suck the finances of the people who voted them into power dry by foisting heavy taxes on them in the name of the drive for increased Internally Generated Revenue, IGR and then lavish the money so acquired in building their own hotels and filling stations. They dare not encourage or build industries with the money they have stolen because this virus puts a fear of empowerment of the people inside them. This virus is worse than Ebola, it is called Corruption Virus Disease, CVD. We, as a people that are tired of our situation, must rise now to fight and contain CVD. Yes we can!

*Mr. Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

evidence of Aregbesola’s allegations in this era of the social media in which virtually every cellphone is fitted with a camera!

Hundreds were harassed, brutalized and traumatized! In which clinics and hospitals are the touted victims recovering from injuries and posttraumatic stress disorder? It is difficult to presume that Governor Aregbesola believes a word of his own tirade. Not that it surprised any rational being for the APC had, in the run-up to the poll tossed about accusations of planned rigging and violence. It is the same kind of hot air the APC blew about in the last five gubernatorial elections under President Jonathan.

The President and his PDP planned intimidation, brutalization and rigging in the July 14, 2014 Edo State election! Yet Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the APC candidate, beat his PDP candidate in an election adjudged to be free, fair, credible and violence-free. The PDP planned the "same evils" for the October 20, 2012 Ondo election! Yet Governor Mimiko of the Labour Party defeated his PDP challenger.

The President and his political party planned the same anti-democracy stunts for the November 16/November 30, 2013 Anambra State election! Yet APGA’s Chief Willie Obiano defeated his PDP challenger.

The PDP planned fire and brimstone for the June 21, 2014 Ekiti governorship poll. Yet, neither rigging nor violence attended its victory. “The security agencies were unprofessionally utilized in Osun State to harass, intimidate and oppress the people…”

Yet APC’s Aregbesola defeated his PDP challenger!

Two things are obvious. One, the APC incessantly cries wolf where there is none.

That is deplorable politics. Two, all the elections in the present political dispensation have proved to be, in all respects, infinitely better than the ones conducted since the inception of the Fourth Republic. This makes the point that INEC, under Professor Attahiru Jega, is a plus for Nigeria’s democratic experience. *Mr Iloegbunam, is the author of Ironside, the biograpy of General Aguiyi-Ironsi.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY,, AUGUST 22, 2014

Bad roads: Lagos residents stage protest, blame ‘drilling’ company…Appeal to Fashola to intervene

By Esther Onyegbula

R

ESIDENTS of Oteyi Garden Estate in Abule-Ado, a suburb in Lagos, came out recently in large numbers to protest the deplorable state of their roads. The residents blamed the badly failed roads on a company which has for the past three months been executing a drilling project in the area.

According to them, they were already suffering the serious effects of the rain when the activities of the company made the situation even worse, noting that if immediate repairs are not done, they may be forced to take necessary measures to safeguard themselves.

The drilling by the

resident who identified himself as Francis Onyekwu said: “The state of the road had continued to cause untold hardship on residents. Their heavy duty caterpillars with iron wheels have damaged the entire road which is the only access road that leads to the estate. People moving in and out of the estate going to their places of work get trapped in traffic for hours. Our vehicles keep getting trapped in this bad spot because of their drilling.

“Living in the estate is like living in the prison.

Most of us living here are workers and business people, and we often face serious challenges moving in and out of the estate because of the road which has become impassable”.

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Cars break down daily; our women and children find it difficult to move in and out of the estate because the whole road is submerged by flood

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company along with the ravaging flood, the residents averred, has almost crippled commercial activities within the communities. They are therefore appealing to Governor Babatunde Fashola to come to their aid.

The protest march which kicked off from the Estate gate to the Soba junction where the company is located lasted several hours.

Vanguard Metro, VM, learnt that the residents embarked on the protest because they were fed up with the awful state of road which has made life unbearable for them.

The protesters who sang solidarity songs carried placards, some of which read: “Save our road,” “Bring back our road”, “Stop destroying our roads,” “Remove the death traps on our roads”, etc.

Speaking to VM, a

Residents’ efforts Mr Francis Duru, Secretary Landlord/ Residents Association of Soba, said: “We have made repeated attempts to meet with them. We met them two months ago and informed them how bad the situation has become.

“Last month, we have met with them severally, but it has yielded no result. The last time we tried again to meet with them, the policemen guarding them attacked us.

“We have spent a lot of money to sandfill the road. We went as far as using hardcore to fill the road, which is mainly done from the resources of residents. We have spent over N800, 000 on this road”.

Deplorable road On his part, Onyeka Ebede, the Publicity Sec-

*A bad spot along the water-logged road. INSET: The placard-carrying protesters. retary Oteyi Garden Estate said: “The residents are perturbed by the damage done on our roads by the drilling works of this company.

Fares have increased drastically as passenger now pay N200 per trip instead of N50 on this road. Apart from that, the buses and tricycles now stop halfway because of the deplorable state of the road.

“Cars break down daily. Our women and children find it difficult to move in and out of the estate because the whole road is submerged by

flood. With this peaceful protest, we are beckoning on the Lagos State government and other relevant authorities to come to our rescue, intervene in this seemingly helpless situation, investigate the activities of this company as well as carry out immediate repairs of the road.

Our fear “Our fear is that the ongoing works has no duration; there is no company or contractor name on the sign post to know what is actually

going on here.”

But speaking on behalf of the drilling company, the site engineer Chuka Wilson, told VM thus: “Sincerely I understand their plight, because sometimes when their vehicles get stocked inside this bad spot we assist them with our crane. And If I reside here, I won’t be happy with the unfortunate situation.

“However, they should direct their grievance to the appropriate authorities. Our work

here, is not illegal; we were given a contract by the NNPC to replace pipelines damaged by vandals. We are removing the old pipes and installing new ones.

What we are doing is to avert a looming crisis.

Instead of blaming us, they should blame vandals whose activities on these NNPC pipelines have endangered the entire area along with the estate which can go up in flames if a match is lit.”

Black-out: Six months after, light shines in Lagos community community development since God has blessed us, business activities in the

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

A

FTER over six months without electricity, residents of Papa Ashafa Community in Orile Agege Local Council Development Area of Lagos State can now heave a sigh of relief following the donation of a 600KV electricity transformer by the State Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa.

Speaking to newsmen after handing over the transformer to representatives of

associations in the area, Opeifa explained that it was part of his personal intervention in meeting the needs of the people who had long waited for the replacement of their burnt transformer.

He said: “The community needed one, and we all know that PHCN has been privatised and they said that they (the people) will have had to wait till September 2016. And currently, there is none within the state. There is no other option; the community has to contribute money. But

we decided to provide it.

They used to have one but it got burnt. And it was expected to be repaired.

But someone promised them that he will get it from the electricity provider. Personally, I have done one but through the Lagos State government we have provided 15.”

Commending the gesture on behalf of the residents, Chairman of Papa Ashafa Community Development Area and CDC Chairman in Orile Orile-Agege, Alhaji Yusuf Olajire Agboola, said with the new transformer,

area which almost went into coma on account of no electricity, would resume just as artisans would spend less money on buying fuel to power their shops.

“With this, darkness has gone and life has returned.

Without electricity, there is little one can get from the economy. Residents depend on electricity for their daily activities. What Honourable Kayode Opeifa has done here today will tremendously complement and improve the economy of the community.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014 — 21

Ebola: American Govt lauds NPA’s control measures

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From left: Registrar & Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, CIS, Mr. Adedeji Ajadi; Member Lecture Committee, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Lagos, Miss. Elizbeth Adeyemi and Lecture Coordinator, NYSC, Lagos State, Mr. Ijelekhai at a public enlightenment forum, in Lagos.

Govts, companies raise N53.48bn from NSE bonds market S

OME state governments and quoted companies raised N53.48 billion from the bonds market of the Nigerian capital market in the first seven months of 2014.

Analysis of bonds transactions between January and July in Lagos showed that N15.08 billion was raised through corporate bonds, while N38.4 billion was by government bonds.

An analysis of the bond further showed that Dana Group of Companies during the period under review raised N4.5 billion through a corporate bond with coupon rate of 16 per cent.

Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc sourced for N2.05 billion at a

182.8

-6.1

3,205.00 -54.00 15.46

-0.22

101.35

-0.25

94.80

-1.61

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.73 257.3934 206.58 170.633 1.5068 0.2967 235.9907 25.192 41.2558 27.7001 236.3191

155.23 258.2251 207.2476 171.1844 1.5116 0.3067 236.7533 25.2739 41.3891 27.7896 237.0828

CBN Exchange Rate as 21/08//2014

155.73 259.0569 207.9151 171.7358 1.5165 0.3167 237.5159 25.3558 41.5225 27.8791 237.8464

coupon rate of 15.25 per cent.

La Casera Company Plc floated a corporate bond worth N3 billion at a coupon rate of 15.75 per cent, FSDH Funding Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) raised N5.53 billion at coupon rate of 14.25 per cent. In the period also the Ekiti State Government led and raised N5 billion at a coupon rate of 14.50 per cent, while Nasarawa State Government floated N5 billion bonds with a 15 per cent coupon rate.

Niger Government issued bonds worth N12 billion at a coupon rate of 14 per cent, while Kogi State Government raised N5 billion. Osun Government during the period also

floated bonds worth N11.4 billion at a coupon rate of 14.75 per cent. Malam Garba Kurfi, the Managing Director, APT Securities and Funds Ltd., commended the return of corporate bonds in the market.

Kurfi said that the global financial meltdown of 2008 was responsible for investors’ loss of confidence in the equities market. He also said that the emergence of corporate bonds in the market would reduce the overcrowding of government bonds. Kurfi said that the capital market offer cheap long-term financing for development projects when compared with borrowing from the commercial banks.

he Consular-General of American Embassy, Mr Jeffrey Hawkins, on Wednesday commended the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for its effort to combat the spread of Ebola Virus Disease at the ports. A statement

by Mr Musa Iliya, NPA’s Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, issued in lagos on Wednesday said Hawkins gave the commendation when he visited the NPA. The statement quoted Hawkins as saying that the American Government would collaborate with Nigeria to check the scourge. It said that his country’s experts were at the Centre for Disease Control to manage the spread of the disease. According to him, the Nigerian ports being a key element in Nigeria’s inflow and outflow of business concerns, should be properly managed to contain the spread of the disease.

“There is need to consolidate on NPA’s efforts to ensure safer ports in Nigeria,” it quoted Hawkins as saying.

He urged the port health officials to check people working in the port and every other person they make contact with. The statement said that the Managing Director of NPA, Malam Habib Abdullahi, said that health officials, including those of Lagos State Government had been put on the alert to check the spread of the disease.

Abdullahi said that the officials were the first to enter vessels and conduct checks before other legitimate officials were allowed on board.

“The number of people who board vessels have been reduced drastically since Nigeria does not operate cruise ships and hardly receive vessels from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea for now,” he said.

FG approves N31.2bn electricity evacuation contract for Kashimbila Dam

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he Federal Government has awarded a N31.2 bil lion contract for the evacuation of electricity from the 40-megawatts capacity Kashimbilla Dam in Takum local government area of Taraba. The Minister of State for Power, Mr. Mohammed Wakil, disclosed this to State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Wakil said that the project was awarded to SCC Nigeria Ltd with a completion period of 18 months. “Approval by council, the contract for award for Kashambila Dam; that is the power segment of 40 megawatts.

The amount is N31.2 billion in favour of Messrs SCC Nigeria Ltd. By the time we add 40 megawatts to the national grid it is going to complement the existing power that we are generating in the country.

“Apart from the fact we are also going to gain from the 40 megawatts this will now also lead to creation of employment in that community. While we can have

the formal and informal employment, engineers, artisans and others will benefit from this. Further to that we will also have additional, in terms of economy benefits, be it agriculture, irrigation and many others; by the time it is completed it is going to help us a lot.

“And it is in line with the transformation agenda of Mr President to reform the sector.”

Information minister Labaran Maku also added that the contract approval followed a memo tabled before the council by the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo.

“The company had already installed the turbines in the course of the implementation of the project. But the infrastructure for evacuating power from Kashimbila Dam to various communities of the North East and indeed North Central had not been awarded.

“But as progress on the dam approaches completion toward the end of the year, the minister of power came to council with a memo proposing a contract for the evacuation of power from the dam.”

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

Rencap recommends buy option for ETI R

From left: Abdulrahman Yinusa, Chief Financial Officer; Caroline Anyanwu, Deputy Managing Director, Risk Management; Dr. Alex Otti, GMD/CEO; Nkechi Nwosu, Company Secretary and Uzoma Dozie, Deputy Managing Director, Retail Banking, all of Diamond Bank Plc, at the bank's shareholders’ forum for Diamond Bank Rights Issue, in Port Harcourt.

FMDQ records N43trn turnover in six months

By Nkiruka Nnorom

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he Financial Market Dealers Quotation, FMDQ OTC Plc, a Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, licensed securities exchange that oversees trading on fixed income instruments, said it achieved N42.712 trillion in turnovers in the first half of the year ending June 30, 2014.

According to the securities exchange, over 70 percent of the transaction was crossed by its top 10 dealing member firms.

Meanwhile, the Exchange said in a statement that it is ready to commence publication of data on the activities of the OTC market, in furtherance of its efforts of delivering on its goal of providing transparency in the Nigerian over-

the-counter (OTC) market and affirming its stance as a market data repository.

FMDQ will use submissions by its dealing members on their dealing activities in the OTC market products - Foreign Exchange (FX), Treasury Bills (T.Bills), Bonds and Money Market in determining the overall OTC market turnover, the Exchange said, adding, “The information will be published in the newspapers and also made available via the “Markets” page of the FMDQ website.”

Commenting on the half year results, Ms. Tumi Sekoni, the Business Development Officer, FMDQ, said the results are very encouraging when compared with the data of the previous years, adding that the turnover is projected to reach N80 trillion by the

end of the year.

She added that the securities exchange is strategically and uniquely positioned to provide timely OTC market data and analytics to all stakeholders and information on the OTC markets’ global competitiveness.

“With the concerted efforts of the dealing members and FMDQ, the OTC market initiatives are geared to improve liquidity, transparency, governance and efficiency,” she said.

Giving a breakdown, she said that Foreign Exchange transactions accounted for N13.57 trillion of the total turnover in the six month period, representing 68.2 percent of the total transactions. Trading on Treasury Bills followed with N12.334 trillion, representing 71.4 percent of the transactions.

CIS engages NY SC tto o enhance member ship NYSC membership

By Peter Egwuatu

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N its determination to enhance its membership, the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) has engaged top officials of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Lagos State on the benefits of being a member and chartered.

The engagement took place during a public enlightenment programme, which was part of the NYSC Lagos State Chapter’s Entrepreneurship Scheme that provided a robust platform for the institute to expose the corps members to the processes of becoming professional stockbroker and the benefits.

Addressing the participants, the CIS’s Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Adedeji Ajadi explained that the institute occupies

a strategic platform within the structure of the Nigeria capital market as it is pre-occupied with the training and certification of stockbrokers.

Ajadi noted that at present, there are 1, 500 qualified members with over 14,000 registered students.

He stated that members of the institute cut across a wide spectrum of the economy including: stockbroking firms, issuing houses, Pension Fund Management institutions, banking, finance houses and insurance companies among others.

Ajadi enjoined the corps members to diversify their professional background by becoming registered members of the CIS after fulfilling the basic requirements.

Specifically, he identified the following benefits for being a member to include: Diverse employment opportunities in various sectors of

the economy, globally; flexibility of examination in terms of when to write it and number of courses; opportunity for foreign professional certification in investment advisory services, lucrative and rewarding career, prestigious profession, selfemployment with minimum capital among others.

Speaking on how to become a student member, Ajadi said the institute had been granted an approval to run Professional Diploma in Securities and Investment in addition to the existing Professional Qualification Scheme.

He noted that the Professional Diploma in Securities is open to those with Ordinary Level Certificates; CIS approved Diplomas, university degree and Higher National Diploma holders without strong background in numerate subjects and other CIS qualifications.

ENAISSANCE Capital has recom mended a buy option for Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, ETI, shares following its first half performance of 2014, as it delivered Year-on-Year, YoY Profit before Tax, PBT growth of 27 per cent.

The report from the Renaissance Capital stated “In our view, as Ecobank Nigeria’s contribution to the Group continues to improve.

It contributed 40 percent of the Group’s operating profit in first half 2014, versus 32 per cent in first half 2013, which supported the Group’s delivery of 26 per cent YoY operating profit growth during the period.

Performance in Nigeria was driven by a combination of strong Non Interest Revenue, NIR, momentum on the back of customer-related Foreign Exchange, FX, trading and cost control, as costs were up only three per cent YoY, with the Cost Income Ratio, CIR improving to 70 per cent , versus 78 per cent in first half of 2013 and 72 per cent in first quarter, 2014.

“Management noted that, in addition to shutting 10 branches during the period, it also focused on keeping a lid on staff costs, while driving branch profitability.

We also highlight that the improved Group Non Performing Loan, NPL, ratio was largely driven by the write-off of $250million in fully provisioned loans in Nigeria. Thus, the Group NPL ratio improved to 4.2 per cent, versus 6.2 per cent in 2013.”

According to management, Ecobank Nigeria’s first half 2014, total Capital Adequacy Ratio, CAR stood at 13.3 per cent, which we view as light given the bank’s scale and recent categorisation as a systemically important bank in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) draft guidelines.

“In light of this, the subsidiary recently raised $250million in tier 2 capital, lifting its Capital Adequacy Ratio, CAR, to 16.5 per cent. Under Basel 2/3, however, the bank’s CAR drops to 14.5 per cent, further highlighting the need for more capital to support growth.

“Considering the CBN’s preference for tier 1 capital for a bank of this scale, we think the subsidiary needs a tier 1 capital injection, and this was acknowledged by management. Management expects to invest a portion of the Nedbank top-up into its Nigeria operations to boost capitalisation levels” the report noted.

Auchi Microfinance Bank tto o hold A GM AGM

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HE Auchi Microfinance Bank has concluded arrangement to hold its 17th Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Auchi.

The AGM has been scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 23rd 2014 at the company’s banking hall, Auchi.

In a statement by Mr. Jimoh Adamu, the Acting Secretary “All shareholders of the bank are expected to attend the meeting.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014—23

Stakeholders kick as traffic jam returns to Tin-can Island

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TA K E H O L D E R S have frowned at the return of traffic jam to the Tincan Island end of Apapa despite temporary work on the bad spots of the road, even as they blamed security operatives posted to control traffic for the log-jam.

The stakeholders accused the security operatives of collecting money from the truck and trailer drivers to allow them to beat the queue to get into the port. They noted that the traffic jam on both sides of the road is caused by the lawlessness of the drivers.

Innocent Nwafor, an agent and member of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, told Vanguard that the traffic is caused by the security personnel who are supposed to control the traffic, Nwafor explained that trailer drivers who want to get into the port to either return empty containers or load containers are made to part with N1,000 to N2,000.

He pointed out that the security personnel, especially those Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA security men have gradually increased the amount collected from trailer drivers from N200 to what it is presently.

He noted that the trailer drivers reduce the three lane road on the Mile2 end of the expressway to just one by using the other two as parking space.

He said that some of the trailer drivers become unrully after paying the toll by beating the queue to get into the port faster. The ANLCA member stressed that sometimes, these drivers park on the only available lane for other road users after occupying two other lanes. Another stakeholder, Peter Njoku, who spoke to Vanguard, said that the traffic on the Apapa end of the road is caused by tanker drivers wanting to get into the port from the gate just after the Tin-can first gate.

Njoku explained that the tanker drivers take the same attitude they exhibit at the Cocoa-nut to Mile2 end of the expressway to Tin-can and practically block the three lanes while waiting to be allowed to get into the port.

He noted that the annoying thing is that security personnel who are supposed to control the traffic go to the drivers to collect settlement.

He pointed out that unless relevant government agency takes a second look at the activities of these drivers especially in the evenings, other road users will continue to suffer.

Agents petition Shippers Council over APMT operational deficiencies STORIES BY GODFREY BIVBERE

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HE National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents NCMDLCA, have petitioned the nation’s port economic regulator, the Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC over deficiencies in the operation of APM Terminals that is resulting in irregular cost on importers. In the petition signed by the Deputy National President of the council, Uchu Block, said that the concessionaire apply tricks to exploit the economy to the detriment of government thereby making the 48 hours target unachievable.

According to Block, “The booking of containers for customs examination or scanning takes from one week to two. The security risk they expose customers of their service to is another thing of great worry.

“Any agent wishing to go their Point Road office for the purpose of booking containers for examination must arrive at APMT’s office before 6am. It is a common site to find more than 200 agents waiting at their office before 8am every day.

They will attend to only 100 agents and ask the others to return the next day, even when it is not 10am yet. The number they attend to will be given advanced dates of positioning within three to four days ahead in the case of physical examination and a week or more for scanning.

“Rather than treat cus-

tomers of their service with respect, the management of APMT invites police who come and use tear-gas on agents continuously on the 23rd of July, 2014.

The office they are using at 3 Point Road is too small to contain the large number of customers of their services.

“The former Transport Minister in 2010 gave them a week ultimatum to relocate their office to a better one to accommodate the number of agents they serve daily, the ultimatum was not respected,” he noted.

Continuing, Block in the petition pointed out that “We attach herewith a test case of 5 x 20 containers shipping company and APMT charges have been paid as at the 10th of July 2014. The agent found out that the containers were selected for scanning instead of physical examination previously paid for on the 19th of July 2014 APMT requested another booking for scanning which was paid on the 18th of July 2014. The agent made several attempts to book for scanning without success.”

Block further noted that the agent finally succeeded in booking on the 23rd of July 2014 and was told that scanning of his containers will begin on the 25th of July 2014.

He stated that the agent was told that only one container of the five containers will be scanned daily from that day.

He pointed out that the agent said despite the above, only one of the containers has been scanned as at 30th of July

2014.

The Deputy President of NCMDLCA said that the practice has been on over the years and that his council had written to the management of APMT in

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HE Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 1,480 cartridges of live ammunition concealed in 15 bags of rice from smugglers along the Abeokuta-Igboora bush path.

Controller of the state command, Comptroller Haruna Mamudu, on Monday said his men got wind of the illegal movement of the ammunition and had laid an

ambush for the criminals, who appeared to have got wind of customs’ plan.

Mamudu explained that the smugglers later abandoned the ammunition cleverly stuffed into the bags of rice and fled into the bush.

He said, the command also made a seizure of nine sacks of Indian hemp at the Imeko area of the state.

Mamudu said, “This is one of the tactics being adopted by smugglers,

at the office of the NSC, some operators are of the view that nothing meaningful will come out of such meeting.

* L-R; DG, Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency, (NIMASA) Patrick Akpobolokemi, Head of Public Relations, NIMASA Mr. Isichei Osamgbi and ED, Maritime Safety&Shipping Development, NIMASA, Capt. Ezekiel Bala Agaba demonstrating the use of a sanitizer in preventing the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) during the NIMASA/AIR FORCE MoU sensitization conference held at Eko Hotel, Lagos.

‘You must impact on the economy positively’ – BPE tells Shippers’Council

BY GODWIN ORITSE The Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki, has tasked the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) to uphold international best practice if the Council must succeed in its new role as economic regulator of the ports.

Dikki also said that as the economic regulator, the Council has been mandated to urgently provide economic regulation for the ports to ensure customers were fairly treated.

The Bureau’s boss gave this challenge at the re-

Custom intercepts 15 bags of ammunition in Ogun which we are already

BY IFEYINWA OBI

2010 to complain about abnormally but noted that they did not do anything about it.Although Vanguard gathered that a meeting between both parties was recently held

aware of. Recently we made the same type of seizure of ammunition at the Imeko area.

“Given the security challenges in the country occasioned by insurgency, the command has re-arranged its antismuggling strategy and the result is what you are seeing today.”

The area controller said the command would hand over the ammunition to the police, the appropriate government agency concerned with arms and ammunition.

cently concluded Draft Regulation for Implementation by the Nigerian Shippers Council as Economic Regulator organized in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, in Kaduna.

According to him, “there is great need to improve efficiency, eliminate corruption and unnecessary bureaucracy which delayed cargo clearance.”

Dikki, who was represented by Mallam Uba Audu Mohammed, the Deputy Director in charge of marine transport at the BPE, canvassed the positions in a presentation at the retreat on the Draft Regulation for Implementation by the Nigerian Shippers Council as Economic Regulator organized in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, in Kaduna.

The BPE chief executive enjoined the Council to ensure a highly professionalized and motivated staff whose core values would be due process, transparency and accountability with credibility.

He added that a “regulator’s credibility depends on professional neutrality and transparency.”

He however noted that “economic regulation requires much more than just competent economic and

financial analysis, but must also have the ability to manage complex interaction with regulated firms, consumers, politicians, court officials, the media and a range of other interests.”

Dikki also tasked the Council to, as a matter of principle; ensure that its regulations sustained private investment in infrastructure development, which is one of the rationale for the concessioning of the ports.

He contended that regulations should focus on market rules that encourage free entry and exit with entry rules, the right tariffs, quality of service, ensure access for the players, incentive regulations and conducive environment.

He noted that the market in the port sub-sector is very dynamic and requires that regulations should also align with the prevailing environment in terms of tariffs in a manner that it should not strangulate the service providers.

He explained that the regulator needs to always strive to be ahead of the operators who are usually very smart in their thinking, more so as there are myriad of roles to be played at the same time.

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014—25

I N S I D E

The national conference and national conscience

2015: The titanic battle for Agodi Govt House Page 27

THE seven man panel instituted by the Chief Judge of Enugu State to investigate allegations of misconduct levelled against the deputy governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi concluded its hearing on the issue with testimonies from the accused last Wednesday.

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor

ENUGU’S CHICKEN IMPEACHMENT SAGA:

My story,

by Onyebuchi, dep gov •My loyalty had turned to stupidity and slavery ernment House poultry and piggery sections and I gave approval as requested.”

“As at today 20/8/2014 there is a poultry house in Government House, Enugu but I am aware that on Tuesday the 5th August 2014 the birds in the poultry house were evacuated between 3pm and 12 midnight in anticipation of a possible visit by the Panel.”

Challenged that he opposed the removal of his birds by agents of the state government through newspaper interviews including comments published by Vanguard on the issue, Onyebuchi said:

M

R. Onyebuchi who had earlier appeared before the panel penultimate Wednesday, however, truncated proceedings when he took ill midway into his testimony on that day.

The impeachment process against Onyebuchi which has so far been dubbed the chicken impeachment on account of the allegation that he, Onyebuchi kept a poultry farm in his official quarters has also ruffled feathers, especially given the claim that it is politically motivated.

The processes against Onyebuchi and allegations that they are masterminded by the governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, have come with shock to many stakeholders, given the claim that the embattled deputy governor had been more than loyal to Chime.

Evacuation of the birds

Peak of controversies At the peak of the controversies over the illness of the governor last year, Mr. Onyebuchi had been urged by some of Chime enemies to move against the governor, but he remained steadfast and was duly commended by the governor over his loyalty when he, the governor returned.

Concluding his testimony before the seven man panel headed by Barr. Frankln Uche Oraekeiyi, Onyebuchi averred that his major sin against the governor was his ambition to contest the Enugu East senatorial seat against the alleged intentions of the governor’s chief of staff, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo. He claimed that it was from that point that their relationship began to sour.

The controversy over the issues

Page 28

•Onyebuchi: Chime asked me to take all instructions given by Mrs. Nwobodo against Onyebuchi were compounded by the decision of the investigative panel to sit in secret against the tradition of many previous impeachment panels in the country.

However, Vanguard gathered the testimony of the deputy governor from those who had access to the panel.

On the allegation that he maintained a poultry in his official residence, Onyebuchi alleged that the Government House inhabited by the governor also maintained a poultry and kept other animals for which money was provided for from the annual budget of the state.

“I am familiar with the Agric Unit Government House, Enugu. From the gate of the Govern-

ment House, you have the office complex by the left, directly facing the gate is a poultry house, to the right from the gate is a cattle ranch, behind the poultry

from the Agric Unit.”

“Between 2012 and 2013 I acted as the Acting Governor of Enugu State. In my capacity as the Acting Governor, I did some-

Chime’s allegations against me •That I am no longer loyal •That I suggested the removal of Mrs. Nwobodo as Chief of Staff •That I am interacting with his enemies •That I refused to represent him at functions house is a piggery section. I have had something with the Agric Unit in the Government House.

As a civil servant working in Government House, I used to buy cow meat, chickens and eggs

thing in respect of the Agric Unit.

A memo was brought to me by the Chief of Staff to the Governor requesting my approval for the sum of N3,000,000 for the purchase of consumables for the Gov-

“It is not in doubt that I spoke to the Newspapers. Two journalists came to me at 8:30pm on 27/ 1/2014 with a copy of the press release. I know Vanguard came and I think Guardian. I don’t know the names of the journalists but they introduced themselves by the Newspapers they represent.”

“I do not know where my birds are now. They were not returned to me. Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory who supervised the evacuation of the birds said that he did not know where the birds were kept.”

REFUSAL TO REPRESENT THE GOVERNOR ON ASSIGNMENTS “My functions as the Deputy Governor is that I represent the Governor in functions as directed by the Governor. In addition, statutorily, the Deputy Governor is the chairman of the State Boundary Committee. The Governor conveys directives to me in Continues on page 26

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

My story, by Onyebuchi, dep gov Continues from page 25 person or through a phone call or a Governor’s manifest which states the function that I am to represent the Governor. In the absence of these two channels I get an invitation letter with the Governor’s minutes directing me to represent him and such letters are sent to me by the director of protocol.”

He subsequently tendered to the panel letters of invitation to the governor with minutes by the governor directing him to represent him at such functions.

“My 1st tenure came to an end on 28 May 2011. The Governor (had) invited me to his lodge and told me that we had worked so well in the preceding four years and that for that reason he has decided to continue with me for the next four years. Thereafter he gave me nomination forms and I thanked him.”

“It has never been the practice that the Governor will issue a directive to me through a third party orally. It has never been my practice to take oral directives from subordinates as to what the Governor wants me to do.”

“There was a situation when the Governor was on vacation specifically in 2012. He instructed me that his Chief of Staff will be telling me what to approve and what not to approve. The Chief of staff is Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo.

My official designation within this period was the Acting Governor of Enugu State.”

“The Governor was away for a little less than five months. From Exhibit H3 the Governor was away from 17 September 2012 to 8 February 2013. During this period there was no approval that Mrs. Ifeoma Nwoboido presented to me that I refused to ap-

er reasons. That while he was on vacation in 2012 and 2013 that I suggested to him that his Chief of Staff, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo should be removed from office.

Another reason he gave was that I was interacting with his enemies. All these took place in the presence of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Intergovernmental Affairs, Rita Mba.” “I told him “Sir please May I explain”, and he said that if I did not leave his office immediately he would call the security men to carry me out of the Government House. This was after I told him that I noticed hostile attitude from him from the day I informed him of my desire to contest the Senatorial Seat of Enugu East Senatorial Zone. He repeated the threat and I left his office. I have no reason to resign from my office as Deputy Governor of Enugu State.”

Performance of duties

produced video evidence to show that he was there.

However, on the failure to represent the governor at the South East Governors meeting on July 6, 2014, he said: “Around 8pm on the night of the 5th of July 2014, the director of protocol, Emeka Asogwa called me on phone and asked me if I would represent the Governor at the meeting of the South East Governors’ Forum scheduled to take place the next day since the Governor was on vacation. I told him that he knew the rules that if the Governor asked me to, that I will do so since I was in town and I was healthy.

,

I have displayed obedience even to the point of slavishness or stupidity. I have not in any way been reprimanded by the Governor in the last seven years and two months

prove.”

“The Governor wrote the House of Assembly that he is back and I have a copy of the letter as it was copied to me.”

“After the Governor came back I received some reactions from those I worked with in the absence of the Governor. Most members of the State Executive Council came to me personally and commended me for the matured and able way I had handled the affairs of the State during the Governor’s absence. A few of them who could not come sent in their commendations in writing.I have a letter from Honourable Commissioner Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Jude Akubuilo.”

On the allegation of failing to represent the governor at the flag off of the construction of the second Niger Bridge, Onyebuchi

,

He said that he thought that the Governor had called me. I told him no that I will attend the meeting if I get the order from the Governor. Emeka Asogwa said that he will get back to me. Around 9:45 pm of the same day, he called me and said that he was at my gate and I asked him to give the gateman the phone and he did and I asked the gateman to allow him in. He came in and told me that he spoke with the Governor and that the Governor asked him to tell me to represent him.”

“I told him that I have tried the Governor’s phone numbers and that they were not available. But since he knew how to reach the Governor, will he please call the Governor so that I will hear from him and also ask him what I will say at the meeting. He said he would not do that at that particu-

lar time and I told him that he knew that it was wrong for me to take any action without hearing from the Governor. He agreed with me and left.”

“It was inside this Panel sitting that I heard from Emeka Asogwa that he sent me a manifest. I will say that he did not send me any manifest, that would be the first time since 2007 that there would be a Governor’s manifest when the Governor was on vacation. When the Governor was on vacation in 2012 and 2013, the manifests he prepared read “Acting Governor’s Manifest”. The summary of my submission is that contrary to the allegation in the impeachment notice, there was no explicit directive from the governor asking me to represent him and that he did not tell me that he will pass instruction to me through a third party.”

“On 18 June 2014, the Governor (had) announced at the State Executive Council Meeting that he will be commencing his annual vacation the next day the 19th of June and that he would be travelling outside the country specifically to USA for a Ship Cruise. On 6 July, he had not come back from the vacation.

Call data record “Mr. Asogwa said that on the 5th of June 2014 that he did not see me but it is not correct. I was in the Panel when Asogwa told the Panel that he did not remember speaking to me on the 5th of July 2014. I did something especially when he said he did not call to know whether I was around. I applied to MTN to supply me the Call Data Record of that day,” Onyebuchi said as he tendered the Call Data Record from MTN.

“Between July 5 and now I have represented the Governor at some occasions. On the 11th of July 2014 I joined the Governor in receiving the Vice President of Nigeria. On the 18th of July, 2014, I represented the Governor at the commissioning of the Power Trading Institute at Oji River with the Minister for Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu.”

Intention to travel “On the 16th of July, 2014 I went to the Governor’s office to inform him of my intention to travel out of the country for six days and he asked me to give him one reason why he should approve it. I told him that I did not know of any reason but if there is any that I would like to know. He then said that I did not represent him at the South East Governors’ Forum Meeting that took place in Enugu on the 6th of July 2014.”

“I told him that he never instructed me to represent him. He now directed me to resign immediately from my office or he will make my life miserable. I told him that not representing him at that meeting was not enough reason for me to resign.”

“He said yes that there are oth-

“I have done nothing to deserve removal. I have for the past seven years and two months carried out all that is assigned to me diligently, efficiently and effectively to the admiration of the Governor and most people in Enugu State.

I have not in any way breached my oath of office or the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I have displayed obedience even to the point of slavishness or stupidity. I have not in any way been reprimanded by the Governor in the last seven years and two months. I am happy that no serious allegations especially any bothering on financial impropriety, corruption, fraud were levelled against me. I am happy too that no accusation of lack of capacity or incompetence in carrying out my functions was levelled against me. I do not see from the allegations in the Notice of Impeachment where I have committed what would amount to gross misconduct as to warrant or justify my being removed by impeachment.”

“I decided to appear before this Panel and risk being impeached rather than resign because I am convinced that in Nigeria today we can still find men and women who will stand by the side of truth and justice,” he said to the panel of seven that includes four lawyers, one of whom is also a pastor.

The panel: •Barr. Frankln Uche Oraekeiyi •Barr. Maxwell Ebele Eze •Barr. Anthony I. Iguh •Barr. (Pastor) Fabian Uluakanwa •Perfectus Okwuchukwu Aroh •Mr. Martin Onyemuru •Mrs. Mercy Praise Anyim

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Chairman Member Member Member Member Member Member

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014—27

Oyo 2015: The titanic battle for Agodi Govt House

By Ola Ajayi

T

HE battle for the Oyo

State Government House has in recent times never been a battle for the gentle. It is especially so given the fact that Ibadan, the state capital is dubbed the political headquarters of the South-West and has its own idiosyncrasies.

One of such is captured in the saying: “Ibadan people don’t serve a governor twice”.

Even though this slogan has been variously dismissed to be a coinage of some Peoples Democratic Party, PDP chieftains in the state, residents in the sprawling city still hold tenaciously to it.

Ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial election and following the emergence of a crowd of aspirants, the recurring question on the lips of observers is on whether the second term jinx could be broken. A peep into the pedigree of the aspirants across the leading political parties indicates that a tough race is in the offing.

APC Governor Abiola Ajimobi He is as at now the only governorship aspirant in the APC. Though, the influence of the incumbency cannot be under-estimated, there are some discordant tunes that indicate things may not be that rosy for the governor.

Residents in the state see

•Ajimobi

•Akala

undisputable fact is the transformation he has brought to the state. Irrespective of what some traders say, an outsider now sees the state as one of the neatest in the country. The once-violent and dreaded drivers’ union, now displays some civility.

If these and other achievements mean much to the people, he may be reelected. But, observers say the recent death of the business mogul, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola-Alao has cast sunset on his political fortune in the 2015 election.

,

Ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial election and following the emergence of a crowd of aspirants, the recurring question on the lips of observers is on whether the second term jinx could be broken Governor Ajimobi from different perspectives. To the elites, he is the messiah; To street traders, he is a disaster to the state; to the civil servants he is a necessary evil.

While few of them pray for his re-election, greater percentage are unhappy with him because he is yet to fulfil some of the promises he made to them; to the masses, he wears the toga of ‘touch me not.

To some party members, he remains an ‘ingrate’ who never pays for one’s sweat. In spite of all these, you cannot close your eyes to some sterling qualities that characterise his administration.

An

,

PDP Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala He first governed the state for about 11 months when his then boss, Senator Rashidi Ladoja was controversially impeached in 2006 and later ruled the state as a democraticallyelected governor from 2007 to 2011.

Though, some elites, particularly from Ibadan who ensured his exit from the Government House in 2011 still have reservation about him, he remains a rallying point for the PDP in Oyo politics. Many still want him back as the governor because they say there was

cash flow during his administration.

He understands that development is good and desirable but it is of no use if the people live in perpetual hunger that may not even allow them to enjoy the said development. Compared with the incumbent, Akala is far closer to the masses many of whom even if out of office, daily hang around his residences in Bodija and Ogbomoso.

Elder Wole Oyelese Oyelese, a committed chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party can be best described as Methuselah in Oyo politics. He has gained considerable political experience under such charismatic leaders as Pa Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Bola Ige and the maestro of grassroots politics, Chief Lamidi Adedibu.

Before he was elected local government chairman in 1991, he was a political party chairman twice for Peoples Solidarity Party and defunct Social Democratic Party in 1989 and 1990 respectively. He was appointed Minister of Power and Steel and Special Duties in 1993 and 1995 respectively.

He is one of the founding fathers of the PDP in the state.

He stepped down as a governorship aspirant for Senator Rashidi Ladoja in 2003.

Senator Teslim Folarin He was the Senate leader between 2007 and 2011. He

•Olaosebikan was highly instrumental to the exit of Chief Alao-Akala’s due to strained relationship between them. He won elections when late Adedibu held sway. He is believed to have enjoyed the support of the national leadership of the party. He is seen by some as the beacon of hope by some while others seriously disagree.

Kehinde Olaosebikan Mr. Kehinde Olaosebikan has remained a key player in the politics of the state since the first day of the Fourth Republic.

His debut in Oyo politics was on May 29, 1999 when he was appointed the Chief Press Secretary to the then State Governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina after a glowing journalism practice in Abuja.

Journalism practice Apart from his well established professional adroitness, he was accessible to all. In spite of his unsuccessful attempt to the House of Representatives as the Alliance for Democracy Candidate for Oluyole Federal Constituency in 2003, he stayed put making profound contributions to Oyo politics.

Many party enthusiasts frustrated with the old order in the PDP are looking up to Olaosebikan to carve a new image for the party in the state.

Prof. Taoheed Adedoja

A former minister for Special Duties and Sports is another contestant on the platform of the PDP. He has mass followership in Ibadan, Ibarapa, Oyo, OkeOgun and Ogbomoso zones of the state. Having tested political waters twice as governorship candidate in 1998 and 2007, he stands a very good chance. He was the governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria in 2007, but his late defection to the party took its toll on his election then. If experience in governance and public acceptability count in the state politics, he may spring surprises.

Azeem Gbolarumi A former deputy governor in the controversial 11 months reign of Chief Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, he controls a sizeable followership. He is one of the students of late Lamidi Adedibu politics. He is a grassroots mobiliser. However, becoming the governor of the state may be difficult where his former boss, Akala and others hold sway. His acceptability as the flagbearer of the party in the 2015 election is seen as a tall dream. Nevertheless, in Ibadan politics is a different ball game.

Others Others known to be involved in the contest in the PDP are former associate of Alao-Akala, Dr. Isaac Owolabi, Engineer Femi Babalola, Seye Makinde, Prof. Soji Adejumo, Dr. Adeduntan Azeez. The Labour Party also has Comrade Olu Abiala

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

I

N a week free of the usual news of violence, it is not out of place to look at other national matters of great importance. This does not exclude funny comments, howbeit uncharitable, on political events.

The National Conference nicely set up

by President Jonathan to examine the various aspects of Nigeria affairs has now ended and its agreed Report submitted to the convener. Contrary to the expectation of failure by the usual pessimists and aggressive alarmists, the deliberations in the National Conference proved to be robust and sincere, even as it was not unexpected, there were some outbusts and theatrical exhibition by some delegates.

It looks as if there is an enduring hope for the continued stability of this country as sincerely expressed by many delegates if the current politicians (who constitute the political leadership) are serious about the elusive unity of the country.

Disastrous breakup Although the consideration of the dissolution of the country was an unfortunate executive taboo for the Conference, the real observed mood that prevailed at that Conference was to find solutions to prevent the disastrous break-up of the country. The delegates tried, as many analysts have observed, within the time limit and prevailing deficient political structure of the country, to do a patch-work, leaving the rest to the Executive (led by President Jonathan) and the Nigerian people to complete the reconstruction.

It may be a political deceit or perhaps, political illusion to think that all Nigeria`s political and economic problems have been properly examined at the Conference. At least, an avenue of fruitful discussion has been opened for lasting solutions which would rest on the ideal form of government and how political power is shared and operated.

The fear of the dreaded Northern Stand is still there, even if it is known that the

The national conference and national conscience North of today is a different proposition to the politically monolistic North of past era. Some are even confusing Nigerians by the bogey of the old North and new North in an analysis which portrays a comical misunderstanding of how power should be exercised in a plural society.

History is replete with annuls of broken empires and failed states; it is also full of examples of modern states that have risen from the ashes of political dissolutions. There is always a choice for people under able political leadership to make a wise choice.

In the art of making the right political choice, it is also instructive not to forget the accompanying economic imperatives.

During the dark days of imperialism, the sonorous chorus of political leaders was: we prefer self-government with danger to servitude in tranquility. However, the reality of independence has altered the tune to: we prefer political unity and economic prosperity to chaos and poverty. Unfortunately, the lovely twin objects of peace and wealth have become elusive.

It has been pointed out by many analysts in different gathering and also in this column that the goals of political unity and economic prosperity are achievable only if the current political leaders and their followers could change their attitudes and shun divisive and

destructive politics and apply commonsense economic policies.

It is uncharitable, if not outright dishonest, to continue to push the country into 2015 elections, even in the face of political disunity with the characteristic features of mistrust and violence. It is also strange to continue to talk about free and fair polls in an atmosphere of destabilizing insurgency and mass unemployment in every part of the country. The main problem lies in the attitude of the leading political parties towards 2015.

The sycophants of the ruling party are pushing the President to claim his right to contest in 2015 and with strong incumbency factor, to win the second term ticket. The Opposition (APC) is adamant on getting the President out of the office on the ground of non-performance and the flimsy excuse of “power” returning to the North If it may be asked for analysis, what is the romance of the “Second Term” agenda in politics? Another interesting point is the assurance that President Jonathan and his party or the Opposition party could win in 2015 under an election requiring a militariced environment in a country under the visible threats of insurgency and armed robberies. Many Nigerians are of the opinion that no Nigerian President would prefer a

phyrhic victory in 2015.

If it is the intention of President Jonathan to tackle some ailments of Nigeria is responsible for his setting-up of the National Conference, then, this is the time to discuss its implications of the Report. If the ruling party is desirous of building economic prosperity for the country, this is the time to find out why the President`s economic transformation agenda seems to be increasing the level of poverty.

In terms of critical analysis, not many would find much difference in the political idealogy or economic philosophy of both the ruling PDP and the Opposition, APC. The leadership of both parties (being capitalistic in action) has shown no sufficient interests in eradicating poverty or reducing inequality in the distribution of income.

Distribution of income The executive and the legislative arms of their fiefs are blessed with good and regular salaries (supported by generous allowances) while the poor workers (toiling labourers) are condemned to eke out a miserable living condition on N18, 000 per month. It is understood that some States find it difficult to pay their workers regularly.

On the economic scene, the nation is bogged down on laughable and often quoted macro-economic stability with its elegant statistical figures but with large pool of unemployed youths – hungry and angry. There is what is called Conscience, which may be lacking in the Nigeria`s political culture. And that is why many citizens are poor, hungry, angry and obviously, sad.

Some economists would prefer a policy of “cheap money policy” (low lending interest rate) to a policy of “tough monetary stance” with its punishing interest rates and oppressive exchange rate of the Naira.- a policy which is anti people.

Marginalization of men in Anambra north

BY Fidel Ndubisi

D

ESPITE the historical confirma tion of the power of women over men, you now wonder why women all over the world go around screaming male dominance and marginalization.

They went to the famous Beijing Conference in 1995 to declare Equal rights and Equal opportunity. The men openly acceded and raised no objections. In Nigeria HE Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan took up the gauntlet to champion the same Equal rights and marginalization.

Now I am very sure that Her Excellency is not aware that the women in Anambra North Senatorial zone are anything but loyal and submissive. They have taken this Affirmative Action stuff way too far and women had tactically confiscated all the high wire political offices in the zone.

Can you believe Your Excellency that these women had taken over political power especially in the Legislative arms of government and have shown no intention of sharing it with the men anytime soon.

The only period a man had served out his tenure in the Senate was Senator Chuba Okadigbo (Oyi of Oyi) who was elected Senate President but fell prey to the military tactics of OBJ (199-2003).

Since then, women held sway, staging coup after coup for the men. Senator Emma Anosike was bundled out after just

2 years in the Senate by Senator Joy Emodi who got re-elected and served another 3 years, until the abracadabra performed by Alphonsus Obi Ibeke (Ubanese) shortened her tenure by one year.

Then in 2011 Margery Chibogu Chuba-Okadigbo, widow of the late Oyi of Oyi rode to the senate after the courts threw out John Chukwuemeke who claimed to have won the election. Even the speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly RT, Hon Chinwe Nwaebili is also from that zone.

Even as we speak, three of these women have again lined up for the battle of the Senate in 2015. Haba, this is unfair.

After 16 years of democracy, the women had managed to unseat 2 men and had spent a total number of 9 years occupying the seat.

Interestingly majority of the traditional rulers in Anambra North senatorial zone don’t seem to find the dominance of their women over the men funny anymore. I recall the statement made by one of the Igwes from the zone when Hon. Dubem Obaze, who served honorably for 6 years as the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftancy Matters in the Governor Peter Obi administration came to intimate the Igwe about his ambition to run for the Senatorial seat in 2015.

The Igwe struck his staff on the ground and said ‘Asim, obu na nwoke bu UT. .ano si na Obodoumu nwanyi ji ejesiri

anyi Abuja. Ebe si ka ndi otu Dubem Obaze no nka naeme’(meaning is there no VIRILE man anywhere in the zone that has resulted in women representing us in Abuja.

Why are the likes of Dubem Obaze allowing this to happen)) because according to him, two other women had earlier visited him for the same blessing. He laughed and added jokingly that maybe their men spend more time farming and drinking Ogogoro (the staple drink of the riverine areas) leaving the women to seek elective offices and collect chieftaincy titles.

The Igwes are not alone in this line of thought because different groups from the zone are also shouting marginalization and insisting that power shift from the women to the men. Equity group which spearheaded the agitation for Power Shift to the North in the run up to the Governorship elections have added another slant to the agitation.

Clear cut contenders They are stressing that Ogbaru; the largest Local Government in the zone needs a shot at the Senate seat. They argued that while the Omambala and Onitsha zones of the senatorial district had in the past produced senators in the persons of Dr. Chuba Okadigbo (1999 2003), Emma Anosike (2003 - 2005), Joy Emodi (2005 - 2010), Ubanese Igbeke

(2010 - 2011) and Margery Chuba Okadigbo (2011 to date), Ogbaru area has not produced any.

However, Ogbaru has two clear-cut contenders even if the other members of the zone accede to their agitation. There is Hon, Dubem Obaze, who was recently conferred with a traditional tittle by over 54 traditional rulers for his exemplary performance during his tenure as the Commissioner for Local Government and who many believe would have succeeded Governor Peter Obi at the expiration of his tenure in 2014.

Then, there is Mrs Stella Odua, former minister of aviation, also from Ogbaru but married in Edo State. Though very rich and connected at the highest power corridors in Abuja, she is not well known in the zone.

Our people want a home grown Senator who has lived amongst them and who understands their daily challenges and frustrations. They desire a Senator who will give them a listening ear, assist them when they are in need, attract projects that will better their livesand fight for whatever is due to the people of Anambra State.

They are tired of the Carry-go Hit and run Abuja politicians, who entice them with ‘stomach infrastructure’ hoodwink them towards voting for them only to disappear back to Abuja and never to return once the election result is declared.

•Fidel Ikenna Ndubisi, a political commentator wrote from Awka

Vanguard, FRIDAY , AUGUST 22, 2014—29

Why I premiered Being Mrs Elliot at Aso Rock — Omoni Oboli

Award-winning Nollywood actress has been in the eye of the storm since her debut production effort with her movie Being Mrs Elliot. With some still questioning her experience as a director and producer, the actress chose to do something no one has ever done before – premiering her film at Aso Rock. Only for the eyes of the President, his vice, senators and other top government officials.

Since she achieved the feat, tongues have been wagging as to the motive of the idea. Here, with Weekend Groove, Omoni bares it all. Excerpts:

By JULIET EBIRIM

Y

ou recently premiered your movie ‘Being Mrs Elliot’ at Aso Rock, what was it like?

It was very interesting. I honestly didn’t believe it was going to happen. The Film Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria actually wrote to the presidency. We just thought, Well, they are too busy, they won’t answer us.

But to our greatest surprise, they agreed. Even till after the event, I was still telling my assistant that if I woke up and realise that it’s all a dream, I would be very unhappy. I kept thinking it wasn’t happening, that it wasn’t real. I think it’s a very big achievement for Nollywood as a whole, because when things like this happen, it makes other people believe that they can even do more. For us, it’s a big thing. The president said Nollywood has put Nigeria on the map and has affected the economy of the nation in so many ways, which is why he’s doing all he can to ensure that the industry gets

Van Vic ker Vick quits set for fear of

Ebola C M Y K

all the support it needs .

So you think this has given the industry a big boost?

It is a big achievement for the industry. Every other person is going to be thinking “What else can I do that will top the presidential screening?”. It means that the industry will get better, because everyone will be thinking about doing something bigger and better, and that’s the way we grow. It’s healthy competition, it becomes unhealthy when you’re trying to pull me down, because you want to be on top.

H

ow did you feel screen ing your movie exclusively to the president?

It wasn’t just the president; the Vice-President, PDP Chairman, the Senators, Ministers, Elder Statesmen and some Governors. It was a huge event.

I was sitting at the hightable with all these people. Not even in my wildest dream did I think I’d ever get to that point where I would sit on the same hightable with the president and his ministers and it’s about me. I played two roles in the movie

and the president was like “How did you do it?”. He commended the movie which had a bit of culture and tourism in it. I shot in Ekiti, Asaba and Lagos. He said the quality of the movie was very good.

What was the inspiration behind the story?

I just wanted to do something that people can sit back, relax and have fun. It’s drama/romantic comedy. Nigerians work hard, that’s the truth and they’re stressed out day in, day out, I just need them to relax

Stella Damasus thr ows bir thda thro birthda thdayy par ty ffor or Daniel party Ademinokan

and laugh away their troubles.

At the same time, it’s a story that you have to concentrate to understand it. But it’s a feelgood movie.

Y

ou are one actress that has been able to stay scandal free, how have you been able to achieve that?

The truth is I am who I am.

I’m not trying to stay scandal free. I’m just me. Nobody is perfect. It would be unfair for me to portray a squeaky clean image. I’m just like the regular person out there. Everyone

Vanguard ignites next generation with ‘The spark’

has their good and bad side.

I’m just being who I am.

What is unique about you?

It’s favour and the truth is favour is not fair. God just decides to smile on a person. I’ve had my bad times of course.

Last year, there were times when I was crying everyday for months. Did anybody hear about it?. This things just happen, it’s just God’s favour and grace. I’m not going to let anything pull me down or steal my shine. I don’t read blogs, so all those things they say don’t matter to me. The people who matter to me are those who really know me. My true fans know who I am and my true intentions.

For how long have you been acting?

It’s always a difficult question for me to answer because there was a break in between. It’s dishonest to count the years I Continues on Page 30

30—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

Why I premiered Being Mrs Elliot at Aso Rock Continues from page 29 was on break. I acted for a while I was in the university for about a year plus.

But I left it for over a decade and then I came back.

Was it easy for you when you came back?

It was tough. Nobody remembered me.

I was the new girl as far as everyone was concerned. I came at a point in the industry when nobody wanted a new girl. There were a number of established female actors, who were just in every movie and nobody wanted a new person. It was tough to break in. It was really difficult and the fact that I was also married was like a stumbling block. I’m not going to change my marital status, because I want to be in a movie. Over the years, persistence and consistency paid off.

Another thing that made it difficult for me was that I also towed a path, that most people don’t. I wanted to do only good movies.

Weren’t you interested in the money?

Money wasn’t really the motivation. It wasn’t as if I didn’t need money, I did.

In fact, many times I was broke and I needed money badly. I was brought up in a way that you don’t do a bad thing because you need money. If the script wasn’t good enough, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. My fans are going to watch it and they’re go-

wanted and I said I wanted nothing. All I said is that they should see the movie and give their blessings, that, that alone is for the industry. The president even said it at the event that he doesn’t have any money to give. So if anybody is saying something else, it’s their problem. It’s the same small purse I went with that I came back with. After the event, I and my colleagues came back to Lagos the next day. I didn’t stay back in Abuja. No money was given.

Your husband is a dominant figure, he’s everywhere with you. What role has he played in advancing your career?

A lot of people don’t know that Nnamdi is my manager which is why he’s there.

I don’t want to do things that would insult people’s intelligence and even mine. It really made things difficult for me.

ing to be disappointed. I don’t want to do things that would insult people’s intelligence and even mine. It really made things difficult for me.

Screening your movie in Aso Rock, was it about money?

It wasn’t about money. When they told us that they would give us audience to do the screening,they asked me what I

How does he manage that with his job?

He works for himself, his time is his own. So it’s easier for him to take out time to be with me if I need him. He’s not there with me every time. He’s a modern day person, he’s not a traditional man who believes a woman has to do this and that. As an actress, you can’t be married to a traditional man. You are just going to have issues. You will have to leave the career or the man.

What do you mean by being traditional?

There are some who believe that a woman’s place is in the home, a woman shouldn’t do this and that. This is one of the reasons why a lot of actresses have issues in their marriage. Another thing that happens is that the man starts competing with you. Nnamdi is not interested in the limelight at all. For him, it’s like; It’s your thing, I’m going to be the wind beneath your wings, just keep flying. He’s the push that I have. If he wasn’t with me, I don’t think I would have gotten this far. He’s the one that says, Don’t worry, it’s okay.

Was it a deliberate decision making him your manager?

Yes. Initially, I had a management company that was managing me, but it wasn’t working for me because we had different values. I decided to use someone whose values are almost the same as mine. It worked and the money remains in the family.

Are you owing anyone or banks over this project?

No, I’m not. I’m not owing anybody. I’ve shot two other movies after Being Mrs Elliot, though not that big and they’re still in post production. When I called my crew members to come and work, one thing they said was, She doesn’t owe and so they came quickly. I don’t believe that someone should work and not get paid.

Olamide, Phyno, Flavour to kick off Coke Studio II E

xpectations are high and excitement is mounting as Season 2 of the muchanticipated music television series, Coke Studio, kicks off with a music concert at the main auditorium of the Lagos State University (LASU) on August 29, 2014.

Apart from Lagos State where the concerts will kick off, music fans will experience the Coke Studio thrill in nine other cities: Benin (UNIBEN); Port Harcourt (Rivers State University); Ibadan (University of Ibadan); Osun (University of Ife); Enugu (Enugu State University); Owerri (Federal University of

Technology, Owerri); Abia (Abia State University); and Calabar (Cross Rivers State University).

Speaking on the rationale for engaging these artistes, the Brand Manager (Colas) at Coca-Cola Nigeria, Femi Ashipa said: “Our decision to feature these artistes was spurred by our consumers’ request.

These artistes are currently among the rave-of-the-moment in the Nigerian entertainment industry.”

Adding that the concerts and the dream opportunity for aspiring music artistes are among the new elements that have been introduced in Coke Studio Season 2 to dial up the experience for Coke’s consumers and other music fans.

Jaywon bounces back with From Anambra!

By ANOZIE EGOLE

A

fter making a bold entry into the Nigerian music industry few years ago with, File Be and This year which got him the attention he needed in the industry and gained him endorsement with Kennis Music, talented singer, Jaywon, who seems to have disappeared from the eyes of the public, has made a bigger welcome back.

Just at the point when people think that he has nothing more to offer, barely few months after he left Kennis Music , the singer has bounced back with another hit From Anambra (Nkwa).

Since the single dropped it has caught the fancy of Djs across the country an d has continued to enjoy massive airplay.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014 —31

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32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

Stella Damasus throws birthday party for Daniel Ademinokan

T

he love affair between top Nollywood actress Stella Damasus and the movie director estranged husband of fairskinned Yoruba actress, Doris Simon, Daniel Ademinokan began like a joke, because at the time many thought it just couldn’t be true.

Rightly so, the two Kekele lovers told everyone they were mere work partners, not lovers as many thought.

So it was when the story started flying around that they were really romantically involved that Stella Damasus called Weekend Groove to deny it all. Stella convinced Weekend Groove at the time that she and Daniel were only working on a project together. She even swore that she could never snatch a man that belongs to another man.

But now that it seems the duo are living together as live-in lovers in Brooklyn, US, away from the prying eyes of Nigerian media, it would appear Stella wasn’t either on the level with herself or got swept away in a situation she had no control over.

Whatever might have happened, Daniel and Stella are now definitely onto something and they are far gone beyond caring.

Only last week, the actress threw a birthday soiree for the movie director who added another year. People who witnessed the occasion said Stella was a picture of a woman at peace with herself, grinning from ear to ear, while flaunting a diamond engagement ring. Though she didn’t say what the ring was about but the message was clear enough.

Kcee and Davido bag chieftaincy title?

By KEHINDE AJOSE The duo of Kcee and Davido are unquestionably big favourites of music lovers. So, whatever they do have certain rave with their fans.

So one can imagine the widespread buzz it generated when the duo posted pictures of themselves together, clad in stunning native attires adorned with traditional caps and feathers. To many of their fans, the post meant only one thing – Kcee and Davido have bagged chieftaincy titles!

But this is not to be as the posted pictures are only shots taken from the set of Kcee’s yet to be released video titled Ogaranya

•Stella Damasus, Daniel Ademinokan

Engaged Chita Agwu runs off with fiance on birthday I

t is no longer news that beautiful Nollywood actress, model and Akachawa presenter, Chita Agwu has found love and soon to marry. The bride-to be recently broke the news of her engagement to Malaysia-based businessman John Maduabuchi through Instagram with a picture of the engagement ring. “ I woke up this morning and found this (the ring) on my finger. I guess it is my soul-mate who put it there” she enthused Since then the actress, without doubts has been walking on air and she’s been telling anyone who cares to listen “I am engaged”.

Even when it was her birthday on Monday the actress disappointed her friends who had expected her to treat them to some good-times, instead she and her fiance, who she now calls ‘my hubby’ travelled out of the country to celebrate the •Chita Agwu birthday exotically in some faraway land she doesn’t want anyone to know.

Top entertainers form 4NL, support Jimi Agbaje

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

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•Davido and Kcee

s 2015 draws closer, entertainers are beginning to strategise to endorse the candidate of their choice. One of such groups is the 4NL group. They are a group of celebrities who want to see a new Lagos, hence their name For New Lagos (4NL). The group includes entertainers like Alex Okoroji, Yemi Blaq, Ego Ogbaro, Femi Branch, John Njamah, Femi Brainard, Wale Adebayo, Kalu Ikeagwum, Grace Ama, Bay Ray Mcnwizu, and Joseph Benjamin.

Others in the group are Ronke Odusanya, Biodun Okeowo, Tokunbo Coker, and Mayowa Adewale.

These entertainers have pledged their support for the election campaign of Jimi Agbaje for Lagos State governor in 2015. According to Alex Okoroji, the coordinator of the movement, “the 4NL campaign team is a non-governmental organisation which stands simply for a new Lagos with the sole objective to agitate, reorientate and motive all progressive Lagosians, young or old, not only to dream

•4NL Artistes or see the possibility of a new Lagos but to actually be challenged to the point of taking effective action” Speaking on the reason for supporting Agbaje’s ambition, the General Secretary of the movement, Ego Ogbaro said, “The 4NL team chose to be a part of the campaign simply because we believe in the vision of Jimi Agbaje as the next Lagos governor and as such as entertainers we can also join the force in bringing the dream to fore.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014—33 With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

Tecno Phantom Z pushes the limits of fantasy

BY LAJU ARENYEKA & SANDRA ANTHONY

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Vanguard ignites next generation with ‘The spark’

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rom time immemorial, young people in Nigeria have been told that they are tomorrow’s leaders. This mindset has caused many young people to grow old while waiting for tomorrow. However, in the midst of the challenges the country is facing, many young people have shown what it truly means to be successful even when the odds are against you. Vanguard media limited, in a bid to ensure that young Nigerians start leading today, has in collaboration with Ice-One media launched the Vanguard Spark Platform. www.thesparkng.com is the premier online destination for young people who are focused on becoming successful.

It brings daily insight on what young people need to be successful, stories about successful people and up to date information. Vanguard Spark is targeted at the young entrepreneur, upwardly mobile professional. The content is rich and the aim is to provide a place where the savvy, young achiever with taste will feel at home.

‘The Spark’ is the signature element of the platform, which includes features such as the Spark Sage, the Spark Boss and the Spark Rookie. The Spark Sage is a column which focuses on top leaders, titans who have reached the pinnacle of their industries who share the lessons they have learnt over the years so that others can learn from them. The Spark Boss, features younger successful professionals and entrepreneurs who are active role models in their chosen fields. The Spark Rookie is another unprecedented element on any online platform.

It features that special entrepreneur who is doing everything necessary to achieve success. Readers are encouraged to stand upon the shoulders of those great men and women by entering for the chance to be The Spark Rookie of the Month. This person is chosen by his or her peers. The benefits of being The Spark Rookie are immeasurable and include free advertising, business consulting, brand strategy, unique discounts and celebrity mentoring. Our Sages and Bosses come together to offer The Spark - an incentive, a robust package to encourage whoever wins The Spark Rookie of the Month. This month’s Sage is an Honorable Commissioner of Lagos State, Hon. Ben Akabueze and his incentive for the Rookie of the month is a N100, 000 cash grant and a counseling session.

The Spark Boss this month is Edmund Olotu, the CEO and founder of G-Pay Instant Solutions and co-founder of MolecmoNanobiotechnologies. His incentive for The Spark Rookie of the Month is a desk space at their incubator in Lekki Phase 1, with internet facilities and electricity for six months and a free payment platform to collect mobile and online payments. Being The Spark Rookie of the Month is the perfect way to leapfrog a business, brand and career to the top.

You can be The Spark Rookie of the Month!

Simply go visit www.sparkng.com and upload your picture. Include the following details: Your Name, location, career and unique selling point.

antasy-that is one definition of the word ‘Phantom.’ For the mobile smart phone user, it’s when your phone can obey voice commands without any qualms. It’s when your locked screen can go to the music folder when you simply write ‘M’ on it, or start up your camera when you write ‘C.’ Fantasy—that’s when you have a camera with a flash on both sides that can take a picture of you while relying solely on your non-verbal cues. Fantasy—that’s another word for Tecno mobile’s recently launched Phantom Z handset.

The mobile phone runs on the Android 4.4 Kitkat platform which the company says will provide a revolutionary feature geared towards increasing users’ experience and is positioned to compete against other high end smart phones in the market. The distinctive features Phantom Z possesses include: a 7.9MM unibody design, a 2GB RAM that can store memory up to 32GB, and not excluding the 3030MAH battery that delivers 24hours of talk time with at least 960 hours of standby time on a 3G network. In addition, the Phantom Z displays an elegant high-end back cover, a complete dual camera, and also dual flash, which enable the user to produce amazing selfies either at daytime or nighttime. The Phantom Z flaunts a 5.2 inch, 1920×1080p Full HD screen which makes use of the latest AMOLED screen technology to ensure high pixel density, high contrast ratio, also with anti-scratch and anti-finger print surface.

During the launch of the Phantom Z, in Lagos recently, Mounir Boukali, Head of Public Relationsof TRANSSION Holdings, Tecno’s parent company, said: ‘What we have seen in Nigeria is an increased adoption of TECNO Mobile’s Smartphone product, the Phantom A+ was a huge success in Nigeria and we believe Nigerians are ready for a high-end Smartphone experience. ’ Also speaking, Arnaud Lefebvre Head of Design of TRANSSION Holding said that he Phantom Z will revolutionize how Nigerians interact with mobile technology due to speed provided by the world’s first ‘true Octa-core processor.’ He added that the ‘Phantom Z is truly an efficient device. That is its core offering and why we are excited about it.’ Mr. Efosa Idehen, Head of Enforcement unit, National Communications Commission (NCC), who was also present at the launch opined that the new product has the capabilities to drive maximization of Nigeria’s National Broadband deployment on mobile. He said: ‘The Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2018 objective is to promote pervasive broadband deployment; increase adoption and usage to ensure optimum service at affordable price. ’

LG in new simple G3 smartphone

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LG G 3

G electronics seems to be flexing a lot of muscles in the mobile market. Some of its recent designs are giving competitors a run for their innovation. For this fact, perhaps, the company is talking tough, exuding such confidence as a device maker that knows where its destiny lies in the market.

For instance, with its latest introduction, the G3 smartphone, LG is claiming a reputation second to none in display arena.

According to the General Manager, mobile communications, Mr. Steve Seungeui Lee, the development of the G3’s breathtaking Quad HD display was the result of years of innovation in display technology.

"With a pixel density of 534ppi, the G3’s Quad HD display sets new viewing standard producing images that are sharper and clearer than traditional Smartphone displays. At 5.5-inches, LG G3 boasts a screen ratio

of 76.4 percent with thin bezels all around so the phone feels as comfortable in the hand as a smaller traditional Smartphone".

He said the device was developed under the Simple is the New Smart concept. The G3 is equipped with a 3,000mAh removable battery and advanced optimization technologies to further maximize battery efficiency. By replacing the metal in the battery cathode with graphite, LG engineers were able to extend the lifespan of the G3’s battery. The result is a battery that can keep up with the Quad HD display’s ultrahigh performance without losing steam in the middle of the day.

The G3’s advanced 13MP OIS+ camera is designed to quickly and easily capture life’s special moments as they occur, not necessarily when you want them to occur. This is made possible with G3’s innovative Laser Auto Focus, the first of its kind

in the smartphone industry. This technology enables the G3 to capture the best moment — even in low light — by measuring the distance between the subject and the camera using a laser beam.

LG also simplified the process of actually capturing special moments.

Rather than having to focus on the subject in preview mode and then pressing the shutter button, with the G3, tapping the subject to focus will simultaneously also trigger the shutter. What’s more, the G3’s 2.1MP front camera incorporates several new enhancements such as a larger image sensor and larger aperture for more light throughput and better-looking selfies. A unique twist has been added to the standard timed selfie mode by incorporating gesture controls — when ready to shoot, simply clenches your hand into a fist and the G3 will recognize the gesture and begin the automatic three-second countdown.

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

7 things ever y woman must do before hitting 30

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very woman is excited about turning 30. Apart of attaining this milestone believed to be a hallmark of maturity, your 30 represents an era for putting bed habits to rest, learning new things from the old lessons of life and setting new wisdom to work for you and your future. No matter what your age, the sooner you start these seven significant steps, the better.

Quit dieting

What you may not realize is that, really, diets in general don’t work. The only way to reliably lose weight and keep it off for the long haul is to eat mindfully and healthfully, focusing on fresh or freshly frozen vegetables and fruits, lean proteins, whole grains and nonsaturated fats. Avoid any grain that isn’t 100 percent whole as well as saturated and trans fats.

Cook your meals

The most reliable way to know that you’re eating according to your plan is to cook for yourself. That way, you’ll never have to guess what ingredients you’re putting in your body and you can control the portions and flavors yourself.

Set a bedtime

You think going to bed whenever Bedtimes aren’t for kids only as most people think. Setting a regular sleepwake schedule helps you maintain a healthy body weight, manage stress and keep your skin glowing and wrinkle-free.

Start thinking yoga or meditation

You can’t underestimate the value of yoga and proper meditation. Meditation

helps maintain your brain cells and preserve memory-related functions, and the stress-reduction component helps prevent such conditions as depression and anxiety disorder. To meditate, all you need is a quiet room with your eyes partially closed while you focus on your breathing. Yoga increases your flexibility, builds strength, lowers stress responses and blood pressure and contributes to longevity.

Practice balance

Falls and broken bones in old age are something we don’t tend to think about until, well, old age-or worse, when we fall. But recent research suggests that the time to think about falling is well before it happens, in your 30s and 40s. That is when you need to start improving your balance, beefing up the balance trifecta of vision, inner ear and proprioception (sense of body position) before their inevitable erosion begins after 40. Try

The most reliable way to know that you’re eating according to your plan is to cook for yourself

yoga poses that focus on balance-such as tree pose, triangle pose and high lunge, among many others-or stand on one foot on an unstable surface, like a pillow or a thick 1970s-style shag carpet, while swinging the other leg back and forth.

can transform one into another.

Sun light destroys vitamin A-and worse, turns topical A into skinagers-so you don’t want to put it on in the morning. Use it at night when it can do the most good.

Use sunscreen everyday

Do you know the sun is the most powerful skin ager? You’re supposed to get about 20 minutes a day of sun exposure (when the sun is low enough that your shadow is longer than you are tall) to provide your body with the vitamin D it needs. But you should limit that direct exposure to your body, arms and legs, and use SPF 30 sunscreen on your face and the back of your hands every day. This will prevent the UV damage to the collagen and elastin in your skin that causes wrinkles and age spots. We also take a supplement of 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 a day, as maintaining adequate levels of D3 decreases the chances of breast and a number of other cancers.

Remember retinol every night

While you’re at it, your 30s is a great time to add topical retinoids (a form of vitamin A) to your nightly skincare regimen. It’s really the only thing you can put on your skin that can repair sun damage, giving you smoother, less wrinkled skin. Topical vitamin A increases the stretchy elastin fibers, the hearty structural collagen and the natural moisturizer hyaluronic acid in the skin. Vitamin A is found as retinoic acid (Retin-A, prescription only), retinol or retinyl propionate. All of these forms work, because your body

Lipstick 21 /08 /2014

By KEHINDE AJOSE

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or fans of Project Fame West Africa, Olawale’s second video, Jupa brought back fun memories as we were taken down memory lane.

Directed by Unlimited LA, Olawale leads the pack comprising of the Judges: Ade Bantu and TY MIX. Members of the Faculty: Joke Silva, Ben Ogbeiwi, Ige and Kaffy, Project Fame Alumni: Ayoola, Oyinkanade, Simon and Immaculate in a relaxed environment through the best four minutes of dance rehearsals Combining Afro Pop with Fuji, Olawale encourages the team to join him in swaying to the Spellz sanctified beat .He is joined on the dance floor by musicians Skales, Shaydee and Attitude.

As a solo artiste, Olawale is presently working on his first EP titled “Almost Famous”. Since living the Project Fame house, Mr. Ojo lives, loves and has mastered the art of infusing AfroPop and RNB with Fuji- A Major genre that will dominate his EP. “I am in the final stage of getting the EP ready, and I am so excited to put it out. I can’t wait to share it with everyone. I have worked to ensure that there is something for everyone in my EP; the typical club goer, Students, executives in the banks, Entrepreneurs, market women or artisans” Olawale

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014 —

The fascinating world of body shapers

on people with larger figures, it comprises of a wider mid section which is larger than the upper and lower body or on a perpendicular volume. The most advisable kind of body shapers are the camisole, regular body suit, and a full body suit these three will most likely create curves and accentuate the your God given luscious nature. This figure needs no enhancement whatsoever. Ladies in this category are considered lucky.

By PAMELA ECHEMUNOR

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s the name implies, body shapers give the illusion of a shapelier figure. This undergarment is commonly used by ladies and dates far back as the 16th century.

They come in all forms and sizes and give clothes a more flattering fitting. Before buying one here are a few tips to consider.

Tips to purchasing a body shaper

Most people who buy this fascinating undergarment are conscious of their figure, not everyone has the time to visit the gym to exercise and keep fit, so most times you just let yourself go. If you fall under this category here are some pointers to help you get the right fit for your frame.

Inverted Triangle Frame

Ladies with this kind of figure are usually heavier at the top, with hips a little less than the top. For your body type it is advisable to buy a camisole or body suit that accentuates the stomach thereby creating a curvier figure, this shaper is usually worn with dresses and shirts. For an additional appeal, feel free to get the padded shapers for the hip

region, you are sure to come out l o o k i n g absolutely fantastic.

Triangle Frame

For people with the triangular frame, the bottom half of the body is usually heavy with buttocks or thighs that are wider than the upper body and midsection.

What you need are bodyshaper briefs, shorts and capris to tighten up the hips, thighs, and buttocks.

Re c t a n g u l a r Frame

The Rectangular framed figure is perpendicular from top to bottom, people with this form are usually referred to as athletic and this body type possesses very few curves but is very fit. The best bet for this figure is a full body suit because it pushes up the chest, tucks in the midsection and accentuates the hips and behind. This shaper can be worn under all types of clothing and doesn’t cause any discomfort.

Round Frame

Porchester releases new pr oduct int o product into Nigeria market

By ANINO AGANBI

The round frame is usually seen

Olawale reunites project fame faculty, judges, alumni in Jupa video Says The EP will also include surprise collaborations as well as solo performances

35

Meanwhile. Olawale is fast rising to include the arresting and electrifying up the ranks in the Nigerian Music Is Notin and Follow My Lead featuring industry and is fast becoming one of Nigeria’s finest. fast rising act Lil Kesh

*Olawale with Project fame judges and members of the faculty

Lipstick 21 /08 /2014

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orchester, recently launched its new line of product called the sleepwell orthopaedic medical mattress.

These ranges of mattress are suitable for all individuals and cater especially for people with back pains and other challenges. The sleepwell orthopaedic medical mattress comes in various types such as the memory foam, memory foam and pocket spring, latex foam and soft with pocket springs.

Dr Ola Rahman, M.D. Porchester said “We should be aware that our mattress could cause us pain as experts have linked neck, shoulders, back pains and spine problems to the state of our mattress”.

He further stated that “Although a soft mattress causes the spine curves to sag downwards, a hard mattress does the opposite and causes more pains the to neck, shoulder, and waist, while the right mattress does not damage the spine. ’’At Porchester, we assist in choosing the right mattress for the body. We are presently enlisting the assistance of a computerised body pressure measurement system. This is an exciting tool that helps our clients to choose the proper mattress for their unique body types. Pressure mapping the customers on a mattress takes only a few seconds and shows them a colourful image of the pressure distribution and their peak pressure points. We can then use this to diagnose a customer’s needs and advice on the best mattress choice” He disclosed.

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY:

Why we offer free surgery to indigents — Ozolua, BEARS founder

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

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ODUPE Ozolua, the chief executive officer of Body Enhancement Limited and founder, Body Enhancement Foundation has said she founded a charity organisation, the Body Enhancement Annual Reconstructive Surgery, BEARS, to help the poor and the needy regain their lost body features.

Thirteen years ago, when Modupe Ozolua ventured into the business of beauty enhancement therapy, many Nigerians did not believe in her pet projects. However, she had proved them wrong with recent developments where she had helped the indigent in need of life-saving body reconstruction.

According to Ozolua, in the 11 years that BEARS existed, the organisation has helped many indigent children and adults reconstruct either the face or other body parts.

Describing the experience of those who had benefited from her act of kindness, Ozolua said, “It was like regaining their humanity, pride and life. Using modern day medical technology, technique

and skills to safely perform reconstructive surgical procedures to restore the lives of thousands of underprivileged people suffering from various types of physical congenital, developmental deformities, such as Vesico Vagina Fistula, VVF, cleft lip, cleft palate, burns and lacerations, cataract extractions, hernias, removal of tumors, cysts and fibroid.”

Explaining the reasons behind the establishment of the body enhancing center, Ozolua said the organisation had been busy all the while, “especially from those in need of one body reconstruction or the other who can’t afford to pay for the usually expensive operation.

Expensive operation "Using volunteer doctors and funds from her other businesses, Ozolua has immersed herself in this life-saving venture, giving hope and life back to the poor and the needy.”

Her foundation, according to her is not only involved in free

Modupe Ozolua reconstructive surgeries, but also in helping other organisations cater for the poor and the needy.

She said: “In the last few years, we have been quietly supporting other non-governmental organisations, NGOs, in their causes by donating money, books, toys and clothing to them. We also send money to different parts of the country to pay the hospital bills of patients who can’t afford to pay them.

"This year is no different. Our dedication to helping the underprivileged in our society still remains the primary focus of this foundation.”

She noted that BEARS was also engaged in other humanitarian activities outside surgery, especially in the areas of

providing relief materials and donation of food and clothes.

Recently she decided to change her humanitarian organisation from BEARS to Body Enhancement Foundation, BEF, to reflect the connection to her body enhancement company.

“There isn’t a better time to draw people’s attention to what BEARS Foundation actually stood for. The acronym BEARS represents Body Enhancement Annual Reconstructive Surgery. Many people didn’t realise it was the charity arm of Body Enhancement Ltd, the company that pioneered cosmetic surgery in Nigeria, 13 years ago,” Ozolua said.

The beauty therapist also disclosed that her organisation’s

work goes beyond the ordinary as it consider cases of the victims of bomb blasts. She added that their doors are open not only to the treatment of would be needy of the services, but extend to feeding some of them as well. “We come in and identify those who can benefit from us and try to impact their lives as positively as we can. Not just surgical, but means of feeding too. After all, a bed ridden person cannot go to work and earn an income,” she added.

Her charity has endeared her to many Nigerians who began to see her in another light. She added: “In the last few years, we have been quietly supporting other non-governmental organisations, NGOs, in their causes by donating money, books, toys and clothing to them. We also send money to different parts of the country to pay the hospital bills of patients who can’t afford to pay them. This year is no different. Our dedication to helping the underprivileged in our society still remains the primary focus of this foundation.”

Her Foundation has a new Board of Trustees, which include the director-general, National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii; Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, SAN; the Adviser, World Bank, Edith Jubunoh and Prince Oluwaseun Ozolua. Archbishop Desmond Tutu is the patron of the Foundation.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014 —37

Nipost plans 3,000 jobs in 2014

By Emmanuel Elebeke & Levinus Nwabughiogu

ABUJA— THE Nigerian Postal Services, Nipost, yesterday, said it was perfecting plans to create at least 3,000 jobs in the country before the end of the year.

Post master general of the agency, Mallam Ibrahim Mori Baba, said at the opening ceremony of a two-day summit on Implementing Stamping Protocol in Nigeria organised by Double Platinum in Abuja that the job creation plan was initiated as part of Nipost’s strategy to broaden the scope and coverage of all sectors of the economy in the implementation of the Stamp Duties Act. He said that to achieve the

objective, Nipost would be partnering with more than 10 private companies and consultants with the capacity of creating employment opportunities for more than 3,000 young graduates across the country.

Baba said Nipost was committed to encouraging open door policy and private partnership to complement the effort of the federal government through its reform programmes, which apart from creating an enabling environment for attracting local and foreign investments, had broadened the scope and depth of private sector participation in the Nigerian economy.

The postmaster general said the programme was designed to educate people about the activities of the Nipost and to clear

some wrong believes by people that the agency is collecting unlawful tax from the public through the stamp duties. Baba, who debunked the claims, explained that such collection was in compliance with the law and doesn’t amount to illegal tax

collection.

“The issue has always been that NIPOST is collecting tax and we want to get people to understand that what we are doing is for us to remind them that there is a law they are supposed to comply with.

Sagay, Sonaiya , others unite to save Nigeria

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EGAL luminary, Professor Itse Sagay, SAN; social crusader, Professor Remi Sonaiya are joining forces with other patriotic Nigerians and groups to salvage the country.

At a forum in Lagos, where three books authored by Professor Sonaiya namely Day break Nigeria – This Nation must rise, Trust to Earn, and Igniting consciousness – Nigeria and other Riddles were launched, there was a consensus by the

various groups and notable individuals present decrying the sorry state of the Nigerian Nation.

In a communiqué described as “The Royal Hall Declaration”, it was stated that people of integrity, patriotism and like minds have agreed to merge with a sociopolitical group, Movement for Fundamental Change, MFC, and identify other individuals and groups as well as proper political vehicle that shall deliver to

Nigerians quality dividends of democracy.

A statement jointly signed by Professor Itse Sagay, chairman at the occasion, and Oloye Adegboyega Adeniji, chairman of MFC, observed that each time Nigerians come together as a one united people to fight genuine cause of nation building, whether it is the termination or military rule or term elongation, the will of the people had always prevailed.

38 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014—39

development.

So such drugs have to be subsidised by government and so we moved on to another thing and that was where we stopped as at that time, but people continued.

Antioxidant properties

•Prof Maurice Iwu

Bitter kola, not a cure for Ebola virus — Iwu

By Gabriel Olawale

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N recent times, former Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Maurice Iwu, has been in the news over his acclaimed research of a potential cure for the Ebola virus in a drug synthesised from Garcinia (bitter kola).

Iwu, a pharmacognocist has since been appointed member of a six-man Treatment Research Group inaugurated by the Federal government to research on treatment and possible cure of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD. Iwu speaks about the Bitter kola experience.

Excerpts:

Research Group

I belong to a research group which was established around 1985. What we were interested in as at that time was medical condition or if you like you can called it disease hunting, going for those diseases that are not in the public domain, diseases that people don't know about.

We try to look for anything that can cure them.

And the US Military took notice of us and invited us to work for them, so for 10 years I worked at the Division of Experimental Therapeutics of Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington D.C. on this kind of disease.

What we do is to look for new weapons to fight disease and my own field which is natural products in which we have to recruit people that I am to coach as we are now coaching people.

As long as we live in the tropical environment, there are still going to be many more diseases we have not heard about. The issue is to see what we can use to tackle them.

Arrests virus replication

In 1999, our team then screened so many compounds. About 2,000 compounds against Ebola and

other viruses which seems to have no treatment were screened and Ebola was among. We were lucky that a compound from Garcinia kola which is Bitter kola was able to arrest the replication of the Ebola virus. It was not a cure but that was a big clue.

Before that discovery there was nothing and as at that time there was no animal that had been able to withstand the virus. Like I keep pointing out, from drug development point of view, Ebola is not attractive. Malaria is even not attractive because even if you give malaria drug to all of Africa, it will not pay for the cost of

A group at the University of Ibadan led by Professor Faronbi went ahead to publish so many papers after my initial discovery.

Also groups in Japan followed me up on the anti-oxidant property of that same compound and they found out that it had about 20 times more antioxidant property than even vitamin E which is a classical antioxidant.

So there have been a lot of games going on. Why I say game is that science is like tennis, you play it out and expect return. So I have to sit back and heard all this from my colleagues from their own findings.

Another good thing that as it happened now is that the Minister for Health has set up a treatment research group which means that we are now beginning to be proactive.

We have the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research which is a top laboratory, so we should be able to fund it so that they can keep hunting for such things. Also we have good universities with able scientists.

We need to be proactive, part of our study now include disease of ageing and obesity.

Data

I keep saying a scientist is like a tennis player, I say we stop but I didn't say others stop. We have more data from other laboratories. We have been able to know more than we did in 1999. But not necessarily by my group, but we are now more or less, like collecting work from others and people have been generous. Some of our colleagues abroad who helped

MWAN calls for prompt enlightenment, education on EVD

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HE Medical Women Association of Nigeria, MWAN, has called on all tiers of government to embark on prompt and targeted education and enlightenment of all Nigerians to reduce misconceptions about the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD. The call was contained in a communique issued in Abuja after the third National Executive Committee meeting of the 2013-2015 Biennium of MWAN which held in Owerri, Imo State.

The communique, signed by MWAN National President, Dr Valerie Obot and the National

Secretary, Dr Glory Essien said that education and enlightenment on EVD would enable the ``dissemination of agreed upon channels of management for suspected cases’’.

MWAN listed the targets of the enlightenment programs to include community establishments, markets, places of worship as well as students and staff of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.

It also called for the “prompt dissemination and implementation of national protocols and Standard

Operation Procedures (SOPs) for primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions as it concerns contact tracking, criteria for observation and quarantine as well as procedure for releasing those confirmed negative.

MWAN said that there should be active 24 hour telephone hotlines for all 36 states and FCT to ``respond to questions, correct misconceptions, telephone triage for suspected cases as well as assist in coordination for observation, quarantine and management cases’’.

us to do tests at that time are now ready to help us test it in dosage form.

Why this re-test is important is that you can have a compound that is active and when you put it into tablet or dosage form it will lose this activity, so we have to monitor it up through all processes.

Lack of patients

What is even worse with Ebola is that those developments are at what we called phase 3 and that ultimately means that it has not been approved. It is not possible to have scientifically valid phase 3 trial for Ebola because you don't have enough patients at any given time.

We pray not to have enough patients because on phase 3, we have to plan it, recruit patients and make sure that all the parameters to use are in order.

What happens is that even the two patients that America is helping, we are not sure that it is the untested drug that is given to them that is facilitating their recovery. So we cannot say because America use it and people of Nigeria were asking for it that why can't America give us? They would have been very stupid to give us such product.

Imagine if they had brought this drug to Nigeria and those people died, there would have being international outcry that untested drug was used on our people and that is why we have to listen to the Minister. The Minister of Health is like our personal doctor . Whatever he says we should do we have to do it.

Ebola in Lagos

Having Ebola in Lagos is unusual. The Ebola history that I have read so far has been in rural areas where there is unfortunate interaction between man and animal. But because of the incident that happened it shouldn't have been in Lagos and it could have been horrible for such to happen in a highly populated city like Lagos.

For us in Science what is upper most to us in the whole thing is that we check with evidence.

According to a European noble philosopher who turned scientist why is it that a dead fish is weigh more than living one and everybody said they didnt think about it and nobody bothered to weigh the fish to know whether dead fish actually weigh more than living one. So that is the issue about the bitter kola and Ebola for anti-viral infection. It is a known anti viral infection and immune booster and it has been used by man over a century. It began from ethnic use and into experimental medicine, it will remain in use until it is disproved that it is not active.

40— VANGUARD,

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014 T was first the swine flu and bird flu, then came the SARS, now it is Ebola which is about the deadliest disease in the world. But for those who know, it is about time we turn to Allah and make our ways as clean as possible.

Islam is a holistic belief system and it takes into account the physical, emotional, and spiritual well being of individuals and societies. Although care of the individual is important, safeguarding communities, including its weakest members, is of paramount importance. More than 1400 years ago, Prophet Muhammad, (s.a.w) was private parts are washed after teaching his followers hygiene using the toilet and Muslims practices that are still must pay particular attention applicable in the 21st century. to being clean before praying.

Islam is referred to as the They wash their hands, faces, religion of cleanliness. “Truly, (including rinsing the mouth God loves those who turn unto and nose) arms and feet, a Him in repentance and loves minimum of five times per those who purify themselves.” day. Prophet Muhammad (Quran 2:222) insisted that the believers In one of the hadiths, wash their hands, before

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Rules of hygiene in Islam •Signs of the last hour

The teachings and principles of Islam are designed to benefit all humankind. Rules and recommendations for personal hygiene and cleanliness promote the well-being of individuals and communities

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cleanliness is mentioned as half of faith, therefore, it is important to keep the body fresh and clean and Islam insists on several practices to facilitate this.

There are clear evidences on Islam position on coughing and sneezing openly. A Muslim must cover his face when he sneezes. This is because the most obvious effect of sneezing and coughing without covering the mouth is the spread of airborne bacteria and viruses or droplets that are invisible to the eye, may fall onto surfaces or other people.

The first line of defence is frequent hand washing. The

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praying, before and after eating and upon waking up in the morning.

Infection control in Islam includes isolation and quarantine.

Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him, instituted strategies that are today implemented by public health authorities. He commanded his followers not to travel to places known to be afflicted with illness and he advised those in the contaminated areas or communities not to leave and spread the disease further afield. He said, “If you hear that there is a plague in a land, do not enter it; and if it (plague) visits a land while you are therein, do not go

out of it”. He also counseled ill people not to visit healthy people.

The teachings and principles of Islam are designed to benefit all of humankind. Rules and recommendations for personal hygiene and cleanliness promote the wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Infection control is inherent in Islamic hygiene behaviour. Washing the hands, covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing, voluntary isolation, when one is feeling unwell, and restricted travel is an effective and comprehensive public health strategy. Measures taken in the 21st century to prevent the spread of infections and viruses conform almost exactly to the hygiene and infection control practices taught by Prophet Muhammad.

Signs of the end times When reading the Quran, or the Hadith(s), you cannot help but understand the end is firmly in view. Of course, this life in ephemeral and a similitude of a market place where mankind flock to take home what will either profit him or be detrimental to him when he goes back home, the final abode.

But it is only Allah that knows the time. The Quran provides various signs, and states that the means for unveiling the end of the world have been given. “God is the Knower of the future; He does

From left- Alh M.B. Odukoya, Sadr-Ansarullah; Dr. Yekeen Habeeb, Naib Amir, Northern region; Barrister Rizwan Muhammad and Dr. G.O Enahoro Naib Amir Easter region fielding question from newsmen during a radio programme in Warri, after the just concluded Jalsa Tarbiyah held in Warri, Delta State recently.

not permit anyone to unveil such knowledge. Only through the messenger that He chooses does He reveal future and past events” 72:27.

“Are they waiting until the Hour comes to them suddenly? All the signs thereof have already come.

Once the Hour comes to them, how will they benefit from their message?” 47:18 The signs given in the Quran include the splitting of the moon which already

happened in June 1969 when man landed on the moon and brought back moon rocks.

People on earth can go now to many museums, colleges and observatories to look at pieces of the moon.

The experiences in the world today are clear signs of the end of the world. Among the signs of the end time as prophesied by the Prophet include the following.

That there will be so much bloodshed, there will be much Al-Harj, and Al-Harj means killing, as as a result, people will openly deny Allah.

There would be a spread of provocative clothing especially among females. In one of the sayings he says people would be clothed but unclothed. He also said women would imitate men and men would imitate women.

Great cities will be ruined, and it will be as if they had not existed the day before; gains will be shared out only among the rich, with no benefit to the poor; people will indulge in homosexuality and lesbianism and there will be prevalence of open illegal intercourse.

o board ma Hajj: Oy Oyo mayy airlif airliftt pilgrims tto o Lagos

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HE Oyo State Muslim Welfare Board may consider the airlift of intending pilgrims from the state to Lagos before their final flight to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj.

The board’s Chairman, Alhaji Taofeek Akewugberu, made this known to newsmen in a telephone interview in Ibadan.

Akewugberu said airlift of pilgrims to Lagos was being considered in order to ease the hardship often encountered by commuters on the Lagos-Ibadan express way.

He, however, said that the plan had yet to be concluded, adding that the board was still working on the logistic arrangement of ensuring its success.

Akewugberu also said that a total number of 1,251 intending pilgrims from the state would perform this year’s Hajj.

He said some pregnant women and those who failed the test on basic Islamic tenets had been dropped from the list of intending pilgrims.

The board chairman also said that the takeoff date to Saudi Arabia for intending pilgrims from the state remains between Sept. 4 and Sept. 5.

He also said every intending pilgrim would be subjected to a test for the Ebola Virus Disease before departure from the state Hajj camp and the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.

Akewugberu advised pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state.

From Right: Alhaji Lukman Abdurraheem (National Amir, The Muslim Congress); Alhaji Abdullah Shauib (Coordinator, CIO), Engr. Luqman Balogun (Director of Muslim Awareness Intl), Sheik Abdul-fatah Thanni (Director, An-Najjat) Sheik Dhikrullah Shafii (Mufti, CIO) and others during Solidarity Campaign for Palestine, held in Lagos, recently.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014—41

ps on 2014 Hajj: Direct Director harps or har honesty in discharge of duties

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e must turn tto o Allah Ebola: Wh Whyy w we I

SLAM is not only a religion but also a way of life. As a result, Islam contributed greatly to health and well-being of mankind by giving workable guidance on how to prevent contagious disease such as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, promotes good health and cures all illness through Prophet Muhammad's advice (SAW). Indeed, Allah has not left anything untouched (Q 6:38) and Prophet Muhammad did not speak of his own desire (Q 53:3). The exact origin, locations, and natural habitat of Ebola virus remain unknown. However, on the basis of available evidence, researchers believe that the virus is zoonotic (animal-borne).

Islamic verdict on Ebola: In accordance with Qur’an, Sunnah and Sunnatic books Ebola shall be examined as follows: In Islam, one of the terms that are used for Ebola is ta’un.

It is caused by Allah in line with the following verses of Qur’an (9:51; 57:22). And Hadith of Prophet (SAW) that said: There is no infection independent from Allah’s decree or superstition of true effect, or hamah or safar. This notwithstanding, is also an established fact that qadar (good and bad destiny) in most cases are predicated on sabab (causation) such as

sin or test.

What an Ebola patient should do: An Ebola Patient must not run away from the land where he contacted the disease in order not to spread it to other land. Instead he should surrender himself for treatment. This is in line with directive of Prophet

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BY HARUN RAZAQ

with Allah; must realize that every supernatural healing property other than the correct Islamic way is apparently deceptive and usually has certain implication either immediately, in future life or in hereafter; must use medicine (that is not harram) believing that

This notwithstanding is also an established fact that qadar (good and bad destiny) in most cases is predicated on sabab (causation) such as sin

Muhammad (SAW) in many authentic Hadith concerning contagious disease.

Furthermore, he must strengthen his faith, love and closeness to Allah; must be content with Allah’s decree (ridaa); must maintain good thoughts about Allah, turning only to Him in worship and supplication; must be conscious of fear of Allah's punishment for his sin and not of Ebola and hope of Allah’s mercy that is unlimited in curing whomever He wills including patients that cannot be cured by man. After all available information reveals that since the outbreak of Ebola which is generally believe to have no cure some patients still survive it; must be steadfast and very resolute

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every illness has cures.

What government should do Government must provide necessary assistance by establishing centres to care for Ebola patients and power it with required modern equipments and manpower to facilitate quick recovery of the patients. It must not expose others to danger of contacting the disease.

Individual who are not medical personnel without required preventive measures must neither visit Ebola patient, nor travel to a town where Ebola strikes.

He should make enquiries and make dua’ for the patients.

Ask Your Imam Q:My parents did not not give me enough training and right now I feel very angry and frustrated the way they brought me up. Even now, the seems not to be bothered about my condition. This has led to a feeling of disgust about them. How A: Kindness, love, respect, and care for parents come after our prayer and obedience to Allah (swt). Try to forgive your parents and trust that they did the best they could do with the knowledge that they had at that time.

Parents who failed to train their children properly will also have themselves to blame because it is also an injuction of Allah for parents to train and guide their children to the right path. This is contained in Suratul Lukman of the Holy Quran. Having said that, that does not give any child the leverage to deal harshly with his or her parents. Your parents deserve kind treament from you all

LHAJI Bashir Muhammad, the new Director of the Federal Capital Territory Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, recently called on members of staff to be honest in the discharge their duties.

A statement issued by the board’s Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Muhammad Aliyu said the director gave the charge while addressing the workers on assumption of office.

He warned them against engaging in acts capable of tarnishing the image of the board and the country, and solicited their cooperation to ensure success of the 2014 hajj.

According to him, everything about Hajj should be done in line with the desire of the Minister of State for FCT, Mrs Oloye Akinjide, to have a

hitch-free exercise.

He also said that his administration would not condone any act of corruption and indiscipline.

Muhammad expressed the board’s commitment to provision of first class services to the FCT’s intending pilgrim and ensuring a hitch-free hajj.

Responding, the Deputy Director of Operations, Alhaji AbdulRahim Yahaya, pledged staff members” readiness to ensure successful hajj.

Until his appointment, Muhammad was the Director of Security Services in the Federal Capital territory Authority(FCTA).

He took over from Hajiya Fatima Gummi.

A total of 2497 intending pilgrims are expected to perform hajj through the board this year.

Cleric urges establishment of more Islamic schools ...As Momlakatul-ilimi graduates students BYADERONKE ADEYERI

M

USLIMS round the world have been urged to consider establishment of more Islamic schools in the county as paramount as this will propagate the good work of Prophet Mohammed (s.a. w) and help to reduce the numbers of Muslim children changing religion when they get into tertiary schools.

The Proprietor of MorikazQuran, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Alh. Abdulwaheed Subaru Olowo gave the charge in a lecture tagged “Power of Islamic knowledge” during the graduation ceremony of Momlakatul Ilimi Basic school, Ibafo Ogun state, recently.

He also admonished all

Muslims to ensure they pay the ustazs on time so as to motivate them in teaching the younger generations in the way of Almighty Allah.

The graduation ceremony showcased a group of young pupils with both Islamic and western education.

The Proprietor of the school, Alh. Abdulwasiu Sulaimon solicited support from parents and individual in providing more qualitative Islamic and Western education for the children.

“We implore parents to support the school in every way as this is the only way the school can progress.”

Also speaking at the event, Ustaz Taofeeq Yusuf enjoined Muslims faithfuls to reduce their flamboyant lifestyles and invest more in the future of their children.

the time until they pass on. This is the injuction of Allah and a duty of a child upon his parent irrespective of what the parents are doing or must have done to you as a child.

So deal with them kindly and carry out you duty as a child to them without ill-feelings.

Thank you.

Question: Asalamun alaikum. Can Muslim women wear make-up in public places?

Answer: As-salamun alaykum. No, it is Haram to wear make up in public. Make-up adds to the beauty of a person, and flaunting your beauty in public places is not allowed. It is true that women are given the permission to wear ornaments and other kinds of beautiful things, but things that changes your physical appearance like make-up are not allowed.

Thank you for asking and God knows best

From left: Okunleye Toheeb; Ustaz Ridwaullahi Sulamon Albayanee; Ustaz Yusuf; Alh. Abdulwasiu Sulaimon, Proprietor Momlakatul Ilimi Basic school; Ustaz Taofeeq Yusuf; Mr Musa Baba Aola , Ustaz Monsuru Abdulazeez Alaroby and Umu Zerinat at the graduation ceremony of the school held in Ibafo, Ogun State recently.

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

Nigerian railway system: chaotic

Poor infrastructure: The sad story of a nation America has good roads, not because America is rich, but America is rich because it has good roads—J.F. Kennedy

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HE beginning: The story was once told of a Nigerian engineer who attempted suicide after nine years of joblessness.

He thought ending it all would be a short-cut out of the misery that life had given him on a platter. But his story was contrary to that of many Nigerians who were failures at home but on travelling overseas, became champions in other countries.

Life in Nigeria has been a mix of daunting challenges and boundless opportunities. Yet with the seeming boundless opportunities, the country suffers.

This has projected a bizzare image of Nigeria as a country with capital flight, capital sink and capital stagnancy.

But since 1999, at the onset of our democratic experiment, the country has made efforts to lay a foundation for economic growth and development. Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and a major player in the global economy. But her huge

infrastructure deficit has constrained economic growth and development, thus inhibiting her ability to improve the quality of life as envisaged by her governments at several levels.

Nigeria’s infrastructure is in a deplorable state and the nation’s infrastructural needs are evident for all to see.

As the most populous black nation on planet earth, Nigeria sets a great vision to be among the top 20 economies in the world by 2020 with a minimum GDP of $900 billion and a per capita income of no less than $4000 per annum.

Extensive infrastructure Nigeria can boast of extensive infrastructure of roads, railroads, airports, and communication networks. The road system is the most important element in the country’s transportation network, carrying about 95 percent of all the nation’s goods and passengers. But currently, many of the roads are in disrepair because of poor maintenance and years of heavy traffic.

Nigeria’s road system was started in the early 1900s under

British colonial rule essentially as a feeder network for newly completed railroads. Two trunk roads running from Lagos (southwest) and Port Harcourt (southeast) to Kano (north central) were built. These were followed by the construction of several east-west roads, two north and two south of the natural division created by the Niger and Benue Rivers. The major purpose was to transport goods from the interior to the coast for export.

After her independence in 1960, expansion of the road system to facilitate access to state capitals and large towns became one of the major areas of government investment. In 1978, an expressway was constructed from Lagos to Ibadan.

Later, a branch of the LagosIbadan expressway was extended to Benin City. By 1980, another express-way connected Port Harcourt to Enugu.

Similar express-ways connected major cities and commercial centres in the north.

Thus, by 1990, Nigeria had 108,000 kilometres (67,112 miles) of roads. Of this total, 30,000 kilometres (18,642 miles) were paved, 25,000 kilometres (15,535 miles) were gravel, and 53,000

kilometres (32,935 miles) were unimproved earth.

But much of the road system is in disrepair and barely useable.

Massive traffic jams are very common in the large cities. There are also long delays in the movement of goods. Highway accidents and deaths are frequent, and number more than 30,000 and 8,000, respectively.

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By CHIOMA GABRIEL

and sustainable infrastructure.

The World Bank estimates that every one per cent of government funds spent on infrastructure leads to an equivalent of one per cent increase in Gross Domestic Product, GDP, which invariably means that there is a correlation between any meaningful inputs in infrastructure development which reflects on economic growth, indices, hence the value of infrastructure cannot be underplayed.

Infrastructure development has in recent times assumed a central importance in Nigeria’s fight to attain social and economic stability. The federal government and all state governments are using infrastructure as the focal point of their administrations and policy enactments. Infrastructure

Infrastructure development has in recent times assumed a central importance in Nigeria’s fight to attain social and economic stability

Most developed nations in the world jump-started their economies by accelerating their infrastructure and building on it; examples being those of India and the United States of America.

The late President J.F. Kennedy of USA once stated that “America has good roads, not because America is rich, but America is rich because it has good roads.”

The crux of this matter is that a country cannot be rich without good infrastructure.

All the great civilizations attained greatness only through the entrenchment of adequate

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generally has to do with the fixed provision of tangible assets on which other intangibles can be built on. Not limited in scope, it involves the provision of Housing, Power (electricity), Transport, Education, Communication, and Technology.

The challenges involved cut across political, economic, social, technology, legal, environmental and safety issues. Poor political stability, policy formulation and politics of the project environment

Continues on page 43

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014—43

Poor infrastructure: The sad story of a nation Continues from page 42 both within and without are problems the country is contending with in her infrastructural development.

Equally, the country is dealing with issues of poverty, inflation, insecurity; cultural difference and poor technological environment to be used for the execution of projects.

With a land mass of 9,110,000 square kilometres of land and over 150,000 million people, Nigeria has a total road network of 193,200 km. This comprises 34,123km federal roads, 30,500 km state roads and 129,577 km local government roads.

Unfortunately, over 70 per cent of the federal roads are in bad state of repair. In the area of housing, Nigeria requires about 17 million housing units and N60 trillion to meet its housing needs.

Economic returns Over the years, corruption not only raise the price of infrastructure but also reduces the quality of, and economic returns from, infrastructure investment.

The corruption in Nigeria is very high and unbearable for effective infrastructural development. The country’s poor unemployment rate is aggravated by poor infrastructure. Poor infrastructure is the main reason Nigeria’s economy is not growing and the only way out of the economic doldrums is conscious massive

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Apart from providing paying jobs for the teaming Nigerian youth, effective infrastructure development will integrate the country into the benefits associated with the fast shrinking global system

investment in infrastructure by all levels of government in the country. Apart from providing paying jobs for the teaming Nigerian youth, effective infrastructure development will integrate the country into the benefits associated with the fast shrinking global system. The reality of Nigeria’s unemployment rate is that the problem has been aggravated by poor infrastructural development.

If infrastructure were proportionally developed, we won’t be having an embarrassing situation in Nigeria. Lack of infrastructure affects every aspect of life.

The challenges of infrastructure development in Nigeria are many. The demand surpasses the supply and finance that will stimulate rapid provision is not there. Due to wide gap between provision and needs, the leadership classes are in arrears in all sectors. The political situation is not encouraging to

Maintenance of tracks

Railway lines in the country

foreign investors. Governments do not set the priority right in infrastructure development.

Projects are supposed to meet objectives, but in most cases, projects embarked upon are white elephant projects. Good governance will be the only antidote that can bridge the wide gap. Good governance promotes

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accountability, reduces corruption and therefore minimises resource wastage through inefficiency.

Good governance also ensures stability (economic and political) and reduces the level of risk associated with large and lumpy infrastructure investments. This in turn facilitates the mobilisation of both public and private sector financing resources that are critical for infrastructure development.

The country has a big land mass that makes it possible to spread out. Connecting the people of Nigeria with roads, national grid and potable water will be tasking.

The local content of production of goods and services must be increased to reduce production cost. Corruption level in Nigeria is too high and allows incompetent hands to handle contracts. Professionals are not allowed to handle projects due to corruption. The cost of governance and recurrent expenditure are so high leaving

the ports are overstretched particularly in Lagos where 60 percent of the cargoes are being handled. Refurbishing of railways has also created employment for many Nigerians. Late last year, no fewer than 6,000 applicants applied for 295 vacancies at the headquarters of the North Western District of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, Minna in Niger State.

Also last year, the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE–P, said it had so far spent more than N30 billion on rehabilitation and construction of railways across the country.

According to the SURE-P Convener, Railway SubCommittee, Mr Chike Okogwu, “We have spent over N30 billion on railways since inception of SURE-P and the N30 billion is for the railway projects all over Nigeria. We have the modernisation project from EdoAbuja and to Kaduna, which is a new line and standard gauge line. We have done the rehabilitation of the Eastern line which is divided into three contracts – Port Harcourt to Makurdi; and from Makurdi through Jos, Kafanchan and others.”

little for capital expenditure.

Nigeria can boast of a network of railroads which provide Nigeria’s second means of transportation. The rail system consists of 3,500 kilometres (2,175 miles) route of 1.067 meters (3.5 feet) but the Nigerian rail system is gradually phasing out despite attempts by governments at states and federal level to bring it back to life. Some of the new rail projects are abandoned while attempts to refurbish old ones are done half-haphazardly. In this write-up, Vanguard examines the improvements that government is making in its bid to refurbish the railway system.

Back to the basics: In June, the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, announced the purchase of two air-conditioned Diesel Multiple Units and six 68 seater air-conditioned passengers coaches for its operations. The railway equipment was launched in Lagos by President Goodluck Jonathan on special invitation by the Corporation’s Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who was appointed January this year. At the Lagos launch, Tukur said the new development in the Nigerian railway system was a manifestation of the fulfillment of President Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda in the transportation sector.

He said that better days awaited the railway sector, especially with developmental initiative already being crafted for the sector by the management.

Not quite long after, the Federal Government commenced the remodelling of existing railway stations across the country

through Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.

Senator Idris Umar, Minister of Transport said the Federal Ministry of Transportation is focused on its mandate in respect of the country’s railway system.

He noted that the first phase of the railway stations project was remodeled and redeveloped to connect, Ebute-Metta in Lagos, to Ilorin, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Jos and Gombe.

Umar said,“Following the lifting of the embargo on rent and lease of Nigerian Railway Corporation’s land and landed properties, the redevelopment of the Nigerian railway stations through Public Private Partnership is being processed.

Transaction advisers have been commissioned to drive the process for private sector participation”.

Private sector participation The Federal Executive Council had also approved the establishment of six Inland Deep Ports under the PPP arrangement while the federal government gave its approval of Lekki port even as the other five namely Ibaka, Agge, Olokola, Badagry, and Ogidigbe/Escravos deep seaports were being processed.

The six dry ports approved included Isiala-Ngwa in Abia State; Ibadan, Kano, Haipang in Jos, Funtua in Katsina and Maiduguri.

The Federal government according to the minister is working seriously to build new seaports in the country because

The SURE-P converner said the Bauchi to Gombe and to Maiduguri is being worked on while the Western rail line was at about 90 per cent stage before the intervention of the committee. He added, “The Edo-Kaduna line with materials on site had reached 55 per centd completion.

For the Eastern line, we can say that we are at 48 per cent completion stage.”

Okogwu expressed the hope that none of the projects would run beyond August 2014. He said, “From Lagos to Kano, all the communities along the corridor will require their indigenes who are residents in the communities to maintain the tracks, the coaches and the train stations along the corridors.”

Between 2011-2012, the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s Mass Transit Train Service from Minna to Kaduna generated between N500, 000 and N550, 000 per trip, according to its Public Relation Officer, North Western District, Mr Sheriff Razaq. “From the beginning of 2011, our Mass Transit train makes between N500,000 and N550,000 per trip from Minna to Kaduna”.

The corporation, he stated charged N320 per passenger per trip, while each coach carried between 300 and 350 passengers.

Ten coaches were involved in each trip conveying between 3,000 and 5,000 passengers, depending on the patronage.

Skeletal services on the route began in June 20, 2011 and about N40, 000 was realised during the first trip while the second and third trips raked in N84,000 and N200,000, respectively.

To be continued

44 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22 2014 —45

EBOLA: Group

takes campaign to traders

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA — AS part of measures to avoid contracting the dreaded Ebola Virus, over 2,000 traders at Umuahia main market, Ubani Ibeku, Abia State, were Wednesday sensitised by a nong o v e r n m e n t a l organisation, Centre for Public Health.

They were given tips on ways to protect themselves from contracting the disease.

The sensitisation programme at the market motor-park, offered the traders the opportunity to raise concerns and be educated about some sensitive issues on the dreaded disease.

The campaign focused on improved hygiene as a key measure in the fight against the dreaded virus.

The traders were also warned to shun unverified preventive tips such as use of salt and bitter kola.

The Executive Director of the group, Dr. Cyfine Okorochukwu, observed that Ebola virus had become a major health challenge in West Africa, having claimed over one thousand lives since its outbreak.

AWARDS: Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka (3rd left); his counterpart in the Labour & Productivity Ministry, Chief Emeka Wogu,(middle) and other nominees of National Productivity Order of Merit, NPOM, after presentation of their awards, at Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja, yesterday

FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM: Gov. Orji

wants Army encouraged

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA — ABIA State governor, Theodore Orji, has called on Nigerians to encourage the Nigerian Army in the battle against the current security challenges facing the nation.

Governor Orji said encouragement and not criticism was what the soldiers needed now to be able to battle the Boko Haram terrorists tormenting the nation.

Orji spoke, yesterday, in Umuahia when the Chief of Army staff, Lieutenant Gen.

Kenneth Minimah, led other senior Army officers on a courtesy visit to his office at Government House.

According to him, the Army has been doing a very good job in fight against Boko Haram.

The governor noted that the soldiers were taking time to adapt to the art of fighting terrorism, which is totally new to Nigerians.

He regretted that many soldiers have sacrificed their lives fighting insurgency in the country.

The governor expressed confidence that the new Army chief would perform creditably

in office and assured him of the continued support and partnership of Abia State government to the Army.

Governor Orji appreciated the Nigerian Army for the tremendous assistance it rendered to Abia State to end kidnapping and establishment of the 14 Brigade Barracks at Ohafia, which had enhanced security in the state.

The governor appealed to the Chief of Army staff to provide military equipment at the Army camp at Aba and give preference to the state during Army recruitment.

He also urged him to ensure that the Army in the state worked in synergy with the police and other security agencies in the state.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, General Mnimah, said he was in the state to visit military formations as part of his familiarisation tour of the 82 Division, Enugu.

He commended Governor Orji for his assistance to the Nigerian Army, which he described as exemplary and urged him to do more.

According to him, the Army cannot do it alone.

Abia APC protests Aba South by-election

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA — ABIA State chapter of opposition All Progressives Alliance, APC, has

protested last Saturday’s byelection into Aba South State Constituency in the House of Assembly, saying it was fraught with irregularities.

The party said its observation

during the election included public apathy characterised by low turn-out; prevalence of election fraud and irregularities, such as ballot box snatching, stealing of ballot papers and other

election materials.

It also named voter disenfranchisement, voter intimidation; corruption involving coaxing of voters and election officials with financial

NGO lauds provision of massive infrastructure at MOUAU

C

ENTRE FOR Reform Education Initiative, CREI, a non-governmental organisation, has applauded Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU, Abia State, Professor Hillary Edoga, for transforming the institution into a world class citadel of learning with massive state-of-the-art infrastructure.

The group in a statement by its Executive Director, Chinwe Ugwu, in Enugu, yesterday, noted that the impressive performance of Edoga was unprecedented and deserved commendation.

The statement read: “I think Professor Edoga has really proved that he is a good manager of both human and natural resources.

“He has raised the bar of the University of Agriculture Umudike, and we are very sure that he was able to achieve that feat because he is an apostle of prudent management.

“Without sounding immodest,

CREI wants to use this medium to call on other managers of the nation's institutions of higher learning to emulate Professor Edoga, in providing the needed learning facilities in their schools.

“It is quite amazing that Professor Edoga, was able to utilise the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of the Michael

Okpara University of Agriculture and some intervention funds to take the institution to the next level, including building of a 10 blocks of students’ hostels at a whopping sum of N1.5 billion.

“We are talking of a hostel project with capacity to accommodate about 2, 500 students without external financial

support, so, we are presenting MOUAU as a poster child for other tertiary institutions in Nigeria to emulate in financial prudence and resourcefulness.

“MOUAU is indeed, a good example in prudent management of resources and discipline, worthy of emulation by other institutions of higher learning.

gratifications and discriminatory accreditation of party agents and other alleged frauds noticed during the election.

A statement by the party’s Assistant Publicity Secretary, Kalu Onyioha, alleged that “the malpractices described in this statement occurred in varying degrees in the polling units and wards across the entire Aba South Constituency.”

APC said the election was characterised by unprecedented low turn-out in the seven wards of the constituency and blamed it on lack of sufficient public sensitisation by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and political parties and their candidates.

Council threatens to sanction erring nurses, midwives

By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI — The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, NMCN, has said it would not hesitate to impose sanctions on any of its members whose conduct fell short of the prescribed professional standard.

The Council’s Board Chairman, Alhaji Mustapha Jumare, read the riot act, yesterday, while flagging off a three-day workshop in Owerri, organised for examiners in nursing and midwifery education in Nigeria.

He said that apart from developing curricula and training for nurses and midwives, the Council was also charged with the mandate of ensuring that the quality of nurses produced in the country, conformed with international best practices.

Alhaji Jumare explained that “the essence of the national workshop was to improve the skills of examiners to effectively assess candidates during school and professional examinations in order to produce competent and very reliable practitioners.

“The Council is mandated by law to regulate the standards of nursing and midwifery education and practice in Nigeria, and to review such standards from time to time to meet the changing health needs of the society.”

He called on all nurses and midwives to remain committed to their duties, especially at this trying moment in the nation’s medical history.

The NMCN Board Chairman commiserated with the families and friends of the two nurses who died recently of Ebola disease and

urged health care givers not to relent in giving adequate care to patients.

He charged them to observe the universal precautions of hand washing, use of sanitisers and protective wears, while attending to patients.

Declaring the workshop open, Imo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Edward Ihejirika, said the government had taken measures to improve the quality of learning in health institutions in the state.

46 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

Benue govt, UN sign $8.5m devt agreement M

By Peter Duru

AKURDI—BENUE State Government and the United Nations, yesterday, signed an $8.5 million Development Assisted Framework, UNDAF, Annual Work Plan agreement, covering various sectors of the state’s economy.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, in Makurdi, the state capital, Governor Gabriel Suswam said “the signing ceremony marks the commencement of the UNDAF III programmes cycle which commenced at the beginning of the year and will continue from 20142017.”

Represented by his Deputy, Chief Steven Lawani, he said the

collaborative partnership between the state government and the UN, over the years, led to progressive achievements in various sectors of the state’s economy.

He said: “Permit me to reiterate the progressive achievements of the water and environmental sanitation policy, universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support, child survival and improved maternal health to mention a few of the critical area the UN has intervened. Benue state

government has ensured that the one stop shop for aid coordination which is housed in the Planning Commission is effective and all counterpart cash contributions are also statutorily made.”

Earlier, the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Daouda Traoure said the UN would provide $6.5million to fund the counterpart agreement while Benue state would make a counterpart donation of $2million.

He said the signed UNDAF Annual Work Plan would facilitate the activities and interventions of various agencies of the UN to improve the living conditions of the people of the state.

Traoure who stated that the UN would continue to work hard to ensure growth and development across the country, insisted that Nigeria should be supported “because it has the potentialofbecominganengineroom of growth for the rest of Africa.”

Captain Jonathan Edema for burial

C

A P T A I N J O N A T H A N Aboritsedun Edema a.k.a.

Udunfeagbe, of Ologbo Waterside, Edo State is dead. A Christian wake keep will hold at his residence, 3, Idowu Lane, Off Amore Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos today at 6pm. It will be followed by a traditional wake keep at the venue by 8pm.

There will be a lying in-state and prayer at the family compound, Ologbo Waterside, on August 30, by 11am, to be followed by interment at his residence in Ologbo, by 2pm.

He is survived by many relations.

AWARD: Vice President Namadi Sambo (left), presenting the National Productivity award to Comrade Issa Aremu (right), for the constant pormotion of Workers' Welfare, while the Labour Minister, Chief Emeka Wogu watches, during the 14th National Productivity Day celebration and conferment of National Productivity Order of Merit Award in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

LANGTANG NORTH LG POLLS: INEC official denies signing ward result ward, he could not confirm the

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

Late Capt. Jonathan Edema

OS—THE last is yet to be heard of the controversial Langtang North local government election which saw Nanmwa Kumzhi of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, sworn-in as Chairman against the general belief that Dan Dul of the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP won the seat.

The latest was the denial of the signature which endorsed

the result of Jat Ward by the Resident Electoral Officer of Plateau State independent Electoral Commission Langtang North Local Government, Charles Dala who testified for Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, PLASIEC, at the tribunal.

Dala told the tribunal that since he did not play any role in respect to the collation of results in Jat

authenticity of the exhibit 15 which is the result PLASIEC presented for Jat ward, insisting that such was within the purview of the returning officers.

The Electoral Officer who was the last witness to testify for PLASIEC under cross examination by counsel to the petitioner, Mr. Sunday Obende, confirmed that he played no role in supervising the election in Jat ward.

W

A R R I — I JAW S have renewed their agitation for the creation of creation of Toru-Ebe State with capital in Burutu.

Speaking through Mr. Adanse Felix, a Niger Delta Activist and former Labour Party, LP, candidate for Warri North constituency in the Delta State House Assembly in 2011 elections, the people of Ijaw said: “For the sake of political freedom for the Ijaws in this divide, we want to sincerely plead with the relevant authorities to consider the creation of Toru-Ebe state with capital in Burutu. ''The call is necessary because of the importance it attached to the lives of our people who have been perpetually marginalised and oppressed politically, socially and economically.

“The Toru-Ebe Ijaws don’t have political space to push through their political dreams and aspirations in Ondo, Edo and Delta states.

The Ijaws in these states are treated as second class citizens.

This is actually affecting our political fortunes negatively. We can’t contribute to national development with the way it is. It is imperative that this state is considered for creation by authorities concerned.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

Ijaws renew agitation for creation of Toru-Ebe State

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On Ebola crisis

H

OW do Nigerians think the whites will easily approve that a common African man found a cure for a deadly sickness they (America) could not tackle? Let us use the drugs and face the consequencies.

Mr. Vincent UdechukwuBusinessman

T

HANK God Nigerian Doctors are putting relief in our face without the involvement of Americans. They were not here to offer any help since they refused us the drug which they are using to treat their people.

Mr. Joseph UbiagbaConsultant

E

BOLA has become a significant concept for some days now that we seem to forget about some aspects of our Nation that is worse than Ebola. Glory to God, that the one person suspected to have been affected have been declared free. Ms. Okpe Grace- Student

I

AM so happy for the first Nigerian Ebola virus patient that has been discharged from hospital. I believe that Nigerians live more on its fear, than the reality that Ebola is not as deadly as malaria that has claimed more lives all over the world. Mr. Arinze Onyeakusi- Businessman

T

HE federal govern ment should engage professionals to manage the situation. The challenge will be over within weeks, if properly handled at this stage. Quick solution that will not take up a week to implement is to hire professional hospital care givers on Ebola virus. Ms. Maggie John- Graduate

E

BOLA, the same vi rus that has no global recognized vaccine.

Suddenly, my country Nigeria is treating and discharging patients afflicted by this global scourge with no known recommended drug. I am really lost. Mr. Emmanuel Fayire- Worker

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014 —47

AIRLIFT OF PILGRIMS: Lamido promises to meet NAHCO's requirements

By Tina Akannam

D

U T S E — GOVERNOR Sule Lamido of Jigawa State has pledged to meet the requirements of the National Hajj Commission, to enable airlift of pilgrims through the new Dutse International Airport.

The governor gave the assurance yesterday while receiving a team of inspectors from the National Civil Aviation Authority led by the Director Air Drums Airspace in the Ministry of Aviation, Mr. Joyce Nkemakolon.

The governor said the state government had expended over N13 billion in the construction and equipping of the airport, assuring that the finishing aspect of project would be done to meet the Hajj airlifting requirements.

Lamido noted that while other state spent between N47 and N87 billion to construct airports, Jigawa spent less than 60 per cent without compromising the quality and standard of the project.

RTEAN to build 185,000 housing units

By Soni Daniel

A

BUJA — HOPE of ending scarcity of houses in Nigeria appears to have risen with the decision of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, to construct no fewer than 185,000 units of houses across Nigeria within a year.

RTEAN, a major player in the transports sub-sector in Nigeria, said it had worked out the funding for the project, which is expected to be undertaken through direct labour within 365 days from the date of take off.

The landmark project, which is estimated at $1.5 billion, is to be executed in collaboration with two foreign firms, Havit Incorporated of the United States of America and JS Neoplans, working with Artemis Angels Global Limited.

Nigeria loses N125bn annually to fish import — AFAN

By Boluwaji Obahopo

L

OKOJA — ALL Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, yesterday, lamented that Nigeria lost an average of N125 billion annually to fish importation.

Vice Chairman of AFAN in charge of fisheries, Mr. Akinwale Aminu, who spoke in Lokoja, said this kind of “fish importation jamboree” must stop if Nigeria was truly serious on transforming its agricultural sector.

He said if only half of the N125 billion was used to fund

the Nigeria fish farmers, the fish farming would have recorded better deal.

According to him, “there is need for government at all level to synergised with their farmers to make the agricultural sector vibrant, especially in the fishery department.

"If government could fund the fish farmers with the N125 billion or half of it, the fish farmers would have been able to produce better than that.”

Aminu, who said Nigeria had the capacity to produce enough

of fish for local consumption as well as for export, noted that it required government's will to meet up its responsibility.

He also said aside the benefit to the farmers, the fish business could generate employment opportunity, reduce insurgency as well as save foreign exchange.

He, however, noted that AFAN was ready to work with government at all level to realise the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.

AWARD: From left: Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA),Mr. Desmond Yammah; FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, and Chief S. Awomolo (SAN), presenting an award of Innovational Leadership and Respect for the Rule of Law to the minister, in Abuja

Oshiomhole, a democrat, patriotic Nigerian, says aide

B

ENIN-CITY — Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has been described as a democrat and a patriotic Nigerian who is courageous and unwavering even in trying times and in the face of threatening democracy, a Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Mr. John Mayaki, has said.

The media aide who was responding to a statement credited to a former Chief of Staff to former Governor Oserheimen Osunbor, Mr. Isaiah Osifo said, Oshiomhole is a democrat who has shown courage in times of extreme danger, threat to democratic institutions and impunity in high places.

Osifo had in an article published in a Nigeria newspaper (not Vanguard) entitled: Edo, Oshiomhole and contradictory democracy, painted the Edo State Governor in bad light.

Mayaki said Isaiah Osifo was not fair to have described Governor Adams Oshiomhole in that light.

According to him, “Oshiomhole is an advocate of participatory democracy and one who always

ensures that the people are adequately represented in decision making. Oshiomhole knows quite well that only good governance can restore the hope and confidence of the people in the leadership.

"He came into governance prepared to redefine the politics and governance of the state to one of core values and popular participation and the people can testify to this core values."

"The essence of democracy is

where every man and woman has the opportunity to grow.

Oshiomhole’s life experience is one that has taught him that dictators and godfathers can only thrive when men of conscience refuse to stand on their feet to challenge what is wrong. When Nigerians decided to struggle for democracy, it was not to exchange one set of evil for another, but to create a political environment where people make decisions on the basis of majority."

Estate owners in Lagos, Ogun reiterate belief in rule of law

M

EMBERS of Association of Land and Estate Owners, ALEO, in Lagos and Ogun States, have reiterated their belief in present democratic dispensation and support for the rule of law.

President of ALEO, Chief Mutairu Owoeye, who addressed newsmen in Lagos, urged his members not to do anything outside the law.

Owoeye, who is also the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Mutairu Owoeye & Company Ltd, an estate agency, said the clarification became necessary following a recent publication linking him and some members of the association to certain acts in 14 communities within Lagos-Ogun boundary in the outskirts of Ikorodu.

Owoeye said: “Ordinarily, I don’t join issues with people on the pages of newspapers, but I am now forced to put the records straight. A group of hoodlums invaded Oke-Agbo community early this year and sacked the entire community.

"As law-abiding citizens, we wrote to the Inspect-General of Police to intervene, consequent upon which the police boss sent a crack team of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, from Abuja, which stormed the area and arrested six of the hoodlums with guns and other offensive weapons.

Owoeye said since then, peace returned to Oke-Agbo and the adjourning villages, following which the residents wrote a letter of appreciation to the police boss in April and the content of the letter was widely reported by the media.

The Baale of Oke-Agbo community, Chief Jimoh Ashafa, speaking on behalf of Adeboyejo Olutusen descendants, denied any form of break-down of law and order in Oke-Agbo and its environ.

Newly constructed Protea Hotel Ikeja opens for business

T

HE new 117-room Protea Hotel Select Ikeja, Lagos has been opened for operations in the up-market Lagos suburb of Ikeja.

The internationally competitive hotel is just a stone’s throw from Ikeja City Mall and Lagos State Secretariat, and 5.2km from Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Speaking, President and Managing Director of the Middle East and Africa of Marriott International Inc., Alex Kyriakidis said: “Marriott International’s fast growing footprint across the

Middle East and Africa is a response to the potential we continue to observe in the region.

"At present we are seeing strong GDP growth across SubSaharan Africa which translates into opportunity for our industry.

Nigeria is one of our key markets and presents tremendous opportunity for us with the existing hotels we have in Lagos, as well as the strong pipeline of hotels that are coming up by 2018.”

According to the hotel’s

Director of Sales, Marketing and Revenue, Danny Bryer, Nigeria’s rapidly growing economy prompted the need for more hotels, noting: “Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy with numerous industries supporting ongoing economic expansion.

"We consider Nigeria to be one of our most important development markets and we’d like to at least double the number of Protea Hotels here in the next five years. We have absolutely no doubt that the hotel will be running at close to capacity within a couple of months.”

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

DONATION: From left; CEO, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher; Etisalat customer, Tochukwu Ironkwe and Country Manager, Malaria No More, Dayo Oluwole, at the Etisalat donation of Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), to mark the World Mosquito Day, at Adeola Odeku St, Victoria Island, Lagos.

CONFERENCE: Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State (right) with the GMD/CEO of First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Mr. Ladi Balogun, at the 8th Annual Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Finance Conference and Entrepreneurship Awards held in Abuja.

TRAINING: From left; Hassan Olasunkanmi, Training Instructor, LAGBUS; Babatunde Shoderu, Head, Bus Captain, Training, LAGBUS; Sumbo Anifowose, Human Resources Officer, LAGBUS; Mustapha Akeem, Training Instructor, LAGBUS and Joseph Rose, Trainee driver, LAGBUS Training School at the female drivers' recruitment and training exercise held in Lagos.

OPENING: From left; Fraser Neil Johnston, General Manager, new Protea Hotel Select, Ikeja welcoming the first guests, Mr and Mrs Femi Durosinmi during the opening of the hotel in Lagos.

BIRTHDAY: Retired senior executive, Nigerian Customs Service, Mr. Oluwole Senbote with retired chief matron, Ikeja LG health dept, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Ajayi, nee Mamora at her 80th birthday celebration in Lagos.

(LEFT) DONATION: From left; Mrs Paul Iraoya, Trade Marketing Mgr, Olam Sanyo Food Ltd; Mrs Arit Tunde-Imoyo, Council member of Nigeria Society for the Blind, NSB; Mrs Biola Agbaje, Chairman, NSB; Lanre Adebayo, member, NSB; Mrs Bola Adeniji, Marketing Mgr, Olam Food and Asiwaju Fola Osibo, Vice Chairman, NSB, during the presentation of gifts by Olam Sanyo Food Ltd to the Nigeria Society for the Blind in Photo

by VISIT: Alhaji Aliko Dangote (left) with president, Institute of Chartered Lagos .

Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, Mr Chidi Ajaegbu, during Ajaegbu's courtesy visit.

SUMMER CAMP: Dr. Maria Onyia, Director/COO, Orglearning OBSEQUIES: From left; Princess Muji Adeloye; Princess Bimpe Odunsi; Princess Consult (2nd left) acknowledging participants/students to mark the Adenrele Ogunsanya and Princess Moyo Kuyinu, during the Ishese Ologun yo ceremony, end of the first ever Juilliard Summer program in Lagos, recently. one of the burial activities of Late Oba Salaudeen of Ikorodu. Photo by Shola Oyelese.

V anguard anguard,, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014 — 49

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50 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014 —53

PENSION FUNDS: FG's retirees raise alert over

fresh looting …Beg Jonathan to reinstate Maina’s task team

By Chris Ochayi

A

BUJA — THE Association of Federal Public Service Retirees, AFPSR, yesterday, cried out to President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene and save them from impending agonies, saying the looting in the pension offices was resurfacing.

The retirees alleged that some unscrupulous elements, not pensioners, were taking advantage of the disbandment of Pension Reform Task Fund, PRTT, to plunge the sector into uncertainty in order

to bring back the pension offices to the gloomy days of corrupt practices with no restraint.

Chairman of AFPSR, Chief Emmanuel Omoyeni, who addressed newsmen in Abuja, specifically accused the National Union of Pensioners, NUP, of interfering with the affairs of the retirees, even when their officials were not federal pensioners.

He said: “It is important for Nigerians to know that Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, has no business in interfering with the demand of the Federal Public

Service Retirees, for the reinstatement of the Pension Reform Task Team, PRTT. “This is because the NUP officials are not federal pensioners and are part of the stealing machinery in the pension sector. The NUP is alleged to have stolen over N2.7 billion of the pension funds.

“It is important to note that the NUP leadership under Alhaji Ali Abacha, a retiree of the local government, and the Secretary General, Zack Actol, not a pensioner were arrested, investigated, prosecuted and

imprisoned in Kuje prison by Dr. Maina led Task Force for alleged stealing of over N2.7 billion pension funds belonging to federal retirees.

“The NUP has collected billions of naira as check-off dues, these are monies being removed from the pensions of federal retirees without our consent.

“These funds run into billions and are usually shared between officials of the HoS pension office and the NUP at the detriment of the ailing, voiceless and weak pensioners.”

Calling on President Jonathan to reinstate Dr. Abdulrasheed Maina’s Pension Reform Task Team to forestal further plundering of the pension sector, the retirees noted that the truth had finally been known.

The retirees added that Nigerians had now seen how the Senate was misled to descend on the PRTT for no reason whatsoever.

The association, which also earnestly requested Mr. President to verify claims of PRTT, with a view to honestly know the truth of what it was saying about the task team, regretted that the credible pensioners database built by the PRTT was not currently in use as result of the agency's disbanding.

“The pensioners’ authentic biometric

database of which the federal government has so far expended a lot of resources with the combined selfless effort, patriotism and vigilance of the anti-graft and security agencies, is not in use because it is in the custody of the task team and it is the only credible pensioners’ database we have in this country.

“The Smart Cards produced by the PRTT with the intention of stopping the incessant verifications that caused the death of many pensioners; and equally will serve as proof against further stealing of pension funds through bogus verification claims.

“There are over 142,000 pensioners’ files painstakingly produced and converted into electronic filing system by the Team. These are very important assets without which the pension system could not be documented for efficient management.

“A successful pension transition would never be achieved without PRTT conclusion of the restructuring of the pension offices because the dependable ways and means of managing the affairs of old pension system is at the disposal of the Task Team,” he said.

Perm Sec blames delay on East-West road on inadequate funding

By Chris Ochayi

ABUJA — THE outgoing Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Bashar, yesterday, blamed the set-back on completion of the East-West road on inadequate funding by the Federal Government.

Alhaji Bashar, who made the remarks while handing over to the incoming Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Fatimah Bamidele, at the ministry in Abuja, regretted that inadequate funding was a major constraint in the completion of dual carriage-way.

Bashar, who described the East-West road as the

ministry ’s flag-ship project, said he had a good working relationship with the management and staff of the ministry.

“Though the Niger Delta is a restive zone, the ship was well steered, everyone is being carried along by the Minister, we are a family,” he said.

He disclosed that he had a very cordial relationship with the union and hoped that the incoming Permanent Secretary would continue on that note to enhance greater output.

In her response, Mrs. Fatimah Bamidele declared her intention to build on the excellent relationship the former Permanent Secretary had with the management and staff of the ministry.

54—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

Akwa Ibom committed to community devt — COMMISSIONER

By Tom Moses

U

YO—THE Akwa-Ibom State Government has reiterated its commitment to the development of every community in the state.

State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umana, gave the assurance, yesterday, when the management and staff of the Akwa-Ibom State Agency for Community and Social Development, paid him a courtesy visit. He added that steps had been taken to provide all the communities in the state with basic infrastructure with a view to making live more meaningful for the people.

Umana said the government was concerned about community development, which he noted, was a key component of the transformation programme of the Governor Godswill Akpabio administration.

He informed the people that in the last seven years, the government, through the InterMinisterial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee had

executed more than 6,000 people oriented projects, including the provision of electricity, health centres, classroom blocks and potable

water across the 31 local government areas of the state.

Speaking earlier, General Manager of the Akwa Ibom State Agency for Community and Social Development, Mr Ishmael Akpan, said that the

essence of the visit was to raise public awareness through the Ministry of Information on the giant strides so far recorded by the Akpabio administration in community development.

PVC: Immediate past Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Ochei (2nd right) receiving his permanent voters card from the Independent National Electoral Commission while monitoring the collection and revalidation centres in Aniocha North constituency.

Ochei, Isoko nation, Urhobo bishops condole with UPU, Aziza family

By Akpokona Omafuaire

F

ORMER Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Engr Victor Ochei, has condoled with the Urhobo nation over the death of Major General Patrick Aziza (rtd), President of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, the apex sociocultural group of the Urhobo nation.

Also, the Isoko nation, has expressed shock at the sudden death of Aziza.

In a related development, members of the Urhobo Christian Council of Ministers International, UCCMI, have condoled with the Urhobo nation and Aziza’s family, just as they pray for unity amongst Urhobo people.

In a condolence letter to the National Secretary of UPU, Ochie said “The late president’s transition becomes more hurting at a time like this, when his patriotic candour, honesty and dedication would have been brought to bear on cementing the existing mutual inter-ethnic relationship within Delta State and Nigeria, as a mechanism for enhancing our nascent democracy.”

Ochei prayed the Almighty God to avail the Urhobo nation and the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Meanwhile, Dr. Okah Avae, 2nd Vice President General, Isoko Development Union, umbrella body of the Isoko nation, during

a condolence visit to the Aziza’s family and UPU at late Aziza country home, Adagbrassa, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, said “We are shocked by the sad news, our President General, General Ufuoma Omu and the 1st Vice President General are away, so they dispatched us to condole with the UPU. It was very painful

news but we pray that such does not occur again.

“His death caused great shock in Isoko because for the first time in many years, we tried to foster close ties, Aziza made it possible when he became the President General.

He made it possible for us to relate closely, we thought that the process we started will mature and yield fruits.''

On its part,, UCCMI led by Bishop Solomon Gbakara, at the visit to Aziza’s home, said that Aziza was a hero and lives on even though he may be dead.

Gbakara, said “We came to commensurate with the Azizas and UPU. If we we had the powers, we would recall him back but God knows all. Aziza was a hero and he lives on. We know that death is inevitable.''

2015: I’ll not embark on smear campaign, says Omo-Agege

By Festus Ahon

U

GHELLI—AS the Delta State governorship

campaign intensifies, a frontline aspirant, Obaisi Ovie OmoAgege, has said that he will not embark on a smear campaign.

Firm sues oil company for awarding contact to foreigners

By Onozure Dania

A

firm, Hydrodive Nigeria Limited, has dragged an oil firm before a Federal High Court in Lagos over the award of oil well contract to foreigners in contravention of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act. The contract, which is the OML 126 Okwori Well swaps projects, named Ok-32, OK-33 and OK34, was said to have been awarded to Ranger Offshore Incorporated, a diving company registered under the laws of United States of America.

But the defendants, in their

objections, are insisting that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi to file the suit and that there was no cause of action to sustain same.

Justice Abang had earlier warned the defendants not to go ahead with the contract until the matter was determined as a mark of respect for the decision of the court.

The plaintiff (Hydrodive) is said to be a Nigerian firm, involved in broad range of marine vessels, air mixed gas and saturation diving services promarily to the offshore and inshore petroleum industry of the West African region.

According to counsel to the

Omo-Agege who spoke during a consultative visit to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP executive and leaders in Aniocha South, Oshilimi South and Oshimili North Local Government Areas of the state, said all those vying for the governorship were qualified.

He insisted however, that he was better positioned to add value to governance in the state.

Pleading with Deltans to give him a chance to govern, he promised to address the problem of perennial flood in Asaba and erosion in Akwukwu-Igbo, adding “All parts of the state will be carried along.”

Promising to provide adequate funding for the atate Polytechnic in Ogwash-Uku and also address the problem of water in the Ogwash-Uku metropolis, said “My aspiration is born out of passion for service; to my people of Delta State.”

Delta 2015: It’s Isoko South’s turn to produce Rep

A

cross section of the Isoko South people, yesterday, said there was no moral justification for their kinsmen from Isoko North to contest for the House of Representatives seat come 2015.

The community spokesman, Mr ThankGod Ogedengbe, said ‘’An Isoko North’s son occupied the seat in the past three terms, breaching the term of the agreement earlier reached that the seat should be rotated between Isoko North and South. ‘’Also, over 80 percent of federal appointments and contracts have been hijacked while the Isoko South people have competent sons and daughters, who can perform better if given the opportunity to do so.”

N'Delta youth leader lauds lawmaker over empowerment programmes

A

Niger Delta youth leader, Mr Akpos Epidei has commended a member of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr .Kennedy Daubry, representing Burutu two constituency, for embarking on infrastructural, human capital and various forms of empowerment programmes to his constituents since assuming office in 2011 as a state legislator.

Epidei in Warri, Delta State, said that Daubry had sincerely touched the lives of his constituents positively as youths, women and men have benefited from his programme without discrimination.

He noted that the lawmaker has not shortchanged his constituency as he has religiously embarked on various constituency projects in the education sector and other areas with several completed, as well as scholarship to students and distribution of different brand of cars all in a bid to add value to their lives.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014—55

The Ameyo Adadevoh I knew

By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu

O

We will not play politics with health — FG

By Caleb Ayansina

M

INISTER of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu has reaffirmed that the Federal Government would not play politics with health issues, assuring that the ebola disease would in due course be a thing of the past in the country.

Chukwu stated this during a one day National Youth and Student Leaders Sensitisation Lecture on Ebola Prevention and Management organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Youth and Student Matters, in Abuja.

The minister maintained that the outbreak of the EVD had given the country opportunity to effect some positive changes in the country, and to prove to the world that Nigeria was not a failed state. “Ebola gave us the opportunities to re-build our public health properly, to police our borders, for our health workers to protect themselves properly and its test has also revealed more HIV patients as

Ebola vaccine debuts this year in the US

By Victoria Ojeme

T

HE United States Department of Defence is working with a company called Newlink to develop an Ebola vaccine.

Information Office of the Public Affairs Section of the U S Embassy disclosed this in Abuja, yesterday, in response to Vanguard enquiries. The vaccine would be ready for testing later this year.

According to the U S Embassy, “ the Department of Defence is working with a company called Newlink to develop an Ebola vaccine.

BioCryst, with National Institute of Health, NIH, support, is working to develop an antiviral drug to treat Ebola virus that is expected to begin Phase 1 testing later this year”.

The Embassy said that several institutions are involved in the search for a vaccine, but said no vaccine has been approved by the U S Food and Drug Administration, FDA. “There are currently no FDA approved vaccines for Ebola. The NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is working on developing an Ebola vaccine.

NIH recently announced they are expediting their work, and aiming to launch phase one clinical trials of an Ebola vaccine in the fall. NIH is also supporting the Crucell biopharmaceutical company in its development of a vaccine.

they come out openly to say they have HIV and not Ebola. Even though we have lost some patriots, their death will not be in vain,” he promised.

Chukwu further noted that EVD was neither a logo nor card carrying member of any political party, therefore, government would not play politics with it. He urged Nigerians irrespective of their political affiliations, to cooperate with the government to get rid of Ebola disease in the country.

“You cannot play politics with health, and I will not. Does Ebola carry PDP card, or APC

card or APGA card? No! Then, all of us must unite to fight it.”

He called for more volunteers to come out and assist the government in containing the spread of the virus, adding that the shaking of hands should be suspended for now.

While appreciating all their partners such as the World Health Organisation, WHO, that have worked with them in containing the spread of the virus, the minister promised that the private hospitals would be supported, so as not to stop attending to malaria patients.

Ogun postpones schools' resumption indefinitely

By Daud Olatunji

F

OLLOWING the current global health challenge occasioned by the ebola virus disease, EVD, Ogun State government, yesterday, postponed the resumption date for all public and private primary and secondary schools till further notice.

The government through a statement by the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said the resumption earlier scheduled for September 15, 2014 has been postponed. It lamented the unfortunate death of a woman who was said to have vomited and collapsed in premises of the State Ministry of Health and was rejected in four

different private hospitals because of the text messages circulated by some unidentified people suspected to be in the healthcare sector that tagged her ebola patient.

The statement quoted the State Commissioner for Education, Segun Odubela, as saying that the measure became necessary in line with the Federal Ministry of Education’s directive that schools in the country should put resumption for 2014/2015 on hold in order to curb the spread of the deadly disease.

Odubela enjoined parents and guardians to take proper care of their children and wards by monitoring their movement and engaging them in academic activities.

Society seeks amendment of health bill

By Dotun Ibiwoye

I

N a renewed effort to curtail the outbreak of Ebola virus in the country, the Society of Occupational and Environmental Health Physicians of Nigeria, SOEHPON, has urged the Federal and state governments to include all clauses into the yet to be passed Occupational Health and Safety Bill 2013.

SOEHPHON also called for the necessary institutions to enforce laws to be put in place to provide adequate and relevant legislations and standards to drive all work activities in Nigeria.

National chairman, SOEHPON, Dr. Dominic Ukpong, said health care workers were among those that faced higher risks and were more vulnerable to the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD. He said, “A quick way to address the ebola outbreak issues is to quickly include all the needed clauses into the yet

to be passed Occupational Health and Safety Bill 2013.

The inadequacies of that bill, if carefully amended can change the way workers are protected in this country. We appeal that this be given and urgent serious consideration by all concerned.

“Ebola virus disease is not the only threat to health care workers. Others like Lassa fever, Avion flu, SARS, HIV, Hepatitis B&C, and Pulmonary TB are some of the common examples.

Healthcare workers are daily exposed to these and many other hazards in the course of normal duties.''

He added “On Ebola virus disease and other infectious diseases that can be acquired from a hospital workplace, we recommend also the immediate and appropriate training of all health care workers on the basics of infection control and that this aspect be given its pride of place in the activities of all healthcare institutions.

pedigree to be able to take the measures needed to firewall Mr. Sawyer and limit the contamination that he would have inflicted. For that, she paid with her life.

Ameyo became a doctor at 25.

She had been my personal and family doctor for over 15 years.

Her roots were both deep and grand. She is one of the few Nigerians the face of whose recent ancestor adorns one of our currency denominations. Her great-grand father, Herbert Macaulay, is one of the most celebrated founders of modern Nigeria. Her father was himself a distinguished physician, academic and university administrator of considerable distinction.

Not that any of this mattered much to her. When Ameyo qualified as a doctor in 1981, I was still a kid in High School.

Yet, I could get away with calling her “Ameyo”. To many of the children, she was “Auntie Ameyo.” She simply wanted to

N July 19, I spoke to Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, the senior Consultant Endocrinologist and Physician, who has just died of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, to schedule a previously agreed medical review. It was a Saturday. We agreed that I would come in the following Monday, July 21. On July 20, Patrick Sawyer, the index case now thought to have brought EVD into Nigeria, was admitted into the hospital where Ameyo worked. On July 21, I attended the appointment as agreed. She had completed the rounds where she reviewed the cases, including Mr. Sawyer. She saw me shortly after mid-day.

As always, it was professional and detailed. Unknown to me, Sawyer was already in the hospital. Unknown to her, he was already terminally symptomatic with EVD. We managed on that day to do my review and, curiously in hind-sight, fit in a conversation about life, death and dying. As she would herself later narrate with her chief m e d i c a l director, Dr Benjy Ohiaeri, Mr. Sawyer, on admission “ d e n i e d having been in contact with any person with EVD at home, in any hospital or at Late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh. any burial.” So, on July 21, Mr. Sawyer was get things done, and done right. being managed for malaria. He That was important to her: doing had tested positive for malaria things right. In her field, Ameyo parasites. took no prisoners and tolerated It would take another day no half measures. If you came to before the full possibility would her with issues outside her field, hit home. By then, she’d probably she knew the experts to already had fatal exposure to the recommend. If you showed up virus. But, once she struck upon hoping to get worshipped, you the possibility that Mr. Sawyer were in the wrong shrine. was EVD-positive, Ameyo There was something about her “immediately isolated/ directness, professionalism, quarantined the patient, commitment to knowledge and commenced barrier nursing and curiosity, and irreverence that simultaneously contacted the made Ameyo deserving of Lagos State Ministry of Health respect well beyond the calling and the Federal Ministry of of the cloth. She loved her Health to enquire where further calling and was totally dedicated laboratory tests could be to it. When my kid brother died performed as we had a high in June 2006, my dad suffered index of suspicion of possible terribly. She took charge of his Ebola Virus Disease. management and inspired him to re-discover joie de vivre. While she battled for her life this past High index of week and more, my mum and suspicion dad in Imo State joined in the We refused for him to be let out legion of Nigerians who prayed of the hospital in spite of intense and wished for a different pressure.” Her suspicions ending. Like many people who had passed through her, dad’s proved correct. That is Ameyo!

If the occasion demanded it, testimony is quite simple: “that she could be martial with care woman saved my life!”Nigeria is and sweeping in her command. lucky that Mr. Sawyer ended up She had earned her right to in the care of Dr. Ameyo Stella calibrated authority. The Adadevoh and the team she led. consequences could have been A less able lead or a less unfathomable if Mr. Sawyer had dedicated team could have let ended up in a General Hospital, itself and the country down.

Unlike many of her peers, for instance. It required someone with her capabilities and Continues on page 57

56 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

Vanguard CLASSIFIED OMO-IZIREIN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss O m o t a y o Aigbonikanmen Dorcas Omo-Izirein, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omotayo Aigbonikanmen Dorcas OluBamisaye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OLUGBOJI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluremi Olugboji, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluremi Grace Adesokan. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NKENCHOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkenchor Ngozi Nkem, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Jibunor Ngozi Nkem Blessing. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ALAO —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Alao Nihinlola Oladoyin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Salaudeen Nihinlola Oladoyin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OYEM—I, formerly known and addressed as Oyem Ikechukwu Bruce, now wish to be known as Luis-Bruce I k e c h u k w u Christopher.

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EDEWI—I, former known and addressed as Miss Edowaye Edewi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eyawo Edowaye. All former documents remain valid.

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UKAA —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ukaa Emmanuela Chinonso F Akurubi Itu In Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Imo State, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Udushirinwa Emmanuela Chinonso Of Egbelu Agbala In Owerri North Local Government Imo State.

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JOHN —I, formerly known and addressed as John Obinna Inejulagho, now wish to be known and addressed as Bowei Oyinkro Inejulagho.

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OKOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Iyabo Ruth Okoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Iyabo Ruth Ishola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Correction of name This is to state that my surname was wrongly spelt as Mr. Kalaroo Mark instead of Mr. Kalaoru Beigha Mark.My correct name is Mr. Kalaoru Beigha Mark. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWABUE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwabue Felicia Ukamaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uchejigbo Felicia Ukamaka. All former documents remain valid. Anambra State Local Government Service Commission Awka and general public please take note.

ODEMELAM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinomso Oluchi Odemelam, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chinomso Oluchi Okeke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OLUKU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluku Blessing Ochuko, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ekhator Blessing Ochuko. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MOSES—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Anita Oluwakemi Moses, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anita O l u w a k e m i Oluwayemi.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGUNYEMI—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Ogunyemi Samuel Ayobami, now wish to and be known addressed as Mr. Oluwayemi Samuel Ayobami in ever y documentation and identification. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWADIKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwadike Lucia Chidalu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okezie Lucia Chidalu.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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I D O please N E S take IT— I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Idonesit Ngozi Chisogwalu, now wish to be known as Miss Aniude Ngozi Chisogwalu.

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CHIKEZIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Maureen Chidimma Chikezie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Maureen Chidimma Nnaji-Ikechukwu. All former documents remains valid.

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OKOKON-NDEM — I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogechi OkokonNdem, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogechi Okokon-Ndem Nmai.

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EYEKPIMI—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Kenneth Ayodele Eyekpimi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Kenneth Ayodele Edema. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGWO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akudo Esther Ogwo, now wish to be known as Mrs. Akudo Esther Mbachu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O N U O H A — I , formerly known and addressed as Ikechukwu Ezenwa Onuoha, now wish to be known as Ikechukwu Ezenwa Emmanuel. All former documents remain valid.

Nigerian Immigration Service, German Embassy and general public please take note.

A N YA N W U — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Anyanwu Pauline Ulumma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okonkwo Pauline Ulumma. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri and general public please take note.

JOEL—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Joel Chinonso Flora, now wish to be known as Mrs. Mgbolu Chinonso Flora. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

YUSUF —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Yusuf Victoria, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Victoria Terry. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public please take note.

INENERIAHBOR –I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Osogwevboke Ineneriahbor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Obi Omonigho Osogwevboke. All former documents remain valid. Delta State Judiciary, Asaba and general public please take note.

Reconciliation of name The names Miss Oritsetsaye Joy Yusuf, Yusuf Oritseshayegbemi Fausat, Yusuf Oritseshaye Joy, Yusuf O. Fausatu, Faosatu Olatunde Oloruntosin Yusuf and Yusuf Oritsetsayegbemi Joy Oloruntosin Fausat refer to one and the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Yusuf Oritsetsayegbemi Joy Oloruntosin Fausat. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

A G A M E G WA — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Ruth Nwadinma Agamegwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ruth Nwadinma Ezerendu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AY O B A H A N — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Ruth Success Ayobahan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Success K.O. Omodamwen (Nee Ayobahan). All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AZIH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Azih Gladys Ada, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onuh Gladys Ada. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I L O P U TA I F E — I , formerly known and addressed as Iloputaife Richard Chinedu, now wish to be known and addressed as Nwajiofor Chinedu Richard. All former documents remain valid. Ecuadorian Government and general public please take note.

I L O P U TA I F E — I , formerly known and addressed as Iloputaife Dennis Thaddeus Onyedika, now wish to be known and addressed as Nwajiofor Dennis Thaddeus Onyedika.

All former documents remain valid. LASU and general public please take note.

ADJOGBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aforkeoghene Precious Adjogbe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aforkeoghene P r e c i o u s Oghenegweke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ANYAOHA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adaora Favour Anyaoha, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adaora Favour Chukwuneke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Agor Leona Ogochukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Solomon Leona Ogochukwu.

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BALOGUN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Balogun Adebusola Abibat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinleye Adebusola Abibat. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UKAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinazo Sandra Ukah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chinazo Sandra Ogbu-Ezeh. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014—57

Vanguard

The Ameyo Adadevoh I knew

CLASSIFIED Confirmation of name This is to confirm that the names Louis Efe Onome Moghiren and Eliyahu David Onome Cohen refer to one and same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Eliyahu David Onome Cohen. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Embassy inWashington, banks and general public please take note.

O C H E N I — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Ugbede Ocheni, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Ugbede Wada. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

IROKANULO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Irokanulo Christiana Obiageri, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Edward Christiana Obiageri. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

AGULONU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Agulonu Ifeoma Christiana, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Atuegbunam Ifeoma Christiana. All former documents remain valid. First City Monument Bank PLC and general public please take note.

Addition of name I, formerly known and addressed as Dr. Ogiemwonyi Bright, now wish to be known and addressed as Dr. O g i e m w o n y i B r i g h t e n c e Omorogbenede. All former documents remain valid.

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Reconciliation of names I, wish to state that Ebhoramen Ernest and Ebhoramen Ernest Ehiaguwina is one and the same name. That the reason for the reconciliation of name is due to the fact that some of my documents bear the name Ebhoramen Ernest, while other documents also bear Ebhoramen Ernest Ehiaguwina. All relevant authorities, bodies and the general public please note.

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ACHUKWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Achukwu Ada Precious, now wish to be known and addressed as Anebi Ada Precious. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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SECHAP—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Sechap David Hosea Kasari, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. David Hosea Kasari.

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Continues on page 57 Ameyo didn’t play god.

Nor did she celebrate not having read any medical journal after Medical School. On the contrary, she knew her specialty and invested heavily in being up to date with the latest journals and skills in it. She was always honest about where the limits of her skills lay and would happily refer cases to colleagues with the requisite specialty whether in or outside Nigeria. She had one heck of a professional Rolodex!

All of us who had the privilege of ever having been managed or attended to by her would testify that this was a professional of exceptional thoughtfulness, ability, diligence, and application. The many colleagues whom she mentored or supported would too. We’ve all lost an outstanding person, support, redoubt, and professional. Ameyo had one of the sharpest minds you’d ever meet. She was at home discussing experimental physics, molecular biology, public health, lip-stick, the science

behind bra-sizes, or different genres of music.

She loved life. She was the mother of a son whom she loved more than life itself and lived with a mother to whom she was devoted. The void she leaves behind cannot be filled. They deserve our thoughts, care and prayers.

Because of the circumstances of her passing, there may be no grave to memorialise Ameyo. This is why we must give careful thought to how to do so. We must hold up and celebrate her example of selfless professionalism to the point of death. And, as a people, we must be grateful that someone like her is still in supply in our country. Ameyo always had the Hippocratic Oath hung in front of her on the left wall in her consulting room, just beside her certificate. I once asked her why? She said if you don’t believe (in) it you shouldn’t be here. She died true to her oath and calling. Our country owes her a debt we can never repay. She was truly and exceptionally special.

Enabulele asks FG to immortalise Adadevoh, others felled by Ebola

By Chioma Obinna

I

MMEDIATE past President of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele has urged the Federal Government to immortalise the late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh and all health workers and volunteers felled in the course of caring for Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, patients.

In a reaction to circumstances surrounding the death of the late senior consultant and endocrinologist of the First Consultants Medical Centre, Lagos, Enabulele, who is the vice president, WAR, Commonwealth Medical Association, described the incident as another reminder of the grave hazards health workers, particularly medical doctors face in the course of delivering care to patients.

His words, “It was with extreme sadness that I received the news of the demise of a very passionate, humane, industrious and God-fearing medical practitioner, consultant physician, and a very dear colleague, Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, who passed unto eternal glory following her affliction with the Ebola virus disease in the course of passionately caring for the late Liberian, Mr Patrick

Sawyer reputed to have imported ebola virus into Nigeria.

“Her death at this time of national public health emergency is a major loss to the medical community and Nigeria’s healthcare system. It clearly reemphasises the need for government to be more committed to institute schemes to guarantee the safety of health workers, particularly the institution of a robust life insurance policy.''

Enabulele observed that the development brings to light the need for governments at all levels to take the welfare of health workers seriously and drastically review upwards the miserable hazard allowance of N5,000 per month paid to medical doctors and other health workers in Nigeria.

He said, “I deeply condole her family, relatives, the management and staff of First Consultants Hospital, members of the medical community and indeed all Nigerians for this devastating loss. I pray God to strengthen us all in this extremely challenging times. May God grant the gentle soul of our dear sister, colleague and patriot, Dr (Mrs) Stella Adadevoh and all other victims of the Ebola Virus Disease peaceful rest in his bossom.”

58 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

James Foley killers wanted $132m ransom *British Muslim leader condemns video *Hunt on for executioner

J

IHADISTS holding US journalist James Foley wanted a $132m (£80m) ransom for his release, his employer has said.

GlobalPost CEO Philip Balboni said the Islamic State (IS) militants first demanded money last year.

Mr Foley was abducted in November 2012, and a video of his beheading was released by IS earlier this week.

In it, they threatened to kill another American if the US did not stop its air strikes against the group in northern Iraq.

US air strikes have continued near Mosul despite the warning.

The US has begun a formal criminal investigation into the Mr Foley’s death, with Attorney General Eric Holder saying that the US has a “long memory and our reach is very wide”.

In the UK, police and security services are trying to identify the jihadist who appeared in footage of Mr Foley’s killing.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the man - who had an English accent - is from London or south-east England.

Meanwhile, a British

Muslim leader yesterday called for action to tackle a jihadi sub-culture after an Islamic State video showed a suspected Briton beheading U.S. journalist James Foley held hostage in Syria.

Also, an international manhunt is under way for the fighter shown in a video of the beheading of journalist James Foley — and its focus is on Britain.

The Islamic State militant on the video has his face covered, except for his eyes. But he has what sounds like a distinctly British accent.

Israel kills three top Hamas commanders

I

SRAELI aircraft have killed three top Hamas commanders in southern Gaza, inflicting a heavy blow on the movement’s armed wing after failing to kill its top military chief. yesterday’s attack, on a day when a total of 26 people were reported killed in Gaza, came a day after the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israel’s offensive may be an extended operation.

The Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing,

said Mohamed Abo Shamaleh, Raed al-Attar and Mohamed Barhoum had been killed in an Israeli attack in Rafah, the Reuters news agency reported.

The raid came a day after Israel attempted to kill the brigades’ leader Mohammed Deif. Dief’s wife and baby son died in the attack.

“The assassination... is a big Israeli crime, which will not succeed in breaking our will or weakening

our resistance,” said spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri, adding: “Israel will pay the price.”

Nigerian scholarship students now begging for food in Russia

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

T

HREE hundred and twenty-fwo Nigerian students sent to Russia on scholarship from the Federal Government of Nigeria now begging for food on the streets of Russia.

The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Mrs Abike Dabiri, who disclosed this yesterday in a statement, said the students have not received their monthly stipends for the past eight months. She said: “The House Committee of Diaspora Affairs continues to receive numerous cries for help for our students in Russia through several channels; both at home and abroad.

Many of these students and their parents rejoiced upon receipt of the Bilateral Education Agreement Scholarship Awards by that Federal Scholarship Board through the Federal Ministry of Education and rightly so as a scholarship should normally be a thing of joy. However, right now many of the parents and students alike are wishing they were never awarded the BEA scholarship as it appears to have brought them more hardship than joy.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014 — 59

4-goal haul delights Oshoala I

N-form Super Falconets midfielder Asisat Oshoala has expressed delight with her goal scoring form after hitting four goals in Nigeria’s 6-2 win over Korea DPR in their Semi Final game on Wednesday.

Oshoala took her tally in the tournament to seven goals, with four well taken goals against the overwhelmed Koreans.

And she says she’s proud to have scored as many goals as she has. “I’m so happy with my scoring record so far in this tournament and I’m very happy they are propelling us towards the trophy.

“It’s always very nice when you score goals and your team wins, that is the

T

Jubilant Asisat Oshoala celebrates her 4th goal against Korea.

greatest feeling in football and we hope to do it one more time in the final,” she said And truly, they must do

Asisat Continues from B/P the tournament so far.

He was full of praise for the lass when he described her as “a player full of intelligence.” In a chat with Fifa.com after the semi final duel against Korea, Devdebo said, “if you want to accomplish great things, it is important to have intelligence in your team and a player who can make the difference like Asisat (Oshoala) did today.”

The coach also led bare his tactical approach to the game, “a goal scored early

against any team gives our team confidence and it breaks that of our opponents. We had already played against Korea Republic and I was sure that Korea DPR were not better than them, so I was confident we would win.

Now we are in the final and, whoever our opponents will be, we are not afraid of them.

I had said to my girls before the tournament that the World Cup really starts at the quarter-finals. Since that stage, my team have improved.”

FIFA Continues from B/P Assembly to decide on the composition of the Electoral Committee and the Electoral Appeals Committee.

“We take note of the decision of the NFF Executive Committee to ask the members of the upcoming congress on 26 August 2014 to consider a new roadmap for the elections, which should be held by no later than two weeks after the congress.

We also understand from your correspondence that the members of the congress will also decide on the composition of the electoral committees whose legitimacy had been put in doubt by some members.

“The congress being the

2015 Afcon qualifier: Eagles to know opponent next week

highest decision making body of any football association, we approve of the above plan, and as previously stated, we are supportive of an electoral process that is free and open to everybody, thereby fulfilling the requirements of the NFF regulations.”

The world body also commiserated with the NFF over Wednesday morning’s fire outbreak at its Abuja office.

“We would like to express our support for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and its staff after a fire broke out in part of its headquarters. Fortunately, we have learnt there are no casualties and we hope that the NFF will recover quickly from this difficult situation.”

it one more time if they are to win the tournament for the first time and also become the first African side to do so.

The Rivers Angel, who is naturally a holding midfielder has been given a much more attacking role in Peter Dedevbo’s side and

has repaid the faith with goals.

Prior to the game against Korea DPR she said that she wasn’t under pressure to keep scoring, but admits that it might be slightly different now as people now expect her to deliver the goods.

Guild of Spor ts Editors calls for probe of NFF fire The Guild of Sports Editors has called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, institute a judicial panel of enquiry into the fire that gutted the secretariat of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday.

The body in a statement signed by its Interim President, Tony Ubani, noted that this has become inevitable considering the circumstances in which the Glass House was raized down.

According to the body, the fact that at the time of the fire there was no fire extinguisher speaks

volume and putting into perspective the actions and inactions of certain high ranking officers of the secretariat, then a judicial panel of enquiry devoid of political consideration was the only way out.

“Some of the fire service officials said on Wednesday that the fire extinguishers at the secretariat have all expired since 2012. It was also alleged that several memos written since then for a replacement were not attended to. It sounds incredible that an organisation as big as the NFF does not have up to date fire extinguishers.

England Continues from B/P

embroiled in a legal dispute with Rob Segal, who represented him in that September 2013 move, over the payment of agents’ fees.

The Nigeria striker ’s subsequent January move to Stoke is also part of the dispute.

The issue is now heading for an FA tribunal.

Albion have not yet

commented on the matter but there is absolutely no suggestion of any wrongdoing on their part.

Odemwingie was part of the Nigeria squad that reached the round of 16 at the 2014 Fifa World Cup. The forward who netted the Super Eagles’ winner against BosniaHerzegovina in Brazil has been capped 65 times by Nigeria at the senior level.

HE Confederation of Africa Football CAF has fixed Wednesday the 27th of August as the day the appeal board will meet in Cairo Egypt ,on the case by the Fédération Rwandaise de Football Association (FERWAFA) over their disqualification from the Orange Africa Cup of Nations –Morocco 2015 qualifiers.

Rwanda were disqualified from the group phase of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers by CAF’s Organising Committee for the qualifiers on August 17 for fielding an ineligible player in Etakiama Agiti in their preliminary qualifier victory over Congo on the 20th of July 2014.

The player who has dual nationality plays

for AS Vita of Congo with a different name, Daddy Birori, and a DRC passport of different age with that of his Rwandan passport.

Congo was subsequently consigned to Group A as replacement for Rwanda, joining Nigeria, South Africa and Sudan for the final phase of the qualifiers.

Nigeria were earlier schedule to take on Rwanda on September 6 in Calabar before CAF disqualified them and replaced them with Congo.

The Eagles now have to wait for one week to know the result of the appeal as it will determine who they will face between Rwanda and Congo.

NFF Continues from B/P

error. As far as the NFF is concerned, there will be no elections at the General Assembly of Tuesday, 26th August. There is a proposal that we are taking to the General Assembly (the supreme body of Nigeria football) for consideration and approval, with regards to the elections.

“It is for the NFF and the General Assembly to propose the date for elections, not that of the Electoral Committee, which was put in place by the General Assembly,” NFF General Secretary, Barr. Musa Amadu, said on Thursday.

Amadu expatiated that the proposal to be taken before the General Assembly on Tuesday will see to the elections being conducted not later than two weeks after the assembly, on the advice of world governing body, FIFA. “The elections will definitely take place in early September, 2014. All hands are on deck to ensure that we hold the elections not later than two weeks after the Congress on Tuesday, to usher in a new Executive Committee of NFF.

“What the NFF is concerned with, even before a similar advice by FIFA, is to ensure an open and transparent process that will guarantee a level –playing field for everyone.

Every person eligible to purchase form and contest the elections should be able to do so, and the process must be one that dovetails into credible, free and fair elections, that will stand the test of time, devoid of challenges by aggrieved persons that will affect the smooth running of the NFF by the incoming Executive Committee.”

The NFF scribe also made it clear that the persons who will be in Warri for Tuesday ’s General Assembly will be the same delegates who were at the November 2013 General Assembly in the same city, except where there have been changes that comply with the Statutes.

“For example, the unbanning of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi and Mr. Chidi Ofor Okenwa means these persons will represent Osun and Enugu States respectively, as Chairmen of their State FA. Other than these two, the roll –call remains the same.”

60 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

Keshi deserves reappointment

BY CHUKS ILOEGBUNAM

W

AT C H I N G television news on Wednesday August 20, 2014, it was reported that 23 Coach-less Super Eagles players have been invited to camp in preparation for the qualifying series of next year’s Africa Nations Cup. Why are the Eagles still without a coach? In searching for an answer to this question, I remembered Time To Call Keshi’s Bluff, an Internet article published on July 25, 2014 by Olusegun Adeniyi, a friend and professional colleague. On re-reading Mr. Adeniyi’s article I became firmer in my conviction that certain powerful forces are strongly against Stephen Keshi returning as Manager of the Super Eagles. My thinking is that the powerful forces are wrong and that Mr. Keshi deserves to be immediately reappointed so that he can continue the good work he started doing for the Eagles in 2011.

But, let us first address the issues out of Mr. Adeniyi’s intervention.

The man is the chairman of Thisday’s editorial board and has ample space to ventilate his views in the newspaper. Why did he instead opt to publish only in skytrendnews.com? That question may appear to be begotten of a separate mother, but it is actually tied to the rather peculiar advocacy of the author.

Adeniyi wants Stephen Keshi out of coaching the Eagles for three reasons: 1) Keshi threatened to resign his job once he led the Eagles to continental victory in South Africa in 2013, and had to be persuaded to stay on. 2) Keshi resigned immediately after the World Cup in Brazil. 3) Keshi has started to give conditions under which he would accept a job that he has not been offered.

For these reasons, Adeniyi concluded in this

astonishing vein: “Now that Keshi’s contract with the NFF has ended, he should be encouraged to go. Given his rich CV in football management not only in Nigeria but on the continent, he will definitely not be lacking in lucrative offers.

All factors considered, I do not think that Keshi is the manager that the Super Eagles need going forward.”

Why is justice on leave?

After South Africa 2013, Keshi threatened to resign because he felt he hadn’t been properly treated. Is that a good reason for a competent coach to be separated from his job? It is not true that Keshi resigned after the World Cup and Adeniyi would have known this because Keshi himself denied a report that claimed he resigned. His disclaimer was widely published in Nigerian newspapers and on the Internet. According to Adeniyi’s “news now”, Keshi “has started to give conditions under which he would accept a job that he has not been offered.” Well, the authentic news from the NFF and from Mr. Emma Ado, Keshi’s media assistant, is that a draft contract was handed Keshi and it is on its strength that he spelt out the conditions under which he would continue as Eagles coach.

What is outrageous in giving conditions under which a would-be employee feels he could best be of service?

As far as I know, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, gave conditions under which she would return to the Federal Cabinet, and it is because she and the President Jonathan arrived at a modus vivendi that her performance has remained superlative ever since her second coming. Why should Keshi’s insistence on a mutually agreed contract be to his disadvantage? I thought Olusegun Adeniyi’s intervention was unfortunate and I have

CELEBRATION ... Coach Stephen Keshi being carried shoulder high by Eagles players in celebration of Africa victory the ground floor without already contacted him to like Adeniyi, that “Given his anyone verifying my in him a man that knows express my views on the rich CV in football identity. There was no his rights and wants things matter. There are many management not only in security whatsoever. I properly done? Or is the points in Stephen Keshi’s Nigeria but on the knocked on the door and new agitation for a foreign favour. His love for the continent, he will definitely Keshi himself opened the coach the ploy of faceless beautiful game and his not be lacking in lucrative agents with an eye for All factors door of the single room, not dollar-denominated patriotism are not in doubt. offers. a suite. I was speechless.

As one of the earliest considered, I do not think Was Keshi abandoned in commissions? I think the Nigerians to star on the that Keshi is the manager what could pass for a hovel NFF should do the right international soccer stage, that the Super Eagles need by quickly because Abuja had run out thing he was instrumental to the going forward.” reappointing Keshi on the Is it right for Nigeria to of suitable accommodation basis of a mutually agreed introduction of numerous for the achieving coach of Nigerian footballers into the let go of an excellent coach the Super Eagles? Should contract. The man has a European football scene. simply because Keshi will Coach Stephen chance of winning the Many of the footballers in be deluged with “lucrative Okechukwu Keshi be Africa Nation’s Cup backquestion lived in Keshi’s offers” outside our shores? punished because we have to-back for Nigeria.

Belgian home when he There is another question. was an Anderlecht Is it not true that Keshi was defender, even without treated poorly as national having any contracts with coach? His right hand man, any clubs. Keshi’s debut Silvanus Okpala, an Eagles with the Eagles was in 1981 veteran in his own right, when he was just 19. He was fired without Keshi’s had 64 caps with the knowledge or consent. national side over 14 years When did it stop being the until his retirement in 1995. prerogative of a coach to He captained the Eagles to choose his lieutenants?

Africa Nation’s Cup glory Keshi was owed eight in 1994, and he repeated months’ salary arrears in the feat as coach in 2013. this country without his Only he and Egypt’s saying a word on it to the Mahmoud El-Gohary hold media. In which other the distinction of winning country does this kind of the Nation’s Cup both as thing happen? Keshi never captain and as coach. As had an official car and he coach, he qualified Togo for never was given an official their first and only World accommodation. Yet he Cup finals, and he qualified made no noise about these Nigeria for Brazil 2014. shortcomings.

Early this year, I went to From left, Alozie Justice, Daniel Mbakwe and Above everything else, Keshi commands the visit Keshi in an Abuja hotel Okon Sunday, students of Mende Junior High respect and love of his where the Eagles were School Maryland picking from the pot at the players. Against this lodged. At the reception, I Draws for season 7 of the MTN Lagos Street background, is it fair to say, was pointed to his room on Soccer in Lagos on Thursday.

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62 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

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V anguard anguard,, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014 — 63

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VANGUARD, FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

NFF: No elections on August 26 T

•Maigari

England investigates Odemwingie’s transfer T

HE transfer of Nigeria international striker, Peter Odemwingie from West Bromwich Albion to Cardiff is being investigated by the Football Association (England FA).

Respected British Newspaper, the Daily Mail reports that Odemwingie is

•Osaze

HE Nigeria Football Federation has called on all Nigerians to discountenance a statement by the Chairman of NFF Electoral Committee, Mr. Amoni Biambo, to the effect that elections

W

ORLD football – governing body, FIFA, has endorsed the plan by the Nigeria

World Cup in Canada, Falconets coach, Peter Devdebo is happy with the heroics of his top striker, Asisat Oshoala in Continues on page 59

Football Federation to hold a General Assembly on Tuesday, 26th August to consider and approve a new roadmap for elections into the NFF Executive Committee.

In a letter dated August 21, addressed to NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari and signed by Deputy Secretary General, Markus Kattner, FIFA also approved of the proposal for the General

Continues on page 59

Asisat can make things happen — Devdebo TILL basking in the euphoria of his wards’ 6-2 whitewash of Korea DPR in the semi final of the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s

Continues on page 59

FIFA endorses NFF General Assembly

Continues on page 59

S

into the NFF Executive Committee will hold at the General Assembly of Tuesday, 26th August, 2014.

“The statement must have been made in

•LAP OF HONOUR: Aluko, Ayila, Abasi and Adeboyejo celebrate Nigeria's 6-2 win over Korea DPR on Wednesday.

INSIDE: 8 pages of Sports Vanguard

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Tolerate (4) 4 Equipment (3) 6 Seepage (4)\ 8 Monster (6) 9 Character (6) 10 Parched (3) 12 Veracity (5) 14 Prompt (5) 15 Colour (5) 18 Deny (6) 20 Revised (6) 24 Claw (5) 26 Centre (5) 28 Stared (5) 30 Cunning (3) 32 Forthcoming (6) 33 Loathsome (6) 34 Yield (4) 35 Fasten (3) 36 Shout (4)

DOWN 2 Mistake (5) 3 Yacht-meeting (7) 4 Sort (4) 5 Small (4) 6 Supple (5) 7 Shorten (7) 11 Tease (3) 12 “Brown (3) 13 Strike (3) 16 Entrap (3) 17 Fish (3) 19 Perform (7) 21 Cur (3) 22 Silliness (7) 23 Defective (3) 25 Sicken (3) 27 Excite (5) 29 Equivalent (5) 30 Remitted (4) 31 Couple (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Dense 7, Cloud 8, Boned 10, Visit 12, Dip 13, Asset 15, Toddler 17, Sector 19, Rue 20, Repress 23, Dour 25, Stop 26, Rescind 30, Vat 31, Tidier 34, Decided 37, Verse 38, Pal 39, Denim 40, Water 41, Normad 42, Align.

DOWN: 1, Close 2, Duvet 3, Editor 4, Silt 5, Goddess 6, Repel 9, Nil 11, Torrent 13, Aside 14, Scour 16, Due 18, Reacted 21, Stair 22, Spare 24, Reviled 27, Sad 28, Diving 29, Repay 32, Demon 33, Essay 35, Cat 36, Deal.

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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