Blame jonathan's govt for fuel scarcity - FG

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VOL. 25: NO. 62654

N150

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015

VANGUARD's 2015 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS

Dr. Alex Ekwueme Gen. T.Y. Danjuma

Otunba Balogun

Sen. D. Dafinone

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Mrs. Nike Akande Alh. Samad Rabiu Mr. Jim Ovia

Blame Jonathan's govt for fuel scarcity — FG •Says Nigerians paying for sins of last administration •Orders deployment of NNPC staff to fuel stations •Scarcity worsening, despite government's directives

Buhari fires NDDC board, 12 names Semenitari acting MD

N13.6BN ARMS PROBE:

Dasuki, Bafarawa, others get bail 5

N1.4 TRN FINE:

FG tackles MTN, insists on Dec 31 payment deadline

Mr & Mrs OSHODI-APAPA ROAD TRAFFIC MAYHEM—The unbearable Oshodi-Apapa traffic

gridlock, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

P.17

FEMI ARIBISALA

Anxiety as army raids Rivers community for oil thieves See Inside C M Y K

APC in the land of 'Fabu'

P.20

YINKA ODUMAKIN

Radical Mastectomy for Nigeria now

COLUMNISTS:

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See Page 7

NASS shuts down as 14 Buhari presents 2016 budget today

2 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015 — 3

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4 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

VISIT: From Left: British Secretary of State for Defence, Mr Michael Fallon; President Muhammadu Buhari, and British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Paul Arkwright, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

N13.6 BN ARMS PROBE: Dasuki, Yuguda, Bafarawa, others get bail

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA— FORMER National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), yesterday, secured fresh bail from an Abuja High Court sitting in Maitama.

In a ruling, trial judge, Justice Peter Affen granted him bail, including former Minister of State (Finance), Bashir Yuguda; former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa and his son, Sagir Attahiru, to the tune of N250million each, with two sureties in like sum.

Equally granted bail on the same amount was former Director of Finance

in the Office of the NSA, Mr. Shuaibu Salisu. The court stressed that one of the sureties must be a retired or serving director in the federal civil service.

It said the second surety must be an owner of a landed property within the Federal Capital Territory, which value must not be below N250million.

The surety, according to the court, must tender title deeds of the said property to the Registrar of the High Court for authentication.

Besides, Justice Affen held that lawyers to the accused persons must vouch for the character of each of the sureties, who he said must also depose

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO

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HERE is a tremendous difference between doing the right thing and doing the bright thing. Achieving good success is about doing the bright thing. It's up to you.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

How a person masters his fate is more important than what his fate is— Karl Wilhelm

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IFE didn’t come with a guidebook! We write our own story, unfold our own myth as we go along, take our cards and play the best hand we have been given! The more guidelines and wisdom we have, the better we can navigate through the field of material reality to manifest the life of our dreams.

And this comes through experiences. We are always attracting into our lives what we need for our growth.

The game of life requires stealth, wisdom and staying power. Ultimately, it is our habits that define our destiny.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE When a handshake goes beyond the elbow, it may turn to a fight.

to an affidavit of means before the court.

Moreso, the court ordered all the accused persons to surrender their passports, even as it warned them against travelling out of its jurisdiction without express permission.

“Pending the perfection of all the bail conditions, the accused persons are to be remanded in prison custody,” Justice Affen held.

The accused persons are answering to a 22count criminal charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. They were alleged to have connived and diverted over N13.6billion from the office of the NSA, prior to the 2015 general elections.

A company the anti-graft agency said served as conduit pipe for the alleged illegal diversion of the funds, Dahaltu Investments Limited, was also charged before the court as the fourth accused person.

Court adjourns hearing to Feb 2, 3

Meantime, Justice Affen yesterday, slated February 2 and 3 to commence full hearing in the case against the accused persons.

It will be recalled that all the accused persons had last week Tuesday, pleaded not guilty to the entire 22-count charge, even as they separately prayed the court to okay their release on bail pending hearing and

determination of the case against them.

They predicated their bail applications on provisions of Sections 158, 162, 165, 167 and 168 (b) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, as well as Section 36(5) (6) of the 1999 Constitution.

The accused persons, through their lawyers, insisted that the charge slammed against them by the anti-graft agency were bailable.

Whereas Dasuki, through his counsel, Ahmed Raji, SAN, urged the court to grant him bail on self recognition, Bafarawa and his son, Sagir, prayed the court to grant them bail on health grounds.

Meanwhile, Dasuki who is facing three different charges before three different Judges, had on Friday last week also secured N250million bail before Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf who is trying him over another19-count charge bordering on alleged N32 bilion fraud.

Justice Ademola Adeniyi of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court had in relation to another fivecount charge involving alleged $2.1billion fraud, granted the exNSA bail on self recognition.

While persuading the court to release him on bail, the former Sokoto State governor, Barafawa, bemoaned that his health had deteriorated badly owing to his continued detention at the EFCC. Likewise, his son, Sagir, pleaded the court for bail, saying he has ulcer.

Both father and son addressed the court through two different Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Chief J.O. Olatoke and Mr. H. O. Afolabi.

Similarly, the third accused, Salisu, prayed the court for bail, saying he has been in detention for over 31 days.

However, their bail motions were vehemently opposed by the EFCC which urged the court to ignore them and order accelerated hearing of the substantive charges against them.

The commission, through its lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, told the court that the defendants have wide influence and affluence to intimidate, harass and influence the proposed prosecution witnesses if released on bail.

EFCC insisted that the defendants will escape from Nigeria once out of detention.

It told the court that the

applicants were also being investigated in respect of other criminal allegations.

The prosecuting agency, via an affidavit deposed to by one of its lead detectives, Mr. Hassan Saidu, told the court that the accused persons acquired “a large volume of assets with the proceeds of crimes”.

Saidu said his team was presently tracing the assets. “If released on bail the applicants will interfere with the assets tracing activities”, he added.

Money transfered outside Nigeria

He further told the court that investigations revealed that the accused persons transferred large sums of money outside Nigeria, saying they used part of the funds and acquired several assets in Dubai and London.

“The prosecution is prepared to prove its case within the shortest possible time if the application is refused and the court orders accelerated hearing”, Saidu averred.

Jacobs argued that it would not be in the interest of justice for the court to admit any of the accused persons to bail.

After listening to all the parties on Wednesday last week, Justice Affen adjourned his ruling till yesterday.

EFCC had in the substantive charge before the court, alleged that the accused persons diverted funds budgeted for the fight against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.

It told the trial court that the funds were sequentially withdrawn from an account of the office of the NSA with CBN and other financial institutions.

“The funds were diverted for political campaigns and shared to third parties who have nothing to do with the NSA,” the anti-graft agency insisted.

The EFCC lawyer told the court that the accused persons have made

confessional statements.

“My lord, we are talking about monies running into billions of Naira”, Jacobs added.

Two of the charges against Bafarawa and the others read: “That you, Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd, whilst being the National Security Adviser and Shuaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the NSA, between April 14, 2014, and May 7, 2015, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: an aggregate sum of N3,350,000,000 (Three billion, three hundred and fifty million Naira) being part of the funds in the account of the office of the NSA with the Central Bank of Nigeria, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said properties when you transfered same to the account of Dalhatu Investments Limited with the United Bank of Africa Plc. purporting same to be payment for the supply of security equipment and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol. 4, LFN 2004.

“That you Dalhatu Investments Limited, Sagir Attahiru and Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, between April 14, 2014 and May 17, 2015, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, dishonestly received stolen property, to wit: an aggregate sum of N3,350,000,000 (Three billion, three hundred and fifty million Naira) into your account with the United Bank of Africa Plc from the account of the office of the NSA with the CBN, which belonged to the Federal Government of Nigeria and knowing the said sum to be stolen property but purporting same to be payment for the supply of security equipment and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 317 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol. 4, LFN 2004.

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22 , 2015

7-year-old boy, 3 others injured in Lagos gas explosion

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INFERNO: Scene of the inferno that engulfed an uncompleted two-storey buildng used as warehouse by traders at Wuse Market in Abuja. Photo: NAN.

Troops clear more Boko Haram enclaves •As teenage suicide bomber kills 9, injures 24

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AIDUGURI— DETERMINED to ensure that all remaining camps belonging to Boko Haram terrorists group are cleared by end of December this year, troops of the 25 Task Force Brigade, following a tip off have flushed out camps located along the Sabon Gari and Damboa axis in Borno State.

The development occurred Sunday night just as one of three teenage suicide bombers aged between 10 and 15 years blew himself up as the Civilian JTF was in the process of screening the suspect resulting in the death of nine people while 24 others sustained various degrees of injuries.

Giving details of both incidents, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman said: “As part of the determined efforts to rid the society of all known Boko Haram terrorists enclaves and hideouts, troops of 25 Task Force Brigade based on tip off conducted a fighting patrol along Damboa-Njaba-Bale Road in Borno State.

“The troops encountered and killed 3 suspected Boko Haram terrorists that had been terrorizing the communities around Sabon Gari and Damboa.

“Among those killed was the Boko Haram terrorists Ameer (Leader) in Bulayaga. The Ameer was notorious in terrorizing Bale, Wass and Mufurundi villages.

“The troops recovered an AK47 rifle with its magazine, 43 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1 grinding machine and five dane guns. Other items recovered include seven

motorcycles, 21 bags of grains and two Boko Haram terrorists flags hoisted.

“In a related development today, troops of 7 Division Garrison on patrol at Mainari village in Mafa Local Government Area had an encounter with Boko Haram terrorists.

“The encounter led to the killing of nine terrorists and recovery of weapons which include four AK47 and one Pump Action gun. The patrol teams have continued to dominate the respective areas.

On the suicide bomb attack, Usman said, “Today (Sunday) evening at about 8.30pm, three suspected suicide bombers

ranging from 10 to 15 years went into Benisheikh, Borno State.

“They were spotted by ever vigilant Borno State Youth Empowerment Scheme (Civilian JTF) who suspected something fishy about them.

Indeed, one of them was laden with Improvised Explosive Device, IED."

Court registrar jailed 10 years for defrauding Bamaiyi of $330,000 L AGOS—FOR defrauding a former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi, of 330,000 dollars, a court registrar, Mrs Oluronke Rosolu, was yesterday sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of an Ikeja High Court.

Rosolu was convicted on all the two counts charge of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences brought against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Lawal-Akapo while sentencing Rosolu said: “The representation that she never collected $330,000 from the complainant is deceptive; the accused could not provide a strong alibi for her whereabouts when the fraud occurred.

“I find the accused guilty as charged.

“As a registrar of court, the accused should have been an image maker of the judiciary, but she acted in the contrary.

She has to swallow her bitter pill.

“On count one, I sentence the accused to 10 years imprisonment and on count two I sentence the accused to 10 years imprisonment.

“Both sentences are to run concurrently.”

Rosolu collapsed in the dock as soon as the judge gave the verdict, wailing in Yoruba language: “I do not know anything about the money, what is going to happen to my children.”

Earlier, Rosolu’s lawyer, Mr Bamidele Ogundele, in his allocutus pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy: “My Lord, my client is a first-time offender without any criminal

record and she has four children as dependants.

“My Lord, the society will not gain if her four children are abandoned without motherly care.

“She has been on suspension from the judiciary for over a year and she is retiring next year after 34 years of active service in the judiciary.”

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

AGOS—SEVEN-yearold boy, Okiki Alabede and three others suffered severe burns after a gas exploded at a restaurant in Ogba, Ojodu Local Council Development Area, LCDA, damaging property worth millions.

Other victims were: Abiodun Salami, 27, Mustapha, 30 and a woman identified as Iya Elijah.

Vanguard learned that the gas exploded at about 1p.m. at the restaurant popularly called Rab Amala Shonola, located at No. 2A Shonola Street, Aguda Ogba causing pandemonium in the community.

General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Mr. Michael Akindele and the Director of State Fire Service, Mr. Rasak Fadipe confirmed the incident.

They said that the leaked cylinder fell and exploded leading to fire outbreak in the area.

Akindele noted that five rooms within the building where the incident occurred were affected, adding that three of the affected victims with various degrees of burnswereinitiallytakentoIfako Ijaye General Hospital but were later transferred to LASUTH.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015—7

fuel.”

Also speaking at the forum, Group Executive Director, Commercial & Investment, Dr. Victor Adeniran, called on staff on monitoring duties to work closely with the Rapid Response Team by reporting any situation that needs urgent intervention such as low stock, delayed arrival of trucks or any underhand dealing.

Adeniran said the Rapid Response Team is made up of PPMC staff and representatives of law enforcement agencies that can adequately handle any challenge, adding that so far, about 200 trucks of the special intervention stock have arrived Abuja.

He called on the staff deployed for monitoring duties to be vigilant and ensure that all the petrol designated for their respective stations is delivered and dispensed to members of the public in a most efficient manner.

Fuel queue on Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Central Business District, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN

Jonathan’s govt created ongoing fuel scarcity —FG Says Nigerians paying for sins of last administration Orders deployment of NNPC staff to fuel stations Scarcity worsens despite FG’s directive

By Michael Eboh , Joseph Erunke & Grace Udofia

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BUJA — THE Federal Government, yesterday, blamed former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration for the current fuel scarcity in the country, saying Jonathan’s government never made adequate provision for fuel subsidy in 2015 budget.

This was even as it explained that it inherited vandalisation of pipelines from the immediate past administration, thus making it impossible to transport the fuel to the respective distribution points in the country.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has ordered the deployment of staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to petrol stations across the country to help check sharp practices and ensure smooth supply and distribution of the product.

Speaking to State House correspondents, yesterday, after the rescheduled emergency Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, alongside Minister of Budget and Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, insisted that the fuel scarcity being experienced now was as a result of inadequate provision for fuel subsidy in the ongoing year by the Jonathan-led regime.

Mohammed said: “One of the reasons for the fuel scarcity was the inability of the last government to make adequate provision for fuel subsidy. We do face some other

logistic problems but majorly, we are paying for the sins of the last administration.”

According to the Information Minister, the present administration made sure that, unlike before when the marketers used to import the major percentage of the fuel, NNPC are involved in importation, because some of the marketers had stopped importing for a couple of months.

He said the issue was not the non-availability of the product but the distribution because of pipelines that have been vandalised, besides the gridlock in Lagos, which he noted, usually slowed down tankers distributing the commodity.

Mohammed further explained that it usually takes about five days for anyone to take fuel with tanker in Lagos to any distribution point in the country but said as at two days ago, the issue resulting to such development had been resolved.

Nigerians paying for sins of last administration

He said: "What I will be telling Nigerians is that what we met on ground is such that we are paying for the sins of the last administration. I am being very serious. You remember that about two weeks ago, we had to go to the National Assembly for a supplementary budget of N674 billion.

“Of that figure, N522 billion was for arrears of fuel subsidy which was incurred as far back

as August last year. The solution is what you have seen us doing.

The first thing we have done now is to make sure that unlike before, when the marketers used to import the major percentage of the fuel, NNPC has been involved in importation, because some of the marketers had stopped importing for a couple of months.

“If you see any fuel anywhere today, it is imported by the NNPC. We also inherited the vandalisation of the pipelines which has made it impossible for us to even transport the fuel. In tanks today, we have 14 days reserve and off tank we have 10 days reserve.

“As at two days ago, this matter has been resolved. The Mosinmi pipeline has been secured and it has led to the improvement in the distribution."

FG orders deployment of NNPC staff to petrol stations

Meantime, the Federal Government, yesterday, ordered the deployment of staff of the NNPC to petrol stations across the country to help check sharp practices and ensure the smooth supply and distribution of the product.

This was even as the NNPC stated that about 200 truckloads of fuel have entered Abuja, while another 567 trucks have been dispatched nationwide under the special intervention fuel supply for the Yuletide season.

This was contained in a statement issued by the NNPC

after an emergency meeting between the minister and senior staff of the NNPC in Abuja.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who gave the directive during the meeting, said the involvement of NNPC’s staff became necessary following the need to ensure total eradication of queues from fuel stations across the country and for effective monitoring of the distribution system.

He urged the staff to be ready to sacrifice their Christmas break if need be, while he called on the staff to work towards achieving zero-queues at their respective stations as soon as possible.

He challenged staff to volunteer for the monitoring exercise, adding that standing up to provide creative solutions to challenges was what the new NNPC was all about.

Effective monitoring of supply system

Kachikwu further stated that though there were a number of challenges in the supply and distribution system that hamper efficient distribution of products across the country, it was time for NNPC to rise above the challenges by ensuring that the special intervention supplies are not diverted or hoarded.

He said: “This calls for effective monitoring of the supply system, especially at the end points, to ascertain that what is trucked out from the depots is delivered at the designated fuel stations and dispensed to the public in the most efficient manner. We need you to be out there to help achieve this; we can’t be at ease while Nigerians are going through so much pain to get

Hardship as fuel crisis worsens further, despite FG’s directive

The hardship faced by Nigerians over the unending fuel crisis worsened further, yesterday, as the queues at almost all the petrol stations in Abuja grew longer, with a number of oil marketers and security operatives cashing in on the crisis to extort and exploit motorists.

This was in spite of the directive by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, to the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, to commence a special supply intervention to ensure a countrywide availability of petrol.

Notwithstanding the directive, the crisis worsened, while queues stretching several miles were seen at almost all the petrol stations at the Federal Capital Territory, irrespective of whether the filling station had the product or not.

One marketer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that he had not found it easy getting fuel from depots, while he accused the Federal Government and the NNPC of deceiving Nigerians.

According to the marketer, they are yet to feel the impact of the increased supply of fuel advocated

by Kachikwu, adding that Nigerians should hold the government responsible for whatever hardship they are facing.

Some motorists told Vanguard that they have never had it so tough in a long while, claiming that the queues were the longest ever in the history of fuel scarcity in Nigeria.

One motorist, Jeremiah Oche, blamed the marketers for the worsening crisis, accusing them of hoarding, price and pump manipulation, diversion and other sharp practices.

He said most of the petrol stations along the Nyanya, Mararaba axis on the Abuja-Keffi Expressway were selling fuel to motorists at between N150 and N170 per litre, while others along the AbujaKaduna Expressway were selling at between N120 and N170 per litre.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015

By Prince Osuagwu, Emeka Aginam & Emmanuel Elebeke

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AGOS — THE Federal Government, yesterday, said it would neither be cowed nor threatened by MTN’s court action against the N1.4trn fine which was later reduced to N780 billion, insisting that the telecommunications company risks another fine if it fails to pay on deadline.

Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, made the statement yesterday in reaction to the suit instituted by the telecom operator at a Lagos High Court, weekend.

The minister, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare, however, admitted that MTN had the right to seek court’s interpretation if it feels unsatisfied with the action of the regulator but made it clear that nothing would stop the government from imposing additional fine on the operator, at the expiration of the deadline.

According to the minister, "it is the right of MTN to approach the court but there was an infraction, which MTN admitted to have committed before it pleaded for leniency that led to the reduction of the fine from N1.4 trillion to N780 billion and the subsequent December 31, 2015 deadline to pay.

"If it has decided to go to court, it is still within the ambit of the law.

I will not intervene, since they have gone to court, we will allow the court to decide if it is right for MTN to commit those infractions and breach the laws of the land."

He, however, said that "it is unwise for MTN to go to court after the Federal Government had magnanimously reduced the fine.

It will surely be fined for violating the rule at the expiration of the deadline, should it fail to pay the initial fine.”

Why we are in court —MTN

Meanwhile, MTN, yesterday, also insisted that its action was induced by commitment and belief in the long term sustainability of its business.

According to the company’s Human Resources & Corporate Services Executive, Amina Oyagbola, “the N780 billion fine has potentially dire consequences for the company, its employees, partners, stakeholders as well as the entire Nigerian telecommunications industry.

Being a significant contributor in Nigeria, MTN has an obligation to protect the interests of its ecosystem of millions of Nigerians who are directly and indirectly affected by its business operations and continuity.

According to Oyagbola, “the decision to seek judicial determination was reached after careful consideration of all factors, including extensive attempts at a sustainable resolution. It is important to state that seeking judicial determination was a last

N1.4trn fine: FG calls MTN’s bluff, says Dec 31 deadline subsists resort. We hold the Nigerian Government, its national objectives, laws and regulations in the highest regard.”

She, however, added that notwithstanding the action, the company will continue to engage with the Nigerian authorities in an effort to reach

an amicable resolution in the interest of all stakeholders.

The NCC sanctioned MTN for refusing to remove over 5.1 million unregistered telephone subscribers from its network.

The regulator fined the telecoms operator N1.04 trillion, but later reduced it by 25 per cent

after the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari, amid pressure and negotiations from the company’s parent body in South Africa.

The NCC also reviewed the deadline from November 16 to December 31, 2015.

Nigerian banks struggle to meet $5 bn forex obligations —Rencap

By Babajide Komolafe

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MEETING: From left, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State; Governor Nasiru el-Rufai of Kaduna State, and Governor Muhammed Abubakar of Bauchi State, during the North-East governors emergency security meeting, in Kaduna. Photo: NAN.

Army/Shiite clash: How 51 persons were trapped in a tunnel —NHRC Inaugurates five-man probe panel To release report February

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By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

BUJA — THE National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, yesterday, said except for its quick intervention, 51 members of the Shiite Muslim sect would have died inside a tunnel in Zaria.

Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, made the disclosure while inaugurating a Special Investigative Panel to probe circumstances that led to the bloody clash between the Nigerian Army and members of the sect.

The clash which took place on December 12 had resulted in the instant death of seven persons, with 10 others seriously injured.

Angwe told newsmen, yesterday, that few days after the clash, senior members of the Shiite sect ran to the commission, lamenting that some of its members were still trapped inside a tunnel in Zaria.

He said: “On Monday, December 14, the office of the Chief of Army Staff reported the case of a clash between it and the Shiite sect at Zaria.

Coincidentally, the media was awash with news about the unfortunate incident that

occurred in Zaria allegedly leading to the loss of several lives and property.

“Later in the week, some followers of the Shiite sect sought the intervention of the commission for the release of some of their members trapped in a tunnel since the Sunday, December 13, incident.

“The commission quickly intervened. We requested the support of both the military and the Nigeria Police Force, an effort that eventually led to the rescue of about 51 members of the Shiite sect.

“Though I am happy with the timely intervention that led to the rescue of the trapped persons, however, this commission, in line with its mandate to receive complaints on human rights violation, monitor and investigate such allegations with a view to making appropriate determination in the circumstance, has decided to constitute a panel of investigation on the clashes between the Shiite and military that occurred in Zaria.”

Terms of reference

According to him, the terms of reference of the five-man probe panel headed by Mr Tony Ojukwu, Director, Monitoring

Department of the NHRC, include, finding out the immediate and remote causes of the violations.

Others are: “To find out those responsible or culpable for the violations. To recommend remedies, if possible, for the violations, to find out those who lost their lives and property destroyed on both sides during the clash as well as to make recommendations for damages where appropriate and for prevention of future violations."

He said the panel has two months to complete its assignment and submit its report. Angwe maintained that the panel has the power to summon any person that was directly or remotely involved with the clash, no matter how highly placed.

Besides, the NHRC, yesterday, said it was studying all issues regarding blockage of roads by institutions or individuals within the country, saying it will soon issue an advisory barring all forms of illegal road blocks.

Meanwhile, the head of the panel, Ojukwu, yesterday, vowed that his team will carry out the assignment diligently and dispassionately.

Other members of the NHRC panel are Mr. A. A. Yakubu, Halilu Adamu, Babangida Labaran and Kabiru Elayo.

AGOS — NIGERIAN banks are struggling to meet $5 billion foreign exchange obligations to importers and correspondent banks, reflecting the worsening foreign exchange situation in the country.

This was disclosed, yesterday, by Renaissance Capital in a report entitled: “Nigerian banks struggling for FX liquidity.”

The report stated that due to the inability to access foreign exchange from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), banks are having challenges sourcing dollars to meet outstanding foreign exchange, FX, obligations to importers and correspondents banks ranging from $2 billion to $5 billion.

The report stated: “Declining oil prices and the unwillingness of the government/Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to devalue the naira amidst constrained reserves continue to worsen the FX liquidity position of the Nigerian banks. We highlight the sector’s challenges across four fronts, and believe that, should this trend persist in a weak oil price environment, asset quality and international obligation default risks could be significant.

“Nigeria is dependent on imports, which Nigerian banks facilitate via the opening of letters of credit (LC). The customer typically repays these after imports are sold; the customer therefore earns naira, then approaches the banks to source FX from the CBN (or goes to the black market), with which the correspondent bank is repaid.

"With the CBN struggling to provide sufficient FX to meet importers’ FX demands and banks prevented from accepting FX deposits, not only have importers been unable to repay their obligations, they have also struggled to keep afloat – among them import dependent manufacturers.

“As importers have struggled to access FX, the Nigerian banks have used their FX liquidity to settle with the correspondent banks (given the LCs are guarantees), in anticipation of the CBN providing liquidity."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015—9

C M Y K

10 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22 , 2015

Lagos Assembly set to approve Wealth Creation Bill

By Ebun Sessou

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AGOS—THE Lagos State House of Assembly has referred the Bill on Wealth Creation to the House Committees on Finance and Job Creation, with a mandate to work on it for subsequent passage.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode forwarded the Bill to the House in his attempt to stem unemployment in the State.

The motion for the second reading of the Bill was moved by the Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade and seconded by another member, Bisi Yusuff.

Leading the debate, the Chairman House Committee on Finance, Oluyinka Ogundimu who disclosed that the objectives of the Bill were embedded in section 2 of the constitution, adding that “it was meant to provide financial support for residents of the state on job creation.”

Also speaking, the Chairman House Committee on Wealth Creation, Sola Giwa said the essence of the Bill was to open up entrepreneurial skills of the people.

However, the Chief Whip, Rotimi Abiru stated that; “The method of disbursement and the way to recoup the loans was not expressly stated in the Bill.”

FTZ’S BOSS KILLING: Suspects remanded in prison custody

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—FOUR suspects arrested in connection with the killing of a former Managing Director of Lekki Free Trade Zone, Tunde Disu, are to remain in prison pending when the legal advice from the Directorate of Pubic Prosecution, DPP. The late Disu was allegedly shot dead during an uproar between the management of the Free Trade Zone and the indigenes of its host communities.

Magistrate Folashade Botoku of the Ebute-Metta Chief magistrate court said the suspects should remain in prison custody, since the legal advice from the Directorate of Pubic Prosecution, DPP was not ready.

The suspects remanded by the Magistrate are; Jaiye Dele, 40; Tunde Ismaila, 27; Shakirat Agbaje, 40 and Oshinowo Olalekan.

30.

At the resume hearing of the matter yesterday, the prosecutor, Cyril Ejiofor told the court that the Office of DPP is yet to issue any advice on the matter.

While urging the court to adjourn the case pending when DPP will

MEETING: The Brewery Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc Ibadan, Mr Goke Adeyemi (3rd left) being presented with an appreciation plaque by Mr Segun Adebayo, a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) on behalf of the Oyo State Chapter when Nigerian Breweries, Ibadan hosted the end of the year meeting of the NIPR, Oyo State Chapter. With them are Mr Henry Adegbuyi, Chairman of the chapter (1st left) and Mr Tayo Adelaja, Public Affairs Manager West/Midwest of NB. issue an advice on the matter, Ejiofor also urged the court to remand the four suspects in prison custody pending the time when DPP will issue the advice.

The Police on October 13, charged 17 persons in connection with the killing.

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has said Alimosho would soon become the new Victoria Island.

The governor said this yesterday when he unveiled plans to transform Ebute-Meta into a tourist haven stating that he will

By Soni Daniel

scourge, the British Government, yesterday, announced the immeONSCIOUS of the diate increase of its military need to assist Nigeria to experts to Nigeria to help sharpen defeat the surging Boko Haram the Nigeria troops to tackle the

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Declare Faleke’s seat vacant, group tells INEC Lagos yesterday argued that

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Taiwo Oyelade, 21; Abiola Ogunsanwo, 20; Stephen Okuriaye 20; Taiwo Gafar 38; Banji Agunrege 37.

Others are Ahmed Gafar 25; Moses Okoro 30, Talabi Onadri 43; Ipaye Oriyomi 25; Yusuf Quadri 23 and Lord Lugard, 32.

Alimosho'll soon become new Victoria Island – AMBODE establish a recreation park on the stretch of land overlooking the lagoon, adjacent to the Adekunle axis of the Third Mainland Bridge.

Also yesterday the Governor commissioned the Ipaja-Ayobo and Ikotun-Ejigbo Roads.

He also inspected the on-going projects across the state promising that many of the projects would be

BOKO HARAM: Britain doubles military aid to Nigeria against insurgents insurgents.

political group in Lagos, Visioners for New Lagos (VNL) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare vacant with immediate effect, a Lagos House of Representatives seat currently being occupied by Hon James Faleke, running mate to the late Alhaji Abubakar Audu in the recent governorship election in Kogi State.

Leader of the group, Bambo Akin-Johnson who spoke in

Also, the court equally granted bail to 15 of the suspects arrested in connection with the alleged killing of the FTZ’s managing director.

Those admitted to bail were; Saidi Akanni, 41; Raufu Agunreje 31, Sunday Bulus 30;

Faleke’s continuous holding on to his seat in the House of Representatives and at the same time fighting “for his right” in the Kogi governorship election, smacks of double standards and complex greed.

He added that with the way Faleke was going about the pursuit of his right in Kogi, “he is taking the people and the system for granted and that such a situation should not arise in a regime that professes change in all aspects of the nation’s life”.

The British Defenace Minister, Michael Fallon, announced the new deal, while speaking with journalists at the British High Commission in Abuja.

Fallon said his country had also reviewed the current war that Nigeria was waging with the Boko Haram terrorists and had adopted new strategists to help Nigeria to better handle the onslaught and bring the threat to an end.

To start with, the minister said that his country has raised the number of military experts who are train the Nigerian army in intelligence gathering, gathering and handling of improvised explosive devices, airfield defence system and how to treat and evacuate casualties.

Fallon explained that while Britain would not send ground troops to fight alongside Nigerian army, it would nonetheless double funding from the current £6 million in the next year.

completed before the end of May next year when Lagos state would be 50 years-old.

While at Ipaja, Ambode promised to commence construction works on IshefunAyetoro Road, promising residents of Alimosho that Alimosho would soon become the new Victoria Island.

According to him, “Three months ago, you will all recall that we came to this particular road and we promised the people of Mosan-Okunola that we will deliver the Ipaja -Ayobo Road before Christmas, and it is on the strength of that promise that we are here today. Thank God, we have seen to the completion of this road; it has street lights beginning from Ipaja round about to the end.

“As much as we have kept our promise and delivered even before the projected day, the residents should also maintain good use of this road and cooperate with the government as we extend development to this neighbourhood. I just want to assure the people of Alimosho axis that this government is right behind you and we would do everything possible to turn Alimosho to Victoria Island,” Governor Ambode said.

The Governor also commissioned the Ejigbo road and assured residents that street light would be installed on the road from Ikotun roundabout to the Isolo Campus of Lagos

Polytechnic within three months.

Other projects the Governor inspected yesterday included the on-going construction at Brown Street Oshodi where he was briefed by the project Manager for Lobrics Construction Company, Mr Baha.

The Governor said the project which commenced about six weeks ago is now over 40 percent completed, expressing optimism that the residents in the area would enjoy the benefits of the new road when completed.

The Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area, Adeola Olajobi Dawood briefed the Governor on the challenges of the adjourning Igbehinadun and Inasa Streets, as the Governor ordered the Public Works Corporation to rehabilitate both streets within the next seven days, charging the contractor to ensure the completion of Brown Street by the end of February 2016.

The Governor also urged the residents to continue to cooperate with the contractor towards delivering the projects within the stipulated time frame.

At the Oshodi Resettlement Market, Governor Ambode ordered the Public Works Corporation to resurface the car park in the market in preparation for its reopening.

He also advised the developer of the market to consider a rent-toown modality for acquisition of the shops, saying that a monthly payment plan would prevent the shops from being hijacked by businessmen.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015 — 11

SACK THREAT: Lautech doctors dare Aregbesola

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—MEDICAL doctors working at th Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, yesterday dared the sack threat by Osun state government, describing it as a huge joke.

Medical doctors in Osun state medical facilities have been on strike since Monday, 28th September, to press home their demands for implementation of a special salary scale for doctors code-named Consolidated

Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS and relativity payment among others.

But the state government in a statement issued by Mr. Sunday Olajide, the permanent secretary, Human Resources and Capacity Building at the weekend, gave the striking doctors till Friday, December 25, 2015 to return to work or be sacked.

Addressing newsmen in the premises of the Teaching Hospital yesterday, the chairman, Association of Resident Doctors, Lautech Teaching Hospital, Dr.

Owolabi Adeyinka, said the allegation against the doctors that they are being paid salaries, despite being on strike, was untrue.

According to him, resident doctors were last paid full salary in June, stressing that since then, they have been receiving stipend that was not even up to half of their monthly pay.

Owolabi said the state government, despite not paying its doctors with the federal government approved adjusted CONMESS and relativity payment, it has been using a tax table meant for the state paying CONMESS to tax them.

He added that members of the

association have been funding update of their various local and international courses, national examinations and outside postings, which according to him should be the responsibility of their employee.

He insisted that Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, was not affiliated to any labour movement, hence no union could sign any agreement on their behalf on issues of its members welfare.

Ogun ministry generates N197m in 10 months

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CONFERENCE: From left; Director, Global reporting Initiative, Africa, Mr.Douglas Kativu; Head, Sustainability and consumer protection Department, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs Bola Adesanoye; Mrs. Ini Onuk, CEO of Thisle Praiz consulting; and Chukwuemeka Onyekwe of Financial Policy and regulation Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, at the 2015 stakeholders conference on sustainability Reporting hosted by Skye Bank Plc in Lagos.

Fayose warns new LG bosses against treasury looting

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

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DO EKITI—EKITI State Governor, Ayo Fayose yesterday, advised the 16 newly elected Local Government Chairmen in Ekiti State to erase the thought of going to steal in the councils, saying there is no money in their coffers.

Fayose, who urged the 16 newlyelected council chairmen to take the issue of internally-generated revenue serious, emphasising the need to strive to augment statutory allocations, also admonished them to tailor their expenses to the size of their revenue.

According to him, “If anyone of you have the intention of going to steal in the council you should erase that immediately from your

mind. there is no money now. The economy is seriously in trouble in Nigeria. The huge debt left by APC government is still there now for this government”.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti on Monday during the inauguration of the chairmen, the governor also said in line with the policy of empowering people at local level, each councillor and chairman would use N20,000 out of their monthly salaries to empower two persons in their wards.

Fayose also warned wives of the chairmen against extravagant way of life that could jeopardise the interest people at the grassroot, but charge them to support their spouses to work and ensure that the people enjoy the dividend of democracy.

“After seven years, Ekiti has democratised local councils. That is the hallmark of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The last local government election was conducted by Governor Segun Oni of the PDP. It does not matter where former Governor Segun Oni is today, he can still come back home.

I went and came back too. Whatever the opposition says about the poll is their funeral,’’ he said.

Assembly confirms LG service commission board members

Meantime, the State House of Assembly has confirmed the nomination of Mr Olusola Nicholas Omotoso and two others as members of the board of the state Local Government Service Commission.

BEOKUTA–THE Ogun Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Bimbo Ashiru, yesterday said that the ministry generated N197 million between January and October.

Ashiru made this known while defending the 2016 budget proposal of the ministry before the Ogun House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation in Abeokuta.

The commissioner said that the ministry generated N197 million in 10 months out of the expected N3 billion for the year, adding that the ministry had proposed N4.2 billion as its expected Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, for 2016.

“The 2015 IGR was generated from trade and artisan registration, road haulage, registration of business premises and inspection fees.

“The ministry has mapped out strategies to improve on its IGR. “The ministry proposed the sum of N962.9 million as its total expenditure for 2016, with N647 million as capital expenditure and N315 million for recurrent.

“We will continue to promote empowerment of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises through credit support facilities and also promote the production of quality exportable garments along with apprenticeship skills acquisition to alleviate poverty.”

Ondo PDP berates defectors to APC

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State yesterday said that the two chieftains who defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, were propelled by personal interest,dictated by their individual ambitions.

It was reacting to the defection of the Former Director- General Technical Aids Corps, Dr Pius Osunyikanmi and Senator Ayo Akinyelure to the APC The Director General of the party Ayo Fadaka said in a statement in Akure that the two party members have by their actions began a journey to political irrelevance.

Meanwhile, the APC in the state has welcomed the two chieftains of the ruling party to their midst.

Skye Bank customers win prices

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HREE customers of Skye bank have been rewarded with the sum of N1 million, while four others went home with N250, 000, each during the random electronic selection process at the monthly draw of the Skye Bank “Reach for the Skye Millionaire Reward” scheme. 10 others also went home with N100, 000 each. The monthly draw took place at the Better Life Market day in Sabo Market.

Speaking on the promo, Head, Retail Banking Group, Skye Bank Plc., Nkolika Okoli described the reward scheme as the Bank’s way of giving back to its new and existing customers who operate the Skye Save Plus Account or Skye Ease savings Accounts.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015

Buhari sacks NDDC MD, directors Semenitari appointed acting MD

By Soni Daniel & Jimitota Onoyume

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R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, wielded the big stick on the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, management with the sack of the Managing Director, Mr. Bassey Dan-Abia, and the two Executive Directors for Finance and Projects.

The President, in a statement by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, also announced the appointment of the immediate past Rivers State Information Commissioner, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, as acting Managing Director, pending the appointment of a substantive board.

Vanguard learned from sources in the commission that Mrs. Semenitari would assume office today in Port Harcourt, having accepted the appointment with immediate effect and promised to do her best within the period of her tenure.

“Yes, she has already asked our Abuja office to provide her with vehicles and logistics on Tuesday morning to enable her to take over with immediate effect,” the source in the NDDCC told our correspondent on phone from Port Harcourt.

The removal of the board, it was learned, was done by the Presidency as a compromise position to appease the chairman and state coordinators of the agency, who were earlier removed from office in July this year.

The sacked board, led by its

chairman, Senator Ewa Henshaw, it was learned, had challenged in court, their removal from office by the Presidency, while retaining the management led by Bassey Dan-Abia, arguing that it was in breach of the Act establishing the commission.

But the sacked board members are said to have withdrawn their case against the Presidency when convinced that the management team led by Abia would soon be shown their way out.

It will be recalled that the agency had been accused of contract-splitting, spending of huge public funds on irrelevant and non-existing projects and substandard jobs.

The commission was also on the spot for not responding to an audit query issued to its management by the AuditorGeneral of the Federation over the commission’s inability to account for N183.7 billion which passed through it between 2008 and 2012.

Documents obtained by Vanguard show that within its first two weeks, the Managing Director allegedly singlehandedly issued a local purchasing order, LPO, valued at N888.175 million to a Port Harcourt-based car dealer to supply 40 assorted vehicles although the commission was not in short supply of cars.

Among the vehicles ordered, four were armoured Sport Utility

Lexus and Landcruiser vehicles valued at N213.8 million. It was not clear when the vehicles were supplied and who is using them.

Shortly after the acquisition of the vehicles, the commission allegedly ordered the procurement of security vehicles for the Nigeria Police at the cost of N12.5 billion to enable the police to provide adequate security for the nine Niger Delta states of Abia, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Delta and Ondo states.

However, to prevent the huge contract from getting to the BPP and the FEC for scrutiny and approval, the commission allegedly split the supply job into 12 slots and awarded it to their loved ones and associates at the cost of N985 million to each of the contractors.

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SABA—THE Delta Central senatorial candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the March 28 National Assembly election, Chief Ighoyota Amori, yesterday, appealed to his supporters to remain calm.

Amori, who was sacked from the Senate by the Appeal Court in Benin City, Edo State, in a statement said that all hope was not lost.

He said; “On March 28 and Saturday April 25, 2015, the people of Delta Central senatorial district gave me their mandate to represent them in the Senate.

“Despite the antics and desperation of the opposition parties in the twice conducted senatorial election, the people of Delta Central with determination gave their votes to me, the PDP candidate in the election, because of their confidence in me to offer them the needed representation in the Senate for the advancement of the Urhobo nation.

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By Chioma Onuegbu

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YO—MEMBERS of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly have elected the member representing Nsit Ubium state constituency, Mr Onofiok Luke, as the new Speaker.

Luke’s election as the new Speaker, yesterday, was due to the need to fill the seat which became vacant after the sack of the former Speaker, Mr Aniekan Uko, by the Appeal Court ruling last Wednesday on the grounds of noncompliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Rivers REC denies rumour of transfer

By Jimitota Onoyume

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MEETING: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (left) and HRH Aidenojie Ehidiamen, Onojie of Opoji, during a meeting with royal fathers from Edo Central at the Government House, on Monday.

Remain calm, Amori appeals to supporters

By Festus Ahon

Onofiok Luke takes over as A-Ibom Speaker

“My victory in the twice conducted senatorial election was affirmed by the Election Petition Tribunal which sat in Asaba, the capital city of Delta State, in two separate judgments against the opposition parties, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Labour Party, LP, in the tribunal.

“The Appeal Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State, on December 14, 2015 further affirmed my victory by

dismissing in its entirety the appeal brought against me by the APC candidate in the senatorial election.

“Regrettably, however, same Appeal Court five days after, reversed itself when it ruled in favour of the LP candidate in the election by upholding all the prayers in his petition.

“I deeply appreciate the countless visits, phone calls and text messages from far and near in show of solidarity and

condemnation of the Appeal Court ruling that has further put a taint in the nation’s judiciary.

“As a law abiding citizen, I wish to sincerely appeal for calm particularly from Nigerians, Deltans and particularly my Urhobo brothers and sisters over the outcome of the Appeal Court judgment. All hopes are not lost at all. Continue to have faith in me and together we shall overcome this temporary setback.”

Wike assents to 2016 budget

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, yesterday, signed the N307 billion 2016 budget passed by the state House of Assembly.

The governor lauded the lawmakers for the speedy consideration given to the

appropriation bill.

He performed the signing ceremony before some of the lawmakers at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt.

He said: “I assure the people of Rivers State that this administration will diligently implement this

budget. We shall complete ongoing projects and initiate new ones for the good of the people.

“I am happy that the Rivers State Executive Council and the state House of Assembly have forged a common front to massively develop the state. We are partners in progress.”

ORT HARCOURT— RESIDENT Electoral Commissioner, REC in Rivers State, Dame Gecilia Khan, has denied newspaper reports that she had been transferred from the state.

Khan, who spoke, yesterday, when contacted

by Vanguard said, no officer of the commission in the state had been transferred.

She said transfer in the civil service was a routine action, noting that it would not be an issue if she was transferred.

Oshiomhole condoles with Aremu on wife’s death

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has condoled with the General Secretary, National Union of Garment and Textile Workers, Issa Aremu, on the death of his wife, Hajia Hamdalat Aremu, describing her as a woman with “a heart of gold.”

In a condolence letter to the bereaved labour leader, the governor said: “There comes a time in a man’s life when words become insufficient to describe happenings around us. The painful death of your dear wife beats me hollow. I have been shocked since the news broke out a couple of days back and left me utterly undone that death could snatch such a soul mate of my friend and fellow comrade."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015 — 13

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14 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22 , 2015

Ekwueme, Danjuma, Balogun, Dafinone, Ovia, Akande, Rabiu are lifetime achievers

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

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WO unpretentious politicians, two banking pioneers, an officer gentleman and two industrial icons are recognised for their lifetime achievements in the professions by Vanguard in the year 2015.

•Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Vice-President Dr. Alex Ekwueme, who served as vice-president in the Second Republic, is remembered for his unswerving loyalty to democratic norms a character that projected him as the rallying figure for democracy activists at the height of the abuses of the Sanni Abacha era. Dr. Ekwueme’s principled commitment to democracy, nay party fidelity, has been repeatedly tried, but despite mistreatments he has remained faithful to his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. •Lt. Gen. T.Y. Danjuma (Retd) A distinguished officer and gentleman who rose to become the Chief of Army Staff, and subsequently, minister of defence, Gen. Danjuma on retirement from soldiering has distinguished himself in business with interests in oil and gas, agriculture, hospitality among others.

•Senator David Dafinone, eminent Accountant One of Nigeria’s pioneering chartered accountants, Senator Dafinone’s life achievement is globally recognised as the father of the largest number of qualified accountants in a family in the world. Senator Dafinone, who qualified as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, had the distinctive role of fathering three sons and two daughters who between 1986 and 1999 also became members of the same institute.

•Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun, Chairman, First City Group Founder of FCMB, Nigeria’s first indigenous merchant bank, Otunba Balogun stands in the hall of fame for his inspiring role in drawing young Nigerians of his era to the financial services industry.

Before and following his retirement, Otunba Balogun has also marked out a place of distinction in philanthropy.

•Mr. Jim Ovia – Chairman of Zenith Bank Mr. Jim Ovia’s outstanding role in projecting Zenith Bank which he founded into a continental and global

player especially in the use of automation has won him plaudits from near and far.

Mr. Ovia has also spawned other successful business concerns in telecommunications, oil and gas, hospitality among others. Besides, Mr. Ovia has won distinctive honours in giving back to society using his business concerns and his personal fortune.

•Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande, President, LCCI Seasoned boardroom player, Mrs. Akande, a former minister of industry has become a role model not just for women, but for Nigeria’s industrial players who seek to lift the limitations against the entrepreneurial spirit. It is perhaps in recognition of her sterling role to lift industry that she was recently inaugurated as the President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI. •Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, Chairman, BUA Group Abdulsamad Rabiu’s giant strides in industry are buttressed by the success recorded by his BUA Group, in the manufacture of pasta, flour milling, sugar refinery, cement production and ports and terminals management. He has in the process distinguished himself as one of Nigeria’s leading employers of labour.

NASS shuts down as Buhari presents 2016 budget today

By Henry Umoru, Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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B U J A – A S President Muhammadu Buhari presents the 2016 Appropriation Bill to the joint session of the National Assembly comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives today, there were strong indications, yesterday, that the lawmakers are ready to ensure speedy passage of the bill.

Vanguard learned that senators and members of the House of Representatives are prepared to give the bill accelerated consideration and passage into law.

As part of moves to fast track the passage of the bill when the Senators resume from New year break in the second week

of January, a source told Vanguard that once the President presents the budget today, the Senate and the House of Representatives will go to their various chambers to commence work.

According to the source, part of the arrangement is to present the bill for first reading today and tomorrow, when the lawmakers will formally adjourn sitting till next year, the bill would be presented for second reading and passed and thereafter referred to the appropriate committees on Finance, Budget, National Planning and Appropriation among others.

The move, the source told Vanguard, would make the job easy as the budget would then be at the committee level where ministers, heads of parastatals, departments and

agencies of government would be invited to defend their budget.

Last Wednesday, the Senate approved the Medium Term and Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper, FSP submitted by the Federal Government, just as it approved Crude Oil Benchmark price of US$38 per barrel for 2016 despite the global dwindling crude oil price to $36 per barrel as at Monday from the $40 per barrel.

In the documents, the Senate also approved that the Federal Government should in 2016 establish a data base and possibly a single salary account for all its employees as that would help streamline and reduce its personnel cost.

It also approved the exchange rate of N197 to $1 as proposed in the MTEF.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015—15

BIAFRA: Stop duping politicians, Uwazuruike tells

ex-MASSOB members ...as Ohanaeze youths slam presidency over arrest, detention of agitators •Buhari toying with Igbo unity —WIC •Igbo safe in Nigeria —Bishop Ezeokafor

By Emeka Aginam, Vincent Ujumadu, Nkiruka Nnorom, Nwabueze Okonkwo & Ugochukwu Alaribe

ABA—FOUNDER of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike has warned expelled members of the organization to stop using MASSOB to collect money from politicians.

Uwazurike, who stated this through MASSOB’s National Director of Information, Sunny Okereafor, vowed never to compromise his leadership of the organization and the Biafra Independent Movement, BIM, adding that the two organizations have been repositioned to actualize the independent state of Biafra.

According to him: “They should stop using MASSOB to collect money from politicians and the Federal Government. They should stop giving a bad name to MASSOB by working for politicians. This is not the time to collect money and continue deceiving Ndigbo.

"We are freedom fighters; expelled members like Uchenna Madu and other pretenders should stop commercializing the Biafra struggle. I will never compromise my leadership or work with politicians. We have restructured and strengthened MASSOB to actualize Biafra.

“This is why we have now made it compulsory that before you belong to BIM, you must have served in MASSOB for at least five years so that you will be able to understand our non-violent struggle. We have our structures in all the states of the former Eastern region; Biafran elders-incouncil, Biafran zonal leaders, Biafran regional administrators and directors.

"We don't want negotiation; it is either Biafra or nothing. Anybody who collects money from politicians or the Federal Government is on his own. They should stop deceiving Ndigbo.

Biafra is the answer.”

The Biafran leader further urged the Federal Government to respect the order of the court and unconditionally release the detained Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, adding that MASSOB will continue to agitate for an independent state of Biafra through non-violent protest.

“Federal Government should respect the court order and release Nnamdi Kanu. As for MASSOB, we will continue the protest for an independent state of Biafra through non-violent struggle," he said.

Youths slam presidency Mindful of the danger Kanu's continued incarceration poses for

the unity of Nigeria, an Igbo youth organisation under the aegis of Ohaneze Youth Council, OYC, Worldwide has blasted the Federal Government over the arrest and detention of pro-Biafra agitators, describing their detention as inhuman and anti-peace.

The group observed that appealing to the deadly Boko Haram sect to embrace dialogue, while at the same time killing and maiming the non-violent and peaceful pro-Biafra agitators depicts the ethnic agenda of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that it is a clear case of condoning a crime against humanity.

In a statement by the Council’s President General, Mr. Francis Oji and Secretary, Board of Trustees, Mazi Okwu Okwu, the group said that the manner the Federal Government is handling the Biafra agitators shows the dishonesty and policy inconsistency.

It therefore called on the Federal Government to toe the path of peace by dialoguing with the Biafra agitators, while calling for unconditional release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Director of the Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, and the leader of the Biafra Zionist Movement, Mr. Ben Onwuka, and others.

The youth organization opined that the release of these detainees would usher in the needed trust that would lead to peaceful resolution of the present logjam.

The group, however, commended the agitators for their humane ideology and encouraged them to remain coolheaded and never abandon the path of non-violence .

“The December 2, 2015 massacre of the Biafra agitators by the military for blocking Niger Bridge head, which was done to make loud statement on their quest for dialogue is highly regrettable and condemnable because protests involving road blocking have been seen in the Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin and Abuja axis of the country and they were greeted with negotiations.

“We call on the Federal Government to show high level of maturity and observance of rule of law in dealing with the protesting Biafra agitators.

Government should listen to their genuine requests and agitations for dialogue that are practically the same as peaceful resolutions.

“Telling the Islamist fundamentalists and terrorists, Boko Haram to stop their merciless killings and crime against humanity and to embrace dialogue while otherwise killing, maiming and detaining the peaceful Biafra agitators is absurd and illogical," they stated.

Toying with the unity of Nigeria Similarly, the World Igbo

VISIT: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (right), receiving a gift from General Manager of a Chinese corporation, CCECC, during the company's visit to the governor , at Government House, Enugu, yesterday.

Congress, WIC, the umbrella body of Igbo people resident in the United States of America and Canada, has unequivocally condemned the continued incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu by the Department of State Services, DSS, despite the unambiguous order of the Abuja Federal High Court Judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, on December 17, 2015, who released Kanu on bail unconditionally by ruling that the continued extra-judicial detention of Kanu, without trial, violated Section 158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015 and Section 35 of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The WIC also condemned President Buhari's government's use of security agents and members of the Nigerian armed forces to suppress the rights of citizens to freedom of speech and assembly as evidenced in the recent and repeated slaughter of innocent members of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in Onitsha, Anambra State and the recent killing of hundreds of members of Sheik Ibrahim ElZakzaky’s Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, following a procession in Zaria, Kaduna State.

While condemning the recent report attributed to President Buhari, requiring Kanu to denounce his campaign for the actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra as a precondition for his release, in contravention of the courts’ order for Kanu’s unconditional release, WIC also called on President Buhari to address the festering and perennial inequity against the Igbo in Nigeria since the end of the civil war, which has since assumed a disproportionate impunity since he was sworn in as the President of Nigeria on May 29, 2015.

24-hour ultimatum Meantime, an Igbo cultural organisation, Ndigbo Unity

Forum, NUF, yesterday, condemned the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu by the Department of State Services, DSS, after the order by the appellate court to release him unconditionally, consequent upon the withdrawal of all the charges against him by the federal government.

In a press statement to newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra State, President of NUF, Augustine Chukwudum said the association has given a 24-hour ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to release Kanu forthwith, failing which they would mobilize Ndigbo all over the world for a mass action against the Federal Government.

According to the statement, “what is happening has shown that Buhari hates Ndigbo and as such, this it the time for Ndigbo to unite and fight the hatred because without unity, we are gone”.

NUF condemned the silence and divisive tendencies of South East governors and National Assembly representatives, who do not stand by Kanu.

In the same vein, the Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, Anambra State Branch has expressed dismay over the continued slide to blood-letting by the security agents since the commencement of peaceful protest over the continued detention of IPOB leader.

In a strongly worded petition to Governor Willie Obiano, the CLO reminded him that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria places him as the Chief Security Officer of the state while he also swore to uphold the safety and welfare of the people as his topmost priority.

In the petition copied to Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Catholic and Anglican Bishops of Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi, as well as all the security agencies, the CLO expressed dismay over the recent events in

the state where those armed with instruments of coercion mow down innocent citizens in cold blood in the name of controlling violent protests, while their victims are unarmed and defenceless, adding that this situation calls to question, the issue of civility in the Nigerian state.

Igbo safe in Nigeria But unmoved by the allegations of oppression by the current leadership in Nigeria, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor has assured the people of South East geopolitical zone that there is no attempt by anybody to destroy the Igbo, insisting that Igbo people are safe in any part of Nigeria.

Addressing reporters at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, Bishop Ezeokafor said that contrary to the growing disenchantment in Igbo land that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government was operating anti-Igbo agenda, the president has not done anything to portray him as a sectional leader.

According to Bishop Ezeokafor, Igbo were merely being envied by other people because of the special talents God endowed them with.

The cleric rather blamed the prevailing harsh economic situation in the country on poor management of the nation’s vast resources by past leaders, expressing hope that things would eventually normalize.

He said: “If we had used our resources well in the past, the current economic crisis we are into as a country wouldn’t have occurred."

The Catholic clergy urged Christians to show love to their neighbours by forgiving and reconciling with those they are aggrieved with, emphasizing that Christmas as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, should usher in a new life of reconciliation with one another.

Vanguard, MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015—15

BIAFRA: Stop duping politicians, Uwazuruike tells

ex-MASSOB members ...as Ohanaeze youths slam presidency over arrest, detention of agitators •Buhari toying with Igbo unity —WIC •Igbo safe in Nigeria —Bishop Ezeokafor

By Emeka Aginam, Vincent Ujumadu, Nkiruka Nnorom, Nwabueze Okonkwo & Ugochukwu Alaribe

ABA—FOUNDER of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike has warned expelled members of the organization to stop using MASSOB to collect money from politicians.

Uwazurike, who stated this through MASSOB’s National Director of Information, Sunny Okereafor, vowed never to compromise his leadership of the organization and the Biafra Independent Movement, BIM, adding that the two organizations have been repositioned to actualize the independent state of Biafra.

According to him: “They should stop using MASSOB to collect money from politicians and the Federal Government. They should stop giving a bad name to MASSOB by working for politicians. This is not the time to collect money and continue deceiving Ndigbo.

"We are freedom fighters; expelled members like Uchenna Madu and other pretenders should stop commercializing the Biafra struggle. I will never compromise my leadership or work with politicians. We have restructured and strengthened MASSOB to actualize Biafra.

“This is why we have now made it compulsory that before you belong to BIM, you must have served in MASSOB for at least five years so that you will be able to understand our non-violent struggle. We have our structures in all the states of the former Eastern region; Biafran elders-incouncil, Biafran zonal leaders, Biafran regional administrators and directors.

"We don't want negotiation; it is either Biafra or nothing. Anybody who collects money from politicians or the Federal Government is on his own. They should stop deceiving Ndigbo.

Biafra is the answer.”

The Biafran leader further urged the Federal Government to respect the order of the court and unconditionally release the detained Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, adding that MASSOB will continue to agitate for an independent state of Biafra through non-violent protest.

“Federal Government should respect the court order and release Nnamdi Kanu. As for MASSOB, we will continue the protest for an independent state of Biafra through non-violent struggle," he said.

Youths slam presidency Mindful of the danger Kanu's continued incarceration poses for

the unity of Nigeria, an Igbo youth organisation under the aegis of Ohaneze Youth Council, OYC, Worldwide has blasted the Federal Government over the arrest and detention of pro-Biafra agitators, describing their detention as inhuman and anti-peace.

The group observed that appealing to the deadly Boko Haram sect to embrace dialogue, while at the same time killing and maiming the non-violent and peaceful pro-Biafra agitators depicts the ethnic agenda of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that it is a clear case of condoning a crime against humanity.

In a statement by the Council’s President General, Mr. Francis Oji and Secretary, Board of Trustees, Mazi Okwu Okwu, the group said that the manner the Federal Government is handling the Biafra agitators shows the dishonesty and policy inconsistency.

It therefore called on the Federal Government to toe the path of peace by dialoguing with the Biafra agitators, while calling for unconditional release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Director of the Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, and the leader of the Biafra Zionist Movement, Mr. Ben Onwuka, and others.

The youth organization opined that the release of these detainees would usher in the needed trust that would lead to peaceful resolution of the present logjam.

The group, however, commended the agitators for their humane ideology and encouraged them to remain coolheaded and never abandon the path of non-violence .

“The December 2, 2015 massacre of the Biafra agitators by the military for blocking Niger Bridge head, which was done to make loud statement on their quest for dialogue is highly regrettable and condemnable because protests involving road blocking have been seen in the Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin and Abuja axis of the country and they were greeted with negotiations.

“We call on the Federal Government to show high level of maturity and observance of rule of law in dealing with the protesting Biafra agitators.

Government should listen to their genuine requests and agitations for dialogue that are practically the same as peaceful resolutions.

“Telling the Islamist fundamentalists and terrorists, Boko Haram to stop their merciless killings and crime against humanity and to embrace dialogue while otherwise killing, maiming and detaining the peaceful Biafra agitators is absurd and illogical," they stated.

Toying with the unity of Nigeria Similarly, the World Igbo

VISIT: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (right), receiving a gift from General Manager of a Chinese corporation, CCECC, during the company's visit to the governor , at Government House, Enugu, yesterday.

Congress, WIC, the umbrella body of Igbo people resident in the United States of America and Canada, has unequivocally condemned the continued incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu by the Department of State Services, DSS, despite the unambiguous order of the Abuja Federal High Court Judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, on December 17, 2015, who released Kanu on bail unconditionally by ruling that the continued extra-judicial detention of Kanu, without trial, violated Section 158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015 and Section 35 of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The WIC also condemned President Buhari's government's use of security agents and members of the Nigerian armed forces to suppress the rights of citizens to freedom of speech and assembly as evidenced in the recent and repeated slaughter of innocent members of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in Onitsha, Anambra State and the recent killing of hundreds of members of Sheik Ibrahim ElZakzaky’s Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, following a procession in Zaria, Kaduna State.

While condemning the recent report attributed to President Buhari, requiring Kanu to denounce his campaign for the actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra as a precondition for his release, in contravention of the courts’ order for Kanu’s unconditional release, WIC also called on President Buhari to address the festering and perennial inequity against the Igbo in Nigeria since the end of the civil war, which has since assumed a disproportionate impunity since he was sworn in as the President of Nigeria on May 29, 2015.

24-hour ultimatum Meantime, an Igbo cultural organisation, Ndigbo Unity

Forum, NUF, yesterday, condemned the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu by the Department of State Services, DSS, after the order by the appellate court to release him unconditionally, consequent upon the withdrawal of all the charges against him by the federal government.

In a press statement to newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra State, President of NUF, Augustine Chukwudum said the association has given a 24-hour ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to release Kanu forthwith, failing which they would mobilize Ndigbo all over the world for a mass action against the Federal Government.

According to the statement, “what is happening has shown that Buhari hates Ndigbo and as such, this it the time for Ndigbo to unite and fight the hatred because without unity, we are gone”.

NUF condemned the silence and divisive tendencies of South East governors and National Assembly representatives, who do not stand by Kanu.

In the same vein, the Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, Anambra State Branch has expressed dismay over the continued slide to blood-letting by the security agents since the commencement of peaceful protest over the continued detention of IPOB leader.

In a strongly worded petition to Governor Willie Obiano, the CLO reminded him that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria places him as the Chief Security Officer of the state while he also swore to uphold the safety and welfare of the people as his topmost priority.

In the petition copied to Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Catholic and Anglican Bishops of Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi, as well as all the security agencies, the CLO expressed dismay over the recent events in

the state where those armed with instruments of coercion mow down innocent citizens in cold blood in the name of controlling violent protests, while their victims are unarmed and defenceless, adding that this situation calls to question, the issue of civility in the Nigerian state.

Igbo safe in Nigeria But unmoved by the allegations of oppression by the current leadership in Nigeria, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor has assured the people of South East geopolitical zone that there is no attempt by anybody to destroy the Igbo, insisting that Igbo people are safe in any part of Nigeria.

Addressing reporters at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, Bishop Ezeokafor said that contrary to the growing disenchantment in Igbo land that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government was operating anti-Igbo agenda, the president has not done anything to portray him as a sectional leader.

According to Bishop Ezeokafor, Igbo were merely being envied by other people because of the special talents God endowed them with.

The cleric rather blamed the prevailing harsh economic situation in the country on poor management of the nation’s vast resources by past leaders, expressing hope that things would eventually normalize.

He said: “If we had used our resources well in the past, the current economic crisis we are into as a country wouldn’t have occurred."

The Catholic clergy urged Christians to show love to their neighbours by forgiving and reconciling with those they are aggrieved with, emphasizing that Christmas as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, should usher in a new life of reconciliation with one another.

16 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22 22, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015 — 17

F

“

ABU” is a Yoruba slang denoting an exaggerated lie. It points to a tall tale; a gross distortion of the truth.

“Fabu” is a shortened form of the English word “fabulate,” which refers to the composition of fables or stories featuring a strong element of fantasy and lies. Without a doubt, within the Nigerian political stratosphere, APC is a party that lives in “fabuland.”

Art of fabulation: The chief exponent of APC fabulation is Lai Mohammed. He was formerly the party’s National Publicity Secretary, a post in which he distinguished himself.

This has now earned him promotion to the post of Minister of Information and Culture. In this new capacity, Mohammed has already begun to fine-tune his art of fabulation. No sooner had he become Minister than he went ahead to tell Nigerians that fuel scarcity would soon be a thing of the past.

These are his words delivered with characteristic aplomb at the Abuja office of Daily Trust newspapers on 2 December, 2015: “We can confidently announce here today that the (fuel) scarcity will end in a few days. The National Assembly has approved subsidy payment till the end of the year.

As you know, we can’t spend money without approval. We can assure you that we won’t be caught in this kind of situation again.”

They call this kind of “fabu” “famous last words.” Anyone living in Nigeria this Christmas season can bear witness to the extent to which Mohammed’s words have originated from APC’s fantasy fabuland. In Lagos, for example, the roads are completely clogged like at no other time because they have been overtaken by cars queuing for fuel. More than ever before, it now takes literally hours on end to go from A to B.

Confusion galore Ibe Kachikwu, the Minister of State for Petroleum, has quickly come out with another pie-in-the-sky from APC’s “fabuland,” conveniently changing Mohammed’s fabulous goalpost without even batting an eyelid. Speaking to the party’s big-guns from Delta State, Kachikwu promises to bring about fundamental changes in Nigeria’s oil sector not before the end of 2015, but before the end of 2016.

Hear him: “The country’s oil sector will experience a turnaround such that the refineries will work effectively and products will be made available to the people at an affordable price within 365 days.”

You begin to wonder whether APC members even bother to coordinate their own fabulations. Would any rightthinking Nigerian buy a used car from any member of the APC today? I doubt it!

Apparently, the government has C M Y K

APC in the land of 'Fabu' determined that we should fill our tanks with “fabu” instead of petrol this holiday season.

What does this mean for those planning to travel home for Christmas and the New Year?

Non-existent petrol subsidy During the heated debate in 2012, when President Jonathan sought to remove the petroleum subsidy, the APC championed national revolt against the government.

People occupied the streets and the government was forced to back down. General Buhari came out to tell Nigerians that the whole issue of petroleum subsidy was one big government scam.

He said: “I don’t understand what the Nigerian economists and the members of the government are calling subsidy. Who is subsidising who? If anybody says he is subsidising anything, it is a fraud. So all these people talking about subsidy; who is subsidising who?”

But now that Buhari is not only president, but also the unofficial Minister of Petroleum Resources; the subsidy is apparently no longer fraudulent. His position now is that this “fraud” is in the interest of Nigerians. Speaking at a briefing by the petroleum ministry on 13 July, 2015, the president said: “I have received many literature on the need to remove subsidies, but much of it has no depth. When you touch the price of petroleum products; that has the effect of triggering price rises on

Would any rightthinking Nigerian buy a used car from any member of the APC today?

I doubt it!

transportation, food and rents.

That is for those who earn salaries, but there are many who are jobless and will be affected by it.”

We may well ask why Mr. President is now trying to defend and retain something he claimed was fraudulent and even non-existent. “Who is now subsidising who?”

“Buhari tax”: Under Jonathan, Senator Bola Tinubu, the so-called National Leader of the APC, rallied Nigerians against the removal of the petroleum subsidy.

He castigated the government’s attempt to remove the subsidy as a wicked tool designed to impoverish Nigerians. These were his words: “As there is progressive politics, there is progressive economics. As there is elitist politics, there is elitist economics. It all depends on what and who in society government would rather favour. The Jonathan tax represents a new standard in elitism. Because he is slave to wrong-headed economics the people will become enslaved to greater misery.

Same petroleum subsidy This crisis will bear his name and will be his legacy. The people now pay a steep tax for voting him into office. The removal of the subsidy is the ‘Jonathan tax.’”

But now that the APC is in power, Tinubu is calling for the removal of the same petroleum subsidy he lampooned Jonathan for trying to remove.

Speaking at the memorial anniversary of the passing of the late Bala Usman on 18 December, 2015, Tinubu said: “I have reached the conclusion that there are too many demons in the system for that hell to be turned into heaven. It is better that we remove it, not for the austere purpose of saving money but to use the money more wisely that we might better save the people. Let us begin a process of a thoughtful, but decisive subsidy phase-out.”

What are we to make of this hypocrisy? According to Tinubu, the removal of the petroleum subsidy under the PDP would amount to a Jonathan tax designed to enslave the people to greater misery. But under the APC, the removal of the subsidy would

be a Buhari tax that would save the people. Which of these “fabu” are we supposed to believe? I repeat, can any rightthinking Nigerian buy a used car from any APC member today?

The end of Boko Haram:

In an interview with Christiane Amanpour of CNN, Buhari boasted he would defeat Boko Haram within two months if elected president. This was how the “fabu” was expressed at the time: “We know how they started and where they are now and we will rapidly give attention to security in the country. And I believe we will effectively deal with them in two months when we get into office.”But once elected, the president insisted this “fabu” was the creation of his opponents. He said: “I think I am too experienced in internal security to give two months deadline on Boko Haram. I don’t think I would have made that statement. I didn’t.”

Nevertheless, the president could not resist coming up with another “fabu” to replace the earlier one. At a meeting in October 2015 with General Rodriguez, Commander of the United States’ Africa Command, the same President Buhari who said he could not have declared it would take only two months to defeat Boko Haram, now said the insurgency would be defeated in three months.

Structured attacks Hear him: “Structured attacks by the insurgents have reduced and by the end of the year, we should see the final routing of Boko Haram as an organised fighting force.” He again reiterated this “fabu” on Al Jazeera’s Up Front magazine: “As soon as the rainy season comes (to an end), which is by the end of the year, Boko Haram will virtually be out of their main stronghold and that will be the end of it.”

Only God knows why the president finds it necessary to come out with this kind of “fabu.” It is the kind of thing even the president of superpower United States would not dare to make.

However, our very own APC members live permanently in fabuland. Their “fabus” are on never-ending auto-pilot. They come one after the other and are never impeded by reason, logic

or even outright contradictions.

The government spends a lot of time coming up with “fabus,” denying them, defending them and varnishing them. The president has even found it necessary to reassure his teeming supporters that he will not resign because a “fabu” is discovered incontrovertibly to be a “fabu.” He told Al Jazeera’s Mehdi Hasan that if Boko Haram is not defeated by December: “I will not resign.”

But why declare the “fabu” in the first place if it can later be ignored? The “fabu” is simply a hyperbole to be fed periodically to the public, in lieu of concrete public policy.

Anti-corruption “fabu” One of the biggest, if not the biggest, “fabu” of this APC government is that it is fighting corruption when, in actual fact, anti-corruption is merely an instrument for decimating the PDP and establishing a oneparty APC state. Today, APC carefully ignores its own corrupt members while going after the PDP exclusively.

In order not to scare off dodgy members of his party with his anti-corruption “fabu,” Buhari promised to let corrupt sleeping dogs lie if elected: “A few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores. The past is prologue,” he said.

He further elaborated on this at the APC campaign rally in Kaduna: “Whoever that is indicted of corruption between 1999 to the time of swearingin, would be pardoned. I am going to draw a line, anybody who involved himself in corruption after I assume office, will face the music.”

But now that that “fabu” has fulfilled its purpose, it has been conveniently jettisoned. Of course, APC members remain untouchable; Buhari’s anticorruption is now only applicable to the PDP. However, it might not be so cut and dry as the president would like.

Buhari himself is implicated in the “fabu” of Dasukigate, which would have Nigerians believe that while PDP used public funds illegally for party-political purposes, the APC did not.

In July 2014, Buhari’s SUV was attacked and damaged.

Two SUVs were given to him to replace the damaged one.

The two-for-one replacement contravenes section 3(1) of the Remuneration of Former Presidents and Heads of State Act of 2004. According to that Act, Buhari is not entitled to any new vehicles until 2016; and certainly not from the office of the NSA. We can expect to hear more “fabus” on this issue as the case continues to go out of control.

Would any right-thinking Nigerian buy a used car from any member of the APC today?

Only Buharimaniacs still seem inclined to do so.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015 WE are deeply worried over the increasing frequency of accusations of the Nigerian military and security agencies meddling in the conduct of elections. Very few elections have been held without the Military and Police being accused by the parties in opposition, of being unlawfully used by the ruling party at the centre to compromise such elections.

For instance, the All Progressives Congress (APC) had elaborately circulated “evidence” that portrayed the Nigerian Army as having been used by the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to facilitate the victory of its candidate, Mr Ayo Peter Fayose, for the Ekiti State governorship election of June 2014.

And in the recently concluded Bayelsa State governorship poll which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared inconclusive, the PDP, which is now in the opposition, also accused the military of providing security cover in

The Military and our elections the alleged attempt by the APC to falsify the Southern Ijaw Local Government results to upstage Governor Seriake Dickson, the flag bearer of the PDP who is in the lead.

The military’s illegal involvement in elections is almost as old as independent Nigeria. It was accused of being widely used between 1962 and 1965 in parts of the North and West by the defunct Northern People’s Congress (NPC), the party in power at the centre, and this precipitated the crises and violence that culminated in the first military coup in January 1966

and the consequential Nigerian civil war.

Also in 1983, the military was accused by the opposition parties of being used by the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) federal government to “steal” votes from opposition strongholds. The government that was sworn in on October 1, 1983 lasted only three months before it was overthrown.

Nigeria, unfortunately, is a country where the leaders do not learn from the past, and for that reason, we are condemned to recycle the ugly

chapters of our history. When Nigeria returned to civil rule in 1999 after a sixteen-year long run of military dictatorship, the military ’s meddlesome involvement in our elections was very minimal. However, with the existence of two dominant rival political parties, the tendency for ruling parties to turn to our security forces for help appears to be on the rise.

We condemn this trend without equivocation. Indeed, at this juncture of our history, it would be foolhardy to totally sideline the military from helping the INEC to deliver safe and credible polls. However, the military and other security agencies MUST restrict their involvement to ensuring the safety of the voters, electoral officials and election materials as the Electoral Act requires. They must only maintain the law and protect the vote.

Anything more than that is unacceptable.

OPINION Edo 2016: The next governor

By David Ikehueoya

I

N a few months, precisely November next year 2016 Governor Adams Oshiomhole will cease to be the occupant of the state house in Benin.

Indeed, if the people of Edo state had their way, the distinguished labour leader of the radical mould would rule Edo State till the end of time. Such is the impact he has had on the state and the people. But the constitution only permits two terms of four years each.

As such, his departure next year is certain as the sun rises from the east. It is against this background that as the comrade governor prepares to hand over the baton of leadership in Edo State next year, his successor should be properly screened to ascertain if by his antecedents, he can further lift Edo State to the next level.

What is, perhaps most interesting is that all the gladiators in Edo State politics have moved into the APC and are jostling for its 2016 gubernatorial ticket. The problem of Nigeria is poor leadership and corruption. The leadership is more interested in power and authority for self benefit which gave rise to the saying "if you cannot beat them, join them". This self-centredness of the status seekers resulted in the

present rush for self fulfillment against social responsibility and commitment to the general welfare of the public which has now become the bane of progress and public spiritedness.

This has led to mass poverty and the very few rich most of whose wealth are due to "man know man" cult. If you are not part of them, you remain where you are. The truth of the matter, however, is that the phenomenon of "Man know Man" is detrimental to national development.

A few specific examples will explain the evils of this phenomenon.

In 2006, former Oyo State Governor, Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja, was removed from office and his deputy Adebayo Alao-Akala was sworn in as the new governor through the influence of late

It would appear that gubernatorial aspirants with clean past record, who have not soiled their fingers as it were and have made tremendous success in their chosen fields may as well find favour during APC primaries

Chief Lamidi Adedibu, using his supporters in the Oyo House of Assembly. Although the charges against the former governor were hardly proved, eight of the 24 legislators held a session in hotel which the supreme court condemned in his judgment.

The said legislators adopted the report of a panel and passed a motion for Ladoja's impeachment within 25 minutes. However, Chief Adedibu had another reason for the impeachment.

Hear him, "I put him there. So, if I demand money will it be wrong? Do I need to ask for it before he gives it to me? I never demand money from him" (Adedibu in Tell, January 23, 2006 Pg 21.) Yet, it was said he had received up to N100 million from Ladoja's private account since he became governor in May 29, 2003.

Before Ladoja, the first democratic governors of Anambra State after the return of democratic rule in the country in 1999, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju and Dr. Chris Ngige, had the same experience. The issue of "Man know Man" should not be allowed to raise its ugly head in Edo State.

Indeed, there is need to address this evil of "Man know Man" if Nigeria must develop politically, socially and economically. We must undertake a massive political enlightenment of our people to let them depart from following this philosophy of "Man know Man".

From this standpoint, it would appear that gubernatorial aspirants with clean past records, who have not soiled their fingers as it were and have made tremendous success in their chosen fields may as well find favour during APC primaries in Edo State. We are reminding the voters that Edo state wants credible persons who would consolidate the achievements of our dear comrade governor and conceive innovative ideas for the betterment of our people.

This will perhaps explain why Paul Obazee acknowledges the fact that Engineer Chris Ogiemwonyi is a visionary leader, who has proved his mettle having rendered meritorious service to Nigerians in general and Edo indigenes in particular in his chosen field of endeavour. Chris is a man that genuinely has the passion to serve Edo people. He has the potential to transform Edo state in the area of human capital development, and infrastructure.

As we move towards the 2016 governorship race in Edo State, all eyes are on the rising profile of Chris who is expected to hold the APC banner in the state after the primary to continue on the solid foundation laid by our comrade governor. *Mr. Ikehueoya, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Benin City, Edo State.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015— —19

Will it be different this time?

By Sunny Ikhioya

T

HERE is a familiar ring to all that has been happening in our nation these past few weeks.

It is like history repeating itself all over but, this time it is so close to the immediate past and penultimate governments. It beggars belief that we are still applying the same antidote that we have applied to same ailment in the past and expecting different results. So much razzmatazz, so much frenzy. People are getting groggy with excitements, that at last, the big masquerades are being unmasked. Daily we hear of mind blowing billions of naira, monies that belong to the commonwealth of Nigeria being distributed like a birthday cake.

They are all being paraded to face the instruments of the law, to face justice. The question is: Will this time be different? Will it be another circus show as witnessed in the past? Will justice really take its course and come of age in this country? That is the challenge of the present circumstance.

Again, we saw it under the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo, the EFCC was used to hound and persecute perceived enemies, the only ones who came in for trial were those who were not in the good books of the government of the day. At the end, the EFCC as an institution was brought to ridicule when President Yar' Adua came on board.

President Goodluck Jonathan went further during his tenure to bring the high and mighty of the PDP party to justice through

the fuel subsidy scam investigations. Again, after much huffs and puffs, the whole thing gradually faded away. This government has started another process, will this time be different? Why must our prosecutions and trials be a circus show? How is this trial by the media different from the ones we have witnessed in the past? How do we convince our judiciary to go with the flow? How do we make our lawyers change their attitudes towards criminal prosecutions and delays? How can we make the EFCC realise that the criminals are not only in the PDP, that for there to be real change, everyone that is guilty must face prosecution? How do we make the people in position of authority realise that they have to lead the change? How do we judiciously use recovered funds for the people's benefit? Are we going to continue with the same old methods and expect different results?

It is true that the government is under severe pressure to perform, judging from the campaign promises given and expectations of the people. The people are beginning to realise that it will take sometime for change to come but the fact that people are calling for change does not mean that due process must be jettisoned. It does not mean that our security agents must first put people in detention before searching for evidence that will be used to prosecute them. Maybe our security agencies do not know this; every one big fish that escapes conviction through court process

is a failure on their part. That is why the media trial and bravado is not the issue but the conclusion of the matter. Will the outcome of the present drive be different? It does not appear to be so.

We have heard rumours of looted funds in the custody of the Central bank, why should funds be lying there fallow? Do we not have specific projects to tie this fund to or we want to share it as usual for politicians to mis manage?

A few weeks ago, a story was on the internet regarding the new President of Tanzania, the one who won the Goodluck Jonathan supervised election. Barely one month in office, this is what the New Vision Media online reported about him; "...Last weekend they were opening parliament and there was a state dinner planned for all guests that was going to cost about 300m. President John Magufuli reduced the budget to 25m and ordered that the rest be taken to buy hospital beds for Muhimbili. They got 300 beds

The over all interest of the nation must take precedence over the personal whims and exuberance of over excited law enforcement and government officials.

Must dos in Bayelsa guber re-run election

By Godfrey Pondei

T

HE Bayelsa gubernatorial election has come with memories - good and bad - that could linger for a long while.

Being the second to be conducted in the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government, the outcome equally provides a basis to compare democratic tenets as upheld by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) particularly in the Nigerian context.

This is in view of the use of armed forces in safeguarding lives and property, as well as the alleged abuse of the same in some instances. It is worth highlighting the alleged role of the military in the June 21, 2014 Ekiti governorship election which sparked a debate over the legality, desirability or otherwise of deploying troops to keep peace during general elections in Nigeria. This further brings to mind the Court of Appeal's decision on the Ekiti election petition, which ruled that it is illegal to deploy soldiers for election duties, thereby validating the decision of a Sokoto High Court that the military should play no direct role during elections. Obviously, this was not the experience in the recent Bayelsa gubernatorial election that has led to a quagmire.

Described as the most keenly contested election since 1999, the Bayelsa gubernatorial election was conducted amidst uncertainties as the outcome was believed to have gone either way between the ruling PDP in the state and the major challenger - the APC. Equally adjudged the freest and fairest

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in the state's history, Yenagoa, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Ogbia, Nembe, Sagbama, Ekeremor and Brass Local Governments witnessed fairly peaceful elections with large turnout of voters.

Sadly, however, the experience in Southern Ijaw Local Government was different and has led to the quagmire that the election has been characterized.

Here, snatching of ballot boxes, late release of sensitive materials, and the use of firearms by ex-agitators marred the election process that could have returned a winner by now.

Consequently, the streets of Yenagoa, the State capital witnessed protests by women groups and others over alleged connivance of desperate political gladiators with military officials to change the electoral trend. In a live radio

Early deployment of security agencies is a must-do as it will avail operatives the opportunity to, at least, familiarise themselves with the terrain before Election Day just as they 'must' live above board in the discharge of their professional duties

and mattresses and 600 bed sheets from that money.

On 23rd November 2015, he announced that there will be no official ceremonies for Independence Day on 9th December, the money is to be used for more pressing issues and the day should instead be spent cleaning up our environment.

On Saturday 21st November 2015, a group of 50 people were about to set off for a tour of Commonwealth countries (don’t know for what) but President Magufuli cut that list down to four persons, saving government 600m in tickets, accommodation and per diems No more foreign travel, embassies will take care; if it’s necessary to go, special permission must be sought from him or Chief Secretary No more 1st class and business class travel for all officials except President, Vice, and Prime Minister. No more workshops and seminars in expensive hotels when there are so many ministry board rooms available.

President Magufuli asked how come engineers are given V8s when a pick-up is more suitable for their jobs. No more sitting allowances, how come you get paid allowance for a job which you have a monthly salary for; that also applies to MPs. President Magufuli has literally pressed the reset button; returning Tanzania to default factory settings, because that was the standard Julius Nyerere left us with.

On the day after he was brought to power, in the morning as State House officials were showing him round he decided to take a walk to ministry of finance, told them to get their act together, asked why some employees weren’t in office (ever since then the traffic jam

programme, the State Deputy Governor - Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd) - confirmed several incidences of the military conniving with political gladiators in taking actions that were not only inimical to the conduct of a free and fair election but totally unethical of military officers.

Unique as states and geopolitical zones could be, the expectation that the Bayelsa gubernatorial election will be an improvement over the Kogi experience was not much to be desired.

This is why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must remain truly independent in the conduct of the rerun election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area by truly heeding to the dictates of the electorates.

INEC must also be cognisant of the Bayelsa terrain in putting in place proper and appropriately-applicable modalities for the transportation of sensitive materials, INEC officials and adhoc staff to intended destinations. It is equally imperative that movement of electoral materials must be done devoid of interference by political thugs and ex-agitators as was the experience that culminated in the cancellation of election in the area.

Early deployment of security agencies is a must-do as it will avail operatives the opportunity to, at least, familiarise themselves with the terrain before Election Day just as they 'must' live above board in the discharge of their professional duties. Like the recent “stay away from politics” directive of Zimbabwean President – Robert Mugabe - to his military, the Southern Ijaw Local Government Chairman insists that activities of the military in the rerun election in the area be limited to the protection of lives and property, and nothing more.

Delay in distribution of materials to polling units, especially with the

in the mornings has become worse) and ordered TRA to scrap all tax exemptions, everyone must pay taxes especially the big guys President Magufuli went to Muhimbili Hospital unannounced and walked through the worst parts that they keep hiding from important visitors. He fired the director, fired the hospital board and ordered that all machines that weren’t functioning (so that people go to private hospitals owned by some doctors) to be repaired within two weeks otherwise he fires even the new director; the machines were repaired in three days Finally, last week when going to officially open parliament, President Magufuli didn’t go by plane, he drove the whole 600km from Dar to Dodoma.

President Magufuli has reduced the size of the presidential convoy, even reduced the size of presidential delegation that travels with him President Magufuli chose a Prime Minister we haven’t heard of before, a guy with reputation for hard work and no corruption, all the big guys we expected could be PM have been left wondering what hit them.

His motto is: Hapa Kazi Tu = "HERE, ALL WE DO IS WORK/ SERVE!" Our approach to issues must change if we are to make the desired impact. The over all interest of the nation must take precedence over the personal whims and exuberance of over excited law enforcement and government officials. *Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

experience in Amassoma that almost ignited violence as it was interpreted to mean distortion of the people's will, should not be allowed to repeat itself.

Similar to the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria, it is noteworthy that a peace pact was ratified by political parties prior to the election. This was with a view to checking excesses of party faithfuls before, during and after the election. Political gladiators must recall this well-intended initiative and be guided accordingly. The rerun election in Southern Ijaw must therefore be devoid of desperation, thuggery, abuse of the military, and rigging in all its forms.

While commending the State Governor for setting up the Judicial Commission of Enquiry to examine the alleged violence and thuggery during the 2015 governorship election in Bayelsa State, the general public must be willing to provide useful information, clips of video recording, and photographs to support members of the committee in order to guarantee the success it seeks to record.

Arguably, the eruption of civil disorder resulting from the gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, just as in any Niger Delta State is akin an inferno in a market place. Hence, the needful must be done to forestall likely breach of the peace.

This way, the 2016 Valentine's Day gift to Bayelsa will be that which the people have chosen and nothing else their mandate! *Editor's note: The article titled Not on the same page published on the Viewpoints page yesterday was written

by Mr. Teniola, a former director at the presidency and not Mr. Egbejumi- David.

*Dr. Pondei, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 22 2015

Radical Mastectomy for Nigeria now B REAST cancer is the leading cancer in women, it is very deadly and has tasked medical science. A mastectomy is the surgery to remove a breast that is under attack. In the past, a radical mastectomy with complete removal of the breast was the standard treatment for breast cancer.

But surgical breakthroughs in recent years have given women more options than ever before. Less invasive breastconserving treatments are now available to many women.

The type of mastectomy that’s right for a sufferer depends on several things, including: Patient's age General health Menopause status Tumor size Tumor stage (how far it's spread) Tumor grade (its aggressiveness) Tumor's hormone receptor status Whether or not lymph nodes are involved.

In a simple mastectomy, the doctor removes the entire breast, including the nipple. But the lymph nodes, the small glands that are part of the immune system, aren’t removed.

Immune system A patient is likely to have a simple mastectomy if cancer isn’t in the lymph nodes, or if it is a preventative mastectomy to lower the risk of getting breast cancer.

Women who have a high risk of breast cancer may choose to have a preventive mastectomy, also called prophylactic mastectomy.

Studies show that women with a high risk of breast cancer may be as much as 90% less likely to get the disease after preventive mastectomy.

Some women who've had breast cancer in one breast will decide to have a preventive mastectomy to remove the other breast. This can reduce the chance of cancer reoccurrence.

Women with stage I or stage II breast cancer may have this procedure. It’s is a breast-conserving method in which the tumor and the tissue surrounding it are all C M Y K

that’s removed.

A radical mastectomy is the complete removal of the breast, including the nipple. The surgeon also removes the overlying skin, the muscles beneath the breast, and the lymph nodes. Because radical mastectomy isn't more effective than other less extreme forms of mastectomy, it's rarely performed today. It’s only recommended when the cancer has spread to the chest muscle.

A less traumatic and more widely used procedure is the modified radical mastectomy (MRM). With the modified radical mastectomy, the entire breast is removed as well as the underarm lymph nodes. But chest muscles are left intact. The skin covering the chest wall may or may not be left intact. The procedure may be followed with breast reconstruction.

A festering cancer Nigeria's breast cancer has festered over decades untreated and has spread all over the lymph nodes. It has become aggressive and in the final stage that only a radical mastectomy will save this receptor.

For decades we were a land flowing with milk and honey.

God blessed with abundant human and material resources but the devil afflicted us with ruinous leaders. In all our years of abundance,our leaders military and civiliansbehaved like drunken sailors practically living the "money is not our problem but how to spend it".

There was no Pharaoh to dream of the coming years of

Beyond exciting the public with tales of theft,a defining art of governance in Nigeria since independence, we need a reengineering

leanness talk less of looking for a Joseph who could interpret the dream and proffer remedy. We raked billions of dollars from crude oil without adding any value. We could have made trillions more if only we were not a lazy country that could only hunt but not roast.

One man saw today coming but it was when we lowered his body into the grave that he was sworn in as "the best President we didn't have". The sage, Obafemi Awolowo on June 12, 1967 from CELL DUP2,CALABAR PRISON signed off his book "Thoughts On The Nigerian Constitution" where he warned on us about the juncture where our vehicle of nationhood has broken down. Awo wrote on page 56 of the book: "Besides,it is not difficult to forecast that the work of government in Nigeria under a unitary constitution is bound to become unduly complex,inextricably tangled,extremely unwieldy and wasteful,and productive of disunity and discontent amongst the people. Unless we have veritable supermen at the helm of affairs, the administrative machinery would eventually disintegrate

and break down under the crushing weight of 'bureaucratic centralism '".

We ignored him and continued on the road to perdition thinking the party would be everlasting. Now the party is over and all that is left is pity party. Banks are now sending messages to their customers that they won't be able to use their debit cards outside Nigeria from January 1,2016 because our foreign reserves are dry.

The Yuletide message all over is "expect hard times next year".

It is however worrying that we are taking no concrete steps to solve our problems.

We have had enough moaning about how bad things are and it is time to begin to see steps being taken to make things better .

Yes,there is the on-going war against graft which every patriotic Nigerian should support but that is not the economic agenda to get out of the mess we are in. It would in the final analysis amount to orchestrated charade if we do not dismantle the architecture of looting that makes it easy for officials to do whatever they please with public funds. And we can only pray that the tales of extortions we are hearing in the name of anti-corruption are just not true!

Need for re-engineering Beyond exciting the public with tales of theft,a defining art of governance in Nigeria since independence, we need a re-engineering. Our case must not be like the trader calling on all the crowd in the market to join him in pursuing a thief who has stolen an item from his wares without the

sanctified common sense of leaving his shop with a minder. At a point, he found out he could not catch up with the thief only to return to see that all the remaining goods in his stall have been stolen.

It is what the Yoruba call the double jeopardy of a man striking the rodent with a machete: the rodent escapes and the machete breaks.

If we are serious about salvaging Nigeria,we need a radical mastectomy now to reconstruct the entire political and economic landscape. It is time our leaders rolled up the sleeves and throw away all the billowing regalia and get to work. We cannot be having only "emergency" Federal Executive Council meetings after seven months. When will regular meetings start?

The reality on ground is that we can no longer maintain 36 governors with their retinue of officials with the only job description not more than crying for bailouts. We don't need more than 6- 8 regions that would have unfettered access to the resources under their soil and pay taxes on them to maintain a lean Abuja that would deal with only common services like defense, external affairs, immigration et al. There is no law we need that cannot be made by people who maintain regular jobs and are paid only sitting allowances for part of their time in the National and regional Assemblies.

This is not a time for power mongering but for the company of Nehemiah who would resolve " You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire.

Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.”

...The manhandling of Akpobolokemi

T

HE manhandling of Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) at the Federal High Court premises in Lagos by security agents on Monday, December 14 was an embarrassing moment for Justice Administration in Nigeria.

He was whisked away from the court premises by the security agents in plain clothes, moments after his trial for allegedly defrauding the federal government was adjourned by Justice Ibrahim Buba to January 18, 2016, In a scene reminiscent of kidnap, he was overpowered and bundled into a waiting bus while onlookers watched in spite of his limp-leg which has an implant and in spite of being on bail.

Effort by his lawyer, Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN), to intervene and prevent his client’s re-arrest was unsuccessful.

Narrating what happened, Wilson Ajuwa , one of the counsel to the embattled former NIMASA boss, said persons suspected to be SSS operatives appeared with a detachment of policemen and beat Akpobolokemi as he stepped out of the courtroom.

The rough handling of Akpobolokemi by security officials in a thuggish fashion is condemnable and must never happen to any accused person again.

Thuggish fashion And it is heart- soothing that Justice Buba did not take kindly to the action when his lawyers returned to the court the following day. He was said to have vowed not to rise until they release him to his lawyers.

Such a barbaric act on a citizen who has submitted himself to trial imputes motives order than

accountability. The reason the state is the one empowered to deal with Justice Administration is because of its expected capacity to be seen to act above the parties. If every person were to exact judgement a person who is owed money may take the life of the borrower. The state is saddled with the patience to go through the process of trial to determine guilt or otherwise and measure appropriate punishment where the accused is found culpable. And until guilt is established, an accused person is presumed innocent and should be accorded his dignity.

I hope some of our friends with background in social justice, who trained under the irrepressible icon and are counsel to the EFCC should be able to advise the agency against such crudity. What is needed is diligent prosecution to retrieve any money proven to have been illegally taken and not brigandage.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015

— 21

their request for foreign exchange at the official rate as against patronising the black market operators. ‘’CBN does not have plenty dollars to sustain the bureau de change’’, he stressed.

The CBN boss, however, insisted that the 22 per cent depreciation of the naira was reasonable when compared with other emerging economies adversely affected by global economic recession. ‘’Zambia, for example, has depreciated its currency by about 48 per cent, Angola by 25 per cent while Brazil depreciated its currency by about 48 per cent from October last year till now.

Structural adjustment

AWARD: From left, Relative of Pass.ng awardee, Amaka Ani; founder, Pass.ng Platform, Samson Abioye; outstanding student in 2015 UTME and Pass.ng Awardee, Joshua Ani with Digital and PR Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Erhumu Bayagbon during the award presentation at the Pass.ng Excellence Awards 2015 in Lagos.

CBN Governor promises robust economy, stable currency in 2016 G

OVERNOR of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),Mr. Godwin Emefeile says the apex bank is evolving additional measures to boost the nation’s economy and stabilise the naira.

Emefeile made the remark at an Interactive Session with Media Editors in Abuja. He declined to give details of the measures and modalities for their implementation.

Don’t ask me because I will not disclose our strategy for now’’, adding that doing so would be counter-productive and pre-emptive.

The CBN boss explained that the Nigerian economy was not as bad as being portrayed when compared with other economies in Africa.

He advised importers to restrict their imports to raw materials and equipment rather than finished products and food in order to reduce the pressure on the nation’s scarce foreign exchange. “ CBN will soon start a nationwide campaign to sensitise Nigerians to items excluded from importation. This is part of efforts to save more foreign exchange and stabilise the nation’s currency. The solution to free fall of the naira is by controlling the demand for foreign currencies such as the dollar.

“If we are able to reduce importation, the demand for the

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dollar will fall automatically.”

Emefiele said the country should go back to the farm to produce what was needed.

Public servants should also engage in farming because the only business public servants are allowed to engage in is farming.

And you don’t need power to farm tomato, vegetables or fish’’, Emefeile said.

He blamed unscrupulous businessmen who engaged in illicit activities for exerting intense pressure on the dollar and other currencies.

According to him, the apex bank has ensured reasonable stability in the value of the naira by keeping official exchange to the dollar between N196 and N197 to the dollar.

Emefeile advised Nigerians to always approach their banks for

Building materials dealers want ban on importation of electric cables S

OME dealers in building materials have urged the Federal Government to ban the importation of electric cables.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja the traders said that Made-in Nigeria electric cables were the best.

Mr.Wilson Igbokwu said the homemade cables were the best in the world in terms of quality and adherence to international standards.

Igbokwu said most imported substandard cables were made from iron as against the locally produced ones that were made from copper.

He said the ones made from iron could easily get burnt which sometimes could lead to loss of lives and property. ``The ones they import are below standard; Nigerian cables are made from copper which is 2.5 mm, while the substandard one is 2.2mm or even 1.9mm. ``Although sometimes it will be labeled 2.5mm but the dealers will be able to differentiate the home-made cable from the substandard one imported from other

countries,’’ he said.

Mr Okwuchukwu Okolo said the ban on the importation of such cables would encourage Nigerian manufacturers to expand and produce more.

Okolo said the quickest way for any society to transform from a developing economy to an advanced modern society was through Industrialisation.

He advised the Federal Government to encourage local manufacturers of electric cables to discourage the importation of substandard products into the country. ``It is sad that Nigerians will go to other countries to request for substandard products,``he said. He blamed the situation on the neglect of the manufacturing sector to meet the demands of the Nigerian populace.

Okolo decried the attitude of some marketers who were importing substandard products at a cheaper price to maximise profit ``because of greed’’.

Another dealer, Mr Emmunel Obiaku, said some builders preferred to buy substandard products in order to make more profit.

CURRENCY US DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

‘’Our situation is not as bad as people think. When you devalue, there must be a structural adjustment. We have never followed up with structural adjustment. So, the approach we are adopting at the moment is that, having done a 22-per cent adjustment in the currency, let us structurally adjust our position. ‘’Let us say, look, stop importing rice; stop importing toothpick; stop importing tomato from South Africa; stop importing 20 million eggs daily from Africa. ‘’That’s the gist of what we are saying. We are saying Nigeria can do without these items. And the truth is that the reserves are no longer there.’’

Emefeile said CBN had created the enabling environment to encourage the growth of small scale businesses through the grant of soft loans to small business operators.

He said only N60 billion of the more than N200 billion soft loans meant for SMEs had been accessed so far.

$117.60

-140

$3,231.00

-21.00

$14.83

-0.27

$36.62

-0.26

$34.25

-9.25

BUYING 195.97 292.348 212.5099 196.4218 1.5994 0.3075 271.3492 30.2171 52.2419 28.4704 271.0069

SELLING 196.47 293.0939 213.0521 196.9229 1.6034 0.3175 272.0415 30.2947 52.3725 28.543 271.6984

196.97 293.8398 213.5943 197.4241 1.6075 0.3275 272.7338 30.3722 52.5085 28.6156 272.3898

CBN Exchange rate as at 21/12/2015

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015

,

The Board of the NIPF at its sitting of 14th December, 2015 approved payment of compensation to the complainants/ investors of Mega Asset Managers Limited who appeared before the Commission’s Administrative Proceedings Committee

INVESTOR'S ,

TOP 10 PERFORMING STOCKS

By Nkiruka Nnorom HONEYWELL Flour Mills Plc led the advancers with 19.4 per cent or N 0.31 increase to close at N1.91 from N1.60 per share. The company is suffering from declining financial fortune due to factors ranging from falling naira to price war going on in flour milling industry. Accordingly, the

company’s profit before taxation fell by 200 per cent for the year ended March 31, 2015 to N1.4 billion from N4.2 billion in the previous year. Also, its profit after tax fell to N1.1 billion compared to N3.4 billion achieved a year earlier, representing 209.1 per cent decline. Its revenue for the period dropped to N49 billion, showing 11 per cent decline relative to N55 billion achieved in 2014. This followed a trend that commenced two years ago.

Though the company is optimistic of a turn around, it explained that the poor financial performance was occasioned by the falling Naira, perennial chaotic traffic and debilitating condition of the roads leading in and out of Apapa.

"Added to these, is a rise in dollar denominated input costs. Costs of wheat and spare parts have been rising because of the falling Naira to foreign exchange rates. These challenges coupled with weakening macro-economics of the country, means it takes much longer to factor such cost increments into product prices," the Managing Director, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola, said.

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc followed with 10.2 per cent or N 3.87 price appreciation, closing at N41.68 from N37.81 per share. The infrastructure/heavy construction company is presently groaning under N124 billion debt burden comprising of N90 billion unpaid

executed construction fee and N34 billion loans from the deposit money banks to sustain its business. This, according to available statistic, has started impeding its financial performance. The company recorded a slight reduction in its turnover for the year ended December 31, 2015 from N212.7 billion in 2013 to N196.808 billion in the 2014, representing a decline of 7.5 per cent. While addressing the shareholders at the last general meeting, the chairman, Air Vice Marshall Nurudeen Imam (rtd), attributed the dip in revenue to Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa C M Y K

and fall in price of crude oil, saying "The economy was hit by various factors simultaneously, the unfortunate, but well managed influx of the Ebola virus, the falling crude oil price on international markets and the adjustment of the naira are but a few." The company’s operating profit fell from N18.8 billion to N17.49 billion. Following the increased exposure to banks’ debt, the finance cost for the period rose significantly by 55 per cent from N2.962 billion to N4.593 billion in 2014. This led to a decline of 19 per cent in profit before tax to N13.1 billion from N16.2 billion, while the profit after tax (PAT) fell to N7.853 billion from N8.239 billion. The debt burden has forced Julius Berger to downsize about five per cent of its workforce.

Continental Re closed as the third most active stock rising by nine per cent or N0.09 to close at N1.90 from N1.00 per share. In a bid to improve revenue and deliver more returns to its stakeholders, the reinsurer is expanding its presence across African countries.

The latest involved the establishment of its subsidiary in Gaborone, Botswana. The reinsurer noted that the expansion

is part of its strategy to have a physical presence in all key regions on the African continent, while Gaborone market will be the springboard into the SADC (Southern African Development Community) region. In another development, Emerging Capital Partners (ECP), a private equity firm focused on investing across Africa, along with its investment partners, recently announced the sale of C-Re Holding Limited (CRe) to Saham Finances South Africa, the insurance arm of Saham Group. C-Re Holding held a 53.6 per cent equity stake in Continental Re. The company reported a 7.4 per cent growth in earnings in 2014 financial year from N15.04 billion in 2013 to N16.15 billion. Its underwriting profit fell to N1.37 billion in 2014 from N1.6 8billion in 2013, while claims expenses rose by 15.5 per cent to N7.37 billion from N6.38 billion in the year under review. Investment and other income grew marginally to N1.43 billion in 2014 from N1.40 billion in 2013. Unity Bank Plc rose by nine per cent or N0.06 from N0.73 to N0.67; Unilever Nig. Plc advanced by 8.4 per cent or N3.52, closing at N45.50 from N41.98; AshakaCem Plc went up by 7.78 per cent or N1.79 to close at N24.79 from N23.00; P.Z Industries Plc appreciated by 7.33 per cent or N1.98 to close at N28.98 from N27.00.

Re: SEC, investors and

From left: Mr Sulaiman Adedokun, Deputy Group Managing Director, Meristem Securities Ltd; Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Special Guest; Prince Dapo Adelegan, President, NigerianBritish Chamber of Commerce and Mr Yinka Adegbola, MD, Meristem Trustees Ltd during the launch of Meristem Diaspora Trust in Lagos.

By Babajide Komolafe

L

AST week, Investors Forum received the following emails from two readers with respect to the Electronic Dividend Mandate Management System (eDMMS) portal.

“Please I like to know if the edividend payment system when approved will be automatically applied to all shareholders with various companies (Anongu Mathias) “I wish to seek your help (advice)

on registration for dividend mandate (e-DMMS). I live in Benin and approached some banks for the online registration for e-dividend and none is registering or they have not even heard about it. I believe most registrars are in Lagos, thus I want you to advise

MARKET NEWS

NIPF: SEC to compensate 580 complainants

By Nkiruka Nnorom

T

HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced the official take-off of the National Investors Protection Fund (NIPF) and conclusion of arrangement to compensate a total of 580 investors whose claims have been successfully verified.

According to the Commission, the verification was conducted by the Verification Committee of NIPF over complaints lodged against Mega Asset Managers Limited by the complainants.

The NIPF is a scheme being promoted by the SEC to compensate investors that suffer losses due to the insolvency, bankruptcy or negligence of a capital market operator, CMO. The NIPF, according to a set of rules approved by the SEC’s board earlier in the year, will apply only to defalcations by insolvent or bankrupt capital market operators that are not

dealing members of any Securities Exchange or Capital Trade Points.

Accordingly, the NIPF will be for the purpose of compensating investors whose losses are not covered under the NIPF administered by SEC and Capital Trade Points.

In a notice on its website, the Commission noted that appropriate compensations have been approved by the Verification Committee for the affected investors.

The notice reads: “Following the inauguration of the National Investor Protection

The SEC taxed itself to provide the initial grant, while operators in the market are expected to make annual contribution to the Fund subsequently

Fund (NIPF) on 26th November, 2015, the Securities and Exchange Commission wishes to inform the general public of the official takeoff of the Fund.

“The Verification Committee of the NIPF has concluded a rigorous verification of investors’ claims against Mega Asset Managers Limited and subsequently recommended approval of appropriate compensation to the affected investors.

“Consequently, the Board of the NIPF at its sitting of 14th December, 2015 approved payment of compensation to the complainants/investors of Mega Asset Managers Limited who appeared before the Commission’s Administrative Proceedings Committee (APC) in the matter.”

It would be recalled that following the launch of the NIPF last month, the Commission said it has set aside N5 billion for compensation of investors who suffer pecuniary losses in the

PAGE 2

3 months after escaping food poison, unknown assassins kill mother, daughter

VOL. 1: N o. 776 6 No.

C-River shimmering as holidaymakers come ashore for PAGE 3 carnival

TUESD AY, DECEMBER 22, 20 15 TUESDA 201

RIVERS…

Bille Town Headquarters

THE TREASURE BASE OF THE NA TION NATION

Ibila-Okira poku.

Anxiety as army raids Rivers community for oil thieves *4 suspected oil thieves seized with arms, ammunition, *Bille villagers escape into the bush, raise alarm; accuse soldiers of harassment, desecrating sacred places *We didn’t terrify anybody, operation was peaceful—Army

BY DAVIES IHEAMNACHOR & GIFT NWAMKPA

B

ILLE—TENSION has mounted at Bille Town, Bille Kingdom, Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State, following a reported invasion of the community by over 100-armed soldiers, who allegedly desecrated sacred places and ransacked homes of villagers.

The soldiers from the Nigeria Army, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, hunting for oil thieves supposedly hiding in the community, caused apprehension as they rummaged through homes and hotels, forcing the panic-struck villagers to run for their dear lives.

Commander-in-charge of 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Port

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Harcourt, Brigadier General Stevenson Olabanji, however, said it was not an invasion. He explained that soldiers only visited the community to hunt for oil thieves.

Soldiers caused havoc — Community leader

Speaking to Niger Delta Voice on the incident, chair, Community Development Committee, CDC, Bille kingdom, Mr. Asatubo Kemuel described the incursion as unparalleled and infuriating.

He informed that the army stormed the community and reigned havoc on the people without recourse to the traditional and institutional leaderships in the Kingdom.

The CDC chair said the army seized four persons from the community in course of the

Soldiers inspecting a seized barge.

operation and strangely claimed that they caught them with live ammunition along Bille waterways.

Demands apology

He called on the army to show contrition and pay reparation to the people, who were battered, and for homes and properties damaged.

His words: “Upon arrival, the soldiers who were being shown directions to follow in Bille Town by a strange veiled young man, dressed in army camouflage, beat up several persons, who ran into them, invaded and desecrated shrines and other sacred places, as well as damaged private living homes and hotels.”

“After the ill-fated operations, some members of the Bille Kingdom Chiefs Council

approached the squad leader of the invading Nigerian Army, Captain Timothy, who said the army acted on “orders from above.

“We are constrained to observe with shock that Nigerian Army, an institution of great discipline and unparalleled repute could allow itself to be used as an instrument to peddle lies and cheap blackmail,” he asserted.

Upon arrival, the soldiers who were Queries invasion of private homes being shown shrine, Kemuel stated, “If the army directions to follow claims that the invasion of the in Bille Town by a very peaceful Bille Town was in of illegal bunkering. Then, strange veiled view we ask, do illegal or whatever young man, dressed bunkering activities ordinarily in army camouflage, take place in shrines, private beat up several homes, hotels and sacred persons, who ran places?”

“Is the famous Agiri into them, invaded Masquerade shrine in the heart and desecrated of Bille Town, which was by the army, also shrines and other desecrated used for oil bunkering too? The sacred places, as bedroom of Elder Joshua well as damaged Huttons, an old man of over 80 private homes and hotels Continues on Page 3

24—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015 there is a manhole in my apartment so when I got home, I went to check HEART BEAT OF THE NATION it and saw foot prints around the manhole. Our apartment is upstairs and the only way to the manhole is through the flat of the suspect, there is no other way.

“The next day, I confronted the suspect, who confirmed to me that from the manhole, someone can enter my apartment, therefore, I told the suspect that it was her and her son that poisoned my food,” he said.

Her son had punctured my tires several times and when I told her it was his son, she would deny it, saying, “I have spiritual problem and nothing concerned the spiritual with the physical.”

“I was planning to quit the house

by January, though my house rent will expire April, next year because she has been threatening us. When she sees sachet water or any other dirt on the ground, she will accuse and curse us. She has been using her son, who they brought from the village for her to train to perpetuate different things in the house,” he added.

EDO…

HORROR IN EDO:

3 months after escaping food poison, unknown assassins kill mother, daughter *Stab 4-year-old daughter twice, mother 8 times *Widower cries to Police Commissioner for justice *We’ve arrested suspect, another on the run—DSP Osifo, PPRO

Slams police

Deceased mother and daughter.

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM mechanical problem with the tyre.

ENIN CITY— The mechanic finished the work APPREHENSION has about 6:30pm and during this time, gripped residents at Ikpoba Okha I got a call from my co-tenant that I Local Government Area, Edo should come to the Dumez Road State, following the outrageous PoliceStation,thatthereisacasethat murder of a mother, Madam involves my wife.”

Itohan and her four –year- old daughter, Iwinosa, penultimate Mother, daughter found Wednesday, by unknown in pool of blood assassins.

“As I was going, I said I should At press time, the killers were still check my family to first know how mysterious, but the widower, Mr. they are doing before I go to the IkponmwonsaEnagbere,aninterior police station. On getting there at decorator, who narrated how they about 7.00 pm, I opened the gate stabbed his wife and daughter, and entered the compound, as I pointed fingers at a resident in the was about to enter my flat upstairs, neighborhood. His family was I saw my wife and my four- year ostensibly having a running battle old daughter brutally murdered in a with the fellow and he passionately pool of blood downstairs. criedtotheEdoStateCommissioner “While I was shouting, the of Police, Chris Ezike, to bring the community people came out and perpetrators to book.

Enagbere said, “My wife was stabbed six times in the chest and several times at her back, and my little daughter, who even did nothing to them was stabbed twice in the chest and once behind.”

BY TOM MOSES The frightening incident occurred December 9 at Number KOT-ABASI—RESIDENTS of 2 Osazee close, off Dumez road, off Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State, Sapele Road, Benin City when he Ibesikpo, Itu and Nsit Ibom Local was at work.

Government Areas, have Accordingtohim,“Thatparticular complained about the epileptic day, I left home to fix my car at about supply and low voltage capacity of 9.00 am because it was having theIbomPowerPlant,grumblingthat it would affect their Christmas THE TEAM celebration.

Some of the residents, who Emma Amaize, Editor spoke to Niger Delta Voice, said the Jimitota Onoyume plant was functioning 24 hours, but Samuel Oyadongha they have been practically in Simon Ebegbulem darkness for months due to Gabriel Enogholase alarming outage and its inability to Festus Ahon power electronic devices in most cases.

Egufe Yafugborhi Entrepreneur and dweller of Emmanuel Una Nwaniba Road, Uyo, Mr. Ekong Akpokona Omafuaire Umanah, said with the high cost of Godwin Oghre petrol, he could no longer power Tom Moses his generating set as required to Chioma Onuegbu run his business and as such, it was Ike Uche improper for the Port-Harcourt Davies Iheamnachor Electricity Distribution Company, Emem Idio PHEDC, to continue to deny the Brisibe Perez residents of the area electricity.

Theresa Ugbobu According to Umanah, the Ochuko Akuopha PHEDC was in the habit of giving Barnabas Uzosike electricity just two hours in the Nath Onajoke morning and no more.

Chijioke Nwankpa A Liqueur Joint Operator along Aka-Etinan Road, Mr. Edet

B

The happy family before the tragedy. joinedinsympathizingwithme.Not less than 10 minutes later, the police came,tookphotosofthecorpsesand took them away. In their company was the suspect, who I have had issues for a very long time and the tenant who called me,” Enagbere said.

whenhedid,hewasthreateningmy wife that he would deal with her and nothing will happen. When I came back, I was furious and asked them why, but they did not even say anythingtome,”theinteriordecorator asserted.

According to him, “I had issues with the suspect and her son, who had severally threatened to deal with us and even kill my wife. On 5 December, about 7:30pm, my wife went to buy sachet water and on coming back; they had locked the gate and refused to open for her.

“After about one hour, the suspect told her son to open the gate and

months ago, we went to church and when we came back at about 12.30 pm, we saw that our pot of stew was poisoned and had turned black, as my wife was about dishing my food.

I was skeptical because I did not see any point of entry because the door was locked.”

“Then, I went to the office and whenIwasthere,Irememberedthat

“Until today, I do not know what the police are doing about it; they are not serious with the investigation. They have not told us anything as I am speaking with you now.

“So I want the world to come and help me because I lost a beautiful wife and a child, who had a bright future. I have been with my wife for 10 years, she has been part of my life and now I do not know what to do. I picked my daughter up and started screaming because the sight was too much for me to bear,” he said.

Matter under investigation — Police They poisoned our soup My quarrel with suspect, son Whencontacted,thePolicePublic Hefurtherdisclosed that,“Three

Relations Officer in Edo state, DSP Abiodun Osifo, said that police have arrested the suspect over alleged involvement in the murder, adding, “Her son is at large and efforts are on to apprehend him. I can assure youthatthematterisseriouslyunder investigation.”

YULETIDE:Residents bemoan epileptic A’Ibom power plant, blast PHEDC

*It’s distribution problem, we produce 24 hours —Dr Victor Udo, MD, IPP

I

C M Y K

AKWA IBOM… LAND OF PROMISE Archibong, Uyo , complained that with the current epileptic power supply, the profit he would made went into the purchase of fuel to power his generator to cool his drinks and other beverages.

Consequently, he said this year’s Yuletide would be bleak for him and members of his family, as he could not save enough money tohandlehisresponsibilitiesathome.

Govt should take over mgt

Mrs. Enomfon Ntiense, a business centre operator in Nsit Ibom, also groaned about PHEDC inconsistent power situation and wished that government took over the management of the power sector since the PHEDC has proven to be incapable of managing the sector.

In Itu and Ikot-Ekpene local government areas, Barrister Ifiok Essien and Obong Nkereuwem Idiong also expressed disgust at the pathetic power supply.

No reason why people should not enjoy light —Udo However, speaking to Niger

Dr Victor Udo, MD, A’bom power plant

Delta Voice, managing director of Ibom Power Plant, IPP, Ikot-Abasi, Dr. Victor Udo, said with the plant, all parts of the state were supposed to enjoy 24 hours uninterrupted power supply “because we produce 24 hours”.

He, however, explained that the problem was not with power generation, but with distribution, adding, “So, you may have some areas that can get the 24 hours we are doing, then, there are areas that get 18, 20 and may be some areas that do not get at all because of distribution infrastructure. The transformer is not there as it may

have been vandalized and so on.”

But for generation, which we are responsible, it is 24 hours”, he insisted.

To address the problem, the MD said the power distribution company should make effective management of the electricity network and properly manage the commercial processes.

“For instance, people are not happy when they give them estimated bills, people want that addressed. The company needs to get enough meters on the network but more importantly, technically, is to manage the network properly so that you can manage the load growth, you do not wait for the transformer to blow up before you begin to look for ways to fix it,” he said.

Govt provided transformers for communities Dr Udo claimed that the state government has done what no state government had done, as over 90 per cent of the communities have transformers, but “the distribution company needs to manage that very well.”

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015—25

CROSS-RIVER… THE PEOPLE’S PARADISE

CALABAR 2015 FESTIVAL: C-River shimmering as holidaymakers come ashore for carnival *Brazil’s Samba girls, dance troupes from China, Ireland, 7 other

countries coming *Beauty queens across Nigeria featuring in Gov Ayade’s special band *P-Square, Tuface, Tiwa Savage, other top artistes to paint Calabar red

BY EMMANUEL UNA

C

ALABAR—THE “Canaan City,” Calabar, capital of Cross River State is gleaming with fanfare as activities of the 32-day annual Christmas fiesta soar to a crescendo.

As is characteristics this time of year in the city, the entire atmosphere is sparkling with excitement and groove, as revelers from different parts of the country and foreign tourists have thronged to the city to catch fun.

Gov introduces novelties

To rev up the programme, major streets, roundabouts, public places, relaxation centres and parks have been adorned with glamorous lighting and aesthet-

ics and are providing alluring spectacles with both visitors and residents flocking them for photographs with the stunning sights serving as background to capture elegant moments in the city known as Nigeria’s number one tourism destination.

This year’s festival is taking a special tenor and attraction with innovations by the state governor, Senator Ben Ayade, to accord revelers thrilling fun that will linger in their memories for a long time.

To apprehend the theme of this year’s celebration, “Clean and Green Environment”, the venue for the Festival Village is the famous Calabar Botanical Garden, located along the Mary Slessor Avenue. With tall ma-

hogany tress, hundreds of years old forming a canopy overhead and providing a cool ambience around the venue, fun seekers are brought closer to nature as they savour the delicacies supplied by an array of exquisite eateries and restaurants set up in the venue to provide fresh and mouth-watering delicacies around the clock.

Added extras to the annual street party by the governor include a motorbike parade, exotic motorcade parade and Governor’s band featuring a bevy of beauty – queens brought in from across the country.

In addition to the spectacular visual displays from the regular Calabar Carnival bands, the 2015 Calabar Festival is necessary for

•P-Square. all those who seek to relax and catch fun as the year slowly stops while watching the queens electrify the festival.

Traffic build-up

Interestingly, the 2015 Festival marks the 10th celebration since the introduction of the annual fiesta by the erstwhile governor, Mr Donald Duke which makes it unique and memorable. Indeed, all and sundry are burning to be part of the action, no wonder the build- up of traffic to the city occasioned by the influx of visitors into Calabar.

To bring spice to the festival, dance troupes from 10 countries, including China, South Africa,

Anxiety as army raids Rivers community for oil thieves Continues on Page 1 years of age was probably also used for bunkering for the army to break into it?

“Bille Town is not at war with anyone and not even any of the other communities in the Bille Kingdom, so the invasion is most unwarranted,” he added.

The community leader said, “We wonder if this was not the underlying reason for ignoring the leadership of the Kingdom.

It is most doubtful if the army could do the same to any other community in the state.”

According to him, “We hereby state categorically that our individual and corporate rights as a people are subjected to continued senseless violation by the 2nd Brigade of the Nigerian Army.”

Call army to order

He uttered; “We reject this state of affairs and condemn same, we call on President Mohammadu Buhari, the Chief of Army Staff and other relevant authorities to call the army to order.”

Continueing he further appealed: “We request further that the four persons arrested and taken to Port Harcourt Barracks be immediately and unconditionally released from further detention.

The community leader,

however, observed, “Oil bunkering activity is rampant in the Niger Delta and it is as a result of unemployment, so some people use it as a source of living. We are an oil producing community but there is no government presence in our community.

So when people are hungry, they look for a way to survive.”

Community fingers army

The community leader also claimed that if there was oiol bunkering going on in the community the army would have some knowledge about it “But if there is any bunkering activity going in the community, we do not know because we have security checking points everywhere.”

“We have oil facilities, which the military guard, so if something of this nature is happening, they cannot claim that they do not know. If there is oil bunkering, then the army should know because they guide those facilities.

“All these are with the knowledge of soldiers, who guard those oil facilities and they connive with the boys in the act,” he said. Adding: “If they want to chase oil bunkerers, they should go to the mangroves where the boys are and not come

into the community to scare and arrest people.”

Doubts ammunition recovery

Public Relations Officer of Bille Kingdom Chiefs’ Council, Chief Dagogo Temebo, who spoke in the same vein, said: “The rulers of the community are not happy with the way the army invaded the community. At least as rulers, they are supposed to inform us.

“Had it been they informed us of their coming, we would have appointed somebody from the community who will lead them around, but they came with a stranger who was pointing houses at will.

“We do not know believe that the ammunition they said they found in the community is factual because if they were sincere, they are supposed to take somebody from the community along in their search.

“They decided to humiliate because they feel that we do not have money; they only took some chiefs after their search to show them the things they have found, so how do we believe that?" He asked.

He also added that “the invasion has indeed threatened the peace of the community. We do not have freedom again. The soldiers they left are not supposed to be because the

community is crime- free. We cannot leave with armed men because they can kill at will.”

Elders fled into the bush

He said the community leaders felt so threatened that they ran into the bush fearing an invasion. “Some of the elders in the community ran into the bush because of fear as the invasion was frightening. The chiefs of the community are not happy over the experience. They desecrated our shrine and the army, who desecrated it, should appease it.”

“We have a priest who is in charge of the shrine and the appeasement is very necessary,” he added.

We acted on intelligence

Reacting, the Commander- in charge of 2 Brigade, Brigadier General Stevenson Olabanji, said it was wrong for people to describe what happened as an invasion, pointing out that the operation was peaceful.

In a statement, the army stated that the search was in line with an ongoing effort to curb illegal oil bunkering activities, noting that Bille was a melting pot for such nefarious conducts.

The army also said it acted based on ‘order from above’ and intelligence report, clarifying that when issues of security come up, it is not made public to avoid any interception.

Sweden, Ireland, and the famous Samba girls from Brazil are participating in the dance parade.

Security arrangement in top gear

Already, issues like crowd control and management, carnival policing, V.I.P protection and security intelligence are adequately being addressed by the State Security Adviser, Mr Jude Ngaji, who has trained a team of special security men to ensure there are no security breaches during the festival and carnival parade.

“We will continue to be vigilant and work in concert with all the security agencies to ensure that this year’s festival like all other years’ events passes off peacefully and without any hitch,” he said.

P-Square, Tuface, Tiwa Savage, others make list

Featuring in the night-time dance hall performance are PSquare, TuFace Idibia, Tiwa Savage and other top grade Nigerian musical artistes lined up to provide entertainment to the large audience that typically grace the dance parities at the Millennium park to savour and dance to the music of their choice artiste .

Young and middle aged people with sufficient zest and vigour dance for several hours to the delight of other fun seekers who are already in Calabar from across the country and other parts of the world to have a taste of the carnival the city provides this time of the year.

“I love to dance, that is why I have come here today and I will do so every night to do what I love best, “ Gift, a teenage reveller said when asked why she was dancing so much weekend.

The Music Group performances are at all times spiced with delightful slapstick show by top comedians who dish outrib-crackingjokesthatsomeholidaymakersreelingwithlaughter

Total leisure box up — Ita

Chief Press Secretary to Senator Ayade,ChrisIta,toldNigerDeltaVoicethat the2015ChristmasFestivaloffersacompletepackageforrelaxationwhichnoone shouldmiss.

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26 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015

DELTA… FINGER OF GOD

ROYAL COUP: How Urhobo monarchs fired Omene, UPU executive

*I’m still president-general- Chief Joseph Omene * Chief Ofotokun, caretaker chair swings into action

By Perez Brisibe

U

G H E L L I — E M B AT T L E D president-general of the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, the apex socio-cultural group of the Urhobo ethnic nationality in Delta State, Chief Joseph Omene, who is still laying claim to the position, neither saw nor contemplated the thunderbolt that came from Urhobo monarchs.

While he and other members of UPU held a UPU function elsewhere, the monarchs, led by the Owhorode of Olomu Kingdom, HRM Ogoni-Oghoro I, allegedly dissolved his executive and inaugurated a nine-man executive headed by a distinguished Urhobo leader, Chief Gabriel Ofotuokun, to steer the affairs of the union in the next one year.

Chief Ofotokun has already revved into action, lifting the ban clamped by the Omene executive on some Urhobo politicians, who supported the emergence of governor of the state in the person of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa from another ethnic group in the last governorship election in the state.

He is presently meeting with Urhobo leaders on how to redirect the UPU.

Omene blasts monarchs However, the Omene-led executive and other representatives of the union in a communiqué at the end of an emergency meeting at the Urhobo Cultural Center, Uvwiamughe-Agbarho, lampooned the monarchs for trying to hijack the union.

Omene, who insisted that he remained the president general of the body, cited sections of the constitution of UPU to back his claim. He said, “The conditions for the dissolution of any UPU executive committee are expressly stated in the UPU constitution, which stipulates that only the president general can convene a general congress of UPU. He explained; “The president general and the general secretary must be in the general congress before it can be a valid congress,” adding, “I did not convene the said meeting where my executive was allegedly dissolved. The general secretary and I were not in that meeting, therefore, it was not a valid meeting, and as such, they have no such power to dissolve my executive. I and my executive are fully in office intact.”

Omene further said, “The president general of the 24 kingdoms, the royal fathers and a handful of failed politicians, who claimed to have dissolved my

C M Y K

New UPU President .

Members of the 9-man committee constituted by the monarchs to man the affairs of the UPU for the next one year. executive were the same people that dashed the hope of the Urhobo nation at the 2015 elections, they are mischief makers.”

Oghara monarch explains action Other stakeholders disagreed with him. For instance, the Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, HRM Orefe III, stated that the dissolution of

BAYELSA… GLORY OF ALL LANDS

By Emem Idio

Y

ENAGOA—THE Director of the Graduate Internship Scheme, GIS, Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja, Mr. Peter Papka, says the Federal Government has provided employment platforms for 25,186 graduates since inception of the scheme.

Papka, who stated this while speaking at a Career Development and Entrepreneurship Skills Training for Interns, facilitated by AfriHub at Yenagoa, Bayelsa state,

the UPU executive was the only alternative after moves to make the executives resign, failed following reports of maladministration of the union.

On the legitimacy the monarchs’ action, he said constitutionally, the UPU executive reports to the monarchs, as traditional custodians of the Urhobo kingdoms, hence they were careful in looking at the constitution and discovered that

a vote of no confidence in the congress was the only way we could handle the matter.

According to him; “They (Omene-led executive) claimed that there was a threat to peace at the Urhobo Cultural Center, hence they cancelled the congress 12 hours to the earlier advertised date owing to fears of a vote of no confidence to be passed in them, but they still went ahead to conduct the congress the next day.

“On the contrary, since they claimed there is a threat to security at the venue of the congress, we resorted to using the palace of the head of the Urhobo Traditional Council to hold a congress.

Graduate Internship Scheme: FG engages 25,186 graduates—Papka noted that the GIS has contributed to the renewed growth of Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs and

cooperative societies through increased competent and skilled manpower.

GIS tranees

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION: Financial slump, inconclusive poll dims hope in Bayelsa

Y

ENAGOA—FOR most Bayelsans, this year’s Christmas celebration will be without the thrills and razzmatazz for many reasons, particularly the blow on the state economy caused by the current recession across the country, an upshoot of the plummeting crude oil price in the international market.

Also there is biting fuel scarcity, delay in payment of civil workers’ salaries blamed on the shift in the monthly Federal Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, meeting to the end of the month and the inconclusive Bayelsa governorship election, all of which have combined to dampen the hopes of Bayelsans for a fun-filled yuletide.

Though residents may seem

“If they claim that we as monarchs are observers, what about delegates and members of council of representatives present at the meeting at Olomu as against the five members of executive at UvwiamugheAgbarho?"

He asserted, “The congress held at Olomu was made up of the 20 delegates from the kingdoms that were supposed to be at Uvwiamughe as well as the UPU council of representatives.

As an integral part of the Urhobo nation, the monarchs have the greatest stake for the Urhobo nation; hence, what concerns Urhobos concerns the monarchs.”

relaxed, cash crunch is taking its toll on the usual shopping frenzy associated with the season. Despite the high gravitation of residents to the market places, traders complain of poor sale.

Cooperative initiative

For the resourcefulness of most civil servants, who constituted themselves into thrift cooperative to pool resources through monthly savings, many could have ended up not being able to put food on the table for their families.

This group of civil servants has guaranteed for themselves and their families the traditional rice and chicken to celebrate the occasion even though many lamented that they do not have the cash to buy Christmas clothes for their kids.

A civil servant, Mrs. Tonipre, said: “This is certainly not the best of time for us here. Though many have blamed the sad turn of event on the inconclusive governorship election here, the truth is, it is a national problem caused by the free fall in crude oil price. Unless and until we diversify our economy, we may be heading for the worse.

“I must count myself lucky to have joined the thrift organized by some colleagues in my ministry.

What could I have done with the delayed payment currently experienced in the state blamed on late FAAC meeting?

“At least I got two bags of rice, a carton of chicken and turkey, two carton of tine tomato, two packs of salt and maggi cubes, two five litre of vegetable oil and tubers of yam among others.

He highlighted that the aim of GIS, which is to provide the unemployed and underemployed graduate youths with placement opportunities that will expose them to skills and experiences relevant to the current labour market to enhance their employment rating.

“So far, 9,387 have exited the scheme with over 1,000 having secured jobs or started their own businesses. From registration figures on the GIS portal, 13,781 firms across the country have registered. As a government, we can boldly say that the purpose of setting up the Graduate Internship Scheme, GIS, which is to acquire employment skills have been achieved,” he asserted.

Papka said: “While the graduates are securing opportunities to develop their capacity and business acumen, many firms have partnered to mentor the graduates. Out of the graduates that have served out their one-year term, some have moved on to other employment, while the firms themselves employed others.”

“In order to consolidate on the successes recorded so far and in line with Federal Government’s resolve to diversify economic base of the country, the GIS has keyed into non-oil sector with a view to developing capacity and skills required to complement the oil and gas sector of the economy.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015 — 27

,

S FORUM

While the first email indicates a huge gap on the part of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the implementation of the eDMMS, the second reinforces the point made in the last edition of Investors Forum, which is the lack of awareness about the e-DMMS among banks staff

,

e-dividend portal (2) me if there is another way I can get my registration done." (HabeebIbrahim) While the first email indicates a huge gap on the part of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the implementation of the eDMMS, the second reinforces the point made in the last edition of Investors Forum, which is the lack of awareness about the e-DMMS among bank staff.

The first email would not have been necessary if SEC had generated ‘Frequently Asked Questions”, in anticipation of likely questions and concerns among investors about the initiative. As at the time of going to press, SEC has not done this. In fact it has remained silent about the e-DMMS. Not only has the Commission remained silent, it has also withdrawn from its website notice about charges to be paid by investors to register on the e-DMMS platform. In addition, operators,

Not only has the Commission remained silent, it has also withdrawn from its website notice about charges to be paid by investors to register on the e-DMMS platform

especially the registrars and banks have been silent about the initiative. With the exception of Vanguard Newspaper, nobody is talking or making attempt to talk to investors about the e-DMMS. The second email, reveals the frustration being experienced by millions of investors across the country, who are already making moves to register on the platform. The banks, given their widespread branch network are critical to success of the e-DMMS, yet more than three months after inception, banks’ staffs are not aware of the initiative. This communicates to investors’ lack of seriousness about the e-DMMS on the part of SEC and CBN. The two emails show that investors are interested but the regulators are not ready.

Should this trend continue, investors would lose interest, and the e-DMMS would be ‘Dead on Arrival’.

But investors should not allow this to happen because they are the ultimate beneficiaries of the e-DMMS. Rather, investors should put pressure on SEC and CBN to expedite deployment of the portal by registrars and banks.

On the part of SEC, it is time to show seriousness with the e-DMMS. There should be communication to address the above observations and concerns. There must be reasons why, three months after inception, registrars and banks are not aware or even making attempt to deploy the eDMMS portal. It is the responsibility of SEC to provide these reasons; otherwise, it would imply the e-DMMS has been suspended. (Send comments and enquiries to vanguardinvestorsforum@gmail.com).

From left: Divisional Head, Operations, Fidelity Bank, Martins Izuogbe; Treasurer, National Association of Business and Management Students, Lagos City Polytechnic, Ikeja, Adeyemi Adedokun; President of the Association, Raimot Laminot; Chief Risk Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Kevin Ugwuoke and Divisional Head, Retail Bank, Fidelity Bank Plc, Richard Madiebo at the Prize Presentation ceremony of the Rent Support category of the Fidelity Save4 Shelter Savings promo in Lagos.

Unlisted securities: Investors lose N26.39m in one week cent decline.

Similarly, the Unlisted Securities Index (USI) nose-dived by 6.92 per cent dropping NVESTORS THAT trade on to 598.78 points as against the previous unlisted securities on NASD OTC close of 643.30 points it began the week at.

Securities Exchange Plc lost N26.39 Also, volume traded fell by 46.62 per cent million of their investment in the market from 3.09 million units to 1.65 million units last week as apathy continues to while the total value of shares traded rose pervade the entire capital market. by 204.74 per cent from ¦ 29.95 million to ¦ Breakdown of weekly transaction in 82.13 million in 31 deals. Data from the the over-the-counter market showed Securities Exchange indicate that a total of that the market capitalisation of the 24 five securities were traded out of the 24 securities listed for trading via the securities admitted to trade on the NASD platform fell to N355.02 billion as against OTC market during the week. The shares N381.41 billion recorded in the of Friesland Campina Wamco Nigeria Plc, previous week, representing 6.92 per Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), Nigeria Delta Exploration & Production Plc (NDEP), Afriland Properties Plc and SWAP Technologies and Telecomms Plc emerged the top traded securities for the week by volume and value traded.

TANBIC-IBTC HOLDINGS has launched Specifically, CSCS emerged the its signature corporate social investment top traded stock by volume, initiative tagged ‘Out for a Limb’. The logo for trading one million units, valued the initiative was also unveiled at the launch, which took place during a dinner organized by at N5.9 million in one deal, Wamco followed with 649,530 Stanbic IBTC Bank for its customers in Lagos.

At the launch, Stanbic IBTC Holdings units worth N76.13 million reiterated its readiness to champion the cause of executed in 25 deals. NDEP providing prosthetic limbs to disadvantaged closed as the third most traded children who suffer limb loss. The financial stock with 720 units worth N104, institution also promised to take care of the 277 in three deals; Afriland Properties Plc trailed behind with educational needs of such children.

David-Borha, while thanking the clients for their 100 units valued at N210.00 in support and patronage, assured that Stanbic one deal, while SWAP IBTC will, through its CSR initiatives, continue Technologies closed as the last on to explore opportunities to impact lives, in line the top five top securities with 100 with its pledge to move individuals and units valued at N97.00 in one businesses forward. deal.

It will be recalled that Stanbic IBTC had Data from the Securities pledged during a charity walk on 14 November Exchange further showed that 2015, tagged ‘Out for a Limb’, which it organized year-to-date, it has dematerialised as part of activities to raise awareness for children 15.41 per cent or 16.18 billion of without limbs to continue to impact lives. The share certificates in the OTC charity walk, which was flagged off by the wife market, while volume traded of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle within the period stood at 1.49 Ambode, attracted a large turnout of participants, including Stanbic IBTC top management, staff, billion. Value traded within the government officials, clients, and other interested one year period stood at N50.71 billion, while the total deal closed individuals. at 2,114 deals.

By Nkiruka Nnorom

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Stanbic IBTC launches signature CSI initiative activity

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From left: Consumer Services Manager, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Peace Emele; Commercial Manager, Ikeja A, Commercial Territory, NBC, Tope Ayeni; General Manager, Lagos Television (LTV), Deji Balogun; and Regional Logistics Director, Lagos/West, NBC, Nurain Saka during the celebration of the LTV Family Funfair at Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbin, Ikeja, Lagos. course of their transaction in the capital market.

In his address at the post-Capital Market Committee (CMC) meeting with journalists, the Director General, SEC, Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, informed that the first set of beneficiaries would be compensated from the Fund before the end of the year. He stated that compensation has been pegged at N200,000 (two hundred thousand naira) per complaint, adding that the NIPF covers the entire capital market and is broader in

scope than a similar Fund being promoted by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, which seeks to provide respite to investors who suffer losses as a result of defalcation by dealing member firms of the Exchange.

He noted that the SEC taxed itself to provide the initial grant, while operators in the market are expected to make annual contribution to the Fund subsequently.

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28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015

African oil producers eye strategic role in OPEC

By Michael Eboh

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HE Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu has emphasized the need for oil producing countries to position themselves to ensure they play a strategic role in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC and in the global petroleum industry in general.

Kachikwu, who stated this in Abuja maintained that the volatility in the global oil industry has made it imperative that smaller producer countries in Africa huddle together to be able to find ways and means of encouraging and pushing forward their agenda.

This, according to Kachikwu, is going to be critical in the 2016 timeframe when obviously, the strategic movements and realignments over the issue of oil pricing would be happening.

He said, “The 2015, 2016 timeframe is going to be filled with a lot of action in the oil industry. Actions bordering on restructuring; how we do our business; integrity rebuilding; new dynamics in oil

exploration and management.

“This is a very tasking and trying period, but it is also an exciting period for us and I think a lot of countries would be benefitting from some of the processes we are putting in place to make ourselves more efficient producers at the end of the day. I think the greatest challenge for most producers, especially African producers, is to go back to the strategic

movement of oil cost because it was encouraged by oil prices.

And so in era of tumbling oil prices, we need to go back to what used to be our best advantage which is producing as the least cost producer.”

He further emphasized the need for African oil producers to meet more often and speak with one voice in issues that affect them especially during

AWARD : From left, Country Director, Visa, West Africa, Ade Ashaye; Team Head, Prepaid, Card Business, FirstBank, Eyo Offiong Eyo; Visa-Total fuel promo winner, Awoyode Oluwaseun, and Network Development Manager, Total Nigeria Plc, Maxence Bourgoing, during the presentations of winners in the Total Fuel with Visa campaign, in Lagos.

framework of being the least cost producers in the market.

“The huge price of oil over the years has culminated almost in an acquisitive upward

this tough period of instability in the global crude oil market.

He said, “I know of the times when APPA was lot more powerful. I think they were

probably more powerful when they were eight members than when they became 18 members. That would be because we failed to take advantage of size. We let volume be the speaker and we need to begin to look at that.

“Saudi Arabia does about eight million barrels per day with the potential for nine million barrels. If you add us, Angola, and a few African countries, we would be on the threshold of about five or six million barrels which is not too far away. So collectively, you can actually bring some real serious influence.

“I think APPA needs to meet more often, strategise more often and speak with one voice, needs to stop being self-competitive among themselves, that is trying to compete and of course it would bring down cost and help enhance technology. You don’t go to OPEC meetings and get yourselves all depleted into different factions.

“We haven’t done that as much we should. If we continue to do that, we are going to see a lot more respect.

“The general consensus is that Africa has always been seen like a non-aligned group. You have two main warring factions or positions at OPEC meetings and Africa is always a middle layer that everybody cuts.”

Electricity: Consumers to pay more as NERC abolishes fixed charge ...subsidy for rural consumers uncertain

By Sebastine Obasi

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MIDST the deteriorating economic climate, there is a growing concern that Nigerian electricity consumers will soon be paying high tariff following the abolition of the monthly N750 fixed charge by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC. The concern grew from the fact that the Distribution Companies, DISCOs would transfer the charge into the tariff component of electricity consumers, which could be increased arbitrarily, thus dashing the hope of numerous consumers who had thought that the abolition of the fixed charge would be a relief.

This is coming as the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, stated that the federal government may not provide subsidy to electricity consumers in the rural communities.

NERC, weekend said it would C M Y K

finally abolish the N750 fixed charge component enshrined in the MultiYear Tariff Order (MYTO). According to NERC Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, electricity fixed charge is a universal practice, which enables operators to recover the capital and fixed cost. Amadi said that scrapping electricity fixed charges may impact negatively on the market participants who have invested a lot and are continuously making investments in the industry.

However, the General Manager, North-South Power, owners of Shiroro Hydro Power Plant, Eric Olo, said that the abolition of fixed charge will impact negatively on consumers.

According to him, “NERC’s action will have ripple effects on other elements of the tariff plan and the rest of the electricity value chain.

“Already, there is a shortfall due to collection losses and the pressure on the DISCOs to repay the loans they secured from

commercial banks, meaning that the latest shortfall coming from the fixed charge freeze will be transferred to consumers in the form of increased energy tariffs.”

The situation is compounded by the pronouncement of Fashola said that the possibility of providing some level of financial subsidy for electricity consumers in Nigeria’s rural communities remains uncertain due to limited finances.

NERC’s action will have ripple effects on other elements of the tariff plan and the rest of the electricity value chain

Fashola who stated that the government was already considering recommendations on what would work in this regard, also said that the government would be pushing for more volumes of electricity to be generated into the national grid.

The federal government had from inception of the power sector privatisation programme, provided some pool of fund to subsidise electricity consumption by rural citizens of the country.

The measure was aimed at helping the new operators recover cost of distributing electricity to rural communities who would find it difficult to pay the cost-reflective bills given to them by the electricity distribution companies.

However, Fashola said: “It was necessary to privatise, no doubt.

The previous administration has made some choices - not all those choices have worked, and not all those choices have been completed. Some require reevaluation.

Navy, Riverine Security deploy technology to tackle oil theft, vandalism

By Michael Eboh

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SECURITY outfit with presence in the whole of the Niger Delta region, Riverine Security, also known as CoastGuard of the Federation, yesterday stated that it has entered into a partnership with the Nigerian Navy to launch a geographical information system to tackle the unending menace of pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft in the country.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, had in its recently released report stated that between January and October 2015, Nigeria recorded crude oil and petroleum products loss of N53.55 billion due to pipeline vandalisation.

The NNPC had also identified pipelines vandalisation as one of the factors responsible for the low performance of the countries’ refineries, which had consistently posted significant losses in their operations.

Pipeline vandalisation However, in a statement in Abuja, Commandant-General of Riverine Security, Mr. Bibi Oduku, stated that the system which is designed to monitor oil pipelines, criminal activities and other oil facilities in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large. According to him, the system would bring an end to oil leakages, sea-piracy, kidnapping and other related crimes in the region. He further stated that the group is presently undertaking a survey interview of over 6,000 ex-militant and youths from the riverine areas on the way forward for the petroleum sector.

“We will launch the solution to oil pipeline vandalisation and its related crimes to all oil companies, government, security agencies and the general public,” he said.

He said the group enjoys the support of the Federal Government in all its activities in the Niger Delta region, and is expecting to consummate a relationship with states of the federation in the days ahead.

He said: “Riverine Security (Coast-Guard of the Federation) is a security outfit approved by the Federal Government with a work force drawn from all the nooks and cranny of the Niger Delta Region and Nigeria at large. “We are currently in partnership with the Nigerian Navy in our joint bid to rid the waterways of the Niger Delta of criminal groups and criminal activities.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015—29

Fuel: Scarcity takes toll on businesses, transport, others ...as Benin, Delta dispense at N125

By Ediri Ejoh

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EW days to Christmas, Nigerians are still lamenting the persistent fuel scarcity which has taken its toll on business activities as well as food items in the country.

In Lagos, over the last couple of days, it has been difficult for commuters and motorists who have been subjected to hectic traffic jams. Specifically, areas such as Orile, Apapa, Lekki, Oshodi and Ajegunle, Amukoko have had to contend with gridlock due to long queues at petrol stations that sell at N100 per litre.

A motorist, Mr. Samson Okoracha, said, he bought petrol at the rate of N100 per liter at Total stations in Amukoko.

“For some days now, I have been buying petrol at the price of N100 to N120 per liter at various stations in the state.

"Normally, I do board commercial buses from Oshodi to mile-2 at the rate of N150, but now I'm expected to pay over N200 and sometimes N300 at night.

On his part, Mr. Festus Okoro, another commercial bus driver, attributes the hike in transportation to unavailability of petrol at the stations.

"We seldom get this product from the petrol stations, we are left at the mercy of hawkers of this product who sell to us at the price of N170 to N200 per liter.

"If you do the maths, you will find out that we practically have no option than to increase the price, because we have families that we must cater for at the end of the day," he added.

The persistent scarcity has also made the cost of living harder for citizens as the prices of food items have shot up.

“At Alaba market, Mrs. Obi Ifunaya, a trader said, "We have been faced with serious challenge of late, which has led to increase in some of our items sold to customers.

“Before now, some of our

vegetables, yams and other items were sold at a fairly moderate price, but for three weeks now, the prices of these items had gone up because of the increase in transporting them from places like the North. Some of the drivers told us that the price of petrol in some states is as high as N300 per liter, and they are difficult to purchase from the

filling stations.

In Benin, Edo State, Vanguard gathered that petrol was sold at between N130 and N150 at various stations. For example, at the ring road, airport road, GRA, petrol stations were dispensing petrol at the rate of N130, as against the official price of N87, while hawkers of the product sold at the price of N200 per liter.

Falcon Director bags Entrepreneur Award

T COMPETITION: Chief Operating Officer, Oando Marketing Plc, Mrs. Olaposi Williams (2nd right), presenting a gift to St. Timothy’s College OnikeIwaya’s student, Miss Joy Ogunbajo (2nd left), winner of Teens Can Cook, while the Head Teacher, St. Finbarrs College, Mr. Daniel Ikediobi (right) and St. Timothy College OnikeIwaya’s teacher, Mrs. Nwabueze Folukemi look on during the grand finale/end of the year edition of Teens Can Cook Competition, powered by O-GAS for secondary schools, at St. Finbarrs College, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos.

Atlantic Energy repositions for the future A

TLANTIC Energy Drilling Concepts Nigeria Limited, an indigenous exploration and production company, said it is undergoing a holistic transformation aimed at placing it on a good pedestal to compete in the nation’s oil and gas industry. This followed the approval by the Presidency for the implementation of the company’s debt repayment plan, which before now has prevented it from operating optimally as an exploration and production company.

According to the company, the presidency decided to give it a chance by demanding to see its plan showing how it would settle its debts and resolve all contending issues between it and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, as well its creditors.

“The plan, drawn by the company and submitted a month ago was finally approved by the Presidency last week and referred to the Minister of state for Petroleum

A Cab driver, Mr. John Igho, disclosed that independent marketers across the city, Ugbowu and other areas formally adhere to the regulated prize of N87 per liter during the day to avoid sanctions.

His word: "there is deception in the prices of this product across the state.

"During the working hours, independent marketers who tried to avoid been caught , dispensed at the regulated price of N87 while in the evening hours, they sold at between N120 and N125 per litre."

Some of those who spoke to Vanguard, called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency come to the aid of the masses so as to bring the situation to normalcy as we approach the yuletide season.

Resources, Ibe Kachikwu for implementation.

“Modalities for implementation of the approved plan and the investor’s involvement in the repayment plan have been the agenda for talks between the company and petroleum sector regulators,” it noted. It would be recalled that the company has had it rough in the past one year. There were allegations that its phenomenal success in

securing the juicy Strategic Alliance Agreement with the Nigerian Production Development Company, NPDC, was in breach of industry rules.

Under the agreement, Atlantic Energy took charge of eight oil blocks. It was to provide funds, technical services, drill and sell crude oil.

To fund its mandate, it borrowed funds from financial

institutions. Also, it was alleged that the company was unable to honour its obligations in the agreement with the regulatory authorities.

The company thanked President Buhari and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Ibe Kachikwu for the opportunity to implement its repayment plan, a step which has given encouragement to indigenous players in the oil industry.

Africa energy to acquire 90% interest in South African oil, gas block

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FRICA Energy Corp has decided to buy 90 percent working interest and operatorship in Block 2B offshore South Africa.

As part of new corporate strategy, the company has executed three agreements which will in acquisition of the interest.

First, the company will acquire Afren plc subsidiary

owning a 25 percent participating interest in the block for a cash consideration of $1 million. Second, the company will acquire all of the shares of Thombo Petroleum, a privately held company which holds a 34.5 percent participating interest in Block 2B for cash consideration of $2 million plus the issuance of 14.8 million of its new common

shares. The company has also agreed to issue up to an additional 20 million common shares of Africa Energy and, at the option of the company, to either pay and/or issue up to $1.5 million in additional contingent cash and/or shares of Africa Energy, both payable on milestones associated with the commercialisation of the block.

HE Executive Director and Co-Founder of Falcon Corporation, an oil and gas company, Mrs Audrey Joe-Ezigbo has emerged winner of the Nigerian NewsDirect Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 Award.

The award was instituted in recognition of highgrowth entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in areas such as innovation, strong financial performance, business growth and impact in the communities where they operate.

Commenting on the award, Joe-Ezigbo said: “I cannot speak enough on the fact that women bring immeasurable tangible and intangible value to the world of business, and particularly at the executive levels of management. Every forwardlooking business and country knows this and working purposefully to lessen gender divide”.

According to her Falcon has 65 percent of women as staff, while half of the company’s management team are also women.

“This same structure is also seen in the company’s Board level.

It is a deliberate corporate focus to ensure gender parity and diversity, while ensuring that we are getting the best out of most competent people. We see ourselves as a ready example of excellence in this regard”.

30 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22 22, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015—31

By Kingsley Adegboye & Caleb Ayansina

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he merger of three key ministries of Power, Works and Housing into one, is a disservice to the nation. This view was canvassed by Lagos-based estate surveyors and valuers who also faulted the non-appointment of one of their own as the Minister of Housing in view of the fact that they are best qualified and positioned to man the ministry.

The Chairman of the Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers NIESV, Mr. Samuel Ukpong who spoke on behalf of the realtors at a together to round off the year, posited that the land professionals are more competent and knowledgeable to be entrusted with the Ministry of Housing than a career politician.

Ukpong who noted that many Nigerians have given kudos to the Federal Government on the ministerial appointments declared: “ We want to join in giving kudos but with a caveat. The President has not done very well to merge the ministries together especially the ministry of housing with works and power. It is a disservice to the nation and we want to hold an opinion that it is not proper. Thirty (30) years ago when the president was in government, the population of Nigeria was about 90 million.

Right now, we are in the region of 170 million, we also have a housing deficit of 17 million which means it is a very serious matter. So, putting the three major sectors of the nation's economy in the purview of just one person is not right. Nigeria as a country is expanding , responsibilities need to be given to the people. Now another thing that worries us about that appointment is that someone from the built environment was not even appointed|. " So, why are we not putting round pegs in round hole. I cannot remember the last time an estate surveyor was made a minister in this country. but I discovered we have minister of water resources and you know every activity starts on land. Why don’t we have someone from the real estate sector , someone who understands the nitty- gritty of the environment as a minister," Ukpong asked.

He noted that these fundamental posers are very key if the government really wants to drive the developmental process of the country.

“If you go to international conferences, participants wonder what their Nigerian counterparts are doing. The international financial standard is an accounting standard, it recognises that the inputs of the estate surveyors and valuers must be there. No valuation of asset can be carried out without the valuation done by estate surveyors and valuers . We have accountant general, auditor –general , solicitors general, but we

Merger of Works, Housing & Power a disservice to the nation—Estate surveyors As 342 new surveyors are inducted into associates cadre

•A housing estate in Lagos President of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers NIESV, Olorugun James Omeru has called on all estate surveyors and valuers across the country to up hold the tenets of professionalism.“Omeru, who made the called at ceremony in which 342 estate surveyors were

inducted into the Associates cadre of the profession, posited that practising the profession within the ambit of law would stand them out among other professions in the country.“The NIESV boss noted that the role of estate surveyors and valuers could not be neglected or substituted in the fight against

corruption. He faulted the decision of the Code of Conduct Bureau CCB which did not utilise the services of estate surveyors and valuers in the declaration of assets by public office holders as required by the law. “ According to him, most of the assets declared by the owners were not the actual worth of the properties on ground, because they were not done by the professionals.“Delivering the keynote address, the immediate past President of the institution, Mr. Emeka Eleh tasked the new inductees and other members of the profession to desist from sharp practices that would not safeguard the interest of real estate clients and other corporate organisations.“ “This sector of our practice is obviously the one that has mostly put us in bad light in the public domain. While it is known that the practice of agency is open to all as at now, it is also true that it is a sector that can easily set us apart from the quacks if our members will act professionally in their dealings,” he said.

FG inaugurates committee to midwife civil servants integrated housing scheme •Fashola don’t have a Valuer- general, despite their relevance to all sectors of the economy. Our infrastructures are decaying because they are not managed by estate surveyors and valuers. The Federal government has taken us for granted. We are critical in the implementation of issues relating to the built environment. The government should take us seriously. For the government to make impact, it must involve the stakeholders,” he said.

In a related development, the

We want to join in giving kudos but with a caveat.

The President has not done very well to merge the ministries together especially the ministry of housing with works and power

By Favour Nnabugwu

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N recognition of housing as a fundamental human right, the Federal Government last week inaugurated an 11-man Joint Implementation Committee, JIC to midwife the delivery of an integrated housing scheme for workers in the country.

The Federal Integrated Staff Housing, FISH will provide affordable houses to Federal civil servants in the country in Abuja Inaugurating the committee, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred OyoIta observed that there was no correlation between the income of civil servants and rental values of residential properties occupied by them.

FISH is an integrated programme encompassing group land acquisition from the Federal government as the employer, provision of infrastructure through strategic partnerships, cost effective development of pre-designed housing units and special intervention and revolving fund.

Oyo-Ita said the housing programme became necessary to enable government provide houses at affordable prices to its workers so as to reduce the hardships faced by most civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. The Head of Service further explained that the provision of the houses was also meant to create conducive atmosphere for its workers for increased performance in their duties. She stated that it was imperative for civil servants to access decent and comfortable accommodation at affordable costs.

Oyo-Ita noted that in the past, civil servants were motivated by the provision of staff quarters which accounted for the diligence, professionalism and high level of productivity, a situation she regretted, was later discarded by past

administrations. ‘’Attempts to engage private developers to provide housing for workers since then has not yielded any positive results as civil servants has found it more difficult to afford modest accommodation at the current market price,’’ she said.

The FISH programme, according to the HoS has been designed to provide cost effective and affordable housing for various categories of federal civil servants as a means of improving their morale, commitment, productive, stewardship and quality of life during and after service.

“The programme will not only motivate but also equip civil servants to achieve the status of EPIC civil servants who are Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-Centred, because they also deserve quality housing estates like their compatriots in the Armed Forces.”

The 11 Member committee drawn from the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies,MDAs has the Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office of the Head of Service, Mr. Yemi Adelakun as Chairman while the Deputy- Director, Administration, General Services of the HOS office, Etim Inyang as its Secretary.

Their terms of reference include: to secure group land and allocation as well as title documents from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs of government including States and Local governments for building mass housing for public servants, to partner with relevant stakeholders to source for funding for the construction of affordable houses for public servants, to mobilise and secure funds to adequately cater for the housing loan needs of the public servants at affordable interest rate as well as to collaborate and network with PenCom, Sure-P, the Budget Office of the Federation and the Ministry of Finance in raising funds for the Fish programme

32 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015—33

Ibom Deep Sea Port'll be hub for sub-region —A-Ibom govt

By Godfrey Bivbere

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KWA Ibom State Government is to make the Ibom deep sea port a hub for the West and Central Africa regions at its completion in 2018, the state Commissioner for Special Duties, Engr. Etido Inyang, has said.

In an interview with Vanguard, Inyang said that the draft of the channel and its proximity to the sea, give the project advantage that other ports do not have.

The commissioner explained that the state governor was committed to the completion of the project because of the effect it would have on both the state and national economy in these times of drop in international prices of crude oil.

According to him, “We are the best located and we are not contesting that with anybody because the other players do not have deep sea port capability. We are naturally endowed with a 15 metre draft, we just cleaned the sea bed to 18 metres and then you are able to bring in ships of 15 metres into the region.

“You realise that I am talking about the region because the advantage is not just for Nigeria but for the region. We are looking at Cameroon, Senegal, Angola and the others. Yes, they may have their ports but this is going to be exceptionally large.

We will be able to carry out transshipment within the region and again Nigeria has suffered a lot for so many years without industrialisation.

“Governor Udom Emmanuel is not only looking at creating a deep sea port. When we did the feasibility study of this deep sea port with 14,400 hectares of land,

it was identified that for you to have a viable industry estate, there was need for a deep sea port which will be the catalyst to drive the development. For you to be able to bring in raw materials and take out finished products, you need the deep sea port.

“As a result of the importance the state government places on

the development of the industrial city as well, apart from other commercial merchandise that are from Nigeria, it engaged the services of industrial estate planners, Dan Anderson. They are responsible for the development of Dubai World Central using the new technology in development all over the world."

LAUNCH: From left: Head, Standard Bank Investor Services West Africa, Mr. Segun Sanni; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Yinka Sanni and Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, during the launch of Stanbic IBTC Bank Security Lending product, in Lagos.

Okowa charges holiday makers to be safety conscious

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OVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has pleaded with business men and women who will be travelling for the yuletide to be mindful of the type of vehicles they board and also caution the drivers when they exceed speed limits.

He spoke through his Special Assistant on Political Matters, Chief Okiemute Akigho, when groups of business associations paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Asaba.

The governor told them to spend time to observe the vehicles they are boarding, check the tyres and also call the drivers to order in case he drives above the speed limit.

He admonished those driving themselves and their families to observe road signs and respect road marshals, government agents and other road users.

He assured them that the government was ready to support them when the need arises.

Spokesperson for the associations, Mr Kelvin Williams, thanked the governor for making the state business friendly.

Yuletide: Rivers police assure on adequate security

By Davies Iheamnachor

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ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State Police Command has assured the people of the state of adequate security during and after the yuletide period.

The state Commissioner of Police, Musa Kimo, gave the assurance at the Children’s Home in Port Harcourt, while donating some items to the home in line with the Inspector General of Police’s scheme for community outreach and policy.

Kimo assured that the lives and property of the people of the state would be adequately secured during and after the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The police boss disclosed that the command had concluded strategic plans to ensure that security of the state was guaranteed.

Kimo warned criminals and cultists in the state to quit or move out of the state, adding that the police would clamp down on every activity that would cause trouble in the state during the season.

He maintained that the police would response swiftly against armed robbery or any kidnap incident should any occur.

“We are here to deliver these gift items to the home on behalf C M Y K

of the police IG, and to identify with our own children in line with community outreach and policy.

We are here to demonstrate love to the children.

“I urge everybody in this state

to be God fearing and abide by the rule of law in their dealings.

We have put all security measures in place and we appeal to the people of the state to abide by these rules," he said.

Responding, the matron of Port Harcourt Children’s Home, Mrs. Barile Nwako thanked the Police for the gift items, saying that the items were signs of love and care for the less privileged.

God used UBTH to save my life —Imasuagbon meant for them, as they ran

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—GOVERNORSHIP aspirant of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, Mr Kenneth Imasuagbon, disclosed, yesterday, that but for God and the prompt attention given to him by the management of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, he would have died in 2013 after a ghastly motor accident involving his vehicle and a truck belonging to Dangote Cement Company.

He said it was against that background that he decided to offset the bills of indigent patients in the hospital to the tune of N1.5 million, just as patients rushed for the rice he donated to them as Christmas gift.

According to Imasuagbon, “God Almighty used UBTH and the CMD of the hospital, Prof. Ibadin, to save my life in 2013. After the truck hit my vehicle, my spinal

cord was almost gone but Prof.

Ibadin said my spinal cord must not crumble. The hospital resuscitated me and I am alive today. So, I made a promise to myself that I will always donate to this hospital annually to show gratitude to them.”

However, there was drama when the patients saw a truck of rice

outside the wards to get their share. Even those who were being attended to, abandoned the nurses and ran towards the direction of the truck.

In his remark, Prof. Ibadin thanked Imasuagbon for the gesture and assured him of better and quality service delivery to save more lives of patients in the hospital.

Medical laboratory scientists call off strike

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HE Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, AMLSN, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, chapter, said, yesterday, that it has suspended the industrial action it earlier embarked upon.

It was gathered that while the action lasted, laboratory analysis at the teaching hospital was grounded.

Mr Abdulazeez Olumoye,

AMLSN UBTH chapter Chairman, in a statement, called on members to return to their duty post and resume work.

Olumoye, who appreciated members for their support and commitment during the period of the industrial action, however, assured them that the association remained committed to the struggle to press home their demands.

PDP youth leader drums support for Okowa's SMART agenda

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B R A K A — A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, youth leader and mobilizer for the Okowa Campaign Organization in Abraka, Delta State, Mr. Tony Edafiogho, has urged the people of the area to key into the state governor's SMART agenda.

Edafiogho, who is also an auditor with the Delta Political Vanguard, while addressing a cross section of youths, women and PDP faithful in the area, urged them to key into Governor Ifeanyi Okowa's SMART agenda in order to reap the full benefits of the programmes.

Urging the people to align themselves with the government so as not to work at cross purposes with government's programmes, he explained that it was time for them to drop their individual interests and make way for the collective good of the community.

34—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015

MDCAN condemns closure of FMC, Owerri

By Victoria Ojeme

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O R M E R PRESIDENT of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, Dr. Steven Oluwole, has condemned the closure of the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owerri, Imo State, saying that shutting down the health facility was absurd.

Oluwole who reacted to the temporary shut down of the hospital Last week, said the Federal Ministry of Health had complicated the situation.

“Its actions imply that an appointee of government that implemented government policies and cleared of wrong doing could be sacrificed on the altar of appeasement of unions. This action shames justice, fairness, and good governance.

“It raises questions about the policy of government, its implementation and the health system. in Nigeria"

ANTI-GRAFT WAR: S'East MAN supports

Buhari ...urges him to beam search light on power sector Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi in the war. states' branch, with its Chief Okafor, who is the NEWI—THE anti-graft Chairman,Chief Azubike Okafor, Chairman of MAN for the three war being prosecuted by urging the president not to relent states, told Vanguard, yesterday at a business forum in Onitsha, Anambra State that “contrary to criticisms, and disparaging otherwise known as the anti-social maintaining that the laws of the comments that President Buhari's

By Chris Njoku media bill sponsored by Sen. Ibn federation on libel, defamation, ongoing anti-graft war was borne ORE CONDEMN- Na’Allah (APC Kebbi South). treason and related laws have out of vindictiveness and vendetta, ATIONS have continued A human rights activist and clauses that cover the essence of the recent revelation by suspects’ to trail the proposed ‘Frivolous novelist, Mr Efemena Agadama the social media bill. In a now undergoing interrogation at Petitions and Other Matters in his condemnation, described statement made available to the Economic and Financial Connected Therewith Bill’, the bill as unnecessary newsmen, he said the bill if Crimes Commission, EFCC, has passed into law, vindicated Mr. President.

“President Buhari is on the right would put more lives in danger than track and the business class will support him in the logical envisaged. prosecution of the war to Agadama, who is The statement read: "We are therefore

By Tare Youdeowei aghast that Uche Ekwunife, who the Director of conclusion. Nothing more than AGOS—THE Campaign ordinarily should be sobered by this I n t e r n a t i o n a l total cleansing and overhauling of Organization of Senator Annie clear constitutional declaration given Relations, Youth and the entire Nigerian economic and Okonkwo, the nominated candidate of her political experience appeared Conflict Resolution political system can bring sanity the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in unperturbed and unmindful of Initiatives, YCRI, and restore Nigeria back to glory. the 2015 Anambra Central Senatorial elementary party internal democracy, said the contents of “Nigeria was already sliding district primaries has hailed the Court of norms as evident in her obvious the bill, have similar before the general election, and Appeal verdict setting aside Uche contemplation to re-run in the yet to contents as the what Buhari succeeded in doing Ekwunife’s victory as proper and timely, be scheduled re-election as the decree 4 of 1984, is courageously putting the gear which was made to into reverse to save the nation from saying the constant beam of truth will candidate of our party, the PDP. "We, therefore, emphasize that the protect officials of the an irredeemable disaster, similar always outshine the human burden of party primaries by the PDP to select military government to falling into a bottomless pit, due lies, darkness and deceit.

Senator Okonkwo's Campaign candidates for that election after the from public criticisms to the flourishing monumental Organization stated this in a release by most rigorous processes for any and discourage the corruption,” he said. its Media Adviser, Mr. Collins Ugwu in senatorial zone, arrived at Senator media from its Lagos, yesterday, saying that Uche Annie Okonkwo as the most popular i n v e s t i g a t i v e Ekwunife should not have been the flag- and validly nominated candidate of the functions.

PDP." bearer of the party in that election.

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, has received the support of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN,

Anti-social media bill unnecessay — Activist

M

Campaign organization lauds A’Court’s verdict on Ekwunife

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015 — 35

Benue workers'll receive salaries before Xmas — ORTOM

By Peter Duru

M

A K U R D I — GOVERNOR Samueaal Ortom has assured that workers in the state would receive their salaries before the Christmas festivities.

The Governor who spoke weekend, at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, North Bank, Makurdi, said he had already directed that the payments of workers should commence immediately.

He said his administration was

committed to the welfare of its workforce despite the persisting economic challenges and sued for understanding.

Ortom said, “as a government, we have enthroned transparency, accountability and due process in the handling of

government business and we are committed to ensuring that the rules are obeyed.

“We are only asking for understanding on the part of all stakeholders as we strive to position our state on the pedestal of faster socio-economic development.”

The Governor who recounted some of the achievements of his

AWARD: Head, Environment Compliance & Public Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Mrs. Oluseyi Osunsedo (left) receiving a recognition award from the Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal at the 21st Anniversary of the Association of Telecoms Companies of N i g e r i a (ATCON), in Lagos.

‘Faleke’s tribunal suit, a disrespect to APC'

By Kingsley Fanwo

A

human right activist, Mr. Emmanuel Owotunse has taken a swipe at Hon. James Faleke for approaching the tribunal over the choice of Alh. Yahaya Bello as the choice of the party to replace late Prince Abubakar Audu, saying Faleke’s action was an affront to the authority of the party.

Speaking with Vanguard in Lokoja, Monday, Owotunse said the action of the party was based on the fact that Yahaya Bello was the most constitutionally qualified to replace the late Audu.

He said: “Faleke is taking too many wrong steps. His lawyers are surely misleading him into taking decisions that will burn his political fingers.

“Moreso, the fact that Faleke is a close ally of the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is raising concerns that the decision of Faleke to go to the tribunal may affect party cohesion as the National Working Committee will surely be disappointed by the new twist in the whole saga.

He added “I am not happy that Faleke is giving a wrong impression of himself. He set out

BAD DEBT: Court orders firm to pay FCMB N110m

A

BUJA—A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered a water construction firm, Hydroworks Ltd, to pay the sum of N110, 000, 000. 00 it took as loan and overdraft facilities from First City Monument Bank Plc. The legal tussle began when

A

S the January 27, 2015 inauguration of a new government in Kogi draws near, there is palpable tension as a group believed to be drumming support for Hon. Abiodun Faleke has warned of its readiness to ground activities in the state if Faleke was not declared the Governor-Elect of the state by January 10, 2016.

The group, Faleke Solidarity Movement gave the ultimatum in a communique released after its End-of-the-Year meeting in Kabba, saying the declaration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as Governor-Elect is C M Y K

the 1stand 2ndplaintiffs, Hydroworks Ltd and Engr.

Samuel Castle through an amended statement of claim dated May 23, 2014, dragged the 1st and 2nddefendants, FCMB and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) before the court asking it

Issa Aremu, erudite labour leader laments wife’s death

By Demola Akinyemi

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LORIN—FORMER Vice President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and General Secretary, National

‘We''ll occupy Kogi if Faleke is not declared gov-elect' a travesty of justice.

By Kingsley Fanwo

administration in the last six months noted that virtually all the sectors of the state had been touched by his government.

Vanguard recalls that the state government had few weeks back announced its decision to alternate the payment of workers due to dwindling resources; workers are still being owed backlog of salaries.

FSM insists that Faleke was the right person to replace the late Prince Abubakar Audu since they both contested on the same ticket.

“It is unfortunate that INEC took the path of illegality by declaring Yahaya Bello as the Governor-Elect of the state.

Faleke was on the same ticket with the late Prince Abubakar Audu and they had won the election before Audu’s death.

“As a group, we cannot be intimidated by the threat of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress who have shown its bias against the emergence of Faleke.''

Union of Garment and Textile Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, Comrade Issa Aremu, has described the death of his wife, Hamdalat, as a tough one for him saying that he never believed he would bury his wife.

Aremu’s wife died last Tuesday in Lagos after a brief illness.

The labour leader who spoke at the Fidau, weekend, fighting back tears thanked Nigerians, including the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim SuluGambari, for standing by him, described his late wife as “very dutiful and loving wife”.

According to him,”It is a big vacuum to me. It is a tough one for me. I never knew I would bury my wife. I have always believed that she would be the one to bury me.

I also planned to celebrate her birthday in a special way”.

The Imam Imale of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullahi

to “declare that the 1stdefendant banker (FCMB) is liable and indebted to the 1st plaintiff customer to the tune of N1, 103, 349, 284, 36 (One billion, one hundred and three million, three hundred and forty-nine thousand, two hundred and eighty-four naira, thirty-six kobo) “A declaration that defendant is not entitled to foreclose or sell the 2ndplaintiff ’s property situate at and known as No. 16 Aso Drive, Abuja under an equitable mortgage or personal guarantee of the 2ndplaintiff, except by prior order of court first had and obtained”, among other 13 similar reliefs.

The plaintiffs further alleged that they received statement of account from the 1stdefendant which was riddled with several irregularities.

When served with the court processes, the plaintiff (FCMB) briefed Barr. Innocent M. Njaka of Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume (SAN) and Co who filed the 1st defendant’s Statement of Defence on May 27, 2013.

The defendant had submitted that the total sum of N1, 117, 598, 44.98 included the 1st defendant’s commercial papers paid into the account of the plaintiff, adding that the total facility granted to him (1st plaintiff) was N110, 000, 000 contrary to the N90, 000, 000 alleged by the plaintiff.

In defence of his case, FCMB

Southern Sun Ikoyi fetes orphanage

T

HE management Southern Sun, Ikoyi has re-iterated its commitment to the Arrows of God orphanage in Ajah, Lagos as the hotel’s adopted home for charity.

Ms. Ubong Nseobot, Sales and PR Manager of the firm disclosed this as management visited the home that cares for over 150 orphaned, abandoned and destitute children.

Nseobot said “As our adopted charity, we are ever eager to put a smile on the lovely faces of the children and especially during this festive time. We reiterate our unwavering commitment to the Arrows of God orphanage and we celebrate the wonderful staff and management for their continued work in positively shaping the upbringing of these very lovely children.'''

During the visit, the children were actively engaged with fun and laughter as the hotel presented gifts in the spirit of the season.

Coronation of Olu of Warri new dawn, good omen — DBIR boss

T

HE Executive Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, DBIR, Sir Monday Onyeme, has described the coronation of the 20th Olu of Warri, HRM Ogiame Ikenwoli 1 as a new dawn and good omen not only for Itsekiri nation but also for the state and Nigeria in general.

The DBIR boss stated this in a chat with newsmen in Warri.

He congratulated the new Olu of Warri on his ascension to the throne of his forefathers, saying that he had no doubt in his mind that his reign will usher good tidings to his people and the entire country.

He commended the new Olu for the peaceful disposition of the people of Itsekiri nation throughout the burial of their late monarch and his coronation as the new Olu of Warri.

He appealed to the people of ltsekiri nation to continue to maintain peace and unity among themselves and their neighbours, emphasizing that peace and unity were crucial to the development of any nation as no meaningful development could take place in an atmosphere of crisis and acrimony.

36 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22 22, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015 — 37

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38—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015

•Wike: Goes to the Supreme Court

•Peterside: Smiling after victory

WIKE: Calm tide in Rivers THE nullification of the election of all three senators, 12 members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State and last Wednesday, the governorship election that threw Barrister Nyesom Wike as the helmsman in Rivers State may have put the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in jeopardy. Despite the tension ahead of the judgment all was calm last Wednesday after the Court of Appeal nullified the election of Governor Wike as all sides now seemed determined not to go physical as before.

By Jimitota Onoyume

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HERE were fears in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers state before the Appeal court ruled on the governorship election that the verdict could spark off crisis in the state.

That was despite the fact that no one was very confident on who between the contenders, Governor Nyesom Wike and the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Dr Dakuku Peterside would be favoured by the judgement.

The fear was just there in the heart of many. The speculation of a likely atmosphere of insecurity was heightened last week when news filtered into Port Harcourt that the court had finished its job but was waiting for a convenient time to rule.

As no definite date was set aside for the ruling many interpreted this approach by the Appeal Court to mean that it was also mindful not to trigger violence in the state.

Some residents of Port C M Y K

Harcourt said the judgement could come after the Yuletide to enable all parties in court and their supporters to have a smooth Christmas and New Year celebrations.

But suddenly gist came in again within the week that the court will rule on the election within the week.

When finally it did on Wednesday the state was calm.

Protesters in the streets At about 3 p.m. that Wednesday not many were sure the court had ruled because people were just going on with their activities.

Banks did not hurriedly shut their doors to customers. There were no protesters on the streets. Gradually the news started going round that the election of Governor Wike had been nullified.

Remarkably, the development coincided with the visit of the Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi to Port

Harcourt to flag off the Port Harcourt Aba weekly rail transport scheme. Amaechi who was former governor of the state is at the forefront of those seeking to unseat Wike as governor of the state.

Many had thought that the Railway station venue of the Minister’s programme would have attracted cheering crowd of APC members since the ruling was in favour of the party but this was not the case as the event was entirely apolitical and wholly focused on developing the railway sector.

Even Governor Wike was represented at the event.

The court ruling has set the stage for another round of legal battle between Governor Wike and his rival, Dr Peterside. This time it is at the Supreme Court.

The governor, who spoke through his media aide, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu said he had asked his lawyers to proceed to the apex court to challenge the nullification of his election.

While calling on his supporters to remain calm and

law abiding the governor sounded optimistic that the Supreme Court will rule in his favour.

His Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was more hard in responding to the verdict which en it described it as a reflection of the gang up by the APC and the federal government against Governor Wike.

Chairman of the party, Bro. Felix Obuah in a statement by

The governor, who spoke through his media aide, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu said he had asked his lawyers to proceed to the apex court to challenge the nullification of his election

his media aide , Mr Jerry Needam also appealed for restraint on members of the party, expressing hope that things could turn in their favour at the apex court.

“The Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has urged the good people of the State to remain calm and law abiding in the face of obvious gang-up by the All Progressives Congress, APC led Federal Government against duly elected Governor of the State, Barr. Nyesom Wike and other elected lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, using some Justices of the Court of Appeal as willing tools to invalidate their elections.”, he said.

“We still hold the Judiciary in high esteemed and strongly believe that not all judicial officers can be compromised, therefore, the PDP is heading to the Supreme Court to challenge the judgement of the Appeal “, the Chairman said.

The All Progressive Congress, APC on its part lauded the court judgement, saying it confirmed it position that the election was flawed.

Publicity secretary of the party, in the state, Mr Chris Finebone also called on supporters of the party to remain calm.

Judgment of the tribunal “The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, received with satisfaction the judgement of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja upholding the judgment of the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which sacked Rivers State Governor, Ezebuwon Nyesom Wike.

“The APC considers the decision of the appellate court that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, did not comply substantially with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) as trite and incontrovertible. We believe that the decision today by the Appeal Court is a confirmation that evil can triumph over good but only temporarily.”, the party said.

Meanwhile, most residents of Port Harcourt said this was certainly not a good time for the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.

Many of them said they did not expect the party to crash the way it had done so far at the Appeal court tribunal. Twelve members of the House of Representatives sacked, three senators gone and then the election of the governor also nullified.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015 — 39

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40 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015

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VANGUARD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015—41

Hyundai reports higher sales

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PAN unveils new Peugeot 508 in Abuja P

AN Nigeria Ltd, will today at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites, Ahmadu Bello Way, Abuja unveil the all new Peugeot 508 for 2016.

The all new Peugeot 508 to be unveiled was assembled at PAN assembly plant in Kaduna. It is equipped with array of features like never before including alloy wheels, leather steering wheel, leather seats, front and rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, rain sensor, etc.

As the flagship in the Peugeot vehicle line up, the new 508 has been engineered to lead its segment with its catchy design, safety feature, road handling and ride comfort.

The Peugeot 508 is renowned for its comfort ride and refinement with generous space for both driver and passengers.

It should be recalled that PAN Nigeria, as the foremost automobile manufacturing plant in Nigeria has taken the bull by the horn by reviving its plant in Kaduna where it has been producing the new Peugeot 301.

The company also won the auto plant of the year award at the just conclude 2015. NAJA awards orgasnised by the Nigerian auto journalists. Also, it compact sedan the 301 was nominate for car of the year by the journalists.

YUNDAI Motor, South Korea’s largest automaker, posted gains in November 2015 with global sales totaling 451,838 units increase of 4.9%. The company recorded 16.9% sales increase in the Korean market with 65,166 units sold.

The sales figure in the overseas market also rose by 3.1% with 386,672 units sold.

Cumulative yearly sales at month end reached 4,448,969 units. While representing a 0.9% drop from the same period last year, the figures reveal a solid performance in key markets such as the US, China, and India. The shipments from the US, China and India plants all increased by 4.5%, 11.2%, and 5.9%, respectively.

“While the economic uncertainty surrounding the auto industry is likely to continue for some time, we are responding to market changes by enhancing competitiveness by launching a host of new products and focusing on our strongest markets to ensure future growth,” said Hyundai Motor’s spokesman.

Total output from Hyundai Motor ’s overseas plants rose 10.7% in November, compared to the same month of the previous year.

Solid performance in key markets such as the US, China, and India has been the vanguard for the strong growth.

The shipment from the US plant was robust, increasing

Skye Bank, KIA Motors roll out easy vehicle finance package

S

KYE Bank Plc. and Kia Motors have signed a strategic auto finance agreement to enable customers of Skye Bank who wish to purchase brand new Kia vehicles do so without difficulty. The arrangement covers Kia models like Picanto, Rio, Cerrato, Optima and Sportage. The partnership is borne out of the zest of both Kia Motors Nigeria and Skye Bank

Plc to promote a customer-driven corporate culture by providing the best quality and exceptional service and buying experience with all values centered on the customers.

The joint partnership brings to the fore an auto finance scheme that is geared towards satisfying the customers’ needs with manageable monthly repayments plans that is best suited for

individuals, organizations, corporate bodies and institutions who are availed convenient and flexible finance options.

The partnership which will end in March 2016 is expected to promote the acquisition of new cars by Nigerians with good cash flow, and to make it easy for eligible members of the public to acquire brand new Kia vehicles particularly in the yuletide period.

Yuletide period

L-R:Sales Manager, Dana Motors, Mr. Olawale Jimoh; Head, Retail Banking Group, Skye Bank Plc, Nkolika Okoli; Chief Commercial Officer, Dana Motors, Mr. Sandeep Malhotra; and Senior Sales Manager, Dana Motors at a press briefing on the auto finance agreement between Skye Bank and Dana Motors in Lagos.

From its entry level cars like the Picanto and the Rio to its bestin-class SUV, Kia Sportage are covered in the finance scheme.

Customers can have access to this scheme at over 20 Kia sales and service outlets in Nigeria and all Skye Bank branches nationwide.

The auto loan promo starts from

December 10 and valid till March 31 2016. This partnership will pave way for both new and existing customers of the Kia brand to own a new vehicle of their choice in celebrating the yuletide period and kick-starting the new year.

Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony in Lagos on recently , Head, Retail Banking Group, Skye Bank Plc., Nkolika Okoli, said Skye Bank, as a retail focused bank, is always on the lookout for ways to add value to its customers and the partnership is to provide avenue for customers to easily acquire brand new cars.

Okoli said, Kia brand is one of the fastest growing brands in the local automobile industry today.

She described the models as very popular to average Nigerians, adding that the spare parts and service centers are readily available across the country,

thereby offering convenience to the teeming car owners.

Speaking on “who is eligible?”, Okoli said, salary earners and business owners can acquire cars under the partnership with down payment as low as 20% of the total cost of the car. So, rather than opt for fairly used cars customers are encouraged to provide 20% equity contribution for a brand new car while the balance can be repaid over a 4 year period.

Okoli also noted that there is no need for salary domiciliation for salary earners once they can meet monthly repayment using post-dated cheques.

The scheme allows customers to get free auto tracking installation, a flexible payment option for up to 48 months repayment tenure and a competitive equated monthly installments (EMI) as low as N64,500.”, she further explained

42 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015

Metro-line metamorphose 32 years after Jakande

Blue Lite Rail to commute 400,000 people daily

•Railway

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

S

IX years after the commencement of work on the 27 kilometre Lagos Blue Line Rail, the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has budgeted for the completion of the project next year. It is billed to move 400,000 passengers daily.

He said during the budget presentation last week; “The plan in Year 2016 is to fully operationalise our multimodal transport system through the construction of new jetties and completion of works on the Blue-Rail line project from Mile 2 to Marina. We will deliver this project in Year 2016.”

Special rail system But the statement raised concerns among the residents, who hoped that the government could keep the promise considering earlier failed promises made by the previous administration.

A special rail system was conceived by the first civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, Babakekere, who governed between 1979 and 1983. But he could not commence the

project before his administration was ousted by the 1983 coup d’ etat.

Commencement of current project: Twenty-six years after Jakande's reign, in 2009, the immediate past governor, Babatunde Fashola (now Minister for Works, Power and Housing) decided to rejig the project that was expected to commute residents from Okokomaiko to Marina, adding more lines to it.

Other lines added to the project were: Red Line Agbado to Marina via Iddo and Muritala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Green Line -Marina to Lekki (Airport), Yellow Line -Otta to Iddo, Purple Line Redeem to Ojo, Orange Line- Redeem to Marina and Brown Line- Mile 12 to Marina.

The aim, according to The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, the operators are to: “Stimulate economic growth, development and job creation; Reduce severe traffic congestion; Promote the use of public transport and improve the image of public transport and attract more car users to embrace public transport.

Others are: Promote business tourism, significantly contribute towards urban restructuring, shortening of

travel distances and improving city sustainability, improve road traffic safety, Increase travel efficiency and workers' productivity and Improve quality of the environment - air and life.

Of the lines, the Blue and Red Lines were priority routes for the state government considering their strategic location.

In a bid to ensure prompt completion of the project, the State government awarded the construction of the rail track to the China Civil Engineering Construction Company, CCECC, under a design and build contract.

Design and build contract The Blue Line is undergoing construction right in the middle of Lagos-Badagry Expressway which government is currently expanding and redeveloping into a ten-lane international gateway.

To actualize the project, property on the right-of-way were demolished and compensation paid to owners who had title documents on their property.

In fact recently, a sum of N334.4 million was paid as

compensation to owners of land of the nine property affected by the expansion work on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

To commute 400, 000 passengers daily: At the start, the Blue Line will carry 400,000 passengers daily but would increase to 700,000 when the rail route becomes fully operational.

The plan in Year 2016 is to fully operationalise our multi-modal transport system through the construction of new jetties and completion of works on the Blue-Rail line project from Mile 2 to Marina. We will deliver this project in Year 2016

Worried by the impact of climate change, the state government has concluded plans to purchase Electric Multiple Units, EMUs. Vanguard gathered that EMUs are emissions free and do not pose problems of environmental pollution that are often associated with conventional diesel locomotives. They are confirmed to be more efficient and easier to maintain than the diesel locomotives.

LAMATA explained that the use of EMUs, a depot including power generating plant has been proposed for construction at the final western most station, Okokomaiko, Ojo Local Government.

The transport authority added that the depot will serve as train maintenance and repair yard, sidings, final train destination, office complex and power station.

LAMATA stated that the selected concessionaire would be responsible for providing rolling stock, operations and maintenance for a 25 year period. These include station operations, staffing, maintenance, ticketing, cleaning, information, services kiosk, centres and all

Continues on page 43

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015 — 43

•Rail

Metro-line metamorphose 32 years after Jakande

Blue Lite Rail to commute 400,000 people daily Continues from page 42 other services needed to provide excellent train services for passengers. $14.6 million budgeted for four coaches: In a bid to procure the EMUs, the State government approved $14.6 million for the purchase four Electric Multi Unit, EMU train to be used on the Lagos Urban Rail Network, LURN especially on the Blue and Red lines which are under construction in the state.

Also, approved the sum of N7.5 billion for the construction of Lot 2A Segment 3 of the ongoing expansion works on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway into 10-lane.

Accountability and transparency The State Public Procurement agency, LSPPA disclosed this in a document titled ‘Details of contracts awarded for 2014’. These were among the contracts awarded by the State Government in 2014, noting that that the aimed was to ensure probity, accountability and transparency in Public Procurement throughout Lagos State.

The agency added that it was saddled with the responsibility of formulating Policies and guidelines

relating to procurement, “as well as certifying all procurements prior to, during and after the awards of Contract in the State Government, Local Government Councils/ Development Authority and all procuring entities in the State.”

According to the document, “Direct Procurement of 4 -Car Electric Multi Unit, EMU train to Messrs. China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC/ China North Locomotive and Rolling Stock Industry Corporation, CNR (JV (Joint Venture) partners) at $14,650,000.”

The document added that the delivery of the facilities to the state will be monitored by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA. To ensure seamless operation for the facilities, LSPPA said that the state government also approved N4.6 billion (N4,648,648,069.96) to CCECC as sum due for year2014 on the construction of the bridge crossing from National Theatre to Marina.

The document stated “Lagos rail Mass transit (LRMT) blue line project -Bridge Crossing from National Theatre to Marina (as balance payment for the sum due for the year 2014 in the Lagos Rail Mass Transmit (LRMT) Blue Line Project at N4,648,648,069.96.”

Also, in a bid to ensure inter-

modal transportation system in Lagos West and Central, the government spent N2.8 billion (2,850,942,774.68) to construct rigid pavement on Bus Rapid Transit, BRT Lane from Mile 2 – CMS (Phase 2).

Vanguard learned that hundreds of structures have been demolished by the state government to give way for the commencement of the construction works.

The documents noted that the early award of the contracts for the expansion works in this section of the Lagos-Badagry expressway

Direct Procurement of 4 -Car Electric Multi Unit, EMU train to Messrs. China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC/ China North Locomotive and Rolling Stock Industry Corporation, CNR (JV (Joint Venture) partners) at $14,650,000

Lot 2A Segment 3 to CCEC Nigeria Limited at N7.5 billion was to ensure quick completion of the project.

Laudable as it was, the project was crippled by the 2015 elections. Vanguard gathered that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP led Federal Government delayed the state approval to seek for external loan to accelerate the project completion. Though the central government approved the loan after much outcry but it had delayed the project.

Unconditional retrenchment The state government had earlier floated a Bond of N87.5 billion under the Lagos State fixed rate bond to finance the project and others.

Also, the strike and demonstrations by staff and casual workers of the construction company handling the project earlier in the year further crippled the project. The protesters paralysed activities in some key areas in Lagos State alleging unconditional retrenchment of 500 workers.

But the victory of the All Progressives Party, APC at the presidential and governorshipl polls brought a new breath into the project.

The state government approvals for funds received utmost attentions.

Barely a month after assuming office, Ambode embarked on a tour of the project to ascertain the level of completion. At the inspection, he assured that residents of the state would start to feel the impacts of the facility, saying “we are going to mobilise (contractor) immediately to see that what has been done from Mile 2 to National Theatre is continued to Marina. We should be able to put to use whatever has been done from Mile 2 to Marina.”

Ambode's commitment Few months after, the governor during a question and answer session with residents coordinated by Mr. Japheth Omojuwa on a social media through the tag ‘JJmeetsAmbode’, said that the current source of funding for the Lagos light rail project cannot be sustained if it must be delivered quickly to address transportation challenges in the state.

He noted that the state government was negotiating another package to help fund the project, lamenting that the contractor handling the project was on site battling with the project. “But not fast enough to meet our expectations.”

His words “This project is driven by commercial loans and bonds leaning on the state's Internally Generated Revenue, IGR. That arrangement can't be sustained. We are negotiating a better package that will deliver the project by the end of 2016.”

44—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015

CHILDREN"S PARTY: Cross section of parents, children and staff of Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos, during the 2015 Nordica Fertility Centre Christmas party in Lagos recently.

Even men suffer infertility

By Chioma Obinna

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AVE you been affected by infertility? How have you and your spouse been coping?

Do you know that men contribute as much as 30 percent to infertility? Unfortunately, in this part of the world, women are presumed to suffer infertility and not men. Infertility remains a growing problem in Nigeria. According to experts, infertility is inability to conceive or produce offspring despite having regular unprotected sex. It occurs when a poor reproductive system impairs the ability of the body to perform necessary functions of reproduction.

The word infertility brings chills to most homes and threatens the love, peace and joy that exist there. Many couples are going through the agony of childlessness with the problem of infertility fast becoming a plague.

Agony of childlessness The desire of every couple is to become parents within the first or second year of married life.

While many couples have this dream fulfilled, experts say 1 in 4 do not; no matter how hard they try.

This was the case of Mrs. Obigaeri Amaechi who married her childhood friend, Emeka. Six years into their marriage, there was no sign of pregnancy not even a miscarriage. Tongues started wagging. Love in the home grew sour. Obiagaeri became a laughing stock in her husband's family. No one saw anything good in her. Her world came crashing down. months after month Obiageri wallowed in self pity until a day she ran into an old school mate. After narrating her story, the schoolmate counseled and encouraged

her to compel her husband to also go for a medical checkup.

Obiageri was afraid initially to confront her husband and it her six months to finally open up.

"I told my husband that it was time to also check himself. His response was predictable and typical of the average African man. Why should I do that, he queried." However, Emeka's reaction did not deter Obigaeri. She pushed until he gave into the pressure from his wife and some family members. Four months later, he agreed to visit one of the fertility centres in Ikeja area of Lagos where it was discovered that he had low sperm count.

"The battle did not stop at that.

My husband argued that it was a lie that we needed a second opinion which we did at another clinic in Lagos. The results were the same.

We began to search for solution and in February 2014, we opted for IVF in the first clinic.

God heard our prayers. Today we have a set of twins, a boy and girl."

Infertility occurs when a poor reproductive system, impairs the ability of the body to perform necessary functions of reproduction and affects nearly 25 percent of couples in Nigeria and experts claim that 40 to 45 percent of all consultations in gynaecological clinics are infertility-related.

Although, there have been several cases of male infertility and

Studies have shown that after 45 years a man begins to have issues with sperm.

"At that stage, a man may experience two heads and two tales sperm

approximately 30 percent of infertility attributable to male factors, in many cases it appears that men are not as willing or as able as their female partners to talk about their experience.

A school of thought says it is because traditionally children are seen as a woman's duty because she gets pregnant, or because over the ages, conception has been thought of as the woman's responsibility.

A Consultant Gynaecologist, Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos, Dr. Victor Ajayi, explains that one in four Nigeria couples will experience delay in getting

pregnancy and if 100 couples have intercourse at once, only about 20 percent will conceive.

Ajayi explained that a man's fertility generally relies on the quantity and quality of his sperm. "If the number of sperms a man ejaculates is low or if the sperms are of a poor quality, it will be difficult, and sometimes impossible, for him to effect a pregnancy."

Studies have shown that infertility is a widespread problem. For about one in five infertile couples the problem lies solely in the male partner. It is also estimated that one in 20 men has some kind of fertility problem with low numbers of sperm in his ejaculate. However, only about one in every 100 men has no sperm in his ejaculate.

On the common causes of male infertility, Ajayi explained that it is often due to problems that affect either sperm production or sperm transport.

"About two-thirds of infertile men have a problem with making sperm in the testes. Either low numbers of sperm are made and/ or the sperm that are made do not work properly.

Sperm transport problems are found in about one in every five infertile men, including men who have had a vasectomy but now wish to have more children.

Blockages (often referred to as obstructions) in the tubes leading sperm away from the testes to the penis can cause a complete lack of sperm in the ejaculated semen."

For known causes of male in-

fertility; experts have identified causes including sperm production problems, chromosomal or genetic causes, undescended testes, infections, varicocele (varicose veins of the testes), prostate-related problems among others.

Ajayi stressed the need to always evaluate both parties in cases of infertility. "Current studies have shown that after 45 years a man begins to have issues with sperm. "At that stage, a man may experience two heads and two tales sperm. After 45 years, we encourage DNA in older men.

Some may have their DNA damaged and there will be problems such as having difficulties impregnating their women, or damage babies, Noting that semen is not as same as sperm, he said sperm cannot be seen with naked eyes but lives within the semen.

On things that can dispose men to infertility, Ajayi said complications of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, STDs, such as chlamydia, trauma alcohol ingestion, can slow down sperm, marijuana, cocaine ingestions drugs for body building, tights paints, cigarette smoking amongst others.

He warned that long distance drivers could suffer infertility due to their sitting position which is usually close to the engine often vehicle. He however encouraged couples to always seek help as there are many advanced procedures that can diagnose and treat infertility in both men and women.

Make your bed a comfortable place, Nigerians urged

By Sola Ogundipe

N

IGERIANS have been enjoined to ensure that the mattresses and beds they sleep on are suited to their specific needs so as to maximise the benefits of sleep and at the same time minimise adverse health conditions of poor sleep conditions.

Making the call in Lagos last week, a public health physician, Dr Adetomiwa George, said a bed needed to be as comfortable as possible because most people spend as much as one third of their lives in bed.

George who is the Chief Medical Officer, GEO Medical Centre, Shogunle, Lagos, spoke at a trade partners forum/ media briefing to unveil the new line of hospital and equipment introduced by Vono Nigeroa Plc. "Make your bed a comfortable place. Don't sacrifice comfort for cost because the average person spends one third of his/her lifetime in bed, it is important to sleep on a comfortable bed. The type of bed that suits one individual may not suit another.

Pick the mattress and bed that

is best for you. There are recommendations for height and weight when buying a bed. Don't put your mattress on the floor. It is best to place it on a frame," he urged.

In an endorsement of the new hospital examination couch, classic hospital bed, bedside cabinet and drip, George, who said the introduction of the hospital beds and equipment was coming at the right time, noted that it coincided with government's emphasis on more local content for manufactured goods.

"Most of the imported hospital equipment we see around are too expensive, even though they are either second hand or substandard, so my advice is that Vono should make these products affordable, so as to create more jobs and encourage Nigerians to patronise them."

In his presentation, the Managing Director, Vono Products Plc., Mr Tunji Anjorin who lamented the negative impacts of fake products on the local industry urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to check the influx.

Anjorin said a combination of

influx of fake products, low government patronage and high exchange rate of the Naira to other convertible currencies have moderated capacity utilization in the real sector.

"Our hospital furniture, particularly, the examination bed is a product of research and understanding of the needs of the end users particularly the functionality and durability as our basis for design. These components remain part of what Vono holds dear and what keeps our customers endearing to us.

In a demonstration, the company's Project Manager, Mr Raheal Oshinubi said the quality of the hospital furniture was in conformity with international best practices, and tailor-made to enhance service delivery in the hospitals.

Also lamenting the prevalence of fake products in Nigeria, the Group Head, Sales and Marketing, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Mr Sola Owoade said the company was cooperating with the statutory organizations such as the Standard Organization of Nigeria on surveillance in order to checkmate the menace.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015—45

4 Nigerian researchers obtain N16.3m grant

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S part of efforts to ensure that Nigeria's health needs are met, an International Pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca has awarded four Nigerian researchers a N16. 3 million grant to conduct research on communicable and non communicable diseases.

The beneficiaries include Dr Sylvester Nwokediuko from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, researching on Gastroesophageal reflux disease in Nigeria with a sum of N5 million. Others are Prof. Simeon Isezuo from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, researching on Registry for acute coronary events in Nigeria, with N4.2 million; Dr Oshun Olayiwola from the University of Lagos researching on Epidemiology of Viral meningitis due to enteroviruses and herpes simplex viruses in Lagos, with N3.5 million and Dr Akaninyene Otu from the University of Calabar researching on Seroprevalence and correlates of Dengue fever in Cross River State: a population based cross sectional survey, with a N3.5 million.

The Trust fund supports local academic medical research in areas of noncommunicable diseases, focusing particularly on cardiovascular/ metabolic, respiratory and oncology conditions.

Speaking during the Research Award ceremony in Lagos recently, the Chair, Scientific Review Committee, SRC, Prof Folasade Ogunsola, who disclosed that AstraZeneca made an initial commitment of three years to distribute US$350,000 annually to the qualifying researchers in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa added that the study selection and grant apportionment is administered by SRC consisting of highly respected academics from various local institutions.

Expressing gratitude to the company, Ogunsola said: "Astrazeneca, as a drug

company does not have to do this, but we appreciate it, because the more money that goes into funding of research, the better. We are grateful to AstraZeneca; they are giving us that chance to get more data. This is part of the building blocks.

It may not solve all our problems, but if we have more people researching about these diseases plaguing mankind, we are sure to get there in no sooner time."?

She noted the idea behind the research was to provide information that guides policy.

On his part, the company's Business Unit Lead: Oncology SA & SSA, Willem Prinsloo noted that after two years in operation, the AstraZeneca Research Trust has made a positive impact in stimulating local research to date as 46 studies have been awarded funding.

NACA empowers 5,000 Lagosians on HIV counseling, testing

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S part of activities to mark World AIDS Day, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, embarked on a 4day free HIV Counselling and Testing, HCT, test for diabetes, hypertension and malaria as well as deworming for children in Shomolu Local Government Area of Lagos State.Over 5,000 residents of Shomolu benefitted from the 4-day free medical care programme which ran from 14th to 17th December, 2015 at strategic locations within the Shomolu Local Government Area.

At the flag-off which took place at Olaleye Market, Shomolu, the Principal Programme Officer, NACA, Mrs. Ronke Adeoye noted that the HCT outreach campaign was geared towards making residents to know

MEDICAL OUTREACH: Mr. Femi Majekodunmi President/ CEO Level Passion for Health Support taking blood sample of Dr. Jide Idris, Commissioner for Health Lagos State during the flag-off of free medical outreach by National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA in Lagos last week.

their HIV status and help achieve the 2030 goal of zero new infection, zero discrimination against people living with HIV as well as zero AIDS related death.

Adeoye said the programme organised

by NACA and the Millennium Development Goals unit in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, was to get people tested and know their HIV status.

"We found out that people will not ordinarily go to the clinic for testing, so we thought it wise to bring the testing to their doorstep; and as a result of this we have sensitized the people and the community to come out for testing.

"This outreach is very important because as a nation we want to get to zero by 2030,which means we want to have zero new infection, zero discrimination against people living with HIV as well as zero AIDS-related deaths."

Adeoye expressed optimism that the 2030 target is possible if only people can come out and know their status stressing that the only way this can be done is through counseling and testing. "This is why we have brought the HIV counseling and testing to their door step in the community where the people reside to help them in the quest to get counseled and tested; it is our belief that if we do this, we will actually get to our target by 2030."

On his part, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris said HIV burden has gone down nationally but stressed that the State government was still working assiduously to improve access to HCT activities.

"As a responsible government it is our duty to ensure that we prevent our people from contacting HIV/AIDS and that is why we have started this programme with our National body; NACA.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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Merry Christmas to you all and thank you once again for your continued support. Winners of our holiday raffle draw will be contacted privately for the delivery of their gifts. Our discount sales have been extended upon your request until the 22nd of December 2015. Zee Virtual Media will be closed for the year from the 23rd of December 2015 and reopens on the 4th of January 2016. Our website remains functional so you can still view products and place your orders over the holiday period. We will process your orders for delivery when we resume.

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46 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015 — 47

Osimhen’s family, agents bicker over transfer

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I C T O R Osimhen’s much heralded move to German club Wolfsburg, may have hit the brick wall as the player ’s family and football agents are at cross roads concerning his transfer.

Osimhen was the star of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile and he has been a subject of transfer speculations to various European clubs. Last week Osimhen was in Wo l f s b u r g on a familiarisation tour prior to signing a contract, but that will not happen.

Patrick Osimhen the father of the Golden Eaglets player has disowned 36 Lion CEO Liameed Olawale Gafar who facilitated the trip to Germany.

“Gafar (36 Lion CEO) is not Victor ’s legal guardian, Victor can’t have a legal guardian when his father is still alive , “ Michael Osimhen the players brother said.

BEACH SOCCER: The CEO of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Ladi Balogun, with the victorious beach soccer team of Cote D’ivoire during the finals of the COPA Lagos Beach Soccer tournament in Lagos on Sunday

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N recognition of their partronage and dedication to making Bet9ja The Nigeria’s number one sports betting company, Bet9ja, honoured some outstanding staff and agents during its 2015 End of the year party and Awards night in Lagos .

In what was a highly thrilling and well organised event, the staff, agents and customers of KC Gaming Network, operators of Bet9ja, went home with various gifts and also received awards in various categories.

In his address, the Chief Executive Officer, Ayo Ojuroye praised the company’s customers and agents for their loyalty and commitment in 2015.

“We are very happy with your performance in 2015,

Mourinho to agree five-year Man U deal

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OSE Mourinho has agreed a five-year deal to become the new Manchester United boss, according to stunning claims in Spain.

Spanish news outlet Fichajes yesterday reported that Mourinho has given the green light

to replacing Louis van Gaal. Fichajes even state that he could have signed the contract already.

They write: “Several media and journalists close to Portuguese Jose Mourinho say the technician has agreed a deal with Manchester

United for the next five years, the news is not yet official.”

The report is vague and doesn’t specify when Mourinho’s reign could start. Fichajes predominantly report on Spanish transfer news to varying degrees of success.

But Starsport knows for sure that Van Gaal has TWO games left to save his job at United.

Saturday’s shock 2-1 defeat to Norwich at Old Trafford has left the Dutchman fighting for survival.

Mourinho is desperate to succeed him after being sacked by Chelsea last week while Pep Guardiola yesterday sparked a scramble for his signature

Ozil Continues from BP performer this season, played under Mourinho for three years during his Real Madrid days.

The controversial boss is being widely-tipped to take over from Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford and Ozil thinks, no matter where Mourinho ends up, he will succeed in his next job.

‘I’m surprised by what happened with Jose,’ Ozil said.

‘He’s a great manager. I believe that any club he goes to now he will be successful again.

‘I know how special he is as a manager. He’s a manager who always supports his team and always protects his team.

‘He gets the best out of any player. I wish him all the best for the future and also that he’s healthy and fine.’

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Bet9ja rewards Agents, staff

after Bayern Munich confirmed he will quit the German giants in the summer.

Although Guardiola is still favourite to join Manchester City, his availability - along with Mourinho’s - has handed United two big-name options and means Van Gaal cannot afford another slip up.

United travel to Stoke on Boxing Day and host struggling champions Chelsea next Monday.

Blatter Continues from BP Platini. The 79-year-old said that he remains president of Fifa, before stating that he will take his case to the court of arbitration for sport.

The Fifa ethics committee, chaired by the German judge Hans-Joachim Eckert, ruled on Monday morning that both Blatter and Platini should be banned, despite their protestations that they did nothing wrong when Blatter paid the Uefa president 2m Swiss francs (£1.35m) in 2011, nine years after both men claimed it was originally due. In addition to being banned, Blatter was fined 50,000 Swiss francs or £34,000 and Platini 80,000 Swiss francs or £54,000.

Speaking at a press conference in Zurich, Blatter – flanked by his daughter Corinne and sporting a plaster on his face caused by having a mole removed – claimed that he was a victim. “To say that it is a good day for me or for Fifa, it would be totally wrong” Blatter said.

hence the need to appreciate your efforts. Without your hardword and dedication, we wont be here today. You, agents, customers and staff have done absolutely well and we really thank you for this. We are excited that through your efforts, Bet9ja has grown in leapa and bounds The Executive Chairman, Honourable Kunle Soname presented the award to the employee of the year to Ernest Abanum while Akin Akerele won the award for the Manager of the year.

NFF Continues from BP to Sports Vanguard yesterday said with the conclusion of the Annual General Assembly (AGA), the next issue is to conduct the elections.

He also used the opportunity to debunk insinuations in certain quarters that the NFF wants to ensure that certain people do not return to the leagues assuring that the federation will not interfere with the exercise.

Elections will take place in the Nigeria National League (NNL), the Nation Wide League One and the Nigeria Women League.

“With the successful conduct of the AGA, I can now say that the next thing on our mind is the elections into the various league boards; but that realistically will only be by next years after the forthcoming celebrations.”

Messi Continues from BP Spanish media reported yesterday.

Messi, who scored the opening goal in Sunday’s final, reportedly retaliated with a punch after being subjected to a series of insults from fans of the Argentine club as he was preparing to board a flight home from Tokyo’s Narita airport.

“An ugly incident occurred at Narita international airport. When Barcelona players were getting ready to go through passport control and security, several River fans insulted Messi and the issue escalated to the point that one of them spat at Messi,” Spanish sports daily AS reported.

According to several reports, an irate Messi responded by “punching” the fan who spat at him, before Barca coach Luis Enrique and team-mates Javier Mascherano and Luis Suarez stepped in to defuse the situation.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2015

Blatter: ‘I’m still FIFA president •I regret, but I am not ashamed’

S

EPP Blatter has responded to his eight-year ban from football by insisting that

Osimhen’s family, agents bicker 47 over Pg. transfer

he is not guilty of any wrongdoing over a payment to Michel Continues on Page 47

Mourinho to take over at Man Utd —

47 Pg.

•Final decision on sacking Van Gaal is now down to the Glazers

Pinnick talks big on beach soccer, .47 futsal Pg

•Pinnick

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says the much anticipated elections into the boards of the leagues will now take place next year.

General Secretary of the NFF, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi who revealed this Continues on Page 47

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RSENAL star Mesut Ozil has come out in support of Jose Mourinho and believes the 52-year-old, who is tipped to take over at Manchester United, will succeed in his next position.

The Portuguese manager was dismissed at Stamford Bridge last week after the Blues won just four of their opening 16 league matches this term.

Ozil, who has been Arsenal’s stand-out

Continues on Page 47

NFF shifts league elections to next year

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

Mourinho’ll be hit at Man Utd — Ozil •Osimhen

•Blatter

Messi, Argentina fans clash

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ARCELONA star Lionel Messi was spat at by a River Plate fan during an ugly airport altercation following his side’s 3-0 victory in the Club World Cup final in Japan, Continues on Page 47

CHANGE OF GUARD: Mourinho (L) and Van Gaal (R)

QUICK CR OSS WORD CROSS OSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

FRI DAY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Gemstone (5) 7 Horrify (5) 8 Tooth (5) 10 Oath (5) 12 Trap (3) 13 Old-fashioned (5) 15 Exhilaration (7) 17 Worn (6) 19 Sheep (3) 20 Fall (7) 23 Prophet (4) 25 Dejected (4) 26 Denied (7) 30 Ballad (3) 31 Loathe (6) 34 Abraded (7) 37 Cash (5) 38 Groove (3) 39 Liability (5) 40 Revolt (5) 41 Rescuer (5) 42 Fishing-basket (5)

DOWN 1 Javelin (5) 2 Walked (5) 3 Avoided (6) 4 Ascend (4) 5 Compete (7) 6 Stick (5) 9 Garland (3) 11 Chosen (7) 13 Thick (5) 14 Symbol (5) 16 Wonder (3) 18 Postponed (7) 21 Twelve (5) 22 Harmony (5) 24 Told (7) 27 Breach (3) 28 Death (6) 29 Twist (5) 32 Sum (5) 33 Drain (5) 35 Massage (3) 36 Expensive (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Sweat 5, Thrust 8, Sorry 10, Centre 11, Prod 14, Eating 15, Debated 18, Per 19, Dam 21, Deft 23, Deter 24, Mesh 27, Den 29, Top 31, Dangled 32, Loomed 34, Gone 35, Erotic 38, Alder 39, Torrid 40, Penny.

DOWN: 2, Woe 3, Astray 4, Tor 5, Type 6, Rioted 7, Target 9, Receded 12, Rap 13, Dire 16, Ease 17, Dated 20, Menaced 22, Fame 24, Molest 25, Stag 26, Honour 28, Ignore 30, Pen 33, Dead 36, Rep 37, Inn.

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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