Dasuki urges INEC to shift polls

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62326

**

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Jonathan's campaign ESTIMATED BILLINGS: team attacked in FG'll compel DISCOs to Bauchi, six injured >>54 deploy meters — Nebo >>9

Dasuki urges INEC to shift polls

By Emeka Mamah, Kingsley Omonobi & Joseph Erunke

L

•Speaks at UK's Chatham House, seeks 3-month grace for distribution of PVCs •Don't try it, APC warns, insists on Feb 14

AGOS—THE National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki in London, yesterday, suggested postponement of this year’s national elections by three months to enable the Independent National Election Commission, INEC, distribute the Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, to about 30 million Nigerians

who were yet to obtain the cards.

Dasuki spoke at the London think-tank Chatham House, during a lecture entitled, "Nigeria’s Insecurity: Insurgency, Corruption, Elections and the Management of Multiple Continues on Page 5

COLUMNISTS:

THE GLAMOUR OF MANIFESTOES:

Are Nigerians being taken for a ride?

•P.28 Donu Kogbara

Why?

•P.17

Mr & Mrs WEF: From left: Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group; Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings Group; and Dr. Donald Kaberuka, President, African Development Bank during the breakfast session on Unlocking Global Institutional Capital for Africa, co-hosted by Heirs Holdings and Dangote Group during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, yesterday.

SDP: The third leg in S-West politics •See pull-out inside C M Y K

Protect nation's democracy, Jang-led NGF tells govs >>14

Fire razes Ola Balogun's house, 3-storey building >>7

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 —5

POCKET CARTOON

VISIT—From Left: Gov. Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State; President Goodluck Jonathan; Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu and Vice President Namadi Sambo, during President Jonathan's visit to the Emir in Bauchi, yesterday.

Photo: NAN.

Dasuki urges INEC to shift polls Continues from Page 1 Threats," that "INEC had distributed 30 million cards in the past year but had another 30 million to hand out."

Agency reports quoted Dasuki as saying during a question and answer session that he (Dasuki) had suggested to the Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, that a postponement by three months was allowed by the law and that it would be a good idea if next month’s elections were delayed to give organisers more time to distribute millions of biometric voters' cards to voters.

There have been technical hitches in data collection, while election officials have not explained how they will conduct election in parts of the North-East gripped by a violent uprising by Islamic Boko Haram group.

Dasuki further said Jega had assured him that “It would achieve this in time for the February date, but he thought it will make more sense to take more time and there was a 90-

day window during which the election could legally take place. It costs you (INEC) nothing; it’s still within the law,” adding that it was, however, for INEC and not for him to decide.

But INEC’s spokesman, Mr Kayode Idowu, has said that there was no plans to delay the elections.

“It is not a conversation of the commission at all.

As far as we are talking now, the date is what it is,” Idowu said.

However, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has rejected Col. Dasuki’s call, warning that under no circumstance must the elections be shifted.

The elections, scheduled to start on February 14, will be the first where Nigeria’s 68.8 million voters must have biometric cards, a measure introduced to guard against fraud that had plagued past polls.

APC rejects call to shift polls, calls for urgent action APC in a statement in

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

“Appreciate yourself, especially your virtues of kindness, patience, compassion and simplicity…live your life beautifully, no one can live it better than you.”Take Heart Quotes When we are connected from within, the fabric of our authentic self which is, Soul, our true essence.

We have a tendency to see beauty everywhere. Have you ever found yourself relaxing in a quiet spot, observing your environment though a wider lens than you would ordinarily look through on an average day, just noticing the perfect flow of life?

How easy it is, in that peaceful state, to pick out intricate details of your surroundings that you may never have noticed before? And have you also found that, for some reason, it brings a kind of contented smile to your face. Beauty and wellbeing are interconnected. In the same way that ink needs a blank page in order for words to be written, beauty needs a peaceful state of mind in order for it to be truly appreciated. Appreciate yourself, sing your song e beautifully, no one can sing it as well as you

Abuja, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the call

by Col. Dasuki, during an event at the Chatham House in London, yesterday, "has exposed the hitherto clandestine plot by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to push for the postponement of the polls, using all sorts of cheap tricks."

The APC spokesman, said: “Why are they not ready? Why should we postpone the polls? We say ‘no’ to postponement.

They know that if they don’t postpone, they can’t win."

He added: “They tried to hide under terrorist attacks in the North-east and the fact that Nigeria is at war to shift the elections, this did not fly.

They used the Department of State Services, DSS, to invade our Data Centre and then concoct the allegation that we are planning to hack into INEC’s Data Base; it did not fly as INEC said its Data Base cannot be hacked.

"They launched an aggressive campaign to convince Nigerians that our presidential candidate is not qualified to run because he has no secondary school leaving certificate, but that also did not fly, as the certified results of his Cambridge examination have now been published for all to see.

"They went and procured a fake report showing that our candidate is suffering from prostate cancer, hence he is not fit for the high office of President, but their antics were discovered when the health institution that purportedly issued the report disowned it.

"Now they have launched their last set of jokers, which include hiring willing hands to make the television rounds saying there is no way the elections could hold next month;

ostensibly because INEC is not ready, even when the electoral umpire has said it is ready to conduct the polls.

"There are also alleged plans to stage-manage some high profile cases of violence and arson, for which the opposition will be blamed and then its leaders arrested in droves, all in an effort to scuttle the polls. For those who find these hard to believe, we ask them to look at the sheer madness of a state governor placing a newspaper advert wishing our presidential candidate dead! The possible repercussions of this kind of provocative act are better imagined, had our party not been a peaceful party.

"In view of the above, we have decided to take our case to Nigerians and indeed the global community, so they can prevail on President Jonathan to allow the elections to hold as scheduled and to make a commitment to respect the outcome.

"Now that we have found the smoking gun, we are urging the international community, in particular, to urgently extract a commitment from President Goodluck Jonathan that the elections will hold as scheduled next month, and that he would respect the outcome, just as we have said."

APC further said that Col. Dasuki was only seeking to buy time for the slugging Jonathan electioneering campaign to gather steam by hinging his postponement call on the delay in PVC distribution, adding: “They are just terrified.”

The party also called on Nigerians to reject in its entirety the ongoing orchestrated plot by the Jonathan administration to postpone the elections, saying the constitutional crisis that would be triggered by such postponement was capable of undermining the nation’s democracy.

"After realizing it will be rejected by Nigerians who have borne the brunt of its mis-governance over the years, after realizing that its campaign of calumny against our presidential candidate has failed, the Jonathan Administration has now started to play its last card, which is the postponeme nt of the

election," the party added.

APC stressed that the importance of elections cannot be overemphasized, adding: “Election is the lifeblood of democracy, the mechanism by which modern representative democracy operates. It is the only way for the citizenry to renew and refresh the governing process so they can get the most benefits out of democracy. Therefore, anyone that tries to sabotage this mechanism

is aiming a dagger straight to the heart of democracy.”

Dasuki had given an assurance to the international community that the February general elections will be successful and violence free.

Dasuki said: “The 2015 elections are expected to be relatively peaceful and violence free." He said the Federal Government had taken all necessary measures to ensure this by making adequate provisions for INEC, security agencies as well as supporting numerous s e n s i t i s a t i o n programmes.”

Excerpts from Dasuki's presentation: INSURGENCY

"The real and existential threat posed by Boko Haram is perhaps a millennial challenge; how we approach it will have immediate as well as g e n e r a t i o n a l consequences. It will determine how we reform our institutions, define our fundamental values, the capacities we develop and the tools we use to address and prevent future threats. When a nation’s citizens take up arms against their fellow brothers and sisters, operate outside acceptable rules and norms of their society, kill and maim innocent civilians, including women and children, kidnap young children, and force pre-teen girls to blow themselves up in public spaces, it calls for deep introspection.

"In the run-up to the elections, Boko Haram have escalated their campaign, seizing territory and hoisting their flag, they have burnt down whole villages, ransacked communities, raped young girls and continued to kidnap both boys and girls. They have openly declared support for ISIS and expanded their campaign into neighbouring Cameroon and Niger Republics.

"Nations that have been directly affected by terrorism have shown us how difficult it is to eradicate. The terrorists utilize their abundant imagination for evil, to inflict the maximum

horror on communities conscious of the fact that states must be guided in their responses by rules, the law, their own values and respect for civilian lives and property.

"It is my belief that any response to terrorism must be long term, holistic and robust enough to address its root causes. It must be guided by a law and order approach that utilizes both hard and soft approaches.

The tenacity, organizational capability, ability to attract illicit funds, motivation of Boko Haram fighters and the fact that they embedded themselves within civilian populations has perhaps helped to prolong the conflict in the North East.

CORRUPTION

"For Nigeria to address the underlying conditions conducive to the spread of

violent extremism leading to insurgency, the cancerous menace of corruption must be fought with all elements of its national power. In order to build badly needed infrastructure, put our children in schools, ignite economic activities and accelerate upward mobility for a majority of our people we must address elite greed and weak institutions that make it impossible for national resources to be applied appropriately.

"Corruption must also be seen by the international community as a threat to international security and take even stricter measures to make it difficult for corrupt people to enjoy the proceeds of illegitimate earnings.

There is a link between terrorism financing and weak international financial systems that allow the movement of stolen resources.

"Corruption is both a major cause and a result of poverty around the world. It occurs at all levels of society from local and national governments, civil society, judiciary functions, large and small businesses, to the military and other services.

In Nigeria, much attention has been paid to the issue of corruption, especially in government establishments. However not much attention has Continues on Page 55

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

By Evelyn Usman & Esther Onyegbula

T

HE Lagos State Police Command has arrested eight suspected members of a trans-border robbery gang, among them a 59-year-old man, who confessed to have carried out robbery operations in Benin Republic, Mali, among other countries within West Africa.

The gang’s recent operation was reportedly carried out in a bank in Porto Novo, Benin Republic, where over N100 million was carted away.

Recovered from the suspects were two AK-47 rifles, 11 AK-47 loaded magazines and their operational vehicle, a Toyota Sienna bus, which has an inbuilt compartment where weapons are kept.

Briefing newsmen on the arrest yesterday, Lagos State Police Commissioner, Kayode Aderanti, said: “On December 15, 2014, at about11:30p.m., I received information about some deadly trans-border armed robbers in Iba, Festac and Igando areas and immediately directed the Officer in-Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Abba Kyari, to go after them.

“Thereafter, two SARS decoy teams, led by Kyari, stormed the robbers' hideout at Victory Estate, Iba, along LASU-Igando Road, where Samuel Igbi, 59, Anthony Umeh, 38, were arrested.

“Their confessions led to the arrest of the following gang members: Chineye David, 29; Uchenna Eze, 35; Victor Anamalechi, 45; Ifeanacho Igwe, 35; Desmond Obinna, 32, and Nnamdi John, 42.

“John is the armourer and gang leader, from whom the operational vehicle, with number plate KSF876CU and two AK-47 rifles with serial numbers 3610142 and UR4341, hidden in a specially constructed compartment underneath the vehicle, were recovered.

Operations

“The suspects confessed to several robberies, including a bank robbery in Porto Novo, Benin Republic; a filling station and a bureau de change in Mali; attempted robbery of UBA Shagamu Road, Ikorodu; several robberies in Port Harcourt and Kano.

“The biggest of them all is the N100 million successful robbery at Alakija area of Lagos, from which John built a mansion at Igando area of Lagos.

“Igwe also built a duplex in his village in Onicha council of Ebonyi State” Parading the suspects before newsmen, suspected leader of the gang, John, a trader at the popular Alaba International Market, narrated how the Porto Novo, Benin Republic bank operation was carried out.

He said: “We went to Benin Republic in our operational

Police in Lagos smash trans-border robbery gang, arrest eight zSuspects invest loot in musical instruments, cars, buildings

ARRESTED: From left— Desmond Obinna, Ifeanacho Igwe, alias Messiah, Victor Anamelechi, Uchenna Eze, Chineye David, Nnamdi John, Anthony Umeh and Samuel Igbi. INSET: Nnamdi John's house. PHOTO: Esther Onyegbula. space bus at night, after receiving information from one of our members, Onyema.

“We entered through the back and tied the two security guards that were asleep with strings.

Thereafter, we located the vault and collected as much money as we could lay our hands on before leaving the place. We did not kill anybody.

Sharing loot

“At the end of the operation, I got N7 million; Victor got N7 million; Onyeka, N3 million; Igwe, N3 million. I used part of my share to buy a Toyota Corolla car and invested the remaining in my music instrument business.

“I have participated in several robberies since I joined the gang in 2011. In one of the operations at a filling station in Mali, I got N18 million. I handled one of the guns, but have not killed anyone.

“We do not shoot during operations outside the country because police do not patrol at night,” said the secondary school drop-out.

My specialty are vaults—VICTOR

Another suspect, Victor, told journalists that his role was to open vaults during operations, boasting that there was no vault too hard for him to open.

He said: “Anytime we went on operation, my role is to open the vaults. I use a special metal to open the lock of the vault, even if it had special codes.

“I bought three vehicles from the loots; two for me and one for my wife.”

He lamented that if he knew he would meet his waterloo, he would not have gone to

meet one of the gang’s members at Apple Junction in Festac Town.

Fifty-nine years old Samuel Igbi, who initially claimed he had nothing to do with the other suspects, later confessed that his house was used as a base for sharing loots at the end of every operation.

He added that he was

usually given between N20,000 and N50,000.

On his part, Ifeanacho Igwe said he used part of his loot to buy three trucks, which were currently working for him.

The CP said the suspects would be charged to court, when strike is called off, warning criminals to stay away from Lagos, or suffer same fate.

NDLEA foils plans to use headmistress as drug courier

By Lucky Nwanekwu

O

FFICIALS of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have aborted plans by a 30-year-old man to smuggle cannabis to Dubai in the luggage of a headmistress.

The cannabis, weighing 130 grammes and hidden inside local alcoholic beverage, Alomo Bitters, was detected at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA. Consequently, a graduate of Physics from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, alleged to have handed the drugs to the headmistress, has been arrested.

The suspect, Nnadi Chibueze, according to Mr. Hamza Umar,

NDLEA commander at the airport, gave the concealed drug to the headmistress to deliver in Dubai.

Umar said: “As soon as the drug was detected, we conducted a follow-up raid operation that led to the arrest of the main suspect, Nnadi Chibueze.

“He has owned up to the crime and the case is being investigated for subsequent prosecution.”

I gave her in error—SUSPECT

According to Nnadi, who hails from Imo State, “I concealed the cannabis inside one of the bottles of Alomo Bitters. The original plan was to send the

drug to my brother in Dubai through a friend, but the consignment was given to the headmistress in error.

“When I was told that the goods were given to the headmistress, I was greatly disturbed. It was a great mistake.”

Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, commended the officers for the swift intervention that led to the arrest of the main suspect.

He said: “NDLEA will leave no stone unturned in frustrating the devices of drug traffickers.

“We have institutionalized a culture of follow-up operation to enrich investigation. Drug traffickers must pay for their evil acts.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015—7

By Bose Adelaja & Lucky Nwanekwu

T

HE residence of popular playwright and filmmaker, Ola Balogun, at Sabo-Yaba in Lagos, was yesterday razed by fire, which also burnt down a nearby three-storey building housing the secretariat of two labour unions.

It was learned that the fire, which started at about 2:30am in the bungalow, was suspected to have been caused by power surge.

The playwright, who will turn 70 in August, was said to have been jostled from sleep by the fire, and began shouting for help.

Some of his belongings and vehicles parked in the compound were reportedly salvaged by neighbours, who came to his rescue.

The intensity of the fire made it impossible for sympathisers to stop it from spreading to nearby buildings, following the late arrival of the fire service at about 3a.m.

As the fire raged, Balogun said in a text message to Vanguard: “My residence at 11, Aje Street, Sabo-Yaba, is on fire and has virtually burned down.

The next door building at 9, Aje Street is also on fire. Poor

Fire razes Ola Balogun's house, 3-storey building response by fire services.”

The three-storey building which came down as a result of the fire, housed the secretariat of Association of Senior Staff of Banks Insurance and Financial Institutions ASSBIFI, affiliated to Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the federal branch of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, AUPCTRE. However, the Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Razaq Fadipe, said the agency received the distress call late.

He said: “We got information that the building was distressed and the occupants were served a quit notice, but some illegal occupants took over the building.

“The fire started from the bungalow that was beside it and spread to the three-storey building, which incidentally collapsed.

“The caller, one Tokunbo, called my number directly and I heard in the background that

the fire had spread to the nearby building. He told me he had already alerted our communications centre and this was confirmed, when I sent the information.”

Secretary of one of the unions, Mr. Obukese Orere, said only a few documents were salvaged from the collapsed building.

The building, said to have been in existence for over 30

years, reportedly served as one of the unions headquarters until it relocated to Abuja.

Hoodlums, who pretended to be helping out, were said to have stolen several property from the building before it caved in.

Ace Nollywood actor, Bob Manuel-Udokwu, told Vanguard that he was woken up from sleep by bangs on his door.

He said: “It was one of my neighbours that said I should come out before fire consumed my house.

“When I rushed out, I could not believe my eyes because the whole place had been covered by thick smoke.

“Some of the residents alerted the electricity providers to put out power. The wait for fire service was an endless one.

They eventually surfaced.”

3 dead, as street urchins battle for supremacy

By Ifeanyi Okolie

T

HREE persons were shot dead in a violent clash between street urchins battling for supremacy at AmukokoAjegunle area of Lagos State, while several others sustained severe injuries.

Vanguard gathered that some vehicles parked on Alapede, Abdul Rasheed and Turner Streets off Ojo Road, were damaged as the hoodlums opened fire on themselves.

The hoodlums, said to be members of Alaba and Apasa boys, have been locked in a protracted bloody battle over control of motor and tricycle parks in the area.

Several persons, including woman and children, have been killed during violent clashes between these groups, who were also alleged to be loyal to a political party in the area.

Eyewitness told Vanguard that the latest clash, which occurred on Friday night,

started when members of Apasa group went on a reprisal attack on members Alaba group who are residents of Alapede, AbdulRasheed and Turner Streets, shooting indiscriminately.

Three of the persons killed during the clashes were said to be members of Alaba group, while those injured were innocent residents in the area.

An eyewitness, Bolaji Ajayi, told Vanguard Apasa boys took Alaba boys by surprise during the reprisal attack.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

TUC condemns attack on Jonathan in Katsina

By Victor AhiumaYoung

T

RADE Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, yesterday condemned recent attack on President Goodluck Jonathan and his delegation during their visit to the house of Hajia Dada, mother of the late President Umaru Yar ’Adua in Katsina, by some youths, describing it “as an embarrassment to the country.”

TUC in a statement by Bobboi Kaigama and Musa Lawal, President and Secretary General respectively, also condemned the recent outburst of Asari-Dokubo, saying such inflammatory statements could only be counter-productive and would do no one any good.

According to the statement, TUC “considers the recent attack on President Goodluck Jonathan and his delegation during their visit to the house of Hajia Dada, mother of the late President Umaru Yar ’Adua in Katsina, by some youths as an embarrassment to the country. ''The development is too dangerous in a tensionsoaked country like ours.

While we are glad that the security forces averted what was potentially an ugly situation, we once again appeal to politicians and their followers to play the game by the rule.

“We are amazed and worried by the anxiety in the land, fuelled by politicians whose language drips blood and violence, regardless of the Peace Pact signed by the presidential candidates. To hurl stones at people, nay the president of a country, simply because they hold opposing views or belong to different political organisations is the high point of the irresponsibility, crudity, cruelty, avarice and do-or-die attitude of the present day politician.This is unfortunate.

"The myriad of foul languages we hear and read in the papers by all political parties these days clearly show that politicians are not committed to decency in democracy.

They have refused to show exemplary behavior for their followers to emulate."

Buhari's certificate forged, PDP Urges security agencies to go after those behind it alleges zzWe won't respond to Fani-Kayode’s provocations — APC

By Chris Ochayi & Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA — THE Presidential Campaign Organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday said that it had subjected the "purported secondary school certificate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate for the February 14 poll," to a forensic test and discovered that the document was "forged, manipulated and fraudulently procured."

Director of Media and Publicity of PDP Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, who made the allegation while addressing newsmen said that the "purported certificate released by Buhari’s former school showed after a close scrutiny," that there were several reasons to doubt its authenticity and therefore, called on the security agencies to go after those behind the alleged forged certificate he described as “oluwole document" to arrest and prosecute them accordingly.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation, APCPCO, has said it has decided not to continue to trade words with the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, on the academic records of its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.

However, Fani-Kayode said: “It is unfortunate that the more Gen Buhari tries to extricate himself from the crisis, the more he stumbles into a new phase in the unfolding narrative of his obvious complicity in a matter that borders on perjury and which has called his avowed integrity to question.

“It is quite unfortunate that a few hours after Gen. Buhari’s press conference, some documents appeared on various media platforms purporting to be the APC candidate’s results released by his old school.

Super imposition of one document on another "The result sheet which was attributed to the Cambridge examination body is clearly a super

PRESENTATION: From left: Moderator, Gen. Abiodun Role; AVM Olufemi Faloyin and Maj.-Gen John Gbor (rtd), at the public presentation of the 'Review of the National Defence Policy' in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: NAN imposition of one document on another as you will shortly see in the enlarged image of the result sheet as published. The column lines on the part where names are printed do not align with the blank columns while there is an introduction of extraneous lines on some other columns.

“The document contains an obvious alteration on the Mathematics column of the candidate, Mohamed Buhari, who was assumed to have scored an “F” in the subject. This raises a very fundamental issue of validity in view of the fact that the accompanying result sheet states that ‘any alteration or erasure renders this statement of result invalid.

“This is the standard practice in all interpretation of documents especially academic records. The question we put to Gen. Buhari and his party is: whether this alteration was done by the University of Cambridge.”

Fani-Kayode further noted that one of the footnotes on the document purportedly issued by the University of Cambridge says “the results of this candidate in all subjects except English Language have been carried forward from the 1960 examination.”

"The question arising from this is: When exactly did Buhari sit for all the other subjects claimed to have been passed in the secondary school examination?

“Our conclusion from all

these is that the documents purportedly released by Government College (Pilot) Katsina, upon which the APC Presidential candidates hopes to bury the doubt about his eligibility for next month’s election are forged, manipulated and fraudulently procured.

They are therefore untenable in fact and in law.”

He added that those in PDP “do not know who the authors and masterminds of this forgery are but whoever they are, we urge them to come forward and be identified.

“If they fail to come forward voluntarily, we hereby call on the police and other security agencies to seek them out... arrest them, interrogate and prosecute them in accordance with the laws of the land.”

no response to Fani-Kayode’s provocations —APC It rather said it would engage Fani-Kayode on issues that had the potential to bring the greatest good for the greatest number of Nigerians.

A statement signed by Director of Media and Publicity of the APCPCO, Mallam Garba Shehu, said it was laughable the PDP would not let go of the educational qualifications of the APC presidential candidate, General Buhari, even when the matter has

been laid to rest.

It said: “It is not our desire in the APC presidential Campaign Organisation to join an individual who has a record of talking to please the moment on any petty issue.

"At some point in the recent past, it was convenient for Fani-Kayode to say this of the APC and its leaders: ‘What Nigerians need now is to join hands with the APC leaders, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu to move the nation forward.’ Today, a FaniKayode sees no desecration in recanting that same position, just to satisfy his convenience.

“The APC and its candidate are in this presidential campaign to discuss issues that will improve the standard of living of Nigerians and ensure that the people of this country are properly secured.

Whenever the PDP and its presidential campaign spokesman feel ready to join us on this noble path, we will not be willing to join them on petty issues.”

The statement noted that the distractions were being promoted to provide a blanket cover over the shortcomings of the Jonathan administration in the areas of security, employment, war against corruption and infrastructure.

“Nigerians need no telling that all these distractions and provocations by Jonathan, the PDP and their cohorts are aimed at ensuring that they escape scrutiny over their score card marked by insecurity, unemployment and rampant corruption, the statement said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 —9

ESTIMATED BILLINGS: FG to compel DISCOs to deploy metres —Nebo

By Clara Nwachukwu, Sebastine Obasi, Michael Eboh, Jonah Nwokpoku & Ediri Ejoh

zFG earmarks $3.3bn for transmission, hydro zGovt not helpless in combating pipeline vandalism

zAs FG bans movement of poultry

L

AGOS—THE Federal Government has said it plans to compel electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) to deploy metres to Nigerians, to address the issue of estimated billings.

Speaking during a visit to Vanguard, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Minister of Power, lamented the fact that most of the electricity distribution companies have refused to deploy metres to Nigerians, a situation leading to exploitation of electricity consumers across the country.

To this end, Nebo disclosed that the Federal Government has concluded plans to deploy about one million metres to alleviate the plight of Nigerians as regards estimated and outrageous billing.

He lamented the constant vandalisation of gas pipelines, noting however, that the situation was now under control, as generation capacity has risen to above 4,000 megawatts, Nigeria’s highest capacity till date.

"Vandalism has become one of the biggest challenges faced in the energy industry in general, with attendant colossal losses running into millions of dollars in terms of crude oil and gas production as well as power generation shortages," he said.

Nebo explained that the government had to take this bold step, as this was now the only way to safeguard infrastructure in Nigeria.

Increase in tariffs on imported metres He also stated that the Federal Government plans to increase tariffs on imported meters to compel DISCOs to patronise local metre manufacturers.

He said: “We went round the country to take inventory of electricity usage in Nigeria without letting the power companies know. It was what we discovered after the inventory that made us decide to buy and deploy one million metres to Nigerians.

“We are also trying to mop up metres from Nigerian companies which produce metres so that these metres can be distributed to consumers and possibly help address the issue of estimated billings and reduce commercial losses of the power companies.”

Estimated billings On the estimated billing by distribution companies vis-a-vis their commercial losses, he said: “We cut back technical losses

BIRD FLU: Lifelines coming for poultry farmers

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

A

DIALOGUE: From left: Representative of the Sultan of Sokoto, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Abdurahman Dambazzau and former President, Court of Appeal and chairman of the occasion, Justice Mustapha Akanbi during the 12th Daily Trust Dialogue with the theme "2015 Elections: How to make Nigeria the winner" in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan. substantially. Unfortunately it is not so with commercial losses.

More than 50 per cent of Nigerians are not metered. Some who are metered circumvent the metres and do connections that are illegal. Also, many people are not paying their energy bills.

“Many people are using electricity without the knowledge of the electricity companies. And that is why some of these companies reported a colossal loss of over 50 percent, some of them even 55 per cent.

“So who pays if there is a tariff adjustment? So at the end of the day, it is those who pay that are forced to pay more. This is because it is those who you see that you will get your money from.”

He, however, disclosed that “the companies are committed to reducing commercial losses gradually, and NERC is working hard to hold them to their promise because it is part of their business plan.

“But until people are metered and metering becomes prevalent all over the country, commercial losses therefore reduce substantially, distribution companies are going to find it difficult to pay for the electricity they consume. This is because it is like putting money in a pocket with holes.”

Generating capacity to increase by 4,000 mw He further stated that Nigeria’s power generating capacity will increase by about 4,000 megawatts by the end of 2015, as the National Integrated Power Projects, NIPPs,

will be ready for commissioning by the end of the year.

He said: “The initial challenge the NIPP encountered was that at inception, when the NIPP was conceived, there were no concomitant plans for gas supply to the power plants. It is the present administration that made sure the infrastructure to deliver gas to them was put in place.

“We are glad that today, the infrastructure has been put in place. We are also working hard to ensure that gas is available to supply all the plants.”

FG earmarks $3.3bn for transmission, hydro Nebo further stated that the Federal Government had mapped out about $3.3 billion of the proceeds from the sale of the National Integrated Power Plants, NIPPs, for the development of transmission and hydro power sector.

He explained that for more than 30 years, transmission infrastructure in the country was neglected, which resulted in the rot seen in the power sector.

He said: “For more than 30 years, transmission infrastructure in the country were aged, over used, over loaded and out dated.

That is why the Federal Government decided to deploy $1.7 billion of the proceeds of sale the NIPPs to hydro power generation and $1.6 billion to transmission.”

The minister also said the NIPPs are on course as two of them, Geregu 2 and Omotosho, have been commissioned by

President Goodluck Jonathan, adding: “They are expected to add more than 4,500 megawatts of electricity to the national grid by the time they are commissioned.”

As regards rural electrification, he said more than 1,000 electrification projects were being revived.

Govt not helpless in combating pipeline vandalism Nebo also stated that the Federal Government was working hard to combat pipeline vandalism through digital surveillance systems.

According to him, it is not as if government is helpless with the situation but that it requires huge capital investment to deploy digital technology in monitoring the gas pipelines from vandals.

He said: “The government is not helpless in combating pipeline vandalism. The problem is that we have not fully deployed digital system of surveillance. It is very expensive but you must put in a surveillance system that is 100 per cent digital, so that wherever you are, if there is any slight tampering or even touching of the line, it tells you when it is happening and exactly where it is happening.

“It is not a matter of what we are doing now when if a hole is punched in a line, we will spend the whole day looking for it. But this technology costs hundreds of millions of dollars and the president has already started doing something on that to make sure we stop vandalism.”

BUJA — THE Federal Government has announced a plan to put together contingency funds to make lifelines available to poultry farmers who have suffered losses following the outbreak of bird flu in parts of the country.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, announced this at a meeting with poultry farmers and officials of his ministry and those of the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja.

He said the funds to be provided by the Federal Government would come in form of “targeted compensation” to cushion the effects of the losses and allow them remain in business.

According to him, “the Federal Government is determined to mitigate the effects of the losses on the affected farms. We don’t want any farmer to go out of business which could result in loss of jobs."

He added that in conjunction with the Poultry Association of Nigeria, PAN and Agricultural Insurance Corporation, NAIC, the Federal Government was already working out the possibility of extending insurance cover to poultry farmers.

...Bans movement of poultry He, however, announced ban on the movement of poultry and poultry products into and out of farms affected by bird flu, which broke out in parts of the country, two weeks ago.

He said the decision was a part of measures taken by the Federal Government to contained the spread of the disease which has killed 22,573 birds.

That figure represented 16 per cent of the 140,390 birds that had been associated with bird flu exposures in the country, as at yesterday. The nation has about 630,000 birds.

10— Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Fashola asks Jonathan to make NCC re-open SMS platform

CAMPAIGN FUNDING:

zSays ‘I have no personal disagreement with the president'

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo

L

AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, who is the Director of BuhariOsinbajo Presidential campaign fund-raising committee, yesterday, enjoined President Goodluck Jonathan to direct the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to re-open the shut Small Messages Service, SMS, platform designed to raise funds for the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential campaign.

Fashola stressed that the directive became necessary in compliance with last week’s peace agreement entered into with candidates of other political parties in the February polls.

Fashola who made the remarks at Lagos House, Marina, yesterday explained that within the first day of opening the platform to the public, over 4,500 people had made donations via text messages before it was shut down by the NCC. A letter from the NCC entitled “Political and Partisan Advertisements" dated January 19, 2015 and addressed to the Managing Director of Emerging Markets Telecommunication, which Fashola released to the media, warned all service providers to steer clear of partisan advertisements.

The letter reads in part; “The commission wishes to advise all Service providers to avoid running political advertisements/promotion that will portray them as being partisan. The commission will not hesitate to sanction any Service Provider that will flout this directive.”

But Fashola accused the NCC of double standards, brandishing

another letter with which the same commission gave an approval to another service p r o v i d e r-Wa g i t e l Communications Ltd, in 2010 prior to the 2011 general elections, to use a similar platform to raise funds for Goodluck-Sambo presidential ticket.

He said the action amounted to dictatorship and intolerance on the part of President Goodluck Jonathan and his party, adding that such distasteful media censorship after the president has benefited from the same GSM platform was absolute use of power.

“The point to make first is that as a political party and campaign group we have not received official communication from NCC directed at us. As I said they were using the

platform of business houses and commercial concerns. So these letters were directed to them to interfere with their commercial transactions. But the subsequent and ripple effect is that our campaign suffers by their interference in a service they are contracted to render.

“The reality also is that apart from the letter from NCC, the Minister of Communication, Mrs. Omobola Johnson has personally been presurising and calling the operators of telecodes putting pressures on them not to run our messages and I think this is very low.

“So, for a government and a party, PDP, that is preaching peace and there is no resort to the judiciary, this has not happened in the history of Nigeria that people can have access to court.

“All of us must really do what is necessary at this time to ensure that we lead this great country to greater height. Beyond all this, I see a glorious dawn.”

I have no personal disagreement with Jonathan

Also, Governor Fashola, yesterday said the country will not be divided if President Goodluck Jonathan loses the election, even as he said; “I have no personal disagreement with him (President Goodluck Jonathan).”

Meantime, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has promised to design strategies to discover more artiste, athletes and footballers from Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government.

CAMPAIGN: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (2nd right), All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left), his running mate, Dr Oluranti Adebule (right) and others, during the campaign rally in Ajegunle, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area, Lagos.

Lagos SSG, Fashola's SA resign to contest elections L AGOS—THE Lagos State Executive Council yesterday held a valedictory session for two of its members who resigned to pursue their desires to continue to serve people at higher capacities through elective offices, with Governor Babatunde Fashola applauding the selfless and invaluable contributions they made to the development of the state.

The two members were the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, who is currently running as running mate to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the State and Special Adviser on Youth and Social Development, Dr Dolapo Badru, who is contesting as House of Representatives candidate of the Party.

In his remarks at the Executive

Council Chambers of the Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Fashola, said the glowing tributes made by the colleagues of the departing members of the Council were very instructive because they were peer

judgment which, according to him, “is most decisive.”

The Governor told the two former Council members: “these comments are very important because they were said by your peers and peer judgment is the

most decisive judgment and for your peers to think very highly of you, it speaks volumes. The respect that is most often the most difficult to earn is what you have earned.”

14 more millionaires emerge in Airtel Red Hot promo

L

AGOS—FOURTEEN more Nigerians have emerged millionaires in the ongoing Airtel Red Hot promo, a loyalty and reward promotions created by leading telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria, to appreciate its customers and empower them financially to fulfill their dreams and reach their goals.

The latest set of individual One Million naira winners include Umar Mustapha, a

student in Minna; Oludare Nifemi, a student based in Lagos; Henry Ezeh, a student in Anambra, Onyinyechi Nwodu, a student based in Asaba; Mutairu Kumolu, a Lagos-based mechanic; Saidu Ibrahim, a Benin-based butcher; Uduak Umoren, a trader who resides in Uyo and Bassey Eyam, a dry cleaner based in Lagos.

Roland Kolma, an engineer in Port Harcourt; Musa Afeikhobe,

a politician; Adeola Zakari, an Ilorin-based business woman as well as Tunde Genty, Tokosi Dada, and Ibrahim Fwangyil, all Civil Servants complete the list of fourteen winners.

So far, the draws have produced 39 millionaires across the country and another batch of 39 Nigerians have also won the iPad Air while 250 persons have won smartphones and a total of 195,000 have been rewarded with airtime.

Agbaje vows not to tamper with LG allocations if elected

By Dapo Akinrefon

L

A G O S — GOVERNORSHIP candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos, Mr Jimi Agbaje has pledged that his administration would not tamper with the allocation of local governments if elected.

Agbaje, who said this yesterday at a town hall meeting with residents of Somolu Local Government Area of Lagos, said that all constitutional entitlements of councils would be respected by his administration.

According to him, “all funds, finances and duties of the local governments as written in the constitution would be strictly adhered to.

Faulting the the current operational system of local government councils in the state, the governorship candidate described them as political machines rather than governance structures.

He said: “The State government has taken over the funds and functions of the councils,. Local government areas in Lagos do not know about building roads any longer. Inner roads in the state that should have been maintained by Councils are abandoned to the detriment of tax payers.

“The only roads that are taken care of are major state roads.”

He also noted that states could no longer build inner roads which he said is part of the functions of local governments.

APOLOGY

I

N THE Vanguard of Monday, December 8, 2014 at Page 20 we published both in the daily edition and vide our website http// www.vanguardngr.com an opinion article titled “Soyinka’s Call to Anarchy” in which we referred to Pyrates Confraternity as a secret cult.

We have realised that National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) is not and was never a secret cult. We retract forthwith the said publication and apologise profoundly to Professor Wole Soyinka and the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) for the inconvenience this might have caused them. Please accept our apology.

Editor.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 —11

Ekiti outlaws mandatory HIV test before marriage A

By Gbenga Ariyibi

DO EKITI—IT is now an offence in Ekiti State for places of worship like churches and mosques to compel prospective couples to take mandatory HIV/AIDS tests before joining them in marriage.

It is equally an offence to expose results of such tests to other parties before the person tested knows his or her status.

Project Manager of Ekiti State Action Committee on AIDS Dr Charles Olusegun Doherty made this known in Ado Ekiti yesterday during the commemoration of year 2014 Worlds Aids Day and awareness proogramme.

Doherty noted that it was illegal for priests or other religious leaders to mandate prospective couples to take HIV/ AIDs test before marriage.

‘It is illegal for any individual or organization especially religious bodies to mandate people to go for HIV/AIDs screening exercise. ‘’Also, the results should be given to the individuals concerned, even a couple should be treated individually.

He urged people not be afraid of going for screening as drugs

are now available in case of infection.

Also speaking at the occasion,wife of the Ekiti State governor, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose who led the awareness walk canvassed for increased support in terms of medication and creation of awareness against stigmatization, for the patients of

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS. Mrs. Fayose made the call yesterday during the state’s marking of the World’s AIDs day with the sub-theme: Stigma Ends with me” held at the Fajuyi Park in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Noting that the state government is concerned about

the need to support the fight against AIDS/HIV, She said: “Ekiti State government is not unmindful of the barriers to the treatment and prevention of the disease some of which include stigmatizarion, lack of proper medication and support for awareness creation among others.

zWe're doing our best — Ogun govt

By Daud Olatunji

A

CAMPAIGN: Oyo State Labour Party candidate, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, addressing party faithful at Apete, Ido Local Governrment Area, Oyo State.

Aregbesola visits warring Osun communities O

SOGBO—THE Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has commended Ipetumodu and Ashipa communities for embracing peace four days after they entered into agreement to end hostilities.

The two communities in IfeNorth Local Government Area of Osun in the last two weeks engaged in a communal clash over a disputed land and the clash in their market days.

In a statement by the Governors media aide, Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola was quoted as speaking during an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by the clash between the youths of the two warring communities frowned at the level of destruction of property in the towns.

He berated the two communities for falling short of the ethos of ‘omoluabi’ that the state is promoting by not taking to dialogue before resulting to destruction of property and the commerce of the communities.

The governor pointed out that the renewal of peace within the two communities will return the commerce of the towns that has been grounded by the communal clash.

According to him, “we have all seen what crises and communal clash can bring, what we can gain is nothing but loss, agony, pain and the gnashing of teeth. we

LP accuses Amosun's govt of insensitivity to teachers' plight

should now see reasons why we should not engage in fighting ourselves.

“If we are sure that we are not going to gain any development from it, why should we hurt

ourselves. I am happy that peace has returned to the two communities.

“I will now go back to set up a committee having seen the extent of damage. The committee will

be given 6 weeks to come out with its findings and recommendations after which we will ensure lasting solution.” he emphasised.

Isiaka assures workers of better life

A

B E O K U TA — T H E governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka yesterday assured all workers in Ogun State of better life if elected into office in the February 28 governorship election.

Speaking at a parley with several workers unions under the umbrella of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, in Abeokuta, the state capital, Isiaka promised to alleviate the

sufferings of the generality of the workers currently being experienced under the Amosun government.

The meeting which had in attendance the leadership of many groups was led by the Ogun State TUC chairman, Comrade Seyi Adebanjo who chided the present government for neglecting the welfare of workers in the state.

Adebanjo said; “Our situation has never been this worse since the creation of the state, where workers are treated as slaves.

Many statutory emoluments have not been paid since 2012 while the remittances and deductions are nowhere to be found.”

The Labour leader berated Amosun for failing to aid workers in the areas of housing and other indices of human welfare; urging Isiaka to give governance a human face when elected into office.

In his remark, Isiaka sympathised with the workers for the unpalatable situation they found themselves.

I'll facilitate creation of Ijebu State if campaign for Ogun East elected —Kashamu Senatorial district in Ijebu-Ode,

A

By Daud Olatunji

BEOKUTA—CHAIRMAN, Organisation and Mobilisation committee of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South West, Prince Buruji Kashamu has pledged to facilitate the creation of Ijebu State if he is elected as the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District.

Kashamu who emerged the Senatorial candidate after winning the party primaries also vowed to revive the abandoned agro Cargo Airport commenced by the administration of former governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, which was abandoned by the government of Ibikunle Amosun.

Addressing party supporters yesterday at the launch of his

said his decision to contest for Senate was not to seek for either fame, wealth or power.

He however, explained that, his going for Senate was aimed at achieving three things which he described as key assignments such as the creation of Ijebu State ,the realisation of Olokola Free Trade Zone, and the revival of the proposed Cargo Airport in Remo Division.

B E O K U TA — T H E Labour Party in Ogun State has berated the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun over the on-going teachers strike, describing the governor as insensitive.

The state Secretary of the party, Sunday Oginni and Director-General, Labour Party governorship campaign organisation, Abayomi Arabambi while unveiling the party candidates for the coming election, said it is inhuman for the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun to continue with his campaign while the teachers were on strike.

Teachers in both public primary and secondary schools in the state had begun the strike action last week over alleged failure of the governor to pay the teachers’ 27.5 per cent salary increment .

While reacting to the strike embarked upon by the teachers in the state since last week, Oginni flanked by the governorship candidate, Abolaji Sunmola said the government of All Progressives Congress in the state has lost touch with the civil servants.

According to Oginni, government of Governor Ibikunle Amosun lacks human face and is insensitive to the plight of the people in the state.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Oshiomhole killed industries in Edo, plans to sack 9,000 teachers —ORBIH zPDP should remove mole in its eyes first, APC says

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—EDO State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the state governor, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, of carrying out what it described as “as total killing of industries in the state.”

It also accused the state government of planning to sack over 9,000 teachers on its pay roll after the general elections due to paucity of funds, adding that 50 teaching staff of Institute of Continuing Education, ICE, Benin, were casual workers and have not been paid for 25 months contrary to the governor ’s promise that there would be no place for casuals in his government.

Chief Dan Orbih, state chairman of the party, made the allegations during the party ’s campaign rallies at Irrua, Ewohimi and Ehor, in Esan Central, Esan South-East and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas respectively.

The party said that the governor, since he assumed office, has been talking of creating jobs while he was systematically killing the industries he met on

Agoda assures on effective representation

T

HE All Progressives Congress, APC, senatorial candidate in Delta Central, Mr. John Agoda, has promised the Urhobo nation of vibrant representation if he wins the February 14 National Assembly elections.

Agoda, in a chat with newsmen, said that his focal point if elected would be the resuscitation of Delta Steel Company, reducing youth unemployment, enhancing the Federal University of Petroleum, Effurun and expansion of Osubi Airport, among many others.

Agoda insisted that he is the best and most experienced of the aspirants, having served two terms in the House of Representatives.

“I am going to the Senate as a ranking senator, while the others will have to start from the scratch."

assumption of office.

“What we now have is a government that destroys property, a government that does not care about the youths.

Oshiomhole has killed every company he met as a governor. Today, Crystal Malt and Beer is dead. Edo Courier no longer exists. He handed Edo Line to a competitor in the transport business. What is the

sense in that? How will he create jobs when he’s killing industries?"

However, reacting to the allegation that the state government planned to sack teachers, state APC Publicity Secretary, Godwin Erhahon, said: “Our people already know that PDP believes in propaganda. They should remove the moles in their eyes

before looking at other peoples’ own.

“Theirs was a government that could not pay salaries of its civil servants in spite of the huge resources at their disposal. They should handle their own problems and leave the governor alone. The governor has no plan to sack teachers, instead he is planning to recruit more.”

RALLY: From left: Rivers PDP deputy governorship candidate, Mrs Ipalibo Banigo; Rivers PDP governorship candidate, Mr Nyesom Wike; First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and Sen. George Sekibo, at the PDP governorship rally in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, yesterday.

Etsako royal fathers back APC candidates

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—TRADITIONAL rulers in Etsakoland, Edo State, have thrown their weight behind candidates of All Progressives Congress, APC, in next month's general elections, saying that their support was based on the need to continue the development al efforts in the state.

The endorsement came during the visit of Governor Adams Oshiomhole to the traditional rulers during APC's campaign tour to the area.

The party’s candidates are Mr.

Francis Alimikhena, Senate, Edo North; Mr Philip Shaibu, House of Representatives candidate; Mr Damian Lawani, Mr Gani Audu, Mr Yakubu Gowon and Mr Kingsley Ughabi, state House of Assembly candidates.

At the palace of the Okumagbe of Weppa Wanno in Etsako East Local Government Area, HRH, Dr Egabor, Omoaze I, said: “Our community and indeed the entire kingdom is proud and we have accepted your leadership which is development-oriented. I must thank you most sincerely for the autonomy granted to the College of Agriculture, Agenebode.

“We cannot thank you enough.

Again, let this be on record that your tenure in the state has witnessed tremendous changes in education, road infrastructure and human empowerment. For this reason, we have no doubt in our mind that a vote for the APC is a vote for Oshiomhole. So, we are going to support you and make sure that all your candidates emerge victorious in the coming election.”

Oshiomhole was also at the Palace of Ogieneni of Uzairue Kingdom, HRH Alhaji Kadiri Omoigbai where he presented APC candidates for the elections.

WITHDRAWAL OF PHD CERTIFICATES: ASUU leaders blast LASU VC of Port Harcourt, chapter,

By Emem Idio

Y

ENAGOA—THE leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Port-Harcourt Zone, has berated the Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, LASU, Professor John Obafunwa, over the alleged withdrawal of doctorate certificates of the chairman of ASUU, LASU branch, Dr. Adekunle Idris and

18 others.

Addressing newsmen in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Port Harcourt Zone, Professor Beke Sese, who condemned the action, also accused LASU VC of high handedness, witch-hunting and ploting to destabilise the LASU branch of ASUU. Professor Sese, flanked by the chairperson of ASUU, University

Professor Antonia Okerenguo and her counterpart from the Niger Delta University, Chapter, Dr. Satnley Oguon, and other ASUU executive members from the zone, queried the alleged interdiction of the National President of the French Teachers Association of Nigeria, Professor Tunde Fatunde by the Vice Chancellor over a charge of being rude to the Registrar, describing it as “ridiculous as it is ludicrous."

Delta community faults Nebo on power supply

By Godwin Oghre

S

APELE—THE people of Sapele in Delta State, yesterday, faulted claims by the Minister of Power and Energy, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, that electricity generation and supply have improved in the country, saying that the minister was wrong, insisting that the situation has continued to deteriorate despite government’s privatization of the sector.

The minister had insisted last week that those who say that Nigeria has not improved in power supply were not correct and that the country has considerably improved in power supply across the country.

Protesting the minister’s statement and the prolonged power outage in many parts of community, the people of Sapele, who spoke through their elders, Mr Ben Tobi and Solomon Atake, called on the Federal Government to urgently assuage their plight by stabilising the power sector.

JTF vows to crush criminality in N-Delta

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

E N A G OA — T H E Commander, Joint Task Force, JTF, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, Major- General Emmanuel Atewe, has warned kidnappers, pirates and other fellows who engage in criminalities in the Niger Delta to look for legitimate jobs or risked being crushed.

Atewe gave the warning, yesterday, when the new Air Officer Commanding, AOC, Mobility Command of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Frank Nyoyoko, visited him at the headquarters of the JTF in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

He wondered why youths who were supposed to engage in legitimate activities to assist themselves have chosen to engage in criminal acts that jeopardize government’s effort in building a crime free society.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015—13

PDP's run out of lies on Buhari —OSHIOMHOLE

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, said that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has run out of lies and was fishing for new ones, after failing with the School Certificate lie they tried to pin on the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, MajorGeneral Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking during an inspection of road projects which culminated in a campaign at the Egor market in Upper Siluko area of the state capital, Oshiomhole said: “I am happy that you people are following what is happening and one young man said even if Buhari doesn’t have a school certificate, if it’s just a NEPA bill he presents as certificate, it’s enough as the people will vote for him. Another said the other man has a doctorate in Zoology, but we can’t even get fish on our tables.

“The truth is that everybody is tired. Today, in this market,

I am sure you don’t have electricity. We have provided the electric poles and the transformer but they will not give us power. So, the only solution is, after 16 years of PDP, they have exhausted their lies. We had to bring General Buhari because we want a leader with courage.

When he says he will do

something, he does it. We don't want a leader that will make promises during campaigns but will disappear after the campaigns.

“Today in Edo, they have enriched a few individuals, and they are telling us they are going to bring a lot of money to buy our votes. When they bring the money collect it, it’s

RALLY: From left: Elder Peter Ovie Erebi(3rd left); Chief Great Ogboru and his wife, Ebi; Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege and Chief Napoleon Gbinije, during the flag-off of Delta State Labour Party campaign at the Warri Township Stadium, yesterday. Photos: Akpokona Omafuaire.

RIVERS GOV POLL: Wike, Peterside, Princewill sign peace accord

P

By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT— UNITED States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle, yesterday, rallied the three major political parties in Rivers State to sign a peace deal ahead of the February elections.

The deal, which is to promote peace and ensure a non- violent

election, was part of moves to ensure that the state was violence free during the polls.

The governorship candidates who signed the peace accord for their parties were Mr Nyesom Wike for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Dr Dakuku Peterside for the All Progressive Congress, APC and Tonye Princewill for Labour Party.

Entwistle, enjoined the signatories to preach peace to their followers, stressing that all efforts should be made to achieve a violent free election period.

“Rivers State and Nigeria in particular are very important to the world. The desire of the international community is to see a peaceful, violence free election next month.”

Edo SDP candidate petitions INEC over alleged substitution petitions addressed to his informed us that to his

By Onozure Dania

M

R Dickson Oarhe of Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Edo State, who emerged consensus candidate of the party at the November 29, 2014 primary election for House of Representatives, Owan federal constituency, of the state, yesterday, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to list his name as the rightful candidate of the party for the February 14 polls.

Accusing Jega of electoral malpractices, Oarhe, through his solicitor N. P Osifo, in two separate C M Y K

the money they stole from you, but we will not vote for them.”

He urged the people who have not collected their Permanent Voter’s Card, PVC, to do so by going to the nearest Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, office at the local government areas, so as to be able to vote for APC candidates at all levels.

party and INEC chairman, said: “Our client has briefed us that he emerged as the SDP candidate for the House of Representatives, Owan federal constituency, Edo State after the party’s primaries successfully conducted on November 29, 2014 in the presence of members of SDP and INEC officers.

“Mr Oarhe informed us that after the successful conduct of the primaries, the party’s chairman had, without his consent and knowledge, intended to substitute his name with one Ekeinde Obas, which he vehemently opposed, when he got to hear of the plot.

“Our client has further

surprise and notwithstanding his opposition, his party chairman had with the collaboration of some INEC’s officers substituted his name with the said Ekeinde Obas, whose name was eventually sent to INEC’s headquarters, Abuja and same was published by INEC. “You are hereby given 72 hours to erase and removed the said name Ekeinde Obas from your data bank or whatsoever materials thereof and revert same to our client’s name, Dickson Oarhe, failure upon which you shall leave us with no alternative but to employ all available legal means to remedy this situation."

Akpabio to construct three bridges in Obot Akara

By Tom Moses

W

ITH less than four months to the end of his tenure, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has promised to construct three bridges in Obot Akara Local Government Area to ease the transportation of people and goods in the area.

Akpabio, at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship rally in Obot Akara, yesterday, expressed shock over the broken down bridges which were hampering movement of people in the area.

He promised to construct the bridges but said whatever would remain would be done by the incoming administration.

The governor acknowledged the display of sportsmanship by many of the aggrieved members of the PDP, following the primaries conducted by the party in the state.

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Dwell on issues, not personality, Oyetibo tells politicians

By Bartholomew Madukwe

S

ENIOR ADVOCATE of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, has urged candidates in the forthcoming election to dwell on issues and not personality.

Oyetibo, who spoke in an interview with Vanguard, said: “One of the major issues is to get our candidates contesting in the election to dwell on issues than personality.

And when they mention issues, it is not deep.

“They talk of fighting corruption, but they do not talk about how they intend to fight corruption. Some make general statements like ‘I will make sure that the economy improves’.

How does he want to make the economy to improve from what it is now? You must go to particulars.”

He pointed out that in the days of UPN and NPN, candidates dwelt on issues and not personality.

“You will see the statistics that UPN will rule, they will look at how many schools are in the state, this is what we intend to do, this is how we want to finance it."

Burial rites for Pa Awonuga

Pa Awonuga URIAL ARRANGEMENT for Pa Moses Adetola Awonuga, who died on October 23, 2014, starts with service of songs on February 4, 2015, at Bahim Church, Surulere, Lagos.

Commendation service holds at the same venue on February 6, 2015, followed

by Christian wake, at The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Odogbolu, Ogun State.

Lying-in-state takes place at his residence, Adetola Awonuga Drive, Off Awolowo Road, Odogbolu, Ogun State, on February 7, 2015, followed by church service at The Cathedral Church of St. Paul's, Odogbolu, Ogun State with interment at the church cemetery.

B

C M Y K

BIRTHDAY: Elder Joseph Abiodun Falode, celebrator, flanked right by his wife, Caroline, cutting his cake, amidst children, grand-children, relatives and friends, during his 70th birthday celebration, at St. Peter Anglican Church, Idimu, with reception, at D'Cubicle Event centre, Isheri-Olofin, Lagos, yesterday. Among his children, is Mr, Adeyeye Joseph, the Controller, Publications, Punch Newspapers, Photo: Bunmi Azeez

Protect Nigeria’s democracy, Jang-led NGF tells govs

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA — AHEAD of next month’s presidential and general elections, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, under the leadership of Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, has urged governors to protect and defend the nation’s democracy.

According to NGF, governors as chief security officers in their respective states have a responsibility to ensure that the democracy they have helped to build is not sabotaged by elements determined to truncate the nation’s democracy.

NGF in a statement by its Secretary and Administrator, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, said: “As the chief

security officers of the states, the governors have a responsibility to ensure that the democracy they have helped to build is not sabotaged by elements that are determined to truncate the nation’s democracy.”

The NGF called on governors, regardless of their party affiliations, to consider Nigeria first and in so doing resist any

attempt by those hiding under the cloak of party politics to foment trouble during the elections.

It added that the continuity of the democracy was the only way the governors could protect their legacy as there was no other viable system of government that could have produced the level of development the country had witnessed since 1999.

BOKO HARAM: Nigerian peace keeping troops may be recalled —FG

By Caleb Ayansina

A

BUJA — FEDERAL Government, yesterday, expressed the possibility of recalling soldiers in the country’s peace keeping mission abroad to enhance the operational capability of the military against insurgency in the North East.

The Coordinator, National Information Centre, NIC, Mr. Mike Omeri, disclosed this during the usual press briefing on security issues across the country in Abuja.

It will be recalled that, a number of African countries converged on Niamey, Niger Republic, on January 20, 2015, with the sole aim of seeking authorisation from the United Nations Security Council, through the African Union, to set up fund and deploy a more

effective multi-national force to fight Boko Haram.

Omeri said: “There is need for a troops surge in operational areas which may require recalling Nigerian troops from peace keeping missions abroad to enhance the operational capabilities of the Nigerian

military.

“Nigeria and her neighbours should improve on the effective management of their borders, while the Abuja Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit should collaborate with the Intelligence Coordination Centre based in Chad, in intelligence sharing.

Money saved from corruption'll be used to boost infrastructure —Buhari

By Gbenga Oke

A

LL PROGRESSIVES Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari (ret), has promised to boost infrastructure and social services through funds realised from blockages to corruption in government.

Buhari spoke in Sokoto, yesterday, during his ongoing campaign for the presidency at the Giginya Stadium.

Buhari cited insecurity, poverty, unemployment, bribery and corruption as the cankerworms bedevilling the country’s growth.

Promising to tackle them and boost the country ’s socio-

Why we avoided action over execution of 2 in Indonesia — FG

By Victoria Ojeme ABUJA — THE Federal Government has said it held back from taking stringent action against Indonesia over the execution of two Nigerians for drug related offences because of the need to engage the country in order to secure the lives of 12 others on death row.

Two Nigerians; Messrs Solomon Chibuike Okafor and Daniels Enemuo were executed by firing squad for drug offences last Saturday, at the Island of

“Offer of military and humanitarian assistance from regional and international bodies should be deployed along Nigeria’s common borders with neighboring countries, with a clear mandate, command and control, as well as rule of engagement.”

Nusakambangu in Cilacap, Central Java Province.

Also executed with them were two women, one each from Indonesia and Vietnam, two Brazilians, and one Dutch national (The Netherlands) The six were the first people executed under new President Joko Widodo of Indonesia and the execution came, despite pleas by Brazil and the Netherlands which eventually recalled their ambassadors from the country.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Danjuma Sheni, said the action

of the government was unconnected to the forthcoming general elections.

He explained that the Federal Government did not recall the ambassador in Indonesia because of the remaining 12 Nigerians still on death row.

“We have not gone as far as recalling our ambassadors there because we are looking at other factors; we still have 12 Nigerians on the death row. We need to remain engaged with the government of Indonesia. That is why, for instance, we have not looked at other options.

economic development, Buhari said: “These are the major problems bedevilling Nigeria now and the moment they are fully tackled, Nigeria will be a better place to live.

“An APC-led Federal Government will provide more jobs for the teeming unemployed youths of the nation who formed between 60 - 65 per cent of our population.

“The youths, whether educated or uneducated will be provided with jobs by the Federal Government under me, if elected,” he said in the Hausa language.

He also promised that an APCled Federal Government would pay attention to the agricultural sector.

“Monies that will be realised from anti-corruption crusade will be channelled to health, water and power supplies, as well as the provision of social infrastructure.

“We will also uphold the trust and confidence reposed in us by Nigerians, when elected into office,” Buhari promised.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015—15

Deployment of card readers'll eliminate rigging — INEC T

HE INDEPENDENT National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday said the deployment of card readers for the February polls would eliminate rigging in the electoral process.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Enugu, Professor Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, disclosed this during a meeting between the commission and political stakeholders in Enugu.

Onukaogu said INEC had taken a number of steps to ensure that the mistakes of the past were averted and people’s mandate protected.

“Using the card readers will be a watershed in the electoral

process in the country. Politicians should rather concentrate on issue-based campaigns with a view to convincing the electorate than plotting ways to discredit the process. ‘Those plotting to rig the February elections will be disappointed. Those that stole our voters’ cards are just wasting their time because they cannot use them. It is impossible to hack into the INEC card readers so the best thing for politicians is to go and campaign instead of plotting to rig. The idea is to make sure that the electorates have a say in governance and their mandate protected,” he said.

Onukaogu appealed to eligible voters to ensure that they

collected their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, to exercise their franchise.

“The PVC is your voice and through it you can speak. It is your security because your safety in this country will depend on the choice you make,” he said.

In his presentation, the Head,

Information Technology and Communication Unit of the commission, Mr Chukwuemeka Nnaji, said the card readers had coded security features.

Nnaji explained that the security features would make it difficult for the card readers to be used in case of theft.

“The card readers will only

read cards at the polling units where it is coded for,” he said.

Nnaji said that the card readers had the capacity to record the number of actual voters in the polling units as well as identify polling booths where illegal and multiple thumb printing occurred.

Delta Speaker calls for unity in PDP

S

PEAKER OF Delta State House of Assembly, Peter Onwusanya, has called on members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to forget their differences and come together to record a landslide victory in the February 2015 elections.

Onwusanya, who spoke while addressing a meeting of all stakeholders of PDP in Oshimili South Local Government Area, yesterday, said the PDP had positioned itself to ensure that the area recorded unprecedented votes in the

elections.

According to him, the party and candidates were working to ensure that the local government area recorded more than 120,000 votes in all the separate elections scheduled for February, adding that all hands must be on deck for the party to emerge victorious.

“In Oshimili South Local Government Area, we are going to vote PDP all the way. From President to Governor to Senate to House of Representatives and to House of Assembly, all PDP,” he asserted.

He called on aspirants who lost in the PDP primaries and all those who felt the party was not carrying them along to unite and join in the campaign to enhance victory, promising that their grievances would be addressed quickly.

'Make strategies for keeping peace'

By Kelechi Azubuike

A

HEAD OF the 2015 general elections, security operatives in Ndokwa East Local Government Area have been asked to come up with more aggressive strategies aimed at sustaining the prevailing peace, stability and security of lives and prosperity of the rural populace.

Chairman of Ndokwa East Local government, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwurah, gave the charge while addressing the heads of security agencies at a meeting at Aboh, the council headquarters.

Mrs. Chukwurah urged the security chiefs to adopt proactive security measures aimed at forestalling the breakdown of law and order before, during and after the elections.

She explained that the council authorities would not tolerate any act of violence during the polls and called on politicians to prevail on their supporters to avoid violence.

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 16

30% of cancers preventable, says don

L

AGOS—A Cancer Epidemiologist and Professor of Oncology, Prof.

Chummy Nwogu, has said 30 percent of cancer cases can be prevented if appropriate measures are taken early and called for a proper cancer registry in the country to ensure all cancer cases are captured and documented appropriately.

At a briefing in Lagos to announce the official launch of Lakeshore Cancer Foundation in Lagos to be known as ‘Foundation for Cancer Care in West Africa, Chief Executive Officer of Lakeshore, Professor Chummy Nwogu, said in the case of breast cancer, the commonest of all cancer cases in Nigeria, could be detected and taken care of even before the lump was evident through regular checks.

He said “People should stay away from tobacco, alcohol, and watch their diets and there is need for people to engage in physical exercises. People should begin self examination, particularly women immediately they start menstruating. For Prostate cancer which is the second most common cancer in Nigeria, if detected early through PSA test and rectal examination after 40 years could be treated successfully. The same goes to cervical cancer which is the third most common cancer in Nigeria.”

According to him, due to the high cost of cancer treatment, Lakeshore cancer centre would tomorrow launch a Foundation that would assist in the reduction of treatment cost for less privileged cancer patients in the country.

Nwogu explained that the Foundation would ensure that cancer patients who could not afford treatment had access to quality and appropriate care, lamenting the rapid rise of new cancer cases in developing countries like Nigeria.

He said “8.2 million people died worldwide from cancer in 2012. To tackle cancer headlong, there is need for the Federal Government to buy into the World Health organisation recommended software for cancer registration.''

C M Y K

Ebonyi Police raises alarm over use of youths as thugs

By Peter Okutu

A

BAKALIKI—EBONYI State Police Command, yesterday raised alarm over the increasing use of youths as thugs, destruction of campaign bill boards, defacing of posters, sewing of uniforms for members of vigilante group and waylaying of campaign train rival parties across the state.

Commissioner of Police, Maigari Dikko, who spoke during a meeting with political stakeholders at the Police Officers’ Mess in Abakaliki, noted that a free for all between supporters of rival parties had equally been recorded in parts of the state.

According to him “Let me reiterate that maintaining a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the elections has been the desire of all of us here. The police command in particular is monitoring political rallies and campaigns, conduct of security agents at polling units and other strategic places for maintenance of law and order. Permit me to observe rather regrettably that there is emerging trend of a “do or die approach” in a manner campaigns are being conducted in the state.

“Reports from some local governments point to a disturbing culture of youths manipulated to serve as thugs and engage in tearing and defacing of posters, destruction

of bill boards, defacing of campaign posters, waylaying of campaign trains of rival parties and other unwholesome misconducts. Vigilante groups will not be allowed to be used as political thugs; activities of militant youths will henceforth be closely monitored to checkmate violence.”

Former governor, Sam Egwu and PDP senatorial candidate for Ebonyi North senatorial zone called for maturity during the elections and urged security agencies and Independent

National Electoral Commission, INEC, to be unbiased umpires during the election.

In their separate remarks, the governorship candidates of the PDP represented by his running mate, Eric Kelechi Igwe, All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Senator Anthony Agbo, All Progressive Congress, APC, Senator Julius Ali Ucha, and Labour Party, LP, Edward Nkwegu, called on the security agencies including the Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp, Department of

PRESENTATION: Chief Financial officer, Mouka Limited, Mrs Azuka Onyia (left) presenting a cheque to the presiding Bishop of Salvation Army, Lagos District, Major Benson Mgbebuihe, while Financial Controller, Mouka Limited, Mrs Cecilia Osezua (right) looks on at Salvation Army, Surulere, Lagos.

NECA tasks FG on deregulation of oil industry

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

N

IGERIA Employers Consultative Association, NECA, has called on the Federal Government to use the opportunity of the current decline in the price of crude oil in the International market to commence implementation of the policy on deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry.

While commending the government for reviewing downward the price of fuel from N97per litre to N87per litre, and noting that the government had demonstrated its sensitivity to the welfare of Nigerians, NECA urged government to look beyond mere reduction of the pump price.

In a statement by NECA’s Director General, Mr. Segun Oshinowo, the body said “We should remind ourselves that this action by government is begging the more fundamental issue of appropriate policy framework that will promote investment in the downstream sector of the Oil & Gas and put a stop to the embarrassing and shameful practice of importation of PMS. Our expectation therefore, is that government would seize the opportunity of the current decline

State Service, DSS, to be proactive in their assignments of protecting lives and property.

Speaking, state Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Mr. Lawrence Azubuike, charged politicians to handle the elections in the spirit of sportsmanship and play according to the rules of the election.

Also, the representative of the European Union Election Observation Mission, EUEOM, monitoring Abia, Imo and Ebonyi, urged politicians to work towards a free and fair general election.

in the price of crude oil to commence implementation of the policy on deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil and gas. This is a unique timing the government cannot afford to miss as full implementation of deregulation, which in time past had led to price increase and reaction by the labour movement by the way of industrial action, does not have any negative effect on the masses.

“We are indeed surprised that government’s announcement was limited to just the reduction in the price of fuel (PMS) as one would have expected a far more holistic announcement of a new policy thrust of deregulation of the downstream sector and privatization of the four government refineries which have now become a sink-hole. We do appreciate the fact that election is around the corner and the government is being unusually cautious on the possible backlash which announcement of deregulation of the downstream sector of the Oil & Gas could have on its electoral fortunes. We, however, do not share the sentiment, giving the fact that this is one moment when such a policy announcement would not have

any damaging impact on the populace.

“It is a common thing for government to weigh economic imperatives against political exigencies at moments of political

engagement and political process as we are currently experiencing. Government is more likely to accord priority to political exigencies while relegating economic imperatives to the background particularly if the fall-out of the economic imperatives will undermine public perception of the government.''

APC Presidential Campaign Council inaugurated in Awka

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—THE Anambra State committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, was yesterday in Awka inaugurated by the South East coordinator of APC PCC, Senator Chris Ngige.

The state council, which has Chief Chima Okafor, a former commissioner for commerce and industry during the administration of former Governor Peter Obi, also has coordinators for the three senatorial zones and many directors, including all the party’s candidates for the state and national assemblies for the February, 2015 general elections.

Ngige said at the ceremony that

APC was aware of the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the state were working together for President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that APC was equal to the task.

He said: “We are not afraid of their combined effort. Our presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari is a tested and trusted leader and has capacity for hard work. When he said he will tackle the issue of security, we are sure he will stop Boko Haram the way he tacked the issue of Maitasine when he was the head of state.”

According to him, APC would not relent in its effort to liberate Nigerians from the shackles of bad governance and corruption.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 —17

be: “What is my own with complete strangers who do not share my values? How will me trashing my home town hurt them or help me, my family or The Prophet?”

How dare he?

Why?!

A

week after Islamic ter rorists murdered 12 employees of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris, the victims’ colleagues defiantly featured a provocative cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed on the magazine’s front cover.

Predictably, protests flared up in various Muslim countries, including Niger Republic, where at least l0 people were killed, while over 170 were injured.

During a weekend of violent demonstrations, several buildings were also set ablaze: A Christian school/orphanage, 45 churches and various hotels and bars.

Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram’s boss, has just described President Jonathan and Maj-General Muhammadu Buhari as infidels who cannot rule Nigeria.

Shekau, who spoke in a 36 minute video released via Youtube earlier on this week, also warned that more attacks would be launched in the near future, boasted about the ammunition his group has seized from the army, said that Boko Haram will soon bring Nigeria to its knees and issued threats against the governments of

•Jonathan

Detructive fixations Outraged Muslims also took to the streets in Pakistan, Sudan, Somalia and Algeria.

And I really don’t understand their destructive fixations.

What I don’t get is this: Sure, folks of all religious persuasions are entitled to be upset when they see or hear anything they regard as offensive or downright blasphemous. But do the mostly impoverished citizens of developing nations like Niger Republic, Pakistan, etc, not have more pressing worries?

They are suffering en masse from chronic problems - disease, unemployment, etc – and struggling to provide themselves and their children with basics such as housing, education, healthcare, work opportunities and brighter futures.

If I were in their shoes, I’d be too concerned about day-to-day survival issues to care about what a bunch of foreign intellectuals and artists are getting up to…or about the contents of publications that are appearing on the other side of the world!...in cities that I will probably never get a chance to visit.

If I were busy trying to eke out a paltry living in Niamey, Karachi, Mogadishu or wherC M Y K

•Buhari ever and someone told me that I should carry on like a thuggish pyromaniac because a faraway European had insulted the Prophet, my attitude would

Nigerians are busy with politics, hailing Buhari! Buhari, Jonathan! Jonathan!

Do you think even Buhari is a good Muslim? Buhari is not a Muslim as far as we are concerned

neighbouring countries (Chad, Cameroon and Niger).

Shekau, who appeared in the video with serious military hardware, including anti-air assault guns, also accused our troops of cowardice.

According to him, the Nigerian army “kept deceiving the world that you can’t fight us because you have no arms.

Liars! You have all that it takes; you are just coward soldiers….Is it not amazing that we, who started with sticks and machetes, are today the biggest headache to the almighty Nigerian soldiers?...

“What a shame!...This is just the beginning of the killings; what you’ve just witnessed is a tip of the iceberg; more deaths are coming. This will mark the end of politics and democracy in Nigeria. This is to confirm

to you that we carried out the Baga massacre, and we are going to do more….

Infidel and enemy “Nigerians are busy with politics, hailing Buhari!

Buhari, Jonathan! Jonathan!

Do you think even Buhari is a good Muslim? Buhari is not a Muslim as far as we are concerned – He is nothing but an infidel and our enemy…

“After this I will be setting ablaze the Nigerian flag just like we always do in all the places that we have conquered.

It is a useless flag and its relevance would soon be a thing of the past….What we have in our armoury now, plus all that we had before, is enough to execute a victorious war

against the whole Nigeria….Nigeria is dead; her constitution is dead!!!”

This animal’s ranting arrogance and evil taunts beggar belief. He struts around, imagining himself to be a warrior.

And yet, he is the lowest of the low…and possesses no skills beyond coordinating abductions and unleashing murder and mayhem.

Who is he to call any other man a coward when he is the worst coward on the planet?

How dare he claim to be Allah’s defender when he not only wages war on fellow Muslims who have harmed nobody but specialises in butchering unarmed civilians, brutalizing frail pensioners and assassinating babies and toddlers?

Is it courageous to rape women, strap explosives to them and then send them into crowded urban centres as suicide bombers? Is it heroic to steal little girls like our Chibok sisters and daughters from their parents in the dead of night?

By the way, I hope that those who have hitherto found it convenient to depict Buhari as an Islamic bigot will now see that he is as hated by Boko as Jonathan is.

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only).

PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 THE coming elections hold vast handles for assessing fairness and readiness of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The most important issue appears to be the permanent voter ’s card, PVC, which INEC has not delivered to prospective voters. More than 30m – almost 50 per cent of the registered voters – have not collected the cards.

Unless extraordinary measures, like a public holiday to enable voters collect the cards are taken, the voters may not get them. INEC too has been equivocal about availability of the cards. If they are ready; they are unavailable. What is the fate of those with temporary cards, without PVC? The revelation of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III that he had no card, shows another side of the elections.

How would the Sultan, who has a polling booth in his palace, not have the PVC? Who then has the PVC? The Sultan considered the matter serious enough that he brought it to the attention of President Goodluck Jonathan who was in the palace.

Some could see INEC’s non-preferential treatment for the Sultan as an indication

PVC - Like Sultan, Like 30m Nigerians of its fairness. Gone are the days when the cards would be delivered to the powerful to cover the poor performances of INEC. The PVC-less Sultan adds a powerful voice to concerns of millions of Nigerians who may be unable to vote.

“We have to look for a way out. It is for your government to now look for what to do; how to ensure that all the cards get to the voters before the voting day or in the alternative, find a way out because in any

problem, there is a solution ,” the Sultan said.

His comments on the emptiness of the campaigns and their heightening divisiveness are issues politicians should address. “We have heard campaign promises left, right and centre but we want to hear from our political leaders. How do you intend to resolve the security issues? How do you intend to tackle unemployment?

How do you intend to tackle the rot in education? These are issues that should face the various political leaders instead of mudslinging, calling each other names and whatever,” he advised.

Words have been generously spread round issues. The canvassers have refused to tell us how they would deal with challenges Nigeria faces. We are rather regaled with a list of Nigeria’s challenges.

Even at the “height” of crude oil prices, these issues got minimal attention. How would a retracting economy accommodate the bogus points raised at the campaigns?

We are only weeks to elections in which we do not know if we would vote, and in which the issues are not being discussed.

OPINION

By Jesutega Onokpasa

A

S if the bizarre gubernatorial primaries of the Delta State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, were not perplexing enough, the party ’s flag bearer, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has settled for Kingsley Otuaro, a serving commissioner on the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, as running mate. We may consider it to be Part Two of another poorly packaged home video from the stables of Delta PDP. Their candidate may be popular amongst politicians but that does not translate into electoral acceptability across Delta. Unless it is only his fellow politicians, who make up less than one percent of the population of Delta, that are the only ones who will be voting on election day, anyone who thinks Okowa is already the next Governor of Delta State is making a mistake.

In producing Otuaro as running mate, Delta PDP had apparently zoned its Deputy governorship slot to Delta South. The problem with Delta South is the fact that four ethnic groups live there. There are Ijaws, Itsekiris, Isokos and some Urhobos as well. The Deputy governorship slot was keenly contested between the Ijaws and the Isokos, with the Itsekiris not really making much of a bid for it. The Urhobos were not even bothered at all, apparently preferring to pitch their tent with their C M Y K

Now that Okowa is running with Otuaro fellow Urhobos in Delta Central whose eyes remain on the governorship itself.

So how did the Isokos lose out to the Ijaws and what does Otuaro’s emergence portend for the future political fortunes of the Itsekiris?

The Isokos have merely been told that not only are they second class citizens in Delta as a whole, they are not even recognized in Delta South where they are undoubtedly a redoubtable force to be reckoned with.

In passing them over for the slot, they have once more been relegated to the

What we have now in Delta is not a Delta North/Delta South ticket at all.

One would be tempted to categorize it as an Ika/Ijaw ticket as if the rest of us no longer matter in our dear state

background and treated as mere appendages in the political configuration of the zone. Having been treated in this underhanded manner, the Isokos are left with a straightforward choice; either stay with those who have no regard for them or be pragmatic enough to realign with their Delta Central cousins. As for the Itsekiris, this is simply an insult taken too far. Not only was the chairmanship slot for Warri South-West LGA taken from them in a most brazen, shameful, humiliating and patently illegal manner, the Senatorial slot was further captured by the Ijaw in circumstances constituting an utter humiliation of the incumbent Governor and the entire Itsekiri race!

Indeed, it is as if Delta PDP has been completely taken over by a hostile force and the Itsekiris are under political attack from a bewildering multiplicity of fronts all at once! Delta PDP has simply completely gone rogue and is proceeding at utter variance with the fortunes of President Goodluck Jonathan in the impending presidential polls. In completely cutting off Delta Central from the ticket, Delta PDP has merely brazenly bit the finger that feeds it by relegating the treasure trove of votes in the state to a most unacceptable background. Any gubernatorial ticket in Delta that does not include Delta Central either as Governor or Deputy

Governor is a recipe for electoral disaster and utterly doomed to woefully fail.

What we have now in Delta is not a Delta North/Delta South ticket at all.

One would be tempted to categorize it as an Ika/Ijaw ticket as if the rest of us no longer matter in our dear state. Yet even within Ika circles, Okowa does not by any means enjoy widespread acceptability, having serially offended and belittled critical stakeholders across his own ethnic group.

Furthermore, the manner of his emergence amounts to the unfair humiliation of a host of eminently qualified aspirants from the Aniocha/ Oshimili axis as if they were being led by the nose all along. As for the entire Ndokwa nation, it was studiously told it is a second class part of Delta North and should seek its destiny with its brothers from the old Delta Province now made up of Delta Central and Delta South. .

Given the present political scenario, we have a choice. We can either remain with what has undone us for the past sixteen years by voting for this toxic ticket of Delta PDP or we can reclaim our state by voting for the opposition. All we need do is to vote for President Jonathan for the Presidency and thereafter turn our backs on Delta PDP.

*Mr. Onokpasa, a legal practitioner, wrote from Warri, Delta State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015— —19

No violence in 2015 elections

By Clement Udegbe Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the sons of God. -Jesus Christ.

IGERIAN elections, have been plagued with all kinds of violence in the past, ranging from destruction, and mutilation of opponents posters, bill boards, killing of opponents ,contestants, killing and shooting at voters, snatching of ballot boxes, to threats of flow of blood and mayhem, before during and after elections.

Our politicians know when they will win or loose, yet they plan electoral violence, or condone it when perpetrated by their followers.

Our electoral Laws are adequate to arrest and prosecute these felons, but the lack of political will, law enforcement system, the Nigerian factor-corruption, and bigmanism, have worked together to let electoral criminals walk our streets shamelessly unperturbed.

They therefore become impetuous over time, and plan more violence at the turn of every election, thereby denying the people their right to choose who will lead them, and plunge contestants into heart breaking pains of lost mandates.

This was the situation until the last few years when electoral violence started reducing considerably under the watch of President GEJ. There is yet room however, for improvement, especially with the war still raging in the North East of Nigeria, and

N

the peculiar nature of this year’s Presidential elections, being the first in a long time, that we are seeing a robust challenge to the ruling PDP, by an opposition APC. It has been very interesting so far, and all the expectations from the emergence of APC in our democratic experience and political landscape may be dashed to irreparable pieces by political violence.

Many local and international organizations such as National Association for Peaceful Elections in Nigeria, the United Kingdom Agency for International Development, European Union, CLEEN Foundation, International Crisis Group, and many eminent personalities in Nigeria and the diaspora have expressed concerns about the likely outbreak of violence during the 2015 elections. These organizations and individuals have called for actions that will not only curb electoral violence, but address the root causes to stamp it out permanently.

These root causes include: The prolonged denial and closing of the space against our youth from participating in political leadership and power. On the soap box for example, the youth would hear from politicians, that they are the leaders of tomorrow, when they were in their teens, and now at fifty the youth do not see any space for their participation in the system, as it kept recycling old men into political offices. How will they get

By Ben Etaghene

F

OR once, the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) is truly coming out of the cocoon of political neutrality of a self imposed apolitical moratorium. The oldest cultural ethnic grouping in Africa, second only to the South African - African National Congress (ANC). It is now falling in line with Arewa, Afenifere, N’digbo, et al after the lessons learnt in the revolution of the Okotie- Ebohs, the Atakes, et al whom Chief Ayomike said were assimilated in comparison with the Hutu transformation into Tutsi in Rwanda though an incongruous comparism; then the James Otobos in the First Republic. And lately from a new generation of irredentist emerged the likes of the James Iboris, Ighoyota Amoris, Monday Igbuyas, Evelyn Oboros, et al forming a new clan for the UPU to grapple with.

In an attempt to forestall an impending surge of rebellion against the ideal of one front, instituted what has come to be known in Urhobo political vocabulary as the Uvwiamuge Declaration though it did not result in their (UPU) desired expectation as the aspirant who emerged as the popular and thus the anointed choice Chief David Edevbie lost the PDP primaries but others like Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege, Chief Kenneth Gbagi, Dr. (Mrs) Esther Uduehi, et al met their waterloo. Whatever the political relationship (of those who did not fall in line) with the umbrella body is a matter of conjecture and thus anybody’s guess.

As issues stand at the moment, the political journey is still elastic that the UPU preferred candidate lost the PDP primaries inevitably leaves the game an open ended adventure. As the popular parlance implies: “It is not over until it is over”. The UPU is ever waxing stronger and ever ready to actualise the intention inherent in the ideal of Uvwiamuge Declaration, to come alive.

In the march towards who occupies Government House in the election next month, for Central Senatorial District are

C M Y K

It, therefore, behoves on GBM, in the spirit of the Peace Accord, to come out openly and address his supporters in the north against violence in the 2015 elections the required experience if they are excluded from participation?

These youths are used by politicians as thugs, which truncate and destroy their conscience and vision about life and political power. This has made cultism a very difficult phenomenon to eradicated from among our youths, making them willing tools for political violence.

Money politics and godfatherism, have also led to the frustration of many who resort to violence as vendata for evils against them on the political arena. Religious fundamentalism, and deliberate mis- information of the largely uneducated youth is perhaps the single most potent

factor for political violence in 2015 elections, especially in the north of Nigeria, where there are manifest signs that all will not be well if nothing drastic is done quickly.

It is against this background, that the Peace Bond of 14th January in Abuja is most welcome. In a sensitization seminar, on nonviolent election, by the Office of the National Security Adviser and Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs, the presidential candidates of the major parties, and a majority of the presidential candidates, entered into an accord to eschew violence and nip it in the bud in the 2015 elections.

However many stake holders have expressed doubts about the success of the accord. Their concerns stem from the habit of our leaders in not respecting what they say, and sign, but we must continue to pray and work the work of getting violence out of the 2015 elections.

Some politicians by their conducts are justifying the concern about the efficacy of the peace bond. For example, it has been reported that the Rivers State government is denying the PDP in that state access into the state stadium for their legitimate campaigns, as volatile as such an action could be in that state, the end result might not be pleasant.

The recent death wish advert by the Governor of Ekiti State, against the Presidential Candidate of the opposition APC, is not in the spirit of the Peace accord. The internet was recently awash, with the picture of young men mutilating and destroying the incumbent President’s bill board

Delta 2015: Before UPU decides two political maestros fighting in the race under two different political parties to challenge the PDP candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

These two players are Chief Great Ovedje Ogbru of Labour Party (L.P) and Chief O’tega Emerhor of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ogbru is a business man and a political juggernaut while Emerhor is a man well versed in the banking industry – a known name in that sector. Ogbru is nicknamed the People’s General because of his adventure into Nigerian political terrain in the Gideon Orkar’s ill-fated coup d’tact against the Ibrahim Babangida’s administration in 1989. To many, that incident is a minus while to others it is a plus. In fact, there are studies with the conclusion that those with the courage to ouster unpopular regimes during the periods those exercises were fashionable enjoyed the respect of the masses. Hence the voice of someone like late Sanni Abacha who with his “fellow Nigerians” was melodious and acclaimed with love when he described “Nigerian hospitals as consulting clinics”.

Equally people like Ibrahim Babangida,

These two politicians are scheming to win the Government House, Asaba come next month from different parties.

There is a seemingly hard though simple choice here for the functionary of the UPU

Joe Garba, MKO Abiola et al were seen as saviours of the masses in their various roles in overthrowing governments.

It earned MKO Abiola’s quick in road into politics. It also earned Ogboru the near ethereal popularity that his foray into politics in 2003 governorship election was hugely rewarded with massive support. Then in 2007, 2010 and 2011 governorship elections. He is also a man with ultra charisma and a good vision. This made him a billionaire at the age of 25. According to him: ‘I’ve not lost any elections”. Every Deltan (nay Nigerian) of fair judgment can attest to this assertion as a reality and his legal odyssey has become a public stain on the banner of the judiciary in Nigeria. Like in the 2011 election, INEC said he won 12 LGAs out of 25 LGAs. He is very familiar with the political terrain of Delta State.

For Emerhor, it is a different kettle of fish.

As an analogy would be most illustrative.

During the 1988 National Conference organized by the President Ibrahim Babangida administration, Olorugun Micheal Ibru was a nominated member.

The then military President Babangida advised Micheal Ibru to be more actively involved in politics, in short to form a political party to nurture a political cleveage. But after sometime it became clear to him that Micheal Ibru was not keen in politics. Ibrahim Babangida was known to have told his advisers that “this Urhobo man does not want to spend his hard earned money recklessly in politics”. Otherwise, there was studied speculated rumour that he (Babangida) wanted to groom Micheal Ibru for a higher position in government.

That was the period the search was on for someone to replace him. The choice eventually fell on Ernest Shonekan.

In 2007, Emerhor came to Delta State with all the fanfare of campaigning for the governorship election. He entered the senatorial election last year and lost to Chief Emmanuel Agwuariavwodo. He instituted

in Katsina State, the home state of Presidential candidate of the opposition party, General Muhamadu Buhari, GMB, who has enjoyed non-violent campaigns in all the south of Nigeria.

It therefore behoves on GBM, in the spirit of the Peace Accord, to come out openly and address his supporters in the north against violence in the 2015 elections. He needs at this stage, to condemn and distance himself from every appearance of electoral violence, now and after the elections irrespective of who wins. It is only fair that the ruling PDP is not victimized under a Peace Accord which their own presidential candidate initiated, in the overall interest of voters and Nigerians.

Electoral violence in all its ramifications bring shame and dishonor to the name of Nigeria, and that nonsense must stop.

Another non-sense that must stop now, is the paucity of Permanent Voters Card,PVCs. No Nigerian should be dis-emphranchised by virtue of lack of voters card. INEC had sufficient time, and funds to prepare for a free and fair elections, and any attempt or semblance of rigging using the voters cards must be eradicated now. One way to deal with this nonsense is for the Senate, and the Presidency to approve the use of Temporary Voters cards,TVCs where there are no PVCs. As we approach February elections with enthusiasm, let no aspirant, INEC, or any person/s dash the hopes of Nigerians as contained in the Abuja Peace Accord, for a non-violent elections.

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

some electoral petition in the court but later withdrew it. Now he is in another electoral campaign for the governorship battle in the camp of the APC. These two politicians are scheming to win the Government House, Asaba come next month from different parties. There is a seemingly hard though simple choice here for the functionary of the UPU. Look at the personalities of these two men, their antecedents, patriotism and the promises of their parties. Obviously the APC seems large with the promise of change and the pastime of abusing the President as a campaign theme. They should be told that the office of the President, the nation’s flag and the National Anthem deserve utmost respect from all Nigerians-political campaign or not.

These two men have not really and sufficiently sold themselves to us. This is why the UPU should make haste in their selection process for Deltans to buy into their manifestoes. Labour Party (LP) is a smaller party though old with a track record of what it stands for in education, the economy, agriculture et al, Followers are aware of where the party stands. For me the APC has a central aim for the parties coming together to win the Presidential election thereafter they would tell the nation what they would do for us. These are parts of the questions Emerhor must dwell on before the UPU functionary.

Sometimes, elections are won or lost due to the personalities involved. Many people vote for the candidates not the parties. This is why the history and antecendents of these two men must form the basis of their assessment for this crucial assignment. Who between the two men can penetrate beyond Delta Central Senatorial District. Who are their running mates? The UPU in this exercise must be very meticulous. The PDP is beatable. Great Ovedje Ogboru had shown Deltans this in four elections in the state since 2003.

•Mr. Etaghene, Editorial Director, The Bulletin, wrote from Sapele, Delta State.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY,, JANUARY 23, 2015

Travails of a dismissed, ailing military officer •Family wants Nigerian Army to pay his entitlements

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

N

IGERIA last week observed this year’s remembrance for the country’s fallen heroes who died in active service as members of the Nigerian Armed Forces. This came at a time the family of a distressed former military personnel, Kingsley Iberi, who claims to have been wrongfully dismissed from the Nigerian Army, was lamenting and telling their tale of woe to every sympathetic ear.

According to the 63-yearold dismissed Lieutenant Colonel, who is currently down with stroke, his entitlements have not been paid for the past 14 years, adding that all appeals to the Army authorities had fallen on deaf ears, thus leaving him rather frustrated.

Iberi, who hails from Igbanke, Edo State, joined the Army in January 1972 as a Cadet Officer, having finished from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna State. His first place of posting was 24 Infantry Battalion in Gboko, Benue State.

Subsequently, he rose to the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel in December 1990, but was later dismissed from the Army in 1998 and made to serve a two-

year jail term at a Military Police Cell in Apapa after a court martial, which his family described as wrongfully done.

Iberi, who was diagnosed of stroke and paralysis in June 2006, has patient’s cards at the Aburime-Changsu Oriental Diagnostic Hospital, Allen Avenue, Ikeja(a Nigeria-Korea Acupuncture Centre) and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where he visits for treatment.

The fragile looking Iberi who

His entitlements have not been paid for the past 14 years; all appeals to the Army authorities had fallen on deaf ears, thus leaving him rather frustrated

*Kingsley Iberi: Dismissed Lt-Col, wants justice and payment of his accumulated entitlements could hardly walk on his own, now uses a stand-up lift to stand and walk.

Iberi who struggled to speak to Vanguard Metro, VM, from his sick bed, somehow stated that since age could not allow him return to service, the au-

thorities of the Nigerian Army should pay his entitlements in accordance with court’s ruling on the matter. ”I was not just wrongfully dismissed from the Army, I was made to serve a two-year jail term at a Military Police Cell

ROVING CAMERA

Area Boys on the beat... A motorist besieged by Area Boys begging for money in Lagos. PHOTO: LAMIDI BAMIDELE.

C M Y K

in Apapa. It was when I came out that I filed the appeal, and the court ruled that both the court martial judgement and the term I served were invalid, and I should be reinstated and paid my entitlements. “ The last salary I was paid was in June 1997 before the hasty judgement. I want the authorities to implement the court ruling and pay me all my entitlements.”

His third son, Mr. Charles Iberi, in a sober mood said: “I have been the one taking care of him. The court has sent copies of the judgement; I had personally delivered the attached letters to the relevant offices but yet no response. I have done everything to get the attention of the Army all to no avail”.

He narrated: “He was tried by the Army for conspiracy, cheating and impersonation, which he knew nothing about.

In 2002, Daddy filed an appeal against his dismissal at the Federal Court of Appeal, Lagos, and the court ruled in February 2013 that he should be reinstated, while his entitlements from 1998, when he was wrongfully dismissed, be paid to him. Up till now, the Nigerian Army is yet to obey the court judgement.”

In a copy of the judgment made available to VM, dated February 22, 2013, and presided over by Justices Ibrahim Saulawa, Joseph Ikyegh and Rita Pemu, the court martial verdict was declared invalid, and Iberi was asked to be reinstated and paid his full entitlements.

The paper, with Appeal Number, CA/L/736M/2009, reads: “Having perused the briefs of the argument of the learned counsel to the respective parties, I hereby concur to the effect that the present appeal is meritorious. The judgment of the court martial, delivered on May 26, 1998, is hereby set aside for being perverse.

“The conviction and sentence passed upon the appellant stand quashed. The appellant is accordingly discharged and acquitted. I abide by the consequential order reinstating the appellant into the Nigerian Army with immediate effect.”

Charles continued, “Despite the court of appeal’s judgment which mandated the reinstatement of my father and payment of his entitlements, efforts to get the attention of the military headquarters to obey the ruling had failed.”

Vanguard, FRDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 —21

REIT should be taxed in the hands of the investor not in the hands of the fund managers because really REITs are passthrough vehicles.”

Continuing, Ogunwemimo explained that the purpose for the seminar is to bring together regulators, Chief Executives and Chief Investment Officers of asset management, pension management and insurance companies, as well as leading property development companies to discourse how to move the sector forward.

She said, “In a REIT structure, you have different parties, developers, investors and regulators. So it is important for us to come together and explore initiatives that will take the sector to the next level.

Drive for bank credit

MEETING: From left: Commissioner, Securities and Exchange Commission,

SEC, Zakawanu Garuba; Chairman, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, ASHON, Mr. Emeka Madubuike; President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Mr. Albert Okumagba and Acting Director General, SEC, Mallam Mounir Gwarzo during a meeting between SEC and Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, in Abuja.

Review tax policy on REITs, FSDH Asset tells FG T

HE Federal Government has been called upon to discontinue the imposition of certain taxes on Real Estate Investment Trust, REIT, as this will ensure the growth and success of the REITs as an asset class.

Speaking at a seminar on REIT in Lagos, with the theme:

“Unlocking the Opportunities in the Real Estate Sector”, organised by FSDH Asset Management Limited, Mrs. Olumayowa Ogunwemimo, Managing Director, FSDH Asset, contend that the income on REIT should not be taxed in the hands of the fund manager but

T

$161.40

-$2.90

$2,841.00

-$84. 00

$15.79

-$0.04

$48.41

$0.42

$47.23

$0.76

CURRENCY BUYING DOLLAR 167 STERLING 252.8881 EURO 193.4528 FRANC 191.053 YEN 1.4067 CFA 0.2759 WAUA 236.8726 RENMINBI 26.8726 RIYAL 44.4622 KRONA 26.0157 SDR 237.1233

CENTRAL 167.5 168 253.6453 254.4024 194.032 194.6112 191.625 192.197 1.4109 1.4151 0.2859 0.2959 237.563 238.2721 26.9535 27.0344 44.583 44.7284 26.0936 26.1715 237.8333 238.5432

CBN Exchange Rate as at 21/1/15

C M Y K

in the hands of the beneficiary.

“That is the standard practice worldwide. If a company invests in a REIT, whatever income they earn from the REIT must be taxed from the company income tax. If an individual invest in a REIT the income he earns from the REIT, should be

HE Dutch textile and design company, Vlisco Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU with the Federal Government of Nigeria to create a platform for significant expansion in Nigeria’s economy.

The Nigerian government in December 2014 approved a major revitalisation and reform of its Cotton, Textiles and Garment (CTG) sector which will catalyse growth and jobs in Nigeria across the entire value-chain from cotton to fashion.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hans Ouwendijk, CEO of Vlisco Group said: “We commend the Nigerian Government for its focus on revitalising this critical sector. The new policy enables the Vlisco Group to invest in Nigeria and to contribute to the building of a vibrant CTG sector. Nigeria is Africa’s largest consumer market and the opportunity to fully deploy our brands and business models in Nigeria provides a major boost to our growth ambition.”

The CEO went further to say that the MoU is expected to yield benefits for the Nigerian economy in terms of economic diversification and job creation

taxed using the company income tax act in the hand of the investor.”

“If you want to tax the REIT the only tax that is applicable is company income tax, which in that case is not beneficial to an individual who wants to invest. What I am saying is that

“At the end of the day, a REIT is beneficial to the entire economy. More developers, means less drive for bank credit.

“The major focus of the forum is to educate the stakeholders on investment opportunities and challenges of investing in REIT in Nigeria. The stakeholders will also benefit from the firsthand experience of both local and international leading practitioners.

“We are doing this because we want to work with all stakeholders in the sector to see how we can move it forward.”

Issues discussed at the forum include the potential impact of REIT in Nigeria, taxation, property selection and regulations.

Vlisco Group, FG sign MoU on in extile industr invvestment in tte industryy

By Princewill Ekwujuru in line with the Government’s Industrial Revolution strategy. Vlisco Group’s activities are expected to generate more than 10,000 jobs in Nigeria in the medium term, he stated.

The MoU detailed wide-ranging collaboration and support. Vlisco Group

We are determined to rebuild this historically important sector with its job creation impact across the entire value chain from cotton fields to fashion

intends to offer Nigeria’s 188m consumers it’s four brands (Woodin, Vlisco, Uniwax and GTP). The Group will participate across the sector value chain from sourcing of cotton, textile printing, wholesale, retail and ecommerce distribution, garment manufacturing and supporting and promoting Nigerian fashion designers.

He continued.

Also speaking, Minster of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, commenting on the MoU stated:”The Government of Nigeria is delighted to welcome this investment and partnership from the Vlisco Group into Nigeria.

“We are determined to rebuild this historically important sector with its job creation impact across the entire value chain from cotton fields to fashion. We are looking forward to implementing this strategic partnership with the Vlisco Group”.

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Dematerialisation of share certificate still low — NASD boss

By Peter Egwuatu

D

EMATERIALISATIONS of share certificates in the nation’s capital market is still low, says Chef Executive Officer, NASD Plc, Mr. Bola Ajomale.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, he said “ One of the challenges being faced in the capital market is that the level of dematerialisation of share certificates is still low ; it currently stands at about 2.5 per cent, which is not encouraging. This year, we hope it will increase further as we continue to enlighten investors on the advantages of dematerialising their share certificates.”

Dematerialisation of share certificate is the process of converting physical share certificate to electronic platform.

In Nigeria if an investor wants to dematerialise his share certificate, he needs to open a demat account with the Central Securities Clearing System, CSCS Plc and surrender his physical share certificate and in turn gets electronic shares in his demat account.

On NASD’s contribution to the capital market, Ajomale said “We have given a lot of shareholders the opportunity of valuing their investment. It has open lien opportunity to them and this is going to open people’s cash. Also, we now have a reference point when trading of unlisted shares could be linked to. Furthermore,

shareholders now get estatement like what obtains on the Nigerian Stock Exchange for listed securities.”

Speaking on the development of NASD Over the Counter, OTC platform, he said “During our first 6 months of operation in 2013, we focused our efforts on the structures that will support a robust OTC market (such as processes, on-boarding participants and developing rules). In 2014, we started to load up the securities that will trade on the market. We migrated market trades from our Bi-lateral

interdealer trading system (BITS™) to the NASDAQ OMX X-Gen platform. The former platform is now free to be used for other asset classes that we shall roll-out in 2015.

The NASD boss further disclosed that the market closed the year 2014 with a nominal value of ¦ 41 billion and total market capitalisation of ¦ 590 billion. “ Total number of issued shares that can trade on the market is therefore 83 billion shares.

Dematerialisation levels were still low at 2.05 billion shares or 2.48%.

We expect that this will increase

significantly as shareholders become more aware of the safety and liquidity advantages of dematerialization” he added.

Commenting on trade activity, Ajomale said “120 million shares worth ¦ 2.32 billion were exchanged in 417 deals by investors on the NASD OTC Market from January to December 2014 compared to 239,165 shares worth ¦ 76 million that were exchanged in 34 deals from July to December 2013. The market continues to grow in size and intensity each quarter of the year.

BRIEFING: From left: Head, Finance and Operations, NASD Plc, Mr. Titus Ayodele Oladunni; Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Bola Ajomale and I T Operations Manager, Mr. Gbubemi Iyomere, at a briefing on NASD Plc activities for year 2014 and the company’s outlook for year 2015 in Lagos.

Stock market: SEC pledges to deepen retail investors’ participation

By Peter Egwuatu & Nkiruka Nnorom

I

N its determination to develop and strengthen the Nigerian capital market, the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC has pledged to deepen retail investors’ participation in the market.

Ag. Director General of the commission, Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, assured Nigerians that the SEC will continue to ensure that the market remains vibrant in order to attract investors both locally and internationally.

Gwarzo gave the assurance when he received members of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), who visited him in the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

He said the current management will strive to develop domestic investment from retail and institutional investors He said “We will step up to reach out to the market and improve investment. On the international side, what is most important is the enabling environment. Right now, the rules are very friendly and that is why

we keep changing them from time to time to suit best practices and attract investors.

Earlier in his remarks, President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute, Mr. Albert Okumagba, lamented the over 60 percent control of the Nigerian stock market by foreign investors.

Okumagba said the current situation were over 60 percent of the market is controlled by foreign investors gives serious cause for concern.

He said: “The level of participation of our locals is

We will step up to reach out to the market and improve investment

effectively less than three million when ideally over 80 million of our people should be in the market.

“Our coverage of insurance assets in Nigeria is not up to two percent of insurable asset. If we can increase from two to 20 percent and then to 50 percent, we will be shocked at the kind of

contribution that insurance can make.”

Okumagba further disclosed that for pension, coverage is about eight percent, noting that if Nigerians that are supposed to be captured by the pension reform act come on stream, we can do multiples of what has been recorded.

GTBank donates N40m to fight Ebola

G

uaranty Trust Bank, GTBank has extended its support towards the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Intervention strategy in West Africa by making a donation of N40 million to Swiss Red Cross and Doctors without Borders.

The response to Ebola outbreak by Swiss Red Cross and Doctors without Borders started in Early 2014 with the establishment of Ebola case management centers (CMCs), provision of beds in isolation and transit centers, proper dispose of dead bodies and provision of medical personnel and supplies. After a few months of properly executed intervention measures by these organisations, there is remarkable gradual decline in the outbreak. However, more actions is required to combat further outbreak as well as effective implementation of World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Roadmap against Ebola.

GTBank’s donation of Nmillion to Swiss Red Cross and Doctors without Borders is to support the dispatch of trained personnel, creation of mobile laboratories to improve diagnostics, setting up of more Ebola case management facilities in remote areas, creation of regional network of field hospitals to treat medical personnel and addressing the collapse of state infrastructure, which has left people in many parts of West Africa without access to basic healthcare.

Commenting on the donation, the Managing Director and CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje stated that “GTBank will continue to lead the way as a responsive and socially responsible corporate organization in line with its strategic Corporate Socially Responsibility (CSR) objectives.

NSE: Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers emerges best dealing member

T

HE leadership of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE has named Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, a member of the Stanbic IBTC Group, as the leading market operator in the Nigerian capital market. The stockbrokerage firm won the NSE CEO Award as the best dealing member firm on the exchange in 2014.

The prestigious NSE CEO Award is an annual capital market award, in three subcategories, that recognizes excellence and exceptional performance by market operators in a given year. Promoters of the awards seek to reward outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the capital market and the Exchange.

The award reinforces Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited as the largest stock

broking firm in Nigeria in both volume and value of total transactions handled in 2014.

Market data for the year under review showed that Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited achieved a turnover in excess of 24 billion units of shares, which represented 11.42 per cent volume of shares valued at over N472 billion or 17.55 per cent to lead both the volume and value tables. Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers was also the largest stockbroking house in Nigeria in 2013.

Speaking on the award, Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, Oladele Sotubo, said the company is delighted to win the NSE CEO award as it validates the appetite and growing capacity of the stock broking firm, leveraging on the expertise of the Stanbic IBTC Group, to provide robust services in the capital market.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 23

Rice backward integration policy attracts over $1.6bn investment

By Gabriel Ewepo & Caleb Ayansina

T

HE Backward Integration Programme (BIP ) policy in the rice sector put in place by the federal ministry of Agriculture to boost local rice production with the approval of an inbuilt tariff/ levy differential deliberately skewed in favour of investors has been commended by stakeholders.

The policy, which is said to have attracted more than $1.6 billion of private sector investments, allows investors to temporarily import brown or finished rice to bridge the present gap in supply and demand.

Supply and demand Those who have keyed into the policy are allowed to enjoy 10% tariff and 20% levy on imported rice, while on the other hand mere rice traders are allowed to import at 10% tariff and 60% levy.

Curiously, this apparent federal government’s magnanimity aimed at massive rice value chain in the country did not go down well with an aggrieved group which members have millers and farmers and therefore thought that the Government’s largesse was meant to bring in “intruders” or “outsiders” into the rice business.

Again, there was the spurious claim that the waivers and import quotas would exacerbate the rate and level of smuggling of the commodity into Nigeria from neighbouring countries especially Republic of Benin.

But the President of the Nigeria

•Dr. Akinwumi Adesina Rice Investors Group, Tunji Owoeye, said the policy has not only discouraged smuggling but has also led to a quantum leap in investment into Backward Integration Programme, adding that the policy was geared towards self-sufficiency in rice production in the country.

According to the group, this was the first time; import quota was being allocated to the right people with verifiable investments in rice production in the country.

Owoeye noted that there had been significant improvement since the review of the policy, adding that the rice policy of the

present administration is visible for all to see.

The truth is that many have wished the old system where some highly connected people influence rice quota allocation

Niger govt, IFAD collaborate to develop cassava, rice value chain

T

HE Niger Government on Thursday said it was collaborating with the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) to develop cassava and rice value chain in the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Prof.

Mohammed Yahaya, made this known when he briefed newsmen in Minna.

Yahaya, who was represented by Alhaji Muhammadu Ibrahim, the

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said that the measure would improve the living standard of rural populace in the state.

“The IFAD will provide us with N328 million annually for six years, while the state government will provide N79.4 million counterpart fund per

resident Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of Dr. Samson Adeola Odedina as the substantive Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure for a period of five years. Odedina joined the services of the College in 1990 and rose through the ranks to the position of Chief Lecturer in 2012.

Born on 21st May, 1966, Dr. Odedina attended Lisabi Grammar School, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State from 1979-1984; Federal College of Agriculture, Akure from 1984-1986, Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan from 1987-1989.

He holds a M.Sc. in Crop Science from C M Y K

annum for six years,” he said.

Yahaya said that the Federal Government, through the state ministry had decided to develop major crops value chain in the country.

He said that this was to increase food production and provide market for them.

The commissioner said that

three local government areas of Katcha, Bida and Wushishi would be use for the pilot scheme to develop the value chain.

He said that the management team for the programme in the state had been inaugurated.

PAN laments adulteration of poultry products

F

EDERAL Government has been urged to protect

Adeola appointed Provost, Fed College of Agric

P

“If you travel through Zamfara, Niger, Benue, Sokoto and many other states in the country, you will see vast plantation of rice in the last two year.

“We have also seen some of our members who were pure traders making huge investment in local rice production. We have seen serious increase in employment and value creation in the rice sector,” he said.

Owoeye, who is also the Managing Director of Elephant Group, said that the federal government had provided rice investors with improved seedling which has led his members to

having better rice production.

The Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa and Secretary Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN) commended the present administration for matching his words with actions, by not allowing the business to be as usual in rice production.

“The truth is that many have wished the old system where some highly connected people influence rice quota allocation, but this administration made sure it went to rice farmers with visible investments,” he said.

On his part, the President of Rice Millers, Importers and Distributors’ Association of Nigeria, Abubakar Mohammed noted that five years ago there was only one processing mill in the whole of Nigeria, but with the commitment of the government, it had increased to 24. Abubakar said that that before the present administration, rice paddy produced from Nigeria was one of the worst in the world, but added that, currently, it is one of the best in the world. ”We process 800,000 tonnes of paddy rice annually and the government is putting measures in place to produce additional 360,000 tonnes. ”All these happened by the help of President Goodluck Jonathan and the minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina,” said Abubakar.

Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt and Ph.D. in Crop Production from the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

Dr Odedina also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Agricultural Education from Wolverhampton Polytechnic (now Wolverhampton University) United Kingdom. He obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Vegetable Science and Technology from Beijing Vegetable Research Centre, China in 2000.

In 2001, he obtained a Post Ph.D Certificate in Biotechnology from the Brazilian Corporation for Agricultural Research (EMBRAPA).

genuine poultry farmers from going under as their products are now constantly adulterated leading to lost of millions of naira in revenue earnings.

Speaking on adulteration of frozen chickens, day-old chicks and table eggs of notable poultry farms in Ibadan, Oyo State, recently, the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) said for a long time, the adulterations and piracy of the farm products have been going on clandestinely in the affected companies.

The Director-General of PAN, Mr. Onello Akpa, disclosed that nemesis caught up with some of them in Ibadan recently, where they were

arrested by the police.

He noted that though some of the accused and their kingpins (Names withheld) are still at large, but the police said they were determined to fish them out individually or collectively.

Their mode of operations, according to the PAN, was that the accused printed fake cartoons bearing Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited to sell their own unhealthy dayold chicks, hatched from their hatcheries in and around Oyo State which they brought to the popular Day Old Chicks Market, which is very close to Obasanjo Farms Limited at Oluyole, Ibadan, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

24—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

2015 Election: LCCI backs use of temporary voters’ cards

By Naomi Uzor

T

MOU: From left: Mr. Abdul-Wahhab Ibrahim, Executive Director, PML Advisory Ltd; Mr. Manesh Karani, Director, Etrends Technologies Ltd, India and Mr. Abiola Fajimi, CEO PML Advisory Ltd and Mr. Prateek Patel, Director Etrends when PML Advisory signs partnership agreement with Etrends, in Lagos.

HE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, has voiced its support for use of the temporary voters’ cards in this year’s election.

This, the LCCI said is to avoid disenfranchisement of millions of eligible voters across the nation.

The President of LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello made this call while fielding questions from newsmen in Lagos.

He said the chamber supports the proposal that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should allow the use of the temporary voters cards in the

FDI: GlaxoSmithKline announces $166m investments in Nigeria, others

By Franklin Alli with agency reports

G

laxoSmithKline (GSK) the parent company of Glaxsosmithkline Nigeria Plc has unfolded plans to build five new factories across five countries in Africa with $166 million (about N28 billion) over the next three years.

These countries are Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

In a statement online, Andrew Witty, CEO of GSK, said the company is also investing $216 million in Africa’s healthcare sector, which includes the development of a lab, expansion of manufacturing facilities and training of community healthcare professionals “GSK will invest $41mn in creating the world’s first research and development open lab for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa, which will improve the understanding of NCD variations in the continent.

The possible research topics could include the apparent higher prevalence of treatment-resistant

hypertension and aggressive breast cancers in young women.

These insights will help prevent and formulate treatment strategies so scientists and academics can develop new medicines to address the specific needs of African patients,” Witty said.

According to him, the new facilities will manufacture antibiotics, respiratory and HIV medicines locally, adding that the factories will eventually transfer the technology, skills and

knowledge required to manufacture complex products locally. The investments are also poised to create 500 jobs.

Witty said that in order to reduce the continent’s dependence on imported medicines, steps will be taken to create regional supply hubs and local partnerships will also be established to increase the flow of GSK products and medicines to under-served rural communities. GSK will also partner with South African-based Aspen Pharmacare to increase the registration of its medicines and

CPC woos film industry Board over consumer education Over the next three years, GSK will partner with charities to train 10,000 community healthcare workers in Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria

By Franklin Alli

T

HE Director General of Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs. Dupe Atoki, has enjoined the National Films & Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to educate consumers through proper categorization of movies before they are released into the market.

The CPC DG made the call while exchanging views with her

PML Advisory deploys Laser management tools for firms

By Franklin Alli

P

ML Advisory Limited has secured Etrends Technologies Pvt. Ltd; India’s approval to be using their Laser management tools in providing services to accountants, auditors and risks managers in small and large companies in Nigeria.

Based on this, the two firms have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the solutions in Nigeria. While PML Advisory is into providing services and solutions to Accountants,

vaccines. These steps will also boost efficient supply of products and reduce production costs.

“Over the next three years, GSK will partner with charities to train 10,000 community healthcare workers in Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria under the UN-based initiative One Million Health Worker campaign.

“Today, we are setting out further steps to tackle Africa’s dual health burden of infectious and emerging non-communicable diseases and help build crucial capacity.''

circumstances, as this will reduce the risk of disenfranchising eligible citizens.

“We reiterate the need for the key institutions in the transition to be above board - INEC, security agencies and the Judiciary. They should be nonpartisan, and should be seen to be so. This is necessary to earn the confidence of the citizens and the stakeholders in the electoral process”.

“We call on the political players to conduct themselves with the highest level of responsibility and civility. They should as well avoid acts of desperation and violence. We welcome the Abuja Accord that abhors violence in the electioneering process before, during and after the election,” he said.

Bello noted that times like these called for innovation, creativity and competition by the various levels of governments, adding that, one of the biggest constraints to economic advancement and diversification was the quasifederal system of government.

“It has entrenched the culture of dependence on the centre for too long. A true federal system is needed to harness the energies and resourcefulness of the sub national governments.

We are hoping that this will be on the political reform agenda in the new political dispensation.

auditors and risk managers, Etrends, India specializes in developing web based internal audit management, risk management and compliance solutions which cater for needs of companies in small and large enterprises.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Abiola Fajimi, Chief Operating Officer, PML Advisory, said “Our partnership agreement covers deployment and implementation of Laser audit reporting system, legal compliance and risk management system.”

According to him, with this partnership, we believe that good days are ahead for Nigeria businesses to be able to manage their internal controls, processes, reporting, compliance with laws and regulations.

colleague, the Director General of Mrs. Patricia Bala, who led a delegation of the Board’s Management, to pay a courtesy call on the Council at its headquarters in Abuja.

Mrs. Atoki said the growth of the country’s movie industry is impacting on almost every Nigerian home and therefore demands that the education of consumers on the categorization of movies must be stepped up for adequate protection of the consumers, particularly the children “because the children need to be protected from certain kinds of movies”.

She assured the NFVCB delegation that her Council will be willing to collaborate with the Board in the sensitization of consumers with a view to ensuring the protection of their rights as part of its wide mandate of promoting and protecting

LCCI debates private companies’ conversion bill

T

he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has scheduled a forum of stakeholders for Tuesday th 27 January to discuss the Private Companies Conversion and

Listing Bill (2013) which, last November, passed the second reading on the floor of the House of Representatives. The event holds at Commerce House, Idowu Taylor Street, Victoria Island.

consumers in all areas of their consumption.

Encompassing mandate While emphasizing the vastness of the Council’s mandate, she stated that “I always like to say that we have a very versatile and allencompassing mandate amongst all the agencies in Nigeria because every single Nigerian is a consumer of either goods or services and there is no other agency that has the mandate to affect or support any group that is as large as ours.

“It shows, therefore, the extent we have to reach in terms of the spread that is expected of us and obviously collaboration will be necessary in order to reach this large spread because we can’t do it alone. And we are always ready to collaborate with any agency that may have some form of protection to ride on to reach the consumers”, she added.

Earlier, the DG of NFVCB said the purpose of the visit was to consolidate on the existing synergy between the two organizations.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015—25

I N S I D E

THE GLAMOUR OF MANIFESTOES:

FEB POLL: Jonathan ’ll win through a tough race — Udenwa

Page 26

Are Nigerians being taken for a ride?

Why more journalists should enter politics — Comrade Ekpunobi Page 27

Page 28

The APC was swift in responding to the assertion by the army as it noted that the institution was being manipulated for political ends.

If blood was bleeding, the action of the army spokesman turned the cut into a gush.

The army’s revelation came on the day that Buhari had a very successful rally that practically grounded Kano. The revelation was almost turning the success in Kano into a sour.

Many who had been following the issue, however, did not know that a few days before the army’s claim, Buhari had himself made an application to his former school for the statement of his result and the application which ordinarily should have been honoured within a day, however, took days to be approved.

After the certificate saga, what next?

FOLLOWING the seeming resolution of the issues surrounding the educational qualification of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Maj-Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd), the prospect of redirecting the campaign to core issues remains a variable for the political gladiators.

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

‘D

EMOCRACY is all about freedom and any democracy without it is not democracy,” President Goodluck Jonathan said from the political podium last Wednesday in Dutse, Jigawa State as he sought to change the tune of the campaign after the certificate saga surrounding the man in hot pursuit for his job seemed to have cleared up.

The president’s words were apparently reflective of the fact that the credibility question which his campaign team had tried to stamp on Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC may have fallen flat.

Buhari and his close associates had derisively dismissed questions about his certificate after two newspapers had reported that he only submitted an affidavit in lieu of his secondary school certificate.

Campaign spokesman Jonathan’s foot soldiers, notably his campaign spokesman, Femi Fani-Kayode had led the charge against Buhari questioning the qualification of the APC candidate to stand for the polls.

Buhari’s decision to ignore the allegation that he did not possess a secondary school certificate and the defence put up by some of his handlers including a member of the APC presidential screening committee that the constitution only required proof of a secondary school education, only lured Jonathan’s handlers to draw for blood.

And they were swift in moving in on with their seeming prey.

“It is disingenuous for Buhari to say that he contested previous elections and that the issue of his qualifications did not arise,” Fani-Kayode said in a statement last Monday.

Serious issue

•Buhari: APC candidate “The fact that he got away with it in 2003, 2007 and 2011 does not make it right. The minimum that Nigerians require from Buhari is the presentation of his secondary school certificate which enabled him to gain admission into the Nigerian Military College in 1962 and on which basis he became a commissioned officer of the Nigerian Army.

“As long as he cannot produce that secondary school certificate, we believe that he is not qualified to run for the Presidency of Nigeria,” Fani-Kayode pressed

Issues for APC •Corruption •Security •Economy

•Jonathan: PDP candidate on.

The matter for Buhari was further exacerbated when the outgoing director of army public relations, Brigadier-General Olajide Laleye addressed a press conference where he claimed that in response to public concerns that the army had decided to release all details of the credentials as concerning Buhari.

He disclosed that there was no evidence that Buhari ever submitted a certificate in the course of his admission noting almost derisively that what Buhari had was a notice from his principal in 1961 that the candidate was of good character and was in position to pass his papers.

“Neither the original copy, Certified True Copy, CTC, nor statement of result of Major General Muhammadu Buhari’s WASC result is in his personal

file. What I have said here is what is contained in his service records’ personal file. We have not added or subtracted anything,” the army spokesman said.

Remarkably, his action was without the prompting of the affected officer, that is, Buhari, a development that raised concern in the polity that the army may have taken a partisan support against the former head of state.

Issues for PDP •Buhari’s certificate is suspicious •Buhari is guilty of perjury •Infrastructure •Security

For what reason, no one could say especially as Buhari’s old school, Katsina Provincial College, now Government Secondary School, Katsina is under the control of a PDP government.

By Tuesday evening after much effort had been put to get the statement of result from the present school, word emerged that Buhari was to speak on the matter the following day.

And when he spoke, he cleared the air on the issue saying that it was for him something he would ordinarily have ignored given what he claimed as the more serious issues affecting the country.

He said: “I only consented to address you this morning because of the genuine concern expressed by many supporters and other well-meaning Nigerians that the issue be addressed. Otherwise, I would have dismissed it for what it is— sheer mischief— and would not have considered it an issue worth the nation’s while.”

“I had assumed all along that all my records were in the custody of the Military Secretary of the Nigerian Army. Much to my surprise, we are now told that although a record of the result is available, there are no copies of the certificates in my personal file. This is why I formally requested my old school, the Provincial Secondary School, Katsina (which is now known as Government College, Katsina) to make available the school’s copy

Continues on page 27

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

well armed. But now, gradually arms are coming in. So the Boko Haram thing, I believe will be over very quickly.

On the welfare on Nigerians under President Jonathan Jonathan has gradually started investment in basic infrastructure. You can see the ongoing revolution in every sector. I was a member of the National Executive Council when the railway concept came up under the Yar’ardua/Jonathan administration.

Basic infrastructure

•Udenwa: PDP will send Okorocha packing

Okorocha is just showmanship — Udenwa •Jonathan 'll win through a tough race CHIEF Achike Udenwa, a former governor of Imo State in this interview spoke on the prospects of President Goodluck Jonathan in the forthcoming presidential election and concluded that it would be a tight race. Udenwa, who expressed confidence that the president would emerge victorious, also spoke on the chances of his party, the PDP, in the governorship election in Imo. Excerpts: prominent role in who becomes

By Charles Kumolu the president?

Christians in the North have AN you predict the outcome of the 2015 seen what Boko Haram is all about. And also the Muslims presidential election?

It will likely be a close contest themselves who thought didn't but at the end of the day concern them are now President Jonathan will still win. concerned. So there would be a Buhari is not going to have the lot of mixed feelings. Boko kind of votes he had in the North Haram crisis is not as a result of in 2011. In 2011 Buhari rode on leadership failure. The religious sentiment and then on leadership is doing a lot. You can the sentiment that the North said see the massive defense budget it was its turn. But a lot has we have had so far. What was happened between 2011 and the spending when Buhari was 2015, especially the Boko Haram Head of State?

Even Obasanjo spent less on insurgency. We have seen the defense.

It is just now because devastating effect of Boko Haram on both Muslims and of the effect of Boko Haram that predominantly on Christians. So we have started re-equipping that means there would be a shift our armed forces. You could in the voting pattern in the North. remember initially when Boko Are you saying that the Haram started the army was security question will play a complaining that they were not

C

At that time it was meant to only link the South-West to the NorthWest. But when Jonathan became President, he approved that the Eastern wing of the railways from Port Harcourt to Enugu and Kaduna be revamped. That tells you his desire for basic infrastructure.

In fairness the first investment in the power sector stared with Obasanjo. But you can see to what extent it has taken place under Jonathan. He has privatized the generation and distribution sub-sectors.

So this has resulted in some form of improvement though not the type we’re expecting.

As the head of the President’s re-election team in Imo State, can we know the chances of the President in your state where the governor, Rochas Okorocha is believed to have performed well?

Rochas has not done well in Imo. Just compare the amount of money that is coming into the state and what we have on ground.

Imagine the type of investments that have been done. Are there basic economic investments in Imo State for the past three and half years? Has there been any investment that would boost the economy? It is

not by building conference centres. All he has been doing is showmanship.

One of the projects the present administration has undertaken in Imo State is the building of new general hospitals. We have these general hospitals already existing. At least in my time we had about 21 general hospitals in 27 local government areas. He built so much general hospitals when existing ones have not been well equipped. The present administration is so much concerned about showmanship.

Even the so called free education is not free because parents pay indirectly. Parents are paying more than what they were paying in the past. You have registration fee, you have the acceptance fee, you have this and that. At the end it is more than what you’re supposed to be paying.

That was why he announced in November last year that the fees would be abolished. If you now say you want free education at tertiary institution level where does it happen in the world?

Where and where? And when you say free education, to who?

It is either if you’re saying free education to all Imo indigenes, it means it is free to them

When the chips are down most of the people working in this government will vote against the governor and against the APC

wherever they are in the country.

There are a lot of deceits going on. And we are definitely going to expose them.

When are you going to expose these alleged deceits?

Having commenced our campaign on January 19, 2015, we will then expose the tissue of lies Rochas has been feeding our people. It is wrong to believe that our people love him. Most Imo people are already beginning to understand. They’re already beginning to understand.

Sustenance from government What you’re seeing is a lot of people who depend on the government for their daily bread.

There is hunger in the land.

There is so much hunger in Imo State today. So whoever is getting some little sustenance from the government is bound to tell you that he is popular.

What do you want him to say?

But I can tell you that when the chips are down most of the people working in this government will vote against the governor and against the APC. His second term ambition is a complete day dream. He is not coming back as governor On APC administration in Imo You can deceive people some of the time but not all the time. A lot of eyes are beginning to open. Some of the roads you know, when he came he started roads left, right and centre. Ask me how many of these roads have been completed. Some of the roads that were even completed are already breaking down.

But, is that right? Go to Orlu town many houses were demolished without any compensation till today. Some are in court some have even won their cases. Why would a government do that?

After the certificate saga, what next?

Continued from page 25 of the result of the Cambridge/ West African School Certificate.

This will be made available to the press the moment this is available.

“And although the ruling party may want to wish this away, the issue in this campaign cannot be my certificate which I obtained 53 years ago. The issues are the scandalous level of unemployment of millions of our young people, the state of insecurity, the pervasive official corruption which has impoverished our people and the lack of concern of the government for anything other than the retention of power at all costs.”

It was thus remarkable that after producing his certificate that

the president who also campaigned in Kano the same day that Buhari spoke to the press in Kano sought to direct the campaign towards the issue of liberty which he insinuated would be better protected under him than Buhari.

Fani-Kayode was, however, unrelenting even after Buhari had produced the result. In a statement following the Kano press conference, Jonathan’s spokesman asked Buhari to withdraw from the presidential contest on the basis of alleged perjury saying that Buhari lied on oath when he earlier claimed that his certificate was with the military board.

That assertion has been dismissed by Buhari’s associates who infer monkey business

saying that it was surprising that Buhari who was a former military secretary would have known if his records were not complete.

Critics of the APC presidential candidate were also looking for ways to pummel the APC candidate as they examined every detail of the statement issued by the school. Among issues being raised by these critics are that the first name in the result sheet is Mohammed and not Muhammadu as the presidential candidate is widely known as.

But Buhari and his associates were themselves dismissive of such as they urged the president and his campaign team to go back to what they referred to as the core issues of the campaign.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015—27

Why more journalists should enter politics — Comrade Ekpunobi •My chances in Imo House COMRADE Emeka Ekpunobi is a journalist of 21 years standing. Ekpunobi was rooted in buisness reporting until the emergence of the Fourth Republic when he became one of the pioneer reporters of the National Assembly and served for six years as the chairman of the Senate Press Corps.

Now an aspirant for the Onuimo State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, he explains in this interview his experience, purpose and plans.

By Joseph Erunke

C

OMING from journalism to politics, how has the experience been?

It has not been an easy journey so far. In all, it has been a wonderful experience, joining active partisan politics specially now that everybody is yearning for positive change .As a trained journalist, I joined politics to make a difference in the way and manner our so called professional politicians play the game.

We want to add value to the system. And having practiced as a journalist for over 21 years and having reported the parliament and by extension Nigerian politics for over 17 years I thought the best place to start would be to seek the mandate of the good people of Onuimo in Imo state to represent them in the state assembly.

I have covered the affairs of the National Assembly since 1999 and served as the chairman of the Senate Press Corps for over six years. All these exposed me to the workings of the parliament.

So you can see that I have the experience.

I joined politics after a year long sustained pressure from my people. My joining politics since 2013 was indeed a popular demand from both the young and

I have a very good chance to win the election in February 28, because APGA is on ground. The idea to cross over to APGA was not mine alone, it was a collective decision

old in my area who are genuinely convinced that I have the pedigree and character to give them quality representation in the state Assembly.

I caved in after a visit of some traditional rulers and others leaders in my clan to me. I was also encouraged by the fact that it was the turn of my clan to produce the next member of the state House of Assembly.

They were all in agreement that it was the turn of my area, (UmuduruEgbe Aguru) to produce the next lawmaker for the local government. We have four clans that make up the local government and none had gone twice since we started the new dispensation in 1999. It was a strong agreement that even some people who wanted to truncate in the past failed.

What is the situation today?

Initially, we thought the incumbent would not put up a fight in 2015 , having benefitted from this zoning arrangement.

We made several consultations, even with him on the need to sustain this noble arrangement.

The incumbent did not give us any reason then to suspect that he will go against our turn because my people were largely instrumental to him wining the election in 2011 when his then predecessor wanted to go for second term.

It was the vote of my people who were then delegates at the PDP primary that saw him through. In fact it was the prompt intervention of one of the PDP

•Ekpunobi: I will win chieftains from my clan, Chief Robert Asuzu that changed the game.

We thought the incumbent would reciprocate this gesture now that it is our turn. But we got it all wrong . Today the same man we helped is the PDP candidate for the state Assembly election. Well it is not over until it is over. All I know is that the peace we enjoy in Onuimo today is due to zoning and respect for it. We have a way of distributing some of these elective positions.

It reduces tension because we know which clan takes what at every election year.

What happened at the primary?

Yes I ran for the PDP primary with him with two others and I

lost to him by only one vote in mysterious circumstances. Don’t forget that he was also a delegate for the primary and so voted for himself. He had 15 and 1 got 14 .How the wining vote came is today, history.

Today you are the APGA candidate, what are your chances?

I have a very good chance to win the election in February 28, because APGA is on ground.

The idea to cross over to APGA was not mine alone, it was a collective decision. My people so much believe that we can still remedy the sad situation using another platform other than PDP. We have the sympathy of many people in the local government.

We have the support of many APC and PDP members who still believe in zoning .

Why we must rescue PDP from itself — Edojah HON. Solomon Edojah was a former Commissioner in Delta State and member of the House of Representatives. A stalwart of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, he was in Kwara state for 6 months to help salvage the state chapter of the party after the mass exodus of most politicians in the state from the party to the opposition All Progress Congress, APC. He aspired for the Delta Central senate seat in the recent PDP primaries but failed to secure the ticket. In this interview, he speaks on his experience and the chances of PDP in the forthcoming general elections. what exactly do you mean?

By now, I thought there were

By Levinus Nwabughiogu several lessons we should have OW would you describe learnt. But we are still learning. your experience at the PDP has a peculiar and very unique way of resolving internal primaries?

I entered the race believing that crisis. I think it is ingenious, I have the muzzle, the popularity ingenious in the sense that is it and what it takes to complete the not something any other person race. But like the usual PDP, it can quote. It is something that is went the PDP way but all that is only peculiar to the machinery history. We have put that behind of the PDP. It was really a storm but like I us and what is left now is how to pick our pieces and forge ahead. said whenever we have such a storm, being an old hand in the That is where I am.

When you say it went PDP way, PDP family, I always know that

H

•Edojah you don’t need to worry yourself, that one way or the other, the PDP will resolve itself. So, there is an inbuilt mechanism to resolve the PDP storm whenever they occur.

So, what you find in is not peculiar to Delta State. It is all over the country. You can see that

the Lagos State governorship aspirant, Obanikoro went as far as going to court.

But before you knew, PDP’s internal mechanism came up and he was overwhelmed. Today, they are all singing the same song with Jimi Agbaje. That is exactly what is happening in my state in Delta. All the aspirants who lost, I can’t remember any case in court. That is a plus for the PDP. I can’t also remember anyone of them who is not a party man, who never had the democratic temper of the PDP leave the party. Yes, a few of them left but those who started the party, who built the structure would not want to leave and become a tenant.

I chose to remain where I am because, it doesn’t make me a man of integrity if I have to abandon my house and become a tenant elsewhere except the house is on fire. But as we speak, the PDP is not on fire.

If it were on fire, yes, you can leave because you can’t die while trying to secure your house. But it is not on fire.

The umbrella may have one or two leakages but it is not torn into pieces yet that will make me to abandon.

But you are alleging irregularities by your own party having said you had all it took to secure your ticket but later lost.

The PDP is such a revolving decimal. Today, you may be on the other side of it and you see darkness. It is like when the earth is rotating and tomorrow the light can come.

The governor at one time had everything and we were working for him and all of a sudden, the thing worked the other way. And knowing full well he had benefited from the party, he had to remain and work for the party.

The same thing with me.

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

A

LL over the democratic world, election periods are always picturesque, fascinating and often interesting. In Nigeria, the contending political parties make elections a peculiar business which soaks the naira in its billions. It is always a boom for the media and the printing industry.

It should be recalled that previous elections since the return of Democracy in 1999 have always been eventful with results also predictable because of the simple political structure – one strong political party and some minor, often internally divided, Opposition parties.

Many Nigerians would have made up their minds, irrespective of party promises, either because of religious bias or tribal sentiments. Thus, the ruling Peoples‘ Democratic Party (PDP) could be perceived as a truly Nigerian party The present PDP is believed to be a political organ of the earlier military junta to install one of its own in government. It has grown over the past 15 years into an octopus, that it sees itself as the biggest political entity in Africa that is capable of ruling the country for the next sixty years.

The complex structure of the PDP and its inability to manage its electoral victories in a troublesome decade seems to have affected adversely its internal cohesion to some extent. At times, the centre appears not able to hold properly, otherwise, things appear seemingly stable.

Many patriotic Nigerians, feeling so uncomfortable with the risk of Nigeria transforming alarmingly into a ‘one-party state, justifiably wished for a virile opposition party.

Indeed some small and medium political parties, with not much dissimilarities from the PDP, but united by the desire to chase out the ruling party emerged. The new opposition

THE GLAMOUR OF MANIFESTOES:

Are Nigerians being taken for a ride? party registered as All Progressives Congress (APC) came to torment and shake the over confident ruling party.

Since there is no marked ideological or philosophical difference in political and economic postures of the two parties, the traffic from one party to the other has become less hazardous. One comfortable home for one is a safe haven for the other. It is a matter of personal

Many patriotic Nigerians, feeling so uncomfortable with the risk of Nigeria transforming alarmingly into a ‘one-party state, justifiably wished for a virile opposition party

interest in a juicy and profitable political panorama.

However, the old and the new (not so new) have developed new gimmicks in a colourfully printed party manifestoes – promises made several times before but not fully accomplished.

The manifestoes, though neatly packaged in lurid but different colours, are all towards the same objectives of security, political and economic stability.

There is no doubt that Nigeria, after 100 years of experiment (1914-2014) needs peace and stability to continue to survive as a nation. This lofty objective will not be achieved by mere sentiments or promises, no matter how elegantly produced in glossy prints or eloquently voiced at election rallies, but in action and attitude.

It is possible without any prompting by editorial excellence or oratorial sophistry for a true Nigerian to see and appreciate progress and innovation, if any. There is no doubt that Nigeria at 2015 is far different from pre-independence Nigeria, under British imperialism.

There have been impressive changes since 1960 which were

unfortunately interrupted by the civil war of 1967 to 1970. If Nigeria is still witnessing a civil war (upsurge of terrorism) in the second decade of the 21 st century, it points to one clear sign that the present Nigerian leaders have failed to learn from the lessons of history. Perhaps those who want a Change (if it is for better) have their points.

Unfortunately, the parties‘ manifestoes have failed to be specific on the road to peace and stability.

However, in the midst of dancing in colourful attires that follow the political rallies, some casual but relevant statements by the presidential candidates point to the right solution to the troubles of Nigerians and “with Nigeria” General Buhari (APC Candidate) was reported to have said, if elected the President, I will appoint the most eligible Nigerians into my Cabinet.

President Jonathan was quoted as saying that “winners take all” attitude is the bane of Nigerian politics. It looks as if the two aspiring Nigerian leaders have the perfect answer – the composition of the FG It has been observed that the

control and composition of the Federal Government has been the most fundamental problem of the country. If the ruling party wins, the party nominates its supporters to fill all available positions without any consideration for the opposition.

As a means of strengthening its political position, the winner would also pick his supporters as representing the Opposition States. The selfish attitude tends to encourage divisive tendencies in Nigerian politics.

There is a common belief that the present insurgency in the North-east thrives on the lack of unity among the political leaders to tackle the problem. Once the Boko Haram insurgents realize that the fight is against the whole country, they and their foreign backers would face reality and disappear.

The two successful examples of ‘multi-national States are from Switzerland and Belgium. The Swiss Democracy sees to it that the Federal Government is made up of the contesting political parties. In Belgium, the political parties negotiate the composition of the Federal Government. The “winner takes all” mentality does not operate at the federal level.

The economy It is surprising that at the time the price of the black gold – the mainstay of our economy is falling, the emoluments of the political office holders remain untouchable. The mighty Naira is being battered here and there.

Poser How interesting would it be if there is a final debate between President Ebele Jonathan and his challenger, General Muhammed Buhari on the topic of Security.

The venue should be SAMBISA FOREST with Chief Femi FaniKayode and Rotimi Amaechi as Moderators.

Why Itsekiri will vote for Okowa — Okotie The National Coordinator, Benin River Vanguard (BRV), Anthony Okotie in this interview, declares that Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Delta State will eventually emerge victorious at the poll. Excerpts:

By Charles Adingupu

A

S the general election draws near with the ticking of the clock, aspirants of different political parties at different levels are putting finishing touches to their campaigns. For some, there is no alternative to electoral victory in their different constituencies. But for others, the election is not different from an ordinary afternoon athletic contest that one would walk away from if the result is otherwise.

However in Delta State, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, seems to be on top of the game, as feelers showed that the various opposition parties angling for the exalted seat of the

state have ethnic colouration.

The national coordinator of the Benin-River Vanguard (BRV), a social cultural organisation, Anthony Okotie, however, assured that the emergence of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as the state flag bearer of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has guaranteed victory not only for the party members but for Deltans at large.

Despite these ethnic cleavages which have become the norm of Delta politics, the activist stated that the PDP umbrella is big enough to accommodate the different ethnic groups bickering over the governorship of Delta State.

“For me, PDP is the only party that does not discriminate. It’s a

party for all. Hence, people in Delta must support Okowa in realising his governorship aspiration,” he said.

In this regard, the social crusader beckoned on indigenes of Itsekiri extraction not to hesitate in casting their votes for Senator Okowa, who, he describes as a tested hand and a man who can deliver the inherent benefits of democracy.

His words, “The Itsekiris must rally round Senator Okowa because he is exposed to the vagaries of political underplay in governance. There’s no gainsaying that he will continue the good work of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan if elected governor.

Noting Okowa’s promises of boosting infrastructure development, he said: “I believe that what is most critical at this stage of our development, is job creation. The man, Senator Okowa has given his word on it. However, those who know him too well would attest that he’s not a man who reneges on promises. Certainly,

•Okotie: Okowa will win he will create jobs in order to checkmate the unwholesome activities of our youths who have taken to crime and indulge in other vices contrary to conventional norms,” he said.

The BRV coordinator posited

that Senator Okowa’s disposition to electoral campaign in the state, shows that he’s a grassroot politician already abreast with the suffering of ordinary Deltans.

“Deltans will certainly agree with me that Senator Okowa’s style of campaign goes beyond recording electoral victory but ostensibly feels the pulse of average Deltans in order to address their immediate and legitimate needs upon assumption of office.

“He has broken the ethnic barriers in Delta State by ensuring that the crisis rocking virtually all the regions are settled politically. This will continue if elected. The composition of his campaign team speaks volumes of his stance against politics of exclusion which has more or less become a sine qua non in Delta State politics,” Okotie said.

According to the right activist, the list of Senator Okowa’s campaign team depicts that he is a detribalized politician.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 29

C M Y K

30 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 31

32 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

VOL. 1: NO. 8

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 Action Congress and later became Action Congress of Nigeria which has now metamorphosed into All Progressives Congress.

But, the recent crisis in the APC in some states in the region led to the rebirth of SDP. In Ogun State, for example, a former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba became aggrieved following the manner with which he was reportedly treated by some leaders of the party during the crisis between him and his estranged godson, the governor of the state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

Osoba was reported to have floated a fresh party, Action Group of Nigeria, but, was reportedly scuttled at the point of registration by his political rivals. This development reportedly prompted him to adopt SDP which was said to have been registered by a former Presidential candidate on the platform of Alliance for Democracy, Chief Olu Falae.

Alliance against the APC

SDP: The third leg in S-West politics

By Daud Olatunji

T

HE Social Democratic Party, SDP, acronym is not entirely new in the South West due to its fame in 1993 when the late business mogul , Chief MKO Abiola contested and won as the President of Nigeria, but, the result was annulled.

Apart from this, the SDP called the shots in Ogun State between January 1992 and November 1993 before the administration of General Sani Abacha interrupted the political arrangement on 17 November 1993.

Since then, the SDP had

become a household name in politics in the region and infact in the entire country. But, it’s fame was cut short when the military regime disbanded the SDP and the National Republican Convention, NRC .

History had it that, both the SDP and the NRC were decreed around 1992 by the military government to develop national consensus and consciousness .

The SDP then was deemed a little to the left, the NRC a little to the right. Both parties encompassed different personalities who included;

late Umar Yar’Adua, Olu Falae , Adamu Ciroma and Umaru Shinkafi among others.

After the military onslaught on the parties and democracy during the period, the SDP lost its fame in the South West as the region embraced a fresh

Ondo Police recount losses over bank robbery in Ikare •Page 2

party then, the Alliance for Democracy, AD. This defunct party was branded Yoruba party and enjoyed wide acceptance within the shore of Yoruba speaking states.

The AD metamorphosed to

An unconfirmed report however, has it that the new SDP was registered by a former governor who was in the PDP, but reportedly conceded the platform to Falae and Osoba.

Checks by Vanguard revealed that some Yoruba leaders who were aggrieved with APC include; Olu Falae, Segun Osoba, Chief Ajayi Olaniwun, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and a host of others formed alliance against the APC. The alliance was hinged on the fact that, APC has failed the people of the region in its promises.

The APC which prides itself with the legacies of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo was accused of abandoning the Awo’s ideal.

A chieftain of the SDP and a serving member of House of Representatives, Adekunle Adeyemi described the SDP as a new progressives platform.

He said the APC has failed to Continues on Page 2

IN THIS EDITION

When SDP Oyo rally turned awry •Page 3

Lagos Poll: I’m confident that Agbaje ‘ll win — Obanikoro •Page 6

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

ONDO STATE

Ondo Police recount losses over bank robbery in Ikare

By Dayo Johnson

I

KARE — IT was indeed a black Tuesday for both the people of Ikare, in Akoko North East area of Ondo state and the Nigeria Police Command, Ondo State Command, as 21 persons which included eight policemen and 13 others, met their untimely death.

No thanks to a rampaging 25man armed robbery gang who invaded the ancient town in a bid to track down a bullion van conveying N25 million to one of the new generation banks in the town. Also among the dead included two graduates and school pupils.

Since that fateful day, scathing condemnations within and outside the state have continued to trail the action of the armed-men who tried to rob five banks in the state.

Meanwhile, the family of one of the deceased policemen, Corporal Kola Ogidan has accused the state police command of being nonchalant to their son’s burial arrangement.

The family spokesperson, Kayode Ogidan told Vanguard that they have been abandoned since their son was killed during the robbery incident.

Meanwhile, according to a Police source, who pleaded anonymity, the number of casualties recorded during the robbery operation was high as the robbers were frustrated by the police in their desperate bid to rob the bullion van.

Command’s image-maker, Wole Ogodo while speaking with Vanguard on the Ikare robbery, described the attack as unfortunate and a sad tragedy.

Ogodo who confirmed that policemen were killed by the robbers pointed out that they eventually raided five banks in quick succession.

His words: “The attack was sudden and coordinated. They used General Purpose Machine Guns, improvised explosive devices and other sophisticated weapons. They came in large number and syndicated

They used General Purpose Machine Guns, improvised explosive devices and other sophisticated weapons

themselves.

“The group of 25 armed men who attacked Ikare police station came on foot through the unfenced part of the station. The station guards engaged them but were out numbered with the sophisticated weapons of the robbers, which made them to retreat.

“They demobilized the Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, at the station by shooting at the tyres because it was not bullet proof. Two male civilians were killed at the station and the entire Police station was vandalised.

The other syndicates raided five banks and carted away unspecified amount of money.”

Speaking further, Ogodo said: “We lost five policemen attached to Fast Strike Squad that ran into the hoodlums. The hoodlums fled when they saw the two APCs despatched from neighbouring divisions and demobilized them by firing their tyres. They began to shoot at innocent people as they escaped.”

He also confirmed that the robbers targeted a bank bullion van on special escort with N25 million, but the vehicle was saved by the police escort .

Stating that two un-detonated devices were recovered at

scene of the robberies, the police command, however, assured members of the town that the perpetrators of the devilish act will soon be arrested.

Ogodo declared that a high profile investigation has been instituted and frantic efforts are on to track down d hoodlums.

Meanwhile, the family of one of the policemen that was killed has raised alarm over the nonchallant attitude of the state police command to the burial arrangement of their son Corporal Kola Ogidan.

The family while speaking through Kayode Ogida told Vanguard that Kola’s team was part of mobile police team that was posted to Ikare from Akure and was killed on duty during

SDP: The third leg in S-West politics Continued from Page 1 sustain the core value of the South West which he said was qualitative free education .

Adeyemi took on APC government on the area of construction of model school describing it as totally different

Failed assignment Angered by this failed assignment, the robbers decided to shoot at everybody in sight including the school pupils returning home from school, even as they carted away the rifles of the policemen after killing them.

It was gathered that no fewer than 19 AK47 riffles were reportedly carted away from the Police station after killing policemen they met there.

Four of the rifles were reportedly taken from the policemen who were killed at one of the bank premises along Jubilee road in Ikare-Akoko, while the others were also reportedly carted away when the robbers attacked the Police Station at Igbede along Owo road in the town.

This was contained in a signal sent to all the police divisions in the state command by the police authorities.

The police formations were directed to intensify efforts to recover the rifles which are mainly A.K 47. Meanwhile, the

the armed robbery incident in Ikare. Ogidan said: “The unfortunate thing is that the police authority did not take any responsibility to bear the cost of his burial. When contacted by the family, they said there is no budget to bear the cost of his burial including the other slained corps and that each family should be responsible for their funeral.

“So, it is the family that was responsible for the coffin, the ambulance used to convey the corpse and the entire burial. Till now, the police authority has not visited the family nor made any promise Corporal Kola’s immediate family.”

Corporal Ogidan is said to be survived by his aged father, mother, a son and an expectant wife. When contacted on the allegation, the police imagemaker, Ogodo who declined comment said it is “an internal affair of the police that is not meant for the pages of newspapers.”

from Awolowo’s legacy.

He said, Awolowo believed in neighbourhood, pupils should not be far from their parents, the idea of model schools is not known as Awolowo legacy.

Apart from this accusation, the aggrieved Yoruba leaders believed that the former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has turned the party into his personal asset and used it to achieve his personal aggrandisement.

Personal aggrandisement These aggrieved elders in the region felt that they have been left out in the scheme of things in the region. So, the struggle for political relevance among others seem to have propelled them to launch SDP as an alternative platform of progressives.

The Yoruba leaders have launched the party in three states where governorship elections would take place this year. Apart from Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states where governorship election was not going to take place in this year, SDP has been positioned in the remaining states such as Ogun, Oyo and Lagos states where the governorship election will hold.

SDP in Ogun state: In Ogun State, Osoba launched the party which he claimed has 50,000 registered members. He also said he was targeting

•One of the new generation banks attacked in the robbery operation.

•Slain Corporal Kola Ogidan

Continues on Page 3

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 3

OYO STATE

SDP: The third leg in S-West politics Continued from Page 2

•SDP supporters scaling fences to avoid being attacked by the rampaging hoodlums.

500,000 votes ahead of the coming election.

Osoba alongside his followers including all the three serving Senators, six members of House of Representatives, two members of House of Assembly and other loyalists dumped APC for SDP. All of these serving senators and lawmakers are contesting on the platform of the SDP. As at today, SDP is a party to beat in the state as both the leaders and the members seem not to be taking chances with the election.

It was gathered that, Osoba is seeing this election as his

When SDP Oyo rally turned awry •Falae, others escape death

By OLA AJAYI

I

BADAN—THE relative peace enjoyed by Oyo residents over the last four years of Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration was ruptured on Monday, when some political thugs stormed the ancient Mapo Hall, disrupting the flag-off campaign rally of Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Social Democratic Party, SDP, governorship candidate.

The elaborate rally saw the former Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Olu Falae; former Minister of Power and Steel, Elder Wole Oyelese, the party’s deputy governorship candidate, Mr. Sulaiman Adediran, the State Chairman of the party, Mr. Sunday Adelaja and several others escaping death by whiskers, even as others in the rally sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Dangerous weapons Also injured were some journalists such as Mr. Femi Amusan, an AIT reporter and the camera man, Ibrahim AlliBalogun, as well as Wale Ojedokun from TVC. AlliBalogun, apart from being beaten had his car vandalized with several machete cuts on it. Chief Falae, Makinde and others had to be shielded by security agents when the hoodlums threw sanity into the winds. Dangerous weapons such as machetes, knives, bottles and other instruments of death were being brandished by the rampaging hoodlums.

Save for the quickly intervention of security agents at the venue who fired tear-gas

canisters to disperse the hoodlums, it would have turned bloody. Meanwhile, those who were resorted to the scaling of the Mapo Hall’s high perimetre fence.

The violence took many by surprise because Makinde who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the SDP, has been known to have been currying the favour of Governor Ajimobi.

Another argument put forward is that the attack wouldn’t have come from the All Progressives Congress, APC, the ruling party in the state, as Makinde’s advert for instance was first seen on the electronic billboard which Governor Ajimobi erected in some parts of the city to boost the internally generated revenue of his government.

Political foes So, it was argued that the attack may have been masterminded by some perceived political foes of Makinde, even though until now, the true identity of the hoodlums are yet to be known.

Vanguard gathered that there was a bloody clash between rival factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW. The clash which took place somewhere at Ojaoba was said to have later spread to Mapo Hall, venue of the rally.

However, another version of the argument was that the alleged master-minders of the violence were PDP thugs, because those who spoke at the rally were said to have made uncomplimentary remarks party at both the federal and state levels.

For instance, in his speech,

Makinde had said “My sojourn in the PDP was an attempt to join hands with others to rebuild our state. But, alas, what I found there is better reserved for posterity. It is an assemblage of enemies of the people, particularly in Oyo State. I also look at the helm of affairs in our state, I realize they are not committed to moving our people out of the woods.

“So, I with concerned leaders of our people, decided to look beyond our state. I sought help from those who have impacted positively on their immediate environment and beyond, to join hands with them to rebuild our state with innovative ideas and programmes.”

Similarly, another version alleged that the APC supporters may not be unconnected to the violence as they didn’t feel at ease when Makinde said at the rally that “Oyo State people have no reason to be poor. Bad governance, greed and unbridled corruption have led us

I sought help from those who have impacted positively on their immediate environment and beyond, to join hands with them to rebuild our state with innovative ideas and programmes

to this sorry state. Oyo workers are hungry, teachers are not paid, traders have been harassed and many artisans have abandoned their trades and have resorted to begging.

“We cannot continue like this.

The clamour for change is very loud and clear among our people. The change they clamour for is a positive social change devoid of deception which some other parties call change. What our people want is a change that comes from fresh hope, a new beginning and a new era.”

Throwing of stones Speaking further, he said: “The change we are bringing will not see a few feeding fat at the expense of the majority. When we say we employed 20, 000 youths, it will be 20, 000 youths physically counted. We will not deceive the people by telling them we employed 20, 000 when in fact, 7, 500 were employed. We will not rip off N125 million monthly from the unemployed youth.”

The rally was about to be rounded-off when the hoodlums started throwing stones at the crowd and this made people to run for cover.

Makinde who was presenting his speech hurriedly concluded.

In fact, there was no time for closing prayers as people were holding their heads to dodge flying objects from all directions.

In a related development, the governorship candidate of the PDP, Teslim Folarin, who was quick to react to the incident, in a statement through his Director of Media, Victor Oluwadamilare, accused the APC-led government of culpability.

likely last political battle for relevance, following the crisis he had with Amosun.

The former governor was reportedly persuaded in 2011 to allow Amosun run on the platform of ACN despite the presence of the array of aspirants who had already lined up for the position before Amosun came on board from the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party.

Osoba was reported to have described the February election as a political war which he said deserved serious commitment.

As part of his plans to win the election, Osoba had announced an Awori man as the governorship candidate of the party to slug it out with Amosun.

Vanguard learnt that, the choice of Senator Akin Odunsi, a serving Senator from Ogun West as the SDP governorship candidate was carefully made to weaken the stronghold of Amosun.

Latest statistics Ado-Odo/Ota local government where most Awori people reside has the largest votes in the state.

Findings have shown that, in all the three Senatorial districts in the state, Ogun Central has the largest votes power.

According to latest statistics, Ogun Central which has six local governments produced 58 per cent of the votes cast in 2011 while both Ogun East and West shared the remaining 42 per cent.

Amosun is a product of Ogun Central and he is seen as being favoured by the statistics but, the recent development seems to be shaking the expected victory of Amosun in the coming election.

Osoba’s factor is said to be threatening the total acceptance of Amosun in the central. Osoba who hailed from Obafemi-Owode is believed to be a strong factor in the rural areas of the state.

Some of his programmes were concentrated on rural areas when he held the sway as governor of the state.

Amosun whose presence was greatly felt in the urban centre is said to be banking on his popularity among the rural dwellers who constituted the largest number of voters in the state.

A reliable source told our correspondent that, there is disquiet in the APC following the alleged swell of membership of the SDP which Continues on Page 6

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

OWAN'BE... THE SOCIAL LIFE OF YORUBA Input by Onozure Dania (08026651636)

•Bride's friends •The Yoruba value act of prostrating

•The cake for the 'I do' segment •Aso Ebi adorned by groom's friends

•Articulate oriental wedding attires

•Wedding uniforms •The mothers were not left out of the party

•Bisodun and Dipo dancing during their wedding

•More uniforms

•Families of Bisodun and Dipo turned out in expensive clothes

•Cutting lavish traditional wedding cake

Even the guests were gaily dresses

•Bisodun and Dipo’s wedding

•Chinelo and Okey’s wedding

•Expensive bridal train

C M Y K

C M Y K

C M Y K

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 5

OSUN STATE

Osun monarch confers chieftaincy title on Canadian envoy in Nigeria

By Lateef Dada

O

SOGBO— The relationship between Nigeria and Canada was further strengthened recently when a traditional ruler in Osun state, HRM Oba (Arc.) Aderemi Adedapo, the Obalufon Alayemoore Olojudo of Ido-Osun, Osun State conferred a traditional Chieftaincy title on the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner, DHC, in Nigeria, Mr. Marcello Di Franco.

Di Franco was installed as the Aare Agbasaga of Ido-Osun due to his support for the culture of Yoruba since he came to Nigeria in September 2012.

The elaborate event had in attendance, all Chiefs and monarchs in the suburb of IdoOsun, as the father of Di Franco also followed his son to Nigeria for the gesture.

Also, other family and friends of the DHC from Canada, thronged to the palace of Olojudo to witness the installation ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Oba Adedapo, described the Di Franco as a cultural person that has strengthened the cultural relationship between Canada and Nigeria, urging all traditional rulers to wake up and promote the Yoruba culture.

Yoruba culture He frowned at the way the culture of Yoruba is going into extinction, saying such is a bad omen for the future of the nation. Oba Adedapo, who is the Secretary, National Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria, described the culture of Yoruba as a rich one that deserves recognition and promotion.

He however appealed to the Di Franco to support his town to reconstruct the old palace and turn it to a tourist attraction.

He said, “We want to appeal to the Deputy High Commissioner to use his position and help us rebuild our old palace that we want to turn to a tourist centre.”

He noted that Ido-Osun has been existing in the last 1000 years, saying “I am the 46th king in this town. We have the council of Obas from Sultan of Sokoto, Ooni of Ife in the West, and I am the Secretary.

"The present Ooni of Ife is the 50th Oba in Ile-Ife, while I am the 46th in Ido-Osun. Though, I started as nobody, but, today I thank God I am the most read Oba in this country,” he boasted.

Oba Adedapo, who is also the former Secretary to the United Nation Secretary General, Kofi Anna, stressed that it is culture that dictates whom a person is

and where a person comes from. He however announced that the DHC has become a son of Ido-Osun and entitled to take a land and build whatever

he likes in the town.

Responding, Di Franco expressed his gratitude to the royal father whom he described as very accommodating. He

said, “I have been in Nigeria since September 2012 and I was very impressed to have met this King.”

The new chief who also noted that he has facilitated the opportunity for Nigerians to study in Canada, said “the number of Nigerians studying in Canada have been increased from 500 to 6,000 when I became Deputy High Commissioner.” He stressed that several things have been done to strengthen educational and cultural relationship between Nigeria and Canada during his time.

He however promised to foster more relationship between the two countries, urging that education should be given priority. Earlier, the Chairman, organising committee, Mr Wale Olaitan, appreciated the royal father and the DHC for their cooperation in ensuring the success of the programme.

He explained that the move to bring the High Commission to Osun State was tedious as the country was afraid of insecurity. He however thanked God, saying “efforts are on to make sure that IdoOsun has a sister state in Canada.”

•Oba Olojudo installing Di Franco as Aare Agbasaga of Ido-Osun in his palace.

Oba Falabi @ 80: 60 Ikire indigenes receive free eye surgeries

By Gbenga Olarinoye

I

KIRE— As part of activities marking his 80th birthday anniversary, the Akire of Ikireland, in Irewole local government area of Osun State, Oba Olatunde Falabi has bankrolled the surgical operations for 60 people in his domain with different eye defects. In addition, several people who •One of the beneficiaries of the free eye-test. were diagnosed of having minor eye defects that does not require surgery were equally given free eye glasses. know their health status. the society not to leave this Speaking before the He however, urged the rich matter in the hands of commencement of the free eye- people in the society to sponsor government alone but to test programme, Oba Falabi eye surgery operations for complement the efforts of the said he was moved to sponsor patients who could not afford government by coming into the the programme because of his the cost of surgery. His words: aid of the indigent ones among personal experience having “We all know the importance of us.” The manager, St. Mary suffered from an eye defect in sight to our daily activities, and Catholic Eye Hospital, Agothe past. this is why I called on my Iwoye, Mr. Daniel Anthony, While emphasizing that the people not to neglect their who led the medical team eye is very crucial in fulfilling sight, but to always go for lamented that no family in one’s vision, the royal father medical check ups to avoid Nigeria is completely free of encouraged his people to go for their eyes from going bad. people having one eye defect regular medical check-up to “I appeal to our well-to-do in or the other.

The ceremony which witnessed the presence of eminent sons and daughters of Ikire Land, including Hon. Ayo Omidiran, a member of the house of representatives, however saw some of the beneficiaries expressing their gratitude to the monarch for his kind gesture. This is even as they urged other wealthy Nigerians in the society to emulate him.

6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

LAGOS STATE

Lagos Poll: I’m confident that Agbaje'll win — Obanikoro •Explains why he set up independent campaign group for Jonathan Erstwhile Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, at the weekend fielded questions from newsmen during the inauguration of an independent campaign group to advance President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election. In this interview, he speaks on Jimi Agbaje’s chances in next month’s governorship election in Lagos State, how the APC in Lagos is clamping down opposition especially with removal of their posters among other issues. Excerpts:

By Dapo Akinrefon

W

HY did you set up the Lagos Independent Presidential Campaign Group for President Jonathan?

I set up the Lagos Independent Presidential Campaign Group for President Jonathan to deepen the President’s presence in Lagos State and take his message directly to the people. There is a lot of misinformation going on and a critical way to counter that is through grassroots mobilization.

Do you see President Jonathan winning the election?

I have no doubt in my mind that the president will win. It is going to be a close election, but I have no doubt in my mind that at the end, the President will carry the day.

accord signed by Buhari. Let’s not forget that it is his silence that escalated the violence we are witnessing today. After his loss in 2011, his followers went on rampage and he kept quiet.

This degenerated into the activities of Boko Haram. Prior to that, the activities of Boko Haram were not as deadly as they became after the 2011 elections.

What are Jimi Agbaje’s chances in the gubernatorial elections in Lagos State?

I am confident with the feedback I am getting with an average person on the street of Lagos that they are clamoring for a change that will end one man’s control over our resources in Lagos. They are clamoring for a government that will invest in education as a way to end the slavery in our

state. Just recently, Lagos State Government placed a N10, 000 fee on children sitting for JSS 3 exam. This is wicked and grossly insensitive on the part of a government that promised to give hope to the hopeless.

And when education is no longer affordable, how can the people have hope?

So I am confident that the mood of Lagos State at this time favours the victory and emergence of Jimi Agbaje as the next Governor of Lagos State and we are putting in everything legitimately possible to make this dream a reality.

Do you think there is a level playing ground for the campaigns in Lagos?

Not at all! The APC government in Lagos is not concerned about democracy.

They are trying to kill the opposition in Lagos while we have created space for the opposition at the center. In Lagos, they are hiding under LASAA to deprive us, the opposition a voice. In today’s Lagos, an average person cannot contemplate running for office because of the huge cost of running a campaign.

Posters and billboards This is what they are doing consistently to ensure only their posters and billboards are out there. This is a recipe for unnecessary crisis. Because when you remove other candidates signposts, billboards and posters, they on their own too can retaliate and this can lead to violence. I

SDP: The third leg in S-West politics

Dislocation of insurgency However, from the distribution and collection of PVCs, it is clear that the APC wants to rig in the North.

How do you explain states like Borno and Yobe with the dislocation of insurgency recording 80 percent collection? APC is setting the stage to write election results.

I am more convinced about this, because their candidate is not a known democrat, so he doesn’t mind doing or condoning whatever it takes to win. He has no history of promoting the rule of law.

Do you foresee any outbreak of violence after the presidential elections?

I hope not and that is why I am happy about the peace

•Senator Musiliu Obanikoro

believe people deserve to know what the opposition is saying and put it side by side with what the APC is saying. On another level, the APC campaign has been largely crisis ridden. Just today, 3 people were killed in Shomolu during one of their campaigns.

They have also officially christened their thugs, Team Lagos and they have bought lots of deadly weapons that they want to use on Lagosians.

I think it is time for the police to begin to beam their searchlight on these people.

Propagandas are being employed by politicians to promote their acceptance. Do you see that as healthy?

A lot of mudslinging and misrepresentation have been made of the Jonathan’s administration.

People are trying to sell blue as white to Nigerians. We cannot afford to go backward.

What we are expecting are brighter days that the Jonathan/Sambo administration will bring not darker days. The change they are selling is backward change.

That is why we are putting all energy to ensure victory for Jonathan and Agbaje in Lagos.

The best thing that can happen in Lagos is to have Jonathan and Agbaje at the centre and in Lagos.

He said that if PDP takes over power in Lagos it would give the state more edge and more advantages. It will help the state to move forward more and get more support at the centre without antagonising the federal government to the detriment of the people of Lagos. The best thing for Nigeria is to stay with Jonathan.

It’s either we embrace the future or go back to the trenches as we inch closer to election day.

Continued from Page 3

They are trying to kill the opposition in Lagos while we have created space for the opposition at the center. In Lagos, they are hiding under LASAA to deprive us, the opposition a voice

was flouted three months ago.

According to the findings, the leadership of APC had persuaded Osoba to jettison the idea of flouting new party, but, the plea was rejected.

Both Osoba and Amosun are set to test their popularity in the state in this election.

As it is, both SDP and APC have renewed their hostility, trading words over alleged plan to rig the coming general elections.

The APC in the state had accused the SDP of planning to rig the coming election going due to a statement made by the leader of the party and a former governor of the state, Aremo Segun Osoba that his party was targeting 500,000 votes.

Osoba had penultimate Wednesday, at the party’s mega rally, held in Abeokuta, said that his party had registered 50,000 members and had charged them to talk to

10 persons each, saying he was targeting about 500, 000 eligible voters in the elections.

But , reacting to the statement, the Director-General of Senator Ibikunle Amosun Campaign Organisations,Chief Bode Mustapha said Osoba and his SDP are not popular to garner such huge votes.

According to Mustapha, “here is a party, the SDP that could not even garner marginal support from its campaign at Itoku market amongst other parts of the state capital.

Perhaps, there are high and mighty plans underhand to rig these elections?.

“What kind of mysterious, magical stunt does Chief Osoba have under his hat that will automatically produce a half-million votes out of nothing or from clear blue skies when the whole world already knows that neither he or his party possesses the support to command even a fraction of that amount of votes from any ward in any part of Ogun State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 7

LAGOS STATE

IKEJA EXPLOSION: 13 yrs after, parents lament unfulfilled promises

By MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

H

OLDING a 2015 calendar, Mrs. Maria Emmanuel flipped through to where the month of January was, and immediately, the memories of January 27, 2002 reeled back to her mind. Her eyes were quickly filled with tears.

This has been the state of Maria since the Ikeja bomb explosion occurred, killing two of her children. Even as she hoped that promises made by the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government would be fulfilled on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, when the 13th anniversary of the explosion would be held.

Maria will on this day, join the parents of other victims and survivors to console one another, as well as recount their own account of the explosion to their beloved ones.

She was shocked that another 365 days had passed without her two children-Joy and Victor whom she left at home on January 27, 2002, before setting out for work in the Apapa axis of Lagos.

Maria had been distraught for 13 years. Speaking to Vanguard with her gloomy eyes, she said: “I left my husband and children in our apartment, Block 176, Ikeja Cantonment. They were at home when the bomb started exploding. When I heard about the explosion, I ran home but I could not find my children. After two months, we were able to reunite except the two who died in the explosion.”

Military cantonment Joy and Victor were among residents of Lagos who died in the Oke-Afa Canal, Isolo after bombs stored in the Military Cantonment, exploded.

According to her, “I lost Joy, who was 16 years at that time and Victor, 17, to the explosion. These were my second and third children. And I know that if they were alive, they should be married; blessed with children.

And they had plans to become captains of different industries so as to cater for their parents needs.”

Ironically, she lamented “all their dreams vanished that day while trying to escape from being hit by any of the bombs.”

Her troubles were further compounded after her husband got injured while protecting her children and others in the community from being killed by the explosion, She said “My husband, Karibo Emmanuel, an army officer got injured during the explosion.

And for several days, there was

•Ammunition-ordnance no one to assist with the medical bill's. But it took the intervention of the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who paid the medical bill. I remember he gave me N25, 000. And due to the severe injury he sustained, he lost his right leg.”

Narrating his ordeal, Karibo in a telephone conversation with Vanguard said “this forced me to voluntarily retire from service.

The Federal and the Lagos State Government did not compensate me. When I discovered that I could not cope with the stress in Lagos due to my present predicament, I was forced to relocate to Bayelsa State, where I believe I could escape from the stress in the metropolis. And if not the explosion, I should still be in service.”

Construction of cenotaph To heal the pains of families of the victims, the State Government in 2013 renamed the Ejigbo link bridge in honour of the victims. In 2012, the government also constructed a cenotaph in their honour at the side of the Oke-Afa canal, Isolo, where they all perished to mark the 10 years anniversary.

Also, as part of the 10 years anniversary, the Lagos State Government decided to give each of the victim’s family some money to soothe the loss they suffered. However, the efforts of the State government allegedly left out some families of victims.

Vanguard gathered that of the 154 victims’ families, 70 were paid N250, 000 each by the state

government.

Admitting the omission, the state Governor, Babatunde Fashola at the commissioning of the link bridge said “I am ready to pay compensation to anybody we may have missed out. But as much as we are willing to do so, you must assist us in a way that will help us to verify who the real beneficiaries of the compensation are.” However, years after, it is alleged that Fashola was yet to pay compensation to about 84 families of the victims.

These families have organised themselves into an association to demand for their compensation.

Chairman of the 2002 Ikeja Bomb Blast Victims family, Mr. Nurudeen Oyegbemi lamented that “the Federal Government has not compensated us, since the payment of N500, 000 and N250, 000 as relief package for

The Federal and the Lagos State Government did not compensate me. When I discovered that I could not cope with the stress in Lagos due to my present predicament, I was forced to relocate to Bayelsa State

dead and missing persons respectively."

According to Oyegbemi, who also lost a child to the explosion “After a decade, we wrote to the Federal Ministry of Defense but nothing was paid. Lagos on their part paid compensation to 70 families leaving 84 genuine families. We have written to Governor Babatunde Fashola but we are yet to receive any response.”

We are still verifying the listLASG Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed, said “Before the State government came up with the compensation, it went into thorough investigation to ensure that no one is left behind. The list of those who received cheques on that anniversary was certified by several Federal Government agencies. So, these were those that the state government believed that they deserved the compensation.

Verification of claims ''After we paid the money, different persons started visiting us, and they claimed that they were affected by the disaster.

They formed different groups and they have presented their letters. ''We have received them, but we are still verifying their claims. I cannot say this or that. Maybe these people were affected, I cannot say at the moment. Until we finish our verification, we can then say that this or that person’s claim was right or wrong.

Ahmed added that “The State

Government has erected a cenotaph in honour of the victims at the scene of the disaster. A bridge was also constructed and named after the victims. We have trained the divers who helped to rescue the survivors and recovered the bodies from the water.

These were part of the state government's strategies to remember those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident.

We have done several things to ensure that those they left behind have a better life,” he added.

Victim's family The commissioner, however, lamented that “But it is unfortunate that the Central Government who should provide larger percentage of the compensation was yet to do anything. They have not lifted a finger. None of the victim’s family has gone to meet the apex Government to demand for their compensation.

“Rather, they have stuck to Lagos State Government because they know that we have fulfilled all our promises to them. This has been the tradition even during the Dana Plane Crash, the families of the victims left the Central Government to demand that Lagos does certain things and we did. We also erected a cenotaph in the honour of the victims and ensured that DNA test was done.”

No ceremony for 2015 anniversary On this year’s anniversary, Ahmed said “we do not have any ceremony for the day. The issue is that we cannot continue to mourn. It is 13 years since the incident occurred. There is need for every family to move on. ''That was what Governor Babatunde Fashola told the families of the victims during the commissioning ceremony of the Ajao-Ejigbo link bridge which was named after the victims. He urged the families to stop mourning and move on. And in line with that, we don’t have anything for now.”

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Why Ekiti communities celebrate Annual Day festivals

Also, in most of the towns and villages in Ekiti land, they celebrate their days in unique ways. Among such elaborate festivals are Ikole Ekiti National Day, Ifaki Day, Eyio Day, Ire Ekiti Day, Ogotun Day, Aramoko Day, Ijero Day and Afao Day. The celebration of Days by each of the towns and villages was a new phenomenon which started in the 80s in the State.

However, celebration of the annual get-togethers has spread fast and it has been adopted by most of the towns and villages in the state that one can hardly find any community in the state without celebrating its own day.

Some of the monarchs and prominent indigenes of these towns and villages, who spoke to Vanguard disclosed the significances of the festival days they celebrate.

One of the prominent monarchs is the Elekole of

Lagos orders TAN to remove Jonathan’s posters he Lagos State Government has ordered the Transformation Ambassador of Nigeria, TAN, and its affiliates to immediately remove all President Goodluck Jonathan campaign materials illegally deployed on street lamp poles in Lagos. At a news conference in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, Managing Director, Lagos State and Advertising Agency, LASAA, George Noah, said the agency was constrained by recent developments in the electioneering campaign in Lagos to bring to the fore impunity and illegality that posed immeasurable and long term damage to those who erect, operate and maintain billboards in the state.

Noah said the agency had been informed that in the last 48 hours, two advertisers in the outdoor sector had terminated multi-million naira contracts with outdoor agencies registered

by LASAA to operate in the state.

A

Elaborate festivals

With IKENNA ASOMBA

T

By GBENGA ARIYIBI DO EKITI— In most towns and villages in the South-West region of Nigeria, it is a long-aged culture among the indigenes to celebrate a yearly festivals in unique ways that such festivals are named after these towns.

The whole arrangement started in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State some years back with the celebration of annual Ojude Oba,where all the indigenes of the town both far and near usually converge at the palace of Oba Sikiru Adetola, the Awujale of Ijebuland.

It is thus not surprising that this particular festival among the Ijebus is gaining a national dimension, and it was initially planned to celebrate the Sallah festival which is performed yearly by the Muslims faithful.

However, in recent time, it has gone beyond religious dimension. The festival now incorporates the socio-cultural and traditional festivals of the town.

Like Ondo town in Ondo State which celebrates the Ekinmogun Day, in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, the natives and inhabitants of the town celebrate the Idiroko Day. The Idiroko Day according to the traditional beliefs of the AdoEkiti people is celebrated to mark the beginning of the annual calendar in the ancient town.

BITS Briefs

Ondo waves olive branch to aggrieved PDP members

T

HE Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, has urged aggrieved members of the PDP to cooperate and work for the development of the party in the state.

Olanusi gave the advice on Wednesday while presiding over a meeting of the reconciliatory committee of the party in Owo Local Government Area of the state.

The deputy governor appealed to all aggrieved PDP aspirants to forget about their grievances and work together for the good of the party. He stressed the need for members to resolve their grievances and work harmoniously to re-elect President Goodluck Jonathan in February’s election.

Toilets: Landlords in Ekiti rush to meet February deadline

H

•Oba Adamo Babalola Ikole Ekiti and paramount ruler of Egbeoba land, Oba Ajibade Adewumi Fasiku.

According to Oba Fasiku, ‘’Why we decided to be celebrating Ikole Ekiti National Day is that it is an annual socio-cultural festival that brings all the sons and daughters of this town together. We also use the opportunity of the day to socialize, wine and dine with one another. We have derived a lot of advantages on the

The Ikole Ekiti National Day is an annual sociocultural festival that brings all the sons and daughters of this town together

annual get-together, as we use the opportunity of the yearly event to raise funds for the execution of various community projects.”

Another monarch, the Onire of Ire Ekiti, Oba Victor Bobade, who highlighted on the importance of celebrating the Iremogun Day, said, “It is an opportunity of bringing all the indigenes of the town together once in a year. We use the occasion to review how far we have gone, especially on the development of our community.

“We celebrate this important festival annually, ever y October 28, but for logistics problems, we celebrated the 2014 edition in September.

We do raise money through this festival. We invite our friends and colleagues to come and celebrate with us.

Also, some indigenes of the town who are based abroad come home for this important annual get- together.”

Similarly, Chief Bayo Abilomu, the National President of Otun Ekiti Development Association, OEDA, said the celebration of Otun Day annual festival has come to stay, adding that the festival has helped to bring about the rapid development of the town.

ouse owners without toilet facility in Ikole, Ekiti State, are now speeding up efforts to meet the February deadline given by the state government to provide the facility in their homes.

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State had in December 2014, given a two-month ultimatum to owners of residential buildings without toilet to build one or face prosecution.

Findings revealed that some of the affected landlords have begun to dig soak-away pits while bricklayers are working on erection of structures to be used. Some landlords who are yet to commence construction of toilets attributed the delay to scarcity of labourers for the job, adding however that they are optimistic that the project would be completed before the end of February as directed by the governor to avoid being sanctioned.

Alleged embezzlement: Akala hits back at Ajimobi, says he is jittery

A

former governor of Oyo State and governorship candidate of Labour party, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala has dismissed a report credited to Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi that he squandered billions of naira during his last week in office in 2011, describing it as the ranting of a drowning man.

Akala described Ajimobi’s statement as mischievous, insisting that he handed over to him properly in 2011.

“So, I wonder why he didn’t make any comment regarding my handover note at that time, why is it now, almost four years after, he is now making comments? In any case, there was no contractor or anybody for that matter that my government was indebted to”.

THE TEAM Editor: Adeleke Adeseri

Correspondents: Ola Ajayi Gbenga Olarinoye Dayo Johnson Gbenga Ariyibi Dapo Akinrefon Daud Olatunji Olasunkanmi Akoni Monsur Olowoepejo Ikenna Asomba

Ibadan Osogbo Akure Ado Ekiti Abeokuta Lagos

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015—33

I dropped out of secondary school to pursue music, Xucceedo Success Albert aka Xucceedo has started making waves in the music industry. The highly talented young man signed his way to relevance when he released his single ‘Obalende’ to depict how the locality positively carved the path for him to follow in his chosen career -music.

The Akwa Ibom State born rising star who plays a mixture of Rhythm and Blues and Reggae tells Weekend Groove how his journey began and what it took him to pursue his dream:

By Anozie Egole & Kehinde Ajose

F

OR how long have you been doing music?

Officially, I have been doing music for six years now. And I have done a couple of singles. But I am planning to drop a new single titled, “Obalende”, which will be out on the 15th of this month. We hope it goes the way we want it to go.

Why did you decide to sing about Obalende?

Obalende is in Lagos Nigeria and it is where I grew up. So, I thought that to some extent, it is good for me to represent where I am coming from.

Living in the barracks I stayed in the barracks for precisely 23 years. So, I think I have to represent where I come from.

How has your stay in Obalende influenced your music?

I stayed in the barracks in Obalende and you know, living in the barracks is fun. Every time I am always in the street trying to make things happen.

Obalende, I would say, has a positive influence on me because you will always find me on the streets. So, I have to represent the street where I came from.

What was your growing up like and your educational background?

Growing up was very interesting.

Though I have not been opportuned to get to a certain level of my life, but there is hope that we will get there soon.

C M Y K

Educationally, I stopped at secondary school level because of music. I was doing music even while I was in the secondary school.

So what was your evolution into music like?

Music has always been part of me. Not just music alone, but entertainment in general. I started with dancing before going into acting and now I am a musician. So, I have done a whole lot when it comes to entertainment. But as God will have it, music became the very first call for me.

Of all the talents that you have, why did you decide to do music?

As I said earlier, I feel that music is my first call. I have always loved singing right from childhood. Music covers everything for me.

How lucrative has it been for you?

To some extent we are doing well, it’s just that we have not hit the jackpot and that is what we are aiming at. We are on the right part but we have not gotten to the stage of making millions.

Out of all your singles, which one would you say is the most challenging?

Continues on page 34

Waje on music career: I had to gate-crash a show to meet P-Square

FEB POLLS: Is the outcome being decided online?

34—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Synopsis

I dropped out of secondary school to pursue music Continues from page 33 The truth is that for every single I do, I try to put in my best and all my songs have actually been very tasking. But there is always a way to go about it.

What do you think stands you out in the industry?

In the industry, I think my style will stand me out. I do R n B music and reggae. I do good music generally. I know that everybody is looking for the privilege to be given attention and the truth is that, once that attention comes, you will listen to the song.

As an R n B cum dance-hall singer, do you think you have what it takes to contend with the likes of Patoranking and others in the industry?

I would say that Patoranking’s kind of reggae is different from mine. I do the very soft kind of reggae. And for every song I do, you must have that small reggae feel in it. What Patoranking does is a bit of hard reggae but I go for soft ones with my R n B. As a handsome looking young man, what has been the craziest thing a fan has done to you?

One of the greatest experience that I have ever had was when one of my fans tattooed my name on his body. That is the best that a fan has ever done for me. And crazy enough, I am not supposed to tell you this, but the fan happened to be my barber. It was crazy for me.

because they are those who are in the lineup for now. We are planning to get things done that is why.

Has there been a point when you felt like giving up?

The last time I checked, if there was Honestly speaking, I felt like giving up anybody they tattooed his name on their until the Obalende song came along. I body, the last person I know is Iyanya. would say that it has been very crazy, it And if I have not gotten to that stage has not been an easy road. Even artistes and my name is being tattooed on with record labels and backups find it someone’s body, then imagine what will difficult let alone people like me without happen when I get to that stage. any strong support except a friend and How have you been able to cope with God. The Obalende song is like a success female fans? story. Sincerely speaking, I was almost That has been crazy but you know, giving up until the song came. The song when you are searching for something, gets me inspired and makes me feel that you do not need to be distracted. So, whatever you are looking for, as long as even if they are coming, I you keep working and am focused on where I am praying, success must surely going and not the come. distractions that are coming What is it about the song? from them.

Actually, I really liked the So, are you saying that message of the song. I don’t there is no female who has know how it came but it just gotten your attention? came. I was chatting with a Many of them but, like I friend of mine on BBM and said, I know what I am he told me that everyone pursuing, so, it is where I needs to represent where they am going to that I am come from and send a shoutlooking up to. out to the people they know How many artistes are and respect in the industry. you hoping to do a collabo And I told him that is cool and with now? that I am already working on I have so many of them, something like that. Before but to mention a few; then I already had the concept Davido, Patoranking, in my mind but it was going Tuface Idibia amongst in a different direction but others. I like Wizkid but I I know what after talking to this guy, all of feel it is not yet time for us to work together. The I am pursing, a sudden, the inspiration came up. Funny enough, the people I mentioned are so, it is where song has not been released those lined up and we are looking forward to making I am going to but the response I am getting so far has been awesome. The it happen. that I am song was produced by my Why did you select those producer, Soulclear. looking up to ones for now?

I mention those people

Searching for something

C M Y K

Movie schedule commencing from 23rd January to January 29th 2015

Synopsis: 15 years earlier, Akin Morgan got involved in an accident while trying to stop his high-flyer wife from walking away from him and their 6-year old daughter, KC Morgan. He managed to survive the accident with a damaged spinal cord which has left him confined to a wheel chair. With KC’s mother gone, Akin has succeeded in combining his role with that of the mother, thus making KC not to miss her mother for once. Akin, despite his disability, has always being ‘able’ for KC...

But all that changes on the night of KC’s birthday when she is raped by a man she’s unable to identify. Her instinct, coupled with some events that follow the incidence......

TOP MOVIES OF THE WEEK •WEDDING RINGER •30 DAYS IN ATLANTA •ANNIE •SEVENTH SON

Movie schedule from January 16th - 22nd 2015 SILVERBIRDCINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND First Cut : 4:35pm,8:30pm The Wedding Ringer : 2:15pm,6:35pm,8:35pm John Wick : 3:00pm,5:00pm,8:45pm Seventh Son : 2:00pm,4:05pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 4:30pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA First Cut : 12:35pm,5:00pm The Wedding Ringer : 2:50pm,6:35pm,8:45pm John Wick : 3:05pm,6:50pm,9:05pm Seventh Son : 2:30pm,9:00pm Silence : 11:10am Annie : 2:45pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 7:00pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC First Cut : 2:00pm,6:10pm,8:30pm The Wedding Ringer : 1:00pm,3:00pm,5:00pm,7:00pm,9:00pm John Wick : 12:00pm,2:00pm,6:40pm,8:40pm Seventh Son : 12:50pm,2:50pm,4:50pm,6:50pm,8:50pm Silence : 1:25pm Annie : 1:10pm,3:30pm,5:50pm,8:10pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 12:00pm,2:10pm,4:20pm,6:30pm,8:40pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJA First Cut : 1:00pm,6:30pm The Wedding Ringer : 12:00pm,6:40pm,8:40pm John Wick : 5:10pm9:20pm Seventh Son : 11:00am,3:10pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT First Cut : 1:05pm,5:00pm,8:30pm The Wedding Ringer : 12:15pm,5:00pm,7:00pm,9:00pm John Wick : 2:20pm,7:10pm,9:10pm Seventh Son : 4:10pm,6:20pm,8:25pm Silence : 11:00am,8:20pm Annie : 11:00am,1:10pm,3:25pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 11:45am,2:00pm,6:20pm, SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, WARRI The Wedding Ringer : 12:35pm,4:35pm,8:35pm, John Wick : 10:10am,2:35pm,6:35pm Seventh Son : 10:35am,2:00pm,8:25pm Annie : 12:10pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 6:40pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, UYO First Cut :11:50am,2:00pm,4:10pm,6:20pm,8:30pm The Wedding Ringer : 11:50am,4:00pm,8:10pm John Wick : 1:35pm,6:00pm, Silence : 12:00pm,1:45pm Annie : 11:30am,1:45pm,4:00pm,6:15pm,8:30pm Champagne : 12:20pm,2:20pm,4:15pm,6:10pm,8:20pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 3:30pm,6:00pm,8:10pm OZONE CINEMAS SABO YABA The Wedding Ringer : 1:00pm,3:00pm,5:00pm,6:50pm,8:50pm John Wick : 1:55pm,3:50pm,8:15pm Seventh Son : 2:10pm,4:10pm Annie : 10:10am,11:45am 30 Days in Atlanta : 6:10pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS LAGOS The Wedding Wick : 7:00pm,9:10pm,11:20pm John Wick : 3:10pm,5:20pm,7:30pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 4:30pm,8:50pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT The Weeding Ringer : 10:30am,2:15pm,6:50pm,9:20pm John Wick : 3:30pm,5:15pm Annie : 11:05am 30 Days in Atlanta : 10:00am,2:00pm,4:10pm,8:10pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, ENUGU The Wedding Ringer : 11:20am,3:25pm,10:05pm John Wick : 10:00am, Annie : 1:10pm,5:40pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 11:00am,3:30pm,9:50pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, LAGOS The Wedding Ringer : 12;10pm,3:20pm,5:15pm,7:55pm, John Wick : 11;45am,9:00pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS,APAPA John Wick : 12:00pm,4:20pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS SAMONDA The Wedding Ringer : 1:50pm,4:45pm,6:40pm John Wick :10:05am, 11:55pm, FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, CALABAR The Wedding Ringer : 12:25pm,4:45pm,6:40pm Annie : 11:50pm,8:15 FILM HOUSE PORT HARCOURT The Wedding Ringer : 12:00pm,2:00pm,4:00pm,6:00pm,8:00pm John Wick : 12:05pm,2:10pm,4:10pm,6:10pm,8:10pm Annie : 10:00am,12:10pm

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 35

C M Y K

36 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015—37

Waje on music career: I had to gate-crash a show to meet P-Square

By Bartholomew Madukwe

W

AVE-making singer, Aituaje Iruobe, known as Waje, has described P-square as part of her destiny, following her being featured in their hit single titled “Do Me”, a massive hit track played across Africa and all over the world.

She said: “I was still a student at the time and paid my dues by doing a lot of free shows and gigs, singing at every given opportunity I got.

The first major spotlight that I received was my being featured in the hit single by P-square titled “Do Me”. This helped boost my career a little further, after which I participated in ‘Advanced Warning’, a reality TV show, which featured artists that are upwardly mobile and on the verge of breakthrough.

P-Square has been part of my destiny.”

Narrating how she started singing, Waje said: “I have always been a singer. Since secondary school when I knew I could sing, I was always in touch with my musical side.

Professionally, I just started finding myself in one place or the other because there was

16 varsities for Jonathan/Sambo Campus Rave T HE Goodluck/Sambo 2015 Initiative (GS2I), has announced its plans to host a show tagged Goodluck/ Sambo 2005 Rave in sixteen Universities across the six geo-political zones of the country.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the National Coordinator of GS2I, Ikenna Chidoka, said that 15 popular Disc-Jockeys led by Cool FM’s D.J T T B will be performing at University of

President Goodluck Jonathan

Abuja, Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), University of Jos, University of Benin and twelve other schools for the music/comedy fiesta packaged by his organisation.

Chidoka who is the former National Commandant of Man O’ War Nigeria, said that the show which will have the best of music dished out by D.Js along with a heavy dose of comedy from comedians will also be used

Ikenna Chidoka

to galvanise students to peacefully participate in the forthcoming elections.

He said: “It is quite obvious that we support the Goodluck/ Sambo ticket but not only will we be telling youths to vote for continuity due to how well the Jonathan administration has done in the area of youth empowerment, we will also preach the message of non-violence. Just as we will be reminding students how the current administration has touched the lives of youths with interventions like the $200 million entertainment grant, You Win, SURE-P Graduate scheme, the Nagro-preneur program and of course the revolutionary NEEDS plan for Universities , we also will warn against violence. “ Already we are reaching out to young people on the social media on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag #gsr2015 on Twitter, to say we don’t have to fight each other because we have preferred candidates. We should not allow ourselves be used to cause harm, rather we should allow our votes do the talking”.

never a time I sat down and said, ‘I am now a musician’. My mentor Chris convinced me that I could do music professionally. I think I was 18 at that time. From there, I got into school where I started gate-crashing gigs. It was at one of the shows I gate-crashed that I met P-square. It was just series of meeting people like that that started it all for me in music. It was actually P-square that shot me into limelight with my feature in their ‘Do Me’ hit song.”

The wave making singer

during the exclusive chat with Weekend Groove was optimistic about advancement in the music industry, saying that it is exciting that female musicians are now experiencing what they never experienced before. “Doors are beginning to open for female musicians. Female artistes are endorsed now by big brands, female artistes headline shows now and it is great. It shows where we will be in the nearest future,” she added.

Gone Too Far changed my mentality— O.C Ukeje F ilmone distributionproduction set the ball of cinematic entertainment rolling last week when it premiered one of its muchanticipated scheduled movies to grace the cinemas this year, a British/Nigerian comedy, ‘Gone Too Far’ at the Genesis Deluxe Cinema, Lekki. Gone Too Far which is produced by Poisson Rouge Pictures and co-funded by the British Film Institute, starring O.C Ukeje, Adelayo Adedayo, Malachi Kirby, Bhasker Patel, Pooja Shah, Tosin Cole and directed by fast rising female British/ Nigerian Director in the UK, Destiny Ekaragha. The movie tells the story of Ikudayisi (O.C Ukeje) who travels from Nigeria wearing socks and sandals to meet his estranged brother, Yemi, for the first time in Peckham.

Yemi (raised in the UK) questions both his judgment and his African heritage. O.C. Ukeje plays the comical role of atypically crude African in the midst of ‘polished’ folks. A day on the estate filled with d a n g e r , excitement, and r o m a n c e , teaches them the values of family, selfrespect and makes Gone Too Far, a movie you can’t afford to miss.

OC who p l a y e d unusual role from his

usual lover boy roles said the movie reshaped his belief in his African root. According to the actor “this movie has helped shaped my own stance toward Africans and the African continent entirely. It really boosted my belief in myself as an African and taught me to stand up to who I am anywhere and anytime with every sense of originality” he said.

OC Ukeje

38 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Should you be eating chicken?

Campaigners have recently urged consumers to keep buying free range chicken even if they are moved indoors in the future due to bird flu fears.

They claim conditions for the poultry will still be of a higher standard than battery hens.

The announcement by the Agric minister that there is bird flu presently in the country will no doubt impact women far more than it would the menfolk, though the debate has been national.

Bird flu Statistics

22,573

Dr Adeshina said the bird flu exposures had resulted in the mortality of over 22,573 birds in Nigeria.

D

R. Akinwunmi Adesina, has confirmed cases of in Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Plateau, Delta, Edo and Rivers States.

Meanwhile the ministry stated that the birds’ blood samples forwarded to the National Veterinary Research Institute tested positive for H5 Strain of Avian Influenza virus, otherwise known as bird flu.

All state directors of veterinary services and the FCT Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) and other stakeholders had been informed and advised to be on alert with intensified biosecurity measures to avert possible spread of the disease to other states.

There are those who scoff at the whole idea of bird flu, particularly city dwellers who grew up in the village who claim they have eaten free range chickens that had been dying of bird flu in days past without suffering any health consequences.

Frozen chicken While the whole countryparticularly Lagos and other large cities some of which are affected by the scourge this time- is flooded with frozen chicken from Cotonou embalmed to last for a year, there is still the section of people who would only eat fresh chicken.

But whether you like it fresh or frozen, you stand a risk as mass producers have been known to perform emergency slaughters of sick and even dead birds in order to avoid massive losses that are usually attendant to bird flu attacks as with most diseases that affect poultry. And though the minister has promised insurance payments to affected parties, it is not clear what percentage of farmers is covered.

To eat, or not to eat?

Bird flu facts Scientists say avian influenza is not easily transmitted from birds to humans. It is not impossible, C M Y K

50%

When a human comes in contact with a bird that is infected with H5N1 and the human contracts the virus there is an over 50% chance of death for the individual. As at February 27, 2007 the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 275 cases and 167 people have died..

but it doesn’t happen easily or very often.

When people in Asia got “bird flu” from live domestic chickens and other types of poultry, it usually occurred when people slaughtered infected birds and got blood and excrement on their hands. In some Asian countries, it is even a custom for humans to consume raw poultry blood.

- Unless human beings are directly exposed to blood or excrement of infected poultry, avian influenza is a disease of birds, not humans.

348

In the current outbreak human illness is very severe in most cases. According to the World Health Organisation there have so far been 348 confirmed human cases of bird flu most recently in Indonesia.

Of these 216 have died.

200million

More than fifty countries have had H5N1 outbreaks among birds, and 200million birds have died or been culled.

i Sustained transmission of avian influenza from human to human has not occurred. i Humans can catch bird flu directly through close contact with live infected birds and those who work with infected chickens are most at risk. i The virus is excreted, and people may inhale these germs as dust when the droppings dry out. i The virus cannot be passed from human to human.

However, a Vietnamese study has shown it is adapting to infect humans. i If the virus mutates into a form that can be passed between humans, it could result in the infection spreading rapidly across the globe. i This was the situation during the great influenza

In humans, symptoms include fever sore throats and coughing.

People can also develop conjunctivitis. It takes three to five days to develop symptoms

pandemic of 1918-1919. A completely new influenza virus subtype emerged and spread around the globe in around four to six months, killing an estimated 40– 50million people.

What are the symptoms?

In humans, symptoms include fever sore throats and coughing. People can also develop conjunctivitis. It takes three to five days to develop symptoms.

The H5N1 strain is the most deadly type of the bird flu virus with 50 per cent of victims dying.

Chickens may die without showing any symptoms but typically birds suddenly show swelling about the eyes and ear lobes.

Should we stop eating chicken?

No. There is no evidence that cooked poultry can infect people. You need to be in close proximity to live, infected birds to catch the current mutation of the virus.

10-50 years

For the past 1000 years a pandemic has occurred every 10-50 years. In the last century there were three pandemics.

The concern is that the avian flu will move to human populations and cause great sickness and death

2

AI viruses are divided into 2 groups based on their ability to cause disease in poultry: high pathogenicity or low pathogenicity.

Highly pathogenic viruses result in high death rates (up to 100% mortality within 48 hours) in some poultry species. Low pathogenicity viruses also cause outbreaks in poultry but are not generally associated with severe disease.

The A(H5N1) virus subtype, a highly pathogenic AI virus, first infected humans in 1997 during a poultry outbreak in Hong Kong SAR, China

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 39

O

KAY, this item has been around now for too many seasons but who can blame it? This might probably be the last season for you to make the best of your 1-piece wonder.

Jumpsuits and rompers took fashion by storm, becoming a staple at par with the maxi dress.

What’s not to love? Comfortable, stylish, and cool enough to wear on even the hottest days..

But even with all the benefits, many have been left confused by the look.

Who is afraid of the romper?

Depending on the fabric and style of the jumpsuit, it’s an item that can be easily glammed up or dressed down. There’s a jumpsuit for everyone. Not everyone is game for gambling on the one-piece, though, with resistance running the gamut from claims it will be ill-fitting to it being infantile. But when properly executed you can achieve stellar results. It’s all about finding the right fit and style for you.

For Work

All you really only need to do is pick one item and let it dictate the rest of your look. This is an extremely convenient truth on rushed mornings when we just don’t have the energy to plan out an outfit . The right jumpsuit, however, relieves you of all sartorial decision-making — without sacrificing chicness.

Chose a two-tone piece, because it gives the illusion of a top and trousers. It’s completely

Last minute jumpsuit dos unfussy ( you never have to worry about the blouse staying tucked in!), and feels perfectly polished for the office. When choosing your own 9-to-5 jumpsuit, be conscious of the fitthink tailored, and not too tight.

You’ll want to leave the body-

hugging numbers for your offduty hours.

Since a tailored jumpsuit is minimalistic, you might want to add a touch of femininity. Try a coloured jacket with waterfall lapels to add softness to the jumpsuit’s clean lines. A blazer

Spoken word: On the rise in Africa

By Anino Aganbi

A

RTS, having moved b e y o n d self expression through paintings, music and other works, has taken another form in the use of spoken word.

Spoken word, like poetry is expressed in different ways.

The Spoken word event organized by Africa Artist Foundation, served as a means of bringing together various artists to express their opinions using words. The theme of the event “Tell your truth” was fashioned to help people unearth why they must write and how they can add their

voices and stories to the collective human race. In order to tell the truth, the poets work is to be relentless in the search for truth both on and off the page.

Speaking at the event, Shaun Matsheza (Waza Africa) said Waza online supports freedom of speech. “We like to create spaces where people are able to tell their stories and are able to communicate what is going on in their communities. We try to bring people together by forming communities where people can share skills and work together towards achievable goals. One of these projects is spoken word.

Spoken word is something that is on the rise in so many parts of Africa. It is a good tool that requires nothing else except voice. Our slogan is your story, your world. We try to get people to understand their world and to tell their story”.

Understanding the world

He further stated that “spoken word: tell your truth”, is our way of saying people can come, learn these skills and go out to tell their truth. Speaking truth to power is an important way to keep democracy in check. When we say your story your world, it’s really the idea that people have to recognize.

At Waza, we try to help people tell their story. It is not our agenda to say what the story is, or to determine what people’s lives are about.

When you interact with Waza, we try to give you the platform to tell your story and to actively shape your own world rather than being a subject to things that Cross section of artists at the spoken words event in Lagos are happening to you”.

C M Y K

or smart jacket is almost always necessary for wearing a jumpsuit in the workplace, as it breaks up the ensemble and ensures the look feels polished. A tote would be professional, yet fashionconscious.

For Play

You’ll want to make sure your suit fits perfectly, so visit the tailor if needed. Also make sure the hemline hits around the end of your ankle. Choose more fun patterns and flowers, with fabrics being softer and more flattering.

Note that unlike unzipping a pair of pants or hiking up a skirt when visiting the restroom, donning a jumpsuit requires the wearer to completely remove the outfit. You might want to wear a tiny little cami underneath. Keep that out of sight, obviously.

For a wedding, go for simple but modern and dressy jewellery, a clean little clutch; and perhaps a tuxedo jacket.

For formal occasions, choose long versions of jumpsuits rather than shorts

Formal

While you can wear this item to many special events, including dinners, parties, and, most evening events, there may be times when a jumpsuit is out of place. Consider carefully before you decide to wear a jumpsuit to a wedding; since it can be an attention-getting garment, some may feel it is inappropriate.

For formal occasions, choose long versions of jumpsuits rather than shorts. Although some short styles are made with fancy fabrics, the overall feel is usually too playful for a dressy event.

Tuxedo jumpsuits are a chic alternative to cocktail dress with styles that can lean towards ultrafeminine with deep V-necks and plunging necklines.

Tips

You can wear flats – gladiator sandals look stylish, or you can wear heels – peep toe or strappy are cute. The right shoe can make all the difference to looking fabulous in a jumpsuit.

Nothing clunky or masculine.

Keep it feminine, pretty and fun.

Don’t do orange a la Agbani Darego, unless you plan on being mistaken for the janitor.

Also stay away from weird designs- overdecoration is the surest way to kill a jumpsuit.

Do wear orange like Osas Ighodaro: in a muted shade and rules, after all, are made to be broken by the stylish at heart.

Don’t just throw on a cute jumpsuit like Tara. For jumpsuits, it’s all about the accessories.

Do sheer and simple like Zainab Balogun. There is definitely room for the stylish minimalist.

40— Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

FEB POLLS: Is the outcome being decided online?

I

By Laju Iren

N 2008, not many politicians were on social media. But Barrack Obama was. Analysts say that his social media campaign, no doubt helped him become the President of the United States-two tenures in a row.

It could also be safe to say that President Goodluck Jonathan teeming followers on facebook and twitter increased his chance of winning the 2011 elections.

The Social Media Tracking Centre, an independent ad hoc centre set up to track the use and effect of social media during the 2011 elections, rated Goodluck Jonathan, Nuhu Ribadu, and Babatunde Fashola as the top three users of Facebook, while Dele Momodu, Babatunde Fashola, and Muhammadu Buhari were adjudged top three users of Twitter during the 2011 elections.

Another conflicting report however, says that Buhari, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, just joined twitter last December. On the new twitter handle, #thisisbuhari, the 72-year old garnered over 12,000 followers within six hours.

His facebook page currently has 175,972 likes.

Online popularity Buhari’s online popularity might have grown in such a short time, but President Goodluck Jonathan’s special adviser on New Media, Reno Omokri would hear none of it. He argued that Buhari achieved this through sponsored posts, which Omokri said is a cheap way of getting followership.

He said: “It shows the level of hypocrisy and deceit.

Anybody can grow followership with adverts but a true proof of popularity on social media should be organic.

“The almost two million followers of President Goodluck Jonathan are organic, a show of the love of Nigerians for him and

C M Y

his administration,” he said.

The online drama in the wake of the 2015 elections is not limited to the candidates’ social media accounts. Although it is difficult to say whether the sitting President’s 1,740, 124 followers on facebook are as a result of sponsored posts, online adverts by the ICT Presidential campaign organization, the GEJites among others, prove that the Jonathan camp is aggressively targeting the country’s over 56 million internet users.

Social media just like

The online drama in the wake of the 2015 elections is not limited to the candidates’ social media accounts

traditional media, serves as an objective tool for members of the electorate to make informed decisions. The internet’s ability to reference old materials at the click of a button means the audience

can read, share, and decide whom they will vote for based on articles like Wole Soyinka’s piece on the Sins of Buhari or Chimamanda Adichie’s piece on the Miraculous deliverance of Oga Jona. Online polls are

also making it easier and cheaper to get the public’s opinion on where they are likely to cast their votes.

Despite its many disadvantages, social media is bereft with three major challenges:

10m homes benefiting from LG linear compressor refrigerators I N 2001, LG introduced the world’s first refrigerator powered by an Inverter Linear Compressor. In 2007, LG sold one million of its Inverter Linear Compressor-equipped refrigerators and increased that number to five million in 2011 and 10 million last December.

With strong results in premium refrigerator markets such as Korea, North America, Europe and the CIS region, the company says it expects to sell more than two million Inverter Linear Compressor refrigerators in 2015.

“LG has always strived

to offer consumers the most advanced, highest performing appliances in

LG refrigerator

the industry,” said Hyunwoo Jung, General Manager, Home Appliances Division, LG Electronics West A f r i c a operations.

“Our Inverter L i n e a r Compressor is the result of our commitment to excellence and technological innovation and demonstrates LG’s desire to lead the global p r e m i u m refrigerator market.”

Earlier this year, the Inverter Linear Compressor was tested by one of Europe’s largest and most respected scientific and technical bodies, the Association for Electrical, Electronic and I n f o r m a t i o n Technologies (VDE).

LG’s technology employs a straight piston drive instead of a conventional reciprocating drive, resulting in less internal friction than conventional motors. This increases the refrigerator ’s reliability and durability while also generating less noise while running.

rumours, rumours and more rumours; ranging from the hoax about Buhari’s cancer ailment to the Labour Party’s endorsement of Jonathan.

But social media is also two-edged sword, being used to combat the same rumours it spreads.

The recent Buharicertificate saga is among other things, an online confrontation being played back and forth for global netizens to observe. The comic side to the online campaigns is one that cannot be avoided. One doctored picture of Obama holding a placard that read: “GEJ is the only solution to Nigeria.” In another doctored pic, obama’s placard reads “Vote for Buhari.”

Another hoax released before the APC primaries, showed the party ’s Presidential aspirants, Buhari inclusive, also holding placards that read: “Vote GEJ.” Jonathan also has a photoshopped picture of himself campaigning for Buhari. In 16 days, the actual Presidential elections will hold. Then it will be clear whether social media prowess will translate into triumph in the 2015 elections.

LG refrigerators featuring Inverter Linear Compressor technology proved to be approximately 32 percent more energy efficient than those equipped with c o n v e n t i o n a l reciprocating c o m p r e s s o r s , contributing significantly to lower electricity bills.

VDE also noted that LG’s refrigerator was up to 25 percent quieter compared to another refrigerator powered by a reciprocating compressor and reduced internal friction by 64.2 percent, causing less wear to the refrigerator and helping it to achieve a 20 year lifespan, a first in the industry.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 41

42— VANGUARD,

BY RIDWAN JAMIU

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Being a paper presented by Imam Ridwan Jamiu, LL.B, LL.M (Chief Imam, Lekki Central Mosque, Lekki Scheme l, Lagos) at Lekki Muslim Ummah workshop las Sunday.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious the most Merciful

O

UR children are our future. When you properly invest in them you invest in your future. Some people want to run but they have tied their feet.

You want to be happy in future when you can no longer do as you do now but you do not give your children religious and moral education, and everybody knows our education already lacks value. You reap what you sow. When you laugh the world laughs with you but when you cry you cry alone.

There was a carpenter the Quran tells us about. His name was Habeeb. He had accepted Islam from Muslim missionaries who came to their town. Learning that his people from the recess rejected the missionaries, he prepared to join them encouraging his people to embrace Islam as he himself had done.

Enraged by his declaration, the people of the village pounced on him and killed him. Hearing a call to enter the Jannah, he exclaimed, “Ah me! Would that my people knew.

Ultimate success For that my Lord has granted me forgiveness and has enrolled me among those held in honour!”So did the carpenter attain ultimate success and his people were eventually destroyed by mighty blast.

They lost all they had laboured to amass and lost eternal bliss(Q36:13-29). What is success?

In a country where corruption and impunity, prostitution and infidelity, selfishness and cruelty, carelessness and poverty are the order of the day, one wonders if success ever has meaning in people’s life. The reality is that everybody wants success but not everybody will be successful. That is because it is not everybody that understands what success is.

What then is success?

Success from the Islamic perspective can be defined as a beneficial accomplishment. It is a remarkable achievement which benefits the achiever and benefits oth-

The concept of success in Islam ers here or hereafter.

A distinction should always be made between an achievement or accomplishment and success. Success is a profitable achievement.

Success in itself is not success until it is beneficial. Success must have a positive impact. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) once said about AbdurRahman bin ‘Awf, “what a remarkable achievement: a righteous man blessed with lawful wealth.” Wealth with righteousness is success because it would be spent in useful ways, while wealth without righteousness could spell a disaster. Wealth unlawfully acquired is never a success. It is rather a failure in disguise. The Prophet had said, “I was shown the Paradise, behold, most of the people inside are the poor.”

Wealth could be of possessions, knowledge, influence, experience and beauty. Each of these forms of wealth has the propensity to be spent in righteous or wicked ways.

Therefore, our achievement in them is not success until it is prof-

itable and the means to it is clean.

About some people, Allah says, “Do not let their possessions or their children impress you: through these Allah only intends to punish them in this world and for their souls to depart while they disbelieve,” Q9:55.So wealth and children of the unbelievers will certainly become a source of punishment for them because of their infidelity to Allah even though those unbelievers would always see those possessions as success.

•Imam Ridwan Jamiu

The Prophet had said, “I was shown the Paradise, behold, most of the people inside are the poor”

From right: Engr Yunus Adeniji Raji, President, Lekki Muslim Ummah, LEMU, Alhaji Sulaimon Alabi, Vice President, LEMU, and Group Capt. Abdulateef Lawal, former President LEMU during the Ummah’s Quarterly Da’wah Workshop held last Sunday in Lekki, Lagos.

Success must be inclusive, transitive Islam wants us to take a holistic approach to life. Every aspect of life works to complement and perfect the other. Such should be success. A person who is successful at work and is not successful in the family is not successful.

His failure in the family could cause him stress which will later affect his quality of work. They won’t be happy. And can there be success without happiness and fulfilmentinyourhome?Yourfamily is your life. It is your real world. It is here you build your future. You labour to build it and sustain it. No place like home.

Problems have always arisen between couples when there is no money to meet the basic needs.

Likewise, one suffers stress when one is not fulfilled at his job. Stressors generally have negative impact on health and behaviour. How can success have meaning with illhealth and disorderly behaviour?

The life is meant to be lived and explored. Allah says, “It is He who created all that is on the earth for you...” Q2:29 It is recklessness to abandon to pursue spiritual growth because of material pursuit, as it is a forbid-

den asceticism to abandon the world and its enjoyment because of spirituality. Both should be pursued with tenacity and healthy competition. So, true success requires some balance in our life.

Allah says, “Children of Adam, dress well whenever you are at worship, eat and drink [as We have permitted] but do not be extravagant: Allah does not like extravagant people. Say [Prophet], ‘Who has forbidden the adornment and the nourishment Allah has provided for His servants?’ Say, ‘They are [allowed] for those who believe during the life of this world: they will be theirs alone on the Day of Resurrection.’

This is how We make Our revelation clear for those who understand. Say, ‘My Lord only forbids disgraceful deeds – whether they be open or hidden – and sin and unjustified aggression, and that you, without His sanction, associate things with Him, and that you say things about Him without knowledge.

There is a time set for every people: they cannot hasten it, nor, when it comes, will they be able to delay it for a single moment.” Q7:31-34 A person who is successful at work and in the family is not really successful if he is at odd with his Lord.

Allah has created everything in pairs: male and female, right and wrong, day and night, happiness and sorrow, up and down, right and left, and this world and the Hereafter. It would be foolhardy to attain the best of this world and call it success while one is oblivi-

ous or negligent to his purpose of life and the primary assignment on earth which is to worship Allah through Islam.

Again, there are different types of success: intellectual, social, intellectual, material and spiritual success. Some are more important and more successful than others.

Thousands of candles: Whatever success you think you have made in life, it is not adequate until it is not only useful to you but also to others. Happiness is happiness only when it shared. Happiness that is not shared is either selfishness or callousness.

‘Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened.

Happiness never decreases by being shared.’ This is why Zakat is one of the pillars on which Islam rests. The Prophet said, “Charity never decreases wealth.” Impliedly, charity increases wealth. Yeah, givers never lack. Whatever goes around comes around; good begets good as evil begets evil. To be truly successful is to be useful to yourself and to others. Now, what are the factors of success in Islam?

Factors of Success Factors of Success according to the Qur’an and Sunnah include: 1.Knowledge. 2. Faith (Tawheed, risala and Qiyama). 3. Tawakkul (Trusting Allah). 4. Taqwa (Being mindful of Allah, eschewing evils for the sake of Allah). 5. Jihaad (struggle for Excellence and moral perfection). 6. Shukr (Being grateful to Allah and appreciative of people) and7.Sabr (Patience, tolerance and perseverance). 8. Dutifulness 9.Cooperation and 10.

Planning.

1.Knowledge Allah says, “Say: ‘Are they comparable those who know and those who do not know?” Q39:9 We all know the answer. Even a trained animal is not like an untrained one. The greatest benefactors and major influencers of the world have always been people of knowledge and learning, people of intelligence and dexterity.

The Prophets and Messengers of Allah are at the frontline. What distinguished the Egyptian, Roman and Persian civilisations if not wisdom, intelligence and skill? Look at what scientists have accomplished to make life better for us.

To Be Continued Next Week

From left: Alhaja Toyin Bakare-Balogun; Alhaja Jibike Oyeleke; Alhaja Islamiyah Ajibode and Alhaja Sheriffah Andu, CEO Arabel at the workshop.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 43

44 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015—45

PDP PRESIDENTIAL RALLY: Police warn on security threat in Bayelsa

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—AHEAD of the February 5, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential campaign rally in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the state Police command has warned individuals and groups that have no lawful business in the state to stay away from the state in their interest.

Two groups, Bayelsa Youth Vanguard, BYV, and Mangrove Boys of Bayelsa, MBB, had threatened to attack the First Lady if she accompanied her husband, President Goodluck Jonathan, to the proposed presidential rally over her alleged involvement in a plot to embarrass the state governor during the event.

Meanwhile, the state government has condemned the threat by the faceless youth groups asking the First Lady not to attend the planned Presidential rally in the state.

The government, in a statement

by Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, described the purported threat to the First Lady as the handiwork of the opposition and some faceless groups, which only exist on the pages of newspapers and should not be taken serious.

Similarly, the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Valentine

NtomChukwu, yesterday in Yenagoa, said that the command will use all necessary lawful mechanism at its disposal, to confront and deal with any person or group of persons planning to foment trouble in the state.

He said: “The attention of the Bayelsa State Police Command has been drawn to a publication

in the media that the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, will be disgraced if she attends the PDP presidential rally in Yenagoa.

“I want to warn such groups, especially the so called Bayelsa Youth Vanguard and Mangrove Boys of Bayelsa, to desist from making such provocative and inciting publications likely to threaten the existing peace

currently being enjoyed by Bayelsans as the police will not hesitate to deal decisively according to extant laws any such groups when arrested.”

The police, he assured, will provide adequate security for the First Lady and other political groups that want to visit Bayelsa for political rallies, campaigns or legitimate businesses."

RALLY: Cross River State PDP governorship candidate, Prof. Ben Ayade, addressing a mammoth crowd and supporters at a campaign rally in Ogoja.

DTHA aspirant vows to drag APC, INEC to court

By Chris Ochayi

A

BUJA—AN All Progressives Congress, APC, aspirant to the Isoko North constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, Goddy Edewor, has threatened to sue his party, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over alleged substitution of his name.

Edewor stormed Abuja, armed with the result sheet for the APC primaries for the state House of Assembly, which indicated that he polled 171 votes to emerge winner after defeating other contestants, Dr. Andrews Elueni and Kome Felix, who scored 165 and six votes respectively.

He said he was dumbfounded upon discovery that his name was conspicuously missing from the list of candidates released

by INEC. Edewor, who expressed shock at the development, said he has no option than to seek redress in a competent court of law to recover the mandate given to him by the delegates at the December 2, 2014 primary election.

He, however, appealed to the C M Y K

national leadership of APC to intervene and return him as winner of the primaries, alleging a conspiracy among some highly placed members of

the Isoko North, Delta State chapter of the party to deprive him of his victory.

He said: “I went for the primaries, the result was

announced and I won. The result sheet was given to me but to my greatest surprise, when INEC published the lists of candidates, I saw a different

Rep tasks Bayelsa monarchs on PVC sensitization

By Emem Idio

Y

ENAGOA—THE member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor federal constituency of Bayelsa State in the House of Representatives, Mrs. Stella Dorgu, has urged traditional rulers and opinion leaders in the constituency to mobilize the people in the rural areas to ensure that they collect their Permanent Voter Cards PVCs, to enable them cast their votes in the February polls.

The lawmaker, in Sagbama town, headquarters of her constituency, during a social sensitization programme, tagged “Non-violence voter’s sensitization campaign,” organised by Ayamara Foundation Movement for GEJ, reminded the royal fathers that they have a duty to educate and mobilize the people to be part of the electoral process by ensuring that they get their PVCs, stressing that the

sensitization campaign was to enlighten the people on why they should collect their PVCs and protect their votes.

The lawmaker, who spoke through the President of Bayelsa West Democratic Youth

Front for Good Governance, Afamukoro Ebiks, urged the people to shun apathy by making sure that they perform their civic obligations by fully participating in the electoral process.

Jonathan deserves second term —N-DELTA YOUTH GROUP

T

HE Niger Delta Youth Observers, NDYO, has called on Nigerians to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in the February 14 presidential election, saying he deserves a second term.

In a statement by its National President, Mr. Arthur Warefa and Secretary, Ogie Samson, the group noted that since President Jonathan assumed office five years ago Nigeria has witnessed tremendous growth and development in every sector of the economy.

It said: “The over 20,000 members of Niger Delta Youth Observers are strongly supporting the re-election of President Jonathan whose transformation programme has impacted positively on the lives of Nigerians through rapid development across the country.”

They advised the electorate to carefully examine those seeking to govern them and cast their votes wisely in the February elections for the overall interest of all.

Jonathan's 2nd term'll turn lives around —ONUESOKE

By Rebecca Elaweremi

A

S the presidential election draws closer, a Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan's second term will turn lives around, adding that the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, General Mohammed Buhari was no match for Jonathan.

Onuesoke, who addressed Urhobo youths from Udu, Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Uvwie Local Government Areas of Delta State on the need to cast their votes en-mass for President Jonathan and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, rated Jonathan higher than Buhari as President of Nigeria.

He said: “Name it, is it economic achievements, rule of law, human right, education or age?

Jonathan is better positioned than Buhari to rule this country.”

Madam Chukwuma for burial

T

HE late Mrs M a r i a m a Chukwuma, who died at the age of 84 will be buried tomorrow.

According to a burial arrangement by the family, the body of late Mrs. Chukwuma will depart BMH Mortuary, Port Harcourt for Ndoni, Rivers State, her home town.

At Ndoni, there will be stop over at Ogbeukwu and Umulodu villages, before requiem service at noon and interment afterwards.

Late Mrs. Chukwuma

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Enugu APC accuses PDP of conniving with INEC to hoard PVCs

Oghara youths threaten to vote opposition

By Francis Igata

E

N U G U — A L L Progressives Congress, APC, has accused Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of conniving with Independent National

By Oboh Agbonkhese

T

HE youths of Oghara Kingdom, home town of former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori, have appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to prevail on relevant authorities to lift the ban on youths activities in the kingdom.

The youths, numbering over 5,000, told Chief Ighoyota Amori, Delta Central Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, senatorial candidate, that Oghara youths would mobilize and vote for the opposition if the ban was not lifted.

The youth leaders, Favour Ededey, Ejiro Efetobor and Frank Oboh, who led a peaceful protest to Chief Amori, explained that Oghara youths had suffered neglects and assaults in the hands of some PDP members after previous elections.

They said since the ban on youths’ activities in the kingdom, companies no longer employ Oghara youths, stressing that leaders in the kingdom had hijacked their dues.

While responding, Chief Amori thanked them for organizing themselves in a peaceful manner and assured them that he would take their message to relevant authorities.

He advised them not to take laws into their hands.

zOur members don't even have PVCs—PDP Electoral Commission, INEC, to hoard Permanent Voter’s Cards, PVCs, in Enugu State.

The party claimed that PDP officials in the state had, in

collaboration with INEC officials, collected bulk PVCs in some local government areas, with the aim of rigging next month’s elections.

UNN's VC blasts PG students over protest

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—VICE Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, Professor Benjamin Ozumba, has berated the institution’s postgraduate students for protesting hike in tuition fees, insisting that the increase was meant to deliver services to the students.

Ozumba accused postgraduate students of turning the school hostels into their permanent abode, where they reside with their families.

Meanwhile, the school would graduate 15,904

students during its 44th convocation today.

The Vice Chancellor said 14,015, would receive bachelors degree; 331, doctorate; 1,168, masters and 177, postgraduate diploma.

According to Ozumba, “all graduating students will

Abia awards N110m solar traffic light project

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA—IN a bid to ease traffic situation in

Odili faults Emerho's comment on Delta governorship

M

EMBER of the Publicity Committee of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, Mr. Paul Odili, has dismissed the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Mr. O’tega Emerhor’s claim that he is running to rescue the state from PDP misrule as baseless.

Odili said in a statement that Delta State under the administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan had enjoyed tremendous growth, through its Delta Beyond Oil

collect their certificates during the convocation. The Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, will deliver a lecture entitled Rebuilding the Nigerian Dream: Mapping the Building Blocks, as part of activities lined up for the convocation.”

vision, which Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP candidate would build on.

He said: “There is nothing to rescue in Delta State by APC or Mr. Emerhor. The state has shown great progress under the current administration in infrastructure, security and human capital development.

Deltans do not trust APC. “Okowa is the man for the job and he has reached out and Deltans love him and want him to succeed the incumbent.”

Umuahia, Abia State Government yesterday said it had awarded contract for the installation of super solar-powered traffic lights at strategic junctions in the capital city.

The project, expected to cost N110 million, would cover strategic junctions at the Okpara Square, the Federal Medical Centre, Isigate-Umuwaya, BCA, Uzuakoli Road and the Government House roundabout.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr. Anthony Agbazuere, said the project was part of the decisions reached at the State Executive Council, SEC, meeting held Wednesday and assured that the contract would be completed on time.

While inaugurating the OJ Support Group of the party to sensitize the electorate on the need to vote APC, governorship candidate of the party, Mr. Okey Ezea, said: “Most of our members have reported cases where they were directed to collect their PVCs from PDP officials in their wards.

“The evidence abound in Igbo South council area. APC members went to INEC for the collection.

INEC gave them phone numbers of people who later turned out to be PDP officials from whom they will collect their PVCs. The aim is to reduce APC voting strength.”

However, reacting to the allegation, PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Okey Ezea, said: “We in PDP are crying to the high heavens that we do not have PVCs. How can we then collude with INEC to horde same?”

Vivian Fowler holds fair

V

IVIAN Fowler Memorial College for Girls will hold a career and counselling fair at the school premises, Oregun, Lagos, tomorrow.

The college's Director, Mrs Olufunke Amba, said the event was aimed at providing guidance and mentoring for the students on career development.

General Editor of SUN Newspapers, Mrs Funke Egbemode, would be special guest of honour.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On Buhari's certificate

E

NOUGH of this cer tificate matter. Buhari has presented the statement of result. What else? We should stop dwelling on personality, but on issues. We need to choose a credible leader. Buhari should be challenged on key issues, such as corruption.— Miss Sophia Osuji, Self Employed.

W

HEN people are uninterested in the real issues, they keep repeating the same story. Are they aware of his newly-released statement of result? People should understand what Sections 131 and 318 of the Constitution is saying first, before arguing.— Mr. Okafor Peter, Worker.

I

still wonder why people are not tired of this Buhari’s certificate thing. I want to hear another story and not the certificate matter; at least he has presented his statement of result to the public. Enough of this certificate thing. Lets talk about other things.— Miss Lizzy Popson, Student.

T

HE most disturbing thing about Buhari’s certificate saga is that the so-called “most educationally advanced and sophisticated tribe with rich history” are the very ones promoting this farce. Again, you begin to wonder what is the benefit of the so-called education?—Mr. Ben Onyekachi, Graduate.

W

E are no longer talking about Buhari showing his certificate or not; we are saying that what he has is terribly not good enough for him to be an elementary school headmaster.

It is not about party affiliation or whether one is from the South or North.—Mr. Okie Darlington, Unemployed.

B

UHARI was able to get into the army because of the circumstances existing then. He will not be fortunate to get into the defense corps with the type of qualification he has today. He is not qualified educationally and I think he is out of touch with today’s world.—Miss Judith Ekwu, Student.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 47

48 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 49

C M Y K

50 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 51

C M Y K

52 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 53

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 54

Jonathan's campaign team attacked in Bauchi, 6 injured

By Ben Agande & Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI— SIX members of President Goodluck Jonathan’s body guards were injured in Bauchi State, yesterday, when their vehicle was attacked by broom wielding youths in the state.

While four members of the security personnel were treated for minor injuries and discharged, two others who allegedly sustained serious injuries were admitted in the hospital.

Jonathan who met a hostile crowd in Bauchi State when he landed at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Airport around 11am met some youths as he drove out of the Emir of Bauchi’s palace, waving brooms, the symbol of the All Progressives Congress, APC. While some of the youths hailed the President, others displayed brooms to underscore their preference for the APC candidate.

As the President’s convoy entered the Ibrahim Babangida Square for the rally, the hostile youths started throwing stones at the convoy. As Jonathan said

Obsequies for Anako in Enugu

M

RS. Alice Anako, 83, from EnugwuUkwu, Anambra State is dead.

She was a member of the Mother’s Union at Christ Church Uwani, Enugu and Emmanuel Anglican Church, Enugwu-Ukwu.

The statement further said Anako, is survived by five children, many grand children and great grand children, including, Mr. Sam Anako, Chief Executive of Podolak Nig Ltd, Enugu and Mr. Nebolisa Anako of Federal Ministry of Works, Abuja.

Her remains would be laid to rest on February 6, 2015 after a funeral service at St. Monica’s Anglican Church Enugwu Ukwu.

Late Mrs Anako

retrogressive forces would ''not push the PDP behind.''

It took the intervention of security men to chase the youths away and reduce the impact of their actions though some vehicles in the convoy had little dents.

The atmosphere at the venue was tense as the rally had to be rushed.

The violent youths, who had been chased out by security men, made their way back inside as the President’s convoy was leaving the venue.

They attacked the last bus on the convoy which contained the DSS operatives with a big stone which smashed the windscreen and caused injuries to the occupants.

Meanwhile, the Bauchi State chapter of the PDP has flagged off its statewide electioneering campaign which took off in a grand style, Tuesday, with chieftains of the party, including the state Chairman, Ibrahim Yaro Yaro; the state Governor, Isa Yuguda; Director General of PDP Campaign Organisation, Umaru Dahiru, urging all registered voters to vote massively for PDP to ensure continuity at the state level and change at the national level.

AWARD: Chief Inno Anoliefo, Group Admin Manager, Chrome Group receiving the award of ‘Businessman of the Year 2014’ on behalf of Sir Emeka Offor, Executive Vice Chairman, Chrome Group from Mrs. Alaba Lawson, Deputy President, NACCIMA, while Dr. Edwin Ndukwe, Head Communication/Business Development, Chrome Group watch.

FEB POLLS: Civil society coalition decries peace pact signed by presidential aspirants

By Ikenna Asomba

L

AGOS—COALITION of civil society groups under the umbrella of Say No Campaign Nigeria, SNCN, yesterday, took a swipe at the peace accord signed on Wednesday, January 14, in Abuja, by the 14 presidential candidates in the February 14 presidential election.

The rights group argued that the peace bond tagged Abuja Declaration Accord, and signed by the presidential candidates was unnecessary, as it does not supersede the constitution and laws of the country, such as the Electoral Offences Act, which stipulates punitive measures for breach of peace in elections.

Speaking at a rally to advocate a violence-free 2015 election, in Ikeja, Lagos, Convener of SNCN, Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu, said: “A ceremony of signing peace accord in Abuja can never take over the existing laws of this country. Our laws are very clear on hate speeches. We have laws called Electoral Offences. So, a ceremony where people sign a peace pact can not make the law work.

“Anybody who breaches the law should be made to face the wrath of the law. I don’t think an accord can settle that. An accord can not settle the fact that someone’s house was burnt. When someone’s house is burnt, that is arson according to our law and it has its own punitive measures. If someone is beaten mercilessly, that is battery and assault, and our laws have punitive measures for this crime. For the fact that an accord has been signed does not mean people should go about misbehaving.

Similarly, Comrade Ibuchukwu Ezike, Executive Director, Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO and Coordinator, Say No Campaign Nigeria, Lagos axis who stated that violence-ridden elections

have led to civil war in several countries said: “We are sending this important message to the Nigerian people to educate them that electoral violence has all over the world, led to the killing of people and the burning of their properties, which eventually led to civil war. We don’t want such scenario to happen in this country. ''

Firm launches website for affordable goods

A

N international procurement and logistics company, Manna stores has launched a new website www.mannastores.ng to sell original and quality goods at affordable prices for wholesale and retailer traders across Nigeria.

Ayo Benson , the Chief Executive Officer of Manna Stores, made this known in a release made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Ikeja, Lagos.

According to him, Nigeria has never had it so good in terms of competitiveness of the market especially in the retails arena which explains the company’s determination to give Nigerians world class products at affordable prices.

He said the firm has been helping Nigerian businesses and individuals purchase original goods from United Kingdom and United States for the past four years, adding; ''We are launching the new website to scale up our activities in the sales of original and quality goods at affordable prices- ladies bags, perfumes, shoes household items, and accessories.''

He said his partnership with international reputable companies gives his company an edge in terms of sourcing quality products at much reduced cost. He opined that the key factors for their low prices are their expertise in logistics, partnership with international firms and economy of scale.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 —55

APC rejects Dasuki's call for postponement

CAMPAIGN TOUR: Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State; Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Enugu West senatorial candidate, Ike Ekeremadu, at a campaign rally in Ndeabor, Enugu State.

Don’t compare yourselves to Obama, Mandela, Akanbi tells Nigerian political leaders ...Rigging is phased out with electronic transmission of results — JEGA

By Emma Ujah & Emma Elebeke

F

ORMER chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practises and other related offences Commission, Justice Mustapha Akanbi yesterday cautioned Nigerian political leaders to desist from comparing themselves with world leaders on the basis that they have failed short of the sacrifices set by such leaders.

Akanbi spoke at the annual Daily Trust dialogue just as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, at the same occasion reassured Nigerians that reports of the

purchase of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs by politicians would amount to nothing as it would be a useless venture. Jega assured that results of the forthcoming elections would be electronically transmitted from the spot to avoid rigging.

Former chief of army staff, Gen Abduraman Danbazau also present at the occasion revealed the existence of several political armies maintained by politicians for electoral advantage.

Speaking on the occasion, Akanbi who did not mention anybody, but adverts on President Goodluck Jonathan on television have compared him with world leaders such as President Barack Obama of the United States

More Nigerians to be executed in Indonesia

By Charles Kumolu

C

HAIRMAN of House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said that except the Federal Government intervenes, more Nigerians who are on death row in Indonesia may still be executed.

She said this against the backdrop of the recent execution of a Nigerian, Mr. Daniel Enemuo, by Indonesian authorities for drug related offence.

Dabiri-Erewa in a statement expressed disappointment at the action of Indonesian government despite persistent pleas by the

Federal Government.

She further cautioned Nigerians abroad to desist from illegal activities, adding that the Nigerian government has always been lukewarm towards her troubled citizens in foreign lands.

In addition, she called on the electorates to ensure that a candidate who would protect their interest within and outside the country is voted in. ‘’In spite of our so called booming economy and high GDP, how can one explain why Nigerian youths are leaving the country in droves in search of job opportunities in other lands. A lot of them are seeking hope in hopelessness,’’ she added.

and South Africa icon, Nelson Mandela.

“Today some people are comparing themselves with Li Kwan Yun, Barack Obama, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela.”

“If youhave read about Li Kwan Yun, those who were corrupt in his country when he decided to fight corruption, they preferred to commit suicide than to face Li Kwan Yew. Mandela spent 27 years in prison and yet that man spent one term in office and decided to step aside.

“These are people who suffered for the people.

People who did not plunder the people and when you are making comparison to get votes you must tell the people the truth. What did they do? Are you doing the same thing?”

He said that Nigerian leaders failed to make necessary sacrifices that other world leaders make and that if Nigerian politicians were actually out to serve, “there will be few people to compete”.

He added, “The reason is that we don’t make service to the people our goal. Take Kwara for instance, for the governorship election for one party, 14 people wanted to be the governor and if you look at the curriculum vitae of some of them they are not even qualified to be messengers.”

The retired justice noted that Nigerians could “make or mar our future through this election. The die is cast.

The challenge is true. There can be no retreat, no surrender. The history of our generation can only be the measure and of our loyalty and devotion to the right ideals of our nation”.

Continues from Page 5 been given to the efforts of successive governments to address the issue. It is to the credit of the successive administrations in Nigeria, since 1999, that many institutions have been established to deal with corruption especially within government circles and private businesses.

"The institutions are, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission –EFCC; the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission – ICPC and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit – NFIU. ‘’These institutions, since their establishment have performed creditably as acknowledged by Nigeria’s international collaborators.

2015 ELECTIONS

"Anxiety over the peaceful conduct of the 2015 general elections has continued to grow both at home and abroad, fuelled by the memories of the postelection violence that occurred after the 2011 elections. Boko Haram members who have repeatedly expressed their disdain for the democratic process have also escalated their campaign over this period, further adding to the sense of instability.

"In a country of 170 million people elections have not been without their challenges, most especially pre and post-election violence, allegations of rigging, delayed delivery of ballot boxes, names left off ballot papers, desperation of some politicians to win at all costs are some examples.

Experience, most especially after the 2011 general elections has shown that some of the most serious challenges to election security could emerge spontaneously or due to perceptions, of irregularities during the voting process, which then reflected in what some people concluded were unfavourable election results.

"Other challenges that we anticipate include the ability of INEC and the state to protect sensitive election related material as well as the provision of adequate security for electoral officers. This will help to ensure the integrity of the process.

"Among the steps being taken is the setting up of an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security –ICCES. The ICCES consists of top INEC officials, commissioners, directors and heads of departments, with representation from all security agencies, including my office. For the first time in the history of election security in

Nigeria, the country has a platform responsible for the coordination of security matters and pooling resources, particularly personnel in dealing with security challenges.

Security services have promptly intervened and prevented potential crisis situations that could have gotten out of hand across the country.

ICCES has continuously taken measures to upgrade its activities and ensure its effectiveness at both the state, and especially the local government levels.

"In addition, the electoral commission is retraining security personnel on their roles and functions at polling units. Sensitisation workshops such as the one currently embarked upon by the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons, PRESCOM, in the six geopolitical zones of the country, with the theme: Ballots Without Bullets raise the awareness of Nigerian citizens across the country to the destructiveness of electoral violence and the need for youths to avoid being used by politicians.

The National Orientation Agency and other civil society organisations including a group led by eminent well respected elders are also involved in similar sensitisation programmes across the country.

Given the importance of how the conduct of the election is communicated, including the accurate and timely reporting of results, INEC staf s are being trained on strategic communication.

"However, election security matters cannot be left solely to security agencies and INEC to manage.

All other stakeholders, such as the media, community leaders and political parties have a significant role to play in the task of ensuring a peaceful atmosphere during the conduct of elections. Recently all the presidential candidates and their parties agreed to curb the use of hate speech and work towards violence free, fair and credible elections by signing what is now referred to as the Abuja Accord.

"Given the above, the 2015 elections are expected to be relatively peaceful and violence free. The Federal Government has taken all necessary measures to ensure this by making adequate provisions for INEC, security agencies and by supporting numerous sensitisation programmes.

"We are conscious that there is some anxiety about whether elections will hold in the North East and the ability of the government to ensure that the internally displaced will be able to vote. Our answer to both of those is yes. As far as is possible, we are determined that adequate security will be in place to

enable elections in all the areas in the north east that are safe, and that the IDP’s will be provided with the opportunity to exercise their votes.

"The emergence of a seemingly viable opposition, as well as the closeness of the race is a clear demonstration of our maturing democracy.

Greater voter awareness also means that people are more engaged in the electoral process and determined to protect their right to vote. We on our part are doing all we can to ensure that every Nigerian who wants to vote is able to and that their votes will count."

CONCLUSION

"I have attempted to present Nigeria’s most pressing security threat and demonstrated that this threat is both local and global. The question is whether the world will show the same and commensurate concern to the rising terrorism in parts of Nigeria as it does in other parts of the world.

I have also shown that while we continue to face the debilitating effects of corruption we have taken steps to build strong institutions and strengthen our laws in addressing it.

As we continue to do this

we call on the global community to further address the corrupting influence of big companies and rich countries. I finally submitted that successive elections in Nigeria have improved and lessons learnt in 2011 are now being practiced in preparation towards the 2015 elections. The INEC has a strong team and government has ensured adequate funding and capacity enhancement while putting in place strong coordination mechanisms between the electoral body and other stakeholders.

"It is my firm belief that Nigeria will emerge stronger, manage her threats better and improve on governance.

We are taking these careful but sure steps at the moment. The terrorist threat has focused us on the right path. We have developed a new national security strategy that puts our people at the heart of our efforts, a national counter terrorism strategy that employs both hard and soft power and an economic revitalization plan that will bring succor to those most vulnerable and those affected by violence. We continue to reach out to members of the international community to stand with us as we strive to build a united and prosperous country.

Thank you for listening."

56 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 57

Germany boils as police arrests Eritrean over compatriot’s death

G

E R M A N Y prosecutors say an Eritrean man has been arrested over the fatal stabbing last week of a compatriot in the German city of Dresden, a killing that came amid tension over immigration in the region.

Jan Hille, a spokesman for Dresden prosecutors, said on Thursday the arrested 26-year-old lived with the victim and is suspected of manslaughter, news agency dpa has reported.

The victim, a 20-year-old asylum seeker, was found dead on 13 January outside the suburban apartment building where he lived. An autopsy showed he died from stab wounds to the neck and chest.

Dresden has drawn

Germans protesting against Eritreans death, inset: the victim attention lately because of weekly rallies by a group that opposes what it calls the “Islamisation of the west” and advocates tougher immigration rules.

Local officials have warned against jumping to conclusions regarding the killing.

The Frankfurter

Allgemeine Zeitung said about 100 people had staged a demonstration in Dresden on Thursday when the police confirmed that Bahray had been a victim of a violent crime.

The paper also quoted the city’s Mayor Helma Orosz as saying she was shocked by the news.

How British spies aided Ghadafi —report

Tony Blair and Ghadaffi when the going was good.

L

INKS between MI5 and Gaddafi’s intelligence during Tony Blair’s government more extensive than previously thought, according to documents Tony Blair and Libyan

leader Muammar Gaddafi in Tripoli in 2004, at the time when intelligence agencies in the two countries were cooperating. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA Britain’s intelligence

agencies engaged in a series of previously unknown joint operations with Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s government and used the information extracted from rendition victims as evidence during partially secret court proceedings in London, according to an analysis of official documents recovered in Tripoli since the Libyan revolution.

The exhaustive study of the papers from the Libyan government archives shows the links between MI5, MI6 and Gaddafi’s security agencies were far more extensive than previously thought and involved a number of joint operations in which Libyan dissidents were unlawfully detained and allegedly tortured.

Suicide bomb kills two in Mogadishu ahead of visit by Turkish president

A

SUICIDE car bomb exploded at the gate of a Mogadishu hotel where Turkish delegates were meeting on Thursday, the day before a visit by their president, Recep Tayyip Erdoan, to the Somali capital, police said. At least two police officers were killed but none of the Turkish delegates was wounded in the attack, which was claimed by Islamist alShabaab rebels, said

officials. Erdoan planned to go ahead with his trip, a source at his office in Ankara said. Turkey ’s prime minister, Ahmet Davutolu, said an investigation was under way to see if the delegation was deliberately targeted.

Al-Shabaab, which has carried out attacks across east Africa including a 2013 raid on a Nairobi shopping mall that killed 67, claimed responsibility for the assault but did not mention

the Turkish delegation or Erdoan.

“We attacked (the) hotel and killed several of the Somali police officers who were meeting there,” alShabaab’s military operation spokesman, Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, said.

A witness saw two police officers lying dead in front of the destroyed gate, and what appeared to be the mangled body of the suicide bomber.

58 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 —59

Vanguard CLASSIFIED OKOIYELE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Juliet Amaka Okoiyele, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Juliet Amaka Osakwe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGBOLADE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Agbolade Olusola Olubukunola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olusola Olubukunola Sanni-Osilowo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGBIMI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogbimi Elohor Faith, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akpojotor Elohor Faith. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKWUAGBALA—I, formerly known and addressed as Okwuagbala Obinna Nwabueze, now wish to be known and addressed as Amaizu Obinna Nwabueze. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

N WA N M U O H — I , formerly known and addressed as Nwanmuoh Ikenna Ogbonnaya, now wish to be known and addressed as O g b o n n a y a Goodnews Ikenna. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IBEAFU —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Felicia Chidiogo Ibeafu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Felicia Chidiogo Ngoke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OLUWOLE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwole Opeyemi Titilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogbale Opeyemi Titilayo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Agu Anita Adaobi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ofoemezie Anita Adaobi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OWOKADE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Owokade Adejumoke Margaret, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Falana Adejumoke Margaret. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Yiobor Ogoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Yiobor Lauretta Okoye.

All former documents remain valid.

Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria and general public please take note.

ISMAILA—I, formerly known and addressed as Ismaila Ugabi Mohammed, now wish to be known and addressed as Samuel Favour Ugabi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

BASSEY—I, formerly known and addressed as Bassey Affiong Glory, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Patrick-Otu Affiong Glory. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UGWUEDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Amuche Maureen Ugwuede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amuche Maureen Ibeanu. All former documents and certificates remain valid. My employers and general public please take note.

UKENI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ukeni Eguono, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Apute Eguono. All former documents remain valid.

Vinniytsia National M e d i c a l University,Ukraine and general public please take note.

M O N E K E — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Moneke Chidum Ndonwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Egbuchiri Chidum Ndonwa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHILAKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chilaka Happiness C., now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mbaegbu Happiness C. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

MR. ERUOGUN—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Eruogun Collins Etin-Osa, now wish to swap my name to reflect as Mr. EtinOsa Eruogun Collins.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EDUDJE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Edudje C h r i s t a b e l Omoghene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Simon Christabel Omoghene. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MBAHAOTU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Maureen Ezinne Mbahaotu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Maureen Ezinne Njoku. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MALUZE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Maluze Benedeth Nwaburu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eze Benedeth Nwaburu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ODUM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Iheyinwa Iheoma Odum, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Iheyinwa Iheoma Nwabueze. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SAGAY—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sagay Stella Emrobowansan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onokpe Stella Emrobowansan. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AJALA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Thelma Abiodun Ajala, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Thelma Abiodun Oluwadero.

All former documents remain valid.

Guaranty Trust Bank and general public please take note.

IKHINMWIN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rachel Esosa Ikhinmwin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rachel .E. Aigbe Odiase. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

BROWN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Brown Mandy Akpama, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mandy Green. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MADUKA — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Celestina Anayochi Maduka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Iheanachor Celestina Chimaobi. All former documents remain valid. All institutions, banks, immigration and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Bobo Lucky Kieboye, hereby confirm that the name Bobo Kieboye as it appears on my WAEC result refers to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. Niger Delta University and general public please take note.

MUSAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Musah Sikiratu Stacy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Stacy Osotse Ilegar.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

KA L E J AY E — I , formerly known and addressed as Evelyn Oluwatomi Tiwatope Kalejaye, now wish to be known and addressed as Evelyn Oluwatomi Tiwatope Kalejaye-Riggan. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Obi Magdalene Obachi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ewah Magdalene Obachi.

All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force and general public please take note.

TALI NIMFA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mamkon Tali Nimfa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mercy Mamkon Oyeleke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oba Judith Banke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Feyisietan Judith Banke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IDU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Pauline Ochanya Idu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Pauline Ochanya Abakpa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ANUMUDU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Anumudu Chizoma Queeneth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyemma Chizoma Queeneth. All former documents remain valid. United State of America Embassy, Human Right Writers Association of Nigeria and general public please take note.

UMO—I, formerly known and addressed as David Bassey Umo, now wish to be known and addressed as David Hakim Hashim Rageh. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Varsities yet to access N621m research grants

By Emmanuel Elebeke VEN as the Federal Government is intensifying effort to stop food import into the country, the United Kingdom and the European Union said, yesterday, that the country was yet to access their 150 000 pounds (N35, 250,000) and 3 million Euros (N654,000, 000) grants meant to support research fundings mainly in soil science to boost food production in the country.

A representative of Aberystwyth University in the UK, Prof. Luis Mur, who disclosed this at a research links workshop in Abuja expressed worry over the failure of Nigerian universities to access the research grants, which he said is capable of lifting the nation from an import dependent to an exporting nation.

According to Prof. Mur, there had been a missing link in connecting the nation's research finding and the real sector of the economy but noted that the British Council had commenced plans to connect researches of both local and international Universities to drive a knowledge based economy.

It will be recalled that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, recently complained that about 70 percent of its fund remain unaccessed by nation's universities, even as scarcity of research persists within the nation's higher education.

Recent statistics had it that Nigeria currently spends N415.3bn on food importation.

The project director at British Council, Anthony Chukwuma, at the research links workshops in Abuja said, "Bringing researchers across the globe contributes to the growth of global knowledge economy. The researches basically are drawn from different parts of the world around and sharing topics on 'future proofing Agricultural production against environmental change. What we seek to advance is networking of both local and international universities together on driving a knowledge based economy through research and Development."

Soil science which is the study of soil as a natural resource including soil formation, classification and mapping, physical, chemical, biological, and fertility properties of soil, is an area experts believe could fast track Nigeria's food sufficiency target of Nigeria as the whole world faces climate change threat.

E

60 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 61

Mikel to go for Pogba deal S

UPER Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel is once again linked with a move away from the Premiership leaders with latest reports saying he will be used as lightweight to sign Paul Pogba.

According to the Daily Express Chelsea will bid 40 million pounds for the Juventus 21 year old midfield maestro and will balance the books by allowing players go in part exchange.

Players tipped to be used as sweetener for the Pogba bid by Chelsea include Brazilian midfielder Ramirez, Germany forward Andre Schurrle with Obi Mikel listed as first option.

This is not the first time Mikel has been linked with a move away from Stamford bridge but

this time around any deal to take him away has to wait till the summer.

Mikel one of Chelsea longest serving players presently in the team fell down the pecking order at Chelsea following the signing of Nemanja Matic a year ago.

This season his route back into the team has been blocked by the near perfect partnership of Matic and summer signing Cesc Fabregas in the middle for the Blues.

Galatassary, Schalke 04,AC Milan are teams who have been linked to Mikel in the past as his 8 year stay at Chelsea appears to be coming to an end though he is still contracted to the team until the summer of 2017.

Bewarang cautions coaches on contracts

By Jacob Ajom

W

•Egwuekwe (r) on international duty.

HEN the 2015 annual general congress of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association holds on January 27 the menace of quacks, coaches welfare and the enhancement of their technical know-how would top the agenda.

The event which is expected to be attended by state chairmen and

Egwuekwe lands in London N

I G E R I A international Azubuike Egwuekwe is reported to have flown into London and is set to finalise a move to West Ham. Sam Allardyce is looking to strengthen his backline as uncertainty continues to surround the future of

Winston Reid who has yet to agree a new contract with the club.

Egwuekwe, 25, has been one of the star performers for Warri Wolves and is ready to showcase his talents in the Premier League. gerian website SL10.ng is claiming that the talented defender is

now holding talks with West Ham and could secure a £4m in the January transfer window.

Allardyce will not want to risk being left with just two senior central defenders at the end of the month if Reid secures a late move away from Upton Park.

Amelia Edet goes down memory lane F

ORMER Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) head coach, Amelia Edet has reiterated the need to invest in the youth, sportwise. “….There is no substitute for talent hunt.

There is a limit to the recycling of athletes. It is about age and performance and sooner or later, if you don’t invest in the youth, failure catches up with you…..” she said.

In Lagos, Amelia was reacting to an invitation to be part of a coaching crew that will fine tune the over 500 students that will be involved in the grand finale of the 14th AKS/NNPC/MPN Schools Athletics Championships that will be held in Uyo on Feb 6 and 7.

Part of the same exercise in Calabar last year, the seasoned coach and holder of the IAAF Veteran Pin for “ long and meritorious service to the cause of athletics worldwide” said what happened in Calabar last year was an eye opener and proof that talent abound in this country. “ Courtesy NNPC and MPN we took about 160 students to Calabar last year and after about two weeks of intensive

coaching, there was no doubt that world beaters abound in this country. “ I had pleaded with the Consultant of the programme Mr Paul Bassey to ensure that we have more of such. I have been told that this year will not be as intensive as last year, but it gladdens me that as many as 500 athletes will be given an opportunity to be exposed to the best of conditions in track and field” she said.

Amelia who was honoured by the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) during her 47th Congress in Berlin for her commitment and service to Track and Field will want more companies and individuals to be involved in grass roots sports sponsorship.

•Athletes compete in 100m race.

Real Continues from BP

Tunisia Continues from BP Akaichi scored from two yards out.

Tunisia improved after that and Yasine Chikhaoui headed home a late winner.

The Eagles of Carthage are now on four points after two games, with Zambia on one point with one game left in Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool were placed sixth to ninth, all of them showing healthy rises in revenues.

Tottenham were in 13th spot, while there were new entries for Newcastle United and Everton at 19th and 20th.

The total combined revenue for the top 20 richest clubs rose by 14% to €6.2bn, the report found. The list only

looks at revenues accrued and does not take into account club debts.

Real Madrid, which won its so-called “Decima” European Cup/Champions League after beating city neighbours Atletico 4-1 last May, saw revenues of €549.5m (£459.5m, at average exchange rate for the year ending 30 June 2014).

The club saw revenue growth of €30.6m, from increases of 8% and 9% in broadcast and commercial revenues respectively.

Ebola Continues from BP day ’s Group D games told the BBC that there were isolated incidents of fighting between police and fans, with one involving up to 300 people.

The WHO worker says she feared for her safety and had to come inside the gates to carry out the checks for Ebola. The police used electroshock weapons, batons and cattle prods to stop the fighting, after fans

•Bewarang secretaries will hold at the All Saints Anglican Guest House in Abuja.

According to the National Publicity Secretary of the association, Itta Egbe, the congress would ensure only qualified coaches be employed to handle clubs and when these coaches are engaged they must be given proper contracts.

In a chat with Sports Vanguard, the former national team goalkeeper said, “the President of the association, Bitrus Bewarang has warned against coaches rushing to take up jobs. Any coach taking up an appointment must ensure the contract he entered into is documented.

“A copy of the contract must be forwarded to the secretariat of the association and one to the NFF so that clubs can be held accountable in event of default. Where a coach’s contract is not documented, not much can be done.”

In terms of training, Egbe said, the Nigeria Football Federation has opened windows of opportunity for our coaches and we are going to capitalise on that.”

He said the association was doing a lot in stamping out the menace of quacks in their midst, insisting that all Nigerian coaches must be licensed. surged towards the gates, reports the BBC’s Alex South in Malabo.

Equatorial Guinea are hosting the tournament after Morocco’s request to postpone the event because of the possible spread of the disease was rejected by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) in November.

Supporters have their temperatures checked and are then asked to clean their hands with sanitising gel as they enter stadiums, which is resulting in long queues.

C M Y K

62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Jigawa Govt honours Gumel

T

Aussie Open

Djokovic, Wawrinka join Serena in Aussie 3rd round

HE government of Ji gawa State will roll out the red carpet on January 25, 2015 to honour it’s illustrious son and President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr Habu Gumel.

This recognition which holds at the NYSC Camp is being bestowed on Engr Gumel by His Excellency, Governor (Dr) Sule Lamido, the Executive Governor of Jigawa State as a result of the giant strides that the astute administrator has made in Sports Administration(local and international) and Engineering practice in Nigeria.

In a letter signed by the Director of Protocol, Government House, Dutse, the Dinner in honour of Engr Gumel who is also an Executive member of the International Olympic Committee, IOC, will start by 9 p.m prompt.

Since coming back as President of Nigeria Olympic Committee af-

•Engr. Gumel ter a keenly-contested election in Asaba, Delta State, where he beat former President Engr Sani M. Ndanusa, Gumel had received congratulatory messages from international sporting bodies as well as stakeholders in Nigeria.

But in his usual characteristic manner, he has decided to allow his works speak for him.

But for the honour coming from his own State, Gumel said that words were inadequate to express his joy.

FIBA Africa Zone 3 set for 2015 calendar

T

OP-ranked Serena Williams fended off three set points before going on a 10-game roll to beat Vera Zvonareva 7-5, 6-0 and move into the third round of the Australian Open.

Men’s No. 1 Novak Djokovic had an easier run, spending a minute less than Williams on Rod Laver Arena in his 84minute, 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 win over No. 88-ranked Andrey Kuznetsov on Thursday.

Defending champion Stan Wawrinka, who ended four-time champion Djokovic’s 25match winning streak at Melbourne Park in the quarterfinals last year, advanced to the third round for the seventh consecutive year with a 76 (4), 7-6 (4), 6-3 win over No. 194-ranked qualifier Marius Copil.

Williams, seeking a sixth Australian and 19th Grand Slam title, saved three set points in the ninth game before holding to swing the momentum of her match against Zvonareva, a twotime Grand Slam finalist who played only five tournaments in 2014.

That’s when she told herself: “‘You know Serena, you’ve done so C M Y K

F

IBA Africa Zone 3 led by Col. Sam Ahmedu (rted) of Nigeria has taken possession of two states of art basketball courts, courtesy of one of its major partners. The courts are for the zone’s inaugural 3x3 championship billed for March 2015.

According to a release made available to the media by the Administrative Secretary of the Zone, Joseph Apu, the courts are one of the several equipments available for a very competitive 2015 for countries in the Zone.

The courts currently being branded and

•Wawrinka

•Djokovic well here, you have nothing to lose’.”

“Things really clicked.

I had no other option but for things to click,” she added. “Yeah, I just had to start playing better.”

Williams said she had to transition quickly to get past such an experienced player in the second round.

She said she was thinking: “This girl has been ranked as high as No. 2 in the world ... she’s a very quality player, she knows what to do.”

After breaking Williams’ serve twice in the first set, Zvonareva only won eight points in the second set and didn’t get close to another break-point chance.

Williams will next play No. 26 Elina Svitolina, who beat Nicole Gibbs 76 (3), 7-6 (6).

Ideye heads to Hamburg

I

•Serena

Azarenka shows champion’s form

W

ITH an injuryravaged year behind her, former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka is working her way back to the top at the Australian Open.

A two-time Open champion, Azarenka made her way into the third round with Thursday’s upset over

marked in Lagos is the Sport Court Mobile/Portable Synthetic Court which will also be moved from country to country during the Zone’s annual 3x3 Tour subsequently.

President of the Zone, Ahmedu, said that the facilities which also include fibre glass uprights, table-top and wall mounted scoreboards, as well as shot clocks, is to ensure that countries within Zone 3 benefit from them. The countries are Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger and Liberia.

eighth seed Carolina Wozniacki.

A foot problem plagued Azarenka last year, leaving her unseeded at Melbourne Park. Now she is as dangerous as ever, as seen in a 6-4, 6-2 victory in less than two hours.

“I’m happy with the way I stayed consistent

throughout the whole match,” Azarenka said.

“I think there’s always things you can improve, but it’s a great progress from one match to another.

“I just want to keep trying to stay in that path and continue to grow, continue to improve.”

T is known that Bundesliga club Hamburg are in the market for offensive reinforcements, with the transfer window expected to shut in the next 11 days.

Ahead of the resumption of the League, Innocent Emeghara has been training with Hamburg, but the Imtech Arena outfit do not want to put their eggs in one basket, and are mulling over a move for West Brom striker Brown Ideye.

Sky Sports UK has re-

ported that the Nigeria international is set to join Hamburg on loan until the end of the 2014 2015 campaign.

Since joining The Baggies from Dynamo Kiev this past summer, Brown Ideye has managed only one goal in the English Premier League.

And with new West Brom boss Tony Pulis eager to bolster his frontline, the 26 - year - old striker is likely to be sacrificed to make way for a potential recruit.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 — 63

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015

Real top football rich list

R

EAL Madrid has matched its 10th triumph as champions of Europe by topping the Deloitte football rich list for a 10th straight year.

Manchester United moves up from fourth to second on the list, which

is based on season 201314 revenues.

Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain filled the next spots.

English clubs Manchester City, •Continues on Page 61

•Ancelloti

Ebola: Police, fans clash at Afcon T

HE Ebola risk at the Africa Cup of Nations is “under control”, says Equatorial Guinea Football Federation president Andres Jorge Mbombio.

Police and fans clashed during Zambia’s 1-1 draw with DR Congo after Ebola screening delayed entry to the ground in Ebebiyin.

There were also clashes during Ivory Coast’s draw with Guinea and Mali’s tie against Cameroon on Tuesday in Malabo.

Despite the wait to enter stadiums, Mbombio claims the threat is contained.

“When we decided to host the tournament, we increased the preventive measures, so that now we can say everything is under control,” he said.

“We feel proud and reassured, and only want to think of football.”

A World Health Organisation (WHO) worker who was conducting Ebola screening at Tues

•Continues on Page 61

Tunisia tame Chipolopolo

T

UNISIA made the most of Zambia’s wastefulness in front of goal as they came from behind to win.

Emmanuel Mayuka opened the scoring when he blasted home a cross from the impressive Rainford Kalaba.

But Mayuka was

injured when stretching for a chance to turn the ball into an empty net and moments later Tunisia scored against 10 men when Ahmed

•Continues on Page 61

SMOOTH CONTROL: Tunisia’s midfielder Youssef Msakni (c) vies with Zambia’s midfielder Lubambo Musonda (l) during the 2015 Afcon group B in Ebebiyin on January 22, 2015. Tunisia won 2-1. Photo: AFP.

Mikel to go for Pogba deal — Pg 61

Today's matches

Result Zambia

1

Tunisia

2

Ghana S/Africa

vs Algeria vs Senegal

5 pm 8pm

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS: 1 Shoot (6) 5 Fight (6) 8 Fleet (8) 9 Mislaid (4) 10 Hatchet (3) 12 Fish (5) 15 Weep (3) 17 Prohibit (3) 18 Moo (3) 19 Centre (3) 20 Solemn (5) 21 Fish (3) 22 Stretch (3) 23 Solidify (3) 24 Bow (3) 26 Corroded (5) 29 Statute (3) 33 Island (4) 34 Final (8) 35 Coma (6) 36 Scold (6)

DOWN: 2 Flowers (5) 3 Curse (4) 4 Claw (5) 5 Quarrel (5) 6 Story (4) 7 Lariat (5) 10 Pale (5) 11 Receded (5) 12 Wrath (5) 13 Mirror (5) 14 Dirge (5) 15 Dilate (5) 16 Under (5) 25 Start (5) 27 Complete (5) 28 Pulsate (5) 30 Asunder (5) 31 Retain (4) 32 Jetty (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Chic 4, Sip 4, Lack 8, Prison 9, Nature 10, Dog 12, Shrub 14, Broom 15, Miser 18, Accede 20, United 24, Total 26, Snout 28, Glade 30, Ale 32, Proper 33, Dreamt 34, Slur 35, Dim 36, Sure.

DOWN: 2, Harsh 3, Costume 4, Send 5, Pang 6, Later 7, Corrode 11, Ore 12, Sea 13, Bid 16, Set 17, Rut 19, Control 21, Nag 22, Illness 23, Die 25, Owl 27, Upper 29, Demur 30, Arid 31, Edam

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.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

C M Y K