BLOODBATH IN MAIDUGURI:185 killed as soldiers,Boko Haram clash

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 61866

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

Nobel laureate, Tutu leads committee for Achebe's burial •P.14

NGF CHAIRMAN: Jonathan drums •P.8 support for Shema

BLOODBATH IN MAIDUGURI:

185 killed as soldiers, Boko Haram clash

BY NDAHI MARAMA

M

•2,000 houses destroyed, Jonathan orders probe •Ex-French hostages recount ordeal in captivity

AIDUGURI— NO fewer than 185 persons, including women and children, have been killed and more than 2000 houses destroyed in an intense fighting between the military and suspected members of Boko Haram sect in Baga, a fishing community in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Soldiers were said to have bombarded the re-

Continues on Page 5

COLUMNISTS:

•P.19

•P.17

Mr & Mrs

BOOK PRESENTATION—From left: Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, National Leader of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and Chief Presenter; Chief Bisi Akande, National Chairman of ACN; Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State; Alh. Lai Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary of ACN and Author of the Book; Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), former Head of State and Senator Chris Ngige, during the Public Presentation of a book: 'Witness to History of Action Congress of Nigeria and the Struggle for Democracy, Liberty and Justice', by Alh. Lai Mohammed, at the Civic Centre Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez. More photos on Page 16.

World Bank earmarks $300m for mortgage —P.9 infrastructure in Nigeria

2015: We're set for—P.10 battle — APC leaders

2 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013 — 3

4 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

POWER TRANSMISSION—President Goodluck Jonathan (R) in handshake with the Chief Ex-

ecutive Officer of Transmission Company of Nigeria, Mr Don Priestman (L) while Vice-President Namadi Sambo watches at the Presidential Power Reform Transactions signing ceremony in Abuja, yesterday.

185 killed as soldiers, Boko Haram clash Continues from Page 1 mote town of Baga near the Nigerian border with Chad for hours last Friday evening exchanging rocket-propelled grenades and

heavy machine-gun fire with insurgents in the neighbourhoods filled with civilians.

The fighting saw insurgents fire rocket-propelled grenades as soldiers sprayed machine-

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Trying to be all people is certain recipe for failure. Be yourself.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

D

ECIDE what your priorities are and how much time you’ll spend on them. If you don’t, someone else will — Harvey Mackey Give up attachment. This is a concept that, for most of us is so hard to grasp and I have learnt this myself but it’s not something impossible. You get better and better at it with time and practice. The moment you detach yourself from all things, (and that doesn’t mean you give up your love for them – because love and attachment have nothing to do with one another, attachment comes from a place of fear, while love… well, real love is pure, kind, and self- less; where there is love, there can’t be fear, and because of that, attachment and love cannot co-exist) you become so peaceful, so tolerant, so kind, and so serene. You will get to a place where you will be able to understand all things without even trying. A state beyond words.

And when we give up living life to other people’s expectations, we find a balance of inner peace and our real purpose is clearer. Way too many people are living a life that is not theirs to live. They live their lives according to what others think is best for them. They ignore their inner voice, that inner calling. They are so busy with pleasing everybody, with living up to other people’s expectations, that they lose control over their lives. They forget what makes them happy, what they want, what they need….and eventually they forget about themselves. You have this life – this one right now – you must live it, own it, and especially don’t let other people’s opinions distract you from your path.

gun fire into the neighbourhoods.

The fighting in Baga began Friday and lasted for hours, sending people fleeing into the arid scrublands surrounding the community on Lake Chad. By Sunday, when government officials finally felt safe enough to see the destruction, homes, businesses and vehicles were burnt throughout the area.

A local government official, Mallam Lawan Kole told Governor Kashim Shettima who inspected the affected area that at least 185 bodies had been found and buried on Sunday afternoon.

The Commander of the Multinational Forces, Brigadier General Austin Edokpaye, who was also on the visit did not dispute the casualty figures.

Edokpaye said: “We received an intelligence report that some suspected Boko Haram members usually pray and hide arms at a particular mosque in the town and after soldiers had surrounded the mosque, the extremists used heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades to attack the soldiers. They reportedly used civilians as human shields during the fight. We lost an of-

ficer during the attack on our men.

“When we reinforced and returned to the scene, the terrorists came out with heavy firepower including RPGs which usually has a conflagration effect.”

Edokpaye said.

General Austin Edokpaye, however, revealed that the conflagration that consumed the town and the resultant deaths should be blamed on the Boko Haram terrorists who opened fire on soldiers and were using civilians as human shield. He also denied allegations by the residents that the shootout was unprovoked.

A resident of Baga town whose name was given as Mallam Bana told the visiting Governor Shettima that the incident started at about 8pm on Friday night.

“The soldiers were mindless that night in their approach; they killed (our people) and burnt our houses, chased everyone into the bush including women and children. So far, we have buried 185 corpses, some were burnt beyond recognition; others are hospitalised with various degrees of burns,” Mallam Bana said.

According to a grocer, Bashir Isa, “everyone

has been in the bush since Friday night. We started returning to town because the governor came to town today.

To get food to eat in the town now is a problem because even the markets are burnt. We are still picking corpses of women and children in the bush and creeks.”

By Sunday afternoon, the burnt bodies of cattle and goats still filled the streets while bullet holes marred burnt buildings.

Jonathan orders probe Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered a full scale probe into the incident at Baga in Borno State and assured Nigerians and the global community that Nigeria ‘’places the highest possible value on the lives of all citizens of the country and that his administration will continue to do everything possible to avoid the killing or injuring of innocent bystanders in security operations against terrorists and insurgents."

A statement by Dr. Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity said in part: “Rules of engagement for the military and security agencies are already in place for this purpose and the investigation ordered by President Jonathan into the incident in Baga is to amongst other things, determine whether or not these rules were fully complied with.

The President has also ordered the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) and Federal health agencies to liaise with the Borno State Government and take urgent steps to provide immediate relief and medical support for all who suffered losses and injury

in the fighting at Baga.”

Our ordeal: French ex-hostages released by Boko Haram Meanwhile, members of the French family held hostage for two months by the Boko Haram sect, spoke about their ordeal on French national television over the weekend. They said the four children helped them get through the tough times.

Despite their kidnapping, the family said it would be happy to return to Cameroon.

“It’s a superb country,” said Tanguy MoulinFournier, head of the family. “We were there for two years. We have friends there and Cameroonian brothers.”

The French family kidnapped in Cameroon by suspected Boko Haram Islamist militants were released last Thursday, without a ransom paid, French president François Hollande said.

The group had released videos of the family, threatening to kill them if authorities in Nigeria and Cameroon did not release Muslim militants held there.

However, Albane Moulin-Fournier, in a prime-time interview Saturday night, said that there had been some “very hard moments, physically,” during their captivity.

Albane was held in a different location from her husband, Tanguy, who said they were put in extreme heat with little access to water.

Tanguy’s brother Cyril said a routine of daily activities for the children helped the family keep their sanity.

“There were activities.

We folded up the sheets in the morning. We went to prepare breakfast,” said Cyril. “It was important to keep up a daily routine.”

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

Landlord docked for N12.9m theft

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS—A 55 YEAR-OLD landlord, Dotun Osinsanya, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing N12.9 million belonging to one Tunji Komolafe and Victor Chilaka and also locking up their office.

Osinsanya, who was docked before Magistrate Oshodi Makanju, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and breach of peace.

The complainants were said to be tenants of Osinsanya who rented part of his property which they used as an office.

The police prosecutor, Samson Ekikere, informed the court that the alleged incident occurred on March 20, 2013 at about 11a.m at 27, Adeleke Street in Ikeja area of Lagos.

Ekikere also alleged that the landlord who resides at 374, Ikorodu Road, Maryland conducted himself in a way to cause breach of peace andlocked up the offices of Komolafe and Chilaka.

He said the defendant stole the following property: Plasma TV valued at N85,000, two DSTV decoders, N24,000; water dispenser, N76,000; displaying board, N45,000; chairs and tables, N1,400 and video machine, N205,000, Welding machine N560,000; two split unit ACs N168,000; four laptops N520,000; cash in account office N350,000; complete set of Nular N8,400,000; law textbooks N80,000; one laptop N100,000; LLB and call to bar certificate; recycling seat N355,000; one Rolex gold wrist watch N100,000; one UPS N10,000; one stabilizer N5000; two extension board N5000; total N12.908,000 all belonging to Komolafe and Chilaka.

The defendant had pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge levelled against him by the police.

However, Magistrate Makanju granted him bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the matter to May 24, 2013.

Two sisters hack brother to death in Calabar

BY EMMA UNA

CALABAR — TWO sisters (names withheld) have been detained by the Police in Calabar, Cross River State for allegedly hacking their eldest brother, Kokoette Effiom Effiong, to death.

The two were alleged to have attacked Kokoette with sticks and machetes in a fight which ensued following disagreement over the sharing of proceeds from the sale of their late father’s land at Akpabuyo.

The incident which happened, weekend, at Ikot Nakanda, according to a family source, left the deceased with deep machete cuts in the head inflicted by the two sisters which led to his death.

“The man had deep cuts in the head and arm inflicted by Idak and Ikwo during a fight in the bush behind our house,” Otop Idebe, Kokoette's cousin said.

“They claimed that their brother had made so much money from the sale of their father ’s land while they were away and so when another parcel was sold they demanded that the money be shared equally among all the surviving children and when their brother objected, they were not happy which led to the fight.”

However, Idak one of the suspects, told Vanguard: “On that fateful day, we were told that Kokoete gave the names of three of us, including one of our siblings, Efangha, to a native doctor for money rituals.

“So when he came to our

kitchen to cook cocoyam, we warned him not to use our kitchen again because we did not like sharing a kitchen with any man, besides that he sold our father’s land and had the gut to keep the money to himself without giving us our share.”

Giving a graphic account of how the man was killed, she said: “Kokoette insisted on using the kitchen and a quarrel ensued and while still exchanging

Police patrol van crushes man in Lagos

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS — A MIDDLEAGED man was allegedly crushed to death, yesterday, by a patrol van conveying policemen attached to the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Social Offences.

The van was chasing a commercial bus driver who contravened traffic rules, in Ikorodu area of Lagos.

The team of policemen reportedly stopped the commercial bus driver around Agric busstop over an unknown traffic offence. But the later refused to stop, consequent upon which eye witnesses said the policemen chased him in their patrol

L

AGOS— A Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, yesterday, received a pistol and a 38mm bullet allegedly used by Sgt Olowojoyin Abolade, 43, in killing one Yusuf Omole whom he allegedly shot at close range in the chest.

During the proceeding,

counsel to the defendant, Mr O. Ajanaku, on observing the exhibits raised no objection as they were marked by the court as Exh P5 and Exh P6.

In the charge LCD/99/2010, the prosecutor told the court that the offence was contrary to Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C 17 Vol 2, Laws of Lagos State 2003.

The sergeant who last

started a fight.

The suspects were arrested by the police in Ikot Nakanda in Akpabuyo and transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Diamond Hill in Calabar.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. John Imoh (DSP) said they would be charged to court after the police had concluded investigation on the matter.

Some relief materials donated by Nigerian Red Cross to victims of last year's flood disaster in Yola, Adamawa State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN.

van at about 9 a.m.

Tragedy struck around OkeIra in Haruna area after a man simply identified as Baba Peace, said to be waiting to board a bus, was hit by the fleeing driver.

In his attempt to get up, eye witnesses said the oncoming police van ran over him, killing him on the spot.

The incident caused an uproar as an angry mob attempted to stop the police van. Sensing trouble, eyewitnesses said the police van veered off its lane and drove into Wahab Street, maneouvered its way through Bolaji Benson Street and escaped through Ogbolowu Estate, with the mob still chasing them. This forced the

Murder: Court admits police pistol as evidence

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

words, Kokoette went to the toilet in the bush behind the compound and Ikwo followed him with a big stick and a machete.

After a short while, I heard Kokoette screaming, so I ran to the place to stop them only to see Ikwo using the machete on him.”

Ikwo, in her statement to the police, said something different, noting that it was the deceased that trailed her to the bush, where she went to stool and they

served at the Nigeria Police Division, Iponri is facing a one-count-charge of murder, to which he had pleaded not guilty but remanded in Ikoyi prison.

After listening to PW 2 (Supol Sunday Nwabueze), the trial judge, Justice Ebenezer Adebajo, adjourned the matter to June 10 for continuation of trial.

policemen to take refuge in a building in the estate.

One of the policemen said to have changed into mufti, reportedly came out of the compound, only to be identified by the mob who waited outside.

The policeman, a Corporal, would have been lynched but for the timely arrival of a reinforcement from Area M Command.

Meanwhile, at Haruna area, the body of Baba Peace was laid in the middle of the road,with the mob spoiling for showdown. A woman later discovered to be his widow was seen wailing. Policemen from Owutu later arrived and took the body away, while officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA , controlled the resultant traffic.

Contacted, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, Damasus Ozoani, explained that information available to the Police revealed that the commercial bus driver allegedly crushed the driver as he attempted to scale through the demarcation wall to facilitate his escape.

He disclosed that the policemen involved in the chase had been arrested and investigation ongoing.

3 killed, 34 injured in Kaduna-Zaria road auto crash

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ARIA — THREE persons have been confirmed dead and 34 others severely injured in a traffic accident on Kaduna-Zaria expressway, yesterday.

The Zaria Unit Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Mr Maigari Boyi-Ali, told newsmen in Zaria that the accident occurred at about 4:30a.m.

The commander said the drivers lost control of the vehicles as a result of diesel which spilled on the road.

He said the accident involved a 911 Mercedes lorry with number plate XD603MSH and a DAF articulated truck with number plate XH832-ABC. According to him, the truck was conveying passengers from Lagos while the lorry took off from Abuja.

Boyi-Ali said the victims had been taken to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, ABUTH, Shika, for appropriate attention.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013—7

Soldier, widower killed as gunmen abduct monarch in Rivers

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

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ORT HARCOURT — A SOLDIER was, Sunday night, shot dead along with a widower by unknown armed men who kidnapped Chief Emmanuel Obisike Eche, Eze Ochialiri II, the paramount ruler of Rumuji community in Emohua Local Government of Rivers State.

The army officer, Chikodi Onu, a native of the community, who has just been posted to Lagos was in his Rumuoji home to visit his extended family when he met his untimely death.

He and Sampson Ihunwo, a widower with eight children, were said to have confronted the gunmen while they were taking the monarch away.

Eche Kenneth, one of Eze Eche’s sons said his father’s abductors struck at about 9 p.m, using a Toyota Camry car.

He said: “They could not identify my father the first time. One

Why kidnappings, other vices are on the increase —Police

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

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AGOS — THE police in Lagos State, weekend, said they have identified reasons why kidnapping and other vices have been on the increase in the state, vowing to curb them soon.

Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Area A Command, Mr Imohin Edgal, while delivering a lecture on the challenges of community policing in tackling kidnapping, assured residents of the command’s efforts in adopting and exploring new measures in curtailing and preventing kidnappings within the state.

According to him, "we want residents, expatriate and diplomats in the state to know that the police are doing all they could in ensuring that they are safe. As you all know, the police are not resting, we have been able to identify some of the major elements that propel these crimes and we are strategizing in preventing them.

"We know there is a high rate of poverty in the country and a lot of intelligent and educated youths are jobless which makes them valuable recruits for crime. But the police are taking the fight to a new level."

of them, however, got to know him through a photograph in the palace. Then, they went outside where my father was sitting and dragged him into the vehicle's trunk.

“The soldier who thought they were policemen confronted them

and they shot him dead on the spot while Ihunwo who pointed a torch light at them was also killed.”

The monarch’s family said it was yet to get any contact about his whereabouts. While the remains of the soldier had been deposited

at Military Hospital, Port Harcourt that of Ihunwo in an unknown mortuary.

The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Ben Ugwuegbulam, could not be reached for confirmation of the incident at press time.

108kg of suspected cannabis sativa with a fake Superintendent of Police uniform, consficated from a suspect, displayed during briefing by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Commander, Mr Para Bawa, in Bauchi, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Ladipo auto market President docked over alleged N52m fraud

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — A N52 million fraud suit has been slammed on the President of Aguiyi Ironsi Market, popularly known as Ladipo Market, Mr Jonathan Okoli, before an Ikeja High Court.

Okoli who was arraigned on a three-count charge before Justice Olabisi Akinlade by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was accused of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.

The anti-graft agency alleged that Okoli collected a total sum of N52 million from members of Aguiyi Ironsi International Market Traders Union between 2009 and 2010.

According to EFCC, the money was entrusted to Okoli for the payment of trade permits and auto dealers fees by members of the association.

He pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Okoli was said to have diverted the money to his personal use and failed to remit the payments to the Lagos State Government and Mushin Local Government Area.

Already, he has filed a bail application, but the trial judge, ordered him to be remanded in Ikoyi Prison pending the hearing of his application.

Hoodlums invade church after 2-yr-old boy died in septic tank

A

BY DAYO JOHNSON

KURE— TIMELY intervention of Mobile policemen in Akure, the Ondo state capital, last Sunday saved a Pastor from being lynched and his church set ablaze by some hoodlums protesting the death of a two-year-old boy, Feranmi Oladeji, who died inside the church septic tank.

About 30 mobile policemen were promptly deployed to the Christ Apostolic Church, C A C, Oke Ihinrere in Aiyedun area of Akure metropolis,Sunday, following distress calls as the thugs invaded the area and held worshippers hostage.

The Pastor whose identity was kept secret and other leaders of the church were shielded by church members when the hoodlums invaded the place.

Within an hour, the church became a Mecca of sort, as people raced there to witness the development.

The father of the deceased said to be an artisan does not attend the church but his wife, Olayinka, does.

Vanguard gathered that the deceased was born and christened in the church and celebrated his second birthday two

Sundays before the incident in the same church.

It was gathered that on Sunday, at about 11.30 a.m. while the

The damaged church property service was on, the deceased and other children were playing close to the septic tank and when Feranmi fell inside it, his mates instead of informing their parents ignored him and continued playing.

When eventually his mother asked after him and was informed by his mates that he fell inside

the septic tank, Feranmi was already stone dead.

Hell was let loose as the rescue mission raised by the church

time, were still keeping vigil in the church while the entrance to the church was under lock and key.

The septic tank leaders brought out the lifeless body of the boy while efforts to apply first aid failed.

Doctors confirmed him dead by the time he was rushed to a hospital.

Vanguard gathered that the pastor is currently under police protective custody.

Mobile policemen, at press

The state police command confirmed the death of the boy and said his body had been deposited at the state specialist hospital in Akure.

The Police image-maker, Wole Ogodo, who said peace had returned to the area, however, noted that the pastor would be invited for questioning.

8—Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

PPPRA to publish list of accredited products' suppliers

NGF chairman: Jonathan drums support for Gov Shema

BY HENRY UMORU

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU

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ETROLEUM Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, is set to publish a list of accredited international companies that supply Nigeria with refined petroleum products, as part of ongoing measures to sanitise and streamline downstream operations.

The list, which has been compiled and awaiting ministerial approval, may contain about 20 companies comprising both local and foreign companies, which either lift crude or supply refined products.

Accordingly, all marketers or trading companies wishing to import refined petroleum products under the Petroleum Support Fund, PSF, are expected to do so through the accredited companies for proper documentation and reimbursement.

Confirming the development in Lagos, yesterday, the Executive Secretary, PPPRA, Mr. Reginald Stanley, who could not confirm the exact number of participants, as it was still awaiting approval and therefore, subject to change, however, threatened to sanction any supplier who slips from the code of conduct upon the publication of the list.

Among the companies that would likely make the list are Trafigura Beheer BV, Vitol Group, Glencore International, Talaveras Group, Santana Oil, all which have been Nigeria’s trading partners over the years, while the local companies may include Sahara Group, Oando Group, and a host of many others.

Reginald said the accreditation is meant to not only ensure accountability in products distribution, but also to hold the companies responsible for any malpractice in the course of their operations in the country.

He said, “This is actually to ensure that these marketers actually exist. As soon as we get the approval, PPPRA will not pay any marketer that refuses to patronise the approved international oil suppliers. We want our marketers to be dealing with international companies that are credible.”

He explained that the move became necessary following the corruption that engulfed the PSF through almost N3trillion were paid to marketers in 2011, many of whom were phantom operators.

A

BUJA—AS Nigerian Gov ernors Forum prepares to hold its election next month to elect its chairman, President Goodluck Jonathan has pleaded with 15 governors across the parties to support the governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema as replacement for the incumbent, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State.

The governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will meet tomorrow to among others get a consensus candidate for the Chairmanship of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF President Jonathan as gathered was said to have asked the governors to go for a consensus candidate when Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State said at the meeting that the North may not accept Shema as NGF Chairman.

It was also gathered that the governors had asked the President to support the body with fund to enable it run effectively, even as governors Ramallan Yero of Kaduna,; Peter Obi of Anambra; Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and Ibrahim Dankwabo of Gombe were among the 15 governors who attended the Sunday meeting with the President.

Tomorrow’s meeting of the PDP governors which will hold in the afternoon will come up before that of the NGF that will take place at 8pm same day at the Rivers State governor’s Lodge.

The PDP governors, Vanguard gathered will also deliberate on the letter the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was said to have written to the Sokoto State governor, Aliyu where he was said to have queried the governor over his utterances that Godswill Akpabio was not recognised as Chairman of PDP Governors’ forum.

The governors are disturbed over the letter to Wamakko against the backdrop that the governors were being humiliated as it happened to Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State and Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State.

It was gathered that the Sokoto State governor who was not happy with the query, refused to pick several calls made by Tukur and allow for peace. The governor asked the Sokoto PDP Secretary, Aminu Bello to refute the statement the governor was said to have made.

The PDP Governors Forum, at the meeting will review activities in the party after the last

FRIENDS FOR AFRICA MEETS PRESIDENT JONATHAN—From left: President Goodluck Jonathan; Managing Director, Access Bank/Chairman, Friends of the Global Fund Africa, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhede; Executive Director, Global Fund, Dr Mark Dybul and Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, during a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

meeting even as the Forum would take the reports of different committees it set up on the South-West and Adamawa, among others.

Governor Akpabio had sent notice of meeting to the PDP Governors and he is said to have started making personal contacts with the governors to ensure that they have a good attendance.

President Jonathan as gathered will meet with PDP governors on Thursday, a day after the meeting of the governors.

Anenih, Tukur in closed meeting Meanwhile, the PDP National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur and the Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, Chief Tony

Anenih held a closed door meeting. The meeting which took place at the Tukur’s residence as gathered was part of moves to harmonise ideas on the on-going reconciliation moves within the party.

It was gathered Tukur and Anenih used the meeting to dispel insinuations and media reports that they have both been working at cross purposes.

Yesufu, convicted pension thief challenges court's jurisdiction, moves to quash charges

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA—CONVICTED pension thief, Mr John Yakubu Yusufu, yesterday, challenged the powers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to prosecute him over his alleged complicity in another N300million fraud.

Yusufu, who was earlier handed a light sentence by trial Justice Abubakar Thalba of an Abuja High Court at Gudu after he confessed that he conspired with six other civil servants and stole N23billion from the Police Pension Fund, yesterday, insisted that the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction to hear the fresh case brought against him by the anti-graft agency.

The accused person who was a former Director of Pension in the Police Affairs Ministry, is answering to a four-count crim-

inal charge.

In the fresh charge, he was said to have on or about February 14, 2012, knowingly failed to make full disclosure of his assets and liability in the Declaration of Assets Form he filled and submitted, and equally failed to declare that he owns a company known as AY-A Global Services Limited.

EFCC told the court that he used the name of the company and lodged in a fixed deposit account with the Zenith Bank, the sum of N250million, N10million in a fixed deposit account with the First Bank of Nigeria Plc, and another N29 million which he was said to have instructed one Danjuma Mele to lodge in his company account in the name of Jidag Technical Services Ltd with Diamond Bank.

The offence according to the prosecuting agency is punishable under section 27 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Estab-

lishment e.t.c) Act Cap E1 2004.

However, the accused person through his lawyer Mr F.C Ibeh, urged the trial court to either hands-off his trial or quash the entire charge for want of jurisdiction.

Besides, he contended that having been tried and sentenced abinitio on the basis of a charge preferred against him by the agency, it would amount to “double jeopardy” for the court to allow him to face another criminal trial related to the previous offence for which he had pleaded guilty before the other high court.

Nevertheless, the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, vehemently opposed the application dated April 19, contending that it was not yet ripe for hearing.

Jacobs pleaded the court to allow the first prosecution witness, Mr Mustapha Sanni, an operative of the EFCC, to continue his testimony, even as he described the application by the accused person as a deliberate ploy aimed at frustrating his trial.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013—9

World Bank earmarks $300m for mortgage infrastructure in Nigeria

BY OMOH GABRIEL, IN WASHINGTON

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W

ASHINGTON—THE World Bank is to partner Nigeria to develop a sound mortgage financing structure that would deliver affordable houses to Nigerians.

The multilateral institution is to provide financial access and liquidity to the tune of $300 million to kick start the project.

Banks in the country are to partner government to develop a mortgage vehicle that will manage housing development in Nigeria. Government will, however, have a small share. This fact was disclosed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minster of the Economy Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala.

Making the disclosure at a briefing yesterday with the CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Minister said the facility from the World Bank would attract a zero per cent interest, 0.7 per cent commitment charge, 10 years of grace and 40 years repayment period.

She said Nigeria currently has a huge housing deficit of 17 million which is growing by two million per year.

The minister said the Federal Government has asked for States that will volunteer to remove the constraint on land acquisition, certificate of accupancy and others to serve as the pilot project.

According to her, six states, Lagos, FCT, Bauchi and Anambra states have volunteered to pioneer the initiative.

She disclosed that the guidelines for setting up the structure of mortgage financing in the country is being worked out and by the end of the year, the institution will be in place and will begin operation early 2014.

The minister said the Federal Government will float a Eurobond this year, adding that it will put time table of the Eurobond together and do a road show in June in the relevant market in London, New York etc.

The Ministry of Finance will undertake road shows in Europe and America to attract investors to subscribe to the bond.

Okonjo-Iweala said: "This will be our second Eurobond on offer.

The yields on Nigeria bonds are good. This is an auspicious time for us to go and launch the Eurobond and so we are continuing.

This bond will go specifically to support the energy sector, it will support gas to power investment, gas to power pipe line, to support the bulk trader for us to complete the reforms in the power sector".

On the sovereign wealth fund, she said it has been launched,

Vanguard's reporter, Rosemary Onuoha, wins Citibank's journalists' awards

VISIT—Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (left) and Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, during the speaker's visit to the Alaafin in his Oyo Palace.

operational and that key executive officers have been appointed.

The 2013 Spring meeting of the IMF/World Bank ended with the conclusion to end extreme poverty by 2030.

World Bank President in his closing remarks said “This will be hard work. The target of 2030 is closer than you think – just 17 years away. We will bring the urgency of the task to the world every year by reporting on our progress, country by country, on the rate of extreme poverty around the world as well as the changes in the income of the bottom 40 percent in each country, the people who are vulnerable to slipping back into poverty in the event of losing a job or suffering a health crisis. We will learn every year where we are making progress and where we are not.

“I also very much welcome the development committee’s call for a robust replenishment of our fund for the poorest – IDA – with strong participation from all members.

These Spring Meetings – my first as World Bank Group President – had several other major highlights.

One was the uplifting presence and participation of UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon, who joined me for several high-level meetings and events and who most importantly underscored the great importance of the UN system and the World Bank

Group working hand in hand to end poverty.

We can be much more effective and efficient if we combine forces

to address political, security and economic development issues at the same time. This is our promise to the world".

Insecurity: Ihejirika urges military personnel to be at alert

BY EVELYN USMAN

C

HIEF of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika, yesterday, in Lagos, said the security threats currently facing the country were not conventional and told Army personnel to be at alert with a view to checkmating the new trend.

He said suicide bombing had brought a complex dimension in the determined attempt to foist ideology on the country.

General Ihejirika said to address the challenges a decision had been taken to reinforce existing Quick Response Group, QRG, as part of measures to strengthen existing border security arrangements.

The COAS who spoke while declaring open the 2013 First Commanding Officers’ Workshop at the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Victoria Island, Lagos, said those behind the challenges “employ all forms of unconventional weapons and tactics in urban and rural areas capitalizing on the porosity of our borders.

"It's capability in some cases

has no doubt overwhelmed the capacity of our border security agencies including the police.

"From the creeks in the Niger Delta to the Sahel Savannah region in the North East and North West, there is no clear line between you and the adversary. “ The workshop with the theme “Enhancing the Capacity of Commanding Officers to Meet with Contemporary Challenges’ he explained, was aimed at building officers’ capability in terms of physical, doctrinal and conceptual components.

Calling on officers and men of the Nigerian Army to be prepared against any aggression, both within and outside the country, he said, “I expect you as part of operational security to ensure maximum troops’ alertness and security of your personnel, installation and equipment at all times”, reiterating that their deployment to deal with distress situations must be robust. He added that maximum consideration for the issue of collateral damage must be observed.

ANGUARD Newspaper's Insurance reporter, Miss Rosemary Onuoha, has emerged the joint winner of Citi Journalistic Excellence Awards in Nigeria.

Onuoha was selected as a winner for her article entitled “How Safe Is Armed Forces Pension Under Military Pension Board?” which was published in the Vanguard Newspaper on March 26, 2012.

In a statement signed by Ogochukwu Sylvia Ekezie, spokesperson of Citibank Nigeria, titled “Citi Nigeria Annouces Winners of 2013 Citi Journalistic Excellence Awards in Nigeria” , the 5th edition of the award which ended April 8 was open to business journalists in the media including print, television, wire services, radio and internet.

The statement said she would be sponsored to an elite seminar at Columbia University in New York in conjunction with Mr. Ejiroghene Lucky Obodo of BusinessDay, who was also selected as the co-winner for his article entitled “Where Banks Fear To Tread” which was published in BusinessDay on November 26, 2012.

The International Journalists seminar is a special programme sponsored by Citi and administered by Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism. For more than 30 years, the programme has served to improve the quality of business journalism in the developing world by exposing leading journalists to the issues and people that drive the global economy, the statement said.

For the 2013 competition, Citi Nigeria said it received 16 entries from business reporters across various media outlets, including: BusinessDay, Champion, Daily Sun, Invest Advocate, National Mirror, Nigerian Compass, Nigerian News Direct, The Punch, ThisDay and Vanguard, adding that four finalists were selected by a distinguished panel of judges which included Mrs. Ndidi Nwuneli, Founder of LEAP Africa and Forbes Magazine’s 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa in 2011; Mr. Rob Folley, Economic Officer of US Consulate General, Lagos and veteran media personality, Mr. Soni Irabor, Managing Director of SDI/Ruyi Communications.

“This year, selected journalists from Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroun, Columbia, Ecuador, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Kenya, Korea, Netherlands, Nigeria, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Spain, and Tunisia will get to meet with leaders of the business community, government, media and academia in New York.

10—Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

bad governance.

“We oppose everyone in power whose activities create conditions that allow injustice, corruption, poverty, unemployment and insecurity to thrive.

And whether in power or not, we shall always oppose these things. “Rarely has a government had so much at its disposal yet done so little with it. They have been there too long for the little good they have done. Let them stand aside. “We have witnessed their empty history.

Let them become witnesses to our full and productive one.”

Fashola speaks

INVESTMENT CONFERENCE: From left— Chief Keith Richards, Managing Director, Promasidor; Mr. Konyinsola Ajayi, Professor of Law, Babcock University; Dr. Lazarus Angbazo, President & CEO, General Electric Nigeria, and Mr. Seyi Bickersteth, National Senior Partner, KPMG, at the Investment Africa Conference by CNBC Africa and Forbes Africa.

2015: We're set for battle —APC leaders zOpposition must work harder, says Aliyu

BY GBENGA OKE & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

L

EADING figures in the emerging mega-opposition political party, All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, vowed to make sacrifices to dethrone Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over what they claimed was the legacy of waste and wantonness inspired by PDP. They spoke even as Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and his Niger State counterpart, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, bickered over the prospects of PDP ruling the country for 60 years.

Governor Aliyu nevertheless agreed that PDP would need to draw lessons from opposition parties for it to propound better policies for the country.

The opposition leaders and Governor Aliyu spoke in Lagos at the launch of a book, Witness to History: Action Congress of Nigeria and the Struggle for Democracy, Liberty and Justice, written by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.

Roll call

Among the opposition figures present at the launch were former head of state and national leader of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.); national leader of ACN, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu; national chairman of ACN, Chief Bisi Akande; erstwhile Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir ElRufai.

Other are former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi; former governors of Lagos, Ogun and Ekiti States, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Niyi Adebayo, respectively, among many others.

Also present were Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; former Minister of State for Defense, Demola Seriki; Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Chief Razaq Okoya, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, Senator Femi Ojudu, Senator Biyi Durojaiye, Mrs Kemi Nelson, Senator Tony Adefuye, Senator Ajayi Borrofice, and Chairman of ACN in Lagos State, Chief Henry Ajomale.

Also present were former Chairman of WEMA Bank, Chief Sam Bolarinde; Prof. Yemi Osibajo, Gen Alani Akinrinade, Senator James Kolawole, Alhaji Isa Funtua, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Ghanaian President, Mr. Alex Sepafia, Senator Chris Ngige, Mr. Odia Ofeimun, Mr. Makanju Ipaye, Cardinal James Odunbaku, Pastor Ize Iyamun, Mr. Dele Belgore, Senator Femi Lanlehin, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Prof.

Adebayo Williams, among others.

We’ll give Nigerians real alternative— Buhari

Buhari, who was the special guest of honour, said the opposition parties were ready to give a fresh start to the country.

He said: “Our coming together under the new platform is to provide an alternative platform for Nigerians and find a lasting solution to the problems confronting Nigeria presently.

“If we consummate this merger well, no sensible person will be able to rig elections in 2015 and I must say that on a daily basis, we are being encouraged to move further.

“So I believe strongly that this merger is real and we are going to make sure we give Nige-

rians real alternative.”

Urging Nigerians to join APC, he said it will put an end to electoral malpractices in the country during subsequent elections.

Buhari said: “With this merger, we should mobilise our constituency and I don’t think that any political party along the line will attempt to rig because there wouldn’t be any need for that. “Nigerians are very serious about it and we are determined to continue with our plan. I congratulate ACN for the successful conclusion of their convention and in the move to achieve the merger, CPC will be organising its convention on the same day with ANPP.” According to him, CPC’s convention would hold in Abuja while that of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, would hold in Gusau, Zamfara.

We’ll make sacrifices— Tinubu

Tinubu, who was the chief launcher, said: “This is a Nigerian project, a movement with an agenda for change. We are not unmindful that change never happens easily.

“Hence, we are prepared to make necessary sacrifices and arm ourselves for the battle ahead. We have been the opposition long enough. In fact, I think we should stop using the term ‘opposition’.

“We are progressives, not just the opposition. We stand for something and it is for this reason that we oppose those in power. We do not oppose them just for the sake of opposition.

“As the book says, we stand for democracy, liberty and justice. May I add prosperity, health, peace, economic development, tolerance, unity, hope and brotherly love to this list?

“We hate no one and oppose no person. However, we do oppose injustice, poverty, ignorance, indifference, hatred and

Earlier, Governor Babatunde Fashola, who was the chief host, derided PDP for what he described as its arrogant disregard of the wishes of the citizenry.

Affirming that PDP was not prepared to conduct a free and credible election having become used to rigging, Fashola said: “I doubt whether PDP is ready to organise elections come 2015 for them to claim there will be no vacancy in Aso Rock come 2015. “But I can say with all sense of reality that come 2015, there will be vacancy in the presidential seat of power.

“What is instructive is that a party is saying that there is no vacancy in the highest office of the land. To what purpose are they organising the forthcoming elections in the country?”

Opposition has a lot to do— Aliyu

Governor Aliyu, who was the chairman of the event, said the prospects of a vacancy in the presidential villa would only depend on how hard the opposition parties work to dislodge PDP. He said: “We in PDP are saying no vacancy unless the opposition parties work harder and never allow personal interest to

becloud its face in the arrangement of a new party called APC. “PDP is not saying there will not be election but opposition parties, who want to take over the office of the president, must be ready to work hard to get there.”

While he denied insinuations that PDP was aiming to sabotage the proposed merger, the Niger State governor threw his weight behind the proposal.

He said: “I was one of the first people to pray for the success of the merger because we don’t want to take things for granted in this country. When people come together and realise that they share things in common, it is better they merge.

“The merger will give the electorate in the country options to choose the party that provides their views and suits them.”

Governor Aliyu nevertheless agreed that PDP would need to draw some lessons from opposition quarters.

He said: “Nigeria’s political elite must realise that nationbuilding is beyond partisanship.

For my ruling party, we need to appreciate the works of others as this will give the opportunity to listen to different views before we make policies for the nation.

“I believe strongly that opposition should not be fought to the ground because they are there to put the ruling party on their toes anytime they are going wrong. Opposition is germane for the survival of any democracy as it helps those in power to see the other side of the coin.”

Lai’s vote of thanks

In his vote of thanks, Mohammed said he was able to write the book because he was given a platform by Tinubu when he first offered him a position as his chief of staff.

He said: “As spokesman of ACN, I discovered that the media is indispensable and are the true heroes of democracy.”

...as Lagos seeks redefinition of ‘host communities' House of Representatives Ad hoc

N

ATIONAL Assembly has been urged to redefine the nomenclature of host communities as contained in the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, to include communities in which petroleum facilities are accommodated.

This proposal was made, yesterday, by Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Taofeek Tijani, during his presentation to the

Committee on PIB, which held a public hearing for the South-West Zone in Lagos. Tijani represented Governor Babatunde Fashola at the occasion.

Tijani explained that communities in which petroleum facilities, including pipelines, tank farms and depots are located were often subjected to conditions similar to that faced by oil producing areas when pipeline vandalism, oil spillage and gas flaring occur.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013—11

FG gets May 2 deadline in face-off with health workers

BY OLA AJAYI

I

BADAN—HEALTHCARE workers, under the aegis of Nigerian Union of Allied Health Care Professionals, have threatened to disrupt industrial peace in Federal teaching hospitals across the country from May 2 if Federal Government fails to address an al-

leged injustice done to them.

At a briefing at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, yesterday, the workers, comprising pharmacists, radiographers, dieticians, medical laboratory technologists and physiotherapists, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to

wade into the matter.

President of the Union, Felix Faniran, who led the members to protest the alleged marginalisation in the distribution of leadership positions in the teaching hospitals, said medical practitioners regarded others in the sector as inferior.

He said: “The post of

SIGNING: From left— Mr. Oludare Senbore, Head, Power & Infrastructure Finance, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited; Mr. Hakeem Adedeji, Senior Vice President, First City Monument Bank Plc; and Mr. Tolu Osinibi, Executive Director, FCMB Capital Markets Limited, at the signing ceremony of a $225 million facility granted by FCMB, UBA, First Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank and FBN Capital to Accugas Limited in Lagos.

Chief Medical Director should be re-designated as Chief Executive Officer and made open to all health professionals with proven competence and managerial expertise.

“All forms of discrimination capable of hindering capacity enhancement of any group of professionals should be discarded.”

Contributing, UCH branch of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, through its Chairman, Juwon Arotiba, said all professionals in the health sector must put the patient at the centre of all activities in the hospital.

Urging the President to use his office to avert total collapse in the health sector, they asked for investigation of issues of multiple salary structure in the sector, which they said was responsible for incessant crises in the hospitals.

Members of the union, who are currently on a seven-day warning strike, said government had till May 2 to address their demands, after which the state of activities in the teaching hospitals could no longer be guaranteed.

... as Osun lecturers refuse to return to work

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO—WORKERS in all the four tertiary institutions owned by Osun State government, yesterday, insisted that they would not return to work

until their demands were met by government, as their industrial action entered the sixth week.

Briefing newsmen in Osogbo, spokesman of the workers, Olusegun Onifade,

said while the workers sympathised with the parents, guardians and students of the institutions, the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola should be blamed for what he described

Ogun sets up commission of enquiry on Ado-Odo crisis

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA—YESTERDAY, about a week after a traditional ruler in Ado-Odo in AdoOdo-Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State was attacked and stripped naked, the state government has constituted a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the crisis.

The government, which made this known through a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, said the Commission had six weeks to submit its report.

Adeoluwa said the Chairman and members of the Commission were expected to function within the powers conferred on them by Section 7 of the Commission of Inquiry Law of Ogun

State.

It will be recalled that there was pandemonium last Monday in Ado-Odo, when a traditional ruler of the town, Oba Lateef Adeniran, was attacked and stripped naked in public by some hoodlums.

According to the government, “the constitution of the commission is in fulfillment of its earlier promise to find a lasting solution to the crisis which broke out in AdoOdo community on the April 14 and 15.

“The Judicial Commission has as its Chairman Hon. Justice Elizabeth Osinuga.

Other members are Immam Soliu Abanigbe, Elder Samuel Agogo, Prophet J. O. Alabode, while Mr. Johnson

Ojo is to serve as its Secretary.

“The Terms of Reference of the Commission are: to establish the remote and immediate causes of the April 14 and 15 Ado-Odo crisis.

“To identify individuals, groups of persons and institutions directly or indirectly responsible for the unrest and their roles in precipitating the unrest and recommend appropriate sanctions.

“To ascertain the extent of loss of lives and damage to property and to recommend ways of avoiding the re-occurrence of such unrest in future and to make any other recommendations incidental to the Commission’s terms of reference.”

as the governor’s alleged insensitivity to the plight of the workers.

The workers, under the umbrella of Council of Academic Staff Unions of Osun StateOwned Tertiary Institutions, CASUOSTI, are demanding for remittance of deductions of their contributory pension scheme and approval of 65 years retirement age for academic staff of the affected institutions, among others.

Onifade said: “Our members hold this issue of pension very seriously because if not well managed, it may mean that our investment into the service of the state will be in vain, hence it may create problem upon our investment.”

While appreciating the efforts of the state government in the social economic development of the state, the workers argued that this should not be done at the detriment of the workers in the state.

The affected institutions are Osun State Colleges of Education, Ila Orangun and Ilesa; Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, and Osun State College of Technology, EsaOke.

Daniel, Bankole in closed-door meeting

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

B E O K U TA — AHEAD of the 2015 general elections, former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, yesterday, held a closeddoor meeting with Chief Alani Bankole, the father of former Speaker of House of Representatives.

The meeting, which was held at Bankole’s residence in Oluwo, Onikolobo, Abeokuta, commenced a few minutes after the state High Court sitting in Isabo adjourned the case between Daniel and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged misappropriation of public funds to June 4.

Vanguard gathered that the meeting, which started at 9:30a.m. and ended 10:50a.m., was part of the presidential orders to Daniel to reconcile with political heavyweights in the state ahead of the 2015 elections.

When approached after the meeting, Daniel, who was accompanied by his former Secretary to the State Government, and ex-Minister of Mine and Steel, Sarafa Ishola, declined comment.

Prof Obe for Hayford lecture

BY WILLIAMS JIMOH

F

ORMER Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, UNILAG, Professor Ibidapo-Obe, will tomorrow deliver a public lecture on Effective Education for National Development at this year’s Hayford Alile Foundation, THAF, at Nigerian Institute for International Affairs, Lagos.

Briefing journalists, yesterday, ahead of the lecture, Founder of the foundation and Spiritual Leader of St Joseph Chosen Church of God, SJCCG, International, Apostle Hayford Alile, said the public lecture was organised as part of efforts of the foundation to promote and support educational development in Nigeria.

12 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013—13

Oshiomhole swears in LG chairmen

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—THE 14 newly elected local government area chairmen on the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in weekend’s elections in Edo State, were sworn-in, yesterday, by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

He also ordered Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC, to apologise to the people of the state for the lapses recorded in the council elections.

Speaking during the event, the governor said: “I want to reassure, not only Edo people but all Nigerians, that I am committed and I remain committed and I shall ever be committed to the principle of one man one vote. It is not a choice. In a democracy, there is no alternative to that.

“In the last election, there were issues that deeply troubled me. The fact that election materials did not arrive on time from Lagos, as a responsible government, we did our best to ensure that those materials were properly secured. We did our best to ensure that the materials were delivered to EDSIEC.”

FG tasked on funding of N-Delta projects

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

U

YO—SPEAKERS at the ongoing conference on the Action Plan on Niger Delta Development, have called on President Goodluck Jonathan to take urgent steps to adequately fund developmental projects in the region.

Speakers at the fiveday conference, which kicked off in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, expressed disappointment at the current funding profile of projects in the region, which they described as “grossly inadequate.”

They demanded for a concerted action from the Federal Government in order to address the region’s poor infrastructure, saying, “ we are tired of promises and plans on the papers because we have seen several of these but they failed to transform into physical development.”

C M Y K

Okogie cautions Jonathan on amnesty for Boko Haram

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—WITH a committee set up by the Federal Government to explore the possibility of granting amnesty to members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, Catholic clergy, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, has advised the government to be cautious in its approach to finding solutions to the security crisis in the country by ensuring that justice prevails.

Condemning the wanton destruction of lives and property of Nigerians by the sect, Okogie said it would be callous of the President to rush into granting amnesty to members of the sect without due consideration of the legal, moral and political implications of such a move, which he noted might send a wrong signal that there was nothing wrong in using criminality to fight perceived injustice.

Okogie, in a statement by Rev. Father Stephen Okojie, Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Benin, Edo State, said: “I am not against considering amnesty if the situation warrants it. But as it is,

on what basis are we calling for amnesty for Boko Haram?

“We have to be cautious about the way we go about it. I have continued to ask these questions: Who are the members of this sect who thrive on human blood? Are they truly Nigerians?

What exactly do they want? Why don’t they make themselves available for discussion with representatives of the Federal Government?

“Until we can be given an-

swers to some of these questions, amnesty should not be a subject for discussion. Even the Bible recommends dialogue as a way out of disputes.

Granting amnesty to a faceless group that consistently fails to dialogue with you is a mockery. Besides, how do we compensate all those who have lost their loved ones in the over two years of carnage?

These are issues we need to address.”

He chided the Federal Government for allowing the security crisis in the country to linger for so long and failing to take decisive steps to nip the insurgency in the bud at its early state, saying it was now almost impossible to separate the true members of the sect and their demands, from those who are taking advantage of the imbroglio to score cheap political points at the expense of human lives.

MTN BUSINESS NEXT TITANS: Front row: Prof. Pat Utomi (first from left); Mr. Tonye Cole (middle) one of the reality TV show's judge; Chief Enterprise Solution Officer, MTN, Babatunde Osho (4th from right) and the 16 contestants (back row), at the unveiling ceremony for the beginning of MTN Business Next Titan, in Lagos.

Amaechi restates appeal for passage of PIB

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State has reiterated his call for the urgent passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. The governor, who spoke through his deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru, yesterday, at Government House, Port Harcourt, when the Adhoc Committee of the House of Representatives on Petroleum paid him a courtesy visit, said it was worrisome that the bill had not been passed six years after it was introduced in the National Assembly.

Appealing to the lawmakers to accord the bill the urgent attention needed for its passage, the governor said it was disturbing that a bill central to the oil economy of the nation could suffer such delay.

He said: “Anyone who hears about the PIB and the fact that it had been on the floor of the National Assembly or between the Feder-

al Government and the National Assembly for well over six years, from the time it commenced, will be thoroughly worried. I say worried because 80 percent of our total revenue comes from the oil sector. As far

as we are concerned, the oil sector, where our revenue comes from, should also be where our major jobs should come from.'

“A bill of this nature should not stay more than one or two

months, wherever it finds itself."

On his part, Chairman of the Committee and Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Mr. Ishaka Bawa, said they were in the state

Rivers women pray for Amaechi

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME ORT HARCOURT—RIVERS State women, yesterday, held a special prayer session to ward off any form of distraction for Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s administration.

The women, dressed in black tops, said they had to hold the special prayer session for the governor because they were impressed with his achievements so far.

Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs. Ibim

P

Semenitari, led the chorus session. She spoke on the success recorded by the government in the last s i x years.

Chairman, Ogubolo Local Gove r n ment Area of t h e state,

LOSS OF ORIGINAL LAND DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public of the loss of Original offer letter of Grant of Right of Occupancy and in favor of PIUS UGOCHUKWU OF NO 20 Ogul Road Enugu in respect of Plot NO: 44, FILE NO; DT 10147 Measuring 1555.72m2 within Mabushi District Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.

The said documents was stolen by armed robbers at Jabi in 2002 and all efforts made to trace the aforementioned documents proved abortive, if found please contact Abuja Geographical Information System or 08069664747.

Mrs. Moreen Tamuno, said the government had completed about 250 schools.

14—Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

Bishop Tutu leads committee for Achebe’s burial

BY UDUMA KALU

L

AGOS — NOBEl laureate, Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, is to head one of the committees set up for burial of late eminent novelist, Prof.

Chinua Achebe.

Other members of the committee, known as the international committee, are Nadine Gordimer (South Africa); Toni Morrison (USA); Ruth Simmons, 18th President of Brown University and first black president of an Ivy League institution (USA) and Dr. Johnetta Cole, first African-American female

president of Spelman College and currently Director of Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art. Disclosing this in a statement issued, yesterday, two sons of the deceased literary icon, Ike and Chidi, listed the two other committees to include Central National Committee, which would be made up of eminent Nigerians from across the country, and the committee to make basic preparations for South East, in Enugu, Awka and Ogidi, home-town of the deceased.

The committee is also to

oversee activities in Delta and Rivers states respectively.

“There have been several questions on the nature of preparations for Professor Chinua Achebe’s funeral, memorial service and

Celebration of Life events,” the statement read It added that the burial will be at Ogidi, Anambra State, on May 23, while the funeral will be “Christian and not traditional rites” as has been

reported. ”Memorial service and Celebration of Life event will be on June 2, 2013 in Washington DC,” the statement said.

APGA: Lawyers fight over who should represent party

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA — THERE was a stormy session at the Federal High Court, Awka, yesterday, as counsels to the two factions of the crisis-ridden All Progressives Grand Party, APGA, spent time during the sitting arguing about who should represent the party.

The court, presided over by Justice M.T Saliihu, had on April 15 granted an interim order of restriction against Okwu and other officers elected with him.

At the resumed hearing of the case, yesterday, there was a near pandemonium as two leading counsels, Mr. Kingsley Awuka and Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN fought tirelessly on which of them should represent APGA, which is the 4th respondent in the judicial review application brought by Nwazojie.

As soon as Ikpeazu informed the court that he was representing APGA,

based on the mandate he got from Maxi Okwu, the national chairman of the party, Awuka raised an objection, saying he was the person properly briefed by Chief Victor Umeh to represent APGA in the case.

Both lawyers cited various authorities in law to support their positions.

Ikpeazu, who spoke first, argued that he was properly brought into the case, having been duly authorized by Chief Maxi Okwu and, therefore, should represent APGA.

Let's know your stand on Boko Haram, ex-Ohanaeze President tells Northern leaders

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA — FORMER President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, has called on Northern leaders to declare a definite stand on Boko Haram, and state specifically if they were in support or against the terrorists group.

According to the former Ohanaeze President, “northern leaders’ silence on the killings by the Boko Haram and the way they are talking about Federal Government granting amnesty to the sect speaks very

eloquently on where they stand and who are sponsoring them.”.

Ikedife regretted that none of the Northern elders, who now wanted amnesty granted the sect without further delay, had come out to condemn the killings.

He said: “Rather, they all kept sealed leaps and turned blind eyes to the plight of the victims’ families and on how to compensate them.

“If they don’t want, the ultimate thing is to divide this country into as many segments as possible; let each ethnic nationality go on its own."

Man arraigned over N800, 000 obtained under pretence

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — A businessman, Emeka Nwosu, who allegedly obtained the sum of N800, 000 belonging to one Miss Dorothy Awoge, under pretence of supplying electronics, was, yesterday, arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

Nwosu, 45, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

The defendant, who resides at Iyana Ipaja C M Y K

area of Lagos, was docked before Magistrate B.O Osunsanmi.

The prosecutor, Inspector Samson Ekikere, told the court that the accused obtained the money from Miss Dorothy Awoge.

Ekikere said the suspect fraudulently obtained the money and did not supply the promised electronics.

Magistrate Osunsanmi granted Nwosu bail in the sum of N200, 000 and adjourned the case to May 22, 2013, for trial.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013 —15

APGA: Umeh writes Jega, protests Awka convention

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

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BUJA— THE All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has petitioned Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, over the conduct of national convention by agents of the Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, which it described as fraudulent and illegal.

The party, in the petition signed by its National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, and National Secretary Alhaji Sani Shinkafi respectively, said it was shocked over the report of purported national convention of APGA on April 8, 2013, in Awka.

In the letter dated, April 15, the party alleged that 21 of the 29 persons listed as state chairmen were impostors who were not even members.

The letter read: “With shock we write you this letter to protest the reported purported National Convention of APGA on April 8, 2013, in Awka held between the unholy hours of 1am and 5am of the said date

PHCN: Preferred bidders get certificates

BY NOEL ONOJA

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UCCESSOR COMPANIES of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), yesterday, got their certificates after having successfully paid the statutory 25 per cent initial bid fee to commence the take-over of the companies at the occasion of the Presidential Power Reform Transaction Signing Ceremony (PPRTSC) in Abuja.

The event, which had President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Vice President Namadi Sambo, and other industry captains in attendance was described by the Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, as ground-breaking.

“This ceremony represents a major milestone in the government’s power reform initiative," he said.

with the other associated f r a u d u l e n t manipulations. More shocking was the reported attendance of officials of INEC at the said event at the odd hours. ”Indications that something sinister was in the offing emerged in the afternoon of Friday, April 5th, 2013, when a news flash was circulated on telephone that INEC has approved that the purported convention will go on.

On inquiry we were told that the Commission took the decision on

same Friday April 5th, 2013. ”Firstly, we wish to state that we were surprised at the turn of events. You will recall that earlier, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, had written the Commission on the 25th of February, 2013 giving the Commission notice for the Congresses and Convention of APGA with a schedule of programmes based on the same lame grounds.

On the 1st of March the Commission rightly dismissed the request as lacking in credibility.

FG seeks N91bn grant from World BanK to finance education sector

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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HE FEDERAL government yesterday sought N91 billion ($598.2million) from the World Bank to comprehensively finance the country ’s educaton sector.

Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, who disclosed this at a Ministerial Roundtable in Washingtom DC, yesterday, said the grant will be in batches of N30.3billion ($199.4million) on a yearly basis for three years.

The grant, the minister

explained, would boosts the nation’s efforts towards detailed financing of the education sector reforms to ensure the acceleration of the realization of the M i l l e n n i u m Development Goals, MDGs. Rufa’i said the deal would help resolve the sector’s challenges and provide concrete actions needed to ensure that all children had access to schools and receive quality education, especially in eight countries considered more disadvantaged in the world.

Fire guts INEC Headquarters in Abuja

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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IRE YESTERDAY gutted the office of former Director of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) located in the building housing the Information and Communication Technology(ICT) Centre of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja.

The development came barely one week after a massive h i e r a r c h i c a l restructuring which affected many directors in the commission took place.

It will be recalled that a similar incident occurred in January this

year in which the Voter Registry Department of the commission was razed.

According to a release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, the fire started at about noon but did not, however, last too long or cause any colossal damage on any vital facility of the commission as it was put out by men of Federal Fire Service attached to INEC. “The fire occurred in the office of former Director in charge of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), located in the ICT Building, and was restricted to that office when it was put out.

16—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF BOOK BY ALHAJI LAI MOHAMMED

From left: Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, National Leader , Action Cogress of Nigeria and Chief Presenter; Chief Bisi Akande, National Chairman of ACN; Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), former Head of State; Alhaji Lai Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary of ACN and author of the book, and Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Chief Host, during the Public Presentation of Witness to History of Action Congress of Nigeria and the Struggle for Democracy, Liberty and Justice, by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary of ACN, held at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. Photos: Bunmi Azeez.

Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice (left) and Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

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From left: Otunba Niyi Adebayo, former governor of Ekiti State; Mr. Odia Ofeimun, book reviewer; Mr. Alex Segbafia, Chief of Staff to President of Ghana and Alhaji Lateef Jakande, former governor of Lagos State.

From left: Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly; Chief Tom Ikimi, ACN chieftain and Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former Ogun State governor.

From left: Chief Henry Ajomale, Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria, Lagos State; Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, ACN National Vice Chairman, South-South; Chief James Kolawole and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, fomer Minister of FCT.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013—17

I

Terror in the land: The road not travelled militants and lumping oil thieves and murderers with genuine agitators got the North salivating in the mouth. The Northern elite glorified mass murder of Christians in the North, as if the lives of other Nigerians did not matter in their quest to recapture lost power. See how they are all jumping all over the place at the mention of amnesty. They want amnesty even when the mass murderers have rejected it! Let us wait for the primed dynamite!

The elementary lesson in conflict resolution is to first of all remove or neutralise the power behind the combatants or, in this case, a would be terrorist. That is why today, travellers cannot take metal objects or liquid substance into the cabin of planes. You cannot take cell phones or flash drives into any of the Western embassies.

CCTVs cameras are installed in strategic places to reduce the power of malevolent people to cause havoc. But in Nigeria,

NFF Yobo and Keshi

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EFORE he was loaned to Fernerbahce FC of Turkey, which later became a permanent move, Joseph Yobo was on Everton bench for almost a season. Did he ever question his Manager, David Moyes? Could he have demanded that Moyes should take permission from him before benching him? He knows that such indiscipline would have earned him a fine of some weeks’ wages.

So what is this about reconciling Keshi and so-called “senior members” of the Super Eagles? I sympathise with Yobo’s quest for a 100-caps record. That he can easily get at a safe march, but not at the expense of our football. Is Keshi responsible for the problems tweeting Osaze is having in his club, West Brom, for which he is routinely fined by the club? Why has NFF not gone there to reconcile Osaze with his Manager? This talk about reconciling Keshi and some so-called senior players is just a subterfuge for a more sinister distraction. Keshi is rebuilding the national team. Did that rebuilding process end with the fortuitous winning of AFCON? Or will he rebuild the team with old tired players who are allied with the mischief of the NFF, all in the name of “senior players?

It is obvious that the gifts showered on Keshi and the players have enraged the NFF to plot vengeance. Why should they hold Keshi and the players responsible for the gifts showered on them by a grateful nation? It is not as if Keshi and the players solicited the gifts or told the givers to ignore members of the NFF. The job of the NFF should be to fill the stadia with paying spectators on March days, not to precipitate indiscipline in the national team by pretending to be settling non-existent quarrels between players and the national coach.

BY SAGIR MUSA

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ROLIFERATION of small arms and light weapons is increasingly and dangerously becoming a transnational organised crime in Nigeria with Boko Haram’s insurgency, re-emerging Niger Delta crisis and escalating kidnappings, communal crisis and armed robbery in the South East serving as hubs or impetus for arms trafficking. Some border towns particularly in the North Eastern flank serve as locus for trafficking of arms as well as centres for stolen goods, drugs and hostages perpetrated by criminals, terrorists and their collaborators. The recent kidnap of a French family at a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon is an example. Similarly, many arms and ammunition of various types, sizes and calibre have been intercepted and confiscated by security agencies. The recurrent detection and recovery of cache of arms, ammunition and Improvised Explosive Device Materials by the JTF further buttressed the point. So also is the occasional recovery of stolen goods and hard drugs from criminals and terrorists’ camps or hideouts. Despite efforts of security agencies, the

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we are a different kind of people. We believe that dubious sentiments will solve all our problems. We all know that the power behind violent crime, whether it is kidnapping, armed robbery or terrorism as we have in the North, are guns and explosives. What in the last four years have we done to neutralise their effects in the hands of criminals?

Areas of violent crimes should have been quarantined and the cities locked down as we searched for and decommissioned these illegal weapons. Anybody found with them should have been jailed under the law for such criminality. If people were being inconvenienced, they would quickly cooperate to abet the

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N the heat of the Niger Delta violence, many Nigerians engaged in what former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair accurately identified as “glorification of terrorism” following the 7 July 2007 Underground bombings in London. One of the oft repeated lines then was that the Nigerian government must not be seen as fighting its citizens. I said, good; don’t fight the Niger Delta militants, but go after the oil thieves, those engaged in pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering. I warned that it would be a tragic mistake if we didn’t separate all the strands of criminality in the region so as to know the real agitators for economic and environmental rights of the people.

As usual with our governments, that advice was ignored. Today, criminality masquerading as militancy still stalks the region and the nation is bleeding from oil theft in the region, long after we have granted amnesty. The nation’s daily loss to oil thieves is put at N160 billion. This is threatening the 2013 Budget. I believe that if we first went to war against oil thieves in the Niger Delta, we would have first reduced the capacity of some remnant militants threatening havoc their today. Another possibility was that the ignoble activities of some big men behind illegal bunkering would have been exposed. But you know, in Nigeria, the big men hold the levers of the law and therefore will always be above the law!

The question Nigerians must answer is this: When did it become the law that if you are angry, you can take up arms, levy war on the nation, trash national assets and kill as many innocent people as you can, then you get adequately rewarded for your dastardly efforts?

Whether we admit it or not, the haste in granting amnesty to the Niger Delta

And let me give President Jonathan this tip. He is being tricked into the very slippery shoal of Northern politics. By the time he is through with this amnesty booby trap, he would have, at least, five million “exterrorists”, including Chadians, Malians, Somalis, Nigeriens and Libyans lining up for compensation for killing innocent Nigerian Christians

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inconvenience. You don’t have to do Odi or Zaki Biam to cripple violent criminals all over the country. To set up a Committee on illegal small arms and light weapons now, at the same time you are toying with the dangerous idea of

amnesty begs the question. Anybody caught with illegal arms now would invariably qualify for your amnesty.

The argument, as some apologists for terrorism proffer, is not whether “the use of force has solved the problem of insurgency definitely”. (Please for the word “insurgency ” substitute “terrorism”). Such argument is clearly intended to weaken the Federal Government’s resolve to take firm stand against crime. Such argument has emboldened terrorism in the country.

The United Sates and most of Europe have not succeeded in solving the problem of terrorism definitely, but they have succeeded in putting measures in place to protect their nations from a free reign by Al-Qaeda. They simply put in place measures some of the travelling world did not like, but which put AlQaeda in check. That is probably why terrorists found fertile grounds in Africa.

We have never done what we needed to do to stem any crime, be it terrorism or corruption! That makes me to ask, what can we today say is a crime that would make the Nigerian State show sufficient outrage and appropriate response?

None! Two brothers bombed the Boston Marathon on Monday. President Obama told Americans that they would be found and brought to justice. By Friday night, one had been killed in a gun battle.

Hours later the second was in custody!

That is how a serious country treats crime, not appeasement. Let the human rights lawyers shout. A crime is a crime, no matter who commits it. To ignore this is to destroy the very fabric of a society.

Amnesty, since it has become the silver bullet for all crimes in the country, is NOT a matter between the President/ Federal Government and the Northern leaders/Boko Haram alone. Those thousands whose husbands, wives, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, uncles, nephews and friends as well as foreigners who were murdered in cold blood, unprovoked, those maimed and those whose property were destroyed in the mindless orgy of bloodletting also deserve justice. Any amnesty talk must first discuss how to offer reparation to families of those innocent people murdered in cold blood before discussing how to compensate those who killed and maimed them without provocation. And let me give President Jonathan this tip. He is being tricked into the very slippery shoal of Northern politics. By the time he is through with this amnesty booby trap, he would have, at least, five million “ex-terrorists”, including Chadians, Malians, Somalis, Nigeriens and Libyans lining up for compensation for killing innocent Nigerian Christians! They will then go out and buy more arms to fight a brutal war for an Islamic Republic of Nigeria!

Is that not what terror leader, Shekau, wants? Where will the money come from?

OPINION Border security olif eration and security,, arms pr prolif oliferation terrorism in Nigeria “merchants of Death” continue to engage in arms trafficking/ trading through covert and deceptive use of porous Nigerian borders of Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. Recently, the Comptroller General of Nigerian Immigration Services stated that the Service has discovered hundreds of illegal routes in Nigeria that link or lead to some neighboring African countries.

Nigeria’s borders are massive with hundreds of footpaths crisscrossing to neighbouring countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger with links to Mali, Libya and Sudan. From conservative estimate by locals, there are well over 250 footpaths from Damaturu/Maiduguri axis that link or lead direct to Cameroon, Chad or Niger. These paths are mostly unknown by security agencies, are unmanned, unprotected and thus serve as leaky routes for arms and ammunitions trafficking in to Nigeria.

It is disheartening and unfortunate that the

“merchants of death” have since devised methods use to beat security agencies at the borders and through the footpaths. These methods include the use of camels, donkeys and cows to traffic arms, ammunition and drugs, like cocaine into Nigeria. The fact that the weapons are small, light and collapsible makes it easy to be concealed and moved on camels and donkeys’ back in a specially crafted skin or thatched bags mainly meant for the illegal “expedition” unexpected, unsuspected and therefore undetected. Similarly, some cows and grains merchants in the North- East sub – region of the country, devices means of hiding cache of arms and ammunition in empty fuel tankers, under vehicles’ engines and inside bags of grains mostly undetected by security agencies at the affected border posts. Continues tomorrow pg17 *Lt.Col. Musa, wrote from Abuja.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013 FOR how long would the stand off between the House of Representatives and Ms Arunma Oteh, Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, last? It has lasted for too long that it no longer makes any sense.

Who benefits from the confusion that has seen the House of Representatives insisting that it would not pass the SEC budget until Oteh is sacked? Is the role of the House to inflict inconveniences on all Nigerians because it wants to make a point? What really is the House’s point on this issue?

Ms. Oteh, a former Vice President of the Africa Development Bank, the House said, did not have relevant capital market qualifications to head SEC. The side of the National Assembly with responsibility for screening Ms. Oteh’s credentials is the Senate. Its clearance was a constitutional requirement for Ms. Oteh to be appointed.

The Presidency is leaning on the Senate’s clearance to state that Ms. Oteh cannot be sacked from her position.

Public perception of the matter is that she could be in trouble with the House over her

Arunma Oteh: Let The Cour ts Decide Courts allegation that some members of House Committee on Capital Market demanded a bribe of N50 million from SEC. Some members of the SEC Board accused Ms. Oteh of incurring huge bills on hotel accommodation and suspended her over allegations of financial recklessness. The House of Representatives took sides with Ms Oteh’s accusers and its public hearing condemned the SEC director-general.

The refusal of the Presidency to take sides with the House of Representatives has created the impression that Aso Rock is condoning the obstinacy and arrogance of a

public officer. The setting is unhealthy in a polity that has been traumatised by impunity, dictatorship and autocracy.

Is the decision of the House not to approve any budget for SEC until Ms. Oteh leaves office acceptable in a legislature with two houses? Neither the Code of Conduct Bureau nor the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which handles cases of breach of conduct by public officers, has not impinged her for improper conduct.

SEC is the regulatory body that supervises the operations of the capital market, the financial barometer of the market economy.

Activities of the capital market are critical indicators of local and foreign investors to assess the health of an economy especially, its capacity to generate returns on investment.

They cannot be left to the whims of those who think that their ego is more important than the potential damage to the economy.

It is time the House of Representatives got a legal interpretation of the matter so that the SEC could be unhampered in its duties.

The legitimate place for this is the courts.

OPINION

BY TOCHUKWU EZUKANMA

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NDOUBTEDLY, Boko Haram is a terrorist organisation. It is indiscriminately striking at civilian centers, wantonly murdering and maiming the innocent and the defenseless. Its bombladen, suicidal operatives have bombed places as innocuous as bus stations and sanctuaries as inviolable as the church. It is a barbaric, savage, bloodthirsty group.

However, despite the general abhorrence for these murderous fanatics, the government, unavoidably, must negotiate with them to secure the peace of the country.

It is important to note that the root causes of the Boko Haram are social injustice and misgovernment. The Nigerian masses, for long, have been trampled over by the “iron feet of oppression” and deprivation. That indefatigable iconoclast, Fela AnikilakpoKuti, in one of his instructive songs, summed up the situation of most Nigerians: “Dem go be slaves for dem land to make ends meet”. Invariably, exploitation and enslavement breed discontent.

Nigerians are disgruntled by an unconscionable economic system that panders to the inordinate wealth of an elite few at the economic strangulation of the masses. It is a horrible system that denies the masses the basic necessities in other to reinforce the luxurious and wasteful lifestyle of the elite. One percent of Nigerians control 80% of the national wealth and a disproportionate percentage of the remaining 99% waste away in C M Y K

Securing the peace of the country gateless poverty, shackling ignorance, poor housing and homelessness, etc.

Due to corruption, arrogance of power and aggressiveness of wealth, there is no equality of all before the law. The elite rarely get punished for their theft of public funds and other multifarious crimes. As such, the law in Nigeria is not the law (in the strict sense of the word) but an oppressive mechanism for the oppression of the poor and the weak. The police, that barometer of the attitude of the governing towards the governed, are brutal, trigger-happy and extortionist and routinely detain, torture and murder the innocent.

Not surprisingly, Nigeria is brimming with discontent. Boko Haram is a vent for long suppressed, smothering discontent. A Human Rights Watch researcher, Eric Guttschuss, stated that Yusuf (the assassinated leader of Boko Haram) successfully attracted followers from unemployed youth "by speaking out against police and political corruption”. According to Abdulkarim Mohammed, a researcher on Boko Haram, violent uprisings in Nigeria are ultimately due to "the fallout of frustration with corruption and the attendant social malaise of poverty and unemployment". Chris Kwaja, a Nigerian university lecturer and researcher, asserts that “religious dimensions of the conflict have been misconstrued as the primary driver of violence when, in fact, disenfranchisement and inequality are the

root causes”.

The objectives of Boko Haram became broader, nebulous and more complicated after Goodluck Jonathan truncated Northern power by usurping the presidency that was zoned to the North. The political disenchantment of the North increased the support for Boko Haram in some parts of northern Nigeria and got many interests, with diverse programmes and purposes, operating under the rubric of Boko Haram.

The election of Goodluck Jonathan as the president of Nigeria was a staggering political mistake. Already, he has proven to be the worst Nigerian president. His administration is visionless and moribund.

It has failed in very aspect of governance. It cannot maintain law and order and protect the lives and property of Nigerian citizens.

It is losing the war against terrorism.

Therefore, there is a desperate need for the government to negotiate with Boko Haram.

Whether the outcome of the negotiation will include amnesty for members of Boko Haram will be a question of details.

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any Nigerians are opposed to granting amnesty to members of Boko Haram. In a newspaper article, the former Nigerian Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, in his opposition to the amnesty option, wrote: “My solution to the Boko Haram scourge is simple and clear.

The President, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria must join hands

together, rise up as one and seek them, their backers and their secret sponsors out. They must be unmasked, brought to justice, systematically eliminated and sent to hell where they belong”. Those are wonderful, impressive and passionate, almost lapidary, prose.

However, it is reckless optimism, if not malarial fantasies to believe that the Federal Government in concert with the people of Nigeria can utterly defeat Boko Haram and get its combatants and their supporters “unmasked, brought to justice, systematically eliminated and sent to hell where they belong”. This is because President Jonathan is not a leader. He lacks the powerful ego, moral courage and political will to lead Nigeria out of any of her myriads of problems. Secondly, the law enforcement agencies are corrupt, illmotivated, wrongly orientated, and consequently, inefficient. In addition, the Nigerian populace is distrustful of their governments, enervated by poverty and the cruel grind for daily survival and cowered by years of insensitive government policies.

Consequently, we lack a sense of civic responsibility, the spirit of volunteerism and will for sacrifice required in a protracted fight against a terrorist movement.

On the other hand, the ranks of Boko Haram are steadily being augmented by new volunteers. Its attacks are getting more sophisticated and better coordinated. And its network of supporters and financial sponsors are expanding. *Mr. Ezukanma, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY,APRIL 23, 2013— 19

, Continues from last week

N

IGERIA is waking up to the fact that elections are not about constitutional administration of government but are indeed contestation for power.

The formation of the All Progressive Congress (APC) is informed by this understanding.

This realignment only polarizes the contestation for power and fails to address the need to de-fuse electoral politics to owing to the fateful fusion of the two politics, the electoral and state formation politics. The increasing call for a Conference may perhaps reflect what is now seen as untenable structure of power and authority in Nigeria, and a need to do something about it in the present condition of large-scale endemic insecurities.

As country we would approach issues of insecurity quite differently. Nigeria a province of the British Empire September 30, 1960 became a country a day later, on October 1st, 1960. This statement raises two questions of classification. What kind of empire was the British Empire?

What kind of country was Nigeria, that went to sleep the preceeding night a province of an Empire and woke up the next morning a country? The second question is informed by the first. The British empire was a capitalist empire secured by the imperial state. As an empire it consisted of the imperial centre and its provinces.

As a capitalist empire it protected a capitalist economy consisting of provinces constituted as it sectors.

The British Empire was not a feudalist empire consisting of the British overlord coordinating subordinated kingdoms with their own economies and distinct societies.

When independence negotiated aforehead came on October 1st, 1960, what was declared independent was a province of a capitalist empire and a sector of its economy. As a province it had no ruling class, no state, no autonomous economy, no nationality. On October 1st 1960 this province became a country that had need for what it lacked as a part or province of a global British Empire; it had need for a state, a sovereign class, a nation

building economy that formed and shaped the Nigerian nationality.

The government of this province renamed a country was vested in an elite of politicians organized for elections on platform of political parties. This briefly is the structural beginnings of contemporary Nigeria. What the country lacked at independence, namely, a ruling class, a state, an autonomous economy, a nationality, are elements of what we popularly describe as Project Nigeria or The Nigerian project.

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hese elements are abstracted from the attributes of the Empire out of which a province was excised. Of these elements, the principal and necessary structure is the state. The state secures externally the autonomy of the society in an environment of hegemonic and imperialist parties and it secures internally the class that rules the society. States are made, not inherited. They are made by parties organised for rule over society, national or imperial.

The prominent fact in our post independence politics is the decision of the political parties to use control of the inherited government of the colony of Nigeria as the means for creating the state. Electoral parties through this strategy of state creation were transformed into state creation parties and the colonial government was adapted as the

Alamie Alamieyyeseigha's pardon: An unnecessar unnecessaryy outrage

BY BEN NANAGHAN

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DEAFENING din rent the air on Tuesday March 12, 2013 when President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan granted unconditional pardon to former Bayelsan governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and others.

Among the others are Gen. Oladipo Diya, a former Chief of General Staff, the late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, the late Gen Abudukareem Adisa, Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju, Major Fadipe, Major Bello Magaji and Alh Mustapha Bulama, the Former Managing Director of the Bank of the North and Alh Mohammed Lima Biu. But the pardon that attracted the greatest criticism and ire was that of the former Bayelan State Governor, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha. It was a plethora of hatefilled antagonism. An unrelenting and unreserved damnation of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

But why did Alamieseigha's pardon draw so much bad blood and flak? Why not Generals Diya, Adisa, Yar Adua and Olanrewaju who were pardoned for treasonable felony-a greater crime against the state. Which is a more serious crime, money laundering or treasonable felony. In civilized climes treasonable felony attracts the death sentence, while money laundering and corruption does not attract the death penalty.

Some Jonathan bashers contend that it was an inexplicable folly for President Jonathan to pardon a group of military persons who were given clemency by former President Abdulsalami Abubakar as gazetted on March 4, 1999. Even a very popular Lagos tabloid takes this position in its editorial of March 4, 2013 under C M Y K

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"Jonathans unforgivable state pardon". But unfortunately the paper could not distinguish between clemency and state pardon.

Former President Abdulsalami Abubakar granted General Diya and co general clemency in 1999 but they were granted unconditional pardon on March 12, 2013.

A reprieve of clemency is a mitigation, commutation or lessening of a sentence already imposed. It does not affect the legal guilt of a convict or person. Conversely, a pardon completely wipes out the legal effects of a conviction as it is an executive order vacating a conviction.

After the Presidential pardon, Gen. Oladipo Diya called a press conference and contributed to discussions on the polity. He can now contribute positively to political debates and even vote and be voted for. He can now aspire to be whatever he wants to be. All these he could not have done after the purported 1999 clemency.

Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, according to his statements, was hounded out of Government House in Yenagoa by a former Nigerian President with whom he had a personal rift. He was impeached as Bayelsa governor without due process as even the House of Assembly was physically moved to Lagos where Chief Alamieyeseigha was hurriedly impeached with a doctored quorum.

His trial was fast-forwarded by EFCC and finally jailed for money laundering and corruption with most of the illegally acquired wealth returned to Bayelsa State.

He has since, over the years, turned a new leaf, shown immense remorse and even contributed elaborately to the peace that now reigns in the Niger Delta which has in turn had a multiplier effect on the Nigerian economy. Even while chief

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From empire to country: Framework for security planning in Nigeria (2)

Elections are thus structurally incapable of resolving issues of Who Rules Nigeria

agency for partisan rivalry over state creation. We need to understand the implications of this decision. To do so we must begin with the 1959 Transition Elections which elected into office candidates put forward by parties recognised by the colonial authorities. The Government they were to administer was the British Government in the colony of Nigeria. This Government had the colonial security forces and law enforcement organs to ensure the stability and legitimacy of British Rule in the Province of Nigeria.

State creation in this context necessarily entrenched ethnic partisanship in the contestations for power on the basis of electoral control of government. It also transformed elections from a means of competition for the administration of Government enjoying the legitimacy of all electoral parties into a process consummating ownership of the society and the sovereignty of the party with elected majority. Under the British Rule of Nigeria, electoral competition was to determine which parties would govern, not which parties would possess and rule Nigeria. Nigeria was not made a province of the British Empire through elections.

It was thus made through conquest, pacification and secured control. The decision of the Nigeria Independence Electoral Parties to use control of government for state creation goals has transformed Who Governs Politics subject to constitutional electoral provisions into Who Rules Politics subject to the strategies of war. Electoral Politics has become the process of transforming office holders into rulers and electorally dominant parties into state making parties.

Nigeria has thus been administered through this JanusFaced System, one face the face of

The Presidential pardon to the former Bayelsa governor is a befitting reward to a man who has worked relentlessly for the unity and prosperity of a country he loves so much

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Alamieyeseigha was in jail he was still a great sobering influence on the Niger Delta youths.

Chief Alamieyeseigha was not called Governor-General of the Ijaw nation for the fun of it. He earned it, he merited it and he deserved it. Alamieyeseigha is a rallying point for all Ijaws in the Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Ondo, Edo and even Akwa Ibom states of Nigeria.

The Presidential pardon to the former Bayelsa governor is a befitting reward to a man who has worked relentlessly for the unity and prosperity of a country he loves so much. It is also a good restitution for a man who was literally dragged on a tarred road by affective machinery of state power.

And this is the centre-point of all the consuming furore over Alamieyeseigha's state pardon. The North has vowed to make Nigeria ungovernable for President Jonathan and this resolution has found support among some political leaders in the South West with a massive anchorage from the South Western media.

T

he Alamieyeseigha state pardon was a very appropriate platform for the North to launch its eviction order on President Jonathan as they have sworn to make governing Nigeria a nightmare for the President as shown by the support of Boko Haram by all Northerners, including those

the elected, the other face the face of rulers, and neither of the faces is a mask, they are faces of Siamese twins.

Elections are thus structurally incapable of resolving issues of Who Rules Nigeria for they have been corrupted by being transformed from the means of resolving legislative disagreements in the administration of government receiving universal support of the electoral parties into the process of capturing power by reducing rivals into subjugated rivals. The British had prepared post Independence Nigeria for liberal democratic politics in the assumed context of a state and class ordered society, in which electoral parties were organisations proffering rival legislatives programmes for governance. This was the plan for the Province of the British Colony of Nigeria September 30 1960.

The reality facing the 1959 Electoral Parties in the politically transformed society on October 1st 1960 was however quite different.

These 1959 Electoral Parties were in 1960 faced with the imperative of securing Post Colonial Nigeria externally and instituting a secured Rulership Party or Rulership Parties internally. Defence Pacts could not and still cannot perform these two functions because defence of a sovereign cannot be outsourced nor sovereignty exercised by proxies. 1959 Governance Politics that was factional intra party politics a day before had been transformed into a inter party Rulership Politics a day after!

From this perspective we can appreciate why Africa’s post colonial politics has been Janusfaced and why elections including the recently concluded Presidential Elections in Kenya are inherently statemaking contestation affair.

Concluded

serving in the Jonathan administration as well as some of his security chiefs and advisers.

But is the President aware of this fact and the implications for his personal and the nation's security and safety.

The North in a bid to actualize its threat of making Nigeria ungovernable for Jonathan has ridiculed and trivialized every decision or policy of his government even to such an unbelievably disdainful and scandalous level.

As the fall-out of the unprecedented protest sponsored by the North and supported by some affluent and greedy Southern politicians, the Alamieyeseigha pardon caught the attention of countries outside Nigeria.

The evil machinators went afar and afield to accuse President Jonathan of granting pardon to Alamieyeseigha because the latter is his kinsman. The only kinship between Jonathan and Alamieyeseigha is their membership of the Izon linguistic group. They are not related by any other link.

But President William Jefferson Clinton of America pardoned his own blood brother, Mr. Roger Cassidy Clinton in 2001 for a 1985 cocaine-related conviction. This pardon removed Roger's criminal convictions from the Records. America did not collapse because President Bill Clinton pardoned his own brother.

A Nigerian NGO adjudicated on the Alamieyeseigha pardon thus: "The Nigerian authorities needed to have taken into account that the case against Alamieyeseigha is an extra-territorial and internationalized issue exceeding Nigeria's legal territorial boundaries and cutting across the world".

Who made this issue international and extra-territorial. Did the Nigerian government present this issue at the United Nations General Assembly for debate and approval? *Mr. Nanaghan, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard , TUESDAY TUESDAY,, APRIL 23 , 2013

Two years after, families of murdered corps members want justice ...Say they still find it difficult coping with their losses *Some family members of the slain corps members at the remembrance event

WO years ago, 10 corps members were brutally killed while undergoing the mandatory one year National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, scheme in Bauchi State. The tragic incident was a fallout of the crises that attended the April 17, 2011 presidential election, with the massacre of the innocent spreading to other Northern states such as Kano, Gombe and Kaduna, leaving the nation shellshocked, with most Nigerians responding with torrents of condemnation and calling on the Federal Government to ensure that the perpetrators of the dastardly act were speedily brought to book.

Two years after, the pain still lingers, especially for the families of the victims who are still finding it difficult to cope with their losses, while government is yet to make good its promise of bringing the killers to justice.

Securing employment The Federal Government had at the time promised N5m donation to each of the affected families which it duly redeemed. But its other promises of providing or helping to secure employment to a graduate sibling of each family into a federal parastatal of their choice, immortalisation of the slain corps members and bringing the culprits to book still remain unfulfilled.

Last Thursday at Oceanview restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos, tears flowed freely again as these tragic victims of that 2011 presidential election madness were remembered during an event that was packaged by ‘’Friends of Aik’’. It was another sad and sobering C M Y K

moment to connect with the tragic reality that Ikechukwu Chibuzo Ikeoma, Teidi Tosin Olawale (Oshun State Bsc Computer Science), Nkwazema Anslem Chukwunonyerem (Imo State, HND Electrical Electronic Engineering), Okpori Obinna Michael (Abia State, Bsc E n v i r o n m e n t a l Management), Adowei Elliot (Bayelsa State, Bsc Computer Science), Adewunmi Seun Paul (Ekiti State, Bsc Social Science), Adeniji Kehinde Jehleel (Osun State, Bsc Social sciences), Akonyi Ibrahim Sule (Kogi State,

beaten into coma by their assailants was later rescued by two youths who took her to the Emir and then to a hospital for treatment.

Spokesperson for the affected families, Mr. Teidi Ayodele, said victims died at a time they were needed most. ‘’These corps members were our hope and many of us went into debt to send them to school; their death has left a vacuum which will be difficult to fill. You see, some of us are less privileged who are still managing to survive and only God can fill the vacuum in our lives,’’ he said.

,

T

STORIES BY BOSE ADELAJA

These corps members were our hope and many of us went into debt to send them to school; their death has left a vacuum which will be difficult to fill

HND Business Administration) and Anyanwu Agnes and Onyinyechi (Imo State, Bsc Business Administration Management), are forever gone, no thanks to their heartless killers.

Ikechukwu’s father and two others died one year after, while Olawale’s father is a regular patient in an hospital.

Going down memory lane, a survivor, 25 years old Omowumi Adeniyi, said the attack was a reprisal for the refusal of the corps members to rig the presidential election of April 17, 2011. According to this indigene of Ikenne, Ogun State, the corps members ran to the Police Station at Giade for refuge but members of the protesting gang overpowered the Police and killed a female Police officer. They then set the station ablaze, killing 10 corps members in the process.

Omowumi who said she was

,

To Nnaemeka Christian Ukeoma, life after the death of his elder brother has been difficult for the entire family. ‘’Our father refused to be

consoled and he died one year after.

Government’s employment offer Also, his siblings have stopped schooling, saying there is no profit in doing so.

One of them told me they are likely to be posted to Northern states for their national youth service. As soon as the government made the promises, my younger sister who had the privilege of securing employment in her husband’s company refused to take it up in anticipation of the Federal Government’s employment offer which did not come to pass. Our father ’s health gulped millions of Naira before he finally died and our pains increased daily as the culprits behind the attack are yet to be brought to book,’’ said Ukeoma.

For the convener of ‘’Friends of Aik’’, Pastor Onwurah Ikechukwu: ‘’Since 2011, when this incident occurred, some of the family members of the deceased have also succumbed to the cold hands

of death, while many others can no longer live normal lives again due to the haunting memory of the sudden demise of their loved ones, who represented their beacon of hope. As a country, we have been through this too many times yet without any visible progress. We have chosen this forum to come together with a view to seeking meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this in the future and to restate our demand for the government to make its promises to the families of the slain corps members. No amount of money can be quantified with the lives of the departed souls whose lives were caught in their prime”.

Therefore, their blood must count towards enhancing religious tolerance, transparent election without any form of rigging, job creation, improvement in our security system, protection of every citizen of this nation wherever they choose to live and policies that would entrench probity and anticorruption practices in our nation’’.

Traders protest incessant market closures

N

IGERIAN traders under the aegis of Traders’ Right Protection Initiative has called on Lagos State government to review its policies on incessant market closures, saying this have had adverse effect on their businesses.

The traders who spoke in Lagos, through their national coordinator, Christopher Okpala, said the incessant closures have subjected them to physical and spiritual pains as they can no longer meet their obligations to their various families.

Okpala who said they are losing millions of Naira as a result of the closures called for a policy capable of encouraging them to

tap into the nations resources adding: ‘’In other countries of the world, traders are being encouraged to tap into the business sector, but here in Nigeria, we are being threatened on daily basis as a result of infrastructural decay and obnoxious policies which work against us. The government, especially Lagos State, should review its policies and come out with an agenda that can propel us to do better in the various markets.

Also, they frowned at government insensitivity to their plight with reference to the fire incidents of Mile 12 plank and Jankara markets as well as closure of Ladipo and Tejuoso markets.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013 — 21

Nigeria loses N360bn annually to rice importation — FG

BUA to increase Nigeria’s sugar production

By MICHAEL EBOH

By EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

B

T

HE Federal Government has stated that Nigeria is losing about N360 billion annually from the importation of rice.

To this end, Mr. Labarn Maku, Minister of Information and National Orientation, who disclosed during the inspection of the N1 billion ultra-modern rice processing mill in Birnin Kebbi, also stated that the federal government has concluded plans to ban the importation of rice into Nigeria by 2015 to save the country from losing such huge amount on rice importation and as well as to create jobs for unemployed youths in the country.

He noted that the Federal Government has set aside about N450 billion for commercial agriculture, adding that the government is working hard to increase the capacity of the Bank of Industry, BOI, to achieve the goal of the government as regards agriculture.

He maintained that the new agriculture transformation agenda, the Federal Government is targeting the creation of about 2.4 million jobs by the year 2015.

He said, “The target is to ban rice importation in 2015 and to create 2.4 million jobs by 2015. It is a shame we are still importing rice in 2013 with all the arable lands and manpower available to Niger-

ia.

“Unless we process rice up to international standard that we can export our reserves to the rest of the world, we will continue to import, even from countries we are far better off.

“What government t is doing is to provide facilities. Our hope is that Nigerian farmers can go into commercial farming.”

He challenged Kebbi farmers to take the lead of meeting the rice need of Nigeria, insisting that Nigeria must begin now to export rice and keep reserves for future use.

Maku also charged the in-

142.0

3.1

2,331.00

+21.00

17.92

0.23

99.20

+0.07

87.86

+0.13

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

From left: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Jibril Aku; Deputy Head, Deutsche Bank AG, Lagos, Adeola Azeez; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Reginald Ihejiahi and Country Head, Deutsche Bank AG Lagos, Charles Weller at the presentation of Deutsche Bank US Dollar STP Excellence Award 2012 for Error Free Banking to Fidelity Bank Plc and Ecobank Plc, in Lagos.

154.75 236.1021 201.8869 166.0051 1.5725 0.2907 232.6971 25.0335 41.2634 27.0736 233.4404

155.25 236.8649 202.5392 166.5415 1..5776 0.3007 233.449 25.1148 41.3967 27.1611 234.1946

SELLING 155.75 237.6278 203.1915 167.0779 1.5827 0.3107 234.2008 25.1961 41.53 27.2486 234.9489

CBN Exchange rate as at 19/04/2013

vestor of the rice mill in Birnin Kebbi, Labana Industries, to ensure speedy completion of the rice processing mill to enable farmers in the state benefit from it.

“This rice mill in Kebbi is in line with the ongoing federal government’s revolution in agricultural sector, as it would save the country the N360 billion lost to rice importation annually.

“The project apart from creating wealth for farmers would save foreign exchange and create thousands of jobs for youths who are interested

to go into agriculture. Federal government has changed agriculture policy with plan to make Nigeria major exporter of rice and rice Kebbi rice destination,” the minister said.

Also speaking on the project, Kebbi State Governor, Saidu Dakingari said the state government had given its full support to the project as it will transform the lives of people of the state and compliment the federal government’s transformation agenda.

UA Sugar Refinery Company has announced plans to boost sugar production in Nigeria, disclosing that it has secured a landed property in Kogi State for the establishment of a sugar refinery.

The company, which currently has a 2,000 metric tonne sugar refinery in Lagos, said the Kogi State Governor, Mr. Idris Wada, allocated the land to the company for the establishment of the sugar refinery.

According to a statement by the company, Mr. Kabiru Rabiu, Group Executive Director, BUA Sugar Refinery, said it had earlier requested a piece of land from the Governor for the establishment of a sugar industry in Bassa Local Government Area in the State.

The governor confirmed the award of the land to the company when officials of the company paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Lokoja.

Wada said the land was allocated for the establishment of the Sugar factory because agriculture is one of the state’s priorities.

He maintained that the state is blessed with abundant resources, calling on investors to take the advantage of the enabling environment provided by his administration to develop the state.

BUA Sugar currently has an ultra modern 2,000 metric tonne Sugar refinery Plant at Tin Can Port Industrial Estate, Lagos and it also acquired Lafiagi Sugar Plant in Kwara State, a couple of months ago.

BPP saves N420bn for FG in 15 months — Eze

By DANIEL ETEGHE

D

IRECTOR General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Engineer Emeka Eze has disclosed that the Bureau has generated over N420 billion in contract sums as savings to the coffers of the Federal Government in the past 15 months.

Disclosing this development during the opening ceremony of a retreat for chief executive officers in Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), in Topo, Badagry in Lagos, Eze pointed out that the reduction in contract sum was to further emphasise the core value of the Bureau as the drive of public

procurement is to ensure prudence in public expenditure.

According to him, BPP will work hard to ensure that the cost of doing business in Nigeria is reduced through the elimination of multiple registration and prequalification as well as tendering process that should be increased to give chance for equal competence and capabilities. He said:”BPP will continue to ensure that there is transparency in the bidding process for contracts in Nigeria, as all competent contractors will be given a level playing field to demonstrate their capacity to deliver.” “Public officials are now also beginning to see public funds as monies to be spent with care, and with high sense of responsibility. Added to these gains are a resultant

improved budget implementation and performance in terms of project delivery.”

“So far more than N420 billion have been reduced in contract sum in the last fifteen months alone, in what further emphasises the core role of the bureau as the drive of public procurement, and as an organisation whose role encourages prudence. It is our hope that as the programme develops, the cost of doing business in Nigeria would be reducing through the elimination of multiple registration and pre - qualification and the tendering process should increase at the end of the day, coupled with the better grouping of contractors, consultants and service providers of equal competence and capacities.”

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

Be familiar with the regulators

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

P

ROFITABLE investment in shares also requires knowledge of the organisations that regulate investment in shares. These organisations set the rules that must be followed by investors and operators, and also ensure that the rules are observed through monitoring and enforcement. They also

email addresses, telephone numbers, and website address of any individual or company you mention in the complaint.

“If you have a complaint about a security or a securities salesperson (i.e. a stock broker), specific details of how, why, and when you were defrauded or encountered problems with investments or your broker or adviser. You can send this information via email to sec@sec.gov.ng;

,

Once a broker or registrar knows that you are informed about SEC and that you can complain to the commission, he/she would think twice before attempting anything illegal

punish anybody found to have disobeyed any of these rules.

When it comes to investment in shares, the Securities and Exchange Commission is the number one regulator, and you need to be familiar with its address and operations.

Among other things, it is the duty of SEC to protect investors from fraudulent operators. To achieve this, the Commission informs and educates investors about investment in shares and also request for complaints from them. As an investor, you may not need to know everything about SEC, but you need to know the protection you and your investment can enjoy from it. For example, on the website of the commission (www.sec.gov.ng), there is a segment on Investor Protection, where you can learn so many basic things about investment in shares.

Most importantly, it also has a segment that requests investors to file complaints.

Explaining the step to filing complaints, the commission said, “We can best respond to you if we receive accurate and complete information. Though you are not required to furnish any more information than you wish; critical information for us to completely evaluate your complaint or tip includes: Your name, mail and email addresses, and telephone numbers. The name, mail and

,

alternatively you can send a letter or call one of our offices.

“We thoroughly review and evaluate your information so that we may refer it to the appropriate SEC office. The Office of Enforcement & Compliance will handle

certain general questions about the securities laws and complaints relating to financial professionals or a complainant’s personal financial matters.”

In the two previous editions, we said that some stock brokers and registrars can be dubious or inefficient. But they get away with this most of the time because they know that the average investor is ignorant about the existence of a regulator like SEC, and that he/she can not report any incidence of malpractice to the regulator. Once a broker or registrar knows that you are informed about SEC and that you can complain to the commission, he/she would think twice before attempting anything illegal. Why? Because the broker knows that if you complain to SEC and it investigates and establishes the occurrence of fraud, that operator would be sanctioned.

But it is pertinent to note that SEC is a government agency, and is also not free from the slow ways of doing business in government. Hence, if you contact the commission for anything, you must keep on knocking, pressing, complaining until your case is resolved.

Legal requirements for establishing companies

BY PETER EGWUATU

A

lot of people do business, but they don’t have a company. They are two different things. A company is an organisation legally registered, according to the laws, with the government to do specific types of business activity.

Hence, before the law and the authorities of the land, a company exists like a person. It can be sued and it can sue. It can also access benefits or services of other organisations like banks and supply companies. But a business is not recognised as a company by the law and the authorities, if it is not registered, and hence it cannot sue or be sued, and it cannot enjoy many other benefits. For example, banks don’t open accounts for such businesses and don’t grant them loans. So there is a limit to the economic opportunities that is accessible by such business.

A woman had a crèche for some years, and she enjoyed huge patronage. But she never registered the crèche as a company, and off course, did not open a bank account for the business. Then she wanted to graduate the crèche into a Nursery School, and saw a property that suits the purpose, but she needed money to lease it. She appealed to banks and some financial institutions, but they could not help her because she only had a business, she did not have a company. Yet it is very simple to transform your business into a company. The requirements are not difficult to meet.

Consequently from today, we shall begin a series on the requirements for establishing a company, as stipulated under the various laws governing companies in the country, i.e. the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) section 18 to 40, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Act, the Companies Income Tax Act, Investments and Securities Act 1999, Foreign Exchange Act of 1995 etc.

The first requirement is a name: A name must be chosen for a proposed company. It is the responsibility of the promoters of the company to select a name for their company: A company must have a name, which must not be identical with that of another registered company. The name also must not be offensive or contain words like chambers of commerce, Nigeria or federal. The promoter (s) of a company must first go to the Corporate Affairs Commission, which is the government agency that registers companies, to verify if another company is not already bearing that name, and also to verify if the name is suitable.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013 — 23

INVESTORS SPEAK

Students express opinions about investment in shares

BY WILLIAM JIMOH & AMAKA ABAYOMI

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sikak Inyang Investing in shares to me is not something many students can afford, most especially while you are still in school and you do not have a lot of financial backing from home to actually carry out such investment.

I know what it stands for, but schooling in this type of environment where you have to pay heavily for everything, there is no way I can cope with the investment for now. Probably, in the future when I am more comfortable than this, I may think of getting for myself and other members of my family.

Oscar Onyema, NSE DG

R

eality I I have always heard of the fact that investing in the

COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS

I

want e-dividend for my Oando shares Firstly, when I was younger, I received a favour of fifteen thousand from someone and I insisted that my parents use it to buy shares for me which through a neighbour they bought from Oando plc. Now I went to Oando to ask for e-dividends so they would be paying directly into my account since I have never received any dividend from them because the letters usually arrive late. But then they insisted I must come through my broker and I don’t have one but my share certificate is still intact. I seek your advice. I equally have this little money of five hundred thousand naira that I can forfeit for a year. I want to know your advice on how to invest it in the stock market. Thanks. (Obinna ) Investors Forum Yes, you must go through a stock broker to have your shares first dematerialised, and registered with Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS). You can check the website of the NSE for the list of licensed stock brokers or you can ask your bank to recommend one to you. Concerning your surplus funds of N500, 000, you can seek advice from the broker. But if you would need the money in one year, it might be risky investing them in shares. .

What do I do about my late Dad’s share certificates?

My Dad is late, and I have loads of his share certificates. What do I do to retrieve his dividend?

Investors Forum You will need the services of a stock broker to do this. First, find out if your late dad had a stock broker. If he did, you can go to the company. If he did not, contact one and seek for their advice.

Can a listed company pay dividend if its shares are not traded?

When a company listed on the daily list is not traded, is it in a position to pay dividend? (Feghabo, Gele) Investors Forum If the company has not closed shop, if it is still doing business and making profit, it can pay dividend. There is a difference between the activities on the shares of a company on the stock exchange, and its business activities.

capital market will not require much stress from me and it is something that I love to do. In fact, I have been opportuned to attend some programmes that have educated me on the benefits of investing in shares, most especially for young people.

But in a country like Nigeria, where students depend on their

parents for most of their needs, if not everything in terms of financing their education, I don’t really think a student can go on such venture.

But maybe when the standard of living in the country improves and the youth can get jobs that will give them money to complement what they get from their parents, they will also participate in such ventures. if for any reason, it will be in the future.

A

delere Yahyah The stock market isn’t as interesting as it was before the global financial

crisis. I bought my first shares in 2007 when Transcorp advertised for a Public Offer at N7.00 per share. Then, I bought 2,000 units for N14,000. Today, it gives me no joy that my N14, 000 has gone down the drain as the value of the shares in the stock market is not even up to N1 per share. Even if I want to sell, I wouldn’t make money from my shares and this is disheartening. My advice to students who intend to invest in the stock market is that they make proper investigations so as to be well informed about the dynamics of shares and the stock market.

Top 10 performing stocks

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

T

HE shares of the following ten companies recorded the highest gains last week. These are PZ Cusson Nigeria Plc, UACN Plc, Forte Oil Plc, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc (CCNN), BOC Gas Plc, A.G Leventis Plc, UBA Plc, Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc and Glaxosmithkline Nigeria Plc.

P

Z CUSSON topped the gainers with price gain of N6.50 per share at the end of trading session last week. The home care manufacturing company opened the week at N35.50 per share and closed at N42.00 per share. As at the close of transactions on Friday 19th April, 2013, a total of 569,418 shares were transacted in the company. Already, the share price has risen by N23.46 or 52.74 per cent from year low of N21.02 to year high of N44.48.

PZ Cusson manufactures highly demanded home care, personal care and baby care products.

W

ith N2.10, UACN came second on the gainers table within the week to close the market at N57.01 per share. A total of 60,014 shares were traded in the company.

It started the year at N28.00 per share before rising to the present market price. At the close of trading last week, investors bought 707,600 units of the company’s share valued at N40.09 million. UACN has made some strategic acquisitions, including the acquisition of 51 percent equity stake in Livestock Feeds. The company also sealed a joint venture deal with South African conglomerate – Tiger Brands, where Tiger will hold 49 percent equity stake, while UACN holds the remaining 51 percent.

F

ORTE OIL gained N1.41 to close as the third top gainer for week. It closed the week at N15.55 per share after investors bought 873,362 shares worth N13.39 million in the company. Forte Oil operates in the downstream petroleum oil and gas industry, and had recently returned to profitability after posting losses for about three consecutive years. Its profit after tax for 2012 rose to N1.007 billion, from a loss after tax of N19.54billion in 2011, representing an increase of 105 percent.

C

CNN followed with gain of N1.16 to close at N10.50 per share. Total

of 672,937 units valued at N6.621 million were traded during the week. The company had recently indicated interest to double its capacity to 600,000 tonnes per annum.

OC GAS, another downstream oil marketing company garnered N0.50 to close the week at N8.50 per share.

Investors bought 415,509 units of the shares at N3.34 million.

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T

he last five top gainers include, A.G Leventis which chalked up N0.47. UBA Plc, which is adjudged the best performing Nigeria lender year-to-date in Bloomberg Industries African Banks Index, added N0.40 to close the week at N7.00 per share. UBA has risen by 57 percent in 2013, compared with an average increase of four percent for banks in the country, according to data obtained from Bloomberg index.

Neimeth, Unilever Plc and Glaxosmithkline were the last three on the top tem gainers chart, appreciating by N0.22, N0.21 and N0.20 respectively.

COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS Do you have any challenge with your investment in the stock market or with any company (stockbroker, Registrar Company etc), write to vanguardinvestorsforum @gmail.com OR send text to 08157550673. We will INVESTIGATE AND REPLY

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23 , 2013

Nigeria experiences $380bn capital flight … As Content Act saves $168bn

President Goodluck Joanthan (2nd left); Governor Ibikunle Amosu of Ogun State (left); Trade and Investments Minister, Dr. Olusegun Aganga (right); Mines and Steel Development Minister, Arc. Musa Sada (2nd right) and Group Managing Director, WEMPCO Steel Mill Ltd., Mr. Lewis Tung (3rd right) during the commissioning of state-of-theart 5-Stand Tandem Cold Rolled Steel Plant by the President at Ibafo, Ogun State. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

BY SEBASTINE OBASI

T

HE implementation of the Nigerian Content Act, by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has saved Nigeria a capital flight of about $380 billion and a job

loss of two million in the oil and gas sector.

The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Ernest Nwapa, who was represented by General Counsel of the board, Mr. Umar Babangida, stated this at the just ended Esq Energy/ Oil and Gas

Summit, held in Lagos.

According to him, more than 95 percent of the jobs in the industry were done abroad, as indicated below: ·Procurement of $214 billion; and research and development of $9 billion were done in North America

·Technical services - $78 billion and engineering work $39 billion done in Europe. ·Fabrication of $39 billion dominated by Asia.

However, the NCDMB boss said that with the coming of the Content Act 2010, the quantum of capital flight had been reduced significantly by about $168billion.

Accordingly, procurement of $107 billion; fabrication $20 billion; technical services $14 billion; engineering $20 billion; and research and development $7 billion have been domiciled in country on account of the Content Act. Nwapa also added that about $191 billion more could still be retained, while 300,000 new direct job opportunities are expected in such areas as engineering, sciences, technical services and manufacturing.

Although the NCDMB scribe could not give details, but he pointed out that there has been a marked increase in contract awards to Nigerian companies, as the proportion of work done in country had peaked.

He concluded that about 90 percent local content had been

Accugas builds N36bn facility to boost gas supply

BY MICHAEL EBOH

A

CCUGAS Limited has be gun the development of a $225 million (N35.78 billion) project designed to increase the supply of gas to two power plants in Nigeria, to boost power supply in the country.

In a statement announcing the closure of the $225 million facility from Nigerian banks, the company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seven Energy, said it is in the process of constructing a central processing facility, CPF, and pipeline to supply gas to Ibom Power, located in Akwa Ibom State, and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC’s, Calabar Power Plant located in Cross River State.

The company said the objective of the project is to satisfy the growing gas demands from power plants and industrial users, following ongoing reforms in the power sector.

C M Y K

It further stated that the project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2014, will fulfill the gas supply contract obligations to both the Ibom and Calabar power plants.

The Chief Executive Officer, Seven Energy, Mr. Philip Ihenacho, was quoted as commending the technical partners and the financiers, saying, “The successful signing of the Accugas financing clearly shows the confidence that the financial institutions have in Accugas and Seven Energy, as well as the prospects for the Nigerian gas market.”

Also, Mr. Tolu Osinibi, Executive Director, FCMB Capital Market, one of the Mandated Lead Arrangers (MLA), and technical bank for the facility, said the bank’s commitment to the project was a demonstration of its commitment to the development of Nigeria’s power sector.

He added, “The technical

bank team ensured that all the technical issues related to this novel project have been identified and addressed.”

He also expressed confidence that the project will be completed on schedule, and that it will add significant value to the country ’s power generation capacity.

He commended the efforts of the technical bank team in ensuring due diligence in ensuring that the transaction was concluded on time.

Similarly, the Vice President, Project and Structured Finance, FCMB Capital Markets, Mr. Robert Grant, described the facility as a landmark transaction, which supports the federal government’s gas-to-power initiative of providing gas to existing power plants to immediately increase output.

He said, “This further demonstrates that private sector investments will be instrumental to further develop-

ment of the Power sector reform value chain post the Bureau of Public Enterprises privatisation exercise.”

FCMB Capital was appointed with Stanbic IBTC Plc as technical banks to the financing deal, as they were identified as demonstrating the ability to identify and allocate the technical risks associated with such complex projects.

Accugas noted that in transactions of this nature, technical banks are primarily responsible for identifying and ensuring that all technical-related issues are satisfactorily addressed on behalf of the syndicate of lenders.

It said, “For example, in this transaction, the technical banks worked with a competent Technical Consultant to ensure that the CPF and pipeline infrastructure are built to specifications and have the required regulatory approvals.

achieved in the area of engineering, and 50 percent in fabrication.

On the one percent of the contract sum for any project, which must be deducted at source and paid into the NCD Fund, Nwapa said that about $150 million had accrued to the Fund as at January 2013.

He maintained that strong stakeholder collaboration and local value addition framework would be required to achieve real Nigerian content.

In its determination to stimulate in-country capacity, he said the NCDMB had acquired 10.2 hectares of land in Polaku community, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, for the construction of a pipe mill.

BRIEF

Masters Energy boss bags honor ar honorar aryy award T

HE President, Masters En ergy Oil & Gas Ltd, Mr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, will in a Special Convocation of the Abia State University on Friday April 26, 2013, be conferred with the University’s honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration, Honoraris Causa, at the University’ s Convocation Pavilion, Uturu, Isikuwato, in Abia State.

A statement made available to Vanguard, said Ogah, who also has a national honour as Officer of the Order of Niger, OON, is being honoured with the award in recognition of his enterprise, versatility and achievements in business.

Described as “A very successful businessman with interest cutting across banking, aviation, shipping, agriculture, construction, insurance, security and a host of others,” Ogah is said to have had a distinguished career in the banking industry before leaving the industry.

The Masters Energy boss, who is also regarded as a consummate businessman, master planner and strategist with the great creative mind, is also a fellow of a number of professional bodies including, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); Institute of Brand Management of Nigeria, IBMN; Nigerian Institute of Shipping, NIS, and member of many professional bodies.

Vanguard, TUESDAY,APRIL 23, 2013— 25

26—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

P

ART one and two of this article examined the regulatory framework of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), and the importance of independent industry regulation.

A big part of independent regulation is discretion, what to do, ultimately, with such selective power becomes relevant.

Which policy issues are within the regulatory agencies’ jurisdiction and which one should be left to politicians and bureaucrats? Answering

Oil & People •FELIX AYANRUOH

felix.ayanruohlaw@gmail.com

PIB: SStriving triving ffor or a rrobus obus obustt indus tr industr tryy regulation (3)

these questions is particularly difficult where extraordinary events with major impacts on costs or demand are concerned.

Regulatory discretions are established by law and this empowers regulator with legitimacy for discretion and at the same time responsibility to the legislature for the independent exercise of its powers, rather than to the executive arm of government. The National Assembly can modify the scope of regulation and regulatory discretion by amendments to the law that established these agencies. It is when governments try to intervene or overrule regulatory discretion by wimps and caprices that conflicts arise. Good regulatory design is about limiting the drawbacks inherent in discretionary regulation. The regulatory agencies should be independent of government interference as discussed earlier and have sufficient power to act on their own judgment.

A glaring advantage of discretionary regulation lies in its unequivocal flexibility. This makes it more buoyant to unpredictable change than a pure contractual approach, which allows for adaptability of the constant changes in the industry. The ability of discretionary regulation to cope with rapidly changing environments makes it particularly well suited to manage set-backs in the sector.

Discretionary regulatory action should not be limited to responding to complaints from stakeholders that existing rules are inadequate, but be able to act proactively on the basis of its own evaluation of the performance of the industry. Regulatory agencies should be able to act in a timely manner since they are partakers in the policy-making process, not simply enforcing a set of parochial rules.

Sectoral regulatory agencies such as the proposed Inspectorate and Agency must fill in the gaps if the objectives of economic regulation are to be achieved. Restricting the scope of such agencies to merely enforcing primary legislation, C M Y K

make the regulator superfluous.

It must use discretionary powers to oversee market power, licensing conditions and envi-

try is a major political and economic challenge. Transparency in regulation is seminal to sustaining independent regu-

Vessel with stolen petroleum product arrested by JTF in Bayelsa creek ronmental arrangements among others in a continuous drive to improve efficiency, and deliver on any other objective(s) of the legislation establishing it.

A holistic analysis of the PIB indicates that both the Agency and the Inspectorate has discretionary functions on issues ranging from enforcing licensing conditions, effective customer services, abuse of market power (Agency) and gas flaring reports violations (Inspectorate).

However, the bill is silent about the scope of its discretionary power, as the utmost power resides with the Minister. Since the PIB grants these agencies the mandate to act in a discretionary manner, the agencies should be proactive in cases of sector setbacks.

A high level of regulatory discretion is hardly the pristine economic, unambiguous answer to the nation’s energy frameworks and petroleum industry concern. It has the potential of encouraging corruption and drive firms into the unofficial economy. Therefore, there should be checks on the extent of discretionary power.

Confidentiality in energy regulation has been described by many as encouraging corruption. Developing an effective regulatory regime to internalize transparency in the indus-

lation, realizing infrastructural development, encourages competition, discourages illicit behaviour and attracts investment.

Setting up a transparent and justifiable oil and gas regulation takes time and expertise.

It has been widely observed that regulatory transparency is often, and sometimes unavoidably, introduced with very short lead times. The result is often sub-optimal regulatory design and ultimately higher costs.

Oil production licenses and contracts are some of Nigeria’s most valuable assets. However, to maximize returns, the regulatory agencies’ licensing, anti-competitive and other related processes should be transparent and competitive. In the past, contracting and licensing have suffered from deep abuses of secrecy and discretion.

Finally, the Inspectorate and the Agency pursuant to their regulatory functions as proposed by the PIB, should establish an independent, discretionary and transparent framework open to stakeholders and the Nigerian people. Therefore, instituting a systematic publication of complaints, evidence, findings of regulatory reviews, and decisions reached should be a priority.

Concluded

DPR raises alarm over Nigeria’s declining reserves

BY MICHAEL EBOH

T

he Department of Petro leum Resources, DPR, has expressed concern over Nigeria’s declining reserves, saying that for the first time in many years, the country’s oil and gas reserves are on the decline.

Speaking at the 10th Anniversary of Marginal Oil Field Seminar, in Lagos, Director, DPR, Mr. Osten Olorunshola, said the oil and gas reserves are currently dropping below the 36 billion barrels and 200 trillion standard cubic feet respectively.

He put the country’s total crude reserves as at January 1, 2012, at 36.25 billion barrels, while total gas reserves stood at 182.752 trillion standard cubic feet.

He pointed out that the declining reserves presents an enormous opportunity for marginal field operators in the sector, especially as government’s focus is directed at replenishing and growing the reserves.

Olorunshola noted that the country’s crude reserves holding is currently skewed in favour of the Joint Ventures, JV, and Production Sharing Contracts, PSC, accounting

for 70.86 per cent and 22.67 per cent respectively.

He also said the JVs and PSCs still hold majority of the country’s gas reserves, accounting for 77.73 per cent and 14.52 per cent respectively.

He maintained that there is the need to affirmatively invest in indigenous participation in Nigeria’s petroleum industry, adding that the Federal Government’s Marginal Field Programme has not evolved as intended, as only nine of the 24 fields awarded in 2003, and the five awarded discretionarily have started production.

The DPR boss, however, stated that the challenges facing the marginal operators have been adequately analysed and remedial legislation and actions are being proposed, especially as some of the operators are beginning to break new grounds in area of unlocking stranded molecules through the deployment of new technologies, thereby creating opportunity for employment and empowerment among others.

He disclosed that identified enablers will be applied in the next marginal fields bid round, adding that numerous opportunities abound to unleash the potential of small operators.

Lagos seeks UK assistance on energy

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

T

HE Lagos State Govern ment has asked for Britain’s assistance to help it develop its energy sector, notably, power and solid minerals.

The State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral resources, Mr. Taofiq Ajibade Tijani, made the plea in his office when he hosted the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Peter Carter.

The Commissioner told Carter that the state is considering adopting the use of compressed natural gas, CNG, to power vehicles operating in the state.

He said the CNG programme, which had already started in Edo State, will soon be introduced as a pilot scheme to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and the Lag bus vehicles.

Tijani further said that the use of CNG will greatly reduce the demand for petrol and diesel, which are not environmentally friendly and already been priced out of the reach of the common man.

The Commissioner sought the assistance of the Deputy High Commissioner in attracting investors in the energy sector especially in renewable energy, waste to energy project, captive power project,

and solar energy deployment in the state.

He also said that Lagos was interested in attracting investors for the development of the Solid Mineral, and the Oil and Gas subsectors of the state economy.

Responding, the British Deputy High Commissioner promised to keep the Ministry updated on areas of mutual interest, and spoke about various business opportunities that abound in the United Kingdom, UK. He urged the Commissioner to take advantage of the UKTI-SHELL Chain engagement programme coming up in May 2013, to showcase the Ministry and the state at large to potential investors from all over UK that had been invited to the programme.

The Deputy High Commissioner said he planned to visit other key ministries to seek areas of cooperation between UK investors and the state.

Also in attendance were the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Iyabode Regina Obasa; the Director, Finance and Administration, Mrs. Ojosipe Ogundimu Jokotola; the Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Peter Carter; and the UK Trade and Investment delegates led

by Beverly Okoye.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013—27

NDPHC to contribute 4,200MW to national grid

BY SEBASTINE OBASI

T

HE National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) is expected to contribute up to 4,200 megawatts or 50 percent of the 9,000MW, which would be available to Nigerians by December.

The Managing Director of NDPHC, Mr. James Olotu, stated this at the weekend, during the commissioning of distribution centres in some

parts of Lagos. “By December, out of the expected 9,000MW which will be available, NIPP will be contributing about 4,200MW of that or 50 percent of the entire capacity of power available in Nigeria in December.”

He also said that NDPHC would continuously work to meet the expectations of Nigerians to have uninterrupted power supply in no distant time. “We cannot rest on our oars. The reason is that we have gaps that have been created

over the years. The gaps have been so wide and we are just playing catch up. We need to catch up quickly and begin to expand. Look at South Africa, it has about 48,000 megawatts.

Their population is about 38 million. The country also has about 8,000 megawatts in reserve. Here in Nigeria, we don’t have up to what South Africa has in their reserve and they are continuously building capacity,” he said.

On gas supplies, Olotu explained that the reason for the

recent gas disruption was because gas producers had to shut down to maintain their facilities and as a result, there was a dip in power supply.

He, however noted that the gas problem had been solved, adding that the contractors handling the gas infrastructure at Egbema, Omoku and Gbaran had assured him that the projects would be completed by August this year, in order to serve Nigerians better.

The NDPHC boss also argued that going by the level of work being done by his company, more projects would be commissioned in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.

He said, “As you can see, we have commissioned five projects.

This one in Isolo is the biggest of all the projects in Lagos generally. If we leave here, if the

way is clement, we will still be commissioning one or two projects. We will be commissioning some more projects. We will be going to the biggest injection transmission sub-station in Nigeria, at Oke Aro, a few kilometers from Lagos. It has 2x300 and 2x60 MVA transformers in that location.

That is very big indeed. And it is the first one in Nigeria.

“It was done by NDPHC and it is in line with Mr. President’s transformation agenda. We hope that when we leave Lagos, we go to Kaduna, because we have about four projects ready for commissioning. In Kano, we have another four projects for commissioning. Then we will go back to the East.

WorldStage power confab to explore emerging potential

T

HIS year’s edition of the WorldStage National Electricity Power Conference (WNEPC), scheduled for September 24, in Lagos, is set to explore the huge potential in the emerging private sector driven power industry.

WNEPC 2013 with the theme: “Moving Nigeria’s Electricity Power Sector Forward,” according to a statement from the organisers, would bring together policy makers and the private sector to review developments in electricity power sector, identify new challenges, deliberate on critical issues and chart a way forward for the realisation of stable power supply in the country.

President/CEO, WorldStage, Mr Segun Adeleye, was quoted as saying that this year’s conference will be a watershed in the history of power sector in Nigeria, judging by the anticipated milestones that would be recorded.

Expected participants in the WNEPC 2013 include the Presidency, Ministries of Power, Finance, as well as industry regulators, and operators across the power value chain, oil and gas firms, banks, insurance, local and foreign investors, the media and a host of other stakeholders.

According to the organisers, the conference would feature presentations from top government officials among others.

28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

WAGPCo explains recent gas flaring ..Says by-product is environment friendly

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

W

EST African Gas Pipeline Company (WAGPCo), operator of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) system has attributed its deliberate flaring of gas for a period of 20 days, between February 6 and 25, in Ajido, Badagry area of Lagos State to loss of pressure in its pipeline.

The pressure loss which happened in Lome, Togo, occurred on August 28, 2012 leading to gas contamination, and also forced it to stop all gas deliveries to its onshore stations.

Host communities, Ajido, Imeke, Araromi and Agemuwo drew the attention of relevant authorities to the development, claiming about 170 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMscfd) had been flared into the environment.

They, therefore, accused WAGPCo of vio-

lating environmental rules guiding flaring in the petroleum sector, adding that the flaring caused some environmental and health hazards within the community and environs where the compressor is situated.

Flaring was inevitable But explaining what went wrong, the company’s Station Supervisor, Mr. Agboola Olugbenga, said the flaring became inevitable as there was a loss of pressure, which led to water penetration into the pipeline causing severe contamination to the gas.

He noted that in order to extract the excess waste and contamination from the pipeline, flaring became necessary because it is the process by which excess waste or processed natural gas is released from a hydrocarbon recovery or processing facility and burnt safely.

He argued that flaring is used to dispose of

purged/wasted gas, unrecoverable gases flashed off from waste hydrocarbon liquids, and also vented gases from vessels and other plant equipment, adding that flaring is the last line of defence in the safe emergency release system of the LBCS gas plant.

“Waste gas from various parts of the plant are gathered together and sent to a liquid knockout drum (The flare scrubber). This will remove any liquid in the waste gas. The gas from the flare scrubber proceeds to the flare stack where it is burnt. The liquids from the flare scrubber are pumped to another tank where it will be removed with a vacuum truck.

“The main by-product of the combustion, water and carbon dioxide (CO2 & H2O) do not impact the environment, hence, the flare does not constitute air quality pollution to the environment,” he said.

PENG ASS AN ttasks asks FG on oil thef t, PENGASS ASSAN theft, vandalism

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

P

ETROLEUM and Natural Gas Senior staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has urged the Federal Government to muster the necessary will to tackle oil theft and pipeline vandalism head on.

Speaking in Lagos on the menace, PENGASSAN President, Comrade Babatunde Ogun, condemned the criminal acts, describing them as economic sabotage.

He said that the union condemned the crimes in strong terms during its last National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on April 4, 2013, in Calabar, Cross Rivers State; “During our NEC in Calabar, we condemned the increasing level of pipeline vandalism and the attendant crude oil and petroleum products theft and the apparent complicity of the security agencies as complete-

ly unacceptable.

“Pipe vandalism and the attendant crude oil and petroleum products theft constitute not just a drain on the nation’s resources, but also a major environmental hazard as well as threat to our democracy and national security,” he stated.

The union president also advised oil companies operating in the country and government to invest in modern technologies to reduce to the barest minimum, if not completely eliminate, the incidence of pipe vandalism and crude oil and petroleum products theft.

On deregulation, Ogun condemned government’s surreptitious moves to further increase the pump prices of petroleum products under the guise of deregulation, adding that appropriate the environment must be in place before the gov-

ernment can engage all stakeholders on the issue.

Reiterating PENGASSAN’s stand on deregulation, he said called on government to put in place the machinery to restore crude oil supply to the Port-Harcourt Refinery, as well as resolve the haulage challenges being faced by the Warri Refinery, in order to ensure that these refineries run optimally and reduce the nation’s dependence on imported products.

Expressing concern over the continuous underfunding of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), and government’s share of its Joint Venture (JV) obligations, the PENGASSAN President argued that the paucity of funds is impacting negatively on the operational efficiency of these agencies.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013 — 29

By Theodore Opara

Interbrand awards excites Toyota boss T

OYOTA’s exploits at international and local markets have continued to excite the members of Toyota family in Nigeria, especially the chairman of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Ade Ojo. Chief Ade Ojo who could not hide his excitement over the performance of Toyota brand, especially the award as the only auto brand among the top ten global brands by Interbrand said that this will ginger them to continually raise their quality of after sales in Nigeria.

Speaking at the official introduction of the fourth generation Toyota RAV 4 recently, at Eko Hotel, Chief Ade-Ojo said Ï wish to re-echo the two major remarkable feats achieved by your trusted Toyota brand last year. According to a 2012 survey on the best global brands carried out

by Interbrand, an international research body, Toyota ranked as the only auto brand amongst the top ten Global Brands.”

Continuing, he said “not only that, it is also ranked number one amongst the Top 50 Global Green Brands. This is due to its outstanding performance in the area of environmental conciousness and customer satisfaction.”

Dedicating the feat to Toyota’s customers, the chairman said “I want to specially dedicate these to all our customers in Nigeria for making this a reality. I must not also fail to give glowing tributes to our dealers for their consistent resolve to always sustain inimitable

brand equity for the Toyota brand.

On the local scene, he said that TNL would continue to raise the quality of its after sales service delivery to its

valued customers.

“It is common knowledge that business climate across Nigeria and indeed the world over is yet to recover from the lull that has been its bane in recent

times. This has inevitably resulted in reduction in cash flow. Both public and private organisations as well as individuals are becoming increasingly conscious of the value and

quality of what they spend their hard earned money on. In realisation of this, our resolve as an orgnisation has been to continually raise the quality of our after sales

service delivery to our valued customers as well as rev up our response time in all ramifications of the business in order to ceaselessly sustain the high confidence level of our valued customers in the brand.

“A testimony to this is the delivery of first international standard body and paint training centre in Oregun, Lagos.

This ultra-modern facility is a place where our dealer technical staff will be receiving training on body and paints on regular basis from Toyota Motor Corporation certified trainners. Our belief in this connection is that this serves as professional cutting edge that will give additional value to our esteemed customers in the realm of after sales service, hence, our huge investment in the facility.

You can be assured ladies and gentlemen, its ultimate aim is to guarantee that our customers obtain upper limited benefits from every dime expended on any Toyota product.”

All-new Kia Cerato settles in Nigeria D

ANA Motors, representatives of Kia Motors in Nigeria, has launched the allnew Kia Cerato into the market. The new Cerato which Kia described as a gift of true innovation was unveiled at Kia’s state-of-the-art showroom and workshop in Abuja, Thursday. The Cerato which is in its third generation has sold over 2.5 million

units since its debut in 2004.

Speaking at the unveiling, Mr. Sandeep Malhotra, Dana Motor Chief Commercial Office, explained that the Cerato had grown to become one of the most sought after cars in its segment.

Formerly known as Kia Sephia and later Shuma, the all-new Cerato boasts one of the trendiest designs in its

class.

According to Malhotra, “the new Cerato’s bold, coupe-like proportions and eye-catching lines and curves exude brisk acceleration and effortless fluidity of motion.”

The new Cerato’s dynamic silhoutte is accentuated by a sweeping roof line, shortened front and rear overhangs and distinctive in a sleek, character line, resulting

in a sleek, yet purposeful side view that stands out from the crowd.

The all-new Cerato is availabale in Gramma 1.6 mpi which delivers 130ps of power at 6300rmp.

Maximum torque is 16.0 kgm @ 4850 rpm. The other engine of the Cerato is the 2.0 mpi with maximum power of 161 ps @ 650 rpm and torque of 19.8 kg.m @ 4800rpm. The engine is mated to either a sixspeed automatic transmission or six-speed manual transmission for quiet ride.

Engineered to lead its class, the Cerato is equipped with a MacPherson strut front suspension which features a dual path stut insulator to disperse shocks and vibration and enhance steering stability. The coupled torsion axle rear suspension delivers stable smooth ride quality.

Marketing Manager, Mr. Kayode Adejumo, in his product presentation said Kia Cerato customers in Nigeria

would be offered the popular 130 ps 1.6-litre Gamma engine.

He said some features included projection-style headlamps, power windows, power steering, trip computer, external temperature display, dual airbags, a radio/CD player with six speakers, smart key with push start button, 16” alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, high level brake light, upgraded cloth upholstery plus front and rear parking sensors.

The second generation Cerato which provided generous accommodation for people and cargo space has been enhanced. Passengers will find increased front headroom and legroom, while shoulder room too is improved. The interior design of new Cerato concentrates on sportiness and adopts nature’s ebbs and flows as a motif. The driver-focused cockpit places all the major and minor controls within easy-to-operate reach.

30—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23 , 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013—31

32—Vanguard , TUESDAY TUESDAY,, APRIL 23 , 2013

Vanguard,TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013— 33

Democratisation not solution to Mali's crisis

W

HAT is your take on our concept of formal and civic education, especially our religious education that is fuelled by indoctrination?

Prof Ariole: The world has known some models of education that is moving from theocracy to secularity. France at a given time was known to be the mother of Catholicism.

Their military personnel were fighting war everywhere to get everybody proselytized to be a Catholic. French people were going everywhere fighting to promote the Catholic faith, but now, they have to come to realise that theocracy cannot be used to govern a nation, so they have changed.

Now, in West Africa, Mali is an Islamic state, Senegal is an Islamic state, even Cote d’

way. That is why the war that happened in Cote d’ Ivoire was not so devastating as a war based on religious or ethnic divide. The killings were not too much there. The people did not see the conflict as north and south divide. What am saying is that he was able to put in place values that are Ivorians, he did not to see himself as a theocratic leader, but as a citizen that believed in running Cote d’ Ivoire as a secular nation that will profit everybody. Don’t forget that Cote d’ Ivoire is bordering Mali, they are very close.

The UNSC Resolution 2085 made provision for the political unity, territorial restoration and reconstruction of Mali, the French military intervention may have

*Map of West Africa lvoire would have been an Islamist state, if not for the approach of late President Houphouet Boigny. He provided the model that can contain theocracy. He was a Catholic and he even built a Basilica in his own village, Yamoussoukro, which is the capital of Ivory Coast, but he was not ruling Cote d’ Ivoire in a Catholic

been a welcomed necessitate but some people are of the view that this would led to a re-colonisation of Mali and above all manipulating the UNSCR 2085 to accomplish a Euro-centric agenda.

Prof. Oche: I agree with them when they say foreign powers wanted to help rebuild Mali.

We should not forget that ab-

L-R: Hugo Odiogor Prof. Fred Agwu, Senior Research Fellow at NIIA, Lagos and Prof. Victor Ariole of University of Lagos .

initio; I had said that the Malian State needs to be strengthen, by that, I mean the State in its broadest conception.

This will include development of the infrastructure, reconstruction of the society, rebuilding of its democratic structure, armed forces, rebuild the economy to reduce poverty and corruption, but above all, improve on the process of governance. Don’t forget that whenever there is conflicts, wars, etc, you will always find that outside actors and outside powers usually come in, to profit from the conflict. This often comes through the process of post-war reconstruction effort. I don’t think the case of Mali will be any different.

Construction projects Let’s not forget that right now, there is competition between Western powers on one hand and China on another, they both want to be engaged in construction projects on the African continent and they are also engaged in the scramble for resources from Africa.

China wants as much as possible to be able to construct infrastructures in Africa and be able to make profit from it, the same thing goes for the Western powers, considering the state of the economy of European countries, they cannot afford to waste their resources fighting wars in Arica, without some hope of their making gains from doing so.

Some people have argued that getting it right in Mali may not necessarily mean getting it right in the Sahel because of the endemic material conditions of poverty, bad governance, corruption etc, that have been identified in Mali and other West African

States. We know that the existence of these conditions which is what the promoters of politics of terror are capitalizing on, gentlemen what do you think?

Prof. Agwu: We must understand that terror in today’s world has become an international conglomeration and the solution to terrorism today, is not in the Maghreb or in the Sahel,. It is not even in Afghanistan because if you remember when Osama Bin Ladin was killed, there was jubilation that the head of AlQaeda has been decapitated, but those who were informed about the dynamics of terrorism, knew that the death of Osama Bin Laden, was not the end of Al-Qaeda because AlQaeda has globalized. Globali-

,

For Western nations, holding elections to restore democracy in Mali is an end, but the prospects of a successful election in the Sahel country is bleak.

The country remains divided and the insurgents in Northern Mali remain active. The second part of the Vanguard Conference focuses on the reconstruction of the polity in Mali, the role of AFISMA and the presence of US drone center in neighbouring Niger Republic. To discuss issues are: Professor Ogaba Oche, Director of Research and Studies at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos; Associate Professor, Victor Ariole, Lecturer at the Department of Modern European Languages, University of Lagos; and Associate Professor , Fred Aja Agwu, Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos. They are joined by the Vanguard Conference Hall team led by Foreign Affairs Editor, Hugo Odiogor, Kunle Kalejaye and Mrs. Nkiruka Nnorom, both of the Business Desk of Vanguard Newspaper, Lagos. Excerpts:

interest. For now, it is spending its own money and logistic to secure Mali, there are bound to be some benefit because in terms of dealing with any military conflict, whatever the country spends, it has to recoup in peace time.

France came in to Mali because the Interim President Dicounde Traore invited them He was tired of Africa or West Africa, while the rebels were threatening to overrun Mali. By September 2013 when AU / ECOWAS had planned to deploy troops, the rebels would have overrun Mali by then.

AFISMA cannot do that work because AFISMA is not an organic force. At the last AU assembly the common complaint by all the Heads of State and Governments that were present

Don’t forget that whenever there is conflicts, wars, etc, you will always find that outside actors and outside powers usually come in, to profit from the conflict

zation is like a Spirogyra, if you cut the head of one, each part will develop into a full grown organism. That is the nature of terrorism in the world today.

France alone cannot deal with; the way they are dealing with it now in Mali. The European Union alone cannot deal with it; remember that the European Union does not have a standing force on its own.

From the onset, France had explained that its presence in Mali is for the sake of its own national interest, Europe and Africa as a whole. Although there must always be a conspiracy theory, but I don’t think that the mission of France in Mali can wholly be explained within the context of its own national

,

was that Africa needed a standby force, so that the continent will not be depending on Europe or any other Western power, to defend it. They argued that Africa has to defend itself. But Africa does not have the force? The whole idea of AFISMA is not an effective force because, first, the resources are not there, two: the logistics are not there; in fact, AFISMA cannot boast of being an organic force. It is just a bit and pieces of forces from different African countries. At the level of intelligence, you need an international effort and all countries participating in AFISMA do not have the capacity for effective Continues on page 34

34—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

L-R:Nkiruka Nnorom of Vanguard, Prof. Ogaba Oche, DRS of NIIA, Hugo Odiogor, Foreign Affairs Editor of Vanguard and Prof. Victor Ariole of University of Lagos during the conference.

AFISMA's role in Mali is nebulous Continues from page 33 intelligence. For instance, here in Nigeria, when Boko-Haram, attacked Kano, they posted the threat on the internet days before the attack. Boko-Haram will announce planned attack, its target and on the stated day, it will strike clinically, without our intelligence organization meeting up with the challenges, because it is one thing to have the capacity for intelligence and another to enforce it.

What is your view on this issue of standby force for Africa and the issues of shared intelligence?

Prof Ariole: It is very welcome to have such an idea.

The reason is that this was the initial conflict between Kwame Nkrumah and Houphuet Boigny, between the Casablanca corner of OAU

conflicts that characterised the formation of the defunct OAU. The argument continues to recur even till date. The argument is that don’t have the forces to protect Africa and prevent foreign intervention.

We don’t produce arms; we don’t produce anything in terms of security gadgets. So, what is wrong in allowing them to come in and help us so that we can stabilize and have a buoyant economy? What majority of Africans need now is to grow economically is, to have the basic necessity of life before talking about self-actualization. But France came into Mali because we have a Socialist government power. If it was Nicolas Sarkozy, and the conservatives were still in power, it would have been a different thing, they wouldn’t come in to assist Mali because Sarkozy was interested in

,

The whole idea of AFISMA is not an effective force because, first, the resources are not there, two: the logistics are not there; in fact, AFISMA cannot boast of being an organic force. It is just a bit and pieces of forces from different African countries

and the Monrovia corner of the OAU in the 1960s.

Those in the Monrovia camp believed that you cannot have an African country that will take charge of helping Africa to survive economically. They argued that there is nothing wrong in agreeing to have a more established power, which is the West, to be in charge of security of African countries, while the African countries are allowed to blossom economically.

It was part of the initial

,

Mediterranean countries coming together to be one, that was why he re-established the Mediterranean economy but he got frustrated.

What do you say of the bringing of American drone station in Niger Republic and the total silence from Nigeria’s defence and intelligence community given the fact that this could compromise our national security?

We should really divorce our mind from proving that we are capable of protecting ourselves

when we don’t produce any arm, we don’t have the gadgets to protect ourselves. Bringing American Drone close to Niger Republic may serve as a deterrent to the terrorists so we must find a way of working with them, to see how they can help us to cover the territories and to fight the terrorists in the region. Mali could not wait till September for Africa to help her, which was why they ran to France for help. Thank God, France has been able to identify one African nation, Chad, to help him do the fighting. They are using the Chadian forces in Mali as against the totality of AFISMA.

Developing economically If you use all the money that you have in Africa, you cannot protect Africa because; you don’t produce any of the arms or gadgets. So why not allow these foreign powers that have them, to protect you while you develop economically.

Sincerely speaking, we should not get ourselves too much involve in spending our money on security, when we know that we don’t produce equipment that will be of protection to us.

Let’s talk about development as a whole nation in Africa Prof Oche: It does not speak too well about our development as a nation. I am of the view that Nigeria as we are now, is not developing.

There is a lot more that we can do. I think like I said earlier that we need to strengthen the capacity of the Africa states in this case with specific reference to West Africa.

Industrially we are not developed in fact we are deindustrializing. I cannot but make reference to our earlier

discussion on the presence of Drones in Niger Republic.

Nigeria can use ECOWAS, as a diplomatic platform, to ensure that these Drones are not used against neighboring countries because that was one of the reasons/ purpose of peaceful co-existence which Nigeria pushed for in the formation of ECOWAS which was to have a regional platform on which she could work to ensure peaceful co-existence with fellow West African countries.

Have we as a country applied the best diplomacy allowing the establishment of a Drones site in Niger republic regardless of our internal and national security?

Prof Agwu: Nigeria used to parade itself as regional power but Nigeria is not a regional power because power in international relations is not to have the indices of power but to maximize these indices of power.

Nigeria with about 150 million people, in terms of demography that is an item of power but we have not instrumentalise that position. The quality of life is declining everyday. The literacy level in Nigeria in the 60s was more qualitative than the literacy we have today. We are not talking about in quantitative terms. Yes, in the 60s you might have about 1000 graduates and you have 1 million graduates but in qualitative terms NO. As I said before, Nigeria is not a region power because you do not only have to possess the indices of power, but you must be able to instrumentalise it, you must be aware of your interest. For instance, in Mali the United Nations passed a resolution authorizing the use of force. The UN asked ECOWAS to go and bring its

action plan, but ECOWAS couldn’t agree on anything until the Ansar Dine took over Mali and declared a state of Azawad.

Even before that, there was a coup which over threw the government of Ahmadu Traore, who was the Malian president.

If ECOWAS countries knew where their interest lies, they wouldn’t have opposed the coup the way they did. The leaders in the region began to talk about democratization.

They were talking about elections when the insurgency was waxing stronger. You don’t democratize in a jungle.

The point is that when Mali coup happened, ECOWAS should have supported the undemocratic government in Mali, secure Mali before talking about democratization.

Talking about democratisation They would have joined forces with the de-facto government and ensure that the insurgence did not make any further gain. Rather they began to talk about democratisation to install a democratic government. It was even in the process of talking about a democratic government that the insurgence gained ground.

The point is that when France realized that the insurgence was making gains, it realized that it wouldn’t be for their interest to allow the Islamists to take control of the country.

France did not talk about democratization and they took action. So we don’t need democracy, we should have supported them to control the danger caused by the militancy before talking about democracy.

Secondly, what has happened in Mali is an indication that the international communities are now accepting that a de-facto arrangement as long as it is functional, it should be permitted because all these Continues on page 35

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013— 35

Continues frompage 34 intervention and democratization is embedded in Chapter 7 of the United Nation Charter.

By the rules of the Charter, any application of force or intervention that diverts from Chapter 7 is deemed to be illegal but when you are waiting for a legal force to be used, you will wait till thy Kingdom come, you will wait forever. It was the same logic Nigeria should have utilized alongside other West African countries to say that “Look we don’t want you people here” and they can join hand with them to push the insurgence out of Mali.

Democracy should be installed in an environment that has developed its culture, in an environment that there is peace. In Cote d’ Ivoire we had the same the problem, a civil war was going on, the place was not pacified, they held elections and it was contentious now they used their kangaroo force to remove Gbagbo.

Whatever was Gbagbo short coming the fact is that you don’t conduct election in a fractious society.

You will never get a consensus and that was what happened. At the end of the day, they installed Alassane Ouatarra and Ivory Coast does not know peace, it is peace of the graveyard. The most important thing at this point in time is to ensure that the right is done. If you want to do the right thing in the right way and you discovered that it will prolong the suffering of the people, you will do the wrong way that is the implication of the certain expenses case which says that UN force is not

•Cross section of participants: Prof. Ogaba Oche, Driesctor of Research NIIA, Lagos, Mr. Hugo Odiogor, Coordinator,/Foreign Affairs Editor, Nikiruka Nnorom of Vanguard

Insurgency in Nigeria requires global solution rest terrorist group, to really brace and exterminate these international terrorist organization.

Nigeria has to prove that she is a regional power, if not anything, but by its sheer seize going by statistics, it has been argued that every one person

,

Boko-Haram is a phenomenal that we cannot under estimate because it has international linkages not just with AlQaeda in the Maghreb but Al-Shaba in Somalia. There is synergy between all of them, a triangular synergy

designed by its consistency with the good book but by the function it has performed to advance the principles and purposes of UN. What should be the strategy for curtailing terrorism in West Africa and in Nigeria?

Prof Ariole: Like our people use to say that: “When a tree falls on a fence, you have to remove the tree before you can rebuild the fence.” Boko Haram is like a fence and Al-Qaeda is like the tree that has fallen on Boko-Haram, which means Boko-Haram to us, is just a small thing, but it has truly gone international and there is nothing wrong in collaborating with all international forces that is against Al-Qaeda and the C M Y K

,

in West African is a Nigerian, so Nigeria should be more concerned about the security in West Africa.

When the government in Sierra-Leone removed illegally by some military forces, we went there and restored the democratic process it worked and people applauded Nigeria for that. The Liberian case did not work very well because it had the ECOMOG dimension.

And recently with Mali Ivorien President Alhassan Ouattara happened to be the president of ECOWAS at the time and President Boni Yayi OF Benin republic, happened to be the president of African Union, at the time all these things were happening. They had different

views on how to settle the issue of Mali.

Nigeria was only supportive so that the hegemony of Nigeria as acclaimed by others, will not be seen as getting the forces in Mali out and Nigeria played down a little.

Nigeria should have the attitude of collaborating with international forces like NATO and ensure that there is stability in West Africa. We should also agree that African countries must be democratized and any country in West Africa that is not democratized should be fought against so that nobody comes with the military attitude from behind and take over any country in West Africa.

Therefore, Nigeria should be able to collaborate with any international forces to be able to eliminate these terrorist groups in West Africa, before we can start to talk about how we can control the internal ones like Boko-Haram and other groups in Africa.

As a regional power, it will be ideal for Nigeria not to be antagonist with any foreign power that wants to help in stabilizing West Africa, be it NATO, France etc. Our people are completely down, we are not economically empowered and we need to be empowered economically, before we can think right. The European countries have been able to

provide basic needs for their people that is why the people can die for their country. An American can die for his country because they have been brought up to go beyond the physiological means.

Economically they can say that they are stable.

Empowering the majority This is what Africa should be pursuing, that is how to empower majority of the 900 million Africans to be somewhere economically, to be stable and empower not using our resources to buy security gadgets which we don’t produces.

Taking the right dimension in solving our own internal problem Prof. Oche: The media is awash with recommendations but what I think is lacking at the level of governance and leadership is the holistic perspective of this country both within and outside.

For example, in the recent past some international organizations and NGOs rest have been trying to canvass this perspective of human security as opposed to militaristic approach because it gives a more holistic picture of affairs and it enable policy makers and implementators to

understand issues in their inter-related perspective and not just from a state centric perspective.

I think to a large extent that is lacking the level of leadership. The problem of terrorism feeds on problems of poverty, large scale poverty, and I do not think leadership has a proper grasp of the security issues, they do not understand in my own thinking, its complex interaction with the national interest, that is what constitute Nigeria national interest. It is important for them to have a proper grasp of this.

We spoke about the competing narratives that feed the whole process of militancy and extremism, it is something at the level of leadership, they need to understand and evolve policy that can tackle it.

For instance, with respect to terrorism, I spent a lot of time in northern Nigeria and I know for a fact that a lot of extremist and inflammatory Islamic ideas are preached in mosques, especially on Fridays and we do not see security forces trying to oppose this or trying to control this. I think from my own understanding, it is important for them to come down to basics and combat some of these problems.

To be concluded

36—Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

Urhobo professionals plan data base

BY EDIRI EJOH & WILLIAM JIMOH

A

pan-Urhobo group of professionals in Lagos, Atamu Social Club, has said that it intends to develop an Urhobo national data base in a bid to make available ready-made data for the Urhobo nation, which can be use for economic and political planning.

Speaking in Lagos, weekend, at the investiture of the 8th President and management team of the club, Atamu Club President, Mr. Johnson Agagbo, noted that in addition to the provision of the data base by the club, hosting a panUrhobo international conference to bring together people

from different walks of life to envision an Urhobo land in the next 20 years, will also be executed.

He said: “We are planning towards developing the Urhobo community and Delta State by initiating the Urhobo National Data Base and other ideal programmes channeled towards transforming and bringing about positive change in the state.”

Agagbo said his administration will also re-launch, Atamu Educational Endowment, just as they will erect Mukoro Mowoe statue in a strategic place in Delta State and renovate the JT Mariere statue in the University of Lagos.

COMMISSIONING: From left— Mrs Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communication and Technology; Mr. Suleiman Dotun, Chairman, Information Technology Developers Entrepreneurship Acceleration, ITDEA; Prof. Cleopas Angaye, Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency; Dr. Henry Akpan, Permanent Project Consultant, and Ministry Secretary, and Mr. Chinedu Okoli, Project Consultant, ITDEA, at the commissioning of Ideal Incubation Centre in Lagos. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Rivers Assembly suspends Obio Akpor LG's cabinet

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT—RIVERS State House of Assembly, yesterday, suspended the Chairman, Vice Chairman and the 17 councillors of Obio Akpor Local Government Area over allegations of abuse of public funds and breach of security.

The House, which also froze the account of the council, called on the state government to immediately appoint a Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the council until investigations into the allegations were concluded.

Chairman of the eight-man House Committee on Local Government Affairs, Mr. Lucky Odili, said: “Proper investigation of the allegations is not feasible if the accused officers remain in office.

"In the light of the above, the committee does, hereby, make the following recommendations: that the Chairman, Vice Chairman and the 17 councillors of Obio Akpor Council be suspended from office pending the outcome of the investigation.

“That the Rivers State Government should appoint a Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the council in line with section 64(4) of the Rivers State Local Government Law. That all accounts of the council should be frozen with immediate effect to pave way for the investigation.”

Speaker of the House, Mr. Otelema Amachree, who presided over the sitting, said there was no need subjecting the issue to a debate since the recommendation was an interim report.

Twenty seven members voted in support of the recommendations, with five against.

Efforts to reach any of the suspended officials for reaction proved futile.

It will be recalled that the arrow head of the Felix Obuah-led Peoples Demo-

cratic Party, PDP, Mr. Nyesom Wike was former two-time chairman of the council.

Ikuforiji: Trial on money laundering suit resumes tomorrow

BY INNOCENT ANABA

T

HE trial of Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, for money laundering charges, is expected to resume tomorrow before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

But with the adjournments the matter had suffered, one is not too sure the hearing will hold.

When the trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, order accelerated hearing and adjourned for 13 straight days, one had thought that the prosecution had a water-tight case against the Speaker, hence it’s dilly-dallying and frequent requests for adjournments.

The Speaker and his aide Oyebode Atoyebi, are charged

by EFCC for allegedly accepting over N500 million from the Assembly without passing through a financial institution, an allegation they denied.

Most of the adjournments had been at the instance of the prosecution, leading the defence counsel to ask that the matter be struck out for want of diligent prosecution.

On February 18, the prosecution, led by Godwin Obla, asked Justice Okeke to stand down the matter till 11am “to allow counsel for the prosecution appear

in a highly contentious public interest fundamental human right proceeding,” before another judge.

Opposing the application, Ikuforiji’s counsel Tayo Oyetibo, recalled that on October 21, the court had indicated that it was prepared to hear the matter from day to day.

But the court adjourned at the instance of the prosecution.

Again, on March 25, the prosecution was not in court. Defence complained, recalling other adjournment requests.

Obla had said in court on March 25: “The first defendant is the sitting Speaker of the House of Lagos State. The case ought to be given accelerated hearing so that the people of Lagos State can know within a reasonable time his guilt or innocence.”

The court did not dismiss the charge, but adjourned till April 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25 and 25.

At the last hearing, Obla withdrew from the trial.

In his letter dated April 5 to the court’s registrar, he said the manner in which the court fixed dates would deny him the ability to diligently prosecute the case.

Obla, who was not present in court on March 25, when the dates were fixed, said the 13

days was scheduled without considering his commitment in other cases at other courts.

“The new dates clearly conflict with those long-scheduled obligations,” he said.

His withdrawal forced Justice Okeke, who will retire next month, to cancel the dates.

Head of EFCC’s Legal Department, Mr. Alli Yusuf, said he was informed late about Obla’s withdrawal and needs three weeks to study the file.

The defence complained that EFCC was handling the case with levity, asking the court to dismiss the charge for lack of diligent prosecution.

Observers wonder if there is not more to the prosecution’s frequent requests for adjournments than meets the eye. Is there a hidden agenda?

Justice Okeke adjourned till tomorrow for trial, but will this be the last adjournment at the prosecution’s instance?

Eghagha makes case for JAMB

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—DELTA State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha, has said that Joint Admission and Matriculations Board, JAMB, had proved its worth as an efficient examination body since its establishment in 1978.

Reacting to media reports of moves by Federal Government to scrap National Examination Council, NECO, and UTME, Eghagha said JAMB had continued to transform itself to make more progress over the years.

Noting that the information was misleading, he said: “The Federal Government has not taken any concrete decision to scrap NECO and JAMB but just received a recommendation from a committee that called for such action.”

Eghagha also charged owners of private tertiary and vocational institutions in the state to register and license their institutions with the state government before June 28.

Anglican Synod holds

T

HE First Session of the Sixth Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Ughelli has been scheduled to hold from April 27 to May 1.

The synod, according to the Public Relations Officer of the

Diocese, Chief Vincent Orhiunun, “will be presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese, the Revd. Cyril Odutemu."

Theme of this year ’s synod is O Church, keep the Lord’s Commandment.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013—37

FCT Minister urged to ignore antics of detractors

M

INISTER of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, has been advised to ignore the antics of detractors and concentrate on the implementation of his lofty programmes designed to uplift the status of Abuja and improve the well being of the city’s teeming residents.

The National Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Youth Vanguard, Amb. Ibrahim Aboki, gave the charge while reacting to a report by a supposed activist and former officer of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, who alleged that the Minister was sidelining students and youths in the administration of FCT. The PDP National Youth Secretary lambasted the ex-NANS officer for misinforming the public stressing that “the FCT Minister is one leader who cherishes taking youths and students along in all his policies and programmes.”

Delta PDP leaders laud Jonathan over Ideh’s appointment

P

EOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, leaders in Agbowhiame community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, have commended President Goodluck Jonathan for appointing Dr. Adogbeji Ideh the chairman of Federal Board of National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, describing the appointment as a square peg in a square hole.

Mr. Dickson Odjo, who spoke on behalf of the PDP leaders during its community town hall meeting, said that Dr. Ideh’s appointment didn’t come to them as a surprise because, according to him, Ideh has been a stalwart of PDP in Agbowhiame community, since 1999.

He said: “Dr. Ideh will use his wealth of experience as a medical expert and politician to uplift the National Orthopaedic Hospital from its current level to one which everyone will be proud of."

A-Ibom 2015: 17 aspirants scramble to succeed Akpabio

BY TONY NYONG

U

YO—NO fewer than 17 aspirants of Akwa Ibom South, Eket Senatorial District, have indicated interest to join the race to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio, with two years to the 2015 general elections.

Of the number, seven aspirants are from Eket federal constituency, six from Oron federal constituency and four from Ikot Abasi federal constituency.

Chairman of Akwa Ibom South (Eket) senatorial district Assembly, Chief Nduese Essien, dropped the hint at the third meeting of the body, weekend at Ekid Civic Centre.

Chief Essien, a former minister, said he was not surprised by the number of governorship aspirants emerging, noting that by the zoning principle of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, it was the turn of Eket senatorial district to produce the next governor of the state.

He said: “If it is not by zoning, then it should be by rotation, equity, justice, fair play, good governance and all other known and unknown principles of human relationship and mutual coexistence. ‘’The 2015 governorship

project of the district is real, hence the choice of governorship candidate must be one who is capable, competent and focused enough to make the district proud by improving upon the quality and tempo of the uncommon transformation witnessed in the

INSPECTION: Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State (left) and the Chief Executive of Lubrik Construction Company, Gilbert Sassine, inspecting the Igwuruta end of the over 14km Igwuruta-Etche-Eneka-Rumuokurushi dual carriageway being constructed by his administration, weekend.

Delta 2015: NANS vows to mobilise for Keyamo

BY WILLIAM JIMOH

N

ATIONAL Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, under the aegis of Joint Campuses Committee (Abuja Axis), has vowed to work for Mr. Festus Keyamo towards realising his ambition to occupy Delta State Government House, come 2015.

Officials of NANS, when they paid the lawyer cum activist a courtesy visit in his Abuja office, said they had

come to visit Keyamo in order to identify with his governorship ambition and assured him of the support of Nigerian students.

They added that their decision to identify with Keyamo’s struggle in Delta State was taken at the 66th Senate meeting of NANS, held at the Benue State University, Makurdi.

The student leaders told Keyamo that as someone who had fought several battles for Nigerian students at

various times in the past, it was now their turn to stand by him in his gubernatorial ambiion.

“We have come to partner and work with you to achieve victory. We want to encourage you, as you cannot work alone in this battle, because over the years, you stood by our members in the various battles and challenges with the authorities, right from your days at the Gani Fawehinmi Chambers,” one of the NANS leaders said.

Quash my suspension, ICCON Registrar, Oghifo tells court He argued that according to

R

EGISTRAR of Institute of Chartered Chemist of Nigeria, ICCON, Prince Jay Oghifo, yesterday, asked the National Industrial Court to stop the Federal Ministry of Health and the Minister of Health, from going ahead with his purported suspension, pending the determination of the suit, challenging the action of the defendants.

Oghifo is contending that while on leave and to resume on January 28, 2013, he was suspended by a letter dated January 18, following the report of a panel set up by Minister of Health and the Health Ministry who, according to him, have no such powers to

state. ‘’It has become imperative for the district to organise itself in readiness to shoulder the heavy responsibility of the office. Governorship position is a high stake office for which the district cannot relax and take for granted.’’

set up the panel or suspend him, but acted in abuse of their powers.

Defendants in the suit are Federal Ministry of Health; Minister of Health; ICCON; Prof. Felix Okieimen, President of ICCON and Mr. Sylvester Obinyan, an ICCON council member.

His counsel, yesterday, told the court that while Oghifo was allowed to stay in office and be investigated by a panel set up by the defendants, he was, strangely, forced to go on suspension because another panel was to investigate him, contending that he cannot be investigated twice for the same alleged offence.

the Civil Service Rule, the most that could happen was that he would be confronted with the report of the first panel, and not to be suspended as there was no reason for that, since he did not interfere with the first panel.

He argued that his suspension was to ensure that his four-year tenure expires while he is out of office, and when that happens, the court would be left with nothing to adjudicate on.

Meanwhile, the defendants have asked the court not to grant the application, as doing so would amount to determining the substantive matter. The court will on May 6, 2013 rule on the application.

Delta pre-empts flood, opens water channels, blocked drainages

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—FOLLOWING the forecast by Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, that this year will witness heavier rainfall than last year, Delta State Ministry of Environment, yesterday, commenced the opening of minor and major water channels in seven selected local government areas of the sate, as part of proactive flood control measures of the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

The state Commissioner for Environment, Chief Frank Omare, in a statement, said: “The ministry started operations from Warri today (yesterday) and thereafter to Effurun and Sapele, before moving to Udu, Ughelli North, Oshimili South, and Ika North-East Local Government Areas.”

Omare warned owners of structures on waterways to remove them, adding that “there will be no sacred cows,” naming others affected to include “those trading with caravans and other makeshift structures on top of drainages and walkways."

38—Vanguard , TURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

National reformation begins at home — Bishop Gbuji

BY TONY EDIKE

E

From left: Gov. Sullivan Chime of Enugu; Gov. Martins Elechi of Ebonyi; Theodore Orji of Abia; Peter Obi of Anambra; Dep. Gov. Eze Madumere of Imo and son of late Chief Chinua Achebe, Ikechukwu, during South-East Governors' Forum meeting, on the burial arrangement for the late Achebe, in Enugu, weekend. Photo: Hill Ezeugwu

Why we are on strike, by food stuff traders, transporters

BY ENYIMENYIM

O

NITSHA — NI GERIA Lorry Drivers Association, NILODA, Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, and Federated Food Stuffs Dealers Association (FFSDA) in Benue State have embarked on an indefinite strike to protest harassment, extortion, imposition of illegal levies and multiple taxation by government agents on their members.

The strike may hamper the flow of food stuff in the south of the country, causing scarcity.

Addressing journalists at a press conference by the leadership of the three unions at Nkpor, near Onitsha, Anambra State, acting National President-General of NILODA, Apostle Boniface Chiedozie, told journalists that the three unions in Benue State were compelled to embarked on strike because all efforts made to make the authorities concerned see reason failed.

He explained that the state government had earlier in a stakeholders' meeting with the three unions, agreed that it would stop all activities of government revenue collection agents in the state and streamline it for effective results.

He, however, regretted that despite this agreement, agents of government had continued in their nefarious activities, adding that all efforts to make government respect earlier agreement failed.

PDP, ANPP commiserate with Okorocha family

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI — IMO State leaderships of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, have commiserated with members of the Rochas Okorocha family over the road traffic crash he was involved.

Their good wishes were contained in two separate state-

ments signed by the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Chief Blyden Amajirionwu, and the ANPP State Chairman, Chief Vitals Orikeze Ajumbe.

“The Peoples Democratic Party received with shock the news on Governor Rochas Okorocha’s involvement in a car crash in which he sustained injuries. The party deeply regrets the incident and wishes the governor quick

recovery,” Imo PDP stated.

Similarly, ANPP said it received with shock the sad news of the motor accident involving the governor and wished him speedy recovery.

“We pray God to give him the strength, while we wish him speedy recovery. Our sympathy goes to his family and to the good people of Imo State,” the party stated.

NUGU—FORMER Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Anthony Gbuji, has stressed the need for a good family in the society, saying for national reformation to be achieved, it must begin at home.

Gbuji spoke during the 40th wedding anniversary of the traditional ruler of Nike community, Enugu State, Igwe Julius Nnaji,and his wife, Lolo Maria, at Holy Cross Catholic Church Nike.

The Bishop emeritus, who presented an anniversary certificate from Canaan Galilee to the couple, described Nigeria today as a miracle of divine love, passing through divine growth, enjoining Nigerians to embrace the President’s message of transformation, warning that if the country does not move to greatness, it would slide downwards into degeneration.

“Security for a good reformed society is good family.

Reformation begins at home.

Good nation begins at home.

If we have many other families like the Nnaji’s in Enugu State, then there will be a better Nigeria,” he said.

Anambra PDP chieftain advises FG not to grant amnesty to Boko Haram

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

O

NITSHA — A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Anambra State, Dr.Chike Okonkwo, has advised the Federal Government not to grant amnesty to the Boko Haram Islamic sect members.

Okonkwo also commended Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, over his achievements in the state.

In a statement in Onitsha, Okonkwo, who is also a community leader at Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area of the state, said granting amnesty to Boko Haram would compound the problems of insecurity in the country.

He said amnesty for Boko Haram would encourage other faceless groups to spring up just to receive Federal Government’s attention.

According to him, the reasons for the amnesty granted the Niger Delta militants are well known to Nigerians and the world, unlike the current move to grant amnesty to Boko Haram which simple reason for killing and maiming innocent Nigerians was to impose their own brand of Islam on the

country.

Okonkwo, however, asked Jonathan to utilise whatever fund that would be used in settling Boko Haram to provide welfare facilities for the benefit of Nigerians.

“Rather than take the advice of Northern leaders to compensate Boko Haram insurgents, President

Jonathan should advise them to go and talk to their militia to embrace peace, instead of shedding innocent blood for their selfish political ends.

“The President should be bold enough to crush a militia group as Boko Haram to serve as a deterrent to other ethnic militias which may want to take up arms against the nation

with the aim of receiving compensation, even when relations of those who lost either their loved ones or property have not been compensated,” he added On Governor Obi, Okonkwo said his government had impacted the lives of the people of the state through the provision of social amenities.

Ex-ENSUBEB chairman raises alarm over kangaroo trial

BY TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU—THE crisis rocking Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board, ENSUBEB, following the sudden dissolution of its board by the state government during the long absence of Governor Sullivan Chime, has taken another dimension as the ousted Executive Chairman of the board, Chief Ethel Nebo Eze-Abasili, has raised an alarm over a plot to indict her through a kangaroo trial.

A former member of the board who pleaded anonymity, told Vanguard in Enugu, yesterday, that a fourman committee had been set up to investigate the activities of ENSUBEB with a lawyer at

Government House, Enugu, as the chairman.

“The information reaching us shows that some disgruntled individuals have planned to carry out evil/ kangaroo court proceedings against Enugu State government in a bid to rope in the Executive Chairman of ENSUBEB, Chief Ethel Nebo Eze-Abasili,” said the source.

When contacted over the new development, EzeAbasili, who was removed from office while Governor Sullivan Chime was on medical leave in London in a very controversial manner,, said any attempt to use a kangaroo trial to indict her amounted to a violation of her fundamental human rights.

“The Nigerian Bar

Association, Civil Liberties Organisation, and other interested human rights organisations are hereby notified of the above evil plan to be carried out,” she said.

It would be recalled that shortly after the state government announced the dissolution of ENSUBEB board, Eze-Abasili went into hiding over an alleged attempt on her life.

Narrating her ordeal to newsmen, she said about 583 contracts were to be executed, including new construction, worth N3.6 billion, adding that the state government set up a pre-qualification committee, headed by one Nduka Ikeyi, which decided that only four contractors would execute the contracts, contrary to ESUBEB and Procurement Act.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013 —39

CONFAB—From left: Engr. Peter Onyeri, GM, Aerodrome Rescue & Fire Fighting Service, ARFFS; Mr George Uriesi, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN; Hajiya Salamatu Umar-Eluma, Director, Human Resources & Administration; Mrs Ebele Nwokoye; Capt Henry Omeogu, Director Operations; Mrs Ibinabo Omagu, Special Assistant; Yakubu Dati, General Manager, Corporate Communications; Mr Adegbesan Biodun, AGM, Budget, at the Africa conference, organised by Airports Council International, ACI, at Agadir Morocco.

LAUNCH—From left: Senator Olugbenga Obadara; Chairman Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, Sir Michael Ade-Ojo; Managing Director, Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, Mr Chandrasheker Thampy and Mr Adekunle Oyinloye at the launch of 4th generational Toyota Superior Quality RAV 4 in Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

CONFERMENT—From left: Managing Director, Jouf Ventures Limited, Mr. Joseph Udeh; Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Chairman, Aninri Local Government Area, Christopher Nwobodo and Director, Jouf Ventures, Mrs. Chinedu Udeh, during the conferment of chieftaincy title on Senator Ekweremadu and Nwobodo in Enugu State.

INAUGURATION—From left: Chief A. O. Badejo, Retired Managing Partner; Mr James, Obogwu, new Chairman/Managing Partner; Mr Kayode Falowo Managing Director, Greenwich Trust Limited; Dr Joseph Asaolu; Immediate Past Chairman/ Managing Partner; Pastor Phillips Oluwi; Retired Managing Partner, BBC Professionals at the retirement of Dr Asaolu and inauguration of Mr Obogwu as the Chairman/ Managing Partner of the accounting firm in Ikeja, Lagos.

CORONATION—From left: Leader, Yoruba Conflicts Resolution Committe, Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Obateru Akinruntan; Osile of Oke-Ona, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso; Onitoro of Itoro, Oba Samuel Fasina and Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle at the first coronation anniversary of Olu of Ilaro in Ogun State.

CONVENTION—From left: Sen. George Akume; Sen. 'Gbenga Ashafa; Chief Olusegun Osoba and Sen. Lawal Shuaibu during the ACN National Convention at Onikan Stadium, Lagos.

LAUNCH—From left: Head, Research & Statistics, Ministry of Health, Ghana, Dr. Reginald Odah; Supply Finance Controller, Reckitt Benckiser, Arun Mewon; Representative of Reckitt Benckiser, Ghana, Aisha Owura; Group Product Manager, Reckitt Benckiser, Rajesh Ramak and Business Development Manager, West Africa, Reckitt Benckiser, Dele Adeyole, at the launch of Mortein liquid mosquito repellent in Accra, Ghana.

INTERACTIVE—From left: President, Osun State Chapter of the All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, Mrs. Moji Olagunju; Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Femi Fawole and Auditor, ANCOPSS, Mrs. Adeola Akanji at an interactive session in the education sector in Osogbo.

MEETING—From left: Former Minister of Industries and matron of the United African Methodist Evangelical Church, Chief Mrs Nike Akande; Baba Ijo and former Chief of General Staff, Gen. Oladipo Diya; and chairman, new cathedral building committee, Senator Anthony Adefuye at the church's building committee meeting in Lagos.

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

Benue to collaborate with TB centre

Jigawa cancels VP's planned visit

BY ALIYU DANGIDA

BY PETER DURU

D

B

ENUE State govern ment is to collaborate with the National Tuberculosis Centre in a bid to stem the increasing cases of the disease in the 23 local government areas of the state.

State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, made this known while commissioning a Chest Clinic built for the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSTUH,

by Chevron Nigeria Limited and its partners at the Agbami Oil Fields.

Suswam was represented on the occasion by his deputy, Chief Stephen Lawani.

He lamented that Benue State had the highest rate of TB infections in the North Central zone just as it ranked fourth state with the prevalence of the disease in the entire country. ”That is the more reason why we commend the Agbami partners for this gesture because the clinic will help in addressing the health needs of those infected by TB, given its prevalence in the state,” he said.

Responding, the Chief Medical Director of BSUTH, Prof. Orkuga Malu thanked Agbami partners for citing the project in the state.

Awoniyi denies ACN's allegation on Kogi polls

By BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

L

OKOJA —KOGI State Deputy Governor, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, has denied allegation by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, that he changed names of presiding officers, POs, and polling clerks for the forth coming council polls to help the government rig the election.

Awoniyi asked on the ACN in the state to focus on rebuilding itself for the future rather than crying wolf where none existed, as according to him, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state would win the election convincingly, adding: "The ACN has no strong footing in the state."

State Chairman of the ACN, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo, had accused the PDP government of planning to subvert the will of the electorate in the forthcoming council poll.

Prof. Olukayode O. Amund, Dean, Student Affairs Division, UNILAG (5th r); Mr. Sotonye Anga, Coordinator Agribusiness & Youth Empowerment, CASON, (6th r), Mrs. Ajelabi A. Adebimpe, UNILAG; Fasalejo Ebunmi, CASON; Olagbegi S. Sarah, CASON; Dr. Shoremekun Rebecca, UNILAG; Mr. Omotola Olayinka, UNILAG; Mrs. Jayne Wilson, CASON; Mr. Kassim M. Oladele, UNILAG; Olumo A. Temitope, CASON; and Mrs. Asiwaju Aderonke, UNILAG, during the visit to UNILAG by Nigerian Youths for Agribusiness Conference 2013, the Agribusiness and youth empowerment group of Community of Agricultural Stakeholders of Nigeria, CASON,

Boko Haram: FG urged to reconstitute committee

BY NDAHI MARAMA

T

HE Federal Government has been urged to reconstitute the Presidential Committee on Boko Haram by including some of the insurgents.

A member of the House of Representatives, Aminu Khadi, who made the call in Maiduguri said the inclusion of more people from Borno State or the North East as well as one or two Boko Haram members would yield better results rather that the present situation whereby people from other parts of the country formed the majority in the committee.

Khadi told newsmen that the inclusion of one or two insurgents in the committee would not only ease the proposed amnesty talks but also go a long way in giving the insurgents a sense of belonging, thus ending the crises.

Khadi who noted that the Federal Government took the wrong steps by announcing the names of the members before consulting them, said: "if the government had taken the right steps, there would not have been no rejection of the appointment by some members of the committee. People like Shehu Sani and Dr. Datti Ahmed would not have turned down the offer to serve as members of the committee if they had been consulted. I think the Federal Government should show more sincerity in the amnesty deal so that it can be fully accepted by the insurgents.”

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, female legislator further said that she was, however, ready to assist in whatever capacity to ensure the return of peace to Borno and other parts of the country, noting that “all federal legislators from Borno State irrespective of political affiliation had been working round the clock to ensure peace in our state.”

Khadi who represents Jere Federal Constituency in Borno State also threw her weight behind the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, on the new peace initiative aimed at restoring peace to the state bedevilled by severe insecurity challenges.

She stated that all Nigerians irrespective of political, tribal or religious differences must come together with necessary ideas to solve the ongoing insecurity challenges in the country and

northern Nigeria in particular. The federal law maker said efforts by governor Kashim Shetttima to return peace to the troubled state is not only commendable but a right step in the right direction. "I think we should support any one who is committed to resolving the current security crises in Borno state and other parts of the country. Governor Kashim Shettima I believe is doing his best to find solution to the insecurity issue and I think he should be supported”.

NLC expresses worry over 7.2% growth rate

BY EMEKA MAMAH

T

HE Nigerian Labour Con gress, NLC, yesterday, expressed worry that Nigeria’s reported 7.2 per cent growth in the economy has not translated into employment for the 40 million unemployed youths in the country. This was contained in a statement signed by the NLC Vice President, Issa Aremu, while reacting to the protest against illegal recruitment of foreigners to fill vacancies that Nigerians could do by some oil companies.

The statement entitled "Employment: President Jonathan must give priority to Nigerian Workers," read: "President Goodluck Jonathan and Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu must give priorities to Nigerian workers in terms of employment.

With almost 40 million of unemployed adults and youths and 50 per cent of unemployment in Nigeria, it is unacceptable that foreign and local companies and employers are recruiting massively, foreign workers at the expense of Nigerian workers."

To this extent we support the recent protest of the workers under the aegis of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, together with Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, against the Universal Energy Resources Limited over the employment of foreigners as Chief Security Officers and Community Relations Managers.

"It is bad that the Nigeria’s current growth rate of 7.2 per cent has not translated into employment. It is, however, retrogressive that we allow foreign workers to dominate and suffocate the country’s shrinking labour market. Chinese workers and traders are here in large number especially in cement industry and textile retail trade. Who grants them the expatriate quotas for them to do jobs that Nigerians can and should do? Where is the Labour Inspectorate Division of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity charged with the responsibility to maintain minimum standards?"

UTSE—JIGAWA State government has cancelled the proposed visit of Vice President Namadi Sambo to the state for a two day working visit.

Sambo who was expected to arrive at the state capital Dutse, yesterday, to commission numerous projects executed by Governor Sule Lamido’s administration, including the headquarters of the state Ministry of Lands, Urban and Regional Planning and the High Court complex. Others include the Almajiri integrated school constructed in Gwiwa Local Government Area of the state by the Federal Government through the Universal Basic Education, UBEC. No reasons were given by the state government for the cancellation, but sources told Vanguard that the Vice President cancelled the visit because the Federal Ministry of Education which handled the construction of the Almajiri school was not ready with the project. The state government and UBEC in the state, however, regretted any inconveniences which the cancellation would cause. Meanwhile, Governor Sule Lamido has concluded plans to travel to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj.

Taraba acting governor consolidates position

BY UMAR YUSUF OLA—Acting Gover nor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar is consolidating on his position with the impeachment of the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Mr. Istifanus Gba’ah, and his deputy, Peter Diah, both of who were said to be loyalists of the ailing Governor, Mr. Dan Baba Suntai.

Suntai.

Suntai is receiving treatment at John Hopkins University in the United States, where he was moved to from a German hospital following injuries he sustained in a helicopter crash, near Yola, in Adamawa State in October last year.

Consequently, the House also elected Mr. Haruna Simon (Ussa Constituency) and Tanko Adamu Mai Karfi (Lau Constituency) as speaker and deputy speaker respectively in place of the two former officers.

Y

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013 — 41

C M Y K

42 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

LAGOS-BADAGRY EXPRESSWAY :

Unending reconstruction, •Hold FG responsible, says Lagos

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

R

ESPITE seems not to be in sight for road users and resident along Lagos-Badagry Expressway, no thanks to the deplorable state of the road which has become a perpetual nightmare.

Motorists and concerned citizens have always stressed the need for immediate intervention on the road, without any hope in sight.

What is even more worrisome is the declaration by the state government which ruled out possibility of any palliative on the road since there is an unending rehabilitation and expansion project being undertaken in collaboration with World Bank.

This involves a 10 lane carriageway that will incorporate Light Rail Transport, LRT, on the median and also the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, system.

Despite the fact that the road is an international route that links Nigeria with other West African countries starting with Benin

Miscreants also lurk around to ‘assist’ any unfortunate motorist whose vehicle got stuck or developed any mechanical fault, for astronomical fees..

In the night some of them transform into robbers, dispossessing motorists of valuables like, cash, mobile phones at gun point.

,

,

Republic, it has been abandoned by concerned authorities.

Heavy duty vehicles

Most deplorable is the section from the International Trade Fair Complex all the way to Volkswagen area, extending, to C M Y K

Iyana-Iba. Several man-hours are wasted on the road, and more often, heavy duty vehicles break down, spilling their contents and aggravating traffic situation in the process.

In other cases, car owners and buses usually get stuck in the mud

while trying to use the set-back of the road as escape route.

Miscreants also lurk around to ‘assist’ any unfortunate motorist whose vehicle got stuck or developed any mechanical fault, for astronomical fees. In the night, some of them transform into robbers, dispossessing motorists

of valuables like cash and mobile phones at gun point.

Men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, and Police Traffic wardens, apparently overwhelmed by enormity of the chaotic situation, find respite in near by kiosks or any available hideout to cool off.

Lagos State Commissioner for

Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, in his recent comment during the 2013 ministerial briefing on the activities of his ministry as well as marking the sixth year of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration, accused the Federal Government of owing the state government N51 billion spent over the years for the

Lagos residents jittery over

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

L

AGOS residents have recently woken up to the reality of kidnapping in the metropolis.

The latest in the series was the abduction of Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Lagos, Kehinde Bamigbetan, by three gunmen late Monday night, April 15, 2013. He was later set free Saturday night, after six days in captivity.

Many residents who spoke to Vanguard on the dangerous trend expressed fears and urged governments at all levels to rise to the occasion in curbing the ugly trend.

Security steps against kidnap: Residents have been warned to be vigilant and not give vital/personal

information to persons unfamiliar to them. They should also avoid late outings and vary route to work or leisure locations Residents were also warned not to discuss financial matters in the open.

Always pre-plan your journeys and ensure the vehicles are in good working condition, among others.

Working condition In an emergency, the following Lagos State Emergency Response numbers could be accessed for response: 767 or Police Control Room: 08035068243, 07035068242, 08073777717, 08073777787.

Some of the views expressed were:

Alhaji Mustapha Oshodi For me, the Federal and State governments should work towards fixing the country, to ensure that there is even distribution of wealth, so that there can be less disparity between the rich and the needy.

The government especially the Lagos State government should create policies that would assist in tackling the increasing rate of unemployment within the state. I know that if many graduates can get employed easily, there wouldn’t be anyone left in the nefarious act.

I know that the Lagos State government through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, is strengthening the security apparatus in the state but the government should

•Commiss Umar A. Ma

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013 — 43

unending agony

Going, going, ..unused allotted agricultural land risk revocation

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

A

S part of measures to ensure food security for its teeming population in the megacity, the Lagos State government has threatened to henceforth, revoke all land allocated for agricultural use but abandoned or converted to other uses.

According to the state government such land taken over will be handed over to those who are ready to use them for agricultural purpose.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, who frowned at the practice said no allocated land should be left fallow as the state has limited land with more people still expressing interest in allocation.

“Government will not allow any land allocated for agriculture purpose to be used for any other business. The allottees should take possession of their land for farming purposes immediately.”, Lawal directed. rehabilitation of federal roads.

When his attention was called to the plights of motorists and residents on Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Hamzat, emphatically, ruled out any form of assistance from the state government, saying, there was no budget for such in the fiscal allocation.

Fish farm at Ikorodu

rising kidnap cases

sioner of Police Lagos State, Alhaji anko

intensify this to create a crime free megacity. When intensified, it would lead to increased surveillance within the state.

Mr. Nurudeen Owodunni Lagos in my opinion is not known for the act of kidnapping with most residents being hard working citizens, so the act to me wasn’t committed by those living in the state.

I believe that they are bandits from outside the state. And they saw Lagos as an untapped area for the business of kidnapping. Examples were those arrested for the robbery at Lagos airport, 90 percent if not all were from neighbouring states.

I was so shocked when I learnt of people been kidnapped. I said the people of Lagos should not leave the fight to the government, but make it a collective fight as we don’t know who will be kidnapped

next.

Mr. Ayodele Samuel It shows that Nigerians need to worry about the increasing crime rate, there is a fundamental problem with our security agencies, I felt bad that Lagos that was a crime free state, is now known for kidnapping. We are all living in fear, the kidnappers don’t even select as they are said to kidnap for as low as N50,000 ransom, we all feel unsecure.

The government, security agencies, religious organizations and non-governmental organisations, NGOs, must rise in their various strengths to make Lagos safe for its residents.

Government should create jobs; we can’t have this high level unemployment and expect a crime free country. The only language understood by a hungry man is food.

According to him, “The 400-plot Ketu Ereyun fish farm estate to produce about 10,000 tonnes of fish per annum at full capacity has been laid out and allocation made to the first 162 investors. Based on the experience at Ikorodu fish farm where land speculators were observed, the allotees were given only six months to mobilize to site of lose allocation.”

He added that government would provide the necessary support services needed, such as giving them institutional supports, exposing them to credit facility and latest technology in the agricultural sector and capacity building in the agric business.

Lawal, said government had set standard at all the farm estates, by providing infrastructure, access to inputs, marketing strategy and extension services to make production easy and convenient for allottee.

He said the AGRIC–YES programme in Abia, Badagry is fashioned after the project Songhai in Benin Republic and replicated in other states in the country, assuring that an average of 1000 youth will be trained by the programme per annum.

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44 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013—45

Public, private hospitals partner to reduce maternal, infant mortality

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

W

OMEN attending Ogudu Primary Health Centre, in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State are benefiting from a public-to-private hospital referral initiative designed to enable access to comprehensive emergency obstetric care.

For instance, when Lola Stevens who lost her first pregnancy and required to undergo a Ceasarean Section for the second, and she didn't have the money, she was worried, but thanks to a Memorandum of Agreement, MoA, signed in 2012 between PATHS2 and six private health facilities in Lagos, she later got to know was entitled to to a 50 percent rebate.

The hospitals were selected in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health, the Association of General Private Nursing Practitioners, AGPNP, and the Association of General Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, AGPMPN. It was big news to Lola. The operation was to cost N150,000, but courtesy of the MoA, she paid just half the cost, and had access to the best available care. Part of the MOU is that even if there is no money if it is emergency, there muist be intervention.

Simialrly, a few weeks after Funmi Omoyele put to bed at a private hospital in Lagos, she was shocked to discover she had to pay as much as N19,750 for her baby to be immunised at the facility.

The 36-year-old banker was later referred to the nearby Ogudu Primary Health Centre, in Kosofe Local Govern-

ment Area, Lagos, where she was told her baby was entitled to all immunisations free of charge.

Commenting on the partnership, Lagos State team leader, PATHS2, Lagos, Mrs Bisi Tugbobo, said the ultimate goal which is central, is to ensure the state utilises its owm resources efficiently and effectively to achieve the health-related Millennium Development Goals, MDGs.

“The purpose is to improve the planning presenting and delivery of sustainable and replicable services for common health problems in Lagos,and other focal States of Kano, Kaduna Enugu and Jigawa.

“We facilitate referral linkages, such as meeting every month to make the cluster, which included private facilities.” Prior to this, PATHS2 had trained hospital staff in vaious aspects of health

LUTH runs 10 generators with 5,000 litres of diesel daily

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

T

• An infant being immunised at the Ogudu Primary Healthcare centre

70% of Nigerians had malaria in 2012 — POLL

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

A

NEW weekly poll has revealed that approximately 7 in 10 Nigerians (66 percent) had malaria at least once in the past one year, and about 13 percent treat the ailment with local herbs such as Agbo, Dogonyaro, Neem leaves etc.

The report released by NOI Polls Limited also showed that 90 percent of the respondents agree that HIV/AIDS is a critical health challenge in Nigeria.

The poll, 3rd in the NOI Polls Millennium Development Goals series, previously focused on rape (gender equality) and water & sanitation.

It suggested that media and sensitisation programmes would increase awareness of HIV/AIDS within the populace.

The revelations are three key findings from the HIV/AIDS and Malaria Snap poll conducted this month.

Respondents to the poll were asked questions about the frequency of malaria infection over the past year.

From the results, the majority of respondents have been infected with malaria at least once over the past year while 34 percent have not had malaria in the last 12 months.

Analysis by geo-political zones shows

intervention In just over one year, the Ogudu PHC, which runs a 24-hour service, has gone from a facility that delivers three or four babies to one capable of handling up to 30 or more babies monthly.

Essentially, the issue of referrals from public hospitals has just started. In the past this would never have happened, but now public and private hospitals complement one another.

malaria is more prevalent in the South than in the North.

On malaria treatment, nationwide results show 44 percent of respondents visit the hospital, while 38 percent simply buy medicine from the pharmacy or chemist, 13 percent make use of native herbs such as Dogonyaro, Agbo, Neem leaves and Lemon grass; while percent said they do not use any

medicine at all.

The report also showed that females are more likely to visit a hospital than males, as a greater proportion of male respondents simply visit the pharmacy or opt for native herbs than females.

On HIV transmission, 85 percent said it can be contacted through sexual intercourse; while 64 percent are of the Continues on page 47

O operate at optimal capacity in the face of critical shortage in public electrical power supply, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, utilises up to 5,000 litres of diesel daily to run its range of 10 installed generators.

Chief Medical Director of the tertiary health institution, Professor Akin Oshibogun, who disclosed this weekend during an oversight visit of the Senate Committee on Health to LUTH, said apart from funding, electricity was one of the greatest challenges confronting the hospital.

"If you asked me 20 times the greatest challenge of LUTH, I will tell you it is electricity. Electricity is a challenge because we are now running our own power generating plant. The implication of this is that many of the services rendered depend on electricity, and though government has supported us to procure generators, there is a cost to running the generators.

"On full load, we utilise up to 5,000 litres of diesel a day, however, we try as much as possible to shed load, but even with the load shedding, we still use at least 2000-3000 liters of diesel a day because of the critical areas we must power," Oshibogun observed.

Continues on page 46

Senate worries over delay in passage of Anti-counterfeiting Bill

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

T

•Chairman, PHC Board, Dr. Babatunde Sagoe, Managing Pharmacist New Heights Pharma Ltd, Ogheneochuko Omaruaye, Permanent Secretary LSMoH, Dr. Femi Olugbile and HOS, Adesegun Ogunlewe during the donation of Omron BP monitors and screening for hypertension/diabetes programme

HE Senate Committee on Health has urged the Executive arm of government to expedite action on the Counterfeit Medical Products, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Prohibition and Control) Bill being presented by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC. Making the call weekend during a working visit to health establishments in Lagos as part of their oversight function, Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, said the 7th National Assembly was eagerly waiting to receive the Bill.

Okowa, who regretted the current delay on the part of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, expressed worry that Continues on page 46

46—Vanguard, TUESD AY, APRIL 23, 2013 TUESDA

Prof. Sir Robert Edwards

Nobel Laureate: A tribute to a poineer and my teacher

BY PROF GIWA OSATO-OSAGIE

T

• Founder, Graceland Foundation, Mrs. Mercy Ekpoke conducting screening for beneficiaries during an outreach programme.

LUTH runs 10 generators Continued from Page 45 He told members of the committee that at least 5 Megawatts of power is required to run the hospital, but lamented that the main power house which is over 30 years old had lost efficiency and could no longer power the entire hospital.

"Major equipment such as CT scanner and MRI are not run on public power supply. Our linear accelerator which has been running for 5-6 years has not run on public power for one minute since it started. We have been running two sets of generators to power it, one in the morning and the other in the evening."

He said because of its sensitive nature, the linear accelerator runs continuously on generator at great economic cost.

"We cannot shut it down and even when there is public power supply, we insist it must be on

generator because the fluctuations of public power supply can damage it and it will be very expensive to repair.

"If it shuts down accidentally, there is no one who can restart it in Nigeria; we need to bring in people from abroad to restart it."

He argued that if the power issue was addressed, the volume of finances on diesel and maintaining the generators would be reduced.

Responding, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, said he was optimistic LUTH as well as other Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres would benefit from the National Independent Power Projects, NIPP, coming on board by the end of the year and in 2014.

"At that time when we are able to generate 7,500 MW, which even though is still a far cry from what we need, there will be remarkable improvement," he remarked.

Senate worries over Bill Continues from page 45 the National Assembly, was unlikely to have enough time to debate, amend and pass the Bill into law before it's tenure expires in 2015.

In 2010, NAFDAC had reviewed the existing anti-counterfeiting law and produced a draft bill, seeking life term jail and confiscation of assets of convicted suspects, as well as compensation for victims of counterfeiting, and to make counterfeiting a non-bailable offence, among others Okowa, who was accompanied by four of the committee members, however, commended the Agency for introduction of various anti-counterfeiting technologies and for enlisting Nigerian pharmaceutical companies into the World Health Organisation, WHO, Prequalification Programme, which currently involves eight Nigerian companies.

"The Agency should also focus more on the health of Nigerians by ensuring that these anti -

counterfeiting technologies are enough for more monitoring activities."

Earlier, NAFDAC DirectorGeneral, Dr. Paul Orhii, said the importance of the anticounterfeiting Bill could not be overemphasised as drug counterfeiting "still remains one of the greatest challenges facing us".

Orhii listed the factors encouraging counterfeiting to include large population, porous borders, heavy disease burden, low local production capacity, Nigeria's good buying power among others.

He said drugs most counterfeited include anti-malarials, antihypertensives, antibiotics, antidiabetics and lifestyles drugs.

Orhii, who called for increased budgeting, said the Agency had achieved much in fighting counterfeiting with various technologies, a situation, which he said had made it to be rated among the 20 best drug regulatory agencies in the world.

HE transition of a great man cannot be without recognition of his contributions and realities of his life from the perspective of whoever is referring to his life. Professor Sir. Robert Edwards was an outstanding Scientist who made the transition of his laboratory work into reality in clinical medical practice for infertile couples.

Dr. Robert Edwards as he was known had his medical education at Cambridge University and his Clinical training

• Sir. Robert Edwards

at St Mary’s Hospital, University of London.

His interest in research led him back to the Physiology Department at Cambridge University where he taught mammalian reproduction physiology. I met Dr. Robert Edwards in 1967/1968 when I was a medical student at Cambridge University.

Younger Don He was one of the younger Dons that the medical students liked. He had a soft, easily understood diction and could be heard clearly at the back of the class. He was friendly and very pleased to explain matters to us. Many of us thought he was “mad” when he told us of the possibilities of human invitro fertilization during a physiology lecture in 1967.

I was very interested in physiology in the second year medical Tripos. When we showed interest in his research on invitro fertilization of rabbit oocytes he sent me a reprint of one of his publications and referred me to earlier publications by an American scientist on rabbit oocyte fertilization.

Dr. Robert Edwards collaborated with Dr. Patrick Steptoe, an experienced gynaecologist who had acquired skills in looking into the abdominal cavity with a laparoscope. Between Dr. Patrick Steptoe and Dr. Robert Edwards, they agreed that if human oocytes were recovered by laparoscopy by Dr. Patrick Steptoe, Dr. Robert Edwards could fertilize the oocytes in the laboratory and Dr. Patrick Steptoe could implant the embryos in the woman’s uterus.

Dr. Robert Edwards worked in the physiological laboratories of Cambridge University while Dr. Patrick Steptoe was a Consultant Gynaecologist at the Oldham General Hospital, in Oldham, England.

High powered Researcher This collaboration between high powered academic researcher and high level clinical skills led to the first successful pregnancies from human IVF and later the birth of the first live baby from IVF, baby Louse Brown in 1977.

Their first human pregnancy was a tubal (ectopic) pregnancy before success with Louse Brown.

Dr. Robert Edwards had to travel to Oldham each time a case of IVF was to be done. With the successful outcome of the collaboration, Dr. Steptoe and Dr. Edwards formed a more workable, permanent and very pleasant but productive venue for the continuation of their work.

A stately home on large grounds – Bourn

Hall near Cambridge became the centre for further expansion of human IVF and research.

Bourn Hall became an international centre for IVF with man successes and set standards in research and clinical services. It also ran several training courses related to IVF. Several Nigerians attended courses or worked at Bourn Hall with Dr Edwards and his colleagues.

I was part of the pioneer IVF team in Lagos, the first in West, East and Central African. I had also gone for training in Melbourne, Australia in Prof Edwards’s unit.

The success of the partnership of Dr. Steptoe and Dr. Edwards led to worldwide fame and also translated into wealth for both partner.

They both travelled widely giving lectures and were honored by many organizations and Nations.

It was at the World Congress of Fertility and Sterility in Caracas, Venezuela in that I met Professor Robert Edwards again after 10 years.

He was aware of our efforts in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria, and took a photograph with me and Prof. Dapo Ashiru.

We had succeeded in human IVF in Nigeria in 1989 as the first in West, East and Central Africa. The British success in IVF was quickly followed by success in Australia by the Teams at Melbourne led by Prof. Carl Wood and Prof Alex Lopata. Then came several countries in Europe and then the USA and the rest of the world.

Five million IVF babies Today there are more than five million babies born through IVF world wide and hundreds of IVF clinics. In Nigeria for example the first and only IVF Unit was at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and College of Medicine, University of Lagos in 1983 onwards, leading to success in 1984 and a live baby in 1989.

There were, at the end of 2012, 29 IVF clinics in Nigeria more - than all other Sub-Saharan African countries put together excluding South Africa.

Steptoe and Edwards were honoured for their pioneering work. Patrick Steptoe was much older than Robert Edwards. He was given National Honors by HM The Queen of England and died several years ago. Robert Edwards after Steptoe’s death was made a Knight by the Queen in 2011 for services to “Human Reproductive Physiology” and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology in 2010. The award to Prof. Robert Edwards of the Nobel Prize had the unusual

Continues on Page 47

Vanguard, TUESD AY, APRIL 23, 2013 —47 TUESDA

Medical tourism is gradually killing healthcare in Nigeria — ABUDU

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

F

EDERAL government has been called upon to urgently stem the tide of medical tourism in the country because it is gradually killing healthcare in Nigeria.

A Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon from the United Kingdom, Dr. Segun Abudu decried the penchant of government officials to jet out of the country for common illnesses that could be handled perfectly in Nigeria.

Speaking during the second Lagoon Hospitals Surgery for the Future: The Journey So far", Abudu recommended that said no government officials or their relatives should be allowed to go abroad for treatment at government expense, except a senior physician confirms such services cannot be obtained locally.

"Medical tourism is killing healthcare

Nigerians and malaria Continues frompage 45 opinion that it can be contacted through sharing of sharp objects. A further 41 percent mentioned blood transfusions; while others mentioned transmission through mosquito bites and deep kissing.

Respondents called for reduction of the incidence of HIV/AIDS through better sensitisation and media programmes to increase awareness and better implementation of government health programmes to provide free, cheaper and better drugs.

because Nigeria has a vicious cycle whereby the people that could be treated in this country go abroad, preventing experts from getting the experience.

"It also affects the training of doctors of the future on such conditions because those conditions are no longer treated in the country but abroad. And that means we now have a cycle whereby as more patients go abroad, the less skills our physicians have, the less training we are able to give and the worst the future because we are not training the doctors of the future in the right way."

Abudu who is also a visiting consultant to Lagoon Hospitals, said billions of dollars taken away from Nigeria's healthcare would have been invested in creating excellent facilities like Lagoon hospitals is doing currently all around the countries.

"I believe that our pride is as stake.

The pride to cater for our own people is as stake. I think is a matter of national pride that we should look after our own people in our own country, in our own environment. And that care should be provided by Nigerians in Nigeria at the

very high level of quality so that the result are comparable or most times better than those that can be obtain abroad," he stated.

Consultant General Surgeon, Dr Jimi Coker, stated that that Lagoon has invested heavily in the state of the art equipment for all major surgical techniques.

Lead Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology explained that upgraded surgical strategy has enabled the hospital to perform simple and complex laparoscopic procedures.

Tribute to a poineer, my teacher Continues frompage 46 ripost of the disapproval by the Vatican who stated that the Professor was ethically and morally responsible for the aftermath of IVF.

•IVF in action.

One must state that millions of women and men are grateful today for the breakthrough which has produced over five million babies in several countries to couples of varying religious persuasion and ethnicity. To these people and their families and friends, the IVF success is a priceless gift. It is for nations, societies and individuals to agree on how to apply scientific breakthroughs in the context of an evolving social norm.

Most countries, where IVF is practiced have regulations and registration bodies that lay guidelines for such practice including who can perform what role in IVF. Most countries in Sub-saharan Africa have no such regulations and Registration Bodies. This is a major

fallacy as Sub-saharan Africa is where there is greatest need for IVF in the World in view of the prevalence of tubal and male factor infertility. In these countries of which Nigeria which population of 160 million people is more than the others put together, the earlier well-reasoned regulations, guided by experts and the community are in place the better.

These regulations should not be ones crafted to stop progress by people who know very little about the practice. Dr. Patrick Steptoe and Professor Sir Robert Edwards have opened an avenue to almost a world without end for successfully treating infertility. It is for those who live to decide how far they can go along that avenue.

Professor Osato F. Giwa-Osagie, OON, is Distinguished Professor of the University of Lagos.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

H

ELLO everybody and welcome. Today we continue with our introduction of new novelties for the month of April and beyond, and we will kick off with pheromones. Pheromones are perfumed sexual attractants capable of attracting the opposite sex to you, if you are looking to start a relationship. They don’t work like magic. Wearing a pheromone does not mean women or men will chase you like bees after honey. Pheromones make the opposite sex interested in you sexually, based on the way you smell. This means that when you make a move on them, they are more open to giving you a chance or saying yes. This makes the process of befriending people easier especially for shy folks who find it hard chatting up a girl or boy. For women, we have the Simply Sexy Pheromone and the Crazy Girl Pheromone Body Mist. Both are very popular and powerful. For men we have the Namiko Pheromone Cologne, an equally powerful sexual attractant for men.

New games to aid romance in relationships have also arrived. Often couples complain about their love lives being boring and this is one of the reasons couples cheat.

But thanks to these games, there will never be a dull moment and there are hundreds of sexual ideas that couples can explore in their private moments. These new games are the Mile High Club, Pleasure Island and Sealed with a Kiss game.

And finally for the day, we have new aphrodisiacs for women. Very often, male libido problems and solutions dominate our weekly discussions but women do have libido problems too. The first of these new aphrodisiacs is the Rock On Daily Supplement, a natural sexual enhancer in capsule form capable of lifting energy and libido levels at any age while enhancing sexual pleasure and satisfaction for women. Rock On Daily Supplement is very good. The second aphrodisiac is a stimulating gel called the Mood Tingling lubricant. Mood Tingling eliminates vaginal dryness and the related sexual pain while arousing female users for more pleasurable and orgasmic results.

We will continue with more new products in the coming weeks. Let us take a few questions from our readers.

I am newly married and I will like to learn more about how my wife and I can have a successful long term sexual relationship. Do you conduct seminars? Tayo Tayo at the moment, we don’t do seminars. But you will find the information you are looking for in books such as Sex Secrets and movies like Great Sex for a Life Time.

The advantage movies and books have over seminars is that you get to see some of these sexual ideas and recommendations demonstrated and not just talked about. Sex is very physical after all – Uche I take Xzen 1200 to make my erection and performances stronger. So far so good but I will like to know if it has side effects when used for too long – Samuel Samuel manufacturers always advice regular users of aphrodisiacs to give a one or two week break after using it for one month before continuing again. This will enable the body flush out any unwanted residues or toxins that may accumulate over long periods of time, if any. Xzen 1200 is 100% natural and safe. The human body processes natural supplements like natural foods , which is why we recommend them – Uche I use condoms during sex and on few occasions, the condoms have broken during intercourse. Can you recommend something more reliable? Jonah Jonah this is why more people are using penis sleeves instead. Sleeves such as the Glow in the Dark Sleeve and Nasstoys Penis Extender are thicker than condoms, stronger and can be reused. They also prevent premature ejaculation – Uche Adults in need of these treatments and novelties can call us on 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. We deliver to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

48— Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

Edo LG Polls:

Tainted and tough

THE much awaited local government election in Edo State last Saturday was another bad outing for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) won the chairmanship in all 14 Local Government Councils where elections took place and also swept most of the councillorships.

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

visible in Esan North East, Ovia North East and Etsako Central. Unlike during the governorship campaign, major PDP leaders including Chief Anenih, the Minister of Works, Arch Onolemenmen were not available for the campaign.

Orbih was quick to reject the outcome of the election at a press conference on Sunday as he called for fresh elections, just as he described the election as a sham. According to him, “We will not accept the result as announced because the election was inconclusive.

The issue of Oredo and Ikpoba Okhai conducting election on Thursday is unacceptable because this would mean staggering election. We are insisting that if ACN is serious in conducting election it should be done in all the 18 Local Governments”.

T

HE local government elections conducted by the Edo state Independent National Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) were largely tainted by logistic constraints as voting did not commence until nearly mid afternoon on election day throughout the state.

Indeed, the election did not hold in the local government area hosting the state capital, Oredo and in three other councils, namely Ikpoba Okhai, Esan West and Esan North East. The elections in those areas have now been rescheduled to hold this Wednesday and Thursday.

The EDSIEC put the blame for the logistic mishaps to the contractor who according to the commission printed the materials in London.

Chairman of EDSIEC, Mr. Solomon Ogoi lamented that the commission had problems flying the materials from Lagos to Benin after they arrived from London last Friday and therefore decided to transport them by road to Benin.

The materials arrived Benin at about 5:30 a.m. and before they could get to the interior areas it was at about 1 p.m.

Voting started in most areas between 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

As expected, the Esama of

•Oshiomhole: Trounced PDP

Electoral materials

In Etsako Central, home soil of the state chairman of the PDP Chief Dan Orbih and the Chief of Staff to the President,

,

Governor Adams Oshiomhole has, however, brushed past the events of last Saturday as he yesterday inaugurated the 14 chairmen who were successful in the election

Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion led the PDP attack in Ovia North East Local Government, but all his efforts could not stop the ACN led by Igbinendion’s former political disciple Mrs. Lucy Omagbon from prevailing in the council.

Omagbon popularly known as the iron lady of Edo politics was remarkably, the former women leader of the PDP in the state.

In many other areas, the PDP attack was punctuated by many of their former acolytes who frustrated the bold efforts by the PDP to retake the initiative in the state.

,

Chief Mike Oghiadohme, the ACN pulled to victory in the chairmanship contest and won nine of the ten councillorship positions. The exception was in Orbih’s ward where Orbih proved his political worth by delivering his polling booth and ward to his party. It was, however, a different story for Oghiadohme who again lost booth and ward to the ACN. In Owan West, two former strong PDP partisans, the secretary to the Edo state Government, Professor Julius Ihonvbere and former Deputy Governor of the state, Rev. Peter Obadan championed the

ACN attack on their former party. The PDP forces marshaled by former member of the House of Representatives and PDP deputy governorship candidate in the 2012 gubernatorial election, Johnson Abulagba and Daniel Asekhame led a fierce defence of the PDP. Obadan escaped death in a shootout between some thugs and his orderly.

The ACN won the chairmanship in the 14 councils where election was held in Egor, Igueben, Esan South East, Etsako East, Akoko Edo, Esako Central, Etsako West, Orhionmwon, Uhumnwonde, Ovia North East, Owan East, Owan West and Ovia South West.

The outcome was not a surprise to many because the ACN won in all the 18 Local Government councils during last year ’s governorship election, including the PDP strong hold of Edo Central.

Oshiomhole led a vigorous campaign for the ACN in the entire Local Government.

The PDP campaign was led

by Orbih but it was mostly

The Deputy Chairman (South) of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP and the gubernatorial candidate of the ANPP in 2012, Mr. Solomon Edebiri also rejected the election describing it as a sham.

“There was no election in Uhumnwonde. Can you imagine that the ACN chairman in the area was the one distributing electoral materials? Their thugs destroyed my cars,” he said.

The complaints were dismissed by the state chairman of the ACN, Thomas Okosun who described the PDP allegations as laughable.

“How do they expect to win election when they did not prepare for it? We know that it is their style to make frivolous allegations.”

Governor Adams Oshiomhole has, however, brushed past the events of last Saturday as he yesterday inaugurated the 14 chairmen who were successful in the election with a charge to them to replicate his largely commended development initiatives at the local government level.

The quick inauguration of the 14 was another victory for the ACN as it was largely believed that the PDP was preparing court papers for an injunction to stop the inauguration.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013 — 49

50 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

Tsarnaev charged over Boston bombing T

HE surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings has been charged with using a weapon of mass destruction, the US Department of Justice has said.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev could face the death penalty under the charges.

A White House spokesman has said Mr Tsarnaev will not be treated as an “enemy combatant”, as suggested by some Republican members of Congress.

The twin bomb attack near the finishing line of the marathon killed three people, and injured more than 180.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, was captured on Friday evening after a huge manhunt during which his elder brother and suspected fellow bomber, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, died.

He has been unable to speak because of a throat wound, though he has reportedly responded to questions in writing.

In addition to federal charges, prosecutors for the state of Massachusetts, which does not have the death penalty, could file their own.

“He will not be treated as an enemy combatant,” said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

“We will prosecute this

finish line of the city’s famous marathon road race, killing three people and wounding 176. Ten of the injured lost limbs.

The crime scene around the blasts was still closed

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev terrorist through our civilian system of justice.”

Meanwhile, the city of Boston crawled back to normal on Monday, a week after twin bombs exploded at the crowded

E

Egyptian President Mursi prosecutor general to discuss a draft law reforming the judiciary due to go through the Islamist-dominated upper house on Wednesday.

HUGO ODIOGOR, Foreign Affairs Editor

C

HIEF of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba has called on West African countries to adopt a more holistic approach to confront the security

Justice Minister Ahmed Mekky tendered his resignation on Saturday following a protest by Mursi’s Islamist backers to demand that judges appointed during ousted

former President Hosni Mubarak’s nearly 30year rule be purged.

A key provision of the draft proposed by the Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party would lower the mandatory retirement age for judges to 60 from 70, forcing hundreds of members of the judiciary to step down immediately.

Critics say it would eliminate more than 3,000 judges at a stroke, including most members of senior bodies such as the constitutional court which has repeatedly stymied Mursi’s legislative and election plans.

US accuses Iran of insincerity on nuclear talk

I

RAN’s nuclear program poses the greatest threat to the credibility of the global pact aimed at halting the spread of atomic weapons, a senior U.S. arms control official said on Monday.

The Islamic Republic has a “long history” of deceiving the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its nuclear enrichment program far exceeds that needed for civilian use, said Thomas Countryman, Assistant Secretary for International Security

and Nonproliferation.

Two-week talks that opened in Geneva on Monday to review progress in implementing the nuclear NonProliferation Treaty (NPT) were taking place in a difficult environment, he said.

North Korea, which is not attending the global talks having announced its withdrawal from the treaty a decade ago, presents a “dangerous challenge to regional peace”, he said. North Korea conducted its third test of a nuclear

those killed in the bombings: Krystle Campbell, a 29-year-old restaurant manager, and Chinese graduate student Lingzi Lu.

Naval Chief seeks greater ECOWAS co-operation on maritime security

Mursi in crisis talks with judges over reform GYPTIAN President Mohamed Mursi held crisis talks with the country ’s top judges yesterday after the justice minister resigned over demands by the ruling Muslim Brotherhood for a “purification” of the judiciary.

The secular, liberal and left-wing opposition denounced what it called a planned “Brotherhoodisation” of the judiciary and called for demonstrations outside parliament.

A presidential source said Mursi met the Supreme Judicial Council and the

but was expected to reopen within a day or two. Signs declaring “Boston Strong” hung about the city.

Memorial services were set on Monday for two of

weapon in February.

“The actions of Iran and North Korea should concern every member of this conference,” Countryman told a news briefing.

“It is clear that if Iran succeeds in the project of constructing nuclear weapons, then it is not only the Helsinki meeting that becomes irrelevant, but it is in fact the entire credibility of this treaty.”

Countryman was referring to a decision last November to put off talks on banning atomic bombs in the Middle

East that were due to have taken place in Helsinki in December.

Iran blamed the United States at the time for a “serious setback” to the NPT.

challenges threatening the sub-region where terrorists and high sea criminals have found to be their operational base Vice Admiral Ezeoba delivered a key note address in Lagos, at a one day conference on Maritime Security and Development, jointly organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, (NIIA) Lagos and the London-based Chattam House.

Admiral Ezeoba said the situation in Mali has created the need for West African leaders to rise above their parochial thinking and fear of Nigeria’s hegemony in the region, which has been hindering progress and the need for harmonious actions to deal with the criminal activities on land, the coast lands and high seas.

According to Admiral Ezeoba, “Nigeria is the dominant sea power in the region but the suspicious attitude of some member states of ECOWAS is making it difficult for Nigeria to assert its power and influence to combat criminal groups operating in the sub-region.

Consequently, West Africa lagging behind the Economic Commission of East African States (ECCAS) to achieve greater successes against armed robbers and sea

pirates in the Gulf of Guinea.

The British High Commission to Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Pocock, who is also the British Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, told the gathering that ECOWAS leaders should go beyond analyzing the problems of the region and take concrete actions to deal with the problems.

Dr. Pocock also criticised the idea of setting up new institutions, when the existing ones have not been made to operate efficiently.

The High Commissioner called on West African leaders to look at three key areas for concrete action namely tactical levels, strategic levels and governance level. At the tactical level, the envoy spoke on the need for joint military exercises, mutual assistance whenever possible.

He also advocated for harmonised training, planning, legal and judicial co-operation among the security community in the subregion. Above all, the High Commissioner said African leaders must improve on their political governance to create economic opportunities that would stem the over flow of criminality on the land, over flowing into the sea.

Funds crisis hits Malian troops

T

HE Malian army remains poor, corrupt and barely functional months after the launch of a European training mission to rebuild its strength, a French colonel said on Monday, urging a rapid payout of pledged

donor funds.

The European Union approved in January a 15-month training mission to rebuild a badly paid and poorly equipped Malian army, with the aim of making it strong enough to fend off potential attacks by Islamist militants.

But nearly three months later, corruption remains the rule in its ranks, soldiers are unable to train and some 8 million euros ($10 million) pledged by international donors at a conference in Addis Ababa have not reached the army.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013—51

FG, Ondo sign pact with UN-Habitat to tackle challenges of urbanization •Commit $5m to partnership

BY JUDE NJOKU

THE 24th session of the UN Habitat Governing Council ended in Nairobi Kenya, at the weekend, with Nigeria playing a critical role in the effort to build enduring partnerships to tackle the global urbanisation challenge. Two major partnerships agreements were signed between the UN agency and the Federal and Ondo State Governments. Specifically, the two governments announced contributions totaling USD 5 million to boost the work of the global city agency.

The contribution comprises USD 3 million through the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development aimed at research and strengthening UN-Habitat’s engagement with Habitat Agenda Partners and other non-governmental actors across sub-Saharan Africa. Another 2 million US Dollars from the Ondo State Government will be used to prepare a range of programmes including youth empowerment schemes, slum upgrading, local economic enterprises, and

Auto Mechanic village, Akure...one of Mimiko's urban renewal projects. land reform in the State.

The new partnerships enhanced Nigeria’s status among emerging economies supporting UN-Habitat with core funds.

The continental initiative, according to the Programme Officer, Urban Development and Advocacy, UN HAPSOMr. Paul

Ms Amal Pepple (left), Dr. Joan Clos and Dr Olusegun Mimiko, at the UN Habitat Governing Council meeting, in Nairobi.

Okunlola, is aimed at mobilising and building the capacity of civil society organisations, CSOs and non-governmental agencies towards a New African Urban Agenda which focuses on transformational initiatives and governance, anchored on the core values of transparency and inclusiveness.

Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms Amal Pepple who led the Nigeria delegation to the meeting signed on behalf of the Federal Government while the UN-Habitat’s Executive Director Dr. Joan Clos signed on behalf of the agency. Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko who participated in the sessions, personally signed the partnership agreement on behalf of his state government.

The partnership seeks to deepen some of the existing initiatives of his government in the areas of human settlements and

development. Under the agreement, Ondo State will release to UN-Habitat the contribution of two million US Dollars over a period of three years and assist in mobilising and engaging new partners in the execution of the identified projects.

This novel agreement is undoubtedly a fitting reward for a government which in the last four years, has mainstreamed the issue of human settlement through its numerous urban renewal projects.

Urban renewal projects It is on record that the Governor has delivered more than 640 community-chosen projects at the rural communities. A visit to the state which prides itself as the “caring heart” shows that

Hamzat identifies challenges to roads construction in Lagos

BY KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

THE Lagos State Commis sioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Kadri Hamzat has identified some of the challenges militating against the development of roads infrastructure in the state.

Speaking at the 2013 ministerial press briefing last week, Hamzat who is an Engineer, listed the challenges to include the state’s topography and poor attitudinal behaviours. Others are destruction of road furniture, axle loads on some inner roads, inad-

equate funding and court injunctions. The commissioner also decried the indiscriminate dumping of waste on roads and drainage channels as well as activities of roadside mechanics and car wash operators. The Commissioner also lamented that axle loads on some inner roads are usually heavier than the roads they were designed for.

Explaining that court injunctions by individuals against the government over the construction of some roads have hindered government’s efforts to deliver the roads on schedule, Hamzat how-

ever said that the Ago Palace Way which has been the subject of litigation will be delivered by July this year. The project is said to have attained 70 percent completion. When completed, the road, according to the commissioner, will address the perennial traffic snarl along the axis and ApapaOshodi Expressway. It will link Ijegun, Ikotun, Ejigbo to AmuwoOdofin through Idolo and Okota.

The 1Road will also serve as a complimentary development to the Okota-Itire Link Bridge since the issue of litigation has been resolved and the project is now back

on course. He added that the court case on Lekki/ Ikoyi Link Bridge will not affect its commissioning any time from now.

The Commissioner disclosed that between 2012 and 2013, a total of 261 roads covering both the rural and cosmopolitan areas have been awarded across the state. He added that another 53 roads have been earmarked for grading and surface dressing.

Meanwhile, 49,000 direct jobs have been created by the State Government through the road construction programmes initiated within the last two years.

Governor Mimiko has turned around the faces of Ondo’s major towns through massive infrastructural developments.

The state government is addressing the needs of its people through programmes that touch and impact on their livelihoods. The Governor who is a winner of UN-Habitat’s Scroll of Honour pledged to further the recognition by aligning the State’s development priorities with the new vision of UN-habitat.

In her remarks Ms. Pepple said: “The New Urban Agenda recognizes that Africa’s prosperity will be shaped by its cities as the drivers of growth, equity and sustainability. It is expected that the process will contribute to a shared vision for sustainable urban development”.

Also speaking after signing the agreement, Governor Mimiko posited that the agreement will ensure “that together we are able to transform our vision to reality in the areas of youth employment, urban economic development, urban infrastructure rehabilitation and better land reform management. To us, these areas are strategic and important for both individual development and improved state economic growth.”

Avowed commitment Mimiko did not pretend that it was going to be easy. But he was confident that with the avowed commitment of his government in the last four years and the possibilities in the collaborative effort with the UNHabitat, considering its global experience and remarkable achievements, desired results would be achieved.

D r. Clos, while receiving the two contributions was clearly happy by what he called “the energy and freshness brought in by Nigeria’s move”, and expressed hope that other countries in the global South will follow suit.

Vanguard Homes & Property recalls that African countries have been actively engaged with the urban challenge over the past two decades. Following the African Union’s Decision 29 in 2003, African countries established the African Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (AMCHUD) in 2005, and have addressed themselves at national levels to the challenge of urban poverty, slums and access to land for development.

This initiative is aimed to strengthen the second and third legs of the engagement with private sector firms and civil society actors as the continent prepares itself to benefit from urbanization.

52 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

MR.Toyin Ayinde, a Town Planner, is the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development. In this interview, he discloses what the state is doing to ensure the availability of housing. He also speaks on the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme- HOMS and the redevelopment of Makoko, a sprawling slum in Lagos.

We can’t permit shanties otherwise we’ll lose value — Ayinde •‘Omoniles are enemies of housing development'

P

ROVISION of decent housing for Makoko The state is working on what we call ‘Houses on Water’, but definitely, by the time we are done, it’s not going to be the kind of thing they have there.

Nowhere in the world can be developed like that! People mention Venice, but is that the type of model they have in Venice? Absolute no! The other problem we have is that the lagoon happens to be our main drainage facility; not the gutters.

The gutters are only a means of getting us to the drainage facility. These facilities include the streams, rivers, lagoons and creeks. The same lagoon is what we use for recreation, transportation and tourism. Now, when the Makoko community continues to sand fill, how much of the lagoon will we have left? Secondly, the result of their action will be a flooding that we will never be able to control! This

•Toyin Ayinde at Agbowa-Ikosi and we’re expecting that project to last 12 months. So, around the middle of this year, they should be able to move completely to Agbowa-

,

We’re trying to depart from the old style in which you live in a place, pay rent for twenty years, and then you’re flushed out eventually

people also put their wastes in that water! That is not a sustainable environment, and that’s why the government is working to have an environment that is sustainable; there will be houses and they will be designed in a way that their sewages do not go into the water.

Will government build the houses?

Government cannot make that kind of promise, but we could lead an initiative. We will do the planning and then guide what will be put there.

Accommodation of the poor majority in the scheme I will like us to disabuse our minds of the kind of definition we give to poor people. When you go into that community, you will see they are not as poor as you think! You’ll see flat screens and satellite dishes! That cannot be owned by poor people, so, I think it’s just that most of these people choose to stay there. At the time the government was negotiating with Okobaba community, it was also negotiating with those in Makoko. Those in Okobaba agreed to move and right now, the new sawmill is being built

,

Ikosi. But Makoko residents said they weren’t moving! The point now is that the waterfront is an invaluable resource everywhere in the world! We can’t permit shanties; otherwise, we’ll lose value! I believe these people will make better living moving somewhere else, and coming back to take advantage of a beautiful environment, either to sell, fish or whatever. The poverty you’re talking about is in the mind; not in physical terms. As a nation and as a people, we really need to improve our mindsets so that we do not

continually say it is poor people who live in Makoko. I can tell you that a lot of them are not poor!

Tackling high rent and the problem of ‘Omonile’(Landowners) We’ll eventually get out of that. We’re still the product of the forces of demand and supply. It’s because there aren’t sufficient public housing. When there are, the demand for unschemed lands which are owned by Omoniles will drop.

Housing programme The state is actually working at some things. I was actually supposed to be somewhere today to check for a land that somebody gave us a hint about, which the governor has said we should design houses on. So, the state government is aggressively pursuing a housing programme which we have tagged Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme- HOMS. The

system is aimed at developing a new way of living together, where you’ll have one, two, three bedrooms apartments in one environment with about 12 units per block.

We’re replicating it all-over; some are already being built in Ikorodu, Sangotedo, Igando, Ikorodu, and then we’re looking towards Ajara in Badagry.

We’ve even evolved another model which we’re starting with Badia, and once we succeed with this model, we’ll also begin to replicate it. This will reduce the Omonile issues.

Frankly, the government itself experiences it sometime. I remember when we wanted to embark on the housing we’re doing now in Agbowa. We had a challenge from the owners of the land, so, we moved away to another place! In fact, they came back begging later on! You see, they still have to learn how to encourage development; it’s because they lack foresight.

Once construction is going on, there will be jobs for both carpenters, engineers, iron-

benders, bricklayers, architects, food sellers, water sellers, sand suppliers, to mention but a few, in their community. Once we’re able to provide more housing, I’m sure the issue would be lessened.

On affordability and ac cessibility They should be. One of the reasons why government has not given out even those existing is that we’re working towards a mortgage system.

We’re trying to depart from the old style in which you live in a place, pay rent for twenty years, and then you’re flushed out eventually.

What government is working at is how these houses will eventually be owned by their occupants after they’ve eventually finished paying. We’re trying to tie it up to an income category, and this means that I myself cannot access them. Before, wealthy men could buy ten, but this time, it’s won’t be so. It going to be one for one person, and it won’t be accessible to people of very high income class.

Nigerian doctor and writer win WED blogging contest

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24-year-old doctor and environ mentalist from Nigeria has won the 2013 World Environment Day blogging competition after picking up almost half of close to 70,000 votes cast in an online vote Charles Immanuel Akhimien was one of ten short-listed bloggers whose entries were posted on the World Environment Day website (www.unep.org/ wed) where WED followers could choose their favourite entry. After securing first place with over 31,000 votes,

Charles will travel to Mongolia in June 2013 to report on World Environment Day (WED) 2013.

“As a doctor, I have found that the state of our environment is directly related to our personal health, so I have decided to champion environmental issues,” said Mr. Akhimien “I look forward to seeing some of the two million trees planted across Mongolia’s vast desert regions since 2011, and to observe how Mongolia is

using renewable energy by exploiting its huge solar power potential,” he added.

Over 100 international bloggers submitted entries to this year’s UNEP competition on the theme of food waste. The competition was held in support of the ‘Think.Eat.Save. Reduce Your Foodprint! campaign launched by UNEP,the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and other partners earlier this year. Food waste and food loss is also the theme of WED 2013.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013 — 53

54 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

Bayern vs Barca

Messi primed and ready A

T this stage of the game, it is an open secret that Leo Messi will start against Bayern. The Argentine has been named in Barça’s 21-man squad, although he has yet to receive the green light from the medical team. This is nothing unusual, though, and should not be taken as an indication that his recovery is not on track, as the Catalan club does not tend to issue medical allclears until a few hours before matches.

The striking sensation has been wrapped in cotton wool following his 30minute cameo against PSG two weeks ago, when he pulled up after feeling something in his hamstring in just his second sprint since joining the fray. At the time, the club claimed that his injury had not been aggravated, but he has been conspicuous by his absence in every match squad since and only returned to full training last Friday.

Physiotherapist Juanjo Brau has stuck to Messi like glue over the last two weeks. The forward has been combining physiotherapy exercises with heat treatments to speed up his recovery. According to the battery of tests he has undergone, everything is going smoothly. He won’t be 100% fit for the first leg against Bayern, but he will be in better shape than against PSG. The Argentine will lead the line, but will be prudent. He knows his body well enough to err on the side of caution at the slightest sign of trouble, as otherwise he risks missing the rest of the season.

Ronaldo sees a Real-Barça final

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ONALDO Luís Nazário de Lima visited the MARCA news desk and looked at the contenders in the semi-finals of the Champions League: “I expect the final will be between Real Madrid and Barcelona. I’d go with Real.”

Ronaldo has no doubts about Messi and Cristiano: “In my opinion, Messi is a little better than Cristiano.

"Bayern Munich are also proving that it is a spectacular team this season. The Germans are tough and solid – one of the great teams, along with Real Madrid and Barcelona,” he assured.".

The way to beat Bayern

S

OME of Spain’s players who have emigrated to Germany tell MARCA.com a few secrets that might tip the Champions League match in favour of Bayern or Barcelona.

“Schweinsteiger is the cornerstone of of the team, and the player who provides balance both in defence and attack. Bayern has a very physical style of play, the team is a very forceful one and the players have a lot of punch and determination. They will play Barcelona one on one, and leave some spaces behind the ball. and that’s where Barcelona might do some damage if they can take advantage of those spaces behind the midfielders and the backs”, says Álvaro Dominguez, a central midfielder at Borussia Mönchengladbach.

“Ribéry is the one who has the most danger and

•Messi

speed, and he is a finisher as well. Bayern’s game is very similar to Real Madrid’s. They may try to play the ball more, but in the end it gets there along the wings or through the middle, and with those forwards, they hurt you.

They set up endless opportunities”, says Josélu, a forward playing at Hoffenheim.

“The whole of Bayern’s attack passes through Ribéry. The team is very dangerous in dead-ball situations, and the key is to dominate the midfield, as both teams like to play with the ball”, says Juanan, a defender playing for Fortuna Düsseldorf.

•Lahm

•Sanches

•Muller

Muller eyes glory T

HOMAS Muller has revealed that Bayern Munich are determined to “crown” their season by lifting the Champions League. ”We want to crown our season, so we’ll go to the limit in every respect, myself included,” the 23-year-old told the club’s official website. ”We’re aiming high and we’re looking forward to

this tough task. ”We have to keep it tight at the back and keep a clean sheet at home if possible. That’s the beall and end-all if we want to make the final. ”And I really don’t care whether we play pretty football or not. The only thing that matters is the result. I’m optimistic, but everyone knows it’ll hardly be a stroll. .

Bayern-Barça will be a football feast — Lahm Allianz Arena, on penal-

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HILIPP Lahm has insisted Bayern Munich will not choke again in the UEFA Champions League as they prepare for Tuesday’s semi-final, firstleg at home to Barcelona.

The pain of last May’s final defeat in their own

ties to Chelsea, clearly still smarts. “Cruel,” replied Lahm when asked for one word to sum up the moment Chelsea’s Didier Drogba slotted home the winning spot-kick.

When a British journalist asked Lahm if he knew the English expression “chokers”, the Bayern captain’s reply left no doubt that the term was not in his vocabulary: “No, I don’t know that one,” he said with a smile.

“It was a huge disappointment to lose the final at home, but we see we have learnt from that and have come back much better, especially in this season’s Champions League,” said the Germany skipper.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013 — 55

Mikel to face Clattenburg again M

ARK Clattenburg is to referee this Sunday’s clash between Chelsea and Swansea, the Premier League has confirmed.

It will be the official’s first match involving Chelsea since last autumn’s racism row involving John Obi Mikel.

Clattenburg was accused of using “inappropriate language” towards Mikel but was cleared by the Football Association.

The matter arose from the Blues’ fiery clash with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 28 with Chelsea making a complaint based on reports from their players.

Clattenburg did not referee for four weeks while the FA investigated but the governing body determined the official had no case to answer.

Police also dropped their separate inquiry and Chelsea later issued a statement expressing regret at the way it was handled.

Since resuming duties, Clattenburg has been eligible to referee Chelsea but five months

have passed before being appointed to another fixture involving the London club by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited.

Chelsea have no issue with the appointment

yesterday, the former Green Eagles heroes, who now live in the United States of America, said that they were baffled with the decision to sack these key actors in the middle of an ongoing World Cup assignment.

According to Nwokocha and Atuegbu,“the Super Eagles have very crucial games coming up and we feel coach Keshi should be allowed to work in the best environment in order to continue with his progressive agenda.

Despite winning the African Cup of Nations, it seems that he is walking on a thin ice, because all his moves are being scrutinized by the football administration.

“The covert plan to fire him is very myopic by the football administrators. For the Super Eagles to maintain their successful

welcome Mark Clattenburg back to Stamford Bridge in the future and PGMOL would have no issue in appointing him to a Chelsea FC match going forward.”

A retired Sales and Marketing Director at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Chief Grace Egbagbe has thrown her weight behind the Okpekpe 10km International Road Race slated for May 4 in Edo State.

Egbagbe is just one of the several Okpekpe clan indigenes who are eagerly waiting for the race date to come for the community to show their hospitality to the visitors.

The former NTA director who was

honoured with the Orufoneye of Okpekpe chieftaincy title last year for her contribution to the community, said yesterday that the 10km race was a fantastic way of exposing the area to the world.

“We are very passionate about this Okpekpe 10km Road Race. Apart from exposing the area to the world as a potential tourism destination, it will further encourage our youths to take to sports,” observed the

Eaglets Continues from BP

ON A FAMILIAR TURF: Fabrice Muamba in a kick about game

Muamba plays football again F ABRICE Muamba has made a ‘surprise’ return to a football pitch - just over a year after he almost died from a cardiac

Atuegbu fear for Eagles Continues from BP

and are ready to welcome Clattenburg back to Stamford Bridge.

In a joint statement issued with the Premier League and PGMOL last November, the club said: “Chelsea FC made it clear they would

Egbagbe Backs Okpekpe Race

path, Keshi, his staff and the players he picks, should be given all the utmost tools and encouragement to succeed’, they added.

The duo also urged the Presidency to wade into the issue by constituting an independent body to immediately look into this ugly crisis that is about to derail the progress of the Super Eagles.

“Association of Nigerian Ex-international in the Diaspora is in total support of Pauk Okoku’s statement alluding that there is vendetta against the coaching staff. ANED are imploring on our President, Dr Jonathan Goodluck, Gov. Peter Obi,Gov. Fashola , Alhaji Aminu Maigari , Commissioner of Sports and sports loving Nigerians to stand firmly behind the National team.

A winning team should

arrest.

The former England Under-21 midfielder was effectively dead for 78 minute when his heart stopped beating

not be dismantled piece by piece by offering lame excuses; the team should instead be augmented.

ANED, are justifiably concerned that the post victory assurances and promises were delusional.

In his own reaction, Akinlotan said that “I believe we are all on the same page about the unjust treatment given to Keshi. I think by now the NFF should be thinking of the way forward to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and not picking up fights with the Chief Coach or his backroom staff. And from the look of things, I don’t think the NFF is happy that we won the Nations Cup, and the idea that everyone recognizes the team and the coaching crew with laurels and gifts is a major problem for the NFF because they are not making any profit from all the goodies bestowed on the Super Eagles”.

during an FA Cup match for Bolton at Tottenham.

However, he was playing again on Saturday as he headed down to Bolton Arena’s five-a-side pitches - in the shadow of his former footballing home The Reebok Stadium - to show his backing for a charity drive

Redknapp Continues from BP “He did no different to what about 50 other footballers did on the same day.

“He made one big mistake. He was too honest, he turned up at the football club, he was silly.”

Another of the strikers Redknapp tried to bring in during the January transfer window was Stoke’s Peter Crouch.

As fate would have it, he helped condemn his former club to the drop by putting the Potters ahead late in the first half before winning the penalty which Jon Walters fired home.

ball (CAF), Under-17 championship as they take on their Tunisian counterparts in Wednesday’s semi final match here in Marrakech, Morocco .

After routing the Ghanaian Starlets 6-1 in the opening game and bowed 1-0 to Young Elephants of Cote DÍvoire in the second match, they bounced back to thrash Congolese team 7-0 in the last group match to book a place in the forthcoming FIFA U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and also set up a semi final clash with Tunisia on Wednesday.

The victory brought great relief to both the players and the coaching crew as they were all wearing smiling faces at their Hotel Riad Mogador, Menana here in

Marrrakech when Sports Vanguard visited on Sunday night.

Speaking ahead of the semi final match against Tunisia, Head coach, Manu Garba was grateful to God for their qualification to both semi final and next FIFA World Cup. He said the team will study the match video of the Tunisians and fashion out a way to approach them on Wednesday.

“They are also a good team and tactically disciplined. They have boys who are very good in aerial contests and set pieces around the goal area, but we’ll make sure the Tunisians play to our own rhythm”, he said recalling that in the 2007 edition of the championship in Togo, both teams met in the same semi final match and Nigeria beat them 20."

Milo Basketball: Rivers, Bayelsa win Atlantic Conference

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IVERS State University of Science and Technology International Secondary School, Port Harcourt yesterday qualified for the national finals of the Nestle Milo Basketball tournament billed to hold in Lagos later this year.

The Rivers State boys emerged champions of the Eastern Conference by beating Winners International Academy Secondary School, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State

by 54-41 points.

The final match being a local derby between the finalists was fiercely contested with the first quarter ending 9-9 before the Rivers team doubled their effort to win the second quarter by 21 to 19 points.

On resumption for the third and final quarter, the River State team increased the tally by 3827, just as they coast home with 54-41 points to emerge champions.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

Champions League — P.54

Bayern vs Barca 7.45 pm

•Messi

•Muller

I regret not signing Osaze, says Redknapp H

ARRY Redknapp’s only regret this year is not trying harder to bring West Brom’s Peter Odemwingie to relegation-bound QPR. Rangers are facing up to life in the npower Championship after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Stoke left them 10 points adrift of safety with only four matches

remaining.

It has left previously upbeat manager Redknapp conceding defeat in his battle to stave off relegation from the Barclays Premier League but with few regrets.

The only thing the QPR boss wishes he had done differently is to have brought in Odemwingie,

who saw a January move to Loftus Road collapse after his bizarre deadline day actions.

“I would not have changed an awful lot, really,” Redknapp said.

“I’d have probably tried harder to get the boy from West Brom, Odemwingie.

“He might have really given us something up there with Bobby Zamora not being 100 per cent fit.

He might have scored four or five goals that make the difference.

Continues on Page 55

Eaglets promise to beat Tunisia

BY SOLOMON NWOKE, Marrekech

•Clattenburg

•Mikel

Mikel to face Clattenburg again P.55

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OLDEN Eaglets players are in joyous mood to finish up the good work they started in the on going Confederation of African Foot

Continues on Page 55

PUZZLE

•Redknapp

Nwokocha, Atuegbu, Akinlotan fear for Eagles

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

E

X-internationals C h r i s t i a n Nwokocha, Andy Atuegbu and Dehinde Akinlotan have said that

the disengagement of some members of the Super Eagles technical crew was capable of derailing Nigeria’s bid to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

1980 Nations Cup winner, Sylvanus Okpala was the highest ranking member of the coaching crew who was relieved of his position by the Nigeria Football Federation and reacting to the development Continues on Page 55

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

•Osaze

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 3 Missile (5) 9 Fight (6) 10 Come (6) 11 Void (5) 12 Cheese (4) 15 Front (4) 17 Illness (7) 20 Youth (3) 21 Guide (5) 23 Revise (4) 25 Nurse (4) 26 Soar (5) 28 Employ (3) 30 Train (7) 33 Genuine (4) 35 Gull (4) 36 Presage (5) 38 Free (6) 39 Conquer (6) 40 Principle (5)

DOWN 1 Receded (5) 2 Map-book (5) 3 Beer (3) 4 Careless (6) 5 Curse (4) 6 Crooked (3) 7 Emulate (5) 8 Stitched (5) 13 Varied (7) 14 Deserve (5) 16 Frankness (7) 18 Amaesthetic (5) 19 Obtain (3) 22 Send (5) 24 Summit (3) 27 Decline (6) 28 Encouraged (5) 29 Consumed (5) 31 Penniless (5) 32 Finished (5) 34 Dumb (4) 36 Inclined (3) 37 Groove (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

How to Play Sudoku

ACROSS: 1, Adroit 5, Shrill 9, Dunce 10, Upshot 11, Redden 12, Loved 14, Ewer 17, Row 18, Cede 20, Dared 22, Jaded 23, Palaver 24, Realm 26, Tenor 29, Eddy 30, Den 32, Date 33, Error 35, Purple 36, Valuer 37, Saver 38, Dodged 39, Legend.

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Amused 2, Roster 3, Idol 4, Tutor 5, Screw 6, Head 7, Indeed 8, Landed 13, Voyager 15, Waved 16, Reply 18, Cared 19, Depot 21, Dam 22, Jet 24, Reaped 25, Adored 27, Nature 28, Reared 30, Dread 31, Novel 33, Else 34, Rare.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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