Saraki docked, released on bail

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 62499

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Govt agencies helpless How our boss as traffic gridlock was abducted grounds Lagos 14 — Falae's PA, driver ALLEGED FALSE DECLARATION OF ASSETS:

Saraki docked, released on bail

•Says he was not given chance to clarify on his assets •As FG lines up El-Rufai, 4 other witnesses against him

44

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri & Caleb Ayansina

A

BUJA — THE F e d e r a l Government, yesterday, docked the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja, on a 13-count criminal charge that bordered on corruption, false declaration of assets, and illegal operation of a foreign bank account while in office as a public servant.

Saraki, who was docked before the tribunal at 11:24am, yesterday, pleaded not guilty to the charge marked ABT/01/ 15, which the Federal Ministry of Justice preferred against him following a recommendation by the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB. In the charge sheet which was signed by a deputy director in the

Continues on Page 6

We wish to produce Nigeria's president someday — Awo's family •P.50

Mr & Mrs DOCKED—Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his supporters at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, Abuja, yesterday. Photos: Gbenga Olamikan.

COLUMNISTS: I want to hurt my fiance, girl-friend, for cheating on me •P.33 C M Y K

Saraki's travail: Buhari's connection, •P.19 Tinubu's input

Were I Senate President, Saraki, I would resign today!

•P.19

Emotions flare at burial of 8 Lagos fire victims in Enugu State See Inside

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 — 3

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4—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Appointments:

Jonathan congratulates OkonjoIweala, Johnson

F

ORMER President, Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, congratulated Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala over her recent appointment to two key international positions, stating that her performance as Finance Minister during his tenure as President was a major determinant in her clinching the new appointments.

Jonathan, in a statement in Abuja, also congratulated Mrs. Omobola Johnson, the immediate past Minister of Communication Technology, who was recently appointed the Honorary Chairperson of the Alliance for Affordable Internet, A4AI, a United Statesbased global coalition, committed to driving down the cost of internet access in less-developed countries.

According to Jonathan, the appointments underscores his belief that women have key roles to play in national and global development.

Okonjo-Iweala emerged as the chair of the Board of Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, GAVI, and was appointment as senior advisor to Lazard, the 167-year-old global investment firm.

EFCC re-arraigns ex-Jigawa gov, Lamido, sons, others

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, re-arraigned the former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The erstwhile governor, who on July 14, regained his freedom from prison where he spent five days with his sons, entered fresh plea to an amended 27-count criminal charge against him by the anti-graft agency.

Lamido and his sons were

previously arraigned on July 9 and remanded in prison custody by trial Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Kano Division of the high court over a 28-count charge that bothered on his alleged complicity in money laundering.

His case file was subsequently transferred to Abuja, where he was eventually released on bail.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole, who entertained the case as a vacation judge, had in his ruling granted Lamido bail on self-recognition owing to his status as a former governor.

The court, however,

Hearing fixed for Oct 9 ordered his sons and their alleged accomplice, Wada Abubakar, to deposit N25 million each.

Bail conditions

All the accused persons, including Lamido, were also directed to surrender their passports and other travelling documents to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the High Court.

Aside Lamido, all the other accused persons were asked to produce two persons to stand surety for them in the like sum.

HERITAGE BANK: From left— Non-Executive Directors, Oladele Oyelola; Tony Madojemu; Executive Director, Mary Akpobome; Chairman, Akinsola Akinfemiwa, and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Ifie Sekibo, all of Heritage Bank, at a media parley in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

FG, states, local governments share N442bn

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

A

BUJA—THE downward trend of resources available to the nation has continued to reflect in the current economic realities as the three tiers of government yesterday, shared only N 441. 606 billion as revenue generated in the month of August.

That figure was about N 178.062 billion less than the budgeted N620.668 billion for the month and N69.193 billion, when compared to the N511.799 billion distributed among the tiers of government last month.

The Federal Government took N177.576 billion, while the states and local governments received NN115.373 billion and N86.929 billion, respectively.

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The nine oil-producing states got an additional N27 billion, representing 13 percent derivation on oil revenue.

A summary of revenue showed that N369.140 billion was generated into the Federation Account.

Value Added Tax earnings stood at N62.176 billion.

N6.330 billion was refunded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to the Federal Government, while exchange gains stood at N4.960 billion.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, was given N3.712 billion as Cost of Collection, while the Nigeria Customs service received N3.374 billion as Cost of Collection. In a similar vein,

the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR got N2. 184 billion.

Reasons for drop in revenue

Mrs. Anastasia DanielNwaobia explained that the drop in revenue was attributable to several factors including the global “drop in oil prices; a drastic drop in oil exports, shut-in of production for maintenance at different times and terminals” within the month under review.

She noted that the Excess Crude Account holdings still stood at $2. 26 billion and that the Federal Government had not withdrawn from it in spite of the financial pressure.

According to her, the administration did not consider it necessary to draw down on the funds as the situation did not warrant doing so.

In his remarks, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, disclosed that 600 out of the 900 Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, had complied with the Treasury Single Account directive.

He added that the apprehension and resistance to the policy among MDAs was easing up, urging those having difficulties on how to key into the policy to approach his office for guidance.

According to the court, one of the sureties must be a civil servant who is either with the federal or any of the state governments, not below grade level 16.

The court stressed that the second surety must show evidence of three years tax clearance, own a landed property, either in Abuja or Kano State, that is valued above N75 million, adding that the title deed of such property should be deposited to the court.

Besides, Justice Kolawole ordered the sureties to submit two of their recent passport photographs, as well as depose to affidavit of means showing that they could pay the bail bonds, should any of the accused persons abscond from trial.

Though the court said it would transfer their case file back to Kano, EFCC, yesterday, redocked them on a reduced charge.

Meanwhile, after the accused persons yesterday pleaded not guilty to the amended charge, the new trial judge, Justice Ademola Adeniyi, following an application by the defence counsel, Mr. Offiong Offiong (SAN), allowed them to go home on the basis of the previous bail conditions that were earlier handed to them by the court.

The EFCC lawyer, Mr. Chile Okoroma, did not object to their release on bail.

Meanwhile, Justice Adeniyi has fixed October 9 to commence hearing on the substantive charge against them.

Charge

They are facing trial over charges bothering on corruption, money laundering, breach of trust and illegal diversion of public funds to the tune of N1.35 billion.

Lamido was equally alleged to have collected kickbacks from contractors in the state, with the funds allegedly paid into accounts that were managed by his sons.

Four companies that were allegedly involved in the fraud (Bamaina Holdings Limited, Bamiana Company Nigeria Limited, Bamaina Aluminum Limited and Speeds International Limited), were also charged as the 5th to 8th accused persons in the matter.

Lamido was said to have abused his position as governor between 2007 and 2015, by awarding contracts to companies where he had interest, using his two sons as front.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 — 5

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6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

POCKET CARTOON accused Saraki of deliberately attempting to rubbish the integrity of the judiciary by engaging in “forum shopping” at various levels of the court with a view to thwarting his arraignment.

Why Saraki must be docked— FG's Counsel

ECOWAS— President Muhammadu Buhari with other ECOWAS leaders at the Extra-ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on the political crises in Burkina Faso, yesterday, in Abuja.

Saraki docked, released on bail Continues from page 1 office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. M. S. Hassan, he was alleged to have manipulated the assets declaration forms he submitted before the CCB in 2003, 2007 and 2011, by making anticipatory declaration of assets.

The Federal Government maintained that the action of the Senate President ran contrary to the provisions of section 2 of the CCB and Tribunal Act, and punishable under section 15(1) & (2), and 23(2) of the CCB and Tribunal Act, Cap C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, as well as paragraph 9 of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Drama at CCT

Meantime, the trial kicked-off on a dramatic note yesterday, with Saraki initially refusing to mount the dock to enter his plea to the charge.

Immediately the case was called, Saraki, who had arrived the tribunal at about 9:35am, flanked by over 25 other Senators, including the Deputy Senate President, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, declined to indicate his presence by standing up, as usually done by every accused person that appears before the tribunal for trial.

Owing to his refusal to stand up, the tribunal chairman, Justice Danladi Umar, who was obviously looking at Saraki from his seat, asked the

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO

I

N the journey of life, be careful not to let ambition choke your vision. Ambition is always selfish while vision is selfless. “Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul; the blueprints of your ultimate achievements — Napoleon Hill. It’s up to you.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

The universe is so well balanced that the mere fact that you have a problem, also serves as a sign that there is a solution— Ella Randle

D

ON’T see obstacles. See solutions. Too often, we tend to focus on the problems and difficulties along our path. Our mind tends to find whatever we are looking for.

If we’re seeking out excuses to fail or to justify our decision not to push forward, we’ll find them – in the form of setbacks, constraints and limitations. But if we obsess about finding a way past any of these restraints and breaking through to the level of success we set out in search of, then magically we discover these solutions. When you feel like giving up. Ask for help and support. We cannot live in splendid isolation.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

F

ULFILLING the ambition could mean taking the risk. Be brave as fortune favours the brave.

Just stand up and take action.

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prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, whether or not the accused person was arrested and produced in court as was earlier ordered.

“My Lord, I cannot see him. I think the first thing is for him to leave his seat and enter the dock, after which counsel can announce their appearances before the charge is read for the defendant to enter his plea”, the prosecuting counsel stated.

Before he could finish his submission, Saraki’s lawyer, Mr. J.B.Daudu, SAN, who led seven other SANs and 20 lawyers for the accused person, challenged the propriety of allowing the Senate President to mount the dock despite the fact that he has raised constitutional issues with regard to the legal competence of the tribunal to try him.

“With profound respect to the chairman and member of this tribunal, I agree with my learned brother that we should enter appearances first.

However, I need to place it on record that the order of this tribunal was that the accused should be produced in court today and we have satisfied that order. It was not for him to enter his plea. Prior to the last adjournment, this case was adjourned for mention. There is a fundamental thing that the tribunal has to determine first, which is the issue of our preliminary objection which borders on the jurisdiction of the tribunal to proceed with this matter in the light of existing judicial authority in Igbeke vs. FRN, 2015, 3-NWLR, at part 1445”, Daudu contended.

His argument infuriated the prosecuting counsel, Jacobs, SAN, who

Highlighting how Saraki ran to both the Federal High Court and the Appeal Court in Abuja with different applications all in his futile bid to stop the proceeding of the tribunal, Rotimi, said: “My lords, having exhausted and overstretched the legal process and failed, the Appeal Court ordered him to come here and face his trial. This court should not be taken for granted anymore. The accused person was a member of the 7th Senate; they were the ones that made the law. They saw the lapses and in their effort to sanitize our criminal justice system, modified the law to the effect that an accused must enter his plea first before raising preliminary objections.

That is what is provided in section 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015.

“My Lords, the judiciary saved this country yesterday. What would have happened if this tribunal had yesterday (Monday), made an order that contradicted that of the FHC, or the FHC issued an order contradicting that of the Appeal Court? That was the kind of position the accused person wanted to foist on us. The position of the law is that he should enter the dock and take his plea and I urge your lordships to order him to do so. Our law is not a respecter of persons, whether kings or queens.

The rule of law is for everybody and must prevail in this case”, the prosecution counsel insisted.

At that juncture, Saraki’s lawyer delved into another line of argument, contending that going by paragraph 18(1) of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 constitution, the proceeding of the CCT could not be classified as a criminal trial.

He further argued that under the law, where the CCT found that a public officer contravened any provision of the Code of Conduct, such person could be punished by being asked to vacate the office he/she occupies, disqualification, seizure and forfeiture of assets in contention, or made to

suffer any other penalty as may be imposed by the National Assembly.

“This court is not empowered to try criminal cases, this tribunal is like a disciplinary committee that is meant to punish politicians, not a court where Section 6 of the ACJA applies”, Daudu, argued.

In a short ruling, Justice Umar, while upholding the submissions of the prosecutor, relied on the appeal court decision in the case of FRN vs. Atiku Abubakar, and held that the charge against Saraki was criminal in nature, even as he summoned the accused person to mount the dock and enter his plea before his objections would be heard.

I believe in rule of law — Saraki

Having failed to persuade the tribunal, a visibly displeased Saraki strode into the dock.

As the court clerk read the first count of the charge to him, the accused, took time to lecture the tribunal on the appropriate course of action it ought to have taken before docking him over alleged false declaration of assets.

He complained that he was never afforded the opportunity by the CCB to clarify whatever disparity it observed in the assets he declared while in office as the Governor of Kwara State.

Saraki, who addressed the court from the dock, said: “I am a firm believer of the rule of law. I am happy that some of the good works the senate has done in the justice administration have been made reference to. We were the ones that passed the Code of Conduct Bureau Act. “I just want to make this brief introduction to show you that I believe in the process of the rule of law. Section 3(d) of the CCB & Tribunal Act says that, if there is a breach in asset declaration, the CCB shall refer the matter to the CCT, after giving a defendant an

opportunity to either confirm if those facts were true or not, then the matter shall be referred to the tribunal.

I felt that the CCB should have called me according to the law because we have been talking about new Nigeria. We have been talking about Nigeria going forward.

“Mr Chairman, as a layman, I should know why I should be punished like this. We are all watching, we are all before the world not only before Nigerians, I will conform myself with due process, that is why I have come here to subject myself before this tribunal. I strongly believe that I am here today because I am the Senate President. So as I stated before, I want to say that I am not guilty”, Saraki pleaded.

Similarly, when the 13th count of the charge was read to him, Saraki, in what appeared like his closing speech from the dock, claimed that he was only seeing the charge for the first time.

“Mr. Chairman we have institutions in this country. I want to say that your institution, the Senate and the judiciary are undergoing test today. I pray that the interest of this country will lead us to do the right thing to move this nation forward.

“It is my humble opinion that this case is a vivid example that there is still flagrant disregard for due process in our polity.

This trial is not only being observed by Nigerians alone, the international community is watching because Nigeria is a key member of this community. So, the executive, legislature and judiciary should do the right thing that will truly demonstrate that we have imbibed the spirit of positive change”, Dr Saraki said.

Before he could finish, the prosecuting lawyer urged the court to

Continues on page 8

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 — 7

IG orders Edo CP to probe alleged defilement of 6-yr-old girl

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By Gabriel Enogholase

ENIN—INSPECTORGeneral of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, has directed Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. James Ezike, to investigate the alleged defilement of a 6-year-old girl (names withheld), by three students of School of Nursing, Benin-City.

The suspects include Kennedy, Paul Aghama and Jeffery.

The IG in the directive signed by his Principal Staff Officer, Idowu Owohunwa, ACP, also directed the Commissioner of Police to revert the earlier decision of the office of the AIG Zone 5 which in its report said the 6-year-old girl defiled herself by using instruments to penetrate her private part.

The IG’s directive was sequel to a petition by Olayiwola Afolabi, counsel to the mother of the girl, which appealed to him to constitute an independent panel of police investigators other than those from AIG Zone 5 to conduct a fresh investigation into the case, in view of the fact that some powerful persons were trying to use their positions to ensure that the case was swept under the carpet.

2 docked for impersonation

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—TWO men parading themselves as officers of the Nigerian Army have been nabbed and charged to court for impersonation.

According to investigations, the accused, Lucky Anene 25, Marcus Gabriel, 22 and one Ude Pascal, 39, who allegedly assisted Lucky and Marcus to get fake army identity cards, were arrested by soldiers at Ojo Army cantonment after an undercover operation exposed them.

It was learned that Anene and Marcus were allegedly caught wearing army fatique and acting as escorts to trailer drivers, while Pascal allegedly assisted them to procure fake identity cards.

The magistrate M .S Olanipekun granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 and N75, 000.

The case was adjourned to October 12.

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Gunmen invade Rivers community, kill 5 O

By Jennifer Emengo

MOKU—AT least five people have been confirmed dead at Omoku town in Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, following the invasion of the area by unidentified gunmen suspected to be cultists last Sunday.

The gunmen, who launched the

attack around 9pm, were said to have entered the town in a tricycle and opened fire killing five persons.

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Kimo Musa, who confirmed the killing yesterday, said the police were currently investigating the incident.

Musa said the police were on top of the matter and would

unravel the culprits and bring them to book. He enjoined the people of the area to go about their normal businesses.

Vanguard gathered that there is palpable tension at Omoku town as people now retire to their beds earlier than usual.

Meanwhile, a youth leader in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, Bright Abali has condemned the

deliberate killing of the innocent people as senseless murder.

He said the level of killing in the area, especially after over 200 cultists had denounced cultism, was affecting the community.

Abali said: “Politics have come and gone, we shouldn’t continue to carry dead bodies, we cannot continue like this. I call on these masked gunmen to sheathe their sword.”

THINGS FALL APART: The collapsed two-storey building under construction at Lekki, Lagos, yesterday.

....As cultists kill Delta poly student O

By Ochuko Akuopha

LEH—A student of Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, has been shot dead by suspected cultists.

The deceased, who was a final year National Diploma student in Business Administration, was killed in the early hours of Sunday in his hostel apartment at Uruole Street in the polytechnic community.

Though the identity of the deceased could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report, sources said he was asleep in the hostel alongside his two room mates when the hoodlums broke into their apartment and shot him on the neck.

A source in the deceased’s neighbourhood, said they had heard a gunshot at about 1am on Sunday morning, saying the deceased was later found

dead after his assailants had fled the area.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Celestina

Kalu, confirmed the incident.

She, however, said the killing resulted from a cult clash, adding that “there was a gun at the place where his

2 rescued, others trapped as two-storey building collapses in Lagos

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ByEvelyn Usman & Bose Adelaja

AGOS—TWO persons were rescued alive, while others were trapped yesterday as a two-storey building collapsed at Lekki area of Lagos.

Both victims were male adults who were rescued by residents and sympathizers before the arrival of both state and federal emergency officials as Lagos State Fire Services,

Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, National Emergency Management Authority, NEMA and the Nigeria Police.

One of those rescued was hospitalized at First City Hospital, Osapa London, Lekki, while another was only given first aid treatment by the personnel of Lagos State Ambulance Services, LASAMBUS.

Police arrest one over murder of Udu youth

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By Perez Brisibe

GHELLI— IN keeping to its words, Delta State Police command yesterday confirmed the arrest of a suspect alleged to have instigated and ordered his boys to attack and kill a 37-yearold motorcycle ticket sales agent.

This came as security sources in Ughelli yesterday confirmed the release of the wife of an Ughelli-based businessman, Mr. Goodfriday Ukiure, who was

corpse was found.”

Kalu said the police had commenced investigation into the matter.

abducted by a gang of kidnappers at Uloho Avenue area of Ughelli, Delta State.

The deceased, identified as Bestman Tobore, popularly known as Agbari, died on Friday, May 8, from stabs and head injuries he sustained, following an alleged attack by a robbery suspect, identified as Ejaiyeta, alias Ghana Boy, who had escaped from police custody at Ovwian Police Station in Udu LGA, Delta State.

Ejaiyeta, it was gathered, is a close associate to the arrested suspect, simply identified as Obus, who allegedly masterminded the killing.

Though details of his arrest were sketchy at press time, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the arrest, said: “The case is under investigation and he would be charged to court when investigations into the matter are concluded.”

The incident occurred around 8.20 am at Ajiran road, off Olufemi Olatunji Street, off Lekki\Epe Expressway when construction workers were busy at work.

According to eyewitnesses’ account, alarm was raised by a resident who got wind of the situation and this attracted sympathizers who rushed to the scene.

In the process, two of the victims were rescued alive, while others escaped death by whiskers, even as some are still trapped underneath the rubbles.

An eyewitness, Mr Olusegun Thomas, said before yesterday’s incident, two other buildings were were marked for demolition by the state government.

As at 1:00pm, the voices of some of the trapped victims were heard from underneath the rubbles crying for help just as the emergency responders worked tirelessly to save more lives at the scene.

Rescue operation was ongoing at press time.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Shekau irrelevant to routing Boko Haram in 3 months, says DHQ

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA—THE Defence Headquarters declared, yesterday, that Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, or any of its cohorts cannot stop the military from ridding the country of terrorists and putting an end to insurgency in the North-East in three months.

A statement by Acting Director of Defence Information, Col. Rabe Abubakar, said: “The Military viewed as irrelevant and fruitless, the motive behind the recent audio clip presumably released

by Shekau, the acclaimed leader

of Boko Haram sect.

“The Armed Forces is using this medium to appeal to Nigerians not to lose sleep over the concocted audio rhetoric of the waning terrorist sect, which is a usual antic of a drowning person struggling to hold on to anything to remain afloat.

“The Armed Forces wishes to reiterate that it is a well-known fact that the terrorists have been seriously decimated and the tremendous effort and achievement recorded by combined forces of the Nigerian Army and the Air Force is commendable.

“The Armed Forces did not lie about the successes recorded so far in its counter-insurgency operations. For the avoidance of doubt, the liberated communities in the North-East, which were hitherto under the throes of Boko Haram terrorists, are free for an interested person or body to explore.

“The military restates that a number of Boko Haram members have been surrendering and denouncing radicalization.

“Our candid advice to Shekau or his ghost, cohorts or impersonators is to toe the line of their fellow comrades and surrender.”

LAUNCH: From left— Chairman, National Fortification Alliance, Fred Chiazor; Associate, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Uduak Igbeka; President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Frank Jacobs; Director, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Engr. Omotanwa Awobokun, and Director General, Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, at the launch of four new logos in defence of quality by SON in Lagos.

CBN reduces CRR to 25%, says TSA has no negative impact

By Emma Ujah

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has reduced the Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR, from 31 percent to 25 percent. This was one of the major decisions of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting which ended in Abuja, yesterday.

The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who spoke to newsmen after the meeting, however, announced that liquidity ratio and the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, were retained at 30 percent and 13 percent, respectively.

It equally retained the symmetric corridor of 200 basis points around the MPR. The governor revealed that gross official reserves decreased from US$31.20 billion at endJuly to $30.63 billion on September 17.

On the performance of the Naira at the forex market, he said that the average exchange rate remained relatively stable at the inter-bank segment, but significantly volatile in the C M Y K

bureau-de-change segment of the foreign exchange market during the review period.

He said: “The interbank exchange rate opened at N196.95/ US$ and closed at N197.00, at a daily average of N196.98/US$ between June 29 and September 18, representing a depreciation of N0.5k for the period.

“At the bureau-de-change segment, the exchange rate opened at N224.50/US$ and closed at N211.50.

“This represented an appreciation of N13k for the period. The relative stability in the inter-bank market and improvement in the BDC segment were attributed to the effects of various administrative and policy measures.”

Growth under severe strains

The governor noted, “the overall macroeconomic environment remained fragile. The economy further slowed in the second quarter of the year, making it the second consecutive quarterly lessthan-expected performance.

“Growth had come under severe

strains arising from declining private and public expenditures.”

“Having seen two consecutive quarters of slow growth, the Committee recognized that the economy could slip into recession in 2016 if proactive steps were not taken to revive growth in key sectors of the economy.”

TSA has minimal impact on banks

The governor said that the movement of Federal Government funds from banks to CBN did not have any major negative impact on the liquidity conditions of the banks, contrary to widespread speculations.

According to him, “the impact of the movement of funds from banks to CBN on liquidity is moderate.

Nigerian banks are safe and healthy.”

He said that the apex bank would continue to closely monitor the money market to ensure that the policy did not in any way affect the industry and that it had the muzzle to play its roles as a catalyst for the economic development of the nation.

Saraki docked, released on bail Continues from page 6 preliminary objections.

expunge all his submissions. “My lords he had sworn to uphold the constitution. He cannot argue points of law from the dock; that is why he has lawyers.”

Released on bail

While praying the tribunal to release the Senate President on bail, his lawyer, relied on section 36(b) of the 1999 constitution and pleaded that he should be given adequate time and facilities to prepare his case, saying: “My lords, you do not presume that he is guilty until so is proven”.

The defence counsel equally urged the court to consider “the sensitive position the accused person occupies”, and grant him bail on self recognizance, saying “it was based on my advice to test the law at the higher court that he did not appear before this court previously. He is a law abiding citizen”, Daudu, SAN, begged.

The prosecution counsel did not object to the bail application.

The tribunal after noting that the accused person appeared in court on his own volition, not only acceded to the bail request, but equally vacated the bench warrant that was issued for his arrest by the Inspector General of Police.

“The defendant, having brought himself voluntarily, we are not going to ask him not to go back home. He will go back and present himself for trial at the next adjourned date”, the Justice Umar-led tribunal held.

Besides, the prosecutor, yesterday, confirmed before the court that he was the one that prevailed on security agencies not to arrest Saraki on Monday following a passionate plea from his team of lawyers who he said undertook that they would produce him in court.

The tribunal s u b s e q u e n t l y adjourned the matter till October 21, 22 and 23 to hear Saraki’s

M e a n t i m e , investigation by Vanguard, yesterday, revealed that the federal government has lined up a total of five witnesses that will testify against Saraki, including the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and incumbent governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Naisr El-Rufai.

El-Rufai is expected to testify that he was the one that sold one of the assets that Saraki bought in Abuja, which the government alleged that he failed to include among the assets belonging to him.

The government said it has already furnished Saraki with the proof of evidence against him, just as it also attached as exhibits, four different assets declaration forms the accused persons submitted to the CCB. “We have gathered enough evidence to prove that the defendant made anticipatory assets declaration”, Rotimi boasted.

Before he exited the dock yesterday, Saraki, who was all smiles, gaily acknowledged cheers from his supporters who defied heavy security presence within the tribunal premises and thronged the court room in their numbers yesterday.

Aside Ekweremadu, other lawmakers that appeared in court with Saraki yesterday included, Senators Shaaba Lafiaji; Theodore Orji; Mao Ohuabunwa, Tayo Alasoadura, Kaura Tijani, Samuel Anyanwu, Ben MurrayBruce, Gilbert Nnaji, Peter Nwaoboshi, Rose Okoh, Kabiru Gaya, Sunny Ogborji, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Mohammed Ohiare, Isa Hamma Missau, Emmanuel Paulker, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Obinna Ogba, Clifford Ordia, Foster Ogola, Gershom Bassey and Olaka Nwogu.

Others were former governors of Sokoto and Ebonyi states, Aliyu Wamakko and Dr. Samuel Egwu.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015—9

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10 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

FG fines grounded foreign aircraft N7m each

By Lawani Mikairu & Daniel Eteghe

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AGOS—THE F e d e r a l Government, through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, yesterday slammed the operators of the two grounded foreign registered aircraft with N7million fine.

The foreign registered planes were grounded by the authority on Sunday for operating the aircraft from Farnborough, London and landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on the 10th of September, 2015 without flight clearance from NCAA. Disclosing this, Acting General Manager Public Relations of NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye said that out of the two aircraft that were grounded by the authority and fined the sum of N7million each, one of them, the Bombardier 700-100 with Registration No: G-RBEN Global express S/N 9083 operated by Gama Aviation, United (UK) Limited had been released after it paid the penalty.

According to Adurogboye, the owner of the Bombardier 700-100 also paid about $20,000 to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, for violating the Air Traffic Controllers’ regulation.

“Two days ago in which we grounded two aircraft the Bombardier 700-100 with Registration No: GRBEN Global express S/N 9083 operated by Gama Aviation, United (UK) Limited and there is another one that was grounded, an Embraer 135 J with Registration No: XAMHA, as we speak the Gama Aviation has paid the fine because after our investigation, a letter of sanction was written to them which reads; “In the light of the above, you are hereby sanctioned under the provision of section 1 point 3A and section B of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation 2009 and you are required to pay within seven days on the date of the receipt of this letter the sum of N7million being the penalty for the above violation.”

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Assembly approves Ambode’s extra N25.4bn budget Confirms Ogunsanwo new LIRS boss

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—THE Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday approved the reordering of the Year 2015 budget of the state government as requested by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

The House approved N19, 743, 164, 323 for capital expenditure and N5, 697, 089, 009 for recurrent expenditure bringing the total approved sum to N25, 440, 253, 332.

The House also admonished the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget to henceforth do a quarterly review of approved budget to enhance effectiveness and determine level of compliance by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Governor Ambode had last week presented letter to the House on the subject titled: “Reordering of priorities under the 2015 Budget”.

According to the letter, the

Governor listed the reasons for the re-ordering to include construction of a pedestrian bridge at Ojodu Berger, construction of fly-over bridges at Ajah Roundabout and Pen Cinema, Agege.

The letter added that the budget re-ordering proposal would cater for the continuation of the construction of blue light rail project, continuation of the construction of the Lekki-Epe Expressway and acquisition of

50 NAIRA PER LITRE KEROSINE: A long queue of people waiting to buy kerosene at the rate at 50 Naira per litre at a NIPCO filling station on Ikorodu Road, Fadeyi yesterday.

Photo by Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

emergency/rescue helicopters and heavy duty equipment (cranes and forklift) and for Employment Trust Fund and Wealth Creation Programmes.

New LIRS boss

Meantime, the newly appointed Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, Mr. Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, yesterday, appeared before members of the Lagos State House of Assembly for screening and subsequently, confirmed.

It will be recalled that the former LIRS chairman, Mr Babatunde Fowler recently resigned his appointment to take charge of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, as chairman before Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, nominated Ogunsanwo as the new Chairman.

Ambode had earlier approved the appointment of new Directors to the Board of LIRS. The new directors include; Mrs. Akintola Bolaji, Moroof Oludare Tijani, Mrs. Arinola Kola-Daisi, Seyi Alade, Mrs. Afolayan Folashade and Ayodele Adebayo with Jimi Aina serving as Board Secretary.

The new officers are expected to resume work immediately and work towards implementing the vision of the state government.

Lagos counsels teachers, parents over reading culture

By Amaka Abayomi

using apps that can improve their reading skill and ensure that they AGOS—THE Lagos state do not access negative items.”

Urging students of Bola Ige government has charged parents and teachers to encourage their children and wards to have good reading habit.

AGOS—NEW incidences The Director-General, Office of of bird flu have been Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, gave this recorded in Lagos state, with an charge while reading to students estimated 60,000 birds already of public schools to mark the affected, the News Agency of State’s Literacy Day held at the Nigeria reports amid mounting fears and panic.

State’s library in Ikeja.

Executive Secretary of the Soyombo said good reading habit promotes literacy and Poultry Association of Nigeria, empowers children to become Lagos State chapter, Mr. Ogunsetan, better future leaders, adding that Olugbenga if they develop good reading confirmed this yesterday in skill, it will be a platform for them Lagos.

He said several poultry farms to better express themselves.

She said “schools should have were affected by the avian a reading corner and, at least, half influenza in Ikorodu area of the hour of quality reading time, just state.

“Over 60,000 birds were lost in as schools are expected to have newspapers available in their August after the avian influenza schools so that children will be ravaged the farms.

“This has largely affected up to date of local and global production of poultry products happenings.

Charging parents to encourage and leading to price hike in the their children by buying books for area,” Ogunsetan said.

Meanwhile, the state them and making out time to sit and read with them, the DG said government said it was making “although the advent of arrangement with the Federal information technology can have Government for compensation to negative influences on the the affected poultry farmers.

The Permanent Secretary of the reading habit of the children, parents can signpost them into state Ministry of Agriculture, Dr.

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Millennium Senior Secondary School, Tolu School Complex, Lagos, to imbibe and be known for positive things, the Tutor

General/Permanent Secretary, Education District 5, Mrs. Mary Iji, puts the literacy level of students of public schools at 80%.

Fears as Lagos records new bird flu cases

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Olajide Basorun, who spoke on the compensation move, corroborated the severity claim by the PAN scribe.

He said that compensating affected farmers would encourage others, who were afraid to report the case, to come forward.

Ambode sets up tertiary institutions’ governing councils Ninalowo, who is also the Pro

By Monsur Olowoopejo

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday inaugurated the governing councils of tertiary institutions in the state, lamenting that internal rancour in the state tertiary institutions have crippled their development.

At the inauguration ceremony held at the State House, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, Ambode explained that the inauguration of the governing council was part of the strategic adopted by the present administration to surmount the challenges that had bedevilled the institutions.

The Governing Council for the Lagos State University, LASU is chaired by Professor Bayo

Chancellor of the institution, Alhaja Sekinat Yussuf; Chairman of the governing Council for Micheal Otedola College of Primary Education, MOCPED, Professor Tajudeen Gbadamosi; Chairman governing council for Lagos State Polytechnic, LASPOTECH, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, AOCOED’s governing council is chaired by Professor Tunde Samuel and Mrs. Tilley Giyado as Chairman of the Governing Council of Lagos State College of Health Technology.

His words “Government believes that tertiary institutions are critical in achieving prosperity because they provide the relevant skilled human capital and policy research outcome for development.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015—11

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12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

DEFAMATION: Amaechi sues PDP for N300bn I

By Jimitota Onoyume

MMEDIATE past governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has dragged the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, its chairman in Rivers State, Felix Obuah, and two others, before an Abuja High Court, over false allegations of ownership of foreign accounts and funds embezzlement against him.

He is seeking N300, 000, 000, 000.00 for general damages done to him over defamation of his character, reputation and person by the plaintiffs.

It will be recalled that in a press statement, the PDP in Rivers State, on August 6 and August 21, 2015, alleged that Amaechi stole $757 million or N80 billion of Rivers State public funds and stashed same away in an account in his name in Bancorp Bank in Minnesota, United States of America.

The PDP also alleged that Amaechi had embezzled millions of dollars of Rivers State money and stashed same in other foreign accounts in his name, including a bank in Switzerland.

The party claimed that the various foreign accounts operated

by Amaechi were revealed by Christiane Amanpour of America’s Cable News Network, CNN. The PDP went further to claim that Bancorp Bank, Minnesota, had written to President Muhammadu Buhari, that part of the funds was to purchase a residence for Amaechi in America and that they (Bancorp Bank) intended to return the stolen funds to Nigeria.

However, in a suit filed before an Abuja High court, FCT, Amaechi stated that each of the said malicious publications by the defendants (PDP, Felix Obuah and two others) “are untrue, motivated by ill-will and without any foundation in truth and further avers that the defendants made the said libelous publications after the PDP lost the presidential election and with a view to rubbishing him in the eyes of right thinking members of the public and the persons to whom the libelous publications have been made.”

In his statement of claims in the suit, Amaechi averred that he did not steal $757 million or N80 billion of Rivers State public funds and did not stash same away in Bancorp Bank in Minnesota, United States of America, neither did he stash away any state public funds in Switzerland.

The former governor noted that the Bancorp Bank in Minnesota, did not at any time reveal that he embezzled or misappropriated or connived in the embezzlement and misappropriation of money meant for Rivers State people in the sum of $757 million stashed away in his name with the bank.

Amaechi averred: “The Bancorp Bank, Minnesota, United States,

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did not write and did not communicate with President Muhammadu Buhari over any said sum of $757 million allegedly looted by the plaintiff that is kept with the bank and in Switzerland since no such money was ever looted by the plaintiff. There exists no letter which the defendants had seen written to President Buhari, by

Bancorp Bank, confirming the existence, lodgment or transfer with the said Bancorp Bank and in Switzerland of the said sum in the name of the Plaintiff (Amaechi) since no such monies were ever looted by the Plaintiff.

“The Plaintiff (Amaechi) did not steal monies belonging to Rivers State and did not lodge them in any private foreign accounts. The

Plaintiff did not admit that he lodged and domiciled in his name in an account in Bancorp Bank, Minnesota, any monies as alleged by the Defendants.

The Plaintiff did not lodge any sum of $757 million or N80 billion in the said bank account belonging to him and none was revealed or blown open by Christiane Amanpour of CNN.”

PRESENTATION: Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State and Captain Dika Kwabe, Commander, Onitsha Naval Outpost, during the governor's presentation of a gun-boat to the Nigerian Navy, Water Ambulance and Speedboats to the riverine communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area, yesterday.

Okowa swears in 13 new commissioners, three special advisers

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, yesterday, swore in 13 commissioners and three special advisers, with a resolve to grow the economy of the state.

Swearing in the 13 commissioners to bring the number of commissioners in the cabinet to 25, Okowa told political appointees in the state to be resourceful in creating wealth for the people.

The new commissioners who were assigned portfolios at the ceremony include; Mr Peter Mrakpor (Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice); Dr

Nicholas Azinge (Commissioner for Health); Mr. Ernest Ogwezzy (Commissioner for Culture and Tourism); Mr. Henry Sakpra (Commissioner for Special Duties, Governor’s Office); Mr Mofe Pirah (Commissioner for Oil and Gas); Mr. Bright Edejeghro (Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs ) and Mr Asupa Forteta (Commissioner for Youth Development).

Others are Chief Dan Okenyi (Commissioner for Lands and Survey); Mr. Chika Ossai (Commissioner for Special Duties); Mr Oghenekaro Ilolo (Commissioner for Urban

Renewal); Olorogun David Edevbie (Commissioner for Finance); Engr. Jude Sinebe (Commissioner for Higher Education); and Mr Patrick Ukah (Commissioner for Information).

The Special Advisers swornin include; Mr John Ozegbe (Investment), Mr Sam Obi (Inter Government Affairs and Special Duties) and Mr Bosin Ebikeme (Petroleum Matters).

He said; “As governor, my priority is to grow the economy of this state and ensure that every person has a chance to pursue his or her dreams of success and achieve their full measure of happiness.”

Police kill eight suspected kidnappers, arrest 18

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State Police Command has shot dead eight kidnappers and arrested 18 others Commissioner of Police, Mr Musa Kimo, who disclosed this yesterday in Port Harcourt, while parading the 18 kidnappers, said those who died lost their lives during exchange of fire with his men.

He said those paraded were

also into robbery and cultism, adding that his command also released six kidnap victims in the state He further explained that this was achieved this September when he assumed office.

The Police Commissioner said six robbery suspects were arrested, while three were shot dead, adding that 110 arms and ammunition were recovered from the hoodlums during the operations.

According to him, nine brands

of cars were also recovered from the bandits.

While calling on the public to provide useful information, the police chief also said the Police under his Command would not relent in its resolve to rid the state of hoodlums.

“I want to use this opportunity to sound a note of warning to criminals to either relocate from Rivers State or turn a new leaf and become responsible citizens of the country,” he said.

Army urged to pay salaries of 300 pardoned soldiers

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—FORMER Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Idada Ikponmwen, yesterday, urged the military authorities to pay the salaries and allowances of over 300 soldiers granted pardon by President Muhammadu Buhari, to avoid unnecessary distraction to the war against insurgency.

Speaking on the development, he said “When the death sentence was passed on them by the former military command, my view was clear that all was not well with the system to justify punishment by death penalty. From the point of view of command efficiency, lack of equipment and lack of motivation, what happened was expected.

“As God will have it, the former Chief of Defence Staff, came out clearly when he was leaving to admit publicly that all was not well, that there were neither weapons of war nor the morale of the troops and welfare taken care of by the former administration. So it was no surprise at all that the man who understands the nature of the military and what is required to fight a war of any kind, now incharge of this country has decided to grant reprieve and pardon to the soldiers.

"So, if they are re-absorbed and redeployed, they ought to be given their pay even if it means paying them arrears."

Urhobos celebrate dead leader

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HE Urhobo Traditional Council of Chiefs, Lagos, and the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, will celebrate the illustrious leader of Urhobos in Lagos, late Dr. Charles Ogodo, at the Gymnasium Hall, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on September 26.

A statement by the council of Chiefs invites all Urhobo sons and daughters to the event.

Late Dr. Charles Ogodo

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015—13

Soldier allegedly training militants in N-Delta arrested

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT—A soldier allegedly training militants in the creeks of the Niger Delta has been arrested at Kula in Akuku Toru Local Government Area, Rivers State, during a military operation by 2 Brigade Garrison, Port Harcourt.

Lt. Col. Timothy Opurum, Commanding Officer of the Brigade Garrison, said the soldier was a deserter who escaped in 2002, noting that they were in the area for mop up operation when he was arrested.

According to him, 13 militants who were arrested will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.

He said: “Based on intelligence reports, we carried out a sting operation during which we captured 13 members of a militant gang, including their leader, simply known as Kenneth. We also arrested a soldier, who deserted the army in 2002 and specialised in the training of militants in weapons handling and operational tactics. The soldier (names

withheld), who is a Private, joined the Army in 1998 and served in 331 Artillery Regiment Kalapanzi Barracks in Kaduna before he was declared missing in 2002.

“The soldier, who is related to the kingpin of the militant group, is still in our custody and will be released to

prosecuting agencies after formal dismissal from the army. However, some of the arms and ammunitions had already been moved by the militants before our troops arrived at the community.

Twelve suspects, excluding the deserter-soldier, the arms and ammunitions had been

handed over to the state Directorate of Security Services, DSS, for further investigation and prosecution. There was no case of manhandling both on the part of civilians and on the suspects who were arrested over their involvement in gun running."

COMMENDATION SERVICE: The Doyen of Accountancy profession in Nigeria, Mr. Akintola Williams (2nd left); 51st President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Otunba Femi Deru (3rd left); flanked by past Presidents and members of the governing council of ICAN and family members of ICAN past President, Late Johnson Osinaike during the commendation service of Johnson Osinaike.

Institution of Oluship in Itsekiri Kingdom T

HE Olu designate of Warri kingdom, Prince Godfrey Ikenwole Abiloye Emiko, becomes the 20th Olu on the throne after he is crowned at the end 90 days of seclusion.

His predecessors on the throne are as follows: OLU Ginuwa I. 1480 – 1510: The exact date of death is not known. He was heir apparent to the Benin throne under Oba Olua. He went into exile and founded the Warri Kingdom. He died and was buried at Ijala. *Olu Ogbowuru; he was also called Ijijen – he reigned about the 16th century and was the first son of Ginuwa I, who led the group of settlers from Ijala to Ode-Itsekiri, where he discovered Iwere (good luck and peace) leaves which was pronounced Ewere, but corrupted into Iwere, which became the name of the area until a Briton further corrupted the name to Warri, by which it is called today. *Olu Irame – he reigned about the 16th century. He

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was the second son of Ginuwa I. He expanded the frontiers of the kingdom. *Olu Ojoluwa – He reigned about the 16th century. He was the son of Irame. *Olu Esigie – he reigned in 1597. He son of Ojoluwa. He embraced the Portuguese merchants and missionaries and expanded and consolidated the kingdom. *Olu Atorongboye – 1597 – 1625: He was the first Olu to be baptized. He was baptized as Sebastain.

Atorongboye was the son of Olu Esigie. He sent his eldest son, Dom Domingos, to study Theology in Portugal at the University of Coimbra (1600 – 1610). Domingos was invested the Portuguese Order of Christ. *Olu Atuwatse I ( Dom Domingos) – 1625 – 1643. He was the first university graduate to ascend the Warri throne. He married a Portuguese lady. *Olu Oyenakpara (Dom Antonio Domingos) 1643 – 1654: He was popularly called Obanigheren, and was the son of Atuwatse I. It was said that he wrote the oldest

letter by a Nigerian to the Popein November 1652. *Olu Omoluyere -1674 – 1654 – Omoluyere was Atuwatse’s son born by an Itsekiri woman after the death of the white lady. He became Olu at the age of 18, but was under regency for two years. *Olu Abejoye 1674 – 1700: He was said to have financed the building of a church between 1690 and 1692; and also sent his three sons to Sao Tome to study Latin. *Olu Akenjoye -18th century *Olu Omagboye – 18th century *Olu Akengboye – 1730 1732 *Olu Atogbuwa – 1734 – 1760.

He was Olu Akengboye’s brother. It was said that he closed down all churches and revived traditional religion in the kingdom. *Olu Erejuwa I – 1760 – 1795. He was baptized as Sebastain Manuel Octobia. *Olu Akengbuwa – 1795 – 1848He was the second son of Erejuwa I.

Period of interregnum On

the

death

of

Akengbuwa I, Omateye, his eldest son died four days later; while the second son, Ejo, who performed the Ike rites at Ijala and went to Idaniken died before his coronation. Akengbuwa’s half sister, Iye, was precluded from acending the throne. Soon after, slaves of the royal house unleashed a reign of terror.

In 1851, the Oluship was suspended and the capital of Iwere (Warri) kingdom moved to Jakpa. Governors (Gofine), usually rich merchants, were then appointed until the second dynasty. The Governors were as follow: *Diare Uwangue of Jakpa - 1851 - 1870 *Itsaninomi of Deghele 1870 - 1879 *Olomu of Ebrohimi - 1879 - 1883 *Nana Olomu of Ebrohimi - 1883 - 1894 *Chief Dore Numa, first as a British political agent (1895 – 1914, then as a paramount ruler (1914 – 1932). *Olu Ginuwa II – February 1936 -January 1940: He was a grand son of Ejo.

Ayade takes delivery of Calabar Garment Factory equipment

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HERE was excitement yesterday as Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, took delivery of equipment for the Calabar Garment Factory.

The Calabar Garment Factory is under construction is expected to employ at least 1,500 people mostly, women and widows.

Ayade had promised to establish the factory as a way of curbing the increasing unemployment in the state.

The equipment which arrived in two containers include direct-drive computerized lockstitch sewing machine, double needle lockstitch sewing machines, four thread directdrive computerized over lock sewing machine with auto trimmer and button attaching sewing machine.

The equipment also include straight button holing sewing machine, eyelet electrical button holling sewing machine, automatic pocket welting machine and heat transfer machine 38/38cm.

Others are pneumatic heat transfer 44/35(removable) computerized servo cutting machines, round knife cutting machine, full auto cloth end cutter and piano type air suction ironing tables.

Speaking while taking delivery of the equipment, Governor Ayade said his administration worked hard with the core Italian partner, Goldpride, to get to this stage of taking delivery of the equipment.

He explained that when operational the factory would employ a minimum of 500 workers at a go and would run three shifts a day which translates to 1,500 workers, saying: “It is my strong hope that the Army, Navy, Airforce, Police, Immigration, Customs, Civil Defence and other organizations would patronize the garment factory.

It is our strong hope and intent to ensure that this garment factory would not only cater for Cross Riverians but the entire Nigeria, West Africa and Africa. l am happy a Cross Rierian is serving as a core pioneer architect of the project.”

Also speaking, the core investor and Chief Executive Officer of GoldPride, Giuseppe Gemma said that his company is bringing its expertise to bear in what would be the end – product of the factory explaining that at the end of the day the people of Cross River State would be better for it.

14 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

DIGNIT ARIES CONDOLE WITH THE AAW WOL OWO FFAMIL AMIL TH OF CHIEF DIGNITARIES OLO AMILYY, AATT IKENNE, OVER THE DEA DEATH H.I.D. AAW WOL OWO, WHO DIED ON SSA ATURD AY. PHOTOS BY BUNMI AZEEZ AND WUNMI AKINOLA OLO TURDA

From left: Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, former deputy governor of Gen Adeyinka Adebayo (retd) and his wife, Dupe.

Lagos State; Senator Tony Adefuye and Chief Ebenezer Babatope.

From left: Prof. Folake Solanke; Mrs. Funso Amosun, wife of Ogun State governor and Rev. Tola Oyediran, daughter of deceased.

From left: Otunba Gani Adams, Coordinator, Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC; Oba Awosunle Babatunde, Elejesi of Ife Kingdom and Oba Oladejo Akintilo, Ife Kingdom.

Govt agencies helpless as traffic gridlock grounds Lagos

By Evelyn Usman, Bose Adelaja, Ikenna Asomba & Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—FOR two days running, vehicular movement in most parts of the state have been grounded, with commercial activities paralysed, no thanks to the chaotic gridlock which seemed to have overwhelmed government agencies saddled with the responsibility of controlling the free flow of traffic.

The situation came to a head yesterday, across major roads in Lagos, leaving motorists and other road users thoroughly stressed.

C o n s e q u e n t l y, commuters had to trek long distances before they could get alternative means of transportation to their respective places of work,while motorists went through one of the most harrowing experiences, as they were trapped for hours in traffic.

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their motorbikes served as the only means for commuters to wriggle out of the situation. But it came with charges trice more than the normal. For instance, from Cele busstop to Mile 2, along Apapa-Osodi expressway, each passenger paid between N800 and N1000, depending on one’s power of bargaining,with two passengers mounting a motorbike. Same amount was also collected from stranded passengers from Mile 2 to Apapa.

Road side hawkers also cashed-in on the situation making brisk sales without law enforcement officers blinking an eye.

The Bus Rapid Transit BRT operated by the state government were not not spared either, as desperate motorists took over the designated lanes for BRT buses.

Among major roads that were locked-down yesterday were the Oshodi-

HELLISH TIME BACK AGAIN: Fuel tankers and container-laden trucks along Funsho William Avenue, Lagos, triggering a traffic snarl that lasted for several hours, yesterday. Photo by Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Apapa express-way, LagosBadagry Expressway, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Lagos-Ikorodu Expressway. Others such as the Oworonshoki-Ikoyi, Barrack-Ojuelegba, 3rd Mainland BridgeAdekunle-Sabo Agnes, Adeniji-Oworonshoki, Adeola Odeku-linkingAhmadu Bello Way,

Awolowo-Falomo, Lekki Tollgate-Ajah, Herbert Macaulay, IkoyiObalaende-Tafawa Balewa Square, Adeola OdekuAkin Adesola-Awolowo, Magbon, Oke-Afo, Ajegunle-Wilmer-Coconut, Ago-Roundabout-Cele, Okota-Isolo among others, were not spared in the bumper-to-fender gridlock.

The traffic situation respected no one as some government officials who had Police and Military escorts, blared their sirens in vain, without any space for other motorists to give them way.

Commercial bus drivers on their part stopped at any point to pick passengers without

recourse to other road users . Roadside traders around Volks – Iyana Iba in no small measure have also succeeded in blocking the roads with their wares displayed along the road,with policemen and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority looking the other way.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015—15

Onitsha traders hold solidarity rally for SON; campaign against substandard products

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI—TRADERS of Building Material International Market, Ogidi; New Tyre Market Nkpor; Electrical Market Obosi; Electronic Dealers Association, Onitsha; Amalgamated Tyre Dealers Association, Nkpor and Iron Road Dealers Association, Bridge Head Onitsha,yesterday embarked on solidarity rally for the Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON. The solidarity rally which kicked off from Dennis Memorial Grammar School, DMGS, Onitsha, saw the traders and their leaders marching round the major streets in Onitsha, chanting pro SON, and Dr Joseph Odumodu songs, in appreciation of the good work the organization is doing in the campaign against substandard products and goods.

The traders also displayed placards with inscriptions as: “SON has saved us from fake and substandard products;” “Products fakers are wicked, all thanks to SON for saving us;” “Substandard goods have been reduced from 80 percent to 30 percent all by SON efforts; “Dr Odumodu is the right man for

SON”; SON, thank you for operation flush-out substandard goods;” 'SON has improved standardization in Nigerian markets,” among others.

The traders leaders took time, one after the other to address newsmen shortly after the solidarity rally. They also called on those against the operational methods of SON to have a rethink because the agency is for the good of all Nigerians.

Spokesman of the Iron Rod Dealers Association, Bridge Head / Atani Road,Mr. Ifeanyi Ezeugo said, “we are here in support of what SON is doing for

saving the lives of the people of Nigeria by fighting against substandard goods and adulterated goods “For instance, we all know about the upgrading of cement to three G, buildings do not fall constantly again”.

President of New Tyre Market Association Nkpor, Chief Sunday Ezenwobi in his speech said “the solidarity rally is a commendable move to encourage a working organization. We cannot only find faults in an organization, we have done similar rally before and we are doing it now and will do it in

future if SON continues the good work it is doing”.

Former Secretary General of Building Materials International Market, Ogidi, Chief Emeka Okafor, who spoke on behalf of the chairman of the market said: “The solidarity rally in support of SON and protest against those fighting the organization has become very imperative because the traders who are involved in selling building materials have seen that this is very necessary at this time to save the lives of our people from avoidable building collapse.”

INSPECTION: Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (2nd left), during an inspection tour of Okonu-aku bridge in Ohafia Local Government Area. With him, from left, Engr.

Talal Isa (site engineer), Mr. Richard Nwala; Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of works, and Rt. Hon. Ude Okochukwu, Deputy Governor. Photo: Ibeabuchi Abarikwu

Imo govt adopts concession option

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HE IMO State government has finally decided to concession the management of some parastatals and health facilities in the state to inject life into them and make them effective and productive to achieve the aims of establishing them in the first place.

Most of these parastatals and health facilities have continued to enjoy the government’s huge monthly subventions.

Even those of them expected to earn revenue by virtue of their status to assist in taking care of themselves have not been forthcoming and they have not also been functioning up to their responsibilities.

The management of some of the parastatals already listed for concessioning are those of Imo Newspapers, Imo Orientation Agency, NEPAD, Imo ADP, Agric Loans Board, Water Corporation, PFMU and PSGRDP. Consumer protection Council, Imo State Council for Arts and Culture, Imo State Sports Council, Imo State Tourism Board, Imo State Zoological Garden, Imo State Library Board, Imo Job Centre and Imo State Investment Promotion Agency are also listed.

Uwazuruike sacrificed a lot for Ndigbo —MASSOB

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

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BA—MOVEMENT for the Actualization of Sovereign States of Biafra, MASSOB, said its Leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has gone through a lot of deprivation and pain for the interest of Ndigbo in Nigeria.

MASSOB’s Acting Director of Information, Sunny Okereafor, who

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stated this in a chat with Vanguard in Aba while reacting to allegations of sabotage to the Movement leveled against Uwazuruike by Mr. Uchenna Madu, accused the latter of being sponsored to destroy MASSOB and engaging in various acts of sabotage against the Movement.

Okereafor maintained that the call by Madu for the probe of MASSOB leaders is a plot meant to ensure that the Movement is distracted from its objectives and described Uwazuruike as a selfless leader.

According to him, “If he now accuses Uwazuruike of not caring for members, how

did Uchenna Madu become a rich man today?

Is it not Uwazuruike who assisted him? Uwazuruike is a selfless leader. As at today; he has willed all his property to MASSOB and continues to support MASSOB members. Do

you know how much Uwazuruike has lost in the Biafra struggle, suffering countless detention and other deprivations? Is this the caliber of man Uchenna Madu is accusing of sabotaging MASSOB? “Madu is not a member

of MASSOB. He was expelled and he went to form Progressive MASSOB working for the enemies of Ndigbo. He should cover his face in shame for all subversive activities against MASSOB and Ndigbo.”

Microsoft brings Office 2016 to market

By Emeka Aginam

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ICROSOFT CORP. yesterday began the worldwide release of Office 2016, delivering new versions of the Office desktop apps for Windows, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, OneNote, Project, Visio and Access.

The apps are the latest addition to Office 365, Microsoft’s cloud-based subscription service that helps people do their best work, together. Also launching are new and enhanced Office 365 services built for team productivity.

“The way people work has changed dramatically, and that’s why Microsoft is focused on reinventing

productivity and business processes for the mobilefirst, cloud-first world,” Satya Nadella, chief executive officer of Microsoft, said, adding that, “These latest

innovations take another big step forward in transforming Office from a familiar set of individual productivity apps to a connected set of apps and services designed for modern working, collaboration and teamwork.”

Nadella who wrote about the new Office on the Official Microsoft Blog.

Kirk K o e n i g s b a u e r, provided more insights about Office 2016 on the Office Blog.

By subscribing to Office 365, customers can get always-up-to-date, fully installed apps for use across their devices, combined with a continually evolving set of consumer and commercial services, such as OneDrive online storage, Skype for Business, Delve, Yammer and enterprise-grade security features.

Together, the new Office and Windows 10 are the most complete solution for doing.

The Office 2016 apps run beautifully on the best Windows ever, including the new Sway for Windows 10 to create shareable,

interactive stories that look great on any screen.

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Public presentation of Nigerian Media Leaders: Voices Beyond the Newsroom

Group calls for consolidation of nation’s democracy

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

From left:, Prof. Juan Elegido, Vice Chancellor of Pan Atlantic University, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Mrs. Joy Ikiebe, wife of the Author; Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, Chairman of Occasion/Former Chairman of Punch, Newspapers; Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former governor of Ogun State; Mr. Sam Amuka, Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Dr. Doyin Abiola, Managing Director, Concord Newspapers; Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser (Media) to President, and Mr. Richard Ikiebe, Author of the books, during the public presentation of 'Nigerian Media Leaders: Voices Beyond the Newsroom, (Volumes 1&2),' at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

WERRI—THE Centre for Constitutional Governance, CCG, has appealed to Nigerians to encourage and promote the consolidation of democracy in the country, despite the hiccups it is currently going through.

The Executive Director of CCG, Dr. Adewale Balogun, who made the call at a press conference in Owerri, also presented a report on the survey of constituency offices it conducted in 2014.

Dr. Balogun argued that “the question as to the future of the nation’s electoral system had become increasingly important, given the concern raised by the public after the recently concluded general elections in the country”.

According to the CCG boss, the group’s survey on the Imo State constituency offices indicates that the relationship between the elected and the led is flawed.

“There is a gap in the relationship between the

legislators and their constituents, which is responsible for the low return rate of legislators in the House of Assembly”, Balogun said.

It was his considered opinion that if the legislators used their constituency offices effectively and build a cordial relationship with their constituents, it would have improved the chance of their being retuned to the house.

He expressed regret that only a small percentage of indigenes of the state visit or know where the constituency offices of their representatives in the State House of Assembly are.

Balogun however acknowledged the good work being done by a few elected representatives who he said “put in much effort, travel vast distances and demonstrate real concern for their constituents, even in the absence of well designed and thought out guidelines related to what is expected of them when they discharge their constituency work.”

No selective probe, says Edo APC chieftain

By Kelechukwu Iruoma

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CHIEFTAIN of Edo State All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Saliu Momoh, has described as From left: Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, GM/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard; Mr. Muyiwa Omololu, CEO, misleading, the claims in some quarters Eko Water Buses Limited and Mr. Adebayo Akinwunmi, Managing Partner, Hartford Green that the probe being carried by President Consulting.

Muhammadu Buhari is selective.

Alhaji Momoh, who is the state treasurer of the party was reacting to the Igbo

By Tare Youdeowei Leaders of Thought, ILT, statement that the President STUDENT group, Solidarity was being selective in his Movement for Good Governance, probe, noted that Buhari has honoured Dr. Athanasius Eze, a has no hatred for any veterinary surgeon and senior lecturer, section of the country, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, saying the President has Umudike in Abia, with an award as 'Icon of not named those to be Nation Building and Youth Empowerment.' probed, but rather has The awardee, who is on sabbatical from directed his attention University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was towards corrupt politicians.

From left: Mrs. Agbeke Ogunsanwo, Mr. Ogie Eboigbe, honoured with the award in recognition of Momoh, in a statement and Alhaji Lai Mohammed. his selfless service towards societal made available to transformation, nation building, youth newsmen in Benin, the engageme- nt, charity to the less privileged, Edo State capital, opined among others. that the submission credited Presenting the award, the head of group, to Ben Nwabueze, an elder Mr. Yakubu Yahaya described Dr. Eze as a statesman that the man, who is taking “our dear nation to an President had enviable height as a result of his diligence in marginalized the South his duties."

East and South South was Dr. Eze in his reaction, noted that this mischievous. unanimous honour by students from He reminded those universities in Nigeria, is a special one as calling the President a this will spur him on to do more to the sectional leader to recall profession and the socio-economic growth of that twice when he the nation contested presidential "Being amongst the eminent Nigerian’s who election in 2003 and 2007, in the past received this same award, I will easterners were his further dedicate myself to the advancement running mates.

The former national vice From left, Engr. Vincent Maduka, Dr. Doyin Abiola, and of this noble profession and the socioeconomic growth of the nation, he said." chairman of the defunct Mallam Mohammed Haruna.

Eze wins Icon of Nation Building award

A

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ANPP asserted that any group calling for the probe of the administration outside that of Goodluck Jonathan was out of track.

He said nothing stopped former President Jonath- an from probing the past regime.

“If Jonathan or any other President refused to probe the regimes before him, that will be for a reason best known to him. If Buhari decided to probe the administration that handed over to him based on APC manifesto, so be it,” Momoh said.

He wondered why Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Bishop Matthew Kukah would excuse former President Jonathan from any probe, considering the massive looting of the nation’s treasury that took place under the watch of his administration.

According to Momoh: “I don’t share the view of those who want to carve a hero out of the former President because he contested an election; lost and handed over to the winner.

“If anybody is to be called a hero, he is Sen. Ahmed Tinubu, a strategist right from the formation to the registration of the party to winning the election."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015—17 —17

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18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reiterated its earlier advice to states and local governments to immediately relocate residents of communities along rivers, waterways and flood-prone areas to safer grounds to avoid unnecessary loss of lives and property. The agency anchored the warning on expert predictions of impending heavy rains and devastating floods.

This is not the first warning from the agency this year. It had alerted of plans by Cameroun to release water from its Lagdo Dam. Based on this, NEMA had warned “all those living around the Dam and along River Benue in Garoua up to (the) Nigeria side to be alert and ready for evacuation in case of possible flooding”. It also advised states and relevant authorities to alert the communities at risk and prepare safe locations for possible evacuation of those to be affected.

Preparing against flood disasters As expected, that alert has created panic among Nigerians as it served as a reminder of the tragic incident of 2012 when water released from the Lagdo Dam triggered off a massive flood that devastated many communities in some North East and North Central states of Nigeria, claiming several lives and rendering hundreds homeless.

The states considered vulnerable to release of water from the dam are Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Benue and Kogi. Information from the Federal Ministry of Environment also has it that flash floods could be experienced in some urban

locations such as Lagos, Port Harcourt, Sokoto, Birnin Kebbi, Ibadan and other towns along the country ’s coastline.

Also, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, has warned occupants of flood-prone areas in the state to vacate the areas and move to safer places to avoid loss of lives and properties. The areas include Ajegunle/Owode-Elede, in Agboyi Ketu; Ijora/Badia, Apapa/ Iganmu, Aradagun in Badagry, Jakande area in Eti-Osa, and Alimosho Local Government Area.

It is curious that NEMA’s flood warnings and directives usually fall

short of concrete arrangements to ensure that those to be evacuated are adequately accommodated and catered for as internally displaced persons.

Since most people who live in flood-prone areas belong to the lower economic strata of society, government must create temporary shelters where people can evacuate to in times of disasters.

It is one of the social responsibility functions of government to provide help and succour to its vulnerable citizens. The federal government disburses huge amounts of money from the Ecology Fund every year which are hardly accounted for, yet flood victims are told to evacuate without any form of assistance.

Flood victims are internally displaced persons and steps must be taken to cushion the effects of flood disasters on hapless citizens.

These flood warnings must be taken seriously to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.

OPINION NNPC's

quiet

By Musdapher Bello

I

WISH to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari for his choice of the leadership of the NNPC, Dr.Ibe Kachikwu, a gentleman of impeccable pedigree and his crack team of Executive Directors that includes Dr. Maikanti Baru, Group Executive Director, Exploration & Production; Mr. Isiaka Abdulrazaq, Group Executive Director, Finance & Services; Engr. Dennis Nnamdi Ajulu, Group Executive Director, Refining & Technology; and Dr. Babatunde Victor Adeniran, Group Executive Director, Commercial & Investment.

Background checks of the team reveal that they represent the finest and the best in the oil sector considering their qualifications, integrity, proven track record, and, of course, the best practice experience of all members of the team.

Another plus for their appointment is the fact that they are not products of the discredited NNPC behemoth of the past.

I am therefore convinced,as with other well-meaning Nigerians, that on the basis of the antecedents of the entire NNPC team and the undisputable overarching sterling leadership of the present administration, there is no doubt that there are brighter days ahead for the oil sector which, incidentally, is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy.

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revolution It is important to state that how well the corporation is managed will, to a large extent, contribute significantly to the nation’s economy and the well-being of the people generally.

It is often said in Africa that the morning determines the day and this adage has found resonance in the NNPC appointments. From what is published in the media, no sooner had the team come on board than they hit the ground running. The new management has drawn up a robust reviewable corporate archetype conforming to global standards to promote the principles of accountability, transparency and good governance for the organisation with clear cut achievable milestones. In addition, it is heart-warming that the core business of NNPC has been restructured to engender growth,

The way to go from now is to move from our near total dependence on oil.

Thereby increasing the resource base of the country which will naturally make life better for all

sustainability and profitability.

This is the more reason why the portfolio for Investment and Commercial which is the nerve centre and the future of the organization should be in the hands of an outstanding, diligent and honest professional who also have an allround experience and deep knowledge of the sector. There is no doubt from my findings that the current incumbent fits the bill perfectly.

More importantly, one is hardly surprised at the zero tolerance of the new NNPC management for corruption as this is in line with the vision espoused by the management team and this is also in tandem with the marching orders of President Buhari. Moving forward, the management should be emboldened to rid the organization of the remaining rotten eggs in its different strata in view of the fact that one bad apple as the adage goes, may indeed spoil the entire basket.

All those with soiled reputation should be shown the way out of the organization as this may perhaps be the last opportunity for the country to get things right in the sector.

The net effect of the on-going reorganization championed by the new NNPC team has been salutary. This has culminated in the steady supply of petroleum products in dispensing stations all over the country since they came on board. It is indeed a new dawn for Nigerians as everyone can,without fear of equivocation, attest to the availability of PMS, diesel and Kerosene

and other products in virtually all stations in the entire geo political zones of the country and most significantly, these products are sold at the approved rates.

At this point, it is worth re-stating that the government should use the gains from this sector to develop the non-oil sectors like agriculture, smart technologies and areas where the country enjoys comparative advantage over others. The way to go from now is to move from our near total dependence on oil. Thereby increasing the resource base of the country which will naturally make life better for all.

Finally, I wish to advise the management team of the NNPC under the leadership of the GMD, and his Executive Directors to be focused on the difficult tasks ahead, first in cleaning the Augean stable left behind by the former management and secondly, the imperative of re-positioning the organization in the best interest of the nation. They should stay the course and not be distracted by the antics of mushroom and amorphous groups under the guise of shameless activism and opportunistic watchdog politics.

Nigerians are solidly behind the quiet revolution going on in the new NNPC as they are in full support of the country and president.

•Mr. Bello, a policy analyst, wrote from Kaduna, kaduna State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015—19 —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Saraki’s travail: Buhari's connection, Tinubu’s input

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HESE are not the best of times for Bukola Saraki, Senate President and chairman of the so-called 8th National Assembly that has done virtually nothing about its law-making responsibilities, but has continued to rip Nigerians off collecting huge allowances for practically sitting on its palm and watching the sun go down each day since it was inaugurated last June. Mr. Saraki’s National Assembly has spent more time on recess than in the chambers of the Assembly, no thanks to the leadership struggle that has bedeviled the place since the intrigue that brought Saraki and Yakubu Dogara, his counterpart in the House of Representatives, into office. As if that was not enough, Saraki has now been dragged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal for failure to fully declare his assets as required of elected officers. For failing to appear before the CCT on the day slated for hearing the case against him, chairman of the CCT, Justice Danladi Umar, has ordered the arrest of Saraki via a bench warrant that the police claims it is yet to receive. Saraki has himself taken the preemptive action, through his

counsel, Joseph Daudu, of challenging the jurisdiction of the CCT to hear his case.

Saraki’s latest troubles started on the rather fateful day of September 11, 2015, when the Federal Government filed a 13count charge against him before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Among other infractions, Saraki was accused of failure to declare ownership of properties on choice locations in Lagos and Abuja.

These include property on Plot 2A, Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; Plot 2482, Cadastral Zone A06 at No. 1 Tagus Street, Maitama, Abuja and Plot 2481, Cadastral Properties Limited at No. 3 Tagus Street, also in Maitama, Abuja.

Although Saraki is also required to declare his assets as part of the process leading on to his election as two-time senator before his election as senate president, the infraction for which he is being called to account now dates back to his terms as governor of Kwara State.

Which means Saraki has been required to declare and must have declared his assets a number of times since he made the declaration that is now proving troublesome for him. This cannot but lead to the reasonable question of what the Federal

Government, or more appropriately, what the Code of Conduct Bureau has been doing all this while asking no questions of Saraki? Did they just wake up to the realisation that the man didn’t make full disclosure when he declared his assets years back as governor of Kwara State? Or is the CCB like the Economic and Financial Crime Commission that has suddenly woken up from its deep slumber and is now going after its prey after years of ignoring them under the previous administration of Goodluck Jonathan- is the CCB like the EFCC merely doing the ‘eye-service’ of supporting the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s fight against corruption? What was this body doing all this while, Nigerians would be asking?

In a country where the rumour mill is never silent and where conspiracy theories are not in short supply- in fact they are the first refuge of scoundrels with houses not just cupboards full of skeletons- in such a country like

He should in the first instance prove his bonafides and take on his accusers on the point of law by proving his innocence before launching any claim of a witch-hunt against his person or interest

Were I Senate President Saraki, I would resign today!

HE formal filing of charges against honour, honoured, distinguished, respect, Senator Bukola Saraki at the Code of faith, trust, humility, responsibility, and T Conduct Tribunal, not to speak of the duty, repeating “humility” and “honour” issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest for failure to appear in court to take his plea, leaves him with only one honourable course of action: resignation in order to clear his name. The alleged offences impeach very seriously his character and integrity, qualities that no leader, if he or she is to enjoy the respect and confidence of his or her peers (as of the electorate) and be effective, cannot afford to have under any shadow of doubt. Certainly not in these hopeful days of change, the real manifestation of which the people await with bated breath.

It is a serious thing to ask an “elected” official to resign his mandate, even though the office here is really only a privilege. Thus, in addition to my unqualified citizenship right to comment on matters of (urgent) national interest, I proffer, unbidden, further bona fides. I am a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress. Had I succeeded in my bid to represent the Isoko people in the House of Representatives, I would be Saraki’s colleague in the National Assembly. And I consider it a matter of honour and duty that Saraki resign from the office he occupies through means considered devious and unbecoming by almost everyone except those boxed into his Amen Corner.

Mostly, though, I make this call as the natural step enjoined on Saraki by the lofty sentiments he espoused and urged on his fellow senators in his inaugural senate address. In just the first four sentences, Saraki had uttered the words

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as if to be sure that we would notice how much he valued those virtues. By the sixth sentence, he was literally aloft while describing the presidential election of 28 March as a “lofty victory for our country and our democracy.” All of this, it would appear, was to enable him deploy the phrase “individual ambition” by appearing to deplore that tendency while thanking the senators who elected him for their “courage.” Their support, said Saraki, went beyond “any individual’s ambition.” Curious words, but they remind us that his ambition, writ large for all the world to see, required the absence of nearly all the senate members of his party, and that he got his victory from the defeated party at the ransom price of trading away his party’s capacity for effective legislation towards the transformative change it had promised, the elimination of corruption being a priority.

Yet, taking him at the surface meaning of his words imposes a minimum decorum.

If I were Saraki, knowing that my reputation and moral authority have been grossly tainted, I would jump at the opportunity to restore my name

ours where meanings are quickly read into actions no matter the merit of such actions, people have been peddling stories of Bukola Saraki being a victim of persons more powerful than him in the polity. High on the conspiracy list is the president, Muhammadu Buhari who has been accused of showing barelyconcealed disdain for Saraki’s leadership of the National Assembly. First to tow this line of argument is the Peoples Democratic Party, whose spokesperson, Olisa Metuh, himself under serious accusations of corruption by members of his own party, has accused the Buhari presidency of despotism bordering on a desire to annex the powers of the legislative arm of government, and disdain for the principle of separation of powers. The reason the PDP would argue in this fashion is not difficult to see. It all dates back to the self-same intrigue that brought Saraki, a member of the All Progressives Congress, into office with the active connivance of his erstwhile comrades in the PDP, his former party. This was against the position of his party that had names of other party members penciled down for the leadership of the National Assembly. The APC therefore demanded their resignation to no avail. While the party was able to reach a compromise with Dogara at the House, the situation in the Senate has since been deadlocked with no solution.

Buhari like other leaders of the APC has in principle refused to recognise the leadership of the Senate ever since, insisting that Saraki must tow the party line.

This is the brief story behind the finger-pointing by the PDP in the latest case against Saraki. It is just one step away from the claims of other internet warriors

At least, for the sake of the integrity of the vaulted office he so doggedly covets, and because he seems not unaware of that e t h i c a l responsibility.

“Beyond any political party or personal victory” (how the personal and the individual haunt this thoughts!), he said, the 2015 elections marked “a major watershed in the political annals” of our country, a “moment . . . when our democracy truly came of age . . . fired by our people’s overwhelming desire for change . . . [thus imposing] enormous responsibilities . . . on those of us who occupy leadership positions in our respective capacity (sic) at this time [that] can hardly be over-emphasised.”

Well, this unique moment of change is threatened by a heavy cloud of suspicion hanging over the head of the leader of the legislative arm of government. The thirteen felonious charges of nondeclaration and false and anticipatory declaration of assets, fraudulent conversion of public funds for personal gain, contravention of the law prohibiting public officials from operating foreign accounts, etc., may well turn out to be unfounded and really an excuse for a witch-hunt (suggesting, ironically, that his own party members whom he thinks are behind his troubles consider him the witch in their midst). Malicious prosecution, as Saraki and his counsel, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, must know is an offence and offers him additional remedy through a post-acquittal action in tort.

that have fingered Bola Tinubu, another leader of the APC, as being responsible for Saraki’s troubles. While the CCB has to be seen for the hypocrite it is for turning a blind eye to Saraki’s alleged failure to comply fully with the demands of the body, we should not be blind to the facts of the matter. These are best summed up by the following question: is Saraki at fault or not? In other words, did Bukola Saraki hold back facts about the ownership of the properties in question?

Since the effect of the law for failure in this instance is not timebarred, since there is no specific limit to when charges can be filed, what Bukola Saraki should do is show that he did not own the properties attributed to him at the time he was supposed to be their owner. Perhaps, he does not even own any such properties in the afore-mentioned locations and has probably never been to those places. All he needs to do, and which his counsel who has promised to produce him before Justice Umar had his plea to the tribunal to set aside its warrant of arrest been accepted- what Mr. Daudu and other supporters of Saraki ought to tell him, is that he should first of all clear his name rather than allowing opposition party members to politicise a serious matter of law.

Saraki and Buhari or even Bola Tinubu may not see eye to eye on the question of who leads the National Assembly but that cannot and should not be the explanation he has to offer for the charges levelled against him. He should in the first instance prove his bonafides and take on his accusers on the point of law by proving his innocence before launching any claim of a witchhunt against his person or interest.

Thus, if I were Saraki, knowing that my reputation and moral authority have been grossly tainted, I would jump at the opportunity to restore my name. I would go to any court or tribunal, any forum, properly constituted, to prove my innocence. I would spurn my lawyers’ well-laid obstruction strategy sure to delay my day of vindication. After all, their best outcome can only be legal victory in the stifled courtroom but assured conviction in the open court of public opinion. I would say to my lawyers, “And while you file motions upon motions and cripple the court, how shall I regain the respect and trust of my peers and my party for the serious business of nationbuilding? What will the people think of me while you grin in self-satisfaction over your cleverness?”

But then if I were Saraki, I would not be in this fine mess in the first place, not having made it past the party primaries for the House of “undistinguished” Representatives. And faced with felonious charges aimed at proving my ultimate unsuitability for public office, at destroying my public career, I would sooner have witch-hunters as my prosecutors than the more down-to-earth citizens in the streets. Which is why, on my honour, I would resign and hasten to court to clear my name.

20—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Buhari going in the right direction

By Ebele Orakpo

HID Awolowo: Birthday turns burial party ...Birthday aso-ebi to serve as burial dress

By Daud Olatunji, Abeokuta

I

F death were to be a kid napper and had placed a hefty ransom on Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, there is no doubt it would have been readily paid so that the nonagenarian and the only surviving matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty will live longer than her 99 years.

Indeed the calibre of people who have been trooping to the Ikenne home of the late foremost politician and first Premier of Old Western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo few hours after the death of his wife, attests to this.

Yes, death would have had no choice but to allow the highly influential woman to at least celebrate her 100 years birthday slated for November 25,2015.

She was born November 25,1915 and died Saturday September 19, 2015 just 67 days to a record centenary birthday. Record has shown that Mrs Awolowo died exactly 28 years after the passage of her husband, Obafemi Awolowo.

Centenary celebration Investigations revealed that there had been preparation for a centenary celebration of Yeye Oodua as early as August with many prominent Nigerians, particularly in the South West, said to have been approached by the family members and the centenary committee urging them to participate by sending in their goodwill messages for collation ahead of the expected centenary celebration.

She died after a brief meeting with family members.

According to former president, Olusegun Obasanjo: “Mama has decided to leave us before the centenary; maybe her interment will be celebratC M Y K

•The late (Mrs) H.I.D. Awolowo ed with the centenary .You don’t need to be downcast, Mama should be celebrated.”

The eldest child of the Awolowo family, Omotola Oyediran, while giving the details of how the matriarch died said: “I want to assure you that Mama had a beautiful exit. This morning she had a full day. She had a usual family meeting. She presided over the meeting. Shortly after that, we decided to invite her to the meeting which we were holding in preparation for her centenary and she came in and we all got up and sang a song: ‘Mama wa ara yin ale (Our mother you will have sound health...)’ and she blessed us.

“But, I must say that it is a lesson. I must thank God for what He has done for us . I want to assure you that she went home peacefully and completely fulfilled. Shortly before she left she had all her three generations present at her bedside for which we give God the glory”.

The Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, in his reaction said the death of HID Awolowo was “very shocking in the sense that we were all preparing for her centenary .All through last

week I was in contact with the members of the family because I am a member of the committee and we were trying to fine-tune the programme and the details for her centenary celebration.

So we were shocked when it happened.

“The government of Ogun State will be heavily involved. Just as we did when she was alive we will be fully committed; we will be fully involved in the burial. It has just happened. What is sure is that we will stand shoulder to shoulder with the family members and will be

We were preparing for the centenary birthday for November; in fact we bought cloths but, I guessed now that we have to now celebrate her passage

heavily involved”.

Former governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel also acknowledged that the cloths bought for the centenary birthday may be converted for burial purposes. He said: “In all things we must give thanks to God because it is not totally unexpected.

Now that it has happened, it is indeed the end of an era. Nigeria and the Yoruba have lost the last of the matriarch.

“We were preparing for the centenary birthday for November; in fact we bought cloths but, I guessed now that we have to now celebrate her passage “.

Since the death occured, Ikenne home of Awolowo has become a Mecca of sorts for prominent personalities who have continued to pay their condolences to the family.

Until her demise, she remained the Chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria Limited, publishers of the Nigerian Tribune established in November, 1949 by her husband. Nigerian Tribune is among Nigeria’s popular dailies and it is perhaps the oldest privately owned newspaper.

O

H, I like President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership style, leadingbyexample,walking the talk,” said Paul, a commuter in an Apapabound bus.

“Yes oo Bros, shame to all the naysayers, the bad belle people. At least the man and his vice have publicly declared their assets. I wish others will follow suit,” said Jimoh.

Replied Paul: “Senator ShehuSanihasalsodeclared his assets.”

“Story, story, story! Once upon a time! Why do we behave like a bunch of illiterates? You will not cease to amuse me. Declare assets ko, declare assets ni! Abegi, make we talk beta thing,” said Tony.

“Which past leader has done that? For God’s sake, givecreditwhereitisdueand criticisewherenecessary.The man has done well,” said Jimoh.

“Ok oo, I am not going to argue with you but it is laughablethatamanthattold us a few months ago that he was so poor that he had to borrowmoneyfromthebank to purchase his party’s nomination form, suddenly has about N30 million in his account. How much is his monthly salary and allowances to get him N30m within three months?” asked Tony.

SaidPat:“Hmm,abeghelp measkthem.Thetruthisthat they did not do proper declaration-anumberofcars and seven houses say nothing.Aproperdeclaration willgivedetailsofthehouses, locationsandworth; thesame goesforthecarsandthefarm.

Shehusaidhehasmanycars too.”

“The senator should be investigated. He was a rights activist, so how come he has so much money?” asked Peju.

Replied Pat: “Have you forgotten he was the one facilitating the meeting between Boko Haram and the Federal Government?”

“Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has asked PMB to probe World Bank’s roleintherepatriatedAbacha loot and also Halliburton compensation,” informed Nike.

“Probe? Itisimpossible; he cannot do it,” said Tony.

“He should go ahead and probe.Weneedtoknowwhat happenedtotheloot.Sowhat is impossible in that?” asked Paul.

“It is impossible because there is nothing like Abacha loot. You cannot probe what

does not exist except of course you are a magician.

As for Halliburton, it is a nogoareaandheknowsit.The peopleinvolvedarepowerful and have a dossier on him; so if he exposes them, they will expose him too,” said Tony.

“Are you kidding? The whole world knows about Abacha loot,” said Jimoh.

Said Tony: “Really? Shebi Buhari told us Abacha did not steal anything, that he was the most righteous Nigerian leader, just as they said there was nothing like fuel subsidy and now they are talking about removing fuel subsidy?”

“What did you expect?

After all, he was part and parcelofthatgovernment, so as a saint, there is no way thatgovernmentcouldhave looted public treasury. From what I read, the loot included: $1,000,000,000– Swiss government; $800,000,000 – General Abubakar-led domestic recovery; $233,795,000 – PrincipalityofLiechtenstein; $198,484,000 – Ajaokuta Steel Plant debt buy-back case;$160,000,000–Jersey’s global asset recovery for Nigeria; and $36,016,200 –Jersey’s recovered funds from Mr. Bhojwani,” said Pat. “When did he say that?

Why do you like peddling rumours? You just keep putting words in the man’s mouth. That was how they said he promised to make N1 equal to one dollar, pay unemployed graduates monthly stipends, feed school children one balanced meal a day, bring down oil prices, end insurgency within a month andgotothewarfrontifneed be.Whendidhemakethose promises? Please, don’t let yourunwarrantedhatredfor our president becloud your reasoning,” said Jimoh.

You complain about everything.

Please wish our president and nation well and it will be well with you

“So people just made all those up eh? A few days after Lai Mohammed told the whole world that they never made such promises, theVice-Presidentcameout toreaffirmthattheywillkeep their promise of feeding school children. So who is deceiving who?” asked Tony.

“You complain about everything. Please wish our president and nation well and it will be well with you,” counselled Paul.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 — 21

Mu’azu said that the disbursement of significant part of the N220 billion Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) funds instituted by the regulator remains part of its commitment to providing improved financing opportunities to small businesses.

He said poor access to credit remains one of the biggest limitations faced by small businesses and has to be tackled collectively by stakeholders in the financial services sector.

He said that 60 per cent of the fund, representing N132 billion, has been earmarked for providing credit to women-owned businesses, hence giving financial backing to one of the most vulnerable segments of the society.

Vulnerable segments

From left: Chairman, Heritage Bank Limited, Mr. Akinsola Akinfemiwa, Managing Director/CEO, Heritage Bank Limited, Ifie Sekibo and Executive Director, Heritage Bank Limited, Mrs. Adaeze Udensi at Heritage Bank Limited Chairman’s Media Parley in Lagos.

Banks to adopt zero CoT — CBN TSA has some challenges but the benefits outweighs the chalHE Central Bank of Ni lenges. The challenge is just geria, CBN has said that short term in nature which will banks operating in the country be experienced during this pewould soon adopt a Zero Com- riod of transition, but in the long mission on Turnover, CoT in run the common people will order to attract more customers benefit very well." to the banking system.

Continuing, he said " Banks The Director, Corporate Affairs would soon be begging Department of the CBN, customers to take loan because Mallam Ibrahim Mu'azu, who there will be no more stated this at the weekend opportunity for banks to rely on while responding to the public sector funds. The banks implication of Treasury Single will now begin to do the real Account, TSA introduced by the financial intermediation busifederal government, said " The ness and there will be intense competition in the industry. So , as a result, banks would be forced to adopt a Zero CoT to remain competitive." $3,323.00 12.00 Muazu stated that TSA will help block $10.90 -0.03 some of the leakages especially from the fiscal side of the economy and 47.84 -1.08 enable the government utilise its 45.20 -1.48 revenue in a more beneficial way that CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL will affect the entire DOLLAR 196 196.5 197 people.

POUNDS 304.3292 305.1056 305.8819 Speaking at the fiEURO 220.4608 221.0232 221.5856 FRANC 201.9786 202.4938 203.0091 nance corresponYEN 1.627 1.6311 1.6353 dents’ seminar in CFA 0.3221 0.3321 0.3421 Lagos, the CBN DiWAUA 277.2773 277.9847 278.692 rector also highRENMINBI 30.7654 30.8444 30.9233 lighted the usefulRIYAL 52.2569 52.3902 52.5235 ness of the SDR 276.3992 277.1043 277.8094 KRONA 29.5403 29.6157 29.691 mandatory biometric capturing, saying it CBN Exchange Rate as at 22/ 09 /15 is a good thing for

By Peter Egwuatu

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C M Y K

the country in terms of helping to identifying creditworthy people.

While commenting on the Banks and Small Scale Enterprises, SMEs in Nigeria: Prospects, Challenges and Success stories, he said " The issue of loan for SMEs call for mandatory biometric capturing.

With the biometric capturing those who take loans from banks would be able to repay and will not run away. This is because they cannot do business anywhere in the world when they runaway except they leave this country without their passport with

The TSA has some challenges but the benefits outweigh the challenges. The challenge is just short term in nature which will be experienced during this period of transition

them".

He further reiterated the CBN's commitment to bridging the N9.6 trillion financing gap in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sub-sector of the economy.

The CBN director said the objective was to unlock the potential of small businesses through credit support and taking such enterprises to positions where they would be able to create jobs and reduce poverty among the citizenry.

He said that a huge channel has been created for the administration of the loans through private or state owned microfinance institutions, finance houses, as well as commercial banks. State governments, he added, are allowed to access up to N2 billion each for on lending to eligible beneficiaries through participating financial institutions in their respective states.

$120bn African trade deficit not problem to Afreximbank — Oramah

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HE new President of Afreximbank, Dr Benedict Oramah, has said that the 120 billion dollars African trade financing deficit would not be a problem during his tenure.

Oramah told a news conference after his inauguration as the president of the bank in Cairo that the financing deficit was not entirely of trade, but also of infrastructure development.

He said that the growing financing gap was normal for a developing continent like Africa which required infrastructure.

He said that many financial institutions in the continent had failed to bridge the gap because of limited resources and their penchant for short-term project financing. The bank boss pointed out that infrastructure development in Africa needed long-term funding and promised that Afreximbank was up to the challenge.

He said that the bank could reduce its short-term activities and increase its long-term loans to bring infrastructure to the Africa.

We will develop other strategies, while other development fi-

nance institutions will join us," he said. Oramah said that there was a healthy relationship between Afreximbank and the African Development Bank (AfDB), stressing that AfDB was actually the founder of Afreximbank. He said that AfDB had substantial shareholding in Afreximbank and often granted lines of credit to it.

He also said that AfDB was a permanent member of the board of Afreximbank and that the two development finance institutions were collaborating strongly.

Oramah disclosed that Nigeria had the largest shareholding in Afreximbank, but that the country did not have a lending window in the bank.

He said that the bank was supporting many activities in the industrial sector of Egypt, adding that there were plans to also support projects around the Suez Canal. He said that the bank had disbursed half of the 500 million dollars Egypt African Trade Finance Programme and was planning to increase the funding to 1 billion dollars.

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Will insurance operators abide by the terms and conditions of another market agreement after the failure of the last one?

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FG spent less than 10% on insurance in 2014 — Kari THE Federal Government of Nigeria was only able to spend about N2 billion on insurance out of N20 billion budgeted in 2014. Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Mohammed Kari stated this at the ongoing 2015 insurance professionals forum with the theme, “The Nigerian Business Environment, Implications for insurance industry, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Kari stated that the implication of the federal governments action was that only about 10 per cent of the budgeted amount for insurance was used, thereby exposing most federal government’s asset, workforce and operations to uncertainty.

Kari stressed that the insurance industry will no longer sit on the sidelines and allow opportunities to pass by.

The Commissioner therefore charged insurance professionals present at the forum to correct themselves than be corrected by external forces.

Kari said, “The challenges of huge competence deficit, corruption, low level of innovation, over-dependence on the oil sector leaves all asunder to phantom the best soluble buyouts and how to harness the opportunities inherent therein.

“In consequence of the effect of uncontrollable changes in the macroeconomic environments affecting our businesses, organisations and entities either passively or negatively, we are therefore implored to map-out adaptive strategies and identify the opportunities inherent in the ‘change’. As far as innovation is concerned, we need to improve the content and quality of our services.

In addition to our quest for innovation, changes in companies business model must be exploited. The earlier we realised that the music has changed and thus the need to adjust our dancing steps, the better for us all.

“We have seen unbridled, unsustainable and technical unsound rates being offered by supposedly insurance professionals more out of the need to meet a target than to properly underwrite. Professional brokers takes business from contraptions called ‘sub-agents’ who by the way are not registred by anyone. Premiums are loaded, discounted, retained or returned with impunitym market indiscipline among practitioners, boards and management conflicts may degenerate to threatening the stability of some of our companies. The implication of such practices on the insurance industry in this new nigerian business environment is the gradual dimunition of our professional relevence as a veritable shield for the financial sector of the economy. We must all have zero tolerance for these unethical vices. Most of the actions of our professionals today are actually criminal,” Kari said.

INSURAN

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Will another market agreement in the insurance industry survive?

Stories by ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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ROBABLY, by end of October, it is expected that insurance professionals under the umbrella of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, CIIN, would have submitted a standard premium pricing rate to the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, for approval.

The action became necessary following the growing rate of unethical practices and unhealthy competition especially on premium rating.

At the just concluded insurance professionals’ forum organised by the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, CIIN, in Abeokuta, insurance practitioners were unanimous in their decision that rate-cutting should be tagged a professional misconduct as well as unethical practice, hence perpetrators must be sanctioned.

It was therefore in response to this that the Director General of NIA, Mr. Sunday Thomas,

It is unfortunate that the insurance industry is flooded with professionals, yet a lot of them are waking up from the wrong side of their beds everyday and doing the wrong things

been established and will submit its presentation to the industry in 30 days. According to Thomas, the two bodies are worried that the industry is facing a price war which is not good for the image of the industry.

As heartening as that may sound, a pertinent question to ask is ‘Will insurance operators abide by the terms and conditions of another market agreement after the failure of the last one? Recall that the industry entered into a market agreement in 2009 when Managing Director of Lasaco Assurance Plc, Mr. Olusola Ladipo-Ajayi was the Chairman of NIA. The previous market agreement As a way of checking ethical breaches, promote discipline and improve service standards in the market, the NIA commenced implementation of a market agreement. The agreement which stipulates infractions and penalties was signed by all the Chief Executive Officers of NIA member companies. Sadly, no

Family business owners must make deliberate, systematic plan before death — experts Experts have identified some of the various solutions to solving major problems often faced by family businesses towards succession and sustainability. This was the highlight of the inaugural public lecture in commemoration of the 40th Anniversary

TRAINING: From left: The Director-General of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Mr Ajibade Peters with Mr Babatope Ajakaiye, Permanent Secretary (Civil Service Office) and Amb Danjuma Sheni, Permanent Secretary (Career Management) at the closing ceremonies of a two-weeks training programme for civil servants in Abuja.

Send comments & enquiries to insuranceandyou@yahoo.com C M Y K

announced that another market agreement is in the works.

Thomas said that to ensure that standard premium rating is adhered to, a joint technical committee of the Nigerian Insurers Association, NIA and Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, NCRIB, has

of the corporate existence of S. E. Nomuoja & Co. as Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, at NCA House, Alausa, Ikeja , Lagos recently.

Mr. Olusoji Majekodunmi , former company secretary, UAC plc and past president of Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, who was the keynote speaker during the event, in his presentation titled, ‘The Entrepreneurial Succession problems in Nigeria’s family business : a threat to sustainability,’ disclosed that most family businesses have not been able to outlive their founders, due to their failure to make deliberate and systematic plan before their death.

According to him, “most businesses have failed after the original founder due to lack of deliberate and systematic plan in the transfer of the ownership of the business from one family to the next.”

He also identified lack of adequate grooming of successor(s) in the original founder’s business line, through proper vocational or professional education.

He noted that succession issues

are not limited to the Nigeria’s family businesses alone, but is of universal appeal. Adding that family businesses, which may either, be sole trading or vocational businesses, including professional practices which are of relatively recent origin, constitute an important group of enterprises within the small to medium scale sector.

He said “When most business founders become successful in the businesses, out of the fear of their own backgrounds, they often educates their children in exotic disciplines unrelated to their line of business, thereby lending credence to the “qualified but not suitable syndrome, a veritable panacea for succession failure.

“This kind of education fails to inculcate into the would-be successor, the dream, passion, discipline and sometimes the integrity of the founder, which are his/her personal attributes, and which are non-transferable.

However, Mrs . Benedicta Sadare, the Managing Partner of S.E.Nomuoja & Co, in her goodwill message called on entrepreneur in the country to establish a clear and meaningful strategic development process for easy succession with a view to sustaining their business.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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CE & YOU

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Sadly, no company or chief executive was sanctioned for failing to abide by the agreement even when companies defaulted on daily basis

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Enugu partners Universal Insurance on quality service

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From left: Managing Director, FMDQ OTC, Mr Bola Onadele; Country General Manager, IBM West Africa, Mr Taiwo Otiti and Director, Lagos State Financial Systems Management Bureau, Mr Abdulhamed Mustapha at IBM Business Connect 2015 held in Lagos last week .

company or chief executive was sanctioned for failing to abide by the agreement even when companies defaulted on daily basis. Unfortunately, the same members that signed the agreement, failed to be guided by the same agreement.

Consequently, NIA members agreed to lay aside the market agreement and consider other means of doing business. At the 2011 CIIN Educational Conference in Ibadan, there was a consensus by professionals that the market agreement was not beneficial to the sector because it was not religiously implemented by underwriters.

Highly disappointed by the action of his colleagues at the time, Ladipo-Ajayi, said that insurers that charge any rate for risks have no excuse not to pay claims because they are the ones that charged the rate for the risks in the first place.

Ladipo-Ajayi said then, “Since it is now obvious that insurance operators cannot regulate themselves, they have no excuse not to pay claims. It is unfortunate that the insurance industry is flooded with professionals, yet a lot of them are waking up from the wrong side of their beds everyday and doing the wrong things.”

Some market operators argued that the market agreement could not work because many insurance practitioners still underwrite from largely outdated and irrelevant rate books while others argued that if pricing is right, then the possibility of paying claims is great because at the core of claim certainty lies the balancing act in the pricing and quoting process.

The way forward Managing Director of Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Mr. Ganiyu Musa said that for the industry to move forward, operators must maintain price discipline to deal with rate-cutting issues, adding that there is need for the insurance committee to take up.

Musa stressed that there should be greater collaboration between underwriters and brokers while operators should be self regulated as an industry because market discipline is very crucial.

An expert said, underwriters should underwrite each piece of business individually taking into account cover requirements and group distribution in gender, income, age and occupation as well as take deliberate decision

not to involve in such sharp practices that has been the bane of the industry all along, stressing that it is very hard but it can be done.

Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Mohammed Kari said that the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, henceforth will sanction erring insurance operators as it has vowed to criminalise breach of code of conduct of the profession.

Kari said that NAICOM has been empowered by its law to treat breach of code of conduct as a criminal act and would not hesitate to implement the statute if operators continue to flout necessary rules.

According to him, NAICOM is empowered by section 39 of the Insurance Act of 2003 to enforce the code of ethics of the market.

He added that if the industry does not uphold the tenets of their profession, NAICOM will have no option than to enforce the laws.

According to Kari, the code has punishment and sanction for companies that are found wanting, stressing that it is a criminal offence for a company licensed by the regulator to cut rate which is against the ethics of the profession.

NUGU State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has expressed his administration’s readiness to partner with Universal Insurance Plc on quality service delivery in the state and beyond.

The Governor made this known recently when the Board of the insurance firm led by its Chairman, Lt. Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro, visited him at the Government House, Enugu.

While expressing delight over the visit, Hon. Ugwuanyi stressed the importance of insurance in any economy especially at the state level and pledged his regime’s willingness to cooperate with service providers for quality business.

He commended the board and management of Universal Insurance for the quality of service it had been rendering over the years and hoped that its partnership with the state would be a very fruitful one.

Number one citizen Ugwuanyi thanked the Board and management of the company for the honour done him with the award of “Worthy Ambassador” conferred on him during the visit.

Earlier in his remarks, the Board Chairman, Lt. Gen. Dogonyaro, had congratulated the Governor for his meritorious election as the number one citizen of Enugu State.

While describing their visit as a sort of “home coming” as Universal Insurance commenced operation in the country from Enugu, the Army General assured him of his company’s cooperation in his bid to move the state forward.

He also congratulated him for the deserved award conferred on him by his firm and wished the Governor well in all his endeavours.

SA Insurance holds 19th AGM

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HE Board of Directors of Standard Alliance Insurance Plc has fixed the organisation’s 19th Annual General Meeting to hold next Wednesday in Lagos just as it expects to use the occasion of the meeting to call on the company’s owners to ratify the appointment of new directors and the Group Managing Director/CEO. In a statement, Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Nelson Egboboh, said that this year’s meeting is coming a bit earlier than other meetings held in the last three years owing to the focused efforts of the new management, noting that it was “the avowed corporate desire of the new team to return the company to its first quarter meeting timetable it was known for.”

As part of the ordinary business outlined for transaction at the meeting, Egboboh said that shareholders would be expected to receive and adopt the audited financial statements together with auditor’s report and audit committee’s report for the year ended 31st December, 2014.

Retiring directors He listed other businesses to be transacted at the meeting to include the re-election of retiring directors and shareholders’ ratification of the appointments of new directors, the Group Managing Director/CEO and BDO Professional Services as External Auditors,” among others.

He disclosed that the board would also be asking the owners of the company to approve the sale of the Treasury Shares amounting to 2, 212, 046, 824 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at 25 kobo per share by way of Special Placement to identified Strategic Investor, Gemrock Management Company Limited.

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Change and its consequences (4)

T MEDIA LAUNCH: From left: Director, InformationTechnology and Mobile, Samsung Elec ronics, West Africa, Mr. Emmanuel Remvatas; Managing Director, Smile Communications Limited, Mr. Michiel Buitelaar; Managing Director, Samsung Electronic, West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim and Chief Marketing Officer, Smile Communications Limited, Mrs. Alero Ladipo, at a media launch of Voice Over LTE by Smile Communications Nigeria Ltd, in partnership with Samsung Electronics, in Lagos.

Nigerian shareholders brainstorm in WFI confab in Italy

By Peter Egwuatu

N

IGERIAN shareholders under the umbrella body of Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, PROSAN, have been selected

by World Federation of Investors, WFI to represent the country at its world’s conference slated to hold in Italy.

Vanguard Newspaper has been nominated as the only media from Nigeria to represent Africa to cover the event which will take effect from September, 28- 4th October, 2015.

WFI is an independent notfor-profit organisation whose members are primarily national Shareholders Associations. WFI was formed to promote investors’ education and shareholders advocacy.

WFI helps national shareholders associations of different countries and investors advocacy groups better serve their members.

The National Coordinator, PROSAN, Mr. Oderinde Taiwo, said “Nigerian shareholders and capital market regulatory authorities have a lot to gain from WFI for being a member of this international body. We can learn and adopt capital market policy strategy from other advanced economies. Some of the difficult issues like unclaimed dividend, margin loans policies, among others could be learned and replicated in Nigeria.”“ Presently, WFI Chairman is Roger Ganser, an American capital market practitioner, while the WFI President is Professor Jean-Pierre Paelinck, a Belgian. Other executives of WFI came from different countries of the world. “The 2014 World Federation of Investors conference

was held in Vienna, Austria, while, 2015 edition is scheduled for 28th September, 2015 to 4th October, 2015 respectively. “WFI 2015 annual conference in Milano, Italy will be hosted by Lawyer Fausto Bongiorni and Lawyer Paola Pivato. “Capital market issues that bother on financial education

programmes and protection of shareholders' rights are among other things are expected to be discussed at the conference” Taiwo added. “This year's World Federation of Investors conference participants will always attend EXPO Milano 2015 as addendum to the conference.

Fidelity Bank begins Saturday banking services

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ONSISTENT with its com mitment to exceptional customer service, Fidelity Bank Plc has announced the commencement of Saturday banking services in select branch locations across the country.

The initiative, which is in line with the bank’s mission to make financial services easy and accessible, is part of the bank’s renewed effort to provide a new face of service in the industry.

In a statement from the bank, effective September 12, 2015 Saturday banking services commenced between 10.00am to 2.00pm in 15 select Fidelity Bank branches across the country.

The branches include Ketu, Alaba, Computer Village, Gbagada, Egbeda, (Lagos); Ekpoma, Mission Road (Edo State); Aba 3, Umuahia (Abia) and Challenge, Ibadan. Others are Polo Park, (Enugu), Nnewi, Onitsha Main (Anambra); Kano 3 and Owerri Main.

Managing Director/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, said the introduction of Saturday banking services further reaffirms the bank’s commitment towards the creation of new customer experience in service delivery. “We are actively changing the way we do business; becoming more focused on our customers’ needs and exceeding their expectations from us.”

He noted the changing business environment and insisted that the only way to remain relevant to customers is to stay in tune with

the times.

Intermsofvaluepropositiontocustomers, Okonkwo said Saturday banking will allow customers to send and receive money to and from over 200 countries of the world. The bank’s electronic banking platform will undoubtedly bear the weight of this new strategic direction as branch locations offering Saturday banking service will automatically become dedicated centres for money transfer and online remittances.

In view of this, Okonkwo said the bank is leveraging technology to improve customer service experience.

He explained that the bank’s improved electronic banking system has drastically reduced the turnaround-time for online customer set up at all touch points, a clear testament of the bank’s resolve to continually surpass customer expectation.

According to him, customers can conduct bank-to-bank transfers seamlessly via Fidelity mobile platforms.

To support all these innovations, Okonkwo said the bank is in the process of migrating its core banking platform from Finacle version 7 to Finacle version 10. The migration, which is part of the bank’s transformation initiative, will enhance its operational efficiency, strengthen innovation capabilities and support scalable growth. “Finacle version 10 will enable us to implement services such as enhanced SME banking, managementinformation.

HE previous week we men tioned that since Nigeria obtained an International Monetary Fund loan in 1986 with the accompanying structural adjustment programme for the economy, our earnings from crude oil sales and non-oil exports have not been adequate to meet our foreign currency requirements. We asked what we could do to remedy the situation.

We continue to import refined petroleum products with subsidy payments to the importers.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, owns refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna and in recent times, we have not had a decent output relative to the design capacities of these refineries although the Federal Government, FGN, obtained a comprehensive report on available options from a National Refineries Task Force in 2012. There is a private refinery currently under construction in the Lagos area and in addition to this, the FGN should enter into partnership with the major oil multinationals for the purpose of building a new refinery. We have the example of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company which has operated successfully for several years as a partnership between the FGN and the major oil multinationals. I would suggest that this refinery be located in the Port Harcourt/Bonny axis given the infrastructure available in this area.

The petroleum products importation plus subsidies and the indifferent performance of the NNPC refineries constitute a huge drain on our foreign currency earnings. The report of the National Refineries Task Force indicated that refineries in South Africa and Egypt had

The petroleum products importation plus subsidies and the indifferent performance of the NNPC refineries constitute a huge drain on our foreign currency earnings

outputs of more than 80% of their design capacities. What the report did not mention is that when a refinery was built in Alexandra, Egypt in the late 1900s, an operations and maintenance contract covering the first period of five years was given to an international company, Foster Wheeler. It is apparent that the NNPC refineries have not been put on a sustainable operational mode from the start and so we should simply allow them to limp along until the new refinery is completed. I believe we would be able to come up with petroleum products prices that meet all competing socio-economic factors when we have the new refinery in operation.

Pipelines vandalisation Petroleum products distribution and pipelines remain a problem given the vandalisation of the pipelines and the theft of products from the pipelines. The products pipelines from the Lagos Ports area through Arepo, Ogun State to the Mosimi NNPC depot have brought death and destruction through the activities of pipeline vandals. Recent reports indicate that pipeline vandals have attacked and killed two sets of security operatives, first a number of policemen and more recently Department of State Security officials. This column has advocated on 27 March 2013 and 27 May 2015 that the Ogun State Government, OGSG, should acquire the uninhabited area, which is more than 2 square km, adjacent to the products pipelines east of Arepo and the river Owuru. The FGN should consider placing a modular refinery in the acquired area such that crude oil would be fed from the Lagos Ports area to the modular refinery while refined petroleum products would go from the refinery to the Mosimi NNPC depot.

We should not allow the current conflicts east of River Owuru to develop into an intractable problem. The areas strategic to the resolution of the problem lie in both Ogun State and Lagos State. The OGSG and the Lagos State Government, LASG, should acquire uninhabited land along the east bank of the River Owuru from about 2km north of Arepo to the Majidun creeks and the Lagos lagoon.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015—25

DIARY Advanced Information Communication Technology Application Workshop for Secretaries and Personal Assistants ICT009.

Date: September 21 – 25, 2015.

Venue: CMD Zonal Office, Bodija, Ibadan.

Oyo State, Nigeria.

Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2015 Cape Town, South Africa November 8-12, 2015

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C M Y K

‘Socio-economic challenges, pushing Africa’s PC market to new lows’

By Emmanuel Elebeke

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HE African personal computer (PC) market sank to new lows in the second quarter of this year amid a slowdown in GDP growth, the global IT intelligence analyst International Data Corporation (IDC) has revealed.

The report said this development triggered an increase in unemployment rate, and strengthened the dollar against many of the continent’s currencies.

This seems to be the manifestation of IDC’s prediction, March this year, which said the MEA PC market will suffer an overall decline of 3.9% year on year in 2015, with a total of 17.48 million units to be shipped over the 12-month period.

It said that some country markets, including Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia were expected to suffer due to currency fluctuations. “At the same time, the market’s performance will be hindered by uncertainty over the outcome of general elections in both Nigeria and Turkey. And the recent rapid decline in global oil and gas prices will have an impact on almost all parts of the region, although the extent of this will vary from country to country. Nigeria and Ghana are expected to suffer the most, with PC shipments to these countries set to shrink around 40% year on year in 2015.” The prediction added

Figures released by IDC show that the market followed up its first-quarter decline of 11.8 per cent with a 26.7 per cent yearon-year downturn in shipments during the Q2 2015 season, the highest crash the market has ever suffered.

While IDC believes that the PC market will continue on its downward curve into Q3 2015, growth is expected to pick up from the last quarter of the year onward.

Significant decrease According to a research analyst at IDC, Sub-Saharan Africa, Joseph Hlongwane, “Kenya suffered the continent’s biggest fall of the quarter, with shipments to the country down 54.5 per cent year on year, with Ghana and Algeria following with declines of 40.9 per cent and 40.2 per cent, respectively.”

The significant decrease in PC demand seen in Kenya, he said can be attributed to sluggish economic growth brought about by falling exports and a declining

I N S I D E

production sector that is characterized by slow job creation.

The poor performances of the markets in Ghana and Algeria were also traced to a slowdown in economic growth arising from severe energy constraints and

Kenya suffered the continent’s biggest fall of the quarter, with shipments to the country down 54.5 per cent year on year, with Ghana and Algeria following with declines of 40.9 per cent and 40.2 per cent, respectively

Women, planning to pip their men counterparts on the net PAGE 26

unsustainable levels of domestic and external debt.

South Africa remains the biggest PC market on the continent, accounting for 35.5 per cent of total shipments, but the country followed up its 4.2 per cent year-on-year decline in Q1 2015 with a decrease of 12.8 per cent in Q2 2015.

This the report indicated was largely due to continuing cannibalization of the market by smartphones and tablets as well as shrinking consumer disposable incomes due to the rising prices of necessities such as petrol and food.

South Africa’s PC market is expected to continue declining since the current economic challenges are set to remain throughout 2015.

Neighboring Botswana performed better than expected to post the highest year-on-year growth rate across the whole continent. This growth follows the successful democratic elections that took place in the country in October 2014 and was driven primarily by the commercial sector, which accounted for 87.6 per cent of the total market.

Botswana is expected to see ongoing year-on-year growth in the final two quarters of the year.

Fresh breath of hope as NBC unfolds new strategy, direction PAGE 27

26—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Women, planning to pip men counterparts on the net ••as global internet gender gap pitches at meagre 200m

By Funmi Olasupo

T

HE Gender equality war is not only gaining ground physically. The war is even ongoing, online. At the moment,the United Nations, UN Women has entered into a strategic partnership with Intel Corporation on the lntel “She Will Connect” program which seeks to reduce the digital gender gap through a combination of digital literacy training, online peer networks, and gender-relevant content.

The partnership is said to be premised on UN Women’s recognition of the critical role that Intel has played in re-defining business perspectives, practices and strategies, to promote the rights and freedoms of women and girls.

Meanwhile the UN Women, said they will on the other hand, bring expertise as lead actors in

the area of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

As a global organization, UN Women will also leverage its global presence, networks and operations towards the longer term agenda of this proWomen Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS.

Recent survey All these strategies, meant to pip their men counterpart on the net, was following a recent survey which saw that only 200 million men globally, made the difference between the number of men and women on the net.

While the survey found men on the net globally to be 1.5 billion, women were just closely following suit with a total number of 1.3 billion, leaving only 200 million as the difference.

The revelation came from the UN W o m e n Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS Dr. Grace Ongile, at the 5-Day training of women entrepreneurs on access to ICTs and Internet in Abuja recently.

According to Ongile, the number of women Internet users globally has been estimated at 1.3 billion accounting for 37 percent of all women worldwide.

This is in comparison to the number of male Internet users which is estimated at 1.5 billion putting the total global Internet gender gap at 200 million.

She explained that the digital gender gap was found to be more pronounced in the developing world, where an estimated 16 percent fewer women than men, used the Internet “compared to only 2 percent fewer women than men in the developed world”.

She said that “in view of the forgoing, the UN Women has entered into a strategic partnership with Intel Corporation on the lntel “She Will Connect” program which seeks to reduce the digital gender gap through a combination of digital literacy training, online peer networks, and gender-relevant content.

Keep yourselves busy with ICT, FUNAAB’s DVC(D) charges students

By Favour Anthony

B

OARD Chairman, International Centre for Professional Development (ICPD), and Deputy ViceChancellor (Development), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Professor Felix Salako, has charged students to always keep themselves busy and not to be idle. He made this call during the closing ceremony of the ICPD summer school, held recently. He urged participants not to take what they had learnt for granted, but to rather build on it. He further drew examples from countries like the United States of America and India, which used various computer software developed by them, for human advancement.

The co-ordinator of the centre, Mr. Lawrence Kazeem, disclosed that the centre was established in June 4, and that the focus of the ICPD was to train participants and make them

employable. He also revealed that the centre is associated to the Bright Sword Technologies (Pte) Limited, Singapore; The National University of Singapore (NUS); Certified Wireless Network Professional (CWNP); and the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, among other organisations.

Hon. Biodun Adeogun, a board member of the ICPD congratulated the first set of students that participated in the summer school. He described the training exercise as worthwhile, stressing the need for the university to publicise the programme for better awareness in order to increase the number of participants before the commencement of the next edition.

Two successful participants, Tomisin Owoade and Christopher Ofooluwayan, who spoke on behalf of other participants, stated that the training afforded them an opportunity to gain more knowledge in computer technology.

The DVC( d) and board member ICTD Prof Felix Salako with supervisor for Education, Odeda LGA, Hon Jemilat Obasa, presenting certificate to one of the participants, Miss Tomisin Owoade

5 Social media networking techniques for beginners T

By Agbolade Omowole

HE rapid strides that has been made lately due to recent technologies has helped in making the world become more of a global village. You can now reach almost anyone on planet earth that has access to the internet via social networking websites.

As we embrace these technologies, it is important to maximize its potential by placing more emphasis on the networking potential of social media websites.

You don’t have to sweat the small stuff trying to meet people in person because you can meet them online. Join me as we explore how to make friends and prospective clients on the second most visited place on earth - social media.

Define your value proposition: many people want to meet influential people but few have a clear cut definition of the value they will add to the relationship. Business people want to connect with those people who have something to offer.

The offering could be a contact or a contract. It has to be something that will make them improve their profit margin directly or indirectly. It is sensible to seek

to become the kind of person you want to attract.

Respect people’s time: In the business world, time is money. if you are connecting with a business person, respect his/her time. Business people, often times are busy, so save them the time of unnecessary conversations. Always go straight to the point. Reach them only when it is necessary.

Build strategic alliance: you may not achieve much by assuming your end users will find you. Go to where they are and strategically positions. Join groups your target audience belong to and provide some free services to bait them into becoming loyal customers. Connect with your target audience: Choose the right channel: LinkedIn is designed for professional interactions.

Facebook is best for connecting with family, friends and personal contacts.

Twitter is the best channel for broadcasting short messages and building thought leadership.

Blogs are best for sharing long intellectual thought with your audience.

SW SW SW SW: this means some will, some won’t, so what, someone is waiting.

When you are trying to connect with someone who does not know you in person, there’s no guarantee he or she will connect with you.

Don’t bug them. If they don’t add,

accept or follow you, just move on to the next person on your list.

It is not every person you want to to connect with that will be willing to connect with you. So when they reject your offer, don’t take it personal.

EMC makes $1b on XtremIO business

E

MC Corporation has announced the EMC XtremIO all-flash array business has achieved $1 billion in aggregate bookings in just over 18 months since its commercial market debut, making it, quite possibly, the fastest-growing product in EMC’s 36-year history.

As reported in EMC’s second quarter 2015 earnings, XtremIO revenue growth exceeded 300% year over year, and remains the all-flash array market segment leader.

The industry’s first and only allflash array provides consistent and predictable extreme performance to any application workload over any period of time, EMC’s XtremIO

features several unique flash innovations: a scale-out multicontroller architecture with linear scalability; deduplication that is always on, and always inline, and data protection that is six times more efficient and four times faster than traditional RAID (redundant array of independent disks). XtremIO is integrated within the EMC ecosystem to provide additional capabilities, ease-of-use, compatibility, and simply meets the right market need.

XtremIO enables IT application and storage opportunities for the next decade. Its success is proof of how organizations of all sizes are using XtremIO to achieve data center agility in ways never thought possible before.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015—27

2017 Digital Switch Over:

NBC unfolds new strategy, direction

By Emeka Aginam

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HERE appears to be fresh breath of hope for the June 20, 2017 deadline for Nigeria to complete the digital switchover and achieve analogue switch off.

It would be recalled that Nigeria could not meet the June 17, 2015 deadline of transiting to digital terrestrial broadcasting set by the International Telecommunications Union as a result of poor funding.

Meanwhile, the June 20, 2017 deadline for the switchover from analogue to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) heralded the development of ‘all-digital’ terrestrial broadcast services for sound and television for 119 countries belonging to ITU Region-1 (Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia) and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

But with the new direction and thirty billion fund already secured by the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, there are positive signals that Nigeria will meet the high expense elements of the transition.

One thing is clear. With the fresh fund secured by NBC through licensing of MTN Nigeria Ltd to use a part of the 700 MHz to provide digital pay TV broadcasting services, Nigeria is in for good thing for DSO. African countries to benefit Through this singular move, Nigeria has also pointed the way for other African countries struggling with the effort of finding financing for their own digital switchover programmes.

It would be recalled that Nigeria

Digital broadcast studio and 51 other African countries could not meet the ITU deadline. The implication is that analogue signals from Nigerian broadcasting stations will not receive protection in the event of interference with or from digital signals from neighbouring countries.

Only four African countries, including Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique and Rwanda, according to data from ITU completed the switchover to digital terrestrial broadcasting.

NBC new direction Pointing the way forward, the NBC Director General Emeka Mba in a press conference last week in Lagos told newsmen that when it became obvious that government could not spare the money, and in order to avoid missing another deadline, Commission began to consider other options. ‘’Our broadcast frequency, which is to eventually form part of

the digital dividend after the DSO, had portions of it laying fallow while our broadcasters were still using parts of it. We therefore proposed and got proper permission from government to license part of our spectrum laying fallow and to use the proceeds to finance the DSO. “We have successfully licensed MTN Nigeria Ltd to use a part of the 700 MHz to provide digital pay TV broadcasting services. We have thus raised 34 Billion Naira, slightly less than 50% of our budget”, he explained.

NBC’s new DSO critical milestones, planned timelines Set top boxes According to Mba, off-shore mass production and delivery of initial subvented boxes for Jos pilot project is envisaged to be completed by end of October, while the local manufacture of the set top boxes is expected to begin in April 2016.

Double honours for Nigeria at Commonwealth Telecom Organisation ••Occupies Chairmanship and Sec Gen Positions

By Prince Osuagwu

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HE 54-member nations of the C o m m o n w e a l t h Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) rose from its yearly Forum and Council meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, last week to announce Prof.

Umar Garba Danbatta as the new Chairman.

Danbatta is the Acting Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian

Danbatta

Communications Commission (NCC).

Chairmanship of the CTO by its rules is usually country specific and the position is held by that country’s Chief telecoms regulator. Nigeria won the position in 2014 and by this election, the first tenure ended and another began.

Side by side with the election of Danbatta was the resumption of Engr. Shola Taylor as the Secretary General and Chief Executive of

Taylor

CTO. Taylor was named Secretary General on June 16, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. Danbatta who assumed office immediately after the election thanked the member nations for the honour done to Nigeria and promised to provide visionary leadership that will take CTO to the next level.

With the re-election of Nigeria to the Chairmanship and Secretary General positions the country has effectively taken control of the affairs of the close-knit CTO. Danbatta was also full of praises for the immediate past Secretary General Prof. Tim Unwin for his dedication to duty and wished him well in his future endeavors.

Island of Fiji was also yesterday named as the next host of the CTO Forum in 2016.

Taylor ’s appointment and assumption of duty comes a little over two weeks after another Nigerian, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina took over as President of the African Development Bank (ADDB) in Abidjan, Cote D ‘Ivoire.

28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

African Games: Para athletes lead the way as Nigeria unearths more stars in Congo •Women Table tennis team

T

eam Nigeria recorded her best finish in 18 years at the just-concluded African Games in Congo as the country finished second just behind Egypt with a total medal haul of 144 out of which 47 were gold.

The last time Nigeria had it as good or better was when it actually hosted the Games in Abuja in 2003, finishing tops on the final medals table back then.

The placement on the final medals table at the 2015 African Games was surprising for many as expectations in various quarters were quite modest on the eve of commencement of action in Brazzaville.

While sports like football, which continually gulps the bulk of allocations, failed to meet expectations, the para athletes that donned Nigeria’s colours in Congo put up awesome performance; providing a dozen gold medals for Nigeria-the most by any of the sports entered for by the country.

Aside wining gold, the country’s Para Lifting contingent went further: setting as much as five world records, a feat that was not recorded in any other 21 events on parade at the 2015 Games.

The list of record setters has Bose Omolayo, Loveline Obiji and Precious Orji who simply held spectators spell-bound with their brave performances on the final day of competition.

Omolayo, competing in the Women’s up to 79kg, made a lift 137.5kg while Obiji in the Women’s up to 86kg lifted 149kg.

On her part, Orji in the Women’s Over 86kg lifted 164kg to complete a hat trick of records and gold medals.

Nigeria’s Yakubu Adesokan had set the tone with his record making performance in the Men’s up to 49kg category as he lifted a massive 182.5kg to win the first gold medal for Team Nigeria in the Para Lifting event.

A day later, another Nigerian power lifter, Esther Oyema followed suit with a new world record in the Women’s up to 55kg category. Oyema lifted 133kg to win.

Nigeria failed to do as expected in the football event.

Sadly, the country only got a C M Y K

•Special Athletes

•Cycling Team bronze medal in the men’s category while there was no shade of medal for the women.

The Coach of the Nigeria U23 team, Samson Siasia, said happenings in Congo were a pointer that more work still needed to be done especially as the Dream Team VI seek qualification for the Rio Olympics from the Africa U-23 championships billed for Senegal.

“I am totally disappointed; we can’t play like this in Senegal and expect to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, Siasia said while hinting on possible wholesale changes in his squad going forward.

The performance of the Falcons was even more disappointing as

It’s a thing of joy to finish second after 18 years but we have the wherewithal to be number one in Africa

many submit that something drastic is needed to revive the women’s game who were condemned to fourth place in the women’s football event.

As has always been the case in multi events like this, Athletics is always at the front burner for Nigeria and there was no difference in Congo.

Ending up with 10 gold medals, which put Nigeria top in Track and Field medal standings, was surprising for many as there was so much controversies on the eve of the games in Congo.

After a poor show in Beijing at the world championships, Team Nigeria was hit with series of withdrawals by top stars who claimed the AFN was treating them and handling issues unprofessionally.

The biggest threat came from Blessing Okagbare, accused of feigning injury and was reportedly banned from competing at the Olympics for choosing to skip the All Africa Games.

Okagbare, after several back and forth, made a surprise show in Congo where she helped powered the 4x100m relay team to gold.

However the deed had been done as Nigeria could not record a podium finish in the 100m women’s event for the first time in 50 years.

But rather than focus on the misses, Technical Director of the AFN Navy Capt, Nesiama Omatseye said the Federation

remained proud of what was achieved in Congo where the country finished tops in the medals table for athletics.

“I think it is better we look at the positive sides and the marked improvements by our homebased and junior athletes just moving up the ranks,” the AFN technical director told PREMIUM TIMES. “See what Amusan did in the 100m hurdles for women, she is one of our junior athletes we are just grooming; also Kelechi Nwanaga is an home-based athlete we all camped at our High Performance Center in Port Harcourt and they showed tremendous potentials going forward. We have laid a good foundation in Congo which we will build on going into the Olympics,” he added.

In his own submission, Alhassan Yakmut, directorgeneral of the National Sports Commission, believes Nigeria should have her eyes on ruling sports in Africa hence should not be carried away with the second place finish. Amongst other things, Mr, Yakmut highlighted the need for Nigeria to start taking full advantage of sports like swimming and fencing which accounts for a large chunk of medals.

The NSC boss promised that all hands would be on deck to make sure Nigeria no longer play second fiddle in the continental fiesta.

“I’m overwhelmed. that we finished strongly to place second

•Adekuroye

•Athletes

behind Egypt. It is worth celebrating but we deserve to be number one in Africa” “It’s a thing of joy to finish second after 18 years but we have the wherewithal to be number one in Africa. We’re not going to celebrate this feat and forget where we should be,” Yakmut stated.

Going forward, Yakmut, who was appointed DG less than three months to the African Games, said the NSC would consciously make efforts at building on the perceived area of strengths while also setting the machinery to work on the weak areas.

Team Nigeria displaced South Africa in the second position with its last surge to finish with 47(Gold), 55(Silver) and 42(Bronze) medals behind Egypt’s 85(Gold), 64(Silver) and 68(Bronze).

Although President Muhammadu Buhari has already congratulated Team Nigeria for the feat, it remains to be seen how the Nigerian government will honour the athletes in the days ahead.

African Games final medals table Top 10 Countries

Rank Nation Gold 1 Egypt (EGY) 85 2 Nigeria (NGR) 47 3 South Africa (RSA) 41 4 Algeria (ALG) 40 5 Tunisia (TUN) 22 6 Mauritius (MRI) 5 7 Congo (CGO) 5 8 Cameroon (CMR) 4 9 Kenya (KEN) 3 10 Senegal (SEN) 7

Silver 64 55 41 43 21 3 2 2 5 10

Bronze Total 68 217 42 144 40 122 42 125 33 76 4 12 12 19 10 16 4 12 20 37

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 — 29

Ezekiel leads Sharpshooters wanted by

Onyali seeks chance to showcase his talents in Flying Eagles, Dream Team

T

hough, it was a tough state for midfielder Ifeanyi Onyali in the Nigeria Premier Football League, yet he has remained the most consistent performer in Abia warriors FC since their climb to the elite scene both in terms of a playmaker known for providing needed assists to the pointmen up front and scoring important goals. Many see him as a reliable for Abia Warriors, due to his breathtaking performance undaunted as one eager and willing to excel. A player that was snapped up from Bussdors F.C, although picked from Fujke Soccer Academy Aba . Playing in the elite league, his career has bloomed, hence he is now one

Siasia

A

to reckon with.

He was instrumental in giving Abia warriors a slim 2-1 victory over title contender’s Warri Wolves in a recent tie.

Besides, Onyali has to his credit 8 league goals wonderful goals in 25 league appearance s from last season so far. This current season Onyali has netted 5 goals 24 matches which performance officials say cannot be overlooked coming from a mid-fielder.

That’s why the player believes he could be an asset if given an opportunity to star for any of the national under20 and under-23 teams.”I am calling on our national team selectors to look my direction because I do sincerely want to make my contribution to the country.”

Inyama challenges Football associations he Chairman, Abia FAs no longer pay seniors T Warriors Football Club of attention to it.

Umuahia, Chief Emeka He noted that going back to Inyama, has challenged various state football associations to organize strong and virile league for local clubsides in their states to act as a foundation for the discovery of burden stars who could be nurtured for national teams.

Chief Inyama, who threw the challenge in Umuahia when members of the Abia State Football Association called on him, lamented that local State league competitions which created waves in the past, was fast becoming extinct as most state

the grassroots will enable the country discover more hidden talents and promised that Abia Warriors Youth Team will participate actively in the State league which the Abia FA is planning to organize.

The Abia Warriors Chairman, who is also the chairman of the Nigeria National League Board, commended the cordial relationship currently existing between the Abia FA and clubsides in the State, pointing out that the situation is so because the members are united.

Ronaldo vs Messi:

nderlecht striker Imoh Ezekiel is top of a list of Europe-based strikers Nigeria Olympic team coach Samson Siasia will consider for the African U23 Cup of Nations in Senegal.

Siasia has said scoring goals has been the bane of his Dream Team VI and now plans to hit Europe to talk up strikers within the age bracket who could score goals for Nigeria to qualify for next year’s Olympics in Rio, Brazil.

“Scoring goals has been the problem of my team and that is why I plan to be in Europe to discuss with the clubs and players who I believe can help me solve this problem,” Siasia said on arrival from the All Africa Games in Congo Brazzavile, where his team win a bronze medal.

The 21-year-old Ezekiel, for one, has a full international cap for Nigeria and has proved his worth as a top marksman in Europe with Belgian club Standard Liege before his recent move to Anderlecht.

Ferguson’s verdict on who’s the world’s best

F

ormer Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says that Lionel Messi andCristiano Ronaldo are unquestionably the world’s two best footballers - but in the race to be No.1, declared “Ronaldo’s my

boy”.Between them the pair have won the Ballon d’Or in each of the last seven years, with Argentine star Messi favourite to claim a fifth crown this year following Barcelona’s treble success earlier this year.

Capital One Cup :

Arsenal’s Coquelin to miss clash with Tottenham

A

rsenal will be without Francis Coquelin for tonight’s Capital One Cup tie at Tottenham because of a knee injury. The midfielder was taken off at half-time of his side’s 2-0 loss at Chelsea last weekend.

His manager Arsène Wenger told Arsenal’s official website: “His knee is swollen and he is being assessed but we hope it is just a short-term problem.”

The centre-back Per Mertesacker is available again following illness, but the Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista and midfielder Santi Cazorla are suspended after they were sent off in the Barclays Premier League match at Chelsea on Saturday.

Wenger is expected to rotate his squad, with youngsters Alex Iwobi and Glen Kamara likely to be included. He said: “It will be quite an experienced squad with one or two younger players.”

In the last 12 months Messi has become Los Cules all-time record goalscorer, while claiming his 25th title with the Catalan giants.

Ronaldo, who spent five years under Ferguson’s tutelage at Old Trafford before joining Real Madrid in 2009, is just three away from breaking Raul’s goalscoring record at the Santiago Bernabeu - as well as being only one away from 500 career goals. And when questioned about the pair, Ferguson chose to regale as to precisely what stands them so far above

their peers.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Ferguson said: “Well, it’s an opinion obviously, there’ll be a 100 managers in the world saying ‘ well my player, and my player, and my player ’, whatever this exaggeration about a world class player is.

“The reason I say about Messi and Ronaldo: the consistency first of all. Their balance, their excellence on the ball, their courage, they’re never ever dented by a tackle - they get up, ‘give me the ball’.

•Ezekiel

Golf: OAK Pension lifts Corporate Ch he Oak Pension T allenge Cup emerged winne team has other 16 team rs of the s assembled for 20 15 C or po Prop hono

ertie ra te urs at Ikeja Gol f Club by Rash s; a team represented Cup concluded C ha lle ng e before se at eed Adebis al Ik in ej g a th G olf w ei C lu b ov er th e it h an un as sa r victory Aigbotsua, Bidemi i, Austin w ee ke nd in il Ojo and ab le Lagos.The team co 98 Bi od un O points on the seco ye w og a. Th ey nd da Christopher Obije mprising of y. totaled 188 stable Vic to r , Yomi Egbe, A la ba Competition SecrE no se gb e, to pick the runner ford points A de tu nj i an up prize at etary of the th d Club Abdulmajeed Ab e event. , said that the even t lived the tone for thei eruagba set to its billi IC M A lead from the firstr nine points corporat ng with the array of Jimoh O Services, featuring, du e ro te un am d of s th th at e vi ed 36 -h ol e pl ay for Olaitan, Ra ndare, Muyideen th e C on up Fr id an ay co September 18, 20 th e Kehinde Af saki Muritala and mpetitiveness at d 15. th e ev According to the ent points overolayan carded 185 has been on the ris C 36 holes to place ap ta in e of ev the club, “it is a hi ent teed-off in 20 since the third at the event. gh ly so ug ht 11 . af te r ev en t an The be “I th in surprised with thd I am no t teams ar k m or e an d m or e from cartist three teams apart e ng home e se w eing ay most pl ay er s to ok on showcasing their the value of event have the uniqgifts at the th e co ur te ue se ev from the first day” ent and more esam at this of branding three honour different pecially, strate Th e O ak Pe ns th e be gic ne garnered 99 stab io n Te am a golf cl fit of partnering with twelve m holes for the next ub like ours onths as on day-one at th leford points With nine shots ad” he said. perpetuate the team a way to e expense of champions are Pr rift of the show at the 2015 s’ brilliant ime Metro Cha Corporate llenge Cup.

C M Y K

30 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Nigerian S k Ex change and the Sttoc ock Exc ques or global e xposure questt ffor exposure ONE of the main focus esof the management of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) led by Oscar Onyema has been to re-package companies quoted on the NSE and make them globally acceptable. To achieve the aim, the Exchange had over the period set certain standards which quoted companies are required to adhere to. The quest peaked two weeks ago with the launch of a prestigious listing platform, the Premium Board, writes NKIRUKA NNOROM

T

HE Nigerian Stock Ex change's (NSE) avowed objective of making quoted companies on the stock market globally relevant received a boost penultimate week with the launch of a new listing platform, Premium Board.

The landmark event is in consonance with the transformation journey embarked upon by the Exchange since 2011 in order to position it to carry out its business in accordance with established global best practices.

The philosophy behind the creation of the new board is to provide a platform for local entities that meet the required standard to be exposed to accessing cheap capital from the global market.

Prior to the launch of the Premium Board, the NSE had two listing platforms - the Alternative Securities Market (ASeM), and the Main Board.

Already, three companies met the stringent requirement of the NSE to qualify for pioneer listing on the Board.

They are Dangote Cement Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, and FBN Holdings Plc, with market capitalisation of N2.87 trillion, N587.43 billion and N277.70 billion respectively. According to the NSE, they all passed the Corporate Governance Rating System (CGRS) before applying for the Premium Board.

Premium board The CGRS comes in three stages and directors of prospecting companies are expected to pass the NSE test for the entity to qualify.

Qualification:According to the rules guiding the operations of the new board, an issuer aspiring to be listed on the Premium Board will have to seek admittance by making a written request to the Exchange as well as execute the General Undertaking for listing on the board.

Such entity must have been listed on the Main Board of the Exchange. However, new entrances wishing to list on the Board may be admitted provided they meet the stipulated standards. This includes submitting itself for C M Y K

•Aigboje Aig-Imoukhueme, President, NSE evaluation under the Exchange’s CGRS test and scoring a minimum rating of 70 per cent. In addition, the entity must have achieved a market capitalisation that is equal to or in excess of N200 billion at the point of applying for listing. The test is a threefold practical assessment process which involves each director of the company carrying out a self-evaluation.

The result of the self-evaluation is then presented to the company ’s stakeholders, while the NSE carries out independent survey of the selfevaluation to collaborate it with the stakeholders’ assessment. The next stage is to get experts, who then take the inputs from that survey, go ahead to analyse them with a view to making sense out of them.

The last stage is the fiduciary awareness test. Here each director of the company is required to do a test. The results of all assessments are then put together and appropriate weighting done to score their performance.

Furthermore, the issuer is also required to have a minimum free float of 20 per cent of its issued capital; this implies that not less than 20 per cent of the entity’s outstanding shares must be available for trading in the secondary market.

Issuer will also be admitted where the value of the free float is equal to or above N40 billion (US$500 million) at the point the issuer is seeking admission into the board. Remaining on the Premium Board once listed, an issuer is expected to keep to the

•Oscar Onyema, CEO, Nigeria Stock Exchange

highest standard of corporate governance as well as keeping the post listing requirements of the NSE. Corporate Governance Requirement: Given that one of the reasons for establishing the Premium Board is to ensure that issuers operate by stringent corporate governance standards, the NSE says entities opportuned to be listed on the board must comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Code of Corporate Governance. The issuer is further required to disclose in its annual report a list of its codes of corporate governance to which it subjects itself.

Again, in accordance with global operating standards, the annual report of the issuer should include a statement signed by the Chairperson of its Board of Directors and the company secretary, disclosing

the extent of its compliance with the provision of the code of corporate governance.

Where it fails to comply, a detailed statement of the facts of its non-compliance and explanation thereof must be included in the annual report.

Sanctions: Bearing in mind the fact that people and institutions will always err, the Exchange has put in place some stringent sanctions for breaching any of the listing rules. According to the NSE, such sanctions include fines, suspension from trading, delisting from the Exchange or transfer to another board or public reprimand.

Comments: Speaking at the launch of the Premium Board, the CEO, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, said, “The Premium Board is one result of our commitment to place corporate governance front and centre as a way to improve the climate for doing business in Africa.

Levels of visibility

Companies on the Board will enjoy the highest levels of visibility and appeal to investors looking for large companies with the highest standards of corporate governance

We expect that companies on the Board will enjoy the highest levels of visibility and appeal to investors looking for large companies with the highest standards of corporate governance.”

Expatiating on the Premium Board Index (PBI) which was launched simultaneously to act as a performance assessment to the listed entities on the Board, Onyema said, the PBI would serve as a benchmark for investors looking to track the performance of large firms with excellent corporate governance and sustainable

business models.

Also speaking , Executive Director, Business Development, NSE, Mr. Haruna JaloWaziri, stated that “the launch of Premium Board and the Premium Board Index is in line with the NSE’s commitment to promoting and continuously developing a more transparent, liquid, accessible market."

Recipients' Comments: The CEO, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Peter Amangbo, one of the companies that made it through to the elite board said, “To us in Zenith Bank, it is history being made, and we are very happy and pleased to be part of this. It takes a lot for any company to be listed on the Premium Board in terms of disclosure, in terms of corporate governance. It takes a very rigorous process for any organisation to scale through.

Speaking on his expectations, he said, “I will say it is even more of a responsibility. As an organisation, you are like the first among equals, you are like a flag bearer to other listed organisations, so you are expected to do everything correctly, you are expected to set standards. ” On his part, the CEO, FBN Holdings Plc, Bello Maccido, noted that to get to this stage, “You are expected to meet the highest standard of corporate governance. You can see from our records that we have maintained our reputation as an institution”.

Inflow of investment He added that his group expects more inflow of investment into FBN Holdings as well as a positive impact on the share price of the bank on the floor of the NSE. With the launch of the NSE Premium Board, the Exchange has joined the league of foremost exchanges like the London Stock Exchange (LSE). A Premium Listing on the LSE is only available to equity shares issued by trading companies and closed open-ended investment entities. According to the LSE, a listing on its Premium Board means the company is expected to meet the UK’s highest standards of regulations and corporate governance and as a consequence, may enjoy a lower cost of capital through greater transparency and through building investors’ confidence.

Last word: Whether this expectation from the NSE and the pioneer listed entities will come true remain a discussion for the future. What is certain, however, is that the NSE has initiated another bold move which if given the right push can build globally competitive brands that will attract global investors into the country.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015—31 —31

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32—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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VANGU ARD, WEDNESD A Y, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 —33 ANGUARD, WEDNESDA

Afraid of being dumped Dear Bunmi, HAVE been dating my girlfriend since this new semester started and I think she’s terrific. To me, she’s the best-looking girl on the campus. The problem is, I’m not the only one who thinks so, most of the boys fancy her.

I worship her and want her all to myself, but there are so many guys out there who are better than me. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before she dumps me for one of them. How can I hold on to her?

Julius, by e-mail.

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I want to hurt my fiance, girl-friend, for cheating on me Dear Bunmi, FEW months after my boyfriend proposed to me, there were rumours of him being sighted with my close friend at that time. He tried lying about it, but my so-called friend admitted they were an item and she was pregnant.

A few days later, my fiance called to tell me the engagement was off. I was devastated. I later discovered that he’d been seeing this ‘friend’ for months. I feel humiliated and betrayed, and anger is the only thing that has kept me going.

All I can think of is wreaking revenge on my ex-fiance and my so-called friend. As things are now, I am embarrassed to see anyone and rarely go out.

I’ve written a nasty letter to both of them to let them know how much pain they’ve put me

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through, but all I really want is for them to feel my pain and for everyone to know they

Getting revenge could fuel your anger and frustration more.

It could also make you look like a mad woman whose partner was right to dump her

can’t be trusted. My parents and friends encourage me to get on with my life, but wouldn’t revenge release me to do that?

Angela, by e-mail.

Dear Angela, How much revenge is enough? Getting revenge could fuel your anger and frustration more. It could also make you look like a mad woman whose partner was right to dump her.

The sweetest revenge would be to hang on to your dignity, dust yourself off, get out there and find a new partner who could even be better than your ex!

It is then you could gloat and truly say good riddance.

In the meantime, you need to heal before you move on and I’ll advise you talk to a relationship counsellor. Good luck.

My brother duped me!

Dear Bunmi, BOUT A year ago, my younger brother told me he’djust been diagnosed with some kidney infection and would need a lot of expensive treatment if he were to be cured. The alternative was for him to have a transplant which would be lots more expensive.

He asked for a loan for N200,000 and promised to pay me as soon as he got his car allowance which was being processed by his office.

Months after he was due to pay me, he kept on telling me one sob story after the other.

In the end I had to appeal to his wife - I needed my money desperately. His wife was gobsmacked. According to her, that was the first she would hear about any kidney problem, and as for the car loan, he already got that before he even approached me for his bogus treatment.

When I confronted him, he said he needed the money to pay off an outstanding loan he got from his office, or he would lose his job. It seems he kept on hopping from one lie to the other, but I never knew he would descend as low as inventing a serious disease. I don’t know if I’ll ever get my money back, and I feel let down.

Augustus, by e-mail.

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Dear Augustus, In spite of the adage you

should “neither a lender nor borrower be,” many of us keep falling for the trap of people intent on a good con. Simply put, you’d been had conned by your own flesh and blood.

Of course, it hurts and you have a difficult decision to make - either you write off the

money and never trust your brother again or try to get it back by whichever means you could. Being conned by a stranger is bad enough, but by your own flesh and blood is far worse. Whatever happens, you need to move on with your life.

He won't forget about the past Dear Bunmi, BROKE up with my boyfriend of two years, nine months ago, and was fortunate to be in another relationship immediately after. My ex was the one who said we should cool things a bit and he had a girlfriend too. Unfortunately, our new romance didn’t work out and he begged that we should give our relationship another chance and I agreed because I never stopped loving him.

As soon as we got together, however, he wanted to know all the details about my sexual life with the other guy, and now when I tell him anything, he wants my answer to be detailed. For instance, he doesn’t believe we never had oral sex like I often have with him. Why are all these unnecessary details important to him?

Yejide, by e-mail.

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Dear Yejide, I don’t think your man really wants to know whether you had oral sex or not with your ex - in fact, he doesn’t want to know the details at all.

What I suspect is that he needs to know you’re not hiding anything from him. He needs to feel you’re being honest right now about every single detail, so your second chance can be free of doubt.

Rather than letting him go on and on asking questions, arrange one single session where you answer everything he wants to know - with the understanding you wouldn’t entertain future questions. If he then asks more questions, just keep telling him you love him and had that relationship when there was no possibility of the two of you getting back together again.

Dear Julius, F YOU tell yourself the worst will happen, it probably will. In other words,

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if you feel you’re not good enough for your girlfriend and keep acting as if other guys have more right to her than you do, she’ll start to believe you. Either she’ll think you don’t want her, or she’ll get the message that your self-confidence is low, and that’s not very attractive.

Have more faith in yourself.

Your girlfriend chose you, not the other boys. She’s stayed with you for months now despite temptations, so you have every reason to think you’re the one she wants.

Stop worrying about whether you’ll lose her and concentrate on being good to her. That’s the way to keep her faithful and loyal.

Can friends be lovers?

DearBunmi, HAVE this male colleague at work and we are very friendly, we see and chat with each other everyday. We’re both single and so far, the relationship has been purely platonic except for once or twice that we had kissed when slightly tipsy. Lately, I’ve been having sexual fantasies about him. I’m not sure he feels the same way and I’m worried an affair might ruin our relationship. How do I make the first move without making a fool of myself?

Doyin, by e-mail.

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Dear Doyin, Friendship is believed to be the best possible soil in which love can take root, grow and flourish. By contrast, an affair, which begins like a bolt from the blues, is often in danger of burning out fairly quickly when passion dies, and the couple suddenly realize that they have very little to offer each other beyond sex.

It is a good thing you bonded well with your male friend and he probably depends as much on your support as you do on his.

Someone who knows you at work knows the real you; the way you look when you’re tired and the way you react when you are under pressure.

And you know him just as well. You are, therefore, lucky to have found someone who is such a soul-mate and whom you also find attractive.

When it comes to love, women often call the shots through body language and subtle come-on.

As many men are terrified of rejection, you must be one to make a move. If you don’t, you’ll always regret it wondering what might have been wrong. And if you keep him at arm’s length he may one day turn up with a girlfriend.

I’m sure you’ll find this devastating judging by how you now feel about him.

So when next you go out together in the evening, stay alert for any signals that his interest in you is not real platonic - and make sure booze is not high on the menu! Try flirting a little to see if he’s willing to follow your lead. At the end of the evening, you may invite him for a proper drink. If he doesn’t respond, as you would like, you won’t have harmed your friendship.

When it comes to love, women often call the shots through body language and subtle come-on. As many men are terrified of rejection, you must be one to make a move. So when next you go out together in the evening, stay alert... and make sure booze is not high on the menu!

Try flirting a little to see if he’s willing to follow your lead.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

34— Vanguard,

WEDNESDAY 5 WEDNESDAY,, SEPTEMBER 23, 201 2015

By Charles Kumolu

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FTER a rather difficult pregnancy, the arrival of triplets on October 27, 2014 was supposed to be a source of joy to Mr and Mrs Ifeanyi Amadu. But that was not the case as it heralded another phase of despair for the couple.

Recalling the hellish circumstances surrounding the birth only puts Mrs. Amadu in throes of agony. This is because the pregnancy was unlike the five she had passed through earlier.

The reason for this is not far to seek: The inability of the Amadus to pay their medical bill leading to the detention of mother and child.

At the Ajeromi General Hospital in Ajegunle where the delivery took place, the couple were billed N150,000.00 representing the total cost of the expenses incurred in the course of the delivery.

For Mrs. Amadu and her husband who already had five children before the arrival of the triplets, offsetting the bill was something they could not afford.

As a result of that, the hospital management detained the Anambra State- born private school teacher pending the payment.

Public appeal Without hope of raising the money, the family resorted to public appeal to enable the new mother and her babies go home since they had spent a long time at the hospital.

Free maternal/child health care policy: Their story triggered a public debate online when it broke, with many expressing surprise at the hospital’s decision to detain them even when the Lagos State government has a free maternal/child health care policy.

One of such policies, VanguardFeatures,VF, learnt, is the Integrated Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, IMNCH, Strategy-a high profile initiative to fast-track the attainments of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, five and four in Nigeria.

Recently, Vanguard reported the story of two women who were also detained at Amuwo-Odofin Mother and Child Centre as result of their inability to pay their medical bills.

The two, Mrs. Chioma Shedrack and Bunmi Monday, who were just a few out of those with a similar case, had given birth at the facility after they were admitted with complicated pregnancies.

They both received proper medical attention at the high profile hospital that was built by the administration of former Governor Raji Fashola. But that C M Y K

Medical personnel on duty

Free health care: It’s the more you look, the less you see did not end their sorrow, as the inability to offset their hospital bills resulted in them being asked to stay back.

As at the time VF got wind of their case, the new mothers were almost spending two months at the hospital with their babies.

The affected mothers said the hospital management refused to allow them to go home with their babies because they were only able to pay a part of the bill.

One of them, Chioma Shedrack said: ‘’I gave birth to my daughter on July 20, 2015.

This was not the hospital I registered for my antenatal but my pregnancy became bridged which made me to be referred here. I delivered through a cesarean section. Five days after delivery which was the time I was supposed to have been discharged, I was asked to vacate my bed and remain at the hospital until I offset my bill. ‘’Nearly two months after that, my husband who is a bus driver in FESTAC Town has not been able to get the money. My bill is N115, 190. We have paid N30,000.00 while the balance is N85,000.00. I am appealing for help, I sell soft drinks in FESTAC Town.”

Rejection and detention of patients: Similarly, Bunmi Monday, who informed that her husband is jobless, said: ‘’I also need assistance. My husband is jobless. Mine was not through cesarean section, but my placenta did not come out which led to my being brought here.

My baby and I were well treated here. I have been here since July 23, 2015. My bill is N81,000.00. We have paid 20,000.00. What is left is N61,000.00.”

On the day that Vanguard published their story, the women and their babies were asked to

Some states are believed to have free health care for women and children, but such policies only exist on paper, as cases of rejection and detention of patients over medical bills, have become a regular

go home in the evening, following the payment of their bills by philanthropists.

In fact, the husband of one of the women said it was a group of Catholic Church members, who paid the medical bill.

The Social Welfare Department, SWD, of some government hospitals was found to be responsible for indigent cases.

But in most cases the SWD is often financially constrained to assist given that they rely on well-meaning individuals and charity organisations for funding.

Free health care system Indeed, some states are believed to have free health care for women and children, but such policies only exist on paper as cases of rejection and detention of patients over medical bills have become regular.

Nudged by these and other cases across Nigeria, many are worried that government hospitals in states that claim to have free maternal and child health care engage in such act.

Findings by VF show that while some states claim to operate free

medical services for different segment of the society, the services are not actually free.

Free treated mosquito nets: In actual sense, it was found that what is obtainable in government hospitals is subsidised health care. This is also the case at the Primary Healthcare Centres, PHCs, which are located at local government secretariats.

At the PHCs, VF discovered that rather than being free as claimed, drugs are sold to nursing mothers, while they are given free treated mosquito nets.

Immunisation for children is also found to be free. But apart from the aforementioned, every other medical service rendered at the PHCs are paid for.

Speaking on that, a nursing mother who attends one of the PHCs in Lagos West Senatorial District, Mrs. Ganiyat Abdulrahman, told VF thus: ‘’We go to PHCs because their services are cheap. But it is not free. At the PHC, doctors who are youth corps members are the people who often attend to us. They will prescribe drugs when they don’t have it. But it is not free. They give us mosquito nets for free.

But that is only if you bring your child to be immunised.”

While investigating the case of the two new mothers who were hitherto detained, VF also learnt that free health policy is not really free in practical terms.

A hospital source who spoke to VF, said: ‘’The notion that health Continues on page 35

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY 5 —35 WEDNESDAY,, SEPTEMBER 23, 201 2015

Free health care: It’s the more you look, the less you see Continues from page 34

care is free should be discounted by the public.

The best health care services are offered here, but what we give are subsidised services. Our fee is affordable. That is why you find so many people here.

Go and make your findings and tell me any government facility where people don’t pay anything no matter how small. ‘’What the public don’t seem to know is that some free healthcare policies may not cover terminal diseases like complicated surgeries, child birth, kidney and cancer, among others; but the health care is affordable.”

Subsidised and free health care: But the Director of Anslem Trust, a Health Maintenance Organisation, HMO, Dr. Anslem Benyeogor, berated state governments in the country over what he described as misconception between subsidised health care and free health care in Nigeria.

First, he indicted some state governments for not succinctly explaining the manner of health services they offer to the people, accusing them of creating the impression that they were given free health care to women and children.

Explaining that, Benyengor said: ‘’In the euphoria of electioneering campaign, you find these people promising free health care when they know they can hardly do that.

Health is not something to be trivialised for political gains. Often, the states talk about free community based primary health care and reduction of morbidity and mortality rate.

But where is that happening in Nigeria?

Apart from some states in the North where women and children hardly pay, there is no place in this country where you will not pay a kobo for health services rendered.”

The intention behind free health care policies, he said, is good and there are enormous benefits if implemented faithfully. ‘’When the most vulnerable section of the society which is the section where women and children belong to, are sure of affordable healthcare, the future of the society is secured. That can only be achieved through the

provision of comprehensive secondary healthcare delivery system,” he added.

Indeed, the efforts of government at all levels to provide free services and other schemes like free medical mission, are laudable and innovative, but Benyeogor pointed out that they continue to be flawed and negate the very reasons for their establishment.

Campaign gimmick for political gains: Giving credence to that, Dr. K.T Ijadunola in “Free Health Services in Nigeria: How Beneficial to the Poor?” said policy declarations have been reduced to mere electioneering campaign gimmicks for the purpose of political gains rather than a genuine concern and passion for the vulnerable.

Free health policies by some state governments in Nigeria, he said, ‘’ lack vision, strategic planning and proper implementation,” adding that ‘’the greatest floor of the free health policy declarations by authorities of states and local government areas across the country is the gross mismatch between policy declarations and political will and commitment to such statements by the authorities in terms of budgetary provisions.

Budgetary provisions ‘’Due to lack of will, they are poorly funded. It is common place these days to hear governors and local government chairmen refer to their administrations as doing all they can to meet the health related Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, when actually at the current pace of their services, the MDG targets cannot be met in 2050.

Minimum service package: ‘’The products of the free health programmes of most states and local government areas are of such poor quality that cannot meet the minimum service package required to combat the prevailing disease burden, even at the first level of contact with the health system.

Health: It is not surprising that some general hospitals managed by some state governments across the country are unable to effectively deliver even primary health care services on a 24-hour basis,

let alone serve as referral centers to lower level facilities,” he said.

Ijadunola further observed thus: ‘’Since 1999 when the Fourth Republic came into existence, several of the 36 states under different ruling parties have at different times declared a free health policy. This has covered a widely varying list of items and also targeted different segments of the population.

“While some states have declared a free health policy across the board covering every segment of the population, others like Niger, Kano, Kaduna have distinguished pregnant women and under-five year old children as the only beneficiaries. ‘’ While some states are only able to make consultations and drugs free, and investigations and surgeries paid for, others attempt to pick up the entire bill. Several of the states like Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, Kaduna, among others, have in recent time embarked on free surgery campaigns in an attempt to provide equitable access to surgical procedures for the poor, often in collaboration with private foundations and Non-Governmental Organisations. Some development partners (such as the DFID) have also assisted some states like Ekiti, Enugu, Jigawa, Kano to put in place other propoor schemes such a deferral and exemptions in the delivery of services.

These should give citizens who are genuinely poor access to health services in public hospitals and health centres, after they have been screened and found to truly lack resources.”

Segmented model: Ijadunola, therefore declared thus: ‘’It is obvious from the foregoing that operating a free health policy is very expensive, needs a lot of planning and might be out of the reach of the government in several developing countries where there are several other competing demands for budgetary provisions including infrastructure and utilities.”

In spite of this verdict, a former Health Commissioner in Sokoto State, Dr. Dahiru Achida, told VF that free health care policy can be made more meaning to the populace if it is segmented by the concerned state governments.

36—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Controlling epilepsy with right therapy Stories by Chioma Obinna

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PILEPSY in Nigeria is one of the neglected disorders and the misconception about the disorder has not helped sufferers. Even when the attack occurs only a few people know what to do and how the disease can be managed and treated.

Experts say proper diagnosis and right drugs as well as treatment will improve quality of life of patients. Epilepsy, also known as seizure disorder, is a general term that refers to a tendency to have recurrent seizures. A seizure is a temporary disturbance in brain function in which groups of nerve cells in the brain signal abnormally and excessively.

According to a Senior Consultant Neurologist, Institute of Neurosciences, Apollo Hospital, Delhi, India, Prof. Pushpendra Renjen, cases of epilepsy are growing in Nigeria due to absence of proper diagnosis and the belief that the disorder is more of a spiritual attack than a medical disorder.

“If you pick up the right treatment epilepsy is controlled in 70 to 75 percent (3 in 4) of uncontrolled epileptic patients,” he said. Many epileptic patients in Nigeria today do not get treatment due to the myths and misconceptions surrounding the disorder.

Deep Brain Stimulation

Renjen said although there is no permanent cure for epilepsy, but with the right diagnosis and right drugs patients symptoms will improve their quality of life. Unfortunately, these drugs are not available in Nigeria and many people do not know where to get help for epilepsy.

Epilepsy affects the brain and causes problems with the wiring. It is not

EPILEPSY: The five steps to take when someone is having a fit .

contagious; the saliva and the foaming from the mouth cannot transmit epilepsy. He said people with uncontrolled epilepsy can be treated with surgery.

“For instance, a Deep Brain Stimulation, DBS, can be used to treat patients. DBS is a surgery technique which involves implanting electrodes inside the deep nuclei of the brain called subthalamus under local anesthesia. With the progress of the disease the parameters of stimulation are changed over a period of time so that patients can remain symptom free for a long period.

Renjen who said Apollo hospital has carried out 100DBS said 20 out of the patients were from Nigeria.

“Rechargeable pacemakers are now available that can be recharged at home. The life of these pace makers are 15-20 years. It cannot be cured but controlled in 75 percent of patients.

If your diagnosis is right and the drug is right, 75 percent will go into long term remission and they will not have attack for the rest of their lives.

Back pain: Most common complaint in Igbobi—Experts

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RTHOPAEDIC experts have decried the growing incidences of back pain among Nigerians saying, over 70 percent of cases seen at orthopaedic hospitals are back pain related.

The experts also blamed 50 percent of absenteeism from work on back pain.

The experts who spoke at the 2015 Annual Scientific Conference of the National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi, Lagos, NOHIL, traced most of the cases to bad postures.

Speaking, Medical Director, NOHIL, Dr. Olurotimi Odunubi noted that lots of patients are presenting with back pain which obviously could be prevented by ensuring good positioning. “Most back pain related problems occur due to bad postures, unfortunately, some of them are preventable.

Once they occur you need a good clinician to have a high index suspicion

because there are so many causes of back pain. So you have to be able to identify the particular cause of the pain and treat appropriately because wrong diagnosis will lead to wrong treatment.”

Odunubi said the workshop was designed to teach the public and health care givers how to make correct diagnosis and apply the right treatment and management for back pain as there have been some challenges in convincing patients on how to manage the problem.

In his lecture entitled:“Current Concepts in the Management of Back Pain”, the Guest Lecturer, Prof S.O Giwa who described back pain as “youth leaving the body” explained that back pain remains one of the commonest conditions orthopaedic surgeons treat and it is more common in the lower back specifically in the lumbosacral segment.

Can pain be good for you? (2) A study by the Good Samaritan Hospital Heart Institute in Los Angeles showed that people who have no angina pain before a heart attack are almost twice as likely to die from the attack as those who had suffered angina.

And, recently, British scientists have discovered that the intense pain suffered during a heart attack may help save lives. Blocking it with powerful drugs may worsen the victim's chances of survival.

They found that during a heart attack, pain signals from cardiac nerves help to attract stem cells from bone marrow to repair damage, and restore blood flow after a clot has starved the heart of oxygen-carrying blood.

Apparently each painful episode of angina may actually toughen the cardiac muscle, so it will survive a heart attack with less damage.

There may be other ways in which severe pain may keep us healthy. Swelling, mild fever and soreness are all signs our body has set off an inflammatory reaction in response to an infection or damage.

If unchecked, these defences can cause serious harm to healthy tissue, which is what happens in chronic inflammatory diseases like arthritis.

People experience pleasure during a painful stimulus if the stimulus turns out to be less bad than they were expecting.

Some enjoy the burn of hot chili peppers or find

doctor@lagospainclinic.com painful sex as pleasurable.

When nerves are injected with local anaesthetic, the pain fibres are blocked....there is NO pain. That area must be protected from burns, pressure sores or trauma.

The sensation of pain is a natural warning sign.

When we do a certain block called celiac plexus block ..for people with terminal pancreatic cancer...we have to prepare for what often happens AFTER the pain is suddenly alleviated. The sudden pain relief leads to rapid unconsciousness. The patient HAD been kept alive and awake by the pain! Removal of the pain causes coma.

So pain can be a good thing in the sense it alerts us to different disease processes.

Our goal often is to control it, yet allow people to function in their lives.

Giwa said 60 to 70 percent of patients seen at Orthopaedic Clinics are suffering from back pain related problems.

He however disclosed that “as we all age, whether we like it or not we will suffer from back pain at one point or the other.

As soon as you start getting to middle age, and becoming elderly, you will start getting back pain.” On current management of back pain, Giwa explained that due to research, management of back pain has assumed a new dimension with the use of stem cells, veering away from surgical interventions. The system now uses what is available in the body, that is stem cells, which will now put back in the areas where we have disc issues in the belief that the disc can be regenerated.

Genetic intervention “There is also the use of genetic intervention. Just like we have geneticists trying to solve medical and surgical problems with the use of genes, disc problems as a cause of back pain is being looked at from the genetic point of view where we think if you put genes that can replicate or regenerate discs we might be able to solve a lot of issues of back pain.”

Noting that back pain affects all races, he said no one can tell if pack pain can be cured but experts can give medication and surgery, adding that adequate caution should be taken in surgical approaches as back pain has been found to be part of aging. He recommended weight loss for obese individuals and need for people to do away with sedentary life style as it can cause back pain.

On his part, Chairman, LOC, Dr Muna Chira in his welcome address said back pain has generated a lot significant interest as 50 percent of absenteeism has been linked to back pain. “It is also estimated that 80 percent of adults above 50 years of age would have experienced severe back pain at one or more points in their lives.

And this figure underscores the decision of the hospital to look at the topic,” he said.

He however noted that the back pain could be the first manifestation of serious and life threatening medical conditions in both male and female pelvic viscera.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 , 2015—37

Olu of Warri designate goes into seclusion

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—THE Olu designate of Warri Kingdom, Prince Godfrey Ikenwole Abiloye Emiko, has gone into seclusion following his selection, to become the 20th Olu on the throne.

Secretary, Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, ILT, Mr. Edward Ekpoko, while explaining the implication of Olu in waiting’s action in Warri, Delta State, yesterday said it was in line with the tradition of the land.

Ekpoko, who is also Chairman, Warri Study Group, said: “I have been bombarded with media enquiries to meet Abiloye since he was chosen last Saturday. The simple response is that he cannot be reached until passage rites of HRM, Atuwatse II, his predecessor are concluded.

“It is at that point within the next 90 days that his coronation commences that he comes out of seclusion. In his absence Prince Eroro Emiko, Olori-Ebi (Head) of the royal family assumes as regent of the kingdom. He will start receiving visitors coming into

the royal family in due course.”

Ekpoko also clarified that Chief Yaya Pessu, Ojomo of Warri kingdom, who took the role of Ologbotsere when he

broke the news of the passage of HRM, Atuwatse II, and announced his successor in one breath was not a chief priest.

“Neither the Ojomo nor Ologbotsere is Chief Priest. Also

note that the last Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom was Chief Ogbemi Newe Rewane, and not his sibling, Alfred Rewane, as reflected in some reports,” he further clarified.

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SWEARING-IN: Mr. Peter Mrakpor (left) and Dr. Nick Azinge, taking Oaths of Office, at the swearing in of new Commissioners in Delta State, yesterday. Photo: Nath Onojake.

SELF-PROCLAIMED MONARCHS: Delta

royal fathers

warn against impersonation A

By Emma Amaize

SABA—DELTA State Council of Traditional Rulers, yesterday, warned selfproclaimed monarchs in the state to stop parading themselves as kings until they were recognized by the government.

The council gave the warning in a communiqué presented by the first chairman, Obi of Owa kingdom, Emmanuel Efiezomor, after its meeting in Asaba.

The royal fathers also advised illegitimate monarchs to desist from indiscriminate conferment of chieftaincy titles on persons, who did not merit them.

They appealed to the state government and security agencies to take urgent steps to call the erring traditional rulers to order.

The royal fathers reaffirmed commitment to the promotion of peace in their kingdoms, saying the activities of individuals yet to be recognized by government as traditional rulers were capable of causing a breach of the peace in the state.

The communiqué drew attention of the people to the Traditional Rulers Edict, noting that the traditional institution was well recognized and highly C M Y K

Anioma professionals back Utomi for ministerial slot

revered by all.

Furthermore, the monarchs urged local government chairmen to beam their searchlight on such

individuals to stem the tide.

They described the present administration as a purposeful government determined to deliver on its campaign

promises to the people and pledged support for the policies and programmes of government.

SABA—ANIOMA M e d i a Professionals, AMP, from Delta North, has thrown its weight behind the nomination of Professor Pat. Okedinachi Utomi, who has been screened by the Department of State Services for a ministerial position in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari Utomi who is a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, thinktank that drew the Economic Blueprint and Road Map of the party, is also the Director of Pan African University in Lekki, Lagos.

In a statement issued by National Publicity Secretary of AMP, Mr. Ken Ugbechie, the group said “Prof. Utomi is a technocrat and a political activist who has paid his dues in the struggle for the emergence of a better Nigeria. As a member of the APC think tank, Prof.

Utomi worked with the likes of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President and Mr. Wale Edu to produce the economic document for the APC before it won the election in March.

Labour petitions IG over alleged Police abuses in A-Ibom

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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YO—ORGANISED Labour has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr.

Solomon Arase, over alleged increasing illegal activities by officers and men of Nigerian Police Force, NPF, in Akwa Ibom State.

Operating on the platform of National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products

Abductors of our mother haven't contacted us —VICTIM'S FAMILY HARCOURT—FAMILY PORT sources have said no word has

been heard from abductors of Madam Janet Obianke Enebeli, an aunt to Dr Peter Odili, former governor of Rivers State, kidnapped on Thursday, September 17, 2015, from her Umuonyema Ndoni, Rivers State,

home.

Madam Enebeli is also mother to Odili’s former aide, Chief Ofili Enebeli, now a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC. She was said to have been relaxing in her sitting room with one of her grandsons (named Kenneth), when the hoodlums came and forcibly took her away.

The 86 years old woman, according to eye witnesses, was taken away by the unknown men in a black Toyota Camry after shooting her grandson on the groin.

Doctors are said to be battling to save his life at an undisclosed hospital at Omoku.

Mission donates educational materials to other materials to needy school Ovwodokpokpor indigenes pupils in Ovwodokpokpor

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GHELLI—A NonG o v e r n m e n t a l Organization, Peters Mission for the Less Privileged has donated books and other learning materials to school pupils in Ovwodokpokpor-Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Chairman of the body, Mr. Onoriobe Peter-Smith, while making the donation, said the

decision to donate the materials was informed by the need to encourage the pupils to embrace education and be useful to the society.

Mr. Peter-Smith explained that the vision of the NGO was to help the needy in the society. He said the body was committed to bringing smiles to the faces of people, especially the less privileged; hence the donation of books and

community.

According to him, it was his wish that the pupils would be encouraged to take their studies serious and become useful to their families and the society at large.

The materials were distributed to over 2000 pupils by Mr. Peter-Smith where he also announced the award of scholarship up to the secondary school level to two indigenes of the community.

Employees, NUCFRLANMPE, the union specifically identified Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council, as the major area where the police perpetuated illegal activities that might lead to chaos in the state in this period of fragile security situation in Nigeria.

President of NUCFRLANMPE, Mr. Boniface Akpan Isok, in the petition claimed the police in Ikot Ekpene had been harassing, extorting money from commercial motor cycle operators (Okada riders) and arresting them without cause in their homes.

Isok lamented that the poor commercial motorcycle operators in the affected area had complained severally to him and others to intervene on their behalf, threatening to resort to self help.

He said that he pleaded with them to sheath their swords for him to try and sort the matter out with higher police authorities.

“For more than a year now, the police have been seizing the motorcycles of these citizens not for violating any traffic regulations but out of sheer wickedness and greed to the detriment of these poor citizens trying to earn a living for the sustenance of their families," he said.

38—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Enugu House secretly approves N14.2bn for Ugwuanyi

PMT boss, blasts airline operators over frequent FG bail-out requests

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—THE Enugu State House of Assembly has secretly approved a loan request of N14.2 Billion presented to it by the Enugu State Executive Council led by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—PIQUED by frequent bail-out requests from private airline operators on the Federal Government,Chairman,Peace Mass Transit,PMT,Dr. Samuel Maduka Onyishi,yesterday,lampooned airline operators,urging government to repair roads rather than plunge tax payers money into private businesses.

PMT boss,owner of a leading land transport company in the country was reacting to a publication in a section of the media credited to Jacky Hathiramani, MD/CEO of Dana Airlines who said that,”Airlines need to be motivated to perform longterm for the good of the country and to entice more travelers to go by air instead of road, as well as to stimulate commerce and tourism within the country too”.

Reacting to the comment,an angry Onyishi said,”I am shocked and surprised at the comment credited to Dana MD,hinging the frequent bail-out requests on federal government to enhance their services inorder to entice travelers who travel by road to now travel by air.

“If federal government listens to them,it means that government will use tax payers money who constitute 95.6 percent of the country’s population.

Vanguard investigations showed that, N4.207 billion bailout funds designed by the Federal Government to ease financial difficulties in payment of workers salary arrears is part of the fourteen billion.

The four billion was said to be earmarked for payment of

pensions and gratituity of workers who have not received their entitlement in the past 14 years while ten will be deployed to infrastructural development.

The bulk of those who were being owed their retirement benefits are teachers as well as civil servants in the various

Angry reactions trail Okorocha's borrowing of N20bn

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—ANGRY reactions have started trailing the planned borrowing of a staggering N20 billion by Governor Rochas Okorocha, to allegedly complete on-going projects in the state.

Some of the respondents were particularly irked that the state is currently owing over N60 billion ,including the Federal Government’s N26 billion bailout fund, which is expected to be paid back in 20 years.

“It is sad that most people have sadly geared their minds only towards the bailout funds released by the Federal Government. Nobody recollects that apart from the bailout fund, the monthly federal allocations still flow into the state without getting a mention”, a senior civil servant, who pleaded anonymity, said.

A pensioner, Chief Samuel Ohiri, lamented that pensioners and members of their families have continued to languish in poverty, hunger and disease,

despite the bailout fund.

“Our pensions and gratuities have remained largely ignored by the present administration despite the bailout fund. The state government sadly does not take the plight of pensioners with the seriousness that it deserves”, Chief Ohiri lamented.

While wondering why the governor should start sourcing for another N20 billion, the aggrieved pensioner reasoned that it would been more sensible to first, account for the bailout fund.

parastatals,agencies and departments.

The state EXCO had nocturnally met and approved to pass the loan request to the House on Monday night.

It would be recalled that the immediate past administration of ex-governor Sullivan Chime was alleged to have plunged the state debt profile,both domestic and external to an all time high of N62.8 billion.

Further investigations revealed that the House approval, shrouded in secrecy, was meant to douse public outcry that may trail the loan request when juxtaposed against the suffocating debt profile hanging on the states’ neck.

Reports indicated last week that the state was among five additional states that have received bail-out from CBN. A dependable source had told Vanguard that, “the government is not owing worker’s salaries.

The bail-out accruable to Enugu State is meant for the payment of pension arrears and salaries due to casual workers."

Tech giants boost voice quality with 4G LTE smartphone

By Emeka Aginam

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WO GLOBAL technology giants, Smile Communication Nigeria in partnership with Samsung Electronics West Africa have partnered to address poor voice and data quality in the network with the launch of first Long-Term Evolution, LTE, compliant smartphone.

The LTE commonly marketed as 4G LTE, is a standard for wireless communication of highspeed data for mobile phones.

The joint effort, which is expected to change the experience of phone users in Nigeria by providing superfast and reliable Internet service, aims to enhance voice quality using

the Samsung Galaxy S6 device.

The 4G LTE mobile network will allow faster Internet on the S6 Edge including video calls, faster music, video streaming and conferencing, faster downloads and more pictures.

Although Smile Communications Nigeria is not only the first authentic 4G LTE provider in Nigeria, the good news is that broadband provider is the first to go into this performance enhancing partnership with Samsung.

Speaking at the launch of the partnership, Monday, in Lagos, the Managing Director of Smile Communications, Michael Buitelaar told the gathering that the partnership would enable the two tech giants to deliver voice.

Assuring that Smile will expand operation to other parts of the country by end of this year and next year, he said that with the VOLTE, there will no issue of drop calls.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim, said that the partnership would enable consumers reach more frontiers.

Stating that the technology of the phone is voice quality, he said that Samsung will continue to improve lives of people through innovative technologies.

Meanwhile, a joint statement by Alero Ladipo, Chief Marketing Officer, Smile Nigeria and Emmanouil Revmatas, Director, Information Technology and

Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, said that there was need for both companies to enhance the customer experience with their product propositions.

The statement underscored the noble pedigree and innovative streaks of both companies. The offer will be available at all Smile stores and some select Samsung stores.

Speaking on the partnership, Mrs. Ladipo stated that Smile Communications is specifically focused on the importance of partnerships of this nature to deliver on the end-to-end needs of the customer.

“The customer experience at our shops should create a lasting impression."

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On Senate President/CCB matter

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et the whole Nigeria rally support for Saraki now so that we can put a stop to all this political witch-hunting that has eaten deep in our system.

So because he came out to be the president of the Senate, they trumped up charges to rope him in. Mr. Joel Okoji, Student

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his government should tackle our multiple economic problems. Not a single politician is clean.

This vendetta will cause more chaos for us. The President has committed some blunders that can lead to impeachment trial. -Mr Stan Nwana, Development Consultant

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od help us in Nige ria. If it is a poor man, before you know it, the police will do their work. But rich people are above the law in this country. To arrest only one rich man is a thing of controversy in Nigeria. -Mr. Silas Alikali, Worker

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he action of the tribunal judges shows that they are partisan and political.

The tribunal is acting a script of PMB, Tinubu and some APC stalwarts. What a shame! This is too glaring. Buhari’s anti-corruption is fake and witch-hunting of opposition. -Mr. Isaac Okus, Businessman

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hen men refuse to learn lessons from history, such as not stabbing and undermining your roots, nemesis won’t spare you. Saraki stood against the edifice that made him through orchestrated rebellion. -Mr. Idoga Aloysius, NYSC member

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o whom much is given, much is required.

Looking at all the allegations against him, including the ones before the EFCC, I am yet to see any answer by Saraki. He should just step down, life will be better for him. -Mrs. Ifeoma Ayambuba, Businesswoman

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 — 39

Nasarawa gets N8bn bailout, plans to employ 1500 workers

By Abel Daniel

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AFIA—NASARAWA State government yesterday said it would employ about 1,500 workers into its civil service before the end of 2015, in a bid to curtail the rate of unemployment being witnessed in the state.

Governor Umaru Tanko AlMakura stated this on the occasion of Nasarawa State labour summit held in Lafia, the state capital.

The governor added that the state government would equally continue with its biometric analysis of workers to block all leakages to ascertain the actual number of workforce in the state’s payroll for prompt payment of salaries.

He, however, said since his assumption of office as governor of the state in 2011, no state civil servant had failed to get his or her salary as and when due, despite the implementation of the new minimum wage and the present dwindling revenue from the federation account.

But he blamed the present irregularities in the payment of local government workers salaries on

officials of the local councils who had over blotted their workforce.

On the Federal Government bailout fund, the governor said N8 billion was released to the state, with both the state and local governments sharing N4 billion each.

He was however, quick to add that the bailout was a temporary

measure and asked such beneficiaries to brace up to mitigate their revenue misfortunes.

The governor cited an instance where local councils in the state would use the bailout to pay salary arrears of less than two months of its workers, adding that the council areas would still

go back to the same problem.

According to him, people should not think that the bailout will be a permanent thing.

On the clamour by local council officials for a 10 percent remittance from the Internally Revenue Generation, IGR, to them by the state government, Al-Makura categorically told the local officials to declare what their local governments generate before they could enjoy such a privilege.

VISIT: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife exchanging pleasantries with Engr. Saleh Dunoma, MD of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, at the Murtala Mohammed Int'l Airport, MMIA, Lagos following his condolence visit to condole with the Awolowos over the death of HID Awolowo.

Lalong lament persistent violence in Plateau

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

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OS—GOVERNOR Simon Lalong of Plateau State has expressed concern that despite

the efforts put in place to ensure lasting peace in the state, some senseless acts of violence wee still being recorded in parts of the state.

MTN Foundation clocks 10, launches #What Can We Do Together?

By Dave Oso

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S part of efforts to reach out to more Nigerians, the MTN Foundation (MTNF) has launched a new initiative tagged “#WhatCanWeDoTogether?’’ on its 10th anniversary celebration.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative, the Executive Secretary, Nonny Ugboma said: ‘’With the #WhatCanWeDoTogether?

Intitiave, the Foundation will implement 200 projects in 200 communities across 200 local government areas in Nigeria.

“You can change your community for good with your phone. Simply dial *123*14# or visit http:// foundation.mtnonline.com/dotogether. ''By partnering with the MTN Foundation, a community of your choice could be a beneficiary of any of 200 projects to be implemented in 200 communities across 200 local government areas in the country. These projects could be any of the following: provision of school furniture, boreholes, transformers or household items C M Y K

for orphanages.”

Speaking further, he said that this is a demonstration of the Foundation’s commitment to continue to complement government’s efforts in ways that can improve project development in various communities across the country.

Also, the Corporate Services Executive of MTN Nigeria, Akinwale Goodluck, said that relationship is a core value at MTN as a business.

“MTN and the MTN Foundation uphold the company ’s core value of building and sustaining relationships. Looking at what the foundation has achieved in a decade, relationship plays an integral part in the success story of impact on millions of Nigerians in the areas of education, health and economic empowerment.''

He adding that ‘’Entries for the initiative will end on October 9, 2015. Nigerians are expected to register the community name and their preferred project, guided by the prompts that follow after dialling the specified code.''

He said his administration would not rest on its oars as its continued to explore viable ways of ensuring safety of lives and property of citizens of the state.

Governor Lalong stated this during a two-day capacity building workshop on interagency cooperation, networking and professionalism in conflict prevention, management and resolution organized by the Institute of Governance and Social Research, IGSR. Represented at the event by his Deputy, Prof. Sonni Tyoden, the governor stressed that peace building, as a fulcrum of his administration, had led to advanced plans in

establishing a Bureau for peace and conflict resolution and the set up of a peace resolution committee between Fulani and Berom, with the hope that “we will find lasting solution to the protracted killings, cattle rustling and others.”

He noted that the workshop organized by IGSR was timely, considering all the security challenges facing the state and Nigeria in general.

“Plateau State government is determined to address head-long the challenges of peace and security in the state, knowing well that no meaningful development can take place in an insecure or unstable environment,’’ Governor Lalong said.

Dangote to pay salary for new Profs in Kano varsity

By Abdulsalam Muhammad

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ANO—THE pro Chancellor, Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has offered to bankroll salaries and emoluments of 15 new professors for the stateowned tertiary institution for four years.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Shehu Musa, told reporters during an interactive session to mark its 15 years anniversary that the philanthropic gesture was part

of effort to boost manpower of the science-based institution.

Professor Musa revealed that the pro-Chancellor had also elected to provide 15 housing units to accommodate the new hands.

The Vice Chancellor said Aliko Dangote had also completed arrangements to provide the university with industrial bore holes that would cater for 30,000 population.

He disclosed that Dangote had further made necessary provision that would link the university with Integrated Power Project, pointing out that before now, the sciencebased institution was being powered by standby generator.

High prices of livestock, food items herald sallah celebration in Bauchi

By Suzan Edeh

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AUCHI—AS Muslims around the world are getting set to mark the 2015 Eid-el-Kabir celebration on Friday, September 25, the prices of ram and food items have skyrocketed in Bauchi State.

Ram is the major livestock used for the Sallah celebration and due to the increase in the price of fuel resulting in scarcity, it has been difficult to transport the item from neighbouring countries, such as Niger Republic, without increase in their prices.

Vanguard gathered that a ram that cost between N35,000 and N 50,000 last year, now sells for between N60,000 and N100,000.

Bad roads have also contributed to the increase in prices of ram since truck owners charge exorbitant fares to convey them from other places.

Obsequies for Chief Bobinihi

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ABBA, Kogi State will come be September 25 and 26 as the remains of Chief Simon Bobinihi will be laid to rest.

According to a release issued by the family of the late sage, wake-keep will take place on Friday September 25, in his Odo Ero Quarters residence at 6 pm. This will be followed next day with lying-in-state at his residence beginning from 8am.

Funeral service will take place at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church from 10 am followed by interment at his Katu ancestral home.

Reception will take place at the St Augustine’s College field beside the Church.

Chief Bobinihi died on August 26, 2015 at 97.

Late Chief Bobinihi

40 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

INSPECTION: Managing Director, Duravin Construction Company,

Abbas Hammoud (left); Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State (2nd right) and Secretary to Kwara State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold (right), at the construction site of Kwara Internal Revenue Service Office in Ilorin.

DIAMOND DRAWS:

From left—University of Lagos, UNILAG, student, Opeyemi Ifetuyibiyi; Head, Consumer Banking, Diamond Bank Plc, Olumide Akindele; UNILAG student, Jessica Ebere, and Product Manager, Diamond Students With A Goal, SWAG, Chinenye Nwosu, at the SWAG POCKETMONEY4AYEAR – SEASON 1 draws in Lagos.

BRIEFING: From left— Project Manager, Mr. Sope Bright; Operations Manager, Mr. Ekpeyoung Offiong, and Admin Manager, Debby Balogun, all of Nubian TNS Ltd., a subsidiary of CrownsWorth Group, at a briefing on the firm's projects in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

HONOUR: From left— President, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Professor Rasheed Arogundade; Registrar of the College, Professor Oluwole Atoyebi; Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, and his wife, Olukemi, at the conferment of Honorary Fellow of the college on Governor Mimiko at its 33rd convocation in Lagos. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

MoU: From left— Professor Babatunde Ogunnaike, Dean, College of Engineering, University of Delaware, United States of America; Mr. Patrick Fasuan, Senior Legal Officer; and Professor Adebiyi Daramola, Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA, at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, on research and collaborations between both institutions, at FUTA, Akure.

WAMCO: From left— Human Resources Director, Mr. Tomimy Oni; Finance Director, Mrs Ilona Fulop; and Sales Director, Mr. Adewale Rikawe, all of Friesland Campina Wamco Nigeria Plc, at the Managing Director Wamco Cup 2015 competition at Agege Stadium, Lagos. PHOTO: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

AWARD: Dr. Eze Chinedu (left), receiving Icon of Nation Building and Youth Empowerment award from the President, Solidarity Movement for Good Governance, Mr. Yakubu Yahaya, in Minna, Niger State.

DONATION: Mr. Onoriobe-Smith, Chairman, Peters Mission for the Less Privileged (left), dristributing educational materials to pupils at OvwodokpokporOlomu in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State.

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

—41

Towards curbing migration flows from Africa

By Vera Samuel-Anyagafu

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CCORDING to network of sources, it appears that officials from almost all European countries have agreed to seek ways to curb the flow of illegal migration of thousands of people from Africa into Europe.

The decision was prompted by the large number of people who have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea this year while embarking on perilous journeys by boat to various countries of choice in Europe.

More than 3,000 people have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea as they tried to get to Europe

in leaky boats from Africa and according to President, European Council, Donald Tusk, who has summoned EU leaders to an extraordinary summit to tackle the migration crisis, there may be a satisfactory resolve to the problem. Tusk and the leaders are hoping that the overwhelming illegal migration flows to Europe will be resolved by the time they meet in Brussels, as the summit will majorly focus on elements required to bring migration flows under control.

The crisis has also left states both domestically and internationally divided over how

to respond to this rise in migration, just as asylum applications are unevenly distributed among EU nations.

Illegal migrants into Europe...source of concern Immigration laws: As the the pressure is on to find a It also noted that curbing illegal number of migrants entering solution. Although, European migrant admissions is Europe soars, aid agencies and leaders appear to have been imperative to redeeming the prominent EU leaders have split over how to handle the flows, especially with there called for a unified policy to migrant crisis, a network of being such a mass migration of address migration. But such sources are of the view that people across Europe after the attempts have so far resulted in reviewing countries immigration second world war. As a result, dead ends, and with more laws would go a long way to countering the ongoing migrant people arriving on addressing the situation. crisis may be a bit difficult.

Mediterranean shores each day, Consequently, each of the thousands of migrants hoping to enter Europe unknowingly helps line the pockets of an estimated 30,000 human traffickers who are profiting directly from their misery.

Sad enough, most of the victims to these human traffickers, are those fleeing conflict and persecution.

According to migration experts who gave their views on what needs to be done to put an end to the migration crisis, compassion and control need to be at the heart of the approach to the crisis.

Perilous journeys However, debates are on that unless stricter laws are implemented to stop migrants attempting perilous journeys across rough seas, lives will continue to be lost and the issue of migrant flows cannot be curbed. They also suggest that European countries should introduce new visa policies that will prevent the illegal flow of people threatening the peace and stability of the affected countries.

A complex crisis: The situation however, is a complex one because it has some humanitarian elements, such as border protection crisis, an integration crisis and a financial crisis and if nothing is done to address each of the points here in, each wave of migration will be bigger than the last.

Europe should also try to work with neighboring countries that create pathways to many of the illegal migrants. They have to do as much as it takes to get their cooperation to stop infiltration and ensure that this ever-increasing influx of migrants from nations afflicted by war and economic crisis are monitored, by way of allowing the genuine admission.

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42—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Lupita Nyong’o

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ND as usual, 12 Years a Slave actress Lupita Nyong’o is wowing the Nigerian blogosphere as she makes her second Vogue cover, a feat many models never achieve.

The October issue of Vogue features the actress in several of the fall couture collections.

The stunning actress is in Valentino on the cover, and inside talks about her role in the upcoming “Star Wars” film, Shakespeare and some of her secret talents.

The 32-year-old beauty also took part in Vogue’s “72 Questions”.

Ngozi Okonjo Iweala

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VEN more controversy was roused on blogosphere this week as former minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, announced that she will be joining United States investment bank Lazard. OkonjoIweala, a former Managing Director of the World Bank, will be joining Lazard’s sovereign advice division.

Okonjo-Iweala also said she has been appointed chair-elect of the board of Bill and Melinda Gates’ Gavi the Vaccine, US. The two appointments I’m going to undertake embody a continuation of what I’ve tried to do in my career, she says. My work at Gavi will help me continue my work in strengthening institutions and building systems” to improve the health of children through immunisation.

GAVI is a $12 billion multilateral partnership which disburses grants of upwards of $1.8 billion annually to developing countries for immunization programmes. Apparently, from 2000-2015, GAVI disbursed $425m in grants to Nigeria, an average of about $30m per annum.

In the second appointment with the 167-year-

HID Awolowo

old global investment firm, Lazard as Senior Advisor. Her focus will be sovereign advisory.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala who will be working out of Paris, Geneva and London said: I am excited to be embarking on this fresh journey. The two appointments will enable me to continue doing what I know best – rendering public service and using my financial and economist skills. I thank the international community for the recognition and continued support. I am also grateful for the prayers and support of many Nigerians Blogosphere is generally wondering if she has political ambitions.

Uzo Aduba UZO Aduba is trending after she has won an Emmy award for the second straight year for her work as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren on Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black.

She won last year as a guest actress and has been upgraded to a supporting actress this year.

Aduba’s speech-tagged to be

the best of the award ceremonies- had her racing to get through all of the names on her list. She notably spoke to her sister watching from the crowd and thanked her for her friendship.

A commentator writes,If Aduba keeps giving speeches like this, viewers will be happy if she dominates this category for years to come.

Jackie Collins NEWS of the passing of raunchy 90s novelist Jackie Collins also filtered into the Nigerian blogosphere in the past week, with commentators remembering her sexiest tales.

One of America’s most beloved authors,Jackie Collins died after a battle with breast cancer.She was 77.

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the death of our beautiful, dynamic and one of a kind mother, Jackie Collins, who died of breast cancer, the Collins family said in a statement. She lived a wonderfully full life and

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was adored by her family, friends and the millions of readers who she has been entertaining for over 4 decades.

She was a true inspiration, a trail blazer for women in fiction and a creative force. She will live on through her characters but we already miss her beyond words.

Jackie was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer more than six years ago. She chose to keep her illness almost entirely to herself except for her three daughters Tracy, Tiffany and Rory.

In one of her last interviews, the author explained: I’m not sorry

TRENDING far more than anything on blogosphere this week has been Hannah Dideolu Awolowo, who passed away at 99.

After the wife of the legendary premier of the defunct Western region breathed her last, politicians have fallen over themselves to identify with her by way of tributes. Her youngest daughter, said her mother impacted positively on the lives of both the high and the low, promising that her legacy would be kept by the family.

She was in high spirits before she left us and didn’t give us room to suspect the contrary as she kept praying for us.

Whether she had a premonition about her death, we will never know for sure as she kept singing and praising God. It was her voice while praying that we heard last.

Famously described as a jewel of inestimable value by her late husband, blogosphere has proved she is a jewel even in the heart of the Nigerian blogosphere.

Zahra Buhari

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about anything I did.I’ve lived my life, I’ve traveled all over the world, I have not turned down book tours and no one has ever known until now when I feel as though I should come out with it.

AHRA, daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, has signed on to be the brand ambassador of the Sickle Cell Aid Foundation (SCAF), an NGO with a mandate to raise awareness on sickle cell and to guarantee that less privileged people with this disorder have access to quality healthcare.

Zahra said, I was impressed with the amount of work SCAF has been doing with so little resources. I also lost a sister three years back due to sickle cell anaemia, so I know what it feels like losing a loved one. Becoming an Ambassador of SCAF is a way to show my support to those suffering from sickle cell anaemia.

The founder of SCAF, Nkechi Azinge reportedly said, Zahra is a passionate and committed lady who is keen to lend her support in any way possible. We are certain that Zahra’s involvement will help raise exigent awareness and ensure that more sickle cell sufferers get the help they need.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015—43

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44—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

How our boss was abducted — Falae’s PA, driver •Negotiation with abductors break down •Abductors want N90m, family offers N2m •There 'll be dire consequences if.... – Afenifere •YUF, OPC, Agbekoyas, IPAC, PRONACO, LP decry kidnap

By Clifford Ndujihe, Dayo Johnson, Wahab Abdallah, Dapo Akinrefon & Daud Olatunji

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KURE – THE driver and the personal assistant to former Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Chief Oluyemisi Falae, yesterday, gave a detailed account of how their boss was abducted by Fulani herdsmen on Monday.

Coming a day that negotiation between Falae’s family and his abductors is feared to have broken down, the aides said the herdsmen have carried out their threat of attacking Falae, which they made before the police after a recent clash.

I'm not aware of any negotiation – Raji, Falae’s PA Speaking with newsmen, Falae’s Personal Assistant, Capt Moshood Raji (retd) said he was not aware of any negotiation with the kidnappers, noting that security operatives would be in the best position to confirm or deny if there was any breakdown in negotiation between the kidnappers and the Falae family.

He, however, said the abduction was carefully planned between the Fulani herdsmen and outside influence as there have been clashes between the Fulani herdsmen and Falae over the destruction of his farm produce.

Fulani herdsmen According to him, four of the suspected kidnappers were armed with AK.47 rifles while the rest had cutlasses. He disclosed that only one of them, who identified Chief Falae was masked while other members were not.

He said: “About a month ago, there was a clash between the herdsmen and Chief when some cows destroyed maize on the farm. I was the one that led the policemen to arrest them. We arrested some and detained them for about four days. Chief Falae said he has no problem with them that they have to sign an undertaking that they will not go there again.

They signed an agreement that they will not go there again. The Fulani Secretary signed for them.

The secretary then said I should caution Oga (Falae) that he should go and fence his farm. He said if he dared harm any cow or kill any of their cows, there would be trouble. He said that before the officer in charge of SARS. C M Y K

•Falae “They have carried out the threat. What they destroyed was about N500,000.00 but N120,000 was paid and the chief distributed the money to all his workers when it was brought to him”, he added.

Falae’s driver, David Ogunleye who witnessed the invasion narrated the ordeal to newsmen.

Ogunleye said he and others were sent to clear the weeds blocking the dam in the farm and on their return, they were attacked by the Fulani herdsmen.

According to him, “as we were coming, we saw seven Fulani herdsmen, they attacked us.

They started shooting, I tried to reverse the car but unfortunately my car got stuck. It was there they seized me and told me to take them to where our boss was.

I told them Oga (Falae) was in the farm but they would not listen. We took them to where Oga was and Chief surfaced and asked what the problem was.

From there, they took him away.

The manager that was even in the car was trying to escape and they used the cutlass to cut him on the head”, he said.

Contacted the Police spokesperson in the state, Wole Ogodo, said that the Command was on top of the situation and is making frantic efforts to ensure that the former SGF is rescued.

Negotiation breaks down Chief Falae was abducted on Monday at about 1pm by some gun-wielding Fulani herdsmen, who invaded his farm located at Ilado village in Akure North Local Council of Ondo State.

Less than three hours after the former Finance Minister was kidnapped, the abductors contacted the family, demanding for N100 m as ransom.

A family source said that the kidnappers made another phone call to the wife, Rachel, almost 10 hours after the initial contact

on Monday and agreed to reduce the ransom to N90m from the initial N100m they demanded in the morning after much pleading.

While the family was said to have offered N2million, the kidnappers reportedly banged the phone insisting on the initial sum. The source said that the abductors promised to call the family “back today (Tuesday) but as at this moment, they have not called.”

It was also gathered that the abductors agreed to reduce the ransom by N10m because they said the Afenifere chieftain is a man of integrity and well respected in the country.

Eminent persons The former Minister ’s residence in Akure, yesterday, was thronged by eminent persons, who met with the wife.

The visitors include Ondo State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, who led other members of the State Executive Council; Akure Traditional Council led by the Lisa of Akureland, High Chief James Olusoga; former special Adviser to the late Chief Adebayo Adefarati on Political Matters, Chief Segun Adegoke; political office holders and chieftains of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.

Afenifere, OPC, S-West farmers, YUF, LP decry kidnap Meanwhile angry reactions, yesterday, greeted the abduction of the former SGF. Among those who decried the abduction of the former Minister of Finance include, Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere; founder and President of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr Frederick Fasehun; OPC’s National Coordinator,

Otunba Gani Adams, the InterParty Advisory Council (IPAC), Pro-National Conference Organisations (PRONACO) and the Labour Party, LP. On its part, farmers in the South West have issued a 24hour ultimatum for the unconditional release of Chief Falae or risk the wrath of its members across the Yorubaland.

Nothing must happen to him, Afenifere warns Afenifere warned of dire consequences if anything untoward happens to Falae. Its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin said: “Afenifere is compelled to issue this strong warning on the abduction of one of our leaders,Chief Olu Falae

by Fulani herdsmen for over 24 hours now.

The statement reads: “Chief Falae has had running battles with the Fulani cattle rearers for sometime now as they continued to devastate his farmland,a scourge which farmers in Yorubaland has suffered for decades now.

“We do not imagine that some Yoruba traders would go and abduct Maitama Sule or Adamu Ciroma in the North and there won’t be a festival of blood on the streets within hours. We therefore call on the leaders of the North to reach out to these herdsmen to release Chief Falae immediately. Nobody can predict the consequences, if anything untoward happens to Chief Falae in the custody of the herdsmen.”

Fasehun orders manhunt of kidnappers Founder of the OPC, Dr. Fasehun, has ordered OPC operatives to immediately launch a manhunt in Ondo State and beyond, for the kidnapped politician.

Fasehun described the kidnap as an assault and insult on the Yoruba people, and challenged security operatives and agencies to produce Falae within 48 hours.

He said, “When we heard that Falae was kidnapped we thought it was impossible, as kidnappers would not be mad enough to kidnap a man of peace, a man who has selflessly served Nigeria. Falae is by any

It was also gathered that the abductors agreed to reduce the ransom by N10m because they said the Afenifere chieftain is a man of integrity and well respected in the country

standard a leader of the Yoruba people, a leader of Nigeria and a significant leader in Africa. He is a leader of Afenifere. He was a leader of NADECO. And any assault on him is an assault on Nigeria and Nigerians.”

Falae’s abduction, a sin against humanity—Gani Adams Also, Otunba Gani Adams said: “It is worrisome that the nation is descending into an era when a citizen is not safe even in his own home. The trend in which Fulani herdsmen would invade private farms in our land and vandalise it is gradually making a return. However, we would want it to be known that the attribute of Yoruba people to be accommodating is not something that should be abused. For us, being accommodating is a virtue that was inculcated into us by our forefathers and it should therefore not be seen as a weakness by anybody.”

Falae’s abduction, a horrifying report- Ajulo, LP scribe Also, a legal practitioner and social activist Dr Kayode Ajulo, described the act as “shocking, traumatizing and downright satanic” while also expressing dismay that the culprits even disregarded the age and position of the septuagenarian.

Security agencies Ajulo, who is the National Secretary of the Labour Party, called on the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies to leave no stone unturned in the manhunt for the culprits and ensure that Chief Falae is rescued and returned to his family. On its part, the Yoruba Unity Forum condemned the abduction describing it as a war.

Chairman of the group, Ayo Ladigbolu said: “The kidnapping generally is disturbing especially to any right thinking person, we are particularly unhappy that a leader of our country, among who was once a secretary to the government of this country, a man who had served as a minister in Nigeria, a leader of a national political party, a presidential candidate in Nigeria, someone who is known throughout the world as a man of peace, can be handled this way by people who were alleged to be Fulani herdsmen.”

S-West farmers issue ultimatum: Besides, farmers in the South West farmers issued a 24 hours ultimatum to Falae’s abductors within which to release him unhurt.

The farmers, under the aegis of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) South West geopolitical zone declared that the association was ready to mobilise all farmers in the South West region to comb all the jungles as well as the nooks and crannies in search of Falae, who is a member of the association.

The AFAN S/W Zonal Coordinator, Olusegun Dasaolu called on security agencies to, as a matter of urgency, live up to expectation and redeem their image by ensuring that Chief Falae is released unconditionally and unhurt.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 , 2015—45

Petroleum dealer lauds Buhari on oil industry reforms •Sells kerosene at N50 L

By Sebastine Obasi

AGOS—A petroleum dealer with NIPCO Plc., Mr. Adepoju Kayode, yesterday, commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s ongoing reforms in the oil industry, which he said will bring stability to the economy.

Kayode made the commendation at the flag-off of the N50 per litre pilot scheme of the NIPCO filling station at Fadeyi, Lagos.

He said: “The NIPCO Fadeyi station has just started a pilot scheme of selling kerosene at N50. Ideally, all NIPCO stations should be selling at N50. Major marketers were not selling kerosene because of the stop-gap they encountered at the refineries.

"By the time they bribe government officials, the landing cost would amount to N90, but with the initiative of President Buhari’s government to give major marketers products on 10day credit, it will eliminate the bureaucratic bottlenecks associated with pro-forma invoice, PFI.” Kayode deplored the situation

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where it was cumbersome to access credit facilities for the importation of petroleum products.

“One of the conditions of getting PFI, is ownership of depot and then if you have connection with government agencies, you get the allocation to bring in kerosene. Even if the government price is N20, by the time you bribe the officials and pay for vessels, the landing price

will get to N90. That is why it has not been attractive to sell at N50,” he said.

Reacting to the allegation of kerosene diversion for aviation purposes, he said that the discrepancies were due to leakages in the system. According to him, the normalcy being experienced in the sector now is due to President Buhari’s initiative.

“All the loopholes are being plugged. The bribery that used to

go on at the refineries has been eliminated. The Federal Government is now bringing in the products from source to the major marketers. That is why the N50 price per litre is feasible.

“We will not sell beyond N50, after today, as other dealers used to do. We have our integrity at stake. We will not do anything to tarnish our corporate image. NIPCO is the highest selling filling station on Ikorodu road. In as much as we

get products, we will continue to sell at N50. The purpose of the initiative is to cut off the cartel that has held the sector by the jugular.

“This is also a way of eliminating the issue of subsidy.

If our refineries are producing at maximum capacity, there will be no need for subsidy. Kerosene should be affordable, because it is mostly used by the poor in the society.

“The government should continue with the initiative of giving credit to marketers to eradicate the old order of using PFI. If the market is flooded with kerosene, the pricewillbecompetitiveandaffordable,” headded.

Ambode commissions specialist hospital, Arise women's free clinic in Lagos

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By Esther Onyegbula

AGOS—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, has commissioned the new wing of the Healing Stripes Specialist Hospital and Arise women’s free clinic, at Oniru Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos State.

The project was executed through RCCG City of David, social corporate responsibility, CRS, under the leadership of Pastor Siju Iluyomade.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambode, represented by Dr. Jemilade Longe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health while commending the Church for reaching out to their host community, hailed the contribution of the RCCG City of David, through its foundation, to the improvement of health standards of residents.

He also noted that the specialist hospital and the free women clinic undertaken by the Church was in

line with his administration’s desire to provide accessible and qualitative healthcare for the people of the state.

The governor noted that the ultra-modern Dialysis Centre and Dental Centre will complement the existing government efforts in providing additional facilities for the treatment of people.

He added that the additions to the health care system in the state will serve the largely

growing population in Lekki and environs.

Pastor-in-charge, Pastor Siju Iluyomade also said that the new dialysis unit will continue to offer treatment to patients at subsidized rates and occasional free sessions.

He said: Since inception, the Healing Stripes Dialysis Centre has performed 2,092 subsidized dialysis session and 102 free sessions till date."

46—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Confusion mars APC primaries

•Irate supporters hold Oshiomole hostage for hours •Alaibe, Aganaba, Amgbare call for cancellation of exercise •State exco hold parallel primary without Oshiomhole •Sylva emerges candidate, accuses Oyegun, Oshiomhole of compromise

•Security officials calming agitated delegates

By Samuel Oyadongha & Emem Idio

T

HE Governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Bayelsa State was, yesterday, characterised by confusion,controversy and alleged hijack of the electoral process from the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomholeled Electoral Committee.

Former Governor of the state Chief Timipre Sylva won a parallel exercise organised by the state executive of the APC without Oshiomhole and some members of his committee with 726 of the 807 votes cast.

He was retunred as winner by Mr. Nelson Alakgba, a member of the primary committee.

Timi Alaibe, who was not present scored four votes.

How first exercise was aborted

The original exercise ran into trouble early in the day over acccreditation before Oshiomhole arrived at about 12 noon Oshiomhole tried to calm frayed nerves by meeting with his committee members and later with the aspirants to fashion the way forward but was held hostage by irate party supporters, who invaded the Samson Siasia Stadium venue of the primaries and insisted that the abandoned accreditation of delegates be completed and election conducted.

Tight security

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Though there was tight security at the venue, some delegates were attacked by suspected thugs as they made their way to the venue.

A total of 1,508 delegates were

expected to participate in the exercise and only about 80 delegates from Brass and Ekeremor had been cleared and seated at their council stands, when the matter degenerated.

How trouble started: Trouble started following complaints and objections by three of the aspirants,Timi Alaibe, Ebitimi Amgbare and Preye Aganaba, that the Oshiomole-led Committee had lost control of the process, citing alleged hijack by the state executive of the party loyal to Timipre Sylva.

According to them, many of the delegates being cleared were in possession of cloned identification papers against the committee’s requirements of an International Passport, National Identification Card and Voters’ Card.

It was gathered that before 8am, thugs invaded the entrance of Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa and attacked some party chieftains. The chaos was blamed on the absence of Oshiomhole, the chairman of the Electoral Committee, who arrived at about noon.

Oshiomhole came in the middle of the confusion, two minutes after one of the top contenders , Chief Timipre Sylva, arrived.

Oshiomhole immediately intervened and held a meeting with members of his committee. After meeting his committee members, he also met with all the aspirants leading to speculations that the primary could be cancelled.

Before the arrival of Governor Oshiomhole, the trio of Timi Alaibe, Preye Aganaba and Prince Ebitimi had called for the postponement of the exercise, citing alleged irregularities and intimidation of delegates by hired thugs.

Exercise fraught with irregularities –Alaibe Alaibe said: “The rancorous accreditation process leading to the primaries was fraught with irregularities, violence, intimidation and complete disrespect for aspirants, agents and party officials. This is an enactment of negative issues for a party that stands on the mantra of change. I think something is missing somewhere and we need to get it right.

“Some of us, as aspirants had some delegates who are loyal to us threatened, beaten and wounded since morning. We have a quite number of people who are not delegates, the real delegates are outside. Some of the fake delegates have identity cards that are cloned.

“I believe we need to put a stop to this process. We are going to meet with the chairman of the committee and we are going to ask for a cancellation of this process to start at some other time so that they can get the security dynamics right and the process and methodology of primaries right. “We are disappointed that this can happen in an internal family arrangement. For some of us, this process cannot continue and we cannot continue with this process because there are a lot of irregularities and I am totally discontented.”

Amgbare concurs Corroborating Alaibe, another aspirant, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, who also called for the cancellation said: “As a matter of fact, I am the reason for this event holding here today. I cancelled the elections that was held in 2007 when I contested with Sylva and that is why we have this isolated elections in Bayelsa

BAYELSA DECIDES State. And if we cancelled an election because it was not properly organised, I believe that this primary should be better organised.

“The process has been hijacked and the secretary of the committee has lost control because the chairman is not here.

We know the style and character of Adams Oshiomhole and I am sure that if he was here early, he would have held sway. And because he is not here, it is affecting the process, but as far as I am concerned, we cannot go on with this process because it will lead us to nowhere. I stand to say that as it is today, this process must stop.”

The process is unlike APC – Aganaba Another aspirant, Preye Aganaba, said the process of the primaries is unlike what the APC is known for, describing the process as a far cry from what obtained at the Lagos convention that produced the party ’s presidential candidate.

His words: “I am ashamed today that the APC would be organising a primary in this way, because I was a member of the last presidential primaries in Lagos and we had a successful convention and when the winner emerged the other aspirants supported the candidate but the process today is flawed. It is a pity that most of the delegates that have been accredited are all fake.

Cause for alarm “I want to join other aspirants to ask for a cancellation immediately because this is unlike APC. I toiled, sweated and paid for this party to be established in Bayelsa state, and if I am asking for this you should know how pained I am,” Aganaba protested.

No cause for alarm –Sylva But former Governor Timipre Sylva said there was no cause for alarm. He said there was no cause for the cancellation of

We are disappointed that this can happen in an internal family arrangement. For some of us, this process cannot continue and we cannot continue with this process

exercise, adding that he was hailed by the people because of his outstanding credentials.

His words: “I am not an agent and if there are people with cloned cards, we will make sure they are arrested. I was part of the arrangements put in place.

Among all the aspirants, l am the only one with the credentials; someone who has done a term here.”

19 aspirants meet Oshiomhole, accuse state chairman of bias At the meeting between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the 19 governorship aspirants, the aspirants accused the state executive committee led by the State Chairman, Chief Tiwei Orunimigha of hijacking the process and encouraging the rowdy invasion of the election venue by suspected thugs.

Amgbare, who confirmed the issues raised, said the conduct of the State Executive was biased and a deliberate show of support to a governorship aspirant.

Fireworks scare: As the aspirants and members of the primary committee were holding a meeting with Oshiomhole, sporadic fireworks rent the air outside the venue close to the fence of the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, causing panic among delegates and officials. It, however, took the prompt intervention of security operatives to calm the situation.

Oyegun designed primary to fail – Sylva While the governorship aspirants were asked to wait for the final decision of the Oshiomhole Committee, Sylva was agitated and was heard complaining to the National Vice Chairman (South-South), Hillia Ettah, that the process was allegedly designed by the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun to fail.

Holding of primaries “Tell him (Oyegun), he has compromised. In short, I will tell him that he has compromised.

The process was designed to fail and to deny me of my gains in the party,” he said.

Shortly after, the gate to the venue was forced open by irate youth, who were insisting that the primaries must be held.

Many of the aspirants were seen leaving the venue out of security concern as the police were struggling to maintain law and order.

Delay unnecessary –Igoli The only APC member in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Sunny Igoli, who spoke to newsmen, said the delay in the Continues on page 47

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015—47

BAYELSA DECIDES 2015: KOGI DECIDES ADEYEMI VS MELAYE:

Drama as INEC, APC disagree over Kogi West primary

By Boluwaji Obahopo

A •Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (left) speaking during a meeting with PDP Super Delegates at the home of the first Civilian Governor of the State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (right) at Opolo in Yenagoa, while the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, retd (centre) looks on. Photo: Lucky Afagha.

PDP super delegates endorse Dickson as sole candidate

By Samuel Oyadongha

A

HEAD of the September 24 primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Bayelsa State, the party super delegates have endorsed Governor Seriake Dickson as the party’s sole candidate.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa Governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the endorsement was made at a meeting of the super delegates and dinner held at the Yenagoa residence of the Chairman of the Restoration Campaign Advisory Council and former Governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

“The super delegates numbering over 250, include past and present leaders of the party, political office holders (elected and appointed), some members of the state Executive council and members of the state House of Assembly, PDP State working committee, and the leadership of

Sylva accuses Oyegun, Oshiomhole of compromise Continues from page 46 election process was unnecessary as the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole cannot deny that the use of party registration card is not admissible for use in the poll.

Igoli said, “even Oshiomhole did not use PVC during his own primaries. Why is our story different? We built the party and know our members. The rules were outlined for aspirants but the delegates have their rights too. And they have demanded that the party registration card be used.”

Soldiers rescue Oshiomhole The electoral committee chairman, was however rescued and taken out of the venue by armed military personnel at about 4.50pm.

Thereafter a parallel governorship primary was held by the State Executives of the party without Oshiomhole and some members of the Electoral Committee. Sylva won the exercise in a landslide.

the local government councils, based their support on Dickson’s impressive performance in office.

“The super delegates, each has 20 delegates under them going into the party’s governorship primaries, which is a clear proof of the overwhelming support and endorsement the governor has.

“Consequently, a formal motion of endorsement was moved by a one time State Secretary of the PDP, Captain Mark Opubiri (retd), and was seconded by the Vice Chairman of the Southern Ijaw Local Government, Hon. Mrs Lovina Gboluseri,” the statement noted.

Welcoming his guests, Chief Alamieyeseigha noted that, the successful emergence of the Governor as the sole candidate of the PDP, affords the party the opportunity to carry out effective campaigns in all parts of the state without any distraction.

Governorship election Alamieyeseigha reiterated his call to Bayelsans to see the forthcoming governorship election as a battle to protect the integrity of the Ijaw nation and therefore urged PDP faithful not to leave any stone unturned as they embark on the issue-based campaign activities of the party.

In his response, Governor Dickson expressed appreciation to the leadership and delegates of the party for the honour done him and pledged submissiveness to the interest and ideals of the PDP at all times. He acknowledged that all the achievements of the restoration government would not have been possible, without the support and cooperation of the party and well meaning people of the state.

The Bayelsa State Governor, however, called on the members of the PDP to remain steadfast in their support and work to achieve a landslide victory in the December 5 election to further demonstrate the dominant position the party enjoys in the state.

WITNESS from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Abuja, Ibrahim Sanni Mohammed, yesterday, stunned the National Assembly and House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State when he said the commission monitored the conduct of Kogi West senatorial primary election of the All Progressives Congress, APC. His report was contrary to the earlier stand of the Kogi INEC, which had at previous tribunal sitting tendered a report that the APC did not conduct primary before it submitted the name of Dino Melaye as its candidate.

However under cross examination by Adeyemi’s counsel, Olakayode Olatoke, the witness said the subpoena summoning him to the court was addressed to him directly rather than to the commission to nominate witness as it ought to be.

The drama occurred at the resumed hearing of the tribunal over the petition filed by Smart Adeyemi challenging the declaration of Senator Dino Melaye as the winner of the March 28 Kogi West senatorial election.

The witness, who said he did not know the INEC official that conducted the primary but was only availed the report of the exercise, also mentioned two different locations where the primary was conducted.

Also under cross examination, the figure

of the result submitted by the witness marked exhibit 33-3 were contradictory to the report of the result also presented by the same witness.

Olatoke, however, urged the tribunal not to entertain the submission of the witness, as neither the APC nor Melaye’s counsel have disputed their petition on the noconduct of primary by APC in any of their responses.

Another witness, Victor Garba of the Department of State Security, DSS, also stunned the court when he could not state the name of the Director General of the agency.

When also asked the name of the Assistant Director of Operations of the DSS in the state, the witness failed to state it.

Counsel to the second respondent, APC, Ayotunde Ogunleye, had brought in Garba as a witness following the subpoena of the tribunal issued to the DSS. Garba, who said he was the DSS officer attached to the office of INEC in Lokoja, as Security Liaison Officer, told the Justice Akon Ikpeme led tribunal that he was investigating the case of tampering with election materials used for the disputed election.

He had tendered five documents, which include handwritten report of the observation of the verification of the ballot papers, letters from INEC to the DSS asking them to investigate, reports of his findings, observation and investigation of the tampering with ballot papers used for the poll.

APC condemns attack on Faleke

By Boluwaji Obahopo

T

HE All Progressives Congress, APC, has condemned the attack on the party ’s Deputy G o v e r n o r s h i p candidate, Chief James Faleke in Ayetoro Gbedde, on Sunday.

APC chairman of Ijumu Local Government, Mr Taofeek Isah, decried the attack while speaking with newsmen in Lokoja yesterday.

Taofeek, who described the attack on the campaign convoy and supporters of Faleke as barbaric and uncalled for, charged security agencies to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.

He said, “the party will not tolerate any act of

indiscipline, anyone found wanting would be sanctioned.

Chief Faleke is a son of Ijumu

that cannot be rejected.

The people of Ijumu are happy with his political antecedents.”

Ojo rallies women for Wada

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SENIOR Special Assistant to Gov. Idris Wada, Mrs. Grace Ojo, has called on women across the state to give massive support to the reelection bid of the governor, saying the fate of Kogi women lies in the success of the governor.

Mrs Ojo assured women of improved inclusion in the next administration, if the women can reciprocate the good gesture of the First Lady, Hajia Halima Wada, to rural women by giving their votes to Capt Wada on November 21.

She said: “Capt Idris Wada is a very humble leader. He believes in team work without making noise. While some people see calmness as a weakness, we need to tell the outside world that Kogites abhor arrogant leaders and propagandist.

“In the past three and a half years, we have witnessed uncommon transformation in the educational sector with the remodeling of many schools across the state.

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48 — WEDNESDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

•The suspects: Martins Igbinigie, Osamudiamen Odigie, Osarumwense Ugiagbe, and Elvis Ojo

Threats from other groups made me join cult —SUSPECT

By Esther Onyegbula & Ebere Aham OPERATIVES of the Fed eral Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FEDSARS), Adeniji-Adele, Lagos, have arrested five hoodlums, who apart from being cultists also specialized in bank robbery, kidnapping and killing in Ekpoma, Benin City, Edo State, and other neighbouring states. The gang is allegedly responsible for the killing of many innocent people and destruction of properties within the state.

Crime Alert gathered that the suspects were arrested by a team of detectives led by Inspector Banjoko Oluwemimo, which swung into action after receiving intelligence reports about the nefarious activities of the gang in the state.

The investigation led to the arrest of four of the suspects, identified as Martins Igbinigie, 34; Osamudiamen Odigie, 36; Osarumwense Ugiagbe, 32; and Elvis Ojo, 29.

The gang, their weapons It was also gathered that Martins Igbinigie is one of the kingpins of the gang that operated with various dangerous weapons such as AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, double-barrelled guns cut to size they use in kidnapping, killing and armed robbery operations.

It was disclosed that some time ago, Martins and his gang killed one innocent boy simply named Coco, at Five Junction area in Benin City. It was further revealed that the gang was responsible for the recent cult-related killings in Ekpoma, where several students were killed and two people beheaded in front of Ambrose Ali University gate. The kingpin, Martins, is widely known to cruise around in a white C-Class Mercedes Benz car with Reg No DF 374-BEN. Suspects open up: Denying the allegation, Martins Igbinigie, C M Y K

who lives at No 14, Iyoha Street, Benin City, said: “I don’t know anything about the death of Coco.

I did not go with them. I don’t have any gun in my possession.

But I belong to Maphite secret cult in New Benin. I was initiated into the cult two years ago. I was initiated in my own house by Biggy and Isaac, a.k.a. Blaze. I joined the group because of op-

pression in the area by other cult groups. The Police recently recovered two guns from Ola who is a member. Somebody called 'Acid' is the mastermind of the crisis in Benin that usually leads to the deaths of innocent people. Last year, a member of Maphite cult group, Tony Jimmy had a disagreement with a boy at Uwa Street, Benin city. The disagree-

ment led to a fight and then the death of Uwa. I concede I have a C-Class Mercedes Benz, but I gave the car to my elder brother who is a pastor. I am ready to assist the police to arrest other cultists so that the community will be free from cultism. I am also the elected Community Youth Chairman in New Benin and its environs.”

Osamudiamen Odigie, 36: In his defence, Osamudiamen Odigie, a meat-seller residing at 52, Ogbemudia Street, said, “I am a member of Eiye Confraternity; I was initiated in 1996 at Ekiadolor by one Maco. I am not an active member. The wound on my leg was sustained during a fracas in our market. I was shot by one Ugben Bello. I am from Ekpoma in Ishan South-West Local Government Area. I dropped out of school at JSS-3 in 1994, because my parents had no money to continue my education.”

Osarumwense Ugiagbe, 32 “I was initiated into Maphite Confraternity when I gained admission into school in 2005. I was studying Political Science at Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State. I met them where I was drinking. They named me Omi dread. I know Martins, Tony Jimmy, Olatunji and Emma Biggy.

We all belonged to the same cult group. It was Tony Jimmy that shot Smart in October 2014 at Uwa Junction. I received the news when a member called me to close my shop in order not to be attacked by Smart’s gang.” I later dropped out of school at 200 level, because of financial challenges.

Elvis Ojo. 29: “I dropped out of school because of cultism at Igueben College of Education. In 2011, I was expelled from the school. I am a member of Eiye Confraternity. I was initiated in 2010, at the College of Education. It is one Osama who is now late and the leader of Eiye Confraternity that initiated me. My nickname is 5050. Sincerely, I was not really expelled. I had dropped out of school because of their threat.”

Crime Alert learned that the four suspects who were arraigned before Evboriaria Chief Magistrate Court 3, in Benin City, on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 pleaded not guilty to a five-count charge that was preferred against them before Magistrate A.A. Ihenyen.

The case was adjourned to September 29, 2015 for further hearing, while the accused persons were remanded in Oko prison, pending when they meet their bail requirements.

Unbelievable: Corpse still in mortuary, three years after Enugu killing

By Chinenye Ozor

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ENSION has gripped Oil rich Iggha Community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State, following the continued refusal of Enugu State government to release the corpse of a teenager who was allegedly killed by trigger-happy soldiers and members of a vigilante group, three years ago.

The teenager, Anikwe Onyibo, was reportedly killed in front of his family compound while he was asleep after armed soldiers led by members of the vigilante group from a neighbouring community besieged Iggah Community claiming to be on routine security patrol of oil wells.

The soldiers allegedly came in a Hilux van belonging to a construction company which is a subsidiary of the petroleum company licensed to mine the rich natural oil deposits in the community.

Crime Alert gathered that the death of the youth sparked off serious protests in the community and nearly led to a face-off between Iggah Community and their neighbours. It was gathered that all efforts made by the community and family members of the slain youth to seek justice failed as both the police and all relevant government agencies ignored them. Worse still, according to family sources, the

body of the teenager was dumped in the mortuary and consistent pleas for it to be released for a befitting burial hit a brick wall.

Crime Alert investigations revealed that no official reason was given for the refusal of government to release the corpse.

Rather, it was abandoned for three years now while his community and family members groan in pains. Notwithstanding this ugly development, the oil deposit has been explored over the years regardless of the simmering differences and disagreement between Enugu, Anambra and Kogi states over the actual owners of the land where the oil wells are located.

Cries for help Amidst tears rolling down his cheeks, the father of the slain teenager, Chief Obiora Anikwe (58), who managed to speak with Crime Alert said that it was “unbelievable, unheard of and disheartening” that since three years of killing his son, government could still not release the corpse for burial before he dies. “What is the government still doing with the corpse of my late son, slain in front of my house while asleep? I do not have the wherewithal to fight the course of the killing of my son. I am only appealing that his corpse be

The Victim: Anikwe Onyibo

released to me to bury before I die. I have been waiting and begging to see the corpse of my son, and then join my ancestors.

For three good years, the corpse of my late son was dumped in the mortuary without any reason and no hope in sight for its release.

What can I do as a poor farmer, only waiting for God to intervene for a lasting justice on my son’s death. ‘’If government does not want to release the corpse, let them make it known to me and my people so that we can forget it and allow the dead to bury itself. I am a confused man. For three years, I am still talking of burying Onyibo who was carelessly killed.

Nobody told us the outcome of the investigations since three years now, yet we are still begging for the release of his corpse without judgement. It is too heavy in my heart to bear. The day he was killed in front of my house, he was asleep, not feeling very well in

Igwe Herbert Ukuta

health when he suddenly heard loud noise and woke up, only to see a team of soldiers. Then, he started running and was gunned down instantly. I am pleading with the military and all relevant government agencies to kindly release the corpse of my son for burial three years after he was killed before I, myself, pass on to eternity,” he lamented.

Enugu State House of Assembly’s intervention It could be recalled that Enugu State House of Assembly had, in 2013, in a motion moved by Hon. Kelvin Ukuta, representing UzoUwani Constituency, ordered that a full-scale investigation be carried into the killing of the teenager. Unfortunately, up till the time of this report, after three years of the killing, report of the investigations has not been made public nor made available to the House of Assembly while the corpse is till dumped in the mortuary.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 — 49

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50 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

We wish to produce Nigeria's President someday — AWOLOWO FAMILY

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—THE eldest daughter of first Premier of Western Region, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Mrs. Omotola Oyediran yesterday disclosed that the Awolowo family wishes that one of its own becomes President of Nigeria.

Oyediran stated that she had been praying that a descendant of Awolowo became President of Nigeria in the nearest future.

She stated this while playing host to some prominent dignitaries who visited Awolowo family house in Ikenne, yesterday over the death of their matriarch, Chief HID Awolowo, who died last Saturday.

According to Oyediran: ''I used to pray daily that, one day, a descendant of the Awolowo family will become the President of Nigeria, but I stopped and I do not know why I stopped, but I want to say it again that one day a descendant of the Awolowos will become the President of Nigeria.''

Those who paid tributes at the Awolowo's Ikenne home yesterday included Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Chairman of the Yoruba Council of Elders, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo; Chairman of Oodua Investment Group, Dr. Isaac Akintade; Representatives of traditional rulers of Ife; Mrs. Kofoworola Akerele-Bucknor; members of the Ogun State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Hon. Suraj Adekunbi Ishola; wife of the governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olu-

funsho Amosun; Gen Oladipupo Diya; members of the Yoruba Unity Forum, among others.

In his tributes, chairman of the Council of Yoruba Elders, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo said: “Mama contributed highly to the unity of Yorubaland. She lived a remarkable life worthy of emulation. Her lifetime is a lesson to the rest of us to teach us how to live our lives.”

Senator Oluremi Tinubu in her remarks said: “We have lost a woman of substance. An enigma, a woman of all seasons that touched virtually all spheres of life. She came, saw and

conquered. A mother, wife, political icon. A woman of many parts. A role model personified.

A mother I loved and admired.

A loss not only to her biological children, but to the Yoruba race and Nigeria at large.”

The Ife Traditional Council of Kings led by Oba Adeoye Adefarakan, Oloyere of Iyere Ife said “the Ife Kingdom appreciates the contributions of Papa and Mama to the unity of Yorubaland. What we can say of Mama and Papa is that they contributed greatly to the development of Ife kingdom. Ikenne is the headquarters of Yorubaland in terms of politics

and administration while Ife is the home of Yorubas.”

Also,former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Sen Florence Ita-Giwa has described the late Hannah Dideolu Awolowo as a unifying factor, who contributed immensely to national development. Ita-Giwa in a statement, described the deceased as a nationalist and mother of the nation.

She recalled how she was privileged to have spoken with the matriarch on phone two months ago, adding that Mrs. Awolowo urged her never to give up in her struggle for Bakassi people.

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and one of the rams he distributed to people of the state.

SALLAH: Muslims defy leaders order, collect Fayose’s rams in Ekiti

By Rotimi Olaleye

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DO EKITI—MUSLIMS in Ekiti yesterday defied the directive of some of their leaders not to collect Sallah gifts from Governor Ayo Fayose, as they trooped to the government

house in Ado Ekiti to collect the rams distributed by the governor for Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

This contravened the order earlier issued by Muslim leaders, under the auspices of League of Imams and Alfas, Ekiti State, which urged members to reject

Irabor, Omojuwa, others for IIDA awards

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UFIL Prima Foods Plc, makers of leading noodles brand, Indomie Instant Noodles, have announced members of the panel of judges for the 2015 edition of its corporate social responsibility initiative Indomie Independence Day Award (IIDA) for Heroes of Nigeria.

The selected judges are Socioeconomic and political commentator, Mr. Japheth Omojuwa; Principal Grange School, G.R.A, Ikeja, Mr. Graham Stothard; Executive Director, Corona Schools, Mrs. Olufunto Igun; Editor, Vanguard Newspaper, Mr. Mideno Bayagbon; Publisher/ Editor, Genevieve Magazine, Mrs. Betty Irabor; MD, Heritage Homes, Mrs. Osuntokun and C M Y K

Deputy Provost, Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Mr. Jide Johnson.

This list was contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, on progress of activities for the 2015 edition of the Indomie Heroes Award.

Ashiwaju acknowledged the credibility and integrity of the selected judges, saying: “We are excited to have on-board these distinguished Nigerians with a track record of integrity in their various endeavours.

The selected members of the panel are credible people with proven integrity who would do justice to the task of selecting the three winners for this year’s IIDA awards.”

the gifts on the strength that their members were not adequately represented in Fayose’s appointments.

Though, another group had countered the League of Imams and Alfas for that action, describing those behind the attack as impostors, who were not known in Islam circle.

While distributing the rams to Imams and other top dignitaries, Fayose said he won’t allow himself to be dragged into playing politics with religion in the state.

The governor urged Muslims to prevent themselves from being used as instruments of politics by desperate politicians, who are bent on maligning his government at every slight opportunity.

In his words, “I won’t allow anybody to drag me into playing politics with religion. What I am doing today is a demonstration of love and support for the Muslims.

I am not that kind of a leader who does things with religious interest.

“I will do same to Christians at Christmas exactly what I am doing to Muslims today.''

Ondo workers protest unpaid wages despite bail-out The workers, who staged the

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE–WORKERS in Ondo State Government yesterday protested non-payment of their salaries for the months of July and August and their deductions since May despite collecting the bail out fund.

The protest took place at the office of the state Accountant General and the Governor ’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure.

protest in front of the office of the Accountant General of the state, Mr Fredrick Ajibokun were led by the Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Mr Sunday Adeleye and the State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Soladoye Ekundayo.

They displayed placard, chanted solidarity songs and blocked the road in front of the Government House for hours before they marched to the Governor’s office.

Ilawe APC backs Falana’s ministerial nomination

By Rotimi Olaleye

A

DO-EKITI—THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area of Ekiti State has expressed support for the nomination of Mr. Femi Falana as a Minister in the federal cabinet.

After an emergency meeting held in Ado Ekiti, the capital, yesterday, the stakeholders stated that Falana was qualified for the expected appointment, given his credentials and antecedents as an advocate of good governance and a defender of human rights.

They dismissed the petitions against Falana’s appointment as ill-intentioned, warning the petitioners to desist.

They described them as “mischief makers who wrote petitions to blackmail Falana challenging his nomination on grounds that he is not a cardcarrying member of the party in Ekiti State.”

The meeting was attended by former House of Assembly members, former council chairmen, former party state executive committee members and all the party executives in all the wards in Ilawe Ekiti community where Falana hails from.

The communique signed by all the party leaders was read by Bunmi Akinniyi, former State Organizing Secretary of the APC.

CAC factions move to end 25-year-old crisis

By Ola Ajayi

I

BADAN—TWO feuding factions in the Christ Apostolic Church were yesterday said to have made remarkable progress in ending the 25-year-old leadership tussle that has been threatening the survival of the orthodox church.

Presently, two of the past leaders of the General Executive Council which is the faction contesting the leadership of the church with Supreme Council have thrown in the towel and are now trying to convince other members of the faction to let them end the perennial crisis.

This was disclosed by the President of Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, worldwide, Pastor Gabriel Oladimeji Lagunju yesterday at the opening session of this year's annual pastors’ conference which held at the CAC Alasepe prayer ground, Ikire, Osun State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 — 51

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52 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 — 53

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54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Eagles assistant coaches sign contracts A

S S I S TA N T Coaches of the Super Eagles have come out to deny a newspaper report that they have been working without contracts.

Coaches Jean Francoise Luscuito and Salisu Yusuf were at the NFF Secretariat on Tuesday to express anger at the story that insinuated that the coaches have been working without contracts, and therefore with low morale.

“We have signed our contract papers, and the papers have been handed over to us a long time ago. We do not understand where the story is coming from, because we never spoke to anyone about not having valid contracts, or not having been paid salaries,” Coach Salisu Yusuf said on behalf of Luscuito and goalkeepers’ trainer Alloy Agu. Yusuf continued: “The Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh and ourselves have been working in one accord and there is no problem of motivation.

Our commitment to the vision and mission of the present NFF to build a Super Eagles’ team that will re-enact the Golden Era of our football remains unshaken.”

F

ans of Rangers International FC of Enugu on Tuesday expressed worries over the club’s poor performance in the Glo Premier League.

Speaking separately with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu, the fans called on the players and handlers of the team to improve their game to avoid relegation.

They said that the club was not living up to their expectations and needed to do better to remain in the country ’s top flight league.

NSA: Nominations close September 26

O

Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh (i) celebrates a goal with his players

Ekeji celebrates Team Nigeria, wants early Olympics preparation

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

A

former DirectorGeneral of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Patrick Ekeji has applauded Team Nigeria’s second place finish at the justconcluded African Games, saying it was the best way of repositioning Nigeria’s sports prowess in Africa.

Team Nigeria garnered 47 gold, 55 silver and 42 bronze to finish overall second behind Egypt which

Danjuma Continues from BP championships said he has identified the flaws that led to the sudden slide of the African champions in recent times.

According to him, what the team, needs at the moment is to begin to build a new team that will be mainly populated by players plying their trade in the local league since it has always been difficult to secure the release of some of the girls abroad, especially when some of the competitions like the just ended AAG does not fall within the approved FIFA window.

“Let me start by saying that I take full responsibility for the poor showings of the Super Falcons in recent times and I want to apologise to all Nigerians for the let down. Our focus was to C M Y K

Rangers supporters lament club’s poor run

win and make Nigeria proud but due to some lapses which we have noticed we could not make it. The issue of blending was very critical because since most of the girls play abroad, their clubs don’t always release them on time and by the time they arrive from various countries with various playing pattern it is not easy for them to blend.

“What we intend to do now is to begin to build a team where the absence of one or two players will no longer pose a challenge for the team because we must have to get well talented players from the local league to form the bedrock of the national team.

“And talking about the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) advertising the position of the Chief Coach of

emerged as overall champions of the Games hosted by Congo.

Ekeji told Sports Vanguard in Abuja that with good strategy and implementation, Nigeria would take its place in sports in the continent.

“That is good for our sports; it just goes to say that with a good strategy, we can achieve so much.

“If the funds were available, the country will have entered for more sporting events; not entering in all of the sports means we were already short of some

medals before we got into the Games.

“Second place is respectable and what this simply means is that with a good strategy and implementation we can achieve what we want to achieve,” Ekeji said.

the Super Falcons, I don’t see anything wrong with that because I have been acting since the sack of Edwin Okon. But let me state that I will apply for the job because I still believe that I am the most qualified to handle the team because I have been with most of the girls since their U-17 days, so I know them more than any other person.”

Danjuma also argued that with the dominance of Nigeria over the rest of Africa over the years, the other countries will certainly do everything within their powers to dethrone the team hence the urgent need for the Super Falcons to begin to emulate European countries by increasing the level of mental and technical capacity of the players.

•Ekeji

RGANIZERS of the prestigious Nigerian Sports Award, Unmissable Incentives Limited have announced that nominations of sportsmen and women for the different categories of awards for the 2015 edition would close Saturday, September 26, 2015 Kayode Idowu, Executive Director, Unmissable Incentives Limited, disclosed this inLagos on Monday while briefing the media on developments on the 2015 edition of the Nigerian Sports Award.

Idowu revealed that the nominations for this year ’s edition of the award was deliberately prolonged to close after the just concluded All African Games to accommodate the different major sporting activities for the year. ‘’In the past, we have had instances where some Nigerian

NANS

Continues from BP

where they resolved to throw their weight and support behind the FIFA presidency aspiration of ‘Seguin Odegbami.

NANS further promised to do their best to obtain the support of other fellow African Nations’ students bodies. The message went further to request a meeting with ‘Segun Odegbami and also affirmed that during their imminent meeting with the Nigerian President – General Muhammadu Buhari – they will table this message and seek the support of the Nigerian president for Segun Odegbami’s candidacy.

A spokesperson for Chief Odegbami, Dr Ade Adeagbo said: “the overwhelming and

unsolicited support of the youth of Nigeria for ‘Segun Odegbami, is a reflection of his status as a living African football legend and role model.

Not only does this students’ endorsement reflect the objectivity of the younger generations in Nigeria and indeed across Africa, it also stands as a collective yearn of Nigerian youth to have someone at the helms of FIFA affairs that they can trust and relate to” Adeagbo further stressed, “with this form of endorsement, and many of its types received to date, it will be foolhardy for any organization and/or agency in Nigeria and Africa not to support ‘Segun Odegbami’s candidacy for FIFA President”.

Sportsmen and Women recorded some o u t s t a n d i n g performances during the course of the award year but couldn’t make it into nominations. This is why we decided to ensure that nominations for this year closes at the end of all the major sporting events” he said.

Pinnick Continues from BP taking to rebuild Nigeria football and restore the nation’s glory in the international game.

Pinnick briefed the CAF boss on the various developmental programs of the Nigeria Football Federation, which Hayatou said he was very much aware of.

Africa’s number one football administrator, who is world –governing body, FIFA’s only Senior Vice President, spoke at length on the unity in CAF - which insinuates that CAF would only support a candidate which has Africa’s interests at heart, for the forthcoming FIFA presidential elections.

The NFF boss then thanked the CAF President and assured him of Nigeria’s steadfastness in support of CAF’s programs.

“As a responsible affiliate body, the NFF will continue to follow CAF’s lead in global football politics and policies.

We have a lot of developmental programs that we are about to unveil, and we will always require CAF’s support,” said Pinnick.

It will be recalled that while setting its conditions for Nigerians aspiring for the highest office in world football, the NFF had made it clear that it would be willing to facilitate meetings with CAF’s top hierarchy for the aspirants. This also formed part of discussions between the CAF President and NFF boss Pinnick on Monday.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015 — 55

Arsenal win appeal against Gabriel’s red card A

RSENAL h a v e won their appeal against Gabriel Paulista’s sending off during the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.

The Brazilian defender was controversially redcarded after clashing with Diego Costa in the first-half of Saturday ’ s Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge and was facing a threematch suspension.

But the Gunners argued it was a case of wrongful dismissal and a Football Association panel have upheld their claim.

An FA statement read: “Arsenal’s claim of wrongful dismissal in relation to Gabriel has been upheld following an I n d e p e n d e n t R e g u l a t o r y Commission hearing.

“The player ’s threematch suspension has, therefore, been withdrawn with immediate effect.

“Gabriel was dismissed for violent conduct during the game against Chelsea on Saturday [19 September 2015].

“The player is currently subject to a separate FA charge of improper conduct in relation to Saturday’s game and has until 6pm on Thursday [24 September 2015] to reply.”

Ferguson: I only had four world class players

S

IR Alex Ferguson reckons he only coached four truly world-class talents in his 26-year reign as Manchester United manager – Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Treble winners David Beckham, Peter Schmeichel and Roy Keane failed to make the grade under Fergie’s definition of world-class. Rio Ferdinand, Bryan Robson and Wayne Rooney also missed the cut.

And in his sequel, Leading, English football’s most successful

*Ref Deein: Demonstrates Gabriel's supposed kick on Coasta.

Doctor Carneiro leaves Chelsea after Mourinho row HELSEA’s team C doctor Eva Carneiro has left her post at

*Cameiro and Mourinho

Liverpool fans plot protest to oust Rodgers

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*Rodgers

IVERPOOL fans are being urged to take

Totti misses Sampdoria tie

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RANCESCO Totti and Antonio Rudiger are out of Roma’s trip to Sampdoria tonight.

Captain Totti made history at the weekend in the 2-2 draw with Sassuolo, scoring his 300th goal in a Giallorossi jersey.

However, he doesn’t make the trip due to a badly bruised right hand, though tests ruled out any fractures.

Defender Rudiger is also out with a knock to the left knee. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is a long-term absentee after dislocating his finger.

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manager of all time is at it again with his assessment of players’ true worth. He said: “In my book there are only two world-class players playing today: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I don’t mean to demean or criticise any of the great or very good players who played for me during my 26-year career at United, but there were only four who were world-class: Cantona, Giggs, Ronaldo and Scholes. “And of the four, Cristiano was like the ornament on top of a Christmas tree.”

*Totti

their protests against Brendan Rodgers to the next level as supporters try to convince the club owners to bring in Jurgen Klopp.

No, not flying a plane over the stadium. It’s fancy dress that will oust the unpopular incumbent if popular Twitter account The Anfield Chat has its way.

They have called on fans to don the famous jacket, cap and spectacles made famous by former Borussia Dortmund manager Klopp. And it certainly isn’t a cheap way to make your point: the club training jacket and baseball cap suggested would set fans back over £60 if bought from the club shop.

Stamford Bridge, according to reports. The 42year-old was involved in a public spat with Blues manager Jose Mourinho after entering the field of play to treat Eden Hazard during the Premier League fixture against Swansea City in August.

With Chelsea already down to 10 men after Thibaut Courtois’ dismissal Hazard was forced to leave the action to be treated, which incensed Mourinho, who accused his medical staff of ‘naivety’. Carneiro was subsequently downgraded from her match-day role on Chelsea’s bench as a result of her decision to rush to the Belgian winger’s aid.

She has been asked to return to work by Chelsea but declined the opportunity to do so and is now believed to be considering her legal options in the wake of her departure.

*Ronaldo and Ferguson

Benitez: Only Ronaldo’s place is certain Coach said, AS reports.

RAFA Benitez has said that only Cristiano Ronaldo is guaranteed a place in the Real Madrid team as he is on a level above the rest of the squad.

Benitez appeared before the Press in advance of Madrid’s game against Athletic Bilbao and the discussion turned to Gareth Bale and rotations in the team.

“I talk to Bale in English and he understands what is needed to be competitive. This is a special group. They know Cristiano gets 60 goals a season and that’s a bonus,” the

“When I compared him to [Spain basketball international] Pau Gasol I meant that we have a great team and a player who makes the difference.

“Cristiano was the one who ran the most against Espanyol. He’ll tire and he has to be managed. He’s fine today. Here there is only one indisputable player and that’s Cristiano, the rest are good players.

“I don’t favour anybody. It’s about helping someone score 60 goals a season. Karim Benzema is scoring too. Above all the team has to be balanced.”

Neymar tempts Coutinho to Barca EYMAR admits N he’d welcome Philippe Coutinho to

*Neymar

Barcelona after being asked which of his Brazil teammates could play for La Blaugrana.

“Coutinho is a ‘crack’ [a brilliant player]. I’d like to play with him at Barca. He has the level for Barca,” Marca quotes Neymar as saying.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

FIFA Presidential race: Pinnick confers with Hayatou P

RESIDENT of the Confederation of African Football,

Alhaji (Dr) Issa Hayatou has emphasized that Nigeria is a very important nation in African, nay world football, and would always play an influential role at every turn.

At a private meeting with NFF President Amaju Pinnick in Yaounde, Cameroon on Monday, the continent’s football supremo lauded the measures that the present NFF has been Continues on Page 54

•Hayatou

NANS support Odegbami as FIFA President •To take case to Buhari

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HE National Association of Nigerian Students [NANS] is in support of chief Segun Odegbami’s ambition to become the

THE GOOD OLD DAYS: Super Falcons players celebrate victory.

I remain best man for Super Falcons job – Danjuma •Says I take responsibility for the team’s failure

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

D

ESPITE his inability to lead

the senior women national team, the Super Falcons to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

as well as not winning any medal at the just concluded All Africa Games in Brazzaville,

Congo, acting head coach of the team, Christopher Danjuma insists he is the most qualified man to handle the team.

Danjuma who also told Sports Vanguard in Abuja yesterday that he takes responsibility for the outcome of the Continues on Page 54

next FIFA President.

A solidarity message was released after a recent meeting of the student body held at the University of Benin,

Continues on Page 54

•Odegbami

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

DOWN ACROSS 2 Regret (3) 1 Avarice (5) 5 Mountain-peaks (6) 3 Whole (6) 4 Owing (3) 8 Elbow (5) 5 Encounter (4) 10 Decay (6) 6 Grinned (6) 11 Wicked (4) 7 Unclean (6) 14 Gift (6) 9 Imagined (7) 15 Withdraw (7) 12 Tank (3) 18 Golf-peg (3) 13 Ogle (4) 19 Males (3) 16 Relax (4) 21 Cart (4) 17 Singer (5) 23 Poison (5) 20 Remarkable (7) 24 Leader (4) 22 Fever (4) 27 Spot (3) 24 Harry (6) 29 Fix (3) 25 Imitated (4) 31 Devastated (7) 26 Infer (6) 32 Believe (6) 28 Greet (6) 34 Sand-hill (4) 30 Trap (3) 35 Loll (6) 33 Trial (4) 38 Perspire (5) 36 Lout (3) 39 Dislike (6) 37 Silence (3) 40 Pretend (5)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Master 5, Branch 8, Carnival 9, Claw 10, Her 12, Creep 15, Ash 17, Err 18, End 19, Spa 20, Amend 21, Dip 22, Cos 23, Ace 24, Eat 26, Hotel 29, Red 33, Fire 34, Hopeless 35, Fester 36, Litter.

DOWN: 2, Amaze 3, Tang 4, Rover 5, Bulge 6, Ach 7, Class 10, Haste 11, React 12, Crash 13, Event 14, Pedal 15, Adder 16, Hoped 25, Alive 27, Other 28, Expel 30, Ensue 31, Pelt 32, Flat.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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