Budget 2016'll revive economy, says Buhari

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62655

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

FG, states, LGs share N370bn 9

Govs have no right to reduce minimum wage — FG 8

Budget 2016'll revive economy, says Buhari

By Henry Umoru, Emma Ovuakporie & •Apologises to Nigerians over fuel scarcity Johnbosco Agbakwuru •Adds: We'll ensure every Naira spent counts A

BUDGET 2016 AT A GLANCE Budget value: N6.08 trn FMC boils again Revenue projection:N3.86 trn Deficit: N2.22 trillion ...as workers protest return of Domestic borrowing: N984 bn Foreign borrowing: N900 bn Dr Uwakwem Capital Expenditure: N1.8 trn See Inside Recurrent Expenditure: N2.65 trn Non-oil revenues: N1.45 trillion COLUMNISTS: Special Intervention Programmes: N200 bn P.17

TABIA PRINCEWILL

Nigeria needs a higher sense of purpose

DEFENCE N134.6 billion

WORKS, POWER, HOUSING

P.32

N433.4 bn

DEAR

BUNMI

Hubby was a serial cheat

TRANSPORT

Petrol: N87 per litre

N202.0 billion

P.19 ROTIMI FASAN

Buhari, the Army, ethnic and religious militias C M Y K

EDUCATION

500,000 unemployed N369.6 graduates to be billion (recurrent) employed as teachers

B U J A — PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, apologised to Nigerians over the persistent and biting fuel scarcity in the country and attributed the problem to market speculators and stakeholders who are resistant to change. He assured that the government was working hard to end the shortages urgently.

President Buhari who begged Nigerians while presenting the N6.08 trillion 2016 budget to a joint session of the

National Assembly, said the government has not increased fuel price and that the pump price of fuel remains N87 per litre.

Buhari arrived the Chambers at 10.01am.

Apologizing to Nigerians for the pains occasioned by the continued fuel scarcity across the country, he said: “The current fuel scarcity with long queues at petrol stations all over the country causing social dislocation is very unfortunate. Government profoundly apologizes to Nigerians for this Continues on Page 5

FG declares Thursday, Friday, Monday public 8 holidays BIAFRA: FG slams fresh 6count charge against Kanu, 2 others 15

Mr & Mrs

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

C M Y K

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C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

2016 BUDGET PRESENTATION — 2nd from right: President Muhammadu Buhari chatting with Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara during 2016 Budget presentation by the President at the National Assembly Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Budget 2016'll revive economy, says Buhari Continues from Page 1 prolonged hardship and misery. It is as a result of market speculators and resistance to change by some stakeholders.

Government is working very hard to end these shortages and bring fuel to the pumps all over the country."

Meanwhile, the Senate, yesterday, amended the Appropriation Act of 2015 to extend implementation of 2015 budget from December 31, 2015 to March 31, 2016.

The President who started his address at 10.17am and ended it at 10.51 am, disclosed that 30 per cent of Nigeria’s annual budget will be committed to capital

expenditure, even as he raised Capital Expenditure from N557 billion in 2015 to N1.8 trillion in the 2016 budget.

Having reviewed the trends in the global oil industry, he said the government decided to set a benchmark price of $38 per barrel and a production estimate of 2.2 million barrels per day for 2016, with plans to focus on non-oil revenues by broadening the tax base and improving the effectiveness of revenue collecting agencies. The government is projecting to realise N1.4 trillion as non-oil revenue.

President Buhari, who noted that the present administration projected a

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO OTHING in life is more satisfying than sharing bread with the hungry and helping the needy. That is a sure path to true happiness. It's up to you.

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TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

It is in your moment of decision that your destiny is shaped —Anthony Robbins

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IVE a more satisfying life by learning to listen to your heart. It is the soft quiet voice from within; the voice that guides you in making meaningful choices. It enables you to do the right thing, rather than making a self-serving egodominant decision. Remember, you’re bigger than your fears. Listen to your heart. Follow it, and stay true to yourself. If you’re struggling to hear its call, practice mindfulness. Being consciously present in whatever you do. Learn to see the bigger picture.

Don’t get stuck on the small things. Focus on what’s really important and how you can get what you want out of life.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE You can show a man his brother, you can't show him his friend.

revenue target of N3.86 trillion for 2016 and recurrent expenditure of N2.43 trillion, said that the Federal Government also proposed to spend N1.66 trillion on foreign and domestic debt servicing.

The President also declared that his administration would fight corruption no matter how long it takes.

To borrow N1.9 trillion

In the budget, there is a projected foreign and domestic borrowing of N900 billion and N986 billion respectively.

On recurrent sectoral allocations, Education received the highest recurrent vote of N369 billion; followed by Health, N296 billion; Defence, N294 billion; Ministry of Interior, N245 billion while the merged ministries of Power, Works and Housing received budgetary allocation of N433 billion for 2016.

The speech read in part: “The Budget was based on a benchmark oil price of $53 per barrel, oil production of 2.28 million barrels per day and an exchange rate of N190 to the US$.

“The projected revenue was N3.45 trillion, with an outlay of N4.49 trillion, implying a deficit of N1.04 trillion. Due largely to under-provisioning by the previous administration for fuel subsidy and the costs required to support the military operations in the North East, the Government had to obtain National Assembly ’s approval for a supplementary budget of N575.5 billion. I take this opportunity to thank all

members of the National Assembly for the prompt passage of that Bill.

“To deliver our development objectives, we have increased the capital expenditure portion of the budget from N557 billion in the 2015 budget to N1.8 trillion, in the 2016 budget. Distinguished and honourable members of the National Assembly, for the first time in many years, capital expenditure will represent 30 per cent of our total budget. In future years, we intend to raise the percentage allocation for capital expenditure.

“This is a fulfillment of our promise to align expenditure to our longterm objectives, and a sign of government’s commitment to s u s t a i n a b l e development.

This increased capital expenditure commits significant resources to critical sectors such as Works, Power and Housing – N433.4 billion; Transport – N202 billion; Special Intervention Programs – N200 billion; Defence – N134.6 billion; and Interior – N145.3 billion.

These investments in infrastructure and security are meant to support our reforms in the Agriculture, Solid Minerals and other core job creating sectors of our economy.

“We will invest to safeguard lives and property. We will invest in equipping our farmers with the right tools, technology and techniques. We will invest in empowering and enabling our miners to operate in a safe, secure and humane environment. We will invest in training our youths, through the revival of our technical and vocational institutions, to ensure they are competent enough to seize the opportunities that will arise from this economic revival.

“Indeed, the future looks bright. And I ask that we all work together to make this vision a reality. The 223 per cent year on year growth in capital expenditure demonstrates our desire to make Nigeria more competitive, and start the journey to deliver sustainable development in our country.

“In fulfillment of our promise to run a lean government, we have proposed a nine per cent reduction in non-debt recurrent expenditure, from N2.59 trillion in the 2015 Budget to N2.35 trillion in 2016.

Furthermore, we have budgeted N300 billion for Special Intervention

Programmes, which takes the total amount for nondebt recurrent expenditure to N2.65 trillion.

Reduces overhead cost

“The Efficiency Unit set up by this Administration together with effective implementation of GIFMIS and IPPIS will drive a reduction of overheads by at least seven per cent, personnel costs by eight per cent and other service wide votes by 19 per cent.

Distinguished and honourable members, this budget will be executed to provide optimum value by ensuring every naira spent by this Government, counts.

“We will devote a significant portion of our recurrent expenditure to institutions that provide critical government services. We will spend N369.6 billion in Education; N294.5 billion in Defence; N221.7 billion in Health and N145.3 billion in the Ministry of Interior. This will ensure our teachers, armed forces personnel, doctors, nurses, police men, fire fighters, prison service officers and many more critical service providers are paid competitively and on time.

“Our 2016 borrowings will be principally directed to fund our capital projects.

Furthermore, the sum of N113 billion will be set aside for a Sinking Fund towards the retirement of maturing loans; while N1.36 trillion has been provided for foreign and domestic debt service.

This calls for prudent management on our part, both of the debt portfolio and the deployment of our hard earned foreign exchange earnings."

Buhari who noted that government was aware of the harsh economic situation presently being faced by Nigerians, however, blamed the situation on unbridled corruption and security challenges, adding: “We have demonstrated a strong will to fight corruption. I am sure you will agree that the sheer

scale of corruption and impunity of the past explains in part, the economic challenges we now face. On these initiatives, and the many more to come, we shall not be deterred. We will pursue the recovery of everything that belongs to the people of Nigeria. No matter where it is hidden.

No matter how long it will take."

President Buhari assured Nigerians that his administration was poised to rebuilding the economy and restoring public confidence in the government. He said although the nation has series of problems to contend with, the challenges were not beyond the country to tackle, adding that the 2016 budget was designed to stimulate the economy and make it more competitive, while focusing on infrastructural development; delivering inclusive growth and prioritizing the welfare of Nigerians.

Buhari also assured that the budget would address problems associated with youth unemployment and general poverty in the land, with particular emphasis on the deplorable conditions of most vulnerable Nigerians, adding, “I know the state of our economy is a source of concern for many. This has been further worsened by the unbridled corruption and security challenges we have faced in the last few years.

“From those who have lost their jobs, to those young people who have never had a job, to the people in the North East whose families and businesses were destroyed by insurgents, this has been a difficult period in our nation’s history, lessons that we must not forget or ignore, as we plan for the future.

“By June 2014, oil prices averaged $112 per barrel.

But as at today, the price is under $39 per barrel.

This huge decline is having a painful effect on our economy.

Consumption has declined at all levels. In both the private and Continues on Page 7

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23 , 2015

Fire razes bungalow in Onitsha

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SCARCE COMMODITY: A crowd of people waitng to buy petrol at the NNPC Mega Station in Dutse, Jigawa, yesterday as fuel scarcity intensifies. Photo: NAN.

Police burst counterfeit currencies syndicate in Lagos hotel •Recover two suit cases filled with fake Ghana Cedis

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By Evelyn Usman

AGOS—DETECTIVES of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Intelligence Response Team, IRT, have uncovered a hotel in Badagry area of Lagos, allegedly used for printing of fake foreign currency.

Vanguard gathered that about 15 persons; eleven of who are Ghanaians and four Nigerians allegedly, used some of the rooms in the hotel to print the fake foreign currencies.

Selling of fake foreign currencies

The currencies as gathered were sold to unsuspecting Nigerians who travel within the African continent, particularly Ghana.

Luck, however, ran out on them after a team of the IGP Intelligence Response Team, said to have acted on a tip off, stormed the hotel. But on sighting the detectives, the suspects reportedly abandoned the fake currencies in their hotel rooms and fled.

Vanguard gathered that when one of the rooms was searched, two suit cases filled with fake Ghanaian currencies were recovered.

Hotel owner arrested

Owner of the hotel with an undisclosed identity, who was arrested over the recovery, denied knowledge of the illegal business in his hotel, maintaining that it was not in their purview to interfere in their guests private affairs.

He said: “I didn’t know what the suspects were doing. Our duty is to check them in and whatever happens thereafter is unknown to us.”

Police sources disclosed that the suspects from Ghana came into the country with the aid of an undisclosed transporter, the police alleged to be conniving with

foreigners.

“Moves are on to track the fleeing suspects as well as the Nigerian transporter,“ Police sources said.

....As Immigration arrests man, 29, with 870 ATM cards in Kano

By Abdulsalam Muhammad

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ANO—A 29- year-old man, Yahya Saifullahi , was recently arrested by Immigration officers at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport with 870 ATM cards and two bank internet tokens.

The suspect arrested aboard Ethiopia Airways’ Flight No ET 940 with Passport No. A06694052 was said to be on his way to Dubai.

A member of the presidential task force on money laundering and illegal movement of foreign currency, Tukur Ibrahim, informed Vanguard that Immigration

operatives at the airport arrested the young man in his late 20s when he was singled out for scrutiny.

Tukur Ibrahim disclosed that “the suspect lost his composure and psychological make up at that moment and on frisking a total of 870 ATM cards were found on him.”

While noting that the suspect concealed the ATM cards under his groin, Tukur gave the breakdown of seized ATM cards as Ecobank, 24; GT Bank, 118; Access Bank, 170; Diamond Bank, 71; Sterling Bank, three; Keystone Bank, nine; Skye Bank 34 and

UBA Plc, eight.

According to the Immigration official, other confiscated ATM cards also include Wema Bank, three; Zenith Bank, 20; Heritage Bank, 21; Standard Chartered Bank, 10; First Bank, 42; Union Bank, 26; Stanbic IBTC, 30; Unity Bank, 45; Fidelity Bank, 40 and FCMB, 196.

Tukur Ibrahim revealed that the suspect had since been handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.

GUINESS VS NAFDAC: Court adjourns suit as the raw materials used in to Feb 8 parties that a meeting is ongoing the production of beer and

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By Onozure Dania

AGOS—JUSTICE Wasiu Animahun of a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere has adjourned the suit filed by Guinness Nigeria Plc, against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, to February 8, 2016 to enable parties meet for amicable resolution of the dispute.

Justice Animahun adjourned the suit yesterday after listening to submissions of counsel to both

to resolve the matter out of court.

NAFDAC had imposed N1 billion fine on Guinness Nigeria Plc “as administrative charges for various clandestine violations of NAFDAC rules, regulations and enactments over a long period of time”.

Guinness was also accused by the agency for revalidating expired products without authorisation and supervision by NAFDAC, as well as failing to secure the gate of its warehouse

non-alcoholic beverages by the firm were permanently opened to intrusion and exposure to the elements and rodents, which “invariably affect the integrity of the raw materials”.

Guinness dissatisfied with the N1 billion fine dragged the Agency to court urging it to restrain NAFDAC and the Attorney-General of the Federation from enforcing the sanction pending the determination of the suit.

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

NITSHA—BARELY three weeks after fire razed down about 20 shops at Ochanja market in Onitsha, Anambra State, a bungalow at Benjamin Street in the commercial city of Onitsha was yesterday razed by fire.

Although details of the incident were yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, a visit to the scene showed that sympathizers were still making frantic efforts to put out the fire.

According to an eye-witness, thefirewhichstartedabout5p.m. was said to have been ignited fromoneoftheroomswheresome children were said to be cooking.

FALSE PRETENCE:

Manager in court for allegedly obtaining N2.2m SUV from ex-employer

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By Bartholomew Madukwe

GBOR—A marketing manager with Gladys Felix Service Nigeria Limited, Edeh Joshua, 41, has been charged before an Agbor Magistrate's court in Delta State, for allegedly obtaining a Toyota Hilander SUV valued at N2.2 million from his former employer, Mr. Felix Otulukwu, under false pretence.

The accused, who lives at No.42, Orikeze Avenue, Agbor Obi area of Agbor, Delta State, was said to have committed the alleged offence on April 13, 2015 at Boji Boji area of the state.

Joshua, the accused, was arraigned by the Police in Delta State on one-count charge of felony to wit, obtaining Toyota Hilander SUV under false pretence.

According to the police prosecutor, Corporal Gef Ihoibode, the accused collected the SUV from his employer on trust that he will supply it to a customer, but the accused changed the vehicle documents to his name, sold it off and converted the proceeds to his personal use.

However, when the charge was read to the accused before Magistrate M. M. Dike, he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N200, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015—7

Budget 2016'll revive economy, says Buhari borrow N2 trillion, which it termed the biggest in the history of the nation, said that it was the height of recklessness and deceit from a government that trends on propaganda.

PDP also berated the Federal Government for trying to use its bogus welfare programme and phantom capital projects as cover and conduit to siphon the funds to satisfy partisan interests, particularly to settle huge campaign debts.

Metuh said: “It is obvious that this budget is an extension of the campaign promises of the APC government, presented as a manifesto filled with bogus promises which implementation will be inconclusive, thereby allowing the APC to once again deny their promises.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING—Last minute Christmas shopping at Idumota “There has never been Market, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye. any known economy in the world where Continues from Page 5 through import and manage the oil price government deliberately we are mortgages the future of its public sectors, employers substitution and export shocks nation by borrowing have struggled to meet promotion, said that such experiencing.”

President Buhari was excessively to finance their salary and other economic strategy would employee related build resilience in the accompanied by All partisan interests while obligations. The small economy and guarantee Progressives Congress, hiding under bogus business owners and that the contemporary APC National Chairman, welfare programmes. This traders have been challenges did not Chief John Odigie- is moreso important as the particularly hard hit by confront the nation’s Oyegun; his ministers APC in reeling out their Rotimi bogus campaign promises future generations, including this state of affairs.

“Fellow Nigerians, the adding, “In the medium Amaechi; Senator Chris never informed Nigerians confidence of many might to longer term, we remain Ngige; Senator Udoma that they would mortgage be shaken. However, I committed to economic Udo Udoma; Dr. Kayode their future through stand before you today diversification through Fayemi; Chief Audu excessive borrowing.

Ogbonnaya “We have it on good promising that we will import substitution and Ogbeh; secure our country, export promotion. This Onu; Dr. Osagie Ehanire; authority that this is the rebuild our economy, and will build resilience in our Lt.Gen. Abduulrahman first in the series of APC make the Federal economy. It will guarantee Dambazau; Alhaji Lai borrowings which would the future Republic of Nigeria that the problems we have Mohammed; Amina leave stronger than it has ever today, will not confront our Ibrahim Mohammed; generation of Nigerians children and their Babatunde Raji Fashola; under the burden of huge been.

“The answers to our children. This shall be our Dr. Emmanuel Ibe debts after four years.”

Metuh who noted that problems are not beyond legacy for generations to Kachikwu; Abubakar Malami, SAN; Senator the budget clearly shows us. They exist on our come”, he stated.

According to him, Aisha Jummai Alhassan; that after seven months in farmlands; our corporations; in the despite the general global and Mrs Kemi Adeosun power, President Buhari and his party, the APC universities in the hearts economic downturn in among others.

During his presentation, were yet to differentiate and minds of our 2015, Nigerian economy entrepreneurs; through was able to grow by 2.84 President Buhari got between governance and the gallantry of our Armed per cent in the subsisting encomiums from the campaign propaganda, Forces; and the resolute fiscal year, just as he gallery as they clapped 20 said: “By all standards, spirit of Nigerians, promised that the present times with the last one at the 2016 budget, the first especially the youth, who administration would 10.52am and even when major economic policy have refused to give up continue to evolve and the President paused to outing of this government, despite all the obstacles implement strategies that drink water at 10.36am, is completely unrealistic would maintain micro- the audience also clapped and duplicitously confronting them. embellished with “This Budget proposal, economic stability, while for him. impractical predications, a the first by our managing the oil price Buhari’s Budget development that Government, seeks to shocks currently aching stimulate the economy, the country. a big fraud, he will confirms fears by economy He said: “Today, it is watchers and investors making it more mortgage that this administration is competitive by focusing on widely acknowledged that obviously ill-equipped for i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l the global economy has Nigeria’s future governance. development; delivering slowed down. This is — PDP “We are indeed shocked inclusive growth; and particularly the case with Meanwhile, the prioritizing the welfare of emerging markets such as National leadership of the that President Buhari and Nigeria. However, despite Peoples Democratic Party, his minister of information Nigerians.

“We believe that this the weak emerging PDP, picked holes in the have come up with two different reasons for the budget, while helping market growth rates, our budget.. security industry, commerce and domestic In a statement by its current fuel crisis in the investment to pick up, will challenges, declining oil National Publicity country. While we as a matter of urgency, prices, and the attendant Secretary, Chief Olisa appreciate the President’s address the immediate difficulties in providing Metuh, the party apology, we think it is problems of youth foreign exchange to meet described the N6.08 high time he called this unemployment and the market demands, the trillion budget as a big minister to order as his terrible living conditions Nigerian economy grew fraud and executive excessive propaganda of the extremely poor and by 2.84 per cent in the conspiracy tailored and blame game are third quarter of 2015. We towards mortgaging the ridiculing this vulnerable Nigerians”. administration and the The President who have, and will continue to future of the nation. reiterated that the implement strategies that The party while image of the nation. maintain querying “Furthermore, it is administration would will President diversify the economy macroeconomic stability Buhari’s decision to instructive to note the

official endorsement of Mr. President to the devaluation of the naira as against his campaign promise of firming up the value of our currency even to the much vaunted one naira to one dollar. Does it mean that Mr. President lied his way to power, or that he did not understand the complexities of governance when he was making his false promises to Nigerians?

“In future, there is need to regulate campaign promises so that we will not end up with a government that promises to climb Mount Everest with bare hands and end up mortgaging our future with orchestrated borrowings.’’

Lawmakers hail proposal

Reacting to the budget, shortly after the Senate and the House of Representatives adjourned till January 12, 2016, Senate Deputy Majority Whip, Senator Francis Alimikhena, APC, Edo North, described the budget as that of hope, just as he urged Nigerians to be patient with the government as things will be better soon, adding that President Buhari meant well for Nigeria and Nigerians.

In his reaction, Senator Bukkar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe South), said the promise of free education by the president was laudable, describing it as budget of hope.

Also commenting, Senator Kabir Marafa, APC, Zamfara Central who described the budget as that of hope, however promised that the Senate would ensure that the bill was given attention and passed for the interest of Nigerians Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West) in his reaction said it was cheery to see the budget take care of social interventions such as school feeding and social welfare for the unemployed.

Senator Bassey Akpan (PDP, Akwa Ibom Northeast) who described it as people-centred and an indication that the president means well for the country, said that National Assembly would look at assumptions in it and ensure that the implementation was in line with the way it is passed.

Reacting to the budget, Rep Austine Chukwukere, APC, Imo State who described the 2016 Appropriation Bill as presented by President Muhammadu Buhari as a fruitful budget, said that

the budget would stimulate and engineer the economy in such a way that the infrastructure deficit that had been the order of the day in previous administration had been given a boost.

Rep Chukwukere said that the increment in the capital expenditure would lead to improvement on the dilapidated infrastructure in the country as well as the industrial re activation.

Chukwukere who is the Deputy Chairman of Finance Committee said that if the budget would be fully implemented it would re-kick start the economy for the good of Nigerians.

On the $38 benchmark in which the budget was premised despite that the oil price per barrel had fallen to $32, he explained that the projection was that before first quarter of next year, the oil price must have appreciated going by some indices.

He expressed the optimism that the benchmark would not affect the effective implementation of the budget.

Also commenting on the budget, Rep Philip Shaibu representing Etsako Federal Constituency of Edo State on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, said that the budget will make poverty history in 2016.

He said that the emphasis on job creation and improved education was a welcome development, adding that creation of employment will empower Nigeria youths.

Shaibu who was a former Majority Leader in Edo State House of Assembly and a one time president of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS said there was a departure from what was obtained in the previous administration where the government borrowed money to finance the recurrent expenditure.

According to him, President Buhari had increased the budgetary allocation to the capital expenditure and assured that the money to be borrowed would be used on capital expenditure and not on recurrent.

He said that one of the essential feature of the budget was the deviation from oil to solid minerals and agriculture, noting that over reliance on the oil sector has brought the economy to the present poor state as a result of the fall in the price of oil.

He further said that with the transparency introduced by the government, there was hope that it would be implemented to the fullest.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Govs have no right to reduce minimum wage — FG As NLC kicks against fuel subsidy removal, introduction of toll gates

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA — THE Federal Government said, yesterday, that the governors have no legitimate right to reduce the national minimum wage from the present N18, 000 because it was a product of agreement.

This came on the heels of the rejection by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, of the recent proposal to remove fuel subsidy in 2016, the increment in the electricity tariff and the proposed re-introduction of toll gates on the federal roads.

Warning against any plan to reduce the minimum wage at the meeting with the leadership of NLC, Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, said the governors were only playing politics with the issue of minimum wage.

Ngige said instead of contemplating to reduce the minimum wage, the government would want workers to be paid higher when the economy improves.

The minister, however, blamed the organised labour for allegedly heating up the system by joining issues with the governors in talking about reduction or increment in minimum wage.

According to him, “when the NLC joined the governors in talking about minimum wage, with the governors saying we can’t pay N18,000 minimum wage and NLC says it is time for us to ask for increase, we now know that these are talks that are heating up the system.

“The NLC knows better that the governors are playing politics. This is one matter that you cannot play politics with because it is a matter of rule of law. The law in place now is the Minimum Wage Act enacted by the National Assembly and the National Assembly derived their power from the Exclusive List of the constitution which gives them power to make laws on labour related matters including minimum wage.

“So, anybody who wants to talk about minimum wage should go to the National Assembly or ask the President to send an executive bill which can be discussed and it will be a tripatite discussion, involving public hearing.

“Please let a sleeping dog lie, because this country is going through a very difficult time now and requires your prayers and support. Nobody can reduce wages now. If anything, if you have more money, you pay higher.

On corruption, unemployment

“The third thing which is also one of the pillars of government is the fight against corruption.

Corruption has eaten so deep into the fabric of the Nigerian system

that if you are not corrupt, you look abnormal.

“The labour laws need some tinkering because some of them are very old. Even the penalty that are prescribed in them are very old. You see some laws which says that if people abuse expatriate quota, they pay a fine of N2000. It doesn’t make sense.

“As a ministry, we will look at all these laws and with the Attorney General of the Federation, we will make sure that we fast track some of these laws so that the necessary penalties that are commensurate with labour offences committed are meted out to the offending parties. We will be needing your input.

“We want to reinvigorate our laws and give the Nigerian workers a decent work environment as prescribed by the ILO conventions.”

He emphasised the commitment of government to employment generation, adding that the government was aware that unemployment is the easiest gateway to instability and insecurity.

He said that the government, in a bid to show the seriousness of empowering the youths, has budgeted N500 billion to address the issue of

unemployment, and poverty alleviation.

NLC kicks against removal of fuel subsidy

Speaking at the occasion, the Ayuba Wabba-led faction of NLC, said the national interest had always been the driving force of the congress.

Comrade Wabba stressed the need for the government to respect collective bargaining process and commended the intervention of the minister on the issue of outsourcing of jobs and casualisation.

He stated that Nigerian workers should not be treated like slaves in their country.

At the emergency Central Working Committee meeting at the Labour House, the organised labour said the recent proposed removal oil subsidy was an attempt to punish the masses and that the labour would resist it.

He expressed the fears that the pump price of petroleum product could be increased by 2016 instead of being reduced because of the fall in the international market, adding that he would mobilise the workers to resist any increase.

Wabba also advised the

government to put the refineries in place instead of refining the product outside the country.

On electricity tariff

He said labour opposes the recent plan to increase electricity tariff, adding that the issue of other charges outside the consumption charges was abnormal.

He said the removal of fixed charges on electricity tariff was long over due as according to him, the masses were paying for services that were not provided.

“We want pre-paid metre and not this estimation bill. People should pay for what they consumed,” he said, adding that the process of privatisation had not delivered any result, “all of us had been deceived.”

NLC also backed the planned strike by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, over the removal of staff of universities staff schools from the government pay roll.

He said, SSANU as an affiliate of NLC, has the right to make demands and that the position of SSANU was the position of NLC.

BRIEFING: From left, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Istifanus Fukur; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Minister of State, Abubakar Bwari, during the inaugural press briefing by the minister in Abuja, Monday.

Army/Shiite clash: Reps, COAS in closed door meeting

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA— THE House of Representatives Joint Committees on Army, Defence, Public Safety and Security Intelligence, yesterday, had a closeddoor meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Tukur Buratai, over the recent clash between the army and the Shiite Islamic sect in Zaria, Kaduna State, that left scores of people dead.

Speaking after the meeting that lasted about two hours, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Safety and Security Intelligence, Rep Aminu Jaji, expressed satisfaction over the cooperation of various stakeholders involved in the investigation.

He disclosed that a fivemember delegation had earlier visited and interacted with Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State and Director of Department of State Services, DSS, on the incident.

Jaji said the committee would also meet with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase, and various human rights organisations to proffer lasting solution to the problem and prevent future occurrence.

He assured that the information gathered by the delegation would help the committee to get helpful information on how to address the crisis.

Though he declined knowledge of the number of casualties at the clash, he, however, expressed optimism that the committee in the next phase of the investigation would be able to get the actual number of people that died and injured.

FG declares Thursday, Friday, Monday public holidays

By Omeiza Ajayi

A

BUJA—THE Federal Government has declared Thursday, December 24 to mark the Muslim festival of Eid-el Maulud. It equally declared Friday, December 25 and Monday, December 28 as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day,

respectively.

Minister of the Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd), made the declaration, yesterday, in two separate statements he issued in Abuja.

Signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Bassey Akpanyung, the government enjoined adherents of the two faiths to

live in accordance with the tenets of their religions.

According to the statement, "the Federal Government has declared Thursday, December 24, 2015 as public holiday to mark Eid-el-Maulud celebration.

“Friday, December 25 and Monday, December 28, 2015 have also been

declared as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day celebration.”

The minister enjoined Muslim and Christian faithful to use the unique occasion to pray for the peace and unity of Nigeria.

He also advised Nigerians to cooperate and join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari in his efforts to build a peaceful, united and virile nation.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015—9

FG, states, LGs share N370bn

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

A

BUJA — THE three tiers of government, yesterday, shared N 369.88 billion as revenue that accrued into the Federation Account and proceeds from the Value Added Tax, VAT, in the month of November.

The figure represented a decrease of N103.95bn when compared with the N473.83bn distributed in the previous month.

Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, who briefed journalists at the end of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, meeting in Abuja blamed the fall in revenue on the continued crashing of crude oil

price at the international oil market.

She attributed the decline in allocation to reduction in revenue which was caused by shutdown and shut-in of production at various terminals during the period.

Adeosun said non-oil revenue was firming up and now playing a major role in the federation revenue at a time that oil revenue has continued to fall.

Her words: “The gross statutory revenue of N297.45 billion received in the month was lower than the N400.3 billion received in the previous month

by N102.86 billion.

“On-going maintenance and

the shutdown and shut-in of production for repairs at different terminals during the month continued to impact crude oil and gas revenue negatively.”

A breakdown of the revenue showed that statutory revenue accounted for N297.45 billion; Value Added Tax, N61.18 billion; exchange gain, N4.92 billion and N6. 3 billion refund made by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. The distribution details showed that of the statutory revenue of N297.45 billion, the Federal Government got N139.

5 billion, states N70 billion and local governments N54,55 billion.

The nine oil producing states received an extra N25.6 billion as 13 per cent derivation.

Of the VAT revenue of N61.18 billion, the Federal Government got N8.8 billion, states, N29.36 billion and local governments, N20.55 billion.

Responding to a question on the possibility of workers receiving their salaries before the Christmas celebration with the late approval of allocation, Adeosun said salaries are being paid and people are already getting alerts.

According to her, “we are very conscious of the need that people are paid in time for the festive season.”

IGP approves promotion of 558 police school teachers As PSC elevates 986 officers

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA — THE InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has approved the promotion of 558 teachers in police primary and secondary schools across the country.

Police sources disclosed that the promotion which takes immediate effect was meant to address the complaints among the teaching staff and also to motivate them to perform better.

The Director, Directorate of Police Education, DCP Kabiru Ibrahim, who disclosed this in an interview with journalists, yesterday, in Abuja, explained that the teachers would soon receive their letters of promotion.

According to him, the IG was interested in making police schools one of the best in the country hence the increasing investment in academic facilities and the teaching staff to ensure a high quality of students.

He said: “It is my pleasure to inform you that the IG has approved the upgrading and promotion of 558 teachers in all police primary and secondary schools nationwide.

“We believe that with this promotion, our teachers would be better motivated to give their best and to ensure that the schools produce academically sound and well-rounded students,” Ibrahim explained.

400 residential apartments

Meanwhile, the IG has said that 400 residential apartments would be completed by next month for purchase by retiring police officers.

Making the disclosure at the commissioning of the Police Multipurpose Shopping Mall in Abuja yesterday, Arase said the Nigeria Police Cooperative and Multipurpose Society has developed and acquired a number of housing projects across the country which was being sold at affordable rates to police personnel.

He advised retiring police

Charles Kié named MD Ecobank Nigeria

T

HE Board of Directors of Ecobank Nigeria has announced the appointment of Mr. Charles Kie as the new Managing Director designate of Ecobank Nigeria Limited effective January 1, 2016 subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and other regulatory requirements.

In a statement, Ecobank said Mr. Kie was successfully selected as managing director after a rigorous selection process which included internal candidates within Ecobank as well as external candidates.

According to the statement, Mr. Kie was, prior to his appointment, Group Executive, Corporate and Investment Bank for Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, ETI, responsible for leading the Ecobank Group’s Corporate and Investment Banking business across the global network of 40 countries, 36 of which are in Africa.

Climate Change agreement offers brighter future for Nigeria, others —Minister

By Funmi Olasupo

A CHRISTMAS PARTY: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (1975 Set) (right), presenting Igbobi College Old Boys Association, ICOBA, Lifetime Achievement Award to the founding Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Folabi Olumide (1950 set) (middle) while the President ICOBA, Mr Foluso Phillips (1970 set) watches during the ICOBA Christmas party, in Lagos. officers who are interested in acquiring the buildings to go to their home states and apply through the police cooperative multi-purpose society.

PSC promotes 986

Meanwhile, the Police Service Commission, PSC, has approved the elevation of 986 senior Police officers including one CP to AIG, five DCPs to CP, 16 ACPs to DCP, 21 CSPs to ACP, three SPs to CSP, nine DSPs to

SP and 931 ASPs to DSP. In a statement also disclosing Mr. Emmanuel Ibe as Acting Secretary of the commission, it said: “CP Shuaiba Gambo is promoted to the next substantive rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police while DCPs Jonah Jackson Mava, Olusola Babajide David, Titus Sumba Lamorde, Chika Abubakar Maidama and Abdullahi Chafe Ibrahim were elevated to the next rank of Commissioner of

Police.

“The commission also approved the elevation of 16 Assistant Commissioners to Deputy Commissioners, 21 Chief Superintendents to Assistant Commissioners and three Superintendents to Chief Superintendents. It also approved the promotion of nine Deputy Superintendents to Superintendents and 931 Assistant Superintendents to Deputy Superintendents."

Senate begins another process of amending 1999 Constitution

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA—THE Senate has begun another process of amending the 1999 Constitution, just as Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu retains his position as Chairman of the new committee.

Announcing the

composition of the committee, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, said Ekweremadu will lead 37 other senators to carry out the exercise.

Ekweremadu was the chairman of the committee set up by former Senate President, David Mark, in the Seventh Senate.

Saraki, who noted that the eighth Senate had made the

ammendments of the constitution, its major deliverable, said: “With the composition of the committee, the Senate had set the stage for the activities leading to the delivery to our people. The work already carried out by the Seventh Senate had made the jobs of the new committee, easier”

BUJA — THE new agreement reached at the recently concluded Conference of Parties on Climate Change, otherwise known as (COP21) Conference in Paris, France offers a brighter future for Nigeria, Africa and the World at large, Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, has said.

The minister, who stated this at a briefing on COP21 and 2016 budget, yesterday, in Abuja said the agreement provides a framework for delivering the ambitious emission reductions that the world needs.

She explained that the agreement recognized the importance of keeping average global temperature below two degree Celsius (2.00 C) and, crucially, confirms that developed countries must continue to increase their financial support for developing countries as the world embarks on this transition.

She said: “We now have a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to change the way we do things, and Nigeria will be at the fore-front demonstrating what initiatives can work.”

10 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23 , 2015

AERO LADDER SAGA: Airline blaims Bauchi Airport manager

By Lawani Mikairu & Daniel Eteghe

L

AGOS—ACTING Managing Director/ Accountable Manager, Aero Contractors Airline, Captain Russell Lee Foon has said that the airline was forced to use a ladder to disembark its passengers on flight 5NBLG, a Boeing 737-500 from Abuja to Bauchi because the Bauchi Airport manager failed to provide the air stairs needed to disembark and board passengers.

The airline explained that due to the absence of ground handling companies at the Bauchi airport, who were supposed to provide gangway equipment to disembark the passengers, it had to improvise.

Foon said this against the backdrop investigation into the use of unauthorized equipment by Aero Contractors Airlines charter flight to Bauchi Airport last weekend.

The Aero Contractors official told newsmen that; “On Thursday 17th November 2015, a charter was booked and confirmed from Abuja to Bauchi on a Boeing 737 -500 series aircraft. The charter was booked by a group of young people, part of a wedding party, attending this important event in Bauchi.”

GUINNESS VS NAFDAC: Court fixes Feb for hearing in N1bn fine suit

By Onozure Dania

L

AGOS—JUSTICE Wasiu Animahun of a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere has adjourned the suit filed by Guinness Nigeria Plc, against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to February 8, 2016 to enable parties meet for amicable resolution of the dispute.

Justice Animahun adjourned the suit yesterday after listening to submissions of counsel to both parties.

NAFDAC had imposed a N1 billion fine on Guinness “as administrative charges for various clandestine violations of NAFDAC rules, regulations and enactments over a long period of time”.

The agency had in a letter addressed to the Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Peter Ndegwa, by the Head, Investigation and Enforcement of NAFDAC, Kingsley Ejiofor, demanding for the payment of the N1 billion as administrative charges for infractions such as the destruction activities carried out by the company without the authorisation and supervision of the agency.

Guinness was also accused by the agency of revalidating expired products without authorisation and supervision by NAFDAC, as well as failing to secure the gate of its warehouse as the raw materials used in the production of beer and non-alcoholic beverages by the firm were permanently opened to intrusion and exposure to the elements and rodents, which “invariably affect the integrity of the raw materials”.

NAFDAC also alleged that

Ajimobi presents N165bn budget to Oyo Assembly

By Ola Ajayi

I

BADAN—GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State yesterday presented a budget of N165. 1 billion to the state House of Assembly for the 2016 fiscal year.

The budget tagged ‘budget of renewed commitment’ was delivered to the 32-member legislative arm with thousands of supporters of the All Progressives Congress singing the praises of the administration.

Though, the budget was slated for 12 noon, it was not until 3:03pm before the epoch-making was kick-started.

In comparison with that of the 2015 budget which was N77.16 billion, there is tangible difference of N87.94 billion.

Governor Ajimobi who was in clad in a dark brown traditional attire with cap to match said the C M Y K

budget would focus on four cardinal programs which include Agriculture for food security, employment and poverty alleviation, education and human capital development, Infrastructure development, peace and security.

Breakdown of the budget shows that capital expenditure has N72.73billion 44.10 per cent and a total recurrent expenditure of 92.37billion 35.88%.

To boost food production in the state, Ajimobi said that preference will be given to Agriculture sector, Agro allied industry and that government will try in its efforts to reduce the cost of doing business.

Furrher breakdown showed that N39.9 billion was allocated to economic affairs while Social service sector had N13.6billion, others are Urban and regional sector N8billion and general administration N11.2billion.

TOWN HALL MEETING: From right; Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Lady Bernadette Kanyi (beneficiary); Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Leader, All Progressive Congress, APC Lagos Central Senatorial District, and Hon Wasiu Esinlokun, Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House Assmbly, during 16th Edition, 2nd in the 8th senate of Lagos Central Senatorial District, Town Hall Meeting for ''Elderly Citizens Assistance Scheme'' at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. Photo by Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Guinness maintained poor documentation of record and not complying with conditions contained in the certificate of validation of the revalidated malt extract, which required the storage of the items in cool and dry place and elimination of exposure to sunlight.

Guinness, dissatisfied with the

N1 billion fine, dragged the agency to court urging it to restrain NAFDAC and the Attorney-General of the Federation from enforcing the sanction pending the determination of the suit.

When the suit came up yesterday for mention, counsel to Guinness Plc, Mr. Olasupo

HAZY WEATHER: Lagos sensitizes residents on safety measures

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

L

AGOS—AS part of measures to further ensure sanity on the highways across the state, the Lagos State Government has urged motorists and residents on the need to be safety conscious particularly, during and after the yuletide period.

General Manager Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Mr. Michael Akindele, who gave the advice yesterday, stressed that the measure became necessary in view of the pervading adverse weather condition and attendant road traffic accidents and other emergencies during the festive period.

Akindele advised motorists to be conscious of the foggy weather condition, throughout the day which is associated with the harmattan haze.

The LASEMA boss urged motorists “to embark on daily routine check of their vehicles before hitting the road. Aside from the wipers, brakes, non-defective windscreen and functional lights, it is also instructive to check radiators for water, and all the tyres.

Car owners should also avoid expired tyres and to keep vehicle engines within normal range.”

In the same vein, he advised

residents to adhere to necessary precautionary measures to avoid fire incidents that could have disastrous consequences.

He said residents “should avoid storage of highly inflammable materials such as petrol and kerosene, electrical appliances should also be switched off whenever they are not in use, avoid bush burning and use of fireworks because all these can cause fire outbreak, which most times leads to unnecessary loss of lives and properties.”

Shasore, told the court that representatives of Guinness Plc and that of NAFDAC were meeting on the sanction imposed on the company, adding that he was hopeful the matter would be resolved.

NAFDAC’s lawyer, Mr. O M Abutu also informed the court that the parties met on December 21 but that he was not privy to what actually transpired at the meeting.

He said “I confirm that the applicant, Guinness, met with the NAFDAC yesterday, but I was not part of the meeting and I have not been briefed about its outcome .”

Abutu urged the court to adjourn the matter to enable the agency reply to the originating process filed by Guinness and for possible out of court settlement of the matter.

The company urged the court to declare that the fine imposed by NAFDAC violated its right to fair hearing as guaranteed under section 36 (1) of the Constitution.

Justice Animahun had in a ruling delivered on December 14 restrained NAFDAC from enforcing the N1 billion fine pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

Bank challenges N4.5b breach of contract judgement

By Bartholomew Madukwe

L

A G O S — S TA N B I C IBTC has approached a Court of Appeal to challenge the verdict by a Lagos High Court ordering it to pay N4.5 billion to Patrick Olayele Akinkuotu and his company, Longterm Global Capital Limited for breach of contract.

It would be recalled that Justice John Tsoho of the Lagos High Court ordered Stanbic

IBTC and the second defendant in the case, Starcomms Plc, to pay interest of 10 per cent on the judgement sum per annum until the date of final liquidation.

Justice Tsoho also ordered that the 100 million units of Starcomms shares sold to the plaintiff through private placement in 2008 were improper and invalid and were thereby set aside.

The judge further ordered Starcomms to cancel forthwith from its register of shareholders the names of the plaintiffs.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015 — 11

APC accuses Fayose of insincerity over state’s finances Those planning my impeachment'll be disgraced — GOV

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

By LAWANI MIKAIRU

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of not telling the truth about the financial status of the state, being his excuse for not paying workers salary.

The party said the governor’s message to the civil servants that they should not expect salary in January was a mark of his uncaring attitude to workers, stressing that the current allocation to Ekiti State is enough to pay workers’ salaries, since according to them, the governor had refused to embark on any infrastructure development programme.

In a statement by Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, the party said October statutory federal allocation to the state and local governments totalling N3,635,936,192.00 was more than enough to address workers’ pay.

“October allocation to the state government is N1,967,380,219.98 while allocation to the 16 local governments is N1,668,555,972.02 totaling N3,635,936,192.00. This is aside from the N9bn bailout which is meant to clear arrears of salaries but which he has diverted and is

T

B U D G E T P R E S E N TAT I O N : Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (left) presenting the 2016 State Budget to the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Micheal Adeyemo at the State Assembly complex. Photo by Shola Oyelese.

yet to account for.

“If Fayose claims he spends N2.6b for workers’ salary, which is inflated anyway, what does he do with the balance, particularly as he doesn’t have any infrastructure development spending?”

Olatunbosun queried.

Those planning my impeachment shall be disgraced

Meantime, Governor Fayose in conjunction with some clerics from various denominations prayed against those plotting his impeachment in 2016, saying they shall be put to shame if they don’t back down on their plot.

Fayose, who led the prayer meeting, asked the clerics to pray against calamity befalling the country next year, saying there would be events in the

country in 2016 that would shake the country to its foundation.

The event, which was in collaboration with Christian Association of Nigeria, took place at the governor’s office in AdoEkiti yesterday.

Fayose warned those planning his impeachment to desist or they shall be visited by the wrath of God.

CHIEFTAINCY TUSSLES: Tribunal underway in Ogun

By Daud Olatunji

A

B E O K U TA — T H E Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Ogun State, Chief Olajide Ojuko has said that the state government is considering the establishment of a chieftaincy tribunal in response to the challenges affecting the traditional institution in the state.

Ojuko disclosed this while defending the ministry’s 2016 budget at the House of Assembly.

He said there are a lot of chieftaincy issues the proposed tribunal would look into in order to forestall breakdown of

law and order.

In addition, Ojuko noted that the tribunal if established would put an end to the delay being experienced when resolving such disputes.

Similarly, the state government yesterday said it had approved the payment of December salaries and

a 10 per cent bonus to all civil servants in the state.

Briefing newsmen yesterday in Abeokuta, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, said the payment was done to ensure that civil servants celebrate christmas without financial hassles.

Adeoluwa, who was flanked by the Commissioner for Finance Mr. Wale Osinowo, and the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dayo Adeneye, said local government workers, those in the Judicial Service Commission and other agencies of government were paid.

SOGBO — THE wife of Osun State governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, has predicted a brighter future for the state in spite of the current economic challenges.

She also called on parents and guardians not to subject their children or wards to any form of child abuse such as street trading, hawking, or begging.

She further urged that children’s education be prioritised with a view to C M Y K

HE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, yesterday imposed what it called an applicable sanction on Aero Contractors Airlines in line with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, NCARs, .Though, the specific sanction was not revealed but the agency said that it runs into millions of naira.

According to Mr Sam Adurogboye, Ag General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA , “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed an applicable sanction on Aero Contractors Airlines in line with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).”

“In a letter conveying the sanction, the Director General of the Regulatory Authority, Capt. Muhtar Usman, said the action of Aero Contractors Airline in allowing the use of a ladder to disembark passengers from a Boeing 737 – 500 aircraft in a non-emergency situation is contrary to its approved aircraft handling manual.”

“Therefore this is a violation of Part 9.2.4.2(b) of Nig.CARs which part attracts a civil penalty. All relevant agencies made useful submissions during the course of the investigation.” The DG continued in the letter that ‘’in view of the safety implications of your action you are hereby sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of Part 20.2.3(15) of the Nig.CARs.”

Ogun Police arrest 1,353 suspects in six months

By Daud Olatunji

O

GUN State Police command has arrested no fewer than 1,353 suspects for various crimes which include robbery, kidnapping, rape and

cultism across the state in the last six months.

The Police command also recovered 170 arms and ammunition and 69 vehicles within the period under review.

The state Police Commissioner,

Abdulmajid Ali in a statement said the command had charged 490 cases to court while 621 suspects have been prosecuted.

The Police boss also said the command had convicted 48 cases and recovered property

Aregbesola’s wife warns parents against child abuse

O

NCAA sanctions Aero over Bauchi Airport ladder saga

complementing the state government’s efforts at raising responsible future leaders.

Speaking in Osogbo yesterday during an end of the year party organized for children at the government house, Mrs Aregbesola noted that hard times are not forever.

Her words: “As parents, we should make the education of our children a priority and avoid a situation where a child would be left out

of school to engage in either street trading or begging when they should be in school.

''We should make the welfare and proper upbringing of our children a priority at all times.''

valued at six million naira.

According to him, out of 1,353 suspects arrested, 116 were armed robbers, seven died in custody, 38 were suspected rapists while 980 committed other offences.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Edo abolishes Customary Court of Appeal

By Simon Ebegbulem & Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—EDO State Government has repealed the Act establishing the state's Customary Court of Appeal that had hitherto existed alongside the state High Courts.

Addressing newsmen after endorsing the Bill repealing the Act Establishing the Customary Court of Appeal, the state governor, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, said: “I have just signed into law the bill to repeal the establishment of the Customary Court of Appeal in Edo State. With effect from today, the Customary Court of Appeal ceases to exist and this amendment to the Edo State High Court provides for, among other things, the abolition of the Customary Court of Appeal. It also provides for the automatic transfer of all the Judges that are currently serving in the Customary Court of Appeal and they will be transferred to the state High Court.

"With the abolition of the Customary Court of Appeal, the Judges in Edo State High Court are now, by reason of this amendment, increased from 24 to 30 in order to

provide our people with speedy access to justice. At the moment, we have close to 6,000 cases pending before 24 judges of the state High Court. With this amendment, all 30 Judges will now be able to hear any of these cases as may be assigned by the Chief Judge.

“The second element to the amendment is that the

Judges that have now been transferred from the Customary Court of Appeal, to the state High Court, although they are required by law to subscribe to new oaths of office, will retain their seniority in Edo State Judiciary so that there will be no loss of seniority and lastly, by this amendment, appeals arising from the

decisions of Area Customary Court Presidents will still be heard but rather than have six judges dedicated to hear such cases that arise from time to time, the state Chief Judge will now assign Judges of the High Court to hear appeals from Area Customary Courts,” the governor explained.

From left: Senator Bode Olajumoke; Rev. Peace Goodey; Mr. Richard Madiebo, Head Retail Banking Fidelity Bank, Chioma Nwankwo, Head Private Banking, Mrs. Chijioke Esotu, Private Banking , Pastor Ben Ewuzie, Pastor Kola Egerton-Shyngle, Mrs. Remi Olajumoke and Pastor Joe Tesimielogbe, during the presentation of a cheque to Olajumoke House Fellowship at their End of the Year's Thanksgiving service in Park view Estate, Ikoyi by Fidelity Bank Plc, Yesterday. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Bayelsa: Sylva raises alarm over violent crimes

By Charles Kumolu

T

HE Sylva Campaign Organisation has expressed worries over what it described as the increasing rate of violent crimes in Bayelsa State, describing the trend as a threat to the rescheduled supplementary election in the state.

A statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Chief Nathan Egba, called on the people of the state to hold Governor Seriake Dickson accountable for any breakdown of law and order.

“The APC is worried about the increasing rate of violent crimes, including kidnappings across the state, which is believed to be a direct result of the total abandonment of governance by the Dickson led administration in favour of politics.

“We are not surprised for instance, that yesterday ’s sitting of a Magistrate Court in Yenagoa to hear the bail application of APC leaders who were arrested in Oporoma on December 5, 2015 was scuttled.

“Authoritative sources alleged that the Presiding Magistrate was seriously warned by powerful government officials from appearing in court to hear the bail application.

“Even defence lawyers were alleged to have been harassed by unknown people, who have apparently taken a cue from all the violence and gangsterism

perpetrated in various communities in the course of the on-going governorship election.

“We wish to call on the security agencies in the state

to step up their intelligence and track down all those plotting to cause mayhem in the re-run poll with a view to compromising the election through massive rigging.”

Semenitari takes over as acting MD, NDDC, promises devt to be doing in terms

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— THE new acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, assumed office yesterday, with an assurance that she will aggressively pursue the developmental programme of President Muhammadu Buhari for the region.

Mrs Semenitari, who gave the assurance at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, shortly after the erstwhile Managing Director, Mr Bassey Dan-Abia, handed over to her, said she had good knowledge of the challenges of the region, promising that she would make meaningful impact on the region.

“I have in-depth knowledge of what the commission ought

of development. I understand what our challenges are. It is now time for me to play my part.

I have a responsibility to God and to President Buhari to ensure that his vision for the Niger Delta comes to pass.

“Because I am yet to get briefing from the directors, I cannot make a clear policy statement. But I will do what the President wants, which is the development of the region.“

APC fighting lost battle —Bayelsa PDP

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Bayelsa State, has said that all those who caused the violence which led to wanton loss of lives and destruction of property during the cancelled election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and other parts of the state will have to allow due process take its course as those found wanting would

face the full weight of the law.

The party also described as laughable, alleged assault on the Chairman of Southern Ijaw council, Chief Remember Ogbe,

by Governor Seriake Dickson.

It said that the All Progressives Congress, APC was fighting a lost battle because the governorship election had been won and lost, adding that its candidate, Dickson, had already won the election in critical evolution of

the race.

Director of Publicity of the Restoration Campaign Organisation, Jonathan Obuebite said, there were attempts by the APC, to whip up sentiments over efforts by the state government to ensure that justice takes its course because all those who were arrested over disturbances which marred the governorship election of December 5 and 6 were APC members.

Bayelsa moves to combat criminality

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—BAYELSA State governor, Seriake Dickson, yesterday, expressed concern over the spate of kidnapping and criminality in parts of the state and restated his commitment to stem the unfortunate tide of events.

Accordingly, he said the government had finalized plans to unfold a comprehensive security framework to address the current trend of insecurity across the state.

The governor warned that anybody found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the criminal laws of the state and country.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said people should not hastily ascribe motives behind the recent kidnappings, as the said act was considered and treated as a purely criminal one, pending the outcome of investigation into the matter.

Delta lawmaker’s home set on fire, appeals for calm

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ARRI—PROPERTY worth millions of naira has been lost by the member representing Warri South 1 Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Godwin Abigor, following a fire outbreak at his official residence suspected to be the handiwork of his political foes.

The incident occurred yesterday.

It will be recalled that the Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City, Edo State, nullified his election on Saturday, in a controversial verdict in favour of his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, opponent, after ruling in favour of Abigor as being duly elected against his All Progressives Congress, APC, opponent, Mr Robison Ariyo, on Thursday.

Abigo, who was declared winner of the seat on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the last general election, has however, appealed to his numerous supporters to remain calm as there was still hope of reclaiming his mandate.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015—13

REC's claim of financial inducement vindicates PDP —Bayelsa Commissioner

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

E N AG OA — B AY E L S A State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Esueme DanKikile, yesterday, said that the recent revelation by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Baritor Kpagih, on the alleged attempt by some politicians to induce him to rig the inconclusive governorship election had vindicated the position of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.

Kikile said that though the series of alarm raised by PDP on plots by the APC to rig the governorship election in the state were dismissed by security agencies, the recent revelation by the state REC had confirmed the fears raised by the PDP in the state.

The Bayelsa REC had last week during a media interaction, according to report, alleged that some politicians had approached him and tried to induce him to rig the governorship election.

But the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Dan-Kikile yesterday, in Yenagoa during the monthly transparency briefing, said: “The recent confession by the

Bayelsa REC confirmed what we have always said that some people had attempted to reach INEC. “We were not taken seriously but had insisted that as a government, the maxim of one man, one vote must apply. That was why we campaigned from community to community.”

Meanwhile, the state Deputy Governor, Rear

Admiral John Jonah, while speaking on the income and expenditure of the state in the month of October, said the state received a total sum of N6.496 billion.

He noted with regret that the state was witnessing austere times as it was finding it difficult to meet its obligations.

According to the Deputy

Governor, a total deduction of N2,198, 490, 641.56 was effected at the source leaving the state with a net income of N 4, 296, 241, 554.64k for the month of October 2015.

The deductions include obligations for bonds, foreign loans, commercial agriculture credit schemes and loans from commercial banks amongst others.

CITY LIGHTING CEREMONY: Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, (middle), flanked on the left by his deputy, Professor Ivara Esu, Leader of Seagull Carnival Band, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa; Field Marketing Manager MTN Nigeria, Mrs. Ify, 4th right; Speaker , CRHA, Mr. John Gaul Lebo and the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tina Agbor, with other dignitaries and government officials shortly after the city lighting ceremony by the state Governor, to flag off the 2015 festival, in Calabar.

Protesters ground activities at Transcorp Power Station in Delta

By Festus Ahon & Perez Brisibe

U

G H E L L I — COMMERCIAL activities at Transcorp Power Station, Ughelli, Delta State, have been grounded as over 2,000 women from

Madam Augusta Nwosisi passes on

M

RS Augusta Nwosisi of late Ogbueshi Michael Nwosisi family, is dead. She slept in the Lord on November 20, 2015. Interment and tranditional rites take place at the family compound, 12, Afadia Street, Umuaji Quarters, Asaba, Oshimilli North Local Government Area, Delta State, from December 28-30, 2015.

Late Mrs Augusta Nwosisi

Ekrerhavwen-Agbarho and Ekakpamre communities, Ughelli North and Ughelli South Local Government Areas of the state stormed the station to protest nonavailability of electricity in their communities.

Some of the women, in their 80s, trooped to the station as early as 5a.m., and barricaded the main gate to the station as they prevented those on night shift at the station from exiting the premises while those on morning duty were prevented

from gaining access into the facility.

The protesters who danced and chanted war songs, carried placards with inscriptions such as; “Mrs Funke Osibodu, we must not do the Christmas in darkness”, “Tunde Olanipekun, give us our light,” “Host communities need constant light,” among others.

The women explained that in the last 18 months, the communities have been in darkness as a result of a cold

war between them and the company over Transcorp’s decision that the communities should pay for electricity consumed which wasn’t the case in time past.

Though attempt to speak with the management of the company while the protest lasted was fruitless, a management staff of the station simply identified as Francis when contacted, said the company was handling the situation as the impasse would soon be resolved.

Depot owners urge Amaechi to intervene NIPCO and the PPDOA to over lease of jetty a roundtable and find out

By Benjamin Njoku

O

WNERS of fuel depots, under the aegis of Petroleum Product Depot Owners Association,PPDOA, have called on the Minister of Transport, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, to intervene following the lease of the Waziri Jetty and its adjoining land by the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA. Addressing newsmen in Lagos, the association said that the lease, which was granted to NIPCO, was carried out at the expense

of five other local firms, namely, A-Z Petroleum, Energy Destination, Hensmor, G-Eurafric, Aiteo, using the facility to deliver petroleum products.

Speaking on behalf of members of the association, the Executive Secretary of the association, Patricia Okereke, expalined that the lease was sealed in 2013 by the NPA despite a standing court order restraining it from leasing the jetty and its adjoining land.

According to her, “We appeal to all the authorities concerned, particularly President Muhammadu Buhari, to call the NPA,

why the NPA would grant a lease of the Waziri Jetty to a foreign firm against the interest of four indigenous companies."

2016 will be tough, but...

—Oshiomhole

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that Year 2016 will be tough, going by the crisis in the economy triggered by a sharp decline in the national revenue by more than 55 percent.

He is, however, optimistic that his government will finish strong despite the economic indicators.

Speaking during a meeting with traditional rulers from Edo Central senatorial district, yesterday, the governor said: “It is clear from all indicators that the coming year is likely to be very tough with the continued decline in revenue and rising expectation on the part of our people and with many state governments, local governments, and perhaps, even some federal agencies defaulting in the payment of salaries and allowances to workers.

“The level of strike activities in the economy is going to be very high and of course, the level of unemployment is already unacceptably high and it could get even higher if we are not careful.

“So, we have a lot of challenges ahead, but I am very confident that the President is determined and has the political will to do the needful and ensure that the country remains stable and safe. The rest of us as state governments have responsibilities, working with the local governments and your good selves, the traditional rulers, to ensure that there is peace."

14 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23 , 2015

PRESENTATION: From left; Mr. Steve Babaeko, CEO, X3M Ideas; Mr. Olivier Fages; MD, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Ms. Angel Adelaja, Winner of the Venture Nigeria by Chivas and Mr. Audu Maikori, President, Chocolate City during the winner presentation of Chivas "The Venture" in Lagos. Photo by Oscar Ochiogu.

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS SUBMISSION:

NSE to name non-compliant firms

By Nkiruka Nnorom

extensions of report filing.

Quoted companies on HE Nigerian Stock the Exchange are Exchange (NSE) required as part of the yesterday said henceforth, NSE’s post-listing rules it will name and shame any requirement to submit quoted company that fails their periodic financial to submit its periodic statement to it. Timely financial statement on time. submission enables the Besides, it said that investors to make tougher financial penalties informed decision on any will also be imposed on such stock they intend to invest companies to ensure in. compliance while it will also Usually, the Exchange come up with more tags Below Listing comprehensive disclosure Standard (BLS) beside the regime, and rules for defaulting company on its companies seeking X-Compliance sticker,

T

We want to prepare saints for Christ’s coming at this retreat — KUMUYI

T

HE Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DLCC has announced its national December retreat with the theme, ‘Readiness for Christ’s Return.’

The General Superintendent, Pastor William F. Kumuyi, said the focus this time around would be on preparing saints for Christ’s return, adding that it will also afford participants the opportunity of experiencing divine intervention in their lives.

Pastor Kumuyi stated that although the current socioeconomic challenges in the country may have so much agitated the minds of many citizens, he nevertheless urged Nigerians to lessen their apprehension and fear about the coming year, urging them to place their absolute trust in God. The cleric’s assurances were contained in a statement signed on his behalf by Pastor Jerry Asemota, the Church Secretary, which formally

announced the national December retreat.

“At this time, we must emphasise, once again, the need for people to think beyond their existence here; we want them to know that there is a place far better than this present world. Whatever anyone may be enjoying here cannot be compared to what God has prepared for those who love Him in Heaven.

Whether we eat or drink, we must, always, be conscious of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.

The retreat, which starts from December 24 will end on Sunday, December 27.

The programme will hold at the DLCC, Km 42, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and in all the states of the federation.

It will be streamed live via satellite from DLCC to other centres in Nigeria, Africa, Europe, America and other continents of the world where the church has its branches.

while in some cases, such default attract cash fines to deter listed entities from violating the post-listing requirement with regards to financial disclosures.

However, in a draft rule posted on its website yesterday, titled, “Notification of Revised Draft Rules for Filing of Accounts and Treatment of Default Filing & Invitation for Comments”, the NSE said it decided to withdraw the Initial Draft Rules already submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for approval following the discovery that disclosure requirements as well as the sanctions provided in the Initial Draft Rules were not stringent enough to deter violations.

According to the Exchange, the latest version, if approved by SEC, would instil greater diligence, prompt, detailed and more responsible disclosure with regard to financial reporting, while simultaneously achieving greater deterrence to Issuers against repeated late filing of their financial statements.

Part of the provisions of the new version of the revised rules include procedure for the treatment of default filing, steps to be followed by an Issuer that applies for extension of time to file its audited accounts; as well as steps to be taken where an Issuer defaults in filing its accounts.

Part of the statement reads: “Between 20 February and 6 March 2015, the Nigerian Stock Exchange exposed the “Rules for Filing of Accounts and Treatment of Default Filing” (Initial Draft Rules) for comments by stakeholders.''

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015—15

Biafra: FG slams fresh 6-count charge against Kanu, 2 others •DEATH OF 5 MEMBERS: MASSOB, IPOB accuse Obiano •Delta Pro Biafra declares support for Uwazuruike led BIM •Corruption propels Nigerian politicians to pretend loving Nigeria —Uwazuruike •Rights group condemns police roadblocks, extortion in S'East Arewa sentiment will do the same for any Hausa/Fulani leader who stashed away public money and that is why the Igbo sentiment viewed a call to probe any of their own kinsmen who stole Nigerian money as a witch-hunt.”

He lashed at the leaders for pretending that all was well with Nigeria when indeed the country was burning and emphasized that in Biafra land there will be no room for corruption.

By Festus Ahon, Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Nwabueze Okonkwo & Francis Igata

T

HE FEDERAL Government has filled a fresh six-count charge of treason and managing the affairs of ‘an unlawful society,’ against the embattled leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu was charged before the Federal High Court, Abuja alongside two others, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

MASSOB, IPOB accuse Obiano Meanwhile, Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, and Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, which were the arrow-heads of the agitation for the release of their detained leader and Director, Radio Biafra, Nnamadi Kanu, have accused Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State of alleged collusion with security operatives to kill, maim its members, who were last week, jubilating over the bail granted their leader by a Federal High Court, Abuja.

Also, pro-Biafra agitators in Delta State, yesterday, declared support for the leader of the Biafra Independence Movement, BIM, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, describing him as a non violent messiah.

In the fresh charge, the trio were accused of committing treasonable felony, an offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, when the matter came up before Justice Mohammed, yesterday, neither the prosecuting counsel nor the accused persons were present in court.

However, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor announced appearance for the defendants, even as he queried the seriousness of the Federal Government to prosecute the matter.

Ejiofor insisted that the fresh charge was nothing but a ploy by the government to ensure the continued detention of the accused persons, especially Kanu, who was earlier granted bail by the same high court.

Nevertheless, Justice Mohammed, explained that though the matter was slated in the court’s cause-list for mention, yesterday, he said it was obvious that the prosecution was not notified.

The judge therefore,

From left, Hon. Justice B A. Anambra State, High Court; Prof. llochi Okafor (SAN); A.C. Anaenugwu (SAN), and Mr. H.C. Udechukkwu, during the Annual President/Dinner / Induction and Award Ceremony of Associates / Fellows into Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Nigeria, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. adjourned the case, saying a date for the arraignment of the accused persons would be communicated to all the parties.

Meanwhile, there was heavy police presence around the court premises yesterday.

Fresh charge In the fresh charge, FG, alleged that the three accused persons were the ones managing the affairs of “an unlawful society,” the IPOB. The charge read, “That you, Nnamdi Kanu and other unknown persons, now at large, in London, United Kingdom, between 2014 and September, 2015, with intention to levy war against Nigeria in order to force the President to change his measures of being the President of the Federation, Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation as defined in Section 3 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) by doing an act to wit: Broadcast on Radio Biafra your preparations for the states in the South- East geopolitical zone, South-South geo-political zone, the Igala Community of Kogi State and the Idoma/Igede Community of Benue State to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria and form themselves into a Republic of Biafra, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

It will be recalled that Justice Ademola Adeniyi of the same high court had on December 17, ordered the “unconditional” release of the IPOB leader, Kanu, from the custody of the Department of State Service, DSS. Kanu who is also the Director of Radio Biafra and Television,

was on October 17, arrested in Lagos by security operatives, shortly after he arrived Nigeria from his base in the United Kingdom.

Pro-Biafra agitators in Delta State in a communique, meanwhile, at the end of the enlarged meeting of BIM, in Asaba, the state capital, who are from lgbo speaking axis, condemned violent approach to the agitation.

The communiqué by the zonal Leader of the group, Chinedu Amaifeobu, said Uwazuruike’s led BIM shines out among the numerous groups currently processing the crusade for the autonomous state of Biafra.

They frowned at all accusation levelled against Uwazuruike, saying he was the authentic freedom fighter for the agitation.

Also, MASSOB, and IPOB in statement in Enugu yesterday,

by MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu said, “We hold Governor Obiano responsible for the killings, arrest, torture, maiming and wounding of non violent, peaceful IPOB,MASSOB members in Ontisha jubilating over the news of Nnamdi Kanu’s court release order.

“Anambra State in Nigeria where members of MASSOB, IPOB demonstrated, protested or jubiliated because of Nnamdi is not the only state in Nigeria. We have not recorded any killings, harassment, massive arrest, clampdown, shootings, torture and unguided statement but only in Anambra State.

“During Obiano’s condolence visit to Hausa residents in Onitsha over the touching of Mosque by sponsored hoodlums, Obiano sympathized with them without mentioning or commiserating with non violence Biafran agitators killed, arrested and tortured by security agents.

He tactically supported them to clampdown and disperse non

violence MASSOB,IPOB members.

“This executive order prompted and motivated the Army to kill, maim, arrest our members in Ontisha, including those killed on the day of jubilation.”

Meanwhile, leader of BIM, Uwazuruike, yesterday, attributed corruption as a major factor propelling politicians to pretend that all was well in Nigeria, even when the country was in a state of despair.

He decried the level of corruption in high places in government in the country and regretted that Nigeria was the only country in the world where leadership offered political leaders the best opportunity to steal public funds and go scotfree.

Corruption propels Nigerians In his goodwill message during the end of 2015 BIM security meeting at Mgbago, Umueri in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, Uwazuruike stated that some politicians were ready to die for one Nigeria only because of the opportunity the country offers them for horrendous stealing, not because Nigeria holds any bright future for their children and children’s children.

Uwazuruike whose message was delivered by BIM’s Deputy National Director for Information, Chris Mocha, expressed concern that Nigeria would continue to have problems because of persistent failure of her leaders to tell masses the truth, stressing that nobody sees himself as a Nigerian.

According to the Biafran leader, “Nigerians see themselves as Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, Kataf, Tivs, Ijaws, among others, and that is why the Yoruba sentiment will always protect their own sons who looted Nigerian treasury, that is also why the

Rights group condemns police road blocks, extortion Meanwhile, a civil society group, International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law, Intersociety, yesterday raised alarm over what it identified as re-emergence of police roadblocks and high level of extortion from motorists in the South East geo-political zone of the country, accusing the extortionists of using pro-Biafran peaceful protests as a cover.

Intersociety said the return of police roadblock extortion points in June 2015 in Nigeria, as ordered by Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, particularly in the Southeast zone, which reached its peak in October 2015, had further made mockery of the doubtful anticorruption policy of the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

In a statement, yesterday in Onitsha, Anambra State, the group said findings from its recent zonal investigation in the South East, factually disclosed that there were at least 750 police roadblock/ extortion points mounted and maintained by IG led police on federal, state and intercity roads in the zone.

“Of the minimum of 750 police roadblocks/extortion points currently stationed on Southeast soads; there are 200 in Anambra State, followed by Abia State with 200, Imo State with 150 and Enugu and Ebonyi States with 100 each. Of these five states, Anambra and Abia are most illicitly lucrative; owing to their commercial environmental nature. They are followed by Imo, owing to its strategic link between the two states. Enugu and Ebonyi States are lesser owing to their white-collar or civil service environmental nature.”

The statement by its Chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi, said “Most of the police roadblock/extortion proceeds from Enugu and Ebonyi States come from highway and inter state road users, particularly users of Enugu-Port Harcourt, Enugu-Onitsha, Enugu-NsukkaOturkpa, Enugu-Abakiliki, Abakiliki-Okigwe and AbakilikiOgoja Roads as well as interState Roads within the two states."

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Abia gov appeal panel: APGA accuses PDP of blackmail

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

A

BA—THE All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Abia State chapter, has accused its

Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, of blackmail by faulting the composition of the Abia governorship Appeal Panel sitting in Owerri, Imo state.

In an interview with Vanguard

in Aba, Chairman of APGA in Abia State, Rev Augustine Ehiemere said, it was surprising that the PDP would complain about the composition of the appeal panel on the flimsy excuse

Anambra community petitions IG over arrests

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—THE Umuncheke community, Umunze in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, IG, over what it

described as unlawful arrests and continued harassment of innocent people in the area.

The 21 people allegedly arrested over the matter are still being detained and the fear of the community is that those behind the action want them to remain in detention till 2016.

In the petition by the vice chairman, Mr. Peter Igwebuike, the community also urged the IG to investigate event of October 14, 2015 in which one indigene of Ubaha village, Ezira, also in Orumba South allegedly used the state Commissioner of Police to raid the community during

that the members were from the same division.

According to Ehiemere, “Why the sudden fear? Why did they not complain when the two panels that sat over the legislative

which leaders of Umuncheke village were accused of armed robbery.

But the state police command said it was the police anti cult group that carried out the arrests, following threat to lives and property in the area.

Implementing National Confab report, Bishop Nwokolo urges Buhari

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI —BISHOP of the Niger, Rt. Rev Owen Nwokolo has called on President Muhammadu Buhari not to ignore the report and recommendations of the last national conference convoked by his predecessor, former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying that implementing them would go a long way to address some problems that are causing agitations in the country.

He said “The former

administration saw the need for discussion and dialogue, and need for Nigerians to sit down to solve and settle some national questions, and resolve the issue of common existence in order to have lasting and sustainable peace in the country, that is why we want the President not to ignore report and recommendations the conference.

“Nigerians gathered for months and huge amount of money was spent to organise that conference, to waste or ignore the report and recommendations is

a disservice to the nation, we still believe that the President will look into it,” he said.

Bishop Nwokolo said this in his

Christmas Message to Nigerians and the people of Anambra State, he delivered in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Houses cases were headed by judges from the same division? Is it not infantile to allege complicity because the judges are coming from one division? Judges in Nigeria are rotated and posted to various divisions at different times. In the other panels, were there not Justices, who had sat in Lagos?”

The APGA chairman expressed surprise that while his party does not know the identity of those sitting on the panel, the PDP has already gotten information and started complaining about the composition of the panel.

He added since the case would be heard on its merit, there was no need for any of the parties to be afraid of the division or part of the country members of the appeal panel were posted from and urged the PDP to stop crying wolf.

Ezinne Aguona-Okoye dies at 92

E

ZINNE Aguona-Okoye, the matriarch of Aguona-Okoye family in Ukpo, Dunukofia LGA, Anambra State, is dead, aged 92.

She will be interred at Ukpo, Dunukofia on January 2, 2016, after funeral service at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Ukpo.

She is survived by many children, grand children and great grand children, including a Germany-based businessman, Henry Aguona-Okoye.

Late EzinneAguona-Okoye

Harvest

T

HE ANNUAL harvest thanksgiving of St. Francis Catholic Church, Umuaro II, in Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo State, holds on December 27, 2015 with 9a.m. mass.

The bazaar follows immediately after the thanksgiving; the chief host is Rev. Fr. Innocent Okoronkwo.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015 — 17

I

T is no secret that the aver age Nigerian politician and even many of those who indulge in public debate have often chosen small mindedness over rescuing our country’s soul or our general sense of purpose as a nation. Nigeria has no long term cultural, social or economic plans or projects to boast of.

Our last truly significant cultural event was probably Festac ’77 and one could argue its success. Economically, what the high priests of the World Bank and the IMF in the person of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala celebrated, was debt relief which really, in simplified terms, amounts to foreign banks granting us reprieve from loans they forced (or conned) us into taking in the first place.

We celebrated retrieving the Abacha loot, yet we have little to show for it as our road networks, health care and educational system remain abysmal. Our ports don’t collect import duties and many businesses, particularly under the past administration, were granted tax waivers.

So at a time when oil prices were high, our government made a lot less than it should have. I think that we are now in what years to come we will call the turning point of our collective experience as a country, even as corruption fights back and the cynics who either hate Nigeria, despise the idea of a level playing field or have not taken the time to study the facts, refuse change.

Infinite realm of options At this junction between the old and the new order, where possibility and its infinite realm of options timidly peak behind the bleak, dark reality of economic strife, I believe President Muhammadu Buhari has the opportunity despite and because of Nigeria’s many challenges to do something extraordinary.

Our president exists for and because of the common man, or all those who were ahead of their time enough to think of a post ethno-religious society where hard work and talent determine success rather than the will or the ability to bend the law.

I must confess that whenever I myself am discouraged by the Nigerian system, where only the same set of people seem to vanquish, where evil has long triumphed, laughing in the faces of good men and women, I am reminded of the confidence, temerity and audacity of a man who unsuccessfully ran for president a number of times and was mocked and ridiculed for it.

His victory restored my faith in the system and in our people. If we can love and appreciate someone like Buhari, because of what he stands for, then there is hope for us yet.

When I think of the generation that grew up in between the Babangida and Obasanjo eras C M Y K

tprincewill@yahoo.co.uk

Nigeria needs a higher sense of purpose

President Muhammadu Buhari and what they must think of public life, what their values must be, raised by a moral order of subsistence at all costs, of cheating, underhandedness and double-dealing, to think that these same people voted for Buhari makes me incredibly happy. They know, like every human being witnessing good and evil that there are consequences to every wicked or criminal action. The current economic climate is simply one of them.

When we cast our votes during the past elections, many felt Nigerians were fighting for this country’s soul. If you believe your part in the battle is over simply because the war against corruption has begun, you are sorely mistaken. Nigeria once promised, the way America did,

So Buhari must help us recognise our interests once more by awakening our consciousness to the truth

that if you worked hard and followed the rules, a bright future awaited you.

But over the years, what happened to the young people who watched their parents play by the rules and totally miss out on the wealth and opportunities the gangsters among us amassed? It is those young people that I wish the president could speak to.

His story is simply what one could call the Nigerian dream, if there were such a thing. A dream where honour and sacrifice are rewarded, a fairy tale many of our youth no longer believe in. Unfortunately, no one is telling them this story or feeding them a narrative they can hang onto when things get tough.

National honours Many people are pariahs, second-class citizens in their own country because they dare to believe another way is possible, or that money is no god.

The Jonathan years were painful for such people when cheats, murderers and destroyers of our commonwealth were awarded national honours and some were forced to conclude Nigeria wasn’t for them, that it had nothing to offer a mind knowledgeable of freedom, one that refused to bow to the dictates of corruption and sycophancy. Buhari needs to tell young people they will be ok. We might be in for a bumpy ride but our prospects

will be better for it. However, it’s not enough to talk tough about corruption.

Buhari needs to help us find or reconnect with the buried, forgotten and maligned greatness within the Nigerian character. A leader can shape his or her country’s identity and Buhari’s political communication has the power to do so, to re construct the Nigerian self by interrogating all that is currently wrong and explaining to Nigerians what it is he (therefore we) are fighting for.

“The strongest is never strong enough to be always the master, unless he transforms strength into right, and obedience into duty.” These are the words of a French philosopher, Rousseau that aptly explains the subjugation of the Nigerian people to the political elite, in a state at war with itself. We need to think of corruption as an ideology rather than an aberration or the hallmark of a small mind. Corrupt people know exactly what they are doing and how evil it is. So this war will not only be won by

prosecuting people (although it is essential to re-establish norms of behaviour) but by reorganising the Nigerian mind away from disorder and dishonesty. I truly believe only Buhari has the moral authority to lead this and to thoroughly engage society in such a conversation.

Corruption has been a successful strategy to undermine our togetherness and destabilise the polity, a context within which much money is made.

So Buhari must help us recognise our interests once more by awakening our consciousness to the truth.

Fundamental problems Presidential aides have unfortunately reduced his speech to small press releases on trifling issues rather than engage the public on the fundamental problems destroying Nigeria which many misunderstand or are simply unaware of.

Richard Neudstadt, an American political scientist said “presidential power, is the power to persuade”.

Nigerian presidents have not used rhetoric or arguments to convince the public of either their good intentions, the usefulness of their policies or to explain what said policies are about in the first place. Buhari has enough good will to do something different by truly communicating with Nigerians.

The campaign isn’t over, it really started, in effect, on inauguration day. In today’s world, leaders are activists who enable and encourage change, a new world order. Buhari has the power to do this if he gets his communication right.

Bode George

A

S #DasukiGate unfolds, Bode George, upon being accused of receiving N100 million from Bashir Yuguda, a former minister of state, reportedly excused himself by saying he “only” took $30,000. Is this meant to make Nigerians feel better? This is laughable.

Bode George

Zahra Buhari’s shoes

A

SK Chelsea Clinton or Zasha and Malia Obama: it isn’t easy being a president’s daughter. Social media has been obsessing over a picture

Zasha Buhari

of Zahra wearing “expensive” shoes. Nigerians now zealously support the fight against corruption and waste but let’s not confuse issues.

The President might not have made his full asset declaration public but legally he is in no obligation to do so: it’s available under the Freedom of Information Act. Zahra’s dressing is the least of our problems. There are bigger fish to fry (or try, in court).

*Tabia Princewill is a strategic communications consultant and public policy analyst. She is also the cohost and executive producer of a talk show, WALK THE TALK which airs on Channels TV.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015 FOR the second time in as many years, the Nigerian Army descended heavily on the Sheikh Ibrahim Yaqub el Zakzaky led Zaria-based Islamic sect, which styles itself as “the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN)” but who are more popularly referred to as the Shiites, with many killed and injured, and the whereabouts of the sect’s leader unclear.

The latest clashes, which saw the destruction of the sect’s convention centre in Zaria, Kaduna State, penultimate weekend, was sequel to a similar event last year which led to the death of dozens of the Islamic preacher’s followers, including three of his sons. It started when the group blocked a major

Military versus Zakzaky’s group highway in the city and prevented the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, from performing an official function and paying a condolence visit to the Zaria monarch.

Rather than yield to entreaties by army officers to open the road, the sect’s followers, perhaps mindful of the harsh crackdown of the security forces on their members in the past took hostile measures

which the Army read as an attempt on the life of their chief, Buratai.

Speaking in a television interview, Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, made it clear that the military had to take proactive steps against the group to prevent a situation in the past repeating itself, where Boko Haram, a similar sect, was allowed to grow from an outlaw group to the world renowned terrorist group that

threatened the nation.

The clashes this time drew the attention of foreign interests, as the governments of Iran and Iraq, which have predominant populations of Shiites, called for an inquiry into the incident.

The governments of the USA and UK and rights advocacy group, Amnesty International also called for an investigation, which the House of Representatives has already started.

We also join in this call to ensure that this sect, which has existed in Nigeria for the past forty years, is not allowed to become another threat to the security of the nation.

OPINION Dasukigate and a vote for a Truth commission

By Dan Owegie

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HE book of John 1: 45 -47 where Jesus called Philip and Nathaniel ia a fascination as Nigerians continue to ponder over the massive looting of the nation’s common heritage by politically exposed persons. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s Investigations into the Office of the National Security Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan has revealed a can of worms beyond the $2.1 billion that one office alone misappropriated.

Nigerians are still wondering how other offices such as the Oil and Gas industry, the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Federal Island Revenue Service would have been operated during the 16 years reign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Many Nigerians and friends of Nigeria believe that the problem of the country is corruption and they are all dead right! If corruption is brought down by 60 percent, then Nigeria would be a better place.

Today, much of the nation’s fortunes are in the hands of very few people who are politically exposed or their cronies. People who have amassed stupendous wealth from our common patrimony for their personal enrichment. I am tempted to begin to find a leeway out of the current war on graft from the scriptures and of course, as it is often said, the scriptures can never lie. According to John 1: 45-47, Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote— Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”…

It is important to understand why my going scriptural in this treatise. This tendency is nothing new; it went on in first century Israel as well. People would be judged based on whether they grew up in Judea, Samaria, or Galilee (cf. Acts 2:7), whether in more urbanized areas or more rural areas.

And, then as now, the more remote and less urban the location, the more likely people were to look down on those who came from there.

So it is with Nazareth in Galilee. Galilee itself was seen as remote, away from the epicenter of Judaism in Jerusalem, not known for erudition or much civilization.

Within Galilee itself, Nazareth barely registers, receiving no mention from Jewish sources before the third century of our era.

This insignificance led some skeptics to doubt whether Nazareth existed at all in the first century CE, but archaeological evidence does indicate the place was inhabited. It is now believed that Nazareth was a village of no more than 500 in the days when Jesus grew up there. Nazareth is about 16 miles

A a non-partisan approach must be adopted to deal with corruption in the land

southwest of the Sea of Galilee; it is not near the Mediterranean Sea and would not be on a lot of travel routes. It is evident why Nazareth would easily be despised in the eyes of others: it is in the backwoods or out in the sticks, a small village. In the eyes of more educated and urban Jews, the Nazarenes would have been judged as ignorant at best and perhaps as simple-minded sinners at worst.

As a member of the All Progressives Congress, I have always kicked the ass of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because of their childish and alarmist form of opposition.

But for the very first time, like it was in Galilee and Judea, I see sense in the position canvassed by the PDP. Recently, The leadership of the party reiterated its support for an honest, holistic and total war against corruption and demanded the trial and prosecution of all those involved, including those who may have returned ‘loots’ to the government. The party called for the establishment of a National Truth Commission to receive loot from all those who emptied the nation’s treasury. It also said they are completely against any one-sided public trial and mob conviction of accused persons without following the age-long and worldwide legal process wherein all accused persons are presumed innocent until the contrary is lawfully proved and I completely agree with them. In my considered opinion, something good has, for once come out from the PDP. I fully subscribe to the call for the setting up of a National Truth Commission as a more

holistic way to tackle the mind-boggling corruption that has destroyed Nigeria and its image for a couple of reasons.

The National Truth Commission if constituted would set a timeline and a deadline for all those who looted the nation’s treasury to return all what they looted, which from all estimations, run into hundreds of billions of dollars, amount enough to repair the country within the next ten years. All those who will respond within the timeline would be pardoned and advised to go and sin no more.

At the expiration of the deadline, which will be about three months period, and may be a grace period of two weeks, all those who refuse to return their loot should then be traced, tracked and made to face the full weight of the law irrespective of whatever office they occupy in the land, irrespective of their status, and irrespective of their political or ethnic leaning. They should be made on final conviction, perhaps at the supreme court to forfeit all their loot and proceeds of their criminal actions and be given the maximum jail sentence to deter future political leaders from corruption.

A a non-partisan approach must be adopted to deal with corruption in the land. It is an imperative for President Buhari to constitute the National truth commission to be made up of Nigerians of impeccable character to take on this important national task.

Depending solely on our cumbersome legal processes and criminal justice system will not be sufficient to tackle the problem of corruption in the land.

•Mr. Owegie, a chieftain of the APC, wrote from Benin city, Edo State.

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

Buhari, the Army, ethnic and religious militias

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T is not a plus for his democratic credentials, that President Muhammadu Buhari has not thought it fit to comment on the issue, weeks after personnel of the Nigeria Police were reported to have killed several members of the so-called Indigenous Peoples of Biafra and scores more were mauled down of followers of the misguided Shiite cleric, Ibrahim El Zakzaky, by soldiers of the Nigerian Army. As the Commander-in Chief of the Armed Forces, he is the supreme head of our armed forces and as such cannot look away when members of the forces are accused of serious crime bordering on mass killings of allegedly harmless Nigerians. His comments don’t necessarily have to be condemnatory of the action of the concerned soldiers if he does not think they are at fault.

But, if otherwise, he thinks the soldiers went beyond the bounds of what can be considered acceptable conduct, his denunciatory comments would go a long way to reassure Nigerians that they are not at the mercy of a lawless military that can act totally with impunity.

We ought to have moved beyond the level of the ‘unknown

soldiers’ such as those involved in the destruction of Fela’s Kalakuta Republic in 1977. Our soldiers are individuals with verifiable names and addresses traceable to whatever military formations they are attached to.

In fact, some of the soldiers involved in the encounter with the Shiite were in the escort of Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff, who was allegedly pencilled down for assassination for yet undisclosed reasons by members of the religious sect. It was in their bid to ensure a safe passage for him after the Shiite allegedly blocked his way to an official engagement, that the soldiers opened fire. This account has, of course, been disputed by the Shiite who claimed the COAS had left well before a detachment of soldiers returned to wreak havoc.

Whatever were the actual circumstances that led to the bloody showdown, the identities of the soldiers involved are not and cannot be unknown. They could be summoned to account for their action. Which is to say that as far as the IPOB or Shiite killings go, the president’s comments, whether laudatory or condemnatory, would have been better than his present silence.

His opponents, rightly or wrongly, would be quick to cite

cases such as these as evidence that he still needs to be fully weaned of his military propensities.

The right of Nigerians to freely express themselves either by being part of demonstrations to assert their right to self determination as IPOB proclaims, or to congregate for religious reasons as with the Shiite, should not be compromised. Yet, Nigerians who must assert their rights in the foregoing manner must also be ready to accord such rights to others and conduct themselves in ways that would not hurt public peace. But this is far more than one can say for either the followers of Nnamdi Kanu or El Zakzaky. Commentaries on the recent encounters of these two groups with the security agencies have not emphasised this point at all.

The overwhelming impression that is conveyed by many of these commentators is that the unnecessarily provocative and sometimes violent actions of members of the respective ethnic or religious group are just all right and should continue without consequences. Yet both groups have functioned many times outside the bounds of propriety. If IPOB members have confined themselves to peaceful

Are we going to look on as similar outcast groups grow into Frankenstein monsters that will later threaten our collective security

A time for courage or circumspection

By Chuks Iloegbunam

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ET'S begin with Ejike Camillus Mbaka. He’s a friend of mine. This Catholic priest and head of Adoration Ministries Enugu Nigeria (AMEN) is truly a man of God, a dogged fighter for the downtrodden. But he’s also a politician – in the sense that his pulpit doubles as a soapbox. On virtually every public development, he takes a position, and he voices it without fear or favour. This dual disposition inevitably challenges the perception, and often influences the judgments, of those who react to his actions and pronouncements. For uncomplicated work, therefore, Mbaka assessors require to consciously delineate the man’s spirituality from his politics.

Reverend Father Mbaka prophesied that President Jonathan would lose the March presidential ballot. He was excoriated. But it came to pass. He was in tune with the Holy Spirit. I, without the gift of prophecy, also knew that President Jonathan was headed for defeat. I knew that two whole years before the ballot, and I warned at least ten prominent people associated with Jonathan and the PDP, all of who are still alive today, and none of who saw the point of critical remedial actions. Jonathan failed because there was no MOUTH to his presidency. Jonathan also failed because any presidential election will go the way taken by any two of the tripod of national politics. All this is by way of introduction.

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If I found the means to be in the South East this Christmas, I should meet up with Father Mbaka, and broach conversation with this opening salvo: “The Holy Spirit cannot have decreed the indiscriminate shootings of unarmed pro-Biafran demonstrators in Onitsha.” I was in Biafra; Mbaka wasn’t. Biafra was a freebombing site. Markets, churches, hospitals, refugee camps and every cluster of people were legitimate targets for indiscriminate bombing and strafing by Nigerian warplanes, resulting in the weekly extermination of countless thousands. Now again, and nearly 50 years later, Biafrans are being shot and killed at random and without provocation by those officially invested with the

These sordid developments beckon – not on politicians heavily clothed in the shameless nakedness of vice and avarice – but on the rest of humane society, to rise and stand firm on the side of democracy and justice

street protests without blockading the Niger Bridge in Onitsha, perhaps their run-in with the police would have ended more happily. Forced closure of business places or major highways like the Niger Bridge cannot at all be considered peaceful. When this is coupled with the possibility of miscreant activities among genuine members of this group, there is no way to guarantee a peaceful outcome 100%.

As for the Shiites, available footage of their encounter with the soldiers shows they might have been asking for what came their way. Parts of this footage show senior military men in close discussions with the Shiites, apparently pleading with them to leave even when some of them could be seen openly brandishing machetes and other types of cudgels. What point were they trying to make confronting these soldiers with such arms?

Our security and military personnel have not been too famous for their cordiality. They are too full of their own sense of self-importance and engage in unnecessary show of power.

They are often a trigger-happy lot, would sooner bawl orders at people and speak with their weapons and horse whips rather than behave civilly. For such unprofessional acts of reckless irresponsibility, we must continue to condemn them and insist that they change. But what we must never allow is to create a situation where our collective security is endangered by our readiness to tolerate the outlaw behaviour of extremist ethnic or religious groups in the misguided belief of championing their rights even when they would not submit to the rules that bind us all.

The excesses of the El Zakzaky Shiites like such other religious or ethnic groups need to be curtailed for our collective

primary responsibility of their protection.

Why might any man of God not pronounce anathema on the aberration?

There are others whose inertia in the face of the burgeoning franchise of a “cold and iron age” I would love to challenge.

Where is Wole Soyinka, the cautious endorser of Candidate Buhari? Half a century ago, Soyinka was one of the few – another was the late Tai Solarin – who, against the grain of mob hysteria, opposed the anti-Igbo pogrom that cost some 50,000 lives and led up to the civil war.

Soyinka was among the first to raise hell over the October 7, 1967 massacre of over 500 Igbo men Asaba. Soyinka is the one who pronounced that, “Justice is the first condition of humanity.” Dear Soyinka, soldiers paid with Nigeria’s money, soldiers on oath to protect the citizenry, have converted most of Onitsha into a concentration camp. Anyone that happens around the military is ordered to raise their hands in surrender. They are harassed and extorted. All these have video authentication. Two weeks ago, a young man reportedly asked why his hands should hang in the air when he was not a slave. Gun butts! Boots!!

Whiplashes!!! “Kill me on account of Biafra,” the young man insisted. “But I’m not raising my hands for nobody.” What became of the man? What does this portend? Where are the voices of conscience?

There are award-winning writers like Niyi Osundare, Ben Okri and Chimamanda Adichie, and many others angling for their own awards. These are progressive chroniclers of the movement of transition, who didn’t give a damn what part of the country their president was elected from! Where is their courage?

Where is their conscience? Can these have been substituted with circumspection or

security. A group that seems eager to foment trouble even without provocation and pays no regards to the common rules that binds society is not one that should be allowed free reign. Just over a year ago, El Zakzaky lost a number of his family members in what looked like a case of mindless selfassertion by members of his group.

This group is known for its disruptive actions- spewing hate language, blocking roads for their activities or sending their members on long pilgrimage-like treks on major highways, and thereby obstructing the smooth flow of traffic. They are belligerent and appear permanently poised for violent encounters or the enforcement of their peculiar doctrines. We continue to scream that Nigeria is a secular state but here we are saddled with Bokoharam-like groups springing up around us, determined to impose their strange doctrines on everybody, and we talk glibly about their rights as if the assertion of such rights must imply the denial of the rights of others to choose a different way of life.

We’ve seen how monies meant for arms purchase were criminally channelled into private pockets; how soldiers were hobbled and sent into battles without arms. We’ve seen Boko haram overrun towns and states after states, and declaring a caliphate even as our military, our only means of protection, were comprehensively trounced.

Just eight months ago, we were all helpless wimps at the mercy of religious terrorists. Are we going to look on as similar outcast groups grow into Frankenstein monsters that will later threaten our collective security or insist that they too, like our military, should be subject to collective authority?

convenience? If they deafened everyone with uncharacteristic muteness, does it not align their worldviews with Olusegun Obasanjo’s, the despotic tyrant under whose watch thousands of Nigerians were criminally wiped off the face of the earth?

If this class of Nigerians suddenly quit commenting and poetizing against injustice, would it be because some oracle secretly revealed to them that what went around no longer came around? Would it be because the man no longer died in all who kept silent in the face of tyranny?

President Buhari praised Father Mbaka for his “honesty” and “exemplary courage” when they met in Aso Rock last week. But, in all of Nigeria, honesty and justice cannot reside in just one priest.

There was a Shi’a demonstration in Zaria on which reputable human rights organizations posted the slaughter of about 1000 by the Army! Videos exist of the killing spree, and of the futile attempts at covering up the unspeakable crime in mass graves. Videos also exist of the two waves of the Onitsha massacres, the second one activated merely by jollification on the (false) news that Nnamdi Kanu had regained his freedom.

The bodies of those shot in Onitsha, and those hospitalised, from this second wave were seized by their assailants and taken to unknown destinations. The conscientious shouldn’t pretend sleepiness under this sadistic canopy. These sordid developments beckon – not on politicians heavily clothed in the shameless nakedness of vice and avarice – but on the rest of humane society, to rise and stand firm on the side of democracy and justice.

•Mr. Iloegbunam, an author, wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard, WEDESDAY WEDESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Cries for justice in Rivers community ••as Adube, victim of alleged political assassination is interred Stories by Jimitota Onoyume

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T was wailing galore in Obrikom, Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, penultimate weekend as the remains of late Chief Chris Adube who was allegedly murdered alongside three of his children and an aide in April this year was interred.

Tears flowed freely at the burial even as his wives, Precious and Patience and the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Dr Dakuku Peterside pleaded with security agents to ensure that those behind the callous and mindless murder of the five at the residence of Chief Adube on Ossa Street in the community were brought to book.

Peterside battled with tears as he spoke to newsmen a few metres from where the corpse of late Adube laid in state.

“I cannot imagine why anybody will do this to Chief Adube and his family members. He was a very peaceful man and did not deserve the kind of death he got.

Some humans are just wicked. I believe and pray that justice will catch up with those who did this to this man of peace, “ he said in an emotion-laden voice.

Those gruesomely murdered on that sad night of April 3 this year along with Chief Adube were his children, Miss Joy Adube, John Adube, Lucky Adube and his driver Ikechukwu.

Adube’s daughter Ruth pleading for assistance to undergo surgery Chief Chris Adube and his three children, John, Joy and Lucky who were allegedly assassinated by yet to be identified persons. den. He was a member of the APC, one of our leaders here. We have written to the Inspector General of Police and every appropriate quarter for justice. We need justice,” he said.

VM gathered that two of Adube children, Lucky and John who

NGO puts smiles on widows, disabled persons in Rivers

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Rampaging attack Two of his remaining children, Paul and Ruth were fortunate to have survived the rampaging attack by the assailants but sustained bullet wounds that have left them disabled and probably altered their destinies.

Paul who would have been in SS3 has dropped out of school because he has been consigned to a wheel chair due to the bullet that was lodged on his spinal cord.” I have been on this wheel chair since the sad incident. The medics said I need an operation overseas so I am begging for financial assistance,” he pleaded.

The gunmen opened fire on my spinal cord that fateful night. I begged them to spare my life because I am just 17years, not up to voting age but they refused, “ he said. His sister, Ruth currently has a pipe fixed to one of her legs because of the bullets from the assailants. “I have not gone to school since that day. I can’t do the things I need to do. I can’t C M Y K

were also murdered, were waiting for their call up letters to proceed on their National Youth Service Corps Scheme, NYSC while their late sister Joy was in a tertiary institution when the brigands attacked. In Obrikom the cry on every lips weekend was for justice for the family of late Chief Chris Adube.

Paul, Adube’s son now confined to a wheel chair even walk a long distance because of my leg. The doctors said they will remove the pipe they fixed in 2017. I still need support for medical attention, please help me,” she pleaded.

The Chairman of the local government area, Mr Austin Ahiamadu told Vanguard Metro, VM that letters were written to several security quarters seeking justice for the family but months after the sad incident, noting had been done to bring those behind the mindless act to book.

He said the late Chief Adube was a leader of the APC in the local government before the brutal murder, adding that he was at a time the chairman of the local government area.

“Adube was a man of truth; he

stood by his words. We are pained by the way he died. All we want is justice, the killers are not hid-

T was a moment of joy for widows and the physically challenged at Isiokpo, headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State as a nongovernmental organisation, Nice Esther for All Foundation, NEFAF/Nice Esther Alamieyeseigha Rescue Initiative, NEARI put smiles on their faces with donations worth several millions of naira.

Madam Amarachi and some other widows who spoke to the Vanguard Metro, VM at the venue of the health outreach and empowerment program expressed gratitude to the body for remembering them in this yuletide season.

Different eye ailments

Paul who would have been in SS3 has dropped out of school because he has been consigned to a wheel chair due to the bullet that was lodged on his spinal cord

The women who were also treated for different eye ailments, were given free medicated glasses during the event.

Founder and initiator of NEFAF/NEARI, Mrs Nice Alamieyeseigha enjoined governments at all levels in the country to evolve programs to alleviate the plights of widows and physically challenged in the country.

Donating wheel chairs, bags of rice and other valuables to the widows and the disabled, she advised the government to give special attention to the less priviledged in society.

Mrs Alamieyeseigha thanked the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC and other partners for their support.

“Charity is not limited to one person or few organisations.

Charity should be embraced by all who appreciate the love our Lord Jesus has shown to the world. We also have a scholarship scheme. We have given scholarships to a number of law students in the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, RUST,” she said, The high point of the event was when she led those on the high table and others to handover the keys of one of the bungalows built by her organisation to some indigent widows. She said the conditions of the widows moved her to build the houses.

Some of the widows who spoke to VM were full of gratitude to the NEFA/NEARI, saying Mrs Alamieyeseigha had made it a yearly exercise to put smiles on their faces with the donations.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

— 21

MAN charges CBN to stop funding Bureaux de Change

By Naomi Uzor

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HE Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, has charged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to stop funding the Bureau de change market.

In a statement , the President of MAN, Chief Frank Jacobs, said: Ït is difficult to understand why, in the first instance, these outfits should depend on official allocation of forex by the CBN for their survival.

“The Bureau De Change market should provide alternative funding window to the economy, in which case they source their forex independently from other sources and supply to the forex market. It is difficult to understand their real functions with the kind of arrangement Nigeria has.

Distributive conduit pipes They act as mere distributive conduit pipes by simply getting forex allocation from CBN and selling to very few Nigerians out of the multitude that need forex; thereby making their profit without much value addition” “Foreign exchange allocated to the Bureau De Change as well as from other sources should be channelled to the productive sectors of the economy, especially manufacturing for the importation of essential inputs and machinery that are not locally available as well as the social welfare segment of the society like hospitals, schools, etc” he said.

He noted that MAN advocates the use of guided deregulation in such a way that Naira would be left to flow freely within a bracket which the CBN would determine, adding that, this is important because at their stage of development, they cannot afford to allow the Naira to flow freely without any check.

“MAN believes that this arrangement will allow the exchange rate to be determined by the market but with some moderation and also leave room for investors to be attracted to invest in the country. This will also assist in checking the ugly situation that took place during the SAP era where, as a result of devaluation, over 60 per cent of small and medium scale industries closed down because of their inability to sustain their operations. Restriction on dollar inflow should be lifted but this should not preclude CBN’s duty of investigating sources of such incomes” he stated.

According to him, a major source of forex wastage in Nigeria is through the on-going subsidy on importation of pe-

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troleum products.

“In the real sense, Nigeria should not have relied on fuel importation to meet the fuel requirement of the nation, given the number of refineries we have in this country which are currently lying waste. Instead, we turned around to import fuel and pay huge subsidies to fuel importers thereby wasting huge scarce foreign exchange as subsidy. MAN believes that the downstream petroleum sector should be privatized in order to save the country from

wasting the huge forex paid as subsidy” he said.

Some years back, he noted, many refining companies applied for licenses and we do not know what happened to those applications or why those companies that were granted licenses did not start operation?

“Why does the Government have to subsidise fuel imports when such subsidies, some of which are even ambiguous, would have been channelled to streamlining the refining capacities of existing refineries or

even establishing new ones?

The solution appears to tilt towards the privatization of the sector so that Government would hands off subsidy payment.

To avoid perceived abuse of foreign exchange allocation and save the Naira, the management of forex which is vested on a Committee chaired by the Governor of the CBN should monitor utilisation of forex by recipients by remitting funds directly to the beneficiary company overseas,”’he said.

Cross River declares 5-yr tax holiday for outdoor practitioners

By Princewill Ekwujuru

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ROSS River State Signage and Advertisement Agency, CRISSAA, has declared a five years tax holiday and other incentives for Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN members, who intend to invest in the state.

Director General of CRISSAA, Mr. 1.05 $118.55 Stanley Nsemo, made this declara$3,202.00 -37.00 tion at the Extra Ordinary General $14.97 0.00 Meeting of the Association in Abeokuta, Ogun state, while deliv$36.42 0.07 ering a paper titled: Sustainable Partnership for EcoCURRENCY BUYING SELLING nomic Develop6 ment, where he 196 196.5 197 US DOLLAR listed among the 292.348 293.0939 293.8398 POUNDS 213.0128 213.5562 214.0996 EURO incentives to in196.9651 197.4676 197.9701 FRANC clude discounted 1.6145 1.6186 1.6227 YEN charges on process0.3046 0.31146 0.32346 CFA ing fees and sites 270.457 2701. 146 271.8359 WAUA 30.2353 30.3129 30.3904 RENMINBI fees, direct reduced 52.2165 52.3497 52.4829 RIYAL labour cost, income 28.5423 28.6151 28.6879 KRONA tax of 30 percent in 271.3816 272.0739 272.7662 SDR SSDR all sectors, tax holi270.9504 271.6416 272.3328 CBN Exchange rate as at 22/12/2015 days of five years in 22

FLAG-OFF: From left, Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Gbenga Ashafa; Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr Adeseyi Sijuade and Minister for Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, at the flag-off of Port Harcourt to Aba Mass Transit Line.

urban areas and seven years in rural areas, investment in infrastructure attracts 20 percent tax holiday on cost of facilities, Industries with local value-addition enjoy 10 percent tax concession of up to five years and additional incentives for businesses in the free trade zones.

On the other hand, Director General of Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA), Mr. Babs Fagade, who is also a member of OAAN, promised to remove all illegal structures affecting outdoor advertising for value creation.

He also promised to implement the design of Oyo State

Industries with local value-addition enjoy 10 percent tax concession of up to five years and additional incentives for businesses in the free trade zones

outdoor master plan and flexible payment plan for 25 percent permit fee already agreed on vacant sites.

Reacting, President of the Association Mr. Tunde Adedoyin who talked extensively on challenges and benefits in states such as Edo, Lagos, Kaduna, Cross River, Enugu, Anambra and Abuja, said the association is discussing with the authori-

ties in the states to ensure mutual understanding.

As the stakeholders also deliberated on issues affecting the Association, its members and how to create a balance between operations and regulations as it affects the profession in Nigeria, resolved to make much improved relationship between it and state governments and their agencies.

IFC, LAPO MFB boost access to finance thru agent banking

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FC, a member of the World Bank Group, signed an agreement to work with LAPO Micro finance Bank Ltd to pilot and roll out agent banking that will increase access to financial services for low-income customers, smallscale entrepreneurs and rural communities.

IFC is also providing a N2billion (approx. $10 million) loan to support LAPO MfB’s lending to micro-entrepreneurs.

This is the largest investment IFC has made in a micro finance institution in SubSaharan Africa.

As the first local micro finance organization to successfully transform into a fully regulated

national micro finance bank, LAPO MfB is a pioneer in the Nigerian micro finance sector. It has grown its client base from 700,000 in 2012 to more than 2 million, across 28 of Nigeria’s 36 states, and it aims to increase its client base to up to 5 million by 2017.

Godwin Ehigiamusoe, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAPO MfB, said, “LAPO Micro finance Bank has remained committed to its goal of economic empowerment through access to finance. We are taking further steps to increase our reach to more low income earners and more micro, small and medium enterprises.”

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Tennis star, Angel worries over mother’s burial plans, bleak future

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BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

lmost three months after the unprovoked and gruesome murder of her mother, Beauty Nwankwo, youth tennis sensation, Angel Macleod is deeply concerned about the non-burial of the deceased, who was felled by the bullets of a mobile policeman in Victoria Island.

The killer cop, is standing trial in a Lagos Court, which the 14 year old tennis player believes is a clear case of premeditated murder and should attract the ultimate punishment for extinguishing the life of the 38 years old single mother of one, who before her demise, did everything within her powers to make Angel the best young tennis player within her age bracket in the country.

Speaking with Sports Vanguard on the sidelines of the final of the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Futures at the weekend, Angel expressed concern over the long delay in burying her mother, who she said was not resting in peace because of the protracted delay.

“In countries like India, they burn the dead without unnecessary delays. Even in Nigeria, they don’t waste time to bury young persons. My mother was a young woman when she died, so I was expecting a quick burial. But it is taking forever for her to be buried and her soul is not resting in peace. I feel her spirit moving about”, said Angel.

She is also worried stiff over her career tennis, which she confessed, has hit a snag since the demise of the only parent she knew, making her to turn to the founder of the Chevron Tennis Academy, Chris Enahoro, to help make good her dream of going to the International Tennis Federation High Performance Centre in Morocco.

“I am praying that Mr Chris will be able to send me to Morocco to team up with Oyin Quadre. Mr Chris is a good man, who cares for players. He is a father of all and I hope he will use his rich network to secure the funds to send me to Morocco because since my mother died, everything has been going down”, said Angel.

If her dream to go to Morocco comes true, it will bring to two the number of Nigerian girls who are in the High Performance Centre, courtesy of Enahoro and some members of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

Quadre’s trip to the renowned tennis centre was engineered by Enahoro, who pooled together funds contributed by some members of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club (LLTC) to send one of Nigeria’s top talents in the junior game to Morocco.

Incontrovertible evidence in Sports Vanguard’s possession shows that Quadre’s trip was financed by funds contributed by some members of the LLTC, putting to rest insinuations that Quadre’s trip was made possible by the Nigeria Tennis Federation.

In a signed letter sent to LLTC members who donated towards Quadre's trip, Enahoro, who is one of the rare concerned tennis stakeholders in the land, thanked the dnnors for their donations. And a close to tears Angel, is hoping Enahoro can raise funds for her to join Quadre in Morocco, so that her career will not die after the death of her mother, who also looked up to support from Enahoro before her demise.

Angel C M Y K

Oko-George

2015 a progressive for Nigerian sports

By Ben Efe

U

ncertainty and Nigerian sports sleep together, while those in charge of administration are experts in singing discordant tones, but amidst this cacophony, Nigerian athletes have always stirred up results, the year 2015 was no exception.

The achievements of the country’s sportsmen and women in the year ending, holds out a lot of hope for Nigeria, and only if the successes recorded can be built upon, the nation will have more to celebrate in the New Year.

However, lessons learnt must be put to use.

As admitted by National Sports Commission director-general, Al Hassan Yakmut at the last Africa Games in Congo, there is lot of work to be done, if Nigeria were to be in the league of top sporting nations. But at the last check, those sermons by Yakmut are turning out to be mere persuasions to keep sports journalist busy scribbling away.

Of course the centre attraction in Nigeria sports is football. And there is so much to celebrate, even as the Nigeria Football Federation is bouncing like a yoyo in the hands of a little child; it is a wonder how Amaju Pinnick has been able to strike a balance in the midst of ever present storms in the football house. He has done a good job one year after being in the saddle of affairs. With the change of leadership at the centre, many predicted that his days are numbered. But if words by youth and sports minister, Solomon Dalung, urging Nigerian sports officials to eschew crisis and live by the rules at the NFF congress earlier this month in Abuja are anything to go by, then Mr. Pinnick need not panic, his days will be long at the NFF. His first major function in 2015 was to sack former Super Eagles captain, Stephen Keshi as the coach of the Super Eagles. Keshi riding

President Buhari on the crest of popular opinions and good rapport with kitchen cabinet members of the former President Goodluck Jonathan after winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and a second round finish at the 2014 World Cup. He had little regard for the NFF, but once the political dust was settled, the NFF had to settle scores so to speak; Sunday Oliseh was appointed as coach in his place.

Oliseh, also a former captain of the Super Eagles wasted no time in raising dust in the camp of the Eagles. He stripped long serving goal keeper, Vincent Enyeama of the captain band and handed it over to Ahmed Musa, of course Enyeama did not take it lying low.

There was rumble in the camp, and Oliseh was shaken by the wave public condemnation of his action. However, the NFF waded into the matter and both men kissed and made up, but that did not stop Enyeama from

Dalung

Pinnick announcing his retirement from the national team, striker Emmanuel Emenike followed suit.

On the field, the Super Eagles struggled in their World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. And this is raising some concern among members of the NFF and it was suggested by Amaju that Oliseh may need some help.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015—23

VOL. 1 NO 50

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

6,000 artisans to be displaced in Imo —Page 24

FMC boils again

...as workers protest return of Dr Uwakwem

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

T

HE FEDERAL Medical Centre, Owerri, FMCO, is in the news again but for the wrong reason. Labour recently shut down the hospital because of their allegation that the Medical Director, Dr. Angela Uwakwem, infringed on a number of financial and civil service rules.

The current shutdown followed the return of Uwakwem to the hospital on November 17, 2015. Workers’ anger reached fever pitch when they learnt that she had “forcefully extracted a handover note from Dr Damian Oparaocha,” who was appointed acting medical director during her absence.

Oparaocha confirmed the workers’ fears in his handwritten letter to the Minister of Health entitled, “forceful handover note.”

The three paragraph handover note read: “I am writing this letter on account of what is right now happening in the FMC, Owerri. The (former) Medical Director came into the hospital and mandated me to write a handover note under duress. Following this, the staff were aggrieved and I almost lost my life in the process. In view of this, I would like to state that this hospital’s staff do not accept the medical directorship of Dr (Mrs.) Angela Uwakwem.”

Later on November 18, 2015, the national leadership of Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP, ordered its members in FMCO, to resume the industrial action earlier suspended, when Uwakwem was ordered to proceed on leave by the Federal Government.

The union’s work to rule order, signed by its National General Secretary, Mr O. A. Obisesan, read, “Due to the fact that the government has refused to synchronize the minority report of the trade union’s officials, who were members of the committee that investigated the charges against the Medical Director, Dr Angela Uwakwem, before arriving at the decision to bring her back to office and also relying on the facts available to the secretariat about the fake letter paraded by the Medical Director, restoring her back to the office, against the interest of the populace and C M Y K

FMC Owerri workers protesting the return of Dr. Uwakwem Nigerians at large, you are hereby directed to resume the suspended strike with effect from Thursday, November 18, 2015, until otherwise directed by the national secretariat.”

The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, equally directed its members in FMCO to resume the suspended strike.

This directive was contained in a letter dated November 20, 2015 and signed by the acting General Secretary, Mr Musa M. Chara.

MHWUN based its decision on “the unilateral recall of the medical director of the FMCO, by the Federal Ministry of Health, against the subsisting evidence of culpability that warranted her suspension.

“The national president of our union has directed that your branch resume the indefinite strike earlier suspended to pave way for investigations,” adding that he asked the branch executives to mobilize their members for “strict compliance to this directive.”

MHWUN however warned that “members observe this directive with decorum, sense of commitment and patriotism.”

The local branch of Medical

and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria equally made their stand known to Uwakwem, a letter dated November 23, 2015, and jointly signed by the Chairman and Assistant Secretary, Dr Cosmas Ihezie and Dr Cyprian Umeugokwe respectively.

The letter read in part, “In view of the precarious situation in FMC Owerri, following assault and threat to life, it is our view that lasting peace and harmony in the institution will be difficult to achieve with

you still at the helm of affairs…

We therefore, advise you to resign your appointment as the medical director of the hospital, in the interest of peace and honour.”

Members of the Management Committee, MC, of the hospital, also addressed a sixpage letter to the Minister of State for Health.

The letter was dated December 2, 2015, and jointly signed by the Head of the Pharmacy Department, Dr Nkechi Anyanwu, acting Head, Admin Ser-

vices, Mr. Chimezie Nwogu, Head of Accounts, Mr. Theodore Iroegbu and Head, Training and Research, Dr F. M. Onuoha.

They said that “the present sustained industrial disharmony in the centre is not unconnected with the loss of confidence in Dr. Uwakwem by most of the hospital staff,” pointing out that the return of the former CMD would not

Continues on Page 26

Scientists brainstorm on food security in Africa

—Page 26

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

6,000 artisans to be displaced in Imo

BY CHINONSO ALOZIE

O

WERRI — OVER 6,000 artisans last week demonstrated in Owerri, capital of Imo State, over an alleged attempt by the state government to relocate them from their present site at Owerri West Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking shortly after the demonstration at Government House, the Chairman of the Nekede Mechanic Village, Owerri West, Mr. Nnamdi Azu asked the Imo State government to reconsider its threat to relocate them so as not to render them jobless.

Also, the members of Orji Mechanic Village in Owerri North Local Government Area, who will be affected by the relocation plan of the government, have called for dialogue with the state gov-

ernment towards achieving a rancour free arrangement.

Also speaking, Mr. Samson Onyeama pointed out that during the last governorship campaign the state governor, Rochas Okorocha visited the mechanic village and promised that he would improve the infrastructure in the area rather than relocate them and expressed surprise that the opposite was being planned this time around.

He then appealed to the government to consider the plight of

So far, 305,780 graduates have been registered to participate in the programme.

Governor Rochas Okorocha the people in the process of movng them out of the mechanic village.

They further asked the state government to provide basic amenities like roads, water, toilets and electricity at the proposed new sites in Avu, Owerri West Local Government Area to ensure that those being relocated were not rendered idle at the new location.

“Since the government cannot

provide jobs for the citizens, it should create an enabling environment for those who have struggled to create jobs for themselves,” they said, lamenting that the state government was planning to disorganise their livelihood by displacing them from their various clusters.

They further warned that that any attempt by the government to forcefully eject them from their present work places would wors-

en the economy of the state due to the social dislocations such action would cause.

According to Azu, “the strong rumour being peddled about that the government had concluded plans to relocate them out of the mechanic villages, informed the peaceful demonstration as information was not only shocking but unexpected.

“The strong rumours have raised serious questions leading the members of the mechanic village to become apprehensive of what is to become of them the next moment. Our demonstration should not be seen as an affront as it is meant to make the government reconsider its decision because of our families and other dependants who would be affected. We do not want to be forced into extreme hardship like before,” he added.

In his remark, Mr Obinna Mbata said that the alleged plan by the government to relocate the artisans had given room for selfish individuals to manipulate the process in order to enrich themselves.

According to Mbata, this was another “channel of extortion whereby some people will use the opportunity of working for the Imo state government, in order to carry out their devilish aims with impunity.

You’re a dictator, Imo CJ, NBA, judiciary workers tell Okorocha

By Chidi Nkwopara AN Igbo proverb says that when a god starts overreacting, the people get constrained to mention the shrub from which the god was created by them.

This proverb aptly played out Friday, December 11, 2015, during a special assizes of the Imo State Judiciary, to mark the commencement of the 2015/2016 legal year.

During the event, the state Chief Judge, members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, the Magistrates Association of Nigeria, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice rose in unison to inform the state governor, Rochas Okorocha that he had become dictatorial by usurping the functions of the Judiciary.

They also boldly and openly told Okorocha what he had been doing wrong over the years.

The floodgate of lashing was opened by the NBA Chairman, Owerri Branch, Mr. Stanley Chidozie Imo. WhilecallingonOkorochatotake steps to fully implement the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as it relates to judicial autonomy, Imo said that the Judiciary was not subordinate to any arm of government.

“The current situation where the Executive is in control of the funds belonging to the Judiciary is unacceptable to the Bar. The Executive has no right to spend any money standing to the credit of the Judiciary in the consolidated revenue fund of the state.

“This is a requirement of the constitution. A breach of this provision is even an impeachable offence,” he further said.

While charging the Legislature to be alive to its duties, Imo how-

Justice Paschal Nnadi ever said that such duties did not include serving as local government chairmen or members of task forces set up by the executive, as the legislators had sadly been transformed into.

He regretted that rather than paying their colleagues in the Ministry of Justice, who are owed for eight months, the state chose to not only cut their salaries by more than 60 percent, but also suspended all directors in the ministry without query, over alleged negligence of duty.

The Chairman of the Magistrates Association, Mrs. N. J. Achinulo, also reminded Okorocha that the condition of the court halls were not only pitiable, recalling how the Governor described court halls as only fit for poultry farming.

“At this digital age, all the magistrate courts still use ordinary type writers, which have since been discarded in most states in Nige-

ria. As a result, typing of quarterly returns of judgment of magistrates is delayed. In most cases, it has to be done outside at the expense of the magistrates,” Mrs. Achinulo said.

After giving a litany of other problems bedevilling the magistrate courts, Mrs. Achinulo told the Governor that “if this system is allowed to persist for a long time, a time will come when the courts will be sitting under the trees or in open spaces.”

She further said that to give meaning to the independence, integrity and effectiveness of the Judiciary, all funds budgeted and approved for recurrent and capital expenditures should be released to the branch of government.

“Another major challenge the magistrates faced this year, was the issue of salaries and allowances.

“It first came in form of an an-

nouncement of about 85 percent slash in salaries and allowances of magistrates,” Achinulo added.

Speaking also, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Alma Eluwa, recalled that while emphasising the importance of the principle of separation of powers, Professor Ben Nwabueze had said that: “concentration of governmental powers in the hands of one individual is the very definition of dictatorship and absolute power by its very nature, is arbitrary, capricious and despotic.”

She then went on to inform the Governor that political liberty is to be found only where there is no abuse of power, stressing that “when the judicial, legislative and executive powers are united in the same person or body, there is no liberty.”

The Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Paschal Nnadi, succinctly captured the litany of deprivations and setbacks in the judiciary, in his 29page address entitled, “observance of the doctrine of separation of powers in a democratic dispensation,” saying that from the sur-

Another major challenge the magistrates faced this year, was the issue of salaries and allowances.

“It first came in form of an announcement of about 85 percent slash in salaries and allowances of magistrates

vey and report he received when he came on board, it was clear that he inherited a totally collapsed infrastructure in the Imo State Judiciary.

According to him, it was evident that the judicial officers and Judiciary workers operated in dilapidated buildings that were yearning for urgent repairs and renovations in the state.

“It is pertinent to point out that the Customary Court of Appeal of Imo State, has no functional Court Hall. The renovation of the burnt Customary Court of Appeal building at New Owerri (which Chief Ikedi Ohakim started), is yet to be completed many years after work started thereon.

“The need to complete that office building cannot be overemphasized as the court presently sits in a make shift accommodation,” Justice Paschal Nnadi said.

While saying that the situation was even worse in magistrate and customary courts, the Chief Judge also lamented that the last exercise for the appointment of judges, which yielded the desired results was in 2008.

He drew the attention of Governor Okorocha to the mandatory requirements of showing verifiable evidence of brand new official cars, furnished court halls with libraries and residential accommodation for the proposed new judges, before the National Judicial Council, NJC, could go ahead to make such appointments.

“It must be sounded loud and clear that without the provision of these facilities, NJC may not schedule the memorandum submitted by the state Judicial Service Commission, JSC, of Imo State for consideration at any of its statutory meetings,” Nnadi added.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015 — 25

Headmaster crowned traditional ruler in Amiyi, Ogbaru LGA

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu The Amiyi NAutonomous Community NEWI———

in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State has selected a 67 year old, retired headmaster, Chief Emmanuel Nduka Mbanefo as its traditional ruler, saying that it will give him maximum support to succeed in his new task as the custodian of the community’s culture and tradition.

The community made this known while presenting the newly elected traditional ruler to the Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area, Chief Victor Agolue, councillors and other top officials of the council.

Amiyi which is made up of three villages including Ohawa, Umuebili and Umuagha has senior red cap chiefs as Onowu, Ogene, Onyia, Ede Oduma and Odua, among others.

However, those present at the occasion included the Head of Personnel Management, Mrs. Isabella Anyiam, Head, Department of Health, Mr. Onuegbu Fabian, Chairman House Committee on Health and Environment, Hon Umunna Nsofor and his Security Committee counterpart, Hon. Chukwudi Ngodi among others.

Spokesmen for the community, Mr. John Kaine and Mr. Victor Mbanefo said the choice of the new traditional ruler was arrived at after careful scrutiny of some individuals based on some spelt out conditions, which showed that Mbanefo was the most qualified for the position.

THE TEAM Supervising Editor: Chioma Gabriel, Lagos (08052201257) Editor: Emeka Mamah - Enugu email: emekemamah@yahoo.com) Anayo Okoli, Umuahia Vincent Ujumadu, Awka Austin Ogwuda, Awka Chidi Nkwopara, Owerri Peter Okutu, Abakaliki Chimaobi Nwaiwu, Nnewi

Francis Igata, Enugu Nwabueze Okonkwo, Onitsha

Ugochukwu Alaribe, Aba Enyim Enyim, Onitsha Chinoso Alozie, Owerri Chinenye Ozor, Nsukka Eric Ugbor, Aba

Responding, the Chairman of the local government, Chief Agolue said that every community was entitled to have its own traditional ruler adding that those without their own Igwe had problems in their areas, and therefore advised communities to always resolve their problems to enable them move forward as a people.

“We encourage and support communities to have their traditional rulers, and we will always support them to meet with the government of the state to approve and give them staff of office. Our duty is to take communities to the state for government to give their traditional rulers both certificates and staff of office.

“What causes problems is where it is rotational and some people go on to contest when it is not their turn…,” he said.

Addressing newsmen after his presentation, the new traditional ruler, Chief Mbanefo said, “I am very grateful and happy to God that I have been elected by my community to be traditional ruler of Amiyi. I have begged

Right to left, Igwe Emmanuel Mbanefo of Amiyi, Chief Agwunobi Esmai, Onowu (Traditional Prime Minister) of Amiyi and Igwe, and Chief Nduka Ezenwamadu, Onyia of Amiyi, during the presentation of the traditional ruler to the Ogbaru Local Government Area.

Chairman of Ogbaru LGA in a handshake with the Igwe of Amiyi after his presentation to LGA officials and people of Ogbaru LGA. God to help me be the servant to the people of Amiyi and not their leader.

"I also ask God to give me the wisdom and intelligence required to serve my community.

“I want to serve the community in

peace, not in pieces, happiness not in sadness, and for development with God’s direction. A tree cannot make a forest, if you say you want to stay alone, you die and vultures will feast on you, so I ask for God’s guidance

Anambra must remain the safest state in Nigeria — Obiano …donates 25 special patrol cars, others to police

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA — The governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano took crime fighting to a higher level when he donated to the Nigeria Police 25 highly equipped patrol vehicles with speed guns to track down overspeeding vehicles, alcohol detecting kits and other special kits that would aid crime detection and prevention in all parts of the state.

Presenting the vehicles and equipment to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mr. Solomon Arase, Governor Obiano reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to see the state retain its position as the safest in the country. In his speech entitled: “Re-Focusing our Crime-fighting Strategy in Anambra State,” Obiano observed that the state is not only taking the bold initiative to secure lives and property of its citizens, but also taking decisive steps to halt the carnage on our roads.

According to the Governor, “On April 28, 2014, my administration launched Operation Kpochapu with 125 patrol vehicles and a mandate to retrieve Anambra State from the vicious grip of armed robbers, kidnappers, drug dealers and child-

traffickers that made our people sleep with one eye open and I am happy to announce to you that 18 months after, we have decided to raise a new battle cry against criminals from crime-fighting to crime-detection and prevention.”

Recalling his visit to a chilling fatal automobileaccidentscenethatclaimed manylivesatUmuchu,thepetroltanker explosion at Upper Iweka and another serious accident that took the lives of a couple and their first son at Finotel Hotel Junction in Awka, this year, the Governor stated that he had addressed the challenges by the introduction of speed guns and the use of the alcohol

detecting device to prevent auto crashes.

“My administration is determined to ensure that no Nigerian who finds his or herself within the geographical space of Anambra State shall run the risk of avoidable death from over-speeding vehicles or a drunk-driver! I have no doubt in my mind that with a committed use of the speed guns and the alcohol detecting devices, we shall save ourselves the agony of avoidable death from auto accidents,” he asserted.

and support from the community.

“I am promising my community that I will take them to the next level of development.

There will be peace, harmony and brotherly love.

“If there is existing disagreement, I will try my best to settle it to the satisfaction of all the parties.

“If you are serving a community that has no peace, it means you are not doing well, as a retired civil servant; first I was a Catchiest for 12 years in Odoepke. I started teaching in 1975 at Ireland Primary School and retired in 2008 as headmaster Grade 1, before I was selected by my people to become the traditional ruler of the community at the age of 67, I was born in 1948.

Some of the elders of Amiyi who witnessed Mbanefo’s presentation included the oldest man in Amiyi and Onowu (Traditional Prime Minister), Chief Agwunobi Esmai, the Onyia of Amiyi and Chief Nduka Ezenwammadu among others.

AHEAD OF CHRISTMAS: FERMA begins work

on Imo roads

BY CHINONSO ALOZIE

O

WERRI— In preparation for the Christmas celebration, the acting engineer of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, Imo State, Mr. Chukwuemeka Maduagwu has said that the agency would make sure all the potholes in the roads were repaired to reduce the carnage on the highways. Maduagwu gave this assurance recently while inspecting the ongoing refurbishment of the Owerri/Obowo/Umuahia

road.

He said that the reason for the construction was to create an embankment on the road so as to address the damage caused by flood and to further reduce any form of road accident on the highways.

Adding that it was also part of it responsibilities as decided by the agency to make sure that all the major critical interstate routes in Imo State, were free from dangerous craters that could hinder smooth movement of

traffic.

He also said that the ongoing repair of the roads would continue beyond the Christmas season in order to sustain and improve the condition of the roads in the state, adding that it would not, this time around relent in its efforts to provide safe roads.

However, Maduagwu used the opportunity to call on the members of the public to refrain from the habit of dumping of refuse in the drainage systems.

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Scientists brainstorm on food security in Africa

T

HE CHALLENGE of food insecurity on African continent dominated discussions at the symposium on “Sustainability Science in the Advent of Agenda 2030,” organised by the UNESCO International Centre of Biotechnology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN. The keynote speaker at the symposium, Prof. Umezulike Opara, lamented the high incidence of food insecurity and disease in Africa despite the continent’s enormous human and natural resources.

According to him, future projections indicated that the number of food insecure people in the world would likely go down by 2018, except in Africa. He attributed the development to the low ebb in science and technology activities on the continent, noting that although the African con-

tinent could compete favourably with other continents in the areas of human and natural resources and land mass, it suffers a handicap when it comes to the application of science and technology to solve its problems.

Opara, who spoke on the topic; 'From Rising to Arisen: Harnessing the Potentials of Science to Transform Africa and the World in 2063,' then asked African scientists to rise to the challenge of solving the continent’s problems.

The don said that more food could be made available to Africans through the introduction of post-harvest biotechnology, which minimizes wastage and improves the chances of developing new products from existing ones.

While advising governments of African countries to invest mon-

From left, Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria, UNN, Professor Benjamin Ozumba, Chairman Scientific Advisory Board of UNESCO Centre in UNN; Professor Bartho Okolo, and UNESCO programme expert, Lucy Hoareau, at the symposium in UNN ey on research; he urged researchers to form partnerships and engage in multi-disciplinary research to fast track development of the continent.

Programme expert at UNESCO headquarters, Lucy Hoareau in her address on the occasion, stated that UNESCO was passionate about tackling the problem of food insecurity and diseases in Africa.

She said that the UNESCO category II biotechnology Centre at the UNN was meant to develop the human capacity required to drive UNESCO’s mandate on the continent.

Hoareau also asked African

women to show more interest in science to enable them contribute to the effort to emancipate Africa from poverty, food insecurity and diseases.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, in his address, explained that the UNESCO Category II Biotechnology Centre was established following an agreement signed between UNESCO and the Federal Government in October 2012, pointing out that the focus of the centre, would be on food security, bio-resources conservation and tropical disease research with emphasis on promoting research on indigenous plants and

animal and diseases peculiar to African region.

“The centre will be equipped with the state of the art facilities for cutting edge research, and thus will serve as a hub for biotechnology research, not only for Nigeria but for the whole of Africa,” he aaded.

He reiterated the commitment of the university to achieving the mandate of the centre, promising that the administration would do everything within its powers to ensure that the centre lives up to its mandate of excellence as envisioned by the UNESCO.

NHIS berths at Anambra’s foremost Iyienu Mission Hospital

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA— THE people of Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State and other neighbouring communities in the area are now sure of an affordable and adequate health care system as the operators of the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, have introduced the scheme in the area, with the foremost missionary hospital, the Iyienu Mission Hospital, Ogidi as its centre.

The flag off of the Iyienu centre has brought to three the number of such centers in Anambra State.

NHIS, established by the Federal Government in 1999 to promote, regulate and administer implementation of social health insurance programmes, enables Nigerians to access qualitative health care.

Since its inception, it has strived to reach a large population and so far, it has covered over 4.7 million Federal Government employees and their dependants since it became operational seven years ago.

Specifically, NHIS operates fair financing of health care costs through pooling and judicious utilization of financial resources to provide financial risk protection and cost-burden sharing for people, against the high cost of health care through various prepayment programmes before illness.

At the launch of Divine Hope Health Care Association, an NHIS programme at the Iyienu Hospital, the Anambra State coordinator of NHIS, Mrs.

Nurses listening to the speakers during the flagoff of NHIS at Iyienu

Clergymen at the NHIS flag-off

Gertrude Ihekerenma Ossi said those registered at the center would henceforth have access to good health care services and protect their families from the financial strain of huge medical bills.

She listed the objectives of NHIS to include limiting the rise in the cost of health care services, ensuring equitable distribution of

Ossi, who represented the executive secretary of NHIS, Mr. Femi Akingbade, said that about 1.6 million pregnant women and children under the age of five years in 14 states of the country have been covered by the scheme.

She also explained that 300,000 students in various tertiary institutions in the country were

health care costs among different income groups, maintaining high standard of health care delivery services, improving and harnessing private sector participation in the provision of health care services, ensuring equitable patronage of all levels of health care and ensuring the availability of funds to the health sector for improved services.

enjoying the scheme, adding that the Voluntary Contributors Health Insurance Programme is being developed by the Health Maintenance Organizations for the organized private sector, which, she stated, is contributing significantly towards achieving the mandate of NHIS. According to her, the

FMC boils again ...as workers protest return of Dr Uwakwem Continued from Page 23 advance the course of peace in the centre.

They further stressed that the situation had become pathetic and begged for urgent attention, even as power supply to the hospital had been cut off by the electricity authorities on account of indebtedness, thereby endangering stored drugs

and reagents which cost could be colossal.

The MC members then pleaded with the Minister to proffer urgent solution to the present situation in the hospital, as “timely intervention will bring about industrial harmony, peace and sustainable service delivery in the FMCO.” South East Voice investigations showed that the face-off

between labour and Uwakwem passed through different stages before the current shutdown.

A panel was set up to look into the crisis in the centre in July this year to investigate the various crises in the institution.

However, in the course of the investigations, the panel reportedly gave the workers, who were insistent that Uwakwem

should go, two options. One was to allow her to remain in office for the next three months or two, and risk the possibility of removing the entire management team.

The workers had since communicated to the Minister that the entire management can go with the Medical Director if government so desired, pointing out that they would no longer work with her.

e

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015 — 27

GOtv Boxing Night: ‘Beating Skoro will be my Xmas gift to Ugandans,’ boasts Kakembo E

Adekuoroye

year The Super Falcons, like the naira against the dollar are in a free fall. They failed to fly at the FIFA Women World Cup: agreed, they were in tough group, but preparations were not the best. After the dismal outing in Canada, they vowed to make amends with qualification for the Olympics, but they failed. The Super Falcons also failed to raise their game at the Africa Games in Congo and many began to question the NFF’s rationale for refusing to renew the contract of coach Edwin Okon. The Super Falcons are still without a coach even as the qualifiers of the 2016 African Women Championship is knocking on the door.

Nigerian clubs crumbled like paper in fire from continental contests. Enyimba and Kano Pillars in the CAF champions League, Warri Wolves and Dolphins in the Confederation all crashed out before the group stages.

The Flying Eagles parading most of the players who won the 2013 U-17 World Cup in UAE failed to jell In 2015. They Succumbed to superior teams at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

Coach Manu Garba was accused of making the wrong choices.

However, The Golden Eaglets under Emmanuel Amuneke were a class act at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile.

The Eaglets won the trophy for a record fifth time in the tournament, where Victor Osimhen also claimed the goals scoring records. With nine goals he claimed the golden boot award.

The odds staked against coach Samson Siasia as faced the daunting task of qualifying Nigeria for the 2016 Olympics.

He did not hide his frustrations, which include the kidnap of his aged mother, but he went on to win the Africa Under23 Tournament in Dakar Senegal, and also qualified for the 2016 Olympics.

However, the Under-23 team failed to break the jinx of Nigeria not winning the gold medal of the Africa Games they settled for the bronze after a penalty shootout with the hosts Congo.

In basketball, Nigeria won the

Afrobasket championship for the first time, not only that. D’Tigersas they are fondly called beat Angola, the untouchables of African basketball at the tournament.

However at the All Africa Games, the Nigeria team, settled for bronze and it was generally concluded that the D’Tigers are nothing without their Nigerianborn American players. This was something hotly disputed by coach Sanni Ahmed.

Athletics had a turbulent season; first there was the usually lack of funds to run the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s programmes. But this did not stop the country’s athletes from doing well at the African junior championships in Addis Ababa Ethiopia and also the African youth championships in Mauritius. However, it was still the regular junior athletes whose

However, lessons learnt must be put to use. As admitted by National Sports Commission director-general, Al Hassan Yakmut at the last Africa Games in Congo, there is lot of work to be done, if Nigeria were to be in the league of top sporting nations

faces we have been seen before, but technical officials argued that these athletes are still within the age grade. Divine Oduduru summed up it when he declared that he was tired of running in the junior cadre.

Cross River where athletics seem to have found a home, pulled out of sponsorship of the national open trials, but for the quick fix manoeuvres by AFN president, Solomon Ogba, the athletes would have been left stranded. The Championships was moved to Warri.

At the Beijing 2015 World Championships Nigeria failed to win a single medal. The highlight of the event was Blessing Okagabre’s opting out of the 200m after she claimed to have picked up an injury.

However, a week later at the IAAF Diamond League in Zurich, Switzerland she ran one her best race of the season much to the chagrin of athletics and NSC officials. She was subsequently threatened with expulsion from the Olympics, by the NSC if she failed to attend the Africa Games.

At the Africa Games though Nigeria failed to win any of the sprint gold medals, Nigeria athletes gave a good account of themselves athletes like Urukpe Eriyokan, Patience Okon, Tobiloba Amusan, Tega Odele and Ogho-Oghene Egwero ran their personal best in their respective events.

It was an indication that more funding for the athletes will see them making good times, however the promise of supporting them by NSC with grants and early camp seems to have faded after the Africa Games.

Nigerian boxers and wrestlers also made huge impact at the Games. The Nigeria wrestling Federation led by Daniel Igali produced nine gold medals.

Igali was optimistic that his wards will do well at the Olympics, only if they get the requisite training.

This is something Barrister Dalung has been scratching his head on, since his appointment in November.

Sports enthusiasts have eagerly waited to know who will be in charge of the sector. When Dalung came on board, he was greeted with mix feelings, but he was given the benefit of the doubt, he has made his promises, and Nigerians are looking up to him to deliver quality leadership and direction in the New Year.

dward “Shaka” Kakembo, the Ugandan boxer lined up to fight Nigeria’s Waidi “Skoro” Usman for the African Boxing Union featherweight title at the GOtv Boxing Night, has declared he will beat his opponent to the title.

Kakembo, billed to arrive Lagos on Wednesday for the tournament holding at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos on 26 December, said the fact that the fight is taking place in Nigeria will offer no advantage to his opponent.

“I will win the African title and the cash prize for the best boxer of the tournament to make my fans back home very happy at this period. It is their Christmas gift. They deserve it and I will not disappoint,” said the Ugandan Professional Boxing Commission champion and knockout specialist.

GOtv Boxing V, as the edition is tagged, will make the biggest payout in Nigerian boxing history when the cheque for the cash prize is handed out on Boxing Day. The event will feature two other title fights and a national challenge duel.

One of the national title fights is in the light welterweight division, which will see rising star, Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, attempt to dethrone the incumbent, Sadiq “Police” Machine.

In the other one, Stanley “Edo Boy” Eribo will fight Sunday “Capo” Olalekan for the national welterweight title. The challenge bout, in the super middleweight division, will see Sunday “Golden Child” Ajuwa take on Rasheed “Afonja Warrior” Abolaji.

The event, which kicks of at 5pm, is sponsored by GOtv and supported by MultiChoice, SuperSport, Newsbreak.ng, KSquare Security, Paragonis Multimedia Limited, Brilla FM, Bond FM and Complete Sports. The fights will be broadcast live on SuperSport in 47 African countries.

O’jez plans foreign trips for table tennis team

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inancier of O’jez Sports Academy, Joseph Odobeatu, has revealed plans of an integrated talent development system including a programme of international competitions and exchange for young athletes on his stable.

Odobeatu made the disclosure on Monday during a reception for members of the O’jez Table Tennis Club who produced exciting performances and great result at the recently concluded 47th Asoju Oba Table Tennis Championships.

The event which held at the O’jez Chinese Restaurant, National Stadium, Lagos, also saw Nollywood stars led by former president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ejike Asiegbu, endorse the O’jez Sports Academy project with a pledge to partner with the management and also support and mentor the athletes.

Odobeatu presented cash rewards his players and coaches who won in various categories of the Asoju Oba Table Tennis Championship, being their first major competition as a club.

The highest reward of N50,000 went to Ahmed Adeyinka, winner of the Men’s Singles event.

Recall that O’jez players seized the stage in the Championships winning six gold, five silver and two bronze medals. The Sports Academy also showed promise in the cadet category with Ayanwale Jamiu adjudged the Most Valuable Player for boys.

Odobeatu, the club chairman and also promoter of O’jez Entertainment and music label said the presentation was just a way of showing appreciation to the players and coaches, assuring them of more support on their development.

“Our plan is to run an academy that will nurture and provide a steady stream of players that can make our country proud in international competitions and their professional sports career. We will provide them technical training and exposure through various in-house and international exchange programme. We are starting next year by instituting a yearly inter competition with our club in Ghana.

C M Y K

28—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

‘Science & tech, key to solving Nigeria’s economic woes’

My Gift Arena makes gift easy for families at christmas

PAGE 25

PAGE 32

•Danbatta

Reviving the CDMA subSector: The CDMA sub-Sector in Nigeria can be said to be left with nothing, though the only living operator, Visafone is left with less than two million subscribers.

The sector has continued to maintain downward profile in the last five years. But in his vision, Danbatta admitted that Fixed networks have been neglected, stressing that nobody is interested in them despite the promises they hold.

Broadband is the next revolution —Danbatta

Subscriber base

•Lists plans, strategies towards sustaining telecoms devt

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By Prince Osuagwu

HE new Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta, appears unfazed by the brewing crisis in the telecoms sector following the refusal of MTN Nigeria to pay but rather go to court over the fine imposed on it for infractions on the SIM registration of some of its subscribers. From the look of things and the direction he is pointing, Danbatta seems to concern himself more with the immediate things to do to sustain the developments telecommunications has brought to the Nigerian economy.

With a strong focus on broadband, Danbatta, in an interview with ICT journalists recently listed areas of priority and the strategies he has mapped out to ensure that growth in the telecoms sector is maintained. The Nigerian telecoms sector has indeed witnessed astronomical growth in telephony access and data

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penetration. Today, active telephone lines are well over 150 million with close to 100 million Nigerians having access to the Internet. The country’s teledensity is put at 108 per cent.

Investment in the sector is put at over $32 billion. The impact of telecoms sector on other sectors such as banking, e-commerce, agriculture, education, oil and

gas and so on and the volume of jobs the sector is creating has

If we can deliberately introduce incentives to any operator to come in and roll out fixed telecoms services, we can do it

been described as unprecedented.

Danbatta’s focus areas included reviving the moribund Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) sub-Sector; run an open access model for broadband deployment; encourage operator investment; improve on quality of services and as expected fine ‘errant’ operators among others.

According to him, operators are more interested in providing mobile services and the subscriber base by operator attests to this, with MTN having over 60 million subscribers, Glo and Airtel having over 30 million, Etisalat has 20 million subscribers and then Visafone about 2.5 million subscribers.

“If we can deliberately introduce incentives to any operator to come in and roll out fixed telecoms services, we can do it.

The Commission is open to

Continues on page 25

Expo participants challenge Computer Village traders on online presence

By Emeka Aginam

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ARTICIPANTS at the just concluded Computer Village expo held recently in Lagos have said that the IT vendors must retool their businesses online to remain relevant in the new economy, Speaker after speaker at the three-day maiden Expo organized by Technology Times agreed that technology retailers in the market must leverage the online space so as to remain

relevant in the new economy. The trade exhibition attracted the attention of technology users, mobile consumers, business professionals, among others. Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Godfrey Nwosu, president of Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association (PAPDAN), said that statistics show that over 20 million phones are sold in the Computer Village, monthly.

More IT devices,

•Computer village

according to him could be speaking, President of sold if the IT vendors Nigeria Internet leveraged technology tools Continues on page 32 in the present era. Also

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015—29

‘Science & tech, key to solving Nigeria’s economic woes’ W

By Emmanuel Elebeke

ITH the continued decline in the fortunes of the nation’s economy,following the drop in the price of oil in the international market, stakeholders in the Science and Technology sub sector have asked the Federal Government to prioritise the sector as the new hope of the economy.

Former Ministers of science and tech, made the call on President Muhammadu Buhari last week, when they met with the new Minister in Abuja. They urged the President to show more interest in the science and technology sector by increasing the yearly budgetary allocations to meet the demands of

Lenovo unveils new VIBE series smartphones,

By Prince Osuagwu & Emeka Aginam

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•President Buhari the industry and unleash economic restoration of the country.

For them, unless the President makes science and technology the cornerstone for his development agenda, the country may be in wa way longer to get out of the woods.

The former Ministers maintained that if science and technology is properly explored, it would become an inexhaustible source of revenue generation than oil in the nearest future.

According to them, the sector could also engender unprecedented development and wealth creation for the teeming youths in the country.

They enjoined the new minister to use his wealth of experience to change the fortune of the ministry.

OBILE phone brand, Lenovo, recently unveiled the Lenovo VIBE P1m and Lenovo VIBE S1 as part of its new vibe series. Featuring premium design, powerful processors, full high definition displays and innovative camera technology, the company says the new devices are designed to satisfy the communication needs of the most demanding of consumers.

The Lenovo VIBE S1 is the company’s first dual selfie camera smartphone. The device combines the ability to take creative selfies with a fashionable exterior, with its two front cameras and attractive curved-glass back design. Its 8megapixel primary camera captures high quality images while the 2-megapixel secondary camera provides detailed information on images and backgrounds so users can re-focus on photographs using editing tools. The device also houses a 13-megapixel camera on its rear side.

Other striking features of the Lenovo VIBE S1 include a 5.0-inch full HD display for an immersive viewing experience, an aluminium frame to give users a firm grip and a 2420 mAh battery

that can power the device for close to 11 days in standby mode.

The VIBE P1m also has an exceptional battery life that lets users stay constantly connected, productive and in control. The device boasts a long-lasting 4000mAh battery, a Quick Charge feature and energy saving software alongside a splash-proof Nano coating that protects it from rain and spills. It also features a manual p o w e r saver switch that instantly extends battery life as well as an OTG (On-The-Go) charging function that lets it charge other USBconnected devices such as Bluetooth headsets and portable speakers.

Executive Director, Mobile Business Group at Lenovo Middle East and Africa (MEA), Mr. Shashank Sharma speaking on the Vibe series said: “As lifestyles and everyday habits become more mobile, consumers today are looking for devices that can deliver both performance and long lasting battery life in sleek, stylish designs. These are some of the driving forces behind our new VIBE smartphones that offer faster processing speeds, innovative new features and extended battery life to enhance the mobile experience of even the most demanding users,” he said.

Broadband is the next revolution Continues from pg 24 negotiations on how this could be done.

“We intend to convince the government to key into this important initiative of the Commission”, he stated.

Tackling the Issue of QoS Admitting that telephone services are not at the level they ought to be, Danbatta said "the QoS is also characterised by key performance indicators (KPIs) which we know are defined by terminologies associated with drop calls, inability to get calls through and vice versa. But there are other technical issues that are not conversant to ordinary Nigerians all of which we must tackle to improve QoS. According to him, the non-technical issues are the ones that Nigerians are more conversant with; the inability to have Right of Way to access sites and locations for the deployment of infrastructure like fibre networks. He noted that there are the issue of multiple taxation at the state and federal levels, and even local government and ward levels; and next to these two is the vandalisation of telecoms infrastructure“ Measures against Right of Way challenges: Danbatta said the commission is exploring two means to tackling this issue. According to him, a letter has been sent to the Governors’ Forum and the intension is to pay a courtesy call on them in order to drive the message home that this multiple taxation impedes on our conscious effort to deploy broadband services as well as to set this important argument that the taxes that they’ll be realising through broadband services will outweigh so much the little money they’re collecting by creating obstacles for broadband deployment.

“If they can understand this argument; which is a very strong and convincing argument we intend to put across, then we have to be able to convince them to relax some of these stringent measures

they’re putting as it refers to the infraCos by way of relaxing impediments to Right of Way and multiple taxation. We have strategized on what we intend to say to the Governors’ Forum and I think this kind of engagement is germane to drive the point home that there’ll be a complete benefit of the scale that will far outweigh the little money they’re getting now. The level of penetration will speak for itself and people will pay taxes alongside these improvements that we’re going to witness in broadband penetration and the proliferation of ICT services all over the major cities in Nigeria and the taxes associated with those services will far outweigh the little money they’re getting by introducing those taxes”, he stated.

Reception in high-rise buildings The second, according to Danbatta is that there are devices that can improve reception in high-rise buildings; hotels, offices among others. There are electronic gadgets that can improve reception in those places and once reception improves in such places where people gather the result and effect also will be improvement in QoS. He said the NCC will recommend those gadgets to be installed in hotels, high-rise buildings, among others. He stressed that the service providers should do the installation because they’re the ones selling services.

Fines on erring operators: This may not be entertaining to the operators, but Danbatta assured that only erring operators will be sanctioned when the need arises.

“We’re not fining operators on flimsy excuses when and if cases of infringement are established; they are fined on cases of infringement consistent with the law.

People forget that the regulator conducts

this important affair of regulation, consistent with the Act and there are other regulations already gazetted; the SIM card registration regulation, the law establishing the USPF and other laws regulating monitoring and compliance. “ The regulator cannot just stand by and watch as these various infringements are being committed with impunity”, he stated.

Spectrum auctions, frequency supervision and licensing Danbatta said that the 700MHz frequency is an important spectrum because of its penetration; the higher the frequency the higher the penetration in terms of distance.

He explained that this band is so ideal for broadband penetration, adding that before his appointment, the spectrum was auctioned by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), they had the approval granted by the government.

Danbatta said the commission now has an understanding that the frequency should not have been auctioned for broadcast services because it is a telecommunication spectrum.

Gionee S Plus storms Nigerian market with facial recognition

By Laju Iren

W

ITH hackers and pick-pockets constantly attacking the security of mobile phones, it has become quite obvious that the traditional password and pattern drawing don’t quite cut it anymore. It is no wonder that the newly introduced Gionee S Plus is garnering nods from all quarters for its facial recognition feature which users can use to unlock their phones.

The Chinese mobile manufacturing giant believes that the S plus aligns with the aspirations of consumers to own a phone that provides tailor made solutions to suit specific needs. The company’s Africa region director, Mr. Frank Chenlei, said that the designs are unique and “will resonate with the Nigerian audience who love innovative and unique mobile devices.”

Continuing, he said: “The arrival of the Gionee S Plus is a product of ingenious progressive brand development that

started 5 years ago and by 2014, Gionee was the slimmest smartphone in the world with the Gionee Elife S5.1 whose body is only 5.1mm thick. Gionee S plus is aimed at simplifying communication for consumers who are continuously on the go. Gionee S Plus is elitist in design and a classical fashion statement for mobile users. It is indeed a true work of art as it performs functions beyond the Android phone.”

GiONEE S Plus is powered by an Octa-core processor, and it comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage which can be expanded up to 128GB via a micro SD card, GiONEE Splus features a 13MP rear camera with LED flash and 5MP front selfie camera.

13MP rear camera with PDAF technology, imitates the human eye. the shutter can shoot a picture with only 0.25 second. GiONEE Splus also comes with the latest Android USB Type C port, which allows for reversible plug orientation.

30—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

My Gift Arena makes gift easy for families at christmas

By Laju Iren

W

ITHOUT any doubt, this is the season for sharing.

Hampers, boxes and shiny wrapping papers are now more relevant than at any other time of the year. But even good things come with their own attendant challenges: What if you buy a present someone doesn’t like? What if you never get the chance to get the present across?

Newly introduced gifting solution, My Gift Arena, claims to have these challenges and more covered. Powered by Asos technologies, My Gift Arena is interested in making gifting easier in this season and beyond. Chief Technology Officer at Asos, Mr. James Etim at the launch of the platform held in Lagos recently said: “This is a platform that addresses the loopholes found in the way we give gifts especially in this festive season. Customers can buy vouchers and send vouchers to their friends and loved ones who can then patronize our vendors and buy gifts from them. Our gift vouchers don’t expire and come with no additional cost. If you buy a voucher of N50, 000 for example, we do not charge you an extra kobo.”

Users can decide whether they want open-looped vouchers which can be used in all vendorstores or close-looped vouchers which are tied to a particular store. It doesn’t just end there.

Users can generate vouchers for themselves, providing them op-

portunity to tailor savings to their specific shopping needs.

The process is a simple one. Users can visit mygiftarena.com to register. After that, they are given the opportunity to load their e-wallet or buy a voucher directly from their debit card. Users can provide some personal information either of themselves or the recipient, select the price of the voucher they want to buy, whether it is open or close-looped and are then led to a secure platform to make payments. Users can also decide in what format they would like their cards delivered: sms, email or specialized card formats.

“Security is something that is very important to us at My Gift Arena,” said Etim, “we have made absolutely sure that we follow the laid down procedures required by the Central Bank of Nigeria to conduct such transactions.” The procedure for corporate organisations to purchase vouchers in bulk even goes a

step further to ensure security. For such cards, users would need to register their cards on the website before they can make transactions.

But cards not purchased in bulk by corporate organisations need not be registered. “If it is a private card, all you need do after loading your card is go to any of our vendors, make your purchase and present your card, after which a one-time password would be sent to your phone to be used to confirm payment” added Etim.

Product Manager, Ms Tolu Ofibote, also allayed the fears expressed by many Nigerians with regards to poor network and non acceptance of vouchers at some shops. “We have had very productive discussions with our vendors and have been assured that there would be no such issues when customers present their cards. Also, we have deployed Point of Sale, PoS terminals to all our vendors.

Efritin.com partners Ady to strengthen customer base

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By Laju Iren

NLINE home for sale of used goods Efritin.com, has partnered with Pulse Ady users to strengthen its customer base, and offer users “a better classified experience.”

This comes on the heels of Pulse Ady Ads’ partnership with and endorsement of Efritin.com as the go- to marketplace for existing Ady users who wished to continue enjoying great online market place experience ofollowing Ringier Nigeria’s announcement of its decision to discontinue the services of its horizontal classifieds platform, Ady and launch of its new offering, Pulse Ady Ads. With Efritin.com as its exclusive launch

partner, Pulse Ady Ads is expected to provide a 360 degree touch point for endorsed online business partners, as well as an easy access point to online services for Pulse’s readers.

This will be done through the Pulse Ady Ads category on Pulse, with various online services provided in this category, as well as a close media coverage partnership. Speaking on the partnership, Head of Ady.ng and Digitial Classifieds at Ringier Nigeria, Mr. Christopher Bjergmose, told Glamtech that “partnering with Efritin is a great choice for Pulse Ady Ads in providing our readers with a top-notch marketplace where they will be able to find great deals, job opportunities and much more.

I also feel that Efritin is the right choice for carrying on the Ady Classifieds legacy and the best place for our loyal users to continue buying and selling used good”.

On his part, Managing Director, Efritin.com, Mr. Zakaria Hersi said: “We are excited to partner with Pulse and also be the go-to classifieds for Ady users. Our determination to provide trust and convenience in the Nigerian online market space made it a natural choice to partner up.”

Efritin.comis an online classifieds marketplace with a mission to build leading online marketplaces in under-served markets, creating value for the community.

Work towards online presence, forum tells computer village traders Continues from pg 24 Registration Association, Revd Sunday Folayan said that if IT vendors in the market fail to embrace the internet they will eventually lose online presence. Nodding in agreement, Mrs. Adenike Shittu, Managing Director and Chief executive officer of Mojoy Computers, said that, before now Computer Village was a toast of other West African markets, but the evolution of online retailers has led to decline of patronage on the customers, coupled with neglect by local authorities.

She called on e-commerce retailers to see IT vendors in the market as credible partners in the computer and electronics distribution chain, as they ready to rebrand for better business operations through online means.

Also, Mrs. Edith Udeagu, chief operating officer, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), urged the traders to embrace .ng domain name as a process of rebranding and projecting themselves on the internet.

Certified registrars She said NiRA and certified registrars were ready to help the traders obtain their internet identity through .ng domain name registration and showcase their local contents as value creation capable of attracting foreign partners to the market.

Also, Ejovi Ekakitie, manager, Corporate Sales at Yudala said that the market traders must think outside the box and embrace ecommerce as the new phase of transactions.

He said, instead of perceiving e-commerce as skewed against offline retailers, Computer village operators should seek measures to partner credible e-retailers like his platform-Yudala.

Yudala ‘Gyming with the stars’ hits Festac townpower 2 million youths within one year.

By Richard Udofia HE happenings of last weekend would forever remain in the hearts of enthusiastic Nigerians who thronged the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Field in Festac, Lagos for the third edition of Gyming with the Stars, a CSR initiative put together by composite online and offline retail chain, Yudala.

The well-attended event which kicked off with an intensive work-out and aerobic sessions led by ace comedian Ali Baba, screen star Uru Eke and other certified fitness instructors attracted a mammoth crowd.

As was the case with previous editions, superstar artistes Iyanya and Naeto C did not fail to excite the crowd, treating them to mind-blowing performances and hit songs which had everyone dancing and singing along as ace comedian Alibaba was not left out of the show with his rib cracking comedy.

Chief Executive Officer of Yudala, Mr. Dave Ibelegbu said: “We are packaging this programme to encourage our customers to live a good life, and enjoy their wealth, because a healthy man is that man who keeps fit always, and this is our own way of giving back to the society.”

The event also marked the launch of YUBOSS, a new Yudala initiative to em-

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“As a company we want every youth to be the boss of his own business,” said Ibelegbu, “we have the intention of empowering about two million youths within the next one year. All they need to do is visit www. Yudala.com, register as a Yuboss partner and begin to make sales. Users can buy goods on behalf of friends, families, well wishers and use their Yuboss number to get instant commission.”

As a wealth creation forum, the CEO said interested persons can use the platform to get additional money while on a full time job and the unemployed can see it as a full time job. The company also said that at least four customers who actively make good sales, would be able own a Yudala shop without any investment or rent.

The Yu-Jara special Christmas auction at the venue also attracted many shoppers, with mobile phones, computers, assorted lifestyle and consumer goods available at attractive prices.

The Gyming with the Stars series is expected to move to other major cities in the country including Ibadan, Asaba, Abuja, Owerri, Uyo and Enugu, among others to give Nigerians in those locations a chance to participate in the initiative.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015 — 31

Uchechi Okwu Kanu

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Salma bint Hizab al-Oteibi T

HE stunning news from an Islamic country country has trended on the Nigerian blogosphere this week more than any other: For the first time in Saudi Arabia, a woman has won an election after the kingdom lifted its ban on women’s participation in politics and polls. Salma bint Hizab alOteibi won a seat on the municipal council in Mecca province- one of 17 women who won in other regions as well.

In a world-acclaimed

landmark, it was the first election where women were allowed to vote and stand as candidates in a country where women are not allowed to drive.

The 978 women candidates were not allowed to address male voters directly during campaigns, and only 130,000 women registered to vote compared with 1.35 million men.

The reformer, the late Saudi King Abdullah, had said women have

“demonstrated positions that expressed correct opinions and advice”. He appointed 30 women to the country’s top advisory

shura council before his death in January.

Not much different from Nigeria, commentators say.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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VERY 16-year-old in Sweden is being given a copy of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s call to arms, We Should All Be Feminists and is trending on the Nigerian blogosphere on that account.

The essay, adapted from Adichie’s award-winning TED talk of the same name, is being distributed in Swedish to high-school students by the Swedish Women’s Lobby and publisher Albert Bonniers.

Launching the project at Norra Real high school in Stockholm this week, they said they hoped the book would “work as a stepping stone for a discussion about gender equality and feminism”.

Some people ask: ‘Why the word feminist? Why not just say you are a believer in human rights, or

Mercy Johnson

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something like that?’

Because that would be dishonest,” Adichie continues. “Feminism is, of course, part of human rights in general – but to choose to use the vague expression human rights is to deny the specific and particular problem of gender. It would be a way of pretending that it was not

Funmi Iyanda

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N air person ality Funmi Iyanda also trends for receiving from an English university an award that has recognized her significant global contribution to human rights C M Y K

HE spouse of the Easter Nigerian man of the moment Nnamdi Kanu continues to trend as she takes the agitation against her husband’s incarceration global. Expressing concern over the prolonged detention of her husband, who she says “is a prisoner of conscience” Uchechi Okwu-Kanu says she fears for her husband’s well-being and alleged he is being tortured by the Nigerian state security service (DSS).

Okwu-Kanu said in a viral video that she had been able to speak with Kanu only once since he was arrested by the DSS as he travelled to Nigeria from London in October.

She warned her husband’s health is worsening as he is no longer able to take medicine for “his lifethreatening ulcer” Kanu is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob).

Ipob and other proBiafran groups call for independence of territories that constituted the Biafran Republic, established in 1967 and reannexed to Nigeria in 1970, following a civil war that claimed between one and three million lives. The Radio Biafra director was apprehended on charges of criminal conspiracy, intimidation and belonging to an unlawful society. He pleaded not guilty.

She also urges the Nigerian government to release her husband and engage in dialogue rather than arresting people who agitate for freedom.

“Was he not arrested in between two ladies in a hotel room?” several commentators have asked.

and sustainability.

At a University of Cumbria graduation ceremony in the historic Carlisle Cathedral, Funmi received an honorary fellowship from the institution in acknowledg-

women who have, for centuries, been excluded.

The 2012 TED talk has been watched by more than 2 million people on YouTube. We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller. We say to girls, ‘ You can have ambition, but not too much.

Feminism is about justice.

ment of her outstanding and high profile work.

Best known for independently producing and hosting talk show New Dawn with Funmi, which ran on the national network for eight years, she is a Director at Creation television, a film production company in the United Kingdom, acquiring classic African literary content for film adaptation to a global audience.

She is also the founder of the Change-A-Life Foundation, a social service nonprofit organization that acts as a bridge between exceptional but indigent youth and women and the individuals, agencies and organizations with the capacity and willingness to meet these people’s needs.

Speaking on receiving the

OLLYWOOD actress Mercy Johnson and hubby who welcomed the birth of their third child have been trending, with sweet family hospital pictures swarming everywhere on blogosphere

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award, Funmi said, I am truly honoured to have my work and career recognized by such a historic institution and thankful for a great space to contribute to a diverse body of knowledge.

IFLAS Founder and Professor of Sustainability Leadership, Jem Bendell, says of Funmi, She demonstrates how celebrity and media can be used to raise the level of debate about what kind of society, politics and economy we want.

IRCULATING on blogosphere is a document from the Federal Government (FG) who released a circular calling upon all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to remit 80% of their operational surpluses to the Consolidated Revenue Fund account.

The order purportedly originated from the office of the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun with a view to reducing operating costs as much as possible, in keeping with President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts to reduce wasteful government expenditures.

She warned all Accounting Officers and Chief Executive Officers of MRDs that any failure to remit the required amount of funds to the Consolidated Revenue Fund would result in their immediate sanction.

In addition, all future reviews of Accounting Officers and Chief Executive Officers would take into account their compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act when contemplating the renewal of their tenures.

Apparently, every MDA is now required to submit monthly Expenditure Transcripts and Revenue Returns to the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

32—V ANGU ARD, WEDNESD AY, DECEMBER 23, 2015 32—VANGU ANGUARD, WEDNESDA

He said he wished he never married me

Hubby was a serial cheat Dear Bunmi, My husband and I met in our late teens. We lived in the same area but went to different universities. Everyone said we were the perfect couple and we eventually got married.

We rarely argued and had no secrets, or so I thought. A few months ago, I met a girl

at a close friend’s house and she said she attended the same university as my husband’s. We got chatting and I asked her if she knew my husband. She started laughing and said all the girls had ‘known’ him. When I asked what she meant, she said that he’d been out with almost every girl in their

Should I make the first move?

Dear Bunmi, My husband and I ended our marriage eight years ago and I haven’t had another relationship. My two children are now in secondary school and I feel it’s time for me to get a life of my own. Recently, I met a man I really like but I’m not sure he’s interested in me. He flirts with me all of the time but I can’t tell if that’s just the way he is or if he genuinely finds me attractive.

It’s been a while since I’ve dated anyone. I’m not sure what to do now. Do I ask him out, or sit back and wait for him to make the first move.?

Nkiru, by e-mail.

Dear Nkiru, You could be hanging around for months waiting for him to take the hint if you don’t do something about it now. You’re both matured adults, not teenagers, so ask him; what harm can it do!

Make it clear you’re interested in him then leave him to take things up from there. It would be awkward and embarrassing if you made a move and he didn’t feel the same way. But if you hinted and he pretended he didn’t know what you were on about, your friendship would be intact!

university year.

You can imagine how upset I was. I asked my husband about it when I got home and he admitted I hadn’t been his only girlfriend. When he saw how upset I was, he told me he loved me enough to marry me. Is that supposed to be a consolation? I worry that we might go out and run into girls he’d slept with in the past.

Samantha, by e-mail.

Dear Samantha, Your husband was a teenage boy doing what teenage boys did when he was at the university. He’s now a husband and father and the issue for you now should be less about the infidelity and more about the way he readily admitted it. He is a responsible man now and must realise how hurt you were when his past caught up with him. You need to talk to him about how you feel and what your fears are. You should be able to move on from this.

Her cruel taunts put me off sex Dear Bunmi, My ex-girlfriend left me feeling so paranoid about sex that I am now nervous about getting involved with women again. I suffer from premature ejaculation and she made me feel like it was my fault and somehow I was doing it just to spite her.

She kept telling me only “kids” suffer from it and I should ‘grow up’ and learn to satisfy a woman.

Is there a pill I could take to cure it? I’ve tried most of the recommended methods but none works very well. If there isn’t a drug, is there anything else you could suggest?

Albert, by e-mall.

Dear Albert, Of course, it is not your fault.

One in three men struggles with premature ejaculation (PE), at some point in their lives. It can happen to anyone no matter how old or sexually experienced you are. Your exgirlfriend is as misguided as she is rude. You’re lucky to be rid of her!

There is a lot of research being done on PE. Some of the latest thinking is that it could be hereditary. It could

also have something to do with the levels of chemicals (serotonin and dopamine) in your brain.

High levels of dopamine appear to trigger early ejaculation and high levels of serotonin appear to delay it.

Drugs like anti-depressants can help restore the balance and getting lots of exercise also seems to help.

Scientists are currently working on a pill to ‘cure’ PE. But it has to be perfected and approved, and drugs are not the answer for everyone.

In the meantime, you can learn to manage your PE. Go to the American website www.goodinbed.com and download an e-book called Overcoming Premature Ejaculation.

It is said to be the best book on the subject, and it covers the practical and emotional aspects.

Read it, do the exercises and when you feel confident, start dating again. Not all women are as unsympathetic as your ex!

High levels of dopamine appear to trigger early ejaculation and high levels of serotonin appear to delay it; drugs like antidepressants can help restore the balance and getting lots of exercise also seems to help; scientists are currently working on a pill to ‘cure’ PE

Dear Bunmi, My husband and I have just had our fourth wedding anniversary. We decided to get married when I became pregnant a few months after we met. Sadly, I lost our baby at 14 weeks but we decided to go ahead with the wedding. Soon afterwards though, my husband told me I should be grateful that he’d married me. I was very hurt but I tried to be a good wife and do what he wanted. Even so, he’s grown very cold over the years. He treats me like a house keeper and we seldom go out together, though he still wants sex regularly.

On our anniversary he said the last four years had been a waste of time and he’s never been the marrying kind, anyway. Is there any hope for us or is it time I just accepted that our marriage is over and went for a divorce, especially now there are no children to

consider?

Anne, by e-mall.

Dear Anne, You’re both disappointed by the way your marriage has turned out. Perhaps you’ve never recovered from the miscarriage and the loss of hope you had for a family together.

What seems to be missing here is any pleasure in each other’s company or any mutual respect and caring. If you want to stay with this man, pluck up the courage to tell him what you hoped for from your marriage and ask him if he’s prepared to put some positive effort into making it happier for both of you.

If he can’t or won’t do this, you might want to cut your losses and seek a separation or divorce. In the meantime, try some counselling for both of you.

Should sex be this painful?

Dear Bunmi, I first had sex when I was 18 years old. As a virgin then, I expected to feel pain, but not the excruciating one I felt.

This scared me and I didn’t even think about sex after that until recently. I’m 24 and have a very loving man who wants us to get married, yet, I still find sex a lot painful.

This has given me a lot of sleepless nights. Do you think I’m doing something wrong?

Nana, by e-mail.

Dear Nana, There is no reason to let this stop the relationship you

currently have. Anyone would experience similar anxiety after all the pain and distress you went through.

The solution is to get help.

Coping with this alone would be like trying to come to terms with traumatic experiences you have no tools to handle.

Why don’t you have a word with your doctor who would assure you all your organs are in order? If they’re not, he’ll know what to do to put things right. In the meantime, confide in your man, with his patience, and with prolonged fore-play, you could discover you have no problems at all.

I’m happy with both men Dear Bunmi, I have been married for three years and we have a daughter. I have been secretly seeing one of my husband’s friends for the past six months though he is also married. We have a sexual relationship and love each other so much.

But I feel bad because this man is a better lover than my husband. As a result, I have not had sex with my husband for weeks.

I know that this is a wrong thing to do, but I’m very happy this way. Why? Dorothy, by e-mail.

Dear Dorothy,

Because you have no morals, no scruples, no conscience and no common sense. It is clear that you have no respect for your husband, his friendship or your marriage vows.

You may think you are happy now, but the joy will evaporate when your husband finds out about your affair. Sexual compatibility is important in a marriage, but it takes a lot more than good sex to make a long, mutually rewarding relationship. Don’t throw away a good future for you and your kid for a sexual fling. By the way, why did you marry your husband in the first place?

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

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015—33

Edo 2016: Oshiomhole not planning to impose candidate —PESOC

By Gabriel Enogholase

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political consciousness in Nigeria, will not condescend to the level of imposing an aspirant over and above other contenders for the APC flag bearer. The party's delegates

must decide the fate of the matter unbiased, unmolested and without undue influence.

“It is sad that in modern times, when nations are placing integrity and capacity

as the pillars for choosing party flag bearers, here, pockets of godfathers are threatening to cajole delegates. Surely, Edo people would resist such moves."

ENIN—AN interest group, Peter Esele Solidarity Committee, PESOC, has allayed the fears of governorship aspirants on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, that Governor Adams Oshiomhole will impose a candidate on the party, saying that based on the political consciousness in the country, the governor would not condescend to that level.

Reacting to the fears expressed by some chieftains of the party over the governor's alleged support for one of the aspirants in the governorship race, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, in a statement

by Mr. Sylvester Ikuvbogie, Director of Operations (PESOC 2016), said that delegates to the party’s primaries would be the ones to decide the outcome of the matter.

He said: “We like to allay the fears of Crosby Eribo, the member representing Egor state constituency and others that the OATH OF OFFICE: Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State (left), administering governor in our imagination, oath of office on Justice Stephen Okon as the new Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State. and based on current trends of

US govt to encourage American firms investing in Nigeria —Entwistle

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HE United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, says the U.S government will continue to encourage American companies to invest significantly in Nigeria.

Ambassador Entwistle spoke in Calabar, Cross River State, when he visited General Electric’s planned manufacturing and assembly facility.

The ambassador said he was impressed with GE’s investment commitment with the Calabar facility which would help improve the local and national community.

According to the Ambassador, General Electric has proved, through the project, that foreign direct investment can thrive in Nigeria.

He said that contrary to the impression created in some quarters, Nigeria can be a pleasant place to do business if investors are ready to adapt to the country ’s peculiarities.

The President and CEO of GE Nigeria, Dr Lazarus Angbazo, thanked the US Ambassador for the tremendous support of GE investment commitments in Nigeria.

He disclosed that GE remains committed to localising operations in the C M Y K

country through job creation, technology and skills transfer, training and supplier development.

The GE Nigeria CEO said that over 90 percent of GE’s management team in Nigeria was made up of Nigerians.

GE’s investment plans for

Nigeria include a $250 million capital expenditure for the manufacturing facility in Calabar that will make Nigeria a regional hub for manufacturing, service and innovation with an improved ability to support a broader range of product lines in

power generation as well as oil and gas exploration and production.

The company will also invest significantly over the next five years in local sourcing of goods and services, labour, staff welfare and training.

Subsidy: Nigerians must prepare for hard times, says Okowa's aide

By Oboh Agbonkhese

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ARRI—THE Special Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Rural Development and Peace Building, Mr. Emmanuel Ogidi, has said that Nigerians must brace up for hard times except the Federal Government removes subsidy and focuses on other sources of energy and the non-oil sector.

Speaking with journalists during God’s Kingdom Society, GKS’ Christian Feast of Tabernacles in Warri, Delta State, the former Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chairman said that change had nothing to do with shouting slogans, adding that the real change was beginning with the state’s PDP government as they were focused on making the state

an investment destination.

Ogidi said the government would change the mindset of the people through education and reorientation, which would

create peace and security, “leading to a legacy of youth empowerment and infrastructure development,” noting that plans were on for Shell to return to the state.

We have 4 kingdoms in Warri South, Ogbe-Ijoh leader insists

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ARRI—CHAIRMAN, Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom Governing Council, in Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Alex Akemotubo, has said that there are four kingdoms in the council as against the three reported by a section of the media.

Akemotubo, in a statement, listed the kingdoms and their monarchs as Olu of Warri, Pere Amakosu of Ogbe-ijoh, Ovie of Agbarha and Osuvie of Okere Urhobo respectively, while reacting to a recent publication in that regard.

According to Akemotubo;

“While the Olu of Warri's authority covers the three Warri local government areas, the Amakosu's covers Warri South and Warri South-West. The then military administration of the state, Navy Captain Feghabor, created and structured the traditional aborigines of the people of the area giving credence to the equality of all four paramount rulers.

“It is therefore, provocative for the Ovie of Agbarha Kingdom to say that there are three traditional rulers in Warri,” calling for a retraction of the story to put the record straight.

Sokubolou crisis: Hitler lauds monarch’s intervention

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community leader, Chief Beck Hitler, has commended the paramount ruler of Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Elder Joseph Timiyan, for intervening in the Sokubolou community crisis in the kingdom.

Hitler, who spoke in Warri, said: “I appreciate the Ogulagha monarch who personally visited Sokubolou community to resolve the crisis. By this singular act, he has further shown his commitment to ensuring peace and unity in Ogulagha kingdom.”

He noted that the monarch’s intervention by resolving the issues which led to crisis amicably had restored peace to the community, adding that the oil companies and host communities should maintain a cordial relationship.

Hitler enjoined the people of Ogulagha Kingdom to continue to pray for the monarch and collectively support him in his efforts to move the kingdom forward.

Chief Alice Ahwinahwi passes on

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HIEF Alice Ahwinahwi, nee Obayendo, the matriarch of Ahwinahwi family, is dead, aged 96.

Paternally, she hailed from Okpe-Olomu, in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, and maternally from Ogor town, in Ughelli North L.G.A. She is blessed with six children, Mrs. Emuobohwo Oberiko, Chief Christopher Ahwinahwi, Marry Ovie, Austin Ahwinahwi, Chief.

Solomon Ahwinahwi, member, House of Representatives, representing Ughelli/Udu federal Constituency and Mark Ahwinahwi.

Late Chief Alice Ahwinahwi

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Maternity home owner cries out to IG over police molestation

Ikpeazu wants workers's Dec salaries paid before Xmas

By Eric Ugbor

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By Anayo Okoli

BA—MRS. Gold Ereumunna, a traditional birth attendant in Aba, Abia State, has cried out to the Inspector General of Police, IG, Mr. Solomon Aresa to save her from annual molestation and raiding of her home by policemen in Abia.

Ereumunna, who made the appeal, yesterday, in Aba, said, that the policemen who have formed the habit of raiding her maternity home annually claim to be doing so on the pretext of investigating baby factories.

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MUAHIA—ABIA State Government has assured civil servants in the state that they will receive their December 2015 salaries before Christmas festivities.

Consequently, the government said that funds for the payment of the December salaries of workers in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies had been transferred to their respective paying banks for onward disbursement to the workers.

A government statement

by Mr. Sam Hart, Senior Special Adviser to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Public Communications, said that the payment was in fulfilment of the pledge by Ikpeazu that civil servantswould receive their December 2015 salaries before the Christmas

Ereumunna, who operates in Abayi Umueze, in Osisioma, said, that the Police raided her maternity home in December 2014 and carried off day-old children, leaving her to bail them one by one.

She stressed that in the same month of December 2015, the Police returned in her absence to take away her patients who just delivered babies and took them to state CID office in Umuahia.

She said they told her that they got a petition alleging that she operates a baby factory which she said she had never done and

cannot do because it was against her religious persuasion.

The woman said that the policemen come and go, only to return without concluding or disclosing their findings on her operations, which she said, was disgusting.

Ereumunna, who holds Diploma in Public Health and is a trained traditional birth attendant and registered to practise, noted that there was no need for the Police's annual harassment of her clients.

She said that she started her work in her village over 10 years

MultiChoice fetes journalists

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ULTICHOICE NIGERIA, has treated members of the media to an night of music, dance and variety of gifts at its annual yearend media appreciation party.

The event was organised as a mark of appreciation for the support provided by the media to the company ’s success during the year.

Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, who was

the host, thanked journalists for honouring the invitation to celebrate with the company.

“Today is about appreciating the men of the media, who worked with us in making 2015 an eventful year. As a business, we witnessed some high and low points, but we are grateful for the partnership we enjoyed with you all and we are poised to continue with this relationship into the coming year,” he said.

Marketing Edge donates to orphanage

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A R K E T I N G EDGE magazine, has donated food stuff and several products and items to Little Saints’ Orphanage home in Lagos, as a way of identifying with the less privileged at Christmas while demonstrating commitment to corporate social responsibility.

While handing out the products, which include bags of rice, cartons of milk, packs of fruit juice and other products to the home, Chief Operating Officer of the magazine, Mr. Amos Oladele praised the reputed orphanage for its contribution to the socioeconomic development of the society and pledged that the magazine would continue to

support the institution.

The delegation was received at the Orphanage’s facility in Alimosho Local Government Area of the state by Mrs. Tina Odiong, who is the hostel Administrator.

Odiong who was excited about the visit thanked Marketing

Edge for showing love to the orphanage’s children during the Christmas season, adding that such donation would further reassure them that no matter what they face, there are people out there who still love and appreciate them.

Mabutho also expressed the company’s commitment and readiness to support the media whenever the need arises.

“One of the ways we do this is by rewarding good journalism through the CNN/ MultiChoice African Journalism Awards, the benchmark for journalism excellence across the continent.

“This year ’s edition saw four of our own win across various categories and we are truly proud of that”, he added.

Journalists from both the print and online media establishments braved the traffic congestion witnessed, weekend, to celebrate with MultiChoice Nigeria officials at the company’s office on Victoria Island, Lagos.

Umahi orders probe of 11 youths' death in auto crash

By Emeka Mamah

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NUGU—GOVERNOR David Umahi of Ebonyi State has ordered a probe into the death of 11 Ebonyi youths in a auto accident at Ezzangbo on their way to the Court of Appeal, in the nearby Enugu State.

Umahi asked the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prof.

Bernard Odoh, to probe the incident and report back to him.

He spoke during a thanksgiving service at Government House, Chapel in Abakaliki, the state capital.

Umahi said, “On Monday, I saw a situation that made me to almost

shed tears. I saw that youths were crying over the loss of 10 of our brothers and a sister and I felt so sad. Some of these are things we could avoid because this is a new dispensation, where there is love, unity, togetherness and orderliness in the land of Ebonyi.

“I want to assure the youth that I had directed the SSG to probe

ederal Government should accept plea bargain so that our stolen fund may be recovered. If they choose not to accept it, then they run the risk of losing the stolen fund. So they should not drag them underground. -Mr. Jesukri Imoni, Journalist

the death of those 11 young people and whoever that pushed them into that will have to pay for that.”

He attributed the success of his government so far, to fervent prayers and the cordial relationship between the three tiers of government in the state.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

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ago and later moved to Aba town because more people were patronizing her from the city, hence the need for nearness to them.

She denied police allegations that she was not qualified to practise as a traditional birth attendant, having been registered with the body of practitioners.

Mrs. Cynthia Ojukwu, one of the pregnant women, who was at the maternity home when Vanguard visited after the police raid, said, that she was there to take herbal medicine from the maternity home when the uniformed men stormed it.

She said that when the police came and asked everybody to enter the vehicle, she asked them, “what happened?” but no answer came from them Ojukwu said that she refused to enter because she did not do anything and nobody told them their crime before whisking many of them off to Osisioma Police Station and later, Umuahia.

She said that they forcefully moved 11 women two of who gave birth that morning after beating their husbands for refusing to let them take their wives and the newborn babies away.

Another woman, who pleaded anonymity said, that her friend recommended the maternity to her after the hospital she was using told her that she would undergo a Caesarean section.

She said that she, however, went to the maternity where Mrs. Ereumunna gave her herbs that helped her give birth peacefully

On President Buhari’s fight against corruption

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he hunter has been implicated, the focus now is only on the recovery. Hopefully the president will either relinquish his share before further questions are asked, but then he is surrounded by apologists, who refuse to say the truth. -Miss Lizzy Popson, Worker

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resident Buhari should prosecute all corruption cases; recover all stolen funds, and jail all involved in the next five months. It is a way of fulfilling all his campaign promises to Nigerians. There is no time anymore and the country is going down to corruption.

Miss Chika Dike, Corper

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r. President should beware of bad advisers leading him on, because four years after fighting war on every front, he will find out there is nothing to show for his regime. And the same Nigerians will be calling for his head. -Mr. Emmanuel Sunday, Music Director

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here should be no sacred cow, even the president that received two SUV cars and denied $300,000, should be probed and all the APC and PDP sponsors.

Otherwise, they are just deceiving the masses. Mr. Chukwujekwu Irono, Corps member

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hich president in the history of our country tackled corruption head-on boldly more than the current one? Corruption created all the problems Nigeria has today, for example, Boko Haram, kidnapping and mass hunger. -Mr. Femi Igwe, Engineer

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015 — 35

ARMY/SHIITE CLASH: ‘Police kill 13 more, 40 in jail'

By Luka Binniyat

arrested by the Police that two died yesterday due to ADUNA—THE Shiite unattended wounds, adding that Islamic Movement of they were still negotiating their Nigeria, IMN, yesterday in Kaduna revealed that the Nigeria Police killed 13 of its members with other 40 members carrying gunshot

By Aliyu Dangida wounds clamped in police jails.

A statement signed by the UTSE—JIGAWA state President, Media group of IMN, Commissioner for Health, Ibrahim Musa, sent to Vanguard reads: “13 members of the IMN Dr. Abba Zakari, has revealed were killed by Police in last week’s plans of the government to close the existing manpower gap in procession in Kaduna.

“Reports reaching us have the health sector with the indicated that there are well over employment of 100 medical 40 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria who are languishing in two prisons in Kaduna after surviving gunshots of the soldiers last Saturday.

The group in the statement disclosed that among its members

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release with the Police authorities in Kaduna.

“Some of the wounded are detained in Open Prison at Barnawa quarters, while the rest are in Kaduna Central Prison.”

They added: “Yesterday, five

corpses of our members were handed over to us for burial by the Police in Kaduna.

However, to our greatest shock, they were tortured using electric shock and also stabbed severally. It was gruesome.''

Jigawa to employ 100 foreign doctors to enhance manpower

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doctors next year.

Speaking in Dutse while taking delivery of medical products donated by a pharmaceutical company, Dr. Abba Zakari explained that the government will not mind recruiting foreign doctors if the required number of the manpower could not be

source locally.

He added that if it becomes necessary to recruit such personnel from outside the country, Bangladesh would be the first choice to be contacted, stressing that only consultants would be considered for recruitment from foreign country.

Centre backs FG’s employment policy for youths

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IRECTOR General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), Mr. Michael Fawole, has said the centre will key into President Muhammadu Buhari’s employment policy, especially in providing skill acquisition and empowerment programmes for unemployed graduates across the country.

He also hinted that the centre was planning to give financial grants to such beneficiaries to enable them start off with life, not just as small scale entrepreneurs, but also as employers of labour in their own rights.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of a one-week workshop on skills acquisition and empowerment programme organised by CLTC in Jos, Plateau State, Fawole said: “The primary objective of this programme, like other trainings organised by this Centre in the past, is to re-orientate participants on value system, by instilling in them, the spirit of patriotism, integrity, service, innovation, discipline and excellence as well as to harness their potentials towards national development.”

The Director General, who explained that the participants were mobilised from 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory said the participants were trained on various fields including cell phone repair, hair dressing, barbing, chin-chin and popcorn making, industrial tailoring, commercial bread baking, shoe, bag making and jewelleries.

He said: “The decision to provide you with equipment and working tools, is to help you become better citizens and agents of positive change, both in behavioural pattern and as productive members of your communities.

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COMMISSIONING: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State (2nd right), with Executive Secretary, Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area, Mrs. Opeyemi Akindele (2nd left), Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare (right) and his Information & Strategy counterpart, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, during the commissioning of Ipaja-Ayobo road.

StarTimes designs blueprint for media practitioners in Africa, China

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blueprint that will transform the media and communications sector in Africa and China is being supported by Pay-TV provider, StarTimes that has joined forces with the state council information office of the People’s Republic of China.

At the just concluded Sino-Africa Media Leadership Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, tagged ‘Opening up the new area of win-win cooperation’, Pang Xinxing, President of StarTimes Group, explained that the company is dedicated to the growth of the continent.

To bridge the gap between the two communities, whose cooperation can boost the welfare of over two billion people, President Xi Jinping of PRC, who was represented by Jiang Jianguo, Chinese ambassador to Cape Town, stated that it is important for the media to deepen the content of cooperation in order to integrate the people into the desired expansion of the communication industry.

President Xi noted that the root of friendship between China and Africa lies in the people and communication.

WPF congratulates Udoh on A’Court’s victory

By Tare Youdeowei

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AMPAIGN organisers of Hon. Omawumi Udoh, Peoples Democratic Party’s, PDP member representing Warri South Constituency I at Delta State House of Assembly, Warri Progressive Forum, WPF, have congratulated her on her recent election petition victory at the Court of Appeal, describing it as “The best Christmas gift we could have asked for.”

This was made this known at a press briefing in Warri by the president of the group, Reinelt Yemetie, who described Udoh’s victory as “More of a victory for democracy than for Omawumi Udoh as a person.”

In the same vein, spokesman of the group and Special Adviser News Media to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Hon. Michael Tidi, said: “Finally this noble woman and eminently forthright representative of the good people of Warri South, has been vindicated in spite of the heinous betrayal by those she had trusted.”

Mrs. Udoh headed to the election petition tribunal to contest the victory awarded by INEC to her opponent, Godwin Abigor of the Social Democratic Party, SDP. Though she had earlier lost at the state tribunal, she had proceeded to the Benin Division of the Court of Appeal which awarded her victory last weekend.

14,000 police, 200 civilians get human rights training

By Esther Onyegbula

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O fewer than 14,000 policemen and 200 civilians participated in the Human Rights awareness training organized by the Crime Victims Foundation in collaboration with the Human Rights Education Awareness Centre (HUREC) in Lagos yesterday.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Gloria Ebuji, the Executive Director of Crime Victims Foundation said that understanding of human rights between the police and civilians will provide mutual benefit in quality service in the areas of service delivery, safety and justice.

She said that their NGO in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force have trained more than 14,000 police officers in Human Rights from the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police to Constables.

She said: “We have also trained 200 civilians mostly traders in Lagos. We are targeting the 36 states of the country and very soon, human rights education and awareness will be everywhere,” she said.

36—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

LAUNCH: From left: Mrs. Grace Ebun Oladimeji, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Lateef Abdul-Hakeem, Commissioner for Home Affairs and Alhaji Muniru Bankole, Chairman/CEO, Med-View Airline, during the launch of Hajj contributory scheme and presentation of award to service providers by the ministry in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

AWARD: From left: Ade Ashaye, Country Director, VISA West Africa, Abiodun Ajadi, Products Management Credit Cards, First Bank, Abim Meshinoye, Stakeholder Management and Corporate Communications, First Bank, Alfred Nsikak, representing Gilbert Inemesit, winner of the #NOTATOURIST Award, Olayinka Obasa, Product Manager, Credit Cards, First Bank and Adekeye Kehinde, Marketing Director, VISA West Africa, during the award ceremony of Visa #NOTATOURIST campaign in Lagos.

PRESENTATION: From left: Mrs Christy Obiazikwor, Head, Public Relations, NAFDAC, Mrs Joyce Macaulay,Nnamdi Obi, CEO/MD, Embassy Pharmaceutical and Chemical Ltd, Dr. Paul Orhii, Director General, NAFDAC, Dr Monica Eimunjeze, Director, Registration and Regulatory Affairs ,NAFDAC and others, during the presentation of copier and printers to the agency in Lagos.

FLAG OFF: From left: Assistant Corps Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Ojota Zone, Mr. Kehinde Hamzat; Executive Director, Marketing, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Benson Evbuomwan, Assistant Corp Commander, Mrs. Gloria Danfulani and Innovation and Consumer Insight Manager, Honeywell Flour Mills, Mr. Lanre Da-Silva, during the flag off of Honeywell/FRSC Ember Month Safety Awareness Campaign in Lagos.

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AWARD: From left: Mr Kachi Onubogu, Executive Director, Promasidor Nigeria Ltd, Mr Goddie Ofose, Chairman, Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria, BJAN, Mr Olivier Thiry, Chief Executive Officer, Promasidor Nigeria Ltd and Ms. Clara Okoro, Vice Chairman, BJAN, at the presentation of Best Brand in Education award to Promasidor in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

AWARD: From left: Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disability, Imo State, Barr. Clinton Amaechi, beneficiary of the MTN Foundation, Science and Technology Scholarship Scheme, Mr. Obierika Chibuzor, MTNF Director, Mr. Dennis Okoro, and Manager, MTNF Economy Empowerment Portfolio, Ms. Foyinsola Oyebola, during the MTNF Science and Technology scheme award ceremony in Owerri.

PRESENTATION: From left: Mrs. Charity Oparanweze,Training Adviser, Mrs Cecelia Ossai, Chairman, both of Amuwo Odofin Division of the Red Cross, Mr Fidelis Oriabure,victim of the Festac fire accident, Mr Sunday Adeneye, Disaster Adviser, Red Cross, Lagos State, and others, during the presentation releif materials to victims of the fire accident at Festac Town in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

END OF YEAR PARTY: From left: Fifemayo Aiyesimoju, Brand Marketing Manager, Lola Masha, Country Manager, and Uche Nwagboso, PR & Communications Manager, all of OLX during the firm's end of year party in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Akeem Salau.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015—37 —37

APC and appeal court ruling on Akwa Ibom governorship election

By Erhumu Bayagbon

B

Y the time you read this, an appeal court may have given its verdict on the two appeals filed by Governor Udom Emmanuel and Umana Okon Umana, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC), respectively, in respect of the outcome of the April 11 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State.

The uniqueness of the work of the appeal court in this particular case lies in the fact that unlike other cases in which one party appeals the verdict of the election tribunal, the appellate court is saddled with the task of deciding on two appeals – one from the man who was declared winner of the governorship election and the other from the one that lost.

Emmanuel, the PDP candidate in the election, asked the appeal court to set aside the ruling of the election tribunal that ordered a re-run in 18 out of the 31 local government areas of the state, and uphold his victory as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while

Map of Akwa Ibom State

Gov Udo Emmanuel Umana, candidate of the APC, wanted the appellate court to quash the former ’s election and order a fresh election in the entire state.

Umana’s hope of winning the governorship of the state, which is akin to swimming against the tide, is apparently hinged on the possibility of having the mythical federal might on his side. In these days of strange verdicts, when Nigerians are witnessing election rulings that are given to suit current circumstances, it was not totally out of the blues to see the pendulum swing in favour of the APC that seems to be achieving in

Umana Umana, APC gov candidate the courts what it failed to achieve at the polling stations, especially in a battleground state like Akwa Ibom.

Different kettle of fish Forget the fact that the rulings involving senators Godwsill Akpabio and Bassey Albert should give hope that justice would, indeed, be done in the governorship appeal.

The governorship is an entirely different kettle of fish, with understandably higher stakes, if you consider the life-

and-death struggle for the governorship seat in Rivers State and the failed hijack of the Bayelsa governorship by the APC through a bloody capture of crucial votes in the strategic Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, which has taken yet another feather from the cap of the new INEC that is fast acquiring a notoriety for conducting inconclusive elections.

The violent but botched attempt by the ruling party to win the local government area, the second with the highest number of registered voters in the state, is such that has reportedly miffed and embarrassed President Muhammadu Buhari to the extent of refusing to grant audience to Timipre Silva, the party ’s candidate in the e l e c t i o n .

Obviously, the president is not

on the same page with his party in the attempt to forcefully annex a state it knows it cannot win, judging by the results from seven out of the eight local government areas released by INEC. There should be no reason to imagine that the appeal court would not affirm the election of Udom Emmanuel as the governor of Akwa Ibom.

This is more so since the election tribunal did not base its ruling on the common grounds of election malpractices like violence, snatching or stuffing of ballot box, etc. The tribunal curiously relied on the testimonies of a few witnesses to whom it gave the tag of ‘ witnesses of truth’, on account of their social and political standing, to annul elections in 18 local government areas.

In a rather bizarre ruling, it considered the statement of a witness that election did not hold in his ward, to arrive at the conclusion that election did not hold in an entire local government area.

Having realized that defeating the former governor, Akpabio, in his senatorial district where he is something of a cult figure was an up uphill task, the APC had hoped to capitalize on an honest administrative error to continue in its tradition of securing in the courts what it cannot secure from the people.

Independence of the judiciary

Obviously, the president is not on the same page with his party in the attempt to forcefully annex a state it knows it cannot win

But the learned judges thought otherwise, and decided quite rightly that a mistaken recording of Akpabio in one of the forms as candidate in a senatorial district other than his own did not mean that the people that voted on March 28 did not know who they were voting for.

The appeal court has demonstrated independence of the judiciary in the cases involving the two senators from Akwa Ibom. We have seen, in the two cases, rulings that saw through the deceit and propaganda for which APC has become notorious – a tool that it was able to utilize effectively to win the general elections.

38—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

occupy the Delta Central Senatorial District.

Those who spoke include; Chief Austin Uloho, Lady Kate Mudiaga-Erhue, Mr Julius Akpovoka and Mr Elvis Oharisi.

Uloho said Omo-Agege would fit into the big shoes left behind by the late Senator Pius Ewherido describing the verdict as the best thing that has ever happened to the Urhobo nation in recent times.

What Omo-Agege’s emergence means to the Urhobos OVIE Omo-Agege and Ighoyota Amori were two of the most prominent political enforcers at the twilight of the James Ibori political dynasty in Delta Central Senatorial District. They also shared a common dream of representing the senatorial district in the Eighth Senate. After an initial victory by Amori, Omo-Agege last weekend got the final nod.

•Amori

•Omo-Agege

By Festus Ahon

N

EWS of the Appeal Court judgment ousting Chief Ighoyota Amori of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District shook the political firmament in the constituency in the evening of Saturday 19th December, 2015.

Remarkably, it came not too long after Amori as the serving senator had hosted a lavish thanksgiving service to celebrate his victory over Obasi Ovie Omo-Agege, the Labour Party candidate at the tribunal.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other top government functionaries from across the country witnessed the thanksgiving service at Amori’s Mosogar hometown in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the State.

Political prowess Remarkably, Amori had started climbing the ropes in the Senate and was beginning to flex muscles until last Saturday’s judgment by the Court of Appeal in Benin knocked him out of the Senate.

For the duo of Amori and Omo-Agege, the March 28 Senatorial election was like their last political fight, an avenue for them to prove political prowess and superiority in the politics of Delta Central.

Amori had in 2011 slugged it out with late Senator Pius Ewherido and lost to the latter in a keenly contested election, the outcome of which he challenged at the election petition tribunal but also lost.

He also vied for the Senate in the rerun election after the demise of Senator Ewherido

Genuine interest

but lost to Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo at the primary election.

On his part, Omo-Agege who had eyed the governorship since 2007 without success, had in 2013 also taken his eyes towards the Senate and contested with Aguariavwodo and Amori for the Delta Central Senate seat but lost to Aguariavwodo.

So for the two of them the 2015 Senate election was an opportunity for the two of them to prove to their skeptics that they could secure political office through the ballot.

The advent of Omo-Agege would again put the PDP under

With Labour Party now having a seat in the Senate the party could well pride itself as the main opposition party in Delta State, an issue that party members are bound to take pride in pressure in Delta Central as it gives strength to the opposition Labour Party, which is the main opposition to the PDP in the

BENUE SOUTH: David The annulment of the former Senate President’s election reawakens the sharp ethnic divide in Benue State.

By Peter Duru

B

ENUE South Senatorial district is currently in a political frenzy following the recent nullification of the victory of Senator David Mark at the 2015 National Assembly elections over alleged irregularities.

The Appellate Court took particular note that the result was announced while the election was still ongoing.

However, speaking shortly after the judgement in a telephone interview with Vanguard, the returning officer of that election, Prof.

Latif Tiamiyu debunked the claim.

state.

Besides the PDP, OmoAgege’s victory also puts pressure on the All Progressives Congress, APC which had sought to position itself as the main opposition party in the state. With Labour Party now having a seat in the Senate the party could well pride itself as the main opposition party in Delta State, an issue that party members are bound to take pride in despite the odds against it.

Expectedly, associates of the victor were exuberant at the weekend saying it portends a better future for the Urhobo people who predominantly

According to him a strategist like Omo-Agege was urgently needed to reposition the Urhobo nation.

Lady Mudiaga-Erhue said the emergence of Omo-Agege would yield positive results for the Urhobo people and said the Urhobo needed somebody like Omo-Agege who according to her, has the genuine interest to serve his people to represent them at the Senate.

While dedicating the victory of Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege to God and the common people in the senatorial district, Mr. Akpovoka expressed confidence that he (OmoAgege) would make the Urhobo people proud at the Senate by initiating good bills that will accelerate the socioeconomic development of the area.

On his part, Mr. Oharisi said Omo-Agege went into the election to redeem the Urhobo nation from the shackles of under development and poor representation at the Senate.

Mark’s new battle

Prof. Tiamiyu said “the result was announced after the collation of the results from the nine local government areas of the district were completed.

Anything suggesting the contrary is unfounded and untrue.” he said.

Meantime, since the annulment of that election there have been series of underground political scheming by different political blocs and interests all in a bid to rally support for the contending parties.

Today the feelings among the people is that the coming rerun election will be a straight fight between the Idomas of Benue south and the dominant Tivs in the North East and West.

This development is ostensibly triggered by the general belief among the people of Benue South that Onjeh who is a close confidant of Senator George Akume is

•Mark also being sponsored by Akume.

Though Onjeh had tried to explain away the insinuation, unfolding events keep pointing at the fact that he lacked the financial muscle to

wrestle the seat from Senator Mark without the support of political godfathers.

Only recently, the state Deputy Governor and close confidant of Senator Akume who also served as a Commissioner under Akume as governor, Engr. Benson Abounu, urged Idomas to shun Senator Mark and vote for Onjeh in order to stay in the mainstream politics of the state.

The Deputy Governor explained that in the past Mark had warned the people against opposition, and wondered why he was telling the people to now go back to the opposition.

He therefore urged the people to support Comrade Onjeh massively in the rerun election.

There is however no gainsaying that the coming election has completely Continues on page 35

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015—39

Appeal Court judgment:

Fear of the unknown in Akwa Ibom SINCE last Friday's ruling of the Court of Appeal quashing the election of Mr. Udom Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as governor of Akwa Ibom State on the basis of irregularities, fraud and violence, the party appears to be gripped by the fear of the unknown.

By Chioma Onuegbu

A

LTHOUGH there was tension and anxiety in the camps of the two contending political parties, All Progressives Congress, APC and the PDP few days before the judgement, the PDP and its supporters never expected to come off worst.

In fact, many PDP supporters had widely speculated that even if the court did not uphold their appeal, the verdict will not go beyond that of the Election Tribunal (lower court) which had on October 21 cancelled elections in only 18 of 31 local councils of the state and ordered a rerun in those LGAs. An indication of that optimism was given by the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed the election of Senator Godswill Akpabio, the immediate past governor of the state as the senator representing Akwa Ibom North Senatorial District on the platform of the PDP. However, many in the state do not see the decision of the party to continue the legal battle by going to the apex court as

changing the appeal verdict. To them, it was rather a way of buying more time as the electorate is already looking forward to a rerun in the state.

How will re-run polls go?

Accordingly, the issue of what the outcome of the rerun will be is dominating public discussions

Some have even alleged that the ruling was part of perfected plot by the ruling APC to get Akwa Ibom state and other oil rich states of Bayelsa and Rivers

•Udom: Lost at the Court of Appeal and it is the most talked about issue in beer parlours, motor parks, newspaper stands, market places and social gatherings.

Surprisingly the usual crowd at the popular newspaper stands at the plaza has reduced drastically since the judgement as the place looked deserted last Saturday and Sunday.

Political history The PDP’s fear over the re-run election is, however, not unconnected to the fact that as the ruling government at the centre, the APC may influence the outcome of a rerun coupled with the fact that Akwa Ibom in its political history always align with the ruling party at the centre.

The scenario is that the

BENUE SOUTH: David Mark’s new battle Continues from page 34 pitched the minority Idomas against the Tiv and this was further heightened by a recent statement by elder statesman and PDP, stalwart, Chief Abu King Shuluwa.

Shuluwa in his remark in an interview cautioned against external interference in the rerun election warning politicians from the Benue North East and West to steer clear of the election in the area in order not to generate bad blood in the state.

The elder statesman noted that the people of Benue south district had the exclusive right to decide on who would represent them at the National Assembly and wondered why Tiv politicians were scrambling to interfere in the area.

He said, “PDP will win Benue South zone, not minding that my Tiv brothers from the other two zones, who have no stake in the area are jittery about David Mark particularly.

Speaking recently at a grand reception hosted for him by the people of the senatorial zone, Senator David Mark also cautioned external forces and interests to steer clear of the forthcoming election or be ready to face resistance from his people.

Form of manipulation Mark also warned that the people would not also accept any form of manipulation of the process.

Mark who spoke at the palace of the Ochi’ Idoma,

Elias Ikoyi Obekpa, in Otukpo, said he had taken the nullification of his victory by the appellate court in good faith and was ready for the rerun.

The former Senate President said, “it’s the Idomas who will vote on the day of the election, no one can impose anyone on us. No one outside Idoma land can manipulate or impose a candidate on my people in my life time. It will never happen.

While the electorates await the announcement of the date of the poll, the Media Director in the David Mark campaign organisation, Chief Adakole Elijiah told Vanguard in a telephone interview that, “from what we are seeing at the moment, the coming election will finally mark the end of the enslavement of the Idomas in Benue state.”

•Umana: Gets another positive judgment

candidates of the two political parties – Mr. Umana Okon Umana of the APC and Udom Emmanuel of the PDP now have equal chances in the rerun election and PDP supporters do not appear to be comfortable with that.

Some have even alleged that the ruling was part of the plot by the ruling APC to get Akwa Ibom state and other oil rich states of Bayelsa and Rivers. The National President of South South Solidarity Forum, Dr Bassey Umoh, on Sunday lamented, “the recent political situations in the South -South region ranging from the annulment of the People’s mandate in the just concluded general elections to the back and forth court judgements are raising serious concern and anxiety."

Remain calm, Udom urges PDP faithful, supporters Addressing PDP supporters, who came to receive him at the Ibom International Airport at the weekend after the judgement, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, urged them to remain calm and not discouraged as he was optimistic that the Supreme Court will uphold his election.” On his part, the State party Chairman of the PDP, Obong Paul Ekpo, “I want to assure you our teeming supporters that there is no cause for alarm” We have been vindicated – APC However, the APC buoyed by its victory of the appeal last Friday now appears more confident to go for a rerun even as some of them who spoke to Vanguard earlier before and after the judgement were hopeful that they will get justice from the appellate court considering the party’s substantial evidence against the PDP. The APC Publicity Secretary, Mr Ita Awak had said: “We have

done everything in our power to convince the court that after INEC record has shown that there were only 437, 128 voters that were accredited for the governorship election in Akwa Ibom state and there is no way that 400,000 voters can produce a vote of one million.

“So we are expecting the court of appeal to return the verdict that in Akwa Ibom state the PDP over rigged the election and nullify the elections completely in the 31 local government areas.

That is the justice that Akwa Ibom people and the APC are expecting tomorrow. We are not expecting anything less” Similarly the National President of Buhari/Osinbajo Supporters Club Prince David Benjamin who spoke in Uyo last Saturday, a day after the ruling said: “The nullification of the election that brought in Udom Emmanuel as the governor of Akwa Ibom state did not come to me as a surprise.

Widespread speculation I was hopeful that with the era of anti-corruption in the country justice will be done. And what this judgment means to me is that the Judges that handled the matter are not corrupt and that is why they did the right thing; that was justice given”.

The appeal court verdict has put to rest widespread speculations and publications in the state that the governorship appeal had been compromised by the PDP. PDP chieftain, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, frowned at such allegations saying, “In building democracy we must also encourage the judiciary because the rule of law is a very important aspect of democracy. It is not every time you lose election you start talking about compromise of the judiciary, it is bad; that is not good sportsmanship”.

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

People queuing to buy fuel in Lagos

Discordant jingle bells for unusual Christmas

By Charles Kumolu & Ihuoma Nwayanwu

F

OR a people acclaimed globally as being among the happiest in the world, these are certainly not the best of times.

Indeed, majority of Nigerians are no longer smiling. The enthusiasm that saw them being rated among the most cheerful people by various surveys on national mood, has disappeared into the thin air.

So obvious is the situation that Christmas, which often makes public mood more gleeful, has instead, brought untold worries to many homes. Christmas season is usually a period when people temporarily forget whatever challenges they are grappling with, to celebrate with their loved ones either in their villages or the cities. But this is no longer the case because of the biting state of the economy.

Retrospective look: To understand what Nigerians are passing through this yuletide as a result of the current nationwide economic crisis, a retrospective look at a typical Christmas season in Nigeria becomes important.

The average Christmas in the country is always full usual and unusual of activities. Specifically, markets often commence C M Y K

recording high patronage from the first week of December till the New Year, just as people travel en mass to their various home states.

Nigerians are also known to have used the festive period to exchange gifts and organise social events.

Both the rich and the poor are usually carried along by this festive breeze that is expected to keep blowing till the New Year.

It’s not uncommon for some people to toil, beg, borrow or even steal in order not to be left out of the festive groove. Indeed Christmas is celebrated in Nigeria as if the culture originated from Africa’s most populous nation.

serving military personnel, told VF. The survey carried out across the major markets and leading departmental stores in Lagos, showed that sales are at the lowest ebb compared with this time in the previous years.

Virtually every trader is affected by the prevailing severe economic condition. Even seasonal goods are not spared as they have remained in the sellers’ shelves.

Among the worst hit are dealers

Poor sales everywhere

Random survey A random survey by Vanguard Features,VF, revealed that these distinguishing features have become luxuries that only a few can cautiously afford to indulge in this Christmas.

From the grooving streets of Calabar to the leading markets in Lagos, the often cheery ambiance of Christmas, has given way to a somber atmosphere.

“This is a serious matter. I have not had it this bad. The challenges are much and scary,” a commercial motorcyclist, who claims to be a

in textile materials, fashion wares, electronics, furniture and other house hold items. Of these, only boutiques record poor sales while others open their shops in the morning and close in the late evenings without recording sales.

Mr. Ifeanyi Okwuonu, who imports goods from China and India, bemoaned the prevailing situation. “In my 10 years in this fashion business, this is my worst year. The situation is so bad that it did not leave us with alternatives.

We are in deep trouble. We are no longer recording sales in Lagos Island like in the past.

Most of us could not travel to buy new goods because of the monetary policy and the rising exchange rate

Most of us could not travel to buy new goods because of the monetary policy and the rising exchange rate. It is so risky to travel because when you buy at high rates, you may not recoup your money. Is it the workers, who have not been paid for many months that would buy things at exorbitant prices?” he asked.

Kola Ekundayo who owns a furniture shop at Agboju market on Lagos/Badagry expressway, also presented a pathetic story of the state of things in the nation’s commercial capital.

‘’In the last three months, my business has been stagnant. I have not been able to sell up three sets of furniture. Major sales are difficult now because people complain of not having money. December used to be the period when we record much sales on beds and settees because people move into new houses at this time while some others give their homes a face-lift.

But we are faced with a near absence of demand for our products,’’ he lamented.

Demand for our products Not done, he pointed at some boys sitting inside his workshop.

According to him, sight was not common in the past. ‘’Those people in the workshop are my boys. The poor sales and absence of contract jobs have made them idle. All they do now is to discuss European Champions League and play lotto,’’ Ekundayo added.

At Idumota market and Trade Fair Complex, Lagos, dealers in Christmas gift items expressed fears that they may not be able to recoup the money spent in purchasing the items.

They told VF that in the light of the cash crunch in the country, they were cautious not to increase their prices, yet, the sales are alarmingly poor.

Corporate organisations shun gift items: ‘’I don’t know what to call this. Does it mean that things are so bad that people can hardly afford to exchange gifts?’’ Chika Continues on page 41

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015 — 41

Discordant jingle bells for an unusual Christmas Continues from page 40 Akuluouno asked VF in response to a question.

She was surprised that corporate organisations hardly bought gift items this season, a development she said convinced her that hard times are indeed here. ‘’This is the time that I make supplies to my corporate clients especially banks, but I have not done any big business with them since the beginning of the month. Some told me they will not patronise me this year because of their decision to cut costs. It is shocking that the wobbling economy is impacting negatively on the spirit of giving,’’ she stated.

VF checks further revealed that most of the corporate organisations like oil and gas companies, financial institutions, leading law firms and maritime agencies did not factor the exchange of Christmas and New Year gifts into their budgets.

A friend of VF did not hide her consternationwhenaleadingfinancial institution known for giving out costly Christmas gifts, sent her a neatly wrapped diary which she thought was an Ipad. ‘’I don’t want to believe that this is what (name of bank withheld) sent to me,’’ she said sarcastically.

Vendors of foodstuff witness increased patronage “Man must wack” is a common slang among Nigerians. No wonder sellers of food items have a better story to tell. According to them, sales are relatively impressive despite the galloping prices of the commodities.

Turnout of customers ‘’The turnout of customers has not been very low. Our challenge is that we buy our goods at abnormal prices now, because importers are not finding importation easy,’’ Mrs Veronica Onichabo told VF at Iyana -Oba Market.

Apart from that, she noted that the current fuel scarcity is gravely responsible for the steady increase in the prices of staple foods.

Another seller of food commodities in the same market, Mrs Endurance Ekwalor collaborated Veronica’s views. ‘’We are not to blame for the rise in prices because we pay a lot of money for transportation of our goods now. Before the current fuel crisis, I pay N100 as transport fare to Oyingbo Market where I buy some of my goods. But since last week, I have been paying N300. In all, I pay about N700 to transport my goods from Oyingbo to Iyanoba,’’ she explained.

NBS reports of bleak Christmas: VF findings and perhaps prognosis was corroborated by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, in its latest report where it said that Nigerians would have to pay

A section of Mile 12 market where tomatoes are sold. more at Christmas as food prices increased to the highest rate this year. Elucidating further, the agency revealed that food prices increased by 10.3 per cent in November, representing 0.2 per cent higher than recorded in October.

This particular increase, it said, was as a fallout of faster increases in the prices of fish, bread and cereals, vegetable and meat groups, which showed a 0.8 per cent increase in October, after relative moderation in three months.

The NBS also disclosed that Consumer Price Index, CPI, which showed a brief respite in October at 9.3 per cent, rose marginally to 9.4 per cent in November.

“All major food groups which contribute to the food sub-index increased at a faster pace during the month, with the exception of the fruits group, which has been trending lower since June of this year,” the agency added.

The NBS report reflected the effect of the current fuel scarcity on the prices of goods and services, pointing out that the increase in the CPI was driven by higher prices.

The most affected herein are the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages as well as transportation.

Whereas the agency noted that average pump price of fuel is N115.35 per litre, up from N93.5, VF found that the product sells for as high as N400 a litre at the black market in Lagos.

Cost of transportation

Most of the corporate organisations like oil and gas companies, financial institutions, leading law firms and maritime agencies did not factor the exchange of Christmas and New Year gifts into their budgets

Most patrol stations in Lagos and other parts of the country, sell at N130, N140 and N150 respectively representing about 50 percent difference from the N97 official rate As a result of that, the cost of transportation has jerked up for those embarking on yuletide journeys.

Inter-state travellers reduce: A visit to Mazamaza bus terminal in Lagos, showed that people are not traveling in large numbers as was the case in the previous years. Then, a few days to Christmas, the bus terminal was a beehive of activities as commuters struggled to board the available buses to the villages.

Mr. Tony Fineboy, who works at Jekason Transport decried the low patronage. ‘’This year is just

Nigerians travelling for Christmas celebrations different. This period used to be the peak period but people are not traveling like they used to do.

There is no money any where. I will not be surprised if we experience large turnout a few days to the New Year because some prefer traveling for the New Year celebrations,’’ he said.

VF understood that the current economic crisis occasioned by the collapse in oil prices and stringent monetary policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria ,CBN, chiefly provoked the hardship in the country.

Hardship in the country The multiplier effects of these, it was gathered, resulted in the inability of the Federal and State governments to pay wages, scarcity of cash, low purchasing power, volatile exchange rate, erratic power supply and increase in the price of staple foods among others.

President Movement For Economic Accountability, MEA, Comrade Debo Etako who spoke on the issue, blamed the Federal

Government for the hard times Nigerians are experiencing.

He expressed sadness that the economy which had started looking up at the dawn of this dispensation, has taken a downward turn. ‘’We are highly dismayed at the situation we found ourselves.

This is not what Nigerians bargained for when we voted in line with change mantra. The government should be blamed for not being proactive when it inherited a volatile economy,’’ he said.

Continuing, he said: ‘’I am not ignorant of the fact that the country is no more earning significant revenue from the sale of oil. But that is not an excuse to watch the economy slide into recession. After all, most African countries don’t export oil yet, they survive and boast of impressive Human Capital Development Index. ‘Salaries have not been paid while fuel is not available for domestic use. The most painful of it is that commodity prices have gone up with Nigerians forced to spend the little they have. All these, stem from poor economic policies.’’

42—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Using human rights to promote corruption and impunity (4) This is the fourth part of the paper presented by Femi Falana, SAN, to mark the official opening ceremony of the Amnesty International office in Nigeria at Abuja. In the third part which was published Monday, Falana argued that immunity for public officers ended the moment they completed their tenures

I

By Femi Falana

N the same vein in the case of Dododo v. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission & Ors. (2013) 1 NWLR (PT 1336) 468 at 510 the Court of Appeal held: “The EFCC and the ICPC enjoy the status of the powers vested in the police which encompasses the duty to examine a complaint or petition, investigate and prosecute if necessary and that when a petition or complaint is made the statutory body, their duty to look at the complaint cannot be suppressed.”

Except where people are arrested for breach of contracts and other civil wrongs courts have no powers to restrain the police and anti grant agencies from performing their statutory duties. As officers in the temple of justice, lawyers should stop promoting corruption and subverting the rule of law under the guise of protecting the fundamental rights of their clients to personal liberty and fair hearing. In view of the clear pronouncement of the Supreme Court to the effect no court can confer immunity on criminal suspects, high court judges should desist from obstructing the course of justice by restraining anti graft agencies from arresting, investigating and prosecuting influential persons accused of involvement in serious cases of corruption, fraud and other economic crimes. No doubt.

While due process should be observed in the fight against corruption and the impunity of perpetrators, human rights should never be used to undermine justice in the sense of being used to defeat investigations and prosecutions of corruption by high-level governmental officials. No doubt, the investigation and

FEMI FALANA, SAN prosecution of corruption crimes is impugned where human rights are violated, corrupt officials should not be allowed to use technicalities as pretences for human rights to defeat corruption charges and prosecution. Using human rights as trump cards to circumvent and avoid punishment and accountability for large scale corruption is itself a violation of the human right of the Nigerian people to development. Human rights law, like any branch of law should not be used to facilitate or perpetuate the kind of impunity with which successive governments and senior public officials have engaged in corruption, especially because it is the most economically and socially disadvantaged among us that stand to suffer most in cases of large-scale corruption.

Armsgate, large-scale corruption and crimes against humanity: In his comment on the earth shaking revelations oozing out of the EFCC with respect to the armsgate the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole has asked if the money for the procurement of military hardware was appropriated.

Indeed, part of it was appropriated. For instance, former President Jonathan had sought approval to obtain a $1 billion loan to purchase adequate weapons for prosecuting the war on terror in September 2014. The approval was promptly granted by the National Assembly. Based on my involvement in the defence of scores of officers and soldiers charged before the courts-martial for demanding for equipment to fight the dreaded Boko Haram troops I confirmed that the loan was obtained but diverted.

All efforts to convince the members of the military courts that the huge funds earmarked for arms procurement had been stolen fell on deaf ears.

In the circumstance, I wrote to the then Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to demand for an inventory of the arms bought with the $1 billion loan.

In her embarrassing reaction to my request the minister stated that she was not in a position to account for the loan! When I persisted in demanding for transparency and accountability the immediate past chief of defence staff, Air Marshal Alex Barde claimed that the armed forces led by him lacked the equipment to fight the insurgents.

Equipment to fight insurgents The irresponsible statement was belatedly made while the officer was retiring from the military. In his reaction to the statement the then National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki claimed that the equipment ordered by the Jonathan administration had not arrived the country. To divert attention from the satanic conduct of the public officers involved in the shady sharing of blood money two of the courts-martial convicted and sentenced 70 soldiers to death. 12 of the soldiers were convicted for mutiny for protesting the brutal killing of 10 of their ill-equipped colleagues by a band of terrorists.

The remaining 58 refused to advance to the battlefront until they were supplied with adequate arms. But for having the temerity to demand for equipment to fight the well armed and well motivated terrorists the young men were condemned to death. In the case of Nigerian Army v Brig-General Enitan Ransome-Kuti it was disclosed that the defendant had repeatedly requested the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Barde to provide military equipment and demanded that the military camp in Baga be fenced to prevent the Boko Haram sect from invading the town.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015 — 43

Fear grips Nsukka as kidnappers unleash mayhem •Terrorise, abduct motorists at Nsukka-Adani road •Demand N100m ransom

By Chinenyeh Ozor, Nsukka

A

S the Yuletide celebration hots up all over the world, anxiety, confusion and apprehension pervades the University town of Nsukka, Enugu State, and its environs as kidnappers unleash mayhem by terrorising residents and visitors to the town. People in the area now scamper for safety to evade being abducted by the triggerhappy hoodlums mostly made up of Fulani herdsmen and their local accomplices.

South east voice investigations revealed that both the Nigeria police force and the local vigilante groups seem to be helpless in arresting the situation which has gone out of control as the wealthy ones now move on with personal security, leaving others to the mercy of God. Areas worst hit by the terror of kidnappers in the recent past includes; Nsukka- Adani express road, Igbo-Eze North and South and Obollo-Afor areas of the zone. From all indications, effort of the police and vigilante groups to check the rising spate of kidnapping in the area has come to noughts.

This is because, heart- rending stories of victims of the crime are churned out daily while security agencies seem to be helpless over the deteriorating situation. It has gotten to a stage when indigenes of the towns are afraid of returning home for the Christmas and New year festivities.

Numerous checkpoints Just few days ago, along Adani—Nsukka express road which is the most dangerous road in the area, a Lagos-based clearing and forwarding agent who returned home at Adani with his family for a funeral ceremony was ambushed and abducted by yet- to- be identified gunmen.

This is in spite of the numerous checkpoints mounted by both the police and vigilante group along the road. After the ugly incident, the wife of the victim raised alarm which reportedly attracted the policemen at a checkpoint, just a pole to the scene.

The policemen were said to had rushed to the scene but could not pursue the fleeing kidnappers suspected to be Fulani herdsmen. They, rather, kept vigil with the wailing and agonising wife of the victim until a Catholic priest who was alerted by her family came to her assistance around 5pm after which she was taken to Adani police station to formerly lodge

complaint about her husband’s abduction.

It was reliably gathered that her husband spent about five days inside the thick forest with his abductors who threatened to kill him if his family fails to pay a ransom of N100m.

Worst still, South-east voice was informed that all efforts to make the police in the area rescue the abducted agent failed woefully as information passed to them about the whereabouts of the criminals, filtered out to the extent that they nearly eliminated the victim but for the timely intervention of his relatives who quickly raised a reasonable ransom and pacified them.

The victim was released later but with deep matchet cuts all over his body which he attributed to anger displayed by the herdsmen after they received information that his family were in touch with the police to rescue him.

Further investigations showed that Adani police division under whose jurisdiction kidnappers hold sway almost on a daily bases, has about 20 policemen for the entire division where overwhelming number of fulani herdsmen perpetrate various degrees of crime by killing, raping, kidnapping and robbing unsuspecting victims that ply the dilapidated express way. The heavily armed herdsmen and their accomplices are said to reside inside tenths in the thick bush around the surrounding communities of Ugbene-Ajima, Nimbo, Abi, Nkpologu and Adani and they are always at the receiving end of their criminality and brutality.

South east voice reports that the Chairman of Uzo-Uwani local government area, Cornel Onwubuya, had earlier in a town hall meeting at Umulokpa, headquarters of the council,

More shocking is the fact that traditional rulers in various communities in the area helplessly watch their kingdom being overrun by criminals who perpetuate evil unsuspecting victims whose relations and friends struggle to free abducted victim

announced that he pays Adani police division N100,000 monthly for logistics but each time there was a problem, the divisional police officer would say he was on top of the situation, while things continues to go wrong.

Effective performance Hon. Onwubuya was said to had subsequently promised to take over the local vigilante group and equip them with all they needed for effective performance of their duties.

However, it was gathered that he later reneged on his promise and that helped in escalating the atrocities in the area ranging from cultism at even secondary schools, pilfering, burglary, rape at farmlands, robbery and kidnap, yet both police and the local government council claims that the area has been fortified.

More shocking is the fact that traditional rulers in v a r i o u s communities in the area helplessly watch their kingdom being overrun by criminals w h o perpetuate evil to unsuspecting victims whose relations and f r i e n d s struggle to free abducted victim. More saddening is also the fact that police in the area pride themselves of being on top of the ugly situation.

O n December 24th, last year, the sleepy town of Nkpologu Community in the area, was thrown into mourning following news of the death of a young lady on New Year eve, during a F u l a n i herdsmen’s robbery attack on a commuter

•IGP...action urgently

needed

bus along the same road.

The deceased, Veronica Ezugwu, 20, from Agum Village, Nkpologu Community was pronounced dead at Annunciation Hospital, Emene, Enugu. She had sustained several gunshot injuries during the robbery attack on the commuter bus conveying her and three other passengers home for Christmas on December 24, 2014.

The incident occurred at Camp Bus Stop, Nkpologu Community at 12.54pm. According to an eyewitness, three Fulani herdsmen, armed with short pump action double-barrelled guns, sprang from the bush and started shooting at the bus. The bus driver escaped into the bush with gunshot wounds, while the two other passengers sustained minor injuries. An eyewitness said Veronica was hit on the head and eyes with her brain tissues severed.

•CP Enugu, Adamu Abubakar... proper coordination lacking

•Gov. Ifeanyi Uguwanyi... subjects under threat Meanwhile, fear has gripped indigenes of the area residing in different parts of the country and beyond following reports of vicious attacks by criminals on the road. Most of them, according to sources, have vowed not to return home for the festivities pending when the situation will improve. Even those that braved it now seek for security escorts before plying the road. So far, it is difficult to know how the police and other security agencies plan to save the deteriorating situation.

44 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015—45

ASP, 2 other policemen die in gun battle with alleged kidnappers

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— THREE policemen reportedly lost their lives yesterday when they went to foil an attempted kidnapping of the

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Rivers State Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Jerry Needam.

Needam who disclosed this in a statement commended the

Police parade teenager over alleged murder of mother

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO—An 18-year-old boy, Endurance Akpan, who allegedly killed his mother, Mrs. Lovina Akpan, in Idio Nung Iba village, in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom was one of those paraded in connection with murder by the State Command of the Nigeria Police Force in Uyo yesterday.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Cordelia Nwawe, Endurance reportedly killed his mother on arrival in his village from Port

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Harcourt, Rivers State, where he lives with his father.

She added that upon arrival, Endurance ,who is the last child of the eight children, headed straight to his mother room and tricked the woman out , “ he told her that he had something important to discuss with her. As they got to the room where Endurance had tricked her into, he (Endurance) tied his mother ’s hands to her neck with a wrapper and strangulated her to death.

gallantry of the policemen deployed to rescue him during the attempted kidnap and alleged assassination attempt on his life.

He said one of the killed policemen was an Assistant Superintendent, ASP, adding that the policemen engaged the heavily armed assassins in a fierce gun battle for several hours.

Needam accused his political opponents of being behind the alleged attempt on his life.

While expressing gratitude to God for sparing his life, Needam said two of ther policemen and his security guard sustained bullet wounds during the incident and were receiving treatment at a hospital.

A text to the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Muhammad from Vanguard for comment on the issue had not been responded to at press time.

ALL FOR XMAS: Women shopping for Christmas celebration at Mile 1 Market in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Lagos records 23 fire outbreaks in 2 days

L

AGOS—A midnight fire engulfed a bungalow in Ilasamaja area of Lagos yesterday, just as a gas cylinder exploded in Ogba metropolis injuring two persons.

The incidents brought to the fore 23 fire incidents that occurred in Lagos within two days.

The Ilasamaja fire, which was said to have raged for about twenty minutes before the arrival of fire fighters, was said to have been caused by a high voltage.

When Vanguard arrived the scene at about 7am yesterday, the affected occupants were seen bemoaning their fate .

One of the tenants, a businessman simply identified as Okudiri, said he lost N2.5 million cash in the inferno.

He said: “I brought N2.5 million home for business three days ago only for me to return yesterday and discovered that the money and other valuables had been burnt."

46—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Chelsea to snatch Guardiola from City

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HELSEA are hop ing the lure of a London lifestyle could be their trump card as they prepare a massive financial package to beat Manchester City to Pep Guardiola.

Roman Abramovich is refusing to give up on Guardiola - who walked away from a deal to move to Chelsea in 2012 - after he confirmed that he is leaving Bayern Munich.

City are favourites to land the 44-year-old Spaniard, but Chelsea’s billionaire owner is not only willing to make him the world’s highest paid manager but also to fund a massive overhaul of the playing staff.

He is determined to make a statement following the dismissal of Jose Mourinho - the most successful manager in Chelsea history - by landing the biggest name of all.

But they know it will not only be cash that makes the difference and they believe that Guardiola’s wife Cristina Serra has a preference to live in the capital when they leave Munich at the end of his contract with the German club.

Guardiola has already assessed Chelsea’s squad and has indicated that the defending champions, 15th in the

Premier League, will need to sign 10 new players.

Abramovich made a previous attempt to lure the former Barcelona manager to Stamford Bridge during his yearlong sabbatical in New York after quitting the Nou Camp in 2012.

Guardiola had given his word that he would move to Chelsea after they had won the Champions League under Roberto Di Matteo, but he pulled out of the deal when the Italian was sacked.

E

D WOODWARD headed into a meeting at Manchester United’s London HQ yesterday with Louis van Gaal’s job on the line.

The executive vicechairman went into the meeting at 1pm and it finish mid-afternoon.

The club have been tightlipped over Van Gaal’s future since Saturday’s defeat to Norwich City.

Mourinho to sign Sneijder at Man Utd J

Mourinho and Snelder

S

E C U R I T Y surrounding Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal was beefed-up during the home 2-1 defeat by Norwich, when the atmosphere turned threatened to sour.

Fans are growing increasingly unhappy with the Dutchman’s tenure at Old Trafford, as their poor Premier League form continues.

One recognisable face was Angus ‘Statto’

Fabregas

Loughran, who dished out data in cult 90s show Fantasy Football League, and is a season ticket holder at Old Trafford.

Later in the game, extra security staff were seen around Van Gaal and his staff with United losing to strugglers Norwich.

At the final whistle, deafening boos rang around the stadium as fans showed their discontent at the Dutchman and his struggling side.

Fabregas to Madrid ‘not impossible’ EAL Madrid reportedly want to add a central midfielder in the summer and a move for Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas ‘isn’t impossible.’

Fichajes.net claims that the former Barcelona player is on Madrid’s shortlist with extensive changes expected at the C M Y K

Gaal

Bayern eye Higuain

Guardiola

Man United beef up security around Louis van Gaal

R

Man U hold meeting over van Gaal

end of the season, joining club colleague Eden Hazard and Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski as mooted targets.

It’s alleged Fabregas isn’t on good terms with some of his teammates and that could lead to him being open to returning to Spain,

though Fabregas has strenuously denied having any influence in the departure of Jose Mourinho.

Playing for Madrid would be a ‘moral dilemma’ for Cesc, it’s suggested, but Florentino Perez could make the offer to the Catalan ‘irresistible.’

OSE MOURINHO wants to bring Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder to Manchester United if he is appointed the new boss at Old Trafford.

United chiefs have already sounded out the Special One, who was sacked only last week by champions Chelsea.

And Mourinho, 52, believes Holland schemer Sneijder could be the “game-breaker” United need.

The midfield maestro was a key part of Mourinho’s allconquering Inter Milan side that won the Champions League in 2010 as well as the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia.

Sneijder left Inter in January 2013 for £8.4million to move to Turkish giants Galatasaray.

But he is now unhappy at Galatasaray and would be the perfect fit for Mourinho’s Manchester United in every sense – a dressing room acolyte, capable of telling the rest of the squad how good the manager is, and also someone who buys into his work ethic.

Bayern Munich are said to be eyeing Napoli star Gonzalo Higuain if they sell Robert Lewandowski.

Carlo Ancelotti has already been appointed to take over from Pep Guardiola next season on a two-year contract.

Sport 1 in Germany claims Ancelotti has picked the Argentine as the ideal centre-forward for his squad if Lewandowski leaves for the Premier League or Real Madrid.

“Who would I take to my next club? Among the foreigners in Serie A I’d choose Higuain, as he brought Napoli to the top positions with his goals,” Ancelotti recently told Mediaset Premium.

Milan revive Imbula interest

M

Imbula

Higuain

ILAN targeted Gi annelli Imbula over the summer and could revive their interest in the Porto midfielder.

He had been heavily linked with both the Rossoneri and city cousins Inter, but eventually moved from Olympique Marseille to Porto instead.

However, the 23-yearold has struggled for

playing time and could be loaned or sold just six months after the •20m transfer.

Imbula made only 16 appearances in all competition, rarely managing a full match.

Tuttomercatoweb claim Milan are keeping a close eye on the situation and could pounce if as expected Nigel de Jong departs in January.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015 — 47

CHAN: Super Eagles face Angola, Cote d’ Ivoire test

NTF board reaffirms Binga as president

By Ben Efe

N

I G E R I A Ta e k w o n d o Federation has reconfirmed Margaret Elizabeth Binga as president, after George Ashiru was impeached 6-1 on December 12.

According to a statement signed by seven members of the NTF, Mrs Binga, a two time African champion and international referee is the authentic president, while Mr. Ashiru remains a board member.

It stated further that a 33 page document, detailing the events that led to Ashiru’s removal has been sent to the Sports Ministry and the National Sports Commission.

Some of Ashiru’s failings include holding only four board meetings in two and half years instead of the 12 required by the code of governance., not carrying

along board members and shielding financial transactions of the federation from others concerned.

Speaking on the development Mrs. Binga stressed that the board was more interested in seeing Nigeria taekwondo players at the Rio 2016 Olympics as the Ashiru episode is considered settled.

“What happened was just a family matter which will be resolved.

But right now we have the Olympics qualifiers coming up. We have less than seven weeks to the qualifying tournament and that is virtually what we are concentrating on,” said Bingi.

“We will get over the problem. Mr. Ashiru is a nice man, but administratively he isn’t up to the task.” “We are waiting for the NSC. Very soon they will call all of us and put the matter to rest.”

Shearer praises Ighalo

N

EWCASTLE United and England legend Alan Shearer has praised Nigeria international Odion Ighalo for carrying his club Watford in the EPL. Ighalo scored a brace against Liverpool at the weekend to increase his goals’ haul to 12 in the EPL. “Watford too strong, too quick and too good for #LFC today (Sunday) @t_Deeney & Ighalo both superb,” Shearer tweeted. Ighalo scored 20 goals in the English Championship last season to help Watford secure promotion to the Premier League.

Sports minister Continues from BP the young players who had brought glory to the country after winning the African U-23 championship in Senegal and the FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile were being sold out to clubs without the players understanding of the contract they were being made to sign. “It has come to my knowledge that these young players who are the source of our pride in world football are currently being subjected to harassment and manipulation of signing for clubs without them even understanding the content of the contract.

Therefore, I have directed the NFF which has the authority to grant licenses of these C M Y K

players to refrain from endorsing any of these slave transactions without a clear framework that follows the due process required for such contracts”.

The Minister further stated that as custodians of Sports in the country, the Ministry of Youth and Sports will not close its eyes to slave contracts of players without their consent.

“It will amount to moral suicide if we sit and watch the future of these young players not only being traded but also negotiated in the interest and benefit of some selfish agents and football officials. Any of such purported transactions that violate not only laid down procedures but player ’s

S

*Kicking... Nigerian taekwondo great, Chika Chukwumerije during a tournament. He voted for a change in the NTF leadership.

Rio 2016: Siasia dismisses overage players list

N

IGERIA Under-23 coach Samson Siasia said he has no idea of the overage players that will form part of his team to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

This is on the background of speculations that Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa and John Obi Mikel will be in the squad. Siasia who is currently on holidays after the long hard qualification campaign, stated there was no such move to have the players in his team.

He stressed that on his return to the country after the Christmas break, his plan for the Olympics will become much clearer.

“Right now I am away from the country, resting with my family and have not discussed my list with anybody. Yes those players are good and we’ll need the best

UPER Eagles B team will play against Cote d’Ivoire and Angola to boost their readiness for the CAF African Nations Championship starting January 16 in Rwanda.

According to Super Eagles media officer Toyin Ibitoye the warm up matches will be played when the team resumes camping in South Africa.

Angola eliminated South Africa to qualify for the 2016 CHAN. The Eagles are due to set up a training camp in Pretoria early next month before they land in Rwanda for the CHAN. They are drawn in the same group with Tunisia, Niger and Guinea and will play their opening game on January 18 against Nigeria.

Meanwhile the Super Eagles will take two days off to celebrate the Christmas. The Super Eagles have been in Abuja for about a week preparing for the tournament without chief coach Sunday Oliseh who has been ill for something.

*Samson Siasia.. Nigeria U-23 coach three overage we can invite but I have not called Musa, Odion Ighalo or Mikel.

“When I return to the

country then we’ll start out planning for the Olympic Games, but for now there’s nothing on ground.’

Gbolahun Salami...

Eagles B team striker

Serena, Djokovic are ITF 2015 champs S ERENA Williams and Novak Djokovic were named the women’’s and men’’s players of the year 2015 by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) yesterday.

Both won three of the four Grand Slams in 2015 and are well clear in the world

rights to choose will not be recognized, said Dalung”.

The Minister urged agents and players who intend to play elsewhere to get appropriate clearance of which the Sports Ministry will be part of the process. The President of the Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnick has since been communicated on the development.

rankings.

Williams, who was named ‘ITF World Champion’ for the sixth time, won five titles throughout the year, finishing with a 53-3 win-loss record.

After winning Wimbledon in July she also held all four Grand Slam titles at the same time for the second time in her career, which she previously dubbed a ‘Serena Slam’ in contrast to a calendar Grand Slam.

“It means a lot to me to be named the ITF World Champion for the sixth time. I am proud to have achieved my second Serena Slam, in what has been an amazing year for me,” she said in an ITF statement.

Djokovic, who finished the year as men’s number

one for the fourth time, won the award for a fifth time.

He managed a career-best 11 titles and finished with an 82-6 record.

He got even closer to the Grand Slam than Williams, who was beaten in the US Open semi-finals, as he only missed out on a first

Roland Garros crown in the final against Stan Wawrinka.

“My season was the best of my career with many highlights. It inspires me even more to keep on going, and I hope to continue to play at this level in 2016,” he said.

Dancing Time... Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic celebrating their successful run in 2015.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015

Buhari to reward athletes in athletes and the new year reward footballers who excelled

P

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has set a machinery in place to

•Buhari

Man United beef up — security •Guardiola’s wife prefers London around Louis van Gaal — Pg.46

Chelsea to snatch Guardiola from City’s clutches Pg.46

•Van Gaal

•Guardiola and wife

Shearer praises Ighalo — Pg. 47

•Shearer

•Ighalo

in various sporting endeavours accordingly in the New Year. The Minister of Youth and Sports Barr. Solomon Selcap Dalung gave the hint in Abuja yesterday.

The Minister said efforts were being made to ensure that all athletes who excelled in various Sports disciplines from 1985 when the players won the FIFA U-17 World Cup till date.

“Reward for excellence is part of this government’s agenda especially for youths in Nigeria. So we are working hard to offset the backlog of recognition for hard work by our athletes. We are looking at January so that we start the New Year on a clean slate” Barr. Dalung said.

Money man: Abromovich •Guardiola

Sports Minister reads riot out to NFF T

HE Nigeria Football Federation NFF has been barred from selling players of the national U-23 team to clubs in Europe and outside the country without an appropriate developmental framework.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Selcap Dalung gave the directive

yesterday in Abuja after receiving reports that illegal transactions of players took place regularly at the NFF. He warned that International transfer certificates should not be issued without serving the interest of the player.

Barr. Dalung said that it was unfortunate that Continues on Page 47

•Pinnick

•Dalung

QUICK CR OSS WORD CROSS OSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

FRI DAY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Mistake (4) 4 Crowd (3) 6 Ill (4) 8 Thoroughfare (6) 9 Mum (6) 10 Heated (3) 12 Flutter (5) 14 Endured (5) 15 Cheated (5) 18 Plan (6) 20 Emanated (6) 24 Entice (5) 26 Trap (5) 28 Long (5) 30 Damp (3) 32 Fame (6) 33 Crease (6) 35 Faucet (3) 36 Swarthy (4)

DOWN 2 Housey-housey (5) 3 Go first (7) 4 Legend (4) 5 Cream (4) 6 Divide (5) 7 Comfort (7) 11 Individual (3) 12 Owns (3) 13 Spirit (3) 16 Favourable (3) 17 Obscure (3) 19 Admit (7) 21 Agent (3) 22 Checked (5) 23 Fellow (3) 25 Watch (3) 27 Circular (5) 29 Sovereign (5) 30 Departed (4) 31 Excursion (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Pearl 7, Appal 8, Molar Curse 12, Net 13, Dated 15, Elation Eroded 19, Ewe 20, Descend 23, Seer Down 26, Negated 30, Lay 31, Detest Scraped 37, Money 38, Rut 39, Debit Rebel 41, Saver.

10, 17, 25, 34, 40,

DOWN: 1, Spear 2, Paced 3, Eluded 4, Rise 5, Contend 6, Baton 9, Lei 11, Elected 13, Dense 14, Token 16, Awe 18, Delayed 21, Dozen 22, Unity 24, Related 27, Gap 28, Demise 29, Screw 32, Total 33, Sewer 35, Rub 36, Dear.

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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