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VOL. 25: NO. 62700

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Protesters storm Senate, turn heat on Saraki 5

N150

IMF backs FG's efforts at promoting targeted infrastructure 3

$24BN OIL SWAP/OPA DEALS:

They lied against me — DIEZANI

See story on Page 11 $24bn Malabu scam:

Stop maligning me, go and clear your name, Atiku tells Adoke 53

PDP: Sheriff remains party chair 5 SUSPECTED CULTISTS—Suspected cult members paraded by 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday.

Inset: Commander, 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Brig.-Gen. Stevenson Olabanji (L) inspecting weapons seized from the suspected cultists during a press conference on the crises at Yeghe, in Bori and Umuoku in Port Harcourt. Photos: NAN.

South-East students burdened with fees, levies See Inside C M Y K

COLUMNISTS:

$2.1bn arms probe: How Bello, Yuguda diverted N1.5bn, by EFCC•P.12 P.17

TABIA PRINCEWILL

To be young, gifted and Nigerian (but without a future)

P.51

DEAR BUNMI

All she cares for is the sex

P.19

ROTIMI FASAN

Buhari and the impending death of the Naira

Our plans for sports lovers in 2016 — DSTV

42

Mr & Mrs

2—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

We'll rebound oil prices —Buhari, Saudi king As President distances Nigeria from coalition against terrorism

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA— CONCERNED over falling oil prices, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have resolved to work towards rebounding oil prices to better their economies.

Leaders of the two countries, President Muhammadu Buhari and King Salman Bin Abdul-Aziz, made the commitment, yesterday, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during a bilateral meeting.

The leaders agreed that since oil was the main stay of their economies, urgent steps needed to be taken to ensure the stability of the prices.

President Buhari, at the meeting, also revealed that Nigeria was not a member of the Coalition of Islamic States against terrorism which was formed middle of December 2015 by predominantly Islamic states, championed by Saudi Arabia.

Speaking against terrorism, however, President Buhari stated that though Nigeria was not a part of the force, it shared the zeal of the coalition to stamp out the act.

The President, who would be making his first official comment since the formation of the group, said Nigeria was also committed to defeating Boko Haram insurgents.

He said: “Even if we are not a part of it, we support you. I must thank the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the recent creation of a coalition to address the menace of international terrorism. Nigeria will support your efforts in keeping peace and stopping the spread of terror in your region.

"This is in consonance with our own commitment and on-going efforts in seeking to stamp out Boko Haram terrorists from the West African sub-region and Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).”

President Buhari, who was perturbed by the wave of terrorism, called for collective efforts to defeat the social vice.

He said: “International terrorism made a statement by attacking one of the advanced countries by carrying out an attack on Paris in which 130 were killed. Now we have to come together to find a common solution to the problem of terrorism.”

He thanked the Saudi government for its continued support to Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.

On Libya crisis

Lending his voice on the crisis in Libya, President Buhari regretted that the late Libyan leader, Muammar Ghaddafi, recruited, trained and armed citizens of many states in the Sahel region.

He stated that since Ghaddafi’s fall, “these mercenaries have

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returned to their countries, doing nothing but to shoot and kill.”

He cited Burkina Faso and Mali as the main victims but expressed happiness that the countries neighbouring the Lake Chad had tightened their ranks to finish off the Boko Haram threat.

“Luckily, we have cultivated our neighbours. We are now working together against Boko Haram, otherwise the problem would have become worse,” he

said.

The two leaders, however, hoped that the Libyan factions would soon see reason to reunite and restore fully their country to prevent it from having spiral effects.

The leaders also focused on trade between their states and agreed to give fresh impetus to the joint commission previously established in order to boost commercial and other activities to unify their peoples.

A statement from the presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, stated that King Salman, while making his remarks, commended the progress made by Nigeria in combating terrorism and promised to give further support and assistance.

He welcomed the support of the Nigerian government for the new ant-terrorism coalition and implored the President to consider its full membership.

FORUM: From left, Programme Director, Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta, Mr. Dara Akala; Minister of Niger Delta, Mr. Usani Uguru Usani; and Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brigadier-General Paul Boroh (retd), during a forum on the Niger Delta Way Forward from stabilisation to sustainable development, in Abuja.

Naira appreciates to N345/$ as BDCs kick against devaluation

By Babajide Komolafe

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AGOS— THE naira, yesterday, appreciated further to N345 per dollar in the parallel market.

Meanwhile, bureaux de change (BDC) operators have voiced their support for the Federal Government’s position against further devaluation of the naira.

Vanguard investigation reveals that the parallel market exchange rate, which had been on the downward trend since last week, fell further to N345 per dollar at the close of business yesterday from N375 on Monday. BDC operators attributed the continued appreciation to increased supply and sharp decline in demand for foreign exchange.

“People are coming to the market to sell but there is no demand,” said Taiwo Ebenezer, South West Zonal Chairman, and Association of Bureaux de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON).

Speaking at a press conference, yesterday, ABCON President, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, dissociated BDCs from the rapid depreciation of the naira from N265 to N400 in

the parallel market, saying such development was not good for the business of BDCs. He said: “Depreciation of the naira affects the working capital of BDCs and by extension their turnover. BDCs are able to do more business when the exchange rate is stable and relatively close to the official exchange rate.

"Hence, BDCs cannot promote what is injurious to their business. Secondly, BDCs are basically intermediaries. They buy dollars from the public and sell to the public. Our incomes come from the margin between the selling rate and buying rate.

"To this end, BDCs are more interested in turnover than in the exchange rate. We make money from the rate at which we can use our working capital to buy and sell dollars. We make money from the rate at which we can use our working capital to buy and sell dollars.

"Hence, BDCs don’t determine the exchange rate; this is determined by the demand and supply for dollars in the market.

With the intense scarcity of dollar in the market, and increased demand, the foreign exchange market has become a sellers’ market. The rate is largely

determined by the sellers, and not by BDCs, who are mere intermediaries. “ Gwadabe said that was why ABCON supported the position of the Federal Government that there would be no further devaluation of the naira.

He said: “ABCON, hereby, aligns itself with the stance of the President that there would be no further devaluation of the naira. While it is true that the country is experiencing shortage of foreign exchange inflows due to decline in crude oil price, a fall in external reserve, which makes it difficult to accommodate all demand for foreign exchange, the reality is that devaluation of the naira will not solve the problem.

"What we need are policies that will diversify our economy to increase non-oil export earnings, and reduce importation, leading to increased foreign exchange inflow and reduction in demand for foreign exchange.

"Like the President indicated recently, since the only significant thing we export is crude oil, devaluation will do more harm to the economy than good."

23,000 ghost workers: Labour demands joint investigative panel

By Victor Ahiumayoung

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AGOS— FOLLOWING claims by the Minister of Finance that 23,000 ghost workers were discovered in the federal service, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, yesterday called on government to set up a joint investigative panel to establish the authenticity of the claim.

According to the association, the joint panel should comprise labour and officials of the Federal Government.

ASCSN, in a statement signed by its SecretaryGeneral, Alade Bashir Lawal, contended that the joint panel became imperative to prevent innocent civil servants from being thrown out of job.

It said that given the tardiness that characterized the 2016 budget, the ripples of which had not died down, it was reasonable to insist that due diligence be applied on the ghost workers saga.

The association said a few years ago, when a similar alarm was raised about ghost workers in the Federal Civil Service, a thorough investigation was carried out, and at the end the whole thing turned out to be a hoax.

The statement read: “Under normal circumstances, investigation should have been thoroughly carried out to determine the validity of the allegations before coming out with statement about discovery of ghost workers.

"The reason is that by the time a proper inquiry is undertaken and it is discovered that those who are being referred to as ghost workers are genuine employees, a lot of damage would have been done to the system. This is certainly not good enough.

“It is also inconceivable that the mere facts that some civil servants are not captured in the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System, IPPIS, and the recent Bank Verification Number, BVN, an exercise that is still on-going, become ready excuses to rush to the conclusion that thousands of ghost workers exist in the FCS. “It should be made clear that this union has publicly identified with President Muhammadu Buhari’s antigraft war and as such will not condone any illegality or sharp practices on the part of civil servants."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016—3

IMF backs FG efforts at promoting targeted infrastructure in power, others

By Omoh Gabriel

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AGOS — THE International Monetary Fund, IMF, yesterday, said it was supportive of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts at promoting targeted and core infrastructure in power, integrated transport network, housing; reduce business environment costs through greater transparency and accountability, and promote employment of youths and female populations.

It also said that “adopting a sound Petroleum Industry Bill, applying the anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism framework, will help to strengthen the Nigeria regulatory framework for the oil sector."

It also said government emphasis should be sustained on doing “more with less” to improve the efficiency of public sector service delivery and create an enabling environment to attract investment.

The IMF team that visited Nigeria in January 2016 in a statement released, yesterday, in Washington said: “In the light of the significant macroeconomic adjustment that is needed to address the permanent terms-oftrade shock, it will be important for Nigeria to put in place an integrated package of policies centred around: fiscal discipline; reducing external imbalances; further improving efficiency of the banking sector; and fostering strong implementation of structural reforms that will enhance.”

The team led by Gene Leon, said its discussions with government were focused on assessing the economic impact of the sharp decline in oil prices and policies for addressing near-term vulnerabilities, as well as structural reforms to promote sustained inclusive growth and reduce poverty.

According to the statement signed by Mr. Leon, Nigeria’s economic “growth is projected to improve slightly to 3.2 per cent in

2016 but could rebound to 4.9 per cent in 2017, supported by an appropriate policy package that would, for example, enable priority infrastructure investments.

"The general government deficit is projected to widen somewhat before improving in 2017, while the external current account deficit is likely to remain flat at 2.3 percent of GDP.

Growth in credit to the private sector is projected to recover from the slump in 2015, aiding the increase in activity.

“Key risks to the outlook include lower-than-budgeted oil prices, shortfalls in non-oil revenues, a further deterioration in finances of state and local governments, and a resurgence in security concerns.

"Establishing medium-term

CONGRESS: From left, Secretary General, Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization, CTO, Shola Taylor; Minister of Communications, Chief Adebayo Shittu; Chairman, CTO/Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, and Secretary General, African Telecommunications Union, ATU, Mr. Abdoulkarim Soumaila at the ministerial programme of the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday.

Workers shut down PPPRA as two chief executives emerge Say new CEO approves N3.4bn subsidy payment first day in office

By Michael Eboh

A

BUJA — WORKERS of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, under the aegis of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, yesterday, shut down the operations of the PPPRA nationwide over the

appointment of another Acting Executive Secretary of the agency.

The new Acting Executive Secretary, Mrs. Sotonye Iyoyo, a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, was introduced to senior officials of the PPPRA, Monday, as the new chief executive of the agency by the acting permanent

CAN election not do-or-die affair —Dogara Says Nigeria’s future lies with wealth creation

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA —SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said the forthcoming election into the office of National Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, should not be a do-or-die affair.

Dogara, whose admonition was contained in a statement issued by his spokesman, Turaki Hassan, said at the ceremony to declare open the Second Christian Pilgrim Stakeholders Summit organised by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission in Abuja, yesterday,

fiscal policy goals that support fiscal sustainability is a priority.

In particular, measures should be implemented to boost the ratio of non-oil revenue to GDP, including from improvements in revenue administration and broadening of the tax base; rationalize spending; adopt safety nets for the most vulnerable; and foster enhanced accountability and an orderly adjustment of subnational budgets."

that the task before Christian leaders was to build unity of purpose in accordance with teachings of Jesus Christ.

He said: “The body of Christ is not divided, and leadership in the kingdom is not about what you desire to do to God. Election into leadership of the church should never be a door-die affair at all. Let it be that we are yielding our output for God.” Dogara charged all Christians to ensure that they emerged stronger from the election and be united more than ever before.

The speaker further stated that Nigeria could only attain its

dreams and aspiration of being one of the developed countries of the world if it focused on ways of creating wealth.

While calling for wealth creation through youth development, the speaker commended the innovative efforts made by the NCPC to generate funds to sustain its activities, in the light of the Federal Government’s withdrawal of sponsorship of citizens to pilgrimage.

“I also urge other leaders to key into this because the future of our country and our youths lies with wealth creation through skills acquisition," he said.

secretary from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in conjunction with two directors of the ministry.

The workers promised to continue the protest until the Federal Government addresses the issue of who the actual chief executive of the PPPRA is, between Mr. Moses Mbaba, who the immediate past Executive Secretary handed over to last Thursday and Iyoyo.

Speaking in Abuja, Mr. Victor Ononokpono, Chairman, PENGASSAN, PPPRA Branch, alleged that on assumption of office on Monday, Iyoyo immediately approved the payment of N3.4 billion subsidy claims to oil marketers under questionable circumstances, as the payments were due in the second quarter of 2016.

He also called on the antigraft agencies in the country to beam their searchlight on the PPPRA, as according to him, something is amiss.

He blamed the confusion on external forces and entrenched interests who are keen on carrying out some questionable agenda through the PPPRA.

NBA to sanction members who disparage judiciary, officers

By Innocent Anaba

L

AGOS — NATIONAL Executive Committee, NEC, of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has threatened to sanction any lawyer in the country who engages in disparaging the judiciary and judicial officers.

Raising concern over what it said was the worrisome trend of disparaging the judiciary and judicial officers by the political class and other disgruntled persons in the course of the performance of their judicial duties in an attempt to malign, intimidate and infuse fear in them, it said: “NEC resolved that any member of the NBA involved in such unprofessional conduct should be sanctioned.”

In a communiqué at the end of its NEC meeting in Jos, Plateau State, Mr Augustine Alegeh, SAN, President of NBA, said: “NEC restated the independence of the judiciary and called on all the other arms of government to ensure that the independence of the judiciary is maintained and observed at all times.

“NEC resolved that the NBA shall continue to uphold and safeguard the integrity of the judiciary and shall rise to the defence of the judiciary whenever judicial officers are unfairly attacked by the political class and other members of the public.”

On corruption, he said: “NEC restated the support and commitment of the NBA to the zero tolerance for corruption policy of the Federal Government and restated NBA's undertaking to work with the Federal Government and all willing Federal Government agencies in the battle to kill corruption before corruption kills Nigeria."

On the appointment of judges, Alegeh said: “NEC urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to initiate a holistic review of the appointment guidelines to accommodate lawyers as doing so will inject new blood and improve efficiency of the Supreme Court.”

On hike in electricity tariff, he said: “NEC noted the current controversy on electricity pricing and the resolution of the Senate directing NERC to suspend any proposed increase in the electricity tariffs. We urged all concerned parties to amicably resolve the controversy in the interest of all Nigerians."

4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBURARY 24, 2016

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016—5

POCKET CARTOON

PROTESTERS —Members of Open Society and Good Governance Initiative, calling for the resignation of Senate President, Bukola Saraki and opposing planned suspension of Senator Kabiru Marafa from the Senate, at National Assembly gate, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan

Protesters storm Senate, turn heat on Saraki

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA—The e x p e c t e d showdown in the Senate between Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Senate rivals arising from alleged plots to suspend Senator Kabiru Marafa was yesterday twisted by demonstrators who turned the heat on Saraki by clamouring for his resignation.

Though the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics which investigated the alleged acts of misdemeanour by Marafa was laid before the Senate, the contents of the report were not disclosed, leaving the fate of the embattled senator in the balance.

Most senators yesterday opted not to comment on

the issue, pending expected deliberation on the report today. The only show of emotion on the issue arose when the man at the centre of the crisis, Senator Marafa stormed out of the plenary session when it became apparent to him that the report would not be deliberated on.

The committee on Ethics headed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu had earlier submitted the report to the Senate in plenary alongside reports of four other petitions handled by it. While the contents of the other reports were laid bare, the report on Marafa was not read.

Marafa, an outspoken supporter of Saraki’s rival in the leadership contest, Senator Ahmad Lawan, was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics upon allegations by two senators that he violated

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO

D

ON’T wait until tomorrow, what you can get done today. Success does take time, so start early.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus —Alexander Graham Bell

T

HE most complete way of living in the moment is the state of total absorption psychologists call flow. Flow occurs when you’re so engrossed in a task that you lose track of everything else around you. To set the stage for flow, goals need to be clearly defined so that you always know your next step.

You also need to set up task in such a way that you receive direct and immediate feedback; with your successes and failures apparent, you can seamlessly adjust your behavior. A climber on the mountain knows immediately if his foothold is secure; a pianist knows instantly when she’s played the wrong note.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE Rain does not know friend or enemy, it drenches everyone equally.

the integrity of the Senate and senators by endorsing comments by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that the Senate is corrupt. He was also stripped of his position as chairman of the Senate Committee on National Population Commission following allegations that he refused to convene a meeting of the committee.

When approached to speak on the content of the report on, the committee chairman, Senator Anyanwu declined, asking Vanguard to wait till when it would be considered. Vanguard gathered that the report may be considered at today’s plenary where the senator will know his fate.

Group protests against Saraki

Meanwhile, outside the Senate chambers, movement into and out of the National Assembly complex was held up for some time when a group of youths under the aegis of Open Society and Good Governance Initiative, stormed the National Assembly yesterday to protest the planned move to suspend Marafa.

The youths, armed with placards bearing various inscriptions, including “Suspend Saraki , not Marafa,” ‘Saraki leave the Senate and face CCT,‘ ‘No to the planned suspension of Senator Kabiru Marafa” etc, said the suspension of Marafa would portray the Senate as an institution without respect for the laws of the land.

Addressing journalists on their mission, coordinator of the group, Mr. Emeka Ude, said the planned suspension of the lawmaker was antidemocratic and not disciplinary in anyway.

He said the proposed suspension of Marafa would dent the image of the Senate because it is an attempt to prevent free speech among lawmakers.

His words: “Democracy thrives where there is fairness, rule of law, freedom of expression

among others. In a situation where the legislature is foreclosing the democratic space, that is an invitation to fascism.”

He insisted that the freedom of expression of lawmakers should be encouraged so that everybody will express his or her views freely.

He maintained that Senator Saraki should encourage others with contrary views instead of trying to suppress them.

Ude said the group was advocating the suspension of Saraki instead of Marafa because he is the one standing criminal trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

He said by referring the case to the Ethics committee, Saraki had made up his mind to discipline the Zamfara Central Senator.

Many of the protesters who looked like street boys apparently betrayed knowledge of their mission with a couple of the placard carrying youths turning them upside down.

The protesters were, however, stopped at the first entrance, popularly called the National Assembly Security gate and no one addressed them.

Coincidentally, the demonstration happened at the same time Senator Anyanwu was presenting the committee’s report.

My opponents are cowards, says Marafa

Meanwhile, Senator Marafa yesterday accused senators against him as undistinguished and cowards afraid to face him.

Speaking in an interview with Premium Times, an online news medium, he said: “The behaviour of committee members is very undistinguished; they caused the Senate embarrassment by concocting lies against one of their own.

“That’s why I went to plenary today to see how they will pass judgement without hearing me. I deserve to be heard.

Even the Senate President who is facing criminal charges is given right to defend himself.

“They can’t face me; they are afraid. They know the illegalities they have committed. I read the said interview again and I wish to stand by everything I said. I am defending the institution of the Senate,” Mr. Marafa said.

He added that though his lawyers asked him not to attend the hearing because he was challenging the legality of the committees in court, he wanted to attend for two reasons.

“One, I have respect for

the Senate institution to which I belong; so, I want to defend myself and save the Senate from embarrassment. Two, I have respect for the committee because I served in that committee for four years.”

SUF disowns Marafa

Meanwhile, the Senate Unity Forum (SUF), a pro- Ahmad Lawan pressure group which vocally opposed Saraki

during the leadership contest yesterday disowned Marafa, its spokesman, saying he was fighting a personal fight and not that of the group.

The group met after plenary, and at the meeting, members warned Marafa against making further remarks capable of denigrating the Senate and, by extension, the National Assembly as an institution.

PDP: Sheriff remains party chair

By Henry Umoru & Ben Agande

A

BUJA — The new national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, got further entrenched in his position yesterday after critical elders of the party in the Board of Trustees, BoT, recanted on their opposition to his appointment.

It was, however, not total respite for Sheriff as some former PDP ministers at the end of a meeting in Abuja stuck to their guns.

The volte-face, Vanguard learnt followed troubleshooting efforts by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who met with different organs of the party in his house between Monday night and yesterday evening.

Ekweremadu, it was learnt also met with the former ministers led by Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau in his Abuja residence, during which he won a concession for Sheriff not to stay more than three months in office during which he, Sheriff will lead the party to a National Convention where a new executive would be elected. The same approach, it was learnt, was adopted in winning peace with the BoT and the National Assembly caucuses.

Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who addressed journalists at the end of the joint meeting of the party's different organs, said it was agreed that Senator Sheriff and his NWC members should organize a national convention of the party within three months.

He said: “As you can see, we are just from a meeting.

You are all aware of some controversies generated recently because of recent developments in our party. I am happy to let you know that all the major organs in the party - the Governors Forum, National Working Committee, National Assembly Caucus and the Board of Trustees have agreed to stand by our national chairman to ensure that our party moves forward.

“We have put behind us all the controversies in the press in recent times. I want to assure you that we are together as a party.

“We have also mandated the national chairman and the National Working Committee to put in motion immediately the processes of ensuring that within three months, a National Convention of our party is called, and we will brief all our members nationwide within the next two weeks of the timetable in that direction. ’In the next two weeks, the timetable will be out, all culminating in our National Convention within three months,” he said.

On the insistence of former PDP Ministers that Senator Sheriff was not acceptable to them, Governor Mimiko said the position taken by the BOT, NASS Caucus and the NWC was representative of the position of members of the PDP Ministers Forum.

6 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 24 , 2015

AwolowoDosunmu challenges Nigerians over dwindling economy

By Ediri Ejoh & Iloaze Blessed-Odidi

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AGOS—THE Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, OAF, yesterday, reiterated the need for all to work together towards fixing the economy.

The call was made at the unveiling of the Obafemi Awolowo’s birthday commemorative celebration and its one-day symposium, themed, ‘Awo, Then and Now: Politics, Economics, and Education’ scheduled to hold on Thursday, March 3, this year.

The Executive Director, OAF, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, said; “Despite the downturn in global economic recession affecting the country which could have prompted the foundation to turn its back to this type of call, it still finds means to bring smile to the faces of the youths in Lagos State.

“Government alone cannot carry the burden of sport development in this country; hence the decision

by OAF to contribute its own quota in sponsoring the U-10 Boys and U-15 Girls football competition.

LCCI tasks Lagos over multiple taxation

By Ebun Sessou

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RESIDENT of the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Dr. Nike Akande yesterday urged the state government to partner with the Federal Government to address the issue of multiple taxation and traffic congestion to aid economic development of the state.

Akande who made the appeal during a courtesy call on the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa maintained that Lagos being the home for all, and commercial capital of Nigeria cannot but show the lead by tackling the menace of multiplicity of taxes, challenges associated with certificate of occupancy, tenancy related issues, waste disposal and traffic congestion among others.

CRIME: LASG building nation’s first DNA forensics laboratory

By Sola Ogundipe, Evelyn which is a unique forensic technique now being used all over Usman, Olasunkanmi the world.

Akoni & Monsurs Currently, there is no forensic Olowoopejo

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AGOS—THE Lagos State government is establishing the first high-powered Deoxyribonucleic Acid or DNA Forensic Laboratory in Nigeria to take off within the next six to 12 months.

The lab, which is to be known as the Lagos State DNA Forensics Centre, LSDFC, will fulfil an unmet need for DNA profiling

laboratory in the country and cases of mysterious deaths, murders, robberies, kidnappings and other high-level crimes requiring forensic tests and investigations have either gone unresolved or are referred to foreign countries.

The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, who disclosed this yesterday, said establishment of the Centre was in furtherance of the

commitment of the Lagos State Government to the criminal justice sector reforms and its resolve towards fighting all forms of criminality.

Kazeem, said the facility, which would be of international standard, would be driven by the Ministry of Justice with active support of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, and will focus on DNA analysis to support the justice sector in diverse areas such as “collection and preserving reference and evidential DNA which can later be used in identifying criminals; decoding familial relationships of individuals which could also be a tool for the judicial system; and

WORKSHOP: From right, Commissioner/CEO, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB)Dr. Felix Abali, Special Assistant (Technical) to the Minister of State for Aviation, representing the Minister of Aviation, Capt. Musa Nurudeen and President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Mr. Gbenga Olowo at a Stakeholders Workshop on Proposed Amendment to Accident Investigation Regulations by AIB held at Ikeja, Lagos.

identifying victims and remains after natural and man-made calamities.”

“DNA profiling is an extraction of DNA from body fluids, semen, nails, hair and other DNA generic sources.

The Centre would greatly help to controvert evidence of alibi and confirm physical presence of suspects at the scene of a crime and the origin of DNA to such suspects.

“Even though the role of DNA in forensics, law enforcement and the justice sector is well known globally, a high-powered DNA analysis centre is not available in Nigeria. This means that most, if not all the DNA testing needs are performed outside Nigeria, a situation that leads to longer turnaround times and an overall higher cost of bringing closure to investigation and prosecution of crimes,” Kazeem stated Further, he said when operational, the proposed Centre will serve the DNA needs of the state, members of the public, other states and neighbouring countries, while all stakeholders including security agencies would benefit from it.

On the areas of focus, Kazeem said the Centre would be deployed for criminal investigation to identify criminals with incredible accuracy and exonerate suspects mistakenly accused or convicted of crimes.

NIMASA PROBE: I got N29m contract not bidded for – WITNESS

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS—AN Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Safety and Administration Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Patrick Akpolobokemi, Mr Uchenna Emenalo, yesterday, told a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, that he was paid the sum of N29 million by NIMASA for a contract he did not bid for.

Akpolobokemi is standing trial alongside six others on 22 counts charge of alleged conversion and theft of N2.6 billion.

Charged alongside Akpobolokemi are Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, and three companies, namely Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.

Uchenna, who made the revelation while being cross examined by Mr. Sheni Adio, lawyer to the fourth accused person in the matter, added that all he got as his share of the money was N600, 000, which he used for logistic anytime he comes to Lagos, as

he resides in Owerri, Imo State.

The witness while being cross examined by the lawyers to the accused persons led by Dr. Joseph Nwobike, SAN, insisted that he did not write any letter for contract to NIMASA, and the company’s details which included the account details were sent to the third accused person through text message.

He also insisted that his brother ’s company was not

security services company, and that he informed the third accused of it but he told him that he will register it as Registered Security Organisation, RSO. When asked by Mr. E. Onyeke, lawyer to the second accused person, if he gave his email to EFCC during interrogation, he said he was not asked of his email.

Uchenna, the sixth EFCC witness, had earlier told the court while being led in evidence that by the

EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, that he got the NIMASA contract through the third accused person, Ekene Nwakuche, who was his classmate at University.

He had informed the court that when he heard that his friend (third accused) had secured a job with NIMASA, he called and told him that he should remember him whenever there was job.

AIB boss calls for patience during investigation

By Lawani Mikairu & Daniel Eteghe

L

A G O S — T H E Commissioner of Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, Dr. Felix Abali yesterday called on the public to show some understanding and patience during air accident investigations to enable the Bureau come out with a comprehensive and dispassionate report.

Abali made the call yesterday during his welcome address at the stakeholders forum on draft amendment to AIB regulations in Lagos.

According to the AIB Boss, “There are also statutory processes to be engaged before reports are released to the public. All these take time. It is therefore important to appeal to the public and concerned citizens to please show some understanding and patience during air mishaps.

“It may also be apt to enjoin some people who always try to preempt accident investigations to apply the brake and allow AIB to do its job.”

He revealed that the purpose of the ongoing amendment of the current regulations is to make the document more robust,

transparent and all inclusive.

He insisted that review of the operating document of any organisation that is serious about growth and progress is important, stressing that the agency ’s experience in Nigeria and in the globe had made it imperative for the current regulations, which came on board on November 11, 2006 to be reviewed.

He further explained that Nigeria as a country could not operate in isolation, stressing that it was necessary for it to align itself with happenings in the global aviation industry.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016 — 7

SYNAGOGUE: S’African minors sue TB Joshua over father’s death

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—TWO South African minors, three-yearold Bulungu Malaika Wa Kalambaie and 6-year-old Nora Furah Wa Kalambaie yesterday dragged Pastor Temitope Joshua of Synagogue Church of All Nation SCOAN before a Lagos High Court, sitting at Igbosere asking the court for an order directing him to pay them the sum of R 8,772,000. (Eight million, seven hundred and seventy two South Africa Rand), as cost and

damages for the death of their father.

The claimants’ mother, Amina Busseh Bashi, a citizen of Democratic Republic of Congo, through their lawyer, Bolaji Ayorinde SAN, specifically urged the court to order Pastor temitope Joshua, the Registered Trustees of Synagogue Church of All Nations, Jadny Trust Limited, Hardrock Construction and Engineering Company, Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun to pay the sum of R10,000,000 (ten million) as

damages for lost earnings and support suffered by them from the deceased person’s company due to the negligent acts of the church and Pastor Joshua.

They also asked the court for an order directing the defendants to pay the claimants the sum of N30 million being the legal cost and solicitors fee incurred by the claimants in prosecuting this action.

Also joined as co- defendants are Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos state Ministry of Physical

BRIEFING: The Chairman, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria National Task Force on Laboratory/IVDS Inspection, Dr Lawrena Okoro briefing the press on activities of the Task Force in Lagos yesterday. With her were Mrs Olufunke Omotuyi, Director Education, and Alhaji Mosunmade Azeez, Director, Practitioners Regulations & Discipline. Photo by Biodun Ogunleye

Planning and Urban Development.

The claimants further asked the court for an order declaring that Pastor Temitope Joshua and his Church, Synagogue of All Nation, SCOAN, were negligent in their duties in failing to ensure that lives and properties of persons that come within their domain were safe and secured, and are consequently bound to bear their cost of living from September 12, 2014 to September 11, 2015 when the deceased husband was meant to reach the age of 70 and would naturally be unable to financially cater for them.

They are also seeking for an order declaring that the failure of the Lagos state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to properly regulate and ensure that the Registered Trustees of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations and Pastor Temitope Joshua’s building being used as guest house and located within the premises of the church was fit for habitation is negligent; which said negligence led to the fatal collapse of the building used as guest house and located within the premises of the church killing scores of people including the said Kalambaie Wa Kalambaie, that is the claimants’ deceased father/ husband.

However the defendants are yet to file any processes in court and the matter is yet to be assigned to any Judge.

ONDO AT 40: Mimiko lists advantages of mega-schools

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE—ONDO State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko yesterday said that the Mega Primary Schools Initiative introduced by his administration in the State was a promise fulfilled.

He pointed out that his administration made a concerted effort to break the traditional jinx of lopsidedness in access to qualitative education between the children of the rich and the poor.

He said this at the inauguration of Caring Heart Mega Primary School, Fagbo, in Ondo East Local Government Area.

It was part of activities outlined for the 40th anniversary of the creation of Ondo State and the 7th year anniversary of his administration.

Dr Mimiko said that before his intervention, the children of the poor had to make do with the public schools, while the children of the rich received early education in cosy environment and as such creating a man - made disparity and discrimination he opined, is almost worse than the apartheid situation in the South Africa of old.

Rickey Tarfa denies credited account belongs to a Judge

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS lawyer, Mr Rickey Tarfa, SAN, who initiated a N2.5billion fundamental rights suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in which he is challenging his arrest and detention, as well the seizure of

his phone and car, has told a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, that the N225,000 allegedly paid into Justice Mohammed Yunusa of a Federal High Court, Lagos, was a lie, as the said money was paid into the account of a former staff of the chambers, Mohammed Awwal Yunusa.

Ekiti Obas support Fayose against Tope Aluko

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

A

DO EKITI—THE Ekiti Council of Traditional rulers, yesterday denied having any disagreement with Governor Ayodele Fayose over the face-off between him and his estranged political ally and former Secretary of the People Democratic Party, Dr Tope Aluko, over the conduct of the June 21, 2014 governorship poll.

The monarchs said those peddling the disagreement rumour were not only trying to pit them against the governor but

cause unnecessary disaffection capable of breaching the existing peace being enjoyed in the state.

They said Fayose had not at any time lobbied nor compelled them to write a communiqué condemning Aluko over his confession that the last Ekiti governorship election, which brought about the defeat of former governor Kayode Fayemi was rigged by military personnel.

Aluko, had while testifying before Major Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade-led military tribunal , which investigated involvement of military

In an affidavit of urgency deposed to by Head of Chambers, Rickey Tarfa SAN and Co., Mr. Segun Odubela, he averred that a former staff of the chambers, Mohammed Awwal Yunusa, an indigene of Kogi State was the owner of the Access bank account the EFCC had earlier averred belonged to Justice Yunusa, where its alleged a sum of N225,000 was paid in by Rickey Tarfa as bribe.

Mr. Odubela averred that Mohammed Yunusa was following the case of his former employer through media outlets where he immediately noticed that the account No. 0060351694 referred to in the counter affidavit as filed by EFCC in response to the substantive suit was his account number.

Mohammed Awwal Yunusa in his own deposition, averred that he recalled that a Rickey Tarfa’s Access bank counter cheque No. 00002065 dated January 7, 2014 for N225,000 was issued to him and he was paid as he collected the value in his Access bank account No 0060351694 held in his name, Mohammed Awwal Yunusa.

SALARIES: Osun workers reject Aregbesola’s demand for BVN

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—CIVIL servants in Osun State have rejected the demand for their Bank Verification Number(BVN) by the state government.

The State government had directed workers through a circular to submit the printout of their Bank Verification Number among others.

But in a statement by Osun State Joint Public Service Negotiating Council yesterday, the labour unions in the state said the demand for BVN had subjected workers to stressful conditions in their various banks.

The statement which was signed

by Chairman of NLC, Mr Jacob Adekomi and three others stated that the BVN was exclusive and personal to its owner and that the state government has no right to it.

The statement added that it was agreed that issues bordering on workers welfare especially salary

related matter should be discussed with labour. adding that labour was in the dark on the purpose or reasons for the submission of the document.

According to the workers, another round of “cleaning of payrolls” of the state and local government in the state at a time like this was inauspicious.

Besides, the workers noted that their decision to jettison the directive was justified when the report of previous cleaning exercise has not been released to the leadership of labour.

The labour unions in the state demanded an urgent meeting with the state government over the matter and directed the workers to disregard the circular mandating them to provide their BVN until the issue is resolved with the state Government.

In his reaction, Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s spokesperson, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon justified the decision of the state government to have the BVN of its workers.

8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBURARY 24, 2016

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016 — 9

10—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

7 cult members arrested during initiation in Edo

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—NO fewer than seven suspected members of Black Axe, a secret cult group, have been apprehended by security agencies at Emuhi community, a suburb of the university town of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State.

Vanguard learned that the suspects were arrested by a combined team of military, police and civilian anti-cult group, while initiating new members into the cult.

Following a tip-off, the security agents had mobilised and sensing the presence of security agents, the cult members began firing gunshots.

Seven of them were arrested, while many others escaped with bullet wounds, abandoning their charms, regalia, initiation concoction, cut-to-size guns among others.

It was gathered that three of those arrested were from higher institutions in Lagos, Imo and Auchi.

Delta vigilante member escapes robbery

UCH writes off Ibadan quintuplets' bill

By Ola Ajayi

I

BADAN—RELIEF came to the parents of the Ibadan quintuplets as the management of the University College Hospital, UCH, has waived all incurred bills.

The cheering news was made known by the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Deji Bobade, who said the Chief Medical Director of the teaching hospital, Professor

O

incurred by the five babies and their mum.”

When asked what prompted the action, Mr. Bobade explained that the management took the step when it discovered the economic situation of the family.

He said: “In our clime, it is not common to have five babies at once. It now behoves the hospital to give him a waiver and that includes investigation, tests, surgery and other costs

DONATION: Widows from seven local government areas affected by Boko Haram in Adamawa State, receiving grinding machines, foodstuffs and other items donated by Adventist Development and Relief Agency, ADRA, an Abuja-based non-governmental organisation, in Mubi, Adamawa State, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

Kano village head rapes, infects 13-yr-old girl with HIV

By Ochuko Akuopha LEH—POLICE in Delta State have foiled an armed robbery attempt on one Mr. John Usoro, a member of the Ozoro vigilante team, Isoko North Local Government Area, recovering a locally-made pistol and live cartridge.

This came as five suspected cultists were arrested at different locations in Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of the state.

Police Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Celestina Kalu, who made the disclosure, said some unidentified hoodlums had attempted to break into Usoro’s residence at Mission Road Ozoro at 5.15a.m., saying “the victim alerted a police patrol team in the area.

“The patrol men rushed to the scene, where the hoodlums, on sighting the policemen, took to their heels and abandoned one locally-made pistol and a live cartridge.”

Temitope Alonge, had approved the waiver.

The babies’ father, Alfa Yussuf Rasaq, and his wife, Shakirat, will not have to pay for drugs, investigations, tests, surgery and all the facilities used for their babies throughout their admission in the hospital.

Bobade told Vanguard yesterday: “As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, UCH, Ibadan management, waived the total hospital bill

By AbdulSalam Muhammad

K

ANO—THERE was anger in Kano yesterday, as residents got to know about the infection of a 13-year-old girl with HIV after being raped by the Village Head of Goron Maje, Dambatta Local Government Area of the state.

Vanguard learned that when the victim’s suitor requested for a HIV test as a wedding prerequisite, she was confirmed positive.

The suitor called off the wedding and the matter was brought to the public domain when the girl’s parents lodged a formal complaint before Kano Emirate Council.

The Village Head, who is believed to be in his early 60s, allegedly lured the 13 years old to a corner shop attached to his residence some months ago and raped her.

Security sources in Kano said the teenager confirmed to her parents how she lost her virginity to the village head some months back in a violent encounter, adding that the

village head threatened to kill her if she told anyone.

Kano Emirate Council intervenes

Meanwhile, the Kano Emirate Council, through Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, has announced the suspension of the village head to pave way for a full investigation.

Alhaji Sanusi, while announcing the suspension, however, explained that the

action by the council was sequel to “a formal complaint lodged by the parents of the teenager.”

He said: “We have commenced a formal investigation to ascertain the culpability of the traditional title holder to enable the palace apply appropriate punishment.”

Security sources confirmed that the high profile suspect has been taken into custody by Hisba officials, who are yet to hand him over to the police.

incurred.

“We have told them to compile all the receipts issued to them so that the hospital can make refund. In addition, the waiver also covers all other tests and investigations that will be done throughout their stay in the hospital.”

Rasaq rejoices

The father said: “Thanks to the management of this hospital. The doctors and other medical personnel have been so wonderful. I thank God we came to this hospital. Before now, I was afraid. But now, I can heave a sigh of relief. I thank God for all these gestures of the management and other Nigerians.”

Despite the goodwill of well meaning Nigerians, the father of the babies said he still entertains fear of what happens when the babies leave the hospital.

He said: “What becomes of these children after leaving the hospital? We live in a one room apartment at 23, Akeem Street, Ijokodo, Ibadan. It is difficult for me to realise N500 per day with the type of work I do. How will I feed seven babies three times a day?”

He said he would be prepared to go into business if he has the money.

‘How the babies came’

Speaking on how the babies were conceived, the Quranic teacher said: “After two children, I told my wife that we had to plan our family. I told her we have to pause and when we are financially okay, we will have more.

“She went for family planning.

After three months, we decided to have another baby. But, there was no pregnancy for about a year. She started visiting a private hospital at Apete, Ibadan.

“After sometime, something unusual started happening to my wife. Normally, she does not spit during pregnancy. She suddenly started spitting and we later confirmed that she was conceived of five babies. I did not believe it at first. Now, here we are now.”

Pensioner dies during screening in Benin

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—A pensioner, identified as Sunday Oboite, slumped and died, yesterday, during screening of pensioners of Oredo Local Government in Edo State.

The pensioner slumped at the reception of the council secretariat after taking Viju milk and water, provided by a good Samaritan when he complained of hunger for several hours.

His death caused pandemonium among the

council workers as they crowded the reception to catch a glimpse of his corpse.

The 75 years old Oboite reportedly worked in the works department of the council before he retired.

The council had directed that the pensioners come for screening before they would be paid their 10 months pension arrears.

Vanguard gathered that when the pensioners presented themselves for screening at 8a.m., they were asked to go to

Urhokpota Hall, which is about 100 meters away.

However, the late pensioner was unable to go with his colleagues but chose to wait at the reception due to hunger.

Secretary of Oredo Pensioners Association, James Erhunmense, said Oboite came to the screening venue alone and complained of not having any money to buy food and drugs.

He slumped at 1:20p.m. and doctors at the council confirmed him dead. But by 3p.m., his corpse was yet to be removed.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016 —11

$24bn OIL SWAP/OPA DEALS: They lied against me—Diezani

By Clara Nwachukwu

F

ORMER Minister for Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has described the narratives of her former group managing directors, GMDs, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, with regard to the ongoing legislative probe of the oil swap and OPA deals as fabricated tissues of lies.

The embattled former minister’s denial comes as she strongly refuted claims that she approved $24 billion for Renewal of the Crude Oil/ Refined Products Exchange Agreement, otherwise called oil swap deals without contracts.

From the inception of the deal in 2009, Federal Government was meant to realise about $1.82 million per 60,000 barrels per day, bpd, against the then losses of $1.47 million being recorded by the corporation.

It is uncertain if all the proceeds from the deal were remitted to the federation account.

During their appearances before the legislators last week, Mr. Austin Oniwon, who was GMD, NNPC, from May 17, 2010 to June 12, 2012, and Mr. Andrew Yakubu, June 12, 2012, to August 2, 2014, said AlisonMadueke had granted them approvals for contracts extension.

In a statement meant to set the records straight yesterday, she rejected some newspaper and online reports, which claimed that she granted an “extension” instead of ‘Approval for the Renewal of Contracts’ for the swap arrangements.

Alison-Madueke, who is currently undergoing extensive cancer treatment in London, was quoted as describing the latest attack as “fabricated tissues of lies deviously concocted to sustain the escalating evil narratives against her person.”

Contracts approvals

The embattled former minister, who spoke through her spokesman, Mr. Clem Aguiyi, recalled that she gave the

following approvals for renewal of contract: one-year term each for both Messrs Trafigura Beheer BV, and Messrs Societe Ivoirienne de Raffinage (SIR), in August 2010; two-year term in August 2011 for the same companies, and one-year term to NNPC subsidiary, Duke Oil, in January 2011.

She added: “Two other approvals were consequently sought by the GMD, NNPC, the first of these on August 29, 2014, seeking to ratify all three aforementioned approvals, which had apparently variously expired during the course of 2013.”

She said she approved all three “in view of the criticality of the situation. Expiry of those terms was put at December 31, 2014, following assurances to the minister that the contractual obligations of the parties to NNPC had, in fact, been fully met, despite the regrettable lapse in renewal time.”

In her narrative, the lapses in expiration to renewal dates were put at seven months for Duke Oil, 10 for SIR, and 12 months for Trafigura.

OPA approvals

Furthermore, A l i s o n M a d u e k e recalled that she had given fresh approvals for Offshore Processing Agreements, OPA, on October 28, 2014, following t h e recommendation

of the then Group Managing Director, GMD, NNPC. The approvals included a new term of two years commencing from January 1, 2015, for Sahara Energy Resources Ltd; Aiteo Energy and Duke Oil. According to her, “NNPC strongly recommended and outlined the benefits of the OPA over the swaps and put forward the case for migration from the OPA and crude exchange (SWAP) contracts to OPAs fully.

“NNPC posited that the ‘experienced benefits of the OPA to the Federation’ would be much greater. All approvals were due process-driven and were only given by the Minister, following formal statutory written requests, which contained the technical basis for the renewal and were sent to the Minister by the GMD-NNPC, as is the normal practice.

“NNPC had clearly requested for the approval of the Minister for ‘Renewal of the Crude Oil Refined Products Exchange Agreement’ and ‘Renewal of Offshore Processing Agreement’ on all the various occasions outlined earlier in this press release.”

Her spokesman further noted that “ whereas, it is the Minister ’s responsibility to either give or refuse ‘approval’, it was not within her purview as Minister to draft, initiate or conclude the processes of signing the final contracts.

“It is the statutory responsibility of NNPC to ensure that all technical areas are duly covered and all requisite due process parameters are duly implemented.”

Abia monarch assassinated

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

A

BA—UNIDENTIFIED gunmen, yesterday, killed Eze James Nwabeke, the traditional ruler of Ikeala Ahiaba autonomous community in Obingwa council area of Abia State at his residence.

Vanguard gathered that the body of the late monarch was mutilated, while his wife and daughter in-law were also attacked with machete.

When Vanguard visited the community, the women were still bleeding from the injuries.

Though the reason for the attack was yet to be ascertained, it was gathered that the late monarch was preparing for his coronation.

A resident of the community told Vanguard that the incident occurred in the early hours of the day when they were awakened to disturbances in the neighbourhood and discovered that the monarch had been killed.

According to the resident, “Eze Nwabeke was easygoing and a peace-loving man, who had contributed immensely to the development of this community. We wonder why someone will go to the extent of killing him.”

Spy police nabbed over false promotion signals

By Esther Onyegbula

T

HE Lagos State Police Command has arrested, Felix Igba, a spy police officer, who forges promotion letters for his colleagues, making them believe that the letter originated from the office of the Commissioner of Police.

It was learned that sometime in October 2015, ACP Oloruntola, attached to SCIID Panti, Yaba, reported rampant circulation of promotion signals originating from the CP’s office bearing his name and signature.

Vanguard gathered that the signal, which allegedly emanated from the Force Welfare Department, was signed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police with the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, SCIID. It was later discovered that Felix Igba, a Supernumerary (SPY) Police Inspector, issued forged promotion signals to some of his colleagues, after collecting N30,000 from each SPY policeman for the promotion signals.

Disturbed by the wide circulation of the signals, the Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Owoseni, ordered an investigation, leading to Igba’s arrest.

On interrogation, he allegedly confessed to collecting N30,000 from each officer, which he thereafter remitted to one Supol Africa, allegedly serving at the Force Headquarters Annex.

However, he could neither say the whereabouts of Supol Africa nor explain how he obtained the police rank and badge he was wearing, which he is not entitled to.

Felix Igba

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

$2.1bn arms probe: How Bello, Yuguda diverted N1.5bn, EFCC tells court

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA—TRIAL of the former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Haliru Bello, continued yesterday, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, exposing how the defendant allegedly diverted public funds into a company he bequeathed to his son, Abba.

The anti-graft agency which is prosecuting the former PDP boss and his son before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, said the defendants siphoned the funds with the help of the erstwhile National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), and a former Minister of Finance (State), Bashir Yuguda.

Whereas Dasuki was said to have approved the transfer of N300 million from an account the Office of the NSA, ONSA, operated with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, into the account of Abba’s company, Bam Projects and Properties Limited, 11 days to the 2015 presidential election,

Yuguda, on the other hand, allegedly authorised the release of over N1.5 billion to a Bureau de Change operator identified as Ja’mal Halal.

Both Dasuki and Yuguda are currently facing a separate charge before an Abuja High Court over their alleged involvement in the illegal diversion of N13.6 billion from public coffers.

At the resumed trial of Bello and his son yesterday, an investigative officer with the EFCC, Mrs. Rouqayya Ibrahim, told the court that the CBN, on March 4, 2015, transferred N30 billion into ONSA's account.

She said the payment was made from the statutory stabilization and residual account on the instruction of the then Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, adding that out of the sum, Bam Project and Properties Limited, got N300 million under the guise that it was payment for the construction of “safe houses”.

The witness, who was led in evidence by EFCC lawyer, Mr.

Delta police arrest 10 suspected oil thieves, vessel

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI—POLICE in Delta State have taken custody of 10 suspects and a sea going vessel, MT Eyuwa, allegedly caught stealing 470, 000 litres of crude oil in the state's waterways, promising speedy trial for the suspects.

Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, said: “From the statement of ONSA account, N30 billion was paid on March 11, 2015, by the AGF to the ONSA and on March 17, N300 million was paid out of

The suspects and ship arrested by men of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Delta on December 14, 2015, around the Forcados Terminal, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, were handed over to the state Police Commissioner, Usman Alkali, at the Warri Naval Base.

A

S A B A — D E LT A State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday, commended the people of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of the state for the successful emergence of HRM Chukwuka Akaeze I as the Obi of the kingdom.

Okowa spoke when the young monarch, accompanied by the Chairman of the council, Chief Isaac Anwuzia, the Regent, Prince Anthony Ofulue, relatives and palace chiefs paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Asaba.

Okowa, who condemned the manner in which the immediate past monarch, HRM Edward Ofulue III, passed on, said that the successful emergence of HRM Akaeze I was a

signal that Ubulu-Uku Kingdom was on the path of progress.

Noting that the Obi was still in school, a situation which prompted the appointment of a Regent, Okowa said that the state government would give him, members of his family and his kingdom all the necessary support to move on.

He, however, advised the Obi to be conscious of the fact that his people and members of his kingdom were waiting for his return to apply his experience in leading them.

He said: “We want to encourage you to know that as you study, you have your people back home and that you are the custodian of their culture and customs as their royal father. We hope that soon, you will be through with your education and you will bring your experience to bear in the

of Bam Projects’ Sterling Bank account revealed that the account received a total of N300 million in two tranches of 150 million each on February 27, 2015.

VISIT: Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State (left) welcoming the newly crowned traditional ruler of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom, HRM Obi Chukwuka Akaeze I, when the monarch visited the governor in Asaba, yesterday. Photo: Henry Unini.

Okowa hails emergence of young monarch in Delta

By Festus Ahon

the N30 billion to ONSA account.

“When we requested for the details of the transaction, it was revealed that Bam Project and Properties Limited, received N300 million from ONSA. The analysis

administration of your kingdom.”

Okowa assured the people of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom that those who were involved in the murder of Obi Ofulue III would be made to face the law, adding that some arrests had been made while security agencies were on the trail of others yet to be arrested.

Obi Chukwuka Akaeze I, who spoke earlier, thanked Governor Okowa, the government and people of the state for their show of love during the trying times of his kingdom.

The monarch sued for continuous support of the people to enable him succeed as the Obi of Ubulu-Uku. It will be recalled that HRM Obi Ofulue III was kidnapped and murdered by suspected Fulani herdsmen on January 5.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016—13

Four feared dead in Army, militants clash in Rivers

Wike urges Gokhana, Khana LG residents to support military operation

By Jimitota Onoyume & Davies Iheamnachor

P

ORT HARCOURT— FOUR persons were feared dead, yesterday, in Bori, headquarters of Gokhana Local Government Area, Rivers State, as soldiers allegedly engaged loyalists of an exmilitant leader in a shootout.

Some students of the state- owned Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, who spoke to Vanguard on phone said that they were trapped in their rooms at press time as they could not find vehicles at the motor park in Bori to convey them to their various destinations.

The students, who did not want their names in print, said that they went for lectures but were told it was a lecture free day.

“We were told there would be no lectures from Monday till further notice.

We are sure they don’t want to announce closure for now, they are studying the situation,” one of the students said.

Vanguard gathered that motor parks, markets and major stores in the area were shut down because of the tension in the town.

Community sources who also spoke to Vanguard said that they saw five corpses on Taabaa Street, stressing that people in the area were living in fear.

Meanwhile, Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People and the Civil Liberties Organisation, have condemned the military operation in Bori, saying that it had led to loss of innocent lives in some communities in the area.

Publicity Secretary, MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke, in a statement yesterday, said that the military invasion of Yeghe community on Monday resulted in the death of three persons, adding that some others sustained gunshot injuries.

He said: “We are outraged and condemn in strong terms the invasion of Ogoni communities by the Nigerian military and demand from government the immediate withdrawal of the invading soldiers.”

CLO, on its part, demanded an investigation into allegations against some politicians who were

fingered to have masterminded the invasion of the homes of an exmilitant and occupation of Ogoniland because they allegedly refused to be used as tools during the rerun election.

However, Governor Nyesom Wike has appealed to those who fled Gokhana and Khana Local Government Areas in the wake of the military operations in communities in the councils to come back.

The governor, in a statement by his media aide, yesterday, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, said that the heavy presence of soldiers in the councils was mainly to ensure maintenance of law and order, pleading that residents should cooperate with the security men.

It will be recalled that soldiers stormed the residence of a former militant leader in Yeghe community, an action that provoked a clash between soldiers and supporters of the ex-militant leader.

According to Bori community sources, supporters of the exmilitant leader were chased to Bori by soldiers, yesterday morning and there was alleged exchange of fire.

“Soldiers have taken over the whole of Bori. They are everywhere,” said Barine Joyce, a resident in the area.

It will be recalled that

soldiers allegedly raided the residence of the exmilitant leader, Ndigbara, in Yeghe on Monday.

The ex-militant leader, in a statement, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, accused Senator Magnus Abe of sponsoring the military operation.

He said that the soldiers razed his house and killed two persons in his compound.

Saying that his life was under threat, the exmilitant leader alleged that some politicians were using soldiers to harass him because he allegedly declined to join the All Progressives Congress, APC. But Senator Abe has denied sponsoring the military operation, as he called on his supporters to remain calm.

Senator Abe, who spoke through his media aide, Mr Parry Benson, appealed to his supporters to remain calm, saying that they should not retaliate the burning of his campaign office in Bori.

There were rumours that the army lost three soldiers during the operation but this they denied.

Commander 2 Brigade, Major General Olabanji Stephenson denied allegation that the military operation was influenced

by Senator Abe, stressing that it was purely military operation to rid the area of hoodlums and criminals.

One killed, several wounded in Edo communal clash

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—TENSION heightened in Edo North senatorial district of Edo State, yesterday, as one person was feared dead while several others were injured in a communal clash between the UnemeErhurhun in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area and Okpella Ogute in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.

The tension forced the Army to move in to avoid further killings.

Vanguard learned that the crisis may not be unconnected with the

precious stones deposits in the area currently being exploited by a popular company in the country.

The area with the precious stones deposits is being claimed by both communities.

However, it was learned that the latest clash occured when some youths from Erhurhu community allegedly barricaded the road to the forest to prevent some Okpella residents from conveying log of woods.

A fight broke out in the process leading to the death of one of the youths while houses, vehicles and motorcycles were destroyed.

14 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

FACES AT IST PHILIP ASIODU LECTURE SERIES IN LAGOS.

From left; Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Ignatius Olisemeka; renowned economist, Chief Philip Asiodu; former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan From left; Former Petroleum Minister, Chief Don Etiebet; and Chairman of the occasion, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo during the 1st Philip Asiodu Lecture Series Balogun Bisi Omidiora, The Balogun of Ife (centre, back row) tagged: ‘The Proper Role of Oil in the Context of Accelerating Growth and Development,’ in Lagos. and Amb. J. B. Clark.

From left; Amb. Ignatius Olisemeka; Amb. Patrick Dele Cole and first Deputy From left; Chief Femi Olopade; Chief Akintola Williams and Alhaji Femi Okunnu.

Governor of the tdefunct Bendel State (now Delta and states), John Edozie.

Investors should look beyond distractions of forex crisis — PETERSIDE

By Jonah Nwokpoku

L

AGOS—INVESTORS looking to invest in Nigeria should look beyond the distractions from the current foreign exchange situation in the country in order to make better and profitable long term decisions, says the chairman of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr. Atedo Peterside.

Peterside stated this while delivering a welcome address at the 2016 Standard Bank West Africa Investors’ Conference held in Lagos, yesterday.

The conference was themed: ‘Unlocking Nigeria’s Potential…growing through diversification’ He said: “By rising above the distractions and uncertainties surrounding the short-term foreign exchange situation and evaluating Nigeria’s long-term potential in key sectors of the economy, such as infrastructure, power and gas, consumer goods,

agriculture, etc., investors will be better guided and positioned to take informed decisions on where the best long-term returns on investment will eventually emerge from.”

According to him, “Efforts at economic diversification are still at a relatively early stage of execution and are hampered by exchange rate uncertainties. This has created a very challenging backdrop for policy makers to operate against as the private sector is naturally pre-occupied at present with the short-term pursuit of scarce forex at official rates which guarantee huge windfall incomes for the lucky recipient.”

The Stanbic chairman said dollar shortages in Nigeria had reached levels where “most investors here are currently caught up in a frenzied pursuit of the cheapest available dollars.

Everybody wants to take foreign exchange out and nobody really

wants to bring it in,” he said, adding: “Without investment there will be no new jobs.”

He noted that, “The need for decisive diversification of the economy becomes even more apparent when we consider the yearning needs of the populace for new jobs and/or welfare packages that will help drag significant numbers of them up from below the poverty line.

He added, “Given the government’s plan to boost economic activity through extensive spending on infrastructure as well as on social projects, it potentially provides a platform through which the private sector can partner with government.”

Peterside said, “It is clear to most stakeholders that government cannot attempt to

close the infrastructural gap alone without recklessly expanding Nigeria’s debt burden. This makes it imperative that the government clearly articulates a policy regime which enables both the private sector and the public sector to allocate scarce resources more efficiently.''

CONFERENCE: From left: Director-General, Debt Management Office, Dr Abraham Nwankwo; Chairman, Stanbic IBTC, Atedo Peterside; Statistician General of the Federation/CEO, National Bureau of Statistics, Dr Yemi Kale; and Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mrs Sola DavidBorha, at the 7th edition of Standard Bank West Africa Investors’ Conference, held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos yesterday. Photo by Biodun Ogunleye.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016—15

Reps reject FAAN's N52.5bn IGR

ABIA POLLS RE-RUN:

•Insisit on verifying all receipts of payment

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA—MEMBERS of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation yesterday rejected the N52.5 billion annual revenue generation by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN. Members of the committee said information at their disposal suggested that FAAN collected $60 per international passenger, apart from the sundry sources from which the authority generated its revenue.

The committee, chaired by Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, PDP, Abia, demanded that FAAN’s acting Managing Director, Salihu Domuna, furnish the committee with all records of revenue accruals from both domestic and foreign airlines.

The acting MD, alongside his directors, appeared before the committee yesterday to defend the 2016 budget proposals of the agency, but the committee’s chairperson asked for details on FAAN’s IGR as critical to the sitting.

Domuna in his budget

presentation, said there was an approved/projected IGR of N72 billion for the agency, but added that due to debts incurred by some airlines and government agencies, only N52.5 billion was generated.

He said the amount was arrived at after computing both aeronautical and nonaeronautical revenue generation

within the year 2015.

Ayo Omidiran ,APC, Osun, a member of the committee, said the committee needed to be given detailed payment records by all the airlines flying in Nigeria for them to appreciate what was presented by the MD. The committee members also wondered how FAAN was projecting N76 billion IGR for

2016, at the time when last year’s projection couldn’t be met, despite lower figures generated in the preceding year.

The committee, however, adjourned yesterday to enable the officials gather all the relevant payment receipts before the issue of budget proposals could be discussed.

Lawmaker accuses Benue ex-servicemen of masterminding attacks on Ebonyi community

A

By Peter Okutu

BAKALIKI—THE lawmaker representing Ohaukwu North constituency at the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr. Frank Nwaka Onwe, has alleged that some Agila people in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State believed to be ex-servicemen were responsible for the gruesome murder of members of Ukwagba community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.

The communal war between the communities over the boundary disputes started about

1920 and is presumed to be the oldest communal war in the country.

Making a presentation during plenary, the lawmaker further alleged that the perpetrators of the dastardly act used AK47 rifles, SMG and at times, hand grenades on the defenseless and unsuspecting Ukwagba people each time they went to their farmlands.

“About three weeks ago, two of my constituents Stephen Eze and Augustine Onwe Nwede were ambushed in the farm; brutally and barbarically murdered, their heads were

chopped off and their bodies mutilated. The pellets found on the spot of the incident showed that the bullets were fired from a highly sophisticated rifle as confirmed by the police.

“I am calling on the states and Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency, direct National Boundary Commission, NBC to immediately move in and demarcate the boundary in order to stop further killing and maiming of my people,” he said.

Play by the rules, IPAC urges political parties

U

By Anayo Okoli

MUAHIA—ABIA State chapter of Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, yesterday appealed to candidates and political parties involved in next month’s Abia North Senatorial and other State Assembly rerun elections to abide by the rules of the game and put the interest of the state first during and after the contest.

Addressing a press conference in Umuahia, shortly after meeting with INEC leadership in the State, ahead of the re-run elections in Abia North Senatorial district and seven state constituencyseats,IPACurgedthem to consider the peace of the State above personal interest.

TheStateChairmanofIPAC,Chief Emeka Okafor said: “We as a group, have met with the state Residence ElectoralCommissioneraheadofthe various elections coming up in the stateandweagreedtoworktogether for the unity and progress of the state to ensure the smoothness of the election.

16 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 , 2016

I'll name those behind forex crisis if..., says Ifeanyi Ubah

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

A

BUJA—THE Managing Director, MD, of Capital Oil and Gas, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, yesterday, followed up his claim to a magic wand that would firm the Naira to an exchange rate of N200==$1 within 30 days, with fresh claims that he knew those behind the current foreign exchange crisis facing the nation and was ready to name them publicly.

He told journalists, in Abuja, that all he wanted from President Muhammadu Buhari , to achieve the goal, was to be appointed a consultant on Financial Stability, without pay.

According to him, he had a four-point strategy to achieve the extra-ordinary feat but that he would not make them public unless appointed a consultant by the Federal Government.

His words: “What do we do to bring the exchange rate to N200=$1? I have four cardinal points but I will not release them. I am a man brimming with confidence and ideas which is why I would dare to make such an audacious wager.

“Since my appearance and statement on Sunday night on

Channels TV, Dollar has crashed from N400 to $1 to N370 to $1. Is this not enough evidence that this freefall of the Naira is artificial and could be better managed, with honesty and ingenuity?

“Do we have what it takes? It is not about being a professor in school but doesn’t know the chemistry of how a business plays.I know the people who are causing this problem and I

can name them. I am fearless.

“I don’t want to be a Minister of Finance.I don’t want to be Governor of CBN. I don’t want any appointment from the federal government. All I want is to be a consultant on financial stability and it will be free of charge.”

The Capital Oil MD reiterated that he was ready to stake his entire business empire worth more than N500 billion on the proposal.

According to him, he would be

prepared to work with other good spirited, knowledgeable business operators and financial experts, as well as, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to achieve the goal.

Given the opportunity, it would not be the first time that he would rescue the nation’s economy from the edge of collapse, as he claimed to have brought life to the economy at ex-President Jonathan Goodlook’s administration at the peak of the fuel crises in country.

SOLIDARITY RALLY: From right: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Senator Chuka Utazi; and Hon. Princess Stella Ngwu, during a solidarity rally by Aku Progressive Forum in honour of the Governor at Central School, Aku, Enugu State.

BIAFRA: Kanu still in detention because of

Buhari's ‘bad' advisers —IPOB •As MASSOB faction accuses Uwazuruike of deceiving Ndigbo

N

By Anayo Okoli & Chimaobi Nwaiwu

NEWI—THE Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has attributed the continued incarceration of its leader and Director of Radio Biafra Mr. Nnamdi Kanu to what it called inexperience on the part of advisers that the All Progressives Congress, APC, led government of President Buhari is surrounding itself with.

Addressing newsmen in Nnewi after a meeting to strategize their activities to wade off confrontations from security operatives, IPOB Media and Publicity Officer, Mr. Emma Powerful said President Buhari by now should have known that if he had good advisers, they should have advised him to release the detained leader of Radio Biafra.

“If they actually want Buhari to succeed in his government, they should have advised him that there is no gain in further detaining Mr. Kanu because the resolve to actualize Biafra grows with each day Kanu stays in prison.

“Sometimes, we wonder the type of advisers the Nigerian President is surrounding himself with. If what they tell President Buhari is to resolve

C M Y

to fight everybody in Nigeria, we wonder if they tell him to continue the killing of innocent IPOB and other Biafra agitators.

"We sometimes pause and pity the man because his advisers are not telling him the truth. If he has decided to exterminate this hated ethnic group, then he should wake up from his slumber.

“How can Buhari's APC government be killing innocent, armless and non violent agitators on daily basis and he is keeping quiet? From who do the army, police and other security agencies take orders from? They should not push us to the wall. We have been warning that our leaders should be released without further delay.

"The truth is that President Buhari lacks good advisers, and prominent Nigerians who should advise him have all kept quiet because they want him to fail as he is failing in all the steps he has taken in his present administration. Look at Nigerian economy and the country they want us to be part of and see how it is nose-diving on daily basis. We in IPOB are telling Buhari to free our leaders .

"We only said we will defend

ourselves in the face of another attack and his government and the police that is supervising the killing of our members became jittery.”

Deceiving Ndigbo

Meantime, the Uchenna Madu-led faction of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra,MASSOB,hasaccusedtheChief Ralph Uwazurike faction of deceiving Ndigbo by allegedly claiming to be speakingforMASSOB,sayingthatthey had since abandoned the principles uponwhichthemovementwasfounded.

The group in a statement signed by Comrade Samuel Edeson, the faction’s National Director for Information, claimed that the Uwazurike group incurredtheangerofMASSOBleaders

and members “because of their alleged anti-MASSOBactivities,”leadingtotheir alleged suspension.

The group said it was surprised that the Uwazurike faction which claimed to have formed Biafra Independent Movement, BIM, was still laying claims to MASSOB, saying it smacks of deceit.

“Can members of Uwazuruike’s BIM at the same time be the followers of MASSOB? They are at best saboteurs of Biafra who cannot be forgiven.

“When they lost in their plan of using MASSOB as a platform to enrich themselves through government leverages, contracts and massive votes canvassing for Goodluck Jonathan, they started parading themselves as factional MASSOB leaders just to create a wrong impression that Uchenna Madu-led reformed MASSOB is divided and unsteady”, Edeson said.

KUKAH TO FG: Be prepared to re-orientate soldiers for post Boko Haram era

U

By Anayo Okoli

M UA H I A — T H E Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Rev. Matthew Kukah has called on the Federal Government to be proactive and prepare for postBoko Haram era by planning on how to re-orientate soldiers returning from the war to be fully reintegrated with the larger society and be productive.

Kuka also advised President Muhammadu Buhari on the dwindling economy and urged him to inspire Nigerians to engage in economic activities geared towards reviving the economy.

He told Buhari to see the present situation in the country as a challenge that faces great leaders, saying that great leaders elsewhere had faced such situations and resolved them for good, pointing out that “this is one of the finest moments for us to transform our nation”.

He said that creating conducive environment for returning colliders from war has become necessary as the war against Boko Haram was gradually coming to an end.

Specifically, Bishop Kuka urged that the government make a law similar to America’s Servicemen Readjustment Act of 1944 which would enable Nigerian soldiers returning from wars like the Boko Haram insurgency to be easily integrated within the larger society and live normal life after fighting a war for long.

According to him, when a soldier returns from a war situation, there was the tendency that he would be antagonistic to the civilian population having been in a war front where he was confronted with violence for a long time.

Review 2016 budget on education, ASUP the education sector and breach of tells FG both the 2010 agreement and the agreements entered into with the

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

A

BA—THE Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, said its attention has been drawn to the contentious provisions in the 2016 budget estimates on education and urged the Federal Government to properly fund the Polytechnic sub-sector.

ASUP accused the Federal Government of using Polytechnics as "guinea pigs" to test-run anti people policies in

government.

In a statement signed by ASUP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chris Nkoro, the Union lamented that despite the lion share status provisions allocated to the education sector in the budget, there is little to suggest that the federal government is committed to improve the sector. “ Revelations from the 2016 budget estimates show a total reversal of the gains contained in

2013/2014 struggles of the Union.

Personnel emoluments contained in the budget have been slashed to the extent of removal of all earned allowances of teaching staff of Nigerian Polytechnics and Monotechnics contrary to the agreements signed and implemented since 2010. The CONTISS 15 salary structure has equally been discontinued in the budget. This is despite worrying reports of N10 billion padding in the budget for education.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016 —17

N

INA Simone, the “high priestess of soul” sang “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” in the '60s, an era synonymous with the Civil Rights movement in America, decolonisation and the first military coups back home. To quote some of her lyrics, she said: “Young, gifted and Black, we must begin to tell our young, there’s a world waiting for you, this is a quest that’s just begun, when you feel really low, yeah, there’s a great truth you should know, when you’re young, gifted and Black, your soul’s intact”.

Beyond dumbing down our youth, or trivialising the harsh realities they face, or ridiculing their right to real opportunities for economic empowerment, enrichment as citizens and mental growth by organising talent shows or making bread sellers become “models” (a code-word in our society for doubling as an escort or much worse), one does continuously marvel at the general hypocrisy of a society that isbothobsessedwithandsomewhat repulsed by youth and its corollary, poverty. Defending youth, defeating poverty, those are the bywords of any well-meaning, would-be socially conscious politician.

tprincewill@yahoo.co.uk

To be young, gifted and Nigerian (but without a future)

Disenfranchisement or under-employment Yet, almost every action taken by today’s chief executives seems to cancel out the participation of young people, no matter how talented or opinionated, and skillfully organises their disenfranchisement or under-employment. In our culture of breeding errand boys and girls, where to be a big man is to breed slaves and sycophants rather than to be known for encouraging or revealing new talents, being young and gifted is practically the equivalent of being sentenced to years of unhappiness and seemingly unending frustration. Contrary to the picture painted by Ms Simone, everything about life in Nigeria seems to tell young people “there is no world out there waiting for you” or “this is where you are and this is where you will stay”. As for being young, gifted and Black (or Nigerian) abroad, I could write epistles on the contempt and often-blatant racismNigeriansaresubjectedto,without any help or concern from their

RIGHT OF REPL Y: REPLY

By Tejumade AkitoyeRhodes

I

N a very crude and distasteful publication in the Vanguard, Tabia Princewill, a columnist, displayed a total contempt for the truth and an apparent disrespect for the ethics and the tenets of the noble profession.

National Youth Corps members embassy. In fact, Nigerian embassies often treat their fellow citizens with enough disdain and disrespect to impress Donald Trump. Like the “strange fruit” of Billie Holiday’s song (lynched black bodies hanging from trees in segregated America), the aspirations of young Nigerians are truncated before they can

Nigerian embassies often treat their fellow citizens with enough disdain and disrespect to impress Donald Trump

ripen, before any planning or effort canevenbeintroduced,becauseour society decided that only the aspirations of some should be allowed, literally, to bear fruit.

Ours is a system that does not value human life, where dreams, like many children, due to poor healthcare and education, are dead on arrival.Young people here are poor but entrepreneurial: it’s a confusing dichotomy one wouldn’t understand if one didn’t know that opportunity only exists in Nigeria for those at the top, particularly if they are “old enough” or the right gender. It’s a direct consequence of the prevailing impunity in our society whereby leaders rob generations of opportunity and are celebrated for doing it. The irony about the socalled inclusion of youth and women in business or politics is that

when the decision is made to nominate a young person or a woman to any position, the antecedents and personalities of those that are chosen are habitually frightening.

They repeatedly have some backstorymadeofmisdeeds,heldtogether by hypocrisy and contempt for the very thing they are supposed to represent: the freedom, the opportunityallocatedtoanycitizentomake something of his or her self through brains, talent and hard-work. They refuse to empower or enable other talents (rather than being talented themselves they are simply wellconnected).

The worst thing about Nigeria’s prejudice and bigotry when it comes to young people is that they begin to believe and internalise all of the untrue statements about their abilities. They adopt repression and

imbibe suppressing their thoughts and dreams as a way of life; they begin to doubt, like the rest of Nigeria, that any change is possible.

As for those young people born into a vampiric system, which preys on others, and who uphold it because it is the direct source of their family’s wealth and therefore see nothing wrong with it, those who are comfortable with the misery of others, remember Nina Simone: “to be young, gifted and black / open your heart to what I mean”. How long can we remain a country whose nightly terror or dread is to see others succeed?

Senator Marafa: In a recent interview, he accused the Senate President,BukolaSaraki, ofbeingbehind the controversies surrounding the 2016 budget in order to blackmail the government due to his CCT trial.

The thought had indeed occurred to many given the strange manner in which the budget saga unfolded. Saraki’s continued presence in the Senate despite his trial is contrary to global precedents whereby leaders (whether guilty or innocent) stepdowntocleartheirnamesrather than drag entire institutions into disrepute.

How can anyone whose job it is to uphold the laws of the land be on trial for desecrating said laws and still retain the job; again, which entails protecting the law? This leads to an incongruous, highly absurd situation where the Senate (interpretable as Saraki himself) orders an investigation into whether Senator Marafa has brought the Senate into disrepute. How ironic! Is it the Senate’s reputation or Saraki’s that the investigation is most concerned with?

One thing is certain, the CCT trial goes on. It is curious how frequently Nigerians use the “innocent until proven guilty” stance to retain their position and benefits while simultaneously trying to stop their case from going to trial. If one is innocent, why worry? *Tabia Princewill is a strategic communications consultant and public policy analyst. She is also the co-host and executive producer of a talk show, WALK THE TALK which airs on Channels TV.

A blatant contempt for the truth In an indecent piece titled: “Rehabilitating corrupt persons, betraying the Nigerian dream”, Princewill virtually distorted history and invariably discarded the valid and subsisting judgement of the Supreme Court when she gleefully and contemptuously referred to our leader, Chief Olabode George, as an exconvict!

This is the height of criminal libel! How can anyone who pretends an analytical intervention in the public space display a vivid inveterate malice masquerading as journalism?

More than a year after the highest court in our land has discharged and totally acquitted Chief Olabode George of any wrong doing in a vigorous and unanimous

pronouncement, Princewill has chosen to desecrate the truth and abused the privilege of her position by ventilating a preconceived and disturbing politically motivated vendetta in the public space. This is wrong. This is unacceptable.

Concluding passage In conclusion, and once again for record purposes, the Lagos Collectives hereby quote the concluding passage of the Supreme Court judgment that has forever established the innocence and honour of our leader for all times: “It has been established that the case of the respondent rests on a shifting sand.

The charges framed against

the appellant in respect of splitting of contracts and disobedience of guideline in Exhibit P3 is unknown to any written law at the material time. They rest on nothing in the face of the provisions of section 36(8) and (12) of the 1999 Constitution.

"They cannot stand as they fall flat. See: Macfoy v. UAC Ltd. (1962) AC 150 at 160. And to cap it, the Prosecution laced the extant charges with intention to defraud, an extra element of the charge which was not proved beyond reasonable doubt. It was a complete mistrial by the lower courts.

"I must stop here as nothing useful will be served in moving forward in respect of other issues. The appeal is allowed as same is, no doubt,

meritorious. The judgement of the court below is accordingly set aside. The appellant is hereby acquitted and discharged forthwith.”

Four Justices of the Supreme Court namely: Mahmud Mohammed, M.S. Muntaka Coomassie, Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta and Kumai Bayang Akaahs, J.S.C., concurred with the lead judgment written by Justice J.A. Fabiyi in this historic unanimous decision that has finally rectified a wrong done to an innocent man.

How in the world then does Chief Bode George fit into the garbled analysis of Ms Princewill?

*Prof. Tejumade AkitoyeRhodes is Chairman, Lagos Collectives.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBURARY 24, 2016 IN one fell swoop penultimate Saturday, the Federal Government announced the sack of Vice-chancellors of 13 federal universities. They were immediately replaced. The affected former heads of universities were those appointed when 13 new universities were created by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The action was followed by the removal of 26 directors-general of government agencies. A statement by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, did not disclose the reason for the sacks. Four of the new appointees were from the Bayero University Kano, alone. Already, reactions have been trailing the development with diverse insinuations making the rounds in academic circles and beyond.

By virtue of provisions of acts setting up various universities, the President as the visitor, in the case of fed-

Sack of 13 Federal University VCs eral institutions, is empowered to appoint and remove vice-chancellors on the recommendation of the boards of governing councils. The president’s decision usually flows from the advice given by the education minister or special adviser on education.

Concerned, Coalition of Civil Society Groups wrote a protest letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, complaining that the removal of the affected vice-chancellors and their replacements did not follow due process allegedly because they failed to

comply with extant laws governing the universities and provisions of the constitution.

The office of Vice-chancellor has statutory standing that makes it a tenured appointment. It requires strict adherence to laid-down procedure in removing the holder. Most of them were not allowed to complete their tenures.

If the allegation that the boards of governing councils had earlier been summarily dissolved by the Education Minister preparatory to the sack of the

VC’s, we call on President Buhari to institute a probe to find out why this was done.

This is imperative because such action may engender distractive and destabilising litigations by some of the aggrieved parties. The minister might have wittingly or unwittingly acted in breach of the provisions of University Amendment Act and indeed may have violated laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria which guarantee university autonomy.

While we urge the President to review the appointments with a view to ensuring that excellence and competence are not sacrificed for cronyism, favouritism and nepotism we call for caution in subsequent removals and appointments of public officers.

Besides, the Federal Government has a duty to inform the public why it takes actions such as these since we are in in a democracy.

OPINION

By Nosakhare Osahon

T

HE race towards who succeeds Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as governor of Edo State on November 12, this year has already begun; while the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission is yet to come out with its guidelines for the election, people in the state and, indeed, political watchers already know those who are in the race for the tickets of the two leading parties: the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party in the state and at the federal level and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the opposition party.

In the APC, a certain Kenneth Imansuagbon, a lawyer by profession, an educationist by vocation and politician by calling is one of those ready to throw his hat in the ring for the ticket of his party.

Better known as the rice man for his annual ritual of assaulting the sensibilities of the Edo people every December, when he ‘distributes’ rice, actually, he flings one kilogramme sachet of rice to a handful of people in a most embarrassing and dehumanising manner, Imansuagbon has taken his ridiculous ritual to a nauseating height. He now believes his annual ritual is enough to buy him the seat of governor of Edo State.

For Imansuagbon, a few posers: he has a thriving school for children of Nigerians in the upper class, those who may have fed fat on the common patrimony and his school is located not in Benin City, the

Edo politics and the perennial pretenders capital of Edo state nor is it located in Ewohinmi, a local place a few years ago whose fortunes have undergone extreme transformation under the administration of Oshiomhole. The school is located in faraway Abuja,the capital of Nigeria, home of the rich and powerful.

Now how will Imansuagbon convince Edo people of his love for them, when he can’t even establish his school which employs more than fifty people including teachers and others in his state?

On his annual rice ritual, Imansuagbon should tell the people of Edo State where his rice farm is in the state or better still, tell the people which of the rice farms he engages to produce rice for him for distribution at Christmas.

The man will simply find it difficult to answer the questions. . He has no rice farm or buys from the many rice farmers in the state. He simply imports from Thailand or elsewhere and re-bags into one kilogramme sachets with which he seeks

Edo people have moved on, they are wiser, they will not be dragged back to a horrible past

to worm his way into the hearts of the people. He seeks to replicate the stomach infrastructure politics of Ayo Fayose in Edo State, but he forgets that Edo people are very proud, industrious and sophisticated people who can’t be bought with a handful of grains of rice!

In the PDP is another ‘pretender’, a man who prefers to call himself “Pastor”. Osagie Ize-Iyamu, former Secretary to Government in the administration of Mr. Lucky Igbinedion. He has left no one in doubt that he wants to be governor .

The man, who many swear was in charge as Lucky was mostly outside the country, now speaks from both sides of his mouth.

Sometimes, Ize-Iyamu would seek to whitewash the infamous Igbinedion’s government explaining that the government performed, even beyond what the people see and know. At other times, he would seek to extricate himself from the mess of that government and he has hired some hack writers, to launder his image.

Now he has extended all this to the government of Oshiomhole, believing that running down the government and lying on the achievements of the administration will win him the PDP ticket.

He has suddenly turned a TV jester, such that people now refer to him as Baba Suwe.

Sometimes he would say the state has collected over N1 trillion from the federation account under this present government, at other times it would be over N4 trillion; sometimes the debt profile of the state would be over N200 billion at

other times it would be over N700 billion.

What confusion!

His confusion has extended to the Central Hospital. He claims the brand new 200-bed hospital, the cynosure of all eyes in Edo, the pride of the Edo people, an architectural masterpiece which bestrides the landscape and sits with all glory and majesty on Sapele road close to the Kings Square is a white sepulcher. Sometimes, he claims it is not a new hospital, at other times he faults the location of the hospital, saying it should have been sited far in the bush, away from the city centre.

The antecedents of Mr. Ize-Iyamu, his role in the many losses the PDP suffered in the hands of the Action Congress, Action Congress of Nigeria and All Progressives Congress are still fresh in the minds of the PDP. His abuses and the many insults he heaped on PDP leaders will come back to haunt him.

A man who could not even manage Jonathan’s campaign rice which allegedly diverted, cannot be trusted to manage Edo State.

As I advised Imansuagbon, the earlier Ize-Iyamu packed up his campaign bags, the better for him. Edo people have moved on, they are wiser, they will not be dragged back to a horrible past.

•Mr. Osahon, a commentator on national affairs, wrote from benin City, Edo State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016—19 —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Buhari and the impending death of the naira The argument about the HE Naira, Nigeria’s national currency, has imminent death of the naira, T been very much in the news in who and what is responsible for the last couple of weeks. The naira is seriously ill and the prognosis from the ‘experts’, many of them full of bile and illwill, is indeed dire. They have written the naira’s obituary and are already summoning the burial party of undertakers that would complete the final task of their death wish- ensure the untimely death of the currency.

Many of these latter-day mourners have for long made terrible forecasts of the state of the Nigerian economy, if only to prove that its present managers are incompetent fools. But their crocodile tears for the naira are some of the many they have shed for just about anything and everything they claim is wrong in the country today. Nothing would or could make them happy unless they can see the ship of state flounder under its present captains. And so they go about with their self-fulfilling prophesies of the death of the naira as a consequence of Mohammadu Buhari’s ignorance of basic economic principles.

it, is never made clear. It could in fact change as often and get as confusing as the changing colours of a chameleon’s skin.

After lamenting the gradual death of the naira and the supposed incompetent management of the economy (they don’t bother to explain how) that has brought it about, they proceed to proffer devaluation as the immediate solution to the dwindling strength of the naira. They urge that an already comatose patient be pummelled even further in order to revive it. And even though the Buhari administration has not been known for the kind of profligate splurging on expensive foreign goods and services that has contributed to the depletion of our foreign reserves, the government is nevertheless blamed, voodoo-fashion, for all that ails the economy in general and the naira in particular.

What these critics try to conceal with their sob tales about the falling power of the naira is their pain that their days of

unaccountable squandering on everything foreign will no longer be easy if not well-nigh over.

They would now have to carry the heavy price of their appetite for foreign things or else make do with what is available at home.

O yes, the picture is not a black or white one as it might sound from the foregoing, but the point is simple enough for the majority who don’t have the means to sustain a lust for foreign products to understand. If anyone deserves the blame for the present poor health of the naira it should be those who took no heed for the future health of the Nigerian economy by opening every loophole for every politician that strayed into the corridors of power to exploit for persona gains. This category of Nigerians preceded President Buhari into Aso Rock Villa at least by some six years. The blame for those who wrecked our economy and brought the naira down to its knees belong elsewhere than with Buhari who has made the priorities of his administration clear to Nigerians. To ignore his words in this regard is to expect from him what he has not

No great nation attained that status by dependence on foreign things; this is the lesson Nigerians must learn

Edo 2016: Return of the godfather

By Igbotako Nowinta “Comrade Adams Oshiomhole...must never allow himself to be distracted or wavered from those cardinal creeds which he embraced on November 12, 2008”.

Quoted in Nowinta’s book;2012: Conqueror of the Godfathers (page 87)

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HEN the Comrade Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, recently applied the big stick once against the Edo State Traffic Management Authority, EDSTMA, knocking them off their usual nefarious and very much hated business, the question that came to my mind was simply:‘ who is fooling who?

Yes! Who do the Comrade-Governor think he is fooling? Does he think he is a political ‘Solomon’ wiser than the knowledgeable and sensitive people of Edo State?

If I am not wrong, I think this is the second time in the life of this administration that the ComradeGovernor would be putting the Edo State Traffic Management Authority out of circulation after they would have given us dosages of unwarranted terror.

The reasons the Comrade-Governor gave for sending them packing this time around is not new to the much-oppressed people of Edo State. The sacked EDSTMA officials were notorious for stark extortion of law-abiding and peaceful citizens of Edo State under the guise of traffic control. These EDSTMA thugs, while their evil reign lasted, operated like tin gods and inflicted untold hardship and brazen torture on the vulnerable people of Edo State.

Where was Comrade Oshiomhole when

the innocent people of Edo State were brutalised, terrorised and treated like slaves by EDSTMA thugs who did not employ decent modern traffic procedures when handling the people? I think the Governor waited for too long? While the Comrade-Governor waited tactically, he simply turned the other eye to allow some useless, jobless, selfish, inhuman and greedy party stalwarts to pounce on the innocent people of Edo State using traffic control or management as a cover.

Why did the Comrade-Governor betray the people in such a fashion after what they did for him in 2007 during the governorship election and in 2012? Today, as I penned this piece, market women and 'pure water' hawkers in all the major markets in the state are being compelled to pay all sorts of fees /levies to some marijuana-smoking, nasty and fierce looking thugs working for ‘a band of political merchants’ that have one connection or the other to the Dennis Osadebey Avenue.

I fear for the APC and the good people of Edo State should the party’s governorship primary become enmeshed in crisis

promised.

Buhari does not think that the solution to our import-dependent economy is a weak naira. Nor does he think succour would come from continued reliance on crude oil. Considering the overt reliance of our economy on foreign products, he has decided to look inwards by encouraging the growth of the local economy.

In line with our modest technological and scientific achievements, or our disdain for home-made products and services, Buhari has chosen to concentrate his attention on stimulating the local economy by giving support to agriculture and solid minerals. Let us face it, outside of our insatiable and misplaced desire for foreign products and worth not, ours is still a largely agrarian economy.

That may not sound fashionable in this age of cutting edge innovations in information and communication technology, medicine and engineering. The point may sound so retrogressive in this age of scientific triumphalism. But it is the truth.

Wealthy Nigerians may boast ownership of the 2016 models of the best armoured-plated automobiles in the world, they may import everything required to complete the construction of their high end mansions from Dubai, Italy and South Africa, and fly first class on foreign airlines where they are not the proud owners of their own jets.

They may wear the latest fashion items from the best designers around the world, eat the latest processed foods from Europe and the United States of Americathey may have at the push of a smart phone keypad any of these foreign products of which they have no knowledge of how they

Certainly this was not the promise that Comrade Oshiomhole articulated in 2007 and in 2012.

Agreed that the Comrade Governor is one of the best things that have happened to Edo State in terms of construction and rehabilitation of roads; and other laudable frantic efforts he has made in other sectors. Granted that he has indeed rubbished the nearly 10 years of gigantic misrule which the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, perfected in Edo State.

But the ordinary people do not seem to have a place in his democratic agenda!

It has been a very sad story of ‘used and dumped’. Where is the Youth Employment Scheme (EDO YES) that the Governor sang and danced with in his political manifestoes? These guys are now roaming the streets aimlessly, hungry and panting for survival!

What about the last local government election in the state? Was it free, fair and credible? We all saw what took place.

Today, the Comrade-Governor has turned full circle after he incredibly sent the political godfathers packing and completely out of business after his victory in the governorship elections in 2007 and 2012.

The road for the race of the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship primaries in Edo State is being dug up and covered with political land mines purchased and delivered allegedly by the foot soldiers of those who run the show because one Mr Godwin Obaseki is the alleged ‘anointed aspirant’. Gentleman Amegor, an absolutely dedicated party man in the fold of the APC and others are being hounded and persecuted because they are demanding due process, transparency, equity and fairness in the way the party’s governorship candidate should emerge.

are produced. But the vast majority of Nigerians are only concerned about where their next meal would come from. At least a nation that cannot or is unwilling to produce any of the imported things it consumes should be able to produce its own food. A well-fed people can have the presence of mind to think well and straight enough to tackle other problems that could lead to the kind of humanitarian disasters that have turned many parts of Africa into the most blighted portions of our planet.

It is these modest but important tasks to meet such domestic goals as food sufficiency and affordable clothing and housing, that the Buhari administration has set for itself. It does not pretend it can turn around our economy from ‘Third world to first world’ over night. But neither would it encourage wanton importation of foreign goods even those like tooth picks we can conveniently produce ourselves. He is saying those craving foreign products should find their own means to fund their private and perverted desires. Let them not pretend that devaluation is the only way out for us all. Or worse yet, blame him for the condition of the naira. The late Tai Solarin often warned that Nigerians should be prepared to give up their love for foreign products if the country must rise. Until Nigerians demonstrate their readiness to pay the price of greatness, he did not think we would ever amount to anything. Until Indians were ready to wear their own locallyproduced clothes, Nehru ensured no clothing material was imported into the country. No great nation attained that status by dependence on foreign things.

This is the lesson Nigerians must learn.

For instance, not too long ago, Edo South Senatorial meeting allegedly called in Amegor’ s house was disrupted by those working for the ‘anointed aspirant’. Recently, Ken Imasuagbon, a governorship aspirant in APC Edo State was allegedly locked out of Oredo Local Government party secretariat where he was to have a meeting with party faithful in the locality. Also, some commissioners, council chairmen, political appointees who were alleged to be working for other governorship aspirants in the state other than the ‘anointed man’ have been yanked off from their positions, etc.

I think it is not too late for the Comrade-Governor to retrace his steps, call his ‘warriors’ to order and ensure that a level playing field is available for all those who have indicated interest to participate in the APC governorship primaries.

Who says the Comrade-Governor should not be interested in who succeeds him on November 12, 2016?

We know absolutely that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu showed interest in who he wanted to succeed him as Governor of Lagos State, but available records showed that his successors went through open and credible party primaries.

I fear for the APC and the good people of Edo State should the party ’s governorship primary become enmeshed in crisis, thereby spoiling the party’s visible chances of ultimately winning the governorship election when the time comes?

Who says any one cannot aspire to be a political godfather? But because of the terrible chains that became the lot of the people of Edo State before the emergence of Comrade Oshiomhole in 2007, we don’t need another godfather in Edo State.

*Mr Nowinta, an author, wrote from Benin, Edo State.

20—Vanguard, WEDNES DAY WEDNESDAY DAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Travelling President and the sliding naira

PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS PARTY VENUES:

LASG sets up task force to enforce ban

By Bose Adelaja

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HOSE who delight in using public schools as venues for their parties and other social engagements should make haste in thinking of alternatives. Reason? The Lagos State Government has set up a special task force to enforce the ban on hosting of parties and social functions in public schools, just as it said plans are underway to upgrade public school structures across the state.

The Special Adviser to Lagos State governor, Mr Kehinde Bamgbetan, who disclosed this in Lagos during the 4th Lagos State Community Media Forum said the committee is headed by the State Head of Service who will conduct the auditing of public schools structures throughout the state.

Minimising the disparities He said this will make it easier for government to raise the standard of public schools and make life meaningful for the students.

The Special Adviser said government is intensifying effort to bridge existing gaps between the structures of the public and private schools and minimise the disparities between them.

*A Lagos public school...Premises no longer to be used as venue for social functions He said if the public schools continue to host social functions and parties, this will amount to degradation of the existing structures which may push the schools into penury.

Bamgbetan urged Lagosians to patronise event centres in order to keep the public schools neat at all times. ‘’The governor has directed that schools will no longer be used for social activities. We want to implore members of the public to patronise event centres because most of these schools are messed up during the social functions and the amount paid by the organisers is usually not enough to rehabilitate the schools.

I am sure the committee will do a

good job to enforce the ban so that the structures of our public schools are not messed up, especially on weekends,’’ he said.

Also, he said the plan by the government to introduce free meals in public schools will kick off in September. ‘’On the proposal for free meals in public schools, the Federal Government is expected to provide 60 per cent of the fund while the state is expected to provide the remaining 40 per cent and by the grace of God this will materialise in the month of September as a committee has been set up to work on the modalities. It is expected to enhance the learning capacity of the pupils and boost the economy of the state,’’ he informed.

Frequent fire outbreaks: NFPA safety experts storm Lagos

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By Etop Ekanem

N the last few years, not less than five major fire incidentshavebeenrecordedinLagoswith billions of Naira worth of property lost in the process. For instance, just recently, fire razed a major market in Kaduna, the Kaduna State capital, with traderslefttocounttheirlossesandstart appealing to authorities to assist in mitigating their losses.

In 2012, the Federal Fire Service said it saved property worth N19.54 billion from various fire incidents, which ravaged parts of the country. But during same period, property valued at N5.95 billion were lost to fire incidents during the period.

Statistics also showed that 185 lives were lost in 470 fire incidents in same year. The oil and gas sector recorded thehighestnumberoffireincidentswith 168 lives lost in164 incidents. Available statistics also revealed that private residences recorded 96 fire incidents that claimed eight lives, while 10 lives were saved in the period under review.

It is as a result of incidents like these that leading safety management outfit, Safety Consultants and Solution Providers Limited, is organising West AfricaNationalFireProtectionAssociation, NFPA, Conference with the theme: “Building NFPA Compliant Fire Safety Systems,” scheduled for April 18 to 21, 2016 in Lagos Briefing newsmen on the forthcoming conference, Roland Ngong of NaC M Y K

tional Fire Protection Association West Africa, NFPA-WA, who was flanked by Ms. Antonia Beri, Lead Consultant, Safety Consultants and Solution Providers Limited, and Mr. Femi Young, Executive Director, Safety Consultants and Solution Providers Limited, said the conference will draw leading fire safety experts across the United States of America, who would educate Nigerians, especially professionals, on latest developments on safety measures and safety gadgets that prevent hazards, both at the home and the workplace.

According to Ngong, his organisation was aware of fatalistic approach of most Nigerians to safety issues, hence the need to bring in experts to help Nigerians understand that they could take their destiny in their own hands.

Hesaid:“Therearecertainareasthat

Topics to be covered will include classification of construction and occupancy type, determining occupant load and egress capacity, requirements for protection of vertical openings and hazardous areas

NFPA concerns itself with. And that is why we are organising the West Africa NFPA conference. We will be providing training as well as seminars on certain aspects of safety.” Some of the areas expected to be covered in the conference included the Life Safety and Means of Egress. This training will be based on the life safety and means of egress requirements contained in NFPA Life Safety Code.

Topicstobecoveredwillincludeclassification of construction and occupancytype,determiningoccupantloadand egress capacity, requirements for protection of vertical openings and hazardousareas,anddeterminingrequirements for building services and fire protection features. Another key area to be covered is the Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems. This training will be based on the fire sprinkler system requirements contained in NFPA Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.

Among experts expected is Russell B. Leavitt. Russ is the Executive of TelgianCorporation,aninternationalfirm providing fire, life safety, and asset protection engineering and consulting services.

AlsoexpectedisJohnCampbell,who has more than 25 years of experience inthefireprotectioncommunity,including all areas of the fire sprinkler industry. He has extensive experience in fire suppression system design, fire hazard analysis and fire protection system inspection and testing.

By Ebele Orakpo

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HY will the naira not slide against the dollar?

I’ve never seen a set of people who crave imported goods more than Nigerians; so much so that somebody once said if excreta is packaged and imported from abroad, they will buy,” stated Emmanuel this Friday morning in the Apapa-bound bus.

“Bros, you are in the spirit. We import everything under the sun. Do you know we import potato chips; meanwhile Irish potato is grown twice a year in Plateau State. We import toothpicks and we have abundance of wood; we import matchsticks and tomato paste while our tomatoes are left to rot away during harvest,” said Tony.

“Something must be wrong with us. Can’t we think and use our brains?” asked Nina.

Replied Emmanuel: “No, you can’t blame the ordinary hardworking Nigerian. We are intelligent but the leadership has been the bane of our development.

I know someone who was ready to start producing matches here but got frustrated. We are not getting the encouragement we need. To arrest the falling naira, all hands must be on deck – leaders and followers.”

“I heard some bureau de change guys have moved to China to continue their business and the question is: how did they take the dollars out of Nigeria?” asked Nina, to which Tony replied thus: “You can’t beat us.

We will always find a way.”

“Shebi men have learnt to shoot without missing so Eneke the bird has learnt to fly without perching! Pikin wey say im mama no go sleep, im too no go sleep,” said Abel.

This elicited some laughter from passengers. “I love Nigerians. I only wish they could apply all the intelligence positively. Remember a few years ago when the Lagos State Government made it compulsory for every okada rider to wear helmet and they were being made to buy it from government at an exorbitant price. One guy decided to help his ministry. He used a small paint bucket as helmet. Cunny man die, cunny man bury am. Case closed!” said Tony.

“But our Information Minister is a handful. Kai, I’ve never seen such anywhere,” said Abel.

“What do you mean? The guy is simply doing his job; working hard to justify his fat salary,” said Emmanuel.

Replied Nina: You mean his job of informing, misinforming and dis-informing the people?”

“All join,” said Rita, laughing. She added: “Imagine him saying that Nigeria has been a pariah nation and PMB’s travels have attracted foreign investors.

This is the kind of lie that Satan will hear and protest.

Which investor will carry his hard earned money to invest in shark-infested waters? The president of a country tells you that his country is swimming in corruption and you open your two eyes wide and bring your money to such a place? Na craze be that nah!”

“Oh, you are among those that want the man to lie about the condition of the country like the previous administration did? We should learn to call a spade a spade and not a farming implement. He says it the way it is,” said Ojo. “That’s where we are getting it wrong. Granted he is not expected to lie but must you wash your dirty linen in public? Not once, not twice. Haba! You as a father, don’t you have issues in your family? Do you go out broadcasting it to your neighbours? No! You present your family as the best, despite the warts. We must learn to be patriotic. Can you imagine President Obama coming out to denigrate his country and countrymen? Does it mean they are not corrupt? Please give me a break!” said Tony.

“No outsider will solve your problem for you. They will only pretend to help you in your presence but laugh at your back. Let us be wise. Nobody loves you more than you love yourself,” said Rita.

Narrated Nina: Ask the Japanese what happened to them when one of them made a simple comment that Americans are lazy. It became a diplomatic issue, an international wahala.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Nigeria spends $2bn importing agric products annually — AMAECHI T

ORIENTATION: From left, Divisional Head, Operations and Technology, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Akeem Adesina; Dr. Anietie Udo of Private and Capital Entity; Chief Risk Officer, BOI, Dr Ezekiel Oseni; Acting Managing Director/CEO Bank of Industry, Mr. Waheed Olagunju; Chief Consultant/CEO A.J. SILICON Ltd,Mr Rasak Jaiyeola and Divisional Head, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr AbdulGaniyu Mohammed, at the orientation programme for 186 appointed SME Auditors by BoI, in Lagos.

“About 30 percent of live animals slaughtered in Nigeria are imported from neighbouring countries. Like other subsectors, livestock industry development is constrained by low productive breeds, inadequate access to feeds and grazing lands, frequent farmer – pastoralist conflicts, lack of processing facilities

and low value addition and low technical inputs in the management of the animals, including diseases.”

However, industry watchers said the country could increase its agricultural sector output to $227 billion by 2030, thus, raising the annual growth rate to 4.2 per cent.

But achieving the feat would require a four-pronged approach which boosting yields, shifting more production into high value crops, reducing post-harvest and distribution losses, and increasing scale production. The biggest opportunity in agriculture is improving crop yields, which accounts for 39 per cent of the upside potential.

ICRC advocates dredging of Warri port

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IRECTOR-GENERAL, In frastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), has appealed to the Federal Government to dredge the Warri/Escravos river to rejuvenate commercial activities at the Warri port. $119.00 -0.85 Diko made the appeal on Thursday $2,868.00 13.00 shortly after he led a team of the Commission $13.68 0.08 on inspection tour of facilities of the concessioned terminals at the Warri port. $33. 47 -1.22 The terminals inspected include: the $32.00 -1.39 Julius Berger, AssociCURRENCY BUYING 2.11 SELLING ated Maritime Services Ltd (AMS) and the InUS DOLLAR 196 196.5 197 tegrated Logistics Ser276. 4776 277. 1829 277. 8882 POUNDS vices (INTELS).

215. 4432 215. 9928 216. 5424 EURO 197. 0047 197. 5073 198. 0099 FRANC Diko expressed satis1.748 1.7524 1.7569 YEN faction at the significant 0.3103 0.3203 0. 3303 CFA investment put in place 271.7955 272. 4888 273.1822 WAUA by the concessionaires.

30. 0195 30. 0965 30. 1735 RENMINBI The DG said that conces52.2597 52. 393 52. 5263 RIYAL 28.8694 28. 943 29.0167 KRONA sion had contributed 272. 3616 273.0564 273.7512 SDR greatly to the growth of the economy noting that CBN Exchange rate as at 23/02/2016 Julius Berger for in-

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LSE, Deutsche Boerse surge on merger talks

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By Favour Nnabugwu HE Minister of Transporta tion, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has said the the country spends a total of $2 billion annually to import agricultural products into the country.

Amaechi disclosed this to journalists during an inspection tour from Rigasa rail station in Kaduna to Idu Station in Abuja on Friday.

Even as the world’s 7th largest population in the world at a base line of 170million, the Minister said agriculture is an exceptionally important element of Nigeria’s economy.

Amaechi went to say that the large import of food products include wheat, rice, flour, fish, tomato paste, eggs, textile and sugar.

The Minister however, stressed the need to diversify the monocultural tendencies of the Nigerian economy by developing other sectors of the economy especially agriculture.

“Major agricultural imports are wheat, rice and sugar. Most agricultural imports come from the US and the EU. The country’s main agricultural exports are cocoa beans, rubber, sesame seeds and cocoa butter. Key agricultural export destinations are the UK, the US, Canada, France and Germany” “We were known to be exporters of cocoa beans, gum Arabic, groundnuts, cotton, palm oil and many other agricultural commodities, but now, we import most of the agricultural commodities that we can produce because of the neglect of the sector.

— 21

stance, one of the concessionaires, had invested almost 23 million dollars to purchase equipment. ‘’The concessionaires have made significant investment running into billions of dollars to improve their facilities which was part of the development plan. ‘’The monitoring and evaluation visit is a critical component of the mandate of the ICRC, helping to ensure that infrastructure assets that have been granted to the private sector by the Federal Government are improved upon. ‘’So far, it was successful, we

Julius Berger for instance, one of the concessionaires, had invested almost 23 million dollars to purchase equipment

also had the opportunity to interact with the guarantor which is the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA),’’ he said.

Diko noted that there was a dearth in vessels sailing into the Warri port which by implication had affected the anticipated revenues accruable to government. ‘’As a result of restiveness, vessels are not comfortable coming into Warri port, with its attendant negative impact on the anticipated business opportunities which is a setback for the concessionaires. ‘’The channels were supposed to be dredged by government overtime because big vessels cannot come in due to the shallowness of the depth. ‘’Any big vessel coming will have to stay somewhere to reduce the cargoes to make the vessel light and that takes a lot of time and additional cost and it is a major disincentive to businesses,’’ he said.

Diko commended the NPA management for providing adequate security for the terminal operators and other stakeholders in the port.

hares of London Stock Exchange Group Plc, LSE, and Deutsche Boerse AG DB1 rallied in afternoon trade yesterday after the two exchange operators confirmed they are in merger talks. London Stock Exchange jumped 18 per cent, setting it on track for its best daily performance in almost 10 years.

Deutsche Boerse rose 7.8 per cent. The board of the two companies said in a statement they are in “detailed discussions about a potential merger of equals”, which would be structured as an all-share deal. Under the terms of the potential merger, LSE shareholders would receive 0.4421 new shares in exchange for each London Stock Exchange share and Deutsche Boerse shareholders would be entitled to receive one new share in exchange for each Deutsche Boerse share. “The Boards believe that the potential merger would represent a compelling opportunity for both companies to strengthen each other in an industry-defining combination, creating a leading European-based global markets infrastructure group,” they said in the statement.

NSC seeks Customs’ support to make Nigerian ports hub for sub-region

By Godfrey Bivbere

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HE Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has solicited for support of Nigeria Customs Service to enhance the efficiency of Nigerian ports and make it a hub for the sub-region.

Hassan Bello, the Executive Secretary of the Council, who led his management team on a courtesy visit to Apapa and Tin can Area Command of Nigeria Customs Services yesterday, called for a synergy that would transform the nation’s ports to regional maritime hub in African sub region.

His words “Since 2006 when the ports were concessioned, Nigeria has recorded mass improvement in terms of turnaround time of vessels but still other problems persist at the ports. We want Customs to be our critical partner in transforming the nation’s ports.”

According to him, the Federal Government is now focusing on maritime sector now that the country is experiencing dwindling fall in the price of oil.

He said that the Council has had meetings with Customs, especially, the Comptroller -General, adding that, it has assisted in solving many issues at the country’s ports.

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Unfortunately, many of the nation’s assets are uninsured by government through its ministries and agencies, despite the promulgation of the law on compulsory insurances

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Pension deficits in govt establishments compelled creation of CPS – Anohu-Amazu

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IRECTOR General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu said that the pension deficit in federal government establishments compelled government to come up with the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

Anohu-Amazu stated this at the 2015 Sun Award where she bagged an award in the Public Service category. Relieving her sojourn in pension industry, she said “We started this journey about 13 years ago, when I was working in the BPE and every enterprise we wanted to sell had a pension deficit. All the investors said it was either we excised the pension deficit or sold the companies for a pittance. So, the then DG of BPE, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, decided that we had to find a solution. And it was at his insistence that, together with the then President Olusegun Obasanjo, the pension initiative was born.”

Presenting the award on behalf of the management of The Sun Newspapers, Tinubu commended Anohu-Amazu for her commitment to ensuring success for the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

Giving reasons for the award, the Managing Director/Editor-inChief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Eric Osagie said the Public Service Awards goes to top public servants, who, in the spirit of national transformation, have demonstrated an uncommon character, passion, innovation and unalloyed commitment in service delivery and thereby rendering maximum benefit to the country.

He said Mrs. Anohu-Amazu was chosen as winner of The Sun Public Service Award 2015 after a two-day debate by members of the newspapers’ Board of Editors, saying her emergence was in recognition of her remarkable achievements in ensuring a healthy pension scheme in the country.

“On assumption of office as DG, Pencom, you have successfully completed the process of a major review of pension reform 2014, which culminated in an executive bill, which has since been passed into law by the National Assembly. Pension fund has also experienced a steady growth under your leadership,” Osagie stated.

Accepting the award, Anohu-Amazu expressed delight for award saying the honour came most unexpectedly, an honour she cherishes.

Workable solution “There had been other efforts. So many people tried and proffered different things and the Fola Adeola Committee’s mandate was to collate all these efforts and synthesise them into one workable solution. We took it to President Obasanjo, and given his own stance, he pushed the reforms through. And that is when we had the 2004 Act that culminated into the setting up of the pension institution and the pension commission as a regulator,” she narrated.

Mrs. Anohu-Amazu was part of the team of experts that initiated the CPS in Nigeria. She served in the Fola Adeola Pension Reform Committee set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose work led to the enactment of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004.

She was honoured with a Presidential commendation for the quality of work done on the 2004 pension reform. Prior to joining PenCom as the pioneer Commission Secretary/Legal Adviser, she consulted for many private sector initiatives as well as non-governmental organisations and public institutions including the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

Anohu-Amazu holds LL.B. in Law from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. She is a member of the Nigerian Bar and holds a Masters’ degree in Telecommunication & Information Technology Law from the London School of Economics. She attended the Executive Education programme at the Wharton Business School, Pennsylvania where she obtained certification in “Negotiations: Bargaining for Advantage”, the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, where she obtained a certificate in “Leaders in Development: Managing Economic and Political Change”; and the Graduate School of Business, Columbia University.

She assumed leadership as Acting Director General of the Commission in December, 2012, following the expiration of tenure of the pioneer Executive Management Committee. Under her leadership, pension fund assets have continued on a steady growth trajectory increasing by over 60 per cent as at year end 2014, due to the steadfast implementation of the Investment Regulation which ensures the safety of pension funds.

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

INSURAN

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Why FG should be sensitive to economic risks

By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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nsurance provides investible funds and is also one of the financial management strategies that must be factored into genuine economic revival development initiatives.

Unfortunately, many of the nation’s assets are uninsured by government through its ministries and agencies, despite the promulgation of the law on compulsory insurances.

This is in contrast to developed climes where governments are sensitive to their risk exposures and adequately insure all assets.

According to the President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, NCRIB, Mr. Kayode Okunoren, inputs should be solicited from the insurance industry in the government’s economic policies.

Group Managing Director of Standard Alliance Insurance Plc, Mr. Bode Akinboye said

that to effectively enforce the ‘No premium, no cover ’ policy in the country, the federal government should set example by paying premium for all its insurances so that individuals and corporate organisations can emulate.

Akinboye said, “If the federal government can pay premium as at when due, it will be easier to also help in enforcing the ‘no premium, no cover’ policy. So we expect that under this new change era, government should be

In developed climes, governments are sensitive to their risks exposures and adequately insure all assets

good example to the corporate world as well as to individuals. Government should lead, and then others will follow. So, since the government knows that all its assets should be insured, and where money has been budgeted for such insurances, government must release the budgeted fund. By such action, government will be in a position to enforce its own policy. If government is not doing that how can they compel big multinationals, for example, with huge financial muscles to comply?”

Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Mohammed Kari stated that the Federal Government of Nigeria was only able to spend about N2 billion on insurance out of N20 billion budgeted in 2014.

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

Efekoha charges insurance operators to abide by code of ethics

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ANAGING Director of Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc, Mr. Eddie Efekoha has said that the business of insurance should be done strictly in accordance with the principles of insurance.

Efekoha who stated this during the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria,

CIIN, annual graduation and awards ceremony in Lagos, said that every insurance practitioner should observe the general laws of the land.

According to Efekoha, every practitioner should abide by the code of ethics as stated in Section 79 of the Insurance Act 2003 even as every member

shall be expected to be transparent in his/her dealings and preserve impartiality in conduct.

On the general causes of unethical conduct in the insurance industry, Efekoha said that greed and pursuit of personal gains; lack of transparency; peer pressure

COURSE: President, International Right of Way Association (IRWA), Chapter 84 Nigeria, Eze Odigbo (left) presenting a gift to Master Instructor, Donnie Sherwood at the end of a five-day Pioneer Credentialing Course 2016 organised by IRWA, in Abuja.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016 —

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CE & YOU

Insurance provides investible funds and is also one of the financial management strategies that must be factored into genuine economic revival development initiatives

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Miss Insurance to focus on microinsurance awareness

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workforce and operations to uncertainty.

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

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

is concerned, we need to improve the content and quality of our services. In addition to our quest for innovation, changes in companies’ business model must be exploited. The earlier we realised that the music has changed and thus the need to adjust our dancing steps, the better for us all.”

DAEZE Okeke, Miss Insurance 2016 has said that she intends to concentrate on creating insurance awareness, focusing more on microinsurance products during her reign as the miss insurance.

Okeke who stated this at the unveiling of miss insurance at the Linkage Assurance head office in Lagos, said that she believes that her focus on micro-insurance will improve the financial inclusions of the huge market at the bottom of the pyramid.

She said, “I must say that I am honoured, humbled and at the same time excited to be an ambassador of the Chattered Insurance Institute of Nigeria and the Nigeria Insurance Industry especially for the next one year.”

Okeke appreciated the

and societal influence; competition; as well as inadequate monitoring/ enforcement are causes of unethical conducts.

public.

He said, “It is therefore our collective responsibility today to determine the future of our industry through professional and ethical practices. Invest in our personal education beyond what our employers provide.

Imbibe the spirit of professionalism in the discharge of our duty to our employers. Each and every one of us must constantly ask ourselves everyday- Have I

acted in my line of duty as a professional today?”

Efekoha maintained that professionals must maintain the insurance industry code of ethics by obeying all the laws; diligently performing assigned duties; promoting professional standards; establishing and maintaining worthy associations; upholding a well defined communicated corporate culture; as well as continually seeking knowledge,

skill and competence.

He said that without ethics, integrity and conducting selves in a manner worthy of emulation, practitioners are mere paper peddlers on the streets with nice suits and shoes.

“What differentiates us from others is how we comport ourselves when the CCTV in our company can’t see us. We must have it at the back of our mind that our actions and in fact

National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu (left) presenting 2015 Sun Public Service Award to Director General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu while Chairman of the Sun newspaper, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu looks on.

Unethical practices He highlighted some unethical practices in the insurance industry to include rate-cutting; unhealthy competition; rebates and illegal payments to intermediaries; refusal to pay claims; claims purchasing; poor representation of client; collusion with clients to exaggerate claim amount or claim for uninsured losses as well as leasing AIIN certificate for fee.

Efekoha stated that some effects of non-adherence to ethical standards are that it hinders growth; bad public perception; career death; lead organisations to corporate graveyard as well as corruption of the entire system.

On the way forward, Efekoha said that there can be no future for the insurance industry if unprofessional and unethical practices continue to be the bedrock for insurance companies, brokers, agents, loss adjusters and the insuring

Management team of Linkage Assurance that provided the platform upon which she contested.

She said, “You will agree with me that a significant percentage of the people of our great country Nigeria have been largely uninsured.

Nigeria with a population of over 166million people has only 0.5 percent insurance penetration, this suggests that we have a lot of work as practitioners to do.

I am aware of the fantastic job being done by registered intermediaries in promoting insurance awareness especially in the grassroots. I will leverage on what they have done so far, and work assiduously to deepen insurance awareness and penetration. This is hinged on my firm belief that the insurance sector is critical to the growth and development of any country especially emerging economies such as Nigeria.

lack of it influences the public’s perception of not only our company but in fact our profession and industry at large.

Success for us as professionals is to be value oriented, to impact our work life, our organisation, and our clients positively. We cannot achieve a world class insurance industry without good ethical and professional practices,” Efekoha stated.

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24— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

How Ohanaeze factions made peace VOL. 1 NO 57 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARYWEDNESDAY, 20, 2016 Vanguard, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

— Page 25

South-East students burdened with fees, levies

By Vincent Ujumadu, Anayo Okoli, Chidi Nkwopara & Francis Igata

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WKA—ALTHOUGH the governors of the five South-East states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, always affirmed their determination to give priority to the education of youths as leaders, the situation on ground show otherwise, as students pay exorbitant school fees in the region.

Imo State is the only exemption as it had been providing free education for students since Governor Rochas Okorocha assumed office in 2011.

However, Okorocha has vowed to introduce fees for non-natives of the state as Imo people resident in other states were made to pay school fees.

He said it was foolhardy to provide free education for non-natives when it was not the same thing in other states, where Imo people reside.

A survey carried out in the five states showed that apart from Imo, which was implementing free education at all levels, the other four states were not education-friendly as they charged high fees even as some implemented discriminatory school fees among the students.

... of fees, levies

In Anambra State, where education is regarded as the biggest industry, students in public primary and secondary schools pay levies instead of school fees.

Senior secondary school students pay about N3,000 as levies, while those in the junior classes pay about N2,500 per session even as admissions into such schools attracted an initial payment of about N12,000 for each student.

Those seeking admission into any class are usually charged fees for the three terms in a session, even if they were changing schools in the third term.

The situation is, however, different for the private and missionary schools where fees range from N20,000 to N100,000 per term.

Apart from the official school fees, levies are charged through the various Parents’ Teachers Associations, PTAs, especially if there were projects to be executed in the school.

For the tertiary institution, fees at the state-owned Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University range from N100,000 for non-professional courses to N130,000 for professional courses. The fees include sundry charges such as students’ union dues, departmental fees, laboratory fees among others.

Abia In Abia State, primary and secondary schools are also said to be free, but some schools charge illegal levies of between N1,000 and N3,000 yearly.

Fees charged at the state's tertiary C M Y K

institutions are high compared to the financial capacity of the indigenes. At Abia State University, the fees are between N65,000 and N300,000, depending on the course of study.

Medicine and other related courses cost much higher than the arts and social sciences.

At the state polytechnic in Aba, students are charged between N50,000 to N60,000, per semester, while those at the College of Education, Technical, pay fees ranging from N45,000 to N50,000, per semester.

Ebonyi

In Ebonyi State, which is the most educationally backward in the geopolitical zone, primary and secondary schools are also said to be free.

At the College of Education, Ikwo, new and year two students pay N35,000 with those in their third/ final year paying N20,000.

For those of the Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ikwo, new entrants pay N56,000 while the old students pay N36,000 per session.

The state government, however,

charged discriminatory fees as nonnatives of the state paid much higher.

Ebonyi State indigenous students pay N80,000, while non-indigenes pay N120,000 each.

Enugu

There are no tuition fees in public primary and secondary schools in Enugu State. However, various levies are paid at both levels.

Primary school pupils pay an average

Continues on Page 26

Ohanaeze not doing enough for Ndigbo's devt —Igbo Spiritual Leader

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI—A chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Ogurushi of Igboland (Spiritual Leader), Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, has lampooned the Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo for not pursuing any known agenda for the people.

Ezeonwuka also said the leadership

of Ohanaeze had not made any representation to the Federal Government on dilapidated infrastructure in Igbo-speaking areas of both the South-East and South-South, adding that if the truth must be told, Ohanaeze Ndigbo was in shambles and the group only exists on the pages of the newspapers as there was nothing on ground to show that it existed.

The Igbo spiritual leader spoke in an

interview with South East Voice at the Rojenny Tourist and Games Village, Oba, near Onitsha.

He said: “If the Igbo people will tell themselves the truth, they will all agree that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is in shambles, and has failed to take up issues that require their intervention and are working at cross purposes with factions

Continues on Page 26

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016—25

By Chinonso Alozie

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WERRI—THE two factional leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo World Wide have explained the reasons why they decided to make peace.

The various groups spoke to the South East Voice, after their reconciliation meeting in Owerri, Imo State.

According to Gary Nnachi Enwo-Igariwey, President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo World Wide,“it is not that the leadership has been rocked by crisis; just that in every big organisation, there is always a kind of friction. The leadership of Ohanaeze is not an exception.

“With the Igbo people, big tribe, republican by nature, you always expect such differences in opinion.

“I am happy to announce to you that Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, brokered that peace by trying to bring harmony between the dissenting voices and today we have one voice and stronger Ohanaeze.

“Differences came up not necessarily from my leadership. Earlier, the Igbo race is a big tribe and in every large gathering, it is usually not easy to have a consensus opinion.

“Now that there is peace, we expect a strong and dynamic Ohanaeze. Ohanaeze that will live up to its responsibility of defending the Igbo cause.

How Ohanaeze factions made peace “Yes, we have spoken before on that matter. First, Ohanaeze was properly represented at the confab in 2014. Our emphasis was on the restructuring of the country.

“Ohanaeze believes that the process of restructuring of this country would bring answers to some of the nagging issues confronting the Igbo nation.

“We believe that the agitation of Biafra is as a result of the perceived injustices meted on the people by the Federal Government. I wish that these issues would be listened to.

Steps to take

Imo State

“It was critical to the peace.

All that was needed was a force that could appeal to the two persons. We expected that to

Enwo-Igariwey have happened a long time ago from other sources. We appreciate his leadership.

“There is need for the Igbo people to be united. When people are united and strong, they can fight for their course.

The greatest problem with Igbo people is unity. The moment we find it, we can overcome all problems we have.

“My message, specifically to the Igbo, is to remain calm and articulate and to be united in all of the things they do because as a large tribe they will benefit from their demographic strength once they are united. And we are

ready to capitalise on that demographic strength to achieve our goals.”

For Chief Ralph Obioha, “I was up till the day of the reconciliation meeting, Ohanaeze Chairman, Caretaker Committee, which in effect came to a close. Of course, the Igbo nation is waiting to hear how it happened. I can appreciate that.

“A lot of credit goes to Governor Rochas Okorocha, who, painstakingly, has been working and consulting the individual parties. At the end, both parties threw away those things that do not advance the core interest of the Igbo.”

There's threat to peace in my community— Abia monarch

By Anayo Okoli

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MUAHIA—THE traditional ruler of the granite and stone rich Lokpaukwu Umuchieze community in Umunneochi Council Area of Abia State, Eze Magnus Nwafor, has raised the alarm over threat to peace in his community, following the alleged disobedience of Court Order by a company operating a quarry in the community.

According to him, the current fragile peace in the community was made possible because of his constant appeal to the agitating youths, who have been spoiling for war over the alleged continued mining of stones from the area by the firm despite the Court Order stopping same.

The bone of contention is the Aguokeakpu stone and granite rich land owned by 35 families of Amaubiri/Umutu villages.

According to Eze Nwafor, in June 2015, the land owners were divided on which company to lease the land to for the purpose of quarrying stone.

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Eze Magnus Nwafor signing the resolution; Eze Okoli signing the resolution; with him are Eze Magnus Nwafor (middle) and others. with him are Eze Oliver Okoli (left) and others.

Two companies, Asphalt Unity Construction Limited and Pioneer Sinochino Investment Venture Limited applied for the lease.

Since there was no unanimous agreement by the landowners on the company to lease the land to, they decided to do it by election.

At the election, conducted by a lawyer amidst tight security, 28 out of the 35 landlords voted for Asphalt Unity Construction Limited, a Lebanese firm, while seven voted for Pioneer Sinochino Investment Venture Limited, a Chinese firm.

A Memorandum of Understanding MoU, was

By Peter Okutu

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Biafra

“Yes, we will meet with the leadership of the Igbo people through a stakeholders forum so that we will all be on the same page when deciding on the best way forward on this serious matter. And the positions will be forwarded to the appropriate authorities.

“Meanwhile, we had earlier advocated for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, because we think that his release will ease the tension. Holding him will not solve the problem.

10 years after, Gov Umahi’s elder brother becomes Uburu king

prepared and signed by the monarchs of the Amaubiri and Umutu, Eze Magnus Nwafor; Eze Oliver Okoli, the Chairman and Secretary of the landlords, and the youth leader.

However, the minority seven landlords were said to have disagreed and insisted that the Chinese firm be given the lease and indeed allegedly, with the aid some policemen, encouraged the company to move into the site despite the MoU already entered into with the company that won the lease at the election.

They claimed that one of the monarchs, Okoli, who signed

the MoU also allegedly joined the seven landlords to renege on the agreement, an action the AIG zone 9 was said to have rebuked him for.

The monarch, Eze Nwafor, Chairman of the 35 landowners of the disputed quarry site, Mr. Isaac Okpara, and the Woman and Youth leaders, Mrs. Eunice Nwafor and Samuel Chukwuagozie, respectively, confirmed that they were the people restraining the youths from attacking the Chinese firm, which could cause a break down of law and order in the community.

BAKALIKI— GOVERNOR David Umahi of Ebonyi State’s eldest brother, Chief Laz Umahi Nweze, was weekend crowned the king of Uburu Autonomous community of Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.

This was after a period of 10 years without a king.

The coronation, which took place at the Aja Amaeze Square, attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including top government officials, national and state assembly members and traditional rulers from other autonomous communities in the state.

The community is made up of four villages: Umunaga, Umuanikita, Mgbom and Urhobo.

South East Voice gathered that the community had not had a king for close to 10 years before the coronation of the new king, following the vacancy created by the death of the former traditional ruler, Eze David Ekwe Nweze.

In his acceptance speech, the new Eze said: “I want to start my acceptance speech by thanking our people, great lovers of our community, who first mooted the idea of me becoming a king who prodded and nominated me to be the Eze Adu III of Uburu Autonomous community.

“We will support and collaborate with all levels of government to move Uburu Autonomous Community and the entire Uburu clan forward.

“Governor David Umahi who is our son, has been a source of pride. He is doing so well and we will give him enthusiastic support to do even better.”

Earlier, the PresidentGeneral of Uburu Autonomous Community Town Union, Mr. Innocent Uzor, had expressed joy over the coronation of the new king.

He said: “As a matter of fact, the people of Uburu Autonomous Community have been longing for a day like this ever since the death and burial of Eze Adu II, His Royal Highness, Eze David Nweze.

“Our joy is indeed full that God has finally answered our prayers.”

26— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—INMATES of the Oji-Rivers Leprosy Centre had a field day as it commemorated World Leprosy Day, marked annually on January 31, following the visit of Ambassador for Peace Beauty Pageant, South-East geopolitical zone, Adaeze Onah, who thrilled the victims with musical tunes and donated food and medical items.

Adaeze, 21, who hails from Amechi Awkunawnaw, Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State, an undergraduate at Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, competed in last September's beauty

Beauty queen marks World Leprosy Day with victims pageant competition organised by the Peace Ambassador Agency. She emerged the Ambassador for Peace, SouthEast zone."

Speaking to South East Voice, the soft-spoken damsel said: “My pet project is basically for the lepers. January 31 is World Leprosy Day and we have lepers in the south-eastern zone who need our support and our help.

“We know that they undergo medication. But the medication is not the total eradication of the

disease, so I brought up a scheme known as the Leprosy Eradication Support Scheme, LESS, so that I can support these lepers and their medication so that it can be totally eradicated in the southeast zone.

She further explained: “On that day, I visited them to mark the World Leprosy Day and I made medical and charity donations to them so that they will feel supported. I do not want them to feel like outcast because they are in a different

settlement outside the city.

"That’s the more reason I brought up this scheme; just an initiative. It is a humanitarian mission aimed at eradicating the disease in the south-east and Nigeria at large. Lepers have a settlement in Oji River, and Awka.

“Another illness that seems to have a settlement is Ebola, but since we have successfully eradicated Ebola in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government, I decided to choose lepers since they have a settlement in the south-east.”

Ohanaeze not doing enough for Ndigbo's devt —Igbo Spiritual Leader Continued from Page 24 talking divergently on issues they should work on together.

“There has never been that spirit of oneness in Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The leadership has displayed selfishness that is being noticed by even nonIgbo and this is not helping us as a group.

“We had an Igbo man as Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Governor of the Central Bank, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief of Army Staff among other important positions in the country, yet none has been beneficial to the Igbo man.

“We do not pay attention to things concerning our homes and have lost ground without knowing it; we have put in 90 percent investments in Abuja, 80 percent investment in Lagos and have deserted our homes.

“This is regrettable;

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

Ohanaeze Ndigbo that is supposed to guide Ndigbo is just existing on the pages of newspapers. They are not on ground.”

Ezeonwuka, who is also the proprietor of Rojenny Games and Tourist Village Oba, regretted that Ohanaeze had never as a group tabled their matters before any President, “rather, they have been selfish and that is why all federal infrastructures in South-East are in a comatose state.

“Federal roads (EnuguOnitsha, Enugu-Port Harcourt, Nsukka-Ninth Mile, Corner-Onitsha Road, Enugu-Aba- Owerri and Aba-

Port Harcourt, OwerriUmuahia) are some of the few federal infrastructures that are in sorry states.

“Don’t forget that our brother was the immediate past SGF and we ended up benefiting nothing from that government he and others served.

“Tell me why Igbo men are recovering swamps in Lagos State and have even moved into Abeokuta now, while their homes are deserted. Our brothers and sisters have edifices in Abuja and Lagos but none in their homes.”

He said the action of some Igbo men and the seeming silence by Ohanaeze Ndigbo

on issues of national importance had provoked the younger generation of Ndigbo, who now feel insecure, leading to the current restiveness and agitation for the Republic of Biafra.

He said: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo has not been able to propagate Igbo emancipation in Nigerian politics. There is no single thing they have done or what they can show to have achieved.

“The Arewa group has achievements for their people, the Afenifere has a lot to show their people, but Ohanaeze Ndigbo is nowhere to be found in terms of achievements.”

In South-East, students pay exorbitant fees for education Continues from Page 24 of N1,000 for various projects initiated by the Parents’ Teachers Associations, PTAs. Even those in secondary schools pay various levies ranging from N100 to N900 per session.

Both JSS 3 and SS 3 students pay between N700 and N900 in addition to the official fees charged for their examinations.

At the Enugu State College of Education, Technical, ESCET, new students for NCE programme pay N48,000 while those undergoing degree courses pay N69,000 including acceptance fees.

Also in ESCET, Sandwich/ Part-Time Degree tuition, including acceptance fee, is N80,000.

Students at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, pay N126,000, excluding N25,000 acceptance fee and other departmental fees. Students

who choose to stay in the hostels pay an additional N40,000.

At the Institute of Management and Technology, IMT, new students pay N65,000, including acceptance fees, while hostel accommodation is N40,000.

The University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, which is a Federal Government-owned institution, pegged its own fees at N90,000 apart from a compulsory laptop fee of N75,000 for new students, even as old students pay N55,000 each.

Imo

Imo State Government has been operating free education programme since Governor Okorocha came on board in 2011.

He promised giving school bags, textbooks, desks, sandals and teaching aids to the pupils and their schools.

The governor took off with the programme, but events had since proved that he has

slowed down or completely stopped the implementation of the policy.

Some school heads, interviewed within the week, confessed that they had since run out of instructional materials, even as they said that parents now provided books and uniforms for their wards.

South East Voice investigations showed that it was doubtful if the state government would go on with the free education policy, especially with the current economic down turn in the country.

Only recently, Okorocha told journalists that he was seriously thinking of slamming fees on nonindigenes, pointing out that it was foolhardy to give such people free education in Imo, while Imo people were forced to pay fees in other states.

Stakeholders make case for copyright laws

By Chinonso Alozie

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W E R R I — STAKEHOLDERS in the music industry have advocated for the strengthening of copyrights laws, to safeguard intellectual properties.

This was contained in a paper made available to South East Voice and delivered by Dr. Vitalis Ajumbe, during the Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON, Stakeholders Forum held in Owerri.

He said for creative art to be much valued in the country, laws guiding intellectual property should be made stronger to penalise offenders and that with such laws in place, it would be very difficult for people to take undue advantage of the system.

With this, according to Ajumbe, it would encourage the younger ones in the profession.

He said: “It has become worrisome that the enforcement of copyright laws in this country is essentially non-existent.

The laws we have are inadequate and the general lack of interest by the public and governments on the plight of the talented and creative minds do not encourage the local industry.

“I, therefore, charge the Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON, to rise to the occasion and articulate the way forward for their members by strengthening the relevant laws, strengthening enforcement capacity, propose tougher laws against piracy, increase surveillance on privacy activities and intensify prosecution of identified pirates.

“Nigerians have often openly acknowledge with pride and gratitude God’s endowments and free gift to our country in terms of petroleum and other natural resources.

“But hardly has it dawned on the consciousness of our people that other intangible human resources such as talent, and intellectual resources can be harnessed for greater internal revenue.

“Copyright advocates can lead the way in this regard by aligning with government and stakeholders to project COSON and other related organisations as a critical subsector of the economy.”

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016 — 35 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 SCORPIO: Challenges of yesterday will today bring you good opportunities along your career/business lines to the betterment of your finances. Seek supporters of powerful ones.

SAGITTARIUS: Think of the best way to improve on your working pattern in order to enhance your career prospects if you listen to your creative self, things will work out fine for you. Be more loving.

CAPRICORN Think of both immediate and far future while you are savouring goodies offered you by mother nature.

AQUARIUS: You should not have it tough while trying to win the needed supports of others. Take good advice from some of your friends who are creatively gifted.

PISCES: Your creativity quotient is enhanced today and if you demonstrating this within your working arena, you’ll earn success and consolidate on your recent progress.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

About History

By Richard Eromosele

H

ISTORY is defined as the study of past events.In order words, history is simply the study of actions and

inactions of some individuals.It is the study of what some men and women do in other to shape the world.It is the

TERROR MUDA

story of men and women who dared.History is the narrative of the exploit and conquest of men

in “Scavenger Elite”

and women who are led by their convic-tions.Some people make history, some write it and some read it.If the history of the world is to be written today,where will you be placed?

By Lanre Kehinde

ARIES; It is important you don’t take things for granted.

Watch carefully what you agree to do.

TAURUS: Better than yesterday. Others will be willing to give you the needed co-operation both at home and within your working arena. This is a good day for lovers.

GEMINI: Those of you who are more enterprising will have much to show for your efforts. The more cooperative you. Don’t neglect love.

CANCER: You will need to re-examine both your personal ideas and advice given to you by other people. Be family minded.

LEO: Provided you don’t allow others to mislead you, things will not go wrong. The more willing you are to take the initiative the better for you. Take your love life more seriously.

VIRGO: Although you will need to be as secretive as you can, your success will attract others’ attention to you to the betterment of your cause. Be ambitious.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in “HEY’

By Andy Akman

LIBRA: People who more influential than you will be willing to support your cause but you will need to make the necessary move. The more self assertive you are the better.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat tr ological datee and place of bir th ttoo the As Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What does future have for me Dear Joshua, I don’t want you to publish my data. However, I want to know how the planets lined up when I was born. And which day of the week was I born, would I record success in life ? When would my success come?

Johnson, Jos. Dear Johnson, You were born on a Jupiter ruled day – Thursday. You’ll succeeded earlier than you think.

Your Horoscope Data DAY OF BIRTH: THURSDAY SUN SIGN = PISCES: SUN IN 25TH DEGREE OF PISCES MOON SIGN: PISCES: MOON IN 21ST DEGREE OF PISCES MERCURY IN 28TH DEGREE OF AQUARIUS VENUS IN 28TH DEGREE OF ARIES MARS IN 7TH DEGREE OF CANCER JUPITER IN ZERO DEGREE OF AQUARIUS SATURN IN 27TH DEGREE OF CAPRICORN URANUS IN 22ND DEGREE OF LEO NEPTUNE IN 11TH DECREE OF SCORPIO PLUTO IN 6TH DEGREE OF VIRGO NORTH NODE IN 6TH DEGREE OF PISCES CARDINAL AND MUTABLE STAR SIGN HOSTED THREE PLANETS EACH, FIXED AND WATER FOUR EACH, FIRE EARTH AND AIR HOSTED TWO EACH. PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 40% NON-PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 60% HIGHLY HIGHLIGHTED STAR SIGN = AQUARIUS FINAL DISPOSITOR = SATURN ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA Saturn as the final depositor-the most influential planet at home when you were born, pointed to you as an ambitious person who must have a well developed career.

You are a disciplined person with higher degree of leadership quality in yourself. Although, you can be emotional, you are stable and reliable. Less than 50 per cent of push-full influence in you is an indication of your being an amiable person. Both your natal sun/moon in Pisces and Aquarius are indications of characteristic of star signs are highly pronounced in your inner-self Having your hands on public pulse will always bring you unexpected success and fulfilment.

Around your 30th birthday an endless cycle of great success and achievements will start for you. Oil-petrol chemicals will feature in your life when the predicted great cycle gets started for you.

Congratulation.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

36 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

AFCON 2017 qualifier: Burkina Faso friendly, a rehearsal for Super Eagles — Cuper

•Cupper

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haraohs of Egypt coach, Hector Cup has said his team’s international friendly against Burkina Faso on Friday is key to his team’s preparation for the African Cup of Nations qualifier against he Super Eagles on March 25 in Kaduna.

The Egyptians opened camp yesterday and their Argentine import is hopeful that the Burkinabes who played the Super Eagles in the final of the 2013 AFCON in South Africa will present the required test.

“The Burkina Faso match will be the best preparation for

the Nigeria clash despite the absence of foreign based players. It will be a good opportunity to examine the local players- the best in the league at the time being,” Cuper said in a press conference ahead of the camp launch on Tuesday.

Egypt’s Argentinian manager, Cuper has hailed the Pharaohs duo of Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Elneny and insisted on the importance of the upcoming Burkina Faso friendly amid preparations for the team’s clash against Nigeria.

On Saturday, Cuper calledup 24 Egypt-based players for the Pharaohs training.

Since his appointment in March 2015, the former Inter Milan coach mainly depended on the successful duo of Salah, who plays as winger for AS Roma and Arsenal’s midfielder Elneny.

“The fact that Salah and Elneny are playing for big European clubs is beneficial for the national team,” Cuper explained.

CAF Champions League: Uganda's Vipers ready for Enyimba

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AF Champions League: Uganda’s Vipers ready for Enyimba Vipers SC defender Yusuf Mukisa has vowed his team will shock out Enyimba from this year ’s CAF Champions League when both teams clash at the Adokiye Amesiamaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

The Uganda champions won the first leg at home 1-0 and the defender said they are targeting at least a draw in the return leg to progress to the first round of this year ’s Champions League.

Erisa Sekisambu‘s secondhalf goal separated the two sides after the first game in Kampala.

This is Vipers’ maiden appearance in the continental competition and all they need is any draw or a win to qualify to the first round where they will face the winners between Lioli FC (Lesotho) and Vital’O FC (Burundi).

The defender, who is one of the most experienced players in the team, has confidence that Vipers can go down into the books of history by ejecting the two-time African champions.

“We have prepared ourselves well and know that we don’t have the pedigree, but our confidence will inspire us to win,” Mukisa told his club’s website.

•Mustapha Abdullahi and Wilfred Ndidi challenge Brazil’s Judivan.

Nigeria battle Brazil Marc •Know first round opponents on April 14

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igeria’s Dream Team will face Brazil in a series of friendlies between March 21 and 29. This will be part of the build-up for the Nigeria Olympic team under coach Samson Siasia ahead of the Rio Olympics in August.

Siasia has already began compiling the names of players for the Brazil friendlies and he could call up players from Europe as those dates fall within the FIFA friendly windows, officials further informed.

•Mustapha

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ikki Tourists captain and right back, Mustapha Ibrahim has said his side are expecting difficult match against Heartland.

The Bauchi side will host the Naze Millionaires in today’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 2 clash at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium (ATBS) in Bauchi.

Ibrahim said his side will come out forcefully against the Owerri outfit aimed at

The stadium’s auditorium will see the groups drawn for Rio 2016’s men’s and women’s football tournaments.

The 16 teams in the men’s tournament, including hosts Brazil and 2012 champions Mexico, will be drawn into four groups, and the 12 women’s teams, including hosts Brazil and 2012 champions USA, will be drawn into three groups.

Just one spot remains in the men’s tournament, with

Manchester City can rule Europe - Hart J

Ibrahim expects tough tie against Heartland claiming the whole three points at stake.

“Nothing short of outright victory against Heartland will make up the past losses to the side.

“Past matches against Heartland have been difficult we do not expect the Wednesday’s (today) clash to be anything different from previous ones.

“Heartland claimed four out of six points at stake in the immediate past season, they walloped us 0-4 in Owerri while we played goalless in Bauchi.

“Right now we want maximum points, three points are our main focus and nothing less.

“Heartland will come with full force to get something from the encounter more so as they failed to earn full points against Warri Wolves on Sunday in Owerri but we will deny them the luxury.

In December, Dream Team VI won the U-23 AFCON in Senegal to qualify for the Olympics alongside Algeria and South Africa.

This year will make it 20 years since Nigeria made history by winning Olympic soccer Gold in Atlanta.

The country came close to repeating this feat at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

However, the Dream Team will know their first round opponents for this year ’s Rio Olympics on April 14 at the iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

•Hart

oe Hart insists Manchester City can win the Champions League this season despite their injury woes and recent poor form.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side travel to face Dynamo Kiev in the first leg of their last 16 tie in the Ukrainian capital today.

But City goalkeeper Hart and his team-mates boarded the flight with morale low after three successive defeats in all competitions. Back to back losses in the Premier League have dented City ’s title challenge, while they were also routed 5-1 by Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday following Pellegrini’s decision to field a weakened team as the Chilean prioritized European success.

However, beating Kiev would take City into the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time and England international Hart feels his team can go all the

way if they believe in themselves. “We’ve got to believe that (City can win it), or else there is no point in turning up on Wednesday,” Hart told City’s website.

“We’ve got to believe that we’ve got what it takes. You know, it’s the best of the best, and if you’re not at your best you will lose, simple as that, in this competition. So it’s all about peaking for the game and being in the right place at the right time. “It’s an amazing competition. It’s something we really look forward to as a team. But we’re very lucky that we’re involved in a lot of competitions.

“The majority of the time when it comes to the Champions League we’re still fighting on all fronts, and this is a good time to be a Manchester City player and a good time to be fighting.”

D/Kie Yarmo of stru City

A

ndr sist will not ing Man spite the side’s st son.

After a the cam

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016 — 37

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Matches today Dynamous Kiev v PSG Eindhoven v

Man City 8:45pm A/Madrid 8;45pm

Soccer fans can now enjoy EPL, others on DSTV compact

By Princewill Ekwujuru & Bartholomew Madukwe

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ch 21-29 Colombia and USA playing off in March to complete the line-up. In the women’s tournament, the final five teams to qualify will all be known by 9 March 2016.

As well as Rio de Janeiro, the home of the 2016 Olympic Games, the five other host cities for the football tournaments (Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Manaus, Salvador and Sao Paulo) are eagerly awaiting the draw to see who they will welcome to their regions. Each of the co-host cities are keen to replicate the remarkable hospitality shown during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

ev’s olenko wary uggling Man

riy Yarmolenko in ts Dynamo Kiev be underestimatnchester City dee Premier League ruggles this sea-

promising start to mpaign Manuel

Pellegrini’s team now sit fourth and are quickly losing ground on Tottenham, Arsenal and surprise leaders Leicester.

The pressure is on Manuel Pellegrini following his decision to rest his key stars against Chelsea in the FA Cup for this fixture, resulting in a 5-1 demolition.

His team meet Kiev at the NSC Olimpiyskiy today in their Champions League round of 16 first leg and 26year-old Yarmolenko is fully aware of the threat that their visitors present.

Speaking to the Guardian ahead of the tie, the forward remained cautious saying ‘City may not have been at their best this season but we mustn’t under-

ash-strapped soccer crazy Nigerians who, hitherto enjoyed watching top European leagues, including the English Premier League, the La Liga, European Champions League on DSTV Premium, but have not been able to renew their subscription can now smile as Multichoice, owners of the cable network have added these leagues to their compact bouquet.

Multichoice yesterday announced that from today, subscribers on its Compact and Compact plus bouquets will watch the full complement of the aforementioned leagues, including the 2016 UEFA C Managing Director of Multichoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, represented by General Manager Sales, Martin Mabutho at a briefing in Lagos dubbed ‘Hat Trick, said the matches of these leagues and Euro 2016 will be available to DStv Compact subscribers in High Definition, HD, at no extra cost. While stating that previously, the full football package was available to only DStv Premium subscribers on its SuperSport channels.

Ugbe said DStv is providing the full football menu for Compact subscribers, because “one of MultiChoice’s key priorities is to put our subscribers’ needs at the heart of

SMILES . . . From Left: Felix Awogu, General Manager, SuperSport West Africa; Chioma Afe, Marketing Manager, DStv and Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria smile during the launch of DStv Compact Value Campaign held at Zen Garden, Isacc John, GRA Ikeja, PHOTO; Kehinde Gbadamosi

everything we do and since these have been tough economic times for everyone, we realised that our subscribers

could use some good news.

We’re excited that we can now deliver the best football action in the world to our Compact

subscribers, while ensuring that this development doesn’t negatively impact them financially.”

ent pm lo ve de ts or sp r fo g bi s an pl YSFON the Nig eri an Ga wu na spe cifi cal ly urg ed

Naval Staff U-16 Navy to revive the Chief of Cup, even has he s Of Nig eria boys and NOWA U-17 girl he You th Spo rts Fed era tionpar atio ns to begged for the reintroduction of the Esuene pre YS FO N has con clu ded ola Cup and the Abidoye tournaments that cup, the late MKO Abi resurrect and launch new ion opportunities cup amongst others. ector of YSFON would avail youths in the nat contribute their Also speaking. Technical Dir t out sta ndi ng and nts tale ir the tha p d to develo Abd ulg afa r Ag boo la sai the society.. quota to the development of emony of the 2016 talents spotted at the Ramat Cup were going cer ed and exposed, adding Speaking at the closing in Ka no, YS FO N to be invited,grooml form the crux of the new RA MAT Cu p Tou rna me nt wil s yer pla to that the ed all hands l feature at the Dallas President, Nasir Gawuna urg end er you th “YSFON Stars that wil eng to er ord in k dec be on Cup in the USA. development through sports.

By John Egbokhan

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PSV's Hendrix bank on home comforts against fighting machine

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orrit Hendrix recognises PSV face a tough task when they host Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie.

PSV midfielder Jorrit Hendrix expressed the importance of making the most of home advantage as they prepare for the Champions League last-16 first leg tie against “fighting machine” Atletico Madrid today.

Eredivisie champions PSV finished runners-up to Wolfsburg in a competitive group ahead of Manchester United and CSKA Moscow to reach the knockout stages and are eyeing a first

quarter-final appearance since 2007.

Doing so will be no easy feat as they face an Atleti side that won La Liga as recently as the 2013-14 season, the same year they reached the Champions League final against city rivals Real Madrid.

Hendrix is aware of the task PSV face and acknowledged the Liga side head into the tie as favourites.

“The fans give us a bit more energy and a boost. It’s just an inferno when we play at home, how much the fans get behind us, and how much they sing and scream for us,” Hendrix told reporters ahead of the clash at Philips Stadion.

Cruyff : PSV cannot match Atletico Madrid physically ohan Cruyff has warned PSV unless they can match the desire that J that they will not face a typical Atletico will bring.

Spanish test in the shape of “Atletico Madrid might not be the best

•Cruyff

Champions League opponents Atletico Madrid.

Netherlands legend Johan Cruyff says PSV must avoid a physical battle at all costs if they are to stand a chance in their Champions League last-16 tie with Atletico Madrid.

The Eredivisie champions finished ahead of Manchester United and CSKA Moscow to book their ticket for the knockout stages and will now have to deal with Diego Simeone’s men.

Cr uyff admitted he is “ not optimistic” about PSV’s chances

opponent, but they are the most difficult one,” Cruyff wrote in his weekly column for De Telegraaf.

“PSV will be in trouble if they turn it into a physical contest. They have to be one step ahead of Atleti in order to prevent that from happening. Atletico play like the fans want them to play. It’s not technical and attacking football like Barcelona and Real Madrid, but all about giving 200 per cent.

“PSV will have to be on top of things right from the start, because Atletico will definitely be focused from the first whistle.

They defend with their entire team and attack will 11 players as well.

C M Y K

38—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

CYBERCRIME ACT:

Fears of internet, OTT regulation unfounded —NCC •Act secures Nigerian cyberspace •Asks service providers to innovate, secure platforms

By PRINCE OSUAGWU Hi-Tech Editor HERE is arguably no law that has brought confidence and fear altogether to one sector of the economy than the Prohibition, Prevention, Detection.

Response, Investigation and Prosecution of Cybercrimes and other Related Matters Act 2015, simply known as the Cybercrime Act. While some regulated services providers in the telecommunications sector appear to appreciate the Act as having the potentials to curtail excesses of others they feel are competing with their revenues without commensurate investments, others whose services are carried out over internet protocol, IP and their teeming users feel there is a place in the Act that could whittle down their creativity and innovation. Yet everybody seems to be in agreement that the Nigerian cyberspace should not be left for just anything to fly in and out unguarded.

However, apparent minimal knowledge of the Act by the people it was meant to serve, and reservations in some quarters that wholesome consultation was not explored prior to its endorsement, are making the Act controversial

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among the people it has come to rescue.

Consequently, the chief regulator of the sector, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has stepped in to clear the air in different areas of the Act. In fact it took the opportunity of the just concluded Social Media Week, which held in Lagos last week to provide that needed intervention.

Through a robust panel of professionals from the media, law, public relations and the government, the commission was able to xray a whole lot of issues around “what the new media has to do with the Cybercrime Act” The commission, unequivocally, stated that the cybercrime act was not meant to regulate the Internet or Over The Top (OTT) services, also known as disruptive technologies, but to ensure that everybody is responsible for his act on the cyberspace.

OTTs are service providers riding on the network of telecom operators to provide value added services such Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn, BBM among others.

The director of Public Affairs of the Commission, Mr. Tony Ojobo, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman, EVC of the commission, even

said that the act was put together to ensure a healthy and responsible internet activity.

According to him, regulating the Internet or OTT will stifle creativity and innovation, and reduce the accelerated growth Nigeria is already recording in new media development across the world.

However, he noted that “with the new act, every operator whether traditional or OTT will now be responsible for what is put out in the cyberspace through their platform.

“It is now their challenge to deploy technology that would check espionage, fraud, hackers and all other unwholesome activities that may come to the cyberspace through their platforms.”

The commission, unequivocally, stated that the cybercrime act was not meant to regulate the Internet or Over The Top (OTT) services

Menace of cybercrime He also admitted that the act is not an end to itself in checking cybercrime, since there may be issues that could be raised along its implementation that could lead to amendment in future.

“Every law is subject to amendment and the cybercrime act is not an exception. What the industry has done is to raise the awareness and consciousness to see the menace of cybercrime mitigated to the barest minimum. It is now the duty of the public to also look at relevant areas that were either ignored or omitted and raise them for subsequent amendment of the act. But fears of it being a measure of regulating the Internet should be dispelled. “ Presenting the EVC’s speech at the event, he noted that the cybercrime act 2015 is an act of parliament which has become law since it was accented to by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in May 15 2015. He said it is therefore imperative for new media practitioners to familiarize themselves with the contents of the law as it affects their practice.

For him, the regulator ’s

objectives should be to catalyze additional opportunities offered by OTT services to the benefit of the consumer and to support competition while avoiding the OTT related risks in the areas of security and data protection.

Ojobo said that while the commission acknowledges the fears of traditional telecom service providers that traditional telephony and SMS revenues are under threat from newer, IP based alternatives like WhatsApp, Skype, Viber, among others, they should also in turn accept the challenge to innovate and explore more efficient business models that would enable them compete favourably with OTT service providers.

He highlighted significant areas the Act protects not only the cyberspace but investments in the country: Freedom of expression, but....

The Act does not encumber the freedom of expression as enshrined in the Constitution but seeks to protect those whose freedom may be damaged by the freedom freely expressed by others. Section 24 of the Act deals with Cyber stalking and also prescribes punishment for “Any person who knowingly or intentionally sends a message or other matter by means of computer systems or network” which, among others, “he knows to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, Continues on page 39

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016—39

Nigeria among 5 top countries in increased mobile subscription ... 68m mobile subscriptions added in Q4 2015

By Emeka Aginam

A

S Spain welcomed the global community on Monday for the 2016 Mobile World Congress 2016, Ericsson launched the Mobile World Congress Edition of the Mobility Report with 68 million mobile subscriptions added in Q4 2015.

Nigeria, according to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report is among five top countries that increased the number of global mobile subscriptions.

According to the report, India added 21 million, followed by China, 6 million, the US , 5 million, Myanmar , 5 million and Nigeria , 3 million.

Launched recently, the Mobile World Congress edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report revealed the impact of different levels of network performance on smartphone users and their perceptions of mobile operators and digital content providers.

From the report, Neuroscience

technology was used to objectively measure emotional responses to varied smartphone experiences.

Delays in loading web pages and videos under time pressure, the report indicated caused mobile users’ heart rates to rise an average of 38 percent.

Six-second delays to video streaming, the report said caused stress levels to increase by a third.

Watching a horror movie To put that in context, the report further indicated that the stress incurred is equivalent to the anxiety of taking a math test or watching a horror movie alone, and greater than the stress experienced by standing at the edge of a virtual cliff. Once a video begins, an additional pause can cause stress levels to increase dramatically.

In the study, the Net Promoter

Score (NPS) of an operator increased significantly when associated with a delay-free experience – by 4.5 points.

This finding was also reflected when measuring emotional engagement using a neuroscience-based motivational index. However, the operator’s NPS, according to the report, dropped on average four points with moderate time-to-content and re-buffering delays.

Interestingly, moderate delays result in a double negative for mobile operators: decreased engagement with their brand and increased engagement with competitors. Other highlights from the Ericsson Mobility Report - Mobile World Congress edition, included *Social networking is second only to video for driving mobile traffic growth. Over the next six years total social networking traffic will be around 12 times that of the previous six years.

Cowbellpedia mobile app to reduce Maths phobia

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By Laju Iren

OR many students, the fear of Mathematics is the beginning of wisdom. Too bad this fear does not always translate into success. In fact, many at times, this phobia drives students to failure. It is with this in mind that Cowbellpedia recently developed a multi-level mobile app that will allow students to practice Mathematics questions while having a lot of fun.

Developers also say that the app will aid in preparing those interested in participating in the forthcoming Cowbellpedia Secondary School Mathematics Television Quiz Show sponsored

by Promasidor Nigeria. Head of Marketing, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Festus Tettey explained that the move was part of measures to stimulate greater student interest in Mathematics, which is regarded as the bedrock of science and technology.

Google Play Store This Cowbellpedia Mobile app, according to Tettey, can be downloaded on Google Play Store and Apple Store. He added that this year’s competition will be in two stages: Qualifying Written Examination and TV Quiz Show. The National Examination Council NECO will conduct the Stage One examination according to him on Saturday, March 19, 2016.

NECO is an examination body in Nigeria that conducts the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination and the General Certificate Examinations in Education in June/July and December/January respectively.

Each School is required to

present their best ten (10) students in Mathematics (five from JSS3 and five from SSS2), irrespective of religion, tribe or state of origin, to enhance their chance of qualifying for the next stage of the competition.

According to Tettey, the Stage One registration, which is online, involves visiting www.cowbellpedia.ng. Also speaking on the occasion, Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olivier Thiry informed that the company has significantly increased the prize money for the

finals for both students and teachers. This year he said, the top prize student winner in each category will go home with One Million Naira in addition to other prizes, while the teacher will be awarded Four Hundred Thousand Naira. “All these improvements are to underscore Promasidor’s effort to provide a credible platform that discovers, recognizes and rewards excellence in Mathematics, a critical component of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Nigeria.

Nerds Unite: MainOne makes case for cost effective solutions

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU & LAJU IREN

A

T the second edition of MainOne’s annual Nerds Unite Technology Conference, which took place in Lagos recently, Information Technology stakeholders harped on the need to adopt new technologies for enhancing operational efficiency in these tough economic times.

Created for IT professionals, Nerds Unite is MainOne’s technology platform to bring together its customers and partners for impactful knowledge sharing sessions and social networking. With topics ranging from best practices to address emerging challenges facing Enterprises in Connectivity, Data Centre, Cloud and Security, Nerds Unite delivered a wealth of new content, unparalleled networking opportunities and key insights to enrich the technical audience.

Speaking during her presentation on “The Shape of Things to Come”, MainOne’s Chief Executive Officer, Funke Opeke, analyzed latest trends including the Internet of Things, Data Centre and Cloud services, Managed Security and Social Business and urged IT professionals to adopt new technologies for enhanced operational efficiency for their organizations. She noted that the IT space is highly competitive and early adopters and pioneers stand to benefit more from new technologies.

“In light of economic realities, it is important for businesses to take a closer look at their operational costs and take advantage of Data Centre, Cloud and Connectivity solutions to manage costs and drive improved operational efficiency during this challenging period”, she said.

Fears of regulating internet, OTT regulations unfounded Continues from page 38

hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another or causes such a message to be sent: Commits an offence under this Act and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not more than N7,000, 000. 00 or imprisonment for a term not more than 3 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

OTTs responsible for security of their platforms The Act shares out responsibilities to the various stakeholders including, cybercafé operators, financial institutions and telecom service providers. For instance, Section 38(1) expects a service provider to keep all traffic data and subscriber information as may be prescribed by the relevant authority for the time being, responsible for the regulation of communication services in Nigeria, for a period of 2 years.

Critical

national

infrastructure Part 11 &111 of the Act deals with Designation of certain computer systems or networks as critical national infrastructure as well as offences and penalties for damaging such critical

infrastructure. It may be interesting to juxtapose this part of the Act with Section 1 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1975 (An Act to provide stiffer penalties for damages to telephone communication

works, electricity transmission lines and oil pipelines and to enable armed patrols arrest any person committing an offence under this Act) and see how they work together to protect telecommunications infrastructure.

Lenovo promo winner goes home with Kia Rio

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU & EMEKA AGINAM

A

19-year old university undergraduate, Vivian Onyemaechi, last week, joined the list of students who became car owners while in school. this was as she emerged winner of the grand prize of a brand new Kia Rio in the final draw of Lenovo customer promotions held in Lagos recently.

The promo, meant to reward customers who bought Lenovo smartphones from accredited dealers nationwide, promised to dish out prizes including a brand

new Kia Rio and 10 educational and ace entertainer, Dban grants worth N200,000 each as on hand to present the j were winners well as various consolation with their prizes . prizes.

Thrilled by the gran Represented by Nnamudi Onyemaechi said her d prize, Marcellinus, Onyemaechi took being a car own prayers of er were away the Kia Rio star prize while answered right on time seven other finalists received overjoyed to be the winn . “I am vari ous cons olat ion priz es Lenovo National Prom er of the o’s Kia Rio including blenders, deep freezer, grand prize. “In fact, smartphones, refrigerators and believed anything of I never such to be much more. true; not until Lenovo made such At the event, Head of the Lagos a difference that even Office of the Consumer Protection can see! I encouragthe blind Council (CPC), Mr. Joshua customers to alwa e other Nggada and Deputy Manager, interest whenever ys show a Lenovo National Lottery Regulatory promo is on.

Commission (Lagos Zonal When it comes to telecom, Offi ce), Mr. Ony eme nam electron ics and accessories, Daniel, Slot brand ambassador Leno vo is the best,” she added.

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40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Declare maternal, newborn and under-5 deaths national emergencies, FG told

By Sola Ogundipe

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OWARDS contributing to the economic growth, social and gender equity and democratic governance in the country, the Federal Government has been urged to declare maternal, neonatal and under-5 deaths a national priority emergency and to urgently design an action plan to address the maladies.

Making the call, representatives of public and private sector stakeholders in health and development who gathered in Abuja for an inaugural Summit on accountability for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, RMNCAH, said that unless there is political will and priority among the local, state, and f+ederal governments, implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, will remain unachievable.

Communique

The Summit titled: "Accountability Now: Advancing RMNCAH,” was organised by the Federal Ministry of Health, and co-sponsored by Champions for Change based at the Public Health Institute; the Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria, HERFON, and Women Friendly Initiative.

full range of health services and supplies for sexual, reproductive maternal and adolescent youth health in Nigeria.

“We further commit to collaborate with the government and each other to share lessons on what works and what doesn’t to share our shared goals,” they said

Ministerial address

SUMMIT: From left - Dr. Emmanuel Abanida of the Health Reform Organisation of Nigeria, HERFON, and the National Programme Manager, PATHS2, Mr Mike Egboh, presenting the summit communique to the Director, Dept of Family Health, FMOH, Dr. Wapada Balami, during the RMNCAH Summit held in Abuja, last week.

In a jointly signed communiqué, participants noted that the national maternal mortality ratio of 576 deaths per 100,000 live births constitutes a national emergency.

They lamented that one out of every five Nigerian children dying before their fifth birthday is unacceptable and called on government at all levels to prioritise the reproductive health needs of women, chil-

We need to reduce MMR by a minimum of 88 percent in the next 15 years, newborn mortality rate needs to be reduced by at least 68 percent and Under-5 mortality rate by at least 80 percent

dren and the youths of Nigeria in her health agenda for 20162019.

The Summit participants recommended, as deliberate government policy, domestication of the National Health Act nationwide, while allocating more funds to health, education and other social services.

"We leave with a renewed sense of commitment and joint accountability to achieve our goals of ensuring access to the

Presenting the keynote address while launching the global mobile “Da Subject Matter”, Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, who was represented by the Director, Department of Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Balami Wapada, admitted that the present maternal mortality indices provided by the 2013 National Demographic Health Survey, NDHS, was a far cry from the global target of 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.

"We need to reduce this ratio by a minimum of 88 per cent in the next 15 years. Newborn mortality rate needs to be reduced by at least 68 percent and under-5 mortality rate needs to be reduced by at least 80 percent.

"Although we were able to quickly contain the Ebola outbreak, our health system still needs more strengthening and we shall continue to strengthen the system,” the minister asserted.

Adewole said government would integrate health services delivery/monitoring and evaluation based health services for availability, accessibility and quality in every setting.

Brain drain and brain gain W

HO are medical migrants? What causes them to move? What are the consequences of this movement? And how can the situation be corrected?

Corrected?

Well, it depends on the angle you see it from. Medical migration first has to viewed from three unique perspectives: that of the source country, the destination country and that of the migrant.

According to the WHO Estimates of Health Personnel 2004, in 2000 Europe and the USA with 21 percent of the world's population had 45 percent of the world's doctors and 61 percent of the world's nurses.

Africa, with 13 percent of the world's population, had a mere 3 percent of the world's doctors and 5 percent of the world's nurses.

Medical migrants come from Africa, the Caribbean, South East and South Asia.

The major destination countries are Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, New Zealand, UK and USA.

Causes

These are complex, and in many ways, relative. They are often referred to as factors that "push" from the sending country and factors that "pull" to the destination country. These are job satisfaction, skill utilization and professional development, income and standard of living, politics, government and administrative bureaucracy, personal safety, health safety and retirement safety.

Consequences Medical migration has positive and negative effects on the source country, the destination country and the migrant.

Unfortunately, current literature, public forums and media attention appear more focused on two of the six possible major consequences: the negative effect on

the sending country (its impact on healthcare delivery in Africa) and the positive effect on the destination country (the impact on their shortage of medical personnel).

There are positive effects on the sending country (knowledge and expertise gain on migrant's return) albeit this cluster is very small.

There are also negative effects on the destination country, again very small.

And then, to the surprise of many, there are significant negative consequences for the migrants as well, especially (racial) discrimination, social status and lack of recognition of the primary migrants, and the potential for loss of culture, language and identity of their children.

Correction

What is the solution? The ancient adage "treat the cause" holds true here.

We need to address the factors in the sending country that favour migration, the circumstances of the destination country that encourage the in-migration movement, and the motivational factors that prompts the medical migrant to leave.

While we deal with the cause we must also rebalance the consequences. How? We should look at the positive and negative consequences like a playground see-saw.

For example: take the source country (or say Africa), list and evaluate the positive and negative impact of medical migration on it, then reverse this gradient (remember the see-saw) by decreasing negative effects and increasing positive effects.

All professionals, not just medical doctors, have the right to practice in any location or region of their legal choice. However, for the sake of World/Public Health,

doctor@lagospainclinic.com the inequities do need to be addressed.

The above was an article I published in an International Journal of Medical Science in October 2005.

It is disheartening that it still applies today.

Today

"Push" factors in 2016 now include the puzzling difficulty in passing residency exams in some specialties, difficulty getting desired placement for residency training, repeated clusters of strike action, and the falling international value of income.

There is also the "double drain" effect. These are doctors who have returned home with expertise gained abroad, but without the necessary support to integrate back into the health system, they are then forced to return abroad.

Some Asian Governments got this right a decade ago. They sent emissaries to the UK and USA and asked their nationals to return home.

They provided land and real estate, and loans at special rates and grace periods. They passed legislation that enabled easy transfer of equipment, drugs and medications, and technology for their returning physicians.

They facilitated building permits, import duty waivers and infrastructural support. They empowered these professionals. Today these countries have a booming medical tourism industry. They turned a brain drain into a brain gain.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016—41

CEPEJ flays militants’ attack on Forcados Terminal

By Emma Amaize

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ARRI—CENTRE for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, a civil rights group, yesterday, faulted the recent attack on Forcados Terminal, a facility of Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, by a militant group, which caused the alleged loss of about 35,000 barrels of crude oil.

CEPEJ, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mr Sheriff Mulade, said the act was uncalled for, given the dire economic situation in the country and urged the Federal Government to beef up security around oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta region.

The group advised security agents to unmask the brains behind the heinous crime and make them face the full wrath of the law, saying that no group should hold the country to ransom.

It decried the adverse effects of oil spills on the environment, stating that it would take several years to re-mediate the area devastated by the spills to its pristine nature.

“We sympathize with SPDC over this attack. The harmful effects of oil spills on our environment cannot be overemphasized. We, therefore, call on the company to move fast to

contain the spread of the spills by adopting sound environmental best practices.

“We equally advise that oil companies should scrap obsolete equipment and embrace environmental friendly facilities in their operations. We make bold to reiterate that the over 50 years of oil exploration and exploitation activities in the

Niger Delta region have only brought untold hardship to the people.

“The livelihoods of many of our people in the coastal areas have been wiped out even as some communities have been swallowed by ocean surge occasioned by unbridled pollution.

“We all know that oil spills pose serious threats to fresh

water and marine environments. They affect surface resources and a wide range of subsurface organisms linked in a complex food chain that includes human food resources. This is why we call on the firm to act, as we understand that the spill is spreading very fast to Bayelsa State,” it added.

VISIT: From left: President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN, Dr Teju Somorin; President/ Vice Chancellor, Babcock University, Prof. Ademola Tayo and Senior Vice President, Academic, Babcock University, Prof. Iheanyichukwu Okoro, during CITN's courtesy visit to Babcock University.

N-Delta Affairs Ministry urged to implement Niger Delta master plan

By Jimoh Babatunde

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HE Director of Development and Leadership Institute, Olaoshebikan Clement, has called on the leadership of the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry to pursue the comprehensive implementation of the Niger Delta Master plan.

Speaking at a forum in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while reviewing development issues on how to rapidly achieve meaningful development in the Niger Delta region, Clement said that real development can be achieved with the implementation of the Niger Delta master plan.

He said: “This can be realised if leadership in the region led by that of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, pursues the resolution of the implementation of several policy issues that have yet remained unresolved in the region.

“As a matter of urgency, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru, should begin the process of achieving real development in the Niger Delta, by focusing on resolving the implementation of the four key policy issues which have for a long time remained a sore thumb in the

C M Y K

region.”

He said that expectations were high in the region, with the Muhammadu Buhari administration's change mantra.

“Leadership of the ministry must, therefore, move away from the failure of the past and sincerely focus on

implementation rather than the formulation of new policies. The minister should seize the moment and work with other agencies of government at all levels to focus on the implementation of four key policies in the region.”

He listed them as: “Comprehensive implementation of the United

Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, peport recommendations on Ogoniland and the extension of key recommendations of the report relating to environmental pollution and degradation to other areas in the Niger Delta region and the comprehensive unveiling of the Niger Delta Master plan."

Hitler hails Olu of Warri’s visit to other monarchs

By Laju Iren

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HE Olu of Warri Kingdom in Delta State, HRM Ogiame Ikenwoli, has been commended for his laudable and peace-building mission and historic visits to other ethnic traditional rulers in the state.

Chief Beck Hilter, a prominent Ijaw leader in Gbaramatu and Ogulagha Kingdoms, who made the commendation in Warri, described the Olu of Warri as God-sent and a peace ambassador.

Hitler said: “It is indeed historic and we all, irrespective of our tribes, must commend and encourage the Olu of Warri for reaching out to other ethnic traditional rulers across the state.

This will help to strengthen and

maintain cordial relationship among the various ethnic nationalities in Delta State.

“The Olu of Warri had visited several Ijaw and Urhobo traditional rulers, and more

would be visited by the revered monarch in his peace building mission. Truly this is the time for Deltans to live in harmony and work together for the development of the state.”

Isoko graduates drum up support for Ogor

N

ATIONAL Union of Isoko Graduates, NUIG, has called on the Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Mr. Leo Ogor not to be deterred by those it described as fifth columnists and sponsored agents assigned to tarnish his reputation.

A statement by the President of the union, Mr Avinyeze Peter, said: “The union passed a vote of confidence on the

Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and condemned in its entirety a recent publication on the Internet averse to the developmental contributions of Ogor to his constituents.”

NUIG pointed out that while the publication intended to incite public ridicule, it however, failed since the Isoko nation sees such report as mere blackmail and fallacy on a worthy son of the Isoko nation.

Disbandment of EDSTMA, policy somersault —Edo PDP

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By Gabriel Enogholase

ENIN—LAST week's disbandment of Edo State Transport Management Agency, EDSTMA, by Governor Adams Oshiomhole has been described by the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as a shock, saying that it was a policy summersault by the government.

The party said that the sudden disbandment of the parastatal established with fanfare with state funds poured into its operations by the state government, was an attestation that the Oshiomhole administration was not being truthful on the reasons behind the government's action.

State Chairman of the PDP, Dan Orbih, spoke in Sabongida Ora, Owan West Local Government Area of the state while receiving defectors from the All Progressives Congress, APC and the Social Democratic Party, SDP into the PDP.

Bayelsa community tasks Dickson on appointments

By Onozure Dania

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K E R E M O R — INDIGENES of Ogbotobo community, Ekeremor constituency III, Bayelsa State, have appealed to Governor Seriake Dickson to take into cognisance the community ’s 45,000 barrels of crude oil daily production and their overwhelming support for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as criteria to appoint their sons and daughters into executive positions in his administration.

The Ogbotobo community which came under the aegis of Ogbotobo For Socio -Political Advancement, OSA, in a statement by its Chairman, Mr Daniel Sapele, congratulated Dickson on his election victory and inauguration for a second term, urging him to break the jinx as since 1999, no son of the community has been given a government appointment.

He said that the community has been supportive of Governor Seriake’s political ambition since his days in the House of Representatives.

42—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 , 2016

Soldiers arrest DPO, others for allegedly molesting Army Captain U

By Anayo Okoli

MUAHIA—THERE was panic Monday morning at the Railway Post, Umuahia, Abia State when police officers attached to the post allegedly manhandled a man later identified as an Army captain for packing his 18-seater Mitsubishi bus close to the fence of the Police station.

According to eye witness accounts, the Divisional Police officer in-charge of the police post was said to be driving into the station when he spotted the bus and ordered the owner to repack the bus claiming that it was blocking his way.

The Army captain who was in mufti, was said to have come out,

Madam Gladys Umekwe for burial

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ADAM EZINNE Gladys Nkeadi Umekwe, aged 77, is dead.

The burial rite is scheduled to take place this weekend at the Umekwe family compound in Nnono, Oboro, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State.

She is survived by brothers, sisters, and many relations, including Chief (Dr.) Austin Izagbo, a frontline Lagos businessman and security expert.

greeted the DPO and quickly wanted to repark his bus. But the police officer was said to have ordered him to come closer and explain why he should block his way to the station.

The army officer was said to have continued to plead with the angry police officer when he refused to allow him to remove his vehicle to re-park. Rather, he was alleged to have ordered his men to arrest the man, who at that juncture unveiled his identity, which was doubted by the police officer who insisted that he must be arrested.

The scene attracted passers-by and people doing sundry businesses around the area, who also joined to plead with the

APGA asks for Okorocha's apology over botched re-run election in Imo

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By Chidi Nkwopara

WERRI—THE last may not have been heard about the botched re-run elections in Imo State, as the leadership of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has asked Governor Rochas Okorocha to “apologize to the citizenry for the riotous misconduct of All Progressives Congress, APC, youths that led

to the rescheduling of the exercise."

The APC youths had last Friday, held the staff of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Owerri, hostage and effectively grounded movement in and out of the electoral umpire’s premises in Owerri.

Addressing journalists in Owerri yesterday, the State

Publicity Secretary of APGA, Dr. George Nkworji, described the scenario as “an act of hooliganism and lawlessness.

“The act of hooliganism and lawlessness exhibited by APC members is condemnable. The Governor should apologize for sending hoodlums to INEC instead of party officials,” Nkworji said.

Ebonyi govt moves to boost rice production course of the farming season. wth 13 bulldozers “You should be able to train civil

A

Late Gladys Umekwe

police officer who refused to budge and insisted that the soldier must be arrested.

“He must obey my arrest order; you people should tell him to obey my arrest order. You must obey my arrest order, you said you are a captain, you must tell me how many wars you have fought.

“I have fought in three Boko Haram states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe before coming here, you must show me your identity today; drag him into the cell now,” the DPO whose identity was not immediately known was yelling.

However, the tables turned against the ‘powerful’ DPO

when four soldiers arrived at the police station and discovered the man being molested was actually an army captain, and they became angry that an officer was calm and gentle to plead, yet he was being disgraced by the police officer.

They called for reinforcements and in less than 15 minutes, four Hilux vans loaded with soldiers, arrived the police station. They later took away the DPO and another police officer with them to their base, after giving them the beating of their lives.

The police have colonized the parking lots around the area, harassing and ordering motorists not to park vehicles around the area, as they always block the road that passes through the station.

By Peter Okutu

BAKALIKI—GOVERNOR David Umahi of Ebonyi State, has commissioned 13 bulldozers jointly procured by the caretaker chairmen of the 13 local government areas of the state for rice production.

Governor Umahi at the occasion expressed joy and paid tribute to God Almighty for the procurement of the bulldozers and successes so far recorded by his administration.

Umahi said it was a joint agreement between the state and local governments that every LGA must have one Grader and a Bulldozer in order to have access roads and also prepare their farms for rice production, adding that one caterpillar each had already been distributed to all the LGAs in the state.

He urged the council bosses to deploy the equipment to work and ensure that employment was also created for the people in the

servants. Each of the bulldozers and graders should be able to have three trainees each attached to whoever that is going be the operator,”he added.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy matters, Samuel Okoronkwo explained that the 13 bulldozers were purchased at the cost of N422 million as 40 per cent out of the total cost has been paid while theremaining60percentwouldbepaid by installment within six months.

DSTv adds EPL, La Liga, Euro 2016 to Compact Bouquet

By Princewill Ekwujuru & Bartholomew Madukwe AGOS—LEADING payTV platform, DSTV, has announced that subscribers on its Compact and Compact Plus bouquets will, from today, be able to watch the full complement of football matches from the world’s most prestigious leagues-the Barclays Premier League, EPL, and La Liga as well as the European Championship (Euro 2016).

Also, MultiChoice Nigeria announced a price slash on Explora and Zapper decoders bundled with the Compact Bouquet.

The Explora, dish kit with one month Compact subscription, initially sold at N71,000, has been reduced by more than 50% to N30,000; while the DStv Zapper decoder, dish kit plus one month Compact subscription will now be sold at N12,500 as against the previous price of N18,500.

The offer which is valid while stocks last further reiterates MultiChoice’s commitment to provide Nigerians with quality entertainment they can afford.

Football fans on Compact and Compact Plus can tune to two new channels: SuperSport 11 (DStv channel 231) and SuperSport 12 (DStv channel 232), which will be dedicated to the EPL and La Liga.

The matches of these leagues and Euro 2016 will be available to DStv Compact subscribers in High Definition and at no extra cost.

Previously, the full football package was available to only DStv Premium subscribers on its SuperSport channels.

L

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On Mor o's arrest o 14 immigration scam Moro's ovver 20 201

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oro should be charged by the Federal Government for murder, he caused the death of 20 graduates on March 15, 2014 at the Abuja National Stadium.

You need to see how graduates scrambled to secure seats. Miss Chinasa Akaeze, Soloist

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FCC should not just invite Moro for just mere questioning; they should try and get a prosecution to drive home to others like him that Nigerians would not allow this sort of scam to continue. Mr Okie Darlington, Graduate

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DP will soon start their normal cry “Witch hunt”. Moro should have been prosecuted before now. Is this the way to conduct a job interview in the 21st century?

Miss Okereke Bukola, Worker

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n advanced countries, it is either Moro resigned immediately after the incident but if he failed to do so voluntarily, it is the duty of the President to sack him. I wonder why he was left alone all the while.

Mr Yunusa A h m a d a l i y , Businesman

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hen Abba Moro is done at the EFCC, he should be taken to the International Criminal Court, Hague. Would he have got the job if during his job seeking period, interviews were done in this way? Miss Cynthia Osuchukwu, Businesswoman

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y concern is that after the EFCC’s show, what next? We are tired of this EFCC showmanship without logical conclusion and due judicial punishment meted to all these big time criminals in our society.

Mr Okechukwu Nene, Banker

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016 — 43

Reps wade into Kogi Assembly crisis, send 10-man delegation

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA—MEMBERS of the House of Representatives yesterday waded into the crisis rocking the Kogi State House Assembly as a 10man panel had been mandated to investigate the alleged illegal removal of the Speaker, MomohJimoh Lawal , his Deputy, Aliyu Akuh and the Majority leader, Kolawole Matthew.

This came as the embattled Speaker and 14 of his supporters in the 20 members Kogi State House of Assembly stormed the National Assembly, NASS, and accused the execitive of instigating the crisis rocking the House.

The panel of investigators is headed by the Deputy Majority Whip, Pally Iriase, All Progressives Congress, APC, Owan Federal Constituency and the panel is expected to report back to the House within one week.

This was sequel to a motion under matters of national importance sponsored by Sunday Karimi, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Kogi.

Karimi while moving the motion argued that what happened in the Kogi House of Assembly was an illegality.

According to him, “Section

92(2)(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 stipulates that the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of to the State Assembly shall vacate office if he is removed from office by a resolution of the House of Assembly by the votes of not less than two-third majority of the members. In Kogi State, there are a total number of 25 members of the State House of Assembly, but five of them had their elections nullified at the court of Appeal and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC is

yet to conduct a fresh election in the state constituencies.

Accordingly, only 20 members are currently validly elected in the House of Assembly and two-third of 20 is at least 13 members.”

He said Governor Bello was alleged by the remaining 15 members to have earlier threatened them to remove the Speaker, Alhaji MomohJimoh Lawal “and appoint his choice as the Speaker instead.”

Members who unanimously supported the motion included Femi Gbajabiamila, the Majority Leader of the House, Nnena Elendu- Ukeje, Rasak Atunwa,

Sunday Adepoju, Tajudeen Yusuf and Edward Pwajok Recall that the 15 aggrieved members of Kogi State Assembly, had in a petition to the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara dated February 17, 2016 titled: “Act of impunity

by Governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello and five (5) members of the Kogi State House of Assembly.”

The Speaker while constituting the committee gave members a week, to report back to the House in a bid to avert a constitutional crisis.

Meanwhile, the aggrieved Kogi

DINNER: From left: Nike Oyewolu, Head, Sales & Markets, KPMG; Kabir Okunlola, Partner, Audit Services, KPMG; Victor Onyenkpa, Partner & Head, Tax, KPMG; Kunle Elebute, Partner & Head, Advisory Services, KPMG; Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, MD/CEO, First Bank of Nigeria Ltd; Bisi Lamikanra, Partner & Head, Management Consulting, KPMG; Ayodele Othihiwa, Partner, Audit Services, KPMG; Olumide Olayinka, Partner, Risk Consulting, KPMG, at a dinner in honour of Dr. Adeduntan to celebrate his recent appointment.

KOGI GOV POLL: Tribunal hears Faleke, Wada’s petitions March 4, 8

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—KOGI State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja, has fixed March 4 and 8 to commence hearing of suits lodged before it by Hon. James Faleke of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the immediate past governor of the state, Capt. Idris Wada, rtd, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The petitioners are praying the Justice Halima Mohammed-led three man panel tribunal to invalidate the process that led to the emergence of Governor Yahaya Bello as winner of the gubernatorial election that took place in Kogi State last year.

Specifically, Faleke went before the tribunal to challenge the

refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to declare him as the valid winner of the governorship election in Kogi State.

He is praying the tribunal to declare that INEC acted wrongly

when it declared the outcome of the November 21 gubernatorial poll inconclusive.

Faleke, through his team of lawyers led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, contended that the initial election had

produced a winner in late Prince Abubakar Audu, saying his death arrogated to him, the status of Governor-elect.

Wada went before the tribunal to protest what he termed, “gross irregularities” during the polls.

‘450 children didn't die of malnutrition at Borno IDP camps'

By Ndahi Marama

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AIDUGURI—BORNO State Government, has debunked report that 450 children died at 28 designated Internally Displaced Persons, IDP camps in the state due to malnutrition in 2015.

Executive Director of the Borno Emergency

Management Agency, Dr. Sule Mele, was reportedly quoted as saying “450 children died from malnutrition in 28 IDP camps in the state in 2015”.

But Commissioner of Health, Dr. Haruna Mshelia, yesterday said contrary to the report, statistics showed that a total of 54,000 children between the ages of 5 and below were

recorded in all the resettlement camps, in which, 98 children (1.5%) with severe cases of malnutrition died last year.

He, however, admitted that from December to January 2015, 450 were recorded across the camps as result of malaria, Diarrhea, Pneumonia, Measles and of course malnutrition.

Ex- President Jonathan, Kofi Annan, Tinubu for ALM awards

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FRICAN Leadership Magazine, ALM, has nominated former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Senator Bola Tinubu, National Leader, All Progressives Congress and Dr. Kofi Annan; Former UN Secretary General, among others for the magazine’s 2015 Person of the Year Awards.

According to the Publisher of the Magazine, Dr. Ken Giami, the

nominees were drawn from a shortlist of distinguished African business, political and diplomatic leaders who have contributed in making the continent proud in the year under review.

Other nominees according to the publisher, included Dr. Strive Masiyiwa, founder, ECONET Wireless; Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holding; Mr. Mo Dewji, Tanzania Business

Man & MP; Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director, UN Women; and Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President, African Development Bank; Giami, while unveiling the shortlist, said “This group of Africans have contributed immensely towards repositioning the African continent; breaking boundaries; and placing the continent on the global stage.”

According to him, “as it is with past recipients of the prestigious African Leadership Magazine Person of the Year Awards, the 2015 nominees have one thing in common, which is their undying love for the continent.”

The ALM Person of the Year is an annual award reserved for one distinguished African, who is considered to have blazed the trail in the year under review.

Simba expands service network

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HE Simba Group has rolled out its network of Simba Service Centers across Tier-II cities in Nigeria. The company, which represents brands such as Luminous, Genus, Epsilon and Exicom, distributes and services power backup products such as Inverters, Batteries, Online UPS and Integrated Power Management Systems.

The Group, which recently won the Capital Finance International (UK) award for Best Customer Satisfaction in Nigeria currently have service centers in major cities in Nigeria – including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Ibadan, Maiduguri and Adamawa.

According to the Managing Director of the Group, Chief Vinay Grover, he said the group is now adding more service centers, which includes Ilorin, Akure, Onitsha, Katsina and Kano.

“We have always believed that a good quality product means very little unless it is supported by a high level of service before, during and after the sales process. It is with this in mind that we recently launched our one-ofa-kind 24*7 nationwide contact center and exclusive customer-service online portal” he said.

Grover however said, “As more customers turn to our award winning customer care offering, it becomes important that we bring these services closer to them and that is why we are extending our service through the creation of new Authorized Centers which are fully operational now.”

Madam Sodunke passes on MRS. Fasilat Olajide Sodunke is dead. She died in Oxford, United Kingdom on February 8, 2016, aged 46 years. She is survived by a widower, Mr. Oladipo Sodunke and three children, namely Lateefat, Basit and Iyanuoluwa.

A funeral service by The Church of the Holy family, Oxford precedes the final interment on February 25, 2016 in Botley Cemetary, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Late Madam Sodunke

44 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBURARY 24, 2016

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016 —45

46—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

IMO NORTH SENATE CONTEST:

Another derailment THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, shocked Imo people last Friday, when it literally succumbed to pressure mounted by a political party in the state to call off the planned rerun election for the Imo North Senatorial District.

•Okorocha: Imo State governor

By Chidi Nkwopara

T

HE hands of the Imo State government were not just seen in the government officials that literally barricaded the INEC office, but in the use of a government owned gravel carrying tipper to fence off the headquarters of INEC in Owerri on the eve of the election.

INEC was on the verge of distributing the election materials when scores of All Progressives Congress, APC youths, spearheaded by many government appointees, stormed the INEC office with placards.

The demonstrators sang derogatory songs against INEC management.

While this was going on, a

government registered tipper lorry, fully laden with gravel, meandered it’s way to the INEC gate, to the applause of the protesters and in the full glare of all the security personnel posted to the place. The vehicle driver was on the verge of off-loading its content when the government functionaries came to the rescue of INEC. The driver simply alighted from the vehicle and disappeared from the scene.

Prior to this bizarre development, soldiers drafted to the INEC office had earlier barricaded and diverted all vehicles plying the ever busy Owerri-Port Harcourt federal highway, where INEC is located, at two strategic points; the House of Assembly Junction and

Specialist Hospital Junction.

INEC calls off election Following the confusion created by the protesters, INEC suspended the by by-elections.

The position of INEC, which came as a shock to most Imolites, was made public through a press statement issued by the INEC Administrative Secretary, Mr. Chinedu Evurulobi

The position of INEC, which came as a shock to most Imolites, was made public through a press statement issued by the INEC Administrative Secretary, Mr. Chinedu Evurulobi.

According to Evurulobi, the Commission had assembled men and materials from the various states of the federation and the Headquarters, Abuja and ready to deploy them to the field, adding that “unfortunately at about 2pm on February 17, 2016, some youths who claimed to have come from Okigwe zone, gathered and barricaded the gate of the Imo State’s Commission’s Headquarters, Owerri”.

Continuing, the Administrative Secretary recalled that a greater number of protesters gathered and blocked the office gate with

a big truck on February 19, 2016, thereby preventing the movement of men and materials in and out of the Commission.

“In view of the foregoing, the members of the inter-agency consultative committee on election security, were invited.

After due assessment of the security situation on ground, they advised that the safety of men and materials cannot be guaranteed without casualties”, Evurulobi said.

Subsequently, the Commission’s Headquarters, Abuja, was contacted and a decision was taken to reschedule the election till further notice, citing breach of peace as provided by Section 26(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) as reason.

IMSG reacts Governor Rochas Okorocha responding through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo said that INEC should have listened at first to the protesting APC youths.

“The government appeals to INEC to look at the issues raised by the APC youths and address them so that we can begin to respect the rights of the people to vote in an election and their votes counted for the winner to emerge.

“It is also the feeling of the state government that rigging in an election should be the practice of the past and anyone caught doing that should be made to suffer for it squarely.

Imo State Government equally made six demands on INEC including the removal of one Mr. Bello, an indigene of the state who had lately been brought in as the Head of Operations in INEC Office, Owerri to supposedly influence the election.

Angry reactions Not unexpectedly, angry reactions trailed the sudden rescheduling of the re-run elections for Okigwe senatorial seat and some state constituency

Continues on page 47

Seven take-aways from President Buhari’s visit to Egypt IN the difficult moments of our history, looking precisely at the period of Nigeria’s war of unity 1966-1971, Egypt proved to be a strategic partner from helping to train our military to support with equipment and aircraft maintenance.

By Garba Shehu

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N the course of his bilateral meeting with the Egyptian leader, Abdul Fattah El-Sisi, President Muahmmadu Buhari recalled that in the course of his service in the army, he too received military training in Egypt.

This 24-hour visit to to the Red Sea resort of Sharm Al-Shaikh was not just a ‘trip to Egypt’ as it has been wrongly portrayed, as if it were primarily bilateral in C M Y K

nature or a ritual courtesy call on President Sisi. The purpose was to promote investment and job creation in Nigeria and throughout West, Central and East Africa, together with other African leaders The Sharm el-Sheikh ‘Africa 2016’ conference aimed at tearing down trade barriers between North and sub-Saharan Africa – a partnership anchored by the continent’s biggest and third-biggest economies (i.e., Nigeria and Egypt) by the

injection of life into a 26-nation free-trade pact signed by half the number of countries on the continent a year ago.

The organizers brought together more than 1200 delegates to Sharm el-Sheikh, included among these the eight Presidents and Prime Ministers, ministers of trade and investment, representatives of global financial institutions, businessmen and investment executives.

It is expected that this new panAfrican initiative will directly benefit Nigeria in its efforts to expand and diversify jobs and exports beyond the oil industry – a core component of President Buhari’s economic vision for the country. Knocking down trade

barriers within Africa will create new markets for Nigerian farmers, manufacturers and other businesses.

In his opening remarks, Egypt’s President El-Sisi said that the forum aimed at “pushing forward trade and investment in our continent to strengthen Africa’s place in the world economy.”

Economic agenda Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari who touted an extensive economic agenda said that this is not without challenges.

“The new problem affecting

investment is international terrorism...lots of resources that could be used for development are being diverted to address security issues.”

As he and many others noted, the only way this can be redressed is by widening the participation of the private sector in African economies, the very idea behind the conference in Egypt.

One shining example of how this could be done came from the African Development Bank, ADB which announced through its President,Nigeria’s Akinwumi Adesina that the bank would be investing 12 billion Dollars in the energy sector in the coming five Continues on page 47

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016—47

OSARO Onaiwu, Coordinator of the PDP Governors’ Forum, is one of the governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state. In this interview with Vanguard, he bares his mind on how the PDP can take over power from the APC in Edo state.

Excerpts:

EDO: Nothing to show for the tax burden on our people — ONAIWU I will be flying the party’s flag.

Do you think the PDP stands a chance of reclaiming Edo state from the APC? I do not know how much attention you have paid to Edo State because our people have been over taxed, market women, the villages, drinking parlours, government offices and walk on the streets, the people are weary, tired and clamour for respite from the burden which the APC government has visited on them.

For me and my team, we proffer solutions and not just saying nothing is working!

The APC is even in serious rancour because the party lacks discipline and internal democracy. Come to think of it,

By Simon Ebegbulem

W

HAT informed your decision to join the Edo guber race?

Joining the governorship race was done out of deliberate consultation across board.

Having worked closely with most governors, I have garnered the requisite experience to run a state like Edo with its multi-ethnic but closely related groups.

Edo requires a new pragmatism; a fresh insight devoid of those that have seen it as their God-given heritage to stay perpetually in power. We need a certain mix of the new and old and that is what I want to offer; a fresh impetus for us to harness the human and natural potential that abounds in our state.

Your party, the PDP, has about five of you angling for the party’s ticket how optimistic are you in picking the ticket?

Like I have always said, those of us vying for the ticket of the PDP are better qualified than anybody the APC will be presenting to the people of the state to decide on. I look forward

•Onaiwu to a contest that is done in brotherliness, without acrimony and bad blood.

I am not a proper establishment person. I am coming into the race with my focus intent on the Edo people, what I can do to change the status quo based on my broad contacts and reach to give

meaning to our collective destiny in Edo state.

I remain optimistic that our party will do what is right; that the days of lack of internal party democracy have been banished as we rebrand and that being so and with God on our side as well as my credibility and experience,

I am not a proper establishment person. I am coming into the race with my focus intent on the Edo people, what I can do to change the status quo based on my broad contacts and reach to give meaning to our collective destiny in Edo state

Seven take-aways from President Buhari’s visit to Egypt Continues from page 46 years to provide access to electricity.

There are 645 million Africans without access to electricity.

President Buhari’s visit to Egypt wasn’t limited to the business of “Africa 2016” in its success, as it turned out to be one that is a remarkable watershed in bilateral ties between the two states.

While it was not surprising that El-Sisi rolled out the red carpet for President Buhari in line with what many say is a plan by Egypt to rebuild the country’s moneyspinning tourism industry in tatters since the mid-air bombing in October of a Russian plane, killing all 223 tourists and crew, the truth is also that these two of Africa’s three biggest economies had been too far apart when it comes to trade. The two leaders also bonded well with each other at their first meeting in Addis Ababa early in the new year.

By the last count, bilateral trade between the two states amounts to a meager USD 100 million, with Egypt drawing about 80 percent of the benefit.

Egyptian pharmaceutical C M Y K

companies are making good sales in Nigeria. Egypt is Nigerians’ preferred destination for medical tourism.

Linked to this is their successful airline business trade in Nigeria.

Egypt Air makes seven weekly flights to Lagos, and six each to Abuja and Kano.

There is little or nothing to show from the Nigerian side and this one of the things President Buhari wants to change.

In welcoming our President to the bilateral discussion, the Egyptian leader did not hide his joy at the acceptance of the Nigerian leader to visit.

•Buhari

The two leaders agreed to strengthen ties between their two states, to reestablish that historical closeness which helped Nigeria remain a single country decades ago.

They talked about doing this through enhanced partnership and cooperation in the areas of trade, security and defense.

President Buhari welcomed Egypt’s decision to strengthen strategic cooperation and intelligence sharing with Nigeria and from this, a framework for dealing with terrorism would emerge. For this, he gave instructions to the Ministry of ForeignAffairs to follow up with

a meeting. Further progress is expected to follow on security and trade issues. In addition, the President requested El-Sisi to promote Egyptian investment in education in Nigeria.

Education in Nigeria The two leaders also discussed a range of regional and global issues. As to be expected, terrorism topped them all.

They both expressed concern that the anarchy in Libya, a disturbing situation that had provided a great impetus to terrorism in areas far and around the failed state.

The leaders also emphasized their cooperation on climate change and energy issues.

Experts in the field of diplomacy say that personal bond between two leaders can help pave the way for better relations among states. In Nigeria and Egypt relations, there is a good chance of this working to the benefit of the two states.

•Garba Shehu is the SSAP (Media and Publicity) to the president.

the heavy tax burden on the people has not translated into commensurate results. There is no gainsaying that the PDP is on course to reclaim Edo and join other South-South states in the peer review mechanism of the party.

The PDP is caught in a serious power struggle for national office. Will this not stunt the rebranding effort of the party?

These are post-power crises after 16 years being at the centre.

The party will overcome this wrangling by March and I can assure you that there are calculated engagements going on to bring every segment to the table. Nigerians need to support the effort to reposition the party and not encourage the APC in its desperation to turn the country into a one-party state. PDP is on course and as a family, issues will be resolved with time.

IMO NORTH SENATE CONTEST

Another derailment Continues from page 46 seats in Imo State.

Addressing a news conference in Owerri, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Imo State, accused the state government, INEC and security agencies in the state of complicity in the aborted re-run election earlier scheduled to hold last Saturday..

“The postponement of the scheduled polls was the handiwork of the state government, whose top officials recruited miscreants and street urchins and stormed INEC premises midday with dangerous weapons and blocked the entrance gate with a heavy duty truck”, the State PDP Chairman, Chief Nnamdi Anyaehie, fumed.

Continuing, Anyaehie said: “It beats our imagination and the minds of all right thinking individuals, how such an ugly incident could successively be accomplished in the presence of fully armed security personnel, including soldiers, and yet nobody was arrested”.

The Imo PDP boss, who also took exception to Governor Rochas Okorocha’s broadcast a day to the aborted re-run election, during which he urged the electorate to vote for APC, candidates, dismissed this as a brazen abuse of office.

Speaking also, the PDP candidate for Okigwe senatorial seat, Chief Athan Nneji Achonu dismissed the indefinite postponement of the re-run election as laughable. He blamed the APC controlled government in the state for the shocking action taken by the INEC, insisting that Okigwe zone had traditionally enjoined peace, unity and tranquility.

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

•A fuel station in Lagos

OVER-PRICING, UNDER-DISPENSING:

The many antics of fuel marketing companies •Why DPR fails to check their excesses •We’ve stepped up action against erring filling stations---DPR

By Mike Ebonugwo (Features Editor), with additional reports from Jimitota Onoyume, Francis Igata, Michael Eboh, Egufe Yafugborhi, Ugochukwu Alaribe & Bose Adelaja

C

ALL it a game of cat and mouse you will not be wrong.

But it is a game where the mouse surprisingly appears to be having the upper hand, using a combination of guile and subterfuge to outsmart the bewildered cat. This is the story playing out between the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, and petroleum products marketing companies in Nigeria.

At the centre of this inconceivable, indeed confounding, drama are aggrieved consumers who accuse fuel marketing companies of employing sundry antics to ensure that they(consumers) are over-charged or don’t get their money’s worth of fuel purchased at different filling stations in the country.

To buttress one strand of this complaint, the experience by a motorist in Lagos may suffice.

According to him, he had driven into this filling station located in the Isheri/Idimu area of Lagos recently and after having his car filled, asked the attendant to fill his 10-litre gallon with N1000 worth of petrol.

But to his consternation, the fuel pumped into the gallon was well below the covering cap. This is

in spite of the fact that the station displayed that it was selling petrol at N86.50 litre.

More baffling for the motorist was the fact that a couple of days back when he bought N1000 worth of petrol from the same filling station, the gallon was filled to the brim, in fact almost spilling over.

But as he raised his voice in complaint over the situation the young female attendant quietly approached him and said in a hushed, conspiratorial tone: “Oga please don’t shout; I know you’re our customer. Next time you come to buy fuel here, don’t use this pump, go to the other one over there; that’s the only one that can dispense the correct quantity of fuel for the amount you are paying”.

believing that all is kosher when they come snooping around to check on the compliance of fuel marketing companies to the new price regime of N86.50. The story is that the dedicated pump is meant to satisfy the visiting DPR officials that the filling station is not only selling at the approved price but also at the approved quantity.

Unfortunately most motorists are oblivious of the scam that the none dedicated pumps represent since the fuel is pumped straight into their vehicles. Those buying in gallons are usually directed to the dedicated pump to forestall them blowing the whistle on the cheating that goes on with the adjusted non-dedicated pumps.

VF checks reveal that the DPR

Betraying young informer And in other not to give the game away by betraying his young informer, the motorist left without further fuss.

Arising from this encounter, Vanguard Features investigation was to confirm that many filling stations do indeed have what is known as a dedicated pump in the midst of other pumps that have been adjusted or tampered with to under-dispense fuel, thus cheating their customers in the process.

It was learnt that the idea behind the dedicated pump was to deceive DPR officials into

Under-dispensing is rather rampant with Shylock marketers making hay and smiling to the banks; but motorists, especially commercial vehicle operators, are devising appropriate

has indeed been and up and doing but has so far failed to curb the antics of fuel marketing companies, including failing to enforce the new approved pump price of N86.50 per litre and check-mating the prevailing under-dispensing of the products at their various filling stations.

For in stance, the National Bureau of Statistics in its latest report claimed that petrol did not sell at the government approved price within the month under review. According to the report, Nigerians actually paid above an average sum of N109.59 for a litre for the product in the same month government removed fuel subsidy.

For instance, in Abia State the product sold for N129.33; N99.60 in Abuja and N120.00 in Akwa Ibom State. In Bayelsa State, it sold for N96.13 whereas in Delta State it sold for N98.50.

Indeed VF state by state investigations reveal how prevalent and worrisome the situation has become.

In Warri, Delta State In Delta State, underdispensing is rather rampant with Shylock marketers making hay and smiling to the banks. But motorists, especially commercial vehicle operators, are devising appropriate response to get their monies worth, including identifying and shunning dubious filling stations.

Justice Okoro who operates a keke(commercial tricycle) in Warri explained thus: “We are able to identify the cheating filling stations by buying with gallons. Once we identify them we stop buying from there. We even know which of their pumps are okay because some have dedicated pumps that also under-dispense, especially during scarcity”.

Nathaniel Ibe, a commercial bus driver, shares the same sentiment. Even the Public Affairs Officer at Warri’s territorial office of the DPR, Agusa Goddey, corroborated the public perception to a large extent. “You can say it has been rampant.

From the stations we have visited, about 70% are involved with 50% of these defaulters under-dispensing to the the level that is intolerable. The tolerable limit is between 10.0 and 10.30.

You pay a fine of N100,000 for under dispensing. Depending on the level of default, we sometimes can make the defaulter sell at a crashed pump price, usually below the prevailing pump price; some can be very serious,” Agusa said.

Normal pump price In one of the stations visited in Warri, an independent marketer was caught under-dispensing by two litres of every ten litres sold at N140/litre. “Normally if we seal your station for underdispensing, it is shut to business for at least one month, depending on the level of offense, the payment of the fine notwithstanding. Where there’s scarcity and people are suffering you want to guard against closing the few that are selling even if caught cheating. Rather than shut the station, we resort to forced selling of the product below the normal pump price as punishment in waiver of prolonged shutdown,” Agusa explained.

To deal with impunity among defaulters, the department now even arrest recalcitrant dealers Continues on page 49

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016—49

The many antics of fuel marketing companies Continues from page 48 who operate a station that has been sealed before the seal is lifted. When the department revisits to reseal, the fine now is N1 million.

“Quality checks is still very much part of our responsibilities.

During routine surveillance, we have colleagues who collect samples from filling stations.

People from the Safety and Environment unit collect a litre from each station we visit. They run analysis on them and if there is any issue with product quality, we visit and sanction depending on the veracity of the situation.

“All controllers’ numbers are even on the DPRC website.

People send in text, call to make complaints or seek clarification on our role. If you go round you will find that the level of compliance has really improved. As a department we are doing our best. We will continue to do our best. Most times people send in text to say kudos, we are impressed,” the DPR man further said.

Not surprisingly, virtually all marketers, independent and representatives of majors approached to state their side of the story declined comments. An independent marketer with multiple fuel outlets popular in Warri said the propensity to cheat on the pump is forced by some compelling challenges extraneous to routine cost of running a fuel station. The marketer said: “Most times competition for the limited products we buy from the depots or tank farms is so high that you have to incur extra cost if you must get regular supply.

Personal interest “At other times, the sharp practices are as a result of the personal interest of station supervisors. Most station owners, after putting a management team in place, hardly stay around. With digitalized meters everywhere, adjustments and tampering with the machines can be a matter of minutes. So sometimes supervisors and pump attendant play foul games behind their proprietors.”

Enugu/Anambra states: Motorists and residents in Enugu and Anambra states have never had it so bad over the refusal by the independent marketers in the two states to comply with the new approved pump price of N86.50 per litre for PMS as directed by the Federal Government with effect from January 1.

VF checks showed that filling stations in the affected states have been selling fuel at N105 per liter despite directives from Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG

and the Federal Government to sell at the approved pump price of N86.50 per litre.

This came as the DPR revealed that it had in a bid to step up action against the antics of major and independent petroleum marketers across the South-East and South-South geo-political zones, sealed 86 filling stations in Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra and Delta states found violating ethical practices.

A break-down reeled out by the DPR showed that 45 filling stations were sealed in Anambra State while 23, 12 and six filling stations were shut down in Enugu, Ebonyi and Delta states.

Amaechi Ukwuani, a motorist in Enugu regretted that DPR officials had been moving about enforcing the new pricing system and sanctioning defaulters in other parts of the country, but in the South-East geopolitical zone, especially Enugu and Anambra states, it had remained business as usual for the marketers, who continued to sell fuel between N100 to N105 per litre.

Ukwuani challenged the relevant authorities to take necessary action on the matter as it seems that DPR officials in the two states had been compromised by the marketers. “One is shocked to see that all filling stations in Enugu and Anambra states have been selling fuel above N86.50 per litre despite the directives from NUPENG and FG for them to sell at controlled prices.

“Daily, we see stations being sealed off by DPR for selling above N86 all over the Northern and Western parts of the federation. Why is the DPR in the South East states not saying or doing something? It looks like they have been compromised as usual.”

But when contacted, the DPR Operations Controller in charge of Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states, Mr. Peter Ijeh, assured motorists and residents that the

From the stations we have visited, about 70% are involved with 50% of these defaulters under-dispensing to the level that is intolerable

•A filling station attendant dispensing PMS. But how reliable is the pump?

DPR had rolled up its sleeves to rout major and independent petroleum marketers, who hoard, adulterate, and divert products in the regions, which had brought avoidable economic hardship on the people.

According to the DPR boss: “We have struck a synergy with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Department of State Services, DSS, and Police to prosecute erring filling station operators, who after we must have sealed their stations, open to the public at night.

Monitoring and surveillance “We have beefed up our monitoring and surveillance machinery to ensure that operators play by the rules. Both major and independent marketers buy at N77.66. But the independent marketers will always claim they bought at high price. That is why they sell to black marketers, because they do not want to buy from the approved source. We have sealed most filling stations in South-East that are selling above N86.50 per litre.

“We are appealing to the public to quickly call us if they see any filling station selling above N86.50. We are determined to ensure quality control and accurate meter reading all in a bid to ensure value for money paid by motorists and residents.”

Aba, Abia State: Motorists in Aba, Abia State have decried the hike in the pump price of PMS in the city, stressing that the situation has caused them untold hardship.

This is even as the DPR has vowed to sanction any petroleum marketer who sells above the approved N87 pump price in the city. VF gathered that PMS now sells between N100 and N120 per litre at filling stations, while black market sells between N130 and N150. The situation has led to queues stretching over a kilometre at some filling stations selling at N100.

A visit to various motor parks reveal that prices of transport fares have sharply increased.

Mostly affected are intra city routes such as Park to Osisioma,

Park to Ariaria, Port Harcourt road to Park, Ogbor Hill to Park, among others. Arising from the high cost of fuel, many commuters now abandon their cars at home for public transport services in a bid to cut cost.

A cross section of motorists who spoke to VF at different motor parks in Aba lamented that they have been forced to increase transport fares because of the hike in the pump price of PMS. According to a driver of a Toyota Sienna bus, Ndubuisi Eke, who plies the Aba-Owerri route: “We are calling on the government to ensure that fuel is sold at the approved pump price of N87. In Aba here, we buy fuel between N100 and N120. Few filling stations are selling at N100 which you cannot easily buy it because of the queue. As transporters, your passengers will never be patient to allow you to queue to buy fuel. We have no choice but to increase fares. It has not been easy for us”.

Petroleum marketers Others accused petroleum marketers of diverting products meant for their stations to independent marketers where they will make more profit than when they sell the product at their respective stations.

Also many business owners, especially, the small and medium scale owners: barbers, hair dressers, welders and other artisans who rely on generating sets for their businesses due to erratic power supply, lamented that the high cost of fuel had added to their woes as they have increased prices of their services.

No fuel: The situation had since been compounded in Aba, as most of the filing stations regularly display the ‘NO FUEL’ sign at the front of their stations.

VF investigations revealed that some of these filing stations, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, depot at Osisioma Ngwa area of the city, are yet to receive supply of product making majority of the filling stations in the city to remain close while a few that dispenses sell at exorbitant price.

As at the time of filing this

report, the NNPC Mega station along Aba –Owerri road, Aba, had no fuel.

Motorists accuse marketers of hoarding fuel: Motorists have attributed the hike in the pump price of fuel to the illegal activities of some petroleum marketers who hoard fuel to create artificial scarcity in order to sell at cut throat prices.

According to them, such marketers who use their filling stations to hoard fuel connive with some officials of the Department for Petroleum Resources, DPR, and other agencies to sell above the approved pump price.

Regulatory agencies According to a dealer in petroleum products, Mr. Ikechi Justice, “Government said fuel will be sold at N87. But we are still buying it above N100 and in some filing stations, we buy N120. If the regulatory agencies like DPR and others were alive to their responsibilities, the petroleum marketers will not be selling products at exorbitant rate as it is being done in Aba.” Petroleum marketers react: Some of petroleum marketers, who declined to have their names on print, attributed the hike in pump price of PMS to the cost they incurred while sourcing and transporting their products to their filling stations from other parts of the country.

They insisted that it would be difficult for them to sell at the approved pump price of N87, outside the southeast zone.

“The government knows the problem. For now, it is not possible for marketers to sell fuel at N87 in Aba, because we source these products outside the South East zone. For now, I source products from Calabar depot which is even a federal intervention programme and bring it to Aba. You talk about transportation and other expenses. We will not hesitate to revert to the government approved pump price as soon as we start getting the normal product supply at Osisioma depot.”

To be continued

50—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

MULTICHOICE RESOURCE CENTRES: From left— CEO, Innovative Technology Literacy Services Limited, Dr. Aderonke Bello; Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Ogun State, Modupe Mojota; Public Relations Manager, Efe Obioma, and Ikeja Branch Manager, Segun Ogunsememowo, both of MultiChoice Nigeria, during the launch of 22 MultiChoice resource centres in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

ERISCO TOMATO: From left— Chief Executive Officer, Erisco Foods Limited, Chief Eric Umeofia; wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari; wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, and wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, during the commissioning of a tomato processing factory by Erisco Foods in Lagos.

INSTALLATION: Otunba Gbenga Otolorin Elegbeleye and his wife, Solape, during his installation as the Otunba of Ikareland, Ondo State, by His Royal Majesty, Oba Akadiri Saliu Momoh IV, Olukare of Ikareland at the Oba's palace in Ikare.

TELEMUNDO: From left—Marketing Manager, DStv, Chioma Afe; Smooth FM's Ronke Adebanjo and Public Relations Manager, GOtv, Efe Obiomah, during the Telemundo viewing party tagged A Passion For Revenge, in Ikoyi, Lagos. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

INAUGURAL: Director, Qualifications and International Development, IChemE, Neil Atkinson, and the Dean of Engineering, University of Lagos, Professor Omotayo Fakinlede, at the inaugural lecture of the Nigeria Society for Chemical Engineering.

THANKSGIVING: President General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, Tony Emmanuel Nted (middle), flanked on the left by his daughter, Christiana, and his mother, Mrs Felicia Emmanuel-Nted, during a thanksgiving service on her health.

NIPEN AGM: From left—Director, Pastor Babasola Ajidagba; Board Chairman and Managing Director, Nigerian Ball-Point Pen Industries, NIPEN, Mr. Stephen Faderin; CFAO Group Company Secretary/ Executive Director, Mrs. Omoniyi Ayeni; Managing Director, Countryside Management Services Limited, Mr. Tunde Anifowoshe, and Director, NIPEN and General Manager, General Import and Distribution, Aljaji Sanusi Ibrahim, at NIPEN's 40th Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

BATNF WORKSHOP: From left— British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, BATNF, Stakeholders Engagement Workshop Facilitator, Professor Femi Ajibola; BATNF Technical Committee member, Mr. Thomas Omofoye; Executive Director, BATNF, Seyi Ashade; BATNF Technical Committee member, Professor Chidi Ibe; General Manager, BATNF, Abimbola Okoya, and Technical Committee member, BATNF, Mr. Fatai Afolabi, at the workshop in Ibadan, Oyo State.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016—51

My wife stirs up the violence in me

All she cares for is the sex Dear Bunmi, FOR over 15 months, I’ve fallen madly in love with a girl I thought I had a future with, not knowing that all she wanted from me was sex. She told me to my face that I was reading too much into the relationship. As far as she’s concerned, both of us are enjoying a fantastic sexual experience and I shouldn’t have got emotionally involved. As if this isn’t devastating enough, she told me she was relocating abroad where she once studied. Her older siblings are there.

She refused to give me her forwarding address and said I shouldn’t bother with e-mails as she would change her email address as soon as she

gets there.

I’m completely gutted. I thought we had something special after spending so much time with her. We met at a friend’s birthday party and we got along almost instantly. In the months we’d been together, we’ve had mind-blowing sex. The girl is simply amazing! In spite of the fact that most of our best times together were sexually based, I fell hopelessly in love with her.

I wish she feels the same way about me. Recently, I had things out with her and we had the most terrible bust-up.

She didn’t see any reason why I was so upset by her flippant attitude. I called her cold and predatory. She laughed in my

Can friends ever be lovers?

Dear Bunmi, My boyfriend and I are in our late 20s and we’ve been an item for close to a year now and I really love him. The problem is that we were very good friends for years and sex has never really got off the ground, making our relationship far from being passionate. He seems quite happy with the way things are now - doesn’t he want us to make love?

Janet, By e-mail.

Dear Janet, For both of you to make your

relationship as passionate as you would wish, you need to view each other as sexual beings rather than just friends, so you’re going to have to initiate changes.

Start with your environment.

Why not go for a dirty weekend? A change of environment can vamp up anybody’s passion level. Just make sure you take a few sexy undies - and sex toys if you have some!

Take your time seducing him and let him know exactly what you’d like in return. Let him know you already have a brother, thank you!

face and called me weak and unrealistic, that I was also too possessive. She leaves in a few weeks; but tells me she’s open to quickies as often as I want. Isn’t she pathetic? She carries on as if I’m her personal sex machine. She doesn’t care about my feelings at all. How am I going to get over this heartache?

Jonathan, By e-mail.

Dear Jonathan, As you may well have realised, we all experience upsets in life. Being let down is frustrating and annoying, but you will get over this, believe me. It’s unfortunate that your girlfriend turns out to be such a blatant user.

Many men would have loved to be in your shoes because of the no-strings attached sex. This shows that women could be just as capable of being predatory as men. At least she was honest about her sexual needs and desires.

She didn’t lead you on and promise you the world like some women do, only to dump you at the last moment.

Try not to let this relationship make you bitter.

This girl never promised what she couldn’t deliver. Finish with her now and look forward to starting life afresh in the New Year.

Any valuable lessons you have learnt in this relationship should guide any new ones.

I hate living in a polygamous environment Dear Bunmi, I am an undergraduate in my early 20s. The greatest times of my life are periods I spend away from home either at the boarding house or on campus.

I come from a polygamous home and my dad has three wives who live under the same roof with him. We live in a big sprawling mansion. My dad is a highly-successful businessman and my mother is his third wife. He’d had other wives who have since left him.

Each wife has her own quarter where she stays with her children. But we always bump into one another and during festivals, dad always makes a show of portraying his household as united, loving and friendly. The truth is that the wives hate one another and my mother said she would have loved to be a monogamist if she hadn’t been let down by her fiance. I am her eldest and there are three of us. Some of the other wives’ children are C M Y K

married and have left the house, but a lot are still around and quite frankly, I feel embarrassed bringing my friends, especially my girlfriends, home.

When I was 21, dad insisted on having a big party for me at the house with all his wives wearing uniform cloth. I don’t think I am cut out for this kind of display of primitive affection and would love to leave home.

My uncle has a boys’ quarters and will be glad to have me, but my mum said the other children didn’t leave home until they got married and that I should stay until I finish university, at least. Do you think I should have a word with my father? My mum is dead against my talking to him.

Taiwo, By e-mail.

Dear Taiwo, You sometimes get offsprings of polygamous homes feeling resentful of their half-brothers

and sisters and their father’s other wives, but there is absolutely nothing they can do about this as long as they are under the control of their fathers. Your father pays your school fees and is not abusive or nasty to your mother or any of the children. This is the way he chooses to live his life and you have to tow his line, whether or not you’re comfortable with his life-style.

In a couple of years, you will be out of university. You have stuck to things for this long and polygamy is not as stressful as you’re making it out to be.

Leave as soon as you decently could without putting your mother in an embarrassing position. Mean time, if your other half-siblings have no problems tolerating each other, you should learn to meet them half-way. Your dad has done nothing wrong and you shouldn’t feel such deep shame for the life he chose for his family.

Dear Bunmi, I’m the first to admit that I have an awful temper. Most of the time, I flare up over little things and say nasty things to my wife. Once in a while, I’ve felt violent towards her. I always regret my outburst, but now my wife has told me how much my tantrums upset her.

It’s made me determined to change as I love her and wouldn’t want to jeopardise our happy home.

I know I’m going to need help to get my anger under control before things get to the stage where I become physically violent with her. So, where do I start?

Tim, By e-mail.

Dear Tim, You’ve already made a start by realising that anger can be scary to those you love and by deciding to change. You need to notice the moment your anger starts to rise, then find ways of taking controlbreathing deeply, counting from one to 10 or walking away from the situation until you calm down. Also look at why you get angry. What situations trigger it?

Try to think about these differently, so that instead of exploding, you find a solution to the problem.

In the mean time, visit angermanager.co.uk for further advice.

Afraid I’ll let my wife down Dear Bunmi, I have a strange problem because, in fact, it isn’t really a problem yet. I’m getting married in the New Year. It is the first marriage for both of us though we’re in our 30s.

The reason I’m apprehensive is that a lot of our friends who got married have already split up and I’m scared stiff I’m going to let my future wife down by not making her happy. How can I ensure this doesn’t end in divorce?

Bodun, By e-mail.

Dear Bodun, Well done for thinking ahead. Almost every couple hits difficulties and if you’re

prepared for that, you’ll have a better chance of a happily married life. You do have every opportunity for success because you’re in your 30s.

Very young couples have higher rates of divorce.

You can also discuss your expectations from marriage in advance and make sure they fit. Talk together whenever you hit a problem, learn to manage your differences whenever they arise, and be ready to go for counselling if you hit real problem. Above all, never be afraid of showing your feelings and telling her you love her. Encourage her to do the same. Prayers also help a lot.

You have stuck to things for this long and polygamy is not as stressful as you’re making it out to be; leave as soon as you decently could without putting your mother in an embarrassing position; mean time, if your other half-siblings have no problems tolerating each other, you should learn to meet them half-way

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

52—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Policy options for Nigeria's economic crises

By Johnson Chukwu

T

HE crisis in the Nigerian Economy seem to be worsening progressively since the crash in Oil prices from a high of about $115.09(Brent crude spot price) on June 19, 2014 to today’s opening spot price of $34.83 (Brent crude). This is despite a barrage of monetary and administrative policies introduced by the Central Bank to stabilize the exchange rate and restart economic growth. While the CBN has been active in trying different options, business managers and investors are still waiting for the Managers of the Fiscal policies to present their response to the crises, which should be harmonized with those of the Monetary authorities.

This Paper is therefore designed to make some suggestions to both the Fiscal and Monetary authorizes on options to be consider while reviewing the current monetary and administrative policies and in designing an appropriate fiscal and trade policy to mitigate the crises in exchange rate, restore economic growth and moderate the impact of future crude oil price crash on the Nigeria economy.

Basic assumptions Our thoughts are underpinned by three basic assumptions, which are that: *Economic agents are rational, they will go to where their values will be maximized or their risk will be minimized.

(Nigeria does not have the financial resources to solely develop its economy in the short to medium term. *Current global social architecture has made absolutely closed economic borders impossible.

Waiting for Policy Clarity “Nigerian Stock Gain Most in The World as Buhari Win Triggers Rally” – Bloomberg, April 1, 2015 Nigerian stocks surged the most since March 2010, leading gains among world equity markets, after former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari won a vote marking the first peaceful shift in power since the end of colonial rule in 1960. The Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index rose for a ninth day to extend its longest streak of gains since December 2012. The West African nation’s $500 million of Eurobonds due July 2023 advanced for the 11th day, pushing the yield down to the lowest since Dec. 8, as President Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat, reducing the threat of post-election violence that marred previous votes.

“The political risk has certainly decreased,” Thabo Ncalo, a mon-

ey manager at Stanlib Asset Management Ltd., which oversees about $45 billion and has been adding to its Nigerian holdings, said by phone from Johannesburg. “It bodes well for investing in Nigeria. It boosts the case for coming back into the country.”

Jonathan sent his “best wishes” to Buhari after the vote, bolstering investor confidence as the country contends with a six-year war against the Islamist militant group Boko Haram. Buhari also faces the task of restoring an economy that’s reeling from a 50 percent drop in the price of oil, its main export, since June.

Nigeria’s all-share index jumped 8.3 percent, the most among 93 global measures tracked by Bloomberg, to close at 34,388.46, the highest since Dec. 31. The gauge has gained 18 percent since the start of a nineday rally, also the world’s largest advance over the period. At the end of February, it was the global laggard for the year.

Yields Fall Yields on the nation’s Eurobonds declined 22 basis points to 5.98 percent. Rates on the notes on Tuesday dropped below those of Kenya’s $2 billion of debt securities due June 2014 for the first time since Dec. 11, according to Bloomberg indexes.

Nigerian dollar debt returned 3.3 percent in March, the most in

Unfortunately, the shallowness of supply in the alternative markets and huge demand is driving importers to a state hysteria, as they seem to be ready to pay any price to meet their demand

Africa, the data show.

“The opportunity for positive change with genuinely new leadership is enormous,” Samuel Vecht, who oversees $2.7 billion across five emerging- and frontier-market funds, said in e-mailed comments from London. “Within Nigeria we think the banking sector has tremendous long-term potential and trades at inexpensive relative and absolute valuations.”

The above was a report from Bloomberg on April 1, 2015, a graphical look at the data of equities markets and FGN Eurobonds indicate a clear divergence between the post elections optimism and current figures.

28-Feb-15 31-Mar-15 1 7 Feb-16 INDEX 30,103.81 31,744.82 24,514.91 MARKET CAP (N’ Trillion) 10.04 10.71 8.43 28-Feb-15 31-Mar-15 1 7 Feb-16 EUROBONDS Price/Yield Price/Yield Price/Yield 6.75 JAN 28, 2021 1 0 0 . 2 9 4 / 5.60% 101.771/6.38% 93.148/8.18% 5.13 JUL 12, 2018 9 7 . 5 1 7 / 5.63% 97.662/5.92% 9 5 . 9 7 2 / 6.53% 6.38 JUL 12, 2023 9 6 . 5 7 7 / 6.76% 99.601/6.44% 8 8 . 1 1 4 / 8.37% The questions to ask are therefore: *Have all the prospects and potentials of the Nigerian market evaporated in less than one year? *Could the entire crises be attributed to the drop in crude oil prices?

Our take is that the potentials and prospects of the economy are still intact. The economy is still a huge market for consumer goods, capital goods, financial services, information & Telecommunication services, Agricultural goods, Oil & Gas products, Trade, Real Estate products, transport infrastructure, power infrastructure, entertainment, etc. In summary, “there is no single sector of the Nigeri-

an economy that has fully developed, talk less of being matured”.

On the second question, we believe that while the crash in crude prices may have trigger the current economic crises, but the core of our problem is the structure of our economy.

Our policy response will therefore determine if and when we will come out of the current crises and if we will be enmeshed in future crude oil price crises. “Like humans, organizations and corporate entities, including nations are products of the decisions they took at critical junctures in their life”.

Some defined economic policy Regulated Exchange Rate One of the most commented economic policies of the current administration is its decision to continue with a fixed exchange rate inspite of the precipitous drop in foreign exchange earnings as a result of the decline in crude oil prices.

While the Exchange rate policy is considered to be under the purview of the Monetary Authorities, the interventions of the President on his Policy choice as it relates to the exchange rate has made policy call on this issue by the Monetary Authorities a complicated one.

We believe that irrespective of the much trumpeted independence of the Central Bank, the Governor and members of the Monetary Policy Committee are not likely to take a decision on the exchange rate that will be contrary to the President’s position without first getting him to reverse his position.

A look at the movement in exchange rate of other Oil dependent economies indicate that most of them have allowed their currency to adjust to the strength of their export earnings apart from Venezuela and Egypt. The stories from the streets of Caracas are obviously not the type that Nigerians want to experience.

Country Jan-15Feb-16 % Appreciation/Devaluaton Venezuela .35 .35 Egypt .82 .82 Nigeria .99 .14 -9% Ghana .21 .99 -24% Russia .54 .96 -27% Angola .86 .5 -51% Azerbijan .78 .59 104% Selected Oil Exporting Country’s Exch. rate movement against $ Exclusion of some imports from the official market To keep the Naira exchange rate within the N197/$ and a band of +/- 3%, the Central Bank has been engaged in aggressive demand management with the disqualification of 41 items from accessing the foreign exchange market and subsequently additional two items, which included

Send your reactions to: news@vanguardngr.com

foreign students’ school fees and foreign medical bills. The reasons adduced for this policy tend to be more of nationalist than economic. We however believe that trade policies are better tools to use in discouraging the importation of goods whose import hurt local manufacturers. We have proven cases of successful use of appropriate trade policies to develop specific industries in the country.

A classical example is the Cement industry where local manufacture has grown from 2,000 metric tonnes per annum to more that 40,000 metric tonnes per annum in 15 years. Nigeria has moved from a net importer of cement to a net exportor as a result of targeted use of trade policy in the subsector.

Regulated Price for some refined petroleum products Although the government has now allowed for cost reflective price for two of the regulated refined petroleum products, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or Petrol and to a larger extent, Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) or Kerosene, this does not amount to deregulation. What the government has only done is to increase their prices above their cost of import at a time when crude prices are very low with the attendant low landing costs for these products.

Should their landing cost go up when crude prices recover, government would be hard pressed to convince citizens on the need to pay higher prices for these products. But the most important drawback to the modulated pricing adopted by NNPC for PMS and Kerosene is that the policy would not encourage investment in the downstream sector of the Nigerian Oil industry hence our country’s continued dependence on imports to meet domestic demand.

Limitations of current policies While the CBN has effectively maintained the official exchange rate at N197/$, its has been impossible to meet all so called legitimate demand at the official window at the stipulated official rate hence a backlog of unmet demand which has spilled over to the shallow parallel market and driven down the Naira to between N372/$ and N385/$ as reported by the Punch and Vanguard Newspapers respectively in their Thursday, February 18, 2016 editions.

With legitimate importers of raw materials and equipment migrating to the parallel market to satisfy their demand, the Parallel market has effectively become the ruling market for pricing of imported goods and services within the country, with the exception of refined petroleum products, which seem to enjoy some preference in the allocation of forex by the Central bank. Unfortunately, the shallowness of supply in the alternative markets and huge demand is driving importers to a state hysteria, as they seem to be ready to pay any price to meet their demand.

John Chukwu is the group CEO, Cowry Asset Management Ltd

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016 — 53

Obama urges congress to shut Guantanamo Bay

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HE White House has presented to Congress a plan to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, one of the president’s long-standing goals.

He wants to transfer the remaining 91 detainees to their home countries or to US military or civilian prisons. But Congress is deeply opposed to terror suspects being held on US soil and is expected to block the move.

The prison costs $445m (£316m) to run annually and closing it was a 2009 promise from President Barack Obama. Human rights campaigners have repeatedly complained about the prison in Cuba, which has held 780 detainees since it opened in 2002.

The president told reporters on Tuesday it undermined national security.

•Obama “This is about closing a chapter in our history,” said Mr Obama. “It reflects the lessons we’ve learned since 9/11 - lessons that must guide our nation going forward.”

But Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio was scathing in his criti-

cism, saying Guantanamo prisoners do not belong on US soil.

“These are literally enemy combatants,” he said, adding he would ship terrorists straight to Guantanamo “to find out what they know”.

$2b Malabu scam: Stop maligning me, go and clear your name, Atiku tells Adoke

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

B

ARELY 24 four hours after writing a comprehensive letter to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, exonerating himself of any infraction in the controversial Malabu Oil scam, the immediate past Attorney General , Mohammed Adoke, has been asked to face his problems and stop dragging others in the mud.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, issued the warning in response to Adoke’s claim in the letter that he (Atiku) was among those behind his travails for not helping them to get a share of the $2 billion as ‘shareholders’ of Malabu.

In the letter to Osinbajo on Monday, Adoke had alleged that the aggrieved individuals including Atiku, who is posing as Lawal Abba were behind the smear campaign against him for not extending the proceeds of the deal to them.

Adoke said: “I was also informed that these individuals had enlisted a notorious online media to smear my name with allegations of corruption and bribery and that some agents of the Abacha family and one Lawal Abba acting for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President were behind the scheme.

“They claim that they were shareholders in Malabu Oil and Gas Limited and had been short-changed by the main shareholder of the company, and that I had

Ghana denies banning imported goods from Nigeria

F

OLLOWING a news report carried by the Vanguard newspaper that Ghana has placed a ban on some imported goods from Nigeria, the office of Ghana Consulate-General has in a statement debunked the claim, saying that at no point did the Ghanaian authori-

Getting Canadian visa is seamless —Deputy High Commissioner

By Chris Onuoha

D

EPUTY High Commission of Canada in Nigeria, Mr. Lajos Arendas has said that the commission operates seamless visa processing method to Canada, noting that prospective travellers could access it online.

Arendas disclose this in Lagos at a cocktail convened by Canadian International Institution, Ridley College in EastC M Y K

refused to use my official position as Attorney General of the Federation to help them get their dues from the main shareholder.

“It is apparent from these publications that the intention is not necessarily the clarifications sought by the EFCC but a carefully orchestrated plan for my assured unjustified persecution, humiliation and disgrace by a known group with interest in the Malabu matter that are aggrieved over my official role in the resolution of the case.

ern Canada, in collaboration with GEC Education Counsellors Lagos.

Arendas said: “Visa applicationtoCanadatakes56days on average, but some applications are handled within 3 weeksorless.Thereasonsome people require more time to get it, is because if application form is not properly filled, it is automaticallyrejected.Butour officersdorevisitrejectedforms every week.

ties ban any imported goods from Nigeria.

Vanguard had on February 18, 2016 in a report titled: ‘Ghana bans goods from Nigeria, other countries’ stated that Ghana has prohibited some items from entry into its domains, following Nigeria’s footsteps that restricted 41 items from access to foreign exchange, adding that Ghana had however placed a ban on some goods from being imported into the country.

The statement reads: “The Ghana High Commission would wish to state categorically that the (story) is false and does not reflect the position of the Ghanaian Government or that of the Hon. Minister of Trade and Industry of Ghana, Mr. Ekwow Spio-Grbarah, as alleged by the Vanguard report.”

Dalung

Continues from B/P

ni Babangida.

Dalung told Sports Vanguard that the development was an unnecessary ego fight that could spell doom to the team’s preparations for the crucial fixture slated to take place on March 25, at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

Recall that the NFF had last week announced the sacking of Babangida in line with the recommendations of its technical committee, as an aftermath of Oliseh’s controversial YouTube rant.

The federation had in reaction to the saga wanted to sack Oliseh but was restrained by the Minister.

Dalung was not happy that despite his efforts to end the crisis between the NFF and the embattled Oliseh, the federation allegedly went ahead to sack Babangida.

He further stated that even as the decision may affect the team, the ministry would try as much as it can to heal all the wounds that the incident could create when the team arrives for the Egypt challenge.

“Our problem in this country is that we have too much pride, sometimes we go out of our way to massage our egos,

Oliseh Continues from B/P

day Oliseh has appealed to Nigerians to turn out en masse to cheer the Eagles in their must win Nations Cup cracker against the Pharaohs of Egypt on March 25, insisting that only a mammoth crowd will overwhelm the Egyptians.

Speaking on Brila Fm in an interview that portrayed him like one who had eaten the humble pie, Oliseh said that the massive fans that he saw watch Kano Pillars and Rangers League tie on Sunday could bring the Egyptians to their knees in the match in Kaduna. ‘’Let’s forget what has happened in the past.

We’re Nigerians and must unite to ensure that our flag flutter both in the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations. There is hope because the crowd that I saw in the Kano Pillars game with Rangers can overwhelm the Egyptians if they turn up in Kaduna. They ‘ll be playing the role of the 12th man on the pitch’’, he said.

He however reckoned that the Egyptians would have an advantage over his Eagles because majority of their players play

and there is a whole distinction between national interest and personal pride. I see the NFF’s reaction as trying to assert self pride. That decision too is not in the interest of our national team especially as we seek that bond to beat Egypt. Football is a national asset and every stakeholder should see it in that way, against the background of personal feelings or interest.

Siasia

Leadership is all about taking decisions and sacrifices for the interest of all especially in the area of sports.

“The sack might however have minimum effect on the psychology of the technical crew and coaches because we are still working hard to ensure that we bridge whatever gap that decision might have brought to the team”, Dalung stated.

Abuja said his main interest is to have quality players to prosecute the championship which he described as a gathering of the best from around the world.

However, the former Super Eagles striker tactically ruled out the inclusion of Chelsea of England midfielder, Mikel Obi from the squad that will travel to Brazil.

“We really don’t want to talk about the over aged players for now because we must have to know the areas of interest. But really we have some but they must have to be in form by then. And talking of Mikel, if he comes to me and says he wants to play, I will ask him for what reason? Why do you want to play, are you

sure you really want to play? I don’t really want to talk about Mikel. He is doing well now and I am happy for him and I hope he will come and help Nigeria to prosecute this difficult match against Egypt next month.

“Odion as you mentioned, is the only Super Eagles player that is doing so well in the English Premiership, he is scoring goals and very cool headed and obedient. He is a good boy, very disciplined and gentle. If he is in a good shape then he will obviously be one of the first to be invited.”

Siasia equally expressed his confidence that the scheduled international friendly with their Brazilian counterparts next month will put the team in good shape for the Olympic Games.

in their domestic league. ‘’I have watched their tape and they are resultoriented. Their power lies in the midfield and defence and upfront, they have one Mohammed Saleh. He has speed and if unchecked, can be a spoiler. But we are Nigerians and are playing at home. We have our own players and a crowd that will play a part to bring them down. That is why I am appealing that every Nigerian should

come together for us to ensure victory for our dear country ’’, Oliseh who sparked controversy when he called his critics ‘’ insane’’ before apologising said.

The seven-time African Champions lead Nigeria’s Group with six points from two matches, two points ahead of Nigeria with only the group winners guaranteed automatic qualification to the final tournament in Gabon.

Continues from B/P

Amuneke el of understanding between them.

“The coach has stated in clear terms, he wants to continue with the same backroom staff he worked with before and during the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile,” a top member of the Nigeria Football Federation technical committee told Sports Vanguard.

He said the technical crew were the best he could work with because of “the already established bond which engenders harmonious working relationship among them. Above all, you don’t change a winning team.”

He further disclosed that Amuneke thanked the leadership and the

executive committee of the NFF for the confidence they had in him but is desirous to see that the same was extended to his backroom staff.

Amuneke’s assistant coach was Coach Kabiru Baleria with Emeka Amadi, a former youth international as goalkeeper trainer. The team co-ordinator for the U-17 World Cup-winning squad was Prince Udofia while Egbaiyelo Tayo and Morakinyi Abodunrin worked as the secretary and media officer respectively.

If Amuneke’s wish should be consented to, then the team doctor, Olarinoye Ayodeji, physiotherpist, Aliu Abubakar and equipment manager Idris Adamu will also join him.

54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBURARY 24, 2016

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016 — 55

Rio 2016: Athletes must meet set standards — AFN

BY JUDE OPARA, ABUJA

A

THLETES and offi cials of the various national federations will soon heave sighs of re-

By Ben Efe

W

ITH only five months to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, only a few Nigerian athletes have met the standards set by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

AFN president, Solomon Ogba disclosed in Lagos that rather than lower the marks, the bar has been raised for the athletes to strive and attain podium performance in Rio 2016.

“There is no way we are going to lower the standards for our athletes.

Rather we even want them to surpass the IAAF world standards.

“This is the only way we can be up there with the other nations. This is why we have encouraged athletes to be in camp at the High Performance Centre in Port Harcourt.

There we have sports scientists in different stages of practice. We have the biometrics and energy distribution professors.

“The era of coaches just developing programmes to train the athletes is over, now it is more scientific. We have a programme signed by Prof Ken Anugwueje, which will be the standard.”

He argued that junior athletes who trained in HPC proved his point, when they beat their senior counterparts at the assessment meet held in

Track Alert... (From right) Divine Oduduru, Tega Odele, Obinna Metu and Ogho-Oghene Egwero sweating it out at the Africa Games in Congo. They must now show up at Rio 2016.

Port Harcourt last week.

Nigeria did not win a medal at the Olympics in 2012 and it was in this regard, the AFN set a mark of 10.09 seconds for

ENNIS players in the country would have their hands full when the second edition of the Tombim Futures Tennis Tournament serves off April 18 at the Tennis Courts of the National Stadium Abuja.

Registration for the ITFsanctioned tournament is ongoing and the sponsors, Tombim Sports Development Limited confirmed yesterday in Abuja that the two legs of the ITF Futures will run till May 2 with over 300 players competing for spaces in the main draws.

Edmond Ajoge of Tombim who confirmed the date said yesterday that this year ’s tournament will witness an upsurge following serious interest being shown by both foreign and local players .

respectively. for women.

The AFN also promised a 50, 000 dollars bonus for any Nigerian athlete who wins gold in Rio 2016.

lief with the approval by the federal government of a special fund for the payment of all outstanding debts arising from bonuses and allowances from past championships.

Recently, the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF), has been the worst hit especially with the introduction of the Treasury Single Account, (TSA), which resulted in their inability to pay the backlog of bonuses and allowances owed to the various national football teams.

Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung, who disclosed this in an interview in Abuja said President Mohammadu Buhari decided to end the low morale of Nigerian athletes by approving the imme-

diate release of fund for the settlement of all outstanding bonuses and allowances owed not just to footballers but other athletes that have represented the country.

The Minister who noted that poor funding has affected the performances of Nigerian players and athletes in several competitions further stated that the said fund will also be used to settle the Team Nigeria athletes who have been training to compete in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Dalung who insisted that prudence must be the watch word in the management of public fund also assured that going by steps being put in place by the government, the ugly trend of owing players and athletes will be a thing of the past.

Nigeria U-23 to know opponents April

N

IGERIA’s Under-23 team will get to know their group opponents as the draws for Rio 2016 Olympics will be made on April 14 at the famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

The team coached by Samson Siasia earned the right to represent Africa alongside Algeria and South Africa.

Nigeria won the 1996 Atlanta Olympics gold and were beaten by Argentina in the final of the

Tombim Futures tennis tourney serves off April 18

T

men 100m and 11.10 seconds for the women. In the 200m it is 20.20 seconds for men and 22.50 for women. In 400m the entry standard is 45.20secs and 50.90secs

FG ready to settle athletes’ bonus arrears

“Interestingly, last year’s singles champion who moved more than hundred places after winning the two legs in Abuja, Matija Pecotic from Croatia is looking forward to coming here to defend his titles”.

He equally disclosed that the Croatian who trains with World Number one tennis player Novak Djokovic has confirmed that some of his close friends who missed the 2015 edition will join him in Abuja.

Also expected are the maiden edition’s number one seed Ivo Klec, Stanilav Korshunov, Deiton Baughman, American Eric Quigley, Indias Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, Mafiloe Malaoa from South Africa, KeithPatrick Crowley and several others.

2008 Beijing Olympics in China.

Hosts Brazil and defending champions Mexico will be among the 16 teams to be drawn into four groups of the competition,which will be staged in August.

Only one spot is left in the men’s football event – Colombia and USA will play off next month to decide that final spot.

The tournament will be played in six Brazilian cities including Rio, Sao Paulo, Brasilia and Belo Horizonte.

15 GOtv NextGen Search talents go into camp

By Jacob Ajom

F

IFTEEN of the 28 boxers that excelled at the GOtv NextGen Search are presently camping at the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame located in Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos.

The boxers, organisers said, will be in camp for between 10 days and two weeks under the watchful eyes of coaches led by Obisia Nwakpa.

The boxers who have been given professional licences by the organisers will undergo

various methods of training and are expected to kick-start their professional careers soon after the camp.

Chief Executive Officer of Flykite Productions, Jenkins Alumonu said some of the boxers who impress could be signed on by his organisation for future promotion.

Before they went into camp, the boxers attended a medical clinic where they were educated on nutrition, training and how to enhance their stamina by experts in various health related disciplines.

From left: Founder/ Group Chief Executive Officer, IHS Towers, Issam Darwish,Chief Technical Officer, Fouad Sakha, Chief Corporate Services Officer, Mohammad Al-Fawda, during the Chagoury Cup Final of the Lagos Polo Tournament sponsored

by IHS

StarTimes secures African basketball league right

S

TARTIMES has secured live broadcasts rights of the Best of African Basketball Action on the TRACE Sports Stars channel from March 4 2016.

The pay-tv company said basketball fans will be able to enjoy the African Basketball League, ABL at its best, including the All Star Games, Play offs and behind the scenes shown live on TRACE channels and TRACE Sport Stars.

Nigerian teams Lagos Islanders, Stallions and

Lagos Warriors join other Africa clubs Dakar Rapids from Senegal, Abidjan Ramblers from the Cote d’Ivoire and Izobe Basketball Club from Libreville in what will be nail biting matches.

Commenting on the new development, Michael Dearham, Managing Director of Media Department and VPStarTimes Group said: “We are very excited to bring African basketball onto the StarTimes platform."

Moses vows to stay healthy, score more goals Moses

W

EST Ham on loan striker, Victor Moses said he is happy to leave his injury woes behind and he is looking forward to scoring more goals.

The Super Eagles striker scored a spectacular goal in West Ham’s 5-1 thrashing of Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup last weekend. It was his first goal in many

months as he struggled with his form.

“I’m pleased personally.

You can see I’m fully fit now, because when I first came back from injury I started a little slow.

“Now I’ve started to get myself back again and I just want to enjoy every single bit of this season with West Ham. I want to keep on

working hard for the team and make sure we win as many games as we can.

“I was pleased with that and hopefully there are more goals to come.”

Meanwhile coach Slaven Bilic highlighted the important role Emmanuel Emenike played for the Hammers in their FA Cup win over Blackburn.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

Amuneke wants his backroom staff at U-20

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EWLY appointed head coach of the national U-20 team team, the Flying Eagles, Em-

Oliseh dreads Pharaohs AFCON QUALIFIER:

*Charges Nigerians to rally behind Eagles

manuel Amuneke wants to move along with the same team he worked with to win the FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile.

Amuneke whose upgrading did not come as a surprise to many is of the belief that his backroom staff, particularly his coaching crew, is one he cherishes so much because of the high lev

Dalung faults NFF over Babangida’s sack

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

A

By Tony Ubani

I

N an emotion-laden voice that concealed his earlier confrontational stance, Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh has appealed to Nigerians to turn out en masse Continues on page 53

Dalung

Rio 2016: Siasia considers Ighalo, rules out Mikel

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

HEAD of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Pharaohs of Egypt, Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung has faulted the decision by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to sack Coach Sunday Oliseh’s Personal Assistant, Tija Continues on page 53

Today’s Champions League ties

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HIEF Coach of the national U-23 team, Dream Team VI, Samson Siasia says he is keen on taking in-form Watford of England striker, Odion Ighalo as one of the three over-aged players for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Siasia who spoke to journalists yesterday in

*UNSTOPPABLE: Odion Ighalo in Watfod’s colour. Siasia has promised him a place in the Olympic squad.

*Amuneke

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D/Kiev v M/City 8:45pm PSV v A/Madrid 8:45pm

NPFL

Siasia

Continues on page 53

MFM v Rivers Utd Lobi v Sunshine A/Warriorsv El-Kanemi Wikki v Heartland Wolves v Kano Pillars Rangers v Plateau Utd Tornadoes v Giwa FC All matches from 4pm

QUICK CROSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

YESTERDAY'S ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Divide (4) 4 Jump (3) 6 Choose (4) 8 Earlier (6) 9 Mad (6) 10 Elderly (3) 12 Started (5) 14 Under (5) 15 Elbow (5) 18 Writer (6) 20 Guide (6) 24 Nude (5) 26 Kingly (5) 28 Adored (5) 30 Marry (3) 32 Figurine (6) 33 shrewd (6) 34 Trampled (4) 35 Dance (3) 36 sand-hill (4)

DOWN 2 Stood (5) 3 Drums (7) 4 Idol (4) 5 Settled (4) 6 Adhesive (5) 7 Comfort (7) 11 Record (3) 12 Coach (3) 13 Gist (3) 16 Lair (3) 17 Moose (3) 19 Maker (7) 21 Fish (3) 22 Assumed (7) 23 Wand (3) 25 Hatchet (3) 27 Performed (5) 29 Consumed (5) 30 Departed (4) 31 Moist (4

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2 Creed 7, Fibre 8, Arena 10, Aphid 12, Ore 13, State 15, Central 17, Threat 19, Lee 20, Tiniest 23, Name 25, Thin 26, Arrived 30, Rue 31, Regret 34, Expanse 37, Singe 38, Pit 39, Tapir 40, Begin 41, Steer 42, Cloth.

DOWN: 1, Birth 2, Crate 3, Repeat 4, Epic 5, Protest 6, Sneak 9, Err 11, Deliver 13, Stand 14, Aroma 16, Nee 18, tidiest 21, Thorn 22, United 24, Erratic 27, Run 28, Desist 29, Expel 32, Girth 33, Egret 35, Pig 36, Earl

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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