Buhari budgets N2.3bn for ex-presidents in 2016

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62656

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

N120m compensation: Our L stand — NPAN

AGOS — THE Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has stated its position on what it called misrepresentations in the public domain, of the compensation paid to some media houses when their newspapers and circulation vans were impounded by security personnel between June 6 and 8, 2014.

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Buhari budgets N2.3bn for ex-presidents in 2016 •National Assembly to spend N175bn •Gowon, Shagari, Obasanjo, others to share money for up-keep •Economic experts doubt FG’s ability to fund budget 2016 •Say it's overambitious, call for better implementation

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor, Babajide Komolafe, Peter Egwuatu, Franklin Alli, Nkiru Nnorom, Rosemary Onuoha

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BUJA—ELEVEN former Presidents, Heads of State and former Vice Presidents/Chiefs of Staff are to share N2.3 billion as entitlements in 2016.

This was contained in the summary of the proposed budget 2016 presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly on Tuesday.

The former Presidents and former Heads of State Continues on Page 5

Eid-elMaulud: Buhari, Saraki, Sultan, others call for peace, unity 8

Mr & Mrs

BIAFRA—The leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu at the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, as the judge handed off his case. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan. See Page 49.

MODIBBO

KAWU N20bn bond: Chasing Kwara's black goat at night C M Y K

JOSEF OMOROTIONMWAN

As the press now gags the legislator

COLUMNISTS:

P.19

P.17

We've met December deadline to defeat Boko Haram — Minister 14

2 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

From left: Alhaji Haroun Adamu, member, Board of Trustees, Nigeria Media Merit Award, NMMA; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mrs Beatrice Kolade, Dr Cristopher Kolade and Prince Tony Momoh, former Minister of Information, Distinguished Honoree, NMMA; during the 2015 Grand Award Presentation Ceremony of NMMA, held, Tuesday in Lagos. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Buhari budgets N2.3bn for ex-presidents National Assemin 2016 bly to spend Continues from Page 1 are General Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, General Ibrahim

Babangida, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, General Olusegun Obasanjo, and Goodluck Jonathan. The former Vice Presidents and former Chiefs of General Staff are Dr. Alex Ekwueme, General Oladipupo Diya, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku and Alhaji Namadi Sambo.

According to the Act which provides for the remuneration of former Presidents and former Vice, each former President and former Head of state is entitled to N350,000 per month, while former Vice Presidents and former Chiefs of General Staff are entitled to N250,000 per month for their upkeep.

The Act states: “As from the commencement of this Act, all former-Presidents and Heads of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (in this Act referred to as “former Heads of State”) shall be(i) paid the sum of N350,000 per month as up-keep allowance; and (ii) entitled to the perquisites of office specified in Part I of the Schedule to this Act; and (b)Vice-Presidents and Chiefs of General Staff of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (in this Act referred to as “former Vice-Presidents”) shall be- (i) paid the sum of N250,000 per month as up-keep allowance; and (ii) entitled to the perquisites of office specified in Part II of the Schedule to this Ac t .

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO HAT makes you special isn’t really what you do but who you are. Strive to become better each day and life will reward you tremendously. It's up to you.

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TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Those who live passionately, teach us how to love.

Those who love passionately, teach us how to live — Yogananda

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OUR emotions are powerful feelings, a powerful energy you can use creatively with your imagination. Successful people develop methods to harness their emotions to manifest their desires into reality. Develop passion for who you are and what you love to do and connect emotionally with what you want to achieve. Make it become deeply resonant in your being. Stay in touch with who you are. Align yourself to your thoughts, feelings and actions. Be consciously present and see yourself as one with your goal, and the goal as already achieved.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

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HEAD hunter does not allow a man with matchet to stand behind him.

N175bn

Meanwhile, N115 billion was allocated to the National Assembly in the 2016 budget. This is besides N60 billion allocated for constituency projects.

Under the budget, the federal government plans to spend N20 billion on the Presidential Amnesty Programme which include stipends and allowances of 30,000 Niger Delta Exmilitants- N7.875 billion; Operational cost- N1. 834 billion; Reintegration of transformed ex-militantsN10.291 billion.

Furthermore, the Federal government allocated N200 billion for special capital projects, and N20 billion as sinking Fund for Infrastructural Developments.

The budget also contained N5.5 billion to be paid to states government for repairs of federal roads, while local contractors are to be N5.5 billion.

Economic experts doubts FG’s ability to fund budget 2016

Meanwhile, economic experts have expressed doubts over the ability of the Federal Government to fund the proposed 2016 budget.

On Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari presented to the National Assembly, a N6.08 trillion budget for 2016. This comprises recurrent expenditure of N2.65 trillion and capital expenditure of N1.8 trillion. The budget is based on projected revenue of N3.86 trillion and deficit of N2.22 trillion. The deficit is to be financed through domestic borrowing of N984 billion, and foreign

borrowing of N900 billion, totalling N1.84 trillion.

Economic experts who spoke to Vanguard commended the budget proposal but, however, expressed doubts over some aspects of the budget, especially ability of the government to generate the projected fund to finance the budget.

“The key issue is how do we finance the budget so that it does not end up as a mere political campaign gimmick”, said Mr. Sola Oni, Chief Executive Officer, SOFUNIX Investment and Communications Limited, and Investment analyst.

He said: “I believe that one fundamental approach is how the Federal Government can leverage on the robust platform provided by the capital market in Nigeria to bridge infrastructural gaps.

“If we are deviating from over dependence on income from crude oil which its budgetary base price of 38 dollar per barrel has slumped to 36 dollar even before the approval by the National Assembly, it stands to reason that there are many rivers to cross in order to realize the potential benefits embedded in the budget.”

Capital expenditure doubtful

Commenting on the budget proposal, Financial Derivatives Company noted that the capital expenditure of N1.8 trillion may not be achieved if the government fails to achieve the projected revenue. The company said: “The budget also clearly acknowledges current inadequacies in the supply of foreign exchange to Nigerians and

its impact on traders and business operators who are hugely reliant on imported inputs. It also went as far as assuring Nigerians and foreign investors that the Central Bank of Nigeria will incorporate some flexibility to its foreign exchange management which will encourage additional inflows of foreign currency.

Budget 2016 is overambitious

On his part, David Managing Ado nri, Director, Highcap Securities Ltd, said the budget looks over ambitious for various reasons. “The budget appears to me to be over ambitious because the crude oil revenue is dwindling very fast and the forecast is that it will dwindle further.

Judging by the revenue the government collected since June up to date, the revenue has dwindled and allocation to states has also dwindled, I don’t see the reason why the budget should be higher than last year’s budget.

“Secondly, from my own analysis so far, I don’t know how realistic it is that they are going to meet the revenue target. You can see that the revenue from crude oil sales is less than N1 trillion, and then the non-oil revenue which is about N1.5 trillion appears to be over ambitious.

“Then the balance which is going to come from budget deficit is the very worrisome aspect because N1.5 trillion projected as revenue from independent sources which are not stated was because of certain things they are going to do if they plug some holes here and there. that they can realise that N1.5 trillion appears to be subjective. And then that they are going to realise N350 billion from monies that will be recovered from corrupt politicians to the best of my knowledge is clouded in uncertainties.

Emeka Okolo, Managing Director, Molten Trust Limited said the key is implementation.

“What I am concerned is that the budget should be

implemented; we are no longer interested in discourse everyday again; we want implementation of the budget. On paper, it is good, but implementation is always the issue.

I know that some will say that the main issue is that borrowing is too much, borrowing is not the issue. The main issue is to use the borrowing for what it is meant for, that is the bottom-line. If they can implement it faithfully, that is okay.”

According to Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Capital Bancorp Plc, Mr. Higo Aigboje, “The 2016 budget is very positive if it is faithfully implemented and brings about economic prosperity. Nigeria’s problem is not about budget, but about the implementation process.”

Focus on capital market for borrowings

While commending the principle behind the budget, Acting President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, CIS, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe advised the federal government to focus on the Nigerian capital market for its borrowings. He said: “The budget as presented by President Muhammadu Buhari is good for the country as it is reconstructive and meant to revive the economy.

With the price of crude oil at about N38, the focus should be on capital market growth and formation to provide the needed fund to finance infrastructure."

The budget is promising—MAN

Dr. Frank Jacobs, President Manufacturers Asociation of Nigeria, MAN, said: "Although, we have not really analyzed the budget yet, we commend the Federal government on its timeliness; we commend the Federal Government for empowering entrepreneurs and for spending more money on infrastructures."

Continues on Page 11

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015—7

75-yr-old guard murder ed in Makurdi market

By Peter Duru

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INFERNO: Scene of a fire incident on Maitama-Asokoro Expressway in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

One killed in Police, robbers gun battle in Ogun A

By Daud Olatunji

B E O K U TA — O N E suspected robber was killed Tuesday when men of Ogun State Police command and a gang of armed robbers engaged in gun battle at Ajede area near J3, along Ijebu Ode/Benin expressway, while other members of the gang allegedly fled with bullet wounds.

Responding to distress call

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement yesterday while confirming the clash, said the anti-crime patrol team responded to a distress call that hoodlums had blocked the road with a Toyota bus with number plate NND 529 XA, which had earlier been snatched by the robbers .

He said: “While the robbers asked the commuters to lie down with a view to robbing them, but the robbers were engaged by the police team in a fierce gun duel.

The gun duel left one of the robbers dead as a result of superior fire power of the Police.

“After the operation, the commuters were all rescued unhurt and all their belongings were intact. When a search was conducted on the dead robber, a cutlass, five life cartridges and assorted charms were recovered from him.

Operation Safer Highway

“It will be recalled that the Inspector General of Police IGP Solomon Arase recently launched Operation Safer Highway with the distribution of more than 600 patrol vans and logistics to all commands and formations.”

While noting that the Ogun

State Commissioner of Police, CP Abdulmajid Ali has keyed into the IGP’s vision, Muyiwa Adejobi said the command has deployed more

than 40 patrol vans along all the highways in Ogun State.

“The efforts of the command to protect lives and properties of

road users within Ogun State have paid off as many highway robbery operations have been thwarted while many suspected robbers arrested," the CP said.

....As gunmen attack APC chieftain, kill Police escort in Rivers

By Jimitota Onoyume & Davies Iheamnachor

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ORT HARCOURT—A foiled attempt to allegedly assassinate a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Mr. Chikordi Dike, has claimed the life of a police escort attached to him.

It was gathered that armed men had allegedly attempted to kill Mr. Dike who is a onetime Caretaker

Committee Chairman of Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

It was also gathered that the suspected assassins attacked their victims around Polo Club in GRA phase 2 and engaged the only policeman attached to Dike in a exchange of gunfire.

A senior police officer who related the incident to Vanguard disclosed the name of the late

police officer as Corporal Yakubu.

The officer said Mr. Yakubu was gunned down around 11pm, Tuesday night, after he was over powered by the suspected assassins while he was trying to protect his boss.

At press time the Rivers State Police Command is yet to give an official statement on the development.

Immigration repatriates 712 illegal immigrants from Delta was an ongoing exercise, Musa

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By Festus Ahon

SABA—DELTA State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service said it has captured and repatriated 712 illegal immigrants in the State to their respective countries.

The command in a statement by its Comptroller, Mr Madu Musa said: “In our effort to control the influx of irregular immigrants in Delta State, we have embarked on this mop-up exercise across the length and breadth of the State to remove undocumented immigrants, this is a routine operation.

“As expected in an exercise of this nature, thousands of persons were apprehended, but after thorough screening, Nigerians and other legally resident foreigners were released, while seven hundred and twelve

persons (712), so far have been confirmed as irregular immigrants, mainly of West African extraction, and have been repatriated.”

Noting in the statement that it

said: “we shall continue as far as there is logistical support.

The government of Delta State has greatly assisted the Command with logistics support for this operation.”

AKURDI—A 75 year old guard at the Makurdi New Bridge Head abattoir, popularly known as Baba Ibro, was in the early hours of Wednesday stabbed to death at his duty post by unknown persons.

Vangaurd learned that the elderly man who had been the head of the guards at the abattoir, which also houses part of the Makurdi timber market, was found dead in his own pool of blood when traders arrived the market for the day’s business.

The development compelled meat sellers and owners of other business outlets within the vicinity to shutdown all commercial activities for several hours in sympathy with the family of the deceased.

Most of them were seen in groups discussing the unfortunate development while some were said to have been delegated to the family of the deceased to alert them of the murder.

One of the butchers at the marketwhovolunteeredtospeak on condition of anonymity said they all met the lifeless body of the aged guard when they reported for the day’s business.

He said: “We cannot say what must have happened, but we cametobutcherandsellourmeat this morning when we saw that Baba was lying in pool of his own blood dead."

At the time of this report, the remains of the old man had been removed for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Assistant Superintendent, ASP, Moses Yamu who confirmed the murder said, “the son of the 75 year old man came and reported the matter to the Police and as we speak investigation is ongoing.”

Hon Udoh didn't set any house on fire, insists WPF Constituency.

“We are, therefore, calling on

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ARRI—Warri Progressive Forum, WPF, the campaign organisers for Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Memberelect for Warri South 1 Constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Omawumi Udoh, has said that the candidate, in the last election should not be held responsible for the fire outbreak at the former official residence of the sacked Delta State House of Assembly member representing Warri South 1,

They said it is not possible for Omawumi Udoh, whose mandate has just been restored by the Court of Appeal, to turn around to burn down the residence of his opponent.

In a statement made available to newsmen yesterday in Warri through its Secretary, Mathew Edeyibo , WPF said as a matter of fact, the opposition candidate being a bad loser, apparently couldn’t come to terms with the landmark judgment.

the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly to set up machinery in place with a view to unmasking the perpetrators of this despicable act, as anyone found guilty should be made to face the law.

“There is no way Hon. Udoh, Delta State House of Assembly member -elect, would condescend to the point of destroying her opponent’s property. Her antecedent speaks for itself as she is not known as a person given to violence.”

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

N120m compensation: Our stand —NPAN L

AGOS — THE Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), yesterday, stated its position on the misrepresentations in the public domain over the compensation paid to some media houses after their newspapers and circulation vans were impounded by security personnel between June 6 and 8, 2014.

In a statement issued, yesterday, and signed by the association’s Deputy President, Mallam Kabiru Yusuf and General Secretary, Dame Comfort Obi, it explained that the money was to compensate for huge losses which the media houses suffered as a result of the seizure.

The statement addressed to newspapers’ readers which was also published on Page 2 as advertorial stated: “The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) at its expanded Executive Council meeting in Lagos on Thursday, December 17, 2015, examined the issue of compensation to its members whose newspapers were seized by security personnel in June last year.

“The association was concerned by the insinuations, posturing and uninformed commentary on the matter and wishes, out of respect to its readers and advertisers, to set the records straight. The facts are as follows: Between Friday, June 6 and Sunday, June 8, 2014, some military and other security personnel impounded bundles of newspapers and circulation vans belonging to our members in Abuja, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Ekiti, Delta, Niger, Kogi, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Imo, and Enugu states among others. In some of these locations, this illegal obstruction lasted five days. By this unlawful seizure of newspapers, our members suffered huge losses in sales and advertising revenue and in business goodwill. Many of our members affected by this reckless assault considered resorting to the courts to seek redress.  Even more alarming, the military authorities claimed that they had intelligence that newspaper vans were being used to ferry bomb making materials, an outrageous charge that seems to be a prelude to some sort of clampdown.  Amidst this tension, and perhaps to stem the spate of multiple litigation against the security agencies and the Federal Government, the then President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, decided to hold a meeting with the executives of NPAN on June 12, 2014, at the State House, Marina, Lagos. At this meeting, the President apologised for the infraction of press freedom and the disruption of the business rhythm of our members. This was well received by our members. In recognition of the

President’s gesture, one of our executive officers, Lady Maiden Ibru, spoke in favour of the association dropping the demand for compensation. But because some members wanted to seek redress in court, it was decided to pursue a civil resolution of the matter. The Federal Government and the NPAN agreed to settle the matter out of court. In consequence of this, members were requested to submit a statement of their losses for consideration.  All active member newspapers submitted their claims, with some as low as a few hundred thousand Naira and others running into hundreds of millions. With no easy way to verify these widely divergent claims, the association leadership accepted the offer from the government, of a flat rate of N10

million to each of the 12 media houses affected. The total amount came to N120 million. Having suffered a lot of harassment during the military era, with some cases still winding their way through our courts, members agreed to a reasonable settlement over prolonged confrontation. Most of our members duly collected the compensation in good faith. The cheques for The Guardian, Tribune and Peoples Daily are still with our secretariat. Member newspapers that received money could not have any suspicion why it was paid from the office of the former National Security Adviser since the onslaught on newspapers was carried out by the security forces over which the office of the NSA, to some extent, superintended. It is unfortunate that some

people not in possession of the full facts, are seeking to link the NPAN with the alleged misdeeds of those who may have received huge sums of money from the office of the NSA unlawfully. Nothing can be further from the truth. Our association assures the general public that the fierce independence, diversity and forthrightness that have characterised the Nigerian Press remain unshaken.

“In attendance were: Mr. Sam Amuka, Life Patron, NPAN; Mallam Ismaila Isa, Life Patron, NPAN; Chief Segun Osoba, Past President, NPAN; Mr. Ray Ekpu, Past President, NPAN; Mr. Kabiru A. Yusuf, Deputy President/ Chairman, Media Trust; Dame Comfort Obi, General Secretary/ Publisher, The Source magazine.

"Others are Lady Maiden

Ibru Treasurer/Publisher, The Guardian newspapers; Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, Chairman, Leadership Group; Mrs Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, Ex-officio member/ Group Managing Director, Champion Group; Alhaji Idi Farouk, Chairman, New Telegraph newspapers; Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, GM/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard newspapers; Dr. Alexander Thomopulos, Chief Operating Officer, The Guardian newspapers; Mr. Ted Iwere, Managing Director, Independent newspapers; Mr. Nosa Igiebor, President/CEO, Tell Communications Limited; Mr. Eniola Bello, Managing Director, This Day newspapers; Mrs. Funke Egbemode, Managing Director, New Telegraph newspapers; Mr. Toke Alex-Ibru, Executive Director, The Guardian Newspapers; Mr. Ayo Arowolo, Editor-at-Large, This Day Newspapers and Mr. Feyi Smith, Executive Secretary, NPAN."

Eid-el-Maulud: Buhari, Saraki, Sultan, others call for unity, love

By Henry Umoru, Abdulwahab Abdulah & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA — As Muslims celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammed today, President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and the Sultan of Sokoto have called for more understanding, unity and love among Nigerians to move the nation forward The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, urged Muslims to use the opportunity of his birthday to reflect on the teachings of the Prophet, who lived a life of piety, prayer and service to God and humanity.

Buhari also urged the adherents of the Islamic faith “to rededicate themselves to upholding the injunctions of the Holy Quran in their personal life and in their relationships with others.

The Senate President in a goodwill message to celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, said just like the birth of the Holy Prophet in Mecca ushered in a new dawn for humanity, Nigerians should view the occasion of this year’s Maulud Nabiyyi as an opportunity for a new beginning for the country.

According to him, the country has made tremendous progress in terms of security of lives and property since the last celebration and urged Muslim faithful to use the occasion to further seek the mercy and protection of Allah for

MEETING: From left, Chief Executive Officer, Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy, ISGPP, Mr Olukunle Iyanda; member, Board of Governors, ISGPP, Prof. Adigun Agbaje; former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Tunji Olaopa, after a consultative meeting on the forthcoming political economy summit entitled 'Getting Government to Work for Development and Democracy in Nigeria: Agenda for Change,' to be chaired by Chief Obasanjo, at his Presidential Hilltop mansion, Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday. all Nigerians.

In his own message, the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, noted that this year’s Christmas celebration was significant as it almost coincided with the December 24, being the birthday of Prophet Muhammed.

The message signed by Prof.

Is-haq Oloyede, SecretaryGeneral of the Council stated: “We have every cause to celebrate and thank the Almighty God for the opportunity of life and the privilege of survival. At this time last year, Nigeria was under a lot of tension with the national conscience being tormented by the apocalyptic prediction of

2015 being the end of our corporate existence.

“Now that the year is ending and we remain united, it is as if God Himself wants us to learn through the near coincidence of the births of our revered Prophets, Jesus and Muhammad.

“As you traditionally celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25, the Muslims mark the birthday of Prophet Muhammad on December 24, this year being the 12th day of Rabiul Awwal.

“The message inherent in this near coincidence appears to be unity and mutual understanding. Therefore, the season of our double celebrations is an opportunity for us Nigerians especially to learn more about our two religious personages and

rededicate ourselves to their true teachings.”

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar in his sallah message urged Muslims to emulate Prophet Muhammad’s shining virtues of compassion, tolerance and commitment to peace.

The former Vice President noted with sadness that the activities of some misguided elements around the world “are inconsistent with the virtues for which Muhammad was famous, such as respect for life, tolerance and avoiding violence against the innocent.”

Also, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, enjoined Muslims to follow the exemplary leadership of the Holy Prophet by promoting peaceful coexistence among the various segments of the society.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015 — 9

Kaduna refinery petrol output rises to 3.2m litres daily 914 truckloads of fuel distributed nationwide

By Michael Eboh

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BUJA — THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday, stated that Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, KRPC, has commenced production of 3.2 million litres of petrol daily, from an initial production of 1.5 million litres recorded over the weekend.

This was even as the NNPC stated that 914 truckloads of fuel have been dispatched to petrol stations across the country, while 1,939 trucks, conveying 64.04 million litres of the products, have been evacuated from its coastal depots to inland depots in the country.

The NNPC, in a statement in Abuja, stated that the increased output from the refinery would help ensure that the queues at fuel stations across the country would ease off soon.

According to the NNPC, the injection of this volume into the system will significantly impact ongoing special intervention efforts designed to bring relief to motorists across the country.

and retail system at filling stations across the country, the initiative has started yielding positive results in Abuja and environs.

It explained that the situation at most filling stations visited in Abuja remains calm and orderly as the staff of the corporation helped to fast-track the process of dispensing fuel to motorists.

Speaking shortly after visiting some retail outlets

within Abuja’s Central Area, Group Executive Director, Commercial & Investment of the NNPC, Mr. Babatunde Adeniran explained that so far, the exercise has recorded some success.

He said: “Our staff are putting in all their best to ensure that orderliness is restored in most of the filling stations. They are also there to ensure that nobody creates a situation that will hamper the discharge of products to

ordinary Nigerians. So far, they are doing well in this regard.”

He further stated that the exercise was a hands-on approach designed to ensure that Nigerians do not suffer unnecessarily at the hands of unscrupulous marketers, adding that the situation would be improved upon.

He called on security agencies to complement the efforts of NNPC at the filling stations.

914 truckloads of fuel distributed nationwide

On the truckloads of products distributed across the country, the NNPC, in its National Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, Evacuation Report for December 22, 2015, disclosed that the country currently has about 977.31 million litres of PMS in its land and marine depots, which was enough to last the country for 24 days.

Giving a breakdown of PMS sufficiency, the NNPC report said the country has 321.23 million litres of PMS in its land reserves and 656.08 million litres in its marine reserves.

Quoting data received from the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, the report further stated that 13 vessels are currently discharging or awaiting clearance to discharge a combined quantity of 314.454 million litres of PMS. In a breakdown of the vessels discharging, the report stated that five of the vessels were conveying products belonging to the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC; two of the vessels were discharging product belonging to the NNPC; while, Total, Techno Oil, Folawiyo, Matrix Energy and Rain Oil, each had one vessel.

Furthermore, the NNPC also disclosed that less than 48 hours after the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, ordered staff of the NNPC to intervene in the monitoring of fuel distribution

INVESTITURE: From left, representative of Kwara State University, Prof. Oladimeji Adebayo; President, West African Postgraduate College of Environmental Health, WAPCEH, Prof. Kuye Akinola and Registrar, WAPCEH, Dr. Sunday Ojewale during the first investiture/confirment of honorary Fellowship of WAPCEH at the University of Ibadan.

FG cancels oil and gas pre-shipment inspection tendering process

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

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BUJA — THE Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, has ordered the immediate cancellation of the tendering process for the engagement of Pre-Shipment Inspection and Monitoring Agents for Oil and Gas. Director of Press, Mr. Marshall Gundu, in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, said the decision was necessitated by the receipt of complaints and a petition regarding alleged irregularities in the process.

Adeosun was quoted as saying: “The sheer volume of complaints and the wide range of sources they emanated from had raised a sufficient level of concern around the process to warrant a full cancellation rather than a suspension.

“This administration stands for transparency and accountability and it is, therefore, important that all

procurement and tendering exercises must be undertaken in accordance with best practices.”

She said the ministry was in touch with the Bureau of Public Procurement and that a new process that would be transparent in line with the policy of the current administration would be announced shortly.

She said: "President Muhammadu Buhari, had in June, mandated the Federal Ministry of Finance, under the then Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Anastasia Nwoabia, to commence the process of engaging Pre-Shipment Inspection and Monitoring Agents. Upon the approval of the Bureau of Public Procurement, a selective tendering process was initiated under which 65 companies were selected and invited to bid.

“However, since the inception of the process, numerous complaints were sent to the Federal Ministry

of Finance, suggesting that the method by which the 65 companies were selected was faulty and lacked transparency.

“Additionally, a formal petition was received by the Bureau of Public Procurement making specific allegations about the process. Under Public Procurement rules, the receipt of a formal petition requires a suspension of the tendering process to allow an investigation. However, in this instance, the Minister has taken the decision to cancel.”

Pre-ship inspection of oil and gas exports commenced earlier in the year and requires a Clean Certificate of Inspection to be issued, confirming the volume and the value of all exports. The programme is believed to have enhanced government revenues by preventing misstatement and understatement by exporters.

Hajj stampede: 43 Nigerians still missing —Report

By Omeiza Ajayi

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BUJA— WEEKS after the conclusion of the 2015 Hajj exercise and the attendant tragedy that occurred during a stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia, it has emerged that 43 Nigerians are still missing.

This was contained in a report submitted, yesterday, to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal, by the committee on the 2015 Hajj exercise.

A synopsis of the report was contained in a statement issued last night in Abuja by the Director of Press in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Bolaji Adebiyi.

Chairman of the committee, Abdullahi Mohammed, described the exercise as the most eventful in the history of hajj operations in Nigeria with pilgrims witnessing two tragic events, the crane incident at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on September 11 and the stampede in Mina on September 24.

His report indicated that Nigeria recorded a total of 280 deaths from both events, while 43 are considered missing as their status is yet to be ascertained.

A total of 75,081 Nigerian pilgrims participated in the 2015 hajj exercise.

According to him, the report submitted contains observations and recommendations that will ensure seamless exercises in the future.

Receiving the report, Lawal commended the chairman and the entire board of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria for their performance in Saudi Arabia, especially, during the tragedies at the hajj.

He said he was particularly impressed with the conduct of the chairman in providing the government and indeed, the general public, adequate and incontrovertible information throughout the crisis. He assured the commission that the report will receive the attention of the government.

10 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24 , 2015

Aluko greets Nigerians at Christmas

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IGERIANS have been urged to use Christmas festival to pray for a rebirth of Nigeria’s socioeconomic development for the health of the nation.

In his Christmas message contained in a press statement, former Senator Gbenga Aluko, who represented Ekiti South Senatorial District between 1999 and 2003 in the Senate, said it is through the renewal of spirit and behavioural rebirth that Nigeria can chart a new course towards economic rebirth that will have beneficial effects on all Nigerians.

He said: “Christmas is the period of the birth of Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind.

Let us use the spirit of the season to pray for the rebirth of Nigeria for national salvation.”

Congratulating Christians and nonchristians for witnessing another yuletide season this year, the former senator and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, urged Nigerians to be their brother’s keeper in the spirit of Christmas.

Ambode praises Armed Forces, launches emblem

address, announced the activities the territorial integrity of the nation parts of the country. and keeping the country united.

He said: “As we speak, officers lined up by the State Government The governor spoke at the Lagos and men of the Nigerian Armed to mark the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, House, Marina, while launching Forces are on the battlefield”.

By Monsur Olowoopejo the 2016 Armed Forces “They have continued to explaining that the programme of Remembrance Emblem Appeal, demonstrate bravery, courage events would start on Friday, AGOS—GOVERNOR also emphasized the need for all and valour in order to protect the January 8, 2016 with a Jumat Akinwunmi Ambode of citizens to appreciate the gallant sovereignty and territorial Service at the Alausa Secretariat Lagos State yesterday advocated fallen heroes through donations for integrity of our nation. They do Mosque by 12: 30pm, while a the need for acknowledgement of the welfare and upkeep of the this on our behalf so that we may church service would take place the gallant and brave efforts of families they left behind, especially continue to live in peace and on Sunday, January 10, 2016 by officers and men of the Nigerian their widows and children.

10am at the Chapel of Christ the security.”

Armed Forces both in protecting According to the Governor, such “As we flag off this Light, also in Alausa.

She further revealed that the acknowledgement was needed not remembrance week celebration just in the spirit of showing with the emblem appeal launch, grand finale will take place on appreciation for what has been I urge you all, especially our January 15, 2016 at the done in the past, but also to assure corporate organizations to Remembrance Arcade in Tafawa those still in active service that that donate generously to this noble Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos by their efforts and sacrifices would not cause in recognition of the 9am.

On his part, Chairman of be in vain. sacrifices of our fallen heroes,” Lagos State Branch of Nigerian The Governor said that the Governor Ambode said. appreciation was imperative Earlier, the Permanent Legion, Colonel Samuel AGOS State Ministry of particularly at this period that the Secretary in the Ministry of Akanbi (Rtd) praised Governor Youth and Social nation is faced with the challenges Home Affairs, Mrs. Grace Ambode for his efforts at Development, has concluded of terrorism and insurgency in Oladimeji, in her welcome rapidly transforming the state. plans to hold an interactive session with all voluntary organizations, societies and youth leaders in the state.

The meeting is slated for December 29, 2015 at the Onikan Youth Centre, Lagos.

In a statement, the Ministry said: “The interactive session will be between the Commissioner, Princess Uzamat AkinbileYussuf and organised youth organizations and societies across 57 local government and council development areas in the state.

“The deliberation will centre on ways to remove misguided youths from our streets and make them become responsible citizens and pride to the state while employment and empowerment FOR XMAS: 2015 Christmas light decoration at Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, opportunities will also be Lagos, powered by Zenith Bank Plc. Photo by Akeem Salau. discussed at the meeting.

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Lagos to take youths off streets

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YULETIDE: Lagos recreational centres ready for picnickers

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—THE management of some recreational centres in Lagos yesterday, said they were fully prepared to entertain picnickers and visitors during this year ’s Eid-El-Maulud, Christmas and Boxing Day celebrations.

They said this in Lagos that revellers and their loved ones coming to catch fun at the parks should look forward to a

befitting and exciting environment.

The Federal Government had declared today, December 25 and 28 as public holidays to mark the Eid-El-Maulud, Christmas and Boxing Day celebrations.

Mr Abraham Ololade, Chairman, Rosellas Amusement Park, Lagos, said the management of the park had improved on its facilities at the park to ensure that visitors have the best of experience during the celebrations.

“On Friday, there will be games plays and musical blast with a variety of danceable songs.

“The park has a large expanse of land with various facilities, games, kids’ equipment and other exotic creatures to entertain visitors,” Ololade said.

Also, Mr Deji Rhodes, Manager, Freedom Park, Lagos, said the place had been decorated and ready to receive picnickers during the festivals.

“We plan to hold several comedy shows during

which Afro-beat bands and artistes will thrill our guests.

“Adequate security has also been put in place to ensure the safety of lives of our honorary guests,” Rhodes said.

Mrs Ngozi Umeodinka, the Manager, Oshodi Heritage Park, said the park was set to accommodate visitors and fun-seekers during the festivities.

She noted that several families had booked spaces at the park to entertain their guests.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015 — 11

EKITI FINANCES: Fayose, APC in war of words

By Dapo Akinrefon & Rotimi Ojomoyela

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D O - E K I T I — GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state were yesterday engaged in war of words over the financial position of the state.

On his part, governor Fayose accused the Ekiti APC of deliberately fabricating unsubstantiated allegations with the intent of throwing the state into confusion and anarchy.

Picking holes in the governor’s explanation, the APC said it was not satisfied with the financial status of the state.

APC government of Fayemi for SUBEB 2013 counterpart fund.

However, the fund was immediately withdrawn from the Access Bank account to which it was paid, the fund was released by the UBEC, Abuja.”

On allocation received by the State in December, the governor’s aide said; “After over N900 million was deducted from the State allocation directly from Abuja as loan repayment, what remained was a little above N1.3 billion while the 16 Local Councils also got a little above N1.3 billion.

“About N2.6 billion is spent on salaries, subvention, pension and gratuity monthly by the State government alone and one

wonders how sensible it is for the APC spokesperson, Taiwo Olatunbosun to have added State allocation with that of the local government as if State government workers are the same as those of the Local Councils.”

He said: “If not that they are extremely shameless, members of such a party that mismanaged the finances of Ekiti State to the extent that deductions will be made from the State allocation till 2036 should naturally be on their bended kneels, pleading to Ekiti people for forgiveness.”

Fayose govt’s full of lies — EKITI APC

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun,

the APC said; “We don’t expect anything less than Fayose’s usual lie as an instrument of governance.”

The statement reads: “It is gratifying that the Federal Ministry of Finance two days ago published in newspapers the October federal allocations to state and local governments across the country.

“In Ekiti share of the allocation, the state got N1,967,380,219.98 contrary N1.3 billion quoted by Fayose’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, while allocation to the 16 local governments is N1,668,555,972.02 contrary to N1.3 billion quoted by Olayinka.”

Fayose clears air

Apparently peeved with what he described as grossly unconfirmed claims that usually consist of halftruth innuendos and absolute lies that the APC churns out against the State Government, Fayose described the outburst of APC as the ranting of a drowning man looking for who to cling to.

Reacting to a statement by the APC, Governor Fayose “in a normal clime, members of a party that ruled Ekiti for four years, borrowing billions of naira to plant flowers that were never seen, thereby plunging the State into debt would bury their heads in shame.”

Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, the governor said; “It is on record that about N830 million was released by the

THE YULETIDE RUSH—Travellers at Ijora Motor Park in Lagos, as Federal Government declares today, tomorrow and Monday as public holidays for Eid-el- Maulud and Christmas celebrations. Photos: NAN.

SSANU protests sack of 45 FUTA staff school teachers

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—STAFF of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State yesterday protested over the alleged dismissal of the 45 teachers of the University Staff Primary School by the federal government.

The protesters under the auspices of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities said affected teachers have been served their dismissal letters.

They however vowed that they would resist the development.

The workers of the institution displayed placards with various inscriptions such as ‘Buhari this not the change we voted for. Save our jobs’, ‘Daramola Don’t privatize FUTA Staff Primary School’, ‘Teachers are not 2nd class citizens’, ‘Stop maltreating us in FUTA staff primary School’ etc.

Addressing newsmen, the chairman of the association in the institution, Mr Benedict Chukwudi said that members of SSANU nationwide would begin an indefinite strike from today if the federal government failed to withdraw its circulars that sacked the 2000 members.

Buhari budgets N2.3bn for ex-presidents in 2016 Continues from Page 5

There is threat to implementation According to economists at Cowry Assets Management Limited, it is apparent that the fiscal stance for 2016 is expansionary with serious threats to its implementation.

Specifically, the analysts said: “Nigeria’s revenue base remains highly skewed to the oil and gas sector that is currently experiencing supply surplus in the international market with its attendant price crash.

“Again, crude oil production, which fell month–on–month by 1.28% to 1.92mbpd in November, is well below 2016 projection”.

These threats, according to them, pose strong downside risk to realization of the revenue projections.

On the issue of deficit

financing which would rely heavily on both domestic and foreign borrowings from flotation of debt instruments the analysts stated: “there is limited chance for foreign capital inflow as foreign portfolio investors presently exhibit wariness towards investing in local financial instruments mainly due to dwindling external reserves, weakened economic growth as well as perceived unfavourable foreign exchange controls.

"However, Cowry Asset Management believes that the current expansionary fiscal stance if executed successfully, will complement the recent accommodative monetary policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, aimed at encouraging lending to the private sector”.

On this they added: “in the short term,

reduction in benchmark interest rate may not spur lending to the Small and Medium Enterprises as their risk profile remains high.”

Economists at Afrinvest Group, a Lagos based investment house, also expressed concern over the 2016 budget, describing it as ambitious They noted: “We consider the fiscal plan of the federal government to reduce recurrent spending and simultaneously increase capital vote positively and broadly in line with the objectives of the budget to achieve infrastructural development and inclusive growth.

“Nonetheless, the expenditure numbers appear a bit ambitious relative to revenue sources, given the lower oil revenue environment and deteriorating macroeconomic fundamentals that have weighed on company

earnings and taxable revenues of companies and individuals already in the tax net.

“Thus, for the revenue generating agencies such as the Customs and Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, to achieve their revenue target, a conscious effort needs to be made in expanding the tax base and deploying more efficient collection platforms to effectively ensure compliance”.

On the deficit financing Afrinvest stated “the projected doubling of domestic borrowing, mostly by issuance of bond instruments, in our view may likely trigger an upward re-pricing of yields in the fixed income market in 2016 given the anticipated increase in supply of fixed income instruments.

“The uncertainties in the foreign exchange market also run against the fiscal plan of government as

foreign capital inflows would remain stunted, leaving the domestic market to fully fund the domestic component in 2016.

“Thus, even as we view the planned fiscal expansion to be positive for company earnings, sentiment for equities would remain guided by foreign exchange rate dynamics, success of government effort to diversify the revenue base and implementation of the capital-vote component of proposed budgetary plan”.

Budget discipline required

Professor of Economics and former presidential aspirant, Prof. Pat Utomi, on Channels Television said on the budget 2016: “We somehow do not have the discipline of the budget process, we go through budget as public relations exercises because they are

supposed to be done and decision makers go ahead to do whatever they want to do.

“The goal is to achieve an execution premium, but if those who are responsible for it really had no plan whatsoever to follow the budget, then, you are wasting your time.

“When those who are responsible for it, do not see long term goals in which the budget is just a piece in an unfolding set of activities that would reach a certain goal, there is no point of it.

“I think what has happened to us is that we got to a point of disconnect between the leadership elite, the political class, the bureaucratic elite and development aspirations of the Nigeria people.

He noted that the main reason the budget isn’t working in Nigeria is leadership which is not leading the country in the right direction.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

Delta releases N2bn for payment of pensions

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has released N2 billion to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, for the payment of pensioners in the state through the contributory pension scheme.

The state Commissioner for Finance, Olorogun David Edevbie, who disclosed this yesterday, during a briefing after the State Executive Council meeting, said the state government was committed to the welfare of pensioners in the state.

He said that about six states were working with the contributory pension scheme, adding that Delta State government believed that it was a good platform to address the needs of pensioners.

On how much the state was owing pensioners, Edevbie said that there were efforts to get the accurate figures, adding that Governor Okowa was aware of the plight of the pensioners.

He added that government was working to entrench a culture of paying the pensioners as and when due.

Also speaking, the state

Commissioner for Works, Mr James Augoye, said Governor Okowa’s administration had awarded 48.8 kilometres of roads, disclosing that the contractors were paid 25 per

cent of the contract sums as mobilization.

Augoye said the contractors had gone to site, adding that some of the roads would be completed by March next year.

He said the Direct Labour Agency, DLA, would not observe the Christmas break, saying the agency was working assiduously to ensure that the roads were free of potholes.

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ENSION enveloped the headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for the greater part of yesterday, as two key members of the dissolved board returned to their office, claiming nobody ever removed them from their exalted posts The Executive Director for Finance, Dr. Itotenamm Henry Ogiri and that of Projects, Eng. Tuoyo Omatsuli, stormed the NDDC head office along Port Harcourt-Aba Road about 2pm on Wednesday in company with their supporting staff, claiming that they had not been asked to leave.

The arrival of the ‘two strong men’ of the intervention agent, reportedly caused a stir as

Culprits won't go unpunished, Dickson vows

By Samuel Oyadongha

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BURIAL: From left: Ezi-Nne, Maria Unini, Secretary, Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, Sir Byron Unini, his wife, Lady Felicia Unini and Mrs. Betty Emordi, during the burial ceremony of Mrs. Florence Okeleke, mother-in-law to the SUBEB Secretary, at Idumuje –Unor, in Anioch North Local Government Area of Delta State, weekend. Photo: Henry Unini.

NDDC boils as SGF reinstates 2 directors of sacked board ...only MD was replaced; EDF, EDP were never Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor & Omeiza Ajayi

Bayelsa poll violence:

removed, says SGF most staff were confused over their effrontery to storm their offices claiming that they had the backing of the SGF, Eng. David Lawal Babachir, to remain on their duty posts despite the removal of the MD. The EDF and EDP stormed the commission while the Acting Managing Director and Sole Administrator, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, had in company with other management staff, gone on inspection of major projects being undertaken by the agency in Rivers State.

Sources said the two men, who control the huge cash and numerous projects of the commission spread in the nine states that make up the agency, raised eyebrows among key management staff and contractors who had turned up for the day’s business.

They were said to have insisted that they were not affected the Presidential letter sacking the board and management of the commission and replacing them with a sole administrator/MD. According to them, they were coming straight from

the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation who had give them the nod to retain their top posts in spite of the appointment of Semenitari on Monday as the MD. Although they did not produce the letter returning them to office, they two men went straight to their respective offices and worked for the day to the amazement and consternation of staff, who watched with disbelief.

Attempts to speak with the new Ag. MD proved abortive as she was said to be away on inspection and her phones did not go through.

However a director in the commission confirmed the visit of the two directors to their offices, saying that the action was untoward and unheard of in the history of the 15-year-old commission, which former President Obasanjo set up to drive the transformation of the region.

The director said: “At about 2pm today ( yesterday) we were taken aback when information reached us that the two EDs had returned to their offices.

“The Sole Administrator

and other officials who were undertaking a tour of several projects spread across Rivers State, were taken aback by the news but we have no way of asking them to leave the premises since they claim that they have the backing of the SGF to stay put in their respective capacities.

Neither the Ag. MD nor any of the management staff could confront them but we will get to see the letter asking them to return to office after the sack of both the board and the management led by Bassey Dan-Abia on Monday,” the director said.

In response to the development, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. David Babachir Lawal, confirmed that the two directors were never removed even with the appointment of the sole administrator on Monday.

Babachir said in a text message to our correspondent that it was only the Managing Director, Mr. Bassey DanAbia, who was affected by the sack and not the two EDPs. “They were never removed.

Only the MD was replaced,” the SGF said.

ENAGOA—GOVER NOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, yesterday, said that the full weight of the law would be brought to bear on all those fingered in the electoral violence that marred the conduct of the governorship election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and other parts of the state on December 5 and 6, 2015, regardless of party affiliations.

Dickson, who expressed dismay over the handling of the issue by the relevant security agencies, said that persons alleged to have killed and maimed during the exercise were yet to be arrested and charged to court.

Speaking on a live radio interview programme monitored in Yenagoa, the governor expressed concern that while some were already facing prosecution, others were going about freely. Dickson noted that prior to the conduct of the governorship election, the state government had raised alarm over the upsurge in criminal activities, which he attributed to the desperation of some governorship candidates in the state.

According to him, there was a correlation between the tempo in governorship election and rise in criminal activities as people hid under the garb of politics to perpetrate crime and other related vices.

His words: “Everyone knows what we have been able to achieve in the area of law and order. This is not just me or the government or security agencies observing, but it is an account that everybody who is a Bayelsan will tell you that the moment the presidential election was concluded and the other party became victorious, elements who were on the other side developed governorship ambitions and that immediately impacted on the security and law and order of the state.

“The conduct of their primaries was characterized by violence. Once there is a lapse in enforcement of law and order and once people take the law for granted, people hide under the garb of politics to procure arms and ammunition as part of their election preparations. We all witnessed the moment the presidential election was concluded and the other party became victorious some persons developed governorship ambition and that immediately impacted on the security and law and order of the state.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015—13

NBA, SAN sue Edo govt over scrapping of Customary Court of Appeal

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—THE Benin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Alfred Eghobamien, have dragged Edo State Government before a Federal High Court sitting in Benin over its scrapping of the Customary Court of Appeal in the state.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole had, while addressing newsmen on Tuesday at the end of the State Executive Council meeting, announced the scrapping of the state Customary Court of Appeal with the transfer of the judges to Edo State High Court.

The plaintiffs in the case are Princess Iyomon (Chairman of the NBA, Benin branch), David Maduku, (Secretary, NBA Benin branch) and Chief Eghobamien, SAN. Defendants in the suit are Governor Oshiomhole, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Edo State, Edo State House of Assembly, Edo State Judicial

Service Commission and the National Judicial Council, NJC. The plaintiffs are praying the court to declare that the scrapping or abolishing of the Customary Court of Appeal in Edo State was unconstitutional, invalid, null and void and of no effect, insisting that the Edo State House of Assembly cannot scrap or abolish the court without prior approval or consent of NJC. They want the court to declare that having regard to the provisions of Section 28 (1) – 4 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the prior consent and approval of the NJC must be sought and obtained before any valid abolition of the Customary Court of Appeal of Edo State can be effected.

The plaintiffs also want the court to declare that the purported abolition of the Customary Court of Appeal in Edo State, without the prior consent and approval of the NJC was

unconstitutional, invalid, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

They also want a declaration of the court that the judges of the Edo State

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SABA—WORRIED by the dwindling price of crude oil, Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has stressed the need for the revamping of the steel sector as part of efforts towards achieving the overall development of the country.

Okowa, who spoke in Asaba, when he received the National President and members of Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ISSAN, Mr. Otori Maliki, accompanied by Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Delta State Council, Mr David Ofoeyeno, said the steel industry was very critical to the overall development of the country’s economy.

He said: “We cannot pay lip service to it, as it is beneficial to our economy and ensure our selfsufficiency. To allow the steel complexes to continue to waste is a disservice to the country.

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“Government has put in a lot of money on these steel complexes, including the railway line for the development of the economy. We have to ensure that the steel complexes are functional as this sector is crucial to the growth of Nigeria.”

On the dispute between members of ISSAN, Delta

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—A Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday, nullified the election of the lawmaker representing Ovia SouthWest in Edo State House of Assembly and Chief Whip of the House, Mr Sunday Aghedo.

It will be recalled that Aghedo’s fellow aspirant in the December 2, 2014 House of Assembly primaries of All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Godwin Adenomo, had gone to court, praying it to nullify Aghedo's election. He contended that he won the primaries but it

State Council and the management of Delta Steel Company, DSC, the governor told them to hold their peace and assured that he will intervene in resolving the crisis, appealing that the new management of the company should be given the opportunity to commence operation.

S-South women rejoice with Evah at 50 Esther Egoro-Ileleji,

By Tare Youdeowei

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OUTH South W o m e n Organisation, an association of women of the South South region resident in Lagos, has congratulated its patron, the coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, and popular voice in the Niger Delta region, Comrade Joseph Eva, on his 50th birthyday.

In a statement by Chief Vickie Djevwudu, President, and Mrs.

defendants from interfering or intermeddling with the day to day running of the Customary Court of Appeal in Edo State, pursuant to the hastily passed law by the 3rd defendant.

Court annuls Edo Assembly Chief Whip’s election, orders fresh poll

Okowa advocates revamping of steel sector

By Festus Ahon

Customary Court of Appeal are not co-terminus with the judges of Edo State High Court.

They, therefore, want the court to restrain the

Secretary, the women extolled Evah’s unending and tireless contributions towards the Niger Delta region. “His has been a one-man struggle for the people. His focus, sacrifice, determination and diligence over the years have distinguished him as a leader of repute in the Niger Delta. We are proud of him as our patron of over 10 years.

On his 50 years today, it is a milestone and we celebrate him,” the group said.

was upturned in favour of Aghedo by the APC. Aghedo and the APC were joined as respondents in the suit where he equally prayed the court to declare him the winner of the House of Assembly election as conducted across the country on April 11, 2015, having allegedly won the party primaries.

However, the APC and Aghedo had insisted that the latter was the candidate of the party for the election.

But in his ruling, Justice Muhammed Liman ordered that a fresh House of Assembly primaries be conducted by the APC after

which a re-run election would be conducted.

Reacting, counsel to Adenomo, Mr kingsley Obamogie, said his client would appeal the judgment, adding that they expected the court to declare Adenomo the winner of the general election outrightly after he was wrongfully substituted by the party.

“My client won the primaries and a certificate of return was issued him and as such, he won the election as conducted on April 11, 2015. Even the judge affirmed that Adenomo won the primaries and I wonder why he was not given the ticket as the man there has

14 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24 , 2015

We've met December deadline to defeat Boko Haram — MINISTER L

AGOS—THE Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said yesterday that the Nigerian military had met the December deadline to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists.

The minister said this during his maiden meeting with editorial heads of media houses in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had, upon

assuming office, issued a December 31 deadline to the military to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists.

“Today, I can report that the war against Boko Haram is largely won.

“I can confidently say this because just recently, I led a group of 33 journalists from both the local and international media to the hot bed of the insurgency, that is, Maiduguri, Kondugua, Kaoure and Bama.

“Today, I can report to you

that the entire 70 plus kilometres stretch from Maiduguri to Bama and all the way to Banki which leads to Cameroun and the Central African Republic are in the hands of our gallant troops.”

He said the military presence could be felt ‘’every few metres along the road; at a point along that road we were just a kilometre to Sambisa forest.

“They have so degraded the capacity of Boko Haram that the terrorists can no

longer hold on to any territory just as they can no longer carry out any spectacular attack.”

Mohammed, however, said that though there were still cases of suicide bombings, it was pertinent to note that such was the nature if insurgency globally.

“Unlike a war between two armies, an insurgency never ends with arms victory “Even in countries like Colombia where

insurgency was supposed to have ended decades ago, attacks like this still happen.”

He said that the insurgents had adopted a new style of attacking soft targets like motor parks, schools, entertainment centres, religious centres, killing innocent people mostly women and children.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to support the military in the fight against terrorism in the country, saying that the military had availed itself creditably.

“It is our turn as civilians

to give them our support; to realise that the war they are fighting is not their war alone, but our war, hence we must win the war.”

The minister disclosed that a national security campaign had commenced to raise awareness among Nigerians about the war, the sacrifices of our troops, and how to stamp out the remnant of the war.

“Jingles are being played on national radio and television as part of the campaign in order to keep the media better informed about the war, so that they can also better inform Nigerians,” he said.

Mohammed also said that an ad-hoc committee, comprising media representatives as well as intelligence agencies, would be inaugurated to regularly be updated about the war in order to better inform the public.

SHIITES: Maharaji Ji condemns Iran’s interference

By Dapo Akinrefon

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OUNDER of the One Love Family and the Living Perfect Master, Satguru Maharaji Ji, yesterday frowned at Iran’s position on the Shiites sect and their confrontation with the Nigerian Army.

In a statement, Maharaji said that Iran’s recent direct intervention in a matter that is purely Nigeria’s internal affairs constitutes an aggressive affront on Nigeria’s sovereignty noting that it was “unacceptable and condemnable.”

Iran summoned Nigeria’s charge d’affaires over army crackdown on Shiites by the Nigerian Army.

The statement reads in parts:”It is a coup against United Nation’s Charter that forbids sovereign nations from interfering in matters that are exclusively internal to UN member nations.

“Nigeria as the new holy land of the universe can hardly afford to take such an insult from Teran, directing Abuja on steps to take, concerning the unfortunate incident arising from the clash between men of the Nigeria armed forces and Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) who are seeking to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria through an Iranian styled revolution.”

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015—15

Don't allow the country to disintegrate, Eze Ilomuanya urges Nigerians

By Chidi Nkwopara

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W E R R I — NIGERIANS have been urged to work towards ensuring that the country does not disintegrate, despite the current socio-economic and political challenges facing it.

The traditional ruler of Obinugwu and the pioneer Chancellor of Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, who made the call in Owerri, Imo State, also opined that the consequences of disintegration might be too severe for everybody.

“We must all realize that despite our ethno-religious and linguistic differences, there can be no alternative

country for Nigerians. We must also note that no sacrifice made to keep Nigeria intact as a nation will be too much,”Eze Ilomuanya said.

The monarch appealed to Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, stressing that Buhari was barely six months in office as

Ebonyi/Enugu boundary dispute: Traditional rulers move to resolve dispute

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—IT was a moment of joy and celebration for the people of Ameke in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi

Cleric urges Nigerians to preach peace, forgiveness at Christmas

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—THE Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, has urged Nigerians to pray for a change of heart among those who take glory in violence, so that they may learn to love their fellow human beings as Christ did.

In his Christmas message in Awka, Anambra State, yesterday, the Bishop observed that it was through a life of mercy, forgiveness and commitment to the good of others that the nation could enjoy a lasting

president and it would be hasty to pass judgment on him at the moment.

“I am sure Mr. President means well for Nigeria, considering his background. He has been a former Head of State, Minister of Petroleum and had held several top positions in the past. He has a vision and a good blue-print for a better Nigeria.”

peace.

He said: “Forgiveness is an expression of the mercy of God. God has forgiven us in Christ because of His bounteous and boundless mercy. He enjoins us to show the same to others.

“Thus, He teaches us that we can obtain the mercy of God if we forgive others.

This way, Jesus reminds us of the need not to take things for granted or do things the way we like, believing that God will always forgive us.

"God tasks us to strive with good deeds in order to appropriate and tap from this ocean of the mercy of God already brought to our reach through Christ Jesus."

State and their counterpart, Nochele, Ndeaboh in Anniri Local Government Area of Enugu State, following their resolution to live together in love and oneness irrespective of boundary issues affecting them.

This was the resolution reached during their peace meeting which took place at the palace of HRH Igwe Benedict Eze, Eze Agbo VI of Ndeaboh in Nniri council of Enugu State.

In a chat with Vanguard, the Agu III of Ishiagu kingdom in Ivo council of Ebonyi State, HRH Eze Moses Ngele, who expressed joy over the peace existing between both communities, urged the people of Ameke and Ndeaboh to start from now to live in unconditional love as there was no gain in living in hatred and acrimony.

According to Agu III, fresh farming activities had been abolished in the disputed land until the issues surrounding boundary dispute had been laid to rest.

Salary payment: Imo govt coerces workers to sign ‘death warrant'

By Chidi Nkwopara.

Geoffrey Okorafor tagged “workers' death warrant,” issued by Governor Rochas WERRI—REACTIONS have Okorocha, which workers must sign before continued to trail what the Bishop collecting their salaries.

Similarly, the organised labour described of the Anglican Diocese of Egbu, Rt. Rev. the new and compulsory form issued by the state government as “an N PAGE 24 of December 23, 2015 Vanguard (in South East Voice), we wrongly published Hon. Justice indirect way of having their way in their current B e n j a m i n move to sack workers.”

Njemanze's Bishop Okorafor picture (ex-Chief spoke with Vanguard in Judge of Imo an interview, while the State) instead of Hon. Justice state Chairman of Labour Paschal Nnadi's as Nigeria the Chief Judge of Congress, NLC, Austine Chilakpu, who Imo State. the Both pictures are addressed reproduced here. aggrieved workers in The error is Owerri, called the hilghly regretted. document, a "deadly Hon. Justice Njemanze Hon. Justice Nnadi -Editor form."

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Correction

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16 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015— —17

I

MADE a tremendous effort last Friday, to get out of bed as early as possible in the morning. I arrived in Ilorin last Sunday, and had read that the state House of Assembly was to hold a public hearing on a N20 billion bond that the Kwara state government was proposing to access from the capital market. Loans and bonds have almost become synonymous with Kwara State, since Bukola Saraki became governor in 2003; and the jury is out on the usages of those loans. I was determined to watch the legislators interrogate the proposed bond, especially because there were reports that the legislature had previously refused to endorse the plan twice, and had insisted on knowing how previous loans and bonds were expended. It didn’t appear typical of the Kwara House of Assembly!

The information I read had stated that the public hearing was to commence by 8am. I arrived at the House of Assembly by seven thirty, but there was no indication that a public hearing was about to take place there.

The legislators were not on the premises and my suspicion had been aroused when security men at the gate allowed us entry, unhindered.

I made calls to several people and was informed that the public hearing had been postponed!

There was rumour that the public hearing had been abandoned because of the heightened public interest and the fact that the opposition had decided to make a presentation. The following day, Saturday, a sanitized group of “stakeholders” (as if other Kwarans were not stakeholders in the affairs of the state) was bussed into a government banquet hall, with the governor Abdulfatah Ahmed (bond taker himself), addressing these “stakeholders”, about the plan for the N20 billion bond. It was instructive that the governor assured his audience that the bond would not be “diverted”.

That was a suggestive pointer to what has been happening since the group in power happened upon us since 2003.

The government describes itself ALL THE TIME as a “continuity administration”, so drawing a direct line from Bukola Saraki’s administration from 2003. It is therefore legitimate to take them together, to understand Kwara’s plight over the past twelve years.

Bukola's N17b loan In August 2009, Bukola Saraki’s administration, with Abdulfatah Ahmed as Finance Commissioner, took N17billion bond from the capital market.

The initial plan was to take N30billion, but they were warned that such a huge sum would lead Kwara State to a C M Y K

N20 billion bond: Chasing Kwara's black goat at night meltdown. The loan had a 5year tenure and expected to be liquidated by August 14, 2014.

But five years down the line, they had managed to pay only N10 billion of that N17 billion.

So a new plan was devised to take another N23 billion, with a proposal to use part of that to clear the old loan. In other words, they would use debt to pay debt! The original N17 billion bond was expected to finance the following items: Asa Dam Mixed Development; International Truck Plaza; new state secretariat complex; cement factory; Commercial Agriculture Phase II; aviation college; Kwara State University; water project; international hotel and conference centre; amusement park; various road projects; diagnostic centre; land acquisition compensation and loan underwriting commissionand and a cargo shed at the Ilorin airport. Each had a specific value attached to it. But in the end, the money went into a metro plaza, described as “a mere event centre”, by Chief Iyiola Oyedepo, Kwara’s main opposition intellectual. In March 2012, Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed also took a N10 billion loan from GT Bank!

Loans in years of abundance It is important to remember that the loans were contracted when monthly allocations to Kwara State from the Federation Account were very healthy. As a matter of fact, from 2003 when Bukola Saraki became Kwara governor, to December, 2014, over N517billion, accrued to Kwara; while from May 2003 to

Bukola Saraki and Abdulfatah Ahmed need to educate us on what they have done with the huge sums that accrued to our state under their watch

December, 2014, the sixteen local governments of Kwara state, got over N130 billion. That totals over N647 billion revenue in a twelveyear period. The governments of continuity from Bukola Saraki to Abdulfatah Ahmed were responsible for spending these monies, and yet, there is no development on ground in Kwara state today, that matches those huge sums. The educational system is broken; there is no water to drink; the people are desperately poor; youth are unemployed and have no hope; there is no systematic regime of people's empowerment and most projects they expended monies on, were either irrelevant prestige or white elephant projects, that did not create value nor add to the well-being of Kwara’s people.

Bukola Saraki’s years in power, saw an astronomical increase in monies allocated in yearly budgets, to the Government House. For instance, between 2004 and 2009, Bukola Saraki’s Government House received an allocation of over N21.5 billion; in the same period, Agriculture received over N11.475 billion; education was allocated over N14.99 billion; and healthcare only slightly over N6.467 billion.

And by the end of his administration in 2011, Bukola Saraki had worked for himself an immoral pension, which is one of the MAIN items of expenditure in today’s Kwara state, even with the dwindling finances of government today, and which necessitated their desperate need for the new N20 billion bond.

It is clear that the Kwara state governments of continuity, from Bukola Saraki to AbdulFatah Ahmed, owe us FULL DISCLOSURE about their management of the financial resources of Kwara. When Bukola Saraki became governor in May 2003, he sacked the caretaker administration in the 16 LGAs, that had been installed by his predecessor, the late Governor Muhammed Lawal; and for almost a year, there was no administration at the local level in Kwara. Bukola Saraki was the SOLE accounting officer for the monthly allocations that those local governments took from the federation account. No one knows till today, what happened to those funds!

Last week, Chief Iyiola Oyedepo, the opposition intellectual and leader in Kwara, issued a memorandum on the proposed N20billion bond. He made many succinct observations

that should concentrate the minds of Kwarans. Oyedepo noted that the N20 billion bond as proposed, was for infrastructural development, between 2016 and 2023. Not less than fifteen projects are listed as proposed 2016-2023, N20 billion bond utilisation programme. They are in education, health, water, roads infrastructure, etc. Yet, except for the renovation of some hospitals, no monetary value was placed on the proposed projects. The consequence is that Kwarans will not be able to track the veracity of values of these projects to aid the tracking of their implementation.

Bond plan and tenure An equally worrisome aspect of the bond plan is the tenure; the life of the administration in power ends in 2019, but debt overhang will extend to 2023, with the likelihood that no development can be expected in Kwara State until after 2023!

When Bukola Saraki took his own N17billion bond in 2009, Kwara did not see any meaningful development that addressed the felt needs of its people. The consequence has been that since coming to power, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has only really been able to renovate old hospitals in the state, for all intents and purposes! It is equally frightening to ask how the state would pay back these loans. Kwara’s monthly allocation, as it currently stands, cannot pay workers’ monthly wages therefore internally generated revenues would have to be added to meet the salary payments.

So how does the government expect to service the bonds along with other debts that the state has been saddled with in the years since 2003? These include pension arrears; salaries owed workers; money owed various banks; commitments to contractors and the foreign components of Kwara’s indebtedness, which the Debt Management Office (DMO), puts at $45, 871, 785. 31 as at December 31, 2013! Though unverified, Iyiola Oyedepo, estimates that Kwara State might owe over N250billion, and a very significant chunk of that incurred during continuity administration years of Bukola Saraki and Abdulfatah Ahmed.

It is clear that Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s administration desperately needs

to access that N20 billion bond. It is a desperate race to be seen to have made some infrastructural statement, after a forgettable first four years, when the administration just existed to carry the burden of Bukola Saraki’s previous eight years of wasteful husbandry of the resources of Kwara and the albatross of loans he left hanging on the state’s neck. But in truth, Kwara state does not need the N20 billion bond, from the perspective of its impoverished people, in whose name they collected over N647 billion in a twelve-year period, from 2003 to 2015. If they could not impact positively on the lives of Kwara’s people with so much money in 12 years, why do they think we would believe them about what they supposedly want to do with N20 billion? Bukola Saraki and Abdulfatah Ahmed need to educate us on what they have done with the huge sums that accrued to our state under their watch. They must let us know why those huge sums that came in the days of high income did not impact positively upon the lives of our people in town and village alike.

We also deserve an explanation for why they still took loans despite those huge sums; and why they did not save some monies for the rainy day that inevitably appeared on the horizon. If these FULL DISCLOSURES are not made, they do not deserve to further impoverish us and leave future generations with dire consequences, long after they would have gone to enjoy the huge sums they made from Kwara State. These include the pensions they will earn perpetually, for as long as they live. I made an honest effort to attend an interrogation of the N20 billion bond on the floor of the Kwara state House of Assembly last Friday. It did not hold; and could not have held, because the administration of continuity was terrified of a genuine interrogation of its plans. They preferred a sanitised “stakeholders meeting”, within the precincts of a government banquet hall. That effort to offer a genuine interrogation of the N20billion bond was very much like chasing a black goat in the night!

When Abdulfatah Ahmed allayed the fear of Kwarans over the proposed N20 billion bond, asserting that it will not be diverted”, according to THE HERALD newspaper of Monday, December, 21, 2015, he merely underscored the worst fears of Kwara’s people about what has been happening to monies in the state since 2003! But what is clear is that change will sweep away the ruling hegemony in Kwara State one day, and we will discover the truth about what has happened to our finances and other assets in the period since 2003.

President Muhammadu Buhari has shown that it is possible to expose crimes people think are hidden.

It is only a matter of time!

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015 THE impact of bad leadership in Nigeria since the end of the civil war is everywhere, but the segment of the population that has been victimised the most is the youth. They are the ones spending the most active years of their lives in poverty. They are either engaged in ungainful, menial employment, or are unemployed outright.

It is estimated that out of about 170 million Nigerians, the youth constitute about 64 per cent or 109 million. 60 per cent of them (about 63 million) are in the job market. This much was admitted by the Presidency after the Alumni Association of the Indian Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) recently paid a courtesy visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

The Presidency later issued a statement vowing to frontally tackle youth unemployment after putting the 2016 Federal Appropriation Bill to

A country full of idle youth! bed.

Youth unemployment in Nigeria does not just exist at the bottom echelon where school leavers are looking for work.

It occurs at the three levels – the top (where the oldies who have been occupying governmental offices since their youth have refused to give way); the middle, where opportunities for the youth to contribute their quota to national development are shrinking; and the entry points where there are few vacancies for the teeming army of school leavers.

An idle hand is the devil’s workshop, as the old adage says. It is, therefore, not surprising that there is an upsurge of violent crimes in the country. The youth find themselves trapped in poverty and even destitution, and can no longer do what people in their prime are supposed to do because of lack of opportunity to even start.

That is why some of them have taken their destinies in their hands, and lent their enormous energies to crimes and violent enterprises, such as robberies, kidnapping, cultism, pimping,

prostitution, advance fee fraud, terrorism, militancy and separatist agitations.

Yet others who insist on honourable survival are forced to hawk all manners of cheap, imported goods in the traffic snarls of urban cities. Young men can no longer marry in their youth and settle down, while young women wait for suitors until they are past their prime. This is a country full of idle, unhappy and frustrated youth!

It will take nothing less than a major national policy shift for this complex issue to be addressed. The solution goes beyond paying out a monthly stipend of N5,000 to a few “lucky” ones as is being contemplated by government. This is a national emergency, and the Federal Government must close ranks with all Nigerians to find lasting solutions.

Otherwise, the social bombs which are already exploding could get out of control as we face even bleaker economic prospects in 2016.

OPINION What Omo-Agege said

By Ben Etaghene

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OLITICS in many ways is always a game of ideas made audacious by numbers. And as the aphorism goes, no one has the monopoly of good ideas for leadership. This was aptly demonstrated by late President Umaru Yar’Adua of blessed memory when he incorporated his rival’s (Atiku Abubakar) philosophy of the ministry of Niger Delta into reality as part of his governing initiative.

Today, it remains one of his political legacies.

(I can still recall I wrote some articles on why the adoption of the ministry was judicious and most expedient because it was a notion whose time was auspicious for the sake of the growth and development of the nation).

During the last elections, the then incumbent governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan kind of threw in a fillip when he advised the candidates to show their manifestoes because before then they were dreary and copiously restrained with their manifestoes which were the public mirror between them and the electorate. But for the man who had long been associated with the candidacy of one of the candidates to throw this seemingly challenge was a self-fulfilling prophesy.

Not that these candidates lacked manifestoes because no politician will aspire to an elective position without a game plan but they were hitherto not abrasive and assertive enough with their intensions. They hugely relied on building political structures across the state. In quick response to the fillip, they demonstrated their readiness with the C M Y K

publications of their detailed manifestoes that were progressive and futuristic. This writeup is, in fact, not about those manifestoes per se but on some aspects of those of the governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and aspirant Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege.

Without prejudice, it is on the comparative analysis of what both men told us they would do with some abandoned industries across Delta State. Ovie Omo-Agege mentioned key industries like Asaba Textile Mill which is today a kingdom of reptiles, Ughelli Glass Factory, AT & P Sapele, et al. These he marked down for reactivation. Asaba Textile Mill at its peak employed about 3,000 workers, Ughelli Glass Factory i.e Delta Glass had about the same number of workers. The products of these two factories were common features in our markets and homes but today taken over

by China, India and other Asian countries.

The African Timber and Plywood, Sapele offered jobs to about one-third of Sapele workers. The factory at its near peak had the capacity to make doors, simulated wood works, cartons, cardboard papers, tooth picks, et al. With the ban on the importation of tooth picks by the CBN, a reactivated AT&P would have been ready to fill that vacuum. Across the state, there are a host of moribund factories but when reactivated can become a huge source of employment for our youths and executive applicants. This point is being emphasised here because every Deltan knows

Abandoned projects in Delta State should become a priority for growth

that the issue of unemployment is key to the present administration in the state. This is one of the reasons the governor quickly set up youth agricultural projects across the state.

The AT&P needs experts more than it needs funds as only one fifth of the factory is today functional. A factory set up to produce specialised products is today competing with local carpenters in the production of school desks!

We should not follow the example of the federal government in Delta State. The federal government abandoned Volkwagon Industry in Lagos, now a pathetic site where any patriotic Nigerian on a visit would shed tears, Pan (Pegeot), Kaduna; Ajaochuta Steel, DSC, Ovwian Aladja, Oshogbo Rolling Mill, et al only to engage on an annual pilgrimage abroad in the name of seeking investors.

In the Delta State’s governor manifesto, he mentioned his intention to revamp the Delta Steel Complex (DSC). Then too, I brought it to his attention that he should do well to leave it at that because the kind of money needed to bring it to fruition would constitute a drain on the state’s resources. Obviously he might not have seen it that way. But recently as the governor of the state was on the trail of the DSC and how it could be brought alive obviously because of his love for the state development, he pledged the state government's collaboration with the federal in any attempt to revamp the Delta State Complex.

The governor said: “The subject of the Delta Steel Complex which is moribund is a real cause of concern for us as a state, it is a federal project but all we can do as a state is to do our best, collaborate with partners in progress to put in the necessary request and pressure on the federal authority to have a consideration

of revamping the company.”

This is most necessary for the federal government to pay attention. Late Senator Akpor Puis Ehwerido did just that and it led to the setting up of a committee of the Senate on DSC. The committee members even visited Ovwian-Aladja to inspect the complex.

Perhaps his death had caused a lull but action can always to be kept alive. The DSC matter can be left with the federal government but with constant pressure and lobbying.

Abandoned projects in Delta State should become a priority for growth and job creation.

The points raised by Omo-Agege like in the creation of the ministry of Niger-Delta which was originated by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar but implemented by the late Yar’Adua government across political divide was a matter of political sagacity. In Delta State today with Dr. Okowa's experience so far in office, no doubt the issue of unemployment across all spectrums of the society must be worrisome to the administration. So where ever ideas originated from should be irrelevant. What we want is an inroad into the seemingly incurable unemployment problem. A sophisticated industry can be created out of the AT&P. Asaba Textile Mill can meet our clothing needs instead of going to either Cotonou, Lagos or Kano while Delta Glass products can once again adorn our homes and markets instead of China. Delta State has the capacity to turn these industries around.

Beyond this, attention can be turned towards the state’s solid minerals which for years have not been taken into official reckoning.

Mr. Etaghene is the editorial director of The Bulletin, Sapele, Delta State.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24 24,, 2015 – 19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

As the Press now gags the Legislature

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E have maintained that if all a man has is the hammer, everything he sees will look like a nail. For too long, the press has been gagged by various governments.

That explains the mutual suspicion existing between the press and the government, to the extent that any move by the legislature is quickly seen as another attempt to gag the press.

We notice that the stiff resistance from the press is, perhaps unwittingly, beginning to produce the opposite effect – the press is now gagging the legislature. As it were, the tail now wags the dog. This, too, is undesirable.

If there are lessons to be derived from the recent gubernatorial election in Kogi State, they include the fact that in a nation, laws can hardly be too many. Rather, they can only be inadequate; and when it concerns the law, it is better to err on the side of superfluity than to err on the side of inadequacy.

Within the surplusage, there might be buried, some innocuous words for now, which could give meaning and expression to some

future questions.

In the Kogi State example, our founding fathers foresaw that a duly elected official could die before the date of his inauguration and they provided for that in the Constitution. The Sixth National Assembly also envisaged that a duly nominated person could die before the date of his election and provided for that in the Electoral Act. But there was still a lacuna because there was no provision in the event of a candidate dying during the election.

Before the Kogi election saga, if a Bill had been presented to the National Assembly, which innocently touched on the few hours during voting, such a Bill could have been thrown out as being overkill on electoral deaths.

At least, we now know that duplication of laws is not an offence.

If anything, it could enhance the value of the duplicated law. As they say in local parlance, the more the merrier.

There is no denying the fact that social media is the best thing that has happened to Nigeria’s

democracy in recent times.

Among other benefits, social media has opened up the political space, thus raising political awareness and citizen participation in government. It has encouraged debates, promoted accountability; and established serious synergy between the leaders and the led.

There is the mistaken impression that the social media was unnecessarily deployed against President Goodluck Jonathan. The truth remains that political awareness and participation reached a crescendo during his tenure.

However, the benefits of the social media cannot warrant the barrage of abuses by the users in the name of politics. The integrity and credibility of the social media are fast becoming the subjects of debate everywhere.

In the aftermath of what happened in Tunisia and Egypt, which subsequently led to the popular Arab Spring, countries like

It should dawn on the press that no right is absolute. In our pluralistic society, your right to swing your arm ends where your neighbour’s nose begins

Presidency: Who will play Blatter for Ndigbo?

By Patrick Omorodion

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ESPITE the wind of corruption accusations blowing across the football world and which consumed Swiss-born suspended president of world’s football governing body, FIFA Joseph Sepp Blatter, when his name is mentioned in Africa, football buffs will still doff their hats for him.

For them, the accusation notwithstanding, Blatter who succeeded Brazilian Joao Havelange in 1998 after serving as General Secretary of the same organization for several years, remains a hero for the continental for he really made Africa a part of the football world after many years of neglect by Europe and the Americas.

From 1930 when the World Cup began and hosted by Uruguay without a vote from member countries after withdrawal of bids

by Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and Hungary, the global football festival has rotated between Europe and the two Americas of North and South.

The Italians who withdrew for Uruguay in 1930 got the right in 1934 and in 1938, France hosted, making it the first time Europe hosted it back to back. Following the outbreak of the World War, the World Cup went into limbo for 12 years but instead of Europe, the football buffs voted to take it back to South America’s Brazil in 1950.

From then on it has been Europe to the Americas and back to Europe except in 1958 when Sweden hosted after another European country, Switzerland had hosted in 1954.

In 1962 Chile hosted, followed by England in 1966, Mexico in 1970, then West Germany in 1974, Argentina in 1978, Spain in 1982, Mexico again in 1986, Italy again in 1990, USA in 1994 and second time for France in 1998.

The turning point for world football started C M Y K

in 1998 after Havelange stepped down. He tipped Blatter to succeed him but the powerful Europe thought that he could not choose for them who should rule the all powerful organization and worked for another candidate.

Having served as General Secretary all the 24 years his boss, Havelange was president, Blatter had built a strong tie around the world especially among the Asians and Africans. With the solid support from these two confederations, Blatter floored his own Europe to emerge Havelange’s successor in France in 1998.

From then he never minced words that both Asia and Africa were uppermost in his mind, talking development of the game. He then began his plans to break the stranglehold of Europe and the Americas on the World Cup hosting right. He lobbied and got South Korea and Japan to host the 2002 edition.

After Asia took its turn, Blatter felt that for the World Cup to truly live to its name, it was expedient the event was taken to Africa.

Europe as usual battled to resist it but Blatter worked hard and just when he thought that South Africa would nick the 2006 event when the FIFA egg heads gathered in Zurich in 2000, a spanner was thrown into the process.

The voting that day could have tied at 12 apiece for Germany and South Africa according to the permutations after the first ballot and Blatter was getting set to break the ice in that instance with his own vote,

For Ndigbo to really have a sense of belonging and think themselves as real stakeholders in the project called Nigeria, the Blatter option is a way out

Turkey and Bangladesh have partly tampered with access to social media platforms in their countries.

Now to the Bill titled “Prohibition of Frivolous Petitions and other matters” sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn Na’ Allah (APC/Kebbi State). This Bill has received unwarranted attacks in all fronts.

Contrary to the notion that the Bill is another attempt to gag the Nigerian press, we see in the various attacks on the Bill, an attempt by the press to gag the legislature and prevent it from carrying out its constitutionallyassigned responsibilities to the people.

Clause 3(4) of the Bill, which has been most ferociously attacked stipulates, “Where any person through text messages, tweets, WhatsApp, or through any social media posts any abusive statement, knowing same to be false with intent to set the public against any person and/or group of persons, an institution of government or such other bodies established by law, shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction shall be liable to imprisonment for two years or a fine of N2,000,000 or both such fine and imprisonment”.

Opponents of this Bill see it as a duplication of our existing law on defamation, which prohibits malicious publications. They are also quick to mention that the Seventh National Assembly promulgated the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, which makes it a crime to send a message by means of computer systems, knowing that such is false, grossly offensive and for the purpose of causing hatred and any other misdemeanor….” Truly, all

which was waiting in case of a tie. It was not to be as one Charles Dempsey representing Oceania voted against the instruction of his Confederation, according to him, “to clear my conscience”.

Blatter was a very sad man. He wanted not only to compensate Africa like he did for Asia in the 2002 edition but to “make the World Cup a true World Cup” where every continent would have a sense of belonging.

After that disappointment the suave administrator never slept and hatched a plan which he sold to most of the Executive Committee member, including our own Dr. Amos Adamu who had become his loyalists.

And what was the plan? That the 2010 World Cup must go to Africa and nowhere else. Europe especially, kicked against it.

After South Africa got the nod ahead of Morocco, the powerful European media went to work, planting many unsavoury stories to back their warped idea that Africa was not yet ripe to host the event. But Blatter was adamant, insisting that FIFA had three options in the kitty. That was how the famous “Plan A is South Africa, Plan B is South Africa and Plan C is South Africa.”

He almost became the supervisor of all the projects the South Africans were putting in place for the global event, visiting the former Apartheid enclave almost every other month to ensure he was not put to shame. It was not in doubt therefore when Africa stuck out its neck, preferring to swim or sink with Blatter during the last election before the corruption allegations that have swept him aside now.

Bring this scenario back home in Nigeria in the face of the growing protests by a group or two for the actualisation of the state of Biafra. Even though Africa never protested its denial of the hosting right for the World Cup, there were a few grumbles here and there which may have touched Blatter and which he used to stabilise his tenure as the FIFA boss.

Revered Nobel Laurette, Prof. Wole Soyinka added his voice recently on the agitation of a group of South Easterners for the actualisation of Biafra. He said during a

the measures are mutually enhancing.

Opponents also maintain that the Bill is self-serving for the politicians. What is wrong with that? Should politicians just keep quiet and watch on while you browbeat them left, right and centre? Anyone who refuses to use what he has to get what he wants would be a moral idiot. After all, how is the action of the legislators any different from what the press is doing – inundating the entire print and electronic media with its opposition to be Na’ Allah measure?

It should dawn on the press that no right is absolute. In our pluralistic society, your right to swing your arm ends where your neighbour’s nose begins.

The constitutional guarantee of free speech contained in Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution is not a license to haul abuses on your neighbour. And it is a common African phenomenon that you don’t quarrel with a man who says, “If you abuse me, I will jail you”. If you don’t want to be jailed by him, you simply refrain from abusing him. That is what the Na’ Allah measure seeks to do.

That Bill deserves accelerated attention! Let everyone be up and doing. Those who have amendments that could enhance the Bill should send same to the relevant Committees through their elected Representatives.

The Nigeria police must reinvigorate its cyber unit to live up to its responsibilities of professionally monitoring activities online in just the same way as they police our streets so that offenders could be promptly apprehended and brought to book.

After all, a crime offline is also a crime online.

television interview that the agitators for the state of Biafra could be muffled but the idea will never die, adding that the only solution was for the government to dialogue with them and find out what their grouse is or were and what they really need.

This, for me, is where the Blatter solution comes in. The grouse of Ndigbo is that they are marginalised in the entity called Nigeria and are not wanted. You don’t need a soothsayer to know that this marginalisation they cry about is the presidency in Nigeria.

Apart from Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who was a ceremonial president in the Parliamentary system of government here in the 1960s and the brief reign of the crocodile man, General Johnson Thomas Umanakwe Aguiyi Ironsi, who emerged as Head of State after the foiled 1966 coup, Ndigbo have never tested power at the top in Nigeria. That is the crux of the matter.

The North has had more than a fair share in the presidency of this country while the South West also have had their time through General Olusegun Obasanjo both as a stopgap Head of State after General Murtala Mohammed, and again for another two terms as a civilian president from 1999 to 2007. His second coming was by another doctrine of necessity.

In like manner, for the agitation of Biafra and the constant cry of marginalisation to stop and for Ndigbo to really have a sense of belonging and think themselves as real stakeholders in the project called Nigeria, the Blatter option is a way out and the time to begin it is now.

Someone or decision makers in the APC must stand up today to state categorically that after the two terms of President Muhammadu Buhari, if he can go second term that is, the presidency must go to the South East.

Likewise, the PDP which hurriedly said they will zone the presidency to the north in 2019 because they felt they lost 2015 election to the APC should let the idea die and think of allowing the South East have a shot at the presidency.

*Mr. Omorodion, a social crusader, wrote from Lagos.

20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

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National Corporate Governance Code to be operational in 2016 —FRC

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PROMO: From left, Anyanwu Camillus, Surveilliance & Enforcement Unit, Consumer Protection Council; Ope Wemi-Jones, Group Head, Inclusive Banking, Access Bank Plc; Victor Etuokwu, Executive Director, Personnel Banking, Access Bank Plc; Celine Loader, Board Advisor, Corporate Strategy & Business Development, Seplat and Osayi Alile, former Chairperson, WIMBIZ, at the final draw of Access Bank's Women Let's Save promo in Lagos.

HE proposed National Code of Corporate Governance (NCCG) for the country would be operational by June 2016.

This was disclosed by the Chief Executive Officer, FRC, Mr. Jim Obazee while addressing the press at of the 12th annual corporate financial reporting summit held in Lagos.

The theme of the summit was “National Code of Corporate Governance for Nigeria: A New Dawn in Compliance.

He said that the private sector code as well as that for not-forprofit would be operational before the end of the first quarter of next year, saying that the public sector code would have to be approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

CBN allows new businesses borrow from N220bn MSME Fund Stories By Babajide Komolafe

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reviewed the guidelines for the N220 billion Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Fund to allow new businesses (start-ups) borrow from the fund.

The CBN also said that banks and other finance institutions that lends to business start-ups under the fund will be allowed to access the fund at zero interest rate.

This was contained in the Revised Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) Guidelines issued yesterday by the Development Finance department of the CBN. Previously, only existing businesses can borrow from the fund through their banks. The new guidelines however removed this limitation stating, “Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) are required to fund start-up projects under the MSMEDF. To encourage Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), some

$119.50

0.35

$3,190.00

-7.00

$15.05

0.01

$36.81 0.70 36.77 CURRENCY BUYING US DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

196 291.5108 214.4632 197.8 1.6205 0.3046 270.457 30.2353 52.2165 28.7356 271.4012

0.63

SELLING 196.5 292.2545 215.0103 198.3046 1.6246 0.31146 2701. 146 30.3129 52.3497 28.8089 272.0936

197 292.9981 215. 5574 198.8092 1.6288 0.32346 271.8359 30.3904 52.4829 28.8822 272.7859

CBN Exchange rate as at 23/12/2015 C M Y K

incentives shall apply.

“PFIs are expected to accept charge on fixed and floating assets of the financed projects as collateral for start-ups.

Collateral requirement from start-ups by PFIs (DMBs and DFIs) shall be educational certificates such as SSCE, National Diploma (ND), National Certificate of Education (NCE), National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB), Higher National Diploma (HND), University degree (NYSC Certificate where applicable) and a guarantor.

“The start-ups to access the MSMEDF must present their Bank Verification Number

(BVN). Venture Capital Firms (VCFs) that wish to finance startups in form of equity participation shall be eligible to access the MSMEDF at 2.0 percent for investment in start-up projects. The collateral for such facility to the VCF shall be bank guarantee.

“Incentive shall be offered to PFIs that repay loans as at when due. a) Start-Ups (i) DMBs/DFIs playing in this space, shall access MSMEDF facility at zero percent interest for on-lending at 9.0 percent (all-inclusive) to startups. (ii) The PFIs shall qualify for a 50 percent risk shared on the net outstanding balance in the case of default. b) Other Incentives Microfinance Banks with PAR of 10 percent and be-

The start-ups to access the MSMEDF must present their Bank Verification Number (BVN)

low shall be exempted from providing financial assets as collateral to access facility under the MSMEDF.” In addition to the above, the CBN also reduced interest rate it charges PFIs accessing the loan from 3.0 percent to 2.0 percent.

It stated, “Interest Rates All PFIs shall access funds at an interest rate of 2.0 percent per annum and on lend at 9.0 percent per annum inclusive of all charges. The interest rate chargeable under the MSMEDF may be reviewed by the Central Bank of Nigeria from time to time.”

The decision to allow business start-ups borrow from the fund is aimed at boosting graduate employment by encouraging banks to lend to graduates intending to set up businesses.

Recall that the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele while addressing the just concluded 7th annual Banker Committee Retreat had announced that the apex bank would soon introduce measures to generate one million graduate employments. He said, “In 2016, the CBN is contemplating a programme that would support SMEs at concessionary pricing to our young graduates. We need to get more people to be employed. The central bank would over the next few weeks work out the initiative to create employment for at least one million graduates in Nigeria in 2016. That would entail the support from Nigerian banks and our development partners.”

Obazee said, “Once we conclude this summit, we would definitely progress with the NCCG. In the first quarter of 2016, the private sector code and the not-for-profit code would be operational. For the public sector code, we still intend to go to FEC because there are already corporate governance structures within legislations by different government bodies.

“So, we need the government to make a pronouncement wherein there would be like a general harmonisation such that irrespective of what you have, you are to comply with the National Code of Corporate Governance for Public Sector. But, within the first six months of next year, we would go through our Minister, to the FEC, to secure the nod of the government to implement that.”

Obazee noted that the two-day financial reporting summit would be like a second public hearing, adding that during the last public hearing on the NCCG, comments were received and would be discussed at the summit, saying that the aim is to have an allembracing code that would be acceptable and useful to all.

He said though some amendments had been made on the proposed NCCG, the FRC still intends to retain the area of joint auditors.

“If your turnover is over N10 billion, you will definitely have joint auditors which will require you to have joint auditors. If you have an international firm, like one of the big four auditing you, you will still need a national firm because we want a situation where the international firms, in the course of working with the national firms, are able to develop them technically and build the capacity that is required for our environment. We want don’t just want to have the big four firms, we want a situation where the international firms, in the course of working with the national firms, are able to develop them technically and build the capacity that is required for our environment. We want don’t just want to have the big four firms, we want a situation where in Nigeria, we can have the big 12.

That would lead to employment generation.

“Of course, another controversial area has to do with not-for-profit.

The point that is required is that there is openness, accountability and objectivity, so that somebody can be held responsible at any point. All of the concerns at the public hearing have been reviewed,” he said.

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

Budgetting in both your business and your personal life is essential to becoming successful

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BUSINESS

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How to make year-end reviews A

long with holiday cheer, the end of the calendar year brings a chore often despised by managers and employees alike: the performance review. It’s good management practice to conduct them, but reviews can be especially stressful when the feedback isn’t all good, says Karen Hinds CEO and founder of Workplace Success Group LLC and an expert on developing emerging leaders.

“For some managers, reviews – especially reviews with difficult employees – are as dreaded as a trip to the dentist,” she says.

Hinds, who is the author of the books “A Young Adult’s Guide to the Global Workplace,” “Get Along, Get Ahead: 101 Courtesies for the New Workplace,” and “Networking for a Better Position & More Profit,” offers managers 7 tips for conducting performance reviews that won’t sap all the holly jolly joy from your workplace.

1. Don’t do reviews on the fly.

“Yes, it’s the end of year, but reviews should not be done spontaneously,” Hinds warns.

“Set a time, choose a private comfortable location, and let your employee know ahead of time so he/she can come prepared. As a manager, you, too, should be prepared with notes from throughout the year outlining

areas of excellence and those that need work.”

2. Make it a conversation.

“Unfortunately, some managers feel that the review is a time for them to talk to the employee instead of with the employee, but this should be a two-way conversation,” Hinds says. “As well as offering your feedback, let employees evaluate themselves, and listen to what they think the need to improve and where they excel.”

3. Follow-up is a must. Hinds tells managers to decide on a plan of action as soon as the review is completed. “Recognize great work and help the employee improve areas that need to be enhanced. Don’t wait until next year,” she says.

4. Don’t tip-toe around bad performance. “Avoid general statements,” Hinds says.

“Instead, be specific about areas that need improvement and develop a correction plan with regular deadlines and expected outcomes.”

5. Don’t overinflate good performance. In Hinds view, no employee is perfect. “An individual may be outstanding in some areas, but there will always be skills they need to improve,” she says. “Resist the urge to give some employees exceptional ratings on all their performance areas.”

Contract manufacturer can bring your product to life

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re you an entrepreneur with a new product idea you would like to bring to market? Perhaps you don’t have the production equipment needed to produce your product yourself, or maybe you are hoping to sell or license your idea to a company, but need some initial stock to show sales potential, value, and usefulness.

In these situations, hiring a contract manufacturer may suit your needs. But what is a contract manufacturer and what can you expect from them?

A contract manufacturer is a for-hire firm that will produce a specific quantity of your product for a set fee based on agreed upon specification. The price of the service is based on an estimation of the processes, labor, tooling, and materials costs. Hiring a contract manufacturer may make sense to startup businesses and selfmade entrepreneurs because it

takes the lengthy process of manufacturing off their shoulders and entrusts it to a product creation team that has experience in the industry. It also may save a business money because it allows an inventor to not have to purchase manufacturing equipment.

Some contract manufacturers may even inventory and ship products, which can be both labor-intensive and costprohibitive for a small business.

There are always risks associated with outsourcing, and contract manufacturing is not an exception. Consider speaking to an attorney to go over the business arrangement and ensure you have an understanding of the services you are paying for and their extents and limitations.

Generally, keep these words of advice in mind when considering a contract manufacturer:

From left, Kola Ashiru-Balogun, MD, Mixta Nigeria; Deji Alli, Chairman/CEO Mixta Africa; Jumoke Ogundare, CEO, Arm Group; Sadiq Mohammed, Deputy CEO, Arm Group; Daniel Fon, COO, Mixta Africa at the launch of the Mixta Africa brand, in Lagos.

Setting up your business website Websites serve as a useful form of inexpensive advertising for most businesses. Even the most basic of websites can work well as your online brochure.

If you're going to have a website as part of your home business and you haven't registered your domain name yet, by all means do so now.

That means you'll need to complete the domain name search, find a good domain name registrar at a cost you can afford and set up your web hosting account.

Most domain name providers today also offer website hosting services, so you can accomplish both tasks with one service provider. In fact, in some cases, you can get your domain name registration for next to nothing if you also set up a web hosting account.

Designing Your Website If you have any design ability you can pretty much design your own website these days.

You really don't need to know much about HTML coding anymore if you use a decent web design software tool, but it sure helps get you out of a jam. Some web hosting companies also offer tools to help you quickly design a website or they may offer to design a basic site for your home-based business for a nominal fee. When you're first starting out, any of these

options may work well for you.

Another option is to use an available website template.

Free website templates are available from places like Open Source Web Design. Even if you don't know HTML, you can browse through the templates to find ideas you can then relay to whoever is designing or building your website.

Content for Your Website Right from the start, you'll want clear, concise, and grammatically correct writing without spelling errors.

Nothing speaks louder to a lack of professionalism than a poorly written site. Your prospects won't think you're a serious contender for their business and they sure won't get a very good impression of your home-based business.

If you don't have very good writing skills, consider hiring a web content writer for this purpose. Rates are often charged per page, depending on the length of the content.

Providing notes, an outline, and any supporting information to your writer will save time and money. Any web content writers you select should not only have a good command of the written word, they should have some marketing savvy and some knowledge of how to get the attention of search engines to maximize your site's traffic.

If you're going to operate a home-based business where

your customers are coming mainly from the Internet, it will be even more important to have a professional design and tone to the site with content that gets search engine attention.

Even if you write your own content, hiring someone to optimize your pages for search will go a long way toward bringing more traffic to your site. While you don't need to spend an arm and a leg to do this, you'll want to use someone who knows what they're doing, so you'll need to check into their experience and results. Search engine optimization (SEO) is a lot more than just repeating the same words over and over again, and a competent SEO professional will know what tactics to use and offer other suggestions, such as getting other sites to link to you. Some SEO consultants will offer a free SEO evaluation of your site and suggestions for improving your search rankings.

Search Engines and Your Website All search engines are very secretive about what they look for at any given time. No one can guarantee you a number one listing for any given word.

If they do, you should be extremely sceptical. Making a mistake in this area - by using what's referred to as "Black Hat" SEO techniques, can

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015 — 23

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& YOU result in one or more search engines classifying your website as spam, and your site may be completely omitted from search results as a consequence. Getting back in the search engine's graces after using black hat SEO techniques can take a year or longer and involves a lot of work.

You need to understand that getting good search results doesn't happen overnight, and the longer you're on the web, the more relevant content you can provide on your site, and the more meaningful links you can have coming in to your site, the better your chances are of beating your competition in the search rankings. The keywords you chose on your site also have a big impact on

how you'll rank.

Like the rest of your homebased business, you should expect your website traffic to increase over time, just as you would expect your business volume to grow over time.

An Online Presence without a Website You can also effectively establish an online presence for your home-based business without a website. Instead, you can post information using a blog. The major blog services - like Google Blogger, WordPress and TypePad provide easy to use tools for posting and maintaining your content. While it can be helpful, no HTML knowledge is needed in order to get a blog up and running and post as much content as you want.

What it takes to start a small business Are you thinking of starting your own business next year?

If you answer is “yes”, you are not alone. Some of us have been working for others, perhaps for five, ten or more than 20 years, and you wants to move but not to another organisation, rather you want to become your own boss and create employment for others like Aliko Dangote and Tony Elumelu.

This is good but before you resign from your current job and start your own, you do well to think deeply about what it

Do what you love, love what you do" should not be taken lightly. Your business is going to be your livelihood - you should have a good time doing it. If not, it will be difficult to get motivated at times

takes to becoming an employer of labour.

The first of the steps to starting a small business is to carefully consider these questions: *What do you have to offer? *What makes you an expert? *Do you have all of the education and skills you'll need to compete successfully in the marketplace or will you need to do some brushing up or retraining first? *Does the product or service meet a need? *Is this a seasonal product or service, or can you market it all year long? *How sensitive is marketing this product or service to general economic conditions? *When the economy is weak, how do you think your business will be affected? *Will you be energized by going through the steps to starting this particular small business - is it something you'll love to do or sell - or are you just going through the motions of starting a small business to try to make some money? *The saying, "Do what you love, love what you do" should not be taken lightly. Your business is going to be your livelihood - you should have a good time doing it. If not, it will be difficult to get motivated at times.

If you are excited about your business, your customers will notice and it will be easier to get them excited, too. Plus, completing the steps to starting your small business will be fun and much more enjoyable.

Many people are confused and sometimes do not understand what taking business ownership means

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Is the blame game gaining prominence in your organisation?

No one wins the blame game ... Carl Jung

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ORE often than not, it might seem that the easiest way out of troubles or unfavourable situations in our personal or professional lives is to point an accusing finger to someone else.

Interestingly, team members, colleagues, managers and leaders are not left out in this “profession” of blaming others.

Sadly, the Blame Game has succeeded in causing failures in the government arena, businesses and in organisations. This is because; a lot of people have been wired wrongly to first and foremost point an accusing finger to someone when things go wrong, without even seeking for solutions.

We are not responsibility oriented. The bad news is that allowing the Blame Game to blossom in any organisation is not only destructive, but might end up giving us more than we bargained for.

The truth of the matter is that no real result can be achieved without someone taking responsibility for his/her actions.

Achievement of goals This responsibility is bestowed on every one who earns a salary and should be predicated upon achieving the goals of one’s organisation. The rule of the game is not about winning a law suit and punishing someone who has been blamed, but ensuring that we help one another achieve the goals of the organisation.

Everyone has 100 percent responsibility in making sure that organisation achieves its vision.

If there is any virus to fight against in organisations, it should be the “Blame Game Virus”- where people are not taking responsibility of growing their organisation.

The reality is that no organisation (with the current rate of business uncertainties) can attain its rightful position if this unwanted virus is not dealt with. Surprisingly, the leaders, executives and their collective workforce are affected by this debilitating virus, and guess what;

BY ‘UJU ONWUZULIKE

Any organisation that encourages Blame Game will end up stifling creativity, innovation and productivity

organisations are at the receiving ends.

Any organisation that encourages Blame Game will end up stifling creativity, innovation and productivity - the three key ingredients for growth.

Unbelievably, someone in a team might have a solution to something or might have an idea of how best to resolve an issue, but simply because he/ she was not made the team head might decide to do nothing in achieving the desired result.

In a situation where by that particular team’s project did not go well, that same person may be the first to shift the blame to someone else or will decide to proffer solutions when the damage has been done already – probably to “shine” or appear superior to others. Organisations suffer a great deal whenever people have developed the mindset of shifting the blame to someone else when they ought to have helped. Instead of creating blames, we should help one another to create value for the organisation.

The era we are now in the business world is not that of who is wrong or right, who is to be blamed or not, but the era of helping the weak in your

organisation to achieve better results. The truth is that some are weak in some areas and strong in other areas. The idea is to complement one another for the betterment of the organisation that pays our salaries.

Points to ponder: Do we achieve any positive results when we shift or heap blame on people? Instead we create resentment, conflicts, strife, enmity, disloyalty – and all these will hit the bottom-line unfavourably. Remember the idea of fighting oneself. What do we want to achieve by blaming people in the workplace? Is it to preserve our ego or help to grow the organisation? Before you blame someone, always ask yourself, have I done all I can to help out in this situation?

Final note: Whether we like it or not, the Blame Game will end up destroying us and our businesses. Even if the blame is justified – taking action is better at least for the sake of your organisation.

Organisations were not founded to act as a law court in discovering who is right or not in the Blame Game, but were founded to deliver results to all shareholders.

When we take responsibility for our actions and help the organisation to win, everybody wins. Our focus should not be for individuals to win first, because, when an individual wins, an organisation might not succeed.

The reason for the individual winning might be to satisfy his/her ego or selfishness.

From today onwards, let our goal be to move from “creating blames” to having “together we win” mindset.

Like Carl Jung said, “No one wins the blame game”, and I also add that “no one should let an organisation lose the winning game”- then again this is possible when we all take ownership and full responsibility and quit looking at who is to be blamed.

Email: uju@hainescentre.com Mobile: 09091142093

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24—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

KICK OFF: Fom left; Dr. (Mrs.) Shade Olukoya; Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, wife of Governor of Lagos State; Dr. Daniel Olukoya, Visitor, Mountain Top University and General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministry; Senator Remi Tinubu, Special Guest and Professor Elijah Ayolabi, Vice Chancellor, Moutain Top University, during the official opening and first matriculation ceremony of the university held at Prayer City, Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Monday. Photo Lamidi Bamidele

Experts decry declining quality of teachers

By Amaka Abayomi & Tare Youdeowei

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HE role of teachers towards the development of any nation can never be over-emphasised as they build up good ethical principles and obedience in the students, help reshape their character, motivate and inculcate skills and knowledge, and build up personalities that would constitute the nation.

ExxonMobil invests N1.2bn in content dev training PG. 26

6-3-3-4 system failed for lack of political will —Osanyin PG. 27 C M Y K

To this end, the training and production of teachers to carry out these onerous tasks needed for the attainment of national objectives should be based on the quality of the teachers. It is for this reason that the policy on teachers’ training was formulated. Since no nation can rise above the level of education of its teachers, , whatever input is made into an educational system in respect of management, resources, facilities and an array of instructional materials, will be of little significance if the teachers are unskilled, poorly trained, or even ignorant.

The status of the Nigerian teacher was brought to the limelight when, some years back, several state governments conducted primary school examinations for the teachers in their employ and were disappointed with their dismal performance.

Worried by the declining quality of teachers and the recent pronouncement by the Federal Government that 500,000 unemployed graduates would be employed as teachers, thereby making the profession and all comers affair,

Vanguard Learning sampled the views of experts on the essence of teachers training and development of the nation.

Not one to play the blame game, a lecturer in the Department of Science Technology Education, Faculty of Education, Lagos State University, Dr. Shina Akintolure, said parent, students and government are responsible for the state of teachers’ education.

He said “The policy on teachers’ education has been the same from time the beginning. Before now, Teacher Grade II is trained to teach primary school but now the minimum qualification to teach primary 1 to JSS 3 is NCE. Those that teach senior secondary must have a minimum of first degree while for tertiary level, the minimum is a Masters. Now, if you didn’t do education as first degree, you need to get a post graduate diploma then register with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria to enable you practice.

“The reasons why the quality of teachers is on the decline are because the learners see the

profession as last option, especially as parents don’t want their children to become teachers due to the way they are being treated by government.

“People see education as the last option as parent wants the child to study Engineering, Medicine, Law, Accounting etc. it is only when they are not given those courses of their choice that they begin to consider the education aspect of the courses ‘just manage it’ they say.

I know that hardly would you see a teacher that is not qualified in the employ of the Lagos State government because there is a limit such a person can rise to

“Thus from day one, the child doing education is just doing it for the sake of ‘let me just go to school’ as opposed to becoming a teacher out of zeal.

As such when that person graduates, he is not equipped for the task ahead despite all that he has been taught “Faculties of education are making an impact but the people that go to the faculties mostly do not go with a desire to teach. Just 20% have a desire to teach and after being trained they go out and excel. Another 20% however have a change of heart, the ‘ we have found ourselves in this profession, let’s give it our best.’ Thus 40% percent perform. The lecturers in education institutes are doing their best. They improve on themselves, go for conferences and impart the learners. It is now left for the student teachers to go out there and do their best.

“Speaking on the allegations that private schools are most guilty of promoting underqualified teachers by employing secondary school leavers, Akintolure asked “how many private school owners are qualified educationalists? It’s high time government began to clamp down on these schools so as to save the nation.

“The lack of inspection allows for non-approved schools to keep operating because you have no business establishing schools if you are not a trained teacher. Even if you must establish a school, get a board of trustees or education council made up of seasoned educationists to be at the helm of affairs.

Lack of personal development For a senior lecturer at the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, Mr. Bolupe Awe, the problem is not with private schools who patronise these unqualified teachers but with the teachers who have failed to develop themselves upon finding themselves in the noble profession.

He said “most of these teachers that are not qualified to be in the profession have failed to further develop themselves by taking advantage of the post graduate diploma in National Teachers’ Institute and NOUN. I know that hardly would you see a teacher that is not qualified in the employ of the Lagos State government because there is a limit such a person can rise to.

“The national policy on teachers’ education is being followed and is very explicit on the need for teachers’ training

Continues on Page 25

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015—25

ExxonMobil invests N1.2bn in content dev training

By Amaka Abayomi

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AWARD: Mike Attah, Joint Venture Operations Maintenance Manager, Mobil Producing Nigeria (left) presenting educational aid materials to pupils from Government Primary School, Ikot Okudom, Eket Local Government Area during the launch of ExxonMobil Academic Excellence Reward programme for public primary schools in Akwa Ibom State.

Experts decry declining quality of teachers Continues from page 24 because the quality of education of any nation can’t rise above that of its teachers.

Therefore, so much emphasis is being laid on the training of teachers. There are faculties of education in almost all varsities that groom lecturers for varsities while the colleges of education train teachers for secondary schools.

“Teachers’ education shouldn’t be structured for people to be literate but to ensure that quality is delivered. This is because education is considered as a system made up of input, conversion and output and this system is supposed to be in perfect condition so as to prevent ripple negative effects.

“The input includes physical facilities, structure, finance, personnel, among others. The conversion is where the teaching and learning actually takes place while the output is the result we see in the students. So if the quality of physical facilities is deficit whereby you have a teacher with a class of over 100, the output would be negatively affected.

Students’ attitude For the Coordinator of Exams, Command Day Secondary School, Ojo Barracks, Mrs. Angela Aniemeke, the fault is not just with the training schools alone but also with the students that enrol to be trained teachers.

She said “the students have a poor attitude to learning and don’t pay attention to details while in training and upon coming out, they don’t want to improve themselves. As a teacher, there are so many things that can be learnt on the job and the ones can have to teach oneself. Sadly, most teachers just want the easy way C M Y K

out and don’t want to improve themselves. Some feel since they are graduates from faculties of education in universities, they feel too proud to learn from predecessors.

“It all boils down to passion for teaching. The profession has become an all comers affair as many are doing it because that is what is available. Some schools even employ school certificate holders who are looking to earn a few change while passing time.

“What the government does not understand is that teachers are easy to please. For us it is not solely about money, there is need for recognition and appreciation. Why is there a disparity in the remuneration and benefits between government workers, uniformed personnel and teachers? The national awards for example; there has never been a time when a teacher was awarded. Meanwhile these people giving out the awards were taught by teachers. The teaching sector is the most productive sector so what is the excuse?

“Remuneration is also an issue. The idea that a teacher’s reward is in heaven as greatly affected the profession negatively. For instance a level 14 or 15 government worker in

Education is a system made up of input, conversion and output and this system is supposed to be in perfect condition to prevent ripple negative effects

the ministry has an official house, car but the level 16 or 17 teacher is still in the classroom. At the end of the day the morale of the teacher is dying.

“The ripple effect of this flaw of the government is that teachers, to meet expectations, responsibilities and catch up with their counterparts in, the ministry, open shops, run businesses etc., which drags their attention from teaching.

The average teacher get paltry sums, when they eventually come, yet he goes to market like every other person, pays bills and fees like every other person.

Solution According to experts, unless the government puts in measures to enhance the teaching profession, Nigeria will continue to experience the problems she is going through in the education sector.

“The government should make a policy that anybody who wants to be a teacher must have studied education, either at NCE or university level. The fear of the government is that teachers are not enough so they are making the profession an all comers affair; where somebody who read Law but could not get a chamber would come to a school and say he can teach English and Literature and someone who read Engineering will claim that he can teach Mathematics and Physics, they are not the same thing at all!

“Government should include in their policy that it is only those who are qualified teachers will be allowed to teach. Let there also be a good body for teachers like Lawyers have NBA. If you are not a Lawyer you can’t go to court to defend a case why should such persons be allowed to teach?

XXONMOBIL affiliate, Esso Exploration & Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), in production contract sharing with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has invested over N1.2bn ($6m) in training 132 Nigerians under the Nigerian Human Capital Development aspect of its Erha North Phase 2 development project.

Speaking at the closing and certificates ceremony for the training in Lagos, the General Manager, Nigerian Content Development of the company, Mr.Olusola Ogunsakin, said the training, which was conducted both in Nigeria and overseas, covered various aspects of oil & gas industry operations including engineering, sub-sea drilling, fabrication/assembly, offshore installation and project management, among others.

He said “the training was for a total of 143,308 man hours, and of the 132 trained, 69 had been offered permanent employment in the Nigerian oil & gas industry by companies in the EPC2 Consortium. This is to attest to the quality of the training received during the programme.

“ExxonMobil is proud to be contributing to Nigeria’s human capacity development

through its affiliate in compliance with and in support of the Nigerian Content Development policy.”

Ogunsakin urged the participants to utilize the competencies acquired during their various training programmes to contribute meaningfully to the development of Nigeria’s Oil & Gas industry.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Denzil Kentebe, represented by the Manager, Human Capital Development, Mrs. Michele Aiyegbusi, commended ExxonMobil and the facilitating companies for the training, adding that the NHCD initiative of NCDMB was designed to create opportunities for training of young Nigerians in white and blue collar disciplines, “offering them relevant classroom training and practical experience with a view to preparing them for the industry”.

The NCDMB boss expressed happiness that about 70% of the participants at the training had gained employment, noting that since 2010, the NCDMB had trained over 2,000 Nigerians in project-based training programmes, while its direct intervention programmes have also been extended to over 600 Nigerians.

Mountain Top varsity takes off with 220 students

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By Tare Youdeowei

HE General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Dr. Daniel Olukoya has revealed that newly established Mountain Top University, MTU, is an offshoot of his 70-point agenda aimed at rescuing youths from the streets and preparing them to become useful to themselves, their families and the society.

Speaking at the official inauguration and maiden matriculation ceremony of the varsity, Olukoya added that it took the church 12 years to establish the institution located within the Prayer City, Ibafo, Ogun State.

The matriculation ceremony, which saw 220 students admitted for academic activities, had in attendance the wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Prof. Tolu Odugbemi; the wife of the general overseer of the mission, Pastor Shade Olukoya; and the Director of Private Universities’ Establishment, National Universities Commission,

NUC, Prof. Akaneren Essien, among others.

Olukoya, a former lecturer and expert in Molecular Biology, disclosed that it took the church 12 years to establish the varsity to enable them provide state-of-the art facilities, qualified manpower as well as fulfilling all the necessary conditions as stipulated by the NUC for takeoff.

He said “it is better late than never and this institution is not for commercial purposes. MTU will produce top-rate, morally and spiritually sound graduates of distinctions who will be globally competitive for outstanding impact on the Nigerian society and global development.

“We will ensure that every student irrespective of course of study is trained in at least one vocational trade before graduating, so MTU as it would serve as model for other varsities.”

The general overseer who is also the visitor to the varsity urged the new intakes to be diligent, remain committed to their studies and shun all forms of vices.

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yer, urged the antigraft agencies, especially the EFCC, to have a re-think over its prosecutorial strategies.

He said: “We have been saying it, even the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice M a h m u d Mohammed also said it recently, that antigraft agencies,

By Abdulwahab Abdulah, very amateurish way of apespecially the EFCC, Ikechukwu Nnochiri, & proaching prosecution. By the should have a reBartholomew Madukwe time you make an arrest one think over its prosecFTER the May 29 take over would expect you are ready with utorial strategies. In of government by President your charges, so that whatever my own view, I think Muhammadu Buhari, the happen, in 24 hours max imum there is need for all country woke up to news of arrests you arraign the suspect in court. the anti-graft of alleged corrupt former public Speaking truthfully, my view if commissions to be office holders, some of whom were EFCC is that they have lack of overhauled. Aside held over wide range of allega- proper training, which has led to the fact that they mishandling of a few things. tions. conduct shoddy in“There is no justification for ill The need to tackle corruption vestigations, you cannot be over-emphasised in a prepared arraignment. Ideally, Former DG of NIMASA, Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi (centre) being led discover that their country, where public and private you should have everything in out of court after his arraignment by EFCC in Lagos. investigators are yet institutions have performed abys- place, completed your investigato learn the tion and have your witnesses stop and they should face the well,” Ubani maintained. mally, due to graft. rudiments of obtaining But following the forceful re- ready before you go to court. reality by pursuing the fight The executive director, SERAP, statements from suspects. arrest of the immediate past Probably, I am not too sure, one against corruption with the zeal Mumuni Tokunbo, stressed that Most times you see the proseDirector General, Nigeria Mari- of the problems they have is the it deserved. Arresting suspects what the EFCC is doing is an act cutors bragging that an accused time and Administration and idea of 100 or more charges and re-arresting them after ar- of brigandage, using the media made confessional statements, Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr against an individual. I believe raignment and bail is an embar- to promote their work. “While it only for such statements to be Ziakede Akpobolokemi, at the that the lesser the charges the rassment. may seem too early to judge the discredited during trial. If they are premises of a Federal High court, more effective it will be better for “We have to remember that a EFCC, under this new lucky in some cases the court will last week, by the Economic and prosecution.” suspect is presumed innocent administration, a look at the initial order trial-within-trial to ascertain According to him, the high until he is found guilty by the law start suggests that there may be the voluntariness or otherwise of Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, lawyers have raised profile cases have taken on a court. Whoever is arrested will some level of seriousness this time such statements. concerns over the way the com- pattern of one negotiating the suffer embarrassment which will around. It appears early to pass “Another disturbing trend is the mission intends to prosecute trial and arrive at a plea bargain be monumental and final judgment on the body for idea of demonising suspects in and at the end the defendant is irredeemable if they are not found now. corruption cases. the media even before actual trial It will be recalled that Akpobo- let off with minimum guilty,” Ubani added.

“On the issue of re-arrests of commences in court. This is very lokemi, who was first arraigned punishment.

He called on the EFCC to some persons after bail, it may wrong and should be The APC chieftain maintained ensure that they do things well be due to discovery of other condemned. on December 7, was re-arraigned on December 8 on fresh charges. that it is wrong if people are according to the law and carry out devastating offences for which But on December 14, after he granted bail and subsequently investigation deeply before they need to offer explanations. Court of public perfected the bail condition, was arrested, saying “what I know of rushing to court for prosecution. So, one cannot say they have acted opinion picked up by security operatives, a fact is that in practice you “If it is only two count charges outside the purview of the law. It which the EFCC later said were normally do not arrest a person that they can sustain in trial, let is very unfortunate that they do What remedy goes to an acits operatives, noting that he was when the court has granted him them go for that. This is the only not carry out enough investigacused person if he or she is conbail.” Akeredolu asserted that the way the corruption battle can be tions to collate enough evidence still being probe. victed in the court of public opinproper thing for the commission won. On arrest, It is wrong for the on cases of corruption, especially ion only for the court to discover to do is to do when a court grants Different EFCC to arrest in court premises. on the ongoing probe of arms that the charge against such a suspect bail is to come up with I wonder what is happening these purchase,” he asserted. charges in court person lacked substance? That fresh charge against the days. Things have changed for ugly trend has started again with The case of immediate past individual and withdraw the the bad. Before now, nobody dares Probe of arms the current ‘Dasukigate’. former charge.

National Security Adviser, NSA, arrest anybody in court premises. purchase “Every day we hear and read “What the EFCC is doing is an It is very wrong and it is illegal.

Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd) is in various media outlets how also of interest, as he had been act of brigandage, using the media Yes, as an agency established by According to another lawyer, billions of money was allegedly arraigned and re-arraigned by the to promote what they are doing. law, they must respect the law as Mr. Johnson Balogun, EFCC’s diverted from the office of the It’s very unfortunate that they EFCC over the same and differidea of filing 32, 50 and in some former National Security Adviser. ent charges in court. Vanguard don’t carry out enough cases, 150-count charges is not What happens if in the course of Law and Human Rights sought investigations to collate enough helping the anti-corruption trial it is established that the funds the views of lawyers on the de- evidence on cases of corruption, agencies to sustain or establish were legitimately disbursed? Will especially on the ongoing probe velopment. the anti-graft agency go back to their cases. of arms purchase,” he added.

Excerpts: If it is only two “It is high time they realised that correct the impression already Former Chairman, NBA- Ikeja The former president of the it is better to convict an accused created in the mind of people? count charges that Nigerian Bar Association, NBA branch, Mr Monday Ubani, on a reasonable five-count These are what we are talking opined that what the commission they (EFCC) can and chieftain of All Progressives charge, than to allow a 50-count about. File your case before the Congres, APC, Mr. Rotimi Ak- is doing is just to show to sustain in trial, let charge to drag for many years, at court and give the judiciary the eredolu, SAN, who noted that the Nigerians that they are performthe expense of tax payers, with- chance to do its work,” he noted. them go for that. commission lacks proper training, ing their duty.

On his part, Mr. Okereke Anya, out any reasonable outcome at the Ubani explained that not faulted the commission over urged the Federal Government to end of the day.

This is the only arrest of suspect after granting having enough evidence against increase its funding to the anti“We also read about how the the suspects leads to arraignment way the corruption bail and same perfected. graft agencies.

He maintained agencies spurn court orders, like He said, “One would have and re arraignments, which is battle can be won the case of the former NSA who that the anti-graft institutions causing embarrassment for both expected that after so many years was granted bail but rearrested should be commended for what they should have gotten over this the commission and suspects. the same day. Though the they have done so far.

“This show of recklessness must agencies have the right to “It is easier for people to investigate corruption condemn, but has anyone asked Regulators should balance Lekki FFree ree TTrade rade Zone TTribunal: ribunal: allegations, but such ought to be how much fund these anticonsumers’ interest & govt ex- Dangote assures Ibeju Lekki communidone within the ambit of the law.” corruption agencies operate with? ties of improved welfare Pg 28 Pg 29 cesses –Etomi Mr. Elenu Samson, also a law- How do you face people that Continues on page 33

EFCC handling of graft cases —Lawyers react A

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Regulatory laws are observed in breach —Etomi MR George Etomi is one of the leading commercial lawyers in the country. An author of repute in his field of practice, he is a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Section on Business Law SBL. An expert on energy, Etomi contributed immensely to the drafting of the bill that later became the Nigerian Communication Act. He is a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, NIALS. In this interview, he spoke on how the SBL was conceived, the role of regulators in an emerging economy, Sovereign Wealth Fund, SWF, and other related issues. Excerpts:

By Dayo Benson

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OW did you conceive the birth of the Section on Business Law (SBL)?

The idea to set up the SBL was conceived by a few of us who decided to work as Solici- tors.

You know a lawyer may choose to work as an Advocate or a Solicitor though in Nigeria most lawyers carry out both.

Those of us who chose not to go to court decided to stay back in our firms and work as Solicitors. But of course, when the idea to form SBL was mooted; some lawyers did not quite understand the concept that it is not an alternative to the NBA. We had to make our position and the idea behind the concept clear to the bar leadership. However, not

quite long we got support from the former NBA President, O.C.J Okocha, SAN and the NBA Constitution was amended during his tenure to accommodate SBL. When Chief Bayo Ojo came in as the NBA President, he liked the idea; he eventually perfected the arrangement and we have not only the Section on Business Law (SBL) but also Section on Legal Practice (SLP). You know today that since then SBL has been an exceptional section of the Bar. What government policy changes and practice do you expect in the first quarter of 2016?

I don’t know about any policy changes but we all know that transition is not easy espe- cially with a change from party to another.

The only way you can look at is

Mr. George Etomi promises. In the past ministers were not appointed but now ministers have been named and as they settle, we will see clear directions of the gov- ernment policies. Of course, the only thing is that they should have been named earlier.

How will you react to inconsistencies in the policies of Federal Government?

Generally, there is nothing new in the government policies. A new administration can clothe an existing policy in new cloth for example; look at the BVN issue in banks; it has always been there during the Jonathan administration. Most of what we will be seeing is giving teeth to existing policies al- though there may be radical departure on some poli-

cies.

How will you react to the proposed re-introduction of tollgates in the coun- try?

Policy changes can take place within the same political context. The question should be asked fundamentally, should government have cancelled the old toll gates in the first instance? In developed countries where they have the will power, they have these toll-gates and they used the proceeds from the toll-gates to develop their economies.

How will you react to the proposal that workers should choose between re- duction in the work force and reduction in salaries?

You must have heard about zero

EFCC handling of graft cases —Lawyers react Continues from page 32 allegedly looted billions of dollars with a neatly empty purse? Let us not forget what the former EFCC Chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri said, ‘ when you fight corruption, corruption will surely fight you back. I am not against media trial. Sometimes it is better to name and shame perceived corrupt persons to serve as a deterrent to prospective ones,” he added.

The legal practitioners called on the anti-graft agencies in the country to properly investigate corruption cases before rushing suspects to court.

A Law Lecturer at LASU, Dr Gbenga Ojo, pointed out that the fight against corruption by this government was a welcome development.

EDITORIAL TEAM Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor) 08056180119 dayobenson@yahoo.com

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“There is no doubt that President Buhari has the pedigree for fighting corruption. At least as a military head of state, he has demonstrated this clearly without bias or party affiliation. Then the fight against corruption was total and cut across the board. All politicians irrespective of their party’s affiliation were affected.

Now, under this dispensation, it is a totally different ball game. He is now the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a political affiliation. He is President on the ticket of All Progressives Party {APC}.

“This is the first impediment in the fight against corruption. It becomes more complex, that APC is an affiliation of different political parties inclusive of some PDP members that joined the

APC. We wait to see whether the President Buhari will have the courage to apply the “big stick” against corrupt politicians in his party.

Of course, we can refer to the case of the Senate President and the “trial” before CCT as example of fighting corruption across the board irrespective of party affiliation. But this is not taken seriously. Why did the government wait until Dr Saraki outsmarted some APC members in the quest for leadership of the Senate, before his wife suddenly became a suspect and interrogated by the EFCC and the husband arraigned before CCT. “Why did they not arraign him when he joined APC from PDP?.

Why did they not arraign him, when he delivered Kwara and

part of Kogi State to APC?. Why did they not arraign him after serving two terms of eight years as the Governor of Kwara State?.

There are so many ways that his arraignment is not devoid of politics and show of power by this government.

“It is very important that in his fight against corruption, all politicians irrespective of the political party must be disciplined.

Selective prosecution of members of PDP alone will put a dent on the fight against corruption. So far this appears to be the case.

We are waiting for the day that some of the “big wigs” in APC will be arrested and prosecuted on account of corruption except the government is saying that all members of his party- ACN, CPC, APGA and ANPP.

budget- ing. The game changer is that monolithic source of revenue for the government has gone. For instance, one can ask, do we need 36 states in the country? I can say we don’t need this figure because some of these states are not developing.

Previous governments created states not based on equality. They ap- plied the wrong parameters to create states and so when you applied the wrong prin- ciples, wrong policy implications are bound to follow. We have to look beyond the oil and explore other sectors of the economy.

What do you consider to be the role of regulators?

The starting point is this, if you want to grow the private sector, government should determine policies and come out with policy statements.

Policy statements To drive that policies look for regulators that will effectively carry out the task of driving the policies. The telecommu- nications is a success story. The fundamental between power and telecoms’ is that telecoms’ is growing and we are trying to reform power. In power, you are inheriting a sector that was allowed to decay over the years; this is unlike telecoms’.

The right thing is to de- regulate and that is what they are doing. To address this issue of power you have to deal with the existing infrastructure, the long years of decay, huge number of workers and so on. In effect, the pace of reform in power has been slower than expected.

34 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

LG DEMOCRACY:

Fayose’s steps in Ekiti THE constitutional guarantee of democracy at the local governments that is largely disregarded in many states takes breath in Ekiti

By Rotimi Ojomoyela PDP in lone horse race HE People Democratic Party, in an election that could be described as one horse race, swept the polls in all the sixteen local government areas and 177 wards across the state.

Aside PDP, other political parties that participated in the polls were KOWA, African People Alliance, United Peoples Party and Peoples Party of Nigeria.

The major opposition to the ruling PDP in the state, the All Progressives Congress, APC, however, boycotted the election inevitably turning the contests into a one horse race.

Problematic SIEC and APC boycott The APC cited what it described as the lack of independence of the SIEC as its reason for boycotting the election.

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Boycotting the election The party alleged that the Justice Kayode Bamisile-led SIEC was populated with cardcarrying members of the PDP and had indeed approached the court, seeking the removal of the chairman and two other members of the SIEC. The move was, however, dismissed by the state High Court on Monday, 14th December upon what was cited as lack of evidence. Sulking the APC insisted on boycotting the election that weekend.

Remarkably, despite claims by the SIEC that five parties would participate in the election, there was no sign that the other five political parties participated in the election, as none of their agents were sighted in all the polling units Vanguard visited.

Even more, the election was characterised by much apathy giving credence to the argument of political pundits that the election would be a one horse race.

To Fayose, LG polls was promise kept: But that was not much of a problem for the state governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose who described the

•Awe: Ekiti APC faults LG polls election as a promise kept especially given the lack of a local government election in the last six years.

Fayose said he was glad that he was the first governor in the South-West geo-political zone to conduct local government election in the last few years as he flayed at the continued use of caretaker committees to run local governments.

“It is an electoral promise by my administration and we have fulfilled the promise.

Today, we stand out as the state that has conducted local government election. We did not expect the unpopular All

Fayose said he was glad that he was the first governor in the South-West geopolitical zone to conduct local government election in the last few years

•Fayose: Lead his party to victory Progressives Congress to take part in the election.

APC complaints and resentment The APC on its part, however, accused Governor Fayose of squandering N300m on what it described as a sham election even as the party commended voters for boycotting the election. It said the people behaved honourably for staying away from the election boycotted by all political parties except the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The party through its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said the widespread apathy observed across the state was evidence that Ekiti people had rejected Governor Ayodele Fayose and his PDP. The party described the exercise as a mockery of democratic election, saying an election with a single party participating while also raising PDP members to pose as candidates of obscure parties would never pass the test of representative poll.

Neutral view The shortcomings nonetheless, political pundits were quick to point out the importance of having elections

at the grassroots as provided for by the constitution.

Local governments in Ekiti State are enjoying the benefit of democratic structures for the third time. The first local government election in the state was conducted by the Niyi Adebayo administration and the second by the Segun Oni administration in 2008 before the latest last weekend.

Those elected in 2008 were forced out in 2010, when Dr. Kayode Fayemi emerged as governor of the state and were replaced by caretaker committees.

Caretaker committees Efforts by the Fayemi administration to conduct elections into the councils which began with the reconstitution of the SIEC in 2012 were thwarted by the PDP when it successfully contested the government’s action in court and hence, throughout his tenure, caretaker arrangement was put in place at the 16 local governments.

Justification for LG elections: Speaking with Vanguard, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Lanre

Ogunsuyi stated that l o c a l government elections are important for the health of democracy in any country.

T h e s e elections e n a b l e ordinary citizens to b e c o m e responsible for the financial and administrative affairs of their areas.

“By taking important posts and responsibilities, people feel that they are an integral part of the system, so their stake in the system increases so also their trust and confidence. “ L o c a l government elections are important for backward and underdeveloped areas of Ekiti States. If t h e s e elections are h e l d regularly, people from remote areas will not have to come to the large cities, like Ikole, Oye , Omuo or Ijero, to furnish complaints in government offices because the problemsolving machinery will be available in their own local government areas.

Surprise in the real sense “It’s not a surprise in the real sense that Governor Fayose conducted a hitch free, riot or thuggery free election. Its in the fundamental DNA of PDP in Nigeria to bring governance closer to the remotest parts of the Ekiti state.

“Fayose kept his promise, and we are living proof to a successful, hilarious and glorious local government election which took place on the 19th day of December 2015 in all the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State.

“As ill luck would have it, the previous AD, ACN, APC, governments dragged their feet on the holding of local government polls despite the agitation for such elections by the people at the grass roots.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015—35

By Emmanuel Aziken

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HAT has life taught you at fifty?

God’s goodness and mercy upon my life, when I look back at my background and where I am now, I believe life has taught me to believe destiny that whatever God says is final.

What stirred your consciousness into a life of activism especially on behalf of the Ijaw nation?

I was a staff of Vanguard Newspaper during the June 12 struggle. I took leave for the June 12 struggle because I felt if a powerful tribe like the Yoruba could be humiliated by one man (Babangida) it meant that NigerDeltans were regarded as second class citizens despite the fact that our oil was used to feed this nation and that we cannot make it in this country.

So I left and formed the NonIndigenes for the Actualization of June 12, mobilizing nonindigenes in the riverine areas in Lagos to join the demonstration across Lagos. We joined others to confront the security agents frustrating the crowd of demonstrators and mobilized our people to attend all rallies. The government of that time tried to turn June 12 to Yoruba struggle but I felt it was a national struggle.

What would you describe as the hallmark of your agitation on behalf of the Ijaws?

My struggle is for the whole Niger Delta. For example I went to court during the military era to stop the dredging of River Niger without Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) through my lawyer Femi Falana.

Environmental anarchy That struggle against River Niger Delta dredging was meant to save the whole Niger Delta from environmental anarchy.

We are aware of oil pollution and other environmental hazard cause by the oil companies and the struggle against that evil led to the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other patriotic Ogonis, so I felt the hanging of Ken will not put fear into me so I challenged the dredging exercise, the whole Niger Delta supported me and the court frustrated the dredging.

That was great and the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan as President in my life time was also a great achievement during our struggle. I thank God I was part of the struggle that Niger Delta need to be recognized and it happened. I am also happy that Niger Delta is now a reference point in world affairs, my consistency in the media has proved that the pen is mightier than the sword.

Do you feel fulfilled in your agitation?

Yes, very fulfilled.

How would you describe the year 2015 for the Ijaw nation?

•Evah: My struggle is for the whole Niger Delta

My life at 50 — EVAH Ahead of his 50th anniversary today, Comrade Joe Evah, National Coordinator of the Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, fielded questions from Vanguard on the lessons and lesions of life at 50. Evah, a former journalist, spokesman of the Ijaw National Congress, INC also spoke on other issues of national concern. Excerpts: The Niger Delta region is calm, the former President, our son has done his best, we are proud of him. It is not easy because the manner he climbed the ladder to get to the presidency is a miracle and he performed well under the circumstance he found himself.

He is back to the region and the struggle continues.

What is your reaction to the allegations of fraud levelled against officials of the Goodluck Jonathan administration?

We have a new government so the happenings are not strange.

I thank God I was part of the struggle that Niger Delta need to be recognized and it happened.

I am also happy that Niger Delta is now a reference point in world affairs

It is, however, good that we are not under military rule so all matters in court should follow due process. I was not happy with the manner security agents bundled the former NIMASSA boss into a waiting bus. This was shown live on television. You know I was against the manner the former I.G of Police was treated this way by EFCC officials. For God’s sake the former I.G was your boss! So why giving him that type of treatment?

For God’s sake the NIMASSA Boss was leading one of the leading agencies of government just few months ago and he did not runaway when he left the office so why treating him like a war victim? Nobody is against trial of the former NIMASSA boss but the television show is not necessary.

From your own personal perception of President Jonathan do you think he was incapable as alleged or betrayed?

Goodluck Jonathan was not supposed to be a politician especially in Nigeria. I think he was born a Reverend Father or a priest. He is supposed to be a vicar or monk in the monastery.

He is supposed to be a bishop

and work in the Lord’s vineyard.

He was meant to be a Pastor or General Overseer.

I think Jonathan missed road by joining politics. Politicians after studying him decided to mob him with lies and blackmail to have their way. Unfortunately as president he didn’t want to offend people and wanted to please the world.

However, my leader Jonathan has not read the portion of the bible where Jesus Christ flogged people who were buying and selling in the temple.

Are you comfortable with the new administration’s inclination towards the amnesty programme?

We thank the President for retaining the programme. We thank him for keeping the Ministry of Niger Delta a l i v e a l s o .

While we salute the President f o r appointing a capable hand to handle t h e amnesty program.

We want t h e President to give financial muscle to t h e programme, we are n o t

happy with the way the Presidency slashed the budget for the amnesty. The 2016 budget for the amnesty program is not enough and we know that as a listening president, he will adjust the budget and increase the amount allocated to the program.

We are asking the government to create jobs for those that are idle after completing their training.

On a personal note, have you if possible, overcome the personal loses you suffered not too long ago?

It was two years ago I lost my immediate younger brother and my son, it was big blow. That is the reason I am not celebrating my 50th birthday. My younger brother was like having a million brothers around you and he vanished just like that. It is still like a dream.

But if you read the life of other people, you just clap hands and give glory to God. When I read the story of Bishop Mike Okonkwo of TREM how he lost his younger brother a great star in his family just like that and how he lost his daughter on Xmas eve and today Bishop Okonkwo is still doing great things for God, who am I? What is your outlook as you join the Golden Club?

I thank God and I will continue with my activities for my people.

It is their prayers that brought me this far. The struggle continues.

Many people believe I am above 50 years. From child hood days I played the role of elder, so people see me always doing things meant for elders. All my people at Ajegunle know how we were wearing pants to roam the canals fishing in the 1970s. It is a privilege to come to this age.

A final word?

I wish to thank all my admirers and followers, their prayers keep me moving. There is no doubt that my struggle has opened doors for me. Anywhere I go, Nigerians appreciate me, especially my Niger Delta people. I also want to thank the media for the support.

36—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

Ayade lights up Calabar, pledges to eradicate unemployment

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ROSS River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has pledged to reduce to the barest minimum, the scourge of unemployment in the state by the end of his first tenure in office.

Ayade, at the City Lighting event at the Millennium Park, Calabar, to herald activities in this year's Calabar Festival, reiterated his resolve to ensure that only policies which would create jobs for the people were formulated by his administration with a promise that no Cross Riverian, willing to work, will be unemployed at the end of his tenure.

He said: “Today, we the great people of Cross River State have reasons to come together and celebrate our annual festival.

Today marks a turning point in the philosophical theory of the people of Cross River State. We are redesigning our philosophy and concept to create a new horizon of opportunity for young people. Young people who by no fault of theirs, are facing challenges in their own time. As a young man who grew from those challenges and now on the saddle of leadership, I want to commit and challenge every Cross Riverian that the new theory behind the carnival this time is that we want to return power to the youths.

“We want young men and women to have opportunities and so switching on these lights today is a luminescence of the celestial path to the future and prosperity of the young people. We make commitment, for those who do not know the theory, that no matter how challenging this may be, just understand the fact that this state

has to grow. I make it very clear today, that my government is focused on the poor because that is my heritage, that is my background. “ On the new philosophy that underpins his administration, he said: “As sophisticated as this carnival looks, there is a simplicity that I am bringing into it, bringing

it back to nature, climate change as our new focus. I will create jobs for all the young men and women. That is why I am focusing on the green police, the green carnival and the climate marshals. As far as I know, by the end of my tenure, no young man who is a Cross Riverian will be unemployed.”

CHRISTMAS CAROL: From left: Senator Godswill Akpabio; Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State and Mr. Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom State, at the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carol Festival 2015.

Delta Ijaw elders order INC factions to stop functioning

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—THE Council of Ijaw Elders in Delta State, also known as Izon Okosu-Otu, has warned factions of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, to stop functioning, describing the division rocking the body as an embarrassment to the Ijaw nation.

In a statement by its Chairman, Chief Bare Etolor, following the split in the apex Ijaw leadership organ, the Delta Ijaw elders stressed that it was not in the best interest of the ethnic group for any of its sons invited by anti-graft agencies not to honour same.

Etolor stated: “It is the first time in the annals of the INC for the body to operate under two factions. The media utterances by both sides are disgraceful to the Ijaw nation.

Both factions should cease to represent Ijaw in any form whatsoever and those parading themselves as INC leaders should desist forthwith.

“We call on Ijaw traditional rulers to intervene and resolve the issues in INC. We believe that the conflict is deteriorating for want of elderly intervention and the entire Ijaw nation is affected C M Y K

by the shame that is brewing.”

On the current anti-graft agencies offensives against some Ijaw leaders, the Izon

Okosu-Otu noted, “Our sons and daughters are not the only ones invited by the anticorruption agencies. Anyone

invited should graciously turn up to prove his innocence. Nobody is bigger than government.”

Immigration repatriates 712 illegal immigrants in Delta

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—DELTA State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service, said it has captured and repatriated 712 illegal immigrants in the state to their respective countries.

The command in a statement by its Comptroller, Mr Madu Musa said; “In our effort to control the influx of irregular immigrants into Delta State, we have embarked on this mop-up exercise across the length and breathe of the state to remove undocumented immigrants, this is a routine operation.

“As expected in an exercise of this nature, thousands of persons were apprehended, but after thorough screening, Nigerians and other legally resident foreigners were released, while 712 persons, (so far) have been confirmed as irregular immigrants (mainly of West African extraction) have been

repatriated.”

Noting in the statement that it was an on-going exercise, Musa said; “We shall continue so far as there are logistics

support. The government of Delta State has greatly assisted the command with logistics support for this operation.”

NDDC inaugurates roads in A-Ibom community

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO—THE Niger Delta D e v e l o p m e n t Commission, NDDC, has inaugurated road projects in Uquo Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The 28.6km road, which was inaugurated by the former NDDC Managing Director, Mr. Dan Abia, was said to have been awarded by the commission in 2011 to JCC Construction Limited.

A statement by the commission’s media aide, Mr. Nsikan Usoro, in Uyo, said that the road links 10 communities

which include Odoto Nkit, Ntak Inyang, and Afaha Ekpenedi.

Abia said the NDDC undertook the project as part of a deliberate policy to open up and link communities in the area for development.

The commission also inaugurated Idung Atang Edem Road leading to Idung Ekpene community also in Esit Eket.

Abia urged contractors executing all NDDC projects across the Niger Delta to be sincere and committed to their duties by delivering projects according to specifications and agreed terms.

I remain UPU PresidentGeneral —Omene

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HIEF Joe Omene, President General of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, the umbrella body of the Urhobo nation at home and in Diaspora, has said that he remains the PresidentGeneral of the body and that his executive committee remains intact and validly in office.

Citing sections of the constitution of UPU to back his claim, Chief Omene insisted, yesterday, that he and his executive members were elected into office at the general congress of UPU and that they could only be removed from office at the general congress.

He said: “The conditions for the dissolution of any UPU executive committee are expressly stated in the UPU constitution, which states that only the President-General can convene a general congress of UPU,” adding that the President-General and the General Secretary must be in the general congress before it can be a valid congress.

“I did not convene the said meeting where my exco was allegedly dissolved. The General Secretary and I were not in that meeting. As such, it was not a valid meeting."

Oshiomhole deserves encouragement, not vilification —Mayaki

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By Stephen Mmadukwem

HIEFTAINS of Edo State All Progressives Congress, APC, have been urged to rally round Governor Adams Oshiomhole in his effort to leave lasting legacies in the state rather than stay aloof or join the opposition to vilify him.

A Senior Special Assistant, SSA, on Media, to the governor, Mr. John Mayaki, in a statement yesterday said: “In the past seven years, there are some members of this party who have not granted interviews to media houses or issued a statement to appreciate, encourage and support the governor for the developmental projects he executes.

"Those criticizing the governor today are those who have benefitted from his benevolence but have nothing to put on the table either for the development of the state or the party. Oshiomhole paid (December) salaries on the 21, but we didn’t see any of these people appreciating him."

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38—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

2016: Ugwuanyi presents N85.1bn budget

Xmas: ICAN Ebonyi district celebrates with less privileged

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, yesterday, presented a budget proposal of N85.1 billion for the 2016 fiscal year before the Enugu State House of Assembly with a vow to tackle unemployment through aggressive investment in the agricultural sector.

Tagged, 'Budget of Stability and

...donates to church

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI— CONTRARY to the perception that accountants find it difficult to give to the less privileged, members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, Ebonyi State district celebrated their end of the year with occupants of destitute homes in the state.

Welfare packages such as rice, detergent, among others, including an undisclosed sum of money were donated to the occupants of the home even as they gave 24 bags of cement to Apostolic Church Abakaliki as part of their contribution to the development of the church.

Also, as part of the event marking the exercise at Staff Development Centre, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, who emphasized on the theme of the 2015 annual lecture 'The Challenge of Public Accountability in Nigeria, is IPSAS the Solution,' noted that public accountability was the hallmark of good governance and, therefore, should be maintained.

He explained that Nigeria was facing a financial crisis due to the recklessness in the management of crude oil account by the previous administrations, and opined that Nigerian government should be transparent and accountable, in order to change the financial plight of the citizenry.

Consolidation,' Ugwuanyi had, while presenting the budget, elucidated the achievements of his administration in the past six months in the area of road reconstructions to include, Abakpa-Nike Road and Nike Lake Road in Enugu East Local Government Area, dualisation of Opi – Nsukka Road in Nsukka Local Government Area, Amankwo – Amaeke – Amah Brewery Junction By-Pass Road in Udi Local Government Area, 9th

Mile By-Pass Road, OhomOrba Junction – ImilikeAni – EzimoUnu – EzimoAgu – ImilikeAgu – Ogbodu Aba – ObolloEtiti – Amalla – ObolloAfor Road (Udenu Ring Road) in Udenu Local government Area, among others.

He assured that government was committed to employment generation, enhanced social services and good governance, rural development and indeed, security and justice as evidenced in the 2016 budget.

A-Court bars PDP, Ekwunife from Anambra Central senatorial re-run

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—SENATOR Uche Ekwunife, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the March 28, Anambra Central senatorial election may not be qualified to participate in the re-run election ordered by the Enugu Appeal panel which nullified her election.

From the full text of the certified true copy of the Appeal Court obtained in Enugu, yesterday, the appellate court held that the 11th respondent (Ekwunife) “was not

the product of a valid primary and was therefore, not duly and legitimately nominated.

“That has disqualified her from contesting the election into the Anambra Central district.”

The court cited Supreme Court ruling on Wambai Vs Donatus (2014) that “a person cannot be qualified to be a candidate of a party except and unless he is nominated and sponsored by a political party.”

The court held that neither Ekwunife nor the PDP led evidence to prove that there was

a primary and those who participated in such a primary where Ekwunife was elected.

Chairman of the appeal panel Justice A.D. Yahaya, who read the judgment said: “After an election, if a person wishes to challenge the result of the election on ground of nomination/preelection matter, he can legally do so before a tribunal under Section 138 (1) (a) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended and it is wrong to hold that an election tribunal does not have jurisdiction to hear and determine such a matter."

APGA mobilizes support for Umeh for March 2016 fresh senatorial poll Democratic Party, PDP, candidate

By Enyim Enyim

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NITSHA—THE All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has started intensive mobilization for support for its candidate, Chief Victor

Umeh in the rescheduled March 2016 fresh senatorial election for Anambra Central senatorial zone.

The occasion was a political summit tagged, ’Anambra Central senatorial zone for Chief Umeh,' convened by the Assistant National Secretary of APGA,

Prince Chukwuma Ojukwu at Awka – Etiti, aimed at educating the voters and stakeholders on why Umeh should be given the mandate in the scheduled election.

This followed alleged media attack on Umeh by the Peoples

Okowa ’ll soon carry us along, Diden assures supporters

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SABA—A cheiftian of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, and President of Delta PDP Crusaders, Mr. Suru Diden, has assured members of the group that the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa would carry them along by way of appointments and

empowerment in line with his SMART agenda.

It will be recalled that there had been concerns as to why Diden, despite what was generally acclaimed as his support for Okowa’s governorship ambition, was yet to be rewarded.

Addressing newsmen, at the

venue of the wedding ceremony of Okowa’s daughter in Agbor, Diden urged his loyalists not to be perturbed.

He said: “The Okowa we all know, being a father to all, who never abandons any of his children, will surely carry us along soonest.”

n fact, death sentence will not be appropriate, let alone jail sentence. Despite death sentence in China and other Asian countries, people still steal public funds en masse. The most appropriate solution is just prayer. -Miss Amamchi Okoji, Worker C M Y K

in the election, Senator Uche Ekwunife.

Speaking on the occasion, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Mobilization, Chief Tony Uche, said, the summit was put together to further reject the victory robbed APGA by the PDP, and given to Senator Ekwunife in the senatorial poll.

“We are here today because we do not accept the last result of the senatorial election conducted in Anambra Central in which the PDP candidate was declared winner, when it was obvious that our candidate, Chief Umeh, won the election overwhelmingly,” Uche said.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

I

Ugwuanyi said: “The main thrust of the 2016 budget is in line with my pledge in my inaugural speech on May 29, this year where I recommitted myself to employment generation, enhanced social services and good governance, rural development and indeed, security and justice.

“We will deploy government services to create fair and equal opportunity for every willing citizen to make a living and create wealth, educate our children, and enjoy life in a peaceful and secure environment.

We will drive with full force, the investment promotion, agricultural sector renewal, provision of critical infrastructure, human capital development and skill acquisition.

“Considering the present macro-economic climate and other prevailing variables, I hereby present to you our year 2016 budget of N85.179 billion.

"This is lower than the 2015 budget of N96.735 billion by N11.555 billion, a decrease of 12 per cent. The decrease was necessitated by the realities of the times with respect to revenue inflow from federal allocation.”

On President Buhari’s fight against corruption

P

MB is doing a great job.

As a Nigerian we all have a duty to support the government uncondionally in the fight against corruption. Corruption is worse than Boko, because corruption is the mother of terrorism, kidnapping, among others. Mr Nonso Azudiefe, Businessman

T

he only law that we need in Nigeria is the one that will make the punishment of corruption so severe, that the hands of those that are ever convicted of looting the treasury will be cut off. -Mr. Jaiyeola Timmy, Freight Forwarder

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thought what we are supposed to experience now is the positive impact on the way we are to fight or curb high-profile corruption, particularly in the aspect of looting public treasury. Severe punishment is what is needed. Miss Constance Nduba, Model

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ven if we should jail or kill looters, this will never stop high profile looting in Nigeria. But if we should disgrace them and their family by chasing them away, and sell all their property, then it will reduce drastically. -Mr. Martins Onuigbo, Self Employed

I

think we need to first reform our prison, then we begin to recover the stolen funds. I do not think cutting their hand is better, because we will end up having more Almajiris/beggars in the country. -Miss Regina Osakwe, Worker

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40—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

XMAS CAROL: From left: Former Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, Mrs. Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, Pastor Florence Alao-Akala, Mrs Olamide Alabi and Mr Layode Alabi, during the Akala 2015 interdenominational Chrismas Carol and Nine Lessons, at Opadoyin Alao-Akala compound, Rounda, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

OPENING: From left: Director, Retail Sales, Etisalat Nigeria, Lou Odunuga, Elegbe of Egbeland, Oba Ashimiyu Dada, Head, Retail Strategy, Roll Out and Operations, Etisalat Nigeria, Anthony Iloh, and Business Partner, Etisalat Experience Centre, Ikotun, Nze Chidi Duru, at the official opening of Etisalat Experience Centre in Ikotun, Lagos.

HANDOVER: From right: Pastor Moses Adeyi of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Emmanuel Area, Lagos Province 37, representative of the pastor in charge of province 37, Pastor Gabriel Opeyemi, Education Secretary, Alimosho local government education area, Honourable Airat Alamu, Head of School Services, mobilization, Mrs. Modupeola Opadoyin, Head Teacher, Community Nursery and Primary School, Baruwa Ipaja, Mrs. Titilayo Ojo during the official commissioning and handing over of corporate social responsibility projects by RCCG, Lagos Province 37 to Community Nursery and Primary School, Baruwa Ipaja, Lagos.

VISIT: From left: Assistant Brand Manager, Cussons Baby, Tobi Adetunji, Head of Category & Channel Marketing, Jimi Taiwo, Category Manager, Mildred Bagshaw, one of the judges, Jude Abaga (MI), Brand Manager, Family Care, Oluwaseun Ayeni, another judge, Waje Iruobe and Category Manager, Family Care, Faith Okoli, during the visit of Cussons Baby Moments Grow and Shine judges to the PZ Cussons headquaters in Lagos.

XMAS PARTY: Directors of Nigerian Breweries Plc at the company’s 2015 Christmas Party in Lagos.

COMMISSIONING: President of Ghana, Dr. John Mahama (right) and Chief Executive, Institute for Government Research Leadership Technology, Ambassador Moses Essien, during the commissioning of the Kasapreko Company Ltd's production line facility in Accra, Ghana.

ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE: New Imo State Liaison Officer in Lagos, Steve Asimobi (left) with the outgoing Liaison Officer, Mr. Alfred Ononugbo, during assumption of office, Tuesday, in Lagos.

AGM: From left: Mr Kola Awokoya, Managing Director, Metrohealth, Ambassador Abdullahi Attah, Chairman, and Dr. Dapo Majekodunmi, Director, at the Annual General Meeting of MetroHealth in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe.

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015—45

Muslims, we have to critically review our understanding of Islam

Christmas: The Word became flesh/a book? some reflections

By Josiah Idowu-Fearon

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HRISTMAS is a time of celebration, a time Christians concentrate on God’s greatest and best gift to all humanity. Though there are certain Christian groups who question the time of the year the celebration holds, hardly are there any that question the reason for this unique event in the history of humanity. This article is written to draw the attention of Christians and Muslims in light of the crises facing the entire world today to a common and unique event in both religions. It is hoped that it will open up another forum for Scriptural Reading that may lead to an encouraging and some serious discussions leading to an increasing reduction of the level of hatred and bitterness that have continued to decimate our populations and stifle development in many parts of our world. It is hoped that all who may take the time to read this piece will join hands with well-informed Christians and Muslims of all doctrinal and theological positions to promote the culture of respect and positive tolerance where they live.

The Christmas story as told in the Bible and the Qur’an: The Christmas story appears only in the synoptic Gospels of Matthew (Matt.1:18-24) and Luke (1:26-38) without contradictions. Together, they provide a more complete family tree for Jesus both on his legal father’s side and on his biological mother’s side. Both were descendants of King David (Matt.1:1-17; Lk.3: 23-38). The story of the birth of Jesus begins in the gospel of Luke with God sending the archangel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel said to her that she had found favour with God and that she would become pregnant and give birth to a child. She was told to call him Jesus, and that he would be great and inherit the throne of David.

Astonished and confused, Mary said, “How will this be since I am a virgin?” The angel said, “The Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” In other words, she would become pregnant by the power of God, the Holy Spirit.

The version in the Gospel of Matthew is different. The angel of God, who remains unnamed in this version, appears to What is Joseph rather than Mary. Both Joseph clear in all and Mary were three already engaged; he knew that she was versions of pregnant and that he the story, was not the father of though, is the child. This is an e m b a r r a s s i n g that this baby situation in any was culture, but especially so in the Middle conceived not East, in ancient times in the normal as today. So what was Joseph to do? way of The angel told him intercourse that the baby was conceived by the with a man

By Fethullah Gülen

W

power of the Holy Spirit, as foretold by the prophet Isaiah, and that he should go ahead with the wedding. Joseph agreed. But going back to the Gospel of Luke, Mary hurriedly travelled to the small town of Ain Karem to visit her cousin Elizabeth. She allegedly went to assist her cousin in childbirth, as she too, was pregnant- with John the Baptist. Luke tells us that Mary and Joseph were engaged to be married when they travelled to Bethlehem where Jesus was born (Luke 1:27 ).

The Qur’an is the third scriptural source of the Christmas story. Like the synoptic gospels do for each other, the story as told in the Qur’an complements the two gospel accounts and adds interesting details and insights. We should not expect the Qur’an to give as much space to the story of Jesus as does the gospels, not because Jesus (Isa’) is less important to Muslims, but rather because the gospels have already told the story. The Qur’an echoes some details of the story in confirmation, and adds other details. “It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the criterion (of judgment between right and wrong).Q.3:3)

Interesting details and insights The Qur’an, like the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, tells the story of the annunciation in sura 19:16-22 .

As in the Gospel of Matthew, the angel remains unnamed, although Muslim tradition assumes that it is Gabriel. Q 21:91 and Q. 66:12 both say, “We breathed into her of Our Spirit [Ruh]”. Following the Gospel of Luke rather than Mathew, the angel appears to Mary, rather than to Joseph. Joseph does not appear in the Christmas story at all in the Qur’an.

What is clear in all three versions of the story, though, is that this baby was conceived not in the normal way of intercourse with a man but through the intercession of God through the Holy Spirit in Christianity or “Our Spirit” (Ruhina) in Islam. All three scriptural accounts agree on this. Indeed, the Qur’an is so emphatic about Mary guarding her chastity that it says: “It is not befitting to (the majesty of) God that he should beget a son.

Glory be to Him! When He determines a matter, He only says to it ‘Be’ and it is”(Q.19:35). This is interpreted by many Muslim scholars as an emphatic denial that God had intercourse with Mary in order for her to conceive this special child.

To be continued tomorrow

ORDS fall short to truly express my deep sadness and revolt in the face of the carnage perpetrated by terrorist grou ps such as the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

I share profound frustration with a billion-and-a-half Muslims around the world at the fact that such groups commit terrorism while dressing up their perverted ideologies as religion.

We Muslims have a special responsibility to not only join hands with fellow human beings to save our world from the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism, but also to help repair the tarnished image of our faith.

It is easy to proclaim a certain identity in the abstract with words and symbols. The sincerity of such claims, however, can only be measured by comparing our actions with the core values of our self-proclaimed identities.

The true test of belief is not slogans or dressing up in a certain way; the true test of our beliefs is in living up to core principles shared by all major world faiths such as upholding the sanctity of life and respecting the dignity of all humans.

We must categorically condemn the ideology propagated by terrorists and instead promote a pluralistic mindset with clarity and confidence. After all, before our ethnic, national or religious identity comes our common humanity, which suffers a setback each time a barbaric act is committed. French citizens who lost their lives in Paris, Shiite Muslim Lebanese citizens who lost their lives in Beirut a day earlier and scores of Sunni Muslims in Iraq who lost their lives at the hands of the same terrorists are first and foremost human beings. Our civilization will not progress until we treat the suffering of humans regardless of their religious or ethnic identity as equally tragic in our empathy and respond with the s a m e determination.

Muslims must also reject and avoid conspiracy Our youth theories, which have so far only should be helped us avoid taught facing our social ways of problems. Instead, we must tackle the expressing real questions: Do support our communities p r o v i d e and dissent r e c r u i t m e n t within grounds for groups with democratic t o t a l i t a r i a n means mindsets due to unrecognized authoritarianism within ourselves,

domestic physical abuse, neglect of youth and lack of balanced education?

Did our failure to establish basic human rights and freedoms, supremacy of the rule of law and pluralist mindsets in our communities lead those who are struggling to seek alternative paths?

The recent tragedy in Paris is yet another reminder for both theologians and ordinary Muslims to strongly reject and condemn barbaric acts perpetrated in the name of our religion. However, at this juncture, rejection and condemnation are not enough; terrorist recruitment within Muslim communities must be fought and countered by an effective collaboration of state authorities, religious leaders and civil society actors. We must organize community-wide efforts to address all factors that aid terrorist recruitment.

Ways of expressing support and dissent within democratic means: We need to work with our community to set up the necessary framework for identifying at-risk youth, preventing them from seeking self-destructive paths, assisting families with counseling and other support services.

Counterterrorism measures We must promote a proactive, positive government engagement so that engaged Muslim citizens can sit at the table where counterterrorism measures are planned and share their ideas. Our youth should be taught ways of expressing support and dissent within democratic means. Incorporating democratic values into school curricula early on is crucial for inculcating a culture of democracy in young minds.

In the aftermath of such tragedies, historically strong reactions have surfaced. Anti-Muslim and antireligious sentiment as well as securitydriven treatment of Muslim citizens by governments would be counterproductive. The Muslim citizens of Europe want to live in peace and tranquility. Despite the negative climate, they should strive to engage more with their local and national governments to help work toward more inclusive policies that better integrate their community into the larger society.

It is also important for us Muslims to critically review our understanding and practice of Islam in light of the conditions and requirements of our age and the clarifications provided by our collective historic experiences. This does not mean a rupture from the cumulative Islamic tradition but rather, an intelligent questioning so we can confirm the true teachings of the Quran and the Prophetic tradition that our Muslim predecessors attempted to reveal.

It is possible, indeed absolutely necessary, to revive the spirit of freedom of thought that gave birth to a renaissance of Islam while staying true to the ethos of the religion. Only in such an atmosphere can Muslims effectively combat incivility and violent extremism.

In the aftermath of the recent events I am witnessing, with chagrin, the revival of the thesis of the clash of civilizations. I do not know whether those who first put out such a hypothesis did so out of vision or desire.

This article by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen was first published in Le Monde on Dec. 17, 2015.

46—Vanguard,THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

Edo State keys into contributory pension scheme

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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DO State has keyed into the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, to end the unfunded pension regime that had prevailed over this period and stem the incidences of fraud in pension payment.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of the state has announced the development while explaining how the state government uncovered fraud in pension administration in the state, recently.

Giving details of how the government planned to checkmate the issue of fraud in pensions administration in the state, said “ We have decided to take a number of measures. First, to immediately give effect to the new contributory pension fund which will put an end to the unfunded pension regime that had prevailed over this period. The House of Assembly has since amended the law, adjusted the rate of contribution to bring it in line with the practice at the Federal level and the trade unions, have all agreed on this scheme and we have all agreed that we should start the implementation immediately.

This of course will lead to additional cost burden on government but it is a burden that no government can run away from and we are ready to take it on board.”

Payment of pensions Lamenting the effect of the fraud, while some pensioners were unable to get their gratuities, others had two vouchers in their names and ordered the scrapping of the State Pensions Board .

The governor disclosed that in its stead, a Bureau would be created to oversee the payment of pensions, assuring that within two weeks of the development, Local Government pensioners would get paid as steps had been taken to ensure that henceforth, regardless of the amount of money accruing to Local Governments, they made provisions for the payment of local government pensioners.

Comrade Oshiomhole who already sent the State Head of Service, Mr. Jerry Obazele, and Permanent Secretary, Information and Communications Technology Agency, Mr. Dan Aigbavboa, on retirement and directed members of the State Pensions Board to report to the State Civil Service Commission for proper investigation and disciplinary action in accordance with the Civil

•Cross section of pensioners. Inset. Gov Oshiomhole Service Rules said: “Government is aware that quite a number of our senior citizens, particularly the ones who were in the employment of the Local Governments, covered by the Local Government Pensions Board, for some reasons have not received their pension for a couple of months. I need to make the point clear, because when I see their comments, it seems to state that the state government is responsible for the payment of their pensions. It is true that state government has some level of responsibility to supervise and watch over the conduct of local governments.

However, the local governments remain the 3rd tier of government and their roles and responsibilities are fully spelt out in the Constitution.

Government Pension Board for several months have not received their pensions. We have addressed this issue exhaustively and the Commissioner of Local Government has been directed to liaise with the AccountantGeneral of the State to ensure that henceforth, regardless of the amount of money accruing to Local Government, they must make provision for the payment of local government pensioners’ money. We must show respect to our senior citizens.

“So, over the next one or two weeks, I have had a conversation with the Local Government Chairmen, and we have agreed

First line charge “Since I assumed office, Edo State Government under my stewardship has never and will never interfere with the funds of local governments. However, following the recent sharp drop in the revenue accruing to the local governments from the federation account, many of our local governments found out that after providing for payment of teachers salary, which we consider first line charge, what they have left was hardly enough to meet their salary obligations.”

LG pensioners to get first line charge: According to the governor: “In the process, some of them are accumulating salary arrears. Of course, they also were not able to meet their pension obligations and as a result, the pensioners under the Local

My intention therefore to ensure that at least, a substantial number of people who were waiting for their gratuities got paid before my 7th year anniversary was dashed because the data which we need to effect payment had been compromised

that we will cause the ICT to assist them to clean up the Pensioners’ list to ensure that only genuine pensioners are paid. I am convinced that this intervention will ensure that never again will our pensioners find that they are not able to receive their pensions. So, I want to appeal to our pensioners to appreciate that no one derives any comfort in watching our pensioners, months on end without receiving pension. As a former President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, I believe the pensioner deserve his wage and Edo State Government will never do anything that will bring hardship to our senior citizens.”

Liquidating gratuities: Governor Oshiomhole said for those who were in the employment of Edo State Government, "I also recognize that we have had huge problems, particularly with the payment of gratuity.

Senior citizens As I am sure, people will recall, by the time I assumed office in November, 2008, we had people who had been dismissed in thousands by the previous PDP government that laid off thousands of workers including all the Permanent Secretaries in 1999 and even some that were laid off during military administration of Baba Nyam.

So, by the time I assumed office on November 12, 2008, some of our senior citizens who had retired from Edo State Civil Service for over a period of 10 years, 11 years, 12 years and some even 13 years had not

received their pensions. “" But like I have often said, my attitude has been that the responsibility of Government is to find solution, not to lament what has gone wrong and accordingly, we have put in place, a policy that enables us on a monthly basis to make provisions to liquidate these accumulated pension gratuities so that these pensioners can enjoy their gratuity here on earth. We have made some progress in this regard and the result is that we have paid off gratuities of pensioners who have turned up, up to 2010. I am concerned about the plight of pensioners and I am determined to do something about it.

How fraud was uncovered: Explaining how the fraud was uncovered, the governor said: "I encouraged the Head of Service to give me a clear view concerning what our liabilities are in regards to accumulated pension gratuities. I was given some numbers and my task is to find the resources to provide for these numbers.

However, in the course of trying to establish the details of what makes up these numbers, the names of the pensioners, their date of appointment, date of retirement, their salary at the point of retirement, the number of years of service which taken together are the basis for computation of gratuity, I discovered a huge gap between what the Head of Service had told me we owe and what they now generate for us to pay. “"Following some interrogations, the Pensions Board along with some officers in the Information and Communication Technology Agency had generated three versions of what our pension liabilities are. The result is that I had difficulty as to which of these versions to believe.

Versions to believe My intention therefore to ensure that at least, a substantial number of people who were waiting for their gratuities got paid before my 7th year anniversary was dashed because the data which we need to effect payment had been compromised."“He said "we have had to invite some seasoned external auditors to prepare afresh, look at the pension documents papers and prepare a fresh voucher to enable us address this issue of accumulated gratuity benefits.

Their intervention has been quite revealing. It shows that the Pension Board has been riddled with fraud. Cases have now been established in which one person has two vouchers, same date of birth, same first name, same surname, everything the same and two original vouchers for one pensioner.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015—47

The present generation of writers are less political ----E.C. Osondu,Caine Prize Winner E.C Osondu is a Nigerian-born author and US-based professor who earned a global literary reckoning when he won the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2009 for his short story, Waiting.

The multiple award winner shared his thoughts on African literature, his first novel and much more, when Vanguard Art encountered him in Abeokuta, Ogun State during this year’s Ake Arts and Book Festival. Excerpt.

By Prisca Sam-Duru

H

OW long have you been into writing?

I have been into writing for so many years, too many years to count. Even when I was in Nigeria I was already into the writing business. I was working as a copy writer in advertising but I was also a member of ANA Lagos chapter. I was involved in literary life in Lagos. I organised readings every first Saturday of the month. We read works and critiqued each other. So I was already a part of that community from early 80s till 2000.

The Caine Prize seems to have brought you to limelight, what was life before 2009?

By the time I won the Caine Prize, I was already a Professor of English in a US University. So, I was already set as far as being a professional was concerned.

Having said that, let me say that the Caine Prize is a unique prize in the sense that its not just the prize you win and get monetary compensation but a Prize that you win and it actually works towards giving you a literary career.

Literary career So, when you win the Prize you get literary agents who want to represent you, a publisher who is interested in publishing you.

They keep monitoring you because they are interested in your progress. Before I won the Caine Prize, I already had an agent, but winning the prize also opened many more doors.

I have won quite a few other prizes in the US. I have been shortlisted in quite a few other prizes and the impact is great.

What has been your experience teaching African literature outside the shores of Africa?

When you mention Africa, the first thing that comes to the mind of the average American is not literature, to that extent you are bringing something new. But African literature is very interesting, very broad and so even when you introduce it to them, you are introducing a whole new world.

You are introducing them to African women writers from Egypt, Senegal, like ‘So Long a Letter’, Buchi Emecheta. You are also introducing them to writers like Achebe, Ngugi, or you are introducing them to writers who

are talking about language or writers who are concerned with the struggles for racial justice, Apartheid in South Africa or to white writers like Nadine Godima from South Africa. So, its a whole new world, its not small. There is a sense of wonder and discovery on the part of some people that oh my God, so something like this actually exists. So they are

I think that every generation fashions out a literature based on their experience or literature based on the experience of those who preceded them

usually excited about it.

Why do you think that most writers are dealing with post colonial literature rather than precolonial literature?

I think that every generation fashions out a literature based on their experience or literature based on the experience of those who preceded them. So if you talk about precolonial that’s what Achebe did actually.

His writing is precolonial, that there was a society that existed before the whitemen came and there was a clash between this pre- existing culture and the one they found. I also think that the present generation of writers are a little less political.

You don’t feel compelled to be political in anyway. They don’t feel like literature is something you can use to talk about poli-

• E.C. Osondu, Caine Prize Winner tics, they are actually concerned space for a long time or that in with the self, which is not sur- Nigeria women have been prising. We also have a culture marginalised forever, these are like that in US and the west. The all painful truths. As a nation we younger generation of writers are are not ready to confront also writers who are fashioned it...people say we are not going by the social network. Facebook, to study history...government Instagram are all about me, me, also discourages the study of hisme, no larger questions about the tory. But no nation becomes great society. by ignoring its history but by conCould poor knowledge of his- fronting its past and forging a tory also be a factor? new society.

I think that there is a tendency Was that what you tried adto avoid history in Nigeria be- dressing in your first novel? cause its very freigthed, its very Well, I think that one of the heavy and very burdened. It car- things that informed This House ries so much and so there is this is not For Sale, is that I felt there tendency to avoid it, simply be- was a part of us that we are cause it will unearth certain pain- losing.Its like what happens in ful truths. Whether there is truth Lagos where the government about culture or tribalism or decides to demolish a house for whether about the fact that there some reasons. They demolish its is corruption on our political history, but there were people

Omenka gallery closes with Status and Time

By Japhet Alakam

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OVERS of art, art collec tors, promoters were treated to a special form of art as Omenka Gallery opened its last exhibition for the year tagged Status and Time, a joint exhibition of recent works by leading London-based designers Yinka Ilori and Jade Folawiyo.

The ongoing exhibition which is supported by the British Council, featured an installation of palm oil kegs, as well as a collection of intricate wall clocks referencing thought-provoking quotes on the theme of time and change.

Cultural differences The exhibition which opened on December 19, 2015 will run till January 9, 2016.

Inspired by Nigerians reaction to the reduction in oil price by President Buhari, Ilori’s clustered palm oil kegs represent the voice of the nation and emphasize the need for the Nigerian community to set aside cultural differences and work together to encourage socio-economic development. The flowers are a metaphor for the beauty that eventually blossoms from the efforts of Nigerians working together as a country rather than individuals.

• One of the works on display at the ongoing exhibition Yinka Ilori, whose work touches on themes as various as hope, sexuality and social class said, “My installation is about understanding that we have to work together as a country to move

Ilori's clustered palm oil kegs represent the voice of the nation and emphasize the need for the Nigerian community to walk together

forward… the palm oil bottles represent individuals and their struggles. The table is supported by the palm oil bottles and that’s we need to understand that Nigeria needs the support of the people in order for us to all shape and move Nigeria forward.”

Each of Jade Folawiyo’s clocks is individually designed with its own unique name and quote.

These design references are taken from Folawiyo’s Nigerian influences and her minimal design style, with a number of the clocks reflecting her ongoing interest in the beading work found on the musical instrument shekere.

“As we have welcomed the ar-

rival of a new government, there is a great expectation for there to be visible change as time progresses. Clocks are used as an object to measure the passing of time; in this instance these designed clocks are engraved with thought provoking quotes that make a commentary on this time for change,” Folawiyo added.

Both artists negotiate their cultural identities, becoming part of an intimate conversation between Africa and the West, their work forming an important trajectory in the discourse of contemporary design from Nigeria.

Yinka Ilori specializes in upcycling vintage furniture, inspired by the traditional Nigerian parables and African fabrics that surrounded him as child. He is interested in exploring the relationship between function and form and his work sits between traditional divisions of art and design. Bringing Nigerian verbal traditions into playful conversation with contemporary design.

Jade Folawiyo, a product designer also draws inspiration from her Nigerian heritage. She focuses on accessories for the home produced in ceramic, glass or metal, and has a key interest in working with local artisans and reinterpreting traditional techniques.

48 —VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

Somalia bans Christmas and New Year festivities

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Amnesty International slams Russia over Syria bombing

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USSIA’s air cam paign in Syria has killed hundreds of civilians and caused massive destruction in residential areas, according to a report released yesterday by Amnesty International.

The rights group claims the pattern of attacks “show evidence of violations of international law.” Russia has been engaged in a military campaign in Syria in support of embattled President Bashar al-Assad since September.

Moscow says its operation is aimed at defeating

“terrorist targets” there, but the United States claims the Russian airstrikes are targeting Syrian opposition forces rather than ISIS, which has taken control of large parts of the country.

The Amnesty report, entitled “Syria: Civilian Objects Were Not Damaged: Russia’s Statements in Syria Unmasked,” singles out six attacks it says took place in the Syrian cities of Homs, Idlib and Aleppo between September and November this year, which claimed the lives of at least 200 civilians and around a dozen Syrian rebel fighters.

The group also claimed Russia covered up damage to a mosque in one air strike, and a field hospital in another.

With an operating base at Hmeymim near Latakia in western Syria, Russia is able to launch as many as 80 sorties per day. And there’s some doubt among Western analysts about the accuracy of their targeting.

Peter Felstead, editor of Jane’s Defense Weekly, told CNN in October that “the air campaign has been effective, but in a typically Russian ‘sledgehammer’ manner.

OMALIA’s government has banned celebrations of Christmas and New Year in the Muslim majority country, saying the festivities might attract Islamist attacks.

“All events related to Christmas and New Year celebrations are contrary to Islamic culture, which could damage the faith of the Muslim community,” the director general of the religious affairs ministry told reporters on Tuesday.

Sheikh Mohamed Khayrow said security forces had been ordered to break up any such celebrations.

“There should be no activity at all,” he said.

Sheikh Nur Barud Gurhan, of the Supreme Religious Council of Somalia, said that non-Muslim festivities might provoke the

ire of the Shebab, East Africa’s Al-Qaeda branch, which is headquartered in Somalia.

“We are warning against the celebration of such events which are not relevant to the principles of our religion,” Gurhan added, saying it could provoke the Shebab “to carry out at-

tacks”. Last year Shebab militants launched a Christmas attack on Mogadishu airport that killed at least 12 people.

Somalia is the second Muslim majority country to ban Christmas this year, after Brunei announced a similar prohibition.

Suspected Boko Haram fighters launch three strikes on Lake Chad area

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USPECTED Boko Haram militants killed five people in an overnight raid in Niger in the third suspected attack by the group in less than 24 hours, security sources said yesterday.

The Islamist militants are mostly based in northeastern Nigeria but have become a major threat to wid-

er regional security by carrying out attacks in the lawless Lake Chad zone where the borders of Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria meet. In the most deadly of three attacks since Tuesday, militants killed two soldiers and three civilians in Niger’s southern border town of Abadam overnight, the sources said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015—49

Biafra: Judge hands-off Kanu's trial •Kanu alleges bias, declines to answer to fresh charges •Release Kanu now, engage agitators in dialogue, negotiation, CD tells FG •Umeh berates S’East NASS members over silence •150 pro-Biafra protesters drag FG to court

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri & Nwabueze Okonkwo

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USTICE AHMED Mohammed of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, withdrew from the trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

This was even as Kanu, who has been in detention since October 17, yesterday, declined to enter his plea to the fresh six-count charge that was preferred against him by the Federal Government.

Kanu is facing trial alongside two other pro-Biafra agitators, Benjamin Madubugwu and CONCERT: Glo subscribers, Mrs. Ifeoma Okolo and Dr. Ken Nwadike; musician, MC Galaxy, and another David Nwawuisi.

The trio were in the charge that subscriber, Mr. Dozie Okolo, at the Enugu edition of 'Glo Slide 'n' Bounce' concert, at the Golden Royale was signed by the Director of Hotel, Enugu, last Friday.

Public Prosecutions, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri, alleged to have yesterday, and for the formal confidence that the court would grant Obetta, urged the court to committed treasonable felony, an arraignment of the accused persons, him fair trial, saying he would rather ignore the DPP and accede offence said to be punishable under Kanu, sought the permission of the remain in detention than to be to the request of his client.

Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code trial judge to address the court.

Ruling on the issue, subjected to the rigours of trial that Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation Speaking from the dock, Kanu, who would eventually amount to nothing. Justice Mohammed, of Nigeria. was flanked by the other two accused Kanu insisted that the Department disqualified himself from They were alleged to be managing persons, gave reasons why he would of State Services, DSS, had since his handling the matter, saying the affairs of the IPOB which it not subject himself to trial before travail commenced, shown that it had he would remit the case-file described as “an unlawful society.”

Justice Mohammed. a knack for disrespecting valid court to the Chief Judge of the At the hearing in the matter, High Court for reThe IPOB leader said he had no orders. assignment to another judge.

'I'll not receive fair trial' The judge said: “I am of He said: “Based on information available to me, the view that the 1st I am convinced that I will defendant has the not receive fair trial before inalienable right to object to this court. I will therefore, being tried by this not sacrifice the due process particular court. I sincerely of the law founded upon the see nothing wrong with the principle of natural justice, 1st defendant’s objection on the altar of speedy considering that justice is rooted in confidence. If any release from detention.

“In other words, I will of the party has no rather remain in detention confidence in the court, that than to subject myself to a party has a right to raise the trial that I know amounts issue."

It will be recalled that the to perversion of justice. arraignment was also There have been several rulings delivered by stalled on Tuesday competent courts of following the absence of jurisdiction which the DSS, both the prosecution and the accused persons in never respected.”

At that juncture, the DPP, court, a situation that Diri, who is prosecuting the infuriated Kanu’s lawyer, matter for the government, who maintained that the interjected, saying it was fresh charge was merely a premature for Kanu, to start ploy by FG to retain his client in detention. raising such issues.

“My lord, under section 396(2) of the ACJA, an 'Release Kanu now, objection to trial may be dialogue with agitators' Meanwhile, authorities raised by the defendant Campaign for only after plea is taken, but of Democracy, CD, Anambra not before. In this case, the defendant has decided to State chapter have restated put the cart before the horse their call on the Federal by raising objection to his Government to release the trial before the charge are leader of Indigenous read to him and his plea People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu to pave the taken.

“I urge your lordship to way for dialogue and over-rule the objection of negotiations between the the 1st defendant and order Biafran agitators and that the charge be read to government.

CD said although it the three accused persons for the purpose of taking detested violent and their plea,” the DPP forceful form of agitation for self determination, which is submitted .

Responding, Kanu’s lead even against the ideology revered Dim counsel, Mr. Egechukwu of

C h u k w u e m e k a Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who stated that “violence is the worst form" of irresponsibility, but it behoves on the government to apply dialogue in order to resolve the issue amicably for the mutual interest of all people."

Umeh berates NASS members Speaking at this year’s 67th Universal Declaration of human rights, entitled, 'Our Rights, our Freedom Always, the state chairman of CD, Mr. Vincent Ezekwueme, said Federal Government should be tactful, dynamic and diplomatic in handling the issue of the Biafran agitators to ensure peaceful and amicable resolution of the crisis.

Immediate past National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and senatorial candidate of APGA in Anambra Central senatorial zone during the forthcoming senatorial rerun in the zone, Chief Victor Umeh has blamed all the National Assembly members from the South East geo-political zone for keeping silence in the face of Biafra’s agitation.

Umeh said: “Our National Assembly members should have advised the Federal Government to release Kanu first and then intervene in the dispute to ensure that frayed nerves are calmed on the issue, instead of keeping silent while the agitation is escalating.”

Protesters drag FG to court Similarly, 150 pro-Biafra agitators, yesterday, dragged the Federal Government to court.

The plaintiffs, in the suit before a Federal High Court, Abuja, applied for an enforcement of their fundamental human rights.

Equally cited as an applicant in the matter was an International nong o v e r n m e n t a l organisation, Kingdom Human Right Foundation International.

The plaintiffs filed the suit for themselves and on behalf of people that were killed and those injured during recent pro-Biafra rallies in the South East and South South parts of the country.

Eight of the deceased persons were also listed as applicants before the court.

50 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015 — 51

Major shake-up at Sharks, Dolphins MAJOR changes are on the cards at Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Dolphins and Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Sharks, ahead of the kickoff of the 2015/16 season.

Sharks were relegated from the Nigeria topflight after a disappointing 2014/15 campaign while Dolphins survived by the skin of their teeth after drawing 2-2 with Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) in Ibadan on the final day of the season.

The sponsors of the club, the Rivers State Government made this known through the sports commissioner, Honourable Boma Iyaye, on Wednesday during a meeting with players, officials and members of the management of the two clubs.

“The Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is unhappy with the performances of the two clubs in the just concluded season.

“We are talking about taxpayers’ monies used in the funding of these football clubs and the least we expect is creditable displays from the two sides.

“As a result of the underwhelming performances last season, we have taken stock and decided on a total overhaul of the two clubs with a view to putting Rivers State on the national map next season.’’

N

IGERIA Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick has denied insinuations that the nation’s soccer ruling body is into the business of transferring players abroad.

The NFF boss was reacting to the Youth and Sports minister, Solomon Dalung’s charge to the NFF to tidy up players transfer with regards to up and coming Nigerian juniors.

Pinnick said the Minister ’s statement and general comments with regards to the monitoring of the players were in tandem with the plans of the Nigeria Football Federation for the glory boys.

“We said it a number of weeks ago that we are developing a framework for monitoring the career progression of these players, with a view to

out of players during the session as camp reopened as well as their dedication to duty and urged them to maintain the tempo.

He expressed happiness that majority of the boys who featured for Abia Warriors last season were still around insisting that the team would be built around them while only a few players would be introduced to strengthen some weak areas in order make the team more competitive.

He also commended management for retaining more than 90 per cent of the coaching

ensuring they sign contracts that will be in their best interests and the best interest of the nation.

“The Minister did not talk about NFF selling players, because he knows very well that the NFF is not in the business of selling players.

The NFF only issues International Transfer Certificates after due agreement between the concerned Clubs, and the player in question.

The bit about NFF selling players was never part of the Honourable Minister’s comments.”

Pinnick once more urged the media to endeavour to always put issues in proper perspective, and to support the push of the NFF for greater involvement of Corporate Nigeria in football by avoiding negative headlines.

My Liverpool goals not special says Ighalo

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HANDS OF FELLOWSHIP . . . General Manager of SuperSport West Africa, Felix Awogu (R) and Managing Director Seven Up Bottling Company Plc, Mr. Sunil Sawhney having handshake with Super Sand Eagles players at the just concluded COPA Lagos on Sunday

Boboye Continues from BP

NFF not selling players —Pinnick

crew, pointing out that this would further make his work easier, describing the coaches he met on ground as some of the best the nation can boast of.

While promising harmonious relationship with the management, coaches and players, Boboye said he has come to Umuahia to make a mark for himself and the team calling for all hands to be on deck.

Earlier the secretary of Abia Warriors Football Club Oliver Ndife had welcomed Boboye to the training ground and assured him of the club’s support to enable him succeed

COPA Lagos: Pepsi committed to football development in Nigeria

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EADING beverage brand, Pepsi has reaffirmed its commitment to the development of football in Nigeria.

Managing Director Seven Up Bottling Company Plc, Mr. Sunil Sawhney disclosed this during the COPA Lagos 2015, at the weekend said whether on grass or sand, Pepsi will continue to support the growth and development of football in Nigeria.

Speaking further, Mr. Sawhney described COPA Lagos as one of the biggest beach soccer tournaments in the world.

He said Pepsi as a global brand with passion for

football development is proud to be associated with the competition for the past five years.

According to him, “through the Pepsi Football Academy, lots of talented young Nigerians have been discovered and nurtured to become world football stars in the past 23 years, including John Obi Mike, Osaze Odemwingie, Elderson Echejile, Onyekachi Apam, among others.

Besides, 15 Pepsi Academy youngsters have benefited from a two-year Pepsi scholarship to play football and study at some of UK’s best high schools. Just last June,

DION Ighalo has insisted there was nothing special about his brace for Watford against Liverpool at the weekend. Ighalo has now fired 12 goals in the EPL, but he maintained there was nothing special about the goals against Liverpool.

“I thank God for giving me the grace to score two goals against Liverpool. I give him the glory. I see nothing special about scoring against Liverpool, it’s the same feeling for scoring goal and it doesn’t matter against which team,” Ighalo said.

The forward’s double against Liverpool left

him just three goals behind leader Jamie Vardy in the division’s scoring charts. It remains to be seen just how many goals he can finish his maiden Premier League campaign with, but the former Granada and Udinese ace is refusing to set himself any targets.

“I give God all the glory for my goals and the victory,” he said.

“Last season I never set a target and this season I haven’t either.

“I will never set myself a target as then I put pressure on myself. I want to keep going game by game. When the team wins a game that is the most important.”

Guardiola will succeed anywhere, says Ronaldinho

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EP Guardiola has the ability to coach anywhere in the world, according to former Barcelona star Ronaldinho, ahead of a scramble for the departing Bayern Munich head coach’s services.

Bayern announced at the weekend that Guardiola will not extend his contract with the Bundesliga champions, with Manchester City, near

neighbours United and Chelsea all thought to be chasing the Catalan’s signature for next season.

After securing three league titles, two Copa del Rey crowns and two Champions Leagues with Barcelona, Guardiola has lifted back-toback Bundesliga trophies, although he is yet to secure European silverware at the Allianz Arena.

52—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

Hiddink warns Mikel, others G

UUS Hiddink has warned his Chelsea players that anyone who doesn’t have the hunger to play for the club can leave.

“Yesterday I talked fully to the squad. I told them, things happen in football and I want them to look in the mirror, not just two seconds but longer, and see how they can contribute on the way up.

“I told them as professionals to look in the mirror and be ultracritical. There must be desire to play. If you don’t have it, knock on my door and we’ll

•Guardiola

Guardiola agrees City deal •tells Man U, Chelsea ‘I’m still available’

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EP GUARDIOLA has agreed a three-year deal at Manchester City — but has told Manchester United and Chelsea there is still time to persuade him to be their manager.

The former Barca boss has already agreed terms with City, who plan to axe Manuel Pellegrini at the end of the season.

But though those terms are in place, both United and Chelsea have made contact this week and been told to come back with a firm offer. It leaves Guardiola in an astonishing position of having the pick of three of the Premier League’s biggest clubs who would all love him to choose them.

But it also leaves City sweating on whether their hard work and planning behind the scenes over the past few months has been a waste of time.

United have been long— term admirers but were caught napping by City going for Guardiola two months ago, and officials at Old Trafford had feared they were too late.

But they have sounded out Guardiola’s representitives this week and been told there is no paperwork signed with City, giving them some hope they can still get him to choose them.

Yet the fear of losing out on Guardiola is weighing heavily on the minds of the Glazers and Ed Woodward, and the availability of Jose Mourinho has thrown up another conundrum.

For if they keep faith with Louis van Gaal now, spurning the chance to get Mourinho, and also miss out on Guardiola then the United board would be ridiculed by the club’s supporters.

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•Hiddink

•Mikel

talk...briefly. We have to show to ourselves, to the club and to the fans that the team has a big desire to wash away the last half year and go up to the next coming games. If we do that, the results will follow. I

know the fans will support the team as they did briefly during some executions of the last game. They have the right to express themselves about what happened in the recent past.’’

Coutinho tips Liverpool for EPL title

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HILIPPE Coutinho has not given up on lifting the Premier League trophy with Liverpool this season.

“We’re in a very good position,” he told the Mirror. “We’re all focused on fighting for trophies and I think we have a great chance in all the competitions we’re in this year.

“We’re going to fight for that and I hope we win a trophy this season,” Coutinho insisted.

Fabregas: I didn’t stab Mourinho in the back

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ESC FABREGAS has r u b b i s h e d suggestions of a rift between himself and former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and has insisted that he had a ‘good relationship’ with the Special One. “I can reiterate that I had an exceptionally good relationship with

•Van Gaal

Van Gaal: People should apologise to me .storms out of press conference L OUIS VAN GAAL stormed out of a press conference after just five minutes as the pressure builds on him at Manchester United.

Van Gaal said that people should be

•Woodward

apologising to him for suggesting that his job is on the line after three successive defeats and no wins in six.

Van Gaal said: “Has anybody in this room not a feeling to apologise to me? That’s what I’m wondering. “I think I was already sacked, I read. I have been sacked. My colleague (Mourinho) was here already. What do you think happens with my wife or my kids?

Or with my grandchildren? Or with the fans of Manchester United? Or my friends?

What do you think?

“They have called me a lot of times and also Arsene Wenger is saying something about that. So you think that I want to talk with the media now.

I am here only because of the Premier League rules. I have to talk with you.

“But I didn’t feel that in the media and of course I can imagine that you can write about that subject. We are not in a good position but four weeks ago we were first in the Premier League and in four weeks’ time we can be back in that position again.”

It was put to Van Gaal that the speculation was inevitable given the recent run of games.

He said: “No I don’t think that you can do that because you have to stick by the facts and when I get calls off Alex Ferguson and David Gill and Ed Woodward because you are creating something that is not good, what is not being the facts, now I have to answer questions.

I don’t think I want to do it.

“I only say now I am focussed on Stoke City, I help my players. I wish you a Merry Christmas.”

Jose Mourinho as I will aim to have with any coach that I play for,” he wrote on his official Instagram account.

“The football club is more important than any one player. We have all let the manager and club down this year as a collective unit. I am not a back stabber.

“We will get this right of that I am sure. With all your help we can put this period behind us and make @chelseafc great again.”

•Fabregas

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015 — 53

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015 — 55

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Guardiola agrees City deal — Pg.52

Boboye promises fair play for Abia Warriors N

EWLY appointed Manager of Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia, Kennedy Boboye has assured the players that he will not witch-haunt any of them as long as hardwork and respect to constituted authority is maintained.

Boboye, who addressed the players at the Umuahia Township Stadium shortly after conducting his first training session for the players, noted that fair play has always been his watchword, in all the clubs he has been.

“I am one coach who gives all the players equal opportunity. I will never sack any player without giving him a chance”, he told them.

The former Sunshine Stars tactician said he was happy at the turnContinues on Page 51

•tells Man U, Chelsea he is still available Major shake-up at Sharks, Dolphins •Guardiola

Hiddink warns Mikel, others —

•Mikel

2 .5 g P

NFF not selling players — Pinnick Page 51 QUICK CR OSS WORD CROSS OSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

FRI DAY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Snub (6) 5 Debase (6) 8 Persuade (8) 9 Informed (4) 10 Novel (3) 12 Booth (5) 15 Donkey (3) 17 Consume (3) 18 Scull (3) 19 Deity (3) 20 Garret (5) 21 Mineral (3) 22 Jewel (3) 23 Point (3) 24 Fasten (3) 26 Danger (5) 29 Enquire (3) 33 Irritation (4) 34 Quarrel (8) 35 Felt (6) 36 Swallow (6)

DOWN 2 Lax (5) 3 Donate (4) 4 Principle (5) 5 Live (5) 6 Companion (4) 7 Map-book (5) 10 Darkness (5) 11 Jam (5) 12 Impress (5) 13 Performer (5) 14 Regional (5) 15 Fragrance (5) 16 Utter (5) 25 Bury (5) 27 Finished (5) 28 Outcome (5) 30 Charm (5) 31 Emporium (4) 32 Expectant (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Slip 4, Mob 6, Sick 8, Street 9, Silent 10, Hot 12, Hover 14, Stood 15, Duped 18, Scheme 20, Issued 24, Tempt 26, Snare 28, Yearn 30, Wet 32, Repute 33, Rumple 34, Used 35, Tap 36, Dark.

DOWN: 2, Lotto 3, Precede 4, Myth 5, Best 6, Split 7, Console 11, One 12, Has 13, Rum 16, Pet 17, Dim 19, Confess 21, Spy 22, Stemmed 23, Don 25, Eye 27, Round 29, Ruler 30, Went 31, Trip.

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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