£3,000 UK VISA DEPOSIT: FG, Reps kick against new policy

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61911

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

SEX SCANDAL: Four convicts hanged in Edo, as P.5 Italy’s ex-PM, Berlusconi • Amnesty, kicks jailed 7 yrs £3,000 UK VISA DEPOSIT: .45 P •

FG, Reps kick against new policy •We'll protect Nigerians' interest — FG

BY VICTORIA OJEME

A

BUJA— THE Fed eral Government, yesterday, vowed to defend the interests of Nigerians, following the introduction of a new visa policy by the British government. The policy requires Nigerians travelling to the United Kingdom to produce a cash bond of N730,000 (3,000 pounds, $4,600 or 3,500 euros) before they enter the UK. The Sunday Times newspaper had reported

Continues on Page 5

COLUMNIST:

•P.19

Mr & Mrs

WAITING ON MANDELA—A member of the media reads a newspaper outside the home of former South African President, Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, yesterday, as the anti-apartheid icon remained in critical condition at press time last night. Inset: Sympathisers keep watch, while Mandela's daughter, Makaziwe (left) is being embraced by Public Service and Administration Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu. Photos: AFP.

Amaechi's NGF meets tomorrow

—P.9 C M Y K

2— Vanguard, TUESDAY,JUNE 25, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard Vanguard,,

C M Y K

TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

—3

4— Vanguard, TUESDAY,JUNE 25, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013 — 5

POCKET CARTOON

FCMB—

From left: Otunba Olutola O.Senbore, Chairman, FCMB Group plc; Mr Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer Nigerian Stock Exchange; Ladi Balogun, Group Managing Director, FCMB Plc; Mr. Olusegun Odubogun, Non-Executive Director, FCMB Group Plc and Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange at the First City Monument Bank Group Plc's Facts Behind The Listing, held at Nigerian Stock Exchange Marina, Lagos, yesterday.

Photo: Akeem Salau.

£3,000 UK VISA DEPOSIT:

FG, Reps kick against new policy Continues from Page 1 that visitors from Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Ghana whose nationals are deemed to pose a “high risk” of im-

migration abuse will be required to produce the bond which they will forfeit if they overstay in Britain after their visas have expired.

Reacting, yesterday,

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

We often make the mistake of thinking that if we hurry, we will be at our future sooner, but it only causes us to lose the present –Joyce. Take each day at a time and take one decision after the other.

TAKE HEART

P

BY ELLA RANDLE

EOPLE who lack the clarity, courage, or de termination to follow their own dreams will often find ways to discourage yours. When you change for the better, the people around you will be inspired to change also....but for some, only after doing their best to make you stop. Live your truth and always follow your heart — Steve Maraboli There is a beautiful feeling that comes with spending time with the right people. These are the people you enjoy being with, who love and appreciate you, and who encourage you to improve in healthy and exciting ways. They are the ones who make you feel more alive, and not only embrace who you are now, but also embrace and embody who you want to be, unconditionally.

Another beautiful way to live is to be honest with yourself about everything. You always know what needs to be done rightly, as well as what needs to be changed. Be honest about what you want to achieve and who you want to become. Be honest with every aspect of your life, always. Because you are the one person you can forever count on. Search your heart, for the truth, so that you truly know who you are. Once you do, you’ll have a better understanding of where you are now and how you got here, and you’ll be better equipped to identify where you want to go and how to get there.

while rendering account of his stewardship at the Radio House in Abuja, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru, said the Federal Government was yet to receive any official communication from the UK government.

“We have received no official communication from the UK government. When we receive communication from them, we will study whatever proposal they bring and know what to do.

“But I can assure all Nigerians that the Jonathan government will defend the interest of Nigerians by whatever means we can. So, when we get their proposal, we will study it and we will see how we can guide the ordinary Nigerians,” Ashiru said.

UK Visa bond unacceptable

—House Committee House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, has also condemned the new British visa policy, saying it is discriminatory and unacceptable.

Chairman of the committee, Nnenna ElenduUkeje, in a statement issued in Abuja, said such policy was not in the best interest of Nigeria

and Nigerians.

“This is totally discriminatory and unacceptable. It is targeted at non-white Commonwealth”, she said.

Ukeje (PDP-Abia) said as a Committee on Foreign Affairs, the House of Representatives would take a critical look at the policy as it affects Nigerians and come up with a way forward.

According to her, “they should realise that it is

not in the best interest of UK. We will, as a country, look at it vis-a- vis our citizens and come up with a decision. We agree totally with the UK Foreign Minister that the policy is totally unworkable and impractical. It is contrary to the commitment made to our President by David Cameron during their last meeting. We believe it is for political reason ahead of general election. We seek that our long historical relationship should take precedence over political expediency,” Ukeje advised.

The pilot scheme of the new visa policy is scheduled to commence in November. According to the Sunday Times, the controversial move by the UK home secretary, Theresa May, to introduce the Australian-style

system reflects her determination to show that the Conservatives are serious about cutting immigration into the UK .

Ms May said: “This is the next step in making sure our immigration system is more selective, bringing down net migration from the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands, while still welcoming the brightest and the best to Britain .”

She added: “In the long run we’re interested in a system of bonds that deters overstaying and recovers costs if a foreign national has used our public services.”

The Home Office is targeting countries which have high volumes of visitor visa applications and what it deems to be relatively high levels of fraud and abuse.

Four convicts hanged in Edo, as Amnesty, LEDAP kick

BY INNOCENT ANABA AND SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN-CITY— FOUR death row prisoners, Chima Ejiofor, Daniel Nsofor, Osarenmwinda Aigbonkhan and Richard Igagu in Edo State, were, yesterday, executed, despite their pending appeals at the Court of Appeal.

It will be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan had recently directed state governors to sign the execution warrant of death row inmates, advising them not to shy away from same, as it was part of their duties.

Vanguard gathered that the execution took place despite the pendency of the suit by the condemned inmates, challenging their being on death row for over 16 years. They had also

asked that their conviction be commuted to life imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Legal Defence and Assistance Project, LEDAP and Amnesty International, yesterday, condemned the execution.

Vanguard was informed that the execution was carried out at 6:45pm, yesterday, by hang men.

Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Henry Idahagbon, in his reaction, said the executed men were convicted 15 years ago, noting that the Edo State Government had nothing to do with the execution.

He said: "These people were convicted 15 years ago. I was only informed this (last) night by the prison authorities that they had been hanged.

One of them was con-

victed in Kaduna, while their matters had gone up to the Supreme Court, and came back to the Federal High Court, Benin. It really has nothing to do with us as a government.

“The governor only signed the death sentence of two, while previous governors signed that of two others. The information I got was that they went to the Federal High Court, which Monday refused their plea for leniency and I believe what the prison authorities did was to execute them immediately after they left the court.

“Edo State government has no hand in it.

I was only informed that it had been done,” he added.

In the suit before the Federal High Court, the death row prisoners had Continues on Page 14

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

Customs uncovers poultry products in petroleum tanker

BY GODWIN ORITSE

L

AGOS— THE Federal Operations Unit (Zone ‘A’) of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, in Lagos, has uncovered banned poultry products loaded in a petroleum tanker, a development that revealed a new mode of concealment.

Disclosing this in Lagos, Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Nuhu Isa Mahmud, described the mode of concealment as unimaginable and called for increased vigilance on the part of the officers.

Mahmud who conducted members of the Poultry Farmers Association, coldroom operators, processors, and the media round the seized products, said the zone had never recorded such mode of concealment before.

He lauded the management of Customs for its giant strides in staff motivation, remuneration, training and re-training as well as provision of enabling environment which triggered the zeal in officers for excellence.

Ogun police arrest suspected robber in church, kill 3 others

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA — THERE was a mild drama, yesterday, when the Police in Ogun State arrested a suspected robber with bullet wounds in a church in Ota, Ado-Odo-Ota Local Government Area of the state.

The robber was said to be one of the members of the gang that killed four members of vigilance group during operation in Ifo community, last weekend.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Muyiwa Adejobi, who disclosed this also said three suspected robbers were killed during a gun battle around Oko-Bale, Ilogbo also in the town.

Vanguard gathered that the robber had sought refuge in the church after he allegedly escaped from Police arrest with bullet wounds before he met his waterloo.

Bridegroom, 3 others die in auto crash

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN— A BRIDEGROOM and three of his relations have been reportedly killed in a motor accident along the BeninAuchi highway at Iruekpen in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

According to an eye witness,

the groom, his grand-mother, uncle and uncle’s wife were said to be travelling to Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State for the wedding introduction when the accident occurred.

Their vehicle was said to have had head-on collision with a heavy duty truck conveying sand, belonging to a construction

firm.

At press time, two of the bodies were still trapped under the truck, while corpses of the other two had been taken to the morgue.

Head of Operations, Iruekpen Unit Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Mr. John Omokandugba, attributed the crash to dangerous over taking.

He confirmed that four persons— two men and two women— who were occupants of the bridegroom’s vehicle, with number plate USL 111 AE, died in the accident.

Omokandugba said the truck was conveying sand dust from Auchi and was heading to Elele, in Rivers State when the accident occurred.

Woman reports to police after allegedly killing neighbour

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

L

Derailed Kano-Lagos passengers train at Kakau village in Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

Man shot dead in Osun PDP factional clash

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO— A MIDDLE aged member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State simply identified as Kunle was, Sunday, shot dead during a fracas between two factions of the party in Edunabon, Ife North Local Government Area of the state.

According to sources, the recent clash was said to be an aftermath of leadership tussle which has been rocking the party in the local government since last year.

It was further gathered that the PDP had been battling with leadership crisis since the assumption of office of the chairman of the party in the council, Mr Sam Oyetade.

It was learnt that a leader of the party in the state who is also a governorship aspirant of the party was not favourably disposed to the emergence of Oyetade as the party chairman and had made efforts to get him removed to no avail.

Vanguard was told that trouble started at the ward meeting of the party held at the Local Authority Primary School, Edunabon at about 4.00pm on Sunday when some loyalists

of the governorship aspirant stormed the venue of the meeting and called for the removal of Oyetade as the party chairman.

However, loyalists of Oyetade resisted attempts to remove him and this resulted in a bloody clash between the two factions.

It was gathered that the late Kunle was allegedly shot by one of the members of the party at the meeting and he eventually died before he was

taken to a hospital.

A Police source who craved for anonymity confirmed the incident, saying the Police were investigating the matter.

However, the Publicity Secretary of the state chapter of the party, Prince Bola Ajao, when contacted said the state secretariat of the party was not yet briefed on the matter, adding that the matter would be properly investigated by the state executive council of the party.

AGOS —A MIDDLE-AGED woman, Stella Gilbert, has been arrested by the police at Ajeromi Police Station, in Ajegunle area of Lagos State for allegedly stabbing a female neighbour to death.

The victim identified simply as Mama Esther, met her untimely death when she reportedly had a fisticuff with Gilbert at their 59, Ojora Street residence in Ajegunle.

Eyewitness told Vanguard that the incident which occurred around 4p.m on Saturday, started after a heated argument erupted between the duo on a yet to be ascertained matter before degenerating into a fight.

Chukwudi Okoye, a resident of the area, told Vanguard, that Gilbert ran to the station after stabbing her victim in the abdomen.

He said: "When some neighbours went to Ajeromi Police Station to report the incident they discovered that the woman who stabbed her was already there.

Some policemen from the station later came to the scene and removed the corpse to the mortuary.”

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BY CHIDI NKWOPARA 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 was flagged down for routine 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 Meantime, residents of the 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 check and this fuelled suspicion area have appealed to security 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 WERRI — IMO State Po among the policemen on duty. agencies in the state to extend 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 A villager, who spoke on their surveillance to the border 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 lice Command, weekend, 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 nabbed a bus driver at the bor- ground of anonymity, told Van- road, which they described as 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 der between Imo and Rivers guard that a female teacher, the “very lonely.”

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 States, conveying about 18 school bus driver and the school chilAccording to them, the road 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 children suspected to have been dren were first moved to the Di- was gradually turning into a get1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 visional Police Headquarters, away route for criminals operatabducted.

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1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 vealed that the pupils were al1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 Owerri.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 legedly abducted from Umuohie They particularly named the 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 It was gathered that the female Umuneke-Elele-Obike-Eche Primary School and Baptist Sec1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 ondary School, Umuohie, all in teacher and the driver, whose road which is called “Abuja Ex1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 Ngor Okpala Local Government names could not be ascertained pressway” as prone to criminal 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 at press time, were already tell- activities and urged the authoriArea of Imo State.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 According to reports, the bus ing the police all they knew about ties to beef up security along the 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212 the movement of the school chil- road.

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Police nab suspected kidnappers with 18 children

O

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013—7

Police kill 7 suspected abductors of Lagos council boss, nab 2 zSay $100,000 ransom paid before his release

BY EVELYN USMAN

L

AGOS — THE Lagos State Police Command has smashed a kidnap syndicate comprising nine Nigerians based in Ghana. They are said to have been responsible for the kidnap of the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area boss, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan, two months ago and a Federal High Court Judge.

In the process, seven suspected members of the syndicate were killed during a gun battle, yesterday.

Two suspected members of the gang were also arrested at their hideout in Agbara area of Ogun State, while an Indian national identified as Vivex Changrani, said to have been kidnapped Sunday, was rescued.

Recovered at the end of the gun battle said to have lasted 30 minutes, were four AK 47 riffles, two of which had police identification mark, 28 AK 47 magazines fully loaded, more than 1,000 rounds of AK- 47 live ammunition, army uniforms and two vehicles — a Honda CRV SUV with number plate ABC 106 AE and a Nissan Pathfinder SUV with number plate AGL 730 AZ.

How the syndicate was smashed Briefing newsmen on how the syndicate met its waterloo, the command’s boss, Mr Umar Manko, said: “Remember when the LCDA chairman was kidnapped, I promised Lagosians we were going to arrest the kidnappers.

“We got information that these kidnappers were based in Ghana and all efforts to arrest them in Ghana failed because that country had her procedure and they insisted we could not just go there to make any arrest.

“We went to Ghana with a team of International Policemen, INTERPOL, but after 31 days without a headway, our policemen returned to Nigeria.

“Based on painstaking followup and surveillance in tracking these kidnappers, men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad discovered their hideout in Agbara two weeks ago.

“The Commander SARS, Mr Abba Kyari, led a team of crack detectives to a suburb in Agbara where the kidnappers had their camp.

“After 72 hours of waiting in ambush, the men cordoned off, then stormed the house where all the kidnappers gathered by 3 am, yesterday.”

Modus oparandi The kidnappers' modus oper-

andi, as gathered, included dressing in full military uniform, pretending to be military personnel.

They would thereafter, kidnap their victims, pretending to be taking them to a military base , only to take them to their hideout, from where they would start negotiating for ransom.

In some cases where they usually experience gridlock, some of them would reportedly jump down from their operational vehicle to clear the way, pretending to be conveying a military officer.

After each successful kidnap, they would reportedly share their loot before leaving for Ghana.

Preliminary investigation, according to Police sources, revealed that the kidnappers usually give their loot to a Bureau de-change operator after each successful deal who thereafter takes it to them in Ghana.

$100,000 paid as ransom for Bamigbetan’s release It was gathered that a total of $100,000 was collected by the gang as ransom for the release of the Ejigbo LCDA boss.

Leader of the syndicate whose identity was given as Jonah Benjamin Osinachi, was said to have collected $50,000 while the other members shared $50,000.

One of the suspects who gave his name as Uchenna Nwanyu (25), admitted working for leader of the syndicate.

According to him, “Jonah whom we usually called China (pointing to his boss’ corpse) sent for me from Ghana. I came with his wife and children and lodged in a hotel. I went to his place (Agbara) on Sunday because he said he was expecting his goods.

I was there when they were about going for an operation. They all tied charms on their wastes, danced round a liquid substance which they later poured on their heads before leaving the house, wearing their army uniforms with guns.

They later came back with a white man whom they pushed inside a room and ordered me to stay with him. They, thereafter, said they would call the man’s relatives the next day (yesterday) for ransom.

The rescue operation "I was in the room with the man when I heard gunshots. I even helped the man by telling him to lie on the floor so as not to be hit by stray bullets. I later heard footsteps as they all tried to escape.

When the gunshots died down, I went out, only to see the policemen. I was even the one that

2 clearing agents, another arrested at MMIA with drugs

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

L

The suspects

Weapons recovered showed them where the kidnapped man was.

"I knew my boss was a kidnapper but I could not do anything about that because he was the source of my livelihood. I also worked for him in Ghana. I am in charge of his building which is under construction in Ghana and his restaurant.”

The second suspect, Ogbonna

Emenike, who disclosed that he was only released from prison last Monday over a case of robbery, said he was lured into the gang because of hunger. Although he denied taking part in the abduction, Uchenna said he was one of those who came in with the kidnapped Indian in the early hours of Monday.

AGOS — THREE per sons, including two licensed clearing and forwarding agents, have been arrested for illicit shipment of 43.6kg of cannabis to China and 12 kilogrammes of methamphetamine to South Africa.

The drugs said to have been hidden inside foodstuff and artificial hair were detected by officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, during screening.

This was as 55.6 kilogrammes of narcotics was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos.

NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr Hamza Umar, described it as the highest cannabis seizure since January 2013.

Hamza said: “This 43.6kg is the highest cannabis seizure since the beginning of the year. Like several seizures in the past, the cannabis was hidden inside foodstuff. The drug was discovered during routine examination.

“The suspects include Keita Mamady, 38, who was arrested with 43.6kg cannabis and two clearing agents Samuel Williams (40) and Adams Adewunmi Samuel (35) who were arrested in connection with the shipment of 12kg of methamphetamine.”

One of the suspects who hails from Anambra State whose real name is Sylvester Nnamdi Augustine was caught with a Guinean International passport bearing Keita Mamady.

According to the suspect, the drug was to be delivered at Hong Kong while he would have proceeded to Guangzhou.

He said: “I was told to deliver the drug in Hong Kong on my way to Guangzhou.

Unfortunately, the drug was discovered by the NDLEA officers at the luggage checking desk. I am a business man and I live in Guinea where I obtained my passport."

Samuel Williams who is a clearing agent collected the consignment from a member of the drug syndicate and gave it to his colleague to export to South Africa. The drug was found hidden inside female artificial hair.

8 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

FG lied about economy— ACN

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor

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CTION Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has alleged an attempt by Federal Government to cover up what it claims were fundamental problems with the economy and challenged the administration to open up and say the truth.

The party, in a statement, cited what it claimed to be contradictory indications from the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at a ministerial briefing and what ACN alleged to be another closed-door briefing.

ACN assertions were immediately rebuffed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, who decried the assertions as a bundle of lies.

In a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, ACN urged the government to come clean on the state of the economy so that it could easily carry the people along in whatever measures it may take to avoid the collapse of the economy.

While noting that the administration had been economical with the truth on issues concerning the economy, the party said: “The clearest indication yet of this choreographed deceit are the contradictory statements credited to the Minister of Finance, Ngozi OkonjoIweala, in recent times.

"The contradictions"

“According to published report, on June 10 in Abuja, at a ministerial briefing the Minister said that the fundamentals of the economy were strong and that the economy was buoyant beyond danger.

“However, a day later the same minister was quoted as saying, at a closed-door session of the Federal Government Economic Implementation Team, that the Nigerian economy is shaky despite the official fundamentals and that drastic steps are needed to save it from collapse.

“She was further quoted as saying that there was an urgent need for ‘stringent budgetary measures’ to arrest the downward slide; that

crude oil production now hovers around 1.3 million barrels per day (far lower than what it was at the height of the protracted militancy in the Niger Delta); and that crude oil theft, which costs Nigeria US$6 billion annually, was now severely hurting the economy.

“While it had no reason to doubt that the reality of the gloomy situation facing the country ’s economy had dawned on the government, it is still worried that those in authority are speaking from both sides of their mouths, publicly giving the impression that all is well, while privately preparing to unleash belt-tightening measures on the same hapless citizens who have borne the brunt of their poor governance.

“When the falling crude oil production and massive oil theft are placed side-by-side with the impact of the rising Shale oil production in the US, which we also warned against in our earlier statement, the regular declara-

tion of force majeure by oil firms, the fact that oil firms are divesting instead of investing in the sector and the freewheeling spending by a profligate government, one needs not be a Harvardtrained economist to know that the dark clouds are gathering over the economy.

“Since it is a truism that everything revolves around the economy, a government that cannot get it right with the economy cannot get it right with anything else.

“This is why we are again raising the alarm, with the belief that the government will level with Nigerians and shun the same ‘political’ reactions that it is used to."

Bundle of lies — Okupe

Responding to the assertions yesterday, Okupe said: “It is just a bundle of lies that have no basis in truth and they are crying wolf where it does not exist.

"We will respond comprehensively tomorrow (today) with facts and figures.”

LECTURE: From left— Professor Attahiru Jega, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC; Senator Umaru Dahiru, Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, and Senator Andy Uba, Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, at the lecture on political parties and effective participation in governance, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Shehu Borno blames insurgency on marginalisation

BY NDAHI MARAMA

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AIDUGURI—THE Shehu of Borno and Chairman of Borno State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Alhaji Abubakar ElKanemi, has blamed the security challenges occasioned by activities of Boko Haram Islamist sect in the state on alleged marginalisation by Federal Government.

El-Kanemi said that Federal Government had marginalised the state for so long in terms of appointments at the federal

level and provision of social amenities.

He spoke, yesterday, when he received members of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, led by Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, Minister for Special Duties and InterGovernmental Affairs, in his palace in Maiduguri.

He said: “It is unfortunate that Borno State has so many federal institutions such as the University of Maiduguri,

Lake Chad Research Institute, Chad Basin Development Authority and College of Forestry in Baga town, among others, but none of the institutions is headed by an indigenous person.

“I, therefore, want to use this opportunity through this powerful committee to inform the Federal Government that we in Borno, our sons and daughters, who are intellectuals and professionals, are marginalised by the Federal Government.”

The Shehu also lamented that Borno State, being a

centre for Islamic knowledge, had experienced massive influx of Almajiris from different parts of the country in the name of acquiring Islamic knowledge.

He added that most of them were not properly registered or properly guided, which, according to him, had aggravated to the security challenges.

According to him, in recent past, between 10 and 20 trailers full of Almajiris “entered into Maiduguri on a daily basis to acquire Islamic knowledge.”

CBN sells $500m to stabilise Naira

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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ENTRAL Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday sold $500 million at the bi-weekly foreign exchange auction to forestall depreciation of the naira.

The amount sold represents 66 percent increase when compared to $300 million sold per previous foreign exchange auctions. The increase represents a strong signal from the apex bank about its determination to stabilise the naira.

However, despite this increase, the naira depreciated by 10 kobo at the inter-bank foreign exchange market yesterday.

From N159 per dollar, the interbank exchange rate rose slightly to N159.10 per dollar. But at the official market, the naira remained stable, as the official exchange rate remained N155.75 per dollar.

According to the result of the bi-weekly Wholesale Dutch Auction System, WDAS, CBN offered $500 million, and sold millions of dollars to 21 banks.

“It is a demonstration of capacity and capability to meet foreign exchange demand on the part of the CBN,” said Wale Abe, Executive Secretary, Financial Market Dealers Association of Nigeria, FMDA. He said this would help to eliminate speculation against the naira in the foreign exchange market.

Abe said: “CBN perceived there was a shortfall in supply, which increased demand pressure, hence to reduce this pressure and forestall speculation, CBN decided to intervene to ensure that all outstanding genuine demand is met.

“With this, there is no reason for anybody to speculate about the ability of CBN to meet demand.”

Due to increasing foreign exchange demand, the naira has depreciated

by N2.53 at the interbank foreign exchange market this year. From N156.67, the interbank exchange rate rose to N159.1 per dollar.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013—9

Clean up civil service, Jonathan orders HOS

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DINNER: From left— Prof. Ayodele Ogunye, President, Nigerian Academy of Engineering; Dr. Eugene Juwah, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Communications Commission, Guest Speaker; Engr. Vincent Maduka, and Engr. Adebayo Sanni, both past presidents of the Academy, during the Academy's technology dinner in Lagos. PHOTO: Kehinde Gadamosi.

Amaechi's NGF meets tomorrow

zInvites Akpabio, Suswam, others

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA—GOVERNOR Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, yesterday, scheduled a meeting of the Forum for tomorrow to discuss among others, post-election disagreements that emanated from the NGF election.

Members of NGF will also discuss issues relating to the forum and its partners as well as the strategic plan for the next two years.

The NGF’s meeting, which is coming barely nine days after Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau held a meeting of his faction in Abuja, also has in its agenda, polio eradication initiative.

Jang’s NGF meeting

Present at Jonah Jang’s meeting held penultimate were Jonah Jang of Plateau; Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo; Sullivan Chime, Enugu; Theodore Orji, Abia and Martins Elechi of Ebonyi.

Others were Idris Wada of Kogi; Peter Obi, Anambra; Ibrahim Shema, Katsina; Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta; Godswill Akpabio, Akwa Ibom; Isa Yuguda, Bauchi; Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa and Liyel Imoke of Cross River.

Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State was represented by his deputy, Steve Lawani, while Taraba State's acting governor, Umar Garba was also in attendance.

The Amaechi-led NGF is having its first meeting since the election held on May 24.

According to a statement by NGF’s Director-General, Asishana Okauru, the meeting is the seventh NGF meeting in its series, just as he also confirmed that governors Jang,

Akpabio, Suswam, Dickson and other 31 state governors were invited for the meeting.

Governors that may attend tomorrow's meeting include Amaechi, Aliyu of Niger State, Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi State, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto and Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe.

Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun and Babatunde Fashola of Lagos are also expected to attend.

Others are Governor Abiola

Ajimobi of Oyo; Abdulazeez Yari, Zamfara; Rochas Okorocha, Imo and Kassim Shetimma of Borno.

The NGF, which was established to among others, provide a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas, help strengthen and promote Nigeria’s federal system and promote understanding among governors and states, is the umbrella body of all the 36 states’ governors of the federation.

Gov Yari is new VC

At the end of the meeting, which lasted more than four hours, Okauru disclosed that Governor Abdulaziz Abubakar

Yari of Zamfara State was unanimously voted in as the Vice Chairman, following the withdrawal of Governor Olusegun Mimiko from the race.

All the governors, except that of Yobe State, Ibrahim Gaidam, were present and the election was through secret ballot.

It will be recalled that Governor Amaechi has been having a running battle with the Presidency and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which culminated in a formation of a PDP Governors’ Forum 14 years into the existence of the party, with Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom as the Chairman.

Mandela in critical condition— Zuma

J

OHANNESBURG— PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma of South Africa has confirmed that the health condition of former President, Nelson Mandela, had deteriorated.

Zuma made the remark when he spoke with foreign journalists and members of South Africa National Editors’ Forum, SANEF, yesterday.

He said: “Mandela’s health is now in a critical condition. We received several calls very late on Sunday. I was in the hospital with the Deputy President of African National Congress, ANC, Cyril Ramaphosa.

“Given the time of the day, which was rather late, he was already asleep. We saw him and then had a brief discussion with his doctors and his wife Graca Machel. Then we left.

“I don’t think I can give further details about his health, I’m not a doctor. But the doctors are doing everything possible to ensure his well being and comfort.”

The Presidency in a statement also said that Mandela’s condition had worsened, describing his condition as critical and that he remains in a hospital in Pretoria.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s main opposition party, Democratic Alliance, DA, said it is saddened by the news of Mandela’s declining health.

Mmusi Maimane, DA spokesman, said: “The news from the presidency that former president Mandela is now in a ‘critical’ condition came as a blow to all South Africans.

“We continue to keep Madiba and his family in our

thoughts and prayers.”

DA thanked Mandela’s medical team for the “exceptional job” they were doing and said the party continues to think of them as they continue to care for Madiba, as Mandela is fondly called.

“We hope that Madiba is comfortable and peaceful at this time,” Maimane said.

Dennis George, SecretaryGeneral of the Federation of Unions of South Africa, FEDUS, said: “The unions pray and wish Madiba all the best as we look forward to his returning to better health in the comings days.

“Madiba showed all of us how transformational and servant leadership can add to the reconciliation of a nation.”

George asked the media to report on Mandela’s condition with care, sensitivity and respect.

BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, directed the Head of Service of the Federation to provide immediate solutions to corruption and other unethical practices in the nation’s civil service.

The President, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, gave the directive at this year’s civil service week dinner and award night at the State House, Abuja.

He said the measure would check corrupt practices in the system, since the federal civil service was a critical vehicle in the efforts to transform the country.

He said: “I am aware that the federal civil service is the critical vehicle in our efforts to transform Nigeria. Therefore, the service must first transform itself in order to be able to achieve that role."

Hezbollah vs FG: Court reserves judgment on N50bn suit

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA—ABUJA Division of Federal High Court, yesterday, reserved its judgment in the N50 billion suit slammed against the Federal Government by three Lebanese accused of complicity in the illegal importation of arms into the country.

The plaintiffs, Mustapha Roda Darwish Fawaz, Talal Roda, and Abdulla Tahini, accused of belonging to the military wing of Lebanon-based terrorist organisation, Hezbollah, had in the fundamental rights enforcement application filed before the court, faulted their continued detention in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS. Though four of them were arrested, government, yesterday, disclosed its decision to free the fourth accused person, Kossay Noudin, for want of evidence linking him to the charge.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola presided.

10—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

Fashola approves construction of 70 new roads

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS —GOVER NOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, said 70 new roads had been approved and awarded for construction and rehabilitation in the state, even as the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, deplored the poor state of the Federal High Court in Lagos Island, saying “it is in its old self.”

Fashola who spoke during a courtesy call on him by the NBA, Lagos Branch and Ikeja, led by Mr. Monday Ubani and Mr. Taiwo Taiwo, said the contract had increased the number of awarded road contracts since the commencement of the second term of his administration to 230.

According to him: “We set ourselves the target in the second term to complete about 450 roads. Last year, we awarded about 160 roads. This year, we have awarded about 70 roads.

This signifies our intention this year that we are more concerned about road construction.

“We have already completed about half of the roads we set out to achieve.

But again, we can only award that much if we were able to complete much.

That was why this year’s project was based on completing the roads in the state. The decision making for which road to deal with first, is based on the road that carries the most traffic.

“The need continuously outstrips the source and so also they outstrip the capacity. And what we have done this year was to identify the roads that needed urgent repair. And these are continuous engagement and undertaking from the state government.

They will never finish in the tenure or life of any government.

SUMMIT: From left, Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, Hon. Justice Amina Augie; President, Real Estate Lawyers Association of Nigeria, RELAN, Prof. Charles Ilegbune, SAN; Vice President, Capacity Development, Prof. Imran Smith, SAN and Vice President (Operations), Mr. Adekunle Omotola, during the Association's 2013 Summit on: ‘Foreclosure Law and Processes in Relation to Mortgage Security in Nigeria,' in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

Lagos Speaker, PA re-arraigned for alleged money laundering L

AGOS — SPEAKER of Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji and his personal assistant, Oyebode Atoyebi, were yesterday, re-arraigned before a Federal High Court, Lagos for alleged money laundering.

The accused were re-arraigned by the Economic and

Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice Ibrahim Buba, on an amended 54-count charge.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to all counts.

After their re-arraignment, the prosecutor, Mr, Godwin Obla, informed the court of his readiness to proceed with

trial.

Counsel to the accused, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, immediately urged the court to allow the accused continue with the earlier bail granted by the former trial Judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke.

He told the court that the accused was granted bail on self-

Fred Ajudua: Court resumes hearing on $1.6m fraud charge today

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

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AGOS — An Ikeja High Court, yesterday, adjourned ruling till today in an application filed by alleged fraudster, Fred Ajudua, asking it to quash the $1.6 million fraud charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The trial judge, Justice Joseph Oyewole, fixed the date after hearing the arguments canvassed by Ajudua’s counsel, Alex Agba and the EFCC’s, Wemimo Ogunde, SAN, on the case.

Ajudua, who was earlier remanded in prison custody by the court on June 11, 2013 after the court revoked his earlier bail, came with the motion to quash, instead of his bail application.

However, in a opposition to the application, EFCC counsel,

Ogunde said the court could not quash the charge in a case that was partly heard, where witnesses had testified, before Ajudua refused to come to court for further trial.

According to him, a court could not quash a charge without analysing evidence earlier given by witnesses in the case.

When the matter came up, Ajudua in a Motion On Notice dated June 7, 2013, sup-

ported by a 16-paragraph affidavit, argued that since the complainant had withdrawn the case and filed an affidavit before the court to that effect, the court was necessitated to quash the charge.

In its argument however, EFCC said a victim of fraud could not come to court to file an affidavit of discontinuance, which now form basis for the defence to request a quash of the criminal charge filed by the state.

recognition and that the court should uphold same.

Counsel to the Atoyebi, Mr. Tunde Akinrimisi also aligned himself with the submissions of Oyetibo, noting that his client was also admitted to bail by the former judge, with the clerk of Lagos State House of Assembly standing surety.

He also urged the court to rule in line with the earlier bail.

The application was not opposed by the prosecutor, who urged the court to exercise its discretion judiciously.

Ruling on the bail application, Justice Buba said he was not bound by the decision of his retired learned brother.

He said: “The case is beginning afresh before this honourable court, and so, I have the absolute discretion on the issue of bail. The accused is admitted to bail in the sum of 1 billion each with two sureties in the sum of N500 million each. The accused will be remanded in prison custody after 48 hours if they fail to perfect their bail conditions.”

Court adjourns N178m fraud case against bank manager, husband

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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AGOS — LAGOS State High Court sitting in Igbosere, yesterday, adjourned till September 26, 2013, the trial of a former Customer Service Manager of a new generation

bank, Mrs. Tosin Lawal, and her husband, Mr. Michael Lawal, over alleged N178.9million fraud brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Justice Christopher Balogun had at the last hearing, adjourned for substantive hearing of the case today after listening to the defence

and prosecuting counsels.

But this was stalled following the absence of prosecution witness.

At the resumed hearing, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Ayokunle Fayanju, told the court that he thought the case was adjourned for mention; hence he had no witnesses in court.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013 —11

Oni, community leader hail Oluleye’s PTDF appointment

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ORMER GOVERNOR of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni and the Efon-Alaaye Community in Ekiti State have hailed the appointment of Dr. Oluwole Oluleye as the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, describing the appointment as “well deserved and an honour to Ekiti State.”

Oni, in a letter congratulating Oluleye, said; “Your appointment as the PTDF Executive Secretary, two years after you voluntarily retired from service is no doubt a reward for your contributions to the development of the country’s petroleum sector, especially as the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, between 2003 and 2008.

He said he was particularly happy that Oluleye’s diligence and commitment to the service of Nigeria was again recognised and rewarded with an appointment as PTDF Secretary.

Also, Mr. Femi Ige, a community leader from Efon-Alaaye where Dr Oluleye hails from said; “We in Efon-Alaaye are grateful to President Goodluck

Jonathan for honouring one of us with this prestigious appointment.

“Oluleye is not only a son of Efon-Alaaye, but also a respected son of Ekitiland, and we congratulate him for this new appointment.

“He has made us proud in Efon-Alaaye and Ekiti State in the past and we are sure that he will distinguish himself in this new assignment.

“It is therefore our prayer that the Almighty God will grant him divine guidance in the discharge of this new assignment.”

INSPECTION: From left, Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Ebenezer Abegunde, and Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Jide Arowosafe, during an inspection of Youth Commercial Agriculture Development, YCAD, projects, in Efon Local Government Area.

Ekiti pays past council officials furniture allowances N

O FEWER than 143 past public office holders in 13 out of the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State, who served between June 2011 and February 2012 from yesterday, started receiving cheques to cover their furniture allowances in the first phase of the payment, aimed at assisting

them live more comfortably.

Deputy Governor of the State whose office supervises the local government areas, Prof. Modupe Adelabu disclosed this while kicking off the payment in OmuoEkiti, headquarters of Ekiti East Local Government Area.

He said the government was committed to fulfilling its responsibilities to the people, including those who served in public offices.

Explaining that the amounts to be collected by individual beneficiaries vary because some local governments had effected payment to some percentages, the deputy governor assured that the present government in the state was determined to reward hard work.

Beneficiaries in the first phase, to be paid before the end of this

week, include those who served in Ekiti East, Gboyin, Emure, Ikere, Ekiti South West, Efon, Ado, Irepodun/ Ifelodun local government areas.

Others include Ikole, Moba, Ilejemeje, Oye, Ido-Osi. Those whose payments are being processed for the second phase, due to lateness in submission of returns to the Ministry of Local Government are Ise/Orun, Ijero and Ekiti West.

One of the local government chairmen, Mr. Sunday Atobaje while thanking the state government said the gesture was a clear manifestation of Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s commitment to raising the standard of living of the people of the state.

Hygiene: Aregbesola tasks Osun residents

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SOGBO — THE wife of Osun governor, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola, has charged residents of the state to observe good hygienic practices.

She told newsmen in Osogbo on Monday that maintaining good hygienic practices would boost standard of living.

Aregbesola frowned at the attitude of residents who engage in dumping refuse on river courses, saying this was responsible for obstruction of the free flow of water.

“If many of the diseases that trouble human beings are derived from the environment, then a way to prevent the illnesses is to keep the environment clean,” she stated.

Aregbesola stressed that total sanitation involves attitudinal changes that would eliminate dirty practices.

She said the state government had recorded outstanding success in the areas of clean environment, dredging of waterways as well as road construction.

Mimiko congratulates new TUC president

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE — THE Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has congratulated the new President of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, over his election, weekend.

The governor, in a statement from the office of his Senior Special Assistant on Union Matters, Dayo Fadahunsi, urged the new president to see his election as a call to duty and a challenge to move the Congress forward.

Mimiko said the challenge before him and his new EXCO is to pick the TUC from where Peter Esele left it and move it to a greater height.

...promises to cooperate with clerics

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EANTIME GOVERNOR Mimiko has assured that his administration would continue to partner religious organisations in critical areas of social development.

Mimiko gave the assurance yesterday during a courtesy call on him by the new Bishop of Akure Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Simeon Borokini.

The new bishop, until his elevation few months ago, was the diocesan provost.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

Itsekiri leaders ask NIMASA to probe sinking of Tug boat

Maritime workers petition Jonathan over unpaid wages zThreaten to shut nation’s ports next week

BY EMMAARUBI

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ARRI—THE Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, ILOT, the Itsekiri apex socio-political group has called on Nigerian Maritime and Safety Administration, NIMASA, to probe the sinking of a Tugboat, Jascon 4, 30 nautical miles off the Escravos sea on May 26, 2013.

It also wants an autopsy conducted on the 11 crew members of the boat in the presence of their families, while adequate compensation be paid to the families of the deceased persons.

ILOT in a statement in Warri, by Pa. J.O.S. Ayomike, Chaiman/ leader; expressed regret that instead of addressing issues raised, Chevron Nigeria Limited and Seatrucks (West African Ventures Limited), the operators of the sunk Jascon 4, were busy trading blames on the cause of the boat mishap.

I didn’t divert N2.2bn pipeline contract sum —DAGOGO

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT— FORMER leader of Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, Mr Farah Dagogo, has said that it was not true that he connived with some persons to embezzle N2.2 billion meant for pipeline surveillance contract in the Niger Delta region.

Farah, who also dismissed allegations that he recently acquired a private jet, said his detractors were out to tarnish his image.

He said he was the Managing Director of ADEF Energy Resources Limited, the firm that secured the job , adding that Ateke Tom, Asari Dokubo and Soboma Jackrich were Directors of the firm.

He said as Managing Director, he had nothing to do with the funds of the firm, adding that he had no link with the missing money meant to secure oil pipeline in the region.

BY VICTORAHIUMA-YOUNG

& KELECHIAZUBUIKE AGOS—MARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, has petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan, threatening to shut down the country’s ports from next week over unpaid 11 months salary arrears to members by the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, among others issues.

In a petition dated June 12, 2013, the union alleged that NPA had for the past 11 months not paid tally clerks, onboard security men and others, but had been spending not less than N300 million monthly to pay illegal employees known as Cargo Surveyors, who have nothing to do in the ports.

MWUN gave NPA up till next week Tuesday to pay the tally clerks and onboard security men their 11 months unpaid salaries and disengage the cargo surveyors who have no defined job in the ports, but received fat pay, failing which the country’s ports would be shut down indefinitely.

According to the union, the Dockworkers, including the tally clerks and on-board security men were registered by the National Dock Labour Board, NDLB, to work in the sea ports, private terminals and jetties and were trained in the

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act of cargo handling/loading and discharging of ships.

The union said that section 35 of the Nigeria Dock Labour Decree No. 37 of 1999, which established the Joint Dock Labour Industrial Council, JODLIC, described a dock as “a person registered under the Decree to perform duties connected with the loading and discharging of ships.”

Specifically, MWUN claimed that the cargo surveyors were not known under the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Act 2007, which regulates Maritime Labour activities in Nigerian ports, hence not permitted by law to perform the role of registered tally clerks.

According to the petition, “On-board security men are

involved in watching over cargo to avoid theft and over boarding and to prevent unauthorised personnel by crew members. Their function also helps to prevent attacks on vessels in the ports by terrorists and pirates in line with requirement of the ISPS code on port and ship security and safety.”

VISIT: Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (left) with pupils and teachers of Ogedegbe Primary School, Warri, when he visited the school, yesterday. The school won this year's Channels Football tournament.

Oil companies returning to Warri —UDUAGHAN W

BY EMMAAMAIZE

ARRI—DELTA State gov ernor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, said yesterday, that some oil companies, which fled Warri because of the uncooperative attitude of youths, some years

back, were returning to the state.

Speaking while inspecting road and school projects under construction by his government, the governor urged the people to maintain the new found peace, noting that the companies were

NIS to deport 106 illegal stay in the country will be repatimmigrants riated to their countries. We don’t

BY EGUFEYAFUGBORHI ORT HARCOURT—RIVERS State Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service is to repatriate 106 illegal immigrants to their respective countries.

Comptroller of the Command, Mr. Mike Longe, yesterday, during the ongoing immigrants verification exercise taking place at the Command Headquarters, Port Harcourt, said the number of those affected could be more as the exercise was a continues one.

Longe said: “There is a change in leadership at high command of the immigrations, which had directed strict monitoring, arrest and repatriation of illegal immigrants. Based on the directive, we are screening immigrants and those lacking requisite papers to

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know how many we will be repatriated after the exercise, but 106 illegal immigrants already screened will soon be repatriated.”

The 106, according to him, include Gabonese, Ghanaians, Cameroonians and Niger nationals.

He said: “We have evidence that most atrocities are being committed by foreigners in the country and I am confident this exercise will reduce our security challenges.”

coming back with new names, adding, “By God’s grace, Warri will come up again.

“We should not disturb them; we should cooperate with them and help government in its efforts to create employment opportunities for our people.”

Uduaghan said he was perturbed when the oil companies initially deserted the city and sold their assets because he knew they were not leaving with the oil, but would come back later.

“I will be meeting with some of

the companies soon and on Delta Steel Company, DSC, Ovwian-Aladja, we are working with the Federal Government to see that the place is reopened.”

He also said about 5,000 citizens of the state would be offered employment when the Oleri Resort and Leisure Park under construction by his government was completed, emphasising that the Delta Beyond Oil programme of the government was a plan for the future.

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TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

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14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

Four convicts hanged in Edo, as Amnesty, LEDAP kick

Oguta rerun poll: PDP dares APGA

BY HANNA ISIBOR

Continues from Page 5

T

HE Peoples Democratic Par ty, PDP in Imo State has challenged the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, to separate itself from the violent intentions of some of its patrons and allow the will of the people prevail in this weekend’s state constituency election at Oguta.

Asserting its readiness to clinch the election, the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Chief Blyden Amajirionwu, lamented what he said were recent provocative actions of Governor Rochas Okorocha which had tended to spark violence.

The Oguta constituency election was scheduled, following the annulment of the last election.

Amajirionwu said: “We are sure we are going to beat APGA. What we are looking forward to is a free and fair election and our prayer is free and fair election. But it appears the government on the other side is working on violence".

Strike: ASUP urges FG to show more commitment to education

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

A

S the Academic Staff Un ion of Polytechnics, ASUP, strike enters its 51 day today, the union yesterday urged the Federal Government to show more commitment to matters concerning the education sector and polytechnic system in particular.

In a statement signed by ASUP Chairman, Oko Chapter, Dr. Onyeka Uwakwe, the union expressed readiness to commence academic work as soon as the national strike was suspended.

Reaffirming support for the decisions of the National Executive Council, NEC, ASUPsaid it was prepared for the hosting of the union’s 74th NEC meeting at Federal Polytechnic, Oko and urged members to lend maximum support.

According to the union, the ongoing strike, which has disrupted activities in polytechnics, was a result of failure of most state governments to implement the approved salary package (COMPCASS) and 65 year retirement age in polytechnics.

LUNCHEON—From left: Elder and Mrs Paul Ananaba (SAN) President, Amadi Social Club of Nigeria; Chief Godson Evulukwu, Vice Chairman, Travelex Financial Services Ltd; and High Chief Innocent Markson, Chairman, Planning Committee of Amadi Social Club of Nigeria, during the fund raising luncheon for the presentation of ABA skills acquisition centre at Sheraton Hotel Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe.

Small scale industrialists lament high electricity bills

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—MEMBERS of Small Scale Polythene Industries in Onitsha, Anambra State, have called on President Goodluck Jonathan and governors of the South East to prevail on the Power Holding Company and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, to save them from outrageous electricity bills.

The industrialists, acting under the aegis of Osakwe Industrial Cluster, claimed that about five small scale industries had shut down as a result of epileptic power outage.

The situation, the group noted, was the same in Aba, the com-

mercial city of Abia State.

The appeal was made by the Chairman of the cluster, Mr. Johnson Okolo, who lamented what his members were going through in the hands of PHCN. He said if no urgent intervention was made by the government, small scale industries would go into extinction in the zone.

Okolo said the call became necessary, following threat by the PHCN to invade the cluster for mass disconnection for non-payment of bills he said ranged from N500,000 to N1 million.

He said the high bills were even given amid epileptic power supply to the area by PHCN.

According to him, most members of the cluster cannot pay such high bills and the next alternative will be to close shops and throw hundreds of people into the labour market.

He, however, warned that the small scale industrialists had vowed to resist any attempt to invade their companies by PHCN for any illegal disconnection.

He said: “We will not accept this overbilling by PHCN. We will not tolerate illegal disconnection of light, intimidation and harassment by PHCN”.

The industrialists had previously complained of what they called high fixed charge of MYTO2 in PHCN Enugu Zone.

Anambra fixes October 5 for LG polls

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—AFTER 15 years of waiting, Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission, ANSIEC, yesterday, fixed the conduct of the local government elections in the state for October 5, 2015.

Chief Sylvester Okonkwo, the acting chairman of ANSIEC, at an interactive session with stakeholders drawn from all the political parties in the state, said the commission would start the process in earnest to ensure a free and fair exercise.

Releasing the notice of the election, Okonkwo said: “In accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Sections 153 and 163

of the local government law, No.5 of 1999 of Anambra State, as well as Section 31 of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended, notice is hereby given that election for the post of chairmanship for the 21 local government councils and councillorship for the 327 electoral wards in the state shall hold on October 5, 2013 in Anambra State.

“Duly completed nomination forms are to be submitted to the commission’s headquarters on or before Thursday, August 15, 2013.”

Okonkwo said though he was already being threatened with court injunctions if the commission went ahead to conduct the exercise, he would not be intimidated by anybody, adding that by next Monday, ANSIEC would unveil the elec-

toral guidelines and timetable for the polls.

He prayed God to blind trouble makers who would attempt to disrupt the exercise and make them deaf and dumb until the election was over.

He assured the people of the state that ANSIEC was committed and respected individuals who would not be compromised.

Explaining what delayed the exercise over the years, the acting chairman said: “I am towing the path of the Holy spirit in this venture. A lot has been said about the local government election since the last exercise was conducted in1988.

“For instance, in 2001, we had everything ready for the election, but the then President Obasanjo asked all the governors not to conduct it".

contended that to execute them after over 16 years of trauma, suspense and imminent death would amount to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

They had asked the court to order the Edo State Governor to commute their death sentences to terms of imprisonment.

LEDAP, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mr. Chino Obiagwu, said: “The Attorney-General of Edo State and the prison authorities were duly served with the court processes, comprising the notice of appeal and motion for stay of execution.

“Under Nigerian laws, an appeal and application for stay of execution should restrain further action until the appeal is determined.

“By executing the prisoners, Nigeria government has demonstrated gross disregard to the rule of law and respect for the judicial process.”

Amnesty’s reactions

Amnesty, in its statement, said: “We have received credible reports that authorities in Edo State have hanged four men in Benin City Prison on Monday (yesterday), the first known executions in the country since 2006.

“A fifth man remains at imminent risk of execution.”

Amnesty’s Deputy Director for Africa, Lucy Freeman, said: “If confirmed, these executions mark a sudden, brutal return to the use of the death penalty in Nigeria, a truly dark day for human rights in the country.

“We again urge the Nigerian authorities to stop all executions immediately and return to the moratorium on executions in the country.

LEDAP noted that “it had, with HURSDEF, on October 19, 2012, filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Benin, on behalf of death row prisoners earmarked for execution

by Edo State Government.

“In the suit, the death row prisoners in the suit contended that to execute them after over 16 years of trauma, suspense and imminent death would amount to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment."

Vanguard , TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013—15

BIRTHDAY OF HRM OBA EREDIAUWA OF BENIN

HRH Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaiken N'Uselu, flanked by Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the Queens of Oba Erediauwa, Oba of Benin at the reception to celebrate the birthday of HRM Oba Erediauwa of Benin, in Benin City.

Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaiken N'Uselu supported by his daughters cuts the cake.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Chief Sam Igbe.

HRH Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaiken N'Uselu supported by some of his brothers cuts the cake.

HRH Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaiken N'Uselu flanked by the Queens of Oba Erediauwa of Benin.

The Queens of Oba Erediauwa.

16— Vanguard, TUESDAY,JUNE 25, 2013

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TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

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18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,JUNE 25, 2013 BEFORE millions of Nigerians, via live television, in the presence of the President, Nigeria’s men and women of means stepped forward to announce donations to victims of the flood that ravaged the country.

It was the worst flood in more than half a century. The sombre gathering only came to life as billions of Naira (some in foreign currencies) was listed as pledges from individuals and organisations. The donations totalled N11.35 billion; money could bring relief to the victims. More than seven months after the November 8 event, donors have defaulted. The Presidential Flood Relief and Rehabilitation Committee is threatening to name them after a June 30 deadline.

The committee has asked them to “respect themselves and maintain their honour and integrity”, by redeeming their pledges. It is amazing that the committee still associates the defaulters with “honour and integrity”.

They were not forced to give the money. They saw an opportunity to make a name; they milked the mileage and incentives without contributing their pledges.

If the committee checked it would have

Philanthropists As Frauds s raudstter ers known that some of the defaulters have a serial history of acting in this manner. From launchings in their home towns to other charities they pretend to support, they are used to making pledges without plans to redeem them.

Unfortunately, they get away with their disrespect for the public. Why would anyone exploit the flood incidents for publicising himself? There is another side to the welfare of flood victims, the resources allocated to them are not getting to them.

Weeks back, some victims in Adamawa State said they got only N200 each from the

State. Would that buy seedlings or repair anyone’s abode? The whole management of the resources for flood victims is over-due for investigation. So much went wrong and the default in pledges is only a part of it.

There is more fraud involved. The committee revealed that some of the defaulters were already enjoying the tax incentives that accompanied their pledges.

Their motivation for making pledges is obvious. Does that not show how resolved these people of “honour and integrity” are to default? Isn't it possible they forged proof of payment to access the incentives?

It is time we started treating criminals in high places with the ignominy they deserve.

It would not be adequate to receive their pledges when they pay. Those who received tax incentives without paying should be punished for fraud to deter others.

In future, more stringent conditions should be laid out for participation in these public events that are becoming breeding grounds for scandals. If sanctions that await defaulters are stated and implemented, they could check the appetite of fraudsters masquerading as philanthropists.

OPINION

BY EJIRO IDAMA

O

VERTIME, a number of opinions and impressions have been formed about Gov. Uduaghan administration’s programmes in particular its efforts to assuage the sufferings of the weak segments of the society. I have read conflicting comments that the administration is propoor, while another holds as being pro-PDP and pro-establishment. Whatever is being said, not being neither a member of PDP nor the administration, I will not join the debate. It is needless.

However, I am impressed by some developments in Delta state under the administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. I see the focus on mega project and liberal policy of his government of improving the welfare of the citizens through so many subsidized and free social programmes that is helping the poor and weak especially, as commendable.

One such programme is the free healthcare for under-5 children and free maternal health for expectant mothers.

Both programmes are a strong response of Uduaghan’s government to the dire data of in the frightening rates of infant and maternal mortality. Since their institution, the mortality rates have whittled.

For instance, many Deltans are aware of this and the growing impact it is making.

In penning this article, I was encouraged by comments of the Anglican bishop of Asaba dioceses, Rt. Rev. Justus Mogekwu, the other day in his sermon that Delta state government has done well in improving the C M Y K

Reality of Delta healthcare system health policy with special mention of free health care for under-5 children and free maternal healthcare for expectant mothers.

His words “I am happy to say that since Emmanuel Uduaghan came to office, his policies, projects and programs speak for him. On the health sector, he is determined to leave lasting legacy. The maternal healthcare is one of the legacies.

He said Deltans are relieved and elated that the government has relieved them of the financial burden of such medical care (including caesarean section, laboratory/ diagnosis fees). By some coincidence I was in some discussion with a friend, Mr. John Okiripki who is a usually a critic I guess influence by his background as a statistician, he commented that based on experience of many people, he is tempted to believe statistics from Delta government that a drop in mortality rate of 48.8 percent of 456 deaths per 100,000, to a December 2011 figure of 221 per 100,000 may have been achieved. He told me that if this is true then it is a significant change in statistical terms.

A human interest report in a community newspaper featured a Mrs. Charity Emeka, who was reported to have recently given birth to a male child through a caesarian section at the General Hospital Umunede, Ika North East Local Government, wondering; “who would have given me N 200,000 for the operation” a huge cost lifted

off this family and also the survival of mother and child through the ordeal.

The young mother understandably was thus full of praises for the government health policy which she observed has benefited pregnant mothers and the new born in Delta state.

Aside the free healthcare for children under-5 and free ante-natal care for expectant mothers, which many homes are still relishing, the Uduaghan administration has a free rural health care program, which affords Deltans of ages viz: children, adult male and females to access free medical care in, or near their residential places. Under this program, medical experts are assembled by the government to pay itinerant visit to all rural communities were they administer first class medical care to everyone, akin to the second republic era type medical programme of hospitals on wheel program of the late Prof. Ambrose Ali, then governor of Bendel state. But the Delta free rural healthcare is a motorized service module.

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ince the programme began, tens of thousands of persons have called, with varieties of ailment covered under its umbrella. For instance, I was informed that in the first round of the 2012/2013 cyclic tour alone, more than 60 surgeries were handled with 38 of them relating to cataract. Testimonies from beneficiaries

who appeared on local television showed that treatments covered hernia, appendicitis, hemorrhage (pile) and lymphoma.

For instance, a Mrs. Tina Smart and Angela Chidi, had fibroid removed from them. According to the duo of Tina and Angela without the free surgery the condition would have remained Another area in the Governor Uduaghan’s health policy development is the completion and provision of medical facilities to Delta state university Teaching Hospital, Oghara, DELSUTH, unarguably the best teaching hospital in the country, with a staff complement in many core areas as cardio-vascular challenges.

I understand that part of the reason the hospital receives so much attention is because, the administration wants to position it to tap into medical tourism, which Nigerians have become noted for. It makes sense. One can imagine how much will be saved if patients visit Oghara than go abroad.

There is no debate on this yet, but it can be said that had Uduaghan not being a medical doctor himself, he might not have been able to give as much attention as he has to healthcare. If you ask the man he may not even agree, well it does not matter.

The most important thing today is that Deltans have a better healthcare system than before. *Mr. Idama, a commentator on nation-

al issues, wrote from Asaba, Delta State.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013— 19

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HE Guardian Tuesday, May 28, 2013 carried the report of the interview of The Patriot's Chairman, Prof Ben Nwabueze and Chief Solomon Adun Asemota (SAN) a member.

In that interview, the two leaders maintained that the way to "save Nigeria from Anarchy" was by the convening of a National Conference" and the Arewa, the conclave of the Northern Elders, are in agreement on that proposition. "My argument," says Asemota, "is if the ideological issues were not discussed and we continue the way we are going, Nigeria will collapse. Therefore, we need to convene a National Conference." It is evident that saving Nigeria from collapse or from threatening anarchy is not a governance issue- it is a societal security issue; so also is the question of deciding what kind of Nigeria should replace the Nigeria whose security challenge has made the convening of a national conference a pressing political problem. Who should convene such a conference? Who should participate in such a conference?

What status should be accorded the proceedings of such a conference?

These are some of the issues of the modality for convening such a conference. The Patriots propose a conference of ethnic nationalities and argue against the Northern Elder's preference for a conference of political parties. The

Patriots so report:" "We are in correspondent with the Arewa. We have exchanged in black and white: we have agreed on the need for a national conference but the modalities are a bit different but that will be settled given goodwill.

The Arewa wanted the conference to be on political party basis but we say it should be a conference of ethnic nationalities. This must be the focal point because it will make no sense if the ethnic nationalities are not the major point of consideration for the conference. They are the people feeling the pinch of the crisis.

Nigeria does not contain one set of people: whosoever is saying that we are a set of one people is deceiving himself and the country.

Nigeria contains peoples; peoples make up Nigeria and that is why it is necessary to come to a round table based on ethnic nationalities and not on political parties to discuss our differences."

In a preceeding essay we have examined the feasibilities of a conference based on ethnic nationalities and have highlighted the problems entailed in defining representation and participation in sovereignty in ethnic nationality terms. The notion of ethnic nationality does not define nor describe sovereignty in the three periods of societal history relevant to the citizenry of Nigeria; the precolonial, colonial and presently in the post-colonial. Ethnic

,

nationality is an ideological construct of how sovereignty is to be democratically defined, it is the Patriots' prescription and they have identified 389 ethnic nationalities. How sovereignty commonly expressed in 389 mutually accepted political vernaculars is to be instituted is both a modality and an outcome issue. We did not see much progress achievable in attempt to institute a democratic construction of Nigerian sovereignty in ethnic nationality terms.

I

f The Patriots' suggestion is problematic, what about the Arewa option- a national conference on party basis? Here again we are likely to get to the kernel of the periodising of change of sovereignty in terms of the colonial episode. The colonial should differentiate the precolonial polities from the postcolonial. The colonial is an imperial polity, not a representation of the pre-colonial.

The post-colonial could be a representation of the colonial or its revolutionary replacement. The two possible outcomes, the representational-reformist and the revolutionary entail two distinct processes of change brought about

Occupant of Douglas House in 20 15: 2015: What manner of man or woman?

BY BRIGHT NWELUE

T

HINKING aloud" to me began to make more meaning when Sir Mike Ahamba, SAN, used it many years ago when he was a member of the then Imo House of Assembly.

Now I seek the patience of my readers to concede me the right to think aloud in the cause of guiding the conscience of our generation on what kind of man or woman should occupy the Douglas (Imo Government) House come 2015.

A little bit on the memory lane, those who have made the most pronounced efforts in the race of occupying Douglas House never made it; rather the least imagined always succeeded. Those who know or still remember can reflect on this as there is no intention of mine to recall historical details.

Taking a cue from the last general elections, it was unimaginable to any Imo man that another Orlu man could occupy Douglas House in 2011 thereby truncating the hopes of Okigwe and even Owerri people. If it was settled that the next occupant of the Douglas House will come from Owerri Zone it will be needless for a group like Owerri People's Front to begin to sermonise 50 reasons why their son, daughter or wife (?) should be the beneficiary in 2015. It is clear that the sermon of "it is the turn of this zone or the other" in Imo guber race can no longer fly and I strongly "

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believe that in no time it will spread to other contestable positions, even that of the Presidency, hence making it instructive that the electorates as well as the political calculations should concentrate more on what kind of man, or woman should emerge as Governor of Imo State in 2015.

I am not a professional columnist as to claim to have the power to manufacture a lengthy write-up to deliver my message hence I make straight to what I think should be done.

The only question I asked my son in-law when he first came to ask for the hand of my daughter in marriage was: Are you from a community/generation that has shame? He instantly answered yes and I quickly approved that my first daughter was his.

Fear he/she who has no shame; this is my belief.

Pedigree, experience and antecedent should be the yardstick to assess and endorse the next occupant of Douglas House and not where the person hails from.

If the Bible was not clear where Jesus Christ - Our Saviour - was born, wealthy people today would have imagined that his parentage was of presidents, senators, governors, billionaires, etc. From an "unknown" parentage yet God used Christ to give the world salvation. I am inclined to someone whom we can verify his parental/ community background, class/school

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National confab and the Arewa option

Control of government and the use to which control has been put has been the substance of Nigeria politics; neither the military nor the civilian electoral parties have been established to effect a change of sovereignty

through the agency of political parties. These two types of agency of political change, a change dealing with change in sovereignty on the one hand and change of sovereignty on the other hand, can be specified; they are the Party of Reform and the Party of Revolution. The facts of political history at first glance seem to favour the Arewa option of canvassing for a conference on the basis of parties until we ask the question of what kind of parties effected the change of Nigeria from a province of an empire into a separate country under its own government? The First Republic parties were reformist parties established under the government of the colony of Nigeria to effect the constitutional transfer of control of the government of colonial Nigeria from the Colonial Office to elected officials of the Nigerian parties recognised by the British Government.

Sovereignty issues were not addressed in the conduct of the 1959 elections through which the British Government recognised the government of Colonial Nigeria on October 1, 1960 as the government of Independence Nigeria. From October 1, 1960 to the present, political parties have been organised for election goals and not for sovereignty aims.

Control of government and not the creation of a new political order by sovereignty-aspiring parties has been the only game in town.

The Arewa option is an option to use electoral parties to effect the change of sovereignty, not a reform of the colonial order. This indeed is the main basis of The Patriot's rejection of the Arewa proposal. The question asked by The Patriots is: "The parties we have today in the country are made up of whom? If you go to the National Assembly, we have soldiers, policemen and all former Armed Forces men. How many people, who were outside the establishment of the Armed Forces, are in the National Assembly? This is the problem for us!"

The issues of politics from the colonial period to the present have

The occupant of Douglas House in 2015 must be someone whose past has never been associated with any means of livelihood that ran foul of the laws of the land

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mates, how he/she went up the ladder as well as evidence of enhancing society with his/ her previous opportunities, etc. The occupant of Douglas House in 2015 must be someone whose past has never been associated with any means of livelihood that ran foul of the laws of the land and must demonstrate capacity in leadership arising from known exposures and assignments he/ she must have handled in the past. We must concentrate on someone who understands the cosmopolitan nature of Nigeria and possibly has been a player in the complexity of leadership both locally, nationally and internationally.

O

ur target should be on one who has appetite to institute a robust environment capable of stimulating economic growth that translates to empowerment and improved security. The occupant of Douglas House in 2015 must not suffer the sins of the forefathers or the cobwebs of where he/she hails from.

been contained within the scope of matters relevant and pertaining to the holding of office and the control of government. Control of government in post-colonial Nigeria has been contested for by the military and civilian politicians. The politicians through parties formed for winning elections and holding office held sway from October 1, 1960 to January 24, 1966; and after a Civil War and military rule the civilians politicians returned to office from 1979 to December 1983. Military rule was resumed from December 1983 to May 28, 1999 with a brief interlude of the Interim National Government of Chief Ernest Shonekan hyphenating the change of baton from IBB to Abacha. From May 29, 1999 to the present, the PDP has been the ruling party. Control of government and the use to which control has been put has been the substance of Nigeria politics.

Neither the military nor the civilian electoral parties have been established to effect a change of sovereignty; their experience in the constitutional adaptation of British Colonial Government of Nigeria for resolving electoral conflicts does not equip the political class for change of order statecraft. The present issue to be addressed by a national conference, namely effecting a change of sovereignty, from the colonial to the postcolonial calls for movement parties, not electoral parties. The Patriots have a point in arguing that the concerns of the people that constitute the citizenry of Nigeria must be the focus of the conference.

The question is, how are the people of Nigeria who from the colonial period to the present have been in subjecthood to be mobilised for reconstituting themselves into a post-colonial democratic sovereign people that is referred to in the 1999 Constitution as The People? Such a task is a movement task and the conference proposed can only be the beginning of such a movement whose agency must be a party or parties organised for such a purpose.

As soon as INEC confirms the atmosphere clear for all political intentions to be declared, the forerunners should constitute a panel where every candidate should have one member in that panel and participate in a live radio and TV interviews with them as to generate impressions on the minds of the people through which they can independently choose their governor.

Peradventure moneybags still think that 2015 will be business as usual, I counsel everyone who is lucky to lay hand on such money, collect it, help the poor around you with it and still stick more to your conscience while voting. Above all, there should be a zero-tolerance of strangers invading communities only for the purposes of rigging elections. I still believe that if the Nigeria Police Force and all security agencies resolve to stamp out electoral crimes, in fact all crimes, they can simply do so. Once they say to hell with connivance and compromise, the game is up for all enemies of society.

Make public the background, pedigree and experience of all aspirants to Douglas House in 2015 and the right candidate will simply emerge. My joy is that no one will escape judgement in the sight of God no matter how much you pretend, hide or cut corners. It is important that we remove clannishness in 2015 elections to enable someone whose personality and profile can fit into the dream of a prosperous Imo emerge. Leadership, to my mind, is not a popularity contest but election seems to be. *Mr. Nwelue, a political analyst, wrote from Owerri, Imo State.

20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

rolled him in one of the Catholic schools in Onitsha. When I went back sometime in March, I saw the boy. The next thing she saw was the Police coming to arrest her. That was how she found herself here. I went with her pictures from one police station to the other, in search of her until I got information that she is at Ajangbadi Police station.

“It was later that she was told that if she had gone through the right processes of adopting a child, she would not have spent the N600,000 she gave to Bernadette. She is a victim, her childless situation exposed her to it. All she wanted was a child she could call her own. I believe that God will see us through in this case.”

Ignorance of law not excuse

•The suspects paraded with the stolen children

CHILD TRAFFICKING:

Dramatic story of suspects’ arrest

By UJU MBANUSI

I

T is longer news that those recently paraded as members of a child trafficking syndicate at the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, were arraigned at the Apapa Family Court on Thursday, May 30, 2013.

It is also no more news that three of the defendants, Benedette Ogbonna, Chibueze Mba, and Adaeze Mba who were alleged to be directly involved in the stealing and selling of children, pleaded not guilty to the eightcount charge brought against them while the fourth defendant, Patricia Anibogu, the 61-year- old who allegedly bought one of the children from Benedette Ogbogu, also pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge brought against her.

However, facts have emerged how the alleged act was perpetrated. A relation of the Amechis whose children were allegedly abducted by the syndicate last September in Imo State, identified as Chief Lazarus Akonobi told Vanguard Metro, VM, the engaging story: “The suspects C M Y K

involved in this case abducted two of my relative’s children from my brother’s house in our village, Awo-Idemmili-Osu Local Government, Imo State, on September 2012. They applied the same style used in stealing a four-yearold boy in Lagos. They rented a room in our compound in AwoIdemmili and after about three months, they abducted the children and disappeared when nobody was around. From then, we started searching for them.

Male suspect “The 23-year-old suspect identified as Adaeze Mba, is known as Adaobi Ojinnaka from Mbosi, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State; the real name of the male suspect is Anyaehie Mba. Chibueze Mba is his brother’s name which he adopted as his own. When they came to rent a room at our family compound, the lady gave Florence as her name; she also said she is from Nnewi, while investigation revealed that she is from Mbosi.

“In the past four months we

•Chibueze and Adaeze Mba have been looking for them until we got the news that they have been caught by the Police at Ajangbadi Police. That was when I took their pictures to the police and lodged the complaint. They immediately swung into action and went as far as Obosi in Anambra State where the buyers of the children were and they were arrested. I must confess here that the Police and the human rights section of the Ilemba Hausa Division of Ajangbadi Police station really did a wonderful job; they went as far as tracking their mobile phone numbers from the telecommunications companies.

“They amazed me. If they continue to work this way, there will be a drastic decline in criminal activities ; and the manner in which the chief suspect by the name Bernadette was apprehended was commendable”.

Oby Obodoefuna, younger sister to one of the defendants, Patricia Anibuogu, narrated her sister’s ordeal to Vanguard Metro.

According to her, Patricia Anibogu had been married for 28 years but has no child. This resulted in her husband (now late)

getting married to another woman who bore him children. When Patricia could not bear the maltreatment in her husband’s home, she packed out and returned to her father’s house

,

•Incredible: Prime suspect engages in sharp practices in custody

Counsel to the defendant, Ada Amogu, told VM: “We appreciate the fact that ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Howbeit, I made it known to the court that it was out of ignorance that she got entangled in this web. She adopted a child from an unauthorized home; it is not that she was responsible for the stealing or the adoption. She went to a home, where she assumed people can go and adopt children, but then unknown to her, it was not legalised.

I made this known to the magistrate in my application.

However, as a woman and also as a member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, I must say this is an eye-opener for ignorant women who just go anywhere and pick a child all in the name of adoption. I advise them to investigate, go through the right channels, there are social welfare departments in states, and they can go there to make inquiries, know the procedures; also come to the court with the orphanage managements so

,

I must confess here that the Police really did a wonderful job; they amazed me; if they continue to work this way, there will be a drastic decline in criminal activities

where she started selling food, meat and drinks to survive. In February after the burial of our mother, I returned to my base.

My sister called me and told me that she just had a baby, I asked her why she did not mention it to me, so that I can stay back and help her with the post-natal care.

She said she actually adopted a four- year- old boy from one of the orphanages in Onitsha.

When I asked her if she was sure of their authenticity, she said the woman who facilitated the adoption of the boy assured her that there will be no problem; also that she will bring her the adoption papers later.

She added that she had en-

that everything will be binding.

In this way, you will not encounter problems. It is not wrong for somebody to adopt a child, unless like in this case, it is done in an illegal manner.”

VM also gathered that even in custody, the chief suspect, Benedette Ogbonna, tried to con other suspects of some amount of money. The mother of four children, who said she is married to a retired military officer was heard telling other suspects that she could arrange a reliable lawyer for them, who will get them out of this case in good time, if they can pay her N150, 000 each, to enable her settle the said lawyer.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013 — 21

African Union calls for more investments to promote jobs

By VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

A

FRICAN Union, AU, has called for more investments to promote job creation, achieve all inclusive growth and eradicate poverty in the continent.

Speaking during the 102nd session of the International Labour Conference, ILC, in Geneva, Switzerland, Chairman, African Union Commission, AUC, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, predicted that the continent would in the next fifty years be home to 1.1 billion workers, more than a third of the global workforce.

According to her, “We are determined to step up efforts to promote job creation, work for the eradication of poverty, achieve growth and allow equitable distribution, particularly for women and the youth.

Africa has managed to resist internal and external shocks and is expected to grow by 4.8 percent in 2013 and 5.3 percent in 2014.

But according to Zuma, there are significant challenges ahead. “By all estimates, our continent is a continent of young people, and it is getting younger. By 2025, it is estimated that the African youth will make up one-quarter of the world’s population.

By 2040, half of the world’s youth population will be African, the majority of which will be women and girls. This means that in the next fifty years, approximately 1.1 bil-

lion of the global workforce will be African,” she noted.

She called for more investments in African agriculture, infrastructure, small and medium enterprises, sea transportation, energy, information and communications technology, and tourism, noting that investing in Africa’s youth was a big part of meeting the challenges facing the region.

2,155.00

-17.00

16.8

0.42

101.09 -1.06 93.95 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

154.75 239.1042 204.3319 166.6128 1.5839 0.2924 233.4406 25.2273 41.2623 27.3918 234.1987

155.25 239.8768 204.9921 167.1512 1.589 0.3024 234.1948 25.3093 41.3956 27.4803 234.9554

mission, the African Development Bank, the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the ILO aimed at promoting youth employment in the continent, stressing that “if we properly invest in youth and women, they can become a great asset to drive Africa’s social, economic and cultural development, failing which they can be a serious liability.”

From left:Chairman, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, ASHON, Mr. Emeka Madubuike and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Aigboje AigImoukhuede during the ASHON Capital Market Night, in Lagos.

Bank frauds: Police blames increase on inadequate facilities

By EVELYN USMAN

1.05

118.7

She said, “It is imperative that, we invest in our people’s health nutrition and education and have them acquire the skills that will enable them to become productive members of our society. To be properly employed, the youth must be employable.”

The Chairperson of the AUC mentioned a joint initiative developed by the AU Com-

-1.45 SELLING 155.75 240.6493 205.6523 167.6895 1.5942 0.3124 234.9491 25.3913 41.5289 27.5688 235.7121

CBN Exchange rate as at 24/06/2013

C

OMMISSIONER of Police in-charge of Special Fraud Unit, SFU, Mr. Tunde Ogunsaki, has attributed lack of well equipped forensic laboratories, data base of criminals, inadequate legislation and collaboration with private sector, as well as international collaborative framework as factors militating against the handling of bank frauds.

He also blamed most banks executives for hampering the detection of bank frauds by withholding necessary information on the grounds that they do not want negative publicity for their banks.

Briefing newsmen on the current trend in banks’ fraud, Ogunsaki expressed shock that inspite of what he described as ambivalence measures put in place by government regulators for the commercial banks/players to guarantee security of access and terminals, which provide tools for e-products delivery, fraudsters were still unrelenting to thwart

these efforts. Most common among electronic banking Fraud according to him, was the Money Transfer (Wire) Instruction Schemes “where either the bank customers account passwords are either stolen, hacked into, or where the security pass codes of bank officials are compromised through the bank’s electronic platform by fraudsters.

“In the first scenario, fraudulent wire transfer instructions are scanned supposedly from the customers account profile to the bank relationship managers and either through active connivance or sheer negligence on the part of the bank, such platform instructions are honoured by the bank as money running into Hundreds of Millions of Naira are paid into fraudsters nominated bank accounts. In a world where Information Technology has become the veritable foundation of modern day banking in a cashless environment, it is quite natural for fraudsters to devise their own criminal means and motive to circumvent the system.

UKDFID, Citibank partner on human capacity devt in Nigeria

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

T

HE United Kingdom De partment for International Development, UK DFID Nigeria, has partnered Citibank Nigeria Limited on human capacity development in Nigeria, especially in improving the fortunes of the Nigerian education sector.

Addressing guests at an event to mark this year’s Citi Global Community Day in Lagos, the MD/CEO Citibank Nigeria, Omar Hafeez, noted that the partnership is part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

He said, “This is our own way of giving back to the society, as it would go a long way in contributing to this nation’s development. We are doing the much we can, but this whole arrangement is all about what we can do and how we can collaborate to achieve that.

“We know that by partnering with the UK DFID to provide educational aid to schools in Nigeria, Ikoyi Nursery and Primary School, in particular, we can make a difference. As part of our community service, we have set up and equipped the school’s computer laboratory and provided teaching utensils. We have also assisted the school with some upgrade work including painting the school’s building and refurbishing the school’s borehole unit.”

Also speaking, the regional coordinator, DFID, Dr. Sina Fagbenro, said, “Citibank has demonstrated that it knows its environment, has identified area of need and has gone ahead to address that need.

The education sector is most critical to the development of Nigeria and basic education is fundamental to the success or failure of the entire education system. “We therefore commend Citibank for initiating this activity,” he added.

Speaking further, the Executive Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Gbolahan Daodu, said, the education sector in Lagos faces difficult challenges occasioned by influx of children from other states, therefore causing unwarranted stretch on education infrastructure in the state.

She, therefore commended Citibank for the gesture even as she called on all stakeholders to support the state government’s bid to raise the standard of education.

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

Buying and selling Bonds (2)

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

W

E concluded the last edition by saying that there is primary market and secondary market for bonds. Before explaining the process of buying bonds in each market, it is important to state that the prices of bonds fluctuate at the secondary market.

Usually, bonds are sold at N100 per unit when they are issued. Assuming you invest N10, 000 to buy 1000 units of five year bond paying 10 per cent interest rate, if by the third year, you urgently need the N10,000 such that you are willing to sell the bonds to any willing buyer, you may have to sell at a price below the N100 per unit you bought the bond, especially given that you have collected 10 per cent interest rate for two years (i.e. N2,000). Also if interest rate in the economy has risen to say 15 per cent, the bond will become less attractive compared to other investment like fixed deposit and savings, hence investors would be willing to pay lesser price for the bond than the N100 per unit at which it was sold to you.

Note that the reverse is the case if interest rates fall to say five per cent. But remember that the price fluctuations only affect those that want to sell their bonds before maturity date.

They do not affect bond holders that wait till the bonds mature before they get their money back.

How to buy bonds When governments or companies want to borrow money by

O F

IDSON HEALTHCARE, listed on the pharmaceuticals sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, led the pack with 15 percent or N0.30 per share price appreciation from N2.00 it started the week with to N2.30.

Fidson attained a significant height in the healthcare industry when it emerged the first indigenous pharmaceutical

frequently issued is the Federal Government Bond of Nigeria. While FGN Bonds are issued by the Debt Management Office, the Central Bank of Nigeria acts as the Issuing House and Registrar. Furthermore, there are 13 banks and five dis-

Top 10 performing stocks

By NKIRUKA NNOROM N the top 10 performing stocks last week were Fidson Healthcare, Red Star Express, Portland Paints & Products, Courteville Business Solution, CBS, and Airline Services & Logistics PLC, ASL. Others include UBA Capital, Custodian and Allied Insurance, Presco, Mansard Insurance and Learn Africa.

selling bonds, they do so through an agent organisation or an organisation called the Issuing House, which markets and sells the bonds on behalf of the bond issuer. As stated in the last edition, the most dominant bond in Nigeria and also

company to manufacture antiretroviral drug. The drug, known as Virex Anti-retroviral, was 100 percent formulated and manufactured in Nigeria. The company’s financial statement for the year ended 31st December, 2012, showed that it recorded152 percent increase in profit after tax toN540 million from N214 million in 2011. 12 kobo dividend pay-out is being proposed by the board of directors, which is subject to shareholders approval at the next Annual General Meeting.

Year-to-date, the share price has risen by 277.05 percent from N0.61 at the beginning of the year to N2.30 at close of trading on Friday.

R

ED STAR, listed in courier/freight/delivery sector emerged second with price gain of 8.71 percent or N0.40 from N4.59 to N4.99 per share. It is a logistics solution provider, offering services in transportation, warehousing and other supply chain management. In line with

world’s best practices and commitment to sustainable development, Red Star, recently embraced the use of bio-degradable polythene envelopes as its official flyers.

The stock price has risen by 127.85 percent year-to-date from N2.19 to the present market price. It had risen to N5.10 before relapsing to N4.99, the closing price as at Friday, 21 June, 2013.

P

ORTLAND PAINTS, the third on the top 10 gainers last week, is listed in the building materials sector, and markets the SANDTEX range of paint products. The company’s paints are classified into Decorative, General Industrial and Auto Refinishes.

The share price rose by 6.82 percent or N0.27 from N3.96 to N4.23 per share. UACN recently acquired majority stake in the company, a partnership that was meant to deepen Portland’s presence in the paint industry.

Already, the stock price has risen by 86.34 percent from year low of N2.27 to the present market price. It had previously risen to N5.90.

Courteville is listed on computer based sector of the NSE and provides Auto Registration Solutions. The company recently declared intension to invest $5million in the next five years to pursue expansion to Caribbean countries.

Following strong argument recently by the Managing Director, Mr. Bola Akindele, that CBS is not a 50kobo stock, the stock had taken a turn for the better, rising to N0.80 at the close of business last week from N0.75 per share. It had previously risen to N0.96.The first quarter financial results for

count houses appointed as primary dealers and market makers for FGN Bonds. Whenever DMO wants to issue FGN Bonds, it announces it through newspaper adverts. Also on its website, it publishes a calendar for bonds to be issued in a year.

The last bond issuance by the DMO was held on June 12, 2013, and the next would be conducted on October 17th 2013.

To buy or subscribe to the bond offer, you need to obtain, complete and submit the application forms, through any of the primary dealers (13 banks and five discount houses). You can also download the form from the website of DMO (http:// www.dmo.gov.ng). Payment for the units of bonds you want to buy is to be made through the primary market dealer. After the offer, the bonds are registered in your name with the Central Securities Clearing system (CSCS). The interest rate on FGN bonds is paid semi-annually (twice a year) until the maturity date when the principal (amount invested) is paid back.

The process is similar for state bonds and corporate bonds.

If you want to buy bond or sell your bond before maturity, you have to do so through the stock market and for this, you need the services of a stock broker.

You will be given an Order form, in which you will indicate the type, unit of bond you want to buy and at what price. The process is very similar to that of buying shares in the secondary market. period ended 31st March, 2013, showed a 22 percent growth in its profit after tax from N245.3million in 2011 to N298.3million in 2012. Turnover rose by 33.78 percent from N233.97 million in 2012 to N313.01 million in the review period.

ASL rose by 6.12 percent or N0.30 from N4.90 at the beginning of the week to N5.20 to close as the fifth top price gainers.

Listed in transport-related services sector, ASL provides inflight catering services to local and international airlines. Yearto-date, the share price has risen by 285.83 percent from N1.27 to N4.90.

UBA Capital’s share price rose by 5.88 percent or N0.07 to close at N1.26 from N1.19; Custodian & Allied Insurance gained 5.77 percent or N0.09 to close at N1.65 from N1.56.

Presco added 5.57 percent or N1.95 to its share price from N35.00 to N36.95, while Mansard and Learn Africa went up by 5.50 percent or N0.12 to close at N2.30 from N2.18 and 3.95 percent or N0.07 to close at N1.84 from N1.77 per share respectively.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013 — 23

INVESTORS SPEAK

Why investors have more preference for stocks

By WILLIAM JIMOH & PAUL METU

to make profit as fast as possible.

Mr. Samuel Iserhien,

I

A

lot of people invest in stocks rather than they do in bond because of its capital appreciation potential, which enables the investor to make very good money within a very short period.

Like in the 2000s, between 2000 and 2007, when the market was booming, that was the time the market was active positively because then, the stocks were appreciating and that made it possible for investors to buy a share at the rate of N10 and between two to three years after, your N10 had become N50 resulting into capital gain for the investor.

That is really very attractive because as at that time, there was no other investment that was as lucrative as stocks; although later on property became equally attractive because then if you buy land for N1 million, after two to three years, your N1million could become 10 million. That was the time when a lot of people developed interest in stocks most especially those that had the money to invest.

But in the case of bonds, they do not really appreciate like stocks, but they are more secure than shares. If you talk about the volatility of prices, you find out that bonds are more secure than shares because just as the price of shares can appreciate, it can also depreciate quickly.

For example, many of us lost lots of money during the market meltdown because of the volatility of shares. Though I am not a full time shareholder, but as somebody who has little shares here and there, together with many other Nigerians, we suffered lot of losses between

Mr. David Sunday Oso, prefer buying Treasury bill, T-bill is either quarterly or monthly investment. This is how it works. If you have N1000 and you invest it in T-bill, the interest is 10 percent and immediately, right there at the point of investing your money you will be given the 10 percent interest and with that you have only invested 90 percent.

And people patronise this because it is time bound and the time frame is not as long as that of bond, which normally could be up to two, five or 10 years and that is the reason why many people are losing interest in investing in bond.

And for this same reason, they prefer stocks because it provides annual income inform of dividend, which some time could also be accompanied by bonus. With the two, that is bonus and dividend, the minority investor is satisfied because it has brought about appreciation to the investment.

On the bond side, if you buy bond, there is no appreciation, it is what you put there that you will take at the maturity, which is the interest you get and that is all.

For instance, I am an investor and the whole of my family, including my grandchildren have shares in First Bank and we are getting our dividend any time it is declared and we also get the bonuses.

So, the shares have appreciated to such an extent that everybody is happy. This year, the bank is paying N1 per share. Though there is no bonus this year, last year we were given bonuses of one for eight units and this we have added to what we have to cumulate the dividend for this year.

•Mr. David Sunday Oso 2008 and 2010. The shares that were selling for N50-N60 dropped to as low as 50 kobo.

That was what the stock market went through at that particular period. But from 2011, it started moving upward and today, it is a little bit stable. The bank stocks that are still having some problems but currently, the shares of manufacturing companies are quite good.

The only advantage that bonds have over stocks is that they very secure, even though they do not appreciate; an investor will be very certain that come rain or shine the money will not disappear. He knows that he will get the 100 percent of the worth of his investment.

But when you talk about the purchasing power of money, the value of money changes year after year and in a case whereby the purchasing power of money drops, there must be a commensurate increase in income to compensate you for the value of lost during the

•Mr. Samuel Iserhien period of investing.

And that is why if you buy a share at N10, you know that your N10 could drop to N6 within a short while. But because it also has the potential of rising from N10 to N20, it will compensate for the loss of value due to inflation.

Bonds on the other hand do not have such kind of cover; all you get is your fixed interest at quarterly or yearly basis depending on the signed agreement.

Now they are trading bonds and there is also the possibility that the price may change slightly either upward or downward just as we have in shares, but the volatility is not as high as that of shares.

And just as it is generally known, the more risk involved in a business, the more profitable it becomes and that is what shareholders also look at before putting their money into any form of investment because they are in the market

Government bond is not as encouraging as stock because we have what I will call wasteful government. When you buy the federal, state or even the local government bond for instance, you don’t know the kind of people that are managing it. And you hear of people looting government money here and there rather than investing the money on ventures that will justify the investment.

If you think that whether they use the money well or not should not concern you as an investor, you lie because supposing the government collapses or the army should take over the government, what makes you think that you will get your money back? And even if they are considerate to say they are giving you the money, it is going to take a long time before they can pay you and that will not be in the interest of an investor who has planned what to do with his investment from the starting point.

Beyond that, the purpose of any form of investment is to get the capital, the interest and the bonus, but you cannot be certain of this when it come to government bond, most especially in a country like ours.

And that is why like I said, despite all these, and with my interest in bond, what I do is to buy T-bill which matures within 90 days and I get my interest.

After this, if I feel like renewing it, I can do that and if not, I get out. I don’t embark on any form of investment that will take so long before it matures just like in the case of share. Another thing is that people are also encouraged to invest in T-bill because the interests are paid at the point of investment unlike like bond where you can never be certain of what will happen to your money.

COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS What happened to my investment in Daar Communications?

I bought shares worth N5, 000 from DAAR Communications Nig. Ltd. in 2005 or 2006.

I paid the money through UBA, but since then, I have not been notified. Does it mean that before buying shares, somebody must have a Stockbroker? Or is it that my money is gone?

(Christy, Bayelsa State) Investors Forum Not really. To ascertain the status of your investment, you need to contact the registrars of Daar Communications. Contact First Registrars Plot 2 Abebe Village Road, Iganmu or call 08033018295, 08191410456

Ecobank, where is my certificate I bought Oceanic Bank shares in 2007. But since Ecobank took over the bank, they have not issued me an Ecobank certificate. Even the branch Delta State through which I bought the shares could not help. It is a huge challenge to me. Please assist (Inone John Oyibo).

Investors Forum Please send a formal complaint to Managing Director/ Chief Executive, ESL Registrars Ltd, 16/A Rauf Taylor Close, Off Idego Street, Victoria Island, Lagos or send text to 08023877699 No dividend from Japaul Oil I purchased shares of Japaul Oil, but I have not received div-

idend for eight years now.

Please help me to investigate.

Investors Forum The company paid dividend last year. You need to contact the company’s registrars i.e. Sterling Registrars Limited, Akuro House, 24 Campbell Street, Lagos Island, P. M. B. 12735, Lagos.

I want to invest in shares My name is Chuks. I’ve been thinking about investing in the stock market for some time now and I would like to know how to go about it. How do I get started?

Investors Forum You need to acquaint yourself with some basic education about investment in shares. For this,

we recommend you read previous editions of Investors Forum.

Secondly, you need the services of a stockbroker and for a list of licensed stockbroking firms, visit http:// www.nse.com.ng/Regulation/ ForBrokers/Pages/DealingMembers.aspx.

I need update on Afribank Please I need to know the fate of Afribank, which metamorphosed into Mainstreet Bank, because I have 200 units of shares with the bank before the CBN came with their policy.

Investors Forum Afribank does not exist again, neither is investment in the bank. The bank ceased to belong to the shareholders once the bank was closed by CBN.

COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS Do you have any challenge with your investment in the stock market or with any company (stockbroker, Registrar Company etc), write to vanguardinvestorsforum @gmail.com OR send text to 07043855187. We will INVESTIGATE AND REPLY

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

Energy sector records N187bn FDI inflow

BY MICHAEL EBOH

N

I G E R I A ’ s development partners have invested about N187.44 billion ($1.17 billion) in the country’s energy sector as at December 2012, under the Country Assistance Framework, CAF. The partners, according to the CAF draft document for May 2013, are the African Development Bank, Agence Francaise de Development, Canadian International Development Agency, Department for International Development, Embassy of Japan, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and Embassy of the Republic of China.

Others are the European Union, High Commission of India, International Monetary Fund, United States Agency for International Development, United Nations System and the World.

The report, which was obtained by Vanguard, put the total commitment of the development partners as at the end 2012 at US$13.018 billion, with the Nigeria’s energy and power sector accounting for nine per cent of the total.

According to the report, CAF is the common strategic approach of Nigeria’s development partners in support of the government’s development plans.

It noted further that CAF is derived from the programme priorities articulated in Vision 20:2020 and its implementation strategy, the Transformation

Agenda (TA) 2011 – 2015.

In the power sector, the report said the partners will provide analytical and advisory activities in support of prioritizing sector investment in a context of limited financial resources.

The document further noted that the partners under the CAF programme will also assist the government in covering the payment risk of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company, especially as it enters into a Power Purchase Agreements with Independent Power Producers, IPPs. The partners will also

support the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company, NBETC, to establish a culture of excellence and transparency, to give investors the confidence to develop costefficient electricity generation projects, the document stated.

The document noted further that “To improve the capacity and reliability of its generation, transmission and distribution systems, Nigeria needs to: ensure that the policy and reform agenda continues to move forward; institute costreflective tariffs and appropriate commercial practices.

“Nigeria should increase transparency in government investment decisions, sector subsidies and award of power purchase agreements; improve accountability by private operators and develop the Sustainable Energy for all (SE4all) agenda for rapid expansion of electricity access and related analytical data and reports.”

The report listed internal violence, insecurity, and uncertainty ahead of the 2015 general elections, economic volatility and fluctuation in the prices of oil in the international market as major risk factors that will hamper the implementation of the CAF programmes.

From left: The Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Abiye Membere: Group Managing Director Mr. Andrew Yakubu: and Managing Director, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, Mr. Victor Briggs, at NPDC’s Board meeting in Warri, Delta State.

Acquired assets will be efficiently managed — NNPC/NPDC

T

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and its subsidiary the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, have expressed their readiness to professionally and efficiently operate the oil assets acquired from the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC. The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, stated this over the weekend at the end of a board meeting of the NNPC/ NPDC in Warri, Delta State.

Yakubu said that the Corporation is repositioning to ensure that the assets remained productive and

ultimately boast revenue inflow to the Nigerian economy.

“With the divestment of Shell, NPDC is the top and the only option for indigenous participation that will replace companies like SPDC and other companies that wanted to divest their equities. So NPDC therefore, has taken over this obligation of value addition as the flagship operator of the upstream business of NNPC. NPDC is the gateway of capacity development and capability development of the upstream activities in Nigeria,” he said.

He noted that NPDC’s operations has made it the highest local producer and

supplier of gas for domestic gas requirement and Africa, adding that this has gone a long way in meeting Federal Government’s aspiration in the area of gas to power.

The NNPC helmsman further promised that as a socially responsible Corporation, the NNPC/NPDC will step up activities in the area of providing social amenities such as classroom blocks, educational scholarship, healthcare facilities, roads, and water for its host communities.

He added that by partnering with the various tiers of government in providing basic amenities to oil bearing communities, and stressed that

the NNPC/NPDC will continue to touch the lives of Nigerians in many positive ways.

According to him, the support from the Warri communities indicates that the coming of NPDC to Warri will help in sustaining community development efforts in line with international best practices. It would be recalled that through the support and vision of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Maduke, the NNPC/NPDC took over the management of some oil blocks in a bid to meet the aggressive target of producing 250,000 barrels of crude per day in 2015.

Shell’s $2.4bn Gbaran projects to boost gas supply …To sell divested interests to Nigerian firms

BY MICHAEL EBOH

S

HELL Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, SPDC, operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC/SPDC joint venture, has disclosed that its planned $2.4 billion investment in the Gbaran-Ubie Phase Two project will ensure 100 per cent capacity utilisation of the plant.

The company also said that peak production from the plant, which consists of five gas supply and infrastructure projects which are critical for the continued gas supply to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) plant and the GbaranUbie domestic power plant (IPP) will be 215,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

A statement from the company last week, also hinted that it will consider local companies for the planned divestments ffrom some of its interests Nigeria.

Shell had announced plans to invest about $3.9 billion in two projects in Nigeria - the TransNiger Pipeline loop-line, TNPL, and Phase Two of the Gbaran-Ubie gas project.

It also declared its intention to further cut down on its operations in Nigeria, stating that it is undertaking a strategic review of its businesses. It added that it would consult with its international and Nigerian partners over the future of its 28 Oil Mining Licenses, OMLs in Nigeria that produce about 750,000 barrels of oil a day.

Continuing, Shell disclosed that it has been following a strategy of selective divestments from its onshore portfolio by “concentrating the operating footprint into a smaller, more contiguous area, while supporting the Government’s policy of encouraging investment by indigenous companies in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.”

Commenting on the development, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, Managing Director, SPDC, said, “These announcements demonstrate our long term commitment to Nigeria by clearly signalling our intent for the strategic direction of Shell in Nigeria.

Vanguard Vanguard,,

C M Y K

TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

— 25

26—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

Nigeria secures N128bn from equipment manufacturers

BY MICHAEL EBOH

T

HE Nigeria Content Development Monitoring Board, NCDMB, said the country has secured over N128 billion ($800 million) investments from oil and gas equipment manufacturers and their representatives for the next three years.

The NCDMB in its Nigerian Content Implementation Framework for 2013, said since it commenced the Equipment Component Manufacturing Initiative, ECMI, it has issued over 500 certificates to equipment manufacturers and Original Equipment Manufacturers’, OEM representatives who met the technical requirements.

According to the NCDMB, this represents over $800 million investment commitments beyond the next three years.

The report stated that the ECMI was conceived to get representatives of Original Equipment Manufacturers in Nigeria to partner with the OEMs and establish facilities for manufacturing equipment components and parts or assembly of equipment Completely Knocked Down, CKDs in Nigeria.

The NCDMB said, “The business case for ECMI is based on the realisation that local manufacturing of components used by the industry holds the key to unlocking jobs in the industry, spend retention and industrialisation of the

economy.

“The ECMI is therefore one key way to re-engineer Nigerian Content growth and create employment opportunities.”

The NCDMB said the initiative is being operated in phases, to ensure that supplies of some vital equipment are allowed only after securing the commitment of suppliers, who have developed credible proposals on how to domicile the manufacturing of certain components of their equipment within the shortest possible

time.

The report indicated that the NCDMB had set minimum local content requirement for equipment manufacture in Nigeria at 10 per cent in 2012, and 50 per cent in 2015. This is to ensure that it retained a sizeable proportion of aggregate industry spend on procurement of equipment in the Nigerian economy.

“NCDMB introduced Nigerian Content Equipment Certification, NCEC, which makes equipment component or equipment spare parts

manufacture a requirement for participation in tenders.

“The initiative is intended to encourage growth in local manufacturing and assembly for the oil and gas industry and also stimulate improvements in the country’s manufacturing sector,” the report added.

NCDMB further said that it aims to achieve this by encouraging local manufacturers to raise capacity while also encouraging original equipments manufacturers to domicile their manufacturing operations in Nigeria.

The NCDMB further stated that it is also working towards ensuring that at least 60 per cent of marine assets in the country are owned by Nigerians by the year 2015.

From left: President, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, NAPE, Mr. George Osahon; Session Chair, Dr. Emmanuel Enu; Guest Speaker/ Managing Director of Niger Delta Exploration and Production Plc, Dr. Layi Fatona; and Prince Gbenga Lufadeju of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) at The Monthly Technical Meeting of NAPE held in Lagos.

NIMASA serves detention order on NLNG vessels

By KUNLE KALEJAYE

T

HE row over the payment of levies between the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited, NLNG, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, took a new dimension at the weekend, as the latter served a detention order on vessels belonging to NLNG for none compliance to pay $20 million outstanding debts.

Deputy Director/Head, Public Relations of NIMASA, Mr. Isichei Osamgbi, said in a statement that this became inevitable following NLNG’s refusal and failure to abide by the outcome of the negotiated settlement of the debts arrived at through a mediation process it willingly agreed to.

The order came even as the

NLNG also said in a statement last week that it had filed a case in the Federal High Court, Lagos, against NIMASA, seeking judicial clarity and interpretation on the legality or otherwise of the various levies imposed on it by NIMASA. It insisted that it is complying under protest with the Government’s directive to pay the said levies, but NIMASA, however, denied knowledge of any court order or any suit brought by NLNG against it.

General Manager, External Relations, NLNG, Mr. Kudo Eresia-Eke, in the statement said following the blockade incident, a series of meetings were held in the past few weeks after which the company was subsequently directed by the Federal Government to pay the NIMASA levies.

He explained that NLNG

has thus commenced installment payments under protest to NIMASA, in compliance to the Government’s directive, but without prejudice to its right to seek judicial interpretation in the court of law.

“It is instructive to note that Nigeria LNG Limited and its shareholders still firmly believe in the rectitude of their earlier position that NLNG is duly protected by the provisions of the NLNG Act against the payment to NIMASA of the Sea Protection Levy, the 3 per cent freight levies on cargo exports shipped by NLNG, and that the 2 per cent Cabotage Levy on LNG carriers is inapplicable because NLNG’s LNG vessels are not involved in coastal trade or cabotage.

“NLNG is a Nigerian company involved in almost

exclusively, international export business and is thus subject to all relevant national and international laws, standards and ethos with which it must comply.

“This, amongst others, requires that all its dealings are governed and premised on the universal principles of the rule of law to which the Nigeria Government also affirms its commitment.

“The company has often clarified that the issues it has with payment of any levy, charge or impose has little to do with the amounts involved, but more with the principle of the rule of law, so that it can safeguard its international business which rests squarely on its reputation as a law abiding company, as well as Nigeria’s reputation in the global community.

NAPE holds training for media practitioners

T

O enhance their professional capacities in reporting oil and gas activities, the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, NAPE, in collaboration with Schlumberger held a two-day workshop for media practitioners in Lagos.

The workshop provided participants with an overview of industry operations and key terms in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry, including technical and commercial fundamentals and how the industry contributes to the global economy and the energy mix.

One of the facilitators, Dr. John Afilaka, who works for Schlumberger with more than 20 years experience, shared his knowledge of the global oil & gas landscape as well as the environmental considerations and politics of oil exploration and production.

Another facilitator, Mr. Adebayo Akinpelu, the Managing Director of Fixital and former Exploration Manager, for Chevron Nigeria Limited, is a 40-year veteran of the Nigerian oil industry with worldwide experience and has been a contributor to the developments that have impacted the local industry over this period.

NAPE President, Mr. George Osahon, said that ‘’NAPE will continue to implement enviable programmes for the benefit of its stakeholders, and we count on the media as key allies and partners towards realising the Association’s objectives.”

He added that the “Association is now even more resolute in its commitment to bridging the knowledge gap between different generations of geoscientists as well as addressing issues hampering the teaching and practice of geosciences.

He further said that NAPE will continue to effectively educate and inform the public about the nature of its businesses through the collaboration of the media.

He used the opportunity to disclose that NAPE’s flagship Annual International Conference and Exhibition will hold from November 1014, 2013 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The theme for this year ’s conference is: “Stimulating Exploration and Reserves Growth in a Maturing Basin.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013—27

By SEBASTINE OBASI

SPE summit focuses on marginal fields

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HE Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council has said that its annual conference scheduled for July 30 to August 1, in Lagos, will focus on Marginal Field Development best practices.

The SPE Chairman, Mr. Osayande Igiehon, said, “The marginal field best practices workshop is a must-attend event for all those who have interest in the growing segment of the industry. It will feature seasoned experts who have successfully put marginal fields on production and they will be sharing their experiences and challenges.

“They will also proffer valuable ideas on how to improve the success rates and increase the contribution from marginal fields to meet the overall production growth aspirations.”

He insisted that the theme of the 2013 conference, “To Grow Africa’s Oil & Gas Production: Required Policy, Funding, Technology, Techniques & Capabilities” is very relevant to the aspirations of the established, emerging and prospective African oil and gas producing countries.

“In essence, the 2013 conference aims to provide a robust platform to help governments, industry and academia position for the aspired production growth, which will be crucial to achieving needed economic growth in Africa and meeting the world’s growing energy needs.

Igiehon also said that there will be two topical panel sessions that will feature high profile technocrats, who will give their views on the current status, challenges, progress and solutions on two key topics, which include, ‘Human Capital Development as Enabler to Grow Africa’s Oil & Gas Production’ and ‘Crude Oil Theft: Implications for Nigeria and Possible Remedies’.

He explained, “”As you know, crude oil theft has become one of the biggest threats that the Nigerian onshore oil and gas industry is facing today, hence SPE is elevating this subject for attention, discussion, education and building coalition for resolution.”

The Chairman also stated that top leaders and executives from Government, Industry and Academia are expected at the opening of the conference, including Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos State, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, Minister of Petroleum Resources, and the SPE International President as Special Guests.

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IGERIA is nowhere to be found in the growing list of shale oil and gas production in the world. In a recent report by the United States-based, Energy Information Administration, EIA, (statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy), the most prospective shale formations are found in a group of 41 countries.

The report said that these countries have demonstrated some level of relatively nearterm promise and have a sufficient amount of geologic data for a resource assessment.

Reacting to the development, Mr. Emeka Okwuosa, a consultant described the EIA’s report as sad news. He argued that what this shows is that while other countries were investing millions of dollars on these unconventional discoveries, Nigeria remained static, and undecided on the way forward with the shale revolution.

Against this backdrop, he suggested the following,

Nigeria not on global shale production map “Continue our push to pass the PIB and take advantages of other investments that will accrue from its passage to earn more revenue; the Federal government should push for unconventional discoveries like shale in Nigeria; diversification of the economy especially solid minerals and agriculture; try and find new buyers for our crude in North America and Asia; build refineries in Nigeria to refine our crude; and cut cost.”

He added that these steps will greatly reduce Nigeria’s over dependence on crude oil export to earn money.

Reserves estimates According to the EIA, there are 7,299 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of technically recoverable shale gas and 345 billion barrels (BBL) of shale oil reserves. Technically recoverable resources (TRR)

are defined as the volumes of oil and gas that can be produced with current technologies and does not take into account costs, pricing or other economic factors that may limit oil and gas production.

Based on the EIA shale gas reserves estimates, China is ahead of the pack with 1,115 TCF followed by Argentina (802), Algeria (707), the United States (665) and Canada with 573 TCF. Also among the top ten countries are Mexico (545), Australia (437), South Africa (390), Russia (285) and Brazil (245).

Shale oil reserves estimates on the other hand, has Russia with 75 BBL followed by the United States with 58, China (32), Argentina (27) and Libya (26). Others include Australia (18), Venezuela (13), Mexico (13), Pakistan (9) and Canada (9).

Putting these new reserves

estimates into context, the EIA further stated that worldwide consumption of dry natural gas was estimated at 113 TCF in 2010, and oil consumption at 31.2 BBL. Natural gas and oil consumption rose significantly across the world since 1980 with natural gas demand increasing from 53 TCF and oil consumption from 21.8 BBL. The growth for demand in natural gas has been led by Asia with consumption increasing from 2.2 TCF in 1980 to 19.2 TCF in 2010.

Demand in the Middle East has grown from 1.3 TCF to 13.2 TCF over the same period.

Natural gas consumption is forecast to increase with an abundant supply and relatively low cost compared to other feedstock coupled with the worldwide industrialization.

From left: Global Chief Executive Officer, Siemens Industrial Power, Dr. Markus Tacke; Chairman, Proton Energy Ltd, Mr. Gamaliel Onosode; and Executive Vice Chairman, Proton Energy, Mr. Oti Ikomi, at the signing of an agreement between Siemens and Proton for the development of a power plant in Nigeria.

Mexico’s energy reforms need to be bold — experts M

EXICO’s government, which is expected to announce energy reforms in August, will need to take bold steps if it expects to meaningfully participate in North America’s oil and gas renaissance, experts said at a Woodrow Wilson Center for International Studies forum.

“North America’s oil and gas revolution is of enormous importance to Mexico,” said Ernesto Marcos Giacoman, founding partner of Marcos Associados, a consulting firm specializing in Mexico’s energy industry.

“If we don’t do more serious reforms, more Mexican companies will start to build plans in the US because natural gas prices are lower, and Mexico will lose its competitive advantage. A good part of

Mexico’s private sector is withholding investment in (national oil company Petroleos Mexicanos) because it wants to see what happens with the reforms,” added Juan Pardinas Carpizo, general director of the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness. “The sooner this is resolved, the better.”

Duncan Wood, who directs the Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute and led the June 21 discussion, said Enrique Pena Nieto became president in December after campaigning to reform the government overall.

Other political reforms agreed to move legislation ahead and fiscal and energy reform proposals are pending, he indicated.

“This time around, everyone recognizes that changes need to be made,” Wood said.

“There’s not agreement yet on what those changes will be.”

It’s generally assumed that Pemex will continue to own Mexico’s hydrocarbon resources, but productionsharing contracts and labor reform have been mentioned, according to Marcos.

Downstream private investment also might be allowed, and the national hydrocarbons commission could have more regulatory power, he said. “The last time I checked, there were no chemical molecules on Mexico’s flag, but everyone treats it that way,” said Pardinas.

“The challenge the next few months will be to draw a line from oil and other chemical molecules through a national company with a confused

corporate identity.” The US could help reform efforts by releasing more information about dramatic changes under way in North American energy so Mexico would understand what it’s missing, he added. Pemex is the only one in the world that operates from the wellhead to the retailer, Pardinas said. “Even Cuba is more competitive,” he observed.

The country also badly needs to connect US gas transmission systems with Mexico’s industries, he said.

“In parts of Mexico, we’re paying prices similar to China,” Pardinas said. “It’s essential to build infrastructure to bring US gas to Mexican industry, not only for energy security but also for economic growth.”

28—Vanguard , TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

By Theodore Opara

Toyota shows supremacy at The Nigeria Auto Awards T

HE eighth edition of The Nigeria Auto Awards held recently in Lagos confirmed the supremacy of the Toyota brand as it carted home six awards.

Toyota Camry led the pack capturing the prestigious ‘car of the year award’ at the event organised by Onwheels.

The truck of the year (one ton) went to Toyota Hilux and the Managing Director, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. C. K. Thampy, emerged as the chief executive officer of the year.

Toyota was also declared as the brand of the year; just as the auto dealer of the year award and the aftersales service company of the year went to Mandilas Motors and Elizade Nigeria Limited, respectively; both companies are Toyota dealers.

Kia Picanto clinched the budget car of the year, the statement added.

The report also indicated that the financial institutions were not left out as their contributions in the auto industry were recognised.

For instance, in the bank category, it stated that Fidelity Bank Plc took home the best bank in the transport support section; Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc won the bank of the year in the consumer (auto) section.

In the auto personality category, the Chairman, C & I Motors, Mr. Emeka Ndu, was awarded the auto entreprenuer of the year.

Mack Truck being marketed in Nigeria by Lanre Shittu Motors emerged the truck of the year; while Sino

Toyota Camry The Nigeria Auto Awards Car of the Year Truck was the declared the fastest selling truck of the year and Volvo truck came up as the upcoming truck of the year. Publisher of Onwheel magazine, Mr. Jabez Aina-Scott, said it was exciting that the 2013 edition of the award threw

up a number of surprises.

He also said that the event would continue to define the essence of the auto industry in Nigeria, adding that it was designed to reward excellence and showcase performance.

He said, “The resound-

ing applause this year’s edition of the auto award received is a testimony to its acceptance as the benchmark of excellence in the Nigerian auto industry. This is to the extent that the event continues to report more 75 per cent of the stakeholders.”

According to him, the award is engineered to celebrate men and women with high pedigree, individuals who in no small measure have contributed to the development of the auto industry in Nigeria.

The statement added that

the award categories had been enlarged to accommodate the unprecedented growth in the industry in recent years “with about 30 brands of vehicles and well over 15 major franchise holders and dealerships adding up the figure.”

Planet Projects wins UITP Continental Award P

LANET Projects Limited (PPL), a transport development company has won the African Award for Integrated Mobility by the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), for its strides and contributions to the development of urban transportation in Africa.

Delivering the award at the 60th Congress of UITP, in Geneva, Switzerland,

with the Theme ’ iMove 2.0: The business model of tomorrow?’ which attracted over 2,097 delegates from 78 countries, the President of UITP, Ousmane THIAM said that Planet Projects came tops for its innovative approach to urban transport development and transport infrastructure delivery which have been evidenced

across Nigeria.

UITP is the international network for public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers, scientific institutes and the public transport supply and service industry and global advocate of sustainable mobility and promoter of innovations in the sector. It is a platform for worldwide cooperation, business development and the sharing of know-how between its 3,400 members from 92 countries.

Some of the notable projects PPL has already concluded include Engineering Design of corridor infrastructures for the Lagos BRT Lite, Traffic Impact Assessment for the Eko Atlantic City and the proposed Lekki Ports, Lekki Infrastructure Master Plan, Transport Master Plan for Lagos Metropolitan Area, Lagos Island Municipal Transport Service, Feasibility Studies and Outline Business case for the proposed Ibadan

Circular Ring Road project.

Others are Public Transport Infrastructure delivery covering Traffic System Management (TSM) measures, Construction of dedicated bus lanes for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects, MegaBus Terminals, BRT Stations and Terminals, MiniTerminals, Bus Depot, Pedestrian bridge, Bus Shelters and Junction Improvement Works (JIW), for Lagos, Rivers, Ondo and Delta States.

Skoda continues offensive with new Superb

Š

Managing Director, Planet Projects Limited, Biodun Otunola (left); receiving the Africa Integrated Mobility award from the President of International Association of Public Transport (UITP), Ousmane Thiam, while UATP President, Jack Van Der Merwe watches, during the 60th Congress of UITP, in Geneva, Switzerland.

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KODA delivered 79,100 vehicles worldwide in May, 2013 – 2.9% down on May 2012. ŠKODA was able to gain shares of European markets in May. In the first five months of 2013 the Czech manufacturer achieved sales of 377,200 vehicles. The production start-up of the new Octavia and Octavia Combi as well as the revised Superb

had a slightly dampening effect on sales. Additionally, the continuing overall weak situation in European markets had a negative impact on the results in May. “The largest model offensive in ŠKODA’s corporate history has been launched successfully and will be implemented step by step”, explains ŠKODA CEO,Prof. Dr. H.C. Winfried Vahland. He continues, “We will be vigorously

pursuing our growth strategy in the upcoming months even though the situation on the European markets in particular remains tough. Our customers are enthusiastic about the new models. We are confident that our sales figures will once again be in the plus in the second half of the year after the production launch of our new models.”

Vanguard , TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013—29

By Theodore Opara

FUTA plans first university motor show T HE first edition of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTAKURE) Auto Show will hold from August 20 to 26, 2013, at the university ground in Akure.

Mr. Enoch Ajayi, coordinator of the show told Motoring journalists that the one-week event will bring together automobile franchise holders, manufacturers, genuine spare dealers and all stakeholders in the auto sector to the university for the first time.

“There has never been anything like this in the South West before apart

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from Lagos Motor shows so we want to use the fair to showcase Ondo State to the entire world, he said.

Continuing, he added, “We want to use the opportunity to take the Federal University of Technology to the market place as well as open the Ondo State market to the opportunities in the automobile world.”

Mr. Ajayi explained that for too long, brand new cars have eluded most Nigerians and fairs like this would bring solution to acquiring new cars. He disclosed that

some financial institutions would be present at the fair to discuss good deals with participants and visitors to the show.

“We are getting some financial institutions involved. They will relate with visitors to the show to know how they can assist them in the acquisition of brand new cars.

The coordinator who disclosed that a Lagosbased company, Filkmou Ltd with many years experience in the auto industry has been appointed as consultant to the show also noted that uni-

versity cooperative societies that will be attending the show would use the opportunity to seal up their car deals with the automobile companies at the show.

Also speaking on the project, the Managing Director of Filkmou Ltd, Mr. Clifford Omage explained that the show, apart from bringing players in the sector to showcase their products, would educate mechanics and participants on the latest technologies available in automobiles.

“Experts will discuss issues affecting the sector during the workshop.

BMW celebrates 2013 Engine of the Year Awards

T

HE BMW Group has extended its run of success in the International Engine of the Year Awards by recording two more class wins. The company’s latest distinctions in the globally renowned competition came courtesy of two drive units which bring sporty performance characteristics to current BMW and MINI vehicles in particularly efficient style. In a repeat of last

year, the 2.0-litre fourcylinder engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology fitted in models including the BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series finished top of its displacement category. And the 1.6-litre four-cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo engine from the MINI Cooper S went one better, celebrating its third class win in a row. The Engine of the Year Awards were presented on 5 June 2013 at the Engine Expo fair in Stuttgart.

Instantaneous power delivery and a level of efficiency unmatched by any rival were the cornerstones of the BMW Group’s successful showing in the Engine of the Year Awards.

The winners in each category and overall are decided by an international jury, made up this year of 84 motoring journalists from 35 countries. The company ’s success in two categories of the International Engine of the Year Awards represents further evidence of its globally recognised development expertise in the area of drive system technology. Since 1999, the BMW Group has racked up over 60 class and overall wins in the competition.

BMW TwinPower Turbo technology once again provided the key to success in the 1.8 – 2.0-litre displacement class. In the winning BMW four-cylinder engine this package of technology comprises a twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision Direct Injection and BMW Valvetronic fully variable valve control. The 180 kW/ 245 hp version of the engine is used to power the BMW 328i, BMW 528i, BMW Z4s Drive28i, BMW X3 x Drive28i and BMW X1 xDrive28i.

The other class conqueror in the BMW Group’s engine line-up also won over the Engine of the Year Awards jury – for the third consecutive year – with its impressive balance of sports performance and economy. The 1.6-litre four-cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo unit, again the dominant force in the 1.4 – 1.8-litre category, boasts twin-scroll turbocharging with an overboost function, direct petrol injection and valve control based on the Valvetronic system.

30—Vanguard , TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

By Theodore Opara

Ford SUV

Ford cuts carbon emissions by 37%, targets another 30% reduction

F

ORD Motor Company has cut CO2 emissions at its global facilities by 37 per cent per vehicle between 2000 and 2012 and plans for a 30 per cent reduction from 2010 to 2025 by addressing everything from new products and technologies to manufacturing processes.

Ford’s work to reduce CO2 emissions is outlined in Ford’s 14th annual Sustainability Report issued recently and more importantly, part of the company’s overall mission to facilitate continued reduction of CO2 emissions.

Already, total CO2 emissions at Ford’s global facilities have dropped by 4.65 million metric tons, or 47 per cent since 2000. Ford also delivered on its commitment to reduce U.S. facility emissions by 10 percent per vehicle produced between 2002 and 2012, as part of an Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers programme. And vehicle tailpipe emissions on a per vehicle basis have dropped 16 per cent since 2007 as new vehicles such as Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid have become available. Ford sources said that Ford has even bigger plans to reduce CO2 – one

of several priorities outlined in its “Blueprint for Sustainability: Our Journey Continues.” Other subjects in the voluntary report range from reduced water use and energy consumption to cutting the amount of waste-to-landfill at Ford facilities around the world. “In the more than 30 years I have been with the company, I have seen genuine transformation as Ford has integrated sustainability into its business plan, products, operations and relationships with stakeholders,” says Robert Brown, vice president, sustainability, environment and safety engineering. “Water and energy use, waste-to-landfill, Ford’s role in reducing the amount of greenhouse gases like CO2 in our atmosphere – these are just a few of the top sustainability-related priorities considered in every decision.”

Ford Chief Financial Officer Bob Shanks said sustainability issues are embedded in the company’s business plan, and are consistent with its aim to deliver great products, a strong business and a better world.

“We are much more proactive in understanding the importance of sustainability in the broadest sense – not

Executives of the Rivers and Bayelsa States Chapter of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Sector Command of the FRSC. Here the Chairman Prof. Osi Akpogomeh makes a presentation to the Sector Commander, Dr Kayode Olagunju.

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only in relation to our products, but also in the quality of the financial results that we derive from them,” said Shanks, whose perspective is featured in this year’s report.

Ford issued its first voluntary sustainability report in 1999 as a way to summarize and report on the company’s initiatives regarding social, economic and environmental issues. Like Ford’s sustainability-related processes and results, the report has evolved – from a printed booklet similar to an annual report, to being so detailed and comprehensive today that it requires an entire website, which can be found here.In the early 2000s, Ford’s Climate Change Task Force identified a need to address shifting market trends and government regulations – among many other factors – with regard to reducing CO2 emissions.

Investors also are increasingly showing greater concern about climate change as a material risk for companies, creating a much stronger link between climate-change-relevant information and initiatives – such as the CO2 Model – and access to capital.“Beyond those imperatives, we had taken to heart our responsibility to contribute to meeting the challenge of climate change,” says John Viera, global director, sustainability and vehicle environmental matters.

Ford has developed products and technologies along with processes at its facilities and plans to meet its own targets while also doing its part to help keep CO2 levels in the Earth’s atmosphere at or below 450 parts per million – a goal many scientists, businesses and governmental agencies say must be met to avoid the most serious effects on climate change.

Vanguard Vanguard,,

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TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

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32 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

OSHODI RECREATIONAL PARK:

A haven for area boys zIt’s not true — Operator

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI THE notoriety synonymous with Oshodi and environs is gradually returning, as street urchins and social miscreants, popularly known as “Area Boys,” have returned enmasse, terrorizing and robbing passers-by and fund seekers at the recreation park, opposite the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, headquarters.

The Heritage Recreational Park, Oshodi, is being run by a private initiative, through the Public, Private Partnership, PPP, programme of the state government.

The operators, who charge fees for the usage of the park, have in response to the development disagreed that the place is unsafe.

Victim’s account

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RS. Ifeoma Ebele, a resident of the area who complained about the security situation in the park, narrated: “Earlier in the year, I took my children for an outing at the park. We had a lot of fun and we were so carried away that we left the place late. Unknowingly some miscreants — two young boys — who had targeted us, suddenly emerged from nowhere and snatched my bag containing my valuables and some cash. It was a terrible experience.

“Initially, when the park was thrown open for public use, it was a spectacle to behold as children, youths and sometimes adults found solace in the park to catch some fun or just relax. Not too long, the area boys started invading the place, extorting money from the people and when it is dark, they rob them at gun point.

“In the day time, some of these miscreants could be seen openly smoking marijuana, close to the garden without any fear of arrest from law enforcement agents. What is wor-

•Oshodi Park

risome is the fact that the policemen at the police post erected not far from the park are helpless. Some of them were accused of aiding and abetting some of the criminals in perpetrating their heinous acts.”

When Megacity visited the park, last weekend, it was under lock and key, the allegation was apparent as no visitor was found there on a public holiday.

It would be recalled that 84 area boys were recently arrested by Lagos State Task-force on Environmental and Special Offenses in the vicinity. Among those arrested were 30 underaged boys who were pickedup while sleeping in the shanties located under the bridges in the area.

Some citizens, who have encountered the area boys, had

repeatedly sent appeals to the state government to intervene by drafting a permanent special security squad there to provide adequate protection for residents and fun seekers at the place.

Operator debunks allegation When contacted, Mr. Emeka Patrick, manager, Clear Edge Media Limited, operator of the Heritage Park, Oshodi, debunked the insecurity claim, saying; “It is not true whatsoever. This is strange to me. I think it is the imagination of whomever is making this allegation. It is not true that the Heritage Park is unsafe. It is very safe to members of the public; even the policemen around us can attest to this fact through their record.

“Since the inception of the park, the police station nearby has had about three divisional police officers, DPOs and all of them can say the truth: the park has no criminal records.

The police station around us provides necessary and adequate protection for our clients and on no occasion have we received complaints of harassment.

“Heritage Park is open to members of the public at affordable fees with maximum security is guaranteed. I challenge all to come around and have a feel of the wonders and see if the claim is true or not. I urge you to disregard the claim because it is not true.”

Govt’s position: A source from the state Ministry of the Environment said that the park was not under the control of the state government

and denied any knowledge of threats of area boys in the area.

He suggested that the management of the park knows what to do if they were being faced with miscreants’ challenge, as they could always approach the law enforcement agencies to lodge their complaints or better still hire a private security outfit to provide the needed security.

The park, situated on a reclaimed area opposite LASTMA Yard, was fashioned into a beautiful recreational garden park, meant for relaxation.

Some of the facilities at the park include a playground for children fitted with various kits to play around, a lush green area and benches for relaxation among others.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

— 33

Residents laud govt, contractor for fixing failed portion at Mile 2

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

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Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (left), Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson (3rd right) and the Executive Chairman, Public Works Corporation, Mr. Gbenga Akintola (right) inspecting the Paving Stone Production Line during its commissioning at the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, Ojodu Berger, Lagos.

Road maintenance: Lagos replacing asphalt with paving stones •Orders local production of machines

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

the kind of tonnage that Lagos experiences without rail for evacuating goods from the port and ONSIDERING the peculiar soil texture and still keeps traffic moving like this. I tell people the fact that Lagos State is prone to flood- that keeping Lagos traffic moving with the cargo ing, the state government has directed firms that comes through our ports every day is perhandling its road reconstruction jobs to adopt haps the eighth miracle of the world. The Public the use of paving stones instead of asphalt at Works Corporation is our parastatal for addresstroublesome spots. In-fact, it has purchased pav- ing the maintenance issue of our roads while the ing stones production machines for the Public ministry uses contractors to build new roads.”

With the launch, the agency is increasing its Works Corporation of the Ministry of Works saddled with the responsibility of fixing street roads. capacity as the asphalt plant that was down beGovernor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), penulti- fore is now up and running while also selling mate week, commissioned the first ever paving asphalt to other government agencies within and stone production line of the Lagos State Public outside the state. Fashola added that a lot was Works Corporation at Ojodu, saying government happening in terms of human capacity developwould continue to be creative and resourceful in ment, welfare of the workers, health and safety its unceasing work to keep Lagos roads motor- in the yard and environmental aesthetics, stressable. The newly commissioned production plant ing that the journey continues.

Stone paving: Stone paving has become a I tell people that keeping Lagos traffic alternative to moving with the cargo that comes through popular Asphalt. Stone pavers are fast becoming the our ports every day is perhaps the eighth choice for road construcmiracle of the world tion because of their low maintenance appeal will produce paving stone making machines for with minimal upkeep. The popularity of paving interlocking blocks which would be useful in stones is expanding rapidly in the United States. many waterlogged areas of Lagos where asphalt Experts in the business say the market is experiand bitumen do not thrive. encing rapid growth and is poised to continue He said: “But for me, having bought this ma- growing as the benefits of stone pavers become chine, the next step is how we are going to make better known. this machine. I have already challenged the Advantages of paving stones: There are limitengineers, the next set of these machines must less patterns, colours, textures, shapes, sizes, and be made in Lagos and they have the research designs that can dramatically enhance the beaufunds and materials. We are not just going to be ty of the road. Areas finished in interlock have no consuming, everything we buy now, we want to failure rate, no unsightly cracking or flaking. It know what works inside and how it works.” wears well and is easy to clean. The pavers flex Commending the management of the corpo- with the expansion and contraction of the ground. ration for being innovative and forward looking, Oil, gas, paint spills or other permanent stain the governor said, “so far, so good and the march or damage would incur substantial costs to fix continues. They have also built their moulds to with other resurfacing products. With interlock, it start casting drains and are increasingly becom- requires just removal of the stone and replaceing a local arm for building our roads, so the ment with new one. Permanence and endurance capacity is increasing and I think the workers mean that paved areas never need re-paving. are happy.”

They are there for the duration of their lifetime The governor described the tonnage of cargo guarantee! Interlocking paving stones are ideal on Lagos roads as excruciating because “there for walkway paving, driveway paving, patio pavis no other city that has and subjects its roads to ing and pool deck paving.

C

,

OMMUTERS plying the Lagos-Badagry Express road now heave a sigh of relief following renewed effort by the government and the contractor handling the Lot 1 of the 10-lane expansion work to rehabilitate failed portions on the yet to be commissioned road.

To alleviate the suffering of people brought by the failed portions from Orile-Mile 2 Bus Stop especially at Mile 2 under bridge, the contractor, Julius Berger Construction Company, shortly after Megacity’s highlight, did patch works on the area.

When Vanguard visited the road, craters on the ever-busy road which had forced drivers linking the road from OshodiApapa Express road and Orile end to spend several manhours in the traffic, have been fixed.

Expressing gratitude to government, Mr. Jamiu Adedayo, a commercial bus driver, said; “We are so happy about what the government and the contractor did for us here because we suffered a lot on this road due to these failed portions especially at Mile 2 under Bridge.

Recounting his experience on the road before now, Adedayo said; “the failed portions have caused untold hardship especially to Danfo drivers and commuters.”

Mrs. Nkiru Okoro, a trader, said; “The yet-to-be-commissioned expanded road is now serving its primary purpose of reducing the travel time of commuters daily.”

Applauding the quick response in fixing the road, Mrs Aduke Oladele, applauded the government and the contractor for taking action to make life more meaningful for the people of the state, saying; “the repair has aided commercial activities, as we now get to our various markets early.”

•Under bridge before repairs

•Under bridge after repairs

,

34 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard Vanguard,,

TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

— 35

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 ARIES: Those of you who are ambitious and hard working will have more to show for their efforts. However, if you fail to respect the law and its agents, you’ll be disappointed today. Be loving.

TAURUS: You will need to guard against deception. It is important you are more concern about both your immediate and far future. Be more practical.

GEMINI: Those of you who are moderately ambitious are in for a good day. As Neptune and the Moon are at loggerheads, it’s important you don’t take partners for granted.

CANCER: Even if there is minor misunderstanding within your working arena, the whole thing will work favourably for you. You just have to be your practical self. Watch what you eat, drink and the state of your health.

LEO: Some of you will start to see the result of your recent romantic escapade. Try your best to consolidate on success you have recorded yesterday. This is the wrong time to gamble at all.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

F

OR those that know me intimately well, they can identify me with my principles of “anything is possible”. Yes! there is nothing impossible. Even

Do it any way when everybody around me believes otherwise, I do not allow it to weigh me down. Look around you and tell me which notable human achievement has ever

seemed possible in the eyes of cynics? Did the whole Nigerians not say Super Eagles of Nigeria can’t win the 29th edition of the African Cup of Nations.

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

All you need is to believe in yourself.

Have faith in God. Get started. Get along.

Anyway, anyhow keep on going and the Almighty God will perfect your effort.

Do it anyway, today!

By Lanre Kehinde

VIRGO: Much will depend on how willing you are to cooperate with others, especially those within your base of operation. Lovers may be in for a romantic day. Try to be more family-minded.

LIBRA: Don’t believe that every information supplied to you is correct as there is the possibility of deception. Make sure you are as practical as possible within your base of operation. Yet success will be yours today.

SCORPIO: As the saying goes, ‘money is the root of all evils,’ you will need to watch carefully your financial transactions today so that costly misunderstanding’ll be averted.

SAGITTARIUS: Not everybody within your base of operation is honest with you today. Yet, success is your portion today. Those of you who are more financially ambitious will have a rewarding day. Be loving.

CAPRICORN: Your good days are closer to you more than you imagine now but you will need to be a little bit careful today who you repose confidence in. Lovers will smile.

AQUARIUS: Not all friends can be trusted with money today when temptation to deceive you is very strong. The more secretive you are, the better for you.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

PISCES: The Moon and Neptune are at loggerheads, therefore, you’ve got to watch your step so that you don’t work against your own interest..

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

What are my characters?

Dear Joshua, I was born on April 4 making me an Aries person. I want you to tell me about my character according to my Aries Star.

Lucky Lagos.

Dear Lucky, When next you write an Astrologer it is better you include your full birth data. I have published characteristics of the twelve zodiac signs (Aries inclusive) many times but may be you are just coming on board so I am giving it to you.

BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF ARIES-YOUR SUN SIGN Being natives of the first Zodiac sign, Arians are forced most times to rely on their initiatives by necessity rather than mere wishful thinking. And as the saying goes “necessity is the mother of invention” they bring new ideas and techniques that make them respectable leaders both in the academic world and in business/professional circle.

However, that is not to say Arians cannot record any meaningful progress without going through severe pain or difficulties. You are the ambitious type who truly crave for importance and recognition. And the Aries cardinal connection will induce you to take practical actions that will ensure your becoming very prominent.

Arians are truly active and impatient. The element of fire in their system makes them enthusiastic set of people with abilities to instil confidence in others and burn themselves and others with fire of desire to excel. That is another talent for leadership. If they (Aries born people) can cultivate consistency, they would wear down any opponent- be it physical or other-wise.

Influence of Aries indicates leadership ability, boldness, ruggedness, aggressive approach and competitive spirit.

Mars that rules Aries makes it’s natives combatants in many ways and most often times they are winners. Arians are strong headed. Through powerful Mars, Aries born people feel their needs and wants profoundly and then give in to strong desire - especially as it concern their wishes.

You will agree with the fact that desire often leads to ambition, thus most Arians are ambitious and if any body dare to block their ways or try to obstruct their gravitation towards the peak of the mountain of glory, they would result to aggression. Even if any body willingly or unconsciously undermine their authority, the person will be made to know who is in charge. The quality of Aries is cardinal. That is why it is important for an Arian to be in control or else, he/ she will not be totally happy. In other words, you will need to work towards your becoming independent or very prominent along your career line (or business-wise).

C M Y K

VIRGINIA

Commen3

dadadekola@yahoo.com

by Lawrence Akapa

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY , JUNE 25, 2013

Bayelsa youths protest alleged NCDMB marginalisation

Akpabio inaugurates 6 power projects

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

BY TONY NYONG

Y

ENAGOA—HUNDREDS of youths in Bayelsa State, yesterday, protested what they described as marginalisation by Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, in the implementation of local content policy of the Federal Government.

The aggrieved youths, under the aegis of National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Bayelsa State chapter, stormed the headquarters of NCDMB in Yenagoa as early as 6am and barricaded its gate, locking out staff and visitors.

NCDMB presently occupies Revenue House, a structure donated to it by the state government as its national headquarters on Lambert Eradiri Road in the state capital.

The protesters were armed with banners, which read National Youth Council of Nigeria, Bayelsa State Chapter, Non-Violent Project, The NYCN Bayelsa State Enforcing Transparency in the Implementation of the Nigerian Content Act and Guideline in the Aspect of Training and Capacity Building Plan as Regards the S.S.A.G.G.S Project in Ekeremor Local Government Area, A community service ac-

U

YO—IN line with his promise to link every community in Akwa Ibom State to the national grid, Governor Godswill Akpabio has inaugurated six electricity projects in six villages of Ikono Local Government Area of the state.

The benefiting communities are Ukpom Ekpene Inuen, Ukpom Okwe, Ukpom Usung Ubom, Ukpom Ikot Ntuen, Ukpom Anwana and Ukpom Ekpene Obom.

Inaugurating the projects, Governor Akpabio, represented by the Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the State Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee, Mr. Bassey Akpan, said that power was key to the socio-economic development of rural communities.

According to him, with electricity, small scale businesses will spring up and the standard of living will improve.

tion plan against unemployment, lack of skills, ability, capability and capacity, among others.

No fewer than 12 police patrol vans were at the scene, as the youths chanted solidarity songs.

OVERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State has described those insinuating that his administration was yet to complete a project as habitual blackmailers, seeking attention.

He said their positions cannot be argued since they had admitted that there were ongoing projects in the state.

The governor, in a statement

by Special Adviser on Public Communication to the Governor, Mr. Ben Onyechere, said: “Their position shows that they have exhausted their bag of tricks because the people can no longer be fooled since they live with these projects; both ongoing and completed ones.

“Anybody who is criticising the disbursement of vehicles

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—PRESIDENT of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Mr. Yinka Gbadebo, has called for the removal of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Comfort Ekpo, blaming the death of five of its members in a recent auto crash on the introduction of a policy by the university authorities.

It will be recalled that that NANS Senate President, Donald Onukaogu, and four others died in a fatal auto crash on the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway in Abia State on their way to intervene in the crisis between the university management and the students union.

Gbadebo spoke when he led a delegation of the association on a condolence visit to the fam-

ily of one of the deceased, Mr. Asa Ejieta in Ughelli, Delta State.

He blamed the deaths on the insensitivity of government on the plight of Nigerian masses.

He said: “It is the actions and inactions of governments and anti-student policies of the institution's management that make students embark on protests.

“It is the first time NANS is losing five of its gallant members."

Appeal Court rules on Edo clan's succession tussle

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, Edo State, has set aside the judgment of the lower court, which

to youths as taxi cabs should remember the era of donation of wheelbarrows as youth empowerment programme.

"It is not in my character to blow my trumpet, but I can beat my chest confidently with practical evidence to show that we have long surpassed the expectation of our distractors, who are now gradually acknowledging our achievements."

had held that succession to the throne of the Clan Head of Jagbe in Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State was by primogeniture.

Chief Sule Jubril, M. Muhammed, Momoh Abu, Abudu Sule and Mallam Hambali Umaru had approached the appellate court for reversal of the lower court's judgment presided over by Justice D. Okungbowa, which had dismissed their suit.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Ayodele Lokulo Sodipe, the appellate court affirmed the provision of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict, that the mode of succession to the clan headship was by gerontocracy.

It held that the most senior

male member of the clan becomes the Clan Head, and not by primogeniture.

The court declared that the Legal Notice B.S.L.N. 14 of 1991 with retrospective commencement date of July 1, 1984 but dated July 1991 wherein the Governor of Edo State of Nigeria purportedly approved the appointment of late Prince Umoru Omogua as the Onogie, Clan Head of Jagbe in Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State, was null and void.

Same being contrary to the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict, 1979.

Meanwhile, Mallam Isa Omoaka, was, weekend, installed as the Odionwele and Clan Head of Jagbe Clan.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

ing youths along particularly in the current Southern Swamp Associated Gas Gathering System, SSAGGS, project in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State contracted

by Shell Petroleum Development Company.”

UNIUYO crisis: NANS call for VC's sack

Orji alleges blackmail on projects

G

Leader of NYCN in the state, Bright Igrubia said: “The board is not involving the locals in its projects and activities in the state.

“We want capacity building and training. We are worried because NCDMB is not carry-

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

Confederations Cup: On Super Eagles peformance

N

IGERIA started well with a 6-1 victory over Tahiti. I think some of the boys played well. Football is not just winning.

Even when you are losing, you have to give it a fight. There must be the spirit of sportsmanship too. — Miss Onyinyechi Odika, Student.

W

ELL, I congratulate the Super Eagles because this is not our best 11, yet they tried. But I believe that they can do better if given the right motivation and training. The World Cup is still a chance to do well.—Miss Mercy Akinosho, Student.

I

N our match against Uruguay, Musa was just running around like Usain Bolt. Ideye should cut that his hair style. It is giving us bad luck. He is not even up to that level of trying to set trend. He should concentrate on his game. — Mr. Eyitayo Ayomibo, Student.

I

have watched their games countless times and I can say vehemently that they are ‘scrap’ players who will do us no good. You can’t just keep running aimlessly from midfield to the 18-yard box without a plan.

You will certainly lose the ball. — Miss Ogbue Immaculate, Reporter.

T

HE Super Eagles perform best when the odds are heavily against them. I’m not writing the team off yet.

Just like in USA ’94, against Spain, when Sunday Oliseh hit a powerful shot outside the 18yard box. — Miss EkoDavies Omotoke, Student.

T

HE truth is always bitter. But coach, you have a lot of work to do. Your boys are good. I mean 100% very okay. As a coach, overlook some issues, invite all our boys and give them equal chance to prove themselves. Forget the past. — Miss Maame Appau, Student.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013 — 37

We ‘ll expose those involved in electoral offences —NHRC BOSS L

BY AYOMIDE BABATOLA

AGOS—THE National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, weekend, in Abuja, said it would expose all those involved in electoral impunity during past elections in the country.

Chairman of the Governing Council of the commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, during the formal inauguration of a project with theme Fair Trial and the Right to Effective Participation in Governance, said: “If we are to change this country, we must mention names. We are not going to run away from our responsibilities because we have the will to mention names and we will. If there is a name that is disclosed and we find evidence, we will mention it. We are going to name those who have been officially indicted of electoral impunity in our country.”

The project was organised by NHRC with support from Ford Foundation, to review evidence of violations of the rights of citizens to fair trial and participation in governance.

Odinkalu added that the commission would do all within its power to stop electoral impunity and promote the rule of law.

He said that over the years, politicians did not bother to know about the needs of the masses be-

cause they felt they were not accountable to the people. He, therefore, urged politicians, women, youths as well as other stakeholders to ensure that the right people were voted into power and that the culture of impunity was completely eradicated.

According to him, this will en-

hance development, stability and national integration.

Speaking at the event, Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Senator Umaru Dahiru, announced the resolve of the National Assembly to adequately tackle the issue of electoral impunity ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Dahiru said that the senate had captured the funding of NHRC under the First Line Charge in view of the need for the commission to effectively carry out its mandate. He urged the committee to expand its scope to cover internal party policies, so as to ensure that parties fielded qualified candidates.

OXBRIDGE: From left: Deepak Srivastava, COO, Airtel Nigeria; Udoma Udo Udoma, Chairman, UAC; Akinfela Akoni, President, Oxford and Cambridge Club of Nigeria and Peter Carter, British Deputy High Commissioner, during the Oxford and Cambridge Club of Nigeria 2013 May Ball in Lagos. Photo: Salau Akeem.

N25bn scam: EFCC closes case against Igbinedion in Sept

B

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

ENIN CITY—THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will on September 23, close its case in the trial of Mr. Michael Igbinedion before a Federal High Court sitting in Benin-City.

Mr. Michael Igbinedion is younger brother to former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, who is standing trial alongside others.

Igbinedion, Patrick Eboigbodin and four companies: Gava Corporation Limited; Romrig Nigeria Limited; PML Securities Company Limited and PML Nigeria Limited are facing trial over an alleged N25 billion scam. At the resumed hearing in the matter, EFCC called three witnesses.

The first witness, Mr. Ajoyo Sowale, an Accounts Officer with Guaranty Trust Bank, identified various account statements and account opening documents of the accused persons and also confirmed the lodgments made into the various accounts. He told the court that he printed the various account statements and got them certified.

Also led in evidence was the second witness, Mr. Eriyo David, who was the Personal Assistant to C M Y K

Micheal Igbinedion. David narrated to the court how Michael Igbinedion instructed him on several occasions to make lodgments into his GTB accounts and those of Romrig Nigeria

Limited and Gava Corporation.

According to David, he often received cash from the Accountant at Government House and paid same into the account of the second accused person.

During cross-examination, counsel to the first accused, asked the witness if he ever stole government money with the first accused person, Mr. Patrick Eboigbodin, to which the witness responded in the negative.

PDP: Wike rules out zoning in Rivers

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT— MINISTER of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike has ruled out zoning in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Rivers State in the next general elections.

Wike at a sensitisation programme organised by Grassroots Development Initiative in Elele, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, also said that he was now the acting leader of the party in the state with the suspension of Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

According to him, the decision to throw offices open for contest by all sections of the state would further strengthen internal democracy in the party, adding that it would give room for the party to produce the best candidates for the elections.

Continuing, he showered praises on President Goodluck Jonathan, saying that he had done well for the state. Wike said so far, the President had ap-

pointed a good number of Rivers sons as chairmen of federal parastatals.

On his part, the factional state Chairman of the party, Mr. Felix

Obuah, said all efforts he made to reclaim what he termed his stolen mandate were unsuccessful until Wike stepped in.

Foundation holds symposium

BY INNOCENT ANABA AGOS—THE Rule of Law Development Foundation, will hold a one-day stakeholders symposium, on the review of the 1999 Constitution in Abuja on June 26, 2013.

Coordinator of the Foundation and past President of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Joseph Daudu, SAN, in a statement, said that the theme of the symposium is “Utilising the Review of the 1999 Constitution as a Platform for Judicial Reforms.”

He noted that the review of the 1999 Constitution has become a topical issue and in the front burner of national discourse, as various stakeholders, such as governmental and

L

civil society bodies had organised programmes and come up with proposals for the Constitutional review with a view to promoting much needed judicial reforms.

He said: “It is on record that the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, presented a Bill in 2012 to the National Assembly for an Act to amend the 1999 Constitution as it relates to the judicature. The said Bill on Constitutional Amendment is part of the measures aimed at reforming and strengthening the judiciary. The current administration of the judiciary led by Justice Aloma Mukhtar supports the on-going constitutional and judicial reforms.”

Delta LG empowers 900 persons

BY FESTUS AHON

U

G H E L L I — ETHIOPE East Local Government Area, Delta State, weekend, empowered no fewer than 900 persons with its share of the Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P. Speaking during the launching/presentation ceremony of SURE-P in the council, Chairman of the Transition Committee, Chief Sunday Onoriode, said the council had also provided sphygmomanometers to 200 elderly persons, adding that two mass transit buses were also provided by the council for intra and inter city transportation.

He said: “In line with the already approved proposal, Ethiope East council will present cash of N50,000 to 203 women as their empowerment package; clippers and generating sets to 100 barbers; hair driers and generating sets to 100 hair dressers and sewing machines and generating sets to 200 tailors.”

Ex-lawmaker slams Jonathan over PDP crisis

BY GBENGA OKE

L

AGOS—SECOND Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, yesterday, berated President Goodluck Jonathan over the current developments in Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, especially in Rivers State, warning that a similar development led to the collapse of the First Republic.

Mohammed noted that the attitude of Mrs. Patience Jonathan in Rivers State politics and that of PDP leadership and his cronies was an open invitation to anarchy.

In a chat with Vanguard , Mohammed noted that the dictatorial tendencies of PDP leadership and penchant for hand picking illiterates and thugs for key and sensitive positions was a panacea for disaster.

He said: “It is worth noting that the Nigerian constitution makes no provision whatsoever for the post of first lady, the constitution does not mention that position and confers no rights, privileges or responsibilities on spouses of our President or Heads of Government.”

38—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

Julius Berger begins work on 2nd Niger Bridge

APGA urges Umeh to withdraw suits

BY SEBASTINE OBASI

BY PETER OKUTU

W

ORK on the long-await ed second Niger bridge has commenced.

Wolfgang Goetsch, Managing Director of Julius Berger stated this at the 43rd annual general meeting of the company in Abuja.

Goetsch also said the Federal Government had given Julius Berger a letter of intent, which would enable it to do preliminary work such as, soil testing and engineering design.

According to him, the bridge is to be built under the private public partnership arrangement.

Goetsch said: “A consortium that included a company from South Africa participated in the bidding for the project. In January 2013, our group became the preferred bidder.

“We are excited because it will be the first of its kind in Nigeria”.

He also said mobilization to site for the construction of the 125-kilometre Lagos-Sagamu road will begin in 10 days.

Five lanes are expected to be added to the road. The Build, Operate and Transfer, BOT, arrangement the Federal Government had with Bi-Courtney Highways Services Limited, had been terminated.

2015: Cleric wants Christian leaders in politics

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ATIONAL President of Christian Welfare Initiative, Archbishop Magnus Adeyemi Atilade, has called on Christian leaders to join political parties of their choice in 2015 to save Nigeria from disintegration.

Speaking at the third anniversary of the Christian Welfare Initiative in Lagos, Atilade said people of goodwill and honesty must rise now to salvage Nigeria from leadership ineptitude, bribery and corruption, youth unemployment and insecurity already overwhelming the country.

Atilade noted that majority of the present politicians were self-serving people only interested in what they could make out of Nigeria and not what to do for Nigeria to make it a great nation and stamp out poverty and want.

C M Y K

A

BREAKFAST MEETING—Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr Eugene Juwah (left) and Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Telecommunication Organisation, CTO, Professor Tim Unwin, at a breakfast meeting in Lagos, weekend.

Commuters stranded as IPMAN embarks on strike in Imo

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—VEHICLE own ers and commuters in Imo State were yesterday stranded, following shut down of filling stations by the leadership of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN. Vanguard gathered that the state leadership of IPMAN embarked on strike to protest the N1 million tax slammed on operators by Imo State Government.

Confirming the shutdown in an interview, state chairman of IPMAN, Sir Christopher Amadi, described the tax slammed on each filling station as “uncharitable, inexplicable, anti-people

and had the potential of destroying the state’s economy.”

Asked to say when the shutdown was likely to end, Amadi said “this situation will remain so until the state government assures us that its officials will no longer harass, intimidate and slam obnoxious taxes on filling stations.”

He affirmed that the association had not only informed the national leadership of National Union of Petroleum, Energy and Natural Gas workers, NUPENG, but also secured its approval for their current stand off with government.

Amadi added that, “we have held several meetings with government officials on this vexa-

tious tax. Each time we sought for explanation, we were told that we should see it as our contribution towards the rescue mission of the present state government”.

When contacted on his mobile line for comments, Special Assistant to the Governor on Print Media, Mr. Ebere Uzoukwa, confirmed the development and quickly added that the petrol dealers had not been paying tax to government for years.

He said: “These people have not been paying tax to government for years. Government is only insisting that they pay tax.

No government can survive without internally generated revenue”.

Embassy of Greece denies 20 Nigerian philosophers visas

BY CHINENYEH OZOR REEK Embassy in Abuja has denied visas to 20 Nigerian philosophers heading for the World Congress of Philosophers in Athens without refund of their fees.

President, Nigerian Philosophical Association, NPA, Professor Joseph Agbakoba, disclosed this to Vanguard in an interview in Nsukka yesterday.

He said for over a month, the Greek Embassy had ceased processing of visa applications of members of the association intending to attend the 23rd World Congress of Philosophers scheduled to hold in Athens, Greece, in August.

Prof. Agbakoba, who is also the dean, School of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, noted that the 20 members had registered and paid to attend the congress as well as made hotel reservations, adding

G

that those affected had not been able to buy their tickets because of non-issuance of visas.

He explained that several contacts with the Greek Embassy yielded no results, as embassy officials blamed the delay in visa issuance on relocation of the embassy to Abuja from Lagos.

According to him, the fear of applicants was compounded by rising cost of air fare which increases almost on weekly basis.

Prof. Agbakoba said air fare to Greece, which was N180,000 a few months ago, had now risen to N300,000, fearing that it could rise further before the commencement of the congress.

Anambra 2014: lawmakers drum support for Obiogbolu

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S Anambra State 2014 gov ernorship election draws nearer, lawmakers in the state has identified with the aspiration of Dr. Alex Obiogbolu to pilot affairs of the state come March 17, 2014.

A spokesperson for the group, Chief Osita Chinwuba, who represents Anambra East in the State House of Assembly, said

the group was supporting Obiogbolu because of its belief that he would consolidate on the modest achievements of the incumbent governor.

Chinwuba said his group had x-rayed the aspirants and concluded that Obiogbolu would be easier to work with in moving the state forward, instead of the money bags.

BAKALIKI—THE All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, yesterday, called on the embattled chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, to withdraw the various law suits he instituted against the party, saying such litigations were inimical to the growth and development of the party.

Briefing newsmen, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Bernard Akoma, stressed the need for unity and oneness in the party.

Akoma said all hands must be on deck to ensure that APGA move forward, despite the challenges facing it.

His words: “Umeh should emulate the PDP NWC members. A court pronounced that APGA convention was not properly held. But in the case of PDP, only INEC observed that the PDP convention was not properly held.

“As true democrats PDP obliged and agreed to the suggestion that they should do a proper convention according to the constitution.

“This same scenario played out in APGA where an Enugu State High Court, advised that APGA should go back and conduct a legal convention to elect national officers of the party".

Lagos advises LGs to be prudent

L

AGOS State govern ment has called on local governments and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, in the state to be prudent with resources available to them.

Permanent Secretary/Auditor General, office of the Auditor-General for Local Governments in Lagos, Mr. Mubashir Hassan, spoke at the 5th edition of capital projects flag-off in Mushin local government.

He said the state government placed premium on value for money , especially on capital project execution, stressing that the development was part of measures to proactively respond to the yearnings of the electorate for dividends of democracy.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013—39

SWEARING-IN: Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (centre) with Mrs. Adenike Aboderin, Special Adviser on Trade and Investment and Mr. Babajide Odusolu, Special Adviser on Property and Investment, after they were sworn-in, in Abeokuta.

MEETING: From left, Joshua Okpo, Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN; Chief Mike Adiotomre, Chairman, Governing Council of MAN and Mr. Reuben Aggo, at MAN's board meeting, in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, weekend.

FUNERAL: From left, Mr. & Mrs. Gloria Joel Onowakpo, Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, and other children, during the funeral service of his father in-law, late Chief Joseph Ekpebe of Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, at All Saints Anglican Church.

UNVEILING: From left, Project Manager, Qlichy.com, Tosin Adefeko; Brand Ambassador, Qlichy.com, Funke Akindele-Oloyede, and Marketing Partner, Qlichy.com, Bayo Idowu, at the unveiling of Funke Akindele-Oloyede as Qlichy.com Brand Ambassador, in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

DONATION: Philanthropist, Chief Obinna Uzor donating fertiliser, seedlings and agricultural materials worth N15m to farmers in Anambra State.

VISIT: From right, Mr. Hyunwoo Jung, GM, Home Appliances Division, LG Electronics Nig. Ltd; Mr. Mohamed Fouani, MD, Fouani Nig. Ltd; Dr. Bolanle Nassar, social worker, SOS, Isolo, Lagos on behalf of the Children's Village, Isolo, Lagos, thanking the LG Management; Mr. Alexander Ndupuechi, of Youth Community, SOS, Isolo, and Mrs. Abimbola Ojo, Asst. Mother Rep, SOS, Isolo, during the LG Electronics Management's visit to SOS Children's Village, Isolo, Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe

OCEAN CREST SCHOOL HOLDS FAMILY FUNDAY CELEBRATION

FUNDAY: Little children enjoying themselves at the Family Funday Celebration, organised by Ocean Crest School, at Oniru, Lekki, Lagos. Photos: Joe Akintola,Photo Editor

....FUNDAY: Little children watching some tolls at the exhibition stand.

....FUNDAY: Little children dancing and entertaining their families

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

Sokoto Govt boosts agric sector

Nigerians against 6-yr single term for president, govs — Rep

S

BY PETER DURU

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AKURDI —THE Member representing Makurdi/Guma federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Mr. Emmanuel Jime has said that the proposed six-year single term for the president and governors was contrary to the views expressed by most Nigerians during the recent town hall meetings held pursuant to the amendment of the 1999 constitution.

He also faulted the proposal, saying that a six year single tenure for governors and the president, would encourage corruption and indolence in public offices.

He spoke in an interview with newsmen in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

He said: “I can tell you that when we had our constitutional town hall meetings in 360 federal constituencies, the result that came out of that exercise was that great majority of Nigerian preferred the retention of the present system which is two terms of four years."

STANDARD CHARTERED—From left: Mr. Remi Oyindasola Oni, Head Origination & Client Coverage; Mrs. Bola Adesola, Managing Director/CEO SCB, Nigeria; Mr. Moses Arabome, Branch Manager, Agidingbi; Mr. Steven Bertamini, Group Executive Director/CEO Consumer Banking and Ms. Diana Layfield, CEO Africa, all of Standard Chartered Bank, during the opening of Standard Chartered Bank branch in Agidingbi, Lagos.

Unilorin VC, others raise fund for student's kidney transplant

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

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Foundation moves to halt ill-treatment of Nigerians abroad

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AGOS—EXECUTIVE Director of the Alegbe Collin Nigeria Foundation, Mr. Alebe Collins, said, weekend, that the foundation was set up to improve the lives of Nigerians at home and abroad.

Collins who spoke at an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos said the foundation seeks to build a country where every citizen, despite tribe and tongue would develop his or her full potentials.

He said the foundation would initiate intervention programmes where citizens who were wrongly treated abroad could be given legal support through representative offices in foreign countries, adding that it would work in close collaboration with the embassies, collect data and relevant information that will benefit relevant authorities.

C M Y K

LORIN—THE ViceChancellor of the Uuniversity of Ilorin, Professor Abdul Ganiyu Ambali, yesterday, rescued one of his students, a renal patient from the throes of death when he donated N2.5 million towards his treatment.

The 100 level Science Education student of the university, Babatunde Lukman, according to his doctor, needed N3 million for the treatment.

The student’s mother, Mrs. Khadijat Babatunde, and other principal officers of the university attended the brief ceremony to mark the donation.

Lukman, who is currently on admission at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, UITH, for kidney failure, is in dire need of kidney transplant for which the money was required.

Presenting the cheque, Prof. Ambali stated that the university was one big family, adding that it was to support a member of the family.

The Vice-Chancellor also praised the efforts of patient’s colleagues who had earlier raised N1, 182,000 towards his treatment, saying it was an expression of what the university stood for.

He also thanked Governor of Kwara State, Dr. AbdulFattah Ahmed, for his

donation of N1 million to the patient just as the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria raised N625,000.

Ambali said, “ whatever happens to one happens to all. Once a student steps into the campus, the university will care for him from the first day to his last day in the school as a family member.

Medical challenge can come to anyone at any time and at any age.”

He however, noted that doctors could only treat their

patients while God who actually heals such patients.

Earlier, the Sub-Dean, Student Affairs, Dr. A. Yusuf, explained how the student slumped and was eventually diagnosed with kidney failure.

Lukman’s mother, Mrs. Khadijat Babatunde, in her remarks also thanked the students, Vice Chancellor as well as the academic community and other donors for their efforts to ensure that her son stayed alive.

OKOTO—THE Sokoto State Government has established three agricultural skills acquisition centres in each of its three senatorial zones, to improve livestock production in the state.

Gov. Aliyu Wamakko made the announcement in a statement issued, yesterday, in Sokoto by Malam Abubakar Dangusau, his Special Assistant on Press Affairs.

He made the announcement at the end of the annual Gumare Fishing Festival in RomonSarki in the Tambuwal Local Government Area of the state.

Wamakko said his administration would continue to accord priority to the agriculture sector which, he said was the mainstay of the economy.

“We will indeed, continue to ensure that all forms of farming activities in the state are bolstered.

“Food security is next to nothing and it is extremely crucial to find solutions to the current food problems plaguing Nigeria.”

The statement said that the government was also committed to improving and encouraging fish farming in the state, adding that the government had also introduced modern fish farming techniques in the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

Niger govt laments poor state of federal roads

BY WOLE MOSADOMI

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INNA—THE Niger State government has lamented the poor state of federal roads in the state, saying that it has started discussions with the Federal Government to address the issue.

According to the government, top on the list include Bida-Mokwa-Jebba Road; Jebba-Mokwa-Bokani, Rijau Road which runs through Zuru in Kebbi State; KatchaBaro Road; Auna-New Bussa Road; Sarkin- Pawa-

Kaduna Road; Mokwa to Makera-Tegina,Wawa Kaima; as well as the Agaie- Katcha and Rofia-Swete-Segbema roads among others.

Niger State Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Muazu Bawa who spoke to newsmen on the poor state of the roads shortly after the weekly meeting of the state Executive Council, EXCO, in Minna yesterday said a survey carried out by the state Ministry of Works showed that 1,115 kilometers of federal roads, representing about 60 per cent were in a complete state

of disrepair.

According to him, many lives were being lost daily through road accidents in the state as a result of bad nature of the federal roads, just as other economic activities were declining.

Bawa further said that the state government took over the completion of the N1.5b bridge across River Kaduna at Shiroro because of its importance to the economy of the state but was forced to revoke the contract recently due to poor performance by the contractor handing the project.

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TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

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42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

Ministry blames vandals for drop in nationwide power supply •Restoration in progress

By NOEL ONOJA & KUNLE KALEJAYE

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HE Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, said , yesterday, that the massive load shedding being experienced nationwide since Sunday has been caused by vandalism of two major gas pipelines supplying gas to eight power generation stations in the country. The power generation stations, which include the Egbin/AES Thermal Stations; Olorunsogo, Omotoso, Geregu NIPP, Afam IV and VI Thermal Power Stations as well as Rivers State Independent Power Station, has been affected, resulting in drastic reduction of power supply by 1,598 megawatts.

In a statement by the company’s General Manager (Public Affairs), Mr. Dave Ifabiyi, TCN said one of the vandalised gas pipelines took supply from Okoloma gas plant, while the other took supplies from Escravos. Ifabiyi said with the disruption of gas supply through the lines, the Nigerian Gas Company, NGC, was unable to move gas to Afam IV, Afam VI as well as the Independent Power Plant in Rivers State, resulting in generation loss of 593MW. He said the second vandalised gas pipeline from Escravos to Warri caused a cutback of 1,005MW in power generation from Egbin / AES power generating station, Olorunsogo, Omotosho and Geregu NIPP power generating plants. According to him, with the total generation loss of 1,598MW, the total power generation as at 2pm today is 2,290MW. He said with this low level generation, the operation and control of the system remained a major challenge, adding that due to the critical importance of the pipelines to power generation, NGC was seriously working to isolate the vandalised portions of the pipelines in order to effect repairs, with the hope that gas supply could be restored to the affected power generating stations soonest.

Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo has, however, assured that power supply would soon be restored to places affected by yesterday’s drop in generation arising from the vandalisation of two gas pipelines. In a statement signed by Kande Daniel, Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the minister, Nebo said all necessary expertise had been mobilized to restore supply to affected parts of the country.

To this end, he said the Nigerian Gas Company had begun the process of restoring gas pressure to the two gas pipelines, namely the Eastern pipeline affecting Okoloma Gas Plant, and the 56 kilometre Escravos-to-Warri pipeline.

He said the total cutback in generation caused by the destructive activities of the vandals was

1,598 megawatts by last Sunday afternoon.

According to him, this has necessitated massive load shedding across the country to control frequency and improve voltage.

The minister condemned the unpatriotic acts of the vandals, and assured Nigerians that the Ministry of Power was already collaborating with security agents to provide more protection for power infrastructure across the country. He further appealed for the understanding of people whose homes and businesses were affected by the current shortage in supply, adding that everything possible was being done to rectify the situation speedily.

Software service platform debuts

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SOFTWARE ser vice platform which enable entrepreneurs to own their branded eshops has birthed in the country. The platform tagged Sophistry is the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa and is expected to bring a major boost to e-commerce in Nigeria for selling products at very low costs.

It provides requisite capabilities like customisable themes, automatic stock management, Google search engine optimi-

sation, SEO, customised emarketing, discount engine, secure and safe payments, national delivery logistics, scalable infrastructure and much more all in one bundle. Sophistry is owned by Brandnubians, a Nigerian e-commerce company which gives Nigerian enterpreneurs and SME business owners the chance of owning their online stores easily. Payments are remitted to the e-shop owner after the registration and guaranteed delivery to customers is facilitated as well.

L-r: Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo, Alake of Egbaland,Chairman of Oando Plc; Ms Ayotola Jagun, Company Secretary; and Mr Wale Tinubu, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oando Plc. at the Oando Plc Extraordinary General Meeting in Lagos yesterday. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor

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44—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

Senate: Five weeks, five troubles THE Senate resumes from its seasonal break and will sit for five weeks before embarking on a prolonged two-month break. In the five weeks ahead, Senators would have to confront five serious issues.

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

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A V I N G ended its second legislative year on 6th June, the Seventh Senate resumes its third legislative session with a sense of optimism today after a two-week break.

The legislators are expected to sit for another five or so weeks before proceeding on a two-month break and is expected to resume on September 24, 2013.

In the last two years the Senate was able to introduce about 160 bills with several in various stages of legislative consideration. Among them are 16 executive bills, the rest being members’ bills. Out of these, 17 bills were passed, 14 were read a second time and referred to relevant committees while two were negatived. The negatived bills were Equipment Leasing Bill 2013 and the Nigerian Search and Rescue Guards (Est.etc) Bill, 2013.

Priority consideration According to a bill progression chart released by Senator Ita Enang, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, 24 of the pending bills will be given priority consideration within the next five weeks. Notable among these bills are the 2013 Appropriation Act (Amendment) Bill, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alterations) Bill 2013; Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2013; Petroleum Industry Bill 2013 and University of Lagos Act Cap UG LFN 2014 (Amendment) Bill.

These five bills will not only dominate the Senate agenda but public discourse from today when the senators begin legislative activities for the next five weeks. This is not necessarily because the bills are the most important of the pending bills, but due largely to their contentious nature.

The PIB for instance, since its introduction in 2008 into the National Assembly by President Umaru Yar ’Adua, has remained controversial.

•Senate in session

PRIORITY ISSUES Appropriation Act (Amendment Bill) Constitution (Alteration) Bill University of Lagos Establishment (Amendment Bill) PIB The bill has, however, not gone far as it has largely met with stiff resistance from vested interests.

Although, it has passed second reading and is now at committee level, the prospects of it not progressing beyond that stage are very high despite continuous government lobbying.

When the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, moved to commence the lead debate on the bill last December he was shocked to receive cold shoulders from his colleagues.

The cold shoulder arose apparently from an alleged decision by the powerful Northern Senator ’s Forum, NSF, the day before to object to further progress of the bill.

It is argued in some quarters that an act of quiet blackmail

by Senator Enang may have forced the Northern Senators to again allow the bill to progress.

Enang had a Senate session alleged that more than 75% of oil blocks in the Niger Delta were owned by northerners suggesting that there should be a total revocation of existing oil blocks for onward re-allocation for equity in the oil industry.

Contentious areas The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alterations) Bills 2013, is also not without its controversies. Although, the provision for state creation which was seen as the most contentious has been set aside by the Constitution Review

•Mark Committee other contentious areas are still conspicuously there. They include local government autonomy, abrogation of state/local government joint account, sixyear single term for president and governors, the clause barring vice-president and deputy governors from seeking election to succeed their bosses are among other numerous clauses awaiting consideration.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has assured that the bill would be pushed through by July.

The 2013 Appropriation Act (Amendment) Bill, is brewing

a superiority battle between the two arms with the lawmakers alleging bad faith on the part of each other. Many lawmakers see the amendment bill as a gross indictment of their earlier work. However, presidency officials insist that there was an agreement before the president signed to the 2013 Appropriation Bill that he would submit an amendment bill that the lawmakers would quickly consider.

Another bill that is soiled with contention, is the University of Lagos Act Cap UG LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill.

The bill seeks to approve President Jonathan’s request to re-name the tertiary institution after the late business mogul and acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, Bashorun Moshood Abiola.

The contention follows the alleged lobby and misgiving by many stakeholders of the president’s decision to rename the institution after Abiola.

These bills and the Electoral Act amendment bill according to Senator Ita Enang, would be considered within the given time frame. Whatever the outcome, the decisions of the Senate would certainly not go down without the controversies that have shadowed them thus far.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013 —45

House: The storm ahead

GIVEN indications of a possible change in the leadership of the committees, members returning for the resumption of the third session are expected to put in much energy to prove their mettle, members would want to better one another to grab the much coveted juicy committee positions.

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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FTER a two-week c e s s , the House of Representatives will resume today for two weeks of legislative duties before embarking on another break, this time a longer one.

Beginning today, the two weeks may mark a turning point in the Aminu Tambuwal-led Seventh Assembly as many thorny issues are awaiting the legislators.

One of such issues is the amendment to the •House of Representatives in session 2013 Appropriation Act. Before the House began the last break, the l a w m a k e r s Reconstitution of Committees almost jettisoned the amendment 2013 Appropriation bill but for Ta m b u w a l ’ s (Amendment) Bill q u i c k Constitution Amendment Bill intervention.

He ruled that PIB the Business and Rules and the Justice and leading to institutional integrity Judiciary committees should look through efficiency of public into the bill, work on grey areas expenditure management and report back immediately the * Restructure management and House resumes. This bill, on its functions of legislative own, is one big trap for Tambuwal committees towards adequacy in and his men. If it fails to fly, the capacity and improved legislators may receive fireworks productivity. This portion could from the executive arm. The not be said to have been Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB is achieved. another bill that the House may * Design and implement the enot touch for now even with a parliament blueprint that would long spoon as the ad-hoc elevate the National Assembly committee has not finished tying with international best practices all the knotty knots in the bill. and ensure public access to The PIB could attract more parliamentary information and troubles for Tambuwal if not processes. The House may properly handled by the ad-hoc achieve this before the end of committee.

2014.

Also, the Ad-hoc Committee on * Review legislative branch Constitution Review headed by budget in line with the the Deputy Speaker, Hon Emeka requirements of openness, Ihedioha, is expected to deliver effectiveness and accountability. an impeccable report. The The Seventh Assembly has committee had worked round the recorded some mileage in this clock but it could be another direction. booby trap for Tambuwal. * Review the constitution in all Tambuwal may avoid these booby relevant areas to facilitate the traps because of the popularity implementation of the House of he enjoys among his peers on Representatives’ legislative account of the manner he runs agenda and in line with the the sessions while presiding. aspirations of Nigerians.

Seven-point legislative * Engage actively with other arms agenda: So far, the House has of government to restore public achieved about 65 percent of the order and national security, and legislative agenda it set out to *Institutionalise mechanisms that pursue on June 6, 2011. will facilitate more effective The general principles of the engagement with various agenda include: stakeholders including * Initiate a new order that constituents and Civil Society would foster transparency Organisations (CSOs).This has r

e

PRIORITY ISSUES

Mandela's family prays for ‘smooth transition’ N ELSON Mandela, the former South African president now critically ill in hospital with a lung infection, is “at peace” and his family are praying for a “smooth transition”, his daughter Makaziwe has said.

Makaziwe, 59, the sole surviving child from his first marriage to Evelyn, said the family were enjoying “quality and sacred moments” with Mandela, who led South Africa out of apartheid into democratic elections in 1994. “All we do every day is take one day at a time and pray to the good Lord,” Mrs Mandela said in an interview with CNN. “All I pray for as a daughter is that the transition is smooth. He is at peace with himself. He has given so much to the world. I believe he is at peace.”

Meanwhile, President Jacob Zuma has dismissed suggestions that Barack Obama, the US president, could cancel his visit to South Africa this week as the country’s adored

•Mandela former leader Nelson Mandela remains critically ill in hospital. Obama is due to arrive in South Africa with his wife and two daughters on Friday for his first substantive visit to Africa since he took office.

The First Family are due to meet President Zuma in Pretoria on Saturday before travelling to Soweto then Cape Town on Sunday.

On Sunday night, Zuma announced that former president Nelson Mandela, admitted to hospital with a lung infection two weeks ago, is now in a “critical” condition.

Sex: Italy’s ex PM, Berlusconi jailed A •Tambuwal been largely achieved by Tambuwal and his peers.

Performance of committees: The House has 89 substantive committees but among the lot only a few are outstanding in their legislative duties.

Among the few are Public Accounts Committee, PAC, Committee on Environment, Committee on Communications and Information Technology, Committee on Diaspora, Health and Constitution Review Committee.

Others include Aviation, Public Petitions, Foreign Affairs, Interparliamentary and Business and Rules committees.

Some of the committees operate in a secretive manner as their activities are usually concealed from journalists and even fellow lawmakers.

Some committee chairmen have attributed their poor performance on lack of funds, but before their budgets were slashed this year most committee chairmen had performed poorly.

Changing committee chairmen now may lead to the derailment of the Legislative Agenda. This trap is the most dangerous as is capable of turning the tide against the House leadership.

MILAN court has sen tenced Italy ’s former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi to seven years in prison for paying for sex with a minor.

However, Berlusconi will not have to serve any jail time before he has exhausted appeals.

With two appeals possible, it could be years before a verdict is final and Berlusconi lawyers announced they would file an appeal against what his counsel Niccolo Ghedini called a “completely illogical” verdict.

The verdict against the flamboyant 76-year-old media tycoon added to the complications facing Prime Minister Enrico Letta, whose fragile leftright coalition is supported by Berlusconi’s centre-right Peo-

ple of Freedom (PDL) party.

Berlusconi was found guilty of paying for sex with former teenage nightclub dancer Karima El Mahroug, better known under her stage name “Ruby the Heartstealer”, during alleged “bunga bunga” sex parties at his palatial home near Milan.

The panel of three judges, all women, also convicted him of abuse of office by arranging to have El Mahroug released from police custody when she was detained in a separate theft case.

As a result, the judges banned Berlusconi from public office.

Israel: Detention centre for Africans a ‘prison’

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UNDREDS of African migrants are languishing in a desert detention center in southern Israel, where families may only meet once a week and where women and children sleep in a prison-like compound, according to lawmakers who caught a rare glimpse.

The visit to Sahronim center by a parliamentary delegation has allowed a look into the facility that plays a key role in Israel’s attempt to stem the

tide of thousands of African migrants who have crossed the long desert border with Egypt to the Jewish state in recent years.

“It’s not a camp. It’s a prison,” said Michael Rozin, an opposition lawmaker with the dovish Meretz party. “You have guards. You are not free do what you want. These people are not criminals. Their crime is asking for a better life.”

46—Vanguard, TUESD AY, JUNE 25, 2013 TUESDA

Lagos moves to coordinate health sector PPP

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

• L-R: Mrs. Lateefat Olatunji, with Hon. Rafikat Onabamiro, Member, Lagos State House of Assembly; Mr. Ayodele Adewale, Chairman, Amuwo-Adofin LGA; Dame Abimbola Fashola, Lagos State First Lady and Chairperson/Ambassador, Maternal and Child Mortality Reduction (MCMR); Dr. Jide Idris, Lagos State Commissioner for Health and Princess Sarah Sosan, former Lagos State Deputy Governor, during the Lagos West-2 Senatorial District Town Hall Meeting on Maternal and Child Mortality Reduction, held at Amuwo-Odofin LGA, Festac Town, Lagos, last week. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

HPV infection declines by half, says CDC

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

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HE prevalence of Human Papillomavirus, HPV, infection in young women has declined by more than half since the introduction of the HPV vaccine in 2006, despite low vaccine uptake.

A new report by the Centres for Diseases Control,CDC, showed that compared with the four years prior introduction of the vaccine, infection with the HPV strains covered by the vaccine decreased by 56 percent in 14to 19-year-old girls in the first four years after the vaccine became available.

The Report, published in the Journal of Infectious Disease, noted that the decline in HPV infection rate occurred despite the fact that only a third of eligible patients received the vaccine, while HPV prevalence in other age groups did not differ significantly between the two periods.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus, and certain strains are known to cause either cervical cancer or precancerous abnormalities of cells in the cervix or vulva. Every year, 8,000 women die in Nigeria from cancer of the cervix.

The HPV vaccine specifically targets young girls and adolescents (10-25 years old) for immunisation before they are

sexually active.

Introduced in 2006, the first Food and Drug Administration, FDA-approved HPV vaccine covered the four viral strains most closely associated with gynecologic cancer (HPV-6, 11, 16, and 18). In June of that year the ACIP recommended routine vaccination of 11- and 12-yearold girls with three doses of the quadrivalent vaccine, and catchup vaccination of girls and young women 13 through 26.

In 2009 the ACIP updated the recommendation to include the bivalent vaccine (HPV-16 and

18). Two years later, ACIP recommended routine vaccination of boys and young men.

A national survey in 2010 showed that 49 percent of females 13 to 17 had received at least one dose of an HPV vaccine (primarily the quadrivalent vaccine), and 32 percent had received all three doses.

Previous studies of type-specific prevalence of HPV infection occurred in the pre-vaccine era.

The National Health and Nutrition Survey Evaluation (NHANES) provided an estimate

the impact of HPV vaccination on the prevalence of infection.

Overall, the prevalence of HPV infection was 42.5 percent during 2003 to 2006 and 39.8 percent during 2007 to 2010, a nonsignificant difference.

Estimates show that at least 75 percent of sexually active women and men will acquire a genital HPV infection at some time. An investigator in the trials said the results are encouraging but suggested the true effects remain to be determined with increased experience and follow-up.

WORRIED about the impact of million-dollar intervention programmes by private partners on well being of Lagosians and their health indices, the Lagos State government is reorganising health sector development partners in the State with a view to ensuring that there are no duplication of efforts.

Lagos State has one of the highest maternal and child mortality in the country. It is believed that ineffective implementation of programmes and coordination in Public Private Partnership, PPP, plays a major rol in this respect.

To this end, the state government through the recent launched Health Sector Partners Development Forum, HSPDF, aimed at providing clear harmonization and coordination is strategizing to ensure that no area in service delivery lacks attention.

In a chat with Good Health Weekly, the Lagos State Permanent Secretary, Dr. Femi Olugbile who expressed concern on coordination of activities of development partners, said the State decided to engage all development partners in a focus and deliberate way to ensure synchronization aimed at tackling numerous challenges facing the health of Lagosians as well as ensure maximum impact for every money spent in development activities by various donors Continues on page 48

Counterfeiters’ buildings to be demolished — NAFDAC

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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ENCEFORTH, any building used as a manufacturing or warehouse facility for counterfeit products will be demolished, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has warned.

In a statement issued in Lagos, Director-General, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii expressed concern over the development and warned that the Agency was prepared to

match any breach of its regulatory provisions with appropriate enforcement including the demolition of any building used as manufacturing or warehousing facility for counterfeit products.

Orhii said as soon as assets of the counterfeiters are confiscated, NAFDAC would move ahead to demolish the building to serve as a deterrent to property owners who may want to allow tenants to turn their properties into illegal warehouses.

Meanwhile, the Agency,

weekend, in Aba, Abia State, sealed up an illegal food production facility located in Eziukwu Market. Parading 14 suspected counterfeiters arrested during the raid, the NAFDAC boss said the illegal facility was involved in production of fake Gold’s Custard and other popular brands of custard powder.

One of the brand owners, Lisabi Mills Nigeria Limited had alerted NAFDAC that its flagship product, Gold’s Custard had been a subject of faking, counterfeiting and

passing off.

Following the complaint, a team of NAFDAC’s enforcement officials swung into action which led to the discovery of the factory.

“During investigations, it was discovered that different brands of food products including popular brands of custard powder were being counterfeited and sold in the open markets including Eziukwu Market Aba. “At the time of the arrest,

Continues on page 48

Vanguard, TUESD AY, JUNE 25, 2013 —47 TUESDA

Why we are stepping up food regulation — ORHII T

HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, is bestowed with responsibility of safeguarding public health by ensuring that only the right quality drugs, food and other regulated products are manufactured, imported, exported, advertised, distributed, sold and used in the country.

However, the Agency’s role in food regulation appears to have been downplayed overs the years. In this chat with Chioma Obinna, NAFDAC’s Director–General, Dr. Paul Orhii,. explains why the Agency is stepping up surveillance on food products.

Excerpts:

Gaps in food regulation

There isn’t any gap but that partially created by public perception about NAFDAC. People will always talk about how you are effective in fighting fake drugs whether you are succeeding or not. Large proportion of population knew NAFDAC about drugs. And before now, NAFDAC has expended a lot of energy fighting fake drugs.

Even when I came into NAFDAC, the first thing people were talking about was whether we could fight fake drugs? But nobody talked about the food aspect of our regulation.

Sometimes, food takes on more importance than drugs because if you eat right and the food is of good quality and wholesome, you might not even get

• Dr. Paul Orhii sick in the first place.

Steps to regulation

promote

food

As a result of this perception, we decided to carry out a holistic approach in fighting this problem. Public evaluation of our activities has always been about fake drugs. This is worrisome to a point.

I went to secondary schools and

asked the students what they knew about NAFDAC. Their response was that NAFDAC is that organisation that fights fake drugs. This is why it is necessary to enlighten them and remind them that it is the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

We are trying to change the mindset of Nigerians to watch the kind food they eat. Indiscriminate use of chemicals is one problem right now.

People that know little or nothing about chemicals use so many chemicals on a daily basis.

For instance, you spread rat killer (otapiapia) in the house to kill rats and spread insecticide in the house to kill mosquitoes and then you spread some chemicals on your skin for all sorts of reasons and sleep in the same house that you spread with all those chemicals.

You use pesticides, several of which are toxic and banned products. You preserve food and without waiting for the wash-out period before you consume the food.

We are also injecting so many antibiotics into the animals, while in their feed we are adding all sorts of chemicals, that get incorporated into their livers and then we eat the livers as pepper soup. Now everybody is wondering why we are having cancers and kidney failures amongst others.

Directorate

We have created a Directorate for Foods called “Food Safety and

Nutrition and also Food Directorate for Veterinary Medicine and Allied Products” to look into these issues.

The Food Directory will look at the food that we consume while the veterinary allied medicine will take care of the feeds and drugs given to animals.

Today, the practice is that the feeds and drugs given to animals end up being incorporated in the tissues of the animals that we eat. The food safety issue is very critical to us.

We also created Chemical Evaluation and Research Directorate because if they are fully engaged in research into these areas they will tell us how things should be done to avoid some of these complications.

Most faked food

Almost every other food is faked.

Fakers target fast selling foods to make more money. Most alcoholic beverages are faked but food is fast moving. There are more than 167 million Nigerians and the belief is that faking is profitable.

Way forward

Education is key. Consumer education will make our job less at NAFDAC and more Nigerians will be saved from unwholesome foods that are injurious and can lead to death.

We are also tr ying to educate Nigerians to report some of these activities. In advanced countries, consumers are informed.

OAUTHC introduces affordable kidney transplant, dialysis •Plans to set up Endowment Fund for indigent patients

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

A

S part of measures to improve the wellbeing of Nigerians afflicted with kidney disease and End-Stage Renal Disease, ESRD, the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, OAUTHC, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has introduced what it describes as affordable renal care services.

Under the package, one session of haemodialysis (renal dialysis) costs N15,000, while a patient who requires kidney transplant pays N2.5 million for the surgical operation.

Plans have also been initiated to set up an endowment fund to cater for indigent patients seeking healthcare services at the tertiary health institution.

Chairman of the OAUTHC Board, Pharm Matthew Urhoghide, who disclosed this to Good Health Weekly in a chat, said the subsidised renal care services were introduced primarily to encourage Nigerians to patronize local health facilities, and, secondarily, to stem the tide of patients flocking abroad especially to India, for haemodialysis and kidney transplants.

"Renal disease has become so rampant in Nigeria that we are looking at a statistic that one out of every 10 people has a compromised kidney.

"On daily basis, we see Nigerians complaining of kidney diseases and asking for help. They would say they have opened an account and in need of N8 million to go to India for kidney transplant.

“We want to reduce the movement of Nigerians abroad to seek medical services and expertise that is available here and is cheaper. Government has asked us to help and that is what we are doing,” Urhoghide remarked.

Noting that Nigerian medical experts are in health institutions all over the world, he in the United States of America and the United Kingdom alone, there are over 4,000 Nigerian specialists, and several people who have gone to India often realise the environment is not better than what is available in Nigeria.

“In other hospitals, even at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, one session of renal dialysis costs N30, 000 to N40, 000. Here, we charge N15, 000. We charge that low

because of an existing tradition here to charge the locals low to help them afford it. Again, we know that majority of the people who use this facility are not from here but are attracted by our lower prices. ”In this place, it actually costs less than N3 million to have a kidney transplant. In India it is about N7 million to N8 million But this is what we offer here.

The idea is to reduce capital flight, and the Federal government has a transformation agenda to enable people have access to healthcare in Nigeria rather than go abroad.”

Further, Urhoghide said part of the goal was to try as much as possible to reduce medical tourism and minimise capital flight. He said with overseas medical care, a patient spends up to two or three times of what is required at OAUTHC. In his view, the excuse that good health facilities are not available in Nigeria is no longer tenable.

Urhoghide lamented the ignorance of people of the fact that someone can have one functional kidney that will carry him or her throughout life.

“One of the major challenges

• Pharm. Matthew Urhoghide. of carrying out kidney transplants in this environment is getting people to donate kidneys.

“Our people are ignorant of the fact that a person can survive on one kidney. Someone can have one functional kidney that will carry him or her throughout life. We believe that if we are able to increase the public awareness, we will reduce kidney-related death rates in Nigeria,” he asserted.

The Board Chairman pointed out that the OAUTHC which has carried out 13 kidney

transplants till date and has one earmarked for July, recently commissioned a brand new organ transplant theatre.

“OAUTHC has the best facilities for kidney transplants. People don't know we carried out the first kidney transplant in Nigeria in 2002. Most other institutions depend on this place for such feats, but this is the only teaching hospital that is fully indigenous in operation.”

Calling for increased public awareness to reduce kidneyContinues on page 48

48—Vanguard, TUESD AY, JUNE 25, 2013 TUESDA

Affordable kidney transplant, dialysis Continued from page 47

•Deputy Director/Head of Nutrition, Federal Ministry of Health, D. Chris Osa Isokpunmu, Scientific and External Affairs Manager, Nestle Nigeria plc, Mrs. Chioma Emma-Nwachukwu, Category Business Manager, Nutrition, Dr. Mazhar Quresh and the Managing Director of the Beverage Company, Mr. Dharnesh Gordhon, at 2013 Nestle creating shared value media workshop, held last week in Lagos. PHOTO: Bunmi Azeez

related death rates, he said kidney transplant is not just taking people to the theatre and taking the kidney and replacing it.

“It is required to have a special theatre, a specialist (called a kidney surgeon) and a nephrologist. At the OAUTHC, we have a tissue typing lab for carrying out preliminary work of taking a part of the tissue from any part of the body to determine if the kidney to be transplanted will be compatible. OAUTHC is the only institution to have this laboratory in Nigeria.

“Previously, tissue samples from here were taken to Egypt for confirmation but now we do market render such services, and other institutions send samples here for confirmation,” he said

Lagos moves to coordinate PPP Continued from page 46 and agencies.

Olugbile who spoke on behalf of the Commissioner for Health Dr. Jide Idris, regretted that in the past, various NGOs and representatives of foreign partners entered the state even with intention of acting along the lines of development but were acting as decided by themselves often without any notification by the parent ministry.

“With this coordination in place, all we are saying now is that, you cannot shave our heads behind our backs. We

appreciate people bringing money and expertise into developing Lagos but the primary task of developing Lagos rests on the state.

“If you are bringing in money, you have to first of all understand what we are seeking to do, what our priorities are and find a way to fix your own aspiration into that. That way you are helping us. We should be acting in sync and not discordantly. That is the underlying basis of the partnership forum,” he stated.

Also speaking, representative of the Department for International Development, DFID and Partnership

for Transforming Health Systems Phase Two, PATHS2, Mrs. Akaoma Onyemelukwe said Path2 involvement was the need for coordination of partners for effective healthcare delivery programmes in Lagos.

“There would not be adequate impact if we are duplicating efforts in the state and wasting investment. For a strengthened health system, you actually require coordination and the state to be seen to play stewardship and leadership role which drives what partners do.”

Records from the health institution’s Renal Unit show that the incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease and ESRD have increased exponentially in recent times.

Only a very small fraction of the ESRD population ever gets transplanted and among reasons adduced for this development is high cost of accessing renal care leading to unaffordability and inaccessibility.

Other constrains include shortage of donor organs and poor legislative support among others.

On the setting up of an endowment fund for indigent patients, he said the institution was working towads engaging philanthropists and charity organisations in that respect.

“Many of our centres have several patients that cannot pay at the point of discharge. It would help if the Governor can come to their aid, particularly if they are from this State, even if it is at certain fraction of the cost.”

Buildings to be demolished Continued from Page 46 truckloads of the fake Gold’s Custard were being dispatched through unmarked streets within the market. A building serving as manufacturing premises was identified. It had an American flag hoisted on it to distract attention.”

During the operation which lasted over two hours, six illegal manufacturing factories located on the first floor of the three storey building were sealed.

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013—49

•Housing Estates in Lagos, INSET: Minister of Housing, Amma Pepple

FMBN and growing demands for shelter

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

I

N a country of about 160 million people with gross housing deficit of about 16 million, there are growing worries over the future of the housing sector in Nigeria.

This anxiety was borne out of the country’s past failure at making millions of Nigerians home owners. Apart from the non-availability of land as a result of the Land Use Act of 1978, dearth of housing finance has been fingered as the greatest factor inhibiting the provision of shelter for the Nigerian masses.

Not even the National Housing Fund, NHF, which came into being via Decree No. 3 of 1992, to provide cheap loanable funds to those who want to build or buy their own houses, has made any significant positive impact.

Nigeria has a total of 102 primary mortgage institutions, PMIs and each of these PMIs has a capital base of N100 million.

Perhaps this need for affordable shelter for the nation’s growing population informed the decision by President Goodluck Jonathan to recognise the provision of accessible and affordable housing as one of the strategic national imperatives for guaranteeing the well-being and productivity of the citizenry.

In achieving this, the Federal Government and the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development are ensuring that the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, is meeting up with its mandate of developing

a robust mortgage finance system for the country.

Accordingly, it was gathered that the Bank operates as an effective vehicle for increasing the mobilisation of long-term funds, lending volume and expansion of mortgage lending services to all segments of the Nigerian population.

Investigations into the activities of FMBN by Vanguard Homes&Property indicated that amid some criticisms against the performances of the Bank, some successes are being

recorded to meet up with the President’s Transformation Agenda.

Disclosing this, an Abuja based Estate Surveyor and Valuer and Managing Director of Batta Homes, Alhaji Hassan Dambatta, said that despite the capital intensive nature of building or owning a property, the sector has witnessed significant achievements through the influence of government policies and key stakeholders. ‘‘Under the leadership of Mallam Gimba Ya’u Kumo as

head of the FMBN, the housing sector has witnessed significant achievements through the influence of government policies and key stakeholders. These policy changes have led to significant growth in the mortgage sector and aroused the interests of several international investors.

But this would not have been possible without the vision of the President, who truly desires housing for all,’’ he noted.

He further said: ‘’The Federal Government has showed commitment to revolutionalise the housing sector by translating the National Housing Policy and National Urban Development Policy into a roadmap for housing development in the country’’.

Still disclosing efforts at meeting up with housing

demands, Dambatta said: ‘’Today, there is large scale automation of the Bank’s operation to eliminate inefficiencies of the previous manual mode of operations; expansion of the coverage of mortgage services to the informal sector which constitutes about 85 per cent of the Nigerian working population; and reversal of the loss returns which has been the trend for over 56 years of the Bank’s operations.’’

In addition, he said: ‘’Arising from this, it is on record that within 30 months in office, this management’s performance accounts for over 53% of cumulative NHF collections of N110.79 since 1992. Refund of NHF contributions grew by 196% from N990m to N1.94b within 30 months. This is attributed to a 7,527% increase in the rate of monthly refunds from N440, 000 to N33 million.’’

Capital market operations Further checks also indicated that as at December 2010, only one transaction was recorded by the Bank in the capital market being Series 1 Mortgage-Backed Bond (MBB) N26 billion issued in May 2006. ‘’Between December 2010 and April 2013 however, two additional issuances under the MBB transaction totalling N32 billion were successfully concluded. These are: Series 2 - MBB N6 billion issued in April 2013 and Series 3 - MBB N26 billion issued in April 2013 (to refinance Series 1,’’ a report titled: Housing for All through Mortgage Banking Alternative stated”.

FG secures N48bn loan to kickstart mortgage industry …As Shelter Afrique offers to support sector with $100 million

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

T

HE Federal Government at the weekend said it had concluded arrangements to secure a sum of N48 billion, ($300) from the World Bank under the International Development Agency, IDA, credit facility for the establishment of a Mortgage Refinancing Company with a view to creating mortgages in the housing sector.

Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Amma Pepple who disclosed this during her presentation at the 2013 Ministerial briefing in Abuja, said the Federal Government was seeking for international cooperation as part of its efforts to address housing deficit facing the nation. Ms. Pepple also disclosed that an international conglomerate, the Shelter Afrique was extending $100 million credit facility to support housing development in Nigeria.

She said the $100 million facility would be facilitated through the Federal

Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN. The minister noted the Shelter Afrique had approved the opening of its first regional office in Abuja, which according to her will become operational in 2013 to ensure smooth utilization of the facility.

She said further that the Department for International Development, DFID, was proposing to inject a total sum of $700,000 for technical assistance to develop capacity in the housing sector of the country, stressing that assistance in the institutional and functional review of the ministry was aimed at achieving lasting institutional efficiency and effectiveness through sustainable and timely public service to Nigerians.

The minister who put the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of the ministry in the last two years at N3,099,032,199.48, explained that the revenue sources include tender fee, ground rent, premium on land, title registration fee, consent fee, C of O processing fee and survey fee.

Ms. Pepple said during the period under

review, the housing sector contributed its own quota to job creation through the employment of 1, 568,286 persons in the country.

“The housing and urban development sector is recognized worldwide as being the immensely valuable in terms of job creation because the construction of housing units requires the services of a pool of professionals such as architect, engineers, quantity surveyors, and artisans such as draughtsmen, bricklayers, electricians, iron benders, painters, tillers and various vendors.

“In addition, the sustainable funding of housing delivery promotes investments in the production of building materials and boost linked businesses, all of which help to increase employment generation in the economy.

“During the period under review, the sector contributed its own quota to job creation through the employment of 1, 568,286 persons in the ministry’s housing projects, those of its parastatals, and in the informal sector through the sale of building materials across the nation.”

50 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

Fashola commissions paving stone production line at LSPWC

By KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

G

OVERNOR Babatunde Fashola has noted that following the inauguration of a new management for the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, LSPWC in 2009, efforts were made at better placing the organisation on a path towards ensuring a sustainable road development programme.

These efforts according to Fashola, include the rebranding of the corporation and its activities coupled with the development of a fluid and dynamic five-year strategic road map.

Making this known at the commissioning of paving stone production line at the premises of the Corporation last week, the governor said the three-phase strategy (Short, Medium and Long Term) was primarily aimed at ensuring a pothole free road network for Lagos State with a long term goal of making LSPWC a model for a modern Public Works Agency in West Africa and indeed the world.

He added that the use of innovative, creative techniques and strategies to optimize the performance of the road system formed part

of the medium term strategy and ultimately resulted in the conception of the idea of the utilisation of paving stones on Lagos roads. He pointed out that this technology was targeted for use on sections of roads that were observed to deteriorate perennially due to a number of factors such as poor drainage and high water table amongst others.

The Executive Chairman of the Corporation Gbenga Akintola, an engineer said the organisation for over three years procured paving stones from a reputable local contractor for use on various roads all over the city of Lagos.

He pointed out however that, in line with the five-year development strategy, the management in an effort to

maximise quality and cost effectiveness of its operations decided to go a step further by looking inwards and this ultimately led to the setting up of its own paving stone manufacturing unit within its Ojodu-Berger Asphalt Production Yard.

“Since the commencement of the in house manufacturing of the paving stones in April

•Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (left), Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson (3rd right) and the Executive Chairman, Public Works Corporation, Mr. Gbenga Akintola (right) inspecting the Paving Stone Production Line during its commissioning at the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, Ojodu Berger, Lagos.

2013, a number of benefits have immediately become obvious. These include better and effective quality control on each paving stone used on our roads, significant cost reduction in our paving stone operations amounting to about 55 per cent reduction in the cost, human empowerment through provision of jobs are currently employed at the manufacturing paving stone unit.

“The paving stone production machine has an installed capacity of 6500 stones per eight-hour per day with about 5000 paving stones being currently produced daily in order to meet the paving stone requirement for road repairs in Lagos State.

In addition, the unique black colouration of the paving stones synonymous with LSPWC operations was successfully achieved at the LSPWC manufacturing unit.

“This concept was conceived by our research and development unit with the aim of ensuring a seamless colour blend and transition when it is used in conjunction with Hot Mix Asphalt. With the commissioning of this paving stone production line by his Excellency the governor of Lagos state Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, the corporation is poised to achieve its desired goal of a pothole free Lagos within the shortest possible period”, Akintola stated

RESETTLEMENT: Host communities vow to resist FCTA’s plan

By CALEB AYANSINA

B

ARRING any change in plan, the Original Inhabitants of Shere-Galuwayi Land in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, will soon play host to no fewer than six other communities in the FCT, which will be relocated and resettled into the Galuwayi-Shere Resettlement Centre, by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA. Vanguard gathered that about 5,172 households scattered all over six communities, namely: Utako, Maje, Jabi, Yakubu, Zhilu and Kpaadna communities in the FCT, are to be resettled in Galuwayi, Sherepe, Sherekoro and Sheregwari communities, where the centre is located.

The centre was built during the El-Rufai’s administration to ameliorate the suffering of the victims of his demolition exercise in the six communities.

It is interesting to note that since the end of the Olusegun

Obasanjo administration, under which El-Rufai worked as Minister of FCT, in 2006, the Galuwayi-Shere Resettlement Centre up till now has not been occupied, leaving the intended occupants in the slum, uncatered for.

These abandon structures are believed to have further revealed the ‘I don’t care’ attitude of the Federal Government towards the plight of the masses. It has left many wondering how in a country like Nigeria, where housing is deficit, such a centre built to accommodate about 5,000 households is left unoccupied after completion.

A visit to the centre by our correspondent revealed the high degree of neglect as weeds and reptiles had taken over the houses. Some of the structures at there are dilapidated and uninhabitable.

It was also discovered that apart from the project being abandoned, the provision of social facilities at the centre and for the host communities as

well as the issue of compensation were only done on the pages of newspapers.

Residents debunked the claim by the FCTA that communities were duly carried along in the resettlement process, insisting that none of their leaders out of the five communities consulted or invited to any meeting by the government, to address some issues arising from the resettlement exercise.

Original inhabitants Consequently, the Original Inhabitants of Shere-Galuwayi Land vowed to resist any plan by the FCTA, to relocate and resettle the communities to Galuwayi-Shere Resettlement Centre, over failure of the latter to provide social amenities and compensate them.

Addressing Newsmen over the plan, the communities who spoke through the Sherekoro Community Leader, Gbegbe Umar, said the FCTA could not

take over their land and give it to outsiders to occupy without compensating them.

“The FCTA cannot forcefully take over our lands, build on it and invite outsiders to come and occupy our land without first paying us full and adequate compensation”, he said. Umar recalled that when the matter started during the El-Rufai administration, “the government paid some of us as low as N600 and N1000 for the economic trees, describing the payment as ‘shabbily’.

He added that the entire communities “are in the dark over the entire relocation exercise”, noting that, “this approach taken by government offers no better recipe for endless misunderstanding and bad blood between us, the host, and proposed occupant communities of the GaluwayiShere Resettlement Centre.

“While we are daily confronted with the realities of adjunct modern facilities at the Galuwayi-Shere Resettlement Centre, our communities,

whose lands were forcefully acquired for this development live in abject and unacceptable government neglect; we are currently bereft of power supply, potable water and passable health facilities.”

In view of these foregoing concerns, the communities, according to Umar, demand that the FCTA put off the planned relocation of the six aforementioned communities to the resettlement centre until all issues identified in this letter and previous correspondences are sufficiently addressed.

They will also want the FCTA to: “Embark on extensive and sincere consultation with our communities on the concerns raised in this letter and previous correspondences, especially as it concerns adequate compensation for our lands forcefully acquired for the development of the GaluwayiShere Resettlement Centre. It is moral justice that you do not rob Peter to pay Paul.

Vanguard Vanguard,,

C M Y K

TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

— 51

52— Vanguard, TUESDAY,JUNE 25, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013 — 53

Keshi must do a rethink on Osaze, others — Umeh

BY JACOB AJOM

F

IRST Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Chief Mike Umeh has blamed Super Eagles chief coach, Stephen Keshi for the team’s poor showing at the Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Umeh told Sports Vanguard that the absence of “big boys” in the team caused their defeats to Uruguay and and Spain.

“We played well but our attack failed us. Keshi need to get stronger boys and we have them. I don’t know why he has refused to bring in Osaze,” Umeh said, with a tinge of frustration in his voice.

The NFF chieftain said the football house has always given Keshi a free hand.

“Yes, we have always given him freedom to operate, but he must work closely with the technical

committee.”

Chief Umeh said there was nothing bad in Keshi building a squad for the future but that must be done gradually.

“It is clear he took a young squad to the Confederations Cup. The young players,

Spain's Pedro Rodriguez (L) and Nigeria's Uwa Echijile jump for the ball during their FIFA Confederations Cup match, on June 23, 2013. Spain won 3-0. AFP PHOTO.

Kojo Continued from BP the national team from the ongoing FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

The African champions, defeated Tahiti 6-1 in their opening match but went on to suffer consecutive defeats to Uruguay and Spain to exit the tournament in the first round.

Kojo, who had predicted, in a past interview with Sports Vanguard, that the Super Eagles were going to be exposed at the Confederations Cup, said that he had been vindicated with the event that unfolded in Brazil, adding that Nigerians should expect more doom in s u b s e q u e n t international matches.

“I just think that we were technically bereft and to show how disgraceful and incompetent we are, Keshi, in the days before the match against Tahiti, said that he had no knowledge of Tahiti. He said he had never seen

particularly the home based players need to be introduced gradually.

They need to be polished.

You saw how Mikel played. He played very well because he is a big boy who was playing among his contemporaries. He has

anything of them before.

Imagine such a statement from a coach, who lives in America.

Couldn’t he have gone online to search for materials on Tahiti?

Tahiti were champions of Oceania and Keshi didn’t kinow how to get tapes of their matches?

“His counterpart from Tahiti said he watched clips of the Eagles at the Nations Cup. But our coach said that he did not know anything about Tahiti. It shows that we are not professionals at all. Coming to Uruguay, Keshi also showed that he knew nothing about the champions of South America, Uruguay, who are an aging side and yet we could not expose them. Our boys had no technical depth, which is a fault of the coaching crew. You saw how Uruguay played and a good coach with the same boys we had could have beaten Uruguay.

“I said it before that we needed sound technical guys to come in and work with our team, because if we left

the job to the present coaches, then we would get more hammering in the future and that was what happened in Brazil. Did you see that Spain were relaxed and they still walked past us? Did you see that if they needed more goals to qualify that they would have scored more? I said that we were not going anywhere with that team and some people thought I was wrong. If we are contented being among the best in Africa I don’t have problem with that. We can continue with what we are doing with Keshi but if we want to be among the best in the world then we must help Keshi with a good foreign coach . The problem is that they would not go for the right foreign coach.”

Kojo laughed off suggestions that the Eagles missed the likes of Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses in the attack.

“It is not an acceptable excuse that for missing a player or two your team

played in the biggest league and is experienced like the Spanish and Uruguayan players. That is why Keshi must do a rethink on the likes of Osaze and other experienced Nigerian players.”

Nadal

Continued from BP Monday, the Spaniard losing 7-6(4) 7-6(8) 6-4.

The 12-times grand slam champion found Darcis in inspired form as he lost in the first round of a grand slam for the first time in his career.

It was the second year in succession that French Open champion Nadal has suffered a shock Wimbledon exit after his second-round loss to Lukas Rosol a year ago.

Nadal looked hampered in his moves throughout the match.

He was sidelined for about seven months with a left knee injury following his surprise loss in the second round at Wimbledon last year. crumbles. Nobody should tell me that. This is a nation of more than 160 million people and we must put our house in order. Look at Spain, they could afford to play with their substitutes and still get the results. I don’t want to hear that we missed Emenike. That is not an excuse because whether with or without Emenike, the style of football we are playing is the problem, the tactics.

We saw how we played and we knew that we could do better”.

On practical steps to take to get the team back in line, Kojo said that the technical crew has to be rejigged, with the addition of technically sound foreign coaches from Europe. ‘’The way we were attacking was negative.

We were going forward, then we would pass back.

We could not do anything with our attacking movements. I am not saying that we should do away with Keshi but I am insisting that we need people who can get change our game and get us results”, added Kojo.

Chukwu

Continued from BP “We are out but our heads are not bowed,” Chukwu said, in a chat with Sports Vanguard, Monday.

“We played well. We used the matches to know our deficiencies in the team and the tournament served as a good preparatory ground for our remaining World Cup qualifiers. For now, we know what we need to fortify the team.”

The former Enugu Rangers coach was particularly happy with the experience gained from the tournament. “It was good for the players and they are going to improve.”

Chukwu said the team’s biggest problem was their inability to score goals. “Definitely, our attacking line needs the injection of good finishers. But I give kudos to Vincent Enyeama and his defenders. They did a marvelous job. Although they lost concentration at times which resulted in some of the goals, they did well.

“The midfield? Not bad but we need a skilful midfielder who can feed the attackers well; not

one who makes diagonal passes across the field.”

The absence of a good set piece taker in the squad. “I doubt if the Eagles train for spot kicks. We had a lot of them but not one was utilised effectively.”

On his part, Paul Hamilton said, “the team’s greatest undoing was their poor form in front of goal. For once we saw a very well coordinated Eagles but the art of goal-scoring is still eluding them.”

Hamilton, a former national team coach also said the absence of Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike was felt, particularly, in the match against Spain. “We missed those two, but the exposure was worth the effort. I think I can see an emerging Super Eagles from this team.”

Ambassador Fanny Amun said he was disappointed with Nigerians who felt the Eagles could beat Spain.

“Spain are world and European champions who have not lost a game since 2011. Our players did their best and I still believe that Keshi will give us a strong team that will prosecute the World Cup in 2014.”

F/Eagles Continued from BP international football.

Nigeria were unable to break down the Cuban’s early on, with Chidi Osuchukwu’s speculative free-kick the closest they came. Eagles’ man of the moment Ajagun almost opened the scoring with a superb lob, from the right of the penalty area while running at full pace, but Sandy Sanchez was relieved to see it land on the roof of the net.

Seconds later they were ahead. Ajagun fed Olarenwaju Kayode down the left wing, who got clear of the defence, before squaring to Umar to score what is likely to be one of the simplest goals of his career.

Umar had another four minutes later, which had a touch of flair to it.

Osuchukwu’s deep corner eventually found Abdullahi Shehu, who drilled a cross

that Umar flicked between his legs and into the bottom corner. Olaitan Michael almost made it three with a superb right-footed effort that cannoned off the outside of the post.

Nigeria were in full control, and that continued into the second period, Kayode breaking beyond the back line and firing wide across goal. He charged forward in similar style moments later, but in choosing to square to Ajagun, Abel Martinez was able to clear.

Ajagun did get his goal though, with 67 minutes on the clock. Kingsley Madu’s cross deceived Sanchez and Ajagun stooped to head home, seeing him become the top-scorer so far.

Ajagun missed the chance to double his tally for the day late on, missing from the penalty spot after Martinez upended Kayode in the area.

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54 — V anguard, TUESD AY, JUNE 25, 2013 Vanguard TUESDA

Uduaghan sends football champions abroad

O

Guardiola acknowledges cheers from fans during his unveiling yesterday

P

EP Guardiola took charge of Bayern Munich yesterday and roared: I’m back.

The most celebrated manager in the world returned to football after a year out of the game following four incredible seasons at Barcelona.

He took charge of European champions Bayern and insisted he is not afraid of the challenge.

Pep said: “I am ready.

It’s a new challenge for me a new goal being here.

“My time in Barcelona was marvellous but I needed a new challenge and Bayern Munich gave me that chance.

“They presented me with the opportunity and I am ready to give my best and I am certain that all the fans of Bayern will continue to live with pride and I hope it will be an era of pride for all.”

Speaking in impeccable German, Guardiola continued: “This is a gift.

“It’s a great joy and happiness not only for being here but also because Bayern Munich thought of me and allowed me to be here.

“For this reason it’s a gift. I would like to thank Bayern for this chance and the opportunity to coach here.”

Guardiola, who snubbed the chance to

GEDEGBE Primary School in Warri could soon be more than a Primary school.

Kids from the school won this year’s Channels Kids Soccer Competition in Lagos.

And for that Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan , in line with his sports development programme, plansd to transform the school into a special football nursery that will also take their school work seriously.

Interestingly, Dr. Uduaghan was a special guest in the final of the competition with Babatunde Fashola, the Governor of Lagos State.

He watched the team from his state lift the

Pep unveiled as Bayern boss coach Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City, explained why he chose Bayern.

He said: “I chose Bayern above all for their players and their histo-

ry.

“I decided above all for these reasons because it’s a massive club in the world. The directors and the bosses and decisionmaker.

“They called me and I

am here.”

So what of the pressure of succeeding Treble-winning Jupp Heynckes?

He added: “I have to be in condition to live with this reality."

CHAMPIONS: Victorious pupils of Ogedegbe Primary School with Governor Fashola of Lagos State, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and CEO of Channels Television, Chief Tony Momoh. Photo; Henry Unini trophy and he invited them to the Governor’s Cup final in Warri, May 29. And yesterday, he visited the school during the inspection of ongoing projects in Delta State.

He expressed delight that the school, which produced the likes of Wilson Oruma, has been some kind of a breeding ground for football and said the following to them: ‘’I want to thank you for making Warri proud when you won the Channels Cup which

was live on television. I decided to visit you during break time in order not to disrupt your school programme. You played good football during the competition. I followed you throughout and watched the final.

You made us proud. I want to assure the kids that the government will encourage any one who wants to take to football as a career. We will expand your football field to make it a standard one, help in training the kids and boost the football tradition here.

Confed Cup: Injuries ruined Eagles, says Keshi S

UPER Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, was a sober figure after the team lost 30 to Spain in its last group game on Sunday and thus crashed out of the ongoing Confederations Cup holding in Brazil and has already started a post mortem.

Team’s Media Officer Ben Alaiya, quotes Keshi as saying despite his bold face on injuries to some of his key players, it turned out that injuries actually decimated the performance of the team at the tournament. “I can’t imagine that my top striker Emmanuel Emenike will miss some of the goals that we missed and even Ogenyi Onazi was sorely missed, Victor Moses would have ruined any team here and ofcourse several other players that should have been here could not make it due to injuries. Among them United States

UNSTOPPABLE: Fernando Torres heads in Spain's second goal against Nigeria during the Confederations Cup match Sunday night. Spain won 3-0. Photo: AFP. based Bright Dike.

Keshi then declared that he knows exactly what to do while appealing to Nigerians to forgive the team for the less than average perform-

ance at the tournament.

He promised that the team will come good in the World Cup qualifiers.

“We want to come back here next year and make an impact. This is a dress

rehearsal and I can assure that the Super Eagles will be among the top nations when the Brazil 2014 World Cup starts”, he said.

Keshi also revealed

that he has fresh options for the national team when the team resumes for the final World Cup qualifier match against Malawi in September.

Vanguard Vanguard,,

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TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013

— 55

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013 P.54

F-Eagles hit Cuba 3-0

Eagles need a F foreign coach — Kojo

LYING Eagles got their FIFA U-20 World Cup back on track as they recovered from their opening defeat to Portugal to cruise past Cuba 3-0 in Kayseri.

A first-half double from Animu Umar, followed by captain Abdul Ajagun getting his third of the tournament, allowing the Flying Eagles to reassert their knock-out stage aspirations, in what was the pairs first meeting at any level of

•Blames Eagles coaches for Confederations Cup woes

Continues on Page 53

What Eagles need — Chukwu

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

K

OJO Williams, a former chairman of the Nigeria Football association (NFA) has blamed the Super Eagles technical crew headed by Stephen Keshi for the ouster of Continues on Page 53

•Hamilton, Amun also react

BY JACOB AJOM

F

Shocker for Nadal!

T

WICE former champion Rafa Nadal was knocked out in the first round of Wimbledon by 135th-ranked Belgian Steve Darcis on Continues on Page 53

NO HARD FEELINGS•••Spain’s Roberto Soldado smiles as he falls on Super Eagles defender Azubuike Egwuekwe during their FIFA Confederations Cup match on June 23. Spain won 3-0. PHOTO: AFP

Keshi must do a rethink on Osaze, others — Umeh P.53 QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

ORMER Super Eagles handler, Christian Chukwu has expressed hope in the present squad handled

by Stephen Keshi despite the team’s ouster from the FIFA Confederations Cup by Spain on Sunday.

Continues on Page 53

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

DOWN ACROSS 1 Foot part (6) 1 Take in (6) 2 Break (8) 5 Store (4) 3 Decapitate (6) 8 Tare (5) 4 Everlasting (9) 9 Prosecute (3) 5 Disgrace (7) 10 Fur (4) 11 Atmosphere (4) 6 Assassin (4) 7 Dye (4) 12 Amid (5) 8 Through (3) 13 Catch (6) 14 Descendants (9) 16 Dejected (4) 15 Sprite (3) 18 Charity (4) 17 Tiny (3) 20 Nourished (3) 19 Pine (8) 22 Observe (3) 20 Whim (3) 23 Circuit (3) 21 Ruin (7) 24 Attention (4) 26 Alarm bell (6) 25 Marquee (4) 27 Parchment (6) 28 Language (6) 29 Blemish (4) 30 Begin (5) 30 Vend (4) 32 Ogle (4) 31 Attempt (3) 33 Flower (4) 34 Sick (3) 35 Tall (5) 36 Cunning (4) 37 National song (6)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

How to Play Sudoku

ACROSS: 3, Spoof 9, Hooter 10, Valour 11, Wager 12, Seed 15, Dupe 17, Trounce 20, Mad 21, Erect 23, Thin 26, Tempt 28, Ate 30, Tearful 33, Dent 35, Mole 36, Pious 38, Grovel 39, Rattle 40, Alley.

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Whist 2, Rodeo 3, Sew 4, Prance 5, Oven 6, Far 7, Locum 8, Greed 13, Erudite 14, Duvet 16, Painful 18, Erupt 19, Act 22, therm 24, Let 27, Tenure 28, Adage 29, Enjoy 31, Forte 32, Lever 34, Fill 36, Pea 37, Say.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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