Pipeline bombing: I beg you in God’s name, Buhari tells militants

2 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016 —3

4 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016 — 5

PIPELINE BOMBING: I beg you in God’s name, Buhari tells militants *I agonise over these destructions *Says economy is on its knees *How Kachikwu secured interim truce *No love lost relationship among militants

By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South South, Levinus Nwabughiogu

O

BVIOUSLY perturbed by the activities of the Niger Delta Militants, NDA, President Muhammadu Buhari last night went spiritual, pleading with them in God’s name to have a change of heart over their destruction of oil and gas installations in the region.

The president who stated that there were many factions of the Niger Delta Militants also said that the groups were armed with sophisticated weapons and that the economy was on its knees following the bombing of gas pipelines. He also pleaded with friends and associates of the militants to reach out to them, stressing that Nigerians do not have any other country to call their own other than Nigeria.

The president spoke at the breaking-of-fast dinner with leaders and chieftains of his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said: “I honestly don’t know how many factions of the militants there are in the Niger Delta compared to the north east where you have only the Boko Haram “The technology being deployed by the militants to destroy oil installations is high tech, the way they can go on high sea and international waters and target oil installations is a national problem. It is affecting development.

“No insurance company will want to insure installations that will end up being blown up and no banks will want to finance such installations.

“Those of you who have friends among the leadership or even the militants themselves should plead with them in the name of God Almighty to take it easy.

“We need to stablise to create employment, we need to stabilise the economy, I agonise over these things. We are in a very difficult time, so we have to organise ourselves.

Anybody that says he has any other country than Nigeria should go out and see.”

Earlier, the national chairman of the APC, Chief John Oyegun expressed satisfaction with the actions of the government so far, saying that Nigeria needed a dogged leader like the president.

“Any meaningful development requires strong and determined leader. Things must change. Those things don’t come easily. Nigeria is clearly a difficult nation to govern.

“Corruption is fighting back and change does not come easily. The way we do things

must change. Our prayer is for God to give you the courage, wisdom and strength to set the new standard for the country”, he said.

Apart from Oyegun, other party leaders who attended the event included former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na'Aba; the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Segun Oni; former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva; Tony Momoh and Senator Osita Ozinaso.

Also present were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal and former Minister of Labour, Hassan Lawal.

Dialogue, ceasefire: Buhari baffles militants Meanwhile, President Buhari was said to have kept the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, and other militant groups in the Niger Delta region in suspense since he returned from his short vacation in London, last Sunday.

Findings by Saturday Vanguard showed that the militants, who agreed to an interim ceasefire brokered by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachiwu, and his top secret negotiators, were confused about the game plan of President Buhari.

The two-week ceasefire proclaimed by the Federal Government on June 6 expired June 21, two days after Buhari returned from his vacation and militants expected government to officially announce an extension, but it has kept mute on the matter six days after the expiration.

Correspondingly, the Federal Government has not come out with a framework for an all-embracing dialogue with stakeholders and militants, a development that has further confounded the situation.

The scrapping of the Joint Task Force, JTF, in the Niger Delta, as part of efforts to ensure better protection of pipelines in the region and tackle insecurity and its replacement with ‘Operation Delta Safe’, as well as planned redeployment of police officers in the region for their failure to stop bombing of oil installations, have also sent tongues wagging.

Militants, who bowed to Kachikwu’s logic, are suspecting that they may have been hoodwinked, while those opposed to their antics want Buhari to order the military to battle them to submission as was done to Boko Haram. .

NDA re-organizes NDA, which found itself in a dilemma over the new tac-

tics employed by government had come out to distance itself from a purported ceasefire agreement with government, declaring that it would resume hostilities any time the state of affairs becomes intolerable.

Its spokesperson, self-styled Brig Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, said, on June 21, day the twoweek ceasefire ran out: “The

NDA High Command never remembers having any agreement on ceasefire with the Nigeria Government.”

Many had rumored that Dr Kachikwu met with representatives of NDA at Government House, Asaba, when he visited the state on June 15, but the militant group clarified that it sent no representative to the meeting.

In its reaction 48 hours later, the group said: “We condemn in its entirety the continuous linking of the Niger Delta Avengers to any meeting in Delta State Government in Asaba with Minister of State for Petroleum Re-

sources.”

It added: “ We tell the whole listening world that the Niger Delta Avengers will not be part of any dialogue deal that will not only bring about the ‘peace of our time’ but ‘peace with honour’.”

The next day, June 18, following the signals emanating from official quarters, the group re-echoed: “We once again, restate that we are not going to be part of any dialogue and peace that will achieve only ‘the peace of our time.’ What the NDA wants is ‘peace with honour,’ which will enter the genuine frame Continues on Page 7

From left: Managing Director, Quad Signal Solutions & Services Limited, Mr. Olusegun Agboola; Managing Director/C.E.O, Teqbridge Limited, Mr. Chiemeka Ngwu; Chairman, Quad Signal Solutions & Services Limited, Mr. Idowu Iluyomade; Managing Director-Africa, Thomson Reuters, Sneha Shah; Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode; Head of Government Relations, Africa Financial Business Lead, Thomson Reuters, Aarti Shah; Special Adviser, Office of Overseas Affairs & Investment (Lagos Global), Prof. Ademola Abass; Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare and others during a courtesy visit to the Governor by Executives of Thomson Reuters, at the Lagos House, Ikeja yesterday.

50 feared killed in Lagos/Ogun communities •Only two died, Police insists

By Daud Olatunji and Bose Adelaja

B

ARELY six days after some suspected militants killed 15 persons in Imushin community in Ogijo area of Ogun state, another 50 people were feared dead on Thursday night when militants swooped on the neighbouring communities in Elepete and Igbo Olomu, the borderline communities in Lagos/ Ogun State.

Saturday Vanguard reliably gathered that a large number of the victims were said to be landlords in the area, who were reported to be keeping security watch over the communities, due to incessant armed robbery attacks.

A source who was a landlord but pleaded anonymity said his colleague landlords made bonfires in strategic points with a view to checking incessant attacks by robbers. But, tragedy struck when the militants who were coming from where they had gone to perpetrate their illegal business, mistook the landlords for law enforcement agents and went on a shooting spree. The source said that 30 dead

bodies have been accounted for from various points, and that many residents have fled the communities for safety.

Most residents who spoke with our correspondent lamented that the militants had threatened to attack the communities on reprisal attacks over the death of their colleagues few weeks ago.

The residents have therefore blamed security operatives for alleged negligence resulting to loss of lives of residents and landlords.

One for the residents who spoke with Saturday Vanguard said that only the Nigerian Army, the Navy and the Airforce could tackle the menace of these criminals.

“The militants came out from the creek and attacked the communities around 11p.m on Thursday night. We were outside keeping vigil over incessant armed robbery attacks. We had bonfires in some areas and the militants, having sighted the bonfires, opened fire on anyone on sight.

“The whole communities have already been deserted. We need the presence of the Nigerian Army, Airforce and Navy to curtail the

excesses of these militants,” he said.

Another source told Saturday Vanguard that since the first attack which led to death of 15 persons in the communities, schools in the areas have been closed down while business activities were paralyzed.

The source who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity said residents of the affected communities were fleeing their houses and that the whole areas were already deserted.

However, the Ogun State Police Command said only two people were killed by suspected militants who have been laying siege on the community. Thecommand’simage maker, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, while speaking with our correspondent said only two people were killed by the militants. He said that the militants came from the creek to attack innocent residents and fled back. Adejobi, a Superintendent of Police, said the Police would try and fish out the criminals.

“Two have been confirmed dead.

The militants came again and attackedthecommunity.Theycame yesterday and attacked and went back to the creeks. We will only continue to try,” he said.

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

COUP ALLEGATION: Buratai summons GOCs, PSOs

By Kingsley OmonobiAbuja

T

HE Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai yesterday summoned to Abuja for an emergency meeting, the General Officers Command of all the divisions of the army following allegations by militant groups in the Niger Delta that some army officers have solicited their support to oust the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari through a coup détat.

Present at the meeting were the General Officers Commanding (GOCs) 1, 2, 3, 81, 82, 7 and 8 divisions of the Army, as well as Principal Staff Officers based in Abuja and other parts of the country.

The senior officers consequently pledged their loyalty to the constitution of the country as well as to the President and Commander in Chief of the armed forces of Nigeria saying, “Our loyalty, allegiance to the constitutional authority of this land, the three branches of government, is unquestionable”.

Speaking on behalf of the GOCs, after the meet-

ing, General Officer Commanding 1 division, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade said “The Chief of Army Staff summoned his top Commanders across the Army for a quick meeting this morning. Essentially, the meeting was to review the security situation in the country and to also let us know some of the reorganization that has taken place over the last few days.

“You are aware that there was reorganization of the Niger Delta operations; it has changed from the erstwhile Operation Pulo Shield to Operation Delta Safe and the Army is still very strong and we will continue to do every-

thing to ensure that issues of oil theft and Pipeline vandalism will be severely curtailed in conjunction with our sister services, the Nigerian Navy and the Air Force and other security agencies.

“We also did a review of the operation in the North east. It is going reasonably well. There are challenges here and there but we want to assure the nation that in no distant future we will bring the operation to a close, we are working very hard on that.

“Also, we want to reiterate that in all our operations across the length and breadth of this country the issue of our rules of engagement is like our Bible; we have had quite a number of talks here

and there but we want to assure the public and the generality of our citizens that the Army will abide by the rules of engagement.

“We also want to commend the civilian JTF who have also done a tremendous job in the North east and we will continue to solicit their support to finally rid the country of terrorism.

“You must have also heard in the last few days of rumours of coup or no coup. We want to assure all our citizens that the Army remains apolitical.

Our loyalty, allegiance to the constitutional authority of this land, the three branches of government, Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief, our loyalty is unquestionable.

Tribute in honour of late Mrs. Oghogho step children, very affecOrumwense tionate to her siblings,

L

ATE Mrs Oghogho Orumwense, has been described as a selfless mother and great daughter of the Benin Kingdom, who triumphed over the traditional gender prejudices and poverty that were predominant in her environment. A lecturer at the University of Benin, Dr Eddy Akpomera in a tribute in honour of late Mrs Orumwense said amongst the many visible positive evidence of her triumph in ensuring social class mobility for her family is her second son, Professor Faraday Osasere Orumwense, incumbent Vice – Chancellor, University of Benin, Benin City (UNIBEN), who is a mechanical engineer.

She was said to be “very caring even to her

and accommodating to many indigent members of the community. As the leading light in the family and community leader, she was a great philanthropist, selfless, open and disciplined.

Late Mrs Oghogho Orumwense added value to the lives of many and improved on the welfare of families, especially women and youths, that in their adulthood, many still saw as their foster mother.

According to the tribute, “she was not lettered, but she was amongst the vanguard of wise mothers in the Edo region who sold their prized wrappers and blouses to provide financial leverage for their children’s education in higher institutions at home and abroad. In the

AMCON takes over AfriJet Airlines over N10bn debt

By Babajide Komolafe

A

SSET Management Corporation of Nigeria (AM CON) yesterday took over the assets of Afrijet Airlines owned by Chief Vitalis Ibe over N10 billion unpaid debt. A statement issued by AMCON yesterday stated, “Hon. Justice (Prof) Chuka Austine Obiozor of The Federal High Court Lagos Division has granted an interim injunction against Afrijet Airlines Limited, owned by Chief Vitalis Ibe on the application of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). The obligor owes AMCON nearly N10 billion.

AMCON purchased the Eligible Bank Assets (EBAs) sometime in 2011 from the defunct FinBank and Bank PHB.The order also affects Chief Ibe’s Continental Aviation Services Limited. AMCON has since appointed Prof.Gbolahan Elias,SAN as Receiver/Manager.

“At about 11:00am on Friday June 24, 2016, the Receiver/Manager simultaneously took possession of the assets of Chief Ibe including Afrijet Plaza, the corporate head office of the airlines located on SheratonOpebi Link Road Ikeja, Opebi, Lagos; his asset at Plot 22, JimohOdutola Street, off Eric Moore Road, Surulere, Lagos as well as his office at the Airport.

The Court order mandated the Receiver/Manager to also take over on behalf of AMCON and any other offices, branches, stores, warehouses, factories of Chief Ibe and his companies located and/or traced for the purpose of satisfying the indebtedness.

Ondo PDP accuses APC of conducting parallel voters registration exercise

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

T

*Late Mrs. Orunmwense

competitive traditional family settings laced with poverty, polygamy and gender stratification, wise mothers realized early enough that quality education for their children, beyond just primary and secondary levels, was the major doorway out of the family’s low social class as modernization crept into the culturally-rigid communities.

HE Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Ondo state weekend alleged that the opposition All Progressives Congress APC was involved in a parallel voters registration exercise in the state.

It’s Director of Publicity Ayo Fadaka in a statement in Akure called on “INEC and the Security agencies to stop the APC from taking actions geared towards compromising our elections through the implementation of fraudulent projects like this.

But the opposition Party in a swift reaction said that the ruling party in the state was already jittery even before the November governorship election.

Its publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya described the allegation as a “figment of imagination “.“What APC is doing is the registration of new members not voters’ registration. We want to know the numbers of our members across the state.

But the ruling PDP said “we also warn that the APC may be unwittingly sowing a seed of discord in this State if it continues to design programs that are intended to rig elections,”

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016 — 7

Buhari begs militants Continued from Page 5

Power supply: Don’t shut down, don’t downsize, Fashola tells industrialists •Reiterates roadmap to incremental, steady and uninterrupted power •Underscores need for conservation, building for energy efficiency

M

INISTER of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, Thursday in Lagos advised industrialists, directors and other employers of labour in the country not to panic or downsize their staff in the face of current power supply challenges saying the Federal Government has put a roadmap in place that would ensure progressive power supply from incremental to steady and then uninterrupted power supply nationwide.

Speaking at two major events – the Quarterly Business Luncheon of the Institute of Directors (IOD) and the 13th Distinguished Electrical and Electronics Engineers Annual Lecture, Fashola, who was Guest Speaker at the IOD Business Luncheon, underscored his optimism that the current challenges facing the power sector would be over soon, saying the present administration was committed to ensuring a sustainable power supply in the country.

The Minister, who was also Guest of Honour at the Distinguished Electrical and Electronic Engineers Annual Lecture of the Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE), told the industrialists, entrepreneurs, directors and other employers of Labour in the Organised Private Sector not to panic by downsizing, shutting down or laying off their staff saying that the nation would overcome the challenges of unsteady power supply just as it had overcome other critical national challenges.

Establishing the context within which to analyse the current situation in the power sector, Fashola traced the evolution of the country ’s electricity industry to the 1950s when the nation’s electricity was managed by the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) which later gave way to the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) which finally handed over

C M Y K

•Most Reverend Adewale Martins, Archbishop Metropolitan See of Lagos with receivers of First Holy Communion at St. Gregory’s College in Lagos recently.

to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) saying that in all those transitions, the generation, transmission and distribution of power was in the hands of the government which also issued meters. Noting that

he inherited a privatised power sector where majority shares of the sector was sold to private companies, Fashola said the majority share was sold in 2013, 63 years after, when government unbundled the PHCN and

sold the generation, and distribution processes to private companies adding that government only retained the transmission aspect of power which it manages through the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Money laundering: We’ll soon go after bank MDs—Magu, EFCC chair •Says commission making progress in Halliburton scam •Corruption is fighting back but ready to punch harder

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

A

BUJA—Despite being vilified for selective graft war and facing possible removal by some influential presidential aides, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has said that he is ready to prosecute the war to the end and give the nation a new lease of life.

Magu has ruled out the possibility of sparing any corrupt person in the fight, claiming that any Nigerian who commits an economic crime must pay for it.

“There is no sacred cow as far as this fight against corruption is concerned.

We will go after anybody who has committed an offence. We will collect the money back, so that it will go back to the treasury and be used for the original purposes.

“I don’t care whether you’re black or white or you come from party A or Party B; the moment it can be established that you have stolen from the public treasury, we will go after you. Even right here [in EFCC], if we discover that you’re corrupt, we will kick you out. And we are already doing that. So we don’t go after innocent people. We are going after the thieves of state resources.

The chairman expressed concern over the activities of banks in money laundering pointing out that the use of what bankers call ‘private banking’ has provided a favourable window for top politicians to launder huge sums of public funds.

He said he had already taken up the matter with the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor and other bankers with a view to ending that floodgate of looting.

He said: “We had a

discussion with the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and I insisted that this so-called private banking should be stopped. It is illegal.

It is wrong.

“We are not only going after the personnel of the banks but also after the banks. What happens is that when a staff of the bank is involved in such activities, what the bank does is to take the person out of the system through dismissal. But now, we are going to go after the banks and the personnel used to perpetrate the fraud. It takes two to tango. In fact, very soon you will see us going after the Managing Directors of the banks. We don’t care what happens because the right thing has to be done. These people have given a lot of room for the money laundering activities to thrive. They were used to hide all the stolen money Halliburton “The Halliburton scandal investigation is on. There were some arrangements that some very senior lawyers were involved.

We are investigating every day.”

work in setting up the short, medium and long term action plan to the restoration of the essence of quality human life in the Niger Delta.”

Brewing fury Another militant group, the Ultimate Warriors of the Niger-Delta, which gave a clear notice of the militants’ frustration with Buhari’s approach, in a statement, by one of its coordinators, Sibiri Taiowoh, June 21, said: “Two weeks of ceasefire had gone without any tangible effort by the government. No roundtable dialogue has kick started; instead, government officials are quarrelling over critical issue of national importance.” Pointing that its patience was running out, the group said: “The Ultimate Warriors of the Niger Delta would only be part of a dialogue process that is approached with almost transparency and sincerity. These we have not seen in the past week of government ceasefire, which we wholeheartedly embraced.”

On former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, and calls to defreeze his bank accounts, the militant group asserted: “Count us out of any claims of de-freezing of corrupt politicians’ account or stopping prosecution of some set of people under investigation. It is none of our business, but serve justice honestly to all men, selective injustice will be resisted vehemently.”

The group, which claimed to have over 10,000 agitators in its fold and affiliation with a foreign militia, said it was waiting for the next line of action to strike.

We are all Avengers It warned: “So if you (Buhari) think that Avengers and its affiliate groups are Ijaws, you are being deceived. We are all Avengers, including some of your soldiers and security agents; all those you oppress, deprive and exploit in the Niger Delta region are the Avengers.”

“We are of several units in the region and we have commanders, willing soldiers across the region, who are waiting for the next line of action to strike. Our mission is to drive government attention to act fast because dialogue-upon- dialogue has failed us. We will ruin the Nigerian oil wealth until Nigeria is restructured to reflect a true government of the people,” it said.

The group declared: “The Ultimate Warriors of the Niger Delta is asking for devolution of powers so that the geopolitical zones can become autonomous and manage the resources within their territories.

This is the kind of dialogue that we want for lasting peace to reign.” “If you make the peaceful change that we seek impossible, we will make you understand that violent change is inevitable. If you (Buhari) like call all the Tompolos of this world, call all the Boyloafs, MEND and other ex-militants leaders in your payroll together for dialogue, it will not stop us from grounding oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta.

“These people have expired, but we would listen to them and the stakeholders anyway when we begin to see concrete action on the part of the federal government after a tripartite meeting of all agitating groups, stakeholders, the IOCs, foreign mediators, and the federal government.

“But when the chips are down, and you make the peaceful change that we seek impossible, all those in your payroll as ex-militants, our brothers abroad, who have acquired expertise in various fields and are very much with us now, would join forces to make the violent change possible,” it said.

Sea Commandos threaten to boycott dialogue On its part, Niger Delta Sea Commandos, NDSC, threatened to shun what it described as government’s “kangaroo” peace talks over alleged breach of the ceasefire by the military.

It said in a statement by so-called Major Osama: “We gave conditions for foreign participation for whatever dialogue the government is proposing, but until now, nothing has been done about it. We are watching situation with our two eyes open.”

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

B-R-I-E-F-S

Gov. Ikpeazu flags-off work on Faulks road

Biafra: IPOB disowns anti Niger-Delta Avengers ...may take up arms and join Avengers if ... F

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

T

HE Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu has stated that it has disowned those it identified as well-known turncoat who are claiming on the pages of Nigerian newspapers that they do not support their fellow freedom fighters, the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA who IPOB regarded as their kith-and-kin.

IPOB maintained that it is solidly behind the Avengers who are fighting for the freedom of the people of Biafra from the enslaving Islamic Republic of Nigerian Government, adding, “We want to place it on record that IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has no connection with those groups who are criticizing the avengers that are calling for the release of Kanu, the detained IPOB leader” In a press statement issued yesterday and jointly signed by their spokesmen, Emma Nmezu and Dr. Clifford Iroanya, IPOB warned that should the Nigerian government send its troops

to the oil-rich Niger Delta land to fight the Avengers, as intelligence report is suggesting, it would direct its members to join hands with the Avengers and confront the troops head-on.

IPOB said it is making a reference to a particular group which is a wellknown turncoat and their leader who has been bribed with oil blocks allocations in the oil-rich areas of Biafraland, adding that this same compromised group is known to have started the ugly incidence of kidnapping in Biafraland and their members often used as thugs and hired killers for politicians in Nigeria.

IPOB recalled that the Avengers have consistently stated that the release of Kanu is a precondition for any discussion with Nigeria, adding that it is quite unfortunate and disgraceful that the incompetent and intellectually challenged Nigerian Government has swept this demand under the carpet while magnifying the notion of amnesty payments and resource control as reasons for the NDA‘s actions.

“For the avoidance of

doubt, the Avengers are fighting for the freedom of the people of Biafra and not for amnesty payment or for resource control as some commentators would like to believe. When Biafra is finally liberated from the bondage called Nigeria, resources shall be controlled by the owners of the land where those resources are located. The perennially incompetent Nigerian Government should stop deceiving the entire world into believing that what the freedom fighters of Avengers are demanding is resource control”.

According to the statement, “Amnesty is associated with criminality and a

people who are fighting for their freedom should not be unjustly termed criminals.

The notion and talk of amnesty for our own freedom fighters (the Avengers or NDA) is a misnomer and should be taken out of any discourse. On the contrary, amnesty should be granted to the Nigerian Government especially to those from the criminal class masquerading as elites who unjustly appropriated oil and gas wells and other resources in Biafra land to themselves and their cohorts to the detriment of the masses. These robbers should be associated with amnesty for their economic criminality not the Avengers”.

Edo 2016: Presidency wades into APC crisis •As Appeal Committee invites forensic experts to analyse ballot, says allegation weighty

By Omeiza Ajayi

D

ISTURBED by the possibility of losing its only state in the South-South,

the Presidency has waded into the crisis generated in the aftermath of the June 18 governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress, APC. The presidency’s intervention came as the Appeals Committee affirmed that it would not blink an eye before cancelling the result should what it claimed as the weighty allegations raised against the conduct of the exercise be proved.

Saturday Vanguard gathered the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Babachir David Lawal had Thursday night chaired a parley with the aspirants and the party’s candidate, Godwin Obaseki.

Among those who attended the meeting included the APC National Secretary, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, former Minister of State for Works, Chris Ogiemwonyi, Blessing Agbomhere, Peter Esele as well as a former governor of Edo state, Osariehemen Osunbor.

Others were the APC governorship candidate, Godwin Obaseki, Hon. Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula, Hon. Samson Osagie, Ken Imasuagbon, and Gen. Charles Airhiabvere.

Vanguard learnt that the presidency decided to intervene in the matter in order not to lose the only APC state in the South-South to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a chat with journalists at the end of the meeting, one of the aspirants, Blessing Agbomhere said; “I was very critical before the elections and anybody will attest to the fact that I was a very vibrant aspirant during the contest, but you see, I am a man who is loyal to the party and this administration run by the APC.

By Anayo Okoli

OLLOWING the lamentations of the residents of Aba, the commercial city of Abia State, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has flagged off the reconstruction of the busy and strategic 4.6km Faulks road in the commercial city with an order to the contractor to demolish all illegal structures on the way. The reconstruction work would be handled by Setraco Construction at the cost of N6.8billion.

It would also construct the 4.6km Faulks Road, Setraco will also construct a 5.6km underground water channel that will collect water from Ifeobara basin near Ukwu-mango to Aba River (waterside).

Flagging off the construction work, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu noted that he was aware “that previous administration in state made several attempts to reconstruct this road, but they failed because proper attention was never given to the Ifeobara basin.

“Forgive and accommodate your political opponents”

By Anayo Okoli

A

prominent traditional ruler in Abia State, Eze Bernard Enweremadu, has advised Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to forgive his political opponents and accommodate them to work with him.

He warned the Governor against people who would try to sow seeds of discord and urged him to see himself as the father of every Abian, saying that God brought him as governor to rebuild and unite Abia State.

Eze Enweremadu who spoke at Ahiaba Okpuala in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state, when the governor paid him a visit, said his emergence as Governor of the state, “is a proof that God answered the prayers of Abians, especially the people of Ukwa-Ngwa who have never been Governor and has prayed for it”.

“As Governor of Abia State, you are the father to every Abian. If you have not been told, I want to tell you that you are a blessing to Abia State and the entire Igbo race. And God has brought you to rebuild Abia.”

“Anybody that will plan evil against you and your government will not succeed. Those who are not happy that you’re governor will forever remain unhappy unless they repent.”

Don’t lose hope, Kumuyi tells Nigerians

By Gabriel Ewepu

T

HE General Superintendent, GS, Deeper Life Bi ble Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, yesterday, expressed optimism that things will turnaround for good in Nigeria very soon.

Kumuyi spoke at a press conference held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in view of the crusade christened ‘Night of Extraordinary Wonders’ to hold on Sunday June 26, 2016, at the National Stadium, Abuja, being organised by the Deeper Life Bible Church.

He said: “I do not think we (Nigerians) should lose hope, there is God in heaven who answer prayers, there is Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour who wants the best for everyone of us; and there are some of us who are praying and we believe that God answers prayers and so we are not going to lose hope in our country, things are going to turn around.”

The GS assured people in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, about God’s mighty visitation and touch upon their life during the one-day crusade.

Release my husband — Woman begs Military

By Julius Oweh

A

woman, Mrs Beauty Muturu of Bomadi has passionately appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the authority of the Nigerian military to release her husband who was abducted by some soldiers almost two weeks ago.

Muturu made the appeal amidst sobs in Bomadi while speaking to reporters about the abduction of her husband, Mr Francis Muturu, the chief executive officer of Framut Hotel, Bomadi in Bomadi local government area of Delta State.

According to Mrs Muturu, “on the 8th of June, 2016, some groups of soldiers stormed the hotel about 2am and forcefully took away my husband, leaving the family in sorrow including our two month old baby.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016—9

B-R-I-E-F-S Okpamen canvasses support for Obaseki

Saraki/Ekweremadu forgery case: Ohaneze youths vow to mobilize against arraignment T

HE Executive Director to Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Public Affair, Hon. Henry Okpamen has congratulated Mr. Godwin Obaseki on his victory in the just concluded APC governorship primaries; describing it as victory for the people of Edo state.

In his message, Mr. Henry Okpamen said, “I felicitate and rejoice with Godwin Obaseki on his God given and overwhelming victory at the All Progressives Congress(APC), governorship primaries in Edo State. Godwin Obaseki is the best candidate and remains steadfast and resolute in his bid to become the governor of Edo State.”

He added that Godwin Obaseki is the best candidate and more equipped to take over from Gov. Adams Oshiomhole and urged all aggrieved persons to put aside their grievances in order to move the state forward.

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

HEAD of the Monday arraignment of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu by the federal government over Senate Rules forgery case, Ohanaze youth forum has threatened a showdown with the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Mr. Abubakar Malami.

Specifically, the youths stated that they would mobilize similar groups to scuttle the arraignment, stressing that the prosecution was politically induced.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday and signed by the cochairman, Mazi Okemiri Alex, the Youth warned the AGF not to prosecute the deputy senate president, Ekweremadu who they said was “their son”.

According to the statement, “the Senate as an independent body had investigated the case in question and found the presiding officers not guilty, the federal government should allow the national assembly to do its job in the spirit and letters of the principle of separation of powers.”

The statement read thus: “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo

Hon Nwankwo expresses concern over ban on Nigerian beans export

H From left: Deputy Director, US Military HIV Research Programme, Lieutenant Commander Julie Ake; Deputy Chief of Mission Maria Brewer of the U.S. Mission to Nigeria; Major General Abimbola Amusu, Commander, Nigerian Army Medical Corps; with Brigadier General Hussein Ayoola, Director General of the Nigerian Ministry of Defense Health Implementation Programme; during the commissioning of the Joint West Africa Research Group and the holding of a Clinical Course in Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases, held in Lagos, on June 23, 2016. Photo Credit: United States Consulate General Lagos.

Youth Council is alarmed by the sudden resurfacing of the arraignment of the Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Deputy Senate President Ike

our sleeves in order to double triple our ibadaah especially during the nights. We are all aware of what the Quran says about a night better than a thousand nights. We are all aware of the power in the Night of Majesty and of course what the Prophet (s.a.w) said about locating the blessed night. Now, every moment counts.

Whatever you need to do for the next ten days to make the most in Ibadah, good deeds, reciting Quran, dhikr, making dua, Qiyamul-lail among others; the benefits are in multiple folds.

Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated from ‘Aisha (r.a) that when the last ten days of Ramadan began, the Prophet (s.a.w) would

Ekweremadu over the purported forgery of the Senate 8th session rules.

“In as much as we do not condone any act of illegality,from any quar-

ters, we make bold to state that the present attempt to arraingn Senator Saraki and Ekweremadu is ill motivated and politically induced.

157 students bag 1st Class honours at Covenant University

By Dayo Adesulu

A

total of 157 students of the Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, on Friday bagged

Get in high gear for next 10 nights, days S we enter into the A last ten days and nights, we have to roll up

By Simon Adewale

FirstClassdegreesatits2015/ 2016convocation.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Charles Ayo, disclosed this during the 11th Convocation Ceremony and Conferment

Allah for and ask Him now. If you haven’t before, this is the time to connect with Him and feel closer to Him. And when you do during these last ten nights and days of this Ramadan, you would want to do this again and again – even after the month is over.

When you are in a state of prayers and worship, please open your heart for others as well and please do remember your brothers and sisters in your prayers. Remember what the Prophet said: “The supplication that gets the quickest answer is the one made by one Muslim for another in his absence.” Reported by Abu Daw ’ud and Tirmidhi.

stay up at night, wake his family and tie his lower garment tight. He would strive hard in worship during the last ten nights of Ramadan as he did not do at other times.

Whoever spends the night of Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.”

One of the best dua’s that can be recited on Laylat al-Qadr Ramadan timing for today Fajr Iftar/Maghrib for the forgiveness City of sins is that which Abuja 4:49am 6:53pm the Prophet (s.a.w) Ibadan 5:09am 7:05pm taught is “Say: Ilesha 5:05am 7:08pm 5:02am 7:05pm Allahumma innaka Ilorin Kano 4:38am 6:53pm ‘afuwwun tuhibb al- Lagos 5:10am 7:04pm ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni (O Asaba 5:00am 6:55pm Allah, You are All- Zaria 4:45am 6:53pm Forgiving and You Maiduguri 4:20 6:35pm love forgiveness so Jalingo 4:35am 6:38pm forgive me).”

Please, note that at Farj time, Think of all that sahuur ends and Magrib time, you need to ask Iftar begins.

of Honorary Doctorate Degrees, and presentation of prizes in Ota. It was gathered that a total of 1495 students graduated this academic session.

They comprised 157 first class honours, 708 second class upper honours, 513 second class lower, 118 in third class and 154 post graduate students.

Ayo said that the university has instituted strategic goals thatdistinguisheditsstudents as clear leaders among the comity of universities, not only in Nigeria, but in Africa.

The don identified some of the strategic goals as compulsory internship for all students to gain industry

ON. Dozie Nwankwo, who represents Anaocha, Dunukofia and Njikoka Constituency in the House of Representatives has moved a notion in the House calling attention to the one year ban on importation of dried beans from Nigeria into European countries. The ban was imposed in June 2015, on the ground that the produce contained high level pesticide considered injurious to humanthhealth.

He disclosed that the ban was to last till 30 June, 2016, to allow Nigerian authorities time to provide an export control plan and assurance that the beans exported to European countries comply with the EU minimal Risk levels for hazardous substances.

He further observed that several relevant agencies of Government including Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), NAFDAC and Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment claimed to be collaborating with each other to resolve the issue before the deadline, yet the issue remained unresolved.

Hon. Elekeokwuri dedicates Church Hall/ Children Chapel

T

HE member representing Ika North East Constituency in Delta State House Assembly Hon. Anthony Emeka Elekeokwuri will be dedicating a church hall/Children Chapel to Christ Anglican Church Umunede in Delta State. The Dedication/Thanksgiving Service will hold on the th 26 June 2016 at Christ Church Umunede at 10:00 and his lordship Rt. Revd. P.I. Onekpe the Bishop of Ika Diocese of the Anglican Communion will officiate at the service. The Governor of the State Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and other top government functionaries will grace the occasion. experience, additional certifications in ICT, leadership, entrepreneurship and foreign language.

Ayo also said that the goals include the introduction of Mobile Learning System for improved external and internal efficiency. Also

speaking, Dr David Oyedepo, the Chancellor of the Institution, noted that in the drive for excellence, the university has continued to blaze the trail and extend the frontiers of knowledge through research.

10—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

PROFESSIONALISM WITH TEARS

The pains of medical graduates in Nigeria

•Medical graduates in pains need help

By Oghene Omonisa & Aderonke Adeyeri

A

s Chinenye Kalu approached the notice board last November, she felt beads of cold sweat on her forehead. She was scared and tensed up, with hands trembling.

She was one of the medical graduates who sat for the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) internship examination six months before, and knowing that very limited space was available for the tens of applicants who sat for the examination, she realised it would be a major challenge.

(Chinenye Kalu is not her real name as she does not want her name mentioned.)

“My name was not on the list”, she recalls with sad nostalgia as if it was only yesterday. She says she read the list over and over, and though she is a dentist, she read even the names under medicine and surgery and optometry to be very sure her name had not been included in the wrong category. When it finally dawned on her that her name was certainly not among applicants accepted, with controlled emotions, she had to call her father back in Lagos. The

man was as heartbroken as the daughter. So was her monther and younger siblings.

As Chinenye left the building and approached the hospital gate, her sadness was similar to that of other applicants whose names did not come out too. Her case is one of many in a rising trend of medical graduates not having placement for internship or housemanship.

Becoming a doctor

From time immemorial, “the medical doctor has been one of the most respected members of society”, says Prof. Oluwadiya Kehinde Sunday, whose blog, Oluwadiya KS Online enjoys wide following among fellow medical experts and students.

He adds that for this reason, “medicine has been one of the most sought after courses in UTME examination.”

However, a large number of these candidates never secure admission to pursue their dream, due to the competitiveness of the course. And even a similar number does not get to continue after admission as they are not able to face the rigours the course requires. Studying medicine, says Prof. Oluwadiya, “takes a certain amount of intelligence .... However,

organization and good study habits can make the difference between an average student who succeeds in the medical school and a brilliant student who fails to make it.”

And the course definitely takes the longest years. “Becoming a doctor takes time”, Prof.

Oluwadiya continues. “After secondary education, you will spend six years in medical school, one year as an intern and another year as a NYSC member. That’s eight years from starting university to practising medicine.”

Clog in the wheel

This circle must be completed to qualify as a practising doctor.

Alongside his degree certificate, the medical graduate is issued a provisional license by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), which entitles him or her to a one-year internship.

The internship is mandatory for the one-year NYCE Certificate or NYSC Exemption Certificate before a permanent license is issued to qualify as a medical practitioner. (MDCN is a Federal Government parastatal which regulates the practice of medicine, dentistry and alternative medicine.)

However, with the difficulties in securing placement, internship is fast emerging a clog in the wheel of becoming a practising doctor. Though the temporary license has provision for delay in securing internship placement, it was learned that there have been cases where some medical graduates could not secure placement in the two years stipulated on the license. In such instance, the license expires, and the medical graduate will have to pay and sit for another examination, this time to be organised by the MDCN, whose grading methods are said to be more rigid than those for the final degree examination organised by the universities. It was learned that most medical graduates who got to that stage frequently failed the examination, leading to resits till they finally passed it to qualify for another provisional license. This explains why every medical graduate is intent on getting internship space before the provisional license expires.

But why are these medical graduates made not only to resit for an examination they passed

Continues on page 11

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016—11

The pains of medical graduates in Nigeria

housemanship.”

“This is my sixth hospital and last bus stop”, says Wale Jacobs, an intern at a general hospital in Lagos who also reveals that after completing his medical degree at the University of Jos Medical School in 2014, he chose to have his internship at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, and returned to Lagos, his base.

Surprisingly for him, he was not accepted. From LUTH he went to LASUTH, then the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta, Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, and the military hospital at Ikoyi. “Honestly, I was scared my temporary license was going to expire on me”, he says, relief written all over his face. “It was utmost relief for me when I was accepted here,” he said.

Panacea

•Medical graduates Continues from page 10 two years before, but also pay for it?

When Saturday Vanguard sought the response of MDCN, we were requested to formally write the Council for its response. However, a source at the Council who wants to be anonymous says: “They are required to sit for the MDCN refresher examination as two years after graduation is too long before a medical graduate goes for housemanship.” On the payment for the resit examination, he rhetorically asks if the medical graduates did not pay for their final examination before graduation, and wonders why MDCN refresher examination should be free.

When reminded that not having internship placement is not entirely the fault of those who could not secure a place as it is limited, the source blames it on the medical graduates, adding that internship placement is simply based on merit: performance in the examination and the available space.

This position was interestingly shared by sources in some of the teaching hospitals and other health institutions legally recognised to accept interns: Federal Medical Centres, military hospitals and state general hospitals.

However, most medical graduates who have had placement challenges

blame it on the so-called Nigerian factor and not merit, insisting that medical interns get placement due to their connection or financial wherewithal as scores are not released with the names of interns accepted.

Challenges

There are 25 fully accredited and six partially accredited medical schools in Nigeria, which churn out medical graduates annually.

However, it was learned that not even the teaching hospitals of these medical schools as well as the Federal Medical Centres, military hospitals and state general hospitals can accommodate these graduates as interns every year.

As a solution, the interns are taken in batches and even on awaiting lists. Investigations revealed that by taking them in batches, more interns are taken in a year, because within a year when a batch is having theirs, a previous batch could round off, leaving a vacuum. It is this vacuum that a new batch replaces, to utilise every available period, just like NYSC is presently operated. For the awaiting list, intending interns who did not make any of the batches, are kept waiting for any available space for them to occupy.

•Medical students in laboratory

There are 25 fully accredited and six partially accredited medical schools in Nigeria, which churn out medical graduates annually.

However, it was learned that not even the teaching hospitals of these medical schools as well as the Federal Medical Centres, military hospitals and state general hospitals can accommodate these graduates as interns every year Ironically, while these practices were confirmed by past and present interns, most teaching hospitals, including those of first generation medical schools, denied or outrightly refused to respond to inquiries on these practices.

Tales of woes

There are almost as many sad stories to tell as there are medical interns or intending interns. “Presently, I’m not being paid salary like other interns”, says Oben Taylor, an intern at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), who is a medical graduate of the Ambrose Alli University Medical School.

“This is because there was no

space for me here after applying, but because I could not remain at home, I had to accept internship without pay as I would rather have a permanent license without being paid salary, than risk losing this opportunity to qualify as doctor.” So, how does he cope? He says his parents are based in Lagos, and he leaves home for the hospital every day and returns late.

“I personally will not say I had much problems securing an internship placement”, says Dr. Boniface Ezeanyagu, a qualified medical doctor of the University of Port Harcourt Medical School. Now practising in a private hospital in Lagos, the 2010 medical graduate says he did his internship at his medical school teaching hospital. “My problem was accommodation. There was no enough accommodation. We had to be staying four to a cubicle. It was like a cell.

Sanitary, laundry and cooking were terrible. It was hell and I tell you, it affected both our learning process and our total output as interns.”

“Many Nigerian medical graduates had terrible experiences they will never forget”, says Dr. Jude Uchedenna, who studied at the Delta State University Medical School and also practises in a private hospital in Lagos. “After spending six years at the university, I spent two more years struggling to get an hospital for my

It will not be difficult to conclude that there is a major problem in the medical profession when medical graduates cannot find placement to practise what they had been taught as well as qualify as practising doctors. “The Nigerian Medical Board should fight against this maltreatment on the part of medical graduates”, advises Dr. Uchedenna. He said: “This situation can discourage some students from taking medical courses, and it will have negative effects on the number of doctors the country produces annually. More hospitals and health facilities should be established to accommodate the growing number of medical graduates.”

The establishment of more medical training facilities appears to be the best solution from the lips of medical experts.

“I think the problem actually is lack of corresponding number of hospitals to accommodate the growing number of medical graduates”, says Dr. Sunday Bulorunduro, Medical Director, Talent Specialist Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos. The 1980 graduate of the University of Nigeria Medical School, recalls his days with nostalgia saying, “In those days, a medical graduate had a variety of choice hospitals for housemanship.”

Dr. Bulorunduro’s views tally with those of the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who, while speaking on the issue with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recently, attributed the problem to the non-availability of spaces compared to the number of graduates being churned out every year from medical schools: “There are more medical graduates than the available spaces and resources. We are churning out more doctors, pharmacists and other medical personnel every year because everyone wants to study medicine and the universities are admitting students excessively.

The case is peculiar to Lagos because it is saturated.”

The non-availability of spaces for internship poses a serious problem not only to the medical graduates but also to effective healthcare delivery as this challenge has the potential of reducing the number of medical students and eventually medical graduates in a country fast growing in population and lacking in the provision of amenities and social infrastructure, including health.

12—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

Our emergency departments are overwhelmed —LASUTH CMD P

rof David Adewale Oke, the Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, a renowned professor of cardiology, in an interview with Saturday Vanguard, maintained that LASUTH is the most busiest hospital in Lagos and the hospital is again disadvantaged due to its location. He said although the emergency departments are overwhelmed on a daily basis, it will not only be irresponsible for the hospital to treat patients on bare floor but worst to turn patients back without resuscitation before referral.

His words: “LASUTH is the busiest hospital in Lagos and it is worst when there is industrial action going on in Federal hospitals like Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH and Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi. And right now, we are suffering the same fate because these hospitals are currently on strike. There is no way we can turn patients back even if we can’t admit them. It is the responsibility of the doctors to resuscitate them and that explains why you saw some patients sitting in wheel chairs.

Sometimes, when we identify patients that we feel cannot get to where we are referring them to, we tried to scout all the wards to find a bed to move a patient who is fairly stable so that we can take the new patient in. It is •Prof David unfortunate that this hospital Adewale Oke is probably the busiest hospital and the state owes a lot of obligation to the people in terms of free health. A lot of those who come here cannot even afford to go elsewhere. So as harsh as I have been that nobody should be on the floor, sometimes we buy time to look for a place to put a patient. Otherwise if a patient comes and you send him or her back without resuscitation, the patient may die before he or she gets to the next centre.

Lack of bed syndrome “We have about 600 bed space in the whole of LASUTH. In the medical emergency we have four wards with 25 beds and in surgical emergency we have three wards and an extension in BT wards. In each ward, we have typical specialist for each ward, like ophthalmologists for eye, and neuro-surgeons that serve patients with neurological problems.

In case of dire emergency we admit on any bed.

However, we cannot really move a patient if he or she is not stable and this leaves doctors in these areas with a lot of challenges on how to decide which patient should be moved to the main hospital wards.

Patient’s relations attitude “Relatives have not made our jobs easy. For instance, two days ago there was a drama in paediatrics emergency. A patient was brought in and the patient needed oxygen to be

all hospitals you can easily phone and the ambulance can easily divert to another hospital. It is even worst when you have an industrial action like now.

The issue of bed space is not a problem that can easily be solved

by LASUTH except the bed capacity is increased. That is really a capital project. What the State Ministry of Health is doing is to improve communication link between all the hospitals in the state.

In LASUTH, we have a monitoring group comprising of senior nurses trained to solve problems.

Each hospital has and the state is trying to engage a system that will put us on. We now have Central phone lines. Like in LASUTH we have 0805, provided by GLO and most people working here have it.

Sometimes we have problems of sincerity of patients because this is a Tertiary institution. Sometimes the patient is so bad that their problem may only be solved here. And when that happens, it becomes a problem. You have to resuscitate and to see if you can get the patient in. As much as possible you want to save the patient’s life. Another challenge is the fact that there are only a few hospitals that can offer same services like LASUTH in Lagos.

We are close to the airport. Patients come in from everywhere. It is a problem we have to solve but as much as possible except it is essential we tried not to admit a patient if there is no bed but that rule cannot be followed every time.

LASUTH is the busiest hospital in Lagos and it is worst when there is industrial action going on in Federal hospitals like Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH and Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi

resuscitated. We did all of these and arrangement was made to transfer patient to Mercy Street Children Hospital in Lagos because there was no bed. The father was informed that this patient can go there since there was no bed space. He went bizarre, broke glasses and some hospital’s properties. And this happens often here.

In a system that works, there should be communication between all hospitals. When you go abroad, once the bed is full it is full.

But because you have communication with

Holding areas “We do not allow relations inside the Accident and Emergency but we have holding areas where relations are allowed to stay. The patients holding area of Surgical Emergency is being moved because of the heliport the government is building. In an ideal situation, relations should not stay in the hospital but we have a peculiar situation in Nigeria even if the relation does not need to do anything for a patient they still feel it is necessary and it helps sometimes because you may need something extra which the relation will get but they are supposed to stay within the holding areas and come in from time to time.

Quality of nurses in emergency areas “Nurses are very essential in making sure a patient gets out of hospital. We have enough nurses but no hospital will claim to have enough. We want as much as possible to replace the number of nurses that have left. We had an interview last week to replace them. In emergency departments, we run shifts. We are managing the number we have effectively.

Heliport “The new heliport under construction will open up our operations. We have a critical care unit, an ultra modern centre that will soon be opened. Again, Ayinke House which is almost completed will be ready by December. Equipments are already on ground but we may have issues with the equipments when they are finally installed because they have been lying unused for a while but that will be sorted out.

We are also looking at expanding the hospital to meet the needs of our people and the only way is to move it. There are plans to build a 10-storey building for resident doctors and house officers so that our doctors will be on ground to easily see patients.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016—13

24- Hours @ LASUTH Accident & Emergency •Emergency departments overwhelmed with patients •It will be irresponsible to treat patients on bare floor —CMD

By Chioma Obinna

L

agos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, is a facility that records over 200 emergencies in two of its Accident & Emergency, A&E, units on a daily basis.

Situated few kilometres away from the domestic terminal and Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, LASUTH, is open to patients from all parts of the country and neighbouring African countries and is prone to unavoidable emergency cases at all times.

The 600-bed tertiary hospital, adjudged to be the busiest in Lagos, has also obtained global relevance as a place where people with various illnesses including terminal ones seek help.

Unfortunately, the non functional primary healthcare system across the country has not helped the facility to function effectively as a referral and research centre.

From the gate of the hospital, it was obvious that the ongoing industrial action in some Federal Government hospitals in the state was actually taking its toll on the facility with a large crowd of patients in the premises.

It was exactly 12:00 noon when our correspondent arrived at the Surgical and Emergency unit of the hospital, one of its A&E. Ambulances were strategically stationed in front of the emergency department. The running around of patients’ relations, brisk walking of medical staff within the tidy compound that exude a hospitable ambience was not absent. Just opposite the LASEM was the ongoing construction of the Heliport as part of the new projects to improve

You could find some of these patients in an ambulance coach or wheel chairs because often times, the beds are full and most of the patients will require resuscitation before they are finally referred to other hospitals or moved to the wards services at the centre. The entrance into the two emergency departments, Medical Emergency and the Surgical Emergency departments were fully manned by neat security men. The triage nurse welcomes patients into the emergency and admission wards. The triage is where the process of determining the priority of patients’ treatments takes place. A first time visitor to the A&E needs no soothsayer to tell that the section defines fate of patients in emergencies. There, you find relatives of patients either hallucinating, wandering around the entrance, praying or shedding tears. Some are found in groups discussing in low tones.

Once a patient is done with the triage nurse and record officers and proper diagnoses done, treatment is initiated free of charge in the first 24hours even when the patient is billed for referral

to other hospitals. You could find some of these patients in an ambulance coach or wheel chairs because often times, the beds are full and most of the patients will require resuscitation before they are finally referred to other hospitals or moved to the wards.

One striking thing that was observed during this visit was that unlike some other hospitals, health workers including the medical doctors in the department carry out their responsibilities with special care and passion.

Saturday Vanguard witnessed an instance when a young boy diagnosed with hydrocephalus which resulted to blindness urinated on the bed as a female doctor started the process of cleaning up before a nurse arrived.

Another instance Saturday Vanguard witnessed was the visit of two officials from NEMA who came to make arrangement for admission of three Nigerian deportees from Libya that will require immediate treatment from the airport. Although, there was no bed space at the time, they were encouraged to bring them straight from the airport at least for resuscitation.

Our Correspondent also observed that some patients even after resuscitation are not eager to be referred to other hospitals without persuasion.

Immediately a patient is brought in, a nurse and a doctor including the record officer attend to the patient. The next day after the patient must have been stabilised, the patient’s overall health is assessed. Basic tests like blood

Continues on page 14

14—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

Continues from page 13 pressure, pulse, body temperature, etc., are taken. Medications are strictly dispensed and adherence to treatment closely monitored by nurses. The first 24 hours are free of charge irrespective of the kind of care given to the patient. Patients who require urgent interventions are kept in the A&E for a maximum of 72 hours depending on the severity of their injuries.

However, not all cases are admitted in the emergency wards. At the triage point, once it is discovered that a patient does not require emergency care, such patient is sent to the ward while those who come in with injuries have their bleeding controlled. Those who require oxygen are also given just as those with fractures are mobilised even if they will be referred. All these services are given free within 24 hours.

However, contrary to reports that patients sleep on the floor, the four wards and 75 beds in both the Medical and Surgical Emergency were neatly kept and patients were seen lying on a well kept bed with neat bed spread.

The five beds in the Intensive Care Unit, ICU, of the department were fully occupied with patients being monitored with functional modern monitors and six nurses strategically stationed in the room.

But even as strict as the management of the hospital is regarding admitting patients once the beds are full, Saturday Vanguard gathered that

*A patient receiving treatment at the emergency ward

There were patients from all over the country including some from neighbouring countries like Ghana and Republic of Benin relations of patients even begged to be admitted on a wheelchair hoping that a patient would eventually be moved to the ward any moment.

Countless cases of patients ‘relations becoming violent have been recorded at the unit.

Just last week, a father of a sick baby was arrested after he resorted to violence and damaged the hospital properties.

However, a patient who has been in the department for four days and have regained consciousness confirmed to Saturday Vanguard that: “There is no need going outside the country to spend so much money when a centre like this is here.”

The patient, who gave his name as Mr. Uche Daniels, said: “I have been here for about four days now. The doctors and nurses are very kind here. I am being given drugs three times a day.

Unlike what we hear about government hospitals, the doctors usually come from time to time to check on us here. They are trying but we want them to do more.

Emergency services

One of the medical doctors in the Surgical Emergency unit, Dr. Olufunmi Babalola hinted Saturday Vanguard that not less than 60 to 70 emergency cases are attended to in the centre on a daily basis.

“This place is like a transient area. Most patients here are usually unconscious. We have monitors and machines that record their vitals.

‘It will be irresponsible to treat patients on bare floor’ Everyone in the ICU is on oxygen and nurses are on standby to monitor them. We also have couches in the ICU and whoever requires suturing we have a room like a mini-theatre.

We don’t treat patients on the floor. Once the beds are full they are full. Although, when there is no bed we stabilize all our patients, we resuscitate with fluids, pain killers, antibiotics and even if a patient requires oxygen we give but once a patient is stabilised we refer to another centre.

“One thing about this centre is that we have enough doctors, nurses and the bed space here in the surgical ward are over 30 beds including couches. About 12 to 15 doctors work in here.

“We have about 40 nurses and they run shift.

Rules are observed in this place. Food vendors are not allowed here. We have eateries and the

hospital’s kitchen also serves foods for the patients.”

At the Medical Emergency department of LASUTH, there were patients from all over the country including some from neighbouring countries like Ghana and Republic of Benin. In this unit, female and male patients are kept in separate wards.

There are two resuscitation rooms with two beds, 11 beds for female wards and 12 beds for males. There also a number of couches to support the beds before patients are moved to the wards. There is also a separate room for tetanus patients. These special patients are not managed with others for medical reasons. Also, about 70 patients are seen in this unit on a daily basis out of which about 60 will be admitted.

The admission starts from the triage point, where a senior nurse identifies the nature of the illness and the record officer will be there to take information from the relatives while a doctor goes back to complete documentation and hand over to the team on call on that day. Patients who are not critically ill are taken in, all vital signs taken and they are moved to the consulting rooms where doctors are waiting to attend to them.

Each morning, a nurse goes round the wards to find out how many bed spaces are available and record it on the notice board. At this point, patients brought over night who are stable will be moved out.

The Head of Department, LASUTH Medical Emergency, Dr. Adekunle Taiwo says patients sometimes are referred to other hospitals because there is no way they can admit between 50 and 60 patient on a daily basis. “In as much as we would have loved to do so, we can’t, due to lack of beds. We refer to other hospitals. But we must resuscitate before we refer to other government hospitals.

“This place is usually crowded because people have refused to patronise primary Healthcare Centres and once they are here it is difficult to send them back. Many people do not know that they can access help in those health centres. We need media assistants in the area of creating awareness that PHCs also function like a hospital. This place is supposed to be a referral centre, where patients are referred from secondary care level or from another Teaching hospitals.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016—15

Emma Amaize,

Regional Editor, South-South

D

ELTA State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, spoke plainly in an interview with this reporter, some months ago, that former Minister of Information, Prof Sam Oyovbaire, is his political godfather.

Getting the academic and political strategist, who the governor respects his mental power to share his perspective on Okowa took some time because of his schedule, but when Saturday Vanguard met Oyovabaire, the reasons were palpable.

The professor once tried to rule the state and battled for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 1999 or thereabout with former governor, Chief James Ibori, who incidentally tutored Okowa politically. However, what he lost in Ibori, he gained in Okowa. Excerpts: Delta overcoming biggest challenge Delta state originally ought to have taken the form of the old Delta province, which would have excluded the Ika, Aniocha, Oshimili because these areas used to be part of old Benin province, not Delta province, but the politics of the time and the compromise gave us the Delta state that we have today.

Air Commodore Luke Ochulor kick started the interim administration of the state from 1991 to 1992 and the late Olorogun Felix Ibru was the first semi-elected civilian ruler, because at that time, the military was still at the centre. That carried us for 18 months or so, and then, the whole process of June 12 after which the military came on board and dismantled the Felix Ibru administration.

In addition, from then until 1999, we were again under military rule and of course, in 1999, James Ibori took over as the governor of the place.

I think the greatest challenge we have always had, which started with Ibori is how to blend Delta state with part of it that was in the Benin province. It was an undercurrent, really, one of the early challenges.

Ibori did what he could and thank God, that kind of challenge is not too prominent today because sometimes if you blow up the issue of Anioma too much, the tendency is to remind people about such challenges. But in recent time when the irredentist Biafra are shouting all over the place, they somehow still think that the Anioma part of the state is automatically part of the Biafra agitation, which if we are not careful could disturb the arrangement we are having now.

Therefore, Ibori tried what he could do.

You know that even the day Ibori took over; there was bombing and destruction in Warri area, which is among Ijaw, Urhobo and Itsekiri ethnic groups. Therefore, we have come a long way and Uduaghan came on board and tried to manage the situation as best as he could and today, we have my good young friend, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, in charge.

Nevertheless, so far so good, we have come a long way. And that is what I want people to know that for somebody like me, I am not bothered about the ethnic group you come from in the state, what I am bothered about is the quality of the person, no matter the part of the state. That is one way of blending the state.

Avengers reacting to Jonathan’s misrule It is unfortunate in many ways that

•Gov Okowa •Sam-Oyovbaire

EDO APC GUBER PRIMARIES:

Gov Okowa’s political father,

Oyovbaire opens up •Urhobo leaders who opposed Okowa emergence were tactless •I don’t care if deputy gov is Tompolo’s friend •My support neither to please him (gov) nor Anioma after six years of the administration of former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, forces reacting to the post-Jonathan experience are giving us the challenge that we have today, governance is not easy and I am not trying to undermine the forces, but I believe very strongly that Dr. Jonathan had no grasp of the history that we went through, if he had, then he did not care as to how to use the knowledge to develop the region.

I cannot see anything in Niger Delta that I can associate concretely with Jonathan for those years. However, any other person, whether it is Olusegun Obasanjo, Yar’Adua or Muhammadu Buhari would have been here in these years of Jonathan.

I would have loved a situation where he did a few things, now Buhari is even claiming that he wants to clean up Ogoni land. Of course, that of Ogoni had been there of a long time, but here in Delta state and Oloibiri in Bayelsa state, where oil exploration actually started, we have a lot of spillage and wastage of our environment.

One would have expected that Jonathan should have started the cleaning up in Oloibiri and these other places, but I did not see the articulation.

Jonathan did not do much and we are face to face with the Avengers, which may be avenging something. What is it that they are avenging; they are avenging the inability of Jonathan to do what he ought to have done and there is very strong fear, genuine fear

that with President Muahammadu Buhari on the saddle, the area would continue to have the short stick.

Creating more problem for tomorrow This is the anger, yes, but we need to be careful, you could go on and say okay, let the country go to pieces, if you have missiles, let us blow up Abuja, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Aso Villa and all that, those are very shortsighted ideas because you believe that nothing has happened in your area. You also need to know that you are creating more damage to our environment.

If it is only now that Ogoni through the UNEP is about to be cleaned, what about the damage done all these years. Those who are bombing and destroying today, their grandchildren would have no place to stay, so while you can have good reason for the anger for avenging, you should also ask yourself the problem you are creating. And for the immediate time, you would have less money, Delta state is highly impoverished with what the avengers are doing today because our share from the Federation Account has collapsed from N19 billion to N3billion and yet we are one of the highest paying bureaucracies in this country. What the Avengers are doing today, no matter how you want to sympathize with them, we would face difficult time very soon.

Short-range leaders Well, you might call it a risk, but I did and will continue to do what I am convinced about, I did not do what I did to please Dr. Okowa or this part (Northern senatorial district) of the state. I believe very strongly in him, as you know I had my own intention when I struggled in the distant past when I wanted to rule the state. Some of my plans are being realized today through Okowa and Okowa does not even know that. We sat down and I was very much involved in the document, which became his manifesto and a lot of my ideas were there. So unfortunately, my people, let us use that word, my Urhobo compatriots with due respect to all of them, from the youngest to the oldest to the wealthy and the wealthiest, with due respect to all of them, they were shortsighted, really, shortsighted. I mean that because if you cannot rule, you should be able to have control of who rules. If you argue that if it is not me, there is no state, then you are wrong. In every community today, here in Asaba where we are, in Agbor, Ughelli, Orerokpe, everywhere, you have the good ones and the bad ones. How would say that there are no good people in the North senatorial district.

I am trying not to use the name Anioma. If they were, why would you shut the door against a segment of the state because there is an assumed utilization of population? We have had Ibru rule us for 18 months, Ibori ruled us for eight years, then we had a deputy governor for eight years, there are challenges and I cannot regret the challenges.

I will not say nothing happened in the Central Senatorial district, many things happened. Perhaps not enough, but if you are to fight to continue to have a Central Senatorial district person as governor, are you saying that your administration will focus on only Central Senatorial district to the detriment of the North and South Senatorial districts. Therefore, I was

Continues on page 20

16—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

EDO APC GUBER PRIMARIES:

Factors that led to

Obaseki’s emergence •As Oshiomhole consolidates as political leader

By Simon Ebegbulem, Benin City

O

nly those who underrated Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s political capacity in the past seven and half years were deceived that he would lose the battle to produce the All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate.

Like every other governor, Oshiomhole had a preferred candidate in the person of Godwin Obaseki, chairman of the State Economic Management Team. He was deligent in selling him first to the party delegates who had the responsibility of choosing the APC candidate, and then to the Edo public.

Ahead of the battle, he re-oiled his two political groups, the Edo Solidarity Movement (ESM) led by his Political Adviser, Charles Idahosa and the Edo in Safe Hands led by Osarodion Ogie, his political son, to deliver Obaseki. In fact, few days to the primaries, 930 members of the Edo in Safe Hands who are delegates in the APC, endorsed Obaseki at a meeting chaired by their state leader, Washington Osifo. Apart from these groups, the governor equally deployed most of his foot soldiers such as his chief of staff, Patrick Obahiagbon, Henry Idahagbon, Rasaq Bello-Osagie, Lawrence Orka, Harrison Omagbon, Osakpanwa Eriyo, Theo Okoh, Francis Inegbeneki, Malik Afegbua, Prince Joe Okojie, Lucy Omagbon and many others in the various Local Governments to get delegates for Obaseki.

While the key aspirants were raising alarm over alleged purchase of Permanent Voters Card (PVCs), Oshiomhole sat in his office plotting the downfall of the key aspirants who were bent on inflicting defeat on Obaseki.

Twelve governorship aspirants, Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu (Okakuo), former Minister of state Works, Dr Chris Ogienwonyi, the chairman Edo state Economic and Strategic Team, Godwin Obaseki, former governor of the state, Prof.

Osarhiemien Osunbor, former Commander Army Finance Corps, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, Blessing Agbomhere, Prof. Federick Amadasun, Emmanuel ArigbeOsula, Arch. Austin Ilenre Emuan, Comrade Peter Esele, Kenneth Imasuagbon and Mrs. Agbarha Justina all went to the battle for the APC guber ticket last Saturday. It would have been fourteen, but both Don

Pedro Obaseki and Omo Irabor who were earlier in the race pulled out few days to the primaries. There was so much tension in the state before the primaries and the individuals involved in the contest were probably the reason.

However, several factors gave Obaseki victory. One was the fact that Oshiomhole, having performed galvanised his political machinery for Obaseki and unleashed it on the other big aspirants. Secondly, the name Obaseki rings a bell in Benin Kingdom, it’s one of the biggest families in the Kingdom and this Godwin, though not a politician, has equally excelled in his career as a financial expert. And that is why he has friends like Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Hakeem BelloOsagie and others.

Such a person can not be taken for granted.

And in this contest, the way and manner he

It was not surprising that Odubu turned out to be the greatest challenge to Obaseki, though Ogienwonyi had the financial muscle and had some Benin elders behind him, but he was locked out in the struggle for the delegates was taken for granted because he is not a politician gave him the upper hand as it provided him the opportunity to embark on a one-onone campaign with the delegates while some of the established politicians dealt with the leaders. As Oshiomhole described him, Obaseki has been the brain box of the Oshiomhole administration even though he is not heard but the masses of Edo state had felt his presence indirectly due to his strategic planning and advise on economic matters to the state government. Of course, it has helped positively, because Edo state remains one of the few states that has always paid salaries to their workers as at when due.

In September 2015, the governor met with his Deputy, Dr. Odubu and the Commissioner for Works, Osarodion Ogie, head of the Edo in Safe Hands,

•Godwin Obaseki

•Gov Adams Oshiomhole

one of the pro-Oshiomhole groups, and informed them that he believed one of them would be able to understand their struggle in Edo State, therefore it was his wish that one of them should succeed him. His argument was that those aspirants who came from the PDP were only in the party to actualize their governorship ambitions and not for the general interest of the people of the state.

But how Governor Oshiomhole dropped Odubu and Ogie out of his plans remains one of the topical mysteries in Edo State today. Instead, he opted for Obaseki.

While Ogie reluctantly pulled back after realising that there was no way or the will to fight his principal, Odubu rather, soldiered on and along the way festered one of the most sordid relationships ever between a governor and his deputy in Edo State.

It was not surprising that Odubu turned out to be the greatest challenge to Obaseki, though Ogienwonyi had the financial muscle and had some Benin elders behind him, but he was locked out in the struggle for the delegates.

He did not have the grip of the delegates because he came from the PDP. In an interview with one of the aspirants, Gen. Airhiavbere, before the primaries, he lamented that one of the problems which some of them who came from the PDP faced was that it was difficult to meet with the delegates.

And the result of the primaries confirmed Airhiavbere’s fears.

Obaseki, who has been with Oshiomhole since the inception of this administration, polled 1,618 votes; Odubu came second with 471 votes, Imasuagbon 247, Ogienwonyi 137 votes, Airhiavbere 11 votes, Arigbe

Osula 10 votes, Amadasun 8 votes, Esele 8 votes while Tina, the only woman in the race got 3 votes.

However, after the exercise, Ogienwonyi and Imasuagbon kicked, protesting that the exercised was rigged by Obaseki.

They called on the National leadership of the party to investigate the matter. They also called for forensic auditing of the ballot papers.

But while these two protested, Osunbor, Airhiavbere, Osula, Esele and five other aspirants congratulated Obaseki and punctured the claim of the duo.

Obaseki and other leaders of the party including Ogie, immediately visited Odubu to seek his support.

And Odubu a loyal party man as he has always been pledged his loyalty to the party and assured of his support for Obaseki. But while puncturing the claim by Ogienwonyi and Imasuagbon that the exercise was rigged, Airhiavbere recalled that “ when twelve of us went to Abuja, we signed an agreement to support whoever wins the primaries. And now a winner has emerged, and we are bound to obey that agreement. I do not see any rigging in this matter; the delegates have spoken loud and clear, and I think we should respect them. This is not the time to apportion blames. We should all focus on how to defeat the PDP in the coming election, though we are glad about the emergence of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as their candidate. Obaseki is going to beat him silly because he has a lot of questions to answer Edo people when the time comes.

Oshiomhole, who reacted shortly after Obaseki’s victory, asserted that APC will commence campaigns for the general election in earnest.

The governor said he would not lose sleep over the PDP. In his acceptance speech, Obaseki disclosed plans to bring other contestants on board, saying that the task to consolidate on the developmental efforts of the Oshiomhole administration must be a collective one

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016—17

PDP: How Ize-Iyamu got the crown

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

O

bviously, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was the natural choice of venue for the governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In choosing the stadium, the party kept faith with tradition as the place had played host to such activities in the past.

Members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had completed their governorship primaries inside the football pitch only 24 hours earlier.

With about three courts collapsed into a stage to accommodate about 750 delegates and other stakeholders, the venue proved to be a smart choice.

The Congress started with accreditation of delegates, a task that was decentralized to save time.

The process, which was supervised by officials of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) was done at three centres in Benin, namely Emporium Hall for Edo North delegates, Edo State secretariat of the PDP for Edo Central delegates and Okada House for Edo South delegates.

As early as 9:00 a.m, the process had started and by 12 noon the delegates had started trooping to the stadium.

Ebonyi State governor, Mr. Dave Umahi, who was the chairman of the election committee, raised the curtains with his remarks.

The governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who was also present, gave a brief remark.

Umahi commended the conduct of the accreditation exercise, informing everyone present that the only mandate given to his committee was to conduct a free and fair primary election.

Okowa in his goodwill message assured that he would always be with the Edo PDP at all times, urging them not to capitulate in the face of intimidation by the ruling party.

Unlike in the past, the exercise was done in two hours to the admiration of the attendees.

Voting commenced at 1:45 p.m while sorting of votes ended at about 3:45 pm. Results were declared immediately.

A former governorship candidate in Lagos State Mr. Jimi Agbaje at the end announced Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the winner.

He garnered 584 votes, representing about 82 percent of valid votes, defeating Mr. Matthew Uduoriyekemwen, who scored 91 votes and Chief Solomon Edebiri, who polled 38 votes.

Though the show was a day for Ize-Iyamu, Edo State chairman of the PDP, Mr. Dan Orbih, was generally commended for the peace in Edo PDP. Speaking in that regard, Gombe State governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo said: “I congratulate the very good people of Edo State

•Ize-Iyamu

for this wonderful exercise, I have never seen an election so transparent. There was no invalid vote in this exercise, and I hereby call on our party men and women to support whoever is declared the winner of the primaries.”

On his part, Okowa said: “I thank God that I witnessed this primary today, and we promised our brothers in the race that we are going to conduct a free and fair primary, and I believe that is what we have done today. For our people and me in Delta State, we promise our support; we promise our prayers. We will be on your campaign grounds, and I want to congratulate you ahead of time because I know that with what we see today, the oneness in us, we will win the election.”

Umahi commended Orbih, the governorship aspirants, their agents and for the successful conduct of the primaries.

He added that in every process of the primaries, they were all carried along just as he thanked the governors of Gombe, Delta and Rivers states for their support during the exercise.

He pleaded with the aspirants and their supporters to work with whoever emerged as the winner.

In his acceptance speech, Ize-Iyamu commended the leaders and other party members for lifting the PDP up at a very critical time.

He noted that the PDP under Orbih was able to expose the alleged corrupt practices of the state government.

Also, Ize-Iyamu noted that the state chapter of the PDP is deepening democracy, adding that Orbih never went out to campaign with any of the aspirants.

How Ize-Iyamu won

For those, who had keenly observed the

gubernatorial race in the PDP, Ize-Iyamu’s victory did not come as a surprise.

When the former South-south Vice-Chairman of the now defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) defected in 2014 from the PDP, there was a political tremor in Edo State.

The reason was that four lawmakers of the ruling APC defected with him, thereby increasing the number of PDP lawmakers in the House of Assembly from five to nine.

The APC had alleged that the PDP lawmakers wanted to impeach Oshiomhole and an impasse between the APC and PDP lawmakers followed.

With the array and calibre of politicians backing Ize-Iyamu, many argued that he actually got the ticket before the primaries.

Drawn from the three senatorial districts, his supporters included but were not limited to the following; Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Senator Yisa Braimah, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, former Governor Lucky Igbinedion and Prince Tony Omoaghe. Ize-Iyamu’s preparation for the exercise also outshined others.

He is reputed as the only politician in the state with a house dedicated to politicking. The building otherwise called Ize-Iyamu Campaign Office had long existed years before the race to occupy Edo State Government House started.

That was why many believed that Ize-Iyamu was already looking ahead of the primaries to the general election even before the primary.

Even more, many PDP chieftains had over time convinced themselves of the fact that if they must takeover the government from the APC that IzeIyamu was the most credible and entrenched person to lead the onslaught and hence it was not difficult that many party chieftains supported him.

18—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

Militants sack Lagos, Ogun communities, scores feared dead •Ogun govt did’nt come to our rescue—Residents

By Bose Adelaja Two communities in Lagos and Ogun states have been deserted following attacks by some suspected militants.

The adjourning communities Elepete and Muti both in IgboOlomu, Ikorodu and Ita-Oluwo, Ifo local government of Ogun State have been deserted for days after about 18 of the residents were killed by the suspected militants.

Scores of the residents have fled for safety for fear of attacks Saturday Vanguard gathered that the attacks started last weekend at Muti where 15 people were feared dead but later degenerated and spread to Elepete and its environs claiming the lives of three people in the process.

The suspected militants who are mostly Ijaws were said to have invaded the communities at about 4am through the creeks using sophisticated weapons.

Worse hit areas were Elepete Phases 1 and 2, Kajola Phases A to F and Muti. It was gathered that shops, schools, churches and mosques were closed down during the attacks.

The communities comprised of migrants from Majidun-Ikorodu and Arepo, Ikorodu and Ogun State who settled in the coomunities after they were dislodged by the ask force on Petroleum/vandalisation of pipelines. The Federal Government war against pipeline vandalisation was said to have checkmated some of the militants who then took to robbery, and

other crimes to make ends meet.

They robbed one of the hotels located in Muti.

The problem started when some militants robbed a hotel last Friday in a hotel in Elepete.

Unfortunately for them, their faces were captured by CCTV cameras at the hotel while the hotelier intimated Special Antirobbery Squad SARS operatives who commenced investigations.

After a tip off, two of the suspects were traced to another hotel located in Kajola area of Elepete but they were said to have resisted arrest and made phone calls to their colleagues who mobilised and rushed to the scene.

However, two of the suspects were killed while the hotelier was arrested The militants then invaded Muti with sophisticated weapons in a reprisal attack killing 15 innocent residents.

According to eye-witnesses, people were seen scamparing for safety just as they took refuge in Elepete and neighbouring communities.

A few days ago, the militants reinforced and launched another attack on Elepete. Saturday Vanguard gathered that they first barricaded all entrances to the town to prevent movement and later unleashed terror on residents. Vehicles and properties were vandalised as they succeeded in looting shops, houses, mosques and churches carting away valuable items and cash.

Saturday Vanguard also gathered that three of those who resisted the militants were killed

Investigation revealed that due to the Federal Government war against pipeline vandalisation, some of the militants have taken to robbery, burglar theft and other crimes to make ends meet and in the process, they robbed one of the hotels located in Muti while others were injured as scores of the residents fled the town for fear of the unknown.

When Saturday Vanguard visited to the communities they were deserted. Vehicular and commercial activities were grounded and there was tension all over the areas.

At the entrance of Oke-Ayo in Elepete, some youths were seen appealing to people to return to their homes. One of them Abdul Gafaru said the attacks have paralysed the communities. He said, “no community can exist without people, we are the indigenes of this town and all we want is peace. We cannot operate successfully unless people return to the homes.”

The Olumushin of Imushin, Oba Taiwo Bamgbose, has since appealed

for calm while both Lagos and Ogun Police Public Relations Officers Dolapo Badmus and Muyiwa Adejobi said they were on top of the situation.

A survivour of the attacks who is a Policeman spoke to Saturday Vanguard on condition of anonymity said he escaped death by whiskers. He said, “I narrowly escaped death in the hands of the militants who siezed somebody elsewhere and slaughtered him behind my house. In the process, the blood splashed and stained the wall of my house. On sighting the blood, people thought I have been murdered and started calling me.”

One of the residents Madam Rabiu Amina who spoke with Saturday Vanguard said she narrowly escaped the attacks, “I had leg pains and was indoor for days with my grand daughter. I never knew my community had been deserted until Tuesday when I got a call from my younger sister who lives in PortHacourt. She said she read it in newspapers and decided to know my whereabout and that was when I opened the door only to discover there’s nobody in the community. I managed to trek a long distance before a motorcyclist helped me.”

At Ola Imam bus-stop, only two commercial motorcyclists were available but they complained of low patronage since people have fled the communities.

Saturday Vanguard succeeded in getting the telephone numbers of some of those who fled. Some Kajola residents blamed Ogun State government for not answering their distress calls. According to them, Ogun State government has been insensitive to their plight since the invasion of the militants. A resident who pleaded anonymity said only Lagos government has shown concern.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016—19

Does Kachikwu have a plan for Niger Delta?

By Fred Ojiegbe he evolving peaceful stance of both government and militant agitators T that torment the petroleum industry

amplifies the need for the rule of engagement in restoring lasting peace to the region and building a new bridge of trust that would reposition the Niger Delta, and indeed Nigeria, as the prime destination for petroleum business investment.

The shift in position comes after attempts by the government failed to stifle the militants with massive military campaigns that showed early signs of high handedness. However, that angered community leaders and earned the militants greater local support and more volunteers. With reports of human right abuses coming with troop movement, continued attacks on petroleum industry installations began to gain justification.

Besides, the deployment of government troops in the region did not offer any relief to the industry but rather worsened the fate of operators as proportionate defiance from the underground groups rose against military deployment, leading to intensified sabotage on key industry facilities.

Thus, despite the enhanced military presence in the area attacks on pipelines and key production facilities worsened, leading to acute fall in oil and gas output and associated revenue to the government.

The move to reach peace with the militants also scores some political points for the ruling party which has been branded in some quarters as divisive, sectional and repressive to dissenting political cleavages. These political sentiments have stoked strong demand for greater petroleum industry dividends which is expressed in forms of peaceful and militant agitations.

Whereas the past administrations of the federal government had provided packages of incentives to persuade the militants allow peaceful petroleum industry operations, the new government is yet to unfold any new plans for the youths who were obviously laid off from security

•Ibe Kachukwu companies whose contracts were terminated by the new government.

Thus, resurgence of militancy at the onset of petroleum industry reforms by the new government is not totally unexpected following myriad of issues, fears and suspicions that trail shake ups in ministries, departments and parastatals that oversee activities in the petroleum industry.

Investors in the industry are distraught. Most of them have called for resolution of the security situation in the Niger Delta as basis for resumption of operations and further investments in facility repairs and environmental remediation, pointing at the futility of mopping the floor while the tap is still running.

But evolving an enduring solution to Niger Delta crisis is as complicated as the problem itself. From initial demands for environmental

responsibility by operating companies in the country, consistent mishandling of the crisis has led to expanded list of demands to include accelerated development of the region, right to industry jobs and contracts, resource control and political self determination.

In the days of Ken Saro Wiwa, it was all about the environmental damages and its impact on the lives of the people in the region. The militant groups that followed led by Dokubo Asari, Ateke Tom, Henry Okah and others like Tompolo were all sorted with security contracts covering maritime and pipelines.

The current group of militants including those behind them are more interested in more financial stakes in the oil assets in their lands: local control of oil revenues.

Without doubt, the people in the region will like such development.

Thus, resolving the conflict which has built huge risk premium on the Nigerian petroleum industry environment, forced multinational players to divest vulnerable assets and imposed huge commercial losses on operations requires more sophisticated approach and engagement strategies that amplify inclusive orientation.

Clearly, the old methods of resolving issues in the region, like awarding juicy security contracts to the militants will no longer work, not even with full military intervention involving warships, gunboats, fighter jets and boots on the ground.

Traditionally, resolution of militant hostilities to the oil and gas industry operations in the Niger Delta is the toughest performance appraisal challenge that faces every in-coming Minister of Petroleum Resources; and it remains the biggest impediment to the reform process of the current minister, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, who is currently seen as stretching between the tough stance of the government on corruption and inevitable base-touching engagement with the angry agitators widely seen as enemies of government.

Managing this complicated situation tends to pitch the minister in conflict with other minsters that advance sledge hammer strategies in dealing with Niger

Delta agitation.

However, the minister has articulated most of the industry proposals into policy programmes that will translate to comprehensive application of investible funds and operational budgets in sustainable and structured development of Niger Delta.

Part of the plans is the programme for rehabilitation of the nation’s existing refineries two of which are located in the Niger Delta. This is expected to reactivate local community participation in the operations of the refineries through the full supply chain effect. From supplies to support services and ancillary businesses, the reactivation of the refineries promises huge business and job opportunities for the local environment.

Next in plan is the rolling programme for clustered refinery investments that would continuously expand crude oil and petrochemical processing and manufacturing capacity, a measure that is envisaged to create industrial corridors along the refinery clusters.

“I believe really strongly that, like the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has stated severally, they are working on it. They are looking at alternative means of funding. They are also looking at being able to draw some funds from Middle East, China and from other sources.”

Given the disposition of the minister towards accelerated development of the Niger Delta, a key demand of the stakeholders in the region, good conscience dictates that the militants embrace the federal government’s olive branch by sheathing their sword and allowing for peaceful negotiations. As things stand, to continue to pursue a hard line posture, with the single objective of financially castrating the federal government, is like shooting oneself in the hip. In the end, everybody suffers. Besides, the Niger Delta militants could end up playing into the hands of detractors of Kachikwu whose sin appears to be that he is treating the militants with kid gloves.

•Fred Ojiegbe, an energy analyst, is a member of the Federal Insignia.

SBF: Fresh hope for frustrated teenage mothers

•SBF return to school project in Ekiti

By Soni Daniel

T

here are many of them

stranded out there. And, it seems clear that it is difficult for them to be able to keep themselves afloat or to return to the classroom after missing the first opportunity. They are found everywhere across the length and breadth of Nigeria. They are young. Some are strikingly beautiful and others are awful.

But they have one thing in common: frustration, arising from unwanted pregnancy that has put a wedge between them and their parents on one hand and their future on the other hand. These are young mothers who took in while in school or did so even before they had the chance to go to school. Some of them have one child, others have two but they all lack the means of livelihood to take care of themselves and

their children. While some are still willing and ready to return to school, others have lost the support of their aggrieved parents, who have in many cases disowned them for bringing shame and reproach to their families.

As it is, they have been left on their own to be buffeted by the vicissitudes of life, troubled on all sides, and left at the mercy of cruel fate. Fear, hopelessness and uncertainty now dog their lives as a timeless mirage. Their future is bleak and tainted with sorrow and regrets.

This is the fate that has befallen young schoolgirls who were lured into the family way and they suddenly became mothers overnight, putting themselves on harm’s way and halting their education.

SBF intervention programme But last week, a non-governmental

organization, Sephamid Bridge Foundation, SBF, came out in full swing to give succor to the young mothers. The group rolled out a plan to return the girls to school and reintegrate them into the society. The project known as ‘Back to School Initiative’, BSi, is aimed at equipping the mothers with the necessary tools to return to school and to guide them to be gainfully employed at the end of their studies. It is also aimed enhancing human development through encouraging the young mothers to embrace education and have access to job opportunities. The first phase of the programme was launched at a rural community of Ewu-Ekiti in Ilejemeje Local Government of Ekiti State with fanfare.

There, old, young and middle-aged women and youths turned out in large numbers to witness the take-off of the pilot scheme. Some came to ascertain if indeed, it was real while others, with a sense of curiosity, thronged the venue to see if the young mothers had really turned a new leaf.

At the event, the National Coordinator of SBD, Mr. Dayo Ayeni, described the foundation as an all-inclusive, people-oriented and development-conscious agency out to tackle societal ills and give succor to the weak and vulnerable but with specific focus on the adolescent and teenage mothers.

According to Ayeni, the SBF will provide opportunities for both teenage mothers in and out of school in a bid to arrest the growing population of such persons in the society and provide a better future for them.

“The in-school programme is where adolescent are educated and sensitized on the right health services and practices. It is our strong belief that lack of such health information places them at the risk of getting unwanted pregnancy, abortion, Sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/ AIDS and the likes,” Ayeni said.

With songs and dances to cheer up the young mothers and others, the community roared into a carnival-like momentum, thanking the agency for its pro-people agenda. We will stand with you all the way to bring help to these young women, a community leader, Chief Joseph Ademola, assured them group.

Like the community leader, the Assistant Director in Public Health in the State Ministry of Health, Mrs Adewemimo, expressed the appreciation of the ministry to the vision of the group and promised to work with it to achieve the aim of the project of taking teenage mothers out of penury back to school.

Adewemimo said “What you have done today in this area is a laudable programme worthy of support by all stakeholders in the health and education sectors and should be extended to all parts of this country.”

Also speaking at the event, the Ilejemeje Local Government School Health Officer, Mrs. Ajiboye, praised the work being done

by SBF and prayed for its success in the years ahead.

Highpoint of the event was the distribution of gift items to babies of the teenage mothers for participating in the programme and to encourage them to keep hope alive for a brighter future.

Responding on behalf of the young mothers, Miss Faseluka Yemisi said that they were encouraged by the benevolence spirit of SBF and would return to school to start their lives all over again. She said they had realized the mistake they all made and were

willing to turn a new leaf in the light of the new information brought to their doorsteps by the foundation.

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

Kachikwu has one leg in Amaechi’st rousers A

nywhere else, a junior minister would be wary of a spat with a senior minister in public. But this is Nigeria, where decorum is scarce even in very high places. Defiance often attracts applause that should belong to reason. Ordinarily, President Buhari should be left to sort out his kitchen. But conducts that border on rascality have a way of reinforcing the tendency towards general lawlessness in the polity. It is good to have opinionated ministers. Lackeys have left our politics thoroughly insipid. Public policy is an enriched broth when it issues from a crucible of diverse, competing and healthy opinions. But no good government is run rancorously. A government struggling with an imminent recession , a costly insurgency in the north and a crippling resurgence of Niger delta militancy must exhibit internal cohesion and fluency. Cabinet collective responsibility entails cabinet solidarity. A government should always provide clear authoritative directions. Open disagreements are corrosive, poisonous. The perception that the core of the government lacks unity doesn’t help any government.

The clearest symptom of a government afflicted by lack of firm leadership is the eruption of acrimony and rebelliousness. If the egos of cabinet members are whipped into firm lines, the public will be spared the sort of spectacle it was fed with at the Calabar town hall meeting. This government cannot afford incoherence in the handling of corruption and the Niger Delta crisis. The Nigerian Maritime University is at the epicenter of storm in the Niger delta. The government shouldn’t let ministers guess its position on that university. Calabar revealed a worrying deficiency in the internal decision making

•Amechi

•Kachukwu

A decision on that university is a decision any reasonable government will take with great deliberation and caution. But that is the decision that Amaechi and Kachikwu were discussing like jealous, combative co-wives of apolygynous man who has ceased to be a unifying and controlling authority

mechanism of this government.

Thirteen billion naira to procure the temporary site of any university in Nigeria must raise a multitude of eye brows. The principal suspect has evaded a bench warrant. He believes his prosecution is politically motivated. And the fact that the transactions passed through necessary due process procedures must lend some credence to his lamentations. The gods who approved the transaction have retained their claim of deity. The Avengers have blown pipelines and won’t stop until the probes are aborted. And the university reopened. The opposition party has labeled all attempts to force accountability as selective, vindictive, tyrannical. It has stoked ethnic anger and separatist feelings. The economy cannot bear the strain of the crude oil production shutdowns inflicted by the Avengers. The military appears clueless. What is prudent in the circumstance?

The oil rich Gbaramatu Kingdom and many Niger delta activists see the university as part of a long term peace process to restore and develop the exploited region.Some others think that university is the epitome of the sort of tokenism that characterized the previous administration’s culture of lip service to the developmentof the Niger delta. That university, they insist, was merely a conduit pipe to siphon funds meant to develop the Niger delta. The apotheosis of the collaboration between political charlatanism and mercantilist militancy . But the others will counter, arguing, that corruption pervades Nigeria. Niger delta militancy and politics ,

Gov Okowa’s political father, Oyovbaire opens up Continues from page 15 convinced in what I was doing and I think that Okowa later realized that I did not just believe in him but was sincere about it because he is very organized.

My first love for Okowa In fact, if he were an intellectual, a university lecturer, he would have been quite exceptional. I enjoy organized people with ideas. I tell you a little story. The year he moved from being Secretary to the State Government, SSG, to begin the struggle to go the Senate, I sent him a text saying something like that with the little I have heard about his performance as SSG, I wished him well and hoped he would continue to have a grasp of whatever he did. I also said in the text that I could see the strength in his character and all that and frankly, I had forgotten that I sent such a text to him.

I really did not know him much as I said, but some of them, who are younger than me, would know me. I think two and half years later when he made up his mind, he called me one day from Abuja and was seeking information as to where he could meet me. I did not know why he wanted to come, I said okay, since he wanted to come to Benin, I will be in

my little bungalow in Benin, so he came straight from the Airport to my house, my library in particular, knelt down and said sir, I want to try to be governor.

He told me the story of how he tried to succeed Ibori, how Uduaghan took over and so on. I said very well, I think you have every reason to be, the little I know about you, you are highly organized. Do you know what he did, he brought out his phone and showed me the text I sent him the year he left as SSG, I do not know whether he had it in mind that many years later he was going to show me that text, and believe you me, I was highly impressed, For me I delete a lot, but even if he had planned it, keeping it for almost three years was something thorough to me I enjoy people like that. That was the first love I had from him.

Urhobo people didn’t know where I was going And of course we started, and as I said earlier with due respect to my fellow Urhobo compatriots, they failed to know where I was going. But like I said, it was not a favour to Okowa, it was not a favour to Anioma because I believe that he fits into it and you would see that during his

campaign, he was careful not to over blow Anioma. I know those who were with him, the Asagba of Asaba was very close to him, but he did not carry Anioma on his forehead, which was very good. Moreover, he tells them wherever he goes that he is the son of every senatorial district in the state.

My kind of politics Well, I am a teacher of politics and beyond that, anything I do in life, I try to practice it. Sometime, my wife will say that I have turned the family into a classroom. It is part of my problem with Christian leaders, and pastors you say one thing in the morning, you tell your parishioners something, but what you do in the afternoon is different.. I try as much as possible to see that what I believe in, I take it seriously. So far, I want to thank God that I have not handled a situation that we failed. I handled Babaginda, the moment I saw that things were going somehow, I made my point clear, I am not sure that you know how my now late friend, Senator Chukuwmerije took over from me as Minister of Information.

You see, at a point in the Babaginda regime, we lost steam; we took off and were in the air, governed very well and in trying to land, we lost

not spared. To that extent and in recognition of the importance of the Niger Delta, its pains and its volatility,the university should be completed at all costs. And regardless of whether it amounts to a duplication of the Maritime Academy in Oron or anything in Zaria.

A decision on that university is a decision any reasonable government will take with great deliberation and caution. But that is the decision that Amaechi and Kachikwu were discussing like jealous , combative cowives of apolygynous man who has ceased to be a unifying and controlling authority.

So much money has been spent.

Benefits should be reaped.

That’s Kachikwu’s pragmatism.

The university will calm some restiveness in Gbaramatu. And let chevron operate. Corruption is not his immediate priority. Having a first class educational institution to engage the youths in the swamps of the delta cannot be a superfluity in the circumstance. He is positioning himself well for the peacemaker role he has assumed in the region. But he overstepped bounds. He diminished Gov Amaechi. He didn’t need to brag he would take over and complete the project if Amaechi and the transport ministry aren’t interested in the project. If he had paused and weighed the potential consequences of that statement on Amaechi’s political reputation, he would not have made it in public.

We all thought the days when the NNPC GMD could do as he pleased with our money was over.

Amaechi wants the university to tarry for the investigations. He thinks the prudent and effective thing to do in the circumstance is to finance the existing, degree – awarding, Maritime academy in Oron, Akwa Ibom state. This will save costs, avoid needless duplication and should satisfy the Niger Delta.

This seemingly objective inclination may be politically motivated. He was once understood to have called for a cancellation of the university which he claimed existed only at the level of feasibility plans. He is now of the opinion that since the government is broke and can’t meet its capital budget needs, it must insist on the recovery of the proceeds of corruption to complete that project. If Nigeria were one united country where equity reigned and rationality and prudence alone governed the

steam. Therefore, we had difficulty of landing, that is not finishing well and I was not going to be part of not admitting that we had a difficulty in landing, which was how Chukwumerije took over from me.

Our little secret What I am saying is that people did not know how seriously we took the Okowa project; they did not know that we meet three times in a week and were working. Some of the aspirants, who did not care about delegates, thought that Jonathan will influence certain things and PDP at the centre will do this and that. So even when noise was being made against Okowa from the top, we were in control of the delegates. People did not know because every night we meet to know who is still with us and who is not with us. Now, those with us, we consolidate them, those we know were veering away, we try to get them back. So the game was one and like every ruler and of course my good friend, somersaulted here and there, We did a fundraising activity and believe you me, I, Sam Oyovbaire, do not know how much we got. I learnt from my service in the military administration that I have a boundary and I keep to it. I believe very strongly that how Dr. Okowa funded the campaign is not my business, I did not get involved

citing of government projects then Amaechi would have made a lot of sense.

In the context of the present day Nigeria where states and ethnic groups are in a perpetual scramble for the‘national cake’, Amaechi seems out of touch, too idealistic . But he is a veteran of our kind of politics. Is he then blinded by political bitterness? Is he getting back at those who filled Rivers state with violence and denied his men a chance during the last elections? Some say he has a reputation for such single-minded idealism. In any case the best results are sometimes obtained when things are pushed to the limits. That’s brinksmanship.

Kachikwu is keen to appease the militants destroying oil infrastructure. He has been accused of sympathizing with the Avengers. Rewarding violence could spell anarchy.He may have altruistic motives. Militancy stands between him and success in his job. But that university is not within his purview. There are times when cockiness and brashness must be tucked away, hidden. To put down another minister from the Niger delta is bad politics. That is why the opposition is excited. To make statements capable of portraying Rotimi Amaechi as an enemy of the region is uncharitable.

Anyone who has followed the politics of the region closely would understand the opposition’s particular dislike for Amaechi. It was so gross they wanted his ministerial appointment blocked.

He earned their venom.

He helped enthrone this government. Nobody in this government,who was outside of the fray of the politics that brought that victory, should undermine him. To dabble into the muddy waters of regional politics without a consideration for such political historical realities is ingratitude. Kachikwu should not do to the lion of Ubima what he cannot do to the lion of Bourdillon.

Respect, like charity, should start from home.

The town hall meeting was to communicate the government to the people. A town hall should be the last place for such a spat.

But this conflict would be wasted if nothing is learnt from it. And Amaechi may have lessons in it too. We, quite often, don’t recognize when have left too much room for bitterness. Peace is sometimes bought at the expense of justice. Igbos say leaders must swallow indignation.

because I had money to contribute, but once or twice that he had some difficulties, he did not tell me, but he kept on struggling because he is a very highly strong-willed person and very strong faith based individual.

He has very strong faith in himself and in the powers of God and so. Once, in our little meeting, I wanted to have an account because I was the chairman of this and chairman of that, but on a second thought, I felt it was wrong, particularly because of the group we were in. so I dropped the idea of having an account. So really, I do not know the key players in terms of those bringing money into it.

I also know that in the case of my younger good fellow, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro emerging as deputy governor that Kingsley Otuaro was a friend of Tompolo and so on.

However, I will tell you that I also shared this with Okowa that we needed somebody from the Ijaw stock as his deputy. You may ask, why is it that it is Otuaro knowing that Otuaro is close to Tompolo, and that if Otuaro becomes our deputy, people would say Tompolo is his patron.

I tell you honestly such a thing did not bother me, but put it on record that I do not know whether Tompolo donated one naira or one dollar to Okowa’s campaign. He probably did, I do not know.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016 — 21

M

y column last week was on Mexico, a country I visited last month. I tried in the article, to point out how Mexico which might become a major economic power in less than a decade, had benefited from its close proximity to the US through tourism. In fact, Mexico receives one of the world’s largest numbers of tourists in a year according to statistics. Yet, its tourism strengths —weather, historic sights and the seas —are not greater than ours. If anything, Nigeria has a more diverse weather. The major differences are in our cost of living, our infrastructural development and our attitude to service. Last week’s article was not my first on our tourism potential. And each time I tried to emphasise on the advantages of our coastal towns. There is something about nature and the ocean that frees the minds and attracts tourists in droves.

Badagry in my mind, has always seemed a good example of how a coastal town can feed off an industrial city while boosting the revenue of both.

I hadn’t been to Badagry in years despite the fact that I lived in Festac Town for almost 30 years. But there was a time, especially during my bachelor years that I visited the historic town often. It took about an hour from Mile Two and less from Festac to get to Badagry and we enjoyed many picnics and a lot of sea food in the rustic town.

There was Hotel De James which sprang up after the dual carriage road was constructed by Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson during the Gowon regime. It provided good food and accommodation —although being young, we took more advantage of the former — and was a pointer to the future direction of Badagry as a hospitality centre. The trips became less often as the journey became less enjoyable due to emerging pot holes and traffic—vehicular and human. But I still had fond memories of those carefree days. As they say, memories are usually the last to go.

Last Sunday, I had cause to visit Badagry again. Late Babatunde Amusu, a former Managing Director of Flour Mills Plc, and a native of Badagry, had given some land to the Catholic Church

titbits2012@yahoo.com

Shame of Lagos State for development and shortly before he passed on, had promised to print a combined hymn and prayer book in his native ‘egun’ language for the church community. His wife had fulfilled the promise on his behalf and last Sunday, fortuitously ten years after his death, was picked for the launch. A small group, made up of close family

It is not only the roads that are deplorable. The sights and sounds are members and friends were invited to the simple ceremony. I was not exactly looking forward to the trip as I had heard so much about the deplorable condition of the road.

But declining was not even an option. It was the least I could do for somebody I considered ‘a favourite uncle’. Nothing I had heard however, prepared me for what I met.

There was a time my Festac friends advised me not to come visiting because of the heavy traffic

caused by trailers and bad roads. But believe me, the better part of our journey last week, was the Festac part.

Everything went downhill from there. It could be the rains which had flooded the road and had made it difficult for the driver to gauge the depth of some of the pot holes, but it seemed we had more pot holes than level spots and I winced each time we entered what turned out to be a crater. And there were many. They made the journey tortuous and uncomfortable. Then there was the lawlessness and impunity of the drivers on the road—one trailer driver stopped in the middle of the road to offload some vegetables. You can imagine the traffic that would cause on an already bad road.

I tried to imagine what would happen during the week, or during the rush hour, if a Sunday morning could be like this. But it is not hard to imagine. People who live in the area say they have to leave home by 5am to have any chance of making it to work on the island on time. I also tried to imagine what kind of affection those who live in this area would have for their government. It obviously can’t be much.

It is not only the roads that are deplorable. The sights and sounds are.

There are these large fields of waste and filth between Festac and the Trade Fair Complex. I know Ambode’s record in terms of waste management has been less than acceptable. I also know that he made matters worse by putting a square peg in the LAWMA round hole when he installed a head who seemed

OVanguard

ne news item caught my attention in the Saturday of April 16, 2016; a photo of a drunken young lady peeing in public in Newcastle, England.

She was sitting on a bridge railing with her trousers pulled down to her knees, baring everything for the whole of humanity.

That was very odd behaviour by the British standard, so it made its way into Vanguard’s Odd News page.

But Nigerians pee in public every day. We pee in gutters, on pillars of bridges, on the median of major roads and a “conductor” has been seen in the past urinating from a moving bus (Molue) on Ikorodu Road, Lagos. About 99.9 per cent of Nigerians have at one time or the other urinated indiscriminately in “Intestinal parasites such as public places; it is still a regular habit roundworm, whipworm and of most Nigerians. If it is odd for the hookworm are transmitted through British, why is it normal for us? Are they contaminated soil in areas where super humans while we are sub- open defecation is practised. humans?

Hookworm is a major cause of I stopped a young man from peeing anaemia in pregnant women; in the gutter by my house and he could not understand what the fuss was all about. “Na gutter I wan piss put,” he “educated” me, but I stood my ground.

He then moved to my neighbour’s part of the gutter. I told him there was a mobile toilet nearby, but it fell on deaf ears.

About 99.9 per cent of But our people say you should remove the ants biting your privates before Nigerians have at one paying attention to the ones at your feet, time or the other urinatso let us face a more serious and hazardous menace. According to the ed indiscriminately in United Nations Children’s Fund, public places UNICEF, over 50 million Nigerians do not have access to toilets and so resort to open defecation. UNICEF also revealed that Nigeria is among the top leading to malnourished, five countries in the world with the underweight babies,” according to the report. In spite of the damning greatest rates of open defecation.

Open defecation goes with a lot of report, very little effort has been health hazards, so it is not surprising made to redress the situation.

Until a few years ago, human that “Nigeria loses over 150,000 children to diarrhea annually” and 88 waste disposal vehicles emptied per cent of these diarrhea cases are the waste into the waters by the attributed to unsafe water and foot of Carter Bridge, Lagos, on sanitation. Only pneumonia kills more the Iddo side. Till date, when children under-five years in Nigeria. approaching Carter Bridge from

Open defecation:Our shame,our nemesis

C M Y K

Ikoyi, the median on that entire stretch is an open toilet for miscreants, street

traders and others. The water around that area looks like something from a sewage pit. And yet people fish in that water. Like many people from the Niger Delta, I love fish, but anytime I remember the Carter Bridge area, my love for fish evaporates.

How the Lagos State Government could have allowed this to continue over time beats my imagination.

Unfortunately, even in highbrow Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki, street traders and others without access to toilets defecate in unoccupied and unkempt buildings and surroundings. My most recent encounter was on Aboyade Cole, Victoria Island, where one of the young men who sell fruits at the junction by Ademola Adetokunbo defecated by the fence of an unoccupied building with over-grown weeds. When he finished, he washed his backside with water and resumed selling fruits. (May God deliver us from eating fruits contaminated with human faeces.)

They say old habits die hard, but this obnoxious and hazardous habit should die very fast. In this day and age, there should be no place for open defecation and on major roads of a mega city. Each time I see people defecating openly, I look around me to see if there are foreigners around. Until 200, that was how miscreants turned the outer Marina into a massive toilet. The beautification of the outer Marina put an end to this unhealthy and shameful habit. The Ambode

to have misplaced his priorities. But I still wonder if that level of filth was not inherited. Then the setback which should have been used to beautify the road has become a home for shacks and shops. We passed Agbara Estate and I remember the greens and flowers that used to be outside its fence. They have been replaced again by shacks and shops and filth.

I tried to put myself in the shoes of those living here or those who have to come here to work because if the main road is like this, then the connecting roads must be terrible. I pity their cars almost as much as I pity them. The Lagos State Government earns about 40 billion naira a month. Its staff, especially the upper echelon, and its political office holders are among the best remunerated in the country. Yet, the vast majority of its people live in this kind of condition in various parts of the state. These are your tax payers; these are the people that voted you to power; these are your strength. I tried to put myself in the shoes of a tourist who wants to revisit the ancient town where slaves were kept before being shipped abroad. What goes through his mind as he leaves the airport and heads this way and he is made to confront these offensive sights and sounds? Does he feel safe or threatened? Does he feel expansive or claustrophobic? More importantly, will he encourage others to take this trip?

I think commissioners for Works and Environment must both visit the Government Forgotten Areas of the state at least once a month to see how the people really live. The Governor too should endeavour to pay regular visits to these areas. And while we are at it, how about someone visiting Ize Iyamu Street in Oregun which is next door to Alausa. This street which has not been tarred since the Jakande era, has become an eyesore with illegal diesel sellers and mechanics taking over the place.

There is money to be made in tourism; just as there is money to be made from improved communities. Like I said elsewhere, government has to sew more to reap more. government should as a matter of urgency sort out that stretch before Carter Bridge.

In Yobe State, the Canadian government has constructed 120 toilets in nine schools to help check open defecation. The report said the Japanese government is about constructing 100 ventilated improved pit toilets in schools, markets, hospitals and other public places in other parts of the state. Foreigners feel strongly about the ugly situation and are intervening; what are we doing about it?

I must admit painfully that many public toilets in Nigeria are in poor state of hygiene. They are dirty, smelly and often have no water to flush down the waste. It is the unhygienic state of toilets that forced many of us to openly defecate in nearby bushes in secondary school. But some people defecate openly even where there are clean public toilets because they do not want to pay between N20 to N100 to use the toilet. How do you want the workers who keep the toilets clean to be paid? Yet Nigerians pay equivalent of N500 or more abroad to use public toilets.

For three years at the University of Nigeria, we endured the usage of toilets that never had water. Each student simply offloaded on top of what the last user deposited. It stayed that way until the next morning when the cleaners would come to clean the toilets. The cleaners were off on weekends, so the human waste stayed from Friday morning to Monday morning.

Looking back, I do not know how we managed. Yet, I cannot remember students protesting over the poor sanitary condition of Eni Njoku and Alvan Ikoku Halls in those three years I spent there. But we did protest over less serious issues.

May be that is the way many of us are constituted, but that constitution is archaic, unhealthy and untenable in the 21st century. Open defecation is impunity and lawlessness taken too far and it is not helping us as a people. Nigeria must be saved from this health hazard and national shame. The responsibility is everybody’s.

22—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

O

ne of the first statements made by Dr. Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, as he sat before the Code of Conduct Tribunal a few months back, was that he would not have been in the dock if he had not been the Senate President. He wanted the point to be very clear, though unnecessarily.

The truth is actually that he would not have been there but for the way in which he became the Senate President, not just for being the Senate President... .

He had gone against the wish of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, by colluding with members of the other party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to obtain the votes that gave him the position, whilst also making a member of the PDP his deputy. He had not thus only disobeyed but also disgraced the party under whose auspices he had won a seat in the Senate, in the first place. Any self-respecting political party would resent such an action and would naturally order reprisals, especially if it was in power and not just in government, as the Senate President’s slap on the face of his party would seem to indicate.

The train of issues that have dogged his tenure could be freely attributed to the reaction of his peers who naturally feel slighted and betrayed. He may be forced to suspend his appearances at the Senate along with his deputy who is now also arraigned with him.

The support he has garnered from the number of senators who plotted him into office has been comical to some degree.

They trooped after him to the tribunal in an open attempt to

Political Editor

*Witch-hunting intimidate the court. Now they have also resorted to making inflammatory statements totally unbecoming of men and women who consider themselves, and would also wish to be considered by others, as “distinguished”. Their intransigence may only see an increase in their discomfort.

Call that a case of witch-hunting.

Olisa Metuh was very good at his job.

He was a spokesman of the PDP, and adept at the use of the virulent understatement. He never lost his cool even when his party was thrust out of power. He had stepped on many toes in the past and there was no hope that he would relent. He was, of course, actively involved in the last elections but was still gathering himself together from the set-back when he became the subject of an allegation that he was involved in what has become the cause celebre of the season—the Dasukigate.

He was duly arrested and granted his day—his days—in court.

That could also pass for witchhunting.

Femi Fani-Kayode could have acquired the honour and fame of a legal luminary, as his father, the late Remi Fani-Kayode did before him. His forebear was actually reckoned as the leading word on constitutional law among his peers. But Femi chose politics instead. As a matter of fact, his dad combined both and was the mouthpiece of the Action Group, AG, much like Olisa Metuh was to the PDP, when this country was still young and honour had meaning. Just as Femi

would do after him, Remi Fani-Kayode also had cause to defect from the AG, but on matters of principle. He was publicly probed down to his underwear, but emerged clean and free to pursue his course to a glorious end.

Femi plunged into the pond of party politics in Nigeria as if he invented it.

He made sure that very few people trusted him, even among his associates.

He ended up hardly knowing who his associates were, anyway. His offerings of views on national issues met with lukewarm reception, even when they seemed to make sense, because they were

Femi plunged into the pond of party politics in Nigeria as if he invented it devoid of a clear direction. He did not help his personality by being involved in a muddy indictment about his conduct as a one-time Minister of Aviation and, indeed, sensed no dent in his public image. And so when he too seemed to have dipped his finger into the cauldron of Dasukigate and got himself tainted, he was called upon, like several others, to clear his good name. He had thus been doing so in detention as it is deemed fit by those whose profession it is.

emmanuelaziken@vanguardngr.com 08052201189

The contr sial conf erence mat erials controover versial conference materials

T

he salacious story of the three members of the House of Representatives who ALLEGEDLY deviated from their leadership training conference in America to solicit for prostitutes has fascinated many. In local parlance, women are usually described as conference materials who have over time become standard protocol for visiting government officials.

Not surprisingly, many Nigerians have been quick to rush to judgment; pronouncing the legislators guilty. One basis for the guilty judgment is the fact that the accusation came from the United States ambassador, and as such, it could not have been tainted by the nuances that characterise the Nigerian legal system.

Another reason why some were also quick to pronounce the three lawmakers guilty was the sordid chronicle of debauchery that has been exhibited by many former and serving lawmakers.

That inclination to licentiousness is easily demonstrated by the case of one former senator who won the unpopular reputation of designating a personal assistant to handle the bevy of beauties

who took turns with him night and day whenever he was in town.

Of course, that senator did not have his family in Abuja. Indeed, until quite recently many legislators saw Abuja as a passing phase with many keeping their families in their constituencies.

If any male legislator came to Abuja with straight morals, more often than not, many of them were bound to be tempted by the horde of often sleazy women within and outside the chambers.

Many reputations have been shattered on account of shady activities committed with women in the National Assembly.

One senator from the North, who came to the National Assembly with a glistening Ph.D. after one term, easily won a reputation for infamy on account of several sexual trysts allegedly in his White House Building office.

The impiety was not restricted to the male legislators. Though most of the female senators came polished and carried themselves with dignity, a couple, however, deviated from the path of feminine grace. There was one female legislator who would wear low neck blouses that whenever she bent to lay a report before the presiding officer would

Call it witch-hunting.

Ayodele Fayose became the Governor of Ekiti State by twice displacing incumbent governors. He will not let us forget the fact. That, to him, makes him an outstanding politician, although there have been question marks about his second victory. But be that as ever it may, he strains himself to be as offensive as possible in his utterances, especially about and against President Muhammadu Buhari. Since he seems to find the APC somewhat low for his full attention, he goes right to the top.

Fayose seems to have totally forgotten the despicable record he left behind in his first coming. Not only he, but quite a number of his supporters appear to have a leaky memory about a governor who got himself so mingled with poultry matters that he lost his position. He is now up against it again. Workers in the state are on the verge of suspending their services because their salaries are not duly paid, but Fayose is so enmeshed in his preoccupation with Buhari that all the answer he can give is that Ekiti is not the only state in that predicament.

Meanwhile, his personal account at one of the banks mentioned in connection with massive cash laundering has been frozen. Fayose says it cannot happen to anyone protected under the immunity provided by the constitution to state governors, among others. The immunity, however, is against arrest and prosecution—not investigation, and the EFCC had the mandate, with the support of a court order, to cause any bank account to be suspended if it was connected with an on-going investigation.

However, to be fair, his mention of Madam Aisha Buhari, the wife of President Buhari, as being connected with the muted Halliburton affair needs to be summarily clarified by the presidency. Of course, that really has nothing to do with his self-imposed predicament.

That is all a matter of witch-hunting, anyway.

Time out.

inevitably be prompting the presiding officer sitting on the dais with a full view of her breasts.

For many spouses of the legislators, the best defence was often to resort to prayers to keep their spouses from temptations.

One was even alleged to have even gone further. The wife of Senator Erhiawarie Efekeraya took matters on a more practical way when her husband served in the Senate between 2007 and 2011. Mrs. Efekeraya took a position in her husband’s office as one of his SAs, putting to flight any woman with seamy desires for her husband.

Of course, the narrative is not universal. In the same legislature, a number of men and women have also acquitted themselves with grace. It is in this light that the allegations against the three members of the House have to be interrogated to the purpose of ensuring that the guiltless are not unnecessarily punished.

The case of Rep. Mark Gbillah whose wife, he claims travels with him and was with him in the United States, on the surface needs to be further interrogated.

With his wife in the hotel room, Mr. Gbillah would be a pervert to have been looking for a prostitute in America.

It is unfortunate that the salacious slant of many

legislators have put the legislators at a disadvantage in the court of public opinion, but they are entitled to a defence before condemnation.

Saraki, Ekweremadu in the dock The unprecedented trial of the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu before a Federal High Court on the allegation of forging the Senate Standing Order, 2015 is sure to stretch the country’s constitutional boundaries. Instructively, the foundation of the case is laid in many controversies, especially given the initial crisis that attended the Senate leadership contest.

Many who have studied the case are yet to counter the argument that a new standing rule is provided for each Senate. Reference is made to the 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and now, 2015 Standing Orders of the Senate. The further argument that the rule is drafted by the management has also not been disputed.

Even more remarkable is the fact that the two presiding officers about to be tried were not mentioned or questioned in the investigation.

The worry in many quarters is that those who were not able to achieve the ambition of appointing their protégées as presiding officers are now using the courts to achieve their aim. It need not be so.

SATURDAY Vanguard,

BY IYABO AINA

Chidinma has been my crush for a very long time —Bonkwe

H

ow did your journey into music begin?

My journey into music began since I was a little boy singing in my church choir. I developed interest in music since then because I love singing; I was always trying to compose songs for our choirmaster, so that was how I fell in love with music.

At what stage did you decide to go professional?

I decided to make it professional when I realized my passion for music was greater than anything else, also Boss L.a Kashmire was another reason I decided to go pro because of the way he believed in me, he encouraged me to believe in myself. Boss L.a kashmire is my boss and the C.E.O of Kashmire Records, the label I’m signed to.

What were your parents’ reactions when they knew you were going into music?

My parents were really sceptical about it at first because I was in the university then and they felt it was going to affect my studies, but when they saw the effort I was putting into my music and how good my grades were, they relaxed.

They realized music was my passion and they didn’t want to discourage me especially when it was not affecting my grades, so they became very supportive. I remember sometimes my dad would give me money for recording and after studio session I’d bring the song home and we would all listen - they became really supportive.

S

ince Bonkwe released the single ‘Na you I go marry’ his fortune in the music industry has greatly improved as he has become a known voice on the streets. The budding Afro-pop star shares his story with Star Tracker and tells us what makes him tick.

•Bonkwe

How do you see music, a passion or a means to make money?

To me, music is passion, music is love, it has absolutely

I am true to myself, I’m me, I want to be me, I don’t want to be any other person, I want to be real and stay real in this game

nothing to do with money.

When I’m in the studio, there is this certain feeling of fulfilment I have, music comforts me, I write all the time, I write about everything, I don’t see music as a means to

make money because as we all know, it is difficult to make money from music in Nigeria due to piracy. I see music only as a means of expressing myself, and reaching out to people. Music is more of love and passion to me. I am music.

I’m the new king of music from Abia State – Lil Ashh

By TOFARATI IGE

U

pcoming singer, Elisha Ebube Munoye aka Lil Ashh is one who has his eyes set at the very top of the music industry.

The Abia State-born rapper who delivers his craft in Igbo language and pidgin English believes he’s the new king on the block, and it’s only a matter of time before he is officially crowned.

Lil Ashh started his career at the age of seven, and he has consistently been putting in his best ever since.

Speaking on his latest effort, ‘Tell Them Something’ he said, “I’m looking forward to doing something different now by releasing a rap

JUNE 25, 2016—23

single; I’m an indigenous rapper…I mix Igbo with pidgin English. ‘Tell Them Something’ is about the glory of my state of origin, which is Abia. I want people to know that it’s a great place that has produced lots of great people, and I’m the new king from Abia State.’

Recalling his incursion into the industry, he reminisced, “I started as a drummer in church, and I usually get inspiration from there. I’ve done songs with some big artistes such as ‘Nwanyi’oma’ with T-Spize and ‘Shoddies’ with Runtown.”

On the notion that rap isn’t a big money-spinner in Nigeria, Lil Ashh said, “A lot

of people say rap doesn’t sell in Nigeria, but I’m passionate about it. I also look up to people like Kendrick Lamar. I’m different from the rest, and that’s one unique thing about me. I talk about reality and life experiences to educate people.”

Sharing some of the challenges he’s facing, he quipped, “I’m not signed to any record label for now, so accessing funds is very difficult. Another challenge I have is seeing people who I started with who are now on top. However, people like that motivate me. I really want to go global with my career, and I will not rest till I achieve my aim.”

Which artist inspired you?

I am a very huge fan of Psquare, I’ve been in love with them since I was a kid. I love their music, I look up to them, when I was younger I used to learn their songs and perform them to my family members, so I’ll say they inspired my music.

How do you intend to promote your brand to compete with already established stars?

The truth is that most of the artists out there now want to be like other successful artists, this is not right, in this game, being real is everything, artists lie a lot, they live fake lives. I am true to myself, I’m me, I want to be me, I don’t want to be any other person, I want to be real and stay real in this game, and I also want to put out real materials, that’s how I intend to stay relevant in this game. The moment you try to be someone else you lose your place in the industry. That’s the truth.

What inspired your new song, “Na you I go marry”?

‘Na you I go marry’ was a song I just came up with randomly. It wasn’t inspired by anything; the melody just came to me one day at home, so I took my pen and paper and wrote it down. I wrote the whole song under 30 minutes.

And when I was done writing I went to see T Spice and he cooked up the beat for me.

Does it have anything to do with your wedding plans?

No, I’m not planning to get married. I want to focus on my music for now.

•Lil Ashh

Who is your female celebrity crush and why?

I have always had a crush on Chidimma. I think I’m in love with her; I love her because she is very simple and very talented. She is also beautiful and one of the most honest female entertainers we have in the industry today. She has been my crush for a very long time now.

24—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 25, 2016

Rotimi Agbana 08137741609

I will venture into Nollywood if...

T

he New African •Pastor Ituah Ighodalo Shrine (Femi’s making altar call Shrine) which is known for its high octane grooving and partying surprised its regular visitors last week Saturday, 18thJune, 2016, as it played host to Gig Time Expressions gospel show titled Encounter. It was a gospel music and dance competition staged to showcase gospel talents and to equally bring the gospel of Christ closer to the world. Guests were skeptical on the choice of venue for the show. But when the show eventually kicked off, everyone came to terms with why the New African Shrine was read and believe in says the earth is chosen as the venue for the show. the Lord’s (not just the church), so as Speaking on the objectives of the long as there are human beings there, show and choice of venue, award- I don’t have a problem going there. winning gospel artiste, Sammy It’s just that a tag has been given to Okposo, who was a guest artiste the New African Shrine on the kind and performer, said, “I’m here in of events that take place there, so takthe capacity of a guest artiste to ing a gospel event there would shock support what the organisers are people. For the management of doing because I’ve always been Shrine to agree for a gospel show to unconventional. The bible that I take place there is a miracle.”

— Yemi Alade

S

ultry afro-pop singing sensation, Yemi Eberechi Alade, aka Yemi Alade, has revealed she will give acting a trial whenever and if the opportunity presents itself.

Yemi Alade who won the first ever Peak Talent Show in 2009, popularly known for her hit single Johnny, told e-news in a brief chat that acting will not be a difficult task for her if the opportunity comes, stressing the fact that acting is something she engages in regularly in all her music videos, so it won’t be a new thing to her. “I love acting; I act in all my music videos already.

I’m just waiting for the right script. If the opportunity comes, then why not? I will, 100 percent,” she said. The top-rated nightingale also revealed that she has lots of projects she is working on and would be unveiling anytime soon.

Femi’s Shrine hosts gospel show

Wazobia FM didn’t employ me with fake CV — Yaw

DJs' association pardon Terry G, lifts embargo on his songs T he National Executive of the J s Association of Nigeria have finally buried the hatchet against Sangolo rapper, Terry G, for slapping a DJ under the tutelage of DJ Jimmy Jatt at MC Bash’s recent comedy show at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos. After the ugly incident, the National Executives of the DJs association met and unanimously placed an embargo on all Terry G’s songs, including the ones he featured in.

Terry G has since tendered an unreserved apology to Nigerian DJs and the association for his action.

D

exterous Wazobia Fm OAP, actor, dramatist and comedian, Steve Onu a.k.a Yaw, has debunked the lingering rumor that he secured a job at Wazobia FM using a fake Curriculum Vitae (CV). Yaw, who graduated from the English department of the Lagos State University with a diploma in Radio, TV and film production, before bagging a degree in Theatre Arts, said he did not secure his current job as an On-Air-Personality at Wazobia FM with a fake CV, but that he used a close friend’s CV as a template to design his own CV. “I wasn’t employed at Wazobia FM with a fake CV. I had this friend of mine who we went to school together; he had a very good CV, so what I did was to use his CV as a template to design mine. I did not use a fake CV to secure my job at Wazobia FM o,” he stated equivocally.

•Yemi Alade

D

•Yaw

Ali Baba, AY, Seyi Law, Yemi Alade, others for Pencil Unbroken

I’m not ready for marriage

M

— Adesua Etomi

I

nspirational screen diva and winner of 2016 AMVCA’s Best Actress category, Adesua Etomi, has declared that she is not ready for marriage now, just as she has been advised to make it her top most priority. The talented Nollywood role interpreter was advised by a fan of hers who stormed her twitter handle to comment on a tweet posted by the actress. “My mum thought she was being sleek when she slid the marriage talk into our convo this morning. I was like ‘Nah Fam’, she laughed,” Adesua posted. A concerned fan of the actress then commented “But you are over ripe now! Settle soon please.” Adesua wasted no time in responding, “Over ripe based on what? I serve the author of time, who’s not subject to time and I’m subject to him.” Adesua later posted a munched photo of her earlier tweet on Instagram and wrote, “My mum cracks me up, was asking her if she’d seen my friend’s ‘save the date’ video with his fiancée. Next thing she uses style to start a marriage conversation saying ‘iwo nko, how far?’ Then she starts laughing. If only she knows I’m not ready yet.”

The press release reads “The National Executives of the DJs Association of Nigeria (DJAN) humbly appreciate the support and cooperation of Nigerian DJs for full participation on said subject, we are most grateful for acknowledging the fact that ‘an injury to one is injury to all’, one beat, one voice. Terry G has shown a very reasonable level of remorse and had apologized to all parties concerned including apologizing to the leadership of the association at all levels. After due consultations and deliberations, the DJs Association of Nigeria hereby lifts the EMBARGO on all song of Terry G.”

•Adesua

ulti-talented comedian, and AY Open Mic Comedy Challenge winner, Ogechi Nwanevu Cyril, a.k.a Pencil, is set to stage the maiden edition of his highly anticipated comedy show tagged, Pencil Unbroken (The First Assignment).

The show scheduled to hold next week at the Muson Centre, Onikan, will witness an impressive lineup of comedians and musicians who will be thrilling guest with rib-cracking jokes and mind-blowing musical performances. According to Pencil, “I can’t wait to reveal the surprises I have lined up for the night.

Looking at the rich lineup of comedians and artistes billed to thrill, you can tell guests are in for an evening of undiluted entertainment.

Also don’t forget it’s my debut show, so I’m pulling all strings to make it the biggest comedy/music show in recent times”.

Entertainers set to thrill include Ali Baba, AY, Reekado Banks, Ice Prince, Gordons, Ushbebe, Teju Babyface, Kcee, Oritsefemi, Kenny Blaq, Iyanya, Ajebo, MC Shakara, Funnybone, Yemi Alade, Seyi Law, and others. Caroline Hutchings will be the host for the night.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016—25 Edited by Ayo Onikoyi 08052201215

My Testimonies as Miss Nigeria – Lessi Peter-Vigboro

By JULIET EBIRIM and KEHINDE AJOSE

I

n November of 2015 Lessi Pe ter-Vigboro had her childhood fantasy staring her in the face and waking her up from the dream land to reality when she was crowned the 39th Miss Nigeria. For the 23 years old, Rivers State-born, University of Port Harcourt’s computer science graduate, it was an opportunity to reach out to other people, and make a difference.

But Before winning the Miss Nigeria pageant, she had participated in two pageants earlier which sort of prepared her for the big one. She won the Miss Ogoni pageant and was third runner-up for Miss Niger Delta. Winning Miss Nigeria came with some testimonies and she shares them with us: What was it like being part of Miss Nigeria?

The contest was one of the best I have ever been part of. I had to challenge myself and put up the right kind of mindset. That was one of the best moments of my life because I pushed myself and I like the result that came out of it.

What is your motive for being part of beauty pageants?

I think every little girl has this dream or fantasy of being a princess.

As a little girl I have always been fascinated by the glamour. But growing up I became part of a lot of volunteering works and I felt that pageantry will give me a bigger platform to make impact.

Do you think without pageants you won’t have the reach and the impact?

Without pageants you can definitely make impact. You can make an impact even without having an NGO but it’s more about you wanting to do it. You don’t necessarily have to be a beauty queen before you make an impact. That said, pageants give you a very wide platform. I didn’t take it serious when I was in school because I had my studies to focus on.

I had to find time to balance school and modeling. It was so challenging, but because it’s something I enjoy, I was able to juggle both.

Why did you keep trying after being part of other beauty pageants?

What happened was that I had bought the form for Miss Nigeria in 2014 and it didn’t hold that year. I rounded off school and went for youth service and I found out that they were doing audition, but because I had bought the form I decided to be part of it, because I didn’t want to waste the money I used to purchase

the form. Going in there, I decided to give it my best shot mentally and if it doesn’t work it won’t be because I didn’t try. I guess God rewarded my efforts What gave you an edge over the other contestants?

Truth is, there were other pretty, smart girls. I kept a positive mindset and God is also a factor in it. During the point of selecting a winner, we had a tie between the first runner-up and me. I was asked a question during the tie about my business. I was asked to talk about my business’s unique selling proposition and I had learnt something about that during the business plan competition we had in camp. I had to talk about what will make my business stand out. I think that also gave me an edge.

What were your plans when you won the pageant and how far have you gone with it?

Well, in as much as I know that beauty pageants are fun and glamourous, my plan is to give back to the society and learn from the experience.

I hope to come out a better, stronger and wiser woman.

I have been working with some organizations. For now. I don’t have an NGO of my own but it doesn’t stop me from being involved in some activities. Right now, I am working with an organization to raise awareness on breast cancer. We just concluded a charity marathon with Edo State, where we tested women and were able to raise some funds. I also engage in some programmes involving orphanages. I made it a point to use my platform to advocate for peace and non-violence agitation because it’s important to me as well.

I am from Ogoni in the Niger-Delta region and a lot of cases of violence go on there. I try to use my platform

I think every little girl has this dream or fantasy of being a princess. As a little girl I have always been fascinated by the glamour. But growing up I became part of a lot of volunteering works and I felt that pageantry will give me a bigger platform to make impact

Lessi Peter-Vigboro

It’s a very transparent, free and fair pageant. The experience so far has been good and what my handlers do is push me to bring out the best in me. to advocate for peace and non-violence resolution of issues. We’ve also had some environmental issues in that region, so I also use my platform to promote the environment in a good way to see how we can have a healthy environment.

What would you have been if you weren’t a beauty queen?

I love to write, so I hope to be an author someday. I’ll definitely pursue that. I’m sure that I would have been in a company taking a regular job, but my passion is writing.

So what has changed about you since you became Miss Nigeria?

I’m not a very dressy person, I like to be simple a lot, but a whole lot of glamour comes with my position, so my dressing has changed.

This experience has also made me think properly about the decisions I make. I think I’m a more responsible person because I have a brand and image to uphold.

There have been cases of exploitation in pageants, what has been your experience in that regard?

I’ve not had such an experience.

Maybe by intuition or perception, I think that’s probably why I went for Miss Nigeria, because right from the onset, the brand has been synonymous with the right kind of values. It tries to portray the Nigerian woman in a good light and also brings out the potential of the Nigerian woman.

What has being a beauty queen taught you?

I’ve learnt that I have to be held responsible for the decisions I make and that I should always find a way to give back to the society. I’ve learnt to be more interactive with people to build relationships because it is required. My communication skills are getting better. Generally, I’ve learnt to improve on myself. People expect a lot from a beauty queen, so it has pushed me to invest a lot in myself so I can be better prepared.

Can you tell us about your love life?

Before I got into this, I wasn’t in a relationship. And when I got into this I was told that I need to be focused.

So it wasn’t much of a challenge to me because I wasn’t already in a relationship.

Being in the public eye now, you get a lot male attention, how do you handle that?

Being a beautiful woman, whether you’re a beauty queen or not, you’ll always get male attention. It’s something that happens in every girl’s life.

As a grown up young girl, I’ve been able to manage that, so I still apply the same strategies.

What strategies do you apply?

I just try not to do whatever I’m not comfortable with. I stick to my values basically and whatever resonates with me.

26 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

By KEHINDE AJOSE 08054680266

Is YBNL’s Viktoh rejected stone of the label?

I

n terms of hits churned out by artistes, YBNL may well be one of the foremost record labels in the country at the moment.

Many of its signees are currently topping charts. As a matter of fact, it would be safe to say that when YBNL sneezes, the whole music industry catches cold; a case in reference is the Headies saga of January 2016 when Olamide practically shut down the event when his

protégé, Lil Kesh, lost out on the Next Rated category of the awards.

However, while some of YBNL’s acts are soaring and shining, the same cannot be said of one of the label’s first signees, Viktoh.

An avid observer would note that Viktoh doesn’t have a respectable hit to his name. Meanwhile, Lil Kesh who he introduced to his label boss, Olamide, is already regarded as a

heavyweight of sorts in the industry.

Some of Viktoh’s songs which failed to attract mainstream attention include ‘Skibbii That,’ ‘Instagram Police,’ ‘Say Them Say’ among others.

However, some people have attributed Viktoh’s slow career growth to Olamide. According to this school of thought, Olamide doesn’t give Viktoh the desired attention unlike Lil

Kesh and Adekunle Gold.

According to a source who is close to the YBNL crew, even though Olamide is a liberal boss who gives all his artistes the chance to fly, he seems to have a softer spot for Gold, Lil Kesh and the new YBNL princess, Temmie Ovwasa.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the source opined, “To be sincere with you, Olamide is a very liberal boss who is after the success of all his artistes.

But if you consider the way Olamide is always shouting the name of Lil Kesh, Adekunle Gold and Temmie in his songs and Instagram posts, you will realize it seems he doesn’t give the same attention to Viktoh.

Though Viktoh should also

up his game in terms of the kind of songs he puts out, YBNL should also pay more attention to him.”

Meanwhile, another artiste that isn’t getting the desired attention in YBNL is Chinco Ekun, but sources claim that his education is what is taking the front burner in his life right now, and that’s why he’s not so visible on the music scene.

With Lil Kesh and Adekunle Gold hinting that they would soon be floating their own record labels, perhaps, Viktoh’s ‘condition’ will improve. Remember, former YBNL signee, Zino also complained of neglect.

It should be noted that Lil Kesh has left YBNL but he is still under their management.

Top rated gospel acts to storm Church of the Lord music concert

C

ome Friday, July 1, 2016, all roads will lead to The Church of the Lord (Prayer Fellowship), Alimosho, for the 22nd edition of the highly impactful annual music concert, Music Ministration.

Music Ministration, which is organised by Praise Echoers Ministry, one of the best gospel choir,drama ministers and choreographers in the land, is one of the most highly rated gospel concerts which draws attendees from various parts of the world.

This year’s edition will feature gospel acts such as Boiz Olorun, Heritage Brothers, Yinka Alayesori, Oderah, Odunayo Aboderin, among others. A surprise international act is also billed to make a guest appearance at the event which has the theme ‘The Most High God (Atobiju).’

Speaking on what guests should expect at the event, the Choir Director of the Praise Echoers, Olakunle Owolana said, “This year’s edition of Music Ministration (MM) is really

loaded. Guests who come around will undoubtedly feel the hands of God in their lives, and they wouldn’t go back the way they came. We have an array of talented and spirit-filled acts who will minister in songs, drama, poetry and choreography. It is an event that shouldn’t be missed.”

Meanwhile, awards will also be presented to individuals who have contributed immensely to the growth of music in The Church of the Lord (Prayer Fellowship).

I cannot quit music for acting — Neyoswaggz

BY ADERONKE ADEYERI

H

igh-rising rapper and movie actor, Adeniyi Akanni, Neyoswaggz is carving a niche for himself in the entertainment industry, with several singles and having featured in over 40 movies like Aiye Foreign, Abami Eda, Iyawo Igbo among others.

He recently added another feather to his cap with a celebrity get-together party tagged “ Neyoswaggz and friends” with many celebrities in attendance at the Presidential wing of the Olusegun Obansanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

According to him, “‘Neyoswaggz and friends’ is a platform to network, say thank you to my colleagues who had supported my dreams and also unwind C M Y K

after traveling here and there to shoot movies”. He added that he will and cannot quit music for movies as speculated recently. ‘’I will and cannot quit music, I have only been out of the country on a project which got me so busy ‘’.

The handsome dude and graduate of Civil Engineering also disclosed that he is currently working on his multimillion naira project called ‘Exodus project’.

‘Exodus Project’ brings to fore his movie, musical and documentary production that will soon hit the entertainment industry.

Saidi Balogun, Segun Ogungbe, Bukky fagbuyi, Yomi Gold, Bukola Ojo, Dolapo Orisajobi among others graced the well attended event.

Agoha to drop video for ‘Jehovah’ Secular artiste-turnedGospel singer, Agoha, is priming up to release the video for his hit song, ‘Jehovah.’

The video which is directed by Mattmax will be out next week.

Meanwhile, Agoha has been having a filled day performing at shows such as AY Live, Yaw ’s ‘Shalanga’ stage drama, Chronicles of Ushbebe, Igos Live, among others to standing ovation.

SATURDAY Vanguard,

JUNE 25, 2016 — 27

By TOFARATI IGE 08068792241

OJB was an untapped gold — Adasounds

I

t is no longer news that the legendary Nigerian music producer, Babatunde Jezreel Okungbowa a.k.a OJB has passed away. The revered entertainment icon died following a prolonged battle with kidney condition.

While he was alive, OJB signed Adasounds, an Afropop artiste to his label.

The light-skinned artiste released a highlife song called 50-50 under the imprint of his label. Before his death, they were planning to release a duet titled Chinedu. In a chat with Showtime the visibly dejected Adasounds opens

up on the kind of relationship she had with the music production maestro, OJB. “OJB was a true icon, a rare gem and at 49 going to 50, he was an untapped gold, one of the best things that ever happened to the Nigerian music sector. He was my manager; producer and mentor, he was always advising me on the right path to follow. I called him my backbone in the industry.

He taught me to have the fear of God and never to look for help through any other means aside from the right way. We were working on a lot of projects like the birth

of his foundation, OJB Next Rated competition, a carnival-like 50th birthday celebration and songs like Sampori, The Night and Chinedu were already completed. The song, Chinedu happens to be a duet done by both of us. If I am not mistaken, Chinedu was the last song he did before his death”

I can’t quit music for my education — Lil Kesh F

ormer YBNL signee, Lil Kesh has asserted that it is okay to drop out of school to pursue music, if it a passion one really desires. Speaking in an interview with an Online YouTube Channel, the sensational performer said he is not ready to quit music for his education.

“I studied Linguistics at University of Lagos. I had to quit because it was difficult combining school with music. Now, I do an online course. If I quit music for my education, where will I get the money to pay my school fees? Everything goes hand in hand. I pay my school fees through the money I earn from playing music. I don’t think I want to quit music now for any reason,” he said.

He also revealed that he writes songs in the church occasionally. “I was more of a church boy growing up. I was pretty much around the choir. I played the drums most of the time. At times, I wrote songs in the church.”

Britain’s Got Talent winner unveils new song The name Ike Chuks may not be a big deal in the entertainment industry yet but the budding entertainer can thump his chest for his modest achievement beyond

the shores of the country. He is a member of Diversity, the dance group that won Britain’s Got Talent in 2009. The talented rapper cum singer ventured into music in 2011 when he released his debut single Play like play. For his new tune, he collaborates with the Jagagban sensation Ycee to deliver a brilliant music presentation. I dey hail is a song of gratitude that talks about his good, bad and ugly life experiences. The song is gradually enjoying airplays and downloads. It is produced by TwoSeven

Seyi Shay and her many goofs N

igerian singer, Seyi Shay has been in the news not only for her music exploits but also for her many blunders. It’s either she cannot mask her ignorance or she makes those blunders as a means to gaining attention. She got people laughing when she was asked to pronounce a word and pronounced it the wrong way. The Murda star in another interview was asked to mention the meaning of E.P which she called Electric Package. Her ability to make absurd statements came to the fore recently when her interview with Onstage TV surfaced online. In the viral interview, she credited Drake’s One Dance to Wizkid saying he wrote the song.

“It’s actually Wizkid’s song, its not Drake’s song. I don’t know if I can talk about this, but Wizkid wrote it, Legendary Beatz did the beat and some other Nigerian producers produced it as an Afrobeats song and they stripped a lot of the music away and just left the rhythm” she said in the interview.

Though she has since apologised to Wizkid saying she was wrongly informed, but industry observers are analysing the effect of these goofs on her brand.

C M Y K

28—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

AGN crisis deepens as Ibinabo’s loyalists disown caretaker committee •We can’t be held to ransom by anybody —Stakeholders •Disregard any caretaker committee —Emeka Ike

T

here may not be an end in sight following the crisis rocking the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) as the National Secretary of the guild under leadership of Ibinabo Fiberesima, Abubakar Yakub, has disowned the recently set up caretaker committee by a group better known as AGN stakeholders, insisting that Ibinabo remains the incumbent president of the guild.

Recall that the stakeholders at a recent congress in Awka, the Anambra State capital, set up a caretaker committee to be headed by Steve Eboh with notable actors as members.

They are Hakeem Rhaman (Vice Chairman), Renell Badejo (Secretary), Bob Emmanuel Udokwu (Adviser), Ochendo Mc Smith (PRO), Rita Tony Edochie (Member), Ernest Obi (Member), Vitalis Ndubisi (Member),a Zenith Abubarka (Member), Rita Daniels (Member) and Edith Irabor (member).The caretaker committee among other things is to supervise the affairs of the troubled guild and conduct fresh elections within three months.

But reacting in a statement he sent to HVP, Yakub disowned the Caretaker Committee.

According to him, the National Executive Committee of AGN received the news of setting up a Caretaker Committee to take over the Guild as a shock, adding that no group or stakeholders approached the guild’s NEC on the purported meeting. He frowned at the claims of the stakeholders, insisting that Ibinabo is still the incumbent president of the guild.

“Also our State Executive Committees were not aware of the purported meeting. Much as we would not like to respond to the resolution of the said stakeholders meeting which looks like a child’s play to us, we need to set the records straight for avoidance of doubt by our teeming members and the general public,” he added.

Yakub maintained that Ibinabo remains the only elected President of AGN. “The matter between St. Maradona Mclive Johnson and AGN which judgement was pronounced by the Justice T.S Tshoho of the Federal High Court Lagos on March 16, March 2015 is a subject of

C M Y K

•Ibinabo

•Steve

The National and States’ Executive Committees as well as committed members of AGN are not deterred, in the face of all these provocations coming from one particular section of the Actors Guild of Nigeria

appeal at the Federal Court of Appeal Lagos, no: Ca/l/498/16.

Until final judgement is given by the Supreme Court, if it takes us there, it will ever remain like that. Examples abound of how state governors were sacked by tribunals and even appeal courts but were never removed from office until Supreme Court gives it’s final judgment. Our States’ Executive Committees were not aware of the meeting including over 85% of State Chairmen across the country so the Chairmen that attended the said meeting did so on their individual capacity and not on behalf of their State AGN Chapters.”

“The National and States’

•Emeka

Executive Committees as well as committed members are not deterred, in the face of all these provocations coming from one particular section of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. The National President is not also moved by all these distractions as she remains focused and committed to the welfare and well being of our members.”

“She cannot be cowed out of office. We have respect for the rule of law and shall abide by the legal and constitutional process in order to entrench a lasting peace in our noble Guild. We urged our members to equally disregard the so called resolution which is aimed at satisfying the inordinate ambitions of disgruntled few in the guild.”

Meanwhile, the c o n c e r n e d stakeholders have reiterated their resolve to end the crisis rocking the guild, having directed all warring factions to withdraw all cases pending in court before 20th of July. “AGN cannot be held to ransom by anybody. All warring factions should withdraw thall matters in court before 20 of July,” the stakeholders ordered.

On the other hand, Emeka Ike has called on all members of AGN to disregard any peace committee set up by the stakeholders, declaring, “I have never set up or

constituted any such body as the only ‘National President’ now, nor have I any boisterous relationship with the said stakeholders. AGN has no more crisis.

Stop crying bereaved to start another crises, it has been properly resolved by a court of competent jurisdiction. Appeal

does not have anything to do with the given órder’ until revoked. The judgement remains sacrosanct and the only expendable currency as it were in AGN right now. We have you all in mind and are working with other associations such as PMAN to bring structure and accountability to the industry,” Emeka Ike said.

STAR SPOT

My critics are worst than me – Iheme Nancy

W

eeks after photos of Nollywood burgeoning actress, Iheme Nancy, popularly known as Paragon Beauty, went viral online, the delectable actress has come after her critics in a comment in which she said they are worst than what she had displayed through the photo.

To mark her birthday, Paragon Beauty had released slaying photos of herself, and it ended up having a trend online with so much criticism and •Nancy admiration from her fans and haters.

Since the release of those sexy and stunning photos, tongues had been let loose doing what it is known best for: wagging, even after the weird actress had issued a “send-nobody” reaction to her critics.

Describing the comments made by her critics as an empty rant of “a pot calling kettle black,” she went further to urge them to be original with their lives than living in the shadows of “what people would say.”

Interestingly, while some of her fans and followers condemned the slaying photos, her ardent admirers who, however, understand her style, appreciated her uniqueness and originality towards life affairs.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016 — 29

Juliet Ibrahim

True acting is fading away in Nollywood, laments Majid Michel

ups the ante!

G

By Juliet Ebirim

T

op Ghanaian actor, Majid Michel, is arguably one of the most talented actors in Africa. From his good boy roles t o his bad boy roles in movies, Michel is always an entertaining character to watch on screen. The movie star recently bemoaned the dearth of the good of acting in Nollywood. He attributed the ugly trend to the current focus of film makers on equipment than talent. The actor revealed this at a movie release party held last week in Lagos.

While speaking about his experience featuring in Nollywood movies, the movie star bemoaned the fact that the Nigerian movie industry is fast losing its art due to its focus on equipment.

“What I really don’t like that’s happening in the industry is that they are putting more focus on equipment, lighting and cameras than the act of acting itself. So, they are losing their art and focusing on putting more passion on the technical part. Therefore, true acting is fading away in Nollywood,” he lamented.

The award-winning actor has starred in a lot of Nollywood movies including Being Mrs Elliot, Knocking on Heaven’s Door, Bursting Out, Forgetting June, 30 Days in Atlanta,The Department, among others.

•Majid

HANAIAN actress, Juliet Ibrahim is about to up the ante. The curvy actress, who is known for her head-turning red carpet looks is set to unveil her very own lashes and lipstick line.

Those in the know confirmed that while this is her first make up line, it is not the first beauty venture for the entrepreneur who already runs a fashion house, House of Glamour.

Juliet will be launching two products; *Juliet Ibrahim the Juliet Ibrahim’s Moda Lipstick line and Shades by Juliet Ibrahim lashes line.

T h e eyelash extensions, according to Juliet’s publicist, will feature three different versions; Mink fur, 3D lashes and Horse hair lashes. “It’s reusable, very comfortable even with extended wear and feels 100 per cent natural,” said Juliet’s publicist.

“While the hotly lashes line is already selling, the lipsticks which will be in different shades will hit the shelves soon and you will get to experience all the beautiful hues she loves wearing and more,” the reps added.

Why I’m fighting ‘fibroids’ with film – Leilani

By Chioma Obinna

E

xecutive Director an d ho st of Conversation wi th NKMolina healthcare in the United States, Leilani I f e o m a Ogujiofor, is ch am pio nin g a cause that will bring smile to the fac es of ma ny wo me n. Th e me dia personality was recently •Leilani in the cou ntr y to sho ot he r up co mi ng film Overcoming Fibroids”, , film wh ich sh e wa nts a awareness of treatment opto us e to bri ng gre ate r tio ns for women suffering from the debilitating sym pto She’s producing the film ms of fibroid. which she explained will

be in two parts, in partne maker, Ike Nnabue. The rship with a film on her experience with two parts, a film do cu me nta ry wh ich wi Fibroids and a plights of over 70 percent ll foc us on the of African women suffering fibroids.

Speaking at a recent pre said she wants to use he ss parley, Ifeoma r own experience to em po we r wo me n an government and corporate d tal k to the about the adverse effects world in Nigeria “We are ver y pleased toof Fibroids. with The Fibroids Project be partnering to educate and empower to aid its mission informed decisions abouwomen to make fibroids,” said Ifeoma, t treating their the convener of Overcoming Fibroid.

“Many women may no there are other, less inv t be aware that options that do not involvasive treatment removing the uterus, as e damaging or is the case with hy ste rec tom y,” sh e co nti nu ed .

Hysterectomy is the most com mo n surgical procedure for fibroids, bu would prefer to avoid thet many women times and body-changin long recovery g effect of such surgery.

My Breathless Experience – Uti Nwachukwu tar actor, Uti Nwachukwu, has disclosed that he enjoyed every moment S he spent on locations where the soon-to-be released movie, Breathless, was shot. The ex-Big Brother Africa winner and Jara co-anchor said he chose to feature in the movie because of its remarkable storyline and the brains behind it.The movie, which has the potential of a blockbuster, has already earned nominations at two prestigious African movie awards.

Breathless, through Mike Ezuruonye’s role, got a nomination for Best Actor Drama (TV/Series) at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), while Nwachukwu, was nominated for the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

“I like to keep a reputation that when people see me in a movie, they will just have an instant feeling that it’s worth it. So I am very selective to give my fans the best. From the first day I saw the script, I fell in love with it. I love scripts that are not conventional; Breathless is in that class,” he said. The actor added that he was thrilled when he saw the cast and crew of the movie. Breathless, which also stars Bimbo Manuel, Mike Ezuruonye, Brycee Bassey, Bobby Michaels and John Njamah, tells a story of the murder of an asthmatic lady in the beach house of her boss.

•Uti Nwachukwu

* Actress Ufuoma dancing along with Kcee, Harrysong at the event at the event

Night of stars as ‘Bloodlines’ hits the cinemas

By Juliet Ebirim

T

HE highly anticipated release party of the blockbuster movie ‘Bloodlines’ held last Thursday at the prestigious Civic Centre, Lagos, amidst pomp and glamour. The event had a host of Nollywood stars in attendance including Stephanie Linus and her husband Linus Idahosa, Omoni Oboli, Ufuoma McDermott, Majid Michel, Frank Artus, Iyabo Ojo, Paul Obazele, Nuella Njubigbo, Ruth Kadiri, Yvonne Jegede, to mention a few.

‘Bloodlines’ Release Party was anchored by the pioneer of Nigerian comedy, Ali Baba.

Nigerian music superstars Phyno, Kcee and Harrisong treated guests to scintillating performances. Top comedian, AY and fast rising comedian Mr Hilarious, formerly known as SkooBoi also thrilled the audience to ribcracking jokes. Sen. Ben Murray Bruce was the special guest of honour at the event. Speaking at the event, the Executive Producer of the movie, Engr Walter Ojimba said “Our goal is to use African stories to produce films for the international market. Films that can compete worldwide and place African cinema positively in the global film market”. The Director of the movie, Pascal Atuma added “This is just a rehearsal party, we are still warming up, the real game will start soon by God’s grace.

Craigwal Group and The Atuma Brothers International Company (TABIC) will continue to do our best with our partners till we bridge the gap between Hollywood and Nollywood completely”. A Pascal Atuma Film, “Blood Lines” is about a mid-level African American gangster, Stanley, whose chance meeting with the beautiful Lily, causes him to risk everything just to be with her. Instantly smitten with Lily, Stanley pursues this woman who has captivated his imagination.

30—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

Personalized virtual heart predicts risk of sudden cardiac death

A

n interdisciplinary Johns Hopkins University team has developed a non-invasive 3D virtual heart assessment tool to help doctors determine whether a particular patient faces the highest risk of a life-threatening arrhythmia and would benefit most from a defibrillator implant. In a proof-ofconcept study published in the online journal Nature Communications, the team reported that its new digital approach yielded more accurate predictions than the blood pumping measurement now used by most physicians.

“Our virtual heart test significantly outperformed several existing clinical metrics in predicting future arrhythmic events,” said Natalia Trayanova, the university’s inaugural Murray B. Sachs Professor of Biomedical Engineering. “This non-invasive and personalized virtual heart-risk assessment could help prevent sudden cardiac deaths and allow patients who are not at risk to avoid unnecessary defibrillator implantations.”

For this landmark study, Trayanova’s team formed its predictions by using the distinctive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) records of patients who had survived a heart attack but were left with damaged cardiac tissue that predisposes the heart to deadly arrhythmias. The research was a blinded study, meaning that the

team members did not know until afterward how closely their forecasts matched what happened to the patients in real life. This study involved data from 41 patients who had survived a heart attack and had an ejection fraction—a measure of how much blood is being pumped out of the heart—of less than 35 percent.

The Johns Hopkins team used preimplant MRI scans of the recipients’ hearts to build patient-specific digital replicas of the organs. Using computer-modeling techniques developed in Trayanova’s lab, the geometrical replica of each patient’s heart was brought to life by incorporating representations of the electrical processes in the cardiac cells and the communication among cells.

In some cases, the virtual heart developed an arrhythmia, and in others it did not.

The result, a non-invasive way to gauge the risk of sudden cardiac death due to arrhythmia, was dubbed VARP, short for virtual-heart arrhythmia risk predictor. The method allowed the researchers to factor in the geometry of the patient’s heart, the way electrical waves move through it and the impact of scar tissue left by the earlier heart attack.

Patients who tested positive for arrhythmia

risk by VARP were four times more likely to develop arrhythmia than those who tested negative.

Furthermore, VARP predicted arrhythmia occurrence in patients four-to-five times better than the ejection fraction and other existing clinical risk predictors, both non-invasive and invasive.

“We demonstrated that VARP is better than any other arrhythmia prediction method that is out there,” Trayanova said. “By accurately predicting which patients are at risk of sudden cardiac death, the VARP approach will provide the doctors with a tool to identify those patients who truly need the costly implantable device, and those for whom the device would not provide any lifesaving benefits.”

Five new bowel cancer genes identified

A

landmark study has given the most detailed picture yet of the genetics of bowel cancer. Five new potential genes which appear to cause the disease when mutated have been discovered by experts.

Despite happening in a very low number of cases, scientists from The Institute of Cancer Research, London, believe the findings may help them find new treatments for the cancer.

The disease is the third most common cancer in the world, with around 1.4 million new cases diagnosed globally each year.

The new research examined all the genes from more than 1,000 people with bowel cancer and is the largest of its type ever conducted.

Further research is needed to confirm these links as the mutations were very rare - each being linked to only a handful of cases.

The study, largely funded by Cancer Research UK, also concluded the major genes which greatly increase the risk of bowel cancer have now almost certainly been found.

Researchers found that added together, all the discovered variants in

the known bowel cancer genes accounted for less than a third of familial cases.

The rest of the familial cases must therefore be caused largely by minor DNA variations that in combination add up to increase risk, with environmental factors also contributing, the study found.

For an individual person, the risk of developing bowel cancer comes from a mix of inherited risks through their genes and environment, often caused by non-genetic factors such as lifestyle.

Drinking coffee protects the liver from deadly disease D

rinking coffee protects the liver against a number of diseases, a major report has concluded. Until recently, experts warned against having more than a few cups of coffee a day for fear it might cause cancer, but its medical rehabilitation is well under way. Last week the World Health Organisation withdrew its previous warnings on the

link between coffee and bladder cancer, and instead said the drink could, in fact, help protect against certain cancers that affect the womb and liver.

The British Liver Trust adds to the growing weight of evidence around the health benefits of drinking coffee, publishing an 83-page report summarising all existing research on the subject.

It concludes that coffee protects against fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis and liver cirrhosis – all severe

of liver disease in the UK and the numbers affected are growing at an alarming rate.’ Liver disease is the third biggest cause of premature death in the UK, and one of the fastest growing – the rate of death has increased by almost 500 per cent since 1970.

Many cases of liver disease are caused by alcohol, but Britain’s growing obesity crisis means increasing numbers are at risk of developing potentially fatal fatty liver disease.

Herbs help reduce menopause symptoms ome plant-based therapies, including supplements S with compounds found in soybeans, may help reduce symptoms of menopause, according to a new review of relevant research.

The researchers analyzed information from 62 previous studies that together included more than 6,600 women. In these studies, the women took

either a planted-based therapy, such as a supplement or herbal remedy, or a placebo to treat symptoms of menopause. The plant-based therapies included a class of compounds called phytoestrogens, which are found in certain foods, like soybeans.

They looked to see whether the plant-based therapies reduced symptoms of

menopause, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness and night sweats.

Overall, women who took phytoestrogens had about one fewer hot flash per day, and also had lower scores on a measure of vaginal dryness, compared with women who took a placebo. This benefit was seen regardless of whether the phytoestrogens were found

conditions which can be fatal.

And for those who already have liver disease, drinking coffee can slow its progression.

Professor Graeme Alexander, a liver expert at Cambridge University Hospitals, said: ‘At last, physicians have found a lifestyle habit that is good for your liver.

‘The evidence in this report shows that drinking coffee can protect you from developing liver disease and, in addition, reduces the risk of progressive disease for those already affected. ‘We have an epidemic

in foods, like soy protein, or supplements, like those with extracts from soy, the researchers said. However, phytoestrogens did not reduce the number of night sweats that women experienced.

Phytoestrogens may help with symptoms of menopause because these compounds are similar in

structure to the hormone estrogen. The researchers also found that some herbal remedies were linked with a reduced number of daily hot flashes.

These remedies include ERr 731, an extract from the plant species Rheum rhaponticum, and pycnogenol, an extract from pine bark. However, not many studies tested these particular remedies, so more research is needed to better determine how well they work in reducing menopausal symptoms, the researchers said.

SATURDAY

D

Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016—31

Lifeline

onor eggs and sperms are a vital aspect of Assisted Reproductive Technology(ART), particularly Invitro Fertilisation(IVF). In this piece by Dr Emmanuel Owie, a consultant gynaecologist and fertility physician with The Bridge Clinic, Lagos, gives insight into immediate and long term issues related to egg and sperm donation in infertility treatment.

•The doctor and the medical team at work

Once delivered a paper on the issue of egg and sperm donation at a forum where I posited that it is the summit of love sharing between the living. At the end of my presentation, a few members of the audience asked the usual questions how safe and prevalent this practice is and how God will view the practice. I answered their questions as they are more routine than not and once I got down from the podium, I thought that was the end of my presentation. I also thought I sold the audience on the issue. I was utterly wrong.

At the social networking event that followed the presentation, a mammoth crowd formed around me, challenging my call for egg and sperm donation. What is interesting is that the issues they raised at the networking event were not raised during the actual presentation event. From their positions, I saw some misconception and misunderstanding of the issues, especially as it borders around social, health, religious, ethical concerns. Another interesting thing the experience showed me is that people do not always want to discuss the issue in public. When they do discuss, they give what is child, he or she would understand the full import of the gift of children. While technology and drugs could assist couples with fertility challenges have their own children, some couples cannot achieve conception unless with Maternity donor eggs and/or sperms. controversies These are the couples who make the distress calls for egg and are less sperm donations. common than Our society has defined childbearing as the first and paternity foremost charge of God and the cases raison d’être for marriage, unfortunately. Childbearing has society—how will the society been elevated to be the see and treat the child born biggest measure of with a donated egg or success of couples in sperm? this clime, and any I must confess this is one childless couple are of the most potent looked with pity challenges people have in irrespective of their donating or receiving eggs material or other and sperms in the treatment successes. It is this of fertility challenges. It is culture that places not difficult to understand childless couples in these concerns in this part distress situation, a call of the world where you will not make to succession is not based on your enemy. If you have acknowledgement of, but on experienced infertility or Just like blood donation, egg and biological relationship with, the child. produce sperms daily and sperm has seen someone going through sperm donation is an expression of The issue is compounded by donation does not hamper this this challenge, you will understand our very human nature, being our inheritance issues and the increasing production process or inhibit the how egg and sperm donation is a ‘brother’s keeper’.

We are encouraged deployment of DNA testing in settling man’s sexual experience. humanitarian response to the to assist others who are in need in paternity claims.

The biggest religious and ethical distress call of our neighbours and This DNA deployment is one reason issues with egg and sperm donation, ways we can and egg and sperm the summit of our contribution to donor sperms are less readily accepted as with the donation of other human donation could be a way of assisting our infertile brothers and sisters who humanity. than donor eggs. Maternity tissues, border around the issues of In this World Infertility Month, a are in need of having their own controversies are less common than compensation, human dignity, free period to move the issues that paternity cases because inheritance is and informed consent, and adequate children. In the same way we donate pertain to infertility to the front blood to our relatives, friends, mostly done along patrilineal lines and post-procedure care for both the burner of the world’s discourse, it accident victims we hardly knew, and the proof of pregnancy almost always donor and the recipient. settles maternity doubts. It is ironical Responsible egg and sperm donation to even blood banks for use by people would be good for us as individuals we may never know, are all part of our and as a nation to adopt the that such concerns persist here where process fully provides for these there has been no known case in concerns to the extent that ethicists, social expectations as members of the practice of egg and sperm donation.

We should promote sperm and egg Nigeria that someone born with a not only recommend, but also extol, human society, egg and sperm donation is also a response to societal banks, in the same manner we donor sperm has been denied the practice. promote blood banks, so couples in inheritance or succession.

Generally, egg and sperm donation call and a commendable activity.

While blood donation helps maintain need of these gametes could have On the health grounds, egg or sperm is no different from blood donation, ready access to them as and when the lives of people in dire need of it, donation is medically safe. Medicine apart from the differences in the they need them. Luckily, a fertility egg and sperm donation not only has shown that a woman is born with donation process. Of the three clinic in Nigeria recently enlivens the lives of people weighed approximately two million immature tissues, egg donation has the more announced the birth of a baby from eggs and a vast majority of these eggs robust process, requiring a regimen down by the burden of infertility, it a frozen egg, a feat that never also helps in the creation of new will die through a process known as of injections over a period of time. atresia. Of this number, only about Sperm donation, on the other hand, lives—God’s greatest gifts to humanity. happened in Nigeria before now; If one takes a look at the joy that flows and is now offering the egg 400 eggs will ever mature naturally. has the simplest process that could into families that have battled infertility freezing service to Nigerians.

Egg donation does not impact this last less than five minutes to for a long time at the birth of their own Please answer the distress call. number. Men, on the other hand conclude. generally regarded as ‘official positions’ and not what they really feel.

A major concern that was recurrent in this discussion was that of genetics: who owns the baby? An elderly man who first came to me asked me straight away whose baby will it be if he donates his sperm to a woman and she gets pregnant and eventually delivers a baby?

Whose child would he see the baby as—his or the ‘foster’ father’s? This line of questioning was extended to the level of the

•Egg or sperm donation is medically safe...

Answering a distress call through egg and sperm donation

32—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

Patricia Lions Club 404B1 opens e eyye care centre in Nigerian hooks English Dean Badagr Badagryy

T

he International Association of Lions Club, district 404 B1, Nigeria, led by Lion Omolola Anobili, the District Governor has fulfilled its promise of building an eye care centre in Badagry. The commissioning of the centre held last Saturday at the Badagry General Hospital. Dr.( Mrs) Olufunmilayo Shokunbi, the Director, Blindness Prevention Programme, Lagos State Ministry of Health, who r e p r e s e n t e d commissioner of Health, Dr Olawale Idriscommissioned the centre.Photos by Diran Oshe

P

atricia Ngozi Ashiedu, daughter of late Patrick Okonpu Ashiedu of Idumu Nwaoji Ogbenkenu Quarters, Onicha-Olona, Aniocha North of Delta State has been swept off her feet by Dean Joseph Barber, an Englishman from Gosforth, Seascale Cumbria, England into matrimonial bliss.

Before their families and friends, the couple exchanged their nuptial vows on May 21, 2016 at St Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos.

L- R: Lion Yeye Stella Agbogun , Multiple Council Chairperson (MD 404. Nig), Dr ( Mrs) Olufunmilayo Shokunbi, the Director, Blindness Prevention Programme, Lagos State Ministry of Health, representing Commissioner of Health, the Chief Host, LIon Idowu Omolola Anobili , District Governor ( District 404B1 Nigeria), High Chief Mobee of Badagry Kingdom, representing Oba Akran of Badagry, Alhaji Abdulganiu Adediji, Past DG, 404B1 Lion Club, Chief (Dr) Olusola Dada and Dr. (Mrs) Funke Adebajo, District.

Governor, 404B2

The couple, Dean and Patricia Barber with Rev. Fr. Felix Onemheghie.

Dr ( Mrs) Olufunmilayo Shokunbi; commisioning the Eye Care Centre, with Lion Idowu Omolola Anobili , District Governor, District 404B1 Nigeria (L) and Dr. Aihonsu Opeyemi, Chief Medicial Director, Badagry General Hospital (R)

L- R: Dr ( Mrs) Olufunmilayo Shokunbi, LIon Idowu Omolola Anobili , Hon. Ibrahim Olarewaju, and High Chief Mobee of Badagry Kingdom

The couple, Dean and Patricia Barber in traditional attires.

L- R: LIon Idowu Omolola Anobili, Dr Olusola Dada and Lion Yeye Stella Agbogun.

L- R: Dr. Aihonsu Opeyemi, Engr. Lion Jaye Balogun and High Chief Mobee of Badagry Kingdom.

DESOP ADEC’s boss giv es daught er in w edloc k DESOPADEC’s gives daughter wedloc edlock

C

hief William Makinde, Managing Director of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has given out his daughter in marriage. The traditional marriage held at Oghara, Delta State recently. Photos by Nath Onojake .

L-R: Funsho Bello, groom, Winnie Makinde, bride, Gov Ifeanyi Okowa, Olorogun William Makinde, bride's father and Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly.

L-R: Mr. Norbert Chiazor, NUJ Chairman,Delta State, Chief Askia Ogieh, Chief Amos Itiwhe, Hon.Erhatake Ibori and Hon. Chris Ochor Ochor

L-R: Bride’s mother, Victoria Ashiedu, the couple and bride’s uncle, Mr Nsaka

L-R: Carmen L. Barber, Olwen F. Barrow, the couple and Paul Campbell

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016—33

34 —SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016—35

BRIEFS Residents hail Ambode over repair of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway

Bizzare: Mother of three flee over circumcision threat •Family says it may cause sudden death whereaabout is unknown while her mother was unhappy about the development.

When Saturday Vanguard or refusing to get her visited the family, Madam children circumcised, a Celestina said she was not in mother of three, Mrs support of the tradition and had Victoria Ijeoma Akinsanya has reported the matter to been forced to abscond her Festac appropriate authorities. town, Lagos residence to an Also, speaking, Ifeanyi said unknown destination. problem started on April 2nd, Not only that, her younger when some elderly women in brother Njoku Ifeanyi was beaten the family visited their home by hoodlums while their aged over circumcision but they mother Mrs Celestina Njoku now were warned by Celestina to lives in fear. stop further process and this Victoria hails from Imo State generated a heated argument. but her in-laws are from Itoko in He said, “The visiting family Abeokuta, Ogun State. It is the members left in annoyance, and custom of the family of Akinsanya on the same day when I was to initiate their male child and going out, I was attacked by circumcise the female child. some hoodlums but I retaliated Family source told Saturday and it took the efforts of some Vanguard that failure to carry out passers-by to quell the these rites may cause deaths and incident,” premature deaths in the family.

Mrs Celestina said she was Unknown to Victoria, some old of the opinion that the culprits women suspected to be members of were from her in-laws because •Mrs Victoria Ijeoma Akinsanya visited to carry out the Akinsanya there had been several attacks rites but met the ire of Victoria. on her daughter Mrs Victoria Family members at various times It was gathered that the Ijeoma Akinsanya before she visited and appealed to the Njokus Akinsanya family said it is a absconded, “but the husband’s who lived at Akinbami area of taboo for any member of their Festac town, to get Victoria and her family to remain uncircumcised family has denied this. “ Confirmed the incident but children circumcised according to and as a result, Victoria and her added that Ojo Police Station their tradition. children risk ancestral and they said the matter is still But the appeal fell on deaf ears problems for disobeying their under investigation. as Victoria and her children took deity. to their heels for safety.

Presently Victoria’s

BY BOSE ADELAJA

F

Building collapse: Lagos serves quit notices to owners of 13 distressed buildings in Ajegunle, others

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

A

s respite seems to come the way of residents and motorists along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway and the Odunlade and Fadipe Streets, Somolu, Local Government Area, which were always prone to flooding during rainy encomiums have started pouring in for Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for his swift action.

The residents hailed the governor for keeping to his promise of repairing the failed portions of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, saying that the development has transformed the economic landscape of the axis.

Ambode, had about five weeks ago, made an unscheduled inspection of the road while returning from a function, where he expressed dissatisfaction at the deplorable state of some portions of the road.

The governor not only directed officials of the Ministry of Works to immediately move to site, but also ordered that an immediate palliative measure be put in place to alleviate the sufferings of motorists who have been complaining about the deplorable state of the road through various means. The governor had specifically stressed that he could not afford to ignore the road due to its strategic importance to the economy of the state.

A total of 4klm was repaired on the long stretch of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway between Berlett, Ilasa and Cele Bus stops inward Oshodi. The blocked drainage which caused damage to the road was repaired while work is currently ongoing on the service lane of the road.

Flood abatement: Clean your water channels, govt orders ...as state holds sanitation exercise today

by the level of flooding in some parts of Worried th

e state, Lagos State Government has stressed the need for residents to cultivate the habit of cleaning the drainage and water channels in their areas to allow for free flow of water, thereby, preventing flooding as the rainfall intensifies.

Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, made the remark, while announcing enforcement of restriction of movement order for this Saturday, end of the month Environmental Sanitation Exercise, often observed state-wide between the usual hours of 7:00am10.00am.

Adejare, who declared that today’s exercise would be dedicated to cleaning of drains and canals across the state, implored residents to participate actively, during the exercise in order to continually prevent flooding in the state. Adejare who warned that the period of environmental sanitation should not be used for any social engagement or sporting activities, but for serious cleaning and sanitation exercises, stressed, “As we are all aware, Lagos is a Coastal City that has high water table levels and prone to flash-floods whenever it rains. We must therefore imbibe habits which will reduce to the barest minimum the incidence of flooding in the state.”

He said that the target of the state this year was to sustain past record of flood abatement, thus, making it possible for the state not to experience flooding as in the past years, adding that, “this can only be achieved through effective collaboration of the people.”

The commissioner therefore, advised residents to desist from dumping waste arbitrarily into the drainage and other water channels in order to maintain a flood-free Lagos.

Water regulations is necessary to save lives —LASWA

A

s part of measures to prevent building collapse, Lagos State Government through its agency, Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Authority, LASPEMA, has issued contravention notices to owners and occupants of 13 identified distressed buildings in Ajegunle and some other parts of Ifelodun Local Council Development Area of the state to vacate the buildings.

LASPEMA, led by its Acting General Manager, Engineer Olanrewaju Kazeem, gave out the contravention notices during an inspection tour of the affected

Stories by Olasunkanmi Akoni

O

Buildings like this are likely to collapse any time council area. Kazeem decried the inhabitable state of the marked buildings in the area which are already structurally unstable.

According to him, such buildings are not

befitting of the status of the state in addition to the dangers they pose to their inhabitants and neighbours. He added that the defaulters of such buildings had

been issued 48 hours contravention notices to comply, while further compliance monitoring was recommended in some other cases.

perational regulations and standard being introduced for operators is to further ensure safety of lives as well as improve quality of water transportation on the state waterways, Lagos State Government has said.

It will be recalled that some water transport operators recently, protested over what they called “over-charge” on operational levies by an agency of the state government.

Managing Director, Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, Engr. Abisola Kamson, while reacting to the allegation yesterday, explained that efforts are ongoing to effectively regulate operational activities with a view to ensuring safety of lives and strict adherence to guidelines on waterways. Kamson stressed that the state jetties would soon undergo upgrading. Her words: “While taking stock of operational activities at Jetties, breaches were identified and needed to be addressed. Concerned parties have been communicated with and directed to comply.”

Kamson while emphasizing that it is the responsibility of government to ensure compliance through enforcement, said, “Subsequently, rehabilitation and improvements of jetties will be carried out where necessary. We therefore take exception to any attempt by individuals serving their personal interest in their attempt to blackmail government.”

36—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

By Esther Onyegbula

W

hen 39-year-old Chike Jesse Nwankwo secured a job with Addax Petroleum Development (Nig.) Ltd, as a protocol officer 14 years ago, his joy knew no bounds. However, he did not know that fate had other things in stock for him.

His promising life took a different turn on March 13, 2013 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, after he was shot by a gang of armed robbers while on official duty. The daredevils were operating in a bureau de change near the airport.

Narrating how his life changed in a twinkle of an eye, Mr Nwankwo told Crime Guard: “I was immediately rushed to Reddington Hospital, Lagos Island where they performed the first surgery on my broken left thigh. The hospital did an implant on my thigh. After spending about 10 days at the hospital, I was discharged. Addax Petroleum Development (Nig.) Ltd took care of the medical bills. The company spent about N3 million for the initial surgery.

Lamentations of robbery victim •I was abandoned by my employers •We did our best and ready to do more –Employer

Medical trip to India “It was family members, friends, and colleagues who came to my rescue, contributing their widow’s mite to assist me travel to India for the third surgery, which was carried out in August 2015. During the period I was soliciting for $10,000 for the surgery in Fortis Hospital in India, the Head of Department (HOD), Addax Petroleum called to inform me that the company has decided to assist with two business flight tickets and $5,000 which they never fulfilled after collecting bank details of the hospital and writing to the management of Fortis Hospital behind my back to verify my claims.

Contact with my lawyer “They asked my lawyer to write a letter acknowledging their efforts so far and what they intend to do in the future. After going through their letter, my lawyer declined because its intent weren’t clear. They refused to assist even with the initial $5,000 they promised. After several correspondences to both Addax Petroleum and Lington and Bernie, Lington and Bernie called seven months after I returned from India to say that the company was working on modalities on how to assist me. But they ended up doing nothing. Sincerely, I am tired of the company’s attitude towards me. I served the company to the best of my ability for 11 years, yet they have abandoned me in my hour of need. With my present condition, no company will employ me. I can’t pay my children’s school fees. I can’t pay my house rent.

Worst is the fact that in a few years’ time, I will have to undergo another surgery to remove the implant, and that is another cause to worry.

Experience at the hospital “Two days after I was discharged from the hospital, I started having severe pains and I had to go back to the hospital.

That was when the issue of contract staff cropped up. Addax Petroleum, my primary employer said that Lington and Bernie (secondary employer) should be responsible for my medical treatment from then on.

When I got to the hospital, I was abandoned till late in the night when Lington and Bernie sent an ambulance that took me to Eko Hospital in Ikeja. When I got there, there was no room, no bed. I was laid on a stretcher till 5am when they made a room available for me. That morning before the doctor came, they did X-ray on my leg to find out what was causing me so much pain. The company said that a doctor in Eko Hospital will follow up on my leg till I got well. Unfortunately, I started putting on weight when it wasn’t yet time. Even when I was complaining that I was feeling so much pain, the doctor said it was one of the issues associated with my kind of surgery, and normal treatment continued.

Back to work but ...

“As God would have it, I resumed work in October 2013.

I stopped using clutches and started using walking stick. I worked from October till June 2014. On that fateful day, I was okay when I went to work but later in the day, I started feeling severe pain different from the usual pain. The pain got so bad that when I closed for the day, I couldn’t help myself to the staff bus. My colleagues had to help me into the staff bus. The next day, I couldn’t go to work because of the pains. I called my supervisor and explained to him and then went to Eko Hospital for X-ray to know what the problem was. The result of the X-ray revealed that the bone had been fractured again, and the implant broken. It was at that point that I went to National Orthopaedic Hospital,

while I was on sick bed. Neither of the companies responded to the first and second letters.

In the past “Before the robbery incident, one of my bosses rammed into a vehicle and the accident affected the female occupant’s spinal cord. The company flew the victim and a family member overseas for her surgery, took care of her medical bills and accommodation for six months and when she returned, they bought her a brand new car after fixing the damaged one, which was also returned to her.

How come my life has no value to them after working diligently for 11 years? I am, therefore, demanding that the company pay N100 million compensation for all that I have been subjected to,” he stated.

•Jesse Nwankwo Igbobi, Lagos. I carried the company management along in every step of the way. After due consultations with the company, they agreed that one of the consultants at Igbobi (name with held) should carry out the second surgery which was done on June 20, 2014. A month after the second surgery, there was no relief and the screw of the implant on my thigh were pulling out and affecting my flesh. When I complained about the development to the doctors, they did casting, put POP, yet the problem continued. At a point, the doctor said I would have to undergo another surgery. I wept bitterly, as two surgeries had failed. And, how would I raise money for the third surgery and what were the chances

of the third one being successful?

Throughout this period, the company was still paying my basic salary and also footing the medical bills.

Retrenchment “As if fate had not dealt me enough hard punches, in Febuary 2015, I was retrenched alongside some other staff members. I was paid one month basic salary and laid off while still searching for how to raise money for the third surgery. After the retrenchment, I put up a letter of appeal to Addax Petroleum and Lington and Bernie to enable them assist me with funds to travel outside the country for the third surgery, considering the fact that the previous two surgeries done in Nigeria failed and I was sacked

Company reacts Reacting to Chike Jesse Nwankwo’s claims, the Administrative Manager, Lington and Bernie, Mrs Olufolake Fawehinmi said that the company paid for two surgeries and is working out modalities to assist him. According to her, “my concern is that Jesse went to the press. What is he trying to do?

Right now, as I am speaking with you, his case is still on my system.

There are conversations going on between the company and him, so what is he talking about? Right now, I am on it. We have not abandoned him; we have assisted him in the past and we approved some millions of naira for him, which he refused to collect. We asked him to come to the office to sign some documents, but he declined. And now, he is complaining here and there.

Thanks for reaching out to us and getting our own side of the story.”

SATURDAY

•Adanna...Missing child

•Kansimyochukwu...Missing child

Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016—37

•Vanguard staff, Tochukwu Ihieme ( with matchet cut )

Unknown gun men attack family, disappear with 2 kids in Imo State

By Evelyn Usman

T

he serenity of the sleepy Ezeohan village in OwerriNworji community of Nkwere Local Government Area of Imo state was truncated Thursday by the squeaky voice of Mrs Queen Ihieme, following the invasion of her home by some gunmen.

Time was 1.35am. At first, no one dared to come out to ascertain the cause of the frantic cry.

But when the dust settled, the mother of two was found unconscious in the pool of her blood. Another man with her later discovered to be her brother in-law, Tochukwu Ihieme, a member of staff of Vanguard Media limited, was also soaked with blood. They were too stunned to tell bewildered sympathisers what transpired.

After some interminable minutes, Tochukwu Ihieme regained consciousness and revealed to the astonishment of all that some gunmen stormed the apartment and went away with his brother ’s two children of ages one and two respectively.

How they struck The gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, were three. They were said to have forced their way in through the back door. By then, Tochukwu Ihieme, who came visiting the previous day, woke up

*Police in frantic search for missing kids following the disturbing sounds, only to be hit with a matchete by one of the intruders.

Narrating his ordeal to Crime Guard, the Vanguard staff said: “I am from Anambra state but my younger brother , Nnamdi Ihieme, resides in Imo state with his family. My aged parents were with him. I travelled to his place to enable me take my parents who were sick to the hospital in Imo state and then go back to my base in Anambra. That fateful day, I went to the bank to withdraw N20, 000 with which I bought food stuff which my parents were to take back to Anambra state. We intended travelling the next day.

machete and axe. The third one even threatened to shoot me if I made any effort to fight them.

They even matcheted my brother’s wife . At the end, they went away with my brother’s two children...” at this juncture, he held his head groaning in pain..

While Tochukwu was discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment, same could not be said of Mrs Queen Ihieme who was still on admission a week after the incident. Her distraught husband, who was at work when the incident happened, rushed home after a concerned neighbour broke the sad news to him.

Our ordeal “But the planned journey was foiled following the invasion of the house by three men. One of them held a gun; another was with an axe while the third one was with cutlass. Immediately I woke up to ascertain where the disturbing noise was coming from, they pointed their torchlight at me and at the same time hit me with a machete and asked ‘ where is the money?’

They did not even give me any room to respond. Rather, they started beating me with the

Husband laments Speaking with Crime Guard, he said: “I don’t know why this kind of fate has befallen me. I do not have problem with anyone that could have warranted such ill treatment on my innocent children. I do not know where they are at the moment. We have combed the entire neighbourhood and beyond without luck. This is the first time an incident of such would happen in my community. It was even after it occurred that I was informed

that a child was beheaded three days before this incident at Umudi community.

“My work usually takes me away for a week or more. I had to rush back after spending three days because of this heartrending news. My wife is still on admission owing to the deep machete cuts on her head. It is more disturbing because no one has called to demand for ransom for their release. Please, whoever is with my two-year and six months old Adanna and one year, six months old Kansimyochukwu , should have mercy on them and bring them back to us. We are not rich, we are barely managing to survive,” he said, calling on the Police to come to their rescue.

Police arrest some suspects Meanwhile, Crime Guard gathered that policemen had arrested owner of a local drinking joint where Tochukwu stopped to buy recharge card. In the process, a conversation ensued between him and some villagers who were unwinding at the joint, at the end of which he was said to have disclosed who he came to visit.

It was gathered that the owner of the place and his wife were later released . As at yesterday, Police sources hinted that investigation into the matter was still ongoing.

38—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

while Okute alone went and collected the balance of the money He gave me N60, 000 as my share.

Side-Mirror and I became angry with Okute. Two weeks later he came to Portharcourt with a Totota Corrolla and he asked us to watch over it but Side-Mirror made away with it and appealed to give him the balance from the five cars we took to Owerri, but he lied that he had not been paid.

A

n ex-police corporal, Christ Oboko, who is also a pastor and leader of a notorious robbery gang terrorizing Port Harcourt City, Rivers State, for a long time, has been arrested by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team, IRT. The suspect who was attached to a special criminal squad code named C4I, in Rivers State, was arrested alongside three others.

They were said to have confessed during interrogations of having stolen several vehicles, within Port Harcourt city, which they sold to buyers in Owerri, Imo State. Oboko who resides at Police Barack in Borokiri area of the city was said to be the gang’s armorer who provided the guns which the gang used in its operations. He also provided cover for them while moving the stolen vehicles to the buyers Police sources disclosed that members of his gang while terrorizing Porthcourt city enjoyed full protection from Oboko, who normally secured bail for them and defended them whenever they were arrested be the police. A police source disclosed that Oboko normally produced fake vehicle documents for each vehicle that was snatched and he also changed the vehicle engine and chassis numbers before transporting it to the buyer.

When Crime Guard interviewed Oboko, he confessed snatching eight vehicles and selling them to one Victor based in Owerri. 35year-old Oboko, who is a native of Onitcha Ugbo in Delta state lamented that his informant lured him into crime; “I am married with children and I reside at Police Barracks on Iche Street, Borokiri, Portharcourt. I joined the Nigeria Police Force in April 2003 and I have served at Boroki Police Division. From there I went to Special AntiRobbery Squad SARS before joining C4I. I started the business of car snatching in 2015 when I meet Amandi. He was he our informant and he lured me into robbery.

It all started when Amandi brought two vehicles and gave them to Victor Nwogu to sell. I met them during the negotiation and from there I offered to join them.

Our exploits

I robbed a Toyota Camry car at D-line area of Portharcourt we took the car to Victor in Owerri. I sold the car to victor for N200,000. Three of us were involved and I took N70,000 and gave Amandi and Kelvin the balance to share.

On the second operation, the three of us also went for it at D-line and we stole three Camry cars from the park. we took the vehicles to Victor in Owerri who he paid us N360, 000. I got N150, 000 as my share.

We also snatched a Toyota Corolla, from Elelanwan area with a gun and took the car to victor who paid N250,000. I took N80,000 as my share and I gave the rest to Amandi and Kelvin to share.

We also snatched a Toyota

•Victor

My encounter with Corporal Oboko

•Oboko

Ex-police corporal reveals exploits of his robbery gang •Says I don’t know what came over me •I’m resident pastor of Battle Axe Assembly

Two of my friends, who kidnapped a former local government Chairman in Bayelsa State brought two of the man’s cars to me to sell in Portharcourt, and when I was checking the cars in Nembe Waterside, Corporal Oboko and one of his colleagues confronted us and took the cars away from us. He didn’t take the cars to the station but converted the cars to his own use. Three months after, he saw me on the road and asked me to forgive him saying that he would like me to work with him. He took me to his boss at C4I and told him that I was highly resourceful and I can give them information about armed robbers operating within rivers state. His boss promised to reward me handsomely if I assisted them and I accepted. I gave them information that led to the arrest of big armed robbers and they recovered assorted arms and ammunition. I was rewarded as promised but after some month, Coporal Oboko called me and said that the car he took from him was giving him trouble and he needed another car and wanted me to get him a new car. I told him that I had stopped stealing cars since I started working with them, but he insisted and said that he would follow me to wherever I wanted to steal the car and would ensure that I was successful.

Robbery operations with Oboko

Spider at GRA, from its owner at gun point andvparked it inside Borokiri sand field. But before we arrived in the morning the car had been removed.

Aiding, abetting criminals I was always going to secure the release my gang members whenever they were arrested by the police and I don’t know what came over me. I am the resident Pastor of Battle Axe Assembly church at chuba Allo area of Portharcourt and I have a calling.

I just don’t know what pushed me to go and join Amandi in his evil business.

On his part, his partner in crime, Amandi, a 27-year-old native of Bayelsa State, opened up on their exploits too. He said; “I was a commercial bus driver before I went into robbery and I started by snatching cars. One of my friends, Kelvin, who we normally call SideMirror, a fellow commercial bus driver led me into my first gang headed by one Okute, who is from Edo State.

Side-Mirror and I were both drivers but he was always looking better and spending more money than me. When my wife became pregnant and I needed money to arrange for her delivery, and things were not working well for me, I approached Side-Mirror for assistance and he revealed that bus driving wasn’t the only job he did He took me to his boss, one Okute

at Diop area of Port harcourt area and since I was a good driver, I was accepted into the gang.

When I joined I discovered that Okute hasd several boys working for him . Whenever my boss wanted to go for an operation, he would come to our base at Market Junction in Portharcourt, and pick anyone he wanted to work with.

We stole five cars in one night operation

“I went to five operations with him and in our first operation we stole a Toyota Camry at Market Junction. My boss saw the car where it was parked and liked it, he then stole it in the night and took it to Owerri and gave it to one Kabiru a uniformed man. In my second operation, we stole five cars in one night. Three of us were involved in that operation and we first stole a white colored Toyota Corolla from Elekoyo Estate, Port Harcourt. We also stole two Nissan Sunny vehicles from Artillery area of Port harcourt as well as two Toyota Camry cars from D-line area of Portharcourt.

We parked all the cars at Diop and on the next day, we called Ifeanyi, an ex-policeman to assist us drive the cars to Owerri, and hand it over to Kabiru, who paid N500,000 for the two Camrys

We both went out on the first operation and we stole a Honda end of discussion. He then gave his father the old car and started riding the new one. He then he suggested that we should go for more robberies. He also established contact with a stolen vehicle receiver in Owerri, and we started stealing cars from their parks around Port harcourt at night.

We stole several cars and took them to the receiver in Owerri and we shared the proceeds equally. We were very close to the extent that when ever I was arrested my people would call him and he would come to the police station and tell them that I was his boy and I worked for C4I and the policemen would release me. At a point, Oboko said he was tired of operating at the dead of the night and he wanted to start using guns to snatch cars whenever he needed them. I thought he was joking but few days after he said this, he brought two pistols, which he claimed he bought. We did several operations together around Portharcourt, but at a point, Oboko started cheating me. After snatching a car he would take it to the receiver, sell it and refused to give me my share.

He also stopped carrying me along and was working with some other boys he knew through me.

Not long after then, I was arrested and I led the police to apprehend him.

Dear Aunty Julie, I am a 23-year-old lady with an issue that bothers me a lot. I feel invisible to most people and it has made me really suicidal and depressed. I feel that no one really wants to be friends with me and no one cares about me.

Recently, I went out with my friends and we took pictures but when I checked Instagram , I realized that they have posted the pictures of three of them without me!

It made me question our friendship in my mind. But I also feel like no one else cares either. It is always me who texts/call people for special occasions and when I don’t do it, people forget about me!

It made me think that I might have some mental problem, like social anxiety, depression, or something else! I’m really shy and get anxious in most social situations. To the point that I lose my energy so fast.

So I sometimes avoid social situations.

I was much better as a kid. I was still shy around some not-so-close relatives. But I was okay in most other places and sometimes, I was shy at first, but not so shy when people started to know me. I think it started getting worse after secondary school to the point that I can’t even look into people’s eyes when talking to them. I’m painfully shy and socially anxious, even around old friends that I sometimes meet on the street and usually, I don’t know how to start

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 25, 2016—39

juliecoker100@yahoo.com

Why do I seem invisible to people? conversations, how to hold a conversation and what to talk about.

I really feel jealous of loud and popular people who have lots of friends who care about them. But when I go to a social situation, I can’t be the real me. I can’t emotionally open up to people , I can’t be loud. Also, I’m really afraid of conflict, and I always try to be careful and not to do things that “might” bother people or make them uncomfortable.

What should I do about this?

Nneoma, Jos

My parents fight a lot Aunty Julie, I grew up to meet my parents fighting a lot . I think my dad beats my mum for no reason.

My mum cries everyday and I hate seeing her like that. It also affects me and my siblings psychologically. Sometimes, I feel like we are not like normal children or our family is different from other families. My social life is suffering and I fear I will grow up to be like my dad and a wife beater.

I feel so helpless.

Fabian, Lagos

Dear Fabian, That’s a terrible situation to be in.

You clearly worry about your mother a great deal, and it’s not easy knowing what to do. It also sounds like you’re quite angry about how they fight. Sometimes, in relationships, issues come up which couples find difficult to agree on.

There may not be easy answers, and sometimes, a compromise can’t be reached. Some couples find it helpful to get counselling together, to help sort out differences. You haven’t mentioned whether this is

Dear Nneoma, There is nothing “wrong” with you!

When we are feeling depressed or anxious, we tend to spend a lot of time caught up in negative thoughts.

Our brains tend to latch onto the negative and sometimes we misinterpret different things that people do and say.

When you have the thought that “no one cares” or “other people are better than me,” try to catch these thoughts and ask yourself if they are true and helpful. If you do some detective thinking, you may find that the thoughts that go around in your head aren’t actually completely

correct.

You said that you went out with friends and took photos but they didn’t post the photo with you in it. There could be many reasons why - maybe they didn’t like how they looked in the photo with you, maybe they didn’t even realise that you would feel left out by that! Our negative brain can be quick to jump to conclusions, which aren’t actually true at all.

You are very shy and so you aren’t spending a lot time talking to others, which then “confirms” the negative thought that you don’t have friends and no one likes you. Therefore, you continue to be shy and avoid talking to others.

But the good news is that once you realise you are in this cycle, you can start to make a few changes that will help you get out of it.

Learn forcing yourself to smile at someone or ask a question to someone sitting next to you in a bus or public places. It might not be instant, but keep persisting as you’ll start to notice people positively responding to you.

This will increase your confidence in talking to others and hopefully, will help form stronger friendships. Don’t pressure yourself to jump straight into long conversations, a smile is a good start! Also, try to keep yourself busy with things you enjoy . Staying at home not doing anything can lead to getting caught up in all the negative thoughts and feeling more and more helpless.

The important thing to know is that you are never alone and there are always people who care.

something your parents have done. If they haven’t, it’s really difficult as a child to suggest such things. I wonder though, if your parents know how upset you are over them fighting? If this is a conversation you are able to have with either of them, it may be helpful as a starting point to look at getting further help.

I do understand that you might not necessarily be able to talk to your parents about these things. If so, you may find it helpful to get advice from someone you trust, like a family member or close friend. Sometimes, such people may have a different perspective on things, which could help you understand the situation, or they might be in a better position to talk to your parents.

You said something about you turning out to be a wife beater like your father. That is why you also need counselling so as to live a separate life different from your father.

You’ve talked about feeling helpless and having thoughts of killing yourself. It’s understandable to feel hopeless when faced with such a difficult situation. It might be a good idea to see a professional on your own to get some support.

And do you ever get caught up in the fighting? The most important thing right now is safety. If you’re worried that anyone, you or either of your parents are physically threatened in anyway, it’s important to call the police.

We are both itc al areas af itchhy in our genit genital aftter sex Aunty Julie, A few weeks after my boyfriend and I had sex, we discovered we were both itchy in our genital areas.

We postponed sex thinking it was just a yeast infection, his symptoms being redness and a bit of bumps, mine being itchy redness.

Two weeks later, we had sex again thinking it was cleared, because we were symptom free and then it came back again. He has multiple bumps on and under his foreskin along with itchiness and redness. I feel slight itchiness and a little redness. What might this be?

Jessica, Port- Harcourt

Dear Jessica, You may have been right in the first instance. It does sound a bit like a yeast infection but you need to treat it to make

it get better. You’ll need to see a doctor and explain your symptoms, which is a bit embarrassing but the best way for them to know what to suggest.

If you try this and it gets better, that’s

Women are not crazy about me Aunty Julie, I’m a guy of 32 years who can’t seem to find the right person. I’m not unattractive or a louse, but for the longest time, I’ve had trouble starting a relationship with anyone. The problem is that when I meet a woman, I can’t seem to progress past

the friendship stage. Many of these women become my good friends, but they just don’t seem interested in starting a physical relationship. My bad luck has left me feeling unattractive and unconfident. I get frustrated when I hear about my friends falling in and out of relationships.

How can I improve my relationship status? I

C O C K - T A L E S Getting married Getting married is like going to a restaurant with friends. You order what you want, then when you see what the other fellow has, you wish you had ordered that.

Wedding ring At the cocktail party, one woman said to another, “Aren’t you wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger?”

The other replied, “Yes, I am. I marriedthe wrong man.”

Cost of marriage A little boy asked his father, “Daddy, how much does it cost to get married?”

And the father replied, “I don’t know son, I’m still paying for it.”

C M Y K

probably what it was .

I recommend going to see a doctor anyway as you two should get a routine test for STIs, especially chlamydia, as well as make sure you’re using a reliable form of birth control.

What it takes Young son : “Is it true, Dad, I heard that in some parts of Africa, a man doesn’t know his wife until he marries her?”

Dad : “That happens in most countries, son.”

True marriage Married life is very frustrating.

In the first year of marriage, the man speaks and the woman listens.

In the second year, the woman speaks and the man listens.

In the third year, they both speak and the neighbours listen.

Fools for love After a quarrel, a wife said to her husband, “You know, I was a fool when I married you.” And the Husband replied, “Yes, dear, but I was in love and didn’t notice it.”

know it’s vague, but it’s been troubling me for a long time.

Donald, Auchi Dear Donald, Luck often doesn’t have a lot to do with romantic relationships. It seems you must know that because of the strong feelings you’re having about not being in a physical relationship. When potential intimate relationships are not progressing as anticipated, someone’s frustration with this may cause her/him to just give up rather than spend time fostering that potential connection with a possible partner.

If you feel romantic about someone, flirt and clearly communicate that you are interested in pursuing the relationship past friendship so that the other person knows of your interest.

Take it slow, but not too slow, so the initial excitement and momentum do not diminish.

And then your next steps will be determined from there.It sounds as if you need to start defining yourself for who you are, not by who you’re with. Men and women alike are attracted to confident people with high self-esteem.

Your lack of confidence may be detectable to potential partners and give off the vibe that you aren’t ready to fully enjoy a new relationship with someone because you aren’t yet content with yourself.

40—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Are you prepared for every cold season?

T

HE rainy season is fast upon us. A few of us might skip through the season; but most of us will succumb, enduring between two and five bouts of sniffing and sneezing each year—each lasting an average of nine days. Experts believe we spend around five years of our lives sneezing, coughing and feeling generally rather under the weather. According to reports from experts on colds and nasal allergies, there are tips to prevent the viruses and how to minimise the symptoms with the latest treatments available to help you get back to normal life as fast as possible.

COLDS: With more than 20 subtly different types of cold virus variants around, it is hardly surprising that we succumb. The virus is transmitted either by direct inhalation (when someone sneezes, a microscopic droplet finds its way into your mouth or nose), or touch. A good strong sneeze can send 100,000 virus—containing droplets around 3.5 metres into the air, and just one of those droplets can survive for up to 48 hours on a doorknob, TV remote control or a handrail, to be picked up when you touch it. If you put your hands close to your

There are tips to prevent the viruses and how to minimise the symptoms with the latest treatments available to help you get back to normal life as fast as possible

nose, eyes or mouth, the virus can swiftly enter your body, using your cells as hosts to make thousands of copies of itself. This rapid replication—or more

specifically our body’s reaction to it—is what triggers classic cold symptoms.

“During the first few days of a cold, you are very unlikely to know you’ve been

infected,” says Professor Wendy Barclays, a virologist—although this is the time that you are most infectious. As the virus replicates, it will gradually damage the

What to do if you do get iII

T

here is no strong evidence that anything their doctor with unresolved symptoms than works to shorten a cold symptom, says those taking Paracetamol. This could be Professor Barclay, but “treating symptoms with because Ibuprofen dampens the inflammatory over-the-counter remedies like decongestants reaction the body actually needs to fight the or pain-killers will make you feel better. cold virus.

Stop it in its track: An itchy nose and sore throat are the early signs that a cold is coming Don’t blow your nose too much: Infectious on—try Vicks First Defence. There is some diseases specialists believe continually science behind this product. It lowers the pH blowing your nose can push mucus back into of the nose, making it more acidic, and sinuses and cause secondary infection. Either viruses don’t like a low pH environment. The sniff (mucus goes to the back of the throat and herb pelargonium also helps when cold ultimately to the stomach, not the lungs) or symptoms strike .”Trials indicate that it stops blow a nostril at a time to reduce pressure in some types of cold and flu virus, replicating the nasal cavity so you don’t push so much and improves the immune system’s response mucus back. to the viruses,” she says. Another herb, black elderberry, has been shown to stop cold virus Does cough medicine actually work?: There’s replication within the cell. It’s one of the much debate about whether cough mixtures remedies with more robust evidence around. work. Many doctors believe they’re a waste of money.

As an authoritative report from Professor Ron For a sore throat: Try some reputable Lozenges. Antiseptic throat sprays can ease Eccles of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff sore throats, but they apply a mist to the back University concluded: In clinical trials on cough of the throat, whereas an anti-inflammatory medicines, up to 85 per cent of the reduction in Iozenges coats the throat, so relieving more coughs is associated with the placebo treatment; pain. Hot water, lemon and honey can also be and the active pharmacological component of helpful. Non-medicated hot drinks are a the medicine only contributes 15 per cent of the hugely underrated soother. In a study it was reduction.

However, Professor Morice, a respiratory discovered that people who drank Blackcurrant cordial made with hot water consultant disagrees. He says although overexperienced a relief of cold symptoms (runny the-counter cough syrups cannot treat the cause nose, sore throats and cough) within 15 or reduce the duration, he’s convinced that some—those containing minutes. dextromethorphan,menthol or gualfenesin— For a stuffed nose: Try Benadryl Plus—it actually calm the nerves that cause a cough, so combines a decongestant and an reducing the coughing.

Gualfenesin, an ‘expectorant’ originally antihistamine, says the expert. Alternatively, squirting salty water through your nasal derived from a tree bark extract, works by passages—can dislodge irritants and virus drawing water into the air passages; the water thins the mucus and lubricates the airway, particles which may help.

Use paracetamol not Ibuprofen: Studies making it easier for cough to shift excess mucus. have shown that Paracetamol can work better It works best if you drink plenty of water at the on cold symptoms than Ibuprofen as people same time. Try Robitussin, Benylin Mucus taking Ibuprofen are more likely to go back to Cough or Boots chesty cough syrup.

naturally protective mucus sheet inside the nose. This allows access for irritants which make you start sneezing. Next, dead cells (killed by the cold virus) start to collect in the nose and lungs, becoming trapped by mucus, making it thicker, darker and more likely to clog the lungs, which makes it harder for you to breath. This triggers your immune system to leap into action.

“Your body is compelled to try to limit the rate at which the virus replicates and so releases immune cells and chemicals to do this,” explains Professor Barclay. It’s these chemicals, produced by your own body, that cause many of the worst cold symptoms.

They raise your temperature, in a bid to kill the virus (which prefers cold environments), and they also dilate the blood vessels to allow immune cells to travel swiftly to the affected areas—this causes swelling which blocks your nose and congests your lungs. They also trigger intensified sneezing in a bid to clear the virus out of your system.

The intensity of the body’s virus attacking mechanism varies from one person to the next, so no one will react to the same cold virus in the same way.

Genetic factors also play a part—you might have an inherited gene which triggers high temperatures or intense sneezing, for instance. Experts believe the people who claim to never get colds are probably lucky in that they do not get infected, but their body mounts a less noticeable reaction to the virus.

And gender does play a part. Research has found that men tend to react more strongly to the same virus than women.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 25, 2016—41

A resilient economy is one governed by best brains—Prof. Onalo P

rofessor Chris Onalo, FICA, is the Registrar, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Credit Administration. He is one Nigerian who believes in adding values to your environment by seeking the necessary and relevant knowledge for greater achievement. As a credit management professional he has contributed immensely to nation building, helping young credit professionals improve their profession as well as entrepreneurs in the country to grow through knowledge seeking.

In this interview with Moses Nosike, he x-rays why the country is where we are today. Excerpts: Blending our educational system, self employment and Nigeria development...

In my opinion, the Nigerian economy is very big and massive, looking to have qualified people to man the various productive activities of the stakeholders, government and other institutions. The level of manpower needs to keep a serious minded economy going is still inadequate. Where we have problem is these job seekers, I mean those who have graduated from the universities waiting to be engaged by labour market into productive activities so that they can earn income and start contributing to national GDP. Many of the them, almost 95% of them are not employable. The reason we all know - weak university system arising from poor government regulations of the universities.

Of course, regulations and lack of care for the tertiary institutions especially those owned by federal and state governments, even the private universities are beginning to take cue from the influences generated by the federal and state universities. So that at the end of the day, the by product of that weak policies and failure is that products of the universities are not employable, which tend to portray negative impression that there are no jobs. And the consequential effect is because there are no good brains. The brains we have are weak and in most cases empty. We therefore have no innovation or creativity which are critical elements that drive economy and making it sustainable.

A resilient economy is the type of economy that is governed by best brains with innovative thinkers looking to think out best ideas and as well creating new ideas. In the absence of that, the economy becomes comatose, lazy and dull.

That is the type of economy we now have. And then, it goes further to close the opportunity market. As a matter of fact, industries spring up as a result of creating possibilities of people.

People from science, business, medical, legal world and all sorts creating new ways that meet the needs of the modern man. We don’t have that. Assuming there is a sudden wake up for a vibrant economic activity in this country, you would discover that existing opportunities requesting competent brains is larger, richer than available manpower. But what we have is typically defined as dead wood, knowing how to eat food only. While divine books of authority say, ‘there is no food for a lazy man’. And this man that is now lazy is half baked. That will now take us to the beginning of beginnings, when you were born, and I was born; we were little children. Nobody is marked with a particular gift to say go, this is what you are going to become. Everybody comes as an innocent child with empty brain waiting for parents and human government system to fuse something into us. But in Nigeria, the system that should load the citizenry or the nationals with culture of work, culture of performance with a view to feeding yourself is weak. Those systems are weak. Those institutions are weak.

All tertiary institutions are weak. They failed because government has long ago abandoned the universities. The United Kingdom has not abandoned their educational system despite the years of existence because they believe that a society is nugget because the people are nugget. And what makes people react to the need of the society is what government has

offered; policies, laws and implementing them so that it would affect the thinking of their people. We don’t have that in Nigeria.

Consequently, they have a non performing economy. Education system is porous, and I’m looking to see President Buhari laying the biggest emphasis apart from corruption on education. We must go back to the drawing board and redefine our national agenda for reasonable and responsible educational system.

So, that is my thinking. Assuming that educational system is in good shape I see manpower supply in short form. I see it grossly inadequate. I therefore foreseen springing of universities with a view to cope with the demand of the labour market, because opportunities are in every corner in this country requiring discovery an investment. And when institutions have made those discovery and launch out to get loanable funds to finance their project ideas, it throws up employment.

It creates wealth and the nation is in its best form.

How do we resuscitate the industrial life of Nigeria?

We have born and unborn industries. The ones that are existing or have been existing and the ones in incubation are there because the brains that would understand where those industries are hidden and what those industries are capable of doing into the human society are not yet in place. Again, the university graduates who should in their various knowledge sectors discover these opportunities are weak in their capacity level

The brains we have are weak and in most cases empty, we therefore have no innovation or creativity which are critical elements that drive economy and making it sustainable to be able to come up with such project ideas.

So, those industries are lying fallow, undiscovered. Now the existing ones, for instance, the textile industries in the 80s in Lagos. That time, you can move from one corner to the other seeing many of textile companies. But today, Afprint is dead, Aswani is struggling and so many of them. So, what are we talking about. Are you saying that those industries are dead with their owners. There must be remnant looking to see those industries come back again because they were making huge money at that time and they could make more money today because of the world of fashion that has become the gold business all over the world. If the government

Onalo

is serious, they could resuscitate those dead industries. In the 80s in Kano, they were close to 400 industries of which 50 or thereabout were textiles industries. Go there now you cannot see anyone there.

It is a pathetic history for this country.

And the leaders that contributed to this downfall, I don’t know why Nigerians are quick to forgive them. Some of them are living fat today and we are respecting, giving them all sorts of awards but they plunged us into this problem.

Industries are what drive the economy.

The policies to resuscitate them should be put in place and it should not exist in the lips. We should avoid self-centred people that go to lobby for ministerial positions and thereafter begin to steal.

So if they have a national agenda that this country must be indeed giant of Africa, you will see industries everywhere and with our massive production we could circulate in the local market and go further to export to neighbouring markets and to the larger global market.

Government appointing unqualified people to key positions, what does that entail to our developmental system?

That is the first symptom of failure.

When government is appointing a minister into a portfolio that has no relationship with that person’s fundamental knowledge set up, what do you expect the person to do, to be groping in the dark, swimming from one river to the other spending the money all the way.

Why would a serious leader put people into a position they knew nothing about? We have to be realistic, come to the national project and I expect that President Buhari should sustain the momentum.

Do not employ or appoint p e o p l e politically because you want to appease the party or appease those who cast their votes for you or those who sat with you and draw the

strategy for winning election. If they are not relevant to your government don’t create an office for them. If you are to be appointed a minister for industry is because you have field experience in industrial management so that when you come into that office new ideas will flow. You will be able to see areas that didn’t work and you set system that will make it work.

Again politically speaking, government must release herself from being the biggest spender. Let there be policy that transfers economic power to the people and not the government. Let there be a system that makes political government unattractive to many people. Remove a lot of bottle neck of taxes, levies that discourage indigenous people from going into businesses. You have to remove them to yield massive incentives even if it is for certain period say 10 to 15 or maximum 20 years incentives. Pull certain cost because the cost of running business here is too expensive. We don’t have a legend economy.

Nigeria is not yet attractive destination because of these deluges of problem. Remove those things as a determinant that we want to concentrate economic power in the hands of the indigenes of the citizens and then you see some of these things working.

Government should not make that mistake of putting wrong people in certain positions that they have no experience, qualification and anything about. Don’t sacrifice the future of this country at the altar of political patronage or god-fatherism any more.

MainOne, Intel, Whogohost partnership to boost SMEs IT needs n line with the National Broadband Strategy to enable local content and increase job creation in Nigeria, West Africa’s leading I connectivity and data centre solutions company, MainOne has

entered into partnership with Whogohost, Nigeria’s premier hosting domain provider, and Intel, the world’s leading technology company to provide Cloud hosted Servers for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in Nigeria.

This service is delivered through the cloud platform of MainOne’s data centre company, MDX-i, which is powered by the Intel Cloud Processors and is aimed at bringing the advantages of in-country cloud services to Nigerian businesses.

Speaking during the press launch of the service, Senior Marketing Manager, Tayo Ashiru highlighted the revolutionary impact of cloud solutions on businesses in terms of efficiency, cost savings and flexibility. According to him, the service provided by this partnership is a welcome development for Nigeria’s start-ups and small businesses. He said: “There are many obstacles for businesses in Nigeria which impact their ability to scale up and maintain an online presence within the country”. “Our partnership with Whogohost, a leading web solutions company provides domain registration, web hosting and cloud services out of our Tier III certified data centre, MDX-i allowing businesses to scale up on their IT needs on an ondemand basis.

The Chief Executive Officer of Whogohost, Toba Obaniyi who expressed delight at the partnership, stressed that the joint partnership with MainOne and Intel was the realization of his company’s vision to be the leading provider of scalable solutions for Nigeria’s startups and small businesses. “With the rising cost of the dollar, and the increase of local consumption, local hosting is definitely the future.

This partnership couldn’t have come at a better time”, he said.

42—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

UK WITHDRAWAL FROM EU

Uncertainty looms over Europe

By Oghene Omonisa, Levinus Nwabughiogu & Vera Anyagafu with

agency reports

I

mplications of the outcome of the Thursday, June 23 referendum have continued to resonate worldwide less than 48 hours after the United Kingdom voted in a referendum to exit the European Union. As the outcome of the vote distilled yesterday morning, Prime Minister David Cameron following a meeting with the Queen served notice of his resignation with effect from October.

Britain’s exit from the EU is undoubtedly the biggest blow since the European Union project commenced in 1951.

Britain’s withdrawal from the 28 member European Union, often shortened to Brexit (a portmanteau of “British exit”) is a political goal that has been pursued by various individuals, advocacy groups, and political parties since the country was admitted into the precursor of the EU in 1973.

The final result of the referendum showed that those in support of exiting the EU won by 52% to 48%.

While England with the exception of London, voted overwhelmingly for Brexit, Scotland and Northern Ireland backed Remain. The turnout was 71.8%, with more than 30 million people voting. It was the highest turnout in a UK-wide vote since the 1992 general election.

Implications UK, Europe

The consequences will be huge for the British people. Britain’s economy and legal system have become deeply integrated with the European continent. Unravelling those relationships is likely to be economically and socially disruptive. Yesterday the British currency, the pound sank to its lowest value against the dollar since 1985 reflecting economic concerns on the exit.

On the other side, Brexit advocates have argued that Britain will be better off in the long run outside the EU, with full sovereignty and unfettered control over immigration and economic regulations.

On its own, exit from the EU could be disruptive but not calamitous for other EU countries. The larger threat to other EU members is that the development could become the first step towards unravelling the EU. The 2008 financial crisis and the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis have put the EU’s rickety political institutions under strain. A British exit could further shake peoples’ confidence that the EU project can endure over the long run, causing other countries to eye the exits.

In the short run, uncertainty about Britain’s future relationship with the EU, its largest trading partner, could push the UK into a recession.

In the long run, the situation could be worse. With Cameron’s resignation, Britain’s prospects of negotiating a favourable deal with the EU could be weakened. The EU may decide to strike a hard bargain to discourage other countries from leaving the EU. Critics say the economic effects could be significant; for example, automobile manufacturers with major production plants in the UK are presently bound by the same

•Cameron resigns •Scotland plans another referendum •Implications for migrants •Buhari regrets Cameron's resignation, hails his courage

to resign in October, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed his regrets. The President however hailed the courage and statesmanship of Cameron, saying the PM in taking the decision respected the people’s will.

A statement by the senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu quoted President Buhari as saying that “Nigeria has enjoyed remarkable goodwill, support and understanding under the capable leadership of the outgoing Prime Minister over the years.”

Britain’s exit portends negative consequences for Nigeria – Prof. Akinterinwa

Britain’s decision to leave the European Union (EU) will have negative consequences on Nigeria, Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, Director General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), has said in his reaction. Akinterinwa, a professor of international affairs, on Friday said that the negative impact of Britain’s exit from the union would be bilaterally and multilaterally.

According to him, it is at the level of multilateral configuration that Nigeria may be slightly affected.

“Britain is a member of the EU and Nigeria is a member of Commonwealth and in this case, Britain is both an active member of the EU and Commonwealth.”

•RESIGNED:British Prime Minister David Cameron European safety and environmental standards. But with Britain out of the EU, British-based automobile plants will be compelled to go through another set of safety certifications.

This kind of thing would be repeated in every industry.

One of the most important and controversial achievements of the EU was the establishment of the principle of free movement among EU countries. A citizen of one EU country has an unfettered right to live and work anywhere in the EU. Both Britons and foreigners have taken advantage of this opportunity.

There currently are about 1.2 million Britons living in other EU countries, while about 3 million nonBritish EU nationals live in Britain.

Due to EU rules, they were able to move across the English Channel with a minimum of paperwork.

Britain’s exit from the EU could change that profoundly.

At a minimum, that would mean that people moving to or from Britain would need to worry about passports

and residency rules. And it could mean that some British immigrants may lose their right to continue living and working in the UK, and may be deported.

A major consequence is the resignation of Cameron as Prime Minister on Friday. In an emotionladen speech outside 10 Downing Street, Cameron said: “I do not think it would be right for me to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination.” He said he would leave in October. A successor as party leader and thus, prime minister, is to emerge at the Conservative Party conference.

Meanwhile, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said the Scottish government would prepare for a second independence referendum, and she will take “all possible steps” to remain a part of the E.U. after the referendum.

Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh, Sturgeon said the U.K. is taking Scotland out of the EU against the will of the Scots and is

“democratically unacceptable.”

Responding to the referendum, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, said it was not a moment for hysterical reaction. But speaking on behalf of the leaders of the other 27 EU countries, he said they were all determined to maintain their unity.

Top EU officials tried to put on a brave face as the European enterprise received the biggest blow ever.

As the British pound lost value and with markets, jittery, EU leaders underlined that the UK must negotiate its exit quickly and warned that it would remain a member, with all the obligations that entails, until the talks are over. Under EU rules Britain would have at least two years to negotiate its way out of the union.

Rest of the world

One of the key global concerns bothering the world markets is that Britain could be just the first of more EU countries to leave the union. On Friday, French right-wing leader Maine Le Pen called for France’s referendum vote. Concerns have been raised about referenda in Italy and The Netherlands too.

The European Union is one of the world’s largest trading blocs, and it’s a major trade partner with China and the United States. If it breaks, it could lead to a lot of global uncertainty and many trade deals would need to be restructured.

Experts, however, have cautioned that fears of the EU falling apart are overblown. After all, the UK always used the pound as its currency. Other countries like France would have to ditch the euro and reintroduce their old currencies. That’s a much more difficult transition than what the UK must navigate now.

Also, the high expectation of a looming recession in the UK may give other countries pause, especially if they see an economic storm that Britain may endure after Brexit.

Cameron respected democracy, peoples will – Buhari

Responding to Cameron’s decision

The future It is uncertain what the future holds for the socio-economy of the world, considering the pivotal role of the EU, now without Britain, and Britain without the EU. Those wishing to go to Britain in the future, either on investment, education or tourism will experience a new system imposed.

The strengths of Europe in relation to human, workplace and family rights and the benefits of diversity will be affected.

HIGHLIGHTS •German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed “great regret” at the British decision, saying: “This is a blow to Europe and to the European unification process” •Mrs Merkel said she would meet Mr Tusk, French President Francois Hollande and Italian PM Matteo Renzi in Berlin on Monday •Mr Hollande said the vote “seriously puts Europe to the test”, adding: “I respect this painful choice.

France will continue to work with this friendly country” •Russian President Vladimir Putin said the decision showed the UK’s unhappiness with migration and security Polish President Andrzej Duda said everything possible must be done to prevent other countries leaving.

•Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas said: “We must... work hard so that we do not lose the unity of the European Union” •Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said “the European project remains valid to defend the values that mark our common identity” •Czech PM Bohuslav Sobotka said: “Despite the disappointment many of us feel... we must realise that this is not the end of the world and it’s absolutely not the end of the EU” •Greek PM Alexis Tsipras said the vote was “either a wake-up call or the beginning of a dangerous path”, adding: “We urgently need a new vision and beginning for a united Europe”

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016 — 43

B-R-I-E-F-S

Wife beats lecturer husband to death over extra marital affairs *His body dumped in River Katsina/Ala

From left: Executive Director, Commercial and Retail Banking, Skye Bank Plc, Bayo Sanni; Winner in the N250, 000 Category (Civil Servant), Gazal Fatimat; winner in the N1, 000, 000 category, (Pensioneer), Bashiru Adeyemi Lasisi and Head, Retail Banking, Skye Bank Plc, Nkolika Okoli during one year anniversary of ‘Reach for the Skye’ Millionaire Reward Scheme held in Lagos recently. for the sum of N650,000 and of that sum, the wife of the murdered lecturer was given the sum of N400, 000 as her share of the proceed.”

“As I speak with you, the Police and local divers are still combing River Katsina/ Ala to locate the remains of the Goddy (the deceased) but we very much doubt if his remains would be seen because the fishes must have feasted on it.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer,

PPRO, Assistant Superintendent, ASP, Moses Yamu who confirmed the incident said he was yet to get full details of the matter.

Yamu said, “yes I know of the matter but I’m yet to get the full details of the matter from the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, because the suspects are yet to arrive Makurdi. At this moment I cannot confirm that the wife of the deceased was behind his murder until the details are made available to me.”

CBN forex policy: Customs loses N138.9bn in 5 months

By Joseph Erunke

C

ONTROLLER General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali, retd, yesterday, said Nigeria lost a total of 138.9 billion, representing 35.5% in income generation expected from the agency between January and May, 2016.

The development came as the Senate Committee on Finance directed all the revenue generating agencies in the country to

henceforth prepare and submit reports of their performances on quarterly basis to the committee for assessment.

But he said the agency generated the sum total of N312. 9bn for the country within the period under review. The amount generated, according to him, was from the Valued Added Tax, VAT and the Negotiable Duty Credit Certificate, NDCC. Ali, who spoke while briefing the Senator John Enoh-led Senate Committee on Finance, on the performance of his organization, also disclosed that within the period, the Nigeria Customs Service lost a total of N138.9bn out of the N390.6bn it was expected to generate within the period.

He further disclosed that the agency was able to generate the sum of N251.8bn out of which the sum of N211.124,434,386.60 was generated for the federation Account with the sum of N40,591,872,059.41 generated for Non federation Account.

Giving breakdown of revenue generation within

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru S controversy continues to trail the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in the September 2016 governorship election, a member of the House of Representatives, Ehizouwa Johnson Agbonayinma yesterday, joined the governorship race on the platform of the PDP. Agbonayinma who represents Egor Ikpoba Okha Federal Constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives and Chairman, Ad-hoc Committee investigating the contracts awarded by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) between 2010-2014, has also aligned with Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the authentic national chairman of the PDP. Addressing journalists in Abuja, the lawmaker said that his decision to recognize Sheriff as the PDP national chairman and pick the party’s governorship ticket to contest the primaries to be organized by his faction was based on the ruling delivered by the Federal High Court, Lagos, as well as the undemocratic events that took place at the primaries held by the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi faction.

A

Continuing, the source said, “already his wife has confessed all she new about the matter to the Police. We learned that she alleged that her brothers beat her husband up because he was involved in extra marital affairs, but not with the intention to kill him.

“After killing him, they allegedly dumped his body in River Katsina/Ala and also went ahead to sell his Honda car to an innocent buyer

*Backs Sheriff as PDP chair

A

BY PETER DURU lecturer in the The atre Arts Department of the College of Education Oju in Benue state, Godwin Abuul, has been allegedly murdered by his wife, name withheld, in connivance with her siblings over alleged extra marital affairs.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that Abuul who went missing about two weeks ago in Gboko was killed by his murderers who also dumped his remains in River Katsina/Ala. According to a family source who craved anonymity, the deceased two weeks ago went missing in Gboko after returning from Oju where he lectured at the state owned College of Education.

Narrating the story he said, “Goddy used to lecture at the College of Education in Oju. He travels weekly from here in Gboko to Oju to lecture after which he returns to Gboko to spend his weekend with his wife and two children.

“Unfortunately, two weeks ago he returned from Oju and said he was traveling to Katsina/Ala on a private visit, that was the last we heard of him.

“His disappearance was reported to the Police who since then have been combing the entire state in search of his whereabouts.

“Luckily, just two days ago, the cloth he wore the last day anybody saw him was found with a young man who was immediately arrested by the Police in Gboko.

“Upon interrogation the young man confessed to the Police how the missing lecturer was allegedly killed by his wife in connivance with her siblings.

“His confession triggered the arrest of several persons including the wife of the deceased and mother of his two children and all those mentioned in the saga, by the Police in Gboko, though the matter has been transferred to the Command Headquarters in Makurdi for further investigations.”

PDP Rep, Agbonayinma joins Edo guber race

the period, the Customs boss said “compared to last year or what we are expected to generate, we are in deficit of 18,406,949,135.55 as against the sum of NN78,110,936,416.67 expected to be generated in the month of January.”

For the month of February, the customs, according to Ali, lost N27,176,737,878.21 instead of N78,110,936.416.67 just as the sum of N28,910,737,844.24 could not be realized from N78,110,936,416.67 expected in the month.

The agency equally lost the sum of N32,304,439,625.98 from N78,110,936,416.67 in April just as it lost N32,039,511,153.56 from the expected generation of the sum of N78,110,936,416.67 in the month of May. “With this, it means we have 35% less than what we are supposed to have generated, “he said.

He attributed the loss to three variables among which according to him, included the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s new forex policy and increase in volume of credit.

‘Pay-as-you-go solar energy, solution to epileptic power supply’

By Oghene Omonisa

P

AY-as-you-go solar energy has emerged as the solution to the hydra-headed energy problems bedevilling the country’s power supply system.

This revelation was made in Lagos this week by Kunle Odebunmi, co-founder of Arnergy Solar Ltd, at a media parley while unveiling the solar energy apps developed by the company.

The apps, according to him, are a revolutionary technology that allows subscribers to buy recharge pin usingRANA (Arnergy’s Mobile Electricity App) or via agents in several rural communities yet to connect with mobile network. The apps synchronize with Arnergy’s cloud-based server infrastructure to unlock the Solar Power System and supply solar electricity whenever the pin is keyed into the solar kit, and subscribers enjoy electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Highlighting the advantages of the apps, Mr. Odebunmi added that they are easy to install with minimal technical know-how.

Tourism, hospitality industry the next biggest career – NTDC boss

By Oghene Omonisa

T

HE Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Sally Mbanefo has advocated for inclusion of tourism and hospitality courses in Nigeria education curriculum. This she said would go a long way to create needed awareness of the huge potentials and easy job after school for the country’s teeming unemployed youths who clamour for jobs in other highly saturated sectors.

Speaking at the hospitality workshop organised by the Swiss Education Group recently in Lagos, tagged, “The Hospitality Workshop Africa 2016”, Mbanefo averred that tourism and hospitality industry is one sector that has not been fully explored by many Nigerians who seek job in other sectors. She said that there was an initial misconception about making a career in hospitality sector, stemming from stigma that the industry is an alternative job for employment seekers.

Don’t link Okowa with thuggery, Onuesoke tells APC

D

ELTA State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief tain, Sunny Onuesoke has declared that nobody should link Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa with activities of political thuggery as being peddled by members of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Onuesoke who was reacting to allegations levelled against Okowa which include hiring and training of thugs for Edo State PDP towards the upcoming Edo State governorship election said it was disappointing that APC is making irresponsible, unsubstantiated and wild allegations against the gentle, peace-loving and very educated Governor of Delta state.

Speaking to journalists in Benin-City,Edo State during a courtesy call on the Edo State PDP Secretariat, he argued that there was no truth in the different allegations levelled against Okowa by APC loyalists, with respect to the coming Edo State Governorship election.

44 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

City stop Iheanacho from Rio Olympics

CAF throw Setif out of Champions League

K

elechi Iheanacho will not compete in the Olympics - despite Nigeria announcing that he is part of their provisional squad.

Manchester City have already informed the Nigerian Football Federation that their teenage striker will not be allowed to compete in Rio - and have even had a letter acknowledging their decision. Despite that, the NFF still named the 19-year-old in their 35-man squad for the Games. It is understood City have no intention of going back on their initial decision, which was exclusively revealed by MEN Sport this week.

They are under no obligation to make Iheanacho available and have already spoken to him about the issue.

City want the striker to be available for incoming manager Pep Guardiola’s first pre-season at the club. Iheanacho enjoyed an outstanding breakthrough season at the Etihad and is set to be handed more first team opportunities under the new manager.

With Wilfried Bony expected to leave the club, he looks set to be elevated to Sergio Aguero’s understudy.

City’s summer preparations will already be impacted by players returning late from Euro 2016 and the Copa America, such as Aguero, Nicolas Otamendi, Raheem Sterling, Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva.

A •Iheanacho

Azarenka pulls out of Wimbledon B

Fury postpones Klitschko rematch B ritish world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has postponed next month's rematch with Wladimir Klitschko after injuring an ankle in training.

The bout had been scheduled to take place in Manchester on 9 July.

Undefeated Fury, 27, posted on Instagram that he had been forced to cancel the fight after injuring himself while running in the Lake District.

"They've said it's not broken but it's badly sprained and to keep off it for six to seven weeks," he said.

•Fury battles Klitschko

Peter Fury, his uncle and trainer, said on Twitter: "Fight date will be postponed with new date released very soon, probably today."

Tyson Fury took the WBA and WBO heavyweight titles from Klitschko in their first bout in November.

"Of course, I am currently totally disappointed about the cancellation," Klitschko said.

"As well as for my fans, I´m very sorry, they were all very excited for this rematch. But one thing is also clear, this just means I'll get my belt a few weeks later."

Earlier this week, the Ukrainian said Fury should be banned from boxing after comments that made him sound "like Hitler".

Fury apologised last month for a video he posted online containing homophobic, sexist and antiSemitic comments.

How to stop Djokovic, by Alexander

A

lgeria's Entente Setif have been ejected from the African Champions League after trouble marred their match with Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.

The game on 18 June was abandoned by the referee with Sundowns 2-0 up when violence broke out in the stands.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) said "missiles, stones, bottles and firecrackers" were thrown onto the pitch during the game .

There was also a pitch invasion as fans reacted angrily to the defeat. Caf have thrown Setif out of the tournament and annulled the result of the match - which could damage Sundowns' chances of making it out of the group.

They lose the points and the goals which they had gained in the victory.

Caf also left open the possibility of further sanctions against Setif. The other teams in the group are Enyimba of Nigeria and Egypt's Zamalek - who top the now three-team group after a 1-0 away win in the first round of matches.

VULNERABLE Novak Djokovic is a prime candidate for breaking down with the “yips” at Wimbledon.

That’s the strong opinion of former Australian star John Alexander, who believes there lurks a weakness in Djokovic’s serve that if exploited could unravel his game.

Djokovic currently holds all major single titles and his infallible form this year suggests he’s well on track to achieving history by becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to clinch a calendar-year grand slam.

“He won’t collapse, he’s too good a player, but I think there will appear some cracks in his game,” Liberal MP Alexander told The Daily Telegraph.

“At the Australian Open I think there was a little bit of a hint of what’s going on in his mind because he’d slowed his first serve down to about 185km/h. He was getting a very high percentage of first serves in but at one point he served two double faults in a row.

“I got the feeling that he’s lost confidence in his second serve and that’s why he’s slowing his first serve down.

Whether he’s lost confidence … or he has a little bit of the yips I don’t know – but it looked edgy. It’s happened to other great players, they get the yips in their second serve and it’s the beginning of the end.

Under pressure over five sets on a surface where serving is very important, maybe that will surface?”

elarus number one Victoria Azarenka, ranked 6th in the world, has been forced to withdraw from the Wimbledon tournament with a knee injury, BelTA learnt from the Twitter account of the sport event. As was earlier reported, Victoria Azarenka was preparing for the Wimbledon on the courts of the Belarusian Olympic Tennis Center in Minsk. She was closely watched by her team and did not complain about the knee she injured at Roland Garros in Paris. There the Belarusian had to withdraw in the first round. The Wimbledon man draw in London starts on 27 June. Victoria Azarenka lost to Serena Williams of the United States in the quarterfinals last year.“

•Azarenka

O’jez fans’ night pays tribute to Keshi, Amodu success not only in the area

HIS month’s edition T of the O’jez Soccer Fans Nite Out holding

tonight at the open air section of O’jez celebrity restaurant, National Stadium Complex, Surulere, Lagos, at 7pm has been dedicated to two fallen national soccer

•Djokovix

heroes; Stephen Keshi and Shaibu Amodu Even in the middle of mourning two great coaches of the Eagles, the organisers will also present the O’jez Lifetime Achievements Awards to a 1980 AFCON winner, Henry Nwosu and sports buff, Dudu Orumen.

Veteran sports journalist, Mr. Effiong Uyo, one of the coordinators of the monthly event said the choice of Nwosu and Orumen was a perfect one “just like last month’s combination of Peter Rufai, Mumuni Alao and Gbenga Adeyinka. I must say that last month’s event which was the maiden edition was a huge

of attendance alone but with the quality of the show. We will however improve on that success this month and in consequent editions.”

He described the death of Keshi and Amodu as a big blow to “not only Nigerian football but Africa in general.

We just witnessed the sudden demise of an era in football coaching and this should make any football loving Nigerian sad.

However, we are not God, so we cannot question His decision to take from us two rare gems. But as humans, we will and must continue to celebrate them even in death. That is why the May 25 show is dedicated to the duo.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016 —45

Eagles in Group of death .battle Algeria, Cameroon, Zambia

T

•Mahrez •Aboubakar NFF president Amaju Pinnick said.

Algeria knocked Nigeria out of the race to the 1982 FIFA World Cup, but Nigeria also overpowered Algeria to qualify for the 1994 finals in USA. Nigeria beat Algeria 3-0 to lift her first –ever Africa Cup of

even though Nigeria won the home leg 2-0 in Ibadan. In Yaounde, only weeks after the

GROUP A: Tunisia, Libya, DR Congo, Guinea GROUP B: Zambia, Cameroon, Algeria, Nigeria GROUP C: Gabon, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco GROUP D: Senegal, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde GROUP E: Ghana, Egypt, Congo, Uganda

. NFF releases 35-man list

T

he Nigeria Football Federation has said the Olympic football team will depart the country next week for a final training camp in the United States of America ahead of this year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Head Coach Samson Siasia opted for a final training camp in Atlanta, venue of Nigeria’s historic triumph 20 years ago, in order to “psychologically prepare my boys for victory in Brazil.” Earlier in the week, the NFF confirmed that there would be a friendly match between the Nigeria Olympic team and the U23 National Team of Mexico in Mexico on Saturday, 2nd July. The match will take place at the Aguascalientes Stadium, home ground of newly promoted top tier club, Necaxa FC, and is scheduled to start at 8.30pm Mexican time.

The NFF also announced that after the friendly, the Nigeria U23 squad will continue its training

•Iwobi

camp in the United States of America and will play Charleston Battery FC in Atlanta on Saturday, 16th July. A game against the Honduras U23 team is also being planned for 27th July.

Meanwhile, players who have had experience playing in the Nigeria senior team constitute half of those listed in Coach Siasia’s provisional squad of 35, who will train in the USA before a final list of 18 is drawn up just before the trip to Brazil. Super Eagles’ captain John Mikel Obi, South Africa –based goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, defenders William Troost Ekong, Musa Muhammed, Stanley Amuzie, Kingsley Madu, Kenneth Omeruo and Godfrey Oboabona, midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo, Okechukwu Azubuike, Imoh Ezekiel, Usman Mohammed and Abdullahi Shehu, and forwards Alex Iwobi, Jude Ighalo, Kelechi Iheanacho and Aminu Umar are on the list.

Bale set to send N/ Ireland packing

•Bale

G

areth Bale insists his side are thrilled to have progressed to the knockout stage of Euro 2016 as Group B winners.

Chris Coleman’s crew is set to take on Northern Ireland in the last 16 of UEFA Euro 2016and Wales’ ace Bale is looking forward to the match, telling Sky Sports News: “We know it’s going to be difficult, we obviously know a lot about Northern Ireland “A lot of their players play in England, so they are going to know us also. “It will be a very British type game, and if we can match the performance of Russia, we have a very good chance. “Confidence is high after a great performance and victory against Russia. We’re all excited again. It’s another new challenge and experience and one I’m sure everyone will relish.”

The 26-year-old Real Madrid striker added: “It’s an amazing feeling we’ve got in the camp, it’s not just been the last two years we’ve been working towards, but since we all started, young boys growing into men.

“We’ve all been together and come through a massive journey, and we’ve been to some bad places. We’ve been ranked 112 in the world and now we’re in the last 16 of the Euros, so these days are to be enjoyed, and we’re taking it all in our stride.”

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

ristiano Ronaldo has been backed to provide the difference for Portugal against Croatia in their Euro 2016 last 16 clash torday in Lens. Ronaldo, 31, rediscovered his form against Hungary on Wednesday after a slow start to the tournament, his two goals and an assist saving his side from a surprising group-stage exit in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Nani believes his team-mate Ronaldo will increase his goal tally and can guide •Ronaldo his side to the quarterfinals of the competition in France.“Everyone knows Cristiano and what he can do at any time, in any minute in a game. I am 100 per cent sure he will go on and score more goals now,” Nani said.

Croatia’s 2-1 win over Spain on Tuesday meant they avoided a last 16 clash with Italy, and are now looking to repeat or improve on their performance in the 2008 competition, where they reached the quarter-finals.

Croatia coach Ante Cacic feels his team could not have faced much tougher opposition but is confident they can handle Ronaldo and co.

Nations title, on home soil in 1980, but the Fennecs avenged by beating the Eagles 1-0 to also nick their first African title, on home soil, ten years later.

Cameroon stopped Nigeria from reaching the 1990 FIFA World Cup finals, winning 1-0 in Yaounde in a group contest

death of Samuel Okwaraji, Nigeria needed a draw to shove aside the Lions but lost 1-0. In a friendly in Belgium in October last year, the Super Eagles steamrolled the Lions 30.

Nigeria’s Olympic team off to USA next week

Portugal bank on Ronaldo to stop Croatia

C

•Kabala

•Mikel

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

he Super Eagles will play Zambia’s Chipolopolo, Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions and Algeria’s Fennecs in the final round of qualification series for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

In what is already dubbed the group of death by pundits, the three-time African champions, who will not play in next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, face a tough route to qualify for Russia 2018 given the high quality of their opponents in the group.

The draw conducted at the Cairo Marriott Hotel put all former African champions in the same Group B, with reigning continental champions Cote d’Ivoire to tackle Gabon, Mali and Morocco in Group C. Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles head Group A that also includes Libya, Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea, and Ghana’s Black Stars will do battle with the Pharaohs of Egypt, Congo’s Red Devils and Uganda’s Cranes in Group E. Senegal’s Teranga Lions, which reached the World Cup quarter –finals in its debut in 2002, head Group D that also includes South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, Burkina Faso’s Etalons and Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks.

“It is a tough draw, but then I have always said that you have to beat the best to get to the World Cup. Now we have the draw, we know how to prepare.

The preparation has to start right now and we must make good use of every single day leading to the kick –off of the series. “The other pools are tough as well, because for me, you can never afford to under – rate any team these days. Now we must quickly sort out the issue of Head Coach and his assistants and put every other thing in place in good time,”

Lewandowski eyes q/final

The EURO 2016 knockout stages begin today,with Robert Lewandowski of Poland facing Switzerland.

Lewandowski, the top scorer in the Bundesliga last term with 30 goals, has yet to find •Lewandowski the net in three matches at the European championship. “You can’t play 60 games a season and score in every match,” the 27-year-old said prior to the clash with the Swiss in SaintÉtienne.

Poland assistant coach Bogdan Zajac feels there is “no problem” with Lewandowski’s eight-month goal drought for his country, although the Swiss have only conceded one goal so far, a penalty converted by Romania’s Bogdan Stancu. “Switzerland are a top team and clear favourites,” Lewandowski declared.

46— SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

TRANSFER...TRANSFER...T

Man Utd m Pogba top t

Payet, Martial to be put off EPL over Brexit

A

top investment banker has warned the Premier League’s ability to attract footballers such as West Ham’s Dimitri Payetcould be affected by the “shock” EU referendum result on Friday. Britain voted to quit the EU following an historic vote on Thursday, which saw Prime Minister David Cameron subsequently resign from his post on Friday morning.

While it remains uncertain how the decision to leave could impact other areas of British life, footballers from EU countries could now have to apply for a work permit before signing for an English club in the coming years.

Investment banker Keith Harris, who has overseen the sale of several clubs including Chelsea and Manchester City to foreign owners, believes France internationals Payet - who signed for West Ham from Marseille last summer - N’Golo Kante and Anthony Martial along with Belgium forward Romeulu Lukaku may not have been allowed to complete transfers to English clubs had Britain already left the EU. “It was a shock result,” Harris told Sky Sports. “There are four players that we can reflect on and the impact they had on their clubs last year, who may not have been able to come in. “Kante, who had a huge impact at Leicester, Martial at Manchester United, Lukaku at Everton and Payet at West Ham. “I wonder how attractive the Premier League would have been and how well those clubs would have done without those specific players, and that’s the kind of thing we are now speculating about.”

•Payet

J

ose Mourinho has drawn up his summer shopping list at Manchester United and Juventus star Paul Pogba is his priority signing. According to the Manchester Evening News, Mourinho wants to land at least three more players during this transfer window.

Mourinho is said to have vetoed a move for Roma ace Miralem Pjanic, who has since joined Juve, to focus on signing Pogba. The France ace left Old Trafford in 2012 and has since gone on to become one of Europe’s finest players.

Nolito: I’m close to City switch N

olito confirms he is closing in on a move to Manchester City as he has not signed with the English club “for now”.

City have reportedly activated Nolito’s •18m release clause and offered him a three-year contract, and the Celta Vigo star indirectly made it clear the Etihad Stadium would be his likeliest destination after Spain’s involvement at Euro 2016.“We’re calm and we depend on ourselves. We have to respect every opponent, but we’re not afraid of anyone,” the attacker told Radio Marca. “David de Gea was frustrated, Sergio Ramos too, but we stand together.

We’re a close-knit unit.“When we win, we win together and when we lose, we lose together. We’re the only ones who can change things.“We’ll see what happens with my future, but I won’t complain about how things are going for me sportingly.

“For now, I haven’t signed with Manchester City, but I won’t lie so we’ll see. I haven’t spoken to [Pep] Guardiola.

“Maybe [Pedro’s] been misunderstood, but we all support him. I honestly don’t mind coming to the national team and not playing.”

Arsenal want Icardi M

•Pogba

•Nolito

Man U battle City for Jesus

auro Icardi is reportedly Arsenal’s top transfer target.

The Gunners missed out on Jamie Vardy this week but Arsene Wenger is determined to land a striker this summer.

TalkSPORT claim the Inter Milan skipper is now top of Wenger’s wish-list.

The 23-year-old, capped once by Argentina, scored 16 goals in 33 games for Inter last season.

M

anchester United and Manchester City are going head to head for one of the most exciting emerging talents in Brazil, according to reports.

O Estadio de Sao Paulo claims the Reds have launched a £15million bid for Palmeiras teen sensation Gabriel Jesus. It follows reports this week from One World Sports that City are interested and ready to shell out £17.6million, with Juventus and Barcelona also in the hunt. Those reports remain unconfirmed, but it is a fact that the 19-year-old attacker is making waves in his home country.

He was named newcomer of the year in Brazil’s top flight last year and his performances have earned him comparisons to Barca superstar Neymar. Jesus has hit 20 goals in 60 games for Palmeiras and Barcelona sporting director Raul Sanllehi is said to have watched him in person with the Spaniards viewed as favourites to land him.

But Palmeiras boss Cuca believes the young prodigy should reject a move to the Nou Camp.

•Icardi

•Jesus

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016—47

TRANSFER...

ake target

Vardy shuns Arsenal because of Wenger’s style •Vardy

Liverpool target £30m Mane L

iverpool have made Southampton striker Sadio Mane a prime transfer target this summer and are willing to pay £30m.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp wants to boost his attacking options and is willing to make Mane one of the biggest signings in the club’s history to do it.

Liverpool and Southampton will •Mane continue to hold talks over the 24year-old, with the fee a possible sticking point.

The Saints are likely to want around £40m for a player who scored 11 goals in 37 Premier League games last season.

This is around £10m more than the top end of Liverpool’s price range, so there is still more negotiating to be done before any deal can be concluded.

The process might also be delayed by the fact that Southampton are still without a manager following the departure of Ronald Koeman to Everton.

Klopp was impressed by Mane, heavily linked with Manchester United during Louis van Gaal’s time at Old Trafford, when he scored twice as Southamptoncame from 2-0 down to beat Liverpool 3-2 at St Mary’s on 20 March.

Alongside England striker Daniel Sturridge and Belgium youngster Divock Origi, Mane would add pace and a goalscoring threat.

Liverpool would seek to recoup much of the money they spend on the Senegal international by selling striker Christian Benteke, who has struggled after his £32m switch from Aston Villa.

If he makes the move, Mane will be treading a well-worn path between Southampton and Liverpool.

Napoli offer Higuain • 6.5m per season.

N

apoli will reportedly hand Gonzalo Higuain a new contract worth •6.5m per season.

The Argentinian striker was Serie A’s top-scorer last season, but has been linked with a move away this summer.

Partenopei President Aurelio De Laurentiis wants Pipita to “stay forever”, and has talked of an improved contract.

Now Corriere dello Sport reports that an offer is on the table to extend Higuain’s contract until 2020, a two-year extension.

In addition, it’s thought the Vesuviani are offering wages of •6.5m per season.

Given that wages are reported as net in Serie A, that would mean a total outlay from the club of more than •50m over the next four years.

J

AMIE VARDY snubbed a move to Arsenal because he was worried he would not fit in with the way they play, according to reports.

The England striker scored 24 Premier League as Leicester City won the title last season, thriving in Claudio Ranieri’s thrilling counter-attacking system.

The 29-year-old agreed a four-year deal to stay at Leicester despite being offered a more lucrative move to join Arsenal earlier this week.

According to Sky Sports, Vardy believes that his style of play – on the last shoulder, exploiting through balls – does not mesh with Arsene Wenger’s possession based game.

The Foxes averaged just 43.7 per cent possession in their 38 Premier League matches last season – more than just TWO other clubs.

Arsenal on the other hand had more of the ball than any other team in the division, averaging 58.4 per cent of possession in their matches.

At the Emirates that increased to 61.6 per cent – the Gunners were the only team to break the 60 per cent barrier.

Leicester also completed only 9,137 passes over the season, almost half of the Arsenal total of 17,382.

Vardy is also said to believe that this current Leicester squad can mount a serious defence of their title, as well as bloody a few noses in the Champions League.

Arsenal boss Wenger also refused to rule out the possibility of Vardy playing out of position if needed.

The striker met with his agent after Monday’s 0-0 draw.

The pair agreed to announce his decision in the hope of avoiding any unwanted distractions with England now in the knockout stages of Euro 2016.

•Higuain

Juve, Inter , Napoli battle over Witsel N

apoli, Juventus and Inter are now in a three-horse race for Zenit St Petersburg’s Axel Witsel, say reports.

The Belgian international had already been targeted by Milan, and Roma are believed to have a concrete interest in the player too.

Tuttosport, however, claims that the three Italian clubs who are in the best position to pick up Witsel at the moment are Napoli, Juventus and Inter.

There appears to be no clear favourite between the three, not least because the 27-year-old appears to be an expensive option both in terms of his price and his prospective salary.

•Witsel

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 25, 2016

Eagles in Group of death

•Mikel

•Aboubakar

•Mahrez

•Kalaba

.Battle Algeria, >>45 Cameroon, Zambia

Portugal bank on Ronaldo to stop Croatia >>45

•Pogba

City stop Iheanacho from Rio Olympics >>44

CROSS WORD PUZZLE

Man Utd make Pogba top target >>46 Today’s Euro round of 16 Fixtures Switzerland Wales Croatia

v Poland v N/Ireland v Portugal

2pm 5pm 8pm

ACROSS 1 L.G.A in Gombe State – (5) 4 Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake – (7) 7 Wildebeest – (3) 8 Solar Planet – (7) 9 FC Porto Coach, Jose – (7) 10 Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Daniel Manzo – (7) 13 Brazilian Currency – (4) 15 L.G.A in Benue State – (6) 18 Greek Alphabet – (6) 22 Egyptian God – (4) 24 L.G.A in Katsina State – (7) 25 Swaziland’s Capital City – (7) 26 Country in Africa – (7) 27 Collection – (3) 28 Former Managing Director, Lags Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Olayinka – (7) 29 Super Falcons Defender, Faith – (5)

DOWN 1 Ugandan Capital City – (7) 2 Special Adviser to the Presidency o9n Media & Publicity, Mr. Femi – (7) 3 Ethnic Group in Nigeria – (7) 4 MD/CEO, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Saleh – (6) 5 L.G.A in Bauchi State – (7) 6 Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance & Other Financial Institutions, Senator Achonu – (5) 11 England & Tottenham Hotspurs Midfielder, Dele – (4) 12 Colour – (3) 14 Traditional Ruler of Kano – (4) 16 Venomous Snake – (3) 17 Tunisia “Carthage Eagles” Goalkeeper, Atef – (7) 19 Ethnic Group in Ghana – (7) 20 Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur – (7) 21 Juventus Coach, Massimillano – (7) 23 Malian Capital City – (6) 24 L.G.A in Plateau State – (5)

Solution on page 43

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355.

Advert Dept Hotline: 01-4544821. Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) ACTING EDITOR: KAYODE MATTHEW . Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

C M Y K